Dreaming Orora Read online

  Hok turned around and soured further away.

  The man shouted behind him, “there was never anyone else, I just wanted to see what the legends was about, and you did not disappoint.” Hok smiled slowing down, “The name is Diego by the way”

  An interesting encounter indeed.

  To ease travel around Orora, aside from the ability to port back home, major cities and settlements installed portals that allowed players to teleport between them. Only rule is you would have had to visit the place once and activate the portal in order to be able to port to it.

  Do be careful though, certain events can render portals inactive. Have fun finding them out.

  29 – Now or never

  At the very least, nothing could beat the view up here. Bale gazed at the far horizon with nothing but the blue of the ocean merging with that of the sky. As much as he loved his Outpost, it paled in comparison to the scenery atop the outer walls of the city. Bale leaned with both hands on the broom, drinking in the scene.

  After the public humiliation of stripping him off his rank and demoting him to a knight, they assigned him at the outer northern wall of the city, on cleaning duty. They even assigned him living quarters, dingy armor and tools for his new task. Nevertheless, he grabbed the broom and did his job diligently. After all, he was still a soldier, a Galawarian soldier.

  Two soldiers approached him with wide smiles on their faces, “Warden,” they said.

  For the first time since he came here, a genuine smile crossed his face and a rush of warm feelings flooded his heart, “Lock, Rob,” he extended an arm and took the both of them in for a huge hug, “am I glad to see you well boys.”

  “Us too Warden,” the small man named Lock said.

  “Alas, I’m warden no more,” Bale raised the broom as if to confirm his new status.

  “Not to us warden,” the red haired tall man, Rob, said, “you will always be our warden.”

  Bale smiled widened; in fact the smile didn't leave his face since he saw his two boys, “how fares the outpost? Any news?”

  The two men exchanged a look, “not sure sir,” Lock said, “since that day, we were summoned here with no news of our beloved post.”

  The three men gazed east. Somewhere down there, their outpost waited. Not knowing its fate gnawed at Bale more than anything else. Not knowing his people’s fate, their whereabouts. At least he knew about those two for now.

  “What are you doing now?” Bale said.

  “Patrolling the northern outer wall,” Rob looked south, towards the main gate, “a war is about to break on the other end and we are on guard duty here.”

  “Guard duty or front line in the battle,” Bale said putting a hand on the young man’s shoulder, “you are still serving your kingdom. Hold that with pride son, with honor and valor.”

  The two young men smiled, “that is why you’ll always be our warden,” said Lock.

  “I was talking with Lock,” Rob said, “and I think what you said was true sir,” Bale had a look of confusion about him, “about the Beastmen. They are not here to fight. They are here to join in hand. We saw what that Dark One is capable of, we need them to be on our side.”

  Bale sighed, “Listen to me, the both of you. Keep this thinking to yourselves, less you want to end up like me,” Bale raised the broom.

  “I rather be on cleaning duty with you than front line in an unnecessary war,” Rob said.

  “Again, just keep it to yourselves,” Bale said and started pushing the two young men, “now go, off with your duty.”

  The two men walked away south, on their route, “see you around warden,” they both waved out.

  Bale found himself gazing east once more. He held the gaze for some time. Perhaps this was the best perk of his current assignment. Although he couldn't see it, he knew somewhere over the horizon, his outpost waited.

  ~

  Another day, another corner to sweep or steps to clean. News of the front trickled in from murmurs and the regular visits from his boys. The enemy just stopped at the city doorsteps, with a try or two to convince the city to open its gate. On the other hand, it seemed the Galawarian army was preparing for a full assault to drive them away.

  In his gut, Bale disagreed with Galawar’s decision. They stood to lose nothing by giving the Beastmen refuge and gain a permanent ally against a common enemy. An opportunity that could shift the paradigm of the region, nay the world, presented itself on a golden plate. The race of men would no longer fear or fight the Beastmen for territory. He could not comprehend why his people turned a deaf ear.

