Immersion Online: The Noob: A LitRPG Novel Page 8

  “So why didn’t Krag attack me when I returned several hours later?” Cali asked.

  “I will get to that in a moment. We hid in the woods a distance from the cave entrance. We argued back and forth about what we should do. I thought we should get out of there and head back to our village. Krag, and he was right in retrospect, said we should see if the Starborn would return. We ceased arguing once the foul undead emerged from the cave about an hour later. I don’t think they were at full strength yet. Shrugging off a hundred years of sleep or confinement, even for the undead, can take a little time. The sergeants and then the captain finally emerged. The captain did not move for a while. He first appeared to inspect the skelters who wandered about aimlessly. He spoke a few words of command and his subordinates formed into two columns. Finally, he gave the order that we dreaded – that they would get recruits. It was a good thing we had sent some of our group back to our village several hours before. Crilk, who was the best hunter of us, had seen the one named Cali return a few minutes earlier. We stayed as far away from her as we could wanting to keep our presence a secret. The skelters set off and she followed the ones heading to our village and we followed her.”

  He looked at Cali, “You weren’t that hard to follow, even from a few hundred feet back. You were silent, I will give you that, but you leave heavy prints, and even with faint light from the two moons coming through the canopy of the trees we were able to track you.” Cali looked like she wanted to protest but kept her thoughts to herself. “We saw your fight against the skelter. And saw you disappear before you could finish the vile creature off. Krag and Crilk attacked it immediately. They were some of the better fighters in our village and they had often practiced fighting side by side so one attacked the creature while the other defended its blows. I didn’t want to be totally useless… especially since I was so much less experienced than they were. And even though there were two of them, the creature was still more powerful than their combined strength. I am sorry to say Starborn, but the skelter was not as wounded as you think it was. It still had a lot of fight left in it. Crilk and Krag continued to fight it. Meanwhile, I made my way to the shelter of the woods and worked my way behind the beast. I waited for my chance to leap from the woods and strike it from behind. The chance arrived a moment later when the thing kicked Crilk to the ground. That kick had some force and a cry of pain emanated from him. I thought it might have bruised or broken a few of his ribs. It turned its full attention to Krag. When it turned towards him, I saw my opportunity. I gripped my sword in both hands – I remember they were dripping with sweat. I knew I would need great strength to pierce the monster’s tough skin. So I leapt and thrust the sword down into its back while landing. The leap provided extra power and the sword actually pierced the skin. I was shocked it worked. I thrust it deeper into the creature’s back. I have to say, the old orc bloodlust was upon me at that moment, and I howled like my ancestors of old. I remembered to pull the sword out as I had been taught. You never want to leave your weapon inside your opponent. It turned around to attack me. And that was its fatal error. Krag struck low, destroying its leg. Then Crilk was back up brandishing a stout piece of wood, striking into the arm that held the sword that was about to skewer me. With its leg and arm both crippled, the fight ended a moment later.”

  “Interesting,” Cali interjected. “I just received a notification about experience – partial credit for killing the skelter. I guess if you hadn’t told me this story, I would not have received it. Interesting. Flora, we are going to have to figure how to utilize that.”

  Gronog did not seemed pleased with the aside to his story and continued. “With his bloodlust now abated, Crilk slumped to the ground gripped in pain, holding onto his cracked ribs as he gasped for breath. Krag ordered us to be quiet and listened out into the dark. ‘There are more coming,’ he hissed. We must get Crilk to safety.’ And we fled to the east – away from our village. But Crilk couldn’t go very fast. And the skelters are very fast and they would soon catch us. Krag led us east just a short distance. The undead beasts trailed no more than fifty feet behind us when we came to an escarpment – Crackmore Lake staring back at us from twenty feet below. It was our only chance. So we jumped like we had done dozens of times before for fun but now did out of life or death. The water was stinging cold. And Crilk hit it hard. We both grabbed him below an arm and started swimming deeper into the lake. We saw three of the creatures peering down at us from above. But they did not pursue. I don’t know if they fear water, cannot swim or were simply called back. We fled that doom.”

  “Enough,” I said finally losing patience with Grothar, Cali and Danna. Maybe it was just an NPC thing – telling such detailed tales. Maybe Cali had picked up this tedious trait. “We really don’t need every detail. All we need to know is why you and your friends attacked Freehold.”

  I thought I saw synapses triggering in his mind… perhaps it was part of Realmborn D.N.A. or binary code to tell long, elaborate stories. I know in lots of video games there are skip buttons for the cut scenes and wish something like this existed now. “I will speed it up,” he finally said. “We swam to the bank a few minutes later, eluding the skelters. By the time Krag, Crilk and I arrived back home the Howling Darkness – which I will explain in a moment – had abated. The gates were open and a number of our ancients and warriors stood fully armed beyond the wall. Gronog soon found us and told us what happened.”

