Lost Lands: The Game - Atlantis Read Online Free PDF Page B

her butterfly wings.
    “The Bubble Theory. Every Lost Land is contained in a bubble which floats on the River of Time.” Tao pulled out a dagger and began to draw a web-like picture in the dirt to help illustrate his point. “Occasionally, these bubbles touch one another which in turn creates a connection between the two realms. Avalon was the first realm to be developed, based on the legends of the Arthurian Knights. From what I understand it was the only realm in the Alpha test phase but for the Beta phase they added Midgard based on the Viking Age, the Parthenon based on Ancient Greece and Nippon based on Feudal Japan. These became the four original Lost Lands. Over the past three years since the game launched, Infernal has expanded the original realms in size and added two more realms, the Shadowlands based on the legends of Darkness and the Burning Sands based on the Arabian Nights but the one constant through all of this has been Avalon. It seems that every new realm added has a connection to that fabled land.”
    Cozad picked up the logic. “So, if this is a new realm and they follow their own pattern, somewhere in this realm there’s a gateway to Avalon. If we can get back there, we can travel to Camelot and to your guild hall which should enable us to get home.”
    Tao nodded . “At least that is what I’m hoping.”
    “And where do you think we can find this gateway?” asked Tariq.
    “ Al Shaytan is the one who sent us here with the quest to find the Orb of Knowledge and suggested that we seek out the High Mage of Atlantis as a contact.”
    Mathias said, “You’re thinking that was a hint.”
    Tao shrugged his shoulder . “Occam’s Razor.”
    Mathias asked, “What?”
    It was Bjǿrn who answered. “Occam’s Razor states that when all things are equal the simplest answer is usually the correct one.”
    Arieal absentmindedly toyed with her long snow white hair which stood out in drastic contrast to the ebony skin of her dark elf persona. Finally she said, “But we know nothing of this realm and since we are missing maps, we don’t know where we are or where we are going. Correct?”
    “True. But I doubt that we were brought here without the means to complete our task. It wouldn’t be logical. Al Shaytan stated he wanted us to test his creation which implies to me that there is a method to his madness. We just have to figure it out.”
    Gamble returned and began stacking the wood he’d gathered into a neat pile. Keeping his voice low he said, “Don’t do anything rash but we’re being watched.”

Chapter 4
    To everyone’s credit, most of the companions didn’t do anything foolish except Pixi. She fluttered her wings once and disappeared from view. Whether it was a conscious action or not, no one knew or cared at the moment.
    Gamble continued to stack up the firewood as he continued speaking in low tones. “There are two groups moving in on our position. One along the shoreline and the other coming from the direction of the forest. I couldn’t get a good look at them without making it obvious.”
    Cozad stood up and pretended to stretch. “I can see the ones on the beach. They’re trying to hide in the rocks but doing a terrible job. I would guess that they’re goblins of some sort.”
    Roland wasn’t so subtle when he hoisted his shield, drew his silver sword, marched to the edge of the knoll and called out, “Creatures of Darkness! Beware!”
    Hearing the challenge from the paladin, the goblins yelled and charged.
    Moira cursed. “Fool! Of all the hair-brained things you have ever done .”
    R ealizing the need for subtly was passed, Tao began calling out orders. “Everyone form up. Cozad guard the flank to the lake. Bjǿrn back up Roland on the other side. Everyone else, pick a side and hold.”
    Mathias began firing indiscriminately. Every arrow felled a goblin but on they came. Pixi popped back into view as she completed her spell and a wall of flame appeared in the path of the