PA-01. Den Of Thieves, page 24
part #1 of Pantheon Online Series
Gunnar shook his head and drew his own blade. “No.”
“Don’t be a fool. We both know I’m the better fighter. Give it to me peacefully, and I swear to god, I’ll let you go. I doubt you’ll make it far once Benton realizes what you were doing. But I’m a nice guy, so we’ll give you a shot.”
“And if I refuse? You’re just going to shank me?”
“You were the one who took me out from behind.”
“Afraid it won’t be the last time!”
The new voice pulled Kohli away.
He turned.
There was a loud thud, and Kohli slumped over and collapsed on the floor.
Em stood over him, bearing a large bronze candlestick. She set it back on a small table by the entrance and grinned. Strands of red hair stuck out in a disheveled, but very attractive manner. Em straightened her dress and glanced around the room, then closed the library door behind her.
“Told you I didn’t trust this dog. Or his master.”
“Thanks, er, you’re not gonna…”
“Kill him? He’d just respawn anyway. Besides, we don’t want to rile anyone up before we’re done here.”
Kohli twitched on the ground, but he was very unconscious.
“Move him over by the shelf.”
Gunnar picked the thief up under the armpits and pulled him back so he was sitting slumped against the bookcase. Em snatched the highball of Kraken Piss, which had spilled on the floor during the confrontation, and set the nearly empty glass by his limp hand.
“What the hell is going on here?” Admiral Benton’s voice boomed from the doorway.
Em spun and offered a wide smile. “Afraid this fellow’s had a bit too much already, Admiral.”
Benton crossed his arms and surveyed the room, then shook his head. “Typical. No one can hold real liquor anymore.”
“My lord,” Gunnar said, hurrying over. “This must have slipped out of your pocket when you left.” He handed the Nighthawks’ letter to the sailor. Benton turned it over with clear relief as his fingers swiftly brushed over the seal.
“Much obliged.” Benton stowed it in his pocket and turned to leave.
“Er, my lord,” Gunnar said. “I’m afraid this gentleman took your drink after you left. But I’d be happy to fetch you another.”
“My drink?” the admiral asked. He glanced at Kohli, then Gunnar. He was clearly preoccupied with the letter, and Gunnar had a feeling the man was pretty liquored up as well. “Oh, right. Think I’ll switch to water. Put out the fire for a while.”
With that, he left, closing the library door behind him.
Gunnar took the first letter out of his apron and handed it to Em. She inspected the seal, which was thankfully unbroken, then walked over to the hearth and tossed the letter in the flames.
[Congratulations! You have completed the quest The Purloined Letter! You have successfully swapped Admiral Benton’s letter with one from the Nighthawks. Here’s 150 XP!]
[Congratulations! You have completed a guild trial. You have passed the entry stage for a class. You are now an Initiate-level Rogue. You have built trust with the Nighthawks and have the opportunity to join their guild: +2 to Dexterity, +1 to Intelligence, +1 to Wisdom.]
[Congratulations! You have reached Level 10 in Glory!]
The flames froze, and Gunnar turned to find Nymoria standing before him. She reached out her hand, and her warm fingers gripped his own. His entire body felt warm and light at her touch.
“Well done, faithful servant. You have reached a new level of achievement. Not all my servants reach such heights. As a bonus reward for reaching Level 10, you have earned double attribute points. Both points can be distributed at any time. But remember that every choice you make will echo into eternity. Choose wisely.”
Nymoria vanished, and the room flickered with the lapping flames as the last curled bits of paper disintegrated in the fire.
Gunnar was filled with relief, and he leaned against the shelf for a moment. His heart was still pounding. He’d thought for sure that Benton would figure out what was going on. But he’d done it.
“Congratulations,” Em said with a grin. “Your trial is complete. Leilani will meet you outside the Golden Hills once all this is over.”
Gunnar nodded, but he didn’t feel the satisfaction he ought to. Only now was he able to fully take in all that had just happened.
