Breaking Step (Dungeon Runner 3)

Breaking Step, Chapter 27

"You were angry," Jackal said. "That's going to mess with your thinking. But why corruption? Why not go for something like fire or metal? Something that tells everyone how dangerous you are?"

"Our instructor told us to think carefully about what element was best suited to us. If we didn't pick the one that align with us, our progression would be much harder than it needed to be; that's if we survived the audience." Don looked at them. "Weren't you told the same thing?"

"After I made that crystal glow," Mez said, "they took me to another archer who told me I could pick an element from the list she gave me. I picked fire out of those eight because it looked more useful than the others, especially since some of them I didn't get. How is mind an element?"

Don looked at Tibs.

He shrugged. "Tirania told me to pick one of the four core elements. When I asked about the rest, she said they weren't as good." He considered how much to add. "I wanted people around me to stop dying, and Water was more suited to that. But I didn't understand much of what having that element meant."

"They told me to pick earth," Jackal said, "since I'd already shown my skull was as thick as it."

The sorcerer looked at Khumdar.

"I did not go through the same as you. Darkness called to me, and I answered."

Jackal snorted. "Our cleric loves wrapping himself in mystery. I don't think he's answered that question the same way twice."

"Right," Don said disdainfully, "Cle—" he snapped his mouth shut. When he spoke again, his voice was controlled. "Wouldn't you be interested in answering some questions? I'm curious what it means to be a cleric of an element other than Purity."

"Not particularly," Khumdar replied, smirking.

Don opened his mouth, then closed it and he let a breath out. As he opened his mouth again, Jackal pushed papers at him.

Don took them, looked at the diagrams and then at the fighter. "And now, you expect me not to ask about how it is the sorcerer didn't realize you were hiding them on you."

Jackal looked around and Mez nodded.

Tibs studied Don. He didn't lie when he said he wanted to be better, but this could cause problem if they weren't careful. Not only to the team, but to every Runner. If the guild found out there was one item they couldn't detect as being woven through with essence, they would scrutinize everyone who walked out of Sto.

He nodded. How could he know how determined the sorcerer was without putting him to the test?

Khumdar shrugged.

"The dungeon dropped a pouch, a few runs back," Jackal said, "that can't be detected and that fit a lot of stuff in it."

Don narrowed his eyes. "You expect me to believe that you got lucky enough—"

"Luck's not a thing," Jackal replied, smirking.

Don took a few breaths and spoke in a calmer tone. "Do you understand how rare such an item is? I've never read about something like that as part of dungeon loot."

"How did you read about the kind of loot dungeons have?" Mez asked.

"The guild catalogues everything Runners hand over when they leave and that—"

"Why would a Runner hand over something like this?" Jackal asked.

"How else are they going to..." Don trailed off. "You were able to tell what it is." His expression became thoughtful. "How does it work? How did you know?"

"How would I know how something like that works? It's magic. As for how I knew. After coming across the chests that are larger inside than out, we haven't been taking anything for granted. I reached in and couldn't touch the sides. I reached further until I had it to my elbow."

"And we can't tell there's a weave through it," Tibs added, "unless we touch it."

"What about enchanted things you put in it?" Don asked.

"It vanishes from sight and senses," Jackal stated.

"Can I touch it?"

"Not without my man's permission," the fighter replied.

"What?" Don asked, perplexed. "Why would he have a say in..." his pale skin turned red. "That's not what I'm talking about."

Jackal burst out laughing. "I know, but it was too easy. And yes, you can; but not here." He stood. "How about we retire to the team's room? It's been a while since I've been there."