Fritz's legs shook while his back and arms burned. His pack felt as though it weighed a ton, and the sack he dragged up the stairs, thumping against every new step, was just as heavy.
"Switch," Fritz groaned, letting go of the rough fabric.
Clover grunted as she heaved up the sack, taking her turn to carry it while he picked up the far lighter chest she had just put down. Then they kept climbing, overburdened and undermanned.
It had been three whole minutes of torment, though it seemed far longer. Fritz worried that perhaps it was a taller set of stairs than he had thought, and he feared for Trudge's life. Wounded as the man was, if Reed and Toby struggled just as much with his bulk as Fritz, Mel and Clover did with the gold, then he could very well have perished.
With that in mind, Fritz redoubled his efforts.
"Come on, it can't be much further," he encouraged between panting breaths.
Mel wheezed some curses, and Clover looked as though she'd fall over.
"Whoa there!" Fritz cried, catching the woman by the arm as she swayed.
"Sorry," she mumbled, her soaked hair sticking to her skin.
"You're forgiven. Switch," Fritz said.
She nodded blearily, and they traded burdens.
Three more minutes, an awful stretch of nearly two hundred steps, the plodding and pulling passing like hours.
Then they were at the top. The landing was blissfully flat.
Fritz heaved his sack to the side, unshouldered his pack, then collapsed to his knees. He then lay down on the lovely cool stone. Mel and Clover followed, sitting heavily, groaning and attempting to catch their breath.
"What took you so long? Wait, is that another bloody chest?" Reed exclaimed, walking over excitedly. "Where'd you find that?"
Fritz held up his hand, forestalling any further questions, then croaked, "How's Trudge?"
"He's... he's not doin' too well," Reed said, his face falling. "We got him up here quick as we could, then soaked him in the Well. His wounds closed, and he woke up, but he's weak. Can't stand for longer than a minute."
"It's not that bad," Trudge protested, joining them gingerly. "I just need to rest. Let me get some sleep, and I'll be better in the morning," he added, rubbing one hand over a circular scar below his heart. Then he swayed on his feet.
Toby laid a hand on the man's shoulder, steadying him. "You're still injured. Go lie down."
Trudge nodded, though glanced at the silver-banded chest.
"If they intended to open it without you, they would have already. And with us none the wiser," Toby stated, reading the man's worries. "You'll get your share."
Trudge smiled weakly, then returned to his unfurled bedroll.
"Drag these sacks further from the stairs. I don't want to see them fall down all those steps," Fritz said.
"No chance of that, Door's gone," Reed said, pointing at the bare stone wall.
The man was right, the stairs had disappeared, likely when Clover had entered the Well Room.
"Well, put them somewhere more central," Fritz ordered. "It's no good having them tucked out of sight where anyone could line their purses and pockets."
Although they didn't agree with his assessment, he was obeyed.
Fritz, Mel and Clover slowly recovered their stamina as they watched the two men struggle with the sacks.
"Gods, that's heavier than it looks," Reed grunted.
"And now you know why we 'took so long'," Fritz pointedly provided.
A minute later, once Fritz felt his legs would hold his weight, he stood, then slowly walked to the Well.
It took the form of a green-marbled bowl inscribed with all kinds of inscrutable runes and filled with clear water. With a touch, cool energy flowed into him, easing his aches and closing his cuts.
Fritz sighed, then returned to the women and offered to help them to the Well. Clover agreed easily and Mel refused, walking on her own two feet. Soon, their wounds and weariness were alleviated too. They also had some new attributes to align as well, for which Fritz felt some envy.
It was grating to be the only one stagnating. Despite the acquisition of Treasures and dubiously valuable experience, he felt that his personal power and potential were being squandered. Perhaps that was part of the Nightshark's ploy, to keep him too preoccupied to plot her downfall. It wouldn't suffice; he wouldn't let her rule him forever.
He itched to Climb the Rain Spire and resume growing his power. There were just a few walls he had to overcome.
"Ahh, that feels much better," Mel moaned, stretching her back and shoulders and producing some hideous cracks.
"Yeah, much better," Clover agreed, sighing.
"We gonna open that chest now?" Reed asked eagerly.
"Of course, place it down and gather around," Fritz announced.
And so they did.
Fritz flung open the lid, and brilliant light poured out. Without further speech, he reached in and grasped the first item.
It was something made of thick cloth. At first, he thought the folded fabric was a blanket, but when unfurled, it took the form of a cloak. Its colour was the grey of both stormclouds and the mists at dawn.
Toby took an immediate interest in it, and Fritz frowned at him and pulled it away from the thief.
