by Paul Bellow
"You should send us away," Sarah said, still staring into the hobgoblin's eyes.
"Get out of here before I change my mind," the guard said.
The goblin squire cocked his head to the side and looked up at the guard.
"Let's go," I said, walking away.
When we made it out of ear-shot, I turned to Sarah.
"Did you just do what I think you did?"
"New spell," she said then smiled.
"Maybe this will be easier than we thought," I said.
Bernard shook his head as we walked north toward the other edge of the island.
"You don't think so?" I asked.
"I'm just saying, the more important thing is that the goblins are amassing a new army to fight Esterhollow."
"Yeah..."
I frowned.
"Should we go back and warn them?" he asked.
"No, we need to finish this quest."
"I agree," Sarah said. "We're too close to get sidetracked."
"And if we take out Magi Inyontoo and the Cursed Pendant of Visions, who's to say things don't get better throughout the realm."
Bernard nodded.
We continued walking toward the north end of the island. The only map we had of the Forbidden Kingdom had been provided by the four mages, and it wasn't the greatest.
I knew we had to cross two islands before going to a bigger island, but beyond that we were flying blind. Once we got closer, the game would probably give us clues.
At least that was how most games worked. If I'd learned anything from Tower of Gates, it was that the game wasn't like any others I'd ever played.
▧▨▧▧▨▧▧▨▨▧▨▧▨▧▧▨▧▧▨▨▧▨
Later that evening, after walking all day, we arrived at a half-dozen brick buildings.
"Are we staying here for the night?" Bernard asked.
"Yeah, I'm tired," Sarah said.
I shook my head.
"We should cross tonight. If that spell you cast on the guard wears off or something, I want to to be as far away as possible."
"You're right," she said, surprising me.
"Let me barter for the cost of the ferry across the channel. I need to practice my skill, and we don't have a lot of copper pieces with us."
"Do your thing," Sarah said.
"And remember to keep the magic to a minimum, okay? We don't want to draw attention to ourselves."
"I just hope no one casts dispel magic and blows our cover."
"We need to be ready for anything. It's time we smartened up."
"Like not running to harvest giant bee hives?" Sarah asked.
"Come on," I said. "Let's go."
We walked three abreast into the town. The brick road was well maintained, almost better quality than we'd seen in Mednia and Westwood. Had they hired gnomes to do the work?
Three of the buildings we passed were barracks. Goblins and hobgoblins both were everywhere. Near the water's edge, I saw a dock jutting out into the murky water.
I quickened my pace and walked ahead of the other two. My hobgoblin appearance and armor would help us get a good rate on crossing the channel in a hurry.
At the end of the wooden dock, I stopped and looked around.
"No one's here," I said as I turned to the other two.
"We should just steal the barge and cross," Bernard said.
"No," Sarah said. "We're already on the path to evil."
"I was just kidding."
"Let's head back and see if we can find someone," I said.
We walked down the dock. Before we reached the end, a drunken goblin stumbled toward us.
"Hey-ho, hey-ho, the nasty humans have got to go," he said, slurring all his words.
"Are you the ferry captain?" I asked.
The goblin looked up and stopped a few feet away.
"Who's asking?"
"Me," I said.
"And who are you?"
The one who slayed Snargao, I thought.
"No one important, but we're willing to pay for passage."
"You'll pay alright," he said then stumbled forward. "Follow me."
"Can he get us across?" Sarah whispered.
"I heard that," he called over his shoulder. "If you know of another ferry, go take it."
"No," I said, following him. "We want the best, and that's you from what I've heard."
The goblin laughed.
"You're a slick one from the cities of humans, aren't you?"
Had the illusion worn off early?
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"You're trying to charm me," he said. "I get it."
"No, no, not at all." I stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder. "Stories of your service are known all over the realm."
He laughed then shook his head.
"You're full of it, but I'll take you. I'm surprised they didn't recruit you into the new army."
"We're on a special mission," Sarah said.
I shot her a nasty look.
"Oh?" the goblin turned to look at her. "What mission?"
"It's none of your business," I said. "We're under orders."
"From Magi Inyontoo? He's the one calling all the shots now."
"Yes," I said. "He sent us to scout the human lands for the next attack."
"No charge for the service, then." The goblin stepped onto his barge. "Name's Gizgar."
"Good to meet you, Giznar."
I didn't give him our names because we hadn't thought up goblin names before we left. Yet another mistake. How had we survived so long in the game?
Giznar watched as we stepped aboard his barge. He belched long and loud before pushing off from the docks. We floated out into the channel.
"What are you waiting for?" he asked. "Get to rowing."
He pointed to a pile of wooden oars in the center of the barge.
We were tired from walking all day, but we sat on benches and rowed the barge further out into the water. I saw the faint lights from a city in the distance.
As we got closer to the other side, a few buildings came into view. I could barely see them in the darkness, but the lights went up a few stories.
I glanced over at Sarah on the other side of the barge. She raised her eyebrows and smiled as if to say, "This is not fun." We both looked away.
