Metem: A LitRPG Progression Fantasy

Beyond the northeastern edge of the vapor oak forest, before the boundary of the Kaliboz swamps, tucked discreetly in a small hidden valley stood the estate of Parolly Sistain. They had traversed countless bush laden hills and rocky terrain the size of sand dunes in the Sahara. Walked on uneven ground that only cowboys pushing west had endured until they crested a final mound to witness the grandeur of her property like a diamond in the rough.

The sight was surreal, even to Cici who had already witnessed the place from the same vantage point. They paused atop the last hill so that Kopius could take it all in. The place looked as though the Queen of Hearts had transported a version of Fontainebleau Palace and added her own flair.

There were sprawling patches of deep green grass, white marble fountains and thin canals of crystal blue water. Countless forms were spread throughout the entire property like a topiary garden on steroids. Its opulence was in such stark contrast to the surrounding area that it came across as some sort of elaborate oasis-like illusion.

"Has this always been here?" Kopius asked absently as he surveyed the property below.

"I don't think it just sprouted out of the ground," Cici answered, doubt lingering in his words. "I'd never heard of it, or her for that matter, before this whole ordeal. The way these hills are situated it would be easy to miss."

"How'd you find it the first time? Directions or something?"

"I was led here by someone who knew the way."

"Isla de Muerta strikes again," Kopius mumbled to himself, stalling for time for some reason.

"Isle de who?" Cici inquired.

"It's from a pirate movie."

"Your moving paintings?"

"Yeah," Kopius replied. "Anything else I need to know before we head down? Should I be on my best behavior, remain cold and distant, avoid anyone or anything type stuff?"

"I think I have told you most of it," Cici answered after a thoughtful pause. "Don't sign anything that's for certain. Might want to keep a look out for her guards; her minions. You know, assess what you'll be up against."

"Do bards all look alike or what, am I just looking for a bunch of you's in there?"

"Nobody looks like me, lad," Cici said with a cracked smile.

"I mean, will it be obvious? Do the guards look that different from the bards?"

"It will be obvious. The guards will be uninformed and aware, while the bards will be… " Cici paused to think of a proper description. "Groomed and subservient, distant."

"That makes it a bit easier." Kopius nodded.

"Now that I think about it though, your Speak Easy might come into play," Cici added. "I was never able to place the language but keep your ears open, it might give us an edge or two."

"How will I know when they are speaking it? It all sounds the same to me unless I am staring directly at their mouth."

"Maybe I can give you a signal or some sort?"

"Like what?"

"Tug of my beard?"

"You do that whenever you're thinking though?"

"Even better, the movement is natural; less likely to raise suspicion."

"Okay, a beard tug it is," Kopius agreed. "Anything else?"

"When they offer you a tour of the grounds, take it," Cici answered. "It will give you a lay of the land and if we have to make a run, we will be better off for it. We should give you some kind of role, you know, a title of sorts. She may not let you in otherwise."

"What kind of title?"

"Something that says you are part of the show."

"Hmmm," Kopius thought for a moment. "Maybe an equipment manager or a production assistant?"

"I'll just say you are a part of the show and you can fill in the details," Cici nodded, likely not understanding what Kopius had just said.

"Fair enough, I'll just use words that sound important."

The two men took a last look at the surrounding area before marching down the hill. Kopius did a quick inventory check as they made their way, noting that he only had two open slots. He removed the box of Holo's and both pieces of the C.O.M.A. to free up three additional slots, placing the items in his pack. Though it wasn't specifically clear why he wanted the room in his ring, part of him felt he needed the space. Allowing his gut to take the lead on this one, he moved the items around giving him five slots to play with.

As they approached the property the hedge surrounding the estate seemed to grow in size and thickness. What had appeared a ten foot barrier turned out to be twice the height and width. The bush consisted of millions of small green leaves hiding thousands of inch long thorns running the length of every branch. Besides the threatening nature of the well manicured wall, the hedge was lush and cultivated.

Walking the uneven edge of the barrier was a chore in itself. It took well over a half an hour to circle around to the front, apparently the only entrance to the estate. No gate stood to barricade their arrival, just a wide opening in the wall. Arched above the entrance was an artistic rendering made up of the shrubbery.

