Absalom’s Trials

by J. D. L. Rosell

  Committing with Lunge, I seized my dagger in both hands and leaped at the mage. The Naiad desperately threw an Icy Plume of his own, but midair as I was, it barely slowed me. I brought my dagger down with all my strength into the mage’s shoulder, sinking the blade in to the hilt, and we tumbled over in a heap. As the Naiad screamed and flailed at me, I forced my half-frozen limbs to draw out the dagger and stab down again, this time in the neck. The mage fell silent.

  But the officer had caught up to me, as I found out a moment later when a burning line cut into my back. Only my scaled hauberk saved me from a severed spinal cord. I spun and whipped the dagger around, figuring I'd have no better opportunity to get in close. The move was more effective than I'd hoped for, as the officer’s sword had gotten tangled up in my cloak, and when I spun, I pulled him off-balance. I scored a glancing blow across his cheek and followed it up with a knee to the face. The Naiad rolled back, finally recovering his sword. He grinned savagely at me and held his sword at the ready, beckoning me forward.

  Then his neck sprouted a dagger, and he slumped to the ground.

  I stood stunned for a moment before I thought to turn around. There, of all people, a Ja’qual stood, deftly tossing and catching a knife. Considering I'd only ever seen one of that panther-like race, it wasn't hard to place her.

  Sheika was back.

  17

  The Roots

  I stared open-mouthed at her. “Is that really you?”

  “Looks like I arrived late.” Sheika shrugged. “At least you saved me one.”

  “I could have taken him!” But I grinned all the same. “Good to see you back.” My smile quickly faded as I remembered the reason she wasn't supposed to be here. “How exactly are you back, anyway?”

  “There's time for that all later. Right now, we have a battle to win.”

  She was right about that. Toppling the Naiad chain of command was only the first step. I still had to deal with the army, at least until we could disperse them. Not to mention reinforcements were no doubt coming from the sky any minute now. I nodded. “Then let's go. Got any ideas where to start?”

  She smiled coyly. “I hear I'm supposed to leave battle strategy to you, Captain.”

  “Damn straight.” I puffed up my chest. “I'm very important now.”

  She patted my cheek derisively. “Don't let it go to your head. Come on, where to?”

  I already had the answer to that. When I told her, she nodded in agreement. “Yeah, taking them out is critical. We going out the same way we came in?”

  “No other way.” I threw back my third mana pot. Including the one I'd already had in reserve, that left me three more to get me through the rest of the battle. Nothing for it but to hope that would be enough. Or maybe I'd bum one from Sheika.

  We moved to the opening of the tent. “Ready?” she asked, wickedly curved knives in each hand.

  I held up my recovered sword and dagger. “Ready as ever.”

  We burst out of the curtains and leaped down from the palanquin. I expected to have to face all the soldiers that had surrounded it before, but to my surprise, the ground was littered with dead Naiads. Sheika burst out laughing and clapped me on the shoulder, knife falling dangerously close to my face. “You should have seen your face! Yeah, I took care of everyone out here before I came in. My little gift to you.”

  I shook my head. “You never cease to amaze me.”

  “Well thank you very much.” She jerked her head back toward Stalburgh. “Now, I think we have to catch up with an army?”

  I nodded and sheathed my weapons. “Let’s go.”

  The two of us made good time to our destination, yet dawn was nearly upon us when we arrived. Still within the cover of the forest, we watched the regiment I'd targeted mill about and make their preparations for the assault. When I'd formed my initial plans, I'd had several ideas for priority targets, archers and siege weapons topping the list. Then my entire camp of soldiers had fallen into a deep, enchanted sleep. Since that obviously couldn't continue, the ones responsible for magic became our next targets: the Cerulean Empire’s regiment of mages.

  “Before we go in, you're going to need some protection.” Sheika laid a hand on my shoulder, and a moment later, a cool feeling spread throughout my body. I looked down at my hands and caught a glimpse of violet light passing over me.

