Chapter 35: TRIPLETS


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    Backing a few steps, I launched myself up the wall with a boost from a Jingozi card. My hands caught the roof''s edge, and I pulled myself up. The tiles beneath my feet were slippery, but I tiptoed, scanning for signs of activity below. An opening led into a small courtyard within the building.


    Dropping down, a faint, muffled crying came from inside. I crept closer through a narrow hallway leading to the source of the noise.


    Peeking around the corner, it was a scene from a gangster movie—only with pirates. A burly, purple-skinned elf in pirate gear stood over a kneeling woman and a girl, his hand gripping a bloody knife. Across the room, another fair-skinned elf sat at a desk with his boots propped up, smoking a pipe.


    Beside the woman and child lay a dead man, his lifeless eyes staring up at the ceiling. The mother clutched her daughter, both of them trembling with fear.


    I loaded my Jingozi hand and stepped into the room.


    “Enough,” I said.


    The elf at the desk glanced up, his eyes narrowing. He was no ordinary pirate thug—more refined with a smug superiority. His long brown hair was slicked back, revealing pointed ears lined with silver earrings.


    Name: Valen Deerfoot [Divine Dealer]


    Tier: IV [Cobalt] Rank 6


    Faction Emperor [Lord]


    Valen wore a long leather coat over dark silks and leather. He held his pipe with one hand while the other rested on a jeweled sword across his lap.


    “I don’t believe we’ve been introduced,” he said. “My name is—”


    “Valen Deerfoot. I know.”


    “Aha! My reputation precedes me, I see. And you are?”


    “Not important. Any relation to Jon Deerfoot?”


    Valen chuckled, a low, menacing sound.


    “Why, yes. Jon’s my brother—stepbrother, if we’re being precise. That’s why he doesn’t have my good looks.”


    “Let them go, and we can talk about Jon.”


    “I’m afraid that’s not how things work around here. You see, I’m simply collecting on a debt. This family couldn’t pay, so now their business belongs to me.” He gestured to the burly elf, who tightened his grip on the knife. “What do you want with Jon?”


    “We have unfinished business.”


    “Oh, I see, you’re one of those,” he smirked. “Left you scorned, did he? He always had a taste for wenches and strumpets. Which one are you?”


    Valen was a max-level tier 1 Jingozi apprentice. I didn’t think I could take him, even in a fair fight. And what the hell is a strumpet?


    “Jon Deerfoot, that traitorous swine,” he continued. “He broke his family contract and ran off with a bounty from Emperor Overlord Edric. I want him dead. What about you, fellas?”


    Daggers drawn, three more dark elves stepped into the hall behind me.


    “I’ll tell you what. If you show me where Jon is and let the mother and daughter go, I’ll kill him for you.”


    Valen arched an eyebrow.


    “Well, by the looks of it, you’re a Jingozi apprentice, most likely Ninja faction by the way you snuck in here. But why, pray tell, should I trust you?”


    “What have you got to lose? You’ve already won here. Killing these two is pointless.”


    “Yes, but I get to have fun.”


    “Come on, Valen. If I succeed, that traitorous dog is dead.”


    “Swine… traitorous swine.”


    “Whatever. If I fail, I’m just another dead strumpet.”


    “Ha! I knew it,” Valen puffed his pipe in consideration. He reached into his coat to pull out a scroll. He scribbled some ineligible words onto the parchment with a feathered pen off the desk. “Very well then, here’s a contract. Once you sign, you’re bound by a Zii oath to complete the mission. No turning back, girlie.”


    Valen snapped his fingers and pressed the purple Zii coin onto the scroll. He slid it to me and I did the same.


    NEW MISSION: KILL JON DEERFOOT


    Fulfill your contract with Valen Deerfoot.


    Failure to complete this mission will result in the contract being reversed.


    “Now, where is he?” I asked.


    Valen reached for a map on the desk and held out his hand. I handed him another Zii coin, and he used it to mark a location on the map.


    “Jon’s holed up here,” he said, tapping the spot. “He’s well-fortified, but with that tongue of yours, I’m sure you’ll find a way.” He gave me a slimy wink.


    “The mother and daughter?”


    “You’re free to go,” he made a shooing gesture with his fingers. “All of you.”


    The purple elves sheathed their knives and retreated down the hall. Valen stayed behind the chair with a disinterested expression. As soon as we stepped outside, the mother and daughter bolted without a word.


    MISSION COMPLETE: RESCUE THE FAMILY


    Rescue the mother and daughter from the criminal syndicate.


