They both enjoyed the laugh as they trod into town.
It was morning when they finally made it. All they both wanted was rest and then they would start on their new quest.
"Here's the inn 'Dark Stag.'" Jinx looked at the sign which was in the shape of a stag. The letters were white on a black background and stood out like a neon sign.
"I hope they have good food here." Valdara muttered under her breath as they tromped inside.
"We would like some food." Jinx sat down on the barstool.
"Sure, my ladies. What would you like to order?" A tall handsome elf smiled at them as he withdrew a pad and a pen to take their orders.
When they ordered their food, he went into the back and shouted their orders to the cook.
"Would you like any appetizers with your meal?"
They ordered bread and some chips with some salsa. They were delivered to them and they munched on them as they talked among themselves about the adventure they'd had. Especially the giant rabbit. No one would believe them, that was for sure.
"Do you know where the stable master is?" Jinx inquired.
"Here, let me show you on your map." He marked it with an X and she saw it wasn't too far away.
The meal was delicious and the dessert was out of this world. They both felt so full and content.
Their tab was one gold and 25 silver. Not bad for the amount of food they were given.
"How much for a room?" Jinx asked as she paid for her meal.
"What type of room do you wish?"
"What do you have?"
"There's the common room for twenty-five silver. Medium room for 50 silver pieces and the Deluxe room for one gold." He said.
"I'll take the deluxe." She paid him and he handed her a very finely-crafted silver key and pointed upstairs.
"Number 3 on your left."
She climbed the stairs to her room and took a long hot bath, then collapsed on the feather bed. When she awoke, she felt relaxed and at half health.
Padding downstairs, she greeted the man and ordered breakfast, even though it was past noon. As she ate, she found out where the Temple was where she could get fully healed.
Jinx considered her options as she ate her meal. There were a lot of things she had to do today, like convert her money, find out the value of the crystals she had and purchase what she needed to capture the stallion.
Jinx and Valdara talked over what they had to do. She had dismissed Azhar and when he was gone, Obsidian popped up and hopped on the stool.
"I would like something to eat, too." She said, standing on her perch, puffing out her chest.
"Sure, what will you have?" He asked, writing her order.
Jinx was surprised at how much the imp ordered.
"Are you going to pay for this?"
"Nope. She is." The imp jabbed her finger at Jinx.
"Why should I pay for your dinner?"
"I'm your minion and you support me. Besides, I have some news for you. You'll love it." Obsidian said with a sly smile curling up her lips.
"Pray tell, do inform." Jinx said, folding her arms across her chest. She was starting to like the insolent imp.
"I will inform you later when we are outside away from people. You know how people listen." Obsidian said as the waiter set her food down before her.
She gobbled down her food like a starving dog. Crumbs flew everywhere.
Valdara slapped the table, laughing.
Obsidian stopped and smiled.
"We don't eat like you. The rule is, if you don't gobble up any food you've gained, another, more powerful, demon will eat it for you." The imp said, puffing out her small chest, then dove back to swallowing her feast.
"The powerful rule and the weakest get by on whatever scraps they can." Valdara smirked. "Then how do you get by in the world of giants?"
"Ah...no one is better at spying than us." She said, her voice growing haughty.
They enjoyed their fine meal and went outside, walking down an alley. Jinx looked around and made sure they were completely alone.
"What's the info?" Jinx folded her arms and leaned against a wall.
"Your "friend" has hacked the computer and is building her base somewhere between worlds." Obsidian sat on a trash can and licked the last bits of food from her fingers.
She'd have to become a hacker. Or defeat her another way. How?
It was something to consider that she might not want to build within the game. Would the Abyss be a better place to build her castle? Could she build a castle in the game and then in Eternal Abyss?
It may be a good idea to have two castles with a portal between them. How could she protect both places from attack as Razdua was more powerful than her?
It'd be something to think about. How much was land to purchase, anyway? She'd have to find out. Something else to add to her already long list.
"Come on." Jinx motioned for everyone to follow her. She had a ton of things to do.
She checked her HUD as they walked to the small temple. Jinx saw that her reputation had increased by twenty. Her rep of The Dark Sisterhood stood at 25 and the Slayers of Life was -5.
"Why are you down with the Slayers of life?" Valdara frowned.
Jinx explained as they walked to the temple which stood at the center of the bustling town, right by the market center.
The cool air buzzed with activity as people shouted their bids to the tall woman who - with the wave of her fingers - caused the prices to appear on the screen of magic.
Jinx looked at the people who were standing next to a pole with a red button. The patrons made their bids on small screens for the items they desired.
"What are you looking for?" Valdara leaned close, whispering in her ear.
"What items are here? I might be able to use them against her." Jinx smiled when a customer left and received her item she'd purchased.
She walked up and pressed the button. Scanning the items, she learned more about the armor, spells, potions, mounts and the lists continued on.
The items were far too expensive for her to even think of purchasing. She just wanted to get a feeling of what was out there.
"Come on." Jinx left the busy room.
Outside in the bright sunshine, she inhaled the spicy scents which swirled in the air currents as merchants called out to the passing customers.
