ã€ŠLate Night at Lund&#x27;sã€‹


 Chapter One: Late Night at Lundâ€™s

    Isa Chamberlin hadn¡¯t planned on stopping at the bar. It was late and a work night. Why had she let Marissa talk her into going over to her place anyway? Because she¡¯s your best friend, because you¡¯re tired of her calling you mopey, because if you spend one more night in the quiet, empty apartment you just might kill yourself.

    All true, but then Marissa wasn¡¯t with her now. And besides, Isa had fulfilled her duty, gone to game night ¨C Marissa¡¯s tabletop roleplaying group ¨C the one Marissa laughingly called Dungeons and Drinking. But there hadn¡¯t been nearly the drinking that Isa had expected, and maybe that¡¯s why she had her hand on the wooden door of a bar called Lund¡¯s.

    She¡¯d never noticed it before ¨C and it was right in her neighborhood, too. What had it replaced? Isa leaned back, hand still on the door, to look at the outside. Even the front of the building didn¡¯t look familiar. The shops on either side had neon signs announcing their names and purposes: Saddler¡¯s Sandwich Shoppe and the Preston Eatery, but this place, this Lund¡¯s didn¡¯t have a placard out front yet, just a hand lettered sign painted on the glass windows. In the gloom of late night you could barely make out even that.

    Restaurants and bars came and went on this stretch of Foster. But maybe it had always been there, just overshadowed by whatever was there before the Shoppe opened. Or maybe Lund¡¯s was new, and it just looked like it had been slumped there in the middle of the block for a generation. By the look of it, a place like Lund¡¯s, it promised to be an old-school neighborhood tavern, the kind of place where a 20-something woman could get a drink and be left alone.

    With a nod to herself Isa pulled open the door. As she¡¯d hoped, she was greeted by dim lights, the low murmur of voices, and the yeasty smell of beer. She slid onto a barstool and glanced at the mirror behind the bar. She saw herself and two occupied booths that sat behind her. Each one held two people. One couple seemed to be well, a couple. They sat opposite but their heads bent forward, almost touching as they studied something laid out on the table. They both had longish hair, but Isa was fairly sure that one was male and the other female.

    Why should she expect anything different, even in Portland? Taverns like this, they¡¯d be gay-friendly, for sure, but not exclusive. The last time she¡¯d been in a real gay bar had been New York, last summer. She and Celeste had visited Celeste¡¯s old college roommate. At least that¡¯s what Isa had thought they were doing. She hadn¡¯t realized then, or for months afterward, that Celeste and Roni had been rekindling an old romance.

    Isa shook her head at her stupidity, and the mirror Isa did the same.

    A shape stepped between Isa and her reflected image. The bartender. He was a tall, beefy man with a bald head and scruffy beard. His jaw jutted out in a classic underbite ¨C technically prognathism. Well, mandibular prognathism to be exact. Isa studied his face with a practiced eye. The malocclusion could have been caused by several factors. Not so pronounced that some corrective hardware couldn¡¯t work to realign¡ª

    ¡°What¡¯ll you have?¡±

    ¡°A pint. Hefe, I guess. Do you have Misha?¡±

    He rubbed his nose with the edge of his thumb. ¡°I brew my own. You¡¯re new.¡± He grabbed a glass and pulled on a tap. ¡°What¡¯s your game?¡±

    Isa thought about the game she¡¯d watched Marissa and her friends play, thought about the dice, and the character sheets, and the little plastic figures. Surely he didn¡¯t mean that kind of game. She glanced around the bar. No Timbers banners, no TV, so he didn¡¯t mean sports. ¡°Um, I¡ª¡±

    He placed the beer in front of her. ¡°Happens that way for some.¡± He patted the bar. ¡°You¡¯ll find your calling.¡±

    So he thought she was one of those mythical unemployed Millennials? Everyone she knew had a job, even if it paid shit. Everyone her age was working hard, trying to pay off loans, or climb the ladder, or just make rent. Those ¡°lazy¡± Millennials that the media talked about, Isa didn¡¯t know who they were.

    She opened her mouth to say as much, but the bartender had already moved on to other customers, and besides what did Isa care what this stranger thought? Have your drink and then head home, she told herself. She and Miles would be doing the Mendez twins first thing in the morning. She always ended up with Jose, the fidgety one, and Miles got Sebastian, who quietly sat for the cleaning. Of course Nora had to deal with their mother, who never just sat quietly in the waiting room, so maybe she had the worst of the bargain.

    Isa took a sip of beer. She¡¯d expected a medium-level beer, but this was a perfect wheat beer ¨C sharp but not bitter, full but not heavy, and it wasn¡¯t too cold. She saluted the bartender with the glass and took another sip.

    Celeste would love this place. The thought came unbidden. It had only been a month since the breakup, so thoughts like that were to be expected, right? After all, they¡¯d been together for three years. Three years. Isa had never had a girlfriend for that long before. She had thought they were headed toward marriage, maybe a child and a house, but obviously Celeste had a different plan. ¡°Just wished you¡¯d shared it with me from the start,¡± Isa muttered to herself as she took a long drink from her glass.

    Someone took a barstool three seats to her left. A young woman with dark hair, jacket and jeans. She thumped a coil of rope on the bar. ¡°Lund! Mead. I have something to celebrate.¡± She grinned, and Isa saw a flash of white teeth.

    ¡°Let me see some coin first.¡± The man loomed over the young woman.

    ¡°You are trying to hurt my feelings, like? I won¡¯t have it, not tonight.¡± She slid her hand into a side pocket and slapped something on the bar. With the flourish of a magician, the woman removed her hand and said, ¡°Enough for two. One for me, and one for¡­..¡± She glanced at Isa. ¡°Ah well, she¡¯s already got a full glass. I guess that means the second one is for you, Lund.¡±If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    Isa tried not to smile. The woman had a slight accent ¨C Irish, perhaps? Slim build, longish brown hair. In the dim light of the bar it was hard to say, but she looked cute. Not that Isa was ready to start dating again. The last thing she needed right now was a girlfriend.

    The man wiped the coins into his palm. ¡°I¡¯ll consider this a partial payment, Mery.¡±

    ¡°But I get my mead?¡±

    The man sighed and lifted a large bottle to the bar. ¡°A small one.¡±

    The front door opened a few more times as Isa drank her beer. Figures moved behind her, reflected in the bar¡¯s mirror. She saw a few people move up a set of stairs she hadn¡¯t noticed at first. The place was bigger than she¡¯d expected.

    As Isa sat there, the woman to her right ¨C the bartender had called her Mery ¨C finished her small glass of mead and then proceeded to dump the contents of a small bag on the bar. She was currently arranging loose papers, a small notebook, a cloth sack, and several tied rolls of paper into some undefined order.

    Isa tried not to stare. Keep Portland weird. She lifted the glass to her lips, caught her own reflection in the mirror and smiled. Life should be an adventure, right?

    That¡¯s the last thing Isa remembered before waking to bright sunlight and scratchy sheets. It took her a moment to register that she was not in her own bed. This bed was narrow and a little short, which seemed for the best considering the room was little more than a closet with a window.

    She was thankful that she was alone and not naked. But where was she? Outside the little room was quiet. Had she been kidnapped? But then why put her in a room with a window? Isa scrambled off the bed and looked out. The ground wasn¡¯t too far away ¨C she was on the second floor at most. An easy jump. In fact, there was a tree just below the window with several sturdy branches. Isa hadn¡¯t climbed a tree in 15 years probably, but today seemed like a good day to get back into practice.

    She tugged upward on the frame, but the window didn¡¯t budge. Her fingers felt along the top for a window lock but found nothing. Isa¡¯s heart began to race. Maybe she really was in trouble. Where was her bag, her phone? With a sigh of relief she found her small bag propped in the corner by the door. It felt lighter than it should ¨C had she been robbed? Her phone was certainly missing, but something had been added to her bag: a small notebook. It looked similar to the one that girl Mery had dumped on the bar. Isa quickly fanned the pages, but they were blank. Too late it occurred to her that there might be fingerprints the police could use to figure out who had¡­. Who had what? Put a notebook in her bag? Big deal. More important to figure out how to get home.

    Suddenly Isa heard male voices in the hall, and they were coming closer. There was nowhere to hide in this tiny room. Her best plan was to break the window and make a run for it. She dropped the notebook in her bag, slung the bag over her shoulder, and returned to the window. But there was nothing in the room to use to break the window. She¡¯d seen people in movies jab an elbow through window panes to break into houses, why not do the same to break out? But as she pulled her fist to her chest and jutted out her elbow, Isa spied the small latch at the base of the window. She almost laughed in relief! The window pushed open like a door. She flipped the latch and swung the window open wide. The crisp air of a fall day hit her face. The air smelled fresh and earthy.

    Below her a wide beaten path led toward the still rising sun. Again she had to wonder where she was and how she¡¯d gotten here, let alone how she was going to get home. She glanced at the sun sitting just over the horizon. She was no naturalist, but Isa knew that if she didn¡¯t book it, she would be late for work.

    With considerably less grace than she would have liked, Isa made it to the ground. She was pulling a few reddish leaves from her blonde hair when a voice behind her said, ¡°Lund¡¯s not fond of people who skip out on their bill.¡±

    Isa turned to see an older woman with a wooden wheelbarrow. ¡°What? I didn¡¯t¡ª¡±

    ¡°Smart to get a room at the back though.¡± The woman nodded at the building. Her curly salt and pepper hair shone in the morning sun.

    ¡°I would never run out on a bill. If you must know, someone kidnapped me, put me in that room, and¡ª Look, where am I?¡± Isa looked around at the trees, scattered buildings, and the dirt path. ¡°Is this Powell Butte? I have to get to work.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not one to judge so if you say you¡¯re not skipping out, you¡¯re not skipping out.¡± The woman lifted her cart an inch. ¡°If you need supplies and you have the coin, I can help you out.¡±

    With her hands on her hips Isa turned to face the woman. ¡°So if I buy something you¡¯ll tell me where I am? That¡¯s nice. Very friendly, very kind.¡±

    The woman smiled broadly and nodded. ¡°Thank you. I do think that my kindness is what keeps ¡¯em coming back. Anne the merchant, she¡¯s always ready to help.¡± She bent over the wheelbarrow. ¡°Now what¡¯s your line? You don¡¯t look like a fighter, but maybe you¡¯re one of those monkish types.¡± She glanced sideways at Isa. ¡°No, you¡¯d be in robes. Same for wizard. You say you¡¯re lawful, so you¡¯re no rogue.¡± She held up a small vial filled with red liquid. ¡°No matter; everyone needs healing potions. 25 gold.¡±

    Isa¡¯s mouth hung open. This lady had taken weird and turned it inside out and upside down. ¡°I¡¯m good, thanks.¡± She took a step back and then another.

    ¡°I know what you¡¯re thinking,¡± the woman said.

    ¡°No, you don¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re thinking, why is it half price? And being lawful, you¡¯re thinking there¡¯s some skullduggery going on. Far from it!¡± She gave the vial a shake. ¡°I have a friend; he makes all his own potions, finest ingredients, and these are the, hmmm, older stock, shall we say?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going to be late for work. Can you just point me in the direction of Powell?¡±

    ¡°Powell¡¯s?¡±

    Isa shook her head. ¡°Not Powell¡¯s. Powell. Boulevard.¡± The merchant didn¡¯t even blink. No recognition. ¡°You know the bookstore, you must know the street. Big thing, 4 lanes. Well, maybe 2 depending on where we are.¡± Isa didn¡¯t even wait for a response. The woman was clearly off her meds. ¡°Thanks, I¡¯ll take it from here.¡±

    ¡°If you need potions or weapons or¡­.¡± the woman pushed around a few items in the wheelbarrow¡­. ¡°Or boots, you come find Anne. I¡¯ve got the goods you need at a price you can¡¯t beat.¡±

    Isa rounded the corner and ran right into a solid block of a man. Lund, the bartender. ¡°You weren¡¯t in your room,¡± he said.

    ¡°I, ah, I got confused.¡± Isa¡¯s mind raced. ¡°I thought I saw my friends. They are expecting me, you know. I need to meet up with them. If I don¡¯t, they¡¯ll come looking for me.¡±

    He nodded. ¡°Fine. But only breakfast for one is included. Your friends, they¡¯ll have to pay.¡±

    ¡°Included? In what?¡±

    ¡°Room and board.¡± The man moved his hand through the air as if laying out words.

    ¡°I¡¯m really confused,¡± Isa said. This man was not acting threatening or guilty. He seemed downright noncommittal about Isa¡¯s plans.

    Lund shrugged. ¡°That happens sometimes, I guess. He told me to expect it.¡±

    Isa shook her head, at a loss for words. The bartender went on. ¡°Joth Windbane? The wizard? You might not know him, but he knows you. Paid for your room and breakfast. And,¡± Lund smiled and crossed his arms across his chest, ¡°he mentioned that I¡¯d find you out back. He suggested I come bring you to breakfast.¡±

    Isa laughed. ¡°Wizard? I¡¯m dreaming, right? I had maybe too many pints of beer, kind of a late night maybe, which is why you¡¯re here, and why I¡¯m now having this wacko dream. I need to wake up. Did I set my alarm?¡± She drummed her hands on her head. ¡°Wake up! Wake up!¡±

    ¡°Hahaha! You and the wizard will get along famously. He says odd things like that all the time.¡±

 Chapter Two: The Noob Lands

    The man who called himself Joth shoveled a forkful of pancakes into his mouth. ¡°You should eat. Trust me.¡± A crumb landed in his wispy beard and stayed even as his mouth moved up and down.

    Isa crossed her arms and leaned back in the booth. ¡°How do I get home from here? What did you do to me?¡±

    The wizard took two more quick bites and then, holding a finger in front of his mouth he said, ¡°What makes you think I did this? No, don¡¯t answer. I get it. I was once feeling the same way as you. I don¡¯t look it, but I¡¯m like you.¡± He paused. ¡°An outsider. They think,¡± he leaned closer, ¡°we¡¯re from another plane.¡±

    She leaned in so that their heads were almost touching. ¡°I don¡¯t care what they think. Is that road going to get me home?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you think I would have taken it if it did?¡±

    Isa stood up. She had half a mind to simply address the room and ask for anyone¡¯s help, but Lund¡¯s was mostly empty. The owner himself stood behind the bar. She took a stool in front of him. ¡°Hi Lund,¡± she said. ¡°I¡¯m Isa - Isabel, but everyone calls me Isa. If I wanted to, say, visit another plane, how would I do that?¡±

    He nodded silently. ¡°Makes sense.¡±

    Isa matched his nods. ¡°What makes sense?¡±

    ¡°Planar travel - it affects some people like that. Makes ¡®em loopy for a little while. You¡¯ll sort out. Don¡¯t worry.¡±

    ¡°Thanks, but if I wanted to pop home for a visit¡­. What¡¯s the best way, you think?¡±

    ¡°Portal, no doubt. There¡¯s one near here.¡±

    When he didn¡¯t offer more than that, Isa smiled brightly and said, ¡°Great! Can you tell me anything more, like where it is, how I get there?¡±

    ¡°Nah. They move around, some of them.¡± He lifted his chin toward Joth. ¡°Wizards can do a spell, though. Class 7 wizards anyway.¡±

    Isa turned to study the plump man who sat finishing his pancakes with carefree relish. ¡°Class 7, huh? Is that a big deal?¡±

    ¡°Deadly.¡±

    Deadly? What did that mean exactly? She turned back to face the bartender. ¡°And ah, Joth over there, is he, you know, Class 7?¡±

    Lund shrugged. ¡°He¡¯s never said.¡±

    Isa gripped the bar with both hands. ¡°OK,¡± she said slowly. ¡°Let¡¯s say I was a visitor, someone who knew nothing about¡­.?¡±

    ¡°Varana.¡±

    ¡°Who knew nothing about Varana, and I wanted to hire a wizard to cast a spell.¡±

    ¡°OK.¡±

    Isa blinked. ¡°OK what?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I would say that. You do appear to be someone who knows nothing about Varana.¡±

    ¡°But the wizard part - can you hire a wizard to cast this travel spell?¡±

    ¡°The answer is yes and no,¡± Joth had joined her at the bar. ¡°The spell is called plane shift.¡± He gestured to the table. ¡°We have more to discuss right now. Lund? Can you brew up another pot of coffee?¡±

    ¡°I think we¡¯re done,¡± Isa said to him. ¡°Unless you can tell me how to find this portal Lund mentioned.¡±

    ¡°The Saflof Stone is several days¡¯ journey. Sit down, and I¡¯ll tell you more.¡±

    As she slid back into the booth Lund placed a bowl of steaming oatmeal in front of her. ¡°Thought you might get hungry,¡± he said.

    Joth pushed a small pitcher of syrup toward her. ¡°What do you do, in the world, I mean. The real world?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m a dental hygienist.¡±

    ¡°Great.¡± He nodded. ¡°Any hobbies? Taekwondo? Fencing? Chemistry?¡± He gave Isa an intense stare. ¡°Blacksmithing?¡±

    ¡°Um, I like to run. Cook, I guess. Watch movies.¡± She took a quick bite of oatmeal.

    Joth bobbed his head. ¡°Eh, not much to work with. Did you find a small notebook, say yea big.¡± He held his hands up about 6 inches apart.

    ¡°Yeah, why?¡±

    ¡°Can I see it?¡± He held out his hand.

    She fished in her bag. ¡°It¡¯s blank.¡±

    ¡°No, it isn¡¯t.¡± Joth¡¯s tone of voice stood like a challenge. Isa held the book up. ¡°Yes, it is.¡±

    The wizard folded his arms. ¡°I¡¯ll grant you that it might have been blank when you first looked at it. Might. But it¡¯s not now.¡±

    ¡°Is this some wizard trick then?¡±

    ¡°They are called spells. Did you, like, play D&D once in college and that was it?¡±This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

    His question threw her off her train of thought. ¡°Did I what?¡±

    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t be here if you hadn¡¯t. Though, that does beg the question, where do other people go? Or do they?¡± He stared over Isa¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Is there a Star Wars reality somewhere? Why didn¡¯t I go there?¡±

    She opened the notebook ready to show him the blank pages, and there on the first page were the words CLASS and LEVEL. Below that, 6 words with a line beside each one. Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma.

    This was familiar. She could picture her best friend Marissa saying, ¡°Intelligence is my dump stat¡± as she showed Isa the paper she used to play Dungeons and--

    ¡°What did you say about, about D&D?¡± She tried to keep her voice level.

    ¡°That you wouldn¡¯t be here if you hadn¡¯t played.¡± Joth smiled at her. ¡°So what¡¯s your class? I can usually pick ¡®em, but you are a hard one to read. Maybe Ranger, for that reason alone.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s blank.¡±

    The smile dropped from his face instantly. ¡°No. Not possible. Let me see.¡±

    Isa brought the book to her chest. ¡°Not until you explain.¡±

    ¡°I just did. For some reason you shifted past the bonds of our world and came here.¡±

    ¡°I did this?¡±

    ¡°Look, it¡¯s a lot to process. Trust me; I know. But you¡¯re here now, and you should just¡­.¡± His voice trailed off.

    ¡°What? Make the best of it? I have a life I¡¯d like to get back to. Friends, a job, an apartment.¡±

    He leaned forward and braced his hands on the table. ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant. I have a plan. It just takes time.¡±

    ¡°Time. How long have you been here anyway?¡± Isa peered at him. He seemed to be about her age - late 20s. ¡°I¡¯m not growing old here.¡±

    He lowered his voice. ¡°There are two ways we could do this - a spell or a portal and--¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t answer my question. How long have you been here? Months? Years?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not as simple as that,¡± said Joth. ¡°You see in this realm--¡±

    ¡°Thanks for the chat.¡± She slid across the seat and pushed herself out of the booth. ¡°I would appreciate if you point me in the direction of this Schaffer Stone.¡±

    ¡°Saflof and no.¡± The wizard crossed his arms. ¡°It¡¯s for your own good.¡±

    ¡°For my own g--¡±

    ¡°See this scar?¡± Joth pulled up the sleeve of his robe to reveal a long puckered scar that ran the length of his forearm. ¡°I got this trying to reach the Stone. It¡¯s guarded. Heavily guarded. Don¡¯t you think that something that powerful would be a strategic asset?¡±

    Behind her Lund said, ¡°Heras is no fool. He keeps an eye on all the magic.¡±

    Isa looked from one man to the other. If this wasn¡¯t a dream, and that hope was quickly fading, she¡¯d need to make friends with someone. Lund seemed simple and reliable, but then Joth seemed to understand what was happening to her. If he was to be believed, he¡¯d also come from the real world.

    ¡°This Heras, he¡¯s in charge?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± said Lund, and at the same time Joth said, ¡°Not exactly.¡±

    Isa turned to face Joth. ¡°Do you ever have a straight answer? What do you mean ¡®Not exactly¡¯?¡±

    ¡°Will you sit back down? Please. Heras is just one thing we need to cover. Suffice to say he¡¯s a VIP, but he¡¯s not king or anything.¡±

    Lund shrugged. ¡°He¡¯s not a king. That is true.¡±

    Isa returned to her place in the booth. ¡°OK looks like I have time for a political lesson. Is anyone king here? Or queen? That would be a nice change.¡±

    Joth didn¡¯t answer. He was leafing through a small notebook. Her notebook, Isa realized. ¡°Give it here. That¡¯s personal!¡±

    ¡°Could be worse,¡± he said. ¡°Could be better, though.¡± He handed her the notebook. ¡°With these stats, you could be anything, well almost anything. I wish you had more constitution.¡±

    Isa placed the notebook flat and opened to the first page. The first two words ¡°CLASS¡± and ¡°LEVEL¡± were still blank, but below that, numbers now sat beside the other words. Strength had an 11, Dexterity had a 14. Constitution was 11, Intelligence and Wisdom were both 13, and Charisma was a 12.

    ¡°Wha-wha-what does this mean? I have 11 lives? Like Zelda?¡±

    ¡°His name is actually Link. People get that wrong all the ti--¡± He must have noticed the stormy look on Isa¡¯s face because he broke off whatever he was going to say. ¡°In a word, no. You do not have 11 lives. No one does. You just have the one.¡± He touched his forearm through the fabric of his robe. ¡°So you want to be careful.¡±

    ¡°What happens if--¡±

    He cut her off. ¡°If we die? I don¡¯t know, but I don¡¯t think we get to go home. Do you want to risk it?¡±

    The reality of her situation began to settle in Isa¡¯s mind. Not a dream, not some elaborate prank show stunt. No, this was her life, at least for right now. And just like back in school when she was up against a big test or a tough teacher, Isa took a deep breath and plunged into the depths, embracing the difficulties she¡¯d be facing.

    She pointed at the top of the page. ¡°So this is my job? That¡¯s what ¡®class¡¯ means?¡±

    ¡°More or less,¡± replied Joth.

    ¡°Why¡¯s it blank?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Everyone I¡¯ve seen, it¡¯s filled in.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve mentioned other people more than once. So it¡¯s not just us? Is anybody here from here?¡±

    ¡°Yes, of course; I¡¯m sure. It¡¯s just not something you ask.¡±

    ¡°So I shouldn¡¯t ask Lund?¡±

    ¡°Good Lord, no! He¡¯s a half-orc.¡±

    Isa blinked in confusion. ¡°A whosit?¡±

    ¡°A half-orc. Like one of his parents was a human and the other was an orc.¡±

    ¡°So that¡¯s a thing? That¡¯s cool, I guess.¡±

    Joth leaned forward and put his head in his head. ¡°What did you think,¡± he said softly, ¡°when you first met him? Could you not see that he looked, different?¡±

    ¡°Of course, but that¡¯s easy to explain. We - my clinic - has treated patients with prognathism. There¡¯s nothing strange about it.¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t think the,¡± he ran his finger across his bottom lip, ¡°tusks were at all unusual?¡±

    Isa had finally had enough condescension. ¡°Why are you even talking to me?¡± she said to Joth. ¡°You obviously don¡¯t like me, so what is it that you want? I¡¯m not sleeping with you; I can tell you that right now.¡±

    ¡°You need help; I need help. I¡¯m trying to access the Saflof Stone, and I can¡¯t do it alone. I¡¯ve got a few people onboard, but we need supplies, money, intelligence.¡±

    This didn¡¯t ring true to Isa. Neither one of them knew what she was good at in this world, so why make the offer? He was desperate that much was clear, but then so was she. No money, no change of clothes, no idea about how to survive until she could get home.

    To Joth she said, ¡°I am not saying ¡®Yes.¡¯ But I¡¯m not saying ¡®No¡¯ either. OK? Let¡¯s just take this slow.¡±

    He nodded silently.

    ¡°In the short term I need a place to stay.¡± She didn¡¯t add and a way to make money. She¡¯d figure that out on her own.

    ¡°You could do me a favor,¡± Joth blurted out. ¡°And it might help you figure out what your role is here. I mean your class, your job. The role you play within a questing group.¡±

    ¡°This favor, is it dangerous?¡±

    ¡°Nah, this is like noob lands. I just need you to make a delivery.¡±

 Chapter Three: The Quest Economy

    Isa walked out of Lund¡¯s into the late morning sun with a heavy bag slung across her chest and a few extra possessions for her journey. If she was being honest with herself, she felt like a badass, even with a heavy book weighing her down. Joth had muttered something as he slid the book into the bag. Maybe it was a spell, maybe a prayer. Once he¡¯d finished speaking, he handed her the bag, a little pouch that clinked with coins, and a pair of long thin knives.

    ¡°I dunno,¡± he said, ¡°with your dexterity, maybe a dual wielder is the way to go.¡±

    She stared at the knives. ¡°But what do I-- how do I¡­.¡±

    Lund interrupted her. ¡°The key is to forget you are holding them.¡± He pulled one knife from its sheath. ¡°It becomes your hand. You don¡¯t worry about your fingers, right? They just do what you want them to.¡±

    ¡°Yes, but my fingers have never wanted to stab someone.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Lund¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°You¡¯re an orphan?¡±

    ¡°No, I¡¯m -- wait, what?¡±

    ¡°No one can enrage you like family.¡± Lund frowned. ¡°So if you¡¯ve never wanted to stab someone, it¡¯s got to be because you don¡¯t have any family, and that¡¯s sad.¡± He held up his finger. ¡°I have something for you. Wait here.¡±

    A few minutes later he returned with something wrapped in a white cloth. ¡°I had these as a child, so they should fit. For you, little sister.¡± He laid the bundle on the bar and pulled back the cloth to reveal two sleeves of tooled brown leather. Loose laces ran from top to bottom.

    Isa reached out with one finger and traced an etched vine that snaked up one side. ¡°They are beautiful, but I don¡¯t know what to do with them.¡±

    ¡°You wear them with pride.¡± Lund slid first one sleeve and then the other over her forearms. ¡°You fight with your heart,¡± he said as he pulled the laces tight. ¡°And you come back with a story to tell. That is what an adventurer does.¡±

    Joth had told her to head right down the road for about two hours and then look for a rock shaped like a teddy bear. When she saw it, she could take the next right-hand path that she saw. That path, which would run for about an hour, would lead her right to his friend¡¯s house.

    ¡°Give the book, bag and all, to Fedru. He¡¯ll know it¡¯s from me, and if he has anything to send back, he¡¯ll use the same bag.¡±

    When Isa had asked if there was anything else - anything at all - that he wanted to make sure she knew, Joth said, ¡°The spiders are kind of big here.¡±

    Later she would regret not asking a few follow up questions, but for now Isa was rather glad to be free of Lund¡¯s and the wizard¡¯s presence. She need time to process all that had happened since she¡¯d walked into the bar last night. A little peace and quiet would do wonders for her. There was the long term problem of getting home, but there was the more immediate question of trusting this stranger. Did she have a choice though? She¡¯d only met two people-- not true. She knew three people in this strange land, the wizard, the barkeep, and the merchant. She¡¯d said her name was Anne, and she¡¯d held up a vial that she said was a healing potion. Isa didn¡¯t expect to use those knives at her hips, but it wouldn¡¯t hurt to have something to help her should she be on the losing end of a fight.

    But where would this Anne be? She¡¯d had a wheelbarrow piled high with goods, which meant she could be anywhere, even another town - if there was such a thing. Isa felt the coin pouch that Joth had given her. Was there enough for a potion? She hadn¡¯t peeked at the contents in front of him - that had seemed rude. She laid her hand on the coin pouch now. Better to count it before she met up with the--

    ¡°Well now! Look at you. Was I wrong then? You look a proper fighter.¡±

    Somehow the merchant woman stood in front of Isa. ¡°I was just thinking about you,¡± said Isa. ¡°And here you are.¡±

    ¡°Funny, that.¡± Anne said and crossed her arms. ¡°What were you thinking?¡±

    ¡°That I might want to buy that potion after all.¡±

    Anne flashed a bright toothy smile. ¡°That will do it! Someone¡¯s thinking about spending coin with me, I¡¯ll know it soon enough. Simple as that.¡±

    ¡°So you¡¯re, I mean you have, or you do magic? Is that the way to say it?¡±

    ¡°You said three different things, girl. But the answer is no, I¡¯m no mage. Any magic I have is just the magic of the market. A good merchant has to know her goods and her customers. Now,¡± she rubbed her hands together, ¡°you¡¯re wanting a healing potion. Let¡¯s see.¡±

    With that Anne leaned over the wheelbarrow and began shifting items around. Isa stepped closer to watch. There seemed to be no order to the jumble of goods in the wheelbarrow. Occasionally Isa saw a glint of bright metal. ¡°Do you have gold in there?¡± she blurted out.

    Anne ceased movement and glanced over her shoulder at Isa. ¡°Why are you crowding me? I had a curse laid on this barrow, and woe be to anyone who lays a hand on it. Woe be upon them.¡±

    Isa took a step back. ¡°I was just curious,¡± she said meekly.

    ¡°That, unfortunately, is not something that fades with age. Mark my words, girl. If you¡¯re curious now, it will be ten times worse when you¡¯re a gray hair like me.¡±

    ¡°You hair¡¯s not really gray,¡± Isa said as she studied it. ¡°Much more black than gray.¡± Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    ¡°I¡¯m older than you think! Now, about your request¡­. Here¡¯s the potion - or at least a potion.¡± Anne held the vial up so that light shone through the red liquid.

    ¡°I want the healing potion you showed me earlier.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not my only customer, you know. You want healing, here it is. Now hand over the coin.¡±

    Isa handed the woman the coin pouch and reached for the vial, but Anne pulled it to her chest. ¡°Not so fast. I gotta count this.¡± She slipped the vial into a pocket of her jacket and opened the cinched pouch. With one finger she mixed the coins, seeming to assess them. With a raised eyebrow she returned the pouch to Isa. ¡°I guess I pegged you wrong.¡± With that Anne picked up her wheelbarrow and started to leave.

    ¡°Wait! What do you mean? Where are you going? What about my potion?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s my potion until such time as someone hands over 25 gold to me.¡±

    Isa shook the bag. ¡°There¡¯s not enough in here? It¡¯s so heavy. I didn¡¯t think to ask¡­.¡±

    Anne let out a laugh that was more than half cackle. ¡°You got about 40 copper pieces in that pouch of yours.¡±

    ¡°And copper is not worth as much as gold. Or silver.¡±

    ¡°Not sure what you agreed to do for the money, but I hope it wasn¡¯t much.¡± The woman resumed pushing her wheelbarrow. She was fast and strong for someone so thin. She¡¯d already gone 100 feet before Isa sprang after her.

    ¡°Wait! So how do I make money? I need that healing potion; I know I do.¡±

    Anne turned at Isa¡¯s words. ¡°You are a strange one. What did you say your name was?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m Isabel Chamberlin. You can call me Isa.¡±

    ¡°And you can call me Anne. What we have here, Isa, is a quest economy and not just in Bywater. People with money, they need time, or strength, or safety. Sometimes all three. You¡¯re young and well, you¡¯re stronger than some, I¡¯m sure. So let¡¯s say an old man wants to visit his son in a neighboring town, but he¡¯s worried about the journey. He hires someone like you - give or take - to accompany him. And you, you escort him where he needs to go.¡±

    ¡°Escort has a different meaning where I come from,¡± said Isa with a smirk.

    ¡°Is that right? Huh. The world¡¯s a funny place.¡±

    ¡°Do you want to know what it means? In my land?¡±

    Anne furrowed her brows for a moment. ¡°Is it likely that I¡¯ll travel there?¡±

    Without thought Isa said, ¡°No. I¡¯d say it was beyond unlikely. Why?¡±

    ¡°Then I don¡¯t really need to know, do I? So stop interrupting me when I¡¯m trying to tell you something. I¡¯m helping you out here, aren¡¯t I? Get yourself a few quests, do ¡®em, and then come see me.¡±

    ¡°I have one, a quest.¡± Isa patted the bag. ¡°I have to deliver this.¡±

    ¡°So you¡¯ll get the rest of your payment upon return? They do that sometimes, rich people. Always hedging their bets, making provisions and codicils. Why, there was this one time I--¡±

    ¡°He didn¡¯t say,¡± said Isa.

    ¡°Who didn¡¯t?¡±

    ¡°The wizard - Joth Wind - Windsomething. I think. Joth for sure.¡±

    ¡°Joth Windbreaker, if you ask me!¡± Anne twisted her lips into almost a smile. ¡°You¡¯re delivering for him? Anyone else, ask for half up front and the rest when you return. With Joth, get the whole thing up front.¡±

    Isa crossed her arms. ¡°Wow, you don¡¯t like him.¡±

    ¡°Nope.¡±

    ¡°Care to elaborate?¡±

    ¡°Nope. He might be a deadbeat, but he¡¯s still a wizard.¡± With that the merchant lifted her wheelbarrow and hurried away.

    Lund¡¯s wasn¡¯t far; she could go back and demand more money from Joth. Maybe she¡¯d get it, or maybe he¡¯d rip the bag off her shoulder and send her away. Then what would she do? She had no friends - not yet and why set out to make an enemy? You agreed to the job without asking enough questions, she told herself. Whose fault it that? ¡°Can¡¯t blame the wizard for trying to save a buck, right?¡± Isa muttered to herself.

    As she walked down the path Isa thought about her situation. I¡¯m a stranger in a strange land, but I can speak the language and be understood. They don¡¯t eat weird food - or rather, not that I¡¯ve seen yet. There¡¯s a way to make money; there¡¯s a way to be useful and get allies. This isn¡¯t that different than say, finding yourself lost in Slovenia. At least here you can speak the language like a native.

    For all that, it was a strange place, Varana. And as cleared land gave way to trees and brush, Isa began to feel the strangeness even more. Take the silence for instance. Even when she and Celeste had taken hikes in the Gorge, they were never that far from civilization. The silence of the forest was backed by the incessant hum of the interstate, or the trains, or the buzz of electricity. But here, here it was truly quiet. When Isa stopped walking for a few seconds the forest was completely still. And then as if by some unspoken decree, birds would begin to titter and small creatures would rustle the grass. That is, until Isa took another step, and then the forest fell quiet once more as if she were an ogre crashing through the brush bent on murder and destruction.

    What sort of creatures live here? Joth had mentioned large spiders, but were there raccoons, deer, panthers? She touched the hilt of her left-hand dagger. What good is a dagger against a panther? By the time it got close enough to stab, it would have its jaws around your throat.

    A shudder traveled down Isa¡¯s spine, and the hair on her neck rose. Was she being watched? Of course not! She was alone in a forest, but then again, she was alone in a forest. And alone didn¡¯t really mean alone, not ever. It meant friendless.

    Isa touched the dagger on her left again. Why hadn¡¯t she asked for a bow instead. She¡¯d done archery in high school, had been pretty good at it, too. Of course, hitting a big, round, stationary circle was one thing. Hitting a living, moving, lunging, growling, murderous¡­. Isa slapped her hands on her thighs. ¡°Just stop,¡± she said aloud. ¡°Just stop it right now. You worried? Whadda you do?¡±

    She didn¡¯t have an answer. In school, she¡¯d used study and test prep to keep nerves at bay. She always handwrote her class notes - which her friends thought was nuts. And then she¡¯d type them up later, which helped her cement the material in her brain. But this wasn¡¯t an anatomy pop quiz.

    Actually, it was, kinda. If you get attacked by a-- the image of a snarling wild cat filled her mind. She could see its sharp teeth, its rough, pink tongue, its ears flat against its head. Fine, let¡¯s say you get attacked by a panther. What do you do?

    She knew that a cat¡¯s heart was in the upper chest, but unless the cat leaped at her, she¡¯d have no clear path to it. And she imagined that the ribs would get in the way. Better to jab at its throat, slash at its throat, or try to slam the dagger into its ear.

    The thought made Isa double over and retch. I am not going to kill a cat, she told herself. But a small part of her said, Never say never.

 Chapter Four: Fedrus House

    Although it was impossible to be certain, Isa felt like it was about time for her to start looking for the bear shaped rock. Correction: the teddy bear shaped rock. A bear and a teddy bear are as different as well, an animal and a toy.

    There were many things that Isa neglected to ask Joth, including what ¡°teddy bear shaped¡± actually meant. ¡°Note to self: you need an order form filled out before you take another quest.¡±

    The sun was hitting the tops of the trees as Isa came around the bend of a curve. Below lay a marshy area. Light glinted on the water as a slight wind moved the reeds at the water¡¯s edge. The beauty of the scene pierced Isa¡¯s heart. She couldn¡¯t remember the last time she¡¯d taken a hike or even a walk along the waterfront downtown. What was happening in the real world, she wondered. Had anyone noticed she was missing? Surely Miles would have tried to call her when he realized that he¡¯d have the twins to himself. Or Nora, Nora would try to reach her for sure. Make sure Isa wasn¡¯t too sick to call herself.

    Or maybe time hadn¡¯t moved for them. Maybe it was still just after 11pm in Portland. Marissa would be humming to herself as she cleaned up from hosting the D&D game, pouring the dregs of red wine down the drain and putting the bottles in the recycling.

    Isa felt tears in the corner of her eyes. Of course she was homesick. How could she not be? But then things promised to be a little simpler here. No work schedule, no housework, no ex-girlfriend, no student loans. But back there - she couldn¡¯t help but think of Portland as being behind her somewhere - she had friends she could trust, a place to live, meaningful work. Well, meaningful enough while she saved up money so that she wouldn¡¯t have to work full time while she went to the OHSU School of Dentistry.

    Celeste and the breakup, that had thrown her plans off a little bit, and now with this little adventure, well, Isa wondered if she¡¯d be ready for the spring term.

    But all of that seemed to be a million miles away -- might actually be a million miles away for all Isa knew. A stiff breeze recalled her to the present. She¡¯d been standing here at this rise lost in thought. Better to get moving. She had at least another hour on foot to make it to Fedru¡¯s house.

    Another breeze stirred her hair. She¡¯d need to get a hat or a scarf somewhere. No doubt Anne would be happy to sell Isa some well-used hat for all the money she had.

    In the sunlight Isa saw thin strands of spider web tangled in the limbs of a dead tree. They shone like tinsel on a Christmas tree, waving gently with the motion of the breeze. Spiders. What had Joth said? The spiders are kind of big here. What did that mean exactly? She should have asked him to elaborate. That was a bad habit: she never asked for clarification. She didn¡¯t want to appear dumb. Which was dumb. You can¡¯t know everything, Isa. If her mother told her that once, she¡¯d said it a hundred times. It never sank in, until now. It had never seemed to matter as much as it did right now.

    She¡¯d been standing here, stock still beside a be-webbed tree for at least 5 minutes. Her hand went to her dagger as the hair on the back of her neck rose. Slowly she turned around. The path behind her was empty. She took a step away from the tree and froze. A noise to her left. The tree was now to her left and mostly out of her line of sight. She would have to learn better tactics. That is, if she survived the day.

    Isa took the other dagger into her right hand and prepared to turn to face the tree. The daggers become your hands, that¡¯s what Lund had said. I wonder if he¡¯ll give me fighting lessons. You should have asked about that before you set out on this little mission, another part of her said. ¡°Give me a break,¡± she muttered. ¡°It¡¯s my first quest.¡±

    There halfway up the tree trunk sat a spider about the size of a corgi. It was round and furry; its mandibles looked huge and powerful. It was slowly coming down the trunk, and Isa instinctively threw her left dagger at it. She¡¯d always been pretty OK at darts, but a dagger isn¡¯t a dart, and the hilt bounced off the trunk about 4 inches below the spider.

    ¡°Brilliant.¡± How much do daggers cost? Isa moved the remaining weapon to her left hand and took a step back. She could try to kill the spider and retrieve the other dagger, or she could try to run away. She took another step back. Maybe Lund would let her wash dishes or something to pay back the cost of the lost dagger.

    Some deep buried survival skill made Isa glance over her shoulder. A second dog-sized spider stood not two feet from her. She whirled around so that she had the spiders to her left and right. What she needed was something with some reach. The dagger, while nice and pointy, was too short for comfort. Isa¡¯s eyes swept the ground and spied a broken branch. It was only about 2 feet long but that was better than nothing.

    With her eyes on the nearer spider, Isa grabbed the branch and quickly realized that she should have the branch in her better hand. In a panicked fumble Isa transferred the dagger to her right hand and the branch to her left. ¡°OK,¡± she said aloud. ¡°I¡¯m ready.¡± She took a practice swipe with the branch. It felt a little light. Would it break on contact?

    The gravity of the scene settled on her shoulders. Was she actually considering fighting two giant spiders? In what scenario did she not end up dead? Even one corgi-sized spider was too much. ¡°Look I¡¯m just passing by. I didn¡¯t mean to disturb your household.¡± The way ahead seemed clear so Isa took two steps forward and turned around, stick pointed at the spider on the ground. She took another step down the path. ¡°I¡¯ll go my way; you go yours. Right? We all live to see another day.¡±

    The spiders didn¡¯t move. Isa took another three steps and then turned and began to run down the path. She glanced back and saw that one spider had disappeared. Was that a good sign?

    Before she could decide, Isa¡¯s foot caught a root, and she went sprawling to the ground. Her remaining dagger flew from her hand and skipped a few feet. She managed to hold on to the stick. As she pushed herself off the ground, Isa vowed to not run with a dagger in her hand ever again. Her mother used to yell at her for running with scissors - imagine what she¡¯d say if she saw her daughter now?

    She bent to pick up the dagger and noticed that the blade pointed at a stone that did vaguely look like a teddy bear sitting with its arms and legs splayed. One mystery solved at least. Isa started down the side path just past the rock, keeping one eye out for spider webs. As she walked she berated herself for losing one dagger. Of course maybe she could retrieve it on the way back. If the spiders didn¡¯t take it. Do spiders like shiny things? Or maybe they¡¯re smart enough to know to hide the pointy object. Dog-sized body, dog-sized brain?

    Isa vowed to lock herself up in one of the rooms above Lund¡¯s and not come out until she knew everything there was to know about this new land. OK maybe not everything but something at least. Basic flora and fauna. If the spiders are the size of dogs, how big are the damned dogs? She winced - the way her luck was going, she was about to find out. She¡¯d come up over this hill and be face to face with a dog the size of a pony. This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.

    Isa shook her head. Stop spooking yourself! You know who might have some answers and advice? This Fedru guy, so pick up the pace.

    With that Isa broke into a jog. She kept to a slow, steady pace, one that would get her there quicker than walking but wouldn¡¯t leave her breathless at the end. She glanced down at the scuffed running shoes she¡¯d worn to Marissa¡¯s house. Hooray for lesbians and their sensible shoes, right?

    Ahead Isa saw that the path curved between two hills. She slowed down and then stopped. Something told her that landscape like this made for a great ambush spot. Was there someone lying in wait? And if so, had they already spotted her? What should she do? Speed or stealth? She could try to sprint through this section, but she didn¡¯t know how far this terrain lasted. Or she could try stealth - quietly go off trail and sneak behind them. Assuming she could sneak, assuming she could pick up the road again, assuming there was someone waiting to harm her.

    ¡°Fuck it,¡± she muttered and took out her dagger. You can drive yourself crazy with what ifs. She had no reason to expect an ambush beyond her own paranoid imagination. Without more proof she was just going to continue as she had been. But with her stick and dagger ready.

    No one leaped at her. No arrows flew past her head. No ominous cracking of a twig deep in the forest. In short, the passage through the two hills was boring. And as the right hand hill sloped away Isa could see water. A pond or perhaps a small lake. The road curved toward the water and stopped. Literally stopped at the water¡¯s edge.

    She turned around. Where was the house? Joth said that the road brought you right to Fedru¡¯s house. Well, where was it? This was the right road, right? Maybe that stone hadn¡¯t been the correct bear-shaped marker. Maybe the landscape of this damned place was littered with bear-shaped stones. That would be brilliant, wouldn¡¯t it?

    When she got back to Lund¡¯s, if she got back to Lund¡¯s, she would drag Joth outside by his hair and-- A polite cough interrupted her revenge daydream.

    Standing beside the water was a tall man with a white beard. He wore a long purple robe and a slouched purple cap. That was outlandish enough, but as an added detail, the man also had a pentagram drawn on his forehead. Tattoo or paint, Isa couldn¡¯t tell, and it didn¡¯t seem like asking about it was the proper way to meet a stranger.

    ¡°I¡¯m looking for Fedru¡¯s house. Perhaps you can help me?¡±

    ¡°You want the abode but not the man. Intriguing.¡±

    ¡°No, I want to see him, too. I didn¡¯t -- I¡¯ve got a book for him.¡± She touched the bag. ¡°From Joth Wind¡­. Windbrbrer,¡± Isa mumbled.

    ¡°Indeed? The two are great friends, I hear.¡± The man tucked his arms into his wide sleeves. ¡°But why then wouldn¡¯t this Joth come himself?¡±

    Robes, cap, beard, weird tattoo, was this guy some sort of sorcerer or necromancer - was that a thing in this world? Odds are this was Fedru, but he was being sketchy with her for some reason. Tread lightly, she told herself. What¡¯s the right vibe here? Bored, harried, but semi-tame, like a bike messenger. No emotional attachment to the outcome.

    ¡°Can you help me out, you think? I have other deliveries to make.¡± Was it the sunlight or had the man¡¯s eye glinted for just a moment? ¡°I mean, this is the priority package, of course. Joth paid, uh, top coin for this one.¡±

    ¡°Does everyone lie so freely where you¡¯re from?¡± Before Isa could try to answer him, the man waved one hand, and the pond disappeared. In its place was a wooden house with a low roof. ¡°Joth Windbane never pays ¡®top coin¡¯, as you so colorfully say, for anything. If he gave you 50 copper I¡¯d be surprised.¡± He held out his hand. ¡°I¡¯ll take my book now.¡±

    Fedru¡¯s words seemed to clang inside her head, and without another thought, Isa holstered the dagger and pulled the bag over her head, handing it to him. Fedru peered inside and then said, ¡°Tea. Do join me. You need refreshing before you continue with your deliveries.¡±

    ¡°I really only had this one,¡± she said.

    ¡°I know, but your story has a certain otherworldly charm.¡± A hint of a smile appeared from the depths of his beard. ¡°Where are you from, child?¡±

    If he was trying to get a rise out of her, it wouldn¡¯t work. She followed him into the house. ¡°Oh, here and there. Most recently I lived in the land of Foster.¡±

    ¡°Hmmm, you must show me that on a map sometime. I am most interested in maps.¡± He put a hand on his chest and gave a slight bow. ¡°I am Vernal Fedru.¡±

    ¡°Isa. Chamberlin. Say, can I have the bag back? It¡¯s--¡±

    He turned and entered his house, stooping to clear the doorway, but Isa passed under it just fine. Inside the ceiling rose well over 10 feet. How was that possible?

    In the center of the room burned a fire with a black metal pot suspended over the heart of the flames. Fedru placed the book on a table in the corner and bent over it, ignoring his guest. Isa leaned the stick against the front door frame and took a step toward the fire. Inside the pot something bubbled. Odorless, but thick, like gravy. Isa took another step closer.

    ¡°Tea.¡± Fedru turned and leaned against the table. ¡°And cakes. You must be hungry from your journey.¡± Without looking he reached a long arm to a shelf and pulled two handless cups to the table. He strode toward her so quickly that Isa gasped, but he went past her to a bundle of herbs hanging from a window. ¡°Mint?¡± He stopped short. ¡°Or maybe something darker, sharp and bitter.¡±

    Isa realized he was waiting for her input. She shrugged. ¡°Whatever¡¯s fine.¡±

    ¡°What do they drink where you¡¯re from? Perhaps I have it or can make it.¡±

    ¡°Coffee. We drink a lot of coffee.¡±

    ¡°Oh. How very pedestrian. Can¡¯t stand the stuff myself. I have some dandelion root powder. Much better than roasted berries, I assure you.¡±

    The sun shone through the front window showing fine dust floating in the air. ¡°What time does it get dark here? I need to get going.¡±

    The man handed her a steaming cup of brown liquid. ¡°What happened to your other knife?¡±

    Isa automatically took the cup. The warm porcelain felt good in her hands. ¡°I, ah, lost it.¡± She took a sip. The tea was hot and thin with a bitter, earthy taste. ¡°Thanks for this.¡±

    ¡°Lost it? That¡¯s not good.¡± His words hung in the air as he sipped his own tea. ¡°Just right.¡± He leaned forward and offered her a slice of what looked like cornbread. ¡°Cake?¡±

    Who knew when she¡¯d eat again, so she set the tea down and took the plate.

    ¡°Have you always favored your left hand then?¡±

    The man¡¯s voice seemed casual, but Isa froze with her left hand halfway to her mouth. Didn¡¯t some cultures believe that left handed people were cursed? Best to ignore the question. ¡°Is there a reply? For Joth, I mean. I could deliver it for you.¡±

    ¡°Do you believe in prophecy, Isa? I woke this morning with an overriding thought in my head. Do you want to know what it was?¡±

    The man¡¯s pentagram tattoo seemed to flash in the beams of sunlight. She laughed nervously. ¡°Probably not.¡±

    ¡°Even if it could be of great benefit to you? Treasure, glory, fame, don¡¯t you seek these things?¡± He leaned forward and looked into her eyes. ¡°I see ambition there. Drive. You¡¯re a fighter, Isa Chamberlin.¡±

    The air seemed to tingle, and once more Isa felt the hair at the back of her neck stand up. She pushed away from the man and stumbled backward to the wall. Her hand grazed the stick she¡¯d found, and her fingers curled around it. ¡°What do you want from me?¡± she rasped.

