Chapter 13 – Hidden Intent

  “So that confirms it,” Savgar said. “Clayton has been here.”

  “Yes,” Zajowle said. He finished the trial after a couple of days of effort and left to tell the others what he discovered. Now they were gathered around in the community room, going over the news. “But that does bring up the question, if finding Kharzast was his ultimate goal, then where is he now?”

  “The city was never his actual goal,” Daniel said. “Neither was this challenge, or trial. At least neither of us knew about the challenge when we came here. He was only interested in unlocking the Blood Mage class, but who knows what his master has told him.”

  “Maybe the Trial was just a means of doing that?” Jack said. “Remember. You need at least Candidate or higher status to open anything around here. Maybe he needed the access first?”

  “Could be,” Teresa nodded. “I have a hard time believing something like a prison would be accessible to Candidates though, and it still doesn’t tell us where he is now.”

  “We never came across him in the city either,” Savgar said. “Granted many of our senses don’t work in this place, but I still think I would have noticed something if he had been nearby. He is strong, but he never learned to hide his bloodlust very well.”

  “What bloodlust?” Daniel asked.

  “His bloodlust,” Savgar said. “It’s like an aura of a person’s killing intent. Everything gives one off, but most learn to hide it. Can’t you sense it?”

  Daniel shook his head. “I was around him the longest and I never felt anything like that. Did anyone else?”

  Everyone glanced around to see if anyone knew what Savgar was talking about, but none of them recalled feeling any bloodlust from the guy.

  “I know what you are talking about,” Zajowle said. “But I was never able to pick up on it either. It is strange now that you mention it.”

  “I only ever noticed my Danger Sense when talking to him,” Jack said. “I don’t think I had a single conversation with him that it wasn’t giving me a warning.”

  “That can’t be right,” Savgar muttered. “I felt it the moment I laid eyes on the man.”

  “Perhaps a skill that helps hide his intent,” Daniel muttered. “Savgar, you are the strongest one here with the most fighting experience. Maybe that is it. His skill wasn’t strong enough to fool you.”

  “Dwarves tend to have a higher threshold of mental fortitude,” Sylvian added. “It makes it difficult to manipulate or influence them.”

  “That may be the case,” Savgar grunted. “But I never heard of a Beastmaster with a skill set like that. Manipulating Enlightened species isn’t what that class does.”

  “That would mean that Clayton would have to possess a specialized profession or class,” Teresa said.

  “What kind of classes specialize in things like that?” Elaine asked. “I thought only thieves and assassins had skills to hide intent like that, but he wouldn’t have picked a second combat class, would he?”

  “Actor,” Daniel said rubbing his chin in thought. “Has to be. Gives bonuses to Charisma and has abilities all around hiding intent and convincing people. It makes sense. It even lines up perfectly with the blood mage class he is looking for.”

  They quietly considered Daniel’s words for a moment until Savgar broke the silence. “Doesn’t really matter. Just another thing to be careful about. Skills like those are only powerful if they are kept secret. If you already know, then the skill can’t affect you as easily. Doesn’t change anything.”

  “That is true,” Daniel said. “Knowing doesn’t change anything. If anything, it makes it easier. Now we know what to expect.”

  “But we still don’t know where Clayton is right now,” Jack said. “Searching the city would be impossible with our numbers and the jungle wouldn’t be much better, but at least we know where his camp is there. I think we need to ask…. The Trial Moderator… and see if it knows anything more about what Clayton did while he was here.”

  Jack had tried to say Arbour’s name but found he was still blocked from speaking it. However, they found that referring to Arbour by its job within the Trial was fine. Zajowle talked to him after leaving the Trial, and they came up with this to refer to Arbour by. Most challenge trials like these had a moderator to oversee them, making the fact that there was one in this Trial not a secret. At least not enough of one to invoke their contract.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “How?” Victor asked. “You can only enter the Trial once. We have that same item Jack has that should let us back in now, but it was only meant to be used to complete our end of the contract. I’m not sure how we will even begin to complete that part.”

  Upon completing the Trial, Jack agreed to help relocate Arbour from its current resting place, and out into the jungle where it could be among the other trees and see the sky. It was a clause that Arbour added into the normal contract and has started making everyone that completed the trial agree to. It was Arbour’s only wish, but no one had any idea on how they could relocate the giant tree.

  “We could still use it,” Jack said. “It might have been intended for that purpose, but there isn’t anything saying we can’t use it for another. We have a few of those items now, so even if we can’t get a replacement, we should still have enough to use when that time comes.”

