'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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvyQMMOtjM
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWQphZxNF6
'Can you find other quests for me?'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouC8d44qoQ
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZUlrHCm7b
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.'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDsR6MK7s1
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8Lu5jBrdh
'Risk?'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctXgRYNw7Z
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTddvDqT5t
'You could die.'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2OAaLaHj4
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvIkbE3IvQ
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?'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUUFkb8c6l
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGMtmYUDkO
'As a vampire?'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNFz0ZLTc9
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRSGgoCWlx
'No, as themselves, just back at a spawn point like this keep, but without their gear.'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtYw4dFc6D
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5QZbrDSUB
With a somewhat feline look of contempt, Carlena said, 'what a strange world you have come from. No, of course not.'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmWgqgJZ8Q
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDG0LLY43mU
I didn't bother to correct her. 'Can you change my shape, so that I can fit in armour?'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rs1XsHIn0
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcM4j4IrW3V
'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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEh1ISHibw
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHGsRRh1MS
'Could I turn into a dragon with that?'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLwgljhtLy
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKalDKIKImF
'A creature approximating your current size, sire. But we should save that for emergencies, such as a critical battle.'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsl2E60milU
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sc4JOYzyF
'True.'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5O3uGXp6f
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLFPuBO84C
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3BS99bjWB
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLCJA7FwbF
'Sire?'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvwCfluAUS
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRH6j0lOptT
I blinked away the menus. 'Yes?'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROMgYDeLaC
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgYqETTUD2
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.'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrVs9CXT51
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAn0Op709vp
'Not too likely to kill me?'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUWMAR3s3i
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcQkB3P6oP
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.'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBCKBtWJcA
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIB5oyEPgoh
'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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3ZeUQEGlW
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZh8f1cmBpZ
We parted ways: me to the armoury in the keep; her to change to her travelling clothes, as she put it.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8D2G368tk6
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfabHJkKkcc
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouMDqIYXuc
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbUK8qwV0o
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrrjvbiggM
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDK05WEgbWt
After looking me over, the Sorceress simply nodded. 'Sire, you need water.'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQzVvqy3HD
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyHP9jzbeA
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfGF6CxWAj
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYIOxjAKGO
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTjPWQYnJe
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgFBnKrFWV
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNceGXaAom
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwP119DwKiB
Looking through the town menu and buildings submenu, I found the church.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhitu6lcw3
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wZrzCKtyq
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9xEzXCjQp
Church level 1342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMId3yPYAEB
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LPbJSpxfc
Priest: Cleric level 1342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06tyYNyZRN
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CtT7o8Vbe
Benefits: heals one person per day of minor wounds (cannot cure diseases, heal victims of poison or remove magical curses). Increases town Happiness by 1.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5U0xy0CYm
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GGS2flgmg
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZ13ZrXcZ6
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTExvO32S3
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4AEnxyW6Q
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU56ZAiKmLr
'Sire?'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWfRPhuqze
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfCOIB5sLC
'Come with us. I need you to assist while I fight.'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0pCemRDVY
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUOs63aK3o
'Get your armour,' added Carlena.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qoKPv4aW1
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVspTYoiY0
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOY8acBdUb8
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKN3xyPVEv
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrVq5QS9r4
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdfwHmqldd
'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.'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUDFw3k0j9
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3HqtRglYL
'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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrhh2ALMeG
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSi9Kfqqgoi
'What are you building now?' she asked.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1Mi5ahnk6
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIbNJlh4Es
'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?'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNUyEWKkFM
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0T65mv27o
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.'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ869PdwukyC
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0QcyRhsKl
'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.'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0AhJiqKmz
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGLRWXjwNA
'We. We have to solve this. You are not really king, Sean de Courcy. Remember that.'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwOo5SZlLa
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6myaTJFOZJ
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHXOXv0fPR
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaSXq8B7uL
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHPIQ0ZwgO
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmuSw7ilhE
Carlena stood up, adjusting her headband. 'Good, let's go. We might manage two hours of hunting before sunset.'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGX78Gp5rW
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NHyrq6t4f
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIr8wYRefkh
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5SZP5PbJy
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQAVKcS2fT
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVqoZkpRje
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3jFyVD9K7
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpctauxP0Lh
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UxrAUUWNG
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡModxzg8a6h
'Ready?' asked Carlena, eyes on the slopes.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKsai12JtR
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49b4ZLLMpV
'Wait. Let me get my breath. Tell me the plan.'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIgxzg5iQn
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKWUMeIie9
'I flush something out and bring it here, you kill it. If I have to cast Freeze use your bow.'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjG4QATTkDH
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHJ2u6mJ1r
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUD5u080cXN
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3Iygc18li
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1tis5OQQZ
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXSPJ3zsTV
'Here!'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVFYuFTEmV
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8Fob6UH6K
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhGrijNHLR
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkCzrTns3O
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55I26Tb5PQ
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs03ZvcTiEn
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQygeO5XaY
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiH4lhBJGSV
Bad news.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkxCV5rb7l
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlVYCuztNM
You have been hit by a Ciatern for 6 points of damage!342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJr5EEXRRzO
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17wMqc1Lpd
'Freeze!'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJEbhchvXI
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgvzaz4bw6
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi89tgoQb7F
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7KwzJBhd5
'Quickly!' shouted Carlena.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yk78NFyly
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5zm1v6QlU
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtnuyasipw
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0r4waUf1F
