The Tower in the Shadows

The return of the team Tutanus had taken into the Dungeon on the surface had no effect apart from adding another shadow-infused boar hide to the market. In private with the elves, there was chaos that had not been seen since the folly. The once serene and harmonious elven community was now a place of tension and uncertainty. The number of messages being sent and received started attracting the attention of others.

For ten days, message traffic was almost continuous, a secret exchange that numerous influential people/organisations were taking note of. The Lands of Starlight and Trees, with their capable magic users and advanced cyphers, had managed to keep the content of their messages hidden. The sheer volume of messages hinted at the unfolding events.

Ranus was unaware of any of this.

He was found again on the docks this day, with Albrot awaiting another diplomatic mission to the town. Several human nations had arrived over the last few days, but today, another nonhuman nation was arriving. The anticipation in the air was palpable, and Ranus couldn't help but feel intrigued by the prospect of this new arrival.

The weather was turning and the chill in the air was becoming more noticeable. Autumn was short in the mountains, while winters were longer. He was not looking forward to this winter as he had not with the last. At least he had been wise enough to be wearing thicker clothing and a cloak today.

Albrot was reading a message scroll and not paying much attention to the events around him. The locals had heard a rumour that another nonhuman race was arriving today and there were a fair number of onlookers. The watch kept them at a distance to prevent any issues with the diplomats.

The last few days had been more chaotic than usual, and for this town was saying something. Something significant had had happened to Ranus, which he had kept quiet about for now, but he knew it would get out soon enough. He had finally progressed along the Paths to achieve the option to change Paths. He was now a Lord of Dungeon Entry, which was not as impressive as it sounds. This marked the first step along his new Path to Ascension, that of rulership. Most Lords that had lands with a Dungeon gained this class, so he was elated but still aware he was far to go.

He had gained a consolidation with his old class of Scion of a Merchant Clan. Most of the skills he had were upgraded or replaced. This brought new options and headaches that he had to deal with on a daily basis. He gritted his teeth and got on with it, feeling the weight of his responsibilities.

The next was the request by the Lands of Starlight and Trees to establish a permanent trade mission in the town. He had hoped that the diplomatic mission would come, look around, turn their noses up at his community and disappear. He was no fool. Since the group went into the Dungeon, something was going on or had changed. The problem was he had no means to ascertain what that was. He was sure Albrot knew, but he was not talking and neither was Elian. However, she had hinted he was right.

The elves requested a plot of land on which to establish a trade mission and conduct their affairs with local traders. Ranus knew from his travels that these were far more common, and having one within his community would be a source of both boons and ills. The land could be arranged, but he had to be aware that the lack of such plots was now becoming an issue as the valley they occupied was getting full. Many were calling for the town to expand around the Dungeon entrance to the north, but he firmly resisted that.

He delayed the request from the elves to give himself time to figure out what was happening. He was eyeing the other side of the river in the valley—granted, it was much smaller—but he could not ignore it. Several survey teams were mapping it out.

Money issues were starting to become something that he was losing sleep over. He was close to being copperless. Taxes and sales revenue were trickling in, but as most of the plots were gone, that money stream had dried up. The Merchant Guild had finally established an auction house in the town, which was adding more to his meagre income. The sales of the shadow-infused boar hide were the most profitable thing coming from the Dungeon, but they were hard to get as the floor boss was no pushover.

The webbing from the fourth was starting to attract more attention, and several artisans who could turn it into spider silk had arrived in the town. This increased the demand for resources, but most adventurers in the town were not strong enough to attempt that floor. This was, in turn, attracting higher-grade groups to the town, putting more pressure on the local infrastructure.

Elian had reported that adventurer losses were going up as those too arrogant to listen to advice were jumping in headfirst, only to find the rumours were true and this Dungeon showed its teeth much faster than the others.

The Dungeon produced other resources that the town willingly accepted for use, but they were the most profitable. Most avoided the fifth floor due to the combination of monsters and traps. Recently, a team had gotten around one of the traps to find out what was to be found in the bags on the plinths. Silver coins from the old empire had caused quite a stir. Greed was a powerful motivator, but the fear of death was an even more powerful deterrent for now.

He can avoid these and all the other headaches today as the Dwarvens are arriving very soon.

"Have you reminded everyone not to call them Dwarfs." Albrot said, breaking Ranus from his thoughts.

"Yes. We will be alone here on the pier and the rest at the reception have been told several times." Ranus was looking down along the river to the bend. Albrot had been very insistent on that.

"Excellent. They will be here within minutes." He said, returning his attention to the scroll.

Ranus did not mind the man but found he could be overzealous with some details. He continued to look down the river and up to the peaks. The snow line was creeping down the mountains, yet another sign of the approach of winter. He tightened the cloak around him.

"Ship inbound!" Came the call from the watchtower. Ranus noted that the call was different. It was not the usual "Sails inbound" or "Sails sighted."

The crowd turned all to the bend and were nearly all stunned by what came around it.

It was a ship of a sorts. Most races built their water-going craft along similar lines. They were meant to cut through or glide along the water. This craft was designed to bludgeon its way through. Ranus could see no sails but two large wheels on either side pushing the ship through the water. A large funnel on top of the frame produced a great deal of thick black smoke. There was wood that made up a large part of the hull, but there was also a large amount of iron.

