“Getting a good look lass?” Brigit joked.
Her voice jogged me from my study and I looked away chagrined, face turning bright red. I had never been much into women, but just looking at the beauty of the goddesses, well…
“Now that the introductions are over tell us of your plans.” Hasteoltoi commanded.
I cleared my throat and looked around at the three goddesses, who were now all business and leaning forward, staring at me intently.
“For the sake of ease of nomenclature, I’m going to use the names my fiancé uses for ease of explanation.” I explained. “The plan we decided on was that I would take the Riders and we will bring all of the tribes on the plains, from the great mountains in the west, the Rockies, and to the great river in the east, the Mississippi. We will travel as far north as the great forests of Canada and then turn back and head to the Fortress of Earth. Where all the warriors we’ve gathered will meet. My fiancé will travel to the Great Lakes and gather those tribes and bring them to meet with the plains tribes and we will head south to battle the Conquistadors, defeating them, and driving them from all our lands and paying them back for the Great Suffering,”
The goddesses were quiet for a moment, taking in my words, then nodding to themselves in thought.
“That is a good plan. Most of the scattered tribes will follow you, you are now The Riders of Earth and Sky, legends of the horse, and word of vengeance for the bringers of The Great Suffering has spread across the lands, which will make the tribes even more angry and more likely to follow.” Shakaru mused.
“Yes, that is true.” Hasteoltoi said, nodding her head in agreement. “But not all the tribes will follow, the Apache are sure to actively fight you. Not to mention all the Wendigo, Teihiihan, and plethora of other monsters that you will encounter on your quest. Are you prepared to deal with that? You and your Riders must be ruthless. There can be no dissent. We are at a crossroads in time. The fate of the world and of all The People, of all people, is at stake. Can you do this Moon Flower, do you have the will, the strength?”
Her words filled me with anger. I had never been so mad. How dare she, even if she was a goddess, question my will. My father gave his life. My mother, my tribe had all given and sacrificed. All of The People had given. I promised myself to a man I just met because of the word of the god Coyote. I fought and killed legendary monsters, the Skudakumooch fell to my hands. Rage clouded my thinking and I leapt to my feet, standing tall and looking down at Hasteoltoi, who still lounged in the water below.
“How dare you!” I hissed. “I have given everything! My people have given everything. I will do what I have said I will do. No one, whether they be man, beast, or god will hinder me!”
I stared around me at the lounging goddesses, daring any of them to refute my statement, then clapping sounded. I turned my gaze back to Brigit, who was clapping slowly, giving me the largest and warmest smile, I’d ever seen.
“Ach, you chose well Hasteoltoi. She is a right proper warrior, fucking A lassie!” Brigit cheered.
Then, two hands grabbed me, one on each shoulder, I looked to my left and right and both Shakaru and Hasteoltoi were standing over me, each looking down at me, and grinning warmly. All the rage was gone in an instant, replaced with love and worship for these goddesses.
“You chose me?” I whispered.
“Of course, child.” Hasteoltoi replied. “You have the blood of the gods in you. You are of the last line, you are the only choice. But we had to know. You will face challenges that will seem insurmountable, that seem impossible. Yet, you will have to fight, have to win.”
“I will, I promise.” I replied, solemnly.
“Wonderful!” Brigit called, joining the three of us and putting her hand on my shoulder as well. “Now, let’s start the orgy!” She called.
My eyes widened as she bent down and placed her lips on mine. Her mouth was soft and hard at the same moment, perfect in its shape and taste. I moved to struggle but the other two goddesses held me tight. A moment went by and I let the kiss take me, it was like honey, peppermint, and promises of a bright future, all wrapped together. Oh well, who argues with the goddesses, and it was just a dream right?
TRACK 24 – BALL AND BISCUIT – THE WHITE STRIPES
It had been less than a week since we started building the road from the Fortress of Earth to The Springs, four days to be exact, and it would be done today. I had gone ahead of Shadow Bear, with a small party, Freak, Thunder Foot, Lightning Fist, Silent Mouse, and the cousins, Billy and Patty.
