Mitigating Risk (Nora Hazard Book 1)

by Blaise Corvin

  I woke to the sound of clapping.

  Blearily blinking, I looked up in confusion, thinking at first that I’d died. I was still lying on the road, so I was probably still alive. The sun was about to go down, though. Some time had passed. I didn’t feel any pain, which was strange.

  Durben’s body…I looked away.

  Nearby, I noticed the body of a feather-headed rock-billed poison claw demon. Half of it was just…missing.

  The clapping pulled my head around, and I sucked in a breath. A dark-skinned Areva woman stood in the roadway, wearing a sardonic grin and a shimmering gown of gold and white. She was tall for an Areva. Her throat bore an elaborate golden necklace, the kind that an imposter would never dare to wear.

  Her eyes made me feel tiny, insignificant. Just standing in the roadway, she radiated such an aura of power I thought I could get sunburned. The surrounding land was hushed, not even the insects or the birds made any noise.

  “Hello, Nora,” said the woman, her voice amused. “I’ve been watching you, and I have an offer you can’t refuse. Well, you could refuse it, but if you did, you’d be really stupid.”

  Oh, Creator, what now? I wondered. Out loud I asked, “Who are you?”

  “I have gone by many names. Valkyrie. Reaper. Here, my name is Enheduanna,” answered the powerful, impressive woman. “I am a High Priestess. You may know of me, at least by reputation.”

  I gulped. The most powerful being on Ludus short of Dolos himself was paying me a visit. I’d been dying before, but I wasn’t entirely sure that my situation had actually improved.

  In addition to being the most powerful High Priestess on Ludus, Enheduanna was also known to be quite mad. The way she was grinning at me made my hackles rise, and I wish I had the option to run away. When people smiled like that, it always meant they had the upper hand, they knew something you didn’t know, or you were about to be swindled. Since I was somehow talking directly to a woman who was at least several thousand years old, I figured it might be a combination of all three.

  “How am I talking to you without pain?” I asked, looking down at my ruined body. Fear coursed down my spine, but I was also dying. Talking to Enheduanna was terrifying, but dying puts things in perspective.

  “I seeded your body with nanos of my creation some time ago, Nora. I’m currently using them to keep you alive and pain-free. You were one of my candidates for a new experiment. Imagine my delight when you somehow procured an orb of your own! But you threw it away. That was magnificent by the way, denying it to your enemies.” The demigoddess held up a hand, showing me an orb. I had no doubt it was the one I’d thrown.

  “High Priestess Enheduanna—“

  “Call me Duanna.”

  “Okay, Duanna,” I said, my voice trembling. “I don’t understand, what is going on?”

  “Oh, that’s simple. You have a choice. You are either going to accept my very generous offer, or I’m going to let you go back to your world of pain and let the monsters come eat your body.” Enheduanna smiled and pointed at the monster body in the roadway. “This was being rude when I came to talk to you, so I ended it. After I leave, I am sure its brethren will have quite the feast.”

  “Your offer?”

  “Yes, Nora. You are going to become orb-Bonded. But not just any orb will do, no.” Enheduanna showed me the orb again that I’d thrown before pocketing it. Then she held up a different orb, one I’d never seen before with a wavy pattern to its surface.

  “You see, Nora,” Duanna continued with a slightly crazed smile, “I’ve been working on a new type of orb, not a Dolos orb, but an Enheduanna orb!” She held the new sphere aloft and struck a pose, then said, “I think you would be a perfect test subject. You will be my minion too, of course.”

  For two heartbeats I just looked at the theatrical High Priestess, going through the events of the past few days, then my whole life. I couldn’t help myself. I started laughing.

  I just don’t even know anything anymore. “Is this really happening?” I asked, wheezing and chuckling.

  Duanna narrowed her eyes and twitched a finger. Suddenly, all my pain came crashing down again, and I gagged, the reaction making the pain even worse. I couldn’t breathe. Enheduanna moved her finger again and the pain faded.

  I wasn’t laughing anymore.

