The Way of the Clan 6: World of Valdira

by Dem Mikhaylov

  It was important to note that Naykal’s temples were light. And they had churches related to clean water, to creation and maintenance of order. The temples contained wise old men and smiling old women, and the priests and priestesses were bright and joyful. The temple warriors were probably a little grimmer, but I didn’t have to speak to them.

  Casting a quick look at everything, I smiled.

  Well… I’ll take care of it tomorrow.

  When Trouble came out of the bath… damn… I’m still getting used to this phrase.

  I live with Trouble…

  Sleep with Trouble in the same bed…

  Trouble and I… we date…

  Ahem…

  So, anyway. When Kira crawled out of the tub, all steamed and proud of herself, her joy was magnified when she saw a pot with soup on the stove— a spicy minestrone. However, I smacked her hand away as she reached for it, giving her instead a jar of plain yogurt.

  “Eat! Soup afterwards!”

  “But…”

  “No buts,” I made a vicious face. “Eat the yogurt, and then the soup. We haven’t eaten anything all day. Wanna burn a hole in your stomach or something? Eat the yogurt!”

  “Muhurm…” Mumbled Trouble, already having eaten a quarter of the yogurt.

  “It’s so cool to live with you!” Said Kira, having finished the yogurt.

  “I won’t argue,” I replied. “And that’s not all. Today, for the whole rest of the day, I am all yours. What do you think?”

  “Sounds inter- ahem. Awesome!”

  “Are we avoiding the word “interesting” now?” I sighed, and smiled involuntarily. “Anyway, tomorrow, I am in Valdira on business. Come with me. I invite you on a grand tour! If not in the real world, at least in the virtual. We’ll dress like aristocrats, order a coach with horses. What do you think, oh fairest and most beautiful?”

  “Hell yeah! Let’s go!” Replied Kira, slapping my hand as I reached for the soup. “I get first pour!”

  “Is the pour for me?” I suggested with a shy hope.

  “For me! Times two!”

  “Once! Damn aristocrat…”

  “Aristocrats are often starving! And what shall I wear?”

  “You’ll see tomorrow,” I said, forcibly taking the ladle. “I’ve already ordered it. True to your taste, I hope. We’re going to… hm… be a bored young couple who decided to unwind by means of a trip to a distant place, rich in nature, on the shore and so on…”

  “Right. Pour a little more for me, please!”

  “Alright, okay. Alright, I said. So, is that a yes? We leave tomorrow for the trip?”

  “Of course! Just you and me. We hardly talk anymore,” the girl pouted, looking at me through her locks of hair.

  “You mean it’s my fault?”

  “Who else?”

  “Well…” I said, and realized that I was, indeed, to blame. “Okay, I admit it. My fault. I’ll try and make it up to you.”

  “Exactly! It’s time you did!”

  “Trust me,” I smiled. “You’ll like it.”

  “We’ll see tomorrow.”

  “Alright. And today I’d like to see a pillow, a bed, and you.”

  “In that order?”

  “Stop nitpicking!”

  “I’m not looking for a fault. I humbly ask you.”

  “Eat, already. And I’ll go have a chat with the guards. If, god forbid, they tried to raid our house when we were in the Outland…”

  “I doubt it. We would already know. Hey, by the way, why did you suddenly decide on a vacation? I thought it was all business for you this morning.”

  “I’m tired of it,” I admitted. “Earlier I ran into Valdira to escape. Now, it’s all business there. It’s time to regain a bit of life.”

  “Gotcha… then, we’ll do it!”

  Chapter Six

  The Rich Couple! Two in a boat, not counting the crowd… aristocracy, fishing, trapping monsters…

  When we went into the hotel lobby, which was hung with paintings, tapestries and prints, we were met with an admiring and involuntary gasp.

  Everyone was looking at us, without exception— the girl behind the counter, the three players standing beside her and the two girls sitting by the fire. The local cleaning lady paused in wiping one of the picture frames to look at us. And the painting was still the same— the darkness reduced to a black square large enough to hide only my face.