    ¡°Nothing right now. Later, no doubt, we¡¯ll have business together. Joth wouldn¡¯t have sent you otherwise. For now I¡¯ll send you on your way with that bag you asked for and a piece of advice. There¡¯s a man named Morgan. Bring him deer hide, and he¡¯ll happily trade you a leather tunic. You could use better protection. Tell him Fedru sent you - he should offer you a somewhat better deal than otherwise.¡±

    ¡°A deer hide. You think I¡¯m going to kill a deer?¡±

    Fedru stared past her head for a long moment. ¡°I don¡¯t see that you have a choice.¡±

 Chapter Five: Meeting Mery

    Isa stopped at the rise of the hill and looked back at Fedru¡¯s cottage. She¡¯d be happy if she never saw him again. Sure, he¡¯d given her some food and Joth¡¯s big bag, but the way he¡¯d looked into her eyes. The things he said¡­. She could do without the doom and gloom pronouncements.

    There¡¯d been a guy in her freshman class at PSU, everything was dark and hopeless according to him. Everything that happened, no matter how good it seemed, it was bad news to Russell. If he got an A on an exam, it was just setting him up for failure later.

    Isa had the bad luck to be paired with him for chem lab two semesters in a row. Alphabetic fate: Broward and Chamberlin. After their first year he¡¯d dropped out or changed majors. Either way, Isa had been glad to be rid of him. She felt the same about this Fedru guy. Prophecy? What sort of herb was he smoking in that little hut of his?

    Big hut, she corrected herself. Bigger on the inside, like in a fairy tale. She kicked at the leaves at her feet. Not a fairy tale. Not a dream, or hallucination, no this place was real, and she had to figure out how to get home. Best to get back to the one person who seems to have a plan about that. For better or worse, Isa was stuck with Joth Wind-- Wind what? She wasn¡¯t usually so bad with names, but he had a weird last name. Well, he probably had a normal last name if he really was from home, but he¡¯d given himself some special wizard-y name here to blend in.

    Isa continued down the path toward the fork where the teddy bear rock sat. Maybe I should come up with a different last name, too. Something with a Lord of the Rings vibe. Isa Woodberry. Isa Greenstone. Isa--

    A sharp crack in the distance caught her attention. She¡¯d let her mind wander as if she were strolling down a trail on Tabor instead of trekking through woods that held spiders the size of show dogs. She tightened her grip on the stick. When she got back to Lund¡¯s, after she¡¯d explained about losing the dagger, she¡¯d have to ask Lund about getting a proper walking stick, something sturdy that she knew wouldn¡¯t crack the first time she swung it at someone¡¯s head.

    ¡°You¡¯re thinking you are gonna get in a fight, then.¡± She laughed at herself and picked up the pace. The tea and cake had fortified her a bit¡¯ she could jog to the fork and then probably jog most of the way back to the tavern without flagging much. She would need a container for water, though. Maybe Lund really would let her wash dishes or cook or something for a few coins.

    Up ahead Isa saw the fork where this path met the wider one that would lead her back to safety. Of course, she¡¯d have to pass the spider tree. But at least she was prepared this time. Unconsciously she bobbed her head. More or less prepared.

    Another crack, this time closer. Isa whirled to face the noise, and a deer bounded toward her from the undergrowth. It was headed straight for her, antlers pointed right at her midsection, so without thinking Isa stepped to one side and swung the stick up as hard as she could at the deer¡¯s head. The animal took another step before crumpling to the ground and sliding another few feet in the leaves.

    She dropped the stick and moved toward the deer, spying an arrow sticking out of its haunch as she did so. Its hooves lashed out, and Isa jumped back before a kick landed. She circled toward its head and saw that the neck bent at an odd angle, too. It wasn¡¯t kicking out in malice. It was dying, and these motions were just death throes.

    Isa dropped to her knees. Death throes. She knew those words; she¡¯d used them before, but they¡¯d never really meant anything to her. Now, in her 28th year of life, she understood what they really meant. Sure the deer had been shot, but it was running away before Isa hit it.

    The deer still kicked, weaker now, and Isa reached out a hand to stroke its nose. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she whispered. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean¡ª¡±

    ¡°You a druid, then? I¡¯ll let you to it.¡±

    Isa glanced up to see the woman from the tavern, the one Lund called Mery, standing near the deer with an arrow knocked in a bow. A look of confusion must have crossed her face because the woman said, ¡°Do your rites and then we can split the meat. I won¡¯t cross a druid, not in the woods, anyway.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand. The deer - it was headed right--¡± Isa thumped her chest. ¡°The horns were¡­. And I just--¡±

    ¡°Right then.¡± Mery stepped closer and dropped her bow to the ground. She knelt behind the deer. ¡°Hold tight, lad.¡± She drew a long knife from her boot. ¡°There¡¯s a good fellow.¡± She patted his heaving side, pulled his head back and paused. ¡°You¡¯ll want to move a bit, girl. Unless you want a blood bath.¡±

    Isa blinked uncomprehendingly. Was this woman threatening her? But as the knife moved toward the deer¡¯s throat Isa suddenly understood and scrambled to the side as warm blood sprayed the spot she¡¯d just been.

    ¡°If I have to do the butchering, I¡¯m taking the best cuts; you can be sure of that. I don¡¯t care if you are a druid.¡±

    As Isa watched, the woman sawed down the length of the deer and worked open the belly. As steaming intestines tumbled to the forest floor Isa leaned over, threw up the tea and cake, and fell back in the leaves.

    She woke with a start and sat up. What a strange dream! Had the alarm gone off? Why was her hand sticky? Then Isa realized that she wasn¡¯t in her bed. She was sitting on the damp ground in a pile of leaves beside the naked carcass of a deer. The stickiness on her hand was dried blood. She must have touched some in her sleep.

    ¡°You were at Lund¡¯s last night, yeah? I almost bought you a pint, but you¡¯d already gotten your fill. I¡¯m Mery Braydon. I hope your back is stronger than your stomach.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m Isa Chamberlin. I just - I¡¯m not from here.¡± She pushed herself to feet and found her stick in the leaves. It hadn¡¯t split when she¡¯d hit the deer. It was stronger than it looked then. She gripped it tightly. What had Fedru said about killing the deer? That she¡¯s have to do it? Maybe he did have second sight. Was that a thing here?

    ¡°Not many city folk take to druidic life. You might want to give it a second thought.¡± Mery gestured with her knife. ¡°Got room for the hide in one of your bags?¡±

    ¡°Can I-- I mean, if you keep the meat, can I have the hide?¡± She closed her eyes tight, trying to remember what Fedru had said. ¡°There¡¯s a man named Morgan? A tanner, maybe? I heard that he trades hide for clothes.¡±Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    Mery paused at her work and laid her knife to the side. ¡°What are you doing out here alone? Did you step through a rip in the planes?¡±

    ¡°Oh God. Maybe. I walked into Lund¡¯s last night in Portland and woke up here.¡±

    ¡°In the woods?¡±

    ¡°No, here. In, um, Varana. That here.¡±

    ¡°And you thought you¡¯d just take a stroll in the woods? Good thing I came along.¡± Mery flashed a smile at her, and Isa noticed that she had dark brown eyes and a little dimple. Her brown hair was pulled back and tied with a cord but some strands had fallen free during her work.

    ¡°Here,¡± Mery said, ¡°help me with this.¡± She gestured at one of the deer¡¯s hind legs. ¡°I can take the bulk of the meat, but I¡¯ll need you to haul the haunches for us. We¡¯ll split it 50-50, and seeing as you landed the killin¡¯ blow, you can have the hide.¡± She gave Isa another smile.

    Over the next half an hour, under Mery¡¯s direction, Isa helped her dismember the deer. She¡¯d dissected a cat junior year for an anatomy class, but this was altogether different, and as she sat back to take a breath, Isa felt a burning on her side. Her small bag, which hung over one shoulder, felt like it contained a hot coal. The heat grew intense, and Isa scrambled to get the bag over her shoulder and away. ¡°What the hell?¡±

    Mery paused in her work, hands on her knees, and laughed. ¡°Oh lordy, say it isn¡¯t so. Gala preserve me, she¡¯s a noobie.¡±

    Isa glared at her. ¡°My bag almost caught fire. Is that some sort of spell you did or something? It¡¯s not funny.¡±

    ¡°You really are, then? You¡¯ve not leveled? You¡¯re an honest to Holdren level 1?¡± She used her bloody knife to gesture at Isa¡¯s bag. ¡°Your notebook heats up to let you know you¡¯ve leveled. Once you¡¯re safe and sound, you can crack it open and see what it says. What are you? You¡¯re not a druid, that¡¯s for sure. You¡¯re tenderhearted enough to be cleric. Course, you whacked the hell out of this deer, so there¡¯s something going on there, even if it doesn¡¯t show. You some sort of stealthy fighter?¡±

    All of this was overwhelming to Isa. She felt her face get hot with embarrassment as she bent to pick up her bag. ¡°What are you then?¡± she said to Mery. ¡°You¡¯re so interested in me, what¡¯s your job in this world?¡±

    Mery put her finger beside her nose. ¡°A girl never kisses and tells on a first date. My Ma taught me better than that!¡±

    ¡°You are definitely not my type,¡± said Isa.

    Mery finished pulling a knot tight on a piece of rope, stood and draped the deer¡¯s two hind legs around Isa¡¯s shoulders. ¡°Never say never, my dear,¡± she said with a wink. ¡°That I learned from my Da, the old rogue.¡± She hoisted a stuffed pack on her shoulders and picked up a tied cloth bundle. ¡°It¡¯s not far to town. Cut across this field and down the glen, and we¡¯re there in an hour.¡±

    ¡°It took me almost three hours to get here from Lund¡¯s.¡±

    ¡°Sure, on the roads. Don¡¯t like roads.¡± Mery kissed a green stone that hung around her neck. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    Isa followed behind her. ¡°Is it safe though? There are animals - spiders. I know there are spiders in these woods.¡±

    ¡°I do alright. Move fast and light and you¡¯re gone before most things know you¡¯ve been there.¡± She glanced over her shoulder. ¡°Try to follow my steps. If Mery Braydon takes a path, it¡¯s worth taking.¡± She arched one eyebrow. ¡°All the same, keep that stick of yours handy.¡±

    With that pronouncement Mery began to walk in earnest, and Isa tried to keep up. The smell of blood, the weight of the deer legs, the rough rope rubbed across her shoulders, she was soon struggling to follow the jagged path Mery made. The field sloped down into a small valley as the land on both sides rose up. The left side reeling out as far as Isa could see toward a string of white capped mountains. She could have been in the Cascades. This could be the foothills of Hood or Rainier. Perhaps that¡¯s where she truly was but in a different time or dimension. Maybe Joth had theories about that. She¡¯d ask him when they got back to Lund¡¯s She¡¯d also ask what he knew about her current traveling companion.

    ¡°I¡¯m out here because of the wizard Joth. Do you know him?¡±

    ¡°Hard not to know the name,¡± Mery replied without turning around or slowing down. ¡°Hadn¡¯t heard he was so desperate as to use a noob for a quest.¡±

    Isa felt her face burn. ¡°Stop calling me that! I¡¯m not some stupid kid, alright. I¡¯m almost 30, highly educated. I have an apartment, a job - probably - waiting for me. I¡¯m not supposed to be here, and I think I¡¯m doing alright considering.¡± She looked down at the bloody deer legs dangling off her shoulders. ¡°Anyone else would be curled up in a booth at Lund¡¯s sobbing their eyes out, not carting dead animals through the fields with some Irish ninja.¡±

    Mery stopped and turned around. ¡°I don¡¯t know what that means, but I think you¡¯re trying to hurt my feelings. How is it possible that you¡¯re that old and level 1? Are you noble?¡± Her eyes narrowed as she looked Isa up and down. ¡°Sickly? You don¡¯t look sickly.¡±

    ¡°Now who¡¯s being mean?¡± Isa dropped to her knees. ¡°Can we rest? I¡¯m really tired. I¡¯m carrying like 25 extra pounds here.¡±

    ¡°A rest sounds nice. Just a few minutes though. The smell of blood travels, and I smell rain on the wind.¡± She brought out a waterskin and handed it to Isa.

    ¡°I have got to get one of these,¡± Isa said and drank deeply.

    ¡°What¡¯d you do to piss off the wizard?¡±

    Isa dropped the waterskin. ¡°What do you mean? I didn¡¯t - I mean--¡±

    ¡°He sent a noob out here with no supplies, no training, nothing. He wasn¡¯t expecting you to come back.¡±

    Isa didn¡¯t answer her. She looked down at her hands. There was blood and dirt under her nails. What had happened to her in a few short hours? Yesterday she¡¯d been a normal person, with normal responsibilities, and now here she was alone in the wilderness with a strange woman, wondering if someone was trying to kill her. And in that moment Isa Chamberlin made a decision. She would be honest with everyone she met. She¡¯d tell the truth as best she could and hope that other people responded in kind. That was the only way she might be able to figure out how to get back to the real world.

    ¡°He said - he said this would help me figure out what I¡¯m doing here.¡±

    ¡°And has it?¡±

    Isa laughed. ¡°Maybe. We¡¯ll see what that notebook says when we get back to Lund¡¯s right? Isn¡¯t that what you said?¡± She paused. ¡°This will sound crazy - and maybe I am - but this,¡± she waved one hand in the air; ¡°this whole thing, it is like a game. Joth mentioned D&D, but I thought he was being metaphorical. Now I wish I¡¯d paid better attention last night.¡±

    Mery was looking at her intently. ¡°What happened last night?¡±

    ¡°I was at my friend Marissa¡¯s house. She plays this game -- this game, I think -- and, I should have learned it better. I mostly sipped wine, built up stacks of dice, and sneaked peeks at her friend Alice, who is really, really beautiful.¡±

    ¡°Dicing and drinking and beautiful women. Sounds downright miserable. So you went to Lund¡¯s to escape such a fate.¡± Mery smiled. ¡°Let¡¯s get you back there. Princess Alice awaits your return to your homelands.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s not a princess. We don¡¯t have those in Port-- Well, actually we do, but I think Alice is from Vermont.¡± She looked at Mery and smiled. ¡°I feel better. Thank you.¡± She grunted at the effort to stand, but once she was up, Isa felt stronger. ¡°I¡¯ll buy you a drink when we get back. I owe you that much.¡±

    Mery¡¯s eyes twinkled. ¡°Two drinks. I did the dirty work. Got offal all in one boot, I did.¡± She started down the trail toward the valley. ¡°We¡¯ll likely get 5 gold for this.¡± She patted her stuffed bag. ¡°We¡¯ll split it even, even though it was my deer.¡±

    The wind stirred Isa¡¯s hair, and she took a deep breath. What a strange and wonderful place this was. She should enjoy it, even as she figured out how to get back home.

    ¡°Don¡¯t dawdle,¡± Mery called. ¡°There¡¯re cougars in this valley. They can smell a kill half a mile.¡±

 Chapter Six: Leveling Up

    Isa sat in a booth at Lund¡¯s with Mery at her side. The notebook was open in front of her. On the first page, which had been blank when she first began the day, sat the words CLASS and LEVEL. Beside them were the words Fighter and 1. Below them were the now familiar stats: Strength -11, Dexterity - 14, Constitution - 11, Intelligence - 13, Wisdom - 13, and Charisma - 12.

    ¡°I had you pegged!¡± Mery thumped the notebook. ¡°A dexy fighter, you are. Though a staff and a dagger¡¯s an odd combination. That how they fight where you¡¯re from?¡±

    ¡°No one fights where I¡¯m from. What¡¯s this second wind thing?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s your notebook, ask it.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± She hadn¡¯t finished her pint of beer, but she thought her ears must be playing tricks.

    ¡°If you don¡¯t know something, it¡¯s worth asking.¡± Mery leaned into Isa as she pulled out her own notebook. She flipped a few pages into her own notebook and set it down for Isa to see. ¡°Let¡¯s say I didn¡¯t know the word investigatory. I just brush the ink with my thumb and dah! There it is - an explanation.¡±

    As Isa watched, script filled a few inches of the notebook, but Mery flipped it closed before Isa could read much. She caught the words insight into the mind of before Mery slipped the black book back into her bag.

    ¡°So try it yourself.¡± Mery urged.

    Gently, as if the ink might smudge on the page, Isa swiped at the words ¡°second wind¡±. After a moment new words appeared as if written by an invisible hand. ¡°Fighters have a hidden well of stamina to draw on in a fight. Once a day, you can regain hit points equal to 5 plus your level. Recharged after a long or short rest.¡±

    She closed the book and held it to her chest. ¡°What else is in here? I didn¡¯t choose to be a fighter. Can I change my mind? What if I¡¯m no good?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll be fine. I¡¯ve seen a lot of folks, and you¡¯ll be fine. As to the book, you¡¯ve got your log, too. Want to know what you need to do for folks, promises you¡¯ve made, jobs you¡¯ve accepted, it¡¯s all there in the log.¡±

    Isa flipped the notebook open again and saw a page with bold letters at the top: Quest Log. Below it was written ¡°Deliver book to Fedru. Giver: Joth Windbane. Reward: 38 copper and a bag.¡± Below that Isa saw the words ¡°Vernal Fedru lives outside of the village in a secluded cottage. Deliver the book and wait for a reply. Fedru is a strange figure in the neighborhood, known to only a few people. It is said that he dabbles in the dark side of magic. Like many wizards he is impatient with questions, sharp-witted, and distrustful of strangers.¡±

    Below that Isa saw the name ¡°Morgan¡±. She pointed at it. ¡°Taking the hide to that Morgan guy is here, too.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a quest, innit?¡± Mery gave her a bright smile. ¡°After awhile it can be hard to keep it all straight, and some quests, well, they take a long time to finish so you need a refresher sometimes on who¡¯s who and what¡¯s what.¡±

    ¡°Do I get to decide what I do and don¡¯t do? What if I don¡¯t want a quest? Can I say No?¡±

    Before Mery could answer, Joth Windbane slid into the booth. ¡°You¡¯re back! And you¡¯re not alone.¡± He began to scooch out of the booth.

    ¡°Don¡¯t bunch up your robes, wizard.¡± Mery finished her pint and motioned for Isa to let her out. ¡°I¡¯ve got a few debts to settle. People to see. I do hope, Isa Chamberlin, that our paths cross again sometime.¡± She smiled. ¡°You should think about trading that blade for something longer, though. A rapier, now that¡¯s a dexy weapon for a cool drink like yourself.¡± She winked at Isa, and with a salute to Lund behind the bar, Mery Braydon walked out of the tavern and into the evening.

    As the door swung shut Isa noticed that it had begun to rain.

    ¡°You delivered the book?¡± Joth picked up Mery¡¯s empty glass and put it at the end of the table.

    Isa leaned back and stretched out her legs. ¡°Yes. I did.¡±

    ¡°Did Fedru--¡±

    ¡°So this is really like a game? Really is a game?¡±

    ¡°Yes and no,¡± said Joth. ¡°It¡¯s real life. And it¡¯s a game.¡±

    Isa shook her head and thumped her head against the wooden back of the booth. ¡°That¡¯s two different things.¡±

    ¡°Not really. Life - what you and I used to call real life - it¡¯s not that different than a game. There are rules and classes, skills and tools, ways to keep score, right? What¡¯s money, what¡¯s a new car but a way to keep score?¡±

    ¡°Speaking of money, where¡¯s the rest of my payment?¡±

    The wizard gave his head a slight shake. ¡°The rest? I don¡¯t--¡±

    ¡°You would take advantage of a newbie? Shame on you. Everyone says you¡¯re cheap; everyone says you underpay.¡± She was suddenly tired of his company.

    ¡°Everyone? Who did you talk--¡±

    She grabbed her glass and stepped out of the booth. ¡°In the future, if you want my help, it will cost you. I need to earn a living.¡± Isa hoped her voice was steadier than her legs. ¡°Speaking of that, Fedru told me to see a man named Morgan. Know where he is?¡±

    Just then thunder crashed overheard. Isa glanced out the front windows and saw sheets of rain coming down. Hopefully this Morgan fellow had a shop close by. Although with this rain, she¡¯d get soaked even if it was next door.

    ¡°Wait a minute! I¡¯m helping you. I didn¡¯t have to do that.¡± Joth moved to the edge of the booth. ¡°There are things you don¡¯t understand, OK?¡±

    Joth¡¯s eyes seemed to expand, his pupils drinking in all the light. The noise of the tavern fell away, and as if in slow motion Isa watched Joth¡¯s knuckles whitened as he gripped Mery¡¯s empty glass. He turned it over. ¡°Time is running out.¡± A tickle of ale raced down the side of the glass and hung at the rim for ages before finally dripping on to the table. ¡°Literally.¡± With that, he set the glass down right side up.

    Isa blinked as sound crashed all around her. The clink of glasses, the scrape of cutlery on ceramic, rain drumming the window, Lund yelling at someone. Joth¡¯s eyes hadn¡¯t left her face. Maybe he¡¯d skimped on payment to her, but she accepted the work. He¡¯d given her advice, given her the daggers. The daggers. She¡¯d have to explain about losing the one.

    He seems like a good guy. A little excitable, maybe, but really you don¡¯t have a lot of options, do ya? Not a lot of allies in this world, not yet anyway.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you buy me some dinner and explain what you¡¯re talking about?¡± She smiled. ¡°I¡¯ll buy next time. Promise.¡±

    ¡°Fine. Lund! Sit down. Lund!¡± Joth raised himself up in the booth and pointed at the table.

    Isa slid into the booth and tucked her small bag beside the large one that held the deer hide. All she had in the world lay inside. All she had in this world, she reminded herself. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    As if to reinforce her thoughts of home, a man¡¯s voice said, ¡°Another outlander? Are you conjuring them, Jothy? Getting lonely?¡± A short man with jet black hair leaned his elbows on the table and grinned at her. He took a whiff of air through his nose. ¡°She even smells outlandish! Who¡¯d have thought it?¡±

    Joth said, ¡°Prestin. Do you need something?¡± He lifted his chin to Isa and said, ¡°Watch your bags. Prestin has a habit of stealing other people¡¯s things.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s low, even for you, wizard.¡± He stood straight, pulled up his pants, and then suddenly leaned forward. ¡°I¡¯ll leave you to your,¡± he waved his hands over the table as if to mess up papers, ¡°stratagems.¡±

    Lund sidled up beside the little man. He motioned him away with one elbow. ¡°Let the woman eat. Had her first kill today.¡± Lund gave Isa a huge smile. ¡°Mery told me all about it.¡± With that, he put down two plates piled with food.

    Prestin was still standing there, and once his hands were free, Lund grabbed him by the shoulder. ¡°Come to settle your tab? I¡¯m glad of it, Pres.¡±

    Isa leaned over her plate. ¡°Who was that?¡±

    ¡°That is Prestin. If he has a last name I¡¯ve never heard it.¡± Joth brought a fork full of potato to his mouth. ¡°He likes to think he¡¯s important.¡±

    ¡°Is he?¡± Isa looked at the plate in front of her. A slab of some rare meat, wilted greens, roasted potatoes, and a massive slice of bread laid across the top. She peeked under the bread. ¡°I made a vow that I was going to go vegan as soon as I¡¯d used up the parmesan cheese in the fridge.¡±

    ¡°Is that like being a vegetarian?¡± Joth asked without looking up.

    ¡°Yeah it¡¯s like being-- How long have you been here?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s been a few years.¡± Joth waved a hand dismissively. ¡°Time moves differently here.¡±

    ¡°You know about iPhones, right?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I know about iPhones. I¡¯m not-- What I mean is, a lot of healers forego meat. If you don¡¯t like it, or you don¡¯t want to eat it, just tell people that you eat like a healer.¡± He paused. ¡°You¡¯re not, right?¡±

    Isa had been studying the meat and wondering if it was the deer she¡¯d killed earlier. She turned her plate so that the meat sat on the far side of the plate.

    Joth repeated himself. ¡°You¡¯re not, right? I mean, they come in handy, but the baggage. Literal baggage. Actually, they have figurative baggage, too.¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡±

    ¡°Your class - do ya know what you are yet? Did your quest to Fedru help?¡±

    The whole story was about to spill out of Isa, the spiders, her conversation with Fedru, Mery and the deer, but she stopped herself. She saw that Joth was hanging on her words, anxious to know these details about her new life, but what did she know about him?

    ¡°Let¡¯s talk about you for a sec. How¡¯d you know you were a wizard? What was your first quest? What is it that you¡¯re trying to do here?¡±

    ¡°Fair questions. Very fair.¡± Joth took a bite of food and chewed. ¡°I was an architect. Not the cool kind with a hard hat and a bundle of blueprints. I sat in front of a computer pretty much all the time. I got here, realized immediately what had happened, and--¡±

    Isa let out a grunt of disbelief.

    ¡°Well maybe not immediately but pretty quickly. You have to understand - I sat in front of a computer at work, and then I¡¯d come home and play Diablo, or Magic, and on the weekends, I¡¯d play D&D.¡±

    ¡°So you came here with like a bunch of spells memorized?¡±

    Joth looked down at his plate and laughed. ¡°Hardly. I had this character I¡¯d been playing for a few years. Level 15 rogue.¡± He shook his head. ¡°Holfo Redwort. What a badass he was. A halfling with a longsword and an attitude.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s like an elf and human mix?¡±

    ¡°Oh good lord.¡± Joth put his head in his hand. ¡°A halfling is like a hobbit. Short? Like Prestin. He¡¯s a halfling, or didn¡¯t you notice?¡±

    ¡°Like Lord of the Rings hobbits? Frodo? They¡¯re real?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Joth said softly. ¡°They are all real. Elves, Orcs, Dwarves, Gnomes. Try not to draw attention to yourself this way. Just assume that what you see is real. Except that you can¡¯t do that either.¡±

    ¡°I know!¡± Isa said around a bite of bread. ¡°Your friend Fedru, he like made his house disappear.¡±

    ¡°He didn¡¯t really, but people can certainly try to make you see what they want you to see and say what they want you to say.¡± He wiped his hand on the sleeve of his robe. ¡°Can I see your notebook?¡±

    Isa had a sudden memory of her 6th grade teacher, Mrs. Webber saying, ¡°It¡¯s may I see your notebook, Isa. Please try to get it right.¡± She decided not to correct Joth. She placed her hand on her bag and stopped. ¡°Are you trying to make me do this? Like mind control?¡±

    ¡°Most times you can tell when someone¡¯s trying to magick you. They need to say something, wave their hands, use a bit of material, like egg shell or a feather or something. There are sneaky bastards who can cast spells silently. But if you pay attention, you can kinda feel like someone¡¯s trying to put one over on you.¡±

    ¡°Great,¡± said Isa, ¡°so what do I do about it? Can I buy an amulet or something?¡±

    ¡°Do you have a bag of gold I don¡¯t know about? Four or five bags, probably? Things like that exist in this world, sure, but they are rare. Like Hope diamond rare. Right? No, in the game, you have something called ¡®saving throws¡¯ and that¡¯s kinda what happens.¡±

    Isa mimed a goalie diving for a ball. ¡°I throw myself out of the way?¡±

    ¡°Wow. OK, no. Let¡¯s say I¡¯m.... Here, I¡¯m going to¡­.¡± Joth reached inside one of his sleeves, fingered something and pulled out a large gold coin. ¡°.... show you this coin I found. Just like in the real world, sometimes, if you¡¯re smart enough you can see through magic tricks. This world is just like that. Anything that you want to do, if you have some skill and some luck, you can do it. Sometimes you need a lot of skill and a lot of luck, so sometimes, you fail.¡±

    ¡°I know it¡¯s not real, but it looks real.¡± Isa reached out to touch the coin, and of course her fingers went right through it. ¡°Marissa and her friends, they used dice. I don¡¯t have dice.¡±

    Joth shrugged. ¡°Maybe there¡¯s some god somewhere rolling D20s for us. All I know is that this world,¡± he tapped his finger on the table, ¡°seems to function like a game of Dungeons and Dragons, right down to the saving throws. Sometimes you roll a 20; sometimes you roll a 1.¡±

    ¡°And you want to roll a 20, right?¡±

    Joth closed his eyes briefly. ¡°It¡¯s not like golf. You want high numbers, yes. Now let me see your notebook, for god¡¯s sake.¡±

    Isa handed it over. ¡°Mery said that I leveled.¡±

    ¡°Scare you when the notebook got hot? I should have mentioned that.¡± He shook his head. ¡°There¡¯s too much to try to explain.¡±

    ¡°Like the spiders? You might could have been more specific about what ¡®big¡¯ meant.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to worry you,¡± he said.

    ¡°Next time, worry me. Please.¡±

    Joth didn¡¯t answer as he studied her notebook. As his silence grew Isa began to feel uncomfortable, like he¡¯d found her teenage diary, the one with the song lyrics.

    ¡°So,¡± he said finally, ¡°you¡¯re a fighter. Very nice. Quarterstaff? That¡¯s unusual with a-- Now I see what the thief meant - I agree; we should get you a rapier. I know someone who can advance you the coin.¡±

    Isa didn¡¯t know what to address first. Mery was a thief? She certainly seemed mercenary but not well, evil. And Joth wanted to set her up with a loan shark? Isa had enough real debt without adding to it here. Her dagger -- well, Joth¡¯s dagger -- would do until she could save up enough to buy a rapier. Joth¡¯s dagger¡­. She needed to tell him that she¡¯d lost one. ¡°About those spiders - I met some and--¡±

    The front door slammed open, and all heads turned to see who was making such an entrance, but the doorway stood empty. ¡°The wind, eh?¡± Lund said as he hurried around the bar to the door. ¡°Bad this time of year.¡±

    Isa turned back to Joth, who hadn¡¯t seemed to notice the commotion. ¡°Are you done with my notebook?¡± She held out her hand. ¡°Do you have any advice that doesn¡¯t involve me going into debt?¡±

    He handed the notebook to Isa and nodded. ¡°Yes, actually. You¡¯ll be level 3 before you know it, so be thinking about your fighting style. You need to specialize.¡±

    ¡°Fighting style? How do you know this?¡± Isa fanned the pages of the notebook. ¡°I didn¡¯t see anything about--¡± But there it was. In faint letters, almost like gray ink, if there was such a thing, she read, At level 3, fighters choose an archetypal fighting style. This will inform your combat moves and fighting techniques. The archetype you choose gains features at levels 3, 7, 10, 15, and 18.

    Before she could say anything to Joth, he began to scoot toward the edge of booth. ¡°I need to go. I have paid your room here for 5 nights. I will be back tomorrow, by noon at the latest, and I can explain more then.¡±

    ¡°But you said--¡±

    Joth put a hand to his ear. ¡°Yes.¡± He nodded. ¡°Quiet!¡± he hissed at Isa. ¡°Don¡¯t make a scene -- hold on. Just have a pint, relax, read up on fighters, think about how you approach a problem, and¡­.¡± He waved his hand ¡°So forth.¡± He put his hand to his ear again. ¡°Yes,¡± he said and pulled his hood up. ¡°Yes.¡±

    A moment later he was out the door. Isa looked around. ¡°I¡¯m the one making a scene?¡±

 Chapter Seven: The Fighter

    With a sigh Isa collected her bags, notebook, and glass and moved to the bar. ¡°Hiya Lund. How¡¯s tricks?¡±

    Lund continued to wipe the bar. ¡°The new bard? Dunno. Haven¡¯t seen him perform yet.¡±

    Isa blinked. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Isa said.

    ¡°The new bard,¡± Lund said. ¡°Trix.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s a bar here called Tricks? That¡¯s too much.¡± Isa laughed aloud. It felt good to just let go, and the look on Lund¡¯s face made her laugh all the harder. She laid her head down into the crook of her arm as her shoulders shook with laughter.

    Suddenly the bar shook from the impact of a heavy object hitting it. ¡°Hoy! No magicks in my bar!¡± Lund bellowed out the words. ¡°Whoever¡¯s making the hideous laughter on this little girl, they better stop right now.¡±

    At the first shout from Lund, Isa had sat up. Now she dried her eyes and looked around. The few patrons in the bar looked at Isa and then at each other.

    When the silence had lasted a few seconds Lund nodded. ¡°Right then. Glad we understand each other.¡± He handed Isa a soft white handkerchief to wipe her eyes. ¡°That was not nice,¡± he said. ¡°Don¡¯t like that in my bar.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry that I laughed, Lund.¡± Isa folded the handkerchief and set aside, aware that she might be about to lose one of her only friends in this place. ¡°It was rude of me. I think the stress of--¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not your fault, Isa.¡± He leaned forward with a solemn look on his long face. ¡°You were magicked by someone. You understand that, right? No one laughs like that, all out of control and leaky eyes, on their own. It was a spell, and I don¡¯t allow magic here!¡± The last part came out mostly as a shout.

    ¡°This place is so weird,¡± Isa muttered. To Lund she said, ¡°Why would anyone want to make me laugh? That seems like a big old waste of magic.¡±

    ¡°But it¡¯s not! Think about it - your friend is facing off against a strong enemy. Wanna give them an edge? Make their enemy drop in a fit of laughter. Can¡¯t hold a sword or defend yourself if you¡¯re giggling like a baby, can ya?¡±

    Isa pulled her notebook out of the bag. ¡°Can I do that - spells, I mean? I¡¯m a fighter, I guess. Can fighters do magic?¡±

    ¡°Pure fighters, no. But some people, they like variety, and they¡¯ll learn a little magic or train with lots of weapons, or maybe learn to craft.¡± He shrugged. ¡°Mostly humans though. You lot are restless, never satisfied to learn one thing really well.¡±

    ¡°But you¡¯re human, too. Half anyway. Oh, is that rude to say? I don¡¯t know, I mean I didn¡¯t think about¡­.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t know any better. It¡¯s fine,¡± Lund gave her a smile, but Isa noticed that he didn¡¯t answer her question. She picked up her notebook. ¡°So I don¡¯t have to be a fighter.¡±

    ¡°Do you mind?¡± Lund held out his hand. ¡°I wanna see what you got. If you started as a fighter, there¡¯s a reason. Might be a good reason.¡±

    Isa slid the book to him. ¡°I didn¡¯t choose to be a fighter, though. I didn¡¯t consciously declare it.¡±

    ¡°Part of you did. Had to.¡± He licked a finger and turned the pages slowly.

    ¡°Well, people have kept telling me that I¡¯m a fighter. That Anne, the merchant lady. The one with the wheelbarrow. And Mery.¡± Isa leaned over the bar to speak softly, ¡°Is she a criminal? She seems so nice, but I heard someone call her a thief.¡± Isa let herself fall back to her stool.

    ¡°It¡¯s complicated. Mery is complicated.¡±

    His tone said that he was done talking about Mery, so Isa gestured at her notebook. ¡°What do you think? Joth said I need to think about a fighting style. Are you a fighter? Does everyone have a job like that?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s called a class, and yeah, everyone has one.¡± He paused to serve drinks to a man at the bar. When he came back he said, ¡°Most people though, they don¡¯t really level it up. You have to have a reason to do that, right? Dangerous work to gain experience and abilities in something.¡±

    ¡°Is it always dangerous, though?¡± Isa ran her hands through her hair. She needed a nice hot shower. Do they have conditioner here? To Lund she said, ¡°Can¡¯t I just¡­. practice with my stick? Train like the Karate Kid or something? Maybe get a teacher?¡±

    ¡°With that strength, you will need a lot of practice, but that¡¯s not going to level you. Not like for-real fighting will. Kill some stuff, maybe find some loot so that you level up your gear too.¡±

    ¡°Speaking of that, I need a job, Lund. Like a regular job. I, um, lost one of Joth¡¯s daggers. I didn¡¯t get a chance to tell him, but I need to replace it. And buy a rapier, I think. Oh god, and a toothbrush. And floss. Do you have that here? It¡¯s string that you use between your teeth.¡±

    Lund was staring at her. ¡°You brush your teeth. Why not just wipe them?¡±

    ¡°The answer to that could fill a book, several books, in fact. How about some thread for right now? Just a longish piece?¡±

    Lund shrugged. ¡°Sure.¡±

    ¡°And of course I need food, a change of clothes, a place to stay. And for all that, I need a way to earn some cash - coin. Quickly.¡±

    ¡°I think that¡¯s fine,¡± said Lund.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    Isa knew now that peppering him with questions would lead nowhere, so she said, ¡°What are you agreeing to? Are you saying you have a job for me?¡± She tried to keep the excitement from her voice. ¡°I was a server in college. I can cook, too.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t need a cook. You can wash dishes though. Got a place in the barn, you can sleep there. Pay is 3 silver a day, but I¡¯ll give you a meal.¡± He rubbed a spot on the bar. ¡°Just till you get your feet under you.¡±

    ¡°You won¡¯t regret it, Lund. Really you won¡¯t. Do I need to start now? I can.¡±

    ¡°Tomorrow is soon enough.¡± He tapped the notebook. ¡°If you¡¯re serious about adventuring, and I think you are, you need to consider your options. Joth¡¯s right - level 3 will be here before you know. Something like fighting style, well that¡¯s important. Good thing that washing dishes allows you plenty of thinking time.¡± He grinned.

    ¡°Joth said something about thinking about how you approach problems. Before he ran out, I mean. He was all hype for talking about fighting styles, and then suddenly he¡¯s like, gone.¡±

    Lund nodded. ¡°Wizards.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a thing, is it?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know?¡± Lund got a pained expression on his face. ¡°Where¡¯d you say you were from?¡±

    Where had she said she was from? She didn¡¯t think she¡¯d said Portland. Foster? Foster-Powell? What did it really matter? ¡°My land has many names. Most people call it Foster.¡±

    ¡°Your Common is different. Not all of it, right? But some. Enough. Sometimes I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, me too.¡±

    He pointed at her empty glass. ¡°Another?¡±

    ¡°Will 38 copper buy me one?¡±

    ¡°You need to understand money. Don¡¯t they have it in Foster? 38 copper will buy you almost 10 glasses of ale.¡±

    ¡°4 cents? Beer is 4 cents a glass?¡±

    ¡°If a cent is like a copper coin, then yeah. Worth every bit, my ale.¡±

    ¡°And you¡¯re gonna pay me how much to wash dishes? 3 silver? What is that like 400 copper coins?¡±

    Lund stared at her. ¡°Oh boy. Pay attention. 10 copper coins gives you a silver coin. And 10 silver coins gives you a gold coin.¡±

    ¡°That seems very logical. So beer is cheap. Good to know. How much to replace Joth¡¯s dagger, though? Is that like 100 gold or something?¡±

    ¡°Lemme see the one?¡± Lund held out his hand for Isa to give him the weapon. ¡°For this? 1 gold, maybe 1 gold, 5.¡±

    Isa mouthed ¡®1 gold, 5¡¯.

    ¡°One gold coin.¡± Lund held up one finger. ¡°And 5,¡± he splayed his hand to show all five fingers, ¡°silver coins.¡± He put a glass of beer in front of her.

    ¡°So I need to work like 3 days to earn enough to replace Joth¡¯s dagger.¡±

    ¡°You should look at picking up side quests, too. Earn some good coin, get experience, and like I said, loot.¡± He sighed. ¡°I loved loot.¡±

    Isa patted her pockets. ¡°Do you have a pencil I can borrow? I need to make notes.¡±

    Lund handed her a stub of a pencil that would have been at home on a mini golf course. ¡°I have a quarterstaff you can use. If you¡¯re sure about that. Weird combo, I gotta tell you that. But that can work in your favor too. People won¡¯t know what to make of you coming at them with a staff and a sword.¡± He scratched his chin. ¡°With your dex, you should be able to pull it off.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure? You already have done so much. These bracers,¡± Isa flexed her hands, ¡°are great.¡± She took a long drink of beer. ¡°This is so good. You would make a mint back home.¡±

    ¡°You favor your left hand? That¡¯s very good. Another point that your enemy will not expect.¡±

    ¡°You obviously know what you¡¯re doing. Can you show me a few tricks? I got lucky killing that deer.¡± She patted the large bag. ¡°Do you know Morgan? I have the deer¡¯s hide, and Fed-- someone said that he¡¯d trade for it. For, um better clothes I guess.¡± She felt ridiculous saying this out loud. ¡°Like leather pants and a jacket¡­. For, you know, protection.¡±

    ¡°Here we call it armor. Leather armor. Pretty common. But you can wear any armor you want, Isa. You¡¯re a fighter. Leather is good and all, but hide is only a little heavier, and it¡¯s much better. I mean it¡¯s no plate, but with your dex, it will be almost as good. And you need to move.¡± He flexed his shoulders, and Isa saw muscles bunch up and release. ¡°You need to dance. That¡¯s how you are going to win fights.¡±

    Isa grimaced as she took another sip of beer. ¡°Lesbians, well lesbians I know, are not big dancers.¡±

    ¡°Is that a religion?¡± Lund looked perplexed. ¡°I don¡¯t know that god.¡±

    Of course there was no Lesbos here. ¡°I mean gay women.¡± She touched her chest. ¡°I like girls. That¡¯s not a problem here, right?¡±

    ¡°Should it be? People are just people. It doesn¡¯t matter who you desire. Everyone knows that.¡±

    ¡°Right.¡± Isa nodded. ¡°Common sense.¡±

    ¡°But to answer your question, I can show you a few things. I¡¯m no master, but I can give you a few exercises that will help you with balance and speed. A rapier is a good idea. Deadly in the right hands. That will be your left weapon, I think, though we¡¯ll have to see when you are in the yard.¡±

    Lund turned his attention to a couple who¡¯d just entered, and Isa looked at her notes. Left hand deadly, she¡¯d written. Copper/Silver/Gold was another note. Below that she added, Crime, Religion, and Culture. She might be here awhile; she should learn the basics.

    When Lund returned to his spot in front of Isa, she said, ¡°Do you have any history books, novels, memoirs maybe?¡±

    ¡°Of course not! What do I look like?¡±

    ¡°Um¡­.¡± Isa gave Lund what she hoped was a winning smile. ¡°Where I¡¯m from people read books all the time.¡± Some people anyway.

    ¡°Here the only people who read are wizards and sorcerers, arcane, what you call, practitioners. And rich people.¡±

    ¡°No libraries?¡± Isa¡¯s hopes ebbed. She needed knowledge to navigate this world, and she¡¯d always used books to help her through.

    Lund bunched his eyebrows in thought. ¡°Don¡¯t know that word. The temple to Fazar maybe has some books. But--¡±

    ¡°Great, how do I get there?¡± Isa drained her beer and grabbed her notebook.

    ¡°It¡¯s a wizard place.¡±

    Isa paused. ¡°I thought you said it was a temple. Like a church? There¡¯s a wizard church?¡±

    ¡°I can tell you where it is, but I don¡¯t know what sort of welcome you¡¯ll get there. They might welcome you, might throw you out on your ear.¡±

    ¡°Tell me. Please.¡±

    After a slight pause Lund said, ¡°OK. The temple of Fazar is east of here, along the river path. It used to be that the main priest was a man named Belchin, but who knows now, right? Wizards, they¡¯re a strange bunch. Always looking for an edge in their magic.¡± He shrugged. ¡°People come and go these days.¡± He held up his hand. ¡°And I¡¯m not saying that they are going to let you look at any of their books, but if it¡¯s knowledge you¡¯re seeking, that¡¯s a place to start.¡±

    Isa had been listening with her notebook in her hand, and as Lund spoke, her notebook vibrated twice. She looked down at it and then up at Lund. ¡°Did my notebook-- Did it just--¡±

    ¡°It buzzed ya? I guess going to the temple is a quest then.¡± He grinned. ¡°I haven¡¯t done that in weeks! I gave you a quest! Have another beer. On me.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t, Lund. I have to go see that guy Belchin.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s after midnight, and Isa, you have work tomorrow, remember? Those dishes aren¡¯t going to wash themselves.¡±

 Chapter Eight: Morgans Tannery

    Isa paused in scrubbing the massive cast iron skillet and wiped her forehead. You¡¯d think that they¡¯d have made a magic spell to deal with chores like this. She¡¯d spent the morning with dishes and glasses and silverware. It seemed that Lund dirtied dishes just to have her clean them. Just when she thought she¡¯d reached the end of the pile, more would appear. Isa didn¡¯t want to complain - after all Lund was doing her a huge favor. The least she could do was knuckle down and get the work done.

    He¡¯d promised the afternoon free so that Isa could take care of the two quests she had in her log. When she¡¯d checked her notebook this morning she saw that her first quest, to deliver the book to Fedru, now had a thin line through it. That was to denote (she guessed) that the quest was complete.

    She ran her fingers over the surface of the skillet. She¡¯d gotten the major clumps, and now it felt fairly clean and ready for a final scrub and oil. And once she was done with the mammoth skillet, she was free. Lifting the pan from the sink and hoisting it to the table was difficult. Lund had handled it with one hand, casually setting it on the table for her this morning.

    ¡°Is this how you gain strength stat?¡± she said aloud. A few days of this, and I¡¯ll be throwing this pan around like a toy.

    Half an hour later, Isa was standing in front of the tavern with her bags across her shoulders. Lund had told her that Morgan¡¯s Tannery was south of town, down a small path in the woods. ¡°You¡¯ll smell it before you see it, trust me.¡± He gave her an encouraging smile. ¡°It¡¯s a well worn path. No beasties to speak of, but keep your staff handy. Oh, and,¡± he lowered his voice, ¡°likely Morgan will offer to buy your piss. Up to you, but it¡¯s worth 5 copper if you do.¡±

    ¡°He will buy my what? What kind of guy is this? That¡¯s just disgusting!¡±

    ¡°I keep forgetting you¡¯re a stranger. That¡¯s how you tan leather, yeah? Nothing like piss for it. That¡¯s why he¡¯s outside of town. Some of the locals sell him their horse piss; some sell their own, if they have a mind. It¡¯s no way to make a living, but if you¡¯re there and he asks¡­.¡±

    ¡°Five copper. That¡¯s like half a silver piece, right?¡±

    He pushed her gently toward the side of the tavern. ¡°Off you go. Time is awasting.¡±

    Half a silver to pee in a cup? She could use the money, gross as it sounded.

    Isa had been in Varana for over 24 hours, and she¡¯d killed a deer, washed a mountain of dishes, and now she was contemplating selling her urine to a strange man. And she¡¯d been so busy that she hadn¡¯t thought of home in hours. What was Marissa doing? Did she even know that Isa was missing? But then, was she missing? Maybe all of this was happening inside a split second of the real world.

    The real world. This world, Isa used her staff to swat at a branch overhead, seems awfully real. She paused and took a deep breath. There were things about this world that were really lovely. The air was always fresh; the trees and plants looked healthy and vibrant. There was no trash strewn about. No crushed McDonald¡¯s cups, no giant Starbucks¡¯ straws, no ATM receipts. No smog, no smoke-- Oh, there was smoke ahead. A thin tendril of smoke rose into the sky. Cook fire maybe? Or was she close to Morgan¡¯s now? Another hundred yards down the path and the eye-watering smell of hot urine hit Isa¡¯s nostrils. She¡¯d found Morgan¡¯s.

    With one hand on the big bag, she strode forward. Let¡¯s hope that Fedru really is this man¡¯s friend. Isa could use a little good luck in negotiating a price for some armor.

    Armor. It felt very weird to call it that, but that was only one of many things she needed to reconcile about Varana. Think of it like motorcycle leathers, she told herself. That¡¯s basically what it is.

    Yeah, but what kind of weirdo would wear leathers and not ride a motorcycle?No one is going to judge you. And of they do, so what? Better to be alive and have people think you¡¯re pretentious, right?

    The woods thinned until it became a clearing. The tannery consisted of 3 buildings. One was set far from the others, and Isa wondered if that¡¯s where Morgan lived. A small stream trickled by the other buildings, and Isa raised her voice in greeting. ¡°Hello! I¡¯m looking for Morgan. Looking to trade.¡±

    A man stepped from between the two outbuildings, wiping his hands on a pale piece of cloth. ¡°Always looking to trade. What have you got there, girl?¡± The man got closer, and Isa tried not to flinch at his smell.

    ¡°Fedru the wizard said that you might trade raw hides for armor. I have deer hides.¡±

    He gestured at her bag. ¡°Let¡¯s see.¡±

    Isa handed him the bag and watched as he pulled out the bundles, unwound them, and laid them flat. The strips were bigger than she¡¯d remembered, but the truth was she¡¯d purposefully avoided watching Mery skin the dead deer. The sound was bad enough without the visuals.

    ¡°Nicely done,¡± he said. ¡°You¡¯ve got a steady hand there.¡± He crossed his arms and stared at the hides.

    Silence stretched out as the man stood over the hides. Finally Isa said, ¡°What do you think?¡±

    ¡°What do I think? What do you think?¡± He met her eyes. ¡°What do you want for them?¡±

    ¡°Hide armor?¡±

    The man ducked his head, and Isa thought she saw a flash of a smile. ¡°Are you askin¡¯ or tellin¡¯?¡±

    ¡°Telling.¡± She tried to sound brusk. ¡°Pants and a jacket. Do you have black? Dark brown would be OK too.¡± Dark colors to hide dirt.

    ¡°Hundred silver for hide armor.¡± Morgan thrust his chin at the hides on the ground. ¡°Seem a fair trade to you, then?¡±

    Isa bit her lip. ¡°I have no idea. I¡¯ve never--¡± She stopped herself. Be strong. ¡°I don¡¯t usually buy my gear this way. I¡¯m from the city.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll bet you are.¡±

    She needed the armor and who knew how long it would take her to save up 100 silver coins. ¡°I could, ah, come pee for you every day.¡± She blurted out the offer before she changed her mind. It sounded much worse out loud than she¡¯d expected.

    Morgan¡¯s head shot up. ¡°What did you just say?¡± He took a step toward her, and Isa took a step back instinctively. ¡°I said that I could come um, give you my urine every day for a few weeks. To help offset the cost of the armor.¡±

    ¡°Your urine. I thought that¡¯s what you said.¡±

    ¡°It was just an idea.¡± Isa took another step back. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to offend you.¡±

    ¡°And who told you that I¡¯d want such a thing, hmm?¡±

    Isa¡¯s face scrunched up as if she expected Morgan to try to hit her. ¡°Lund.¡± She felt a pang of guilt for naming Lund, but this man seemed to be on the edge of violence, and he needed to know that she hadn¡¯t meant to offend.

    ¡°The orc?¡±

    ¡°He was just trying to help me out. I¡¯m new here, and¡­.¡±

    Isa stopped talking because Morgan had begun to laugh. He held his sides, slapped his leg, and downright guffawed. ¡°That miserable, moth-eaten, vinegar-swilling, green son of a bitch! He got me.¡± He wiped his eyes. ¡°Oh, he got me this time. Where is he? He¡¯s got to be hiding somewhere. He wouldn¡¯t miss this, oh no.¡±

    ¡°I really don¡¯t understand. He told me that you¡¯d ask. He said--¡±

    Just then Lund burst from the trees and tackled Morgan. The two men rolled in the dirt wrestling for a few seconds before Morgan emerged on top. ¡°You sneaky bastard! Send a pretty girl. Morgan will fall for it. And I did!¡± He stood up and offered a hand to Lund. ¡°I should have recognized my own handiwork on the bracers, but I thought she was a crazy girl come from Hanchen way or something. I was about to whack her on the head, but then I knew. I saw the greasy hand of a second-rate barkeep who sells third-rate beer to the flea-bitten citizens of Bilgewater.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s Bywater, as you well know. And you deserved everything you got and more!¡± He turned to Isa. ¡°Do you know this man paid, paid! a gnome to play act as a wizard who was cursing my beer. I was shaking in my boots, wondering how I¡¯d manage when the little bastard dropped his wand, lost his hat, and nearly passed out on the floor, he was so drunk.¡±

    The delight in the two men¡¯s faces was too much for Isa. All the fear, confusion, and indignation at being an unwitting part of Lund¡¯s prank melted away, and she took a bow. ¡°I am honored to have been a part of history.¡±

    Lund thumped Morgan on the back. ¡°Morgan Mason, this is Isa Chamberlin. The lass does need decent armor. What can you do for her?¡±

    ¡°The hides are good, but¡­.¡± Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!

