Chapter 11: Fallout

Though she tried to protest, Svana obviously was on Tobias’s side, and Petr quickly chose his party over her. Astrid didn’t know what to do except to collect the warg ears and place them in her pouch. When she stood up, done with collecting the ears, Svana held out her hand.

“Why would I give you our spoils? I’ve carried all of them all day.” Astrid replied weakly.

“We can’t trust you. After all, you got so angry, just from some words. Why would we trust you when money’s on the line?”

Astrid decided not to protest. Instead, she counted out three of four to give to Svana. When she’d counted out enough ears to leave herself with 25%, only eight, Svana shook her head. “No, it’s not split four ways.”

“No, it’s split five ways.” Tobias chimed in with a hiss. “Healers get double shares, rookie.”

Astrid, as soon as she heard it, knew it was true. She’d never really thought about it, since she’d always planned to be in a party that just shared everything, but it was the usual way that things worked. She passed two more ears over, breathing heavily through her nose. Then, without another word, she stood tall and waited for the others to leave the Dungeon.

“You think you’re going to walk with us?” Tobias demanded. “After threatening my—”

“Shut your prig mouth.” Petr said. “Another word and I’m leaving too.”

With a click of his teeth, Tobias went silent. Even so, he’d won. Day one, and he’d managed to get Astrid to lose her temper so much that she’d attacked a party member. With Svana on his side, it was obvious that this wouldn’t turn out well for Astrid. Even so, she didn’t know what else to do. Maybe Grom would…? She stopped hoping. It could be that this worthless waste of a Class just ruined her opportunity to ever delve. Tears threatened to fall, but even through her helmet’s visor, Astrid refused to show that weakness. Instead, she stood in stoic silence until the others decided to leave. Still without speaking, she followed until they reached the Dungeon’s exit.

There, Tobias didn’t need to say a word for her to walk away. She merely continued walking forward and ahead of the Healer, wanting to get ahead of the rumors. When Svana rushed ahead, Astrid knew that she didn’t have a prayer of that. Instead of running to try to get ahead, she continued walking at pace.

Petr called after her, “Don’t worry. I’ll help.”

Him saying that didn’t change anything. He’d just stood there and implicitly sided with the bastard that’d deliberately pushed her out of the party. Astrid still couldn’t turn the help away, and she nodded without looking back. It wasn’t long before her much longer stride carried her out of sight of the two traitors. As soon as she was out of sight and hearing, the tears that’d threatened at the corner of her eyes spilled over. She sniffled as she thought of all the things that’d gone wrong in the past weeks. No Spellblade Class, no party supporting her, and this racist Healer who hated her for something she wasn’t…

The tears continued to fall, and Astrid continued walking as she pulled off her helmet and wiped at her face. The rough leather of the glove scrubbed at her face, and she stowed her shield on her back while she continued sniffling and walking. It wasn’t long before she was done with her cry for now, and she couldn’t help but laugh at herself. This was enough to make her cry now? No, it shouldn’t be. There wasn’t anything she could do to make sure she didn’t have reddened eyes, but the sweat of the day wouldn’t allow the tear streaks to show. So what would be her plan? As a level 1, she needed a party, or at least some support from the Guild. If not, she’d have no future delving.

Of course, the truth was mostly on her side, except for the whole “trying to hurt someone” thing. So, if she could soften that, then she’d be in a much better position. Maybe it was just a threatening blow? And admit fault where it was. That’d always worked in the past, even though she’d never been in anything approaching legal trouble.

That’d have to be enough, because she was approaching the inn, and she’d need to present herself to present her side.

As she strode into the inn, a dozen faces turned towards her. Most looked curious, not particularly judgmental. Before she could speak, though, a voice filled the space.

“She tried to kill Tobias!”

Instead of leaping immediately to panicked defenses, Astrid held herself calmly and waited for Svana to continue. She didn’t. Once a minute had passed, Astrid merely asked, “Have you processed my request to withdraw from the party?”

