Chapter 27: The City of Varrock
I stepped past the stone circle. The dark wizards glared at me, and I knew that the next time I met them that I would be in for a very tough fight. I stepped past several guards, who apparently hadn't noticed what had been happening in front of their noses. They were clad in yellow and brown armour, with the Varrock coat of arms on their shields. They were level 22, but they seemed more powerful. They were powerfully built, but you could see they had rather plump bellies behind their brown chain mails. They nodded at me and Osrie1, Capablanca and Amy11 as we passed. Osrie1's stomach grumbled. I realised how hungry I was.
"Do you where we can get a spot of food?" Osrie1 asked me. We passed grubby buildings with doors hanging off their hinges, But, I saw a rather clean building in comparison to the others. It had clean wooden tables and chairs outside, and it had a sign hanging above the large double-door. The sign was in the shape of a blue crescent, and it read 'The Blue Moon Inn'. The smell of delicious food drifted out of the door. Osrie1's stomach grumbled again.
"Shall we go in?" I asked the group. They all nodded, and we stepped inside.
The inn was smoky, and rather crowded. It was filled with wooden tables and chairs, several paintings of unicorns, heroes and heroines, and portraits of cities and grassy fields, and behind the bar there were several empty bar stools. Nearby, a bunch of drunken adventurers sang a song called 'Zezima the hero'.
They sung this strange song over and over again, their speech getting more slurred with every glass of ale. One of the drunks burped loudly, and Amy11 cringed with disgust. We stepped towards the stools, and sat down. The bartender came from a door.
He wore a large white apron, and he was rather plump. He was bald, but he had a small goatee, and he held a cloth and beer glass. He was cleaning the glass when he walked towards us.
"Can I take your orders?" he asked. He handed us a menu from under the bar. We looked at it.
"I'll have a meat pie and a wizard's mind bomb," Osrie1 said. The bartender took out a beer glass from under the bar, went to the beer tap, and filled it with bubbling blue liquid. He went through a door, and returned holding a steaming, succulent meat pie. Osrie1 licked his lips, and began munching his meat pie.
"I'll go for a more alcoholic drink. Give me a keg of your finest Dragon Bitter, and a roast chicken," Capablanca boomed. The bartender took a large wooden barrel from under the bar, and filled it with fizzing red liquid which smelt rather strong. He handed it to Capablanca, and he went into the kitchen. He returned, holding a large plate with a large plucked juicy meaty chicken on it. Capablanca ripped off a leg and began tearing the meat apart using his teeth.
"I'll have a glass of Chef's Delight and a chocolate bomb," I said, looking at my menu. The bartender nodded, and got me a glass of bubbling, delicious-smelling yellow Chef' Delight. He went into the kitchen, and came out holding a pastry smothered in luscious, melted chocolate. I licked my lips, picked up my fork, and I ate a mouthful of the chocolate bomb. My mouth filled with the wonderful, mouth-watering taste of chocolate.
"I'll have a fruit blast and a cabbage salad, barkeep," Amy11 said. The bartender took out a cocktail glass, and began adding things to it. Slices of juicy fruit, a few greyish leaves, and a few drop of different spirits, and finally the glass was put in a shaker. The bartender shook the cocktail shaker aggressively, and he took out the cocktail and gave it to her. He then went into the kitchen, and came out holding a lump of unappatising, soggy leaves in a bowl. Amy11 thanked him, and began chewing vigorously on the leaves.
We all tucked in on our food. Capablanca chugged down on his keg of dragon bitter, getting tipsier as time passed. People came into the pub and left the pub. But, suddenly, the door was blasted off its hinges. I chocked on my Chef's Delight, and looked to see who knocked down the door.
Madrey1 stomped in the pub. Grumbling, he put the door back up, and went towards the bar. He sat on a stool next to me, and, ignoring me, he called for the bartender. Huffing and puffing, the bartender appeared there a few seconds later.
"Can I take your order?" he asked. Madrey1 flipped through the menu, looking bored.
"What's the most alcoholic drink here?" he asked. The bartender cleared his throat nervously.
"There is the Fountain of Pure Alcohol, but only people over level 100 can stomach it," the bartender said nervously. Madrey1 growled.
