The Way of the Clan 4 (World of Valdira)

by Dem Mikhaylov

  - Quiet! – I hissed like a viper— The neighbors will thing that I am here abusing you in all sorts of strange ways. And god forbid Mama Lena has not yet pulled away from the house!

  - Ros! Ros!

  - Quiet I said! Why are you yelling?!

  - You’re the Navigator!!!

  - Uh-huh. And Kira— this conversation is just between us. I told you not as a paladin faithful to the Albatrosses, but as my girlfriend. So not a single word to anyone… Hey! Are you even listening?

  - You’re the Navigator! Oh my God, oh my God!

  - Yes, the Navigator! Maybe I should spank you, so you will come to your senses!

  - I’ll spank you!

  - Oh! You’re awake!

  - Ros! You’re the Navigator!

  - No, not awake yet. I’ll have to spank!

  - Ros, Ros, Ros! Wow! You…

  - I am really going to have to roll you up in a carpet! – I was angry— Stop behaving like a damn parrot!

  - You shouldn’t roll women into carpets!

  - You are not a woman! You are the death of me! Stop yelling! It’s nighttime! Did you hear what I said, about being quiet about it? Not a word, Kira. I just told you… of our friends…

  - And not of the very closest ones? – immediately caught Trouble. Seems like, she was recovering from shock.

  - Well… I was recently captured— I sighed— We are robbing a house one minute, and the next are taken in by surprise. The whole gang caught red-handed. Something like that…

  - Ros, you got into someone’s house?! To rob them?! What! This is a crime…

  - That’s in “real” life! – I said— Are you ok? There, in Valdira!

  - Phew… -- said Kira, reassured and then gasped again— Still bad!

  - I’m not a damned paladin! I am a poor magician! A bit of a thief…

  - Who took you? Why’d you tell? Who did you tell it to? – the questions continued.

  - Stop!! Stop! The coffeemaker is jammed! Let me explain everything myself!

  - Ros, you’re the Navigator!

  - Are you listening or not?!

  - Listening!

  - So— I began slowly collecting my thoughts— I’m going to tell you an interesting story.

  - Ros! Damn it!

  - I said, wait— I’m thinking!

  - Think faster!

  - Here’s the first puzzle— why Lizanna’s birthmark is not on her left, but on her right… Heh! Eh! You’re… you’re chok-king me! I’m kidding! Oh… Kidding! Wait, Kira. SO…

  Well— it was high time to explain myself.

  In any case, time was not playing in my favor— I was sure that the black background in the hotels of Valdira was developing more details. Soon my leg will appear— by which it is possible to find out very much. Whether the player is a man, and not a half orc or a gnome. And the clues would only increase in number.

  So I needed to talk. Maybe the storm in my head would subside.

  Talk. But not confess.

  Some things I would still withhold. For example, the fact that I found the unique spell in a pond. And that I found it at the time I was first waiting for Kira.

  There’s no point in giving Gosha this information, if it is to reach him. Better that he doesn’t even get a glimmer of the thought: “If not for me, you wouldn’t have even been there!” Many players pass through that place every day, but Gosha would not hesitate to use any and all information to his advantage.

  Therefore, I would say that I found the plate in one of the nearby rivers of Algora. I passed a lot of rivers close to Algora, and thankfully I still remember many of their names. Sort of like I was swimming, and tripped on the tablet stuck in the mud. And then accidentally read the inscription.

  Although… no, I wasn’t going to lie.

  It’s impossible.

  When the picture of my achievement manifests fully, many will be able to identify the cute beaver pond. And Kira would find out I lied to her. Therefore, better to remain silent. I found it and that’s that. What’s the difference where? There’s nothing there anymore.

  About the Silver Legend I also wasn’t going to talk. It doesn’t apply to the business of being the Navigator. It is my personal headache. And my personal dream.

  And I also won’t talk about Orbit Crystiliano— that he is the brother of the Black Baroness. Many already know, maybe it isn’t even a secret. But in any case, I didn’t want the information to come from me. I didn’t want to appear as a talker.

