Krieg Chess: A Sci-Fi LitRPG Adventure by Phil Tucker

Author:Phil Tucker [Tucker, Phil]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-01-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

The Helvegen ship was slated to land at dawn. Brutal Deluxe turned out in dress uniform to receive them. The sun had yet to crest the eastern ridge and the air was chill. The storm had spent itself over the course of the night, lashing at the walls of the dorms, and in its wake the world felt cleansed and scrubbed raw.

Charoen stood at the back of the opferns. There was an otherworldly air to the valley. Distances were deceiving. The whispering of the river seemed close at hand, while the golden light streaming from the warehouse windows seemed impossibly far away.

“There she is,” said Virgil, his voice carrying in the still air.

Above them a dark shape descended, an old ship but well cared for, lean and long and with four VTOL rotors. It settled on the grass. A vast crow or raven was freshly painted on the leaden hull, its beak open, eyes like flaming suns. Large Nordic runes were painted across the length of the ship, and a wolf skull was daubed in stark white upon the largest vertical stabilizer.

They’re going to be a cheerful bunch, said Clovinn on their dorm channel. Lars told me Helvegen means ‘the way to hell’.

The exit door irised open to reveal a large man. He unfurled a metallic blanket which stiffened flat in midair. The man stamped one end into the doorway’s rim so that it formed a ramp, and then stepped out of view.

Old school, said Jessie.

You’ve no idea, replied Lars. They’ve a reputation for kidnapping and sacrificing echoes.

A second man appeared and descended the ramp. He was big and bent and gray and old, his long blond hair shaved along the sides and braided at the base of his skull. A black cloak draped to his heels, and a gray fur ruff gave him intimidating bulk.

But for all the könig’s stark presence, it was the mörderin that came next who drew Charoen’s eye. Her long raven hair framed a face whose upper half was painted crimson. A band of white was painted across eyes that glimmered metallic yellow like those of a wolf. She, too, wore a fur ruff about her shoulders, but without a cloak; her limber, muscled arms were bare, and complex runes were tattooed down their length to her hands.

That a woman or a wolf? asked Malik on the opfern channel.

Whatever she is, we’re not letting her loose, replied Fireball.

The other Helvegen players emerged from their ship like pagan relics from a bygone age. They gathered on the grass before Brutal Deluxe, disdainful and remote.

“Mr. Selvik!” Virgil moved forward with a gladsome smile, his gait unsteady, his hand extended. “Welcome to the Brutal Deluxe training camp. We’re honored to have you.”

The könig considered the hand. Charoen wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d snapped his teeth at it, but he finally shook with guarded reserve.

“We have come as was agreed.” The könig’s voice was sepulchral. “Show us to our quarters so that we may prepare.”

“Of course.” Virgil’s smile was impervious to any rebuff.

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