The City: PuzzleLocked Book 1

It was dark when they left the prison tavern. Darker than it had been that morning. Gas lamps lit the road but didn’t do much to lessen the darkness.

“It’s a bit creepy out here at night. I can only imagine it’s worse when the rain is coming down, not just this drizzle.”

Alastair said nothing. Perhaps he preferred they were cleaning up from dinner and heading to bed rather than on an additional chore. Flor didn’t necessarily blame him. But if they were stuck in this fantasy and there weren’t specific penalties for deaths, they might as well take a bit of extra risk while they had little to lose. We have, what, three coins between us?

The distance to the Released Prisoners Guild wasn’t far, according to Horace, but required crossing a bridge and taking a couple of turns that they hadn’t explored yet. West Shilgrave was bigger than expected, probably due to the twists and turns of minor streets, while the straight path along the main streets made the distances short.

The rain had picked up a bit as they went along, and a distant rumble of thunder in the distance warned of an oncoming storm. Looking out at the distance, Alastair said, loudly to be overheard from the rain “If we wake up tomorrow and it’s still today, then this storm should be identical. Or at least similar. Unless we can figure out a way to control the weather.”

Fortunately for them, the rain began to lessen and eventually stopped completely, almost as if by design, as they arrived at the building that Horace had described. It had a notification board out front and a lady was locking up the door. Her title hung above her head as “Andile, Guild Leader 3.” She looked at the wet couple for a moment before turning around to unlock the door.

“I guess you two are my errant children. Well, come on in and I’ll show you what’s left.”

Alastair said, “Flor, you go on. I’ll check out the notices on this board and then we can discuss on the way back.”

Flor said, “Sure but if it starts to rain again, come in.”

He nodded concurrence as Flor followed Andile into what appeared to be a waiting area with interview rooms off to the side. Andile motioned for Flor to walk into another small room with a desk and a chair in the back corner. Several other chairs faced a screen.

Andile said, “Take a chair. Any, it doesn’t matter. I’ll show you the short version of the video, and you can pass on what you learn to the scribe.”

Flor mindlessly accepted the statement until she realized that Andile had mentioned a video. “What do you mean by video?”

Andile looked up from the device she was fiddling with and considered Flor a moment before stating, “It’s a projection of images. Sometimes it looks like they move. There is text explaining the images. Can you read or do you need me to read them for you?”

“I can read. What’s the premise of the video?”

“Give me a moment and you’ll find out. Did you just not pay attention when Rudolf was talking at you this morning?”

“It’s been an interesting day.”

Andile huffed, then hit the device and what seemed like an older film projector put up an image.

Large text projected “Prison Work Release Program: abbreviated version (for the mentally slow).”

The first image showed an image of fantasy characters behind prison bars with the subtitles, “So, you’ve taken the plea deal to work in exchange for an amount of freedom - good for you!” It stayed up on the screen longer than necessary before the image showed one of the characters walking out of what might as well be a prison.

Another moment, longer than necessary, passed before another image showed up of the prison tavern Flor was already so familiar with. The subtitles read, “This is your lodging. If you work hard, you can stay here every night. Work harder, and you might be able to move to fancier lodging (recommend against this).”

The image changed to a picture of a bowl of slop that also looked overly familiar. “You’ll be fed three times a day, just like in the prison you were released from.”

The next image showed a bad rendition of Horace accepting coins from the previously released character. The subtitles read, “But you’ll have to pay to continue staying after the first day.”

The next image showed just text. “Rates (pause here): Night single - 5 coins. Night double - 8 coins. Breakfast - 1 coin. Lunch - 1 coin. Dinner - 1.5 coin. Mid-meal - .5 coin (self-served).”

Andile said, “I’m supposed to ask you if you have questions about the rates before I proceed, but it’s late so let’s keep on going.”

The video displayed the building in which Flor was watching the video. “This is the Released Prisoner’s Guildhall. They will help you find work to pay for food and lodging.”

Then again, just text. “Remember, only the first day of meals and the first-night stay are included in your release terms.”

There was another bad rendition, this one of Rudolf chasing the fantasy character before changing to an image of the fantasy character looking sad back behind prison bars. “Don’t slack off or cause mischief, otherwise you’ll end up back in prison.”

“Well, that goes for that video. Any questions?”

“What’s with the longer version?”

“It’s the same, just a few extra details. Now, questions about what you’re supposed to be doing?”

“Yeah, we were hoping to get a jump on the options for tomorrow.”

Andile finished putting away the device. She then walked around to the desk. She motioned for Flor to bring a chair then pulled out a file of papers. “I imagine you want a two-person job so you can stay with that scribe, huh?”

“Preferably.”

“I suppose he can read. Is he inclined to magic?”

“If he can’t read, he seems to fake it pretty well. Not sure on the magic.”

“Is that a yes or a no?”

“Yes. It’s a yes. He can read. I don’t know if he can magic.”

“Any specific aversions? Fear of animals or heights or the dark?”

“No. Neither of us specifically.”

Andile pulled a paper from the pile and slid it over to Flor. “How about this?”

Flor took the paper, which read “Mucker” at the top, followed by “Description: Mucker. Cleans muck from streets, sewers, and alleyways. Notes: May be paired. Requirements: None. Amount: Capped at 1500 muckers. Pay: 9 coins/day; stipend for boots. Hours: 05-17. Report upon acceptance to: Mucker department, Av 5, suite 14a.”

“Well, it certainly looks…appealing. Before I accept, on behalf of both of us, is there anything else available?”

“That’s the only paired job I have right now. Sometimes something else comes along, but we haven’t had anything else in the last week.”

“Okay. A couple of questions before I take it. How often can we change jobs? Can we work side jobs while working this one?”

“As they come available, but you have to meet the requirements. Look, it’s late. My dinner is probably cold. I’ll make you a deal. Accept this position now and I’ll keep aside any other paired positions that become available, and then let you know they exist at the earliest opportunity. And yes, as long as you don’t run afoul of the Warden, you can do whatever you choose in your off hours.”

“Sure, we’ll take it. Can you tell me how to get to the Mucker department?”

Andile stood up, walked toward the door, and said, “Ask Horace. Now, I’ll let them know you’re coming. And thanks for finally meeting your requirement to come in here. However, if you had another job lined up you could skip it. The objective is to keep society running accordingly.” She shoved Flor gently into the street where it had begun drizzling again.

Alastair was leaning against the notice board and gave a little wave. “Did you find us a job?”

“Oh, you’re going to love it. I’ll tell you on the way back. Anything on the board?”

“Right here,” he pointed to a small hand-scribbled note.

Flor moved up to it. “Mechanic needed to fix the Widow’s Siege Monument. Pay & lodging available.” She looked at Alastair. “So?”

He let out a sigh. “Obviously it’s a puzzle to be solved. Fix this thing and it will unlock some special treasure or item that will be useful later.”

“Speculation.”

“Yes, well, with reason. I’ve played enough games to know that hints like that have specific value.”

“Okay, we’ll keep it in mind. Does it say where to go?”

“Uh, not really. You read what I did.”

“Fine. Fine. Take the paper and we’ll add it to our list of mysteries.”