Survival Quest (The Way of the Shaman: Book #1)

by Vasily Mahanenko

  So, it looked like this toad of a Governor decided that the prisoner who made his Kameamia is none other than that mysterious Jeweler. Damn, looks like I'm in a pickle. And it all makes sense - did he make the chain? Yes he did. A unique one? A unique one. Did he create a Legendary Item in the mine? Yes he did. So the chess pieces were mine for sure.

  "Yes, I did recently make a few crafted items," I replied and saw the regional governor's eyes fire up. He almost jumped off the chair, wishing to quickly run to me and snatch, take and appropriate everything I had. The orc narrowed his eyes, piercing me with his gaze. What? You didn't expect this did you? Yes, that's what I'm like.

  I dug around my bag and took out eight +2 rings that I've not yet sold to other prisoners and handed them to the Governor.

  "That's all that I know how to make. They're only +2, since I'm not a very experienced Jeweler yet. After I do more learning and levelling up, I'd make some for +3 or even +4. Isn't this what you came for?"

  The Governor gathered my rings and began to examine them. Gradually the happy glow on his face faded into a picture of disappointment. He stood there a moment, wrinkling his brow in disgust, and then threw my rings on the table and wiped his hands with a handkerchief.

  "Cheap rubbish!" hissed the Governor. "Why did you give me trash that could be bought in any Jeweler's shop? I clearly told you that I need the Malachite Orc Warriors from the Karmadont Chess Set! Do you have them? Are you the one who made them?"

  A-ha! We are no longer quite so sure that I'm that Great Jeweler. Very good. Time to move in for the kill. I barely opened my mouth to state my refusal, but the orc beat me to it.

  "The limitations of the Pryke Copper Mine do not permit prisoners to reach level 13 in any of the professions. The message of the heralds stated that the Malachite Orc Warriors were created by a Great Jeweler. A level 12 Great Jeweler is..."

  "But he made the Kameamia!" screamed the Governor, interrupting the orc. "Even if it's made from cheap materials, it's still magnificent! What else could he create if not the orc figurines?"

  "The figurines were made from Malachite. No Malachite was ever brought into my mine," replied the orc.

  "This is my mine! You hear, you ugly orc mug? Remember: this is my mine, not yours!" shrieked the Governor as he jumped on the chair.

  "No Malachite has been brought into your mine. Ever." replied the orc, unperturbed.

  "Then I want to get the item that he created," a calmer Governor now turned to the orc, ignoring me altogether. "Even if it's not the chess pieces, I will not allow him to own a Unique Item. Moreover, he should go pack his things - I'm taking him back to my castle. I have no intention of letting a Jeweler capable of making Unique and Legendary Items slip away from me."

  "Prisoner Mahan cannot leave your mine at your behest," replied the orc, also completely ignoring my presence. "Neither I nor you may break the law. Neither I nor you may take a prisoner's possessions by force. That is also the law."

  "I'm the law here!" screamed the Regional Governor, breaking off the orc and spraying spittle in all directions. "If Mahan didn't make the orc chess pieces, he must create all the rest! He must! Only I should possess such things, because with their aid I could open..." The Governor suddenly fell silent, glancing from side to side, got his breath back and went on. "I shall await this man in my castle! Today!"

  "Prisoner Mahan cannot leave your mine at your behest," repeated the orc methodically. Yeah, this guy will make a decent parrot, come to think of it. He's so green and big - a typical Ara. He just lacks a tail, but attaching one is no problem.

  The Regional Governor lost it. Big time. For about ten minutes he was screaming at our boss that an oaf like him could only work in a mine, preferably as a prisoner. The Governor didn't forget to favor me with some of his attention either, revealing to me a joyous piece of news: I was a slug and pathetic parody of a human being or not a human being at all, but a cross between a gnoll and some unknown vile creature. At last, having screamed his fill, the Regional Governor ordered for a transport portal to be opened and, saying that he won't forget what happened here in a hurry, left the mine. If that's the role this NPC is playing, I became curious about how things were going with this province’s economy. Or did the developers put a wise advisor next to each ruler like this?

