by Seth Ring
So the plan is to go to Rasyn, find the World Tree, and take a bath?
“In its most basic form, yes,” Velin nodded.
“Aren’t we ignoring a major problem though?” Oberlin scratched his nose. “Rasyn is a three week journey from here, at the very least. Thorn has to be in the capital for his hearing in three weeks. How will you get to the Island, find the World Tree, and get back in time for the hearing?”
“That is where I am hoping that Corvo can help. I asked him to connect with one of his contacts who will hopefully be able to help us speed up our trip.” Velin glanced at the lounging Elf. “If that doesn’t work, our only chance is to rush to the capital as fast as possible and use one of the Aether gates to travel to the island.”
The capital has Aether Gates? Why don’t we set up one between here and the capital? Then we can go any time we want. That would be way more convenient than running.
After waiting a moment while Thorn wrote out his question, Corvo chuckled and stood up.
“Aether Gates cost a fortune. So far, only regional capitals have them. The main issue is that the material needed to make them is in short supply. Most of the top guilds have temporary ones that use mana, but to make a stable gate you have to take the material from an existing gate. So if we want an Aether Gate, we will need to become the capital of the Ironhold Duchy, or find an abandoned gate that we can swipe.”
Can we repurpose the one that the Dwarves set up for us between here and Firespire?
“That may be possible, but it is unlikely,” Velin spoke up, flipping to a new page in her notebook and beginning to jot something down. “The runes needed to bind the gate to a specific location are beyond what our crafters can manage. In fact, I would be surprised if there are any players who are able to craft it. Only a Master Smith like Varroh would be able to create the runeset we need, and according to him it would take at least a year to do.”
Hmm. Better work on becoming a duke, huh? Haha.
“Hey, don’t joke about that.” Corvo shook his head after reading Thorn’s paper. “Treason is a big deal, remember?”
[Candle Flame]
Muttering a few syllables, Velin pointed her finger and a small flame floated out and landed on Thorn’s paper, burning it until nothing remained but ash. “Corvo is right. You can think it, but don’t say it. We don’t want to add to the noble’s reasons to get rid of you.”
Point taken. I’ll keep it in mind.
Thorn nodded seriously and then kept writing.
So, how is Corvo going to help us get to Rasyn quickly?
“Birds.” Chuckling at the blank stares he was getting, Corvo gestured for everyone to follow him and led the way out of the office and into the throne room. Bringing the group to the balcony, he pointed out at the valley.
It took a moment for Thorn to see what he was pointing at, but after scanning the floor of the valley, a flash of movement caught his eye and he looked up. Wheeling over the valley was a black dot that was rapidly growing bigger. Soon the dot became a large bird, the largest bird that Thorn had ever seen. With a body almost ten feet long, and wings that were nearly twenty feet from tip to tip, the massive bird approached the citadel like a bolt of lightning, crossing the length of the valley in only a few seconds.
Wickedly sharp talons spread open as the bird flapped its wings, landing neatly on the edge of the balcony. A small hand appeared on the leather harness around its chest and the tiny figure of a halfling slid around the bird’s neck and hopped nimbly down onto the railing. A fearsome beak dipped toward the small lady, coming to a gentle rest on her shoulder.
Caressing the bird’s head, the tiny woman murmured some words under her breath and then patted its beak. Lifting its head, the bird gave an imperious cry, looking arrogantly at the people arrayed on the fortress’ balcony. Feeling the bird’s sharp gaze landing on him, Oberlin had to stifle the urge to retreat, and even Captain Del’har found his hand drifting to the handle of his sword. Making a disdainful chirping sound, the bird continued running its eyes over the group until it got to Thorn.
Curious about the big bird, Thorn met its sharp gaze, only to see it quail backwards, ducking its head behind the small lady’s back. The bird’s arrogant chirps were suddenly much more reserved, and it tried its best to keep its head out of Thorn’s sight. Confused, the short lady tried to turn around, but the big bird kept its head behind her back. Finally, she gave two short chirps and a whistle, and the bird let out a relieved cry. Spreading its wings, it launched itself from the balcony, flying up over the valley where it began to turn lazy circles.
Shooting a sharp look at Thorn, the short woman stood on the balcony’s railing, her head barely coming up past the Titan’s thigh. She wore patchwork leather armor with random metal plates scattered across it, seemingly held together by thick belts with heavy buckles. Sharp features rested under a shock of bright blue hair, and as she turned her head Thorn could see that half of her head was shaved.
A variety of trinkets hung from her outfit, creating the sound of wind chimes whenever she moved, and there seemed to be a breeze always blowing around her, causing her short cape to stir. Bowing toward Thorn with her hand held in front of her face, she raised her head and looked him up and down.
“Peregrine, at your service.”
Smiling and nodding in greeting, Thorn glanced down at Corvo. Catching the glance, Corvo stepped forward smoothly to provide a proper introduction.
“Thorn, this is Peregrine, the Storm Eagle. Avatar of Tyra, god of the Sky. Peregrine, this is Thorn, eater of things and the avatar of Hati, the Moon Wolf. Unfortunately, the last thing he ate seems to have gotten stuck in his throat so we’re calling him ‘the great mute one’ but I’m happy to speak on his behalf.” Corvo gave a wide grin and winked at Peregrine who just snorted.
