"I do not sell cheap things,” he answered, without batting an eyelid.
“Hmm .... Sorry,” I sighed. “I am sorry. But to be honest - I did not believe this. I still suspect you a bit. Well, what am I supposed to think if they talk about you?”
"Who's talking about me?!”
“What does it matter?”
“It matters a lot! Who?!”
“I've already forgotten. But it was not in bad intentions. Anyway, I am sorry. Does the offer with the figurine still stand?”
"Not really, Ros. It was just bait. For it to work, you need to collect at least three statuettes in one place. But I will remember your promise! Well, friends, then?”
"Yes," I agreed. Picking up the mugs, we clinked glasses.
We drank. Grunted. Drank again. We left the mugs empty. Good…. and I feel better.
I know Vlas. A direct answer was enough. He did not betray me.
"Listen," I said suddenly.
“What?”
"It does not concern me, that’s fine. But still, it is interesting. I do not want to torture Kira about this topic. You do not have to answer. But if you do, I promise… I will tell no one.”
“Spit it out. And I will order another beer.”
"The thing for which Kira was reborn. What was it for? Do you know?”
“I know. A grandiose project. A huge project, Ros! And started, by the way, because of me— thanks to the info I received from the Guardians in exchange for a job I did in their favor.”
“What kind of project?”
"Interesting, is not it?"
“Oh yeah,” I nodded. “Ve-e-ery interesting…”
"Oh, blah ..." Vlas jerked as if stung, almost brushing aside the mugs.
“What?”
“Eh… you just reminded me of someone …."
“I see. So, what kind of project? Tell me.”
“I believe you,” bending down, Vlas lowered his voice. “But I am sorry, Ros. It is not up to me anymore. I trust you, ironically, but this does not mean that I can disclose other people's secrets. You understand - the clan policy.”
"Right" I sighed.
“Try asking Kira,” Vlas smirked. “But the bigger question is whether Kira will return to the Albatrosses. I forgot to mention - the banker wanted to talk to you about this and that. I think he wants you to join the recruits of the Albas. What do you think?”
“No,” I clearly answered, without the slightest pause. “No, Vlas. I will not become one of the Albatrosses.”
"Because you're a proud loner?"
“Something like that. This is no longer about me. And how is it on your front?”
“The walls are quiet,” Talon shook his head. “There is no time now for warring for the sake of land. Ros, there is a lot on the horizon - the lost continent, for example. We had two of our ships burned yesterday. And we responded by dancing to them on the burning coals of theirs.”
“I do not envy you,” I snorted. “By the way, do you want a piece of advice and caution at the same time?”
“From you? Let’s hear it.”
“If you have not yet encountered them, then here one piece of advice from the wise Ros: be on the lookout for the Golden Templars. These guys can infect their enemy with a whole bouquet of various illnesses. You will turn into a wild monster covered with mold and lose a bunch of characteristics, among other things. And the illnesses progress with the speed of light. Therefore, if the Golden Syphilitics are not friends to you. Be careful, Vlas. I am serious - the illnesses are wildly strong, and can infect many at once. In four hours, the disease passes through the stages it would have gone through in four days. The clan will be in ruin.”
"I understand," Vlas said slowly. "Thank you."
"And yes," I remarked, “This info is not for the Gray Wardens. It is for the Albatrosses.”
"Only for them?"
“No. I guess not. Warn everyone. And the last thing, buddy. I thought about it.”
“What?”
“I will forget about the statuette thing. Once and for all. Thank you for the beer.”
“Ros, you tramp, are you still so offended?”
“Yes. And I am hurt. You used me, Vlas. Stupidly used me. Again put my interests below your clan interests. Before you make someone bait, you have to ask!”
“You’re sore for me letting you die in the virtual world?”
