Change (The Stork Tower Book 3)

by Tony Corden

  Every hour she would stop and walk around the garden and then stretch for ten minutes before returning to her research. She had been reviewing material on and off for seven hours when Gèng interrupted and said, “The streaming of your day has commenced and garnered views from all over the world. The Snow Leopard attack has been shown from every angle, and the clip is going viral. Your dressing of the leopard is being analysed by various hunting worlds and Mĕi is an instant hit. The number watching the first showing has risen to over five million and is continuing to rise.”

  “Thanks, Gèng, but unless there is something which might help in the coming days I don’t really want to hear it.”

  “The Snow Leopard attack is being contrasted with the seamless performances of almost all the other contestants. The probability of you winning according to the bookmakers has decreased?”

  “What are the odds?”

  “Holding fairly steady at 400 to 1 win, 350 to 1 in the top three and 2 to 1 to be the first eliminated.”

  “Ok, so not much confidence in the public for a win; but I can’t blame anyone, I don’t have much either if I’m honest with myself. I’m going to have a very early breakfast and then duck into Cosmos Online before another day in Dunyanin. I hope to get access today to the Smith Grandmaster.”

  Diary - 7 December 2073

  Self-determination. This is something I have always wanted. I want to be in charge of my own life, my destiny, my future. I appreciate help, but I want the control. Does this make me prideful in a bad way? MIT offered to help me, to go above and beyond. They offered to take away some of my burdens. Should I have let them? I don't think so. It isn't pride. It is simple logic.

  I look back at the history of Australia and believe that we gave away our freedom when we made someone else responsible for our future. I've read all the explanations why we help people who are out of work, who struggle to feed their kids, who need health care, who have family in jail, who are disabled, who are old, and the list goes on. I believe it is good to help people and that it was great to have a community that cared. The problem is, I think that we not only accepted the help but we believed that the help was our right. We came to believe we deserved it. It stopped being a blessing and became a burden.

  People stopped looking for ways to solve their problems and expected someone else to solve them.

  But realistically I know we have to protect the weak from the strong. Protect the vulnerable from the predators, the wise from the foolish. Civilization does involve compromising our freedoms, but I believe we gave away too much.

  And then there are those who take freedom knowingly and willfully. The Kodomans of this world. I don't think I have a chance to win through to Merkize but I sure as hell want to make sure Merideath doesn't get there.

  It was weird to meet the other players. They filled their characters with a unique personality. Maybe I judge too harshly but I think I could tell what sort of people they are just by watching them stand there on the podium. Is that what I do? Am I really Atherleah as much as I am Leah? Can they tell what I'm like just by looking at me? I hope not. And if they can't, or shouldn't then neither should I. I'll have to give them all a second chance, except for Merideath. And that orc, the Russian, what a tool!

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  December 8, 2073

  Leah spent three hours in Cosmos Online, reviewing data and making plans. By the end of the day, when they met up with Banshee she hoped to have a clear plan on what to do and where to head. She took a minimal break and headed to Dunyanin. As soon as she appeared, she received another taxation report and 1000000 EP. Exiting the tent, she teleported to the gates of the settlement and asked if Ehil had returned. He had, and Leah was escorted to his Forge.

  “Welcome, Atherleah. I hear you’ve helped return the sword and reverse Durustfuar’s banishment. I was able to see the Smith Grandmaster, and he has agreed to see you. He sent one of the Forge Guards to lead the way. He’s ready to leave when you are.”

  “I’m ready now if you think he might be willing. I want to thank you for your help. Maybe I can help you in some way, is there anything that you need that I might find on my travels?”

  “Nay lass, the only thing I need is Mithryl to improve my Smithing Level. The Smith’s council parcels it out very carefully, and I can wait for the next piece.”

  Leah had a sampling of the various ores and reached into her bag and found a piece of pure mithryl about the size of two closed fists. She handed this to Ehil and said, “Please accept this as a token of my appreciation for your help these last few days.”

  “Atherleah, lass, this is more than double my yearly allotment. I should not accept it, but I will. Let me hide this in my vault and then I’ll introduce you to the Forge guard.”

  Ehil led the way to the nearest Tavern where the guard was staying while at the settlement. They arrived just as the guard was finishing his breakfast. His name was Korumak, and he was the widest dwarf Leah had yet seen. His level was 320 and his ginger beard was braided in seven full braids. Ehil introduced Leah and Korumak merely nodded, stood and said, “Right, follow me and keep up.”

  Leah followed the dwarf out of the mountain Keep and through the settlement. Once out of the settlement the dwarf turned and headed deeper into the hills. Leah walked for a while behind the dwarf and then stepped beside him and said, “If you need to move faster you can, or if you wish to point to a place on the mountain where you hope to reach this evening then I can meet you there.”

  He turned to her and said, “Listen elf, I was ordered to get you there and I will. I wasn’t ordered to talk with you or make nice nice. So how about we travel in silence.”

  “Half-elf!”

  Korumak just stared at her, and then yelled, “What?”

  “I’m a half-elf. Half-elf, half-human!”

  “I don’t care. Just button it.”

  “So where are we headed?”

