Author's note- Real life problems again, so 11 will take a while. I decided to post chapter 10 so you could whet your appetite. have a nice day.

EPISODE 10: Strange Bedfellows

Arthur’s POV

“So, what are you going to do now?” Doctor asked me.

“Hmm… My plan of getting a racial Archery skill from Iorveth is bust. I’ll be inside the game until they shut it down. See it through the end. You try to get more data about Kiroh. By making the story of the quest public, Alexei has forced his hand. Kiroh now has to definitely exist in the final release. We will pick up on his trail from there.”

“You’re too bossy, even now. I hoped that part of you would have changed as well.”

“Wrong. I don’t change that easily.”

There wasn’t any time to waste. I think about my Sigil menu, and it appears automatically. It contains information about me, my friends (currently grayed out), my private servers and a lot of similar things. I open ‘Change current world’ and select ‘Fable of Fantasy’ from the list.

The room slowly disappeared, leaving nothing but white blankness. After a few seconds, another room started to form.

A growing pressure on my back forces me to sit down upon the nothingness. Within a minute, the earlier jail cell has taken shape around me.

“IORVETH! I WANT TO ASK A FAVOR FROM YOU!” I shout, hoping to get him riled up.

“Uh, sir… I think he is sleeping right now.”

A familiar voice. Wait a second… “Is that you, Kent?”

“Ah yes, sir.” It was Kent’s voice. Either it was him, or a really skilled impersonator. The man didn’t stop speaking.

“I am very sorry sir. I failed you and your plan. I was supposed to get you out of here, and I couldn’t even do that properly. I am ashamed from the depths of my heart.”

The mixture of self-loathing and guilt negated all doubts of an impersonator. The person was really Kent.

“Let it go, Kent. I know it’s not your fault. And you don’t have to worry about me too much. I have another way to get out of here.”

“Really?”

“Yes.” I take another breath and continue on. “And I realize now, that it is I who should be sorry. It is my actions that led you here, didn’t it?”

Apologies were hard for me. It meant admitting that you were wrong about something. And for a person with a lot of pride, it was virtually impossible. But if I didn’t apologize, I was going to repeat the same mistake again. I was so intent about getting here in the Arena that I dragged Kent into a mess. That was completely my mistake.

“Well, not exactly. I don’t blame you. You see, I was not entirely truthful the entire time I was with you, sir. There are other reasons..”

Even if there were other reasons, I was sure that I was the root cause of all this. Yet Kent had implicitly forgiven me; his words lifted my heart.

The silence continued for awhile. Finally, I couldn’t contain myself any longer. “Well? What is the reason?”

“It’s kind of a long story. And I need to rest for a bit..” Kent was clearly evading my questions. That was unacceptable.

“Just start from the beginning. I’ll figure out the ending.”

“Alright.” He composed himself and began. “It’s about my friend, Anna. She-”

“Wait a second. Just friends?”

“Yes, just friends. As I was saying-”

“You sure? I mean, a man just like you doesn’t leave his post to go on a date with just a friend, does he?”

“Alright, she might be someone more…dearer than any other friend.” I could hear the slight note of exasperation and embarrassment in his voice. “Anna is a noble and I-”

“Alright, I got this. She is a rich girl, you a poor boy. You meet, fall in love. Suddenly, a twist in the tale! The rich nobles angry at your insolence throw you in the Arena to die! And the resolution? You survive your trial, your good name is restored, the villains punished and your princess marries you. Every one lives happily ever after!”

“That sounds beautiful, sir. But Anna isn’t my princess. And I am not in love with her. All that I hope is she secures a proper and fair trial. That is enough to prove my innocence.” his wistful voice sounded.

*You are wrong. You do not know the… mailë of your kind. There is no justice in their words or their deeds. They lie, steal and kill. Without any semblance of remorse or guilt. Your people are a blight upon the land, and should be eradicated ENTIRELY! *

Iorveth’s outburst had me reeling. The words resounded in my head, creating intense pain unlike anything like ever before. My words to Kent must have brought up painful memories. For a while, his words seemed to echo in my small cell. What had Iorveth suffered through?

Still, the situation had turned to my favor. An agitated man was easier to bargain with than a rational one.

“Hey, I think I understand your cynicism, but the nobles have to play by their rules. Kent is innocent. After that is proved-”

*It won’t.*

“You think he isn’t innocent?”

*No. I know it doesn’t matter. Once you are here, you can never leave.*

“How about we bet on that? If Kent is released, you owe me a favor. If he doesn’t, I owe you one.”

