Lion's Quest: Trinity: A LitRPG Saga

by Michael-Scott Earle

  My fingers grasped the hilt of one of my daggers, and I wiggled it free of its sheath. Then I made a small cut across the back of my arm. The injury started to bleed a bit, but I hadn’t really felt any pain.

  “Oh, cool!” I said as soon as I thought about healing myself. My skin glowed a yellowish-orange, and then the cut sealed itself. There wasn’t even a scar left.

  I picked up the Spirit of Stone book and flipped through the pages. The graphic of the pages showed a wall of bricks forming from a series of wings. My UI flashed a blueish-green color, and the designs disappeared from the pages of the tome.

  I thought about protecting myself with Spirit of Stone, and my skin was suddenly covered with a glowing rectangular blueish-green brick design. They were only about half an inch long, but they moved with my hands and arms just like Guardian of Fortune did. I reached for my dagger and then slashed it against my skin. I felt the blade touch my arm, but it didn’t hurt, and my skin didn’t open with the cut. I made a few more slashes, and none of them did any damage.

  Damn, this was cool. The ability would be a great asset for the upcoming battle royal. I was sure the other challengers would have similar skills, but every trick I could bring with me could help me win. I would probably be able to juggle between Spirit of Stone and Guardian of Fortune for a good dozen seconds, which was a lifetime in combat. If I did get injured, I could heal myself with Minor Heal and Breath of Life, although I would only be able to get one use out of the latter with its 10-minute cooldown per target.

  Now I just had to worry about alliances, betrayals, and nothing going as I planned.

  I rose and made my way to the front doors of Chrysa’s private wing. The guards there asked if I needed an escort through the palace, but I declined. Then I reconsidered when I realized I didn’t quite know how to get out to the place where I was supposed to be meeting Cesnie for breakfast.

  “That is no problem, Sir Lennox. We can escort you to the Castles Field,” one of the guards answered after I asked them if they could help me. A pair of them split off from the door, and they led me through the marble palace.

  Ten minutes later we arrived at the outskirts of the garden. The area was a square about a hundred yards on each side with a hexagonal array of stone spacers evenly mixed with grass patches. It was somewhat like a chess board, only one of the colors was grass, and the other was the gray stone. Lady Cesnie Kayleic was on the other side of the field, and I saw her instructing servants to set up a table for our breakfast.

  “I should be fine the rest of the way. Thank you,” I said to the pair of guards who escorted me.

  “Sir Lennox, are you sure? We could attend to you while you are here,” one of the men asked as he looked across the field toward the blonde woman.

  “Do you think I am in danger?” I asked them with an eyebrow raised.

  “Sir, you will be at risk until the third challenge is completed,” the other one whispered.

  I turned to look at Cesnie, and the woman beckoned for me to come join her. I didn’t see any guards around her, just servants, and I wondered if it would be rude to show up with an escort. She probably would think I didn’t trust her, which would have been correct. I did want to figure out how to play Castles though, so I needed to be polite.

  “I should be okay. Thank you both,” I said to the guards. They gave me a quick salute and then walked away. Then I strolled across the playing field and gave the pretty blonde woman a smile.

  “Right on time, Sir Leo Lennox,” she said with a slight bow.

  “Thank you for having breakfast with me. Please call me Leo,” I said to her.

  “Ahh, since Sir Rodin Worred isn’t here, we can do away with all the formalities. Please call me Cesnie.” She laughed, and it sounded like wind chimes. “Will you sit with me? We can eat, speak of my favorite pastime, and then talk about your history. I’m sure you realize you are a bit of a wildcard in all of this, so I’d like to get to know you better. Much better.”

  “I’d like that too,” I said as I sat at the table. The meals in Ohlavar Quest were always interesting. This breakfast was an assortment of flatbreads, soft cheese, hard boiled eggs, and a blue vegetable that looked like a cucumber, but tasted a bit like sweet cabbage. There was tea and water to drink, along with a sour pink juice. It was all good, and we made small talk about our evenings while the servants set the food on our plates.

