I’m walking down the empty street and looking nervously from side to side. Just like in bad spy movies. Where is this damn store already?
All that I had imagined— this was of course the worst case scenario. The worst of all. But when I thought of how they pumped Kira with unknown drugs, and rammed Gosha’s car that night, my step quickly accelerated.
The shop was where I had expected it to be, and soon I had a large bottle of mineral water and some food. And the phone with a new SIM card, and a small amount of money in the account.
I dialed the number and heard the dial tone, and soon heard a familiar and neutral sounding voice:
- Hello?
The number was unfamiliar to her…
- It’s me! – I couldn’t think of anything more intelligent.
- You!
- Yeah— I said— How are you?
- I’m gonna! I’m gonna…
- Kiss me? – I suggested, feeling a smile spread over my face.
- Kill you! Ros! How could you?!
- What have I done? – I was amazed. Maybe they had already found out about my escapades with the clan “Unable to Sleep.”
- Should I list the things? – came the hurt answer— I can! You turned off your phone! Didn’t call me! Didn’t write! Blocked my messages in Valdira! And you promised to call! Just yesterday! There! Aren’t you ashamed?
- Very— I answered honestly, because I had really promised to call, but the game had detained me longer than I had planned— I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you.
- I thought the worst! From your fiery death – to a mistress!
- O-o-oh— I held out— So my death is nothing special, no big deal, but a mistress is the worst case scenario?
- Yeah!
- I cannot possibly have a lover— I sighed, holding the water bottle between my knees and trying to put the cap back on with my free hand.
- I’m glad! And why is that?
- Because I’m not married— I answered.
- Well…
- I was in Valdira— I hurried— There was a lot that happened there. Sorry, Kira, honestly I didn’t want everything to get so ugly. I mean it— I’ll make it up to you.
- With what? – asked Kira— How will you make it up?
- Whatever you say— I chuckled— Kira… listen.
- Hm?
- I have a question for you. An important one. A serious one.
- Hm… maybe we can meet? There you can ask the question— after I kill you and curse over your remains. The apartment is free. Well, the one we were in then. You’ll come?
- Yes— I said without hesitation— When will you be there?
- Already leaving— she said cheerfully— I’m home. Just have to get dressed and that’s all. Will be there in an hour.
- In an hour?! But you only have to get dressed!
- Exactly! That is fast for me!
- In half an hour— I said somewhat impatiently.
- Okay— Kira easily agreed— I want to get to you so badly that I won’t even argue. Still, you’re just… just…
- Don’t be mad— I said— I’ll cook you a gorgeous breakfast.
- And lunch and dinner— said Kira firmly.
- Okay.
- Good. By the way… whose number are you calling from?
- My own. Just bought it. Don’t even think about giving it to anyone.
- I wasn’t going to – said Kira in an offended tone— And why did you… anyway, let’s talk on that later. I’m going to get ready. When we meet, we’ll talk. Kisses!
- Kiss…-- I only had time to say, and the connection was lost.
She’s quick… a quick talk, but my heart was already lighter.
I hadn’t quite finished my thinking, but I will have time— it is necessary to clarify the most important things.
And I’ll start with Kira. Time to deal with all of the unknowns.
The cab driver was silent and completely focused on the road. Which I was completely satisfied with— the road was long, and I still had time to think. There was no “thinking wall” here but the current of thoughts was not obstructed by this. I would see Kira soon, so my head was temporarily set dree of thinking of the extravagant Trouble.
Taking advantage of this respite, I turned on my old cell and checked the inbox. I checked it and just as quickly turned it off without waiting for someone to call and discover that it was on again.
Looking at the mobile, I was somewhat stunned. A whole bunch of messages. From people I know… that’s good. And to be specific…
Six messages from Vlas. He’s still looking hard for me.
A few from old friends, who I had met with that evening at the restaurant.
Four messages from Kira. Understandable.
Six messages from Elena… now that’s unusual. After my divorce, my ex wife didn’t write me a single message, nor did she call me. And now suddenly this. Six messages… I read them and was even more puzzled.
The first message from her was simple.
“Rostislav, I called you twice.” A standard message from my ex— one I had certainly seen before. Back in the days when we first started dating. This meant that Elena had called me, realized that my phone was switched off, and expressed displeasure in a disguised form. Its implied message was that I should call back immediately.
Next came more messages… “Rostislav, be so kind as to call me.” “Rostislav, call.” “Rostislav, this is impolite!” As always, her messages formal and confusing. As though she can’t just write simple: “Hey! I cannot get through! The phone is cut off. As soon as you read this, give me a call immediately!” But no.
Elena cannot say this. It’s not in her nature.
I wasn’t going to call her for sure.
In the first place, I didn’t want to talk. Secondly, I didn’t want to involve more people in the unfolding events. No reason for it.
And why did she need to talk to me so suddenly? Certainly not so that I could help her hang curtains or move a dresser. Had there been a leap of jealousy at the sight of Kira? Hmm… maybe. I couldn’t think of any other answers. Well, let her be jealous— a day or two, and it’ll wear itself out.
