'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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLtlBaetcN
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVnhgo2anS
'Can you find other quests for me?'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjRJGhyOD5
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZsNA5H7bi
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.'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIUUxpqdJD
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9MhbQs2oj
'Risk?'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUazIpa0V93
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2FrM30gNW
'You could die.'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvf5uhHxYQ
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXlurzXJQs
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?'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46dgFxcNvX
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2pVf7beUw
'As a vampire?'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0M90ppO5I
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lfJxCisq0
'No, as themselves, just back at a spawn point like this keep, but without their gear.'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWu7KX4wDFv
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3pSNqD2F9
With a somewhat feline look of contempt, Carlena said, 'what a strange world you have come from. No, of course not.'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdgSvBBvha
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGi9SfjyPI
I didn't bother to correct her. 'Can you change my shape, so that I can fit in armour?'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4X9wOvgkW
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyz91db1BHz
'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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWCbnZunh4
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UHEMsuVTQ
'Could I turn into a dragon with that?'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqY7jaI2uV3
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4tqFwui5j
'A creature approximating your current size, sire. But we should save that for emergencies, such as a critical battle.'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKOXUl2M7U
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30V0IVdYGM
'True.'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dnLlJECwg
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxWVHFp6F3
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2StQttOuIS
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqYnunNeUJ
'Sire?'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBRXNdq5k5
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ivzrwqIEb
I blinked away the menus. 'Yes?'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Hl8mDnjYE
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6ONVpoF1E
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.'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAShiN4TPy
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlAV6SBmE7
'Not too likely to kill me?'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCvA546u9X
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOpJluX91U
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.'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgntaoXQVnP
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZtGPYmc5g
'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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQq0bUKWdk
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPTVodBWNh
We parted ways: me to the armoury in the keep; her to change to her travelling clothes, as she put it.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMP0Hmsat9t
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsqnHIZuKk
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡno0tDNJOTA
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8V0fLZY1U
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWJQO0cSYD
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wOrT54zDA
After looking me over, the Sorceress simply nodded. 'Sire, you need water.'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0JFMWmhYt
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjYohcNB4M
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdNLR3L2x5
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3e5TUelwF
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICBVVoA03p
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJjPzAR8v3
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8ZiOSrrHI
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cTz4Jzc7h
Looking through the town menu and buildings submenu, I found the church.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECOO8Oys5F
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpgbILZMTp
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtJKsUqegb
Church level 1338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzCB8tZ018
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGwOK0ttQi
Priest: Cleric level 1338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCsUDRg8wW
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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 1.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMa6lsCrHx
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTf7AzP4lVq
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeYE9TN0Sk
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3nd02kGmL
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCRbwvRx5s
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO46HPDYOA7
'Sire?'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkE8U43ZbcD
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJTOB3ExS7
'Come with us. I need you to assist while I fight.'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dKNBrSZhS
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7YVRVGyE6
'Get your armour,' added Carlena.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZ14wQpHzV
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbOb1tfAsT
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHV2sVA6rir
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7j7XyUV5rE
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBsE1sETbi
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVn8hvGIJw
'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.'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rWkcGnTrN
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hVWxpCANX
'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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW47Rt26FNT
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmdWUnx3XH
'What are you building now?' she asked.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCPWkBsfa3
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSssB5cCnCA
'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?'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGccfv03Sd
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsRvaYjYyy
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.'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtT30bSzbBo
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeYiloiM6S
'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.'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oBGuUmojP
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNF5jJ4vgjU
'We. We have to solve this. You are not really king, Sean de Courcy. Remember that.'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVwtVtJZYl
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hvUZ28yfg
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGN9Ax3QqTi
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBcM3Pvo8i
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgqmW38plX
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Gao7TkO6M
Carlena stood up, adjusting her headband. 'Good, let's go. We might manage two hours of hunting before sunset.'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCMyuWwh9R
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVq8OLjhqNs
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNbRBjXBZ4
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJS8wYGq8ya
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdIbCUC497
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsG513aoFbd
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLD4cSwCc92
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5Ee7hSDxr
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlYz7TaVU4
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fI3IXIRaM
'Ready?' asked Carlena, eyes on the slopes.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJvS7ayMuT
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDLgIlvl4a
'Wait. Let me get my breath. Tell me the plan.'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfer0aRlIeQ
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0VovSgJeZ
'I flush something out and bring it here, you kill it. If I have to cast Freeze use your bow.'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdNFged1sq
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnOcNCld6y
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtZ9vMAJIA
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwHVISLsAZ
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cXSKZsrCz
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrKvfTUaVX
'Here!'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4lWJU7b6D
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxN50Cf6k8
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV03XpANe9N
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXbuHl2QWb
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPkOVFvNCz
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpUIlH9JgP
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6j5238tQo0
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjjCrcQTeU
Bad news.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BywQKm5VL
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You have been hit by a Ciatern for 6 points of damage!338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4QB4q63cP
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAWu4U9xcQ
'Freeze!'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3k8krcWpr
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRE4470mqtX
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0svlolgwPN
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkabGb23Pc
'Quickly!' shouted Carlena.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JKcHhxI82
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXangXA6Ykk
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebE5Ew3A4Y
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpGjSi8pIe
Finally, I got the arrow set properly, but when I released the bowstring, the arrow shattered on a rock well wide of the monster.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa00yCXoRSl
