Tournament Lord

by Felix Craft

  Some of the people were clearly NPCs, with generic clothes and manners, but many more were dressed in the haphazard manner I had learned was distinctly player-like. I saw characters dressed in heavy armor like me, as well as archers, rogues, fencers, and even a wizard (clearly, since he had the usual shitty pointy hat). I checked all their levels and saw they varied from 2 to 32. I didn’t see anyone of a higher level, and wondered why not. This game had been around a while, and Leesha had said there was no level limit, so it didn’t seem like there’d be a reason for the number to have stopped there.

  I couldn’t help but shake my head at all of them. That they were all here willingly blew my mind. I couldn’t decide if I was doing a good thing taking down this game or a bad one. On one hand, it might encourage them to get a life. On the other, it would make traffic worse, and who needed that?

  We wove our way through the crowd toward the front gates to the castle. It was a little castle, smaller than the pictures of mansions I’d seen back in reality. But it was big enough to loom and sported sandstone bricks and two turrets.

  At the gate, we presented ourselves to the guards there and were quickly escorted inside. The castle corridors had an empty feel to them, like Lady Vash was midway through decorating them, which I wouldn't doubt was true. We were led through hallway after hallway, until we finally arrived in front of a pair of doors and an empty suit of armor, the first I'd seen in the castle. The guard leading us approached this suit of armor, and clearing his throat, suddenly said loudly, “Chamberlain!”

  The suit of armor rattled and shook, and I took a wary step back. A moment later, the racket stopped, and a genial man's voice came from the hollow cavity of the helmet. “Good day! What are you—?” The Chamberlain broke off mid question as the helmet swiveled on its gorget toward us. “Ah! Visitors! Welcome kindly, sir and madam, to the Roost inside Nest!”

  “This castle is named Roost?” I asked skeptically.

  One large steel boot scraped on the ground in an almost sheepish way. “Ah, no.” The visor peered up. “But did you like it?”

  “Er…”

  “It was a bit repetitive,” Leesha admitted. “You know, roost and nest being pretty close to each other.”

  “Ah, indeed.” The chamberlain rumbled inside the armor.

  Was he inside of it, or was he actually it? The questions I had to ask myself here.

  He seemed to collect himself, at least as much as a metal man could. “You’ll pardon me, sir and madam, for my lack of manners. It’s merely a little game of mine to find the right name for this place. The Lady Vash insists it doesn’t need one, but…” The chamberlain sniffed, his sensibilities cleared affronted.

  “We’ll help you find one,” Leesha assured him. “First, though, I’m sorry to rush you, but we have an errand we’re here about.”

  “Oh! Why didn’t you say so?” The suit of armor swiveled towards the guard, who just shook his head and made his way back down the corridor. “Come right this way,” the chamberlain continued, his joints creaking as he motioned us towards a set of large doors carved with intricate designs. “Her Lady Vash is a busy woman, but if you present your errand to me, I’ll be happy to see if she’s available.”

  Leesha explained that we had come about Henry’s bounty. Almost as soon as we mentioned it, the armor started creaking again. “Yes! That scoundrel! I’m glad to hear he’s met a painful end, even if he’ll likely come back. My mistress too will be pleased to hear this. Wait here, I will see if she won’t meet you now.”

  The chamberlain began to push open one of the doors with seemingly little effort, then disappeared inside. I glanced at Leesha, who stared at the door with a hopeful expression on her face. No doubt dreaming of the Rc coming our way. I steeled myself to fight for half of it, even if it meant I had to duel her once more.

  After a few minutes, the door creaked open again, and the chamberlain stuck his helmeted head out. “Lady Vash would be delighted to see you now. If you'll follow me…”

  I shared a look with Leesha. If this Lady Vash had a suit of armor as a butler, who knew what the woman herself would be like. She was at least cracked enough to spend all this money on virtual real estate. But Leesha just raised an eyebrow and stepped after the manservant through the door, so I shook my head, kept my mouth shut, and stayed close behind them.

