***
“What are you thinking about? Just sitting there smiling.” Vika walked into the kitchen, red-faced and pleasant-smelling after her shower. She saw the pistol in my hand and quickly drew her own conclusions. “Ah, of course, a present from your admirer. What’s not to smile about?”
“Hey, why haven’t you asked about my first wife?” Everything has its limits, absolutely everything, including my patience. I swear to God, I didn’t want to do this right now, but you’re making me. “I mean, about the details—why we got divorced, why it didn’t work out. You’ve probably wondered, haven’t you?”
“Why do you ask?” Vika asked cautiously, clearly realizing that she’d taken things in a dangerous direction.
“Oh, it’s just that I remembered out of the blue something that happened, something back when we’d just started living together.” I pulled my lips into a smile. “She and I went to a party some friends of ours threw, and there was a girl I knew there. She and I studied together and—”
“That’s not that interesting,” Vika cut in, pulling her robe tight and flashing a charming grin. “Something happened with someone. What’s the point of digging it all up? Let me see the pistol!”
As a result, the field of battle was hers, since women know how to twist situations in their favor using all their dirty, clever tricks—the robe that falls open, the poses with the pistol that tickle a man’s fancy. We don’t have any counterarguments to that, at least, while everything’s still working downstairs…
***
Once Vika had already fallen asleep, I went back to thinking about how tightly wound everything was. There were the Raidion intrigues, the fact that I was supposed to live surrounded by two-way mirrors, my hazy social status, and everything else. More than the rest, I was worried by the fact that I had finally and conclusively become a pawn on someone else’s chessboard. I had been previous to that, of course. I had no illusions on that account. I did, on the other hand, foster a tiny hope that I’d get past everything and one day be free. But now… No one was ever going to let me go. It’s in no one’s interests for a pawn to become a bigger piece and pick up a bunch of information, some of which he has no business knowing.
Sure, pawns are sometimes protected more than a bishop or even rooks, but that’s just when they’re part of an overall strategy. They’re used to provoke the opponent, hinting that they could be about to become a queen. They’re kept out of danger and protected, and they’re even escorted across the board via the most coveted squares, but pawns are still just pawns. I was completely sure that the textbook end I had coming to me was simple and predictable, the one pawns always come to—being taken out and leaving the board forever—just so one of the sides can win the game. That’s it.
I was going to be taken off the board and dropped on my side. If anyone, even some dissectors in dusty helmets, bent over me, it would be a bonus. Otherwise, I would end up among the number that leaves and never comes back. The golden-haired girl from Kasimov breathing gently on my shoulder was going to be listed in the next column over, too. Oh, God, she’s just a kid. She still believes she finally caught good fortune by the tail. I wasn’t even talking about me. How can I explain to her that a bullet shattering her skull may be the only thing we take away from the whole story? She wouldn’t have listened to me anyway, and if even the least part of what I imagined happened, everything that happened to her would be on me.
I was certain I wouldn’t have to live with that, primarily because I wasn’t going to live in the first place, but… What if there really is something up there? If everything I’d done over all the years was weighed in some cosmic balance, her death would be enough to counterbalance all the old ladies I’d helped cross the street. She was going to miss out on life, having children, growing old. And it all would be my fault.
By that point, my reason had been taken over by fatigue, nerves, and soul-searching. Did I really just think that? Who needs us? What do we really know that’s worth killing us over? They might kick us out the door like a couple of street cats, but that’s it. I figured they might even give us severance. People like that—people who’d made an investment—didn’t just send people up the river, anyway. There would have been no way to recoup their money.
I did need to stay on my toes. I had to catch the undertones in conversations, follow situations better, make sure there were caveats in play. Ignoring it all would be a sure path to problems.
And with that, I fell asleep. Either I’d calmed myself down or worn myself out. I wasn’t sure which.
***
The door slammed, jarring me awake. Who’s walking in without knocking? I shook my head, trying to clear the sleepy feeling. Seriously, why are they banging doors?
The answer was simple; my beloved better half had walked out and shut the door behind her. She’d even left me a touching note on her pillow, complete with a chocolate on top. Adorable.
I left for work. There’s something I need to take care of. Don’t just have muffins for breakfast. At least, have some tea.
Kisses.
V.
Yes, times were changing. A month before, she’d left breakfast on the table, wrapped up in a towel. We move, we never stay the same… And what does she have going on at work? The next issue wasn’t due for a couple weeks, and there wasn’t anyone at the office besides the people on duty and a few drunks in the sports department. Weird.
I ruled out an amorous tryst immediately—she had bodyguards with her, and I knew she wouldn’t be able to shake them. I did want to know what she was doing, though.
Anyway, her being gone played right into my hands since there was a problem I wanted to take care of. I pulled on pants and a shirt, found the number of the concierge (Vika had taped it to the base of the phone after I was kidnapped), and asked her to come over.