  “Please, don’t scrub so hard,” I whispered to the old lady as Kira and I left the hotel.

  Why all this gasping?

  No, not because we were naked. Not at all.

  Quite the contrary. We were dressed.

  My suit cost such an amount of money that I would have died from greed, a month ago, if such a sun left my hands.

  And Kira… well… a princess in a parade dress? Perhaps, that might be the best way to describe it.

  Gold, silver and red velvet and silk. The same color jewelry. And Kira had a very complex and beautiful hairstyle. I was done up as well, at the insistence of Kira. I had a plain black coat with silver embroidery and a wide collar. But Kira definitely stole the show.

  The counter girl quietly dug her fingernails into the polished wood. She was apparently jealous…

  Arm in arm, we left the parlor and went out. When we left, it was clear that we would have onlookers no matter what— even now, several pedestrians gathered to stare at the vehicle parked in front of the hotel.

  There was a coach waiting for us.

  By the standards of the real world, I had rented a luxury limo for the day.

  By the standards of Valdira— it was an elven chariot. In elvish it was something like “Vidrua Mag Romo,” which meant something alike to “convenient shelter from the weather in case of a journey…” Sounds good, huh. Those elves are crazy…

  The “shelter” was a very long kind of… platform?... Hell knows. There is no simple way to describe this beauty. It was something like a miniature fine ship. The captain’s cabin remained intact, but the mast was cut in half and turned into a silk canopy. In the middle of the “deck” was an elegant table, and around it were some chairs and sofas in an artful disorder. On a small table there was a lookout pipe. Next to the cabinet were a couple of dozen bottles of red wine, and a dozen bottles of champagne. Colorful flags fluttered in the wind, and the handsome “ship” shivered and hummed, as though it couldn’t wait to hit the road.

  At the front of the ship, on the box, sat two drivers— two young and smiling elves in identical gray suits. Behind them, bows and quivers could be seen— very serious stuff. And behind the drivers sat three more elves. Slightly older. Same gray suits, but with green embroidery. They also had bows and arrows available—they could easily defend the ship from any enemy.

  And our coach also had horses— six white stallions snorting impatiently and hitting the pavement with their hooves. They were also eager for the road. They were very warlike— one horse, I imagine, could inflict a lot in damage.

  “Please board when you are ready, Sir and Missus!” Solemnly stepped forward another member of the crew. He was a tall, stiff man with a gray suit and a perfectly snow-white shirt front. The gray hair was perfectly placed, and had a look that seemed to be perpetually serene.

  “Thanks,” I said.

  “Merci,” said Kira rather naturally, to my surprise, and picked up a handful of her skirt in one hand. She gave the other hand to me.

  “Your things?”

  “We’re travelling light.”

  And we went up the lowered ramp, which was covered with a layer of pink flower petals. Excited whispers came from the observers.

  “Damn! Are those the local rulers?”

  “You’re a fool! Don’t you see?! They’re players… Just a lot of money. Maybe they killed a dragon?”

  “It’s Rosgard!”

  “Who?”

  “I wonder how much that dress is? At least…”

  “A-a-a-ah! Wow… but the vehicle is just i
nsane.”

  “Cooool! And I wonder how it drives?”

  “How? Using money! That’s how! I can’t imagine how much it costs per day.”

  Very much, I said in my head, thinking of the money spent without regret.

  I pulled out a chair at the table for my lady, sat down opposite her, and caught the attention of the butler and nodded.

  That was enough. The limo started forwards, quickly gaining speed. Hooves on the pavement, the metal wheels… and not a single thing stirred on the “deck.”

  Magic!

  No bumping, no shivering, no earth shaking below our feet.

  “Wine?”

  “Yes,” I answered, taking off my coat and remaining in my white silk shirt.

