by Paul Bellow
Bernard screamed and swung with his new mace, hitting it on the head. The liger whimpered and moved back a few steps.
“Finish it!” Eric yelled.
I wondered if we were making the right choice in killing it. A single tear welled up then fell down my cheek as Eric and the others battered the majestic creature.
Combat is Over!
You get 6,000 xp divided by five party members.
You get 1,200xp You have 37,097 xp You need 15,903 for level 7 Wizard ->Warlock
Eric and Bernard stood over the liger, both smiling. I walked over.
“That wasn’t so bad,” Eric said as I stopped next to him. “What’s wrong? Are you crying? Everything okay?”
“I got smoke in my eyes,” I lied.
Eric looked around, obviously noticing the lack of smoke in the air, but he said nothing.
“Let’s get the body back to the temple,” he said. “Maybe you can make a strength potion with the liger blood.”
“Yeah,” I said, nodding my head to look more convincing. “We could use more potions.”
“Cheer up.” Eric put his hand on my shoulder. “Good job with the bow. Well, mostly.”
He grinned, and I forced a smile.
“Don’t worry about me,” Ewen said as he and Evan walked up. “I’ll be fine. That was a nasty cat, and I’m glad it’s dead.”
The sight of him still wounded reminded me that killing an almost extinct animal in a game wasn’t that big of a deal.
Why had I gotten so emotional?
Eric, Bernard, and Ewen all carried the liger’s body as we walked toward the city. The sun fell the rest of the way, making the mood more somber somehow.
At the temple, our group stood around the body of the liger. It rested in middle of the main entrance room, staining the stone floors red.
“Does someone want to collect the blood?” I asked. “Maybe I can find a book on making potions. There’s so many great books here.”
“Good idea,” Eric said. “But how to drain the liger’s blood?”
Before anyone answered, the front door opened. Captain Riggardo strode in.
“You don’t need to worry about it,” he said.
How does he know what we were talking about?
“We got rid of the cat for you,” Eric said. “Are you going to help us with men? We’ve got a dangerous journey ahead of us.”
Captain Riggardo laughed haughtily.
“No,” he said then added, “Take the liger.”
Four full-sized humans wearing dull black chain mail walked around him.
“Hold on a minute,” Eric said. “We’ve got a use for the body.”
“You don’t think I do too?” Captain Riggardo asked.
The men pushed past Eric and Bernard and grabbed the body by the legs.
As they dragged it across the floor, I thought about our options. We could fight them for it, but that wouldn’t be worth it. Did Eric understand?
I glanced over and saw him fuming, eyes narrowed into slits.
Come on, Eric. Keep it under control.
“What about your promise to help us with your mission?” I asked.
Captain Riggardo waved his hand through the air, dismissing the notion.
“We could use the help,” Bernard said.
“Too bad,” Captain Riggardo scoffed. “You’re lucky I don’t take the temple back from you five. I’ve been around longer, and you need to respect my authority.”
What’s the deal with this guy? He’s not making any sense.
I watched as he turned and left the temple. His men followed, still dragging the liger.
“We need to leave soon,” I said once they were out of earshot.
Eric nodded and said, “I agree, but I think we should talk to Magi Inyontoo first.”
“Are you crazy?” I asked.
“It makes sense,” Bernard said. “He can’t hurt us through the mirror. Maybe we can trip him up and get him to give us some information that will be helpful.”
“Yeah…” I sighed. “That’s actually not a bad idea.”
“I’ll stab him through the mirror if he does something,” Evan said.
“Can you and Ewen stay down here and clean up?” I asked.
“Aw, man,” the brownie groaned.
“I have skills other than pushing a broom,” Ewen added.
“We don’t want Magi Inyontoo knowing you two are in our group,” I said. “Do you understand? We want to trick the bad guy.”
Evan nodded like a happy puppy.
“You got it, Sarah,” he said. “I’m your man for mops, brooms, and dragons.”
I smiled and nodded my head for Bernard and Eric to follow me upstairs.
None of us had been in the secret room since we discovered it.
Would Magi Inyontoo even be around to answer our questions?
As we walked to the second floor of the temple, I thought about what we were about to do. I doubted Magi Inyontoo would even respond. He was a decent nemesis for our group, even if I didn’t understand why he hated us.
Eric stopped outside the secret door.
“We should make sure we’re all on the same page,” he said.
Bernard nodded and said, “Only one of us should talk.”
“Not it,” I said.
“I’ll do it,” Eric said.
“No, wait.” Bernard held up his hand. “Let me try this new ring. My charisma was already high before I put it on.”
“Good idea,” I said. “Let’s get this over with. I hate talking to that guy.”
We went into the room and turned the mirror around. After a few seconds of staring at the smoky reflection, I turned to Eric.
“Is there a way to get his attention?” I asked.
Eric shrugged.
“I’ve never used a magic mirror before,” he said.
“Well…”
Out of ideas, I let my voice trail off.
