Bardunac looked through the three bags the group had set on his stone counter. The dwarf had a little stubble starting to show on his chin, and he absently scratched it, words failing to come.

The four of them stood there, smiling as the alchemist shook his head in disbelief.

“All of this? I’d gladly take it, but I can’t afford to buy all this right now! I don’t think anyone in town could afford to buy all this.”

Motioning to the bags with his hands, Bardunac’s face still had a look of amazement on it.

“You won’t forget we don’t want this getting out either?” Tanila asked, her gaze letting the dwarf know she was serious.

“Yes, ma’am!” he exclaimed, smiling as he spoke. “Adventurer Seth has graciously partnered with me on other alchemical ventures. I will happily keep the four of you and what you have a secret!”

He picked up each bag, depositing them in his dimensional storage, and then pulled a tray out from under the counter. On the wooden tray were eight healing potions and two bottles filled with black liquid.

“In case you need a replacement potion or two after the dungeon you fought in to get these things.” He picked up one of the bottles with the black liquid in it. “These are something I want you to try the next time you face odds you aren’t sure about.”

Fowl cocked his head, his eyebrows coming so close to his eyes that Max wasn’t sure how the dwarf could see.

“Testing something? You want us to try something without knowing if it will work?”

Bardunac waved his hand, dismissing Fowl's question and concern. “These potions are a variant of a mage’s shield skin buff. It won’t last long, maybe five minutes, but it should stop one attack completely.”

Tanila moved forward, reaching for the one Bardunac had in his hand.

He nodded and gave it to her, watching her lift it and peer at it from different angles.

“If this works, you could make–”“A fortune. Yes, I know,” Bardunac said, cutting her off and flashing a large grin. “Everything should work fine. It’s just the length of the buff I’m not certain of, and I don’t want to use it here or sell something and have it not be certain.”

Tanila nodded, putting the potion in her dimensional storage. “I’ll let you know what I find out!”

Bardunac held Max back as the rest of the team left.

“Ok, first let me say it’s three more days till that first elixir finishes. Once it does, you can try it and tell me how many points it gives.”

Max started to laugh and bobbed his head. “I’m the test dummy?”

The dwarf grinned as he nodded. “It helps to know exactly what I’m offering when I sell something. Ignoring that, I won’t ask how you four came across what you did. As I told your team, it will take me months to process even half of that. I’ll need to trade for a few other reagents before I can prepare to use your items.”

Trying to get a read on Max’s expression, Bardunac snorted. “You and your team stood there like none of you were surprised by my statement. When the time comes to sell, I’ll make sure we have a contract at the bank so even if you four aren’t still here, you can get the money I owe in any town.”

“That’s what I like about you, Bardunac,” Max said with a grin. “You’re the first clean-shaven dwarf I knew I could trust.”

Rolling his eyes, Bardunac groaned and shoved Max toward the door. “Just keep your head down and keep me in mind if you find anything else. I already put in a request with the alchemist guild for a new assistant. I will need a lot of help if you keep bringing this stuff to me.”

Max nodded at Linda, who put down a plate of food and a mug of ale. It was still early, but she always had something cooking in the kitchen. He was busy thinking about all the other things he wanted to figure out.

[Skill Description - Fire Magic ]

*****

Fire Magic - Uncommon Skill: The caster may choose to cast four different types of fire magic. A single medium-range attack may be cast, causing damage based on the caster's Intelligence. Costs five mana per shot. An area of effect spell may be cast, causing damage to every person or creature within ten yards, not in the caster’s party. Damage is based on the caster’s Intelligence. Costs twenty mana per cast. The caster may enchant an item with fire magic, adding damage and a burning effect based on the caster’s Intelligence. Enchantment lasts fifteen minutes and costs twenty mana. A single, medium-range, area-of-effect fireball may be cast, causing burning damage in a five-yard radius around the point of impact. Damage is based on the caster’s Intelligence. The spell's area of effect will damage every person or creature not in the caster's party. Costs thirty mana per cast.

*****If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Max sighed, knowing that everything was only usable when in a dungeon with his team or solo other than the fire enchantment. It was hard enough keeping his skills hidden, but knowing they would damage anyone near him also meant they were limited in usage.

“You’re a hard one to read. Do you ever stay happy or sad?”

Max had sensed Big D approaching but hadn’t paid any attention as the man was still a bit away from him. “What do you mean?”

“Your face. Besides being ugly, you go through a dance of emotions, all easily noticed by someone in my line of work. Needing to talk bout it?”

“I’m not sure there is much to say,” Max lied. “Every day is a risk of life and limb, but sometimes it’s worth it. Other days, you wonder if the risk is worth it.”

Big D grabbed a chair and spun it around, sitting on the backward chair as he invited himself near Max’s booth.

