by Isaac Winter
Cael smiled. “Tell me about it. So why is this Alcazar guy looking for you, anyway? Are you ever gonna tell me?”
“Might as well,” Tris said, sighing. The sun was beginning to set behind the trees and the air grew cooler by the second. I shivered. I had Night Vision, but Tris didn’t. Once the forest was in total darkness, we’d be at the mercy of any nocturnal creature that crossed our path. “But first, a little light.” She fished a small metal orb out of her pocket and whispered a word to it. It began to levitate on its own, showering the grove in an eerie green light.
“You’re not worried that will attract more attention?” I hissed, eyeing the light source.
> Orb of Seeing.
> Quality: Rare.
> This orb casts a magical light in a small radius around the user. It changes colors when enemies are near. Higher-level Tinkers can manipulate the orb such that it reflects light only toward the user, making it nearly invisible to others.
“That’s...pretty impressive.” I admitted. “And you’re one of those higher-level Tinkers?”
“That’s my job.” She smirked. “Build shit, break shit...this orb is one of my special creations. Saved my ass more than once. It’s not perfect, though. It still lets off some light, so we’re not totally invisible. But I wager it’ll turn colors on us before anyone gets close.”
“How’d you learn all that?” I asked. Her skillset was unlike anyone else’s I had met in the Veil, and it seemed to be one of the more flexible classes. She may have been a little overzealous at times, but no one could deny: her inventions were pretty badass.
“Do you want to hear that story, or the one about Alcazar? You only get one.”
I sighed. “Alcazar, then.”
“So I may have taken something from him. Alcazar, I mean. I was younger and more foolish.”
I laughed. “Even more foolish than you are now? That’s hard to believe.”
She glared at me and continued. “I was out scouting, gathering ingredients for my latest project, when I found this.” Tris reached into her pouch and pulled out a bundle of cloth. Unwrapping it carefully, I caught the glint of a jewel.
A beautiful red ruby lay in her hands, each facet flawless. Except for one.
A crack scraped its way across the gem like a scar. I leaned closer. Deep within the gem a weak light throbbed. It was hard to tell if it was a trick of the light or not, but it appeared the gem was glowing. I gazed at the gem then up at her, looking for answers.
“Analyze it.” She said, holding it out.
I activated my skill and focused on the gem. What I saw there took my breath away.
> Master Soul Gem.
> Quality: Exquisite
> Soul Gems are rare and powerful Artifacts used by Shadowdancers to bind the soul of a creature to the gem. They can be used for enchanting purposes, and the greater the gem, the higher level soul the gem can contain. Using a Soul Gem is dangerous, and illegal in most parts of the Veil. Tread carefully.
> Soul contained: Erik -- Human -- Lvl 31
I stared at her, mouth agape. Level 31...that was the highest level I’d seen of anyone yet! How did someone so powerful get trapped in a gem?
The greater the gem, the higher level souls it can contain...
I shivered. “That thing...is a soul? The hell are you doing with it?”
Tris gave me a sad smile, then wrapped the gem in the cloth and deposited it in her pouch once more.
“It’s my father,” She said finally, avoiding my gaze. “I thought he was gone forever, but then I found this. It’s the last thing I have left of him. I had to have it. You understand.”
My heart thudded faster at the prospect. Her father...
“I’m sorry,” I said softly, extending a hand. She wrapped her small hand around mine and we sat there for a moment, just appreciating each other’s warmth. Tris had never been big on emotion, but this show of vulnerability made me realize something. She may have been an NPC, but she was still human. And despite the brash exterior, she too had demons.
Maybe we all did.
The moment was cut short as I heard the snapping of a twig and the Orb of Seeing turned a ghastly red color, the same red as the previous ruby. My heart leapt into my throat as Tris sprung into action. The forest plunged into darkness as she deactivated the orb and my night vision kicked in.
There, not 10 yards away, something was moving. Small, but humanoid. It wasn’t a wild animal. Someone was following us.
