Spire's Spite

The red and gold canopy was wet with dew and small droplets would fall when branches waved in the gentle wind.

"It sure is hot!" Bert said, grinning, trudging through the humid jungle.

The team grumbled, this was the third time he'd spoken that particular truth.

"Must you?" Fritz said, grating at the reminder of the uncomfortable heat.

"I must," Bert replied.

Fritz glowered, he'd get the aggravating idiot back later.

Apart from Bert's annoying inanities, the hours of marching had been thoroughly uneventful. They had run across little in the way of danger, and the only interesting things they had found in this red sea of vegetation were fist-sized, bright green fruits growing on a few of the trees. The fruits had soft skins the texture of velvet, and after letting Bert test them for poison, they found that they were delectable.

When Fritz bit into one, sticky, sweet juice gushed down his entire lower face. The skin was bitter, but the flesh beneath was wonderful, and as he had just discovered, excessively succulent. He didn't know how to describe the taste, though he had eaten something similar before. However, he didn't have to identify it, Lauren proved as knowledgeable in this respect as she had many others.

"They're something like a mango," she explained, staring up at the high branches above that bore the 'mangoes'.

"They're so good," Cal said between mouthfuls.

"A little too sweet... and messy," Fritz complained as he washed his now sticky hands with water from his flask.

"Listen to you," Bert said. "What a good impression of Toby."

Fritz grimaced, even if he agreed he did sound a little sullen. Bert's own face fell when he realised who he'd brought up.

"Who?" Rosie asked, steadying herself against a trunk.

They stayed silent for a moment then Fritz explained, "Former crew. Traitor. Don't worry about it, they'll get theirs. If we ever see them again."

"I don't think it'll have to come to that," Bert argued, taking a bite out of another mango.

"They should pay," Fritz nearly growled while fuzzy anger seeped from his centre and over his skin.

Bert shrugged, then glanced around as if to say that they had an audience. Immediately realising everyone was listening, Fritz pushed away his sudden sense of injustice. He forced himself to relax and let go of that festering resentment.

"Do we want to grab more of these mangoes?" Cal asked, bringing their attention to the man who was pointing into the high canopy, where the majority of the fruits hung.

"If you want to risk being swarmed by those birds," Fritz said, motioning to the flock of colourful songbirds flittering above them.

"Are you absolutely sure they'll attack?" George asked. "I could take a little risk, I really like these. They're even better than the crab."

"Look at those beady eyes, filled with hate and malice. Believe me, I know when I see spite," Fritz said. "And those beaks and claws? They'll tear you to pieces. Though with your armour it might not be too bad."

George considered his words while Bert strode up to the largest tree bearing fruit, stretching his arm and rolling a shoulder.

Before Fritz could shout a warning, Bert had already struck the trunk with Concussive Blow, his rippling fist causing the whole tree to shudder as if shaken by a sudden storm.

Mangoes fell like rain. The whole team threw their arms above their head or attempted to dodge, but none were successful. Even Fritz, who decided to rely on his Umbral Phase, was surprised when a fruit struck him and burst on his shoulder, splashing him with juice. Apparently, falling fruit didn't count as harm. He should've known as much when his Danger Sense didn't warn him.

The small birds screeched in fury, their songs bent into indignant outrage rather than simple scorn. They swooped through the air but none were willing to soar lower than nine feet from the ground. Small, vivid feathers floated down from the tempest of tweets and tearing talons. The bright plumage alighted, then stuck, on the juice-drenched team.

They stared around at each other, patches of blue and green feathers adorning their hair and shoulders. Then all eyes turned to Bert, who gave their accusatory glares a weak, abashed smile.

"Whoops."

Suddenly a dam broke and they all roared into laughter. Rosie fell to her knees shrieking while Cal steadied himself against a tree, holding his chest. George sat while rumbling out a guffaw, while Lauren struggled to contain her own cackle.

"You fool, Bert!" Fritz laughed. "You absolute idiot."

"Idiot!" Rosie cried.

"Fool!" Lauren agreed through giggles.

The team's riotous mirth lasted for near on a minute.

