by C. M. Carney
You are also granted +5 to all attributes.
All skills (including those learned in the next 24 hours) are increased by 2 levels.
+1 Divine Perk Points.
Once again, Gryph was stunned. He was growing in power quickly, and he suspected that it would not go unnoticed. He decided to hold his Divine Perk Point in reserve alongside his regular Perk Points. He needed to consult with Ovyrm about the best way to proceed. The xydai seemed to be the most knowledgeable of the strange artifact that had bonded to him. Gryph inhaled and closed out his interface. He took a quick peek at his Skill Sheet.
Magic Skills: Level (Tier)
100% Affinity in All Spheres
Fire: 0 (Base)
Air: 15 (Base)
Water: 3 ((Base)
Earth: 6 (Base)
Chthonic: 3 (Base)
Empyrean: 0 (Base)
Chaos: 4 (Base)
Order: 0 (Base)
Life: 3 (Base)
Death: 0 (Base)
Thought: 7 (Base)
Aether: 0 (Base)
Soul: 27 (Apprentice)
Martial Skills: Level (Tier)
Unarmed: 7 (Base)
Small Blades: 7 (Base)
Staves/Spears: 13 (Base)
Thrown Weapons: 10 (B)
Stealth: 10 (Base)
Light Armor: 14 (Base)
Dodge: 12 (Base)
Knowledge Skills (Tier)
Alchemy: 7 (Base)
Harvest: 7 (Base)
Analyze: 17 (Base)
Perception: 13 (Base)
Lock-picking: 7 (Base)
Traps: 7 (Base)
Perk Points: 4
Divine Perk Points: 1
Gryph was wowed by the 100% Affinity in every magic. That could sure come in handy. Now, he just needed to find people willing to teach him. He suspected that magical knowledge was an incredibly valuable coin in the Realms, and he doubted everyone would be as free with the knowledge as his companions in the Barrow had been. The need to survive made people do odd things.
Gryph opened his Character Sheet.
Gryph - Level 14
High Elf (El’Edryn)
Deity: None
Experience: 452,303
Next Level: 182,697
Stats
Health: 347
Stamina: 342
Mana: 325
Spirit: 280
Secondary Stats
Morale:
Attributes
Strength: 38
Constitution: 47
Dexterity: 47
Intelligence: 40
Wisdom: 24
Attribute Points: 5
Gifts
Health Regeneration: +25%
Mana Regeneration: +25%
Night Vision: 120 Ft.
Master of Tongues
Identify
Wick’s tale ended by the time Gryph finished inspecting his interface. Ovyrm walked up to Simon and chatted with him. Wick and Tifala were inseparable. Even Xeg seemed chipper as it gnawed on one of the Barrow King’s arm bones. Gryph had to smile at the motley crew of companions he’d assembled around him.
Is this what life in the Realms will be like? he thought. If so, I could do worse.
Not long after, Simon activated the archway opening a portal to the outside world. Gryph was worried that the expenditure of energy would drain the spectral teen too much, but Simon said he had some ideas about how to sustain himself and fix up the Barrow.
“That’s something Ouzerio never discovered, never could discover,” Simon said. “A willing soul is far more powerful than a consumed one. Give me a few weeks and you won’t even recognize this place.”
Gryph promised to return when he was able and walked through the shimmering portal. The sensation was much more pleasant than the last several portals he’d walked through and, soon, he felt a cool spring breeze blowing on his face.
He stood in a grass clearing in the middle of an ancient forest. Beyond the trees were tall mountains. Birds chirped and flew in lazy circles. Insects buzzed. Life was everywhere.
He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. The smell of fresh air brought tears to his eyes. Somewhere near he could hear a babbling brook.
“I will say one thing, Dinkwick Flintspanner, you sure now how to show a girl a good time,” Tifala said. She hugged Wick fiercely as the gnome’s body tightened before his head snapped back at his taller friends.
“So…" Gryph began, a smirk splitting his face.
“Don’t say it,” Wick grumbled.
Gryph stifled a laugh but kept quiet.
“Your name is Dinkwick?” Ovyrm asked.
Gryph erupted in laughter to the horror of Wick.
“It’s a family name,” Wick said, head hung low.
“It is a good name,” Ovyrm said, with no sense of irony or humor. “A strong name, a warrior’s name.”
Gryph couldn’t help himself as he laughed out loud. Tifala smiled, and Xeg barked what may have been a laugh. Ovyrm looked confused.
“Am I missing something?” Ovyrm asked.
Even Wick had to smile at that one. “You really aren’t from around here, are you?”
“I am confused,” Ovyrm said again.
“I’ll explain it over one of those beers,” Gryph said, clasping the tall xydai by the shoulder.
The group walked down a small trail, laughing and smiling.
Then the world shifted, and Gryph was somewhere else.
52
One moment, Gryph was in a forest walking next to Ovyrm, and the next, he stood on a massive balcony overlooking a wondrous, blue ocean. Gryph spun in a panic, moving to draw his spear. But he had no access to his inventory. In fact, he was no longer dressed in his armor but wore a flowing robe of white and gold.
