The Dungeon Fairy: Three Lives: A Dungeon Core Escapade (The Hapless Dungeon Fairy Book 3) by Jonathan Brooks (the false prince TXT) 📕

don’t know if either of those things will happen.  Does that sound about right?”  Shale had taken charge of the explanation magnificently and Tacca just let him go, as he was getting much more engagement than she probably would have.

They all nodded, and he went on.  “That’s what I thought, which brings me to why you’re all here.  From our tour earlier, you all saw the crowds of Raiders outside, including the town a little out from the base of the mountain range.  Tacca has some…contacts…with some of the Raiders, through the same Bond that allows you to hear her, and they are worried about having enough shelter and food for everyone that is fleeing here from the north.  I don’t have to explain to you what’s happening up there, as you wouldn’t be here if you didn’t know, but that’s the current situation.”

“So…what does that have to do with us?”

I’ll take over from here, Shale.  Thank you for the explanation, by the way.  Tacca focused her thoughts, trying to figure out how she wanted to describe the scope of what she had planned.  First, let me tell you what I’m currently working on.  Near your Cores’ locations, closer to the surface, I’m creating a space for the Raiders and even non-Raiders to live, as well as provide them a place where they can grow food to get them through the winter month.

“What?  Why?”

That’s the best part, I believe.  Tell me, what do you think will happen if I were to, say, connect my dungeon with those spaces?

It didn’t take more than a confused second for them to realize what Tacca was talking about.  “That’s…insane, you know that.  I’ve never heard of anything like that being done before.”

As far as I know, you’re correct.  But I might as well take advantage of the Raider Presence inside of my dungeon if they’re stuck inside the entire time, right?

“That’s quite devious; you’re creating a space for them to live, but you’re also going to get stronger because they’re living there.  Genius even,” one of the male Fairies, who she had learned was named Gneiss during Shale’s tour, stated with wonder on his face.  “But that still doesn’t explain what that has to do with us.”

That’s what I want to find out, as well.  My proposal is an experiment, because it is something that hasn’t been done before – as far as I can tell – and it could potentially be dangerous.  However, if it works, then it could be beneficial for all of the Cores in the Nursery.

“The Nursery?  Is that what you’re calling where our Dungeon Cores are located?” asked Tulip with amusement in her voice, who was one of the female Assistants.  “It fits, I suppose.”

 Sorry about the nickname, but it made it easier to describe them in their current state.  Anyway, what I want to do is try to connect one of your Cores to the space, as well, to see what would happen.  My hope is that they will be able to share in the Points being accumulated through Raider Presence.

They were all silent as they looked at each other with hesitation in their body language.  “That seems extremely dangerous,” Gneiss finally spoke up.  “We don’t know what will happen; it could theoretically destroy both Cores.  Are you sure you would want to risk that?”

Tacca knew the risks, but she also knew that she had to do something to help the Cores in the Nursery, especially if they never found Malachite.  If that was the case, then they would be stuck there indefinitely, destined to try and eke out an existence in the Wentrylock Mountains buried thousands of feet under the surface.  If she could give them some sort of head start, it would benefit everyone in the long run.

I’m sure.  The question is, do you think any of your Cores would be willing to risk it?  If it works, then the rest can certainly connect together and we can all benefit.

“I’ll ask, but I can’t guarantee anything,” Tulip answered first, which was followed by the others.

That’s all I can ask.  If you have any other questions, please let me know; you can pop in here any time and speak to me.  Once we’re connected, if that is what your Cores wish to do, then we can communicate at any time.

They all had a few more questions, mainly about her dungeon – which she thoroughly enjoyed talking about – before they left, *popping* out of her Core Room via their Translocation, and she was left with Shale.

Do you think any of them will want to try?

“I don’t know.  Maybe?  We’ll just have to wait and see, I guess.”

Regardless, I’ve got to get this done.  I hope one of them is willing to risk themselves, because I’m really curious if it will work.

“Are you sure you want to risk yourself?  They were right, you know – it could be extremely dangerous.”

I know, I know.  The way I figure it, I’ve already cheated death a few times, so what’s another?

“You do know that you’re not just gambling with your own life, but mine, also?”

Her mind froze at his question.  She had forgotten that he had just passed his year with her, and the probability of him dying was almost certain if she ended up being destroyed in the process.  Those that had been Bonded that long were nearly guaranteed to die if the Core was shattered, though there were a few cases in the past where the Assistant survived if the Bond was just barely over the year threshold.

I’m sorry, Shale, I didn’t even think about that.  I can certainly break our Bond before it comes to that, if you wish.

“No, I’ll see this through with you – no matter what.  I already told you that I wouldn’t leave you, even when those monstrous