Jeremy drank what was left of the health potion and just lay down on his back, exhausted. His mana had all but been depleted, his health was low, and his stamina was on its last leg.

  He really didn’t know what to do. Pretty sure Mayor Thalorin would blame him for the death of his soldier, he hoped the truth rune would be able to save him a second time. Should he assume that Thalorin was in on the scheme? Was he the one who ordered Karn to rob him. Did he want the loot for himself?

  He didn’t want to tell Elirian his brother had been killed.

  He had succeeded in his quest, but he didn’t feel like it had been worth it.

  If this was a game, he would be able to accept the loss. Eli was just a Non-Playable Character, an NPC, right? He had lost many a companion on various different games. Eli wasn’t part of a game. He was a living and breathing entity that had lost his life. Jeremy knew deep down he did everything he could do, but he still blamed himself. It was his quest. He had asked for help. He hadn’t been suspicious enough of Karn.

  The Karn he met in the prison cell was definitely capable of stealing from anyone, but the Karn that travelled with them and fought with them and defeated the Moonwarden with them was a friend. How had he turned and betrayed them so easily? How was Jeremy so easily fooled?

  [He fooled us all, Jeremy,] Mel encouraged. [You are not to blame here. You must be careful with thoughts like this.]

  “You’re right. I…today was just a lot.”

  [Yes! But you are alive, and your quest is not complete. We must finish. You must focus on getting stronger.]

  “Ok. Can we just sleep here for the night?”

  [Sure! I believe we are safe.]

  Jeremy really didn’t want to sleep in this space filled with an aura of death and grief. He lay there and closed his eyes thinking he would only rest for a minute. When he opened them, his status bars were almost full, the cavern was darker, it was cooler, and he felt a little more rested. Mel curled up on Jeremy’s chest snoring softly.

  When Jeremy stretched, he woke Mel and they both started to get up and get moving.

  “We should check for items we can bring with us.”

  Jeremy checked Eli first. He still had several potions in a bag and a little food.

  Karn lay next to them face down. When Jeremy looked at him, he saw the loot notification. He accepted.

  Jeremy reached down and took the bag first. He could have used his magical ability to loot, but the bag was right there so he physically removed it.

  When Jeremy examined the bag, he could see the twenty items were pretty impressive. Karn had been collecting (or stealing) items and ingredients for some time. Among the stash was a bag full of gold…1200 pieces. Probably some of it is my gold, Jeremy thought.

  The gold was not the only item of value. There were necklaces, pendants, rings, cloak clips, and some various jewels. One of the cloak clips glowed indicating hit had a magical effect. Jeremy examined the clip.

  Jeremy wondered why this item was in the bag and not equipped. That must mean the one he’s wearing is better, Jeremy thought. He looked down at the backstabber’s body. He had to roll him over to get a better view of the officer’s cloak. He indeed did have a cloak clasp equipped.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  Yeah, Jeremy thought, I would definitely wear the ash clasp. He removed it from the cloak and equipped it on himself. He was thankful the Soulflare spell ignored fire resistance, because the majority of the attacks used to defeat him were fire based.

  When Jeremy equipped the clip, he felt a chill filling his entire body as if he were now wearing icy armor. The chill swiftly dissipated, thankfully because Jeremy’s anatomy would not have been able to handle that temperature.

  Inside the bag there were also several keys labeled ‘House,’ ‘Cellar,’ ‘Mayor’s Attic,’ ‘Prison Vault,’ and ‘Keep.’ Based on how Jeremy now viewed Karn and the mayor, he felt looting these possible treasure troves was a necessity. If he didn’t need the money, then he would donate the proceeds to the poor.

  Next Jeremy tried on the armor. It was indeed heavy. Too heavy. He tried to fit it in the bag of holding, but the bag would not accommodate armor. Jeremy thought Bart would have loved a set of armor like this, but unfortunately, he had to just leave it in the cavern.

  Jeremy took Karn’s scabbard and his sword and dagger. He wasn’t an expert with either weapon, but anything was better than a wooden staff and a wild, poisonous tongue attack. Jeremy would try to find someone who would train him to use the weapons properly, but until then, he would hack and slash as necessary.

  The last item on the list was the Shard of Betrayal. Jeremy searched the body, but he couldn’t find anything that looked like a shard. He decided to hold his hand over the body and use his magical looting ability. He thought hard and visualized a magical shard then cast the spell.

  Jeremy would definitely be using this! Well, not for the sword. He didn’t intend to ever stab someone in the back. He would either install it on a staff, or if he got some good armor, it would definitely be beneficial to enhance charisma.

  He wondered if any staff would work or if he had to have a magical staff. These were questions for someone else in Elar who understood this type of thing.

  There was nothing else for him to do in the chamber. Jeremy called to Mel and went over to Eli's body.

  “I guess I should say a few words,” Jeremy cleared his throat. “You were a good man. Brave. Selfless. I could not have gotten this far without your help. I will make sure your brother knows you died honorably and they will come get you so you can be buried properly. Thank you for being a teammate and a friend.”

  “That was very well spoken, Jeremy.” Mel said.

  The team of just two members left the way they had entered only silence following them.