The promised conversation does eventually come...after a very grueling hour-long slog of monster-battling. Beatrice had fought longer battles in her time, but none had been quite like this - normally, a drawn-out fight implied a monster on the run, needing to be chased or provoked or trapped into a killing zone. A single, continuous battle? It might very well be a first for the veteran slayer.

Fortunately, although the intensity of the combat had continued to grow the casualties hadn't been too bad. The arrival of the soldiers had not only strongly reinforced the defensive line but had allowed for injured and lower-tier Challengers to retreat, while also buying time for further reinforcements to arrive. This had included healers from both the army and other Challenger parties, so what injuries did manage to occur were often treated on the spot. Not that the fight had turned entirely bloodless - a few unlucky fighters had still been killed by sudden blows, several had lost limbs, and in one case a five-headed hydra had swept three soldiers off the side of the mountain. Beatrice isn't sure what had happened to them, but she can only hope they're still alive down there somewhere.

As the last dungeon guardian falls, however, the main concern on Beatrice's mind is getting a drink, a snack, a bath, and a nap - and she's not feeling particularly strict about the order either. Unfortunately, from the look the Valleylands army commander is giving her, she doubts that she'll be able to get right onto that to-do list anytime soon. "Is that all of them? There's not going to be a raid boss coming down to take vengeance on us, by any chance?"

The orc grins as he pulls a poisoned dagger from the body of the acid-spewing lizard in front of him. "No, I doubt it. There is a Lesser Dragon on the lower floors, but even if it wanted to come out, I don't believe it could fit through the dungeon entrance."

"Oh...good. Normally I wouldn't mind a shot at a dragon, but..." Beatrice shakes her head as she gets to cleaning her blade. "And is that all of the dungeon's guardians, I hope?"

This time the man's expression is more concerned. "I would believe so, but a dungeon can increase the spawn rate of its guardians if it puts its resources into it. Not to mention that they'll likely all revive at midnight..." The commander looks at the sky, but the sun indicates it's still just barely after noon. "Fortunately we should have time to bring in more forces before that occurs. I must thank you, however, Beatrice the Monster Slayer - I daresay your fighting skills put me and my forces to shame! Many more would have likely died here today if you had not stood your ground."

The man offers her a handshake which Beatrice accepts, falling back into old habits when it comes to receiving thanks for slaying a beast or two. "Hey, wouldn't be able to call myself that if I ran at the sight of an overgrown lizard or two, now would I? But thanks to you too for saving our asses, Commander...Durish, was it?"

The man grunts. "Darrosh, Thornwoods Commando - but I'll forgive you for being a little distracted when we first met." He looks around, and notices Tassa and Janey as the two minotaurs come over to join them. "And I'm glad to see the rest of your team is intact! My thanks to all of you - of course, I believe I'm going to have to throw around my authority a little and declare that this dungeon is closed to further intrusions for the foreseeable future. My apologies if this conflicts with your plans, heh."

"Haaaaaa, yeah, I think I took that part for granted!" An exhausted Janey rubs the back of her head as she looks up the mountain path. "Any idea what caused that, though? I mean...dungeon monsters can't leave the dungeons, right?"

"Normally, you'd be right." Darrosh raises two fingers on his right hand. "There's two small exceptions to that, to my understanding. A few dungeons can send small threats a bit beyond their established borders - generally traps or weaker monsters. But as far as I know, that's usually limited to perhaps a hundred feet, and even the dungeons that can do it usually do not. The second exception is, well...a single, unusual dungeon I've heard of which can send its floor guardians an indefinite distance for an indefinite amount of time." The orc stares at Beatrice as he says that, and the warrior can guess what he has in mind.

"...Worthy Dungeon. Incidentally, I get the impression you know me from somewhere, Commando?"

"Hrnh, but of course. Worthy Dungeon has been a...point of interest for some time now. And while not everyone may know of your connection to said dungeon, I for one am in the loop on those particular reports. It is, perhaps...fateful that you would be here today..." He looks off in thought for a moment, while Beatrice narrows her eyes at him.

"If you're implying that I or Xenia had anything to do with this, you're crazy. Hells, we only even just got here!"

Darrosh turns his attention back to the warrior and raises a hand in a placating gesture. "Apologies, I did not intend to sound accusatory. However, that does not mean that I believe that this is unconnected. A dungeon gains the ability to send guardians out into the world at whim for the first time, and then a second dungeon does so again within a year or so? I am not a man who believes in coincidences. Particularly not when I am a man who believes in dragons."

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The last statement causes Beatrice to frown. "I...think you may have lost me a little there, Commando."

"Hrng, what I'm saying is that this will require investigation - and on many fronts." Darrosh turns his attention to Tassa. "Dear Tassa...I am aware you're no longer part of the army, but might I ask a favor of you?"