  Nothing unusual happened until the evening. Twenty Rats took me forty points closer to Respect, Sakas started to produce 12 ingots a day and, in general, I had no reason for giving the Regional Governor's visit any further thought. It was a really strange episode of my imprisonment, to be honest. He came, threatened, shouted and left. What's the point? In my thoughts I was already at the meeting of the release committee, but then I was summoned to the mine boss once again.

  This time there was no-one else in the office besides the orc. I was even glad of this - he wouldn't summon me without a reason, so I'm probably in for a bonus of some kind.

  To my surprise the boss started to speak to me in protocol-steeped intonations:

  "According to the Emperor's decree, each mine in our province must provide at least one prisoner for mining Malachite at the restricted-access Dolma Mine. Provision requirements: random selection from prisoners of level 7 or above with at least level 9 in the mining skill. On my mine we have forty eight sentients like that and the selection process picked out the prisoner known to you as Sakas. According to point 6 paragraph 15 of the provision on prisoners in the Malabar Empire, I am questioning other candidates on whether they wish to take the place of the chosen candidate. Here is the situation. The Dolma mine contains Large Copper Veins, from which Malachite is mined. The task of the prisoner is to mine 20 pieces of Malachite in the course of two weeks. The mine contains aggressive Rats, so there is a chance that the prisoner might be sent for respawn and be stripped of all his stats. If this happens, he returns back to his mine. As in our mine, there are sections containing veins; no-one has access to these except for the prisoners, so the section would have no immediate guard protection. But if the prisoner, being attacked by a Rat, manages to run back to the main part of the mine, he will be helped by guards and healers."

  The orc fell silent for a few moments, and then continued in his usual Akela voice:

  "The level eight orc known to you as Sakas has ten levels in Mining and nine in Woodcarving. He put pretty much all his free stat points into Agility, so he doesn't have much of a chance against the Rats. I am asking you: do you want to take Sakas' place?"

  "Why did this decree suddenly come out?" I asked the orc, baffled, as I thought over his words.

  "The reason is simple: the crafted Malachite figurines. The Jeweler profession became very popular in Barliona in the past week. Practically one out of ten sentients is now aiming to become a Jeweler. The mines meet the demand for ores well enough, but they cannot do so where Precious Stones are concerned. Now everyone's rushing to buy up Lapis to make the Dwarf figurines, but you have to train yourself up before you're able to work that stone. You have to learn by making Copper Rings and working with Malachite and only then can you start making things with Lapis. It is possible to mine Malachite in our province, but only prisoners are able to do that, because Dolma is not one of the free mines. The Emperor ordered for one prisoner to be taken from each mine and sent to mine Malachite. Sakas is guaranteed to die in that mine, but you have a chance of surviving and completing the task. Now it's your time to choose: will you take Sakas's place?"

  "What will happen if I complete the quest?" I asked the orc, although I've already made my decision.

  "Nothing except for my Respect. My respect, not that of the Pryke Mine Guards. Everything else you already have," said the orc, in what seemed to be a quiet voice, but his words echoed through the office like thunder. So it means that if I accept the quest now, I'll not get anything except for the uncertain Respect of the orc?

  Quest available: "Bloody Malachite".

  Description: In the course of two weeks, while fighting off Rats, mine 20 pieces of Mala
chite from Large Copper Veins in the closed Dolma Mine. Attention! The Rats are aggressive! Chance of Malachite drop: 100%. Quest type: Rare. Reward: Respect of the Pryke Mine Guards, Respect of the Pryke Mine Governor. Penalty for failing the quest: resetting of all stat points.

  "And what will happen if I accept the quest, but fail to complete it in time? Assuming the Rats don't get me first?" I decided to clarify a point of concern.

  "If the prisoner fails to complete the quest within two weeks after its start, he is left for the Rats and all his skills are reset."

  I couldn't help smiling. Resetting of all stat points. Is that what it's called now? If you fail the quest - you get eaten by Rats. If you get too carried away with mining ore - you get eaten by Rats. If you fail to run to the guards in time - you get eaten by Rats. What great prospects. Do I even need this?

  "In that case I'll pass. I have no reason to risk everything that I've already achieved. I have too much to lose."

