Free Lost Lands: The Game - Atlantis by A.E. McCullough Page A

received a compliment on her looks in a long time and felt herself blush at Tao’s remark but nodded and closed her eyes. Calling on one of the innate abilities of her race, she pictured herself when she was twenty years old; short mousy blonde hair, a button nose and an average figure. Not a head turner but not a dog either. Feeling the spell take shape, Arieal opened her eyes and asked, “How’s this?”
    “Excellent. Walk up front with me. Everyone else, keep you r hands away from your weapons and whatever you do, don’t lose your temper.”
    Everyone nodded and the companions began the short hike to the village.
    *   *   *   *   *
    Callistra climbed out of the bed and wrestled with her conflicting emotions. Back home she was married and honestly, she was unsure if this qualified as adultery. After all, she was inside a game. Callistra wasn’t her real name nor was this her real body. Besides, she was stuck in this realm and didn’t know if she would ever make it back home again. One part of her was more relaxed than anytime over the past four years. It had been a long time since she had sex and it was very liberating. But as always, the guilty feelings remained.
    Kastle watched quietly as Callistra got dressed. It was always the same. Their lovemaking was intense and overwhelming, like nothing he ever imagined back in the real world. Of course, back home he would never have had the chance with a woman as lovely as Callistra and he knew it. He was grateful for the few times they had sex but when it was over, she was always moody and stand-offish. Kastle didn’t know why but just accepted it as a normal part of dealing with her. After a moment, he propped himself up on one elbow and asked, “Not that I’m complaining but to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”
    Callistra sat at the desk and turned to face him. “Al Shaytan has sent another group through the portal.”
    Kastle nearly jumped out of the bed. “When? Where?”
    “Yesterday evening and about ten leagues southwest of Saebroc.” Callistra pointed at a small dot on the Hyperborea map. “I was out hunting when I came across a funeral pyre. It seems that ten avatars came through the portal but one was killed during a goblin attack. If I read the battle right, one of their members assassinated another and was banished from the group for his actions.”
    Kastle moved over to his foot locker and opened the lid. Inside was his armor and adventuring items from the day he crossed over. As he began to get dressed he asked, “How do you know all this?”
    Callistra graced him with a crooked smile. “I’m not without skills you know. The banished member is a Hashāshīn. He was bound by very strong dwarven magic. I found him on the northern edge of the Dark Forest.”
    “How’d he get there?”
    “I believe he was carried there by two goblin zombies.”
    “So they have a skald and a necromancer. That could be good and bad. Any ideas where the rest went?”
    Callistra shrugged her shoulders. “I would guess Saebroc. That’s what we tried. We went to the nearest village.”
    Kastle rolled his eyes. “Odin’s beard. I hope they find a better reception than we did.”
    “True.”
    “Where’s this assassin?”
    “My cabin.”
    “Why there?”
    Callistra moved to the edge of the window and glanced out at the small hamlet. “I wasn’t sure what sort of reception I would get. You and I didn’t exactly part as friends you know.”
    Kastle paused. “True. I know it isn’t you, just a condition of your affliction. I have come to terms with that.”
    “Have you really? What will you say when I need to feed again? I can only resist for so long.”
    He really didn’t know how to answer that question so he just let it go.
    She understood his dilemma and didn’t press the issue but changed the subject. “Any word from Aaliyah or Jagoda?”
    “No, but I didn’t expect any either. Remember, we didn’t exactly part on good terms