'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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyavLScNZn
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lgyDmN0VC
'Can you find other quests for me?'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpc47McC6mj
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62l7jus11t
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.'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡED02HNSPwe
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlBQrEF7VL
'Risk?'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoX6sBjaMtR
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIdmRT0GcE
'You could die.'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf17zYTVcu2
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4D9ECxIzYE
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?'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDy64eIPEW
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oBwD3a9lG
'As a vampire?'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43DPY6VgJp
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JQ6M37B9T
'No, as themselves, just back at a spawn point like this keep, but without their gear.'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYhU7gNTLI
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyngxzlvfl
With a somewhat feline look of contempt, Carlena said, 'what a strange world you have come from. No, of course not.'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfMuoyLC07
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eOlRrKz3H
I didn't bother to correct her. 'Can you change my shape, so that I can fit in armour?'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOYTDjGUg9
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoHmHvMzys
'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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHYwdUjTo9
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiOKp1KgVI
'Could I turn into a dragon with that?'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbaljbrf8F
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4I09xZTX6
'A creature approximating your current size, sire. But we should save that for emergencies, such as a critical battle.'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15aYObvjI2
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02r0vk13Yw
'True.'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhRh0di5u0
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbc8NbJ8kP
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKWnjG4URS
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjPi4VcrOf
'Sire?'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7jlKV8wIB
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZUTVbJIip
I blinked away the menus. 'Yes?'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkpIpBM8Np
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfAB5zto7a
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.'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Tkv2HpjXG
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qFJ61ta5z
'Not too likely to kill me?'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IrS3wFgum
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfC5dpeQUT
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.'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeih4XEKuk
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1PMgOEX0m
'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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQGnFKm1Ek
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVouxug2SC
We parted ways: me to the armoury in the keep; her to change to her travelling clothes, as she put it.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFOg2z1zeQ
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32RVYjuKgY
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYoJmrmxfQ
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvH1z63uyr
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkgFsILpDK
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEVKvH4aXO
After looking me over, the Sorceress simply nodded. 'Sire, you need water.'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXtHiV77An
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4LRhUFqwF
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJQyolEC8P
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEIWBcmecL
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1AbDfYsCZ
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNupLbXU5C
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNkcjHT9Z1
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJf9seyi43
Looking through the town menu and buildings submenu, I found the church.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHO2OGEJCJI
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuXDPlKp9u
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzieb2Cxasj
Church level 1373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKrmb4k7ck
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQze8NevkY7
Priest: Cleric level 1373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmlRbBRn6t
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MJQHkLzQV
Benefits: heals one person per day of minor wounds (cannot cure diseases, heal victims of poison or remove magical curses). Increases town Happiness by 1.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZatkLIDYaJ
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjawdkK3e89
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcgbjyelPi
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfA3ChZFMg
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXj0YUAfPlR
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ62utQzWwi
'Sire?'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ172rRHSfl8
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIhyBbCcXg
'Come with us. I need you to assist while I fight.'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9iGDa53Nu
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOSTsroUfw
'Get your armour,' added Carlena.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1k3ETEQX67
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI02EhyIvWH
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnfjGoeESA
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡef1aH7GAup
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPIQddFDxg
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhC8gYzNp0
'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.'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtwb2RrE8g
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGFSvxgoRp
'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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdnnFmhP6r
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjDs69hxhA
'What are you building now?' she asked.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPtKbekhJQ
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCt1uSbyWx4
'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?'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LsQ8k8THR
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2l3Weva6T
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.'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6bJba67ml
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9KjBLSvoL
'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.'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0HKQmUYaL
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSCmne3Ukc
'We. We have to solve this. You are not really king, Sean de Courcy. Remember that.'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MHNwMWBjB
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HTq41Gyf6
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPG8mEUcbYz
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHc8ddaVi3
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLe3XZFQlao
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePw3uCAhyz
Carlena stood up, adjusting her headband. 'Good, let's go. We might manage two hours of hunting before sunset.'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2qB1Zs3zO
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZQsnjX51N
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgzDwzgQTd
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzrPfOvyJ7
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhT1HxBrQs
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TkHpyN3Zh
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGdLeXESi4
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WFrL9WhJS
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0elLMpwi7
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLWaO07XMA
'Ready?' asked Carlena, eyes on the slopes.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisFYjMfsTZ
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnqdzxffz6
'Wait. Let me get my breath. Tell me the plan.'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDvXqZc3O8
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZaofAOnvZ
'I flush something out and bring it here, you kill it. If I have to cast Freeze use your bow.'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrfI8Cp7ea
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQil3Gmn5Ti
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16y3NEPEWI
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMMGns2M6t
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsIorhOpKs
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIxfM6eD9U
'Here!'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9Um429AUk
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFfM5d2YBq
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZw0EL3YjHf
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBVLQ3OP57
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2mJhPeqUO
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTvegamAwY
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxwwZT1HuU
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhWdjk1ZDH
Bad news.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzIOLJtWsR
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVa6ukLlxWW
You have been hit by a Ciatern for 6 points of damage!373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLp25eyWCzh
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFAFmcBgXR
'Freeze!'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nHtzouE4a
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnSYQJpN7A
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKolhdEz6IJ
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BU3kKGiG0
'Quickly!' shouted Carlena.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBDOPiuQIf
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLxlxC2BM9
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqoA1yQXre
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUxqsthA4M
