(World of Valdira 01) The Way of the Clan (30 page)

But if you help, you’ll gain a nice bonus to the city-folk’s friendliness. There are not only ever-sleepy housewives but various traders among them…

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In one word, we killed it – Gosha summed up – Poor thing, it didn’t expect it at all – he was pursuing two babies and bang! A clan’s combat unit is waiting for it… They promised to give us a medal and swore that the noble city of Algora would never forget our deed! Tomorrow I gonna shop around to see what discount we have earned. Some new quests with nice awards might have revealed. You know we managed to kill it at very last moment! Damn… literally in the dying seconds. A bit more and they wouldn’t have acknowledged a deed for the city’s sake but only some contribution in restraining the monster.

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What do you mean?

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Take another drink – Gosha grumbled when noticed that I was regularly missing the rounds – Are you the chief alcoholic here? Cheers, Ros! I mean that when Graver almost kicked the bucket and was bleating miserably while trying to crawl back to the Cradle, an Amreeta, angry like a mad dog, came to us. Jumped out from nowhere and without a mere word suddenly struck by divine magic! All the walls around melted, it threw us away in different directions, one of the guards flew somewhere behind the roofs, the magic veil between the city and the Cradle was torn off to hell! But I managed to do it! I was the first to finish it off! I did kill Graver. The Amreeta landed his hit on the dead carcass. All in all, distribution of goodies will take place – the hefty guy concluded happily.

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And what about the Amreeta?

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What? Nothing. He just looked around and rocketed into the sky. Such a pretty kettle of fish.

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It’s a pretty kettle! Gosha, how did such a powerful beast as Graver manage to emerge in the Cradle?

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I have no idea – Gosha said shortly – But I would pay much to know how. It’s beyond my understanding how it was possible to push the giant monster in the Cradle keeping in mind that the only exit is from the city… did they lead it on a leash through the whole city of Algora?! Holy shi-i-i-t…

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And besides how did they manage to set it on us? – I added

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I’m not so sure about it. I’ve already looked through the forum. And… before pursuing you Graver settled hash some gamers and ‘locals’. ‘Locals’ died in silence, but gamers, on the contrary, were yelping and crying about howling injustice and that it was too much and what sort of the Cradle it was when you’re killed as soon as you’re born – Gosha added and burst out laughing – Can you imagine one guy created a PC, log in the game and the first thing he saw there was two furious yellow eyes and a huge clutch stretching out to him! He died at once and was automatically kicked out. The monster swung its paw again… and he was kicked out. Graver was standing jus in front of the Cradle’s gates. So the gamer was kicked five times at a run, then he couldn’t stand such a rampage anymore and pressed ‘exit’. And after that he dashed to send complaints on the forum… such a perfect scream…

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Damn it! Don’t you know if Vlasilena survived?!

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Who?

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Well, there is such a ‘local’ called Vlasilena – I waved my hand – A good woman. She is living straight at the gates. I hope she is fine…

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Ros, are you alright? She is just an NPC. Even if she died, it doesn’t matter, does it? Did you drink too much?

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I’d rather say not enough – I objected and as I didn’t feel like continuing that talk raised my tumbler – Cheers!

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Yep, cheers! – Gosha nodded chewing something slowly – Oh, by the way… as you’ve started talking about good women… shall we..? There’s nothing to think about. Certainly we’ll do. I know one more method how to get rid of stress except vodka. But, Ros, if you refuse again, I don’t know what to think about you.

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Well… let’s do it – I waved my hand – But, please, remember if I fall asleep at the most responsible moment, it’s not my fault, no complaints.

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It’s your problem – Gosha sniffed – If you wish there are some energy drinks in the fridge. But you go for them not me, ok? And take a bottle of martini out of the freezer, and there must be a can of olives somewhere. Bring everything here while I’m calling.

I stood up and reeled off but quite confidently to the kitchen where I faced a huge monster called a fridge by mistake. I was scrabbling about the upper shelf for a long time but without obvious result when it occurred to me that the freezer of that state-of-the-art had to be below and have a special handle. After taking everything that we needed I got stuck to the energy drink for a long time but heard by chance how Gosha was arranging a romantic evening for both of us.

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Ros!

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What? – I shouted forgetting about the energy drink for a while.

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What type do you prefer? I know that a slim one, but what color? Blonde, brunette or red? Or maybe you’re an innovator – do you prefer bald?

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Hah! Whatever, but not Keira’s type – I replied.                    

