Gladiators of Warsong

by Thomas K. Carpenter

  After the CPs were spent, she went to talk to Nadia, who was working in her hut. Nadia had her hands in a bucket of dark water, softening a leather jerkin. Her lush red hair was stuck to her forehead as she kneaded the material.

  "Greetings, Battleleader Alex. Congratulations on your great victory," said Nadia.

  "A victory for one is a victory for all," said Alex.

  "Wisely said. And thank you for your faith in me with the additional level. I hope I can live up to your expectations," she said.

  "I'm sure you will, Nadia, though I have to admit I don't know what more you can make for the clan at the moment," said Alex.

  With a heavy heave of the chest, Nadia looked to the plains to the west. "Nothing that my heart desires to craft, but I am pleased to serve you in whatever you wish."

  The redhead had a penchant for drama, Alex decided. Whoever had programmed her had been watching too many telenovelas. Sensing the opportunity for a quest, Alex inquired further.

  "What is it that you would like to craft?" asked Alex.

  "That leather armor is far too basic for you," said Nadia. "With higher-quality leather I could outfit you with armor fit for an empress."

  "I like the sound of that," said Alex, "but where would I find such high-quality leather?"

  "I'm afraid I'm only a poor armorer, but I'm sure you'll figure something out," said Nadia.

  Quest Offered: Find high-quality leather for Nadia Alathair (+2,000 XP / Special Armor / Prerequisite: Level 5)

  The prerequisite wasn't much of a surprise, and at least it was the same level that Zelda needed. Unfortunately, getting the clan and both crafters to level 5 would require another 5,250 CPs. Unless she found a faster way to earn them, it was going to take a long time.

  "Do you have any other requests of me?" asked Nadia.

  "Upgrade the clan members that have a class. They're our priority for now," said Alex.

  Nadia wrinkled her nose, glancing askew.

  "Is there a problem?" asked Alex.

  "I cannot make higher-level armor for low-ranking members of the clan," said Nadia.

  "Crap," said Alex, "I'd forgotten about those ranks."

  Nadia cleared her throat. "I'm sorry, Battleleader Alex, if I'm overstepping my bounds, but you can change how the rankings are set up and what privileges that earns you."

  Armed with the new knowledge, Alex went into the interface and found the section that would change the clan structure, which included the rewards for each level and how to reach it.

  She was about to reset it, but decided to talk to the clan first. She didn't want them to be alarmed by the sudden change. She found the nearest members and sent them to bring the clan to the longhouse.

  When they'd gathered around the firepit, Alex stood on the throne. Their eager faces warmed her heart.

  "First, I want to say congratulations to everyone for a clan battle well fought. It was our first of many!"

  They cheered her comments, smiles breaking easily on their faces.

  "While we came out with a victory, it was far too close. The next clan that challenges us will be more prepared. We have a lot of work to do with our teams. From here on out, the mornings will be for individual training and the afternoons for teams. I'll be assigning you a standard team to train with, though I expect to switch them up continuously. Then at night we'll battle between the teams.

  "Secondly, I'm going to reset the rankings for the clan," she said, but before she could continue a round of grumbling erupted. She held up her hands. "Please listen. I know many of you worked hard to achieve those ranks, but there's a problem. The armors and weapons available to the clan is tied to rank. I'm changing that, so going forward you can have any armor and weapons that your level gains you."

  As she looked around at their flat expressions she knew she had to do more.

  "And..."

  Alex thought about her own motivations. One reason she loved these games was the progress and achievement they provided. The NPCs were no different.

  "From here on out, rank will be determined by the nightly clan battles. The more you win, the higher your rank. Higher rank will earn you a place of honor in the longhouse for dinner. But to keep things interesting, I'll reset that rank every week."

  The general nods of approval loosened the tightness in her chest.

  "Everyone can resume their practices. Except for Sophia and Sorrow. I need you two afterwards," said Alex.

