The Way of the Clan 4 (World of Valdira)

by Dem Mikhaylov

  - Charmed arrows! – I screamed— Get the ice off the tentacles! Otherwise, he’s going to…

  Before I could finish, a tentacle pried open with a distinct crunch, and our basket lurched sharply, accompanied by our shouts.

  - Here we go again! – Bom croaked— Today is the day of continuous flight! And soon it will end in disaster! Spectacular! And no survivors, no sir!

  - Get a hold of yourself— I said, straightening up and looking around cautiously.

  A joyless picture. The struck tentacle curled painfully, continuing to be covered by the magical ice. The basket tilted and if another tentacle would unclench… and they are continuing to shoot us. Two more arrows flew by. If not for our wild maneuvers…

  Grabbing the telescope from Kaylen, I stared and saw with horror that the sorceress was already aiming in our direction, biting her lip and waiting for the distance to be optimal. One or two shots of lightning and we’re done for… the end for this kitten…

  The hands of the magician glowed, foretelling our doom. I inwardly cringed, preparing for the inevitable… and at that moment another rainbow flash ran around the squid. The creature rapidly fell down, and the electrical discharge passed over us. How? Did the air brother Tillory suddenly develop intelligence? I doubt it…

  As if in answer to my silent words, high above us, above the fleecy white cloud, rapidly flashed an elongated, snake-like shadow. In the tiny gap between the clouds flashed polished metal, and some sort of blue scales. Perhaps, thought I, a very long tail…

  - Guys… I think we have more guests – I muttered.

  - Friends or foes? – Doc panted, floundering at the bottom of the tipped carriage.

  - I don’t know— I answered automatically— But hold on tight.

  - And they… -- began Orbit.

  - Yes— I nodded— I think they are very interesting. Guys, I’m serious! Hold on tight!

  - Why?

  From within a loud close to us was a flash of crimson, and a fiery burst swept over us, heading directly for the birds.

  - That’s why! – I shouted— Hold on!

  Ba-a-am! The fiery missile exploded in the air and the birds were hit with his rain of fire. After a couple of seconds the wave of hot air reached us, and the squid shook in the dry air.

  - Look there! – Doc yelled, the only one of us who didn’t look in the direction of the enemy but straight ahead— What is it?

  Turning in place, I looked at where he pointed and opened my mouth dumbfoundedly – in front, about a hundred meters in the air, was a ragged square shimmering with magic, shining with all the iridescent colors of the rainbow. And our trusty air squid was pulling us there.

  - Oppa— I could only say.

  - What is it?! – Doc implored— Damn it…

  - And where is he going? – squeaked Kaylen.

  - I do not know. Orbit, do you know who did this?

  - Yeah! – cheerfully replied the elf.

  - And who?

  - Boring friends!

  - Oh, lovely— I chuckled, looking at the port in fascination. It must have cost a whole lot of money. Boring hmm?...

  Idly glancing back, I saw what was expected— the two giant birds, with strongly singed feathers, were careening down in a gentle spiral. They hadn’t been perused, but lethal magic of the highest rank continued to fly over their heads. But it seems to me that it was just a warning to the enemies— not to go back and repeat the attack on the flying squid, bearing a handful of low-level players no one cares about. And indeed, no one cares about us, but we have been protected to the highest degree…

  - I’m intrigued— Kaylen said, automatically adjusting her disheveled hair.

  The rest remained silent, staring at the approaching teleport.

  A few agonizing seconds past and Tillory pressed into the magic veil, as if an insect caught in a web. A bright blinding flash, a few short moments of transition… and celestial blue gave way to an almost blackened gray. Grey skies, black clouds in which flash electrical discharges, and below us… under us, an absolutely lifeless black earth, with rivers of raging crimson lava. And, sticking out of the ground, some charred stone peaks…

  - Have we been sent straight to hell? – Doc hoarsely inquired, looking shocked— For our sins perhaps?

  - Worse— I replied darkly, clutching to the side of the wicker basket— Look there.

