World Sphere - 62 - The A Team

Chapter 62: The A Team

I sat heavily on the bench beside Aelyn, too drained to remain standing. The damage from overdrive with my lightning reflexes spell lingered more than the bruises Callem had inflicted. Callem joined us and announced, “We are ready.”

A short man entered, handed Callem a folder, and quietly departed. Callem passed it to me with a nod. “Each candidate has a profile. They’ll come in one at a time.”

The first to enter was a small, timid girl. “Lana?" I asked, glancing at the top page.

She nodded. “Yes. I’m a porter. I graduated this year from the general Academy in the Lower City. I have two spells: dimensional space and invisibility.”

“How large is your dimensional space? Is there any room left in your aether matrix?” I asked reading her folio.

“Three by four feet,” she replied, with more confidence now. “I don’t know if I have room. The spell books were borrowed—I cannot afford spellbooks.” I sighed inwardly.

Her skillset was useful, but limited. “Any experience gathering resources? Wood, copper, iron?” She shook her head no. “Thank you, Lana. If we decide to move forward, we’ll contact you.”

Callem frowned as he spoke. “She’s had no combat training. If you want, I could set up a meeting with Wynna in Hen’s Hollow for a reading.”

“Only if her aether matrix is at least eighteen. I need someone who can grow. She’s only sixteen years old. I’d be willing to provide spellbooks, but...”

“She’s an orphan,” Callem interrupted, peering at the sheet. “No parents listed. Look how far she came.” I gave him a pointed look. He had a soft spot for underdogs.

The next two candidates were both front-liners. Decent interviews, recent Dungeon Academy grads. But when Aelyn sparred with them, it was clear they were trained only to face predictable monsters. Their sword forms were rigid, their adaptability poor. Even Callem looked disappointed. “They could be trained,” he admitted, “but I’d pass. Their minds are locked into the academy mold.”

Next came a mage named Oliver Klozoff. Dirty blond hair, brown eyes, crooked nose and matching Aelyn’s height. He seemed very proud of his spell repertoire. “I have four camp defense spells: alarm, light, shadow sentry, and vermin shield. One offensive spell: arcane spear. And I am currently working on the tier two spell rain of ice.” Promising, but narrowly focused. Not as impressive as Talia. I thanked him and sent him off with a courteous dismissal.

Four down, and I was already mentally exhausted. “Skyholme has four registered delver guilds,” Callem reminded me upon seeing my disappointment. “Most top candidates are already taken. You're looking for hidden gems.”

Next came a scout and then another front-liner. Callem didn’t like the scout’s movements. The front-liner was arrogant and acted like hiring her was a privilege for me. Pass. Then the next candidate walked in: an elven male. He bowed.

“Gimble,” he introduced himself with a simple nod. His elven features were sharp, and his hair was shoulder-length. “I am an accomplished dungeon explorer. I’ve completed thirty-eight dives across seven dungeons. I have been in Aegis City a month. Your people don’t take kindly to outsiders.” He glanced at Aelyn, then studied her mark. She stiffened. “I haven’t been able to leave the city. It’s been... frustrating.”

Callem watched the interaction closely. “Aelyn, test him,” Callem ordered.

Aelyn faced off reluctantly, but Gimble didn’t hesitate and they clashed. The duel was intense. In under a minute, Gimble had his blade at Aelyn’s throat. They studied each other until Gimble slowly lowered his blade and Aelyn did not ask for a rematch.

Aelyn sat next to me, dazed. “Don’t feel bad,” I said. “He’s good.”

She turned to me, and our eyes locked. “He knows my mother. He’s here to free me.”

Gimble, caught off guard by Aelyn’s proclamation, he composed himself. “I’m a member of the Hand of the Crimson Moonriders. I am here as a favor to Aelyn’s imprisoned mother.” I looked to Callem who remained silent.

Since no one else was talking, I asked, “Can you remove the mark?”

“Yes. Once we’re outside the city’s anti-teleport range,” Gimble said confidently.

I was about to agree when Aelyn said, “No. I don’t need rescuing.”

“You have seen me with your mother before. I know you brothers in Cullinbar,” Gimble said trying to assure her this rescue was genuine.

“No,” she repeated. “I am not leaving without my mother.” She looked at me. “And I don’t need rescuing.”

Gimble sighed. “I can stay in Skyholme for a few months,” he conceded. “If you change your mind, contact me.”

“You came here to join a delve team. Are you still interested?” I asked, surprising everyone.

“Terms?” the elf asked, amused.

“Housing, meals, five gold per delve. Everything is a resource delve. 20% bonus if quotas are exceeded.”  I said. He was clearly extremely experienced and the five gold was a small sum to ensure all the delvers came back out.

“Only the two dungeons within Aegis City,” he replied. “They will not let me leave the city. And no long-term commitments as I might have to leave at any moment.”

“Agreed,” I said immediately. Maybe Aelyn would come to her senses and accept his offer. I handed him a shiny platinum coin. “First ten weeks' pay and your housing and meals. Our base will be completed near the skydocks. So far, I have one mage and you.” The coin should let him live comfortably in the city while he's here.

