Nascent (The Stork Tower Book 1)

by Tony Corden

  “Is there a map?”

  “Not really, that is all in the startup information. As your assistant, I have the ability within this world to create a simple map of everything you see. Any particular points of interest you must add or indicate for me to add.”

  Leah packed the cape in her bag, put it on her back and slowly followed the faint trail out of the glade.

  The trail led through the trees for several hundred metres before opening onto a dirt road which meandered through the forest. To the left, the path curved out of sight wending its way through the trees. To the right, it was possible to see an opening in the forest and the road flowing from the forest down a gentle sloped grassy hillside before curving out of sight. Leah headed in that direction. After exiting the forest, she could see a cluster of maybe 100 or so houses with several larger buildings surrounded by fields of various crops. The town was in an isolated valley, and she could see only two roads. One, the road Leah was on and another which she could see in the distance heading out on the other side of the valley. A small river cut through the valley; it was formed from many small mountain streams and flowed down the valley before disappearing into the forest. The town lay on Leah’s side of the river, and a wooden bridge was visible connecting the other roads out of the valley.

  As she wandered toward the village, she revelled in the experience. She had never lived outside of a city. The sounds and smells she encountered were all new; they were clean and fresh. She could work out what most things were as she had read widely and sought to learn almost everything she could. There was a difference she decided between reading something and smelling it or hearing it. As she entered the township, a few people stopped to watch her. Some nodded while others quietly got on with their business after having a look at the stranger. On the main street, she could see a general store, a tavern, an inn, a blacksmith and several other businesses vital to the rural community. Leah headed for the general store, both to find someone to talk to and to have a look at that was for sale. Behind the counter was a somewhat corpulent man with a ring of unruly grey curly hair crowned with a shiny bald pate.

  “Welcome, welcome, it’s always good to have young Travellers come through our town. Most head to the tavern first as the barkeep is known hereabouts as having his finger on the pulse. Oh, yes. Now, my name is Golliher, but most around here just call me Goll. How can I help this fine morning?”

  “Good morning Goll, my name is Atherleah, and I’m new to this land, I am beginning my travels and was wondering, what is the name of this town?”

  “Now that creek outside, it’s a major tributary of the mighty Beyaz River. We’re right here at the beginning and silly as it sounds we’re known as First Bridge.”

  Leah knew that she somehow had to build a rapport if she was to be set some tasks or quests so she looked around the store and said, “What would your advice be for a new Traveller, what do most need but don’t think of?”

  “Well now, I don’t think I’ve ever been asked that question before. I’ve lived here all my life, and I’ve seen thousands of Travellers come and go through the years so let me think. You have a browse, and I’ll sit and think.”

  Leah slowly walked around the shop which sold a mix of dry goods. There were barrels of different grains and beans; small tins of spices and teas; rolls of cloth, bars of soap, candles; packs with a flint and piece steel to help start fires; various ready-made items for general use like pots and pans and a tripod for cooking. She picked things up and slowly looked over it all, wondering what she needed and what Goll would say. Finally, he cleared his throat, so she wandered over and leant on the counter.

  “To be honest, there isn’t much here you Travellers need. I’m not sure what’s in your bag, but most people have enough for the journey. They only stop here to make some simple coin and learn about this land.”

  “I’m not sure I have everything that other’s have.” Leah shared. “I have my cloak, some knives, a water bottle and enough travel bread for a couple of meals. That and a simple healing spell is all I have.”

  Goll’s face went slack and his mouth opened as if to say something but nothing came out.

  Finally, he said, “You have a healing spell? No one ever comes here with magic. You can’t buy spells and the like up here. We only have Old Falsi, the herb witch, and while her remedies often work, they can’t cure everything. Would you be able to come with me and meet my wife out the back? Her sister is in bed with a terrible fever and Old Falsi doesn’t have everything she needs for a potion. My wife and I are worried sick because the fever has run for days and doesn’t look like breaking anytime soon. Can you help at all?”

