Chapter 96: Home No More

Better late than never, dear readers’ is how I would like to begin my weekly column. I am using the word ‘weekly’ quite liberally as you all know that this column has been absent from the AION post for going on two months now. I wish I could tell you I was on some grand adventure, that I was waylaid by bandits on the Kings Road, perhaps suggest a conspiracy afoot which kept me from my typewriter, hint at dark shadows which beset my every move and prevented me from returning to work. Alas, none of these could be further from the truth.

What I can do is joyfully tell you about a very recent development here at the AION post, one which may or may not startle, shock, and, perhaps to some, deeply disturb them. I have cheerfully accepted the post of assistant editor in chief of this fine publication. What? You wanted intrigue? Some gossip? Perhaps a smattering of lewd and lascivious information which may titillate the heights of imagination? Sorry, hate to burst your bubble. The truth is this has been a long time coming. I began working at the AION sometime in SD969 (the time is relative, considering the different seasons of each area, but if you must know I got the news of my employment during a particularly fierce winter storm whilst studying lion manatees in Killheim) and each successive year has been more monumental and prestigious than the last. Was there anyone more fitting for the position of editor in chief than I? Perhaps, but they have not been spawned yet.

Fine. I know what you are muttering to yourself. Old Hagden is rambling again. He has lost the plot, as it were, and is pining for the days of his youth when he was a young adventurer. But isn’t that why you read my column? No? You read it for some insightful commentary about the going ons of Esem? Very well, I do have some tidbit-some, NEWS- which does need to be covered.

Allow me to paint you a picture. The year is SD984. A new threat has come to Esem which calls itself the “Antagonista”. None have any idea as to the powers of this creature, and those who have seen her have said her only feature which exceeds her power is her cruel beauty. There are no guilds in the land which can match her; not the Starving Marks in Killhiem, nor the Bleeding Banshees famed for their wizarding power. Nay, not even the ‘Guardians of Nexia’ who, despite their iron grip on Great Nexia, seem to have been caught totally unawares by the Antagonista.

There is however one guild which may be able to topple her. Do you know of the one which I speak? What’s that? What did you say? Ah, THAT guild? No, not even the Old Guard seem prepared for what is happening. I am talking about another, newer, fresher, and far hungrier band of players who I had the good fortune to meet only last month. Allow me to tell you their story…they are called:

The Seven Stains!

-Hadgen’s Hedge by assistant Editor in Chief, weekly editorial in the AION Post

What can be said to someone you have not seen for a long time? What can be said to a friend who thought you were dead? A friend who saw you at your best and your worst. A friend who challenged and encouraged you. Who had at first been nothing more than a stranger and then over many years had become someone closer than any you had met before or since? Memories of all the first moments together are like stones in a stream passing beneath the boat of recollection. Strangers who had become friends, and then warriors in arms, and then lovers. Lovers who had then fallen out of that blissful state and then who still had had long enough time to reconcile and whose relationship, though not restored that that former pedestal, was a rock which both relied upon.

Ptbrrrrb.

“Did you just fart?” Said Christie? Her nose wrinkled and she covered her mouth. She tried to effect a look of disgust but giggled instead behind her hand.

“Pardon me,” said Chase, chuckling. “You know I hate awkward silences.”

“No, I hate awkward silences. You just like to do the most ridiculous things at the worst moments.”

“None would know better than you,” said Chase.

Christie sighed. She was laying beside him, beneath the covers. She laid her head back down on his chest. Chase adjusted his arm which was over her shoulder and drew her tighter. Their clothes were scattered on the floor and he had made sure to barricade the door with the chair.

“That reminds my of our summer in Tangamar. Remember? The vila we rented?”

“That I do,” said Chase, his memories summoning the summer sun of that long ago day. The beach, the seafood. The servants who catered to their every call as they drank the days away. “I remember waking up that first morning after we had arrived.”

“I think you farted that time too,” said Christie, shaking her head. “Some things never change.”

“One of those universal truths, I suppose. But some things do.”

“Yeah.”

“Inevitable, I guess.”

“Yeah.”

“Is that all you can say?” Chided Chase lightly.

Christie sighed again, and then sat up from the bed. Her auburn hair fell about her bare shoulders. Chase could not see her face, but she had and air of finality about her.

“Do you think they heard us?”

“Of course not,” said Chase. “I mean. Probably not. How long have we been here?”

“Long enough,” said Christie. “They might think I have murdered you by now.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time.”

