by Paul Bellow
“Believe me, I am,” Bernard said.
I saw the brownies whispering to each other.
What are they up to? I continued waiting.
“You can approach,” Drekmao said.
As we walked over, our new friend went to a nearby hobgoblin and took his sword. I instinctively gripped the hilt of my goblin blade.
Sarah stopped a few feet in front of the throne and bowed respectfully.
I stood up even straighter, leaning my head back a little.
“You’ve finally made it to our lands,” the Emperor said. “Humans and an elf, no less. Good job.”
“We made it,” I said. “And we’re here to help get rid of Magi Inyontoo.”
Emperor Harubi continued staring into my eyes. He gripped the arms of the throne as he sat back with a haughty attitude.
“You can spend the night here and leave in two of our finest carriages in the morning,” the Emperor said. “I wish you luck in your quest.”
“Thanks,” Sarah said. “Any help is appreciated.”
Drekmao looked past us to the doorway we’d come through.
“Bring it all in,” he said.
I turned and saw a few hobgoblins carrying our packs.
“Our equipment,” Bernard said.
They dropped it on the floor in front of us.
“I wasn’t able to retrieve the FAST sword...yet…” Drekmao said.
He walked forward and held out the hilt of the long sword he’d taken from the hobgoblin guard.
“This should be better than what you have currently,” he said.
“Don’t give away the whole kingdom,” the Emperor said.
I noticed how slurred his speech was this time.
The hobgoblin felt sturdy in my hand.
“Not bad,” I said, holding it up. “Thanks. Is this your surprise?”
“There’s more,” Drekmao said. “The Four Wizards need my help on a higher level. I need to go to them, but I’ve got one more surprise for you before I leave.”
He pulled a thick silver chain out of a pouch and held it aloft.
A sapphire the size of a grape hung down, glowing blue.
“This is the Amulet of the Party,” he said. “It’s rare, but you’ll need it for level one-two. Normal parties can only include up to six people, but this magic item will allow you to have a party of up to twelve people. It also allows anyone in your party to talk OOC without penalty. You’ll need as big of a group as you can get if you want to keep clearing levels.”
“We have a Staff of the Party,” Sarah said. “The Four Wizards gave it to me. Are we collecting a set of something?”
Drekmao grinned.
“The Four Wizards are fine and noble players,” he said. “But this will help you too. It’s not part of a set. At least not yet.”
He handed the amulet to Sarah. She slipped it over her head.
“Thanks,” she said. “You’ve been so helpful.”
I didn’t mention that we planned to get out after we finished our first quest. Was I deluding myself thinking we could escape?
Drekmao crossed his arms over his chest and smiled.
“When I heard about new players, I knew I wanted to meet and talk with you,” he said. “I paused a bit too long, maybe, but I wanted to see if you could make it this far on your own.”
A hobgoblin in long, red robes rushed into the throne room. He approached Emperor Harubi then bowed briefly.
“Mighty Emperor,” he said, struggling to breathe. “The gifts from Magi Inyontoo have arrived.”
I glanced from red-robes to the Emperor.
Had he betrayed us?
“That’s great,” Emperor Harubi said then clasped his hands together. “We’re at peace with Magictology, and everything will continue normally.”
Drekmao lowered his arms and stepped toward the throne.
“What are you talking about?” he asked. “What have you done?”
“I made a deal on my own,” the Emperor said. “You know I make the best deals in all the realms.”
Several hobgoblin guards appeared as the Emperor stood.
“Come with me,” he said. “We need to have a talk.”
Drekmao shook his head.
“I’m not working with Magi Inyontoo,” he said.
“You’re an idiot,” the Emperor said. “I rule this realm now thanks to him, and you’re nothing more than a silly guardian.”
The Emperor left the throne room with his guards.
Drekmao sighed then motioned for us to follow him.
“Come with me,” he said. “This won’t be good.”
We followed Drekmao as he left the way we’d come in. Outside the palace, I saw dozens of goblins ready for battle. They stood around two wagons covered with tarps.
One of the armored goblins stepped forward.
“Where is the Emperor?” he asked. “His gifts have arrived.”
“Go away,” Drekmao said. “We’ve got no interest in bargaining with your master.”
“Doesn’t matter,” the goblin said. “You’re in violation of our previous agreement by harboring known criminals.”
“We got this,” I said, drawing my new sword. “A bunch of measly goblins won’t be any problem for us to dispatch.”
“Hold on,” Drekmao said.
I walked forward.
The goblin who’d been talking turned.
“Now!” he shouted.
Two goblins pulled away the tarps, revealing a golem on the back of each wagon. One had been created with scraps of wood. The other was made from metal masks melded together.
Both jumped from the back of the wagons.
“Get the metal one,” I shouted as I ran forward.
I saw two flaming discs of lava strike the wood golem as I kept running. Bernard and Monde charged with weapons up.
When I reached my golem, I slashed the new sword.
Your slash INJURES the mask golem for 14 damage.