  Times like these really tested his resolve. His latest brush with Varga showed him how not all Beastmen held grudges against humans. In fact, some viewed the wars waged against them nothing but oppression carried out by the greedy races of men. And now when their longtime rival offered a truce to fight a greater evil, they just blindly refused. His gut told him something was wrong. His resolve faltered with each passing day, but his love for his kingdom, for his outpost prevailed. Still.

  A group of Recruits passed by Bale in a hurry climbing to the top of the wall. Nothing new really, every now and then a group of Recruits did that. Some enjoyed the scenery; others just wanted to see it for the first time. The southern walls had more actions those days though.

  Another minute and another group passed by, then another, then the solitary Recruits followed. Bale’s curiosity took the better of him. He picked up the broom and followed up.

  At the top, people gathered at the wall walk looking over the merlon and embraces north, towards the sea. Bale pushed through and gazed over the sea. A fog swooped over as far as the eye could see trying to conceal the black sails, black sterns and bellies. Black ships. The dark army.

  His heart skipped a beat and the taste of copper filled his mouth. It reminded him of the very time when he saw them at his outpost. The initial shock and fear subsided once he realized the ships were heading east and not south. Not here. His fear tried to creep back when he thought about his outpost to the east, but that couldn’t be their destination. They ravaged that land earlier. Where in Altana could they be headed?

  Akria, the only logical explanation. “Warden,” a voice called behind him. He turned to see his two boys, “they are not coming here,” Rob said, “what in the name of Altana are they after?”

  “Probably Akria,” Bale said, “it seems they are done with this place.”

  “And the Hywars?” Lock said.

  Bale could not offer an answer. “Listen, I’ll go warn the General. You two stay here and keep an eye on the ships. If even one deviates and turned south, sound the alarms.”

  “Yes sir.”

  Bale stole himself from the crowd and ran towards the main gate. Curse this city and how hard it’s to navigate through. The added refugees and people herded in the inner circles didn't help much too.

  A crimson hooded man stood on a wooden stub addressing anyone and no one in particular. The crowd around him slowed Bale’s stride. He pushed himself through them but couldn't help but hear some of his talk.

  “For there to be darkness, there need not be light. Yet, for light to be, a shadow must too. It’s time for the heroes to rise again,” the man raised both hands, “oh how we need…”

  Bale couldn’t hear more, didn't really have time for that. If he hated anything more than Recruits, it would be those religious fanatics. After clearing away from them he took off full speed. He had to slow down before reaching the gate when he noticed the large number of soldiers gathered around it. Orion, few steps from the gate, strode back and forth on his Vagrant facing his soldiers.

  “-for the glory of Galawar,” Orion raised a hand and the soldiers followed suite, “we shall leave no Beastmen standing when all is said and done. Songs will be sung of our victory, tales will be told all around Orora of our impregnable kingdom. We’ll set an example for those who even think about attacking Galawar.”

  The crowd roared, and Bale could not help but shake his h
ead. They are fighting refugees, Beastmen yes, but refugees nonetheless. Bale recalled Varga and what she said about the race of men. We never gave them a chance. We were taught from the outset that they were the enemy, and we should fight them.

  Orion turned towards the gate and raised his arm, “For Galawar!” the crowed returned it with a thundering roar and Orion stepped forward, his soldiers not far behind. It was now or never.

  Bale pushed through and called his mount. Galloped through forcing his way between groaning and complaining soldiers. Few more and he saw Orion mid-way through the main bridge leading outside. Just need to push through some more.

  “General,” Bale screamed trying to get his voice above the pounding hoofs of the Vagrants and the marching of the soldiers, “General Orion, please.”

  The general and his commanders right behind him stopped few steps off the bridge. The opposing army lingered in the distance. Bale galloped full speed, passed the general and stood before the whole army.

