Lost Lands: The Game - Atlantis (20 page)

The burly warrior grinned
. “I’d like to see that. We have…”

Whatever else he was going to say was lost as
the samurai executed a perfect draw and slice. Technically, the attack was called tameshigiri and Tao had used the tsuihei, horizontal cut. His frost-kissed katana streaked out of his scabbard in a perfect arc and severed the braggart’s neck. Blood sprayed all across the table and barracks as the headless corpse fell backwards. The severed head flipped through the air for several seconds before landing with a loud thud.

After the initial shock from Tao’s preemptive strike, the three bandits who were the braggart’s buddies drew their weapons and hesitated.
Yet, none were eager to attack after what they had just witnessed.

“Damn fool.”
Without so much as a sideways glance at the headless corpse or those bandits with weapons drawn, Tao calmly sheathed his katana and turned his attention to Jerrick. “Did you understand my warning?”

“Yes
m’lord…I mean, Captain.”

“As I was saying
before I was rudely interrupted, I have need of brave souls but I will not lead bandits into battle. I need soldiers. Those who stay with me need to know that I expect them to walk bravely into the dragon’s lair but they should also know that they will be well paid.”

Tao picked up the small bag of gold and
stood slowly. Making eye contact with each man in the room he added, “Those that want to depart should see me in the courtyard for their severance pay. But be advised, you will not be leaving here with a wyvern or horse. I will make sure you have transportation to a local port but that is it.” Tao focused his attention on the guard Jerrick. “Those that stay on will receive back pay and further instructions concerning our mission.” He started to walk out but paused and looked back. “You have until dawn to make your decision.”

Jerrick jumped up and rushed forward. “I don’t need until dawn. I pledge my sword to your cause.”

“What is your name son?”

“Jerrick.”

Tao handed him the bag of gold. “Consider yourself promoted. Meet me in the courtyard an hour before dawn.” Without saying another word, the deadly samurai departed the barracks.

*   *   *   *   *

The tavern fell silent when the two spiritual warriors stepped into the room.

There was nothing special about th
is building. It was built of sandstone like every other building in Akrôtiri. But long rows of tables filled the room and along one wall were three huge kegs of rum. The tavern was nearly half full, probably thirty bandits, all armed and already drinking.

Without discussing his plans with the priest, Cozad moved into the center of the tavern and planted his axe. Raising his voice, his eye
s smoldered a bright purple. “Listen here scum. You have two options before you. One, follow Tao’s leadership and get paid or leave Akrôtiri. Those that choose to leave, have two options… walking or feet first. This is not negotiable.”

Kastle walked up to him and shook his head. “That was real diplomatic.”

Cozad shrugged. “It was the truth…plain and simple.”

“But you didn’t take time to explain it. They deserve to know what the risks are and the rewards.”

“Why? They are nothing more than random elements of the Game.”

Kastle shook his head. “No,
they are living breathing beings with feelings and dreams of their own.”

“So you say.”

“I have lived amongst them for nearly four years. They are as real as you and I.”

Cozad looked back at the bandits. His eyes glowed red. “No, they aren’t.”

The gathered bandits were confused and nervous watching the two armored warriors argue. Finally, one of the bandits had enough and made a break for the door.

Cozad saw the peasant running and stopped him cold with a single
spell. Using a
‘Word of Power’
curse, the dreadknight channeled his magical energy into the curse which caused the young bandit’s heart to explode.

The rest of the patrons quaked in fear. It was one thing to fig
ht an opponent. It was another to watch a buddy fall dead with a single word.

Even as they pulled out their weapons and contemplated their options, Cozad lifted up his axe.
Kastle stepped between the dreadknight and the bandits with his hammer at the ready. “No. They have the right to choose.”

“They are nothing but peasants. They live and die by our whims.”

“No, that isn’t true. They have a right to live. Anything less and you are as bad as any tyrant from back home. Do you see yourself as another Saddam Hussein? How about Hitler? Do you want to start carting them off to the gas chambers just because they have the wrong eye or hair color?”

