Awaken Online (Book 3): Evolution

by Bagwell, Travis

  Jason didn’t spare any attention to the brawl that had erupted inside the inn. His focus was riveted on the young woman that had been sitting at the table. She sat frozen amid the chaos, staring at the vials now strewn about the floor. Raising her head, she seemed to take in the fighting around her for the first time. A flicker of anger flashed in her eyes before they turned a vibrant sapphire.

  As the man that landed on her table rose from the ground and rounded on his attacker with unsteady steps, the girl stood. A short wand had appeared in one hand, a blue crystal embedded in the top, while her free hand darted through the gestures of a spell. Thin tendrils of mist began to form along the wand and drift through the room, spreading slowly among the oblivious sailors. As the vapor thickened and grew, Jason could see that it throbbed with a strange, sickly yellow light. Jason quickly covered his mouth with the hem of his cloak and moved to an area where the fog was less dense, sparing a few seconds to send Frank and Riley a message to do the same.

  Then the girl finished casting.

  All at once, the mist expanded rapidly, immediately engulfing the sailors and obscuring them from sight. As Jason looked on with wide eyes, he realized that the vapor left a clear pocket of air around the girl and the tavern staff – who had all immediately frozen when they saw the girl stand up. The sounds of coughing could be heard in the mist, and the clash of steel began to fade. There was a series of dull thuds before everything finally grew quiet.

  A moment later, the girl gave a dismissive wave of her hand and the cloud of mist abruptly cleared. Jason gaped in surprise as he glanced around the room. The bodies of nearly sixty sailors now rested along the floor of the tavern. Many were slumped over each other, their eyes shut and their chests rising and falling in a slow rhythm.

  One of the sailors had managed to stay awake, and he reached a feeble hand toward the girl, his eyes wide with fear. “The witch…” he whispered before passing out among his fellow sailors.

  “What the hell…” Jason murmured to himself, his gaze shifting back to the girl. She looked around herself impassively for a moment as her eyes reverted to their normal color. Then she stooped and began calmly picking up her vials from the floor as though nothing had happened.

  Jason spared a glance across the room and saw that Frank and Riley were still standing. Their weapons were drawn, and they were holding the hem of their cloaks over their noses and mouths. He made a quick gesture toward the girl and put up a staying hand.

  “Here, let me help you,” Jason offered, standing and approaching the girl.

  She glanced up at him in surprise, pushing her glasses back on her nose with a finger. “Th-thank you. You really don’t have to,” she said, not quite meeting his eyes.

  Jason picked up the toppled table and righted it, shifting the bodies of the unconscious sailors out of the way. Then he began placing intact vials back on its surface. “It’s not a problem. These other men were rather rude. If you don’t mind me asking, what’s your name?”

  The girl didn’t bother to look at him this time as she continued to pick up her crafting materials. “My name is Eliza,” she said quietly.

  “Well, Eliza, what you just did to these sailors was incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it.” Jason noticed his friends approaching cautiously, and he motioned for them to lower their weapons. “By the way, my name is Jason, and my friends here are Frank and Riley,” he said, offering a hand to the girl. He didn’t see any recognition in her eyes as he said their names. Perhaps she didn't keep up with gaming news.

  “That was incredible!” Frank exclaimed. “Are they asleep?”

  Eliza’s face flushed a little. “Yes. Warren Root and Calypsis Leaf.”

  “Huh?” Frank replied, his face scrunching in confusion.

  “I think those are the ingredients for a potion,” Riley offered, rolling her eyes at Frank. “Right?” she asked, turning back to Eliza.

  The girl nodded shyly.

  Eliza set the remainder of her ingredients and tools on the table and then retook her seat. “How long exactly does this last?” Jason asked, gesturing around the room.

  “About thirty minutes, but they’ll wake up if you disturb them much,” she explained as she methodically re-ordered the vials into some sort of pattern that Jason couldn’t quite understand.

  “Well, since you’re one of the few conscious people in the room now, do you mind if we join you?” Riley asked, winking at Jason surreptitiously.

