Lion's Quest: Trinity: A LitRPG Saga

by Michael-Scott Earle

  “Greetings, I’m Leo,” I said once I stepped into their circle.

  “We heard,” a blond man said to me. He was tall, good looking, and sneered at me. The man wasn’t as muscular as me, but he had the alert stance of a warrior. His hair was a straw-colored blonde, and he wore it like a mullet.

  “Rodin Worred?” I asked.

  “Sir Rodin Worred,” he corrected with a sigh. “Your accent is atrocious. Where are you from?”

  “Cutno,” I replied as I turned to the rest of the group.

  The minotaur was rather intimidating. He was at least ten feet tall, with hairy arms as thick as my thighs. Both of his horns were sawn off, and they were capped with a dark metal. His hair was a dark black color, and he had white spots on his shoulders that might have actually been scars.

  “I’ve never heard of the place,” the knight said as I looked up into the dark eyes of the massive creature.

  “It is near Arnicoal. Please forgive me, Sir Lennox, I have traveled to that place, yet your accent is still not familiar.” The woman who spoke wore a tight fitting dark green uniform and a rapier with a decorative dragon hilt. She wore her platinum blonde hair in a bob haircut, and her steel-blue eyes stared at me behind half-closed eyelids. I couldn’t tell if the woman was interested in me, or bored.

  “I sometimes feel as if I am a stranger in a strange land. I’m guessing you are Cesnie Kayleic.”

  “You guess correctly. Although, I should point out the reason Sir Rodin was so rude to you is because you forgot his title.” The woman’s lips formed a half-smile.

  “My apologies to the both of you Sir Rodin and Lady Cesnie.”

  “I take no offense,” the blonde woman smiled fuller, and her eyes twinkled a bit. She was pretty, not as beautiful as the leather skirted warrior woman who stood next to her, but her reputation as the kingdom’s best Castles player was intriguing. I didn’t know if she could use the sword at her hip, but her smile made me think she might be open to an alliance.

  “I still do take offense, but what can be done about people from backwater cities? Just ignore them, I suppose.”

  “I suppose,” I said to the man with a shrug, and the five of us were silent for a few moments as we stared at each other.

  “You are Moryana? Errr, Lady Moryana? I have heard you are a sword dancer. I am ignorant of the classification, can you tell me more about your skills?” I finally asked the darkly beautiful woman in red.

  “Ha. She's no lady. Sir Lennox is quite confused,” the blond knight sighed.

  “Ahh, I’m afraid I don’t know how many of these titles work, but it does sound like you are insulting her.” I shook my head at the man.

  “Sir Rodin Worred is correct, I am not in the service of a house or interested in being part of one. I am here as a hired mercenary. After I win this crown for my patron, I will sell my skills to the next bidder.” The beautiful warrior woman’s voice as sultry and her accent made the W’s of her words sound like V’s.

  “No honor. See?” He shrugged at me.

  “You could say the same of me then, Chrysa Aitcha has hired me for this job, but I am a free agent.”

  “No, Sir Leo Lennox. You allow yourself to be titled, but I do not.” The obsidian haired beauty shrugged. “We are different.”

  “I see,” I said, even though I didn’t really understand. “Can you tell me more of sword dancers? I am ignorant of the subject.”

  “It is a sword technique as old as Ohlavar. We allow the flow of our bodies to enter the stream of magic which surrounds us all. It gives us unbridled power.”

  “Ahh. Is it Body magic, or Mind magic?” I asked.

  “I can shuffle between the axis like a tornado’s current. Such things like Body, or Mind. Light or Shadow. They mean nothing to me. I dance with my blade as the situation deems necessary and end all who stand before me. Do not worry, Sir Leo Lennox, I will do my best not to harm you during our battle. Your face is handsome, and I can tell you use your looks to overcome most of your challenges.” The woman’s green eyes stared at me intently when she finished speaking.

  “I’m not sure if you complimented me, insulted me, or warned me, but thank you for the education,” I said as I smiled at her.