  “Okay, young one, let us discuss our bargain, yes?” The demigoddess was smiling, and I felt the fear roll down my spine again.

  What in the hell had I landed in this time?

  Super Heroes

  The elegant High Priestess began walking circles around me. Even though I couldn’t feel any pain, I still couldn’t move my body. I followed the powerful woman with my eyes, and every time I saw the makeshift spear driven through my stomach, or other aspects of my ruined body, I got light headed. I didn’t feel like I was going to vomit, though. My nausea must have been suppressed along with my pain.

  “What kind of bargain do you mean—” I began, but Duanna interrupted me.

  “This will go a lot faster if you just lie there and listen,” said the demigoddess. She walked over and stared down at my face. “If you have any questions after I outline your choice and the history behind it, you can ask me then.”

  I nodded weakly.

  “As you probably know, I am the greatest High Priestess on Ludus. What you might not know is that I am also the greatest researcher on this planet, and probably many others. I am a scientist to the core. Dolos is developing weapons, and I believe in what he is doing. But while he is my liege, and he has an army of researchers to help, I still think I can do it better.

  “Since I am Enheduanna,” the woman said, her eyes gleaming, “I got a chance to prove it. I have been working on my own project for over five hundred years.”

  “Enheduanna orbs,” I muttered.

  “Yes, Enheduanna orbs,” the ancient Areva woman said in annoyance. “I thought we agreed that you would be quiet and listen? Should I remove your pain bindings?”

  The sudden fire in her eyes made my mouth go dry. Then just as quickly, she shook her head and adopted a completely different expression, saying, “No, that wouldn’t be kind. We mustn’t use our power unjustly, must we?”

  Then the most powerful High Priestess on Ludus changed her tone and bearing yet again, back to her lecture mode. “So I was given a time frame to prove my theories, to test my work.”

  I blinked at the unimaginably powerful woman flitting from emotion to emotion. I could see how events were unfolding. My ‘choice’ would probably be to die on this barren road or work for a crazy person. Wouldn’t be the first time, I thought as I continued to listen.

  “Dolos is working on weapons, and directing those efforts, but he really doesn’t understand mortals. However, I am one, or at least I used to be. On top of that, I understand creating system efficiency. Last but not least, I have different interests…Do you know what Ludus is modeled after, Nora?”

  I mutely shook my head.

  “Of course, you don’t. You wouldn’t have the background to understand anyway.” Enheduanna suddenly stopped speaking and furiously scratched the back of her head. She stomped her foot, stopped scratching and began speaking as if she’d never taken a pause. “Dolos is a fan of games from an ancient civilization, long since dead. If you must know, they were a failed offshoot of Areva. I am not old enough to have known them, but I know the games were similar to games on Terra right now; role playing games, with magic and swords. It’s why now the lesser High Priestesses must fill dungeons and restock rewards.”

  Enheduanna pursed her lips. “I know what Dolos is doing, and I believe in it, but his approach is highly inefficient. Strange, even. I can’t deny the results, though.”

  Something occurred to me, and I blabbed out, “Wait, you mean this planet, Ludus, is full of monsters because of…old games?”

  Enheduanna looked at me in annoyance, and I pressed my teeth together tightly when I realized I’d spoken out of turn.

  After stari
ng me down, she answered, “In the simplest way, yes. But to test weapons—orbs—Dolos needed to create a hellworld. In fact, Terra functions much the same way, and that is the current homeworld of your species. Your predecessors to Ludus call it Earth.”

  I really hated being immobilized, helpless, my body broken, but I wasn’t stupid. This time I held my tongue despite thinking of at least five questions I wanted to ask. Instead, I listened intently as Enheduanna continued, “I am not old enough to remember the civilization or the games Dolos modeled Ludus on. However, I can remember when Areva traveled the stars, exploring new galaxies, new planets.”

  The High Priestess got a far-away look in her eyes. “I was on a transport ship as crew during the tail end of those days. Do you know what we did to stay sane during long voyages?” She paused for dramatic effect. “Games. We played games. And we oftentimes competed with the crews of other ships, battling via tight beam connection. Those were some of the best times of my life. Do you know what games were my favorite, Nora?”

