Up again early, just after dawn. Helping the women set up the plates and silverware for breakfast, again, and giving what were hopefully my final goodbyes, once again, to the newbie dorm. They didn't quite manage to stick all those years ago, hopefully this go around will be the last.
Walking out the door at half after seven with my two bleary-eyed helpers, the brunette with the freckles and roundish face, and the blonde, taller, who was currently annoyed at not being able to wear her new sandals.
“Okay, fine,” says the blonde. “We're going on a hike outside the city to do something. You haven't said what, I'll remind you, so I can understand the shoes. But did we really need to bring these ratty old clothes?”
The second point of contention. They'd shown up to breakfast wearing what they had the day before. Entirely unsuitable. The compromise had been two jackets from the bin, overly large, but with several interior pockets.
“Look at the sky, the wind's shifted. The past two days have been clear but we're going to be getting rain in the afternoon, or early evening. Maybe sooner. You'll thank me for those jackets, mark my words.” Except they aren't for the rain. The two looking at each other, and then at the sky, which probably seemed no different than yesterday.
“Um, Lucy,” says the brunette, “I know we said we'd help, but we still don't know what we're going to be doing.”
Wanted to be at the gate before spilling that detail. Get them further away from the dorm and make backing out more difficult. Not quite at the town square, but not answering soon, potentially risking mutiny. May as well explain.
“Your help today is going to be invaluable.” Their expressions souring at my hamfisted attempt to butter them up. “It will. You remember what I said yesterday about what to fight outside the gate?”
“Something about tree sprites and crabs,” say the blonde. “What do you even mean, 'fight' them? We do want to help, but level with us, what are you even talking about?”
They didn't tell them anything at that worthless Academy, did they? Like Rath last year, coming in without a clue.
“Today, you're going to help me hunt some boars.” The blonde starting to interrupt but stopping at my upheld hand. “I'll deal with bringing them down, you two need to focus on skinning them, and breaking off and collecting their tusks. They're fairly large, so distribution of labor is going to be essential. This isn't a one person job.” The two girls looking at each other. “I know you have questions.”
“Why?” asks the blonde.
Throwing me for a loop, didn't expect a question so broad. Questioning the fundamental nature of reality. Because, the answer most appropriate. Or maybe she's referring to the ethical ramifications of hunting in general, but if the boars aren't really real, is that an ethical dilemma to be concerned about? Which leads directly back to questioning the nature of reality itself. Probably the best place to start.
“Where, exactly, are you standing right now?”
The girl looking around, the shops, a few food carts, the fountain, the Great Western Road just off to the north and, north of that, the main entrance to the noble district through the inner wall. Not very much traffic this time of morning.
“The town square?” she says, with some uncertainty.
“Are you? Is that really where you're at, right now?”
“Yes.” With more certainty, while continuing to look around.
“Why do you say that?”
“Because that's where I am. I can see it. I can feel it.”
“Okay. I don't disagree, you're essentially correct.”
“It's some kind of game, we're not really here.” The brunette butting in.
Facing her and holding up my index finger. “No, don't think like that. That's the worst mistake you can possibly make. Let me see each of your hands, I'll show you the extent of how gamelike it is.” Putting my hand out in front of me. Both of them reaching out, and putting theirs on top of mine. Starting the group.
Looking at them and suddenly knowing their names. The blonde, Evelyn Riley. The brunette, Kathleen Wolfe.
“Lucilia?” says Riley. “That's a bit archaic.”
“I figured it was short for Lucille.” says Wolfe.
“I thought yours was short for Katherine.”
Wolfe smiling. “So, then, I'm right. It's a game. I've played some like this. Almost, sort of, kind of, like this.”
“You're partially right, but you're mostly wrong. This started way back when as a joint venture with the military. Some of the games you've played probably came from that research, and some of the innovations from those undoubtedly fed their way back in, but it's unlike anything you've experienced as a civilian. It was designed specifically for this kind of deep space work. That's why Evie is actually more correct when she says it's real than you are when you say it's a game.”
“I get what you're saying,” Wolfe dismissing my argument with her hand, “but there's experience, there's skills to learn, there's health and mana. You're having us hunt boars to get experience, right? How is that not a game?”
“You've been in here for multiple days straight, at this point, right? Normally in a game like this you'd never be able to stay in even close to that long. Probably wouldn't even last more than several hours. Your mind would reject it. All the inconsistencies would stack up and the dissonance would force you to exit. Because it's not real.” The girl starting to respond. “If you think it's a game why haven't you gone exploring, yet?”
“Because, um, well...”
“Because you can tell the difference. You can feel my hand. See? Real. You probably stubbed your toe, or something, and it hurt. Actually hurt.”
Wolfe narrowing her eyes, but then shrugging.
“Lucy,” says Riley, “you didn't answer my question.” Wait, really? Pretty sure it was answered exhaustively. “Why are we going out to hunt boars?”
