The Way of the Clan 7

by Dem Mikhaylov

  One who had managed to remain more or less sober explained that today was a big holiday, an occasion for great joy. And that from now on, from this day, all bog-creatures celebrate the holiday in connection with the great fish of Naykal - the pike, in particular. They say today is the day of forgiveness. Why? Easy to explain - about an hour ago the great goddess Snessa declared the forgiveness of all rogue bog-creatures, thereby abolishing exile and punishment and allowing them to return as members of society, as soon as they repent and give a generous offering to any of the swamp of lake temples of Snessa. And most of the rogues - there were so many! - Immediately dragged their scanty possessions from the muddy cracks of their caverns and rushed to the nearest temples, where they were now praying and begging for forgiveness. Bog creature exiles from all over the world of Valdira! The others, in honor of this joyous event, received another reason to celebrate the great merciful goddess Snessa.

  At this point in the story, I nodded in understanding, as did the other listeners. Great move. The goddess Snessa had arranged for herself a “turbo-charge” of divine energy, and replenished her magical supply through the offerings. Meager ones - but in a large quantity. Pebbles, meat and feathers - they will put everything they have on the altar to beg for forgiveness. Others, rejoicing in the great mercy of Snessa, will not forget to pray. And everything was done at once - as soon as her temples reached “working capacity.”

  To return to the theme of fishing - the bog creature invasion was considered the last straw, and the competition was declared void. But they postponed it for early morning tomorrow. So, Kirea the great Protectress would again have to take up the reins - or would the kindly Rosgard prepares to take upon his shoulders the heavy burden of the fishing league?

  “No, no,” I shook my head. “Not in the least. So you are in charge, Kirea… We are going to..”

  “You are done for the day, my friends,” said Placebo in a low voice, still standing near Brave. “Haven’t you forgotten the third rule of Attenuation?”

  “I did not even know the first,” I admitted. “What does the third one say?”

  “The more the body is mutated - the sooner you’re out. It has been tested many times. Exceptions are so rare they do not even constitute a single percent.”

  “They say our psyche does not like tricks with our virtual carcass,” shrugged Whisper, making it clear that this is just a theory. “The brain begins to melt at the sight of overgrown hair, cracked hooves instead of feet, warts and blisters the size of oranges. Only a theory on the grand scale, but still something proved in practice. This is no joke, Ros - both of us are about to be “Extinguished.” We will enter a black and white world. So I vote, if this is a democracy, to exit into the “real” world for a little while.”

  “It is anarchy,” I replied, speaking the truth.

  “So, we stifle the sickness and head to infect the cannibals?”

  “You sure the Attenuation will come?”

  “I guarantee it. We have been studying the phenomenon for years,” said the doctor, and I gave up.

  “Let’s exit. Until early morning. Friends, comrades, I am worn out myself. I will go home and get a good night’s sleep. And tomorrow at six in the morning we are all going to meet here - those who want to continue this journey. Bom, I am sorry I brought you here. And I will have to send out other apologies. But who could have known?”

  “Not a problem,” growled the half-orc, getting up and heavily turning around. “I will find something to do for sure. I will tell Cray and Kaylen myself, do not fret. Till tomorrow.”

  “Until tomorrow,” I echoed.

  “See you,” Kira sang, not bothering to conceal her satisfied expression. She really did not mind going home early.

  “Ros, talk to me tomorrow at five in the morning. In that tavern near the Temple of Sorrow. You and me. The rest of the gang can come, but not Kira - no offense,” suddenly popped up on the message screen. It was from Bom, who was taking measured steps away.

  “Understood. I will meet you,” I answered in surprise, and in sorrow, knowing this meant I had an hour less to sleep.

  “Doctor, can I go ho-o-ome?” Said Whisper.

  “You are free. But not to the citadel! And no clan zones! You are in quarantine,” replied Placebo.

  Jumping joyfully, the spy waved goodbye to me with both hands, activated a small gizmo reminiscent of a pentagonal plate with runes, and disappeared in a flash.

