Taking in that many people wouldn’t be a swift process. This morning alone it had terminated several more after having done nothing overnight.
“There you are, my lord.”
Runner glanced over his shoulder in the morning gloom to find Isabelle stalking towards him.
“Morning, Belle. Sorry, did I wake you when I left? I know you were against sleeping in the campsite but I didn’t like you sleeping outside of it. One of Grace’s guards can ping her if something’s up.”
“No, you didn’t. And yes, I do understand. Doesn’t feel right, though, my lord. I’m just hired help.”
Runner snorted at her and raised an eyebrow.
“You don’t actually believe that, do you?”
“Err, well. No. I don’t,” she admitted, coming to stand beside him.
“Good,” Runner said exasperatedly. Looking back to the scene before them, Runner’s eyes searched the road and trees for movement.
“Sorry. It’s…hard to believe at times, my lord. I’m an Elven mercenary captain. Far from home and without a home or family. I’m not…I’m nobody. Someone who tried to sell her band to a general and ended up selling herself to a lord.”
“How is your band by the way?” Runner said, deliberately forcing the topic a little.
“They’re happy. They’re leading companies of mercenaries of their own in your service. I arranged all the contracts if you’d—”
“No. I wouldn’t. I trust you, Belle. Though once this whole thing is over we’ll need to change your duties around. We’ll not need as many mercenaries and your talents would go to waste on that alone.”
“Is that why you bound me with a deity-enforced contract?” she asked, a hint of bitterness in her voice.
“A valid point. A very valid point,” Runner mused. Looking up a little, he addressed nothing. “Brighteyes, Angel, Minxy, I rescind my contract with Isabelle Malin and Faye Sennet. They’ve both proved themselves and I’ll not hold them to a contract when I have no need.”
“Witnessed,” the three echoed.
“Anything else, Belle?”
Runner watched as a deer picked its way across the road to the other side. He swore he’d seen Nibbles take out a raccoon earlier in the same area. His little pet monster was getting adventurous. Adventurous and hungry.
A minute passed before Isabelle finally responded. She was clearly shocked at his quick dismissal of her binding.
“No, my lord. You really don’t do things by half measures, do you?”
“Not really, no. You should have told me it was bothering you earlier. I care for your well-being.”
“You sure that’s all?” she asked, a curious tone coloring her question.
“Stop. Not a discussion we’re having.”
“Why? I feel like the conversation should be had. Seems like it was pretty obvious after you hit me with that spell. Nothing felt the same after that.”
“Stop, stop, stop. Not having this conversation,” Runner said, plugging his fingers into his ears. “La, la, la, la, la, la.”
An aggressive hand spun him around and he was forced to stare into a glaring Faye’s face.
Runner unplugged his ears and smiled at his general.
“Oh, what’s up, Sparky? Anything interesting?”
“Why? Why do this? Did I do something wrong? Did I anger you, Lord Runner? Did I d—”
“Wait, wait. Stop. Your contract, right? I didn’t want to hold that over your head. You did nothing wrong. I trust you. Didn’t need it. Don’t worry, I unbound Belle here at the same time,” he explained, throwing a thumb out at Isabelle beside him.
“Oh. Oh…alright then,” Faye mumbled. Taking a few steps forward, she flanked Runner’s left.
“What are you doing out here at this hour? Can’t see anything,” she said.
“Thinking. We can siege Faren, and win. I fear it would kill countless numbers of the citizens though. Maybe every one of them. Jacob would never surrender willingly. I would guarantee the city would be ashes before he gave himself up. Wondering if I can accomplish the same goal by sneaking in ahead of the army before the siege starts. Maybe end it before it begins.”
“Fucking stupid idea,” Hannah cursed. She walked over and took up a position beside Isabelle. “I mean, I could do it. Isabelle probably could. But you? You’re an idiot. You’d proposition a priestess or something while calling the mayor’s wife a donkey.”
“I love you, too. You say the sweetest things. Makes my heart race. I wonder what it’d be like if you talked dirty to me.”
