COACH RIDE

  “Tanner, I want you and I to chat for the first part of the trip, if that’s okay?” Bree asks as she places her hand on his.

  “It’s okay, the chat I mean. And thanks for the clothes and everything so far.” Tanner says with an embarrassed sigh.

  Bree smiles and reassures, “Do not worry, no son of mine will go naked.”

  Tanner laughs, “I guess that wouldn’t look good for the Imperial family, huh?”

  “No, people are sooo judgmental.” She laughs. “More serious, subject now. We must attend the ceremony along with Eunice in her capacity as the Church’s head and her council. The council of academy deans will be present. They will have someone deliver a brief speech. The district’s Grand Duke will speak. Then Harold will give a brief speech. The Goddess’s Voice will speak and bless the ceremony. The district Cardinal will pray. A priest will accompany you to the Attunement pillar. You will go after Claire. The Grand Duke’s son is also your age. He will go 3rd. Next to go will be the other noble houses by rank. Then the commoners, until everybody 16 Summers has gone. Then those seventeen and eighteen summers that did not become attuned over the last two years. The time this takes varies every year, depending on how many supplicants attend. The stadium will be full of family and friends of the attendees. Questions so far?”

  “Just one, ma’am. The priest will instruct us, correct?”

  “Yes. All I ask is for you to stand tall and walk regally when announced. We will practice when we get to the district capital. In case you are not aware, we have a small palace in each District Capital and a manor house in most of the important trade cities. Someone will present the last person. Harold will make another brief speech. The city will start the celebration. Those who develop an affinity will convene with the Church Deacons, the dean’s council, and representatives of the Imperial Armed Forces to clarify the status sheets' functions, and receive offers of schooling. Then they will return to their families. Then everyone celebrates Years Ending. Afterward, we’ll pack up and return to Imperial City.”

  Rhys’s call from the carriage front interrupts the conversation. “Dungeon Ho.”

  “What did you call me?” Penny shouts, laughing. “Sorry, that never gets old.”

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  Bree lets out a very large sigh. “Yes, yes, it does. Ancient.” She winks at Tanner. Tanner just smiles and shakes his head. ‘They are not what I thought they’d be.’ He thinks to himself.

  “What’s the situation?” Harold asks, looking up from his paperwork.

  “Unmapped dungeon ahead, no outpost. I believe it is new.”

  “Land we have to check it. Penny, mark it on the map. We’ll do a quick survey and write a new Dungeon report for the Bureau. Defensive formation soon as we touch down. Non-combatants remain in the coach until instructed to exit. Do not bring down the following carriages until we give the all clear. Penny, you have point. Rhys, Bree, top of the coach for sight lines. I’ll take second behind Penny. Signal the guard to surround the area and clear it if need be.” Harry orders.

  Gone is the cheerful, easygoing father figure Tanner has seen so far. The commanding presence of the Emperor has appeared and is mission focused. In fact, the entire delving party has lost their happy-go-lucky attitudes and has become focused professionals. Tanner realizes this is what he wants for himself when the time comes for his party.

  The carriage hits the ground, and Penny throws herself out of the door, clad in armor, before the carriage is even stopped. Bree and Harold close behind her. Tanner hears a thump as Bree swings on top of the roof. Tanner can see the guard landing all around the Dungeon and surrounding the coach. Eyes alert, stances ready. Claire and Richard sit upright, clutching each other’s hands. Shouts of “Clear” surround the carriage. Claire and Richard relax. Tanner gives them a questioning look.

  Claire explains, “They have to check the surrounding area in case monsters escaped the Dungeon. When the areas are cleared, they announce it. That means everything is okay.”

  “Oh, that makes sense.” Tanner says, nodding his head.

  “Everyone can come out. Land the rest of the air coaches. Penny, scan the entrance, please.” Bree commands.

  The other two air coaches land nearby. Penny strides to the Dungeon Pillar and places her hand on it. She pauses for a moment, then releases the pillar. “Mid to peak Tier ‘3’, minimum level 260 maximum 300. No one has ever cleared it. It’s a virgin.” She grins. “Perfect for the Imps.”

  Harry sighs. “We will have to run it on the way back. First Squad, leave two individuals and return to Volks Harbor and collect Tolbur. Bring him here. He can start establishing an outpost and protect our interests until we get back here. Hold up, make that second squad. I believe some of first squad has family in Madison.”

  “That is correct, your Majesty, thank you.” First squad’s lead says.

  Second squad loads back up into one of the air coaches. “Let us take an early dinner. Then fly on until sunset. They should be back about the time we finish cleaning up.” Harry says.

  After continuing until almost sunset and an overnight stay in the air carriages, the party gets an early morning start and lands in the city of Madison, Capital of the 12th district, with eight days left until Summer’s End. Time enough for more walking practice for Tanner than he ever imagined.