  - Ro-o-s! – Kira reminded me of her presence at my side.

  - Yes— I woke up from the thought— Listen…

  I spoke for a long time.

  Mostly due to the fact that I didn’t rehearse this history. For, until recently, I was going to tell absolutely no one about the mystery of the Navigator. I stumbled and stuttered on every word, but somehow dragged myself to the conclusion— about how I concluded the conversation with the Baroness and fell out of the cocoon into the real world.

  Kira listened attentively and was surprisingly quiet. And most importantly— she didn’t ask endless clarifying questions, which I feared so much.

  - … so that’s how it goes— I spoke, relieved, and leaned back. Kira had already firmly nestled into my lap and was now thinking hard. Digesting the information that seemingly fell from the sky.

  Realizing that she was not going to budge or say anything, I carefully added:

  - My throat went dry. Maybe a cuppa tea…

  - In the kitchen— mechanically replied Kira— Take it. But don’t move. I’m thinking.

  - Take from the kitchen, but don’t move?! You playing ?!

  - Well I’m thinking!

  - And what am I, an accessory to thinking?! And artifact? Do I add points?!

  - Only nerves! You, Ros, never fail to get into such situations!

  - Look who’s talking! I’m gonna call Mama Lena and as a dedicated member of Lena’s party will report on recent developments with the syringe!

  - Lenin’s? Just try it!

  - Well, her name is Lena… ahem…

  - By the way, about Lenas and Elenas… did your ex call her? You didn’t meet with her right?

  - Why?

  - Because! Because she seemed a bit excited to see you! That’s it! Took off her ring— lost her husband! An ancient Russian proverb!

  - There is no such saying! And anyway, what does my ex have to do with anything? We are talking about the Navigator and about my father!

  - No.

  - What no?

  - I won’t let you go— Kira shook her head, whipping away strands in her face— I don’t want to!

  - Kira, I also don’t want to. But you understand— not everything always depends on what we want.

  - You’ll dump me and leave?

  - Come with me – I shrugged casually— You can meet my mom. I’ll show you the ships.

  - And your dad?

  - He’ll meet you himself— I promised— Will you come?

  - They won’t let me go— sincerely sighed Kira— They won’t let me. I won’t even ask my mom, brother shouldn’t have a say anyway, I’ll somehow get dad to agree, but Mama Lena… I remember there was a case when I wanted to go to a ski resort with the girls. First, everyone in the family said— “Well yes, of course! Go and strengthen your body and spirit!” And then Mama Lena came into the dining room, put the pie on the table and said: “And whose is it?” And everyone chimes in right away: “Forget those skis! You’ll fall, break your leg!” So no… they won’t let me. Give me another option!

  - There are no other options!

  - There is! Rent an apartment or house and lay low! And I’ll lay with you!

  - At the bottom?

  - At the very bottom too!

  - I already rented a house— I sighed— And what’s the point? It’s only scarier!

  - That means, you weren’t in the right place— didactically said Kira— Not a house. To ensure safety of the house is too expensive. It must be kind o
f like Gosha’s. Only a little more expensive. And more serious. With security at the bottom. With an alarm in the apartment directly outputting a signal to the gaming cocoon. Video surveillance cameras installed at the door and in the hallway. We should have two apartments side by side or opposite each other. In one, ourselves— in the other a few guys from the riot police or a security company taking shifts. To communicate with the network via satellite and autonomous generators in the basement. And most importantly— a house in which important people have lived. Those who are also always under guard. That’s all. Then, not to stick our noses in the street. Turn off the phone. No communication and no internet. Only Valdira. This is an option!

  - U-u-uh…

  - What?

  - Kira… my joy… where do you know all this from?! And in such detail!

  - What? – the girl was surprised— We have a lot of friends. Some of them live just like that. Constantly.

  - What kind of friends?!

  - Mostly friends of my father. We were just visiting. Politicians, businessmen. And not only they live like that now. Some gaming clans have entire buildings! Headquarters! Rumor has it that some clan bought a whole bunker— from the survivalists. But this is too much. In any case— do you think you’re the only one who has something to fear? Look at Gosha trembling! Why do you think he went to the gym and to do martial arts? Because he is afraid!