The most recent messages were from my mother and father. Three of the mother and one from father.
My mother’s messages were in her usual affectionate manner, asking why I did not write and did not ring. Interested if everything is in order and if everything is alright with my finances. My conscience was immediately stung. What kind of son am I…
My father was brief. “Son, your mother worries. Not good. Awaiting report to home base”
Damn… of course he can’t just write: “Son, we are worried! Call!” But no… “Awaiting report to home base.” And it’s always been like this! Right from the start!
Dad— himself the homebase.
Mom— the mothership.
The sun— a cabin boy. From birth right up until now.
The kitchen— the galley.
My room— the cabin room. Where everything must shine!
Bedroom of mother and father— the captain’s cabin! Nothing to do for a cabin boy there!
Instead of “show me your report card, sonny” he always said “present the logbook, cabin boy.”
And if it wasn’t all A’s then things began to get bad…
A sailor must know math perfectly well, so he can calculate the way home and bring the ship to port!
A sailor must know the Russian language well to be able to express himself clearly and accurately!
A sailor must know foreign languages to better communicate with the enemy!
The sailor must run faster and jump higher than a land rat! Because you’re not a land rat, you’re a sailor!
The seafarer must be able to stand for himself and honor the motherland!
He must have a strong body, not the convex belly of a slacker! Twenty pushups!
And these kinds of boring sermons continued until I brought home a card wit
h an A in chemistry and, jabbing my finger on the mark, blurted out: “A sailor must know chemistry very well, so he can make a bomb and send this damn ship right to hell!” After that, my father didn’t speak to me for a month… a good month it was… quiet and calm.
How many times I had run away from home… but always returned. Since my mother, unlike my severe father, was soft and panicked early.
Memories of a happy childhood… oh…
I couldn’t continue my mental reasoning— we had arrived.
After paying, I flew up the stairs and pressed the call button. Inside the apartment came a ring, a heavy door immediately opened, and Trouble stood in front of me.
She appeared and I was immediately dealt a fatal blow. In the sense that Kira instantly poked me in the ribs and muttered
- That’s for the secrecy! Kiss! More! And more!
- Hey! We are standing in the stairwell! Maybe we’ll continue inside?
- Eh! Inside there shall be disassembling! I’ll disassemble you for spare parts!
- What for? – I asked, openly admiring her, dressed in a loose summer sundress.
Trouble is so beautiful, that it’s just trouble…
All my clever ideas immediately lost…
- There are reasons! For starters— here!
A sheet of paper was thrust into my hand, we kissed again, and Kira dragged me into the apartment by my hand. Hardly time enough to close the door. Stepping after Kira I looked mechanically at the paper.
It was printed on a flyer. Professional and colorful.
After reading the first few lines, I stopped short and, pulling Kira to me, embracing her waist, croaked dumbfoundedly:
- What the…! What is this…!
- Exactly!
The paper read as follows:
Lizanna the Ravishing in the Dungeons of Darkness!
The intrigue grows!
Passions increase!
HE WAS RUNNING!
The villain made a daring escape from the royal prison, marking his way with innocent blood!
Hiding in the grim darkness of the dungeon, the dark wizard regained his strength, surrounded himself with an arm of demons, conducted his dark rituals and…
He SUCCEEDED!
Lizanna was KIDNAPPED!
With his nasty dark magic, he twists the mind of the Island Queen, intending to recline with her in a bed of roses and lilies…
He won’t back down! He will get his way! He THIRSTS for her!
Soon! The hit continues!
LIZANNA AND THE DARK WIZARD!
Will the wily villain get his way?
Will the valiant troops led by the knight Augustus the Serene interfere with his plans, as they descend into the dungeons of Algora in order to find the villain, punish him, and release Lizanna?
WILL THEY BE IN TIME?
After all, if they are not… the dark wizard will put his paws on the luxurious body of Lizanna and turn her into his toy for the pleasures of love…
On whose side is fate this time?
You will know very soon!
Filming has already begun!
Coming soon!
Super hit!
Erotic drama!
LIZANNA AND THE DARK WIZARD!
Under the beautifully executed text were located a few illustrations in the shape of a triangle.
At its peak— Lizanna, wide eyed, in a torn dress, seductively pressing her hands to her ample bosom. Apparently frightened, but still hyper sexy.
In the lower right corner— tall and broad shouldered, square jawed knight with dazzling blue eyes and lush wheat hair. Apparently, Augustus the Serene… a real stallion.
And in the lower left corner— I. Myself. Strapped to a pole with many ropes and chains, with an angry expression and frowning eyes, my mouth in a wry grin, fingers curled. Next to me was the inscription: “The Dark Mage,” with letters colored with black streaks and bloody crimson.
- Well, Dark Mage – Kira purred as she clung to me— So, you’re thirsty then? And are going to lay in a bed of lily petals? Explain…
- Of course not! – I was indignant— What the hell? I wasn’t going to capture anyone.
- But, you thought about it!
- Well, yes, just now! When I read the poster! Damn! Lizanna and Augustus are the last people I need. To hell with them, together with this erotic drama.
