by Paul Bellow
After waiting a few seconds, I followed him up.
Bernard had already gone inside and found the wine.
“Anyone thirsty after a long day of work?” he asked.
“I’ll take one,” I said. “Eric needs a stiff one.”
Bernard chuckled then finished pouring our drinks.
I sat down next to Eric on the leather couch. Bernard sat cross-legged on the floor, his back against one of the wooden walls.
“Sylvar is pretty cool,” he said.
Eric turned to Bernard.
“You really think he’s cool?” he asked.
Bernard nodded.
“Most likely a trapped PC…Ugh…” He sighed then added, “One more OOC penalty won’t kill me.”
“I’m glad you did it,” I said. “We need to talk about Sylvar. I want to find out more about him. Maybe he can help us.”
“Doubt it,” Eric said, leaning back and putting his hands behind his head.
“I do too,” Bernard said. “A lot of players say they know something about the game, but not many really do. I’m not even sure if I believe your dad worked on the game.”
Eric’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Really?” he asked. “Why do you say that?”
Bernard shrugged.
“Just a hunch,” he said.
“Eric lies about a lot of things,” I said. “But that’s not one of them.”
“He’s going to get us out of this game soon.” Eric sat back. “I know it.”
“That’s just a story that other players tell,” Bernard said.
He took a long drink of the dark red elven wine. I sipped mine.
“When’s your father supposed to be back in the real world?” Bernard asked.
I turned to Eric as he answered.
“No more than an hour or two,” he said.
Bernard nodded.
“Still, we don’t know the exact time-dilation code,” he said. “It could be weeks, months, or even years.”
“Don’t talk that way,” I said. “We need to stay positive.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Bernard said then lifted his glass.
“Cheers,” I said, lifting mine with a smile.
The more we drank, the less we talked about the game. It became more about the memories we’d accrued so far.
As Bernard started in on yet another story of his many years in the game, I fell asleep on the couch and curled up cozy. Sylvar appeared in my dreams, seducing me with words—my dream-self didn’t mind. He comforted me all night long.
I woke the next morning refreshed and ready to take on the game. We would find a way out. Eric was one of the smartest gamers I knew.
When I walked in the dining room, I saw the others sitting around the table. They looked up as I entered. Sylvar smiled, lifting my mood.
“Good morning,” he said. “I hope you slept well.”
“About as well as you would expect,” I replied.
Sylvar poured me a mug of coffee as I sat.
“Thanks,” I said then took a drink.
All good games have coffee, I thought.
“Games?” Charlotte asked. “What do you mean?”
“I’ll tell you later. Let me wake up.”
“Have you thought any more about letting me into your party?” Sylvar asked.
Eric glanced over at him, silently chewing on the pancake in his mouth.
“Not yet,” I said. “We drank a bit too much last night.”
“Again,” Eric said. “We need to focus on our quest.”
He took a drink of his coffee while watching me.
“You’re right,” I said. “After breakfast, we need to leave.”
“I’ll come with you either way,” Sylvar said. “But it’s been so long since I’ve been in an adventuring party, if you know what I mean.”
Was he hinting that he was a player character?
Eric backed his chair up then stood.
“I’m going to check on the horses.” He turned to Bernard. “Want to help me?”
“Sure, boss,” Bernard said. “I’m not as hungover today.”
I grabbed the last two elven pancakes and put them on a plate in front of me. Bernard and Eric left the tree house. Sylvar stared at me.
“You can go help them,” I said, chewing quickly.
“I love watching you.” He reached forward and brushed a strand of my hair back. “You remind me of someone.”
Because he probably wanted me to ask who, I stuffed my mouth with more pancake and ignored him. He continued smiling.
“I’m heading downstairs,” he said eventually. “I need to summon a horse.”
“Cool,” I said, covering my mouth as I chewed. “Be down in a few.”
After he left, I stood and glanced around the ranger’s tree fort.
Could we trust him as a member of our party?
None of his possessions told me otherwise. I grabbed my sack then climbed down the rope ladder.
Bernard and Eric stood next to their horses.
Sylvar had summoned an impressive black stallion.
“We can stock up on supplies in Talbot,” Sylvar said. “Everyone follow me.”
He led his horse down a path by the flowing stream. I waited for Bernard and Eric to fall in line behind him before bringing up the rear.
No one spoke as we walked through the early morning woods. The path gradually widened before breaking through the trees completely.
I saw Talbot about a mile away. Smoke from chimneys climbed into the sky in grey pillars. Eric led his horse over to me and stopped.
“Did you sleep okay?” he asked.
“Yeah,” I said. “Weird dreams as usual.”
He nodded.
“Someone’s coming this way,” Bernard said.
Eric and I turned toward Talbot. I saw four riders galloping toward us.
“Who are they?” Eric asked while drawing his scimitar.
“I don’t know yet,” Sylvar said. “Probably friendly.”
Bernard got out his mace while watching the riders.
They slowed as they approached, finally stopping within earshot.
