“Depends,” I said, looking at the map. “If Flatland Camp is overrun by the undead, which I am guessing it is, we’ll need to clear it out before we attempt the tower. In which case, yes, we should plan for wipes to reform at the graveyard.”
Olaf hummed softly, “Alright, I’ll talk it over with Mic.” Finally, he looked to Rose next, he asked, “Rose, how many tanks are you thinking?”
Rose answered immediately, “You’ve got Rock and me . . . well, hopefully Rock. I hope Micaela can get him back along with the rest of his group. A third tank to pick up any trash might be a good idea. As for healers, you’ve got Arch, Duncan, and Baby so with three tanks, we’re covered with a dedicated healer for each. Probably need at least two or three more to cover the rest of the raid.”
Olaf nodded his agreement, “That makes nine, which leaves the damage dealers. If we’re going so heavy on healers and tanks, I want to maximize our damage. Taking into account our group and Icyhot’s group, we have room for eight more.” He paused to rub his face. “I hope Mic hasn’t gotten too overzealous with asking members. I’ll go help her out and let her know what’s going on. Pwn, give me a copy of that list when you’re done.”
“I’ll come with you. I need to know how many casters versus physical damage dealers we’ll be bringing,” Pwn said, moving to follow Olaf out only to pause at the door. “Jacko, come see me at the Order house in an hour. I’ll have your list ready by then.”
“Now, hold on just one minute,” Mack said, stopping Olaf, Pwn, Rose, and me in our tracks. “I am glad to see you all are so anxious to get into that accursed place. But there are a few details you need to know.”
And just like that, Mack suddenly had all our attention. “First, Reksoni was no fool. He trapped the hell out of that tower. Make sure whoever you have scouting for you has solid trap detection skills. Hopefully, that Thief of yours has the skill level to disarm the traps. Second, Reksoni was a dragon. Anything written inside that might be helpful is going to be written in Draconic. If you can, find someone that can read it. It will cost you, but it is worth the price if it helps you avoid a few deaths along the way.”
Olaf nodded, “Anything else?”
“Good luck, you are all going to need it,” Mack said, vanishing from view.
“Rogues,” Pwn complained. “Alright, let’s go already Olaf.”
Ignoring Pwn, Olaf asked, “Bye-bye, you got the Draconic?”
“I’ll see what I can do,” I said.
“Alright, see you shortly,” Olaf said, following Pwn.
“We’ll see you there,” I called after them.
“We’d better go pack as well,” Rose said, dragging me by the arm toward the exit.
I was slightly confused by that statement. What did we need to pack? It really was a silly question. Rose just wanted some one-on-one time in privacy. The next week was likely to be extremely busy so such time would be at a premium.
After collecting Pwn’s list, Rose and I exited town and headed straight to the portal. Once we were on the other side and under the assault of the wonderfully horrid odor of the ninth ring, Rose asked, “Where to first?”
“Crafter’s Ring,” I said, “We should see about getting Pwn’s list first. Then we can go get your sister.”
“We should also stop into the Temple of Marie’s father, he owes us his Mark, remember,” Rose said.
I nodded. “Let’s go,” I said, heading for the closest jump point.
The crafter’s ring or the fifth ring was like something out of the industrial revolution. Brick factory buildings were everywhere, and they all seemed to be covered in soot and grime. Interspersed with shops with elaborate display windows. Some showing shining plate armor and swords. Others had dark leather armor with daggers or bows. One or two had elaborately patterned robes paired with staves and wands. It amused me how clean the glass windows were while the surrounding brick was as dirty as every other building.
Sporadically located around the ring were small pockets that were abnormally clean. These were the auction houses, banks, and legal offices. I was still surprised by the lawyers. The idea of needing a contract that required lawyers inside of a game seemed excessive. Then again, for as much as was spent to purchase a copy of my ‘Edda of Light and Dark’ spell, it made sense that some kind of legal document would help keep things honest.
