Lion's Quest: Trinity: A LitRPG Saga

by Michael-Scott Earle

  We sprinted across the tunnel, but the knight was already stepping into the portal. Allurie’s crossbow sang out from behind us, but the knight raised his shield, and the bolt bounced off it as his legs faded from view.

  Then the rest of him was gone.

  Quest completed- Prevent the assassins from murdering Chrysa. You have been awarded 6 attribute points. You have 20 unspent attribute points.

  Quest failed- Apprehend or kill Sir Rodin Worred.

  The four remaining Freelan’s dashed toward the portal as the quest log text scrolled across my UI. The green spiral was closing, but the four managed to throw themselves inside before the edge of my sword could taste their flesh. The portal closed as my blade passed through it, and we collectively gave a shout of frustration.

  “Where did they go?” Tia’tor bellowed.

  “Quator, my guess is Phycar. It is the city where they are from. They are a powerful noble family there, but now I wonder if they have a more insidious control over the politics of the city and its country,” Moryana hissed with obvious anger.

  “How far away is it?” I asked.

  “By ship? Three weeks,” she said.

  “Damn,” I said with a sigh. I didn’t have time to chase Rodin across the world. I needed to get the rest of the relics.

  “You could take a Mind teleport,” Moryana said as she raised an eyebrow and fixed her intense eyes on me. “We all could.”

  “I will go. Let us end him. I do not leave enemies alive at my back.”

  “We’ll have to finish this election, and then--”

  “Sir Lennox, I do not believe we will need to continue with the process,” Sharles said from behind. We turned to see the fat man limping toward us. He was still at 80% life, and I hit him with a Minor Heal to bring him almost to full.

  “What do you mean?” I asked as the survivors of the battle came to stand around us.

  “There are only two members of the council alive,” the herald gestured to the man and woman Cornalic saved.

  “We elect Lady Aitcha,” the woman said, and the man nodded toward the brown-haired beauty.

  “That brings you twelve points, we can ask the families, but I would think they will all vote for our wonderful Chrysa now.” Sharles looked at the three families, and they all nodded their head.

  “Well then, it is official. All hail the Queen of Sanduport!” Sharles said as a platoon of new guards arrived. For half a second I thought we were going to have another battle, but the warriors kneeled as soon as they heard Sharles proclaim the beautiful woman as their queen.

  “All hail the Queen,” Tia’tor said, and the minotaur set the head of his axe on the ground and set his knee next to it. The rest of his party followed.

  “All hail the Queen,” Moryana bowed with her sword dancers.

  “All hail the Queen,” I said, and I knelt before the beautiful woman.

  Chapter 29

  The next eight hours were a blur of motion and conversations. The captain of the guard gave his resignation to Queen Chrysa, but the woman declined his offer and ordered him to discover if there were any more traitors in her staff. We were moved back into her private wing, and I lost track of the various conversations, updates, and visits from Sharles and the captain of the guard.

  The herald finally returned to give us a summary of what had happened.

  A year ago, Queen Yrisi planned on murdering her husband and taking the throne. The woman wanted to ensure she had men in the guards that were loyal to her, so she reached out to her kin at her homeland to send men who would infiltrate Sanduport’s palace staff. It was unclear exactly what happened, but the men and women sent were actually on the payroll of the Freelan family. Sharles guessed that the Kingdom of Gartuna must have had spies in their royal council.

  “I’ve sent multiple Mind messages, carrier pigeons, and two horse riders. However, I am worried they will use this as an excuse,” the man’s voice trailed off and he looked at Chrysa.

  “For war,” she finished for him.

  “Yes. They know that we know Yrisi murdered your father and tried to take the crown. They know that we know they sent assistance. Relationships were already strained, which was part of the reason many of the council wanted to elect Yrisi’s daughter. I fear we are in for many rough years, my queen. Gartuna will figure that you are new to your role and inexperienced. They will use the death of Yrisi to galvanize their people. I am certain there will be war, and that isn’t taking into account the Freelans. They are merely nobles, but I wonder how much power they have in their kingdom. The travel distance is large enough to not fear immediate attack, but they could use the death of their daughter to instigate an offense.”

