Unexplored - Rise of the Crimson Kingdom

by Alara Branwen

  “And then have you kill us?” Padwin said. “I think not.”

  “Will I? Perhaps greed will move my heart and I will slaughter you with my magic, perhaps not. Perhaps you won’t find anything and I am just doing this to further my own ends. I guess you’re going to have to ask yourselves whether you trust me or not.”

  Anger flared in Estelar’s chest. In the back of his mind, he’d known that this was a possibility. A strange guy asks them to go on an almost impossible mission without telling them how much they’d be paid to do it. He looked over at Padwin, who was seething. He felt like crap for convincing Padwin to come along on this crazy adventure. He was motivated by the possibility of money, not hard currency itself. He was a fool.

  But, he was here in this situation now and he had to make the best of it. If they didn’t do what Larkin asked, he would probably attack them. Seeing what the mage took out several goblins single handedly, he had an idea how that would turn out. If they did what he said, perhaps he could think of a way to get them out of this situation and come out ahead.

  “Okay, where do we start?” Estelar said.

  “What?” Padwin said, flabbergasted. “You’re going through with this?”

  Estelar nodded. “Where do we search?”

  “One of you take the huts to the left and the other take the right. When you are done, we’ll all go into the one behind me.” Larkin sat down and pointed to a hut that was three times the size of the others.

  Estelar turned left and started searching the huts. Padwin stood where he was for several seconds. He looked at Larkin, who just sat and absent mindedly studied one of the weapons he dumped out of the chest. Seeing his friend go into one of the huts, Padwin sighed and went into one on the right.

  They thoroughly searched twenty huts in all. Most of them were sparsely furnished so each didn’t take long. There wasn’t much of value in plain sight. However, looking under a straw of hay used as a bed, or digging a little in a corner, would reveal a few coins tucked away. Sometimes they would come across small gems or luxury items crafted of wood or bone. They placed all of them in the chest as they went. When they were done, they had amassed a surprisingly large amount of copper and a bit of silver, along with the other valuables.

  Estelar tried to think of a way to escape this situation as he searched, but every plan he concocted ended with he and his friend brutally dying.

  Larkin rose once they were finished, turned his back, and calmly walked toward the hut. The other human and elf followed. Estelar and Padwin were only a few paces behind him and it didn’t seem like the mage was alert to their movements.

  If they were going to do something, Estelar realized now was the time. They could strike the mage before he would have time to react. The elf gripped his club, and Padwin did the same.

  Their clubs rose a few inches before Estelar stopped. He hadn’t spent very much time with Larkin, but he knew that the mage wasn’t stupid. If he was acting nonchalant, there was probably a reason for it. He might have some sort of magical protection on him or some way to defend himself in case he was attacked from behind. He didn’t know what this mage was capable of and he didn’t want to find out.

  Estelar put his club away and Padwin gave him a questioning glare. The large human hesitated for a second, but emulated the action of his friend. They entered the hut and Larkin cast his light spell.

  The large hut was filled with plush furs, animal skins decorating the floor. There were a few tables filled with various silver plates, on which were different types of fruit, and many different kind of utensils. There were also two brass candelabras, hand-crafted wooden cups and other sorts of little luxuries.

  On a dresser were several beauty items made from bone, and a silver jewlery box that held some very low quality earrings and gems. A large bed in the corner was made with rough purple silks.

  These riches were not what caught the attention of the two adventurers, however.

  Three goblin females lay in various states of undress on the floor. Blood oozed from several deep lacerations in their bodies into the animal furs beneath them. In the middle of the room, over a throne made of stone, was the body of a large goblin. He swung by his neck from a rope hung over one of the hut’s rafters. His finely woven blue tunic was split open down the middle and soaked through with blood.

  The large goblin’s belly was cut open and his entrails were spilled on the throne below. Blood dripped from his body and landed with a small splat on the sickening pile.

  Padwin and Estelar gagged.