  “Could work,” Teresa said. “But I’m not sure I like using a one-time-use item like that without a need. It’s not like we are in a rush this second. Why don’t we just have the next person doing the Trial ask?”

  “That could work,” Sylvian said. “But are we sure we want to stay here, knowing that Clayton might be about.”

  “Eh, let him come,” Savgar said with a grin. “I don’t think he will be able to bring his army down here easily, and without them he isn’t much of a threat. I personally would love to come across the guy without his pets around.”

  “That’s all well and good for you, but I’m not sure about some of the others here,” Reuf interjected. “You can probably handle him without help, but he is still a power foe for the rest of us.”

  “I think you underestimate just how strong you lot have gotten since that escape,” Savgar said. “Sure, when you first escaped, you all were a bunch of fledgling whelps, but look at you now. Took out a goblin camp and King not long ago. I think you can hold your own more than you think against a single Beastmaster, especially if he doesn’t have any pets.”

  “That’s assuming he will be alone,” Teresa said. “If he knows we are here, then he won’t be alone. He never went anywhere without his Wenduag bodyguards back at the camp. It might not be easy to get them down here, but that doesn’t mean he can’t.”

  “I don’t believe he would have stayed here,” Daniel said. “Not once he got what he came here for. We need to know if he has or not. If he managed to unlock the class already, then he is likely done with Kharzast, and we won’t see him here.”

  “I have to agree,” Rayne said as Sylvian opened her mouth to say something, but Rayne stopped her. “He’s right. We don’t know where Clayton is. That’s the problem. But if we can confirm if he is in the city, then there might be an opportunity. But if he isn’t, then we will have to deal with him and the Wenduags in the jungle. We need more information.”

  “Maybe,” Sylvian admitted. “If we happen across him. I’d much rather fight him when we have the advantage as well, but there is also the chance that he could cave in the cavern or city. I’m not sure how stable this place is.”

  “It wasn’t built to be underground,” Savgar said. “It’s a little strange. If I didn’t know better, I’d say the rocks and walls were grown to cover the place. But you are right, without a proper infrastructure in place, there’s a risk.”

  “Should we leave the place then?” Victor asked. “I don’t like the idea of Clayton showing up while we are sleeping.”

  “The rooms should be safe enough,” Teresa said. “I mean, even Jack can’t open a room assigned to someone else without permission.”

  “That is true,” Savgar admitted. “I even tested it a little with Thurg. Couldn’t make a dent in the door.”

  Savgar patted Thurg, currently lying across his lap fondly.

  “Wait,” Daniel said. “Was that what that ruckus was? You said you were experimenting.”

  “And I was,” Savgar said. “I was testing the physical limitations of the doors and walls.”

  “That was reckless,” Daniel said. “What if you broke through and caused a disruption in the matrix…”

  “You have your ways of experimenting,” Savgar said. “And I have mine.”

  “We should probably hold off on experimenting with the ancient magical city,” Jack said. “Just until we know more about it.”

  “Fine,” Savgar said. “If it will make you feel safer. I don’t have anything I want to test right away anyways.”

  “I agree though, we need more information,” Reuf said. “Another should take the Trial and try and learn more about Clayton’s intention and whereabouts. We can decide from there.”

  “Alright,” Savgar said. “In that case, perhaps I should try this Trial then. Can’t imagine it will be much of a challenge, so it shouldn’t take me very long.”

  “No,” Zajowle said, stopping Savgar.

  “No?” Savgar asked, turning to face the kobold. “Why on Berdun’s beard not?”

  Zajowle was silent for a moment before answering. “I have two reasons. The first being that you are one of our strongest fighters. Should anything happen, it would be safer for all of us if you were here to help. The second being that I do not believe you and the moderator will get along well and that could hurt our ability to get information.”

  “Why wouldn’t I get along with this moderator?” Savgar asked. “Everyone loves me.”

  “Just a hunch,” Zajowle said. “I cannot speak more on that. But to that end I think our best choice would be Sylvian.”

  Sylvian looked up. “Me? Why?”

  “Just a hunch,” Zajowle repeated not saying anymore.

  “Curious,” Ruef said. “But if we are trying to keep our best fighter out here for now, wouldn’t it be best if I go then? I am far from a competent warrior.”

  “Your healing spells may be necessary,” Jack said, catching the look in Zajowle’s eyes. It was clear there was a reason he wanted Sylvian to be the next one to do the trial. He clearly knew something, but Jack would have to wait until the others left to ask him about it.

  “Very well,” Reuf said.

  “I wasn’t sure if I was going to take the Trial,” Sylvian said. “But if everyone thinks it best, then I will.”

  “I can only promise that you will not be disappointed,” Zajowle said.