Nascent (The Stork Tower Book 1)

by Tony Corden

  Army Worker Ant - Colonel (Level 50) 5000HP EP 6000

  The Colonel looked them over and finally said, “So, it has begun. Travellers come to test their mettle against the Queen’s Army. We have been ready for years and had almost decided that you might never find a way to this realm. My warriors believe you have heard of their skill and have been too cowardly to challenge them. Come, the arena is prepared.”

  Leah spoke up, “Sir, please pardon the interruption, could you please explain the challenge in greater detail. We have only discovered this realm, and I assure you it was not cowardice but ignorance that has kept us from you.”

  The Colonel explained as they walked. “We have prepared our soldiers to fight in groups of four, for we understood that this was the minimum number of Travellers that would come. Four is the number you will need to fight. If five Travellers come, they will fight eight warriors and so on. You must win five battles before we let you continue toward the Queen or her daughters. If you win, you may harvest the weapons and bodies of our warriors and will receive a reward before progressing onwards. We have warriors at many levels, but you will fight groups starting just above your mean level when you entered our area. Your opponents level will increase after each battle until you have fought five battles in the arena. Let other travellers know that the increase each time changes depending on the Level of the highest ranked Warrior. Your first Battle will commence in ten minutes and be against four of my Corporals.”

  They reached an open amphitheatre and were ushered into the centre. They spent the ten minutes considering possible tactics and were ready when a trumpet sounded, and four Army ants walked into the arena. The ants were holding swords in each hand and stood in a line some twenty metres from Wisp and Leah who were standing three paces apart. Leah checked the level of the ants and saw they were all:

  Army Worker Ant - Corporal (Level 19) 2000HP 1600EP

  The Colonel stood and said, “The battle begins and at the trumpet sound. Be strong, have courage.” As soon as he sat down, Leah heard a trumpet blast, and the ants rushed toward the girls. In a move, they had practised many times Leah turned and waited for Wisp to call “Cast!”. This was the signal for Disc of Death. The spikes impaled one ant which Wisp finished off as Leah prepared for the ants to make their way to the gate. As they approached she cast Circle of Sloth and then with a stick in each hand, each ending in a point, she proceeded to demolish the other team. Soon Wisp joined in with Fireballs and the occasional Arrow. Within minutes all four of the ants were destroyed without Wisp or Leah losing any health. Each Corporal, when harvested, gave the following:

  You have harvested:

  4 Corporal level Swords

  2 Silver Coins minted with an image of Carson’s Formicary

  2 Copper Coins minted with an image of Carson’s Formicary

  1 Vial of Minor Stamina 100SP

  1 Vial of Minor Healing 100HP

  This scenario was repeated ten minutes later with four Level 20 Sergeant Ants. At the end of the second battle, the Colonel walked down and paced up to Leah. He looked down at her and finally said, “We have not prepared properly to deal with your method of attack, and I fear this will not challenge your prowess. I ask leave to change the terms of our agreement. I suggest that you be limited to physical attacks or that I am allowed to increase the level or number of soldiers you battle.”

  Leah asked for some time to consider the request, and she discussed it with Wisp. After agreeing, she walked back to the Colonel and said, “We understand why you want the deal changed, but we wonder what you offer us for the increased danger?”

  “I thought you would be pleased to have the opportunity to test yourself against better opponents, isn’t this enough of a reward?”

  “We do look forward to such a test, but Travellers make their way in the world through the rewards gained, we don’t only fight for honour.”

  “What do you suggest?”

  “What do you offer?”

  “If you allow a change for the next battle I will give you leave to take one of our prized Treasure eggs with you when you go.”

  “What change do you suggest?”

  “Allow me to increase the Level of Warrior to twenty-two. If you are still able to defeat my Warriors with ease, we will renegotiate.”

