by Anthea Sharp
If she and Tam and Marny went in-game together at some point… now that would be prime. She could just imagine the possibilities. Of course, neither she nor Tam had the ability to force Marny into simming. Somehow, she didn’t think there would be many repeats of this afternoon’s venture.
“Ok, ladies. Follow me.” Roy’s cocky assurance had returned. He jumped out of the faerie-ring and started down the path winding between the dark pines. His bright hair shone like polished copper.
“Hey.” Jennet touched Marny’s shoulder. “Nice job. You really got the hang of that character right away.”
“I hate being told who to be,” Marny said. “That’s what took me so long. I had to study the invisibility talent until I really understood it, you know?”
“I’d say you did.” Jennet grinned. “The look on Roy’s face was priceless.”
“Good.” Marny glanced up the path. “He’s kind of a jerk, in-game.”
And out. Jennet bit her tongue. If she and Tam could make the ointment, Marny would see that soon enough.
“By the way,” Jennet said, “Roy doesn’t know how much Tam and I played Feyland. So if you could, um, not mention it, that would be good.”
Marny raised an eyebrow, but she nodded. “All right. But some day soon you’re going to have to spill your secrets, fancy-girl.”
That was becoming clear. Marny was involved in the magic of Feyland now, whether she knew it or not.
“I will,” Jennet said. “I promise.”
The air shimmered at her words, like a far-distant bell had been rung. The vibrations lapped the air around them, making invisible ripples.
“What was that?” Marny asked.
“The sign of a true pledge.” Jennet swallowed. She hadn’t anticipated that. “Unexpected things have power here. Words. Blades.”
The other girl narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. She was smart. It wouldn’t take her long to realize there was something skewed about Feyland.
“In fact…” Jennet lowered her voice. “It sounds crazy, but if you get hurt in-game, the injury carries over into the real world. So be extra careful.”
Marny’s eyes widened, but she nodded.
“What’s taking you two so long?” Roy called. “Come on!”
Jennet leaped over the red-speckled mushrooms and headed down the path, with Marny right behind her. Overhead, the wind sighed in the branches of the pines, then tickled her cheek with cool strands of breeze.
The trees were thinning out by the time they caught up to Roy, who was waiting for them by the edge of the forest. The path widened to a dusty road leading into a village - a collection of buildings with multi-paned windows and thatched roofs.
“Grendel Village,” he said. “Lots of quest possibilities here, but I want to show Marns some excitement. Follow me.”
The three of them strode into the village. There were a fair number of human-looking NPCs around - kids running and laughing, an old woman working her garden, and groups of citizens standing and talking. They looked serious, and Jennet could guess where this particular set-up was going to lead.
In the center of the village was a paved square, with a few carts selling vegetables and a crowd of people milling around. As she, Roy, and Marny arrived, a man in a blue coat stepped up onto a makeshift stage. He banged a stick on a large pan to get people’s attention, and the computer-controlled characters around them quieted.
“Hear ye, hear ye,” the man announced. “As you know, the vile creature that has been threatening our village is growing bolder. The council will reward anyone brave enough to fight this monster and defeat it.”
“How much?” someone called.
“Fifty gold pieces!”
The crowd burst into excited babbles.
“Quiet!” The man clanged his pan again. “Who is bold enough to accept this offer?”
A sudden hush covered the square, as if someone had thrown a sodden blanket over the gathering. Everyone stilled, not quite meeting one another’s eyes.
“That’s our cue,” Roy said.
He strode to the platform and leapt up beside the blue-coated man, then beckoned for Jennet and Marny to join him. When Jennet stepped up onto the stage, she caught a glimpse of a blackened, smoking field at the village’s edge. What were they getting into here?
“We accept the challenge,” Roy said.
“Royal one,” the man said with a slight bow. “We are honored by your presence. You bring the Lady Jennet, and… another companion to aid you on your quest.”
