Contest (The Stork Tower Book 6)

by Tony Corden

  FAE - PRIME VENATOR (Level 930) 8043570 HP (465000 EP)

  Looking down at her, he said, “What are you?”

  “My name is Atherleah.”

  “I did not ask for your name, traveller, but your lineage. You look like one of the broken, not truly one thing nor another. You are not of one thing, but appear to be a blending, a mixture, in other words, an abomination. So I repeat the question, what are you?”

  Leah felt a force brush against her mind, it was a compulsion to explain her forest elf and human highlander mixture. Understanding what it was gave her the strength to resist and say, “Venator, I offer you only my name. I am many things, but they are not your concern. Are all Fae so ill-mannered as to forgo the usual conventions of meetings between strangers? If so, I shall take my leave.”

  The Fae’s eyes widened momentarily, but he said, “Well met Atherleah, my name is Kurtlarin Ihalesi. I am Prime Venator of all that lives in the shadow spaces. I have responsibility from the northern blight to the edge of the Yeşiltopraklar wilds. Now, assuming I have met the somewhat childish conventions of the mundane, I want to know how you come to perform Fae magic?”

  Again Leah felt a compulsion to answer. It lacked the subtlety of the previous question, and it felt as though her head was caught in a vice. Leah had to not only stop herself from answering, but she had to force her hand to remain at her side instead of reaching to hold her aching head. She said, “Kurtlarin, while I thank you for your name I do not appreciate your attempt to force my compliance. It may be common among the Fae to force themselves on others, but my childish conventions suggest you are nothing but a common thug who seeks to steal what he has not earned. Such behaviour is common among thieves and rapists but is not seen in those with honour. If this is an example of the more advanced conventions of the Fae, then you are a race truly to be reviled.”

  Leah turned away without another word and began harvesting the dead. Kurtlarin stood for a moment in shock and watched as Leah stored the various weapons and coins. Finally, as she stepped toward the demon, he stepped in front of her and said, “How did you resist my compulsion? Lesser beings such as yourself should have no defence.”

  As he talked, Leah waited for the compulsion but it did not come. She looked up at him and said, “The lack of compulsion shows progress, but your tone needs some moderation, as does your demeaning language. A friend of mine gifted me with some immunity against attacks of the mind. Next time I see him, I shall thank him for his foresight.”

  Kurtlarin said, “No mundane magic could do this. I would have heard if one among the Fae had done such a strange thing. What was this person’s name?”

  Leah stepped around Kurtlarin and said, without looking at him, “If you are able to say or ask something without it sounding like an order then I might answer you. Until then, our conversation is over.”

  She finished harvesting the demon and was looking through several spells she’d earned. One was a water spell and provided the caster with a shield. The other used blood magic and allowed the caster to follow any prey as long as they had a sample of the prey’s blood. As she put them away and turned to leave, the Fae spoke. His words were slower and softer, and it reminded Leah of how most adults had talked to her as she was growing up. They tried to change their speech and words to match what they imagined was normal for a child or teenager and only showed their true feelings of superiority.

  “Atherleah, I am sorry you were hurt by my words. I am just trying to do my job, and I need your help. Something strange is happening in these woods, and I am trying to understand it. Also, you should not have seen me, and you should not have been able to use gravity magic, for it is of the Fae. You should not have been able to resist my compulsion. At your low level, you should not have been able to defeat these creatures even though they are less than you. Will you help me understand?”

  Leah had put up with this before, and although it was a little childish, she decided to have fun. The trick was to pick up on some peripheral thing that was said and ask ‘why’ and ‘what’ like a two-year-old. She said, “Sure, I’d love to help. Why is it your job?”

  “I am responsible for all things that involve the Fae in these woods.”

  “Why?”

  “It is part of my role as Venator.”

  “What’s a Venator?”

  “It is akin to the role of forester, gamekeeper, or Huntsman. I patrol these wild lands and manage the things which involve the Fae.”

  “What things?”