  “You said you are unfamiliar with Castles, how is that so?” Cesnie asked as she took a sip of tea.

  “I’ve never played. I have played other games though,” I said.

  “I’m sure you have.” The corner of the blonde woman’s mouth upturned slightly. “I’m surprised Lady Aitcha did not offer to teach you.”

  “She did, but you are the best. So, I figured I should learn from you. Thanks again for agreeing to--”

  “Ahh, Leo. I have not quite agreed to anything besides breakfast.” She laughed lightly and put some of the soft cheese on her flatbread.

  “I’ll take one small victory at a time,” I said with my best smile.

  “You were right last night. I do love the game. It’s been my passion since I was a girl. My father planned on marrying me off to one of the many Dukes in Sanduport. However, I brought fame to the family with my victories, both in Castles and on the rapier dueling circuits. I was able to convince him to abandon the idea,” she explained after she had taken her first bite of the cheese covered flat bread.

  “I doubt you have a problem finding men who desire to marry you. I guess I’m guessing none of them could beat you at Castles?” I asked with a laugh.

  “No, Leo. It has been a long time since I’ve lost, but I might not even care so much about that. It is the losers who carry the burden of defeat in their hearts. Most men can’t tolerate a woman smarter or more accomplished than they. I am better with a blade than most and better at Castles than all.”

  “How did you first learn?” I asked.

  “My mother taught me.” Cesnie chuckled. “Then I studied with others. Every time I lost I tried to figure out why. The game is simple to learn, but it has a depth which continues to elude me. I learn from every game I play. Even the complete novice often teaches me things.”

  “Ahh, so that is why you agreed to teach me.” I smiled at her before I took another bite of my food. I normally didn’t feel hungry in the game, but I had skipped breakfast this morning, and my stomach was grumbling.

  “I still haven’t agreed yet, Leo.” She laughed again. “There are still many questions I have for you.”

  “Go ahead,” I said.

  “Did you study to be an adventurer? How about swordplay? There are rumors about a battle on the streets of Tylue. Some say you and your companions defended Lady Chrysa Aitcha from over twenty attackers.”

  “I’ve been an adventurer for the past twelve years,” I answered.

  “Around Cutno? Or Arnicoal?” she asked with a raised eyebrow. “Your accent isn’t from there.”

  “Yeah. I get told that all the time.” I shrugged.

  Her steel-blue eyes met mine, and she smiled before she took her next bit of food. The woman ate with measured purpose.

  “Is the broadsword your preferred weapon?” she asked after she finished chewing.

  “It is currently. I can use everything though. This sword was a gift from a good friend.”

  “What did Lady Chrysa Aitcha think of our breakfast meeting?”

  “She isn’t happy about it,” I said with a laugh. It wouldn’t make sense lying to the woman about this. She must have already suspected.

  “What did Sir Rodin offer you last night?” she asked.

  I met her eyes and tried to calm my emotions. What would Sal do right now? Part of me wanted to admit the man had visited me, but I knew that my Jewish manager would have just played dumb.

  “What do you mean?” I asked as I forced a confused look on my face.

  “Oh.” Her eyebrows knit together. “He was quite rude to you yesterday.
It seemed as if he was being obvious about not liking you. I heard a rumor he left his wing in the mid-hours of the night and walked toward your area of the palace.”

  “I’m sure he doesn’t think I am worth his time.” I grabbed my tea and took a sip. Did Cesnie know I was bluffing? Or was she playing me?

  “So, you have not made an alliance with one of the other challengers?” she asked.

  “Perhaps I did.” I smirked at her. “It seems to me that the strategy would be to eliminate you in the first round so that you won’t be present in the third.”

  “Yes. That is what I would do,” she admitted with a sigh. “So, you are here, I am here, let us not play any more games, Leo.”

  “Ha!” I laughed and pointed to the Castles field. “It looks like we are close to playing a game.”

