“Speaking!”
“Evolett, this is Mahan…I’m calling to apologize for the Skrooj affair and to tell you to check your mail. We can talk about the whole deal in detail later.”
“Hmm…” the Priest replied expressively after a moment, causing me to smile and continue:
“What I want from you remains the same—I want us to continue our partnership. I really am sorry that things worked out the way they did. All I did was go for a flight to see the Dungeon at night. I wasn’t planning on…Well, please accept my apologies. I hope that this incident will not affect our future cooperation.”
“Hmm…” came the meaningful reply once again, indicating that Evolett was thinking. And there really was something to think about. The letter I sent contained the Fleet Hound Paw—and without any kind of strings attached. I had gifted an item that I could have sold to Phoenix for 10–15 million to a stranger just like that. What an unpredictable Shaman I was…
“I hope we can consider this incident behind us. What do you say?”
“Yeah,” Evolett came to at last. “I didn’t expect this…Frankly, I never for a moment doubted that you’d call me, but this…You continue to amaze me, Shaman…I would love to see you in my clan…”
“I have one more selfish question—it’s about Fleita,” I continued, ignoring the Priest’s offer. “Did you have some ulterior motive in mind when you invited her to your clan? Because, unofficially at least, she is my student and I would prefer her to be available. But as I understand it, Dark Legion Raiders are extremely busy people…”
“Sure—she must become as great of a Shaman as her teacher—even greater, although I’m afraid that greater is hardly possible. I don’t intend on taking her on raids—let her focus on her studies. That’s stipulated in our contract, by the way. She must attain her higher education degree. I have no intention of ruining a girl’s life, so please make sure to plan your teaching activities with her with that in mind. To be honest, I’m surprised that the Corporation has permitted a player to teach another player…”
“No one gave permission, since Fleita never asked for it. She just showed up and told me she wanted to study with me. I could not say no.”
“What did the check uncover?”
“We never did a check on her.” At first I didn’t understand what Evolett was talking about, but when at last it got through my thick skull, I added: “I relied on my premonition.”
“Got it. I’ll get someone on it and send you the report when I have it. Premonition is good and all, but when there’s a person constantly with you who has access to all the locations you have access to, you’d better be sure of them.”
“Thank you, I’ll be waiting for that report. All right, I bow humbly before you and bid my farewell. If something comes up, give me a call…”
The old guys really do have their heads screwed on tight. I never even thought of checking to see whether Fleita had been in any other clans—like, say, the Heirs of the Titans or the Azure Dragons. The fact that she’s not 18 years old yet, doesn’t mean she’s automatically clean.
“Viltrius,” I summoned my majordomo. “What’s the current status of the castle portal?”
“The portal was activated at the order of Master Leite. The same also hired a demon for ensuring that…”
“A demon?” I interrupted a goblin. As far as I know, demons in Barliona were something like flying pigs—everyone’s heard of them, but no one’s seen one—so it was a surprise to learn that we had one working in my castle.
“That’s right—a demonic being that assists the process of teleportation. In this manner, castle resources are used more efficiently.”
“And what does this demon want in return?”
“Ordinary gold, since providing this service does not require any extra costs on his part. I can assure you that as long as the number of outbound teleports will be fewer than ten per minute, it makes more fiscal sense to pay the demon than the Mages, since we have to pay them every time they do the work…”
“I see…Please arrange for my student to be summoned and for the two of us to be sent to these coordinates.” I sent the goblin the coordinates for Beatwick.
“I’m sorry, a small clarification. Your student is Zombie Shaman Fleita the Decembrist?”
“That’s correct. Make it happen!”
The goblin disappeared, while I looked bitterly at the mail icon, indicating that someone new wanted something else from me. Well okay, I have some time to kill anyway. May as well take a look…
“In Private Confidence—To the Head of the Legends of Barliona from the Head of the Nav Clan…”
Spiteful Gnum again? What a stubborn young man…What kind of a story has he invented now to defraud me of my resources?