“This is Lady Mar - ”
“Just Marny,” the big girl said. “I don’t need a fancy title, like some people.”
“Whatever.” Roy turned back to the quest-giver. “Where shall we find this monster?”
“By yonder lakeshore.” The man waved to where the road led out of the village.
Jennet squinted in that direction. She could make out a silvery sheen that might be water. Not too far, then.
“If you prove victorious,” the man continued, “return here with the creature’s head, that we may know your quest is complete and the village saved. Then we shall bestow upon you our thanks.”
“And the reward,” Roy said.
“Indeed. Good luck, bold adventurers!”
The crowd cheered as the three of them stepped off the platform and headed out of the square. Nobody followed, however. Roy set a quick pace, and it didn’t take long for them to leave the last thatched cottage behind.
“So,” Jennet said. “What kind of creature are we facing here?”
“Depends,” Roy said. “But don’t worry. Whatever it is, I can take care of it.”
“Depends on what?” Marny came up on Roy’s other side, the three of them striding abreast down the road.
“I think fire is involved,” Jennet said. “Look at that field over there. Scorched.”
Roy nodded. “When I’ve soloed this quest, it’s mostly been a big wolf, and once a troll. But now that there’s three of us, it’s going to be something more… complex.”
“Do we have anything that can repel flames?” she asked.
For a second, she wished she were playing her mage. She could probably have figured out some kind of magical protection. Somehow, she didn’t think an illusory shield would do much against real fire.
“We’ll just have to rush it, whatever it is.” Roy said.
“Nice strategy,” Marny said. “Glad to be in here with such ‘leet players.”
Roy shot her a look. “Relax. I told you - I can protect you from anything Feyland throws at us.”
“Heh.” Marny shook her head. “Guess we’ll see about that.”
They were at the lakeshore sooner than Jennet wanted. Silvery waves lapped the bank and the sun sparkled on the water. It looked deceptively peaceful - until she caught sight of the swath of blackened grass on the right-hand side of the lake.
“Look.” She pointed to the scorched area. “I’d say that’s our direction.”
Roy shaded his eyes with one hand. “I think there’s a cave in the rocks over there.”
“Typical,” Marny said. “Of course all scary monsters lurk in caves.”
“Well, it could also come up out of the water,” Jennet said.
She eyed the lake, making sure to keep well back from the shore. She’d had more than enough encounters with nasty water creatures in Feyland.
“It’s not in the lake if fire is one of its weapons,” Roy said. “Ok, here’s the plan. We’ll sneak up to the cave, then I’ll lure it out. Marny, you’ll want to go invisible. Jennet, stay back and use your arrows. Quiet, now.”
She shared a quick, exasperated glance with Marny. Roy was the master of stating the obvious as though it were some brilliance on his part.
Slowly, the three of them moved around the lake, skirting the dead grass. An acrid smell rose from the scorched earth, and Jennet swallowed hard, trying not to cough. Marny drew a black kerchief up over her nose and mouth, which made her look even st
ealthier.
Roy was right - there was a cave in the tumble of rocks, an opening that grew larger the closer they got. Finally they were within a stone’s throw of the place. It stank - a foul mix of burnt grass combined with something rotten. Jennet drew shallow breaths through her mouth, trying not to taste the oily residue.
Roy signaled them to stay where they were, then drew his sword. It made a faint hissing sound as it left the scabbard. A heartbeat later, Marny disappeared. Time to find cover. Jennet sidled over to a nearby outcropping of stone. Whatever was about to emerge from that cave, she didn’t want to be in its direct line of sight.
“Hey!” Roy shouted. “Come out and meet your death!”
A little theatrical, but then, that was Roy.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then something stirred in the back of the cave.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE - THE BRIGHT COURT
A flicker of heat lit the inside of the cave. Jennet saw something outlined in the orange afterglow - something big, with wings and talons and horns. She felt air stir as the creature drew in a breath. Heat tingled through her, a premonition…
“Roy,” she cried, “look out!”
