Call of the Abyss [Book 2 Complete]

"It's good money! What could we possibly have to complain about?!" a man with curly black hair exclaimed, downing his pint of ale.

Ravina was seated at a table in one of the Guild restaurants on the entry hall's ornate balcony. She had been hopping from table to table, restaurant to restaurant for hours—since she fought the crawlers yesterday—trying to get a feel for the adventurers' general mood.

She'd visited the restaurants yesterday evening as well as this morning, hoping to catch the different people and distinct atmospheres each time brought.

"Don't ya miss the thrill of battle, or actually doin' somethin' meanin'ful?" she asked.

"What could be more meaningful than keeping the city safe?" a woman with long brown hair and bright hazel eyes asked back. There was a little defensiveness in her tone, but it belied a certain melancholy, as though she didn't really mean or believe it.

"That what ya think yer doin'? Protectin' the city? Look to me like it don't need yer protection. Passed no less'n three garrisons on the Stair when I was headin' fer the tunnels. Fuckin' SoDD could clear 'em tomorrow—if they wanted.

"They don' because it brings 'em wealth without risk. It's you poor sods, not the SoDD, takin' all the risks," Ravina said, her accent growing dramatically more pronounced in the company of her fellows.

"So the fuck what? Fuck you want us to do? Sure, we could afford a trip through the desert, could set up shop in another city, and even live comfortably without workin' for a few years with what we've earned here, but what's the fuckin' point?

"We gonna be heroes over there or some shit? Cause I know it ain't gonna be nearly as lucrative. What we got here is clean livin' and levelin.' Sure, it ain't excitin.' Sure, it ain't makin' a difference in nobody's life, but it's comfortable—even if some of us get hurt.

"We got food in our bellies and ale in our hearts. Only time a fella can even think about 'finding meaning' is with a full belly anyhow. Could do a lot worse…a lot worse," the man trailed off, both he and the woman staring into their mugs.

Ravina didn't reply. There was nothing to say—not yet. After a while of contemplative silence that likely felt longer than it was, Ravina scooted back and got up from the table.

"Well, maybe somethin'll come along soon. Stir yer inner youngster—the person that became an adventurer to help people. 'Preciate ya sharin' yer table," she said, waving behind her as she started off toward the Guild floor.

She'd felt good about where her efforts were. All she'd done thus far was investigative work, but it was already bearing fruit. Many of these people were content—fat and happy—in their current lives. They didn't mind being lesser to the dwarves that ran the city as long as there was sufficient wealth and comfort to go around.

Some, like the folks she'd just spoken to, were ready to join her cause—ready to do something that mattered, that made a difference. All they would need is a push, when the time came.

"Pardon me, Miss Ravina—may I have a word?" a man called.

Ravina turned to see a large man with pale skin that glistened in the magic light. He wore perhaps the gaudiest assemblage she'd ever had the misfortune to regard.

Purple silks draped his torso—jangling with chains and jewels—below a large collar of what appeared to be solid gold. It started at his neck and extended past his shoulders, though being solid (if light) metal, it didn't drape over them, instead jutting off to his sides. It made him look even wider than his already considerable frame.

His bare arms were rippled with muscles and wrapped in bands and bracelets that clinked together as he approached. The skirt about his waist (for that was all she could think to call it) was a burgundy red, and Ravina—though she had no eye for fashion—thought it clashed dramatically with the dark purple silks above.

It was secured to his form by an enormous belt of what, again, appeared to be solid gold—matching the large collar. It wrapped his waist and extended off his hips a bit, giving the skirt below a drape about his legs that seldom revealed them, despite being split down the middle like a robe. Though, she still caught the shining of golden chains around his sandaled feet and ankles.

This person in any other city in the world would likely be assumed a king, though that he was approaching Ravina and calling her by name suggested it was not the case here. The ruling caste here was the SoDD, and this man was not a dwarf, and no royal would even be aware of her presence.

"Somethin' I can help ya with?" Ravina asked, deciding to be cautiously polite.

"Indeed, I was hoping we could have a brief chat," the man said with an amiable smile as he reached her. His considerable height had him towering over her, but large men attempting to use their stature to intimidate was not a new trick for Ravina.

"I'm a little busy, but if it's quick, sure. Go ahead," she said, motioning for him to continue.

