Absalom’s Trials Read online

  Absalom’s Trials

  The Everlands: Book II

  J.D.L. Rosell

  Contents

  If you like epic fantasy as well…

  Prologue

  1. Hunting Will-o’-Wisps

  2. The First Trial

  3. KO!

  4. Anything But Weaving

  5. Alluring

  6. Showdown

  7. If At First You Don’t Succeed

  8. Boss Bagging

  9. Keep On Keeping On

  10. The Second Trial

  11. War Council

  12. Reunion

  13. Desperate Times Call for Very Desperate Measures

  14. One Thing After Another

  15. By Dawn’s Light

  16. Behind Enemy Lines

  17. The Roots

  18. The Biggest Boss

  19. Best Laid Plans

  20. For Glory (And All That)

  21. Standing Trial

  22. Reaping Rewards

  23. Golden Boy

  24. On the Town

  25. An Enchanting Chute

  26. Sacrificial Lamb

  27. He Got the Hoof

  28. Unruly Children

  29. Labyrinth

  30. The Broodmother

  31. Faze-Aught

  32. Voidweaver

  33. Absalom’s Champion

  34. Heretical

  I hope you enjoyed Absalom’s Trials!

  Books by J.D.L. Rosell

  Absalom’s Heretic: Prologue

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Don’t miss reading the prequel to my new epic fantasy series, The Famine Cycle, for free! Sign up here for your free copy of Secret Seller and to receive updates for the rest of the series.

  I am Airene of Port. Merchant of rumors. Hunter of whispers. Seller of secrets.

  For seven years, I have profited by uncovering the truths others sought to keep buried. Some secrets were innocuous. Others, deadly.

  But never have I seen a murder like this.

  With my friend at risk to be thrown into the dungeons for the crime, I have to pursue this murder to its end, and soon. For the murderer may soon strike again.

  But what I discover is a far more personal secret than I could have ever anticipated.

  Prologue

  They came for him in the dark.

  The Burly Maiden, one of the few gaming parlors set up for The Everlands, was open twenty-four hours, seven days a week, so every hardcore gamer could get their fix of the hottest virtual reality game on the market. Or in production. Or in any other game designers’ dreams, really.

  That meant the Burly Maiden was still open when Ali entered behind the suits. And because it was open, its staff as well as the few patrons who hadn’t logged in yet could be witnesses to what was about to happen. Not to mention all the video cameras recording their every step. Ali nervously eyed the domes that were placed apart every dozen feet or so. One of the suits was supposed to take care of the surveillance. But Ali didn’t really want to trust his neck to some well-dressed thug he didn’t know. Not that he had much of a choice.

  A suit talked to the receptionist, then waved the rest of their party through. As Ali followed them down the narrow hallway past room after room with simulation rigs installed and players beamed into The Everlands, Ali wondered how the hell it had come to this.

  All he’d done was his job, reporting the stuck-in-game glitch to his manager. But when news spread throughout Infinite Realities of the three afflicted players and how management had ignored the problem when a loyal IT guy reported it, all hell broke loose. Instead of getting lambasted as Ali had expected, he’d been lauded as a hero. Upper management had found their hand forced and offered a conciliatory gesture: they’d make Ali part of the task force handling those affected by the glitch. It came with a hefty bonus and double the paycheck.

  But still, Ali wouldn’t have taken it if he’d known the job requirements would include this.

  “This is it.” The suit who’d spoken to the receptionist stopped in front of a door. Ali looked at the marking: EV42. He had a feeling he’d be haunted by that decal for a long time to come.

  Another of the suits opened the door, then one by one, they entered. Ali hesitated at the entrance until the head honcho, a six-three linebacker type, jerked his head at the door. “Let’s go, IT. We’re all boned if the kid goes under, so I need you there every step. Got it?”

  Ali nodded wordlessly and obeyed. He was keeping his head down this time. The tallest grass fell first, and Ali had risen high enough.

  The room was cramped between the five suits, Ali, and the kid in the sim rig. One of the suits gestured him forward. “Get us a read on his vitals.”

  With a nervous look at the kid, Ali pulled out a tablet from his briefcase and began to sync with the rig. Despite his best efforts not to, he glanced at the face that popped up on his tablet’s screen. Caucasian and young-looking — probably not even of age, despite the parlor’s rules not to admit those under 21 during this probationary stage of the game. Ali wanted to say this was the reason why they had an age limit, but he knew better. The strange things happening in the game went far beyond breaking an arbitrary rule.

  Though, Ali couldn’t help but think, who better to transfer out of a parlor than someone who probably had never officially registered in the first place? Like, say, an underaged kid who snuck in?

  The sync finished, and Ali pulled his thoughts back out of dangerous territory and checked over the kid’s vitals. Someone had obviously been giving him fluids and liquid dinner, for though he wasn’t in perfect health, he was better off than he should have been with this long of an exposure. He nodded at the head honcho. “He’s stable. Just don’t disconnect him from the game and he’ll be good.”