  You have rejected the "Bloody Malachite" quest.

  Your reputation with the Pryke Mine Guards has fallen by 300 points. You are 400 points away from the status of Respect.

  The orc looked at me for a few moments, then said in a chilling voice, "This is your choice. You may go."

  As I left the mine governor, I tried to convince myself that things didn't turn out all that bad. I could weather an extra month in the mine to avoid risking my Crafting skill. So that was the price of Crafting - a month of freedom. Otherwise I had no way of knowing if I'd be able to raise it to its current level again. A pity about Sakas - he could make some really good things. I'll have to look for a Smith again, and if Sakas gets 'lucky', a new deputy too.

  I sat in my favorite spot, lost in thought. On one hand, what I did was sensible and smart, guided by the principle 'every man for himself'. On the other hand... I felt so rotten inside, it was quite beyond words. It looked like I was no better than people like Bat and other prisoners who were only capable of seeing their own advantage in everything and levelling up in Meanness. Perhaps I shouldn't have passed over such a nice stat? It'd come in handy now.

  I got up and went to the barracks. I'd try to sleep all of this off. But as soon as I came up to the building I saw that I made a mistake - just then Sakas came out of the barracks with a face full of resignation. That's right - the guy's given up and is mentally ready for respawn. What kind of a bastard am I?

  "Sakas, stop!" I shouted, to my own surprise, and caught up with him. "Where are you off to?"

  "According to the Emperor's decree..." began the orc, but I cut him off:

  "I know all about the Emperor's decree already. When do you go?"

  "Now. I was even freed from work today so I could prepare for it. Although what's there to prepare for? Unlike you I don't have that many things: my tools are always with me and what I craft I immediately sell to Rine or present to the mine governor and there's little point in stealing unworked wood - Rine doesn't buy it. So I'm ready now. Ah yes, I've made another dozen Copper Ingots this morning, had nothing else to do, really. I'm sorry it's not much, but that's all I could do. Here you go."

  Sakas handed me the ingots and, downcast, headed to the administration building. So even knowing that he's heading for certain death he still thought of someone else first?

  "Just hold on a minute!" I shouted again, catching up. "Tell me how much time you have left?"

  "You mean time in the mine? I almost gained Respect and my plan was to make a few things, present them to the governor and leave the mine. If you mean how much of my prison term I have left - I have to stew here for another year and a half." Pausing for a few moments, Sakas asked: "Tell me, do you think Smithing will still be in demand after I come back? It would be difficult to get my current professions up to their present level, but I had a chat with Kart when he was reset. He told me of your idea with the professions. You'll need a Leatherworker or a Smith, right?"

  "Of course it's still in demand. Let me see you off. Perhaps you could take my rings? I've made some +7 rings recently and I think you could use them. No-one would read their properties without your permission anyway. You need Strength, right? Eight rings and a chain will give you +63 to one or to a collection of stats. Just say what you need and I'll make it straight away."

  As we walked to the administration building, the somewhat cheered up Sakas planned what rings I should make him. In the end we decided on 5 rings for Stamina, to add 350 extra Hit Points, and another 3 rings and a chain for Strength, to help with fighting off the Rats and smashing veins. We came into the mine governor's office together.

  The transport portal shimmered in the middle of the office; the Dolma mine was probably on the other end. The orc met me with a chilly look. My refusal had probably lowered his opinion of me, quite a lot. But I'm sorry, I can't help that - I need to get out into the main gameworld. I don't see any other way than sending Sakas to his death. Finishing the last of the rings there and then I gave them to Sakas.

  "Here, take these. I hope they help," I said, but then the heavy voice of the governor broke the silence:

  "Prisoners cannot take items to the Dolma mine that have been in their possession for less than a week. The portal would not let them through, so you can take your rings back. They're no use to Sakas."

  Well, I'll be damned! What is this? I mechanically put the rings back on my fingers and looked at the shocked Sakas, who slowly headed towards the portal. Looking at him I understood that I'd be regretting what I was about to do for the rest of my short, but probably very exciting, life. Right up until the moment when the Rats eat me.