After a few more minutes of rowing, I noticed the city slipping further to the south. Had we gotten off-course somehow? I looked up front and saw Giznar asleep.
"Hey," I called out. "Aren't you supposed to be guiding us?"
When he didn't stir, I stopped rowing and walked over to him.
"Is he okay?" Sarah asked.
"Bernard, get to the other side and keep rowing. We need to correct our course."
"Sure thing," he said.
I stood down and tapped Giznar on the side of his head. He didn't move.
"You okay, buddy?" I asked, shaking his arm.
I checked his pulse. Still alive.
"He's passed out drunk," I said as I turned to the others.
"Really? He didn't look that drunk."
I shrugged my shoulders. So much about the game made little sense. Was that the point?
"We'll tie his barge up at the docks once we get across," I said.
"I hope we find somewhere good to sleep," Sarah said. "I'm so tired."
"Let me take that. You go guide us up front."
"Are you sure?" she asked.
I nodded.
"Yeah, I got it."
She stood then moved to the front of the long, flat barge.
I sat down and picked up the oar. The rest of the way, I stared at Sarah as she stood next to Giznar's sleeping body. None of us did much talking.
When we reached the other side of the channel, I saw several docks.
"To the left," Sarah said. "I see a spot we can dock."
We tied the barge up then left a pile of thirty copper pieces next to Giznar.
Doing the right thing matters!
+5 Alignment
You are now -20 (Breaking Bad)
"Finally," Sarah said.
Bernard nodded.
"We're on the right path," he said.
"Let's go find a room for the night," I said. "Tomorrow, we can find passage to the west."
"I wonder why that guard called Changtao the slums," Sarah said.
"Well, I've never been in the Forbidden Kingdom," Bernard said. "Your guess is as good as mine."
At the end of the dock, we reached a wide cobblestone street. Three-story buildings were everywhere we looked. Everything looked fresh and new which was odd for what I knew about goblins.
We walked two blocks, stopping outside The Prancing Man. I looked at the other two. Everyone looked tired.
"This look okay to you two?" I asked.
Sarah yawned.
"If they have beds, I don't care."
"Hopefully they have something open," I said as I opened the front door.
Inside, we were greeted by a well-lit room full of hobgoblins. All of them turned to check us out as we entered. I once again felt like our illusion had faded without us knowing.
They all went back to their business as we walked across the room toward a long bar on the far side. I sat down on a stool. Sarah and Bernard took seats on either side of me.
A well-endowed female goblin wandered over and smiled. Tattoos covered her hairless head.
"Can I help you three?" she asked.
"We're looking for a room," I said.
"Just one? We don't rent 'em by the hour."
"Yes, just one," Sarah said. "We have little money."
"Why do you let your servant talk for you?" the barkeep asked.
I tilted my head to the side as I stared at her.
"Sorry," Sarah said as she elbowed me.
Oh, yeah. I'm the hobgoblin. They must have some sort of pecking order.
"They'll be punished," I said. "And you will too if you don't hurry and get us a room."
I tossed a handful of copper coins onto the bar.
"Will that cover it?"
She glanced down at the half-dozen coins. A smile spread over her face.
"More than enough."
"Can you make sure we're not disturbed? We'll be leaving early in the morning."
"Not a problem." She scooped up the coins. "The rooms are upstairs on the third floor. You're in number thirteen. We serve breakfast in the morning around sunup."
"Great," I said then turned to the other two. "Let's go, grunts."
The barkeep laughed. Sarah rolled her pretty goblin eyes but turned around.
We walked past a few tables full of hobgoblins enjoying food and drink.
A few of them stared at us, but no one said anything. I breathed a sigh of relief when we reached the other side of the room.
Upstairs, we found number thirteen. I opened the door and waited for the other two to go inside. After they did, I followed, closing the door behind me.
"Wow," Sarah said as she looked around. "This is nice."
"Nicer than I thought it would be," I said.
"Maybe I should've spent the last twenty years in the Forbidden Kingdom," Bernard said.
"The past is the past. We're here now and getting closer to finishing this quest."
"Uh oh," Sarah said.
I turned to her.
"What?"
"There's only two beds. Looks like you two are sharing."
"You two are the lowly goblins," I said then grinned.
"Don't start," Sarah said. "I'm too tired."
"Yeah," Bernard added. "Goblins are people too. Or something."
I shook my head. Amidst all the danger and excitement, we were bonding as group. Maybe we had a chance of clearing the first level of the Tower of Gates.
()xxxx[:::: Chapter 38 ::::>
We Should Probably Leave Now
SARAH
In the morning, I woke without a sense of dread for the first time in a while. Maybe it was because we were on our way to finish the first quest. The reason didn't matter.
"Good morning, Kali," Charlotte said.
She crawled down my arm.
"Morning," I said. "Where are the other two?"
"They left an hour ago. You stayed up too late studying."
"Yeah, I guess I did. Get ready, I'm about to stretch."
