Tomb Raider: Worth The Cost
Opening chapter of a Tomb Raider story I'm planning, the first story in a series, anyway it's kinda my own version of Lara, although her appearance is more in line with the Survivor Timeline one, anyway, hope you enjoy this one ;)
Disclaimer: I don't own Tomb Raider or its characters.
Croft Manor
The amazingly beautiful and majestic Croft Manor sat in the middle of the grounds that were part of its estate, all belonging to the noble Croft family, also known for being renowned adventurers and archaeologists. As things currently stood however, only one member of the family remained and lived at the manor, despite current 'legal issues' that were causing trouble for said family member. The occupant had finished showering after an intense workout using a self-made obstacle course on the manor grounds, for she was also an adventurer and archaeologist just like her father. Said occupant was a young woman of twenty five, average height, slightly built, with a pale complexion. Full lips and long dark chestnut hair in a ponytail and brown eyes and deceptively delicate features. She'd just got dressed casually in grey sweatpants, a blue tank-top and white socks. Said female's name was Lara Croft, sole survivor of the famed Croft family. Despite this she wasn't alone at the manor however, for as she made her way down the elegant staircase she spotted a tall albeit slightly stooped man with short grey hair and black eyes, fair skinned and thin, dressed in smart black trousers, a white shirt under a black suit jacket and with a black bow-tie and black polished shoes. He was the Croft Family butler, Winston Smith, the latest in a long line of his family who had served the Croft Family.
As Lara approached, Winston smiled and handed her a small towel to wipe any remaining water from her face.
"Thank you, Winston."
The ever faithful man nodded. "Always glad to be of assistance Miss Croft...I, had to field another call from Count Beddington not too long ago."
Lara groaned, this was the 'legal trouble' she had been dealing with.
"I take it my dear uncle is still trying to drive me out of here so he can take it for himself?" Lara questioned, sarcasm dripping from her voice.
"I'm afraid so, Miss Croft." Winston said with sadness in his voice. "He is determined to use any means no matter how low it seems. He is...questioning the 'legitimacy' of your birth."
Lara couldn't help but scoff. "Seriously, that's crazy...we're not exactly in the dark ages anymore."
"But still, for some, it can be...an issue. Winston remarked. "Nevertheless, if it does come to this and he tries to...take court action, you can rely on me to back you up. After all, there is nobody currently alive who knows the circumstances of your birth better."
"That's true, thank you Winston." Lara agreed with a smile.
It was true, Winston had served the Croft family for a long time, starting in service as a young boy under Lara's grandfather, Richard Croft Sr. He had been present and even helped Lara's father Richard Croft Jr. while Lady Amelia Croft (nee Beddington) gave birth to Lara.
Lara however was still not so sure.
"Even with your help, Winston...I'm not sure it would work." She said sadly. "I don't currently have the means or even any clout to press an advantage against him if it goes to court. Thanks to my uncle's actions I'm not exactly easily able to access the family fortune to help with that."
Winston nodded sadly. "Yes, I understand what you mean."
By this point they had entered the study, on which lay several document files, detailing possibly archaeological findings that Winston gestured to.
"Perhaps you might have luck finding any of these artefacts and they might get you what you need?"
Lara gave a grim smile. "That's...a nice hope, but a bit of a long shot. Oh?"
At that point they both heard the sound of the doorbell.
Winston bowed. "Excuse me, Miss Croft."
Lara nodded and Winston went to answer it while Lara headed to the kitchen and got a bottle of water from the fridge. As she did so she heard the talk at the door and then footsteps. She made her way back through the main lobby with the fireplace and most comfortable seating in the house. Sure enough Winston had shown the guests there and Lara stopped, recognizing them.
"My God, Hanna!?"
The twenty-five year old woman, someone Lara knew from college and now worked at the local museum, grinned. She was roughly Lara's height, slender and lanky with long blonde hair tied back in a ponytail, blue eyes and light skin and dressed smartly in a black skirt-suit and black flats.
"Hello Lara." She greeted her old friend. "It's good to see you again."
She stood and they hugged before Lara stepped back.
Hanna resumed her seat while Lara took in the other guest, a tall older man, grey-haired and brown eyes with a grey moustache, weather-beaten and clad in brown pants, a dark grey shirt and black shoes.
"I...Markus?" She gasped.
Markus grinned. "Good to see you kiddo."
Markus was a fellow adventurer/archaeologist, a good friend and frequent partner of her father. His presence instantly made Lara's pulse race.
"I take it there's a good reason for you being here, something...big?" Lara remarked.
Hanna smiled and pulled a few photos from her bag. "How's your Ancient Chinese?"
She passed the photos which showed two large tables with Ancient Chinese writing on them.
"Passable." Lara remarked as she examined them. "I can read those characters for sure...Dagger of Xian. Seriously?"
She looked up at both of them, they were indeed serious, nodding to her which made her bite her lip, unsure how to proceed now. The Dagger of Xian was a well known lost treasure, rumoured to have great and terrible powers. Legend said that if one were to pierce their heart with the dagger, they would gain the power of, and transform into, a dragon.
Lara shook her head.
"Guys, this is crazy, we all know the Dagger can't possibly be-"
"Lara, we don't know that for sure. These tablets only arrived in the museum yesterday and I saw those characters and recognized them. But I'll need your help with the rest." Hanna explained. "If this is right, this could be a major finding. If something like this ends up in our museum."
"It'll make a great tourist trap, but nothing else." Lara cut her off. "Listen Hanna. This is just crazy. Markus, you and my father already tried to search for the Dagger, you failed and-"
"-Were looking in the wrong place." Markus finished for her. "I still can't clear up everything from that...but it tells me that much. This leads to somewhere important, likely the location of the Dagger."
Lara sighed. "So that's why you need me...you want my help, three sets of eyes being better than two."
With a subtle clearing of his throat, Winston added. "If I may be so bold Miss Croft, real or not, the search for this Dagger would be most...profitable to you. It would make your reputation."
"Not to mention the museum is willing to fund this search and will grant a great reward to those who find it." Hanna added.
"Which would help you in your...family problems." Winston finished delicately.
Lara almost wanted to groan, Winston knew just what to say and had hit the exact right spot.
"Alright, fine...just a minute." Lara said.
She stood up and began perusing some of the nearby bookcases.
Returning to the table with the necessary book, Lara got to work with the others and finally, after much time had passed, Lara smiled.
"Well, this is more interesting than I thought. These tablets mainly talk about the legend of the Dagger, that we already know." She explained. "But...this last part tells us where to find the Temple of Xian."
"The Dagger's resting place." Markus said excitedly.
Lara nodded and pulled out a map of China and marked a location on a specific part of the Great Wall.
"There, the temple is buried within the Great Wall, at this location."
Hanna shook her head in amazement. "I knew it, I knew I could depend on you for this Lara...Listen, we'll make arrangements, Markus and I will be going there by the end of the week...will you-?"
"Yes, I'll gladly come." She said.
She had made her decision and as she saw her guests off, she got ready, it was time for an adventure.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.