  Ahead of us was the outline of something gigantic. A peak. Ahead stood a tall and grotesquely deformed peak of black and red stone, at the foot of which swirled a cloud of black smoke. And at its top a dark red beam aimed straight at us. I discerned a narrow snake pupil and, right before my eyes, I saw it dramatically expand and increase in size. I literally felt the eye looking at me and only me. Right through my skin…

  Barad-Gadur. I have many times seen it. Not personally— only in pictures and hotels and taverns.

  - Oh! – choked Doc— Wow… what is it?

  - Barad-Gadur! – I said grimly— The Citadel of the Sleepless Clan. We are in the central continent. The volcanic plateau with the cheerful name Vale of Darkness.

  From the top of the peak, just below the terrible eye, a tiny figure looked up and quickly ran to us. From the huge teleport behind us fell two dragons with a shriek— blue and red. Widely flapping their wings, they circled around us, as if to allow us to admire them.

  The figure that had raced from the citadel rapidly approached us. Without a telescope, I could discern a tremendous black bat bearing only one rider. A girl with a mop of black, flowing hair, clad in tight black leather. The Black Baroness. The head of the Sleepless Clan.

  The flying bat flapped its wings several times and gently hovered in front of us, very close, contrary to all the laws of physics. Throwing an unruly lock of hair off her face, the Black Baroness glared at us and, stopping her gaze on the bald elf, said softly:

  - Hey, bro.

  - Hell-llooo— said Orbit— Why here? It’s bor-ring…

  - I understand— the Baroness smiled softly – Don’t worry, it’s not for long. Welcome to Barad-Gadur, strangers! We always welcome you! We celebrate your victory together! Rosgard, dear Rosgard…

  A short soundless flash and our traitor squid grabbed me with its tentacle and brought me straight up to the Baroness. My legs dangled over the fiery abyss. Behind me I heard the muffled gasp of Kaylen. The guys were gloomily silent, and only Bom muttered something under his breath and squeezed his fists.

  - Eh? – I said grimly, raising my eyes and meeting those of the head of the Sleepless Clan.

  - The eye saw you… -- very, very softly purred the Baroness. So quietly, that I could only hear her. Well, and also the flying bat.

  - I also saw him— I grunted, twisting my head from side to side.

  - And the eye saw magic in you… magic incomprehensible to him, strange and extremely powerful… well, hello, Great Navigator! Welcome! We are glad …

  - Fuck— I whispered sadly and almost inaudibly, lifting my face to the gray sky and black stormy clouds.

  Chapter Four.

  Vale of Darkness. Sitting in Barad-Gadur. Proposal of the Century.

  Barad-Gadur was beautiful.

  No. Barad-Gadur was very beautiful— and cozy. The appearance of the citadel on the outside is terrifying. But inside… while inside, I couldn’t believe that such a gloomy structure concealed within itself such comfort. Anyway, it was so in the hall, where me and my gallant band of adventurers celebrated a successful robbery. And we were not the only ones celebrating There was a very long polished desk of about twenty players, next to which we seemed like pygmies.

  I myself didn’t take part in the celebrations, but was there in the same room— the huge oval hall was divided in two. The upper floor was completely catered with bookshelves, chairs, and tables. A library. Below— a dining table, a huge fireplace with a blazing fire, and a riotous celebration. Above— books and silence. I preferred the top. Much easier to gather my thoughts, especially when no one bothers—
and in my hand, a crystal glass with a strange bubbling raspberry cocktail— quite tasty. And absolutely not suitable for the situation neither by the taste nor by the contents. The rest paid tribute with wine and drinks of a notable rich amber color. I picked a wild raspberry drink as a kind of ostentatious protest.

  What did I feel, having walked right into the trap of the Sleepless? And it was exactly what that was— spontaneous, unexpected to them, but also perfectly planned. They couldn’t have expected such a coincidence. Because I made the decision to rob Cedric’s estate, overwhelmed with anger at the impudent collector. The Sleepless reacted at lightning speed, beating me like a child. It wasn’t surprising— now I felt perfectly calm. The rage and anger caused by the words of Mr. Cedric … they had disappeared. We hadn’t dealt much damage to the collection of the aristocrat, but I had felt just like a cat that had ruined his master’s shoes. Though Cedric is no master to me… I had felt accomplished in my act of vengeance. Cedric was just a program. Artificial intelligence. But the fact had not changed— I felt much happier and calmer.

