Pixi said, “The same amount, right?”
Gamble shook his head. “No. Game time was much faster than real time. I want to say almost twelve to one.” Seeing the blank stares from Pixi and Moira, the dwarf continued. “I’m sure it wasn’t a straight twelve to one conversion but I know that every two hours of real time was one full day in game time or twelve game days to one day real time. Does that help?”
Mathias cocked his head to the side while he considered what that meant. “So, only an hour or so has passed back on the other side?”
Gamble shrugged his shoulders. “I’m not sure but if this land follows the rules of the game and that also includes time, then yes.”
Tao rejoined the group. “Also remember that Al Shaytan said that time would not be a problem. I can take that remark two ways. Either that time moves much different in this land or more likely, we’re stuck here and have all the time in the world.”
Mathias grinned. “So, I still have a chance on making it to my wedding on time.”
Tao nodded. “It would seem so.”
Mathias hopped up. “Outstanding.”
Everyone else seemed to be infected by Mathias’s sudden good mood and began to pack away their belongings. Within minutes, the companions were ready and followed Tao as he moved down to the shoreline.
* * * * *
A large bat landed on a granite headstone just outside an old stone chapel.
Callistra cancelled the transformation spell and returned to her natural form. One byproduct of the transformation was that the blood was gone from her clothes. She didn’t know why or how it happened but she just accepted it and went on with her business. Moving through the graveyard, Callistra thought about the misconception that vampires couldn’t walk on holy ground. If that was true, she hadn’t run across a holy enough spot to stop her… yet. Hearing singing from inside the chapel, she decided not to use the main door. She didn’t relish running into any innocents. Her hunger might be sated at the moment but she didn’t trust herself around that much fresh meat. Seeing an open window on the second floor, she leapt the distance and landed gracefully on the small window sill. Sniffing the air, she could smell the humans below but none were close by so she entered the room.
Judging from the furnishings, it was Kastle’s room. It had a simple cot for a bed, a wardrobe full of robes and two large tables covered with scrolls and parchments. Covering one wall was a hand-drawn map of Hyperborea and all its known villages. On a second wall was another of Atlantis or at least what was known about the fabled city.
Callistra rummaged through the scrolls while she waited for her old companion. Running across, Kastle’s journal she sat back on his bed flipped to the first page and began to read.
‘DAY 9: It has been several days since we awakened in the dark forest. Al Shaytan promised us the adventure of a lifetime. I am not sure Wynn would agree with that. He fell in battle to some giants we ran across and we were unable to recover his body since we had to flee or perish. Jagoda didn’t take that well and wanted to go back. Only the will of the group overruled him. I will regret voting against him and not going back to the end of my days.’
Tears filled Callistra’s eyes as she remembered that day. She could still hear Wynn’s screams as the giants ripped off his legs and began eating him while he was still alive. The companions had fled in fear. That was the true feeling of guilt that Jagoda felt. Of course, one thing was still peculiar to her. She fed on the innocent inhabitants of this land to keep herself alive and had no qualms about it but the memory of Wynn’s death brought her to tears.
Flipping the pages at random, she read another passage.
‘DAY 27: We stumbled into a small walled town today. We thought our luck was improving since we had run out of rations days before but we were unprepared for their fear of outsiders. We had gold but they weren’t interested in trading and became an angry mob. We tried to flee. However the mob chased us and when Argos fell to a spear thrown by one of the townsfolk, Jagoda went nuts. We were surrounded and outnumbered. We made them pay but our defeat was inevitable. There were just too many of them. That would’ve been our last day in this realm if not for the arrival of the Atlantean. Sartael came to our rescue, blasting away at the townsfolk. They fled back inside their walls. Jagoda was still angry and wanted vengeance but since we were all injured, we fled into the night.’
