Chapter Thirteen: Changes

Chapter Thirteen: Changes

Business has been booming! The maze has become a huge success! I dunno if it was from dumping elf guy outside, or from the flier on the front door, but people are practically lining up to run the hedge maze! Most people literally run it, too; sprinting to try to find a chest or various nodes, before sprinting out. Its about a coin flip for them to get out without losing anything to the rats like that, which seems to be the challenge most people are after. Tiny has taken to just ignoring the ones that dont go very deep.

The kids actually did a real run of the maze, though. They got two chests before Tiny caught up to them. Freddie took one for the team and got captured, but Rhonda got to escape with all her goodies. I told Tiny to take his shiny new hatchet instead of his shield. That things a bit of a memento, after all.

Rhonda actually followed Fluffles as he levitated Freddie out the gate, and Im all but positive she helped him out of the webbing before they went off to do whatever they do. Theyre both looking healthier and stronger each time I see them, too. I swear Freddies grown a foot since I first saw him, and Rhonda is much more confident, though still fairly quiet, seems like. I hope theyre old enough to ship, because I definitely do.

The bulletin board Library was a great idea, too. Lots of people read the flier to see if anything has changed, and I make sure to note things, like the new garden and lab in the house. The lab doesnt really need a warning, as I dont have anything specific in the way of anyone getting there, random encounters aside.

The Garden, of course, has the warning of the boss in the way, though I dont say exactly what itll ever be. Partially so I can change it as needed for various delvers. Sorry herbalists. If you want to see what fancy stuff Codas been growing, you need to bring a couple friends to help get you there.

Poe has earned himself a title, which is pretty cool. Marshal. Im pretty sure its not like a sheriff, but more like someone who marshals the troops, gets them doing what they need to do and such. Hes been practically handling my expeditions on his own now, too, which I think is also what a marshal would do.

The public Lab has also been paying dividends. Ive watched a bunch of herbalists whip up a few potions of this and that in there. Ive written them down in the Secret Library, which Ive upgraded a few more times, and Queen is happily working away in the Secret Lab.

Speaking of Queen, the healing ants experiment was a success! Its still pretty difficult to make the goo for it, but I now have a few medical ants stationed nearby the various high-threat areas, mostly the attic and basement. Ive upgraded the Lab a few more times, too, and have been slowly stocking it as my rats borrow little bits and pieces from the alchemists in the public Lab.

And speaking of the ants, one of my plans has fallen through. I had joked to myself about carpenter ants doing carpentry, and I was starting to wonder if it would actually work that way. Well, from the random ants that the hill spits out, it doesnt seem so. Theyre just really big ants. Well, not really big, but Im pretty sure theyd get there if I upgraded them, but Tiny is all the big I need for now.

So now Im looking to expand, but have no idea where to expand. Up is somehow still an option. I get the feeling its for something later, once I figure out how to build more structures. Or maybe I can build on the clouds? Who knows.

Freddie meditates in his small room in the church. While part of him wants a bigger room with at least a window more designed for looking than for just letting in a bit of air, another part of him reminds him that this is still a far better situation than being on the street. He has a bed, he has warm or cool clothing, depending on the situation. He has brothers and sisters to support him, as is only proper for followers of the Crystal Shield.

He also has Fiona, his spider. When he first got her, he thought she was some curse or test of his burgeoning faith. But now, he feels she was a lesson sent to teach him to look beyond simple appearances. Fiona has been much better of a companion than he could have possibly imagined. Shes even helped him sneak a spare sweet roll from the kitchen on occasion. He knows he shouldnt, but if he were perfect, he wouldnt have much use for a god, would he?

As the floor starts to rumble, he nervously offers a quick prayer of apology. Surely a little bit of joking wisdom wouldnt earn him some smiting, would it? Sounds of alarm outside make him suspect its not actually his fault, since other people are feeling the rumbling. Come on, Fiona, he says as he stands, grabbing his shield as he exits his room. He still hasnt had a chance to replace his hatchet after that huge spider got him in the maze.

Whats going on? he asks one of the hurrying sisters. Though she seems busy, she doesnt seem to be panicking, so thats probably a good sign.

An earthquake, young brother! Come, help me with my supplies. There may soon be wounded to tend to. He nods and follows her, and Fiona follows him. Her orc is a good orc. He feeds her and lets her protect. He doesnt have a core or anything similar, but hes shown her she can protect all kinds of things. Sometimes she misses the dungeon, but she can protect it and her orc at once now, which is nice.

In the Dungeoneers Guild, the elven woman jerks up from her desk as things start rumbling. She was meditating and mentally processing her reports, not napping on them. It takes her a few seconds to process whats happening and why.

She quietly swears to herself, glad the rumbling would mask it if there were anyone around to even hear. Where did I put that seal?! Ah, gotcha! She snags a sealing stamp from among everything rattling, and deftly plucks a brush and inkwell up as well. The last thing she needs is a scroll, and she knows exactly where the scroll is.

Of course she does, its not like any of the other dungeons have been behaving oddly. The rumbling starts to taper off as she paints the seal with ink, and everything is still by the time she unrolls the scroll, and quickly stamps it.

Fourdocks Dungeon

DEEP