by N H Paxton
The rest of the thieves who had been rounded up immediately fell to the ground, begging for their lives.
“Round these fools up, take them to the local garrison. Let the city guard handle them. As for the prisoners, who is responsible for releasing them?” The unnecessarily large Dawn Elf, whom Balkin had named Veryln, looked through the crowd of prisoners, with our ragtag gear and our complete mess of organization.
“This man here, Veryln. He’s responsible for setting us free. And let me tell you, I am so glad to be free.” The burly Wode clapped me on the shoulder as he walked by. He stepped forward and clasped wrists with Veryln, who had a smile on his face.
“Good to see you’re still alive,” Veryln said, then turned to me, a different kind of smile now folding his lips. “And who are you, that you would risk your life for all of these random strangers?”
“Vlad.” I nodded slowly.
“Not every day a person, let alone a Dawn Elf, would risk himself for the good of others. You have my thanks.”
I stuck my hand out, and he shook it. I suddenly received a notification that was both good and bad.
<<<>>>
Quest Alert! Thievery in Broad Daylight
You have failed to recover the merchant’s stolen goods, which were destroyed.
<<<>>>
Quest Alert! The Daylight Thieves
You have successfully completed a secret quest by routing the thieves who were absconding with passersby and imprisoning them. As a reward for your efforts, you have been granted 500 XP, and you are now Friendly with the Battle Wardens of Rowanheath!
<<<>>>
“Ah, thank you. Yes, was no problem. Had hoped anyone would do same.” I wasn’t really sure what to make of the situation. I mean, I had failed that one quest, but it was given by someone who wasn’t really a quest giver. Is that how it worked? Or did it not matter? I would research that later. Now, Ina and I needed to get to Rowanheath. The sun was beginning to set, and we still had a solid hour’s walk.
“Your thanks is unnecessary. Hopefully we will see you at the chapter house one day. Fare thee well, and thanks for bringing these thieves to justice.” With that, Veryln turned away. He issued a quick, militaristic command, and the rest of the wardens turned and marched off, toward Rowanheath.
“I’ll be one of them soon,” Ina said with a sparkle of expectation in her eye. “And then, Father, I will have followed in your footsteps.”
I was very excited to help her achieve her dream, but we needed to get there first.
“Ina, is good to have goals, but need to move.”
She picked up her pack, which she had placed on the ground after our exodus, and we headed back toward the road.
As we were traveling the long road to Rowanheath, I was taken unexpectedly by a Universal Alert. It completely occluded my vision, so I didn’t have a choice but to read it.
<<<>>>
Viridian Gate Online Universal Alert!
Notice: Traveler Grim Jack Shadowstrider, honorary member of the Ak-Hani clan, has founded the first Traveler-owned faction in Viridian Gate Online! Any Traveler opposed to the Viridian Empire may now request to join Grim Jack’s faction, the Crimson Alliance, bound to the Dokkalfar city of Yunnam, located deep in the heart of the Storme Marshes.
Notice: Joining the Crimson Alliance instantly lowers a player’s relationship with all Viridian-aligned factions to Unfriendly. Joining the Crimson Alliance instantly raises a player’s relationship with all Rebel-aligned factions to Friendly. Joining the Crimson Alliance entitles members to all Crimson Alliance Faction buffs.
Notice: Grim Jack Shadowstrider is now an exalted enemy of the Ever-Victorious Viridian Empire!
<<<>>>
“What just happened?” Ina looked as confused as I was. There were a million questions running through my head.
“I think someone just made very big mistake.” What the hell was the Crimson Alliance, and why in the world would this Grim Jack Shadowstrider want to become an exalted enemy of the Viridian Empire?
“Well, the Viridian Empire is massive, and they’re pretty much the ruling force here in Eldgard. Whoever this Jack is,” Ina said over her shoulder as we continued to walk toward Rowanheath, “he just made a very terrible enemy. The Viridian Empire is known as the ‘Ever-Victorious Empire’ for a reason.”
