Sapphire Swift was well prepared. The cloudy haze was pierced by dozens of multicolored rays emitted from the hands of the sailors assembled on her nose, who began to give loud corrections to the course.
Strong currents began to move apart- in the foaming water were seen the baring, clenched fangs of rocks, each of which could pierce the strongest hull. And then a purple platform, the size of a tennis court - a coral reef, rising above the water. The site was teeming with shallow water monsters - terrible centipedes with a length of three to four meters were fighting with translucent, luminous crabs and lobsters, and a giant mollusk, which appeared from the water, covered a couple of square meters of the reef. With a whisk of its tentacles, it got its paralyzed prey and again retired into the water. What a hellhole.... a soup of bloodthirsty mollusks seasoned with too much tabasco sauce. It a good thing that we passed by it.
"I command— Howl!” Came from the command bridge, and the loud roar of the flagship was heard. Still, Angry Ocean was not satisfied.
“I command— Herring!”
I became interested. And there it was… a barely discernible herring floated up to the side of the ship with a splash. It surfaced, alright, and was immediately enveloped in a greenish cloud of fetid miasma. Went bad…
And at that moment, all the bloodthirsty inhabitants of the small reef stopped devouring each other and fixed their sights on the rotten herring swaying on the waves. They rushed at it with great speed. But still they did not have time - from the depths appeared a narrow, black and glossy muzzle the size of a large refrigerator. It opened its mouth, consuming the rotten treat. Shmak! A huge harpoon with a chain flew into its face. Ten sailors hung onto the chain and the merry tug-of-war between the crew and the monster began - the latter was beating against the surface of the water with a reddish froth. A moray? A giant moray eel that was sitting somewhere in the trench and awaiting its prey? I would not like that kind of underwater tourism…
"Everyone is eating each other," the Baroness said quietly.
“I agree,” I nodded. “Like in real life.”
“Are you angry at me?”
"No," I confessed. “I am to blame, myself. A fur merchant is not obliged to teach the hunter how to properly remove the skin. But you did take all the remaining time from me, Busienok.”
“Do not call me that! What the hell is “Busienok?””
“I am sitting here and thinking - how will I have time to raise my level of mana to the right amount? And I sit, and I think, but at the same time I understand that you have already prepared a solution to this issue. What is it called? Marinating? First, I lost fifteen days, I fell into a daze, a stupor, a panic. I darted frantically about the deck, hour away frantically wondering how it is now to improve the situation, fell to his knees and beat his head against the board, howling at the moon in fog, my cheeks smeared with tears of sorrow. And all this time you watched as I marinated in the sauce, my mix of horror, anger and stupefaction .... you watched as I slowly softened, impregnated with hopelessness. And waited for the right moment to come, in the form of a shining savior, bearing gifts. And now I am ready— you can take me by the gills with your bare hands and make me an offer I cannot refuse .... and here you come, with your mysterious smile on your thin lips …."
“Hmm .... it is true, I’ve come, but you do not look very much like a fish,” the Baroness sighed. “Are you not taken by anything?”
“When you meet my father - you will change forever. My father is one of those who prefers to fix any tangle with one merciless blow. And that’s what his upbringing has done to me.”
“Really? My father is the complete opposite - he prefers to untie any knot, willing to spend any amount of time unraveling intricate loops. Or, he would find the one who tied the knot, and find a way to make him unravel his own creation.”
“Interesting,” I chuckled. “Well, where are your words of encouragement? Now is the time to pour balm on my open wounds.”
“One second... ahem .... Ros, what happened - it happened. What is there to worry about? I have a couple of options for how to get out of this situation, so that you will remain the Great Navigator, and our previous agreements will remain. Everything will stay as it is. The only change - we go a little earlier - a couple of weeks. You are not to worry, any problem can be solved, I will take care of.... Ahem .... it sounds silly, does not it?”
“For me - yes,” I said.
“It works on a lot of people,” grinned the head of the Sleepless.
“Was that your greatest desire?” I asked. “To go on the voyage earlier?”
“Yes,” the Baroness answered distinctly. “I spent a huge amount of money and energy on buying out ready-made powerful ships, and then spent even more money and energy on their modernization at the Ancient Shipyards, on equipping them with everything necessary. I spent money for the sake of the maximum acceleration of the largest shipyards, where the real monsters are built, and managed to launch them all in record time - this morning, the last giant one was completed, crushing a “local” shipbuilder. Overall, I did the impossible. And I am not going to be modest - it is true. And this is our advantage - we are ready before the others. Now the sails are rigged, the crews are boarded. The Sleepless are ready to go on a long journey. And it's not just about us - the other clans had already drawn up timetables for the real world. Most will leave work for a vacation, to fully concentrate on the great Tour. And if the journey starts earlier - they will somehow have to combine work here and in real life. They will suffer for it. Bad for them— good for us.”
“But I will suffer too,” I shook my head. “Soon, very soon, there will be an Amreeta here. An immortal will come to visit me. And take away the spell, because I do not have enough mana. Because I accelerated start of the Voyage, and before that, had a full month to pump my mana.”