"I was just lookin'," he scoffed.
"Look elsewhere," Fritz suggested.
"Who's next?" Reed asked.
"Me!" Mel said, reaching right in and pulling out a crystal circlet. It was a dainty thing, thin and glittering, and set with a singular aquamarine. She placed it on her head immediately. And with her unkempt hair and crooked nose, it looked more than a little incongruous. She smiled as though she knew that it didn't suit her, but couldn't be made to care.
Clover clambered close and took a turn, receiving a set of thick leather gloves. Her face fell, and she glanced to the circlet and the gleeful woman wearing it. Clover's features soured further. Seemingly, she felt that the chest was unfairly distributing the Treasures within.
Reed then grabbed something himself, a long shirt of dark chainmail. "Not bad," he said, nodding enthusiastically.
Toby followed, finding a cloak of his very own, this one as blue-black as a stormhawk's feathers. He grinned, as happy as Fritz had ever seen him.
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Lastly, Trudge reached in, then pulled something out. He frowned, staring at the three potions in his hand. One was a bubbling yellow, another was black with steely specks floating within, and the last was a dull, but deep red. It was that final one that captured his focus.
It didn't keep Fritz's attention, though. The chest's interior was still glowing and had more wonders to give. He reached in again, this time gripping a rolled scroll tied with a thin ribbon and sealed with a wax circle, both mustard yellow.
Mel didn't wait more than a moment to seize upon another object. She was much less impressed by this second item, which was a miniature rowboat that fit comfortably in her open hand.
And so it went, each taking an item in turn. It was a small fortune of potions, magical objects and Treasures.
The only thing that the chest lacked was some bags of gold. Though that was understandable given their haul from the Floor before.
Eventually, and quite a bit later than Fritz had expected, the chest ceased glowing and vanished.
"That had a lot more stuff than the last one," Mel observed. "Not that I'm complainin', mind you."
"We are higher, a chest found on the eighth floor is bound to be more bountiful than one found lower down," Fritz espoused.
"Much more," Clover agreed.
"Well, no use dallying, let's Note these Treasures and appraise what we can," Fritz said, pulling a small stack of those wonderful white cards.
To his great joy, the grey cloak was indeed a Treasure, judging from the trembling of the Know-note. With an unhesitating Activation, black glyphs slowly burned into the stiff paper.
---------
Treasure
---------
---
Cloak of Clouded Night
---
Alignment: Illusion, Mind, Water.
---
Capacity: 3/6
---
---------
Abilities Imbued
---------
---
Rainshield
Dreary weather? Cloudy sky? Worry not, I'll keep you dry.
This Treasure repels rain around its wielder.
Alignment: Water.
Cost: One.
Duration: Three hours.
Refresh: None.
---
Unclear Countenance
Hidden well, from mind and gaze. Who are you, there, behind the haze?
This Treasure obscures the face beneath its hood from both sight and memory.
Alignment: Illusion, Mind.
Cost: Three.
Duration: Nine Minutes.
Refresh: None.
---
---------
Fritz stroked the fabric of the cloak thoughtfully. This Treasure's Abilities, while not of much value in the Spire, would be rather useful on the outside. Even if its power was only to protect him from the rain, he would desire it. The fact that it had another, far more potent, magic to hide his face only made it more appealing.
He shrugged off his former torn and muddy cloak and wrapped this new, heavier, warmer one around his shoulders. It fit well, the fabric was sturdy, and it settled over him with a comfortable weight.
Fritz swapped his Know-note with another offered by Clover. While he had some small misgivings about revealing the power of his new Treasure, he found he didn't truly mistrust the crew he was currently Climbing with. Smiling to himself, he read the card passed to him.
---------
Treasure
---------
---
Mighty Gloves
---
Alignment: Body, Boon.
---
Capacity: 3/6
---
---------
Abilities Imbued
---------
---
Manifest Might: Minor
A strength so true, a might so great, the sky will fall, and ground will quake.
This Treasure grants a minor bonus to Strength and Might.
Alignment: Body, Boon.
Cost: Three.
Duration: One minute.
Refresh: One minute.
---
---------
The thick leather gloves were more powerful than he'd thought. Clover thought so too, as she was now wearing them. Fritz was about to suggest that perhaps they were better suited to someone else, even to someone such as himself, but was interrupted by another exchange of Know-notes.
---------
Treasure
---------
---
Chainmail of the Bull
---
Alignment: Body, Boon, Primal.
---
Capacity: 3/6
---
---------
Abilities Imbued
---------
---
Aspect of the Bull
With hooves of thunder, and horns held high. The brutal breaking and crushing's nigh.
