Heralds- The Proving Grounds, page 11
The eyes that moved to her only did so for a fraction of a second. She was no threat at all beside the massive threat at her side.
The large man glanced aside and gave her a slight nod, though. Jen’s suspicions about him were confirmed. His eyes didn’t stay on her long. “I say the lady has a point. We have strength. We have numbers. Lets put them to use. You want blood? Fine. You’ll get your fill as we grow stronger together.”
A heavy sigh sounded behind the line of guards. They glanced back and forth before making a space.
A rather small man stood there, his gray hair a mess on top of his head. He was dressed in finery greater than Jen had ever seen in the game, with a rapier sporting a golden hilt at his side.
And on the first day no less.
Just how much money had they made with this scheme? And where had they found the materials anyway?
“I’m disappointed, Bulorn. You helped us greatly before, and yet now you do this? In sight of everyone? A deathblow to our operation. You could have killed Frank in a back room and I would not have batted an eye. I can’t ignore this.”
Bulorn shrugged. “I never hid my intentions, Jakon.” He said the man’s name like it started with a Y, despite it clearly starting with a J. Also a hard A. Yay-kon. Guy should have gone with something more phonetic. People would be getting that wrong forever.
“If you intended to kill him, it was pretty hidden.”
“Ironblood.” Bulorn shifted his axe. “Nothing else matters. That is the prize. Once in a lifetime, and just waiting out there for us. Frank stood in the way of that.”
The little man rubbed at his temples. “We had a good thing going here. Frank understood that. We barely got rolling.”
“Money comes and goes. You’d spend the haul in a few weeks and the rules changing would kill the racket anyway. Besides, it was bound to fail before long.”
“Maybe.” Jakon glanced down at the still form of Frank. “I’m just supposed to be okay with this?”
“You could take up my challenge.” Bulorn turned the haft of his axe slightly, light glancing off the blade still coated in Frank’s blood.
“Somehow that doesn’t seem wise.” The leader of the Seven Eyes turned both of his to Jen. “I take it you know these people?”
“I do.” Bulorn nodded. “Old friends. But that’s not why I stepped in. Frank didn’t do the math. Our people would have lost to them. I figured, if it was me instead the Seven Eyes would save face. Just an internal dispute, not getting slapped around by a girl scout troop.”
Jakon stared a moment before nodding. “They do have the advantage in levels and gear. Frank was a fool to march over here.” He kicked the still form. “We have procedures for a reason.” He sighed. “Well, we had procedures.”
Sam’s voice appeared beside Jen. “Look, keep the place running for all we care. But Bulorn is right, we have a bigger fish to fry. We can help each other.”
Jakon’s expression of contempt was hard to miss. “And how is Troop 17 going to help us? You bring some thin mints?”
The smile that appeared on Sam’s face belied what was truly beneath. She casually glanced up at Bulorn. “You attached to this guy?”
He shrugged. “Sort of? Easier to work with him.”
Jakon raised an eyebrow. “I don’t care to be threatened in my own town.”
Jen stepped in front of Sam… more to keep her from charging in than to actually protect her. “We can settle this like adults. There’s no need for violence.”
“Easily said while brandishing weapons.”
He had a point. Jen lowered her sword and shield. “Then let me be the first to show reason.”
Jakon narrowed her eyes at her. “And what’s your angle?”
A flash of green sailed over Jen’s shoulder.
The hilt of a small dagger stood out of Jakon’s shoulder. His eyes widened as they turned to it.
Bulorn had his axe down and in front of him in an instant. Anna appeared out of nowhere, her own shield high beside Jen.
Sam stepped forward, her hands held high. “No need for more bloodshed.” Her hands were empty, fingers splayed and held high. “Though right now you’ve got a choice to make. I poisoned that. You’re going to have trouble moving and your health is only going to keep dropping. You’ll survive it, but you’re not going to be in any condition to fight.