I hung my head low as I continued to listen, knowing that things were about to get considerably more complicated than I was really willing to deal with. But this was a new world, a new life, and I needed to be ready to handle anything that it would throw at me. Hopefully, though, I wouldn’t be bound and threatened by an idiot with a pair of daggers again anytime soon.
Where walls meet road...
THE GARGANTUAN, IMPOSING walls of Rowanheath were the first thing that greeted us as the sun set. We saw them well before we were even close, and as we approached, they just got bigger.
Ina gawked the whole time, like countryfolk who had never seen a big city. And, to be fair, that was exactly what she was. To me, it felt like I was coming home. I was finally going to be back in civilization—well, as close to civilization as a fantasy world could produce.
“It’s so big,” Ina said as we approached the southeastern gate. “How does anyone find anything in a place this large?”
I knew it was a hypothetical question, but the logistician in me couldn’t help but find an answer.
“Typically, people make road, road has name, name lead people to thing, thing is what person want.” I had never made a less eloquent statement in my life.
“Is that how it works?”
We approached the gate guards after waiting in a bit of a line, and one of them looked us over a couple times before waving us on as though he were infinitely bored.
“Yes, less or more.” I turned about as soon as we were through the gate, as I had no idea where we were going. We needed information before we got too carried away and got lost, then mugged, and then killed. The last thing we needed was to die as soon as we arrived in town.
“What is it?” Ina asked, her eyes still everywhere but where she was.
“Need direction. Guard, where can find food and rest?” I was beginning to really tire of this ignorant speech pattern.
“I’m sorry, what? Are you dumb or just uneducated?” The guard looked over to his partner on the other side of the opening, and they shared a laugh.
“He just asked where we can find food and shelter for the night. Something inexpensive, preferably. We’re travelers from, eh...” Ina struggled to find the right words to explain our situation.
“Right, right, sorry about the laugh. It’s been a long day. You’ll be wanting to head over to the Old Hill Inn. It’s a right sorry place, but it’ll do you right. Head north a while, then when you’ve come to the market district, turn west. It’s a few hundred yards past the intersection. Can’t miss it, it’s on a hill. Hence the name. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we close the gate in a few hours, and there’s a bit of a line, since you’re lollygagging.” The guard waved us away as he turned to continue his process of checking people. Yeah, he was doing a fine job.
“Oh, just be on your guard, yeah? There’s groups of travelers about who are roughing up people who are part of that there ‘Crimson Alliance,’ what-have-ya. Wouldn’t want to get carried off in the night, hahaha!” His laughter was unsettling, but his warning was appreciated.
After we were done with the guards, we headed down the path they had recommended. The city was unbelievably massive, with its constantly splitting intersections, and the people pouring through the streets, even this late in the evening. At one point, I turned, sensing that someone was watching me. There was a shadow of a person running out of sight behind a building.
“Do you feel, eh, watched by person?” My question was more of a statement, but Ina understood.
“I got that feeling the minute we arrived here in the city, but I think it’s just because there are so many people. Don’t let it get to you
, Vlad. You’ll go crazy.” Ina continued to walk, her shoulders set in that all too familiar “I’m on a mission” position.
“Did see shady person hiding, though. Is cause for concern, yes?” I had that irritating suspicion itching the inside of my skull again.
“There are lots of shady people in the world. Besides, why would they target us? We have almost nothing of value on us.”
We spent the rest of the walk in silence, while the foreboding sensation in the back of my head grew. After a solid ten minutes of walking, we arrived at the market district. It was crammed full of people trying to buy last-minute items at a discount or just trying to get home in a hurry. We edged and pushed and forced our way through, until we were finally able to take the western road at the intersection.
“Market was crazy.” I turned my head to see the crowd disappearing behind us as we walked between rows of towering buildings. The light didn’t reach here, especially this late in the evening, so it was difficult to see.
“It was a good thing, though. I think we’re quite a bit closer to the inn now.” Ina sounded chipper, as usual. Not a cautious bone in her body, really.