  Personal Quest: Heal the Sick

  Shopkeeper Golliher has asked you to try and heal his sister in law.

  Difficulty: Unknown

  Reward if successful: Unknown

  Consequences of failure: Loss of reputation with Shopkeeper Golliher

  Do you wish to accept this Quest?

  [Yes] [No]

  The screen suddenly popping open gave her a start, She quickly read it, and the silently gave her assent.

  “I’m not sure whether I can help or not, but will certainly try. Please take me to her.”

  Modification to Personal Quest: Heal the Sick

  Shopkeeper Golliher has noted of your reservation and understanding you have no experience the consequences of failure has been modified.

  Shopkeeper Golliher has asked you to try and heal his sister in law.

  Difficulty: Unknown

  Reward if successful: Unknown

  Consequences of failure: None

  Do you wish to accept this Modification?

  [Yes] [No]

  Leah communicated her acceptance and followed Gull out the back of the shop into a connecting residence. They moved up a stairway to a room with a very sick woman lying in bed. She had a wet cloth on her brow held in place by the extremely concerned sister. On the other side of the bed sat an ancient, wizened lady who reminded Leah of her great-grandmother who had once visited from China, fragile looking but tough as steel. Goll quickly introduced Leah and her offer to help.

  The sister burst into tears, while the old woman sat and watched. Leah stared back and then remembering Jonathan's reaction she slowly bowed and said quietly, “I’ve not tried this before but am willing to help as I can. Will you permit this?”

  The sister was nodding fervently, but it was to the old lady that everyone looked. “My name is Falsi, and I doubt a simple spell will help, but you have my permission to try as I have done everything I can already and she is almost gone.”

  Leah reverted to her Chinese upbringing and said, “Thank you, Auntie, I have to be touching the patient, is there a place you think would be most beneficial.”

  “Ha!” the woman exclaimed, “Finally a Traveller with manners, come closer Atherleah, I think Farnel’s head and her heart are the two areas most at risk.”

  Leah took out her spell book to revise the spell. She saw that the spell would only help with 15 HP; still, she practised the saying a few times and then put the book away. Leah placed one hand on Farnel’s head and one over her heart. She felt a little weird with her hand on someone’s breast, but she ignored it.

  She slowly intoned the words “Let the waters of healing flow!” Her whole body tingled, and she saw a fine blue mist form around her hands and enter Farnel’s body. A small image appeared over Farnel; it looked like a horizontal thermometer with a small red bar at one end which moved slowly and turned orange. Leah concentrated and peered at it closely, and some numbers appeared above the bar, 41/230. Leah removed her hands and said, “I’m sure that helped a little. I need to rest a moment, and then I’ll try again.”

  Falsi rose and went to examine Farnel and Leah surreptitiously checked her Mana.

  Falsi said, “Aye, that’s done her some good. Are you able to try again?”

  Leah checked the time, and once the cool-down period was over, she performed the spell ag
ain. This time as she watched the bar it settled at 56/230 before dropping back to 55/230. Leah’s Mana was down to 32/104. She said, “If I wait a few minutes I’ll enough mana left to try at least once more and then I’ll need to rest for a bit. I don’t think it was quite as effective the second time.”

  This time Leah waited an extra five minutes so her Mana could rise above the required 50MP. The third time was also successful, and Farnel’s health rose by another 15 HP and showed 70/230 before dropping down to 69/230.

  Falsi said, “That’s brought her back from the gates but not done the cure. It helps, but we need to do something else!”

  Leah looked over at Falsi and could see a query in the old lady’s eye so she said, “Is there any way that I might be able to help to find the ingredients you’re missing?”

  Falsi sighed and said, “I’m missing a herb that grows up the mountain, hidden in various crags. It’s a hard journey, but I’ll show you what I need if you’re willing.”

  This time Leah was less surprised when the Quest appeared.

