'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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGACYap3Q4
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkgxFncsUm
'Can you find other quests for me?'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmsbrBe1Ld
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQT5Fuk2NZ
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.'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSs0IT1rPlR
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWHNfJBtuA
'Risk?'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ckZO55OPx
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKvJGW4QaD
'You could die.'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcyMDYu4Qp
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2IeplZtr8
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?'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRztZZLMGQt
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtS8Er1pdU0
'As a vampire?'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OrpmsQbTy
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFT6iduzRuF
'No, as themselves, just back at a spawn point like this keep, but without their gear.'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPX3y04cB9T
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerGyhsT9Mc
With a somewhat feline look of contempt, Carlena said, 'what a strange world you have come from. No, of course not.'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1SuWWDPt8
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Pjb8eLxb1
I didn't bother to correct her. 'Can you change my shape, so that I can fit in armour?'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnJDdHUvvu
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWCLzxLYzv
'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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqwOaBPlXd
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OqKvR4hGZ
'Could I turn into a dragon with that?'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7irs7SqKSG
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJdxDC3tdU
'A creature approximating your current size, sire. But we should save that for emergencies, such as a critical battle.'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3E066Ot9YE
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFOjXqRPVY
'True.'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCErFEB4idx
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxZd92EnK9
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEE50bcrEy
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYrVjmI1Qa
'Sire?'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiZpDYzV2U
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOywyCjkVc
I blinked away the menus. 'Yes?'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHom0SQPKQs
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0d84FKtOMi
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.'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX51AALcNSk
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYMJf5X1DC
'Not too likely to kill me?'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigkkY1NirJ
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHN4e8MMhv
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.'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HDscjoFDM
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabfNB7kao3
'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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTSio6k4FF
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWV9zYkKi3t
We parted ways: me to the armoury in the keep; her to change to her travelling clothes, as she put it.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXZKpsqhp7
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFPS4T7O0F
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGN0FAebG9p
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZw2EdUxyo0
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexmAUGF0YU
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOdO28a8fA
After looking me over, the Sorceress simply nodded. 'Sire, you need water.'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5uHvibHqm
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEYvEOVHgj
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEow3jnIHE
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd88d8teNhf
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGu4XBIgOT
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYFhYpA9yf
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcMVKjHUv4
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQpZcYFnTv
Looking through the town menu and buildings submenu, I found the church.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC06HTGUiAw
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrmAnFdlk2
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflPvVmyMvr
Church level 1473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQtWd1kqkg
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9ks1wsnr8
Priest: Cleric level 1473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoEvG2H8SR
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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 1.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNW6c8mQc2M
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9iLggNTPC
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAY7z0x0O2
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1iwe7WPvn
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXX10KFEZbz
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMzacYgBWk
'Sire?'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQABC7Sb8Oo
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18U9aydRqA
'Come with us. I need you to assist while I fight.'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOcyaRfseb
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvXWLOQFzr
'Get your armour,' added Carlena.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdVTXOwzyN
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZ9xM5CZ5H
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJOm8cjVp2
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLOCuTQoVU
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfU8OPqRYZ3
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQ3eIwv2FD
'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.'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqC3i3CYD7E
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZrj9egxCn
'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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPyl6mrnx8
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXQajKotqy
'What are you building now?' she asked.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOx7obWQ0Y
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlBldNC6eu
'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?'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqyTOgWOML
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQkaJEaJr5
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.'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62o6opLaN1
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTKv3RVSVX
'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.'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNv6gm4GuO
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYAvihUjy6
'We. We have to solve this. You are not really king, Sean de Courcy. Remember that.'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfdiikMXr1
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wROhnUS2i
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ugK4phmNd
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUafrROjOb1
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYPXTfXVaU
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEbLTiSRmI
Carlena stood up, adjusting her headband. 'Good, let's go. We might manage two hours of hunting before sunset.'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyhcWq8i7X
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFhXkZ8yLu
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKL4p8nk5x3
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oZE0561QZ
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMV8FJpxKo5
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1Jz2QTFn7
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQU0ON9JVB3
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcH2dEEu4Hu
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwEOUD6gbG
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEeO3sQ4sg
'Ready?' asked Carlena, eyes on the slopes.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr494IL6jXW
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJzDheT4ZU
'Wait. Let me get my breath. Tell me the plan.'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMwdimAXQy
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQ6xorYL1K
'I flush something out and bring it here, you kill it. If I have to cast Freeze use your bow.'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFpAPiILiX
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4Jo4d1aH0
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklFgHqz9cY
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYKxYfJwsG
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqoA609FZ5
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYI7O32jVm
'Here!'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0untG3ezpE
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkAFTsy7oX
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUyYOq17bl
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpB5HvufQF
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AY14Q49Wi
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDymgZydSp
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpJu2yo2es
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPPEv5VFZZ
Bad news.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIrNFfxyGx
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokLWNCjHsL
You have been hit by a Ciatern for 6 points of damage!473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBHtl0DU9F
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwen5DAqCDG
'Freeze!'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXWMYAyzpI
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQ3cwFr3TD
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVp8WhhVa7
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbTBeVrA8W
'Quickly!' shouted Carlena.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3ofcYvaKy
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHklNCdogyX
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6D5M9PftdM
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUO4UUPYg62
Finally, I got the arrow set properly, but when I released the bowstring, the arrow shattered on a rock well wide of the monster.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYYitYLzf4
