Grand Game 269: Leaving (Patreon)

Cara and I did not exchange any words until we exited the emporium. Once through the gate, I turned to her. “I’m sorry. I’ve just realized I didn’t consult you before my request to Kesh. I hope you don’t mind the trip?”

Cara chuckled. “Not at all. It’ll make for a welcome change, actually. My time in the citadel was… well, boring. Not much interesting ever happened there.” Her hooded face turned in my direction. “Except for you, of course.”

I nodded, glad she was not angry. “What has Kesh told you?”

“About where we are going? She’s given me the basic rundown on the sector. I know the valley is in turmoil, contested by all three Forces, and is ripe for expansion.” Cara tilted her head to the side to study me curiously. “Kesh has also told me you’ve done quite well for yourself over there.” She paused. “Odd. I would never have pegged you for a merchant.”

I shrugged. “That’s less my doing than Saya’s.”

“Saya? This is the player you’ve been corresponding with by letter?”

I nodded. “She’s been running the tavern for… almost two years.” Has it really been that long? “And mostly, things seemed to have gone well, but of late, Saya’s had some difficulties, and now, we’ve lost contact with her.”

“You’re worried?” Cara asked, her tone grave.

“I am,” I admitted. “There have been no missives from the tavern in over a month, and while Saya is capable enough, she is no fighter.”

“Whatever trouble is plaguing the tavern, it can’t be too bad,” Cara said reassuringly. “It’s located in the safe zone, after all.”

I sighed. “I hope so.” I banished my gloomy thoughts. “But enough of the sector; we’ll find out how matters stand there soon enough. What happened in the citadel after I escaped?”

Cara shrugged. “There’s not a lot to tell. The mantises vanished almost immediately. It was as if they knew you’d left.”

Which they probably had once Loken had told them.

“After that, the plague quarter pretty much returned to normal,” Cara added. “Until yesterday.” She laughed. “You really do have a talent for creating a stir.”

I sighed again. “Speaking of yesterday… do you know if there is a way to remove a trait?”

Despite her concealing hood, I could feel Cara’s surprise as she stared at me. “Why would you want to?”

“I seem to have acquired one not to my liking,” I replied reluctantly.

“One not to your—” Cara began. “Oh. You mean a negative trait. Which one is it?”

“Alchemical resistance.”

“Ah… that’s too bad.”

Suspecting the worst from her words, I nevertheless asked, “How do I rid myself of it?”

Cara shook her head. “You don’t. Traits are forever. The only possibility is acquiring a second trait to offset the effects of the first.”

I lifted my head, hope blossoming. Another trait? Now, there’s a thought…

Cara, though, was quick to dispel my excitement. “But the likelihood of finding the right trait is vanishingly small unless you have the necessary Class. In this case, that means an alchemical one—which you don’t have.”

“Damn,” I muttered, deflating again. “I’m stuck with it, then?”

Cara nodded. “I’m afraid so,” she said sympathetically.

I felt silent for a moment, pondering what this meant for me. “Is alchemical resistance common?” I asked finally.

“Not ordinarily,” Cara replied. “You usually only hear tell of the trait after prolonged player battles, and even then, it does not affect everyone equally. Some are more susceptible than others. The important thing, though, is not to let the trait advance once you’ve contracted it.” She paused. “I’m sure you’ve realized this already, Michael, but I’ll say it anyway: avoid imbibing any potions in future. You don’t want to become addicted.”

I shuddered. “Now, there’s a cheerful thought.” Deciding against probing further, I turned my attention to the surroundings.

The streets had grown busier in the interim, and I realized we were nearing the global auction. Turning right down another road, I detoured around the market square to avoid its perpetual crowds. “Just how are we getting to the valley, anyway?” I asked suddenly. “Kesh didn’t tell me.”

Cara did not remark on the change of topic. “Kesh has given me the sector’s coordinates. I will open a portal to its safe zone.”

My eyebrows rose in surprise. Cara was getting us there? Somehow, I’d assumed that Kesh had arranged for transport with the Triumvirate knights. “I didn’t know you had aether magic.”

“There is a lot about me you don’t know,” Cara said, sounding amused.

“That’s true enough,” I agreed with a smile of my own. “Hmm… how many can you transport?”