So you’ve assumed fraud right off? You’re that certain I’m a crook? Lol…What a greedy Shaman you are…Where’s your sense of adventure and daring? Oh well—in that case you can forward my letter to your personnel manager. I’m too lazy to go proving myself to someone who won’t give me the benefit of the doubt. I am willing to offer my—naturally, not inexpensive—services in several professions…As an example, here is a description of one of my latest creations: “Onyx Gargoyle (Castle Ornament). Description: By means of a demonic essence, this ordinary sculpture has become a stone guardian…” Apologies, I won’t send you the full description but rest assured, the critters turned out pretty well. Until they’re activated, they’re utterly indistinguishable from ordinary statues. And they don’t have to come alive immediately if you don’t want them—they can for example wait until some healers pass by…But those are just the highlights, let’s say. If you could only see them play dice at night…Rumor has it that one of their owners from the Azure Dragons almost had a heart attack when he saw it. Good luck to you, Shaman!
Here at last, Gnum managed to pique my curiosity and pique it quite intensely…Gargoyle sentries would look very good in my castle, even without any kind of defensive functions. Who wouldn’t want to improve their castle? To reach Level 25, my castle needed some serious decorations, since all the major facilities had already been built. This fellow wants a stack of Imperial steel, so is the gargoyle going to be made of metal? Aren’t they supposed to be stone sculptures…or is he going to use the steel for the frame? Hmm…I have to say that this guy has me curious. What do I have to lose anyway? Forty units of Imperial Steel? Considering how much of it I have in our storehouses—losing that much won’t be a big deal…
“Your pupil, Master,” Viltrius appeared beside me, holding Fleita by the hand. The girl was quite the sight—it seems that the boys of the Dark Legion had issued her a special set of equipment designed for a Zombie because my pupil now looked simultaneously extravagant, beautiful and repellent. The bloody bones that made up her pauldrons alone must have cost a fortune…
“Thank you. Could you bring me three stacks of Imperial Steel please?” I asked the goblin.
“What do you need steel for?” Fleita asked when Viltrius disappeared without any further questions. “Are you about to start crafting again?”
“It’s not for me,” I replied, trying to maintain my temper. Evolett is right—trusting people is okay as long as you check them too. Who could tell me, for instance, why this girl is so nosy?
“Then who?”
“What’s it to you? Stop asking dumb questions, Fleita! You’re my student, not a member of my clan! Why don’t you ask something about summoning Spirits, for example?”
“Whatever. What’s the big deal!” scoffed the girl and began examining the ceiling demonstratively. Shaking my head and contemplating that talking to seventeen-year-olds who consider themselves mature is very difficult indeed, I wrote a reply to Spiteful Gnum:
That’s exactly what I was talking about—I wanted at least a description of what you do. You cannot imagine how many such letters I receive, and every single one needs something—timber or stone or ore or ingots. Then when I start asking them what they need i
t for, they simply vanish. Attached, please find three stacks of Imperial Steel. If your gargoyles are as good as you say they are, I’ll be happy to see you in my castle. As I understand it, you’re looking to level up in your profession—my castle is completely in your hands if you want to work on it.
Like that! Let’s see what this Spiteful Gnum is made of! I effectively just gave him extra stacks for extra work—I’m sad to see them go of course, but it’s worth a shot—plus, I hinted at the opportunity of leveling up in my castle. I need to develop Altameda further. Stagnation is no good, but hiring players or NPCs to do this kind of work will cost me an arm and a leg. Since Gnum is offering to help, it’s worth risking it. By the way—I haven’t heard from Sakas yet…Is he still in the Mine after all this time?
“The portal is ready,” Viltrius appeared beside me. “Will you be departing this instant?”
“Yes. Fleita, how much time do you have left today?”
“I didn’t have any special plans, so…Let’s play until midnight and then see.”
“Great. Then we’re heading out without any further ado—here’s the quest.”
