Otherlife Nightmares: The Selfless Hero Trilogy (12 page)

As the king of the country, a death sentence from him would allow the person to be placed into a guillotine. This would ensure a one-hit kill from the machine and quick resolution. Each death had been preceded by a priestess of Brunhild offering them their last rites.

Runner had pleaded with the king to move up his schedule so that Runner could leave sooner rather than later. No amount of persuasion worked; the king wanted to hold a ceremony for him the next day and would not be swayed.

Feigning illness, he’d manage to skip out on dinner. In truth he did feel a touch queasy. Many of those executed had been Awakened.

Taking advantage of his relationship with the king, he managed to convince a servant to change the room’s layout. Two beds were brought into the main bedroom and the original had been trundled out. He figured Hannah and Nadine could each sleep in a bed and he’d sleep on the ground. It felt more comfortable that way, more routine. Normal.

Creating a small nest for himself between the beds, he stopped and looked at his hands.

“Brighteyes, are you there? It’s selfish of me to ask for you to respond without an offering.”

“It really is,” said the melodic voice of Brunhild. “You know, that wasn’t really a prayer.”

“Course it wasn’t. I’m not going to pray to you.”

She had sprawled herself out on one of the beds, her glowing eyes pinning him to the floor. Dressed in the same white dress as earlier, she held herself in a more reserved pose this time, lying sideways on the bed with her head propped on a hand.

“In this case, I have done as you have asked. I expect recompense.”

“And you’ll have it, Brighteyes. Want a beetle for the time being?”

He felt relieved, truly relieved. They weren’t gone entirely, simply no longer of this realm. It wasn’t the best solution. They weren’t being deleted outright, however.

Chuckling, she gave a quick nod of her head, dark hair bobbing around her.

“Certainly, please give me a few. I’m not sure how often I can visit. I doubt your little harem would appreciate me visiting you often either.”

“By that logic, being a harem, why not join it?” Runner said. Pulling out a handful of beetles, he held them up to her. “Think inventory in your head and push them through when the window appears.”

Her brows came down together at his statement. She managed to succeed, though, as one after another she passed beetles into the nothing before her.

“Can’t give you too many, gotta keep you coming back for more, ya know,” quipped Runner knowingly.

Brunhild glanced up at the door and sighed, then looked back to him.

“We’ll meet again soon. Consider not mentioning me to them. It may not work out the way you wish. It is up to you.”

And with that she vanished. A moment later the door flung open and Katarina stepped in, followed by Thana, Nadine, and Hannah. They were all chatting amiably, though he couldn’t pick out the details of the conversation. The sight of them together made him smile.

Perhaps they were closer to each other than even he was to them individually.

“Eh? They switched out the fucking beds?”

“Oh, well then, does that m-m-mean Thana and Katarina can stay?”

“I’m sure Master Runner won’t mind, do you?”

“Of course not. Who doesn’t want to sleep with four women at the same time?”

Hooting with laughter, Hannah and Katarina flopped into their respective beds. They’d gotten so swift at changing into their nightclothes that he only saw a flash of fabric as they did so.

“Run-n-n-ner!” hissed Nadine. She wasn’t used to being included in his teasing, though she didn’t seem as put out by it this time at least.

Thana made no response and stood near the bed she would share with Katarina. She smiled broadly at him, daringly so.

She was still dressed in her day clothes and raised the hem of her dress with a few fingers, seemingly inviting him to watch her change.

The unspoken offer and memories of the garden overran his bravado and sent it fleeing as fast as it could go. Laying his head down on his pillow, he quieted his mind as the rest of his party settled in for the evening.

The lights were doused and darkness settled over the room. It felt good to have everyone in one room again. It didn’t feel right being separated.

He called up his screenshot library and selected the most recent ones. Near the top was the one of Katarina standing in a dress. Pulling up the ship’s e-mail system, he listed his group as the receivers and pasted the photo into it. The caption below it simply read, “Good night, Princess.”

Hitting send, he smirked at nothing in particular, waiting.

A snicker came up from the bed behind him, followed by a short burst of laughter from Nadine. From above him a pillow crashed down into him from Katarina. Laughing, he tossed the pillow back up towards her.

Everyone started laughing, including Katarina. One after another, everyone dropped off into sleep.

Chapter 5 - Misery of the Truth -

9:01am Sovereign Earth time

11/09/43

Early morning found Runner kneeling before the king. Again.

His original plan had been to escape with his party and continue on as they had. Level up, get his memories back, wander around, figure out what to do with Srit and his ship full of living fossils.

He had no doubt that Katarina would follow him if he asked. Even if it meant abandoning her people to their fate. He doubted she would ever forgive him for such an action though.

New plans needed to be made, ones that included saving Katarina’s kingdom. Runner found it amusing for this to be the current goal. When he had met her, he’d stated quite blatantly that he wouldn’t be accepting a quest to save her home.

Now here he was, about to request aid from the king of the Sunless to do exactly that. To rescue Katarina’s kingdom and its king.

For the sake of Katarina.

“Rise, Master Runner. You’ve acquitted yourself well in our service.”

Standing up, he gave the room a cursory glance. Many who had been present on his first meeting with the king were now absent.

“I attribute all of my deeds in this matter to the Lady Brunhild, Your Majesty. It is she alone that allowed me to give aid to the Commonwealth. In your own darkest hour, Majesty, who did you yourself pray to?”

Vasilios looked down to the ground. Runner might have overdone it a bit. He truly wanted Brunhild to feel like she got her money’s worth out of him though.