“Shut up.”
“You’re not wrong though. I suppose it’ll be you, Belle, me, and maybe Rabbit. Merchant cover story.”
“You sound as if you’ve already decided, Lord Runner,” Faye complained.
“Mostly. To me it feels like the only reasonable recourse without getting a lot of people killed.”
“Idiot. Fucking idiot. Why do I care about a fucking idiot?”
“If one were to believe Minxy, it’s my ass.”
“And a damn fine ass it is. I can’t wait to see it again. I look forward to every night, you know?” said the goddess, appearing practically atop Runner, her hands reaching out for him.
“Thoughts, Minxy? It’ll be your city. Depopulating it through siege would be a bad way to start,” Runner said, lightly patting her hands to the side.
“It’d be a real fucked up way to start, for sure. I’d do it for you though, lovey,” Amelia said, batting her eyes at him. Using her left hand, she pulled down her tunic an inch or two, revealing her neckline and the red undershirt.
“Down, Minxy. Focus. Could it be done? I imagine the thieves’ guild is a city power right now. I’d want to make contact with the guild leader and see what could be done. He or she might be the best way to get at Jacob.”
Huffing, Amelia rolled her eyes, visibly forcing herself to concentrate.
“Right now the head guild thief is the next in line for the royal throne. So it’s not a terrible idea. Could probably make it work but you’d have to get to him without assistance. He’s rather paranoid.”
“Interesting. Hopefully that means the bounty on Hanners is gone. Couldn’t persuade him as a goddess then?” Runner asked.
“Not likely. Not with the way Jacob and his master have been carrying on.”
“Makes sense. Gives me an idea or two as well. Is there any others in line for the throne among the living?”
“I think there’s one other. Maybe two. One is in his middle age and the other in his early twenties. They’re both in hiding of course. No prayers to me, though I get the impression there isn’t a lot of praying going on in Faren anymore.”
“Suppose that’s my answer then. Belle, Hanners, prepare for a quiet insertion. I’ll get Rabbit and the others up to speed. Sparky? I leave everything to you, Kitten, and Lady Death. You’ll be acting as tri-captains since you all represent your race as well.”
“This is my domain, completely. Private time, private time.” Amelia laughed delightedly and clapped her hands together as she spun in a small circle.
“Fucking hell. Thana’s going to cut off your head and shit down your neck.”
“I don’t like this, my lord.”
“As you will, Lord Runner,” Faye said, saluting.
“Right, then.”
3:51 pm Sovereign Earth time
12/12/43
They hid Boxy in the trees beyond the limits of town. Camouflaging her as best as they were able, they felt safe that it wouldn’t be disturbed.
The group gathered to finalize plans.
Runner looked around at his infiltration team. Isabelle, Hannah, Nadine, and himself.
Two of those three were quite versed in the art of making themselves scarce and the third would provide them with a cover.
“Nothing has changed. Same plan. We go in through the front, find a place to stay, and case the city. We have three things to look for. Heirs, Jacob’s location, targets of opportunity.”
&nb
sp; Nadine shook her head a little and chewed at her lip.
“I want to believe we can do this. But I…I really think Isabelle will stan-nd out though.”
Isabelle grimaced as if she wanted to deny it. Everyone knew she couldn’t. One of her hands slid up to her ear to trace the line of it. She’d be useful to them, but only in non-action ways. Where she wouldn’t be seen.
Runner had been chewing on the problem on the way over. Nadine had expressed her concern earlier during the trip.
Of everyone he could bring along, she had the best chance to not be recognized. At least on the merits of who she was. Her race really was a problem though. Runner hadn’t really considered it because her race didn’t define her.
Could always go all Frankenstein and start rebuilding them at a race level.
“I have a solution. I’m loathe to mention it,” Runner said, deciding. “I can change anyone’s race to whatever they want at any time.”
“Uh.”
“Huh?
“For fuck’s sake…so, what does that mean? I could turn into a Sunless or a Barbarian?”