“I have a question for you, my good woman,” I said to the very cute girl who knocked on the door a minute later. How many of them work here? And what’s their schedule? I’d never seen her. Actually, I’d never seen any of them more than once. “Is there any way I could order something from the outside world without leaving the building? It’s something expensive.”
“Of course.” Pity washed over the girl’s eyes as she assumed I was wild enough to have never heard of an e-store. “If you have a computer, I can help you—”
“Yes, I have one, and I know how to order things online. It’s just that I’d rather not buy jewelry from just anyone, and I figured the company might have partners it works with. Or do you happen to know a good store?”
“Got it.” The girl smiled. “Looking for a New Year’s present for Mrs. Nikiforov?”
“Exactly.” I took a relieved breath—the girl turned out to be a smart one. “I got carried away, and—”
“It’s always that way,” she replied, a note of light accusation in her voice. Yes, they’re all the same, always ready to stick up for each other. “It’s not too late, though.”
“What’s your name?” I asked awkwardly.
“Lika,” she said with a charming grin. “Angelika.”
“Great. So, what about that store or the company?”
Everything turned out to be simple. Raidion worked with a jewelry store, so we looked up their catalog online and found a beautiful set we could have delivered that day. There was only one problem: I didn’t have any money.
Actually, I had money, but it was either at home (I hoped it was still at home) or in the safe in the apartment we were staying at, and I didn’t know the code. Vika had locked it up and changed the combination, but I hadn’t listened to her when she told me about it. I’d figured I’d always have enough for coffee and cigarettes in my pocket, and I had the resources of the company, too. But no…
“Is something wrong?” Lika asked. “You look worried.”
“Everything’s wrong,” I replied, patting my pockets. “I don’t have any money.”
“Wait, really? What happened? I’ve never seen that
before!”
“You’re a lucky girl,” I said enviously. “I see people without money more often than I see them with it.”
She waved me off. “No, that’s not what I’m talking about—the people living on this floor… Well, you probably get what I’m trying to say.”
“I’m the exception to the rule,” I replied darkly. “I’m supposed to be getting a salary, but when and where…”
“Why don’t you just call the finance department?”
“I don’t know anyone over there. I’ll probably have to call Zimin.”
“You’re an odd duck.” She brushed her hair back. “Instead of calling one of the servants, you call one of the masters. That’s kind of…strange.”
It wasn’t like I wanted to bother Zimin. I just knew that it would be simpler than explaining to a bunch of other people who I was and what I needed. I’m sure there are quite a few people out there who don’t know who I am. Not for the first time, I regretted that Ilya was nowhere to be found. He was much easier to work with.
***
“What’s up?” Zimin said instead of a greeting when he picked up the phone. “Be quick.”
“I need money. Obviously, I’ll pay it back.”
“Did you decide to buy yourself an island?” he asked in surprise. “We pay you pretty well.”
“It’s a long explanation, and you asked me to be brief. Basically, I’m broke and need to buy Vika a present…for the holiday.”
“How much do you need?” When Zimin heard the number, he swore. “You know, you’ve really lost your mind, my young friend. Call the financial department and tell them to give you however much you need, and then have them withhold it from your pay. Just, please, don’t go walking around looking like a beggar. Call and tell them what to do. See you.”
“Well, who was right?” Lika had hung around and heard everything. “Go ahead, make the call, and I’ll go pick it up.”
“You won’t get in trouble for being away from the front desk?” I asked as I ran my finger down the list of phone numbers.
“No, you’ll cover for me.”
It really did turn out to be simple. To be honest, after my conversations with accounting at the paper, it was simply a joy. There were no “Taking lunch” signs or people yelling at me that they were the only one there trying to do everything.
“They’ll have it here by seven,” Lika said proudly when she hung up. “I’ll accept it and wrap it, don’t worry.”
She may have told me not to worry, but I definitely did. Giving money to a girl I didn’t know, and then having her hang onto some expensive jewelry… Ultimately, I decided she couldn’t pull anything off even if she tried.
“I’m not sure how to thank you.” I smiled.
“I can tell you that,” she winked, which embarrassed me. “Wait, no, that’s not what I’m talking about! It’s just that it would be great if you mentioned my name to someone from management. Nobody too high up, someone lower down. Just something about how I do good work and that I’m ready to start moving up the ladder. I know, it’s pretty brazen of me, but that’s the only way to do it.”
“What’s your last name?” I was impressed; she knew what she was doing.
“Kolokolnikova. Angelika Kolokolnikova.”
“We’ll be celebrating New Year’s tomorrow, so I’ll make it happen if the opportunity presents itself.”
“That’s exactly why I asked; everybody’s going to be coming over to you, anyway,” Lika replied seriously. “By the way, you can count on me if you ever need me. I heard rumors that you’ll be moving to the twentieth floor, soon, and you’ll definitely need good people who have your back. I’m your girl; believe me. I mean, just for work; I’m not talking about anything else. If you mention me now, everything will be perfect when you start putting your staff together.”
“I heard you.” The girl couldn’t have better described what I’d been thinking about the day before. “If I become a top boss, you’ll be part of my team.”
