When Valka originally set the loot rules for the party it was that any items dropped from mobs would automatically be transported into his Spatial sack. Several high value items, not to mention a windfall of coin, had already been transported into it. However, the loot rules did not count towards items that were just laying around. So after Igvild successfully removed the poison thorn trap and picked the lock on the hidden hatch behind Garnak’s tent and all of them descended to see what was hidden there, the treasure was laid out for all to see.
Davros knew immediately he was looking at more than his companions had expected. There were several sacks of gold coins that Valka eagerly began stuffing into his seemingly endless pack. There were no more weapons, armors or robes, but there was a dust covered bottle that looked as if it had been sitting upon the shelf for an age. Anya reverently lifted it with wide eyes.
“An Experience Potion! I never believed they actually existed!” Anya whispered.
Meanwhile, Valka gasped as he lifted a red colored bottle from a clutch of four equally sized bottles.
“Healing potions. Four of them!”
“Drink one of them, Valka,” Anya said. “Otherwise we’ll be carrying you most of the way to Bruhle. I won’t be able to handle any additional healing if we run into any Slynt.” Valka didn’t argue. He popped the cork on one of the bottles and downed the mixture. I watched in amazement as color returned to his face and he was able to stand up straight.
“Ah, by the grace of the Eye!” The soldier smacked his lips appreciatively.
“By the grace of a ridiculously high Fortune, you mean,” Anya said gesturing at me.
“Aye, that too.” The hidden chamber looted, we exited the room and found that when we returned to the thorn bridge there was a glowing circular portal hovering just above where the edge of the bridge met the island.
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“What is that?” I asked.
“The exit,” Valka answered. “Once a dungeon has been completed it wants you out as soon as possible so that it can reset itself. It always provides Delvers a faster way to get out for that reason. Let’s go.” I watched Valka march through the portal without hesitation and he disappeared into the light. Igvild followed, whistling. I was about to follow him, but Anya made me pause when she put a hand on my arm.
“I’ve run this dungeon twice before and that was the hardest it has ever been. I’ve never seen Valka take such a near fatal wound before and I think it shook him more than any of us realize.”
“About that…,” I began and I swallowed. “I think it’s my fault.”
“How could it be your fault?” Anya’s brows furrowed.
“I accidentally issued some sort of a Challenge to Garnak. It made him do twice as much damage, but he also took more damage too.” I expected Anya to yell at me and call me a fool for almost costing Valka his life, but instead she put a finger to her lips and she looked contemplative.
“That would explain the set piece dropping for you. It was a special reward for winning the Challenge.” She sighed. “You couldn’t have known. Your education is sorely lacking and I knew that. Nobody should be thrust into a dungeon without being educated on how these places work.”
“I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.” Anya nodded and smiled. That smile made me wish I could say something witty. Something intelligent. Anything to convince her to call me a friend.
“You’re an honorable person, Davros and I’m pleased to see that my Soothe spell seems to have done a better job tempering your Mana Core than expected. You have a rare power and it needs to be nourished. It’s why you should drink this.” She handed me the dusty bottle she had found, the Experience potion.
“Should’t you give it to General Torlack?” I asked, but took it from her and looked uncertainly at the yellowish liquid within. It didn’t look very appetizing.
“Yes, but remember one of our goals for coming here. To level you for the assault on Bludgard. When Valka asks, I’ll remind him of this.” I nodded my head. As I didn’t want to argue with Lieutenant Anya, I pulled off the wax seal on the bottle and drank it down after turning away. I didn’t want Anya to look at my face as I drank in case I dribbled on myself.
The potion tasted like nothing I had ever tasted before, which didn’t count for much as I was not a widely experienced in much besides water, but it wasn’t unpleasant. I received a notification a moment later.
You have consumed [1] Minor Potion of Experience!
You have enough XP to advance to Level 5! Please exit current *Dungeon [Bleakthorn Holler] to apply available experience points.
* Advancing levels within Dungeon zones is not permitted.
“I think it may have been worth it, Lieutenant.” I said with a smile.
“Just remember that not every dungeon is the same and the enemies are as varied as Elven fashion. The enemy that exists within ourselves can be every bit as dangerous. Overconfidence can kill as surely as any blade or spell. Luck played a pretty big part in our victory.” Anya answered with a bob of her head.
“Luck and a fire bolt into a cauldron of Tyne Sap.” Anya laughed at my words and pulled me forward until we both walked into the portal together until I was surrounded by light. I wasn’t sure if the warmth in my chest came from my Trait or from the fact that Anya hadn’t let go of my arm even as we entered the portal.