Christie glanced sharply back at him, pain in her eyes. Chase raised his hands.

“Sorry, sorry,” he said.

“That’s not funny.” Christie got out of bed and began gathering her clothes. Chase watched her get dressed in silence as he toyed with the edge of his sheet. She caught his eye and then threw his pants at him. “Come on then, _Chase_. We need to tell the others the plan.”

“Right. The plan.”

Chase got out of bed and began to dress himself as well. When they were done, Christie looked him up and down and then gently adjusted his hair with her hand. When she was done, she smiled sadly and nodded.

“Let’s go see the troops,” said Chase. But neither moved, only continuing to look at one another. How long had it been since they had shared a bed? Wondered Chase. Years, most likely.

“Well?” Said Christie, arching an eyebrow.

“I was just wondering,” began Chase. “If you are seeing any—.”

She placed a finger on his lips, silencing him immediately.

“You think I would have done this if I was?”

Chase shook his head.

“Call it a sudden moment of passion. I thought you were dead. Found out you’re not. I was…slightly elated for a while. Now it’s over. Got it?”

Chase nodded his head.

“Great,” said Christie with a smile. “Can you dissemble the barricade?”

Chase took the chair away from the door and gently turned the handle of the door. He peeked outside into the hallway. No one was there, but he could hear the voices of his guild coming down the hallway from outside. He motioned to Christie to follow him.

“Shall I do the talking?” Said Chase as they began to climb the stairs at the end of the hall.

“Go ahead,” said Christie. “You’re the one who wants to keep them in the dark.”

“I’m not keeping them in the dark,” said Chase, lowering his voice. “I am keeping them safe. You see what were up against, right? These Followers are no joke.”

“Hey, I’m the one who killed them,” said Christie sternly. “I know exactly how strong they are. Markon and Ethan were far more powerful than their regular contracts should have allowed them to be. But your decision—.”

“Is final,” said Chase. “They are my guild.”

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Christie half sighed and half chuckled as they climbed the final stair.

“You sound just like Solomon,” she muttered.

Suddenly they were in the courtyard, or, what remained of the courtyard. Chase bad to bite his tongue from retorting. The entire guild were there, clearing the mess which the Followers and the goblins had left in their wake.

“Chase!” Said Thomas. He had been dragging the small body of a goblin which was nearly as large as him. There was a pile in the middle of the courtyard of goblin bodies. He dropped the goblin and came over to Chase.

“Thomas.”

The young boy eyed Chase’s chest warily.

“You okay, then? That was a nasty hole.”

Chase patted his chest and nodded.

“All patched up,” responded Chase.

“Excellent,” said Marlon. He came out from the small side room behind them and placed a hand on Chase’s shoulder. He leaned in close and prodded where the wound had been in Chase’s chest. “Excellent! Well done, Christie. And also to you, Amelie. Where is that girl?”

“Right here!” Said Amelie, also coming from around the wall from the side room. “Marlon and I have been searching ways to dispose of these bodies. There are just so many of them, after all.”

“I said we should just start a fire,” said Thomas, grinning devilishly.

“To which I said that would be bad idea,” said Amelie, frowning. “Lazerpail is our home, after all. We can’t stay here if we burn it to the ground.”

“It’s made of rock, Amelie,” said Thomas sarcastically. “How is fire going to going to do anything?”

“It’s not our home anymore,” said Chase, shaking his head. “Where are our Fighters? I need to tell you guys the plan.”

“Not our home anymore?” Said Amelie, sounding sad. “But, you and Christie were in your room for so long I thought perhaps you were working out a way for us to stay.”

Chase heard Christie awkwardly clear her throat, and even felt his own face begin to warm up a bit.

“Yes, were were talking. About a plan. But it doesn’t include Lazerpail anymore. What are you looking at?”

“Oh, nothing,” said Marlon. He winked at Chase and then chuckled to himself.

“What is it?” Said Thomas curiously. “Did something happen? What am I missing?”

“Nothing, nothing,” said Christie hurriedly. “Look, I can make a potion to deal with the bodies. Amelie. Would you like to help me?”

Amelie was beside herself and quickly agreed. The two women left for the side room and then it was just Marlon and Thomas with Chase. Marlon was opening his mouth, likely so make some bawdy joke, or so Chase assumed, and he quickly cut him off.

“Alex, Claire, Brent. Where are they.”

Thomas stuck his thumb behind him at the front door of the fort.

