The Right to Choose Read online

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  Book Ten

  The Right to Choose

  Copyright © 2017 Litworld Ltd. (http://litworld.info)

  All rights reserved.

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  Contents:

  Contents:

  Chapter One

  In which the hero gets different rewards.

  Chapter Two

  In which new and intriguing horizons open for the hero.

  Chapter Three

  In which we find that night time isn’t the same for everyone.

  Chapter Four

  On trips between floors and their implications.

  Chapter Five

  On celebratory meals, jokes, and choral accompaniment.

  Chapter Six

  In which some systematizing takes place.

  Chapter Seven

  In which the past intrudes on the present.

  Chapter Eight

  In which we find that some things are okay to lose.

  Chapter Nine

  In which the hero comes to an agreement and lays out some plans.

  Chapter Ten

  On how sometimes, you want one thing and get something very different.

  Chapter Eleven

  In which the hero enjoys a moment of nostalgia.

  Chapter Twelve

  In which the hero takes a few steps forward.

  Chapter Thirteen

  In which everything is all about the holiday.

  Chapter Fourteen

  In which everyone has so much fun for New Year’s.

  Chapter Fifteen

  In which the partying finally comes to an end..

  Book Recommendations:

  Chapter One

  In which the hero gets different rewards.

  “A chest!” Krolina sang, spinning around the massive, steel-fettered object. “I’m going to open it, and, oh, yes…”

  I watched the girl tenderly and felt a wave of happiness for her. It’s the little things in life.

  “Women,” Hassan ibn Kemal said as he came over to me. “She doesn’t care that she just killed a beast many men wouldn’t stand a chance against; all she cares about is that she’s going to be holding a little jewelry in a second. They’re all that way.”

  Krolina slowed her pace, poking at the chest with her saber. She was afraid it was hiding a trap.

  “Salekh, go give our guest a hand.” Hassan had obviously tired of watching the girl with her equal parts greed and timidity.

  A short warrior—one of the elder sons—went over to the chest and knocked the lock off with a quick blow. It clattered across the floor, let out a blue cloud, and cut loose an electric charge that took 10 percent of the NPC’s health off.

  “That burns!” Salekh said as he threw the lid back.

  “All mine!” Kro explained, pushing the assassin to the side rudely and reaching into the chest.

  “What did you expect?” Hassan asked, the elder son shaking his scalded hand. “This is a bad place, and that chest had a bad owner. It’s always like that.”

  “What did you get?” I asked the girl without worrying that ibn Kemal could hear us. “Anything good?”

  “Gold.” Kro’s eyes went still as she looked over the descriptions of what she’d gotten. “Two rings, really nice, one for mages, the other for thieves, a cloak… Well, it’s definitely for me, no discussion there—it’s great for agility—oh, and a two-handed sword and a pair of boots.”

  “What kind of boots?” If they’re decent, I’ll take them. The ones I was wearing barely did anything for my Level 72.

  “No good. They’re for healers; I’ll give them to Freya. Quite the nice little chest.”

  “Well, are you done?” Hassan asked. “Can we be done talking? Let’s head back up.”

  “Once we get everything wrapped up here, we need to head back to the castle,” Kro told me as we walked. “And you were right. We need to get the king to give us a room we can use as a clan storehouse. I’d stick the rings and the gold in there.”

  “Hey, why do you talk so much?” ibn Kemal asked in surprise. “Women all talk a lot, but you’re the pick of the litter. Be quiet, realize what we were just able to do, and enjoy our victory. How many moments like this do you think you’re going to have in life?”

  “Quite a few, I hope,” Kro replied without skipping a beat. “I’m still young, with plenty of fighting ahead of me.”

  Ibn Kemal clucked his tongue in disappointment. “That’s no good for a woman. Although, what am I talking about? These days, nobody listens to their elders; everyone’s so smart and in such a hurry—in a hurry to live, in a hurry to love, in a hurry to die.”

  ***

  Tafir walked up to Hassan when we got up to the fortress. After the remains of our brigade had left the jinn’s cave, he’d run on up ahead.

  “Teacher, allow me to speak with you,” he said, bowing his head. “Two words.”

  “Go ahead in, my children.” Hassan pushed the door to his room open. “I’ll be right there.”

  As we walked in, I noticed Tafir whispering something in his ear.

  “This had better not go south for us,” I said to Krolina quietly. “I don’t like that.”

  She looked at me dubiously. “What’s wrong? We aren’t in conflict with them, and there aren’t any sore points, either. The old guy’s supposed to give us a reward, so nothing can happen until he does. Don’t worry about it.”

  I said nothing, unswayed.

  “Well, well, my friends.” Ibn Kemal walked in and threw his arms wide as if to hug us. “First, we’ll eat and enjoy some good conversation, then, I’ll give you some gifts.”

  “Are you sure we need to eat?” Krolina asked, running her hands across her waist. “I don’t eat after six. Couldn’t we go straight to the gifts?”

