The Way of the Clan 4 (World of Valdira)

by Dem Mikhaylov

  Ba-a-a-am! From below came a terrible explosion, and were heard terrible screams so loud that they carried up to us despite of the large distance.

  - I recorded everything! – Kaylen said, sitting down at the bottom of the basket for a moment— What a shot! What a rush!

  The girl stood up again, and I realized that our masks were no longer working. Anonymity was gone.

  Straightening up to my full height, I leaned over the edge of the basket and stared.

  The courtyard was enveloped in a cloud of green smoke, in which were barely visible the tiny figures of defenders. There flashed several white cloaks with red specks. Below us exploded a few fireballs, and flashes of lightening. Fire— no other way to say it.

  - And now the magicians have arrived— I muttered and hissed, bumping into the edge of the basket— But too late! Tillory! Only left and all the way!

  A shrill whistle cut into our ears. Hit! The cart shook and in its base appeared a big hole, and our balloon furiously bellowed in pain— in its belly trembled a long arrow with white and scarlet plumage.

  - The hell kind of sniper is this?! – growled Cray in shock, clinging to the wall of the basket.

  - Accurate bastard! – Bom supported him, pulling out the arrow and hiding it in his bag.

  - I can’t heal this! – Doc admitted, squinting at the bottom of the basket.

  - Oh! Right! – I piped up— Doc, heal!

  - You were hit? – asked the doctor.

  - Not me! Our squid! – I shouted, anxiously looking at the monster, who continued to fly away from the scene— If we fall…

  - Got it! Let’s patch up the little beast! – Doc hurriedly put both hands to one of the tentacles and proceeded.

  - In the meantime, we climbed another forty meters and hit a jet of wind, which took us away from the deadly space. And it was the first time that I entertained the notion that we might actually be able to get away from the crime scene alive.

  Located far below, the estate slowly swam to the side. Above its walls poured thick smoke. I think it was this which saved us from certain death. It shut us out of the range of arrow. It didn’t matter if it was regular or poisonous. But the “smoke” was definitely not a simple kind— too dense and solid to be a regular smokescreen, and too easily ignoring the breeze. There was the scent of expensive alchemy…

  Anonymous well-wishers had protected us. And how much is the cost and for what risk? For what? To keep things interesting for Orbit? So the bald elf would not be bored? That I cannot believe… or maybe I am really developing paranoia…

  The sharp jerk of the squid caught me by surprise. I was thrown to the bottom of the basket— only Doc managed to stay upright, clutching his whole body to the creature’s tentacle.

  - Now what? – I growled, lifting up my head.

  In time to see how a rainbow haze flashed around our squid.

  And what was that? Some new ability of our live air transport? Why’s he sparkling?!

  And where is he off to?! And he was really rushing now, not flying— fiercely, purposefully, straining and blowing jets out of many living nozzles.

  The last question was, of course, the most urgent— the squid abruptly changed course, while also actively gaining height. But I did not give him such orders.

  I groaned and clung to the edge of the basket, but didn’t have a chance to figure it out. The bald elf raised the alarm, all the while enthusiastically peering around:

  - Oh! It’s even more inter-rest-ting!

  Whipping around, I looked at what was “interesting” and immediately groaned aloud— they were chasing us. In the piercing celestial blue I could make out as many as four spots increasing in size at an alarming rate.

  - Half the kingdom for a bloody telescope! – I howled bitterly, cursing myself for overlooking them.

  - Agreed! – Bom muttered, shoving into my hands a gold telescope covered in runes— Deal!

  - Where did you get that from?!

  - Out of the bag, of course! Where else?

  - Don’t tell me that you splurged on such an expensive trinket!

  - Yeah right! I got it out of the room while you and bunny-ears poke— the orc snorted— Remember; half the kingdom!

  - Ha! – I snorted in response— Once I become king of the land— then you can have it. Well, let’s see here… ah damn! Two sausages and two birds!

  - Who?! – Cray marveled.

  - What did you say? – supported Kaylen.