The patio was massive. Columns held a half moon roof above the back part of the massive outdoor space. Arrayed in a matching half-moon pattern were thirteen stone chairs. The space was familiar, and Gryph remembered the Chamber of the Pantheon from his entry to the Realms. It wasn’t identical, but the similarity was too close to ignore.
“Welcome,” a voice that was both sure and serpentine said.
Gryph spun to see a tall man clad in a hooded robe that shrouded his features. On instinct, Gryph prepped Flying Stalactite, but the magic sputtered like an engine stalling.
“My apologies, Your Eminence, but magic does not work here,” the Hooded Man said with a slight bow of apology. “And as you have already discovered, weapons are also prohibited.”
“Where am I?” Gryph asked, his fists clenching and his body relaxing into a defensive pose. He may have no magic and no weapons, but he was hardly unarmed.
“This is the Agora, Your Eminence. The meeting place of the gods.” The Hooded Man walked past him.
Gryph asked, reaching a hand to grab the tall, hooded figure. His hand pushed through the man as if he were a ghost or a hologram. The Hooded Man looked at Gryph.
“No harm may be dealt or received while in the Agora."
“Why am I here?” Gryph asked.
“Because you are a god. And a Quorum has been called.”
Gryph’s eyes went to the thirteen stone chairs. The central throne was larger than the twelve that ringed it, six to a side.
“Called by whom?”
“By me,” came a powerful and familiar voice. “I felt it was time that we met face to face, so you could meet your brothers and sisters.”
Gryph turned, not at all surprised to see the High God Aluran standing behind him. He wore the same simple robes as Gryph, but he was no less imposing than he had been in his golden armor. He stood, arms clasped behind his back with a beatific smile that would have been at home on the Pope’s face.
Gryph attempted to use Analyze on the High God but got nothing but his grandiose titles. The High God Aluran, Arche of the Pantheon, Prime of the Realms. Father to all.
“The others will join us shortly, but I felt it proper that you and I had a
chat.” The way he said chat suggested that casual conversations were beneath him. Aluran turned to look down upon the wondrous city.
Gryph recognized Aluran's attempt to put him at ease by exposing his back. He knows that I cannot hurt him, Gryph thought. Gryph walked up next to the man and took in the city below. It was a stunning view. If the most wondrous of magical cities existed on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, it would still pale compared to the wonder of this place.
“The Shining City,” Aluran said. “My home.”
“It is amazing,” Gryph said.
“Thank you. I have worked very hard, over many long years to build it and make it my home.” He turned his gaze to Gryph. “And I am very protective of what is mine.”
“As you should be.”
Aluran smiled and gave a small bow. “But how rude of me, I have not introduced myself. I am the High God Aluran, Arche of the Pantheon, the Ruler of this Realm. But I suspect you already knew that?”
Gryph nodded.
“And you are?” Aluran asked.
Gryph stared at Aluran, mulling over the dangers of letting him know his name. “I am Gryph.”
“Just Gryph?”
“I have yet to acquire any fancy titles,” Gryph said with definite snark.
“Well, you have just arrived,” Aluran said, a verbal jab back at Gryph.
“Still getting my feet wet, as they say.”
“And performing quite admirably. Your Godhead has already evolved.”
Gryph tensed. How could he know that?
“Well, my father instilled a strong work ethic in me.”
“As all fathers should. If it is acceptable, I will dispense with the small talk.”
Gryph nodded.
“You are an enigma, Gryph. You are not supposed to be here, and you are not supposed to possess…what you possess. I do not know who you are, or where you come from, but I dislike unknowns.”
“On that, we can agree,” Gryph said.
“Excellent, you are a civilized man. I believe that we can come to an accord.”
“What is it you want?”
“Straight and direct. I appreciate that.”
Aluran turned away and walked, hands clasped behind his back a few paces away. Gryph knew it was another ploy, designed to make Gryph feel comfortable. It was failing. Gryph tensed.
“I ask that you join me. I ask you to join the Pantheon. I ask for your fealty,” Aluran said, turning his potent gaze on Gryph. “In exchange, I will teach you. Help you achieve your ultimate potential.”
He truly doesn’t know who I am, Gryph realized. If he did, then he’d use Brynn to threaten me. Which means my presence is no threat to Brynn, yet. Waves of relief surged through Gryph. To hide this joy, Gryph smiled a wry smile.
“I’ve always been more of a solo kinda guy.”
Aluran's expression soured as a deep anger surged from the depths of his being. Gryph got the smallest of peeks at the high God’s true nature before it was buried.
“That presents a problem. I brought the Pantheon here to restore justice and order to a world long infected by corruption and evil. I have built a better realm for all who reside here, and I will let no power threaten my world.”
Gryph’s mind flashed back to the ancient scene he’d experienced in the Barrow. I know you, Morrigan, Gryph thought. I know what you truly are.
“I’m just a man trying to get by in a strange world,” Gryph said. “I have no plans to throw a wrench into your gears.”
Aluran smiled. “Ah, so you are a player then. I suspected as much.”
Shit, Gryph thought. I need to watch what I say. Damn colloquialisms. What else have I given away?