  “You don’t want to eat?” Ibn Kemal’s face fell. “You’re my guests, you’re in my home, and you just helped me. No, first, our dastarkhan. Really, woman, show a little respect—I’m both the master of this home and an old man. When else am I going to get the chance to dine with a beauty like you?”

  He clapped, and some young boys ran into the room. They dexterously set a low table, placed saucers and other dishes on it, and laid out rugs.

  “Sit, guests of my house,” ibn Kemal said as he lowered himself onto one of the rugs. “This was a difficult day, any of us could have found their last rest from this world. We are still among the living, however, and that is reason enough to reward ourselves for our zeal and bravery with this modest food.”

  “I don’t know about that. I’d say it’s more unfamiliar than modest.” Kro looked around the table and pointed at a yellowish mass. “What’s that? Porridge?”

  Hassan stroked his mustache. “I’m not sure what porridge is. That’s bulamik[1].”

  “And the rest of it?”

  Ibn Kemal started naming the dishes on the table like a real chef. “Falafel, hummus, baba ghanoush[2], gazelle kidneys—”

  “Okay, okay, the names mean nothing to me. Let me just try everything,” Kro cut in with a comical wave of her hands.

  I nibbled on one thing, took a little bite of another, but couldn’t really bring myself to eat. Ibn Kemal never did anything without a reason, so I knew there had to be one behind the banquet he’d spread for us.

  Hassan joked with Kro, laughing s
oftly as he ate the kofta[3] he seemed to be giving preference to.

  ***

  Twenty minutes later, he stroked his mustache one more time and gave us a grand announcement.

  “And now, my duty as a hospitable host complete, let me give you what you were promised.”

  Kro smiled and rubbed her hands together.

  Ibn Kemal walked over to a short secretaire and pulled out a glistening necklace.

  “Come here, woman,” he said to Krolina. “Take this jewelry; it’s now yours. It once belonged to a girl whose face was whiter than the snow on the tips of the mountains, fairer than the dawn, and kinder than the sun.”

  The archer took the necklace. I saw a shadow of dissatisfaction flit across her face, however; she’d been hoping for something better.

  “But that isn’t all,” ibn Kemal said, apparently seeing what I saw. “Today, the bow once held by the great Voliin ibn Alinsh again found itself in the hands of a warrior every bit his equal. You can keep it. A weapon should serve one who is worthy of it.”

  Kro shrieked as she threw her arms around the old assassin’s neck. “Thank you! Thank you so much!”

  We probably could have pried the bow away regardless, but that would have complicated things with the order of assassins. Neither Kro nor I knew what scenario that would have triggered.

  “Hey, hey, woman, let me go,” a clearly pleased ibn Kemal muttered in fake annoyance. “You’re going to strangle this old man!”

  “That’s so nice of you!” Kro practically leaped for joy, gave him a juicy kiss on the cheek, and sat back down on her rug.

  “Sometimes, it’s nice to do things for people who thank you like that,” Hassan replied. “Okay, your turn, boy. Come over here.”

  Just as I got up, ibn Kemal clapped. The door behind me creaked open.

  Kro looked up sharply, glanced toward whoever was walking in, and nodded to me. I turned to see Tafir, who winked. He walked over to his teacher and handed him a sword in a surprisingly plain scabbard. Items in the game usually looked fancy, especially there in the east. Just wood and leather?

  “Son, I haven’t known you for long,” ibn Kemal started in. “When you first arrived here, you were in the company of someone I can always trust with my back no matter what he says, and that was enough for me to form a good opinion of you. Today, you proved that I was right—you kept your word, you did what was asked of you, you fought like a man, and you’re worthy of a reward. All actions should be rewarded, should they not? I’ll be honest; I couldn’t decide what to give you. It seemed simple—most people in the West would just want gold. They’re funny, thinking, for some reason, that those little round pieces will give them a long, happy, and safe life. My children have proven otherwise many a time and will do so again. But you’re different. You’re a warrior, and so my gift to you is not gold; it is a sword. Take it—it’s yours.”

  Ibn Kemal held out the blade with two hands. I took it with my own two, immediately stopping to check out the attributes. I couldn’t help but wonder what could follow a touching speech like that one.

  Karamor’s Sword

  This one-handed sword once belonged to a powerful and simple warrior who treasured the bonds of blood and friendship above all else.

  Damage: 677-748

  +62 to strength

  +49 to stamina

  +18% chance of doing additional damage when attacking

  +17% chance of doing bleeding damage

  +10% chance of dodging enemy attacks

  +100 to life force

  -50% regeneration time for Phantom (if you have that ability)

  Class limitation: warriors

  Durability: 800/800

  Minimum level for use: 75

  It wasn’t a set item, but it was legendary and not far off. It was the first time I saw a weapon that could boost your standard of living. The only problem was that I was three levels short of being able to use it. Into the purse it goes. I’d hate to lose it without ever getting to wave it around once. It was better off biding its time there… Regardless, it was a great and timely gift. I hadn’t switched out my weapon in quite a while.

  “But that’s not all,” ibn Kemal said with a waggle of his finger. He smiled slyly, looking at me like an eastern wizard, one of the ones they have in movies. I had the feeling he was going to pull out a whisker from his mustache and give me an abracadabra.