  “Damn,” I said. “How is Sanduport’s army compared to Gartuna’s?”

  “The queen will need to consult with her generals, but I can tell you we have roughly eighty thousand active forces spread throughout our country, and we can probably train another three hundred thousand if we have need. Even though they are smaller in size than us, Gartuna has a force one and a half times the size.”

  “And what of the Freelans? How many troops can Phycar send across the ocean?” I asked.

  “Phycar, is just one of the many cities in Enane. The country is much larger than us. I would fear giving you a number off the top of my head, Sir Lennox, for they would just be depressing.”

  “You’ve found all the traitors?” Chrysa asked the fat herald.

  “We feel confident, yes my Queen.”

  “Fine. Take Leo and me to the royal vault.”

  “My Queen, your father, never allowed anyone to enter besides--”

  “I don’t care about what my father did. I am queen now. Please take us there. I have made a promise to Leo that he could take what he wanted from the trove.”

  “Yes, the man has earned it. Please follow me,” Sharles gestured for us to accompany him.

  “Please, my friends, I want you to come as well,” Chrysa said to Allurie, Cornalic, and Bolverk. “I don’t know how much treasure my father has in his possession, but I would like to give you something to show my appreciation.”

  “No,” Bolverk said with a grunt. “The God takes only what he earns through the death of his enemies.”

  “Uhh, you did kind of earn this by helping us,” I said to the gnome, but he just sat on the ground in the room cross-legged and closed his eyes.

  “I do not need anything, Lady Chrysa. Oh! Queen Chrysa! Oh! No! Queen Sanduport! Is that your name now?” Allurie said with an apologetic giggle.

  “Come on,” I said as I grabbed Allurie’s arm and beckoned for Cornalic to follow us.

  We walked to the north side of the palace with a good thirty guards as an escort. Then Sharles led us to set of stairs that led us deep into the basement. We passed three guard stations protected by five men. At each one, they opened the door to the next hallway.

  “Have you ever been down here before?” I asked the herald after we had reached the final vault door.

  “No, never. There is a separate treasury, but none beside the king has ever set foot beyond this door. He often bragged about his collection, but no one has seen it,” the man admitted with a shrug.

  “Kind of odd,” I said. “You would think he’d show it off. Sounded as if the man was a braggart.”

  “I hate to speak ill of our previous king, I will just say that, while I am not happy with the deaths which have occurred to reach the decision, I am happy we have our new queen.”

  “Thank you Sharles. Let’s open this and see what my father kept secret for so long.”

  “Here is the key ring,” the herald said as he passed her a chain. There were two guards at the vault door, and each of them also carried a key. It took a good minute to unlock the vault, and then we had to help Chrysa pull the thing open. There was a long hallway beyond, and our group followed it until it turned into a vast open room. Thoughts of a room filled with epic loot filled my head, and I felt my pulse quicken before my hope
s were curb stomped.

  The vast room was empty.

  “You are kidding me,” I said with a sigh. “Maybe we should have expected it.”

  “I don’t understand. How is this possible?” Chrysa’s voice was a mixture of outrage and remorse.

  “Dear friends, this is saddening. I will admit that my large half-orcish heart is quite broken.” Cornalic groaned. “Perhaps there is a door hidden?” he asked as he moved to one of the walls.

  “Like the door over there?” Allurie asked as she pointed to the far side of the vast room. The place was a hundred yards long, and I couldn’t see a door on the other side of the empty space.

  “You see a door over there?”

  “Yes! Don’t you see it? It kind of looks like the stone, but it’s not sneaky enough. I see that it is a door! They probably tried to hide it so that no one would clean the room beyond. I bet all sorts of naughty things are past there!” Allurie smiled at me.

  “Show us,” I said to the elf woman.

