'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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYY5Ca1qlV
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'Can you find other quests for me?'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKlqs7sw8N
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwwjChEfPM
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.'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EPmnjr8yz
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS568qfZKOP
'Risk?'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhZlOZtck2
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9gzdVTRGv
'You could die.'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxWxAgz1m0
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilXkwSVcDx
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?'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGIhBBq67a
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'As a vampire?'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfkfTRupPo
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'No, as themselves, just back at a spawn point like this keep, but without their gear.'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaoKwVs8CI
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7eLJCQyqa
With a somewhat feline look of contempt, Carlena said, 'what a strange world you have come from. No, of course not.'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCQBSBH6ni
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLySYulvW4
I didn't bother to correct her. 'Can you change my shape, so that I can fit in armour?'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmoGJNabhb
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGwCxdsObI
'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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJh79G8UiQe
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6I9Hz1dHGc
'Could I turn into a dragon with that?'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMOQZL42mI
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAG6ObE30TA
'A creature approximating your current size, sire. But we should save that for emergencies, such as a critical battle.'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBnfZDkfF5
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'True.'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjp2sJ2g0Y9
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIY3pfjt0W
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxFDzqeqK3
'Sire?'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODfqV6PUBt
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I blinked away the menus. 'Yes?'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZA71QVeFxX
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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.'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQkHoiq1fh
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKLIW50oWZ
'Not too likely to kill me?'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhefGb88hX
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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.'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoRVOR9VDl
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡux6bEQoyAg
'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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW93xV9d1JK
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pmWGphIsH
We parted ways: me to the armoury in the keep; her to change to her travelling clothes, as she put it.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3RMYlzMWQ
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJffPEuiYho
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgN4BZA2WZ
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrabOj0VY4a
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZsUXiQnlW
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoa6GyFx9Zk
After looking me over, the Sorceress simply nodded. 'Sire, you need water.'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPp9Pi01k1
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYIVYoXCd2
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqqwCkNXue
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmETFoa58HS
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOIK5EKIaU
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhDcWTLJeF
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcXJGgSpQO
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Looking through the town menu and buildings submenu, I found the church.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlimlgqTls
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Church level 1340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GYwsXE6pn
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Priest: Cleric level 1340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8ufEJbKxe
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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 1.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7f5oBik8j
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXreDzvhkuP
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFspPnG3Jw2
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bWgJDcv6O
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'Sire?'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggxZW6F1zy
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7up1QlkvsU
'Come with us. I need you to assist while I fight.'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVeUHBnDN4
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTIiN8bc6N
'Get your armour,' added Carlena.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS08o38Dw2j
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLUAIB2fe2
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NkoQf52xG
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4HcyGYtmp
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJJcIacD2q
'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.'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlCZhFOvcG
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdH0bBLNyp5
'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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIooLz1I8L
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'What are you building now?' she asked.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuQXhBeVGT
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'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?'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rGJseEhpf
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwD2JTT0bbh
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.'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrRQtDqEhF
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbLsFiFzzb
'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.'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1Ok757hTc
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbyNxUgERM
'We. We have to solve this. You are not really king, Sean de Courcy. Remember that.'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHC8xiNhNxO
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGouBPkKTm1
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2K056f54le
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NzTqJUuL6
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNSfka86XB
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ56dphpM6s
Carlena stood up, adjusting her headband. 'Good, let's go. We might manage two hours of hunting before sunset.'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgZ5VedkHE
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyRMm8BvwF
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSOJKPLgC8
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgB88Z44vpN
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50U3bAVeR7
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJ1NptzgS2
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ216nMbTWwZ
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HSoVDxx3B
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRa6sQBCGf
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqzIV6TYNS
'Ready?' asked Carlena, eyes on the slopes.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCu4kcxvVa
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYTHJPRPVw
'Wait. Let me get my breath. Tell me the plan.'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrHJDY6AvW
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPY4mTevPE
'I flush something out and bring it here, you kill it. If I have to cast Freeze use your bow.'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MFVQsitFP
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MJTNKdOtN
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRz1rQwaAWt
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYVfDmLkVD
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynWRiNT8aI
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'Here!'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUj6bzolKp
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLIdiE3CYs
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KAiwcyfZP
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITnNLasMb9
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZERaDUPAv
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Bad news.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgIwucR12p
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You have been hit by a Ciatern for 6 points of damage!340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDM72XrVuwR
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'Freeze!'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVvK22lCLM
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzHEMWKKlP
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqnkdiB7eu
'Quickly!' shouted Carlena.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPp8pjY0QA
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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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWmLREZyBz
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Finally, I got the arrow set properly, but when I released the bowstring, the arrow shattered on a rock well wide of the monster.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXX6aZVNUz
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzi7LcRL1A