  He jumped off his Vagrant, “General please,” Bale said, “this is wrong.”

  Orion sighed, “this again, you are really pushing my patience Bale. Last chance, get out of our way and back to your post, or I’ll have to take drastic measures I really wish not to.”

  Bale looked around him. A sizable number of Recruits gathered around enjoying or wanting to participate in the event. Other soldiers started to form a semi-circle around him. Orion and his commanders’ dead center. For some reason, he kept seeing himself in such circumstance far more than he would like recently.

  Was it worth it? To abandoned his city? His duty? His people? And for what? To help some Beastmen? Recruits? His brain swam and pulled back and forth. Bale sighed and took out his sword, “I still think what we are doing is wrong, and I rather be an exile standing on my beliefs than be a soldier in the wrong side.”

  If Orion frowned anymore, blood would’ve poured out of his eyes, “I considered you a comrade, nay a friend,” he straightened his back, “Galawar Knight Bale, you are here by relieved from duty and forever not to step foot in Galawar but as a prisoner.”

  Bale’s resolve faltered. Never set foot in Galawar? His sword’s hand dipped a bit. No, not the time to back down. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The sword felt lighter as he brought it back up.

  “And for the act of siding with the enemy,” Orion said, “I hereby sentence you to spend the remaining of your existence in the maximum security prison Yarg.” Orion turned to his soldiers, “Arrest him.”

  Three soldiers broke from the circle and started towards Bale. He grabbed his sword with both hands, “Like I said, I’ll die fighting.”

  Bale swung at one soldiers few feet away, it served more as a step away swing than an intended hit. The soldiers flinched and stepped back. They turned towards Orion for advice, “More,” Orion waved at his soldiers, “subdue the traitor.”

  More soldiers broke from the rank and inched towards Bale. No matter how he sliced or diced it, he saw no escape. Death wouldn't even get him out of this. The only option was to fight. A fight that would end in his defeat no doubt.

  But Yarg? A prison for the worst of the worst of Orora. How could he move from being a Warden to the Kingdom of Galawar to a traitor bound for Yarg? He closed his eyes and let his resolve wash over him. He turned left and right, sword first. “Come at me.”

  More and more soldiers advanced while Orion looked with cold eyes and a stern expression. This man won’t change his mind. Not for Bale, not for anyone.

  A screech above them brought the soldiers to a stop, they all looked up and so did Bale. A wyvern dropped next to him sending the closest soldiers flying away with a whiplash of its tale. It ousted a howling roar towards the remaining soldiers. This close, Bale saw the air sizzle around its teeth. The soldiers naturally cowered away.

  A man atop the wyvern extended an arm, “get on if you value your freedom.”

  The shock took a second before Bale started to register everything around him. Few soldiers approached with caution while Orion screamed for more to advance.

  What was he to do? His options were grim at the moment and going back did not sound good at all. He grabbed the man’s arm and jumped behind him. Not a comfortable seat, but one that’ll do.

  “Hold on,” the man said and the wyvern kicked its feet and leapt in the air.

  Few arrows flew by and others bounced off the wyvern’s skin. The beast circled around few times screeching and screaming to the crowd below. Bale looked at his army, his people cursing his name and promising to get him in the worst ways.

  “What are you waiting for?” Bale said then noticed the man’s eyes fixated on something, someone on the ground. An old man in dark clothes leaning on his staff. Bale thought he saw a smile on the old man’s face and the man next to him returned it followed by a nod.

  The man grabbed the reins on the wyvern and the beast soared away from the soldiers towards Galawar. Bale looked down at his city, his home, for this very well could be the last time he set an eye on it.

  The man turned around and extended his right hand, “The name is Hok Seven by the way. Nice to finally meet you.”

  30 – Flying target

  For someone with Ornithophobia, or an irrational fear of birds, this would’ve been a nightmare. Thank God Mia was not, so for her this looked no more than a conglomerate of black-feathered humanoid figures.

