'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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcK5FIPTTt
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM58Kep7vgk
'Can you find other quests for me?'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIe9PNdESW
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfISJhvwwDl
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.'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gc8uBBm2R
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1QajdB3N1
'Risk?'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjmbdp1V3n
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB85sDunSc9
'You could die.'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXV2lhUmqXP
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBodrWTUwj
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?'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EJ5JFOgWq
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4C5A894LF
'As a vampire?'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGL8BLJmXs
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxi1EuL60m
'No, as themselves, just back at a spawn point like this keep, but without their gear.'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nOrddpbFy
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sO8G4HwSP
With a somewhat feline look of contempt, Carlena said, 'what a strange world you have come from. No, of course not.'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXPvYL8z7n
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm62N5ASSVX
I didn't bother to correct her. 'Can you change my shape, so that I can fit in armour?'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkY1pda716A
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1NPkYt4WI
'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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFl2u7JwgrD
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZ7UI7UyzC
'Could I turn into a dragon with that?'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXbIXoLHuh
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIINcuxt3xb
'A creature approximating your current size, sire. But we should save that for emergencies, such as a critical battle.'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9q8ajAD9kY
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDb2NLmMRhw
'True.'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGqV7cmqYX
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppDAUhj2mV
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykYawBj8CV
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9Me9iVVen
'Sire?'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6rxnVFfq4
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VX0b2534K
I blinked away the menus. 'Yes?'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD63WjR3fc9
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXEuISkzGR
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.'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLe5PcpqxA
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPN0IO1GPv
'Not too likely to kill me?'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmpgUqXbx4
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHmKYzVjJ4
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.'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRk0U8Ww1g9
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotaTQeCzHT
'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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdY0veIrxz
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXWfK4HlDu
We parted ways: me to the armoury in the keep; her to change to her travelling clothes, as she put it.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4k6OQOKQMH
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhKohv6skS
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwzqS8798I
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2uH9sG046
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKzuFBetnL
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdJdWGHuVN
After looking me over, the Sorceress simply nodded. 'Sire, you need water.'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpl6t1mfOQh
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr82k2oeNOr
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡha1u4EEn9o
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAUtxCHGVW
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa144LRaeS8
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVETAuz6oGq
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmY83dYP5H
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpi7JP8gk9X
Looking through the town menu and buildings submenu, I found the church.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ekZQm7MdG
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ603UdKnoWb
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrv3oZgoeE
Church level 1802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqKvyy59rq
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdesU83MBqs
Priest: Cleric level 1802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQPUHDo0HA
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71agZcgmxq
Benefits: heals one person per day of minor wounds (cannot cure diseases, heal victims of poison or remove magical curses). Increases town Happiness by 1.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihEWekaKke
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUP7D1lR0Ah
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aYmqlazP4
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiMOfc5UmY
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66nIgMR9R2
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBswPul8pl
'Sire?'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEXS0c5LrO
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJlj7WNW4o
'Come with us. I need you to assist while I fight.'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7hdDRW3mm
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOuUYBMZl7
'Get your armour,' added Carlena.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCYBt3Bevi
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrYDht1u1s
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FmJqJ23kZ
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1yxnh0TX9
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCSeU6lqQi
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVmhJYwmrt
'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.'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQBdrIsCHQ
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNF6RagEUhA
'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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetIhodJxhs
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyyW1qlCdi
'What are you building now?' she asked.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCw2hSDT7i
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AroksilL3
'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?'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffph5iN0qt
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ca84Ntz87
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.'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jon0mXbNV
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pWF1SwyVP
'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.'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6Vazvlppj
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4h5J5ISl6B
'We. We have to solve this. You are not really king, Sean de Courcy. Remember that.'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0YFVBw5F8
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLoJPCMFUi
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErVRUL23sS
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKp2ZDGjcdF
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZSLd01evz
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy68wt7MW9s
Carlena stood up, adjusting her headband. 'Good, let's go. We might manage two hours of hunting before sunset.'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6PUL4xFes
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFglpkrW0d
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZ7Daz6Qkr
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziseJ1r1UF
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD15XdBLgi7
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUJr6gTxk3
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumu4bakwEO
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QPkPbTT1Z
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyWMrxMqs6
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpmkA2272d
'Ready?' asked Carlena, eyes on the slopes.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD7BKgqmqA
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfm6JlLAyfz
'Wait. Let me get my breath. Tell me the plan.'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVFbDehveP
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSyoAadhBa
'I flush something out and bring it here, you kill it. If I have to cast Freeze use your bow.'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARIL8WClQg
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuG1fqyekm9
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdww7ONVQ8
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrq5CDEaP4
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMYBr2e4Q8
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ11h9dX3mM
'Here!'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNU8lymRA2u
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CPLgyIM8o
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRe4zsEskL
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTY7oRb2P69
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3XzjvdzfI
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8UxeOrn83
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHZo2kcG9g
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJMYFpEube
Bad news.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndJ3Z5Af1P
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2PmanKYc5
You have been hit by a Ciatern for 6 points of damage!802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjYwXJjisG
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWybDyU0yz
'Freeze!'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBY87IHmN93
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIg00wak0Y6
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhTRKQaU1d
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQ6QSAuaNf
'Quickly!' shouted Carlena.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpKmwhhLSk
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeKLuBUKYB
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg685pDWFqn
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyGkHUDj0z