“Hah, no one who knows you would dare let you speak for them.” Scanning the rest of the group, Peregrine tucked her thumbs in the thick belts crisscrossing her armor as her gaze settled on Velin. “You must be Velin. I was told by bird brain over there that you need some help moving some stuff. If you do, and you have the coin,” Peregrine jerked a thumb toward her chest, “then I’m your gal.”
“We have plenty of coin, but I’m not sure that your bird is going to be big enough.”
“Roko is an Imperial Roc. Not a bird. And what do you mean by not big enough?” Looking over her shoulder at the giant Roc flying above the valley, Peregrine cocked her head to the side, revealing its shaved side. “Roko can carry six hundred pounds easily. What do you have to move that weighs more than that.”
“Ehm. About that.” Corvo coughed into his hand as he looked at Thorn from the corner of his eyes.
Following the other avatar’s gaze, Peregrine’s eyes landed on Thorn’s huge figure, causing him to look away sheepishly. Thorn rubbed the back of his head. It really was not his fault that he was so big.
“You want to transport him? Are you crazy? He looks like he’d crush anything he sits on. Wow. He weighs, what, close to a ton?”
“Eh, maybe a bit more?” Corvo scratched his head and shrugged. “Thankfully, the game seems to compensate for it so he doesn’t just crush everything. We’re hoping that the same thing will happen when he sits on your bird.”
“I told you, Roko is an Imperial Roc. But based on their latest interaction, I don’t know that it’s a good idea to put him on her back.”
“Well, this is a problem, isn’t it?”
“Hey, it is not my problem, it is your problem.” Peregrine waved her hands, grinning at Corvo. “I showed up like I told you I would. It is not my fault that I can’t help you.” Giving a piercing whistle, she had just turned away when a familiar sound made her foot pause in midair.
*ding*
Hati’s Honor
You have found yourself facing Peregrine, Avatar of Tyra, the Storm Eagle. Proud and aloof, the Storm Eagle has little interest in the affairs going on in the world below. Remind the stuck-up bird that she is no
t nearly as awesome as she thinks she is by beating some sense into her.
This quest is your third [Avatar Challenge]. As you adventure around Nova Terra, it is your responsibility as the Avatar of Hati to represent Hati in challenging other Avatars to contests of strength and feats of valor. And, occasionally, petty acts of vandalism. A challenge will be generated when you come within a certain distance of another Avatar. For a challenge to be recognized as legitimate, it must be openly announced to the Avatars involved.
Reward: Increase Hati’s Favor
Failure: Decrease Hati’s Favor
CHAPTER FIVE
With a groan, Peregrine stopped and turned around. She scanned over Thorn’s massive figure and then she reread the notification floating in front of her eyes.
“How is this fair?” Despite her complaining tone, Peregrine’s eyes were steady and she kept her hand on the short knife sheathed across the small of her back. “Why does it have to be a fight? Can’t we settle this peacefully?”
“Hahahaha.” Corvo burst into laughter at the sight of Peregrine getting ready to face off against Thorn. “You got a challenge, didn’t you? Haha, sorry, sorry. It's not funny, I know. Haha.”
“You knew this would happen, didn’t you? You knew exactly what was going to happen when you invited me here.” Still keeping her eyes fixed on Thorn who had not moved, Peregrine spoke to the avatar of Huginn.
[A fight hardly seems fair, does it?] Unsure if Hati would be able to hear his thoughts, Thorn still tried his best to project them.
[What does fairness have to do with determining dominance?] Sure enough, Hati’s warm tones sounded in his head, though the content of the question threw Thorn off.
[Um…] Actually, what did fairness have to do with the challenges? As Thorn was pondering over this question another voice he had never heard before sounded in his head.
[It only counts if it is fair. I will not accept this contest, you mangy dog.] This new voice was majestic and sharp, leaving Thorn stinging, like he had just been cut. The words in the avatar challenge that had popped up wiggled and morphed under his eyes.
Hati’s Honor
You have found yourself facing Peregrine, Avatar of Tyra, the Storm Eagle. Proud and aloof, the Storm Eagle has little interest in the affairs going on in the world below. Show the majestic lord of the sky that you are worthy of her gaze by convincing one of her beautiful subjects to be your friend. Should you do so, she will allow Hati to pretend that he has the best avatar, even though hers is still better. In order to count, the subject must be able to carry you.
This quest is your third [Avatar Challenge]. As you adventure around Nova Terra, it is your responsibility as the Avatar of Hati to represent Hati in challenging other Avatars to contests of strength and feats of valor. And, occasionally, petty acts of vandalism. A challenge will be generated when you come within a certain distance of another Avatar. For a challenge to be recognized as legitimate, it must be openly announced to the Avatars involved.
Reward: Increase Hati’s Favor
Failure: Decrease Hati’s Favor
[Do not try my patience, Tyra.] Hati’s voice rumbled like thunder around Thorn’s head, the god of night’s displeasure nearly sending him to the ground.
