Raiya: Starter Zone - A LitRPG Saga: Archon's Chosen - Book One

by Russell Wilbinski

  "Full stop, bring us back to shore!" Fenna commanded. "Looks like he made it after all."

  Skree and Zuka splashed through the waves as Priestess ran to meet them. They collided, falling to their knees in the surf, Zuka licking desperately at her face. He spoke to her in perfect Kobold words.

  "The younglings, they are safe on the ship?" he asked with concern.

  "They are all safe, thanks to you." She replied. She looked at Zuka, seeing the wolfs scarred face and missing eye. She pulled away from Skree, taking the wolf's face in her hands. "No, Zuka what did they do to you."

  The wolf turned away, almost seeming embarrassed by its missing eye. She rubbed her face against his, throwing her arms around the wolfs neck. She squeezed hard and Zuka pushed into her, his version of a hug.

  "He saved my life. He saved all of us." Skree said to Priestess. "I will do whatever it takes to fix him."

  She gave Skree another hug. "I am glad you are both alive. We have to go."

  Fenna walked up, extending her hands to them. She pulled them up from the water and brushed off his shoulders. "You look like shit. I hope the other guys look worse." She said with playful grin.

  "They do. Fenna, thank you for trusting me. Thank you for waiting."

  "You saved my life. So I owed you one. At this point, I would have to say you might owe me one, since we currently have twenty-nine additional mouths to feed."

  He sighed with relief. "Take me to your captain and I will make sure that the crew are compensated fairly. I owe them."

  Hawkins approached, sizing up the new arrival. "You're Skree I take it?" he asked extending a hand. Skree shook it, grasping firmly.

  "I am. Are you the captain?"

  Hawkins looked at him, brows furrowed. "Am I the captain?" He rolled his eyes, staring daggers at Fenna. "You can be a real pain in the ass you know that?"

  She laughed lightly, slapping him on the shoulder. "Being a pain in your ass is the only thing that keeps me going Hawkins."

  Skree looked between them, wondering what they were talking about. "So you're not the captain? Are they on the ship?"

  Hawkins and Fenna exchanged a glance, laughing at a joke they hadn't shared with the rest of the group. Fenna extended her hand in greeting.

  "Pleasure to meet you Skree, I am Captain Fenna Lis, and this is my first mate Hawkins." She grabbed Skree's hand, shaking vigorously. "And that..." she said, pointing at the three-masted monster in the cove "is my ship, the Typhoon."

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  Skree knew they had lost, the Kobolds butchered by evil men in their home. Adults and younglings alike. It was murder. No, it was genocide. Now he sat in a rickety boat, with a pirate captain he barely knew with no real plan at all. She had offered to take him to Theseldora Cove, a haven for criminals and other unsavory types. That hadn’t sounded too bad originally, but now he had dozens, literally dozens of Kobolds to look out for, and he was taking them to another island filled with unknown dangers.

  He watched Fenna with interest, her dark brown hair fluttering in the breeze as they made their way back to her ship, the Typhoon, of which she was the captain no less. He felt a twinge of humor, knowing how well she had played him for the fool, not revealing who she truly was in the beginning. A grand practical joke, something he hoped they would laugh about one day. He had sent Kamilla and two dozen children to her and from Kamilla’s retelling, she had accepted them without hesitation.

  She was a good person, probably one of the best people he had ever met even though he knew absolutely nothing about her. She had waited for him, just like she had promised and when strangers came begging for aid with nothing but his name as collateral she had taken them in without reservation or demand. Perhaps the people of Theseldora were like her, kind and just, but he wouldn’t hold his breath.

  Raiya was a harsh world, that much he knew for certain. From his very first day, he had experienced pain and suffering unlike anything he had before, but, it was not without its own rewards. His father had often spoken to him about loss and sacrifice. He always said things like “James, if something isn’t hard, it isn't worth doing.” Or “A man who isn't willing to take a few licks to protect the things he loves, isn't a man at all.” He smiled at the memories of his father, who he probably wouldn’t see again.

