Miri and Anne sat with Idris to have a few drinks, all of which were on Idris’s tab. As they drank, they gradually began striking up a conversation.
“So, Miriam Caldwell. Now, where have I heard that name before?” Idris said, scratching his head before snapping his finger in realization. “Oh, that’s right, I heard that you’re a vampire who secretly enjoys eating garlic.”
“Oh, no. Not you too,” Miri replied with a disgruntled expression. “Has the rumors been so bad that even out-of-towners like you are starting to hear about it?”
“Wait, so the rumors aren’t true then?” Idris asked with surprise. “What a shame. I was kind of looking forward to meeting a vampire who can actually eat garlic. That would have been a fascinating meeting.”
“So, Idris, we’ve heard that you’re seeking to enter the Pentacle Trials here in Hemera,” Anne said. “Well, as it happens, so are we.”
“No way! What a coincidence!” Idris remarked. “And yet, here you are having absolutely no problems with an outsider like me stepping into your territory. Not like those men back there.”
“Well, it’s not like we’re all that devoted to Hemera itself. We’ve only just gotten a house within this city less than a month ago,” Miri stated as she took another gulp of ale from her mug. “Besides, I don’t see what the problem is. Whether they keep outsiders out or not, there’s still going to be heavy competition either way. Or at least, that’s what we assume.”
“Wait a minute…is this going to be your first time participating in a Pentacle Trial? For both of you?” Idris asked, looking a bit surprised. “You two haven’t even participated in Pentacle Trials from other cities?”
“Nope, this is all brand new for the both of us,” Miri admitted. “Don’t worry though. We’re both pretty decent adventurers. Plus, we've done quite a bit of research on the previous Pentacle Trials from the records in the library. I’m sure we’ll be ready for anything that the trial throws at us.”
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“Oh, I highly doubt that,” Idris said as he took another sip from his own drink. “There are many subtle intricacies that make a Pentacle Trial different from regular adventuring. And researching the records from a library is only going to take you so far for a complete novice such as the two of you. I’ve seen plenty of experienced adventurers such as yourself get demolished in the trials. It is not something to be underestimated.”
“Oh really? Sounds to me like you know a thing or two about the Pentacle Trials,” Miri said with a raised eyebrow.
“That’s right. Back there, when you were confronting those ruffians, you claimed to have participated in a Pentacle Trial in Aether,” Anne said. “If so, you might actually have firsthand experience when it comes to the trials themselves.”
“Well, I’ve only participated in one Pentacle Trial,” Idris clarified. “That’s hardly enough experience to make me a true expert.”
“Even so, it’s better than nothing. Certainly way more experience than both of us have combined, that’s for sure,” Miri said. “Maybe you can give us some advice.”
“What, is a round of drinks not enough for you?” Idris said with a light-hearted smirk. “Now you want some advice as well?”
“Honestly, I think the ale from the tavern here is a bit weak,” Miri said. “I’ve been drinking several mugs of it and I’m still barely drunk. I think they might have watered it down a little bit.”
“You probably shouldn’t be drinking too much anyway,” Anne reprimanded. “I’ve seen how you are when you are really drunk. It’s such a hassle to deal with. I have to carry you all the way back to our home every single time.” That last statement made Miri blush with slight embarrassment.
“Alright, alright,” Idris said with a chuckle. “Since I find you two ladies so goddamn interesting, I might as well give you some advice in regards to the Pentacle Trials. Now, one of the most important and often most overlooked aspects of the trials—one that is perhaps more important than combat skills or dungeon-raiding skills—is forming alliances.”