Straightforward, didn't back down when pressed, but more than capable of missing the trees for the forest.
“Because Kate wasn't wrong. It is, in some respects, a game.” Wolfe looking vindicated at that. “But I need to impress on her, and you, the importance of taking it seriously.” Looking at each of them, in turn. “You two can come with me into the field, and we'll make more money in a few short hours than you did all day yesterday. And then we'll come back, have a nice lunch, and take the rest of the day off. Or you can opt to get by at a subsistence level, cowering in the city and neither enjoying nor suffering much. Which would you prefer?”
“It's dangerous out there, isn't it?” says Riley, frowning in thought. “But if you need our help, and if you think we can do it, I'll come with you.”
“Alright,” says Wolfe, a bit more apprehensive.
Heading into the general store and fronting the cost for two large sacks before handing them out. Inquiring about the price of ink. Expensive. Buying a small bottle.
The final item at the weapon shop. Wolfe looking at the selection and choosing something resembling a claw hammer, with the claw side being a single extended pick. A solid choice. Two knives currently, but need something with a bit more weight. Choosing a hatchet, had worked fine against the Worm, and left with less than two silver as a result. Riley watching us buy the new weapons but not making a purchase herself.
“We're almost set, but we should stop by the bank, first. Depositing all your money before heading out is a good habit to get into.”
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
The two having quizzical looks at that, but not raising any questions. Following the Great Western Road through the city and then arriving at the West Gate. While the architecture in the interior of the city had been improving steadily over the years, the West Gate is a reminder that the town is still very much situated on the edge of the frontier. The guardhouse and attached tower made of dark stone and the gate itself, now open, constructed by using whole trees, the logs being lashed together and then reinforced and connected on the outside by riveting metal straps. The ropes themselves had long since weathered away, but small gaps between the wood showing where they had been. For the past couple years there had been a few proposals to replace the gate with something more aesthetic, but the expense, and the fact that the gate was still quite functional, ultimately meant that it wasn't a priority. Further, the majority of the available manpower and discretionary funding had been monopolized by the almost complete current public works project, a new lighthouse.
Standing off to the side of the gate, a contingent of Stormhawk, about ten, outfitted and ready for the day. Davos, at the front, chatting with another. Rath there, as well, yawning. Definitely not a morning person.
“Hey Kate, Evie, hold up a second. I need to do some last minute prep and I want to wait for that group to leave first. Kate, let me see your hammer.”
Pulling out the small bottle of ink and dipping the tip of my dagger in it. Drawing the rune on the handle of her hammer, my hatchet and my backup dagger. Setting them aside. Pulling off my glove and using the charcoal to draw Runic Shield on my hand.
“What are you doing?” says Riley.
“In order to use my magic I need to draw a rune first. Pick up that dagger right now and see how it feels.”
The girl picking it up and weighing it in her hand. “I don't know what I'm supposed to be feeling.” Wolfe doing the same for her hammer.
“You will. The ink should be dry soon and then I'll do it.”
Two of the Stormhawk looking over at us, at me, specifically. Breaking away from their group and walking over. Who are- oh, the two guards from outside their house the other day. Activate the rune, or no? Nah, better hold off, no reason to seem hostile. The two swaggering up and giving us a good once over.
“Hey,” says one, “you came by the house the other day, right?”
“Yep.” No reason to deny it.
“Thought so. Listen, the reason we treated you like we did, the House has a policy not to let in beggars. I'm not saying you were begging, but wearing what you were, it seemed like it.”
“If that's the House policy, you made the right call. That's exactly what I was doing.”
“Uh...” Not expecting an honest answer.
“Yo, this chick's funny,” the other one laughing. “Listen, babe, we didn't mean nothing personal by it. If you, or your friends,” his eyes lingering on Riley, “want to come by the house later, come on by.”
“Sure thing.” Both smiling at that. “Hey, are you guys heading out to Melder's right now?”
“Not anymore,” says the first, “We got new orders and we're heading up north. Should be back by dinner.”
Guess the alliance with Koln is officially a done deal.
“Oh, yeah, where you going?”
“We're headed up to-” the other one elbowing him in the side, cutting him off.
“That's top secret information.” The guy winking at me.
“Well now I really want to know.”
“Hey,” Davos yelling from across the way. “we're about to head out. Stop flirting with those skirts and fall in.”
“You come by tonight,” he says, “and maybe I'll tell you.”
Watching them join up with the rest of the Stormhawk group and then head out the gate. Idiots. Simultaneously their most endearing and repulsive feature.
“Any reason you waited for them to go first?” says Wolfe, after they'd left. She probably suspects.
“There is, and I'll tell you in a bit, but first let me see those weapons again.”
Touching and activating the rune on the hammer, dagger and hatchet. Handing them back and watching them marvel.
