The question was decided for me.
-- Rosgard! – an authoritative voice echoed across the park and practically rooted me to my place— Welcome, hero!
Oh… a good start! One can even say, very promising!
Broadening my chest, I smiled widely to the Archwizard Tarnius, who was standing on the steps. Harsh and Majestic. A real life Gandalf…
I walked up to the archmage and greeted him:
-- Good evening to you, great Archmage. I come with glad tidings…
-- You brave soul!— interrupted the old wizard, with disbelief in his eyes— Desperate daredevil!
-- Are you talking about the ferocious werewolf? – I said.
-- I’m talking about the gods— grumbled the Archmage— And you are obviously too not afraid to offend them. Not everyone is capable of it, not everyone dares…
-- Right.. – I said, putting a stop to the speech of the Archmage, which was gradually growing more offensive— Could you be a little more specific about the angry gods? And by the way— I got Grim. I got his head.
-- Uh-huh— nodded Tarnius, beckoning me with his hand— Come on… hero…. a great reward is awaiting you… post… hmph… well deserved, I suppose!
Was I hearing things, or was the Archmage about to say “posthumously”?!
Passing several intricate corridors, we arrived at the office, with which I was already familiar. I plopped down on my favorite chair, tired legs outstretched. Through my lazy mind flashed the thought— they could have shown me other rooms. But it was only this same one after all, even though it is richly decorated. But this was me getting ahead of myself. Many players only dream of getting into similar rooms in the mages guild, and I was already asking for variety…
-- Ahem … -- Tarnius cleared his throat and I hurriedly jumped up, rummaged in the bag, and pulled out a giant wolf’s head frozen in a fierce, postmortem grin.
The Archmage pointed to a low table, and I dutifully lowered the werewolf’s head in the middle of an empty silver plate on the countertop, which seemed to be designed precisely for that purpose. Although, why “seemed”? It was a dish that was specially prepared— on it were several other strange hands and levers. Obviously not a platter for pies. Probably, they were afraid the werewolf would sprout a new body. God forbid! One was quite enough… my mind would not survive another encounter with a monstrous wolf, let alone a mortal body.
Tarnius, with some reverence, looked into the dead eyes of the werewolf, ran his hand over the well-groomed beard and took a deep breath:
-- A great thing you gave done, Rosgard! Great!
Congratulations!
The quest “Scowl of Grim the Inconsolable!” is completed!
Reward: Five hundred gold coins.
Congratulations!
+2 goodwill to the relationship with Mage’s Guild of Algora!
Goodwill— not bad. Especially in such a powerful faction as the Algora Mage’s Guild!
Five hundred golden coins— generally excellent.
And where is “any item of the sapphire vault” ?!
My personal hamster, long undisturbed, was instantly awake and slipped from its hospital bed and grinned fiercely, ready to squeal. My personal toad peeked out from another room and strongly supported the hamster in his endeavor.
But seriously. Where is the object?
-- Do you remember? – said the Archmage with a slight smile— having notice, no doubt, the pensive expression which appeared on my face— Brass in the hand is more valuable than the sapphire that’s promised. You got the brass. So forget about the sapphire, Rosgard. You made your choice. And what’s more— received half of your reward even before you killed the werewolf. Am I right? Is that fair?
-- Hm… almost— I said, gnashing my teeth— Almost…
No, all was right— the fortune teller had told me where to find one of the parts of the Silver Legend. And I got most of this for free, that is true. But the toad was strangling… terribly choked. It’s a shame, damn it… but surely I can’t grip the magician by his beard? Certainly, that action would not be understood— and secondly, I’d burn to ashes before I could reach to the well-groomed beard.
-- Nearly? – Tarnius raised his eyebrow, slightly perplexed— Surely you don’t think…
-- All is fair— I put up my palms— I was just hoping, that you might be able to answer a few questions. I would be extremely grateful.
-- If I can— nodded the old wizard after a brief hesitation, making a soft gesture.
A soft flash and a heavy purse fell into my lap— not a cheap one, judging by the fine embroidery.
