“Sorry for the state of things, ma’am,” said Barkley, the head of the house staff.
“Worry not, Barkley. We will be leaving in two days, so no need to fret,” said Mardi. “I am sure you will have this place fixed up and back in pristine condition well before the next time I come to visit.”
“You can count us, ma’am,” said Barkley, a fire in his eyes. “I have taken the liberty of preparing tea and beverages in the sitting room.”
I understood perfectly well, ‘beverages’ meant beer and any other alcohol that survived the raid on the house.
We drank the rest of the day away and slept in late the next day. Probably would have slept the whole day away if I could have. Instead, once I had felt rested, I plopped down on the couch in my room and cracked open my books. If we were leaving soon then I really needed to finish them.
At some point, Rose came in and joined me. She had ‘The Trained Eye’ open and was making funny faces as she tried some of the exercises. I tried really hard not to laugh.
I was grateful for the lazy day, even if it was spent studying a horribly complex book. Thankfully, the last book, ‘Provinces of the World Tree Volume I’ was much lighter reading. It was a book that relayed information about many of the provinces of the World Tree, provinces rated from Level 1-15, even giving the Root address, which made me chuckle a little. When it was done, my efforts were rewarded.
You have learned the ‘Lore’ Subskill ‘Provincial Portals I’
Lore II
Level: 17
Experience: 18.74%
Professional Skill: Lore is the study of the history of the World Tree and its denizens.
Subskill: Provincial Portals I
Your knowledge of World Tree portals magic, mythos and science has granted you the ability to read the portals for destination information up to recommended levels 1-15. Chance to glean additional information: 11.70%
Now that was a good skill to have. Not only would I be able to read identifying information from the portals without having to step through the portals, but there was a chance to gain additional information before I did. I was tempted to rush out to check it out right away.
But, I glanced at Rose. At some point she had dozed off and was now comfortably napping, her head resting on my shoulder. I found I was content to just sit with her and enjoy her company. Before I knew it, I had dozed off as well.
Of course, Rose promised Heath death later when a stack of photos of the two of us napping appeared at dinner that night, but I was sure I saw her slip one of them into her bag, I did as well, it was a good memory.
Chapter 28
Root City was as busy as usual, people rushing this way and that, NPC's and adventurers alike. I had just started to get used to it.
“Hurry up, Jack,” Rose ordered, insisting I pick up the pace.
I would have rolled my eyes, but then I might have lost her in the crowd. Instead, I complied and hurried to keep up with her. We were supposed to meet our friends at the God Ivaldi’s shrine in two-hours and then head to Hammerton from there. Mardi had some last-minute smithing she wanted to get done while she had access to her father’s forge.
Rushing through the streets we arrived at the ‘Rune College’ no worse for the wear.
We were no more through the door when Rose started yelling, “We’re looking for Grave Gashews and Winky McTinkles, anyone seen them?”
“Yo,” said the rogue, Grave Gashews, barely two feet away from the yelling Rose.
Rose startled slightly. “Sorry Grave . . . I didn’t see you there.”
“It’s alright, I must say I’m surprised to see you lot after you stood us up the other day,” said Grave, studying us closely.
“It’s a long story and we’ll tell you some of it on our way to the lawyers if you are still interested,” said Rose.
Grave cocked his head from one side to the other studying her. “Alright, I’m game. Winky was upstairs waiting in line to speak with Ms. Fitzle last I saw him.”
“Great, Jack, you and Grave wait here, I’ll be right back,” said the whirlwind also known as Rose.
“So, you and her?” Grave asked.
“Kind of . . . I think . . . you know, you should really ask her,” I said. I was sure that Rose and I were something, but what that something was had yet to be defined.
Grave laughed. “Sounds tsundere to me,” he added.
Grave might have been on to something but before we could discuss it any further, Rose was back and carrying the gnome gunslinger under her arm.
“What? He takes really small slow steps,” Rose said, setting the gunslinger back on his feet.
“Rudeness aside, I take it you are here for the transaction we discussed?” Winky asked.
“That was the idea. I apologize for missing our appointment, it couldn’t be helped,” I said.
“Alright then, let’s get a move on. Hopefully the law office isn’t too busy yet,” said Winky.
“It’s still early, we shouldn’t have any problems,” said Grave.
“Lead the way,” said Rose, motioning for the two to move towards the door.
“What’s the hurry?” Grave asked, sauntering toward the door.
“We’re leaving Root City today,” I answered. “We are meeting our party in two-hours.”
Grave nodded, picking up speed.
We didn’t run to the law office, but the walk was done at a brisk pace. We lucked out, there was only one person ahead of us and he or she was already in with the lawyer. We still had to wait almost fifteen minutes in which Rose was practically climbing the walls.
When the lawyer’s door opened a group of six players exited, five of them were level 30 or higher and one was only level 2.
“Thanks for the help,” said the level 2 player, a
“I was happy to assist you contracting a capable party to assist in your leveling endeavors. Please remember me in the future,” said the lawyer, rubbing his hands together. The lawyer was squat and green with big floppy ears and larger than normal incisors poking out from the corners of his mouth. Every bit the crooked goblin one would expect of a lawyer.