  “What did you cast?”

  “Channeled, actually — Ward of Spell Negation. Kills all but the most powerful spell effects before they even get to you, and it can't be easily dispelled.”

  “Sounds awesome.” I examined myself again. “And how long does it last?”

  “Two hours. You're not planning on taking longer than that here, are you?”

  “Not at all. After all this is over, you're going to have to show me where to get that.”

  She jerked her head out toward the milling mages. “Time enough for that later. One last heads up on it though: it's not going to prevent spell damage. So you should still dodge all those blasts of water and ice coming our way.”

  “No waterpark rides today, eh?”

  We emerged from our hiding place and dashed for the regiment. There were fifty or so mages total gathered here. Considering we could still take spell damage, it promised to be an interesting fight. But then again, I had Sheika at my side.

  The Naiads noticed us when we were still thirty feet away. Pointing and shouting, they turned to meet our charge. Even at that distance and at a dead sprint, Sheika took out the first one. But the alarm had already been called, and the other mages were beginning to cast their spells at us. We were almost within striking distance. Hopefully they tried to cast spells to incapacitate first, which would be ineffective against Sheika's ward.

  Half of them must have tried something of the like, for I heard many shouts of frustration. But from the other half, volleys of ice and water pelleted us. I threw up an arm to shield my eyes, but it did nothing for the wave that poured over me and knocked me off my feet. Cloak heavy with wetness, I threw it off of me and rose, only to get knocked down by another wave. Icicles also crashed into me, but I was able to dodge after the first volley since the cold didn’t grip me. Matters became complicated though as mist suddenly flowed forth, clearly supernaturally called. That would make finding these mages annoying to say the least.

  Badly needing cover, I cast Mass Deception, and my Naiad soldiers popped up like a field of flowers all around me. Charging into the mist, I sought out one mage after another and ruthlessly cut them down. I didn't know where Sheika was, but I wasn't worried; she could more than take care of herself.

  It was a slog hunting in the fog. Sunlight began cutting through it before long — dawn had arrived. I knew what that meant. Sure enough, war horns sounded from the cliffs above us. I gritted my teeth. Hopefully taking out these mages had helped the Ignobles to wake up and meet the enemy in battle.

  A short while after the battle had begun, the mist cleared to reveal all the mages dead. I also got another pleasant surprise:

  You are now Level 20! (+10 Status Points, +4 Attribute Points)

  Look at that! I was out of the teens and a proper adult now. I accepted the level up by assigning my SP to spirit and refilled my stats. The rest, however, would have to wait for a calmer moment to be assigned.

  I recovered my cloak from where I'd cast it aside and tied it again across my shoulders. Sheika stalked over to me, wiping her knives on her dragonscale sleeves. “That was more butchery than a fight. Must be hard being a low-level mage.”

  I looked up the ridge. “Battle’s only just beginning though. We still have a good eight thousand soldiers to take out, plus whatever Valyn are coming down.”

  “Less than a thousand were joining from what I heard,” she retorted. “And considering I sat in on Cerulean Empire war councils, I heard quite a bit.”

  How she'd managed to do that was a mystery for another time. “No time to waste then. I'm going to go rally the Ignobles. Do you have other secret plans of
your own, or can you lend me a hand?”

  She shrugged. “If I’m here to help, I may as well stick near you. Got to keep you alive until this is through.”

  “That actually would be helpful.” I grinned. “Thanks, Sheika.”

  She shrugged again. “What are friends for?”

  Friends — we barely knew each other, yet I had the same feeling. Not only had we worked together often enough now, but I felt that she got me, and I got her. And as much as I enjoyed Farelle, it was really nice feeling that way with another player. As long as I still had connections to real humans, Earth couldn't be too far away.

  “Let's go then,” I said, and she nodded.