  “Do you prefer a particular sort, sir?”

  “It’s your choice.”

  “Very good,” said the butler, and turned to Kira. “Ma’am?”

  “White… young…” Thoughtfully began Kira. “Not too tart, and preferably with a distinct berry undertone.”

  “Excellent choice, madam,” bowed the butler. “Right away.”

  While the butler was getting our wine we accelerated to cruising speed, completely ignoring the rules of the city. And even before the moment the wine was poured at our table, we went from the city into the fields and accelerated even more. I had planned the route beforehand— it would lead us straight the Lake Naykal.

  And we were extremely comfortable— sitting under a silk canopy, drinking sweet wine. Soon, brunch would be served.

  Of weapons— we had absolutely nothing. And no equipment either. Well, maybe the bone ring— I didn’t trust leaving it at home.

  We took no pets. Everyone stayed home.

  The shoulder bags— at home.

  I had decided that today wasn’t for training. Kira agreed. Today was for talking, making decisions, solving problems. The soldiers sitting at the front of the coach would defend me. They were much better than me in a fight, anyway. I did take a few scrolls of magic just in case. We also took some gold. Who knows what will happen— maybe, we will come across a paid source of information. There were a dozen or so precious stones in Kira’s handbag, as well.

  Somewhere in the cabin behind us were several chests of copper coins— brand new and shiny! There were a few chests of silver. And this money was prepared in advance, and with a purpose.

  It is now the early morning, and we will return to the city late in the evening. We will go to the best restaurant in the city, where a table is already reserved for us. Kira, myself, music, wine, and dancing. These are the sole plans for the evening.

  Oh yes… and the daughter— she’s home. She is just ready to wake up now, but there is still a little time left— as I believe. But I will not wait any more to worry about her education. Speaking of temples… the butler dropped a book gently in front of me, and said quietly:

  “Your book order, sir. “Deities. The road to the light.” The best edition. Color illustrations, golden edges, triple stitched runic leather.”

  “Thank you,” I smiled, opening the cover.

  “The first course will be brought to the table in a quarter of an hour,” said the prim old man, and I thanked him again.

  Kira didn’t bother me. She sat very cozily drinking a glass of wine. Watching the scenery and animals, she stretched out her feet under the table and put them on my lap. A few books lay next to her— officially translated into the World of Valdira format and available for purchase. “Foucault’s Pendulum” was one of them, and the other— “Tell your loved ones— I’m grown!” Interesting choices…

  And so we travelled on…

  The limo was very fast. And it floated— not like a log, but like a high-speed vessel. Horses pulled it with a tireless speed. The coach seemed to be one step away from flying.

  The carriage stopped in each of the many coastal settlements. And if before the process of meeting a local king would have been long and tedious, this time he arrived himself. If the mayor was rather decrepit, he was carried to the limousine on his throne or in the arms of servants. What a cool car! It was like arriving in a luxury Ferrari— everyone gathered to take a look.

  Kira remained in the vehicle, sending off languid smiles like a true high society lady. I casually walked down the ramp, looking somewhat tired, but still good-natured. After a few minutes of chatting about this and that with the elder, I began to ask simple, seemingly meaningless questions. At the same time, I generously gave the ruler silver coins. The money was accepted graciously; everyone loves a patron. This behavior was no longer treated with suspicion.

  What questions was I asking?

  Oh, some strange ones, for the likes of me.

  I asked the elders about the number of fish in the lake.

  About the mass of the largest specimens.

  How was yesterday’s catch?

  Did you come across an unusually large fish? And if so… where?

  What kind of fishing rods do you use?

  Has anyone heard of a large pike dwelling in the local waters?

  Which fisherman? Where does he live?

  And like this I went through all six coastal fishing villages.

  Why?

  The thing is, there was a contest starting at noon. A fishing contest on Naykal!

  Today, on the shores of the lake, would gather the best fishermen of Valdira. They would prepare for an eight-hour battle to the death!

