Ryne shrugged. “I ignored the biggest urge driving me. The need to wait for you specifically. The thing in my head that said I must, that you were my boss, that I shouldn’t even venture out into the fields to hunt if I was hungry. You see, it wasn’t telling me about duty. There was no true reasoning other than you were my boss.”
“What happened then?”
“Dante convinced me that leaving with him was best. Part of a test.” Ryne filled a plate. He returned to his chair, put the plate up first, then climbed after it. “And the stories of this outside world intrigued me. Buildings made all of glass. Mechanical beasts that fly as fast as a simurgh. What do you call them? Airplanes? Mechanical mounts with wheels that are faster than any lupine, crevid, or kirin. Weapons not unlike your aether cannon.”
“He told you all o’ that?” Frost sopped up sauce with a bit of bread.
“Yes. But I would not want to live in your world, I don’t think.” Ryne bit off a piece of meat, chewed, and swallowed. “It seems boring. You have no aether. No magic. Life must be dull without magic. Why else would you come here?”
“Facts. But our world does have its moments.”
“Facts?” Ryne repeated.
“Oh, sorry.” Frost smiled. “Facts is like saying you’re telling the truth.”
“Oh, okay.” Ryne shrugged. “Anyway, once I left with him, I suddenly felt freer than I ever did before. Mikander seemed bigger with so much more in store.” Ryne grabbed a bun.
“Good for you.” Frost smiled, curious to see where the change led. Sidrie’s claim of a persistent world might even be better than she thought.
Dante returned with a pitcher of purple liquid and three ceramic cups. “Plum juice.” He placed them on the table, then he eyed Frost. “What do you think of what he said?” His gaze shifted to Ryne and back.
Frost stroked his aether ring. “The fact he thought outside his programming is amazing. Gonna be something to see.”
“Same thing I said.” Dante took some food, poured a drink, handed it to Ryne, did the same for himself, then took a seat. “Now, let’s hear how you plan to get Gilda back.”
Frost got himself a drink and sat back. He took a sip, savoring the plum juice’s sweet taste. “Can’t have a plan until we find out exactly where she is. But it’ll probably involve kicking ass.”
“And taking names,” Dante finished and held up his cup. “I’ll drink to that.”
“You plan to steal someone’s name?” Ryne glanced from Frost to Dante, innocent green eyes searching their faces.
Frost chuckled. “No, it’s just a saying. The literal meaning is we’re gonna beat some people up and make a list of who’s next to get whupped.”
“But usually there’s no actual list.” Dante thumped the empty cup on the table. “Definitely lots of ass kicking, though.”
“Yeah.” Frost nodded. “But sometimes there’s no actual fighting either. It can mean to just be awesome.”
“Ah. Okay,” Ryne said, obviously confused. He took a bite of his food.
Frost smiled. Watching Ryne, he tried to figure out where the little three-foot goblin was putting all that food. His Comm Orb dinged. He listened to the message. When it was over, he looked to the two men.
“That was Meritus. The relic hunter he was doing business with when Gilda was taken claims he knows where she is but won’t say until he receives the goods Meritus promised in a deal.”
“What kinda deal?” Dante asked.
“The hunter was to supply us with info on where we can farm the empowered spells needed for Benediction, the materials required in the schema, and the location of other epic weapons like it.”
“Damn.” Dante winced. “Does this hunter know about Benediction? That we have it?”
“Of course not. Meritus didn’t give reasons. He only mentioned the things we were looking for.”
“Good. What’s his name, again?” Dante cracked his knuckles. “We should just go beat it out o’ him.”
“I agree with Dan.” Ryne wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
“Dan?” Frost snorted. “You’re calling him Dan, and he’s calling you Ryne?” He shook his head in disbelief. “Y’all have really come a long way.”
“For the best.” Ryne held up his cup to Dante.
“For the best.” Smiling, Dante repeated the gesture.
“Y’all gonna make me throw up.” Frost chuckled. “Anyway, his name is Nakada Masami. And Meritus already said beating it outta the guy isn’t gonna work. Not only has he gone into hiding, but he’s got contacts in the Coalition. We got enough trouble with them as is.
