THE PARTY IS FORMED

  The next day dawns clear and sunny with a slight fall chill as Tanner completes his morning practice. “Morning Tanner, I didn’t want to interrupt.”

  “Morning Connie your up early, I see you found my jacket.”

  Giggling, Connie tells him, “You weren’t using it. I couldn’t sleep, strange place and all.”

  Tanner walks over and sits next to her, leaning back on the bench. “This is my favorite place in the palace gardens, I practice here before dawn every morning then sit here and watch the sun rise. How did you find me?”

  “I asked the servant girls. Did you know they all come out and watch you?”

  “Wait, what?”

  Connie laughs at him. “You didn’t know?”

  “I know they come out and wander the garden, but to watch me train? I don’t think so.” Tanner, wanting to change the subject, asks, “How do you like your room?”

  “It’s as big as my house, I have a library all to myself. Can you believe that? I could sleep my whole family on the bed and the bathroom is as big as the bedroom my sisters and I share back home.”

  “Penny says we will move into another wing when the rest of the party forms. The Imps want us to stay here in the palace on weekends and when the academy is not holding classes.”

  “Why not stay in the student housing?”

  “They want to train us. They have been training Claire and I since the Attunement. You wondered why my Stats were so high. It’s because of their training, Claire is like that too.”

  “Huh, is it hard?”

  “Yep. Come on let’s take a bath before breakfast.”

  “Umm. What?”

  “We need to get ready for the day, I’ve been working out, I need a bath. You should take one and get ready too. Breakfast serves in an hour.”

  “Oh I thought…” Connie trails off, blushing.

  Tanner grabs her hand to walk her to her room. “Pretty sure neither one of us are ready that.”

  “Who would have thought just getting your Status Sheets registered would take so long. Then another mental health evaluation ugh. The day is almost gone.”

  “Milly it was not that bad and it is only just past lunch.” A giggling Claire says to the other girl, “The look on the Deacon’s face when he saw my base attributes was priceless.”

  Tanner laughs, “Even after Eunice gave them a heads up. The shocked look on the deacon’s face I dealt with. I couldn’t help but laugh at her. It was so funny.”

  Jackson smiles, “It was nice to see Bran again, he and my father have been friends for years. The look on your faces when you found out he is the High Justice for the church was funny too.”

  Mick tells the others, “Don’t mind Milly, she’s disappointed. She thought we would have more time to shop for school supplies.”

  “Not just school supplies. Weapons. Armor. Magic items. Everything a new delving legend needs to kick ass and grab loot.” The others all laugh at Milly’s dramatic proclamations.

  Claire says, “First lunch, then storage fitting. Tanner thinks we should go to the combat center and get ideas for armor, and maybe a little shopping in.”

  Tanner speaks up, “Guys after today, we have five more days before school starts. Pretty sure we will find what we need. Oh and lunch is on Claire today.” The others all cheer Claire as she balls up her fist and shakes it at Tanner in mock anger.

  Later in the day, Tanner announces to the party, “Just remember we are only looking today. We want to see prices and what is available, don’t fall in love with the first thing you see. Do we want to split? The boys and I will look together. We can all meet back up at the palace for dinner.”

  Milly says, “Mick and I looked over the central market when we first got to the city. We have a general layout of everything. Follow me, ladies. What do we want to look at first?”

  As the girls walk away, the guys huddle up and form a plan.

  Lilli says to the girls, “Iris and I will not need weapons father is making me a kawansice and has one of his friends making a benicaw for Iris.”

  Karnna says, “I remember the kawansice is an elven long sword, what is a benicaw?”

  Iris answers, “Caw is the elven word for bow, benicaw means battle bow. They have blades grown in place when the bow is formed. They can be used long, mid, and short ranged and in melee if needed.”

  “Father is giving us Tier one weapons, as Tier zero weapons will be out grown too soon.”

  “That maybe a strategy for all of us. Buy good quality Tier zero and have the higher Tier weapons made.” Claire says, “We can do that for armor too. Then we can resell it when we Tier up. Connie, you are quiet, any thoughts on this?”

  “What if we cannot find everything here?”

  Iris smiles, “Then we look in the other markets, this is just the central market there are many others scattered around the city.”