“And what if I had tasks in which dying was not allowed? And if I had a special effect on me which dissipates after death? And if .... Yes, there are many "ifs", Vlas. Today, I was already thinking, imagining myself as a pawn on someone else's game board. Now I know you see me the same way. Not like Ros, not like an old friend, but as a figure. In the end— yes, Vlas, I am a little hurt. Therefore, warn the banker— I will do everything to make sure Kira cuts ties with your clan.”
“Where is all this coming from?” Vlas looked away again.
“From the fact that only such a fool as a righteous and just Kirea could have destroyed her beloved, powerful paladin character for the sake of your clan! Why not choose someone else? Why her? You made a suicide bomber out of her, damn it. For the sake of some lofty goal! She tried to be a tin soldier for you! For her, this was an important enough goal. And for you, it was just another clan operation. So that's enough from both of us. If you must know, she is much more to me now than just a friend in battle is. Good luck, Vlas.”
“Good luck .... But this is all in vain, Ros! You have not changed at all! You still see only black or white!”
“Yes. And so it will always be. My socks are either white or black. And my panties are the same. So here I am. Moreover, Vlas - I now tell you openly that I do not believe your interest in me was only caused by the figurine. I do not believe it. Despite your smile. Bye…”
There was no answer.
I went to the nearest hotel, where my money and scrolls of teleportation were.
And on the way wrote a short message:
“Kira, maybe you'll leave the Albatrosses? Do not answer right away. Fish to your health. And yes - I am expecting first place!”
I took the scrolls. The money. I put my shoes on. I was going to follow the hellish trail. Before evening, there was a lot to do. And then the great division of trophies from Outland ....
But Vlas ... oh Vlas ....
He may not have betrayed me, but in my way, it seems he did. He focused on himself and no one else. If this is normal for him, then it would be for others as well. And he wondered why I was mad. After all, this was the second time already....
It was necessary to distract myself from such negative and unproductive thoughts. Otherwise I would distract myself from the goal.
All forces towards Tantarial!
A message from Malice.
"Ros, where are you? Time for the second session! Prepare for blood. I have news. Get ready and do not whine! I am already on my way ... where are you?”
What the hell? What news?
Chapter eleven.
The push.
Today I decided to stop being silent. I took a chance. And as soon as Malice and I were together, I, walking by the green sea under the yellow-black sky, asked:
"What kind of news?"
“Left,” said the battle mage of the Sleepless, spinning in place like a top and looking at the blue crystal flashing in his hand.
“Uh-huh.”
"Everything is settled," the wizard told me, and, choosing the direction, strode between the plants. I followed him.
Where we were? Oh, would not I like to know .... The name was simple: the Great Family.
We were in the midst of a giant field planted with sunflowers. Each plant was four meters tall, a flower of a sunflower the size of a satellite dish, directed at the sun. Here and there the seeds dropped from them, each of them the size of a large cherry.
So, on the whole, everything was clear. But in what part of the world Valdira existed a field of sunflowers, I did not know. And I did not know the monste
rs who lived here, who was the master and what kind of race was prominent. What remained was to rely on the mage of the Sleepless. He walked along the field politely and cautiously, although he could have cleared the way for half a kilometer with a single blow of mass magic. But he walked modestly, bowed under the leaves, stepped around the fallen seeds. I did the same, although it was already clear that there was no special taboo about eating or breaking the plants - otherwise I would have been warned.
"The news came to us recently,” Malice said. "The analysts expected this, although they did not believe it completely. You see, Ros, the problem is that a lot of days have passed since the chaos broke out after the announcement of preparations for the voyage to the lost continent. And the clan members quickly came to their senses, started their shipyards. The process continues— but now it is very sluggish. Do you understand? Before, all the clans gnawed each other's throats for this reason. And now they prefer to negotiate. A week ago, there were at least 25 attacks on the shipyard per day. Up to a hundred on freight trains. Up to thirty attacks per day on lumber yards, ore mines, rigging and sailing workshops. Players were dying in batches.”
“I understand,” I nodded.
Only a complete cretin could not foresee such circumstances.
