'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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ866XIaQ0FU
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GtGXmjJ1m
'Can you find other quests for me?'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMTAqcnmjr
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNQZ3CpQMR
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.'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡde6aZtAag4
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsYI69cows
'Risk?'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9MK2AasY5
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kXXlB2afd
'You could die.'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xl3GDlRFh
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBZBOV23cC
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?'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFvqmMrDUW
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWmMy2TAb2
'As a vampire?'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmyyBqyvH9
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQIAd3jKf2
'No, as themselves, just back at a spawn point like this keep, but without their gear.'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LiTIornVF
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLeuhWOblK
With a somewhat feline look of contempt, Carlena said, 'what a strange world you have come from. No, of course not.'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZXjKmuIEC
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqKlY5mzJl
I didn't bother to correct her. 'Can you change my shape, so that I can fit in armour?'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOmDhQbtAA
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4W7G8OzVmZ
'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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr32MES2gbf
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPmt741zHm
'Could I turn into a dragon with that?'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gWSS3UBSh
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4vqAIH6y9
'A creature approximating your current size, sire. But we should save that for emergencies, such as a critical battle.'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wfKtA6xJH
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfBmSBnTgP
'True.'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQfHJ3sGaV
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JKDIBx447
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7OvyaCfIu
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywqMEAIe0I
'Sire?'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorapKSf8Cn
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVa44sfD0O
I blinked away the menus. 'Yes?'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3tn0ntCSA
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaGEtOPt6S
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.'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3e4ZlcC4EN
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOpDGS3h8L
'Not too likely to kill me?'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ijvZKPM4c
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0NZkBdJfO
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.'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRU2o7liXge
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2aBbi71N0
'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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcfm0681sf
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz42nWdLIoh
We parted ways: me to the armoury in the keep; her to change to her travelling clothes, as she put it.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9Uf1CSi7g
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKCYCGTmDp
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgs0qUxV7u
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXU05NrUAd
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhR1TSuLS8J
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkECXn7pgB
After looking me over, the Sorceress simply nodded. 'Sire, you need water.'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnokxNd1dQO
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAAOK0Hjbv
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW47LAbCN00
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTR08iFhc8i
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu421lKzMTL
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzH5KjjDLw5
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtmPTioTTA
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxg6NDP8izb
Looking through the town menu and buildings submenu, I found the church.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SvWFv5fix
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeMSpCdTT9
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunMzbq1L7K
Church level 1472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKuoVVO4y9
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbwJgNjC53
Priest: Cleric level 1472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDYRS3V5Qj
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡco7OBAgCTE
Benefits: heals one person per day of minor wounds (cannot cure diseases, heal victims of poison or remove magical curses). Increases town Happiness by 1.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xScBNx3kL
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpg0vCOKnFv
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCfW7BlHj2
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyO20M09sA
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXIDlQQfuY
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEJo6pmb7h
'Sire?'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sidTW3MUd
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjplf0MDcP
'Come with us. I need you to assist while I fight.'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEn8AaCwxq
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJCV4V0Up8
'Get your armour,' added Carlena.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrNfpqMBii
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyGKAnXL74
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TrUvLVEeF
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuLClyZuCT
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvE2DC3yLmf
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkI88iNqwZ
'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.'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPe2OOQnsQS
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI22I9pU0yr
'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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTVCMYspTB
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxNXTbXB1i
'What are you building now?' she asked.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uHLwn4OiS
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwLREFPfSt
'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?'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQVPEDOvRN
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxGDTe0bRd
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.'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRhmd9fM0Q
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHn8PMSzUE
'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.'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZI9B0DUGJ
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW76DFI8VCE
'We. We have to solve this. You are not really king, Sean de Courcy. Remember that.'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0PpcaHRcS
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6ipLt0yPo
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6YP6sAzkK
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQFdedlYy8
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIFitAGRXm
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbx7I3aPrU
Carlena stood up, adjusting her headband. 'Good, let's go. We might manage two hours of hunting before sunset.'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCzOjSlJzn
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTswoegGIV1
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9KtQAOGKk
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QRR2j8d82
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1FqdmGwWY
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwTt96YsGw
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnIbW8Anrj
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡST5u6Q6aeE
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrO0F9wnUU
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKp9WPdAEDK
'Ready?' asked Carlena, eyes on the slopes.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwdNRMrEY1
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07fDfrn6W1
'Wait. Let me get my breath. Tell me the plan.'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErYoRDI1oY
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaDv4ABxgA
'I flush something out and bring it here, you kill it. If I have to cast Freeze use your bow.'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOdyg0XK9q
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAUeuAEN6j
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUWeUF5fNf
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOi2JyzKjfL
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ885YuKKw5h
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Lwa4XHdZg
'Here!'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVS33RxaLzH
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSi4ziTLqt
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVw9yquUZ6X
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbpN0XsdIv
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsR4TJqZG2
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RcKzF0iMq
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUkR9ucGvK
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtWHOrWSiT
Bad news.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGqWCUknjB
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaf1GbnscIm
You have been hit by a Ciatern for 6 points of damage!472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgCj0CJy6f
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5D2cUomja
'Freeze!'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtebitsLQD9
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqsRdsekbl
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpuNcCU9jK
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSb7JQL6pyb
'Quickly!' shouted Carlena.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3xMlWox5Y
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OPx6TorVP
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtNrSHiOVR
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5zIKjCRa6
Finally, I got the arrow set properly, but when I released the bowstring, the arrow shattered on a rock well wide of the monster.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ668CWG1vVk
