The Right to Choose

by Andrey Vasilyev

  I’d gotten used to everyone recognizing and even respecting me, but that, apparently, wasn’t true of everyone. “Thane Hagen of Tronje,” I said ceremoniously to the vigilant guard. “Florence and I are old acquaintances.”

  “Never heard of you,” he replied carelessly. “I wasn’t given any instructions about a person with that name, either. Mistress Krolina, you can go ahead, but I’m going to have to ask for instructions on what to do with your companions. Your friend from Atarin Castle concerns me, particularly. That’s where he’s from, is he not?”

  “He is,” I replied, impressed. “He’s my bodyguard.”

  “You have interesting friends, mistress,” the inquisitor said to Kro, ignoring me. “I’ve never heard of hired killers as bodyguards—the other way around, sure.”

  “Listen, this guy is King Lossarnakh’s sworn brother,” Kro said. “Martin knows him well. He even saved Martin’s life in your fortress during the attack and then invited him to the Borderlands.”

  “I’ve never seen him before.” The stubborn guard was starting to get on my nerves. “You can go, but those two will have to stay here until I hear back.”

  There was something going on with that guy in the hood. He had to have heard about how the head of the Inquisition was saved; that was just a lie. Something’s wrong. Also, my reputation with the inquisitors was pretty high, high enough that he should have been giving me a kiss on either cheek. It wasn’t that he wasn’t happy to see me; he was looking at me as though I wasn’t there. That just wasn’t how the principles of the game worked.

  As I thought to myself, the intractable inquisitor gave one of his underlings a sign, and the latter ran off down the corridor to find out what to do with us.

  “My good man,” I said to the frozen guard, “do you have a name?”

  “I do.”

  “Would you mind telling me what it is? I don’t like complaining, but greeting a friend of the college like this can’t go unpunished. You need to tell your friends from your enemies.”

  “That’s up to you,” the inquisitor replied. “But these days, it’s hard to tell who’s who. I have my orders and instructions, and I’m following them. Anyway, my name is Troy.”

  That was a solid argument. There were plenty of people like that, both in the game and in real life. Tell them to pick up something round or roll something square, and that’s exactly what they’d do. Whatever, I can wait.

  “Kro, go ahead,” I said to the girl. “Tell Martin they’re not letting me in, that I’m standing out here crying bitterly.”

  Krolina threw the zealous guard a suspicious look and headed off, hips wiggling and head shaking in annoyance.

  I leaned up against the wall, not sure how long I was going to have to wait. Who knows how fast they’ll bring the head guard? Anyway, Kro was going to raise hell that was for sure.

  Just three minutes later, the runner was back, and he wasn’t alone. He returned with a short, nondescript man in a black leather doublet and black leather pants. He was…kind of like a rubber ball, the kind so dense you can’t squish them. An inner strength simply emanated from him. I wasn’t the only one who sensed that, either. Nazir gathered himself like a jungle cat ready to pounce.

  “Thane Hagen,” the man said as he walked up, “it’s great to finally meet you. I’m Ranien.”

  Suddenly, everything made sense. I’d heard of him from both Kro and Florence. He was a warrior in service to the Inquisition, the college’s best fighter, a battle master. Apparently, he had wanted to meet me, and so he’d given the order to detain me when I showed up.

  “I’ve heard of you,” I replied with a slight bow of my head. “I’ve also heard that you’re providing some assistance to the Borderlands crown, giving our friends on the other side some problems?”

  “That’s true. My group returned yesterday, though. We’re reorganizing a bit. Some warriors will be assigned to protect the college hierarchy, others will be sent back out with me tomorrow—a changing of the guard, so to speak.”

  “Well, anyway, what did you want to discuss with me, Ranien? I don’t imagine you detained me just so you could meet me.”

  “What do you mean by detained?” Ranien’s face showed a look of confusion. “It’s just that my people took their orders to stop everyone they don’t know too literally. They don’t know you, so—”

  “Still,” I replied firmly, “What do you want from me? I don’t have much time, and my conversation with Florence may take a while.”

