The Life

by Paul Kite

  Chapter 18

  The perfect memory of the game character was a great bonus. I remembered everything Lsaeros told me about the runes. I learned their correct spelling, their names in the language of the sinrims, the cases, the construction and structuring of the spell. Of course, I didn’t know sinrim, though this couldn’t prevent me from speaking the furious words correctly by the third or fourth try. Of course, the wizard gave me knowledge of the initial level - he revealed to me what he thought were the simplest and easiest spells. However, he promised to show me other more complex runes at the first opportunity.

  “I’m going out on the deck to get some air,” Lsaeros told me, getting up from the bed. He was still wearing the clothes I bought on the island, refusing the one that Kirk had offered him.

  Well, I decided to change my garment into light armor of elves. Just in case. I didn’t like those bright eye-catching clothes, although they fit me well. I was used to being protected by cheap armor, which was still armor, since my studies in Noar-Rahor. And the outfit of a high-born nobleman, in contrast to the light-elvish kit that I bought on my first trip to Fadlas, could not provide that.

  Catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror with satisfaction, I went on deck after Lsaeros.

  In comparison with drow armor, this light version included a completely white featureless mask covering the entire face. I didn’t wear it, understandably, because I was concerned the sailors might confuse me with someone else or be frightened. It was a ridiculous assumption, of course. I thought such brave fellows wouldn’t be afraid of the Kraken itself.

  The wind blew the sails with tremendous force, but you practically couldn’t feel it on the deck. Some of the sailors were on the lower decks, and the rest were fussing under the command of the first assistant Mirko. The airbender wizard was standing next to the captain on the platform between the central and aft masts. Kirk was holding the steering wheel with one hand and pointing at the unfolded map with the other. The map lay on the table next to him and the captain was discussing something with the wizard. The battlemage Turgen and Lsaeros were standing on the deck of the tank. If I remembered the term correctly, it was the ship’s nasal superstructure.

  I was going to approach the captain to ask where we were sailing now, because nothing was clear on my game map. At that very moment, the sailor’s agitated cry came from the platform at the very top of the central mast.

  “Captain! There’s a ship on the starboard side!”

  Kirk raised his head up, “Who is it?”

  “Just a minute,” the sailor took out some kind of fixture resembling a telescope and peered through it.

  “Drow!” The man shouted in amazement.

  I personally saw only a spot on the horizon to our right. It was gradually growing bigger.

  “Oh, damned Kraken! What a sirth! After all, we were going to leave their waters soon.”

  I could imagine who Kraken was, but a sirth... what kind of monster could that be?

  “I can’t tell, captain,” the sailor spread his hands. “The ship’s approaching very quickly.”

  “You’re right, too quickly. Most likely, they have two airbender wizards or one powerful wizard. It’s very suspicious. It’s unlikely that they have enough money for it,” suggested Dirk the navigator, descending from the deck. “I bet there’re first-class wizards acting in tandem. And if so, then this is definitely not a state ship. Those kinds of ships have a certain number of people in the crew.”

  “Pirates?” Kirk asked, annoyed.

  “I think so, captain. I don’t think they just want to say hello.”

  “Then we’re out of luck,” Kirk hissed softly and viciously, not paying attention to the navigator’s attempt at a joke. “Get ready for battle!” he commanded.

  “Turgen! Stop talking! Come here! Grenal,” the captain turned to the wizard, “do everything you can so we get a head start. We must have time to prepare for the attack. Mirko! Run down, gather the rest of the sailors. Open the armory, and take all the weapons! Don’t forget the protective charms. I don’t know how many battle wizards and shooters they have there, but I don’t want to lose half of my team in the first minute of the battle.”

  “Yes, captain!” Mirko nodded and rushed down the ladder into the depths of the ship. A moment later a loud, resounding deep voice sounded from below. The first assistant complained about the slowness of his subordinates and scolded them with such expletives that one could only be surprised.

  “Damned drow!” Kirk spat, listening to Mirko’s curse. “They can’t cleanse their sea of pirates.”

  The wizard really tried to work at his full power. Sweat ran down his face. The wind blew harder, although that seemed impossible. The sails nearly burst, and the ropes cracked suspiciously, but the wizard was doing his job. The ship was picking up speed before our eyes. Grenal sacrificed accuracy and simply pumped his spells with mana to the limit.

  “Save your strength! We’ll need your help later!” the captain spoke anxiously, looking at the wizard. “Unless, of course, we’ll come out victorious from the battle.”

  “Maybe we should try to scare them?” Turgen suggested, looking towards the ship that was chasing us.

  “You can try,” Kirk shrugged, “but you’re unlikely to reach them.”

  “We’ll see!” The wizard shrugged his shoulders, folded his arms, whispered a spell, and three spears of ice broke loose from his palms.

  “It failed,” Dirk said regretfully when the last of the fell into the water four hundred yards from the enemy ship.

  “When they come closer, I’ll try again,” Turgen didn’t give up.

  Despite all Grenal’s efforts, the ship was catching up to us. And soon I was able to see it in all its glory!