"We look ridiculous," Lauren bemoaned as the laughter finally died down. "And I'm sticky."

"Agreed," Fritz said, picking feathers off of his shoulder. "We'll have to find a stream or creek to wash in."

"Or it could rain," Bert stated. "That'd get all this stuff off of us."

"Oh, don't tempt the Spire with talk like that," Fritz said, slapping his friend on the back. "Let's get moving, pick up any mangoes you want but do it within three minutes. We can't stand around forever, we have a Stairway to seek."

The team obeyed, quickly scavenging the least bruised of the fallen fruits.

Before the three minutes had passed they were moving again, plunging through the jungle as Fritz periodically pulsed his Awareness. As they walked, the scattered glimpses of sky overhead darkened, clear blue shifting into cloudy grey. Fritz cursed Bert under his breath as the all too familiar sound of rain began to pitter, then patter, then pour. They were drenched completely within minutes, and in only an hour the rain's intensity was at a gutter flooding level.

The team were all natives of Rain City, their equipment and morale impervious to a little, or a lot of, rain. In fact, it raised Fritz's own mood, something normal to help ground his emotions and let him think. He was worried, nearly dreading, the talks, or rather, the admonishments and arguments the tea would have at the next Well. Especially those regarding his outburst. When he looked back on it now he felt he had a good reason to be angry, furious even, but he had gone too far. A deadly threat was not something one could ever, or should ever, forget.

An apology on both sides was necessary, but how did he do it while retaining his stature and pride as a wise and wonderful leader? He supposed he'd have to work it out. He had the time.

Rosie slipped a couple of times and began to lag behind, slowing their trek. And true to his word, Fritz asked Bert to carry her on his back. He grumbled only a little, but soon the tired woman clung to him as he strode forward. She seemed to enjoy the march much more from then on.

It had been hours and the sun was setting, Fritz guessed that they were two-thirds to the Stairway. Knowing it would be a nightmare to navigate in the dark and the rain he ordered them they set up camp under a shelf of stone. Cal made dinner, as was usual, and they ate his steaming mango and crab stew. It was sweet and slightly sour, and its hot broth warmed them to the bone.

When Cal had handed Fritz a second helping he stopped the man in his tracks.

"We need to talk," Fritz said.

Cal stared into Fritz's face, cast severely as it was he got the point that this was serious and he nodded.

The others in the team were chatting and complaining merrily, so Cal pitched his voice low.

"What about?"

"About what happened in the cave," Fritz explained.

Cal seemed lost in fearful remembrance for a second, and quickly blurted out, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I doubted you. I was just worried."

"I know. Though we both have something to be sorry for. I shouldn't have threatened you as I did. It was cruel and callous, especially since you thought you were protecting your sister. I likely would've done the same in your place," Fritz said in sombre reflection.

Cal nodded. "You have a sister too?"

"I do," Fritz said, putting on a warm smile. It wasn't exactly a fake expression, but he did play it up a bit. "Though that's neither here nor there. I want us to be on the same page. No longer be at odds."

"You don't want me to leave?" Cal asked. "Your not going to banish me from the team?"

"No, I don't think I will. You proved yourself brave in the middle of battle," Fritz said proudly. "Any team. This team. Would be glad to welcome such a man."

Cal began to blush. Though Fritz knew any team would desperately want a Hauler support, be they brave or not. But he couldn't just let the man leave, it might force them to face the spite or take on an even worse team member.

"You should think about what you want to do on this next floor. The Sixth floor is the last exit, save the precipice, in this Spire. You'll also have to think about whether you can trust me and the team wholeheartedly, unlike how you have been. We can't have a weak link," Fritz espoused.

Cal nodded considering his words.

"I'll think on it," Cal said.

"You do that," Fritz said. "Talk to Rosie about it."

Cal took his leave, sitting next to his sister and contemplating.

Fritz knew he would have to talk to Rosie next, Cal wasn't likely to leave her behind if she decided to continue with the team. They were basically a pair like he and Bert were. Though he suspected Rosie would be easier to convince to stay on. She was useful, and she had already taken a dagger meant for him after all. And even if they weren't exactly friends he had a certain attachment and affection for the two siblings.