-- Gold— explained the archmage needlessly— What questions have you, Rosgard? If I can— I will answer. I do not mind a conversation with someone who has committed such a good deed.
-- About the wrath of the gods, please— I blurted out.
in principle, I already understood— the rescued girl in the marsh, the fiery cobra and the breakthrough of divine magic. But I really wanted details. Even those unpleasant and terrible. It is better to know than to guess.
Archmage Tarnius did not disappoint.
-- Wise choice. Well… you angered the goddess, Rosgard. And the gods are extremely unforgiving. If it were their choosing— you’d have already been burnt to ashes.
-- Hu-u-u-hhh…
-- Remember— nothing in this world is without consequences. Saving one, you’re killing another— said the Archmage philosophically— Pulling one out of the fire, you throw another into hell. That is life. That is the law.
-- I saved a woman from the fire— I nodded— The fire which I started. I don’t kill children.
-- And this is very commendable— the old magician didn’t argue, rubbing his eyes with his hand— Life is precious. The life of a child… is priceless. But this truth does not affect the laws of the world. You got a special assignment, Rosgard. I am certain of it. The task was utterly simple. The only difficulty— to tear off the leeches afterwards, to keep the tinder dry and be able to strike fire and burn the rotten hut with the chosen one inside.
I noted this new development in my mind and continued to listen to the reflections of the archmage Tarnius, who had paused for a moment to take a sip out of the goblet he had created out of thin air. He sent one into my hands and took a sip and continued:
-- Furthermore— for such a simple task, you received a help— you were given a hint, which even a child would have been able to figure out. You must already understand Rosgard, that the hint you received was given to you by no ordinary fortune teller, unable to see any further than her own nose? You must remember who was sitting in that shabby tent, whose will you agreed to fulfill?
-- I think I can guess. A seemingly simple woman— but, nothing about her “will.” Only rules— I didn’t agree— And even if there was a “will” there I certainly obeyed it! I burned the hut. What else?
-- What else?! Why’d you have to go poking your nose where it didn’t belong?! – rumbled the magician in a loud bass, and I involuntarily cringed— Make the fire; and go on your way! That was the task! Eh… and such a promising young magician… lucky, skilled…
-- Don’t give up so soon on me, please— said I, shivering again— It’s like you’ve condemned me to death already.
-- You’re successfully condemned yourself already— snorted Tarnius, sipping his wine tastefully— But you have served the goodwill of the Mage’s Guild, and the common people, when you slayed the werewolf. And so I play to your favor and tell you how to get rid of the wrath of the goddess you deceived.
-- Excuse me! – I started up— I didn’t cheat any goddess! Its … uh… I beg you, continue, dear Tarnius.
-- Hmm… you’re brazen— sighed the Archmage— In my youth, I was the same.
“Yeah right!”— I nearly blurted— “There wasn’t a Valdira then!”
Good, that I was able to keep my mouth shut— I do not think the great magician would be glad of the news that he had never bee
n young. This would have been the point at which our conversation ended…
-- Like it or not, you angered the goddess. And that’s why— listen silently and respectfully! – chided Tarnius, and I nodded meekly— The easiest, most bloodless and most painless road— just give up the child you saved to the temple of the great goddess Snessa. And all this will be over. The child will grow up, and she will become a great priestess of Snessa.
-- Really that great? – I didn’t believe it.
The high priest or priestess— this was the highest person in the temple. The first after god. Something like the pope.
-- For such a child… the perfect occupation. Her fate as straight as an arrow and rising invariably as the sun— spoke the Archmage— Do this, give the child to the temple of Snessa and believe me— the goddess will replace her anger with mercy, and shall not leave you unrewarded. And the reward will be so great that not everyone can even imagine it.
-- And if I do not give her in to Snessa’s temple?
-- Who knows— the magician shrugged— We are only human. Only pawns in the games of the Gods.
-- Who in the world is she then, this girl? – I couldn’t resist, and asked in plain speech.