  The room beyond was open and airy, contrasting the hemmed in feel of the rest of the castle — Roost, I couldn’t help but call it in my mind. It was overflowing with green plants, vines, and ferns spreading out across the tan stone, its look of an oasis accentuated by the crystal clear pool in the center. It was a temperate, clear day, and the rising sun was warm on my face.

  Lady Vash sat on a balcony at the far end of the garden, staring out across her holdings. The chamberlain motioned us forward and clunked toward his mistress. She was apparently very used to it, for she didn’t look over until we were very near. “Ah, the bounty hunters,” she said with a thin smile as she stood smoothly. “Welcome, and thank you for your service.”

  She was not what you would call “pretty,” with age lines apparent around her mouth and brow, pale lips pressed firmly together in a severe line, and black hair tightly pulled back into an intricate hair-do. But she did have a presence about her that I found a bit intimidating, even if she was a full foot shorter than me.

  “Thank you, Lady Vash,” Leesha said, respect dripping from her words.

  It was all I could do not to gag. This was a fucking video game. She didn’t have to treat this Vash like actual royalty.

  “What are your names?” the leader of the Swallows asked, looking between us.

  Why’d she bother asking? She could easy analyze both of us to confirm our names. Perhaps it was some in-game formality.

  We told her, then she nodded. “Thank you, Leesha and Zane. That rogue Henry had plagued the Swallows for some time, drawing several ransoms from us. I’m glad to hear he’s been put down.”

  “It was our pleasure to do it,” Leesha said.

  A faint smile passed over Lady Vash’s expression, then disappeared. “Some of the ransoms came from my own people after I put out the bounty for him. It says much to me that you succeeded where those of my own faction could not, especially when you are only two, and one so low level — meaning no offense,” she said to me.

  I shrugged. “I’m a noob. I know it.”

  She gave a firmer smile. “Indeed. Would you care to enlighten me?”

  I met Leesha’s gaze and saw the warning there. Not that I needed it — I had no intentions of spreading around my glitch, as my earlier resolution not to draw attention to myself still applied. So I shrugged again. “Got lucky, I guess.”

  The lady of the castle didn’t look convinced or impressed. “I see. Well, luck or not, you two clearly possess measurable skill and prowess. And are clearly deserving of a reward.” Her eyes unfocused for a moment, and her lips moved silently. I figured she must be giving commands to navigate through menus only she could see. After a minute, she nodded to herself and outstretched her hands. Two pouches clinking with coins materialized. “I trust you will find these sums sufficient compensation.”

  I murmured, “Command: Analyze” on the bag to see how many coins it contained, and my eyes widened at the number. 2000 Rc! And Leesha must have received the same sum. “Very generous,” I said, pocketing the pouch before she changed her mind. “Thank you.”

  Leesha voiced her thanks as well, and Vash nodded graciously. “You may also notice that your relations with our faction have improved.”

  I checked, and saw she was right. Where before under “Factions” there had been nothing listed, there was now the name Swallows and a score of 161 Relationship Points, or RP. I had no clue whether or not that was a good amount or not.

  “In that vein,” the Swallows’ leader said, “I wish to extend you each an invitation.”

  I already suspected what Vash meant, but still I asked bluntly, “An invitation to what?” />
  Vash studied me. “To join my faction.”

  Joining a clan of nerdy, no-life losers? That didn’t sound like my version of fun. But since I didn’t know all the benefits of being in a faction, I kept my mouth shut, just in case it could help me win the tournament, and let Leesha speak.

  I turned to look at her and saw her carefully guarded expression. Could Leesha even join if she wanted to, being part of the Sisters of Evenfall and all? Vash wouldn’t be able to see it, so she’d extend it in any case.

  “Thank you for the kind offer,” Leesha said finally, but Vash held up a hand.