  I could tell another long story was about to be told… but Grothar saw my expression and said, “To make it short, Gronog and Backrack had beaten the skelters back to the village. The alarms rang out and soon the entire village was armed, the beacon lights lit, and the militia arming the wall with bows, crossbows and spears. Like most of the villages around here, the trees have been cleared for about a hundred feet so you can see beasts and creatures approaching. Luckily, the two moons were full so there was plenty of light. The militia saw the skelter raid party come through the woods; when they were fifty feet out, the warriors on the wall showed themselves from hiding and released a barrage of arrows, bolts and spears. One of our kin even knows a little magic, and a few fire bolts flew as well. The undead creatures fled back to the cover of woods. There were about a dozen of them and a sergeant and we expected them to attack the gate. But it never came.” Grothar trailed off as though in deep thought.

  “So what happened? Why didn’t they attack?” I asked, genuinely interested and ironically wanting more details.

  “They didn’t need to. That is why. Providence was not with us last night. A caravan that we were expecting back tomorrow night arrived back last night. Our brethren emerged from the forest road and basically walked into the skelters. It is strange, but some of the warriors on the wall said they could hear the sergeant speaking The Whispering Death even from a hundred or so feet away. Three or four of our kin from the caravan fell under its spell immediately. The other three from the caravan screamed out in terror and fury as the hands of the skelters assaulted them. The walls and safety were only a hundred feet away but they might as well been a thousand miles. Gronog, and Backrack, and many of the younger orcs wanted to rush out and meet the enemy. However, our ancients held them back. They even ordered some of the militia to physically restrain them. And it was good they did. The sergeant’s voice carried over the distance like a putrid wind: ‘Follow and the seven here will be no more ere the morn. I will cut their hearts out personally.’ Then darkness fell. True, impenetrable darkness. The blackness of death. It was magically generated and covered the space between the walls and the skelters. There would have been no way for us to even reach our kin had we tried.”

  I looked to Mother. “You didn’t mention anything about this ability.”

  She had a quizzical look on her face, and arched a brow. “Captains and those more powerful have the ability to throw this cloak of darkness. Had yee run into that darkness, yee would not only have wandered aimlessly, but might have been lost to the darkness. Great fear and terror
overcomes those who cannot resist it, don’t ya know? It will burrow into your mind like a carpenter striking a stake into a piece of thick wood until it splits. I can only guess the captain loaned the spell to his underling.”

  “Loaned his spell?” Cali asked with genuine curiosity.

  “Loaned is perhaps the wrong word. Tethered is more accurate. The sergeant was tethered to the captain. And when the time came, the sergeant was able to use that tether to access this spell from the captain who actually cast the spell. The sergeant was just the conduit. It is a powerful spell, called the Howling Darkness, and I doubt it can be used more than once a week. Which is good, for if yee are going against them foul beasties, at least you will not have to fret that spell.”

  Grothar, sensing that Mother was done, continued his tale.” Krag grew furious when he learned about the caravan for his mate, Arakak, was upon that caravan. He nearly started a riot. Cursed at our ancient ones and called them cowards. He tried to incite the younger ones to join him and to storm the cave and retrieve their people. I thought a civil war would break out in the middle of our village. My father pulled me aside and said to me, ‘You must calm your friend. We will get our kinfolk back from these Dakmas (an orc curse word that translate roughly to trolls that mate with farm beasts). But we do not have the strength to do so alone. They have magic and we do not. And you have told me that thee have seen Everborn in Freehold. Though Everborn are never to be trusted, we should see if we can get them to come to our cause. Often when we Realmborn just ask them to assist us, they seem more than happy to do so – as though some great boon will fall upon them if they do so. So we will need numbers. I need you and Gronog to head to Freehold at first light. Explain our plight to them and to the Everborn. If they are hesitant, though I do not think they will be, remind them the Dakmas will come for their kinfolk next. Krag overheard the discussion and a plan grew in mind like a poisonous plant.”

  Danna interjected, “So yee were sent here to seek our assistance. Yet this Krag had other plans. He brought the ogre yee say. How do I know yee be honest and not deceiving?”

  “He speaks the truth,” I said without explanation. I heard a notification and knew that I had successfully used my perk Glean Truth.

  “I did my best to stop them. They would not listen to me. Perhaps because I am not a full warrior—my pursuits run elsewhere. Or they grudged my being the Chief’s only child and perhaps a poor successor to him. I thought it was best to just come here, dispose of the Starborn, and then seek your help against the skelters. So they hid in the cart as we entered Freehold. And the rest you know. So I know I have no right, but will you and your kin assist us to destroy this lair?”

  “Of course we will assist,” she said looking at me for affirmation. “Can the good folk of Freehold count on thee Starborn? Will yee aid all good folk with the destruction of this blight that now infests like locust? And keep others of their kind from emerging?”

  Several notifications flashed in front of me: You have completed the quest “Find out why the orcs launched an attacked against Freehold Village”. For successfully completing this, you have gained plus 50% towards the next level. Huzzah: You are now level 3. You have gained the skill Investigator Level 1, 10%.”