“There is no limit as such. As long as I have mana, I can hold the portal open.” Cara glanced at me. “Why do you ask?”

My eyes narrowing in thought, I let my gaze rove over the auction’s crowds. “I have an idea.” Gesturing for Cara to follow me, I swung left and into the busy square.

✵ ✵ ✵

The conversation died again when we entered the square. The crowd’s constant din made talking impossible, as did the steady stream of players flowing past. Leading the way, I forged a path for Cara and me, but the going was slow.

Feeling guilty for leading the agent into this mess, I glanced back. To my surprise, Cara was faring better than I was. The surrounding players were giving her a wide berth, seemingly more afraid of brushing up against her red cloak than they were of bumping shoulders with me.

More at ease, I pushed on into the center of the square. Reaching the statue of the Adjudicator, we broke out of the crowds. “Sorry,” I apologized to Cara. “I’d forgotten what the auction is like.”

“Oh, it’s no bother,” she replied. “I know the square well.”

I quirked an eyebrow, marking the fondness in her tone. “You spent a lot of time here, then?”

“I did in my younger days when I was—” She shook her head. “But that’s all ancient history, and I’m sure of no interest to you.”

On the contrary, I was intrigued, but before I could say so, Cara went on.

“I’m more interested to find out why we are here,” she finished, looking at me expectantly.

I didn’t answer immediately. I hadn’t explained to Cara the reason for this detour. To some extent, that was because I wasn’t certain how she’d react, but mostly it was because I didn’t know if the one I was looking for would be here.

Turning around, I scanned the base of the Adjudicator’s statue.

“It’s not anything to do with the Adjudicator?” Cara asked, a note of trepidation entering her voice.

“Definitely not,” I replied emphatically. “I’m looking for—” I broke off as I spotted a familiar figure. “Wait, I see him. Shael!” I called out, waving to attract his attention.

The half-elf looked up, and recognition lit his face.

“Michael,” Shael greeted warmly as he walked over. “I’m surprised to see you back so soon.” He made a show of looking me up and down. “And in one piece too. I guess you survived that date, then?”

I could feel Cara’s quizzical gaze, but I only laughed. “That I did, and more. You’re still here, I see.”

“As always. Do you have another job for me?” He flashed a quicksilver grin. “I hope you don’t mind me saying, but I hope it pays as well as the other. That was easy money and all for the work of five minutes!”

“I’m afraid I have something a bit more long-term in mind this time,” I murmured.

Shael’s brows creased. “What do you—” The bard broke off as he finally noticed Cara standing silently beside me. “And who’s this? A lady and one of Kesh’s famed agents as well, if I’m not mistaken.” He bowed in an elaborate flourish. “Greetings, noble lady.”

Cara shook in obvious amusement but did not respond to the bard. “Who’s your friend, Michael?” she asked, and although it went unvoiced, I heard the real question beneath: is he why we are here?

I inclined my head. “Shael is one of my first acquaintances in Nexus, courtesy of a chance-met encounter. He’s been stuck in the city for a long time. Too long, in fact. Anyway, he guided me truly, and I have a mind to repay the debt.” I threw her a questioning look. “If I can.”

Cara caught my drift immediately and nodded in assent.

Shael, meanwhile, was darting puzzled glances between us. “There is no debt, my friend,” he said. “You paid me for the questions I answered, remember?”

“Perhaps,” I allowed. “Still, your information led me true, and the least I can do in return is offer you an opportunity.”

“What opportunity?” Shael asked, looking less enthused now.

“A chance to leave Nexus,” I replied quietly.

Shael’s face went blank. “I’d rather you pay me in coin.”

I shook my head. “That’s not possible, I’m afraid. The job in question is in another sector entirely. We are on our way there right now.”

“I told you I’ve grown comfortable here,” the half-elf replied, an edge to his voice.

That was when you couldn’t leave, I thought. “You did,” I agreed and held his gaze. “But I still offer you the choice. Will you stay? Or come with us?”

For a drawn-out moment, Shael didn’t say anything, then his eyes narrowed. “And what do you get in return?”

“Backup,” I replied succinctly.

The bard frowned.

“The sector we’re going to is contested,” I explained. “Multiple factions are there and in numbers. In truth, I’m not sure exactly what sort of mess we’ll be walking into, and I will be more comfortable with someone to guard my back.”

