A little while later, they gathered together once more to hear Gordon’s report.

  “So, the good news is that the Triarchy isn’t looking for you here,” Gordon said, smiling a little as they all sighed in relief. “In fact, as best I can tell, they’re not particularly active in the area at all. The hunter is back north, so even if he immediately figured out where you are, it will take him some time to get here.”

  “Now that really is good news,” Jake said, sinking back into his chair with a satisfied grin. “We should have plenty of time to delve the Dungeon and decide what to do next.”

  The others nodded their agreement before Nepthys spoke up. “So, is there bad news to go with the good?”

  Gordon’s smile faded as he nodded slightly. “The Fatesworne you fought made it back to the outpost, and since then they have been far more active. There’s actually at least one of them in the town, but we don’t know where they’re staying.”

  “Damn.” Jake rubbed his face as he tried to process all the ways that meeting a Fatesworne here could go wrong. “We can’t risk wandering around in the open, then. At least, not during the day.”

  “Night time delving again?” Alan asked with such an obvious lack of enthusiasm that Jake chuckled to himself.

  “Yeah, looks like it’ll have to be that way. A shame really, I was hoping we’d be able to see if there’s any equipment for sale. I know most of the stuff is in the cities, but it’d still be nice.”

  “I can take a look around for you,” Gordon said. “If you tell me what you’re looking for, I don’t mind helping. I’ve been told to assist you as best I can, and I think this comes under that.”

  “Honestly, that would be a huge help,” Jake said, perking up a little at the idea.

  “I’ll head back out in a little while then and have a look around,” Gordon said with a nod. “There’s definitely at least one crafter in town. He arrived about the same time I did, so he’s hopefully had a chance to get settled in.”

  “He isn’t called Varin, is he?” Jake asked jokingly, his mirth fading at Gordon’s surprised expression. “Tall, gaunt, pale skinned, grey eyes?”

  “That’s him,” Gordon said, nodding slowly. “How did you know he’d be here?”

  “I didn’t, and it makes no sense. Why would he come back here?” Jake turned to the others, hoping they could explain the crafter’s strange behaviour, but they seemed as confused as he felt.

  “Perhaps he knew you’d be here?” Gordon offered hesitantly.

  “No, that’s impossible. No one other than you knew where we were going,” Jake said, his confusion growing. “Do you know where he’s staying?”

  “I don’t, but I’ll see if I can find out for you.”

  Jake murmured his thanks, but his focus was still on just how Varin had known where to go. It could be a coincidence, a large and surprising one, but a coincidence nonetheless.

  Jake didn’t think it was, though. This felt too much like someone told Varin where they’d be once it was clear where they were going. It felt like they were being watched.

  Felix had made some sort of deal to stop the Fatesworne from tracking them, and Ivaldi had been involved in that. To what capacity, Jake didn’t know, but it seemed like a good place to start looking for answers.

  “Let’s rest for today and head in tomorrow night for the delve,” Jake said after mulling it over for a little while. “I’ll go in tonight and see what I can figure out about Varin. If Gordon finds anything useful for sale, we can buy it tomorrow and then delve in the evening. Sound like a plan?”

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  “Works for me,” Aspen said with an eager nod. “I’m looking forward to trying things out with my new Abilities. A second tier Dungeon will be a good challenge for me.”

  The others were just as eager to begin, so Gordon took his leave and went back into the town with a promise to return later in the evening.

  -**-

  When Gordon returned, it was with mixed news.

  The bad part was that the town had nothing to offer them that was beyond the basic equipment they already had. After all, if Alan needed a new bow or arrows, it was easy enough to get them from Ivaldi.

  The stores no doubt had some items that suited more specific needs, but none of them were particularly interested.

  The good news, however, was that Gordon had found where Varin was staying and passed that information on to Jake. He’d also spoken with Michelle, the local resistance leader, and organised for Jake and the others to take the secret entrance.

  Now, with the evening drawing in, Jake retraced the steps he’d taken during the chaotic flight from Casthorpe. A hidden switch opened the door in the cellar of the safehouse, giving him access to the long tunnel that led to the inn where they’d stayed.

  Taking a lantern, Jake set off into the darkness, his mind wandering back to the last time he’d been here. It had been so chaotic, and he’d been so worried about Nepthys.

  They’d been very lucky that things hadn’t been worse, Jake knew that now. If the guard he’d fought had been a little better prepared or slightly faster, his journey would have ended there.

  A cold shiver ran down Jake’s spine and he hurriedly pushed those thoughts away.

  Trudging on through the darkness, Jake eventually came to the stone door that opened out into the cellar of the inn. A small lever was set off to one side which Jake pulled, causing the stone door to slide off to one side.

  Stepping out into the cellar, Jake saw Alma, the inn’s proprietor waiting for him.

  “You’ve grown well since you’ve been gone,” the older woman said, looking Jake over before giving an approving nod. “Not so new to everything now, are you?”

  “No, not quite,” Jake said with a rueful smile.

  “Well, do you want something to eat before you go sneaking around town?” Alma asked, her hands on her hips.

  “Actually, yeah, that’d be nice,” Jake said, remembering the quality of the meals she’d shared. “I want a chat with one of your guests as well.”

  “Gordon mentioned as much,” Alma said, heading toward the stairs up to the kitchen. “Let’s get you a table and then I’ll go fetch him for you.”

  Jake nodded, following after the innkeeper as she led the way to the inn’s common room. There wasn’t anyone present at the moment, so Jake had his pick of tables.

  Running his gaze across them, he moved over to the corner table that they’d used the last time they stayed here. It was somewhat nostalgic to be back in the inn, and it felt like an eternity ago since he’d been sitting here with his friends.

  Jake had been shocked when Gordon told him that this was where Varin was staying, and it had crystalised his suspicion that Varin knew they’d been coming here.

  “Here you go,” Alma said, putting down a jug of Wyrdfruit juice and two cups before heading to the stairs. “I’ll fetch your friend now.”

  Jake thanked her and poured himself a generous serving of the juice. Aspen had served them something similar every now and then, but never in large amounts.

  A full jug of the stuff was generous.

  Jake sighed in pleasure as he sipped his drink. It was cool, revitalising and delicious, exactly what he needed right now.

  He’d finished the cup and refilled it by the time Alma returned. The innkeeper gave Jake a nod before heading to the kitchen, leaving him to turn to the tall man walking down the stairs behind her.

  “Jake,” Varin said in his usual hushed voice. “It’s good to see you. I’d hoped you’d find me here.”

  “So I see, and just how did you know I’d even be here to begin with?” Jake asked, unable to keep the accusing tone from his voice. He’d planned to talk around the matter a bit first, but the question had just slipped out.

  “Well, I wasn’t sure it would be here specifically. That was somewhat of a guess,” Varin said, looking a little uncomfortable.

  “But you knew we were going somewhere. How?”

  “My Patron contacted me. He said you would likely be looking for a second tier Dungeon and would be heading in this direction. I remembered this fire Dungeon and so gave it a good chance you’d be here. When that man was asking about items for sale, I was fairly sure you were here.”

  “Why would you say that?” Jake asked, his heart sinking.

  “Because I wasn’t advertising my wares, I’d only mentioned it in passing to Alma, and I know of her connections.”

  “I see,” Jake said, going quiet for a few moments. He’d been worried that Gordon had somehow slipped up. “So, what exactly did your Patron tell you?”

  “That you were near the end of your tier, and that you needed to do another second tier Dungeon. He also said you might need help, so I wanted to offer you the equipment I’ve been making for you all.”

  Jake had been about to ask another question when he paused and cocked his head to one side with growing interest. “Equipment?”