“Hey Val, how do you think things went with Prajio today?”
“You are playing a dangerous game, Ethan. I do not support this. However, you have conducted yourself well thus far, and Prajio was helpful in your quest. Although his presence wasn’t necessary for us to succeed. I know you only invited him to spite me.”
“That quest was successful because of Prajio, and I invited him so I could learn more about him. Know your enemy and all that.”
“It’s ‘know your enemy,’ not ‘get drunk and laugh it up’ with your enemy.”
“He’s surprised me so far. He even seems to have some sympathy for humans.”
“He is a Kurskin,’ Val said flatly. ‘He cares for nothing but himself.”
“Hmm. Sounds like someone else I know.”
“Who?”
I rolled my eyes. “He’s invited me to join him tomorrow. He has a quest to hunt a wanted criminal. I’m going to tag along. I figure it would be a good way to gain experience, and maybe the system will bring me into the quest at some point like it did earlier for Prajio.”
“I would advise against spending another second with that scaly, disgusting lizard, but I know you would ignore my advice, so how about this? Do whatever you want, Ethan. Like you said, I’m a tool to you now, and my only purpose is to help when needed.”
“Now you know how I felt with you in charge.”
Val appeared on the bed next to me. “She was wearing a revealing black nightgown. The gown ended just above her thighs, revealing a tantalizing amount of leg. I blinked away some errant thoughts.
“I want to work with you, Ethan,” Val said. “As a team, with neither in charge, but for that to happen, you must fail, just as I did. I will let this happen because you will only then realize how stupid it is to ignore my guidance.”
“I appreciate your guidance, Val, I really do.” I closed my eyes, tired and ready for sleep to take me. “How about this? I’ll go on his quest tomorrow, learn as much as possible about the Kurskins, and then cut him loose. Deal?”
“That is acceptable.”
“Look at that; compromise is a key component of all relationships, even parasitic ones.”
“Do not refer to me as a parasite.”
My eyebrows rose. “Sorry, I’ll only think it.”
Her nose scrunched up in anger, but she didn’t say anything.
“Goodnight, Val.”
***
I met Prajio early in the morning at a ranch outside of Danver. It was a long walk, but the air was crisp and invigorating. I’d always loved the smell of fresh mountain air with that hint of pine and rain.
I didn’t know what he had in store for me, but I was eager to find out. So far, things had gone well between us, and his thinking that I’m some Special NPC could only benefit me. My mind spun about the different ways I could use Prajio to my advantage.
He stood when he saw me. He had been sitting on a wooden bench near a fence beyond which horses galloped in a green field.
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When we were close, I put my fist to my chest and bowed. He returned the action, thus negating the need for a handshake greeting. This was easy.
“I am pleased to see you again, my friend,” Prajio said.
“What? You didn’t think I’d show?”
“I had faith, but there have been times where my faith has failed me in the past.”
I smiled sympathetically. “I know how that feels. What do you have in store for us today?”
His lips curled into a long, toothy grin. “As you are aware, I freelance as a bounty hunter. I have a contract on a marauder. He is dangerous and gifted, like you.”
“What’s his gift?”
“He is exceedingly strong and large. More ogre than man. It is said when he was born, he began to grow and never stopped. Likely, some curse or witchcraft was involved. It does not matter. All that matters is that we bring back proof of death.”
Prajio took a step forward and met my eye. “Are you keen, my friend?”
I nodded, a smile on my face. “When do we get started?
“I am ready now.”
“Then we're wasting time standing here.”
***
Our prey’s name was Deek Brewston. He led a small gang northwest of Danver in the foothills of the Bygone Mountains. Prajio said there should be at least six of them, plus big ol’ Deek. The giant man and his crew were constant troublemakers and a pain in the local Constable’s ass. Lately, more and more traders went through the doors of Danver only to inform the Burgomaster that they were robbed on the path east of the mountains.
Prajio had intel that the gang always retreated northwest, towards the mountains. So, that’s where we were headed.
It was a day’s hike to the base of the mountains, and then it was just a guessing game from there. Prajio said he would be able to track them, but I had a hard time believing we would just happily stumble over a set of giant footprints.
Prajio, ever the conversationalist, chatted my ears off the entire hike. He taught me more about Kurskin culture and their social structures. The Archon was at the top, but there was a ruling class below the Archon. They were called Kushars, similar to a Baron or feudal lord.
Of course, this was only how they were structured on Erda. I didn't know what it was like beyond the sphere.
The Kurskins greatly valued family and bloodlines. They took pride in their ancestors' accomplishments and always strived to achieve something worthy of remembrance.
It seemed this Quest for Conquest game was one of the few opportunities for a Kurskin to achieve something worth being remembered for in a civilization that had already reached the highest pinnacle of collective accomplishment.
Prajio was good company. He knew a lot about this world, far more than me. I learned the Kurskins controlled three cities in western Vedra. He added that it was unfortunate they had to levy so many humans and lamented the necessity.
During our long hike, we followed one of the many rivers flowing down from the mountains. The scenery was idyllic: a clear stream surrounded by green grass spotted by the occasional boulder field. Tall Spruces towered at the base of the mountains. And down from it all, we could see the sprawling wooden city of Danver.
“Quiet the view,” I said.
“It is something special,’ Prajio said. “We are lucky to live in this amazing world.”
I couldn’t have disagreed with the statement more. “So, what do we do now?” The sun was beginning to set.
“We make camp,” Prajio said. “And in the morning, we hunt. If we are lucky, they will see our camp tonight and attempt to attack or capture us.”
I raised my eyebrows. “You want them to attack us in the night.”
Prajio flipped his tail. “Day, night, it does not matter.” He looked at me with his sharp eyes. “Especially with the powerful Ethan Musgrave by my side.”
“Sure, sounds like a piece of cake.”
Prajio took a step back and put a hand to his chest. “Whatever do you mean by that? What does a piece of cake sound like?”
I laughed. “It’s just a human expression. It’s another way of saying something will be easy.”
“Piece of cake,” Prajio said with a smile. “I like this. I am going to use this.” He barked a laugh. “Piece of cake.”
So that was the plan: We would camp brightly and loudly during the night and hope to be raided. I still didn’t know what Prajio was capable of, so I had to trust he could handle himself. I felt like that trust was well-placed.
Prajio unrolled a simple mat with a small round pillow. It was all he needed to be comfortable in the night. I followed suit and threw down my burlap blanket, which I kept in my pack, along with a few other meager belongings since I couldn’t use my quantum inventory in front of Prajio.
“Should one of us keep watch?” I asked.
Prajio scoffed. “A watch could deter the bandits.” His smile showed all his sharp teeth. “They have an open invite as far as I’m concerned, and I’d rather not dissuade them.”
“Should I try not to sleep?”
“Oh, my friend, rest is vital to your well-being. I plan to sleep. You should, too.”
“Okay. Goodnight, Prajio.”
“Goodnight, Ethan.”
“What about me?” Val said.
‘Goodnight, Val.’
“Thank you, Ethan. Although proper manners would have been to wish me goodnight first, as I am the only female in your party. But I’ll let it slide this one time.”
‘Let me know if we’re about to be attacked, okay?’
“I live to serve.”