“Stay here,” I mouthed to Tris, and drew my dagger. I readied a spell in my offhand, ready to catch them by surprise. A Weak Gust to the face would knock them down, and then I could strike. It was still too far away to use Analyze, but I had to hope they weren’t a magic user.
I threw out my hand, casting the spell near the source of the movement. The creature squeaked as they blew backwards, losing their footing. I lunged forward with my dagger, ready to strike...
“Jesus, Winston, its me! Calm down!”
I froze, my blood running cold. Winston. A faint memory flickered through my mind. Yes, Winston. That was my name...back then. And no one here knew it, except...
“Laurie,” I breathed.
She regained her footing and stepped into the dim light. She came barely to my waist and her hair was riddled with leaves. But I couldn’t mistake that mischievous grin. Was it really her?
“What happened?” I asked, eyeing her new form. I’d chosen to become a dark elf upon my entry into the Veil, but a gnome? Really?
She grumbled and rolled her eyes. “Some stupid glitch. You didn’t tell me this place was all buggy.”
Glitch. My heart leapt into my throat as I thought about the portals that were opening, the scene in the library, and now Laurie, pulled into this world and trapped as a gnome.
I laughed nervously. “It wasn’t. But hey, it’s not all bad right? Being a gnome. Bet you got some good skills.”
Laurie raised a long eyebrow. “I can only imagine that’s why you’d choose dark elf. Although your hair is greying even faster now.” She teased, eyeing my silver hair. “Check this out.”
She whistled a soft tune and a bird fluttered down from above, lighting on her shoulder. “Guess I can talk to animals now.”
I used Analyze on her, and to my amazement she had a skill called Animal Kinship. How she got that at such a low level was beyond me, but Laurie had always had a way with animals. Even back on Earth.
“What’s going on here?” Tris asked, budging between us. “This is what’s been tracking us? Fuckin’ gnomes.” She spat. “She a spy, or what?”
“What? No!” I said immediately, waving my hands. “She’s from my world. She stays with us.” Laurie’s face contorted from a mixture of guilt to fear to relief. Subtle enough, but I caught the flicker of fear in her eyes.
“Another Veilwalker?” Tris said, her eyebrows high on her forehead. “How?”
Laurie pointed east, where the beginnings of sunlight began to trickle over the horizon. “I’ll explain, I will. But right now, we need to get the hell out of here.”
“And why’s that? You trying to lead us into a trap?” Tris narrowed her eyes at Laurie, still skeptical.
“More like away from one, Tinker. But if you’d rather stay, be my guest.” The bird on her shoulder squawked and fluttered his wings.
“Stop it,” I said, standing between them. This was no time for petty arguments. “Both of you. It’s not safe to stay here, regardless of the reason. Let’s get moving. Laurie, you stay with me.”
“I swear to the Author, Cael, if this is a trap...”
“Trust me.” I said through gritted teeth. In truth, I had no idea if it was a trap or not. But this was Laurie. It had to be. However she’d found us, however she knew we were in danger, I had to believe she wouldn’t willingly put us in harm’s way. And that was enough for me, right now. It had to be.
Tris sighed, shoving her hands in her pockets. “Whatever, let’s get out of here.” She hoisted a
bag onto her shoulder and slung her goggles around her neck for easy access.
> New Quest Unlocked: A Foreign Visitor
> A strange gnome has appeared in your territory, claiming that she knows you. Not everyone seems to be so sure, though. Will you bring her along and see where it leads?
> Accept Quest?
[YES/NO]
I thought Yes and instantly another notification appeared.
> New Party Member: Laurie has joined your party.
“Let’s go,” I said, and we set off toward the sun.
10
Cael
“Three ales and a pot of that stew, please.” Tris clattered a few coins down on the counter, looking the innkeeper in the eye. “And a room for the night.”
