Chapter 284 - Dark of Night (1/2)
”T-Take it! Of course, you can have it!” Lux's voice shook when he spoke, the stench of his soiled pants made this a day he was already planning on forgetting if he survived. The Loutian road was the easiest way through the mountain pass that isolated Neva from the rest of Everspire. The Neva province marked the far southern point of Everspire, its only city of relevance was Ever Flame.
Pale alien eyes ignored the man who had attempted to rob her, he should have paid closer attention to her mount who now had him pinned down beneath its razor-sharp claws. Mina stared at the map the man had been carrying. There was no map of Everspire on the huds of new arrivals, it would slowly fill in as you explored the continent. ”How accurate is this map?”
”I drew it myself, it's an exact replica of the lower provinces.” Lux's words were ragged, the serenely beautiful woman had cold eyes. He secretly swore he'd no longer try his luck on the 'Pirate Road' if she let him go.
”According to your map, this pass exits Neva and there are four provinces through the mountains; Dhou, Mocai, Vespri, and Lana.” Mina folded the map carefully and stowed it in her inventory. ”I need to find a large city, a central area to conduct a search.”
”Free Trader's City!” Lux spoke desperately trying to buy some of her goodwill. ”All four provinces converge there, it's the largest city in lower Everspire.”
Mina nodded to herself and had her Vilas back away, however, three more appeared out of the underbrush and surrounded him. ”I can't let you live of course,” her voice was cold and emotionless. ”My friends will eventually come this way, I should remove any possible dangers from their path.”
”WAIT!” Lux screamed when the Vilas closed on him. ”I know an expert! They can find anyone, no matter where they've gone! Y-You're looking for someone right?”
”Yes,” Mina admitted.
”My life for the name of someone who can help! I'm a horrible person who has lived a life of debauchery and sin! Let me redeem myself!”
”I accept.”
”Nonoa lives in the Free Trader City! Ask for her in the Market. She tracks people down for credits!”
”Nonoa?” Mina considered it for a moment before ordering her Vilas to retreat. ”You've bought your life.”
Lux watched her ride away, she didn't threaten him further but left without saying anything else. His body shook as he started weeping. Somehow the gods had favored him by letting him escape certain death.
************
Nix held onto Soup's shell as they descended into the depths of the Lake. His thermal vision showed that the dark depths were teeming with life. Several Lake Otters started to approach but quickly veered off and retreated when they sensed the Sea-Turtle. ”Looks like you have some fans Soup.”
The lake was the deepest he had ever heard of, they had traveled nearly half a mile down before the first signs of vegetation started to show. The lake bed was a rock-filled mixture of valleys, ravines, and steep inclines.
A sudden flash of blackness warned Nix that a predator had found them.
[Sonic Boom]
Soup has stunned a Clandestine Otter.
[Lance: Gemini Flame]
Nix flashed toward the otter and sunk his lance deep into the throat of the attacker. Soup grabbed the stunned animal by the head and wrenched suddenly.
A Clandestine Otter has been slain.
”Turtle power!” Nix pulled his skinning knife. The otter was about fifteen feet in length.
[Do you wish to skin a Clandestine Otter]
”Yes.”
24 Clandestine Otter Pelts have been added to your inventory.
Nix used his knife to dig out the stone from between its eyes. It was a clear stone roughly the size and shape of a marble.