“Come on, Magi Inyontoo,” Bernard said, tapping the mirror with his ring.
The smoke parted as the mage in black stepped forward.
“You’re still there at the temple?” he asked then smiled. “That’s great.”
“We’re leaving, but we wanted to talk with you,” Bernard said. “You’re a smart player, and we don’t want to be your enemy.”
“Then you shouldn’t have killed my father,” Magi Inyontoo said.
Is this guy crazy or what?
“We didn’t kill him,” Bernard said.
“Of course you didn’t, fool. You don’t get the reference at all, do you?”
Bernard looked at us then back to Magi Inyontoo’s image in the mirror.
“Not really,” he said.
“You’re all idiots who don’t deserve to be in the game,” Magi Inyontoo shouted. “There’s a creature on this level you’re going to have problems with, eventually.”
“Oh?” Bernard asked. “You mean the black dragon?”
“Wait…” Magi Inyontoo said. “You know about it already?”
Bernard nodded and said, “Yup.”
“Interesting…”
Magi Inyontoo stepped to the left and out of our view.
“That didn’t help any,” I said.
“Yeah,” Eric said. “But we tried. I’m not sure what I was expecting either.”
“Keep your enemies close,” Bernard said.
I nodded, wondering why everyone wasn’t working toward a way out of the game.
“We should leave first thing in the morning for Woodshore Forest to find this dwarf,” I said. “Magi Inyontoo might send his goons after us again.”
“I still want to find people to join our party,” Eric said. “Can we leave at noon tomorrow? I’m going out with Bernard tonight.”
“We’re going out again?” Bernard asked.
Eric nodded then asked, “Don’t you want to come?”
“Been a long day,” Bernard said. “But we need a larger group.”
“I’m st
aying here to check out more of the books,” I said. “Maybe I’ll learn something useful for our quest on this level.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Eric said. “Don’t wait up for us.”
Bernard grinned before they both left the secret room.
I followed them out, but instead of going back downstairs, I headed to one of the rooms with books piled from the floor the ceiling.
Owning the temple or any property in the game would be nice, but I didn’t want to stick around to let Magi Inyontoo kill us more easily.
The books drew me deeper into the game.
5
Why Won’t Anyone Join Party?
Eric
Bernard and I headed to the seedier side of the city near the docks. Houses of ill repute and taverns lined a road that hugged the coast from one end of the city to the other. All of them appeared greasy and grimy.
“Where first?” Bernard asked as we walked down the middle of the street.
“I don’t know yet,” I said. “My skills in finding black market connections might come in handy.”
“Another rogue is the last thing we need,” he said.
“I agree, but I want someone not connected to Captain Riggardo.”
“That might be easier than you think,” he said. “Let’s stop in here.”
He stopped and pointed to a tavern called The Smirk & Hammer.
“You think we’ll find party members in there?” I asked.
He shrugged then said, “Maybe. If nothing else, I could go for a glass of mead.”
After stepping into the establishment, several heads turned toward us. I kept my head held high as I walked straight back to the long, wooden bar.
“Two meads,” I said, leaning against the seasoned wood.
A tall, thin man behind the bar looked down, saying nothing.
“What’s the matter?” I asked. “We’ve got money.”
I reached into my pouch for a few silver pieces then dropped them on the wood.
He swiped them up with a single fluid motion but didn’t move to get our drinks.
“That’s two meads,” I said, straightening up.
“We don’t serve your kind in here,” he said.
“Fine,” I snapped. “Give me the silver back.”
“I’ll keep it for your entrance fee,” the bartender said.
Bernard grabbed my arm.
“Stay calm,” he said. “We don’t want trouble over a few silver coins.”
I took a deep breath, staring into the bartender’s eyes.
“You better listen to your friend,” he said.
Not wanting trouble, I backed down and turned around. Most of the patrons had gone back to drinking and complaining about their lots in life.
“Over there,” I said, nodding my head to the corner. “That guy.”
“What about him?” Bernard asked.
“See the red stripe on his left shoulder?” I asked.
“Yeah.” Bernard nodded. “What about it?”
“He’s a smuggler,” I said. “Can’t you pick these guys out of a crowd? I think he might help us or find us someone who can help.”
“It’s worth a try,” Bernard said.
We strolled through the sea of tables to the corner. The disheveled man looked up as we reached him. His right lips twitched; stubble covered his jaw.
“Can I help you?” he asked.
“Yeah,” I said, tapping my shoulder. “We need your services.”
The grizzled man glanced around before motioning for us to sit at his table.
“Sit down,” he said.
Bernard and I sat down on the bench across from him.
“You do all your business here in the open?” I asked.
“I know the people who run Esterhollow,” he said. “No one’s going to bother us. What do you need? Can you pay? You two don’t look like you can pay.”
“We’re looking for men or women to join our quest,” I said.
The man snorted then shook his head.
“No one’s going to touch you guys,” he said. “Not after you killed that liger.”
“You know about that?” Bernard asked.