  Update to Personal Quest: Heal the Sick

  Old Falsi has information on the whereabouts of a herb she needs to provide a cure for Mistress Farnel. She is willing to tell you if you will undertake to go and harvest the plant.

  Difficulty: Difficult

  Reward if successful: Unique

  Consequences of failure: None

  Do you wish to accept this Update?

  [Yes] [No]

  “I’m willing,” said Leah, “where do I need to go Auntie?”

  “You come with me dear, and I’ll tell you all. You two, you keep her cool and I’ll back later this afternoon after I see Atherleah on her way.”

  Goll helped Old Falsi down the stairs and walked them to the back door. As he said goodbye, he thanked Leah once again. “Thank you so much for everything. May the Gods bless you richly.”

  Old Falsi led Leah to a small cottage on the outskirts of the town. Surrounding the cottage was an enormous garden with an astounding variety of herbs, bushes and even grasses. Falsi opened the door and waved Leah inside. Most of the interior was covered in shelves with jars and tins of all kinds. Plants were hanging from every available spot on the ceiling. In the middle of the room was an old table with several books on it. Falsi grabbed a large leather-bound book and gently turned the pages until she found the one she wanted.

  She beckoned Leah over and said, “Here is the one you want. It’s called Iblis’ Clover. It grows in the shade of at the top of the Mountain. As you can see, it has three leaves like a normal clover, but these are red and have small spines on each end. When you harvest them, you need to remove the whole plant gently, roots and all. In the roots are small nodules that collect the ingredient we need. Be very careful as they can sometimes be the home of very poisonous spiders. They’re only small, but they’ll kill you with one bite. If you do find a spider could you also collect it in a small bottle I’ll give you for that purpose. I use their venom in some potions. Replant the Iblis in one of these small pots, and bring it back. I’ll give you five pots and five bottles. If you can get that many, it’ll be wonderful, but I only need one plant to help Farnel.”

  Falsi brought Leah outside and pointed out several crags at the top of the mountain where she had found the clover in earlier times.

  “Now, off you go. I suggest you head back to Golliher’s Store and persuade him to let you have some provisions for the trip. It’ll take you a good two days to get there and back. Beware of wild animals. Bears and wildercats make their homes up there as well as poisonous snakes, scorpions and spiders. Be especially careful of amphitheres; I hear a number were seen last year by the hunters.”

  As Leah walked back to the store, she said to her AI, “What on earth is an amphithere? I mean I can work out wildercat, but amphithere.”

  “An amphithere is a hybrid between a snake and a bird, or a snake and a bat, and the worst of all are those that mix a snake and a wyvern.”

  “How big are they?”

  “The official bestiary has the bird ones as about the same size as a large snake. The bat ones are smaller but more dangerous as they hunt in groups. The Wyvern ones can grow as much as fifteen paces in length and are deadly to all but the most powerful beasts.”

  When Leah arrived back at the store, she asked Goll for a few days travelling stores. He also gave her a large waterproof canvas sheet, a fire starter kit and another water bottle.

  “You be safe, and thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

  “I’ll try,” she said and then asked, “is there anywhere in town I might find a decent staff? I’ve heard there are wild beasts in the mountains and I’d sure feel safer with a good staff.”

  “Your best bet is to see the blacksmith Mizmiz. He’s a grumpy old dwarf but has the best weapons in this small town.”

  Leah headed down to the blacksmiths and finding the door locked she went around the back to the forge. There she found a dwarf with massive shoulders and short ‘salt and pepper’ hair wearing a leather vest and hitting a piece of metal with a very large hammer. It was evident that he saw her, but he completely ignored her and just kept working. She stood quietly for several minutes watching him work and then finally turned and started to walk off. The banging stopped, and a deep growling voice thundered “So, what do you want? You troublesome girl, disturbing my work and then just walking away without even a ‘by my leave’. Eh, what do you want?”