"You're as insane as the rumours say you are! Computer game indeed! Are you blind? I AM LEVEL 100!" Madrey1 bellowed, spraying spit everywhere. The bartender gulped nervously. He got a large barrel that had DANGER: PURE UNCUT ALCOHOL printed in red letters on it. The bartender put on a mask that was under the bar. He put it on, and using a metal tool, he opened the barrel.
Clear, strong-smelling liquid sprayed out from the hole in the barrel. After a minute, it stopped. The bartender took off the mask, and got a beer glass. He dipped the glass in the barrel, and when it submerged, it was full of smoky, clear liquid. Shaking, the bartender handed Madrey1 the glass.
Madrey1 downed it in one gulp. The pub gasped. Madrey1 yelled for more. Just then, he noticed me and the rest of the gang.
"Not you noobs," he groaned. Capablanca stepped forward drunkenly, hiccupping.
"Nobody calls me a noob, since I am a defender of them," Capablanca muttered, picking up his sword. Madrey1 sniggered. Capablanca struck Madrey1, and Madrey1 yelped with pain.
"No more games," Madrey1 whispered. He took out his dragon scimitar. Crying with rage, he struck Capablanca in the side. Capablanca collapsed. Madrey1 picked up his sword.
"This is a White Knight's sword," Madrey1 commented. "It's worth quite a bit of money. I think I'll take it, thank you." Madrey1 put the sword in his bag. Osrie1 took out some runes from his bag, and tried to use water strike on Madrey1. It didn't affect him. Madrey1, with a wave of his hand, sent Osrie1 flying. Amy11 ran forward.
"It's that good-looking noob," Madrey1 said. "You've gone off to join the circus group, have you?" Amy11 ignored this comment, and took out two sowing needles. She pounced, and poked the needles in Madrey1's eyes.
"Oh Zamorak, you cow, you bitch!" Madrey1 spluttered, trying to pull the needles out. When he finally got them out, he rubbed blood out of his eyes. He took out some astral runes, and cast a spell. White light surrounded him, and when the light was gone, his eyes were healed. Growling, he stomped towards Amy11. Amy11 jumped on his head, grabbed his new helmet, and threw it high out the window and out of sight.
"Why is it always my helmet? They don't come cheap!" Madrey1 wailed. I got a distant memory of me doing the same thing, except the helmet fell in the river that time. He swiped at Amy11, who was sent into the wall.
I stepped forward, full of anger and hatred. How dare he hurt a lady! Especially my lady! I blushed slightly at that thought. Did I really like her that way? I shook that naughty thought out of my mind, and took out my scythe. He laughed, and took out his dragon scimitar. I gulped. He lifted the scimitar, preparing to smash it into my skull. I backed off.
Madrey1 grinned evilly at me. He was about to drop the scimitar on my skull, when he keeled over, howling. I looked at the person who rescued me, my saviour. It was a man in shiny white tight clothes that showed off his figure. He wore a tight shiny white hat. He was holding a shiny white dagger. He winked at me, and left the pub. Madrey1's beetle-black eyes followed him out the door.
Madrey1 gave us a final glare, and left the pub. Amy11 stood up, rubbed her head, dusted off her little pink skirt, and rushed towards me. She gave me a kiss on the cheek. I felt myself go red. She let go, and gave me a hug. I hugged her back.
We paid for our food and drinks and left. Capablanca still seemed tipsy so I told him to follow me. I saw a small fountain near an alleyway next to a shop. I dunked him, head-first, in the fountain. Spluttering, he submerged. He forced his wet, spiky hair into submission. He poked me jokingly, and followed the group.
We decided to go shopping a bit, and then go to Aubury's shop give him the package. We passed a sword shop, and, so Capablanca could buy himself a new sword, we entered. The walls were painted a light green, and the place was surrounded with glass cabinets and racks. There was a bookshelf about swords and sword-fighting. I flicked through them, interested. I picked up two books, one called 'The Life of Zezima' and another one called 'Sword-fighting-a guide for beginners'.
I examined the swords and daggers on display. There was one sword labelled 'Rune Long sword'. I checked the price tag with interest. I screamed. The label read '21000gp'. I steadied myself. I heard of more expensive things, but 21000gp! For a sword! I gulped, and continued browsing.
