As he was being escorted to the wagon he’d gotten a look at the soldiers. They were all wearing iron chainmail and equipped with shields and spears. Short swords at their hips. A few had crossbows instead of spears. And one wore a longsword and carried a short metal baton. Presumably an officer.
Iron weapons and chainmail but no plate armor. So 12th or 13th century maybe? If Martha was here she’d know. She loved history.
Harry was surprised when he saw he was getting an enclosed wagon. The trip was going to take the rest of the night and all of the next day, and Zinkle thought this would be more comfortable for someone with his ‘special condition’.
Harry suspected an ulterior motive, but he was happy to use it. Provided he wasn’t locked in, which he wasn’t. The rear gate didn’t lock and he had windows to either side. Shuttered but currently open, large enough to use as emergency exits. He’d checked. That they had a closed-in wagon was a little worrisome. Did they always have it on hand, or were they expecting him enough in advance to have it made.
He decided not to worry about it. Eventually he and Zinkle would talk and maybe he’d learn more.
It was a bright cloudless night with a half moon and plenty of visible stars. He sat with his back against the front wall, legs stretched out in front of him. Eyes half-lidded as he watched the mountainside slide past in silence. On one side, a sloping wall of earth, boulders, and scattered trees. On the other, a wide-open view of the valley below, full of scattered farms, fields, and trees. Cold air cut through the thin wool of his shirt and teased the edges of his sleeves. But he had his cloak over his shoulders and anyway, he found the cold comfortable enough. Somewhere nearby, a night bird sang and he would occasionally catch a glimpse of bats darting around as they hunted.
So far they’d only been traveling a few hours but Harry was starting to get nervous as his meter slowly ticked down. There’d be no uninterrupted rest with the wagon’s rocking and sudden jerks. The driver appeared to be going over every rock he could find. Harry had even refused System’s request to do a self heal, afraid to let his Thirst Meter get any higher.
H: 75 | V: 76 | TM: 24%
“I really don’t want to ask Zinkle to find me a cow.”
:: System: They will have to stop soon to rest the draft animals. An opportunity to slip away to hunt may present itself. Or alternatively, to simply slip away.
“No, I’m going through with this. To be honest, I’m pretty curious about the dungeon, and really, what have I got to lose?”
:: System: Immortal is the suspension of biological aging. You can still be killed.
“So? I’ve died before. What’s the downside?”
:: System: User death this soon would have a detrimental impact on performance review.
Harry laughed. Loud enough that the driver banged on the front wall.
“Alright system. I’m going in, but for your sake, I’ll try not to die too soon.”
:: System: Your consideration in this matter is appreciated.
“Alright, enough death talk. Back to the important stuff. I need to feed. Even if we stop and I can slip away, we’re heading into the hills. I doubt there will be any farms close by.”
:: System: Correct. However, Blood Sense and enhanced speed will facilitate efficient hunting of local wildlife.
“Wait, what? What enhanced speed?”
:: [Enhanced physical attributes: 0]
“This whole time I could have been running around faster?”
:: System: Affirmative.
“That’s something that would’ve been nice to know. Why didn’t you tell me?”
:: Scanning…
:: System: The enhancement was listed in your core traits at first access. See entries [Enhanced physical attributes: 0] and [Enhanced senses: 0]. User may request clarification at any time.
“Alright, please clarify what enhanced attributes means.”
:: System: Physical attributes such as strength, speed, and endurance can be temporarily increased by up to twenty-five percent for thirty seconds. This enhancement may be activated once per minute.
:: System: Sustaining the enhancement for one full minute will consume one vitae.
:: System: The effect can be doubled for the same duration at a cost of one vitae. Combining both increased duration and intensity requires two vitae per minute.
“Well damn. That’s… that’s pretty great. But hold on, when I first woke up and was trapped, why couldn’t I use that instead of frenzy to get out?
:: Strength: 5
:: System: An increase of 25% in physical strength was insufficient to overcome the lid’s mass.
“Fair enough. What does it mean they ‘can’ be increased? How do I use it?
:: System: Focus on the desired ability and will its use. No specific word or action is required. It is a function of intent.
“Nice. Is it wrong that I want to get out and test it?”
:: System: Judgment of right or wrong is antithetical to core functions.
“That’s not what I meant, but fine. Tell me about enhanced senses.”