  “I am leaving,” the doctor said dryly. “Quarantine also concerns you. The disease is gone for several hours, but try not to cuddle with anyone, as I cannot give any guarantees. Want a short pamphlet on virtual hygiene?”

  “No, thanks.”

  “Good luck. Wash your feet before you eat. Medicine for the pets will soon be delivered. You shouldn’t wait for them if you’re in a hurry. Just move slowly, and in a straight line- - the beast doctor will find you himself. Pictures of the patients have already been sent to him.”

  There was a flash and the doctor disappeared. She was joking about the feet, right?

  Probably…

  I wonder if she and Brave had agreed on anything.

  “To the real world?” I asked Kira.

  “Let’s go!”

  “Let’s go to the private room first. Children need to sleep…”

  “Who is a child?” Roska pouted, evidently realizing whom I was talking about.

  “On the way we’re going to stop by the bookstore,” I lured her. “Comic books, a box of sweets and cookies, and an elven compote.”

  “Alright… let’s go…”

  “Orbit? You with us?”

  “I will sta-a-ay for n-now,” said he. “I will sw-wim. Kolyvan!”

  “The huge animal started moving immediately and went into the lake water. Orbit raised his hand and threw something brilliant into the air. There was a flash and a two-headed bird appeared in the air, and landed on the bald head of the owner. The Govorun… the trio was busy.

  “Come on,” I sighed, turning to the distant town. There would be a hotel there, for sure.

  Teleport magic would not work for us anymore - it would not do for my daughter.

  Before we could go ten steps, another message came to me. From Shmigovik, the cunning thief I had commissioned for a dangerous job.

  “It is done. The temple is clean.”

  Huh… quickly, suddenly. News from the battlefield.

  How interesting…

  But tomorrow, tomorrow. Now it was time to go home, to the real world.

  Chapter Six.

  Ex in the now.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, Lena. Or is it better to say miss aggr Lénolie Legros?”

  “Rostislav… so unexpected to hear your voice.”

  “Yeah, about as unexpected as I was to see the madwoman in the game,” I retorted. “It is so pleasing to see video proof of an ex-wife being a bitch…” I wanted to say a stronger word, but stopped myself. “You decide to sell me out? Fine. But why do you hate me so much?”

  “Rostislav, I ask you to choose your expressions when communicating with me. You know already…”

  “Yeah?” I interrupted. The acid in my voice was enough to dissolve a dinosaur. “Of course, of course. I remember your family’s high speech. What was it… your favorite words… such as “what the fuck?” And “bullshit?” The highest form of Russian literature!”

  “Listen, Rostislav…”

  “And what if I send that video to your parents? You think your daddy will recognize his intelligent daughter in a cheeky, greedy woman? Hm?”

  “Rostislav, be kind,” the icy voice of Lena cracked and trembled. “That would be…”

  “It would surprise the hell out of your father, hm? His own blood! Especially after her words about the former husband Rostislav Grokhotov. Do you think that he will like knowing that his daughter is a corrupt, stupid and greedy sl - ”

  “Rostislav!”

  “Fuck you, Lena!” I barked, pressing th
e end call button and leaning back in my chair, emitting a long sigh.

  Calm, just calm down…

  I could not stand it. It just happened! How beautifully she had let me down! Fine, fuck her greed, it does not matter. But why could not she just ask me for gold? Would I deny her a certain sum? Yes, I would have! Damn it, damn it all!

  And most importantly - what can I do about it now?

  True, Valdira will soon know that the gaming legend Rosgard is Rostislav Grokhotov from such and such city and a street with a sonorous name. But it is unlikely that, in the real world, I will be faced with a crowd of enthusiastic fans. However, if later on, it becomes knows that Rosgard is the Great Navigator…

  But where am I supposed to put her, that fool? To bring her here? Right… fun idea! The only thing I could do now is put off, as long as possible, everyone’s knowledge of my status as the Navigator. So long as I am just a gaming legend, full of noise, for the majority of players, Elena is not much of a threat. She is just earning some money.

  Am I worried about Elena?