  He thought of his mother and how she used to sing to him every year on his birthday, even when he had moved away to college and was trying to forget he had parents, to be his own man. He never told her, but it meant everything to him. She loved so deeply, with such intensity that he often felt unable to bear it. He just couldn’t find a way to share his feelings like she could. He knew that she understood that and didn’t care. She was his mother and he was her son. That was all they needed to know.

  Memories came to him, of the times his sister would bring him soup when he was sick. How she always looked up to him and wanted to do everything he did, even though in his teenage years, he couldn’t stand it. Now that he was older, now that he was alone, he only wished he could talk to her. She always knew what to say when he was distraught, when he thought all was lost. She had been his guiding light in the world and all he ever wanted to do was to make her smile.

  He closed his eyes, letting the tears fall, the warm drops splashing onto his hand. He swallowed hard, holding back the waves of emotion roiling in his chest. He had made a promise, to himself and his family that day on the cliff as he laid on the ledge outside the temple, the cool mist of the waterfall giving him gooseflesh. He swore that day to do his best, no matter what. That he would make the best of his new life in Raiya. That he would protect the people he loved and become a force of change in this world.

  He swore his promise again there, under the pale starry sky as they drifted toward the ship that would take them away from the Island, from all his friends had ever known.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

  “Welcome aboard the Typhoon, fastest ship this side of the Endless Abyss.” Fenna said with a flourish as Skree, Priestess and Zuka stood on the quarterdeck, taking in the sights and sounds. Sailors flew about the rigging, strange commands issuing all around them. Sails unfurled, anchors raised, and the ship lurched into motion as the wind gripped the sails.

  Skree translated her words for Priestess, who bowed graciously. The Kobold spoke a few words to Skree, who nodded with a grin.

  “Priestess wants to express her gratitude for saving the last of her people.” He explained.

  She bowed deeply, smiling warmly to the Kobold. “My pleasure.” Skree hastily translated. He turned back to Fenna, nodding to her. “I owe you much, Captain Lis. I will do anything I can to repay you.” His words filled with the utmost respect.

  “Captain Lis?” she asked, her face contorting like she had just smelled something awful. “Chap, I’m gonna need you to relax. My crew has to call me Captain, but my friends? They call me Fenna.” She gave him a playful punch on the shoulder. “Now, there is an unfortunate bit of business we have to take care of. Settle up, ya know?”

  Skree’s brow furrowed, wondering what she meant. “Business?”

  “Walk with me.” She said, turning, and walking toward the bow of the ship. She posted up on the railing, gazing at the moon hanging low in the sky. She pulled a flask from inside her leather vest, liquid sloshing loudly as she unscrewed the cap. She took a long pull from the shiny metal container then offered it to him.

  He considered it for a moment be he accepted it, taking a long, well deserved gulp. He winced, expecting the same hate fueled flavor of Samolin or something just as awful but was surprised when flavorful liquor washed over his tongue. The cooling sensation of a mint julep refreshing to his parched throat. He licked his lips, truly tasting the flavor and marveling as it blossomed across his tongue, a delicate, fruity flavor with just a hint of breezy menthol.

  “May I?” he asked, holding up the flask. She gestured for him to help himself. He drank another long swig, nearly tearing up with delight. It tasted like bottled
happiness and he could barely resist draining the entire flask. He handed it back to her, wiping his mouth. “So, what is this matter we need to discuss?”

  “Straight to business then.” she said with a chuckle, the sound tinged with sadness. “You asked me to wait for you, with the promise of something worth waiting for. I had no idea what was on offer, but felt it was worth the risk. Unfortunately, I miscalculated. I lost two men when those soldiers attacked and that…” she hesitated for several moments “Is entirely my fault. Perhaps it was greed, perhaps it was my trusting nature. Regardless, it is the duty of every captain to pay the families reparations for their loss.”

  Skree nodded gravely. “I understand. I told you before that I would bring you something worth the wait. Unfortunately, we barely escaped with our lives and I didn’t have time to gather the items I was going to share with you.”

