She looked at Dale and nodded, realization dawning on her face as she took in his ranking. “I apologize for the poor attitude of my subordinate Guild member, he forgets that we were all at your level at some point. His bias is well-known and documented, and I hope to make reparations as soon as is possible.” She bowed slightly toward him.
“I also apologize for sending him off my land, I hope it will not inconvenience you too much. I was... unaware of the ability the contract gave landowners.” Dale glanced at Frank as he said this.
Amber grimaced and shook her head, “Please don’t worry about it. If he is escorted back to you to ensure his good behavior, may I have your permission to allow him back on your land; with an apology and some form of recompense from him, of course?”
“That would be very acceptable, High Magous.” Dale grudgingly allowed as formally as he could manage. Something about her screamed that formality was an absolute necessity.
She seemed to disagree with his assessment, “Please, just call me Amber. How far does your land extend? We will need to get him from the edge, where I assume he is currently pacing and ranting. He will apologize sincerely within the hour.” She promised while rubbing her head, obviously she had a headache coming on.
Dale coughed and blushed a bit. “It may take a bit longer to bring him back, I own the whole mountain.”
Shock whipped across her face. “Ah, this also explains much.” She waved one of her people down and sent him to go collect James, with instructions to escort him directly to the main Guild tent. “Now, Dale, if we could discuss the price of a portal set-up? I hope James didn’t cost us the chance to get a contract...”
“Well, the last discussed price was sixteen percent of the profit and free usage for myself, my friends, and all goods I care to take with me.” Dale started, all business as he upped the cost again.
Amber made a small choking sound. “More of James’ anger is explained… I don’t suppose you’d be willing instead to make a... standard lease for the land?” She smiled weakly, knowing he wouldn’t go for it.
“I’m sorry, my financial advisors have all demanded that any business in the area must pay percentage profit. As I will be needing to pay taxes to both the Lion and Phoenix Kingdoms, I hope you can see my dilemma.” Dale told her very seriously.
Amber smiled, getting ready for one of her favorite pastimes: haggling. “This could take a while. Do you have any refreshments, by chance? It has been at least three days and a few hundred miles since I was able to eat a cooked meal.”
They happily returned to their lunch, filling a plate for the portal Mage. After much haggling and awkward silences, they agreed upon eight percent of the gross profit, free use for him, his goods, and close friends. Happy with the results of the day, Dale then left to train with his group, earning several bruises and putting him in a bad mood from their scolding and his poor performance. He bathed and went to dinner, discussing better tactics and form with Hans, who had proven to be a good friend. As per Frank’s orders, Dale returned to the Guild tent after dinner, where he found Amber and Frank talking to a fuming James.
“Of course he makes us wait! Probably stuffing his face with free Guild food while he laughs at making more important people wait on his whims!” James was saying maliciously.
“You really aren’t very smart are you? I really thought better of you, James!” Amber rounded on him, voice cold. “This training ground is a potential gold mine, already the Kings of the surrounding Realms plan their visits, princes and princesses will come here to cultivate, so they can meet on neutral ground, while remaining well protected. The Elves are a few weeks behind us, for God’s sake, planning to build a city on this spot, and you insult the one person who can just tell us to leave?!” She was shouting at him by the end of her spiel.
“He needs us more than we need him! The people here would riot at the thought of losing their chance at portals!” James weakly rebutted, wilting under the powerful gaze of his supervisor.
“Why wouldn’t they just wait until the Elves got here? Their portals are just as good as ours, they care little for our gold!” Amber exclaimed. “We would lose a massive investment, because you cannot stop being a prick!”
“You don’t need to worry about that too much; I already accepted your offer, Magous Amber, I try to be a man of my word.” Dale let the others know he could hear them, striding into the room. He glared at James, “I think that you are not welcome here, Mage James. You have been here a day and already overstayed your welcome. I don’t know what it is about me that offended you so, but I will not tolerate insults like you are spewing. Not only is it rude for no reason, it is bad for morale. Due to my daily access to the dungeon, I am actually a higher cultivation rank than the average adventurer around here; how would these insults be taken by them - your paying customers?”
James’s face flushed red, indignation within him.
Dale cut James off before he could begin a tirade, “When the portal is set up, please leave. You are free to go before then, which is my preference, but I know that may really inconvenience High Magous Amber.” She nodded reluctantly as he mentioned this, “Also, if you plan to actually attack me, or convince others to harm me, I need to ask you to leave, please.”
James, face suddenly pale, had his body whipped around, then started walking away, not in control of his limbs. He visibly calmed himself, taking a deep breath, stopped and turned back to the group watching him. “My actions do not befit my rank. I apologize that I have acted so poorly. Please, allow me to make amends before sending me away.”
Dale nodded, amazed at the change in demeanor James was exhibiting, “That is fine, but my decision stands. I don’t want to make an enemy of you James, but I cannot allow insults like these. On that note, feel free to talk to me if you can find reasons I should change my mind.” James nodded sharply, ashamed, walking out of the tent under his own power for once.
“Well.” Frank grumbled, “That was a shit show.”
“Yup.” Dale, head throbbing, took his leave and moved to find his bed.
The next days followed a simple pattern: Early rise, get to know people, train, cultivate. The ground rumbled for several hours each of these days, not making anyone nervous as there was no shaking, only noise. When people were starting to become truly angry that the dungeon was blocked, and Frank had to punish a few people for fighting, the morning came that the door to the dungeon was finally open. Exceedingly cheerful, Dale’s team alerted the Guild. They got into formation and went to the dungeon entrance, ready to make some money.
The difference in the room was apparent immediately. Raw iron coated practically every inch of the wall, the air was as thick with Essence here, in the entrance, as it had been only in the Boss room previously. With only a few violent mushrooms to make them cautious, they decided to take their time today absorbing the Essence in each room, which would slow them down but make them stronger. Dale’s cultivation speed was so much higher at his new rank that they were able to move forward in a short half hour.
~Cal~
<I may have allowed too much Essence out.> I noted to Dani.
“Nah, that is totally normal. It’s a byproduct of increasing your rank, then not having anyone pulling the Essence into themselves. It was bound to accumulate, Cal. The huge level of Essence in the air will vanish in a few hours, I’m betting. Especially at the rate this group is cultivating. Don’t worry about them, other people will be in a hurry to make money or get an item or two, so you’ll be able to recapture some good Essence.” Dani promised.