    “Seriously?” I watched them run. “Bye Ember… Thanks for risking your life so we didn’t get murdered to death or worse today. You’re the best…”


    I’m starting to really dislike pirates.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    * * *


    Cragmarr and Kyra waited at the northern gate inside a supply cart. Kyra was buried under an armful of pastries and other goodies. Cragmarr gave me a nod but seemed to sense my sour mood.


    “Good morning,” he said as I climbed into the back of the cart. I settled into a corner of the wagon and pulled my hood over my head. Oblivious, Kyra stuffed a pastry into her mouth, crumbs spilling everywhere as she munched away.


    “You should’ve seen the pantry at the sanctuary,” she said with a mouthful. “It had everything! I’ve never tasted anything like this.” She offered me a doughnut, but I shook my head.


    After a glance, Cragmarr addressed us both.


    “I paid for extra discretion,” he said. “We must stay hidden in the back of the cart, or we may bring unwanted attention and danger to this caravan.”


    “Oh! I almost forgot,” Kyra said. “Ember, I have a gift for you—something you wanted.”


    She pulled out a familiar ring from her cloak—except this one was set with two pearls—and took my hand. Noticing the one already on my finger, she expressed her dismay.


    “Where did you get that?” she asked.


    “I went shopping this morning.”


    “Hmm, well, have this anyway. Mine’s better.”


    FAMILIAR RING [ENHANCED]


    Store one creature.


    Cost: 1 Zii


    Enhancement: Creature Evolution [1 Charge]


    I wore one familiar ring on each hand.


    “Thank you, Krya,” I said.


    She was already munching on a glazed croissant, staring out the back of the wagon. The driver clicked his tongue to urge the horses forward and set off.


    * * *


    The journey was relatively uneventful for the next week, save for the discomfort of sitting all day in the back of a bouncing supply cart. I felt every bump and pothole. Our caravan consisted of twelve wagons filled with supplies and thirty-six guards. Two guards drove each wagon, with another on horseback. We passed through forests, fields, and small villages, sneaking out of the wagon at night to get some air and stretch our legs.


    The occasional bandit attack did break up the monotony.


    Dark elves attempted multiple ambushes, their arrows raining down on the caravan from the cover of the trees. Numerous guards were injured, and at least one died in every attack. Cragmarr, Kyra, and I stayed hidden in the wagon each time, but I couldn’t sit idle. As the guards fought, I discreetly flicked cards through the openings in the canvas, taking out bandits one by one.


    “What makes this caravan such a target?” I asked.


    “The cargo,” Cragmarr said. “It is of great enough value to be transported in secret.”


    “Got it.”


    Whenever we lent a hand, the guard captain—a giant-of-a-man with a gnarly head scar and grizzled beard—popped his head to acknowledge our help. We offered to heal their wounded, for which he couldn’t thank us enough. The injured would travel in the back of the cart with us while we tended to them. They offered to pay us, but we declined.


    Kyra spent the rest of the week complaining.


    “This wagon is so uncomfortable,” she’d whine, shifting in her seat for the hundredth time. “I wish I was back at the Jingozi sanctuary, enjoying that soft bed and a glorious bath.”


    Cragmarr checked his map to track our progress. He rarely spoke, focusing on the task at hand. He was just as eager to finish this part of the journey for different reasons.


    Out of sheer boredom, Kyra unleashed Ebon on the unsuspecting bandits during the next skirmish. The fight was over before it started, as bandits and guards both fled in terror. She barely contained her laughter as the caravan was delayed searching for the monster that had mysteriously vanished. At least she’s not complaining anymore.


    As the cart rolled past the checkpoint, Cragmarr signaled us to slip out. We dropped out of the back of the moving wagon and disappeared into the trees.


    It was another three days to Ironhaven.


    * * *


    We hiked through rolling hills, the landscape gradually shifting as we got closer to our destination. The weather turned, with clouds and occasional light rain. Kyra let her Zephyrwing loose, a pterodactyl with blue and silver feathers. Its wings sliced the sky, leaving a dazzling trail of lights.


    Kyra changed. She grew quieter, her usual zeal giving way to something more reserved. Her steps became hesitant, and the playful banter since Gilderport faded into an uneasy silence. I tried to draw her out, asking what it would be like to see her brother after all this time. But she dodged my questions, her eyes fixed on the distant horizon.


    At night, she summoned Ebon and snuggled up to him like a security blanket. She adored that dire wolf, but his snoring sounded like a low growl. I’d sneak him rations now and then to keep things friendly between us.


    As we reached the top of a hill, Ironhaven Estate came into view. Its towering stone walls blended with the grey sky, surrounded by a thick maze of hedges.


    MISSION COMPLETE: THE AMAZON PRINCESS


    Escort Kyra to her brother.