- So anyway, dark wizard! If you plan to capture… then I’ll just… just… no help of Augustus the Serene will be required!
- I’m not going to capture anyone!
- What about recline?!
- And I will certainly not recline either! Ugh! I tell you— I didn’t know about this at all! O-o-oh… as if I hadn’t any other problems! Where did the poster come from, anyway?
- The second day I see it in the network. Fans of Lizanna tearing to pieces with excitement. I looked on their website— said Kira— In search of materials about the dark mage. It said that the director had already gone down into the catacombs of Algora and started the preliminary shooting. Also pointed to negotiations with the actor in the role of the dark mage, whose arrival we had witnessed in the brief episode during a procession through the city! Ros! I’m serious! I won’t forgive you!
- But I wasn’t going to do any of that! I wasn’t aware! And no one negotiated with me! So calm down! Let me kiss you!
- Mm-m… I’m serious!
- I’m serious too!
- Well… damn…
Standing on the balcony, I looked thoughtfully at the panorama of the city and thought, looking at the stars. The white sparks were almost invisible. Not like in the Far North… but right now, my biggest problems weren’t to do with poorly visible stars.
All day. I had been here for the whole day. Time passed by unnoticed, but it was very nice. Kira was splashing in the bath. In the kitchen hissed a heaping plate, giving off aromas of fried chicken. Another five to seven minutes, and we can eat. A very very late dinner. The time was now almost two in the morning.
Yeah… time passes fast when you’re having fun. I didn’t even notice the day pass.
The telephone was off— including the home phone. No worries— no distractions, like a gaming cocoon in the middle of the floor. Nothing at all reminiscent of the game.
The soft light of a lamp, the soft mutter of the television, and Kira and I talking about various trifles… cozy atmosphere for sure. But… but I haven’t spoken to her about the main thing. I haven’t even touched on the topic. But it directly affects Kira— if things were to get ugly, then people could easily find out about my relationship with Trouble. And then all depends on the seriousness of these people…
And maybe her dad is a big shot, but this wouldn’t necessarily stop them. More so— Kira hadn’t even been warned. In any case, she wouldn’t be able to tell her dad. And not her mom Lena. Because if they find out, then our games in Valdira end once and for all. Which is probably reasonable— what kind of game is it, when people come to you in the real world and stick a needle in your arm? That’s not a game anymore.
That’s how fun the games of the modern world are now. And where is this world heading?
The problem is a very long-standing one and just as unsolvable as before. Over the years it only gets worse. And more criminal.
The concept of “clan” has now acquired a totally different connotation. Now your gaming clan helps and protects you not only in the game itself, but also in the “real” world. That is quite reasonable. How else to go about it, if a very powerful magical in the game is, in reality, a bespectacled man without the slightest hint of muscle? And when a battle is waged for a great income… here one needs to protect this very man. To treasure him. And if there are problems— to solve them. Brains won’t win against a massive crowd. This isn’t a movie. And not Valdira. And the rule of “breaking in” in the real world no one has yet repealed. Therefore, the clan is no longer a place for friends, joint raids, and parties. Now it is also a refuge.
The Al
batrosses— a vivid example. After the recent bearings, for example, the clan quickly located the offender and resolved the problem. Knowing Vlas and myself, in the past, I have an idea of how this “resolving” would take place.
This is a real clan which protects its members in both worlds. What the Sleepless are capable of I don’t even know… probably a lot. In any case, I don’t know very much about them. It used to be that on the front page of the clan sites was always written something like: “We are from Moscow!” “Our core—Yekaterinburg,” “We’re from…,” “We are waiting for everyone in…” or the like. No more of this. And no more annual gatherings of players— anyway, not within Valdira. No one rents a pub, café or room “just for Valdira players” and they do not organize local gatherings, meetings, or juries.
Because at such gatherings it is very easy to learn a lot, to sniff out connections. That is, to draw parallels between a specific character and a specific person. There are still some rallies— but they are rare, and irregular. Made up of ordinary, low level players— but not clans. There is nothing to lose. No one needs them anyway. But for the rest, this is fraught. You cannot shout to the wind that in Valdira, you are Master Chrome selling nice swords for real bucks. Because you will quickly find those who calculate that you have already sold about two hundred apiece, including other weapons, and that it’s time to pay you a visit in the real world. And then what happens next depends on a lot of different factors. Either a burglary, or a complete siege. Who needs it? Exactly. And so right now, the main unspoken rule in Valdira is ANONYMITY. Ask what someone’s name is in the real world… either they won’t answer, or they will lie, or send you straight to hell. Again— there are those who will happily respond. Right down to their current address…
In any case, as related to me, it all had a negative connotation.
I didn’t comply with the main rule.
Many people know that Rosgard is Rostislav. I know these three directly. Gosha, Vlas, and Kira. I think, that this isn’t where the list ends.
Shaking my head, I forced myself to move away from these abstract thoughts. I needed to solve real problems. And I was questioning well-known truths. Why?
The Way of the Clan 4 (World of Valdira) Page 14