“And trying to retrace Gilda’s steps from where they took her means exposing all of us. So, we’re gonna help collect the things Nakada asked for.”
“Sounds easy enough.” Dante pushed up from his seat. “Let me get in a quick workout then get some sleep before we head out.”
“I’ll join you for an hour.” Frost stood. “Then I need to practice some more with my drake and the whistle so I don’t need a hitching rail.”
“Me, three.” Ryne leaped down from the sofa, exposing spindly legs once more.
“Hey, Dan.” Frost glanced over to the gurash and jutted his chin toward Ryne. “What kinda friend are you, letting him skip leg days?” Frost and Dante burst into laughter.
Ryne looked from one to the other, waddling along, a frown creasing his features. “Leg days?”
“Never skip ‘em,” Frost quipped, wiping tears from his eyes. Laughing, he headed out to the barn.
CHAPTER 13
Even before the first pearl of dawn, Frost, Dante, and Ryne headed out. They flew northwest to meet Saba and Meritus at Ina, a mining town below the Jurojin Mountains at the border of Lothal and Khertahka. Upon arrival well after noon, Frost had an immediate sense of longing. If he flew directly north over the Jurojin, crossed No Man’s Valley, and continued on for a few hundred miles, he would reach Niba, his old home.
The realization sparked memories of the fateful day Anefet died in the fire. A fire began by those who served the Black Hand. Frost ground his jaw, frustrated because he was not yet powerful enough to complete the Vengeance for Anefet quest.
When they landed, Frost gave RnB instructions by blowing the whistle once. The drake gurgled and took off. Ryne did the same for his drake, and Dante for his kirin. Meritus Killgain and Saba Nerubi arrived moments after the flyers departed.
“What up, people,” Meritus greeted them cheerily.
Of average height, skin like burnished copper, Meritus was dressed in a plain tan shirt and pants that made his face even more forgettable. A mystic’s scepter hung from a loop on his belt.
“Hey, y’all. Long time no see.” Saba bent her forelegs a little, a centaur version of a curtsy.
She had shed her typical crupper, flanchard, and peytral for a simple dark-colored barding that fell around the chestnut equine portion of her body like a robe. She wore a shirt on her bronze-skinned human half. Her hair was no longer honey-colored or cropped short. It was the purest white and fell down to her shoulders. A golden longbow was slung over her back. Arrows jutted from a quiver like a pincushion.
“Hey, guys!” Dante clapped Meritus on the back. He winked at Saba.
Grinning, Frost approached his best friend. “What up, dawg.”
“What it do, babyyy!” Meritus stepped forward, and they gave each other a dap, ending by touching their right hand over their hearts.
Grinning, they peered at each other and as one, they said, “Shaddup.” They burst into laughter.
After Frost composed himself, he nodded to Saba. “Hi, Saba. Looking good.”
“Thanks. You, too.” Saba smiled shyly and nodded in his direction.
“Always the disrespect in all aspects for the Little People.” Ryne har
rumphed from below, voice a deep rumble.
“Oh, hi, Ryne!” Saba and Meritus looked down at the same instant and burst into laughter.
Ryne grumbled something unintelligible, before glancing at Saba, frowning. “I’m trying to guess why the dress.”
Saba scowled. “It’s not a dress.”
“Fine, my equine. Why the whatever it is?” A mischievous smile spread across Ryne’s face. “You would look better natural.”
“As you would if you didn’t look like Baby Hulk,” Saba retorted.
Ryne’s brows drew together in confusion. “Whatever this Hulk thing is still does not answer my question.”
Saba sighed. “Centaurs aren’t horses. The civilized among us have certain feelings about being naked.”
“Naked?” Ryne grimaced. “Don’t you always wear a coat?”
Saba groaned. “You win, Ryne. Youuu win.” She blew out a breath, tail swishing in annoyance.
Ryne took a bow, black robes spreading about him. “Call me Undefeated.”