“Tell me, how do you still have access? Or are you trapped? Do you have loved ones who miss you? I could send you back.”
“Like I said, I’ve always been a solo kinda guy.”
“Too easy, I suppose,” Aluran said with a smile. “Well, Gryph, I suppose if you behave I can let you stay.” He gazed into Gryph’s eyes. “It is time to meet you brethren.”
Twelve other figures materialized on the stone chairs arrayed in front of Gryph. As they coalesced, Aluran took his seat on the central throne.
“Welcome, gods of the Pantheon,” the Hooded Man intoned.
Gryph took an involuntary step back as he saw the deities before him. He saw Aluran smile. Gryph’s eyes scanned the arrayed gods. Several were female. He had already met Heleracon and Zeckoth, but neither showed any sign that they recognized him.
Just recordings after all, Gryph thought in relief.
His eyes scanned the other goddesses, and his eyes settled on one, a few spots to the left of Aluran. She was tall and regal, with a warm face that did not look like Brynn, but it felt like her. Gryph used Analyze on her.
Ferrancia, The Messenger Goddess. Goddess of the Travelers and Guests.
Ferrancia noticed his attention and leaned forward in her chair and grinned at Gryph. The small uptick of the mouth that Gryph had seen a thousand times on his sister when they were kids.
This is Brynn.
Gryph almost stepped forward, almost outed Brynn, but then his instincts took control. An amateur move if there had ever been one. He buried his fears and turned back to Aluran.
“I have called you here so you could all meet Gryph. I have offered him a place at our side, but he is reluctant.” Aluran leaned forward ever so slightly. “I wanted him to meet you, so that he understood exactly how things work here.”
The threat was obvious. If Gryph stepped out of line, Aluran would bring the full power of the Pantheon down upon him. Gryph wouldn’t be fighting one god, but thirteen, including, it seemed, his own sister.
“What say you, Gryph, I ask you one last time. Will you join us?” Aluran boomed.
All eyes were on Gryph, and he flashed back his childhood. The time as a teen when he’d stolen a car and gone on a joyride. The cops had not scared him. They were nothing compared to the colonel. As Aluran's gaze drilled into him, Gryph realized that the colonel was nothing compared to this god.
Fear ate at him, but he pushed it down and stared back at Aluran. Aluran's gaze and body knew Gryph’s answer before the words came from his mouth. Had the Agora allowed for it, Gryph knew he’d be dead this very moment.
“I appreciate the High God’s most gracious offer, but I believe I will make my own way in this realm.”
To his credit, Aluran held in his rage. With no further ceremony, Aluran stood. “Then this Quorum is at an end.”
Aluran flicked his hand in a petulant and dismissive manner and, suddenly, Gryph was back in the glade with his friends. He stumbled, and Ovyrm caught him.
“You okay?” Wick asked, seeing the fear in Gryph’s eyes.
“I’m in a world of shit,” Gryph said.
The End of Barrow King
Book One of the Realms.
Killing Time
A Novel of the Realms
by
C.M. Carney
Killing Time - A Novel of The Realms
by
C.M. Carney
www.cmcarneywrites.com
© 2018 C.M. Carney
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permissions contact: [email protected]
Dedication
To my mother, Kathy Hodes.
You started me on this journey and always believed I could be me.
I Love you Mom.
C.M. Carney’s Mailing List.
If you’d like to stay up to date on my latest book, cover reveals, promos and news about my latest releases please sign up for my mailing list.
http://eepurl.com/dkI2rT
Your email address will never be shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.
1
Gaarm’s dull and stupid eyes were on me. I could almost see his alcohol-drowned thoughts swirling through his mind as he tried to decid
e if I was bluffing. I held eye contact with him for several moments, before lifting my mug of mead to my mouth, draining the last few sips. The mug’s wide brim blocked Gaarm’s stare, and he grunted in annoyance.
I set my empty mug down onto the table with a hollow thunk and jumped as a surge of energy flowed through my body. I looked around in confusion. What the hell was that?
Gaarm took my jumpiness as a sign I was bluffing. He grinned, sucked at some bit of food stuck in his crooked Stonehenge of brown teeth, and pushed his pile of coins forward. “I’m all in,” he said.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. Here I am gambling and getting wasted when my Player, good ol’ Gryph, was out there somewhere alone, without his trusty NPC to watch his back. Where’s the loyalty? In my defense, I didn’t start my day getting hammered.
After Gryph shoved me through the portal and onto my ass, some weird shit happened. I’d jumped up and tried to rush back through the portal, but that smug bastard Aluran had done something to it. I’m not sure he meant to, but when I tried to pass through the threshold to get back to Gryph, a surge of energy shot into my body. It didn’t hurt, exactly, but the next thing I knew I was lying on my back with a bunch of townsfolk looking down on me and the portal had closed.
I tried using my Player Tracking gift but kept getting an ERROR message. This freaked me out and deeply saddened me. Player Tracking was infallible, everyone knew that. Only the strongest anti-scrying magics could block the Gift. Yet, somehow mine was failing.
“Now what do I do?”