:: System: Sensory perception, including sight, hearing, and smell, is passively enhanced at all times. These attributes cannot be increased further through vitae expenditure but will improve naturally with level acquisition.
:: System: Time perception is automatically adjusted during high-stress situations but may also be manually triggered.
“Time perception?”
:: System: You should have noticed time appearing to slow during moments of extreme stress.
“That was you? I just thought… I can do that anytime I want?”
:: System: Affirmative. Duration is up to thirty seconds per minute and may be used in separate intervals.
“Just will it to happen?”
:: System: Affirmative.
Harry willed time to slow, raised both hands in front of his face, and fought the urge to giggle as they drifted back and forth.
“This is awesome!”
He waited a minute for the reset, then tried combining slow motion with speeding himself up. The boost was only twenty-five percent, but it was noticeable. The air didn’t tear or blur, but his hands moved with steady control while the world outside his window lagged a fraction behind.
“I could be the best baseball player in the world!”
:: System: Define baseball.
He dropped his hands in shock. “This world doesn’t have baseball?”
:: Scanning…
:: System: 'Player' indicates baseball is a game. There is no reference to a game on Lumos by that name.
Harry’s shoulders slumped. Even in old age, even after Martha passed, baseball had always been there.
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“Take me back to the bell tower.”
:: System: Under current circumstances, that would have to be discussed with Zinkle Doomcaller. Also, that course of action is strongly advised against.
“Fine. But if I get the chance to introduce this world to the poetry of baseball, will my bodily functions suddenly end?
:: System: Not enough data to accurately determine.
“Good enough. It’d be worth it."
Harry settled back again and shifted slightly against the hard planks. You wouldn’t think a vampire could be bothered by being uncomfortable but turns out they can. Still, it was a beautiful night and so far, things were going much better than the night before.
The night smelled clean and sharp, carrying hints of stone, pine, and damp earth as the countryside rolled by below. He was surprised at how clearly he could see. The moonlight showed every furrow in the fields, every branch on the trees. He could make out details far beyond what his eyes used to manage.
He had been almost lulled into a trance by the swaying of the wagon when a new message blinked across his vision, snapping him out of the moment.
:: You have been invited to a party by Salvatrix Carnailis.
:: Accept Party Invite: (Y/N)
Harry squinted. “What the… System, what is that?”
:: System: You have been invited to a party. Analysis suggests Salvatrix Carnailis is Pink Sally, as she is the only known person to know your full name.
“Should I accept?”
:: System: No harmful spells or other effects can be administered over the party interface.
Harry didn’t say anything else, but focused on the message and mentally accepted.
Yes.
The message vanished. And a new one took its place.
:: You have joined a party.
:: Party Leader: Salvatrix Carnailis (Class: Courier, Level: 5)
:: No other party members at present.
He dismissed the message and waited, but only for a moment before a voice appeared in his head.
- Salvatrix Carnailis: Hello?
Harry blinked. His pulse quickened, not from fear but confusion.
- Harry, cautiously but speaking aloud: “Yes?”
- Salvatrix Carnailis: Harry, it’s me. Pink Sally.
He sat up straighter, glancing around the empty cabin of the cart and out the windows to either side, as if she might be walking alongside.
- Harry: “Sally? How is this happening?”
- Sally: It’s just the party interface.
- Harry: “But you're talking in my head.”
- Sally: It wouldn’t be very useful it we had to shout. And you’re echoing a little. If you’re speaking out loud, stop.
This world is magic, Harry. Just add this to the list.
- Harry: Can you read my thoughts?
- Sally: Can you read mine?
Harry thought about that a moment.
- Harry: So you only hear if I think… at you?
- Sally: Yes. Now listen. Zinkle is distracted. If he sees I am in a party I’ll have to drop out, so we do not have much time.
System, is she telling the truth? She can’t hear when I’m talking to you?
:: System: Affirmative. Unless you intend for her to hear when you address me, she cannot. Likewise, you cannot hear when she addresses her system.
She does have a system then?
:: System: When you joined the party you were alerted that she is level 5 and class Courier. Which was voluntarily given. It is not required information in party chat.
“She was the level 5 in the alley?”
:: System: Data would indicate that is correct.
“What’s a courier?”