  Kurtlarin was still answering the questions as if speaking to a child and hoping they might soon end. “Creatures who are of the Fae. Some have been cast from our lands, yet still we watch over them. Others escape and must be returned or killed.”

  Leah’s interest was genuinely piqued. “Creatures such as the glitchwolves?”

  Kurtlarin’s tone changed as he answered. Somehow he realised this was no random inquiry. “Indeed, they exist both in the ShadowLands and in this reality. They cannot exist completely in either land. Even so, they have been cast from the Bright Land and may not return. Might I ask what you know of glitchwolves?”

  Leah considered his question. It was without arrogance and was spoken as to an equal. She realised the Venator did not think her an equal, but she had begun to break through his arrogance. She said, “Both yesterday and today I was attacked by the creatures. I learned that they were cast from the Fae Realm because of Safha Peslik. Does the King still grieve his Queen?”

  Kurtlarin gave an involuntary gasp and then paused before saying, “Before I answer your question, I desire to instruct you as you have instructed me. It is the usual convention when talking with my people to never name the Kin Killer, nor to speak of the Betrayer—for grief, like love, can last a lifetime.”

  He almost said more but stopped himself. He paused for two breaths, then continued, “Your story of facing a glitchwolf would help solve my mystery. There is a large elemental pack which claims this area and they were missing three of their number when I counted them last night. Unfortunately, they are beyond the capabilities of the mundane. I have not heard of any mundane surviving such an attack. They were bred to kill both Dragon spawn and demons. You would not survive.”

  “The three I killed yesterday were an Earth, a Shadow and a Blood. This morning it was a Gravity Glitchwolf. That is where I learnt gravity magic.”

  Kurtlarin considered Leah’s words carefully before saying, “You discuss things beyond my understanding and it vexes me.” He paused and looked around the glade as if reviewing a crime scene. He carefully took a step backwards and then after examining Leah silently, he deliberately brought his hands forward showing Leah his palms. He then brought them to his chest, one on either side before bringing them together, intertwining the fingers together and clenching them tightly. He said, “I am Kurtlarin Ihalesi, son of Ihalesi Alzae. I am Prime Venator of the Yeşiltopraklar wilds. I come with empty hands, I come without malice, and I will offer you no violence. Will you talk with me?”

  Leah wasn’t sure how to respond so she imitated his moves and said, “Kurtlarin Ihalesi, son of Ihalesi Alzae, I come with empty hands, I come without malice, and I will offer you no violence. I am pleased to meet you and will answer you as I am able.”

  Kurtlarin relaxed and said, “Atherleah, my hubris pushed out of sight the reality of what I saw. These creatures you killed were waiting for you. The demon wanted you for her master. Some worked for the God of Despair while others for the Oathbreaker. You killed a demon using Fae magic, you evaded the orc by entering the Shadow Lands, and you used Dragon magic. You resisted my compulsion, and you claim to have killed glitchwolves. Only those descended from the Cursed One can learn to enter the Shadow Lands, and none of them are permitted in Yeşiltopraklar. Besides, the very reason the Cursed One was cast aside would not permit them to allow a broken one to join their ranks. How can these things be? You are but a traveller with one name.”

  Leah said, “I do have other names a
nd other titles, but I’m content to be known only as Atherleah. I’m not very comfortable with being called ‘broken’. I’m half forest elf and half highlander human. I imagine you refer to vampires when mentioning those who walk in the Shadow Lands. As it happens, I have been changed. Why do you refer to us as descended from the Cursed One? I think your reference to Yeşiltopraklar means the Forest of Night. If so, then please understand that I’ve met Lord Kötü and we’ve agreed I can visit the forest as I wish.”

  “Yeşiltopraklar is indeed the Forest of Night, but it also includes those parts of the Shadow Lands and parts of the Bright Lands which overlap in this area. The story of the Cursed One is intertwined with that of the Betrayer and the Kin Killer—I shall not share it. It is sufficient to know that the one who is the first vampire was once Fae. His curse was to be tied for all time to his element and to be denied entry to the Bright Lands. In his anger and pride, he embraced his curse. He elevated it into a sign of purity and seeks to create a race that one day might challenge the true Fae. Pray you do not meet him for he would destroy you for sullying the purity of his blood and then he would wipe out the very name of the one who changed you. Those you call vampires come from his weaker offspring. They were cast from his presence and over time have forgotten their progenitor. They forget to show him due deference. Be assured he will rectify this should he learn of it. As for Lord Kötü, how did you reach this accommodation?”