  “Indeed. I would enjoy teaching you. In exchange, I would like an alliance in the first round.”

  “What exactly do you mean by an alliance?” I asked before I took another bite of food. I’d eaten almost my whole plate and didn’t feel hungry anymore.

  “Simple, attack with me, instead of against me. Our first target should be Moryana or Tia’tor. Then Sir Rodin.”

  “Who is the most dangerous between Moryana or Tia’tor?” I asked.

  “That is a good question,” the blonde woman said with a smile. Her shoulders relaxed just a bit when I asked my question, and I took it to mean that she thought I was considering her offer. Sal would be proud of how much better I had gotten at negotiating.

  “You are the strategist.” I smiled at her. “I don’t know anyone’s reputation beyond what Lady Aitcha has told me.”

  “I would relate them as equal in the first challenge. I have not seen any of them fight, but their reputations are notorious. Perhaps Tia’tor might have a slight edge because of his reach. The minotaur will probably equip himself with a tower shield and longsword for the battle, maybe perhaps a long-hafted axe. Sir Rodin might be able to defend against his attacks, but I would not be able to. Moryana will get stronger as the battle progresses. Each of her movements creates a flurry of magic that she will harness to increase her Body. I have not seen her fight, but I have seen sword dancers of lesser reputation, and they are very powerful.

  “Do you think they might form an alliance?” I asked.

  “I doubt it. They will both assume they will be the ones standing in the end, anyway. Which will probably be correct,” the short-haired blonde woman shrugged.

  “What about the second challenge?” I asked.

  “This is also a tough guess. I would give the edge to Tia’tor if the dungeon is shorter. His reputation as an adventurer and dungeon explorer is not exaggerated. I have been practicing with my party, but I have no illusions of placing in the top spot. I figure that I will place a third or fourth.”

  “And who do you think will come in last?” I asked.

  “My apologies, Leo. I do think you are outmatched in these challenges. You do seem as if you have confidence in your abilities, but Sir Rodin is one of the most powerful knights in the western side of Ohlavar. However, Moryana or Tia’tor would destroy him in a few moments. I put my blade skill a few hairs under him, and he might still hold the edge over me in the second challenge. You are an unknown. Perhaps you have great power, but if your reputation were even half of Sir Rodin’s the three kingdoms of Rinniji would already be speaking your name in excited whispers.” The attractive blonde woman raised her eyebrows apologetically.

  “You don’t need to apologize. I wasn’t Lady Aitcha’s planned champion. I just fell into the role. I will do my best though, even if I am outmatched,” I said.

  “You are honorable, Leo, but there is a time for honor and a time for opportunity. You can’t win the first three challenges. So, I would like to make you an offer that you might find attractive.” Cesnie smiled a bit and leaned forward in her chair. The servants had retreated from the sides of our table, and I doubted they were within earshot of our conversation, even if the blonde woman wasn’t whispering. “My patron and I are willing to give you a substantial reward for your alliance.”

  “Oh?” I asked. I wanted to tell her that I couldn’t be bought, but I thought about what Sal would have done and tried to force my expression to remain calm.

  “Yes. All you need to do is attack with me during the first round, and you shall be well rewarded.”

  “How are you and your queen defining ‘well rewarded’?” I asked.

  “We will give you one hundred thousand gold pieces,” Cesnie whispered. “It will be enough to buy a modest home, with servants, and allow you to spend the rest of your life basking in retirement.”

  “And your patron will be guaranteed the crown. If you can take a top spot in the first challenge, you’ll make it to the third round. Then you will win that, and Queen Yrisi will get enough points in the fourth and fifth challenges to win,” I said.

  “It is the inevitable outcome. Leo, I can understand you wish to do a great job for Lady Aitcha, but you are outmatched here. There is no way you can win the first, second, or third challenges. I know Aitcha has good odds in the fourth and fifth ones, but it won’t matter if you don’t win any other challenges. Your choice is between losing, or losing with enough money to live the rest of your life in comfort.”