This Treasure grants a minor bonus to Strength, Speed, Might and Momentum.
Alignment: Body, Boon, Primal.
Cost: Two.
Duration: One minute.
Refresh: None.
---
---------
Again, this was another powerful Treasure. Though it was one that he would rather go to his team rather than himself or this crew. Fritz knew it wasn't to be. Not with the way Reed guarded it jealously. Another Know-note made it to him, and he read it.
---------
Treasure
---------
---
Tiara of Delight
---
Alignment: Boon, Light, Mind.
---
Capacity: 3/6
---
---------
Abilities Imbued
---------
---
Light
Brightly shine, clear as day, banish dark, light the way.
This Treasure sheds a bright light.
Alignment: Light.
Cost: One.
Duration: Three hours.
Refresh: None.
---
Delightful Presence: Minor
Enchant, allure, speak, be heard, charm, seduce, hearts, be stirred.
This Treasure grants a minor bonus to Presence and Guile.
Alignment: Boon, Mind.
Cost: Three.
Duration: Nine minutes.
Refresh: None.
---
---------
Fritz was surprised there was another Treasure with two Abilities, but he was more surprised at what the circlet's second power bestowed. He hadn't heard of Presence or Guile before, though he suspected that they were Advanced Attributes, those that enhanced one's natural charisma and appeal. It was unfortunate, then, that the Treasure was too delicate for his tastes, far more suitable for a dainty princess than a bold prince.
However, it was still a potent object, and he wouldn't disregard it just for aesthetic reasons. He wasn't quite that vain. Or rather, he didn't have the choice to be. When they reached the Precipice, and they split the Treasures and wealth, he'd definitely attempt to claim it. After the Ring of Inner Fire and his new cloak, of course.
Another Know-note came around; this one had been used on a square-headed warhammer that Trudge had pulled out of the chest on one of his turns.
---------
Treasure
---------
---
Weightful Hammer
---
Alignment: Arcane.
---
Capacity: 3/6
---
---------
Abilities Imbued
---------
---
Twice Heavy
Weight is strength, all are in the thrall. And with twice the heft, then twice the fall.
This Treasure doubles its weight.
Alignment: Arcane.
Cost: Three.
Duration: One hour.
Refresh: None.
---
Half Heavy
Lift the burden, lighten the load. And with half the bulk, then be half slowed.
This Treasure halves its weight.
Alignment: Arcane.
Cost: Three.
Duration: One hour.
Refresh: None.
---
---------
Fritz thought this was the worst of the Treasures so far, though it would be a decent training aid. It was also the last Treasure they had received; the rest of the items were merely mundane or mildly magical. Though there were a few objects that were particularly interesting.
One of these was the scroll Fritz had been given. He knew what it was immediately, not because he'd ever encountered one before, but because they were much sought after and one of the magical wonders that was hoarded by the Guides Guild. A Floor Map.
It was one of those navigation aids, similar to Door Dowsers, though far greater in scope and rarity. When the scroll was opened, its seal broken, the paper within would magically chart a map of the Floor. Of course, the effect would depend on the size and shrouding of the Floor in question, but it wasn't unusual for the self-inscribing map to reveal the entirety of the lands around and any notable locations, materials, and vary rarely, the presence of Treasure Chests.
Fritz swiftly slid the Floor Map safely into his pack, then looked over what else they had found. There was a steel, open-faced helmet, two throwing axes made of bone, some leather bracers, and a pair of punching daggers that took the form of tiger's claws. There were also the vials filled with mysterious liquids. One was obviously a potion of healing, and one was definitely a stamina potion. The last was not something Fritz was familiar with, so it joined the three vials of glittering, clear fluid in his pack.
It would need to be appraised on the outside, if they were allowed to keep it. The one-third tribute was one of the fleeting concerns that occasionally bubbled up in his thoughts, and when it did, anger accompanied the dismay.
He put it out of his mind; there was nothing to be done about it, and perhaps he could pull another trick. Fill another shark's gullet with gold and Treasures to be reclaimed at a later date. Or maybe he'd discover another less gruesome way to smuggle his well-earned wealth away.
One could hope.
"What's that? Bolts of cloth?" Reed asked, pointing to three thin rolls of pristine, white linen.
"Magic cloth," Clover said. "The Know-note shivered when touching them, but I don't know what they are."
"They could be Quickbind Bandages," Toby provided. "Jane has some, and they look about the same."
"What do they do?" Trudge asked.
"It's in the name. When Activated they come to life and quickly bind a wound," Toby claimed. "Only once, though. After that, their magic is spent."
