EFate: An MMO Story

"Like student like master," the familiar idiom resounded through the crystal that Korin Wavesun was holding. With a small smile, Wavesun pictured the man Alistair was referring to. Eric Kystfyr was both entirely different from his teacher, Lucy Morningstar, and at the same time all too similar. Just as Lucy had figured out Alistair's plans and confronted him at the council meeting earlier, so too had her student seen through Alistair's intentions. Part of it was Alistair's own fault, he had chosen the boy because of his talents, not in spite of them. The fact that he was as perceptive as he was bode well for their future plans. Even if it meant that the young half-elf was far more difficult to handle than others Alistair might have chosen.

"You knew that he was intelligent when you chose him. You have no one to blame for this but yourself," Wavesun replied with a small chuckle. Anyways, what's up? I wasn't expecting a call from you today," behind him, rays of light peeked through the crack at the bottom of the doorway, accompanied by sounds of revelry and laughter. The party was in full swing. It wouldn't do for him to be away for too long.

"I was busy, Wavesun. Lots has happened today," Alistair sighed.

"I can imagine. You wouldn't call me just to complain though. What do you need?"

"I need to know why the funds for the militia's assault haven't been released. They were cleared before the expedition. There's no reason that there should be a delay. The men are getting restless."

"Orith is personally blocking the resolution of this matter. He claims that we need to properly ensure that the otherworlders aren't overcompensated, lest they turn on us afterwards. Unfortunately, many of the nobles support him."

"That's ridiculous, there are plenty of non-otherworlder militia who participated!" Alistair's roar echoed through the crystal, causing Wavesun to wince.

"I understand you're angry, but try to keep it down. I'm not exactly in a secure place right now, Alistair."

"And where are ye, a whorehouse? Drinking wine and shmoozing wit' women?" Alistair snarled.

"Whores at least add value to a society, unlike those I'm here with tonight. Although I do confess that there is plenty of wine."

"Yer at a party?" Alistair asked, his tone softening slightly as he inferred Wavesun's location.

"Yes. I'm doing my best to sway some of the less conservative nobles to our cause. Lord Longarrow and Lady Stonekeep are two such parties that are in attendance tonight."

"I won't take up too much of yer time then. I'll send another message to the king's chamberlain in the mornin'. Take care, Korin."

"Take care, Alistair," Wavesun replied as the crystal in his hand went dark. Staring at it for a moment, he stowed it back in his vest, depositing it into a hidden compartment in the fabric. Patting his vest to smooth out any ruffles, he mulled over what he'd just learned.

Alistair is pissed, Wavesun thought with a sigh. The crown's refusal to release the funds for the militia must be pressing upon him more than he'd let on, if he was lapsing back into his northern accent. Alistair's accent only really came out when he was angry or tired. It made reading the man easier, not that reading Alistair's intentions had ever really posed him any trouble. The career military man wore his emotions on his sleeve, for better or worse. It was one of the things Wavesun admired about him, a refreshing change from the poisoned smiles and perfumed rot that festered among the other nobility.

Speaking of which, they'll be wondering where I've gone. I should get back, Wavesun thought, pushing open a magnificent door of solid oak to reveal a glamorously lit ballroom. Crystals swirled through the air, pulsing gently with dim light that illuminated the scene below. More than thirty young men and women sat at a long table of gleaming wood. The table was inset with runes and various magical materials, giving it an ethereal feeling. Atop the table sat plates of gold and crystal, upon which food and drink were piled high, giving off an enticing aroma that filled the room. Cups made of a strange stone material were filled to the brim with firewine and various exotic liquors, which were most likely the cause for the uninhibited air that surrounded the table.

"Where'd you go? We missed you!" a man cried, a large stain of wine visible upon his silk shirt.

"Probably a call from an admirer. It is Wavesun after all," another man jeered raucously, throwing his arm around Wavesun as he did so. "C'mon, Korin. Was it a woman? A man? You can tell us!" he slurred.

Wavesun said nothing to this, merely snagging a small crystal from the pouch at his side and tossing it in the air with a knowing smile. This earned another round of laughter from those nearby, as well as a jealous look from more than one of the women. Waiting for the laughter to pass, Wavesun smiled once more as he put the crystal back in his pouch.

"Suffice it to say, I have somewhere else to be once the night is over."

"Are you ever going to settle down, Wavesun? I have a cousin who would just love to get to know you better," a buxom lady across from him stated, punctuating her statement with a giggle as she finished the firewine in her cup.