  “Pardon the mess,” Larkin said. “I had a little grudge against this goblin chief and I got creative in his demise. I normally don’t screw around like that, but my anger got the best of me.”

  The other two men steeled their nerves and went to work collecting all of the valuables in the hut. They moved out the dead female goblins and rolled up the furs on the floor, pulled the hides off the walls and removed the silk bedding. When they were finished, Larkin pointed out a hatch he found in the back of the throne. It contained a small box with some gold coins and a delicate golden chain necklace.

  There wasn’t enough room to place all of the valuables in the chest, so they had to stack them beside it. When they were done, all three marvelled at the collection.

  Larkin floated a ball of light over what they’d gathered and placed his hands behind his back. “Quite a haul,” he said.

  “Yes,” the other two said.

  “So, what do you think of all these things? You like them?”

  The other men stayed silent for a long moment before Estelar replied with a guarded yes.

  “Excellent, because they’re yours. I hope you enjoy them.”

  Padwin and Estelar looked to each other then back to Larkin. “You’re letting us keep all of this?”

  “Of course, you’ve helped me quite a bit tonight. Don’t think I came out of this empty handed though.” Larkin held out a small wand with a ruby tip in one hand and a small orb in the right.

  “The orb is a repository for mana and the wand can be used to cast a spell I’m fond of. These were given to the goblin chieftain by a duke in payment for a cause that was opposed to my own, and I wanted them myself.”

  “I’d love to get my hands on some magic,” Estelar said.

  “Keep it up and it might be in your future.”

  “What?”

  Larkin ignored the elf and continued talking. “Gentlemen, it looks like our business in concluded.”

  “Looks like it, thank you,” Padwin said.

  “But you know,” Larkin said, “it would be a shame to cast men like yourselves back into a world that doesn’t appreciate their talents.”

  “What?” Estelar said again.

  “I have a confession. I wasn’t completely honest with you two. I was interested in hiring you to retrieve these magic items, but that wasn’t my true purpose. What I’m really doing is going out to find talented adventurers like yourselves to join my guild, the Crimson Warriors. This job was just a test, one that you passed with flying colors.”

  “So you’re looking for people who’ll kill goblins without knowing what they’ll be paid?”

  “Not at all. I’m looking for smart people who are willing to trust me and follow orders. Any moron can kill a goblin, but it takes a special kind of person to be a loyal follower. Even if that followership wavers.” Larkin cut his eyes at Estelar and a shiver went down the elf’s spine.

  “What are the benefits of joining?” Padwin said.

  Larkin waved his hand toward the wealth they gathered.

  Riches and being part of a guild whose leader is a complete badass sounded too good of an opportunity to pass up. He didn’t know about Padwin, but he was on board.

  “Count me in,” Estelar said.

  “Same here,” Padwin said after a little hesitation.

  Larkin grinned. “Wonderful. I’ll get you gentlemen moved into the guild house. Welcome to the Crimson Warriors, brothers.”

/>   “Thanks,” Padwin and Estelar said.

  “Tell you what. You guys deserve to have some fun. Go to the city of Shumpet five miles northwest of here and find an inn called the Winged Wench. Our guild’s base is there. Tell the bartender there that you know Larkin is a twisted red shit face. He’ll lead you downstairs into the guild house, set you up with a nice room, and a nice man or woman, whatever your fancy.”

  “You mind if we go and get some decent equipment first?” Padwin said.

  Larkin smirked. “Money is to be spent on important things like fine booze and sex. While you’re at the guild house, equipment will be given to you. Also, don’t worry about your treasure. I’ll get the valuables sold and have the coins deposited in a bank for you.”

  “Awesome, I’m all excited now. You ever need some evil goblin’s brain smashed in again, just let us know.”

  Larkin shook his head. “These goblins weren’t evil, well not in the classical sense.”

  “They weren’t?”

  “No. I just wanted to eliminate them because they were being paid to interrupt my guild’s operations, and, of course, the magic items I showed you. Their causes were just as noble as ours were, probably moreso.”