  I kept my face entirely neutral and shook my head. Enheduanna spun, spreading her arms and I caught a glimpse of beads woven into her dark hair. “Gene-mod games! These days, people on your planet would call them mutant or superhero games, but nothing was more fun than sinking into a game, becoming an avatar that stuck to walls or breathed fire - simpler versions of our real-life warriors! That was before…this.”

  Enheduanna gestured at herself, and her face fell for a moment. “What I am now is great too. But I have lived a long, long time.” Her appearance grew even dourer, but she suddenly smiled. “At least I have my work!

  “I have come a great way, Nora. Developing Enheduanna orbs on my own has been a monumental task. Finally, I am ready for real-world tests.

  "A few of them are in dungeons right now, Nora. They function as rewards just like Dolos would place Dolos orbs. I don’t care if adventurers think they’re Dolos orbs. All I care about is my work, about being right and continuing my research!” Enheduanna began growing more physically agitated, biting off her words. “I need a fair test, Nora. I can’t have the others thinking Enheduanna has lost her touch!”

  I gulped, a ball of dread forming in my stomach. The others? What others? Against my better judgment, I asked, “You’re not going to give me a choice between living and dying, are you?”

  “No, of course not.” Enheduanna looked utterly shocked by my question. “Why would I let a perfect test subject die? No, I’m going to give you a choice to follow my instructions or be transported to the middle of the Wild Lands. I doubt you would survive long there, but you’re a fighter. The data will still be wonderful!

  “I really do hope you accept my offer, though. Everyone else has special minions. I haven’t had one for a long time, and I believe you are uniquely suited for one of my orbs. Agreeing to my plan and working for me would result in benefits for me and for you.” She smiled.

  I wasn’t quite sure how to react.

  TKO

  I just stared at Duanna for a moment as she leered at me, before the High Priestess suddenly turned, bouncing on her toes. She paced, her words coming faster. “You see, Nora, Enheduanna orbs, my orbs, address a weakness of Dolos orbs, namely that they can actually kill a new orb-Bonded if integration instructions are not followed.

  “However, Enheduanna orbs immediately render the host comatose. They also work like an extremely powerful health potion, repairing and curing the body. You are a perfect candidate to be my greatest acolyte! This situation couldn’t be more perfect.”

  Duanna spun and grinned. Continuing, she said, “I’ve already been watching you for some time now, of course. Dolos has time and resources; he can afford to just pluck random mortals from other worlds and throw orbs at them. I need unique subjects, a more realistic test. Precious weapons wouldn’t be given to the average warrior. Of course not! No, they’d be saved for the unique, like you!”

  I blinked, still processing the fact I wasn’t going to die, that my fate had already somewhat been decided. Actually, it sounded like I did have a choice, but one of my options was probably still certain death. I must have had an owlish expression because Enheduanna sniffed and said, “I can see you don’t understand. This isn’t exactly surprising to me. You are clever, but not very imaginative. I will explain more simply.

  “You are not a normal woman, Nora, even by Ludus standards. You were raised in a well-off family, and actually, have a strong foundation of basic education. You’re a natural linguist, a born leader, and a survivor. Your life experiences make you decisive, but not reckless.

  “But most importantly,” Enheduanna held up a finger, “you are a natural adomopath! Your ability is passive, but adomopathy, the ability to learn by observing, is actually an ability my orbs can awaken! And while your adomopathy seems to only work with violence and combat techniques, this is exactly what I need in a test subject. The data you provide will be stupendous!” She did a little dance.

  After a few seconds, Enheduanna, facing away from me, slowed her dancing. She spun on her heel, pointing a finger. “I’ve been watching you this whole time. The last day, in particular, has been great! The way you threw that orb away so your pursuers wouldn’t get it…that is exactly the type of stubbornness I want in a research subject!”

  The High Priestess rubbed her chin and said to herself, “It’s actually probably a good thing your body is so broken, in fact. It makes this whole thing a lot easier.”