    The rest of Morgan¡¯s thoughts were lost to Isa because Lund turned him around and bent to say something in Morgan¡¯s ear. After a moment the man nodded and turned back to Isa. ¡°You said black, is that right? Give me a moment.¡± With that he jogged to the main building, the one set apart from the others.

    ¡°What did you say to him?¡± Isa asked Lund. ¡°He wasn¡¯t going to trade with me. What did you say?¡±

    Lund shrugged. ¡°I told him that you are a stranger here, that you¡¯re just starting out, that you¡¯ll be a good friend to have.¡±

    A few minutes later Morgan was back with a pile of leather armor in his arms. He dumped it on the ground. ¡°This is used armor, mind. But it¡¯s sturdy, and it will do until you can afford to give me 100 silver pieces for a new set made up just for you.¡± He held up a jacket, and Isa saw spatters of dark red all along the right side.

    ¡°You couldn¡¯t clean off the blood?¡± Lund leaned down and rummaged through the pile. ¡°These pants look about your size.¡± He held up a pair of black leather trousers. They were simple pants with long reinforced patches along the tops of the thighs.

    ¡°There was a nasty gash on one leg, so I added the patches,¡± said Morgan.

    Isa set her staff on the grass and took the pants and held them to her waist. They seemed about right, and the length wasn¡¯t bad. A little short probably, but it was a start.

    Morgan held up a tunic that laced on the side. It had half sleeves that ended at the elbows. The shoulders had extra pads like a football player¡¯s uniform. The front part showed that it had been designed for a woman, a woman with a more generous chest than Isa, but again, she couldn¡¯t expect too much for second-hand. Below the breast, the tunic had 3 Vs where strips of leather were sewn together to create a stiff middle section. Overall the top looked heavy, but well made.

    ¡°Try them on,¡± Morgan said and pointed to the main building. ¡°First door on your left is a changing room. Don¡¯t mind the cats.¡±

    As Isa walked toward the building she heard Morgan say, ¡°You sick bastard! Now I need to think long and hard how to repay you, you know that, don¡¯t you?¡±

    Despite Morgan¡¯s warning, Isa didn¡¯t see any cats. She found the changing room and dropped the leathers on the bench just inside the door. Isa sat down beside them and unlaced her sneakers. She would need better shoes. Somehow she didn¡¯t think that her teal and magenta Brooks really went with black leather trousers. So, one more thing to buy. Add it to the list. Shoes, a sword, a healing potion (she should ask Lund about those), water flask, a change of clothes, what else? What else do people have here? Maybe if she saw Mery again, she could get some advice.

    With a sigh Isa unbuttoned her jeans and slid them down. Oh yeah, and regular baths. She needed to know how that worked. Lund mentioned a hot water ration, but he didn¡¯t go into detail. And underwear. She needed underwear.

    If she¡¯d known she was going to slip into another world, she would have packed an overnight bag, right?

    The leather pants went on easily. They had a lace-up front instead of buttons or a zipper. The length was good. She squatted. They had a little give, which was nice - she¡¯d be able to turn, bend, run if she needed to. ¡°Let¡¯s hope you don¡¯t need to.¡±

    Next Isa slipped off her jacket and picked up the leather tunic. She was wearing a soft v-neck long sleeve t-shirt, and it seemed right to leave that on as an undershirt to the tunic. She put her arm through the left sleeve and pulled the tunic over and snug to her body. She saw a small strap with a hole at the end that should secure the right shoulder pad to the tunic. She pulled it down and fitted it over a small metal stud. The right hand laces on the side were more challenging but Isa managed to pull them tight enough and double knotted the strings.

    With a tug on the tunic she turned to look at herself in the small mirror on the wall. Her head and neck looked fine, and that was all she could see. She moved her arms back and forth and swung her torso left to right. The top didn¡¯t have the supple give of the pants. There would be chafing; she was sure of it. Maybe a bandana at her neck to help with the collar. She could probably get that from that Anne lady.

    She stood on tiptoe to try to get a look at her chest. It felt OK, but she had to wonder if she looked ridiculous. Maybe she could stand on the bench¡­. It seemed sturdy, so Isa stepped up and turned to look in the mirror. Now she was looking at her waist and hips. The laces actually made her stomach look pretty flat. Something to remember when she got back home: lace-up pants are flattering. She bent to look at her chest. The breast area didn¡¯t jut out like she feared. It was much more of a rounded look to the chest piece, and the 3 v-shaped strips actually helped make it all look natural.

    She flexed her shoulders again and pantomimed whacking someone with her staff. Yeah, the tunic moved with her. It was stiff, but it seemed to give in the right spots. ¡°If I have my staff in my left hand, then I wear the dagger on my right.¡± She made to take an imaginary dagger from an imaginary sheath. ¡°That¡¯s awkward. I should wear it on my left. Reach across my belly and, hah! Take that!¡± She mimed jabbing a dagger.

    And then the absurdity of it all came crashing through. Isa Chamberlin, Junior Miss Clover 2001, Gamma Phi Beta, soon to be Masters student, was standing on a bench, wearing leather armor, playacting at fighting.

    ¡°You¡¯re not a fighter. You don¡¯t want to be a fighter. You want to go home.¡± Ever since she¡¯d arrived people - be honest, it¡¯s Joth Windbane - had been trying to mold her into a role. What could she possibly have that he needed?

    Only way to find is to ask. Isa hopped off the bench. Not much jiggle, that was good. Of course she was wearing a sports bra. Bras. She¡¯d need those too, damn it.

    Isa stepped to the mirror and peered at her face. ¡°You need to work because you need money to live, just like at home. Doesn¡¯t mean you have to do anything dangerous or stupid, right?¡± She pointed a finger at her reflection. ¡°You are in charge.¡±

    A scratching at the door interrupted her pep talk. ¡°Merr? Mah. Mauw?¡±

    Isa opened the door and saw a small gray striped cat standing there. The cat walked to her, put its front paws on Isa¡¯s leg and stretched. Then it hopped on the bench and sat down. She sat down beside it to put her shoes on. ¡°Hey cat,¡± said Isa. And then she stopped. Do cats talk here? Maybe it¡¯s not a cat but a little demon or a shapeshifter or something.

    But the cat ignored Isa and began to lick one paw.

    OK, normal cat then. And a normal size, too. Considering the spiders Isa had seen, housecats might have been the size of panthers.

    ¡°Can I pick you up, at least?¡± Isa scooped up the cat and walked out of the building. The cat said, ¡°Ma-rah!¡± and squirmed just a bit, but it allowed Isa to carry it all the way to where Morgan and Lund stood.

    ¡°You¡¯ve met the devil, I see.¡± Morgan reached out and stroked the cat¡¯s head. ¡°Mee-ehhh,¡± said the cat.

    ¡°She seems like an angel. What¡¯s her name?¡±

    ¡°That is Paka. Do not be fooled.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s see you,¡± said Lund.

    Isa put the cat on the grass and turned around. ¡°What do you think?¡±

    Lund nodded. ¡°Looks pretty good. Not a bad fit, Morgan.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± the man looked Isa up and down. ¡°This will get you through for a few weeks. Lund says you¡¯re a fighter.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I guess.¡± Isa felt her cheeks get hot.

    ¡°Nothing to be embarrassed about!¡± said Morgan. ¡°Fightin¡¯ is honorable work. Not flashy or complicated - though some people make it so. Good, honest work being a fighter.¡± He raised an eyebrow. ¡°Good coin, too, if you have the connections. Caravan guard, watchman, security. Low risk, steady pay.¡±

    Isa smiled. ¡°Sounds like you know a thing or two about being a fighter.¡±

    ¡°I have a few moves.¡± Morgan pumped his arms a few times. ¡°I¡¯d be happy to share a few pointers with you sometime.¡±

    Oh no, was he flirting with her? All the men in Isa¡¯s life - in her other life - knew she was gay so she rarely had to traverse these waters. She bent to pick up her staff. ¡°Thanks for the offer.¡± Of course he had just given her a great deal on armor. She smiled. ¡°I¡¯ll keep that in mind.¡± To Lund she said, ¡°Thanks for the help. I need to get to that temple.¡±

    ¡°Isa¡¯s going to the wizard temple,¡± Lund to Morgan. ¡°She wants to talk books to them.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a noble, then?¡± Morgan picked up Paka and scratched her ears.

    ¡°Ah, no. More of a scholar, I guess. I don¡¯t know.¡±

    He nodded. ¡°If you follow the stream up, you can loop around Bywater to the east. Save you some time.¡±

    The trail that followed the stream was narrow but easy to follow. Obviously people and animals used it often. Which probably meant that it was a spider-free zone.

    In the real world - she needed to stop saying that. This was a real world too, whether she liked it or not. Back home then. Back home, Isa didn¡¯t really think about spiders. She wasn¡¯t frightened of them or fond of them. They rarely had a starring role in her day. But here, she felt like she was developing a downright phobia about them. She really should ask Lund about how to fight them.

    She gripped the staff that Lund had given her. He¡¯d sawed off 6 inches so that the staff stood just a little taller than Isa¡¯s 5 feet, 6 inch height. ¡°That will help with control and weight,¡± he¡¯d said when he handed it to her. ¡°But you lose a little reach. For now, it can¡¯t be helped, though. Once you¡¯re stronger, you can buy a decent 6 footer. Spruce maybe. Or one of the elven woods, if you can afford it.¡± Each end was tipped with a metal cap, and Lund had wrapped a thin band of leather around the middle.

    After breakfast they had taken 30 minutes to practice in the kitchen garden. Lund had taken her through some basic moves with the staff as a two handed weapon. ¡°Get used to using it both one and two-handed, eh? That way, if you need to, you can.¡±

    She could see what he¡¯d meant about it being like dancing. If fighting could ever be like dancing, of course.

    ¡°Practice every day,¡± he said. ¡°Even by yourself, practice.¡±

    With that in mind she brought the staff up and swatted at a clump of water reeds growing by the stream. They parted to reveal a dog-like creature squatting beside the water. Isa and the creature made eye contact, and before Isa could do anything, the creature leapt toward her. It was wearing armor and stood on two legs. If anything, it reminded Isa of a down and out Wile E. Coyote.

    Any question of intent quickly drained away as a growl ripped from the creature¡¯s throat, and it lunged at her with a sharpened stick. Isa was too shocked to do anything to block the attack and the spear grazed her left side, tearing at her new armor.

    ¡°Hey!¡± The word left Isa¡¯s mouth without thought. She brought the staff around in a sweeping motion, like Lund had taught her. She connected with his legs and the creature crumpled to the ground. He bounced up in a flash though and crouched low. With a low growl he jumped at her, his mouth open.

    Isa was able to dodge aside and keep her feet. As the creature moved past her she tried to swipe it with her staff but missed.

    Quicker than she expected, her enemy wheeled around and bit her left arm. She felt teeth punch through the leather bracers, and she screamed in pain. Without thought she used her free right hand to punch it in the nose. The creature yelped and retreated.

    Isa took that moment to take off running up the path. With any luck she could outrun the creature. Maybe she wouldn¡¯t trade in her Brooks just yet. After a few seconds she chanced a glance behind her. She didn¡¯t see anything, but that didn¡¯t mean he wasn¡¯t still behind her.

    A few more seconds and Isa realized that she could feel blood running down her side. Her left side, and her left arm, felt like fire, but Isa kept running as fast as she could. Tears streamed down her face. She¡¯d been attacked by a-- by what exactly? Some sort of dog-man? More man than dog since he wore armor and used a spear.

    She vowed to not leave the safety of Lund¡¯s again until she had a better understanding of this world and its denizens. If random creatures were going to brutally attack her, she needed to know how to fight back. And not just fight back, Isa needed to know how to win.

 Chapter Nine: The Temple of Fazar

    ¡°I understand your desires,¡± the man said to Isa. ¡°You¡¯ve made them quite clear. But I¡¯m telling you that you may not enter Fazar¡¯s temple. You are, by your own admission, not a wizard, and you would get blood all over the books.¡± He crossed his arms and widened his stance in the temple doorway.

    ¡°Is there someone else I could ask? Your boss or something? I can make a donation.¡± Isa gingerly touched the gnawed sleeve of her bracer. ¡°I am a traveler in need. Doesn¡¯t that count for something to religious types?¡±

    ¡°Aggar?¡± A female voice behind the man spoke. ¡°What¡¯s the matter here?¡±

    He turned his head to reply, ¡°No matter, ma¡¯am. I¡¯m just explaining the rules to this--¡±

    Suddenly a reed-thin woman in copper robes was standing beside him. Her dark hair was shaved close to her scalp, which only enhanced the sense that she was only a few feet from Death¡¯s door. ¡°You are a stranger,¡± the woman said to Isa, and it wasn¡¯t a question.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Isa said softly.

    ¡°You need knowledge in order to feel safe.¡±

    Isa opened her mouth to reply and then stopped. Yes, that was true. She¡¯d never thought of it that way, but it was true. The class notes, the color-coded index cards, her tabbed text books, they were all shields against the uncertainties of the world.

    ¡°I am Ealda, priestess of Fazar¡± the woman said. ¡°And you may enter. Fazar does not turn away true seekers of knowledge.¡±

    The man stepped aside, and Isa nodded her thanks and walked past him. She bowed to the woman, and said, ¡°My name is Isa Chamberlin, and he''s right; I¡¯m kind of a mess right now. Do you have a place I can just freshen up?¡±

    ¡°We have not the healing arts here, Isa Chamberlin.¡± Ealda narrowed her eyes. ¡°If that is the knowledge you seek--¡±

    ¡°No! No-no.¡± Isa held up her hands. ¡°Just a scratch really. I am, as you so succinctly put it, a stranger to Varana. I would like to understand this world, and I do that best when I can read. For instance, I should like to know more about the dog-men who inhabit the river area. The ones with the spears.¡±

    ¡°Gnolls?¡± The man said softly. ¡°There are gnolls in Bywater?¡±

    ¡°Steady on, Aggar.¡± The woman named Ealda clamped a hand on his shoulder. ¡°Do you have even empirical evidence to back up your claim? No, you have a dozen words uttered by a stranger as the basis of your theory. That is weak even by your standards. You may go.¡± She waved her hand in dismissal. ¡°Oh, and Aggar - not a word of this, yes? Until you see gnolls at the river, any talk of them is simply idle gossip, and you know how Fazar feels about gossip.¡±

    ¡°Yes ma¡¯am. Of course.¡± The man scurried away down a dimly lit corridor.

    Isa half wanted to join him. This woman, this priestess, seemed quite serious about her temple, and Isa wasn¡¯t sure she could bring the right level of gravitas to the situation.

    Ealda turned to Isa. ¡°Now then,¡± she reached out with one thin finger and lifted a strand of Isa¡¯s hair; ¡°blonde stranger, tell me more about why you have come here today.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m, ah, staying at Lund¡¯s right now, and he said that if I was serious about reading up on Varana, that I should come here.¡± She flashed a smile.

    Ealda started up a set of stairs and motioned Isa to follow. ¡°You¡¯re some sort of adventurer?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I guess I am.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s excellent news.¡± Ealda turned suddenly to face Isa. ¡°Do you want to know why?¡±

    The priestess was already taller than Isa without being two steps above her on the stairs. Isa craned her neck up and shook her head.

    ¡°Because,¡± the woman continued, ¡°it means that Fazar has answered my prayers.¡±

    ***

    An hour later Isa was trudging back to Lund¡¯s. She was not burdened by an armload of books or wiser for having gotten an hour with an encyclopedia - if they have such things, she added to herself. No, Isa returned to Lund¡¯s as the evening light began to fade with another quest, and one with a deadline, at that. A deadline!

    Ealda had taken her to a large room upstairs where books and scrolls lined the walls. Isa¡¯s heart leapt to see them all. The shelving went to the ceiling on three sides and interspersed on the flat shelves were cubbies for bundles of scrolls.

    Three robed figures sat at a large table in the middle of the room, and the only noise was the sound of pens scratching against stiff paper. The light coming in through the high windows was augmented by candles placed at the table and around the room in sconces and holders. Isa smiled and breathed deep, taking in the scent of paper, cloth, and leather. There was another smell too, an underlying note of a pungent spice perhaps.

    ¡°You discern our problem immediately,¡± said Ealda. ¡°We need feldspice for the candles, and our local supplier says that his stock is depleted. Dragons, he says, have taken residence in his regular gathering grounds.¡±

    Isa stepped back. ¡°I¡¯m no-- I mean, I can¡¯t--¡±

    ¡°You won¡¯t journey to Hanchen to buy feldspice in their markets? You haven¡¯t heard my terms yet.¡±

    Wait, the woman wasn¡¯t asking her to fight a dragon? She was offering Isa a quest but a far less dangerous one. This quest economy was starting to make sense. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll listen, but I just really want to look at some of the books. I mean I¡¯m not trying to--¡±

    ¡°Friends of Fazar may read Her books.¡± Ealda inclined her head slightly.

    ¡°Ah, and friends help friends out by¡­.¡±

    ¡°Helping out.¡± Ealda smiled. ¡°We understand each other.¡±

    ¡°And this quest--¡± As she said the words Isa thought to put her hand on her small bag. She wanted to see if she could feel the vibration of her notebook as it captured the quest details, but the bag didn¡¯t buzz. Hmm, maybe it had already happened when Ealda first spoke? Maybe it hadn¡¯t happened yet because Isa didn¡¯t know the details of the quest.

    Details! Isa flipped open her small bag and got her notebook. ¡°I¡¯m supposed to ask for a man named, um Belchin, I think.¡±

    Ealda stared at Isa. ¡°Why is that?¡±

    Isa pointed at her notebook. ¡°It¡¯s in my quest?¡± Were you supposed to talk about quests? Had she just made a social blunder?

    ¡°The giver of your quest is mistaken. I am the priestess of Fazar. If a quest brings you here, it brings you to me. Now, will you hear my terms, or perhaps you¡¯d prefer to leave since you will not be dealing with a man.¡±

    ¡°No problem here. I¡¯m listening.¡± Isa closed her notebook and held it in front of her at what she thought might be parade rest.

    ¡°It is 2-day¡¯s journey to Hanchen. How you get there is your business. Once there, you will buy 5 bundles of feldspice at the market and return to us. I am prepared to spend no more than 5 gold per bundle. Do you understand?¡±

    Isa nodded. 5 gold for a bundle of weeds? She was in the wrong business.

    Ealda continued, ¡°If the price is 3 gold, or although unlikely, less than 3 gold per, you are authorized to buy an additional 5 bundles. Feldspice won¡¯t keep indefinitely, as you know, but we can sell the surplus to other temples.¡± The woman reached into her robe. ¡°I will pay 5 gold to you now, plus another 2 for expenses. You will receive an additional 8 gold when you return with the feldspice.¡±

    ¡°That seems very fair,¡± Isa tried to keep her voice steady. She was about to have 7 gold in her hands. 7!

    Her notebook vibrated, and Isa tried to hide a smile. She was figuring this world out.

    Ealda handed her a small pouch and held up a folded piece of paper. ¡°Here is 7 gold. And this is a letter of credit for Hanchen market. The letter is good for up to 40 gold coins. Do you understand? In the event that you got a good price, you may draw the additional funds. But only in that event.¡± She tilted the letter toward Isa who gently took it. ¡°I understand,¡± she told the priestess.

    ¡°Good.¡± Ealda turned to survey the room. ¡°We can¡¯t have our books in danger of pests, can we?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s why you need this, um feldspice? It¡¯s like a repellent?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not like a repellent; it is a repellent.¡± The priestess arched one eyebrow. ¡°As I said, our stock is low. I expect you back here with my feldspice in 6 days. That gives you 2 days in Hanchen, should you need it.¡± Ealda paused, ¡°Adventurers have been known to take requests - quests as you call them - only to fulfill them weeks or months later. I will not take kindly to delays.¡± This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    ¡°Can you give me 8 days? I¡¯ve never - I mean, it¡¯s been awhile since I took the road to Hanchen. There might be detours.¡± She gave Ealda her best smile.

    ¡°Very well. 8 days.¡±

    So now Isa was heading home, to Lund¡¯s that is, to figure out where Hanchen was and how someone would go about using a letter of credit.

    As Isa opened the door to Lund¡¯s, she was surprised to see that it was full of people, conversation, and light. Every booth was filled, and most of the bar was occupied as well. She was able to squeeze between two very large men to find a place at the bar.

    Once she was situated at the bar, Isa was able to get a better view of the patrons. She spied Joth at the end of the bar sitting by himself.

    She caught Lund¡¯s eye, and within a minute he put a pint of beer in front of her. This was the sort of service that she could get used to. She grabbed her glass and made her way down to the end of the bar to stand beside Joth.

    ¡°What happened to you,¡± he asked. You look like you''ve been in a war.¡±

    Isa looked down at her torn left bracer and then said, ¡°It''s kind of a long story but what can you tell me about some sort of creature called a gnoll? Looks like a dog-man, sorta.¡±

    Lund came up as Isa was speaking. ¡°Why are you having anything to do with gnolls? I think that''s a little too tough for you. Start with something smaller.¡±

    ¡°Like spiders?¡± Isa looked at Joth when she said this.

    ¡°Yeah! Spiders are perfect,¡± Lund said.

    ¡°Some spiders,¡± said Joth, ¡°are small. Smallish.¡±

    ¡°Well, I didn¡¯t particularly want to fight a gnoll. I surprised one on my way to the temple, and I swear I just escaped with my life. Look what he did,¡± and she pointed to her bracer and moved to the side so that they could see the the rip in her leather tunic.

    ¡°Eh, doesn¡¯t look too bad,¡± Joth took a swig of his beer.

    Lund pulled Isa¡¯s left arm, turned it gently left to right, and said, ¡°I can''t say the same for my bracers.¡±

    Joth patted her shoulder. ¡°A good night¡¯s rest and you¡¯ll be right as rain.¡±

    ¡°Is he for real?¡± Isa asked Lund.

    Lund looked carefully as Joth. ¡°Yes, I believe so.¡± He lightly slapped Joth¡¯s face. ¡°Real.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a expression in our country,¡± Joth told Lund. ¡°What Isa means is, ¡®Is Joth being truthful about sleeping and healing.¡¯¡±

    ¡°Oh. Yes, he is. If you sleep for 8 hours tonight, in the morning you will be healed. My bracers, however, will not.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Lund. I¡¯ll make it up to you. I got another gig! A paying one. What are you doing tomorrow, or actually what are you doing for the next few days? That priestess of Fazar wants me to go to Hanchen and buy some herbs for her.¡±

    Joth said, ¡°I could go with you.¡±

    Isa ignored him and looked at Lund.

    Again Josh said, ¡°Really, I could go with you.¡±

    Someone shouted Lund¡¯s name. To Isa he said, ¡°I really don''t have time to leave the bar for a few days. It''s at least a couple of days journey to Hanchen. I¡¯m sorry, little sister.¡± With that he turned and move to the other end of the bar to serve the other patrons.

    Isa could feel Joth¡¯s energy beside her. He was coiled like a clock spring. Finally she said, ¡°So I have this quest. Lund suggested that if I wanted to read up on this world, that I should go to the wizard temple - this Fazar. And that was fine up until the point that the priestess said I had to do a favor for her before she do a favor for me.¡±

    Joth nodded, ¡°Yeah,¡± he said, ¡°that''s kind of how the quest economy works. You said it was a paying gig. What did she offer you?¡±

    ¡°I just really need someone to keep me company on the road,¡± said Isa. ¡°I don''t need a partner.¡± She paused. ¡°So if you¡¯re needing to go there anyway, fine. But I¡¯m OK on my own.¡±

    ¡°Those bite marks in your bracer and the gash in your side say otherwise,¡± said Joth. ¡°They say you need a companion for the journey. I¡¯m not proposing marriage, Isa. Do you even know where Hanchen is?¡± He finished the small glass of beer that had been sitting in front of him.

    ¡°No,¡± she said quietly. ¡°You¡¯re right, and I, I should have asked you first, I guess.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not the most lovable guy. I know that. But we can help each other.¡± He gestured to her left arm and the dried blood.

    ¡°The gnoll thing, it surprised me,¡± she said. ¡°I did get a few whacks in with my staff but it wasn''t enough. The truth is, I ran away.¡±

    Joth laughed. ¡°That''s what smart adventurers do sometimes. There¡¯s nothing wrong with running away.¡± He put both arms on the bar. ¡°So tell me more about this quest.¡±

    Before Isa could answer Lund returned to join them. ¡°So this priestess, Ealda, told me that she''d give me gold if I went to Hanchen and got her some sort of herb that she uses to keep bugs away from the books. And there''s one more thing, she gave me 8 days to do it.¡± Isa made a face. ¡°She said she was tired of adventurers jerking her around. She, ah, didn¡¯t use those exact words. I¡¯m paraphrasing.¡±

    ¡°I got that,¡± Joth smiled.

    ¡°You got your first timed quest, Isa!¡± Lund thumped the bar with his fist. ¡°Well done! Those usually pay well. And,¡± he said, ¡°8 days is very doable. But you really shouldn''t go alone. Take Joth! Wizards come in handy.¡±

    ¡°That''s what Joth was just saying to me,¡± Isa said wryly. ¡°So I guess he''s volunteering for the job.¡±

    ¡°I have nothing more pressing,¡± he said airly and then grinned. ¡°It will be fun! How much money do you have?¡±

    Isa snapped her head back. ¡°What does that have to do with anything?¡±

    ¡°If we''re going to go to Hanchen together, you''re going to need better gear.¡±

    ¡°I just got this armor,¡± Isa said.

    ¡°And it''s quite... lovely,¡± Joth said. ¡°But I actually meant your weapons. The staff is fine but we''ve got to get you a proper sword. You can keep the dagger,¡± he said. ¡°Just keep it in your boot¡­¡± He pointed at Isa¡¯s running shoes. ¡°What are those?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve been here so long you forgot about running shoes? These helped me outrun that gnoll, so there.¡±

    ¡°She needs a rapier,¡± said Lund. ¡°Light, flexible. She¡¯s not strong enough for a long sword.¡±

    ¡°She needs better strength. A rapier is fine to start but when we face-- I mean, if she runs into any larger creatures, a rapier will snap like a twig.¡±

    ¡°Any strength she¡¯s lacking, she makes up for with--¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s right here, you know,¡± Isa waved her hand. ¡°I only have 7 gold. Can I get a decent sword for that.¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Lund and Joth said at the same time. ¡°Not even close,¡± said Joth. ¡°And you need an explorer¡¯s pack, at least. We can probably stay at Traveler¡¯s Rest, but you never know, right?¡±

    ¡°Right,¡± Isa said.

    ¡°A pack comes with important stuff. A bedroll, torches, some rations, a water skin.¡±

    ¡°I need that,¡± said Isa. ¡°How much?¡±

    ¡°Usually 10 gold or so. Unless there¡¯s a sale.¡± Joth grimaced.

    Lund said, ¡°Meet me in the kitchen. I might be able to help with that.¡± He turned to serve a new party that had commandeered the other end of the bar.

    ¡°What¡¯s he mean?¡± asked Isa.

    ¡°I dunno. But let¡¯s find out.¡±

    As she entered the kitchen Isa suddenly thought about her job. ¡°Um, Lund,¡± she said to him, ¡°Can I have a few days off?¡± She grinned weakly.

    ¡°I wondered when you¡¯d think of that. Washing dishes is no job for an adventurer. It¡¯s fine.¡± He bent down and pulled a dirty wooden chest from under a counter. ¡°Let¡¯s see what we have in here¡­.¡± He lifted the lid and peered inside. Joth looked over his shoulder. ¡°Oh wow,¡± he breathed.

    ¡°Yeah, sometimes I take trade. Sometimes someone dies and well, I keep the stuff in lieu of payment.¡±

    ¡°How often does that happen?¡± Isa took a step back from the chest.

    ¡°It happens in our world sometimes, you know,¡± Joth said.

    ¡°Yeah, I guess so but really, the thought¡­.¡±

    ¡°Here we are,¡± Lund said as he dragged a dark gray pack from the box. ¡°I won¡¯t lie - I have no idea where this came from. The rations, if there are any, are probably unuseable.¡±

    ¡°Not if they are dwarven.¡± Joth reached into the box. ¡°Look at this,¡± he said and held up a small clear bottle, filled with clear liquid. He shook it gently, and the contents shifted.

    ¡°Oh yeah!¡± Lund held out his hand. ¡°I forgot about that. Guy said it was worth 25 gold, traded for 5 gold worth of room and board, but I just thought it was kind of neat.¡±

    ¡°What is it?¡± Isa looked closer. The object in the bottle was about the size of a thumb drive, grayish in color.

    ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, it¡¯s a troll¡¯s fingertip.¡± Joth held it to the candle and brought his face closer. ¡°You should put that under lock and key,¡± he said and handed it to Lund.

    Isa looked from one to the other. ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve never used one myself, but it is a pretty rare spell component. In the right hands, it could be deadly.¡±

    Lund nodded and added, ¡°You can use it to make a healing poultice, too. Hard core stuff.¡± He slipped the bottle into his pocket. ¡°Here,¡± he handed the pack to Isa. ¡°Let¡¯s see what we have, then I¡¯ll know what to charge you.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not going to find someone¡¯s nose or something right?¡± Isa held the pack at arm¡¯s length. How did Joth know so much about this world? He said that he knew about iPhones, so he¡¯d been here less than 10 years. You can learn a lot in 10 years, she told herself. Especially if your life depends on it.

    ¡°Hand it here,¡± Joth sighed. ¡°I¡¯ll take a look for you.¡± He upended the pack and let the contents spill onto the floor.

    ¡°Hey!¡± Both Isa and Lund cried out in protest. ¡°I swept that floor this morning!¡± Isa said.

    Joth ignored her. ¡°We got a sleeping roll, good-good. Tinderbox.¡± He shoved that at Lund. ¡°Any good?¡± He continued with his inventory. ¡°We got 3 candles, unused. A water skin.¡± He grinned at Isa. ¡°A nice length of rope. What¡¯s this? An oiled cloak! That¡¯s a bonus.¡± He handed it to Isa. ¡°Try that on.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a dead man¡¯s!¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t know that for sure. Tell her Lund. That¡¯s worth a few silver on its own.¡±

    Reluctantly Isa put the cloak over her shoulder. The hem came down to her calves, but it seemed to fit across the shoulders.

    Lund nodded. ¡°Looks good,¡± he said. ¡°Keep off the rain. I¡¯ll throw it in. We got what 5 things, plus the cloak?¡± He shrugged. ¡°5 gold? Seem fair to you?¡±

    ¡°4 gold,¡± Joth said before Isa could speak. ¡°There are only 3 candles after all, small ones at that.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a nice pack! Look at the stitching.¡±

    Isa ignored their bartering. ¡°I also need some sort of brush, a spool of thread, some charcoal, and mint. They have mint?¡± She asked Joth.

    ¡°It¡¯s for her teeth,¡± Lund whispered loudly to Joth.

    ¡°Yeah, I got that, Lund.¡± He pulled Isa to one side. ¡°Do you think you could try to fit in? People here are not obsessed with their teeth. I¡¯m sure they clean them after a fashion, but no one is grinding charcoal.¡±

    ¡°What do you use?¡± She tried not to be obvious about staring at his teeth.

    ¡°Twigs, alright? It¡¯s something the Babylonians used to do. You fray the ends of a fresh twig and¡­.¡± He made brushing motions with his finger.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t think of that. That¡¯s good short term. I gotta have floss though. The thread.¡±

    ¡°Fine,¡± he said and turned back to Lund. ¡°5 gold if you throw in some thread.¡±

 Chapter Ten: Gimbles Second Hand

    The next morning Isa met Joth in front of Lund''s. ¡°Before we go anywhere, we''re getting you a rapier,¡± he said.

    ¡°I have like 2 gold and that''s supposed to last until I get back.¡±

    ¡°I know a guy,¡± said Joth. He led her down the road and past a few side streets to a ramshackle house. ¡°This,¡± said Joth, ¡°is a great second hand store.¡±

    He banged on the door and a very short, old man opened it. He looked up at Joth and snorted.

    ¡°Gimble! Don¡¯t act that way.¡± Joth held out his hands. ¡°I said I was sorry. You shouldn¡¯t be so thin-skinned. This is--¡± He turned to Isa, but before Joth could introduce her, she stepped in front of him and held out her hand.

    ¡°Hello sir. I¡¯m Isa Chamberlin. I¡¯m a fighter in need of a rapier. I hear you are the man--¡± Was he a man? ¡°Um, the shopkeeper, the vendor to see!¡±

    The shopkeeper crossed his arms. He looked her up and down and stepped aside. ¡°Rapiers,¡± he said in a high voice, ¡°I have.¡±

    ¡°We need other stuff too,¡± Joth said as he followed Isa into the shop. She shot him a glare and shook her head slightly.

    ¡°This,¡± Isa tried to take it all in, ¡°is quite a place.¡± She was standing in what looked to be a converted living room that was piled to the ceiling with gear. She saw a jumble of helmets in one corner. There was a set of what she assumed was chain mail draped over the back of a small rocking chair. She saw shields and swords hanging on the walls. One bookshelf was crammed with glass jars, scrolls, and stacks of dark brown bars. A long low table held stacks upon stacks of wooden boxes.

    ¡°I can see,¡± the little man said, ¡°that you have an eye for quality. You need a rapier, you said? Fine weapon. Fine, fine weapon.¡± He squinted at Isa and then looked at the wall of swords. ¡°And yet, I happen to have a goooolden scimitar.¡± The words rolled off his tongue. ¡°Used it was, by an elven princess. Its hilt inlaid with polished amber, just the color of your eyes. It¡¯s in the back, with other rarities.¡± The way Gimble said it, the A in "rarities" seemed to last a minute.

    He turned to go behind a curtain when Joth grabbed his shoulder. ¡°She doesn¡¯t need your painted iron junk. What about that one?¡± To Isa it seemed that he pointed at random.

    Gimble shrugged out of Joth¡¯s grip. ¡°What do you know of it, wizard?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s got 5 silver to spend as a down payment, gnome.¡±

    Gimble winced. ¡°Seriously?¡±

    Isa smiled and nodded.

    ¡°Right then,¡± he said and ran his hands through his hair. ¡°You need the rent-to-own chest.¡± He crossed the room and kicked open an iron-bound chest. He waved at it. ¡°There you go,¡± he said and slumped into the rocking chair, which caused the chain mail to clink.

    Isa approached the chest. Inside it was a deadly snarl of blades. Joth joined her and reached out, threading his hand between two flat blades to grasp a hilt. ¡°Careful!¡± said Isa.

    Joth nodded as he tugged on a dull gray metal sword with a covered grip. The blade looked impossibly long and thin.

    ¡°Of course,¡± Gimble said suddenly, ¡°I have been known to trade.¡±

    His tone of voice made Isa and Joth stop and turn. ¡°I don¡¯t have anything--¡±

    Joth slapped her stomach with the back of his hand. ¡°What did you have in mind?¡±

    ¡°Eh, just stating the obvious.¡± He waved his hand, and the chair and chain mail moved with him.

    ¡°Sure.¡± Joth nodded and turned back to Isa. ¡°What do you think of this one?¡± He help up the gray sword. ¡°Length looks good.¡± He sighted down the blade. ¡°Could be worse.¡± He gingerly touched the tip. ¡°Still sharp. Well done, Gimble.¡± He handed it to Isa. ¡°Give it a thrust.¡±

    ¡°Too heavy.¡± Gimble said from his chair. ¡°Look at that grip. She won¡¯t be bashing anyone with that! It¡¯ll fold like tin.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll be bashing people? Lund didn¡¯t say anything about that.¡± Isa stopped and pointed the sword at the gnome. ¡°You are trying to pull a fast one.¡±

    Gimble shrugged.

    ¡°No, no. I get it,¡± said Isa. ¡°I read a car salesman book once. You¡¯re showing me the lemons so that I¡¯ll buy the car you want me to buy. The car you want to sell.¡± The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

    ¡°¡®Showing the lemons.¡¯ I have no idea what that means, but I like how it sounds!¡± Gimble hopped off the chair. ¡°And I like you. You¡¯ve got spunk! Verve. Vinegar. I just want to help you out.¡± He walked to the wall of swords. ¡°Take your pick. We¡¯ll trade, even.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Isa put the rapier back in the chest point down and took 2 steps toward the display, but Joth stopped her. ¡°Trade what?¡± he said.

    ¡°What has she got to trade? That is the question.¡± Gimble looked at Isa. ¡°What have you got?¡±

    ¡°What do you want, you old pisser?¡± Joth crossed his arms. ¡°He wouldn¡¯t be talking if he didn¡¯t have his eye on something.¡± He looked Isa up and down, and then he smiled. ¡°It¡¯s gonna cost you, Gim.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡± He took Isa by the arm. ¡°You just take a look at the blades. Don¡¯t worry about the price, my dear. Which one speaks to you?¡±

    Isa looked up at the wall. Her eye traveled down the side where all the rapiers were. They all looked the same: long, thin, and deadly. But then, no. One stood out. All the other swords had ornate grips with scrollwork hand guards that curled up and around, but this one had a rounded plate at the end like a mini shield for her hand. The cross piece was a thin silver bar and the grip was black with a large knob on the end. A single silver band of metal rose from the cross piece as a hand guard, more of a suggestion of a guard, like a note of music that lingers.

    ¡°That one,¡± Isa pointed.

    ¡°Ooo, the girl has an eye; doesn¡¯t she, wizard?¡± Gimble rubbed his hands. ¡°Picks the jewel from the potato bin.¡±

    That didn¡¯t seem like much of a challenge to Isa, but she smiled. ¡°Can I afford it though? I mean, how many payments is it?¡±

    ¡°As I said, I like you. I want you to succeed, have a long career! Maybe you¡¯ll remember your old friend Gimble if you come across any treasures in your journeys.¡±

    ¡°Wait for it,¡± muttered Joth.

    Gimble glared at Joth. To Isa he said, ¡°I¡¯ll take your shoes for the blade. And a scabbard, of course. You have to have a scabbard. You deserve that.¡±

    ¡°My shoes?¡± Isa looked down at her Brooks. ¡°But these are--¡±

    ¡°Incredibly rare,¡± finished Joth. ¡°One of a kind, actually. And you know it! We could have this whole store for what those shoes cost.¡±

    ¡°Pah! I saw some just last week,¡± Gimble said. ¡°I¡¯m doing you a favor.¡±

    ¡°You saw running shoes last week? Someone else was in this shop, wearing--¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s lying, Isa. He wants to get the shoes for a song.¡±

    ¡°Well,¡± said Gimble, ¡°what do you propose, Mr. Smarty Wizard?¡±

    ¡°She needs something else to wear on her feet, obviously. Decent boots with a lot of life. She needs a first aid kit, a belt¡­.¡± He looked around the room. ¡°We need 10 ration bars, a component pouch, and a ring.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d like a change of clothes, too.¡± Isa added.

    Gimble seemed to be doing math in his head, and after a moment he said, ¡°Done.¡±

    ¡°Where are the rings?¡± Joth moved toward the long table.

    ¡°Got a tray of them under the counter. Box of boots over there.¡± He said to Isa. ¡°And I¡¯ll take my shoes now.¡±

    ¡°You heard the gnome,¡± Joth said as he bent to peer at the rings. ¡°What size ring do you wear?¡±

    ¡°Oh, I get to wear the ring? Very generous.¡± Isa sat in the rocking chair and unlaced her shoes. ¡°Why do I need a ring? These are Ghost 8s, you know. They don¡¯t make these anymore.¡±

    She handed the shoes to Gimble who took them gingerly. ¡°¡®Ghost 8s¡¯,¡± he said softly and shivered. ¡°Ghooost 8s.¡±

    Spoiler:Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name:Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class:Fighter Level:2

    Alignment: Good

    Background:Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points:15  AC:13

    Combat: +4 to Hit

    Weapons:Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +2 (piercing) / Quarterstaff(right hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    <table>

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    STR

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    14

    </td>

    <td>

    +2

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack:Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind- On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge- On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

 Chapter Eleven: Travelers Rest

    At the rise of a hill Isa saw what she had wondered if she¡¯d ever see ¨C in the distance, on its own hill, stood Traveler¡¯s Rest, the inn that was their destination. The last full rays of the sun shone down on the building bathing it in golden light. Joth had been talking about it for the last hour, and he seemed to be talking around something; Isa just wasn¡¯t sure what it was.

    ¡°There it is!¡± she said.

    ¡°Yep. You¡¯ll notice that it¡¯s the only building for miles. Miles and miles.¡±

    ¡°What are you trying to tell me, Joth?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s expensive. They can charge what they want, no matter how grimy the conditions, and you don¡¯t have much choice, right?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no Yelp for Middle-Earth? Of course not.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, and so¡­. We could save money by sharing a room.¡±

    She glanced at him to see if she¡¯d heard right. ¡°Nope. No way.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t like it any more than you do.¡±

    ¡°Good.¡± Isa started down the road.

    ¡°But last time I was here¡­.¡± Joth trotted to catch up with her. ¡°Last time, it cost me a gold piece to have my own room.¡± He paused. ¡°That¡¯s twice the regular rate.¡±

    ¡°Maybe they have like a men¡¯s bunkhouse and a women¡¯s. Or a barn, loft. Something. Who can afford a gold a night?¡±

    ¡°Well, most adventurers, actually. But,¡± he added quickly, ¡°not when they¡¯re first starting out, of course.¡±

    Isa walked faster, her eye on the distant building.

    As they approached she saw that the inn was a cobbled together group of buildings. One side was a stone tower so that the inn seemed to be huddled up against a watch tower, as if for protection. The front part was a half-timbered slab of a building. The second story had shingles and a long, sloping roof.

    Several bearded men stood in front of the entrance talking in low tones. Joth nodded at them as he and Isa moved past them and inside. ¡°Friends of yours?¡± she said.

    ¡°No. God, no. You just gotta meet their eye. Gotta¡­.¡±

    ¡°Assert dominance?¡± Isa smiled.

    ¡°Sort of! Yeah. The wilderness is a rough and tumble place. Like the Wild West, OK?¡±

    Isa gave him a little salute. ¡°Got it, pardner.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not a joke.¡± Joth pulled her to him. ¡°It¡¯s really not. Follow my lead.¡±

    He approached the tall front desk and the woman who sat behind it. ¡°Good evening. We are travelers looking for beds for the night.¡±

    ¡°Just the two of you? A gold each, includes breakfast.¡±

    ¡°Do you have anything in the bunk? We are but poor--¡±

    ¡°Bunk¡¯s no place for a woman.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s a fighter.¡± Joth hooked a thumb at Isa. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about her.¡±

    ¡°Every woman¡¯s a fighter.¡± She looked at Isa. ¡°You¡¯re far from home, eh?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± said Isa. ¡°I guess I am. I don¡¯t need much, but a door with a lock would be nice.¡± She bit her lip. ¡°If I skip breakfast is it cheaper? We have some ration bars.¡±

    ¡°Gimme 5 silver, and you can bed down in the 3rd floor linen closet. Room to spread out your roll and a door that shuts. And 5 to you for a bunk,¡± she said to Joth.

    He handed her a gold coin. ¡°Thank you. Thank you very much.¡± He laid a silver coin on the counter. ¡°Can we get some soup and black bread for this?¡±

    ¡°Aye. Head in there.¡± She gestured with her chin. ¡°Find a place and the girl will bring you food. You got another silver, she¡¯ll bring you mead.¡±

    Isa took one of her 3 silver coins and added it to Joth¡¯s ¡°Thank you. I appreciate this. More than you can know.¡±

    The woman ignored the thanks, instead she said, ¡°When you¡¯re ready to sleep, come find me. Resha¡¯s my name.¡±

    The common room was dark, crowded, and warm. Fat white candles burned at even spaces on the long tables. Joth moved toward an open space at one end of the farthest table in the room. He sat on a low stool and gestured for Isa to do the same. She leaned her staff against the table and carefully arranged her rapier. This will take some getting used to.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

    He leaned forward and said, ¡°Common rooms can be pretty raucous. Just keep your head down, right? Don¡¯t want to be like Frodo at the Prancing Pony.¡±

    While they waited for their food Isa asked Joth what tomorrow¡¯s journey might bring. ¡°Today was really uneventful. Well, after we left Gimble¡¯s shop. Is tomorrow more of the same?¡±

    ¡°The road from here to Hanchen is less traveled. It¡¯s getting late in the year, so folks tend to stay put. We should be on guard tomorrow. It¡¯s only about 5 hours¡¯ travel to Hanchen from here, but it¡¯s a lonely 5 hours.¡±

    A young girl slid a tray onto the table between Joth and Isa. ¡°Soup,¡± she put bowls in front of them. ¡°Bread. And mead.¡± She was gone before Isa could say ¡°Thank you.¡±

    As Isa reached for the bread, the dark brown jewel on her finger flashed in the candle light. The ring that Joth had settled on was, he said, a sard. The gem itself was a dark brown with hints of red, set in a silver band. It was handsome. Smooth, oval, and simple. It fit nicely on the middle finger of her right hand.

    When they¡¯d left the shop Joth told her that the ring was easily worth 50 gold, maybe more. ¡°People here, they sometimes convert cash to objects, right? That ring, it¡¯s like a wallet. You have access to 50 gold without having to carry 50 gold coins with you.¡±

    Now they ate in silence; both tired from the journey, and Isa tried to tune out the conversations around them. No one was speaking quietly. In fact most people seemed to think that shouting was the best method of discourse.

    As she wiped her bowl with the heel of the bread - both had been surprisingly good - hands came from behind her and cupped her breasts. ¡°Here¡¯s a new one then!¡± A man¡¯s voice shouted at her ear. ¡°I saw her first.¡±

    Isa tried to stand up, but the table prevented it. She thought she heard Joth say something, but she was focused on escaping this man¡¯s grip. Almost on accident she snapped her head back and connected with his face.

    He let go of her and fell back, his hand covering his nose. Blood began to drip through his fingers. ¡°Ya dumb bitch! Look what you did!¡± Two men caught him and propped him up.

    Isa stood and whirled to face him. Somehow her rapier was in her hand.

    ¡°We don¡¯t want any trouble,¡± Joth said quietly.

    Isa had a different opinion, but before she could contradict the wizard, Resha was standing in the middle of the room. ¡°No fighting in my inn. I won¡¯t have it. Costs too much. Take it outside.¡±

    ¡°I was just paying her a compliment!¡± The man with the bloody nose told Resha. ¡°But she¡¯s so dumb, she doesn¡¯t know it.¡± He spat at Isa¡¯s feet.

    ¡°That¡¯s not how my people compliment each other,¡± Isa replied.

    Resha nodded. ¡°Got ourselves a cultural misunderstanding.¡± She slapped her hands together. ¡°Show¡¯s over.¡± She pointed at the man. ¡°You get that cleaned up and set. Don¡¯t want it to heal crooked. And you,¡± she jabbed her finger at Isa, ¡°come with me.¡±

    Isa glanced at Joth, and for the first time she noticed that he had a glowing ball floating in the palm of his right hand. ¡°Go on,¡± he said. ¡°See you in the morning.¡±

    Isa put her sword away, grabbed her staff and her pack, and followed Resha out of the common room. ¡°You can handle yourself,¡± the woman said over her shoulder. ¡°Give you that. But I don¡¯t like blood on my floors; no keep likes blood on their floors, so unless you want to build a reputation for blood-letting, find a better way to handle men.¡±

    Isa opened her mouth to protest, and Resha held up her hand. ¡°Didn¡¯t say it was fair, but that¡¯s just how it is. Come this way.¡± She walked past the high desk where she¡¯d taken their money and through a door.

    ¡°Are you kicking me out? ¡®Cause that¡¯s not right.¡±

    ¡°Right. Ha. Fair. They¡¯ve got nothing to do with it.¡± Resha stopped and turned. Isa saw that they were standing in a small kitchen. ¡°Things must be different where you¡¯re from, eh? Well here, a woman has to toughen up to survive. Be smarter, sneakier, deadly sometimes, and look for the bad. Expect the bad, girl.¡± She opened a side door. ¡°This is the pantry. A little cool, but nice and dry.¡±

    ¡°And I¡¯ll sleep here in case someone overheard the linen closet discussion.¡±

    Resha smiled. ¡°You might survive this place.¡± She touched the inside handle. There¡¯s no lock, but you can loop your rope around and secure it to that shelf there. It¡¯s bolted down. That way no one¡¯s getting in that you don¡¯t want.¡±

    Isa nodded and set down her backpack to untie the rope from its spot on the side.

    ¡°Breakfast starts early so I¡¯ll be thumping that door before the sun is up.¡±

    Spoiler: Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter Level: 2

    Alignment: Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 15 AC: 13

    Combat: +4 to Hit

    Weapons: Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +2 (piercing) / Quarterstaff (right hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    <table>

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    STR

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    14

    </td>

    <td>

    +2

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

 Chapter Twelve: Bandits on the High Road

    They hadn¡¯t been walking long when Isa stopped to adjust her right boot. ¡°Note to self,¡± she said aloud, ¡°don¡¯t buy new shoes and then walk 50 miles.¡±

    ¡°Do you always exaggerate?¡± Joth had brought a piece of bread with him from breakfast, and he took another bite. ¡°We only went,¡± he paused to chew, ¡°about 25 miles yesterday. And today will be maybe 15.¡±

    ¡°Yeah but you¡¯re used to it.¡±

    ¡°True. You could pick up your pace a bit. Didn¡¯t you say you like to run?¡±

    ¡°Not marathons! How long did it take you to get used to this?¡± Isa gestured at the road, trees, and distant mountains. ¡°No cars, no phones, no electricity.¡±

    ¡°Eh, it feels like a long time ago. I think you get used to it slowly, and then it seems quite natural.¡± He took a deep breath. ¡°You must admit, it¡¯s beautiful here. Times like this, I almost don¡¯t want to leave.¡±

    The road climbed slowly as Joth and Isa continued on, and the sparse landscape became heavily forested. The sun was still climbing as they entered a spot where the trees came right to the edge of the path. Shadows slashed the road, and the wind stirred the branches.