  It had a predatory silhouette, its sails were black as the night and its pointed nose was adorned with a statue of a Krok bird with spread wings. It was a strong and fast predatory bird that lived only in the mountains of dwarven lands.

  The drow ship was like that Krok bird. Like a ghost, it slid silently through the waves, leaving foam behind its stern. And the distance between us was reducing every minute.

  The battle wizard tried to strike them with long-range spells for the third time, but it didn’t work. An impenetrable magic shield covered the bow and the left side of the ship. It absorbed all the power. Moreover, the persecutors attacked us in response! One of the long thin icicles flashed with a whistle over our heads and flew off further into the sea. This was the only time when the attacking wizard almost hit the target.

  By the way, how could the enemy wizard support such a shield, and even throw magic spells?

  “Captain, they have two battle mages,” Turgen frowned, answering my unspoken question.

  “I hope there aren’t three of them,” Kirk replied anxiously, turning the wheel slightly to the left. “It’s strange that they shoot like drunk archers. Speaking of crossbows and bows. Dirk!”

  “I’m listening.”

  “Take the shooters and the shields. Go to the deck. When they begin to converge, and when we come close enough, shoot at them. But if another shield is added against physical weapons, then don’t waste ammunition. Turgen, go with them, protect the stern. Try to cover the right side.” The captain stopped and saw a hefty tall guy armed with a shield, which looked like a toy in his hand, and he was carrying a huge boarding sword, similar to a particular two-handed blade.

  “Dorcan!” the guy immediately ran up to Kirk. “Take the first ten. Get down and wait for my signal,” the captain continued to give instructions, stretching a small green crystal with a chain to the man.

  “Mirko, take the second ten. Put four people to defend the wizard. The rest remain on the deck.”

  “What about you, captain?” Mirko inquired alarmed.

  “I’m staying here!”

  “Well…” the team loved their captain and was worried about him. The first assistant persistently tried to get their leader out of danger.


  “I said, no!” Kirk hissed violently. “Kraven, Lsaeros! What the Kraken are you doing here?! Get out from the deck!” he cried out, but having quickly calmed down, added softer, “Go to my cabin, please. Protect Ariana.”

  “Maybe I can stay with you?” I suggested. “Battlefield is my element. I want to help…”

  “No!” Kirk roared, interrupting me. “Sit in the cabin and don’t hang around here! We can handle it without you.”

  Hmm, well, let’s see! Some kind of inappropriate joy came over me. I’ll never miss such fun!

  And I obediently headed towards the captain’s cabin after Lsaeros. I hoped that our ship wouldn’t be broken to pieces. Judging by the fact that about five hundred yards remained separated us from the attackers, and the enemy wizards didn’t hurry to throw powerful spells at us, ‘Moonlight’ would be boarded!

  Chapter 19

  It was the first time I came into Captain Kirk’s cabin and I could honestly say that it looked amazing! It was the prince’s bedroom and study combined, there were pieces of furniture and many other things revealing luxury and wealth. And, indeed, there was no better place on the ship for the princess.

  Ariana was very happy that we appeared, complaining that we hadn’t seen each other for a long time. Yeah, for a long time. Less than a day, but I didn’t mention it. Although it was clear that it was boring to be completely alone in such a huge cabin. After all, after our arrival on the ship, Kirk immediately sent her into the cabin and forbade her to come out to the deck until the ship sailed into safe waters. Alas, we could only dream of safety. Problems were waiting for us everywhere.

  While the wizard was telling the girl what was happening outside, I opened my stats and decided to distribute the accumulated points.

  Name: Kraven

  Level: 52

  Race: man

  Class: Shadow

  Clan: absent

  Guild: ’Elghinn Dal Veldrin’

  Characteristics:

  Major:

  Strength - 43

  Dexterity - 78

  Intellect - 25

  Secondary:

  Life - 430

  Endurance - 780

  Mana - 250

  Points available for distribution: 45

  Skills: Acrobatics - 7, Crossbow - 3

  Class skills: Vampirism - 11, Double strike - 18, Paired Weapon - 23, Bleeding - 10, Shadow - 2, Dash - 17, Invisibility - 11, Silent death - 3

  Specialties: Gardener - 2

  Achievements: ’Within a step of death’ - 3, Researcher - 3

  Sensitivity: 70%

  Binding: The Daggers of Chaos, the totem Black Wolf Zurval un Ra

  I happily noted the increase of my Shadow class skill, which I used only three times, and was unhappy that the system decided to add only a couple of units in agility and as much in intelligence for all my labors (though it wasn’t entirely clear why). I quickly distributed as many as forty points, focusing as always on agility. I added only five units to the intellect, all the same, the mana wasn’t spent. The best skill was an increased chance of critical damage and evasion. I couldn’t think of better skill against ordinary melees!

  That’s what I did.

  Characteristics:

  Major:

  Strength - 50

  Dexterity - 112

  Intellect - 30

  Secondary:

  Life - 500

  Endurance - 1120

  Mana - 300

  It was great, wasn’t it? Now I could easily fight with some kind of level-70 melee warrior! Only, of course, he shouldn’t wear full armor, it would take me too long to pick him out from his shell, in order to kill him.