  “Huh?” I asked. Some distant part of me remembered I wasn’t supposed to talk, but since I knew I wouldn’t die now, it all seemed to matter less. Well, that and my mind was starting to get foggy.

  “Yes, I watched those mercenaries search in the bushes for hours, hoping to find this!” She held aloft a Dolos orb, presumably the one that I had thrown. “It was hilarious!”

  “Look, Duanna, I’m having a hard time paying attention. What is my choice?” My initial fear of the woman was fading as I felt my life ebbing away.

  “Oh, yes, your body is probably beginning to fail. The nanos can only do so much without help, after all. Your first option is that you are offered an orb, then I send you to the middle of the wilderness to fight for your life. You might survive, but you probably won’t. I’m sorry, but I cannot afford to just let you die on this road. I would prefer not to, but I will force feed you the orb if you refuse to take it.

  “The other choice is to accept my much more interesting offer. If you take my bargain, you will work for me for three years in order to provide the best possible data.”

  “What kind of work will it be?” I muttered, struggling to stay awake.

  “You will be responsible for recovering some of my other experimental orbs and delivering them to mortals I have preselected. Then you will largely be on your own to survive and polish your abilities. Of course, I may stop in from time to time to give you new tasks. You will always be rewarded for complying, though.”

  “New tasks like what?”

  “Oh, like destroying tools of my enemies, or teaching a lesson to those that insulted me. Taking down monsters that are running amok because some idiot High Priestess didn’t follow directions correctly. That sort of thing.”

  “But I will be free?”

  “As free as a vassal can be.” Enheduanna smiled and shrugged. “You can ignore me but doing so would be stupid. Not least of which because of what your reward after three years of faithful service will be.”

  “What?” I asked. My tongue felt two sizes too large.

  “I heard the heartfelt promise between you and your dying friend. I was watching, of course!” The High Priestess cocked her head. “If you serve me well, I promise you that you will be enrolled in the Mensk Academy, and you will meet people who will help you get your revenge.”

  “Revenge?”

  “Your old nemesis in the Jackals, Lisa, was told a year ago that if your pack were on Tanner Street, you would meet your end. She pulled some strings and ensured your little group would be t
here. Your cheap apartment, Yvadne being part of your pack, other packs pushing you towards Tanner Street, even that girl from Terra being there…none of it was coincidence. If you serve me well, I will tell you who put these events into motion.”

  Suddenly, Enheduanna’s normal mannerisms fell away like a costume, and the woman standing in the road surged with power. Her eyes glowed, her smile gleaming fierce white. “One of my enemies apparently wished to kill off my handpicked orb candidates. Nora, I would sincerely enjoy telling you the names of her agents. Perhaps you can get revenge for both of us.”

  That revelation cleared my head for a moment. My blood sang with anger, and I vividly remembered Arren dying in my arms. Now I had someone to blame for my sister’s death. Everything had changed.

  Betrayal was always met with death. Jackal law. Enheduanna was partially to blame, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about being scouted, but my priority was to avenge Arren. Maybe I could avenge my friend, and honor my promise at the same time.

  “Tell me who it was,” I demanded. My lips pulled back from my top teeth.

  Enheduanna had reverted back to her normal mannerisms. She did a turn and said in a lilting voice, “I can’t and I won’t! Not unless you take the option to be transported away, but by then it won’t matter. You would never make it back to Berber. Your best option to get revenge is to work for me, Nora. Become my protégé!”

  The stories about Enheduanna referred to her as The Schemer. She was the most powerful of the High Priestesses but preferred to work from the shadows. Despite being crazy as a yukka on bangroot, the legends still always painted her with a certain kind of nobility. I believed she would honor her promise. My instincts had proven themselves to me over the years. I usually trusted my gut about new people I met.

  I gritted my teeth, and while my mind was still clear, I made my choice. “Fine, I accept,” I growled.

  “Glad to hear it,” purred Enheduanna. Then the woman moved over to kneel above me. She placed the strange, striped orb on my lips and instructed, “Swallow this. The orb will do the rest. Your instructions will be in your pocket when you wake up.