    Joth had been lecturing Isa on some of the finer cultural points of her new land.¡°It¡¯s not polite to look at someone¡¯s quest log,¡± Joth was saying.

    ¡°But you practically demanded to see my notebook. So you should let me see yours.¡±

    ¡°I was being helpful. Like a doctor.¡±

    ¡°So your interest was purely clinical.¡±

    ¡°Have I not been helping you? Have I not--¡± Whatever else Joth was about to say was interrupted by a crossbow bolt hitting a tree trunk behind Joth. ¡°Bandits!¡± he yelled and dashed toward the forest.

    Isa pulled out her rapier and adjusted the grip on her staff. ¡°Show yourself,¡± she said.

    From the shadows came two men with drawn swords. The wide blades ended in an upward curve that reminded Isa of the Disney movie Aladdin. Two against one. She waited, ready, to see what they would do.

    One rushed at Isa and swung his sword low, catching her leg with his upward swing. The sharp tip of the blade sliced her calf.

    Isa jabbed at him with her rapier and missed. She was able to swing her quarterstaff at his head and deliver a glancing blow.

    The other man took a step to the side and tried to swipe at her back. His swing went wide as Isa matched his sidestep.

    Suddenly the first man staggered back with blood on his face. Joth let out a whoop. The second man also took one step and then another and doubled over. ¡°Magic Missile, baby!¡±

    Isa recognized the first man as the one who¡¯d grabbed her. These weren¡¯t bandits, or rather, this wasn¡¯t a random robbery. ¡°Came back for more, did you?¡± she said to the man.

    ¡°Came to finish what I started,¡± he said quietly.

    A hiss went past Isa¡¯s ear and Joth yelped. ¡°Archer, Isa. Careful.¡±

    The second man said, ¡°Not worth it.¡± And turned to run back into the forest. Isa started to swing her staff, but the first man shifted, and she turned her full attention back to him. He grinned at her, and his teeth looked very white against his bloody face.

    ¡°You should join your smart friend,¡± she said. She wanted it to sound tough, but her voice squeaked, and the man only grinned wider as he wiped the blood from his eyes.

    In that moment Isa lunged forward and stabbed under his arm. Her rapier sunk in, and Isa found herself almost embracing him. ¡°Oh,¡± he said quietly and crumpled to the ground. Her rapier slid out of the wound as he fell. From somewhere in the forest, Isa heard the sound of branches crashing.

    ¡°That,¡± Joth came up beside her, ¡°would be the archer running away.¡± He looked down at the dead man. ¡°What an idiot.¡±

    For the first time Isa looked at the wizard. He had a tear at his bicep. ¡°You¡¯re hurt.¡±

    ¡°You, too. Becoming a habit for you. How do you feel?¡±

    ¡°Like I¡¯m going to throw up.¡±

    He waved her away. ¡°If you¡¯re going to do that, do it over there. Insult to injury, throwing up on a man you just killed.¡±

    Isa¡¯s knees went weak. ¡°I just. I mean, I. He was going to. He tried to¡­.¡±

    Joth gathered her up in his arms. ¡°Don¡¯t faint. Fighters don¡¯t faint, OK? They wipe their bloodied blade on their victim¡¯s clothes and swagger away.¡± He plopped her on a stump. ¡°Sit. Stay.¡±

    He bent over the corpse and quickly went through the dead man¡¯s pockets. A few minutes later he sat down beside Isa. He laid a sheathed scimitar over his knees. ¡°This is how it goes, right? We didn¡¯t set out to kill anyone. We were attacked, but we won. So we get the loot. OK?¡± He patted the sword. ¡°This is worth a good 15 gold, maybe 20. And he had 12 silver.¡± He held up a small pouch. ¡°And a tiger¡¯s eye.¡± Joth held the small stone up in front of his eye. ¡°Keep the sword. Here¡¯s 6 silver.¡± He dumped the pouch into his hand, counted out 6 coins and put the rest back in the pouch. ¡°And I¡¯ll keep the gem.¡±If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    She didn¡¯t want anything to do with a dead man¡¯s possessions. Isa pushed herself off the stump and winced in pain. The man had sliced her calf, but she could walk.

    ¡°You¡¯re not bleeding anymore,¡± said Joth. ¡°But we have a day¡¯s walking. Are you going to be alright? Fighters, you have some sort of healing surge thing that you can do. Do you need to do that?¡± He stood and leaned the sword against the stump.

    ¡°I do?¡± Isa slipped off her backpack and opened the top. She pulled out her notebook and flipped to the first page. Her eye caught the words ¡°Second Wind¡± which made her think of Mery. Would she ever see her again? She¡¯d been kind to Isa, kind and helpful. Lund seemed to know her; she¡¯d have to ask him about Mery when they returned to Bywater.

    She read the words in her notebook. ¡°It says, ¡®On your turn¡¯. What turn? We take turns?¡±

    ¡°In combat you do. It all happens kinda fast,¡± Joth said; ¡°but yeah, you go, I go, bad guys go. Or vice versa. Huh, ¡®on your turn¡¯. I think that means it¡¯s only a combat thing. Like a spell that you can only cast sometimes.¡±

    ¡°There are spells that you can only cast sometimes?¡±

    ¡°No. But that¡¯s what this sounds like.¡± He peered into her pack. ¡°I got you that first aid kit right? Want to bandage up your leg?¡±

    Isa felt her calf. ¡°It¡¯s not bleeding, and I don¡¯t think it¡¯s life-threatening, so let¡¯s not bother. I¡¯ll be all healed tomorrow, right? Why waste the bandages?¡±

    With that Isa knelt and slipped her notebook back into her pack. She looked at the dead man and at the sword. He certainly didn¡¯t need it anymore. And Joth was right - he¡¯d come after them. She hadn¡¯t set out to hurt anyone. Besides he¡¯d ruined her pants. She¡¯d need to have Morgan repair them. That would cost money.

    ¡°So,¡± Isa said, ¡°I can sell that sword? I mean, isn¡¯t it evidence?¡±

    ¡°Evidence of what?¡±

    ¡°The crime! The robbery, attempted robbery. I killed this guy, Joth. Someone is going to want to know.¡±

    He bit his lip. ¡°Not the way you mean. There is no law here. No police, I mean. This bastard got what was coming to him. Wild West, remember?¡±

    ¡°We can¡¯t just leave him here.¡± Isa picked up the sword. She couldn¡¯t lie; 20 gold coins would feel good in her pocket.

    ¡°His friends will come for him.¡± Joth shrugged. ¡°Or not. We can get him off the road though. If nothing else, animals will get him, but he won¡¯t be a pretty sight.¡± He bent and grabbed the man¡¯s feet. ¡°Besides, we¡¯ll have to pass this way tomorrow or the next day. And he¡¯ll be smelling by then.¡± He dragged the man toward the side of the road. ¡°Don¡¯t bother helping,¡± he grunted. ¡°I got this.¡±

    Isa tied the scimitar to the side of her pack and put it on. She said, ¡°Will you sell the tiger eye?¡± He hadn¡¯t said how much it was worth, and Isa was curious to know if it was equal to the 15-20 gold that she¡¯d get for the sword.

    ¡°Of course,¡± Joth dusted off his hands and joined her on the road. ¡°I have expenses, you know. Our plans, they¡¯re not cheap.¡±

    ¡°About those plans¡­.¡±

    ¡°Yes?¡±

    ¡°What are they?¡±

    Joth looked left and right. ¡°I¡¯m trying to get us home. The how is kind of complicated.¡±

    ¡°You said that there are other real world people here. Who are they? Have I met any?¡±

    Joth put up his hand. ¡°Just, calm down. It¡¯s not just us, but--¡±

    ¡°Is Fedru one? Mery?¡±

    Joth shook his head. ¡°Why are you so hep to know who¡¯s who? What¡¯s it matter? Someone¡¯s a friend or they¡¯re not.¡± He started walking. ¡°Come on. Timed quest, remember?¡±

    Isa hurried to catch up. Her leg barely bothered her now. That was going to take some getting used to. ¡°Is this like a heist? Like Ocean¡¯s Eleven or something?¡±

    Joth gave her an odd look. ¡°Not exactly,¡± he said. ¡°But it does involve making some very powerful people pretty mad. Look, I will tell you more when we get back to Bywater. I promise.¡± He gestured up the road. ¡°I have my own reasons for going to Hanchen.¡±

    Spoiler:Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name:Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class:Fighter Level:2

    Alignment: Good

    Background:Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points:15  AC:13

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 9

    Combat: +4 to Hit

    Weapons:Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +2 (piercing) / Quarterstaff(right hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    14

    </td>

    <td>

    +2

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack:Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind- On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge- On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

 Chapter Thirteen: The Big City, Part 1

    The sun sat low in the sky as they reached the city of Hanchen. It was truly a city, with a wall and gate. Guards stood on either side, and as Joth and Isa approached they straightened up. Isa saw that one cradled a loaded crossbow in his hands. ¡°State your business,¡± said the one with the crossbow.

    ¡°Buying and selling,¡± Joth replied.

    ¡°Do you have a license?¡± asked the other guard, who had a long spear. ¡°Gotta have a license to sell.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re really just buying,¡± said Isa. ¡°I could show you my quest lo--¡±

    ¡°These men don¡¯t really care about quests, dear.¡± Joth patted Isa¡¯s arm. ¡°She¡¯s never been to the city,¡± he told them. He put an arm around Isa¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I should get her some dinner. It¡¯s been a long journey.¡±

    The guard with the spear held it in front of the gate. ¡°No,¡± he said.

    ¡°No what?¡± Joth smiled.

    ¡°No to whatever story you¡¯re trying to tell us,¡± replied the guard.

    The other guard, the one with the crossbow, shifted his feet. ¡°It¡¯s been such a nice day,¡± he said. ¡°Don¡¯t spoil it.¡±

    Isa felt like she was watching a cop drama unfold where the bad cops shake down a small time bar owner for protection money. ¡°This, um, license. How much is it?¡±

    Crossbow smiled at Isa. ¡°Smart lady. Two people, two licenses, right?¡±

    ¡°Right,¡± said Joth. ¡°Yes, of course.¡± He put his hand on his coin pouch. ¡°And you can take the payment for us?¡±

    ¡°Convenient, isn¡¯t it?¡± Spear moved his weapon away from the door.

    ¡°One gold each,¡± Crossbow said to Joth. ¡°Bargain really, considering the wonders of Hanchen that await you and your lady.¡±

    ¡°One gold each!?¡± Isa looked from one guard to the other. ¡°Are you out of your minds? One gold each? Really now, do I look like I¡¯m made of--¡±

    ¡°Here you are, gentlemen.¡± Joth dropped a coin in each outstretched hand. ¡°We¡¯ll be on our way.¡± He bundled Isa through the now open gate.

    She glared as the gate shut behind them. ¡°The nerve of those guys! I mean, sure a bribe is a bribe - not that I have ever, ever in my life had to bribe someone, but you know I¡¯ve seen it on TV. But a gold each? Do you know how many dishes I have to wash--¡±

    ¡°Hush,¡± said Joth. ¡°You¡¯re making a scene.¡±

    Isa stopped and looked around. Three people trudged past them carrying bundles of cloth. A woman stood in a doorway smoking a pipe. A man leaned out of a second story window. Two horses stood tethered to a post, and a boy sat stirring a mud puddle with a stick.

    ¡°I¡¯m making a scene? Not the first time you¡¯ve accused me of that. What¡¯s your deal? Do you not like women?¡±

    ¡°Of course I like you! I just-- this is a big place, and we don¡¯t need attention, alright?¡±

    ¡°And you think that a woman speaking her mind is attention-seeking behavior?¡± Somewhere in the distance Isa heard shouting followed by laughter. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    ¡°You were speaking your mind, as you say, rather loudly. That¡¯s my point.¡± Joth gestured down the main road. ¡°Let¡¯s find a place for the night. The markets will be closing.¡±

    ¡°Tomorrow is day 3,¡± said Isa. ¡°Let¡¯s see if the market is still open.¡±

    ¡°You have 8 days, Isa. Relax, take in some sights, alright?¡± He cocked an eyebrow and said, ¡°The way you handled the bandits, I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if you leveled. Don¡¯t you want to crack open your notebook and see what level 3 has for you?¡±

    ¡°I do not have 8 days. I have 6 days and 2 of those will be taken up with travel.¡±

    ¡°OK, so 4 days to buy some feldspice.¡± Joth looked around. ¡°The market is huge here. It will take us, like 5 minutes to buy all the feldspice that priestess could want. I hear they have a theater here now. We could take in a play or something.¡±

    Isa shrugged.

    ¡°Or you could take the longest, hottest bath in your life. Would you like that? Last time I was here, I stayed at this little inn off the elf quarter and--¡±

    ¡°Did you say ¡®the elf quarter¡¯?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡± A confused look crossed Joth¡¯s face. ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°Elves, like elf elves? All solemn and stern like Hugo Weaving Elrond elves?¡±

    Joth¡¯s look of confusion deepened. ¡°Weaving elves? I don¡¯t--¡±

    ¡°Of course, you said there are hobbits.¡± Isa shook her head. ¡°So why not elves?¡±

    ¡°Halflings, actually. Copyright thing with the Tolkien estate.¡±

    ¡°Are they beautiful and mysterious?¡±

    Joth took Isa¡¯s arm and led her down a side street. ¡°Elves? Some of them. We¡¯ll get settled in at the inn, and you can see for yourself.¡±

    Spoiler:Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name:Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class:Fighter Level:2

    Alignment: Good

    Background:Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points:15  AC:13

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 9

    Combat:+4 to Hit

    Weapons:Rapier(left hand) 1d8 +2 (piercing) /Quarterstaff(right hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    14

    </td>

    <td>

    +2

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack:Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind- On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge- On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

 Chapter Fourteen: The Big City, Part 2

    Hanchen certainly seemed like a big city, either that, or Joth was lost. They¡¯d been walking for at least 15 minutes, and in the last 5 he¡¯d begun to mutter. The streets and buildings all looked the same to Isa, so it was a coin toss if they had circled around or not. Finally she said, ¡°So¡­. about these elves¡­.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re not lost. I just,¡± Joth stopped and craned his neck up, ¡°I could have sworn there was a second story with a sign.¡±

    Isa looked at the muddy lane and at the leaning buildings on either side. In same places the second stories almost touched each other. ¡°Is there room for a sign?¡±

    ¡°It was on the corner, obviously. You¡¯re not helping, Isa.¡±

    From the shadows came a voice, ¡°You don¡¯t have to take that guff, Isa.¡± A man stepped forward with a smile on his face. ¡°Man gets himself lost in the city and blames you. That¡¯s not right, is it, Dell?¡±

    ¡°No, Wann,¡± came a second voice. ¡°Downright selfish, I think.¡±

    The first man held out his arms, and Isa saw that he had a club attached to his belt. ¡°This doesn¡¯t have to get bloody, does it?¡± The man¡¯s gold earring flashed in the dying rays of the evening.

    ¡°Your blood maybe,¡± Joth said, and the strange men laughed.

    ¡°Very funny,¡± said Wann. ¡°We¡¯ll take your packs, pouches, and weapons, please.¡± He touched his club. ¡°Please.¡±

    Joth brought up his hands, and Isa thought he was making the ¡°We surrender¡± gesture, but then he angled his fingers toward the men and muttered, ¡°Burning hands, burning bright. Make you run without a fight.¡± Flames shot from his fingertips and raced toward the men. Both were briefly engulfed before the flames faded away. Smoke drifted up from both of them, and steam rose from a puddle beside the man named Dell.

    Isa pulled out her rapier. ¡°I really don¡¯t like killing, you know. You could run away, and I wouldn¡¯t even chase you.¡±

    Wann glared at her as he grabbed his club and brought it up just in time to block her sword swing. The other man swung his own club at Isa¡¯s head and hit a glancing blow that made her stagger back. Blood ran into her eyes.

    ¡°Oh, Isa,¡± said Joth, ¡°you¡¯re bloodied. Run!¡± He shot a white bolt from his finger and hit the second man. White mist covered him, and Joth said, ¡°Yes!¡±

    Isa hadn¡¯t moved, instead she straightened up and looked at the two muggers. ¡°Second wind, you fuckers.¡± She rammed her rapier at the frozen one, hitting his thigh. He grunted in pain but didn¡¯t move as blood poured down his leg. Had she hit the femoral artery?

    Wann took a step toward Isa and slipped on the muddy lane, so instead of swinging his club, he had to use it to keep from falling.

    Joth pulled his short sword free and yelled, ¡°Aha!¡± and then his sword slipped free of his grasp and landed on the ground 10 feet from him.

    Isa barked out a laugh. ¡°Joth, are you¡­. What are you doing?¡± She gestured at his sword with her rapier, and the tip flicked up and caught the edge of her chin. ¡°Ouch!¡± Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

    ¡°We¡¯re not playing anymore,¡± said Wann and he swung his club like a baseball bat, at Joth. The blow caught Joth on his side, and Wann came closer as if to make a second blow. Joth grabbed the man¡¯s weapon arm and said something. Sparks flew from Joth¡¯s fingers, and Wann flew across the narrow lane, hit the wall, and crumpled.

    ¡°Now will you leave us alone?¡± Isa pointed her rapier at Wann.

    ¡°I¡¯m not scared of you, bitch.¡± He spat on the ground and tried to stand up.

    Isa dropped her rapier and wrapped both hands around her quarterstaff. She brought the metal-capped tip down right at Wann¡¯s ear, and he slumped over.

    The other man, who had finally thawed from Joth¡¯s spell, backed away with both hands in the air. ¡°We were just playing with you. Having a bit of fun.¡±

    Isa ignored him, but Joth said, ¡°Run before I light your ass on fire!¡± The man turned and ran full tilt down the lane.

    ¡°Is he dead?¡± Isa pointed at Wann with her staff.

    ¡°He can be, but he¡¯s breathing right now. I see his chest going up and down. You just knocked him out.¡±

    She picked up her rapier and slid it into its scabbard. She retrieved Joth¡¯s blade. ¡°I¡¯m not the only one who needs to practice, eh?¡±

    ¡°My hands were sweaty,¡± he mumbled as he put the sword on his belt. He looked at Isa closely. ¡°You had me worried. Second wind, huh? That¡¯s a good card to have up your sleeve. Let¡¯s find that inn, get some food and take a look at your notebook. I know you¡¯ve hit level 3 by now. And who knows? Maybe I leveled, too.¡±

    Spoiler: Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter Level: 2

    Alignment: Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 15 AC: 13

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 10

    Combat: +4 to Hit

    Weapons: Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +2 (piercing) / Quarterstaff (right hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    14

    </td>

    <td>

    +2

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    (USED) Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

 Chapter Fifteen: At the Sign of The Silver Buckle

    For 5 copper a young girl pointed the way to Joth¡¯s elvish inn. They hadn¡¯t been too far off: The Silver Buckle was 2 streets over from the muddy lane where they¡¯d faced the muggers.

    Isa felt a small pang of disappointment. The inn looked ordinary. She¡¯d been expecting a vine-covered castle with a filigreed silver door, or a treehouse or something that screamed ¡°I¡¯m elven!¡±

    The door of The Silver Buckle stood open to the evening air, and the sound of a single flute drifted out. The place was empty. A human man leaned behind the bar, and an elf sat at the edge of a small stage with a flute in his hands.

    When he saw Joth and Isa, the elf hopped off the stage and bowed low. ¡°Welcome friends to The Silver Buckle. Are you in need of respite?¡± He waved to indicate the empty common room. ¡°I think we can find accommodations for you.¡±

    ¡°Where is everybody?¡± asked Joth. ¡°I was here last year and the place--¡±

    ¡°Joth,¡± Isa placed a hand on the wizard¡¯s arm, ¡°I bet it¡¯s the off season. Late in the year, the temperatures are falling¡­. Not as many travelers. Is that right?¡± She looked at the elf.

    He smiled and bowed. ¡°Smart and beautiful. And deadly, no doubt. The quarterstaff is an elegant weapon.¡±

    ¡°Thanks, I guess.¡± She looked at the cold fireplace and at the bored man behind the bar. ¡°Are you, um, available to house and feed the two of us? We don¡¯t need much¡­.¡±

    ¡°Of course, of course! Brown! Light the hearth, wake the cook.¡± He smiled at them. ¡°She¡¯s not really sleeping. That¡¯s our little joke. Dinner is in 1 hour.¡±

    The bartender brushed past them to lay logs in the fireplace. Within a minute small flames were peeking through the logs.

    ¡°We¡¯ll pay for 1 night,¡± said Joth. ¡°But we might extend that by another day. Depends on our business.¡±

    The elf nodded. ¡°That will be 1 gold, 5 silver, please.¡± He held out his hand.

    ¡°That¡¯s, that¡¯s¡­.¡± Joth sputtered, and the elf nodded. ¡°A bargain. True. The Silver Buckle lays the finest table in Hanchen. Everyone says.¡±

    ¡°What if we skip dinner,¡± said Isa.

    The elf pursed his lips. ¡°It is, as the dwarves say, a fixed price.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t help but notice,¡± Joth peered up at the mantlepiece, ¡°your vermin problem.¡± He glanced at the elf to make sure he was listening. ¡°I happen to have a lovely spell for that. Eradicates them,¡± he snapped his fingers, ¡°like that.¡±

    ¡°If word of that got out,¡± said Isa, ¡°it could seriously affect your business. You wouldn''t want that.¡±

    ¡°Hahaha, no indeed. If, as you say, word got out, that would be very bad for business.¡± said the elf, and then he sighed. ¡°I am Maldinar Visrathis, and you have a deal. I do have costs, so shall we say 5 silver for the night, for you both?¡±

    ¡°How much is your ale,¡± asked Isa. ¡°I want to toast my friend for a successful journey.¡± She gave Joth a smile.

    ¡°We do not sell ale. You are a far-lands traveler, like myself, so do not trouble yourself for the simple mistake. Elves drink wine. I bottle up my own Uvanti, when I have the time.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m game,¡± Isa shrugged. ¡°How much for a bottle?¡±

    Maldinar started to say something and then seemed to change his mind. ¡°The summer pressing is a mere¡­ 1 silver a pitcher.¡±

    Isa thought of the few silver coins in her pouch. Thanks to a bandit on the high road she had more coins now than she¡¯d had this morning. ¡°And a pitcher is like a carafe or something? How many glasses?¡±

    Maldinar fluttered his eyelids. ¡°One would expect to get 4-5 mugs from a pitcher.¡±

    ¡°Sold,¡± Isa grinned.

    ¡°Do sit anywhere,¡± the elf gestured to the empty tables and chairs.

    The fire was starting to crackle so Isa set her pack and staff down at a table near the fire. Joth joined her. With a sigh he opened his pack and pulled out a worn notebook. The black cover was scuffed, and the top corner was bent. Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

    ¡°Have you been sitting on your notebook for, like, years?¡± Isa blurted out. She held up her own notebook which looked brand new.

    ¡°It came this way,¡± he said. ¡°I''m an old soul.¡±

    Isa noticed that he had not opened the book yet, and Joth noticed her noticing. ¡°I just, I¡¯ve been level 4 for a very long time.¡±

    ¡°Yeah and since they were packed away,¡± she patted her notebook, ¡°we don¡¯t know if we leveled.¡±

    Joth moved his hand across the cover of his notebook. ¡°I will get access to class 3 spells if I have, in fact, leveled.¡±

    ¡°And I¡¯ll get that fighter focus you talked about.¡±

    ¡°Martial archetype, yes.¡± He fell silent.

    ¡°Hey Joth, the day we met--¡± Isa stopped short. Had it really been only three days ago? It felt like a lifetime somehow. ¡°Like 3 days ago when we met, Lund--¡± Isa stopped short again. She didn¡¯t want to make Joth mad and make him think that she¡¯d been talking about him. ¡°I don¡¯t understand magic, I guess. So you have a level and the spell has a level.¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± he sighed. ¡°Wizard levels and spell levels are only marginally related.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard the phrase ¡®Class 7 Wizard¡¯ before. So that is about the level of spell?¡±

    ¡°That would describe what level or strength of spell he or she can cast. In order to cast a spell that powerful, you¡¯d have to be a level 13 wizard.¡±

    ¡°And you¡¯re a level - hopefully a level 5 wizard now? Because you haven¡¯t been here very long, right?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s one way to look at it. You level by gaining experience, and you gain experience by fighting, and interacting, and taking on quests and challenges. Just like in real life.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve never hurt anyone in real life.¡± As she said it, she thought of the animals she¡¯d dissected in school. She hadn¡¯t technically hurt them, but they were dead because of students like her. But that is just the way things are, right? ¡°And what we did today, and the fight I had with that gnoll thing, that was self defense. I didn¡¯t walk up to those guys and punch them. No one paid me to fight.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to convince me, Isa.¡± Joth reached out to touch her hand. ¡°This is a brutal world. I learned that long ago.¡±

    To keep from having Joth touch her, Isa put her hand on her notebook. ¡°Shall we take a look?¡± She smiled at him. Don¡¯t mess this up, she told him silently. More than one male friend had convinced himself that he could ¡°change¡± Isa given enough time.

    ¡°Sure,¡± Joth said with a crooked grin. ¡°I can¡¯t stall forever.¡±

    If he¡¯d noticed her hand movement, he hadn¡¯t let it show on his face. Isa returned the grin. ¡°Count it down, brah.¡±

    ¡°3, 2, 1!¡± Joth opened his notebook, and Isa did the same. ¡°Level 3,¡± she breathed.

    ¡°And level 5. Righteous.¡± He smiled broadly. ¡°I have been thinking about class 3 spells for a long time.¡± He nodded. ¡°A long time.¡±

    Just then the bartender brought over a pitcher of wine and two clay mugs. ¡°No glasses?¡± Isa said to Joth as she poured the wine.

    ¡°It¡¯s an elf thing.¡± He held up his mug. ¡°To leveling!¡±

    ¡°To leveling,¡± Isa agreed and took a sip of the wine. It was tart, sharp, and cold. It reminded her of the apple wine she¡¯d drunk the summer she spent in Europe.

    Joth set down his mug with a pinched look on his face. ¡°To being able to afford decent wine,¡± he said softly.

    Spoiler: Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name:Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class:Fighter Level:3

    Alignment: Good

    Background:Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points:20  AC:13

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 10

    Combat: +4 to Hit

    Weapons:Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +2 (piercing) / Quarterstaff(right hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    14

    </td>

    <td>

    +2

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack:Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind- On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge- On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

 Chapter Sixteen: The Surgical Fighter

    ¡°Now,¡± he leaned forward, ¡°about your archetype¡­. Have you given it any thought?¡±

    ¡°A little. You said I should think about how I approach problems. And I like to study a situation. I like to be deliberate - the whole measure twice thing, right? In school I¡¯m a note taker, a highlighter, a maker of index cards, but how does that help me as a fighter?¡±

    ¡°Well,¡± Joth said slowly, ¡°I¡¯ve seen you fight twice now, and I would agree - you are deliberate. A lot of new fighters, they just slash at everything. They try to land blows just by sheer volume. That¡¯s not you.¡±

    ¡°I guess I know enough anatomy that I¡¯m trying to aim for the weak spots.¡±

    Maldinar, the elf innkeeper, swooped down on them with a tray of food. He set a platter between them. It held a full roasted bird. Next he placed a dish of roasted vegetables, a dish of cooked greens, and a small loaf of bread on the table. ¡°The very best pest eradicators are modest and discreet, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Joth said, ¡°I think I see your point. I will get to my task later, toward bedtime, when the inn is quiet. That is when they will be most active.¡±

    ¡°Perfect. You are our only overnight guests, but we do host revelers most evenings.¡± With that, Maldinar left them.

    Isa leaned over the table and whispered, ¡°Look at all this food! This is more than I¡¯ve eaten in days. Even back home!¡±

    Joth unfolded his napkin. ¡°Enjoy every bite. Feasts like this, they don¡¯t come cheap.¡±

    For a few minutes they concentrated on eating. As she reached for more bread, Isa saw Joth pull off drumstick from the roasted chicken, and she thought about Mery butchering the deer. It is a brutal world. You have to make sure you don¡¯t become inured to it, she told herself. She thought about how triumphant she felt as she slammed her staff into the mugger¡¯s head. Was that brutish, or was that simply the elation of survival? She¡¯d won a fight today - two fights to be exact - and she hadn¡¯t relished the combat. She hadn¡¯t revelled in the blood. No, Isa had taken the challenge head on and beaten it. She¡¯d tried to use surgical precision, deliberate action, and temperance in those fights.

    ¡°Is there a surgical fighting style?¡± She asked Joth suddenly. ¡°That¡¯s what I am. I¡¯m a surgical fighter. I want to study my opponents and find their weak spots. I don¡¯t want to kill; I just want to remove them from the fight.¡± She nodded to herself. ¡°That¡¯s the kind of fighter I want to be.¡±

    He nodded slowly as he chewed. ¡°Sometimes, like today, you don¡¯t have a choice. The man from the inn, from Traveler¡¯s Rest, you don¡¯t want to leave an enemy like that alive, Isa. You just don¡¯t.¡±

    Isa didn¡¯t respond. She didn¡¯t agree, and she was reluctant to get into an argument, both because she was starting to actually like Joth and because she couldn¡¯t yet articulate why she didn¡¯t agree.

    If he noticed, he didn¡¯t point her silence out. Instead Joth wiped his mouth and said, ¡°How does this fighting style of yours manifest? What¡¯s the notebook say?¡±

    ¡°There are rules about that? I thought it was more like a philosophy.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s both, I guess. I¡¯ve never been a fighter, but I¡¯ve known a few. Here and there.¡±

    ¡°Known them well enough to look at their notebooks?¡± She was teasing him, but Isa saw a look of sadness flash across Joth¡¯s face. She looked down at her notebook so that she didn¡¯t have to meet his eyes. There toward the bottom of the page, the words: Clinical Eye. And below that: At 3rd level spend 1 round studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 rounds to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

    She read it aloud to Joth. ¡°What¡¯s a round? I can¡¯t spend a whole fight watching the guy - or girl - and letting them attack me.¡±

    ¡°I forget that you really aren¡¯t an RPG player--¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t ask to come here, alright? I¡¯m sorry I¡¯m not the person you want me to be.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant. Really. I¡¯m sorry. There is a lot to learn, and this world, it¡¯s hard on newcomers. This is like, I don¡¯t know, boot camp or something.¡± He paused. ¡°You learn an awful lot in a really short amount of time, and you try to do your best to stay alive. And then,¡± he gestured at his notebook, ¡°you have more to learn.¡±

    ¡°So you get more spells?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I can cast more powerful spells now. I¡¯m thinking fireball. And maybe one noncombat spell. Maybe remove curse or something. I want to see what Fedru thinks.¡±Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

    ¡°You can do that? Ask advice, I mean. Is there a fighter¡¯s union or league or something? I want advice, too.¡±

    ¡°There are,¡± Joth said slowly, ¡°guilds and groups and well, I don¡¯t think they¡¯d understand union the way you mean it, but those types of gatherings exist.¡±

    ¡°Not a fan, huh?¡±

    ¡°Not a fan,¡± Joth agreed. ¡°I¡¯ve known too many good and talented people get steered in a wrong direction by a teacher. I¡¯m not saying anyone was malicious, but ideas can calcify over time, right? And then there¡¯s no other way to be. I can assure you that no guild would allow you to be a surgical fighter.¡±

    ¡°Really? This looks kinda cool, if I understand it.¡±

    ¡°There are fighters out there who might be amenable to offering some advice. I¡¯ll see what I can do to facilitate that, alright?¡±

    ¡°I still don¡¯t get why you¡¯re helping me, but I appreciate it.¡±

    ¡°We both want to get home.¡± Joth smiled, and after a slight pause he said, ¡°Is there someone back home; a girlfriend you need to get back to?¡±

    A little knot in her stomach uncurled - at least Isa didn''t need to worry about Joth hitting on her. ¡°Nah, just friends, job, life. The usual boring routine.¡±

    ¡°Ah.¡±

    ¡°How about you, Joth? Got a wife, a kid maybe?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± he said quietly. ¡°In all my studies, I¡¯m still not sure how much time has passed, is passing, in our world.¡±

    ¡°I had that thought, too.¡± Isa refilled both their mugs. ¡°Are we folded into a moment of time, you know? Like, is the door of the bar still closing, is my foot almost landing as I take my first step into that bar back in Portland?¡± She took a swig of wine. ¡°Questions like that, they could keep a girl up at night.¡± Joth didn¡¯t respond, so Isa said, ¡°You know I¡¯m a hygienist. What did you say was your work back home? I think you told me.¡±

    Joth tilted his head down and smiled. ¡°Nothing very glamorous, I¡¯m afraid.¡±

    ¡°Right, and dental hygienists, we¡¯re the jetsetters of the professional world. Come on, tell me.¡±

    ¡°I went to school to be an architect.¡± Joth shrugged. "I mostly helped design the facilities structures. Pipes, HVAC, that sort of thing. Nothing very exciting."

    ¡°But important! We gotta have air conditioning and water and stuff. And you didn¡¯t have to stick your hands in little kid''s mouths.¡± Isa took a drink of wine. The taste had grown on her. ¡°What¡¯s this called again?¡±

    ¡°Uvanti,¡± said Joth. ¡°It¡¯s like elven ros¨¦.¡± He smiled. ¡°And yes,it is a nice compliment to the chicken.¡± He folded his napkin. ¡°And speaking of our feast, I should go earn it.¡± He wiggled his eyebrows.

    ¡°What are you going to do exactly?¡± Isa wiggled her fingers. ¡°Not sure your flamey trick is a good one to try inside a wooden building.¡±

    Joth leaned forward and whispered, ¡°I have no idea. I was bluffing about the vermin! I figured there had to be a good reason why a popular place was no longer popular. Shot in the dark, really.¡±

    Isa covered her hand to muffle her laughter. ¡°Brilliant. You¡¯re a good guy to have around, I guess.¡±

    ¡°I have my moments,¡± Joth smiled and rolled up his sleeves one turn. He placed his hand on his pack, and Isa said, ¡°Do you mind leaving that? I want to finish my wine and if it looks like someone else is sitting here¡­.¡±

    ¡°You will be left alone.¡± He nodded. ¡°Leave it at the bar when you go to your room.¡± He pulled a large book from his bag. It reminded Isa of a high school yearbook - if yearbooks were covered with golden symbols.

    ¡°My spellbook.¡± Joth flashed the cover and hurried away.

    Spoiler: Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter Level: 3

    Alignment: Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 20 AC: 13

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 10

    Combat: +4 to Hit

    Weapons: Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +2 (piercing) / Quarterstaff (right hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    14

    </td>

    <td>

    +2

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 round studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 rounds to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Seventeen: Hushed Voices

    While Joth and Isa had been eating dinner a few tables filled up. People, humans mostly, sat down in 2s and 3s, talking quietly and drinking from mugs.

    The murmur of voices was soothing. If she closed her eyes, Isa could almost imagine she was sitting at the little coffee shop by her apartment.

    How was her apartment, her friends, her life? She''d been too busy with surviving to think about them.

    Is that what she was doing, sitting by a now blazing fire, having eaten a fine meal? Was that surviving or was that living? She looked at the dregs of wine in her cup. How do you know, right? How do you know when you stop being one thing and become another?

    She thought about the day she found out about Celeste and Roni. She stopped being part of a couple that day, that moment, that instant that she picked up her girlfriend''s phone and saw the text. Such a cliche. Such a God damned cliche.

    Isa was dimly aware of movement at another table. Two men sitting nearest her vacated their table, and she could see other patrons now. She plucked a piece of roasted carrot from the serving dish and considered ordering another pitcher of wine. It wasn''t like she had a big day planned tomorrow. Buy some plants, sell a dead man''s scimitar, that was the extent of Isa¡¯s agenda.

    Dead man¡¯s scimitar. That should be the name of a murder mystery or a very niche punk bar. Isa smiled to herself, and decided that perhaps she¡¯d already had too much wine tonight. She leaned forward to put the vegetable bowl on top of her dirty plate when she heard a man say, ¡°It¡¯s getting harder to find kids.¡±

    Without moving her head, Isa cut her eyes to the side to see who¡¯d said such an odd thing. Maybe he meant goats. Baby goats are called kids, right?

    Two men sat one table over from Isa. They looked normal, at least what Isa had come in her 3 days to think of as ¡°normal¡± for Varana.

    One of them said, ¡°I know. Been thinking of trying the farms. They¡¯re not afraid of hard work.¡±

    The first one gulped down his drink. ¡°I don¡¯t like taking them away from their families though. With the street, you know you¡¯re saving them. Making cloth beats what else could be waiting them.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t let Thorn hear you being all tender, right? No place for that shit.¡± The second man pushed himself away from the table. ¡°Now¡¯s a good time to hunt. The little ones are scurrying to their hidey-holes.¡±

    These men were talking about kidnapping children and using them for factory work? Was that what Isa was hearing? She needed to follow them and see where they went. Then she could report it. But to whom? Joth said there wasn¡¯t police like she was used to, but someone must keep the peace - a town guard or something.

    She hurriedly gathered her pack and staff and stood. The men were leaving and she couldn¡¯t let them out of her sight. As she left the table she spied Joth¡¯s pack. She couldn¡¯t leave it here, and she didn¡¯t have time to stow it with the bartender. With her free hand Isa made a grab for it and almost fell over from the weight. Instead she dragged the chair 2 feet, which made a horrible racket as the chair squeaked across the stone floor, and then she almost tipped it over completely as she fumbled to lift Joth¡¯s pack free.

    By the time she looked up, the men were gone. With a sigh Isa approached the bar in time to see a familiar face slipping out the door. What was Mery Braydon doing in Hanchen of all places? Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    Without considering the consequences Isa dropped both packs at the end of the bar and said, ¡°Can you put these in our rooms? Tip you later.¡±

    With her staff in hand, she stepped into the evening to follow Mery.

    The streets were not crowded, and Isa realized with a start that she had no idea what time it was. She also didn¡¯t know what day of the week it was. She¡¯d entered Lund¡¯s on a Wednesday night in Portland. Did that mean it was now Saturday in Varana? Maybe it was too early or too late for any serious weekend partying. And of course, weekends might not be quite as big a deal here.

    She spied Mery ahead on the street and hurried after her. Was Mery part of the kidnapping scheme, or maybe she had the same idea as Isa? Best to follow along and see where everyone was going.

    Which was a great idea on paper, but very quickly Isa got lost in the maze of streets, side streets, lanes, alleys, and paths. She realized about 5 minutes too late that she¡¯d somehow begun following a young man on his way home. Light spilled on to his face as he opened a door, and his smile and the cheers of greetings that burst from the house told Isa of her error.

    ¡°Well fuck,¡± she said quietly. Her first attempt at spying had been a failure. Maybe not a miserable failure, she consoled herself. She hadn¡¯t been caught, after all; no ruffians had--

    A tap on the shoulder made Isa cry out in alarm. She whirled around, her staff in attack position.

    ¡°Were you perhaps looking for me, then?¡± Mery Braydon asked with a smile.

    Spoiler: Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter Level: 3

    Alignment: Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 20 AC: 13

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 10

    Combat: +4 to Hit

    Weapons: Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +2 (piercing) / Quarterstaff (right hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    14

    </td>

    <td>

    +2

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    (Used) Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 round studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 rounds to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Eighteen: Feldspicers

    The next morning, as Isa and Joth had breakfast, she told him about the overheard conversation and Mery¡¯s surprise appearance.

    ¡°You could have gotten hurt or killed. Don¡¯t do that again. Come find me.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, you are handy in a fight. Thanks.¡±

    ¡°I meant so I could talk you out of it!¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t hear them, Joth. They were talking about children, and they were acting like it was normal to enslave them.¡± She paused. ¡°That¡¯s not normal, right? Mery was following them too. So she didn¡¯t like them.¡±

    ¡°Did she say why though?¡±

    Isa furrowed her brow. They hadn¡¯t talked about the men¡¯s conversation. Isa had just assumed that they had both overheard and both acted on impulse.

    Joth said, ¡°Mery Braydon, well I don¡¯t know her -- except by reputation I guess you¡¯d say. She¡¯s not stupid. She¡¯s not someone who takes risks. So--¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re saying she followed the men to The Silver Buckle. What is she some sort of undercover cop?¡±

    ¡°She is most certainly not lawful,¡± said Joth.

    ¡°That word,¡± said Isa. ¡°I¡¯ve heard it before. Lawful. What¡¯s it mean exactly?¡±

    ¡°When you played, did you hear the word ¡®alignment¡¯? It¡¯s a way to gauge your character¡¯s actions. You can be good or evil, lawful or chaotic. Or neutral.¡± Joth made a plus sign with his hands. ¡°It¡¯s a grid really. So you can be lawful good or lawful evil, for example.¡±

    Isa nodded. ¡°But they are both lawful. OK.¡± She paused. ¡°What are you?¡±

    Joth coughed on his tea.

    ¡°Is that,¡± Isa asked, ¡°another one of those things you don¡¯t ask?¡±

    He gestured at the room although they were the only people currently in it. ¡°People here, they don¡¯t think of themselves as having an alignment, so asking them - I dunno it would be like asking someone back home if they would - I don¡¯t know - trade sex for money. You¡¯re asking them to make a moral declaration, a line in the sand, and they haven¡¯t thought of it that way.¡±

    ¡°So if someone for instance uses the word lawful or uses the word neutral, I¡¯ll know they¡¯re one of us?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t get obsessed with sussing out people. It¡¯s not worth it. It doesn¡¯t really matter.¡±

    ¡°But you did. You found me and-- How did you find me? How did you know that I was--¡±

    ¡°Your clothes, your shoes. Everything about you said ¡®20th Century American.¡¯¡±

    ¡°You make me sound like a painting.¡± She smiled. ¡°And I guess technically 21st Century.¡±

    ¡°Right.¡± Joth said. ¡°Obviously. So you can look at someone¡¯s actions to guess their philosophy, I guess.¡±

    ¡°And what have you seen of Mery¡¯s actions to deduce that she¡¯s a law-breaker?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t say that. I don¡¯t have any proof that she¡¯s broken any laws. I think, though, that she might disregard laws that don¡¯t align with her goals.¡±

    ¡°That is just a fancy way of saying law-breaker.¡±

    Joth sighed. ¡°You ever speed? Run a red light?¡±

    ¡°That''s different.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Joth countered, ¡°it''s not. And in this reality, that would make you chaotic good.¡±

    ¡°I haven''t broken any laws here,¡± Isa said.

    ¡°What I¡¯m saying is that you don¡¯t know those guys. Maybe they pay the kids.¡±

    ¡°Child labor--¡±

    ¡°Helps families survive, Isa. Think Charles Dickens¡¯ England.¡± He held up a hand as he drained his mug of tea. ¡°I¡¯m not saying it¡¯s right, and I¡¯m not saying that you can¡¯t take a running leap at the problem. I¡¯m saying that you might as well try to fight the weather, fight this table. Kids get hurt. Adults get hurt.¡±

    He stood. ¡°Let¡¯s see about buying some feldspice and then we can go to Beggar¡¯s Lane and you can sell that scimitar, and I can unload the tiger eye. Won¡¯t it feel nice to have a few coins in your pouch?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not done talking about those kids, Joth. Maybe I can¡¯t do anything right now--¡±

    ¡°Is this the same woman who wanted to head back to Bywater today?¡±

    ¡°Well, you said yourself - we have a few days to spare. And I can¡¯t believe that people would let children be snatched off the street. It¡¯s not right.¡±This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    He looked down. ¡°You¡¯re right, but that might not matter, you know.¡±

    ¡°But I have to try. People shouldn¡¯t be able to do this. There are consequences.¡±

    ¡°And Mery, she has a plan?¡±

    Isa shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I guess I find out tonight.¡±

    ¡°Fair enough.¡± Joth spread his arms. ¡°If I am free, I¡¯ll join in.¡±

    ***

    Joth led her down the main street to the market square. Women hurried by with steaming loaves of bread stacked high in baskets; children chased chickens across the road, and Isa even saw a toothless old woman tugging at a rope looped around a stubborn goat¡¯s neck. Isa felt like she¡¯d stepped into the opening of Beauty & The Beast, and she found herself humming under her breath.

    The market seemed to have layers of tents and merchants, and Joth zig-zagged his way to near center of the throng. Ahead Isa saw a giant tent with the word Feldspicer¡¯s painted across the top. ¡°Going right to the source, huh?¡± She had to raise her voice to be heard above the noise of the crowd.

    ¡°They deal in volume.¡± Joth leaned toward her and spoke in her ear. ¡°I figured we¡¯ll get the freshest bundles at the best price here.¡±

    ¡°Is this a quest everyone gets?¡± Isa asked. ¡°I mean, did you have to do this quest when you first got here?¡±

    He frowned and shook his head. ¡°This isn¡¯t a video game.¡±

    ¡°You didn¡¯t answer my question!¡±

    But Joth had moved forward to the tent, so Isa¡¯s words were lost in the noise.

    When she joined him, she saw that the tent covered a square of tables. Behind the tables, one at each side, stood a short person. Joth turned as Isa stepped to the table. ¡°Here she is,¡± he said to the man.

    But the person that beamed up at Isa wasn¡¯t a human man. He looked very like a human, only shorter and happier with a wide, open face and a ready smile. This, Isa was certain, was a halfling. He put his hands on his hips and seemed to assess Isa. ¡°Yes, indeed. Here she is.¡± He held out his hand. ¡°Jabo Feldspicer at your service.¡±

    She had the oddest urge to curtsey, but instead she inclined her head and shook his hand. ¡°Isa Chamberlin, at yours.¡±

    ¡°Your husband says you are in need of feld--¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s not my husband,¡± Isa interrupted.

    ¡°Ah. Your servant then. He says--¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re friends,¡± said Joth. ¡°Travelling companions, really.¡±

    The halfling gave a quick bow. ¡°Indeed. And you seek - one of you, no doubt - seeks feldspice?¡± A pained look flashed across his face.

    ¡°I do,¡± Isa said quickly. ¡°I need 5 bundles of feldspice. I have a letter¡­.¡± She fumbled with the clasp on her small bag. She¡¯d forgotten to ask Joth about letters of credit, but now she¡¯d get an education from the source, as it were.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry?¡± Jabo looked intently at first Isa and then Joth.

    ¡°About what?¡± Isa held the letter in her hand.

    ¡°How much, ah, herb did you say you need?¡±

    ¡°5 bundles.¡± Isa craned her neck to look at the middle of the tent. Big bundles of dried flowers and leaves and barrels of who knows what took up the entire middle of the tent. ¡°You haven¡¯t sold out, surely.¡±

    ¡°5 bundles.¡± Jabo held up his hand with fingers and thumb splayed. ¡°5.¡± He gave a little laugh. ¡°We¡¯re a volume dealer. Libraries, granaries, candlemakers, potions masters¡­.¡±

    ¡°When I was last here,¡± Joth said, ¡°it was for a library. The quality of the plant was superb.¡± Jabo bowed. ¡°And,¡± Joth continued, ¡°when my friend said she needed some, I thought of your family immediately.¡±

    The halfling laughed. ¡°The name does say it all, doesn¡¯t it?¡± He turned solemn. ¡°I am afraid, though, that I cannot sell you any feldspice.¡± He gestured at the mass of bundles behind him. ¡°Each one of those is a bushel. A bushel is 50 bundles. I can¡¯t break a bushel.¡±

    Isa threw up her hands. ¡°Well, great. I mean, it¡¯s not your fault, but really, where should we go instead? Where do regular people get their feldspice?¡±

    ¡°May I see that letter?¡± Jabo held out his hand.

    Isa handed it to him and after a moment the halfling said, ¡°Come back tomorrow. I¡¯ll have your 5 bundles. The finest, freshest feldspice of the season.¡±

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s great, but Ealda only authorized 5 gold a bundle. 25 gold for 5 bundles. Not a penny, uh copper more.¡±

    ¡°Fazarians are precise, to be sure, but they are also very good customers to have.¡± He folded the letter of credit and returned it to Isa. ¡°Tomorrow. You shall have your feldspice at 5 gold a bundle.¡±

    Spoiler: Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter  Level: 3

    Alignment: Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 20    AC: 13

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 20

    Combat: +4 to Hit

    Weapons: Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +2 (piercing)  / Quarterstaff (right  hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    14

    </td>

    <td>

    +2

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 round studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 rounds to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Nineteen: Beggarâ€™s Lane

    Isa was still talking about Jabo Feldspicer as they turned down a crooked road that Joth said led to Beggar¡¯s Lane. ¡°He changed his mind like that!¡± She snapped her fingers. ¡°Do you think he knows Ealda? Or are all Fazarian priestesses like her?¡±

    ¡°She only recently arrived at the temple, but it¡¯s possible that she came from Hanchen.¡±

    ¡°Why do you live in Bywater, Joth? And why isn¡¯t it as big as Portland?¡±

    ¡°Portland?¡± Joth seemed to have been startled out of a daydream.

    ¡°Yeah. Bywater is like this little village. I thought it would be bigger since Portland is bigger.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t¡­.¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you come from Portland? I just assumed¡­.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m from Vermont. Montpelier.¡± He stopped in front of a small shop. ¡°Here we are. Gear Ten.¡±

    ¡°Is this like Gimble¡¯s?¡±

    ¡°No place is like Gimble¡¯s.¡± Joth smiled. ¡°This is more like a pawn shop. Like a serious pawn shop. OK?¡±

    He pushed the door open, and a bell rang somewhere at the back of the shop. Where Gimble¡¯s had looked and felt like a hoarder¡¯s living room, Gear Ten looked like a museum. Each piece was precisely placed, labeled, and lighted.

    Isa muttered ¡°Beggar¡¯s Lane, huh?¡±

    A tall man looked up from a book as they entered. Isa now knew that he was a half-orc, but he looked nothing like her friend Lund. He was tall with shaggy black hair that actually complimented his light green skin. ¡°Yes?¡± The word came out softly but with a force behind it that said, ¡°I am very busy.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve come to trade,¡± Joth said. ¡°Or sell.¡±

    Isa took a few steps into the shop. Did all the pawn shops in Varana look like this? She saw a mannequin on a pedestal wearing full armor. Nearby sat three casks stacked like a pyramid. A row of bottles sat on top of the uppermost cask.

    Isa peered at the bottles. Across the top of the label, the words ¡°Greyvine Estate.¡± A small paper tent sat beside the left bottle. It said ¡°Maerusel-White. 100gp¡±

    She took a step back. 100 gold for a bottle of wine? That¡¯s not what Joth meant by his toast, was it? She had other things to do with her cash, thank you very much. She looked for Joth and saw the shopkeeper¡¯s eyes on her. Joth stood at the counter talking with him, and Isa quickly joined them.