  I considered Cesnie’s words for a few moments. I really didn’t know how good Tia’tor and Moryana were at fighting, but that didn’t mean they would just kick my ass. My real worry was the third challenge. If Cesnie was still in the competition, I would lose to her, and if I helped her survive the first round, she would most definitely be around for the third.

  I let my gamer brain wander through a few probability scenarios. If either Moryana or Tia’tor won the first and second challenges, they would both end up with 6 points. Sure, one could have 8 and the other 4, but the result might not be much different. If Cesnie won the third spot in either round, she would have 5 points, or 6 if she won both. That would put her even with Moryana or Tia’tor when the fourth challenge started. Her only competition would have been me then, but I would probably be--

  My train of thought ground to a halt with a shower of sparks.

  I knew what her game was.

  She would easily win if I were out of the competition. She had just admitted she didn’t think I would win the first or second challenge. If that was true, then why was she talking to me? She wanted to make sure of her victory, and the only way she could do that is if she took me out first. The only purpose of this meeting was to get me to agree to join her so she could betray me at the start of the first match. Her words had given her away.

  “I agree,” I said with a sigh. “In truth, I realize I am out of my element here. However, I also realize I am in a unique position of giving your patron the crown. Sure, you might win without my assistance, but your victory will be guaranteed if I help you take out any of the other three challengers. Especially if we manage to eliminate Moryana or Tia’tor.”

  Her steel-blue eyes met mine, and I felt as if they were trying to pry the secrets out of my soul. We didn’t speak for a few moments, and then I shrugged at her and took another bite of my cheese covered flat bread.

  “So, what is your counter offer?” she asked at last.

  “Three hundred,” I said.

  “Preposterous.” Her eyes narrowed.

  “And I want half delivered within an hour of us finishing our Castles session,” I finished.

  “No,” she growled.

  “Okay.” I shrugged. “We can always just let the pieces fall where they may. There is a chance that you’ll beat me in the second challenge, but if you are eliminated first in our initial bout, and then you come in last place for the second, your skill at Castles won’t matter.”

  “I am confident in my own abilities, Sir Lennox,” she said. Her face was calm again, but I noticed she was using my title instead of calling me by my first name.

  “Maybe Moryana or Tia’tor will take the money,” I said to he
r with another shrug. “Or maybe you already offered, and they turned you down.”

  “Or they said yes, and I am offering you a large sum of money to just do nothing.” Cesnie crossed her arms.

  “Maybe, but I guess you would have offered me a lot less money if that were the case. Hell, you probably wouldn’t have even bothered to have this conversation with me if either Moryana or Tia’tor agreed to throw their challenges. You don’t think I am a factor in any of this beyond the small amount of help I can give you in the first round.”

  “Precisely, Sir Lennox. It is a ‘small amount’ of help. We are being more than fair to you with the initial offer.”

  “Everyone will be attacking you at the start. They know they can’t beat you in the third challenge. Without my help tomorrow, you will be the first one to fall. I don’t even need to attack you, I can just move out of the way. You know that Rodin, Moryana, and Tia’tor will be after you.” I shrugged. “My offer is fair. It will mean you might even get a point in the first round. Maybe even two if you are lucky. If you want my blade at your side, you’ll pay what I ask.” I tried not to smile when her eyes narrowed even more.

  “Two hundred,” she said at last.

  “Two fifty,” I replied.

  “Agreed.” She smiled, and her mouth was all perfect teeth.

  “Half delivered after we finish our Castles lesson,” I said.

  “Very well,” she sighed. Then she closed her eyes for a few moments and smiled. “Now that our alliance is formed. Let us talk of the game. Are you done with your meal?”

  “Yes. It was excellent. Thank you again for meeting me, and teaching me.”

  “No, Leo, thank you for working with me tomorrow. After this is all over with, I hope you decide to remain in our fair city, so we can meet like this many more times.” The woman smiled, but I saw through her cold eyes.