  Eliza’s eyes jumped up to the group, a hand pushing back at a tendril of hair that had fallen in her face. “If you want,” she replied noncommittally, returning to her task.

  As the group took their seats, the innkeeper stepped out from around the bar, sparing a scowl at the bodies littering the floor. He approached the table and set a drink in front of Eliza. “Thank you, girl. I’m sorry about your potions. As usual, I’ll reimburse you for the cost,” he offered. “You certainly spared me quite a bit of property damage.”

  “It’s not a problem,” Eliza responded meekly.

  “What does he mean ‘as usual’?” Riley asked as the man walked away, stopping for a moment to kick the prone sailor that had started the brawl.

  Eliza shrugged slightly. “I do a few odd jobs around the city. Gerald pays me to work here and keep the peace. It’s terrible for my productivity, but the coin he offers helps pay for crafting materials.” She gestured at the vials and materials on the table.

  “Are you an alchemist?” Jason asked.

  Eliza nodded. Looking up she hesitated, studying them curiously. “You avoided the mist,” she said, tilting her head slightly to the side. “You covered your faces, didn’t you?” At Jason’s nod, she smiled slightly. “The sailors never catch on. Even most players don’t notice it until it’s too late.”

  “It’s an impressive trick,” Jason said. “You’re going to have to show me how you did that. I didn’t realize that water magic included some sort of poison spell.”

  “It doesn’t,” the girl replied quietly, pouring the contents of one vial into another and swirling the mixture gently. Changing the subject, she asked, “Why are you all here – if you don’t mind my asking?”

  Frank interjected. “We were hoping to talk to the sailors about a nearby island. Of course, that plan has sailed now. Ha. Get it?” he asked Jason and Riley. This earned him a small smile from the shy water mage and a groan from Riley.

  “Why are you looking for an island?” Eliza asked.

  As Jason debated how much to divulge to the girl, Alfred chose that moment to leap up into her lap. He purred at her softly as she reached out a tentative hand to stroke his head. Jason watched the exchange with a puzzled expression. If the AI trusted this girl, then maybe he should be more candid about their goal.

  “We’re looking for an ancient temple,” he explained. “We don’t have much more to go on other than that the temple is located on an island near Falcon’s Hook.”

  The girl tilted her head for a moment as though listening to something and her gaze shifted to a vacant seat at a nearby table. A small frown creased her lips, and she shook her head slightly. “I-I’m not sure I can help you. You might want to speak with one of the houses.”

  “I understand,” Jason said with a nod. “Could you offer some advice on who we should speak with? It’s obvious there is some sort of feud between these two trade houses, but we aren’t sure which way to go here, and that brawl didn’t exactly help,” Jason trailed off, looking at the bodies still lying about the room.

  Eliza looked back at the vacant seat sharply, muttering something under her breath. Jason could have sworn he heard her say something like “don’t pressure me.” He glanced at Frank and Riley and saw similar, confused expressions on their faces. Was the girl crazy?

  “Fine,” Eliza muttered, turning back to the group, her expression warring between irritation and resignation. “I suggest you meet with Lord Baen.”

  “Where exactly can we find him?” Riley asked unc
ertainly.

  Eliza spared one last glance at the empty chair before sighing heavily. “I suppose I can show you the way. It’s not like I ever have any choice.” With that cryptic response, Eliza rose to her feet, piled her vials into her bag, and spared a wave at the innkeeper.

  As she led the group through the inn’s doorway, Jason’s eyes rested on Eliza’s back. He felt conflicted. Between the spell she had used to disable the sailors and her strange behavior, there was definitely something unusual about the girl, but they needed the help. He would just have to keep a watchful eye on her.

  Chapter 9 - Agitated

  “What exactly are you suggesting?” Gracien demanded.

  “A partnership,” Alexion responded. “I get the sense that your opinion – and your guild for that matter – are not respected by Vaerwald’s Council. We also have a common enemy in the Twilight Throne. I believe I can assist you with both of these difficulties.”