  “I guess my small town is showing,” Connie sighs.

  Karnna, bumping Connie, says, “I planned on asking that, too.” The two smile at each other.

  On the carriage ride back to the palace, Milly announces. “So, Tier Zero weapons and armor. Caster robes and a weapon will cost us between 25 to 60 gold depending on what we go with quality wise. Leathers and a weapon, 47 to 90 gold. We need to check around. Some of those higher end prices seemed exorbitant to me. Any of the flexible metal armors start at 70 gold and go as high as 190. Plate armor starts at 200 gold and then goes crazy money. The last two are without weapons. The Tier One stuff goes even higher.”

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Claire clears her throat, “Do not worry about the money, by the middle of Tier One as a party we will be gaining on average 200 gold, per delve for the party, and that is not including any loot drops. Also Tanner and I have talked, we will be buying all the Tier Zero armor and weapons for everybody. No arguments, with our holdings we will make that back in a month. Then we will resell it when you all out level the equipment. Just worry about Tier One equipment.”

  “Afternoon Princess Claire, I placed all of the ladies new clothing in your room. Prince Tanner the same for your gentlemen guests. I suggest washing and a change into suitable clothing. Dinner is served in 45 minutes in the green dining suite.”

  Claire replies, “Thank you Conner.” Tanner nods his head and also thanks the man. Cleaned up, the boys await the girls in the dining room. The Imps are talking with the Rasumun’s, the Vandine’s, Mrs. Chainbreaker and Smith Jhaeros. Upon the ladies’ entrance, resplendent in their attire, the boys stare, awestruck. Standing and clapping, the older adults greet their children.

  Penny says, “Well you all cleaned up nice, and just in time.” Parents hug the newcomers and movement to the table begins. Everyone stands around the table.

  Harry speaks up, “First, before we sit, I would like to propose a toast to the new formed party. The potential I see in these young adults is staggering. You have found each other in a short time, and while this seems quick. I have gotten to know your parents and have every confidence you will all be successful and form bonds stronger than family. Much like my party has done. To your successful endeavors.”

  Bree smiles after everyone has drank. “Now I would like to thank everyone for joining us for this meal. Afterwards we can all adjourn to the sitting room we just came from and finish our business.”

  As all sit, Rhys, laughing, says, “Now the hard part. You have to come up with a name for your group.” Harold's eyes gleaming, opens his mouth.

  Before he can speak, Eunice proclaims, “As your Voice of the Goddess, I forbid, Junior Imps or anything related to that name.”

  Bree, laughing at her husband, says, “As your Empress, I forbid it.”

  Penny, laughing, says, “As your friend that has so much better taste than the Emperor, I forbid it.”

  Tanner stands and folds his arms over his chest. He looks sternly at his party and speaks. “If any of you even suggest that name. I will disband the party.” Winking at Harry, Tanner sits back down.

  “I must say, Tanner I thought we had a close bond, I am very disappointed.”

  “Oh we do Sir. Dad jokes are fine for your party, we are much more refined so we require a name that reflects our greatness.”

  Laughing, Harold raises his glass to Tanner, both drink to each other. The meal progresses and the older diners give advice to the younger. Tanner broaches a subject he has been thinking about. “Lark, I would like to commission Tier One, weapons from you, for all of us. I don’t mean to put you on the spot. If you can’t do it, I understand you are busy. I will pay fair market, I am not asking for a free ride.”

  “I appreciate that Tanner, many in your position, would ask for that free ride. Blades are my specialty now, so bladed weapons I will discuss. Karnna’s Greataxe would be better served by a Dwarven smith, I know. The spears and Princess Claire’s Kawanjanict. I can do the metal work. The wood will have to be accomplished by another crafter I know. Elven crafting processes grow the wood around the weapon for a better bond. I know a dwarven smith that can do up the metal armors. She is the best armor smith I know. As far as cloth and leather, there are many masters that can help you. Come by tomorrow. I can measure your blade users. I will have a list of the other crafters for you.”