Ignoring the lawyers and the bank, I focused on the auction house. I had yet to go inside one, so I was interested to see what it was like. Were their barkers selling lots from a stage? Or was it just a simple interface? Something in between?
Stepping inside, I wasn’t sure what I expected anymore. It was just a large foyer occupied by a few players. To one side of the foyer was a stairway leading up and to the back was a roped off doorway covered by maroon curtains. I was about to explore when an Elvin man in a black suit greeted me, “Welcome to Auction house 37. Are you here to buy or sell?”
“Buy,” I answered.
The Elf’s eyes unfocused for a moment before coming back to us. “Mr. Laken will assist you. Please go to room 213 on the second floor,” he said, then with a small motion of one of his hands, he directed us to a stairway set off to the right side of the room.
“Thank you,” I said, following his directions. Rose quickly took my arm and walked with me.
Rose whispered to me as we walked, “Is it just me, or are we underdressed?”
I looked around at the people milling around. Most of them seemed to be dressed up. A suit on one player, a formal dress on another. I didn’t really see anyone dressed for adventuring. “Maybe,” I said.
Room 213 was a fifteen-by-fifteen room. The focal point of the room was a large oak desk and the ornate leather chair that sat behind it. A red velvet couch sat against one wall and a pair of matching chairs sat in front of the desk. In the back of the room was a mini bar with a few different bottles of alcohol, and next to the bar was an overly large door.
As soon as the door closed behind us, the door on the other side of the room opened to reveal another well-dressed Elven man.
“Please, have a seat,” the Elven man instructed motioning to the two empty chairs in front of his desk. He introduced himself as he took a seat in the large leather chair, “I am Mr. Laken, an auctioneer of Auction House 37. How can we assist you?”
“Hello, Mr. Laken,” I said. “I’m Bye-bye Jacko.”
“And I’m Rose Thorns,” Rose said.
We were met by silence as the Auctioneer just stared at us with a look of absolute boredom on his face. Clearly, he was not impressed.
“Anyway, we’re here for supplies,” I said, handing over the list.
Mr. Laken looked at the list in disgust before delicately taking it from me and laying it down on the desk. “We have all this in stock, though I cannot promise the quantities will suit your needs,” Mr. Laken eventually said. Looking up from the list and to his left he seemed to be staring at something we couldn’t see. It was more interesting when he raised a hand and started moving it about. It looked like he was using some kind of touch interface. With his other hand, he was writing something on a clean sheet of paper.
After about ten minutes, he slid the paper he’d been writing on to me. “The Elixir of Volcanic Strength can be purchased for 20% less than the other buy-out options but the lot has twenty more potions than you were looking for. Also, Magi-mackerel filet with dark forest morels and Jasper Bee Honey only have 25 available. As an alternative, I listed the Elemental Bison steak with Lucite Sugar Crystals as a good substitute but will cost 23% more. Other than that, everything you are looking for is available at the prices listed. Let me know if you have any questions.”
I looked over the list, but I may as well have been reading Greek . . . except I could read Greek in the World Tree. The point was, I didn’t know what 99% of the things on the list were. The only thing I did recognize were Mana Potions and Healing Potions though even those had multiple types listed. I take that back, there was one other thin
g I could recognize. The price.
“We’ll take it all,” I said, putting down the 623-Gold, 5-Silver, and 39-Copper. It almost wiped out everything I had on me. Thankfully, I still had more in the bank. That said, I would need to talk to Olaf and Micaela about reimbursing me for the cost. I couldn’t keep paying for everything or it wouldn’t be long before I ran out of money.
“Very well sir,” Mr. Laken said, accepting the money and going back to his screen. A few minutes later he said, “You may collect your items from the lobby attendant in twenty minutes.”
“Um, excuse me, Mr. Laken, I am also looking for a Draconic Language manual,” I added.
