Playing For Keeps (Alpha World Book 4)

by Daniel Schinhofen

  “I need to finish packing my things, so if you will excuse me?” Ioaniss walked off.

  Banthor, who had turned to look out over the ruins during the conversation spoke up. “Ye all mayhap want to look at this. It seems the Infernals have been clearin’ the town out for us.”

  Everyone in earshot moved over to look down into the valley. Groups of Greater Destroyers, Greater Imps and Greater Succubi moved through the ruins methodically, as if doing a search and destroy mission. Ioaniss stared, muttering to himself and writing rapidly in his book. “This is just amazing! I don’t think anyone has ever seen anything like this before.”

  “They seem really coordinated,” Roberto noted.

  Alburet squinted as he saw a round shape across the valley. “There is a reason for that. The Dark Lord’s emissary is across the valley.” Alburet pointed out Gygax to the rest of the group. “I would say that the Dark Lord was indeed aiding our journey.”

  Gerald’s lips pursed briefly, “This is because of you, isn’t it Al?”

  “Well, his main concubine did give me the location of the Keep, so yeah probably.”

  Shaking her head, Marysue let out a single laugh, “Ha. You do seem to get a little more attention than anyone else. Who at Mindblown do you know exactly?”

  “Well I know Alvin, but I haven’t talked to him in three years or so,” Alburet shrugged. “Maybe I’m just lucky?”

  “Lucky? Sure,” Gerald deadpanned as he walked off towards his tent to break it down. “I wish I was half as lucky.”

  “Ya are, because ya be around him,” Stacia commented, making Gerald pause.

  He opened his mouth, closed it, then shrugged, “Fair enough.”

  Karen snickered, “Well played, Stacia.”

  “Breakfast is ready,” Alburet added a moment later to change the topic as Marysue went after Gerald. “It seems the camp is beginning to stir and the day is upon us.” He rubbed his hands together, “We might not be world first, but we will conquer this Keep today.”

  Karen slugged his shoulder, “Had to bring that back up, did you?”

  Alburet grinned at her, “You’re in a relationship with me. Get used to disappointment.”

  “Why? Ya have nay disappointed any of us yet,” Stacia purred from behind him as she wrapped her arms around him.

  Laughing, Alburet shook his head, “Point, dear heart.”

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  As people woke and got their morning meal, they looked out on the valley and Keep. As the sun started to climb the sky the Infernals, apparently done clearing the town, moved further east away from the camp. Tents were picked up amid excited chatter now that their reason for being out here was right in front of them. Several people changed out weapons and armor for the newest gear they had.

  Rolland and Kim came over to Alburet’s group. “Alburet,” Rolland greeted him with a smile. “Seems like the Dark Lord favors us again today. This,” he gestured down at the town, “is a bit unusual. We are accompanying the rest of the raid inside, correct?”

  “You’re part of Alpha Company, so yes,” Alburet responded. “Only the crafters, guards and mercenaries aren’t coming inside with us. Roberto will have the guards hold the graveyard for us.”

  “We lost some dear friends the last time we took a Keep,” Kim reminded Alburet. “I would suggest keeping the other two Alpha Worlders near the entrance to reduce the chances of their being killed.”

  “I considered that, but as they’re part of the guild it would be wrong to not let them participate. After all, to be an Adventurer is to risk the final death every day,” Alburet opined.

  “I will let me sister know,” Stacia said as she went off towards Deirdre and Chris.

  “Her family will be upset if she dies, right?” Karen half asked Alburet.

  He gave a small nod, “I had to promise to get her here safely. I’m sure they’d be sad and angry, but it shouldn’t be directed at me specifically… hopefully.”

  “I’m sure everything will be okay,” Fluff added.

  “Ten minutes! Ten minutes until we pull the Campstones,” Roberto announced to the raid. “Make sure you have all your things ready, men. We’ll be holding the graveyard for Alpha Company.” The guards gave affirmative responses as they double checked their gear.

  Banthor spoke up next, “Runners, we will be escortin’ them up the ramp to the gate. We be holding the ramp while they be inside to make sure iffin any of them appear in the graveyard they have a clear run back to the Keep.”

  “Alpha Company, gather round please,” Alburet called out. As the guild gathered around his group, he started to speak. “We traveled a long way to get here. We’ll be making a name for the guild here today. Some things I learned, thanks to Rolland and Kim Magiblood, who have cleared a Keep before. It is an instanced area, not a dungeon. If you die and aren’t rezzed in time, you will respawn at the graveyard. Roberto’s men will hold that clear for us, while Banthor’s men hold the path back to the Keep. If you die and respawn in the graveyard, run back up to us and join back into the fight. We don’t know how many or what kind of enemies will be inside or what else will be waiting for us. This is why we are here, this is why we adventure. Let’s leave our mark as Alpha Company!”

  A cheer rose up as he finished speaking. Everyone hoisted their gear and turned towards the path that would lead them down into the valley. A couple of minutes later the call came for the Campstones to be pulled. Everyone tensed as they waited for the timer to end. A full minute passed, and there was no attack. Puzzled mutters could be heard here and there. Another minute passed before Roberto spoke up.