  I waved eagerly, looking through the eyepiece. The telescope borrowed from Mr. Cedric gave a tremendous increase in eyesight, and the pursuers appeared to me in full view.

  In the front flew two extraordinary beings, which I had named “sausages”. What else to call a creature resembling a short and plump sausage? Only with eyes and a mouth, and two pairs of wings on the sides. No legs, no hands, no tail. The most popular and cheapest flying creature in Valdira, able to carry one player. The concept of “cheap” being relative, of course— “sausages” are more expensive than horses, but in any case, they are the most accessible flying creatures. I do not remember the correct names of the “sausages”— it is too long and twisted. I remember only that they are herbivores and graze in flocks over the crowns of trees. I could see a sort of stiff harness on the creatures chasing us— a few plates of armor and a pair of roomy bags. Plus, on the head of the very first “sausage” one could see a mounted gun. Fighting sausages… so it seems! And now these very “sausages” were closely followed up by two birds. They were like eagles— with their piercing eyes and predatory, sharp curved beaks. The plumage was black and white, with scarlet around the neck, and on their chests was harnessed a white cloth with a bright scarlet cross in the center. The fastest bird was saddled by our recent acquaintance— the head of the clan the Scarlet Crusader, peering at our squid and at us, dangling underneath in the basket. All in all— the terms of our deal were now over. Now the Scarlet Crusader was free to do what he wants. But he acted hastily. The head of a clan dared to go on a chase without a proper accompaniment. With his rich outfit… well, I think he knows what he’s doing. In addition, I think we touched a chord in him so much that he simply cannot contain his boiling, savage fury, and it is necessary for him to unleash his rage immediately.

  Just behind the Crimson Crusader an eagle held two riders. A girl in a turquoise gown embroidered with lightening and arrows, and an incredibly long bow behind her, with a silver quiver. Ugh! The situation was getting worse and worse… they were far away now, but would be in range very soon.

  - Let me take a look! – Kaylen asked eagerly, stretching out her hand to me— Please!

  - It’s no good— I replied, giving her the telescope— Look and you’ll be dismayed!

  - Cool! – the girl squeaked in delight at the formidable chase— What an adventure! Enemies on our tail!

  - Come on— said Cray dismissively— You’ve seen better.

  - Yeah— without putting away the telescope, said the girl— I remember you showed me. The yard with gray rats.

  Damn … the gnome himself runs into these slaps in the face! Well, it’s the truth! Better if he’d remained silent or supported her— no, he has to go and break out with something caustic.

  But now I don’t have time for that— I was thinking.

  What to do? We are slow movers. A barely moving airship. And they are fighters, armed for battle. Above us and on all sides, clouds and sky with no hint of shelter. Below us… what’s below us?

  Looking down, I saw the distant brownish green ground, swimming slowly underneath us. A huge forest on the horizon, the gray tops of mountains, the fields at the bottom, squares of meadows and patches of lakes. Beautiful— we had climbed high. In another situation, I wouldn’t have failed to admire such views. But now was no time for admiration. I looked more attentively, and discerned a blue narrow ribbon of the river— a little to the side, but not very far.

  That was the first option.

  If we get low enough
, to jump into the river and take off in different directions— some of us will be able to escape.

  To get lower…

  Looking up, I shouted loudly and clearly:

  - Tillory! Down!

  The squid snorted something in response, moved its swollen sides, but neither the rate nor the height of the basket changed. Complete disregard for my orders.

  - Tillory! Up!

  Zero emotion, a side of contempt, and not a single fuck given.

  - Tillory! Left! Left, brother of the air!

  In response, again silence and complete disobedience. The “brother of the air” could care less and didn’t recognize me as a relative any longer.

  And the enemies got closer… soon they would swoop down…

  - Orbit!

  - Huh?— the bald elf reluctantly pulled away from his examination of the ground below us.

  - Why doesn’t the squid listen to me? – I asked the rhetorical question.

  - Don’t kno-ow— admitted the elf, spreading his arms wide— Maybe he doesn’t want to?