    The tiger eye gem lay between them, and Joth was putting away his coin pouch. ¡°Ah, Isa! Show him your scimitar.¡±

    Isa took the scabbard from her belt and laid it on the counter. The half-orc picked up the scabbard and turned it over. He used a fingernail to scratch at a clump of dirt.

    Isa refrained from saying anything, but she thought to herself: Clean loot before you sell it. Why hadn¡¯t that occurred to her? Why hadn¡¯t Joth suggested it? And why had he sold the gem so quickly? She was curious about what he¡¯d gotten for it. Was it rude to ask? She just might do it anyway.

    The half-orc pulled the blade free and grunted softly. In the light of the shop Isa saw the blade up close for the first time. The edge glinted like cool death. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

    ¡°10 gold.¡± He slid the blade into the scabbard.

    ¡°10! Look at that blade again!¡± Isa couldn¡¯t believe her ears. ¡°It¡¯s mighty sharp, I can tell you that.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a common weapon of a common thug.¡±

    ¡°Mr. Dakgu, you and I both know it¡¯s a finer blade than that.¡± Joth smiled at the half-orc. ¡°Did I see a dwarven mark at the hilt?¡± Joth reached toward the blade, and Mr. Dakgu moved it toward himself just slightly.

    ¡°It has not been well maintained.¡±

    Joth slapped his belly, ¡°Who has?¡± He leaned his elbows on the counter. ¡°I know you can get 30 gold for it. Maybe 35.¡±

    The half-orc was silent for a moment. ¡°I can give her 13 gold. I can give you 13,¡± he said to Isa. ¡°It needs cleaning, sharpening. I must replace the grip¡­.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll take it,¡± said Isa. ¡°And, thank you.¡±

    Once they were back on the street Joth said, ¡°I could have gotten 15 maybe 18.¡±

    ¡°I appreciate the extra you got. I didn''t want to push our luck.¡± She paused. ¡°Did you get as much for your gem? I mean I don¡¯t know how much something like that--¡±

    ¡°I did OK.¡±  Before Isa could say anything else Joth rubbed his hands together. ¡°What shall we do with our afternoon?¡±

    ¡°Are there places where someone could practice with her weapons?¡±

    Joth gave her a sidelong glance. ¡°Embracing the fighter in you?¡±

    ¡°This world of yours seems bent on killing me.¡± Isa gripped her quarterstaff. ¡°So I need to make sure I can fight back.¡±

    Spoiler: Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter  Level: 3

    Alignment: Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 20    AC: 13

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 20

    Combat: +4 to Hit

    Weapons: Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +2 (piercing)  / Quarterstaff (right  hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    Coin: 10gp, 10sp, 22cp

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    14

    </td>

    <td>

    +2

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 round studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 rounds to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Twenty: Beware the Bards

    Isa sat waiting at the bar for Mery. She was alone. Joth said that he would join them later. She was happy for the solitude. She''d spent the last two days with him, which was more time than she''d spent with anyone since she kicked Celeste out.

    Which sounded more dramatic than it was. She''d demanded that Celeste pack her clothes and go, and her girlfriend - ex-girlfriend - had simply sighed, walked to the bedroom, and taken down a suitcase.

    That stung almost as much as the actual betrayal. Celeste wasn¡¯t apologizing; she wasn¡¯t begging, promising that it wouldn¡¯t happen again. No, she was in their bedroom, packing her clothes quietly and efficiently.

    They had only spoken once since that day. Celeste had gotten a letter - a real letter - at the apartment, so Isa had called her, left a message and waited. A few hours later, without a return phone call, Celeste was at the door for the letter. She said, ¡°You look good. You doing alright?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± said Isa. ¡°I guess. Are you, are you moving to New York?¡±

    ¡°New York?¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that where Roni is? I thought you would¡­.¡±

    ¡°We haven¡¯t discussed it,¡± Celeste had said. She put the letter in her bag. ¡°Roni isn¡¯t putting a fence around me. She isn¡¯t laying all of these expectations on me.¡±

    Isa crossed her arms tightly against her body as if her vital organs might escape. ¡°Is that what I did? I fenced you in?¡±

    ¡°There you go! You latch onto a word, and you just beat it to death.¡±

    ¡°If you were so miserable, why¡¯d you stay? Huh?¡± Isa remembered that she¡¯d stepped into Celeste¡¯s personal space, as close to hitting another person as she¡¯d ever been in her adult life.

    ¡°I stayed because I was worried about you¡± Celeste¡¯s words came out flat. ¡°Because I thought you might kill yourself if I left you.¡±

    It was as if Celeste had slapped Isa in the face, and she stepped back. ¡°Kill myself? Why wou--¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t deny how completely insane you¡¯ve been this last year.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been applying for dentistry school! Writing essays, filling out applications, working. I¡¯ve got a lot going on, and you haven¡¯t been much help!¡±

    ¡°Maybe if you¡¯d thought about how this would affect me, us, then maybe I¡¯d have--¡±

    ¡°I made you cheat?¡± Isa took a half step back toward Celeste. ¡°I did this? It¡¯s my fault?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Celeste said quietly. ¡°You pushed me away. You always do. Pamela, Faye, that girl on your volleyball team--¡±

    ¡°Get out.¡± Isa blinked away tears. ¡°Just leave.¡± She could remember the moment she¡¯d told Celeste about Jenny King, her first crush. She poured out her teenage fears, hopes, and heartbreak to Celeste, the woman that she thought was her soulmate. It was one of those crystalline moments of vulnerability where you know that you¡¯ve just revealed a deep wound, but it feels so wonderful to share it and feel less alone.

    And here was Celeste throwing that back at Isa, and she couldn¡¯t even remember Jenny¡¯s name. ¡°Leave,¡± she repeated. ¡°I can¡¯t believe I wasted 3 years of my life on you.¡±

    ¡°Tell me about it,¡± muttered Celeste as she brushed past Isa.

    As soon as the door shut, Isa had collapsed in a heap and cried. Gut wrenching sobs that come with deep, inconsolable grief....

    She realized she¡¯d been gripping the earthen mug of wine so hard that her knuckles were white. Hard to believe that it had only been a month since then. She took a sip of the Uvanti. A few things had changed, hadn¡¯t they? What would Celeste think to see Isa now?

    ¡°I need to stop caring what that woman thinks.¡± Isa spoke aloud without realizing it. ¡°Right here, right now. No more.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll drink to that,¡± said Mery. ¡°Whoever she is.¡±

    Isa turned with surprise to see the brown haired woman sitting beside her. ¡°You haven¡¯t been here long, have you?¡±

    Mery nodded at Brown, the bartender, and then smiled at Isa. ¡°Just got here, but what did I miss now?¡±

    Isa took a drink of wine. ¡°Not a thing.¡±

    Brown put a mug in front of Mery who picked it up and held it out. ¡°To women in our past. May they stay there.¡±

    With a laugh Isa clicked her mug to Mery¡¯s. ¡°Yes. Indeed, yes.¡±

    With her hands cupped around her mug Mery said, ¡°I wasn¡¯t sure I¡¯d see ya here.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re here for another night. Joth¡¯s extermination special.¡±

    Mery gave a confused smile.

    ¡°Do you know how much the innkeeper wants for this place a night?" Isa tried to keep her voice low. "1 gold, 5 silver. Can you believe it? Joth talked him into -- well, maybe I shouldn¡¯t say. Joth got us a deal by offering to help with the vermin problem.¡± She dropped her voice at the word vermin.

    ¡°Maldinar made the wrong mage mad, I think.¡±

    ¡°That should be a saying - make a mage mad, wake up with fleas.¡± Isa paused. ¡°Maybe bed bugs. Hmmm, it doesn¡¯t quite scan.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a fan of the verse, then?¡±

    Isa had been sipping wine and spilled a little as she turned to Mery with a questioning look. ¡°Verse? Like the universe?¡±

    ¡°Verse. Poetry. Sonnets, stanzas, flowery language, and such. You were saying your little saying, it wasn¡¯t rhyming the way you wanted. Not flowing, as such. Common enough malady for the poet, eh?¡±The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

    Isa laughed. ¡°I¡¯m not known as a poet among my friends back home.¡±

    ¡°What are you known as? Who is Isa when she¡¯s home?¡± Mery propped her head in her hand.

    With a small shake of her head Isa said, ¡°I don¡¯t--¡± And then there were tears in her eyes. A fresh wave of homesickness washed over her.

    ¡°Uvanti. It does that to some.¡± Mery tossed her drink back. ¡°Never touch the stuff when I¡¯m working.¡±

    ¡°What is that, then, that you¡¯re drinking,¡± asked Isa. She was glad to have something to focus on.

    ¡°Cold tea.¡± She nodded at the bartender. ¡°Brown, he knows me. Serves it like this so that I can blend in.¡± She held up her hand to him and then pointed 2 fingers down. A few moments later Isa had a fresh mug in front of her. She sipped the liquid inside and tasted a cool, light tea.

    ¡°And what is it you do, exactly when you''re working?¡± Isa paused. ¡°Can I ask that? Or is that rude?¡±

    ¡°You can ask anything you like, Isa.¡± Mery pronounced Isa¡¯s name with extra Es so it came out like EEE-sah. And Isa found that she rather liked how it sounded.

    ¡°Well, haha, I have a lot of questions about this world, so it¡¯s not personal.¡± She smiled at Mery.

    ¡°Ah, too bad then!¡±

    ¡°OK well here¡¯s a question, do you flirt with everyone?¡± Isa surprised herself with the boldness. This world really was changing her, but why not? She¡¯d spent a month angry and sad and feeling hopeless; this was a nice change.

    ¡°Only the pretty girls with amber eyes.¡± Mery took a sip of tea. ¡°Next question.¡±

    ¡°Why were you following those men?¡±

    ¡°We discussed this last night,¡± Mery said.

    ¡°We did not, actually. I didn¡¯t really realize that until this morning when I was talking with Joth.¡± She narrowed her eyes. ¡°Are you a spellcaster?¡±

    ¡°You do have many, many questions don¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Yes, and you only answer the ones you want.¡± Isa made like she was going to slip off the stool, and Mery touched her arm. ¡°Fair enough, Isa. Stay awhile, yeah?¡± She took a drink of her tea. ¡°You want to know what I¡¯m doing. A wise man once said, ¡®To know where you¡¯re going, you have to know where you¡¯ve been. And to know where you¡¯ve been, you need to know your road. And my road, it¡¯s like a straight road with hidden curves, yes it is.¡± Mery nodded her head. ¡°Do you know the story of mad King Lear? Do you have that story in your land?¡±

    ¡°Ah, yeah,¡± Isa nodded. ¡°Shakespeare. You guys know Shakespeare?¡±

    ¡°Funny name,¡± said Mery. ¡°Never heard of him. But I¡¯m glad to know you know the story. It was the first part I learned, the eldest sister. She¡¯s the oldest, but she dies quickly. Only 10 lines of dialog, so it¡¯s an easy part to learn. Even a child, with wig, makeup, and an extra bustle, can play it.¡±

    ¡°So you grew up in the theater. Wow.¡±

    ¡°Traveling show,¡± said Mery. ¡°Family of bards going back. Way, way back.¡± She took another drink of tea and then looked into the mug. ¡°A story like this, Isa, a woman should be drinking something stronger. But the lady wants to know me, and the Braydons, they don¡¯t leave an audience waiting. Oh no.¡±

    Mery fell silent though, and Isa reached out a finger and touched Mery¡¯s hand. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry - what¡¯s a bard? Is that like a playwright?¡±

    Mery turned her full body to look at Isa. Her eyes were wide. ¡°Well now, if you¡¯d said ¡®Mery, a woman is going to leave you speechless tonight, and you¡¯ll still have all your clothes on.¡¯ I wouldn¡¯t have believed it. No, I wouldn¡¯t. But here I am, and here you are not knowing a bard from a bowl.¡± She gave Isa a grin to show that she was mostly teasing.

    ¡°First,¡± Isa matched the other woman¡¯s grin, ¡°if that¡¯s ¡®speechless¡¯ I¡¯d hate to see what happens when you are really wanting to talk, and second, I still don¡¯t know what a bard is.¡±

    ¡°True, and yet again, we should have something stronger to compliment the telling. So I¡¯ll give you the barest of bones now with a promise,¡± she winked at Isa, ¡°a promise for more. A bard is a spellcaster, entertainer, musician poet. She can dazzle you, blind you, move you, hurt you, heal you. She can make you see things that aren¡¯t there, miss things that are. A bard will stab you in the kidney with a blade and in the heart with a song.¡± Mery paused and a small smile crossed her lips. ¡°Oh beware the bards, Isa Chamberlin! Amber-eyed girls, well, they are especially vulnerable to a bard¡¯s charms.¡±

    ¡°That was a lovely performance. 8.5.¡± Isa clapped her hands softly. ¡°I don¡¯t know if I am supposed to believe any of that, but--¡±

    ¡°Another bard trait!¡± Mery interrupted. ¡°They are exceptional liars.¡±

    ¡°¡®They¡¯ not ¡®We¡¯.¡± Isa raised an eyebrow. ¡°Haven¡¯t you just been going on and on, and on about bards?¡±

    ¡°Yes! To warn you. Like I said," she leaned toward Isa, "Beware!¡±

    Isa laughed. ¡°So really, you¡¯re a bard?¡±

    ¡°Yes and no.¡± Mery grimaced. ¡°It¡¯s a long -- longer -- story, and we have work to do, don¡¯t we?¡±

    ¡°Yes, but I¡¯m still unclear exactly what we¡¯re doing.¡±

    ¡°A picture is worth a thousand words, so they say. Why talk about it when I can show you?¡± Mery raised up to step down from the bar.

    Just then Joth walked up. ¡°Joth Windbane,¡± Isa said, ¡°this is Mery. Mery Braydon.¡± Isa put one hand on Joth¡¯s arm, and she touched Mery¡¯s arm lightly. Mery put her hand on Isa¡¯s and smiled. ¡°Me and the wizard, we know each other by reputation.¡±

    ¡°True,¡± said Joth. He held out his hand. ¡°Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mery.¡±

    ¡°Likewise. Never turn down a wizard¡¯s help. That¡¯s what my dad always said.¡± She hopped off the stool. ¡°Shall we?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Joth nodded.

    ¡°Where?¡± said Isa, but neither answered.

    Spoiler: Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter Level: 3

    Alignment: Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 20 AC: 13

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 20

    Combat: +4 to Hit

    Weapons: Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +2 (piercing) / Quarterstaff (right hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    Coin: 13gp, 10sp, 22cp

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    14

    </td>

    <td>

    +2

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 round studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 rounds to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Twenty One: The Sneak-Stab, Part 1

    ¡°Thorn¡¯s men,¡± Mery told them as she lead them down a dark alley, ¡°need places to stow the children. I¡¯ve spent a lot of time watching, and I¡¯ve finally found one of their houses.¡±

    ¡°And what¡¯s the plan, though?¡± Isa asked. ¡°What if there are no children there?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m looking for letters, journals, names. People are taking the children to other towns and cities, and I need that information.¡±

    Joth nodded. ¡°If you can cut off his buyers, you can hobble his business.¡±

    ¡°I want to weaken the fucker, rot him out so it¡¯s easier to take him down.¡±

    ¡°The men last night, they mentioned Thorn, so he¡¯s in charge? Where is he? Surely the town guard--¡±

    ¡°Like I said, he needs to be weakened. Right now Aletar Thorn has plenty of gold to spread around, and when men are looking at a pile of gold coins, well, they aren¡¯t looking at anything else.¡±

    Mery stopped and crouched beside a building. She pulled a piece of chalk from her pocket. ¡°Three story house, yeah? My best guess is that if there are kids there now, they¡¯re in the basement. Bedroom space upstairs and living area on the main floor.¡± She drew quick lines to illustrate. ¡°Seems that there is always a man there. Always. Sometimes 2-3. I¡¯ve never seen more than 4, but that¡¯s snatching glimpses as the door opens.¡± She wiped the drawing away with the palm of her hand.

    ¡°So, you want the 3 of us,¡± Isa gestured between them, ¡°to take on maybe 4 guys?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll take out 1 right away. I¡¯d planned on using minor illusion--¡±

    ¡°To draw one man out or distract him?¡± Joth finished. ¡°I have that spell, too. So I--¡± He stopped. ¡°You¡¯re not a rogue? I thought you were a rogue.¡±

    ¡°A rogue? Isn¡¯t that like a thief?¡± Isa seemed to remember that Alice from Marissa¡¯s D&D group had played a rogue. She¡¯d spent the night unlocking doors and stabbing bad guys in the ba--

    She looked at Mery. ¡°You want to, like, sneak-stab the lookout. Is that what you mean?¡±

    ¡°¡®Sneak stab¡¯. You do have a way with words.¡± Mery grinned. ¡°I have classical training as a bard - family business,¡± She said to Joth. ¡°But I have my own plans for my life.¡± She sighed. ¡°Crouching in an alley on a cold fall night sounds more glamorous when you''re sitting beside a nice fire. But yes, wizard, if you please, use your illusion spell. Make a noise to draw out the one man, I can sneak attack him, and we¡¯ve one less to deal with.¡±If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    ¡°Surely you wouldn¡¯t kill him. Just - I don¡¯t know - knock him out?¡±

    Mery looked at Isa. ¡°We don¡¯t have a lot of time. So I¡¯ll say that in my experience, knocking someone out only lasts about 10-20 seconds and then you have an angry enemy at your flank.¡±

    ¡°This,¡± Joth said, ¡°is how you weaken a ringleader, Isa. You take out their minions.¡± He patted her knee. ¡°Trust me, these are not nice guys.¡±

    ¡°No, indeed.¡± Mery touched Isa¡¯s chin. ¡°It¡¯s a messy, bloody business being a hero. It just is.¡± She stood up. ¡°Now, let¡¯s go wreak havoc.¡±

    Spoiler: Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter Level: 3

    Alignment: Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 20 AC: 13

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 20

    Combat: +4 to Hit

    Weapons: Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +2 (piercing) / Quarterstaff (right hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    Coin: 13gp, 10sp, 22cp

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    14

    </td>

    <td>

    +2

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Twenty Two: The Sneak-Stab, Part 2

    The building looked just like the ones on either side of it. Hanchen¡¯s answer to town home living, Isa thought to herself. She had no idea what time it was, only that the street was dark and empty.

    Mery positioned herself in the shadows near the front door, with Isa beside her. ¡°Stay near me if you can. Helps me with my fighting to have a friend at hand. You might be able to hold their attention, like.¡±

    Joth stood on the opposite side and at a nod from Mery he cast his spell. At least Isa assumed he cast his spell. She was too far away to hear him or see him, but a moment after Mery¡¯s nod, Isa heard a knocking sound as if someone had just knocked on the front door.

    After what felt like an hour, but was likely less than a minute, the door of the town house opened, and a man peeked his head out. It was then that Isa noticed a box sitting at the edge of the top step. The man noticed it too. He looked left and right and then took one step out the door.

    Isa realized that she was looking at the man in a way she never had before. She watched him take another step toward the box, and she knew that he was not as dexterous as she was. She could use that if she had to fight him. Perhaps she¡¯d strike a little faster and dodge his own strike better.

    He took one more step and leaned down to pick up the box. Mery stepped out silently, covered the man¡¯s mouth with one hand, and with the other she jabbed her short sword into the small of his back. He collapsed to the ground.

    With Isa¡¯s help Mery pulled him into the shadow near the door and motioned for Joth to join them. Then she stepped into the living room. She took light, almost dancing steps to a lit candle on the table and snuffed it out. The room immediately fell into shadows. Lit filtered from deeper in the house and from upstairs. It was dim, but Isa could make out shapes.

    She and Joth both tried to walk over the threshold at the same time and bounced off each other. Mery turned, saw the mix up and shook her head slightly. Isa felt her face turn red. Her first time adventuring with Mery, and she was suddenly one of the Three Stooges. She took what she hoped were silent steps to join Mery at the table.

    Mery put her finger to her lips and then used it to point toward the back of the house. Isa nodded and waited for her friend to move first.

    Mery took a step toward the back, and a floorboard creaked. Upstairs came the sound of a light thump, like a man getting out of bed, or taking a step toward the stairs, or carefully loading a crossbow, or--

    Isa licked her lips. This was all too much. And then when Joth put his hand on her shoulder, she let out a small bark of surprise.

    ¡°Val? That you?¡± A voice called from the back of the house.

    Mery pointed at Joth and then at the back area. He nodded and began to roll his hands as he walked carefully toward the dark hallway.

    ¡°Val?¡± The voice came closer. ¡°Did I hear a--¡±

    An elf stepped out of the shadows as Joth let loose a white ray. It hit the elf¡¯s elbow. ¡°Ow!¡± He shook out his arm. ¡°Ow!¡± He said again.

    Isa started to step toward him, but then she paused. Mery said to stay close, so she would see what Mery did first and then follow her lead.

    Mery took 2 steps toward the elf and slashed at his middle with her sword. His cloth shirt seemed to billow, and then he was on the ground, cut almost in half.

    Isa moved past him and tried not to look. The back area, a small kitchen by the look of it, was empty. As she turned to tell Mery, she heard footsteps from above.

    ¡°Whoever is down there, is going to get a taste of my fist for waking me up!¡± A man¡¯s voice growled from the left, and Isa heard heavy footsteps. A crossbow bolt thumped into the wall by Joth¡¯s head.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Another voice upstairs, this one female, called out.

    Underneath the sound of the voices Isa thought she heard another sound, closer than the voices, but she dismissed it to concentrate on the threat at hand.

    Joth had ducked down when the bolt almost hit him so now he crouched and shot his hand out toward the enemy that Isa couldn¡¯t see. Nothing happened. She heard Joth say ¡°What the...?¡±

    Isa didn¡¯t have time to wonder about Joth¡¯s words because Mery was on the move. She bounded toward the stairs, motioning Isa to follow. She took the stairs 2 at a time and swung her sword at the man with the crossbow. Her blade caught his leg and slashed upward. Blood sprayed out. Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!

    Isa was right behind Mery but her rapier thrust went wide. The man dropped his crossbow and reached for his dagger, but he fumbled as he put too much weight on his injured leg. Before Isa had time to cheer, a crossbow bolt nicked her arm. The woman wielding it said, ¡°Ha! More of that coming.¡±

    Before the woman had finished speaking, Isa heard a roar of rage from the first floor and turned to see a man run at Joth with a metal club in his hand. He brought it down on Joth¡¯s back, but since Joth was in an almost crouching position, the blow did not send him sprawling. He couldn¡¯t get his balance enough to cast a spell, though.

    Mery ignored the melee going on below and swung her sword at the man in front of her. She seemed to aim for his injured leg but then somehow her blade arched up and caught his throat on the downswing. He fell down the stairs, and Isa was just able to hop up to avoid getting tumbled up with the body.

    She charged up the last few steps and jabbed her rapier at the woman at the head of the stairs, the crossbow she¡¯d used on Isa cocked and ready in her hands. The sight of the deadly weapon up close made Isa¡¯s heart skip a beat, and once she felt the rapier puncture the woman¡¯s side, Isa twisted the blade and pulled sideways.

    The woman grunted and fell to her knees. Her free hand went to the gout of blood pouring from her middle. ¡°You¡­¡± she said to Isa and then fell over.

    ¡°Damn it!¡± The man fighting Joth began to curse. He swung his mace over his head and brought it down on Joth again.

    ¡°Hi now,¡± Mery ran down the stairs and leaped toward the man, ducking a swing. She slashed at the big man and cut his arm.

    Isa joined Mery and as the man raised his mace to swing, she jabbed her weapon at his exposed armpit. He howled with pain.

    Perhaps because of Isa¡¯s blow, the man missed as he swung the mace at Joth for a third time. Mery took advantage of his extended stance and again brought her short sword down on the man¡¯s arm. He grunted and dropped the mace.

    Isa saw as if in slow motion: the man drops his mace as he steps back from Mery¡¯s sword attack. He body turns slightly and there it is, a gap in the leather shirt he¡¯s wearing. Isa slides her rapier into the gap and between 2 ribs. Her sword went in almost to the hilt.

    The man¡¯s legs crumpled, and he half landed on Joth who said, ¡°Damn it, get this man off me.¡± He pushed at the big man¡¯s body.

    ¡°Hush,¡± Mery said and held up her hand. ¡°Hush now a moment.¡±

    The house seemed silent, and after a moment Mery bent to help Joth move the man¡¯s body. ¡°Worth checking the bodies for coin,¡± she said.

    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Isa asked.

    ¡°First downstairs to see if they had any guests for the night.¡±

    Isa joined her at the trapdoor set in the floor. ¡°The big fella, he must have been down here when we came in. Damn me for not checking.¡±

    ¡°How could you? It all happened so fast.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s always time to stop and listen. You make time, or you might be dead.¡±

    Isa suddenly felt like she was being lectured. ¡°That something you learned on stage?¡±

    If Mery heard, she ignored Isa and headed down the stairs to the basement.

    Spoiler: Isa''s Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter  Level: 3

    Alignment: Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 20    AC: 13

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 16

    Combat: +4 to Hit

    Weapons: Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +2 (piercing)  / Quarterstaff (right  hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    Coin: 13gp, 10sp, 22cp

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    14

    </td>

    <td>

    +2

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    (USED) Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Twenty Three: The Heart of Valor

    Isa climbed down the rickety basement steps to find Mery standing in a room with 4 beds. All of them were empty.

    ¡°Where are the children?¡± Isa bent to look under one of the beds.

    ¡°There was no guarantee that there¡¯d be children here,¡± Mery said quietly. After a moment she turned to look into the drawers of a desk. ¡°I came for information anyway, not children.¡±

    ¡°There are other houses you said. Take me there.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not that simple,¡± Mery said as she flipped through a book and plucked out a piece of paper. Her eyes scanned the page, and then she tucked the paper into her belt. She moved past Isa up the stairs.

    Joth was standing over the dead elf in the kitchen hallway. He held up silver bracelet. ¡°He had this on him. Says ¡®Angels watch over Anna.¡¯¡±

    Mery held out her hand and walked over. ¡°Too small for an adult. Bastard pulled it off a little girl.¡± Mery examined the bracelet. ¡°No maker¡¯s mark. Could be from anywhere.¡±

    ¡°But it¡¯s a clue, right?¡± Isa tried to catch Mery¡¯s eye. ¡°We can find Anna?¡± Mery didn¡¯t respond, so Isa repeated herself.

    Finally Mery looked up. ¡°It¡¯s a bauble. A simple, cheap, little thing. Who knows how long he had it, yeah? Might have been a halfling¡¯s bracelet, or a gnome¡¯s. It could be anybodys.¡±

    ¡°Can I look at it?¡± Isa held out her hand.

    The bracelet was a simple silver band. Isa was no expert, but it looked well made. Wherever the seam was that closed the two ends, it had been smoothed over and made invisible. The words were inscribed on the inside. Isa ran her finger over them. ¡°Where are you, Anna?¡± she said softly. To Mery she said, ¡°Can I keep this?¡±

    Mery shrugged. ¡°Fine. It¡¯s no help to me.¡± With that she moved to the stairs and climbed to the second floor. Isa joined her but stayed out of the way. She didn¡¯t know what was useful and what was not, so she watched and tried to understand how Mery searched.

    Joth came up and stood beside her. He watched Mery for a few moments and then said, ¡°Did you check the ceiling?¡± He pointed, and Isa¡¯s eyes followed his finger. Wooden beams rose up into shadows above their heads.

    ¡°Dammit,¡± said Mery as she climbed on a dresser. She muttered something as she reached toward a rafter. Isa thought she might have called Joth an outlander, know-it-all wizard. A few moments later Mery called down. ¡°Hey! Wizard! Think you can use your big brain to catch this?¡± She dropped a flat wooden box into Joth¡¯s waiting hands.

    When she¡¯d joined them on the ground, Joth opened the box. Inside was a small notebook filled with names and dates. ¡°They keep good accounts,¡± Joth said.

    ¡°But it¡¯s just first names and dates.¡± Isa tried to keep the disappointment from her voice. ¡°We¡¯ll never find the kids this way.¡±

    ¡°There are clues in here; I know it,¡± Mery said as she trailed her finger along the lines. ¡°It bears a closer read.¡± She set the book down and looked at the folded sheet that had been below it.

    It was a crisp white sheet of paper with a short note written on it. ¡°We¡¯ll settle accounts on the 3rd. Bring any excess stock at that time. T.¡±

    ¡°The 3rd. What is today? What¡¯s the date?¡± She looked at Joth. ¡°Do they use a calendar like us?¡±

    ¡°Ah yeah, they do,¡± said Joth. ¡°That¡¯s next week.¡±

    ¡°Gods save me from the outlanders,¡± Mery muttered.

    Isa touched the single letter signature on the note. ¡°¡®T¡¯ - Thorn, right. Who else?¡±

    ¡°Well whoever the man is--¡±

    ¡°Or woman,¡± said Mery.

    ¡°Yes,¡± said Joth, ¡°or woman. Whoever they are, settling accounts sounds kind of final.¡±

    ¡°You think they¡¯re closing up shop, then?¡± Mery folded the letter and put it and the notebook back in the box.

    ¡°The men did say it was getting harder to find kids.¡± Isa crossed her arms. ¡°But who¡¯s to say they aren¡¯t packing up for another city? What¡¯s another big city here?¡±

    Mery snorted. ¡°Hanchen is not a big city. It¡¯s a burg at best. You want a city? Vendahl is a city. You can see the smoke from it a day¡¯s ride away.¡±

    ¡°Semantics aside, and focusing on the kidnapped children,¡± Isa said slowly, ¡°where would they go next?¡±

    Joth and Mery looked at each other and at the same time said, ¡°Lestead.¡± Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

    ¡°Technically speaking,¡± said Joth, ¡°Nulbrgz is closer, but I just don¡¯t see a bunch of rough guys creeping around a dwarven city without causing a ruckus.¡±

    ¡°Nothing says that Thorn even lives here, right?¡± Isa looked at the other two. ¡°Maybe we¡¯re going about this the wrong way.¡±

    ¡°I have contacts. This information might give me new questions to ask.¡± Mery tucked the box into her pack. ¡°What¡¯d you find on the bodies? Anything good?¡±

    Joth said, ¡°Some gold - 8 coins. 30 silver total, a moonstone, and this crossbow is in good condition.¡±

    Mery nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll take the crossbow - probably get 15 for it. You two split the rest. Moonstone, that¡¯s worth 35-40 alone.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll see if I can find a watchman. They need to know about this,¡± said Joth as he headed back downstairs.

    ¡°But that¡¯s - that¡¯s not fair,¡± said Isa. ¡°You need more share. You did most of the work. You killed that elf with like--¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re just getting started. You need the cash, now don¡¯t you? Better boots, maybe a necklace to match that ring of yours?¡± Mery smiled. ¡°I can save you from needing to buy a new shirt at least.¡± She reach into her belt and brought out two smooth black stones.

    As she came closer Mery noticed the blood. ¡°You got hit? When did that happen? You didn¡¯t say anything. I¡¯ll heal you and then your pretty purple shirt, aye?¡± She began to hum and then ran her finger underneath the torn skin.

    A warm flush came over Isa, and she watched as the cut on her arm from the crossbow bolt faded away.

    ¡°I forgot about it,¡± she muttered as she tried to keep her composure. She¡¯d just been healed! Magically, miraculously, her cut had been healed. ¡°I think I need to sit,¡± Isa said as she thumped down on the bed.

    Mery sat down beside her and put a black stone on each side of Isa¡¯s torn shirt sleeve. Once more Mery began to hum, and slowly she brought the stones together with a click. ¡°There. Good as new.¡±

    ¡°You are a woman of many talents,¡± Isa said with a weak grin.

    Mery lightly tossed the stones in her hand and laughed. ¡°I have my moments.¡±

    Isa touched her arm where the cut had been. ¡°Thank you. I - that was a very nice thing. I don¡¯t know if anyone has ever done such a nice thing for me.¡±

    ¡°We made a good team tonight, Isa.¡± Mery brushed her thumb across Isa¡¯s cheek. ¡°T¡¯was the least I could do.¡±

    ¡°Why are you doing this? You could be on stage somewhere or traveling or, I don¡¯t know, holding court at your own cafe. But you¡¯re here, trying to bring down bad guys.¡±

    ¡°Ah,¡± Mery smiled. ¡°She asks the hard questions, does Isa Chamberlin. ¡®She sees beneath/ Sees the heart of men/ She soars above/ Never to land.¡¯ Do you know it? ¡®The Lay of the Elven Queen¡¯? Prince Rand recites it in Act 3 of The War of the Sea, but it¡¯s often done as a set piece.¡±

    ¡°There you go again,¡± Isa said softly, ¡°not answering my question.¡±

    ¡°From when I was small,¡± Mery held her hand out to indicate a child¡¯s height; ¡°I recited the heroes¡¯ lines - lines someone in a room somewhere thought that heros would say. And I fought their pretend fights and bathed in the pretend victories staged in front of painted cloth. And I wanted more than¡­. than borrowed valor. What good is that? If my acting was superb perhaps someone would think on the story a few days or weeks later and feel moved, but is that heroic, Isa?¡± Mery turned to face Isa and looked deep into her eyes. ¡°I don''t think that''s what heroes do. They don''t pretend.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Before a few days ago, heroes were people in movies - actors, as you say, pretending to do great and brave things. That by itself constitutes heroism in my world. But this,¡± Isa gestured to the dead woman - the woman that she¡¯d killed. ¡°This is something else.¡± She looked at her hands. She had blood under her nails. ¡°This,¡± Isa said again, ¡°is something else.¡±

    Spoiler: Isa''s Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter  Level: 3

    Alignment: Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 20    AC: 13

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 20

    Combat: +4 to Hit

    Weapons: Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +2 (piercing)  / Quarterstaff (right  hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    Coin: 13gp, 10sp, 22cp

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    14

    </td>

    <td>

    +2

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    (USED) Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Twenty Four: The Friend Economy

    That night Isa looked at her quest log. The feldspice quest was there and one that was titled ¡°Children of Thorn.¡± Below the title it read Assist Mery Braydon in her quest to find out who is responsible for the kidnapping of children in Hanchen.

    She closed the notebook with grimace. How come quests don''t mention the body count? In the few video games that Isa had played, you never had to worry about fallen foes. After you dispense with one, they disappear. But here, in Varana, someone has to clean up the mess.

    The town watch had been surprisingly not interested in the finer points of Isa, Mery, and Joth¡¯s reasons for being at the house and killing everyone. Once they found evidence of criminal activity, the guards focused on that instead. Isa overheard one guard say to another, ¡°This was a bad bunch. The streets are safer now.¡±

    Only one watchman narrowed in on their reasons for being at the house. ¡°Tell it to me again,¡± he said to Joth.

    ¡°I have been in the market for a rather rare spell component - I¡¯d rather not say which one - and my friends decided to join me. Just that simple.¡±

    ¡°And what you found instead¡­.¡±

    ¡°Obviously,¡± Mery stepped in, ¡°it was a ruse to rob, and probably kill, this wealthy wizard.¡±

    Isa could see the watchman looking at Joth¡¯s robe. The hem was dirty and frayed. She said, ¡°People always think that wizards are wealthy, right?¡±

    The watchman bobbed his head to indicate that he mostly agreed with that. His few additional questions were simple enough to answer, and soon he joined his coworkers in shifting through evidence.

    By way of explanation, as they were leaving Mery said, ¡°Most places are too small to have even a city watch. This bunch? Probably old soldiers, bored farm hands, and the occasional do-gooder. So most places, adventurers are the law.¡±

    ¡°What do you think of the law - I mean about being law-abiding?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re wanting to know my alignment, then.¡± Mery grinned. ¡°I usually get dinner first.¡±

    ¡°I was just curious. This world is pretty complex.¡± That''s what Isa said, but she was starting to like flirting with Mery.

    ***

    When Isa and Joth got back to the inn, Joth said, ¡°We need 8 hours¡¯ sleep to regain our health and abilities, so we¡¯ll get a little later start in the morning.¡±

    Isa shrugged. ¡°Not like I have an alarm clock. What if it¡¯s 7 hours instead?¡±

    ¡°Just¡­. Sleep until you wake up, alright? Your body knows. Not that you need any healing. Handy thing having a bard with a crush on you to heal you up.¡±

    ¡°She doesn¡¯t have a--¡±

    Joth held up his hands. ¡°Of course not. Forget I mentioned it.¡± He rolled eyes.

    ¡°You,¡± Isa told him, ¡°are an ass.¡±

    But when Isa woke the next morning, she did feel really good. She expected to be sore from the battle. Sure she¡¯d only been nicked by the crossbow bolt, but she¡¯d mixed it up with a few of the thieves, lunging, blocking, stabbing.

    Isa closed her eyes. Most definitely stabbing.

    She looked at the nightstand beside her bed. The silver bracelet lay there next to her notebook. If she squinted, Isa could make out the inscription, ¡°Angels watch over Anna.¡±

    Where was Anna now, and was she missing her bracelet?

    A sudden thought struck Isa. What if Anna wasn¡¯t a missing little girl? What if Anna was a little elf girl who¡¯d misplaced her bracelet, which her father had found and slipped into his pants pocket to return to her later? Instead of ¡°elf bandit¡± maybe the man Mery killed was a father and husband? Sure maybe he could have found a safer job, but people do what they need to survive.

    She knew - she thought she knew - that he would have killed her, given the chance. ¡°You had to do it,¡± she said aloud.

    She rose, poured water into the ceramic basin on the dresser, and bathed her face. Did she ¡°have¡± to do it? Did Isa have to kill people?

    Mery had poo-pooed the idea of knocking them out, and maybe she was right, but what about knocking them out and then tying them up? What about that?

    ***

    They picked up the feldspice from the market and began their return journey to Bywater. Soon the calm monotony of walking the road beside Joth calmed Isa''s mind, and she stopped obsessing about the handful of people she''d killed since arriving in Varana.

    They stayed at Traveler''s Rest again, and Isa happily paid the coin necessary to get a room for the night. She had gold in her pocket and more to come when she returned to the Temple of Fazar. Ealda had promised an additional 8 gold when Isa returned with the feldspice.

    Alone in her room at the Traveler¡¯s Rest Inn, Isa counted out her coins. She had 16 gold coins, 24 silver, and 38 copper. It looked like so much money, but considering that she didn''t yet have enough to buy a sword (should she need a replacement) Isa knew that these coins needed many, many cousins before she could truly feel rich. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

    ***

    For the second leg of their return to Bywater Isa asked Joth about the moonstone gem they''d gotten in Hanchen. He''d kept it in his pouch, but technically it was half hers.

    ¡°I¡¯ll see about selling it to Gimble, and then I can give you your half.¡±

    ¡°And you think you can get maybe 35 gold?¡±

    ¡°Well honestly, probably 50 gold. They don¡¯t lose their value like weapons do, right?¡±

    ¡°Right.¡± Isa paused. ¡°Right.¡± What she wanted to say, but didn¡¯t, was that she¡¯d taken the scimitar, on his suggestion when he knew - knew! - that she¡¯d get less gold for it than he would for the gem. And on reflection, he¡¯d seemed nervous when they were at Gear Ten. He¡¯d been selling the tiger eye and hadn¡¯t wanted her to see how much he¡¯d gotten for it. What other explanation could there be?

    Well, now she had a hint about Joth¡¯s alignment, didn''t she?

    She filed that away to think on later. No use getting upset with him or picking a fight right now when they had miles to walk together.

    ¡°Will I have time to go right to the Temple to deliver the feldspice?¡± she asked him. She¡¯d been thinking about what book she¡¯d want to check out first. Choices had filled Isa¡¯s mind all morning as they walked, and now she thought she knew what she wanted to learn first.

    ¡°Temples never close, not exactly,¡± Joth replied. ¡°And if the priestess is as you say, you should go straightaway. We almost have to pass the Temple on our way into town anyway.¡±

    ¡°Fazar, he¡¯s - she¡¯s? A wizard god, right?¡±

    ¡°Fazar is a male. Or I should say that Fazar is portrayed as a male by his followers.¡±

    ¡°But he¡¯s a wizard god. And you¡¯re a wizard.¡±

    ¡°First, wizards don¡¯t have to worship a god in order to cast spells, and second I grew up Lutheran.¡±

    Isa nodded. ¡°Wait, so does anyone have to worship a god to cast spells? Or do you just memorize them or jot them down in a little book?¡±

    ¡°There are divine spellcasters,¡± said Joth. ¡°Clerics, Paladins, mostly. But maybe rangers. Oh and druids. Definitely druids.¡±

    ¡°Druids. Mery thought I was a druid the first time we met. I had just - I had just killed a deer.¡± How much blood had she spilled now, and the deer still bothered her more than the humans. She¡¯d never un-hear the sound of Mery skinning the animal, even though it made sense, complete sense, to do it. Aloud she added, ¡°It was self defense.¡±

    ¡°The deer?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, the deer! It came charging at me, and I didn¡¯t know what it was-- I mean I knew it was a deer alright, but it startled me, and after your spiders, I was spooked.¡±

    ¡°I said I was sorry about that, Isa.¡± There was an edge in Joth¡¯s voice.

    ¡°We¡¯ve been through a few fights now, so I know you¡¯re a good guy,¡± Isa smiled, ¡°who can take a beating! That guy with the mace - wow.¡± She stopped. ¡°That¡¯s what that was, wasn¡¯t it? A mace. I know what that is.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, too bad it was so crappy. Mr. Dakgu would have charged us to take it off our hands!¡± He laughed.

    ¡°But why would I know that? What do I know about weapons, right?¡±

    Joth¡¯s gaze was on the distance. ¡°We must be getting close. I see smoke.¡±

    ¡°Joth? Are you-- Hey, is that your real name? Did your parents - your Lutheran parents - name you ¡®Joth¡¯?¡±

    ¡°Ha, no.¡± He looked around as if someone might be there to overhear. ¡°That¡¯s not my real name, or rather, it was not my birth name. I¡¯ve had it for so long now that it seems to be my real name.¡±

    ¡°You know my name. Will you tell me yours?¡± Isa didn¡¯t know why, but it seemed important that she know it.

    ¡°It¡¯s Jeff. Jeff Windham.¡±

    Isa stuck out her hand. ¡°Nice to meet you, Jeff. ¡®Joth¡¯ is nice too. Where¡¯d you get it?¡±

    Joth mumbled something, and after Isa playfully poked him in the side, he said, ¡°That was my gaming name. You know in video games, you create a character, and you give it a name.¡±

    Before Isa could respond Joth pointed and said, ¡°There¡¯s the path to the Temple.¡± He handed her the two bundles of feldspice that he¡¯d been carrying. ¡°Maybe I¡¯ll see you ar Lund¡¯s later.¡±

    Isa was standing in the middle of the road with the feldspice clamped between her palms. ¡°Wait!¡± She wanted to ask where he lived and how she could find a place to stay that wasn¡¯t Lund¡¯s, but that suddenly seemed too personal of a question, so instead she said, ¡°This was your quest, too. I owe you some gold.¡±

    He smiled and waved. ¡°Nah, keep it. Friends help friends.¡±

    That¡¯s what Ealda had said, Isa thought to herself. And then she realized, this isn¡¯t a quest economy - it¡¯s a friend economy.

    Spoiler: Isa''s Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter Level: 3

    Alignment: Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 20 AC: 13

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 20

    Combat: +4 to Hit

    Weapons: Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +2 (piercing) / Quarterstaff (right hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    Coin: 13gp, 10sp, 22cp

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    14

    </td>

    <td>

    +2

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Twenty Five: Ignorance is Not Bliss

    With her bag bulging with 5 pounds of feldspice Isa knocked on the side door of the Temple of Fazar. The same pale young man opened the door. The moment his face appeared Isa realized that she did not remember his name. She winced unconsciously, but the expression passed too quickly - she hoped - for him to take offense.

    ¡°Hi, I¡¯m--¡±

    ¡°Madam!¡± the young man yelled over his shoulder. ¡°She¡¯s returned!¡± To Isa he said, ¡°Wait here.¡± And he scurried back into the dark passageway.

    The sun was setting, and Isa watched the disc drop below the tops of the trees, trying to gauge how long she¡¯d been waiting. About 10 minutes passed, and finally the man returned. ¡°This way,¡± he said.

    He led her down a narrow set of steps, a glowing ball held aloft in one hand. He stopped at a large, dark door. He knocked once. ¡°Madam?¡±

    If there was a reply, Isa didn¡¯t hear it. Nevertheless, the man opened the door and stood back to let Isa enter. For a fleeting moment Isa wanted to pull out her rapier, but she resisted the impulse.

    ¡°You have naught to fear here, Isa.¡± The Fazarian priestess¡¯ voice floated up from a dim corner of the room, and Isa stepped forward. ¡°I have returned with 5 bundles of the feldspice.¡± She unslung her bag and opened it. ¡°Where do you want them?¡±

    A light flared, and Isa saw Ealda sitting at a desk with several large books at her elbow.

    ¡°Give them to Aggar, please.¡± The priestess gestured behind Isa. ¡°He has your gold.¡±

    The man handed Isa a small, but heavy, cloth bag. She opened up her bag and let him fish out the bundles. Once her big bag was empty, Isa dropped the small coin bag inside. The moment it left her hand, she remembered handing a bag of copper to the merchant Anne and getting an earful about how there wasn¡¯t enough money in the bag to buy much of anything.

    ¡°Aggar! A moment please.¡± Isa held up her hand to signal him and then grabbed the coin bag. In the glow of his glass ball Isa saw that there were 8 gold coins inside the little cloth bag.

    Isa watched as the young man and his glowing light left the room. She saw shadows flicker on the wall as he mounted the stairs. The room seemed darker now that he was gone.

    ¡°You have completed your quest,¡± Ealda said. She carefully laid a hand on the stack of books. ¡°What knowledge do you seek? I have brought several of our finest tomes, filled with the knowledge of generations of wizards. What would you read first?¡±

    Isa bent to look at the spines of the books, but the letters made no sense to her. She began to straighten up and realized that Ealda¡¯s eyes were fixed on her face. The priestess repeated her question.

    Isa shook her head. ¡°I can¡¯t read the spines, your, ah your holiness.¡±

    The woman smiled, but there was no warmth. ¡°You may call me Ealda.¡±

    When the priestess didn¡¯t go on, Isa said, ¡°I can¡¯t read the spines, Ealda.¡±

    ¡°True, but the pages are written in Common, I assure you.¡±

    ¡°Common what?¡±

    ¡°The common tongue, dear. It is your native language, is it not? How can you speak it and not know its name?¡±

    Isa flashed a nervous smile. ¡°We call it English.¡±

    Ealda mouthed the word. ¡°How odd. I have not heard that before, but I am glad to know it now.¡± She picked up the top book and flipped it open. ¡°As you see, Eng-lish.¡±

    ¡°What I want to read about it is magic, I guess.¡±

    ¡°Of course, child. We are wizards. But what about magic, exactly?¡±

    Isa felt reluctant to say too much, and she couldn''t quite say why. ¡°I''m interested,¡± she said, ¡°in, I think it''s called plane shift.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡±

    Ealda seemed so surprised that Isa had a pang of doubt. ¡°I think so. I mean, I''m interested in other planes and how one gets to them. I guess.¡±Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

    ¡°It is your wish to become a wizard, then?¡±

    ¡°No, I--¡±

    ¡°If you seek infernal information, you must leave.¡± Ealda rose and with her height and the fact that Isa was sitting, the woman loomed over Isa. ¡°We have no truck with warlocks.¡±

    Isa jumped up so that they were more eye-to-eye. ¡°I don¡¯t know what this is, but I¡¯m not trying to be one of those either.¡± She shrugged. ¡°Is it weird to want to know how magic works? I¡¯m just really curious about other planes and how you get to them.¡±

    ¡°The spell - the plane shift spell - is conjuration. Each arcane spell belongs to a school. Conjuration, Transmutation, Evocation¡­. Do you understand? The wizard - or sorcerer or warlock - has access to many schools of magic you see. A poor mind is an unfocused mind. And so I say to you, there are so many planes,¡± said Ealda. ¡°Which one?¡±

    Isa shook her head. What could she say?

    ¡°Perhaps,¡± the priestess said, ¡°you wish to go to Stone City on the Welkin plane? Or to the Dead Lands, or Becali Va, or Skottush.¡±

    ¡°Scottish?¡± Isa¡¯s head shot up. ¡°Like Scotland? Scotland¡¯s a plane? I want to go there.¡± She could get a flight home from there. Her mother would get her a ticket, no questions asked. Well, questions asked - many questions asked, but not right away. Maura Chamberlin would wait for her daughter to be safe at home before peppering her with questions about how she came to be stranded in Scotland.

    ¡°No one goes to Skottush - very few anyway. Is that your home? Is that the plane from whence you came?¡± The priestess searched Isa¡¯s face.

    ¡°No but, you haven¡¯t heard of my plane, so--¡±

    ¡°I know many, many things, Isa.¡±

    Isa resisted the urge to say You didn¡¯t know what English was. But maybe she did know something that would be useful to Isa. It could happen, right? And she and Joth were not the only outsiders. ¡°I¡¯m from - my plane is called America.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I-- Wait, is that spelled with an A?¡±

    ¡°Uh, yeah. Two of them.¡±

    Ealda ignored or missed Isa¡¯s bit of snark, and instead she rose and went to the far bookshelf. Her thin fingers trailed across the spines of dozens of books. As she moved down the line, Ealda cast a spell, and her ring began to glow, casting extra reading light on the books.

    With each second that passed Isa¡¯s heart beat faster. Was it possible, was it even remotely possible thatshe was about to be one step closer to home?

    Finally Ealda returned with a thin volume bound in blue cloth. She sat in her chair with the book held to her chest. ¡°I see hope in your eyes,¡± she said to Isa. ¡°And I¡¯m not sure it is warranted.¡± She laid the book on her desk, just out of Isa¡¯s reach. ¡°This book was written by a madman. A wizard, true, but a madman nonetheless.¡± She pushed the book toward Isa.

    The cover was blank, but Isa let her finger caress it anyway, as if the cover has an invisible title that would somehow illuminate at her touch. She opened the book to the first page.

    Spoiler: Isa''s Character Sheet:<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter Level: 3

    Alignment: Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 20 AC: 13

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 20

    Combat: +4 to Hit

    Weapons: Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +2 (piercing) / Quarterstaff (right hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    Coin: 13gp, 10sp, 22cp

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    14

    </td>

    <td>

    +2

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Twenty Six: Tineroâ€™s Treatise on Conjuration

    The book was called Tinero¡¯s Treatise on Conjuration. On the title page, the author added his own subtitle: Looking for America.

