Chapter 27: The Master Negotiator

    Theo and Tresk ate breakfast together the next morning, cursing Pergs betrayal. She once again failed to bring the bread she promised, but neither of them knew how to make it. With things being so hectic lately, they had little time to spare to pursue it. Fortunately, the soup hadnt lost its luster. Back on Earth, the alchemist wasnt picky about his meals. When food came after the collapse started, he was content eating whatever protein bars they threw him. Compared to those tightly packed chocolate flavored cubes, the soup was a delicacy. The delicious orange-flavored tea didnt hurt the matter, making their time staring out the window into darkness enjoyable.

    I used to sleep in a lot, Theo said. Whenever I could, really.

    People in the big city sleep a lot, Tresk said, slurping her soup. Thats what I hear, anyway. Cant afford to do that out in the middle of nowhere.

    No, we have to make the daylight count, Theo said.

    The thought that hed have to contact the capital hung over his head that morning. Tresk sensed it and tried to motivate him.

    You cant put it off forever, Tresk said. She didnt even need to ask to know what he was worried about.

    Its easy to be in Broken Tusk, Theo said. But now I have to talk to someone in Qavell?

    We need those guards, Tresk said, shrugging. Its not fair to expect them to patrol the town without a wage.

    Theo let out a long sigh and finished his soup. The adventurers guild was a step forward, but it would take even more effort to have the town properly defended. The dungeon provided enough problems, not to mention talks of war in the north. If the rumors were true, they would have bandits fleeing south. The alchemist thought about his customer yesterday, Zankir the Khahari, and wondered if he was on the level. He explained the encounter to Tresk, aiming to get her opinion of the man.

    Are the Khahari good people? Theo asked.

    As good as any other people, Tresk shrugged. Bandits wont come looking for a home. Theyll come to pillage, hiding out in the forest and striking towns for loot.

    He might buy some property in town, Theo said, nodding. Seemed like a guy who just missed home.

    Thats good, Tresk said. We need more adventurers here.

    The pair cleaned their breakfast away before Theo showed the cleaning technique Azrug came up with. She laughed at the alchemist for a while, slapping herself in the forehead. How did we miss that? she asked.

    The sun was creeping over the horizon when they left the shop. Azrug was leaning up against the wall outside and he flipped the sign and entered the shop without a word. Tresk shrugged it off, and they made their way to the monolith in the town square. The adventurers were already gathered, receiving a speech from Aarok. Theos mind drifted in and out of listening. The man was talking about keeping the swamp secure, and that they were so close to getting the walls they desperately needed. The alchemist was too worried about what hed say to the people in the capital. All the expectant eyes of the adventurers fell on him and he snapped back to reality.

    What? Theo asked.

    He asked if you made progress on negotiating with the big guys, Tresk said, punching Theo in the arm.

    I havekind ofIll contact them today and negotiate a salary, Theo said, swallowing hard. They gave the wolf quest, so why wouldnt they give us more money to defend the town?

    More adventurers hitting the dungeons means more in taxes, Aarok said, nodding. Were putting our faith in you, alchemist.

    Thats Lord Administrator to you, Aarok, Tresk said, blowing raspberries.

    Calm down, Aarok said, laughing. Anyway, concerning the [Monster Cores], were donating until it hits level 5, at that point

    Theos mind wandered again, leaving the Half-Ogres words behind. He knew too little about the way the kingdom distributed funds and felt uneasy going into negotiations without that knowledge. He set a simple plan in his mind, the same plan he used on Zankir, aim high and accept low. Broken Tusk would request 10 copper a day for guards with four guards in shifts, two for the day and two for night. Realistically, hed be happy if they offered two copper coins per person.

    Were going, Tresk said, nudging Theo. She beckoned for him to lean over and pressed her forehead against his. Youll do fine.

    The adventuring party filed out of the square, leaving two people who left in opposite directions to patrol the town. Theo took a deep breath and knocked on Mianas door. She emerged quickly, narrowing her eyes at him and grumbling. What?

    Need to use your fancy crystal, Theo said, managing a weak smile.

    Fine. You know where it is, she said, holding the door open.

    Theo found his way to her office and retrieved the crystal from the unlocked chest. He sat down in a chair and looked at the curious object, rolling it over in his hands. Without defined instructions on how to use it he just sat there for a while. After a few frustrating attempts, he closed his eyes and focused on what he wanted. The alchemist fell through the air, plummeting from the room into a sheet of inky blackness. When he tried to shout, nothing came out, and he was suddenly standing on a stone platform, illuminated from an unknown source.

    Hello? he shouted, his eyes refusing to focus. His voice echoed over the platform.

    A figure appeared in front of him, appearing out of nowhere. It was the vague shape of another person, possibly a woman, but cloaked in darkness. Hello, thanks for reaching out to the Qavell City Administration Services, how can I help you?