  We walked to the other side of the chamber, and Allurie pointed to the wall. I still couldn’t see anything that showed it was a secret door, but Cornalic nodded as soon as we were within a few feet.

  “Good eye, dear Allurie. This is well hidden. I shall open it. Might you all stand back a way? Just to be safe. There might be all sorts of danger hidden in this contraption.”

  We moved away from the secret door while Cornalic ran his hands over the surface of the rock. A few moments later he let out a gasp of pleasure and then pushed on one of the smaller stones. The wall slid away to reveal another hallway, and my friend motioned for us to hold our position.

  “My half-orc sense of danger tells me there are all sorts of traps inside. Allow me to preview our course?”

  “Yes please,” I said with a smile. My heart was starting to race again, and I began to have more daydreams of epic loot.

  The muscular man moved inside of the doorway, and we waited for a few minutes. He finally called out that it was clear and we poured inside.

  The hallway beyond the secret door was short, and we came to another room. This one was small, maybe twenty by twenty feet, and in the center was a single pedestal holding what looked to be a shin guard.

  The piece of armor was the strange silvery-gold metal that the other Piece of Heliotrope was, and as I walked closer, I recognized the small etched flowers on the surface. The etching reflected a purple color in the detail that tricked my eyes into thinking that it glowed with an amethyst light. The piece of armor looked like something a soccer player would put in his or her sock to protect their shin. It was just a single molded piece of metal with leather straps to wrap around the calf. It looked like it was a woman’s size, much too small for me to wear, but it would have fit Allurie just fine.

  “This is it,” I said.

  “This is what you wanted? It is the only treasure piece in the room. I am surprised. What is it?” Chrysa asked with a bit of awe in her voice.

  “It is a Piece of Heliotrope,” I said as I carefully picked up the armor to look at it.

  Piece of Heliotrope (Right Shin)

  Armor Rating - 40

  Durability - Indestructible

  Br--

  Qu--

  In--

  Wi--

  Pe--

  Ch--

  Co--

  Lu--

  This shin guard is part of the Heliotrope equipment set. Bonuses are granted with each additional item worn.

  “Amazing. I have heard of such a thing,” she replied. “It is yours, Leo. Take it with my blessing.”

  Quest Completed. You have been awarded 25 attribute points. You have 45 unspent attribute points.

  “Thank you,” I said to Chrysa. “I wish there was more treasure in here. Allurie, do you see anymore doors?”

  “No Leo.” The elf shook her head and frowned a bit.

  “It doesn’t matter,” Chrysa said. “I’m glad what you were looking for was here.” The Queen looked at Sharles. “I have other treasure troves, weapons, armor, and money in the palace?”

  “Yes, Queen Chrysa. We will find a suitable gift for your friends. I can take you to all the rooms. I have a ledger with all of our possessions.”

  “Great. Would you all mind leaving Leo and I for a few moments?”

  “Of course, dear queen,” Cornalic said as he touched Allurie’s arm. “We will wait for you outside the vault doors.

  My friends turned to leave, but I was a bit distracted by the piece of armor in my hands. The thing was exquisitely crafted, and every part of the surface revealed a new design when I studied it carefully. Chrysa turned to face me, and I slid the piece of armor into the top of my pack so that I could give the beautiful woman my full attention.

  She was wearing a dark green gown now, and she adjusted the sides of the skirt as she looked down at the stone floor of the vault.

  Then she kneeled before me and took my hands in hers.

  “Will you stay with me?” Her voice was just a whisper, and I couldn’t see her big brown eyes because she was looking toward the floor.

  “Chrysa, I--”

  “There will be war. I know of it. I also know that I am unprepared for such a task. I know nothing of strategies or leadership of men. I know how to do ledgers and trade goods, but who am I to tell these people to give their lives up for me? It wasn’t supposed to be this way. No one was meant to die. Even if I won, I thought I would be able to negotiate a new trade deal with Gartuna and avoid a war.”

  “I know. I’m sorry this happened,” I said.

