Dark elf chronicles book.., p.1
Dark Elf Chronicles Book Three: Pathways, page 1
Dark Elf Chronicles
Book 3
Pathways
By
Dave Willmarth
Copyright © 2018 by Dave Willmarth
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.
The story so far…
Mace and Shari are two survivors of the zombiepocalypse that turned nearly all life on Earth into mutant killing machines. Most living matter has become contaminated, down to the birds that fly in the skies above, the fish in the sea, and the bugs that crawl through the grass. The grass itself could be deadly. Plastic, latex, and other synthetic materials are the only protection. The humans and animals that didn’t die outright have become viciously aggressive. Killing and eating other creatures makes them bigger, stronger, and possibly smarter.
After months of surviving alone before finding each other, Mace and Shari are now living together in an underground facility owned by a corporation that ran the largest VRMMORPG on the planet. Shari was a med student, nearly ready to become a full-fledged doctor, and Mace was a coder, newly hired by the company on the very day the world ended.
There is no option for long term survival in the real world. Lack of food, and the risk of contamination or being eaten every time they go to the surface to scavenge, will eventually bring about their end. The two of them, and a few other survivors they’ve found in a similar facility in England, are hoping to combine their expertise, to be able to upload their consciousnesses into the game servers so that they may live on. Mace has been designated Alpha Admin by the facility’s AI, Peabody, who has connected with the game’s AI, Elysia. Together the two artificial intelligences are attempting to assist the humans in their endeavors both in the game and out in the real world.
Mace plays a drow assassin/sorcerer hybrid known as a Darkblade. Shari plays a light elf druid who specializes in healing. The two of them, along with their adorable pets, are working to build a kingdom of their own within Elysia, the game world. If they can raise their sync levels with the game’s AI interface high enough, and figure out the science of uploading their full consciousness into the game, they’ll potentially reign for decades before the geothermal power runs out or the servers shut down.
Griff and Lisa, the only other two living humans our heroes are in contact with, both play Dwarves starting out in a newbie village in the mountains. They are working to level up and be able to join Mace and Shari as they adventure through Elysia, build their kingdom, and use the game to search for other human survivors.
It’s a race against time. Can they figure out the technical requirements of uploading, and raise their sync levels to transfer into the game world before they starve, or get themselves killed.
This is the third book in the Dark Elf Series. If you haven’t read the first two, you may still enjoy this story. But there will be some references that won’t make much sense. I recommend reading the first two before going any further.
Chapter 1
Thieves and Liars
Keeping a wary eye on both T’enaj and her mate N’osaj, Mace invited them to sit by the fire. As she approached, T’enaj made a series of casual but rapid signals with the hand that wasn’t holding N’osaj’s chain. Mace looked into the darkness behind her, his drow vision impaired by the light of the campfire between them. He couldn’t see whoever it was she signaled.
“How many of your people are out there, T’enaj? And do I need to demonstrate my abilities as a Darkblade?” he growled, daggers instantly in his hands. The others in his group all put hands to weapons as well.
The drow held up her hands, saying, “There are ten more in the trees behind me. And a couple back with our horses. I brought them merely as insurance, in case you were less than welcoming. It would be foolish of me to walk into such a group without some form of insurance, don’t you agree?” She smiled sweetly at him.
“It may have been foolish of you to walk into this group, period. We shall see soon enough.” Mace placed his daggers back in their sheaths. “Prove to me that it was not you and your people who laid that trap for us today. You’ve arrived rather quickly after the battle.”
T’enaj tilted her head and dropped her hands to her side, the chain tinkling lightly. “It is… difficult to prove a negative. But I shall try.” She tapped a finger to her chin a couple times, then asked, “You are aware your attackers were Black Flame?”
Mace and several others nodded their heads.
“And that any of their members of significant rank are also oathbound?”
“All that we’ve found so far.” Shari contributed.
“Then it stands to reason that if I were one of them, I too would be oathbound. And thus unable to answer questions of any import regarding the Black Flame or its leadership, correct?”
Mace considered that for a moment. “Unless you are, in fact, the leader of the organization and unbound by any oath.”
T’enaj sighed. “That is true. She is not bound by oath to her followers.”
Shari asked, “She?”
Ian answered before T’enaj could speak. “Garya. The drow who leads Black Flame. A creature of pure evil if ever there was one, yes.” Shari had never heard a bunny growl before, but she thought the sound Ian made probably qualified.
T’enaj smiled and patted the oversized bunny’s shoulder. “Ian’s last encounter with Garya was unfortunate. He was not always this lovely shade of green.”
Ian’s shoulders drooped, and his face gathered in a scowl as he kicked at the dirt. “I would gladly slit that woman’s throat if given the chance. Oh, yes.”
T’enaj explained further. “Ian was… observing her organization. On my orders. She detected and captured him. After some intense questioning…” Ian growled again, louder this time. “She decided to let him return to me with a message rather than kill him. She turned him green as a reminder of his failure.”