It was just about noon as we walked into the clearing surrounding The Springs, it sucked that Moon Flower had my Winston, and the Riders had all the other horses, so walk it was, not that it was that big of a deal, but when you get used to riding it kind of sucks using your own two feet.
“Rowr!” Freak growled, giving me a look that said, welcome to my world.
I patted my tiger on the side and grinned.
“Would you look at that.” Patty said, as he stepped to my side.
“Well I’ll be, we have a gods damned Roman fort.” Billy said in approval. “Why didn’t you say anything about it earlier, fuck me.”
“I didn’t know.” I replied, honestly surprised, but extremely happy at the surprise. “Oh wow, look at all the people!”
We walked up to the newly constructed main gate and I entered with the rest of the men. Walking Coyote greeted us as we entered, and I praised him for his good work.
“My god man, you are amazing!” I exclaimed, gesturing around in awe.
“Thank you, War Shaman, I just did as you directed before you left, and this is the result.” Walking Coyote replied, bowing his head slightly in acceptance.
“You need to show me around but first, let me make introductions and let’s plan for a feast, Shadow Bear and crew will be here soon, along with our new road.” I said, putting my arm around the old man’s shoulders.
I made the introductions and sent the men off on various tasks. Cunning Wolf stayed with me, along with Billy and Patty, then I explained to the old man what I was planning. He nodded, not quite understanding but leaving to get what I told him I needed.
“Ok you two, let’s get busy.” I told them, it was time to build a boat.
The Springs sat on the confluence of two rivers. It was basically an island, yet the river on one side was more a stream and was easily crossed, only about five feet wide, seven if it was rainy season. The other river though, was much bigger, it was fifty yards across, and was known as the Colorado river. There was a perfect spot on that side, an alcove on the eastern side of The Springs that was perfect for what I planned.
The cousins, who had experience building ships in Spain, and I got to work right away. We cleared the land of all vegetation, rocks, and other debris. While Walking Coyote had his plethora of workers started to deliver all the wood I asked for. The alcove had the bonus of being next to my forge, which was convenient for building purposes.
After we cleared the area along the alcoves beach, we began the process of building our shipyard. We planed the area and flattened it with shovels and rakes I made in the forge. Then we took solid planks of oak and cut then fitted them, building a long deck, a hundred feet long and fifty feet wide. We build the deck out into the alcove, stretching twenty feet out over the water. Pilings were used to support the deck and with my strength, and surprisingly my two new friend’s strength as well, but it took two of them two move one while I did mine by myself, we finished quickly. The iron nails I made helped immensely. We were finished with the deck just as the sun was setting, signaling the end of the first day of work.
I surveyed the fruits of our labor. The freshly cut wooden timber smelled great in the dusks light, and the newly laid deck lay perfectly flat, with a space cut out for the slip where we would launch the boat when finished.
“War Shaman, Shadow Bear and the crew have arrived, and the feast is ready.” Dusk called, coming to the alcove.
“About damn
time! I’m starving.” Billy called.
“Aye, I could eat a whole gods damned cow.” Patty agreed.
“Let’s go eat, we have an and early day tomorrow.” I said.
We followed Dusk back to the feasting area, and said our hellos to Shadow Bear and company, who had already started eating, along with the people of The Springs. We ate and drank and there was good comradery all around. Billy and Patty got along with everyone well, their good nature being infectious to those around them, you couldn’t help but like the foul mouth pair.
After everyone had eaten and drank their fill, we retired to our beds. There was much to do, and tomorrow would come early. Shadow Bear and his company were heading back to the Fortress of Earth to begin construction of more defenses, so they would be up early as well. He was to return in a week after he finished.
The next few days passed in a blur. We laid the keel on day two, shaping it out of one large long piece of perfect pine, that stretched out fifty feet, and was five feet around. It took all three of us all day to move, and then shape the wood to our satisfaction. The day ended, we ate, drank, slept and were up at the break of dawn. Day three saw us building the ribs of the boat, which we made of supple logs of cedar.
