End of an Era (Project Chrysalis Book 2), John Gold [ebook reader online txt] 📗

money, if only by getting me past the guards.

The column is winding its way through the whole city, and finding the guy turns out to be easy. Like Metarion said, he’s right at the front. There are also four large, serious-looking kids holding axes riding with him. They watch me darkly, though they let me through to the old man.

“Hello, sir. Are you Flas, by any chance?”

“What do you need, kid?”

“I’m looking for a couple, Arman and Camelia. They made their way through your city about a year ago, stopping in to see you before continuing on their way.”

“Yes, something like that, though I can’t exactly remember. My memory isn’t what it used to be.”

The world is going to pot. Bribes have made their way into the game, and I have no choice but to pull a bracelet I got from an attacker out of my pack.

“Thanks, that’s a fine gift.” Flas drops it into his bag, and I figure he’ll just say that he forgot to give it back if anything happens. “Yes, I remember them. They bought horses, lots of provisions, and clothing.”

“Do you know where they were going?”

“I can’t quite recall.”

A pair of glittering eyes look back at me, expecting another bribe. I have to give him my sword. At least, I have a ton of junk like that. I was going to sell it all anyway, since I’m running out of room.

“I’ll be honest, they didn’t tell me where they were going. They said I was better off not knowing when I asked. With that many provisions, though, they must have wanted to make it all the way through No Man’s Land. Maybe, they were heading for the dwarf mountains in the south. Their questions sure smacked of that.”

“What do you mean?”

“Hm, it seems to have slipped my mind.”

“Are you kidding me? I’ve already paid you twice for your memory.”

“Okay, okay, I’m just kidding. I usually just take one thing, but you were generous enough to give me two. Arman, the guy, was looking for warm clothes. I have a feeling they wanted to make it through the mountain pass rather than heading underground. Although, he could have had some other reason.”

“How did they look? Was everything okay? Were they hurt?”

“Yes, they were fine. Tired, hungry, and dirty, but fine. They were attacked a couple of times along the way, but their dogs saved them.”

I burst into tears at the news. They were able to make it the whole way and even beat off attacks.

“Thanks.”

I was terrified after the first attack. I thought my parents had been killed, and then I convinced myself that they were okay. Now, I’m finding out that they were able to get through the most dangerous part: the entrance to No Man’s Land. That’s where most of the PKers are, and therefore, the worst chances of survival, but they made it. Happily, there wasn’t anybody too strong for them right then. The well-trained dogs could sense enemies even without seeing them, too, and the most important thing is that my parents are alive. I know where to go now to pick up their track.

With just four hours to go until the trial, I need to pick up everything I need. I run over to the auction to buy a wig, a dress, and a potion.

Gallia Flaming wig

Gallia was a well-known fire mage who spent her life with luscious golden girls. When she got older, she made a wig with the same hair that now serves a different master.

Defense: 1

Effect:

Intellect +25

Morale +15

Requirements:

Intellect 30

Durability:

130/130

Rare and better items have their own story - so it is with the dress.

Red Camelia dress

There was once a sorceress called Red Camelia. Her dress was always blood-stained from dragging the wounded from the field of battle.

Defense: +2

Effect:

Intellect +10

Herbalism +10

Requirements:

Intellect 10

Durability:

150/150

I didn’t pick the dress because of the attributes; I picked it because of the name. It reminds me of mama, who I’ve gone years without seeing.

Then, I pick up some rare potions that give me a girl’s voice for an hour. Since I have to get a hundred of them at once, I pay as much for them as I pay for everything else combined. I never would’ve thought I’d dress up like a woman of my own free will… It’s disgusting! How do they even wear things like this? The dress is so uncomfortable, and it hampers my movement. On the other hand, my mage girl look is complete. It’s just a shame I don’t have time to work out the kinks and learn how to feel natural in it.

The Three Solo Trips is a tavern in the slums with a dubious reputation among the locals. I get two steps away from it and realize that there are at least three people a few steps away, all invisible.

“You three need to get out of here before you die like many before you.”

I can kill them, but it’s a dangerous situation for me, too. If they’re low-level, they can beat down my resistance by rushing me together. If they’re high-level, it’ll just take one blow.

The marauders are silent.

“Should I begin or are you going to walk away?”

They step aside and let me walk into the tavern. What, so you can attack people inside the city? Or did they want to just keep me from getting inside?

But catching a glimpse of the barman puts an end to my musings.

“Three portions of Koryak mussels.”

“They’ll be right up. There are tables free in the basement, so I’ll have a waiter take you there.”

The waiter, just like everybody else working there, gives me a strange feeling. They all walk carefully without making a sound. The comfortable clothes they’re wearing are