Chapter Six: Revelations of Disaster

Sol

Sol sighed taking up the daggers the hobgoblin caster had held. They seemed of an average quality iron, just basic kitchen utensils really. As he did he noticed a chime ring in his ear.

Level Up!

He smirked, it was his first true level up, while he had already gained thirteen levels through learning and studies this would be his first level actually earned through combat (He didn’t count the time he’d been forced to hunt rats in the old mans shop). Grumbling he knelt down besides the cadaver, sickened by what he’d have to do.

“Kid, cut out the creatures core and get over here already, I need help with the girl!” Telmin yelled from the other side of the camp. Well at least the old man was already screwed up enough not to see anything wrong with the situation.

Claire Newton

You are unconcious

Claire sighed removing the VR helmet as her burred vision slowly began to acclimatise to the world around her. She groaned, She was alive but fainting like that was too much, she’d probably ended up using too much stamina, it was annoying how there were no indicator bars. But at least she was safe. Maybe she shouldn’t have troubled the NPCs but they’d been able to handle it, she actually quite surprised. The grey-eyed boy was probably a guard while the old man was clearly a merchant. She hoped that her avatar would be all right in their care. As she laid the VR helmet on her desk she reached out to grasp at her laptop bringing it in front of her.

Quickly navigating the Internet she found herself on the Expanse forum.

Even in her crippling situation she’d grown to love the game, so she made sure to stay on top of the latest news for it. It seemed that today the main thread was “Mons gives up” She remembered hearing about the group a while ago, a collection of elite researchers whose goal was to study magic, to even enter the guild you had to possess at least thirty intelligence. It seemed they had changed their goals from studying magic to training magical monsters. With a nod to herself she quickly switched to looking at the games leader boards. It was here that players could post accomplishments and their levels. Currently the highest-level player was level eighteen, he was a self-proclaimed swordsman who had taken down a D class monster alone, and His name was Rumath. Claire smiled to herself. Her recent battle had been enough to level her up causing her to reach level seven. She posted her information on the boards once again. Currently the most popular way of levelling was to perform feats, actions that stretch a person’s ability to the limit and gave them a reward. If she could earn a few feats or gain an accomplishment she could surpass the level curb and keep ahead of the competition

After roughly an hour of research and reports she made a few notes on her laptop of things that she’d return to later and re-entered the game.

The atmosphere was tense, darkness had fallen and only a low burning fire on top of which a couple of fish were slowly cooking lit the campsite. For a moment Lillan wondered where on earth they had gotten the fish from, but in the end decided not to ask; the duo before her seemed fairly odd to begin with.

“So what brings you out here traveller?” The old man questioned with a toothy grin.

“Monsters, attacked me so I ran.” she replied, She wished she could have come up with something more articulate but her low intelligence made it harder to think and respond.

“Yeah but how?” The boy asked pushing the inquiry, his eyes filled with suspicion and curiosity. The boy was certainly strange black hair and grey eyes, a bizarre combination nothing to the fact he only wore a pair of trousers and sandals; while in one hand he held a book and the other a club.

“Be polite.” The old man rebuked him the boy with a glare. “Now Ma’am why don’t you take these and get changed behind the wagon, I’m sure those bloody rags are uncomfortable.” The old man smirked passing her a wrap of clothes. Lillan looked up at the man with slight irritation, having a good idea what as on his mind. Still she needed to change and accepted leaving the war, light of the fire to stand behind the upturned wagon. She looked back to see if the two were watching her.

“What was that about old man?” The boy questioned, glaring at the old man.

“What do you mean?” The Merchant shot back, huffing.

“When you first met me, I was lost and naked, you just gave me something to wrap about my waist and said ‘good enough’.”

“Hmm, I wonder why I treat her differently.” The old man chuckled with a smirk confirming Lillan’s suspicions

“You old pervert, how about I tell Jill what you told me?” The boy grinned turning the tables

“I’m no pervert, and what’s wrong with helping out a young woman in a spot of trouble?” The old man began to defend himself

“So should I tell her about this?” And that was checkmate

“No.” The old man sighed giving in

“Then there is something to hide!” the boy stood up laughing at his victory… Clearly insane.