  Promotional posters and brochures were everywhere. I saw one yesterday while waiting for Brave— the poster was on one of the trees.

  There was certainly going to be a great reward for the best fisherman. Something in my brain had clicked— this was the perfect cover up, because I could now inquire about fishermen and fish without being suspected of anything. All of my true intentions remained hidden. Perfect!

  Proud of this idea, I set off on the quest. At the same time, I increased my relations with the entire countryside, writing down notes with a golden pencil in a notebook. I heard a lot, but only the pike interested me…

  My diary entries filled up fast. Half lies, for sure… but still, perhaps there would be some consistencies.

  “In Sludgy Whirlpool, some kids saw a large fish— maybe a pike. Huge one!”

  “A woman hanging clothes on the bay was abruptly knocked down and dragged into the water by some very big fish. A catfish, or a pike, maybe.”

  “Fisherman Afrosio from the west village claims that a monstrous fish with a big bony crest broke his net. Outlines similar to a pike, but can they really get so big?”

  “In the coastal village of Rakel Hill, someone killed a hefty pike with a spear. They dragged it onshore, and then they turned around— the pike was gone! Perhaps came to life and swam away!”

  I kept on quietly scribbling in my notebook, and eventually the limousine arrived at the place where the event would begin at noon. I was in for a surprise.

  In the seventh village, after giving several handfuls of copper coins to the warden, I received some interesting information.

  “The boat of the fisherman Afrosio was recently overturned by a huge fish. The fisherman was saved by a miracle. He doesn’t remember anything— his memory was wiped clean by his fear. Other fishermen have not seen anything, though they dragged the boat ashore.”

  I had heard the same name in two incidents. That was already something!

  And then there came the surprise— a tall, broad local man with a shy smile and a fishing rod approached me. He had a simple shoulder bag, and a broad brimmed hat studded with dozens of hooks and lures.

  “Good day, sir!”

  “Good day,” I nodded, wondering why he had approached me.

  “My name is Nokli. Can I ask you a question, sir?”

  “Speak,” I said. Maybe he has the information I am looking for.

  The guy did, in fact, want to speak to me. But about something else. After a couple of minutes, I understood that Naykal was crawling with many strange and downright false rumor
s.

  It seems the residents had gotten the idea that a nobleman and his wife was collecting fishermen into his league! As though I was a nobleman of royal blood, masquerading as a mysterious gentleman, hiding my coat of arms in order to find the best recruits. And that the woman was, at least, a countess.

  “And that’s why you should hire me!” Blurted Nokli. “With my brother Nogli! We are excellent fishermen, one of the best! We don’t come back without a catch…”

  “Wait a second…”

  “Once I got a very rare fish!”

  “Listen, dear Nokli…”

  “We will we glad to wear your crest, sir. Believe us— we will not disgrace you!”

  “Right but the thing is, I…”

  “Of course, someone said, you aren’t happy with the conditions here. Rumor has it that you are planning something big, that you are going to go to the end of the earth to find some special…”

  “Aha! You guessed it! You’re right! I am assembling a team. I’ll hire you and your brother!” I blurted quickly. “Ahem… but… the thing is… I haven’t yet registered the team… I’ve forgotten… therefore… um… I do regret…”

  “This isn’t a problem, sir,” the gray haired butler stepped towards me, lifting a golden cage. “Our postal hawk will whisk the application to Alfalfa Hill in no time. And bring the answer just as quickly. And you ready to write the letter?”

  “Yes,” I choked hopelessly. “I will write it now… Kira, maybe you’ll do it? You have better handwriting…”

  “I will,” said she. “W-write… oh, my hands are shaking… Ros, you’re a special one…”

  “I can write as you dictate,” the butler bowed his head, dropping a thick sheet of paper onto the table. “And what is your league going to be called, sir? Each league can claim ten teams in the competition. But it is no longer necessary to register a team name.”