  The dwarf scowled and pointed to a small break in the mountain up ahead. “If you’ll shut up we should make that break in the mountain by mid-afternoon. After that, I’ll point out the next place. Now let me be.”

  Leah said, “Of course! I won’t disturb you again. I’ll meet you there. Goodbye.”

  Before he could say anything, she teleported to the break in the mountain that he had pointed to. On arriving she could just make out his figure at the base of the mountain. She waved and then let Mĕi out and began looking around for any odd plants to harvest. She kept an eye out for any creatures and except for a few very low-level creatures that Mĕi dealt with she spent an hour collecting herbs. She could see the dwarf racing up the side of the mountain and figured she had another hour, so she set her mind on the peak of the highest mountain and teleported to the top. From here she thought she could just make out the vegetation changes that showed where the Hizli River was. Leah began to search the peak for any plants she might recognise or possibly somewhere to mine but she found little except some common herbs for healing and mana potions. Now and then she looked down toward the small gap or pass to see if Korumak was getting close. Finally, she saw him approaching and teleported down and sat on a rock to wait for his arrival.

  “What the hell do you think you are doing? I don’t appreciate your reckless behaviour in running off and putting both yourself and me in danger. Now get behind me and stay behind me.”

  “Look here Dwarf, I’m not sure what your problem is, but I am not yours to command. You’re here for my benefit, not the other way around.”

  He was about to say something when Mĕi approached to land. As Korumak grabbed for his crossbow, Leah equipped her bow and had an arrow nocked and aimed directly at him before his weapon had moved. She said, “Mĕi belongs to me, let go of the crossbow or lose the use of that arm. She is just coming to see what is going on.”

  Korumak slowly moved his hand away from the weapon as Mĕi stepped close to Leah for a scratch behind all three sets of ears. Leah said, “Now point out the next meeting spot or
better yet the destination. You are a grumpy, horrible travelling companion and I think I’d prefer to travel alone.”

  He was about to retort angrily but thought better of it and said, “Look, I’m sorry we got off on the wrong foot, but …”

  “Don’t be sorry for my behaviour, dwarf. You got off on the wrong foot, not we.”

  “All right! I got off on the wrong foot. I hate playing nursemaid. From here to the Forge usually takes visitors another day at least. If you stay with me, I will hurry along a different route which will get us there in three hours, if you can keep up.”

  “I can keep up.”

  He nodded and took off at a fast jog. Leah smirked and hurried after him. His pace was much faster than before, and he travelled a straighter and less meandering trail. She found that the pace was still less than when she travelled with V’fali. After an hour he turned to look at her, but she merely shrugged and waved him forward. They had crossed another valley and began making their way up the side of a fairly steep mountain. Rather than taking the winding route with switchbacks, Korumak headed straight up the side. Leah was beginning to tire but could see the sweat dripping off the dwarf, and hear his laboured breathing.

  After an hour jogging up the steep slope, Korumak slowed and together they walked over the final crest to see an opening in the mountainside with two dwarves standing guard. Leah called Mĕi to her side and transformed her into the statue before walking with Korumak to the entrance. After a cursory glance at Leah, the guards waved them through. Korumak led Leah through a series of tunnels which eventually led out the other side of the mountain and after another short climb to a second guarded opening. This time Korumeak not only had to explain his mission but he was asked to show a copy of his orders regarding Leah.

  Eventually, the guards waved them through, and Leah was led into the guarded Forge. As she crossed the doorway, a message appeared.

  Level 4 Named Personal Achievement

  First to enter an Elite NPC Area - Achieved (Opal)

  You are the first player to enter this Elite NPC Area ‘The Forge’.

  Reward 1: 50 EP x PL = 50 x 263 (+180%) = 36820 (1233230/1800000)

  Reward 2: 10 Silver x #L4 NPA (Opal) = 20 Silver

  Reward 3: 5 Fame Points (153760 FP)

  A Commemorative Plaque has been placed in your bag.

  As she was led deeper into the mountain, the sound of hammers on metal was able to be heard. The temperature, which had been chilly, increased to the point where she unequipped her winter coat. Leah was led into a small antechamber and asked to wait. She could see through the opening into an immense cavern with roaring fires and more than thirty dwarfs working at different forges, ovens and anvils.

  After maybe ten minutes an older, gruff-looking dwarf emerged. He said, “Welcome Atherleah, Ehil convinced me to talk with you and perhaps to help you. My name is Smith Grandmaster Sampiyon. Follow me to a more private place, and we can talk.”

  Leah followed him through the busy cavern and into a smaller room with a large worktable, several chairs, and locked vault against one wall. As they arrived, he pointed to a seat and then sat in the other. He said, “Ehil said you would be able to show me Merdiven and even greater wonders. He also said you had some ingredients that I would be a fool to pass up the opportunity to use in my forge. If I did not know him better, I would have laughed at the claim. For his sake, now is the time for you to show me some proof of his claims.”

  Leah equipped Merdiven and handed it over for Sampiyon to examine. Minutes later he said, “Now show me even greater wonders.”