As if pruned that very morning, the bush was trimmed into two serpentined creatures with wings and short arms. One held a golden trident in its claw while the other gripped a silver pole-arm halberd. Kopius baulked at the sight as the two looked poised to strike at any who dared enter beneath them. A nudge from Cici got Kopius to move his feet and the two officially entered the grounds.

Inside was a circus of groomed bushes of all shapes and sizes. The topiary wasn't limited to fantastical bestiary creatures, it also displayed a slew of geometric shapes, nonsensical objects, musical instruments and more. Every twenty feet, in any direction were an array of artistry and excellence.

The closer they got to the palace the more stone and marble statues appeared, displaying a variety of races and peoples. Kopius recognised a few having seen some walking about Cawbachu and others he had come across in his extensive gaming experience. The renderings were both awe-inspiring and intimidating at the same time. It gave him the eeriest of feelings, as though he were walking through Medusa's garden.

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"Here we go, lad," Cici said, breaking the air elemental from his widening imagination.

"What?" Kopius replied before realizing they had walked up a flight of stairs and were now standing in front of a door fit for a castle.

The bard grabbed a hold of a door knocker proceeding to slam it a few times into its own metal casing. The sound came off like a disc-like gong, sending vibrations all around. Kopius half expected a trap door to open under their feet to send them falling to their doom or captivity. He wasn't given time to get paranoid as the large door swung open within moments.

"Greetings and salutations," came a monotoned voice of a practiced welcome. "My sincere apologies, the madam is not receiving visitors this day. If it pleases you sir, leave your name and locality, she will send a statesman to address her earliest availability."

"You say that every time I arrive, Standish," Cici responded with his normal charm. "I'd think you'd remember me by now."

Kopius moved from his position to get a look at the man who opened the door. The servant was short, slender with long curly locks that appeared to have been recently shaped. The man was pale in complexion, his face with a noticeable foundation of white makeup. His clothing consisted of tight frilly pants, a bright red tunic with a golden sash across his shoulders and boots polished to a shine.

"Master Beo has not been forgotten," Standish replied with a deep bow. "We have been anticipating your arrival. Lady Sistain will prepare a feast and festivities to honor your talents, she will be pleased to know you have arrived early."

"Early in, early out," Cici laughed in response, slapping the man on the shoulder hard enough to make him wince. "This is my companion, Kopius. He's here to help with the show."

"That is beyond my permission structure I fear," Standish replied in a regretful tone. "I have been instructed to only allow the talent within the manor."

"No doubt," Cici agreed. "A moment with the missus should be able to clear things up."

"Of course," the man bowed again, "you can speak to her once I announce your arrival. As for your friend, he will remain outdoors until the topic is settled."

Cici looked back at Kopius and the latter shrugged with indifferent understanding.

"Be sure not to wander," Standish added, looking at Kopius. "Security treats uninvited guests with aggression."

It was Cici's turn to shrug as he followed the servant into the palace, shutting the door behind them. Kopius let the warning go in one ear and out the other. He wasn't in the mood to go exploring, especially given the elevated view the stairs he stood on offered. It wasn't exactly a birds-eye view but he could see the breadth of what he would consider the front yard.

The topiary sculptures and statues had mostly been concentrated in the center of the yard. Though there looked to be at least a hundred of them combined, once his gaze moved to the periphery the area was more open and spacious. There were colorful flower beds situated around fountains. Water streaming in patterns in some places while shooting high in jets of mist in others.

Every now and then he would catch a glimpse of a person walking about in the distance. The figure wore a shiny black outfit, some sort of metal armor Kopius guessed, and clutched to an erect pole-type weapon that had similarities to the ones he had walked beneath when first entering the estate. When watching the opposite side of the yard, he saw basically the same behavior from another individual.

With the presumption that these were the guards, Kopius began to internally complain about the nature of their weapons. Between the skeletons in Escher Pass, Salem, and both versions of Quinn he had been attacked with a variety of clubs, swords and maces, as well as hand-to-hand. What he lacked experience with were ten foot poles with sharp edges attached to their ends. If all the guards toted the same type of weapon, he feared a crash course in fighting against them would be a fatefully short lesson.

The door to the manor creaked open before Kopius could dive any further into his negative thoughts or disadvantages.