  A worried look came over Estelar and Padwin.

  “I can understand your concern, but I think you both have a muddled idea of what’s right or wrong. I’ll see if I give you a clearer perception. You remember the first and second encounters you told me you had today, right?”

  The other men nodded.

  “Do you think it was right to attack goblins who were just trying to cook breakfast or kobolds arguing over a rabbit? What did they ever do to you?”

  Realization washed over the elf and left a sickening feeling in his gut. Larkin was right. Those creatures hadn’t done anything to him or Padwin. The look on his friend’s face told him he was thinking the same thing.

  “They had something you wanted, money, and you took it. The Crimson Warriors are no different. We’re just players working together for our own ends like everyone else. If you’re having reservations, you can back out. The treasure you gained tonight is still yours.”

  Estelar looked at the ground. He wanted the riches and he wanted the women, but what was he willing to do to get it? Larkin never really said what the Goblins’ cause was. Although, he didn’t say what his was either. He couldn’t tell who was more in the wrong, but then again, did it matter? People did terrible things all the time, and those people always got rewarded.

  “I have no reservations,” Estelar said.

  “Me either,” Padwin said.

  “Good. Now go and celebrate. You’ve both earned it. Here is a map to Shumpet.” Larkin handed a piece of parchment to Estelar.

  A burning sensation formed on the elf’s arm. It lasted for a moment, then it was gone. He raised the sleeve of his tunic and found an insignia, two swords crossed through a skull, on his arm.

  You have joined the Crimson Warriors guild. You now have access to all benefits and must take on any responsibilities the guild master (Larkin) gives you. Good luck with your new guild!

  The screen vanished. Padwin ran a finger over the insignia on his right shoulder and he smiled. Estelar was excited about what the next day would hold.

  ELEVEN

  It was five in the morning when Estelar logged back into the game. He was so full of energy that he barely got any sleep the night before. He was ready to start being a Crimson Warrior, whatever that meant, and becoming a contributing member to the guild.

  Of course, he would have to get to the guild headquarters first. Estelar opened his inventory screen and retrieved the map he was given. While he was studying the map, Padwin appeared before him. They both said their hellos and set off toward Shumpet.

  Five miles was a great distance to walk, but talking to Padwin about the possibilities of their new position of the guild made the time fly past. They reached the city in two hours. The walls only rose ten feet in height and they were cracked and broken in some places. Guards let them through a crumbling front gate.

  The streets were not cobbled like they were in Caspadel, but guards in worn leather armor kept them orderly. Down the main thoroughfare, several carts were set up with merchants hawking their wares. They turned down a few streets before they managed to find a three story building with a sign of a winged, blue bare-chested woman with a horrifying face. “Winged Wench” was painted in simple red letters beneath.

  Several patrons were inside talking and enjoying an early breakfast. Estelar and Padwin passed many conversations involving player heroics and approached a young human female in a red dress washing a glass behind the bar.

  Estelar looked to make sure no one was looking before he spoke. “Good morning miss, were you aware that Larkin is a twisted red shit face?”

  The bartender’s golden eyes darted from Estelar to Padwin and nodded. “A major shit face. Please follow me.”

  The young woman led them around the corner and down some stone steps into a cellar. They passed several barrels and shelves of food items until they came to a back wall. The young woman pressed against one of the planks and there was a soft whirring. The wooden wall lowered into a floor to reveal another one made of black stone with a door in the middle. She wrapped on the door six times and a small slot slid away. Two red eyes examined the trio and the door opened.

  A werewolf, seven feet in height, motioned for Padwin and Estelar follow. They both walked down a long stone tunnel with several doors to the left and right. One right turn later, they were led to two doors at the end of a small hall.

  “Your room is on the right elf, and human, yours the left. If you need anything, go back to the main hallway, walk a bit, and take a right. The guild’s common room is at the end. Cause trouble and I’ll rip your asses apart. Got me?”