“I know everything that happens around here,” the man said. “With the liger’s curse all over you guys, no one’s going to travel with you. I’m surprised Captain Riggardo hasn’t run you out of town yet.”
“He actually rewarded us,” Bernard said. “We’ve taken over the Temple of Magictology.”
“I know that too,” the man said then leaned forward, elbows on the table. “The question I have is whether you’re mixed up with that cult. Are you?”
“Not at all,” Bernard said then smiled.
His charisma ring even had me liking him more.
“Where are you headed?” the man asked.
I glanced over at Bernard then back to the smuggler.
“That’s our concern, not yours,” I said.
“If the rumors about you are true, take my advice and ignore the stupid, ignorant dwarves,” the man said. “The realms will be better without them.”
Realms? Is he a player character too?
“We can pay well for your help,” I said.
“Or any leads to people who can assist us,” Bernard added.
The man leaned back, putting his massive hands behind his head.
“Best for you two to leave now,” he said.
I stood, looking down at him, and said, “Your loss.”
The grizzled smuggler laughed then went back to his drinking. Instead of leaving empty handed, I stepped up on the wooden bench at the table.
“We’re looking for a few good men,” I shouted. “Anyone brave enough to join us should come outside and talk.”
“Shut up, Gob-lover,” someone yelled from a dark corner.
The rest of the tavern erupted in laughter.
Bernard tugged at my arm.
“Let’s go,” he said. “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”
“A full share to anyone brave enough to join our party,” I continued. “Who’s with me?”
“Go back to Gob-town, you Gob-lover,” the heckler from before called out.
I hopped down to the floor.
“You should’ve let me make the pitch,” Bernard said.
I frowned. He was right.
One more try.
“No one’s brave enough to join us?” I asked. “Maybe everything I’ve heard about Esterhollow is true? I didn’t think so, but I’m not sure now.”
“What’ve you heard?” someone asked.
“That you’re all weak, lazy, and scared of battle,” I said.
“Bleak you, liger-killer.” A man in black chain mail stood near the back. “If you draw that sword, you’ll never live to use it again.”
“Come on,” Bernard said, tugging at my arm. “We should go.”
“Listen to your funny man-friend,” the smuggler said loudly.
Another round of laughter erupted throughout the tavern. I turned and walked with Bernard toward the front door. But before I reached it, someone tripped me.
I crashed to the floor, causing another eruption of laughter.
Bernard bent over and offered a hand.
“You okay?” he asked.
“I’m fine,” I said as I stood. “Hold this for me.”
After taking off my belt and sheath, I handed Bernard my sword.
“This isn’t a good idea,” he said.
“Maybe I’ll prove to someone we’re worthy adventurers,” I said. “And we’ll get some help. Nothing else seems to be working.”
“I doubt this will either,” he said.
Everyone in the tavern turned their eyes to me as I lifted my fists.
“Who wants some?” I asked.
“This is stupid,” Bernard said. “Let’s go.”
“I’ll fight you,” the man in black chain mail said.
He walked over as the others in the tavern cheered him on. When he reached me, I put my arms dow
n and waited.
“You think you’re tough, huh?” he asked.
“Not as tough as your mother,” I said.
He snarled and swung his arm back. The chain mail slowed him down enough for me to easily dodge out of the way. I grinned as I gave him a left hook to the face.
“You want more?” I asked, dancing away.
“Why you little…”
He charged forward like a bull. I nimbly danced aside, causing him to crash into a table full of people and send their drinks to the floor.
“What’s your problem?” a rough-looking man asked as he got to his feet.
“Get him!” another yelled.
The tavern erupted into a full-fledged fist-fight. Bernard grabbed my arm and pulled me outside. We hurried down the street, him half-dragging me.
“What’s your problem?” he asked as I laughed.
“That guy got to me,” I said. “What’s the big deal?”
“We have a quest, and we can’t go off starting fights we might lose, especially if they’re meaningless,” he said. “What’s wrong with you? Seriously…”
“My honor isn’t meaningless,” I said, pulling my arm away from his grasp.
“It’s not like anyone’s around for you to impress,” he said.
“You mean Sarah?”
He nodded as he adjusted the Amulet of the Party around his neck.
“It’s obvious you have a thing for her,” he said.
“And?”
“Well, you’re always acting like you need to impress her or something. Chill out, dude. Trust me. You’re way too needy. It’s not attractive.”
“Oh, you’ve been with a lot of women, have you?” I asked.
“I told you I was married to a fishmonger for many years,” he said.
“You weren’t lying about that?”
“Why would I lie?” He shook his head. “You’re something else, Eric.”
“Let’s not tell Sarah what happened, okay? I don’t need another lecture.”
“Maybe you do.” Bernard resumed walking. “You’ve got me wondering whether I should be in your party or not.”
“Seriously?” I asked, walking to catch up with him. “You’d leave our group?”
“Maybe,” he said. “There’s other players in the game. Once we get past level one-three, we’ll meet more of them.”