    Isa looked up at Ealda. ¡°Where is this Tinero now?¡± She blinked back a tear. ¡°I need to see him.¡±

    ¡°He is dead, child. He was old - ancient - when I got here, twenty years ago. He has passed.¡± She seemed to study Isa. ¡°Are you kin?¡±

    ¡°No. I don¡¯t know. Probably not. But he¡¯s--¡± Isa touched the letters on the page. ¡°He¡¯s from my home. Is there a chance that he didn¡¯t die, that he returned to America?¡±

    "Are you certain he is from your lands? I was hesitant to show you the book because of his madness."

    "America," said Isa. "It''s right there."

    "That is a fallacy. He might have heard the name; he might have thought he made it up." Ealda put a finger on the book. "You cannot leap to this conclusion. Such fancies are--"

    "I have to hope." Isa tried to keep tears from falling. "It''s the only lead I have, the only piece of, of hope. Maybe you all just thought he was crazy, right?"

    Ealda withdrew her finger. "Perhaps. I was only an acolyte when he.... When he left here."

    Isa picked up the book, and as Ealda had done earlier, she held it to her chest, hugging the book tightly. ¡°Thank you. Thank you so much. I will be careful with it.¡± She began to rise, and Ealda¡¯s hand shot out, and talon-like fingers closed over Isa¡¯s forearm. Through the bracer Isa could feel the priestess¡¯ grip. ¡°The book,¡± said Ealda, ¡°stays here.¡±

    ¡°We had a deal! I got your stupid herbs.¡± Isa tried to yank her hand free.

    ¡°Do not make me angry. You may read the book.¡± Ealda relaxed her grip on Isa¡¯s arm. ¡°You may not take the book.¡± She stood and walked quickly to the door. ¡°Come. I¡¯ll take you to the stacks.¡±

    Up they went, climbing 2 sets of stairs and navigating around a dozen corners until Isa was thoroughly lost. Ealda threw open the door of a large room. High windows dominated one wall, and the room itself was crowded with small desks. Several people - men, women, elves, humans, and other humanoid figures - sat at desks with heads down reading intently.

    ¡°You will not be disturbed here,¡± Ealda whispered in Isa¡¯s ear, and the priestess¡¯ hot breath made Isa shudder. ¡°When you are ready to leave, or if you need to use the closet, hit the bell and wait.¡± She looked at Isa. ¡°Do you understand?¡±

    Isa nodded and set Tinero¡¯s Treatise on the desk.

    Once she was alone - as alone as one can be in a library - Isa opened the book once more. There is was, the title. She hadn¡¯t dreamed it -- there on the page was the word America. With a glance at the other people in the room, Isa turned the page.

    The next page had an editor¡¯s note. It said, The study of Conjuration owes much to Gerry Tinero. He lived and worked here at the Bywater Temple for nearly 60 years. 60 mostly productive years. This book, for all its flaws, is his legacy, and although it¡¯s hard to understand the mania that fueled the early years and the outright paranoia and madness of the later years, we preserve his Treatise just as he left it. The brilliance and madness of his mind will be on full display to future generations who did not know him. Judge him not too harshly.

    Madness, huh? With a sigh Isa began to read¡­..

    Vern said I should write it all down. He said that even the personal stuff might matter in the success of the magic. Magic! I still can¡¯t quite wrap it up in a bow, you know? At first I thought I was dreaming. Cliche but true. I thought I¡¯d fallen asleep working on a Talon installment.

    But here I am trying to learn to do magic. Make magic? Cast magic? I don¡¯t even know the right words, but Vern says if I want to get home, this is the way, the only way.

    Which does beg the question of how I got here, right? Did someone cast their magic on me? Or maybe it was a mistake. A happenstance. A God-damned accident. Wrong place/Wrong time. But how is being asleep in your very own bed being in the wrong place at the wrong time?

    Maybe there are no answers to this question, but that won¡¯t stop me from asking. For now I just need to write it all down. As Vern would say - did say as he put a God-damned feather quill in my hand and a bottle of ink on the desk - ¡°document it.¡±

    And so in the year of our Lord 1951 - at least back home it¡¯s 1951. Who the hell knows what year it is here - they don¡¯t even have running water, no way do they have a Betty Grable calendar like the one Joey has ihanging n his garage.

    So let¡¯s call it Year 1, right? Gerry¡¯s Year in Magic Land. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m doing. But then I really didn¡¯t know what I was doing last week either. Different kind of magic maybe, tapping out stories on the typewriter.

    Thanks to Vern, I¡¯ve got a stack of books beside me. Books of magic. Real magic. As a kid I would have probably given my arm to have even one of these books. Real magic. But now I just want to see Jane again. Walk in Central Park. Take in a show. And it sounds like the only way to do any of that is to race through these books. Vern says the spell I need is a class 9 spell. 9th grade spell? I have 2 years of college so this will be a piece a cake, right?

    Isa paused. Class 9? Plane shift was class 7, right? But she tried to remember where she¡¯d heard that. It was early on. She¡¯d asked Lund, but she¡¯d also talked magic with the strange wizard Fedru¡­. Had she written anything down, though? She reached for her bag, and sensed more than saw movement from the corner of her eye. A robed figure raised one finger in warning. Isa slowly opened her bag and reached inside for her notebook. She showed it to the figure, who gave the slightest of nods.

    But her notes were woeful, and Isa vowed to do better in the future. She¡¯d been here, what 5, no 6 days now - was that possible? Had it been longer? Longer, because she and Joth had been traveling to and from Hanchen for 4 days.

    However long it had been, she needed to be systematic in her research and notes. Starting now. She flipped to a fresh page of her notebook and wrote ¡°Gerry Tinero¡± and beside it ¡°America Spell.¡±

    She spent several hours reading and periodically (when Tinero got going about pronunciation in spells, he could get really boring really quickly) skimming the book. True to his word, Tinero started with the beginner spell mage hand and worked upward from there. As she read, she learned a lot about Gerry Tinero and about magic, and a little bit about Varana. It was hard to say how much of the cultural tidbits were still relevant. Ealda had said that he had been dead close to 20 years, and that he¡¯d been an old man then.

    Maybe he¡¯d arrived in Varana old, but he didn¡¯t seem old in those early pages. He seemed her age - young, confused, lonely. Isa found that she both liked and felt a little sorry for Gerry Tinero. Had he been able to finally get home to Jane, Central Park, and Broadway?

    Isa let her hand rest on the book and rubbed her eyes. She¡¯d made her way through about half of it. Tinero had just been going on about his success with the spell dimension door. That had seemed promising until Isa realized that it would only take you 500 feet from your current location.

    Gerry had known that going in, but had neglected to expand on that limitation in his notes, but Isa couldn¡¯t blame him. This document was for himself; he didn¡¯t know that another American would be reading it 60 odd years later. Plus he had been at his studies a few years by then and perhaps his attention to detail had flagged. He knew now that learning that class 9 spell wasn¡¯t going to be like 9th grade physics, and so his spell notes were sometimes not much better than shorthand.

    He did sometimes make small asides in the margins - probably where he got the reputation for madness. One read: I miss traffic. Yeah, traffic. It took me months to learn to sleep with the quiet. I grew up in Hell''s Kitchen. Standing on 52nd and 9th and you can smell the bagels at Izzy Einstein¡¯s. They''re just coming out of the oven and oh man! Izzy, he didn''t care if you were Italian - eye-talian - you could have lox just the same. Lox. They don¡¯t have salmon here. Or maybe they do, but not here in this little corner.

    Thinking about bagels and lox made Isa realize that she hadn¡¯t eaten in hours. She needed food and sleep, and then she could come back and finish reading Tinero¡¯s book. She gave the bell a small tap and picked up her own notebook.

    A robed figure - maybe the same one who¡¯d cautioned her about opening her bag - hurried over. ¡°I¡¯m ready to go, for now,¡± Isa told him, her voice pitched low. She laid a hand protectively on Tinero¡¯s Treatise. ¡°I will be back to read more later.¡±

    He nodded and picked up the volume. ¡°As you wish,¡± he said in a whisper, and although she knew why they were both whispering, his words came out like a hiss.

    Spoiler: Isa''s Character Sheet <input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter Level: 3

    Alignment: Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 20 AC: 13

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 20

    Combat: +4 to Hit

    Weapons: Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +2 (piercing) / Quarterstaff (right hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    Coin: 21gp, 10sp, 22cp

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    14

    </td>

    <td>

    +2

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Twenty Seven: The Quest Economy Revisited

    Dawn was breaking as Isa stepped from the Temple. Somehow she¡¯d read through the night. She did feel tired and hungry; her eyes had that special itchy, burning feeling of an all-nighter. But she also had the excitement, the buzz, of newfound knowledge and a sense of accomplishment. She¡¯d gotten her first real clue about how to get home.

    But as Isa walked down the Temple steps and onto the path, she heard the clear call of a bird whistling its morning song. Sure they had birds in Portland, lots of birds, but they sounded different here.

    The air smelled different, too. And sound carried in a way that it just didn''t back home. Not that Isa heard anything but bird song. Still she kept a good grip on her staff. No gnoll was going to surprise her today.

    The path meandered through thick woods before opening up not far from Lund''s. She''d go there, get some food, maybe review her notes. Somebody needed to tell her more about this ¡°gate¡± spell that Tinero said was the ticket home.

    ¡°Ticket home.¡± she muttered to herself. She was starting to talk like Tinero. With a hand on her bag, she opened the door to Lund¡¯s and felt a vibration deep in her bag.

    ¡°What the¡­..¡± Isa reached into her bag. Was that a quest notification? She hadn¡¯t agreed to anything. No one had asked anything of her.

    She flipped open her notebook as she sat at the bar. Lund was standing behind it, and he gave her a smile. ¡°You¡¯re back from the big city, eh? Did you level?¡± He gestured at her notebook. ¡°Questing will do it.¡±

    Isa didn¡¯t answer him. She was staring at her notebook. Something just didn¡¯t make sense. Her quest log had a new quest. Underneath the Children of Thorn quest, she saw a heading simply called Rescue. Below that was written, ¡°Assist Mery Braydon in escaping within 24 hours. Giver: Mery Braydon. Reward: ?¡± Below that puzzling bit of information Isa saw the following: ¡°Persons unknown abducted Mery and are holding her captive in an old house north of Bywater. Their intentions are unknown, and you should assume that time is running out.¡±

    ¡°Lund.¡± Isa slid the notebook to him. ¡°I don¡¯t--¡±

    ¡°Oh no,¡± he said softly. ¡°What¡¯s she gotten into now?¡± He looked at Isa. ¡°What happened?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know! I haven¡¯t seen her since - I saw her in Hanchen and we--¡± She put her hand to her mouth. ¡°Is it Thorn? Is this like vengeance or something?¡±

    ¡°Thorn?¡± Lund¡¯s forehead wrinkled. ¡°Is that a person? A place? Isa, this is serious. I need you to focus.¡±

    ¡°If Mery can give me a quest, why can¡¯t she tell me where she is? What¡¯s this bullshit about a ¡®house north of Bywater¡¯?¡±

    ¡°Isa,¡± Lund squeezed her hand. ¡°Tell me about Hanchen.¡±

    While she talked, he put food in front of them both. Isa ate, but she had no idea what it was. All she could think of was the fleeting time. The quest log now said, ¡°Assist Mery Braydon in escaping within 23 hours.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s an abandoned village north of here,¡± Lund said. ¡°But there are other houses, other places to the north. We could spend days just tracking down the right one.¡±

    ¡°What we need is information. How come you don¡¯t know who Thorn is? He¡¯s like a mob boss or something in Hanchen.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s Hanchen. We got our own problems here,¡± said Lund.

    Isa gave a bitter laugh. ¡°Well, they¡¯ll have to wait. I got a four-alarm fire and no address. We need time, but I don¡¯t know how to buy us time. It¡¯s not like we got a ransom note.¡±

    Before Lund could answer, the front door swung open wide, and a dusty wheelbarrow, followed by an equally dusty woman entered the Tavern.

    ¡°What are you trying to buy, girl?¡± Anne, the merchant called out to Isa.

    ¡°Get that out of my inn,¡± Lund hurried around the bar, waving a towel at the wheelbarrow. Anne blocked his way. ¡°Got valuables here! I¡¯m not leaving my storefront unguarded. Besides, customer is here, so I¡¯m here.¡± She crossed her arms and stared up at Lund. ¡°I don¡¯t make the rules.¡±

    ¡°Jesus Christ,¡± Isa muttered. ¡°It¡¯s an expression! I said I want to buy time. Not buy time.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t understand,¡± said Anne. ¡°You got buying and selling on your mind. I know it.¡±

    On her fingers Isa counted out, ¡°I need time, information, probably a small army, which will take a sack of gold. I need a copy of a spell called gate¡­.. I need a lot of stuff.¡± She focused on the merchant. ¡°Do you know who Thorn is?¡±

    ¡°Pffff! Of course.¡± Anne waved her hand. ¡°Can¡¯t do business in Hanchen without knowing that bastard.¡± She licked her thumb. ¡°What¡¯s he done now?¡±

    Lund held up a hand to stop Isa from answering. ¡°Maybe nothing,¡± he said. ¡°Why do you care? He a friend of yours?¡±

    ¡°I just called him a bastard, didn¡¯t I?¡± Anne shook her head. ¡°Orcs, you don''t know nothing. He¡¯s not my friend. And what¡¯s more, Lund Lunderson--¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not my name,¡± Lund said as he sat down beside Isa.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    Anne continued without acknowledging his words. ¡°What¡¯s more, I have information that might aid you.¡± She rubbed her hands together. ¡°Tell me all.¡±

    Isa read aloud her quest log, and when she¡¯d finished Anne said, ¡°10 gold.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t under--¡±

    Lund pulled up his coin pouch. ¡°5.¡±

    Anne blew the hair from her eyes. ¡°8.¡±

    ¡°5.¡±

    ¡°Fine! 5 gold, you¡¯re a bastard, too!¡±

    Lund chuckled and laid 5 gold coins on the bar. ¡°Wait,¡± said Isa, ¡°what¡¯s happening here? What are we bartering for?¡±

    ¡°Information, girl! The most fragile product in the world. Goes stale in the blink of an eye, gone with the flick of a tongue, or the,¡± she drew her finger across her throat, ¡°flick of the blade.¡±

    Isa pulled her own coin purse free. ¡°My quest, my gold.¡± She shook the coin purse. 5 gold was a big chunk of her money, but what could she do? It was her fault Mery had been taken. She held out a stack of 5 coins, and Anne held out her hand.

    ¡°I hear, real regular like,¡± said the merchant, ¡°that Thorn is in a snit. Some gang a thieves is robbing him. Thieves robbing thieves! But more than that,¡± she said, ¡°seems like they¡¯re being selective. Letters intercepted, weapons stolen, safe houses raided, and soldiers killed.¡± She lowered her voice. ¡°He doesn¡¯t like that. Sounds like your Mery is in on that action.¡±

    Isa nodded. ¡°So it is Thorn. That¡¯s what I was afraid of.¡± She looked at Lund. ¡°What can I do? How do I--¡±

    ¡°I might have one more product for you,¡± said Anne. ¡°One more tidbit, a fresh morsel of--¡±

    ¡°Spit it out,¡± Lund said. ¡°We don¡¯t have much time.¡±

    ¡°Indeed, Mister Orc. Indeed. Now this product, it¡¯s rare, it is. And dear. My reputation is tangled up in it, and that makes it worth more than-- than this whole barrow.¡±

    Lund stayed silent.

    ¡°Hoho! You¡¯ve played this game before.¡± Anne smiled, and Isa could have sworn she saw a twinkle in the merchant¡¯s eyes. ¡°Let¡¯s say, all hypothetical and all, that I knew a bit of personal information about one of my customers. And let¡¯s say,¡± she pointed at Lund, ¡°for saying¡¯s sake, that someone wanted that personal information.¡± She shook her head. ¡°Bad for business if people thought that I was for sale. If they thought I¡¯d tell their neighbor about the mandrake tincture they buy real regular, or about the ring they said they lost that they actually traded to me, if people thought I was--¡±

    Anne stopped as she saw Lund slide a single dull silver coin along the bar. ¡°Is that¡­?¡±

    Lund nodded but didn¡¯t speak. Isa peeked at the coin. It was a little lopsided and the image on the face-up side showed a long haired woman with a crown.

    The merchant reached out her hand, but Lund covered the coin with his own hand first. ¡°What¡¯s this tidbit?¡±

    ¡°You see this, girl?" Anne said to Isa. ¡°You¡¯re my witness, and you won¡¯t cross me, will you? A platinum piece for my information, that¡¯s what he¡¯s offering, and I¡¯ll take it.¡± A slow smile crossed her face. ¡°There¡¯s a house, somewhat north of here, that¡¯s recently inhabited.¡± Anne nodded at Isa¡¯s notebook. ¡°Isn¡¯t that what you said? ¡®A house to the north¡¯? I saw the lights 5 days ago, maybe more, and I said to myself, I said ¡®Anne, you mark this place because soon as not, they¡¯ll need your services.¡¯¡±

    ¡°Mery!¡± Isa¡¯s eyes went wide. ¡°They¡¯re holding her there.¡±

    ¡°Maybe, probably.¡± Anne shrugged. ¡°I only know what I know.¡±

    Lund tapped the coin on the bar and handed it to Anne. ¡°Isa,¡± he said, ¡°fetch some bread from the kitchen. And a couple of sausages. Traveling food.¡± To the merchant he said, ¡°Tell me where exactly¡­.¡±

    Isa ran into the kitchen, her head whirring with thoughts. She had almost the full 24 hours to find and rescue Mery. That was great! The merchant¡¯s information had come at just the right time. Isa would run if she had to - run all the way there, no time to lose, and then-- How many people - armed people - might be there? How many people would Isa have to hurt to free her friend?

    But the only fighting she¡¯d done alone had been a miserable failure. She¡¯d run away. Bleeding and scared, she¡¯d run from the gnoll. So if she couldn¡¯t take on 1 gnoll, how was she going to storm a house full of--

    ¡°Isa! Hurry up,¡± Lund called from the common room.

    Isa grabbed a few hanging sausages and jammed 2 rounds of bread into her large bag. Back in the common room she found Lund buckling a strap across his chest. The merchant and her wheelbarrow were gone. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Isa asked him.

    ¡°Mery¡¯s my friend, too.¡± He slid a huge sword into the holster on his back. ¡°Let¡¯s go get her back.¡±

    Spoiler: Isa''s Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter Level: 3

    Alignment: Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 20 AC: 13

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 20

    Combat: +4 to Hit

    Weapons: Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +2 (piercing) / Quarterstaff (right hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    Coin: 21gp, 10sp, 22cp

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    14

    </td>

    <td>

    +2

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Interlude 1: Lund

    Lund is a half-orc tavern owner and former fighter. He''s kind but impatient of frivolity. He''s smart but not well-read. He''s happy to have left behind the life of a fighter, but hoo-boy, don''t mess with his bar or his friends.

    Name: Lund Subash

    Race: Half Orc

    Height & Weight: 6ft 2inches / 250 lbs

    Class: Fighter Level: 7

    Alignment: Good

    Background: Early Retirement

    Hit Points: 44AC: 11 (simple armor)

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 44

    Combat: +7 to Hit

    Weapons: Greatsword 2d6 +4 (slashing) / Javelin 1d6 +4 (piercing)

    <table>

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    STR

    </td>

    <td>

    18

    </td>

    <td>

    +4

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    9

    </td>

    <td>

    -1Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    15

    </td>

    <td>

    +2

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    +0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    14

    </td>

    <td>

    +2

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str +7 and Con +5

    <table>

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    -1

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    -1

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Great Weapon Fighting - When you roll a 1 or 2 on a damage die for an attack you make with a melee weapon that you are wielding with two hands, you can reroll the die and must use the new roll.

    Feat: Grappler - Advantage on atack rolls against a creature you are grappling.Use action to try to pin a creature grappled by you.To do so, make another grapple check.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    Two Attacks

    <u>Martial Archetype: Champion</u>

    3rd level ¨C Critical Success: Crit on a 19 or 20.

    7th level - Remarkable Athlete (but Lund is rusty so this is a maybe ability - we''ll have to see how often he has to help Isa out of jams.)

 Chapter Twenty Eight: Whetstone

    Lund didn¡¯t waste much time talking, and Isa didn¡¯t waste much breath asking questions. Lund kept an easy pace, which Isa knew was prudent. She wanted to get to Mery quickly, but she¡¯d had no sleep and little food over the last 24 hours, so what little reserves she had needed to be banked for later.

    ¡°It¡¯s not 2 hours from here,¡± Lund said. ¡°So eat. My old captain used to say ¡®Meat for your feet, bread for your battle.¡¯¡±

    ¡°You were a soldier?¡± Isa ripped into a sausage and chewed.

    ¡°For awhile.¡±

    The sun rose as they traveled, and Isa resisted the urge to look at her notebook every 10 minutes to check the time. They had plenty of time, Lund assured her. They would get to the house with about 20 hours to spare.

    ¡°Which is a good thing,¡± he said. ¡°We¡¯re not charging in, swords swinging.¡±

    ¡°Right,¡± Isa said although that¡¯s what she¡¯d expected to do. What other options were there?

    She had plenty of time to think about strategy and to worry about what they might find when they finally arrived at the house. But sooner than she¡¯d expected Lund stopped and turned to Isa. ¡°It¡¯s up there,¡± he pointed to a distant speck.

    On a ridge sat a house - at least the outline of a house. From this distance it was hard for Isa to be certain about any details.

    ¡°That¡¯s still so far away. Are you sure? I mean what did Anne say exactly?¡±

    ¡°Enough. Enough for me to know that¡¯s the place.¡± He shrugged off his pack and pulled out a whetstone. ¡°Now we rest and prepare.¡± He sat cross legged and sharpened his greatsword.

    Isa pulled a piece of bread from one of the rounds, more to have something to do with her hands than for hunger. ¡°Do I need to do that?¡± She pointed at the whetstone.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°Yeah. Rapiers, they¡¯re for stabbing, but you can cut a man with a sharp tip. Don¡¯t I know it!¡± He patted the ground beside him. ¡°Lesson 1. Watch my hands. Smooth, long strokes.¡± He passed his hand along the edge of his sword. ¡°Like you¡¯re petting a cat, yeah?¡±

    Isa pulled her rapier from its scabbard and sat beside him. She laid her weapon across her lap, mimicking Lund.

    ¡°You¡¯ll need a stone. Where¡¯d you go for the blade, Gimble? Little bastard should have given you one.¡± Lund shook his head. ¡°When we get back, we¡¯ll stop by there. Every fighter needs a stone. Gotta be able to keep your tools at the ready.¡±

    He showed Isa how to run the stone along the top part of the rapier¡¯s blade, and soon she felt confident in her motions. The scrape of the stone on metal was somehow soothing instead of grating.

    ¡°I like to think while I sharpen,¡± Lund said softly. ¡°I kinda miss this part. The pre-fight quiet. Me, my blade, my thoughts.¡±

    ¡°Why¡¯d you retire,¡± Isa asked. Maybe that was rude, too prying, too personal, but she kept her eyes on her hand and the motion of the stone, and finally Lund said, ¡°There¡¯s only so much blood a man can spill before it changes him.¡± Isa felt him shift beside her. ¡°I felt it,¡± he went on. ¡°I felt my brain changing, my thoughts, so I laid it down.¡±

    Isa nodded. ¡°I feel it, too. Already I feel that. Lund, I-- I killed a couple of people in Hanchen. I did spare one guy, maybe I shouldn¡¯t have. But I did it. I killed them. I took life away. Days ago I was cleaning people¡¯s teeth, and today I¡¯m planning to spill blood, more blood. Not because I want to! I feel like I have to. You know?¡± She turned toward Lund. ¡°I¡¯m not, like thirsty for blood or vengeance. I just - somehow Mery asked for my help. I still don¡¯t get that, but it¡¯s there in my quest log, and I--¡±

    Lund laid a hand on Isa¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Be still. Breathe.¡±

    Isa let out a long jagged breath.

    ¡°In this land,¡± said Lund, ¡°sometimes you have to do hard things.¡± He shrugged. ¡°Doing hard things can make you hard, but it doesn¡¯t have to. You get to choose. No one else. You.¡±

    For a moment there was only the sound of the wind in the trees.

    Lund took the whetstone from Isa¡¯s hand. ¡°Life is a whetstone. Things that happen - do they dull you or keen you?¡±

    With that he stood and slipped the whetstone into a little pouch at his side. ¡°Let¡¯s take a closer look.¡±

 Chapter Twenty Nine: Rescue, Part 1

    The house stood ramshackle, alone at the edge of a rolling hill. Isa had to admire the strategy of the choice. How would they be able to stealthily approach? She asked Lund as much, and he grunted out a laugh.

    ¡°Snake in the grass, little sister. Snake in the grass.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s sweet and all, but why call me ¡®little sister¡¯?¡±

    Lund shrugged. ¡°You have no family, so I¡¯ll be your family. My people, we know what it¡¯s like to be between 2 worlds, yeah?¡±

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Isa said as she patted his arm. No need to tell him about her family back home. ¡°Now then, your little sister wants to know what you mean about the snakes.¡±

    ¡°The grass is high still, high for fall anyway, so we use the cover the gods have provided. We crawl through the grass like snakes.¡±

    ¡°What about real snakes? Won¡¯t they be crawling around, too?¡±

    ¡°Probably not. Getting cold.¡± He dropped his pack at his feet. ¡°We¡¯ll leave most of our stuff here. Toss me a piece of that bread,will you?¡±

    ¡°Bread before battle.¡± Isa felt her stomach gurgle. ¡°I might throw up.¡±

    ¡°Bread will help,¡± Lund said and tore into a piece and handed the rest back to Isa. ¡°Keep the second one. Mery might be hungry.¡±

    She didn¡¯t want to say it, didn¡¯t want to think it, but Isa said, ¡°What if we fail? Or what if we¡¯re too late? What if--¡± The words caught in her throat.

    ¡°What if we all die?¡± Lund raised his chin. ¡°What an honor, what a way to go to the Beyonds. Death is - don¡¯t fear it, Isa. Don¡¯t embrace it, but don¡¯t hold fear in your heart. Death is an end for us all. You don¡¯t fear the end of a song. You don¡¯t fear the end of a fine meal. It just is. It just ends.¡± He took a deep breath. ¡°But let us be smart, stealthy, and wise like a snake. We¡¯ll strike quick and deadly, and then move on.¡±

    ¡°How many guys do you think are in there?¡±

    ¡°No clue,¡± he said quickly. ¡°Which is why we try to take them quietly. Every one that we kill is one less to fight outright.¡±

    Isa blew out a breath. ¡°I¡¯m so new at this, Lund. I¡¯m afraid--¡±

    ¡°No.¡± He stepped forward and knelt in the grass.

    Isa sighed and followed him.

    ***

    Lund¡¯s path took them behind the house. A lone man stood watch by the back door. Isa realized that she hadn¡¯t told Lund about her archetype. He didn¡¯t know that she could take a little time to study an opponent and use that knowledge to her advantage. Of course, she hadn¡¯t asked Lund about his own abilities. She¡¯d assumed, both from his fighting advice earlier in the week and from the huge sword strapped to his back, that he was, like her, a fighter, but maybe he was a spy or a wizard or one of (Isa was sure) dozens of other possible classes that this world offered.

    Lund gestured at the guard and whispered to Isa, ¡°He¡¯s probably not very smart. They put him on back door watch¡­.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s certainly not very strong.¡± She¡¯d been studying the way the man held his scimitar - did they issue those at bad guy camp? - and Isa thought that his swings would be pretty weak. His thick neck and sturdy legs, on the other hand, hinted that he might not be a total pushover.

    ¡°You go over there,¡± Lund whispered and pointed to the left. ¡°Make a little noise.¡± He held his fingers just slightly apart. ¡°Little, tiny noise. Get his attention. I¡¯ll take him.¡±

    Isa nodded and crawled away. When she was about 15 feet from Lund, she gave the grass in front of her a tiny shake. The man didn¡¯t react. Isa shook the grass a little harder. Still nothing. In disbelief Isa dropped her head to her arms. When she looked up, she saw the man staring in her direction.

    He can¡¯t see you, she told herself as she tried to stay still. Now she found it almost impossible not to make noise.

    The man took two steps toward her and then a third. One more step brought him past Lund¡¯s hiding place, and as Isa watched, Lund rose silently from his spot. He held his massive sword in one hand.

    The man took another step toward Isa. If he heard Lund step from the grass, he didn¡¯t show it on his face. He seemed intent on Isa¡¯s hiding spot. She kept a grip on her staff, ready to sweep him off his feet if he got close enough. Of course he could cry out then, alert others to their presence. Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    Isa studied the man¡¯s neck. She could try to crush his Adam¡¯s apple. That would keep him from calling out, right? She looked at the end of her staff and back at his throat. Maybe. Small target. Would she have enough force to crush it? And that would surely kill him. The man would be unable to breathe if she--

    All need for speculation ceased as Lund drew the tip of his greatsword across the man¡¯s throat. Lund removed his hand from the man¡¯s mouth and watched as he flopped to the ground dead. Lund swiftly picked him up and, with 3 strides, he placed the dead man in the tall grass near Isa. ¡°One,¡± he said. ¡°Come on.¡±

    They opened the back door and were immediately faced with another door. Lund placed his ear by the door and after a moment shook his head. With splayed fingers, he pushed the door open. The kitchen. Empty.

    One door lead out of the kitchen and again Lund put an ear to the door. He paused for a second and then silently pushed the kitchen door open.

    The fireplace was the first thing Isa noticed, then the man standing beside it. He wore a long, dark robe. The hood was pulled back to reveal his round, white face and shaved head.

    ¡°Fuck,¡± Lund said softly, but he clasped his hands around the hilt of his great sword and stepped into an uppercut swing at the robed man, who hadn¡¯t had time to move or speak.

    Lund swing went just wide of the mark, and the robed man said, ¡°Drop.¡±

    The greatsword immediately fell to the floor with a clang. Isa understood in a flash that the robed man had cast some sort of spell on Lund, and all she could hope was that it wasn¡¯t long-lasting.

    She came up on the left side of Lund and jabbed at the man with her rapier. She got a solid hit at his shoulder, as Lund bent to pick up his sword.

    The man winced in pain and held up one hand, fingers curled as if he were holding a ball in the palm of his hand. ¡°Pain,¡± he said softly. ¡°Death.¡±

    Isa doubled over as blood poured out of her mouth. She gagged and closed her mouth, but the blood dribbled out the side. Whatever the man had done, whatever spell he¡¯d cast on her, he might get his wish; she might just fall over dead. But before that happened, she was going to try to take him with her.

    Only one of her sword blows landed, but Isa did manage to slice at the man¡¯s face, and blood poured down his cheek and chin. She grinned and spat a little blood at his feet.

    Lund brought his sword down on the robed man¡¯s shoulder in a mighty swing which made the man drop to his knees. Lund yanked his sword free as the robed man fell over dead.

    ¡°Isa,¡± Lund whispered her name as he turned to her. She looked down at the blood covering her hands. Her blood. She barked out a gasp. ¡°I don¡¯t feel like I¡¯m dying. Am I dying?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not gonna die.¡± Without taking his eyes off of her, Lund reached behind his back and pulled out a small vial. ¡°Drink.¡±

    Isa recognized the vial from her first day. One of Anne¡¯s healing potions. She almost protested the expense and then realized how foolish that was. She yanked out the stopper and downed the potion in a swallow. Warmth spread through her body like brandy on a cold night. The blood ceased to pour from her mouth, and she spat out a gob of red spittle. ¡°I owe you 25 gold."

    Spoiler: Isa''s Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter  Level: 3

    Alignment: Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 20    AC: 13

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 12

    Combat: +4 to Hit

    Weapons: Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +2 (piercing)  / Quarterstaff (right  hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    Coin: 21gp, 10sp, 22cp

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    14

    </td>

    <td>

    +2

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    (Used) Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Thirty: Rescue, Part 2

    From the shadows stepped another man, and he swung his sword at Lund, chopping at the half-orc¡¯s leg. ¡°You¡¯ll regret coming here,¡± he said softly.

    Lund turned to swing at this new foe, but he winced in pain and missed his mark. Isa whipped her rapier tip at the enemy¡¯s throat and saw blood began to seep from the wound.

    ¡°Ha!¡± the man said and swung at Isa. His swing missed and hit the fireplace mantle. As he finished his swing, Lund brought his own blade up and buried it in the man¡¯s stomach.

    The violence, which had started so swiftly, was just as abruptly over.

    Lund pulled his blade free of the dead man, and Isa heard the metal scrape against bone. ¡°Oh god,¡± she muttered and doubled over again.

    ¡°Isa?¡± Lund put his hand on her back. ¡°I have another potion. Do you need it?¡±

    ¡°No, I - I don¡¯t think so. I just¡­.¡± She sat down suddenly as her legs gave out. ¡°That man,¡± she pointed at the robed figure. ¡°He was some sort of mage, huh? He said a spell and the blood¡­.¡± She looked down at her hands which were still sticky from the outpouring from her own body. Her own body had rebelled against her.

    ¡°Yeah. Spellcasters are bad news. Squishy, but damn you gotta get ¡®em fast. Right?¡± He knelt beside her. ¡°We¡¯re not done. You gonna be OK?¡±

    ¡°Yes. But what about you? He sliced you pretty bad.¡±

    ¡°Nah,¡± Lund waved away her words. ¡°Just a scratch - like literally a scratch.¡± He touched the rip in his pants. ¡°Not even bleeding anymore.¡± He rose and held out his hand. ¡°Let¡¯s find Mery.¡±

    Two door led out of the room and there was also a circular staircase opposite the fireplace. Isa stepped to the closer door and listened as Lund had done. She frowned and shrugged, trying to indicate that she hadn¡¯t heard anything. With careful fingers, she turned the doorknob to reveal an empty dining room. The other room was also empty.

    Lund sighed and pointed up. With him in the lead, they climbed the stairs, taking each step slowly to avoid making noise. About halfway up Isa thought she heard piano music, but it was faint, and besides, that seemed absurd.

    As they reached the top of the stairs Lund froze and then he was running. Isa heard a man shout, ¡°Hey! Help!¡±

    It was only as Isa got to the top of the stairs that she saw the bald man at the door to the left. He had his hand on the door as if Lund had surprised him going out or coming back.

    Either way was bad news, and Isa sprinted past Lund and reached the bald guard first. She made to jab him with the staff and then drove her rapier into the seam where his leg met his groin. The bald man doubled over in pain, making him unable to return a blow.

    Lund pushed past him and threw the door open. Inside Isa saw a man in a long blue coat holding a dark sword. He had long hair that was tied back. At his elbow sat Mery, bound to a chair with a gag in her mouth.

    The man flung a knife at Lund, but it missed and hit the injured guard in the throat. ¡°Sorry, Stephen,¡± said the man in the coat. The bald guard didn¡¯t reply because the knife finished what Isa had begun.

    Isa stepped into the room. With her rapier held out she said, ¡°All your men are dead. We just want our friend. We don¡¯t want to hurt you.¡±

    The man laughed. ¡°Been rehearsing that speech? Need more practice, love.¡±

    Lund charged at him, and the man easily stepped to the side. Isa saw a flash of dark material and shiny metal as the man moved. He must have armor underneath the coat.

    As Lund passed, the man flashed his thin, dark scimitar and caught Lund on the back. The blade easily sliced through Lund¡¯s leather jacket.

    As the man¡¯s sword swung into Lund, Isa saw her chance to hit him. She plunged her rapier into his side for a solid hit. He shouted in pain. The blow brought Isa close enough to Mery that they made eye contact. Mery¡¯s eyes went wide, trying to communicate something to Isa, but Isa was too busy to understand.

    ¡°Rah!¡± said Mery. ¡°Guh grah huh.¡± She hopped a bit in the chair. Her bound legs bouncing as the chair lifted off the ground for a moment. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

    ¡°Yes!¡± Lund grinned and ran to Mery. He sliced through her bounds easily, and Mery pulled the gag from her face. With one hand she snatched the javelin from the side of Lund¡¯s pack. ¡°This will do.¡± She grinned and twirled the spear once.

    The man in blue growled. ¡°I am unhappy now,¡± he said. His dark scimitar flashed out, and the tip caught Mery¡¯s arm. Quicker than Isa thought possible, his sword moved back and caught Lund on the side of his face.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know what you were saying!¡± Isa yelled to Mery. She tried to step to the side and tripped on one of the piano feet. She fell against the keys and made a loud ¡°BAH Dah, bink¡± with the keys.

    Somehow Lund was able to stay focused on the man. He brought his sword around for a killing blow, and he did manage to slice a path down the man¡¯s chest, leaving a trail of blood. The man looked down at his now-tattered armor, and Isa thought she saw fear in his eyes.

    Mery used Lund¡¯s spear to strike at the man, and she made a solid connection, but that didn¡¯t stop him lashing out and catching Isa with the tip of his sword. The weapon cut a gash 4 inches long on Isa¡¯s thigh. She dropped her rapier to grab her leg. ¡°Oh fuck,¡± she said. This reminded her of when she fought and lost to the gnoll. It was worse somehow, than the spell downstairs. Maybe it was seeing the separated skin and the flowing blood and wondering if he¡¯d hit the femoral artery.

    Her hands started to shake. Was that blood loss? She felt cold sweep across her body, and through chattering teeth she said, ¡°Second Wind, Second Wind. Sec--¡± The leg wound didn¡¯t seal up magically, but the blood stopped, and Isa felt a millions times better.

    She pulled her staff into a fighting stance and focused on the man in the blue coat. As Isa lunged toward him, her foot caught the leg of the piano bench, and she fell. With her hands wrapped tightly around the staff, she couldn¡¯t break her fall, but instinctively she tried to anyway, and landed with her full weight on her right hand. She heard rather than felt the bones of her hand break.

    Rolling to a stop, she came up hard against something and looked up. Her eyes met the man in blue¡¯s eyes. She¡¯d come to rest at his feet. His face went from shocked to gleeful in a second, but before he could raise his sword, Lund was there and swung his own sword at the man.

    Lund¡¯s swing caught the man in the same place as before and from Isa¡¯s ground floor perspective she saw the cut across his chest get deeper. Blood ran down his body, making his beautiful blue coat look almost black.

    The man put his hand on his stomach, but the blood seeped through, and as Isa watched, a spear came through his stomach and impaled his hand. He fell forward over Isa, and one of his boots caught her chin.

    He kicked once more and then a shadow passed by Isa, and Mery landed on the man¡¯s back and drove the spear forward.

    Spoiler: Isa''s Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter  Level: 3

    Alignment: Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 20    AC: 13

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 13

    Combat: +4 to Hit

    Weapons: Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +2 (piercing)  / Quarterstaff (right  hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    Coin: 21gp, 10sp, 22cp

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    14

    </td>

    <td>

    +2

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    (Used) Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    (Used) Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Interlude 2: Merys Character Sheet

    Name: Mery Braydon

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 8 inches / 150 lbs

    Class: Bard Level: 4 / Rogue Level: 2

    Alignment: Good

    Background: (Bard) College Dropout

    Hit Points: 31    AC: 15

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 13

    Combat: +6 to Hit

    Weapons: Shortsword  1d6 +3 (slashing / finesse)

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    10Stolen story; please report.

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    16

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    +0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    17

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Dex  +6 and Con +6

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    6

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    6

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    6

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    6

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Sneak Attack

    Class Features:

    Bard College: College of Valor

    Cunning Action (rogue) ¨C bonus action to disengage

 Chapter Thirty One: One Manâ€™s Treasureâ€¦.

    ¡°Is he dead?¡± Lund¡¯s voice sounded like it was in Isa¡¯s ear, but then she realized that he was kneeling beside her.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Mery said. ¡°What a blessed mess was this. Help me move him, Lund. He¡¯s on Isa.¡±

    Suddenly the man¡¯s legs were gone, and Isa sat up on her elbows. The room was a wreck. Piano bench overturned, curtains lopsided, blood -- well, there was blood everywhere.

    Isa tried to stand, but she used her right hand without thinking and screamed in pain as the broken bones grated against each other. Before Isa could do anything else, arms wrapped around her and held her.

    ¡°Morning dew,¡± Mery whispered in her ear, and just like that, Isa felt completely well. Similar to how the healing potion had made her feel but better. Isa didn¡¯t feel the warmth spread to her limbs; this was more like stepping out of a hot shower.

    She held her right hand up and flexed it. She couldn¡¯t help but laugh. ¡°A girl could get used to a feeling like this,¡± she said.

    ¡°Don¡¯t go picking fights with bandit captains just soes I have to come put my arms around you.¡± Mery gave Isa¡¯s ear a quick kiss. ¡°I only have so many spells, you know. Now up we go, so I can thank you both proper.¡±

    Lund had righted the piano bench and sat down. He had several cuts on his face, and Isa could see where his jacket was slashed from the fight.

    ¡°How are ya?¡± Mery asked him as she stood.

    ¡°Eh, been better. I am out of practice; I¡¯ll tell you that.¡±

    ¡°Do you need the healing word, though? How bad is it?¡± Mery took a step toward him.

    He held up another vial. ¡°I can use this.¡± He gave it a shake.

    ¡°That¡¯s 50 gold there. Let me.¡± Mery said, but Lund shook his head. ¡°This is one of Anne Merchant¡¯s discount potions. It¡¯s already past its expiry, and well, if it doesn¡¯t work you can do your magic trick. Besides, you need to save some for yourself. You look like shit.¡±

    They both laughed, and Lund used his thumb to pop the cork from the potion vial. He tossed it down and grimaced. ¡°Where¡¯s she get these anyway? That tasted like pine needles and hard boiled eggs.¡±

    Isa stood up and retrieved her rapier from where she¡¯d dropped it by the piano.

    ¡°How did you find me?¡± Mery asked. ¡°Thank you both. I can never repay it, but thank you all the same.¡±

    ¡°I had a quest to--¡± Isa felt for her notebook and pulled it out. The movement made her think about her broken hand. She flexed it twice, marvelling that she could move all of her fingers, make a fist, turn it front to back. ¡°Magic. I¡¯ll never¡­.¡±

    ¡°A quest?¡± Mery¡¯s voice broke Isa¡¯s train of thought.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± said Lund. ¡°She showed me her quest log. How¡¯d you do that? Is that a bard thing? Gotta be a bard thing.¡±

    ¡°Is what a bard thing? Getting fooled by a devilish smile?¡± Mery kicked the dead man¡¯s boot. ¡°Thinking you might have a fun tumble with a long haired rogue who,¡± she kicked his side, ¡°slips you a sleeping potion?¡± She gave the dead man 2 more kicks. ¡°Is that what you mean? Because that¡¯s me, alright.¡±

    ¡°I meant the quest. Giving Isa the quest. Is it like message or something? How¡¯d it travel so far?¡±

    ¡°There is no ¡®quest¡¯ spell, Lund!¡± Mery strode over to Isa. ¡°What¡¯s he on about? Lemme see.¡±

    Isa turned her notebook so that Mery could see the quest log. Although the words had a line through them, it was easy enough to read.

    ¡°Rescue,¡± Mery read aloud. ¡°Assist Mery Braydon in escaping within 24 hours. Giver: Mery Braydon. Reward: question mark.¡± Mery looked up from the notebook. ¡°¡®Giver Mery Braydon.¡¯ I didn¡¯t - I never - I mean, you hope that someone will notice you¡¯re missing, right? You hope that, but you don¡¯t know. You can¡¯t know. And you can¡¯t know that they¡¯d be in time. Hamma, Mister Blue there,¡± Mery nodded at the dead man, ¡°I think he was waiting on orders, but I think I was on the dead path, heading to the angels, like.¡±The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    She handed the notebook back to Isa. ¡°One thing¡¯s right - I don¡¯t know how to reward you. You saved my life. However you knew, you saved me, and I shan¡¯t forget it.¡± Mery rubbed her face with her hands. ¡°I¡¯m starving. Have you eaten? We should eat and look for treasures, eh?¡± She rubbed her hands together. ¡°This fucker talked a good game. Let¡¯s see if he was lying about that, too.¡±

    ¡°So you were gonna¡­.¡± Isa¡¯s voice trailed off as she looked from Mery to the dead man.

    Mery shrugged. ¡°Men, women, a tumble¡¯s a tumble, innit? Sometimes I like ¡®em stiff, and sometimes I like ¡®em soft.¡± She grinned. ¡°Everyone thinks I¡¯m nuts, but they¡¯re the crazy ones cutting themselves off from half the fun.¡±

    ¡°I could eat,¡± Lund said. He reached over and yanked on the already crooked curtain. He used the material to wipe down his blade and then put it in its sheath.

    Mery seemed to be studying Isa.

    ¡°What?¡± Isa spread her arms out.

    ¡°You¡¯re a bit bloodier than I¡¯d expect, even given the fight we¡¯ve had.¡±

    ¡°Oh yeah, I--¡±

    ¡°Isa handled herself well downstairs,¡± said Lund. ¡°But things did get a little bloody for a bit.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, my blood.¡± Isa looked down at her leather tunic and her torn pants.

    ¡°And your face, love,¡± said Mery. ¡°Let¡¯s get you cleaned up a bit, eh, Isa? Can¡¯t speak for the accommodations at this inn, but I bet we can find a cloth and some water.¡± Mery held out her hand.

    Lund slapped his hands on his thighs and said, ¡°Kitchen¡¯s downstairs. I¡¯ll see what I can find for food.¡±

    ¡°Soup would be really good,¡± Isa said.

    ¡°Soup? No one chooses to eat soup,¡± Mery said with a grimace. ¡°Maybe sick people. Old people. Are ya sick? Are ya old? No! You¡¯re a warrior. We need meat. Lund! Meat!¡±

    From the stairs they heard Lund say, ¡°This isn¡¯t a restaurant. You¡¯re hungry, come downstairs.¡±

    Mery grinned at Isa. ¡°Treasure before tankards, that¡¯s what I always say.¡±

    ¡°You always say that?¡±

    ¡°Far as you know.¡± Mery laughed.

    ¡°Is that a rogue thing,¡± said Isa. ¡°Looking for loot?¡±

    ¡°Rogues, bards, fighters. Everyone loves treasure, Isa.¡± She rubbed her hands together. ¡°First, we get you cleaned up, and then we¡¯ll see about rewarding you proper for completing your quest.¡±

    Spoiler: Isa''s Character Sheet:<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter Level: 3

    Alignment: Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 20 AC: 13

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 20

    Combat: +4 to Hit

    Weapons: Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +2 (piercing) / Quarterstaff (right hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    Coin: 21gp, 10sp, 22cp

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    14

    </td>

    <td>

    +2

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    USED Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    USED Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Thirty Two: â€¦.Is Another Manâ€™s Loot

    ¡°I didn¡¯t do this for any reward,¡± Isa said. ¡°I wanted to help. And if you didn¡¯t send that quest to me, who did?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not the most religious lass you ever met, so I doubt it was Lady Light. But maybe my mum sent up a prayer. She seems to know when I¡¯ve got myself in a barrel of eels.¡±

    ¡°This Lady is like a goddess?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡± Mery scrunched her eyebrows. ¡°Don¡¯t you have those where you¡¯re from? Never heard of a plane without gods.¡±

    ¡°Religion¡­. is complicated where I¡¯m from,¡± Isa said after a moment¡¯s thought. ¡°Yeah, complicated, but I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve heard of Lady Light. But if she told me to come find you, she¡¯s good in my book. Or is that She with a capital?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d add the capital, just to be safe. The Lady is generous, but She has Her dark side.Now, to the loot. You get first pick, and then we¡¯ll find Lund to look at the rest, yeah?¡±

    Isa looked around the room, seeing it for the first time, really. Besides the piano, there were other hints of wealth and vestiges that spoke of more wealth stolen. A bright, detailed tapestry hung beside the fireplace. The curtains, now torn and bloody, looked thick and soft, but other walls held shadows where there should be paintings.

    ¡°I don¡¯t¡­.¡± Isa shook her head, overwhelmed by the idea of looting a stranger¡¯s house, even one who¡¯d tried to kill her.

    ¡°I know,¡± Mery said softly. ¡°Adventuring¡¯s not for everyone. But this is nature at work. Not always pretty, not always fair. But Isa, they started this, and no reason - now that we¡¯ve won - not to benefit from the struggle.¡±

    ¡°They are bad people,¡± Isa said slowly.

    ¡°And taking their stuff, it hurts them. I know.¡±

    Isa turned to Mery. ¡°It¡¯s true, then. Anne said this Thorn is hopping mad at someone or someones who are stealing, raiding, and generally mucking up their operations.¡±

    With a grin Mery raised one hand. ¡°Guilty. Every step brings me closer to Thorn. He - or she for all I know - has their fingers spread through Hanchen and environs. Before it goes farther, they need to be stopped.¡±

    She walked over to the tapestry. ¡°And taking nice things from them, that helps.¡± With a yank, the large hanging fell to the floor at Mery¡¯s feet. She turned and said, ¡°I¡¯m not a mercenary. We¡¯ll sell it off and give it to charity.¡± She grinned. ¡°Most of it.¡±

    Isa moved to the middle of the room and turned around.

    ¡°How about,¡± Mery knelt beside Hamma, the dead captain, ¡°this pretty little sword?¡± Mery held up the dark metal scimitar. She slid it across the floor toward Isa and then pushed the man over, grunting with the effort. ¡°And a pretty scabbard to go with it.¡± She held up a belt and a dark wood and silver scabbard.

    ¡°I have a sword.¡±

    ¡°But this one is nicer. Looks masterwrought. We can get it appraised tomorrow.¡± She held out the scabbard. ¡°Take it. If you don¡¯t want it, sell it. Likely get 100 gold for it. Maybe more. Hell, the scabbard might be worth a hundred alone.¡±

    Isa picked up the blade. It did have a nice feel to it. The blade was narrow and mostly straight, with a slight curve at the tip. It looked sharp enough to cut air. She fitted the blade into the scabbard. ¡°This sword almost killed me.¡±

    ¡°Almost.¡± Mery held up a finger. ¡°That¡¯s the key word. Almost.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s ale down here!¡± Lund¡¯s voice came from downstairs. Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    Mery¡¯s eye twinkled as she took a small pouch from Hamma¡¯s pocket. ¡°Pity about this lovely coat of his. Rather ruined now, but we didn¡¯t have a choice, eh? Let¡¯s check the rest of this floor and join Lund. We could use a drink, all of us.¡±

    In a bedroom across the hall they found a small wooden chest that held hundreds of silver coins. Between them they moved it to the head of the stairs. Mery bent next to the bald man and searched his pockets. She held up a yellowish liquid in a small round bottle. ¡°Potion? I wonder what it is.¡± She stuck it in her pocket.

