by Dawn Chapman
I soothed them with my words and calmed them. They were seriously upset. In the process, I discovered both the Action Animal Handling and the Advantage Animal Kinship.
I mean anything could come out of the woods at them. Why wasn’t this guy in some kind of wagon train where the horses could be put in the middle?
I moved back to the wagon and found a length of rope. I returned to the horses. One at a time, I moved them from the wagon and over to a tree.
I discovered Knotting in the process of securing them to the tree. These notifications were getting a little out of hand. I wondered if I could turn them off or only look them over once a day or something.
It was well within my line of sight. I guess that was all I could do. I was following his instructions, after all.
Then I glanced to where his body lay and noticed him moving once more. When I looked at him, his health had improved slightly, but he couldn’t push himself up. I ran over and offered him my assistance.
Ping! “You discovered the action Lifting!”
This man weighed a lot, and I couldn’t pick him up fully. He had to help me with his own weight.
Once he was on his feet, I watched as the blood dripped down his nose. His head wound was deep. I’d have to do better once he was inside.
One step at a time, we moved, and I struggled to hold him upright when he wobbled, but with some luck, I managed to get him to the wagon. Then I realised, getting him inside it would be even worse. I was going to have to lift him. Or make something to lift him up.
He pointed to the left side. “Pull the lever.”
I moved to follow his instructions and pulled the lever. There was a clunk, and with a hiss, as if the back of the wagon was full of air, it lowered to the ground. “I thought this was some kind of fantasy?” I questioned aloud, but no one answered. With a slight step up and a helping hand, he was inside and sitting on one of the boxes. “There’s a bed if you pull that lever there.”
I was worried about this for just a moment but realised he really needed to be on a bed—no matter how uncomfortable it made me feel.
Once he was on the bed, he reached for his bag and pulled out a glowing green phial. “You’ll need to feed the horses and give each of them half of this. There is seed in the tubs hanging behind you.”
Most of the stuff inside this wagon I hadn’t seen on my first pass. I watched as it doubled in size before me. Weirdest thing I ever did see.
I picked up the buckets with the seed, added in half the mixture to each, and then took it out to the tree line.
Waiting as the horses both ate their dinner, I then took a few steps back to look at them from this side. It was only when I turned around and walked away that I then heard their breathing and whinnying vanish. When I looked back, there were no horses to be seen.
I took a step back towards them and bumped right bang into the side of one. Almost knocking me over, yet I still didn’t see anything. I reached out and touched the warm fur. With a smile, I now knew how they would survive the night outside.
I looked up at the darkening sky. “Woman!” the man’s voice called out. “Get in here now!”
I started to run back to the wagon but hesitated at his attitude. Then I heard a bellow behind me.
The road seemed to warp beneath my feet, and I struggled to get a decent grip on it. I hadn’t even noticed the clothes or shoes they gave me in the starter pack. Or anything else about my person. Oh crap! I saw something behind me—a shadow.
That red splotch flashed in front of my eyes with a black one in it.
I had no idea what was happening to me, but I felt the drain on my energy. Running caused a debilitation, lack of stamina. I’d really have to build this one up.
When my foot hit the bottom of the wagon, and I saw the injured man pull a panel out of the wall and hit it, the wagon shook beneath me. Turning around, I noticed something launch itself at the back of the wagon. There was something out there, something big. It was as if some kind of shield exploded around us, because this creature slammed into it, with an eerie bellow. I fell backwards as I saw its teeth gnashing at nothing, its bright red eyes glaring directly at me.
“What the hell is that?” I asked as I scooted towards the sides of the bed.
I looked up at the man, his eyes wide. “I’ve never seen one so big.” He actually placed a hand on my shoulder. “It’s a Creviok. Half man, half monster.”
I tried to get closer to the bed, but couldn’t. The horrid thing kept screaming outside the shielding, gnashing its teeth at us, its eyes fixated. Right here and now, I decided my first port of call was defence. There were creatures in this world that were very dangerous, and I needed to be able to ward them off—or kill them. That thought alone really bothered me. I’d never killed anything before.
The man squeezed my shoulder. “Thank you for helping me. I was sure I was a goner. No one else would have stopped to aid a worker.”
Awarded — One Karma Point
That same golden star flew at my chest, musical chimes sounded in my head, and golden sparkles appeared around the edge of my vision. I felt woozy like I’d been drinking, but it cleared fast.
I placed my hand on his and managed to move away to stand back up. “I couldn’t leave you,” I motioned to his head. “It was my fault your wagon was damaged.”
He tried to smile at me, but it was more a grimace still. “No, it wasn’t. I should have been home a few hours ago. I was pushing it, the horses running faster than they ever had. The accident is on me. Not you.”
The blood dripped from his wound. “Do you have a medical kit or anything I can stitch you up with?”
“Not really. I’m not a healer. It was something I was going to buy on this runout. Seems I’ve come unstuck and needed it now, rather than later.”
I wanted to laugh. The situation seemed so absurd. “Something I would have done,” I said. “Plan to buy the kit then need it desperately the day before.”
I was surprised when he laughed a little his eyes lighting up.