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaagmkUOFEZ
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghY31Mkzu3
You have unlocked the Wield Shortbow proficiency473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCakFBNc4k
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLVLjZ6AB3
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJQMG1EZko
That was progress at least.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGncnvFMXvR
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBL0YeGkDhL
My next shot went wide and high.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAVqtjtxvN
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ixo75O8Dv
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpU39Byl6X
You have become better at Wield Shortbow: 1473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jp9nv3KlT
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRXlU6EIen
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNrOe8eViz
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLqwx0FMBV
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTb7qKJPU4G
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahuYv8WBcu
You have become better at Wield Shortbow: 2473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVWWwkq4gX
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCARkPFwWzi
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhY5X1m4JmK
A heal landed.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjqKqIi32b
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lgNv3Ft6c
You have been healed of 5 points of damage.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofkgn1ZGOL
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNHhbYXT9u
'Last chance,' said Carlena.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mUGBq3Aax
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfqJL57pup
I missed.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJP0bhDhIB
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmqFt1KK2Q
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsDtLYjEcS
You have become better at Wield Shortbow proficiency: 3473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUY3dk6YOcT
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4NiMw1yXe
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cQEtGvQtJ
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuNYKwJ5E7
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kWFcnNxZP
A flurry of orange darts smacked into the creature, knocking it over, smoke trails rising from the twitching body.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXd2M8tF3iC
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgF804mLrs9
'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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqAfCTc8wY
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlhjsxI4Qa
'We all have to start somewhere, sire,' said Carlena. 'Unfortunately, that's nearly half my mana gone.'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmyE5lNl7y
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OrT1aDJGd
'And all of mine,' reported the Cleric.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPksX6MFKT
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuCOsQTDqH
'All?'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUf0yQxwieE
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBB5zp6VQDK
'Sorry sire.'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFWIFw7IHo
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAiC9FOvy0
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikFw29fCTm
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnCtKcyWJL
'Want to try again?' I asked, 'at least my shortbow skill went up a few times.'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYg4LhD0Pbb
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrTbQELaGu
'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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteEL1PsX46
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uuktj3gLY
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UIhPsTonD
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0SlpwJUK0
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuxcgpDmOe
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiVF1Vgnh0
'Carlena, Cleric, come here quick!'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh57PfTpcfA
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIuvf9da1a
Maybe it was my royal authority or maybe the urgency in my voice but both ran over at once.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLqnUkCNen
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEFhWpJ5bi
'I think there is something at that rock.'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRWRyq52xB
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7dpo9IDVa
'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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbP4KMWfyLs
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUUXopRWF8
Before either the Cleric or Carlena had taken twenty steps a man in leather armour sprinted away from the rock.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzd6RzSiZJ7
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rfe0gRq2r
'Freeze!'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlCU5t4mku
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYWXko8MR0
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSgAf4UPSH
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTBzlls1xU
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2936xpq1Ra
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6bohWq5zs
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fMYtAN7Lm
You have hit a rogue for 7 hit points.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWdtpuRQmF
You have unlocked the Wield Rapier proficiency.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHstXLwDsS
You cannot become better at Lunge.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz21g28Dz5m
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQIDjwBGIW
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOnfBBAgKo
The Cleric was beside me, mace raised.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplHn0DAwZT
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIJnDdVRnO
'Spare me! Spare me and I'll help you.' The man was pale and faltering. I'd probably wounded him half to death.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4WZb1NIF3
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6fP3KEYWp
'Who are you?'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMSiKxhw57
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfnCxPs67Y
'I'm a scout for King Wace.'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugOmmSgORb
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSZVT4PsiB
'Of Southway?'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3ansjYAX2
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxC7KuIjzxZ
'Aye.'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVySQPVLcs
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNPZe8a2w3
'Kill him,' said Carlena, heartlessly. 'You need to level.'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KLsuRoDH7
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97BvjykxFT
She was right and moving myself and the rapier until I could manifest the green box again, I triggered Lunge.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9wrFNdIWI
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0m9poDKJSM
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfVPXw5ReZ
You have hit a Rogue for 4 hit points.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUiVDIuM6U
You have killed a Rogue!473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPgXGVCA2J
You cannot become better at Lunge.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxrP69uR2s
You have become better at Wield Rapier: 1473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJyl6sU83M
You have gained 35 Experience.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvK7sGN3CO
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESc6oJSMiW
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOS6zWNngBQ
Pretty good. I was most of the way to Level 2.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZV0B2okq7P
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0UMd6w0fM
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTqZ56Qa9T
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenY2OttsIh
'Should we hide the body?' I wondered aloud.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TaqVAIMBp
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0Cev9upbx
Carlena answered. 'Leave it for the monsters. There won't be a trace of it by tomorrow.'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sCiuDySao
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPCDuz2Yuv
'What next?'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwvL7W76a0
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZn3K0QtvT
'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.'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnEFh4i49q
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bwfZXHvBy
'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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VsB0Jk73y
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvS4iSqIJ7
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyQB9YCnqN
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hmaD34Eag
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV28ysswktg
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgy0NeF1Wd5
'Freeze!'473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXSLGHb3vh
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTRDv89iPP
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iL6t8cEtc
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Zq328sRLM
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!473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVhD9WXYM4
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ycrQMmXQK
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGHMrziXnq
You have hit a Ciatern for 6 hit points.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPK0Urb9fBH
You have killed a Ciatern!473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9G5M2nsEu
You cannot become better at Lunge.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiw2FhBdqD8
You have become better at Wield Rapier: 5473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIpqydwJtE
You have gained 75 Experience.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBIYRXWpwt
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTicYAm8noT
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.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXTSKG1HQu
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYM3lkKpWoS
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.