The ship was decorated with little and seemed almost utilitarian in its construction. The only decoration that was so large it dominated was a relief of a bearded face with a helmet on the prow of the ship. It appeared made from an alloy that made it look like polished copper. Ranus knew it was not real copper as it would have been decayed by the sea journey to get here, along with any other journeys the ship had made.

"Be ready, Lord Goldwind." Albrot stood to attention and was now formally ready to greet the diplomats. Ranus prepared himself.

The ship approached the docking area and the pier. As it stopped, it smelled strongly of burning coal. Ranus and others were forced to cough the smell and taste from their noses and throats. Albrot seemed unfazed.

A gangplank slammed down onto the pier with a loud thud. This was followed by the stamping of five short and very broad individuals coming off the ship. Albrot stepped forth to greet them.

Ranus had never met any Dwarvens before, and his family had never dealt with them. Their lands were further north and he knew that the Skaald had some trade with them.

As the stories aid, they were short, around four foot five, but far broader than most men. All wore long braided beards and each was dressed in some amount of armour. The lead figure was the least covered in metal, while the other four would put many knights to shame with the amount they were clad in.

“Greetings, Clanspeaker Thuzgrul.” Albrot slammed his right fist against his chest as he spoke.

"Greetings, Guild Master Albrot." The deep, rumbling voice of the led Dwarven responded as he returned the gesture and slammed his right fist against his chest.

"I speak for Ranus Goldwind, Lord of these lands." Albrot gestured to Ranus. "Welcome, sons of Deep and Stone. Heed the laws of these lands and find wealth."

"I, son of Deep and Stone, hear your words and will heed the laws of these lands." With that, the official greeting would begin. The Dwarven walked over to Ranus and stuck out his hand for the traditional handshake. Ranus took it and was almost lifted off the floor by the strength of the Dwarven as he shook it.

“Welcome, Clanspeaker Thuzgrul. I hope you will enjoy your stay within my lands." Ranus sought to save his hand from being crushed.

"I hope to, Lord Goldwind. You have some nice small mountains here." Thuzgrul said looking around at the community and mountains. "We will speak more later."

## ## ## ## ##

Star Speaker Ellania sat with the rooms assigned to her during her visit. An open message before her on the table. It was the third she had been forced to use, as the first two burned out from overuse, their magic exhausted. Since Tutanus returned from the Dungeon and made his report, she had not known peace.

Tutanus had been tracking the Core's location when a divine messenger appeared and warned him off. He returned to report what had happened and things went wild. His private confession of his shock was still haunting her. His report was that the Dungeon was not typical and needed further monitoring and investigation.

The result was the court in an uproar. The Starlord and Treespeaker had to intervene and restore order. Melania knew this as they had taken over her direct communications, which was an almost unprecedented event in itself. The court was still debating, but they had started to put things into motion. She was given instructions, which she was trying to implement.

The most significant task they had her to achieve was securing a plot of land for a trade mission. She had approached Goldwind, but she was being stalled for the moment. While meeting him, she had read his body language and gained a little insight into his thoughts. He knew something was going on, but she was sure he did not know what was happening between her nation and herself. The Guilds were watching but had not involved themselves yet.

Ellania was sure she would secure the plot, and her people were preparing to send another ship to build on it. It would quickly become the hub for trade and intelligence gathering for her people and it could become one of the most important for her people.

Sighing as she leaned back, she rubbed her head with her hands. Things would not improve for her anytime soon. So much was left to be done.

Her peace was broken with a knock at the door to the room.

"Enter." She spoke in the human language. The door opened and Sliva'Elania entered. She closed the door and bowed slightly to Ellania as she entered. "Sister."

"Sister," Sliva greeted in return in their language. Elania motioned for her to sit in the chair across from her. Once she was seated, Ellania began.

"I had hoped to speak with you sooner." Ellania placed her hands on the rough wooden table. "But as you suspect, greater issues have demanded my attention."

"I indeed suspected that there were." Sliva conceded. She was reserved and polite, as was expected in front of one with Ellania's station.

"I will be remaining here longer than expected and wish to know your true opinion of the Dungeon." Ellania had wanted this conversation earlier, but it had been impossible until now. "Fear not your words and speak without shadow."

Sliva took a few moments to collect herself before speaking. She did not face Ellania but looked at the table, her eyes distant.

"They call this place the 'the Dungeon in the Shadows' or something similar. The name fits, as the Dungeon hides a lot and is not typical in any regard. The obvious is the speed of the threat increase and mixture of mana types within the monsters located within." She paused briefly before continuing. "The traps are too advanced for such a young Dungeon. This, combined with no sighting of a companion and the fact that the Core hides itself, leads to more questions. My words do not take into account what is happening around the Dungeon. Adding it all together, I know not what to think."

Ellania was silent as the younger elf gave form to her thoughts through words. She could understand everything that was being said as she had struggled with them, too.

"Heed me, young sister." This brought Sliva's head up. "Your words show wisdom and are heard. You are asked to remain here for now as I will be and assist me with actions for our people."

"Rest assured, Star Speaker, we will assist you as needed."

"I never doubted Sliva'Elania Fellonia. But now I must be away as the Dwarven have arrived by now and I must attend the reception for them." Ellania smiled at the younger elf.