  “It seems we have a respite from the morning attack. Men, as we discussed last night, lead us down the path,” Roberto called out.

  The road was wide enough for five people to walk abreast. Roberto’s fifty men formed up and started down. Alpha Company followed, with the crafters in the middle of the guild. The Gold Runners took up the rear guard position. The path arced along the cliff face going down into the valley. It took the raid group almost half an hour to make their way to the bottom.

  Two large stone buildings flanked the path at the bottom. A layer of sand covered the ground, hiding what the street might be made of. “Good positioning,” Roberto mused, “two guard towers at the base of each of the paths.”

  “There was one at each cardinal point,” Gerald added. “Which means eight outer towers.”

  “Once we take the Keep, is the village down here still going to be overrun with undead?” Marysue asked.

  Roberto stroked his chin, “No idea. This is the first Keep I know of that has such a town around it.”

  “Guess we’ll find out,” Karen grinned, an excited spring in her steps.

  “If it does, we can charge people for the express trip via the portal,” Kim mused. “More expensive than the Portal Guild, especially since we’ll need to spend more for reagents than they do.”

  “People will still line up for the chance,” Banthor added. “Me group would be amongst them, but lucky for us we gettin’ paid to do so, and we get to stay here.” His grin was broad, clearly he believed he was getting the better end of the deal that had brought them all out here.

  “I’ll just be glad if my men all survive the first tour,” Roberto said, his face pensive. “Though if the King deems it worthy to keep the valley secure I might see about being stationed here.”

  “Done,” Ioaniss grinned. “I will personally guarantee that if he decides to do so, that you will be promoted. Something long overdue as it is.”

  Roberto shook his head, “Oh, Justice. Promotion? Does that really need to happen?”

  “Anyone who heads a garrison on the edge of the Dead Lands must be ranked Commander or higher. I guess you’re right, though, you shouldn’t be promoted to Commander.”

  “Thank the light,” Roberto sighed, missing Ioaniss’ grin.

  “No, he would need to reinstitute an older rank that hasn’t been used since the second Empi
re,” Ioaniss’ smile spread wider, as Roberto’s head snapped up.

  The look of horror on Roberto’s face got everyone’s attention. “Light, you don’t mean…”

  “Duke,” Ioaniss laughed as he cut off Roberto. “An honorary Noble. Oh yes, I do indeed mean that title. It will be up to the King, of course, but I think maybe someone who has made a concerted push to help us retake land lost to the Dead Lands should be rewarded handsomely.”

  Roberto seemed on the edge of panic for a moment, then his face calmed as a smile came to his lips. “I couldn’t be promoted to Duke. A Duke must command the Keep of the area. That means I would not be eligible for the rank.” His eyes drifted over to Alburet, “However, the head of the guild that took such a Keep would be.”

  Alburet almost stumbled as they walked down the sand covered path. “Wait, what?”

  Gerald laughed, “Oh gods, the things that just fall into his lap.”

  Ioaniss sucked at his teeth for a moment, “That would take some doing, due to Alburet’s race change. I will have to look into it.”

  “I don’t get along with any of those perfumed idiots,” Alburet objected.

  Head turning, Ioaniss looked at him coldly, “Any of those ‘perfumed idiots’?”

  Stacia covered her face with her hands as Alburet suddenly remembered that he was walking next to a Noble. “I didn’t mean you. You are obviously not an idiot.”

  A booming laugh echoed from Ioaniss, “Fair enough, Alburet, fair enough. I’ll take that into account when I put my proposal to the King.”

  Silence settled over the raid as they finally reached the outskirts of the town. The buildings were made of the same stone as the hills. Among the buildings the sand was not as thick, allowing the cobblestoned roads to be seen. No sound other than the ones made by the raid could be heard.

  “We be splittin’ me guild off to the side roads to parallel the raid. Iffin they be any surprises, we should spring them safely,” Banthor commented. He whistled and half his men split off down the streets to either side of the raid.

  “That works,” Roberto nodded.

  No attacks came as the raid entered the ruined town. “Seems the Infernals did us a favor,” Banthor commented. “Mayhap I should give the Dark Lord a moment of thanks later.”

  “He would like tha’,” Stacia said. “His temples be rarely visited by those tha’ do nay follow him.”

  It took about a half hour of walking the deserted streets before they reached the base of the interior spire. At its base stood the graveyard, a simple Monolith dedicated to the restoration of the dead to life.

  “Men, fall out,” Roberto barked. “We’ll be holding this point and we should expect attacks at some point.”

  Banthor’s men shifted to the path that started the spiral up to the Keep above them. “Five abreast and keep yer eyes open,” Banthor ordered his men. “Wait for Alpha Company to be ready.”

  “Crafters,” Roberto called out, “Up next to the monolith, as far as possible inside our lines.”

  Once the crafters were inside the defensive lines the guards pulled out spears and tower shields. Roberto looked them over with a nod before turning to Alburet, “Good luck, and we will be waiting your triumphant victory.”