    ¡°Are you sure it¡¯s a potion?¡± Isa could not keep the horrified look off her face. ¡°It looks like a urine sample.¡±

    Mery laughed. ¡°Poison maybe, but piss? Unlikely. For a few copper a potions master can say for sure.¡±

    They joined Lund downstairs. He¡¯d moved the spellcaster and the bandit to the corner away from the fireplace and stoked the fire. ¡°Food and ale in the kitchen, some spices, too. And more ale below. 7 barrels in all. Plus 27 gold, a few gems. Oh, and someone here was studying maps. There¡¯s a compass, brass sighter, and those pointy things you use to measure.¡± He sat down by the fire with a plate and a mug.

    Isa and Mery joined him a few minutes later. Isa purposefully sat with her back to the dead men. She didn¡¯t want to ask her friends to move from this warm spot, but she was unsettled to be so close to the bodies. She glanced over her shoulder several times as they ate.

    ¡°They can¡¯t hurt you,¡± Mery said softly.

    ¡°Unless a necromancer shows up,¡± Lund said between bites of bread.

    ¡°Speaking of that,¡± said Isa, ¡°didn¡¯t you say that Mister Blue up there was waiting on a message?¡±

    ¡°I said I thought he was waiting. He was anxious the moment he brought me here. Seemed uncertain what to do.¡±

    ¡°So someone might be here soon, with orders.¡± Lund looked from Mery to Isa. ¡°I¡¯d like to see those orders.¡±

    ¡°Lund! You big sweetheart,¡± Mery¡¯s face broke into a huge grin. ¡°Head of the class, you are!¡± She slapped her head. ¡°I should have thought of it. We wait for the messenger, kill him and--¡±

    ¡°We could just tie him up, take his message,¡± Isa said. ¡°We don¡¯t have to kill everyone all the time, right?¡±

    Spoiler:Isa''s Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name:Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class:FighterLevel:3

    Alignment: Good

    Background:Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points:20AC:13

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 20

    Combat:+4 to Hit

    Weapons:Rapier(left hand) 1d8 +2 (piercing) /Quarterstaff(right hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    Coin: 21gp, 10sp, 22cp

    <div>

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    14

    </td>

    <td>

    +2

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <div>

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack:Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    USEDSecond Wind- On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    USEDAction Surge- On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Thirty Three: Religion 101

    Lund smiled and pointed at Isa. ¡°Exactly. ¡®The balance is mercy.¡¯ That¡¯s what the cleric in my old unit used to say.¡±

    ¡°Cleric,¡± said Isa. ¡°I¡¯ve heard that name a few times now, but what is it?¡±

    Mery hooked her thumb over her shoulder. ¡°That is a cleric.¡±

    ¡°The men?¡± Isa shifted to look directly at the dead men behind them. ¡°Which-- ah, the spellcaster. I remember Joth saying that clerics use magic.¡±

    In the firelight something metallic glinted on the cleric¡¯s belt. ¡°What in the world¡­.?¡± She put down her plate and stood up for a closer look. Indeed, hanging from his belt was an 8 inch metal skeleton. The craftsmanship looked quite fine; the limbs appeared to move freely, and the ribs were spaced out so that Isa could see the cloth of the robe behind them.

    She reached out a finger to flick at one of the silver legs, and Mery said, ¡°Don¡¯t fool with that, now. No cause for mucking with a red cleric¡¯s holy symbol.¡±

    ¡°His robes are gray.¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter,¡± Lund said from his spot by the fire. ¡°He could be wearing white leather and he¡¯d still be a red cleric. It¡¯s the religion not the cloth, if you see what I mean.¡±

    Mery nudged the dead cleric¡¯s foot. ¡°Didn¡¯t say much, this one. Of course with Hamma up there, who could get a word in?¡±

    ¡°He cast a spell - said some words and then blood¡­.¡± Isa stopped as the memory of the moment washed over her.

    ¡°He¡¯s been repaid,¡± Mery said softly. ¡°And no doubt his god is praising him in whatever heaven he expected.¡±

    ¡°Speaking of that, can we, like, bury them?¡± Isa said. ¡°If we¡¯re going to wait for a messenger I¡¯d rather it wasn¡¯t in a house of dead people.¡±

    Lund wiped his mouth and stood. ¡°What do we got, 5 of them? You two keep watch from upstairs. And I¡¯ll¡­.¡± he sighed. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll see to them.¡±

    ¡°Not sure they would have done the same for us,¡± Mery called out to Lund as he mounted the stairs.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Isa asked.

    Mery picked up the plates and mugs. ¡°I¡¯ve traveled the length of this land, and a few others besides. Most people are good. Seen it with mine own eyes. But some, some are bad right through, like an apple rotten at the core. And this lot? Well, I didn¡¯t need to see his holy symbol to know he was a red cleric.¡±

    ¡°But you had a drink with--¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t remind me now!¡± She walked to the kitchen. ¡°It was just pretty Hamma there at the time. The honeypot,¡± she said as she returned. ¡°The honeypot to cage this bear who ought to have known better.¡±

    Isa picked up the navigator¡¯s tools that Lund had set aside. ¡°How do you know what someone is?¡±

    Mery stopped on the stairs to let Lund pass with the bald guard over his shoulder. The she said, ¡°For fighting do you mean? Sometimes you don¡¯t know. Usually a spellcaster will keep both hands free, or a cleric will have their god symbol in hand. But rogues, fighters, brawler types, you just don¡¯t know. You got a lunk in front of you with a sword, and so you pay attention to how they swing, how they move, and you adjust as you go.¡±

    As they settled down to watch the road from the upstairs bedroom Isa said, ¡°You cast spells. Where¡¯s your symbol?¡±

    ¡°Clerics need their symbols to focus. Wizards, their books. But bards, bards need only their instrument.¡± Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    Isa smiled slowly, waiting for the punchline.

    ¡°What?¡± Mery asked.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have an instrument.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t?¡± Mery patted her sides. ¡°Where¡¯s my¡­.? Ah, yes, it¡¯s right here.¡± She pointed at her face. ¡°With an instrument like this, do I really need a lute?¡±

    Isa began to laugh, and considering all that had happened in the last few hours, she wanted to keep laughing so the sound could wash over her and blot out the memories of swords and blood and spells.

    Mery joined in, and as a tear rolled down Isa¡¯s face, she reached over and brushed it away. ¡°Hey now,¡± she said softly. ¡°None of that. You¡¯ve come through a storm, and there¡¯s a light in the west.¡±

    But Mery¡¯s words were lost in Isa¡¯s sobs. She hadn¡¯t known that she would break down. Isa had come through so much the last few days, and to have a tiny gesture of kindness crack though her defenses, well it didn¡¯t seem fair. She didn¡¯t want to fall apart, and certainly not in front of this strong, cool-headed woman.

    She wiped her face with both hands. ¡°Ah, OK. Crap, I need a tissue.¡±

    ¡°Bathe your face, lass. The ewer¡¯s right there. Blood, snot, tears¡­.. Water washes it all away.¡±

    When Isa returned to the seat by the window Mery went on, ¡°And what water can¡¯t touch, sometimes words can help.¡± Mery spared a glance out the window. ¡°And when words fail, well, sometimes fancy can fill the gap, at least for a nonce.¡±

    Mery held up a bit of wood. ¡°Thus,¡± she said and made to throw the wood into the air, but instead 4 balls of light rose and danced across the ceiling. As Isa watched Mery made 2 balls hop one over the other and then the other 2 zoomed from one side of the room to the other.

    ¡°This is magic that I can get behind,¡± Isa said and clapped softly. As she watched, Mery made the 4 balls come together into 1 big ball and then break apart again. They danced across the ceiling a few more times, and Isa felt like she understood for the first time just how intoxicating this world could be. She tore her eyes from the balls to watch Mery control them. Her friend¡¯s mouth was pursed in concentration, and her eyes followed the balls¡¯ movements with intense focus. Streaks of afternoon sunlight filtered through Mery¡¯s hair turning it golden brown, and Isa reached out to touch a strand. ¡°Magic,¡± Isa murmured.

    The balls fell from the air as Mery turned toward Isa, and their lips met in a kiss.

    Spoiler: Isa''s Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter Level: 3

    Alignment: Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 20 AC: 13

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 20

    Combat: +4 to Hit

    Weapons: Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +2 (piercing) / Quarterstaff (right hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    Coin: 21gp, 10sp, 22cp

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    14

    </td>

    <td>

    +2

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Thirty Four: The Messenger

    They¡¯d barely had time to enjoy the moment when from below Isa and Mery heard footsteps. ¡°Hoy! Where is everyone?¡± a male voice called out.

    ¡°Fuck! The messenger.¡± Mery jumped up.

    ¡°We didn¡¯t keep very good watch.¡±

    ¡°We didn¡¯t keep watch at all.¡± Mery flashed a quick grin at Isa and then said, ¡°Stay here. I¡¯ll handle this.¡±

    ¡°But....¡± Isa rose and picked up her staff which was leaning against the wall.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got this, Isa. Please.¡± Mery turned toward the door, and Isa saw her rub a thumb across her lapel. ¡°Lund? The messenger¡­.¡± And then she door shut.

    Isa quietly stepped across the room and stood beside the door with her back to the wall. She positioned herself so that she¡¯d be behind the door if anyone entered.

    With the door closed Isa couldn¡¯t tell if the man was alone. The idea of Mery and Lund facing off against even 1 man was too much for Isa. Mery had healed Isa, but she hadn¡¯t - as far as Isa knew - healed herself. She¡¯d taken a few hits in the fight, and who knows what Mery had endured before they¡¯d gotten there.

    That settled it for Isa. As quietly as she could, she turned the doorknob and pulled the door ajar by an inch. The operation had seemed noiseless to her, and she hoped that her ears were not deceiving her.

    A creak sounded off to her left, out of Isa¡¯s line of sight. Another creak that just had to be a footstep, and Isa tightened her grip on her staff. She immediately loosened it. Her first lesson with Lund, he¡¯d mentioned her staff grip. ¡°You have to keep hold but give the staff room to shift. The second you hit someone or something with that tight grip, you¡¯re going to break your thumbs.¡±

    A young man crept into view. He had a dagger in his hand, and his eyes swept past Isa¡¯s door and came back to focus on the sliver of her face that showed through the crack in the door. But before he could take a step toward her, he stumbled, and Mery blinked into view.

    Mery¡¯s sudden appearance scared Isa so much that she cried out and jumped back. A moment later she realized this must be magic. Some sort of teleport spell or invisibility, and Mery was obviously fine - she¡¯d taken advantage of the young man¡¯s stumble. Maybe she¡¯d even caused it.

    With a start Isa realized that although Mery had jumped on the prone man, he had managed to get to all fours. Mery yelled, ¡°Lund!¡± And Isa heard someone thundering up the stairs - she hoped it was Lund. But in case it wasn¡¯t, Isa needed to act to help her friend.

    She threw the door back and rushed forward. Mery was straddling the man, and despite her efforts he had almost pushed himself to his knees which made it look like Mery was getting a piggyback ride. He was balanced on one arm as he used the other to grab at Mery. Isa swung her staff at his stationary arm. If she could deliver even a glancing blow, that might send him fully prone again.

    Her swing caught him on the upper arm, and with a cry, the young man fell to the floor. Lund appeared at the head of the stairs and dove into the fight. He landed on the man¡¯s legs and held them tight as Mery kneeled on the man¡¯s shoulders.

    ¡°Perhaps,¡± she said, ¡°You were looking for Hamma. Got a message for him?¡±

    The young man struggled silently, but Lund held tight. With a little bit of coordination Mery and Isa tied the man¡¯s arms behind him, and Lund set him up in a chair in the music room. With a slight frown Isa realized it was the same chair that had held Mery.

    Mery, for her part, didn¡¯t seem to notice. She had a note in her hand. This was indeed the messenger that Hamma, the bandit captain, had been awaiting. The note had been sealed with green wax and the impression of one sword balanced on top of another, forming a ¡°T.¡±

    ¡°Thorn?¡± Isa asked, and Mery nodded and ran her forefinger lightly over the seal.

    ¡°Are you going to do it the easy way or the hard?¡± Lund asked Mery.

    ¡°Let¡¯s take a closer look,¡± she answered and stepped into the hallway.

    Isa followed with Lund just behind. He pulled the music room door closed.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t the first time you two have fought together.¡± Isa didn¡¯t pose it as a question. Lund wouldn¡¯t be here if he didn¡¯t care for Mery.

    ¡°She¡¯s helped me out a few times,¡± said Lund. ¡°I figured I owed her.¡±

    ¡°Hardly. Don¡¯t you listen to this blather, Isa. I¡¯ll never live this one down. For sure in 20 years he¡¯ll still be smug and smiling behind his bar reminding me about this day.¡±You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

    ¡°I¡¯m just glad we got here,¡± said Isa, ¡°and that we won.¡±

    ¡°We haven¡¯t won yet,¡± Mery muttered. She looked at the sealed note. ¡°I don¡¯t care if Thorn knows.¡± She broke the wax seal and unfolded the letter. ¡°It says, ¡®Bring her to the new warehouse.¡¯¡±

    ¡°¡®The new warehouse,¡¯¡± Lund repeated.

    ¡°Where is that?¡± Isa looked from one to the other.

    ¡°I dunno, but someone here probably does.¡± Mery nodded her head toward the closed music room door.

    ¡°Don¡¯t hurt him!¡± Isa put a hand on Mery¡¯s arm.

    ¡°¡±Nah, I¡¯m going to get inside his head.¡±

    Lund shook his head. ¡°Don¡¯t ever make a bard mad.¡±

    ¡°Wait, what does that mean? Get inside his head? What does that mean?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a spell. Calm down. It¡¯s a spell, and it won¡¯t hurt him.¡±

    Lund shifted as if his clothes were suddenly too tight. ¡°Hurt¡¯s not the right way to say it, but it¡¯s odd. Damned odd knowing someone is rooting around in your thoughts.¡±

    ¡°Detect thoughts,¡± said Mery. ¡°That¡¯s the spell. Something that bards can do. And Lund¡¯s right - ya know it¡¯s happening. You know you¡¯re not alone in your head.¡±

    A look of horror passed over Isa¡¯s face. ¡°You can tell what I¡¯m thinking? Oh god.¡±

    Mery smiled and shook her head. ¡°Listen: no, you¡¯d know; you would know. Lund? Can you help me?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s hard to explain,¡± Lund said slowly. ¡°It¡¯s like a clear, high, ting! Like two glasses tapping against each other. You don¡¯t hear it exactly - or maybe you don¡¯t hear it with your ears. And then it¡¯s like when you know someone¡¯s behind you, doing something, but it¡¯s someone you know, and you expect ¡®em to be there.¡± He looked into the distance. ¡°But you don¡¯t want ¡®em there, of course. And if you think really hard, like really, really hard,  you can force ¡®em out.¡± He stopped and looked at Isa. ¡°That¡¯s what it¡¯s like.¡±

    ¡°And you can find out where the warehouse is with this spell?¡± Isa asked Mery.

    ¡°Like as not. He¡¯s a young pup. Not too smart, maybe. No book learning, I¡¯d stake my coins on that, and that¡¯s the usual way to kick someone out of your head. Reason, logic, cool-headedness, like. That will stop the spell like flame on ice.¡±

    ¡°So,¡± said Isa, ¡°you think you can do it.¡±

    Mery nodded her head. ¡°Absolutely.¡±

    ¡°If he knows where the warehouse is,¡± Lund to Isa.

    ¡°It¡¯s in the note, Lund.¡± Mery sounded annoyed.

    ¡°The note¡¯s not for him, Mery.¡± Lund leaned down and put his face near hers.

    ¡°You guys, don¡¯t fight. Jeeze.¡± Isa stepped between them.

    ¡°Not fighting,¡± said Mery. ¡°Just having a meeting of the minds.¡±

    ¡°Hrmph,¡± Lund snorted. ¡°I made my point. It stands.¡±

    ¡°Well,¡± Mery put her hand on the doorknob, ¡°let¡¯s see what our young friend has to say. He¡¯ll tell us who¡¯s right and who¡¯s wrong.¡±

    Spoiler: Isa''s Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter  Level: 3

    Alignment: Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 20    AC: 13

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 20

    Combat: +4 to Hit

    Weapons: Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +2 (piercing)  / Quarterstaff (right  hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    Coin: 21gp, 10sp, 22cp

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    14

    </td>

    <td>

    +2

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    USED Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    USED Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Thirty Five: The Message

    Isa thought about all the crime TV she¡¯d seen in her life, all the procedural dramas, the quirky detective dramedies, the squad ensembles, not to mention the mystery, true crime, and historical reenactment shows that she¡¯d watched. And many of them had this moment: the moment when the detectives confront the criminal.

    The young man was where they¡¯d left him, and Isa had a pang of sorrow. Not that she wanted to fail the quest but she didn¡¯t know how an interrogation might end here in this strange land, and she wasn¡¯t sure that she wanted to see him die.

    ¡°Now then lad...¡± Mery said as she walked in the door, and the bound young man jumped. Isa thought that perhaps he¡¯d dozed off. Criminals - at least ones in the movies - never ate or slept enough.

    ¡°Now then,¡± Mery said again as she stopped in front of him. ¡°There¡¯s a few things we¡¯d like to know, and we think, my friends and I, that you¡¯re just the lad to tell us. Are you? Are you a helpful lad?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know anything. I just earn a few coins bringing messages.¡±

    ¡°How old are you?¡± Isa stepped into his peripheral vision.

    Mery frowned. ¡°That¡¯s not something that we really--¡±

    ¡°Where are your parents? Who takes care of you?¡± Isa asked.

    The young man shook his head and shrugged, but he didn¡¯t answer.

    ¡°I¡¯m getting him some food,¡± Isa declared. She felt badly that it hadn¡¯t been her first thought.

    Lund had left a small lamp burning downstairs so even though it was now full dark outside, Isa had enough light to grab a mug and some bread. When she returned to the room Mery was reading the message aloud. ¡°¡®The new warehouse,¡¯¡± she repeated. ¡°I know just where the old one is. Where¡¯s this new one in relation, lad? Is it 3 streets over?¡± Mery looked down. ¡°Is it a long way, dark and lonely? How often do they send ya there? Often enough that your boot¡¯s got a hole?¡±

    As Isa went to offer him the bread she realized his hands were bound behind him. ¡°If you tell¡­.¡± Her voice caught - when had she ever interrogated someone? When would she ever have needed to get cooperation and information from someone scared, maybe even terrified of--- She almost dropped the mug of water. He wasn¡¯t so different than a dental patient, was he? Many people have dental anxiety - Isa had taken several classes that dealt with that very problem. She¡¯d practiced speaking in even, measured tones, learned all about the benefits of lighting and sound to help keep anxious patients calm.

    Of course that was for modern Americans. Would this Varanese care about muted lighting and the sound of running water?

    ¡°Isa?¡± Lund was looking at her. ¡°Are you alright? You stopped talking, and now you¡¯re just staring at the piano.¡±

    ¡°If he¡¯s scared, maybe some music will help.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s not scared,¡± said Mery. ¡°You¡¯re not scared, are you? And no reason to be. This is a transaction, like any transaction - give and taken. And I don¡¯t mind if you take your time, and Isa over there, she doesn¡¯t mind. But the half-orc, he minds. I don¡¯t know how much he minds, but he does. He¡¯s got a bar to run, right? There¡¯s ale downstairs right now just crying out to be loaded up and taken home by him. And you¡¯re slowing that process down, lad. Slowing it way, way down.¡± Mery sounded disappointed, as disappointed as a mother looking at a failing grade.

    The young man didn¡¯t respond, so Mery sighed. ¡°I wanted to save you from this. I did, I truly did, but¡­. Have you heard of the spell feeblemind? It¡¯s a nasty one. Just as the name says, it¡¯s a spell that cracks your mind, cracks it like an egg.¡±

    Isa started toward Mery - this was not the plan! She would not let Mery destroy--

    Lund caught her arm and held her in place. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± he muttered in her ear. ¡°Part of the act.¡±

    ¡°You might resist it - people have. Enough studying, enough book learning, late night reading by the stub of a candle and you might resist. But even wizards can fall prey.¡± Mery squatted down to look into the young man¡¯s eyes. ¡°So just tell me where the new warehouse is, and I won¡¯t make you into a drooling idiot.¡±

    ¡°Alright! OK, I will,¡± the young man burst out. ¡°The new warehouse is in Deney. It¡¯s in Deney, near the docks.¡±

    Lund leaned forward. ¡°You¡¯re not lying, are you?¡±This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

    ¡°No!¡±

    ¡°And you, what ran all the way from Deney?¡± Mery sounded incredulous. ¡°How far is that?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s a pass, a gap in the mountains.¡±

    Mery crossed her arms. ¡°Deney¡¯s grown quite a bit these last few years. Dwarves, is that right?¡±

    The young man shrugged.

    ¡°Aw, look at that! Lund, will you look at that? Just when we were getting so friendly he has to go shruggy again.¡± Mery picked up the piano bench and placed it carefully in front of the young man. ¡°Do you have a name? What do they call you?¡±

    ¡°Wat, Watmund.¡±

    ¡°Wat. Good name. Solid name.¡± Mery held up a copper coin and then walked it across the tops of her fingers. ¡°Tell me, Wat. Tell me about the warehouse.¡±

    ¡°What do you want to know? It¡¯s a warehouse.¡±

    ¡°Is it?¡± Mery¡¯s voice was soft. Her eyes seemed to search the young man¡¯s face. Was this her spell? Was she detecting his thoughts?

    ¡°You don¡¯t like the smell. Is that a fish house you pass on the way?¡±

    Wat whipped his head back, almost knocking over his chair. ¡°Get out of my head!¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t care to spy on your life, Wat.¡± Mery stood up and turned to look out the window. The darkness reflected back, and Isa could see Mery¡¯s thoughtful face in the dark glass.

    Isa slipped onto the piano bench and tore off a piece of bread. She held it up questioningly. Wat nodded once, so Isa put the bread near his face. It seemed too intimate to feed this strange young man, but holding a piece of bread near his mouth? That was better somehow.

    ¡°We just want to help the children, you know?¡± Isa clasped her hands together and leaned toward Wat. ¡°You know about the children? But you¡¯re just¡­. You¡¯re trying to survive yourself.¡± It wasn¡¯t a question; Isa suddenly felt like she knew what he was feeling. ¡°You were one, too.¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Wat shook his head. ¡°Might have been better if someone had snatched me away from the old bastard.¡±

    ¡°I think I¡¯ve got it now, Wat.¡± Mery walked back to join them. ¡°Confirm it for me and then we¡¯ll let you go. Give you 100 silver and the chance to go where you will, yeah?¡±

    She then recited directions to Wat, and to Isa they seemed idiosyncratic, but of course if Mery had detected his thoughts, Wat¡¯s directions would be highly personal, highly localized.

    Mery was saying, ¡°And then when you get the shop with the broken sign and the scary dog, you turn down that alley on the right. And there it is, the warehouse.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Wat said hoarsely. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± He looked at Lund. ¡°Heavily guarded. You need 5 of him, and maybe you¡¯ll come through. Can¡¯t say.¡± He flexed his shoulders. ¡°Untie me now?¡±

    ¡°Let me get the coin for you.¡± Mery walked to the door and stopped. ¡°Any password, high sign, code word to get in? How does Thorn know friend from foe?¡±

    ¡°Dunno, but she does.¡±

    Isa stopped mid-way through untying his hands. ¡°Thorn is a she?¡±

    Spoiler: Isa''s Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter Level: 3

    Alignment: Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 20 AC: 13

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 20

    Combat: +4 to Hit

    Weapons: Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +2 (piercing) / Quarterstaff (right hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    Coin: 21gp, 10sp, 22cp

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    14

    </td>

    <td>

    +2

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    USED Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    USED Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Thirty Six: More Magic

    Wat stood up, rubbing his wrists. ¡°I didn''t say that.¡±

    Mery hadn¡¯t left the room. Still with her hand on the door, she said, ¡°What''s she look like?¡±

    ¡°I''m not saying anything else. I told you what you want to know.¡±

    ¡°So true.¡± Mery left the room.

    ¡°You¡¯re hungry, I bet.¡± Lund gave a sigh. ¡°I never got enough to eat when I was your age.¡±

    ¡°Usually they feed me when I come here.¡±

    Isa looked to Lund. ¡°Well, we¡¯ll make sure you have a bag full before you leave.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Lund nodded. ¡°And if you get tired of the bandit life, come to Bywater, stop by Lund¡¯s Tavern. Maybe I can get you some work. Hard work, little pay, but it¡¯s honest work. No killing, no sneaking.¡±

    Wat kept his eyes on his shoes. ¡°Yeah. Thanks.¡±

    Mery breezed back in with a small bag. ¡°Here you go.¡± She handed Wat the bag. ¡°You can count it. 100 silver.¡± She paused. ¡°But you don¡¯t need to count it now, do ya? We¡¯re your friends, now right? Before, well that was a misunderstanding. Just a silly misunderstanding.¡± Mery talked and nodded her head, and after a moment, Wat¡¯s head also began to nod. ¡°Yeah,¡± he said. ¡°That¡¯s what it was.¡±

    The tone of Mery¡¯s voice, her actions, confused Isa. Before Mery had been direct and a little threatening - maybe more than a little - and now her voice was warm and smooth like honey. ¡°Wha--¡±

    Without taking her eyes off Wat, Mery shot her arm out in a STOP gesture. Without missing a beat in her conversation Mery said, ¡°And we¡¯ll tell Thorn that. She¡¯ll understand that none of this was your fault. Alright?¡± Mery smiled warmly and put a hand on Wat¡¯s arm. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, OK?¡±

    Wat ducked his head as if embarrassed. ¡°OK.¡±

    ¡°My, it will be good to see Thorn again, eh? It¡¯s been-- it¡¯s been months since I saw her. Bet she¡¯s changed things up. You know how she is! Always changing things, eh?¡±

    Isa darted her eyes from Wat to Mery. This was magic, right? Had to be. Mery was doing some sort of word fog at Wat, confusing him.

    ¡°What¡¯s she doing now?¡± Mery asked him. ¡°Not that old ward stone trick, I hope.¡±

    ¡°Nah, if we see the old man, it¡¯s fine, but the dog means come back.¡±

    ¡°Ah! That¡¯s a good one. She stole that from me, you know.¡± Mery put her arm around Wat¡¯s shoulders. ¡°Let¡¯s get you on your way, then. You got your coin; you got your dagger¡­. No? Lund, do you know what happened to Wat¡¯s dagger?¡±

    Lund reached behind his back and pulled the dagger from his belt. ¡°Let me get this sharpened for you - won¡¯t take a moment. You go on downstairs.¡±

    As Isa watched, Mery and Wat walked down the stairs like old friends. Mery continued to talk to Wat in an older sister sort of tone. Once their heads had dipped below the stairs Isa turned to Lund and said, ¡°What the fuck was that? Was that magic? Had to be magic. Or bullshit. Or both? Definitely both, and you¡¯re giving him back his dagger?¡±

    Lund gave a short laugh. ¡°Mery. That was charm person. It¡¯s a spell, and it¡¯s a good one.¡± He bent his head to concentrate on sharpening the dagger.

    ¡°Hmmm, that¡¯s something she¡¯s known for? So, how¡¯s it work? He didn¡¯t seem to realize it was a spell.¡±

    ¡°And he won¡¯t. Not for another, oh 45 minutes or so.¡±

    ¡°So it¡¯s a short term spell.¡±

    ¡°More or less. I guess you could cast it a bunch of time during the day. It¡¯s a class 1 spell. Bards and wizards.¡±

    Isa threw up her hands. ¡°Great. Bards and wizards. Two of the people I need to rely on in this stupid world could be messing with my mind 8 hours a day - 10 hours a day!¡±

    ¡°They¡¯d have to be pretty high level to cast 10 spells like--¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not the point, Lund!¡± Isa stopped herself from yelling at him. He was the only person she could really trust.

    Was that true?

    ¡°You know a lot about magic,¡± she said. ¡°But you don¡¯t¡­.¡± Isa waggled her fingers. ¡°..... partake?¡±

    ¡°Nah. Not my style. No patience for that sort of thing.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± said Isa. ¡°I¡¯m with you.¡± She crossed her arms. ¡°But how do I protect myself, right? How do I keep from getting enchanted like Mery just did to that kid? I don¡¯t want to wake up wondering if I did something because I wanted to or because someone else wanted me to. You know?¡±The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°Oh yeah. I know. It gets easier to kinda spot that someone is trying to magick you. Easier to shrug it off - or try anyway.¡± He put away his whetstone and gestured at the door. ¡°You ready?¡±

    ¡°How? How does it get easier?¡±

    ¡°I dunno - you¡¯re exposed to more spells, and since you have to speak, and usually move your hands, you can spot that someone is trying to cast. Dead useful in combat if you can drop the spellcasters.¡±

    ¡°I can see where that would be useful.¡± Isa nodded. ¡°Thanks, Lund. Thank you for helping me. Not just today, but since I got here.¡±

    He shrugged and smiled. ¡°You¡¯re pretty far from home. Anyone would do the same.¡±

    They met up with Mery and Wat downstairs, and Lund handed the young man his dagger.

    ¡°Use it well, right?¡± Mery smiled at him and put a finger to her ear. ¡°Listen before you move, right? You got that? Never know when some sneaky bard or warlock is gonna cast invisibility and mess up your whole day.¡±

    ¡°Right,¡± he said. ¡°Got it.¡± He put a heavy bag over his shoulder and waved goodbye. Mery and Lund followed him out the door and stood on the porch to wave. Isa felt like she had stumbled upon a scene of parents sending their eldest son off to college.

    Finally Mery and Lund turned back toward the house. ¡°That,¡± said Isa, ¡°was just plain weird. What did you do to that kid? And don¡¯t you ever do it to me.¡±

    The smile that had been on Mery¡¯s face disappeared. ¡°Not my style, lass. I don¡¯t need magic to fill my bed.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not what I--¡± She stopped. ¡°I just don¡¯t understand this world. What happened in there? It was like you were best friends.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not always proud of my spells, Isa.¡± Mery pushed past her and into the house.

    Isa followed on her heels. ¡°What¡¯s that mean?¡± she asked. ¡°Have you killed with magic?¡±

    Mery blinked. ¡°Of course I have. Wouldn¡¯t be here talking to you if I hadn¡¯t. A tool¡¯s a tool, isn¡¯t it? You use what¡¯s to hand.¡± She gestured at the door that Lund was just closing behind him. ¡°That boy had knowledge - knowledge that we need. So hell yes, I magicked him. I¡¯d hope that you¡¯d do the same.¡±

    ¡°You just¡­. You just lie so easily,¡± Isa said softly.

    ¡°There is no black and white. It¡¯s all a wash of gray.¡± Mery wiped her hand in the air. ¡°And the best you can do is try to stay toward the light and remain true to your friends.¡±

    Isa sat down in a chair. ¡°This place.¡± She shook her head. ¡°I just don¡¯t know if I--¡±

    ¡°None of us do.¡± Mery patted Isa¡¯s shoulder and then gripped it for a moment. ¡°We¡¯re all just groping in the dark.¡±

    She pulled her hand away and in a minute, Mery was back with a bottle of wine. ¡°We need to rest. Tomorrow we can load up a cart and take the ale and things back to Bywater.¡±

    Isa grabbed the full mug that was offered, took a big swig, and leaned back. She was suddenly more than exhausted. All of the emotions of this really long day began to catch up with her. She¡¯d laughed, cried, bled, killed, kissed, and comforted. And that was all just in the last few hours, let alone the hours before arriving at this house.

    ¡°That,¡± Lund said softly, ¡°was a helluva fight.¡± He held his mug up. ¡°I have to admit - I¡¯m kind of interested to look at my notebook. I probably didn¡¯t level, but well, it was a helluva fight.¡±

    Isa sat up straight. ¡°My notebook! Do you think I leveled?¡±

    Mery¡¯s eyes smiled over her mug as she took a drink. ¡°Always exciting to see. I warn you though, it gets harder to level as you go. Makes sense, yeah? When you¡¯re new, everything is an experience. Everything you do, you do for the first time. But after awhile, it¡¯s what they call the grind. You¡¯re just doing your work and hoping for the best outcome, and then one day you¡¯re doing something stupid simple, and you feel the heat that tells you that you leveled.¡±

    Isa opened her notebook, and there it was: Level 4.

    Spoiler: Isa''s Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter Level: 4

    Alignment: Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 26 AC: 15

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 20

    Combat: +5 to Hit

    Weapons: Scimitar +1 (left hand) 1d6 +4 (slashing) / Quarterstaff (right hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    Coin: 21gp, 10sp, 22cp

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    16

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    5

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    USED Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    USED Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Thirty Seven: Blade Dancer

    Isa took a quick sip of wine as she scanned the page. ¡°What¡¯s this mean?¡± She read aloud, ¡°¡®Ability improvement.¡¯ What¡¯s that mean?¡±

    ¡°Leveling means different things for differ--¡±

    ¡°Yeah I get that,¡± Isa interrupted Mery. She didn¡¯t really have the patience for a lecture. ¡°What¡¯s it mean for me?¡±

    Mery set down her mug. ¡°It¡¯s a lot to take in,¡± she said softly. ¡°An awful lot.¡± She knelt beside Isa¡¯s chair. ¡°But I can see that you¡¯re a woman who knows her mind.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Isa said. ¡°You¡¯re just trying to help, and I--¡±

    ¡°Fighters get to improve an ability,¡± Lund told her. ¡°That is if they don¡¯t decide to learn something else.¡±

    ¡°We don¡¯t need to muddy the river just yet, do we?¡± Mery looked over her shoulder at Lund.

    ¡°No. We don¡¯t.¡± He took a sip of wine.

    Mery put a finger on the page. ¡°You¡¯ve looked at these numbers here; I know. Your ability scores - your ranks of god-given gifts, I guess you¡¯d say.¡± Isa nodded, so Mery went on. ¡°Shows you how strong ya are, how smart, how healthy. And sometimes when you level - especially a fighter, when she levels - she gets to say ¡®I¡¯m going to focus on this one thing and get better.¡¯ And because these are god-given, you do improve; you get stronger or smarter, healthier.¡±

    Isa scanned the six words on the page. ¡°OK,¡± she said. ¡°Dexterity is my best - let¡¯s make it better. I want to be - what did you call it the other night?¡±

    With a laugh Mery said, ¡°A dexy fighter. Yeah, piano benches aside, you¡¯re a fine fighter, and getting more dexterity, that will make you that much more dangerous. Harder to hit, lighter on your feet. And with that lovely new blade¡­.¡± Mery looked at Lund. ¡°Did she tell you about the blade, Lund? She¡¯s claimed Hamma¡¯s scimitar. It¡¯s a fine, fine weapon. I hope you don¡¯t mind.¡±

    ¡°Not at all. When am I going to need a sword like that? If you could stay out of trouble, I could go back to the bar.¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­.¡± Mery cocked her head and smiled.

    ¡°Lund, can you help me with my training? For the dexterity?¡± Isa kept her finger in place next to the word Dexterity as if she might forget it.

    The half-orc shook his head. ¡°Maybe you haven¡¯t noticed, I¡¯m not real limber. I¡¯m more of a heavy hitter, I guess. You need a real trainer now - someone with your fighting style, a blade dancer, like.¡±

    ¡°Blade dancer. That¡¯s really badass,¡± Isa nodded her head and smiled as she imagined her old ballet teacher giving all the little girls training swords.

    ¡°That¡¯s not really a style,¡± Mery cautioned. ¡°That¡¯s just Lund being all poetic, like.¡±

    ¡°Either way, it¡¯s still badass, and it¡¯s what I want to be.¡±

    Lund and Mery looked at each other in silence. Then Mery said, ¡°You started this. You put the notion in her head. Your job to see it through.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know anyone in Hanchen.¡±

    ¡°Who said Hanchen?¡± Mery raised her hands. ¡°I didn¡¯t say Hanchen.¡±

    Lund put down his mug. ¡°You meant Hanchen. There¡¯s no one in Bywater who can teach her!¡±

    ¡°How big is Deney?¡± Isa asked. ¡°Maybe there¡¯s someone in Deney.¡±

    The two friends turned and looked at Isa with open mouths, and then Mery started laughing. ¡°Deney! Of course.¡± She used the back of her hand to slap at Lund. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you think of it?¡± If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

    ¡°I have a bar to run. I can¡¯t be going all over creation.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve missed this.¡± Mery stretched out her legs and took a sip of wine.

    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s been a little fun. But I¡¯ve got a cart full of ale that needs carting and an angry cook to get back to.¡± He leaned forward. ¡°I¡¯ve got what I wanted - rescuing you and a reward for my troubles, with the ale. Isa, take the 27 gold and that navigator¡¯s kit. Oh,and Mery, will you mend the armor I pulled off pretty boy? It¡¯s pretty nice studded. Can maybe get 20 gold for it.¡± He nodded toward the kitchen. ¡°Got it sitting with the barrels.¡±

    Mery slapped the tops of her thighs and stood up. ¡°No rest for the wicked, as my granny used to say.¡± She started toward the kitchen and then paused. ¡°I¡¯ll be back in two shakes so don¡¯t drink all the wine.¡±

    ¡°Listen Isa, I was going to sleep down here, get an early start home, and well, you¡¯re welcome to come with me. If you need time.¡± He leaned forward to make eye contact with Isa. ¡°Thorn is not your battle.¡±

    ¡°She is, though. It¡¯s in my quest log, remember?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but--¡±

    As Mery walked in, Lund stopped talking. She looked from Isa to Lund and back. ¡°What? What are you talking about now?¡±

    Lund sighed. ¡°I was just telling her that--¡±

    ¡°He was giving me some good advice about Thorn.¡±

    Mery returned to her seat and poured more wine into her mug. ¡°Something you want to share with the class, Mister Subash? You know who this Thorn is, then?¡±

    ¡°No, of course not. I was just telling Isa that she can go back to Bywater, regroup, spend some time on her training.¡±

    ¡°True, true.¡± Mery leaned back and let her head rest against the back of the chair. She set the mug of wine on her belly and stared at the fire.

    ¡°I can get training in Deney, and that¡¯s where Thorn is. That¡¯s where I want to go.¡± When Mery didn¡¯t respond, she went on, ¡°I can go on my own, of course. I¡¯m a big girl.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s my quest,¡± said Mery.

    ¡°Mine, too.¡± Isa opened her notebook. ¡°¡®Children of Thorn,¡¯¡± she read aloud. ¡°Oh, and I have a quest called Blade Dancer. It says, ¡®Seek training in dexterity fighting styles.¡¯¡± She looked from Lund to Mery. ¡°How does it know? That wasn¡¯t there earlier. How do quests get into your notebook?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a good question, and for better minds than mine own,¡± said Mery. ¡°Maybe the gods, maybe a part of you does it, yeah? I mean, it¡¯s a book of you, innit?¡±

    Spoiler: Isa''s Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter  Level: 4

    Alignment: Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 26    AC: 15

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 20

    Combat: +5 to Hit

    Weapons: Scimitar +1 (left hand) 1d6 +4 (slashing)  / Quarterstaff (right  hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    Coin: 21gp, 10sp, 22cp

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    16

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    5

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    USED Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    USED  Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Thirty Eight: The Book of You

    The book of you. Mery¡¯s words echoed in Isa¡¯s mind. She looked down at the little notebook, about the size of her hand, maybe a touch bigger, and so light. It didn¡¯t feel very heavy at all. How many pages? Maybe 30? Maybe less. Did that indicate how much time you have to live? You get your notebook and it¡¯s got 3 pages¡­. That can¡¯t be a good feeling.

    ¡°Well,¡± said Lund, ¡°I¡¯ve got to get an early start in the morning.¡± He drained his mug of wine. ¡°I¡¯m going to bed down in the kitchen. Good night.¡±

    He walked past Isa, blocking her view of Mery for a moment, and when he had moved past, Isa¡¯s eye caught Mery¡¯s. She was looking at Isa with a smile on her face. She said, ¡°We could get back to that kiss.¡±

    The bottom fell out of Isa¡¯s stomach. Here was a beautiful woman flirting with her, wanting to pick up where they¡¯d left off earlier in the evening. Feelings fought inside her - hope and desire versus prudence. It had only been a month since Celeste walked out. Besides. how long would Isa even be in this strange world? Did it make any sense to entangle herself with this charming woman currently smiling at her? What was there to gain from such a risk?

    That was what the mature side of her brain had to say - the part that sounded a little too much like her mother. The other part of her - the wild part - told her to enjoy the moment, enjoy the attention, enjoy what was likely to be a fleeting encounter with the most charming woman that Isa had ever met.

    ¡°Hmmm,¡± Isa smiled at Mery. ¡°It was very nice. You¡¯re pretty magical aren¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°There are many kinds of magic now, aren¡¯t there?¡± Mery settled into her chair and crossed her legs. ¡°Were you wanting to talk magic at a time like this?¡±

    With a sigh Isa set down her mug. ¡°No, not really. But I don¡¯t know what I want instead. So,¡± she picked up her notebook and stood, ¡°I think I will find a place to sleep for the night.¡±

    Mery nodded her head silently for a long moment. ¡°Fair enough. No hard feelings, lass.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not saying No, never. I¡¯m saying, I need time to just¡­. To just be, I guess.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a stranger in a strange land. You don¡¯t owe me anything, Isa.¡± Mery uncrossed her legs and rested her elbows on her knees. ¡°Are you still wanting to go to Deney? Are you wanting to see this Thorn quest through? What Lund didn¡¯t get to tell you was that you can abandon a quest. No penalties - none that I¡¯ve ever heard anyway. And no hard feelings. You didn¡¯t ask for the fight; it doesn¡¯t have to be yours.¡±

    Isa looked down at the book in her hand. ¡°What do you do, like cross it off? Erase the words?¡±

    ¡°That or just ignore it.¡± Mery got up to poke at the now dying fire. ¡°There¡¯s no time on it, right? No countdown. It¡¯s not like my little rescue quest. You can just ignore it, and nothing bad will happen.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not true,¡± Isa said quickly. ¡°That¡¯s not true at all.¡±

    ¡°I meant nothing bad to you.¡±

    ¡°But the children will still be taken.¡± She paused. ¡°Unless you can stop Thorn.¡±

    ¡°Unless I can stop Thorn. True.¡± Mery put the poker back on the stand. ¡°I have some ideas.¡± She stood and flashed a smile at Isa. ¡°Don¡¯t you worry about me - not my first battle, I assure you. Now,¡± she looked around, ¡°I need to get some sleep, too.¡± Mery pointed at the short couch in the corner. ¡°That looks about as comfortable as the floor.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t take the bed,¡± Isa said. ¡°You take the bed.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re the one almost died. Get a good night¡¯s sleep. If you¡¯re serious and you mean to come with me, you need to rest and regain your fighting tricks.¡± She laid down on the couch with her jacket draped over her like a blanket. ¡°And in the morning I¡¯ll mend your things. Had a wild dog chewing on your arm, have you?¡±

    Isa touched her bracer, feeling the teeth marks. ¡°That was a gnoll. I surprised him by the river the other day.¡± She left out the humiliating part about running away. Mery didn¡¯t need to know that part.

    ¡°Gnolls are tough customers, no lie. Good on you.¡± With that Mery closed her eyes.

    Isa tucked her notebook in her bag, took one of the lamps and walked up the stairs. The bedroom that she and Mery had used to keep watch stood at the top of the stairs to the right. But instead of walking in there, Isa went to the left, to the music room.

    The tapestry that Mery had torn down still lay crumpled on the floor. The piano bench and chair were where they¡¯d left them when they freed Wat.

    Wat. Isa hoped the young man would be alright. She knew nothing about him or his life. Maybe his father is a thief, and this is the only life that Wat knows. He had called his father an old bastard, so Isa suspected that maybe Wat hadn''t had the best childhood.

    What¡¯s in his notebook, she thought to herself. Is he a rogue? Or maybe a fighter. Maybe he wants to be a cleric, and not the red kind but the kind that heals people. Maybe he loves animals and forests. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    Isa thought about all the people she¡¯d met so far in this world - Lund, Joth, Anne the merchant, Mery, Gimble, Fedru, even the halfling feldspice merchant. Each one had a notebook. Each one carried the book of themselves. She¡¯d freely shown people her notebook several times, but had anyone done the same to her? Had she actually seen anyone else¡¯s notebook? Did Mery share her notebook with lovers the morning after? Maybe that was too intimate for all but the most devoted of lovers. Maybe on their wedding night people exchange their notebooks and learned about the person they¡¯d just married.

    Isa slowly walked back into the bedroom and sat on the bed. She pulled out her notebook and flipped to the first page.

    Class: Fighter. Level: 4

    Strength 11

    Dexterity 16

    Constitution 11

    Intelligence 13

    Wisdom 13

    Charisma 12

    She read the words aloud softly. 9 words. 9 words and a bunch of numbers are supposed to encompass everything that makes me who I am. That¡¯s not even possible. What does it mean to have an intelligence of 13? Is that 13 out of a 100? No, can¡¯t be. That would be very, very dumb.

    With furrowed brow she tried to remember what Marissa¡¯s character sheet had looked like. It hadn¡¯t seemed that important in the moment. Marissa and her friends had joked around, rolled a lot of dice, consulted their sheets to see if they were successful¡­.. Isa could hear the woman at the end of the table, the DM, asking, ¡°What¡¯s your modifier?¡± It was such an odd question that she¡¯d whispered in Marissa¡¯s ear, asking what that meant.

    ¡°10 is baseline,¡± Marissa had said. ¡°And anything above 10 is good. Anything below 10 is not so good.¡± She had pointed at her sheet and said, ¡°I¡¯m a ranger so I want a high wisdom score, see? This 16 is my wisdom score, so my ¡®modifier¡¯ is 3. I get to add 3 to every dice roll I make, right?¡±

    ¡°Right,¡± Isa said to herself. She looked down at her notebook, but her vision was suddenly obscured by tears. She missed her friend, missed her job, and missed Portland. What was happening there?

    Surely time had passed. The whole quantum idea that Isa had stepped into a fold of time and space sounded rad, but in her heart, she didn¡¯t think it was true. She felt almost certain that pictures of her were hanging on telephone poles in Foster-Powell, on Hawthorne and Belmont, even inside the Wooden Nickel. Strangers were having their lattes while some bad black and white photo of ¡°missing¡± Isa Chamberlin looked on.

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s fucking depressing,¡± she said aloud. She almost wished she¡¯d taken Mery up on her offer. Or better yet, brought up a fresh bottle of wine to drink, because Isa wasn¡¯t sure she could sleep unaided. After her first night here, she¡¯d mostly fallen asleep immediately - a combination of exhaustion and habits of a lifetime. But this new life in Varana, well there was too much to think about. Too many conflicting emotions to sort through, ideas to absorb, information to process.

    She could feel herself spiraling down into a dark, deep depression, and she knew that she had to step back from that edge. She needed to banish the image of a rain-streaked ¡°Missing¡± poster from her mind. She¡¯d make it back home. One way or another, she would return home.

    The moment she thought those words, Isa¡¯s notebook vibrated. With shaking hands, she flipped to her quest log to find a new quest on the list. It said, Always Coming Home. And below that, she saw the words, ¡°As part of your quest to go home, return to the Temple of Fazar.¡±

    Spoiler: Isa''s Character Sheet <input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter Level: 4

    Alignment: Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 26 AC: 15

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 20

    Combat: +5 to Hit

    Weapons: Scimitar +1 (left hand) 1d6 +4 (slashing) / Quarterstaff (right hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    16

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    5

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    USED Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    USED Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Thirty Nine: Wat

    The next morning Isa woke to the murmur of voices downstairs. Lund had said he wanted to get an early start. Maybe he and Mery were talking. She sat up in bed to see sunlight streaming into the bedroom. It certainly didn¡¯t seem early, but without a clock, who could say?

    Isa pulled on her pants, wincing when she saw the long rip on one leg. She¡¯d happily take Mery up on her mending offer. Last time, Mery had cast the spell while Isa was still wearing the torn shirt, hopefully she could do the same with the pants.

    She¡¯d fallen asleep conflicted about which path to take. On the one side, she had the Children of Thorn quest, but on the other, Isa now had this official ¡°Get Home¡± quest. The Home quest didn¡¯t elaborate; it gave no specifics - just go to the temple. Maybe she needed to return to read more in Tinero¡¯s book. That had been her plan anyway, but helping Mery had taken precedent.

    Downstairs she was surprised to see Mery talking with not Lund but Wat. The two sat at the table in the kitchen sharing a round of bread and knife, which they used to saw pieces off a sausage. Wat was saying, ¡°I like dogs well enough, though.¡±

    As Isa stepped into the kitchen Mery turned to her with a forced smile. ¡°Look who¡¯s here, then.¡±

    ¡°Hi Wat,¡± Isa sat down at the table and pulled the bread toward her. ¡°What¡¯s-- I mean, why are you--¡± She stopped and tried again. ¡°You¡¯re here.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± the young man ducked his head. ¡°I was just telling Miss Mery--¡±

    ¡°Just Mery, lad.¡± She shot a look at Isa that seemed to say I have no idea what¡¯s going on.

    ¡°I was a ways down the road,¡± said Wat, ¡°when I said to myself, ¡®Wat, what are you doing? Those were the nicest people you ever met in your life, and you¡¯re leaving them.¡¯ So I turned right around and walked back. I waited at the edge of the woods until I saw the light. I didn¡¯t want to wake anyone.¡±

    ¡°You waited all night?¡± Isa tried to keep her voice even.

    ¡°Just a few hours, really. I do that all the time. See what I mean? You care - no one in Deney cares. I could tell that you cared. Once I stopped being scared of you, I mean. And you made me feel important, needed¡­.¡± He looked down at his lap as his ears turned bright red. ¡°Smart.¡±

    All Isa could manage was ¡°Oh Mery¡­.¡±

    But that was enough. Mery sat up and said, ¡°Listen lad, uh, Wat. Listen, that was¡­. Last night, that was - that was magic. The magic made ya feel the way you felt. And I¡¯m sorry. Wasn¡¯t nice, wasn¡¯t fair casting that spell on ya, Wat. I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    It was Mery¡¯s turn to be a little red-faced. Isa had never seen her at a loss for words or apprehensive. It was actually kind of comforting to witness; it meant that Mery had a conscience.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    After a moment, Wat shrugged his shoulders. He was still staring at his lap, but he said, ¡°That¡¯s alright. Still better than what usually happens.¡±

    That didn¡¯t sound good at all. Exactly how had he been treated in his short life? ¡°Wat?¡± Isa put her hand near him. ¡°Wat? Does anyone hurt you or--¡±

    ¡°Not anymore,¡± he said. ¡°I used to get hit sometimes if I messed up. Now it¡¯s just¡­. They expect me to do everything and never give me credit or thanks.¡± He looked up and quickly wiped his face. ¡°That orc, he even sharpened my dagger.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s a half-orc,¡± Mery said softly.