[You are the one who wanted your avatar to beat up mine.] Tyra’s majestic voice had lost some of its grandeur, taking on a slightly petulant edge. It reminded Thorn of Mina when she was pouting.
After a brief moment of silence, Hati sighed, the anger in his voice gone.
[Fine, have it your way. Thorn, I am looking forward to seeing how you handle this.]
Still weaving slightly from the impact of Hati’s annoyance, Thorn took a second to stabilize himself and then read over the updated quest. Across from him, Peregrine’s eyes lit up and she hopped down from the balcony’s railing. A wide grin spread across her face as she took in Thorn’s massive body again. The avatar challenge had just gone from wildly in Thorn’s favor to his complete disadvantage.
Despite being unable to hear Hati and Tyra’s voices, Corvo was instantly able to tell that something had changed. Raising one eyebrow, he looked between Thorn and Peregrine curiously. When the Titan did not say anything Corvo sighed, and gestured toward the throne room.
“We better go sit down, I am guessing that this is going to take some figuring out.”
A few minutes later, seated in the office behind the throne room once again, Corvo looked between Thorn and Peregrine.
“So spill it. You have to announce the challenge anyway, so let’s hear it.”
Shrugging and pointing to his mouth, Thorn gestured for Peregrine to share what was going on with the others. Bouncing to her feet and standing on the chair, the halfling smiled broadly and explained.
“In this challenge, the Lord Baron here has to successfully befriend one of Tyra’s subjects. That includes any sort of flying creature, from gnats to griffins. The only catch is that the creature he becomes buds with must be able to carry him.”
“That is his part of the challenge. What is yours?” Velin lifted her eyes from the note she was writing to look at the grinning halfling.
“Mine, oh, I just have to help him. I must give him full cooperation and get him in front of the wonderful creature he’ll be making friends with. I’m responsible for making sure that his new potential friend arrives in a timely fashion. If I can’t do that, he wins. If he can’t make friends, then I win.”
“What do you mean by creature? Why the singular?”
“Ah, yeah. About that. There is really only one creature under Tyra’s rule that I know of that will be able to carry someone of his… uh, stature.” Peregrine tried to measure Thorn’s width with her hands. “I mentioned that Roko is an Imperial Roc, right? Well, she is also just a chick. If we want to get the baron airborne, we’re going to need to visit her big brother. You saw how big Roko is, right? Well, her brother is at least four times the size.”
Frowning, Thorn pulled over a piece of paper and began to write while everyone else stared at him. After a few minutes he flipped the paper around and handed it to Corvo who was sitting in the closest chair.
“Ehem. The great mute one, haha, I mean Lord Greymane, would like to know the following.” Clearing his throat again, Corvo read off the list of questions. “First, where does Roko’s brother live, and is it close by? Second, how is he supposed to communicate with the Roc? Third, why can’t we look for a griffin or a dragon, or something like that?”
“All fair questions.” Smiling at Thorn, Peregrine held up her small hand and counted the questions on her fingers. “First, Roko’s brother is the Emperor of the Sky. He lives above the clouds so it can’t really be counted as close by. However, that will not be an issue as we can meet him on the tallest mountain peak nearby. Rocs fly faster than you can imagine so it will not take long for Roko to find him and bring him over. Second, you communicate with a Roc very carefully.
“The Emperor of the Sky is the absolute ruler of his domain, so it might take some convincing for him to agree to talk to you. But he is really smart as well, so if he wants to talk to you it shouldn’t be an issue. Third, griffins are smaller than Imperial Rocs. Most of them don’t get beyond ten feet long, so you wouldn’t be able to ride on them. As for dragons, if they actually existed you’d have to be certifiably insane to think about riding one.”
Confused, Thorn looked over at Corvo who nodded in agreement with Peregrine’s words.
“Dragons are totally evil. At least, the records that we have describe them as the epitome of different vices. No players that I know of have encountered dragons in the game so far, but chances are that if they reappear it will not be a friendly encounter.”
“Quite interesting, but let’s refocus please. We are under significant time constraints and have no time to lose.” Velin steered the conversation back toward the main topic. Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, she fixed her gaze on Peregrine. “How quickly can you ask the Emperor of the Sky to come?�
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“Uh, I’d guess that if I sent Roko out now it would take, hmmm. Maybe six hours? Seven? Something like that. At top speed she can cross Angoril within five hours. That is assuming she has no rider, of course.”
“Excellent. Thorn, I would like to propose the following schedule.” Standing, Velin flipped open her notebook and placed it on the desk in front of Thorn for him to look over. “There are two major things that need to be addressed before we leave. First, we need to decide on the team that is going to be going, but that has to wait until we know what sort of travel capacity our ride has. It is also dependent on you succeeding with this challenge.
“Obviously, if you fail then we will need to reconsider our plan. Second, we need to make sure that everything in the valley is properly arranged before we leave. This will include assigning responsibilities, making sure we have a proper chain of communication, and so on. I can handle a lot of this, but I will need a couple hours of your time to sign off on what we’ve established.”