Last Horizon: Beta

by Daniel Schinhofen

  “State your business, travelers,” the gravelly voice of the guard came to them as he shifted to stand in front of them.

  Kittish stepped forward, “We come to speak with the Red Baron about a small transaction that might be mutually beneficial.

  The graying veteran nodded and spoke over his shoulder, “Go see if the Baron will speak with these travelers.” As he finished speaking, a page stood up from a stool and went racing towards the keep. “Step aside while you wait,” the guard ordered, motioning them to clear the passage.

  Shrugging, the group stepped to the left and took in the area. The keep itself was a solid stone building in the center of the area enclosed by the walls. It had tall towers at the corners and the walls seemed to be quite thick. Around the keep were various wooden buildings. They could see a blacksmith shoeing a horse, and what looked like an inn. As they waited, a townsperson with a small pull cart appeared from the passage and stopped in front of the guard.

  “Back again, Devlin?” the guard greeted shaking his head at the townsfolk. “I was sure Roland told you to stay away. He’ll kill you if he sees you.”

  Devlin looked back at the guard, “I have brought some foodstuff to sell to the Bloody Inn.”

  The guard sighed, “Yes, yes I know. She is indentured Devlin. Unless you can come up with the one hundred gold she can't leave. Your daughter is fine. I check on her every day.”

  Devlin grimaced, “Yes, Thymas I know. She tells me. While I thank you for that I will not stop seeing my daughter while that pig Roland is still here.”

  Thymas threw his hands up in exasperation, “It be on your head then. I will not intervene if he finds you.”

  Devlin started pulling his cart towards the Inn, shaking his head. “I know Thymas, I know. Just watch out for her please old friend.”

  The group raised eyebrows at the exchange as the page came running back. “He agrees to see them Thymas.”

  “Very well you lot, follow the page. If you get lost I wouldn't count on any guard being gentle with you.” Thymas nodded them towards the page and went back to watching the entrance.

  They followed the page with Amythyst asking, “Excuse me page, who is Roland?”

  The page shuddered slightly and spoke over his shoulder as he guided them. “He is the right hand of the Red baron. He was the last surviving member of the Baron's Guard when his father was slain. The group that killed the old baron got away but they left Roland alive.” He muttered something under his breath, it could have been along the lines of 'more’s the pity'.

  “A question, page,” Kittish interjected, “the current Baron seems to be fair if firm. Is the same not true of Roland?”

  The page glanced back to answer but his eyes grew round and he didn't say anything, looking past the group. Coming towards them was an old, gray but still very fit warrior. He was dressed in plate mail with a sword and shield on his back. “What is this, page? Rabble to disturb our baron?”

  The page bowed deeply to the man, “Sir Roland, this group came to seek audience with the Baron and he did agree to speak with them. I am taking them to him now.”

  “Go page, I will take them myself. I need to remind his lordship that he doesn't have time to waste with frivolities. You lot follow me and keep up, we aren't at the park.” Roland sneered and marched off as the page ran away.

  The group exchanged glances as they followed him, feeling a mutual dislike of the man. He went at a fast pace leading them into the keep, shepherding them into the meeting hall. He motioned them to stop at the entrance and continued towards the far end where a middle aged man was seated on a simple throne.

  The two men conversed in lowered voices for a few moments. After a time Roland stormed off, his face red and a vein in his forehead throbbing as he stomped past the group, muttering under his breath.

  “Pleasant guy, hard to believe he isn't liked.” Dumadin muttered as they were waved forward by the Baron.

  “Greetings, adventurers. You wished an audience with me, what is the purpose?” The Baron sat back in his seat and seemed to be listening intently.

  Kittish stepped forward, “Baron, we have come on a mission for a dying friend. We wish to seek a trade for a small item that was left behind here at the keep many years ago.”

  The Baron nodded when she paused, “An item left years ago? I dare say it probably has been taken by one of my guards then, lady. What item is it that necessitates a group of you to come seeking it?”

  “A journal is the item we seek, Baron,” She cut off as the Baron abruptly sat forward in his seat.

  “Thallien's journal? He is dying then. I had hoped him long dead. Why should I relinquish a prized possession to you?”

  The group exchanged glances as Kittish took a moment before speaking. “Lord, we know not why this journal means much to you. We only know that he has given us a quest to return it to him before he dies. We have some small treasure and would buy it for a reasonable price.”

  The Baron sat back, studying them, “No, I will not give up the journal of my father’s murderer. I had a feeling he might want it back at some point and have safeguarded it for years now. However, I would consider a trade...” he trailed off with an evil grin.

  “Depending on what trade you seek Baron, it might be for the best. What are you willing to trade for?”

  He motioned her closer and whispered to her. Kittish nodded as he finished and stepped back. “I will need to discuss this with my group, Baron. One moment, please.”

  “Of course, take a few moments, but that is the only thing I will trade it for. It’s not like you have mithril with you so...”

  Dumadin laughed, thinking of the mithril ore in his bag still. “I'm sorry, Baron, for my outburst. Please give us a moment.”

