'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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCOHsjYLQp
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8up47boKv
'Can you find other quests for me?'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcv1JRJSk6
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OeEctwGf5
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.'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaojCnjLcf
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3Ju4HUWLz
'Risk?'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCR5KbF2Pji
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPC1IhjsgHu
'You could die.'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueEyOokozV
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbWgFZ1My9
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?'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99luPhs9Oy
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NCmZOHBdB
'As a vampire?'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVNbCd1OvL
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9BRfQdaGR
'No, as themselves, just back at a spawn point like this keep, but without their gear.'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvbeG2rev0
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWHV4FFWMV
With a somewhat feline look of contempt, Carlena said, 'what a strange world you have come from. No, of course not.'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEETJCMq5p
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjz0egCD9Ud
I didn't bother to correct her. 'Can you change my shape, so that I can fit in armour?'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBU82uckKtP
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNvau2q0OW
'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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeAQCyZdzs
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwgJ5CrO9w
'Could I turn into a dragon with that?'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfraIEldml
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIMpL4zPd8
'A creature approximating your current size, sire. But we should save that for emergencies, such as a critical battle.'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXWJfHFRWV
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FaWttgsSD
'True.'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3r44lQHQ2m
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6fea6HdFq
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhp3LLJv7l8
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsD02vPT7b
'Sire?'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LjCSy7tpz
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQfcxT6hCd
I blinked away the menus. 'Yes?'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbEemc1jh7
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAU6VzjMXpc
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.'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdinoGj4f7
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUZInbeEeZ
'Not too likely to kill me?'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDN9Dufuv1U
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtvmohtjIn
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.'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXBdD87DSS
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rjQhYlKj7
'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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQjGxenYWr
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHBvmCK8F0
We parted ways: me to the armoury in the keep; her to change to her travelling clothes, as she put it.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTzxkqLW7L
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjldXjsB8Mj
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtlfZEkfQG
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWj4yWQEV1
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOyIB3foE1
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdmWVHGzvv
After looking me over, the Sorceress simply nodded. 'Sire, you need water.'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiF1lBj3Wx
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2kPJleAJW
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylupAGZ3zd
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoCWq662rR
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEgsUdWkzp
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EqH2XbLoH
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTs0OjB37EY
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCv18udgyR
Looking through the town menu and buildings submenu, I found the church.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamC1u1SX4c
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiGyrlOaLX
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhOFG8nKsH
Church level 1361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXQuphMMMO
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSOTODmXX1
Priest: Cleric level 1361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcx7pohVjA9
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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 1.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoallcfvydE
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgdO1XlvnX
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHsmySZKPY
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucvlh29R0o
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbSmKpj5XE
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbys6fCVZV4
'Sire?'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1kJL6IgFw
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSzGXb2Gf8
'Come with us. I need you to assist while I fight.'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hXf9v1Mx5
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CtOnpMSwo
'Get your armour,' added Carlena.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRK33nmw2N
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyAmjiyNqz
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDKt291xDf
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHymZC7wqw
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk54TdFtc8s
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDSHTngq2U
'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.'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZtsOczFXj
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjROOnQsTkd
'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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfne300PXfr
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tdR6r5mAW
'What are you building now?' she asked.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLK39Z3Eu7n
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QGEjtkCTs
'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?'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniJIaR4sHQ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64KwrjoIE8
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.'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WNVQqTG1d
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7clSBYOmBO
'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.'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFi0lQJz6iN
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGrcne0NEW
'We. We have to solve this. You are not really king, Sean de Courcy. Remember that.'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfjlnZsmPv
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqrIdSwjnX
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWy0S5knqmW
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDsW8O1szM
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOezVGebotD
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2y8IYEVmo
Carlena stood up, adjusting her headband. 'Good, let's go. We might manage two hours of hunting before sunset.'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoJ2VZLPAm
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXD33a3XNbQ
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVISmL6bvRC
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3frC2AFHDq
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeSTNkIpLj
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6N2E4hdni
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlRQfXA6kN
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkZD9jwsCZ
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjj95JPSZfS
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kMlT11sDv
'Ready?' asked Carlena, eyes on the slopes.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rJsu9YmAD
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mbEO7vVhI
'Wait. Let me get my breath. Tell me the plan.'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRC7JXUEzn
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAD5jdP3jQH
'I flush something out and bring it here, you kill it. If I have to cast Freeze use your bow.'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdE90Av3MwV
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSkkkE4TYT
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡww03EeFRRd
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsD2ZnI3ty
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCm9m9Djn4r
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefl7f9bqdC
'Here!'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMikAwkBr0M
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TNRsqfP1k
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrUpXi64cz
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1u9xbReRNG
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38UtAQqzlV
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRKGtM9sv0
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4hCLDX7cA
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHFpJK8ihn
Bad news.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhZ7rlUhI9
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6zVPnPmuP
You have been hit by a Ciatern for 6 points of damage!361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiec7H7rHQf
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPxRKgQyM1
'Freeze!'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZQYOKMsQ3
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡay1n7MwesQ
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0jHyNHA8s
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6ZcDeOA03
'Quickly!' shouted Carlena.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTlfyvZqB1
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuGtJvpQSL
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQL3i1OFxE2
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQCcdtu33g
Finally, I got the arrow set properly, but when I released the bowstring, the arrow shattered on a rock well wide of the monster.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnhwXnqTnu
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlidyN0VIZP
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgNJTQQYBs
You have unlocked the Wield Shortbow proficiency361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcAySjWtKu
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAquT8Icmwh
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWDr03vHVp
That was progress at least.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81rmFDp9mY
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LU9jNHEqY
My next shot went wide and high.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUMh4WqSE2
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0KVbjZRcp
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGv2UgCowwy
You have become better at Wield Shortbow: 1361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnGgMbuZ4z
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQIk2oJkWp
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7tu3zS0xL
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiyfHFsMT6
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHAgazwN7t
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4i5df3Bta
You have become better at Wield Shortbow: 2361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ct8TmiOPD
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡao0oawYyDg
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpa9TtjvxNS
A heal landed.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxzVpXVeB2
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIvkJIYwsA
You have been healed of 5 points of damage.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJvAlg9lQM
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyEPndoYXv
'Last chance,' said Carlena.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCz9VLkLGrQ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmpihhGtiW
I missed.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZfxHSaizP
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrnDGlUWgV
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0oOnMSche
You have become better at Wield Shortbow proficiency: 3361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbg04Vz4wZt
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OK2bSiKU8
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaTr2qsYRU
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsZzyQ51KP
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gXMmp3vZx
A flurry of orange darts smacked into the creature, knocking it over, smoke trails rising from the twitching body.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡID6oFZQHkS
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cQ79DTV2G
'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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ060rMRqe2O
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvDnffb0WW
'We all have to start somewhere, sire,' said Carlena. 'Unfortunately, that's nearly half my mana gone.'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kZGRFUhW2
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MC0BYXw5e
'And all of mine,' reported the Cleric.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtF6ptybTL
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYV12TC7PmA
'All?'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ToVQvYKAh
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbxRVwohQY
'Sorry sire.'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbOuBCz1hm
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrFeeQy0Dd
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWlqClHpq1
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSabGmHx4tq
'Want to try again?' I asked, 'at least my shortbow skill went up a few times.'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhyCMmncvX
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8G8gzAxbh
'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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYovyp6US9
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWE2AiYyjkX
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2EfJjghgE
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBW2xAGK5an
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUKvoBSumW
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLYPp4lrQS
'Carlena, Cleric, come here quick!'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWam5r3AQL
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhw8auUk9kN
Maybe it was my royal authority or maybe the urgency in my voice but both ran over at once.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYv6s2Ud42
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFg3R0uWw9
'I think there is something at that rock.'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLgRtJIQE1
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwqfgTZ05R
'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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiekutEMax
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxz1FUZDb8
Before either the Cleric or Carlena had taken twenty steps a man in leather armour sprinted away from the rock.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFfOHPs6rj
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTM9ueIeCH
'Freeze!'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LfSHpoYOJ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fjObWKsg5
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PUW12HZDR
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2t2i7nefs
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8oL8uJOfW
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42n8GEEzDt
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXNKG2b2qP
You have hit a rogue for 7 hit points.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48kgx6X8Si
You have unlocked the Wield Rapier proficiency.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuOLysx0Xb
You cannot become better at Lunge.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyButL3eHeJ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFvffsvREg
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HDbHhCc90
The Cleric was beside me, mace raised.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOzfYTdp6v
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4zko0S6NJ
'Spare me! Spare me and I'll help you.' The man was pale and faltering. I'd probably wounded him half to death.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSXDDFVtrU
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFHpncrNQs
'Who are you?'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXECDuCNMYH
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1Muqzlgog
'I'm a scout for King Wace.'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpoidiMwN0
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabuMNEPmiJ
'Of Southway?'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjaj3FXd9I
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAk73RwGXXS
'Aye.'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OnU9KzlBu
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dpVPPOS3c
'Kill him,' said Carlena, heartlessly. 'You need to level.'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7H8kidIMuW
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZd12ChzDf1
She was right and moving myself and the rapier until I could manifest the green box again, I triggered Lunge.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcJurGYyII
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKx9gjefCM
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamsL4zZ6b9
You have hit a Rogue for 4 hit points.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcx3faYCpWz
You have killed a Rogue!361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7p2w4oXSj
You cannot become better at Lunge.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcM7GQSZlG
You have become better at Wield Rapier: 1361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4BqdMwY8a
You have gained 35 Experience.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuHnPSQShx
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6ZnyNffFv
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNmMm85rmv
Pretty good. I was most of the way to Level 2.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWkSWYYKig
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwW7kvYEmm1
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCr90bgM6bm
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQgjqsF1HH
'Should we hide the body?' I wondered aloud.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuLWVwFyDH
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtkuPvx21l
Carlena answered. 'Leave it for the monsters. There won't be a trace of it by tomorrow.'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuQAEBoBnQ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GqWd8mnTO
'What next?'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7QBFaOybA
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNOkZPsk08
'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.'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Kb6SGy5f3
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUJP5hHRFu
'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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZCsSVOd4P
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TrHXwa5qG
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNV8IiFc6pW
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2DnhOL4DM
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXICjGbeHOW
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3k2q1FElO
'Freeze!'361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekVLXBzXX2
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyBV9NFmKi
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArlt6Vegdw
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2k2fDaFDzx
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!361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6J9LWB6ia
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfeVZeKKWv
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwVfZN2lSA
You have hit a Ciatern for 6 hit points.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOPMlAToKN
You have killed a Ciatern!361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpksM39F3e
You cannot become better at Lunge.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXhcoVFuOH
You have become better at Wield Rapier: 5361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0r9WQGe7x
You have gained 75 Experience.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6oUCmDfDv
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRobwnmOSfj
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JmOmIh6t1
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKKnpMgfkY
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.
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