  “And you are Tia’Tor Barta? Do I need a title?” I asked the minotaur.

  “No, Sir Lennox.” The deepness of the massive creature’s voice made my ribs vibrate. “You may call me what you will. It will not matter. You will not pass the second round of our conflict. You lack the skill, strength, or discipline. Do not bother attempting to befriend me. Just be grateful that you will wear the protective amulet the day after tomorrow.”

  “Ahh. Okay.” I shrugged and caught the eye of a servant. I gestured for her to come over and grabbed a glass of wine from her tray. I didn’t really feel thirsty, but it gave me something to focus on while the four champions stared at me.

  I was used to getting shit talked. I was a pro gamer. The taunts from these assholes didn’t really intimidate me. Well, maybe the minotaur's did because he was almost twice my size, but I was sure the others were just posturing.

  “How did you come to be in Lady Chrysa Aitcha’s employment?” Cesnie asked after she also took a glass of wine from the servant.

  “We met on a ship coming here from Arnicoal. We were attacked by pirates, and her guards were killed.”

  “Frightful business, piracy. We don’t have such issues near our kingdom,” Rodin grunted. The servant went to walk away, but the knight stopped her with a wave and then took a glass of wine. “We aren’t battling until the day after,” he said after he took his first sip.

  “How many pirates? Which ship were you on?” the blonde woman asked over the edge of her glass.

  “More than four,” I said to her with a wink, and she chuckled. “But I’m guessing you already know the name of the ship.” I met her steel-blue eyes with mine and held her gaze.

  “Perhaps you are more than just some muscle,” she said after a few moments.

  “Probably not,” I said as I took another sip of my wine. “I’m afraid that I haven’t played Castles before. Would I be able to beg some lessons from you tonight or tomorrow?” I asked her.

  There was silence between the group for a few moments, and the blonde woman’s left eyebrow raised.

  “Sir Lennox, why would you think I would want to teach you?” she asked.

  “Because the rumor is that you are the best, and if someone ends up the best at something, it is normally because they love it. I’m sure you can’t teach me enough in one day to beat you, but you might be able to help me defeat whoever I face in the first round.” I gestured to the other three champions. Tia’tor huffed, and Rodin’s eyes were wide. Moryana’s green eyes distracted me for a second, and I saw the woman smile.

  A bell rang out through the hall, and the five of us turned to the head of the table.

  “Royal guests, dinner will be served shortly. Please sit where you feel most comfortable,” Sharles called out with his honey voice.

  “I will consider it over dinner, Sir Lennox,” Cesnie said. “Perhaps you would sit next to me so we might speak more?” the woman slid her arm around mine and nodded toward the table.

  “And I will sit on the other side of Sir Leo Lennox.” Moryana’s hand wrapped around the bicep of my other arm. I hadn’t even seen the woman move from her spot in our standing circle, and I felt a shiver of dread tingle down my spine.

  “I will not argue with this arrangement. My mother always told me not to make beautiful women angry,” I said to both of them.

  “She is a wise woman. I hope you have followed her advice,” Moryana said.

  “No, I must admit that I haven’t so far.” I smiled at the dark beauty, and her eyes narrowed.

  Then I escorted both women to the dining hall table.

  Chapter 11

  “Leo, I’m concerned about a potential alliance with Lady Cesnie Kayleic. I would wager Queen Yrisi is the mastermind behind the two assas
sination attempts,” Chrysa said. It was after dinner, and the four of us had just returned to our set of suites.

  “I would agree with that theory, but Cesnie hasn’t agreed to anything beyond meeting me tomorrow morning for breakfast and some time on the Castles board.”

  “I’m sure an alliance is what she wants, and it seemed like you might have been interested in that, and maybe more, when I saw you two at dinner.” Chrysa huffed a bit and crossed her arms.

  “All the champions sat next to each other, Chrysa.” I gave the young woman a smile. “Is there something you want to talk about besides this selection process?”