  After everyone else had left the longhouse, Alex spoke to the remaining gladiators. Sophia stood front and center at military rest, while Sorrow plopped into the dirt, poking at a small hole with a stick he'd rescued from the fire.

  "Thank you for staying after. I'm afraid I'm going to be asking each of you to do a little more than the rest. I'm only one person, and I can't be everywhere at once," said Alex.

  "Our swords are your swords," said Sophia emphatically, chin lifted high.

  "That's the spirit," said Alex. "And how appropriate that you spoke of swords, because I'm going to appoint you the head trainer. I've checked your skills—you have the most knowledge of any of our gladiators about the various fighting styles. So during the first part of the day, I want you to work with everyone, help them improve their fighting spirit."

  Sophia pounded her fist against her chest, a glint of approval in her eyes.

  "I'm very honored," she said.

  "Good," said Alex. "You can join the others while I speak to Sorrow."

  While Sophia left, Sorrow was humming to himself, rattling the bracelet of bones on his left wrist.

  "Could I have your attention for a moment?" she asked.

  "Oh, yeah," he said, looking up.

  Sorrow had been quieter than normal since the battle circle as if the effort had drained him of his pain.

  "Are you okay?" she asked, trying to peer past his dark hair that was conveniently hanging in his face. He looked like he was trying out for the role of ambivalent K-pop band member, lifting one shoulder in the semblance of a shrug to seal the deal.

  "I'm sorry you had to go through that," said Alex. "I don't know what happened to you to cause the anguish I felt in your song, but I'm here for you."

  His gaze flicked up momentarily, a hint of a smile twitching the corners of his lips before he squelched it.

  "I have a task for you, Sorrow, one that doesn't involve the battle circle. At least not directly," she said.

  He looked up expectantly.

  "I want you to travel the Warsong Plains. Herald our exploits to the other clans, drum up business for the fighting circle," she said.

  "But the clan doesn't have much in the way of exploits," he said, then added with a wrinkle of his nose, "Sorry."

  "No need to apologize. You're right, we're rather lacking in exploits, but I think you have a way with words," she said.

  "I speak bullshit is what you're saying," he said dryly.

  "In a manner of speaking," she said. "And it's not just spreading the tales of the Bravebear clan, I want you to use your ears too. Listen for anything that we might be able to use against our enemies. Plus, I know so little about this area. I need a spy."

  "And a mouth that can lure other clans to you," said Sorrow with a sigh.

  "Exactly," said Alex.

  "How am I supposed to do that? While I will not deny a certain morbid elegance, I lack a care to persuade. I'm more likely to enrage them," said Sorrow.

  "Persuade. Enrage. It doesn't really matter as long as they come to fight the Bravebear clan. I want to have fights lined up for miles," said Alex.

  "Your funeral," he said.

  "Thank you, Sorrow. I really do appreciate it. Would it be terribly rude of me to ask if I can give you a hug?"

  Sorrow rolled his eyes, but turned his hands ever so slightly to give the exact minimum level of consent. Alex wrapped her arms around him, holding him until he tentatively put his hands on her back. It felt like she was a mom hugging her awkward teenager in public.

  When
the hug ended, Alex caught a twinge of a smile from Sorrow, though he was quick to bury it beneath a couldn't-be-bothered mask.

  "When do you want me to start?"

  "Whenever you're ready to leave. Try to stop back in every few weeks to give me updates," she said. "And while you're traveling, keep an eye out for any herbs that you think our resident wisewoman might be able to use."

  "You're making me a gatherer?" he asked.

  "Yep. Is there a problem?"

  He skewed his mouth to the side. "I guess not. Better than getting stabbed, anyway."

  After he left, Alex collapsed onto the throne. She thought she was alone until she realized that Nayiri was standing at the edge of the shadows.

  "Shouldn't you be practicing?" asked Alex.

  "I needed a break to talk to my girlfriend," said Nayiri, approaching with her eyes lowered.

  The title brought warmth to Alex. "Girlfriend? I like the sound of that."

  Nayiri wrinkled her face. "I'm not being too forward, am I?"