As for the other two of the team, he had little doubt that they wanted to keep climbing. They both had goals, one needed to escape and be free, a cause Fritz very much understood. And one needed to make a name for himself and achieve some ambition. What that ambition was, Fritz didn't know, but he was sure George would tell him in time. Or at least ask him for help when he needed it.

After they ate they slept, even as the rain endlessly fell. It was just like home, though he had to admit the food was better, and he didn't miss the skulg either.

The next day passed uneventfully, though the rain did ease somewhat, making their travel quicker. Within three hours of their waking they 'stumbled' upon the Stairway. A knot of tall trees, all their branches and roots braided together in a chaotic jumble. There, in a particularly large hole in the tangle, were some stone steps up. Leading, as they always did, to the next Well.

"Before we go up, we need to speak," Fritz said to his expectant, anxious team.

"Can't we do it after Rosie's been healed by the Well?" Cal asked.

"Cal, I'll be okay, another couple of minutes won't do me no harm," Rosie said.

"Fine, but I want to be out of this rain," Cal grumbled.

"Is there a reason you don't want to go in just yet?" Lauren asked.

"One of the small things I remember from my father's stories is that Climbers are funnelled to the same Sixth-Floor Well room. And due to its safety, and its exit, it's something of an encampment where Climbers can rest, trade information, goods or Treasures with each other."

"And?" Lauren said pushing a lock of wet hair from her face.

"And, it'll likely be crowded. I don't want to be overheard," Fritz explained.

"Overheard?" George echoed.

"I don't want to spread the word that we killed, no, defended ourselves, from a Krakosi raider," Fritz said.

"Why?" Cal said shuffling from foot to foot.

"Well, for one, we don't want rumours of his death at our hands to be spread to the team he left outside the Spire," Fritz explained patiently. "For two I don't want this badge to be 'confiscated' or reported as being in our possession."

"But why?" Cal whined.

"Because I don't want to be hunted down again," Fritz said, exasperated. "And if they come for me they might come for the whole team."

"Fine, we stay quiet on the raider," Lauren agreed quickly. "Anything else?"

"Just keep your cards close to your chest. No one needs to know how quickly we Climbed or any of our Abilities. Feel free to disclose your own, but the rest of the team's are theirs to share," Fritz said.

"I know the Climber codes," Lauren said dismissively.

"It was more for Cal and Rosie," Fritz said.

"And me," Bert added.

"And Bert," Fritz agreed, though he didn't fear that at all.

Bert had a way of lying straight to your face. He would seem guileless, but under that exaggerated thrill seeker persona he was as cunning and keen as they come. Anyone who took him for the idiot he portrayed himself as was just falling into his trap. Though Fritz had to admit, not all of his reckless abandon was an act.

"There are codes?" Rosie asked.

"Like laws?" Cal questioned.

"They're more like guidelines," Fritz said. "Or common sense, if there were such a thing."

"Keep your team's secrets. No romance. No theft or Treasure hoarding. Fill your Role properly. Stuff like that, there's no exhaustive list," Lauren helped explain. "All things that could cause friction, discontent or resentment in the team."

"Oh," Rosie said. "Seems smart. 'Cept for the romance, I could do with some of that."

"Oh Gods, please no, Rosie, don't say that," Cal groaned.

"What? Nothin' wrong with wanting a little fun," Rosie said eyeing up Bert, then George, then Fritz.

"What shamelessness," Lauren said, laughing and swatting the woman. "You sound like a cheap strumpet."

"Not cheap. Free," Rosie said, grinning wide and shrugging off another soft slap.

"Stooop," Cal groaned further, covering his ears as his face became a mask of horror and disgust.

"Focus, people," Fritz said, only a little perturbed by the undignified conversation.

The team settled down and he continued speaking.

"You all understand then? Say nothing of the raider or how swiftly we Climbed. Add a day or two when asked, say we've been at this for eight or nine days."

The team nodded their agreements, glancing at the Stairway and wanting to be out of the rain.