"Hello, can I interest you in a new offer?" a voice asked from behind me. I swivelled around. A lean, muscular man with a small tuft of brown hair, blue eyes, and a small grin stood there. "Hello I'm the owner of this shop. Well, can I interest you in a new object we have in stock?" he asked me kindly. He showed me a leather belt. It felt rather strong, with an extender so I could adjust it to fit me. There were four slots that seemed designed for daggers to fit in. There were two slots that were designed for sticks, scythes and staffs to fir in. There were another two slots that seemed so you could hang up shields on them. There were three long slots that looked like swords could fit on them. And, finally, there was a small leather pouch on it. I gaped at it.
"The pouch is designed for jewellery, rings and amulets and necklaces and such," he explained.
"How much does it cost?" I asked excitedly. He showed me the price tag. It cost 45gp! I didn't mind, I had another 243gp on me, I could pay for it easily. I gawped at it.
"Also," the salesman said, smiling at my enthusiasm, "You get an extra iron dagger if you buy this now, for free! And, if you die, you don't lose the belt, or anything inside it!" I mouthed wordlessly. I nodded, and took the belt from him.
I strolled through the shop, and met up with Osrie1, Capablanca and Amy11 at the counter. Osrie1 held a book called 'Smithing Magic-how to enchant your metal' and an iron sword. Amy11 held a pink, fluffy dagger container, and iron spiked gloves. Capablanca held a steel long sword, a book called 'A Guide to Unarmed Self-Defence', and the same belt as me. I paid 54gp for my books and my belt. I put my belt on, and adjusted it so it fit me perfectly. I put my scythe in one of the two stick containers, and I hung my bronze square shield on one of the shield slots. The person at the counter handed me my free iron dagger, which I put in one of the dagger containers. I took off my amulet of ghost speak, my defence amulet, and my ice amulet, and I put them in the pouch. I left my prayer amulet on. I followed the gang outside the shop.
We went up the road, and passed a filthy tramp. I picked a coin from my coin pouch and threw it next to him. I went up the road, and a most amazing sight met my eyes.
A glorious fountain was in front of us. Carved shapes spouted crystal-clear water, which fell below. There were benches around the fountain, and stone basins filled with water sat there, for people to drink from. The stone path led under the gushing water. A city centre was around the fountain, surrounded with shops and houses. In front of us, pad the fountain, a golden archway led into the courtyard of a huge, golden and bronze palace. The path led into four directions, one being the one we just came from.
We decided to go shopping on the shops around the fountain. We went into the one to the right.
I was disappointed. It was the same kind of shop in Lumbridge, a general store. I browsed the shelves, in the end deciding to buy a sapphire ring for 20gp-a bargain. I slipped it on, deciding to make it my lucky ring.
We left the general store, deciding to go to the shop opposite. The place was bustling with townsfolk, adventurers, and guards. I saw another man in a tight, shiny white suit.
I went into the shop. It was a clothes shop. I decided to buy something to wear over my tattered blue shirt. I browsed the racks of clothing. There was a shiny black silky billowy priest shirt. I didn't like that; I didn't want to look like Ilookgood99. I found a fluffy pink cardigan. I wasn't one of those strange weird people who wore girl's clothes, so I didn't fancy buying that. I saw a red jacket (too colourful), blue shirts (what was the point of wearing a shirt on top of a similar shirt) and even girly tiny T-shirts. I didn't want to buy a T-shirt when I already had one. I settled for a trendy white shiny cardigan. It cost 15gp. I saw something that I couldn't resist buying.
It was a red cape with a yellow streak on the bottom. It looked so handsome, so royal so…cool. It cost 13gp, so I took it.
A woman with her blonde hair tied in a bun called Thessila accepted my money, and commented on my clothes ("good choice, they look good on you!"). I met up with the others.
Amy11 had bought several red and pink skirts and shirts, and even black frilly knickers. Capablanca hated clothes shopping, so he had stated outside, testing out his new steel sword. Osrie1 wore new green trousers. Amy11 whistled at my new clothes. We went to the tent next door, reading the moving-eyeball sign that told us it was a gypsy called Aris.