I heard the jingle of crashing plates and Gosha’s wild guffaw in the lounge. I shrugged my shoulder, took a pair of glasses, grabbed everything together and carried to the lounge. Ending the telephone talk Gosha was still trying to resist laughter , but he completed the task. He grumbled into the receiver:

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Ok, we’re waiting – then hang up and burst out laughing again.

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What’s going on? – I wondered starting laughing as if contaminated with the host’s amusement.

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O-o-oh – Gosha wiped off his eyes full of tears – So not Keira’s type, you say? We-e-ell… I’ll tell her about it, don’t worry! Wod-for-word.

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No way, please, don’t tell her! – I protested while uploading bottles and glasses on the table – We’re going to work in a team again and again, as far as I understood.

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You’re right – Gosha nodded suddenly getting serious – Besides the timeline is shortened. Due to the unexpected advent of this Navigator and a chance to get to Zar’graad. Maybe I’m repeating it but believe me or not all the plans are upset now and the game is ruined so much that if I met this Navigator, I would stifle him by these hands! Do you believe me?

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Yes, I do – I hurried to nod looking askance at Gosha’s arms with twisted muscles. – But it’s your business. So, dear employer, it’s time to talk about the second mission, isn’t it? Or are you going to pretend being a special-service agent? I feel like we’re talking not about a game but rather about… I don’ even know…

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About politics, Ros. It’s only you who still consider Valdira just a super game with the effect of total immersion.  You’re running around, completing quests, getting into adventures, performing your part and looking for some troubles. You’re having fun so to say. But for me and for many others it’s an argy-bargy against wolves to survive. Everyday war for the clan’s survival! – Gosha uttered angrily pouring alcohol again – Please, don’t think that I have secrets from you only. Just a few people from our clan see the picture clearly, the rest carry out orders and not in the very least. And if I’m concealing something, believe me, that’s because life is not a bed of roses. There are sleeper agents everywhere, they spill information to other clans. I can’t trust anyone one hundred per cent. In your case ignorance is power or even protection.

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Protection? Against what?

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Protection against spoiling relationship with me and the whole clan. But first of all – with me – Gosha replied firmly – Actually you know nothing, you’re just a mercenary agreed for this work blindfold. And if tomorrow I get to know some very important information has been passed to enemies, I’ll have no claims to you. Do you understand?

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Yes, - I nodded slowly suddenly sobered up – But, Gosha… it’s a game. Just a game. Online computer game with incredible reality.

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Wake up, Ros! What hell game is it?! Valdira substituted real life for many people once and forever! As for you, how many hours have you spent there today? How many?

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Well… from morning and till…

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Till this very moment! – finished Gosha – And you left the cocoon just to fill your stomach, to wash down sweat and to sleep a bit! You can’t deny it! Otherwise I wouldn’t have assigned you for that work. I need exactly such a freak as you are ready to hang out in Valdira day and night. And you’re doing well so far, say, you deserve the highest mark. The tournament prize actually was beyond all my expectations. And it’s completely your merit – I’m not speaking about the battle as it is but rather about meeting additional requirements. When you covered Keira by your own body to rescue her from the fatal hit… the system took it into account and raised the award bonus characteristics significantly. Keira told me Grim had been crying…

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Yes, he had – I confirmed and shrugged reluctantly – I wish you could have seen his eyes…

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Ros, I don’t care much about his eyes so far – sniffed Gosha opening the cap of frosty martini – I’d like something sweet to drink. Would you?

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Sure – I agreed.

After pouring martini, Gosha continued:

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As we’ve started talking about business, let’s finish it until charming fairies come.

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Ok – I answered shortly that’s quite habitual for me to utter curt phrases when I’m drunk.

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First the second chapter of your and Keira’s heroic saga – Gosha grinned – To complete it you must level up significantly, reach at least level sixty. Don’t worry about stuff and weapon – when it’s needed I’ll give you everything from the clan’s store. I’ll dress you up from head to feet in at least rare things maybe I’ll manage to find a couple of epic ones for you. But don’t dream about legendary class, don’t get angry. We haven’t got legendary for such a low level. But if I run into it, I’ll take it for you. I hope you understand I can’t give you all the details of the forthcoming assignment. So-called corporate confidentiality.

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What’s the deadline?