“This is incredible,” says Wolfe, giving the hammer a practice swing.
“It's definitely different,” Riley confirming.
Activating my Runic Shield, and surprising them again.
“That's why I said yesterday that you don't know a tenth of what you're capable of.”
Walking with them out the gate, and on the Great Western Road for about a mile, farmland and ranches to the north. Getting to the end of a fence, and turning onto a small path heading north, a forest off to our left.
“So why did you wait for them to head out first?” says Wolfe. Yeah, she definitely suspects.
“Neither of you have been out of the city yet, right?” Shaking their heads. “Inside the city we're protected by force of law. If you attack someone, or steal from someone and they notice, you'll be held accountable. {ossibly even sent to jail if it's bad enough. Out here,” or under the city, “we're not protected.”
Wolfe not particularly surprised but Riley suddenly looking much more nervous.
“Part of the reason I had you wear those coats was to signal that we're newbies. Not much to steal. But beyond theft, people tend to play nice.” With the occasional death, here and there. “I mean, we're all colleagues, and we're all kind of stuck with each other. Anything worse tends to invite reprisals, or feuds for life.” Pausing for a moment. Pissed off all sorts of people over the years. “That said, don't let your guard down when you're outside.”
“Wait,” says Riley, “you wanted them to go ahead because you were worried about them robbing us?”
“Them? Nah. They aren't going to bother with little fish like us. Maybe I overstated the danger from other people.” Didn't, but no reason to make them overly paranoid. “The main thing you've got to worry about are monsters on the road. The area outside the gates is pretty safe but since they headed out ahead of us they'll take care of anything that could have wandered in that doesn't belong.”
Riley glancing back in the direction of the gate.
“Evie, listen,” says Wolfe, “We're going to be fine, okay?”
“Okay.” Riley sounding less than okay.
Heading north for a couple minutes more and then over a bridge.
“We're going to head west into the trees. This area here, and south of that bridge, there's Tree Sprites. If we run into any they're a bonus but we're only passing through.” Walking into the woods a bit more, and then an animated piece of vegetable matter, not even remotely humanoid in shape, coming in from the side, waving its upper appendages. “That's a Tree Sprite.” Pointing at it. “Kate, you want to tackle it?” She spent a moment looking at it, and then at me. “Go on, you'll be fine.”
Wolfe cautiously walking toward it. The Tree Sprite making a halfhearted attempt at whipping her with its appendage, and missing. Then Wolfe bringing her hammer down in an overhead chop, caving the Tree Sprite's upper area in, dropping it, unmoving, to the ground.
“Good job!” Coming over and clapping her on the shoulder.
“You were right,” she says, looking at her hammer. “It feels real. The impact on hitting that thing, I felt it all the way up my arm. It is real. What if it hit me?”
“Then the pain you felt would be real, as well. Not a bad thing, either. It's useful. Nature's way of trying to correct you.” Doesn't look terribly reassured. “See these little sprouts on this thing? Those are worth something. It'll dematerialize in about fifteen, twenty minutes, so make sure to collect them.”
Continuing further into the woods.
“Lucy,” says Riley, “I've been meaning to ask you this. You seem to know a lot about this place, but I don't remember ever seeing you at the Academy. Were you in a different class there, at some point? Did they tell you about all this? Because they never mentioned anything about this place at all.”
She looks so lost. But it wouldn't be fair to carelessly crush everything she thinks she knows to dust in one go. You've been lied to. Everything you've learned has almost no relevance to your life now. You were fed sweet tasting falsehoods to get you out here and now they've got you. Then again, it's the truth. Harsh, but necessary. Certainly not fair, but only the deluded expect fairness.
“I've heard bits and pieces about this Academy, but I never went.” Their faces registering surprise. “What did they even teach you over at that place?”
“You never,” says Riley, “uh, well, there was a generalized curriculum, and then some specialized classes based on what we wanted to do out here. And a lot of testing. Stress tests, ethics, aptitudes, physical fitness.”
“And plenty of stuff about what to do on the journey over here,” Wolfe adding. “Takeoff procedures, what we were going to be doing on the ship, things like that.” The girl pausing. “You really never went?”
“Nope, didn't have to, I've always been mechanically inclined. They only gave me a bunch of tests.”
Aced the ones that mattered. The rest? Bunch of bullshit. How do you pass a psyche eval or ethics test written by those fucks? Just spit back what a particularly servile automaton would.
“The reason I came out here, my family's never been well off, and my kid sister had some kind of disease. I'd always caused too much trouble growing up and they never thought I'd amount to anything. Only fit for grunt work. So, when this deal came along? Imagine their shock. Ended up completely signing my life away but it was worth it.” For everything. “So, as far as I'm concerned, don't waste your time thinking about why they didn't mention this place. You're here now and that's what matters, and they are so far away. Maybe they thought it was so amazing and wonderful they didn't feel like they could do it justice.”