‘DAY 33: Sartael has been a wonderful host with a wealth of knowledge. Although he has been very tight-lipped about Atlantis, I have been able to gather that some sort of calamity has befallen the Dragon Kings and the general populace blame them for their lot in life. It is my guess that Sartael is an outcast from Atlantis. I have no proof of my suspicions but there is just something odd about him. On a personal note, Aaliyah and I had a wonderful walk at sunset. Nothing happened but I’m hopeful for the future.’
‘DAY 40: Argos is dead. We thought he was recovering from his wounds but he passed away during the night. However, Jagoda discovered bite marks on his neck and accused Callistra of killing him.’
Callistra still remembered that day. Jagoda had actually attacked her but Kastle intervened. Suddenly, their little party was at odds with each other. Sartael, the snake that he was, stepped in and used his magic to subdue her and take her wand. It was not a fond memory. Jagoda had wanted to kill her where she lay but Kastle argued against any such action. She shuddered to think of what might’ve happened if the Atlantean hadn’t chosen that evening to show his true colors.
‘DAY 41: The Atlantean attacked us during the night and caught us completely off guard. We lost Bertram and Albiona to Sartael’s magic and Kano is missing. The shinobi might’ve just slipped off into the night but honestly, that doesn’t seem like his style. Sartael probably would’ve gotten all of us if he hadn’t underestimated Geirolf and overlooked Callistra. While the traitorous Atlantean fought our werewolf companion, Callistra was able to free herself and then myself. She had wanted to leave Jagoda behind but Aaliyah wouldn’t allow it. The four of us slipped away and left our dead friends behind.’
The witch took a deep breath to calm her nerves. One day she would get vengeance on Sartael. She didn’t know when or how but it will happen. Callistra flipped further back in the journal and continued to read.
‘DAY 97: I think I have lost my chances with Aaliyah. She seems enamored by the rock hard physique of Jagoda and his easy-going smile. She is blinded to his snide remarks. I fear to say anything more as it will just push her further into his arms. On a positive side, it seems that Callistra seems to enjoy my company, although I doubt it will lead anywhere. I know she’s married on the other side and completely devoted to her husband.’.
‘DAY 166: It finally happened. It was cold and raining last night when Callistra came into my tent. Without a single word, she undressed and climbed into my bed. It was intense, it was magical. I’m sure she just needed the warmth of another body. It wasn’t me she truly wanted but I was handy, not that I mind. The sounds of Aaliyah and Jagoda’s lovemaking has bothered me for weeks. I guess it got to Calli too. She was gone when I woke up and hasn’t been very talkative today. I wonder if it was a one-time thing or will it happen again. I have to admit I am hoping for the latter but only time will tell.’
Turning a few more pages, Callistra felt tears beginning to fill her eyes but she read on.
‘DAY 225: We have begun to argue almost constantly. Jagoda has threatened to leave once more. I believe that Aaliyah is leaning toward following him if he does leave. I fear that our days as a group are numbered. On a personal note, Callistra is losing her battle with the forces of Chaos inside her. I fear it was the loss of her wand which truly began her descent into darkness. I fear this will be the end of our union. I cannot abide what she is becoming and fear for her soul.’
Hearing the chapel bells begin to ring, Callistra knew that the service was over and Kastle would be here soon, so she flipped to the last entry of the journal.
‘DAY 815: It has
been nearly four years since we crossed over and I haven’t seen or heard from any of my companions in months. I’ve heard rumors of a witch living in the Dark Forest to the north, perhaps this is Callistra. It is my hope that she has found some semblance of peace. I’ve also heard of rumors concerning Jagoda and Aaliyah. Some traveling merchants tell of bandits operating on the coast primarily raiding the Atlantean traders. They say their leader is an Outlander with a sword of fire. This sounds like Jagoda to me. Perhaps I will swallow my pride and journey north to apologize for my harsh words. How I yearn for the days of adventure with my companions or a Domino’s pizza and a frosted mug of Budweiser. Better yet, the warmth of Callistra in my bed or the heavenly light of Aaliyah’s smile.’