  “I will take Allurie into our room for some rest,” Cornalic said as he stood from the couch. “I do believe I will be taking the night watch. Is that correct, dearest Leo?” the half-orc said.

  “Yeah. If you wouldn’t mind,” I replied. It was a code between the three of us that I would be leaving to go home. I needed to eat, and take a shower, and then get some rest. I had a big day tomorrow.

  “It will be fine. Let us go, Allurie,” Cornalic said to the elf girl.

  Allurie gave us both a smile and then left with the half-orc. Once they were gone, I turned to Chrysa and waited for her to speak.

  “I apologize, Leo. My comment was uncalled for. I am very happy you are my champion,” she said as soon as my friends had left the room.

  “It’s fine. I understand that Cesnie is sworn to the team we’ve got to beat, but I do need to use her to learn how to play Castles better.”

  “I understand. I did attempt to make friendly conversation with Queen Yrisi last night. The woman was difficult. Perhaps I am grateful you have made allies. It seemed the Teedan champion also spoke with you.” Chrysa arched a delicate eyebrow, and her eyes narrowed a bit.

  “Yeah. Moryana and I only talked a little. I can’t tell which one is more dangerous. Cesnie asked way too many questions, and Moryana just watched me like she was a huntress studying her prey. I was in a strange spot because I wanted Cesnie to think I was strong so she would ally with me, but I don’t want Moryana to believe I’m a threat, or she might go after me first.” I reviewed the dinner conversation in my mind again. I was used to being surrounded by attractive women, but my two dinner companions had been both beautiful and deadly.

  I still didn’t know which one was the deadliest.

  “I have played Castles many a time. Perhaps I can join you two--” Chrysa began to say, but there was a loud knock on the door to her suite.

  “Sir Lennox, you have a visitor,” a female guard said after my friend asked them to enter.

  “At this hour? Who?” Chrysa asked.

  “Sir Rodin Worred. Should I send him in?” she asked.

  Chrysa and I looked at each other. I read the expression on her face, and I turned to the guard. “I will meet him in the front lobby of the wing,” I said.

  “Very well, sir,” the guard said.

  I gave Chrysa a nod and followed the guard to the front doors of our wing. The blond knight was waiting there. The man carried a wooden box in his hands, and he nodded to me when I approached.

  “Good evening, Sir Lennox.”

  “Good evening, Sir Rodin Worred. How can I help you?”

  “I’ve brought you a gift, and I was hoping you could share it while we talk in private.” The man nodded at the box in his hands. He was dressed as he was at dinner, with a sunflower yellow suede suit that had leather pads on the elbows, knees, and shoulders.

  “Yeah. I ahhh…” I turned to look at the guard who escorted Rodin here, and the woman guessed what I wanted.

  “This room over here is empty, Sir Lennox. Would you like me to call the servants to bring you both food and drink?”

  “That is unnecessary. I have brought the drink,” Rodin said with a chuckle.

  We followed the guard into one of the grand rooms. Then we sat at a table near the door. The knight opened the box as soon as we were seated. It contained a bottle and two tumbler glasses.

  “This is the finest from my country. I hope you will accept it as an apology,” the man said as soon as the guard had left the room.

  “An apology?” I asked.

  “Yes, I was rude to you during dinner. My intention was to throw off the other champions, but I might have gone a bit too far. Please enjoy.” The man handed me a glass of the dark purple liquid and then poured one for himself. Once he was done, he raised his glass. “You are the variable in the equation. My game might not have worked, but it didn’t hurt. Unless I have hurt your pride, in which case, allow me to apologize again.” The blonde man sipped his brandy, and I followed his example. It was superb, but I never felt much hunger or thirst during the game.

  “Maybe you should explain why you are here before I accept your apology,” I said.

  “Yes. That would be appropriate. I do not know if you have heard of our reputation. I will start with that. I have served with the Feelans all my life. As my father, grandfather, and great grandfather have. I will not go into great detail of my life, but I will tell you the worst day I have ever lived was the day my beloved Reallna was given to the King of Sanduport as a bride. When her daughter was born, I wanted to hate the girl, but she reminded me too much of her mother, and my heart melted for her. Her mother had just died, in similar circumstances that your patron’s mother passed.”