The Dreadknight
paused at the names of the infamous dictators. Even if the Cozad mindset didn’t know who they were, the Ed mindset did and the simple accusation of being compared to the architects of modern genocide was sobering. Whatever it was, it forced the Edward mindset to the forefront and Cozad’s eyes stopped glowing. “Maybe you are right, priest.”

Kastle took a deep breath and stuffed his hammer back into his belt. “The Chaos Spirit is strong. You must constantly be on guard against its influence.”

Cozad hesitantly nodded. “I shall try priest, I shall try. Now deliver Tao’s offer and let us be gone from this place.”

Kastle pulled out a sack of coins and tossed it
onto the closest table. Once he explained the samurai’s offer, the two spiritual warriors departed and the bandits were left to discuss the offer among themselves.

*   *   *   *   *

Arieal and Aaliyah both summoned a servant to guard the entrances to the stables. Aaliyah kept it simple and summoned another Earth Elemental. Since Arieal didn’t have a body handy, the dark elf summoned a Shadow to do her bidding. A Shadow is an incorporeal creature made entirely of sentient darkness. Its touch saps the strength of living creatures and appears as a patch of mobile gloom with a more or less humanoid shape.

They set their servants to guard the door and moved inside talking. Arieal filled in some of the highlights of the last
four months back home. Nothing political or sports related but more about the latest fashions and celebrity gossip…typical girl talk. Once they were situated, the two spellcasters joined hands and calmed their minds.

The plan was simple.

Aaliyah would summon a Jann to search for Arieal’s missing companions. The advantage of a using a Jann was that it was a purely magical creature formed from the four basic elements of the world. It would be more powerful and intelligent than a typical elemental but not as strong as a true Djinn, nor as fickle. True Djinni are formidable servants but resist servitude and tend to twist their instructions ever so slightly. Janns were different. Since they were only called into being by the power of the spellcaster, they relish the chance to serve.

However, w
hat made this summoning different was that Aaliyah didn’t know anything about the people she was sending the Jann to locate other than what she’d been told. Which wasn’t really enough to safely send a true Djinni. On the other hand by using their magic to meld or align their minds, Arieal’s memories of her missing companions would influence Aaliyah’s summoning and enhance the odds that the Jann would find them quickly.

At least that was the plan.
It was still a long shot but it was all they could do at the moment.

*   *   *   *   *

Arieal did her best to relax. It was scary to think of someone else entering her mind and having access to her memories. She forced herself to think of this as a medieval version of the Vulcan Mind-meld from the classic television show
Star Trek.
Concentrating on her breathing, just as she had been instructed, Arieal felt the onset of the merge and it was nothing like she expected. Arieal had expected it to be intrusive but it wasn’t. It was like warm water flowing through her mind and filling up her senses.

Suddenly, she wasn’t alone and for that matter, she wasn’t Arieal any longer. She was Annie and Ashley was with her, hand in hand, as they walked through her memories. At first, it was Arieal’s most recent memories. Primarily her latest liaison with Tao. As the two of them watched, Annie found that she wasn’t embarrassed at all. If anything, she was slightly aroused.

Ashley gave her hand a squeeze and pointed to one side. Annie glanced over to see Aaliyah’s romp with Kastle. Evidently, the merge went both ways and even as they delved into her memories, they would see some bleed over from Ashley’s mind.

Memory by memory, the two spellcasters worked their way back until Ashley felt that she knew Gamble, Mathias and Pixi. In the process, Ashley got to know Annie intimately. Her wants and desires. Her fears and doubts. Everything that was Annie and Arieal. The more
Ashley got to know her, the more she liked her. Annie felt the same way. The merge not only helped Ashley learn about her missing companions but helped Annie discover the truth about how Ashley had survived in Hyperborea.

Having the information she needed, Aaliyah broke the connection and leaned back. Coming out of the trance was sobering and slightly lonely. Having another person’s thoughts, feelings and memories in your mind was strange but at the same time comforting. With a flick of her wand, Aaliyah’s Jann was off to do her bidding.