Callistra closed the journal as she heard the approaching footfalls of her former lover as he climbed the stairs. He was right. It had been a long time since she enjoyed the warmth of a body next to her in the night. However, it wasn’t Kastle which she longed for. It was her husband back home. Feeling her blood quicken at the thought of sex an old saying came to mind; any port in a storm.
* * * * *
Back in Dallas, Kastle was known as Richard Langford, a mid-level accountant in a large legal firm. Twenty-six, single and overweight, he lived at home and took care of his elderly mother. His greatest release from the stresses of reality had been playing Lost Lands. In the game, he was a mighty cleric of Thor the Thunder God, healing the sick and punishing the unrighteous. When he was pulled into the game by Al Shaytan, it was like a dream come true. That was until he saw his friends fall in battle and the reality of their situation had set in. However, losing his chances with Aaliyah to Jagoda and watching Callistra succumb to the Chaos Spirit was almost more than he could bear. Turning aside from the path of the adventurer, Kastle found this old chapel in the small hamlet of Crooner’s Gap and began to administer to its residents. It was a good life. If not happy, he was at least content.
When Kastle entered his small room above the rectory, he knew immediately that he was not alone. There was an earthy smell that wasn’t normally there. However, seeing the naked form of Callistra on his small bed was not what he was expecting.
“Callistra, what are you…”
“Shh…no words. Come. Warm my body and my blood.”
Very few men could or would turn down such an offer, especially from a vision as lovely as Callistra. Kastle was not one of those men. Stripping off his robes, they fell to the floor forgotten as he rushed to accommodate her desires.
* * * * *
“Hold.” Tao held up one hand.
According to the position of the twin suns, it was almost noon and the companions could just make out the walls of a village in the distance. Judging from the nets, Tao figured that most of the harbor traffic were fishing boats and they could be seen entering and leaving the port regularly. Most were small, one or two-masted sloops. No large merchant ships or warships could be seen or oar powered slave ships either.
Tao turned back to face his friends. “Okay. Judging from what I can see, this is mostly a small fishing village. In my mind this means simple folk who just want to be left alone. So I’m unsure of our reception. They might have a phobia about elves or dwarves. We just don’t know.”
Cozad asked, “What’s your suggestion?”
“We go in cautiously. Elves keep your faces covered and Pixi stay invisible. Cozad, you and I need to keep our helmets off and hands away from weapons.”
“Why?”
It was Bjǿrn who answered. “If they are indeed an isolated fishing community, they will naturally be suspicious of outsiders. In Alaska, we have many such communities. When I was a State Trooper, they treated me with suspicion and distrust, even when they were the ones who called us in. It is the way of things for small villagers.”
Cozad and the others nodded. They were out of their element and realized it.
Walking into an unknown city in the game was easy. The players could tell from a distance if a guard would attack you or not, due to the game mechanics. Anyone that would attack you would be highlighted in red when you selected them as a target. That little trick of the game couldn’t be used in this situation. Nor could the companions bypass the village. They needed information and a map of the area if possible.
Tao’s first thought was to wait until dark and enter the village unannounced. But that came with its own set of problems. Since it was a walled city, the odds were that they would lock the gates at dusk and not open again until dawn. Not that they couldn’t sneak in. As a skald, Gamble would have the necessary skill set to accomplish that feat, the same could be said about Mathias the Archer. Of course, his own training from his days in the Special Forces gave him the skills also but once inside, then what? They couldn’t just walk into a tavern and get information or food. This was obviously a small town where everyone knew everyone else’s business. There would be no hiding. No, they had to go during the daylight. Of course, he could just send in Pixi since she could stay invisible and just scout out the town. But honestly, he felt that was too dangerous a mission for the teenager. Feeling that he had finally weighed the matter fully, Tao made his decision.
“We go in cautiously. Bjǿrn will follow up the rear. I don’t want his size to be too intimidating to the guards.” Tao paused and turned to fully face the dark elf necromancer. “Arieal…”
“I can use my magic to disguise my dark elven heritage. Would you prefer human?”