  “I don’t have anything,” Ranien said, holding his arms up. “I mean, just…”

  “Yes?”

  “Is that one with you?” Ranien nodded at Nazir. “Assassins don’t usually keep people close to the crown company. People like you are usually their targets, not their protection assignments.”

  “Well, I wouldn’t say the good ibn Kemal looks at me that way. He and I know each other a little, and—”

  “Sure, sure.” The inquisitor looked at Nazir. “Take three steps away, and don’t listen to what your ears shouldn’t be hearing.”

  “You’re not my master,” the assassin replied impassively. “I follow his orders.”

  Ranien looked at me and left me a bit confused as to what to do. I didn’t want to offend the assassin, but I wasn’t about to argue with someone I knew could be useful to me.

  “Nazir is firm in his convictions; that’s the kind of person he is,” I said diplomatically. “Let’s you and I just head on a little ahead, that way everybody will be happy.”

  Ranien grimaced slightly, but he smiled as we stepped away from the assassin. The latter froze, not even breathing from what I could tell. It didn’t look like there was any love lost between him and the inquisitor.

  “Back to the question—what do you need from me?” I asked Ranien yet again.

  “I’ll go ahead and give it to you straight. My master trusts you, and his trust is very difficult to attain.” The inquisitor was trying to smile again, but it wasn’t going very well. His face twisted into a look that would have scared anyone with a weak stomach. “What do I need from you? A little support.”

  “Support is great, of course,” I replied, looking away. “In fact, I could use someone to support me, too. Things aren’t going as well as I’d like. You know well enough how the war is, so I don’t need to tell you about that, but if we lose, my clan, the one I’m in charge of, will be finished. So…”

  “I don’t need military support. I don’t need financial support, either. I just need you to convince the king to give the Inquisition some lands in his holdings, preferably, forever. But not on a feudal basis; that doesn’t work for us. We have no problem being faithful allies, but we won’t be vassals. I know the favor the king has for you, so would you help me—I mean, us, the Inquisition?”

  You unlocked New Stronghold.

  Task: Help the college get lands from Lossarnakh MacMagnus so they can build a new fortress.

  Reward:

  3000 experience

  1800 gold

  +20 to your reputation with the Inquisition

  Special thanks from Ranien, head of the Inquisition’s battle group

  Title: Patron

  Accept?

  That was a lot of rewards, and the title was a fun one.

  “Look at you,” I said, shaking my head. “Quite the appetite. Anyway, I have two questions. First, why would I do that? Second, why can’t Martin? He’s in contact with the king, you all already have something official signed with the lands you’re going to receive, and—”

  “I hear you.” Ranien waved his hand, cutting me off. “We don’t have much time. Mistress Krolina has already talked with Master Martin, and they’re going to be here soon. Let me start with the second question, the one about why the college can’t ask for the lands itself. It’s simple: the master is against it. Sadly, he’s the kind of person who doesn’t know how or doesn’t want to ask for anything. Even beyond that, he clearly regrets living after three-quarters o
f the order was sent to the afterlife, and he’s not up for starting from scratch. He’s burned out, in a word, like a log in a fire. Let me tell you something a bit seditious—the master is exhausted and isn’t exactly up to fulfilling the duties his post entails.”

  “That isn’t just seditious, it smacks of conspiracy. Pick any of the upstanding governments, and they’d send you to the block for that.”

  Ranien brushed his hair back. “Well, the Inquisition isn’t a government, and I’m not trying to push an agenda; I’m just stating a fact. Master Martin has ceased his work, but that doesn’t mean the entire college needs to join him. Rattermark needs us, needs what we do. Even if one person is tired, the rest have to keep going. Do you understand what I’m trying to tell you?”

  “More or less.” Intrigues, again. Damn it. “We’ll say my second answer was answered. What about the first?”