Finally, I got the arrow set properly, but when I released the bowstring, the arrow shattered on a rock well wide of the monster.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcBkpbtZXz
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPiJtevwrh
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsXqGSDy0J
You have unlocked the Wield Shortbow proficiency373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwro2V4XG1
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dOdmTsrTj
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0utvG0980
That was progress at least.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxC9LBqmtI
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HzRakmO2L
My next shot went wide and high.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzW9BVmYmDl
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6f1eszvds
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRp4SXmek4D
You have become better at Wield Shortbow: 1373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAwcfSBnA7
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOm4LggeRGs
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOrJsVRbhW
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLV3S1cV9U
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hCWCvC3nt
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc23ZvNXQGx
You have become better at Wield Shortbow: 2373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCagepiyjP
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhM4seO9IF
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6xXIv9WFf
A heal landed.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KqREoyKSq
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWxkEBC56h
You have been healed of 5 points of damage.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMohIqy4Gkq
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4dpcQoNYx
'Last chance,' said Carlena.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXkP6kEA2W
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwpcA5Cw7I
I missed.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FePqLdKK3
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXVo3uGrel
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2E3sTQpSb5
You have become better at Wield Shortbow proficiency: 3373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3rJi7by3Q
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKz8RE2PYb9
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpt2oefhu1
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrlthQaiMY
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeDm0a2GgW
A flurry of orange darts smacked into the creature, knocking it over, smoke trails rising from the twitching body.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVa5rLhr46
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XysTvSs63
'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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8xRYY8pry
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrx4aWzide
'We all have to start somewhere, sire,' said Carlena. 'Unfortunately, that's nearly half my mana gone.'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8vMFPwckC
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUQyLGZ9B9
'And all of mine,' reported the Cleric.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAnCLzcBo7
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9D26bCwQMz
'All?'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfFNTjLcGu
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6GOJlFdYS
'Sorry sire.'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjX1cNXOaGU
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvhx9wtn43
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstwqCXh1oa
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5q7hljFKLO
'Want to try again?' I asked, 'at least my shortbow skill went up a few times.'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTbamo0ybx
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyW9cyksDO
'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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxTAGi4YMe
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYva8c3zHkh
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJkFPp9eBP
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡok2dnI1XWr
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ805XaPhApX
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVtBACJH8G
'Carlena, Cleric, come here quick!'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3hzyZVZkZ
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoDi6aLDVX
Maybe it was my royal authority or maybe the urgency in my voice but both ran over at once.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfg2YxuPo5B
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKq4Qt22tSA
'I think there is something at that rock.'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfVYcoKwC3
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8frlSo85j
'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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOg5I5RNIV
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEB2AN91YI
Before either the Cleric or Carlena had taken twenty steps a man in leather armour sprinted away from the rock.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrA5lbcYB7P
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPpSWj8Bfc
'Freeze!'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuUhji0TVe
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwOGphUHx9
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaalNhGQlls
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6H96hOJgt
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjfpMySXZf
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUGDO5pt0Y
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡti7OyvZXs8
You have hit a rogue for 7 hit points.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4ltGXpUI8
You have unlocked the Wield Rapier proficiency.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMvEhia5HD
You cannot become better at Lunge.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3efe28qAt
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13qoEiNWDH
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPwpoymm7P
The Cleric was beside me, mace raised.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFBySF65Gx
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaUhd9BpDu
'Spare me! Spare me and I'll help you.' The man was pale and faltering. I'd probably wounded him half to death.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDxaY8NCoQ
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBkdcFq35K
'Who are you?'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZLxK8HB81
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1u5Qr60aK
'I'm a scout for King Wace.'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMljRRyNEB
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fcYQ13h7i
'Of Southway?'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBJXPYHuow
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vpx97e47n
'Aye.'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGRFzFcnZz
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0xGiZN3Lc
'Kill him,' said Carlena, heartlessly. 'You need to level.'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8TrqBIREs
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseBfuXjBVQ
She was right and moving myself and the rapier until I could manifest the green box again, I triggered Lunge.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetREd8kOfU
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlURPSY3ojO
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyW2WKG7qd
You have hit a Rogue for 4 hit points.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfCZhuauvV
You have killed a Rogue!373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TvFsGlsXx
You cannot become better at Lunge.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ISi67GM6G
You have become better at Wield Rapier: 1373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN83JC1VWIh
You have gained 35 Experience.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvntpu7WAEW
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYcH4EJMQZ
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTCE7GAKnw
Pretty good. I was most of the way to Level 2.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyRnRCWKjE
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCn6Pe65jK
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotT9vTstzR
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfeFM0gP6Z
'Should we hide the body?' I wondered aloud.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdLfJNyxEw
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Nz1TCNFLd
Carlena answered. 'Leave it for the monsters. There won't be a trace of it by tomorrow.'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxMhMrA9e9
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAnHVmLhmv
'What next?'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9mYn4ndko
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsRHZ7fpmC
'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.'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QNR7FzSgQ
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhJuo39SrI
'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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawH1usezVM
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2iCxD8i84
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOXgLGyctb
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WJd0FdODx
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdBJI4b4yg
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JxsYDDb9V
'Freeze!'373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CNcSewwU2
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdU61oSy8Wb
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHN6GKmpx2W
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgNEmN6GPz
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!373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ROscTJBGE
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5Dg7EIIiv
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN47w0TXx6x
You have hit a Ciatern for 6 hit points.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmGulHmosE
You have killed a Ciatern!373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJ9Jznv6je
You cannot become better at Lunge.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYq842jCwe
You have become better at Wield Rapier: 5373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlJanNMdVb
You have gained 75 Experience.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0fIdr6BKN
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0o8r3chFN3
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.373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXfeaaapzK
373Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdDtDRzwMz
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.