"It's too bad we won't be able to ask anyone about how the Krakosi managed to track us through so many floors, I thought they locked or reset behind us," Lauren said.

"Some Floors could, though remember we're only six instead of nine. And the minimum number of allowed Climbers is nine while the maximum may be more. It's likely that the Floors we went through didn't lock behind us," Fritz theorised.

"Plausible," Lauren allowed. "Still difficult."

"Still difficult," Fritz agreed.

"He was Krakosi, maybe there's a hunter Spire or something out there in the Countless Isles," George said.

It seemed likely.

"More likely a dumb, arsehole Spire," Bert countered, which got a laugh.

"Well, let's get to it, I'm sure you lot are looking forward to your next Abilities. Oh, and if you can Rosie, Bert, try and guide the Well's healing magic toward the areas affected by the bittersteel dagger," Fritz said as the thought came to him.

"How do you do that?" Rosie asked before Bert could.

"I'm not entirely sure. But when you feel the energy try to nudge it the right way, focusing it on the dagger wounds instead of letting it suffuse your entire body," Fritz explained, badly. He knew how it had felt, but it wasn't like he fully understood how he had done it before, they would just have to muddle through like he did.

Still, Rosie looked hopeful, but Bert merely shrugged, he looked mostly fine already.

"Guiding mana?" Lauren said sharply.

Fritz nodded warily, unsure why she had suddenly turned a stern gaze on him.

"I wouldn't get your hopes up you two. Fritz has Control, an Advanced Attribute that helps him shape magic, among other things," Lauren said. "Lucky."

"Lucky?" Fritz asked, somewhat put out. Of all his Advanced Attributes Control seemed to be the worst, apart from when it saved him from his own foolish blunder with the eldritch flame in his Sanctum.

"Lucky," she repeated. "It's one of the premier spell caster Attributes along with Intensity and Persistence. It's much sought after in both Traits and Paths."

"Ah. However, I am not a spell caster," he countered with a smile.

"We all use Abilities to some degree. Though you are right. It is better for some than others," Lauren said. "A bit wasted on you, to be honest," she added enviously.

"Ouch!" Fritz said, clutching his heart as if struck by an arrow.

"How many bloody Advanced Attributes do you even have, it's like you're cheating," Cal grumbled.

"Now, now. You can't cheat the Spires, you know that. Everything I got I earned through blood, sweat and tears," Fritz stated with great self-satisfaction, straightening his back and tilting his chin upwards.

"I know you're right about the Spires. But somehow, even when you say something true, it comes off as a lie," Cal groused. "I still barely believe you beat the raider, and I saw that with my own two eyes."

Fritz abandoned some of his aristocratic posturing, and spoke with what he hoped came across as earnestness, "The truth can be misleading. Though I struck the last blow, felling the beast. I could've only done so because of my team's, your, support. And, somewhat belatedly, I thank you all for that. Even if we part ways on this Floor, know that I will bear none of you grudges and that I hope you will be successful in your endeavours. Whatever and wherever that may be."

There was a moment of appreciation and consideration at the end of his sudden speech. But the silence was soon broken by Bert.

"Come on, we can talk about that when we're out of the rain," he said, striding up the Stairway.

Fritz smirked and shrugged, then followed after him, leaving the rest as they stood around startled by the quick changes of pace.

Gotta keep 'em on their toes, hey Bert?

Fritz quickly caught up with Bert, striding beside him for a moment before his friend glanced then grinned at him and sped up his steps. Fritz matched him, and he sped up again. In moments they were racing up the stone stairs until they ran out into the Well room. They slid to a stop on the scaled stone and took in the sixth Well.

This room was large, larger than even the landing floor, and made of that same scaled stone. In the centre was the Well, this one literal, just a cylinder of scaled stone containing glowing water. Crowding the room a series of tents of differing makes, colours and materials were scattered around.

Though the most eye-catching of these temporary shelters, and taking up a considerable portion of the leftmost side of the circular room, was a silken pavilion of red and gold emblazoned with the symbol of the Empire. A tall white spire on a background of red and encircled in a ring of gold.