A huge gout of flame exploded from the darkness. Roy leapt out of the way, spinning nimbly to the edge of the entrance while a stream of red fire poured past. The instant the fire ended, the creature appeared.
It was fifteen feet tall, and covered in brownish-yellow fur. Bat-like wings rose from its back, but the worst thing about it was its two heads. Jennet shivered. The left head was a lion with curved horns, smoke still curling around its wicked teeth. Beside it was an evil-looking goat head, green spittle dripping from its mouth. Great - fire and poison, and aerial abilities on top of that.
Jennet nocked an arrow. Things were about to get way ugly.
“Over here,” Roy shouted.
He swung at the creature’s foreleg, slicing a red gash through the fur. It screeched and, with a mighty flap, rose into the air. The goat-head veered around, spraying vile green mist through the air. Roy ducked back into the cave, and Jennet bit her lip. Hopefully Marny would stay clear of the poison.
Breathing slowly to keep her hands steady, Jennet sighted on the creature. It was hovering, obviously searching for Roy, its wings sending drafts of dust back and forth. She aimed at the leathery juncture of one wing.
The arrow flew true, burying itself in the creature’s body. The monster cried out and landed, then turned on Jennet, quick as a striking snake. She stumbled back and saw it draw another deep breath.
Fear sizzled down her bones. There was no way she could run fast enough to escape the flames building between the lion-head’s jaws. This was it. She’d finally find out what happened when her character died in-game - and she had a feeling it wasn’t going to be a good experience. In fact, it might be truly lethal.
Her skin burned, her bones shrieked, and her eyes blurred - but the creature was still drawing in its breath. She wasn’t on fire.
What? Her view was oddly flattened, the colors washed out while the details of the ground before her grew razor-sharp. Moving on instinct, she dashed forward, her paws placed unerringly to give her the burst of speed she so desperately needed. Heat scorched her tail and she yelped, but kept running until she was directly beneath the hovering monster. Safe, for the moment.
She panted, her tongue lolling out from between her teeth, but she continued circling, staying under the creature’s belly. Out of reach - for now.
Behind the creature, Marny materialized. She swung her morning-star, bashing the creature’s leg and distracting it from Jennet. The beast howled out of both its mouths and spun, wickedly fast - but Marny had already somersaulted out of the way. An eye-blink later, she’d disappeared again.
“Over here!” Roy yelled, waving his sword as he darted out of the cave.
The goat-head spit at him, but he moved faster. This time he took a clue from her, and ran right at the creature, sword raised. The tip of it cut a bleeding line in the monster’s chest. With another screech of pain, it flapped into the air again.
“Come on,” Roy said. “Into the cave. We need to get the chimera back on the ground.”
She gave a yip of agreement, and the two of them dashed for the cave mouth. Fire scored a dark line at their heels, but they made it. In the deeper shadows, Roy took a long breath.
“It’s coming down,” he said. “Can you turn back into a girl now?”
Was she a girl? She couldn’t quite remember.
“Jennet? Hurry. You can’t fight in that form.”
Girl. Jennet. Concentrate.
Pain seized her. She doubled-over, clutching her belly, while tears streamed down her face. But she was human again.
“That… was severe,” she managed.
“Not as severe as getting torched by a chimera,” Roy said. “Get ready to run again.”
She took a deep breath and squinted out into the light. The monster was folding its wings, malice in its two sets of eyes.
Suddenly, in a flurry of black cloth, Marny was on its back. She slung the chain of her mace around the goat-head’s neck and pulled tight. The lion-head roared, but it couldn’t flame her without scorching itself.
Jennet reached for her bow, glad to find that her weapons stayed with her during the transformations. Pulling her bow off her back, she fitted another arrow to the string and aimed for one of the lion’s evil yellow eyes.
She released the shot - and missed. The arrow clattered uselessly against the rocks.