  Danna has granted you the quest, “Destroy the skelter threat.” Do you accept the quest? Yes or no? I didn’t have to think about this one and chose yes. Danna has granted you an additional quest related to the first one, “Find a way to seal the cave entrance.” Successful completion of the first quest will grant you experience and the appreciation of Freehold and perhaps even the orc village. Successful completion of the second quest will grant you experience and the appreciation from the village of Freehold perhaps even the orc village. Appreciation from the village is variable: from being offered the hand of the fairest maiden or the comeliest lad, to a lifetime of free moonshine in the village inn, to a magical weapon (though this village in the middle of nowhere probably doesn’t have many of those) to some other variable boon. You will have to complete one or both to find out.”

  I really had to laugh. I had no desire to marry any maiden or lad. The free moonshine was something to consider, however.

  “What is so funny?” Danna asked a bit perturbed.

  “It was nothing. We will wipe out the skelters and find a way to shut the cave,”

  “We would not miss it for the Eight Holy Relics of the Dead King,” Cali responded. I didn’t get the reference, but the Realmborn did and they just nodded their heads in acknowledgement.

  Chapter 8 – Battle Plans

  The small kitchen had become quite cramped, so we all moved outside to a courtyard behind the inn. The assemblage consisted of myself, the three Starborn, Danna, Mother, Grothar, the young guard Jenik and the middle aged woman who guarded with him, Lora, who I later learned was his aunt. There was one other person in attendance, the innkeeper, a giant of a man named Hearn. I had been so engrossed by the tales being told to me that I hadn’t even noticed that he had been listening all along. I took a quick glance at him and was shocked that I could go without noticing him: Hearn, War / Dungeon Mercenary, Level 25 / 21; Proprietor: Level 30; Moonshiner / Brewer: Level 32 / 28. The village of Freehold had their own one man army—yet from what I could ascertain, he had not joined in the battle against the orcs or the ogre. Seeing his sub classes began to give me an idea on how to even the odds against the skelters.

  “I have a plan,” I finally shouted after hearing the gathering argue back and forth. “But I don’t know that Hearn is going to like it.” The big man stood well over six and a half feet. And he was a wall of solid muscle and sinew. My six foot three frame made me feel like a child next to the man. Anyway, he didn’t like my plan one bit. But twenty five gold coins (some of the money I had been given as part of a starter kit) seemed to appease the man. In fact, he was almost apoplectic. I received a strange notification from Angelica: “You have done one of the worst jobs of negotiations ever in The Great Realm. For such poor negotiating, you have lost 50% negotiation skills. You have negative negotiation skills. Twenty five gold coins is more than most of these villagers will earn in half a year. Next time speak with me before you pay double the value of something.” She paused berating me for a few moments and added, “How am I supposed to help you if you don’t ask for my help?” I really need to get a handle on the game. I had been here just a few hours though and I think everyone, including Angelica, had forgotten that.

  Angelica chimed in again, a tinge of annoyance to her voice: “You need to call on me more often. It is my role in this world to serve as a guide and mentor to new players to the game. When you forget to ask me questions or ask my assistance you diminish my reason for being.”

  I certainly didn’t want a temperamental A.I. berating my mind, so I thought, “I will make sure I call upon your services often. I promise.” This seemed to appease her. An A.I. suffering existential angst was something I certainly didn’t need in my life.

  We spent the next hour planning for the assault against the skelters. Grothar had agreed that he and group of orc hunters would meet us two hours before sunset by a copse of trees just south of the cave entrance. Danna had agreed to let him have back the cart and horses he rode into the village that morning. Grothar actually unhitched one of the two horses, threw on a saddle, and headed off to his village at a gallop. He would need speed to get back to his village, gather his troops, and then lead them back to the cave entrance. I had spoken to him privately before he left and made another plan. I didn’t think Freehold would like my private plan with Grothar which is why I hadn’t shared it with them. Plans within plans! Always good to have plan A, B all the way to Zed.

  The siblings also departed. Before they left, Cali said their allotted daily game time would expire if they stayed logged on until the assault on the skelters and she had assured me they would be able to return that evening – but just an hour before the time of the assault. Last time Cali was there, she had marked it on her map as a
n active quest location. This allowed her and anyone in her group to come directly to the location. They didn’t want to be in the midst of the battle and poof… they would be logged off and find themselves in the middle of their living room. A player over the age of eighteen could stay logged into the game for up to twelve hours a day. Once the total of the twelve hours was met, the Starborn needed to log off for at least eight hours. Shannon didn’t want The Great Realm to be the only world for her players. After the eight hour cool down, you could return for another twelve-hour stint. And to my understanding a great many players would do this, spending sixteen hours out of every twenty four logged into the game. To some players The Great Realm was their real world and Earth just a place to come to sleep, eat and take care of bodily needs. Players between the ages of fifteen (the minimum age for a game adventurer) and seventeen could only stay logged in a maximum of eight hours in a twenty four hour period. I think the characters of Jarrell and Flora fell into this category.

  “It looks like it’s my turn,” I said to Danna and Mother. I had logged in just after nine a.m. and it was now nearing two p.m. My twelve hours would elapse at nine p.m., just as sunset would fall. “I will return in about two hours. Will that give the village enough time to get everything together?” I inquired of Danna.

  “All will be prepared and our warriors will be ready to set out,” Danna responded. “Hearn is preparing everything now. There is one change in the plan however. Mother will be coming with you.”