  “It was not your fault. None of this is your fault. You could have taken the next ship. You fell into this by luck. My luck. I love you, Leo. I said it before. I said I wanted you to be my husband, but now my need is more than just my womanly affections. I need someone to lead my people against two enemy nations. I need someone to advise me against treachery and vultures. I need someone to hold me at night and tell me that the morning will bring better news. I need a man who is a genius tactician, a man who has honor, and a man who will carry me through the coming darkness when I cannot see so I can carry him when he is blinded. I need you, and my people need you. Will you marry me and become king?” She finally looked up at me, and her brown eyes were moist with tears.

  “I have a quest,” I said, and the words caught in my throat a bit.

  “Can your quest wait? I have never begged in my life, but I will beg this of you, Leo. Please marry me. Please become my husband. Please lead my people and me. Please father my children and teach them how to live with honor. When this war is over, and you wish to continue your quest, you can take leave from me and your duties to pursue it. Then when you have finished, you can return to my waiting arms.”

  “I--”

  “Please, Leo. Please say yes. Without you, my kingdom will not last.”

  I looked into her eyes and felt the world spin around me. This wasn’t the plan. This wasn’t what I was supposed to be doing in Ohlavar Quest. I had one job, and I needed to have it finished in two years.

  Would Sanduport last two years?

  I did care for Chrysa. She was kind, clever, funny, and filled with joy. I could see myself living with her, or dating her, but marriage? In a video game?

  This was just a game. How was I so wrapped up in it? Ohlavar Quest was beyond real.

  I realized that I would rather be playing the game than living my real life, and my real life was pretty damn good.

  I wanted to tell her no, but the words wouldn’t come to my mouth. I wanted to tell her yes, but I knew that I couldn’t. I needed to find the rest of the relics. I needed to finish my play test. I couldn’t spend the next two years leading a kingdom in war.

  But my decision could cost Chrysa her life.

  Would it really though? Sanduport had generals. They had men and women used to war. They had tacticians. Cesnie Kayleic was a citizen in this country, and I imagined the woman would be able to give Chrysa amazing advice.

 
; Chrysa wouldn’t die without me.

  But the expression on her face told me that she thought she would.

  “When does your family arrive?” I asked.

  “A week, perhaps a few days more,” she answered.

  “I will think about it and let you know once they arrive.”

  “You cannot tell me now?” she asked, her eyes filled with hope.

  “You would not like my answer right now,” I said.

  “Ahhh.” She sighed, and a single tear descended her cheek. “I will have a week to change your mind then?” Her mouth quivered a little when she spoke.

  “It is a week for me to think about it some more,” I said as I tried to smile, but I couldn’t force my lips to rise.

  “I understand. I know your quest is important. I know you have honor. I know you don’t shy away from your commitments. If you didn’t have this quest, would you say yes?”

  “Yes,” I said, and I meant it.

  “Then you will consider delaying your quest for me?” she asked.

  “Yes.” I nodded. “But I made a commitment to someone else, and my family, to see this through. I will need to speak with them about you.”

  “I understand.” The woman smiled and then the tears began to slide down her cheeks freely. “If you get them to agree. You will--”

  “I’ll let you know,” I said. “Can you stand? I don’t think you need to kneel. You are the Queen.”

  I helped Chrysa to her feet and then gestured toward the exit of the vault. She took my arm with her right hand and then wiped her tears with the back of her left glove. It was still obvious that she was crying, and Allurie gave me a sour look when we walked out of the vault.

  Sharles must have guessed what our conversation was about, and he used the time we took to travel back to our rooms to explain all the virtues of Sanduport and the long history of the nation. I didn’t pay attention to most of the words, but Allurie and Cornalic nodded politely.

  Chrysa did little else but look at me and hold tightly to my arm.

  “We’ll have the Royal quarters cleaned today, so you can move in tomorrow, my queen,” Sharles said to Chrysa as we came to stand before the doors of our wing. “And I will bring you both to the other treasure rooms so that you may select an item. Would you like to go now or tomorrow?” he asked Allurie and Cornalic.