AVARICE ONLINE: KEL'VAN RED HAND

by Titus Nettles

  “Ah, here he comes now,” Kelza said casually.

  Kel’Van and the party looked in the direction Kelza was facing and observed a rather short but muscular orc walking with 5 ropes wrapped around his hand. These long strands were tethered to 5 Elkane mounts slowly walking behind him. As he stopped, he took out some treats and fed the large animals quietly.

  “You wouldn’t think these animals would ravage through their enemies if threatened the way they gently eat, now would you?” He said more softly to himself than anyone in particular.

  Kelza walked over to the orc and patted him on the shoulder. “This is Or’Fan. A mapmaker of some renown,” she grinned towards him before returning her eyes to Kel’Van’s team. “He will be accompanying you today on your journey.”

  The others looked at each other questioningly. Kel’Van separated himself from the others and approached Kelza. “I was under the impression we would be working under your supervision patrolling the outskirts of our territory Field-captain.” She looked over at the others and then pointed with her head to the side. “We should speak over there.”

  As the two walked a good distance away from the group, Kelza began to speak quietly.

  “Originally, you and your team were supposed to run a patrol on the eastern side. You were to go alone to get used to the class skills you have as a unit against enemies.” She paused as she looked back at the others again. “Things have changed.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I don’t know why, but that dungeon you’ve discovered has now become a priority. Hell, the only reason they haven’t sent you straight away to win it is because there are no healers at your level for you to beat it with.”

  “So, what do they want to do with us now?”

  “What they want now is for you to map the spot from here to the new dungeon. They are willing to form a perimeter or camp if need be around it. Specifically, in case there are Holmgren sighted around it. That Korai woman, for all they know, may have beaten it, though like you, they doubt it could have been accomplished without a healer to get them all the way through,” said Kelza as she eyed Or’Fan telling jokes to the others. They were laughing at his absurdity, which she was all too familiar with.

  They were right about the healer thing. If they walked into that instance with a healer at level 20, the monsters, traps, and attack monsters would reflect that of a level 20 dungeon. The creatures would still be level 15, but the extra powers and abilities would murder everyone else there and eventually the healer too. It was best if they go in there with someone with similar stats, meaning they would have to level up.

  “I get the point. So, I take it we have to keep the map maker in one piece so he could do his job?”

  “Also, for him to advance, of course. He has enough already to level his map skill, but he needs to be in battle to achieve it. Or’Fan doesn’t need to fight, just him being in your party when you do battle will help him.” Kelza explained. “Do you know your way from here back to the dungeon entrance?”

  “It won’t be a problem.”

  He didn’t want to add the fact that he had a map already on his D.S. That bit of info would only complicate things with the powers that be in Algora. Granted, it merely records where he has been previously, but it was good enough for them to get back to the dungeon.

  “That’s good; with the mounts it should half the time it takes to get there, if not more. Or’Fan has some stamina potions and rations in his pack. They should be enough for you to get there and return home,” said Kelza. “Good luck captain.” She smiled and turned to walk away when Kel’Van spoke hesitantly.

  “Field captain…umm about the mounts,” He stated while scratching the back of his head.

  “Yes?”

  “I don’t know how to ride a mount.”

  Kelza stood there, almost completely stunned. Then began laughing uncontrollably while holding her stomach.

  ” Oh by Gaea, that was good.” she then wiped her eyes and looked back at her worried subordinate. “It’s not hard at all captain. Just nudge her with the reign in the direction you want the Elkane to go, and the animal will do the rest, I promise.” And with a wave she walked away smiling, while Kel’Van, his face rather a darker shade of green, methodically walked back to the others.

  “Let’s get out of here,” growled the captain.

  The others looked at each other and mounted their steeds. Voresh took point with Fer’shad closely behind him. Or’Fan stayed in the center with Kel’Van and Bela bringing up the rear.

  “Is everything alright captain?” questioned Belar as she settled in next to Kel’Van and his mount.

  “I’m fine, but as you probably have guessed, there is a change in plans.”

  The five of them slowly trotted out as the gates opened up and began their journey toward the dungeon.

  CHAPTER 36

  “There were spiders down there?!!” Or’Fan yelled.

  They had stopped and camped for a midday lunch break. Voresh had pulled out sweet-bread, casks of water, and of course, breadkins. While they ate their food, the party had regaled each other on their exploits. Fer’shad, who seems to have developed a knack for stories, was more boisterous with the telling of their adventures. Especially when it came to the Undercaverns.

  “Yes, they came in different sizes. Some about as tall as your waist, others big enough to eat an orc whole,” Fer’shad said ominously. His hands mimicking the spiderkin movements. By the time he was finished, Or’Fan was rightly impressed. That is until he explained why Belar and Kel’Van didn’t touch the breadkins. Then he politely excused himself, walked over to the bushes, and began emptying his stomach while they all laughed. The poor orc was dry heaving on the way back.