“Knock it off, Ryne.” Meritus wagged a finger at the goblin. “Before I send you on a new contract far away from here.”
“Those days are no longer for meee. I’m freeee.” The goblin did a little twirl.
“Wanna bet?” The threat in Meritus’ voice was obvious.
Ryne stood there, arms crossed, expression serene. He stared at Meritus as if daring him to follow through. The moment stretched.
“What the hell’s going on?” Grimacing, Meritus looked to Frost. “I tried but I couldn’t assign him to a contract. What’s up with that? And he isn’t listed as one of mine. Even when I loaned him out, he’d still be there. Is he still under contract to you?”
Frost chuckled. “Nah, he isn’t. I’ll explain later. It’s all good.”
“If you say so.” Meritus shook his head. “Let’s get a move on. I got a caravan waiting. And Nakada Masami’s man, Kensai, is in town, waiting for delivery.”
“Did you get the dvergar?” Frost followed after his friend.
“Of course, dawg. I had planned to get them even before you asked, seeing as they’re the best miners and prospectors in Mikander.”
“Sweet.” Frost nodded.
The group wove their way through a boisterous crowd of eradae, humans, and towering gurashi, most of them dressed in clothing soiled from sweat and labor, their fetor as loud as their voices. Many were hard-looking men, but there were women among them whose countenances matched or surpassed their male counterparts. Some led heavily laden unguls, whose faces had much in common with donkeys but for the three short tentacles that made up their noses and constantly waved to sample the air.
When the group reached a square rife with shops, stalls, and vendors, they stopped. All types of wares were too be had. Pickaxes. Shovels. Hammers. Chisels. Pans. Potions, vials, and extracts. Name it, and it was available to be bought. There were even explosives of some sort, but they could only be purchased by engineers.
Meritus gestured around them. “This is the best spot to grab health pots and quests. You can clear all of ‘em where we’re headed. Also, get a Bless or two if you got anything valuable in your inventories. A day doesn’t go by without someone crying about some thieving cutthroat.”
“Alright.” Frost nodded, but his thoughts were on Gilda.
“Thieves.” Dante scowled in disgust. “I wish one of ‘em would try me.” He made a chopping motion with his axe.
“It’d be better if they didn’t, seeing as most of the cutthroats known for it are at least level twenty. And unless you’re that level, you’re as good as got, and there won’t be much you can do about it.” Meritus’ gaze swept across them. “What level are y’all anyway? I’m fifteen and Saba’s seventeen. I’m pushing for twenty to get into the Crypts.”
“I don’t get the obsession with the place, truth be told.” Saba swished her tail. “The stories about some weird energy makes me want to stay far away. That’s on top of the talk about void beasts and people infected by the Gray Death heading there. I even heard rumors of some draconids.” She shuddered.
“Shiiiiitttt,” Dante said. “That just sounds like crazy fun to me. Add in epic loot and I’m good to go. As for level, I’m the same as Saba. Be right back.” He headed toward the closest NPC.
“Saba,” Frost said, “I wonder about you sometimes, about why you’re even playing.”
She shrugged. “Same reason as most people. To escape. I love anything about the world that doesn’t involve having to fight monsters. I fight because I need to, but exploring, crafting… those are my things, truth be told.”
“I hear that.” Frost nodded appreciatively.
Meritus motioned to Frost, but Ryne spoke first, smiling in Meritus’ direction.
“I’m thirty-two, which makes me higher than you. Stronger too.” The goblin flexed his disproportionate biceps.
Meritus gave the goblin a dubious look. “You realize you don’t level, right.”
“Is that so? That’s not what I know.”
Meritus rolled his eyes. “Look, you’re just an NPC.”
“I wouldn’t say just anymore,” Frost interjected, smiling at the exchange. “He’s a little different now.”
“I’m starting to get that vibe,” Meritus admitted. “And I don’t know if it’s better or worse.”
“I’d say better. I think he’s still finding himself.”
“Really?” Meritus glanced down at Ryne, brow arched. In turn, Ryne regarded his old boss with feigned innocence.