“Ha,” agreed Malice. “Understandable for sure. And everything was to be expected. But the chaos was over too quickly. And now, as it happens, they will not attack anyone’s shipyard. And yesterday, no more than twenty caravans were attacked. They were carrying supplies and materials for the shipyards. And here is the result— life is not easy. But they say that Demons are going to speed up the schedule, Ros. Tear off a couple of leaves in the calendar. Personally, it does not directly concern you. Bonuses will speed up the work. What before was done in a day will be completed in twelve hours. And once they speed up the shipyards, it means that they can easily ... can you guess, yourself?”
"Speed up the departure date," I said slowly, glancing sideways at the large green leaf entirely covered with birds.
“Our people in the real world are already checked in on it. On many television channels. What is even more fun - three hours ago, the pirate fleet of Bloody Guademar and the fleet of Akulis the Black sailed straight to the equator. Do you follow?”
“Yes,” I nodded. “That’s bullshit. Are the pirates still only “local"?"
“Yeah. So, they can receive the order from the higher-ups.”
Both fleets mentioned by Malice were under the command of "local" leaders. And they were the largest of these compounds. The fleet is surface and underwater. Widely known for hating players. They hate treaties! And there are no agreements to be had! It is racism towards foreigners… of course, it is nothing personal.
"Therefore, Ros, here are two messages from the Baroness - be prepared for the fact that the date of the start of the ship race will be shifted to an earlier date.”
“That's bad.”
“Do not I know it, looking at your skill set.”
“And the second message?”
“It's time to sign a contract in real life. When will you be ready to accept some guests? She will come personally.”
“Who will come personally? The Baroness? To visit me in real life?”
“Yeah. She will personally arrive to the meeting. You will sign an official contract. You do have a good lawyer, do not you? If not - I can get you someone.”
“The Baroness visiting me?”
"Shall I pinch you?”
“Hmm…”
“Orbit, by the way, too, seems to be eager to meet you. But the Baroness decided not to turn the official meeting into a circus booth. Ros, this news is serious. She will ask you today about the day of the meeting. So be ready to give an answer.”
“I will remember,” I confirmed. “I will. But more money. I am not used to being poor.”
“Well, good. Fine. We will provide.”
“Malice, stop advertising the Sleepless. If a pretty girl with an angelic smile would say it, then I would go for it.”
"Heh," the wizard said.
"So where are we going?”
“To the magical portals. It's not too far.”
“And where will we teleport to?”
“Nowhere— you go into one door, you leave from another. But the price for this trip is big - five percent of your life. Forever.”
“Hefty…”
“For such a weakling like you… definitely.”
“But in exchange?”
"In exchange, you will receive a five percent increase for mana. You exchange red for blue. Well? Will you go through the removal of your spleen for the sake of a third eye in your forehead?”
“I will do it,” I did not really think about it. “It's worth it. As far as I can remember, almost all the magicians do it.”
“That’s true,” the mage nodded. “Myself, included. For us, mana is more important than life. But you have not yet perfected your own protective spells. At levels from one hundredth and higher, wizards mostly survive the loss of life, but you perhaps will not.”
“Well, what can you do about it? I am myself. And sometimes my swing is surprising.”
“True. And it was necessary to invest in characteristics of force.... Here we are. Come.”
Having broken through the thickets of sunflowers, we stopped on the slope of a small hill crowned with something like a two-pronged fork, protruding from the ground. There was a round tower circled by a spiral staircase.
Before me was what looked like two large mirrors with an oval frame. One mirror was a celestial blue, and the other was flooded with a purple red.
“In the blue you enter— from the red you leave. You will receive an increase to mana,” explained Malice. “If you do the opposite - you get the opposite result. The first door gives, the second takes away. Do not get confused.”
Without answering, I climbed busily onto the hillock, walked up the spiral staircase to the top of the tower, and with a short exhalation:
“All for the sake of mana!” Stepped into the blue of heaven.