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You have unlocked the Wield Shortbow proficiency340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAtSzOeTls
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That was progress at least.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjq85cAZpoZ
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My next shot went wide and high.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKA01VA6A2
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6viMujfCvc
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHzli6l0Iw
You have become better at Wield Shortbow: 1340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIsVis15rm
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340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFN7YyLfJJ
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzIjBVgdak
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZHa2qL7Y8
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You have become better at Wield Shortbow: 2340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPLiDT182f
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwa0tDMnGYi
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bVCz5pynB
A heal landed.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMtZ7wNM2k
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You have been healed of 5 points of damage.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5tDHXtEDo
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'Last chance,' said Carlena.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrpLJeRkui
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I missed.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIC1Mxc0b5w
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwj2SxVk4ja
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDw3bkIjlJ9
You have become better at Wield Shortbow proficiency: 3340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxupdO46Dki
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPcsoRTKnL
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82dJahQWVC
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNozI0ip2L
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajmPvxqKE0
A flurry of orange darts smacked into the creature, knocking it over, smoke trails rising from the twitching body.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRWX2knbOy
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5ek2bmSw9
'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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNtToRa6ov
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5RWxWI03Q
'We all have to start somewhere, sire,' said Carlena. 'Unfortunately, that's nearly half my mana gone.'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwMh8CCoZI
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡangnwStvgn
'And all of mine,' reported the Cleric.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMczcynRUKV
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'All?'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQKh2mrhzO
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJud474xuKu
'Sorry sire.'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iizVBgJCA
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsggwaWwCJ
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSYFIDrPAB
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwinuYWSRNM
'Want to try again?' I asked, 'at least my shortbow skill went up a few times.'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJWrDWzDDj
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxdSA6uN3c
'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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0O2z4Vf3i
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuHhVREvhI
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkvEb4ZZ8l
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnNaBsxTWy
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmH9exZpkEg
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NUUXJKOVV
'Carlena, Cleric, come here quick!'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6sw6SXWBa
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQyk6ymkgr
Maybe it was my royal authority or maybe the urgency in my voice but both ran over at once.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhp1nG4C459
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVnsgopiYg
'I think there is something at that rock.'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnY6TCv07W
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQovgvgg1Sq
'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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNNhHoQ3UT
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19KTs3lWmb
Before either the Cleric or Carlena had taken twenty steps a man in leather armour sprinted away from the rock.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiQme7s5WI
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5jySnGguF
'Freeze!'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzBIsijpxx
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UKTRpC3Lb
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkyxW7UNyM
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlCCAU8rpN
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZIi73ctDZ
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSSyINWxTQ
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RyqncZVf9
You have hit a rogue for 7 hit points.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb64L4qZu3B
You have unlocked the Wield Rapier proficiency.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRXFwtGBny
You cannot become better at Lunge.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0q0nJlnmu
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0GC0oKBgb
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZKAY0Hbdo
The Cleric was beside me, mace raised.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsFR11J6Qt
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GeM53iAj7
'Spare me! Spare me and I'll help you.' The man was pale and faltering. I'd probably wounded him half to death.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEU9nisKjCu
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALWb5LhFQd
'Who are you?'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcO5HB0rFd
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QxnsuyOT1
'I'm a scout for King Wace.'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUHtAGaTkl
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrT8C46x50y
'Of Southway?'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAQoHhAj5n
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuNGC29z37
'Aye.'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgbs3tVIxw
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsRltBQXvM
'Kill him,' said Carlena, heartlessly. 'You need to level.'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9DkszROCK
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG19oDs7tmf
She was right and moving myself and the rapier until I could manifest the green box again, I triggered Lunge.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUTd2wpT58
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb12awPjOjk
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnyshapf3k
You have hit a Rogue for 4 hit points.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGfn717auK
You have killed a Rogue!340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rrRqweral
You cannot become better at Lunge.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqJcJz2o7V
You have become better at Wield Rapier: 1340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAuyoCmGhZ
You have gained 35 Experience.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILn867X33i
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6x7NonofcS
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9Fz9hRNFa
Pretty good. I was most of the way to Level 2.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxFOOOynhV
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSKtp75iY9
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPc1cYERmPx
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaTmKo8OSW
'Should we hide the body?' I wondered aloud.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnkVVKuKss
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2VN6v9m7G
Carlena answered. 'Leave it for the monsters. There won't be a trace of it by tomorrow.'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhd3uYs4VWW
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6a0tjCBWn
'What next?'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0SuvbTufl
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7F7uGM6ijo
'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.'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkgXrmF1iS
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGF8IlBdnl
'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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0D55O6vwDg
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmw5VQnH5m
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAreY2CJ7s
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zGxDCyJju
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5U8J6wsLy
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9ChZM17FY
'Freeze!'340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKWvX41rhA
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AHPKKLJm0
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4O6z038UC
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3IPMqpxMy
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!340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsEvCSoIsC
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEqxcpuLdd
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPP3baldlpV
You have hit a Ciatern for 6 hit points.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCwke0BTSY
You have killed a Ciatern!340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXUKgz9jz4
You cannot become better at Lunge.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IpKUyqNlr
You have become better at Wield Rapier: 5340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxy0gW8Twt
You have gained 75 Experience.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4604YIl4Nb
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGOFDWaheo
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPg6ZejRAV
340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZR2Vw06Ydd
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.