"The lady of the house has requested your presence," Standish announced with more flair and formality than he first had. The man held the door ajar and addressed Kopius with a 'right this way' gesture.

Kopius entered the foyer to get his first glimpse of luxury in Metem. The area was wide and pristine, a work of masonry he had only witnessed in high budget fantasy movies. The floor tiles were geometric artistry and the walls sported massive murals the likes of which Leonardo himself would drool over. Large hallways flanked both sides of a grand staircase with three pathways leading to the second floor. Sunlighted beamed through a ceiling of clear windows and stained glass, creating its own brilliant visuals.

At top of the central stair landing stood the laughing figure of Cici and a conservatively dressed woman. The bard's laughter echoed off the stone masonry that made up the entrance area while the lady only managed to crack a slim smile. Cici's laughter sounded genuine but it confused Kopius to a degree given the circumstances.

From the distance between them Kopius was able to inspect the lady without seeming to ogle at her as they made their way down the stairs.

Her outfit was a modest blend of 1950s business casual attire with a hint of royal propriety. The bright red skirt reached below the knees as her jet black low rise heels clicked with each descending step. The suit jacket she wore was of a fuzzy white material stretching to both of her wrists and tightly buttoned up to her neck line. A pillbox hat sat at an angle atop her bundled black hair, a tiny fish net of sorts hanging from it just above her eyes. She was elegant and refined in a way Kopius had only seen in history books featuring queens in day-to-day attire.

The closer the lady Parolly Sistain approached the dryer Kopius' mouth seemed to get. Her features revealed an older woman but it did nothing to stop her from appearing as an imposing individual. She'd fall under the category of a 'cougar' on Earth, one where all the young men would drool over until she left them as a stuttering mess questioning their manhood. Her eyes were sharp, perceptive; lips full but pensive as someone who was waiting to pass judgment.

Kopius shifted in his stance. It wasn't everyday the aurora of a person unsettled him but that was exactly what was occurring at the moment. He absently adjusted his clothing, smoothing out his cloak. He would have checked his breath if he could be discrete. She was an aged beauty; stunning in the way that Hail & Oates had warned everyone about. Kopius had to tamper his nerves as she reached out her hand in greeting.

"Kopius," the name slid out of her mouth in a deep exhale.

"Lady Sisitain," Kopius heard himself say as he bowed and kissed her outstretched hand, the whole action coming across as a third-person perspective. The hood of his cloak inadvertently slipped onto his head during his curtsy, washing the nervous sensation away.

Was she charming me, Kopius wondered. He internally smirked while silently thanking Lydian.

"Cici speaks highly of your talents," Parolly continued, her voice smooth with a hint of a Slavic accent.

"He is too kind," Kopius replied, removing the hood but trying to not give away the fact that he broke whatever spell had captivated him.

It was unclear if she was aware of what had happened because her demeanor remained the same, instead she looked him over like an expensive piece of meat. It was an assessment he had yet to experience with everyone else he had come across in Metem so far. The normal 'what has the cat dragged in' vibe was flipped as she gazed at him like someone addressing the best way to enjoy their dessert.

"Cici mentioned you were skilled, he left out the handsome part," Parolly mentioned with a glance over at the bard. "You'd make a fine addition to my collection."

"Tempting," Kopius lied with convincing grace. "Your palace is magnificent and I've only seen the front. I couldn't give this all away," he said gesturing at his body, "without seeing the whole package."

"Nor would I," the lady answered with a dainty laugh. "Tell me, what is your line of expertise? It's unlike a bard to bring assistance."

"Audio tech and special effects," Kopius answered with a straight face.

"That is vague enough to engage my curiosity. Might I see a sample of your work?"

"I can describe it to you," Kopius explained, "but showing would ruin tonight's performance."

"There will be no show tonight, my dear."

"Are we staying the night or something?" Kopius asked.

"Yes, of course. Tonight you both will be my honored guest," Parolly announced. "You shall dine and be entertained. Maybe even show you the whole package."

She spoke the last sentence in such a way that Kopius felt the blood rush to his cheeks. It was part whispered promise, part idle threat. His temperature rose a degree or two but not in the way he had felt while being charmed with magic. This was the feeling of being flirted with by a woman well out of his league.