by Adam Drake
Then the deafening sound around me suddenly stopped.
Everything froze, like pausing a movie. I blinked in surprise. The magma arrow, sticking out of Amara's eye, had just begun to boil its way through her skull.
I took a screenshot.
Then she vanished. The horse that held me down vanished. The soldiers and trolls around me vanished. And so did the rest of the world until all that remained was a white void.
Then a message appeared, the words hanging in the empty space before me.
Vivian Valesh is Victorious!
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
For several long moments, I stared at the floating message.
My heart still pounded in my chest, my breath heavy and near gasping.
I won.
The realization didn't click in right away, but the Battle Field was gone and the fighting was over.
I won!
Astonished, I pushed myself up from the nonexistent ground to stand.
I defeated Amara. Better yet, I defeated Amara in my very first Battle Field gaming session.
Somewhere out past the white void, in the real world, the player who controlled Amara was cursing up the mother of all filtered storms.
I laughed until tears rolled down my face and collected at the bottom of my view-screen.
Beautiful.
The void dissolved into a swirl of colors and I found myself standing back in the cavern chamber on its middle rise, where this mess had all started.
As I looked around, I shouted in surprise and summoned my sword.
All the skeletons in the chamber who had been laying on the ground, now stood facing me. Each one pointed at me with an outstretched arm.
What was this? Another final fight?
Rumbling laughter made me turn about.
Y'Godda's spirit stood beside me, resplendent in his bright white armor.
“Don't worry, adventurer. They will not harm you. They only wish to congratulate you on your victory over such a skilled opponent.”
“Yeah, okay,” I said trying not to sound doubtful. Funny way to congratulate someone. But if they weren't going to attack, I'd take it.
“And, I too, wish to offer my congratulations,” Y'Godda said, grinning from ear to ear.
“Thanks,” I said. “It was tough, but a fun learning experience.”
Learning experience was an understatement. Trial by fire would be a better analogy.
Y'godda nodded, his long red beard rasping against his armor. “Yes, I know this was your very first Battle Field. You performed well. Especially considering the experience of your opponent.”
“Oh?” I said, curious. “How experienced is she?”
“According to the records, Amara Frostwalker has never been defeated in over 118 Battle Field conflicts. This would be her first.”
I burst out laughing, again. Oh, fantastic! I wish I could see Amara's face right now.
“Speaking of my opponent,” I said looking around the chamber. “Where did she go?”
Y'godda frowned. “Unfortunately, your opponent left the world before the final message of her loss could be given to her.”
“Left the world?”
“I believe you mortals refer to her action as 'Rage-quit'.”
My laughter echoed off the cavern walls for several long moments. Knowing Amara rage-quit was even better than seeing her face after the fact.
Eventually, I picked myself up off the ground and gave Y'godda my full attention again.
“Sorry,” I said. “Couldn't help myself.”
“Hmm,” said the dead general. “So, Vivian Valesh, it is time for your reward. The one you fought ever so valiantly for.” He waved a hand.
Upon the rise a banner appeared. It was neither red nor blue, but a brilliant white.
“Cool,” I said. Looking at the Lost War Banner of Y'Godda made me feel a little weak-kneed. Before, it had been a simple item to obtain after a long quest-chain. Now, it was a symbol of my victory over my own self-doubts while trying to win it.
It also symbolized my defeat of Amara, which made it all the more special.
Reaching forward, I grasped the banner's wooden handle and lifted. It came free easily.
Quest Update: Y'Godda Be Kidding Me.
You have found the Lost War Banner of Y'Godda after many trials. Return it to the quest giver for your final quest reward.
“Nice,” I said. Suddenly, the surrounding chamber changed, and I found myself standing in a clearing.
I was outside the cavern, its huge stone door now shut and sealed with a magical barrier again, ready for the next adventurer to come.
“Well, goodbye to you, too,” I said with a shrug. Y'Godda must not have believed in adventurers lingering in his dank cavern for longer than necessary.
I summoned Smoke and jumped into his saddle. With the banner over one shoulder, we rode through the Forest of Dreams. There was one final destination to be reached.
After crossing through several travel-gates, I stepped into a blighted realm, full of black mountains and dead forests.
I followed a crooked path along the shores of a blood red lake which waters were still as glass. The path ended at the front gate of a ruined castle, its walls decimated and crumbling.
As I dismounted a chat request appeared at the lower part of my view-screen.
I looked at the caller's name in shock.
It was Amara.
I blinked in confusion. What could she possibly want to 'chat' with me about? How much she hated me? Or how much I didn't deserve to win?
