Last Horizon: Beta

by Daniel Schinhofen

  “Bjorn, can you find the adventurers who were killed in the last few days and ask them come over here, please?” Dumadin asked and watched Bjorn walk away to get them.

  “Dumadin, what are you doing?” Terets asked with brow raised.

  “Raising our good name in town, for a pittance at that. Just don't interrupt and if you object we can work it out later.” Dumadin said and Terets leaned back, eyeing him. “Amythyst, if you want, you can collect the shield and the coins you got from Quincy.”

  “No, I think I follow what you're up to and I agree with it. Besides, it will do wonders for me to be known as part of your group I think.” Amythyst smiled and shifted her chair slightly closer to Terets.

  Bjorn returned with five people- two elves, two humans and a dwarf. “My friends, these are the folk who fell prey to the slime that has been banished from the town. Elsa Rivenstone, Talia Nightsbreath, Chelse Songdancer, Kristof Runeblade, and Elendral Songweaver.”

  “Greetings to you all. We heard about your unfortunate dealings with Blade Master and his thugs. Seems only fitting that you share this loot between you,” Dumadin said as he pushed ten silver and five copper towards each of them.

  The five blinked and stammered their thanks and took the money. Kristof voiced what they all were wondering, “Why?”

  “As a group my friends and I have played many games together. We've never liked asshats like those that gave you a bad turn. We can afford to do a good deed for you and show you that there are those who are the exact opposite of them. I see you're missing a shield, Kristof. Take this one, you're far more worthy of it than its previous owner.”

  Laughing Kristof took the shield and slung it over his back. “I thank you for that. It's hard tanking without a shield.”

  Terets noticed Talia glancing toward the dagger. He flipped it toward her and nodded. “An empty sheath is no good, may this blade help you on your way.”

  Talia snatched it from the air and put it into her empty sheath, then bobbed a curtsy. “Many thanks, oh handsome human. Might I repay your generosity later?” Her eyelashes fluttered slightly as she casually traced her hip with a hand.

  Dumadin and Kittish smirked at each other and noticed Amythyst's eyes narrowed slightly at the elf blatantly offering herself to Terets.

  Terets chuckled and shook his head, “I do appreciate the offer, but as a gentleman I will decline. It would be bad form. I have an engagement this evening already.”

  Amythyst's eyes sparkled as she smirked at the elf and scooted her chair slightly closer to Terets.

  “Pity. Well, perhaps another day. May your night give you all the joy you deserve.” With that Talia turned and strode off.

  “Well Terets, you've always had such a way with the ladies,” Dumadin laughed.

  “Jackass,” Terets said rolling his eyes. “One day you'll learn to be civil. Kittish tries so hard to help you.”

  Amythyst watched and listened to the friends banter and seemed to drink it in, trying to understand the dynamic.

  Bjorn approached them, smiling widely. “My friends! Word of your good deed is already spreading. You are surely earning a good name for yourselves here in town.”

  Congratulations, you are now a champion of Stoutbank!

  You will receive better prices from merchants in Stoutbank.

  Unique quests are now available.

  The trio blinked as they read the pop up, but before any of them could speak Amythyst gasped.

  “What the actual bloody hell? You guys have already progressed far enough to get to this stage? Sis said it would take at least three hard months of grinding to get here.” Amythyst stared at the trio in awe. “And I get included because I was in your group.” She sighed, “Crap. I have to tell sis, I at least don't deserve the achievement.”

  “Jazzy already knows we aren't quite standard, Amythyst. We talked to her earlier today. I don't really relish the thought of having another go around with her tonight. Just send her a message about what happened.” Terets said and gently placed his hands near hers as he spoke.

  Amythyst's eyes tracked his hands, and her fingers twitched slightly as if wanting to touch him. She gave a small sigh and looked up at Terets though her lashes. “Okay, I'll send her a message before I log tonight. No reason to disrupt the fun right now.” Her hands inched closer to his and she let a single finger graze his knuckles.

  Dumadin and Kittish exchanged glances, then Dumadin cleared his throat and raised his mug. “To friends old and new, to a great new world with so much potential. May we travel and quest, adventure and find victory, but above all may we enjoy the friends around us for years to come.” The four raised the glasses at the toast and drank. The honey smooth taste of the mead caressed their taste buds. It wasn't ambrosia but gods was it good, the smooth sweet taste settling on their tongues.

  The friends drank some more and chatted with people who came over to meet the group responsible for the PvP players being killed and banned from the town. After half an hour or so Dumadin was nudged by Kittish. He glanced at Amythyst and caught her eyeing Terets covertly.

  “Dumadin and I should go for the night. Terets, why don't you stay and get to know Amythyst a bit more. We can meet up tomorrow morning around tennish. Amythyst, it was lovely to meet you. We should talk more later.”

  “Great meeting you Amythyst. Have a good night and enjoy yourself, see you both tomorrow. Good night.”

  Dumadin and Kittish logged out, leaving Terets alone with Amythyst. She smiled at him and leaned forward slightly.