Kohli had betrayed him. And Sykes had been tracking him. Still was tracking him.
He took out the Man of the Mermaid coin and stuck it in Kohli’s breast pocket.
Standing, he turned to Em, who said, “I should be getting back to the party, and you should be getting to that dwarf. The nobles’ darker fare is going to be starting soon.”
But Gunnar shook his head. “Why would someone like Kohli want to interfere with that quest? He wanted to help a noble. On Sykes’ orders.”
Em nodded. “Because most of the guilds are in the pockets of the nobles. That’s the way this city works. That’s why you can’t bother the Red Cloaks or the priests or the high nobles. That’s why the Nighthawks are—”
But Em didn’t finish.
There was a commotion at the door.
42
WINE AND CHOCOLATE
Someone fumbled with the handle of the library door, giggling loudly. Em and Gunnar glanced at each other. A drunk passed out on the floor was one thing, but there was no reason for a servant like Gunnar to be in here. His heart pounded as the handle turned.
Then, Em did something he was not at all prepared for.
She shoved Gunnar up against the bookcase, hands grasping the sides of his head, and pressed her lips against his. Gunnar’s entire body instantly went from icy terror to fire. The chimera tasted like strawberry wine and chocolate, and the rosy scent of her perfume enveloped him.
The door was thrown open, but Em just kept kissing him, nipping at his lip, her tongue flirting at the edge of his mouth, brushing fleetingly with his own. Her claws protracted from the tips of her fingers, brushing against his skull, sending shivers coursing through him.
“Ah, looks like this one’s already taken,” a woman behind them said with a cackle.
But neither Em nor Gunnar acknowledged them. The door clicked closed again, and Em pulled her lips gently away and paused, listening. Her eyes were bright and wide, and for the first time, Gunnar noticed a curious ring of gold around her irises that made them radiate in the fiery light of the room. Her breaths were warm and rapid.
Em sighed with relief as she glanced at the closed door, then slowly eased her body off of him.
Her fingers slipped away from his elven ears, her face flushed as she met his gaze. “Sorry, I couldn’t think of anything else.”
Gunnar glanced from Em to the floor, then back. “No, it’s, er, fine. I didn’t mind. I mean, well, it’s no problem. It worked, right?”
Gunnar was pretty sure he’d never been so embarrassed and turned on at the same time. Unfortunately, this elicited an unconscious laugh, which was precisely not the reaction he wanted.
Em glanced away, and then she laughed too, her hand touching her mouth. She pulled away, and she moved for the door.
“Your friend won’t stay in that stupor much longer. We should go. There’s a guarded door near the kitchens. Pretty sure it leads down to Dravingdel’s wine cellar. I bet that’s where you’ll find your dwarf.”
Em slipped out the door, leaving Gunnar alone. His mind whirled at what had just happened. But he didn’t have time to dwell on it. He opened the door and glanced out into the hall. A roar erupted from the courtyard beyond.
It had been maybe fifteen minutes since his run-in with Dravingdel, and Gunnar guessed the noble had found somebody else to get his bloody show started. Which meant Gunnar really didn’t have much time.
A Red Cloak came hurrying down the hall, heading toward the great hall, and Gunnar waved at the man as he neared. The guard grimaced.
“There’s a problem in here,” Gunnar said, pointing back into the library.
The guard’s brow furrowed. “That so?”
“Someone’s out cold,” Gunnar said. “I… I’m worried he’s dead.”
The guard shook his head. “Well, that would be my damn luck tonight, wouldn’t it? I’ll have a look.”
Gunnar pointed to Kohli, who was still slumped against the shelf.
The Red Cloak grimaced. “Probably just piss drunk, but better check.”
The guard stooped down and felt at Kohli’s neck for a pulse.
Gunnar seized the moment. He grabbed the bronze candlestick off the end table, activated Enhanced Blow, and swung with all his might at the back of his head.
[You have dealt +15 Damage to Red Cloak Level 12.]