"I'd love to get to know her better. Particularly on a horizontal and parallel basis," Wavesun replied, waving his eyebrows saucily towards her. This got a few laughs, and caused several of the ladies as well as two of the men to go scarlet, leaning into their cups as they attempted to hide their embarassment.

"She's not that type of lady. But I'll relay the news to her anyways, if just to see her reaction," the buxom lady replied with a giggle.

"Speaking of settling down. Have you heard that old Lord Stonehedge wed Morris Bluemeadow's daughter?" the lady beside Wavesun asked, setting down her cup as she looked around the table.

"Little Lana Bluemeadow?"

"You're sure, Kana?"

"I am," Kana replied. "My mother learned from Mel Bluemeadow herself."

"Well if Lady Stonekeep herself says the information is correct, who are we to say otherwise?" Wavesun said smoothly. "Still, I can't believe Lana would marry an old fogey like Stonehedge. I always thought she wanted to snag herself a prince."

"She did. But then you disappeared across the sea. And both princes made it clear they weren't interested. She tried her best though," the man who'd rested his arm around Wavesun replied, sobering up slightly as his mood turned contemplative.

"Didn't you like Lana when we were younger, Branden?"

"I did. But it's hard to compete with princes when you're just the son of a baron. And the second son at that" Branden said morosely, slamming back the rest of the contents of his cup. As he said this, those listening all turned to stare at a well dressed man seated near the head of the table. With fine features, and a garb that appeared to have been spun out of golden silk, the man cut a dashing figure. But by far the most striking thing about him were his hair and beard, both of which were a bright silver, glowing brilliantly in the dim lighting of the room. Seemingly aware of the gazes turned his way, the man looked up from his conversation. Catching Wavesun's eye, he gave them a cheery wave, before returning to the conversation he was having with an animated looking man to his left.

"I suppose competing with Prince Camaril Whitemane would be tough," Wavesun commented dryly as he returned his gaze to the table.

"Ah stuff it, if anyone can it'd be you," Branden groused moodily. Wavesun laughed at this. Grabbing a nearby pitcher, he refilled Branden's cup, improving the man's mood significantly.

"It's just not fair. How can someone be that good looking and as strong as he is?" Branden sighed, taking a swig from his newly filled cup.

"The strength of two giants," Branden said, wielding his cup threateningly. But his eyes were alight with mirth, indicating that he'd taken no offense at Wavesun's jab.

"Alright, two giants. And woe be the day Prince Camaril ever meets you in a wrestling match."

This got laughs all around, the mood lightening as the conversation turned back to Lana Bluemeadow and her new husband.

"I'm still surprised I hadn't heard about this until now," the buxom woman commented. "Was there no wedding?"

"The wedding was smaller due to Lord Stonehedge's obligations. Only a handful of lords and ladies were invited, mostly those near the western border," Kana explained.

"Speaking of Lord Stonehedge's obligations. How is the western border faring? The last I heard, Eirewick's Thundering Duke, Lord Stormrain was doing his best to take Chinekto Castle."

"Lord Stonehedge has managed to weather the storm quite well so far. Despite the Thundering Duke's offensive prowess, there's a reason Stonehedge was chosen to be our kingdom's western bulwark. His family has been doing this for generations after all."

"And hopefully little Lana can ensure they do it for many more," Wavesun said with a smirk, earning an annoyed glare from Branden, and a laugh from the buxom woman.

"The only real problem is resources," Branden said seriously, his drunkenness seeming to fade as he leaned forward. "I heard talk that Eirewick seems to be employing otherworlders to fill their ranks. Even if Lord Stonehedge can repel their attacks perfectly, he can't replace his soldiers the same way that the Thundering Duke can."

"Does Lord Stonehedge still refuse to utilize the otherworlders?" Kana asked carefully.

"Yes. And good riddance. Those animals cannot be relied upon with something as important as the defense of our kingdom," a man with flaming red hair swore.

"Aye."

"Hear! Hear!"

Encouraged by the support, the man continued. "Eirewick can utilize them because they're sending them to their deaths in lieu of their own soldiers. It's a despicable tactic, but an effective one. However, if we choose to employ otherworlders in the defense of Chinekto Castle, the gates will be open within a week. From the inside."

Tch, Wavesun clicked his tongue. I can't allow the conversation to continue in this manner. Sneaking a sidelong glance at Kana, Wavesun was just about to open his mouth when a new voice cut in.