Shari moved to the bunny and gave him a one-armed hug of support, saying, “And it ain’t easy being green.” Which caused Mace to snort and work to suppress a laugh as she smiled innocently at him.
T’enaj continued. “In any event, feel free to ask me any questions you like regarding the Black Flame. I am only too happy to share what I know in hopes that it helps you defeat them.” She sat cross-legged by the fire, settling effortlessly as N’osaj moved to sit on her left. The male drow was slightly larger in frame than Mace, and bristled with blades. An aura of menace permeated the space around him. T’enaj, by comparison, was completely at ease and smiled amicably up at Mace.
Not wanting to trust too easily, though she had in truth convinced him already, Mace formulated some questions. “How many Black Flame are in Graf now?”
“Well, minus the group you just eliminated - and thank you for that, by the way- there should be no more than a hundred active members remaining. There are also another fifty or so murderers and thugs who wish to become members that would fight with them.”
“And how many members of your Thieves’ Guild?”
T’enaj gave him a wry grin. “Ah. I agreed to answer questions about the Black Flame, not my own little enterprise. But in the interest of friendship, I shall disclose that we have a similar number of associates.”
Mace chuckled despite himself. He was starting to like this drow. “And where are Garya’s headquarters?”
“She has several facilities within the city. Most large gatherings are held underground, in a chamber below a poisoner’s shop she owns. It has numerous entrances and exits, both visible and hidden. There are adjoining chambers used by her people for sleeping and eating, training and such. Her main residence is a small mansion compound in the merchant’s quarter. Heavily fortified with both mundane and magical protections and always guarded. Though she rarely sleeps in the same place two nights in a row. She has safe houses and hideouts scattered throughout the city and surrounding lands.”
“A poisoner?” Shari asked, eyes wide. “Not an apothecary?”
T’enaj turned to smile at her. “Graf is… different than your home city, lady elf. It is a hub for illicit trade goods that flow from cities across the continent, above and below the surface. That trade brings with it the roughest and least morally refined customers, traders, and guards.” She spared a glance at Mace, then added, “And the influence of drow leading two of the three major powers in the city might have something to do with it. Poisonings are a daily occurrence in Graf.”
Mace smirked at the drow, “So why not embrace poison making as a legitimate, taxable business?”
“Just so.” T’enaj nodded. “Though this particular shop is a front for the Black Flame and pays only a token tax to achieve some small semblance of being legitimate. The poisoner who runs it is quite talented. I, myself, buy from him on occasion and have never been unhappy with the product.”
Behind her, N’osaj grunted and shook his head slightly. T’enaj smiled. “My mate feels I should add that I only purchase poisons from the Black Flame’s poisoner to use on Black Flame members. I see a certain poetry in that.”
Mace looked at the male drow carefully. “He doesn’t speak.” It was a statement more than a question.
Ian looked uncomfortable again. “When Garya sent me back to my mistress with a message, it came in the form of master N’osaj’s tongue in a box, yes. While she tortured me, her people captured him and removed his tongue to ‘gift’ to my mistress. It was I who gave up his location, yes. I could not withstand the pain, no.” He bowed his head, bunny ears drooping forward.
N’osaj stepped forward and placed a hand on the bunny’s shoulder. T’enaj spoke softly to Ian. “There is no shame in your actions, Ian. All but the best-trained drow elite, like Mace here, would crumble under the ministrations of that bitch. She has had centuries to hone her skills.” N’osaj patted Ian’s shoulder and smiled at him. “You see? N’osaj bears you no ill will. He has always been the strong, silent type. I sometimes believe he enjoys having an excuse not to speak.” She tossed her mate a suspicious look, for which he returned a wide grin.
Mace tried to steer the conversation back to more productive topics. “Let us assume I believe you are who you claim to be. If you have traveled out here to meet us, can we assume you plan to assist in our mission to eliminate the Black Flame for good?”
T’enaj leaned back, placing her hands on the ground behind her. “Let us say that I am open to the possibility. Under certain circumstances.”
Captain Jorin, who’d been quietly observing up till then, made a guess. “One of those circumstances being that you and your guild be left in charge of the city when the fighting is done.”
“Heavens no!” T’enaj grinned at him. “I have no interest in the boring politics and paperwork of running an entire city. No, I would leave it up to you and the Merchants Guild, the third power in Graf, to decide who runs the city. I simply want all of Garya’s properties and assets.” The look on her face reminded Mace of every drow matron he’d ever set eyes on. Pure, unfiltered and unabashed ambition.
Mace shook his head. “Only a fool would agree to that here and now, especially when we don’t know the extent or value of those assets.” He thought it over as T’enaj stuck out her lower lip and did her best to feign disappointment. As a drow, she never expected Mace to acquiesce to her initial demand.
“There is at least one item that I hope is here in Graf, which I have a quest to retrieve. If it is in Garya’s possession, I’ll want it. And I believe my people should maintain a presence here in Graf, for trade purposes, of course. Maybe a dock and warehouse of our own, and a residence, for when we come to visit our friends in the Thieves’ Guild.”