The Red Cloak turned, eyes whirling with shock and rage, and Gunnar clocked him again. The second blow knocked him to the ground. He didn’t move, though a thin line of blood leaked from his nose.
[Your well-placed blow has triggered the effect Concussive Stupor. Here’s 5 XP!]
Gunnar swiftly closed the library door again, then wrestled the man out of his cloak.
Crimson Cloak
Item Class: Common, Stolen
Quality: Average
Weight: 2.5
Description: These cloaks are only issued to conscripted members of the Thailen city watch. If you are caught wearing it without the proper conscription papers, it will be assumed you have stolen it. Penalty usually results in execution. Execution usually results in death.
Beneath his cloak, the guard wore a fancy shirt and tailored pants much like all the other servants at this party, and a standard issue saber and thick black belt, which Gunnar also took. A stream of blue sparks indicated there was still loot to be taken, and upon quick inspection, he found twenty-four coins and a Potion of Minor Healing.
Once Gunnar propped the man against the shelf and wiped the blood from his nose, he and Kohli looked like they’d passed out together. The guard was of a thicker build than Gunnar, so the cloak wasn’t a perfect fit. But it was close enough.
It didn’t solve everything about his disguise, however. All it would take was for another guard to hit him with Scan, and they would instantly realize Gunnar was not a true Red Cloak. But from studying his progress earlier that day, he knew just what might help.
He applied one of his attribute points to Wisdom, bringing it to Level 10, and applied all five skill points to Perception.
[Congratulations! You have made progress along your path. You have unlocked a new feature for the spell Scan. You may now adjust the information that others can perceive when they hit you with Scan. Understand that this only works against characters with a lower level of Perception than you possess.]
His Scan had already been adjusted once, thanks to his forged papers from Hel. But now, he was able to select the information and enter what he wanted. He hastily changed his information to reflect a Red Cloak.
Considering it had taken him two attacks to successfully knock out the latest Red Cloak, he decided to assign the last point to Strength. He applied two skill points to Enhanced Blow and the last one to Sheer Strength.
Gunnar set the bludgeon/candlestick back on the small table at the entrance and hurried out of the room, closing the door behind him. He pulled his hood up, hopefully masking his elven ears.
There was a lot of noise coming from the courtyard, gasps and shouts and raucous cheering, and Gunnar hoped he wasn’t too late. Winding down a couple more narrow hallways, he found a door where another Red Cloak stood watch.
Here goes nothing, he thought.
The man stood at attention, crossing his right hand over his chest. Gunnar returned the salute.
“Ready for more already, are they?”
Gunnar nodded. “You know how these parties go. Lord Dravingdel wants the dwarves next.”
The man chuckled. “Ah, I wish I could watch that one. Always love watching those dumb buggers get tossed around. The way they squeal, ya know?”
Gunnar forced himself to laugh. “Oh, I know! I’ll be sure to give you the play-by-play when I come back for the next round.”
“Aha, good man.” The Red Cloak opened the cellar door. “You just get assigned here for the party?”
Gunnar’s heart rate quickened, but he nodded.
“I figured as much. Look, Dravingdel don’t like having those buggers so much as passing through his home. Make sure you take them out the back entrance.”
Gunnar nodded. “Of course. Turk mentioned that too.”
“Turk,” the man muttered.
“The worst, isn’t he?”
“Twats like him always are. You’d think he worked for one of the high lords. Give a small dude a little taste of power… am I right?”
Gunnar grinned and nodded. “I’ll be sure to tell him you send your regards.”
That got the man laughing. “You need any help with those dwarves?”
“Only two, and they’re chained up. I’ll be good.”
“Good man. It’s a shame the rest of the shipment didn’t come in time, ey?”
“Shipment?” Gunnar asked.
“From the Isles. You know, proper slaves. The shipment got delayed apparently. Dravingdel had all sorts of plans for this party, but had to settle for whatever he could dredge up from the gutters. I’ve a buddy who does dock duty. Hear it’s coming in tonight. A shame. Dravingdel was only a few hours away from a real good time. Anyway, have fun down there.”
