Framework of the Frontier, Sain Artwell [read me a book .TXT] 📗

danger bonus is big, especially on the Cursed Frontier.” Lidarein gave her a tired look.

Letter King waved her breakfast away, picking up a gilded mug with what smelled like mulled wine. “Mmh, I would pay you more if I could, Lidarein dear, but out of the thousand I make a day most are reserved for certain powers via magically enforced pacts. I do not have all that many to spare for personal use. But, I am willing to make this small donation towards hiring a suitable Ranger.”

It would save time and leave him with what amounted to a thick stack of money, even after sending out the letters. William scratched his one-day stubble. He was tempted, very much so.

“Something tells me there’s more to it than a simple clean-up job. You’re willing to pay the price of twelve Lidarein’s for one month’s job. I may have some powers, but I can tell you I’m not worth a hundred of her.”

Letter King chuckled. “Indeed, you are not. Should you accept, I would have Lidarein and Ember to leave. Certain parts of the cleanup operation are private.”

“You can’t do that!” Lidarein blurted, frowning. “Rangers are not your personal adventurers and I’m the Chief Ranger of this realm.”

“Hush now, silly girl. The people of this colony are my personal servants.”

“Rangers swear fealty to the Nibirian Empire. We’re first and foremost beholden to the Nibirian law, not—”

“Quiet.” Letter King quieted the room with a stern glare, flicking her finger towards the door. “The Empire has people whose sole job is to lick my butt, yes? It has been wiped already, so you may leave. Shoo.”

William heard Lidarein’s teeth grinding. She spun towards the door, giving him a frozen look on her way out. “Think it through…”

“You too,” the Letter King added.

Ember followed Lidarein, pursing her lips. She was about to say something to William, but held it in.

Alone with the silver haired elf, William said, “Wasn’t that a bit in bad taste?”

“Couldn’t resist it. I’m only mortal and life here tends to get awfully boring.” She sampled her brew, seemingly appreciating its taste. “Now, give me a ‘yes’ or ‘no’.”

“It sounds like a good deal, but if the extra is all ‘danger bonus’ I might have to reconsider.”

“Some of it does, yes. But for the most part it is hush money, an insurance to ensure you deliver it to me.”

“Hmm…” He was physically strong, yes. He had the advantage of divine powers, yes. How bad could it be? Monkeys and monsters are ten times easier to predict than coke heads and teenage pickpockets. But what was so valuable that a colonial governor would hire any strong enough stranger to hunt?

“If I’m risking my life to find this thing. Can I at least know what it is? I do want the stamps, but if this a suicide hunt for some soul sucking cursed artifact…”

“It is entirely harmless and usable only by the Letter King. You do not need to know more of it to accept the task.”

“True.” William thought it for a moment, before saying, “Alright. I accept.”

“Excellent. I need you to find and recover this.” She waved her finger.

A floating hand gifted William with a folded piece of paper describing an intricate diagram of a small sceptre. Hieroglyphs similar to those on Letter King’s skin and the building decorated its surface. “A daring adventurer spotted it in the possession of a golem near Nastall some time ago. It took it to a dungeon in the area, which keeps spawning those annoying grunts. I’m sure you’ll have no trouble finding the place. Needless to say, this part is confidential. Your official task is to clear the golem infestation and other trouble in the area to make Nastall habitable.”

“Make it habitable?” William blinked. “I thought it was a remote town.”

“It’s a… What should we call it?” Letter King’s eyes searched the ceiling. “It’s a place some two hundred miles south-west from New Ea, right off the coast of Odisea.”

“Right. A place.” William pinched his nose. “Am I correct to assume two hundred miles between here and there are untamed wilderness?”

“Yes, but you can take the Ghost Engine. It should be coming by sometime tonight.”

He blinked. “Ghost Engine?”

“The one that goes, choo-choo and mows over all who stand on its tracks. While not exactly safe, it is the fastest way to traverse the Cursed Frontier. Its tracks are some distance from New Ea. Lidarein will take you there.”

6

After being equipped by Lidarein, William joined a group of adventurers to wait on a bridge above overgrown tracks. Towers of New Ea were still in view, some two miles East. A ‘neighbourhood’ of shorter ruined apartments of ancient arabic design spread around them.

“There it comes. Get ready to jump!” Lidarein pointed at the end of a long ravine-like alley between ruined city blocks. The Ghost Engine rolled into view.

It was enormous. The front engine was an aerodynamic bead the size of a double decker bus, sculpted of a crimson alloy with a matte coat. At its front the bust of a slender girl facing forward in a proud pose. Round hooded windows on the sides of the Engine spitted out puffs of bright azure in a rhythmic tune. Following the locomotive was a long trail of carts covered in thick layers of vegetation.

It appeared to be slowing down.

William picked up his bag of survival gear and travel rations. He tucked a five pointed bronze star under his shirt, gripped the scabbard of his big cleaver falchion, and approached the edge of the bridge.

“Uh-oh. There are many many nasty vermin and undead riding the front carts. Not so many in the rear from what I can see. Might be good to take the last one,” Ember said, her eyes lit up by a glow of magic.

She