Last Horizon: Beta

by Daniel Schinhofen

  Dumadin joined his friends as they were being led by Tabitha to the private dining room. As they entered, Bjorn looked up with a shocked expression and his mouth fell open as he tried to speak and couldn’t.

  “Greetings Bjorn, we’re back from the Cave of Death and Thallien’s. We’re glad to see you’re doing alright.” Kittish spoke softly as Bjorn stared at them with fish eyes.

  “But you... How...” Bjorn tried to form words and couldn’t. A moment later Tabitha came back with a large pitcher of mead and filled mugs. As soon as one was placed in front of Bjorn he downed it and refilled it and downed it again.

  “It wasn’t easy, but we did what we went to do. The journal was recovered and returned to Thallien, who asked us to see him again next week. Which is just before your wedding if I have my days correct. In fact it’s just before the Carnival in Floreme, which means we can be here on your day of joy before we go to that.” Kittish smiled as Bjorn slowly collected his thoughts.

  “But the Beast, surely it is still there. How did you...”

  Dumadin cut in, “We didn’t, Bjorn. The Beast still lives for a time yet. It took everything we had to get the journal out, but we managed. One day maybe Bettie can be laid to rest as she deserves, but we aren’t powerful enough yet for that task.”

  Bjorn bowed his head and tears fell upon the table, “Thank you, Heroes. It is good to know that Thallien will have his closure, such as it is. How did he react?”

  Amythyst spoke up, “He fell asleep crying when we brought it back to him. The next morning when we woke, he was writing furiously stating that he would finish his Word and that we should come back at that point.”

  Bjorn smiled sadly, “I doubt he will live long past that point, then. The hope of finishing his book is all that has kept him going for this long. Please, if he lives when you go back try to convince him to come to my wedding.”

  Terets nodded, “We’ll do what we can Bjorn, but he has been not well the last few times we’ve seen him. The canyon is already in full grip of winter, with the snow and ice.”

  They picked up their mugs and Bjorn toasted them, “To the Heroes of Stoutbank, the best of friends.”

  They cheered and drank, then sat back and started to relay the tale to Bjorn about the Beast. Bjorn sat there listening with fascination as they told of being killed and standing back up again. When they finished their tale he shook his head. “Truly you adventurers are blessed by the gods. The messengers told us for years that you would be coming and that you would be the champions of the gods here upon the world. They told us of your ability to move from place to place with a thought, of your resilience from death. Most of us heard but didn’t truly believe until you appeared that first night.”

  Dumadin frowned, “How long ago did the messengers appear to the populace?”

  Bjorn thought back, “It was right near the time we set out for the north by all accounts. At least that is what I have put together from the tales. They came to the world and starting in the cities started to spread the Word. They spoke of a day when Adventurers would walk among us and that you would have special abilities. How you would slay the monsters, help us with errands and issues we had. We are certainly joyous that you heroes have appeared here in Stoutbank. We hear things about other towns and how most of their adventurers turned out to be more like the ones that have been banished from our town.”

  Terets nodded, “Not surprising really, given human nature. We were glad to assist with getting rid of the Tweedles for you. I wonder what happened to them?”

  Bjorn shrugged, “Why wonder where the rubbish goes as long as it goes.” The group laughed and they drank to that nugget of wisdom.

  A few hours later as they were about to call it a night, Bjorn spoke up. “I will ask you another favor heroes. If the worst comes to pass and Thallien doesn’t live when you go back to him, then please cremate him and bring back some of his ashes to me. I hope he will still be alive and you can bring him back, but if not then please do this for me.”

  Quest: Thallien’s Ashes.

  If Thallien is dead when you go to speak with him then cremate the body and bring some ashes to Bjorn.

  Reward: Thallien’s forgotten bag.

  They agreed and after one last round of goodbyes logged out for the night.

  Over the course of the next week they did errands for the shop keepers, helping each of them with simple things to get ready for the wedding. The other adventurers in town were equally busy helping out. There was a lot of chatter about how awesome this event was and how they hoped it would repeat when the game went live. The day before the wedding the group fast traveled back to Thallien’s.

  They talked and laughed as they climbed the winding path up to the canyon with a soft wind blowing a light dusting of snow around. As they entered the canyon they felt a bleak depression settle over them. The canyon was covered in snow at least two feet deep, they couldn’t see the stream or pond due to snow cover. They called out to Thallien as they made their way towards the cave. The inside of the cave was not lit as usual, but only from small patches of luminescent fungus. They walked in and took in the scene before them. Thallien was curled up on his bed not moving. They checked him for signs of life but couldn’t find any. Amythyst got a fire started in the fire pit and they looked around at the cave. Everything was neat and orderly, stacked up and put away. The table contained only a book and an open scroll, instead of the usual alchemy supplies.