*Interesting proposal. What favor do you wish to ask for?* Iorveth suddenly speaks.

“I want to learn how to use a bow like you do.”

*That’s fattening. Mahatë istanlyení? Very well, I will make your odds easier. If this man here survives his first fight, I will make you my disciple. Now let me consider my favor in silence.*

I was happy that he had agreed, so I didn’t point out his flattering mistake. After all, why ruin the mood? Kent was strong enough. Nevertheless, one problem remained. The doctor had said that the NPCs who remained in the final game would have no memory of the Beta. Iorveth would completely forget about me.

“I am an Adventurer, by the way. So the next time we meet, I might be in a different form than my current one. You might not even recognize me. We need to figure out a way we can recognize each other.”

*Legends do indeed talk of adventurers. I never would have expected them to be so… disappointing. As for remembering you, that’s easy. Can you feel the Magicka inside you?*

“Easily.”

*Let this be your second lesson. Focus your Magicka on your eyes this time.*

I do as he says and direct the electricity to my eyes. My vision slowly changes. The walls are illuminated with a soft blue glow, directly from my eyes itself. After some time, even more strange things start to appear. Faint, small floating white orbs appear, rising upwards, unhindered by anything. They must be spirits; sentient beings of Magicka itself. Ominous red symbols start to appear on the cell doors, focused on the lock. They are the magical wards to prevent mages from escaping. And lastly, a thin tendril connected to my body.

I touch the tendril and understand. It is a subtle magical stream of air connecting me to another consciousness. I cannot see him, but just sense his presence.

*You have discovered my súlë, and the connection that exists between us. It is done through the Air element, which we Bosmer excel in. Remember this, you who wish to pursue the path of Archery. Without understanding of the Air, your Art will forever be incomplete. Now, accept the contract.*

A surge of energy forces its way towards me. Instead of resisting it with my own Magicka, I accept it. And for a moment, I lose consciousness.

Salty breeze from the seas. The rusting of leaves as the wind moves through them. The chilly wind howling from the North. The blistering oppressive air from the South. The moment is quickly over, yet it seemed to last for an eternity. All to convey one idea. Be free. Free like a leaf in the wind. That is the heart of the Bosmer culture. For Iorveth, imprisonment must be an even greater torture than I imagined. How did he survive?

A sharp pain appears on my left hand. A tattoo of a hollow leaf glows brightly and disappears.

You have gained a tattoo: Bosmer Initiate.

Bosmer Initiate Tattoo: Grants permanent +10 to Intelligence and +10 to Dexterity. Raises your wind affinity slightly. Can increase wind affinity faster. Wind spells consume less Magicka.

Bosmer Initiate Tattoo can be further modified by the Bosmeri Elders.

“What’s with this tattoo?”

*The Bosmer Initiate tattoo is given to all the children by the clan elders, when they reach of age. Each child is blessed by an elder, and the tattoo appears differently, depending on the Elder. The magic is woven into your súlë itself, so no matter whatever form you take, it will always be there.*

“Cool.”

*As you gain a deeper understanding of Air and Arrow, the pattern will change, befitting that of a great warrior. Show me the tattoo if I forget, and I will at least give you my ear.*

“So what’s with the generous gift?”

*When you lose the bet, I want you to go back to my homeland, and show the tattoo to El’ysana the Elder. She will then know of my fate.*

Iorveth’s cunningness didn’t surprise me. But I had gained the better part of the deal. A Bosmer tattoo. If not wrong, this would be the most important racial benefit the Bosmer players would get, apart from the starting bonus. And getting it in the Beta meant that my future choices had grown a lot.

“Thanks a lot, Iorveth, even if you did it for yourself.”

*Your bargain was sound. Be silent and let me rest now. The bestowal is not without its costs; though a good night’s sleep would cure all the ailments.*

The silence continued on for a few minutes. With my magesight, I could see Iorveth’s… súlë glow dimming out. What did it mean anyway?

“I didn’t want to interrupt your talking, but did you just gambled over my life, sir?”

“Not your life, Kent. Just your future.”

“That’s not very reassuring either way, sir.”

“Don’t worry Kent; just trust me.” He muttered something under his breath that I couldn’t quite hear.

“What was that, Kent?”

“Nothing. I fully trust you sir. I only hope it doesn’t end the same way it did last time.”