  The suit glared at him until Ali lowered his head and stepped back. Though he didn’t have much confidence in them, he let the suits do their work on the kid. All sim rigs were able to transform into a makeshift stretcher in case of emergencies. They also came with a hefty internal battery that would last up to 48 hours, long enough for anything but a round-the-world trip. Certainly long enough for where this kid was going.

  Sean Marrow. He’d tried not to look, but Ali hadn’t been able to help it. If he had to do this, he wanted to remember as little as possible. Because he had a feeling that what they did here was anything but legal.

  In fact, it seemed a lot like kidnapping.

  Ali had been told they were “transferring a player to provide the best facilities possible so that he could safely exit the simulation.” But he knew it was BS. Sure, the directors at Infinite Realities wanted this to be handled as quietly as possible. But they’d rolled over as soon as their angel investor — or devil investor, as Ali thought of him — declared his intentions to take over the kid’s care. From what Ali had heard, the directors had even let the tycoon tinker in the game’s code itself.

  After today, Ali could believe anything. Even that the safety of thousands could be compromised for the wishes of one man.

  Soon, Sean — he couldn’t help but use his name — was in position and ready to transport. His body was as limp as a corpse. Ali was glad he had the vitals to prove he wasn’t dead yet.

  “Alright,” the head honcho said. “Let’s get him out of here. Greg, you’ll take care of those cameras?”

  “On it.” A suit strode from the room.

  The other suits started to wheel out Sean, and Ali followed behind. But they’d only just made it into the hall when the procession stopped. Ali, stuck in the doorway, peeked out, and his jaw nearly dropped when he saw who stood there before him.

  “Ah, here he is! Our very own Chosen One!” The man standing before the
m sounded as if he were used to people listening to him. He was good-looking in a geeky sort of way, with long, curly hair oiled back and an expensive khaki suit that fitted him perfectly. His eyes were what caught Ali most though: steely gray with a hint of laughter, yet somehow as cold and hard as ice. He knew who he was. After, all, Ned Solomon was the primary investor in Infinitive Realities and the man who had made The Everlands possible.

  Solomon had been behind many successful businesses before IR, but it had been his breakthrough in the suspension of bodily hazards in the sim rigs that had really made his fortune. It had also been the last domino to fall to make The Everlands possible. But though he’d engineered the rigs, his interest had always lain elsewhere. Solomon hadn’t cared for giving the players the most amazing experience of their lives. No, from what Ali had heard since his quick rise in the ranks, Solomon had seen the game as serving a very different function.

  “Sir.” The head honcho edged around the other suits to stand before the tycoon. “With all due respect, it’s not a good idea for you to be here.”

  Solomon waved a hand. “You’re handling the cameras, and he’s not logged into their system. It’s fine, Sven.” He leaned over the rig, and Ali felt an involuntary chill run up his spine as the tycoon seemed to be peering through the rig at Sean’s face.

  “I owe him much. After all, without him…” Solomon shook his head and donned a wide grin. “But the true test is still coming, isn’t it? No need to speculate before it’s time.” He waved a hand and started down the hall. “Let’s go! The sooner he’s at our facilities, the better.” He glanced back and caught Ali’s eye, almost making him drop the tablet. “He’s stable enough for travel, isn’t he?”

  His tongue thick in his mouth, Ali nodded.

  “He doesn’t speak much,” the head honcho Sven noted drily. “But he hasn’t killed him yet.”

  Solomon’s eyes bore into Ali even as his smile widened. “Let’s keep it that way, shall we?”

  Ali swallowed. He hoped for more than just that. But if Sean Marrow was going to wake up, he’d have to wait for someone other than Ali. He’d stuck his head up far enough. He wasn’t going to get cut down.

  As they wheeled him out of the Burly Maiden, Ali hoped he’d be able to stick to that resolution.

  1

  Hunting Will-o’-Wisps

  Farelle tapped her hoof impatiently. “Are you done yet?”

  I didn’t look up. “Nope.”

  A blessedly long moment of silence passed.

  “Now?”

  “No. And I’ll take longer if you keep interrupting me.”

  “I just don’t get it,” she continued to complain. “Why the hell is it so important that you stare off into space right now?”

  There was no use in explaining. Farelle, as an NPC, couldn’t seem to really comprehend the game elements that underlay The Everlands. “Just hold your goats a second.”

  My health took a hit as Farelle kicked me in the shin with a hoof and stalked off.

  Nursing my wound, I tried to ignore my Satyr companion and concentrate on the semi-transparent screen hovering before me. After all, I had Attribute Points to spend, to upgrade my character to be the very best it possibly could be. If the Everlands were my home, then I might as well make the most of it. Who needed Earth when I could kick some monster tail?

  At least, that's what I tried to tell myself.

  I pushed the thought from my mind and assigned the points. For my Status Points, 20 went to health, 20 to mana, 20 to stamina, and 10 to spirit. For my remaining AP — after my previous splurge on charisma in a semi-effective gamble — I put 4 into intellect, 3 went to dexterity, 2 to strength, 2 to agility, and 2 to belief. I also put 2 in vitality, as I seemed to get debilitations quite often and could use the added durability. The last one went to perception, which had always served me well under the radar.