Charlotte scurried up my arm to my shoulder as I reached for the ceiling. Outside our third-story window, I saw the city in all its glory. While impressive at night, it looked even better by the light of day.
"You should eat," Charlotte said.
"Good idea. Then we'll go find the boys."
"They're men, not boys, Kali. I don't understand."
I grinned as I walked across our room.
"Don't worry about it."
"Okay, Kali. I love you."
What an adorable spider.
I headed downstairs. They had fine cuisine, much better than I'd expected with all the bad things we'd heard about goblins in our travels.
As I ate bacon and eggs with a big glass of milk, I thought about the game. While I'd wanted to try it, I never thought we would get stuck in the Tower of Gates.
Eric kept insisting he knew nothing about it, but I had my doubts. After we'd split apart in high school, I found it more difficult to understand him and his actions.
Hobgoblins at the table next to mine were talking about the new army they were raising. I listened in while doing my best to appear unconcerned with their conversation.
"Once our dear leader convinces that mage to do our bidding, we'll be set," one said.
"The humans and others will never know what hit them," the other replied.
Both chuckled, sending a shiver down my spine.
Say nothing out loud here, Charlotte.
"I know, Kali. As I said, I'm getting smarter. Like you and the others."
What do you mean?
"You've made bad decisions that put us in unnecessary danger."
If you had all the details, you would understand, but you don't.
"You can tell me, Kali. I'll do my best to understand."
The artificial intelligence likely running my familiar in the game would not understand what to think if I mentioned we were trapped inside a game. I wondered if she understood our OOC chatter.
Not now, Charlotte. Maybe later, okay? We need to go get the boys...I mean men.
I finished my meal quickly then stood. A hobgoblin turned to face me.
"Doesn't it feel good to act civilized like a hobgoblin?"
"Yes, sir," I said, not wanting to cause any trouble.
"We should go, Kali."
I'm trying, Charlotte.
"You and your kind have a place in the new world. Don't you worry."
I bowed then turned and went to the bar to pay for my meal.
"Do you know where my companions went?" I asked the lady who took my copper.
She shook her head.
"Do you know how many guests we have here? Besides, it's hard to tell you goblins apart."
Another racist hobgoblin, I thought as I lowered my head.
"Sorry. I'll go now."
"That would be best," the woman said.
I turned and hurried out of the great room of the inn. Outside, the sun beat down. Where would I go if I were Eric? Did he and Bernard do something stupid?
As if in answer to my internal question, I heard a ruckus a few streets over. Voices were chanting, cheering and jeering all at the same time.
"Let's go investigate, Charlotte," I said.
I headed toward the noise, soon finding a large crowd of goblins and hobgoblins in a central square. One of the former group stood on the edge of a water fountain.
"This is our time. No more will we be downtrodden," he yelled.
I scanned the crowd, spotting Eric and Bernard near the front. They better not say anything, I thought as I walked over to them. Bernard saw me approaching and waved with a smile.
Eric shook his head, getting worked up. Why i
s he being so stupid in this game? Doesn't he realize this is an incognito mission? What is he thinking? Or is he thinking at all?
I reached them and tugged on his shoulder. He turned and asked, "What?"
"Me? What are you doing?"
"Listening to this joker."
"Yeah, but we're trying to fly under the radar, remember?"
He tilted his head and stared into my eyes.
"I know, but...His words...They're getting to me."
"Don't let them," I said.
I gripped my staff more tightly. We had taken the wands out after they fully charged, but that only made it look more impressive and less silly.
"The game is doing it," Bernard said. "It works against you."
"What are you talking about?" Eric asked.
"Yeah," I said. "The game works against us?"
"It's hard to explain," Bernard said.
"Hey, these three are speaking in some strange language," a nearby goblin said as he pointed at us. "I think they're spies or something."
The crowd moved away, encircling us, as the hobgoblin who had been speaking looked in our direction.
"What is that language you speak?" he demanded.
Oh, great. This will not go over well.
"It's nothing," I called out. "We made up our own language."
"You better keep your goblin servants in check," the hobgoblin said to Eric.
"Excuse me?" Eric asked as he stepped forward.
"You heard me," the hobgoblin said.
Eric turned.
"If I don't stand up to him, they’ll know something is wrong with us," he whispered.
"No, Eric. It's the game. Stop."
He didn't listen, turning back to the hobgoblin who had been working up the crowd.
"You're out here rabble-rousing, but have you fought the humans or elves?" Eric asked.
The crowd, all silent, turned to the hobgoblin who had been speaking.
"Well, no, but..."
"But nothing," Eric continued. "My servants and I have come from the lands of the humans.
I passed my staff to Bernard and cast Charm of Thought. The forty-mana drain would hurt, but I had to do something before Eric of the game got us killed so close to finishing the quest.
My spell went off without a hitch, and the hobgoblin up on the fountain looked directly at me. I took a deep breath before launching into my spiel.
"Goblins rule," I said.