  She turned with a sigh, grabbing the railing. “That was what I feared. Oh well, I guess no good deed goes unpunished.” She grabbed the flask gentle, draining the contents.

  “Fenna, I should clarify. While I did not manage to retrieve the items, I intended to bring you, I am not without resources to start repaying my debt to those men.” He said warmly.

  She looked to him, a small grin on her face. “Cheeky bastard.”

  He chuckled softly. “Apologies. What is the normal payment given to the families?”

  She leaned on the railing, her hair fluttering in the stiff breeze. “We live a dangerous life, but we live free. We know death lurks around every cliff, every whirlpool, every confrontation as we travel the seas. The standard payment was established to provide a good life for at least two years for the survivors and to ensure that Captains don't play god with their crew’s life. It is a steep price to pay, but well worth paying.” She met his gaze with somber intensity.

  “The restitution might be well beyond your ability to pay and that is fine. You have been stranded on a deserted island after all.”

  He matched her posture, leaning his back against the railing. “I figured that might be the case, but I owe these men and women, and you, everything. What is the restitution demanded of a captain?”

  She looked up at the stars, watching the clouds drift lazily across the night sky. “Standard restitution is twenty-five gold pieces. A pirate’s hoard if there ever was one.”

  Skree nodded, scratching his chin. “I understand. I suppose this will have to do.” He reached into his nearly bottomless bag and withdrew his hand. She held out her hand, her face revealing none of the disappointment she was expecting.

  He let the coins slip from his fingers, clinking into her cupped hands. Gold coins piling up, one after another. Her eyes went wide as the coins continued to spill from his hand.

  “You didn't tell me you were filthy rich!”

  “One hundred gold coins. Twice what is owed. Will you ensure that the families each receive their fifty pieces?” he asked plaintively. “I will not have anyone thinking I do not pay my debts.”

  She was struggling to pocket the coins. “You could have just waited until we had returned to Theseldora, instead of putting on this magic show ya know.”

  “I do.” He said, a reserved smile on his lips. “Now, shall we discuss payment for our travel? After all, you do have twenty-nine additional mouths to feed.”

  “I think we can come to an arrangement.” She replied. “Shall we commence the negotiations in my cabin?”

  Skree nearly dropped his bag. “Your… cabin?” he asked nervously.

  She giggled, then patted him on the cheek playfully. “In your dreams, lover boy. I just need a place to put all that gold you’re about to give me. I doubt I can fit anymore in my pockets.” She turned on her heel and strode to her cabin, sauntering with all the confidence of a pirate queen as she went.

  After sipping wine and playful banter, they settled on terms. Five gold pieces per head for the journey, a price Skree considered pretty steep but he was already on the ship and had the lives of the Kobolds to think about, ensuring he was on the defensive. In addition, Skree decided that it was only fair to pay her an additional one hundred gold to repay her kindness for waiting for him. After all, he had promised to bring her something worth the wait.

  The final payday for the crew of the Typhoon for their rescue was tidy two hundred and forty-five gold pieces, not counting the restitution. A nice bounty for Fenna and her crew. After their discussions ended, Skree went below decks and found Priestess and the Kobolds, several of younglings were piled on top of a sleeping Zuka, their tiny forms breathing slow and steady. She held a finger to her lips, signaling for his silence. She too was buried under a cuddly pile of younger Kobolds.

  He smiled at Priestess, then left the cargo hold where they had taken up residence. They would live in the cramped space for the remainder of the journey, which according to Fenna would take three weeks if the wind was in their favor. He located his small berth on the ship, little more than a closet with a cot taking up most of the floor space. He flopped into his bunk and began to address his numerous prompts.

  Congratulations, you have completed the critical quest “Protect the Blue Stone Clan - Part 2”

  “You have saved the last of the Blue Stone Clan, escaping the slaughter enacted by the servants of Abrenacht. Much was lost this day, but you have done everything you could to save these people.”

  Reward: 425,000 experience, The Heart of the Island.

  Congratulations, you have reached levels 21, 22 and 23 in Great Weapons increasing all damage dealt with Great Weapons by 20% - You have reached skill rank of Novice.

