'What now?' Carlena had caught up with me at the solar of the keep, where I sat glumly on the throne. Once again, she had ushered all the servants out before speaking to me. Her face, usually pale and thoughtful, was flushed.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRBhApTYSt
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'Can you find other quests for me?'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu52lyml3mr
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohQhGh65mJ
The Sorceress shook her head, silver hair swinging to emphasise the negative response. 'I no longer think questing is wise. I… we can't risk further aggravating the people. Already, they hate you. If they also thought you were not the legitimate king, that would be extremely dangerous. It seems that Carlos did all the introductory quests. If you were able to repeat them, well, the people aren't stupid.' After a moment she sighed. 'We are going to have to risk battle.'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tA41mpDDT
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOM8ptqowU
'Risk?'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS93Npy1uUy
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRj8H4EVaN
'You could die.'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡou5cPuJbSo
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcye0T2i1M
Neither of us spoke. For my part, I was thinking back to my gaming experience. Obviously, when it wasn't real, I'd taken risks and died many times as a result. No biggie. Here, it seemed, the PCs didn't respawn. First of all I confirmed that. 'No one returns after death?'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWEfSGZWzl
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqK1lwEP1KN
'As a vampire?'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZghwvpv9ck
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'No, as themselves, just back at a spawn point like this keep, but without their gear.'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJVlVm6zKQ
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9R1qp7HmP2
With a somewhat feline look of contempt, Carlena said, 'what a strange world you have come from. No, of course not.'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCozDd4wcG
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJhJRyJgFW
I didn't bother to correct her. 'Can you change my shape, so that I can fit in armour?'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1i9cGhFFAi
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXHeUcIstL
'I don't have the Polymorph spell; there's my Potion of Transformation which would last for eight minutes.' There was a reluctance in her answer.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLg9cWmZG6H
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'Could I turn into a dragon with that?'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGXtdh46DS
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'A creature approximating your current size, sire. But we should save that for emergencies, such as a critical battle.'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJEm9uIRG3
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'True.'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcffLS99p33
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Her comment about the potion reminded me of the other magic items that were in possession of the PCs of the kingdom. I checked under the town menu, people sub-menu and looked at the items again. Lord Arval had Shield of Defence +1; Trueblade +2; and Ring of Strength +1 which could all be of use. His Potion of Haste sounded good too, but that clearly had to be saved for war. Chancellor Parrin owned a Dagger +1; leather jerkin +1; Ring of Silent Movement. Nice too. Unfortunately, both were away just now or I would have borrowed those items.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgwzCycp6t
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'Sire?'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0CrJMCiuI
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I blinked away the menus. 'Yes?'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnaXGaz6FD
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I suggest we obtain the services of the Cleric at the Church of Miya, for healing, and then the three of us go towards Mount Djace. There are monsters and dangerous wild animals for you to fight there, not too far from the city walls.'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx38Oj4CPzO
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'Not too likely to kill me?'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xpEjj8TNz
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There was no trace of a smile on Carlena's face. 'I don't think so. I have Freeze as one of my spells and if necessary, will destroy any challenge too hard for you with Fire Darts.'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjd5bCDcG8
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJl5hkjK3J
'Right so.' I felt more cheerful. If Carlena and the Cleric could power level me for the rest of this afternoon, then with the borrowed magic items I could hope to steam along later in the week.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh88qXW8UYN
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZbSEc7P13
We parted ways: me to the armoury in the keep; her to change to her travelling clothes, as she put it.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzn6WUwtvQ4
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUmkjSN04I
There were no pieces of armour that could fit me. And in any case, I needed to travel light. This body wouldn't go more than a couple of miles without being exhausted. I selected a simple rapier, mainly for its sharp point, and a light wooden shield. Then, at the last moment I had an inspiration. If Carlena could freeze mobs, I needed missile weapons. So I took a bow and a quiver of arrows.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQu9ZkKWmq
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYpzoYzJxN
Carlena equipped for action was quite a different woman to the one I'd seen around the town. Gone was the long hair for a start, it was gathered at the back of her head and tied up very tightly, with a blue headband to keep stray hairs from her eyes. Instead of the robes that had earlier swayed around her with a certain aristocratic grace, she now wore high leather boots, leggings and a sand-coloured waistcoat over a dark brown blouse. Two bandoliers of small purses criss-crossed her chest and back, while another belt at her waist also had several pouches. In addition had a backpack that seemed half full.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVF9xPGPrzM
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOScFEgcfF
After looking me over, the Sorceress simply nodded. 'Sire, you need water.'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPX8Yvn7hbJ
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHum3n0wF14