  “We talked. Eventually he saw reason, and I’m free to roam his lands as I wish. The details of our conversation are between Lord Kötü and me.”

  “Was it Lord Kötü who taught you dragon magic?”

  “No. It was a combination of things I learned in a dragon’s spell book with help from my companion Mìng, who is a dragon herself.”

  “What dragon would let you read their Spell Book?”

  “She no longer had need of it. I harvested it after I killed her.”

  Kurtlarin considered the words for a moment then asked, “Why were these people hunting you?”

  “I suppose the demon was here because I visited Çaresiz a while back, and I imagine her master wants his family’s bow back. I happened to trap some of Suzluk’s power in what are now called Suzluk’s Lanetli. He’s a bit upset about it, but it only happened because he was trying to kill me. I imagine the one you call the Oathbreaker is Merideath. She’s been trying to kill me for weeks. I ruined some of her plans and took something of hers she valued greatly.”

  “How does one steal power from a god?”

  “He was upset because I had killed his previous incarnation and just killed Büyük, his minion. His attack was deflected by Lord Umut, and I inadvertently condensed the resulting devastation into the Lanetli.”

  “Why would Lord Umut come to your aid?”

  “I am his Champion. He also gifted me with some immunity to attacks of the mind. This was how I was able to resist your compulsion.”

  “Thank you for your openness, Atherleah. I have one last question. Why do they wait for you on this trail? It leads only to the blight and to death.”

  “I’m on a quest for Lord Geckiş and need to return something into his hands. The gates into his world from Vatan are few. One is in the middle of the Kukurt Depression, which is the place I assume you call the Blight. The other is in the home of the Günahkâr. Everyone suggests this is the easier of the two.”

  “May I have leave to think on these things?”

  “As you wish.”

  The Venator remained standing but closed his eyes. His hands were still clasped together, and it looked like he was not even breathing. Leah wasn’t sure what was polite, so she didn’t move. She closed her eyes and concentrated on the sounds of the forest. She let her mind wander over the previous conversation and realised two things. First, she could now wear the dragon armour. Second, her blood was a mixture of human, Fae, and dragon. She was stronger than before, and faster. She wondered how much was the addition of Dragon blood and how much was the increase in levels.

  After almost five minutes, Kurtlarin stirred and Leah opened her eyes at the sound. He said, “Atherleah, the Elven races are descended from the Fae, as are the orc clans and various other races throughout Dunyanin. They are each a result of our desire to manipulate and perfect nature. To our shame, we must also acknowledge those changed by the Cursed One, peoples such as Vampires and Gargoyles. The Günahkâr are considered elven, but they are what I would describe as ‘different’. If you undertake a task for the Fae, then I will agree to guide you through the Günahkâr lands to the Eastern entrance of Lord Geckiş’s realm. I must approach the King for permission to make this agreement. Would you consider such an agreement? Will you wait for me to obtain permission?”

  “What is the task?”

  “I will need the King’s permission before I may explain.”

  Leah checked the time, and then taking out a map of the Forest of Night she said, “I will consider the agreement. I have several other tasks to complete. Where and when will we meet?”

  Kurtlarin pointed to a nearby river that ran through the forest and said, pointing at a spot. “The river falls through some shallow rapids near here. There is a clearing on the western edge at the top of the rapids. I will wait for you there. I may be two days but if I am not returned within four, then I will not return.”

  Leah agreed, and Kurtlarin faded from sight and disappeared. Leah had just under twenty minutes before she needed to have a break then head to meet Wisp. She unequipped her blue-trimmed armour and equipped the dragon armour. As it settled, a message appeared.