  By reaching the rank of Novice, you may no longer gain additional benefits beyond rank 20 until you receive formal instruction in the art of Great Weapon Fighting by a trainer of at least Adept skill level. You will continue to gain skill ranks, but they will remain locked until you complete your training.

  Congratulations, you have reached level 13 in Archery - all damage from ranged attacks increased by 13%

  Congratulations, you have reached levels 4, 5, and 6 in Water Magic - all spells of water magic 6% more effective.

  Congratulations, you have reached levels 6 and 7 in Earth Magic - All spells of Earth Magic are 7% more effective.

  Congratulations, you have reached levels 15, 16, and 17 in Light Armor - all light armor is 17% more effective.

  Congratulations, you have reached levels 13, 14, and 15 in Life Magic - All spells of Life Magic are 15% more effective.

  Congratulations, you have learned the skill Horseback Riding - rank 1. You have started to learn the skills necessary to become a skilled rider.

  Congratulations, you have learned the skill Mounted Combat - rank 1. You have fought deadly enemies while mounted on horseback, learning it's just as hard as it looks.

  Congratulations, by facing your foes alone while outnumbered 10 to 1, you have earned the trait “Brave” - +10 damage to all attacks while outnumbered at least 3 to 1.

  He read the notifications, his heart racing. He had reached the rank of Novice in Great Weapons, which was amazing, but he was going to be stuck at skill level 20 for a while, which bothered him greatly. There was still so much he had to learn about this game, this world and was concerned that his lack of knowledge would lead him or his friends to their death. He resolved to use his time in Theseldora to learn as much as possible about the mechanics of this game.

  Once he understood more, he would use his knowledge of the game to take advantage of the mechanics and find interesting ways to manipulate the underlying systems. Thus far, he had been a lost lamb just trying to survive but things had changed with the arrival of the Servants of Abrenacht. He needed grow his power, find the Kobolds a new home and begin his preparations. He intended to take down Abrenacht and all his followers. He would kill them all if he could.

  He opened the next prompt gleefully, recognizing the fanciful border.

  Congratulations, you have reached Druid levels 15, 16 and 17. You have earned 15 attribute poin
ts, 15 unspent. You have earned 15 skill points, 15 unspent. By reaching Druid level 15, you have unlocked your next druid-only spell slot. Three spells available.

  Strength of the Wild - This spell increases your strength by 15 points for 1 hour. This is a spell of Earth Magic. Cast time: 5 seconds, Cost: 185 mana, Duration: 1 hour, cooldown: 2 hours.

  Water Breathing - This spell will allow you to breath underwater for 10 minutes. This is a spell of Water Magic. Cast time: 3 seconds, Cost: 45 mana, Duration: 10 minutes, cooldown: no cooldown.

  Minor Polymorph - This spell transforms your target into a harmless woodland creature of your choosing. This spell lasts 1 minute or until the target takes damage. Cast time: 2 seconds, Cost: 115 Mana, Duration: 1 minute, cooldown: 1 hour.

  Skree read over his options carefully. Strength of the Wild was a very strong contender, increasing his damage and the deadly power of his Great sword. It was the perfect spell for him, but it seemed to lack true utility. He could always increase his strength through leveling or gear, so he moved it to the bottom of the list.

  Water breathing really spoke to him, he was on a ship after all, heading to an island full of pirates and somehow, deep in his bones, he knew that the spell would come in handy. He really didn’t want to drown, and this spell would get rid of that problem permanently. Worth considering.

  Now Polymorph, that was a spell that every damage dealing class loved. Eliminate an opponent from the fight entirely for up to a minute? It had real potential. The downside was the long cooldown. 1 hour meant he would get one chance to use the spell and it could be negated by accident, making it a waste. It was highly situational, but in a one on one fight, it was possibly the most valuable spell a druid could have at their disposal.

  He cracked his knuckles and ran his hands through his hair. Leveling up in games was supposed to fun, not a life or death decision that was irreversible and could change his fate in unknowable ways. Every time he had to make a choice like this, it gave him heartburn.