“Some water and fresh cloth?” I asked.
He pointed to a wooden crate. “In there should be enough.”
I pulled out a small barrel of water and a fresh towel. Then I moved back to him. This time it was my turn to place a hand on his shoulder. “Lie back for me.”
He laughed again. “Pretty half-elf like you in my wagon, and I don’t even know your name...”
I moved the pillow a little for him and replied, “Akillia, Akillia Dunn.”
“Ferris Jovah,” he said. “Nice to meet you.”
I poured water on the fresh cloth and then removed the other from the top of his head. “I’ll place this on the open cut, and then wrap another around your head.”
Ferris winced only the once while I did this and then he settled back down.
I noticed several things flick across my view—Elven Empathy, Healer’s Touch. But I didn’t give it a thought. I’d have time later I was sure of it.
I sipped from the water canister.
Ping! “You have discovered the action Recovery!”
I noticed the splotch go to zero and then disappear.
Finally, I felt better after all that running. I helped Ferris drink some. “There are food rations in my bag. We could both do with something to eat, and then I’d suggest you use the earplugs in there and try to rest.”
“Really don’t think I’m going to rest now, but I probably will try later.”
I watched as he ate his snack, and then he closed his eyes. Probably better that he did sleep. However, the creature lurking around and screaming outside was really bothering me. I popped in the earplugs but could still sense the creature was there.
Finally, I turned to look inside myself and glanced over the right side of my vision. When I concentrated, the pop-ups came into better view.
I whizzed through them quickly. They were system notifications about what I’d spent the last few hours doing. I remembered the Tutorial God t
elling me about the Tongue Click interface for access to my character and skills sheets. Jane had also said that this was important for me to watch over, that I needed to familiarise myself with who I was, who I could become, and what I wanted from this game.
I still didn’t understand it, but now, looking at what made me who I was as a starter character, I knew I needed to build on this and build on it a lot.
Chapter 7
Ferris moaned quite a bit in his sleep. I moved from the floor to sit beside him and trickle water into his mouth. He accepted it, though he wasn’t actually aware of it.
I noticed the scars crossing the side of his neck and wanted to see how extensive they were. This man, who I knew nothing about, had my attention. Like a nurse, I wanted him to get better, and then I looked outside.
The creature now sat on its haunches, still taller than I ever would be, and it stared right at me. I could only hope it couldn’t see me and was just looking into nothing. I did feel it was more intelligent than just a dumb creature.
I watched it as it then decided to move away. It had given up and obviously wanted to go seek better, easier prey. I hoped it wouldn’t go anywhere near the horses. And luckily enough, it didn’t.
Finally lying down on the floor beside the bed, I managed to let the night drift by. Had I fallen asleep? More than likely, but my dreams slash nightmares were plagued with images of Andy and my sister.
I awoke, somehow in the bed, sweating and screaming. Ferris rushed to me. Concern spread across his bandaged forehead, but when he looked into my eyes, he saw the anger, and he backed off.
“You needed somewhere soft, so I picked you up and put you to bed.” He turned to the back of the wagon again, and I smelled the wonderful aroma of something cooking. My belly rumbled, and I noticed the splotch was back with a two in it.
That feeling after I’d been running returned. Foggy headed and tired. Were the hunger settings turned up like pain was? Pain hurts flashed through my head again, and I shook the thought away quickly. Debilitation meant many things, and to keep healthy and feeling good, I had to keep my debilitations low.
“You hungry?”
I nodded and moved to the edge of the bed. “How are you feeling?”
“Better,” he said. “Not so much of a headache.”
“I’m glad. I was worried for a while there.”
He smiled and plated up the food, bringing it over so I could eat. As soon as I started eating, my debilitation disappeared quickly.
“That creature stayed around for quite some time.” I chomped on something that tasted delicious, kind of like bacon. “Are they out every night?”
He nodded, sipping from a flask of water. “Yes, when you’re not in the safety of blessed grounds, they are ripe within the woods and roadsides. Seems wagons attract them more than anything does, and those who trust their wards are powerful enough seem to always pay the price.”
“Would they have eaten me?” I asked though I didn’t really want to know the truth.
“No,” he said. “Worse. They want women for terrible things. If he’d got a hold of you, it would not have meant a quick death.”
I shuddered. The thought that they wanted women for unspeakable reasons haunted me. I’d seen the prostitutes on our city streets. I’d never knocked them for their jobs, but to have it forced on you or beaten and forced— No. I didn’t want to be here if this was going to happen. I’d have pushed that log out hours ago. But I was safer now since I was inside.
“Then I thank you for allowing me inside here for the night.”
“You saved the horses and me. It’s not a problem.”
He watched as I continued to eat, then he asked cautiously, “What were you doing on the road?”
I didn’t really know how to answer him. He wouldn’t understand that I was a player, would he? He was an NPC, after all. At least, I thought he was. How was I going to tell the difference…?
“I’m a traveller,” I said. “I was looking for a new place to start a life. I lost my footing, fell over weak. I hadn’t much with me and didn’t find enough to survive.”