Frost nodded. “Yeah. I’ll tell you about it when we’re outta town. And as for my level, I’m the lowbie of the group, sitting at twelve.”
“Dammmnnnn.” Wincing, Meritus shook his head.
Frost shrugged. “What can I say? I missed an entire day at least. Plus some of y’all had another day or two head start before I began playing altogether.”
“You got a point,” Meritus conceded. “Which is why you need to get some quests from these vendors, my dude. You’ll probably hit fifteen by the time we’re done today. Saba and I’ll wait here.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Frost gave his friend a dap and set off.
He weaved his way through the raucous crowds and bickering vendors to the Auction Market. Ina’s AM assistant was a yurid with shimmering blue-green feathers, her eyes tilted up in contrast to her aquiline beak. She introduced herself as Danica.
He checked on Luminance. There was a bidding war, the highest current offer listed at seven thousand IDC. Smiling, Frost added Deadeye, starting bids at fifteen hundred with an outright price of seven thousand credits.
Next, he searched for the Strafe skill shard again, but the price was still six thousand LDC. He looked for the next cannoneer skill, available at level eighteen. Aether Barrage. It was priced at ten thousand of any credit. With a sigh, he disconnected from the Market and headed out to the vendors in the square.
By the time Frost returned to the group, he’d picked up several quests, a few of which had collection objectives for korbitanium or some other precious stones or metals. Others involved getting hides. He cringed at the idea of skinning but still bought a skinning knife for two hundred KDC.
One quest in particular had gotten his attention. Ten people reported their loved ones had died at the mines and blamed some monster named Krator the Klaw. They’d each asked Frost to bring back its head. The quest, Avenge the Dead, was worth five thousand exp and five hundred LDC from each person upon its completion. He itched to get to that one.
“Everyone good to go?” Meritus looked to each of them when they returned. They gave various affirmations. “Alright, I’ll start the group.” He paused. “Unless you wanna lead, Frost.”
Frost waved him off. “Nah, dawg, I’m good with following along. Plus, you’re the one who kno
ws where we gotta go.”
A moment later they were in a group. They made their way through the town and exited at the north end. Meritus took them to a caravan of four wagons pulled by crevids. Next to them were six unguls laden with supplies.
Armed guards on crevids or lupines rode alongside the wagons. Most of them were humans, but there were a couple gurashi and eradae. A shield and a fist emblazoned their cloaks.
“Call your mounts.” Meritus put his whistle to his lips and blew.
The others followed suit, except for Saba, who preferred to ride in the lead wagon. Meritus’ flyer arrived first, a majestic white zephyr with an owlish face and diaphanous wings. Ryne and Frost’s drakes arrived next, followed moments later by Dante’s kirin.
“Yo, your zephyr’s beautiful, homie.” Frost nodded his approval as he climbed atop RnB.
“Thanks, dawg. Cost me a bunch but was well worth it.” Meritus peered at RnB. “You picked him up on Maelpith? I don’t think I ever seen a drake that color.”
“Yeah. People and other mounts been acting funny toward him, too.” Frost shook his head glumly. “Like he got the plague or some shit. Hurts his feelings and pisses me off.”
“F ‘em.” Meritus waved a hand. “People hate what they don’t understand.”
“Facts,” Frost said.
“Captain Vallen.” Meritus waved to a guard with a weather-beaten face. “We’re good to go.”
Vallen raised a hand. He gave an order. Beneath a boiling sun, they set off along a wide, crowded dirt road surrounded by fields and occasional trees. Ahead loomed the Jurojin Mountains’ green mantles, rocky shoulders, and cloud-wreathed crowns.
“Already got the dvergar working on a mine I took off a prospector,” Meritus shouted above the beat of crevid hooves and rumbling wagon wheels. “Had no choice but to buy the damned thing since the Sioziri clan owns the biggest operation here and pays good credits.” He gestured to the crowds. “Most of these people work for them.” He nodded to one of the guards. “I also had to hire the Charged Shields. A protection guild. Got a bunch of level twenty NPC guards from them.”
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