'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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiNL5CJvK2
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvodJ1GrBi
'Can you find other quests for me?'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiqfvhOHbT
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyoRS224GI
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.'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNFXS4opjZ
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4V0i6t6aF
'Risk?'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNGfaYN3hH
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwGT05h9Cu
'You could die.'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rCKdKF72v
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEwHdjYmU8
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?'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAdmvlp3r5
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJS1OTmhk0F
'As a vampire?'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZolvbICi6
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLRGBJf6ST
'No, as themselves, just back at a spawn point like this keep, but without their gear.'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOo9NAZp8be
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisPSaCW7oK
With a somewhat feline look of contempt, Carlena said, 'what a strange world you have come from. No, of course not.'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8G47gXRkUp
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPY48LioqYG
I didn't bother to correct her. 'Can you change my shape, so that I can fit in armour?'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3CItagN1t
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjY8aNvSdB
'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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgimU8eo25s
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9mrF4FRQ4
'Could I turn into a dragon with that?'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wn1GPllrH
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKstyWkKFbu
'A creature approximating your current size, sire. But we should save that for emergencies, such as a critical battle.'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlt0N95Qmqc
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAJVlEiWIk
'True.'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqaBOT3Xaq
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRL28M5aCc
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7u9Y5vjYo
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7VeOjcetZ
'Sire?'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQ3KL6cwq0
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7AvKsqGoU
I blinked away the menus. 'Yes?'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICw1VNaanU
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36zwMFIsSD
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.'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1pwfxdxnh
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGOaXbS3ej
'Not too likely to kill me?'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRWGxYSQbU
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQEdMulLkz
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.'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSz1I0fcav2
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLfCd2Iafo
'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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPjWv9ZErk
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73p5L6vJ45
We parted ways: me to the armoury in the keep; her to change to her travelling clothes, as she put it.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUbcbNgIos
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vEvVaTJGM
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ThxD81nPZ
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCuglSPpDB
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qcTpmUyxS
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEcNKIse8o
After looking me over, the Sorceress simply nodded. 'Sire, you need water.'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHYbKKGgmp
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljbUqvIWBw
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbOBKKXBEL
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡligQtCF3aW
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EtOOaREoO
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMeXad8NDu
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHSUoDvfrx
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDm1KiBNEqL
Looking through the town menu and buildings submenu, I found the church.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcoKz2J6c2
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYce0YiBCf
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBysHQvlG1
Church level 1294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkd9t5l1AG
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSfyU2ZQLl
Priest: Cleric level 1294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aRJM3sgrO
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpyArD1hWs
Benefits: heals one person per day of minor wounds (cannot cure diseases, heal victims of poison or remove magical curses). Increases town Happiness by 1.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMCVKVmDuS
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJSW25GhsH
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTkx75q4D9
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPluY9acg6
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTs83LnlEr
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVsSk6VUHF
'Sire?'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf20X2qFRhe
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLfbKlgoeW
'Come with us. I need you to assist while I fight.'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYmfbcbwwv
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7r1Al3htG
'Get your armour,' added Carlena.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5K0y0qDV2
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00QRVL3AgK
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhHbSFqFrT
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR64svVDXlZ
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTF5q7oeiJX
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydryzUCBJ6
'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.'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cFVFaSY5g
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbs1DfM0UDv
'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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMUeldMb1w
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjffeoobNK
'What are you building now?' she asked.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDYUIFLbp4
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4sGmtG06Y
'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?'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jixJ1UqnM
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jtSQ9vt4w
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.'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV20RoF25Hh
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwthatYDtId
'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.'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ198pOEjAvY
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRj6HLQB0h
'We. We have to solve this. You are not really king, Sean de Courcy. Remember that.'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHASlooWPx1
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOksFv6rujA
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtY7DcGzjU5
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GDuGCeWBE
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnxbAy4Ao5
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFN4Jr6IqSu
Carlena stood up, adjusting her headband. 'Good, let's go. We might manage two hours of hunting before sunset.'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZKSYkxmlw
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3htDU7Yw88
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6b9KQpKtxg
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9o4dqNKRu1
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIisBddcARs
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXULmUdddSi
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjuRmEiB6C
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAykTq1O4pb
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmqufm5VtI
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkLp8G2xec
'Ready?' asked Carlena, eyes on the slopes.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmet9CWFfpb
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCGtJUUoVC
'Wait. Let me get my breath. Tell me the plan.'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenwxmrethh
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRzW0qdEOA
'I flush something out and bring it here, you kill it. If I have to cast Freeze use your bow.'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUHD9JVOfb
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hqBXWcPdL
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBMFG57bF9
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXq3ixKdJkt
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLxDbgP1UQ
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF77vBBZNBX
'Here!'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIuQNBiFMM
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ktDL2FJBg
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVFb2xnUMl
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphQuYUkmgX
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAAhb90iu3
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mX0mo5mSR
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVtt8CAt8V
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpmyZJyc7a
Bad news.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQBiUetdBQ
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbROIC7fiLB
You have been hit by a Ciatern for 6 points of damage!294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MD7uppaU5
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPN6RczbUiz
'Freeze!'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61vJWEZmnL
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCFjdX4lgF
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvndlt24ri
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡao26wOxDvb
'Quickly!' shouted Carlena.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEmQjfIbrr
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yUr7RfL3w
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmNnqrnIvv
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYa11NnP99R
