by Taj McCoy El
“The Column won’t bother ye as long as ye send in updates and just keep growing. We need ye strong to fight in this battle. So, with just a little paperwork, you get 40 gold a month to keep you fed. The benefits are amazing. Ye’ve seen how quick shops finish things for ye when ye show the shield. It’s because your reputation goes up when they see it. We’ve blanked and zeroed every paladin’s reputation in the village because we wanted to see how people would react when their reputation wasn’t a factor. Let’s us get the true measure of their personality.”
“Also, if ye want, I could arrange to be yer escort. I had the general rank ye as ‘high priority paladins’ for a few reasons. One is because ye see Majestans as people, and two is because yer good people. We need more of that to save the world.”
He slid the folders over to them and put his feet up on the table. “Give it a read; it has your profile and a contract. I’ll be right here to answer any questions.”
Mayah took her folder and the others did the same. She looked them in the eyes to gauge their feelings and opened the folder.
…..
6.4 An Enchanting Evening
“So, what do we do now that we’re scouts for the Column?” Margaret asked Jensen while exiting from the secret base.
“Ye keep doing what ye’re doing and send in a letter or two. They won’t hinder ye whether ye send the letters or not. Worst they’ll do is cut off the gold. But for ye lot, that shouldn’t be a problem anyway. Ye’ve got a nose for gold.”
“I’m still mad at you for spying on us.” Mayah groused.
“I know lassie, and I’ll work to make it right with ye. But for this moment, I just want to tell ye how happy I am being yer friend. Besides, the only secrets I get to keep now are the ones of planet-wide security.”
Mayah gave him another dirty look. “Well for starters, you’re buying lunch tomorrow.”
“Aye, lassie.”
“Ooh—and snacks for the tournament,” Grax added.
“By the way, I’ve got all of my savings on ye tomorrow. Make an old man proud, will ye?”
“Will you take a look at this guy? He spies on us and bets on us. what kind of role model are you supposed to be, anyway?” Grax aimed, shot and burned Jensen with that marvelous roast.
“The kind that can strip yer fur off in one swift yank.”
“Fair enough,” Grax replied. They smiled at each other with a solid comradery that had been tested by fire.
“Okay, Jensen we’re headed to the smithy to make some surprises for the tournament. Remind me to give you my money to invest tomorrow.”
“Aye, lassie, you should know I only bet on a sure thing.”
“I sure do hope so.”
He spread his arms for a hug, “Are we all right?”
She punched him in the arm, and then gave him a hug. “Yes... we’re alright.”
Grax joined the hug and Jensen put a hand on the cat’s shoulder. Margaret stood there until the three of them invited her with their eyes. She smiled and practically skipped into their arms.
…..
They set up two engraving stations in the smithy. The remaining smiths were finishing their projects for the night and getting ready to vacate the forge. It was about half past ten, and Mayah wanted to teach Margaret and Grax the runes before he disappeared to have his family dinner. That way he’d be able to make more tomorrow with minimal instruction.
She laid out the plans for the arrows, daggers, and delivery parcels and they both made one of each, which Mayah enchanted to make sure they worked properly. She also made them a list of runes which she had them copy a few times to make sure they got it. She would be acting as quality control tonight since she was the only enchanter.
Mayah wanted to create at least one hundred arrows—that alone would take up to ten hours without even enchanting. We also need 45 grenades, and at least 30 Acid (D) stilettos. She smacked her forehead, I still have to do Grax’s swords and their leathers, she read from her mental checklist.
“Okay, Fluff, I gotta get. My parents are pretty punctual about Friday night dinners. See you guys as soon as I can.”
“Make sure you leave your swords, leathers, and throwing knives here. And when you get back, you better engrave like there’s no tomorrow—because there won’t be if we don’t win. I’ll leave your stuff here for when you come back.”
“Thanks for this Fluff,” he said pulling the requested items out of his bag. He slammed them down on the table, “I’ll make sure I do my best. I’m gonna try to be back by 9 am game time.”
“Enjoy your meal, dear.” Margaret waved and went back to her engraving.
“Remember, prayers for me and mine,” she said locking her eyes with his.
“Done,” he said, giving her a fist bump. “Try not to work too hard.” He smiled and disappeared like a Cheshire cat.
Stupid cat…
“Okay, Mags, ready to get started? Let’s do everything in batches of twenty. Then we can take a quick break and switch items if we want to.”
“Sounds like a good plan. I’ll give the first few to you to test—just to make sure I’ve got it down.”
“Good idea. Let’s get started; it’s already late.”
They both started on arrows. It was harder for Margaret because she didn’t have the runes skill. Three of her first five arrows weren’t holding the charge and exploded when Mayah applied her magics. But Margaret persisted and her level in engraving went up to 2 on her 18th complete arrow.
“I just leveled up engraving!” she squealed in triumph
“Nice! Now three more levels and you might get to a skill tree.”
“How many arrows have you done?”