  - Cool – I smiled widely – Doesn’t want to, then… simply stunning! That’s your friend Mr. Incognito for you. The plane flies wherever he wants! And I thought, that I was the pilot! And I’m just a passenger! Damn!

  Only now I realized that none of us had teleport scrolls. All of them had remained in the bags, and the bags themselves… it wasn’t clear where they were. With the mysterious friend of the bald elf. We had ourselves given up our means of salvation and, without even thinking about it, completely succumbed to the charms of this “specialist of dark deeds!”

  But I wanted to make sure.

  - Anyone have teleport scrolls? – I shouted, alternately scanning the faces of my comrades— Anyone? I sure don’t have any.

  - No-o— Orbit smiled happily. Why is he happy?! Fighters on our tail, our balloon looking more like a pincushion and not obeying any of my command! What is there to enjoy here?! The crazy optimism of the bald elf simply enraged me!

  - Nope— Doc shook his head sadly— A pity!

  - Nope— boomed Bom, scratching his head.

  - No – replied Kaylen.

  - Well… I have only two pieces— unwillingly admitted Cray.

  - Cool! – I was delighted— I won’t even ask who you were saving them for. Port out of here together. Come on! Now!

  - You’re right— the face of the gnome brightened, apparently surprised that I didn’t beg for the scroll myself— Kaylen, take this!

  - But… -- began the girl.

  - Don’t you see what’s going down right now? – said Cray, much angrier now— Not everyone has to go to waste, right? Take it! And no objections! We’re leaving! The boys will figure it out on their own.

  He almost forcibly gave the girl the scroll, fluttering in the wind.

  - Okay— nodded Kaylen – But we read it together!

  - Yes, it doesn’t make a difference— happily snapped the dwarf. Probably feeling himself the rescuer and hero. Although that’s the way it is— he provided an additional mode of departure for his companion. He was showing his care. And for us, for men like him, Cray wasn’t obligated to care for. All is right. We screwed up— now we have to pay.

  - Guys, no offense— smiled the woman— Alright?

  - Yes, what you think we don’t understand already? – the orc snarled— Go already! Just don’t sell anything and wait for news from us!

  - Good luck! – I nodded.

  - Till we meet again— nodded the dwarf curtly, looking only at the girl.

  - On the count of three— Kaylen said, holding the scroll to her face— Ready? To Algora.

  - Hurry! – muttered Cray impatiently— Count…

  - One. Two. Three. Alg…

  - Algora— supported the dwarf in an echo, and instantly disappeared in a soft flash of teleportation.

  And Kaylen remained.

  The woman remained standing, with an uncertain expression on her face, looking at the place where her best friend had just been standing.

  A sharp gust of wind blew, and instantly snatched the scroll of Kaylen’s hands. The parchment spun goodbye and flew out of the basket.

  - Oh— cried the girl in surprise— Blew right out of my hands! A hurricane!

  - Wo-o-o-w… -- said Bom— Oh… you sure have done it now…

  - And I said— right from my hands! The wind is so strong! – the sorceress continued to play her role.

  - And ri-ight! – agreed the bald elf— He isn’t int-teresting!

  I think the elf didn’t mean the scroll, nor the gust of wind…

  Shit! All we’re missing now is a Shakespearean passion. Then we’ll be completely set. What a team I have…

  - That’s a real shame— I shook my head.

  - That’s not how it works— the girl didn’t agree with me— We go together to the very end. We rob together, and when a fight goes down, we separate? No, no. And plus, it’s interesting here!

  - Yeah! – the elf immediately nodded his head.

  - Orbit, are you contagious, or what? – I muttered, again raising the telescope and looking at our pursuers.

  The picture wasn’t a pleasing one— the enemies were much closer. Another couple of minutes and we’d be precisely in range. This was especially true for the archer, already holding a bow in readiness. Even the arrow was set, that bastard!

  I felt like the captain of a ship heading straight for certain death. Moreover, in an uncontrolled vessel! Why the hell had my air brother Tillory ceased to obey me, why was he now making out in another direction!?

  Maybe we could jump?