“Looks to me like Bulorn here is a member of your guild. That means if we kill enough of your stooges he becomes the ranking member of the guild, and we get what we want anyway. So really, all you’re deciding here is whether you’re going to survive the day and join us in glory, or sit out early access while you bitch and whine about poison on the forums. Meanwhile, we’ll be gaining fame and renown that will last until the server is taken down.”
Jakon stared ahead. Unbeknown to Jen, he had been moving his hand toward the rapier at his waist, but it hadn’t made it there yet. He stood no chance of surviving the encounter.
Sam lowered her hands and drew her daggers in a single swift motion. “If you’re game, I bet I can take three of you before I suffer a scratch.”
Bulorn sighed a bit. “I had hoped for a less… barbaric outcome. But I wouldn’t take that bet.”
“Stop.” Jakon’s eyes had grown wide, his hand only just now resting on his sword. “That’s enough.”
Jen let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
“We… will hear you out.”
Bulorn nodded as he put his axe away. Sam and Anna followed suit, but only after the guards had put their own weapons away. The large man glanced at Jen and inclined his head toward Jakon.
She raised her hand in the healing gesture. He wasn’t grouped, guilded, or one of the Heralds, so she had no idea just how much it gave him but she cast it twice. Blue light washed over him and his limbs jerked back to life a moment later. It took him a moment to regain his composure.
He still didn’t look happy.
Bulorn nodded. “Excellent. Let’s talk.”
11
“I don’t like it.” Sam shook her head. “Can’t trust them.”
Bulorn shrugged. “We are them, at this point.” He pointed a finger at the open air over his head. He wore the Seven Eyes guild tag. He had since he had shown up here. “Besides, I’ll let you know if there’s reason to fret. Not like they can kill me.”
Anna nodded. “And now we have numbers, eyes, and ears. Much further along.”
The four of them stood at the gates of the city. People still came and went, though Jen had managed to talk them out of mugging people on the way out. They had agreed… or had at least humored her while she was in the room. She wanted them to gain goodwill, but they didn’t seem terribly concerned about the idea.
Bulorn and Sam had managed to talk them into building up their strength to fight Ironblood. They had a stockpile of resources from people coming in to sell, and were already working on crafting PVP gear. More crafting stations were already being built in a walled off section of the city to speed up production.
Jen glanced at them, shading her eyes. The moon was a pain in the butt up in the mountains. Always seemed to be at the right angle to blind her, given how big and bright it was here. “Maybe I can use those stations later…”
Anna turned to see what she was looking at. “Why? We have every crafting bench on the island.”
Jen blinked at her a few times. “We do?”
“Did you think the other buildings there were empty? Hank wasn’t playing the Sims, every building has useful stuff in it.”
“I admit, I didn’t check the other ones. I guess the super map table distracted me.”
“Fair enough. Bunch of benches does sort of pale in comparison.”
The trip had turned out… strange… and less than profitable, but Jen did get a crafting hammer out of it. Maybe she could upgrade her armor or make some from scratch that didn’t look like it had sat in a desert for two hundred years.
Maybe something that matched. That would be nice. k'12
Sam shook her head. “They are still shady as hell. I mean, yeah, we could use the muscle… just don’t get caught up in this Seven Eyes crap. You’re a Herald.”
Bulorn smiled a bit. “This from the young lady that was so intent on killing me hours ago.”
“Just establishing a pecking order.” Sam shrugged. “We already have a team. Don’t forget that.”
“I won’t. But they need watching to be sure they stay on task, so I might not be on the island much for a while.”
Jen held up a hand to wave at Bulorn. “Call if you need help, we’ll storm the place.”
“It worked so well last time.” Bulorn grinned.
Sam scoffed. “We had ‘em. Anna’s aura of dread had them shivering in their boots.”
Jen tilted her head. “Her what now?”
“Dread aura. Made us look more menacing. Applies to friendlies, who can’t see the results.”