“About 27. My engraving isn’t much higher than yours, the runes are just easier for me. Once you get the patterns down, you’ll get faster. It’s just a matter of patience and determination. So be patient, and determined.”
“Margaret?” Mayah looked at her across the length of the tables. “How do you feel about this Jensen situation?”
“Well,” she scratched her chin, “Grax seems to think that it could be loot and major quests. You seem to feel betrayed and I… I think it’s just like family. Jensen was doing what he had to—to protect his family. He was doing that long before he met you, by the way. Briggston said Jensen had been trying to get permission to bring you in for a few days. It goes a long way for me that Briggston corroborated his story. I think he’s to be trusted. He has shown himself to be as honorable as possible on all accounts.”
“It would have been better if he had brought me in earlier.”
“Yes, it would’ve, but he was under oath. What’s done, is done. He couldn't do it. Just like Cloutus couldn’t.” She went silent at that. Her eyes falling to the floor.
Mayah leaned back in her seat and considered Margaret's words. When Margaret looked up, Mayah could only say, “Maybe you’re right.”
They didn’t say much else for the rest of the night. The only sound was the tick of metal shavings falling to the table.
…..
First Lieutenant John Nathan Auset sat at the desk in one of his backup bases. The abandoned warehouse was drafty, but it was dry and cool. That was important. The three AI’s had been abandoned and burned, but the three they still had here needed a cool and dry environment.
He had learned his lesson about hacking Attactus. They would not be doing that again. He had been found and almost trapped. This time, he would be more cautious, overestimating the enemy’s forces. The probe, if it was still functional, might still hold the data he needed to take down Attactus once and for all.
Instead, the AIs were tasked with running the numbers on the best scenarios to get a signal to the probe. They had been running since they first arrived and were down to the last few viable solutions. These few were being run through multiple advanced simulations. He had wound up sitting there patiently, fingers tented beneath his nose, lost in his thoughts.
He didn’t actually
have a higher up per se, but money gave the orders which his budget was forced to listen to. And all the money were saying that Attactus was attempting a financial coup of global proportions. Their banks had set an international precedent. Besides being backed by one of the most influential corporations to ever exist, they had diversified their banks’ holdings, making them able to trade in any commodity at any time. Their AI analytics of the stock market meant that their capital was sure to rise.
Majestan gold—the world’s first cryptocurrency backed by real world objects—was already being touted as the biggest financial blitzkrieg ever created. Due to the amount of resources that Attactus had poured into the infrastructure, Majestan gold was counted as real currency in all but seven countries. Someone in Taiwan wants to sell you something, he gives you a price in Majestan gold. In return, you negotiate your purchase in Majestan gold. A true one-world currency, but out of the hands of his masters, his almighty green masters.
Attactus Corp. was lauded as extremely benevolent, but something about how the money kept coming in bothered him. Bannon’s innovations, first in the healthcare field, followed by their charity with their groundbreaking tech, solidified their station. Then, with the advent of Attactus, the world rushed to his doorstep. Bannon was always looking for a better consumer price, and people loved him for it.
His university was also one of the cheapest to attend. There was only a two-year service requirement, as opposed to the standard six most corporations held to. Everyone applied on the off chance that they might get accepted in the lottery, but they usually chose the best and the brightest. They were ranked third in global educational standards. The combination of high quality education and low service requirement had people flocking to his multiple campuses. Bannon was actually planning on building more campuses worldwide.
In his expansion, it was ultimately the banking deal he cut with the New Republic of North Korea that tipped off some red flags and the ball started rolling. Now, that very weighty ball rested solely on his shoulders. He could either pass it on in dismal failure, let it crush him or drop it into Josh Bannon’s lap.
He could afford to be patient for now. His next move might be his last and he could not afford to slip up.
“I’m going to find out what they’re hiding,” he said to no one.
…..
“Ooooh, level four,” Margaret said, wiping the sweat from her forehead. It was three in the morning. “We gonna stop soon?”
“Yeah, I’m just gonna finish up this grenade. Don’t forget I still have to enchant all of this.”
Her graver dug into the metal, completing the circle around the six Acid (D) runes and her world went black.
“Welcome back to the Hall of Runes. Are you ready for your next runes?”
“YEEESSS!!!” She jumped in the air.
“I don’t believe anyone has ever been so exuberant to enter the Hall. If I had emotions, I believe this would make me happy. But as it stands, you get six runes of your choice now that all of the ways should be known to you.”
“Thank you, spirit. Do you mind if I take a break for a second?”
“Of course not. Time is not moving as slowly for you this time as you are in the presence of another, but it has slowed down considerably.”
Mayah sat down and pulled out her book and quill. She turned to the back page and began copying the words of Kalima Vorto.
This Hall is the repository of all runes in existence. My soul guards this place against the darkness of Ba'alquion for eternity. In exchange for this safety, I must allow all to enter. Those of light and shadow, death and life, of fire and water, earth and air.
These words were lost until I found Selaizar’s tomb hidden in the depths of a bewitched cave by a mage whose name was lost through time and centuries of battle. I took the tome and was cursed by it. Facing death, I created this place to keep the knowledge and my soul safe. You are the one who must free Majesta.