  “What would you like?” Ranien asked, folding his arms over his chest. “Just let me know, and I’ll tell you if it’s in my power to give it to you.”

  I rubbed my chin. “Hmm, I’m not sure I can just tell you without thinking about it.”

  What could I want? Money didn’t really fit, and the sum wouldn’t be enough to make it worth my while. Wait a minute…

  “Okay, I know what you can pay me if we come to an agreement,” I said to Ranien.

  “I’m all ears.” I couldn’t read anything on his face; it was an expressionless mask.

  “I will require two things,” I said, emphasizing the word “require.” He needed to know where we stood.

  “Two?”

  “Yes, two. That’s the only way, and it’s a cheap one for you, too.”

  “Are you sure about that?” Sarcasm crept into Ranien’s voice.

  “Positive. When the Inquisition is being hunted by a Lord of Death—more than one, really—and they’re so angry they can barely eat, taking its side and letting it shelter in your lands is expensive, very expensive.”

  “Your first request?”

  I looked him in the eye. “I have a clan. I mentioned that. It isn’t large or strong, and, compared to all the local communities, it’s more like a small camp. Still, it’s my clan, and I don’t want anything to happen to it. If the war goes sideways, I need your people to take care of them. Don’t worry about the mages and warriors; they can take care of themselves. I’m talking about the elderly, the women, and the children. They need to survive so they would need to be taken somewhere safe. Don’t worry about them listening to you since they’re all good about that.”

  “I’ll need you to tell me which of the locals are yours. Even better, have them gather somewhere when danger arises so it’s easier for my people to collect them. I think you’ll agree that running around and chasing them down one by one, especially, in the middle of a surprise attack or siege, is going too far.”

  “Understood. I’ll talk to my people, and then you and I can have another chat, but, in general, you’re agreed?”

  “Yes,” Ranien nodded. “And the second request?”

  “I live a very hectic life. Sometimes, it takes me into dangerous spots, and I wouldn’t mind having the help of some people who know what to do with a sword.”

  “I’m prepared to guarantee you the assistance of my battle group on three occasions. I think that’s fair.”

  “Good enough for me.” I held out my hand. “Are we agreed?”

  “The head of the college can’t know about our deal,” Ranien replied with pursed lips. “That’s a must.”

  “Of course,” I said, my hand still hanging there. “We don’t need to get him involved. On my side, I don’t want anybody to know what exactly your people help me with.”

  He shook my hand.

  Updated reward for New Stronghold:

  The list is available in the corresponding menu.

  “How soon are you going to talk to the king?” I liked that Ranien—he was fast, clear, and to the point.

  “As soon as the opportunity presents itself, but, believe me, I won’t be dragging it out; that isn’t in my interests, either.”

  “Excellent,” the inquisitor replied, rubbing his hands together. “If I’m not in the castle when you do, which will probably be the case since I’ll be out taking care of royal affairs, you can discuss this with Bezhar, an inquisitor of the first circle. Just ask to be taken to him.”

  “I can discuss the clan issue with him, too? I’ll check with everyone and put together a rendezvous, so I’ll need to let someone know.”

  “He’s fine,” Renien nodded.

  This is great. “Excellent. If I’m not here, you can always speak with Mistress Krolina. She knows everything I do, and her word is as good as mine. Don’t worry about your secret; Krolina isn’t your usual girl.”

  “I’m glad we were able to find common ground.” Ranien rubbed his eyes, under which were large circles. It didn’t look like he’d been sleeping much. “As a friendly gesture, let me give you two pieces of advice. Well, more observations than advice. First, assassins are all good at reading lips, so remember that when you’re having important conversations. Second, I’ve heard of a couple instances when the old man in the mountain assigned bodyguards to people, and I don’t remember any of those people ever living to tell the story. In fact, they all died mysterious, sudden deaths.”

  “Really?” My eyebrows shot up in surprise.