“That… sounds like it wouldn’t work on players.”
“Not if they knew what we really looked like, no. And I think Jakon might have beat the check to resist it. He didn’t seem very impressed until I almost killed him.”
Anna shrugged. “I don’t get that kind of feedback. Mostly base it on results. The first group of guards got hit. The talky one might not have. Why I had you move closer, Jen.”
“What does it… I dunno… do? Did it mess up my hair?”
Sam chuckled. “Taller, sunken eyes, darker clothing and armor, makes you look and sound more angry than you are… subtle stuff for players. For NPCs it just gives them a fear check.”
“Huh. Weird.”
Anna nodded. “It kinda is. All I really had to bring to the table, though. Well, other than a crappy sword. Really need to get back to leveling.”
Sam nodded. “Ditto. Though it’s getting late. Jeez, never thought this stop would take the better part of the evening.”
Jen checked the clock.
11:17 p.m.
Yeesh. “Wow. Yeah, that took awhile.”
Bulorn shrugged. “Diplomacy is not for the faint of schedule. I’ll do what I can here. You’re all free to head out. I doubt we’ll have the strength to make a play for a few days.”
“Hank said to leave them for a bit, let the event get further along.”
“Sure. The longer we wait the more the threat of death will sink in, but it also means we risk not having the numbers.”
Sam waved dismissively. “We’ll figure it out. We’ll ask Hank next time we see him. For now, I’m out.” She gave Bulorn a quick mocking salute before walking off toward a rocky outcropping outside town.
Anna nodded. “Indeed.” She waved. “We’re no further than a message away if you need something.”
He nodded. “Likewise.”
Jen waved and walked with Anna. The three women had all declined to be added to the Seven Eyes guild, despite working with them for the time being.
Sam had a poor opinion of their methods. She considered herself above their childish antics and didn’t want to give them credit for the things she had planned.
Anna didn’t seem interested in joining any guild. She argued that she was an agent of this event and couldn’t represent anyone while that was true.
Jen didn’t care for what they did. Murderers and thieves, all of them. Even Bulorn had killed Frank in cold blood in the middle of a populated street. She didn’t dislike the man… but his actions were not exactly ones she agreed with. Certainly not what she would have chosen to do in his place. The other Seven Eyes hadn’t minded, except that he’d overstepped his bounds a bit and dirtied up the place. One of their own dead… just an inconvenience. No, she didn’t want to be part of that.
She didn’t voice her concerns. She just agreed with Anna when asked.
Sam was waiting around the far side of the tall rocky outcropping where they had arrived. “About done with all this mountain shit. Keeps trying to convince my brain I’m cold.”
Jen nodded. “You’re not wrong. And why is there still some sunlight up here at almost midnight?” The western sky was still blue near the horizon.
“Game has it’s own timezones.” Sam shrugged. “Not everyone that plays is in the states, you know.”
That sort of made sense. Jen opened her menu and hit the recall button.
The island greeted her. Moonlight shone across the waves. Stars shone bright in the sky above, only occasionally hidden by passing clouds.
She hadn’t noticed there were two moons before. Huh. The light from the larger one overshadowed the second.
Sam and Anna appeared a few moments later. They practically knocked Jen down.
“Oww.” Jen took a few steps back.
“Well then don’t stand there.” Sam shook her head. “The recall point is an exact coordinate, and it’s the same for all of us. Gotta move when you show up.”
“I know that.” Jen raised her chin. “Its just…” she pointed out at the ocean, “it’s a great view at this hour.”
Sam looked the way Jen was pointing and tilted her head. “It’s water. Lots and lots of water. Just imagine all the incredibly ugly fish down there.”
Anna shook her head. “Super glass half empty type.”
“It’s not half empty, it’s overflowing. With water. And ugly fish. I’m not kidding, some of them are Lovecraftian horrors with light bulbs glued to their faces. Not a good look.”