  Atherleah (Level 411)

  You have equipped Lady A’lev Sevgilisi’s Dragon Armour. This armour was made especially for you and was crafted by Dragon Magic. It is made from the scales of Lord Y’sam Ejderhasi, a Dragon of Life and his mate the Lady A’lev Sevgilisi, a Fire Dragon. Lady A’lev Sevgilisi added enchantments and draconic runes onto each scale and overlaid these with larger runes and enchantments to protect and empower you when you wear the armour. The three most significant enhancements are:

  1. While in the armour your affinity for Life Magic and Fire Magic will be enhanced by 50%.

  2. Your Strength, Constitution, Wisdom, Agility and Intelligence will be modified to reflect the average of those held by you, a Level 512 Fire Dragon and a Level 710 Life Dragon. (Currently Level 544)

  3. When powered it will activate preprogrammed Life and Fire shields to protect the wearer. An icon highlighting the remaining shields is available to add to your display.

  Leah was offered a series of options on powering the suit. She chose to add all her mana to the suit and then took a restore potion before adding that as well. The suit was only three-quarters powered, but Leah decided to finish the powering the next day. Leah meditated for ten minutes then teleported back to the clearing she’d been in that morning. Looking around a final time, she logged out.

  Diary - 17 December, 2073 - Early Morning

  Why on earth would anyone ever want to be a hero? Why do people choose to be influencers? Why do all you can to get people to follow you? The very thought terrifies me. John’s words about what people may, or may not, do make me re-think every action, every word. I know I’m not responsible for what people do, or am I? Does the mere fact that I know people copy me make me in any way responsible. Jesus warns about people who cause others to sin. The Bible teaches that leaders are judged more severely. What am I responsible for? How can I be me if I’m always worrying about how someone else will think, or how they’ll respond. What responsibility do I have for the groups I belong to? Or for the way they behave?

  It was great to see Thad again. I wonder if it’s strange for him to be back in Pneumatica as the same person but changed. The AI’s running Pneumatica accepted the change without blinking. Can we do that? If someone changes their viewpoint on something, or maybe an attitude, can we accept the change and just move on or do we have to question and test them before we trust them? How trusting would I be if Jac
kson suddenly turned up and said, “I was mistaken. I’ll be a law-abiding respecter of all people from now on”?

  21

  Chapter 21

  December 17, 2073 - Morning - Part 1

  HOME - REAL WORLD

  Once she was back in the Tower, Leah logged out for a real-time break. In her room she found Mia waiting with a tray of food and supplements. Once Leah was dressed in a robe she sat to eat. Mia said, “Conner is waiting outside. He’s been up since four wanting to see you.”

  Leah nodded, and Mia left the room. Moments later Conner walked in and knelt down near Leah’s feet. Putting his hands on her knees, he looked up and said, “Dad and John kept me in the dark all day yesterday. Only when I pressured Dad last night did he tell me how badly you’d been shot. Everyone knows you were hurt, but they don’t know you almost died. Dad also explained exactly what’s happening with Mum. I know I’m only fourteen, but I want to help. I can’t imagine life without you or Mum.

  “I think I’ll have Dad’s permission to get a chip by the end of the week and I’m working on mum as well. You always keep your word, so I’m pretty sure if they both say yes then you’ll agree. I know I’ll never be a fighter like you and although I’m trying I’ve realised that it’s not something I’m good at, and honestly, I don’t think I ever will be. Last night I talked with Father Andrew. He suggested I needed to find something to do that I was good at. I’m not a fighter and I’m not smart like you, but I wanted you to know that I will be useful just as soon as I find out how. I didn’t want you to ignore me because you don’t think I can help.”

  Leah looked down at Conner and felt old. She’d always assumed he would be a pain in the butt for at least five or six more years before having semi-adult thoughts. She loved him but never really imagined him being useful except as an unwitting accomplice in one of her plans. At fourteen he would only have restricted access to the multiverse, and he wouldn’t be able to fully play any of the games. She didn’t know what to say, but clearly, he expected something.