  And more importantly, I had figured out the bald elf. Orbit, Orbit… brother of the Black Baroness. Looking down, I walked my gaze around the room and immediately found the crooked figure of the bald elf. Orbit sat by the fireplace, hugging his skinny knees, watching the fire in fascination. Not interested in anything more. Not the banquet table, not any fun… a faze frozen and without emotion.

  Sipping my strange drink without much enjoyment, I shook the drink in my hand, trying to resist the urge to drop it down— I stood at the top edge of the balcony, leaning on a carved oak railing and looking at the merry people at the bottom. I watched and waited on the hostess of this lovely home.

  And the Baroness behaved correctly— she didn’t make me wait and, what surprised me even more, appeared without any pomp. No impressive guard behind her, no cocoon of enhancing and protective auras, and no weapons. Even more interesting to me was her outfit. Instead of the rigid and aggressive black leather was a dress of soft velvet the color of cocoa and milk, and instead of boots were home slippers trimmed in white feather, and in her hand was a cup with silly ornaments. The Baroness at home. The Lord of Darkness in soft slippers… All was right— she was at home and free to do as she wishes. I’m the guest here. The only thing was that I still couldn’t see her level. And not the slightest hint of a character class. Well, yes— and how to gauge her? A person in a home gown, slippers, and a cup of coffee in her hands. She could be anyone.

  - Do you like it? – the woman nodded at the crimson poison in my glass.

  - So-so— I confessed, putting the drink on the low table with a carved top— It’s all very rich here.

  - Appearances must be kept— said the Baroness gracefully, sinking into a deep armchair and tucking her legs underneath her— Well… how are you doing, Navigator?

  - What a strange thing you call me— I smiled wryly— All sorts of bad words. First you enticed me, then you stole me, now you’re calling me bad words. What’s the next number? Torture? I’ll say it right away— I’m very afraid of half orcs in tutus and blue socks. As soon as I see this— I immediately start to squeal and give away all that I know.

  A smile slid to the girl’s lips— delicate and sincere.

  - Funny— admitted she— I can’t even imagine it. I’m going to have to ask one of the half-orcs to change sometime. Did you just come up with that on the spot?

  - Yeah— I nodded.

  And once again silence. I wasn’t going to twitch.

  To spill my soul, to scream and threaten— also. Why bother?

  - You know, I’m a little angry at you— the Baroness told me— Even more than a little.

  - Are you kidding? – I raised an eyebrow— A thief dissatisfied with the behavior of the kidnapped?

  - You know that it is no kidnapping— snorted the Baroness— No more of this cheap crap. I just want to talk. Calm and quiet. No dirt. Then, immediately after the conversation— our teleport is at your service. We’ll deliver you anywhere in Valdira… except, perhaps, for the lost continent of Zar’graad…

  - And what if I do not want to talk – I raised an eyebrow.

  - Then our teleport is already at your service— the girl smiled— But… maybe we will talk anyway, Ros?

  - Oh… -- gasped Doc in surprise, who had just climbed the wide oak staircase— I guess you’re here doing…

  - We are doing— gently nodded the Baroness – And you? Do also want to join?

  - N-no. I wanted to see the books— admitted the doctor— What if you have something… interesting!

  - In the medical profession? – said the head of the clan.

  - Yeah!

  - There are some— said the Baroness, pointing a finger to the opposite side of the upper hall— Go there. I can’t gift them to you, but you are free to read. There’s a lot of interesting things… especially the books with the greenish brown roots.

  - Thank you! – nodded Doc enthusiastically, and immediately took off in the given direction.

  - You are so kind— I shook my head, wiping away an imaginary tear from my cheek— I even shed a tear.

  She just smirked and looked questioningly at me, obviously waiting for an answer to a recent question.

  - Okay— I gave up, sitting comfortably— Let’s talk. Why are you so angry at me, Black Baroness?