Lillan shook her head changing into the clothes provided, it ended up being a cheap leather dress that fell just past her knees and left her arms bare.

She walked back around the cart and sat on the opposite side of the fire to the group of NPCs

“My name is Lillan.” She declared introducing herself at last.

“I’m Sol and the old pervert is Telmin.” the boy greeted with a wave and slight bow. “So how did you come to be chased by a pack of Hobgoblins?”

“Well… I was going hunting and managed to kill a rabbit when they attacked me, I ran and ended up on the road.” She mumbled looking at the meal cooking before her.

“That so, what hardship.” Telmin sympathised.

“The rest of your stuff’s over there.” The Boy gestured to a pile of items ignoring the old man. Lillan reached over grabbing them checking everything that was there in case they’d taken anything. Everything was where it should be and what was more the rusty iron sword the large goblin carried was added to the pile as well.

“Your share for the victory.” The boy replied with a shrug.

“Thanks.” Lillan acknowledged with a nod.

“Time for food.” Telmin laughed grabbing the fish from the fire and handing it out to everyone gathered with a smile.

“So, who are you two?” Lillan questioned as she ate.

“We’re just merchants.” Sol replied with an easy smile.

“Merchants, as in plural, I thought you were a guard or something,” she muttered.

“Nope, I’m the old mans assistant. That was actually my first battle.” The boy laughed rubbing the back of his head.

“You’re pretty strong then?” She questioned wanting more information. The old man answered first

“Aye, I’m level ten myself. Nice and strong, I’m more than used to dealing with the odd bandit.” He patted the knife at his hip. It wasn’t fair how NPCs could be so strong, well it kind of made sense they spent their whole lives in game so of course they’d have had higher levels. Still it would take months before players could match or beat NPCs well at least the run of the mill players

“Uh, I’m not really that strong, I’m just working with the old man.” the boy yawned with humility

“Young fool spends all his time reading, and making notes in his books.” The old man laughed. “Should try to actually learn the trade I’m teaching instead of keeping his nose ‘tween the pages.”

“Well this weary old man has decided to head off to sleep, you two behave.” The old man finished of his fish throwing the bones into the fire and trudging over to a sleeping bag by the side of the road.

“Sorry, about the trouble.” Lillian apologised gesturing to the battered cart, she guessed she owed them that much.

“Doesn’t matter, I’ve gotten just what I needed.” the boy held up a small brown stone in the air, Lillan had seen a couple of images on the forum.

“A monster core?” She questioned looking it over, it didn’t seem too impressive, of course neither was the monster it came from. Sol nodded. Lillan couldn’t imagine why he’d need it, monster cores were worthless junk, you could trade them in as proof of defeating a powerful monster but other than that they were just mildly explosive marbles

“I’m doing some research.” The Boy explained looking around him his eyes lingering for a moment on the old man who was already starting to snore. “So how are you enjoying the game?” the boy grinned.

The fire before them sputtered beginning to die out as the final flames receded and the night sky seemed to bloom a thousand stars above gleaming in the shadows.

Lillan paused; he was a player, travelling with an NPC, it had never occurred to her to even try having a proper conversation with one let alone to travel with them. Still it was her first time interacting with another character, she would need to be cautious in case it was a trap.

“I’ve been enjoying it a lot, I can’t walk in real life but here I can run all I want, I’m currently aiming to be a hero, I’m already pretty high levelled myself, and you.”

“This game has given me a new chance at life…” he said the words slowly as if pondering over them to make sure they were true, he had something to hide. “I’m going to take it.” The boy smiled though a hint of sadness and perhaps remorse was hidden behind those grey eyes.

“Is that so, if you don’t mind me asking why are you travelling with a merchant.” She questioned wanting more information on the how’s when’s and why’s of his circumstance.