“You had a month until the shipyards of the Ancients officially closed,” the Baroness corrected me. “Until the construction of new ships becomes virtually impossible. After that, you cannot just throw yourself into the campaign - at least five to ten days should be spent on training, maneuvers, final preparations, and so on. Otherwise, the campaign would turn into a senseless horror. So you still have time. You have not yet been visited by the evil angel. But the day before the final deadline, he will find you. He will drink jasmine tea and take away the ancient magic. I am sure that now, at least one is hovering over us,” the Baroness looked into the misty veil that darkened the skies. “Listening to us. And that is why he is not coming to you.”
“Because of you?”
“Because of me. Because of us. The Sleepless. We have already proven time and time again that we know what we're doing. They are not messing with our gameplay, because they assume we have a specific plan. But if we dally until the last moment and do nothing - they will take away the magic.”
“And what's your plan?” I asked with interest. I did not want to be deprived of the magic in the least.
“I want you to announce the beginning of the campaign within 24 hours,” said the Baroness, smiling at me like a predator.
“I am not ready for that.”
“I have reason for it,” assured the head of the Sleepless. “And so that you do not doubt my intentions, immediately after the signing of the contract, I am ready to transfer a considerable sum to your account. As a non-refundable, advance payment. Just in case if by some fault of ours you lose your Navigator powers.”
“You want to go to the lost continent tomorrow?”
“Yes, I want to go to Zar'graad tomorrow,” the Baroness confirmed. “And I am of sound mind and memory. Ros, the advantage should be used. Now, if I freeze on the spot, the other clans continue to increase their power at sea. I do not need extra enemies here, hundreds of miles from shore. If we go - then we go right now! And let the others catch up with us - if they can. Let them go in our wake.”
“You’re insane,” I delivered the verdict.
“Hmm ... this is ‘no'?"
“I have little choice,” I said. “And so I do not doubt your intentions - come and visit me. We will have a cup of tea without jasmine.”
“The aircraft is ready for take-off,” nodded the Baroness. “Once we get to Kvanton- I will fly to you. The plane is small, but fast. An experienced pilot. Visas are no problems. Lawyers are sitting on their suitcases, waiting for my signal. It is not the first time, Ros. Do not worry - I will come to see you at your house and even bring a present.”
“Well ... then I see no reason to refuse,” I shrugged. “When standing at the firing wall, the prisoner who is told “let’s go for a walk" happily goes in that direction.”
“Have I cornered you against the wall?”
“I pinned myself to the wall when I picked up so many things at once. And brought none of them to completion. And it was only my fault. But I am vindictive. I am. So after Zar'graad - I do not know how it will happen, exactly, but still - after Zar'graad, I will go to Tantarial. And guess - can you guess whom I will not take with me?”
“And here, you are insane. Thousands of players and hundreds of clans and even me ... and many others! And no one could do it! Over all the years!”
I shrugged again:
“I told you. I am vindictive. Do we have a long while to go?”
The Black Baroness was looking at me with the utmost attention, literally studying my face.
“Hm ... do you know something I do not know?”
“Think about Zar’graad,” I smiled widely. “The contract will be amended, Baroness.”
“What amends?”
“That if we fucked up with my mana, that if the Amreetas come to me, that if the spell is given to one of the Sleepless, the sum of my remuneration will then be increased by thirty percent.”
“What?!”
“What you heard. You tempted me and it was inciting. I agreed like a baby lamb. But if you screw up and I announce the campaign early in vain, if I lose my remaining days, and your plan for pumping my mana does not work - it's all your fault. Tears or not, you must pay. Add thirty percent. Deal?”
“Hm ... I should probably …."
“Deal? Why talk these confident words, if you mumble? Deal?”
“Deal! And my plan will not fail. However, you might not like it.”
“We will wait and see. I will see you at home. In real life. Well, where is your fleet? We have to be on time to Kvanton- Digratsy is waiting for you there, and he is long overdue for kick in the burning backside.”
“Soon, soon. Hmm ... you surprise me.”
“Oh, this is just the beginning. After talking with my father - the surprises will be a lot stronger and more frequent.”
“I will be glad to meet him. I have always been attracted by the strong personality. Well, the we have discussed the main thing. I will not lie, your increased appetites scare me. But on the whole, I am satisfied, and even happy. About your friends ….Their participation in the campaign.”
“Not only I promised, but also you did,” I said.
“Right. And they are with us - if they themselves want to join. But not on the flagship. Because it is the main striking force, it is my divine symphony, the embodiment of my ideal man, it's my Death Star! And the team must have the proper strength and training. You - you are a special case. You show us the way and we cannot demand more from you. But as for the rest ... let them swim with us, but on the supporting ships.”
“The main thing is their participation in the campaign,” I nodded “Nobody promised them a comfortable chair on the nose of the Sleepless flagship. That is fair. But not on the tail, either. Just behind the leader.”
“Just behind the flagship,” confirmed the Baroness.
“My daughter will be with me.”
“It goes without saying. Leaving her on the continent is just silly.”
“Kirea will also be with me. Also no other way.”
“Hm ... okay .... But maybe it's time to stop saying names?”
“Orbit?”