“Your eyes tell me the truth, boy. Lying isn’t easy for most, and while you seem decent at it, I can tell you have something to hide.” Dick stopped talking and motioned to the room behind him. “Heck, everyone in this place, including myself and my wife, have stuff to hide. I’m just letting you know I’m here if ya need me. What you did for Aimee and her dad puts you in a special category with me. The ‘you earned my gratitude’ category. And trust me, that place isn’t easy to get to in a world where people pack up or die all the time.”

Max chuckled as he nodded his head in understanding. “Do all innkeepers have that category? Because somehow I keep ending up in those inns.”

Big D slapped the table, letting out a roar of laughter. “I can see that boy! Something about you is different than most. You have a heart and actually care bout others. Keep that. It’s rare in this world and even more so in adventurers as they grow.”

Shifting in his seat, Max just smiled.

“Now, I got work to do, and I wanted to tell ya if you ever need me, I’m here.” The older man stood up, spinning the chair around and putting it back where he got it. As he started to walk away, Dick paused and came back to Max. “One last question. Did you and that other boy figure things out?”

Max slowly nodded, unable to hold back the wince he knew escaped from his surprise at that question. “It wasn’t how we both would have liked it, but if he returns and I’m not here, tell him I left the day after he came? It would be best for all parties involved.”

“Say no more,” Dick replied, turning and moving back toward the bar.

As the older man walked away, Max let his mind dwell on Caleb and what might happen next.

How long do I have before someone comes looking for that man I killed?

It felt weird how his brain seemed to order everything now. He had felt smart back home, but sitting here, Max realized how many mistakes he had made back in Windsor Wheel that could have left him dead on multiple occasions.

Glancing at his food, Max pushed it away. He needed to clear his head; there was one way to do that.

“You’re sure this is ok? I mean, Darla doesn’t have to come with us.”

Max nodded and smiled, seeing Aimee’s girlfriend watching them talk. She was just as attractive as Aimee and had dyed her hair blue, the two standing out in a crowd of brown, blonde, and white hair.

“Yes. She could use a little help, and I’m sure the experience would be appreciated also.”

Letting out a squeal, Aimee rushed forward, giving Max a quick hug before running to where Darla was and bringing her to Max.

“Darla, this is Seth, my friend I’ve told you about.”

The girl smiled, and Max saw how Aimee was smitten with her. A fantastic smile and perfect set of lips would steal the hearts of any man or woman it was directed at.

“It is a pleasure to finally meet,” Darla said, slightly bowing.

“I agree,” Max replied, giving a small nod. “I trust that Aimee has already told you what we could do if you wanted?”

Her green eyes twinkled, and she nodded. “I can’t say I’m not incredibly excited about the prospect of this… her advancement has been… overwhelming.”

Max grinned and sent a party invite to Darla, watching Aimee almost dance with excitement when she joined the group.

“Well then, let’s get you two a little experience today. The sun is setting, and I want to return before dark. Some of us have to get up early to protect the kingdom.”

Aimee gave Max a playful punch and shook her head. “I don’t want to hear any complaints about getting up early. You know what time my dad makes me get up.”

“Level six… I’m level six,” Darla muttered as she watched Aimee harvest the last orc. “You told me this was possible, but I never really believed.”

“It does slow down,” Aimee replied, not turning from the task she was engaged with. “I know the next three levels will be slow.”

“Says the baker who has now out-leveled her father in just over a week,” Max said, storing his weapons and watching as Darla still seemed squeamish every time Aimee harvested a set of ears. “You two should be happy I can’t take you in the ogre dungeon. Harvesting the balls off one of those isn’t fun, and I’m sure I won't be the one doing it.”

Both women looked at him, eyes wide and uncertain if he was kidding.

“Oh, I’m serious. Ask Batrire next time you see her, Aimee. She will tell you how much fun that was.”

A green tint came over Darla’s face, and Max chuckled at that sight. “That reminds me, Darla, I never asked but was wondering what your profession is.”

Darla grinned and then leaped forward suddenly, her body moving gracefully as she danced around the dungeon with a few different moves.

“I’m a [Dancer], but no matter how many times I say it, it never feels as glamorous as some think it might be,” she answered after coming to a stop.

“And yet I keep telling her she is amazing, and I could watch her move like that all day long.”

Max nodded, watching Aimee wink at Darla, who playfully rolled her eyes and shrugged.

“Still, I’m the fourth generation in my family, and we perform all over town. It is a lot of work, but now, I'll be better than ever with these levels and the attributes I can spend.”

“Maybe the next time you perform, you can invite me. Aimee and I could come and watch you.”

Both girls' faces scrunched as if struck, and Max saw the hurt each of them tried to hide. Neither spoke, and Max’s brain figured out what was going on and why they acted like that.

“Your parents don’t know…”

Both of them nodded slowly.

Darla started to open her mouth, but Max waved her off.

“Don’t worry about it right now. You can talk about that another time. Let's celebrate your experience and hurry up and turn them in. I need to get a few things done, as tomorrow is going to be a new challenge for me and my team.”

“A challenge? For you?” Aimee asked. “How bad must that be?”

Max grinned and gave a playful shrug. “Only tomorrow will tell.”