  Alburet saluted the Captain, “We’ll make haste then, to spare your men as much as we can.” He turned to Banthor, “Lead on, Gold Runners.”

  “Aye, take the lead lads, and be ready for attacks from above,” Banthor called out.

  The Gold Runners began to march up the path, leading Alpha Company closer to their objective. Following in their teams of five came Alpha Company with eager expressions, as this was what they had crossed the Dead Lands for.

  As they started up the ramp Ioaniss asked for a favor. “Might I join your group going into the Keep? I wish to witness it first hand as you all make history. I will not aid or hinder you, if that is your wish, I just want to be there.”

  Alburet frowned, “What if you die? I don’t want to tell the King it was my fault.”

  Ioaniss chuckled, “He will not hold you at fault. Risk comes with what I do, and the Final Death comes for us all eventually.” Ioaniss frowned at Alburet for a moment, then dismissed whatever thought he’d had. “I’ve been trying to research what triggers the Final Death, as did my father. As may be, I know the risks, but still wish to come. Will you let me?”

  “I’m a bit hesitant, but you’ve been of aid to us time and again, so sure,” Alburet replied. “Just stay out of combat as much as you can, please.”

  Touching the brim of his hat, Ioaniss grinned, “I’ll do my best.”

  The path curved all the way around the jut of rock. Fifty feet in front of the gate a faint shimmer wavered in the air. Banthor stopped his men short of it. Below, they could see Roberto’s men and the crafters arrayed around the graveyard monolith. “This be it, Alburet. We will deploy back down along the length of the ramp and hold it for ye.”

  “Alpha Company,” Alburet called out as he eyed the shimmering air. “This is our moment. First team, take the lead, second and third groups right behind them. The rest of you wait a minute, then follow us through.”

  He went from group to group, handing out Raidstones to the party leader of each one. “We’ll be able to speak to and hear each other using these Raidstones. You do have to intentionally transmit to the raid for it to work. Please keep the chatter to a minimum over them, unless it’s urgent.”

  Once everyone was connected to the Raidstones, Alburet nodded to Gerald. “I’ll be calling out tactics as needed, so listen for your group leader’s name and be ready to adapt.”

  Getting affirmatives from the guild teams, he turned to Gerald, “We are ready. Take us in, Gerald.”

  Gerald faced the assembled guild groups, raising a fist into the air, “For Alpha Company!” With that shout he turned and passed through the shimmer of air. The rest of his team followed him in, followed by the designated teams for the first onslaught.

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Alburet blinked as he passed through the shimmer, taking in the differences. The gate still stood open before them, but now undead patrolled along the top of the walls. A pop up appeared, which he scanned quickly.

  You have entered the instanced area: Gwain’s Keep.

  This area will be instanced for your raid. While the instance is active, no other raid may enter. Once all creatures have been killed the instance will be cleared, and the Keep may be claimed.

  Gerald paused, looking at the suddenly populated Keep. The undead walking along the walls seemed to ignore them. “Frontal assault?”

  “Only one way to find out what’s going to happen,” Alburet agreed as the next two groups appeared next to them. “Rolland, if you can give Gerald some support from here. Melee in with Gerald, ranged stand here to support them.”

  Gerald looked at Chris Eveningstar, Tiny, and the third tank with them, Paladium. “We can go in four abreast. A quick step, but try to stay in sync. On three.” Counting down Gerald led the melee forward. The damage dealers followed a few paces back, with the healers just behind them.

  Alburet snagged Deirdre as she started to move forward, “You’re the healer for the casters.”

  Deirdre frowned as she watched Chris go, but nodded as she stepped behind the casters. Bob already had a Fire Blast in hand, waiting. Alburet conjured one himself as Rolland and the others all readied their own spells.

  Five yards from the open gate, the zombie-like undead on the walls took notice of the approaching melee. With loud cries of gibberish, the undead aimed crossbows over the edge at the advancing group. The casters, who had been waiting, unleashed their spells into the six guards atop the walls.

  The Cursed Defenders barely got off their volley as ice, lightning, and fire rained down upon them. Half of the volley found their targets, slamming into the approaching group. The other three were deflected by shields.

  Just as the leading quartet was about to step into the archway, they were st
opped by a yell. “Wait, it’s trapped!” One of the melee darted forward, bending down to fiddle with something. After a few moments, as the ranged attackers continued the barrage on the six Cursed Defenders, the Trapsmith rolled back as portcullises slammed down at either end of the entry tunnel, barring the way.

  “Fuck, now what?” Paladium asked as he eyed the barrier.

  “Lift it,” Tiny rumbled, putting his shield and weapon away as he bent at the knees to grip the portcullis.

  Gerald nodded, “Trapsmith, be ready to find a way to break this mechanism. Everyone who has decent strength get your hands on this.” He slipped his shield onto his back as he grabbed the metal. “On three,” he counted out after everyone had grabbed what they could. On three the portcullis shifted upwards.