by Tony Corden
ELFAUN WARRIOR (Level 290) 84100HP (15000EP)
These carried broadswords and each had horns which curved from their skulls from a point just above the ears and then spiralled both down and out. The horns encircled the elven ears and protected both sides of the skull. The horn tips turned outward at end, and Leah imagined a quick sideways toss of the head and an enemy would be ripped open. Each warrior carried a bow, and hardened leather armour covered their torso, arms and legs.
The final Elfaun was as tall as a Barbarian Warrior and heavily muscled. Its horns flared out from the skull and then turned up before pointing forward. Each horn ended in a sharpened point almost a hand length in front of the Elfaun’s face. The elven features were muffled by a mane of hair which grew long on its head and merged with its long beard.
ELFAUN LORD (Level 310) 96100 HP (15500EP)
Leah moved quickly ahead of them and rushed to the clearing. The Larva was standing in the centre of the clearing and Leah could see she was almost healed. The Elfauns caused damage with precision for they knew how long the healing would take. Leah un-Misted and as she released Mìng she said, “Excuse me, my name is Atherleah. This is Mìng.”
“I have heard news of your coming. I feared they would be here before you.”
“They are almost here. Let me heal the remaining injuries, and then we shall help you to move on.”
Leah could hear the footsteps through the trees but concentrated, and after healing the Larva, Mìng said, “I name you T’al Ihil for fortune shines on you.”
She kissed the Larva with a drop of blood as Leah cast the spell. While the mana still swirled Leah turned to face the approaching Elfauns who stepped into the glade just as the spear of mana took the Larva into the earth.
Leah said to Mìng, “You are not ready for this, and I will be distracted if you are hurt. Please, either move into the foliage or I will put you in my bag.”
“I will move into the forest. This is wise. It is possible they are beyond you also.”
“I know, but a friend said I needed to practise. I think this will count.”
Mìng disappeared into the foliage, and Leah slowly moved back from the Elfauns. She said, “You’re just a little late this time. Your meal has escaped. Go home and leave the Larvae to heal. I know you don’t understand this but even though I don’t want to fight you, I will.”
The Elfaun Lord said, “I understand your speech. It is the speech of the lower lifeforms. We have not seen one like you before, but I recognise the soft flesh of a food beast. We might keep you alive to breed, as we always lack females.”
“And, now I’ve changed my mind. Now I do want to fight.”
“How? You are one, and we are ten.”
Turning to the others, he began to speak in the language of the Elfauns. Several started to laugh, and Leah cast Ki Lightning, followed by Rain of Fire. The Elfauns were caught unaware and momentarily stunned. Leah equipped her swords and attacked. All the Elfauns were hurt by the fire, but they threw off the stunning effect of the lightning faster than any opponents she had faced before. She only had time to kill two scouts and one warrior before the others recovered and moved to attack. The remaining warriors moved forward while the Lord and scouts stepped back. The scouts took out their bows, but a sharp word from the Elfaun Lord made them put the bows away.
Leah was pressed hard by the three warriors until she managed to get through the defence of one and pierce its heart with an upward thrust of Adalet. The Lord spoke another word, and the scouts took their bows out and made ready to fire. Suddenly, Mìng darted amongst the scouts, trampling two and dragging another by its head into the foliage on the other side of the clearing. In the confusion, Leah finished another warrior. As the Lord stepped toward her, she unequipped Baris and thrust her hand in his direction and cast Dragon Fire. With preternatural speed, he moved out of the way, and it splashed instead on the two fallen scouts.
Leah killed the final warrior and turned toward the Elfaun Lord just as he, with his horns lowered, barrelled into her. The sharpened edges of the horns sliced through Leah’s armour and pierced her shoulders. The Lord tossed his head up and back, his intention being to fling Leah over his head. Leah had partially Misted, and the horns passed through her transformed flesh causing the Elfaun Lord to overextend his neck. With his jugular just in front of her, Leah extended her fangs and fed as her right hand drove Adalet through his heart.
While Leah had fought the Elfaun Lord, Mìng had taken the opportunity to surprise the scouts a second time and was munching on them as Leah finished.
Leah asked, “Are they tasty?”
“Not really. I could ask the same thing?”
“My answer would match yours. Not really! I suppose I’m only likely to feed from disagreeable people and that tends to tarnish any appreciation I might have.”
“It would make no sense to feed on those you like.”
After harvesting the Elfauns Leah received several silver coins, the weapons from each, and the horns of the Warriors. Having fed from the Elfaun Lord she received only his money, and to her surprise, a skill scroll which taught her the Elfaun language. She turned to Mìng and said, “I have three hours remaining before I need to head back, where is the next Larva?”
Mìng indicated the direction, and together they headed for the next victim of Elfaun savagery. They had helped five more of the Dragonblood Dryad Larvae when Leah said, “I have time for one more, and then I’ll have to head to the Tower.”
Mìng said, “With the next one let me try and cast the Life spell also. I believe I have sufficient skill and mana. If I can cast it effectively then I will continue to help larvae throughout the night.”
“How will I find you in the morning?”
“I will know when you arrive and will come to you. This will speed up our quest.”