I opened my quest list and scrolled down to the bottom where the ‘Last Hope’ quest chain (which I still hadn’t technically received) had been lingering for several months now.
“Quest canceled,” I smirked when the system informed me that I couldn’t share a quest that I didn’t yet have myself. “Viltrius, take us to the teleport.”
“Here’s a quest, there’s a quest…I wish you’d make up your mind,” Fleita couldn’t keep from sniping, offering her hand to the majordomo. There was a bright flash and for the first time in my time in Barliona, I beheld a real—that is, a living—demon.
Smallish and red, the demon was as wrinkled as an old man. On his head he bore two smooth horns and a carefully trimmed goatee, and he was dressed in a fairly respectable-looking waistcoat which gave him the resemblance of a pirate. To my immense disappointment, he had no trident—otherwise, the image would’ve been complete.
“And so where’s the trident then?” Unlike me, Fleita was not too embarrassed to express her true feelings. If her brain thinks something, then that something instantly appears on her tongue…Hmm…I wonder why she ever stays silent? Could it be that there’s utter silence ‘up there’ in those moments? But okay—I shouldn’t make fun of the girl.
“Only Archdemons may carry a trident, as well as creatures of a higher order,” the demon replied and offered his open hand to Fleita. The creature’s voice was so high-pitched that I got the impression that I was speaking with a lady who had decided to yell a little.
“What?! A hundred of what? For what?” screamed the girl, who had it seems just received a bill from the demon.
“Gold—the round, metallic kind. For answering your question. I just set this new rule,” said the demon, his paw steadily awaiting its fee.
“Three hundred? One hundred per question?”
“Absolutely correct—three hundred. Such is the price of three answers.”
“Fleita, kindly quit haggling with our esteemed demon,” I cut off the girl who, judging by her appearance, was about to become outraged about the five hundred gold. Leite sure did hire a curious fellow to manage the portal… “I will pay the girl’s fee. But before I do so,” I was forced to add as the demon’s paw shifted in my direction, “I would like the esteemed demon to pay a fine of five thousand gold for conducting entrepreneurial activities on the premises of Altameda without prior approval or permission from the castle’s owner. Viltrius—I assume that we have a castle code? Please add this clause to it.”
“Hang on just a minute!” Judging by his mug, the demon was quite taken aback. “This clause was not in the code earlier. Therefore, I did not violate any law!”
“Ah, but now it is! Let’s add a fine of two thousand for a demonic creature arguing with the castle’s owner. Viltrius—add this clause. That will come out to a total of seven thousand gold.”
“I object! This is extortion!” The demon became completely outraged. As if outrage would change my mind!
“Demonic outrage on the premises of Altameda—another three thousand gold. If you are unsatisfied with the terms of your contract, you are free to leave your job, but there’s no need to be outraged here. We can find someone who won’t be outraged! That will be ten thousand. Shall we go on or shall we pay?”
“Ahem,” sounded a cough behind my back, causing me to turn and regard the short owner of this low-timbered and pleasant voice. I almost jumped—right beside me stood a creature whose properties indicated only its occupation: Archdemon. The creature’s appearance very much resembled the classic demon from old computer games—it had enormous wings, a proud look, and a trident (Fleita must be pleased).
“The esteemed Dragon wishes to violate the rules of exchange between our two worlds?” the newcomer began without bothering to introduce himself. Although, if I recall the fairy tales correctly, he who knows a demon’s name can control him, so I doubt that such a respectable Archdemon would bother to introduce himself to a Free Player.