Finally, I got the arrow set properly, but when I released the bowstring, the arrow shattered on a rock well wide of the monster.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOUGtVM4ku
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjVpLH3YfR
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcNJm00EOH
You have unlocked the Wield Shortbow proficiency294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnMvGwMvIp
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlPTGjZRP2
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hO1eXysnM
That was progress at least.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXsSqpg6yz
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGpN50bhhG
My next shot went wide and high.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3NYo71QVd
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOIgrP2Vwo
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPV1oCTq3PG
You have become better at Wield Shortbow: 1294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBeS8o3MoC
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WxZyy3P9x
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vxisY2VuS
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FePvS9Y1s
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Esqxxg0Oz
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRpTTb9WeP
You have become better at Wield Shortbow: 2294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDCVx9EHzj
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBusDPDsA39
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSl8IaK7Itx
A heal landed.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmV91Et0uH
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mjApdRCoX
You have been healed of 5 points of damage.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AowEUy8V5
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyN37jhJCG
'Last chance,' said Carlena.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LjHR1L0hT
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eVTw9iR5O
I missed.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNlo5Zl4tB
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYYCuuPfLk
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OiacfErhz
You have become better at Wield Shortbow proficiency: 3294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eAZVrOGv5
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcpUb9ftAw
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKG8GWSDjL1
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bM1mQTHh9
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoniavfMNT
A flurry of orange darts smacked into the creature, knocking it over, smoke trails rising from the twitching body.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6YRRrZpBf
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrnwb30aLz
'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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQG8mlNmsL4
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTYLqCrVTi
'We all have to start somewhere, sire,' said Carlena. 'Unfortunately, that's nearly half my mana gone.'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QLiFWYRkZ
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQhX0OT6IQ
'And all of mine,' reported the Cleric.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡug9yrVKann
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtXTFUdrae
'All?'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNvNcTfdTf
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2pX0LvVob
'Sorry sire.'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXdc19vGSo
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSNyy42hvy
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwV6LNcXa6Y
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9OTqQuS5q
'Want to try again?' I asked, 'at least my shortbow skill went up a few times.'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEo3gZO80ZG
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8g9x03U1wc
'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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiV8Ku0EA7
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6FLVoWJGy
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDD92OQpApb
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOedJ8HUJd
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnKOWPt26i
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOr0rnkVqx7
'Carlena, Cleric, come here quick!'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2853pzO7y
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfY784cwapg
Maybe it was my royal authority or maybe the urgency in my voice but both ran over at once.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgy6enbnXJX
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAo8mBMOlf
'I think there is something at that rock.'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiG8jAfNic
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHfEJxmJLy
'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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsY0VOIImv
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfLA0ln1S0
Before either the Cleric or Carlena had taken twenty steps a man in leather armour sprinted away from the rock.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡof5X9LO1dy
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWW2P6nhFx
'Freeze!'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7qXXs4w8v
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlm1QJhMG9f
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8wb1GH74W
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntBJAq4teO
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77SEYiBJY3
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeHWdOcvCL
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡng370eGzvG
You have hit a rogue for 7 hit points.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lXXfq8arW
You have unlocked the Wield Rapier proficiency.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0Lua33u6H
You cannot become better at Lunge.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAw7Oc66r8
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJs49cIWTc
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRtja3Ge0F
The Cleric was beside me, mace raised.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHPJVgVlW6
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOxu5qdZUM
'Spare me! Spare me and I'll help you.' The man was pale and faltering. I'd probably wounded him half to death.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtHmbbpymo
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUdvOjLXyv
'Who are you?'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodDX39A9eL
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfhNnxTvHb
'I'm a scout for King Wace.'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzakdXM1IOK
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYbOC6Ipsq
'Of Southway?'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgf5531Fm7n
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiUfTWI8Xx
'Aye.'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCP6OFQkrYN
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcBZwl4Pbp
'Kill him,' said Carlena, heartlessly. 'You need to level.'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9E11HZZCu
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwBrJe0AgX
She was right and moving myself and the rapier until I could manifest the green box again, I triggered Lunge.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87wrFnfC8Q
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgl5MOyeYd
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjhvP5wIh9
You have hit a Rogue for 4 hit points.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFQNkwEiEh
You have killed a Rogue!294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlaKoYqbxi
You cannot become better at Lunge.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sOb4buQVT
You have become better at Wield Rapier: 1294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EZfTNiyUm
You have gained 35 Experience.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQs1t9Iqmmk
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7CXFQGkKK
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85pEhg1jYL
Pretty good. I was most of the way to Level 2.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFTtZ8m6q7
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41C53EEdaQ
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfoWr1YyEq
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sojPFa2zT
'Should we hide the body?' I wondered aloud.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzg2w5usb8p
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxthCcyXS8V
Carlena answered. 'Leave it for the monsters. There won't be a trace of it by tomorrow.'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnsW9dSE1Q
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPICEqMVvqL
'What next?'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIcT3nEmu0
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJisAzGnrS
'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.'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUHod60gAd
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmdpwLPk1X
'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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycVkO2cc67
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Wpl1eNzXS
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UlCaEOZk9
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dekKQXjfB
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreezt8sNFh
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr953Q8va50
'Freeze!'294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGZBYsoZcx
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XZsEBvB6o
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnn9Ldv4NK6
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrh2SaM9HZ
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!294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qkpVoxjKY
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHfoJlwnPu
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYQhqV3TWN
You have hit a Ciatern for 6 hit points.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaQChZHHm5
You have killed a Ciatern!294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLCaw7lVGj
You cannot become better at Lunge.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxD5g2OSAc
You have become better at Wield Rapier: 5294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDyomqC00R
You have gained 75 Experience.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKugrccGrw4
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOzzLhRdYz
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.294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokBUeKnKSb
294Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafqddqutJH
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.