  Kel’Van grinned at the spectacle while he was reading the message on his D.S.

  Hey Kevin,

  I’m at the same site you and your…party last attacked us. Still waiting for that invite partner, what’s the hold-up?

  V/R,

  Kandice

  Kel’Van was waiting for a way to get Or’Fan out of the picture so that they could meet. He had no problem with the others being there. Hell, he preferred it. But Or’Fan being here complicated things. Mostly since he was part of their party. It was a 5 man limit he had, and now with Or’Fan in it, he couldn’t add Kandice to this mix. He couldn’t wait till nightfall because even Kelza knew they should make it to the dungeon and back by evening. Or’Fan would still have questions. Add to the fact he couldn’t just leave him here alone, especially since his primary skill was cartography. Which meant his battle skills weren’t up to the standards of the rest of them. He returned to his message box and hit reply.

  What’s up Kandice,

  Stay there, I’m on my way. Should see you in about 20 minutes. No funny business…

  Kevin

  Actually, it would only take him ten minutes to reach her. But he needed time to talk to the others and put the beginnings of his plan together.

  “Belar, help me with my inventory,” he bellowed. She came over after giving Or’Fan a flask of water and patting him on the back. Still dry heaving, he waved Belar away. Smiling, she approached Kel’Van.

  “Is our friend over there okay?”

  “Yes, captain, I think he will be well. What do you need help with?”

  Kel’Van started emptying his inventory and spoke a little lower. “I’m about to go meet our friend now. We can’t leave Or’Fan here alone, so this is the plan. Afterword’s, make sure the others know and follow it to the letter. I’m counting on you to be discreet about telling the others in a timely fashion.” He paused as if he was sorting out something on the ground but then continued speaking in the same hushed tone. “Understand Belar?”

  “Yes, captain. It will be done.”

  “Okay then, here’s the plan.”

  Kel’Van explained how he wanted things to go for another five minutes to Belar as he picked his stuff off the ground and placed them back in his inv
entory. He then quietly made his way into the woods heading north. Belar watched him go for about 10 seconds before she walked casually back to the group and touched Voresh’s shoulder while he was cleaning his space around the camp.

  “Our captain has gone to face something. We will watch his back and ensure he returns whole. But we will do it in stages. He wants you to track him but stay far enough away that whoever he is meeting thinks he’s alone. Fer’shad will do the same, keeping about the same distance, followed by me taking the exact actions.”

  “What about me?” asked Or’Fan.

  “You will be accompanying me,” she said. “This is not an affront but because of caution. You already know we are charged with bringing you back safely. Worst case scenario, we could all die, but at least we would return. You will not. Best only include you in combat when we are more assured of the outcome.” she stated. “Get going Voresh.”

  Needing no further prompting on the seriousness of the matter, he slung his sword on his back and slowly began walking in the direction where he last saw Kel’Van. Bending down, he spotted the tracks and began the hunt slowly.

  Kel’Van took his time.

  He wanted to make sure he was being careful and mindful of his surroundings. There was all manner of creature in this wooded jungle, and he didn’t want to stumble into one in a rush. That and well, he wanted to give Voresh enough time to follow his tracks. Spacing them out was the only way to ensure that Or’Fan didn’t run into that meeting. It also meant making it harder for his team to protect him if things went south. It wasn’t exactly the best plan, but it’s what he could come up with within this short amount of time.

  It took only another five minutes before he spotted her. She was laid up against a massive wall of rock, picking t her nails. Kandice was wearing the same blue and white two-piece knee high dress she wore when they defeated them at this very spot. By the way she was eyeing the air up and down, he could tell that she was viewing her own D.S. He noticed her face looked just a bit different from what he remembered, but he couldn’t place why.

  “Might as well get this over with,” he thought.

  He walked toward her with purpose and no semblance of being careful, announcing his arrival for her to hear.

  “Hello, Kandice.”

  She stood up from the rock and turned in the direction the voice came from. There to her right was an orc in cloth and leathers. The orc pulled back its hood and lower face mask. A smile played on her lips as the orc stepped forward in full view.

  “Well, outside of the new skin tone, size, and teeth,” she laughed. “It’s pretty much you, “sighed Kandice.

  “I wish I could say the same to you. This…”, waving his hand from her head to the feet,”is not an in-game tester created character.”

  “Well, after you’re…incident…In-game testers were phased out. Now we just use our regular characters but have our levels capped at 12 whenever we beta test the game.”

  “Well, that solved the question of why there were players with skills here…

  They were never an item or anything, but they were close enough that she felt comfortable giving the man friendly hugs when they worked together long ago. So that is what she did. Kandice slowly stepped inside his space and gave a one-arm hug to his side. As awkward as it was, Fer’shad relented and placed a tentative hand on her shoulder. She barely reached his chest, but she collapsed her head against his body. All of a sudden, he felt her body quiver. Then Kandice was wracked with sobbing noises as wet tears began to soak on his leather top.