“The conflict itself should prove to your advantage,” Cara interjected. “You may even find a patron.”

I cast her a sidelong glance. What did she know about the bard that I didn’t?  But now was not the time to ponder the matter. I refocused on Shael. The cheerful demeanor he wore like a mask had disappeared as he considered our words.

Everything I’d said to Shael was true, if perhaps not the whole truth. I didn’t expect to find myself in any pitched battles, nor did I expect Shael to provide direct combat support.

I was thinking farther ahead—much farther ahead—past whatever troubles were afflicting the tavern today. In the long run, Saya would need a combat player to support her with any other problems that might crop up. And Shael had already proved himself trustworthy.

Besides, what tavern doesn’t need a bard?

Shael’s gaze flitted to Cara. “Why isn’t Kesh providing you with a guard escort?”

I shook my head. “Too conspicuous. I hope to go unnoticed if  I can.” I glanced at Shael meaningfully. He was a deception player, just like me. “And you, I know, can blend in better than most.”

Shael shifted uncomfortably. “Will it be dangerous?”

“Undoubtedly.”

“Will I be paid?”

My lips twitched, knowing I had convinced him already. “Handsomely.”

The bard thought about it for a moment longer. The conclusion was forgone, though. “I’m in,” he said heavily. “But I have a feeling I’m going to regret this.”

I grinned, not in the least daunted by his misgivings. “Excellent. Let’s get going then.” Spinning about to face the demarcated teleportation area, I led the way back into the crowd.

✵ ✵ ✵

The area was as busy as I remembered.

When we reached the platform’s base, Cara placed her hand on my arm. “You two wait here,” she said softly and ascended the stairs to speak to one of the knights on duty.

While the pair spoke, I let my gaze rove over the teleportation dais. A never-ending stream of portals opened and closed, spilling out more players or swallowing just as many. But not everyone was using portals, I noticed. Some vanished or appeared without the requisite shimmering curtain of white.

A scarred elven woman, in particular, attracted my interest. Standing alone on the dais, she was not intoning the words of a spell under her breath; instead, she was fidgeting with the bracelet wrapped around her left arm.

Almost as if she felt my gaze, the player looked up and stared right at me. She’s the bounty hunter I saw in the square the other day, I realized. The elf nodded at me—in recognition of a fellow guild member, I thought—and I waved back. Then, before I could even think of stepping over and speaking to her, the elf pressed a stud on her bracelet and disappeared.

Now, how did she do that?

“Well, you seem to have landed on your feet,” Shael said, speaking up before I could pursue the matter further.

I turned to him. “What do you mean?”

The bard grinned and idly twirled the flute in his hands. During our walk over to the platform, he seemed to have regained his equilibrium. “Oh, only that when you arrived in Nexus, you were a wet-behind-the-ears noob. Now, look at you,” he said, gesturing at me. “Rubbing shoulders with Powers, bearing fancy swords, and with an emporium agent as a companion.” He smiled. “Not only that, but you’re also rich enough to sponsor a beggar bard out of this damnable city.”

“Oh, I’m not paying the Triumvirate for the portal,” I replied. “Cara will be opening it herself.”

Shael chuckled. “No, my friend, on that score, you are sorely mistaken. One way or the other, you are paying for this trip.”

Before I could ask him what he meant, Cara waved us over, and we stepped onto the platform.

“We’ve been granted permission to leave,” she said. “You two ready?”

I nodded and glanced at Shael.

“Past ready,” he said, with none of his earlier qualms.

“Then let’s not delay any longer,” Cara said. Raising her arms, the agent materialized a portal. The promptness of the shimmering curtain’s appearance caught me by surprise, and I took an involuntary step back.

By the time I recovered, Shael and Cara had already vanished. Damn, they’re eager.

My own emotions were a mixed jumble of elation, excitement, and trepidation. At long last, I was returning to sector 12,560. And even though I’d been looking forward to this moment for months, I couldn’t help but wonder what the valley had in store for me.

Time to find out, I thought and stepped into the portal.

Transfer through portal commencing…

…

…

Passage completed!

Leaving sector 1. Entering sector 12,560 of the Forever Kingdom.