The mask golem HITS you for 9 damage.
You have [80/89] health remaining.
After it slammed me with a fist, one of the metal masks flew off and screamed through the air toward me. I dodged, barely getting out of the way as it buried itself in the wood of a nearby wagon. Before it could react, I ran forward and swung my sword.
Your slash MISSES the mask golem.
The mask golem HITS you for 9 damage.
You have [71/89] health remaining.
I stepped back, dizzy from the blow. The golem hit me again.
The mask golem HITS you for 8 damage.
You have [63/89] health remaining.
This is not going well.
I backed up.
“Bernard, some help please?” I yelled.
I glanced over and saw Evan stick the burning wood golem with his sword.
Drekmao came toward me, swinging his sword.
He moved the mask golem back, giving me a moment to think. The wood golem gave a final shriek before spraying a thousand splinters in every direction. A few of them stuck into my skin.
The wood golem’s splinters DECIMATE you for 31 damage.
You have [32/89] health remaining.
Ouch.
“I got you,” Bernard said, running over.
He waved his wand of healing.
You feel better!
You have [60/89] health remaining.
I glanced around the battlefield. Drekmao continued battling the mask golem while the brownies and Monde killed goblins.
“Check on Sarah,” I said. “She might need healed after that.”
“She’s fine,” Bernard said. “I saw her throw up a wall of earth to protect herself.”
“Good,” I said. “Let’s finish this mask golem.”
As Drekmao continued slashing with his glowing sword, I snuck around, hoping for an opportunity to stab it in the back. I crept forward, ready to strike, but the masks all flew apart. A swarm of metal discs rose toward the sky, blocking the sun.
“We’ve got to kill it,” he shouted.
The swarm of metal masks dove, all plowing into him one after the other. He fell to the ground, screaming in pain.
“Bernard, heal him,” I said as I ran forward.
The mask golem reformed its humanoid shape.
I reached it and slashed with my long sword.
Your slash INJURES the mask golem for 14 damage.
The mask golem’s slam HITS you for 8 damage.
The mask golem’s slam HITS you for 9 damage.
You have [43/89] health remaining.
I staggered back from the pure steel blows.
Drekmao popped up after Bernard healed him.
“Go for the head,” the hobgoblin shouted.
I charged and swung my sword again.
Your slash HITS the mask golem for 8 damage.
The mask golem’s slam GRAZES you for 7 damage.
The mask golem’s slam HITS you for 8 damage.
You have [28/89] health remaining.
“Die,” I screamed as I started to worry.
Bernard and Drekmao both hit the mask golem, killing it. As it broke apart and fell to the ground, I glanced around. The battle wasn’t over yet.
I scanned the courtyard. From what I could tell, we were winning the overall battle.
Dozens of dead goblins littered the ground.
Monde, Ewen, Evan, and Sarah stood by each other behind a mound of magic dirt near the main castle on the other side of the courtyard.
“Everyone okay?” I yelled.
“I’m out of magic,” Sarah said as she walked over. “But I’m fine.”
“Can I get healed?” Ewen asked as he held up his hand.
“Go help him,” I said to Bernard.
“I need to check on the Emperor,” Drekmao said.
As he walked away, I took a deep breath. We’d survived the ambush.
Then it hit me. Why hadn’t we gotten any experience points?
“Eric, watch out!” Sarah yelled.
I felt cold, hard steel plunge into my back.
The goblin rogue’s backstab MAULS you for 27 damage.
You have [1/89] health remaining.
WARNING: You are close to DEATH!
I fell to the ground.
“Nooooo,” Sarah yelled.
Her voice was the last thing I heard before losing consciousness.
23
Sometimes You Just Get Lucky
Sarah
* * *
As Eric fell, I unslung my bow and fired—something I hadn’t done since starting the game. To my surprise, the arrow flew true.
Critical HIT!
Your arrow MAULS the goblin rogue for 26 damage.
The goblin rogue is dead.
Combat is over!
You get 9,800 xp Divided by 6 party members
You get 1,633 xp
You have 25,657 experience points.
You need 9,343 xp for level 6 Wizard --> Warlock
I didn’t care about the xp notification or the epic kill as I rushed across the courtyard.
Was Eric alive or dead?
“Bernard,” I called out. “We need healing.”
“The wand is out of charges again,” he said. “Sorry.”
“He’s not very helpful,” Charlotte said.
“Quiet,” I hissed then asked. “Can anyone heal him?”
I looked around frantically.
Drekmao walked over and knelt beside Eric.
“Can you help him?” I asked.
“Yes,” he said as he laid both hands on Eric’s chest, closed his eyes, and lifted his head.
A blue light moved from his hands to the wound.
Eric sat up, a dazed look in his eyes.
“What happened?” he asked. “Am I poisoned again?”
I laughed, so glad he hadn’t died and turned into an NPC. The laugher quickly turned to tears as I kneeled beside him.
“Are you okay?” Eric asked.
“Yeah, but...”
My voice trailed off.