The image of her angry, screaming face filled my mind's eye.
Any communication with her would be packed with filtered words. I decided to not give her the pleasure of swearing at me ever again.
Instead of accepting the chat, I dismissed it. Then I went into my chat settings and placed Amara Frostwalker on my Blocked Players list. Now she'd no longer have the ability to communicate with me in any way.
There, I thought. Defeated again.
With a laugh, I entered the ruined castle.
There, sitting upon an ancient throne, was a dark figure. My quest giver. Above his head was a name tile. Togish the Sullied.
“You have returned,” said Togish as he watched me approach. “I am... surprised.”
I stood before Togish and bowed my head slightly. “I did not want to disappoint you, oh great one.”
Hey, I might not be the best role-player in the game, but it didn't stop me from trying.
Togish nodded. He was clad in burnt armor which had been melted to his blackened skin. According to lore Togish died in this very castle by dragon fire. Dragons sent by Y'Godda.
“I see you have the banner.”
“Yes, great one.”
He held out a blackened hand, with burnt flesh hanging from its fingers.
I presented the banner to Togish and the undead king snatched it from my hands.
Quest Completed: Y'Godda Be Kidding Me
You have returned the Lost Banner of Y'Godda to Togish the Sullied. Please take your quest reward.
Togish grinned at the banner, his melted lips making the expression ghoulish. “Very good, adventurer. It has been a long time coming. With this, I am now one step closer to conquering the Realm of the Dead.”
Uh-huh, I thought. Good luck with that, buddy. Just gimme my dang reward!
I kept my mouth shut and my head bowed.
Togish placed the banner onto a skeletal altar almost identical to the ones from the Battle Field. A bony hand grabbed the wooden handle.
Immediately, the banner's brightness faded and dulled to nothing. The magical wind that kept its banner flowing stopped as if whatever essence had been inside it died.
“And now for your reward,” Togish said, drawing my attention away from the sad-looking banner.
He held out a burnt hand which gripped a quest scroll.
Bowing my head again in a gesture of thanks, I carefully took the scroll into my possess
ion.
Togish looked down at me. I tried not to stare at the hole in the middle of his face where his nose used to be. “You will find this particular quest... difficult. I know of no one who have survived its trials.”
Neither had I, which made me all the more excited to finally have the chance to take a crack at it.
“I will endeavor to do my best, great one.”
“If you do obtain its reward, see me again. We may have further business to do together.”
I bowed one last time and backed away. Looking up I saw that Togish had turned from me, forgotten. He stared at the limp banner, nodding with satisfaction.
Hastily, I left the destroyed castle and got back on Smoke. Turning him to the path we made our way back to the travel gate.
I was happy beyond words. In my hands I had the quest. Not any old quest, but the quest. Its final reward was the single most sought after item for players of my class.
And I was determined to be the very first to complete it.
As I moved along the path to take my leave of this dead realm, my mind was no longer on banners or Battle Fields or even Amara.
I became consumed with the quest contained in the scroll:
The Quest for the Shadow Blade.
END.
Watch for the next Shadow For Hire title:
Shadow Blade
BONUS BOOK
The Big Bag Of Infinite Cats
An ancient weapon versus a magical bag of cats.
When a strange case of a detective being turned to stone baffles local police, retired investigator Mayra Beeweather is asked to assist. One of her tools of the trade is a magical bag which contains an infinite number of cats. Very special cats – each with a unique ability to aid in her investigation.
Yet, even with their help, Mayra may not solve the case in time, for she may be the next victim turned to stone!
CHAPTER ONE
I sat on my favorite park bench, perusing the newspaper when someone said, “Excuse me, Miss Beeweather, but might you help me, please?”
Bleary-eyed from reading small print, I looked up at the speaker, and squinted against the morning sun. “Beg pardon?” I said.
It was Penny, a frazzled looking red headed woman, who stood before me on the cobblestone path. She looked concerned, hands rubbing together like frightened animals. “I'm afraid it's my son, Newlin, miss,” Penny said. “He's got himself stuck up that tree.”
I looked where she pointed.
Sure enough, at the edge of the glade, high up a thick oak, a small red headed boy straddled a branch. He clung to the trunk with both arms for dear life. He looked as frazzled as his mother.
Now, to a casual observer it might strike them as odd to ask for help in this endeavor from someone of my advanced years. Especially when a fair amount of climbing would be involved. But supposed limits of old age has nothing on ability.