"Ah, introductions are in order, I suppose. I am La'Gant, Master of the Durthangrim branch of the Adventurer Guild," he said with a sweeping bow that seemed a whole performance of itself.

"A pleasure. What can I do for you?" Ravina said dryly. Knowing his identity had instantly shifted her mood for the worse—especially since he seemed the exact picture of what she imagined the greedy Master of this particular branch to be.

'...yes, well," he said, rising back to his standing position and shifting his face to appear more neutral, "might we head to my office? I would simply like a word, and I believe it would be in both our interests that it remains private."

"Been in this city for less than a week and only done a single job. What could you possibly have to tell me that requires privacy?" she questioned, venom increasingly creeping into her tone.

"Well, I suppose it does not matter. I was merely being considerate. I hear you have been making quite a stir within the Guild? Been chatting with folks, asking rather pointed questions, and even having altercations with other Mithrils?" he asked, as though politely requesting confirmation to information he already had.

"Seems 'bout right, though I'd question whether my confrontation was with a real Mithril. If it were, this Guild is rather lax with advancing its members," Ravina said. She'd actually completely forgotten about that altercation, and being reminded of it had further soured her mood.

To his credit, the man's face didn't shift from the neutral visage at her clear provocation.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"Rank advancement is a procedure dictated by the Assembly of Masters, the exact processes and procedures decided and voted on every ten years, and then formally written into the Code. We uphold that Code to the highest standard, I assure you.

"Now, I do not intend to impede you or lecture. I simply wish to know your aim. We have a rather wonderful system established here in Durthangrim, you see, and I would prefer to avoid any issues that might 'rock the boat,' shall we say?" he said with an eyebrow quirked.

"Ah, you ain't gotta worry 'bout me, then. I'm only gonna be here a few days more, then I'm heading out of the desert completely. Don't have any plans of comin' back at the moment, neither," she said with a genuine smile.

Him trying to get rid of her was perfect. It meant she'd likely face no issues when it came time to leave—much better to let a potential problem walk out voluntarily, after all.

"I see. Well, that is a shame. You have so little time to see our wonderful city! Regardless, do try to not cause trouble while you are here, yes? I suspect the both of us share equal distaste for paperwork," he said with a smile.

Ravina continued to smile and nodded back.

"Excellent! I am glad that we understand each other. Do enjoy your remaining time here! Visit the mineral baths! Walk the beautiful public parks! There are so many wonderful things to see in our fair city!" he called as he walked confidently away.

Ravina scoffed and started toward the counter—her original destination before she was waylaid.

"Ah—Miss Ravina! Right on time. Your name was just cleared for Tunnel 2B in the South Quadrant. Will you be going alone this time as well?

"I must say, many of us up here were impressed: forty kills—all by yourself?! Truly, the elite are elite for good reason," the man at the counter, the same one that had casually looked her up and down the other day, said obsequiously—now a sycophant for someone he likely viewed as a walking coin purse.

"I'll be takin' one other. She ain't an adventurer, but I assume that ain't a problem since she's goin' with me?" Ravina asked.

She no longer felt the need to hide her accent. What did it matter if every bottom-feeder in this place looked down on her or not? She had most of the information she was looking for—at least, most of the information anyone in the Guild could give her.

"Sure, sure. No problems here, as long as she is joining consensually, understands that she enters at her own peril, and you understand that the Guild claims no responsibility for the welfare of anyone you bring on jobs with you," he explained as he waved a hand dismissively.

Ravina wondered if liability would even be a consideration in this place, or if he was just reciting from the Code, as if reading a script.

She nodded and signed the parchment on the desk before heading out of the Guild toward the inn where she and Gala were staying.

She was stricken once again by the marvel of the city. The streets were unnaturally clean, clean, cool water bubbled from fountains in various plazas, and the very stone it was carved from shone with the scant sunlight that filtered onto the tiers this low in the canyon.

"Apologies, but you know the rules. Only dwarves beyond this point," a dwarven guard said apologetically.

"I understand, but I was invited. I am meeting a friend—a dwarven friend. He said to meet him here," a woman with fine clothing and jewelry pleaded with the guard.