The voices of farmers carried forth as people milled around. Others labored under the sun as some women gambled in dark corners of the market.
A minion rushed by them with a paper grasped in his hands. His fast pace startled a flock of pigeons who burst into flight.
"What are you looking for?"
"The exchange."
"Here." Valdara grabbed her by the arm and led her to the exchange.
Jinx strode up to the exchange booth where a woman leaned against the counter, watching the activity going on around her.
She handed over the coins and told her what she wanted.
One hundred copper equaled one silver. One hundred silver equaled one gold.
Jinx asked about the different exchanges throughout the land.
"Only we are allowed to mint coins. The trolls deal in sea shells and pearls. The humans have a monetary system which relies on exchange and bartering." She stifled back a yawn as she continued her explanation.
Jinx listened, wondering how it would be to visit these lands. How would she deal with the other monetary systems?
"There's a small bank in the next town." She said.
Jinx thanked the lady and rejoined her group.
"Where's the next stop?" Valdara inquired as she strutted beside her.
"The stables." Jinx was determined to get her mount and learn to ride it. She'd never been on a horse in her life.
"Do you have any magic rope, a halter and some magic corn?" Jinx said to the stable master.
"Let me check." The strong female elf walked to her storeroom.
"I'm out of corn. I don't have a halter, but I can have one mad
e. As for a magic rope, what are you trying to hunt?" She said.
"A night stallion."
"Hmm..." She tapped her fingers on a wooden beam. "They are tricky and vicious."
"How should I go about catching one?"
"The magic corn lures them to the spot, but I know of another way to attract their attention."
"What?" Her eyes lit up.
"The fresh heart of the unicorn will do it. I also need a unicorn's mane and I can make a halter for you if you're willing to get the ingredients."
"What are they?"
"A unicorn mane, white stag antler powder and angel bloom." She said. "It's tough, but it'll be worth it. Who are you giving it to?"
"My mentor." Jinx wondered why she'd want this stallion.
"Ah...okay." She nodded. "Get me those supplies as soon as you can and I'll start working on it."
Quest accepted "Bring me the ingredients." It would offer 500 xp and a bridle for the mount you will get at twenty.
"Do you have any quests to do?" Jinx walked down the steps as her imp skipped along beside her.
"No." Valdara glanced around the small town.
"Good. I'm glad. After that rabbit I don't know how tough these quests will be."
"Do all Founders have to do these quests?"
'I suppose so."
"After this are we going to the thieves guild?" Valdara asked.
"Yep."
"Okay. Where are we hunting?"
Jinx brought up the HUD and scanned over it. The section where she needed to hunt the unicorn was blue.
"Are we really going to kill a unicorn?" Valdara gripped her sword so tight her knuckles turned white.
"Yep. We will kill him and get that stallion." Jinx smiled, dreaming of her own mount. What type of demonic horse did she want? Her own demonic steed which she'd call forth and ride whenever she wanted.
"It'll be fun to learn how to ride, won't it?"
"Yes, it will." Jinx agreed, wondering what other methods of travel were in the game.
Did she really want to learn how to ride an animal? Oh, sure in rl you could learn, but could you in here?
Maybe she could get a magic carpet. No. She shook her head, I need to learn. If I'm going to be a feared warlock, then I need my mount.
Envisioning herself on a fiery stallion, looking down upon someone who was shivering and pleading with her would look much more powerful compared to her sitting on a carpet.
However, maybe she could make it work. A carpet? She'd have to meditate on it.
A shrill whistle broke her from her thoughts.
"Look at this forest."
Jinx glanced around at the beautiful aspen forest with scarlet leaves that fluttered to the silver-blue grass.
"I can't believe this!" Jinx said, twirling around.
"It looks like a fairy land."
"It does, but next to the Shadow Elves?"
"You should see it where I come from. It's beautiful." The imp chimed in.
"Really? You're kidding." Valdara said, casting a glance at the imp.
"Nope. In the day it looks like a barren desert. Things change when night falls. Flowers and trees bloom and water appears. But be careful, dangers lurk everywhere."
"Can you spy on Razdua? Tell me what she's up to." Jinx asked.
The imp nodded, then vanished.
Jinx called Azhar to her.
"What are we going to do today?" He boomed in his most intimidating voice.
"We're killing a unicorn."
"Slowly, I hope?"
"Maybe."
Valdara laughed, slapping her knee.
Azhar inhaled the air, reading the scents they couldn't smell.
"This way." He trotted off, his eyes bright.
They followed him as he sped uphill. He zig-zagged around boulders and trees. He jumped over logs as he raced along, hunting.
"He loves to hunt." Valdara said as she ran along beside Jinx.
"And to kill." Jinx said, feeling the thrill of the hunt course through her blood as they raced through the trees.
"He's found one!" Jinx yelled, forcing her legs on faster.
They topped the ridge and saw Azhar battling a unicorn. The silver beast struck out with its hooves, while Azhar blocked his blows and attacked the unicorn.
The shrill scream of the unicorn vibrated through the cool evening air.
"There!"
Jinx followed Valdara's fingers as she pointed down to the valley below. Azhar and the unicorn were locked in battle.