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBSDekPwTG
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmLBQydZVj
You have unlocked the Wield Shortbow proficiency472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYAMMlK5WP
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgFT9igRhu
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmexzhvlUaP
That was progress at least.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuWtFWAoqK
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5CmUHiWdx
My next shot went wide and high.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5M6eDteLjk
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1C3RkoB34I
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqHRrCWTFz
You have become better at Wield Shortbow: 1472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjmqCTQlN7
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqewizz1yW
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNPZM3fJry
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3TjJQFGXX
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhZ3KNLhmB
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiiSRvQG6a
You have become better at Wield Shortbow: 2472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoccfgWgJ5
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8YgNBnSR2
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3ffOrcAjM
A heal landed.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6toxu9uc5t
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzF7WJ4OEnt
You have been healed of 5 points of damage.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjjHalmMxl
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbnHBmWDKD
'Last chance,' said Carlena.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBvEKtIBRq
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8LRZnm7Mr
I missed.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPywVDodMSw
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7aG5W97ed
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMQErGeQ9N
You have become better at Wield Shortbow proficiency: 3472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKP2QL8aQzN
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOccBYdUQQr
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGQ3dQpcSn
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5NztGtkoc
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3B5q97s3B
A flurry of orange darts smacked into the creature, knocking it over, smoke trails rising from the twitching body.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaMMb1gHEz
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdfICe6D3P
'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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRysegqgkrV
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05B9IjPj6D
'We all have to start somewhere, sire,' said Carlena. 'Unfortunately, that's nearly half my mana gone.'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmusLhWBcH
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLEQu7knvr
'And all of mine,' reported the Cleric.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KVdZ0HVxU
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPHmHHQfCX
'All?'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbCUJnbZQ6
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvBB9BGMup
'Sorry sire.'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJanGTPzLTk
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2f7uKCRnF
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYqbuQpFOw
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYHCsliD0u
'Want to try again?' I asked, 'at least my shortbow skill went up a few times.'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJcXPCL6wI
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCX2XsHSOdX
'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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgyccEpzuo
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPebcekyA6
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxBq1f0OKD
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBDznraRUr
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3R3aaVkR03
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocOSAU8KBQ
'Carlena, Cleric, come here quick!'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Rju39KF6P
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaY2Mv47Ak
Maybe it was my royal authority or maybe the urgency in my voice but both ran over at once.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FfjFbAj56
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3tRVQFoQt
'I think there is something at that rock.'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPuBNWoVXi
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6ZzBurOoi
'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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwIYgi7PFh
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVmf8k6KEE
Before either the Cleric or Carlena had taken twenty steps a man in leather armour sprinted away from the rock.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiWGTHlH05
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPm99fQanXK
'Freeze!'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PYn4e6Lwr
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyIQycyMK4
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡro1Xx0SaOb
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNNt5PjGX1
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRmvhet6Ai
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkCclNdGT7
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HFUdMQ5i5
You have hit a rogue for 7 hit points.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6y9oBNJ962
You have unlocked the Wield Rapier proficiency.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpgek3xAQC
You cannot become better at Lunge.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtrpzvGI5X
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4kmylVro5
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwX1gmh7vtp
The Cleric was beside me, mace raised.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSu5Gr0egS
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjamsmnZ7t
'Spare me! Spare me and I'll help you.' The man was pale and faltering. I'd probably wounded him half to death.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQ8fF5I2sD
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47BrOQBcgM
'Who are you?'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5W72es5bm
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEk1D47do5Z
'I'm a scout for King Wace.'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKzfepzGJy
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgRotwYxNs
'Of Southway?'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQQsVq3rmd
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2vdnpm1Ny
'Aye.'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeNiRyaT3n
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7p8SbHXDjb
'Kill him,' said Carlena, heartlessly. 'You need to level.'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EDvQAnTCt
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kc58x99LW
She was right and moving myself and the rapier until I could manifest the green box again, I triggered Lunge.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bi8tm762N
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNulApXfs68
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UMfYH3Tzu
You have hit a Rogue for 4 hit points.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJ2dCZCXcw
You have killed a Rogue!472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRpa1dF3B7
You cannot become better at Lunge.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjyXTVVQST
You have become better at Wield Rapier: 1472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTv9GzgM8g
You have gained 35 Experience.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCkUWfGR1P
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbPU67aL7X
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6LrOg6b52
Pretty good. I was most of the way to Level 2.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YrHnJKVRy
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngPxMX6AWm
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5kIKrJpv0
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlaQTfGxqo
'Should we hide the body?' I wondered aloud.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuESCvn3Da
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6pBb03AKS
Carlena answered. 'Leave it for the monsters. There won't be a trace of it by tomorrow.'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzY22392LR3
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yP9NlMdjq
'What next?'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGkczki3Tl
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBSLLJB1jY
'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.'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhyeYUCGOr
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbFttDmbG2
'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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1lMQTD3By
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2WYBAGvsC
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxi02gl1JBY
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DJkRicSMT
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIhqzTmgmd
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfq31bogQd
'Freeze!'472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKb52Z0ArcB
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqrvzdxA9Q
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrU1Rl7Lxxu
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgmnGpo5mD
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!472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtNLproLg3
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpE07ujcASB
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHxrIXmFGc
You have hit a Ciatern for 6 hit points.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55UCZjVHYK
You have killed a Ciatern!472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXhM1exMzT
You cannot become better at Lunge.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdxe5b1NkE
You have become better at Wield Rapier: 5472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbwtA0HwQy
You have gained 75 Experience.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2R0Ji2BaN
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj37YzwVZSH
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.472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYg2TYkLHtG
472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sUmVdNxCC
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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