Learn all that you can to fight this evil sweeping over our land. Look through what you see and deeper into these words. The real names for things have power. A power you can grasp with ease. This existence is a riddle. Solve it and find your strength. Life ends, begin with death. - Kalima Vorto
The last line still bothered her. What does that mean? “Life ends, begin with death?”
Spirit…? or should I say Kalima?”
“So, you call my name?”
“Sorry it took me so long. I should’ve figured it out on the first run. I was a little excited about doing magic.”
“No need to apologize, my exuberant runist. Many come here and miss that fact. …Or just ignore me as a means to an end.”
“Well, I’m here now.” She thumbed through her book and found tons of new runes. Sweet ice cream on sundaes, I just got a big bump in the runes department.
“Is there anything you’d like me to do on the outside?”
“That is a strange question runist, one I will have to think about that. But thank you for asking.”
Okay, I know how this works. “Six new runes, here I come.”
She walked into the main chamber and saw runes inscribed above all of the archways. Directly to the right of the entry arch was the Hall of Death. As she turned, she saw Air and Fire, then Light and Shadow. Next were Water and Earth and then Life on the left side of the main hallway.
Life ends begin with Death... Death begins the cycle. Whatever the cycle is for... She sniffed, smelling loot.
She pulled out the book and wrote the runes in order in the back. Strangely, when she flipped back to the front of the book and looked for the new runes, they weren’t there. ...Intradesting …okay well that did nothing. Might as well start with Death and work my way through.
She walked through the arch and darkness closed in. This is Death. Don’t say a word or the veil comes down. No need going insane over a rune.
…..
The spirit of Kalima Vorto had been here for what seemed an eternity. The outside world flew by like wispy clouds in a stiff wind. Or they crawled by like icy glaciers of frozen glue and molasses; it was hard to tell the difference from moment to moment. He had done nothing but lay awake and dormant in between his visitors. But now, whenever this now was, someone had asked him if he needed anything. It stirred in his consciousness, awakening thoughts long, long unused.
Kalima witnessed the runist appear in the hall. She had received five of her six new runes. She had an interesting collection for so low a level, he thought. The stirrings in his consciousness rose up again and another new thought floated through his awareness.
She has great potential. There is something that I should give her.
……..
“Runist, why did you ask me if there was anything that I needed?”
“Well, if you’ve been here for ages I figured you might be bored or lonely so I wanted to see if I could bring you a little happiness,” Mayah shrugged.
If Kalima had a body, he would’ve have smiled at that. Merely to be polite, of course, for he could not feel happiness. Being disembodied and nearly eternal had its price. Instead, he spoke to the runist of the things he needed.
“Thank you for asking. There is one thing that I do require. But it will take multiple challenges to acquire it. Do you think you are capable enough to handle it?”
Do I think I’m up to it? I came to Majesta to kick butt and chew bubblegum. And since I’m fresh outta bubblegum…
“Yes, I think I’m up for it,” she said calmly.
“I cannot ask you directly to do these things, but I will give you riddles. The first of which is; ‘Climb over the teeth into the serpents open mouth and bring the word to his belly.’ Once you have completed that task I will give you more.
“As a reward, I will give you a book that contains many light runes made especially for you.”
You have been offered a quest:
Kalima’s Word
Kalima Vorto, the Spirit of the Hall of Runes, has asked you to undertake a
quest. Unfortunately, the quest is in the form of a riddle. Solve the riddle and bring the prize to the Hall of Runes
Rank: B (Uncommon)
Reward: Custom made book of Light runes crafted by the Runekeeper Kalima Vorto
Failure: Letting anyone finish the quest before you.
Do you wish to accept
Y/N?
You know it. She pressed the yes button to accept the quest and said, “Thank you for entrusting me with your quest. I will do my best to finish before I come back.”
“Thank you Runist, I look forward to your return.”
“Okay, off to get my last rune. See you, well… hear you later.”
“Goodbye, Runist.”
Mayah ran back into the main chamber.
…..
“...MAYAH!!! …MAYAH!!!”
The smithy was jarred around in her vision as she felt her head snapping back and forth. She reached up to find two hands shaking her shoulders and grabbed the wrist with all her strength.
“Whoa, WHOA, whoa….” and she suddenly stopped being knocked around like hedgehog in a pinball machine.
“Oh my god, Fluff, are you okay?” Margaret's tear streaked face was right in front of hers. She hugged Mayah tightly to her chest. Mayah’s nose was smashed and her cheek felt bruised from the pressure Margaret was applying.
“Can’t breathe…” Margaret let her go.
Mayah rubbed her cheek, “…Ow, my face. What’s wrong Margaret?”
“You were sitting there not moving. You stopped in mid-sentence. You were just hovering over the arrow with your burin frozen in place. I thought something had happened to you. I couldn’t even touch you until a second ago.” Margaret crushed her to her chest again, fortunately not as hard this time. “Are you okay? What happened?”