Finally, I got the arrow set properly, but when I released the bowstring, the arrow shattered on a rock well wide of the monster.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8b5Jou4Kaw
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1tHJOzgLd
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaFA1q0H4z
You have unlocked the Wield Shortbow proficiency802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoJRKHuxAa
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWHG56Bz8b
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTGwGMxmLU
That was progress at least.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHQu5g86kN
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxlRKTEuJl
My next shot went wide and high.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2KW1b6QDx
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDK2uBc72K
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oQyrjzWtv
You have become better at Wield Shortbow: 1802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3P2WoLg10j
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveAGQUMZ5F
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIdV6Q4lR3
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtnU2vCDp1
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmxB7rVbJF
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9MLzxYyeE
You have become better at Wield Shortbow: 2802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS59PqtQA2K
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWc0DYdgPt
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgq4oLmZCdv
A heal landed.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAyWjaXhXa
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ubSSjoabk
You have been healed of 5 points of damage.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggHGJstyzJ
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7S2eqDXB32
'Last chance,' said Carlena.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnid95zQ9ED
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaINixN9kU
I missed.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5j6agpsjF
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2da53MYr01
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MljZkfFnj
You have become better at Wield Shortbow proficiency: 3802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7po0vg8b4
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcAspsAmPx
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxR5dRaAti1
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEaXcbyCBp
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Gz8AAjZYh
A flurry of orange darts smacked into the creature, knocking it over, smoke trails rising from the twitching body.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEVOktB6Cg
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07Q7kZRa0k
'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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnVV7Gfsr6
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtYsoVsa6C
'We all have to start somewhere, sire,' said Carlena. 'Unfortunately, that's nearly half my mana gone.'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRm1lzwAJK
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbs1Fpxl5BE
'And all of mine,' reported the Cleric.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgltFB3SyBs
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeIJ0PW8bp
'All?'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7AYrQdJVS
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFS8aKTRsqw
'Sorry sire.'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJilGanscBw
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUox5OPRnv
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZlZubs3rc
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUgJZ0k7nK
'Want to try again?' I asked, 'at least my shortbow skill went up a few times.'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Y6lDp1ieo
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡto8V3NE26i
'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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dlarzggsL
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyW6ZroOAU1
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAs5Xw60kX
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dBch0hGzG
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvsY3mwXHc
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqh77tFJMN9
'Carlena, Cleric, come here quick!'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCDVPncISl
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKSRftOifK
Maybe it was my royal authority or maybe the urgency in my voice but both ran over at once.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGJpLhagSw
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9CpBLmZLm
'I think there is something at that rock.'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGWW4iyP9q
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8gpkgzmmX
'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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0jZJPfzf0
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1Emfci1OJ
Before either the Cleric or Carlena had taken twenty steps a man in leather armour sprinted away from the rock.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYWeDe3DSc
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXY6PjATnb
'Freeze!'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNYKsYI1wa
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCSgXOoMdE
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUVfZRGgrB
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0runWzsqq
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvutv5o6tYH
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12Zgo15d5z
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2PayqFU2K
You have hit a rogue for 7 hit points.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2r1H5m8WZO
You have unlocked the Wield Rapier proficiency.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjNPTDtNUt
You cannot become better at Lunge.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeH1d43koX
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovqaJLGln6
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJpc9RRPjp
The Cleric was beside me, mace raised.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpvln70fzO
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXb8D4CvJA3
'Spare me! Spare me and I'll help you.' The man was pale and faltering. I'd probably wounded him half to death.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayTYhA9pJm
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLMygdvUYm
'Who are you?'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3nZgBilcx
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFrqm1ZlXE
'I'm a scout for King Wace.'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbT4aopl7Jp
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRpYr9YHsx
'Of Southway?'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYsNE4p6Tq
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlBOaZ2JRX
'Aye.'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIwTXzMhIc
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTscSyeHjQ2
'Kill him,' said Carlena, heartlessly. 'You need to level.'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaRzJhRl2h
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO14sBTusNF
She was right and moving myself and the rapier until I could manifest the green box again, I triggered Lunge.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJEJREQiCR
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKTesb19so
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXO38k0cGPP
You have hit a Rogue for 4 hit points.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKZYiYddPJ
You have killed a Rogue!802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnWvNzcOe0
You cannot become better at Lunge.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53DbXN450v
You have become better at Wield Rapier: 1802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JTWt2Hmwz
You have gained 35 Experience.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYTy47U5cw
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2ogLIczdJ
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAG69O2xFXg
Pretty good. I was most of the way to Level 2.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGH2O5PSCqz
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjImcbhIEfu
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzcXPMI6Wh
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2Uu6KMYqu
'Should we hide the body?' I wondered aloud.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknN14JIN5f
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHygjUNbpD
Carlena answered. 'Leave it for the monsters. There won't be a trace of it by tomorrow.'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxHaEx8rHA
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3ZPBt3lfN
'What next?'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIpJ9JZGxF
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyaVvyOpMl
'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.'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFv8YJw4PL
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzntnFSlk6
'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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1ctJB8SZV
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwFK4TOoIj
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeoYuVfwL2
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAQTOhVPI9
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqpRSGQ0uc
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfquSqJBgaE
'Freeze!'802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAR3rGsuRgi
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFTbI9SgJS
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEbt8rln2h
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4ziZk6gOM
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!802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbP6gW5C4tB
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyUqnCR3Oz
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFERh7n0ZdB
You have hit a Ciatern for 6 hit points.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxXM2DAHJ9
You have killed a Ciatern!802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWtL7s0QV4
You cannot become better at Lunge.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8T3jyfY2k
You have become better at Wield Rapier: 5802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNxnuD9pIh
You have gained 75 Experience.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPth64Zhae
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HOkYLkRe8
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrpVYSXBYm
802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RWBmTezYc
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.
and then Add to home screen.