"Surely there's a middle ground between allowing the otherworlders the chance to betray us, and utilizing them as a combat force? You can't believe that all otherworlders are looking to betray us, can you?"

"Hmph. I know that the Longarrow family is obsessed with military power, but try to keep your uneducated opinions to yourself. Perhaps the otherworlders in Lunenport are better behaved and thus you're not aware of their true natures just yet, but here in Seacove, we know what they're actually like," the redheaded man replied with a sneer, gesturing towards the speaker with a chicken bone.

"Don't mock me, Sorlin," Longarrow growled. "I've interacted with plenty of otherworlders in the past few weeks. My question is reasonable, especially from a military standpoint. How do you plan to defeat Eirewick once their otherworlder forces are strong enough to contend with our soldiers?"

"That's true."

"Agreed."

Several other voices rang out in agreement, as the table backed Sorlin. Before Longarrow could speak up once more in defense of the otherworlders, he was cut off by Branden.

"Not just that. They're also taking jobs and supplies from Novanalbans. Several of my fief's residents have come to me to complain about the otherworlders. They act like they own the world, and that we're beneath them, when really, the only reason we haven't swept them from our lands is because they have the god's favour!" he spoke, slamming his cup down for emphasis.

"But they also contribute to Novanalba. The otherworlders have helped with the recent monster infestations, they've participated in the raids against the Carved Skull bandits, and they've also bolstered the ranks of the militia. Surely you can see that they're not all bad. How do we even know that the recent murders were performed by otherworlders?" Longarrow argued.

"Because they confessed. We executed them for their crimes, but do you know how damn unsatisfying it is to string someone up in the main square, only to watch their corpse disappear less than an hour later? Even though we exiled them from Seacove, the fact that they can walk free while the families of those they killed are forced to grieve for their slaughtered kin is an abomination of justice. And they don't even respond to torture!" a heavyset young man swore angrily.

Arguing fiercely, the table devolved into chaos, with each noble doing their best to drown out their fellows. Watching the proceedings with a twisted expression, Wavesun turned to look up the table, catching the prince's eye as he did so. With a smirk, Prince Camaril raised his cup, toasting Wavesun with an amused smile before turning back to his companions.

"My sister was saved by an otherworlder," a softspoken phrase cut through the din.

"What was that, Kana?" Branden asked awkwardly.

"That's just one example," Sorlin protested. "There are plenty more-"

"His companion," Kana continued firmly, "the adventurer, Tokin, stayed behind to help repair the local defenses. They also both refused to partake of the riches gathered by the bandits, insisting that they be used to help the bandits' victims. I looked into it, and these two are part of an organization of many otherworlders, all of which are upstanding citizens of Novanalba. They have some renown even here in Seacove, and are regarded well by the residents."

"They're not citizens. They're interlopers, sent by the gods for some arcane reason. Even the gods don't all seem to support them. I know that the Priests of Atalnius have been preaching for their expulsion in Seacove recently," the buxom lady spoke up.

"Regardless of the matters of the gods, Kana's right," Wavesun said, spying an opportunity to jump in. "They aren't all bad. I was in the north recently, helping with the recent militia operation, and the otherworlders who assisted the militia displayed an exemplary attitude. While there certainly were a few bad eggs, can the same not be said for our own people? Sorlin, your father executed a group of deserters just the other day. And we all know that the Carved Skull bandits as well as the various pirate groups that roam the coast are all formed primarily by Novanalban sailors and dissidents. The kingdom even sponsors some of them."

This news was met by a few mutters, however, no one challenged Wavesun's statement. Smiling broadly, Wavesun clapped his hands. "Now then, instead of such dreary political topics. Why don't we remember why we're here? Lord Brockston was generous enough to supply us with such quality food and liquor. It would be a breach of hospitality to ignore that."

Raising his cup, Wavesun turned towards where Prince Camaril sat at the head of the table. Seeing Wavesun's actions, the prince smiled meaningfully, turning towards the table as Wavesun held his cup high. "To Novanalba!" he toasted, downing the contents of the cup in a single gulp.

"To Novanalba!" the others followed, the merry atmosphere returning as the liquor flowed freely once more. As the discussion turned back towards gossip, Kana caught Wavesun's eye. Giving her a meaningful smile, he placed his hand upon her own. Feeling something slide between her fingers, Kana's eyes strayed downwards, but Wavesun's next words caused her to look up.

"Like I said. I have somewhere else to be afterwards. Do you?"