“Now, you’ve hired us to level you,” said one of the higher-level players, a
“Here,” said spoiled, thrusting a parchment at him.
“So, I know this is your party and all, but that province might be a little too high of a level for you,” Don said scanning the document.
“Look, it promises easy quests for fighting with Anvilton in their upcoming war with another town called Hammerton. It doesn’t get much easier than that with a couple of high-level players like yourselves. Those quests will boost my level faster than anything else,” said Spoiled. “And, it’s not like you have a choice remember. I hired you. Failure to raise my level to at leave 15 in the next month results in forfeiture of pay and a one-month extension of your contracts.”
“The money better be worth it, Donny,” complained another player.
Meanwhile, I felt like I was about to hyperventilate. Did he really just say Anvilton was hiring players to fight against Hammerton in an upcoming war?
“Excuse me, can I . . . can I see that flyer?” I asked politely.
“Sure, have a look. Should be easy experience if you’re interested,” said Spoiled, holding up the flyer.
It was exactly as he said.
“Thanks,” I said feeling numb.
“Maybe I’ll see you there,” said Spoiled, proudly putting away the scroll and strolling out with his entourage of hired guards.
“Dude, why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?” Grave asked.
“Our next stop is Hammerton,” answered Rose morosely. “We’ve got a quest to help the Duchess.”
“So, this quest, a pretty big deal?” Winky asked.
&nb
sp; “Probably, not that it matters now. If Anvilton has already started hiring mercenary players with the intent of going to war with Hammerton then we don’t stand much of a chance,” I said. Even with my ‘Justice Bringer’ spell it wouldn’t be enough against an army of players in a level 5-10 province.
“So, counter them with a player army of your own,” said Winky. “It might cost, but you’re about to get a big payday, no?”
The gnome was a genius.
“Okay, so we have more to discuss with the lawyer,” I said.
“He’s ready to see you now,” said the secretary, a gnomish woman.
The inside of the law office looked like the inside of every law office I had ever been inside of. Lavish wood furniture with leather padded seats. The only difference was this time, the lawyer really was a goblin where previously that was just how I pictured them in my head.
“First, an introduction. I am Greeble Snezlebruk, lawyer of contracts. With that out of the way, what can I do for you gentlemen, and lady?” the lawyer started.
“I would like to sell these two gentlemen a spell, ‘Edda of Light and Dark’. I have the scrolls on me and am prepared to complete the transaction now, but I need certain assurances,” I began.
“Simple enough. Have you agreed to a price?”
“30,000-Gold, that was the agreement, yes?” I asked, looking at the pair.
“Yeah, if you have the spell,” said Grave.
Winky nodded.
“Excellent, we will take care of one of you at a time, first, money in this box, spell in this box,” said the lawyer, placing two strong boxes on his table, one to the left in front of me and one to right in front of Grave and Winky.
I put one of the scrolls in the box in front of me.
“You go first,” said Grave to Winky.
Winky rolled his eyes but approached the box all the same. He put his hand on the box and I heard the sound of coins rapidly dropping.
“Excellent, the first condition has been met by both sides proving you can provide the goods for the agreed upon exchange,” said Greeble. “Next, we set the terms. Both sides will usually have requirements. Let us hear what you both desire. Mr. Jacko start us off if you please.”
“Anonymity,” I said. “I want strict secrecy applied as to the source of the scroll and the spell.”
“Any other terms?” Greeble asked.
“Yes, there are, but I want to hear their counter first,” I said. I wanted to add that they weren’t allowed to recreate the spell to sell to someone else, but I needed to hear their demands first.
“Exclusivity,” said Winky. “I do not want you selling more copies of the spell beyond Grave and I.”
“Selling?” I asked.
“Limited giving it away. I understand having friends, I have a few that would love to have this spell themselves and I am going to have immeasurable fun lording it over them later. I understand you might be more generous with your friends than I am, so let’s say no more than 5 people can be given the spell for free,” said Winky.
I could work with that.
“Make that from this point forward and the scroll needs to be used immediately. Also, if you learn the source of the scrolls, you are not allowed to manufacture it for yourself to resell after cutting me out,” I said, trying to word it as carefully as I could. I had to make sure they didn’t decide to pick up ‘Runology’ and try to create dozens of copies for themselves.
Winky narrowed his eyes, glancing from Rose to me. “Make that 4 people, no more than four people.”
I was still okay with that. He assumed only Rose had learned the spell. It was also a reasonable request.
“Mr. Gashews, anything to add?” Greeble asked, focusing on the other purchaser.
“No, I think that covers the bases except for the penalties,” said Grave.
“I think standard penalties should apply just fine,” said Winky.
“Sorry, consider me new to this, but what are the penalties?” I asked.