  Leah agreed, and she and Wisp prepared to fight the four Level 22 Staff Sergeants that entered the ring. Once again Leah was able to defeat the four in one on one battles. She was noticing the similarity in their attacks and was even more prepared for the fight. Instead of vials of potions, these ants revealed rings of strength and stamina all with a plus-five rating. Leah changed out her two plus-two rings and equipped her right hand with two of each type. After the fight, the Colonel entered the arena. This time he was carrying a Treasure Egg with a green and black camouflage pattern. Leah put this in her bag. The Colonel was thoughtful and said, “I would like to make another change. I suggest you fight at the same level, but you may not use any arcane skills. Simply the physical weapons in your arsenal are to be used. I will gift you another egg if you agree to the change.”

  Again Leah walked over and discussed this with Wisp, both of them were worried about Wisp’s attacks. She was Level 16 and not skilled enough to attack even one warrior of Level 20. Finally, they decided that Wisp would keep two ants occupied by attacking then running away, what was known as kiting. Leah returned and said, “We will agree to the change but believe that this will put us at a severe disadvantage, so we suggest instead that in exchange you gift us with your swords.”

  The Colonel burst into laughter and said, “My swords! These are a gift from the queen and well beyond your level. There is no way they are worth this small change. Choose something else!”

  “You ask us to risk our lives, what do you offer that is worth this risk? Surely you could part with two of them.”

  “I will not.”

  “Then I see no reason to change the deal. I think it reverts to the previous deal. Therefore it is us against four Level 22 Staff Sergeants again.”

  Leah began to walk back to Wisp but stopped when the Colonel said, “Wait. I will agree to one sword, but it must go to you and not your partner.”

  “What do you offer her? She is the one who has the most to lose.”

  “If you agree and win, I will give you one sword, and she will receive a Treasure Egg.”

  Leah turned to look at Wisp who thought for a moment and then nodded slowly. Ten minutes later four more Level 22 Staff Sergeants entered the ring. This time when the trumpet blew both Leah and Wisp equipped their bows and began to shoot at the same ant. They both got two shots away before the ants were on them, this was enough to finish the ant as two had driven deep into its head and two into its chest. Wisp turned from the ant which attacked her and ran away to the jeers from the crowd. Leah had again chosen her sharpened sticks and had to fight two opponents. This fight was much longer in duration although Leah’s skills were still beyond the ants. She spent most of the time weaving a tight defence and only attacked when a clear opportunity arose. The ant chasing Wisp finally gave up and moved towards Leah, as soon as Wisp saw this she began shooting arrows at one of the ants around Leah. She drew its attention, and it left Leah to chase Wisp. Leah again had two ants attacking and Wisp one. This scenario continued until Leah killed one of the ants surrounding her, she then dispatched the other before shooting and killing the ant currently chasing Wisp. Both Wisp and Leah were low in stamina, Wisp had less than ten percent and had been lagging at the end. Leah also had less than half her health points.

  Again the Colonel entered the arena. This time he presented Wisp with another camouflaged Treasure egg and then held out the sword to Leah.

  Savas Kilic - A Sword of Honour (1/4)

  Among the warrior ants, there is no greater prize than the four swords presented by Queen for acts of valour and courage. These swords are a sign of personal courage and proclaim to the whole colony the worth of the soldier who has ear
ned such a reward.

  Minimum: Level 50 (S 40, A65)

  Base Damage: 500 HP

  Binds on pickup

  Leah looked to the Colonel and then shook her head, “I’m sorry, I cannot! I did not realise its value to you. It would be wrong to break up the set and deprive you of this symbol of courage and honour.”

  The Colonel stood still for several moments, and then he returned the sword and scabbard to its place on his weapon’s harness. He beckoned an ant forward who quickly rushed away and soon returned with a camouflaged Treasure egg for Leah. Gèng decided to show Leah the message received.

  Your expression of respect (bowing) has increased your reputation with Colonel Cesaret from Neutral to Respect!

  Reward 1: 3000 (3225) ( Experience Points (14906/19000)

  Reward 2: Camouflaged Treasure Egg

  “For your last fight, I suggest the same terms but this time you face Level 23 warriors with no arcane skills. This will be the last fight. If you win, You will receive the Platinum Pharaoh Ant Treasure Egg. As this is another change in the deal, I will gift you with double Experience Points from the fight.”