-- I already answered you, Rosgard. At the very least— the high priestess in one of the churches of this world. This would be the lowest step for this child.
-- And this the very least? But there’s nowhere to go beyond that… uh… -- I stammered.
-- The gods are immortal— Tarnius pronounced quietly— It’s true. But immortality is not a divine right to the heavenly throne, Rosgard. It’s only eternal life… which may occur in the warm light of faith and worship, or in the cold oblivion of Tantarial. And if Snessa falls… it will be all the way to the bottom, into the dark depths where sun never reaches. Thus fell Gravital. And so many other fallen gods. Tell me, Rosgard, would you like to live in hell forever??
-- Probably not, dear Tarnius. Neither alive nor dead.
-- That’s precisely what the great goddess Snessa also doesn’t want— summed up the Archmage— I can see a lot. A lot of things. Listen, Rosgard. What I tell you, is not a great mystery, and is already been known to many. Soon a great war will come. Not today, not tomorrow. But the war will begin. And when it happens— the world will turn. Many of the old gods will fall. New gods will take their place. This is meant to be. It was predicted by the Great Oracle, who never left the dwelling of his Crystal Palaces. The great Oracle himself, who sees the fates of even the immortal gods! It was he who bought the news to the world that several children had been sent— three boys and two girls. Now their fate is obscure, no one knows what they will become… the Oracle only saw fragments… but this is not important! Maybe the Oracle didn’t discern the fates of the children sent from heaven, but he clearly discerned the fates of the Gods ruling now! And he saw five huge fiery meteors fall from the divine Olympus, and, leaving black trails of smoke, stones rushing to the ground! And he heard the howling of the fallen gods… and the bloody tears flowing down their cheeks… and heard the creak of the gates leading into the abyss of Tantarial!
-- Fuck! – I blurted out and, recollecting myself, rephrased— I mean, I wanted to say— O the great gods! What sad news! My heart trembles with terror! Ahem…
-- Exactly right! In one of those fiery meteorites the oracle made out the image of the goddess Snessa. Now you understand, Rosgard?
-- Now I understand. Death was predicted unto the Goddess Snessa, and she decided to get rid of a potential rival by burning an innocent child alive. Or rather, her two competitors… because there were two girls. Is that right, Archmage Tarnius?
-- Your words are plain and dirty, and in no way reflect the grandeur and scale of the event— the mage grimaced— But yes, you’re right. The Oracle didn’t just predict death. The gods are immortal. The oracle predicted their fall into oblivion. Only another goddess can replace a fallen goddess, never a god. And the goddess cannot kill any one of these girls. They are the chosen. They are immortal. And most importantly— they cannot be sent to the hellhole of Tantarial. For there is no sin in them. Newborns are always blameless and pure. They have no karma nor the madness inherent in the fallen gods.
-- Then why? – I did not understand— Why try to burn the house? What did you say it was… her Cradle?
-- In order to delay her arrival— said the Archmage— Destroy the cradle before the chosen establishes her first contact with a mortal, and to delay the inevitable.
-- Got it— I drawled— To destroy the rocket launcher before the rocket can take off. But still, it’s only a postponement. Only for a short while.
-- For a time… yes… a time in which the gods can build up their power, to increase the number of believers, rebuild new churches… to do everything possible to prepare for war! Relentless war! A war of survival! This isn’t just a battle between gods high in the heavens, invisible to mortals! First and foremost it is a war between believers. Between the churches— old and new. Armies of thousands will converge in a fierce battle! This is what awaits our world, Rosgard! The coming of the Great War! But not now, not now, thank the gods— there is still time. The chosen grow quickly, but not in an instant. Again— if you want peace for yourself and the rest of the world, send the child to grow up in Snessa’s temple.
-- What’s the difference? If her destiny is to become a goddess…
-- There are lots of goddesses, Rosgard. If Snessa herself brings up the child— she will herself direct her blow. Not against herself. Against other goddesses. She would not hit her own mother would she?