We entered. A wrinkly old lady with greying hair and a long, billowing red dress sat by a table, with a smoky crystal ball and a pack of cards on it. Strange shapes dangled from the ceiling, and the light came from a hovering lamp from the top of the tent. The gypsy looked at us. Her misty eyes spooked me out. Behind her there was a shelf crammed with a strange assortment of objects. Jars of strange objects and decaying musty old books filled the shelves, and there was a grubby old crystal ball on a rusty holder on the end.
"Greetings, my children," she said in a faraway voice. "I am the gypsy Aris and I can tell the future, no charge. Who would like to go first?" she asked. Amy11 stepped forward.
"Now, my dear, look into the crystal ball. See the mist of the yet to come, and I will guide you," Gypsy Aris said. Amy11, looking unsure, looked into the crystal ball. Suddenly, the mist began spiralling, as though a tornado had whipped up inside. The mist cleared, and flickering images swam across the ball. Amy11 gasped. Gypsy Aris frowned.
"I sense a love in your heart. It burns within, enlightening you to continue. The man you crave saved you from mortal embarrassment and danger, and has treated you with utmost respect and kindness. But does he return your heartfelt feelings? Will he ever? The mist explains all…." She trailed off. An image froze on the crystal ball. It was an image of Amy11, hugging……me. I looked, bemused, at the frozen picture. Amy11 looked rather flustered. Gypsy Aris grinned, her wrinkled face smiling. The image disappeared. Aris frowned again, as though she was concentrating.
"Then again, the darkness approaches for you. You will fight along side…..the light. It shines through the darkness, enlightening you. You will fight for the love, you will get a rival….she comes….." Aris said. The white mist in the glass orb turned black. A twisting image of Amy11 screaming silently twisted through the darkness.
"Right, this young lad can go next," Gypsy Aris said, gesturing towards Osrie1. He stepped forward nervously. The image disappeared, and the crystal ball filled with mist again. It whipped up in a tornado when Osrie1 stared inside it. Aris frowned.
"I sense a basic past," she said. "But you have an even better future in sight. You will discover a most strange secret about yourself, and this secret will lead to a most dark and awful ending." She gasped. An image of Osrie1 running frantically went through the crystal ball. She patted his hand sympathetically. Capablanca stepped forward. She smiled at him.
He looked into the mist. The mist twisted around again. The old gypsy's eyes filled with tears.
"Poor lad," she sniffed. "You've had such an awful past." An image of a woman that looked similar to Capablanca lying on the floor, blood coming out of her mouth, filled the crystal ball. Capablanca began sobbing silently. Aris patted his hand again. "Poor lad," she repeated. "A glorious future awaits you, but it will be interrupted by the oncoming storm. The future will falter, and you will meet a most unexpected person….the woman of the white mist…." She let go of his hands, and the crystal ball filled with fog again. I sat down, and looked into the crystal ball nervously.
Gypsy Aris screamed. "It is you!" she cried, jumping up. "You are the man, the man that the sight foretold….you come from somewhere so strange….flashing lights…..strange technology…." She faltered. In the mist, an image of flashing neon appeared. "You are the One. You are being followed by a man….a man most similar to you….he tries, and fails, to show you the way……you need to figure out your past, and your destiny…." The flashing neon disappeared, and a picture of Ilookgood99 filled the glass orb. He was whispering one word to me….I couldn't understand it. "You have so much in your future……the darkness……the oncoming Death….." she gasped. "Mainiac97, son of another world, there is something on your back!" her crystal ball filled with mist.
I heard it again. The hissing and the mechanical clicking were there. I couldn't see it, I couldn't feel it, but I could hear it, and sense it. There was something on my back! I tried to grip something. My hand clasped around nothingness.
As suddenly as it had appeared, it was gone. I blinked, disorientated. What was that thing on my back? Several explanations burst into my head, none of them making sense. I smiled at Osrie1, Capablanca, and Amy11, and gestured for us to step outside.
We stepped into the sunlight. We blinked. It was dark and musty in the tent, and standing in the midst of the glorious fountain in the sunlight felt brilliant. I saw a most strange sight. There was the same blond man who saved me from Madrey1 was leading a small army of people in shiny white suits that showed of their biceps and triceps, and chests.
They were marching, looking alert. They glanced at us, and the blond man nodded and winked. We decided to follow them. They marched forward, past the sword shop, past the tramp munching on a tomato, past the Blue Moon Inn, and into the stone circle.