  We started up the hill along the route where I'd seen the Cerulean army marching. The trampled ground was clear evidence they had come this way, and in numbers. For a moment, I despaired of ever defeating so many enemies. But then again, Sheika and I had taken out fifty mages with few problems. If worst came to worst, we could always just charge into the fray, take out as many as we could, and hope it would be enough to turn the tide.

  As we reached the top of the cliff, my jaw dropped at the sight that greeted us. A sea of people of every race was laid out below. As we were at a high point from the city, we could see the majority of the battle. And what a battle it was. Contrary to my expectations, I saw the banners of the Noble Ignobles — featuring a golden Satyr with its head thrown back and drinking alcohol of some kind, set on a light green background — splayed out on the nearest side to us. Brandeur and his men had actually gone to battle. I'd figured without me there to prod them forward, they'd just turn tail and live to see another day. Particularly once they'd seen that the Duke and his Burghmen weren't coming out to play. It raised my estimation of the egotistical Captain of Captains, if only slightly.

  But despite their bravery, they were hopelessly outmatched. The Naiads swelled over the landscape, with foot soldiers and cavalry taking the front lines and ballistas, catapults, and other siege weapons lining the back ranks. Now I saw what Farelle had seen all along and was glad I only just saw it. Had I glimpsed the reality of my task, I doubted I would have kept pressing on. Before, it had just been numbers. Now, I heard the sound that eight thousand soldiers make and felt the fear.

  I set my jaw. Maybe I was in danger of Faze-Aught and actual, real death. But I wasn't just going to stand here and let it happen to me. Brandeur Three-Horned would have to take care of his own for a moment.

  “Looks like they found reinforcements.”

  “I'd say,” Sheika said drily. “Got any ideas?”

  “Only ones already in motion. I need to check on something on the other side of the city. I just hope the Ignobles will still be standing by the time I get there.”

  She seized my arm. “They will be. Keep your mouth closed. I don't want you biting your tongue off.”

  “What do you mean—?”

  The world lurched away from me, and I twisted through the air, losing track of my body and time and any sense of meaning. Just as suddenly, the world swirled into focus again, and I fell to my knees on different grass, coughing and trying not to throw up.

  “You can teleport?” I managed to ask as I battled wooziness to stand.

  She nodded. “How do you think I got to you in time in the Black Crags? Or in J'anteau? But I can't use it all the time; takes up too much mana, and it has a cooldown of a couple hours.”

  “Still. You've got to tell me where to get it.”

  She smiled mischievously. “We’ll just have to see what you can do for me in return, won't we? But anyway, don't you have a battle that needs winning?”

  “Right.” I looked around me at the shifted landscape. Sheika had teleported us atop a hill in an area I didn’t recognize. I’d been on the west side of Stalburgh to visit the Night Sisters’ lair, but had done little in the way of exploring otherwise. At first glance, it was more of the same forest and hills as the east.

  Then I saw what I'd been looking for. “They did it!” I shouted, and ran down the slope.

  “Who did what?” Sheika yelled after me.

  I didn't turn. I was too focused on the figures I saw sheltered under some trees and the large arch next to them. It had been formed of two trees and shimmered with light underneath the trunks. Unless I was mistaken, I was looking at our way into the Roots. My reinforcements would soon be on the way.

  As I drew closer, I recognized the two figures standing next to it. Farelle grinned and waved her bow in the air, and Hanil, old and bent over as he was, looked younger and more energetic than he had before.

  I was nearly there when a third figure stepped out from the shadows. It only took me a moment to recognize her. “Sarai? You already came through?”

  “What do you think you're doing?” the priestess of Isvalla demanded. She was not only vastly out of place on this new continent — and plane, if her goddess was to be believed — but she also looked like she had a bone to pick.

  It took me a moment to understand what she was so upset about. “Oh. You're upset I'm snatching away the Fralishk.”

  She stared at me for a second. “What else did you think? You're undoing all the work you just did! We're trying to civilize them, not bring them into the middle of the battle.”

  “No, I'm not trying to civilize them — you are,” I corrected her. “I'm trying to pass the Trial of Glory.”