“Or an Elf, Centaur, Goblin, Human, whatever.”
Hannah pressed her hands to her face and looked like she was going to explode.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to mention it because it never mattered to me. You’re all who you are. You define who you are, not your race. Hanners, you’ll probably never see it in yourself, but you’re beautiful.”
Hannah abruptly spun in place, putting her back to him. She shuddered violently but didn’t walk away.
Sighing, Runner pressed the palm of his hand to his temple.
“I’ll change your race now, Belle, and we’ll put you back to normal when we’re done,” Runner muttered. Targeting Isabelle, he activated RaceReset.
Isabelle broke apart into blue motes. Turning his attention to Hannah, he felt helpless.
“Hanners, I really don’t care that you’re a hybrid. I don’t. Never did.”
“I fucking do. I do. Okay? I fucking do. Fuck you.”
“I’m sorry, Hanners.” Runner sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. Deciding to give her some space, he put his hand on Nadine’s shoulder and led her off.
“Let’s give her a minute or two.”
“You don’t care at all, do you?”
“About her race? Heavens no. Never made a difference to me.”
“I’m done, my lord.”
Runner felt his curiosity surge to the front of his mind and looked back to find a very Human Isabelle behind him. That’d been very quick of her. Stefan had taken his time. Hours even.
Nearly everything about her looked exactly the same. Most of her more alien features were toned down and she had the normal Human beauty that he’d come to expect. Her figure had filled out more with the change. As a rule, the Human race ran a bit thicker.
On some level Runner felt like it was a loss overall. She’d been very…unique as an Elf. The curves didn’t hurt though.
“Fantastic. Let’s away then. Hanners, I’m sorry, I would give you more time but we’ll be heading in. If you want, you can catch up to us later.”
“Change me.”
“What?”
“You heard me. Fucking change me.”
“I… okay, Hanners. Okay. We’ll see you in town.”
Targeting Hannah, he used RaceReset.
As Hannah exploded into blue dust, Runner shook his head. Not wanting to see what she would become, he led Isabelle and Nadine towards Faren.
“You’re disappoin-nted.”
“Only a little. She’s stronger than that. As long as she’s happy, though, I guess.”
They lapsed into silence.
Isabelle and Runner fell in behind Nadine as they approached the front gate, letting her take the lead with their cover story.
“State your business.”
“Merchant. Here to sell and b—”
“Move along.”
Nadine blinked as the guard hurried them along into the city. Apparently merchants weren’t questioned. That or security didn’t matter anymore.
Runner’s paranoia went from nothing to full in a heartbeat. Letting his eyes roll along the alleys and rooftops, he felt the hair on his neck prickle.
“No guards.”
“What?” Isabelle asked, leaning in close to him.
“There’s no guards. None. Just the two at the gate,” Runner explained, gesturing at the streets.
Isabelle’s head swiveled to and fro. Looking back to him, she pressed her lips together and nodded.
“Rabbit, change of plans. Place to lay our heads immediately. Cover will be blown if we stay out in the streets. If it hasn’t already. You’ll lay low while we go about our sneaky business.”
“Un-nderstood.”
Leading them down the main boulevard, Nadine took them into the first inn they found. Closest to the gate and on the main street. A lack of guards made it the best place to keep out of sight.
“Get a room, hunker down. I’ll get in touch with you. Belle? Scout. Find me something.”
Isabelle nodded and then vanished out the open door.
“If Hanners shows up, get her working. See you soon, Rabbit.” Runner grinned and stepped out the door after using Stealth.
Dodging to the side, Runner made his way into an alley and deeper into the side streets. Deciding to use an advantage he knew of, he looked for a quick way to the rooftops.
As he looked for a low hanging awning, he realized his own idiocy.
Targeting the corner of a low building’s roof, he blinked to the location.
As the cooldown cycled to use the spell again, he pulled out a series of cheap rings he kept on his person for quick enchants.
