B2 Chapter 21: Complications of Ownership (Patreon)

It was a strange feeling to have the mental link break. The transition was jarring. The map was now in my possession and an entire room full of people wanted to kill me for it.

Wait. That wasn’t quite right.

There were serious people holding serious weapons that were ready to do me harm. But it was only half the number it should’ve been. While I was acquiring the map, over half of the people in the room had left.

I cursed.

The Officiator had lied when he said time would slow down during the mental link. Clearly he’d chosen not to use it.

But why would they leave? It didn’t make sense. Everyone wanted the map.

It must be the room. It's less crowded now, so there’s less chance for people within their own group to get in their way. The rest of them are likely outside, surrounding the hotel, in case I escape the banquet room.

Of the enemies I could recognize, Jason was there, but Catarina had left. That was strange too. Since killing her brother, I’d assumed revenge was the first thing on her mind.

One man, who was closest to me, took charge. He had a long beard and robes that made me think he’d been in a motorcycle gang before becoming a spellcaster. The man aimed his wand at my head and said, “give us the map.”

I doubted by ‘us’ he meant the entire room. I could toss the map up into the air and watch them fight over it like hungry dogs, but then I’d have to kill whoever remained.

The man who’d spoken was trying too hard to achieve a wise, old wizard look. He thought he was being reasonable by asking for the map instead of attacking first.

That was good. I could be reasonable too.

Moving with care, I popped the lid off the case and let the map slide into my hands.

“Don’t do anything stupid,” the wizard said.

It looked ordinary, but the map’s paper felt thick and durable. It was something that could take a beating. But to everyone else, all they could see was its fragility. Their one chance to keep the tower climb going. Their one chance of continued survival rested in my hands.

I put the case on the table beside me and unrolled the map.

The wizard and the others said nothing. They were as curious to see what was on the map as I was.

“Goddamn it,” I said.

There were more groans and curses from the crowd. All wondering if it had fooled me.

“What is it?” the wizard asked.

I ignored him and focused on the map. It featured the city we were in and the port, with only a thin sliver of ocean at the top. In that small piece of ocean was a golden arrow that mockingly pointed north.

I stepped forward, ready to show the others that the Officiator had played a joke on us when the images on the map shifted a fraction. Frowning, I returned to my prior position, and the map reverted to the image from before.

Its updating itself based on my movements. The golden arrow wasn’t a cruel joke, but a starting point. Which means others can’t copy the map.

“Are you seeing this?” I asked Hugo and the others behind me.

They shook their hands. “It looks blank to us,” said Hemi.

Damn. Only the one possessing the map can see it. Yet another unhelpful discovery.

“Come on, Alex,” said Jason. He was a lot further back in the crowd than I would’ve imagined. Almost like he was afraid of fighting. “Just hand the map over to Kristoff.”

I frowned. “Who the hell is Kristoff?”

“I am,” shouted the wizard. Angry that his threat with the wand was being overlooked. I resisted the urge to say that I’d almost forgotten he was there because he wasn’t a threat. Remember how I said he was the closest? Well, with my speed, it wouldn’t be difficult to strike first.

Not that I wanted to. His tension is understandable and there’s still time for a peaceful solution.

Jason mistook my silence for further confusion and continued explaining. “He’s the captain of the Rats. While you were conversing with the map seller, we decided it would be best if he held onto the map. Kristoff runs a small but respectable crew so he’s the best neutral third party that the rest of us would accept. We’d then get on our ships and sail to the Golden Door together. At which point, a discussion will take place over who should open it.”

Wow, I had to respect his poker face. Even the part about the discussion sounded sincere.

It was a tempting offer. But I knew the System. It hated large scale co-operation and teamwork. It wants individuals divided and fighting for power. That’s what it found exciting. Not peaceful debate. There is no doubt in my mind that if I go along with their plan, the System will make things worse for all of us.

Jason’s Golden Serpents were another factor too. He has the most men and ships, giving him the advantage out on the water. Once we’d reached the island with the Golden Door, there’d be nothing to stop him from sinking us and taking the prize for himself.

