"My Lady, please!" the grizzled knight begged. "It's not worth the risk! We will find some other way. You could be killed, or return as some...creature!"
"There is no other way! And I'd rather be a damned dungeon monster than whore myself out to that bastard!" Laire snapped as she examined her blade, then sighed. "You know what will happen to the territory if I marry Lord Ogden. It won't matter if he pays off the debts, he will bleed everyone dry. I will be left with nothing but barren lands and the curse of being married in name to that old pervert."
"Then at least let me come with you, My Lady!" Sir Honsel begged.
"You also know I need someone I can trust to protect the land until I return," Laire refused. "No one else has the status or the prestige. Please, Sir Honsel." Sir Honsel's shoulders slumped in defeat, an unfamiliar posture for such a stalwart knight.
"I listen and obey, My Lady," Sir Honsel responded hoarsely. His many years of service to House Wollstone guaranteed he would keep his word.
Laire shoved her sword in its sheath and grabbed the bow and arrow she had prepared. Leaving the tent and a forlorn Sir Honsel behind, Laire headed to the entrance of the dungeon where the guard would check her papers. In truth, it was rare for a noble to enter a dungeon, much less such a dangerous one with a highly unsavory reputation. However, Laire was desperate, and knew she was the best fighter in the territory, even more so than its knights. She had the highest chance of reaching the gold and pulling House Wollstone out of bankruptcy. There was no point in risking anyone else's life but her own. At least if she did die, the territory would be passed to a distant relative, and not to that odious Ogden.
Thankfully, the first few levels of the dungeon were not exceedingly difficult, as other adventurers had thinned the number of monsters. However, once Laire truly entered the depths of the dungeon, she began to understand just how challenging it would be to reach its core and claim the treasure, especially as a solitary fighter. Gasping for breath, Laire faced the boss of that particular level. While thus far she only had superficial injuries, Laire could tell this battle would require her to risk life and limb. After all, she was facing a...