She raced and almost slid down the slope, eager for the fight. To kill such a beast would be a mark of greatness.
Her wand blew forth scorching flames as Keylos blasted the unicorn with its dark power. The silver unicorn pointed his spiral horn, blasting her with lightning, flinging her back. She slammed into a tree, knocking the wind out of her lungs.
Gasping for air, she gulped down lung-fulls of oxygen. Staggering to her feet, she fought away the dizziness and blasted the unicorn with her dark power.
Azhar slammed his mace down upon the unicorn's shoulder as he shouted obscenities at it. The beast looked at her with wild, savage eyes and at that moment she knew it wanted her dead. Squealing, the unicorn whirled around and fought him with the fury it held for Jinx.
Distracted by the demon's and Valdara's attacks, the unicorn turned his rage on them. He lunged at Valdara, his hooves rained down on her.
"Valdara!" Jinx aimed Keylos at the unicorn as it sought to slay her friend.
Azhar roared as the unicorn faced him.
The blast of black magic ripped the life from the unicorn as he toppled over on the ground. Jinx rushed to her friend.
"Valdara, are you okay?" She grasped her friend's cold hand.
She looked so pale and near death. Jinx searched through her bags. No bandages! Great! How could I have been so foolish!
"No! Don't leave me." She begged.
She shook her head, not believing that Valdara was dead. A pressure built behind her eyes as tears fell like rain. Jinx knew she'd take her to town and have her rezzed.
"Don't leave me." Jinx's lips trembled, not wanting lose her friend.
Jinx felt her friend's spirit withdraw from her cold body. She sobbed.
"Hey, Jinx I'll find my body. We're in a game, death isn't real, remember?" Valdara's whisper danced through her mind.
She was an idiot! Jinx had forgotten she was in a VR game.
"Miss me?" Valdara said with a laugh.
"Yes." Jinx hugged her close.
"Aw...I didn't know you missed me that much." Valdara laughed.
"This is so real I forgot it was only temporary."
"I know. It's impossible to tell that you are in a game." She said.
"Come on, lets take care of this." Jinx stood, turned on her feet and strode toward the slain beast.
She chopped off the spiral horn and mane, then cut out its heart. Her lips curled in disgust at the coppery smell of blood and its slick wetness.
Chapter 9 ***
"I'll take more quests, but I have so many questions." Jinx stood, not wanting to leave.
"I know, they'll be answered in time. Just be careful. Your father has frozen your body and is keeping it alive until he finds you." Valdara explained.
Jinx rolled her eyes, flinging back her head. This just made her more determined to stay.
"The other devs said he paid a large amount to give himself a permanent place in the game."
"What? I can't believe this!" Jinx balled her fists and gritted her teeth.
"He's that determined to bring you back."
"I know. I'm not going back."
Fury clutched her heart like a dragon. All she wanted was to kill and destroy. Would her dad ever learn? She didn't want to go back. She wouldn't go back!
How dare he? Why couldn't he just leave her alone to live her life?
She walked to the Thieves' Guild and steeled herself for the cutthroats. She gave the code word and the door was sw
ung open.
She saw five question marks over the heads in the room. 1 man and 4 ladies. Three were shouting over a game of cards. One was off in a corner watching everyone with suspicious eyes and the other was handing out drinks in the large room.
They hadn't been there when she'd been there before. Do NPC's go about a daily life? Would they understand they were just computer simulations? Or would they feel they were as real as her?
They went about their lives with casual ease. It was a time where they could relax, enjoying the evening, before they set off for their crimes in the town.
The man in the corner had a "?" over his head. It surprised her that a male would have a quest. She had seen no males handing out quests. It was always the women.
"Greetings." He said with a sly smile as he leaned against the wall without a care in the world.
She greeted him and sat down.
"You have a quest?" She asked, realizing how much he didn't bow or cringe when a female was around, like the other males did in the city.
"Yes, I do. If you have the guts."
Jinx flushed. "Of course I do!"
He smiled. Deliver this package to the other side of the mountain." He said.
"Sure, I can do that."
"Take this package to Sir Xilack in the anti-paladin training area." He slid the brown package to her. "It's a dangerous journey, so be prepared young warlock." He warned.
"I will."
"Quest accepted. Take a package to the next town."
She looked on her map and found the next town. There was a path that led to the next city behind the mountains. It looked like a steep incline winding around the mountain.
What could be so dangerous about taking this trail? Perhaps renegades? Or maybe savage beasts? Whatever it was, she knew without a doubt she could face it. Stuffing the package in her pack, she got up and walked toward the woman throwing darts.
"Excuse me, ma'am. Do you have any quests for me?" She asked.
The woman threw her dart which sliced through the smoke filled air and hit the bulls-eye. She turned and studied her with a critical eye.
"Yes. I do have a quest for you. I want you to gather up some pelts for me. Kill five wolves and bring the pelts back to me."
Jinx nodded her head in agreement.
"Quest accepted. Kill 5 wolves."
It sounded simple enough. Then she could turn her attention to better quests.
Demons of the Dark Online Part 1 Page 7