  Kittish picked up the scroll and read it then sighed. “He left us a note and request to fulfill. He asks that we take the Word of Thallien to Bjorn, handing it only over to his old friend. He wants us to wish Bjorn happiness in life that Thallien once had with Bettie. He adds he is sorry for having deceived us about still being here when we returned. He knew he was not going to live out an entire week and didn’t want us to see his passing from this world. He says that he is off to join Bettie in the afterlife. He leaves us all of his belongings in this cave and anything else that was his in life that we can find.”

  Quest: Give Thallien’s Word to Bjorn.

  Hand Thallien’s Word only to Bjorn to complete this quest.

  Reward: Variable upon completion.

  Dumadin accepted the quest and picked up the book from the table, putting it into his bag. “Silly sod, we would have been proud to sit with him in the end. We could have drank and toasted him on his way.” He shook his head in sadness and wiped a tear away. “Well, let’s pick up the stuff and get it ready to go. We need to cremate his body, hmm. Terets, help me get some wood from the tree out there. We’ll clear a spot and built a pyre. We’ll add Thallien’s bed with him on it and Amythyst can Fireball it.”

  Nodding, Terets followed him out to get the pyre ready as the ladies went though and started packing all the stuff into bags. They set aside the different crafting mats for Terets and Dumadin who could carry more from each of their own professions. By the time they finished, the other two came back in and with a few grunts got the bed up and out of the cave with Thallien still on it. Once they had the cave empty they doused the fire pit and went into the cold.

  They formed a small arc around the head of the bed but some feet back. “Anyone want to say anything?” Amythyst asked trying to delay her spell.

  Dumadin nodded, “Yes, being close to the end myself. We can never really prepare for the end of life. He chose his path in the end to die alone, after finishing his work. I will be taking a different path, I will die surrounded by my friends here in this world. My fervent wish is that when my body dies in RL, I am here with you all to get as much in as I can.” He finished with his eyes bright with unshed tears as he looked at his friends. “We come from the stars and to the stars may our souls return. The only thing we can hope for in the end is that our names are carried in honor by those we leave behind. I will hope that even for all my faults my name is cheered by those that knew me in life.” At that he broke and tears started to stream down his face. “We don’t know what the soul really
is or what means you have one. I only hope that you find your Bettie wherever you go and that your happiness is returned to you threefold.”

  His friends hugged him and cried with him for a time. Eventually they calmed themselves and Amythyst cast Fireball on the pyre. The flames leapt up as if powered by an accelerant and the group shied back and covered their eyes from the fierce light. When they were able to look back the bed, body and logs were just a pile of ash. Terets stepped forward and collected a small amount into a jar that Kittish had found. Casting their eyes over the canyon one more time the fast traveled back to Stoutbank.

  Dado nodded to them as they appeared and then noted their grim faces. He walked with them in silence as they carried the ash filled jar to the Inn. He stopped outside as the group entered and shook his head. The group walked to the bar where Tabitha was, she looked up as they approached and put a hand to her face. A few tears trickled down her cheeks as she motioned them to the back room and began to get a tray together.

  The group entered the private room with stoic expressions and Bjorn looked up at them, then at the jar. His face fell and tears started to spill from his eyes as he motioned them into the room. Terets placed the jar of ashes before Bjorn, who gently touched the jar while shaking. “So he is gone. I knew this day would come when Bettie died, but I had hoped he would find happiness again. Please, sit, my friends,” he paused as Tabitha brought in small glasses and a bottle. As she poured, Bjorn spoke again, “We will give his spirit one more push onto the afterlife. This is a very rare drink, called Ambrosia. It can only be made by three people in the world. This bottle came to me from one of them after we returned a keepsake to her. Thallien laughed and tried to refuse it, but she over ruled him and insisted that one day it would be useful. The story about Ambrosia is that if it is drunk in remembrance of the departed, then their soul will find the rest they deserve.” He stopped as each person in the room picked up their glass and waited, “Thallien, may Bettie welcome you with open arms. To those who go before us.” As he finished they each downed the shot and gasped.

  The liquid tasted of honeysuckle and warmth, it didn’t burn but it did take away the breath. A second after they could breathe they felt as if they were being hugged and given thanks. For a moment they could see a ghostly image of Thallien with gossamer wings before the image disappeared. “May she welcome you home my friend,” Bjorn whispered as the image vanished and held Tabitha as he wept.

  After a few minutes, Tabitha gathered up the bottle and glasses and took them away. She came back with mead and sat with her soon to be husband. As she sat Dumadin held the Word of Thallien before Bjorn. “He left us one last thing to do, to deliver this to you and you alone. Please take this as his last wish, Bjorn.”

  Bjorn nodded and then set the book before him and rested a hand upon it. “My thanks friends, you have done so much and we have given you so little in return. Knowing Thallien, he would want you to get a reward. Tabitha, fetch the bag I set by the bed last night please.” As Tabitha left, Bjorn put the book into the pouch on his hip. “I will read it after the wedding tomorrow.”

  Quest Completed: Give Thallien’s Word to Bjorn.

  Receive: Thallien’s prized possession.