  “Have they been together long? They seem like a nice couple.” Amythyst asked.

  “Over twenty years now, and they were friends for years before they got together. She helped him though the loss of his first love, who was also her friend. They never seem to have any major arguments, or at least never when I was around. Lucky stiffs that they are. What about you, Amythyst?”

  “Let’s see, I used to work as a freelance virtual security checker, that was a lot of fun. I was basically paid to try and hack companies. I also did web design for more stable money in between. I've been retired for four years now. I've been wanting to visit my sister in New York, but she keeps making excuses why 'Now is not really a good time.' This game has eaten her life, I can only get hold of her though email lately. She doesn't answer her phone anymore and when I call the company they just take a message and then I get an email from her. If it wasn't for certain phrases she uses I would wonder if the emails were really from her. Well, that and I do see her occasionally here since beta launched. I plan on visiting her after live launches and dragging her away from the office for a few days, at least.”

  Terets nodded and watched her as she spoke, her movements were graceful and elegant. She spoke with a gentle tone but it was a voice used to being listened to. Her eyes sparkled as she spoke of her sister as if past memories were dancing inside of them.

  “Understandable, me and my brother get along well, not so much my sister though. As long as she's a few states away we get along well enough. Old issues there. My brother is unique, to say the least. He would be a renaissance man if they existed anymore. My daughter has made a career for herself in the field of medicine, and given me a grandchild. While I have a few older friends than those two, they have been among my best friends for near on twenty years now.”

  “What did you used to do for work? I gathered from the earlier talk that you're retired. You mentioned being older, I take it you're older than my fortyish? Hopefully you don't mind speaking with a younger lady?” She glanced down and blushed slightly, then back up at him, “What do you do for hobbies now?”

  Terets smiled and began talking about his job as a mechanic, then a service writer, and finally shop foreman. He relayed some of his life, good and bad times and his current hobby of restoring antique cars, and mentioned his gun collection.

  As he talked about his gun collection Amythyst's eyes lit up, “So you like guns, do you? What's a duckfoot?”

 
; Terets laughed, delighted to speak of guns with a beautiful woman and began to debate the ups and downs of various guns. As the talk continued Amythyst told him that she was a gun collector herself.

  They talked for hours, until they both got pop ups notifying them they'd been logged in for over eight hours. Sighing, Terets stood up and offered his hand to Amythyst.

  “It has been a pleasure Amythyst. I look forward to tomorrow. I'm sure Dumadin and Kittish will be quite happy if you want to join us when we head south in a day or two on another quest. Until then though, I really need to log out for the night.” Terets took her hand and kissed the back of it.

  Amythyst went crimson at the kiss and stammered her goodbyes to him. Gently cradling the kissed hand, abruptly logged out. Terets blinked and mumbled to himself, “Maybe she's even shyer than I normally am, never thought I would see that happen.” Just as he was about to log out he realized he hadn't given her the armor he'd made. Oh well, he thought, there's always tomorrow.

  STOUTBANK

  The next morning the friends logged back on and met at the Lonely Wood Inn. Bjorn was behind the bar polishing a mug. “Greetings to you champions. Are you going to be visiting the tailor?”

  “We intend to once Amythyst shows up. In the meantime, can we get some juice and rolls?” Dumadin asked as they group took the same table as last night.

  “Coming right up, friends,” Bjorn went into the back.

  A few moments later a server came out with a tray. She set a tankard of apple juice in front of each then placed a basket of rolls along with dishes of butter and jam on the table. “That will be five coppers please,” she said smiling.

  Kittish placed six coppers on the table and the server thanked them as she scooped them up and went back into the kitchen.

  The rolls were warm and steaming gently. They each took one and passed around the butter and jam. There was a moment of silence as they enjoyed the wonderful flavor. Smiling, they each sampled the juice and sighed at the most perfect apple juice they had ever tasted. “Guess they haven't tuned the flavor settings yet. Going to miss it when they do,” Terets muttered around a second bite.

  “So... How did your talk with Amythyst go last night?” Dumadin started with a small smile on his lips. “Did you find anything out about her?”

  Terets sighed and shook his head at his friend, “Insufferable jackass that you are. We spent most of the evening talking about past jobs and firearms. We have some different opinions on which brands are better for some calibers. Over all it was a very good evening. Need to give her the armor, forgot about it until she logged out. Kittish, I have a question that the ape can't answer. Does she seem a little shy to you?”

  Kittish smiled as she answered, “A little? No, no, not at all... she seems a lot shy. Probably some past history of something has her spooked, but I would bet a good deal she's interested in you. Probably hero worship for saving her from the Tweedles.”

  Terets nodded slightly, “I thought maybe she was but well, you know me.” Sighing, Terets seemed to become lost in thought for a few moments. Eventually he shook his head and finished his roll. He reached into his bag and pulled out the armor for Amythyst, setting it on the chair beside him. “So I don't forget again. Oh, and where's that staff, shorty?”