Why not promise something that won’t happen?
Lika bowed her head, her face in dead earnest, which surprised me. Then, she took the money she’d been brought half an hour before from the finance department, and left the apartment.
“Crazy,” I said, shaking my head.
My work done in that world, I decided to head to the other, where there were far fewer headaches.
The new capsule really was more comfortable than the previous model. The head restraint let me rest easier, and the sides were softer. I felt like I was lying on some kind of water mattress.
***
Life in the castle, from what I could tell, was falling into an ordinary, easygoing routine, even if you could taste the coming war. At least, there was no noise and hubbub like I’d noticed the last time I’d been there during the day. Hillmen puttered around the courtyard repairing something that looked like a small catapult, there were sentries stationed on the walls, and that was it. I didn’t see either my clan mates or a crowd of gelts. I guess they’re all busy. Even the shrieks of our irrepressible fairy had fallen silent, which didn’t bother me in the least. I planned to spend the next half an hour taking stock and inventory in silence. To be more specific, I wanted to go through all the quests I’d accumulated and decide what to do next.
***
I got a little lost in the castle before finally finding the spot I was looking for: the open passage to my room and the clan headquarters. It was peaceful and bereft of people, exactly what I was looking for.
Ignoring my fear of heights, I sat down on the edge of the parapet, let my legs dangle, and pulled up the Quests section. There really wasn’t too much there. Most normal players would probably have laughed at my little list—there were just a few items. On the other hand, they were quite the few items.
First, of course, I had the Path to the First Seal. It was most important, and everything else had to fit in around it.
What’s next? There was an old series: Sword of Zigfrod. It didn’t even have a point showing me where to go next. Oh, right, Florence told me to come see him the second day after I finished the last quest. It had been a couple of weeks already, so I really needed to stop by and see him. Either way, it looked like I was going to be spending a lot of time marching around Fayroll, and I figured the remains of the sword might turn up at some point. Just chatting with him was a good idea, too. Being polite is the player’s best weapon.
Oh, a quest from the Archipelago. I dumped it, not expecting to head back there.
And what’s this? Five Skulls, the chance blessing from the oasis that I’d gotten when my skeleton brother picked up his glowing sphere. I needed to go see the wizard and give the skull to him, especially since that was all there was to it.
The next thing I’d let slip: Cut to the Underbelly, the seventh quest in the Zone of Influence series and the one that was supposed to put my friend Lossarnakh on his rightful throne. If I keep just hopping back from city to village, this won’t go anywhere. I needed to kill at least ten enemies in five raids or find a way to take out at least ten percent of them. I’d better get a move on that.
Oh, that’s an old one. It was Witch Marks, the quest I’d gotten back when I met Hel. I’d been short a few of the witches’ amulets. After thinking about it for a bit, I decided to leave the quest be just in case.
That was pretty much it. None of the rest were really quests—the social nonsense with the clan, Cyrus’ request, Miurat’s endeavors, the assurance of friendship with the Gray Witch, friendship with Gunther and Lossarnakh… Of course, I couldn’t just ignore the lot.
Quests, for me, had become less my main purpose and more a series of landmarks in a swamp. They were the garnish around the meat, and that wasn’t good. In my opinion, the point of the game was to beat quests, and in my case, everything was backward. I was running around between a dozen fires trying to keep them all from breaking out of control, with nothing but a headache in return. You were supposed to go from point
A to point B. The problem with Fayroll was that the path between those two points was rarely a straight shot.
I wonder if everyone else ends up in the same mess.
Something rustled behind me, and I turned to see Nazir crouching by the wall.
“Hey,” I said to him, getting a respectful nod in reply. “Have you been here long?”
“I came up as soon as I found out that you arrived.”
Impressive. I’ll have to remember that.
Back to business, I decided to start with the easy stuff by going to finish the quest in Selgar. It wouldn’t take long, I knew, and I’d get something out of it. Plus, why keep him waiting?
Then, I was going to go see Martin. That would give me the chance to see how the inquisitors were doing and how far they were willing to go to fight on our side. In a word, I needed to know what support we could count on from them. They’d signed a pact with Lossarnakh, but I wanted to hear and see for myself. I’ll take Kro with me, too. It was easy, and she would appreciate it, I knew. I decided to mention the quest for the sword to her, too. It wasn’t a secret, but she didn’t know about it, and that would let her see how much I trusted her.
Finally, if I had enough time, I figured I’d go do some fighting in the Borderlands or come up with a clever plan for taking out a bunch of gelts. What about poisoning them? I thought about dropping some poison in their water supply or a pot of food—not so elegant, but definitely effective.
That was enough for a day or two. After New Year’s, I was going to head north to get to work on my main quest. I’ll start with a visit to the könig, see if he or that daughter of his knows anything about the land of the White Light. The Wild Hunt had been everywhere, too, so they might have known something. They were probably a better source of information than the könig.
The Right to Choose Page 11