A bit flustered, Alexander mumbled, “Good choice. The sunlight through the French doors in the morning is lovely.”
Max returned with a cart driven by the butcher’s boy who had previously fed their cat mounts. He saved Alexander from more awkwardness by shouting, “Bring out your cats! Its dinnertime!”
They all headed outside, summoning their mounts. As the giant cats appeared, Jules gasped in wonder. She instantly began hugging and petting each of them, to which none of them objected.
The boy stood in the cart, and began to gingerly hand over a large chunk of meat to each of the cats. As before, they politely took the meat from his hands, and headed toward the stables to eat.
“Brick’s in his crafting zone, so he won’t be summoning Bacon right now,” Alexander said.
“No worries. The big pig seems to prefer his food slightly aged.” He lifted a large sack from the cart. “Brought some leftovers from the fruit and veggie vendors. I’ll leave them in the stable for him.” Max flipped the boy a gold coin and sent him home.
Kai walked up to the group. “I’ve spoken with Fitz. I’m heading back to the keep for the evening. I’ll see you all back there in a couple of days!” And with a blink, he was gone.
Brick came out of the forge, shaking his head, looking as if he’d just awoken from a dream. Which, in a way, he had. “What did I miss?” he asked.
“Well, you need to summon Bacon. Max brought him dinner, it’s in his stall.” Brick grinned, summoning the giant battle boar. He thumped the pig on its flanks a few times, and scratched behind his ears, before telling him there was food in the stables. Bacon snorted and waddled off to find his dinner.
“Also, Kai just went back to guard the keep until we can get back with some folks to help secure it. Fitz and the guild mages are going to help. It seems we’ll also be getting a wizard’s tower at the keep.” Everyone laughed at this.
“You forgot the important things!” Sasha stomped her feet. “Fibble has joined the guild! And dork boy here crafted an epic item!”
This got Brick’s attention. “What’d ye make?” he asked.
Grinning, Alexander said, “You’ve been busy in the forge since we got back. You show me yours, and I’ll show you mine.” All three of the ladies giggled at this.
Shaking his head at his friend’s poor phrasing, Brick produced a two-foot metal statue of a dragon. Its wings were outstretched, as if about to take flight. The dragon looked much like Kai had, sitting atop the forge. Handing his wand to Brick, Alexander took the statue from him and inspected it.
Dragon’s Stand
Item Level: Unique
Stats: Defense +10, Morale +10, Mana Regeneration +15%
This unique sculpture, crafted in a Dragon Forge, provides enhancements to a base, and its occupants, to aid in the defense of their home.
“Brick, this is amazing!” Alexander blurted out. “We’ll put this in the main hall of the keep. Make it our Guild symbol. What do you think, guys?”
The ladies all nodded emphatically. Max, who had returned after feeding Bacon, added, “Hell yeah! Nothing looks cooler than a dragon. We’ll get banners made with a dragon logo. Maybe get shortness here to craft a giant dragon head to mount over the gate!”
Jules quietly volunteered, “I can make the banners. I just need some supplies.”
Sasha leapt at the opportunity. “Tomorrow we’re going shopping! We’ll get you everything you need, and you can set up in the workshop by my greenhouse, if you want!”
Leading the group back into the house as the girls talked about shopping, Alexander waited for them all to sit. Brick held up the wand. “This be quite the treasure! Ye could sell at auction fer a million gold!”
Alexander shook his head. “Can’t do it. Fitz says the method I used is new to Io, and that if others had a chance to examine and copy it… well it’d be like giving nukes to Napoleon. Severe negative impact on in-game warfare.”
Everyone nodded at that, before a grinning Brick said, “Aye. Well then, with this here, we’ll not be needin’ our druid. We could sell HER at auction. Maybe make half as much.”
Sasha threw a pillow that hit him in the face.
Getting down to business, Alexander said, “Okay. Tomorrow’s going to be an easy day, if busy. First, all of us should take time to visit class trainers and skill trainers. We’ve all leveled up a good bit. Lainey, can you help Jules find the rogue trainer?” Lainey nodded. “Okay, Sasha. You mentioned shopping. We’re going to need a ton of supplies. Food and drink for maybe… a hundred people. For a month. We’re also going to need whatever items you’ll all need to set up work stations for your crafts. Alchemy set, cookware, tanning rack, ingredients, whatever. Take Jules with you, get her some clothes, gear, whatever she needs.” All three ladies smiled in confirmation.
“Max, can you arrange a couple more wagons and horses? Maybe three? We’ll need to transport all this stuff.” Max just grunted and nodded.
“Brick, I’d like you to take all the weapons and armor we looted from the citadel, and make sure they’re in usable shape. We’ll need to establish an armory, and make weapons and gear available to our citizens in the event of an attack.”
Brick stroked his beard. “Aye, I can make that happen.”