Already feeling encumbered – not in the sense of any game penalty, just with the clutter of my gear – I felt even more so when we finally left the keep, having ordered servants to bring me an empty backpack and a large skin of water.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIaQRcDfGH
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytys6nVJnH
There was no need for Carlena to discreetly guide me to the church, a tall wooden spire acted as my route marker. As we walked, I checked the timers on all my projects, so that I could react promptly as soon as they were complete. Figus was out on a trade negotiation, time to complete unknown. Chancellor Parrin, similarly, was scouting with an unknown completion time. There were four hours to go until the smithy used up the iron I'd assigned this morning, at which point I would have twenty-four more steel pickaxes for the miners. Three days and six hours remained on my Shipbuilding 1 research countdown; exactly one day on the hunting lodge 3; and, from the military menu, just over two days for tower machicolations. As far as planning the kingdom went, I just had to allocate the new pickaxes when they were ready and I was good until the morning, when I would have at least 3 – hopefully 4 – iron ingots to assign.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6aNOApC7i
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Although the spire of the church stood out above the low roofs of the shops and houses of the town, the building itself was a simple wooden hexagon shape. It was more roof than room. Each of the six sides had a window that was simply a circular hole in the wall. Since we were experiencing a mild, if dull, day (late summer perhaps?) it wasn't uncomfortable, but surely winter assemblies here would be cold? The décor consisted of carvings in the wooden walls, some of them quite impressive interlacing. If there was a message, it was probably about fertility, given all the flowers and plants that were depicted.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCEOaQlucQ
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCt0WrAO6u
Looking through the town menu and buildings submenu, I found the church.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkFFwT3M8H
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Church level 1423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2h1KU9BRy
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Priest: Cleric level 1423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCjlGPfPiC
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Benefits: heals one person per day of minor wounds (cannot cure diseases, heal victims of poison or remove magical curses). Increases town Happiness by 1.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqXZIfcPb9
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Well, that was interesting. It made me ambitious to have a high level church building, one that could heal a full range of injuries and improve the town's Happiness considerably. But then, probably every building had its uses. I needed to read up on them all.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4vZ0tXYsi
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrU0paU8eq6
The Cleric was a female, her dress a simple tunic, but with a wreath of vine holding back her hair from a plain and nervous-looking face.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOie03YykbG
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'Sire?'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHBbzHlR6l
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuvheXVC9J
'Come with us. I need you to assist while I fight.'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFkHSlcB6Y
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEjEFNid1l
'Get your armour,' added Carlena.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWLgUO2gK2
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I took a seat. The bench was too narrow for my body, but at least it faced directly into the wide space in the centre of the church and I could stretch my legs out and keep my balance. While we waited for the Cleric to put her fighting gear on, I asked Carlena about how magic worked. The short version was that spell casters had a mana bar that depleted according to the level of the spell they cast. It sounded familiar enough, although as she talked I got the impression that mana came back so slowly that she rarely cast more than four spells a day, which was stricter than most games I was used to.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnk055PcQF2
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZautQ2krXL
With every level up, Carlena gained the capacity to cast a new spell and a new spell for her spell book. You assigned a spell from the book to a place on what was effectively a UI (she said a set of runes appeared at the edge of her vision) and in theory, you had to make a choice each morning as to which spells to acquire for your UI. In Carlena's case there was no choice because she had only nine spells for her nine slots.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPshe10Kq0
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvcEeYCh5o
'I believe it is possible for you to research many more spells for me. Also for me to find scrolls and other spell books from expeditions and quests. Carlos never told me he could do it; he didn't trust me enough.'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAToDwK733B
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWmkNYwdt8
'Let me see if spells are in the town research menu.' There was indeed a sub-menu for spells: it seemed that you researched a spell by level and class and got a random result. This menu, however, was all greyed out and would only be available when Carrick had a scriptorium. I told her so.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDIYAy4yI4
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6ZvgE8N3B
'What are you building now?' she asked.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5267Xtriu
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'Hunting lodge three. Which is only a two-day build, whereas a scriptorium level one would take three days. What's the logic here, do you know? What makes some buildings longer than others?'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoGaNGyKSj
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOQeK6PKrV
Although it was obvious that Carlena didn't have a ready answer, she seemed reluctant to admit it and after a moment said, 'materials, importance, lots of factors. A scriptorium, even level one, could lift us into the first rank of kingdoms. Magic is key to winning battles. If you discovered Fireball for me, for example, that would make all the difference.'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1YCkVyB8p
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGL0g8KjgQ
'I don't know. If the people are starving, that's us defeated before we even get to battle. I have to solve that first.'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZYzoIIRlL
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWXUZqSTVl
'We. We have to solve this. You are not really king, Sean de Courcy. Remember that.'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjX191ZetX
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbdSA0zjqQ
Something about her tone made me look carefully at the sorceress. What could I see in her face and those extraordinary indigo eyes? Determination, authority and… ambition perhaps. Given that she needed me to access the menus for the realm, I had nothing to fear from her, did I? This was, however, a new universe, I reminded myself and I should take nothing for granted.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VLRod3O0h
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DtuAlgdJp
At last our Cleric returned, looking completely different. Now she was wearing a chainmail suit of armour that included a coif, so she was glittering iron from head to toe. In one hand was a fierce-looking mace, in the other a shield and there was a pack on her back.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8m6J4pQvOG
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2kuc6RR7l
Carlena stood up, adjusting her headband. 'Good, let's go. We might manage two hours of hunting before sunset.'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBG1kO1q17X
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5yjO51Zfc
Walking out of the west gate of the castle, the journey was a dull and tiring affair. I could no longer talk candidly to Carlena and learn more about the rules of the world; we had to stay in character. While I could call down menus, I was self-conscious about that too, given it involved arm gestures. Perhaps, though the Cleric was used to the king waving in the air.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15DMzrKsRR
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAs6rTfCzT
About an hour into the journey, I began to falter. My thighs were sore from chaffing against each other and my shoulders ached from carrying the sword and the shield. It helped that Carlena had ordered the Cleric to carry my bow and quiver.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vEIErj50q
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCunXoRn2Jl
I was curious about the Cleric; what manner of person was she? What was her name even? But quite apart from the fact I needed every breath for the walk, I didn't ask. It wouldn't be true to the old King Carlos.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTr21t4boO
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQsMbjjIxL
After what felt like ten miles, but was probably only two, we were on gorse-covered, sloping ground that led up to a skyline of rounded hills. Nearby, a lively-sounding stream ran through the gorse and wild grass.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNJhIUki2r
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBUmgvriaN
'Ready?' asked Carlena, eyes on the slopes.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1cOAqkwS7
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMebssI6Wwa
'Wait. Let me get my breath. Tell me the plan.'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUWMn4NaPD
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8jWBhBs8z
'I flush something out and bring it here, you kill it. If I have to cast Freeze use your bow.'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWCVJMYLpy
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctJB05LtJA
After a couple of minutes I stood up. 'Right so.' I took my bow from the cleric and put it on the ground at my feet, the quiver of arrows alongside it. Then I gripped my rapier in my left hand and hefted my shield in the right.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lM7qqT2Al
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2QVQPp32h
Just behind me was the Cleric, a glance showed her looking determined: in her right hand was her mace but her left was touching a circle of bronze that rested on her chest, hanging from a necklace. I gave her a nod, which I hoped was encouraging, but she just looked away fearfully.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpcgb996Xl
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'Here!'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUInmkioB2E
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1ZD5OtV11
Carlena was hurrying back towards me, with a brown creature chasing her that looked somewhat like a small ostrich or a baby tyrannosaurus. It was sprinting on two legs in an impressively fast waddle, its head swaying on a thin neck with the weight of a sharp-looking beak. It was feathered, but unlike an ostrich had two small arms with claws.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDOv3nKUFC
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFRSnVbUN7
Feet thumping on the path, Carlena swept past me and I launched into the monster. Or at least I tried. Instead of being able to adjust my feet and bring my rapier point between me and the creature, I stumbled slightly and the creature was inside my reach, landing a vicious whack onto my ribs on the left hand side with that chisel-like beak. The stone-hard bone tore through my tunic and when the beak pulled back, blood should have sprayed everywhere.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxnjygNLct
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2zo3y6QN1
Good news. The pain was mild, nothing like that of a real wound. And there was no blood, no exposed ribs, only a patch of red.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8RLqidD7S
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Bad news.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVS0tzlrOy
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You have been hit by a Ciatern for 6 points of damage!423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9OsxxuI9O
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CrN3JfIfr
'Freeze!'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOGZQ4lvRT
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I staggered back, just before the monster lashed into me again. With a screech of outrage, the Ciatern – as I'd just learned it was called – strained its utmost to finish me off but trashed impotently with its two feet fastened to the ground.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHl99XJy1B8
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflhuatinsX
'Quickly!' shouted Carlena.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCQuJgXjIr
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Shaking lose my shield and dropping the rapier, I gathered up the bow and grabbed an arrow, only to pull it back too far and somehow get the point jammed into the frame of the bow. My low Dexterity was really punishing me. From behind came the reassuring sounds of the cleric chanting.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3i7VgVD9TA
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Finally, I got the arrow set properly, but when I released the bowstring, the arrow shattered on a rock well wide of the monster.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VJ1h0zoFY