  The group huddled and Kittish informed them what the baron wanted. “He wants us to kill Roland without it being traced back to him. If we are caught he can't show leniency for fear of losing more men. It seems Roland has a chunk of his men's loyalty. The Baron believes if Roland is removed he can better control the men. The only option for an overt attack is defending ourselves which will get us exiled from the Baron's lands. Or we can give him that chunk of mithril we’ve been carting around. I wonder why he wants it?”

  Felton spoke up, “It makes the best light armor in the game. Acts as a metal breastplate but wears like leather for casters and stealthers.”

  “Okay then, do we kill Roland or give the metal over?” she asked the group.

  “Why not both? Look it's beta, so we won't be keeping it anyway. Let’s see what happens if we offer both ways to him?” Dumadin tossed out.

  Shrugging the group decided to try, as mithril weapons were a long way from Felton's ability. Dumadin handed Kittish the mithril ore when her back was to the baron so he wouldn’t see it. Smiling, Dumadin whispered, “Go rock his socks.”

  Kittish turned back with a giggle, “Baron, we accept... both conditions.” She held the mithril out to him and watched his eyes grow round.

  “Both...? I don't...” His eyes stayed locked on the mithril as Kittish stepped forward and placed it on the lowest step of the dais.

  “Here is the mithril for the journal and we will deal with your issue on our way out. We will probably have to speak again before we leave, but please keep it in mind.”

  A page darted to grab the ore at a motion from the Baron. “Agreed it is then, wait a moment while a page brings the journal.”

  A few minutes later the page who took the ore returned with a journal that looked just like the others they’d collected. Kittish quickly flipped it open, noting the same handwriting and put it into her bag. “Thank you Baron. We shall be on our way. We’ll just be stopping at the Bloody Inn for a quick drink on the way out.”

  The Baron stood, “You are always welcome and I will grant you one boon of your choice next time we meet. Fare you well adventurers, give Thallien my regards when you speak to him next. Tell him Johnathan says hello and farewell.”

&nbs
p; The group bowed and curtsied as they left the throne area. “He seemed okay,” Terets ventured, “not like dick nut Roland.”

  “Yeah. Let’s go to the Bloody Inn, I get a feeling that he’ll be there causing trouble,” Felton mentioned as the group was led out by a page.

  They strode to the Bloody Inn with a feeling of anticipation. As they approached the door Devlin came flying out, tumbling and bloody landing at Amythyst's feet. Amythyst and Kittish immediately cast their heals on him as Roland came striding out pulling his shield and sword off his back.

  “I told you Devlin...” he paused, taking in the group who was readying their own weapons. “You rabble had best mind your own business or else you will find yourselves back in front of the Baron on charges that will end in your execution.”

  Dumadin took a half step forward, “No we won't, sunshine. You see, you have assaulted one of our friends. That means we’ll be taking him and leaving peacefully. Unless you intend to stop us?”

  “Papa!?” A busty redhead burst from the Inn with her dress half torn. She went to run to Devlin, as she passed Roland he grabbed her arm and stopped her.

  “Get back inside wench or I will flog you in the square. I still own your indenture and will see you serve every man here if you don't step quickly.” Roland spat as he flung her back at the inn, turning to make sure she went.

  She collapsed and began to cry for her father. The group’s hands tightened on weapons as they watched that scene. “Hey dick nut,” Terets shouted, “want to try that with a man, or does your little prick only feel better dominating helpless women?”

  Roland turned around his face flushed red, “You cur, I will teach respect for your betters. Men, fall in and deal with this rabble.” Roland slashed his arm forward as ten men surged forward at his command drawing weapons.

  “I am defending myself,” Dumadin shouted as he braced for them to come closer.

  As they reached him, a buzz of electricity was heard and the ten men gasped as they found themselves in electric legs shackles for one second. Everyone blinked for a moment, the mobs because of the one second stun and the group because that looked different. “Hah, that was awesome,” Kittish cheered.

  The group of guards shouted and started forward again as Dumadin Anger Howled to get their attention. As they closed on him they found themselves afflicted with Distracting Shout, Gas Bomb, and a fireball.

  Then ten all swung at Dumadin and his life bar dropped rapidly from ten attacks at once. Amythyst started to cast Healing Light onto him, a golden beam of light coming from the heavens and a smaller beam hitting his target. “Pretty,” Amythyst giggled as she cast it again.

  Kittish got another Chain Lightning off as Roland circled the mob to try and flank the casters. Emelia met him on the way around, “Excuse me, Sir Dick Nut, but those are my friends and you will not reach them.” As Roland swung at Em, Amythyst used the necklace to mark her as target for copied healing.

  The first strike took off 10% of Emilia's health bar. “You will die quickly wench, then your friends.” Roland swung again to be Parried from Em's necklace, allowing her to use Riposte for an attack of her own.

  “I doubt that,” Em smirked as she waited for his next swing. A double Healing Light brought her health back to full, causing her to smile at Roland. “When we’ve dealt with you, then we shall have a toast to dickless men who learn their place.”