“Guys, we’re going all out here. There’s no shortage of gold in the guild bank, and there’s more in the dungeon at the keep. Spend what you need to. Tip well. Talk to citizens about where we’re going, and see if you can find any volunteers. Tomorrow is all about improving the reputation of the guild, and finding recruits. I’m going to meet with the king in the morning and ask him for volunteers, as well. Also, if you run across players you have a good feeling about, especially players with crafting skills, then use your best judgement on recruiting them. Bring them back here for interviews. We’ll set up a feast in the back courtyard area.” He looked at Sasha. “Maybe get Lydia and the folks from the Ogre to help with that?” he asked. “Offer the O’Malley’s 350 gold if they can feed a hundred people here tomorrow night. We’ll provide the alcohol.” He winked at Brick, who looked slightly pale. “Don’t worry, buddy. I’m going to Broken Mountain tomorrow, as well. I’ll bring back your weekly delivery, and another big wagonload.”
An idea struck him. “Max, while you’re grabbing the wagons, can you get enough beds and such to fill all the vacant rooms here? In both the armory and the second floor of the workshop? We need to be able to house some folks here when necessary. It wouldn’t hurt to get more, if you can, to take to the keep. Or find a citizen who can craft them that wants to come to the keep. I’m going to petition the king for the use of some tents and cots from the quartermaster. We’ll return them once we’ve had time to build what we need. Ladies, we’ll need several dozen sets of linens, pillows, some bedrolls, etc.”
Alexander paused to take a deep breath. “Can anyone think of anything else?”
“I’d like to invite Lydia to the guild,” Sasha said.
“Aye, and Thea and the younglings, as well,” Brick added.
“Fine by me! Any objections?” he asked, expecting none. “Done!”
“Please remember to warn anyone making deliveries to wait on the street until escorted through the gate. Don’t want anyone teleported to the prison by accident. I’ll ask Captain Redmond to post a few men at the gates with medallions to screen deliveries and let them through.” With reasonably thorough plans for the next day complete, the friends all retired to their rooms to rest.
Alexander, having just finished showering and donning sleeping clothes, heard a noise out on the balcony. Stepping through the doors, he found his giant tiger sprawled out on the stone floor, Jules sitting with her back against its side. She was scratching his ears and talking softly to him.
“Trying to steal my mount?” he joked.
She hit him with one of those smiles that made his heart thump. “He’s so soft and warm!” She patted the ground next to her, and Alexander sat down, leaning against his tiger as well
.
“Everything going okay?” he asked. “I mean do you need anything?”
“Not a single thing.” She leaned back against the big cat and sighed as it purred. “Things are just perfect. I’m so happy you all found me. You’ve been so kind.” She drifted off, as if remembering something. “Before your dad helped me, I was… in limbo. Most of the time, everything was just darkness. I had nothing but my own thoughts. And I’m really not great company.” She smiled sadly.
“I think you’re delightful,” Alexander blurted out awkwardly, earning him another smile before she continued. “There were occasional sensations. Mostly pain. But sometimes flashes of light, or sound. I held on to those as tightly as I could, trying to make them last. But they never did. I think the doctors kept me pretty drugged.”
He instinctively took her hand and squeezed it. “You don’t have to worry about that now. We’ve got you in a pod, and the interface has learned all about how your brain works. You’ll be able to keep your connection as long as you need it,” he reassured her.
“I owe you all so much. There’s no way I can ever repay-”
“Stop right there,” he interrupted, squeezing her hand again. “There is nothing to repay. Let me tell you a little bit about us. My dad and I, along with his partner, Michael, own one of the largest corporations in the world. We’re so wealthy, we’ll never spend the money we already have in our lifetimes. Taking care of you is no burden to us, financially at all. Like Melanie said, you’re basically a giant goldfish!” This time she squeezed his hand, and let out a small laugh.
“The pod you’re in wasn’t built for gaming, exactly. Did my father tell you much about his research?” he asked.
She shook her head. “They were focused on getting me in the game and stabilized.”
“Okay, well, can you keep a secret?” She nodded and made a motion with her free hand, crossing her heart. “My father started his research nearly ten years ago, when I was diagnosed with NDS. It’s a degenerative disease that slowly takes away my ability to move my body, or control my muscles. It’s very rare, and always fatal.”
She squeezed his hand much harder. “Oh! I’m so sorry!” she said.
“I’ve been lucky to last as long as I have. And Dad and his team have created a drug that seems to have slowed the deterioration. So, things are looking up. But the pods were invented to help me, and others like you and me, to rebuild their bodies’ muscle control. To establish new connections by running and jumping in the game, while stimulating corresponding movements in our real-world bodies. Training our brains to move our bodies as they should.”
“In your case,” he added, “your body and mind were both healthy, but damaged. You mainly need the pod to buy you time for your mind to heal, and re-establish those connections. And to maintain your body while that happens, so that you’ll be able to use it when you wake up!”
Tears were beginning to form in her eyes, but she gave him a sad smile. “By ‘buy me time’ you mean, give me something to do, to keep me from going insane in the darkness,” she said. “And I would have, too. I didn’t much want to live anymore. Your dad saved my life.”
“Well, if you’re determined to repay him. I know something you could consider,” he suggested. “This is another secret. Not even the other guild members know this yet. So, you have to promise not to tell.”