  - Because of my brother— said the Baroness, and I couldn’t help choking.

  - Because of him? – I poked a finger down— Orbit?

  - Exactly— the girl narrowed her eyes— Because of him. I had to blindly use a favorite brother— the Baroness bent her fingers predatorily, mimicking a cat’s claws— I got what I wanted… but my brother is no fool and knew immediately what was happening. Now he does not speak with me. At all.

  - You shouldn’t use relatives— I said didactically, hiding my surprise— it’s a silly idea. You need to cherish relatives. Wait, you mean to say, he’s not a spy? And what makes you think I believe you?

  - I do mean to say it. Orbit doesn’t care about the clan. He is not even a member. It just kind of happened— said she— He only plays. Lives in Valdira. And looks for “interesting people.”

  - Details, please. What do you mean “it happened?” This isn’t a sudden pregnancy— I chuckled.

  - Very funny— she snorted and reached out— And you, you are truly int-terest-ting…

  - I was already told so – I retorted.

  - Orbit isn’t in the clan, but occasionally appears here— the Baroness sighed— All the doors are open for him. And somehow he got to one meeting— in this very room, at the table where your friends are now feasting. We talked, looked at the cards, and he sat on top, legs dangling, watching us through the bars of the railing. And we discussed you. We discussed you thoughtfully, with insults, threats, ominous thoughts and the clatter of teeth and fangs. In general— a productive workshop.

  - Interesting meetings you have— I said— And?

  - And so Whisper— You already know him— Blurted out something like: “he’s an interesting type”.

  -Whisper— I said— I remember him.

  - The meeting ended— continued the Baroness— I looked up— and Orbit isn’t there. Gone on mysterious business, as he always does. I didn’t think it to be of any importance. And soon after I get an astonishing message: “Guess who is now digging up a yard with Rosgard.” I couldn’t believe it…

  - Useful turn of events— I nodded encouragingly.

  - It’s true. Again— I wanted to use Orbit as an “enemy intelligence agent.” And I could not. Because he follows only his own desires. And they change every day and do not adhere to logic. One day he meditates looking at an ordinary stone, another day, trying to command the ants, the third he enjoys carving pumpkins. And often he wanders around in random locations. We used him by accident when he showed up here and asked me to help you rob the house of Mr. Cedric. Our analysts nearly killed themselves trying to develop an operation of
mutual benefit in such a short time. You— the robbery, and us— a conversation with the elusive Rosgard, gaming legend and conqueror of the virtual heart.

  - Too complicated. You could have opened a mass teleport next to me at any time and had a fighter grab me in his arms and jump into the teleport with me.

  - Then you would have sent me immediately as far away as possible— the Baroness smiled— I already am familiar with your character. After that, you would have preferred to swim to Zar’graad in a leaky tub instead, using a tablespoon for oars. And this on the other hand, happened peacefully and voluntarily. As I said— you can get out of here at any moment.

  - What Zar’graad? First time I hear of it. And as for sending you… It looks like I – I shrugged— Have already sent… That’s what Whisper said to me, anyway. Congratulations bastard.

  - Whisper? Congratulated? Hm… well…

  - But he did so in a good way— I had to smile— Alright. Let’s assume, I believe it about Orbit. He’s not involved. Maybe.

  - I give you my word— said the Baroness gravely— Orbit isn’t involved. He only asked for help— I helped. If he were to reappear next to you: treat his as before— the girl asked, looking straight onto my eyes— What happened here— it’s my fault. He has nothing to do with it.

  - I understand what you want— I said— By the way, why is the little brother of the head of the rich Sleepless Clan of such a small level, in rags, with such a strange name and such a wild appearance?

  - If you must know, I’ll tell you— the Baroness nodded— Later. But first… let’s talk about the lost continent of Zar’graad and the future trip there, led by the great Navigator. What color is the sail that you would like to see on the flagship vessel under your command?

  - The color of the sails? – I didn’t immediately give in— Well… I’m not a captain, respected head of the Clan Sleepless. I’m just a player. And given my level— I cannot get on any of the ships. Even as a cabin boy. So…