"Again, I must apologize. My orders are clear—none other than native-born dwarves beyond this point. If what you say is true, it does not change my orders. Perhaps you can get in touch with your contact, and he can come meet—" the apologetic guard began but was interrupted by the guard on the other side of the door.

"Ah, who cares what the baldy wants. Get out, lady! We got orders, and you ain't a dwarf! Get! Go!" he shouted, thrusting his spear in her direction. It was far away from her body, but the sharp end of a weapon being thrust in her direction apparently spooked her enough to leave without further complaint.

Ravina shook her head as she passed—this was not what she was here for. She had a student about to be involved in some kind of war that was a thousand journeys away. She couldn't afford the delay of getting embroiled in every conflict between here and there.

This conflict was a common sight around Durthangrim, Ravina had noticed. There were seldom overt displays of violence against non-dwarves, but non-dwarves were—without a doubt—second-class citizens.

Signs in various shops and restaurants read "Serving dwarves only," or one might see signs with crudely drawn short figures with a plus and tall figures with a minus next to them in the less classy establishments—the meaning was the same. And, like was just demonstrated, there were entire sections of Durthangrim inaccessible to any but native-born dwarves.

"Baldy" was a common pejorative for non-dwarves, as there were scarcely any other races as hairy as dwarves. The woman had plenty of hair on her head, but that was (apparently) enough to be functionally bald to a dwarf.

Ravina thought it mild compared to some of the slurs she'd heard in other cities around the world, but discrimination was discrimination, and slurs were slurs, whether or not they offended her personally.

Throwing the doors to the inn open, Ravina was startled to see the entry vacant. There was a quaint little eating area to the left of the main desk, where guests would usually be enjoying lunch right about now.

She turned her head toward the sound of a commotion coming from the door at the end of the eating area, which led to an enclosed courtyard occupying the land next to the inn.

She could only sigh as she entered the courtyard. There was a gaggle of both inn patrons and staff clustered around a huge mushroom that had sprouted through the paving stones in the center of the courtyard.

The mushroom was enormous—larger than any Ravina had seen in her entire life, which was saying quite a bit considering how well-traveled she was.

Its base that burst through the courtyard stone must have been three times the thickness of her own body, and the cap, despite drooping a bit, was high over the wall of the courtyard.

The stalk was a neutral brown color, with a slightly lighter brown cap, but the thing was glowing—literally. It had green veins running through its stalk that gave off a soft glow. The cap was the same, but with glowing blue veins.

Ravina was annoyed at herself for thinking it, but it was actually quite beautiful. Had it not blasted through the stone beneath it, it might have complimented the small gardens around the edges of the courtyard well.

There, sitting atop the cap—completely ignoring (or oblivious to) the shouts and whines of the onlookers below—was Gala. She appeared quite pleased with herself, humming with her eyes closed and kicking her feet back and forth as they hung over the cap's edge.

"Ha…" Ravina sighed as she approached. The onlookers began turning her direction, likely knowing she and Gala were traveling together.

"Sorry 'bout the stones. Looks really good, though. Your inn will be the talk'a the town," she said, tossing a jingling bag of coins to the proprietors—a married couple. The man grabbed the purse and shook it, smiling at the jingling. The wife just sighed and shook her head before heading back inside.

"Ravin! Look! Doesn't it tie the whole look together?! It really enhances the courtyard's natural beauty!" Gala exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air and looking skyward, as though this giant mushroom were a gift summoned by the divine.

"Sure, sure. It's really my fault for leaving you unattended," Ravina sighed. She was doing that a lot lately.

"Come on down. We got work to do," she shouted up.

"Work?!" Gala shouted with bright eyes as she somehow floated down from the top of the mushroom, like a leaf leaving its branch.

"Yeah, I gotta have you take a look at these creatures in the tunnels," Ravina explained. Gala was just as tight-lipped as Sith when it came to herself (though she wouldn't shut up about everything else), so Ravina could only guess her origins. She was certain that Gala was some kind of powerful Druid, though.

Throughout the journey through the desert to reach Durthangrim, Gala had consistently located water sources for them. She seemed able to sense every tiny patch of green in existence, even if it were hidden under the sand, and where there was green, there was water.

Surely a Druid that strong would have insights into other life besides plants, right? Perhaps Gala could figure out what was wrong with those damn crawlers.