Roy sprinted forward and swiped at the chimera’s leg as it bucked and lunged, trying to dislodge Marny. She was hanging on, her face grimly determined, her chain still wrapped around the goat’s head. Green froth bubbled from the creature’s lips, and a few drops landed on Marny’s arm. Jennet saw her wince, but she didn’t let go.
Roy made another pass, this time leaping up at the lion’s head and scoring a cut along its jaw. Embers glowed deep in its throat.
Last chance. Jennet notched another arrow and pulled the bow back until it creaked from the strain. This time, the arrow flew straight and true, entering the lion’s right eye with a nasty squelch.
The monster shrieked, a horrible sound like metal and glass crashing together. Flames flickered between its teeth, then died. The goat-head gave a final thrash, and the chimera collapsed. Its leathery wings folded in, the body shuddered, and then it was over.
Marny slowly unwound her chain and clambered down from the creature. Her hair had come loose and was hanging around her face. There were five red blisters the size of coins on her forearm - souvenirs of the chimera’s poison.
“Hey,” Roy said. “Nice job, there.”
Jennet nodded. They couldn’t have won this without the three of them working together.
“I hate sim games,” Marny said. “This one’s worse than most. Can we log off now?”
“Almost,” Roy said. “Have to complete the quest, or the whole level will reset and we’ll be back at the beginning again. I don’t know about you two, but I’d rather not have to repeat this fight.”
He turned, and with two swift strokes detached the chimera’s heads from its body. There was no blood, though the eyes remained open, glassy and staring.
Marny took a step away. “I’m not carrying either of those. I had my up-close time already.”
“I’ll take the goat,” Jennet said.
Luckily, it wasn’t too heavy, despite its size. Nothing like game mechanics to skew physics. She held it by one horn, making sure to keep the mouth away from her body. Even though the chimera was dead, the poison could still be active.
When they reached the road, they were met by a throng of cheering villagers.
“Brave heroes!” the blue-coated man said. “You have slain the evil beast. Now receive your reward.”
Roy set the lion-head down, and Jennet carefully lowered her own burden to the ground. The villagers could take it from there. A pace behind them, Marny folded her arms and wa
tched.
“Fifty gold pieces.” The headman pulled out a bag and handed it to Roy. “And now, prepare for the next stage of your adventure.”
Roy stepped back beside Marny. “He’s going to transport us to the third level of the game,” he murmured. “Hold on.”
“We’re ready,” Jennet said, falling back to Marny’s other side.
The man raised his hands. “Farewell, bold adventurers!”
Golden light swirled around their feet, rising in a cone until it blocked out the headman and villagers, the severed heads, the sparkling lake - everything. Jennet set her hand on Marny’s shoulder as the usual wave of dizziness hit her. It was like being tumbled in space - no sense of down or up, only the whirling glow and a faint, high humming.
Jennet’s feet hit the ground, and she swallowed back her discomfort. The three of them stood in the center of a faerie ring. But instead of the Dark Court’s moon-pale mushrooms or the familiar red and white ones, this ring was formed of thin-stalked mushrooms that shed an eerie, purplish glow.
A chill gripped the back of Jennet’s neck and shivered into her body.
“Come on, guys,” Marny said. “Where’s the escape button?”
“Relax, Marns,” Roy said, though his voice was tight. “We’re leaving Feyland. Right… now.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO- THE BRIGHT COURT
Jennet pulled off the sim helmet, and took a deep breath. That had been even freakier than usual. She thought Roy was off-balance, too, not that he would ever admit it.
“Ok, I’m done,” Marny said, slapping her e-gloves down across the leather seat. She had gotten her gear off in record time, and now stood beside the sim-system, looking as if she’d eaten something nasty. “If I play with you again, it’ll be a screen game.”
“You didn’t like Feyland?” Roy asked. Master of the obvious.
She shook her head vigorously. “I hate having to gear up. And I really hate being pulled into a game like that - one where you can’t just put the controls down and walk away.”