  “We do, good sir. Would you mind telling us your name?” Estelar said.

  “Thrax, but everyone calls me Guard Dog.”

  “It fits,” Padwin said.

  “Right, enjoy yourselves,” Thrax said as he turned and left.

  The adventurers went to inspect their respective rooms.

  Estelar touched the handle on his door and a small topaz gem lit above the handle. There was a click and he pushed open the door.

  The room was small and made of black stone. A basin with a mirror above it was in the far left corner and a bed in the right. He recognized some of the furs on the floor as some of those he gathered from the goblin chieftain’s hut the night before. On his bed was the same purple silk bedding. The bloodstains had been removed and all looked new.

  On the bed were two pieces of parchment with a set of red leather armor, a sword in a brown leather scabbard, and a brand new blue tunic with matching trousers. One of the pieces of parchment was a letter of credit worth 50 gold pieces at the local bank. The other was a note from Larkin.

  Estelar,

  I hope you enjoy the new room and your new armor and weapon. I included a set of clothing because yours are ripped all to hell. I had the room decorated with the furs we gathered from our excursion together. Enjoy yourself. You should have company soon.

  Larkin

  There was a knock on the door.

  “Come in.”

  There was a click and it opened. A humanoid tiger woman with a patch over her right eye stepped in. The slitted yellow pupil of her left eye fell on Estelar and a smile formed on her thin lips.

  “You’re Estelar, right?”

  The elf nodded and a memory from yesterday flashed across his mind. “Yes, aren’t you that girl from the tavern?”

  She brushed her fingers across the orange and black striped fur on her exposed belly and nodded. “Yes. Sorry for the cold treatment, but I only like to speak to other members of the guild. I’m Tatarna.”

  He was entranced by her shapely body. Her green top strained against the weight of her breasts and her green panties barely covered her unmentionables. The tiger girl’s tail curled around her stomach
and she played with the tip.

  “Nice to meet you, I’m Estelar.”

  Tatarna smirked. “I know who you are. Larkin told me. So did you. You kept talking to me for five minutes while I was ignoring you.”

  Estelar smiled. “Sorry. I’m not very good with women. I read a book by some guy on how to pick up girls and he said it was like trying to make a sale. Don’t take the first no. If you keep trying you can turn that no into a yes.”

  “No offense, but you’re a crappy salesman. You need to learn to read your audience, and know when you’ve got something your customer, uh, girl wants.”

  “Do I have something you want?” Estelar bit his tongue after the question left his mouth.

  “Wow, subtle,” Tatarna said.

  “Ugh, I know, I suck at this kind of stuff.”

  Tatarna giggled. “It’s okay, I’ll give you a pass this time.”

  Estelar stood silently for several seconds while the beautiful tiger girl stood patiently in front of him.

  “Is there something I can do for you?” Estelar said, trying to continue the conversation to keep it from getting too awkward.

  “Yes,” Tatarna said as she closed the distance between them. “You can accept my welcoming gift.”

  “What might that be?” Estelar said, though his growing member knew the answer.

  The tiger girl was very close now. Her pink nose touched his and her hand rested on his hip.

  “Me,” she said in a throaty purr.

  Estelar pressed his lips against the tiger girl’s. Her tongue slipped from her mouth and pressed its way into the elf’s. Like most cats, it was rough, but Estelar found that its abrasive texture only excited him.

  The elf reached behind him and cleared all of the items off the bed before they tumbled onto it. They pulled their clothes off in a heated frenzy as their hands explored each other’s bodies. Estelar basked in the silky feel of the woman’s fur passing through his fingers. He pressed his digits into her soft skin and stroked up and down the small of her back.

  Tatarna purred and ran her rough tongue along the elf’s smooth neck. Its touch brought chills down the elf’s spine. She reached down and gripped his swollen member. One padded hand stroked over the heated member while the other found and softly manipulated his ball sack.