“Went to get some firewood. Believe it or not they agreed with my idea.”

“I am sure they are not far away,” said Marlon. He whistled a couple bars of some tune and then said,” I better go see what Christie is cooking up. I’m the potion guy, after all.”

Chase and Thomas watched the old man return to the side room.

“I swear, anytime we got some actual work to do that guy just disappears.”

“He’s old,” said Chase. “Bending over to pick up these goblins is probably hard for him.”

“Softy,” said Thomas. “Anyway. Lend a hand?”

“Why bother?” Said Chase. “Christie will make a potion that will be far better than fire. Ever smelled a hundred burning goblins before?”

He motioned for Thomas to join him on the ground near Moonshine’s stable. When he got near the wood of the stable he glanced back at the entrance where Moonshine had been. Thomas saw his look.

“I feel pretty bad about Moonshine,” said the boy. He sat down after Chase and began plucking the grass from the ground just like Alex would.

“She was a good horse,” said Chase. “Carried us all over for months.”

“Yeah,” said Thomas quietly. “I mean, I know she was just another NPC, but, still…”

“I know what you mean.” Chase looked around the courtyard, and then cast his gaze to the sky. It was a stark contrast to the ruin below. It was a crisp day, with a slight chill in the September air. “I always can tell a human NPC, but the animals are simpler things. Maybe they weren’t so different in the Old World. Moonshine was just as much of a horse as they were back there.”

“Maybe they didn’t have horses. Ever thought of that?”

Chase stroked his chin. He felt the stubble and made a mental note to shave before they left Lazerpail.

“I think I met a guy once whose memory was feeding a horse, so I’m pretty sure the Old World had them.”

“What about magic?” Asked Thomas curiously. “Think they had that?”

“Why wouldn’t they?” Said Chase, frowning. “Then again…I’ve never heard a memory of someone using magic in the Old World.”

“If they didn’t then how about they get rid of all their goblins, right?”

“Good point,” said Chase with a smile. “I wonder if the Old World goblins are as dumb and smelly as these.”

“I hope not,” giggled Thomas. “Hey. So your memory is you running away or something?”

“Ah, that,” said Chase, feeling slightly uncomfortable. He had never shared it with anyone but the Old Guard. The Banes were his new guild and he had hid it from them before just on the off chance that they could repeat it to someone one. If his memory ever got to the Old Guard’s ears then his identity would have been blown.

“Well,” began Chase. “Yes. The Old Guard used our memories as a way to identify one another. It was a safe guard against impersonation. The Assassin contract got pretty big after Oscuro fell and so we decided it was the best way to keep one another safe.”

“That’s a good idea,” said Thomas, seeming to be thinking deeply. “Maybe we should do that, too.”

“We might as well,” said Chase with a sigh. “I didn’t think we would be anyone’s target for years but it seems that fate has a different path for us.”

“Mine’s my mother,” said Thomas, gently. “So your memory is being violently murdered?”

“No,” said Chase. “My memory is being chased down a dark alley way. All I remember is the feeling of being pursued by something very dangerous. And then nothing.”

“Chased, eh? Is that why you chose your new name?”

“The emissary suggested it,” said Chase, remembering her face and the courtyard which they had spoken of in his dream. “But I don’t know if it was connected. She also suggested I go by ‘Errol’.”

Thomas laughed.

“She gave me three options: Thomas, Andy, or Nebuchadnezzar.”

“Nebucha-what?”

“Nebuchadnezzar,” repeated Thomas. “She said I could go by “Neb” as a nickname. Isn’t that strange?”

“I once met a man named Poly-Wants-a-Cracker. We called him Poly for short.”

“What a strange world this is,” said Thomas, shaking his head. “It makes you wonder what AION was thinking about when he made this place.”

“True.”

They sat in silence for a while. Chase joined Thomas in plucking blades of grass from the courtyard. It was oddly soothing, until he realized his patch of grass had some of Markon’s blood on it. He glanced at the pile of bodies and noticed that a large human arm was sticking out from the bottom.

_Too heavy to move, I suppose, _thought Chase.

Suddenly there were the sounds of people talking coming from the entrance. The three fighters soon emerged. They were all holding a pile of sticks and Chase could not see their faces over the wood. Thomas solved that problem by calling to them.

“Oi! Chase is up!”

The trio dropped their bundles at the same time and ran over to Chase.

“There he is!” Said Brent. He slapped Chase on the shoulder and examined his chest.