“Yes. That would help.” Tao grinned as he gazed at the beautiful dark elf. Her outfit was very revealing, showing off her shapely legs, a flat tummy and a well-endowed chest. He cleared his throat. “I would suggest a form that wasn’t as stunning as this one either. You might draw everyone’s attention to yourself but not too homely either, if you get my meaning.”
Arieal hadn’t received a compliment on her looks in a long time and felt herself blush at Tao’s remark but nodded and closed her eyes. Calling on one of the innate abilities of her race, she pictured herself when she was twenty years old; short mousy blonde hair, a button nose and an average figure. Not a head turner but not a dog either. Feeling the spell take shape, Arieal opened her eyes and asked, “How’s this?”
“Excellent. Walk up front with me. Everyone else, keep your hands away from your weapons and whatever you do, don’t lose your temper.”
Everyone nodded and the companions began the short hike to the village.
* * * * *
Callistra climbed out of the bed and wrestled with her conflicting emotions. Back home she was married and honestly, she was unsure if this qualified as adultery. After all, she was inside a game. Callistra wasn’t her real name nor was this her real body. Besides, she was stuck in this realm and didn’t know if she would ever make it back home again. One part of her was more relaxed than anytime over the past four years. It had been a long time since she had sex and it was very liberating. But as always, the guilty feelings remained.
Kastle watched quietly as Callistra got dressed. It was always the same. Their lovemaking was intense and overwhelming, like nothing he ever imagined back in the real world. Of course, back home he would never have had the chance with a woman as lovely as Callistra and he knew it. He was grateful for the few times they had sex but when it was over, she was always moody and stand-offish. Kastle didn’t know why but just accepted it as a normal part of dealing with her. After a moment, he propped himself up on one elbow and asked, “Not that I’m complaining but to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”
Callistra sat at the desk and turned to face him. “Al Shaytan has sent another group through the portal.”
Kastle nearly jumped out of the bed. “When? Where?”
“Yesterday evening and about ten leagues southwest of Saebroc.” Callistra pointed at a small dot on the Hyperborea map. “I was out hunting when I came across a funeral pyre. It seems that ten avatars came through the portal but one was killed during a goblin attack. If I read the battle right, one of their members a
ssassinated another and was banished from the group for his actions.”
Kastle moved over to his foot locker and opened the lid. Inside was his armor and adventuring items from the day he crossed over. As he began to get dressed he asked, “How do you know all this?”
Callistra graced him with a crooked smile. “I’m not without skills you know. The banished member is a Hashāshīn. He was bound by very strong dwarven magic. I found him on the northern edge of the Dark Forest.”
“How’d he get there?”
“I believe he was carried there by two goblin zombies.”
“So they have a skald and a necromancer. That could be good and bad. Any ideas where the rest went?”
Callistra shrugged her shoulders. “I would guess Saebroc. That’s what we tried. We went to the nearest village.”
Kastle rolled his eyes. “Odin’s beard. I hope they find a better reception than we did.”
“True.”
“Where’s this assassin?”
“My cabin.”
“Why there?”
Callistra moved to the edge of the window and glanced out at the small hamlet. “I wasn’t sure what sort of reception I would get. You and I didn’t exactly part as friends you know.”
Kastle paused. “True. I know it isn’t you, just a condition of your affliction. I have come to terms with that.”
“Have you really? What will you say when I need to feed again? I can only resist for so long.”
He really didn’t know how to answer that question so he just let it go.
She understood his dilemma and didn’t press the issue but changed the subject. “Any word from Aaliyah or Jagoda?”
“No, but I didn’t expect any either. Remember, we didn’t exactly part on good terms either.”
Callistra nodded. She remembered the hateful words, the arguments and the sacrifices. She gazed out the window at the small town of Crooner’s Gap. The townsfolk were going about their daily lives, content and happy. In a small voice she asked, “Was I right in coming here?”
Lost Lands: The Game - Atlantis Page 6
