The Kartoss Gambit (The Way of the Shaman: Book #2) (31 page)

There was a flash and a small iron key appeared in my hand.

"Key!" rumbled the Dragonkin who stood next to me, pointing to my hand.

"Here you go," I handed over the piece of ironware.

Item acquired: Scroll of teleportation to Dragons. On use: transports you to the place where Dragons live.

After receiving the key and handing over the scroll, the Dragonkin gave a pleased snort and trudged off to the house, completely forgetting I was there. That was that: now I'll activate the scroll and receive the Totem. I can't wait any longer.

The clap of the opening portal made me start. I turned to the sound and saw a smiling man dressed all in white. It was a Herald.

"Good day, Mahan. I hope I will not detain you too long. Let's get straight to business. Let me congratulate you on creating such an interesting artefact. You have become the fourth free citizen of Barliona and the first on our continent to create a binding item. The Emperor sent me to you to exchange the created figurines and bring them to the palace. The chess match will be overseen by him personally. The participants will be compulsorily transported for the game."

"Exchange? For what?" I picked up my ears. The Emperor's goodwill is worth a lot in Barliona.

"These are the words not of a boy, but a man. I was very much afraid that you would have to be persuaded by being told of the dangers of keeping the Chess in your possession. What is the Emperor offering? First — unimpeded access to the external gardens of his castle. Second — his personal ring. And, of course, his personal regard for such an interesting master."

I did well in managing to stay on my feet, although the Hamster fell on his back and was not showing any signs of life. And it wasn't even the access to the palace garden or the ring that got me so excited. These things were also hard to get, but not entirely impossible. I was more blown away by the 'personal regard' of the Emperor. This could mean only one thing — reputation. Keeping in mind that I have the wonderful ability to increase my reputation by five units daily, in a couple of years my character could level up his reputation with the Emperor. And this means free entry to the castle! That was the silver lining of me creating these Chess.

"I agree. Here you go," I handed over the figurines to the Herald.

Your reputation with the Shaman Council has increased by 100 points. You are 900 points away from the status of Friendly. The reputation with the Malabar Emperor cannot be increased on account of the 'First Kill' Achievement.

Item acquired: The Ring of the Emperor. Description: The person presenting this ring is acting on my instructions and for the good of Malabar. Number of uses: 1.

"Thank you and until we meet again. According to the rules, you, as the creator of the Chess, are obliged to the present at the first game, which is set to take place in three days' time. Your presence will be hidden, so as not to break the concentration of the clan Kings. Good bye! One of us will drop by to get you three days from now."

The Herald opened a portal and disappeared and I was left staring stupidly at the indulgence in my hands. He's really more of a 'Richelieu' than an Emperor. Now whatever I did, even if I killed someone, I would not be sent back to the mines. I have a one-time 'get out of jail card'. Great, I'll have to use it wisely.

"Hello," I responded to the sudden throbbing of the communication amulet.

"Mahan, is this some kind of a sick joke? What are you doing, you dumbass?" I would have never thought that such a beautiful girl could scream like that.

"And good day to you too, Anastaria. Aren't you supposed to be offline?"

"What offline? What have you created? What the hell are these 'Cursed Chess'? Have you completely lost it in that Beatwick backwater?"

"Anastaria, let me explain...."

"You have two hours to get the chess pieces to me. I have to figure them out. If I don't get the chess — I will officially declare you the enemy of the Phoenix clan. Understood?"

"I don't have the figurines. The Herald took them — at the request of the Emperor."

"The Emperor?"

"Yeah. A Herald ported in, rewarded me with the permission to enter the external palace garden and a hundred reputation with the Emperor, took the Chess off me and left." And you can stop screaming at me — Hellfire asked for the pieces as a present for you. Happy birthday! Upcoming birthday, anyhow."

"How dare you?!"

"Stacey, in all honesty, I had enough of this! Let's talk openly — what do you want? When I was asking for your help, you didn't even deign to speak to me and handed me over to Rick. And now you call me up and scream your head off. Some great analyst you are, the brain of Phoenix and all that. Let's stop beating about the bush."

“Mahan! You... you..."

"Yes, me! How long can you keep pulling at the cat's tail? What do you want?"

"The Orc Warrior figurines. I know that you have them."

"And what will I get in return?"

"The position of the Master in Phoenix."

"Not interested. Experience shows that I can manage pretty well on my own too. I will create my own clan."

"What do you want?"

"Wrong question. What can you offer? If I got it right, since the creation of the Orc Warriors up until this moment, no-one managed to create the Dwarves. Therefore, either the pieces have to be created by the same player or the creator must be in possession of the previous figurines. I am sure that Rick is trying to learn Jewelcrafting as fast as he can, but getting exactly nowhere with it. Correct me if I am mistaken."

For a while there was a silence on the other end of the amulet.

"Can you give me a guarantee that I will get the remaining chess pieces if you create them?"

"If we come to an agreement, then yes. A month from the time of their creation the figurines will be yours."

Yup, I'm off and someone's cut the brakes! I was keeping my fingers crossed that I would manage to solve the puzzle contained in the new figurines within a month.

"The Phoenix clan will take your clan under its protection. You will receive a million gold for the pieces from one stone type. Access for ten players from your clan to our clan's warehouse, where each can choose five items for themselves. Accelerated levelling of ten players from your clan to level 100 under the tutelage of our raiders. Would such an offer suit you?"

"Quite. Drawing up an agreement?"

"Yes, I'll draft the text now and drop it to your mailbox. You can read it at the Bank. Mahan..."

"What?"

"When are you planning to create your clan?"