“If you, the seller, breaks the contract, you forfeit double the gold as well as suffer a loss of reputation with Root City and the purchaser is relieved of all restrictions. If the purchaser breaks the contract, that which is purchased is broken or removed and suffers a loss of reputation with Root City and you, the seller, receives compensation as well as alleviation of all restrictions, all fairly boiler-plate,” said the goblin lawyer.
“Agreed,” said Winky.
“Agreed,” said Grave.
It was down to me to agree. After this there was no going back. And with the flyer I had seen not minutes ago, I really needed the money. “Agreed.”
“Great,” said the lawyer, setting out a long parchment on the table and holding a hand over it. He then began to mumble, causing writing to begin rapidly filling the page with legalese. “And that should do it. I just need all three of you to sign here, here, here, here, here, and here . . . oh, and here as well.”
I watched as Winky signed first then Grave. I signed next.
“Excellent,” shouted the lawyer, clapping and causing the contract to disappear. He then slid the lockbox with the gold to me and the box with the scroll to Winky. “Enjoy,” he said, removing his hands from the box.
I opened mine and I received a simple notification.
Received 27,500-Gold
“Minus my fees of course,” said the lawyer.
It was nice of him to tell me that after I opened the box, receiving 2,500-Gold less than I was expecting. I looked at Winky opening his scroll and seeing it crumble immediately. The gnome smiled, seemingly very pleased with his purchase.
“And now we repeat the process,” said the lawyer.
I put the second scroll in the box in front of myself and Grave put his hand on the other box, the clanking of coins landing inside followed.
The boxes were exchanged again, and I accepted my payday.
“You?” Grave questioned after his scroll vanished. “How in the world did you make a spell scroll?”
“Runology,” I answered. “That’s also why I made sure to put in terms stating you were not allowed to manufacture it yourself. If you decided to learn ‘Runology’ tomorrow just so you could produce more copies of the spell to sell, it would have caused me no end of trouble.”
Grave laughed. “Good one. Still, great doing business with you. If you come across any more fun and exciting spells, look me up. I like collecting the rare and expensive things, the rarer the better.”
“I think I’ll stick around for this next part,” said Winky. “I am looking forward to making back some of the money I just spent and working as a gunslinger mercenary on behalf of our new friend here doesn’t sound like a bad way to spend a couple weeks before it’s time for me to log out.”
“Enjoy man, I’m going back to the Rune College, I’m so close to sealing the deal with Stephanie,” said Grave, exiting happily. Part of me wondered what deal he was talking about.
“Now, I do believe Mr. McTinkles, mentioned something about Mercenary work. Were you looking to contract some mercenaries?” the goblin lawyer asked.
“Yes, it seems Anvilton is hiring mercenaries to fight a war against Hammerton,” I started.
“Yes, nasty business that,” said Greeble, nodding solemnly but it was clear to me he was just playing the part.
“I want to do the same, but on behalf of Hammerton,” I said.
“The going rate for adventurer mercenaries is 5-Gold per week if they are below level 20, 10-Gold per week from level 20-40, and 20-Gold per week from level 40-60. Assuming you want to keep the number of at least balance, it will cost you around 10,000-Gold as a down payment, that covers the first week of pay, travel expenses, advertising, things of that nature,” explained the goblin. “I would expect anywhere from 20-50 adventurers to sign on, maybe more now that there is an opposing group of adventurers, you do so love to kill each other, as if the monsters of this world weren’t enough.”
“Terms,” started Rose. “W
e can’t have that many players around, murdering the residents of Hammerton. I would prefer if they were strictly there to fight against other players but if we can at least protect Hammerton’s people, it would be something.”
I agreed wholeheartedly. “What she said.”
“Of course, forfeiture of pay if they harm a single head of hair,” said Greeble.
“And banishment from the province,” I added.
“That will cost,” said the goblin, leaning forward eagerly.
“How much?” I asked, not liking the look in the greedy lawyer’s eyes.
“An additional 20,000-Gold, getting a mage capable of such a banishment contract is not cheap, not cheap at all,” Greeble explained.
That hurt, that was the cost of one of my scrolls, more than one of them after the lawyer collected his fees.
“Any specific advertising message you want to spread?” Greeble asked.
“What do you mean?” Rose asked.
“You know, things like ‘fight for money and experience’ which tends to bring out some of the seedier sort. There is always the good old ‘fight for a noble cause against a tyrant’ method. Lots of do-gooders jump on that one,” said the lawyer.
I know what I would prefer but I still checked with Rose.
“We’ll probably lose,” said Rose.
“Yeah, but it will be one heck of a fight,” Winky chimed in. “I’m assuming you like the ‘noble cause’ thing, right?”
“Jack is a walking ‘noble cause’,” joked Rose. I couldn’t find it in me to disagree.
“Yeah, ‘noble cause’,” I said to the lawyer, already dreading the sudden hit my recently flush bank account was about to take.
We spent another 20-minutes in the law office ironing out the details but when it was all said and done, I left behind 30,000-Gold to get the ball rolling.
World Tree Online: The Duchess of Hammers: 2nd Dive Begins Page 48