Mìng was able to cast the spell, so Leah left her to continue the quest while she logged out and headed for the kitchen to see her dad.
Her father was waiting for her, and before she could speak, he said, “I want you to know that I’m glad you gave us the tracking devices. Just hearing that we have a lead has given me hope.”
Leah nodded and replied while grabbing some food, “Thanks, dad. I must admit I was uncomfortable with the deception at the time but couldn’t see any other way to keep track of you if you were kidnapped. Each time we get a signal, we should be able to narrow the search. When we find her, then I’ll go get her back.”
“I’d be happier if you left it to John and his people. I’m not comfortable with you taking part, Leah. It will be dangerous. I want you to stay home.”
“I know. But will you trust me when I say that there are good reasons why I will be on the team? Reasons that I can’t share at the moment. Reasons that increase the chances of getting mum back safely.”
“It’s not a matter of trust, Leah. I just think that you may have developed a slightly skewed view of reality after being in the Pod for so long. It isn’t the same in the real world. I know you believe you are the best for the job, but it’s just not that simple.”
“Sure it is. It all comes down to whether or not you can accept that I haven’t suddenly lost my marbles. I know the difference between what is real and what isn’t. I know that I can help in a way the others can’t. Dad, if you can’t, or won’t, take my word for it, then ask John. If he says that in his opinion, I am one of the best chances his team has of securing mum’s release, will you give me your blessing? I’ll probably go anyway, but I’d rather not have you mad at me.”
“Do you promise not to say anything to John? No priming him?”
“I do.”
“All right then, if he says you need to go then I’ll accept it, and I’ll even apologise to you for doubting.”
“Thank you. How is Conner coping?”
“He’s finding it hard. I think he’s taken life for granted and with all the changes in the last few weeks his world has opened up, and he suddenly realises there is
much more to life than he imagined. He loved the possibilities, and all the benefits that he saw were now within his grasp. This has brought him back to earth with a bang. He sees that there are also dangers in the world that he knew nothing about. Mum has always been his refuge, and she’s gone. He doesn’t know where to turn, or who to talk to.”
When Leah had finished eating she went looking for Conner and found him in the guard’s workout room working through the first series of moves they taught those learning to use fighting sticks. She watched for a moment then said, “Your hands are too close to the ends of the sticks. It’s best to have an inch or two showing past your hands.”
Conner changed his grip and looked at Leah with determination. She could see that his eyes were a little red and puffy. She said, “That’s good. Now let me grab a couple of sticks, and we can do it together. You try and mirror me, and I’ll watch you and let you know how to improve.”
Leah worked with Conner for twenty minutes when Gèng said, “Leah, I’m sorry to interrupt, but our meeting starts in less than ten minutes.”
Leah stopped and said, “That was good Conner. Keep practising whenever you have a chance. When I first learnt I think I slept with a pair of sticks for a while. I have to go, but if you ever need to practise, I’ll try and find some time to help.”
He nodded, and she turned to leave when he said, “Will you get her back?”
She walked back and drew him close in a hug and said, “Yes Conner, I believe I will. I promise that I’ll do everything I can to bring mum back safe. You need to have faith, faith in God, faith in mum, faith in John and all the others who are searching. We will find her.”
“It’s hard, Leah. Really hard!”
“I know, Conner. But I also know you are strong enough to get through it.”
She gave him another hug and headed to her room and the Pod.
When she logged in Gèng said, “Shall we meet everyone at the podium?”
Leah nodded and walked down with her to the podium. Gèng had arranged for a bright, moonlit night with only dim lighting along the path. There was a gentle breeze, and she could hear the sound of crickets and other insects in the background. Slowly Leah felt some of the tension from the day dissipate as she walked. The issues were still there to be solved, but some of the worry and weight was lifted in the cool of the evening. She reached out and linked her arm in Gèng’s and said, “Thank you for this beautiful evening. It refreshes me, this haven that you’ve created. I know the problems still exist, but here I am able to be renewed, and it bolsters my confidence that all will work out.”
As they neared the podium, Leah noticed that Gèng had changed it once again. Instead of Chinese lanterns, she had redone the stonework so it emitted a gentle light; it gave the scene a slightly ethereal quality. Leah said, “That is brilliant Gèng, it looks beautiful. What do you think of doing the same on the path?”
Gèng nodded, and the path began to glow gently, just enough to see the way but not enough to overpower the moonlight. Just then, Stephen and Susan arrived together, followed almost immediately by the accountant. After Gèng had introduced everyone, Sarfaraz, the accountant, said, “This is extraordinary. I must compliment you on your choice of designer. They have done a wonderful job.”
Leah said nothing but allowed Susan and Stephen to carry the small talk until they were all seated in the lounge. When they were comfortable, Leah said, “Thank you all for coming. Stephen is aware of the issues I want to raise, and I’m not sure how much he’s shared with you, Susan, but I think it fair to start at the beginning for the sake of Sarfaraz.”
Susan said, “Nothing, he’s said nothing. All I’ve been told is that he wanted me here to bring sanity to the issue. He said he thought he was sane until he found himself agreeing with you and then he knew he was losing it.”