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Maximum a week – Gosha chopped – But don’t worry about it. Tomorrow, to be more exact today, when we are in the game again, I’ll send you an invitation to the clan’s private location for our recruits. You’ll be able to advance there without any problems. No aggr-gamers, no robbers and you’ll be able to revive there in case a mob hits you hard. There is the clan’s symbol in the center of the location to cast strengthening spells without any restrictions. In one word it’s a dream for beginners. A safe haven. One of our clan-mates will port you there, you even won’t need to move your legs. Keira will be there as well. You’ll run around there. Moreover, you need to ake a really good team to solve the next problem. Be the way have you decided what way to develop your character? I’d recommend…

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Yes, I have – I answered at once – A combat mage, definitely. No other alternatives.

Shazam… the clan’s location is similar to the Cradle but at a different angle. A small private location belonging to a clan. There are no outsiders and a great variety of mobs of different levels guarantees a fast growth and you can’t escape it… as there is only one exit via teleport that no one but for clan-mates can activate. But I’ve got so many urgent things to do…

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A combat mage? – Gosha repeated thoughtfully – But you haven’t got gaming background of being a mage. It isn’t easy, Ros. You’d better develop an archer again. Keira ia a paladin-tank, you’re under her cover. Take an appropriate gear and it will be fantastic. Almost an ideal cluster for small parties focusing on mobs. To complete the second assignment, you’ll have to fight against them.

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No way, Gosha – I shook my head stubbornly – Only a combat mage. Crashshot was an archer and I deleted it… I’ll never play other rangers. You lose nothing in this situation. A cluster of a combat mage and a paladin usually works out perfect, you’ll have to have straight hands though. Besides Keira’s PC will have a supportive mage – blessing, healing aura and so on. It must be alright. And one more thing – I’ll advance by myself without your help. Let Keira run in your zoo while I am on my own.

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Ros, I’d like to stress out again – we are not playing a game! Well, I can agree with a combat mage. You can play. But as for advancing alone… Why do you think I want to put you in the clan’s location? Just because you can’t join other gamers’ parties as before! Otherwise we would ask you to join our party and advance you fast in any high-level location! You can expect to join Keira’s party only.

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And I mustn’t die again, must I?

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You can die – Gosha sneered grabbing another piece of sausage from the plate – But you’d better advance via mobs not fly away from them.

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Gosha, you’ve told me that I have never let you down. Right? I won’t screw up the second assignment. I can swear – I promised – But I can’t advance in a cage. I need to be free. Like Kesha, the parrot from a Soviet cartoon. Do you remember?

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Tahiti, Tahiti… damn your Tahiti… We are treated quite well here… Right? Ok, suppose you’ll reach level twenty-five or even thirty! And what’s then? Then you won’t do without a party!

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I’ll do it – I answered firmly – Even in Crashshot’s time I played alone more. I have got plenty of such experience. And plenty of free time. I’ll hang out in Valdira day and night but I’ll do it for sure.

Gosha was chewing the sausage thoughtfully and then said:

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Is it the thing that Grim gave you that makes you jump off the deep end? But, please, don’t lose your temper! We obtained what we wanted. You completed the assignment, got the money. I’m not going to hold a gun to your head. I’m not like Keira who got overexcited, there is such a trait in her character. She’s too responsible, damn it! Just tell me – yes or no.

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Yes.

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Can this item help you character develop?

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Yes.

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Well… then it’s a valuable thing otherwise you won’t be so nervous – Gosha summed up – Let’s do the following – I’m not going to find out what exactly you managed to obtain right now. But if something goes wrong and you decide to get rid of this item, I’m the first in line. You’ll talk to me first. Since if I hadn’t sent you to the Cradle tournament, you would have obtained zero. And by the way I’m your neighbor. Anyway it’s useful to be friends with people living next to you. Do you understand what I am talking about?

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Even more. I agree.

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So as for your thirst for freedom, Ros. If you wanna run like a lone wolf, run. Solve all you problems. But no parties with other gamers and no joining any clans. That’s the first condition. Then the second. Every day I will monitor your progress. And if I see that you’re stalled and you stop advancing, I’ll pronounce one short word and you go to the clan’s location without any objections where you’ll be developed to the required level fast and dressed properly. So and anyway two days before the zero moment, you’ll have to join Keira and practice combined operational tactics. Do you understand this moment?

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Sure.

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Alright – Gosha exhaled with satisfaction.

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The negotiations were successful. Cheers! The girls will come soon. Let’s relax our souls and bodies.

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Isn’t your wife coming by chance?

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Nope, she’s on holiday. Trying to relax without seeing me – Gosha became gloomy for a moment – Rather without seeing my cold body in the cocoon lying there most of my free time. She said: ‘I wanna live with a normal man, not with a mummy sarcophagus. Well…