Ping! “You discovered the action Storytelling!”
This pop-up made me feel guilty. I wasn’t used to lying to anyone.
“Ahh, I see. So, you’re looking for work as well then?”
I nodded. “Do you have something I can do to earn my way?”
“If you don’t mind some grafting and working with the horses. Sure, I could do with a new hand.” He grinned. “I’ll pay you room and board till you get more settled around town.”
I held out my hand, and he accepted a shake.
The pop-up screen to my right said, “You’ve accepted a job offer, working with Ferris’s horses for room and board.”
I was glad I had a plan—for a while, at least.
“We’ll need to get the load to town this morning, though.” He motioned to the boxes around him. “If you’ll get the horses and tie them back to the wagon, I’ll clean up.”
I stood, smoothing out the slight rags I wore. He noticed. “And I’ll have to get you some better clothes to wear if you’re going to represent me.”
I frowned. “Sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it. Just don’t want everyone thinking you’re some kind of slave I’ve picked up.” I felt the frown that graced my face, and he laughed. “You’re not a slave, Akillia.”
“Good, or that bump on your head might not be the only one.”
Ferris winked at me and opened the back door. I watched as he pulled the handle that I’d used last night to make the shield. I didn’t see anything flicker or change, but there was a slight humming I hadn’t noticed before that stopped.
Interesting. I’d have to pay more attention to that and learn as much as I could about the tech on this wagon. It wasn’t all magical, potions, and wards. There was something in the wagon that had helped him. As I thought that, I got a ping that I had discovered the Advantage Curiosity. Wait, this game could read our thoughts? How else would it know I was curious? This thought troubled me.
I stepped out into the road once more, and I could see the horses ahead of me, a brown one with white feet and a grey speckled one with white mane and tail. They were munching on the grass at the edge of the forest. I approached cooing and making sure that they saw me since they didn’t know or trust me yet.
I forgot to see if Ferris had an apple or something for the horses to eat. That was a must for any creature in the morning. The brown one was first over to me, nosing into me and the other one followed quite easily. “At least I know who’s boss here,” I whispered as I untied him and moved the two of them back to the front of the wagon.
Ferris had the wagon jacked up and a new wheel on by the time I returned. “That was fast.”
“I am not hanging around. I know those creatures aren’t about during the day, but it doesn’t mean there are no other predators that might come sniffing by.”
I looked back out to the treeline, certain I could see something horrid lurking.
Tacking the horses back to the wagon was much harder now. As in all things, it’s easier to remove something than put them on. Ferris came to help me, easily pulling the belts loose, slipping them in, and tightening them back up. I watched his expert hands, albeit worn ones, and smiled.
“Thank you.”
“My pleasure. I’ll show you everything when we get to town. Once you’ve got the grasp of looking after these two, it will be easy.”
“What are their names?” I asked.
“The dun’s called Trigger.” He smiled. “His mate the mare’s called Amber.”
I knew I’d grinned. “How lovely.”
Ferris jumped up into a sitting position and picked up the main reins, asking the horses to “Trot on.” They obliged, and soon, the wagon was rumbling away from me. “Better get up here quick,” he shouted. I ran after, hooking my foot on the step and throwing my weight up and into the seat.
I was much nimbler th
is morning, even after sleeping most of the night on the hard floor. I wasn’t sure why, but I knew I really wanted to put more energy into Endurance. Hopefully, then I could add some Advantages that worked better for my species. I wanted to be fast, faster than anyone else could be. I still wasn’t spending my Karma though. I needed more intel.
The time it took us to get closer to town wasn’t long. I was quite upset for Ferris that he’d happened upon me in the road so close to home. He would’ve probably made it if it hadn’t been for the little mishap, but then I wouldn’t have a pass and a job, so I totally had to believe things happen for a reason.
“What’s the town’s name?” I asked.
“Meridian,” he replied. “It’s a new settlement, from one of the main cities, an offshoot because the trail to the next town is a few days in length. No good getting caught out when you could have a safe place. There was a need for it, so the Mayor ordered a new place to be sought. It’s growing, but in a good way.”
The outline of buildings came into view, and I saw the hustle and bustle of the people as they milled around. Ferris slowed the horses, and they walked through the gateway to the village. I admired the stone built walls and the wooden and thatched roofs. They looked like they’d stand great winds or battles. Very well created, and it seemed to be new. Not much wear and tear on them.
There was a small moat, and a large metal gate the guards let up as soon as they saw the horses. “How do they know it’s a safe person to let in?”
Ferris smiled. “They know the horses and the wagon. I’ve been coming in here for the last few months bringing them supplies for their building works.”
“Does it pay well, the travelling?”
“Well enough to keep my horses fed and my hobbies sorted.”
That piqued my interest. “What kind of hobby?”
“This wagon’s not a normal one. You’ve seen that, right?”
I had to smile, I had no idea what a normal wagon in this land was like, but I’d expected it to be a fantasy world, not to have sci-fi tech, as well. This made it a little more up my street as a virtual game. I was very interested in learning about this kind of thing. “I’d like you to show me how all this works too,” I said. “If you don’t mind.”