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJR02MYEwm
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfjz0fMLbW
You have unlocked the Wield Shortbow proficiency423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbWULXJhDw
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELBEMth8m7
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That was progress at least.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtoPKPwpda
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My next shot went wide and high.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KfWyy6TH0
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You have become better at Wield Shortbow: 1423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElDQ9TKqMe
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423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwT8Fi4A4Wv
For the third shot I really concentrated. I took my time, drew the arrow well, held my breath to steady my aim and fired. Miss again! It'd gotten closer but the arrow flew past to the right.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaeXBfs4wD
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrIdqRlpsZ
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You have become better at Wield Shortbow: 2423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97LCp3NyyF
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0A6QNMWwf
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjXptKVia4
A heal landed.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFC1moRklGy
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You have been healed of 5 points of damage.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSD0fgQ8fH
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'Last chance,' said Carlena.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91E8g3MD1f
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I missed.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QJ580tMFT
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnhVPPB9B1
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnHkEZcv88
You have become better at Wield Shortbow proficiency: 3423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zsIu2huBV
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKWWnECOHR
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkwAPxVVDU
The screeching monster broke free and leapt at me again and I had nothing but the bow to interpose between me and that swift-moving, sharp beak.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWracwY7OJp
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnM88OMmbFp
A flurry of orange darts smacked into the creature, knocking it over, smoke trails rising from the twitching body.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKM7WPsQzo
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8Z5hPW4Dd
'Not the start we hoped for,' I muttered apologetically. It had been years since I had played a low level tank. I'd forgotten how weak they were.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UXvqET9ZS
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBpmzrsiuh
'We all have to start somewhere, sire,' said Carlena. 'Unfortunately, that's nearly half my mana gone.'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKToUmH3jd6
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'And all of mine,' reported the Cleric.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekonmZAMG7
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'All?'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3B3NMNmSM8
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nTr0vJwif
'Sorry sire.'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUFDIwWJYR
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyDPY0jFoR
Damn me, but this world was harsh. A day's mana on a 5 hit point heal. Admittedly, she was only a first level Cleric, but still.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMx9lbsuwGN
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjp6EAYaMF
'Want to try again?' I asked, 'at least my shortbow skill went up a few times.'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CzagUt6Xl
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKsRruNV5Y
'Oh, did it?' Carlena looked at me with a quizzical expression, but she had a question she didn't voice it, perhaps holding back because of the presence of the Cleric.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRL5S3m1f5
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMMGwe6FoF
The Cleric went forward off the path and it took me a moment to realise she was looking for my arrows. That was a good idea and picking up my rapier and shield just in case, I went after the one that had gone high.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvz6yPOdz0H
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5Sp3O3GOf
There were several large boulders in the landscape and one of them had been close to where the arrow had travelled, so I used it as a landmark. As I was looking at it though, I had a sense that something had moved, some shadow in the wrong place.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYddljsIVj
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSysicGfo5
'Carlena, Cleric, come here quick!'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkWKu76jPM
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNgGh47Jdr
Maybe it was my royal authority or maybe the urgency in my voice but both ran over at once.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAPmqzbCtE
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfW4bfUHovj
'I think there is something at that rock.'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwhowDo9Ol
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5uPSPNKB8
'Stay here… sire, please. Cleric, you circle to the right.' With that the Sorceress began moving to see around the back of the boulder by walking to my left, keeping her distance. Her hands, I noticed, were picking items out of her pouches. Did spells require components? It looked like it.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqALEf72Xk
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLsBH6IZ7B
Before either the Cleric or Carlena had taken twenty steps a man in leather armour sprinted away from the rock.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoIVC3N8Vm
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHZojRPENv
'Freeze!'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjcggkkcpO
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubHVS4aVHo
I was already running at him, as fast as my heavy body would go, which was a frustratingly slow waddle. Still, I was in a good position this time. Twist and turn as he might, the man's feet were locked on the ground and I could line up my rapier point with his back. As I did so, a green box flickered into existence, then out as the blade moved on.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfE1echi5tm
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1kWehmV3u