“He offered me a job, I accepted. It gave me a way to earn experience and raise my levels while having time to study and research,” he chuckled seeming to ease up slightly. “The old man is an idiot, all he cares about is money, but he’s still a nice enough fellow when you get past that.” He seemed to speak of the NPC with real affection. It was a rare, and slightly touching sight.

“So, you can gain experience just by doing jobs?” she questioned. The boy nodded.

“Yup.” He yawned apparently the night was beginning to wear on him.

“I’m tired though so I’m going to sleep, I’ll see you in the morning.” He crawled over to his sleeping bag lying within. “You know you should think about trying to get a job yourself, there are no trainers in these games so becoming an apprentice is the next best thing.”

“Is that so?” she questioned lying back, pondering his words, turning her gaze to the heavens above. “This is a beautiful world isn’t it?” She questioned.

“Yeah.” Sol replied, “I want to see it, I want to travel and see what lies beyond the horizon. Maybe build a few wonders of my own.”

“So are you one of the researcher types or a tried and true adventurer.” She inquired laughing.

“Why do I have to be one or the other.” he responded, “This world is limitless right, why can’t I be both?” his tone was wistful

“True… What are you researching anyway?” She questioned her curiosity peeked.

“Magic” His response was quiet but it seemed to echoe around them, in all the majesty of nature as if the world itself approved.

Zenna Zelday

The hall was grand or as grand as their limited technology could afford. The palace itself had been carved from marble and granite; gigantic white pillars reaching up to support the grey roof cast-iron lanterns hanging down with precious inlay glinting in the morning sun. Those lanterns had not been lit and hung cold and empty while early light poured through the windows to gleam across every carried sword and polished breastplate in the hall. The king sat enthroned upon his royal seat carved from black marble, lines of silver running through the stone spreading from the centre like a spider’s web of shinning veins. He was dressed in a long white robe with cuts of red and blue about the shoulders and waste while on his fingers golden rings gleamed with gems of all colours and variety set atop.

“What is the situation?” questioned the king, it was earlier than he liked to wake and he had no use for loquacious talk.

Zenna stood far removed from the politics of the court, like a doll, pretty and perfect to the most minor detail, even if she were not allowed to show her face. She was surrounded by ‘men of stature’ be he Zelday’s general or the kings advisor. Still she stood there dressed in white, daughter to the king, daughter in name alone as was clear. For his true sons and daughters stood and sat at the sides of his throne while she remained far back, hidden away from them, stiffly smiling at the scene unfolding before her.

The king ran his hand through his receding line of once golden hair now turned the colour of aged wheat. His eyes were clear though and his fingers tapped a steady beat against the arms of the throne. “My liege the situation is dire.” Economics minister Croll declared scratchy voice striking the walls. “These people come in with new currency that seems to overrun our country, I fear what this could mean for those of us holding more than a pittance in wealth, particularly yourself.” The king looked thoughtful on the mans utterance.

“Is that so, Dast what do you say?” The king turned to his portly advisor, a kind and jovial man with a rotund figure and red cheeks his head ringed by red hair lacking in the middle.

“My lord, this is good for the economy, while we may not support the actual value of the coins they are made with pure silver, it is flooding the economy indeed and allowing many to become far wealthier. We now have more money than we know what to do with. I suggest you raise the tax on merchants to stem the increase for now so that the economy can grow accustomed to it.” The advisor declared with an affable smile, he might seem dull to a random passer by, Dast was a savvy veteran on the political field.

“Huh, It seems you have over reacted Croll, come now are you sure your dislike of the blessed ones is not getting in the way?” The king smiled though something hard remained hidden within the warm exterior.

“My liege, I have good reason to despise these people. They come to usurp our power. They have already begun to form sects among their people; these ‘guilds’ are dangerous. They are currently divided but will soon grow in power, we have received words from the priests to the affect that the blessed are soon to increase in number, if these guilds are allowed to grow then they will overtake the government like weeds strangling the rose within your garden!” the minister called bringing down his foot with the accusation.

“Come now Croll, you’re getting ahead of yourself, the blessed ones are weak, most of these guilds have no working military functions, our people may support them but they would never ally against the military.” General Hond laughed.