  I tried not to see I had a new item listed under my faith alignments. I tried hard. There was no use in getting angry now; what was done was done. Time to move on with the life that I had.

  Farelle stalked back over to me. “Done yet? Honestly, I don't know why I stick around you. Everfolk seem nothing but trouble.“

  “It’s because of my charm." I smiled winningly at her, and she snorted.

  Apparently, even 30 charisma wasn't enough for her.

  Then I remembered our next errand. “Come on,” I said with a sigh. “Let’s go settle your dad’s nerves.”

  We traveled that night and part of the next day to reach her home village of Maluwae. There, exhausted and tired, we were greeted by a gaggle of naked and excited Satyrs. We dismissed ourselves as soon as we could and took refuge in the small village inn where we slept until evening, too tired even for what had become our usual activities before the whole run-in with Absalom and the rest of the gods.

  When we awoke, I was refreshed and excited again. I'd accumulated a generous amount of wealth recently and was itching to spend some of it. Last time I'd been through here, I'd been in such a rush — and been distracted by a spontaneous orgy — so that shopping completely slipped my mind. I wouldn't make the same mistake. A village ruled by Satyr druids was bound to have one or two good things at least.

  While Farelle went around town visiting with family and friends, I stopped by the general store first — called Nature's Bounty, to my amusement — where I was both fascinated and disappointed. I should have expected most of the selection would be made of wood and bone, but it still felt like I'd accidentally wound up in neanderthal times, especially compared to my current equipment. Shying away from the weapons and armor, I wandered over to a section of jewelry, which I knew would have some enchanted items.

  I quickly found a few that were interesting:

  Bone Dangle of the Brute

  Quality: Fine (50/50)

  Rarity: Uncommon

  Attributes: +3 to Strength

  Cost: 600c

  Wooden Broach of Farseeing

  Quality: Fine (50/50)

  Rarity: Uncommon

  Attributes: Active power. Once a day, you may activate this item to see 20x your normal range for 3 minutes.

  Cost: 800c

  Opal Ring of Font

  Quality: Fine (50/50)

  Rarity: Uncommon

  Attributes: 1 mana recovery per minute

  Cost: 800c

  Topaz Ring of Regeneration

  Quality: Fine (50/50)

  Rarity: Uncommon

  Attributes: 1 health recovery per minute

  Cost: 800c

  Glass Pendant of Dazzle

  Quality: Fine (50/50)

  Rarity: Uncommon

  Attributes: Active power. Once a day, you may activate this item to blind opponents for 30 seconds.

  Cost: 900c

  I was glad to see all the magical attributes were pre-identified.

  As exciting as it was to find such a trove of items, I gritted my teeth when I saw I couldn't buy all of them. I had 2543 coins, which could buy me maybe three items if I chose well. However, I did have plenty of loot to sell, perhaps even enough to get all of them if I wanted.

  I went up to the counter, where the cute shopkeeper waited with a dimpled smile. "Hello!" she chirped. "Find what you need?"

  "I think so. But I was wondering if I could sell some stuff first. I don't have quite enough for everything I wanted."

  "Oh! Sure — show me what you have."

  I hadn't sold stuff before, so I hesitated a moment before I started to shovel items out of my inventory. The shopkeeper's eyes grew wider and rounder as weapons, armor, and other assorted things mounded on her counter. After it had grown a foot high, she waved her hands. "Wait, wait! I don't buy any of this stuff." She chewed her lip nervously for a second. "Nobody buys stuff like that here."

  I stared, uncomprehending. "You don't buy weapons and armor? Not even your armorer?"

  "Ah…" She looked uncomfortable. "We don't have an armorer. Here's the only place you can get those kinds
of things. And they're only made of natural materials, see? None of that nasty iron." She turned her nose up at what I wore.

  Now I was even more baffled. "But who doesn't use metal?"

  A smile quickly reappeared. “We don't have to! The forest provides what we need. And for protection, our wards turn away unfriendly people and monsters."

  How had I not realized the village was largely undefended the last time I was here? But then again, Farelle's father had teleported us into the village the first time. And this time, I'd been following Farelle's lead, brooding over being stuck in this game, and hadn't noticed the lack of fortifications.

  That was all well and good for them, but I was huffy as I started shoving things back into my inventory. As the shopkeeper stared at the disappearing items, she whispered, "How are you doing that?"

  I summoned my good spirits and gave her a dramatic wink. "Magic.”

  When the last of them were put away, I returned to the enchanted jewelry, mulling over my options. In the end, I picked up three despite their prices: the Wooden Broach of Farseeing, the Opal Ring of Font, and the Glass Pendant of Dazzle. While passive health regeneration and a boost to my strength would be nice, it wasn't nearly as useful as access to new powers, nor a way to recover mana other than my Mithril Sword of Thirst. However, since the total cost was 2500, I'd be giving up all I had.