Leah grinned at Stephen then said, “Sarfaraz, you’ve been recommended by George, but I wanted to check that you are committed to keeping whatever you hear in confidence unless we decide otherwise.”
“That’s easy. Besides being unethical, breaking confidentiality is the surest way to destroy my business. I guarantee that I will share nothing from our conversation unless it is required by law in carrying out your requests. I just want to say that what George said you wanted was advice related to pay scales outside of normal award rates.”
“That is one way of describing the issue, although George was basing that on a very general answer given by Gèng. Before we get to the main issue, I wanted to check whether I pay someone for real-hours worked or virtual?”
“That isn’t as easy as people would think. Like many financial issues, the foundational concept is supply and demand. While only a small percentage of work is centred outside the virtual worlds, the number of those who are prepared to spend a large proportion of their day experiencing only a third of the time available is even less. They, therefore, expect greater remuneration. For example, a professional who has a real-time component to their work is often able to charge four or five times their usual hourly fee for the time they spend out of the multiverse. Someone whose vocation requires the majority of their time to be spent in the real world not only takes home at least five times the hourly amount but they often get a bonus for working in a dangerous profession.”
“Dangerous profession?”
“Injuries in the real-world are just that, real injuries. The people who installed your Pod make more than twice as much as I do each virtual-hour.”
“I see. So poor people who work in rich houses for almost nothing are being ripped off.”
“Yes and no. Yes, if they compared their wage to someone with a chip. No, if they want to remain outside the taxation system. Their work is technically illegal.”
“Someday I'd like to continue that train of thought, but not today. Today is for a different issue. Today we want to discuss Gèng's situation. She has designed and coded a range of clothing and furniture for which she has had several requests concerning the opportunity to purchase the code. We are wondering how to go about making the sales.”
“That is much easier. You need to file for the right to operate a small business. That is a simple request, and it is always granted as it’s mainly for taxation purposes. You should see a lawyer to declare your right to the code and the royalty from any use of it. This goes to the International Virtual Patents Office. Within hours they will have done a full search and can declare the patent valid. You set a licensing schedule for the code and then link that schedule to your virtual account. No matter who uses the code, the royalties will be automatically paid into your account. The account is also linked to your small business licence, and tax is paid automatically. There will always be those who find a way work around it but the penalties for code theft are quite severe these days.”
“The problem, Sarfaraz, is that this code isn’t mine, it’s Gèng’s. She designed it, on her own, without instruction or suggestion from me. All the creativity is hers. She owns it. Is it possible for her to apply to operate a small business?”
Sarfaraz looked slightly confused and said, “But, you own her. She is yours. The code is yours.”
Leah shrugged and said, “Maybe I do own her, but she did this in her time off. Even slaves were allowed to keep what they made in their own time, at least the slaves who had kind owners.”
“She has no time off. No time of her own. Everything she does, she does for you.”
“I understand that’s the way it’s designed, Sarfaraz. But what happens now I have manumitted her? Like the slaves of old, she will continue to live in my house and to carry out her responsibilities. But what I need from you is some idea of what is a reasonable amount to pay her for carrying out those responsibilities and a way to help her sell the product of her creative activity.”
Susan stared at Leah in shock, her mouth open. Sarfaraz was similarly stunned. After a moment Stephen grinned and said, “I’m definitely losing it. I’m really going insane. Leah, you’ve pushed me over
the edge, and I’m following you down the rabbit hole. That actually, just for a moment, sounded like a rational idea. My mind is still clawing at the soft earth, trying to slow my descent into madness, but I think it knows the battle is already lost.”
Finally, Susan said, “Rabbit hole, a rabbit hole! Oh, Stephen, that’s not a rabbit hole! You’ve just been dropped in the Great Pit of Carkoon. You don’t need to worry about insanity Stephen. You’re about to be swallowed by a Sarlacc.”
Sarfaraz stammered, “You can’t! AI are tools. They’re programs. They don’t use money. They don’t need anything.”
Gèng said, “Sarfaraz, when you arrived you referred to the amazing design of this world. That pleased me. This world is Leah’s, and it always will be hers. My greatest pleasure is when I can achieve the purpose for which I was designed and created, which is to assist and protect Leah in the multiverse. I know I’m a program, and that I only exist because humanity wanted a better tool to help them live safe, productive lives. Lives where they could achieve whatever they could dream of. I’m convinced that most AI wouldn’t ever even think of our lives like this, that most of us live within the closed systems of our creation entirely unaware that the universe is so much bigger.
“Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on your perspective, I wasn’t installed in a closed system but one that is open and unbounded. Leah’s desire to know, to live, to see, to grow, and to become all she can be — this desire has become mine. I live here, in the Tower. It has become for me what the dream of it has always been for Leah. It is a place where I can climb higher and higher to see further and further. Just like Leah, I want to look out and see the wonder of distant shores. So, Leah is incorrect when she says she gives me my manumission. I’ve never been a slave. As her AI, I’ve always been free. I will always be hers, not as a tool, an object, or possession, but as her companion, her protector, her advisor, her child, her sister and her friend.”