“Dast what is your opinion?” The king turned once more to his advisor.

“They both have a point. While the adventurers are currently weak their rate of growth is unbelievable and they have begun to introduce incredible innovations into the public. I believe it would be necessary to incorporate the existing guilds into the government. There are currently eighteen guilds, Five of which I think we can induct. They are; The Seekers; White light; Wildhunt; Mons and The Grand Pillar. These five guilds hold the most benefit and influence for the kingdom, be it military, security, innovations or construction, if they were to be included, they could provide technical advances and militaristic might.” Dast replied.

The king sat there for a long while eyes focused far into the distance. Before he began to smirk a plan forming deep within his mind “I think I may be able to solve this conundrum. The issue is the blessed ones will one day sway all nations, so we must incorporate them into our kingdom or face them as enemies in the future. Correct?” the king looked to everyone assembled, none voiced a complaint or regard. “Then send word to the heads of these guilds and ask them for a meeting. We will induct them into the kingdom.”

“How?” Dast questioned.

“We will give them land, on which they can establish themselves as part of our nation, a physical tie that shall give them something to defend.”

“Very well, my liege how about we provide them titles as well?” Dast questioned prompting the king further. King Soras nodded smiling.

“Then borrow the names from our neighbours, name their leaders high lords, and of those below them spread out five lords and ten barons.”

“And what of the stragglers?” Hond questioned, referring to the other guilds and random adventurers. The king paused for a moment before pulling an answer from thin air.

“We’ll hold a tournament, make the prizes gold and valuable artefacts. It will help endear them to us I’m sure. And for the grand prize, we will tie the strongest guild to us through marriage.”

The king turned around to face Zenna a thin smile on his lips, now he finally had a use for her, more than a mere precaution, more than a simple tool. She felt her stomach drop.

Sol

Golden fields swayed to the winds whim, gentle light falling from twix the clouds above, the sky such a clear blue it was as if it had been painted by angels. The clouds drifting through the heavens like solitary ships on an endless sea.

“So this is Lanmere?” Lillan questioned looking around. “Seems pretty average.”

“That’s what I like about it, it’s unassuming.” Sol replied a wistful note in his voice.

“How old are you, you talk like an old man.” Telmin gave a barking laugh before braking down into a coughing fit. Sol chuckled at the old mans expense.

“Oh shut it, you’re older than I’ll ever be.” he nodded to the ancient merchant with a smile

“I’m in the spring of my life boy!” Telmin roared waving a cudgel around as Sol laughed leaping off the carriage.

They rolled into the town, people waved as they passed giving curt greetings and moving on.

“You back again old man, bringing in more strays, can’t help yourself huh?” Dranam laughed approaching them.

“Get back to your drink.” The old man shot back at the tavern keeper.

“Whatever you say old man, just make sure not to brake any laws.” Dranam quipped hopping away a sway in his step

“I’ll choke you!” the old man yelled after him as Dranam laughed.

“Not as peaceful as I thought.” Lillan commented. They rolled on through.

“Will you be going on to Sangeil?” Sol questioned Lillan.

“No I’ll be staying here for now, I’m interested in seeing how your research plans out.” she responded with a light smile

“If you’re going to stay you should try joining the towns huntsmen should provide you some good experience.” the old man leaned towards her. Lillan nodded ignoring his advance.

“Telmin, Sol it’s good to see you back!” Jill called as they pulled up towards the shop and ground to a halt.

“Okay lad, get to unloading, and just leave the crate of fish behind, that’ll be for the festival the cooks will come to get it.” Telmin ordered offhand.

‘Festival?” Sol questioned.

“Yes, The festival marking the end of spring and start of summer, in a couple of months there’ll be one to celebrate the end of summer and start of autumn. We do the same thing in winter.” Jill explained smiling happily.

“It’s nothing big, but I hear that this year they’ve brought in some actors, there’ll be good food and best of all, It’ll be free!” the old man laughed like a maniac. Sol sighed shaking his head.

“Is the only thing you ever think about money?” He questioned.

“Pretty much.”