  The afternoon weaves on Contracts are presented and signed for not only a delving party, but sponsorship for the less wealthy members. After everyone has reached agreements. Tanner stands and says, “Okay everyone now the fun part, training. Until school starts we will meet here every morning an hour before dawn for two hours of physical training. Then breakfast, two hours of mind training, then two hours of soul. Then lunch the rest of the day is ours until one hour before bed, meditation training. Penny, Rhys, and Eunice can you support that?”

  Penny nods her head. “Two hours?” She asks.

  “Yes I would like to continue the three, two hour sessions every morning before classes start, and one hour meditation before bed as well.”

  Penny smiles and says, “Can do, I am up around that time everyday.”

  Rhys clears his throat, thinking things over. Then says, “If I can not be there I will make sure someone can cover for me. I see no issue.”

  Eunice says. “Either myself or someone I trust will be there for the soul training and the meditation sessions.”

  “We will take Seventhday off for those of you who are wondering. Claire since you have the study talent, you will teach the rest of us the skill.” Tanner turns and explains to everyone, “Her Talent, Study allows her to teach us, and is one of the few skills we can learn at our level and tier.”

  “I have never heard that before.” Rhys says.

  Tanner freezes and Eunice says, “It was in an old book, Tanner found and showed me. I put I in the archives. Do you remember anything else about teaching skills Tanner?”

  “Oh uh yes if someone has a talent, they can teach it as a skill. Like first aid, study, meditation, things like that.”

  Eunice nods her head, “I remember now, it was all more personal development talents converted to skills, rather than dungeon uses. Correct?”

  Tanner gives her a grateful smile and says, “Yes it was, just stuff for zero levels.”

  Connie gasps, “We have to go. We will be late to the combat center for practice. Come on.” Connie and the other all stand along with Tanner, hugging and thanking their parents. Once in the carriage, Connie glares at Tanner.

  “What was that?”

  “Sorry I thought that was common knowledge.”

  Claire gives him a dirty look. “Apparently not, good thing Eunice covered for you.”

  Connie shakes her head. “They were all suspecting something. Tanner is going to write everything down about that subject and Eunice can say the book was destroyed or something.”

  Dylan asks, “What is going on?”

  Tanner answers, “Sorry guys there hasn’t been a good time to tell you all.”

  Claire interrupts, “We should have made time. Sorry everyone.”

  Tanner takes back over. “Barty gave the three of us some books on our Affinities. He told us to keep it a secret because the books were priceless. We were going to tell you all as soon as we had time.”

  Intrigued, Iris asks, “Can we look them over?”

  Connie replies, “It wont do you any good, they are in what ever language Barty uses. It gave us the Abilities to read, write, understand and speak it. Eunice tried and got a headache and a bloody nose.”

  Claire assures the others, “Do not worry if we find anything that will help you all we will translate it out.”

  Lilli says, “We need a party oath, we have too many secrets that we all need to know and can’t reveal to others. I trust the Imps and our families but they do not need to know everything.” The party ponders the oath and its purpose.

  The following morning, as Tanner is leaving the breakfast room, he hears Penny calling him. “Tanner wait up.” Tanner stops and grins at his training nemesis. “You put a kink in Rhys last night he spent the entire night in the archives. Looking for Talent to Skills information.”

  “Oh? How did he make out?”

  “He found three manuscripts and a scroll. He was reading them over this morning. How about you guys?”

  “We all have the study Skill. Claire is an excellent teacher.” The friends enter the training field and set up. The rest filter in around them.

  Penny announces, “Rhys wanted to be here this morning to check your status sheets. He got busy with something and stayed up all night. So the first thing I need to see is everyone's status and record your attributes. I will explain tomorrow morning before training. I will push you all hard every morning. Rhys will heal you all afterward, and you can get breakfast. Bree has opened the North visitors' wing. It is currently undergoing a few small renovations, it has twelve suites of rooms. This is where you will all stay when not in school housing. The ten of you will report to the Imperial Palace training yard every Sixth day morning. This is the Imperial family's private training yard, so you can practice in private. As you can all see, it is a complete facility. So let's begin with laps, twenty around the yard.”

  The others are in awe of Tanner and Claire’s speed, strength, and endurance. With Connie a distant third, the eight party members push themselves hard to catch up to Tanner and Claire’s level of performance the entire day. Rhys reviews their Status Sheets after the first training day.