The Witch's Relay

Chapter 19: Unlocked

New Dungeon!

In the mountain near the city Northerton, a new dungeon has been confirmed to have opened. A group consisting of three B-ranked adventurers were on a survey mission to map out monster movements, but to their shared surprise they found a massive stone port and structure, protruding from the mountain. Upon returning the group registered the discovery, and after a follow-up expedition, it is confirmed to be a new and unopened dungeon.

"The door stands tall enough to be at least three men tall, maybe four, and when we laid down, it was about two and a half people wide." Says Raddic Chesire, a member of the party who made the discovery. The door measured stands 7.2 meters tall and 4 meters wide.

While the door remains shut for the time being, according to experts it will inevitably open due to the unknown nature of dungeons, at which time adventurers will have to enter in order to fight the monsters within.

Currently no preparations have been made for when the dungeon opens, however powerful adventurers in a large area surrounding should expect a summons in the name of the Adventurer's Guild in order to help out.

Hmm.. That definitely sounds interesting. I should definitely let Heather know about this. Since the guild should be aware of her existence in this city, there is a good chance she will be called in. B-rank is pretty strong after all. I doubt this will make her happy.

Feeling refreshed from my bath, I leave the building and head out into the street. The sky is already beginning to darken for the night, soon the city guard will make their rounds to light all the lanterns hung on poles alongside every major road. In some windows a light can be seen shining from within, but in most homes it is likely the inhabitants will be waiting just a little while to light their lamps in order to save oil and money.

On my way I come across a man packing up a food stall for the night, so officially it is closed for the night, but I know from experience that as long as the owner is still here, they will be willing to make a couple extra coins.

"Excuse me, am I too late or are you still willing to sell me a few of those buns?" I politely approach the man.

"Hmm.. I wouldn't normally.. But for some reason I like you, so just for you I'll allow it!" The man grins while opening a box, releasing a delicious aroma.

"I'd like four dahlia buns please."

"That would be two silvers, but since I like you, I'll let you have them for one silver and five coppers."

"Thanks! Sounds good to me." I fish the coins out of my money pouch and hand him the correct amount. He definitely does this with everyone.

Dahlia buns are something of a local specialty, named because of the pattern that emerges on the top that resembles the dahlia flower after baking it. Stuffed inside the bun is a sweet and creamy paste made from honey, white beans, vanilla, and a few other ingredients.

"And here you go!" He stuffs the buns inside a paper bag and hands it to me. "It's been nice doing business. Have a good night!" He does a slight bow.

"Likewise. Goodnight." I nod back in response to his bow, before turning around and continuing towards my destination.

My footsteps can be heard lightly against the cobbled stone road, reminding me of the changes my body has gone through over the past months. My footsteps definitely used to slap harder. By no means was I larger in the past, in fact I definitely weigh more now, but I have trained to step lighter and consequently I am more silent in my walking.

The paper bag in my left hand however rustles with every step and swing of my arm.

Arriving at my destination, I glance up at the wooden sign covered in shadow, which is dark to the point that the picture and text is indistinguishable from the backplate. But I know that sigh like the back of my hand by now. A picture of a blue bird sitting on a branch, and beneath is the text; "Blue Bird Inn".

I open up the door and walk towards the stairs and Heather and I's rooms. In the corner of my vision I notice a blond figure stand up and wave towards me.

Oh right, Linda said she wanted to see me and said I'd know where she would be. She did tell me last night that she is pretty much always here I guess, but that had slipped my mind until now.

With more important things on my mind I pretend to not notice her, and I head straight up to my room.

Pulling out my key I unlock the door and open it.

Taking a step into the room I see Heather sitting by the wooden desk and leaning over something with her eyes closed, whispering something inaudible. A shifting blue and purple light can be seen spilling out between her fingers, shining out from whatever her hands are covering on the desk.

Knowing better than to announce my entrance, I enter quietly in order not to distract her, and place the paper bag by the foot of my bed before I slowly lie down. I'll wait for her to snap out of it to eat the buns. I bought two for her and two for me.

Normally she will snap out of her intense concentration after about an hour, but it can also take up to six hours depending on her goal, however that is just the longest I've seen her do. I am pretty sure some items can take longer than even that to make. By the look of the sweat beginning to form drops on her forehead however, she has to be done pretty soon.

This is how the process of enchanting looks from the outside. I wonder what she is creating.

I close my eyes and start to drift off until a knock on the door breaks me out of it.

I sit up and look at Heather, then at the door, and then back. I am hesitant to both answer the door, since Heather is clearly enchanting right now, and also to talk through the door, since that might break Heather out of her "trance-like" state and risk ruining her project. And I do NOT want to be responsible for that. That is a BAD idea.

After a few moments of thinking and a few more knocks, I chose to walk over to Heather's room, and step into the hallway from there, that way the crisis is averted, no need to interrupt Heather, and no need to invoke the fury of the person outside who obviously knows someone is here.

But before I have the chance to act out my plan I hear the person speak. "Kade? I know for a fact that you are in there. I saw you walk up the stairs, and this is the room that Vannessa said you-"

Suddenly, the handle twists and my eyes go wide as my throat dries up and I realize one important memory is missing.

I can't remember locking the door after I came in.

For a split second my life flashes before my eyes as I glance at Heather, still consumed in her work. I forgot to re-lock the door after entering.

Clearly not expecting the handle to work, a surprised and wide eyed Linda stumbles into the room, her eyes locking with mine, for a brief moment. Before she utterly freezes in place.

Her eyes fall upon the other figure in the room. Heather, who still hasn't noticed a thing.

Somehow. Despite the spell laid upon my mind, sealing away any emotions, I can all but feel all color vanish from my face.