'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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFA8VzxCsPo
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9vzXBCEe7
'Can you find other quests for me?'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTPrOYtDl2
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXvHjY64j4
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.'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPAN7yqL5M
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBvfpwC7fH
'Risk?'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIU5g4JRG4s
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGaSUK3eBw
'You could die.'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoUgOdWspi
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKeQ0K93U4
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?'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16zb5ttUXc
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxSDr9EQHU
'As a vampire?'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVXR6VTk5e
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36IjAsGukG
'No, as themselves, just back at a spawn point like this keep, but without their gear.'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2s6B8ccgpl
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwbs3L789O
With a somewhat feline look of contempt, Carlena said, 'what a strange world you have come from. No, of course not.'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02ldJwmJd2
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3U1cUFKEp
I didn't bother to correct her. 'Can you change my shape, so that I can fit in armour?'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3V7H4xFxV0
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Gj3BOFzuk
'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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IQvhBjxkT
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2o4Wn8zUD
'Could I turn into a dragon with that?'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkRpo6NNbv
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11FobbUkdE
'A creature approximating your current size, sire. But we should save that for emergencies, such as a critical battle.'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNicxXjjP4a
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zaH49VS6r
'True.'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YtTSWD989
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ63DUNMiug
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5L7WtAfnrg
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusF7ISFj4D
'Sire?'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAce1PCKL3e
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCG7eWqjAhF
I blinked away the menus. 'Yes?'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTa064iQ5d
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5Wl8vrxSF
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.'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLi3XGGLz9C
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ScYEJn8VP
'Not too likely to kill me?'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAI5vEKx3Fg
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mZ3lFO0qg
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.'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSp8s0uxuqc
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6W1QOzpc3Y
'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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKOAZjpgr7
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMUlvxby0I
We parted ways: me to the armoury in the keep; her to change to her travelling clothes, as she put it.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhWyrsS3D3
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ADNwfimha
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRilY6v7BC
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoulXTGEYiL
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kA4ctafo1
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4YxlDyTYH
After looking me over, the Sorceress simply nodded. 'Sire, you need water.'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipKjcfsAHk
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAM5eAvtYN4
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4nnA9x0wn
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzspg6MdLEI
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3NogswmzC
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldXG9DqOi6
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6EJVvEmwo
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74gv2jJZjV
Looking through the town menu and buildings submenu, I found the church.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeNIN5pBdL
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pgTgyiMrX
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6Z8A6EzR5
Church level 1441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouk399Rt3N
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuITA4wrBkX
Priest: Cleric level 1441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2bZ4uOU7R
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvfA7hQVlk
Benefits: heals one person per day of minor wounds (cannot cure diseases, heal victims of poison or remove magical curses). Increases town Happiness by 1.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wnSKrChZ9
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1X5aiKRiw
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1A61U1kfCB
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3WZxzovaK
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirt4DSHe1B
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWLXe4QM7z
'Sire?'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyo19f7UEG5
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrs7EMK4RYx
'Come with us. I need you to assist while I fight.'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUqLhIqiyW
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqr032XpyV4
'Get your armour,' added Carlena.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKQ3Am3Os4
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsHXVL9HUR
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfIy64SqeM
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWz4mg6FwJ
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKcJcqCe8u
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LXFzAEvTh
'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.'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgoMwXNmTQ
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2byaanSxI
'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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IGpfT7y3T
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFX1ZSUBt3
'What are you building now?' she asked.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7j75Y8neW
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkpK4BDlIz
'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?'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwo0Gn2Nhgr
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98T4512A4W
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.'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdT64dpy97L
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRhYmqmKFE
'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.'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86UjWsgjpg
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67IfUHp9Wd
'We. We have to solve this. You are not really king, Sean de Courcy. Remember that.'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhhKc3D5VM
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkz8PmoTmOv
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNHH8iByZ7
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BJy5L5IsZ
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3YgiSOAPt
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybPD5LTjFb
Carlena stood up, adjusting her headband. 'Good, let's go. We might manage two hours of hunting before sunset.'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8uGJKcaby
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxkhlpNv8U
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ljzxSqZnp
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwnj81Ly3g
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXuX68WOfq
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVWGO5mcmO
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPiSUGaAUX
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuNDWnRE1L
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOWZHCm79L
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDInM5SdkFI
'Ready?' asked Carlena, eyes on the slopes.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6Y7kEgWPU
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pD5eVWzzX
'Wait. Let me get my breath. Tell me the plan.'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUThkbNNkwi
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPLzUKSb0v
'I flush something out and bring it here, you kill it. If I have to cast Freeze use your bow.'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm665UqGbPO
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuqj3XVERY
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZWZIreN8M
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTzvx1sR0y
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zMqtc1pRe
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCftHQUZcj8
'Here!'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBs7yahxkD0
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafLBbq18VX
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmyfzsjZ25
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9baTPH3Fiw
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oiycClS3z
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeTtCgQGDG
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvB6NIkEkO
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLTNeafCc8
Bad news.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmHPhnwpzX
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkiQe6W7m9
You have been hit by a Ciatern for 6 points of damage!441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEi3PI17mj
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOWlf1g7J0
'Freeze!'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡme7sJMsLNe
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcNjSTRkR7
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pxOxCjFg2
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFw8rreIgV
'Quickly!' shouted Carlena.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcL0N8upQOb
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFVPzlnWIb
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWiJA34TAA
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkW0UA12ySp