  “I’m…I’m…so sorry Kevin!! I didn’t want you here to be trapped like this… I didn’t do anything when they said to keep our mouths shut about you. I even took the money and tried to pretend I was just doing for my kid…I mean I was, but I was scared to and- “

  “Sssshhh…” Kel’Van interrupted as he rubbed her back as gently as possible. “I don’t blame you for what happened to me in here. You didn’t kill me.”

  A small part of him though, actually did blame her somewhat. She may not have been the reason he was here, but she didn’t try as hard she could to rectify the situation, even by her own admission. She helped cover it up. Closing his eyes, he mentally tried to squeeze those thoughts out of his head. Dwelling on those things wasn’t going get him anywhere.

  “If anything, Kandice, I actually need to thank you.” She moved her head upward. A swollen face with puffy eyes filled with tears greeted him.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Remember those purple ranked armor sets you sent via the market place?” She looked confused at the question, but he couldn't tell with her face looking the way it was. “Well, you did send it, and I got it. Those armored sets saved me and the lives of my team 5 times over. I’m sure if I didn’t have them, I would’ve been dead for real weeks ago,” I’m still wearing some of the cloth 5 pieces now.”

  “Yeah, I did send you some sets, didn’t I?” she said more to herself than she did to him.

  This was getting awkward fast, not to mention there was supposed to be a point for all of this. He pushed Kandice gently away from him so he could look her in the eye.

  “Kandice, you said that you had something of importance you needed to talk about. Was this it?”

  “Um, no..no, It isn’t,” clearly flustered. Kandice tried to calm herself as she turned away from him. By the time she could look at him, the tears were almost ready to fall from her face once more. “It’s so messed up…all of it. Things went to hell so fast”.

  “What’s messed up Kandice?” he said softly. He could not remember the last time she looked distraught like this. The person he remembered while working at AO was a lot more in control than the person crying in front of him. Whatever she had to say could not be good.

  She stared at him now with a small grin while shaking her head.

  “Nobody is sure how it started or who attacked who first. All of the three major food suppliers of the world were bombed at the same time. Then what was left outside was fumed with some weird pesticide. 60% of the grown food supply is now poison.

  “Jesus Christ,” he whispered, “You can’t be serious.”

  “Oh, I’m dead serious,” she said with her sad smile still plastered on her face. “They seeded the ground and everything. The big wigs in lab coats have already said it will take at least ten years before we’ll be able to eat anything grown on this planet for human consumption. Most of the livestock are already infected. They will live, but eating them is poison to us.”

  Kel’Van quickly did the math in his head. “My god, there is no way we can feed the population of the states, let alone anyone else!!”

  “We have enough food storage in the states to last us another 4 years before we run out, and that’s if we ration it to almost nothing. The rest of the world has even less.”

  Kel’Van ran his hand over his bald head, which was now glistening with sweat. How in the world did we get to this point was what he was initially thinking, then another thought quickly replaced it.

  “Not for nothing, Kandice, but what the hell are you doing in here? “

  “Oh, that’s the best part Kevin,” with the same humorless smile returning to her face.” See, they came up with a plan to wait out the famine while the poisoned food weeds itself out. Stasis pods.”

  “Wait…what?!”

  “You heard me. They are going to put 80% of the population in those pods. While the other 20% monitor them and keep pace with the rest of the world. Your body in stasis doesn’t require much sustenance since it's barely moving. They figured 10 to 15 years in stasis will leave plenty of food for both the people in the pods and the monitors to live. By then, the poison food, plant life, and livestock would have breeded itself out and thereby save the human race.”

  “I didn’t even know people could stay in stasis pods that long,” said Kel’Van under his breath.

  “You couldn’t a year ago. It’s amazing what the right motivation can do for ingenuity.”<
br />
  “But that still doesn’t- “

  Then it hit him. Why Kandice and their friends were in the Gladys mountains. Why she was playing games in the middle of a crisis. But mostly what they were going to do with 80% of a population in stasis pods.

  “Jesus… You’re going to put all those people in a VR game…into Avarice Online.”

  R.J. had been following Kandice for two days now. When Gerald had decided that he keep tabs on her because she was diving without them, he thought he was being paranoid. Watching her now, standing with one of the orcs that skewered him earlier, made him think what else the “blue princess” has been doing behind their backs.

  “What the hell could they be talking about?”

  Not that it mattered. The others were not that far from the spawning spot. He pulled up his D.S. and sent an email detailing what was going down as soon as he saw the orc hug her. Obviously, she knew this guy, so it looks like Gerald’s idea of a different team in this zone was right. No telling how long she’s been working for whoever those orcs were. But he sure was going to have fun with the payback for setting them up.

  “I can’t believe it. How on earth are you even going to be able to handle all those people on a platform?!!” yelled Kel’Van.