  Leah thought for a moment and then said, “My concern is for my partner. She is primarily a mage, and this leaves her at a distant disadvantage. Her Strength, Constitution and Agility all have low values. I suggest instead that I alone fight four of your warriors, one on one, and one after the other. I will take no potions during the battle.”

  “I will agree to this,” the Colonel said. “My condition is that the four are two Staff Sergeants with Levels of 22 and 23, followed by two Warrant Officers of Levels 24 and 25. Secondly that all the Experience Points go to you.”

  Leah knew that the last battle had almost killed Wisp. If she had run out of Stamina, she had no way of defending against even a severely wounded Army Ant. “I agree to the changes. I will require half an hour to reach full health and then will be ready.”

  The Colonel agreed, and Leah walked over and sat down near the centre of the arena and began to meditate. When the trumpet sounded, Wisp walked to the edge of the arena as Leah stood. Four Ants entered and stood against the edge. One of the ants moved forward and after bowing moved to attack Leah. The fights were much faster than before, and although Leah was facing only one ant, she received numerous small cuts and bleeding debuffs. Her skills, however, were sufficient for the job. After killing the last Warrior, she stood still although she had a slight wobble. Her Mana was at 100%, but all other statistics were in the red. She quickly took a 500HP Healing and a 500SP Stamina Potion before turning to wait for the Colonel to arrive.

  As he walked towards her, he had in his hands a Platinum Army Treasure Egg. He gave it to her and said, “Well done! I look forward to many such displays by travellers as they reach this fort. I will change the conditions of the fights to make them more equitable. You have done well. We will leave you now to rest and divide your gifts. Here are two Portal Pebbles. They will take you to the final level where you will meet the Queen or her representatives.” He bowed to Leah and Wisp and walked out of the arena followed by all the other ants.

  Leah placed all four eggs on the ground, swallowed a Luck plus-ten potion and harvested the eggs and four warriors.

  You have harvested:

  8 Staff Sergeant Level Swords

  8 Warrant Officer Level Swords

  8 Gold Coins minted with an image of Carson’s Formicary

  8 Silver Coins minted with an image of Carson’s Formicary

  2 Vials of Minor Stamina 500SP

  2 Vials of Minor Stamina 400HP

  2 Vials of Minor Health 500SP

  2 Vials of Minor Health 400HP

  2 Band of Brawn (+10S)

  2 Circlet of Constitution (+10C)

  4 Vials of Crystallised Army Ant Blood*

  4 Vials of Crystallised Army Ant Muscle Tissue*

  1 Skill Scroll - Double Weapons

  * Note: These are ingredients used to make the Strength Potions.

  You have opened a Platinum Army Ant Treasure Egg:

  2 Platinum Coins minted with an image of Carson’s Formicary

  1 Platinum Key to the Queen’s Treasure Room

  2 Vials of Restore Stamina

  2 Vials of Restore Health

  1 Steel Shield of Strength (+20S, reduces damage from physical attack-50%) (Min level 20)

  You have opened a Camouflaged Ant Treasure Egg:

  1 Platinum Coin minted with an image of Carson’s Formicary

  1 Wooden Shield of Strength (+10S, reduces damage from physical attack-30%) (Min level 15)

  2 Weeks supply of Army Rations - On eating (+10S, +10C, +10A) Timed - 1 Dunyanin Day

  You have opened a Camouflaged Ant Treasure Egg:

  1 Platinum Coin minted with an image of Carson’s Formicary

  1 Wooden Shield of Strength (+10S, reduces damage from physical attack-30%) (Min level 15)

  2 Weeks supply of Army Rations - On eating (+10S, +10C, +10A) Timed - 1 Dunyanin Day

  Again, Leah gave Wisp her share of the Platinum, and they read through the various messages. Wisp received the Skill of Double Weapons as well as the Steel Shield; everything else was divided evenly. The level had taken three hours. They decided to portal to the final level and recuperate.