  “I got a staff right here that all the women love to play with ugly, but if you mean the one for Amythyst...” Dumadin smirked and then reached into his bag and drew out the staff he'd made at Al's. He gave the Shiny Steel Capped Staff to Terets and went back to his roll.

  Terets leaned the staff against the chair with the armor as they finished their juice and rolls. A moment later the door opened and Amythyst walked in and looked around. Smiling at the greeting from the trio she made her way over and stopped by the laden chair.

  “Morning, Amythyst. This is for you. Shorty there made the stick. The armor I made myself for you to use. Kittish says it raises the aether cost of her spells slightly but armor is good to have.” Terets said and moved the empty basket and mugs aside so he could lay out the armor on the table.

  The buttons were bright and shiny. Amythyst looked at them, then at Terets and back to the armor. “Functional armor? Thank gods my sister was able to get it in the game. I was worried it was going to be three patches of leather and some string.”

  Kittish burst out laughing and nodded, “Typical gaming armor for females. Not here. Give your sis my thanks for getting it right. I know games like this are normally aimed at the younger male crowd but I am so much happier to have useful armor.”

  Amythyst put on the leather vest, fastening buttons on the front. Then then shimmied into the leather leggings and did those buttons up and looked herself over. The armor fit her perfectly, snug but not too tight.

  Terets sat back and watched as Amythyst eagerly put it on and began to check herself over. He glanced at Dumadin, who was smirking at him. Terets silently mouthed at him, “Jackass.”

  Amythyst looked up and met Terets's eyes as he turned back to her and smiled, then bent down and gave him a quick hug. “Thank you so much! I was wondering when I would be able to afford some protection. I wasn't sure what you meant when you said a leather outfit. I'm so glad it's good armor.” Amythyst then picked up the staff and gave it a quick once over, then nodded. “Thank you as well, Dumadin,” She gave a slight bow of her head in his direction.

  Terets chuckled and looked at his friend, “Seems she likes my leather more than your stick, so ha.”

  Before Dumadin could add anything Kittish stood up, “We're off to the tailors then. Come on you two, we don't want to be late.” Coming around the table she gently took Amythyst's arm and two ladies walked out the door leaving the men to catch up.

  Terets and Dumadin stood and as they started to walk out Terets asked Dumadin, “She isn't planning anything is she?”

  Dumadin shrugged, “If Kittish is she didn't tell me ahead of time. Wouldn't be the first time, though. Likely not the last, either.”

  Terets nodded and wondered just how much mischief Kittish might have swirling though her mind, “Gods, I hope not.”

  The group strolled through Stoutbank with Amythyst pointing out the various shops to them. The leatherworker Alvira Smoothskin's shop Tanned Hides. The armor smith Weskit Ironhand's shop Iron Shells. The weapon smith Karst Breaker and his shop All Tools. The alchemist Phobee Goodberry's shop Drinks Up. The jeweler's shop Precious Stones, run by Thund Diamondskin. And Mixed Goods, the general supply store run by Ivan Thunstrom.

  There was also the post office, run by a conglomerate of wizards. The United Portal Service had branches in all town-sized and larger settlements. The wizards had rotating shifts, so you never knew who would be in. Letters could be posted for a flat rate of 10 copper, while packages of up to ten items cost up to a maximum of one silver to send.

  Dumadin stepped inside and packed up the weapons he'd made and a few steel bars to send to Felton, costing him just under two silver. He rejoined the group and they started walking again. Amythyst pointed out the market building.

  “This was a great idea they had, every town and city has a market. Unlike the auction house, markets are for the people who just want to sell their wares at a fixed price. The market charges a flat fee of fifty copper per item to list an item for a week. When an item sells, the market either keeps the listing fee or takes 1% of the sale price, whichever is larger. All the markets are connected, so people can browse through items offered from all over the world.” Amythyst explained as they stepped into the market building and looked around at tables and shelves of various items behind glass. Hanging on the wall behind the proprietor was a sign, Caveat Emptor.

  “In the auction houses, it's kind of a gamble. The listing fee is ten silver per item, plus the auction house takes 5% of the sale price. And you might not get as much as you want for an item, or you might get a lot more than you anticipated. Auctions last for three days, instead of a week. Sis says the idea is that the auction house is designed more for higher
end and high demand items and the market more for basic goods.”

  Walking back outside after a brief perusal of the items available in the market, the friends continued on. Amythyst pointed out a stable where a carriage could be paid to take one to other towns or cities. Pony Express was engraved on the sign hanging above the archway, and Amythyst talked about the owner Camelia Wildheart.

  “I was doing her quest chain while you guys went north. It was so much fun! As the end reward I got a gift from her, a figurine.” Amythyst showed her friends the figurine of a rearing horse with full riding tack on. She set it down and whispered something, and abruptly there was a full grown stallion in its place. “This is Roan, he is the best horse ever and he is mine.” Amythyst hugged the horse and stroked his head.