    Theo had flashbacks to customer support people back on Earth. Her tone was far too cheery for the darkness surrounding them. Yes, I have a question about Broken Tusks defensive fund.

    She took a moment, tilting her head before exclaiming. Oh! Youre the new Administrator for Broken Tusk. Theo Spencer, I got you right here. Miana has a lot of good to say about you and the town has been growing rapidly since you took over. All good marks, She said, barely taking a breath. Im Lauris, by the way. Do you have any specific requests at this time?

    Were having a bit of a wolf problem. From the dungeon. Its growing rapidly, Theo said. Despite his initial fears of this conversation, he was growing comfortable.

    Right. Wolves. Lets see, Lauris said, pausing for a moment. We assigned a quest to take care of the wolves, is the dungeon still growing in strength?

    Yes, were seeing more wolves in the swamp and some goblins, Theo said. I created an adventurers guild, but we still need people to run patrols through the town.

    An adventurers guild? Smart move, Lauris said, chuckling. I can provide another quest for you. How many patrols is your guild master running?

    Two for the day, two for the night, Theo said.

    [Watchtowers]

    Your [Small Town] will gain watchtowers placed along the border. The watchtowers will move to match the edge of your borders, should you expand. 12 watchtowers will be placed.

    Theo was tempted for a moment to select the roads, but the walls were a clear winner. Roads would only prevent people from getting their feet wet in the mud, and he couldnt see much use for the watchtowers. He mentally selected the walls and felt the ground rumble beneath his feet. The alchemist steadied his flasks as the rumbling continued, almost losing his footing to the sudden shift. Azrug bolted up the stairs moments later, his eyes wide with fear.

    What happened?

    We just got an upgrade, Theo said. Well check it out once my distillation is complete.

    Azrug stayed with Theo upstairs, bouncing up and down with excitement. The alchemist somehow kept him calm enough to wait for the last of the essences to finish. They departed the store and made their way to the town square. A group of people was already there, babbling to one another with excitement. Thanks to the clearing to the west, he could see the sizable stone wall and gate. It was a portcullis style gate with a cranking mechanism nearby. The gate was currently down.

    Theo addressed the crowd, spotting Miana popping her head out of her house. We have walls, he said, keeping it simple.

    Those few words were enough to send the group into a frenzy. Azrug joined them, jumping some more and hooting as loud as he could. The alchemist couldnt help but smile, and added a few excited shouts of his own. The adventurer who fed the last core to the town stood nearby, sheepishly smiling as the group praised him. Theo inspected the monolith.

    [Small Town]

    Name: Broken Tusk

    Owner: Kingdom of Qavell

    Mayor: Miana Kell

    Administrator: Theo Spencer

    Faction: [Qavell]

    Level: 5 (1%)

    Features:

    Alchemy Lab

    Blacksmith

    Large Farm

    Tannery

    Tradesmen

    Adventurers Guild

    Upgrades:

    [Stone Walls and Gates]

    Theo knew that the climb to level 10 would be arduous. His plan was to use his alchemy earnings to buy powerful cores from the traders and upgrade fast. He hoped that a new set of upgrades would be available at level 10, because he couldnt stomach getting either the roads or the towers. They both seemed like a waste of an upgrade slot. The townsfolk were safe, for now. He raised his hands to get the attention of those gathered.

    Im sure Aarok will spread the word, but well have two adventurers on patrol in the city all the time, Theo said. The crowd roared, and he waited for them to settle down. I think we can all agree that the gates should be closed at night, but I want to put it to Aarok first. See what he thinks.

    Speaking of, Azrug said, pointing toward the western gate.

    Theo could faintly see the adventurers standing outside the gate. They were waving their hands and shouting something he couldnt hear. The group moved through the mud to the gate, taking a while to figure out how the mechanism worked, and slowly raising the portcullis. The alchemist spotted the mechanism that would release the gate, causing it to come crashing down, and hoped that the entire assembly was magical. He didnt want to see his new gate rusted out.

    I see you selected the correct upgrade, Aarok said, beaming.

    The other options were terrible, Theo said. Do you know if we get different options at level 10?

    Youre already planning for level 10? Luras said, creeping from behind Aarok.

    I have a plan, yeah.

    Theo always has a plan, Tresk said.

    Yeah. We should see new stuff at 10, but you can pick the old stuff too, Aarok said.

    Theo joined the adventurers as they walked the length of the wall. As the description promised, it followed the border of Broken Tusk. It even wrapped all the way around the farmland, putting the alchemists mind at ease. He was worried that the farms werent considered part of the town, but remembered seeing them on the towns map when he inspected the plots. He pulled up that same map again, finding that the wall traced an outline around the town. When they finally finished their circuit back to the western gate, Theo was exhausted, and the day was getting late.

    We should head to Xams for food. To celebrate, Tresk said, giggling with excitement.

    I dont think thats much of a celebration, but Ill go, Theo said, grimacing.