  Instead of arriving in a cavern Leah and Wisp found themselves standing in a well-lit chamber with marble walls and thick, soft moss covering the floor. Two silver-coloured ants were standing in front of a closed door. Each was wearing a scarlet cape and swords of a similar design to what the Colonel had been wearing. An older looking ant appeared and said, “Welcome Travellers! The Queen has requested to see you. I will escort you to the throne room. As you enter, please stop when I do, and keep your hands away from your weapons. Should you reach for them, you will be immediately executed. After we stop, you should bow and wait until the Queen gives permission to raise your heads. Are there any questions?”

  They both gave negative answers, and the functionary nodded to the two guards who opened the doors into a well-appointed tunnel. After navigating several twists and turns and traversing several rooms, they stopped before a pair of closed doors. The older ant nodded, and the doors opened.

  A voice rang out, “Counsellor Musavir, Traveller Atherleah and Traveller Annairë_the_Wize.”

  They entered a large cavern decorated with paintings, tapestries, statues and suits of Ant Armour. Ants of all sizes and shapes filled the cavern, most walked upright, although some of the servants were on four or six legs. Space had been cleared to make a path toward what was obviously a throne but looked more like a large comfortable sofa. Lying on this was the Queen. Counsellor Musavir stopped some twenty paces from the queen and bowed his head, Leah and Wisp did the same. It was several minutes before they heard the queen give permission for them to raise their heads. Her voice was a deep contralto that rebounded throughout the hall.

  “Welcome to Our colony. Although you are the first, already others have begun the journey to find fame and fortune in my realm. You provide experience for Our workers and drones, as well as entertainment for Our Court. Most travellers will not have the privilege to visit Our Court unless they are of exceptional quality and have higher Levels. As you are first, We thought We would welcome you Ourself. While in my realm you have found keys to Our treasure room. If you complete the final challenge, you will have the opportunity to choose one object from each treasure room in exchange for the key. It is because you are first and have been lucky that you have achieved so many keys. Most travellers will be fortunate to find one.”

  The Queen continued, “In the final challenge, you will be escorted to a cavern where five of Our younger daughters and their attendants will be waiting to do battle. Be warned, all Our daughters are trained in the mystic arts and will be prepared to counter your moves. We have chosen only daughters who are Level Thirty or below. Do not be concerned of our wrath should you defeat them as We have many daughters and can always birth more. Should you defeat all
five, you will be brought to the treasure room to make your choices before finally returning here so that We may bid you farewell.”

  Leah and Wisp were told to bow, and then Counsellor Musavir led them from the hall. They were led down several flights of stairs before the Counsellor said, “Would either, or both of you, wish to rest before continuing? If so, I will take you to a room where you might find some nourishment and time to prepare yourselves, perhaps one hour. Otherwise, we shall continue directly to the battle arena.”

  Leah decided she needed some time to meditate and they were taken to a large room lavishly appointed with sofas and lounge chairs, and a table covered with various types of food. Leah sat on the floor and spent time reflecting and meditating. Wisp went to the table and began to check the food and sample it. With half an hour remaining, Leah joined Wisp at the table. The food was good, and they talked tactics and looked through their options. None of the new spells was likely to be useful for they were all at such a low level that they used too much mana.

  On the hour, Counsellor Musavir returned and led them through a series of passageways to a portal. Counsellor Musavir said, “Once you enter you need to follow the path and I will meet you on the other side, should you survive. This path traverses five rooms. In each, you will find one princess with some of her attendants. If you defeat them, you are permitted to harvest any resources or weapons you find.”

  He turned and walked off. Leah and Wisp took one last look around and stepped through the portal. They appeared in a similar small cavern with a tunnel leading from it. They started down the familiar path with Leah again leading the way. The tunnel soon opened to a large area filled with a dense rainforest. The path was barely visible because of the abundance of foliage. They moved into the forest, taking care with every step. It was nerve-wracking, but paid dividends when Leah spied movement, she dropped, and a pair of huge mandibles clacked shut in the space her head had been. She sent several mana darts into the huge head as Wisp stepped forward and skewered the head with her sword. As the head turned toward Wisp, Leah froze the neck and stood, she swung the Morningstar at the frozen section which shattered. She looked around before harvesting the enormous ant.