Attention!
This action is irreversible!
Are you sure?
Yes/No
The answer was obvious.
There were several lightning-fast kaleidoscopic pictures, a blue clot of fog swallowed me whole, quickly reddened and pushed me out. Then I was at the top of the second tower, standing with my back to the red portal.
"And if I go in and out again?”
“You will not be allowed to enter any more,” answered Malice from below. Hurry up. We have more work to do. You will kiss the hand of a beautiful stone girl, after giving her a bag of seeds from this field. And a bag of gold coins. One hundred seeds. Two hundred coins.”
“Are you serious?”
“More than serious. Ros, you are walking a path that other players found before you. It is pretty much a highway. And it used to be the poisonous marshes.”
"Are you trying to make me feel guilty?"
“No. But you should act with respect and gratitude. And I also suggest, at last, that you go and help me collect the bag of seeds.”
“On my way… And I always showed respect. Even when the Sleepless were breathing down my neck. No offense, Malice. You were always so perceptive.”
“Thank you!”
“No need to thank me,” I panted, collecting the "fallen" seeds at the base of the giant sunflowers. “I already started shooting the pursuers. Whisper, for example.”
“He already complained. But do not feel so sorry for him. He dramatized himself for compensation.”
“Oops ... “ I muttered, not expecting that Malice would tell me.
“What oops? Whisper knows how to cry. Make himself seem so unhappy. Every time was a comedy! Returning from the job all dirty, wet, hung with ivy, limping, sobbing and tears smeared down his cheeks - yelling at Barat-Gadur so loudly that even the All-Seeing Eye began to frown! Squealing, groaning, moaning, tearing on the chest of the shir
t, ripping out his hair, stomping his feet, squelching his pendulous lips and sniffing his nose… Poor me, I defended Rosa in the swamp and almost got eaten, my equipment was torn, the chain was broken. Give me that very rare item from the clan safe. Woe is me, I followed Ros and I was shot, thrown in the dust. Give me something and more! Why do you give so little? Give more! Poor me, I rode with a mammoth and the whole crowd kicked me off, spat at me, and I infected everyone in a row! Give me crystal pots with mana! I am the most miserable, the most affected! Give me at least a magic apple, agility boosters! And why only one apple? Let me have a dozen - I am constantly in trouble! Constantly in danger! Poor meeee! Poor me! Fucking whiner!”
BA-A-A-A-A-AM!
There was a roaring wall of emerald-scarlet flame which rushed forward, and in one fell swoop, blew down a third of the field of sunflowers.
I remained silent - Whisper’s face was tense, his lips compressed. I kept my mouth shut.
Oh, Whisper ....
"Do you want any fried seeds?” Malice asked with exhalation.
“Not really.”
"Here's the scroll. We will meet on the main square of Bastiongrad.”
“Got it.”
“I will be waiting," said the battle mage, and melted into a flash.
Hm ... supply is always important. Would a professional thief be able to get pots of mana? But they were very expensive. As far as I know, for spies, there is generally no need for such volumes of mana - each pot holds one thousand five hundred units of energy. Whisper cannot possibly have that much.
Bastiongrad fully corresponded to its name. The city looked like the most protected fortress in the world. The rocky place, spanning at least five kilometers, was completely surrounded by the radius of a high fortress wall. The towers did not end, it seemed that they rose up every ten meters, and the entire city, from the side, looked like a bunch of pointed towers. Only two triangular gates, resting on narrow lift bridges, were thrown across a five-meter ditch filled with water. The water was full of living creatures. Different ones. Nothing united them but their gluttony and omnivorousness.
The protection was in connection with an old legend, to the last stronghold of Light in the great battle with Darkness. Allegedly, angels descended from heaven, shoulder to shoulder with the mortal races, and took upon themselves the monstrous impact of the demonic army of the Dark Rime.
The Way of the Clan 7 Page 22