  "You were very forward last night," said Alex.

  When Nayiri neared the throne, Alex wrapped her legs around her, pulling her in. She knocked the hair away from Nayiri's face and traced her fingers over her lips.

  "Did you get in a fight? Your lips look bigger," said Alex with her head tilted.

  Nayiri's eyes widened with alarm. "Do you not like them?"

  "No, I love them, but they're very distracting," said Alex, leaning forward until she was so close to Nayiri she could feel the heat from her face. Before she could press her lips against Nayiri's a cleared throat announced the presence of another person in the longhouse.

  A glance over Nayiri's shoulder revealed it was Sophia.

  "Yes?" asked Alex as Nayiri buried her head in her neck.

  "I'm sorry to bother you, but I have questions about the necessary fighting techniques to teach since I don't know what teams they're going to be on," said Sophia.

  Alex took a deep breath, enjoying the soft fragrance of Nayiri's hair. She really wanted to take her back to the battleleader hut to find if Nayiri's lips were as soft as they were big, but Sophia had a good point. She needed to assign the teams so Sophia could instruct them.

  "Later," she whispered, before releasing Nayiri and turning to Sophia. "Let's go out and discuss the potential teams. I have a bunch of ideas on how we're going to surprise our next unfortunate challengers."

  As she followed Sophia out of the longhouse, she glanced back at Nayiri, who had a strange look. She'd ask her about it later, but for now, she had a clan that needed to be trained.

  Chapter Eighteen

  The Rivertwins battle clan arrived to fight three days later with a banner of two black fish over a silver stream flying over their vanguard.

  With Sophia at her side, Alex met them in the valley between the two hills, not wanting them to see her camp in case they could glean clues about her teams from the equipment, or lack thereof. It was what she would do anyway.

  Their battleleader, Bythelia the Breaker, was a bird-boned woman, spindly like a spider with tattoos of roses in a ring around her neck. The challenge dagger came with a knowing smirk as if Bythelia had guessed the reason for the change in venue.

  "When the clan bleeds."

  "It bleeds as one."

  Quest Offered: Win the clan battle with Rivertwins (+3,000 XP / 700 CPs)

  "The Bravebear clan wishes to fight five battles, five on five with victory to the clan with the most wins," said Alex, more comfortable with the ritual than last time.

  "Straight to the point," said Bythelia, looking down at Alex. "Eager to lose?"

  Alex wasn't much for banter, but she knew she had a part to play.

  "I was hoping for the Huntress clan, but you showed up instead. I figure we can knock this fight out before they arrive to bring a real battle," said Alex.

  Crimson bloomed in Bythelia's tanned cheeks, and her jaw pulsed. "Your disrespect as a lower-ranked clan is unconscionable. This is not the way things are done on the Plains of Warsong."

  "I've often found that the way things are done usually benefit the people who set the rules," said Alex, purposely half-turning her body as if she were leaving. "Anyway, we can fight tonight if you're ready, but if you're feeling old and tired, I'll allow the battle to be tomorrow."

  Next to her, she could feel Sophia squirming in her skin at the lack of shared respect, but she was observant enough not to make a comment.

  "You won't goad me into fighting when I'm not ready," said Bythelia. "We fight tomorrow."

  "See you then," said Alex, striding away with Sophia at her side.

  "Why would you enrage her like that? It'll only make her more determined to beat you," said Sophia.

  "It will, but that's the point, and if I can't beat a level 3 clan, then I don't deserve to ever challenge for the Champions Arena," said Alex.

  "But why make it harder? Even if you win, she'll go to the other clans and help them so they can beat you. The other clans of the Western Plains are very tight. Tormane was never a part of them, but he also knew enough not to anger their council," said Sophia as they crested the slope into the back of the camp.

  The sounds of weapons ringing against each other carried over the tents, followed by the grunts of impact. It made her smile to know they were training on her behalf.

  "That's the point. To earn enough conquest points, I need more battles, but no one's going to come out to this golden wasteland unless they've been properly motivated," she said.