Fritz picked up the rolled-up bandages, then threw one to Clover and another to Mel, keeping the last for himself.
"I know you gave one to Clover cause she always gets hurt, but why are you tossing one to me?" Mel asked, scowling only slightly.
"Because you also are always getting hurt," Fritz stated. "First a shoulder, now a leg. I'm beginning to see why they called you Malady," he added with a note of teasing.
"That's not why they called me that," she said flatly. Her eyes dimmed. "It's cause I got sick, then I spread it to my gang. My only friend died from it. From what I gave her."
Fritz's smile fell, though he kept a look of pity off his face. He knew that would only enrage her. "My apologies. I didn't know. That's a cruel name."
She shrugged, accepting his apology the way most in the gutters did, with indifference. "It's fine. Just don't call me that no more, alright?"
Fritz nodded.
Reed coughed, breaking the silence that had fallen. "So how are we gonna split the rest of the stuff?" he asked, eyeing the helmet.
"I want the throwing axes," Clover said. "I can use them from range when my bolts aren't needed."
"I'll take the claws," Mel stated. "They look fearsome."
"Those bracers seem sturdy," Toby said, picking up some pieces of dark-scaled armour.
"Helmet will go well with the chainmail," Reed said hopefully.
Fritz didn't have any designs on the rest of the mundane or magical equipment, so he let them sort it out amongst themselves. And while they bargained and bickered with each they eventually settled on what they had claimed.
While they did so, he brought out needle and thread and began to sew his pants and leathers back together. He didn't attempt to repair his shirt, knowing he'd make a mess of it and instead rolled up his sleeves to protect them from further fraying.
Silently, he cursed the glass tiger and its stupidly sharp claws.
When he was done, he decided to attend to his Scoutly duties and made his way to the Doors. The ninth Floor awaited, then it was simply one more Door and he'd be finished with this whole Climb and could go home. Back to Bert, back to Sylvia and back to his family and his team. He missed them all keenly. Even Cal, though that mostly had to do with the meals the man prepared.
The first Door was a cave mouth, dripping with water and plastered with patches of thick, blue moss. A warm, humid breeze blew forth, and on it was carried the scent of limes. The lush natural air felt welcoming compared to the harsh sterility of the previous floor, and he almost took a step forward to bask in it further.
Thankfully, he didn't, as that would have caused him to cross the threshold. Then his Senses swiftly warned him that the jungle beyond the Door was filled with many hidden dangers, beasts and plants alike. That wasn't his main worry, no, there seemed to be something on the breeze, something that whispered of sweet fruits and a soothing of the mind and spirit.
Fritz shook his head. His Trap Sense was trilling. That meant the promised paradise above was nothing more than a lure. One that he wasn't sure his crew would be able to resist.
The second Door was more familiar, if not exactly the same as one he'd traversed before. Terracotta stone, budding with dim crystals. It was the smell, though, that was truly familiar. It was one he could never forget. The rotting rankness of Goblins. Fritz stretched out his Awareness and felt along a thin, ethereal thread that stretched up the rocky ramp. He knew then that beyond was the very same Floor with the Goblin Chief he had maimed and relieved of its Treasure ring.
He wondered what changes had been wrought upon the Floor, though soon quashed his curiosity and turned to the last Door.
This one was a glacial cave with rough walls of ice, the depths of which were a brilliant blue. Freezing air brushed his face with a refreshing, crisp bite. Impressions came to him through his Door Sense, those of beasts, some brutal and some benign. He pushed a little harder on his Awareness, but discovered no more.
Fritz stepped back and considered his choices. He didn't trust the first Door, its warm assurances were too similar to a siren's song. The second, he trusted more, though after his battle with the glass beasts, he found himself doubting if it was the right decision to return to the same Floor. What if the goblins were prepared? What if they were more disciplined and canny, and savvy to his strategies?
The last Door, though, was cold. They risked freezing if they were delayed for too long. And the beasts, though he felt they weren't all vicious predators, could be perilous indeed. Fritz pulled his new cloak tight and looking down at its odd grey, assessed how well it would protect him.
"Trouble picking?" Toby asked, his nose wrinkling as he strode up next to Fritz. "Is that what I think it is?" he nearly growled, glaring at the offending Door.
"If you think it's goblins, then yes. A whole fort full of them," Fritz allowed. "As for trouble picking, no. I've made up my mind."
"Are we gonna butcher an army of the grey bastards?" Toby asked, his tone and smile full of gleeful spite. "If so, I'm ready. I owe them a debt for what they did to Jane."
Fritz shook his head. "Alas. Vengeance will have to be put aside for now. Wrap yourself warmly. We're taking the third Door."