“Hopefully inn will be appearing soon.” My mind kept going back to that shady character who fled out of sight when I turned to look at him, but we arrived at the inn without event. It was an old, dilapidated thing, with a slightly tilting frame to it. The wood was three different colors, with a myriad of patch jobs in various places on the walls. It stood two stories high, but the upper windows were mostly boarded.
“Do you think this is the right place?” Ina sounded uncertain for the first time since I had met her here in V.G.O. It was kind of cute.
“Sign says Old Hill Inn, must be place.” I gently placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder as I took the first step toward the inn.
Once we entered, it was a far cry from the outside. The floors and tables were well kept and full of patrons. Dozens of people were sitting and standing, eating and drinking; some were talking, others were laughing or playing music. There was a well-polished bar near the back of the common area, just to the side of the stairs and in front of what could only be the kitchen.
Ina and I headed over to the bar and we both sat down. The chairs were extremely comfortable after our day’s journey, and I couldn’t have been happier to finally get some fine alcohol.
“Excuse me, sir.” Ina’s voice carried gently as she called over the barkeeper, who I assumed was also the host of the inn.
“Whatcha want?” He was a stout Dwarf, with a beard that would rival the fur of a grizzly bear. He wore a quilted apron stained with years of food, drink, and polish. He held in his hands the quintessential trinket of every barkeep: a single glass, which he cleaned constantly with a cloth of some kind.
“Oh, we were wondering if we could get some food and maybe a room for the night?” Ina seemed unaffected by the Dwarf’s brash demeanor.
“Aye, ye can, we’ll getcha set up right. Have ye got anything to trade, by the by?” He tilted his head as Ina pulled the relatively fresh rabbit from her backpack.
“I’ve got this. Is this alright?” She laid it on the bar, and the Dwarf looked it over.
“I’ll have old Bertha make ye up some stew with that, won’t cost ye a copper. As for the room, I only got one left, are ye okay sharin’?” He looked at the two of us, obviously anticipating that there might be a problem.
I opened my mouth to speak, but Ina beat me to it.
“No, that won’t be a problem at all. How much will it be?” She pulled her money pouch from her hip and weighed it in her hand.
“It’ll be a silver a night. That covers breakfast in the morrow as well.”
“That’s not too bad.” Ina laid a silver coin on the bar top, and the Dwarf quickly swept it up. He stuck it in his mouth and bit down.
“Aye, good quality. None of that garbage the Imperials are trying to pander about as their new ‘falcons’ or whatnot. Blasted Imperials and their games.” The Dwarf seemed a little miffed by the Imperials, despite the fact that he was running an establishment in an Imperial city.
“So, when should we expect that stew to be ready?” Ina asked the question carefully.
“Give it a few, lass. It’s not magic, ye know.” And with that, the barkeep plucked the rabbit off the bar top and took it to the back, behind the swinging door.
“Rabbit stew, is good?” I had to ask, because I had never experienced it before. I was looking forward to trying it, since everything else I had eaten in V.G.O. was incredibly delicious.
“It depends on how they make it. My parents used to make it with herbs. They would sear the meat on a spit first, over an open flame, the skin rubbed with all kinds of savory seasonings. Then they would chop it into small pieces and cook it in a thick broth of vegetables and fat. Oh my, it was delicious.” She swooned at the thought of the food, and it was very enjoyable to watch. I knew she would be an incredible person to spend the rest of my second life with, and I was looking forward to every bit of it.
“Sound like heaven.” I licked my lips, thinking of the savory meal she had described.
I was daydreaming about the stew when there was a disturbance toward the front of the inn. A pair of travelers had gotten into a fistfight over something. I wasn’t close enough to hear any of the conversation or what they were yelling about, but a very large Wode stood from a nearby table, lifted them both with ease, one in each hand, and threw them out the front door.
There was some applause as the Wode dusted off his hands and headed outside, I assumed to ensure they didn’t attempt to retaliate or cause a further disturbance. That was some good in-house security.