-- Now I understand everything— I nodded— If you can’t kill her— make her part of your family and administer the blow yourself. Wisely. Another goddess will fall, and the daughter of Snessa will take her place. Very wise.
-- You’re smart— the Archmage praised— Your mind is fast and tenacious. Decide for yourself, Rosgard. I only gave you advice, it is your choice now whether to avert the wrath of the goddess. Now she is waiting— waiting for your next move. A truly fateful moment for you. Give the child up to the temple— you will be forgiven and rewarded. Do otherwise… who knows what will happen to the thread of your destiny.
-- She’ll curse me? – I asked, remembering fearfully those unfortunate players upon which “hung” wildly powerful divine curses. You wouldn’t wish them on an enemy.
-- She cannot— the Archmage shook his head— Do you still not understand? If Snessa could kill you, or at least curse you— she would have done it instantly. Right now, before my eyes, you’d be covered with terrible scabs and sores, your hair would have fallen off in clumps, your body would be curled and your eyes…
-- Stop, stop, stop, enough please! Why can’t she do it?
-- Because you’re connected by a blood bond with the chosen – he replied, and smiled softy— You are under her protection. None of the current ruling gods will be able to curse you, wither you, sink you, break you, boil you alive…
-- Stop, stop, stop! Enough scaring me, dear Tarnius! I’m already scared enough! I saved a damn child… I feel like I’ve pulled Hitler from under the wheels of a truck! War, armies, gods falling from the sky…
-- It’s inevitable… Truck? Hitler? What are they?
-- Right, doesn’t matter— I shrugged— So, then I don’t have to worry? No matter what I do, the goddess will not be able to punish me?
-- Herself— no. But she has a lot of true believers… powerful wizards, warriors, priests… and she needs only to point a divine finger to the object which caused her wrath…
-- G-goddamnit!— I expressed all of my emotions in a word.
Right. Those players which had chosen a god to worship would happily shred and burn me upon request, if only to receive the favor of their deity.
-- Think about it and decide for yourself— summarized the Archmage briefly— This is your destiny. Here our conversation concludes, Rosgard.
-- Yeah… Oh! Dear Archmage Tarnius! Do you not still
have any orders for me? I’ll perform them joyfully!
-- Orders for you? – asked the Archmage, and laughed shortly— No. And there will be none. At least for now.
-- Why? What have I done wrong?
-- Because it’s not for us, ordinary mortals, to go against the will of gods— said Tarnius dully— And it’s not for me to make deals with those who have, even if casually, angered the goddess. I’m not one of those brave souls who yearn to look out the window and see a red hot meteor sent by the offended Snessa… and therefore I will not be charging you with anything. I won’t even ask you to shut the door on your way out. I’ll get up myself and close it.
-- All the same, one will fall— well, not a meteor, but a goddess— I blurted.
-- She may fall, or maybe not! – replied the Archmage— But still she is a great goddess now! One who can, in a careless flick of a finger, turn me and anyone else in this building into a slug. Until you deal with your fate, Rosgard, you will not have any assignments… but, you may still learn new spells and skills with ease. All are equal in this regard— both the faithful and those who do not care about the gods. Goodbye, Rosgard.
The archmage waved his hand and I was enveloped in a misty cloud and when it vanished, I was at the gates again. On the pavement lay the heavy purse of gold, which had before been laying in my lap.
Despite my dumbfounded condition I picked up the gold nevertheless. Maybe my fate was sealed after all, as the mage had said, but I was not going to turn into an ascetic who despises worldly things because of it. Better to die vulgar and rich than as a poor urchin.
I had figured out the main things, as any good veteran of Valdira, having seen all kinds of things during their time in Valdira.
Nothing strange. Just the Immortals having decided to arrange another Quake. Or, as one may say— Cataclysm. Only this time, all much bigger and grander. Quite a different scale.
What is a Quake?
In short— a huge negative event. Always great and always negative.
More often it has to do with a sudden event in nature— which is why such an event is called a Cataclysm.
The Way of the Clan 4 (World of Valdira) Page 2
