Finding the Smart Ones

Thelsia and Althana were feeling pretty close to exhausted; they had each drained only 3 of the dozen potions for restoring the ability to use magic, but had mentally and physically drained themselves through the use of magic fighting what seemed like a horde of zombies. At least 3 small piles of zombies lay about the surprisingly large room; every so often, the piles would have zombies rise from them to make their way to the two during the fight. Just as the monsters were getting up again, they got blasted by bursts of ice and light before a lion woman without a top rushed in with a halberd that looked like it was lit with green magical fire and shattered the sudden zombie ice sculptures.

The two stared at each other in surprise before getting very happy about seeing who had come to their rescue. Yuri had arrived, with an imposing-looking lion woman; Lionfolk weren’t common in the area, and it was even rarer to see one without other members of their pride. It was clear this lion woman was here for a reason, likely similar to that which Usagi had shared.

“So, what took you so long,” inquired Thelsia.

“Blame the way this place is designed,” said Yuri, “the paths and routes that aren’t frustrating or lead to annoying puzzles make next lead to chambers and rooms that make next to no sense. Thankfully, I met some muscle to help us out.” The Lion woman gave a courteous head tilt and nod.

“Greetings,” said the lion woman, “I am Alma.” The eyes of the pair of intellectuals moved over the lion woman for a few seconds, taking in her sizeable bosom and butt.

“Yes,” said Thelsia, “it’s nice having someone more physically oriented on the team, we all seem to be more mentally and skill oriented.”

“And we’re pretty resource and spell dependent,” said Althana, “having a more martially oriented figure with us is very helpful. Also, we need some rest to recover our magical abilities.”

Thelsia took a quick look around, “Where are Lithira and Usagi? Did you not encounter them on the way yet,” inquired Thelsia.

“Not yet,” said Yuri, “we’ll need to find them, then we can make our way out of here. After that, we can make our report to the guild, I’m sure that reason they wanted us out here has subsided by now.”

“I hope you’re right,” said Althana, “I would have much preferred we be holed up somewhere secluded.”

“Yeah,” said Yuri, “but your atelier isn’t quite ready yet, last I checked.”

“I think Selvina is working to make sure that doesn’t last too much longer,” said Thelsia, “she’s pretty good at getting quality work expedited, I’m guessing it’s mostly her social skills.”

“I’m going to require a place to hold up for a while,” said Alma, “and I’ve barely been able to follow everything.”

“There’s an inn back in town,” said Yuri, “they will hopefully have a room or two that is big enough for an individual with your sort of…frame,” Yuri had paused for a few seconds to think of some wording he thought would be the least offensive to the lion woman.

“What sort of town is it,” inquired Alma.

“A small one,” said Yuri, “it doesn’t even have a proper name, anytime someone gives it a name it doesn’t seem to stick for more than a few months.”

“Yeesh,” said Alma, “I know a few villages like that, but they’re nomadic and don’t really need any proper names so long as there’s enough space between them and the nearest settlement.”

“Right then,” said Yuri as he looked around, “let’s see if we can get the rest to party and make a successful return.”

“How far are we into the dungeon,” inquired Thelsia.

“I think that’s a trick question,” said Yuri, “I think the trap literally reorganized the structure and room arrangement of the dungeon, what can you recall about the reports on the place?”

“I looked them over,” said the gnome, “they, um,” she started racking her brain as she stared at Yuri, she knew her brain had a tendency to occasionally malfunction in Yuri’s presence but she really didn’t care that much because they weren’t usually in problematic situations when it happened, “a room matching this chamber’s description was said to be near the top of the fourth floor.”

“What about the reports regarding a colosseum chamber,” inquired Alma.

“That’s supposed to be somewhere on the fifth floor,” said Thelsia, “the furthest anyone has gone in their investigations thus far.”

“Well, we just came from there a few minutes ago,” said Yuri, “and it was only down one flight of steps, this room is on the floor after that.”

Thelsia pinched the bridge of her nose and gave a slow, very annoyed, exhale before saying, “Shifting dungeons are incredibly rare, and the fact that this one has a trap that could spawn in any room that literally reorganizes it while simultaneously splitting up a group is just another wrinkle in things; the guild needs to know this information last week.”