(World of Valdira 01) The Way of the Clan (20 page)

Achievement!

You’ve got a first rank achievement – ‘Herbalist’!

You can see your achievements in your character’s settings.

Your award for the achievement: +1% to the chance to find plants.

Current bonus level: +1%

Current chance to find plants: 21%

The granny-herbalist  - almost a colleague – met me friendly. She even tried to treat me tea with wheat buns and home-made jam. I refused politely although a beginner could benefit while sitting at the generously served table, recovering health level and listening to wise granny’s advice that was really useful but offered softly and discreetly. However, you can get terrified after listening to the granny who is pouring tea to you while talking knowingly about body points that you should direct the blade of your sword at and how to creep up on someone’s back properly…

So I decided not to stay there for a long time, got down to business straight, spent half of my coppers on buying empty jars. At the same time I made sure that the herbalist was happy to buy stuff like toad skins, eyes, teeth, slime and other loot disgusting to look at. She can be a witch, can’t she?

Time. Time is flying at a frightening speed. I said good-bye to the herbalist fast and hurried back to the pond. A lot of gamers don’t like hunting for low-level mobs for a long time – experience almost doesn’t trickle, as for fun, it’s nought point nought, let alone adrenalin. You feel just like a combine harvester. But I treated it philosophically and admitted only one truth – you wasted your day if you came back to the city with a rucksack not fully stuffed by loot.

Half an hour passed since the announcement of a combat operation when the first beaver was killed. I had been waiting for a cunning beast patiently, simultaneously eliminating all the mobs that came to my sight. Bright green frogs, fat warty toads, agile grass snakes – I didn’t ignore anything. When a beaver got out of the water lazily and slowly approached a tree nibbled a lot, I cast two bushes at once to prison the mob in a thorny cage. As I considered wisely that a beaver was stronger than a frog and could break through a blackthorn bush. I guessed it right – with a furious shriek the beaver escaped the first bush at the cost of a quarter of its life and… immediately got into another bush that took several of its hits. Then I had to use my stuff to finish the battle by three hits and to dodge the beaver furiously chattering its incisors.

You’ve got a new skill!

Natural magic handling skill has increased by 1 point.

Total: 1

And what does it give?

Natural magic handling: 1.

The speed of casting natural spells has increased by 1%.

Not a very fat bonus. But it’s just the beginning.

I stooped to the ground to pick up the beaver hide and the castor – a jar half-filled with brown oily liquid. Castor! What a name, holy cow! I twisted a tiny flask in my fingers thoughtfully and sent it to the sack. It weighed insignificantly little, but could cost far more than rat hides.

I was stuffing my sack to the max systematically for several next hours. I didn’t take a break even when my mana ended. In that case I used the stuff only waiting for mana to regenerate very slowly. I could have sat under a bush – thus, mana would have recovered twice faster but it wasn’t worthy. I hadn’t advanced my strength in vain. Two hours passed when afternoon was over, I received the increase of the crushing weapon handling skill by one more point. It amounted for four points so far. After two dozens of short battles against mobs my natural magic handling soared as well.

Natural magic skill has increased by 1 point.

Total: 2

Natural magic handling: 2

The speed of casting natural spells has increased by 2%

I was planning to increase natural magic handling and crushing weapon handling up to five points each. Then I would be able to acquire combat skills in appropriate guilds – if I had enough money. In warriors guilds I can choose one from two skills. Either ‘to throw an enemy back’ skill that is applied automatically and if you’re lucky can throw your enemy one step back; or ‘knocking’ skill. Its chance to work is less, but if it works properly, a mob will be knocked-down for some seconds. Both skills are useful and can be helpful for any warrior possessing weapon of the appropriate type. But there is one problem – their actuating chance and their power directly depend on the amount of strength. And on weapon hit. ‘Throwing-back’ and ‘Knocking’ can work with a shield as well but this piece of gear obviously doesn’t suit me. If I have decided to play as a mage, then my main weapon must be a two-handed stuff. Sure, a shield can be very useful but the higher the combat gear level, the more stamina and strength it requires. As for strength, none of typical mages can boast it.

I didn’t know what kind of skills I could acquire at the magic guild, but I was going to find it out soon. If there is something that can increase mana level, that’s definitely my option.

While I was thinking about the nearest future and at the same time eliminating all mobs near the pond, the assessment system of my behavior activated and made me happy by another gift:

Your stamina has increased by 1 point.

Sure! I had been fighting for so many hours without a break! Plus ten life points.

As for strength and intelligence, they were not going to increase. I shouldn’t have contributed all fifteen points into intelligence at once! I should have waited until it increased by a couple of points and then distributed my points… well, but you never know… Plus my morning freeze played is part. Once I read the game forum, I started freezing and trashing for no reason.

I didn’t manage to realize my plan and to stuff the rucksack to the max – a short message from Keira popped up in front of my eyes:

‘I’ve reached level four. Meet me at the pond in fifteen minutes’.

Brief and clear. Thinking for a sec, I speeded up and skipped cheerfully along the well-known route – straight to the herbalist’s house. I needed to get rid of the loot gained and buy some empty jars. I feel that main events are coming soon and I haven’t got the leather jacket I liked yet. On the other hand, I’d better sort out everything here and finally leave the Cradle. I need to level up the sooner the better. I need to make more money to buy combat skills and decent stuff. Eventually I need to listen to some gossips on the city plaza and in numerous taverns.

