章 43: Messengers of the Court

The bell rang on the door as we pushed open the wooden slab that faired as a door for the local taverna. Music welcomed us as we entered the threshold, a group of players with string instruments were at the front of the main room. We'd entered into a small foyer, if we follow the hall along it opens up into a main tavern room, fit with a bar and wooden tables set up lengthwise for people to rest.

A few players sat at the benches, drinking mugs of ale, and chatting and laughing with each other. An NPC of an older man in his forties, balding with a beer belly, polished a mug behind the glass. Serving wenches flitted between tables, collecting glasses, and handing out beers. Male beta players drooled and got handsy with the waitresses, they giggled flirtatiously and meandered off. I rolled my eyes.

Vane nudged my arm and nodded to the back corner of the establishment; Axel sat at a table with two empty chairs. A stein of ale was in his hand, and he raised it in greeting before taking a large swig. His figure was mostly cloaked in shadows. We made our way to his table and sat down; I flagged the waitress for two drinks for us. She quickly brought them over and placed them on the table in front of us.

"Can I get you anything else?" She chimed, her gaze lingering over Vane. Axel snorted and waved her off. She looked confused for a moment, then nodded and turned away. I noticed a slightly pink tinge to Vane's cheeks, and smirked.

"Are you boys done ogling the wait staff? We have business to attend to." I said with a grin on my face. Axel smiled, Vane just grunted and nodded. Vane placed his hands on the table.

"So, Axel. What happened? Maybe start from before the party the other night." He urged. I nodded and propped my head on my hand to listen. Axel sighed and took a big swig of his ale. I followed suit, felt like I would need a drink to handle this.

"Darius came to my office the night before the battle with the Guardian." Axel began, his voice solemn. "He was demanding leadership of the Scythes. When I laughed in his face, he grew angry. He revealed that he had been in communication with Alexander, and that he had been doing us a favor by removing the threats to our position in the game." He took another long swig.

"He pulled out his daggers, he tried to attack me. I blocked his attacks and threw him back against the fireplace. He struggled after that, injured. He stepped back from me and opened his menu. A projection filled the room before us. Images of a young girl tied up and crying in a warehouse. It was Remi! I know it was. They've uploaded her into the game." His voice was hoarse with emotion. I slammed my glass down on the table.

"But to have her data, that would mean…" I started.

"That Hyperion had something to do with her death." Vane finished for me. Axel nodded.

"Darius claimed they had her, and if I didn't comply with Alexander her data would be eliminated." A tear rolled down his cheek. "I'd be surprised if she's not already gone after the show at the after party. He decided to make his announcement then… and you know the rest of the story." He finished. I rubbed my chin. I didn't blame Axel for agreeing to Darius' demands, especially knowing Remi was at risk. But this was all revealing itself to be a larger orchestrated scheme, involving deaths of people in the real world, manipulation of our lives to bring us into the game.

"Darius isn't really dead. As a criminal he just has to return to the beginning of the game and start from scratch. If his wardens allow him to re-enter. I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of him." I said grimly.

"At least we've bought ourselves time. And we've exposed him. I think he'll be out of our way for now." Axel said. He clenched the stein in his fists.

"I just needed to see the bastard bleed. The things he said about my Remi…" He growled. I placed my hand on his arm and smiled reassuringly. He gave me a small smile in return, although forced.

There was a commotion at the door, a loud banging and shouts could be heard from the street. The wooden door to the taverna burst open, and guards dressed in centurion garb marched into the center of the room. They lined up and stood at attention. They saluted, with one arm crossed over their chests. I held still; my stein still gripped in my hand. Vane placed his hand on my arm.

A large man walked through the doors, down the center line formed by the guards that accompanied him. He had a large sword at his waist, he wore a metal helmet. He was dressed in an iron plated skirt; leather straps crossed his chest which was clad in a bronze chest piece. I noticed the green cursor above his head, he was a beta player. He approached us slowly.

"Welcome to Argos! Tales of your adventures precedes you." The man lifted his helmet to reveal a young man in his mid twenties, with curly brown hair that fell about his face, and startlingly blue eyes. He shook his head as he removed the helmet. Vane's eyes narrowed; he placed his hand on his sword hilt at his waist. The man raised his hand.

"Now, there is no need for violence. I am Niles, head of the king's guard. The king wishes to speak with you. Immediately." The man pronounced clearly. His tone left no room for argument. I looked at the weapons each of the guards was carrying, and the large broadsword strapped to this man's back. I shot a look to Vane, a beta player as employee to the king. Who was this king?

"King?" I said shortly, leaning back in my seat. The man nodded and smiled. I looked to the other guards and noticed they all had green cursors as well. Players.

"King Regan Thelassian. He wishes to speak to those responsible for the sudden influx of players to his kingdom." Niles cleared his throat, gesturing toward the door for us to leave. I looked between Vane and Axel and nodded. We all rose from our seats and followed the guards.