N’osaj snorted and flashed a thumbs-up at Mace. T’enaj rolled her eyes. “It seems my mate approves of you, Darkblade. And I was never fond of Garya’s manor in the merchant’s quarter. It would make an adequate rest stop for the occasional visit by… I’m sorry. I’m afraid I do not know the name of your organization.” She shot Ian an annoyed look.
Mace was taken aback. He took a breath to buy himself a moment, then replied, “We are not as… formal as your guild. Just a loose association of like-minded friends and associates helping each other survive.”
“Yet you make plans to establish a permanent presence.” She looked at him with a knowing smile. “Then, as I was saying, Garya’s manor would make a fitting home for you and your… associates. As for the dock and warehouse, that can be arranged easily enough. Garya currently controls several. I’m certain you could find one to your liking.” She bowed slightly to Captain Jorin.
“One that would remain off limits to your own… associates?” Jorin returned her bow, eliciting a laugh.
“Of course, Captain. We do not liberate items from our own members or our trusted allies.”
Mace continued the negotiations. “Then let us establish a fair split of the more… liquid assets that will be seized. My people will take the personal possessions found on any of the slavers we kill, and yours will do the same. Any caches of gold, silver, or other valuables found will be split between our groups. Let’s say… sixty percent to you and yours? The rest to my people. To help us better establish our ‘organization’. This will include any bank accounts we manage to get access to.”
T’enaj looked for a moment as if she might press the issue. N’osaj gently nudged her from behind, then gave her a look. She sighed and agreed. “That is acceptable.” She reached out a hand, and Mace shook it, followed shortly by Shari.
The group all settled back around the fire and passed the next few hours planning their moves over the coming days.
*****
Griff and Lisa enjoyed a quick breakfast of granola bars and canned pears the next morning. When they’d cleaned up the kitchen properly, making sure to leave no crumbs or pear juice around to attract bugs, they each went to their rooms to gear up.
Neither of them had spent much time outside since the zombiepocalypse began. But Mace and Shari had given them good advice and filled them in on the many dangers the outside world posed. With this in mind, they geared up as best they could and met at the elevator.
Peabody had it waiting for them when they arrived. Without a word, he took them up to the ground level. The two of them didn’t speak as they exited the lobby level into the garage, where Griff’s Jeep awaited. He made sure to point out the contaminated blood splatter that still decorated the one rear section of window and frame.
Once safely inside, Griff took a moment. “You ready for this?”
Lisa shook her head no but said, “Yeah. Let’s get on with it.”
Griff started the Jeep and moved up the ramp toward the garage exit. Peabody obligingly opened the roll-up door just as the vehicle approached, then lowered it again behind them. Griff took a moment to get his bearings, then headed toward the Tesco he’d visited previously. Taking Mace’s advice, he didn’t move in a straight path. He jigged left down one block, then right down another, taking a roundabout route that should throw off any undead creatures attempting to follow.
Parking in the same spot on the loading dock, Griff led Lisa inside. They each grabbed a shopping cart and activated forehead-mounted flashlights. They were just reaching the first of the aisles between the five-meter high shelves when Griff’s faith in the effectiveness of the roundabout route was shattered.
A roar shook the building, glass bottles in crates on the shelves rattling against each other. Griff froze, the memory of that sound nearly causing him to void his bowels. Lisa grabbed onto his arm with shaking hands, gripping with all her strength as she partially hid herself behind his body.
The sound of shattering glass and twisting metal made them both jump. Griff reflexively grabbed the Mossberg shotgun he’d placed in the cart. There didn’t seem to be any need for quiet weapons at this point. Anything within miles of them could hear this racket. He nearly bit his tongue as the building shook again. Whatever was happening, it was happening in the front of the store!
Griff whispered, “We need to get out o’ here. Move quietly, and we’ll hope whatever’s goin’ on out there don’t find us back here.”
Lisa nodded, speechless and wide-eyed with fear. They abandoned their carts and moved slowly around the stack of shelves that stood between them and the loading dock door. Griff had a clear view of the door when the swinging doors that he’d barred shut on his previous visit burst open. The head of a massive serpent pushed partway through, then was pulled back. Another roar shook the walls and made Griff want to drop his weapon and cover his ears. But training kept his grip firm, and he motioned Lisa back behind cover. The last thing he wanted was for them to be caught out in the open making a dash for the door if that thing came through again.
When they were safely hidden behind the shelves again, he let out the breath he’d been holding. “That was one damned big snake.”
“I think it were fightin’ somethin’,” Lisa answered, her voice wavering. She had curled herself into a fetal ball against the wall in the corner.
“Yeah.” Griff had reached that same conclusion and one more. “And I don’t want to meet whatever’s big enough to handle it this long.”
There was a crash of glass again, sounding more distant. Griff’s gut told him the fight had moved to the storefront. He hated himself for it, but he needed to see what was going on. “I’m goin’ to get a look at what’s what up there. You can wait here if ye like.”