“Well on that delightful note… I’m going to try and snag another couple levels if I can.” Anna started toward the buildings at the center of the island. There were lights burning up there, making it hard to miss them. “Was nice almost overthrowing a city with you guys. We should do it again. Go all Mongol Horde on people.” She waved.
Jen smiled and waved back. “Likewise. You’re welcome to level with us when we’re about.”
Sam gave Jen a sour look. “Yeah, totally.” Her eyes disagreed with her words. “Well, I’m out. My feet are killing me.”
“They didn’t in the beta?”
“They did. I just sort of got used to it. Tried various things. Pulled my mattress onto the floor once. Made it hard to keep my balance. Good shoes is the best advice I can give, but even that isn’t perfect.” She took a few steps up toward the lights as well. “What time should we meet up in the morning?”
“I dunno.” Jen followed Sam, though she was moving things about in her inventory. “I think I’m going to mess with the crafting tables before I call it a night. See what I can figure out.”
“Not sure there’s time for that to matter much. Crafting takes a long damn time to be useful.”
“We’re low level. Low level stuff will be useful. And making what we need will be much more reliable than finding it.”
“Probably some truth to that.” She shrugged. “Have at it, Martha Stewart.” When Sam set foot upon the paved central area, she vanished with a wave of her hand.
They were not exactly a group or a guild, but her friends list let her know which ones were about. She hadn’t added them, aside from Sam. Must have been Hank.
Bulorn was still off in the mountains. Kail was… somewhere she had never heard of. The rest were offline.
She hadn’t seen much of Poe. Or ever heard him utter a word. Strange fellow.
It was the building left of the map building, when outside and facing the door, that was filled with crafting tables. They had clearly been placed in a manner that fit them in the building, rather than laid out for aesthetic reasons as they were out in the world proper. The forge was set up beside the woodworking table, which was beside a loom and a table covered with needles and scissors. Very illogical… but very practical.
After all, fire wasn’t really a concern.
While the crafting stations lined most of the room, what space was left had chests lined up against the wall. She lifted the lid on the first she came to and found it full of materials. Not enough of anything to outfit an army or build a city… but much more than the six of them would probably ever need.
Each material had a level range in its description. Handy, that. She loaded up on copper and bronze. Iron started at level ten, but she needed to get the skill up, and it was better to burn up the materials that were useless in the long run.
The blacksmithing anvil was right beside the forge, as one would expect, though it was also a bit close and sort of at a diagonal to save space.
She piled ore into a box in the smelter beside the forge and shut the door. A round timer appeared floating just outside the door and began to wind down. There were completed ingots in the boxes, but she didn’t know if smelting the ore would grant skill ups. It had in some other games. No reason to waste a chance for easy points.
There was already a hammer waiting on top of the anvil.
Sigh.
Interacting with the anvil at the forge listed a bunch of recipes. Er, recipe was the word for cooking… blueprints? Designs? Something. It didn’t seem like she would have to run across a trainer to learn to make new things. She just needed to make stuff and work up the skill.
Tabs along the top of the crafting window showed she could make other things here. Armor was up first, followed by weapons, followed by jewelry. Each had its own skill and all of them were at zero.
Super.
Because time wasn’t a factor or anything.
Armor seemed like the biggest bang for the buck at this level. It was one weapon slot versus eight armor slots. And the shield slot. No big decision there. She would work on weapons after she could outfit herself. Maybe Anna and Bulorn as well, if he didn’t get new stuff from his buddies.
A ding sound got her attention. The smelter was done. She opened the door to see the fire within put out and a stack of ingots awaiting her. The rickety stack of bricks covered with clay had proven to be quite the marvel of futuristic technology. Real world smelting had nothing on this process.
The ingots were lighter than the ore had been, but it had cost two chunks of ore to make a single ingot. But each chunk of ore was much larger than an ingot.
Madness.
She dumped the ingots into her inventory and refilled the smelter with ore. It started counting down again.