  She looked more furious by the second. “You don't have the right to do this!”

  “Don't I? But I'm a boss!”

  The priestess huffed and looked aside.

  I turned to the other two standing there. “Thanks for coming, Hanil. I owe you a big one.”

  The Satyr's eyes twinkled. “A debt is it? Perhaps I'll think of something suitable.”

  I groaned loudly, and the druid laughed. “Nothing too stringent. Maybe just a rare herb or two.”

  “You deserve that much. How are things looking?” I examined the portal. “I guess it's functioning if she's here.” I stabbed my thumb back at the scowling priestess.

  Farelle nodded. “Father went through and has signaled back that he made it there as well.”

  “What was the signal?”

  She pointed at the ground, where a doll with a hooded cloak was stabbed into the dirt. I didn't doubt who that doll was supposed to represent, and I winced. “Well, at least I know where he and I stand.”

  The Wilder reached over and patted my arm. “Maybe someday he’ll come around. But I seriously doubt it.”

  “As long as this works, I can stand him hating me.” I took a deep breath. “Guess there's no more time to delay. If all goes well, I'll be back in a moment with a thousand Fralishk in tow.”

  “Good luck,” Sarai said sarcastically.

  I looked at her, and suddenly I realized I needed her on my side. Not only was she the representative of the Fralishk’s new faith and had accepted their oaths of devotion to Isvalla, but she also was the only one I knew of who could transform me into an autumn elf. Considering I'd mostly appeared as Devalyn to them before, I wasn't sure how well Urandal’s residents would take to me as a Human.

  “Sarai,” I said as I approached her. “I know this isn't good for your mission. I know you only just brought the Fralishk back to your goddess's faith. But if there was any way you could help me avoid getting sent to Faze-Aught—”

  “Why'd you have to ask?” the priestess interrupted, eyes flashing angrily.

  I blinked. “What do you mean?”

  She turned her head aside, but I could still see the sparkle of tears in her eyes. “Isvalla appeared to me and said I was to aid you in whatever manner you asked. And you just had to ask, didn't you?”

  I wasn't sure what to make of that. “I'm sorry,” I said awkwardly. I felt I should say more, but I had no idea what. Charisma failed me at the worst of times.

  Sarai shook her head. “Never mind. That's between my goddess and me. As for you, I'll do as you require.” She thrust her hands out and seized me by the shoul
der, and before I could protest, I felt the transformation seize hold.

  You have changed your race to Devalyn!

  Well, that was one problem more easily solved than expected. Still, it felt the wrong way for the solution to come about. I wanted Sarai fully on my side, not because she was forced to be. But this was the least of the compromises that war had brought with it.

  “Thank you,” I said quietly.

  She’d withdrawn her hand as quickly as she’d extended it and, looking aside, didn’t answer me.

  No more time to spare for her now — hopefully I could settle things later. I turned back to Farelle. “While I'm gone, Farelle, could you scout out areas that would be good for digging?”

  She nodded and started off at once. For how ornery she usually was, she made for a surprisingly good soldier.

  “Sheika, you may as well come with. Have you ever seen a Fralishk?”

  My fellow player shook her head. “Not in a while.”

  “You're in for a sweet reunion then.” I looked to Hanil. “We’re good to go whenever?”

  The old druid nodded. “Sulfel and I built it for the passage of a thousand people. It will certainly hold for two.”

  I nodded, then stepped toward it. Maybe it was because of the uncomfortable feeling that usually accompanied teleportation, or Sarai's resentful glare on my back, but I was strangely hesitant to enter. No more dragging my feet though; I had to hurry, or the battle would already be lost by the time my plans were set into motion.

  Setting my jaw, I stepped forward into the green light.

  18

  The Biggest Boss

  The transition was more like entering Isvalla's temple in Urandal than teleportation. Though I flinched as I entered, there was little more than a shiver as the green light slithered over my skin, transforming the world beyond it. I stared at the strange scene before me.