  - Gosha trembling? Gosha is afraid? The first time I hear he’s engaged in martial arts! Damn! And I wanted to punch him! That would have been fun…

  - He does! He is the treasurer, Ros! He has full access to all the repositories and conditional access to the treasury of the clan. You know how much is stored in one clan warehouse? No less than twenty or thirty thousand dollars if sold on the black market! And so Gosha is afraid! And in recent memory, the warehouses only filled! Until you appeared… now everything is sold, and the money is going to the construction of ships. Overall— the clan is losing money before our eyes. And why?

  - Why? – I asked.

  - Because of you! Just kidding! But this is very serious, Ros. Very serious. Now I understand why you disappeared from your apartment. But you did everything all wrong. So how do you like it?

  - Like what? – I was confused. Kira so quickly jumped from topic to topic that keeping up was quite difficult. Especially with an extremely attractive girl sitting on my lap.

  - How do you like my version, Pinocchio?

  - What’d you call me?

  - Pinocchio!

  - Why’s that?

  - Because you’re a bit wooden, but with a golden key to Zar’graad!

  - Listen, you! I’m gonna…

  - I’m kidding! How do you like it?

  - Your version ? Your version is cool , but this option clearly does not fit for me!

  - Ros, enough playing the fool!

  - I am not playing. Money. Everything depends on exactly that. I’m almost broke now. I have enough for a ticket and delivery of my things to the home city, but for an apartment lease— no. So, that won’t fly.

  - Pay advance.

  - Hmm?

  - An advance— when you agree to lead the fleet of a clan— explained Kira, thoughtfully fingering a strand of hair— In theory, you’re rich.

  - And as poor as a rat in the nursery— I laughed, involuntarily thinking about her suggestion— Hmm… again, no one to take an advance from yet. I haven’t decided yet. I’m so indecisive!

  - Huh? And what about me?

  - What about you?

  - About me you’ve already decided, right?

  - With you, yes.

  - What yes?

  - I figured it out!

  - How exactly?

  - I have to admit my love to you?

  - Uh-huh.

  - Then will you go with me?

  - Again?! Ros! You can settle here quite nicely!

  - Expensive! And there is no money!

  - Hm… I can arrange it.

  - How?

  - Easy— waved Kira, looking at her disconnected cell lying of the coffee table— A few calls and everything is organized. There are people who deal in this sort of thing. They will take care of it.

  - And where do you know them from?

  - I don’t know. Dad knows. But I’m not gonna call him at night! I’ll call in the morning, get the numbers, ask him to call the person and let him know I’ll call him… then I’ll call and get all the details. The amount, the due dates and so on. But with conditions!

  - What conditions?

  - We live together! That’s one!

  - I’ll think about it.

  - Ros!

  - And the rest of the conditions?

  - I’ll list them later. So do you agree or not?

  - Let’s do it this way— I sighed— I call that man myself and come to an agreement. I want to know how much he’ll ask for.

  - For us, it will be cheaper! Really!

  - Listen, Kira. Stop, I said, stop! Calm down! Well! Listening? Okay… listen, I still haven’t heard from you about what you think… about the fact that I’m not going to go with the Albatrosses. With your clan.

  - What does that have to do with it?

  - What do you mean?

  - Business is business. That’s one. You are you. That’s two. That’s all.

  - I don’t understand.

  - Wow you are stupid!

  - Kira!

  - Firstly, I am pleased that my man is not an idiot and aren’t going to sell yourself short.

  - “My man”? – I muttered under my breath. Something jumped in my chest.

  - Secondly, I once mixed my private life with my professional life. Meaning not even work, but with a game! And it turned out that I almost lost you. Traded you in like a virtual toy! A real and living being exchanged for a set of pixels and program codes. Even I do not want to remember! Do you understand now?

  - Yeah…

  - And also I want to go on vacation! – snapped Kira— From tomorrow on!

  - How so?