:: System: Couriers specialize in message delivery, information gathering, covert operations and possibly assassination.
“Oh… she’s James Bond.”
:: Scanning…
:: System: No one by that name located.
- Sally: Harry?
- Harry: Sorry, I’m still getting used to this.
Harry scratched at the side of his head. The voice sounded exactly like her, not distorted or echoing. Like she was speaking softly directly into his ear.
- Harry: Can anyone do this?
- Sally: What? No. Only people with classes. You have to know the name to give an invite and the range is only about a mile. Now listen.
- Harry: What name did you use?
- Sally: Blackheart. Harold Blackheart. Now will you listen?
- Harry: Dammit… But yeah, go ahead, I’m listening.
- Sally: This dungeon we are heading for is called The Chambers of Attrition.
- Harry: “Spooky.”
He couldn’t help it. Who would name a dungeon the Chambers of Attrition?
- Sally: Harry, listen. It’s been open almost a year and it’s going to close in a few weeks. It’s too dangerous. At least a hundred people have gone in and none have come out.
- Harry: I thought you get spit out if it closes.
- Sally: I don't know. This dungeon is different. I’ve never heard of one that no one ever came out. Even when a group fails, someone comes out.
- Harry: But for all you know, everyone who has gone in will get kicked out.
- Sally: Harry listen. We are in the middle of nowhere. We’ll stop to rest in a about an hour. There’s no one out here, I know you’re only level 0, but you’re strong. I saw what you can do.
- Harry: I’m not…
- Sally: Harry! Listen. Run. Right now. Jump out of that wagon and go.
He blinked, staring at the trees below. The slope down was steep but not too bad. In his younger days he would have been comfortable climbing down. There were guards but he doubted they could stop him. Zinkle or Otho might.
- Harry: What will happen to you?
- Sally: Harry, that’s not your problem.
He shifted his weight, fingers curling slightly against the wooden planks.
- Harry: What if I make it my problem?
- Sally: Harry, I’m not who you think I am. Just go.
- Harry: I know you aren’t normal. Are you like me?
- Sally: I am not a vampire if that’s what you mean. But… I am not human either.
- Harry: What are you?
- Sally: It doesn’t matter.
- Harry: Why don’t you run too?
- Sally: I would if I could.
- Harry: Then tell me something. Anything.
A long pause followed. The wagon rattled over a patch of uneven ground, jostling him slightly.
- Sally: audibly sighed. Like Zinkle told you, I am from another plane. He summoned and bound me. I’m trapped. I can’t run. But you can, Harry. Get away.
- Harry: Bound? You’re his slave?
- Sally: Essentially, yes.
- Harry: Even if I was willing to leave you to him, the more I think about it, the more I think I’m supposed to go into this dungeon.
- Sally: That’s nonsense. You’re not that important Harry.
- Sally: Hold on, Zinkle wants attention.
He took a deep breath and tried to get comfortable. The moon was starting to dip lower, edging the trees below in silver. Several minutes passed. The wagon rolled along, grinding and bumping.
I could run. But go where?
The thought drifted in again, idle and honest.
What’s the worst that can happen? I die? Been there done that.
And what if I was put here to go inside.
- Sally: Harry?
Her voice returned, and a smile tugged at his lips.
- Harry: Hi again. You know, despite everything, this is pretty cool.
- Sally: Cool? No. Never mind that. Are you going to run?
He didn’t owe Zinkle anything. Didn’t owe Sally anything either. But he’d had enough of being shoved from one moment to the next. This time, he’d decide for himself.
- Harry: No. I think I’ll stay.
- Sally: We are about to stop. We’ll talk again. If you’re foolish enough to still be here.
The voice cut off, leaving only the creak of the wagon and the faint clop of hooves ahead. Harry leaned back against the front wall, lips tightening as he thought about his situation.
:: Salvatrix Carnailis has left the party.
:: You are now the party leader.
:: Party contains one member. Party interface closing.
"Well system, what do you think? Are you excited?"
:: System: Excitement is outside my operational parameters. However, I acknowledge this mission presents numerous variables of interest and the potential for rapid level advancement.
“Alright! That’s the can do spirit I’ve grown to love.”
He looked down at his meter.
H: 75 | V: 74 | TM: 26%
Dammit. I’m going to have to talk to Zinkle. I’ll need to feed soon.
***
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