Panting and suddenly aware of all the stares of the Climbers around them, Fritz and Bert scanned their fellows and other surroundings. There were three other obvious teams as well as well as others who seemed aligned with the Guides Guild according to their displayed heraldry.

The first of the groups seemed to be experienced foreign Climbers, likely Ceph members. Their gear was well maintained if exotic or simply strange in appearance or material. They wielded long curved swords, enormous mauls or axes, and wore odd armours of silk, wood or bright metals. Even one that looked like plates of stone tied together by cord.

The next group were locals. One of the teams that Climbed the same Spire over and over. Gathering Treasures and other valuables for wealth, rather than to gain more Powers by finding and Climbing new Spires. They were clad and armed in the more traditional manner of Rain City. Where they wore metal, be it weapon or armour it was the tinged blue dull grey of Rainsteel, and where they had leathers it was the same grey as the storm guard's. Still, they were Climbers and as such were all equipped according to their role.

The last team was a small gathering of three men who stood close to the entrance to the Empire's pavilion and the more exquisite tents near it. They seemed to be nobility judging from their garb, bearing, well-kept appearances and abundant jewellery. Their expensive armours and weapons were well adorned, and it was apparent that some of their equipment were likely Treasures. Though which ones it was tough to say amid a sea of such flashy fineries.

Fritz nearly jumped, when one of the nearby local Climbers spoke, a loud rough voice breaking the hush that had come over the room when they had entered.

"Alright?" The man asked. "You know monsters can't follow you right?"

Fritz turned to the speaker. The man was grizzled, a scar crossing his cheek and chin, forming a white line in his short brown beard. He wore grey leathers, a Rainsteel breastplate and a long coat of black scales over the top. At his side in a black scabbard was a longsword that looked to be made of glass.

"Of course, we're just somewhat injured as you can see," Fritz explained holding up his tortured arms. "Wanted to get healed as quick as may be."

The man's lip twitched in sympathy, then he nodded and motioned behind himself. "Well's right there, it looks like...well... a well. Can't miss it," he ended lamely.

Fritz nodded gratefully and continued forward with Bert. None barred their path and some would give small waves or nods of acknowledgement as they passed by. In fact, most of the Climbers moved aside, careful to open the way to the newly arrived team. There must be some reason for their caution but Fritz put it out of his mind for now.

The rest of his team appeared through the still-open stairs behind as Fritz made it to the well, then the Stairway disappeared, fading away like a ghost. Cal was quick to pull Rosie along to get healed, wasting no time gawking at all the people, tents and other furniture as the others did.

Thankful that his team were safe and had arrived he placed a hand on the well's stone and drew the cool power from within it. It rushed into him, and he guided the energies to his arms, making sure to soak the cuts as thoroughly as he could in the healing magics. It worked, somewhat. His skin's colour improved and the burning receded as if soothed by cold water. And although the long, shallow slices on his arms didn't close completely, the scabs were now more reddish than greenish, which had to be an improvement. He hoped.

Bert benefited far more from the well, likely due to his multiple recovery Powers, and he sighed as he stretched his neck and shoulders.

"Feels good to be healed," he said, flexing.

Rosie was there next, her face frowning in concentration as she tried to do as he said and guide the energies. She sagged and ground her teeth in frustration. Apparently, it hadn't worked.

"Better?" Cal asked.

"Better," she said. "But still achy and weak."

Cal seemed saddened by the words, but was next in absorbing the Power within the Well.

"You should dive into your Sanctum, see what you're offered. Maybe it'll help," Fritz suggested.

She nodded and sat, plunging into the depths of her centre. Cal soon did the same.

George and Lauren joined the team after some moments and soon they too were sitting and falling into their Sanctums.

With the last of his team around him and no monsters or raiders on the horizon, in the safety of the Well room, Fritz finally relaxed.

He contemplated aligning his own recently gained Attributes but decided against it for now. Instead, he sat on the lip of the well and glanced around the room and the Climbers, many of whom had gone right back to what they were doing. They had been eating, talking, reading, playing cards, sparring, or just taking a rest as he was.

Fritz sighed.

Safe, for now.