  “What more could there be? Thanks for the sword. It’s fantastic.”

  “There could be more.” The assassin went over to the wall, brandished his ring key again, rustled around in the opening, and turned back with a small casket in his hands. “It’s been in here for a long time. My boys brought it back from a mission once, one with a sorcerer who knew much. I don’t need it, but you… Life is unpredictable, so I’m sure you’ll find a use for it. You can always sell it or trade it for something, at least.”

  I took the casket from him and opened it. Inside, there was a yellowed paper rolled up and tied with a pink ribbon.

  Scroll containing Al Sharann’s Grapes of Wrath, an active ability

  One-time use

  This ability is exclusively for mages and can only be used by them.

  Minimum level to learn the ability: 140

  To learn and activate the ability, unroll and read the scroll.

  “A generous gift,” I said, shaking my head and bowing to ibn Kemal. “Too generous.”

  “We should each receive what our actions deserve,” he replied. “And the measure is determined by the giver.”

  I went back to the table and picked up a piece of meat.

  “Well?” Kro purred.

  “A Level-140-plus mage ability.”

  “Wow.” Her eyes narrowed. “Now, all we have to do is find a mage like that. Where are you going to hide it?”

  “In a safe place,” I replied. I wasn’t going to tell her about Ffarg’s purse—friendship is friendship, but some things are still better kept to yourself. “I’ll hang onto it until we have a nice, dry, cool, and safe place with a big iron door, secure locks, and an ugly halfling guard.”

  “Tell me what it’s called, so I know what we have. I’ll check to see how rare it is, how valuable it is, how much money we could get for it. Abilities Level 100 and higher are trump cards, but some are sixes, and others are aces.”

  “Al Sharann’s Grapes of Wrath,” I said from memory, then pulling the scroll out one more time to check. “That’s Sharann with two Ns.”

  “Never heard of it,” she replied, scrunching up her nose. “And I’ve seen a lot in the game. Anyway, sounds like we got lucky with a rare ability.”

  “Excellent.” I motioned toward ibn Kemal with my eyes. He was listening to us with curiosity.

  I was about to close my bag when I saw an item I didn’t recognize. Must have come from the jinn. I wondered why Kro didn’t get it. Maybe raid bosses are the kind of thing where everybody can get something.

  White Princess Amulet

  Once upon a time, this amulet belonged to a mage princess named Luanna, the ruler of the kingdom of Aladar. The kingdom fell to the onslaught of the dark horde, and the princess was sent to join everyone else who stood fearlessly in the path of the bloodthirsty Lord of Shadows.

  From the Heroes of the Second War of Hatred set

  Set includes:

  Ten’s Gauntlets

  Redheaded Barbarian Belt

  Last Paladin Sword

  Largo’s Shield

  White Princess Amulet

  Thief Ring

  Sly Ring

  Old Master Cloak

  Teacher Earring

  +78 to wisdom

  +64 to intellect

  +220 to mana

  +28% chance of doubling the damage your spells do

  +26% chance of blinding your opponent for a short period (if successful, three to ten seconds)

  +12% protection from mental attacks

  +6% chance of instantly restoring your mana during battle

>   +3% equipment durability

  Durability: 2147/3000

  Minimum level for use: 100

  Class limitation: mages

  Cannot be stolen, lost, broken, or gifted.

  Does not disappear from your inventory after dying when coupled with at least five other items from the set.

  The following bonuses are unlocked by using the complete set:

  Two random active class abilities

  Two random passive class abilities

  +80 to intellect

  +300 to mana

  +25% chance of constantly and instantly recharging one of your active abilities (the ability will be chosen randomly when you put on everything in the set)

  I sure wasn’t expecting a set item. If only it were for my class.

  “What’s on your mind?” Kro looked at me suspiciously.

  No, babycakes. She wasn’t going to hear about that thing. I was going to keep it safely in my purse for the time being.

  “I was reading through everything about the sword again,” I replied sadly. “It’s fantastic, but I’m not quite there yet. I just need another three levels.”

  “Go grab some people tomorrow and make it happen,” Kro said, her brows raised in surprise. “It’s harder to level-up once you hit fifty, of course, but you can pick three of them up if you work at it for a couple days—maybe, even sooner. Move your butt, my dear leader, move your butt.”

  “Have you tried hitting her?” ibn Kemal asked me curiously. “You have a good woman, a strong woman, but she takes too many liberties. It’s not every man who can stand for that.”

  “No, teacher, I haven’t,” I smiled.

  “Good.” Hassan’s answer surprised me. “Let her talk. If you hit her, she’ll cut you in your sleep.”

  “I certainly will,” Kro chimed in happily. “Actually, I won’t even wait for you to fall asleep.”

  “Just don’t hit her. You need to try something else,” ibn Kemal said, taking some sherbet. “Her kind you just need to kill, believe me. You’ll have to be careful about it, though—a silk rope, crushed diamond in her coffee… This is a smart woman, very much alive, and she deserves a beautiful death.”