"As soon as I get to Anhurs. There is no registration office in Farstead."

"Tell me, is the position of your deputy free?" asked Anastaria thoughtfully.

"I don't understand..."

"We'll talk later. Don't disappear, Unique Shaman."

What a day! Did I really manage to catch the eye of the great Anastaria? Why did she ask me about the post of deputy? Could she want...?

I habitually glanced at my return timer and whistled: I had just eight hours left. Wow! Just how long was I out for with that Cursed Chess? At this rate I may not have enough time for the Dragons. I immediately ruled out the idea of jumping to Farstead and then to Beatwick for restarting the countdown. Simply didn't feel like spending that much. I only have one portal to Farstead and one to Beatwick left. Should I go to the High Mage and buy new ones? I don't know... At the same time I felt that I'd manage it, if I just stopped dragging my feet.

I was ready to see almost anything as I stepped through the activated portal: mountains, steppes or deep forests. But the place where I ended up in no way resembled a classical abode of Dragons: golden sand, gentle warm sunshine, palms and clear-blue sea. Breathtaking beauty! What if I just stay here, and leave Phoenix and Seconds to search all over for me?

"My greetings to the first free citizen of Barliona to make it to this island," a low voice rumbled across the beach. "My name is Ayaretolikus, I am the keeper of the memory of Dragons."

"Greetings. My name is Mahan, the Shaman. I bow before you, oh keeper, but can you tell me who and where you are? One feels uncomfortable speaking to thin air," looks like I've become rather bold after my last chat with Anastaria.

"I am several kilometres within the island. Follow the road, it will take you right to me."

Before heading off to meet the guardian I checked the map to see the location of this island.

Attention! The use of maps is not permitted in this location.

And that's that. Where on earth have I ended up? One thing was clear — this was an island. But an island where — the World Ocean, an inland sea or a great lake? There was a myriad of possibilities.

Realising that I may fail to get my Totem before returning to Beatwick, I ran as fast as I could towards the guardian. This was no time for leisurely walks.

"Guardian?" I ran up to the large glowing sphere, about two meters in diameter, which was effortlessly hanging a couple of meters above ground. It was some epic spectacle. Only one thing was disappointing — I was hoping to see a live Dragon instead of this ball lightning.

The surface of the sphere vibrated and it seemed like the entire island could hear its voice:

"I once again welcome the first free citizen of Barliona to my island. I, the Guardian of the Dragon Knowledge, ask you, traveller, why have you come here?"

This was somewhat grandiose, but it would do.

"Oh, Guardian of Dragon Knowledge," I decided to emulate the sphere's tone, "I have come here to incarnate my Totem."

"Totem? You have a Dragon as a Totem?"

"Yes, Guardian. Fate has dealt me a Dragon, but he is still very small and inexperienced."

"No need to explain, I shall open a portal to the world of Dragons for you."

"A world?"

"Yes, Dragons had departed from this world forever. They dwell beyond Barliona, watching us from outside."

"I thank you for your aid, Guardian."

"Then go. No sense in wasting time. There's never enough of it."

There was a clap and a portal opened next to the sphere. As I walked towards it, I couldn't help wondering about a certain detail: Kornik suggested we go to the Dragons directly. Was he able to jump between worlds, then? I have to ask him when I get the chance. The portal surrounded me with a shimmering glow and once this dissipated I realised that I've never seen mountains before in my life. What I use to call mountains were mere hills. I was looking at real Mountains now, with a 'capital letter', so to speak. There were sheer cliffs rising high into the sky, the neighbouring snow-covered peaks, lost in the clouds, and piecing wind. The scenery impressed.

"Would you believe it? He made it," Kornik was sitting next to the spot where the portal left me, sporting an unpacked picnic basket and a protective dome.

"Teacher," I bowed, "you said that the next time we would see each other is when I had to take the exam for a Great Shaman. Is it already time?"

"No, not at all," laughed Kornik. "I just made a bet with Aarenoxitolikus that you would be able to make it here within a month. Just imagine, that green reptile decided that my apprentice would need two years to get here on his own."

"So what did you win? And, teacher, please cover me with a dome as well, it's rather cold here."

"A dome? Do it yourself. Or do you think I will be running after you to change diapers every time? You have to start learning things on your own. And I won a barrel of excellent wine. Only Dragons know how to make wine. All the other stuff's a shoddy imitation. When you become the Great Shaman, come by — I'll let you try some."

"Teacher, you didn't tell me how to make the dome. How do I know which of the Spirits can do it?"

"No-one had shown you how to summon a slowing or a purifying Spirit either, but you learned it just fine. You'll figure this one out too. Are you a Shaman or what?"

That stubborn goblin! Just provided the main points, leaving me to figure out the rest. Running around as a Hunter was much better — the trainers spoon-fed you every detail: how to hold the bow, how to throw a trap or how to measure the correct distance. But here — you'll figure it out yourself, it's no big deal. Or was it something specific to this trainer? The old loon.

Realising that I wouldn't last long without a dome, I entered the Spirit summoning mode and started to improvise. Despite my daily self-healing and the fight with Reptilis my Water Spirit rank rose only to 2. I didn't even notice when it happened.

So, what do I have for Water: Spirit of Water Strike, Spirit of Water Wave, Spirit of Water Healing , Spirit of Water Healing Wave, Spirit of Strengthening, Spirit of Intermittent Damage, Spirit of Control and Spirit of Cleansing.

All useful and important, but I needed one more Spirit. I didn't know his correct name, but it must have been something like Spirit of Water Shield. Where was I to place it? I had no free slots. It seems that the time had come for me to do some spiritual optimisation. A play of words right there.