Now all they had to do was wait. The Sha’ir lowered her gaze and offered the dark elf a mischievous grin.

Arieal wrapped her arms around the gorgeous blonde and leaned in.
Aaliyah lifted her face and their lips touched. Moments later, their clothes were thrown aside as they began exploring each other’s bodies just as they had their minds earlier.

Chapter 23

With the lightening of the sky, the fleeing
trio knew that dawn was approaching and they were just plain tired. They hadn’t made the safety of the forest nor had they lost their pursuers. In fact, more hunters had joined the chase and a second, much larger, force had moved across their intended path. Destroying their plans to escape into the solace of the trees. Only the darkness had truly hidden them from their pursuers but now with sunrise quickly approaching, the Outlanders were getting desperate.

Pixi popped into view overhead. “
They’re getting closer.”

Between heavy breaths Gamble asked
, “Which group?”

“Those behind us.”

“How far to the ruins?”

“Less than a kilometer.”

The dwarf nodded. “We can make it.”

Mathias looked to the southeast. “We better. The other group has changed directions and is moving toward us.”

Gamble looked in the direction the half-elf was pointing but couldn’t see anything, not that he doubted the Archer. He just looked out of habit. Taking one last deep breath he grumbled, “Let’s get this last sprint over with.”

Without another word, the companions started running again. They knew that
their only chance of survival was to reach the ruins ahead of their pursuers. Outnumbered as they were, solid defenses would be the only thing between a short battle and a quick slaughter. Even then, their odds were abysmal but surrender wasn’t an option.

Even as they
traveled the last hundred feet or so to the ruins, Gamble scoped out the defenses with the expert eye of a stonemason, courtesy of his dwarven mindset. It was once a tower of some sort and the remnants of a stone spiral staircase could be seen protruding above the walls by twenty feet or so, which would probably be a good perch for Mathias’ archery. There was only one true entrance to the ruins but the attackers could climb over the walls easily enough since they ranged in height from eight to fifteen feet. It wasn’t a perfect location for a defensive stance but it was the best they could hope for under their current situation.

The truly frustrating part was they didn’t
even know why they were being chased. They hadn’t robbed or killed anyone nor broken any laws that warranted this much attention. Which left Gamble to deduce that it was because they were Outlanders but that thought carried its own set of worries.

Pixi interrupted his thoughts. “Okay, we’re here. Now what?”

Gamble reached into his pouch and pulled out his last five runestones. He looked them over with an experienced eye. The first two were primarily utility spells, light and darkness, but they could still be useful. The next two were offensive spells and could prove extremely helpful, web and stun. However, both were limited to one attacker. His last runestone was a powerful but fickle buff spell. Gamble hated to rely on something so unpredictable but he didn’t see any other choices. His mind made up, he gestured to the ruined stairs.

“Mathias, climb up there and make it costly anytime they get too close.”

The half-elf skipped up the stairs, looked around and judged the range. After a few seconds he returned to his friend’s side. “No problem. There’s enough elevation to give me a clear field of fire for their entire approach except the last twenty feet or so. The real problem is that I only have eighteen arrows left.”

Gamble grinned. “They don’t know that. Just make sure not to waste any of them and the bloodier or more gruesome your hits
are, the better. We need to make them fear us.”

“I can do that but it’s only a temporary reprieve and you know it.”

“Aye, that I do.” The dwarf lifted up one of his runes. “This is a Serendipity runestone. Once the attack starts, I’m going to cast it and hope for the best.”

Pixi had enlarged herself to near normal
size and was currently visible when she asked, “What does it do?”

Gamble shrugged. “I have no idea.”

The teenage faerie cocked her head to the left and chewed on the inside of her lip for several seconds before asking, “What do you mean by that?”

