Chapter Six: Shieldmistress Altheria
Hero of Allerion?
Tara had heard the title before, more times than she could count. Every user’s character was a “Hero of Allerion.” Some critics complained that the title was cheesy or overly grandiose, but Tara had always kind of liked the encouragement that came from being a “hero.”
But in the game, being a “Hero of Allerion” was, while respected, not often revered. Some NPCs would chime, “Oh, I heard of your adventure in the Abyss of Skulls! That must have been terrifying.” More frequently, they wouldn’t recognize the player as a hero at all and were simply looking for "anyone" to help them in a character-related side quest.
In Allerion, heroes didn’t rest on their laurels. Proving yourself was a mission that never ended. When the player was first named a Hero of Allerion in the opening quest, there might be a little fanfare. But in this particular encounter, while the location and circumstance were the same, Tara wasn’t getting that usual thrill.
Something wasn’t right. She didn’t remember the rescued slaves looking at her as if she had fallen off another planet. Even the usually unflappable Horon was startled at Wenrik’s suggestion, and the Borzerk himself was almost challenging, daring Tara to deny that she was, in fact, the Hero of Allerion.
“I don’t know what you mean,” said Tara, embarrassed and a little frightened.
She’d never been afraid to be called a Hero of Allerion before.
Tara looked up, alarmed, at a flash of blue light. This wasn’t like the trophy announcement. This glare was almost blinding, surrounding her. Tara cried out in alarm at a whooshing sensation that swept her off her feet.
When she opened her eyes, she was shocked to discover she was no longer on the slaver’s ship. A pale, almost dreamlike haze surrounded her. The ground under her feet was mist-like, but solid. Gothic, medieval arches reached above her, rising to a shimmering sky that reminded Tara oddly of the bottom of a swimming pool. Everything was luminous.
“Welcome, Hero of Allerion,” said a cool, direct voice. “Allow me to congratulate you on reaching Level 2.”
Tara turned, alarmed.
The person standing behind her was as fantastic and dreamlike as their surroundings. Her hair was stark white, braided back from her high, pale forehead. She was dressed in the deepest blue cloak Tara had ever seen, as if it had been woven out of the evening’s deepening darkness. Her dress was woven with silver thread that glittered like distant starlight.
Her eyes were large and blue, considering Tara with interest. Her long ears were elegant and faun-like, curling at the tips.
“You’re an elf,” breathed Tara in an awed whisper.
Those blue eyes blinked.
“Yes,” said the elf-woman. “I am Shieldmistress Altheria. It is my purpose, Hero, to strengthen you on your journey.”
Tara couldn’t stop looking around her with wide eyes. “I don’t understand,” she whispered. “How can something feel like a dream and still be so real?”
She looked up, alarmed, when the elf tucked a finger under her chin and raised her head. The Shieldmistress stood for a long second, simply looking.
“I see,” the elf murmured at last. “You are not like the others. You knew my name before I even spoke it, didn’t you?”
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Tara felt a fresh wave of fear. It had taken her a moment, but she did recognize the Shieldmistress. Whenever a character leveled up, the Shieldmistress would present them with new skills they could unlock, according to their ability. But it was one thing to see the imperious elf in her computer screen. It was another thing entirely to be with her in person, and see how tall and imposing this daughter of the Shadowken really was.
“I mean,” said the elf, in the same clearly pronounced murmur, “that you are not looking into our world. You are looking beyond it. This is most unusual. Come, Tara MacQueen.”
Tara followed uneasily.
The elf stopped in front of a mirror as high as a door. The glass surface didn't reflect anything, but at the elf’s touch many faces, one after another, floated into view. There were the faces of Borzerks like Tara and Wenrik, of fair and dark elves, gnomes and trolls. There were Fenmen and Skor, countless numbers of them, passing like ghosts in a mist.
“They are all heroes of Allerion like you,” said the Shieldmistress. “They have earned their place in our world. But each of them, when they came to me for the first time, did not know who I was. They did not question the reality of what was before their eyes. You, on the other hand, seem to know everything and nothing.”
Tara wasn’t sure whether to be amazed or offended.
“You are not one of us,” said the elf simply, “or you would not be here. On the other hand, you must be one of us, or on equal terms you would have no place in my Vale.”
“I don’t understand,” said Tara, not for the first time.
“Do you need to?” Altheria took her hand and brought her away from the mirror. A massive tree that looked as if its branches, leaves, and trunk were hammered from welded iron rose above them.
“As a Level 2 hero, you have earned 10 points that you can add to any one of your current abilities, stamina, strength, magic, dexterity, or intelligence,” said the Shieldmistress. “Depending on your growth in these areas, you can unlock various skills. You must begin on the lower branches of the tree.”
Tara stepped closer, intrigued. At the tree’s lowest branches hung several crystals that glittered as she approached. Reaching out to touch one of them, she gasped when the crystal glowed at her touch, and an arc formed that read in silver letters:
War Shout I – Staggers Enemies Up To Level 15 for 5 Seconds
“Useful for a hero with an aggressive attack method,” commented Altheria. “This may be more your style if you are looking for long-range benefits.”
Sharp Arrow I – Attacking an enemy from long-range increases arrow damage by 2%
“That doesn’t seem like much,” said Tara.
“It builds over time, as I’m sure you’re aware,” said the Shieldmistress mildly. “But there are two steps to this process. First you must decide where you want to invest the points you earned by completing the tutorial quest.”
“Shieldmistress,” said Tara hesitantly. “This—this is all great. But I just—it’s all too incredible. How can I possibly be inside a game?”
The elf considered her calmly. Tara looked aside. She didn’t know why she was ashamed, but she was.
“Not that you’re a game,” she murmured. “In my world, you were special. You’re still special. Sword of Allerion was an escape, and more. I just never expected to find myself here in person.”
To her surprise, Altheria sounded amused. “Are you happy to be here, Hero?”
Tara straightened her shoulders. She nodded, not trusting herself to speak.
“I believe you are here for a reason,” said the elf quietly. “I would tell you more, but I am only beginning to understand myself. For now, we must experience this mystery as it unfolds.”
“Okay,” said Tara.
“When you return to the others,” said the Shieldmistress, “they will have many questions. Do not feel, Tara MacQueen, that you must have all the answers. Some things, often the best things, take time to understand, if they are meant to be understood at all.”
Tara weighed what the Shieldmistress said. She was grateful for this pause, this moment of reflection and rest.
“When I choose where to put my points, I’ll have to go back, won’t I?” she asked.
The elf nodded. “Of course.”
“Can I come back?”
Altheria smiled gently. “Of course, Hero. You may review your stats whenever you wish. Simply call out with your mind, and you can escape whenever it pleases you. This is your place, a haven that no other can access, neither friends nor enemies. In every situation, do not be afraid to return here.”
“Will they notice I’m gone?” asked Tara.
The Shieldmistress shook her head. “Time does not move here as it does in the world below,” she said. “It will seem like a blink to them, the time between your going and your coming.”
Tara took a deep breath. “Ten points, you said? Can I put that into dexterity?”
The Shieldmistress nodded, pressing her palms together in a slight bow. “An excellent choice, Hero. And for your skill?”
“Not the War Shout,” said Tara, thinking. “Or the arrow one. I seem to remember there being a skill for increasing damage in single-handed weapons. Can I start there?”
“It is your choice,” said Altheria, pointing her towards one of the crystals on the tree.