My to-do list consisted of a great amount of items – important and minor, but the priority was Zar’graad! No matter what I was doing, my thoughts returned to that topic again and again. Zar’graad… a far-away lost continent.

To my own surprise I became Navigator, the owner of the unique spell able to destroy the magic veil over Zar’graad. Due to it I got an also unique chance – to hit the real jackpot! The most pleasant thing is that I am crowned no matter how the following events can develop. The ideal strategy for me is to wait for a while. I shouldn’t fuss. That’s the essence. And then make a good shot. Look around. Weigh up all ‘pros’ and ‘cons’. Choose the best partner namely the most powerful clan. And actually not only powerful but… rich as well. Because it would be just silly to miss a chance to earn a certain amount of ‘real’ money. I am not rich enough to waste such a chance. It’s important not to be too late with the choice and not to sell myself too cheap.

I didn’t even consider a scenario when Valdira’s administration takes the spell from me. I’m not a fool to screw it up. If I realize that I don’t have time to gain the required amount of mana points, I will transfer the spell and Navigator’s skill to the head of the chosen clan in exchange for different material goodies and a ticket to one of their ships. But no matter how you slice it, such an end doesn’t satisfy me. It won’t be a pure victory, but an artificial surrogate. That’s why I want to set off to Zar’graad VERY MUCH as Navigator not as a passenger. I want to lead the ship through all dangers, to experience all adventures and be the first to step on Zar’graad’s store! I want to be only one who standing on the bridge of the flagman will pronounce the spell slowly and chase away the veil from the inaccessible continent! The one whose name will go down the historical annals of Valdira! Well… I must have dreamt on… oh, old chap, you’d better take some anti-greed pills and be more modest…

Damn that modesty! I must use the chance and that’s it! There are no brakes on the train… But I just imagine… I am standing holding my hands on the helm wheel and piercing into the leaden grey stormy sky severely, then I’m crying out loudly…

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Honey! Why on earth did you grab my basin and why are you spinning it left and right? And you don’t look healthy… ain’t you poisoned, honey?

I shook my head, opened my eyes quickly and stared at the granny-herbalist standing in front of me and examining me with mere amazement.

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You must have tried toad’s slime, mustn’t you? You mustn’t drink it. It doesn’t grow strength. It’s all bullshit! Oh, you’re so curled up, poor thing… I’ll bring you milk now…

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What? No, thank you, granny, I’m ok. I didn’t drink any slime. I was just dreaming about my… ahem… it doesn’t matter… I was dreaming…

You know… Valdira implies all your dreams come true. But even inside it I found a way to dream… A dream inside a dream…

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I see you’re having your head in the clouds – the old lady grumbled in a kindly way and took away her basin from my hands – What’s the name of your dream? And how old is the princess of your heart?

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Granny! What princess are you talking about? Don’t think up! Actually I came to you with some goods, have a look!

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Well-well, let me have a look – the old lady agreed – Show me what you’ve found… dear dreamer…

I was dashing like hell from the herbalist’s house to the pond, but nevertheless I was late. Keira had been waiting for me looking at the pond surface thoughtfully.

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Hi – I exhaled stopping next to her.

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Hello, tank – the girl smiled but I didn’t hear any delight in her voice – No shield again?

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Shields are not free – I wiggled out – I was hitting mobs the whole morning. I’ve just sold the loot and come up with some cash. So I’ll get the shield. And how are you? How are the rats!

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Asked me to say hello to you! – Keira burst out laughing sincerely then – And begged not to visit them anymore. I reached level four. By the way, I sold the loot, so you don’t have enough for a shield, I can add. How much do you lack? I can even give you everything.

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I’ve got enough. But still thank you – I smiled in response – Well… Shall we start?

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Yup, let’s do it – Keira agreed and pulled out the sword. – I’m the leader. Since that moment and till the end of the tournament we won’t dismiss the party, walk everywhere together. Join me. A short line flared in front of my eyes:

Keireya the Protectress suggests you joining her party.

Submit/Decline

‘Submit’

You’ve joined the party! Leader: Keireya the Protectress!

Achievement!

You’ve got a first rank achievement – ‘Working in a team’!

You can see your achievements in your character’s settings.

Your award for the achievement: +1% to the protection while being in the party.

Current bonus: +1% to the protection.

Achievements are flowing like water into my hands. And all of them are first-rank.

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I choose a mark and always attack first – Keira said briefly and looked at me from the brims of her straw hat – Finish off together, ok?

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Ok. You’re the boss – I nodded with my stuff at the ready. – Come on!

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Just a moment – responded the girl – I’m adjusting the leader’s status set.

Ah, damn it! Is she going to inquire… exactly!

The party leader Keireya the Protectress is inquiring your status!

Submit/Decline

‘Decline’

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Umph… interesting… - Keira surprised – Did you touch ‘decline’ by chance?

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I’m level eight – I smiled softly – None of local mobs can kill me. Unnecessary info will only divert your attention.

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But don’t forget about the tournament! – the girl uttered suddenly rigidly and her grey eyes sparkled angrily – Ros, I must see your condition.

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What for? – I asked in the same soft manner. – Well… assume that I will be pressed much and made to ‘color up’… what would you do in such a situation? I have got neither healing magic, nor aura. How will you be able to help me? Will you push a piece of bread into my mouth or pour healing potion? You even won’t be able to divert an enemy’s attention to yourself – you simply won’t have enough life points to absorb hits until I’m recovering. By the way… how is your life level?

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Seventy – Keira answered with reluctance – But if I manage to reach level five, I’ll add twenty.