Svana’s mouth dropped open in disbelief. Then, she retorted, “Tobias kicked you out for trying to kill him!”

“No, I tendered my resignation rather violently.” Astrid replied. “After blaming me for saving his life at the expense of my own safety, he proceeded to call me a Barbarian and stupid for saving his life. With so many insults thrown my way, I decided to scare him with my hammer. Petr overreacted and took the hit on his shield, thinking I was going to hurt someone, but nobody was hurt, and even if Petr hadn’t been there, there wouldn’t have been any injuries.”

If they were going to twist the story, then Astrid would too.

“That’s not what happened!” Svana rushed back and got in Astrid’s face. “I’ll show everyone that you’re a stupid Barbarian!”

Astrid’s blood boiled, but she was prepared for the insults this time. “So you’re going to insult me too, when I helped you kill wargs you struggled to kill before? You think you could get that much experience without me, and now you want to smear my name? How credible is that when you’ve already gotten two strikes for driving other people out of your party in the past? Can’t keep a damn level 1 happy and brought a pack of four back instead of just pairs.”

Svana’s face flushed as Astrid insulted her abilities. If there were bridges to burn, Astrid would bring the torches. Surprisingly, Svana’s reaction wasn’t mere words, and her hand flashed towards Astrid’s face. Though Svana’s Alacrity was notably higher than Astrid’s, the Warrior was still able to raise her hand in time and catch the blow on her bracer. Svana groaned in pain as her wrist struck the metal armor. Before she could do anything else, Grom stepped forward and grabbed both by the scruff of the neck.

“You’re both embarrassing yourselves. Svana, get in the room in the back. Your party will be there soon, and I’ll talk to all three at the same time.”

“And she gets to stay out here? That’s unfair that she can—”

“Shut up.” Grom shook the Scout roughly. “With your history, it’s what you deserve. Go.”

Svana gritted her teeth, but she did retreat to wherever she’d been commanded to go. She stalked through the inn until she stepped into a nearby hallway. A moment later, the sound of a slammed door echoed in the space.

“Tell me everything that happened out there, Astrid.” Grom demanded loud enough for all the eavesdroppers to overhear, “And it’ll be better if you only tell the truth.”

With a sigh, Astrid told the story, not of the whole day, but all the specifics she could remember of Tobias’s explosion and tirade. The insults and anger. When she told why she did it, she stood by the story she’d told before. After all, nobody could tell what her motivations were, even if she really had wanted to harm Tobias.

“I was wrong to try to scare him.” Astrid finished. “Instead of using my weapon, I should have shook him or something else. I understand why I’ll be in trouble for even making someone think that they’ll be attacked by their party member, even if they’re acting like a damned rabid Kin.”

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“All you’re saying is the truth?” Grom demanded. “Svana said you kept trying to attack after being stopped.”

Astrid’s stomach dropped. If Svana and Tobias insisted as much and Petr didn’t deny it too much, that could be the nail in the coffin of her delving hopes and dreams. Then, though, another thought occurred to her. “I am. And, I’m fairly certain I can prove it when Petr comes. Either before or after you speak with them.”

Grom slowly nodded. “If you’re that willing to say it, I’d guess you’re telling the truth. But we’ll see… maybe soon. Tobias tends to walk slowly.” A chorus of chuckles filled the air, and Astrid allowed herself a smile. Even so, she sat at the table, wondering if it was alright if she went ahead and ordered a meal. After hours of hunting, stalking, and fighting, Astrid was damned hungry. While she contemplated, the door swung open again. In walked Tobias with a limp, Petr behind him.

“Who’s ready to hear our tales of woe?” Tobias declared with a voice affecting humility and sadness.

“I am. Follow me. Now.” Grom demanded as he stepped forward. When Tobias began to open his mouth, Grom growled, “You worthless goblin spawn, I said now.”