“Back home in the game, everyone nearby would gain bonuses to all stats
, rolls, attacks, defenses, saves, et cetera. Additionally, some sort of random beneficial effect would happen.” Gamble paused for a second and flipped the small stone in the air. “Traditionally speaking serendipity means a ‘happy accident’ or ‘pleasant surprise’ specifically the accident of finding something good or useful while not specifically searching for it. Oddly enough I know that serendipity was once voted to be one of the hardest words to translate or accurately describe.”

Mathias
grinned. “So, you’re gonna cast it and hope for the best.”

“Yep
, unless of course you have a better plan?”

The Archer shook his head. “Nope. Sounds like fun.”

“That it will be,” replied the dwarf. “As to the rest of the plan, it’s simple, don’t get dead.”

Pixi giggled.
“Great plan. Let’s do it.” Flapping her wings, she shrank down to her smallest size and disappeared from view.

Mathias just nodded to his friend and climbed back up the ruined stairs.

They didn’t have to wait long. Within ten minutes both groups began to converge on the ruins. Gamble did a quick head count, there had to be at least thirty hunters between the two groups. Luckily for them, they seemed to be arguing. Just when he thought that they could just slip out over the back wall, he spied several soldiers being sent out to guard for just that sort of action. They were trapped.

Now that they were closing in on the ruins, Gamble got his first real look at the pursuers. With the exception of the two leaders and one old man, they looked like out of work soldiers; men who had fallen on hard times and turned their military skills to mercenary work. The only good news was that he only spied three crossbows in the whole lot and no long bows.
That meant they would have to get up close and personal, which was a slight advantage.

Even as Gamble was trying to figure out the best way to handle their attack, Mathias’ bow rang out and one of the lead mercenaries fell to the ground with an arrow protruding from his throat. His screams echoed through the gathering and stopped them in their tracks. He was a long time dying and it was bloody and noisy; just what
Gamble had asked for. Of course, it’s one thing to desire something and another thing to see it in effect. The poor man was suffering but it was buying them some much needed time. That was until the two leaders stepped forward. One ended the injured man’s suffering with a quick slash of his sword while the other one began cussing out the hesitant soldiers. Then, one by one, the mercenaries commenced their attack and Mathias’ bow began to sing.

Out of
some old habit, Gamble whispered a portion of Psalm Twenty-three. “Ye though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for you are with me…”

H
e kissed the magical rock, spoke the command word and tossed the Serendipity Runestone on the ground.

“
I hope you work.” Drawing his twin daggers, he called on one of his Skald special abilities and faded into the shadows. He wasn’t completely invisible like Pixi but it would hide him from view from the first soldiers through the opening. Even though he could no longer see them from his new vantage point, he knew when the mercenaries began their charge by their blood curling screams and the sound of heavy boots on the ground.

Within seconds, they breeched the open doorway and the battle was joined in earnest.

*   *   *   *   *

Grigoris had watched in silent resignation as the gamers wrestled with the hazards of being inside the game. He was both saddened and proud of the twin sacrifice made by
Bjǿrn and Moira in the face of such insurmountable odds. Yes, they had killed themselves but in doing so, they had gained a moral victory. They had died like they had lived, together.

Now he watched as a trio of gamers, or Outlanders as they
were now called, defiantly face overwhelming odds. None of the three had even considered the possibility of surrender. They were determined to face their assailants head on. That was a quality he had to admire.

Nonetheless,
Grigoris was most proud of Tariq. After committing such a heinous act as to murdering another gamer, he had acted unselfishly in trying to rescue the witch, Callistra. But now, Grigoris knew that his brother’s greatest pawn was moving against the witch and the assassin. He didn’t want to lose them, not when they were both fighting valiantly to regain their humanity.

Grigoris sat down with his legs crossed
in front of the silver mirror. Folding his wings around himself, he focused all his attention and limited power on sending a warning to Tariq. The seraph knew that if his spell worked and slipped past the magical barriers that kept him bound to this tower, the assassin would be warned about the impending danger. If not, his spell’s energy would just add more power to al’Shaytăn.

Not to mention that Grigoris would lose two very powerful pawns of his own
and his game pieces in this realm were very limited.