The City: PuzzleLocked Book 1

Alastair walked up to Flor. The correct Flor, this time. “Visiting from Mars?”

“If only. Displaced migrant.”

“Well, I know this quaint little tavern if you’re hungry.”

“Thanks, but it seems like I just ate.”

“Me too. I was just about to head to the guild. Want to head that direction?”

“Sure, I wanted to check in on a possible friend in a private place, first. Should only take a moment.”

“Well, I know an alley along the way to the guild. As long as there aren’t thugs hanging around, it should be private enough. Or you could care less and contact your friend here.”

“Let’s do it through the alley.” She walked toward the guild. “So, considering that we can’t log out yet, and staying awake until midnight puts us back on the boat, we need to either make enough money in a day to lodge somewhere that won’t get us pressed into a search party, or solve this entire puzzle world within a day.”

“I’m not convinced that either of those options is fun to chase to resolution.”

“If only we had a map.”

“Let’s ask at the guild. Surely they might.”

“I kinda did yesterday. Or at least directions to the muckers’.”

“No luck, huh?”

“It’s earlier today. Maybe they have more. Or maybe the guild lady will draw us a map.”

“This looks like a good place to check on some daemons.” He stopped and entered his interface. A weight appeared in his pocket and a little nose poked out. Then his daemon jumped out of his pocket and flew into his hand. “Hello there, Edith.” The bunny scrunched its nose with something like glee. Kec had similarly climbed out of Flor’s pocket and was perched on her shoulder.

“Looks like they are healthy as. We wish you little guys had a bit more functionality. But we still seem to fully recall our previous days.”

“Why do you think they manifest physically?”

“Probably because some programmer on the development team had an idea they wanted to test, and this is the result. Despite their uniqueness, they don’t seem to interact with their surroundings in a complex manner. It’s almost as if they are just another NPC, just one assigned to us individually.”

“Do you think they record where we’ve been in the city? If we could pull up a map they would have a record of our wanderings?”

“Yeah, most likely. That seems like a background function they could handle, at least.”

“But since you didn’t have Kec on day one, meaning your first subjective day, was there a function recording your movements?”

“Surely, but maybe they just don’t get stored in a longer-term memory if a daemon isn’t assigned.”

“I’m just curious what you got up to that first day.”

“Well, it’s unlikely that I solved the puzzle that will let us escape. So, let’s stop thinking about it, get a city map, and figure out our plan. Preferably somewhere dry.”

“This rain just doesn’t stop. At least until later tonight.”

“Do you want to watch the Prison Work Release Program video?”

“Not really. I’m still surprised at the mix of modern tech with this low-tech setting. Watching a video? Silly! This setting is a hodgepodge of ‘the developers didn’t know what they were doing.’ Or at least didn’t consolidate their influences into a coherent whole.” Alastair gave ETC a gentle rub on the head, then said, “See you later Edith,” before turning her off in his interface. She disappeared into his pocket. Flor did likewise to Kec as they approached the Released Prisoner’s Guildhall.

As they walked in, Alastair and Flor were greeted by Andile, Guild Leader 3. Flor said, politely, “Good morning. We want to be muckers, starting tomorrow. But we would appreciate it if we could have a map of the city now. We don’t like stumbling about.”

Andile looked taken aback by the abruptness of Flor’s request. She recovered after a moment. “Sure. I’ll need your names to send to the Mucker Department. And I’ll get one of my assistants to get you a map. Will one do, or would you prefer two?”

“I’m Flor. This is Alastair. One map will be fine.” Andile motioned for Guild Member 1 to get a city map.

“Of course. Do you want to get the rundown or see other jobs? There are better ones than mucker.”

“Oh, no. We’re satisfied with the mucker position. We LOVE being outside in the rain.”

“It certainly doesn’t stop. You’ll fit right in. Ah, here is the map. I don’t imagine you’re familiar with West Shilgrave or the island. I can give you a run down if you like?”

“Just the quickest overview would be lovely. Did you say the island? Could you tell us about it first?”

“Of course.” Andile turned the map over and laid it atop a table. “Let me see. Cardinal directions, north is this way toward the top. And, likewise: east, south, and west.” She pointed clockwise around the island. “We’re here roughly due west. Your boat likely followed from directly north of there, past the lighthouse here and the Widow’s Siege monument here. There are four, well, really only three, routes out of the city. The north route splits out of the city gates and goes to the monument and the lighthouse. The east gate goes up the foothills to the Lord’s keep. The southeast gate will take you to the Monastery and then you are in farmland.”

“It seems sizable. Do people travel often between these places?”

“Not so much. At least the city folk. Now, about that,” she said as she flipped the map to the city side. “These are the gates I mentioned. This is the pier where you arrived. It must have only been an hour ago. The Mayor lives here, within this manor. This here is the university, the primary market, we have a clock,” she beamed at that, “administrative district (you’ll find the muckers there), a small temple to the Goddess, and the artesian districts and associated workshops.”

“How many bridges are there? Seems like a few.”

“Seven majors. And any number of minors. You’d need to ask a city architect that.”

“Are we allowed to keep this map?”

“Please do. They are technically part of your stipend, but we only provide them if asked.”

“You’ve been most helpful. We look forward to reporting to the muckers tomorrow. Who can we tell how wonderful a job you’ve done?”

“Oh, my?! Well, the Warden is technically my overseer, but not my supervisor. Any word you put into him on my behalf will be much appreciated.”

Your disposition with Andile changed from Neutral to Neutral+

“Now, two last questions before we leave. First, we understand that normal paying positions are authorized through the guild. Is there a way to make a few extra coins just this morning? I’ve heard there is a pastry shop with positively delightful croissants, and I’d like to try one before I get into my normal routine of mucking.”

“Hmm. I think I know just the place you’re talking about. It’s a wonder you heard about it in your first hour on the island.” Andile seemed thoughtful. “There might be a job or two posted on the board outside that could be completed immediately. I don’t keep track of those. And your other question?”

“Do you know if there are any cats around here? I’d love to give one a snuggle.”

“I don’t go for cats, so I can’t help you with that.”

“Regardless, you’ve been positively lovely and we appreciate your time. We’ll put in that good word for you with the Warden.” Flor stood to leave and Alastair followed suit. “Let’s go check that board.”