“Right away, miss...” The barkeep raised an eyebrow at her, unable to see much of her face beneath the traveling cloak she wore.
“Palina,” Tris said without missing a beat. “I’m here on business, so make it snappy.”
“Of course, Miss Palina.” The man nodded and turned to his assistant. “Three ales and a room.”
“And your discretion, of course.” Tris continued, leveling her gaze at him. She slipped him another silver.
The man cleared his throat. His eyes darted around and I could nearly see the sweat beading up on his forehead from here. “Of course, miss. Have a seat anywhere you like.”
I wove through the mass of people to find an open table and sat down, glad to be off my feet. It was getting dark out and we’d been walking all day.
The smell of ale and stew in the air almost made up for the loud crush of bodies all around me. I wasn’t used to being around so many people. Especially not here in The Veil. This was the most NPCs I’d seen at one time before, and they came in all shapes and sizes.
A dwarf played cards with a fair-haired elf, and across the way I could see two men squabbling over their drinks. A round woman with rosy cheeks played a stringed instrument, busking for tips. It was like every fantasy tavern I’d ever read about, but now I was here. It was real. I only hoped the food was as good. I was starving.
“Three ales and three stews,” The waitress said, clattering the mugs down on the table. The liquid sloshed and nearly spilled, but the smile she gave us took away any hard feelings about that. “Anything else I can get you?” She fluttered her eyelashes. It was probably supposed to be attractive, but I was far too tired and hungry to think about that right now.
“Not often we get Dark Elves around here,” She said, twirling a lock of hair around her fingertip. Through the smell of the ale and cooking meat, I caught another scent. One of flowers and fresh spring air. It poured off of her in waves, and might have been nice had she not layered it on so thick.
Yeah, she definitely had ulterior motives.
“That will be all, thank you.” I gave her a smile and buried my face in my ale, hoping she’d go away.
> You have resisted a Charm effect.
I snickered into my mug. Not today, lady.
Laurie plopped down on the seat next to me, her short legs dangling off the stool. I smiled over the rim of my mug. She was so tiny. Then again, my Dark Elf form was taller than my human form. It made the difference between us all the more striking.
“How are you doing?” I asked her in a low voice before Tris came back to the table. “You all right?”
“All right is a stretch.” Laurie took a sip of the ale, which was as big as her head. I had to chuckle at the scene. “Hey, quit it.” Her eyes shot daggers at me and I looked away, tucking into my meal.
The ale left some flavor to be desired, but it was quenching enough after our hard day. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d eaten. Had it been days? My head swum as I shoveled the stew into my mouth.
The lack of flavor in the ale was more than made up for in the stew. Delicious, savory hunks of meat floated in a shimmering broth, swimming amongst steamed vegetables and a whole clove of garlic. The smell nearly knocked me off my feet, but the taste...
It was heavenly.
I didn’t care how ridiculous I looked, I picked up the bowl and slurped at the broth, groaning as the warm food filled me.
Tris was a life-saver. Not like either of us had a lot of money to pay for an inn. I’d totally intended on sleeping outside tonight, not that I wanted to. It was about all I could afford. Tris really came through, offering to put us up for the night.
At least in here, we’d be warm.
“Look alive,” Tris said, budging past a swaying dwarf. “See you all started eating without me.” She dangled a key from her finger and stashed it in one of her many pockets, taking a seat next to me. “And how is it?”
I looked at her over the rim of my mug. “Thank you,” were the only words that came to mind.
“Hey, I wanted to sleep in a warm bed just as much as you did. It’s my little thanks. A celebration for having you back, I guess.”
I smiled, and the warmth that flowed through me wasn’t from the ale or stew this time. Tris could be a little rough around the edges, but I was glad I had at least one friend here.
“To new beginnings,” I said, tilting my mug in her direction.
“I’ll drink to that,” she said, and took a long swig. Tris coughed as ale sprayed across the table. “Bloody hell, this stuff is vile!”