“Yes,” the Baroness shrugged. “He will definitely go with us - Zar’graad will be very int-t-teresting.”
“OK. And the pets, obviously.”
“It's not a problem. I have strict requirements for the team. There are enough cargo compartments. But for Kirea the Protectress I have requirements, Ros, I have to say.”
“Speak.”
“She should be of benefit to the fight. Her level is low, but her training is good. She really knows how to fight, and has lots of combat and tactical experience. But her level is low! Therefore, she should purchase hundreds of scrolls and other combat spells, high-end explosive and acidic potions, and dress in the best crafted gear. And let it all be generously spent and used in battle.”
“Fair.”
“In battle, even the most negligible of impacts may tip the scales in the opposite direction. A flagship is a major target. We will be constantly under attack.”
“I understand.”
“That's great. The schedule….”
“Schedule?”
“You're the Great Navigator. Therefore, you shall be going to the real world after everyone, and will be back before anyone. If there is no Decay ate - then sleep in Valdira, stay in the game excluding only the necessities of food, water, showers and other bodily necessities. This will be spelled out in the contract, and it is a tough call. But in addition to the contract, I look forward to your understanding and that you have to put in one hundred— no, three hundred percent.”
“Yes,” I promised. “Navigating - it is perhaps the main work of my life. In any case, up to this point. So I will give it my all.”
“And constant communication with you when you are in the real world. Really constant. A communication program should be active all the time, and the speakers and a microphone stand-ing next to your bed.
“And if I decide to have sex in my spare time will you watch? Will you listen?”
“We will. And we will mark the time,” snorted the Baroness. “But we won’t give advice. I am serious, Ros. If I urgently need the navigator - I do not want to have to dial a number. I just want to scream hysterically, “Ro-o-o-o-os!” And immediately get a response— albeit sleepy, even angry, but a response nevertheless.”
“Understood. Everything is accounted for.”
“I will give you a list of some vitamins, and some Chinese herbal supplements. I will give you the phone number. They are very expensive, but generally very effective.”
“What for?”
“A general tonic. And to delay the arrival of Decay.”
“You kidding?”
“Not at all. It delays the arrival of Decay twenty or thirty percent, and there were cases when some were able to spend a couple of days in Valdira. Order them today. They will be delivered by private jet straight from China tonight. But this is very expensive. I can throw in some money.”
“How much in total?”
“About thirty-five thousand dollars.”
“Insane!”
“And what did you think? You get a huge amount of money and spend nothing in return?”
“I need the money,” I said. “This just does not cut it.”
“Fine. Maybe then I will just order them? To be delivered to some neutral place where your people can take the package - in case you do not want people to know your address.”
“Agreed. I will send you the name of a cafe. They’ll pick them up from there.”
“Only for yourself? And for ... Kirea, for example?”
“No. I will not — do not want to put unnecessary toxins in her body. Let her sleep at home, reading books.”
“Hm ... yeah. You are a real man. Good. I will make the order within for two hours, so do not forget to give me the address.”
“I will.”
“Pay all your bills at once, Ros. In real life and in Valdira. Too many joint ventures collapsed because someone forgot to pay for the account or for the electricity. All bills must be paid.”
“Go to the doctor. Do not skimp. Complete a total inspection of the body. Prevention. Cleaning. Get a supply of medicines for diarrhea, colds, and so on. Let the doctor see you. It is necessary.”
“Got it. I will go. A good idea, by the way - I did not think about it.”
“No do not do vaccinations only! We had one moron ... got such an incredible vaccination, for wildly exotic sores and some diseases of the jungle. Valdira can go to the head! And he got a fever - from the effects of vaccination.”
“Clear. No vaccinations.”
“I forgot to mention about the water supply, food supply and clean clothes.”
“I will take care of this in advance.”
“I believe you. If I am missing something - I will say it in person. I have to go to the bridge - we have arrived.”
“Ok.”
With the Black Baroness gone, I was left in my place, thoughtfully scratching my head. That was a hell of a well thought out action…
While I stood there and thought, Sapphire Swift was slowly but surely moving forward. We passed an eroded, gnarled rock covered with brown lichen, went through a huge natural stone gate, rounded a jumbled red reef, and turned to the narrow clean water strip sandwiched between two clearly visible sandbanks. Below us floated a crowd of ugly wildlife. There, someone was constantly being killed and devoured.
After passing through a dense cluster of gray wet mist, the flagship turned, the team picked up a few more sails, the mages stepped forward with more spells, and the ship changed course, passing around something very large and dark, something resembling a strange gnarled wood atop the surface of the water. There were tall pines with branches that were too straight, over something rough, like an earthen mound or island.
A gust of wind scattered a little curtain of fog and, in a daze, I opened my eyes - ships! Ships standing in the fog! They were of a variety of sizes and shapes. Swift barely approached at a distance of a hundred meters, towards the "Forest", and one after another bright flashing multi-colored lights appeared, emphasizing the size of the armada assembled here. We heard the welcoming sounds of trumpets and pipes, knocking drums and ringing bells. Swift sent a ringing alarm. There were at least a hundred. The fleet had dramatically increased in size.
The Way of the Clan 7 Page 29