“Well,” I said, “He's good and stuck, now, isn't he?” I assessed the situation. “It appears he has made it up quite high, indeed.”
“Yes, miss,” Penny said, quick to agree.
“An ambitious little fellow,” I said, and stood. Various creaks and pops betrayed my bones with the effort. I put the newspaper down on the bench and shouldered my satchel with care. “Well, let's see if help is in the offering, shall we?”
Happy, Penny nodded and we walked over to the base of the great oak. On closer inspection I saw the child, his eyes red with tears, scrapes on his arms and elbows.
“Are you okay, lad?” I called up to him.
“Y-yes ma'am,” the little boy sputtered.
I squinted at him. “Now why would a smart little boy like yourself do something so silly as get stuck up a tree?”
The little boy scrunched his face with concern. This appeared to be more than a random adventure which resulted in his getting stuck.
I frowned a little, more for emphasis than anything close to anger. “You wouldn't have done this on purpose now? You saw me sitting over there and thought being saved might be fun?”
Penny held up her hands in alarm. “Oh, no Miss Beeweather. My lad wouldn't do such a thing. He likes exploring, is all. Like Kadmik the Adventurer.”
“I like Kadmik,” Newlin said.
I arched a suspicious brow at the two of them. “When Kadmik went exploring,” I said, “he had an army at his side. Accompanied by your own legion of soldiers helps when you're stuck up a tree.” I rummaged through my satchel.
“Kadmik tamed beasts and was the friend to giants!” the boy declared.
“Yes, yes,” I said, feeling annoyed to hear distorted myths from a child. “I'm sure that's the version taught to you. Ah, here we are.” I pulled out a tall knitting bag and set it on the ground.
I sensed the eyes of the woman and child on it, eager to see what happens next.
The knitting bag always got people's attention. Preceded by its reputation it had become an attraction. I wondered if I should charge a fee each time I brought it out. At least that would help pay for morning newspapers.
The top opening of the knitting bag was closed with a knobbed clasp. Much to my relief the clasp was brass. If it were wooden, there would be no rescue. At least not by me. The bag's fabric was of a dull gray wool embroidery, with no obvious design, and gave no hints as to its actual contents.
Suffice to mention this bag was not meant for knitting.
As I reached forward, I glanced at Penny and Newlin. Anticipation created wide eyed masks of their faces.
Fine, a copper piece each, I decided, and touched the clasp.
With only a light tap the clasp snapped undone. Unaided, the knitting bag opened wide.
I have to admit. No matter how many times I've done this throughout the years, I still get excited at opening it. The hairs on my arms stood up on end.
The bag wiggled as if alive. In moments, the shaking intensified. Something was trying to climb out.
Then, from within, a small furry head emerged. The head turned, surveying the outside surroundings, and settled on me. A gorgeous white cat matched my wide-eyed gaze.
“Hello, there,” I said. I did not move, nor made any effort to approach or touch this new arrival. I knew from experience there might be unwanted results.
“It's a cat, ma!” cried the boy.
“Hold still,” Penny said. She looked at the cat with apprehension. Frightened, even. An almost universal reaction by most.
“Help,” I said to the cat and pointed toward the little boy.
The cat looked from me and up at Newlin. It blinked several times. Its irises appeared composed of brightly colored rainbows with countless hues. Its thick fur was as white as the first winter snow.
As if finally deciding what to do, the cat hopped out of the bag. It paused, sat back on hind legs, and proceeded to clean a forepaw.
It had been several months since I'd seen a white cat emerge from the bag. I could not tell if this was the same one as that time. There was no way to be certain by quick observation.
But what this cat did would set it apart from any another.
I felt a strong sense of pride looking at it. A different cat with almost every summoning. All the same indefinable breed, but of varying colors. Each unique in their own way. An infinite number of them. And all a welcome sight.
“Is it going to save me now?” Newlin asked, his voice tinged with worry.
“Hush, now, child,” I said. “Give her a moment.”
Once the cat finished cleaning itself, it got down to business. With an almost imperious saunter, it strolled over to the tree and stopped right below the boy. It peered up at him. The distance that separated the two was twenty spans or more. If this did not work then a call to the fire department would be needed.
As we all stood by with bated breath the cat tensed up as if ready to pounce. Its focus never wavered from the boy.
Then, the cat vanished with an audible pop.
Penny gasped, hands to her mouth.
M
y heart beat quickened, and up I looked.
The cat now sat on the tree branch, next to the little boy. It had somehow travelled the distance from the ground in an instant. Faster than a blink.