“We are already in jail, Kent. It’s impossible it will be the same as last time. Also there are no pretty girls here, so our chances have improved drastically, don’t you think?”

“I’m sensing a bit of a grudge, sir.”

“Only a bit? It was the easiest THING THAT ANY GUARD COULD DO! CATCH A THIEF! BUT NO! KENT DEN HAS HIS ANNA TO IMPRESS!”

“I DID NOT KNOW THAT SHE WAS GOING TO BE THERE!”

“KNOW? THAT’S NOT THE REASON! YOU COULDN’T JUST STOP OGLING HER!”

“I WASN’T OGLING HER!”

“YOU WERE!”

“WASN’T!”

“WERE!”

“WASN’T!”

“YOU DITCHED YOUR DUTY SO YOU COULD GO ON A DATE WITH HER!”

“DID NOT!”

“DID TOO!”

“DID NOT!”

“YOU LOVE HER!”

“NO!”

“ADMIT IT!”

*SILENCE! Rakbo'la dhu'aineve! IF YOU DO NOT TIE UP YOUR TONGUES RIGHT NOW, I WILL SUFORATE YOUR VERY LIVES!END YOUR FOOLISH SQUABBLES RIGHT NOW, OR SUFFER MY WRATH!*

A blinding headache followed, though not as painful as the first one. Air manipulation could be really deadly in the right hands. Testing out the theory seemed unwise.

We shut up immediately. The hallways were quiet once more. But not for long.

“What does suforate mean, sir?”

“I think he meant suffocate. He messes up his words sometimes.”

“Oh. Do you think he can really do it?”

“I don’t know. But better be safe than sorry.”

“Right.”

We were silent, without anything left to say. But I decided to pick up on my old thread.

“By the way-”

“Yes?”

A pause, while I make sure Iorveth was truly sleeping. Even after confirmation, I didn't speak too loudly like earlier.

“You love her, Kent. That’s the reason you recognized her voice, and tripped over. Love makes you lose control over your actions. Now admit it.”

“Even if I did, it wasn’t my fault that you were caught. That was because you were looking at us. You admit that, right?”

“Even if I did! You said it! Yeah!”

“Why are you so adamant about this, Sir?” The most important question.

“Because of love, Kent. I see what you have and I envy you. But I am angry too, because of your pride. If you love her, admit it now. You might think that you are happy with the way things are. Being close to her, to see her every day, to hold her hands. But time is a cruel lord, Kent. It will move on, and things between you will change. And if you cannot admit that you love her, you will lose her. You might think it acceptable, but later you will look back and it will be one of your heaviest regrets. Don’t do it, Kent.”

I pause for a while and then continue. “I am fatigued and need rest. Let me sleep for a while.”

I do not say or hear anything more. The words brought up memories best forgotten. But Kent is similar to me in some ways… and maybe that’s why I told him. But he wouldn’t remember, would he? My advice usefulness ended with the Beta.

I chuckle softly at my stupidity. The whole beta, I spent around with people who would forget about me. I should have used the time to do something more useful. Maybe get some special skills.

But I didn’t regret my decisions. These people may forget about me, but I wouldn’t. I would remember my experiences with them. I would see each one of them again when I came back. And Kent? I would be friends with him, on equal terms this time. None of this ‘Sir’ and all that.

Perhaps my way to play the Beta was stupid. But it also might lead to unseen paths. Who knew?

Feeling loads lighter, I fall asleep.

>

“Wait, what do you mean by real training? What have we been doing till now?”

“If you think you have learnt everything you need to know to survive, you are wrong.”

“Well, what was the past four months for? What’s the meaning of all that training? I can survive fine on this island! What else is there for me to learn?”

We had reached our small cave. It was very deftly hidden, and the entrance was covered by grass and other foliage. If I didn’t know it was there, I would have never been able to find it.

Yama entered the cave without a response. Infuriating. I wasn’t going to let the matter drop without an answer.

A stick came out of nowhere and hit me on the side of the head. It mildly hurt, but was shocking nevertheless.

“What was that for?”

“To show that you aren’t ready. Your rapid progress is astonishing, remarkable even. You learnt everything that I have taught faster than I could ever imagine possible. But I haven’t taught you everything. All that you know is the fundamentals of movement and evasion. No aggression. You see? You need to know how to fight.”

“Movement and evasion is fine! I mean, who will I fight? Boars and pigs? Maybe fish? I don’t need training from you to do that.”

“No. Not fighting animals. Others.”

“Others?”

“The other people on this island.”

>

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