I nearly spit out my drink as I sputtered out a laugh. “You’re the one that brought us here,” I pointed out.
“Yeah, but seriously, they need to up their ale game. Tastes watered down.”
“Well, they’ve got a lot of customers to feed. Probably not enough to go around.”
She waved her hand dismissively.
“The stew is better.” I recommended. “Makes up for the ale.”
Tris took a discerning look at the bowl of stew, poking at it with her spoon before finally eating a bit. “Gods, you’re right.”
We sat like that in silence for a few moments more, the only sounds the din of the tavern around us and the slurping of ale and stew. I was warm, I was fed, and at least for the moment, I was safe. It felt nice to have a break from running all the time.
But I knew better than that. There was always a calm before a storm, and I needed to make sure whatever it was, I was on my guard.
“So now that we’re all here, settled down and such, you going to tell me what this is all about?” She jerked a thumb in Laurie’s’ direction. “You bringing all your little friends in here now?”
“I’m right here, you know.” Laurie raised her chin, speaking for the first time since we entered the tavern. “And I don’t want to be here anymore than you do, I assure you.”
Tris sighed and rolled her eyes, turning back to her drink. “No wonder there’s been so many earthquakes.”
“Earthquakes?” I asked, furrowing my brow.
“Yeah, awful stuff. I don’t know what’s causing it, but it can’t be good.” Tris leaned across the table, her eyes flashing from beneath the traveler’s cloak. She sneered at Laurie. “There’s something off about you. I haven’t figured out what it is yet, but I will. I still don’t trust you.”
“Fine by me,” Laurie spat.
I shoved myself between them. “Can we just...enjoy this evening for what it is?” I laughed nervously, trying to diffuse the tension in the room.
An awkward silence filled the air, and eventually they both went back to their food, scowling. Great. If we were going to keep traveling together, I had to do something before they tore each other apart.
“We’ll take her to Fel.” I said, putting down my mug on the table with a clunk. “He’ll decide what to do. He was a good enough judge of character for me. And you trust his judgement, do you not?”
Tris ground her teeth and took another silent sip of her stew.
“There was a time when you didn’t trust me, either.” I reminded her.
Her face softened, and she slumped into the chair, shoulders sagging. “Okay. Fel will decide.”
“Who’s Fel?” Lau
rie asked. Her question was directed at Tris, but she made eye contract with me instead.
“A leader of sorts. Dwarf. I think you’ll like him. He helped me get started here.”
Laurie’s lips turned up in a grin as she held back a laugh. “Fel and Cael. I like it. Got a Pale around here somewhere? A Mail?” She snickered into her ale, enjoying the joke.
Tris threw out her hand in warning. “Shush,” she hissed. “I heard something.”
The table grew quiet as we looked to her. She tilted her head toward the bar where two men were talking with the bartender.
It was hard to make out what they were saying because they were so far away, but I did catch a few words:
“Yeah, she should be around here...came this way....thank you...”
Coins exchanged hands and the bartender took a wary glance around before stuffing the coin in his apron. That bastard!
Tris pulled the hood lower over her face. “Asshole sold us out,” she hissed. “Laurie, get under the table.”
“Wha?” Laurie started.
“Now.”
She didn’t resist, just slipped her small from the stool under the heavy oaken table, crouching behind one of the legs. Thank goodness for her small form. Tris and I stood in front of the table, shielding her from view. We both pulled our hoods down, but continued with drink and a shaky conversation just as the two thugs moved toward us.
I stepped forward first, puffing out my chest. “Can I help you?” I hoped I looked more intimidating than I felt.
The taller of the two grinned at me, showing a couple of missing teeth. That was no friendly smile. “Well, sure. We’re lookin’ for someone. Heard tell you might know where to find ‘er.”
I shrugged and gestured at the room full of patrons. “I don’t know who you’re talking about, but maybe someone else here does. We’re just having a drink and a bite to eat, same as you fellas. Long day, you know?”