By pointing the weapon precisely, I could get the target box to stay and I gave a mental command, go! Lunge! Activate! It wasn't the word, but the intent that seemed to work and suddenly I jerked forward and stabbed hard into the man's spine.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgsLJGuTV4
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvSeafGIQK
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpgt7TbXE3
You have hit a rogue for 7 hit points.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WqIxJM9aQ
You have unlocked the Wield Rapier proficiency.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhQvdCwsQE
You cannot become better at Lunge.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgqXT9fTgA
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwOCxOrtKk
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHerCC6for4
The Cleric was beside me, mace raised.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4W0I2MHDsn
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1L3F5pvp0
'Spare me! Spare me and I'll help you.' The man was pale and faltering. I'd probably wounded him half to death.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0txeHPvQMv
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILAAyHjdVC
'Who are you?'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0waOFEYWD
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oE7SKZBZ3
'I'm a scout for King Wace.'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeHFq9RZlY
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyih7cW9By
'Of Southway?'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetDhfvyLSv
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGETVqme9j
'Aye.'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLrm6rbgvh
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThLW3EtLha
'Kill him,' said Carlena, heartlessly. 'You need to level.'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ggy6BPl3I
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbQvnQ7EyL
She was right and moving myself and the rapier until I could manifest the green box again, I triggered Lunge.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbztNhV8MKU
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmMHIyBclD
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4loGyfNwKJ
You have hit a Rogue for 4 hit points.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0Gg8tLVrX
You have killed a Rogue!423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIjYHAAElW
You cannot become better at Lunge.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVcjo7IWas
You have become better at Wield Rapier: 1423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOwlI3Y9xj
You have gained 35 Experience.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqwKqsq7fg
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwstsj4rF2Y
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYLPOsPH7K
Pretty good. I was most of the way to Level 2.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWmUkdVrfM
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYMWjPiV7L
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUyeyJcuTQ
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKLWZ6boG4
'Should we hide the body?' I wondered aloud.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy5RwVmz7D
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo72qPrCu2o
Carlena answered. 'Leave it for the monsters. There won't be a trace of it by tomorrow.'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtc4BzALzk3
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnviI3RiE4
'What next?'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyFabZHPJ1
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7g8px3Sya8
'I have one more Freeze left and it seems that you have a useful attack with your sword. If I freeze something, you can get behind it and deal your damage that way, rather than try to use the bow.'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJlUJHKNlK
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XNQZcAehC
'I agree.' And I did feel confident about this strategy. It was only a shame that Carlena was so short of mana, because I reckoned we'd now discovered a way I could grinding up several levels: Freeze and me Lunge from behind.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVZRo98YgB
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZtmxnGcd3
The Sorceress stooped by the body of the Rogue and came up with the dagger in her hand, then tossed it and caught it. 'This will do to attract attention.' With that she moved slowly through the heather, but again, it was me who saw a movement. A possible target, another Ciatern. I gave a low whistle and pointed.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehk4gQEBVQ
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDv0AYYA5bf
Without responding, Carlena walked towards the monster until she was about twenty yards away. The creature looked up. Neither moved until Carlena flung the dagger. The spinning blade missed, but it galvanised the Ciatern into a dash towards her. There was something comical about the way it ran but nothing at all humorous about the hammer head and sharp beak.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRvy2jcrce
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiVBP2waKN
'Freeze!'423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqs9IDrJIqZ
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eRCBFA19Z
Again, that awful screeching began and I had to hurry closer to it, cleric at my side, and skirt around until I could line up my lunge at the creature's back.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVHV271o6L
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrehVXMcukJ
It was a surprisingly long fight and I was getting anxious about the timer on Freeze when the mob finally died, after my fifth hit. With a delicious golden rush of light, I got the message I had been anticipating: I had levelled up!423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡad9at4dX8i
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfci6YyYsG
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KD28GydH8
You have hit a Ciatern for 6 hit points.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuBfTyxn1O
You have killed a Ciatern!423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyW6bnpthY
You cannot become better at Lunge.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5BHgBeZoz
You have become better at Wield Rapier: 5423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEit1cZcKN
You have gained 75 Experience.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2s5zL9Sx0
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfSSMWMw1q
You have gained a level! Your hit points are restored and your timers on skills and feats have reset. Please view your character sheet for other benefits.423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7M6OnMgBnU
423Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6Fv30VM1W
This was more like it. I was delighted with myself. Yes, there was still a mountain to climb, but at least I was properly on the path now.