    LEVEL UPDATE


    Name: Ember [Doctrine Dealer]


    Tier: II [Bronze] Rank 8


    “Well, Kyra… here we are,” I said. “I guess this is where we say goodbye?”


    “Will you stay?” she asked. “Please, just a little longer. Meet my family?”


    Cragmarr and I exchanged glances. We could feel there was more to her request than she was letting on.


    “Of course,” I said. “We’ll stick around.”


    Instead of the front gate, Kyra insisted we go around the side of the castle. It struck me as odd, and I could tell Cragmarr thought the same. Neither of us questioned her. We followed her along the outer wall, where the stone was weathered and cracked, providing enough footholds to scale. We climbed the wall and dropped into a large, well-tended garden.


    The garden was lush and vibrant, filled with blooming flowers, neatly trimmed hedges, and the scent of roses. A young man walked through the garden, his nose buried in a scroll. He wore a finely tailored burgundy tunic with silver accents. His resemblance to Kyra was uncanny.


    “Tavian,” Kyra called.


    The young man looked up, startled by our appearance. His brow furrowed as Kyra approached.


    “Who… who are you?” he asked. “How did you get in here?”


    “It’s me. I’m your sister,” she said.


    “My sister?” Tavian blinked. “I… I don’t understand. I only have one sister.”


    A girl came running around the corner, her laughter filling the garden. She, too, wore fine noble clothes, her hair styled elegantly—another spitting image of Kyra.


    “Tavi! What’s taking you so long? Father’s going to be—” She froze, her face draining of color at the sight of us. “Guards! Guards!” she screamed.


    “Calm down Elara!” Tavian shouted. “She says she’s our sister. Look at her.”


    “We’re not here to hurt you,” I said.


    More than a dozen guards, wearing suits of armor and swords drawn, surrounded us.


    “Intruders!” a guard barked. “Surrender yourselves.”


    Cragmarr and I loaded our Jingozi cards.


    “Not gonna happen,” I said.


    “No!” Kyra shouted. “Please, everyone, let’s all calm down.”


    Nobody wanted to make the first move. The knights stayed poised as we were prepared to fight our way out.


    “You should not have come here, Kyra,” a voice called.


    In the distance, a tall, imposing man followed by two stern-faced knights strode toward us. His dark purple robes billowed with each step.


    Name: Lord Aric [Judgment Dealer]


    Tier: VI [Platinum] Rank 1


    Faction: Emperor [Overlord]


    * * *


    Cragmarr and I sat in a large, opulent waiting room. The room was grand, more like a lavish hall than a regular waiting area. The polished marble floors gleamed under the light of crystal chandeliers dangling from the high, arched ceiling. A row of mounted trophies displayed the heads of strange creatures along one wall—their glassy eyes staring out, frozen in time.


    A heated argument occurred in the next room. Kyra’s tone was sharp as she bickered with Lord Aric, who I assumed was her father. The muffled sounds of their clash through the heavy wooden doors were occasionally interrupted by a crash on the floor.


    Across the room, Tavian and his sister Elara sat on an ornate settee, their eyes fixed on us with curiosity and suspicion. In their fancy outfits, they appeared every bit as spoiled as you would expect.


    I stood up to explore the room, causing the siblings to recoil. The carved wooden furniture was upholstered in deep, jewel-toned fabrics. The cushions alone were likely worth more than all my Ikea furniture combined. A massive fireplace dominated one wall. Above it hung a large portrait of a very serious-looking man.


    Yup, that’s Kyra’s father—Lord Aric.


    I returned to my seat and stared at Kyra’s brother and sister. Tavian fidgeted with the buttons on his vest while Kyra stayed perfectly still like a deer in the headlights.


    “How’s all this possible?” I whispered to Cragmarr, tilting my head in their direction.


    “When Amazons sire children for an Emperor, triplets are always conceived. The Amazons select the strongest daughter to join them while the Emperors raise the others. Those left behind are raised, trained, and groomed as nobles.”


    “Triplets? Every time?”


    “Yes, every time.”


    “So, you’re saying that every Amazon has a set of twin siblings running around?”


    “Not always. Many perish in childbirth.”


    “So, Kyra lied to us. But why?”


    “I believe it was to free herself from her mother, the queen.”


    “Well, if I were cooped up on an island with nobody but female cousins, I’d want out, too.”


    “That is why some Amazon children return to the Emperors, petitioning to rejoin their siblings.”


    The doors to the next room flung open, and Kyra stormed out. She brushed past us without a word. Her father appeared in the doorway.


    “Please join me for tea,” he said.