He studied the coin and then me. “Will you be joining expeditions, lord?”

“No. Would you consider leading the team?”

He grinned. “Training rookies? Sure. Two conditions: First, Aelyn is assigned to my team.”

“Agreed,” I said before Aelyn could protest.

“Second, I get approval over team members,” Gimble added.

“No,” I said firmly. “You train whom I hire. My coin, my decisions.”

He blinked once, then nodded. “Agreed. Aelyn, come. I wish to train you.” She looked panicked, but I motioned for her to follow him to another room.

After they left, Callem muttered. “He’s a good fighter, but his real skills lie elsewhere.”

“Do you think he is going to cause problems in Skyholme?” I was asking if we could trust him.

“Only if he tries to free Niserie Imiduis,” Callem said thoughtfully. “We should finish the interviews and return to the Academy.”

Three more candidates, all duds. Finally, the last one.

A large figure entered, muscular and initially gender-neutral. Then she turned to reveal a woman. “Sammie Blackhawk,” she said. “No academy training. I’ve been a lumberjack for five years. My mother said I could do better for myself as an adventurer.”

“Are you applying as front-liner or porter?” I asked, reviewing her file and glancing up at her. She was not Gareth’s size, but easily a head taller than me and her arms were as thick as my legs.

“I want to fight, but I’ll carry loads until I can,” the muscular blonde woman stated.

Callem leaned in. “I’ll test her. She might be your hidden gem.”

I watched as Callem gave a lesson as much as tested Sammie. Her instincts were good. Her combat footwork—poor. She swung hard, too hard. Callem blocked a mighty two-handed blow with effort, purposedly testing her strength.

After a few more swings, he called a halt. Sammie’s eyes misted. “I cannot beat an old man. I can still be a porter,” she pleaded.

“You did great,” I said. “But don’t call Callem an old man. You’re hired as a front-liner. You’ll can also serve as porter and lumberjack. One gold per week, housing and meals included if you are interested.”

“A gold? A week? For me?” she said, dumbfounded.

“Callem, bring back Gimble and Aelyn to have everyone meet,” I said, stretching.

When they returned, Gimble blinked. “You? Looks like we’re working together after all.” Gimble explained with a smile. “We have spoken a few times in the common room over the last few days as we both were trying to join a delve. Sammie is one of the two I hoped to recruit.”

I looked at Callem who nodded in approval. “And the other?” I asked.

“A healer. But his is just fifteen with a tier 1 healing ability. Works for the Skydragon Guild and hates it. They are abusing him and he has no where to go,” Gimble said angrily.

“Can we poach from a guild?” I asked Callem, not knowing the rules. A healer would be a major boon for a delve team. We could save on potions for one.

“If he signed a contract, there is always a buyout clause. He is not indentured, is he?” Callem said thoughtfully.

“He is not, but might as well be. The Skydragons keep his buyout high by forcing guild services on him. I will retrieve him.” Gimble left and returned with a boy who looked younger than his age.

The boy was clearly nervous, his gray eyes showing uncertainty and panic. “Remy Flameshore,” he extended his had to Callem.

“What’s your buyout?” Callem asked.

Gimble spoke for him. “One hundred thirty-eight gold. He earns two gold per dive, but they only take him when they plan to go deep. His account has not been reduced, but has increased.”

"I don’t understand. How did it get so high?” I asked.

“My father. My father is a merchant and left me here to do a trade run. When he didn’t return, my debt increased and I signed a contract to pay it off. I was held accountable for my father’s debt and seven months at the inn. It was 121 gold, 19 silver, and 88 copper. But I am forced to bunk at the Skydragon hall and buy their food and delve gear,” he said mournfully.

“But you are a healer? Didn’t you have options?” I asked.

“My ability’s weak,” Remy said, dejectedly. “Just slightly better than a tier one spell at level one.”

“Any other abilities?” I asked. It was clear by giving Gimble a platinum, he thought I could solve this kid’s problems.

“I don’t know. I awakened a year ago.” He said, gaining confidence. I nodded in surprise as 14 was a young age to awaken. I took that as a great sign.

“Want to join my team?”

He looked to Gimble, then back to me. “Yes.”

I handed Gimble two more shiny platinum. “Buy him out. The rest is his advanced. I trust you to take care of it.”

Gimble's entire face formed a genuine smile. He looked at Callem and then at me, probably trying to figure out our dynamic.

Gimble, Sammie, Remy, and Lana stood before us. I gave Sammie some advanced pay as well, but I was holding off on Lana until she had a reading. “Come to Hen’s Hollow next 7th day,” I said, almost cheerfully. I had the makings of a solid delve team.

Callem, Aelyn and I left to left the group talk to each other. As we left, Callem said, “Not bad. Two scouts, two porters, a healer, and a mage. You’re missing fighters to take the brunt of attacks, though.”

“Baby steps, Callem,” I said. “Baby steps.” I hadn’t planned on it, but maybe I might need Gareth.

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