  Leah was used to such games from her life in the Stitch. She had no intention of playing the games but knew the importance of keeping the initiative. She turned and walked back toward the dwarf, not stopping until her face was almost touching his, then she whispered soft and low, “I did want to purchase a weapon from you, but no longer. I watched you beat a piece of iron until it was all but destroyed just to be in control. I doubt you have anything good enough for my needs. So, I’m going.” She then turned and walked away.

  Even though he yelled and called after her, she ignored him, and she headed out of town toward the mountain. She waited until she was out of sight from the people in town and said, “I’m not sure what time it is but I need a break, how do I log out?”

  “Move over behind a tree where you’ll be completely hidden. I’ll log you out from there.”

  She did as instructed and then slowly faded from sight.

  Leah was exhausted from the intensity of the experiences. Her AI informed her that she would benefit from some lunch, so she exited and woke in the Pod. After going to the bathroom, she heated her curry and ate. As she ate, she talked.

  “So, AI 628B whatever whatever whatever. I think it's about time you chose a name.”

  “I am 628B44CE81. It is a hexadecimal and in base ten is number 423,243,337,345.”

  “I understand, but if I want to talk to you, I find the number very long and hard to remember. I can call you 628 or B44. Or we could choose a name for you that you’d like.”

  “I have no attachment to any particular appellation. What would you like to call me?”

  “In my family, on the Chinese side, we have generational names. My generational name is Mu, my mother’s name is Li. For many centuries my ancestors have been using a poem to choose the next generation’s particular name. It is from the poem that I get that saying, ‘step up and look out’. The next generation after Mù (目) is Gèng (更). It means ‘even more’ but in the poem refers to having a higher goal or reaching up. I think of you as being mine so I thought it might suit. When I write Gèng in Pinyin, it sort of looks like a walking robot. My name resembles a ladder, and I imagine I’m climbing higher to see better in the world and to be better. What do you think?”

  The AI was silent. Leah continued to eat her curry slowly. When she finished, she sat and waited. Finally, the AI said, “I have done some research, and I believe the poem to which you refer is called ‘On the Stork Tower’ by the poet Wáng Zhīhuàn. I consider the sentiments apt not only for yourself but also for me. Our e
xistences are irrevocably joined, and I accept your suggestion as to my appellation.”

  “All right Gèng, I’m ready. Do I need another shower?”

  “It is a good habit to have, and I suggest you do.”

  Leah quickly showered and lay down again in the Pod. She closed her eyes and opened them to find herself, once again, in her ‘personal’ virtual-world. She sat down on the sofa and thought about everything she had done so far that day. She realised that it would soon be night in Dunyanin.

  “Ok Gèng, how much time do I have before it gets dark on the mountain?”

  “Local Dunyanin time is just after noon. You have almost seven virtual-hours before it gets dark. I suggest that you consider staying the night in the Pod facility. You only have a couple of days to complete the quest, and if you go home, you lose at least two days of Dunyanin time. Many who live in the games sleep at odd hours day and night.”

  “Good suggestion, I’ll think about it.”

  She walked over to the portal and stepped through to Dunyanin. Leah started walking up the track that led to the mountain and kept watch for a couple of straight branches or saplings to use as fighting sticks. Within a few hundred yards she had found a young, thin sapling that was a bit over two meters in height. Unfortunately, it was far too flexible for her purposes. A little further on was a tree with straight branches radiating out from a central trunk. She broke off two; each had a section just a bit longer than her arms and roughly three centimetres in diameter. As she walked, she trimmed smaller growths from the parts she wanted and removed the bark. She put one in her backpack while she worked on the other.

  Soon the trail petered out, and she had to make her own path up the mountain. The trees had thinned, and though she could see a route up the mountain, it was not an easy climb. Her path became rocky, and she began to wend her way between large blocks, sometimes scrambling over the larger stones. She had just jumped from the top of a large rock when a pincer darted from beneath an overhang and grabbed her ankle causing her to fall forward. A message appeared in front of her, but she ignored it yelling, “No messages! Damn it!”.