  “Before you decide, let me detail the benefits of such a membership. You will have full access to the shops and facilities within Nest, including all the discounted prices offered by merchants to residents of this town. You would also be kept informed of faction-wide dungeon raids, which are often lucrative ventures. Lastly, you won’t have to worry about rogues like Henry killing you — not that you have to now,” she said with another mirthless smile.

  “Thank you,” Leesha said, bowing her head slightly. “We appreciate the offer, and if it keeps open, maybe we can accept it in the future. But for now, my companion and I have to get to the tournament in Mythgard.”

  “Ah.” Vash didn’t look entirely displeased. But then, she didn’t look entirely pleased, either. “Well, you may find yourselves disappointed then. Unless you have a token already.”

  Leesha and I shared a look.

  “Token?” I asked.

  “Of course. The tournament may be for players that are Levels 10 through 15, but only Level 15 players were given the tokens by which to enter it. Of course, there are other ways to earn them, but perhaps not in two days.”

  I felt my temper rising, and I glared at Leesha. Here she’d gone stringing me along with this tournament, tormenting and taking advantage, when we couldn’t even enter the tournament. It didn’t help that she looked as surprised as I felt. I was mad all the same.

  “But, what are we supposed to do?” Leesha asked.

  Vash held up a finger. “As it happens, I possess a token.”

  My spirits instantly lifted. “Are you saying you’ll give it to us?”

  “That remains to be seen. I have no desire to fight myself — I never had much fondness for it and have plenty else to occupy me now — but a tournament token is still valuable. You’re not the only ones to come asking after it.” She paused meaningfully, though what the hell she meant I couldn’t tell.

  Leesha obviously could. “You want a favor,” she said.

  The lady of the castle nodded. “A quick study. Yes, I have a task suitable to those of your skills, I think. Do you wish to hear it?”

  Even if it was a way to get into the tournament, I was still a bit pissed that we’d be sidetracked again. But it seemed I had no choice. “All right. What is it this time?”

  14

  Overthrowing the Overlord

  Vash looked carefully between Leesha and me, studying us like a coach at the third draft. “There is a warlord in the area who has recently taken over one of my castles, Castle Kronan. Obviously, I wish to recover it.”

  This Vash had multiple castles in MythRune? Okay, she officially had no life. Or … was she a genius? Punking all these players by making dough her in the game? It was the strangest job I’d heard of, but it beat any I’d done before. It suddenly made sense how some people could afford to spend all their time in MythRune.

  “I can understand that,” Leesha said, obviously more focused on the task at hand than I was. “But what can we do about it?”

  Vash nodded. “Officially, to take ownership of a castle, you must be in possession of its banner. To hold it obviously takes more than that, but it is not a meaningless symbol. If you don’t have official possession of a castle, you don’t receive land bonuses, commerce bonuses, income from the surrounding lands…” She waved a hand dismissively. “It’s complicated. Suffice to say, the banner is important.”

  “You want us to steal the banner,” I guessed.

  “Precisely.”

  I noticed a notification popped up, and I decided to open it, figuring I knew what it related to. Besides, it could help us make our decision whether we wanted to help Lady Vash or not.

  You have been offered a quest: Overthrowing the Overlord! Throw out the warlord who has taken Lady Vash's castle.

  I glanced over at Leesha, who looked similarly skeptical.

  “Are you sure this is right for us?” she asked.

  “For you?” Vash smiled her dangerous smile. “I’m sure it will be nothing.”

  I had a feeling she just didn’t want to risk her own people on such a stupid mission. But I didn’t say anything. No matter how hard it was going to be to get, I needed that token. I’d just have to make it work.

  “We’ll do it,” I said before Leesha could say anything.

  She shot me a look, a spasm of anger crossing it.

  The Swallows leader clapped her hands together lightly. “Excellent. I will have Francois fill you in on the details momentarily.” She gestured behind us, and I suddenly understood ‘Francois’ was the suit of armor that had shown us in. “Thank you again for your services. I look forward to seeing you soon.”