“What do you want?” Eric asked, confronting the situation head on.
I readied myself to cast a spell at a moment’s notice. Two armor clad men—a man in red mage robes, and a shaved head monk dismounted.
“We’re here for the tree troll blood,” the mage in red said.
“Under whose authority?” Eric asked.
Was that Rizzo the Red—the player who had tried to kill me?
Bernard and Eric stepped forward. Sylvar drew his bow.
“Magi Inyontoo, the greatest man in all the lands,” the mage answered.
Eric laughed.
“What’s so funny?” Rizzo asked, sounding annoyed.
“You need to go back to Magi Inyontoo and tell him we’re coming for him,” Eric said. “You should leave now before you get hurt.”
“Hurt really bad,” Bernard added.
Sylvar notched an arrow.
My heart beat faster.
“You guys know he’s the most powerful player character, right?” The mage pointed a finger at us. “Kill them all in the name of Magictology.”
Bernard and Eric rushed toward the two warriors heading our way. Their monk and Rizzo the Red held back.
When the mage started casting a spell, I cast.
My Snares of Dust went off quickly followed by Cloud of Marvelous Sound.
You have [68/104] mana remaining.
The Snares of Dust stopped the red mage from casting while the Cloud of Marvelous Sound hit their monk full force.
Sylvar shot three arrows, narrowly missing Eric instead of hitting the other warriors.
Probably just an accident.
Bernard and Eric reached the warriors and engaged them right away. The clang of steel rang out in the air.
I looked toward the mage.
“Give up, and we won’t hurt you,”
he yelled.
How had he dispelled my Snares of Dust so easily?
“Never give up and never surrender,” Sylvar yelled.
Where have I heard that before?
“Keep your mind on the battle,” Charlotte chided.
Six Golden Bolts whizzed toward me, all hitting directly.
Six Golden Bolts HIT you for 10 damage.
You have [14/24] health remaining.
I screamed in pain. Sylvar rushed over.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Keep firing,” I shouted.
“You don’t have a chance,” Rizzo taunted. “Magictology forever.”
“Screw your stupid cult,” I shouted.
“Don’t let your emotions overcome you,” Charlotte said.
I hated to admit it, but she was right.
“Time to call for some help,” Sylvar said.
He lifted a brass horn to his mouth and blew. The sound sailed through the air—easily heard a mile or more away.
I turned to the woods.
Several squirrels, a raccoon, and two wolves walked out of the trees; all of them ran toward the warriors fighting the rogues.
“Watch out!” I yelled.
The red mage got off another spell, hitting Eric with Golden Bolts. I prepared to cast again as the animals reached the melee.
Creatures big and small tore into their two fighters, looking for pieces of flesh without armor to bite.
Bernard and Eric kept fighting.
I turned to the red mage and let loose seven Flaming Discs of Lava.
Your Flaming Discs of Lava DECIMATES Rizzo the Red for 36 damage.
You have [33/104] mana remaining.
The red mage dropped to the ground and rolled, putting out the fire. Sylvar shot another arrow at the monk, hitting him in the upper arm.
“Retreat!” Rizzo the Red yelled. “They’re too powerful.”
I thought about sending another volley of Flaming Discs of Lava in their direction, but I held off in case something else happened.
Bernard and Eric both got in a few more hits before the two warriors turned and fled toward their horses. I looked to Eric for direction.
“We should go after them,” Sylvar said, surprising me.
Bernard and Eric walked over, both breathing heavily.
“He’s right,” Eric said. “We should probably chase them down.”
I shook my head, not convinced.
“We’re not doing great ourselves,” I said. “My mana is almost gone for the day, and you two don’t look too good either.”
“Just a flesh wound,” Bernard said.
Eric chuckled.
“I agree with Kali,” Sylvar said. “We should spend another night here and rest up. The journey south to High Keep can wait one more day.”
“We should vote,” Eric said. “We can heal and rest on the journey.”
“Monde is here,” a high-pitched voice said from the woods.
Everyone turned as a female gnome dressed in armor emerged. She obviously hadn’t bathed in days. The stench worsened as she wobbled toward us.
“Hold,” Eric said, raising his sword.
“Wait,” Sylvar said. “Monde is a friend, not an enemy.”
“How do you know her?” I asked.
Monde stopped next to Sylvar. He put an arm around her shoulder.
“I’ve been keeping her safe…” He grimaced and stopped talking. “I can’t say anymore right now.”
“You can’t say, or you won’t?” Eric asked.
Bernard put his hand on Eric’s arm.
“Settle down,” he said. “She seems harmless.”
“Monde no harmless,” the gnome said.
“I can’t say anymore,” Sylvar snapped.
“Monde come to warn about bad men.”
“You’re a little late,” Eric said.
The gnome warrior paid him no attention.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“Monde fine,” she replied.
Sylvar patted her on the head.
They’ve certainly got some colorful NPCs in this game.
“We should go rest up,” Sylvar said. “In the tavern.”
“Sounds good to me,” Bernard said.