  Yes, I am. She was a part of my life, and we connected in the past. She is not just “anyone.” But now, I could do nothing for her. Rather, I could, but only by providing the same security for the ex-wife we had for ourselves. But Elena being Elena - far from being a fool, after all - she will be interested in the reasons I have suddenly placed bodyguards around her. She will not believe that I am trying to hide her from all of the wild and annoying fans of Rosgard the gaming legend. She just would not. And there’s no way I’d tell her about being the Navigator.

  So, to hell with the whole thing… I must deal with it, and also warn her gently to not open her mouth again.

  Bri-i-ing…

  The soft chime of the internet phone. The screen flashed Elena - her cell phone.

  “Yes?”

  “Rostislav,” said my ex-wife, and I heard tinges of guilt in her voice. The muffled sound of a motor vehicle was heard on the other life. She had gone to the balcony - right. So her relatives would not hear.

  “Lena, the topic is closed,” I sighed, glancing sideways to the side, where half a meter from me was Kira, her nose buried in a laptop. In this case, Kira was certainly listening. Curiosity gnaws at the paladin…

  “Rostislav, listen, please. Let me explain myself.”

  “Hm…”

  “Oh, I acted disgustingly!” Cried she. “It was vile! Mean! But understand, Rostislav, sometimes the soul reacts to the insults of life and… oh, to hell with it! Ros, I am so tired! Tired! Everything is exhausting! And I live in that carefully cultivated grayness from my very childhood! And married the grayness!”

  “Well, thank you…”

  “Is that not so? You even talk differently now! And when we were married, you did not differ much in behavior than a piece of plankton in an office chair! Gray, gray, gray… it is getting to me, men well over forty try and flirt with me, but it does not matter about the age - they are gray through and through! Not a single bright spot! It is the same every single day, I am suffocating, and I can barely stand it here. I get home I put my face in the pillow and think over those same gray words: “We’ve brought you up well. You are a cultured, intelligent, educated girl.” What kind of shit is that?! My dad was born in such a noble place that their asses were still being wiped by Soviet newspapers, and before that they read them with interest, taking them for the freshest news!”

  My mouth gaped open a little. I watched the columns of the speakerphone on the screen - it was not private, but it was scandalous as hell. Seated next to me, Kira blinked in surprise.

  “I went to Valdira - decided at once, when I saw the words “bright and exciting magical world” in the advertising. Spent all my savings I was keeping for a trip out to the sea - to hell with the sea! My parents were going to come. They wanted an “elegant promenade with an adult daughter along the coastal streets, the air saturated with salt…” Amazing! And so instead I decided instead to tear myself away, spend at least a week finding something that was not boring. Who needs a “promenade”?!”

  “You do not say,” I cautiously said. “Lena, you uh…”

  “I dove into Valdira, plunged headfirst! Beauty! Joy! Emotion! You know yourself. For days on end I played, even getting into some scuffles with the parents. But it does not matter! The main thing is the game! There is no grayness in Valdira. If there is, it can be destroyed! But… Ros, if I may be direct… I wanted for once to be in the center of events! Not somewhere on the edge, looking in from the side - looking at the gladiators from the arena, watching the fight with envy. No - in the center! In the middle of something, even if it is a damn nuclear explosion!”

  “Uh-huh…”

  “I am not saying I want to be queen. Not even a princess! A baroness will suffice!”

  “Not easy, that,” I sighed. But my strained attempts at humor were unappreciated.

  “But no! I am always on the sidelines...I am not talking about adventure only. I am also talking about my social life. And about… about you!”

  “About me?”

  “About you! I read on the forums about your adventures! Watched the videos! Won there! Escaped from the monster! Stepped into the fire! Choked in swamp waters! You’re always the center of attention… there is someone always on the sidelines for you, Ros,” said she, and it sounded like she was crying. “You are never alone, Rostislav. You were never alone. And I always am - even when I am walking in the middle of the gray crowd. Sorry, Ros. Forgive me. I acted very meanly. But I longed so much for a touch of something bright, wanted to be interesting to someone, if only for a little while…”

  “Lena, it only seems that way from the side,” I said, trying to scroll through recent events in my head. Crawling through mud, snow, dark dungeons and sewers… what about that was so bright? When was I “in the center”?