  The fire guild master paused, clearly mulling over the offer. “How exactly do you plan to accomplish this feat?”

  A humorless smile stretched Alexion’s lips. “I understand that the fire guild acts as Vaerwald’s police force and its first line of defense in the event of war. It stands to reason that your influence on the Council would be enhanced if something… unfortunate were to befall the city.”

  Gracien’s eyes widened, and he glanced at Caerus with an incredulous expression. “What are you planning to do? There is a limit to what I will accept in terms of collateral damage – especially if it involves my city.”

  Alexion waived a dismissive hand. “The casualties to the city’s residents will be nominal. I will ensure that the body count is weighted heavily toward the travelers. They are expendable after all,” Alexion added, his smile widening further.

  “Hmph. And what would I be expected to provide to this partnership?” the fire guild master demanded, his eyes flashing with crimson energy.

  “Initially, we only need a few of the undead slaves you have purchased and some of the magical explosives that were used by Riley and her group,” Alexion replied, keeping his irritation in check at the man’s insolent tone. He felt he was close to closing this deal.

  “I suspect you aren’t doing this for free,” Gracien grumbled. “What do you stand to gain by helping our guild?”

  Alexion nodded. He had been expecting this question and had already prepared his reply. “My goal is to destroy the Twilight Throne. All I ask in return is your unflinching support in crushing the undead.”

  Gracien hesitated as he considered Alexion’s offer. A fleeting expression flitted across his face – one that Alexion knew well. The man craved power. Coming to a decision, Gracien finally slammed the butt of his staff into the ground, flames swirling around the head and leaving small tendrils of smoke in their wake. “Your offer is acceptable. I can give you three of the undead. We recovered several caches of explosive crystals when we confiscated the enchanter’s shop. Will this be sufficient for your purposes?”

  “That will be perfect,” Alexion replied with a small smile. “If you will deliver the crystals and undead to this grove later this evening, we will take it from there.”

  “Fine.” The fire guild master moved to walk back down the trail, motioning to the other red-robed mages loitering among the trees. Pausing, he turned back to Alexion and met his gaze evenly. “Do not test me or think to betray me. I am a blessing to my allies and a calamity to my enemies.” With that, he strode away, not bothering to wait for Alexion’s response.

  “Hmm, that went as well as could be expected,” Caerus remarked as he watched the fire guild master retreat to Vaerwald. “What do you plan to do next?”

  “We need to prepare our forces,” Alexion replied, shifting his attention back to the noble. In a hushed tone, he added, “Gather two or three soldiers to undertake the mission – do not use travelers. There should not be any survivors. This includes our own men.” Alexion couldn’t afford to let word of his plan spread.

  Caerus’ eyes widened slightly, but he gave a curt nod. “It will be done,” he replied. “I will leave now to attend to this matter.”

  Alexion didn’t bother to respond. His gaze shifted back to Vaerwald, taking in the city’s enormous floating rings. The sun was already beginning to creep toward the horizon, its rays peeking out briefly from behind the thick gray clouds that loomed in the sky. A throng of players and NPCs crowded around the platform that stood below the city, trying to return to Vaerwald before night fell.

  The void in the back of Alexion’s mind thrummed in approval as he considered what he planned to do next. As Caerus and his soldiers disappeared further back into the forest, Alexion thought for a moment that he felt a gentle hand rest on his shoulder. He could have sworn that he also smelled the familiar, tantalizing scent of perfume on the air.

  ***

  The group stood outside of a gigantic home on the northern end of Falcon’s Hook. In contrast to the makeshift appearance of the rest of the town, this building was a well-constructed manor with stone walls and curving graceful arches holding up a tiled roof. A short wall ringed the complex and opened into a small courtyard.

  Yet Jason still noticed small signs of wear and disrepair, the defects highlighted in blue as his Perception skill triggered. Many of the roof tiles were broken, and some were missing altogether. The entry courtyard was riddled with leaves and dirt, and the fountain – broken and in disrepair – had moss and weeds growing around the base.