Finally, I got the arrow set properly, but when I released the bowstring, the arrow shattered on a rock well wide of the monster.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJJKs5g9j6
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoG1JlmX8h
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKq2Q9GDx2
You have unlocked the Wield Shortbow proficiency342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrOF9IS4Wz
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwl4m4SWu4
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYwb3WMuKJ
That was progress at least.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjXd2yJDtT
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUx87SIN3s4
My next shot went wide and high.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTXtQnmB0k
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0gY4ovC34
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZxoEUblvH
You have become better at Wield Shortbow: 1342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzRuCS3cxI
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LOC4LO08U
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYl0QjeNtm
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzwYjG8HcH
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpUqClT6Cu
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLS1ddOUog
You have become better at Wield Shortbow: 2342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlbVDctVsz
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6Wd05hknu
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12r2VyIvjb
A heal landed.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIQGHF6a7z
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSw2N4ykhla
You have been healed of 5 points of damage.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfWhfqEUBo
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpTWFqbffz
'Last chance,' said Carlena.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenGzkwv5CE
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQa5jlCRUqj
I missed.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMYtz2Px6q
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdYat0EkTC
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzMpZ5e783
You have become better at Wield Shortbow proficiency: 3342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktZjpf6bsO
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgZbknbwgz
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUNvWGyffa
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvqHYe8btZ
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1RAE7BpSJ
A flurry of orange darts smacked into the creature, knocking it over, smoke trails rising from the twitching body.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZJLqOy7QB
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zkufvkpBi
'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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGOLdkog8T
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HgiEslhUM
'We all have to start somewhere, sire,' said Carlena. 'Unfortunately, that's nearly half my mana gone.'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7ImwMgPpt
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXcZ9pVt0u
'And all of mine,' reported the Cleric.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5db3n8fARK
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEdNBZkgGs
'All?'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9tQle0Fb5
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EAqr4te6l
'Sorry sire.'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz4sAc5T04
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjb73Vnc8iU
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMDE1za58s
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlPXq96lhp
'Want to try again?' I asked, 'at least my shortbow skill went up a few times.'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVBXTtbP28
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBYk6At6Ej
'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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVfdN1ru0b
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1nF1dvMfn
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8E8XT7Bfn
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bT88TNeN6
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFbBkxk4bK
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ264rmc2hAc
'Carlena, Cleric, come here quick!'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMY9TJtbT29
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyr2e6eKzn
Maybe it was my royal authority or maybe the urgency in my voice but both ran over at once.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLYT0G7T8L
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDCU0xa1vG
'I think there is something at that rock.'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZLT3FwRhZ
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLevTTm9Wgh
'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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xrdQHEMyK
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iRZgpfwjE
Before either the Cleric or Carlena had taken twenty steps a man in leather armour sprinted away from the rock.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO78zR0H5Of
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamaMtisv8H
'Freeze!'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPwZTzMP1H
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QOd3fDFqL
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjb7BKsh37
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiAyOrCGoP
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWMvYlT0PF
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKtrAwnOud
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWRlDkiAIO
You have hit a rogue for 7 hit points.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGSOtcl2hH
You have unlocked the Wield Rapier proficiency.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi63LoWMmSP
You cannot become better at Lunge.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CX1zTCP7v
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEBpjBxumW
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxC6PKNGuD
The Cleric was beside me, mace raised.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RmNGZy1qU
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpycPzWBAxO
'Spare me! Spare me and I'll help you.' The man was pale and faltering. I'd probably wounded him half to death.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZLRiUAmGn
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKe8nFLreVE
'Who are you?'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lcwFJeXJ5
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8uDfAPJTE
'I'm a scout for King Wace.'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8FuhPpmDm
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4p7bhFEZQV
'Of Southway?'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3d6fcNYgl
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCL9oJzrAH
'Aye.'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEtzEp1iAK
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9eg3IKSCN
'Kill him,' said Carlena, heartlessly. 'You need to level.'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobg9dKVvO2
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLAbX4TB2i
She was right and moving myself and the rapier until I could manifest the green box again, I triggered Lunge.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClsMG0W6f9
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFejykntQlO
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVhr0Rdj3i
You have hit a Rogue for 4 hit points.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkntgnXEti
You have killed a Rogue!342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkxoSP0iCV
You cannot become better at Lunge.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUXF3ixJMM
You have become better at Wield Rapier: 1342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMo8GW95nEG
You have gained 35 Experience.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg06yCKnJVB
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZWbk6Lnzy
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0GdzvG6Ou
Pretty good. I was most of the way to Level 2.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIJDX90xCh
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BoIW7GMu1
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXSXntBYp3
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUe8tz7Zf75
'Should we hide the body?' I wondered aloud.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEHNAsYZ9i
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeebG1e7ISA
Carlena answered. 'Leave it for the monsters. There won't be a trace of it by tomorrow.'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsZMBE4gQZ
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzVJOr2NOO
'What next?'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DoQKIzdTn
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyZ5AkL96r
'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.'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlsiKoYPig
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQlMlQr8re
'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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4Xn67ZhUw
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NpE3O7TUy
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcgDB06ZDU
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCqlrY4yPB
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaloxsgm13N
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1imA7uYaH
'Freeze!'342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xk9Pg2MPn
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01vQmJRoQU
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfyw7wMWJw
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6P3iwQYH2y
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!342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AjyjO9aOm
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqNg9hFSC1
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YMmfkBd6x
You have hit a Ciatern for 6 hit points.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELKcjAukq1
You have killed a Ciatern!342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJSdpR57lG
You cannot become better at Lunge.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2yxBu5U6s
You have become better at Wield Rapier: 5342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75hC787HEC
You have gained 75 Experience.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTSKJJZqXu
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEktyQ4Jai
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.342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70PkiCUSoQ
342Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwL4MYddSZ
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.