Then Mr. Laken looked decidedly uncomfortable with what he said next. “Given the money you have paid out, Auction House 37 would like to invite you to attend our private auction in the main auditorium, I do believe there is a copy of the manual listed today.” He then looked me up and down before sighing again. “If you have a bank account, funds can be directly withdrawn to pay for any winning bids.”
I should have known. Of course, the book I need to find is up for private auction. We didn’t have much choice despite there being a lot we still needed to do.
“What else is up for auction?” Rose asked, clearly excited that we were going to check it out.
“Rare and expensive items,” Mr. Laken answered. “Now, if there will be nothing else. Please excuse me.” He stood and with a barely perceptible bow, he turned and left.
As soon as the door closed behind Mr. Laken, Rose said, “I got the feeling he didn’t like us very much.”
“Pure Elf prejudice, you think?” I asked.
Rose shrugged. “Probably, but who cares. Let’s go check out this auction.”
“We don’t really have a choice if we want that book,” I said, then quickly added. “And no spending anything more than we need to win that book. Purchasing those potions and meals just about wiped me out and I don’t want to make any more side trips, like one to the bank.” I really hoped the manual wouldn’t cost more than the 71-Gold I had left.
“No promises,” Rose said. “If they have something like Dragon blood, I might not be able to stop myself.”
I sighed and pleaded, “Try.”
Rose giggled and dragged me out of the room toward the stairs back to the now empty lobby. The people in suits were gone and the roped off door was now open aside from a pair of burly Orcs standing guard.
“Now we know why they were so well dressed,” Rose said, nodding toward the people seated just on the other side of the guards.
Apparently, the auction was a high-class affair, and Rose and I were clearly underdressed. As we approached the door, we were handed paddle 72 by the Elf that we met when we first entered. Rose quickly took hold of it, despite my reaching for it. With the paddle in hand, the Orc guards allowed us to pass without hindrance.
We entered just as an auction seemed to be ending, “Draft of increased Dexterity Experience for 35-Gold, going once, twice, three times, sold to number 39,” the auctioneer said, hammering her gavel to close out the auction. A handsomely dressed Orc took the small bottle from the stand next to the auctioneer’s podium and moved it off stage.
“Next up, we have lot 121083, Mystic Grade Alchemist Alembic, Mortar, and Pestle set. We will start the bidding at 100-Gold,” the auctioneer continued with the next item.
“Ooh, I bet Babs would love that, what do you think?” Rose asked.
The price rapidly increased, the auctioneer called, “565-Gold, do I hear 570?”
“750-Gold,” a man said, holding up his number 14 paddle only to be outbid by number 71 a second later.
“Too much,” I said.
It finally sold for 1,350-Gold to number 82, who promptly left the auction hall. Either he had spent all his money, or he was just that eager to try it out.
Rose and I got lost watching the auction and all the interesting items that came and went. There was a plate helmet that came at one point that Rose begged me to buy for her. It sold for over 10,000-Gold. Rose was just going to need to get over it.
“Next up, we have a rare skill book of the Vampiric family,” the auctioneer announced, causing Rose focus and her hand to tighten around the paddle, her knuckles turning white. “Bloody Thorns, a defensive spell that will inflict bleeding on anyone that strikes you.”
“Jack, I need that book,” Rose said.
I sighed. I knew as soon as the auctioneer said it was from the Vampiric family, Rose would want it regardless. Now . . . forget about it. There was no way we were leaving without it.
“We’ll start the bidding at 50-Gold,” the auctioneer announced.
Rose shot her hand into the air.
Across the room, the number 33 paddle went up, the auctioneer accepting the bid said, “I have 50-Gold, do I have 60-Gold?”
Rose placed a bid immediately which was followed by 33 bidding again. It turned into a bidding war until the price, much to my displeasure, hit 230-Gold.
“Once, twice, three times, sold to number 72,” the auctioneer announced.
Rose sat back in her chair looking slightly exhausted. “Jack, can I borrow a hundred gold. I’ve got the rest.”