Loading up two rings with Blink, he slipped them onto his fingers. Pulling out a pair of gloves he’d bought for the same purpose, he enchanted them with Blink as well. Pulling them on, he then targeted another nearby building that stood higher than the one he was on.
Activating one of the rings, he blinked. Aiming for the warehouse district of town, he began actively blinking his way there, covering large distances as he cycled from one Blink to another.
Setting down on what he believed to be the guild house, Runner checked his surroundings.
Nothing and no one of course. It would be unlikely to have anyone up here. At least yet. All bets were off when the Awakening happened.
Taking a seat, he called up his console and flipped through the game wiki pages. The guild “throne room” rested in a third level under the ground floor. Everything else at best was horribly outdated and at worst was completely worthless.
Fantastic.
Groaning, Runner pressed the heels of his hands into his eyes. Out of nowhere an errant thought shot through him.
How many more have died as you sit here? How many are now dead? In the end, will the server kill everyone?
Yelling unintelligibly, he smacked his palms against his forehead.
“Head on track, Runner. Run on, Runner. Run on, run on, run on,” he whispered to himself.
“Okay, okay. We’re good. Not going crazy. Ah, yes. Minxy? A hand?”
“Both hands if you want. Or anything else you’d like,” teased the lewd goddess. She stood in front of him, her arms crossed behind her back.
“Minxy? Please. Kinda having an existential crisis on top of everything else. If you really want to support me, be my friend for the moment,” Runner complained.
“Of course, lovey. I’ll always be your friend, but I’m afraid I can’t be anything else but me. Not an act, remember?” the goddess asked, walking around him slowly. She paused behind him.
Runner sighed, nodding his head. “Yeah, I remember. I figure I’m going to have to get in to see the current guild leader. I also imagine he’ll not follow me willingly if he can avoid it.”
“Accurate on both counts,” Amelia said, her hands pressing into his shoulders. Her fingers began to press firmly, kneading at his flesh.
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“Uuun. That’s lovely,” Runner admitted, closing his eyes and rolling his neck into her hands.
“I imagine. Do you have a plan then?”
“Yeah. Eventually I’ll call on you. You’ll need to ham it up and play the goddess shtick hard. Roll with whatever I throw at you. It’ll be the first step to securing the city, let alone the country.”
“Okie dokie, lovey,” Amelia agreed, her thumbs pressing into the base of his skull.
“Minxy, if it isn’t an act, then why?”
Chuckling, she flicked him in the back of the head before continuing her ministrations.
“Been following you since the beginning, remember? You’re cunning, ingenious, devious, dark, and on top of all that you strive to be good. You sicken and entice me. You’re a cut on my lip that I keep running my tongue over. You’re that scab on my elbow I pick at constantly. That coppery taste in my mouth when I know I need to leave it alone, but I can’t.”
Leaning into her hands, she pressed her palms into the blades of his shoulders.
Runner didn’t respond, and instead simply let her to do what she wanted.
Such a very broken goddess.
Maybe twenty minutes later Runner was peering into the guild house windows. Seeing no one inside, he blinked into the room and immediately activated his Stealth.
Moving swiftly, he exited the room and crossed into a hallway. Looking down the stairs, he stepped into the stairwell and began taking them down quickly. Reaching the next floor, he slithered around the corner and continued on downwards.
Peeking down at the ground floor, he caught sight of the stairs that would lead him down further into the viper’s nest.
Throwing a distract at the far wall for stealthed guards, he slid into the open stairwell and dropped a few feet to land on the steps.
Runner lifted his leg up, stepped over the railing, and dropped to the floor proper. Moving slowly in case he bumped into a stealthed guard, he explored the first sub level. Everything had a similar look and feel and nothing stood out to him.
Eventually he found the stairwell to the next level down. Coming up close to it, he was preparing his distract when suddenly a guard appeared out of stealth.
Hitting the man with a Banishing Blade, Runner tried to immediately Stealth and step back out of the room. Both the blade and the man vanished as Runner moved.
Otherlife Nightmares: The Selfless Hero Trilogy Page 37