  I nodded, and Leesha did as well with a tight smile. Then we followed the chamberlain back out of the door.

  15

  Conflict of Interests

  As soon as we left Lady Vash’s open-air garden, Francois the Chamberlain clapped his gauntleted hands together like two cymbals crashing, scaring the shit out of me. “I’m so delighted you’ve accepted my mistress’s quest! Now, if you’ll allow me to fill you in on the details—”

  “Not yet,” Leesha interrupted. “Zane and I need to talk. If you’ll excuse us.” All pretense of politeness was gone, leaving only the bitch I’d come to know and … well, just know.

  Though the helmet didn’t show expressions, it was easy to tell Francois was put off. “Ah. Of course, Miss Leesha. I will be just down the way should you need me.” He gave a short bow then clunked noisily down the hall.

  Leesha whirled on me the second he moved out of sight. “What do you think you’re doing? You can’t accept shit without me! You’re my sidekick, not the other way around.”

  “I'm not your sidekick, actually. And I know it’s a high-level quest that sounds stupid difficult. But can you tell me any other way we can get a token in time for the tournament?”

  Her mouth opened and closed like a fish for s few moments. “Maybe not. But still, you know what I’m saying.”

  “You’re complaining that I made a decision without you. Well, welcome to the club.”

  She breathed in and out noisily, then leaned in a little closer. “This isn’t a matter of preferences, or how difficult the mission is. I’m telling you, I can’t do this.”

  Her look was so significant it was impossible to miss her meeting. It finally dawned on me what the holdup was, as it usually was for her — her hidden faction. The Sisters of Evenfall had to be behind this warlord’s seizure of Castle Kronan, or at least profiting from it.

  Unfortunately for my companion, I didn’t give a damn. “Not my problem. I need that token, and we already said yes. Unless you’d rather go back in there and tell Vash you changed your mind. Wouldn’t that really make her wonder about you.” I shrugged. “Who knows, she might even find a padded cell for you to relax in.”

  Leesha grit her teeth. “You know, when I picked you up, I should have known how much of a twat you’d be.”

  “You did know, just like I knew how much of a bitch you’d be.”

  We stared at each other, nearly nose to nose, before she lost it. First. she smiled. Then she giggled. Finally she laughed loud and long.

  I stared at her, unable to help a grin spread across my own face.

  “Okay, okay,” she said when the fit passed, wiping the tears from her eyes. “I’ll make it work. But only if you agree to let me have all of the prize money from the
tournament.”

  “I thought you said you were already keeping all of it.”

  “I was fronting. Now I’m asking. Will you or will you not do it?”

  I hesitated a moment, then nodded. I wouldn’t need the money if I got out of here in time, since Danny had promised to hook me up. And if I didn’t get out in time, it’d do me no good. “Fine. We have a deal.”

  She pulled off her glove and stuck out her hand. “Shake on it.”

  Half-amused, I pulled off my own glove, clasped her hand, and we shook. She had a firm grip, and less manly hands than I’d expected, somehow still smooth despite all the fighting she did. We lingered a moment before both pulling our hands back like we’d been stung then slipping our gloves back on.

  “If we’re doing this,” she said, “we’d better go soon. We’ve got no time to waste.”

  I couldn’t agree more. “Ready when you are.”

  She held up a hand. “First, we need the details from the chamberlain. Then, we may need to outfit you a little differently. Full armor isn’t exactly conducive to sneaking around in castles.”

  I looked down at myself and shrugged. She had a point. “Fine by me. In any case, let’s go find that suit of armor.”

  She nodded, then we headed down the hall.

  16

  Castle Kronan

  Francois was just where he said he'd be, standing as still as, well, an ordinary suit of armor mounted on display. As soon as we came into view of his visor, the armor shook to life and said, “Ah, there you are! I was beginning to wonder if you’d gotten spooked…”