  “I see,” I said as I watched the flurry of emotions on the man’s face.

  “I am glad the man is dead, I am unhappy it wasn’t by my hand, but I am just a knight, and while I had a fantasy of avenging my beloved Reallna when the marriage was announced, my role has always been to serve.”

  “It seems as if no one liked the king,” I said as I took another sip of the brandy. The taste of it spread across my mouth like sweet fire, and I was again amazed by the technology of Ohlavar Quest.

  “My family has considered all alternatives. We would like to offer you an alliance during this contest. We feel Lady Aitcha is the legitimate heir to the throne, and we will support her during the fifth contest. I would also like to have your back during the melee contest if you will have mine.”

  “Ahh,” I said as I set the glass down.

  “During the dinner, it appeared you might be forming an alliance with Lady Cesnie Kayleic or Moryana. I would caution you against such an activity,” the knight said before I could say anything else.

  “Why is that?”

  “Ha! Sir Lennox. You are quite unusual. I will say I’m an excellent judge of fighting spirit and prowess. I can tell you are a great warrior, but I wonder if you are pleading ignorance of our competition,” the man chuckled, but I realized he had said “our competition.” I had to give it to him for assuming the sale.

  “I am from a rather backwater country.” I smiled at him. Sal would have told me to “shut the fuck up and let this guy talk himself into a corner,” so I was following my dead friend’s advice.

  “In my own country, my fighting skills are unmatched. I’ve led countless orc, troll, and giant incursions, and been the single melee champion for over thirty political dispute bouts, but even I felt fear in my heart when I heard that Moryana and Tia’tor Barta were to be champions. The sword dancer is perhaps one of the best-known duelists in the western side of Ohlavar. Tia’tor has never been defeated in combat, and he often explores dungeons alone. Then there is Lady Cesnie, who is perhaps the most dangerous in this competition.”

  “Why is that?” I asked.

  “The woman is an excellent swordswoman and a skilled adventurer, but where she really shines is in Castles. We all know that we will be unable to beat her in that contest. I might come in second since I have many years of experience playing the game, but she is a master without peer. If she doesn’t come in last during the first two contests, she will take the win by her victory in Castles. Our only hope is to eliminate her during the melee round and hope we can outperform her in the dungeon exploration. If that happens, she will be removed from the competition, and only the fou
r of us will battle each other in Castles.” The man took a long gulp from his brandy and then sighed. “I can guess her strategy. She will want to form an alliance with you and then work to eliminate me quickly. Then she will betray you afterward to ensure she places third. That will guarantee she will get to the third challenge, even if she places last at the second.”

  “That seems like it would be smart if she doesn’t think she can win the first challenge. What of Moryana and Tia’tor?” I asked.

  “I do not know which is the greatest warrior in single combat. I would give the edge to the minotaur during the second challenge. There might be a possibility they will both ally together to dismantle the three of us. I imagine each has hubris, and they will think they can beat each other. However, an alliance between them doesn’t help past the first challenge. Tia’tor will probably place better than Moryana in the dungeon exploration, and it's possible the sword dancer will place higher than the minotaur in Castles. If they were smart, they would want to take out Lady Cesnie first, and then go after the other one to create a points gap.”

  “Can you explain how the points work?” I asked. I didn’t want to tell the blond man that Chrysa hadn’t explained it to me, and I figured the more he spoke the more I could learn of his strategy.

  “Of course. The winner of the first challenge will receive four points. The second place will receive two. The third will get one. Same with the second and third challenge. During the fourth and fifth contests, the points will be divided the same way depending on voting placement. So, whoever gets the most votes from the council will receive four points, then two. The last round will be the same.”

  “What happens if two people tie for the lowest points at the end of the second challenge?” I asked.

  “The decision will be based on either a duel or a game of Castles. It will be determined by a dice roll,” the yellow suited knight answered.