  The guys stole their way through what looked like a make shift bird camp, trying to get to Galawar. They walked on eggshells, literarily at some point, as to not bring down the wrath of the birdmen on them. Small huts made of straws and leaves, surrounded by more birds than it could fit, dominated the scenery. Some birds huddled around a small fire, other flocks stood motionless, gaze fixed towards the city.

  When the team first approached they assumed the dark army was camping outside the outskirts of Galawar. But these things looked nothing like the soldiers Maia saw at Paya.

  “I thought the dark army was supposed to be here?” Maia asked when she felt safe enough to talk without being noticed. She remembered soon after that the party chat couldn't be heard by other people around and felt a rush of embarrassment washing over her face.

  “Me you same girl,” Eb said.

  “We can think about this all we want once we are at the other side,” Rain said, he pointed at the tall walls of Galawar looming at the distance.

  As much as Maia heard and read about the big bad Beastmen, those showed no signs of aggression towards them. They looked like folks going about their daily lives, gypsy style. Yes, amongst them the odd soldiers and birds with weapons, if that made any sense, but most looked more or less civilians. Chicks and old birds barely standing on shaking legs amongst them. This looked no more an army than a refugee camp.

  Maia spotted one or two birds that noticed them at some point. The first time that happened her stomach tightened and her legs froze. With the level difference, her companions might survive to see another day, but she would be cut to shreds before she knew it. Revenge perhaps for all the chickens she ate in her life.

  But those birds didn't attack; they intentionally didn't react as well. Just stood there looking at them sneaking their way towards the city. In normal situations, they would’ve been all over her in a heartbeat. Could an agro beast change its behavior? Mental note: study agro rules in Orora.

  Few more minutes and the main gate of Galawar loomed at eyes reach. Maia looked behind her and the bird camp thinned out and reached an eventual end. More bird soldiers gathered at this end than within the camp. But just like the others, they stood there.

  Eb looked back, “Are they just going to stand there?”

  “Well,” Rain said, “not like they’ll get tired or anything. Perhaps it’s the calm before the storm?”

  Rain could be right, and Maia just realized that. NPCs don't get tired or bored of what they were designed to do. But these guys were obviously not designed to be here. They were designed to fight players an
d make their lives a living hell. Yet they stood there letting them pass with no mind. Something changed them. Something big stirred all this turmoil in the game, and this Hok guy could be in the middle of it all.

  From here on out they walked without fear towards the city. A vast brown field separated them and the city. The wind carried with it the thick aroma of mud and burned wood from the camp behind. For a moment Maia saw herself in the center point between the city and the camp. A calm place in the eye of the storm.

  The closer they got, the more players showed up. The more crowded it got. They weren’t the only people interested in this. Hopefully none besides them had the idea of looking for Hok here.

  “So ah,” Maia said, “do we have a plan here? Or just stop random people and harass them?”

  Rain sighed, “Are you ever going to forget that?”

  “Probably not.”

  “Anyways,” Rain said, “I think splitting up would give us a better chance of finding Hok or the old man.”

  “You want us to split up again?” Maia said, “Need I remind you of the last time-”

  “-Relax girl,” Rain said, “we are already in a party and you are in our friend and guild list. We can’t lose you even if we wanted to.”

  “Well,” Eb said putting his hand around Jade’s back, “I know who my partner is,” they faced each other and had a brief wet kiss.

  Can they feel that here? Maia wondered. Mental note: try to kiss someone in Orora. She looked at both Rain and Borg for potential candidates and grimaced.

  “Hey,” Rain said, “you have no choice lady, or if you prefer to go alone, be my guest.”

  “That’s not what…” Maia started but then realized telling them what she actually was thinking would be even worse, “never mind, let’s just go.”

  “Ok,” Eb said, “You guys can head towards the city, we’ll look here some more,” he turned his face left and right, “more and more players are gathering here.”