  Leah removed Baris and Adalet from her bag and handed them over. This time Sampiyon spent over ten minutes with each sword, examining the detail and even making a few notes. Finally, he said, “I don’t suppose there are any greater wonders than these?”

  “Indeed there are Grand Master, but first, let me show you a sample of materials I have to draw on and then hopefully we can discuss my requests.”

  “That sounds fair. Please show me these amazing materials that Ehil assures me I simply must have.”

  Leah removed the rolled up skin of an Adamantine Mamba as well as several Fangs. She then brought out some of the dragon bones as well as some of the scales collected from the two dragons. Alongside these, she placed a sampling of vials including elemental fire, lightning, darkness and basilisk poison. She added a large piece of Adamantine and several pieces of Mithryl. He looked at everything before saying, “Ehil spoke truly. I would give much to work with some of this. You have had the most extraordinary fortune to gather these materials.”

  “Grandmaster, that is only a sample of what I have gathered. I can add numerous jewels, ore and multiply the amount of everything I have already revealed. I have one more thing to show you, and then I will share my proposal?”

  “Surely! I imagine that I am to be swindled for the opportunity, but you have the upper hand.”

  Leah took out the armour made by the dragon and placed it before the Grandmaster. He reached out and examined it in detail, turning and twisting it. He studied the helm and considered its characteristics. He said, “This is the most amazing armour I have had the privilege to examine. It was forged and constructed in a manner I have never seen.”

  “It was made by a dragon, with dragon magic, from dragon scales. It is wonderful, but I cannot use it at the moment. I would like you to construct some armour and weapons for me using the ingredients I have brought. I suggest that whatever you need I will provide and in payment will give you an equivalent amount of raw material. Also, I would like to stay here while you make the armour and weapons. I need to leave in twenty-eight days at the latest. While I am here, I would like to learn the Smithing skill. I have two pets or companions and would seek assurance that they will be unharmed during my stay. I can bargain if you wish, in which case take the starting amount as a small lump of adamantine and a small basket of dragon scales. I think I’d prefer to have a simple agreement, however.”

  “I concede that the payment is indeed sufficient. I fear that you will not learn much in the time you are here but I will most likely need the full twenty-eight days to complete the armour. Further, and please understand that this is not bargaining, how might you pay for the privilege of training with some of the best Smiths on Vatan?”

  “I will give you, and you only, limited access to a book of designs I have acquired.”

  “Nothing surprises me today, but I cannot think of any design book that might be sufficient for such lessons. I would rather be paid in coin or materials. Twenty-eight days training will cost you twenty-eight platinum.”

  “Deal. I accept.”

  “Then let us get started. I believe it best to leave the armour until later. Using the forge will almost certainly increase the size of your shoulders and arms. Also, making the simpler weapons first will reduce wastage and allow me to practice with these materials. There is easily enough Adamantine skin. How much of the dragon bone do you have?”

  “Would you believe I have more than enough of both? It is not wise to give out too much information.”

  “What types of pets have you?”

  “I have a female Air Chimera and a baby Dragon.”

  Sampiyon placed his head in his hands and said, “We have only just met and already I have a headache. Nevertheless, you have a deal. I need a large drink, and some time to recover my wits, before we discuss what weapons you need. I will have you shown to a set of rooms with access to the outside. I suggest your pets remain in the rooms or outside. There are numerous small animals in the inner ring for them to hunt for food. If not, you will be allowed to roam wider to hunt for them. If you leave this inner circle of peaks, then I must insist you take a guard with you.”

  Sampiyon called for a servant, and a young dwarven girl came and agreed to show Leah to an outer level suite. Sampiyon said, “Come tomorrow at nine, and we shall begin.”

  Leah closed the door to her suite and logged out.

  Arriving ba
ck in the tower she exited for breakfast with the family and then met again with John and her parents. She discovered the rest of the money for new pods had been deposited, and the bosses would send the new people the following Monday at eight. The bosses had also sent a list of applicants for the committee to consider. After a little discussion, her parents agreed to do most of the work sorting through the various candidates but insisted Leah be present for any interviews and chores. Afterwards, she spent an hour working at chores with the others.

  Logging into Dunyanin, she unloaded the dragon egg and made her way out of her suite. Korumak was waiting outside and said, “I’ve been appointed your main guard. I’ll show you to the eatery, my office and then to the main forge. If you plan to leave the safety of the mountain, please come and get me.”

  Sampiyon was waiting for Leah, and she showed him her various weapons. She wanted a bow, multiple arrows, knives, two Haladies, several spare swords, a pair of short-handled axes and a crossbow. Sampiyon took measurements of her hands and arms, and they discussed best weight, length, designs and decoration. Sampiyon suggested they send for an elven master enchanter he knew and have her provide each item with various additional characteristics.

  “I’ve dwarven Smith Mages who can add the main characteristics to each weapon and piece of armour, but the enchanter can add spells and defences. Whenever I’m designing an epic work, she comes and helps with design and stays for completion. I usually pay her one platinum per day, can you afford another twenty-five or so platinum?”

  “I can. Tell her to bring her most powerful spells and enchantments, and I’ll pay two platinum a day if she will also help teach me a few enchanting skills.”