Here I had to explain what I wanted to the cousins. The boat was to be shallow drafted, so we could go pretty much anywhere on any river. I wanted a two-foot draw at the most, which they both scoffed at. I also explained, that we would have to carry the boat overland sometimes, so it had to be light enough to life by twelve men, as I decided that was the optimal number, and because the Dirty Dozen was the best fucking movie!
“You’re daft man!” Billy complained.
Patty just nodded in agreement.
“Just do as I ask ok? If it doesn’t work out you can call me daft or whatever when we’re done.” I told them.
With hesitant agreement we got back to work. I had the cousins shape and plane the wood, then I took it and fitted the ribs into place, leaving a space on each side creating what I called a false keel, or centerboard. I pulled up Fire and Earth Magic, infusing each into every piece of wood. The magic strengthened and made the wood more pliable at the same time. I bent the wood to the proper angles and finished the day with the keel and ribbing now finished.
Day four we laid out the planking, which was also infused with Earth and Fire Magic again. When done with that, we went and set about creating the rudder system. I decided on a variation of a tiller, a Chinese version that was popular in the Han Dynasty, and then we finished for the day. On day five, we set the mainmast, a twenty-five-foot tall pine that was removable for battle.
Next, came the turtle ship variation and armored hull. I created interlocking metal plates, thin but strong, and attached them to removable wooden shields that hung on the sides of boat, covering it from stem to stern in iron armor. The iron shields were hung on an interlocking system of pegs and slats. So, they could be lifted and set into the peg system, creating a shield over the top of the boat to protect from arrow fire, and small firearms. It was pretty ingenious, and I had used the example from a Da’ Vinci sketch I had seen. After infusing more magic into the shield’s, we retired for the day.
The sixth and final day saw us doing the finishing touches, carving out mounts for firearms and various other needed items, like belying pins and different areas for storage and a hundred other details. The magic had given the wood a dark hued and lacquered appearance, making the wood seem almost black. I had Walking Coyote sew a large sail made from the bleached hides of animals. The material was soft and supple, yet strong and sturdy. When hung it was quite striking, the pale white contrasting with the dark wood and the shining metal shields.
The whole tribe had come out to see the finished product. The result of our six days of work was a thirty-foot long, and ten-foot wide warship. It was the lovechild of a Viking Long ship, Korean Turtle ship, Riverboat, and attack boat. It was sleek and dangerous looking, yet graceful and beautiful at the same time. The corner of vision began to blink, and I accessed the first screen.
EARTH AND FIRE ATTACK RIVERBOAT
VEHICLE TYPE – HYBRID ATTACK BOAT
DURABILITY – 1000/1000
CLASS – Unique
UPGRADES – Fire Resistant, Earth Strength
WEIGHT – 1000 1bs (2000 with gear, provisions, and crew)
WEAPONS – N/A
DIMENSIONS – 30 ft length, 10 ft beam, 4 ft gunnel, 25 ft mainmast, 20 max crew,
This ship is built using the Magic of Earth and Fire. It is resistant to fire up to a point, and the wood itself is hardened to metal like proportion due to the earth magic infused into it. The boat is relatively flat bottom for ease of river travel but has a centerboard that can be lowered for ocean travel. There are firing posts on all four sides for either archers or firearms, set into the turtle shell shield walls. Insets are set for conversion to oar power in emergency. Space for ten teams, five per side is slotted.
I closed the screen and pulled up the next few.
BUILDER (LEVEL – 2)
You have increased your knowledge of building things. You have gained access to marine vessels, structures and items. The more things you create, the faster your skill will increase, and the more complex things will become available for you to create. Your crafting ability will change and increase with level and usage.