  Dumadin took a pounding from the ten guards as Terets, Felton, and Kittish focused them down one by one. Kittish switched to Shocks as it cost less aether and had a faster cast time, so she could start tossing Healing Pulse onto Dumadin and Emelia. The Healing Pulse grew a small vine that spiraled up one leg with small flowers that spouted pollen onto the target. The targets of her Shock were hit with a ghostly whip of electricity that snapped and sparked as it struck.

  Emilia was holding her own against Roland until he used an ability that tossed her back thirty feet. Em's shout of surprise pulled Kittish's attention to Roland as he closed on her. “Now it is your turn elf,” he laughed as he swung his blade. He gasped as Shock hit him, giving Kittish a moment to run away. As the stun ended he yelled and went to follow her when Em interposed herself again, her life already regening from heals and HoTs.

  “Now I do believe we still have a fight to finish,” Em said and hit him with Dirty Tricks.

  As they started to duel again, Terets and Felton managed to kill three of the guards, giving Dumadin a little breathing room. “Two more, then Amythyst can keep up with the oncoming damage, which means you can go jump dickless.” Dumadin grunted as he took another hit.

  “Okay,” Terets said and cast Gas Cloud again, as Felton used Distracting Shout. They picked out a fourth target and started whittling him down as Dumadin held the guards there with another Anger Howl as Amythyst was almost pulling aggro because of her constant heals.

  Kittish focused on Roland as the two guys dealt with the guards, chain casting Shock onto him. Those one second pauses stopped after three consecutive shocks. “There’s a built in diminishing returns in the game, he’s stopped being stunned by my spell.” Kittish yelled at Em as she had taken advantage of the three stuns to get some extra damage in. “Amythyst, I am going to HoT Dumadin then stun the group, get a Fireball off during the stun.”

  Amythyst finished her current heal and as she saw the chain Lightning hit the group of guards dropped a Fireball on top of them. Two guards dropped, one killed by the Fireball while Terets and Felton finished off the other.

  “Go,” Dumadin said as he Anger Howled again.

  Terets and Felton rushed Roland from behind as Emilia pressed her attack. Just as they got to Roland he slammed his shield into the ground sending out a shockwave. The shockwave picked up and threw the three friends away from him, as well as paralyzing them when they landed.

  Kittish noticed the debuff as she cast Healing Pulse on them and called out. “Dumadin they’re out of it for half a minute, gonna need you.”

  Cursing Dumadin bashed his way clear of the five remaining guards and rushed at Roland, taking a few hits as he went. Roland and Dumadin met with a clashing of shields and cries of rage. The guards who had started to chase Dumadin found themselves seized by Chain Lightning again and stunned. Kittish triggered her necklace and ring in quick succession for the two free bonus spells.

  “Amythyst, I’ll keep Dumadin up for the moment, burn those five down they only have 10% health left.” Kittish cast Healing Pulse on Dumadin again.

  “On it,” Amythyst yelled and cast Fireball on the guards.

  The two warriors circled each other testing with small strikes trying to find a way past the other’s shield. “I am going to kill you and give your women to my men for their pleasure,” Roland taunted Dumadin with a sneer.

  “Over my dead body, which isn't for at least six months,” Dumadin growled back and swung his hammer, which bounced harmlessly off Roland's shield. “I am going to free the young lady you assaulted after you lie dead.”

  Roland slashed, finding a gap in Dumadin's defense and gashing his side. Dumadin noted his health wasn't diminishing even with the HoT and used his last two charges from his necklace to Block the attacks that came next.

  “Guards are down and I got Dumadin again,” Amythyst called out. She’d finished charring the guards and was casting Healing Light on Dumadin once again.

  Kittish nodded and cast Shock on Roland, hoping the stun would affect him again. The other three who had been paralyzed got back to their feet and rushed in for the kill. Roland was stunned briefly, but not before he whistled loudly as he realized he was surrounded and in dire straits.

  As the group began to lay into Roland guards started rushing towards them from around the complex. The group got the fatal blow in on Roland and quickly fell into a square with Kittish and Amythyst at the center.

  One hundred guards rushed them with weapons drawn, seemingly intent on retribution when a voice boomed. “STAND DOWN!” The sheer force of that voice made even t
he group lower their weapons for a moment.

  Thymas strode though the guards, yelling again as they started to move forward. “I SAID STAND DOWN!” The voice again stopped everyone from moving. Thymas stood before before the group without a weapon in his hand. “Surrender to the justice of the Baron or these men will cut you down.”

  Dumadin shook himself free of the commanding voice and spoke, “We would be willing to be brought before the Baron. However, Thymas, we would not trust these guards to do so, their eyes gleam for unjust vengeance. If they take us we might meet accidents on the way. We will go willingly if you pick the men and accompany us yourself.”

  A murmur started up in the crowd and a few of the guards started forward again. Thymas gestured and the guards were quickly subdued by other guards. “The law is all, you will not stop these people from getting justice from the hands of the Lord.” Turning to Dumadin he nodded, “I will take you with the men I pick, first hand me your weapons.”