  But my wise words were unappreciated.

  “I set you up. Then I realized what I had done. Your real name… and if some envious, crazy person comes to you with a knife? Now, because of the game, they will kill you for real… Lord… but I was looking for you, Ros! I wrote to you in the game, but there was a block. I called you! Came to you! I wanted so badly to ask you to take me with you! And you still haven’t answered! Haven’t called back!”

  It seems that you are my envious madman with a knife, I thought. And she already took a stab at me, spilled the first blood, taken away my blanket of anonymity.

  “So, you were mad at me,” I said aloud.

  “Yes I was! What have I got to hide?!”

  “And that’s why you demanded gold and the Broken Swallow?”

  “Emerald! Ros, you understand, if I have the Swallow set, then I can enter the Red Demons clan, and they are…”

  “Right. And they kill everyone left and right, they rob, burn, mock, chop up the hopes of peaceful players and hard workers. That is, life a bright life and not a gray one. I understand you, Lénolie. Listen to me. No more talking about me, Lena! Not one! I will not threaten you, will not frighten you. I am just asking. If you listen, great. No is fine too. But! If you decide to continue telling your stories, then kindly turn on your instincts of self preservation and do not tell anything about yourself personally! Do not say I am your ex-husband. Do not say that we even know each other. Overall, do not answer any such personal questions about yourself. We met once and that was that. And where - that’s not their business. That is if you continue to try to earn the Swallow set through multiple Judas exploits. You yourself were talking about the crazy envious people that take stabs at you. But I forgot to say that, I have an equally crazy adoring fan that will come with an axe for YOUR soul, if she decides you need to be punished. Do you want to test it, Lénolie? Do you want a gray axe fitted into your bright head? Hm?”

  “My god… well… at least that won’t be gray,” my ex choked out a laugh.

  Yeah… my ex was definitely crazy.

  She reminded me of a gray moth flying to a bright light. The end
ing of it was sad. But should I saw that to Elena?

  I could offer her money right now to buy the Swallow set. Just a bag of fold. I could offer her a new “good” start - rebirth, and entry into Valdira under a new nickname, with a clean bio and reputation. And I could leave a gold deposit, as a bonus, in any bank. And I could simply get her into a good clan - ask Whisper for help.

  I could. If it were not for one big “but”. She would easily accept any good gesture of mine to buy her silence. And maybe then, she would try to make my good gesture “more weighty.” Not one big bag of gold, but two or three. Blackmail.

  Hell… scary to think of your own ex-wife doing this. But it is too much… there were insane notes in her voice, something disturbing was slipping out… or was this just my own sick imagination?

  As the new world proverb says: your gaming character is your reflection in a crooked mirror.

  In a world where everything is allowed, people behave differently than what they should do. They do as they please, and hidden motives in the subconscious are released. So, Elena was not really a quiet bookish girl, but Lénolie Legros to the bone - cynical, evil, greedy, unprincipled. And now it seemed to me that Lena was emptying her soul into my ears, not because of guilt, but because of the shame that I saw her for real, the one she would really liked to be. That was the real Lena - the killer of players, one who wanted to join the bright clan of the Red Demons. The dream of any girl from an intelligent family! In a quiet pool, the most evil demons are found splashing. I should have known.

  “Rostislav, are you listening?”

  “I am listening. Lena, in addition to fans I have a lot of enemies in Valdira,” I lied easily. Though - was it really a lie? The pure truth. “Got them throughout my adventures, from having to walk over people’s heads. You understand? Therefore, do not tell anyone about our acquaintance for your own good, Lena, because they will not find me, but they will find you. You’ve already told the gaming community my address, thank you for that, but now I do not live there, so it is okay. The main thing is that you make sure your mouth is shut. I am serious, Elena. By the way, if someone finds me and breaks open my head, you’d be an accomplice for the tip off. Did you think about that? Hm? And remember - even now, I can call your parents and inform them that their quiet daughter has become a bloody maniac, but this is in the game, it is forgivable. But in real life, she gets involved with giving away private information for money. Do you know what your professor father would do?”