  The group frowned at this message and looked at each other as Tabitha entered with a bag that she handed to Bjorn. She at back down at his side as he set the bag on the table. “Here are Thallien’s most prized possessions. I am sure he would want you to have them.”

  He pulled two items from the bag, a trumpet and a silver locket. “The trumpet was a gift from Bettie shortly after they first met. He played it for her whenever we would camp for the evening. The locket was the gift he was going to give to her when we returned from the north.”

  Dumadin stifled a chuckle as he noted Bjorn’s grave expression. “We would treasure these gifts Bjorn, but we do not currently have a place to keep them safe. Please hold on to them and protect them, one day we will have a place that we can store them in safety.”

  Bjorn nodded and put the items back in the bag, “I will hold them until that day then, my friends.”

  Quest: Keepsakes

  Knowing when to decline a reward and let old friends keep treasured keepsakes.

  Reward: two million experience.

  Quest Completed: Keepsakes

  Receive: two million experience

  Knowing when to decline a reward and let old friends keep treasured keepsakes.

  The group blinked at each other as they went from level twenty two to level twenty four, just shy of twenty five. “Another one of those auto-completions,” Dumadin muttered. “So dang weird when that happens.” The others nodded as Bjorn finished putting the keepsakes away.

  Dumadin spoke up, “Tomorrow is Tabitha’s night of happiness. We’re going to retire early tonight and make sure we’re well rested for the festivities.” Dumadin and Kittish stood and said their goodbyes to those at the table as they exited the room.

  “But why are they...?” Amythyst began, watching the duo leave.

  Terets whispered with a chuckle, “Want to bet they’re off to see Alvira?”

  THE WEDDING

  The next day the group logged in around two in the afternoon, wanting to be there for the entire party after the ceremony. Then they would have a day to recover before the Carnival in Floreme. As they logged in, Felton whispered Dumadin to catch up. After a few minutes of conversation, Dumadin looked at the others and nodded towards the square. A moment later Felton and Em appeared there with grins on.

  “Hello you sea-dogs, how was the ocean?” Dumadin cheerfully greeted them.

  “Cruise was fabulous as usual. It’s so nice being catered to while on the boat. Thanks for the email updates on the event coming up,” Felton grinned at Dumadin. “Em was less than amused by that, but I put it down and didn’t really look at it in detail until we got back to land.”

  “Sorry about that, didn’t mean to distract. I thought you would get it when you got back to land and that would give you plenty of time to plot.”

  Em cut in, “He’s been talking about little else for the last day. We’re happy to take a break and come to the wedding. Bjorn is marrying one of his waitresses, eh?”

  Kittish nodded and took Em’s arm, leading her off, “Let’s introduce you to the blushing bride.” Amythyst went with them, leaving the guys in the square grinning.

  “So Felton, have you thought over the specialization?” Dumadin prodded slightly with a grin.

  “Yes,” he cleared his throat, “I want to make sure people know who the best smith will be when the game launches. So with that as my goal I’m taking swords and am going to destroy the competition. They’re going to post all the events tomorrow and reset our abilities at that time. So I’m going to make sure I have everything I need to maximize my ability. If you guys will take Em for the fighting bits, I’m not even going to step into those.”

  Terets laughed, “Oh come on, if nothing else you can be some extra hit points for us. I’m sure that everyone on the winning teams will get some loot, so why not maximize it?”

  Felton seemed to think about it, “Okay, maybe, but not definite.”

  Dumadin laughed and started walking towards the Inn, “Let’s go see how the groom is holding up. The ceremony is in two hours and I want to see if his feet are getting cold.” They entered and walked through the crowd toward the back room.

  Dumadin knocked and the door was opened by Dunstun, who sighed and let them in. “Please try and talk sense into him,” Dunstun said and threw his hands up.

  “I am talking sense, you silk lover,” Bjorn grumped. “I was only saying that she might be thinking better of this. What if she comes to her senses and flees as I stand there waiting?”

  Dumadin laughed, “Cold feet, hah pegged it.” Bjorn glared at him and began to mutter under his breath. Dumadin continued, “Okay there Bjorn, let’s go over the facts. You asked and she practically jumped you with her answer of yes. Something about it being her
dream for a long time or some such. Now you think maybe all that means she’s having second thoughts?”

  Bjorn covered his face, “I am worried is all. I have only seen a few couples as happy as I have been, and they almost always end in tragedy.”

  Dunstun coughed and waited as they looked at him, “What about my relationship?”

  Bjorn waved him aside, “I said almost always. Thallien and Bettie were the pinnacle of happiness and I know how that ended.”

  Terets rolled his eyes, “I thought it was the woman who got cold feet, not a grown dwarf.”

  Bjorn roared, “I do not have cold feet! You effeminate human, I will beat you soundly if you say that again.”

  Terets laughed and stepped back, “Oh, so you do have some fire after all. I don’t want to upset the ladies by getting into a brawl so I’ll pass. You have an uphill climb already in front of you with that Dwarvish tradition.”

  Bjorn sat back down and looked at Dumadin, “You haven’t decided to withdraw, I hope.”