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYYktwzyqZ
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeNr9ULa7w
You have unlocked the Wield Shortbow proficiency338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡja90Ab1xqT
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61zMURURxC
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTHs6clmpW
That was progress at least.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwHxjHe4si
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhr0oo9yDfW
My next shot went wide and high.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSIYhQAIQM
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡto64dszFIz
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EK88pGtCO
You have become better at Wield Shortbow: 1338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqVyxWkz5n
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuX6rv831R
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHIv5cvFVK
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeWikdIVVx
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2inJ4raC4
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9liNCKDgW
You have become better at Wield Shortbow: 2338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hD7qqZwIl
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3ClMYhzZr
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3zvDA6ASn
A heal landed.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3U0z9yuPR
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmP2cKmUVzk
You have been healed of 5 points of damage.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbvqjwZQJA
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbiqN3DXqV
'Last chance,' said Carlena.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH721gFXjRq
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMIVyPZm01
I missed.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirbB6kI1ZR
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvXFyUC0X9
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayWtWetTc9
You have become better at Wield Shortbow proficiency: 3338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBI7yLcV2G
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0By333Io2
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3xjEaQRtm
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45hUBVjMlB
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjVD5a2eNv
A flurry of orange darts smacked into the creature, knocking it over, smoke trails rising from the twitching body.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlrwoeKy8O
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRd6XYy6wN
'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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pdRw99iq3
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANNMjTbFCI
'We all have to start somewhere, sire,' said Carlena. 'Unfortunately, that's nearly half my mana gone.'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbpDaxueoW
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9380pj2O8E
'And all of mine,' reported the Cleric.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhVGPmUlOF
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHQt6ZxnoT
'All?'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1paPwA3SO
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FS6KnmQmC
'Sorry sire.'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyz8cYCkNzT
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpc61mdsnwv
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pK00ZZsEa
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXpgY3XnIE
'Want to try again?' I asked, 'at least my shortbow skill went up a few times.'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMOQQnrsK9
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2vAwNt7t3
'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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBljtWSUmiP
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeUJplBtkr
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNarB9vbmX
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHbrkJWRKm
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VPXYiaO4f
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7uIgYmNba
'Carlena, Cleric, come here quick!'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Qgal7B1v6
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMGqmFdsQu
Maybe it was my royal authority or maybe the urgency in my voice but both ran over at once.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLpVpfgSlP
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhd0GPpG6PC
'I think there is something at that rock.'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54TNoa8ahB
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tTjmQocG7
'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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWdGWYux4o
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiPUcy1fZe
Before either the Cleric or Carlena had taken twenty steps a man in leather armour sprinted away from the rock.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtDsfu2qBx
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZcwqlrYiB
'Freeze!'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMHUYuA5rL
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7Gx0n2iZD
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZHhUWXbov
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkgOqDaO8P
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJZhS5DxKh
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1i06TSNQc
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuxiNYVjIA
You have hit a rogue for 7 hit points.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYYN6Cc3zH
You have unlocked the Wield Rapier proficiency.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciDkj64Fjt
You cannot become better at Lunge.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdMD6cWU34
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZP1BdELIZk
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pLYgwba0N
The Cleric was beside me, mace raised.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfbsnrUJuA
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnDpA6JAWT
'Spare me! Spare me and I'll help you.' The man was pale and faltering. I'd probably wounded him half to death.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMegyAF78y
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUACjWZMTBc
'Who are you?'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9tiyb2koW
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPBoHdQQ9R
'I'm a scout for King Wace.'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjXxLVJrnf
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUnajwmgzn
'Of Southway?'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvu400qShA6
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDkP8rgV85
'Aye.'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhbntgC6Rs
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXimsmXFOm
'Kill him,' said Carlena, heartlessly. 'You need to level.'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdB1zwbSoY
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0f2Gp4S7f
She was right and moving myself and the rapier until I could manifest the green box again, I triggered Lunge.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEjPlSkSH2
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASM422cpwn
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6GH26Azea
You have hit a Rogue for 4 hit points.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrlIRYBNJ4
You have killed a Rogue!338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUP0bFniSJN
You cannot become better at Lunge.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUf4tXmbNN
You have become better at Wield Rapier: 1338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡii2FwXQdhC
You have gained 35 Experience.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BCf5QhjxY
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrS96hwlBG1
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2a8k77tN2
Pretty good. I was most of the way to Level 2.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQ24Z8Wd6q
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uo7wqZ3he
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaUZiSOHNr
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmh1zw5N2D
'Should we hide the body?' I wondered aloud.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuuPvozfUG
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWX2cE4uP1
Carlena answered. 'Leave it for the monsters. There won't be a trace of it by tomorrow.'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDe1lpzA35
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtu6gXzNMlv
'What next?'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3Z8gmOoOW
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oMpQq4sRX
'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.'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSybpsT6VK
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsAggmNsjL
'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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCA8pQAp4HF
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLNIKG7s8o
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOgUSos5Td
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrRK8PE24J
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIpofLkqWt
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZMFzDyy5E
'Freeze!'338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBlDmQrfj5
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oIHcssPsy
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6FD9pnkdN
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTEUE9lA5G
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!338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXVuZsFaxw
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPsxs1gape
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxvJZ2J8Zq
You have hit a Ciatern for 6 hit points.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7j2RziUIS
You have killed a Ciatern!338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzyJ66hzNO
You cannot become better at Lunge.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6i8e0sP5K
You have become better at Wield Rapier: 5338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAmb6WPGn6
You have gained 75 Experience.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBADSJfrpYC
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPVw8OXGYp
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.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUBuWIbopQ
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TG6VQoqk1
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.