  However, considering that I’d already reached the fiftieth level, it might be much more difficult for me to develop further, I’d receive stat points only every five levels. However, then I had the opportunity to learn four more class skills of either primary or intermediate level of my choice. I decided to postpone my studies until after we land on the mainland and find suitable teachers.

  Having closed the ‘system window’, I ‘emerged’ back. That very moment Lsaeros was finishing his story.

  “... and now the pirates attacked us, so Kirk sent us to look after you,” with a wave of his hand, the wizard smiled.

  “Why do you need to look after me?!” the girl pursed her lips childishly. “You need to be looked after. Especially you,” she poked her finger in my chest.

  “Me?” I was genuinely surprised.

  “Yes!” the princess stamped her foot in exasperation. “You could never mind your own business,” shaking her head, Ariana spoke sternly.

  If I closed my eyes, it wouldn’t sound like this was coming from a child, but a grown and self-confident person. Well, her appearance was very different from the tone with which she scolded me.

  “Your kindness, sometimes completely inappropriate and irrelevant, won’t always be your advantage. Sooner or later you’ll get into such problems…” suddenly the girl fell silent and blinked in fright. “Oh, sorry!” An unexpected change in her tone and behavior followed again - the princess became like herself.

  “Ariana, what do you mean?” I squinted with suspicion, starting to guess that it was again quite unexpected awakening of her gift of foresight.

  “Nothing,” the girl muttered quickly, and somehow she slumped and turned into a completely ordinary child. “I can’t talk about it, I’m sorry. I was forbidden.”

  “Who forbade you this?” All that time, the wizard listened to us attentively and decided jump in.

  The girl shrugged absently at the question, then she thought for a while and wanted to say something, but, alas, we weren’t destined to hear the answer.

  Suddenly, the ship shook, then again and again, and finally it began to slow down. The princess lung to me, I hugged her and I began to soothe her.

  “Don’t worry, everything will be fine,” I said, looking at the wizard questioningly.

  “They hit us with magic,” Lsaeros explained, immediately guessing my thoughts. “The first strike was a trial. Their wizards demolished our shield completely with the next two blows. Now they’re just slowing us down.”

  “So, they want some loot or the whole ship. Otherwise, they would have already sent us to the bottom of the sea,” remembering my recent thoughts, I immediately summed up the overall result, and at the same time, I forgot Ariana’s unspoken words.

  “That’s right,” the wizard nodded. “However, the Ardals couldn’t have hired them. They would prefer to sink the ship, and then get who they were after out of the water,” he hinted at himself and the younger princess of Havrtol.

  “You and her,” I said.

  “Yes,” the wizard shrugged, embarrassed, as if apologizing for the fact that they were so valuable to the monks.

  There was silence, and we listened carefully to what was happening on the deck. The wizard was walking nervously around the cabin, and I was sitting with the girl on a huge, straight royal bed.

  “What’s going on there?” I asked in a few minutes when I heard loud cries, curses, and the sound of feet tramping on the wooden deck.

  “Probably Kirk’s team is trying to fight them off with all available means,” the wizard guessed, scratching his chin thoughtfully, “including magic and crossbows. Though, they aren’t successful. Moreover, for some reason, Grenal isn’t even trying to use the magic of air. As far as I can tell, we’re standing still.”

  Five minutes later, we felt a new sharp blow. The wooden frame of our poor ship cracked loudly.

  Oh, I hope it won’t burst open?

  Somehow it became scary, it felt like we hit a wall, or that a wall hit us.

  At that moment, Lsaeros grabbed the headboard, managing to keep his balance as the boat rocked back and forward.

  “Are they on the ship?” I voiced my thoughts.

  “Yeah,” the wizard confirmed and headed for the door.

  He carefully opened it and looked out into the corridor th
at separated the rooms from the deck – there was another wide, by-fold door with colored glass.

  “I can’t see anything from here,” Lsaeros said in dismay. “And I won’t risk going further.”

  Apparently, when the wizard opened the door some more, I also heard the sound of blades and the screams of the wounded people—the battle began on the deck.

  “Have your weapons ready,” he said.

  “I’ll do better,” I got up resolutely and activated invisibility.

  I hurriedly squeezed between the wizard and the door, the daggers of chaos, as if by magic, were already in my hands, my strained fingers firmly gripping their handles.

  “Damn it! Kraven, what are you up to?!” sounded the dissatisfied voice of the wizard.

  He could scold me, the main thing was that he was unable to keep me there.

  Despite Kirk’s warnings, I was still going to get out on the deck. First, they might need my help. Secondly, I got tired of sitting in the shadows and hiding behind the backs of my unintentional partners!

  What is more, I had the opportunity to take just one step out of the cabin and start killing opponents and gaining invaluable experience. It was worth taking advantage of it, otherwise I’d remain in the shadow of the mighty.

  I opened the glass door leading to the deck and immediately jumped aside. A body flew past me and fell into the corridor. I didn’t even have time to look closely to determine whether it was a member of our crew or someone else. It was probably the enemy; our sailors seemed to be dressed differently.

  The fight was in full swing on the deck! It was cruel and bloody! The enemy had the upper hand.