Ash. The Legends of the Nameless World. Progression Gamelit Story by Kirill Klevanski (essential reading .txt) 📗

eventually led to you becoming a member,” she countered. “The Master has a message for you.”

She was, of course, talking about the strongest man on the Continent, the mage who knew the secrets of illusions. How could one ever hope to defeat someone who could will an entire volcano to existence or bring down an ocean on your head?

“What could he possibly want from my humble self?”

“A trifle. To leave the Stumps.”

Ash choked on his ale and coughed.

“That’s not really a trifle,” he said, wiping his chin. “If I leave them, they’ll never reach the Fiery Mountains and the little princess would die.”

Kessa fiddled with her mug for a moment, then looked up at him.

“You know where all the Ternites end up when they die?”

“In the Abyss. And?”

The girl said nothing.

“If Eleanor survives, a storm will descend upon the land. It won’t be like any storm we’ve ever known, and it’ll be more deadly than any calamity that had ever struck this earth. Her death would postpone this apocalypse, her staying alive would only quicken its arrival.”

“Did he tell you that?” Ash exclaimed. “No one has ever seen him. Are you seriously going to follow orders scribbled on a piece of parchment without even knowing whose hand wrote them?”

“He’s never wrong.” Kessa sipped her ale. “Believe me, I don’t want to doom a young girl...”

“But you got no issues dooming me, huh?” Ash laughed. “This favor will cost you, you know. Have a pint with me, or, better yet, you can thank me per—”

Kessa’s foot found its way to his groin before he could finish the sentence.

“I... got the hint,” Ash hissed.

“Fool around as much as you want, but...”

“But what?” His face suddenly lost all of its cheer and became an emotionless mask. “Seven against twelve. That’s what you were sent for, wasn’t it? I admit that I’m flattered, I was, after all, rated eight.”

Kessa was silent. She was as beautiful as an elven princess and as deadly as a blade. Simply put, she was exactly the kind of woman he liked.

“You’re a fool, Ash,” she said at last. “Go, your friends are waiting for you.”

Ash turned but saw that the two groups were doing just fine without him. Guessing what was wrong, he turned around, but Kessa was gone. Worst of all, the ale was gone, too. All that she had left behind was an open window. The cool evening breeze brought her last words to him.

“I warned you.”

With a grunt, Ash got up and dragged the keg back to their table.

“What took you so long?!” Tul frowned.

“I got lost!” Ash said with an embarrassed smile.

“By the Gods!” Mary sighed. “Just pour us a glass! But skip Alice!”

“No, no, I want some, too! You’re not fair! By the Gods, why is it so hot here?!”

“Lari, tighten those ropes! Alice, stop embarrassing us!”

“I want booze! I don’t care!” she cried, struggling to break free from her bonds. “How can Cinder be a dummy but I can’t? How is that fair?! I will complain to the king!”

The Stumps laughed at the idea of the drunken Alice going to the king, claiming that her squad didn’t allow her to be naked in public.

“Eri! Sing something nice!” Blackbeard said.

Eri from the Bee’s wasn’t only good at cards, but at singing too. She had a wonderful voice with which she sang funny and often vulgar ballads, making people laugh and thus adding special charm to the evenings spent in her company.

“Ah, but I fear that this one will break your hearts,” she said with a wink.

“Ha, we’ll see about that!” Tul shouted, smacking his chest. “I am all steel, baby!”

“Sing,” the orc said.

“Sing,” Blackbeard said as well.

“Sing, sing, sing!” everyone at the table chanted.

“All right, all right!” The girl laughed and plucked the strings of her lute. “I’ll sing you a local ballad... You’ll forgive me, but I don’t seem able to remember its name...”

Shine, bright star, shine

Play, oh love of mine

Tomorrow, you won’t come home

But you died a hero, that the children will know

Look, darling mine

Look at the flame so bright

Look at the steel glittering

Look at your mother shivering

Look at warriors plundering

 

Please, darling mine,

Sit in silence till the battle dies

Please, darling mine

Hide the children and take the knife

“Hey, Ash, where are you going?” Mary asked, seeing the mage head for the stairs, mug of ale in his hand.

“I’m going to bed!” he said without turning around. “I’m tired.”

The last verses echoed behind him as he made his way to his room.

Play, oh love of mine

I’m already six feet under

Play, oh love of mine

Please, laugh and don’t cry

Look, darling mine

Tell the children how their father died

Hush, love, don’t you cry

As a hero, I did die

Tell them, though, that the spirit mine

still lies restless in the grime

 Play, oh love of mine

Oh, darling love of mine

In a glorious battle did I

find eternal life

Chapter 33

19th day of the month of Zund, 322 A.D., Age of the Drunken Monk, Forest of Shadows

T he Stumps stopped in front of the most majestic and vast forest that ever grew on the land of the continent of Mormanon. The trees were more than a hundred feet tall, hiding the low sky in their rustling crowns. Among the black and brown foliage, sparsely mixed with the dull green, one could occasionally spot a bird preening itself.

The wind, whistling among the mighty trunks, caressed the withering grass, whispering its secrets to those willing to stop and listen. It was warning the travelers about the dangers of this place, pleading them to leave immediately if they valued their lives and