Runner opened his mouth to limit the statement and try to reel the king back in. Whipping his head up, the king met Runner’s gaze, then sought out the court scribe nearby.

“On this day, the Commonwealth of the Sunless accepts Brunhild, Lady of the Night, as its official prime deity. I name Runner as her Champion upon my authority as the king and seek her to affirm this.”

Congratulations! Server first: Divine Champion

You’ve earned 5,000 fame

Now that’s a surprise.

Runner hadn’t expected that. He had only really intended them to thank her for her assistance. Having been named a prime deity of a country, her power base would expand significantly. By leaps and bounds even, since none of the others in the divine pantheon had been so named.

Having the title Champion given to him fell outside of his plans as well. He’d worked at fostering a relationship with her outside of her religion. A denial would sting, yet it was his only course of action.

And then she was there. Standing before him was Brunhild, watching him with her radiant eyes. She raised a hand towards him, as if asking him to hold his tongue.

Turning from Runner, she faced the king, who was bent low in supplication to her. In fact, everyone had immediately knelt upon her arrival.

“You may all rise,” she intoned. The playful lilt and idle curiosity was gone from her voice. “Good King Vasilios, I accept your country into my care, though I regret I must choose another Champion. Runner serves another purpose for me and cannot change that duty. I would ask his opinion on who would serve best.”

All eyes turned to Runner. Curiosity, awe, shock, confusion, many were the emotions that ranged across the people gathered in the court as they waited.

“My Lady Brunhild,” said Runner, bowing low to her. It was an unexpected boon, one he was sure he would need to repay later. “I would name Petros Damalis as your Champion. His recent crime was of being too loyal to the king. I have no doubt that his devotion to you as a Champion would be equally comparable to his loyalty to the throne.”

Raising his head after stating his request, he watched her, wondering what the new Lady of the Commonwealth would do.

“This is just. Petros prayed on behalf of the king, rather than himself, as he lay imprisoned. Such a man would be welcome in my service. Come forth, Petros, and receive my blessing.”

You’ve declined the title: Champion

Fame 6,000

You’re now Renowned

Stepping away from his parents, the Knight came forward. Falling to his knees before her, he bowed his head. Her fingers touched the crown of his head for a moment and then she was gone.

Petros no longer bore the symbol of the house of Damalis on his surcoat; now it displayed the sigil of the Lady of the Night imposed over the colors of the Commonwealth.

“Glory to you, Petros. We are pleased. Come stand with us.” The King pointed to his right side as he spoke.

“Runner, what are we to do with you? Every achievement we would grant you, you attribute to another. While we appreciate such a humble attitude, it vexes us.”

“Your Majesty, I am but a poor landowner whose lands are in disrepair. If I were to ask for a favor, it would be for you to assist with the reconstruction of my home, North Wood Fort, on the isle of Vix to the west. I would request carpenters and masons as well as materials.”

“And again you ask nothing for yourself directly. We find you troublesome in a good way. I dub you Breaker and henceforth shall you be named. You have freed us from chains that we did not know existed. Both in our court, and our life. Not to mention breaking our constant expectations of you.”

Congratulations! Server first: Named by the King

You’ve earned the title Breaker

You’ve earned 2,000 fame

“So it’ll be. We’ll have carpenters and masons sent west to Vix, to your home. Now,” the king said, standing from his throne, “I ask that you assist and guide our forces to the aid of our cousin. We had the muster start this morning in advance of this. We can spare a thousand soldiers in this endeavor. You’ll also act as escort to our niece, of course.”

Quest Updated

“Escort Princess Katarina Home and Save her Kingdom”

Experience Reward: 125% of current level

Reputation: 200

Fame: 1,000

Money: 40 Platinum

Do you Accept?

Yes/No

WARNING! Experience Reward is adjusted based on current level at turn in

“Your Majesty, I accept, though I must ask that all who follow obey my commands explicitly in this endeavor. War is no place for a disjointed chain of command,” countered Runner.

Quest Accepted

Nodding his head, the king gestured at the scribe once more.

“Wise, and not altogether unexpected. We name you Commander of our expeditionary group. Lead our men to victory in our cause of liberation.”

They had gone over the numbers privately the day before. Down to the last man he could spare, it numbered a thousand troops and half as many support personnel. A second-in-command would be needed.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. I name Thana Damalis as my second, and that she should be obeyed in all things as if she spoke with my voice.”

Waving his hand negligently aside, the king seemed tired of the conversation.

“We’ll have our officers report to you immediately. They should be ready and waiting in the courtyard. We expect your departure within the hour as all arrangements have already been made.”

With that, the king dismissed everyone.

Thankful to finally be leaving, Runner could barely hold in his anticipation. Walking over to where Thana stood with her family, he dipped his head in greeting to them.

“Master Runner, we had no idea you were favored of the Lady Brunhild,” said Kyra.

“Or that you had a home. This is the first I’m hearing of it, and I feel as if I should have been told previously.”

Patting Thana on the arm, he could only smile at her.

“Sorry, my lady, I only discovered it last night myself. Though we now have a home to call our own where no one can persecute us. So that’s good. I’ll catch up with you in the courtyard before our departure. I imagine there’ll be some arrangements to be made, though I’m glad to be on our way. Finally.”

Nodding his head to the Damalis family one more time, he excused himself. Katarina, Nadine, and Hannah fell in beside him. Exiting the throne room, he stepped out into the front courtyard.