I was actually relieved by that. I thought for sure she was going to expect me to pay the entire price. “Sure,” I said.
“Thanks,” Rose said, kissing me on the cheek in gratitude.
Four auctions later, the one I’d been waiting for came up.
“Next up, we have a rare collection of books, we have verified the books are written in Draconic and include a Draconic Language skill book. We’ll start the bidding at 500-Gold,” the auctioneer said, revealing a small stack of four books.
I only really needed the Language skill book, but the knowledge contained in the other books might prove useful to me. I bid.
The auctioneer started, “I have 500-Gold, do I hear 550-Gold?”
“1,000-Gold,” a gravelly voice said loudly, followed by Paddle 1 being raised in the air with the bid.
The auctioneer pressed, “I have 1,000, do I hear 1,100?”
I narrowed my eyes in the direction of whoever held paddle 1. Was he trying to scare me away? I raised my paddle.
Keeping the auction going, the auctioneer asked for the next increase, “I have 1,100, do I hear 1,200?”
“2,000,” Paddle 1 called as it was raised into the air.
“2,500,” I said, raising my paddle.
“3,000,” Paddle 1 quickly raised.
“3,500,” I countered.
“5,000,” Paddle 1 again.
“5,500,” I said. I could have jumped much higher, but why would I? Eventually either he would run out of money or I would.
“5,900,” Paddle 1 said, sounding less sure.
And just like that, I knew I had him. “6,000,” I raised my paddle once again.
The auctioneer looked toward Paddle 1’s location again but no further bid was forthcoming.
“I have 6,000-Gold, once, twice, three times, sold,” the auctioneer announced, closing the bidding.
And with that, I sagged back in my chair much like Rose had.
“And here I thought I overspent,” Rose commented.
“You did,” I said, then sighing I added, “And so did I. No more private auctions for a while, agreed?”
“Agreed,” Rose said.
“And our final lot of the evening,” the auctioneer said, a hint of excitement in her voice. The house lights went down, and a single spotlight centered on her. With a flare, she continued, “We have for you, something truly rare. Something only heard of in legend. This was recently procured by an adventuring outfit from parts unknown.”
I translated the parts unknown mentally into stolen and they don’t want to tell you where it was stolen from.
“I am pleased to present, for the first time ever to be seen, a Fairy Seed,” the auctioneer finished with a flourish as a new spotlight lit upon a round wooden table that had what looked like a giant walnut sittin
g upon it.
“10,000-Gold,” someone shouted immediately.
“20,000-Gold,” another yelled.
“50,000-Gold,” yet another bid.
The bidding finally settled at, 150,000-Gold to the number 7 paddle. It was more money than I was likely to ever see in my life. I could not fathom someone spending that kind of money. And if it was a player . . . you were talking millions of dollars. I really hoped that wasn’t a player spending gold like that.
Suddenly the lights went dark. I heard several shouts from the back of the stage area.
Someone shouted, “What is this?”
Suddenly a bright bolt of lightning shot from backstage, temporarily lighting the room before it struck a heavily armored guard, the sparks of electricity coating his armor and continuing to spark in the darkened room for a few moments longer.
“Quick, get the seed,” a childlike voice shouted.
Another bolt of lightning shot and in that brief moment of light, I saw a pair of winged Fairies, working together to lift the giant seed before it went dark again. Suddenly, I had a feeling that collecting Baby was going to come with a whole lot of problems attached.
Rose must have seen the same thing because the cursing that came out of her mouth would have even made Heath blush.
Chapter 26 – Baby
Guard duty was boring. Still, a quest was a quest and Baby took on the quests she was given. Even standing outside of a locked room and guarding whatever was inside.
“Since when is guard duty a quest?”
“Since that’s what was asked of us,” Baby answered, looking to the two Fairy Mages with them for help only to get a pair of silent shrugs.
World Tree Online: The Order of Epic Grinders: 4th Dive Page 44
