Games [The Electro Cosmos Book 2]

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Heidi branched off on her own after that night. She didn't feel safe doing it, but felt it was necessary to find out more about this world. She was no longer concerned about getting back to the base or getting out of the game. There was no point trying to find a way out when it was completely obvious it was not possible. They will get out on her brother's accord and nothing else. If he wasn't controlling what was happening, then he would be the one to fix it. Now was the chance she could learn about the world she was stuck in and enjoy the perks of the game. There was a lot more hidden between the lines than she ever imagined. This world was more complicated than earth, and there had to be something to show for it.

She arrived in a town to the west close by the ocean about three days ago and close to a week after she left the two criminals she called companions. It was a large city like Arok, with a library and a large castle on a nearby cliff. Heidi knew they had political and religious leaders, but she hadn't known they had a king. She assumed the town to the southeast end of Niguess was the capital, but she assumed it was no longer. The castle there had been run down and some of the stones washed away by battles. This one looked brand new and heavily guarded. She tried speaking to the guards, but they stood like statues and only gave one answer. God save the king.

There was a small strip of the town that looked out on the ocean. It had a market as well as other shops; apothecaries, psychics, weapons shops you name it they have it. Even some of the people, Heidi noticed, were magical. She saw a group of people that were dressed like mages and wizards, holding staffs and trinkets made of various jewels and metals. Some had no noses or large ears like elves or snakes. For such a religious country, Heidi was surprised to see such diversity where Arok was lacking. Then again, Archibald tended to be strict in laws and structure. Most places were guarded heavily, even small towns. Here, there was more freedom in this town. There were even goblins and dwarves walking around, most of them in armor but a few in cloaks or wearing ordinary clothing. They all wore different symbols for their countries, some embroidered with blue, purple and other colors.

Heidi walked through the marketplace with Cernunnos walking at her side. No matter where anyone was from, everyone seemed to love him, eyes swerving to look up at his large regal antlers. She took advantage of it. Once spotted, he became the center of attention, causing people to trip over obstacles they would have avoided if they looked where they were going. People began to give her trinkets and food, worshiping her like a god. Only she knew the true power Cernunnos and his brother had, but they respected him more than any political advocate she knew in this world. Heidi kept her head bent to the ground, steering her eyes away from any that looked at her beyond the stag's giant head, a red owl perched on her shoulder.

A woman who reminded Heidi of a hairless cat, with feral eyes, a thick snake-like tail and long pointed ears and pointed fingers walked up to Heidi as soon as their eyes met. She spoke to Heidi in another language as she approached, making her slightly embarrassed she didn't understand. Her face was pale and flawless, her skin soft and bright. Heidi could not tell her age, or what species she was. She was almost reminded of an elf from The Lord of the Rings, but the tail threw her off. Then she noticed the small horn points protruding out of her temples and the forked tongue as she spoke, a piercing pushing out of her lower lip and another from her nose.

"Sorry, new language is it?" She had a heavy accent, almost Russian but not quite as thick. "I was just admiring Cernu here, he his quite a magnificent beast. Do you ride him?"

"Yes I do," Heidi replied, gawking at her unintentionally. She shook her head and blinked out of her trance and looked the lady in her eyes. They were a bright green, like Mila's but glowing with yellow flecks around her thin vertical pupils. The woman wore a bright blue silk cloak embroidered with emeralds.