MAGE BUILDER (LEVEL – 2)
Your ability to build things and use magic simultaneously is increased two double, as you now know two schools of magic. You may infuse the things you build with both earth and fire which will enhance them in ways sometimes that are unexpected but always beneficial. This skill will continue to increase with usage and level.
INVENTOR (LEVEL – 1)
By using your ability of Total Recall, your building skills, magical ability, and artistic skill you are able to create new and amazing things. There is no limit to your creations only those set by your imagination and creativity. But beware, with great power comes great responsibility, and like Icarus one can fly to close to the sun.
I closed all the windows and turned to the gathered crowd. Walking Coyote, Dusk, and Dawn stood at the forefront staring in awe at the completed vessel. I approached them and grinned in pride at our creation, Billy and Patty following in my wake, grins just as wide and happy as my own.
“It’s beautiful and all law, but what is it exactly?” Walking Coyote asked.
Everyone laughed, and after we quieted down, I explained what it was again and how it worked. They all knew of canoes and such, so the boat part was easy. It was just the size of it and the ramifications that were staggering them. There was a commotion in the crowd then and thankfully, I could cut my explanation short. Shadow Bear arrived just then, his work crew bearing the things I had asked for. They came up and laid them down on the deck. Each was covered in canvas and hid them from curious eyes.
“Welcome Shadow Bear. How was the trip?” I asked him, clasping forearms in greeting.
“Quick and uneventful, the road makes the trip takes just hours at a fast jog. If we didn’t have the weapon’s we’d have been here an hour or two sooner.” He replied.
Then I noticed another member of the crew, Cunning Wolf was there as well, we clasped arms as well.
“You came as well old man.” I greeted him affectionately.
“The gods will it so my boy. Besides, the defenses are well built back at the fortress, Chieftess Shining Eagle is in control and the warriors and guards are well trained and armed. Each warrior has a new axe, bow, and kukri now. The falconets are set and manned, there is no use for an old shaman like me there. Besides, we have to finish our magic training, not to mention Wolf told me I should be at your side for the time being.” He replied.
“Well, I’m glad to have you along.” I said. “How far along are the defenses by the way?”
“The defenses are placed as you instructed, the berms now stretch all the way to the entrance of the canyon where we had the battle and continue to be b
uilt further and further each day.” He motioned at Shadow Bear. “The boy and his workers have done an amazing job. The roads now stretch from The Springs to the Fortress and now beyond to the first defensive wall.”
“Good.” I said, nodding.
Then I went to the canvas bundles and opened the first. It was a harquebus taken from the Conquistadors. There were four of them in total, I had worked them into the design of the boat and Shadow Bear had brought them for me. Billy and Patty lent me a hand and we took the guns to the ship and mounted them. Now the ship was finished. Tomorrow we would leave on our first voyage.
“Let’s eat and celebrate tonight. For we launch the boat and leave tomorrow!” I called out.
The gathering erupted in cheering and we all made our way to the recently passed Chiefs platform. Walking Coyote had told me of Moon Flowers visit and she had mourned with the tribe and had his funeral. I wished I had been there and told him so. That subdued the mood a bit, but the food and drink soon raised our spirits. Even though the drink was low alcohol, drinking enough of it still got you buzzing. Billy and Patty said as much, but they drank more alcohol than anyone, so they would be the experts.
We talked about the coming day and who would accompany me on the journey. After much questioning I finally decided to tell those gathered around me. I stood up tall and cleared my throat, wobbling a bit from the drink.
“I’ve decided ten of us will be enough. I’ve been thinking hard about it and those coming with me will be William and Patrick, Thunder Foot and Lightning Fist, Cunning Wolf, Silent Mouse, Shadow Bear, and…” I started to say.
“War Shaman Law!” Dusk and Dawn called, interrupting me.
They shared a look and then Dusk continued.
“Please take us with you. We will do whatever, the cooking, cleaning, hunting, please War Shaman, we want to fight!” He finished with passion in his voice and fire in his eyes. Both him and his sister were full of zeal.
I Am Gamer II Page 13