The woman, a little tired out from all of the recent combat, suddenly perks up at being addressed. "Ah? Oh, ah - of course, Commando, if it's within our power."

Beatrice raises a hand between the two, a little more hesitant to get volunteered into something dangerous. "Hold on, now. Before we do anything crazy...I get the impression you two know each other as well?"

Tassa answers the question first. "We do, actually. Darrosh's son and I were...involved, before his unfortunate demise. In Worthy Dungeon, as it happens..."

"Oh!" The warrior steps back, less certain of what she just walked into the middle of. "I...see. Anyways, what was this favor, Darrosh?"

The orc retains his professional tone, despite the interruption. "While I cannot say what all of the consequences of this will yet be - and not every decision is mine to make - there are some things which I am sure must be done. The potential connection between this act and Worthy Dungeon must be investigated, therefore a message must be sent to the scout garrison we have placed in Grassbrook. While I can handle the matter with an urgent message, I would request also that your team travel there to coordinate with them."

Although Tassa seems about to agree, Beatrice again feels the need to interject. "Hold on, that's more than just a favor. That's asking us to cross a mountain range and work in a military operation? I don't usually do mercenary work, but one thing I do know is that mercenaries get paid."

Janey adds her own thoughts. "Uh, yeah, we're, uh...Challengers. Not soldiers. Not that this doesn't sound important! But even if you do know Tassa, this seems like something you should have some of your own soldiers doing..." She gestures at the trainee soldiers still standing around the clearing, waiting for further orders.

Darrosh nods at the taller woman. "That would be true, but that was only the first part of the favor I had in mind. Although the second part goes more to Beatrice, who I understand has less reason to favor me. I will, of course, compensate you financially for your troubles."

Beatrice shifts, wary of what's coming next. "I'm listening..."

"I actually fully agree with your statement that Worthy Dungeon probably had no intentional hand in this event. I know for a fact that the Dragonlord has an interest in the place, but by all reports it is a...reasonable dungeon, and would have nothing to gain from an attack like this. And even considering the fate of my son in that place, I can hardly blame a dungeon for being, well, a dungeon. Therefore I would like to leverage your personal connection to the dungeon spirit, and ask that you inform her of what occurred, and ask that she also investigate matters if she is able. Obviously, I would greatly appreciate it if you informed myself or another Valleylands army officer of what you may find."

The request manages to surprise Beatrice more than a little. "You want, what...an alliance with Worthy Dungeon? Is that what this is?"

The orc shakes his head. "Merely an offer of cooperation. But I believe the Dragonlord is a danger to all of us on this continent, and it would be mutually beneficial for us to work together. We'll certainly be investigating this dungeon directly, of course, but I doubt any other avenue will achieve results as quickly - especially if Highlight Mountain is...uncooperative."

"...One moment. Let me...consult with my party." The man nods, and the trio step away to huddle together somewhat.

"So...this isn't a minor change in plans. Fortunately we're already in the mountains so it's not like we're on the other side of the continent from the Rainlands, but the crossing is still no joke." Beatrice looks at both of her companions. "Any thoughts on taking this offer? I plan on charging a hefty fee, at the least, but even then I'm not sure if we should get involved."

"Beatrice." Janey makes eye contact with her human friend. "If he's right, and this does involve Worthy Dungeon somehow - I mean, we both know how much that place means to you! Would you really want to say you don't want to get involved, if this is somehow important?"

"I mean...you're not wrong. But this isn't just about me." Beatrice turns towards Tassa. "I know you've got your own...history when it comes to Worthy Dungeon, Tassa. As I suppose we were just reminded of. Would you want to take all the effort to go over there and help Xenia out?"

"You knew?" Tassa's look is one of confusion, before a realization occurs to her. "...Of course. I suppose you must have discussed it with her." She pauses to sigh. "...Yes. I do want to go. I...wished to further hone my talents, work closer to becoming a Supreme-tier talent, before I did, but even with recent gains that's still likely a matter of decades. I've never spoken of it much but...Xenia is the one who inspired me to take up Challenging, more or less. I don't know if this is fated, but between my patriotic duty, and my...personal ties to the place, I feel driven to accept. But I'll accept your decision on the issue. I still do not fully trust my own decision-making in matters like this, I suppose."

"Don't cut yourself down, all of our opinions matter when it comes to the big decisions - we're a team, after all. But...I think on this we're all agreed?" Beatrice glances towards Janey, who responds with a nod. "...Alright, then."

Turning back towards Darrosh, she addresses the Commando. "We'll take the job. We'll need the day to recover, I think, but we can set out tomorrow."

"Excellent." The orc briefly smiles before looking up at the mountain once again. "Something tells me this will be important..."

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