  Guaranteed death… we’ll be pancake batter. Again— impossible. My companions were obviously also not eager to jump into the abyss, and to throw them, would be in vain— I am a captain after all. A captain of a sinking ship leaves last, or else goes to the bottom with it.

  There wasn’t much time to think— an arrow swept past us with a loud buzz. It was too close. At most thirty centimeters from the bulging side of the squid.

  - All fire! – I shouted, throwing a gesture at the approaching enemy— Kaylen, I’m talking to you. Since you didn’t fly, really— shoot freely! Oh! Again with my stupid poetry!

  - And what shall we do? – sadly boomed the half orc.

  From my hands bloomed the first series of spells. But they appeared more serious than the recent “flaming coal” and “ice needles.” From my palms in the direction of the enemy flew large and sharp “ice shards” and a line of angrily glowing embers. The show was excellent, inspiring… and absolutely useless. My spell did not reach the enemy.

  - Never mind! – I immediately ordered myself, and turned to the woman— They are too far away. We’ll wait.

  - We, I say, what do we do? We aren’t magicians! We are honest donkeys!

  - I am not a donkey! – Doc disagreed— I am an honest doctor!

  - And I … -- began Orbit and fell silent, deep in thought about the eternal question “who am I?”

  - Check to see if anything in the bag can be used as a tremendous shield— I said— Anything works, so long as it blocks the arrows. If nothing— then the doctor hides and Bom blocks him with his shield.

  Doc and Bom dove into the bags, and began to search. I did not rely very much on this search— Bom can drag something up, but Doc… he probably scored only books on medicine. Or romance. Maybe read a couple of excerpts from a romance novel to the enemy? They will get horny and enter into an uncontrollable tailspin… ahem… I make a terrible generator of ideas.

  - Dollar says I know what you’re thinking! – proposed Kaylen.

  - Huh? – I was a little disoriented— Well, … you wasted a dollar.

  - Really?

  - I wanted to read to our fierce enemies a couple of excerpts from the book of sex scenes— I blurted out in one breath— They will get hornier, and enter into a tailspin.

  The girl couldn’t stop laughing, and I shrugged and again peered into the telescope.

>   The eagles had already caught up to the guards on the “sausages” and were steadily reducing distance. And the weapon in the ranger’s hands was serious— a long range weapon and highly lethal…

  - They are going away! – suddenly yelled Doc— Aha! They are gone! Gone! The patient has a heartbeat! He has a pulse! The voyage to the morgue is cancelled! Hail to the tropics!

  - Doc, the hell do you mean, eh? – boomed Bom, looking into the distance— It’s the truth!

  No longer studying the terrible weapon of the archer, I turned to the side and saw the “sausages” turning away, directing their winged beasts down. They were really, really leaving.

  - The border! – I shouted joyfully— Two less!

  - Border? – the girl didn’t understand, grabbing my telescope.

  - Border of the land of Cedric— I said— I’m not certain, but this is what it looks like. Just like the American police— they only have power within their own state.

  - Wow! – Kaylen smiled— Two enemies less! And we only have minus one! O! Aw, damn it!

  - What? – said I worriedly, looking at the distance between us and the enemy.

  - Cray is writing! – explained the magician— Where are you? I’m looking for you and can’t find you. Looking all over Algora.

  - Answer him – said Bom, suppressing a smirk— Or… it’s somehow uncivil.

  - It’s true— I supported him— So tell him… you accidentally dropped the scroll overboard. And get ready to fight. The distance is closing…

  - Get down! – shouted the girl, and we dutifully fell to the bottom of the basket.

  Bam! Bam!

  The arrows pierced the side of the basket, hit it, another flew over our heads and flew away. If we were standing— we would have been hit in the abdomen, or just below. And we have no armor, nor any other equipment. Only the black shrouds… damn! Ready for burial.

  Whizz! Another projectile flew between the basket and the squid.

  Whizz! The squid convulsed over our heads and emitted a plaintive roar, its gigantic body shuddering. Glancing up, I saw one of the tentacles covering the basket begin to become covered in ice. An icy blue arrow fluttered in it.