“I know,” he said.
“Can you keep helping us, Drekmao?” I looked up at him. “We could use your help finishing this quest and defeating Magi Inyontoo.”
Drekmao frowned and shook his head.
“I need to leave and help the Four Wizards,” he said. “Something isn’t right. You guys should leave for Chong Monastery right away.”
“We’ll leave now,” Eric said. “Camp tonight then be ready to take out Magi Inyontoo in the morning with a sneak attack.”
“And get rid of the pendant too,” I added. “Clearing this stupid level.”
The Amulet of the Party briefly glowed as I talked OOC.
I glanced at Bernard, the brownies, and Monde.
“Are you guys coming with us?” I asked.
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Bernard said.
“Good luck to all of you,” Drekmao said.
“Tell the Four Wizards hello for me,” I said.
“I will,” Drekmao said then headed to the door of the palace.
“We’ll rest and heal on the way to monastery,” Eric said. “Bernard, make sure you charge that healing wand this time.”
Bernard handed his wand of healing to me. I stuck in my staff to charge it up, shaking my head at the crazy hat-rack design.
“This will only give it a single charge for tomorrow,” I said. “But it’s better than nothing. I wonder if I’ll be able to ever improve the staff on my own. Or if we’ll meet the Four Wizards again.”
“We won’t be in the game that much longer,” Eric said. “But we need to give it our all while finishing this quest.”
“I’ve got a few healing potions left,” Evan said.
“That’s great,” I said. “Let’s pick out a carriage. Can we all fit in one?”
“I think so,” Eric said. “We want to get there quick and surprise him. It might be our only chance.”
“Says the rogue.” I smiled. “Just kidding.”
“Glad you’re smiling again,” he said.
“We should get going,” I said. “We’re so close to finishing.”
He nodded his head.
“Agreed,” he said. “Let’s go.”
We fit everyone in a single carriage. The gates of the castle opened without any problems as we neared them. I looked outside.
The world flew past quickly as we zoomed toward Chong Monastery.
Later that evening, Eric stopped.
“We’ll make camp here for the night,” he said. “According to the map I got from Drekmao, we’re about a mile away. I’ll take first watch.”
“Good,” I said as I fought to keep my eyelids open. “Wake me in the morning. That battle earlier took everything out of me.”
“Aren’t you going to eat dinner with us?” Bernard asked. “I’m going hunting. We need to keep our strength up.”
“Yeah,” Evan said. “I’m starving.”
“Sleep sounds better right now,” I said. “But save me some food. I’m going to sleep in the carriage. I’ll see everyone in the morning.”
I raised a hand then turned and walked away.
“Are you okay?” Charlotte asked.
“Yeah,” I said. “Why?”
“Never mind,” she said, surprising me.
I climbed into the carriage then laid down on a padded bench.
Why didn’t Emperor Harubi try to stop us from leaving? And more importantly, would he tell Magi Inyontoo we were coming?
“Drekmao is the more powerful of those two,” Charlotte said.
“Yeah…” I yawned then closed my eyes. “Get some sleep.”
My familiar stopped talking as I drifted off.
Evan woke me the next morning by peeking his head inside the carriage and yelling, “Are you up?”
I flinched when I opened my eyes and saw his grotesque smile.
“Yeah,” I said. �
��Thanks. Are you going back to sleep?”
The brownie rogue shook his head.
“I don’t sleep much,” he said. “Are you hungry? I can make breakfast.”
“That would be great,” I said. “Give me a few minutes to get up.”
“Sure thing,” he said then pulled his head out of the cabin.
I stretched while still laying on the bench.
“We’ve got food,” Evan said impatiently. “Let’s eat.”
I sat up and yawned, never getting enough sleep.
After opening the door, I climbed out of the carriage. The brownie bounced up and down like an excited puppy. I saw the others still sleeping around a fire as we walked over.
“What’s for breakfast?” I asked.
“Fish,” Evan exclaimed. “Your favorite.”
“Emphatically not my favorite,” I thought, but said, “Yum.”
“Why did you lie to him?” Charlotte asked.
“It’s a good lie. Don’t worry about it.”
“Fried up just like I like it,” Evan continued. “I mean, how you like it.”
His constant smile made it difficult to stay mad at him for long.
I sat down on the grass and crossed my legs. Charlotte crawled down to find some food of her own as Evan passed me a plate.
“Brain food,” I said as I scooped up a chunk.
“The best kind,” Evan said. “Natural.”
As I ate, Evan inched closer.
“Watch out for Charlotte,” I said then scooted in the opposite direction.
He butt-hopped over and slid an arm around me.
“I love you, Sarah. For real…”
“Hold on,” I said, standing up. “Josh is my boyfriend. Remember?”
“I thought you two were through,” Evan said, still smiling.
“We aren’t,” I said then walked back to the carriage.
The others woke as I leaned against our magic ride and ate my fish. I didn’t want to think about Josh or anything so early. With so much on the line, we needed to concentrate on finishing our quest.