“I swear.” Eyes wide, her face had adopted a serious look.
“My father and I are forming a foundation. We’ll be providing pods to maybe as many as a million people worldwide who are in situations like ours. Who need the pods to give them a chance at restoring their bodies, or minds. Or both. I’m going to offer Sasha, Lainey, Brick, and Max jobs at the foundation. In addition to helping me run it in the real world, they’ll be working in-game to help foundation clients learn how to play the game. Help them adjust, like we’re doing with you, now. But there’s no way that we can personally help all of them. So, we’ll be training the ones we help, to enable them to help others. Who can then help others. Eventually we’ll have a whole community of people ready to help those who need it most.”
“I want to help, too!” She thumped him on the chest in excitement “That would be perfect for me! I can work with others who’ve been trapped in the darkness like me.” She became thoughtful again, unconsciously leaning her head back into Alexander’s shoulder. He wasn’t about to object.
They were silent for a while, each in their own thoughts, leaning against the warm, purring tiger. Alexander didn’t notice when Jules drifted off to sleep. He might have already been asleep himself.
Chapter Five The Enemy Within
Alexander was awakened by a tiger’s tail to the face. The big cat, clearly amused, was actually grinning at him. Just how smart were these mounts?
He moved gently so as not to awaken Jules, who was still deeply asleep, snoring softly. He extricated his arm, setting her head softly against the tiger’s fur. He rose to his feet, and looked down at her.
She’s amazing. Beautiful, kind. She’s been through so much. So, you just need to chill. The last thing she needs right now is you getting all smoochy at her.
Smiling to himself, he looked around. The sun had not yet risen, though it soon would. He’d let Jules sleep a bit. Nodding at the tiger, who was still smiling at him, he headed inside to change.
Downstairs he found Sasha already in the kitchen. He pitched in, frying bacon and sausage for breakfast, while Sasha made eggs and pancakes. Lainey came in, and started chopping fruit.
They carried their several platters of food out to the dining room, to find the others all assembled, including Jules, Fitz and Fibble. Sasha and Lainey both hugged the little goblin, welcoming him to the clan. Then they introduced Jules. Fibble stood on his chair, made a little bow, saying, “Fibble protect Jules, like protect Sasha!” Then he waved his magic stick about as if defending them all from monsters. Jules was instantly enchanted.
Jules was also introduced to Fitz, who grunted politely as he stuffed bacon into his mouth. Alexander took a seat next to her, and she reached out to squeeze his hand briefly. He winked at her, and was rewarded with a smile. He could get used to those.
After breakfast, they all went their separate ways for training, and errands, according to plan. Fitz dished up two heaping plates of breakfast, then teleported Alexander and himself to the king’s study. The king didn’t even look up, just growled, “Morning, Fitz, you old goat.” Though, when he smelled breakfast, he became much more interested in his visitor. “Ah! You’ve brought breakfast! And young Alexander as well! Good morning, Alexander,” he said, taking a plate from Fitz and sitting at a side table to eat. “My compliments to Sasha. Breakfast is wonderful!”
Alexander bowed his head. “Thank you, Majesty. I’ll pass that along. I’m sure she’ll be pleased to hear it.”
“So?” the king spoke around a mouthful of pancakes, “I saw the alert that Greystone captured the keep. Anything I should know?”
“Yes, Majesty.” Alexander gave him the short version of what they found at the keep, their battles, and their suppositions on Baron Dire still being alive, and potentially being the ‘Dark One’. The king listened while finishing his meal.
“I didn’t expect to alert him so quickly that we’d taken the keep. Though if he’d tried to use the portal, I suppose he would have found out soon enough.” Alexander looked down, still embarrassed by his bonehead move.
“So, what are your plans to defend the keep?” the king asked him.
“Well, the ladies are out today buying supplies for a month, and we’re recruiting adventurers, both crafters and fighters, to join the guild in defeating the ‘Dark One’. I’ve come to ask your assistance on a few matters, though, Majesty.”
“How can I help you, Alexander?” As he asked the question, Captain Redmond knocked, then entered.
“Good morning, Majesty. Fitz. Alexander.” He took a seat at the table with them. “I’ve just come from hearing an interesting tal
e from young Sasha and friends before they whisked Lydia away for some kind of shopping spree. Seems you’ve been busy!” he chuckled.
“Alexander was just about to ask us for some assistance in that matter,” the king said. “Go on, Alexander.”
“I’d like to request your assistance in recruiting some volunteers from among the citizens, Sire. They must be made aware of the dangers before being accepted. They’ll also need to swear an oath of loyalty before Prince Kai. We can’t have spies in our midst. Also, we could use a few dozen tents, and maybe twice that many cots, until we’re able to build or repair appropriate housing. I’ll return them as soon as possible. And we can certainly compensate the crown for their use.” He bowed his head again.
“Nonsense! The quartermaster will deliver what you need by day’s end. As for volunteers, I will send out messengers to spread the word in key locations. By noon, the whole city will have heard the news. Shall I have volunteers report to your guild house?”
The Greystone Chronicles Book Two: The Dire Lands Page 11