“It’s fine,” said Chase, patting his chest.

“That’s good to hear,” said Alex, puffing slightly at the exertion. “We thought you were gonna die.”

“You look healthy,” said Claire, squinting at his face. “And slightly flushed. Have you been moving goblins or something?”

“Nah,” said Brent with a laugh. “He and Christie—.”

“Brent!” Interrupted Chase. “Yes, I’m fine. And thank you, Claire, I am well. And, Alex, no dying today.”

The three fighters grinned and Chase saw the relief in their eyes. They had nearly lost their leader, and Chase wondered what would have become of them if he had actually died.

_Maybe I should appoint a second in command,_thought Chase to himself.

“I have an announcement to make,” said Chase before anymore chatter could begin. “Thomas, go get Marlon and Amelie for me.”

“No need,” said Thomas, pointing behind Claire.

Christie was walking towards them with a large bottle of some murky liquid in her hands. Marlon and Amelie were following here talking excitedly to one another.

“We did it,” said Christie. She held up the large bottle. “It almost didn’t happen, but we managed to brew a Killers Best Friend. Once we douse the bodies they will have been dissolved in less than a day.”

“Gross,” said Claire, wrinkling her nose.

“Wow!” Said Thomas excitedly. “I can’t wait to see that!”

“We will be long gone when it takes effect,” said Chase. He motioned towards the ground before him. “Guys, take a seat please.”

“Finally!” Said Thomas as the others took their seats. Only Christie remained standing. She placed the bottle gently on the ground, well away from any of the guild members and crossed her arms.

The guild did as Chase bid and he looked at each of them in turn.

“I—we…have come up with a plan.”

“Lay it on me,” said Brent, tapping the ground before him with a steady beat.

“We are leaving Lazerpail.”

“Makes sense,” said Alex, plucking grass from the ground.

“Where are we going?” Asked Claire. She was leaning back, and appeared more relax than he had seen her for weeks.

“Well, as you know we can’t stay here. Xemnara knows where we are and since we killed two of her people I doubt she will be very forgiving about that. Lazerpail is no longer safe.”

There was silence for a moment, and then Thomas turned his head to look at Chase.

“_And?_”

“Right,” said Chase, shaking his head. “Sorry, still a bit foggy from the Potion of Dreamless Healing. We are going to be moving closer to the King City. There is a place there where we will be safe until we have finished our first contracts and we can leave Avalon. The training may be slower, but at least our progress won’t be totally impeded. I still plan on getting all of us to our second contracts as quickly as possible.”

“So the King City is safe?” Said Marlon. “I don’t see how any place will be safer than a fort. I understand that this one is compromised but there must be others.”

“Sure,” said Chase, nodding his head. “Many, but they are all guild controlled and we don’t have the power to take one. The new place will be—.”

“My estate,” interrupted Christie. The guild looked at her suddenly. “It’s called Strawberry Meadows, and is about a mile from the city. The Old Guard don’t know I own it, and it is also enchanted with enough spells to keep the Antagonista away, along with her followers. You will all have to travel a bit for training, but it’s the best plan we could come up with in the time being.”

There were cries of shock.

“Really?” Said Amelie in wonder. “That sounds wonderful! Thank you so much Lady Christie.”

“Don’t thank me yet,” said Christie with a small laugh. “I bought the estate for a very particular reason. That reason is what made the place so affordable, actually. It wasn’t my first idea, but, considering how well you all have held up against multiple attacks from the Antagonista I suppose you’ll be fine there.”

“What? Is it haunted or something?” Said Alex. He looked confused.

“Yes, in fact it is,” said Christie. “In fact, I would say it is ridiculously haunted. Ludicrously haunted.”

“Wow,” muttered Claire. “How many ghosts are there?”

“Only one,” said Christie. “But this ghost more than makes up for its lack of numbers by the sheer quality of its power.”

“Sounds rather frightening,” said Amelie, aghast.

“That’s not the half of it,” said Christie. “The reason this ghost is so powerful is the person it once was in life. It requires a strong player to leave a ghost of any kind behind, let alone a ghost which can haunt an entire estate.”

“Who was he?” Said Alex. Then he glanced at Amelie and lowered his gaze. “Or she?”

“She,” said Christie. “It is—was-female. The name of the player was Tergara.”

“Tergara the Troublesome,” said Chase. “And we had best get used to her, Banes. She does not mess around.”