  "Sakas, stop! Let me at least shake your hand for good luck," I stopped the orc and, when he hesitantly stretched his hand, jerked it, pulling Sakas away from the portal and clearing a path for myself. Before I dove in, I looked at the governor, who stood there, silent, and said:

  "For the record: I agree to take Sakas's place," and not waiting for a reply, I closed my eyes and stepped into the transport portal. A pang of cold, some slight disorientation and I found myself next to a lop-sided sign, where time-faded letters proclaimed: "Welcome to the Dolma Copper Mine".

  "The name and title of the mine!" The abrupt scream came from behind, and seemed to throw me in the air.

  I turned around and couldn't believe what I saw: an enormous, three-meter-tall ogre, dressed in the Imperial guard uniform, stood before me. But ogres are meant to be wild, they are something that people hunted! How can he be here and in Imperial uniform too?

  "Mahan, Pryke Copper Mine! I came from our mine to dig for Malachite," I blurted out.

  Quest accepted: "Bloody Malachite".

  Description: In the course of two weeks, while fighting off Rats, mine 20 pieces of Malachite from Large Copper Veins in the closed Dolma Mine. Attention! The Rats are aggressive! Chance of Malachite drop: 100%. Quest type: Rare. Reward: Respect of the Pryke Mine Guards, Respect of the Pryke Mine Governor. Penalty for failing the quest: resetting of all stat points.

  Chapter 9

  The Dolma Mine. Part 1

  'What an idiot! I am one crazy dimwit! Did that conscience that I swept under the carpet sneak-attack me? Wanted to play the hero, eh?' These nice thoughts about my own dear self ran through my head as I headed to the local trader.

  The resident dwarf named Lish was the spitting image of Rine: small and beardless, he looked at me with the same sly smile as I went through his goods. While I was at it, instead of actually looking at Lish's goods, which at a glance were the same as Rine's, I focused all my attention on the arriving people, who had started to turn up one after another.

  "Pryke mine must be going through tough times if that's the best it can send us." said Lish after a while, when I started to lose interest in his wares altogether. "What's with sending us level sevens instead of twelve? At least you're not the only one, or it would have been too sad for you lot."

  The dwarf continued to grumble, but I wasn't listening. ‘At least you're not the only one...’ Lish's wo
rds stuck in my mind. Does this mean that Sakas went through with me after all? Or did he go after me, but came out here first? I was getting confused.

  "Which way did the orc go?" I asked once Lish stopped talking.

  "What orc?" was the dwarf's surprised response.

  "What do you mean 'what orc?' The one from the Pryke Mine," now it was my turn to be surprised.

  "We've had four people from Pryke Mine today and you're the fifth, but there weren't any orcs among them," the dwarf said, killing off my last shreds of comprehension. So, aside from me, there's four other prisoners from my mine here? Who are they?

  "Hey, Mahan, if you're not going to buy anything, take a walk and look around. It's still a couple of hours until the prisoners are gathered and told the rules, so you have time to wander round and get your bearings."

  The surroundings weren't much to look at - everything was old and worn, there wasn't even a smithy, where I had first intended to make some copper wire to kill time. At a loss what to do with myself, I decided to have a closer look at the prisoners that Lish said came from my mine.

  "Pryke Copper Mine!" I shouted as loud as I could. "Anyone from Pryke Copper Mine, come over here!"

  In a few minutes three humans and a dwarf walked over to me. They came up separately, which meant that they didn't know each other. The hard and grave looks that they shot at other prisoners including myself indicated that they were also shocked by the news that several sentients came from that mine. What else? There wasn't much else to say about them, it was time to go and break the ice. I placed a lot of hope in my level four in Charisma: that they'd not tell me to get lost right away and at least hear me out. It was time to see whether or not I made a mistake by investing in this stat.

  "Greetings all," I began, when they all gathered. "Let's introduce ourselves. My name's Mahan, I'm from the Pryke Copper Mine and, being perfectly honest with you, I don't know any of you. Are you sure there hasn't been some mistake? The Pryke Copper Mine is this wonderful place with an administration office full of crafted objects, an orc governor, don't know his name, and dwarf Rine, either a trader or head of supplies. Is that the Pryke mine you hail from?"