  “Quite,” Ranien said with the same unnerving smile. “Hassan ibn Kemal has neither friends nor enemies; he only has personal interests. Everything else is a mask, a disguise, a show, and he’s the best at that. Don’t forget that, Hagen of Tronje, knight of the Western crown, warlord of the Borderlands, jarl of the North. Remember that and wonder what Bloody Hassan might need from you.”

  I caught Nazir’s very attentive glance before asking another question.

  “Who gave him that name?”

  “People,” Ranien replied, looking over my shoulder. “Oh, here they come. Good timing—we’re done talking about the most important things.”

  “Thanks, Ranien.” I shook his hand once more. “I heard you.”

  “I hope so,” he replied with some sarcasm in his voice. “Hearing isn’t enough, though. You need to draw some conclusions.”

  “Come here!” Krolina called. With one hand, she waved to me; with the other, she flashed an inappropriate gesture at the guard in the hood. “Let’s go!”

  There was an inquisitor standing next to her, and he was eyeing the guard unpleasantly, too.

  “Hey, Ranien,” I said as I realized who he reminded me of, “did you ever study at the Academy of Wisdom?”

  “No,” he replied with surprise. “Why do you ask?”

  “What kind of accountants do you all have? Or do you not bother with that?”

  “Ah-ha,” Ranien nodded. “Got it. No, I don’t have anything to do with the friars. And if I had to choose between Bloody Hassan and Slippery Yur, I’d go with Hassan. At least, you know what to expect with him.”

  He set off in the direction of the exit without bothering to say goodbye. Slippery Yur? I never would’ve thought.

  One thing was for sure; there was a lot to think about.

  ***

  Florence really had given up. When we’d gotten out of the fortress and away from the black horde, he’d been a fairly lively gentleman, but in front of me, I saw nothing but a tired old man who had a hard time getting out of his chair to greet me.

  “What are you hearing out in the world?” he asked, sitting back down after giving me a hug. We sat down in comfortable chairs next to him. Nazir waited by the exit. Needless to say, he wasn’t happy, but that was his problem.

  “Topsy-turvy,” I replied frankly. “War in some places, other problems elsewhere; some graveyards are rising up; some marauders are out grabbing merchants to hold for ransom. It’s a bad time we live in.”

  “Times aren’t good or bad,” Florence said with a deep sigh. “It’s people who make the times they deserve.”
<
br />   “I hear you.”

  His second question took me off guard. “Still not married?”

  “No. Should I be?”

  “Yes, you should,” he said firmly. “If you’ve found a good woman, marry her. Have children; they’re wonderful when they’re little. If you don’t, you’ll be like me… Here I am, sitting alone and thinking about how little I’m going to leave behind when I go. I couldn’t even take care of the college. Give up your wanderings and get married. This one would be fine.”

  “Oh, this one?” I winked at Kro. “Fine, as soon as I’m done what I have to do.”

  “You really have to do it?” Florence asked, waving his arm with difficulty.

  “I do.” I got up and went over to the old man. “For example, I need to find Zigfrod’s sword. I promised de Blassi, may he rest in peace. He was a good guy, and I don’t want to have lied to him, even if he’ll never find out.”

  “And you said these are bad times,” the old man replied, two tears running down his face. “No, my boy, no, as long as people keep their word, as long… What did you just say?”

  Yes, he really has thrown in the towel. It was a shame.

  “I need to find out where the remains of Zigfrod’s sword are,” I yelled, showing something long and rounded with my hands.

  “What are you being so noisy for?” Florence frowned. “My brain is going, not my ears. It’s my soul that’s aging; my body is fine. But yes, I read about what you got by the witch, and I know where everything is.”

  You unlocked Join Together, a package quest.

  This is the third in the Sword of Zigfrod series of quests.

  Task: Find and collect the three pieces of the legendary sword.

  Reward for beating all three stages of the quest:

  8000 experience

  15000 gold

  +30 to your friendship with the Rattermark Inquisition

  Magical piece of jewelry (at least elite)

  Mid-sized shield (at least legendary)