“I don’t understand the gist of your question,” I went on the counteroffensive. I mean, give me a break—it takes more than a trident to scare me. “This esteemed demon, whom we employ as a teleport conductor, without announcing the costs of his services, or the terms of their use, began to issue my pupil invoices for payment, without bothering to inquire about her opinion on this matter. Consequently, he was engaging in unsanctioned entrepreneurial activity on the premises of my castle, and I, as the castle owner, am allowed to demand damages. If the law applies equally to the esteemed demon, why isn’t he subject to similar sanctions? I believe that I acted justly and according to the letter of the law…”
“I have no complaints against the first and third fine. I am here to establish the grounds for the fine of two thousand gold for arguing with the owner,” the Archdemon lost some of his stature but went on plying his line. “How can we have any further agreements whatsoever if it’s impossible to argue with the owner? This contravenes the legal norms governing the relations between our worlds—and does so flagrantly, I might add.”
“I concede that I went too far with the second clause. I admit my guilt and void the fine of two thousand gold on the grounds that it was levied without justification. I also void a further thousand worth of fines as compensation for emotional distress. However, I consider seven thousand gold a fair fine and am prepared to argue my case before any court…”
“There is no need. I have no objections to the other points. It was nice to meet you. All the best,” the Archdemon nodded and vanished without casting a portal. What kind of security do I have in my castle that all kinds of strange creatures can wander in and out as they please? I wonder—are demons unique in this regard or can Rogues and Assassins do the exact same thing? As it stands, they won’t have to even bother sneaking through the darker corners of my castle. I’ll need to ask Viltrius about this…
“I’m waiting,” I said, mimicking the wrinkly demon’s gesture and stretching out my hand for the gold. “Where are my seven thousand?”
Skill increase:
+10 to Trade. Total: 19.
+5 to Charisma. Total: 80.
“It’s a pleasure to deal with business-minded people,” smiled the demon as the system notified me that I had just received my seven thousand gold. “In that case, I request that you pay me what Fleita the Decembrist owes and we can consider the matter closed. It’s looking like running my own little travel agency in Altameda will cost me a bit too much in regulatory fines…”
I gave him the amount he demanded without saying anything, took Fleita—who was standing there gaping—by the hand and stepped into the open portal. I really need to do something about the girl’s perpetually open mouth and bulging eyes—who knows what scrape we find ourselves in…This is a game after all!
Quest received: ‘Last Hope. Step 3. The Annihilation of the Transformers.’ Step 3 de
scription: The Gray Death and her pack have been driven mad by the Transformers of Kartoss—the same who blackened the lands of Farstead. They have transformed the wolves into terrible monsters who now terrorize the environs of the province. Rid the lands of Kartoss of this scourge. Quest chain class: Rare. Reward for completing Step 3: +50% experience towards next level. Reward for completing quest chain: Hidden. Penalty for failing/refusing the quest: Hidden.
Chapter Five. The Gray Death
“SO THIS IS Beatwick then?” asked Fleita, staring at the remains of the village. “In the movie it looked…a little more…in one piece…”
I sighed bitterly, agreeing with the girl—Beatwick no longer appeared as a settlement on the map of Barliona.
All that remained of the houses was scorched earth and half-ruined, soot-covered chimney stacks. There were neither fences nor barns…Nothing at all. Only a slumped stockade around the village, burned and broken in several places, survived the recent disaster. Beatwick had become a monument to itself…It’s a good thing that we had managed to evacuate all the residents in time…
“What a terrible sight,” shuddered Fleita, pressing herself to me unconsciously, as if seeking support. “I don’t understand why they left all this? Why not simply raze it all to the ground.”
“Let’s go,” I said dully, having seen my fill. Formally speaking, Beatwick was but one of hundreds of thousands of virtual villages, but it was still upsetting that it had been ‘excluded’ from the future lore of this world.
“You wanted to give me some kind of quest,” Fleita reminded me as soon as we left the ruins. “Or is this ‘official clan business’ again?’”
“Don’t be a smart aleck,” I grumbled. I opened my quest list, found the quest I needed and tried to send it to the Zombie…and I do mean ‘try’ because the system glibly replied that I couldn’t share a quest chain that I’d already completed more than 25% of.
The Karmadont Chess Set (The Way of the Shaman: Book #5) LitRPG series Page 13