  "That seems like a risky strategy," said Sophia.

  "It is," said Alex. "I'd prefer to do it another way, but I can't spend my time traveling to the clans, I need them to come to me."

  Sophia nodded. "I think I understand. Shall I gather the teams for the afternoon battles?"

  "Yes," said Alex, handing Sophia a piece of parchment, "but I want you to use these teams instead of the normal ones."

  As Sophia read the list, her face went through contortions. "But they haven't been training together. I don't understand."

  "You will if you think about it," said Alex, and moments later, her eyes widened with understanding.

  "I see."

  When Sophia looked back to Alex her eyes glistened with adoration.

  "We're very lucky to have you as our battleleader," said Sophia.

  Alex sighed. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We've only won one clan battle."

  "For now," said Sophia with a sly grin that slowly turned to apprehension. "If I may, I have a favor to ask."

  "You may," said Alex, curious about the sudden change in demeanor.

  "As your weapon master, I train the clan in the techniques of every possible weapon," said Sophia.

  "You're very good at it. I'm lucky to have you," said Alex.

  "Thank you," said Sophia, nodding softly. "But while training is an important job in the clan, it does not satisfy my inner desires."

  "And what are those?" asked Alex, eyebrow raised.

  "To fight with superior weapons so I can show my true abilities," said Sophia. "Forgive me, Battleleader, but our weapons are substandard. We could do more if we could upgrade our weaponry. I could do more in the battle circle with the proper weapons."

  Alex was about to explain about the ore problems and her ideas about skipping upgrades to maximize resources, but she realized Sophia didn't want to hear an explanation. She wanted to be heard.

  "I agree, Sophia," said Alex. "I want you to have better weapons too."

  Sophia blinked as if she thought she were being too forward. "My apologies. I know you're doing your best and that we don't have the ore right now."

  "Still, your counsel is wise. I'll take it into account," said Alex.

  Quest Offered: Upgrade the weapons for Sophia Lionheart (+2,000 XP / 20 CPs)

  With a slight smile, the weapon master returned to the practice area while Alex went to visit Nadia, who was banging a bronze armguard into shape, her crimson hair hanging down into her face
.

  "Battleleader Alex, it's an honor for you to attend my simple hut with the clan battle at hand," said Nadia, resting the hammer on the table.

  The armorer's formalness made Alex a little uncomfortable, but only because she didn't know how to reciprocate without feeling false. She would have asked her to loosen up if it weren't so sweet.

  "Thank you, Nadia," said Alex. "I came because I need a favor."

  "Anything, Battleleader," said Nadia, inclining her head slightly.

  "I need four wraps of leather, about an inch wide and two feet long," said Alex.

  "May I ask what it's for so I might better serve you?" asked Nadia.

  "For now, no, but you'll find out in good time," said Alex, wandering back towards the fighting fields, fingering the rough edges of her whip handle.

  She'd been thinking about tactics for the coming battles, and had an idea when practicing her Cloud Taunts against Sophia. She thought it had a good chance of working, but that wasn't what was bothering her. To win battle after battle, she would constantly need new strategies to overcome her enemies, because they would always know how she'd fought in the past.

  It was a daunting—and exciting—challenge that thrummed through her midsection like a tiger purring.

  Before, the achievement hunting in online games had been a driving passion, though it'd been born as much from the boredom of living in the backwoods of Kentucky as from a way to scratch the itch of her intellect. But now, her life depended on continuing to progress in Gamemakers Online. She couldn't take nights off, or decide to play a different game. There was something freeing about lack of choice that worried her. Every thought was being honed towards this goal. Her ships had been burnt on this new digital shore. If she managed to survive her five years and the cancer, what would she become?

  As she watched her clan warriors pit steel and magic against each other, she knew that their efforts would not be enough. They were flesh and blood—or whatever they actually were—with smarts and heart, but they wouldn't win without her. Or not even that, she realized. Even she wasn't enough in the battle circle.