  - Just like in the good old days! Climb into the cocoon, when I feel like it, and not on call or command. I need to up my character skills, for myself, not for the clan! To run where I want, and not where it’s convenient for the clan! Killing high level monsters for myself, and not those which are necessary for the clan! I even died for the clan! Well, when I went to the rebirth.

  - Eh… - I said, stunned— Are you already boiling over?

  - Yeah! Don’t get me wrong, I love my clan! Very much! All the guys are cool. I’ve known them for a long time. But I wanna relax. To run around myself or to disconnect the cocoon altogether. I’m tied, Ros. There… and I will be resting until the very end of your travels to Zar’graad. And about business— our clan won’t be able to pay you nearly as much as the Baroness. Not even a tenth. To persuade you to work for pennies? I won’t do it. It’s better if you make a million, and then take me to a resort. You, me, the azure ocean… and Mama Lena on a nearby lounger…

  - Eh!

  - Yeah… when is she gonna consider me an adult already? So, Ros? Should I call tomorrow morning?

  - I’ll think— I answered— I will think about it. Another day.

  - And what if you don’t think it up?

  - And what if I do?

  - Think then!

  - Thinking. Want me to make you a delicious omelet?

  - Hell, yeah! Only a big one! The whole pan!

  - There’s also chicken.

  - Nah… by the way, why you think I’m going to call our lawyer. Him we can awaken.

  - Why him?

  - Do you think you can throw away money just like that? The sum is serious! The more serious the clan… the more serious the sum. I think you’ll need an official contract, signed by you and the head of the clan. The official meeting, official signing. That is the practice.

  - Kira, it’s a game! D-damn! But the money… anyway, that’s real…

  - Exactly— Kira nodded and added confidently—
There will be a contract. A real one, with a whole bunch of scribbled pages and fine print. There is too much money to act otherwise.

  - Wait a minute… this means… I have to tell them my real name, location, etc.?

  - Yes. It’s official. And you have to meet them for the signature. Ros, how else? I told you— the sum of money we’re working with is serious. Do you have a suit?

  - I think so… look, so it turns out, that if I sign a contract with the Sleepless clan, then to the meeting will come herself…

  - The Black Baroness— finished Kira— Or a trusted, authorized representative with control over the clan’s main bank account.

  - What? They have an account and everything?

  - Of course. We all have one. Once a month I get a salary from it. And premiums— smiled Kira— Enough for spending money. A clan is a clan, Ros. They take it seriously.

  - Right…

  - Uh-huh… so, where is my omelet?

  - Kira… and how much do you think I will be able to capitalize on this?

  - I told you— earn a million and take me to a resort. But to be serious… we need to consider and estimate. You made approximate estimations, right?

  - Well… I mean…

  - So, you have an idea. But strive for the greatest! – snorted Kira— Ros, do you want to make a million dollars?

  - I do!

  - Then make me an omelet!

  - That’s it! You’ve done it! I’m going to have to teach you some matters1

  - Huh? I only asked for an omelet! Ros, that tickles! Ros! Noo-o-o…

  Chapter five.

  Valdira, I’m back! Bog creatures and the Silver Legend! Sewers of Algora! Resident rogue.

  Valdira… again I am your guest.

  I am in my private room, fending off attacks of the bored cub. Tyrant didn’t approve of my long absence, and strongly expressed his displeasure. He jumped, bit and growled. Given that the funny black and white cub had grown quite a lot lately, sometimes this was even scary— when impressive white fangs clicked next to my throat.

  At the same time I was thinking that it was time to buy a beloved pet the necessary equipment. For starters— a collar. Not just a strip of thick leather with a name, but enchanted with protective spells, gems, and other useful items. But such an endeavor would be costly.

  When Tyrant grows a little more— it would be time to buy a “harness” which looked like a complex web of belts with armor plates and two bags on each side. So that the wolf would be protected and able to tolerate a certain amount of cargo. My pet’s carrying skills are not the top rated in Valdira, but he still would be able to carry a little. All help to the owner did not offer much, and mirrors the owner’s strength and endurance. Yes, I had not been too good with physical skills— a mage doesn’t need impressive biceps or broad shoulders.