I took another step back and looked around. Men with glowing axes and swords blocked the exit. Tower climbers. All a higher level than me too.

“Don’t do anything hasty now,” Jason said.

“I was just about to say the same thing,” I replied. “Elise?”

She raised an eyebrow.

[Lucas Hudson: Put some fire in your hand to scare them.]

[Elise Evans: Oh right.]

She moved next to me and raised her hand. Orange flames roiled and crackled in her palm.

The message was clear. Back off or we burn the map.

“You won’t do it,” said Kristoff.

I smiled. “Why not? I’m the only one who’s seen the map.”

Kristoff ground his teeth and said nothing.

Jason decided it was time to take over the negotiations. “Now!” he roared.

Twin bolts of purple light shot towards me and Elise from two spellcasters hiding in the crowd. A translucent wall of golden light slammed into place to protect us, and the spells fizzled out on contact with the barrier. The magical shield was so large that it went from floor to ceiling and divided the entire room in half. Our group was on one side and everyone else was on the other.

Great. Now we could escape.

I was about to congratulate Hemi. I didn’t know he could make a barrier of that size. But then I saw him. His knuckles were white as he clenched his book in one hand while the other was outstretched to maintain the shield. Sweat already forming on his head and his eyes were hard as he stared straight ahead.

“Go,” he breathed like he was almost out of breath.

“What about you?” I asked.

“I can’t move. It’s a condition of the ability. If I move, the barrier falls.”

There was no time to argue. I told the others to stay behind incase someone tried to take Hemi as a hostage. They wanted to argue, especially Hugo, but I shut them down. Despite my lower level, I was still the fastest runner in the group. It made sense for me to go.

I ran, not for the guarded exit, but the stage. Past its curtains was a backstage area and a door that led out onto a side street.

The map was awkward to run with. Its gold metallic case was too conspicuous at night. I tried to place it in my inventory and received a new message.

[Inventory access denied]

[Map cannot be placed in inventory]

I resisted the urge to curse. I guess the Officiator doesn’t want to make it too easy for people to hide the map. Keeping it under my cloak will have to suffice for now.

But I was still stuck in an alleyway, unsure of who was out on the street. I needed more information, so I contacted our party’s lookouts for a report.

[Lucas Hudson: Rob and Bob, do you see anything?]

I waited for several moments, but they never responded.

[Elise Evans: Hemi can’t hold them back for much longer. Get to the warehouse for reinforcements.]

Deepening the shadows around me, I sprinted across the road to the next alley and stopped.

Rob and Bob were both dead with their throats slit.

I clenched my fists. They hadn’t even bothered to hide the bodies.

But if they had gotten to them, then they could get to the others. I had to hurry. The Black Corsairs at the warehouse are in terrible danger.

Keeping to the alleyways or small side streets, I was a blur as I unleashed my full speed. There was no sign of any pursuit, but I couldn’t discount magic hiding their presence. If so, no one stopped me from reaching the Black Corsair’s headquarters near the port.

Oh no.

A blood sword formed in my hand and a red haze swept over my vision as I looked for someone to blame.

The Black Corsair warehouse and the port were on ablaze. A few ships had slipped away, floating safely in the water beyond, but most pirate groups hadn’t been so lucky. Their ships were gone for good.

There was no sign of any survivors. No screams or sounds of fighting. It was eerily quiet.

I tried to find some way to get into the warehouse, but the flames were too strong. They must have had people waiting to set the fire the moment they saw me with the map.

I relayed what I’d seen to Elise, who then tried to invite other Black Corsair members to the party.

[Elise Evans: Nobody’s picking up. They’ve either been killed or been bought off. We’re on our own.]

The messages were curt and impersonal, but I could tell it shook her.

[Lucas Hudson: I’m coming back to the hotel.]

[Elise Evans: No. Most of them are leaving now to search for you. The three of us can handle what’s left. Find a safe place to hide until then.]

I assured her that I would, but I couldn’t leave yet. There was something about the ships that had gotten away that bugged me. They weren’t just floating in the water; they were in formation.

My eyes widened. It’s a naval blockade. They’re trapping us here until I give up the map.