Tobias’s mouth puckered up and resembled the arse he was. Astrid couldn’t help but chuckle at that. The Healer obviously wanted to retort, but with Grom in his face and obviously pissed off, he didn’t dare. Instead, Petr and Tobias followed the Guild’s representative into whatever room they were meeting in. With them gone, Astrid thought about asking for the meal, but even though she knew she was hungry, the nerves of her situation prevented her from having an appetite. Somehow, having the others in the meeting with Grom made everything feel much more real. She sat with knee bouncing on the ground. Her legs were too long to fit comfortably under the table she was sitting at, but that was the option she’d chosen.

Minutes dragged by, and Stark brought a serving of hearty stew for her. Astrid nodded her thanks, and put the meal to the side.

“Take your first bite.” A vaguely familiar voice urged her. “Once you start, you’ll get hungrier.”

Looking, Astrid saw Lariche. The Healer had a happy smile on her face, and she pointed to the stew.

“All Stark’s food is great.”

“So I’ve seen.” Astrid said as she lifted a single bite to her mouth. Even though it tasted like ash, she continued bringing the next bite up. She ate a couple more bites in silence while the Healer just sat at the table. Even sitting down, she was so much smaller than Astrid that Astrid herself almost believed that she was a Barbarian.

“You doing ok?” Lariche asked, pulling Astrid from her comparison.

“I mean, I’m not doing great.” Astrid shrugged. “First experience with a party was… pretty bad.”

“Tobias will do that.” Lariche chuckled. “He’s never been particularly easy to get along with, and in the past months, he’s kept driving people away. Once I leave, I hope there’s another Healer that comes. Otherwise… I don’t think there’ll be that many delvers willing to start their journey here.”

“Are you almost done here?” Astrid asked, the change of subject allowing her stomach to settle somewhat. As it did, she allowed herself to tear into the bread and dip it in the stew.

“We’re just getting the last of our party to level 6 before we go.” Lariche nodded. “It’s Matthias, and he’s our frontliner. Since he hasn’t been getting much in the way of extra experience, it’s just taken him a lot longer.”

“Well, I’ve been here for a day, and I can say I’ll miss you.” Astrid spoke earnestly as she continued ripping through the meal.

“Between you and me,” Lariche stage-whispered, “I don’t think you’ll be the only one.”

“Astrid Warrior. Come here.” Before Astrid could respond, Grom’s voice pulled her from her conversation. Looking down, she saw that there were another couple of bites, but instead of finishing it off, she immediately followed the summons. Grom’s face was painfully serious, and he nodded for her to step past him towards the room that he’d been in until then. She did so, and saw a room with a single desk and half a dozen chairs spread out in front of it. The three people from her previous party of just one day sat together on one side, and Astrid sat on the other. As soon as she was seated, Grom walked in front of the assembled people and sat on his desk instead of behind it.

“Astrid Warrior.” Grom repeated. “Are there any parts of your telling of what happened today that you’d like to amend?”

“No, sir.” She shook her head.

“Alright then. I’m going to give what I think we can call the facts now. The things I’m calling facts are supported by the testimony of both sides, with slight coloring of opinion within them. Any gaps in the story are not agreed on. You hunted wargs today. The final fight was against a pack of four. Two attacked Petr Shieldsman. You were victorious in the fight. Astrid Warrior raised her hammer against Tobias Healer and was blocked by Petr Shieldsman.

“Are all these facts agreed upon?”

Hearing the gaps made Astrid want to grind her teeth, but she nodded. The other three did the same.