  “This is Lord Baen’s manor,” Eliza explained, adjusting her glasses on the bridge of her nose.

  “It’s not much to look at,” Frank remarked. “Or maybe I’m just getting spoiled.”

  “No. This house has definitely seen better days,” Riley agreed.

  “Should we just step inside?” Jason asked Eliza, uncertain how to proceed. He didn’t see any guards or attendants present at the gate.

  The water mage shrugged. “I guess so.”

  The group stepped into the courtyard and approached the front door. It was solid oak with ornate patterns carved into its surface. A heavy iron knocker was affixed to the door, and Jason tentatively tried knocking. When that met with no response, he pulled at the door handle experimentally. It promptly shifted open, the hinges squeaking loudly.

  “What do you think you are doing?” a voice demanded from inside the manor. The scowling face of a middle-aged gentleman suddenly appeared in the doorway. He wore a velvet tunic and his clothing was pressed and well cared for.

  Jason jumped slightly, startled at the man’s sudden appearance. “I’m sorry. There was no one at the gate, and no one answered the door when we knocked. We’re here to see Master Baen. Is he available?”

  “Lord Baen is in his study,” the man replied, eyeing the group’s weapons and dusty armor with distaste. “I believe he has a few minutes until his next meeting. Who should I ask is calling for him?”

  Jason’s gaze shifted to Eliza. “Eliza…”

  “Eliza Zhao,” she offered, picking up on Jason’s cue.

  The man sniffed and opened the door wider. “Fine. You all can come inside and take a seat in the sitting room to the right. Please do not touch anything.” With that last statement, the man disappeared back into the house.

  “Nice guy,” Frank commented dryly.

  Jason couldn’t help but agree that the man’s demeanor was off-putting. He and the group stepped inside the home, finding themselves in a grand entryway. A massive staircase stood in the center of the room, the banister spiraling up toward the second floor. Glancing to the right, Jason caught sight of the sitting room the butler had mentioned.

  The group took up seats in the waiting room, shuffling uncomfortably on the ornate furniture that filled the room. Jason could only surmise that the furnishings had been crafted more as works of art than as practical furniture. As a result, the group breathed a collective sigh of relief when the stuffy butler finally reappeared.

  “Lord Baen will see you now
,” he intoned. “Please follow me.”

  The man started off through the house, and the group ascended to the second floor. Jason didn’t notice any other staff or guests in the manor. Instead, the house was filled with an almost unbearable silence. After the courtyard and the gruff introduction by the butler, Jason was wondering if they had chosen the right house. This certainly didn’t seem like the manor for the leader of one of the city’s most prominent trading houses.

  A few minutes later, the butler opened a door on the building’s second floor. In contrast to the rest of the dreary house, this room was brightly lit, and flames crackled in the fireplace along the back wall.

  “Ahh, Eliza,” a man called from across the room. He was sitting in a voluminous, leather chair near the fireplace. “Come here girl and let me take a look at you.”

  As the group approached, Lord Baen finally came into view. He was an older gentleman. What hair he had left had turned a bright gray some time ago. A cane rested against his chair, and his leg was propped on a small stool, evidence of a possible injury. He took the water mage’s reluctant hand, raising it to his lips. “The tonic you and Alma whipped up did the trick. The pain has been much less taxing!”

  “I’m glad I could help,” Eliza replied shyly.

  Lord Baen’s gaze turned to the remainder of the group. “Who are your friends? They look like a rather dangerous bunch.” The older man rounded on Eliza. “Have you taken in with a bad crowd? That really won’t do – you’re such a nice girl.” Eliza looked flustered, her eyes darting between Jason and the older gentleman.

  Jason interjected with a chuckle, pushing back the hood of his cloak to reveal his face. “I assure you that we don’t intend to corrupt Eliza. We actually ran into her at the tavern near the docks and mentioned that we are exploring the town and local area. She indicated that we should speak to you directly.”

  Lord Baen’s eyes focused on Jason for the first time. “Ahh, well, in that case, welcome to my home. A friend of my little potion-bearing girl here is a friend of mine.”