“People will fight over the most ridiculous things,” Ina said, more absentmindedly than directed to anyone. “It’s sad, the amount of war there has been. The deaths, the loss of life, all over ideals. Little things that people can’t seem to compromise on, no matter the cost.”
Her words were naive, I knew, but also very true. How many wars had I been an indirect part of? An uncountable number, I’m sure.
“People fight because it gives truth to lie.” The words came from my mouth unbidden. “One person tells lie to self, they believe. Then they must lie to another, who not believe. Fight break out, sometimes in word, sometimes in fist.” I shifted in my seat as I stared off into space. I was beginning to feel regret, an all too familiar emotion I didn’t want to deal with right now.
“That’s true, Vlad. You’re very insightful.” I was pulled out of my daze by an unexpected kiss. It lasted longer than I would have expected, but it was wonderful. I was drawn in—I had fallen for her before I even realized it. I was experiencing falling in love with Ina all over again.
We were interrupted by the gruff, yet understanding, clearing of a throat.
“That stew ye be asking after, here ye go.” The Dwarf, whose name we still had not been privy to, placed a pair of bowls on the bar. He put a couple very large chunks of bread down as well. “The bread is on the house, fer bringing Bertha such a nice rabbit. She thanks ye for it. Been a while since we’ve had a fresh kill.”
He stood there for a second, then sighed, picked up another glass off the bar top, and went back to cleaning.
The stew smelled amazing, filled with herbs and various seasonings. The gravy was thick and hearty, with large chunks of soft, well-cooked rabbit floating about. It accompanied roughly chopped vegetables and a great amount of potato.
Ina was already digging into the stew with the bread, taking large chunks from the stiff and stale bread, then dipping them into the stew. I was forced to acknowledge that food in V.G.O. was better than anything I had ever eaten on Earth. My mind soared as I ate the incredibly filling stew, the flavors dancing around on my tongue. I was so disappointed when my wooden spoon hit the bottom of the bowl.
“Oh my gods, that was the most delicious stew I’ve had since I was but a child.” Ina’s face was covered in smeared stew gravy. I wanted nothing more than to ta
ke a cloth and wipe it clean, as I hated food being on people’s faces. But she seemed so happy, I let the urge go.
“Was truly best stew,” I said, with full honesty. I was pleased to be living this life, even with my regrets. Even with leaving Earth Ina back in the ground, and coming here alone, I was experiencing a full life, and it had only been two days.
“We should probably retire, Vlad. We’ve got to see about getting into the underground tunnels tomorrow, and I know nothing about it.” Ina stood, leaving her bowl and spoon on the bar top.
The Dwarf grunted and pulled them behind the bar. He did the same with mine when I stood from my seat.
“Ah, yes, rest. Is good, is necessary.” I followed Ina up the steps from the common room to the actual rooms.
Ina opened the door for us, heading over to where there was a candle resting on a night table. She lit it from one of the lit candles in the hallway, then set it back in its place.
“So, are you going to have a problem sleeping with me again?” Ina’s eyes flashed with a teasing fire, one of the things I had loved about Earth Ina. She had a wicked sense of humor.
“No, is no problem. Will sleep on floor.” I smiled, she smiled, and we both laughed as we undressed for the evening. We were down to our smallclothes before too long, lying in the bed side by side. “Is strange, whole world is new, but I find you.” I hadn’t been thinking, I just spoke. I realized what I had said just as she responded.
“The world is a crazy place, Vlad, but I’m so glad I get to share it with you.”
I leaned over on my side and blew out the candle. When I returned to my lying position, I was quickly covered by an arm. Ina’s skin was soft and warm, and so very real. She nuzzled against my neck as she gave a contented sigh. I closed my eyes for what felt like a brief moment before I was pulled into yet another dream.
I stood in a field, wearing my armor, which was strange because up until now I had been having dreams of my Earth life. The ground was covered in small white flowers, gently blowing in the wind.
I heard a voice calling to me from afar—it was Ina. The voice started off ethereal, almost like hearing it through water, but it became louder and clearer as I walked.