The guard handed him a torch from the wall just inside the entrance, then closed the door behind him.
Once alone, Gunnar swiftly returned the torch to its hold and equipped two daggers from his Inventory, stowing them on his belt. Then, he descended a winding staircase into the bowels of Dravingdel’s estate.
The light quickly faded behind him, and Gunnar cast Dark Sight.
PART 5
THE REAL GAME
43
PRISON BREAK
The stairs must have descended forty feet or more beneath the surface of Dravingdel’s estate. Clearly this place had been designed with the intent of storing much more than wine. At the base of the stairs, Gunnar could see glints of light at the end of a long corridor lined with thick doors. He contemplated checking each one, but considering the fact that Dravingdel had an exterior exit from this place, he suspected the first rooms were the ones used for food or liquor storage. A quick glance behind the first door confirmed it.
Barrels upon barrels of food.
Gunnar continued on to the end of the hall. Between activating Stealth and the new boots Nymoria had gifted him, his steps were nearly inaudible. He crept down the dark corridor and slowed his pace as he neared the corner. A single lantern was fixed to the wall. Gunnar suddenly wished he’d had time to learn some magic. Fire or air magic could easily extinguish the flames, he expected. If he survived this quest with his future intact, he’d make sure to explore his magic options further.
One of his throwing blades might be able to dislodge it from the wall, but that would make noise. If there were any guards nearby, broken glass was sure to set them on alert.
It’s a shame I haven’t leveled Perception higher, then I could know for sure.
Currently, once he had physically spotted a mob, they would appear as a dot in his MiniNav, along with a color corresponding to their level of threat. Once he reached Level 30, he would unlock more informative features that would allow him to see mobs on his map before they reached him. But for now, until he turned that corner, there was simply no way to know what lay ahead.
He deactivated Dark Sight as he neared. His hand hovered at the hilt of his blade as he stepped into the light and turned the corner.
Another long corridor extended straight ahead, lined with more doors. At the end was another corner lit by a lone lantern. Gunnar walked carefully forward once more in the dark, listening for any signs that these doors contained any of Dravingdel’s prisoners.
He could hear a distant clamor ahead, but this hall was silent as well. Gunnar poked his head through one door, but found only shelves of cloths and linens. He hurried to the next corner and stepped once more into the light.
One of the doors creaked and voices echoed up the hall.
Gunnar dashed forward into the darkness of the next corridor and dropped to one knee.
Near the end of the hall, a pair of Red Cloaks emerged from one of the doorways, chattering and laughing as they dragged a goblin from the room. Dressed in nothing but a loincloth, the creature hobbled on a bum leg as the guards jerked him forward.
They headed down the hall, away from where Gunnar hid. He followed after, boots treading softly on the hard stone.
The end of the hall opened into a wide room the size of a gymnasium filled with crates and cages. Gunnar remained back in the shadows and watched.
There were two more Red Cloaks that Gunnar could see, who took the goblin from the other guards and headed toward a staircase at the far end of the expansive chamber. There was a series of loud growls coming from the cages that set Gunnar’s teeth on edge.
Two more Red Cloaks came into view, holding a pair of lunging dogs. They were massive, probably one hundred pounds and all muscle. Even with leather muzzles, the dogs made an incredible amount of noise.
The guards and the dogs set off after the Red Cloaks with the goblin, and Gunnar shuddered at the thought of what sort of show might be about to occur in the party aboveground. Two Red Cloaks remained in the large room. They chatted for a while, and Gunnar tried to decide what to do.
Clearly some of the rooms in the hall behind him contained prisoners. But the crates and cages here contained some as well. The chamber was filled with the pawing and growling of beasts and the muffled cries of presumably gagged prisoners.
Gunnar had hoped to find a way to do this stealthily, but time was not on his side. Hood drawn tightly, he strode into the room with as much confidence as he could manage.