“Then that’s a good start. But,” Grom sighed, “this is where things are going to get complicated. Astrid Warrior insists that she saved Tobias Healer’s life. Svana Scout and Tobias Healer state that she did not, while Petr Shieldsman gives no opinion. Tobias Healer and Svana Scout rebut that Astrid Warrior attacked Tobias Healer after being reprimanded for showing cowardice in the fight against the pack. Astrid Warrior states that Tobias Healer insulted her before she decided to use her hammer to scare Tobias due to his insults. Petr Shieldsman agrees that Tobias Healer insulted Astrid Warrior, but that she displayed strength and Power beyond the limits of a level 1 in the strike that he blocked and she must have used a Skill to strengthen her attack. Finally, the details of what followed that moment are unimportant.”

Again, Astrid wanted to retort, but she kept her tongue. Instead, she merely waited for Grom to finish. On the other side of the room, Tobias and Svana looked smug while Petr’s face was unreadable.

“Here’s what I think the truth of the matter is, though Astrid Warrior states that she can provide proof to oppose a facet of the truth. In the fight against 4 wargs, Astrid Warrior was slightly injured in her attempt to protect Tobias Healer. The evidence of her injury can be seen on her right elbow, and I believe she could prevent herself from taking that wound under normal circumstances. After that, Tobias Healer insulted Astrid Warrior and she raised her weapon to harm him. I do not believe she intended to kill, but to maim him, due to the force of the blow or blows that Petr Shieldsman reports.”

“That’s untrue!” Astrid replied, unable to listen any longer. “I only hit one time, and I can prove it! Plus, I didn’t use any active Skill when I struck!”

“Very well.” Grom replied. “Then prove it.”

As he said so, Tobias and Svana’s faces lit up, sure Astrid couldn’t prove anything.

“Petr, please show your shield.” Astrid asked. He complied, holding it up. Near the center of the steel-faced shield was an obvious dent where her attack had landed. Astrid drew her hammer and showed precisely how her weapon fit into the damage.

“Can we agree that this is where my strike landed?”

Grom nodded slowly. “This does appear to match up. There aren’t any other marks I can see that would be a result of your attack. Any claims of you attacking more than once can be tentatively disproven. Even so, the damage sustained here seems to imply that you were willing to use near deadly force, and a Skill like Overhand Blow, Power Strike, or Skullcrusher would have done this.”

Astrid sighed. She didn’t want to show it, but if she had to, she would. “I’ll display my Status to you, Grom, to show that there was no way I had murderous intent, this is just a result of my Power.”

“You’re going to show us all your Status?” Grom asked, disbelieving.

“I refuse to show these treacherous serpents my Status, but I’ll show you.” Astrid corrected. “Once they step out, I can show you why I could deal as much damage as I did to this shield, as well as why I couldn’t have used a Skill like you’re saying.”

Grom stared into her eyes for a short while before slowly nodding. “Very well. You three, step out.”

“We need to see this too!” Tobias insisted. “I need to see what this Barba—”

Grom slammed forward, his fist suddenly buried in the Healer’s gut. Tobias gasped in pain and fear as he slumped to the ground. Grom remained standing, his face thunderous with rage.

“I’ve had enough of your mouth, Tobias. I’m done. Yes, we’re at constant war with the Barbarians. Yes, they are very large people who largely look human with brightly colored hair with dark skin. Astrid Warrior is not one. Call her Barbarian again in my presence and I’ll do something to you that’ll require some of your Skills to take care of. Understood?”

Tobias, gasping on the floor, merely nodded in pain.

“Good. Now get him out of here.” Grom gestured with a nod to the door. As soon as they were out, he looked at Astrid. “Look, Astrid. I don’t know if you can fix this. Trying to kill a party member is an absolute quick three strikes. Even though I like you and don’t think you deserve it, I’m obligated to take note of what’s happened today. Tobias is a prig, and nobody likes him. I’m sure he provoked you and he’s an instigator. I’d almost prefer he get eaten by a goblin instead of continuing to delve. Even so, we can’t let people who try to kill other delvers keep going in the Dungeon and get stronger. So, it’ll have to be pretty damn convincing.”

Astrid’s stomach dropped even more as she realized just how close she was to losing her ability to delve. And with it, her freedom.