Finally, I got the arrow set properly, but when I released the bowstring, the arrow shattered on a rock well wide of the monster.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPZzwe5pwX
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEd9txN0hC
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUr30cWVJBc
You have unlocked the Wield Shortbow proficiency441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSftdYsqqw
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPCtDssl8I
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAwyYkZZDy
That was progress at least.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBedwmi44f4
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqM3SwFdsU
My next shot went wide and high.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJJYuM4FVW
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAIfy2bXau
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6Zq45iywu
You have become better at Wield Shortbow: 1441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOFQbhDh97
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtFVi3lVo9
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZrCPr6UE1
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TQKk1vFRX
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQUhwFEwY8
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJKdUVVaQ6
You have become better at Wield Shortbow: 2441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDqnBFmTMT
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcgpinvdf9
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFirjYPLpEd
A heal landed.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDDxWXYIiR
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRp56XNVf5
You have been healed of 5 points of damage.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5b0ycGslGf
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlEm84oghs
'Last chance,' said Carlena.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4OWcCUQuF
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gp7ICiJb3
I missed.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwk7e7Qv0gW
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPZL8YNa4g
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQroNtNm4g
You have become better at Wield Shortbow proficiency: 3441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddEefo8ChW
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XLMaEiwMt
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5nnJsOviG
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUOpHxHJAq
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhRNqQZVPw
A flurry of orange darts smacked into the creature, knocking it over, smoke trails rising from the twitching body.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLzxP6tohO
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3aFuF8dXu
'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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqLNtv6ENX
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1HmMNSrKB
'We all have to start somewhere, sire,' said Carlena. 'Unfortunately, that's nearly half my mana gone.'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyf2DR6gxpR
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmS8fpqAmF
'And all of mine,' reported the Cleric.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOg4bB57ZU9
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GoG6sDstt
'All?'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeN89vpwhPM
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnD3Sl0lszh
'Sorry sire.'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIze1IHe4hL
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfCrVsi6ad
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcUbBfpB21
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMRwIzhWRT
'Want to try again?' I asked, 'at least my shortbow skill went up a few times.'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfE8AMoGt3
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0oGEUWsWM
'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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrA9q1kTWJF
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjQ8vaQGwr
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0visUYBGh
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMRQQyp051
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpePTDsTHKE
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5s90m0vaO
'Carlena, Cleric, come here quick!'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveHBmBNRVD
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZG2dYunkuM
Maybe it was my royal authority or maybe the urgency in my voice but both ran over at once.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXL8feWobf
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pZtNxCPaO
'I think there is something at that rock.'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUVzip1Hkn
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RvRgE1zgS
'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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpirzK98G7X
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDQdIDl6YW
Before either the Cleric or Carlena had taken twenty steps a man in leather armour sprinted away from the rock.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DFO5GWMu7
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3SdQ8j01N
'Freeze!'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNoq96RcTz
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpb8C1efMhz
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyWcjt922x
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeZbtesTEV
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwt09eTeDb
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGOhSsbaMk
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJWPr2RsD0
You have hit a rogue for 7 hit points.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHtc45cfmq
You have unlocked the Wield Rapier proficiency.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lKjvakZuT
You cannot become better at Lunge.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ403BQgefxb
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWgp5BzTpe
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrz2wYFvmr
The Cleric was beside me, mace raised.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDuXDrOCvC
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yFXNvBmtx
'Spare me! Spare me and I'll help you.' The man was pale and faltering. I'd probably wounded him half to death.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEoLo9rLNN
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMKqRzNn86
'Who are you?'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRWk7jjSaj
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuN6taawhC
'I'm a scout for King Wace.'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHFmGtOpQs
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02HQQTIQpt
'Of Southway?'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdI4ALSNvOz
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6oYRsZRh0
'Aye.'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkPy3DKLkd
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QMuz5wdFy
'Kill him,' said Carlena, heartlessly. 'You need to level.'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkJfs9m2gb
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vECv0KbSI
She was right and moving myself and the rapier until I could manifest the green box again, I triggered Lunge.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXopqHRFwN
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFMaLits5h
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gmaloEmMN
You have hit a Rogue for 4 hit points.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2E3bdzH3N
You have killed a Rogue!441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4k7od6BluG
You cannot become better at Lunge.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jg4Z9vHHr
You have become better at Wield Rapier: 1441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzjdOsO4wi
You have gained 35 Experience.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTj7u0Owfy
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3nOLQ9pRo
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYONY0ye5He
Pretty good. I was most of the way to Level 2.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fTB089dlX
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmsjYgYZ9o
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoFMQw7p0F
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLz4Ka86Fh
'Should we hide the body?' I wondered aloud.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2Fs1puDxI
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg48Zur5pgM
Carlena answered. 'Leave it for the monsters. There won't be a trace of it by tomorrow.'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReqBv4QdzH
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdFGsVlzqa
'What next?'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzfp6Iwmoo
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq23KmwiHuI
'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.'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpH9tFjAkhz
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWxKjBc40u
'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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG18o2ECjRo
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ihjitL2lA
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYlC1njw3n
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAHrWsi5sh
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EMXbHPcd1
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0znfzDzum
'Freeze!'441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZiXliMcV9
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCNHrzRyyW
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoyJk1svtQ
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqP2DfP7yh
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!441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kYb8gMRrz
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlibDmjToDE
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrfARQlph8
You have hit a Ciatern for 6 hit points.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5JGVZxKvm
You have killed a Ciatern!441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAhnsmjS8G
You cannot become better at Lunge.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aYdM1Ga1f
You have become better at Wield Rapier: 5441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9dmVhHOCY
You have gained 75 Experience.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DD2puyii6
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Le6kpFV8Z
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.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3AGklnBeU
441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhuhluuslk
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.