“We’ve been drinking and celebrating too much,” Eric said. “We don’t even have anything to celebrate.”
“Don’t be so negative,” I said. “We’ve had a rough time. One more day of rest won’t kill us.”
He shook his head.
“Maybe we’ll get lucky and those idiots who attacked us will come back,” Bernard said as he put away his mace. “I’d like one more crack at them.”
“They might’ve gone to get reinforcements,” Eric said.
Sylvar shook his head.
“I doubt it,” he said.
“Can we please stay one more day?” I asked. “We need to heal and rest anyway. It’ll be good for us.”
Eric took a deep breath.
“Fine,” he said. “But let’s stay sober, okay?”
“What’s that?” Bernard asked, and I stifled a giggle.
“Outstanding,” Sylvar said with his usual flourish. “To the tavern.”
“You guys go ahead,” Eric said. “I need to clear my mind and think.”
If he wanted me to object or stay with him—he was mistaken.
“Okay,” I said. “We’ll catch up with you later.”
He nodded his head then turned and walked toward the forest.
Sylvar held out his arm, and I wrapped mine around his, feeling so fine.
Bernard and Monde, our new companion, followed us to Talbot.
When we entered, all the patrons called out, “Sylvar!”
I smiled, wanting even more to invite him into our party.
We sat down.
One drink led to another as they usually do.
Later that evening, with the tavern spinning, I realized Sylvar and I were alone. A dozen of empty glasses—some knocked over, littered the table.
“Where’d everyone go?” I asked, glancing around the empty tavern.
“It’s late,” Sylvar said. “But we’re having fun, right?”
“Yeah…”
I grinned as I nodded my head.
“Most fun I’ve had in a long time,” I said.
“One more round before we hit the road?” Sylvar asked.
His sexy sylvan smile could get me to do anything.
“Yeah,” I said. “That would be wonderful.”
“I don’t understand why your friend Drex is in such a hurry,” he said as he poured more mead. “Life without laughter or fun isn’t worth living.”
“Exactly,” I agreed as I picked up the mug.
“To life,” Sylvar said, lifting his.
“And all the good things,” I said then took a drink.
The warm, flat brew tasted of apples. I loved the buzz more than the taste.
I set it down then reached over and put my hand on Sylvar’s arm.
“You’re the best,” I said.
He smiled, displaying perfect teeth.
“Better than that Drex guy?” he asked.
I nodded, causing the room to spin faster.
“Be careful,” Charlotte said. “I don’t trust Sylvar.”
“Don’t bother me. I’m having fun.”
“But Kali I’m worried about you.”
“You sound like Eric. Leave me alone.”
“Where is Drex, anyway?” I asked.
I spun around and instantly regretted the move.
“Careful,” Sylvar said. “You’ve had a bit too much.”
“I can hold my mead,” I said. “Don’t worry about me.”
“We’re better off without him,” Sylvar said. “He doesn’t like to party or have any fun. You could do so much better than him.”
I laughed.
“You think we’re a couple?” I asked.
He tilted his head to the side.
“You’re not
?” he asked.
“An elven maiden never tells,” I said.
Sylvar stared into my eyes. I looked away.
“We should go find the others,” I said. “To check on them.”
“I know exactly where to look.” He stood. “Let me show you.”
He reached out his hand to help me out of my chair.
“I’ve got it,” I said, scooting it backward.
When I stood, I almost fell to the floor.
The room spun even more.
“Are there two Sylvar’s now?”
“Kali, I told you not to drink so much,” Charlotte said.
“Enough,” I snapped, forgetting to keep it a thought.
Sylvar glanced at me but said nothing.
“You ready to go?” I asked.
He curtsied and waved a hand toward the entrance.
“Lead the way, m’lady,” he said.
We walked out of the tavern considerably less sober than we’d entered. The cool evening air hit my face. I glanced around, not seeing anyone.
“This way,” Sylvar said, shuffling down the dirt path.
Where’s he going?
Sylvar offered his hand again, and I took it in mine. He led me out of town.
Are we going the right way? Is he taking me somewhere else?
“We’re having a good time, aren’t we?” he asked.
I nodded, not remembering our surroundings.
“Yeah,” I said. “Are you taking me somewhere special?”
“I’m taking you somewhere very special,” he said in a creepy voice.
He squeezed my hand tightly. I pulled mine away.
“That hurt,” I said, backing up.
He stepped forward and reached for me.
“That’s enough,” Eric said from behind Sylvar.
I smiled as he stepped out of the shadows.
“Where are you taking her?” Eric asked.
“Back to the tree house,” he said.
“You’re going the wrong way, buddy.”
Sylvar glanced around innocently.
“I think you’re right,” he said. “All that mead got to me.”
“Me too,” I said then giggled and stumbled.
Eric rushed over then put his arm around me.
“My hero,” I muttered—my speech slurred.
“We need to get you in bed,” he said.
“So tired,” I said. “We should go. And Monde too. Was she real or did I imagine her?”
I giggled again at the insanity of everything in the game.