    Wat shrugged again in response. ¡°Never knew it mattered much.¡±

    ¡°It does. His name is Lund, and he¡¯s a good friend. So is Isa. We¡¯re going to Deney. Are you aiming to come with us? We could use your help with Thorn. No magic I¡¯m using on you now. For true, we could use a good lad like yourself.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not going to Deney with you,¡± Isa blurted out. ¡°I need to go to Bywater first. I can - I can meet you in Deney, for sure, but I have to go to Bywater first.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s just fine, then. Wat and I will have a chance to get to know each other.¡± Mery smiled at Wat, but the smile faltered a little as she looked at Isa.

    ¡°It¡¯s not¡­. It¡¯s not anything,¡± Isa said. ¡°I mean it is. It¡¯s a quest. It has to do with my home, my world. But I will help you. I want to know you-- I mean help. You.¡± Isa felt her own face get hot. What a group they were - the blushing gang.

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s good then.¡± Mery knocked once on the table. ¡°And I owe you a mending or two. Wat, have you seen much magic, lad?¡± Mery pointed at Isa. ¡°I promised this pretty lady that I would fix her torn pants and the bracer that a gnoll tried to chew off. You can help.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, sometimes I get to watch the spellcasters but not usually.¡±

    ¡°Do you have the touch yourself? Any magic in ya?¡± Mery asked.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think so,¡± Wat said, but he reached into his jacket pocket and handed Mery his notebook.

    Isa couldn¡¯t help herself; she scooted her chair closer to Mery so she could see the young man¡¯s notebook. He was a rogue, which made sense to Isa, given his line of work, and a level 2. That seemed about right for his age. His numbers surprised her, though. She¡¯d assumed that everyone was more skilled than she was, but what she saw was this:

    STR 11

    DEX 12

    CON 12

    INT 10

    WIS 10

    CHA 10

    ¡°You¡¯re good and healthy,¡± said Mery. ¡°That¡¯s fine.¡± She handed back his notebook. ¡°But what do you want to do? With your age and your base, you can do anything. What¡¯s it to be?¡±

    Wat mumbled something, and as one Isa and Mery leaned forward. ¡°What was that?¡± Isa asked him.

    ¡°I said I like singing. I don¡¯t know; sometimes I sing to keep myself company, I guess.¡±

    ¡°So you¡¯re thinking bard, then?¡± Mery asked.

    Wat shrugged and blushed again.

    ¡°I¡¯m a bard,¡± Mery said. ¡°Did I tell you that? Grew up in the theater, singing, acting. It¡¯s a fine life - especially for one like yourself that¡¯s used to the hard road. But I won¡¯t lie to you, Wat. It¡¯s a long journey you¡¯d have in front of you. A year or maybe 2 of studying. Bards, they need good charisma, yeah? You have to be able to hold someone¡¯s attention, speak from the heart, lie with complete confidence.¡± She wiggled one eyebrow. ¡°That takes practice, lad. Trust me.¡±

    ¡°Are you, uh are you lying now?¡± Wat asked, and Mery and Isa both burst into laughter.

    ¡°Good on you, lad. Well done.¡± Mery¡¯s voice held admiration.

 Interlude 3: Wats Character Sheet

    Name: Wat /Watmund

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 5inches / 130 lbs

    Class: Rogue Level: 2

    Alignment: Good

    Background: Voluntary Urchin

    Hit Points: 12 AC: 12

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 12

    Combat: +3 to Hit

    Weapons: Shortsword 1d6 +1 (slashing)

    <table>

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    STRStolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    10

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    10

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    10

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: DEX +3 and INT +2

    <table>

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    History (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand* (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Sneak Attack

    Class Features: Cunning Action & Thieves Cant

 Chapter Forty: The Road to Bywater

    They stood on the road, the three of them. Isa had her new scimitar at her side and her staff in hand. The rapier was strapped to the side of her big bag.

    ¡°It¡¯s naught but a few hours, I know,¡± Mery said to Isa, ¡°but me and Wat, we can journey with you back to Bywater.¡±

    Although she was tempted to accept the offer, Isa shook her head. ¡°I¡¯ll be fine.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sure that¡¯s true. And you¡¯ll be there before dark.¡± Mery tapped Wat¡¯s arm. ¡°Did you know that this one took on a gnoll?¡±

    ¡°It was nothing,¡± Isa said. ¡°No, I mean, it was a tough fight. A really tough fight. What I meant to say was¡­. I don¡¯t know what I meant to say.¡± She took a breath. ¡°I¡¯ll be careful. And I¡¯ll see you in a few days, in Deney. Where can I find you?¡±

    ¡°I like Cooper¡¯s Rooms,¡± said Mery. ¡°Clean, not too dear of a price. Good ale.¡± She smiled. ¡°That¡¯s where you¡¯ll find me and the boy.¡±

    With that they turned west and Isa turned south toward Bywater.

    It felt good to be walking alone again. The last time she¡¯d been alone and walking any distance had been in her first days. Joth had sent her to see that strange wizard Fedru. If he¡¯d bothered to mention her quest log, she¡¯d have had some warning of what to expect from the man. As it was, Fedru - that was his last name she seemed to remember - had been as strange as any straight-to-video movie wizard. The tattoo, the strange smoky house, his hints at prophecy¡­. That had been quite an introduction into the world of Varana.

    Fedru - well, and the gnoll, oh and Gimble - they¡¯d been the strangest things she¡¯d seen since she¡¯d woken up that morning after a late night at Lund¡¯s. But of course, she¡¯d seen many, many strange things over these last days. For instance, the corgi-sized spiders-- Isa immediately froze and looked around. She¡¯d been walking and thinking and paying absolutely no attention to her surroundings. She wasn¡¯t in Forest Park taking a Saturday hike. She was in the wilderness and damn it, if she wanted to stay alive, she needed to act like she was in the danger that she was in.

    Isa stopped walking, stood stock still, and listened. She listened with every part of her body. She wanted to hear a mouse bend a piece of grass. What skill was that? Your ears aren¡¯t dexterous. Is it intelligence? Do you have to be super smart to have good hearing? Maybe you need to be wise enough to know what you¡¯re hearing, to know if you¡¯re hearing the wind move a tree branch or hearing a person doing it.

    Whatever the correct answer, Isa tried to use everything she had to listen and understand the sounds around her, because of course there were sounds around her, all around her. None of them sounded like a dagger weilding highwayman. But of course a highwayman would know how to walk softly, carefully, noiselessly.

    Isa whirled around to surprise the thief behind her, but of course the road stood empty. She laughed at how spooked she¡¯d been and turned back to the journey. She still had a good hour, maybe more, until she reached Bywater, and it would be bad to let her guard down again.

    It really is a lovely world, Varana. Isa sighed with contentment. Some of the trees still had green leaves, but many were showing off their fall colors. The sky, which had been a deep blue like the best days of autumn, now looked leaden. Did it snow here, she wondered. Maybe she¡¯d need to spend some of that new gold on-- Isa stopped cold in the road. She¡¯d forgotten to give Mery any of the 27 gold Lund had looted. By rights half of it was hers.

    Isa sighed again. Mery. Why hadn¡¯t Isa slept with her? A sexy, oh so charming, beautiful woman wanted to have sex, and Isa said No. In the light of day that seemed pretty high up on the list of bad decisions. But then, what she¡¯d said to Mery had been true - Isa didn¡¯t know what she wanted, and the cautious side of her had won the day.

    But what¡¯s to be cautious about for fuck¡¯s sake? You meet a girl, you hit it off, and you have a few night¡¯s pleasure. What¡¯s the problem with that?

    Isa walked down the Bywater road for a few minutes chewing on that question. There were several problems with the wham-bam plan. First, that¡¯s how Isa had started all of her long-term relationships - one of them had been a one night stand that lasted 8 months. Second, Isa was tired of feeling like a kid playing at grown up. She wanted a house, a child, a swing set in the backyard. She wanted, well maybe not a minivan, but the reasons that people bought minivans.

    The stark truth of her thoughts stopped Isa cold. She¡¯d danced around the idea of children with Celeste, who had made it clear that kids were not on her immediate agenda, but the truth was - the truth is - that Isa was ready for a family.

    ¡°And Mery, she doesn¡¯t seem like the soccer mom type,¡± Isa said aloud and then laughed at the image of the roguish bard standing in the rain on the sidelines of a peewee soccer game, bored out of her mind. For sure Mery would want to be anywhere but there.

    But that wasn¡¯t right either. The way Mery had told Wat the truth about casting the spell on him, the way she looked as they stood together on the road¡­. It was practically maternal. Isa knew that Mery wouldn¡¯t let anything happen to the young man. And so that mental image of Mery on the sidelines at a kid¡¯s soccer game, she¡¯d be cheering her heart out, and that wasn¡¯t comic. It was actually kind of hot.

    Isa turned around, half thinking she¡¯d see Mery at the rise of a hill, coming toward her. As if Mery might have had the same train of thought and wanted a do-over for last night. But that was stupid - Isa was the one who needed the do-over.

    She looked down the road toward Bywater and then back toward Deney. She¡¯d been walking for an hour, so that was probably 4 miles or so. She could turn around now and be in Deney only an hour behind them. But that seemed silly, frivolous, maybe even desperate. Mery Braydon didn¡¯t seem the type to like desperate.

    No, Isa would continue to Bywater, go to the temple and then go to Deney. That was the plan, what she¡¯d told Mery she¡¯d do. If Isa didn¡¯t go the Temple of Fazar today, she¡¯d have to go later, and what was more important, sex or getting home?

    She¡¯d leave Bywater tomorrow. so that she¡¯d get to Deney around dinner time. Find Mery, buy her a drink or three and then they could see what might happen. And if the moment had passed, if there was no spark between them, well she owed Mery 14 gold anyway.

    Dinner, drinks, a night in Deney¡­.. That would add up. Coins seemed to flow in and out of her hands with alarming ease. And everything - except beer - was so expensive! Who knew how much that Cooper¡¯s Rooms place in Deney would cost. 3 gold here, 5 gold there¡­. How¡¯s a girl supposed to save?

    She looked at the dark stone on her hand, the ring Joth had picked out at Gimble¡¯s. There was that. 50 gold right there. So after a while adventurers start looking like walking jewelry stores? That doesn¡¯t seem like a great plan either. More reason for that unseen thief to stalk behind you as you walk down a lonely road.

    Isa stopped suddenly again to listen¡­. Nothing. Suddenly the forest seemed extra quiet. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    That wasn¡¯t so great either, was it? You don¡¯t want a totally quiet forest. That means the little birds and squirrels are being quiet, too. Why are birds ever quiet in the daytime? To keep from being eaten by something, of course.

    Just then a fat raindrop interrupted Isa¡¯s thoughts. And then several more joined to create a thunderous downpour. Isa looked to the trees. The canopy would offer some protection. That¡¯s what birds do, right? She could be like the birds, perch on a branch and wait for the storm to pass. Isa spied a tall tree near the road. Maybe she could climb it and stay put for a little while. As she got closer, she adjusted her plans. The tree was massive, and the lowest branches were well above her head. But maybe there was one a little deeper in the forest. But not too deep, not too far from the road.

    Isa walked a few paces into the woods and looked up to assess the trees. Rain splattered her face as she assessed her chances. The trees were tall - not redwood tall, but tall. Once more she was struck by the similarities between this world and her own. She really could be in Forest Park instead of the wilds of Varana.

    She scanned the tree line looking for low branches that she could climb. It was so hard to know where one tree left off and another began. And she was wasting time - if she wasn¡¯t careful she could end up drenched and walking home in the dark. Home.

    Was Bywater home? Well, as much as any place here was home, it was Lund¡¯s, and Lund¡¯s was in Bywater. What were her options? Stand in the pouring rain, wishing that she could climb impossibly tall trees or get trudging back to Lund¡¯s. She started to turn back to the road, which thankfully she had not lost sight of, when she noticed the house.

    Well, house was perhaps not the right word for the structure. Maybe ruin was a more apt description. The house sat tucked between 2 fat trees maybe 50 feet from Isa. The whole place listed to the left. The roof that Isa could see was green with moss, and there was a rectangle of darkness where the front door should have been. A pane of glass winked in a sudden shaft or sunlight, and it looked almost like a wink, like the little house had winked at Isa.

    She took a step toward it and stopped. Are there magic houses here? Why hadn¡¯t she asked anyone about that? Isa looked at the sky and exhaled. ¡°If I make it to Bywater alive, I swear that I will find Joth fucking Windbane and make him tell me every danger that he can think of. Starting with ramshackle magical cottages.¡±

    Unconsciously Isa put her hand on the hilt of her scimitar and took a step back. And stopped. ¡°I¡¯m a level 4 fighter,¡± Isa said aloud. What do I have to be afraid of, right? Wat would march right into that ruin, probably. Mery definitely would. She¡¯d be smart enough to take shelter. And maybe there was something valuable in there. Isa was just complaining about money.

    With her hand still on her sword, Isa walked toward the little house. As she got closer, the idea of treasure seemed less and less likely, while the chance of being killed when the roof finally caved increased dramatically. At the threshold Isa paused and took out her sword. Properly armed now with sword and staff, she stepped into the house.

    The rich, rotten smell of old wood hit Isa¡¯s nose the moment she passed the threshold. The floor was a spongy carpet of leaves, but she figured there were wooden boards under there somewhere. Light filtered through the two small windows on each side of the door giving her enough light to see the interior. What little there was. She saw a fireplace and mantle, cracked sticks nearby that might have once been a chair. A dented pail lay on its side not far from the mouth of the fireplace.

    Rain thundered on the roof, and Isa looked up fearful that it would come down on her head. Isa walked toward the fireplace and used her staff to set the pail upright. Underneath the dirt and leaves showed the crease of the pail¡¯s rim. Leaning over Isa peered into the pail, half expecting something to jump out at her. Nothing.

    She was getting very good at psyching herself up for some attack, only to have nothing happen. Perhaps it was better to be prepared, though. That¡¯s how college had been - an endless line of preparation for the pop-quiz that might happen. Right, so an ambush was sort of like a combat pop-quiz. Isa chuckled to herself. Would anyone here find that as funny as she did?

    As she started to turn to explore the rest of the small house, a carving above the mantle caught her eye, and she stepped closer to inspect. In the center of the stonework someone had carved something like a coat of arms. Isa saw two battling lions, both on their hind legs with front paws out, ready to fight. She couldn¡¯t quite reach the carving, but it looked like fine work. Someone had chipped away stone to reveal the fighting lions. There was a name for that -- rampant maybe? Lions rampant.

    The carving certainly seemed entirely too fancy for this small place. Perhaps it had been the hunting shelter of some noble, or the secret getaway of the lady of the manor - a place that she could meet her lovers. Isa smiled at her flight of fancy and turned to explore the rest of the house.

    Opposite the fireplace lay a pile of stiff and rotting cloth. Remnants of bed clothes, perhaps? But then, where was the bed? Sheets and blanket but no bed? Likely it had been carted off by someone, the same someone who¡¯d taken the other valuables.

    She squatted down against the stone of the fireplace - it seemed the only clean and dry spot in the house - to wait out the storm. What would her mother say if she could see Isa right now? Armed with weapons, leather pants, dirty face, rain-soaked hair, Isa hardly looked like her mother¡¯s daughter. She was a million miles away from Portland brunches, the Saturday Market, and runs on the waterfront. She was a million miles from the dental clinic, from root canals and crowns and x-rays.

    At some point the rain stopped and the absence of sound woke Isa from her musings. She gave the room one more glance before stepping out of the house. Her foot slid on a pile of wet leaves, causing Isa to lose her balance and lurch to one side. Instinctively she tried to plant the end of her staff to steady herself, but the metal-shod tip went right through the rotting wood. For a split second she was falling, and then the staff met solid ground, and Isa kept her feet.

    She laughed aloud. ¡°Dexy fighter. That¡¯s me.¡±

    Spoiler: Isa''s Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter Level: 4

    Alignment: Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 26 AC: 15

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 26

    Combat: +5 to Hit

    Weapons: Scimitar +1 (left hand) 1d6 +4 (slashing) / Quarterstaff (right hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    16

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    5

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Forty One: Tineroâ€™s Workbook

    The rest of her journey to Bywater was uneventful. Isa did stop occasionally to listen for sounds of danger in the trees, but she neither heard nor saw anything. The sun was still high in the sky when Isa spied the Temple of Fazar. No reason not to go straight there. She¡¯d eaten the last of the bread on her way here, and no doubt she could get a late dinner at Lund¡¯s.

    As she had before, Isa went to the side and knocked. Someone answered almost immediately. Well, answered is perhaps not the right word. The door opened to reveal a figure standing there. Obviously they had opened the door, but they didn¡¯t say anything. After a moment Isa said, ¡°I¡¯ve come to read a book. I¡¯m Isa Chamberlin. Ealda -- that is the high priestess knows me.¡±

    Still the figure remained silent.

    ¡°Perhaps I could talk to, um Agar, I think his name is. He answers the door sometimes. I¡¯ve been here before, honest.¡±

    The figure stepped away from the door, and Isa took that as an invitation to enter. Perhaps this person - the hood covered their face - had taken a vow of silence, or perhaps Isa had come at just the wrong time - during prayers or something.

    ¡°I was reading - and want to continue reading - Tinero¡¯s Treatise. It¡¯s¡­.¡± Isa stopped talking as the figure moved down the hall. What else to do but follow?

    They passed a few people in the wide hall, and several more as the silent figure ascended a set of stairs. Isa thought they were heading to the library so she remained as silent as her escort. And soon enough they were at the library door. Isa decided to assume that her request had been heard and understood, so she walked to the closest desk and sat down. The figure nodded and held up one hand in a ¡°stop¡± gesture. Isa nodded and leaned her staff against the desk.

    A few minutes later a different person walked over with the book in hand. In the lamplight Isa could see the blue cloth, and she let out a breath she didn¡¯t know she¡¯d been holding. What had she thought? That Ealda would hide the book away? Demand another quest completed before Isa could read again?

    Then the book was in front of her, and the woman said, ¡°Do you require anything else?¡±

    Isa scanned the desk quickly and shook her head. ¡°No, but I am going to make notes.¡± She reached into her bag and pulled out her notebook. Then she opened the book.

    When she¡¯d come before, she¡¯d read through the night and gotten about half way through Tinero¡¯s musings on magic. She carefully flipped to about the middle of the book and scanned the pages for anything familiar. It felt like a lifetime had passed since she¡¯d been here, but it had only been a few days, a few adventure-filled days.

    As she scanned the page, the word ¡°workbook¡± caught her eye. Did Tinero mean his notebook? She had to wonder about his numbers. Had he been super smart or really charming? She jumped to the top of the page and began reading.

    ¡­.says sleet storm is the next spell. To understand, I guess. This is all about conjuration - conjure a web, conjure a storm, conjure a gate. Conjure Gerry a way back home.

    And I am happy to be done with web, I¡¯ll tell you that! Boy, did that get messy! I got webs all over everything - my clothes, my workbook, the chair. But the little prestidigitation spell that Vern taught me was a life saver. A little whoop-de-doop and it¡¯s all clean.

    Hmmm, in that context it seems that Tinero was talking about a notepad, not his notebook. Of course Isa used hers for everything, so maybe he really did mean his notebook. Or maybe his spellbook! What happens to a wizard¡¯s spellbook when they die? She¡¯d have to ask Joth. Find a nice way to ask. It might sound weird to say ¡°When you die, what happens to all of your cool stuff?¡±

    Isa kind of remembered reading this part - all about Tinero practicing the spell to make a storm. But not just any storm - an ice storm. One that would make a foggy, icy mess and put out flames, to boot. When she¡¯d read it before, she¡¯d been tired and hungry, and less experienced in the ways of combat. Reading about the spell now, Isa thought about how a spell like that could have helped with the muggers they met in Hanchen or the bandits near Traveler¡¯s Rest.

    ¡°I bet wizards have a ton of spells like this,¡± Isa muttered. With the right planning, a wizard could win a battle before it began. Something else for her to discuss with Joth. She continued reading, eager to learn about other wizarding spells.

    Tinero mentioned his workbook a few more times, but it was always in passing and in relation to magical study or practice. Isa¡¯s attention began to flag again as Tinero dove deep into the mechanics of hand gestures and if you could use the hand that holds the spell component to complete the casting. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    Spell components! That was something that Isa hadn¡¯t considered before, but it maybe made sense? You¡¯re creating something from nothing and having a little piece of reality to focus on, that probably made it easier.

    In her mind¡¯s eye, Isa saw Mery brush her jacket lapel and then act like she was talking with Lund. Magic, of course, but was it bard-only magic? Isa stared off into space for a moment. Could she learn magic? There are some useful spells out there. Can you be a sword fighting, spell casting badass?

    Before Isa could get too excited, she imagined holding her sword in one hand and a ball of cotton in the other and trying to pronounce some crazy spell, all while some bandit or mage threw daggers at her. Hmm, a sword wizard might be a quick way to die. Like trying to tapdance across a tightrope.

    With a smile Isa resumed her reading, and the next words jumped out at her: Next time I¡¯m there, I¡¯ll get my workbook from hiding and check my notes. Anymore it¡¯s too risky to carry it around. I won¡¯t name names here - because I could be wrong (but I don¡¯t think I am - not anymore. Not after this morning.)

    Tinero had an enemy? He thought he did anyway, and even more interesting, he had a place where he stored his workbook for safekeeping. His workbook where maybe he said more about his magical experiments, the failures and the successes. She was assuming - on hope alone - that Tinero had had successes.

    If only Isa could find the workbook. If it still existed after 20 years - or more. She chewed on her lip, lost in thought. Then she raised her hand, and the woman who¡¯d brought her Tinero¡¯s book returned. ¡°Can you tell me,¡± Isa whispered, ¡°do you have Gerry Tinero¡¯s papers? His workbooks, notes, letters?¡±

    ¡°I can check.¡± A troubled look passed the woman¡¯s face as she hurried away.

    While she waited, Isa tried to skim the next few pages for more workbook mentions. What she would give to have ¡°find and replace¡± for Tinero¡¯s Treatise. She didn¡¯t find anything about the workbook. There was a tantalizing mention of a cottage. That must be where he hid the workbook, but it could be anywhere. Sure, he lived and worked here at the temple, but he also mentioned practicing with his friend Vern, and for all Isa knew, Tinero was talking about Vern¡¯s house when he said cottage.

    Isa¡¯s thoughts were interrupted by a presence at her elbow. Ealda stood silently looking down at Isa. ¡°Um, hi?¡± Isa tried to smile, but she felt waves of disapproval shimmering off the high priestess.

    ¡°You¡¯ve returned.¡± Ealda gestured at Tinero¡¯s book. ¡°And you are reading that again.¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Isa said softly so as not to disturb the others in the library. ¡°Is that alright? I didn¡¯t think--¡±

    ¡°That is obvious. Come with me.¡± With that Ealda walked toward the exit.

    Spoiler: Isa''s Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter  Level: 4

    Alignment: Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 26    AC: 15

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 26

    Combat: +5 to Hit

    Weapons: Scimitar +1 (left hand) 1d6 +4 (slashing)  / Quarterstaff (right  hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    16

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    5

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Forty Two: Arcane Traditions

    Ealda led her to a small room near the library. Sunlight streamed through the small, high windows. The high priestess gestured at an armchair. ¡°Sit, please.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry that I didn¡¯t seek you out first, Ealda. Next time--¡±

    ¡°You puzzle me, Isa. And I¡¯m not fond of puzzles.¡± The woman arranged her robes so that the cloth draped symmetrically over her knees. ¡°Why did you ask for Tinero¡¯s workbooks? Are you thinking of joining us, of studying one of the arcane traditions?¡±

    ¡°Arcane tra--¡± Isa shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m just trying to get home. I told you that.¡±

    Ealda put her hand to her mouth in thought. Finally she said, ¡°And I believe that you believe that. I do. But see it from my perspective. A young woman, a stranger, comes to your temple asking for access to knowledge. It¡¯s only logical to think¡­.¡± She leaned forward. ¡°May I see your notebook? I don¡¯t think that Fazar would lead you here if you didn¡¯t have some magical talents.¡±

    ¡°Fazar didn¡¯t send me. It--¡±

    ¡°Ah!¡± Ealda held up one thin finger. ¡°You don¡¯t think that a god would bother with a mere mortal, but you¡¯d be wrong. We are, all of us, here because of Fazar¡¯s grace. And when people come here seeking to join us, we do like to review their numbers. Wizard work is not for the feeble-minded or the ill-prepared.¡± The high priestess held out her hand.

    ¡°Feeble-minded?¡± Isa shook her head. ¡°That¡¯s just so wrong on so many levels. Language, the words we use to describe others is--¡±

    ¡°I gave you the feldspice quest,¡± Ealda raised her voice to talk over Isa. ¡°I gave you the quest thinking that it would scare you off. If you succeeded, if you returned, I would know that you were no common criminal intent on thievery. Oh yes, evil people have tried to rob us before. Gain entry to the temple and to our most valuable collections.¡±

    ¡°And you send them off on quests? That seems pretty inefficient.¡±

    ¡°Many are killed or maimed; some are arrested. And some, those with a certain spark, you might say, they return having done a small service to the temple.¡±

    Isa put her hand on her bag. ¡°What if I don¡¯t want to be a wizard?¡± The woman didn¡¯t need to know that Isa had just been thinking about spellcasting.

    Ealda sighed. ¡°Sometimes, Isa, what we want has very little to do with what happens to us. Don¡¯t you find that so?¡±

    The high priestess seemed truly interested in helping Isa, so she handed the woman her notebook. ¡°I think I can trust you.¡±

    With a solemn nod Ealda took the notebook and opened it. ¡°Ah! As I suspected you have a good mind, and the potential to have a great one.¡± She paid her hand flat on the page. ¡°You came here seeking knowledge - that¡¯s what you said. And you have - Isa, you have the ability to understand, to learn, to grow. If it is your wish, we could teach you much.¡±

    Ealda focused on Isa¡¯s notebook again. ¡°You could never achieve spell mastery, never cast at will. And you would never be able to cast class 9 spells, but still--¡±

    ¡°Wait, class 9? Like gate? I want to learn to cast gate. Of course! Why didn¡¯t I think of this earlier.¡± Isa let out a laugh. ¡°I don¡¯t need a wizard. I can be a wizard.¡±

    ¡°Gate is a class 9 spell. I just said that you could never cast such a spell. Do you, perhaps, have trouble with hearing? Your intelligence score tells me that you are able to understand high concepts.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve read Tinero¡¯s book - most of it - I know it takes time to learn, but I will be the best student you¡¯ve ever seen. Really I will.¡±

    The high priestess shook her head. ¡°It is not a matter of dedication. I am sorry, but it is not.¡± She folded her hands on top of Isa¡¯s notebook and paused. ¡°We are born as vessels. The gods shape us like vessels, and as such we can be quite useful, versatile, and robust. But we have limits, and we have limits for a reason. You can see as plainly as I the reason why.¡± Ealda dropped her voice to a whisper. ¡°We would be like gods otherwise.¡± She shook her head. ¡°And that would be too much for a mere vessel. Our minds would shatter.¡±

    ¡°Ooookay¡­.¡± Isa furrowed her brow.

    ¡°And you have already filled your vessel, yes? At least somewhat, with being a fighter. Do you understand?¡±

    ¡°No! Not at all. Tinero - Gerry Tinero - he was learning the gate spell. At least he was planning to. I don¡¯t know if--¡±

    ¡°Please calm yourself. Calm. Tinero did achieve sufficient knowledge and discipline, before madness completely overcame him, to cast class 9 spells. And what that means - what that means, Isa is that he began his studies immediately. He wasn¡¯t a fighter who became a wizard. He filled his mind to the brim with magic, and only magic.¡±

    Isa slumped back in her chair. ¡°Then what¡¯s the point?¡±

    Ealda handed back Isa¡¯s notebook. ¡°You tell me.¡±

    ¡°If casting class 9 spells makes you crazy, then--¡±Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°You really must impose some discipline on your mind. It hops like a hare from one idea to another. I understand the fallacy; I see quite clearly the fault line. You do not know enough about magic, about wizards.¡± Ealda put her hand on her chest. ¡°I can cast class 9 spells, and I am not ¡®crazy.¡¯¡±

    Isa stared at the high priestess and then began to laugh. ¡°I¡¯m so dumb! I am so dumb. You¡¯re the headmaster or whatever, of course you can cast the big spells.¡± She paused and closed her eyes. ¡°Ealda, would you please cast gate for me? I want to go home.¡±

    ¡°I would be happy to do that. I can prepare that for tomorrow, certainly.¡±

    Isa felt like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. The way home had been right here, just waiting to be asked. She shook her head. ¡°I can¡¯t believe that I didn¡¯t think of this sooner.¡± She took the other woman¡¯s hand. ¡°Thank you so much. Thank you. But that¡¯s not enough. What can I do? How can I repay you?¡±

    ¡°A small donation to Fazar will be fine. Whatever seems fair to you.¡± Ealda stood up.

    ¡°You can have it all!¡± Isa scrambled to stand up as well. ¡°I really can¡¯t believe-- I mean, I¡¯m ready to go home.¡±

    ¡°It is best to cast the spell in sunlight, of course. The bright, full light through the diamond makes a good, strong portal. How big is it?¡±

    ¡°You tell me! You¡¯re the one casting it.¡±

    ¡°No, the diamond. How big is the diamond?¡±

    ¡°What diamond?¡± A puzzled look flowed across Isa¡¯s face. ¡°I don¡¯t have a diamond.¡±

    ¡°One must have material components to cast spells, Isa. And a powerful spell like gate, it requires a substantial component. The diamond - for it must be a diamond - needs to be at least the size of an almond. A gem that size, because I know you will ask, would cost at least 5,000 gold.¡±

    Tears threatened to leak from Isa¡¯s eyes. ¡°Five thousand? Five thousand?¡± She sat back down.

    Ealda sat as well. ¡°I am sorry, Isa. Truly I am. Please know that when you have the diamond, I will cast the spell for you.¡±

    ¡°And everybody needs the diamond, right? I mean, no offense, but like a higher level wizard couldn¡¯t¡­.¡±

    ¡°Only a weak mind would take offense.¡± Ealda gave Isa a tight-lipped smile. ¡°And there are no wizards higher than me. Level 20 is the limit, and that is where I sit.¡±

    Isa let that sink in for a bit. She was sitting at the elbow of one of the most powerful wizards in this world, and she was no closer to home than the day she arrived. No, that wasn¡¯t true. She had 27 gold pieces. Only 4,973 more to go!

    She shook her head, and after a moment, she met Ealda¡¯s eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to do.¡±

    ¡°You came here with a purpose, did you not?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I¡­.¡±

    ¡°Tinero¡¯s workbook. You asked to see his workbook, which is why I came to get you. It is no small matter to want to view another wizard¡¯s spellbook, especially that one, and I assumed that a potential student had arrived.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Isa shook her head. ¡°She got it wrong. I said ¡®workbook¡¯ not spellbook. What would I do with a spellbook?¡±

    ¡°A spellbook is a workbook.¡± Ealda paused, seeming to search for the right words. ¡°Magic is highly personal and imprecise, finicky if you will. And each spellcaster must work out the words and gestures themselves. I could cast magnificent mansion, for instance, and my words and gestures will be different than how another wizard - same level, same race, doesn¡¯t matter - might cast that very same spell.

    ¡°Do you know the word kitobe, Isa? It means ¡®of the book.¡¯¡± Ealda lifted her hands to showcase the shelves of books surrounding them. ¡°Wizards are a kitobish people. And a wizard¡¯s spellbook will show you something of their mind.¡±

    Isa nodded silently. It was too much to try to take in. Everytime she thought she was getting an answer, it turned out to be another question.

    ¡°Come back tomorrow,¡± Ealda said gently. ¡°I will show you one of Tinero¡¯s spellbooks. Perhaps what you seek is there.¡± She stood up. ¡°For now you should rest your mind. You have been through quite a lot.¡±

    Spoiler: Isa''s Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter Level: 4

    Alignment: Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 26 AC: 15

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 26

    Combat: +5 to Hit

    Weapons: Scimitar +1 (left hand) 1d6 +4 (slashing) / Quarterstaff (right hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    16

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    5

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Forty Three: Isaâ€™s Performance Check

    Ealda was right, Isa thought as she walked toward Lund¡¯s in the growing dusk. She was in no shape to look at Tinero¡¯s workbooks. Spellbooks. Whatever. She¡¯d been so close, so close to going home. And then to have it snatched away. She knew Ealda hadn¡¯t done it on purpose. She hadn¡¯t meant to be cruel, but it was cruel. So cruel!

    Certainly Isa might, over the next year or two make 5,000 gold coins from questing and adventuring, but that was a lot of shitty scimitars to sell. She paused with her hand on the front door of Lund¡¯s, lost in thought. She could practice dentistry here. Nothing stopping her. And that might bring in some nice coin. Some local with a toothache, they¡¯d pay good money to be relieved of the pain.

    Maybe that wasn¡¯t the most ethical thing, practicing dentistry without a proper degree, but she¡¯d done many more questionable things in her short time in Varana. She¡¯d ask Lund about it. He¡¯d know what people do when they have a toothache.

    The tavern was packed with people. Isa started toward the bar and got jostled by another patron. ¡°Watch where you¡¯re going,¡± the man snarled.

    ¡°Sorry,¡± Isa said. ¡°I didn¡¯t see you.¡± But the man had already melted back into the crowd. She got to the bar and leaned her staff against it. Lund wasn¡¯t behind the counter, but Isa recognized the woman behind the bar. ¡°Hey Tris. Can I get a--¡± Isa put her hand on her coin pouch. Or rather, where her coin pouch should be. More specifically where her coin pouch wasn¡¯t.

    That man, the one who¡¯d jostled her, he¡¯d pickpocketed her. The question was, where is he now? To the bartender she said, ¡°I¡¯ve been robbed.¡± After all the things that had happened to her in Varana, this felt among the worst. It wasn¡¯t a fair fight; it wasn¡¯t a fight at all. Unless, of course, she could find him in this crowd, then there¡¯d be a fight. If he was still here. Without thought Isa grabbed her staff and leapt onto the bar, looking out into the throng.

    ¡°Hey!¡± Tris said. ¡°What are you-- Get down!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been robbed,¡± Isa repeated. ¡°Wanna see if he¡¯s still here. Tall guy. Dark hair. Beard,¡± she said as she looked out at a sea of tall, dark, bearded men. ¡°Fuck,¡± she whispered, but she didn¡¯t get down. He might be here still, and the more faces turned her way, the better.

    Vaguely Isa heard someone calling for Lund. Great idea - he could help her pummel the guy once they found him. A few seconds later Isa saw her friend standing in front of her with his hands on his hips. ¡°Isa! Get down. What are you doing? Don¡¯t make me throw you out.¡±

    ¡°I got robbed! Some sonofabitch here robbed me.¡±

    More people turned toward Isa. She was suddenly the center of attention. Maybe she could use that to her advantage. ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± she said loudly. ¡°Someone here stole all the money I had in the world. Actually, no it was more than all the money I had in the world because I had my friend¡¯s money, too.¡±

    No one spoke. They weren¡¯t turning away, but no one was offering to help. More importantly no one was confessing to the crime. ¡°Tall guy.¡± Isa held her hand over her head. ¡°Beard.¡± She put her hand to her face. ¡°Hair.¡± She pulled at a hunk of her hair.

    Silence. The entire tavern stood silently watching Isa. She realized she was holding her staff like a microphone stand. ¡°Uh, airplane food, am I right? Hipsters. Microbrews. Hahaha¡­. I¡¯m not the headliner, folks. Although after tonight, who knows? Bah-dum bum.¡± Pause. ¡°Really I just want to beat the shit out of the guy who stole my money. Who wouldn¡¯t, right?¡± Isa heard the slightest murmur in the crowd. ¡°Right?¡± she prompted them.

    ¡°Right!¡± Several voices responded, and it sounded like a righteous roar to Isa.

    ¡°So.¡± She looked into the crowd. ¡°What are we gonna do about it?¡±

    ¡°No-no. Isa, no.¡± Lund was trying to get closer to the bar. The crowd had pushed him back about 3 feet. ¡°No fighting. No fighting!¡± Lund shouted.

    ¡°Fighting!¡± Isa yelled and raised her staff in the air. She launched herself off the bar and into the crowd. By then several groups were already squaring off. A group of halflings had surrounded a elf with dark hair. ¡°Is this him?¡± One of the halflings yelled to Isa.

    ¡°No! He¡¯s human!¡± Isa yelled and then she was in the fray. She spied a man that might have been her thief, and she thwapped him in the face, bloodying his nose. ¡°Give me back my money,¡± she yelled, but he kept both hands on his face as blood dripped down between his fingers.

    ¡°Isa!¡± Lund¡¯s voice sounded close by, and Isa felt fingers clutch at her arm, but when she turned, he wasn¡¯t there. Here on the ground it was harder to see anything. Isa tried to make her way back toward the bar, but someone yanked her hair and pulled her back.

    ¡°Ow!¡± Isa whirled around, but no one presented themselves as the assailant. After a moment Isa resumed her effort to get to the bar. Suddenly arms enclosed her, and Isa looked down to see pale, greenish forearms holding her tight. ¡°Isa, calm down.¡± Lund¡¯s voice in her ear. ¡°What happened, and why are you trying to destroy my tavern?¡±The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡°Thief!¡± Isa craned her neck to try to yell in Lund¡¯s ear. ¡°I got robbed. My money and Mery¡¯s.¡±

    ¡°OK,¡± Lund said, and he lifted Isa through the crowd and set her on the bar. He hopped up beside. ¡°Oi! Shut up.¡± He took Isa¡¯s staff and thumped it on the bar 3 times before the crowd began to quiet down.

    ¡°You know me,¡± he said loudly. ¡°You come here because you know Lund doesn¡¯t take any crap from anyone. Got two rules, don¡¯t I?¡±

    Several people said, ¡°Yeah!¡±

    ¡°Two rules!¡± Lund bellowed. ¡°What are they? Huh? What are they? No magic and no¡­..¡± He held his hand to his ear. ¡°And no thieving.¡± he said. About half a dozen voices joined in.

    ¡°So,¡± Lund went on, ¡°if I have to zone of truth my bar, I¡¯m gonna be real pissed off. Why? Because it¡¯s¡­.. magic.¡± Several more voices chorused in on the word magic. ¡°And once zone of truth tells me who the thief is, I¡¯m gonna beat him bloody.¡± Lund glared out at the crowd. ¡°No one wants that,¡± he said softly, his voice dripping with menace. ¡°I don¡¯t want that; you don¡¯t want that. It¡¯ll be a mess to clean up.¡±

    In the silence of the tavern, one person coughed. Finally someone said, ¡°What, ah, what¡¯ll you do if they come forward?¡±

    ¡°Look, I¡¯m not the town guard. Not my business what happens outside my business. If someone wants to come forward now and give my friend back her money, that¡¯s great. No hard feelings. You leave the way you came in. I won¡¯t touch a hair. Swear on my orc grandmother.¡±

    A moment later a man pushed his way through the crowd, and once people realized, they made a path for him. He approached the bar and laid down a coin pouch. It looked like Isa¡¯s pouch, but it was hard to say.

    ¡°Take a look,¡± Lund said to Isa. ¡°Is it all there?¡±

    Isa crouched down and poured some coins into her hand. They were mostly gold.

    ¡°Is it all there?¡± Lund repeated.

    Isa tried to quickly assess. ¡°Yeah, I think so.¡±

    ¡°Great.¡± To the man Lund said, ¡°Don¡¯t ever come here again. Maybe you¡¯ll want to avoid Bywater from now on, yeah?¡±

    The man nodded and made for the door. Once he was gone, Lund spread his arms wide. ¡°Bar¡¯s open again. Get some of the Red Robe ale before it¡¯s all gone! Only got 6 barrels. And it¡¯s a bargain at 1 silver a pint.¡±

    He hopped down behind the bar and helped Isa down. ¡°I¡¯ll see you in the kitchen in a few minutes.¡± Then he turned to help Tris serve the throng of customers at the bar.

    When Lund came in later he saw Isa sitting with several stacks of gold coins in front of her. ¡°Whatcha got there?¡±

    ¡°This was in the coin pouch.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a lot of gold. Did you have that much gold?¡±

    ¡°No. There¡¯s 108 gold here.¡±

    He started laughing. ¡°Not everyone can get robbed and make a profit!¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to make a profit. This isn¡¯t my money. Likely it¡¯s a bunch of people¡¯s money.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be a cheese face, Isa. No telling where he got the money. It¡¯s yours now. Minus whatever you owe Mery. Oh and minus 2 gold for the smashed glassware.¡± He took 2 coins off the stack nearest him. ¡°Amazing your riot didn¡¯t cost me more than that. It¡¯s early I guess.¡±

    Spoiler: Spoiler<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter Level: 4

    Alignment: Chaotic Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 26 AC: 15

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 25

    Combat: +5 to Hit

    Weapons: Scimitar +1 (left hand) 1d6 +4 (slashing) / Quarterstaff (right hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    16

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    5

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Forty Four: Parlor Tricks and Other Falsehoods

    The next morning Isa was back at the temple. Aggar, the young male acolyte who had first greeted her, opened the door. ¡°Is Ealda available? I--¡±

    ¡°Yes. Come with me.¡± He lead her downstairs to Ealda¡¯s office. The lighting was better today, and Isa could see that the bookshelves in the high priestess¡¯ office went floor to ceiling. She expected to see one of those rolling ladders that fancy libraries use, but there was no visible means for retrieving books from the top shelves.

    Ealda stood at a small table studying a piece of paper. ¡°Isa, you¡¯ve returned. Very good.¡± She nodded at Aggar who hurried away, closing the door behind him.

    ¡°Sit, please.¡± Ealda pointed at a chair as she sat down. ¡°We have talked about magic, you and I, but we have not talked about magic.¡± Her eyes seemed to bore into Isa¡¯s head.

    ¡°No?¡± Isa managed weakly.

    ¡°No. I don¡¯t know the caliber of wizards that you have met, and I fear that you have seen naught but parlor tricks and brutish displays of aggression. There are, truth be told, fanciful magic spells. Pretty spells and spells that make chores easier. Any half-wit mage can cast those types of spells.¡± With a wave and a word Ealda made a ghostly hand appear beside her. She sent it racing to the top shelf of the case behind her. A moment later it was back with a book in hand. It laid the book on the desk and broke into a dozen pieces, which each floated away into nothing.

    ¡°That spell - mage hand - is a conjuration spell. We talked about the arcane traditions yesterday. The 8 schools of wizard magic, if you will. Abjuration, Conjuration, Divination, Evocation, Transmutation, Illusion, Enchantment, and finally Necromancy.¡±

    ¡°Should I be taking notes?¡± Isa reached for her bag which held her notebook.

    ¡°Have you changed your mind? Do you wish to join us and study the traditions?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think so. Not right now, anyway.¡± What Isa wanted to say is, Will it get me 5,000 gold? Because otherwise it¡¯s a waste of time.

    ¡°Very well.¡± Ealda rested her hand on the book that the ghost hand had brought her. ¡°Then before you look at Tinero¡¯s spellbook, I will offer you just the slightest context. Acolytes - new adherents to Fazar¡¯s ways - once they have sufficient magical foundation - will focus on a single arcane tradition to study. Some choose Illusion, others Divination, still others Necromancy. All the traditions are open to them. They have but to choose the beginning. Over the course of their study, they will chose 4 schools to study and master. 4.¡±

    Isa nodded.

    ¡°In past times this was not so. In past times acolytes and young wizards received no guidance in this way, and so someone could spend a lifetime with one arcane tradition, focusing on one school only.¡± She paused. ¡°Surely you see the flaw. Magic can burn holes in your mind, Isa. And a little bit of wear, well that¡¯s alright, because a little bit allows you to cast certain spells with, well ease is perhaps too strong of a word. Let us say that a sufficiently learned wizard can cast a few spells almost at will, with little preparation.¡±

    ¡°And that¡¯s because of these holes? In your mind?¡±

    Ealda held up the hem of her red robe. ¡°Imagine that the mind is a piece of fabric. Too much wear in one spot and the warp and weave is broken. Just the right amount of wear creates a soft, comfortable article of clothing, one that you return to again and again because of the comfort and familiarity.¡± Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

    The high priestess slid the book on her desk toward Isa. ¡°Gerry Tinero spent his entire scholarly life studying conjuration, and it drove him mad.¡±

    Isa picked up the book. ¡°This is his spellbook?¡±

    Ealda nodded. ¡°One of them.¡±

    ¡°Like, how mad?¡±

    ¡°I beg your pardon?¡±

    ¡°Was he barking at the moon mad or just like, paranoid delusional mad?¡±

    A strange smile crossed Ealda¡¯s face. ¡°Your America must be an odd place.¡±

    ¡°It is,¡± said Isa. ¡°You don¡¯t know the half of it. So, OK Gerry was crazy, and studying too much magic caused it. But I¡¯m just looking at his notes. I¡¯m not gonna try any magic.¡±

    ¡°I chose his last spellbook for you, since you are keen to understand the gate spell.¡± Ealda gestured at the door. ¡°You may take it to the library.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure? You don¡¯t need to keep it locked away down here?¡±

    ¡°Heavens no,¡± said Ealda. ¡°Tinero is a cautionary tale for our newer students. The study of Tinero¡¯s spellbooks is often a requirement. I can think of few better warnings to students about the dangers of delving too deeply in one tradition.¡±

    Spoiler:Isa''s Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter Level: 4

    Alignment: Chaotic Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 26 AC: 15

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 26

    Combat: +5 to Hit

    Weapons: Scimitar +1 (left hand) 1d6 +4 (slashing) / Quarterstaff (right hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    16

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    5

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Forty Five: Gerry Tineroâ€™s Third Spellbook

    Isa walked up the stairs to the library. It wasn¡¯t until she was near the top that she realized she was unaccompanied. The Fazarians had grown used to her already? Maybe they assumed Isa was one of them now - a student of the arcane traditions. Which made her wonder, where was Joth studying? He¡¯d said that you didn¡¯t have to be attached to a god or a temple to become a wizard, but you had to study and practice, that much was obvious.

    Isa nodded at the library monitor - she had no idea if that¡¯s what they were called, but it certainly felt like 5th grade study time, so monitor, he was. The desk she picked was toward the back, out of the way. She wanted solitude and few distractions.

    She placed Tinero¡¯s spellbook squarely in front of her and folded her hands in her lap. She was reluctant to open it, and who can blame her? It wasn¡¯t like she¡¯d known the guy, but Isa had an affinity for Gerry Tinero. She felt like she could call him Gerry. He¡¯d been lost to his home like her. He felt like a friend, and she didn¡¯t want to see her friend¡¯s madness.

    What had Ealda called the spellbook? A cautionary tale? Quite an introduction to the book in front of her, so with a deep breath, Isa opened to the first page. What greeted her was a neatly lettered sheet with the words Plane Shift at the top of the page and dense writing below.

    Isa read carefully, and the words all made, well, not sense exactly, but they were logical and ordered. They laid out the purpose and outcome of the spell. It was dry, almost academic in its wording, if a little odd. One part said, ¡°Take the appropriately attuned planar fork and hold it aloft.¡± It was hard to say appropriately attuned planar fork, much less figure out what in the world it actually was.

    Farther down the page Isa read, ¡°You target a specific destination¡­..¡± Of course you had to know where you were going, and you had to have the fork! Isa shook her head at the absurd image of someone holding up a dessert fork and speaking an incantation.

    Toward the bottom of the page Isa saw that there was a part about using the spell to banish other people. So not only could you go to another plane, you could send someone else, too. Against their will, you send them to another plane, and they have to figure out their own way back. A wizard touches you and if you can¡¯t shrug it off, you go where she tells you to go. And you stay there until you figure out a way home. Great. Is that what happened to me?

    The text did say this: ¡°If a creature has a high enough charisma, the spell fails.¡± What¡¯s a high enough charisma? So maybe Isa¡¯s wasn¡¯t high enough? How do you know? And what does that even mean? That you have a strong enough sense of self? That would be tied up in charisma, right? Self confidence is sexy, so surviving the spell would be like saying, ¡°I¡¯m not banished, you are.¡± And the wizard believes you. Or you believe you. Either way, the spell fails, and your ass stays put.

    Isa sighed. Yeah, maybe thinking about all this would drive you crazy. It¡¯s not like a failed spell is going to kill you. It¡¯s a waste of resources, sure, and time, but not fatal. And if you¡¯re a smart wizard, you know not to cast plane shift on charming people, because odds are, they will laugh in your face. Or punch your face. Or maybe both.

    God, maybe Ealda was right - Isa felt a little lightheaded, and she was only on the first page of the spellbook. She turned the page and was met with a wall of scribbles. As neat as the previous page had been, this page was the polar opposite. She leaned forward to try to read the first lines.

    In blocky lettering Gerry had written, ¡°I¡¯ll see you again on the familiar street. No, that¡¯s not right. I¡¯ll be seeing you again on that familiar street.¡± For about a quarter of the page he¡¯d written out variants of those same words. Was he trying to write a song? A poem? Was this what wizards had to go through to master a spell?

    It kind of made sense - Isa knew enough now to know that most magic spells required words and gestures to make them happen, and some required materials - like fucking diamonds! - as well. Where do wizards get materials anyway? Does Gimble sell little kits with all the common materials you¡¯d need? Is it like a starter herbs and spices kit that you can buy at Kitchen Kaboodle?

    Isa flipped to the next page and saw half a dozen drawings of a slender U-shape on a stick. A tuning fork! The fork for the spell was a musical device not an eating utensil. That made so much more sense.

    Gerry had covered most of the page with drawings of tuning forks. He¡¯d labeled each one, and as Isa studied the drawings she could see slight variations in the forks. Some were fatter, taller, wider. Gerry - or someone else - had circled one that was labeled ¡°Becali Va.¡±

    It was as if Isa was watching Gerry piece the spell together, making it his own. Would she see pages of hand gestures next? The little she¡¯d seen of magic so far - and most had been in combat - people kept their gestures simple. Of course maybe that was just Joth. Though Mery¡¯s magic had also been simple, quick gestures, and if anyone was going to be grandiose, it would be a bard.

    She turned the page and found more writing.

    The words aren¡¯t right. And I know they¡¯ve got to be right. Jane loves Noel Coward, and I should know the song. I should know the song, dammit.

    Vern tells me not to obsess over these training spells - focus on the prize he says. Only he doesn¡¯t say that, oh no. He¡¯s more hoity-toity than that. And I like a good turn of phrase, I do. Jane likes to say I never met an adverb I didn¡¯t like. But those $3 words! If I wrote Talon the way Vern talks, I¡¯d never sell a story.

    There I go again. Off the rails. Half off anyway. I feel like something is eating at me, but I don¡¯t understand. I¡¯ll get these headaches, these blinding, 3-alarm headaches, and it¡¯s all I can do to keep from weeping like a God-damned baby. But then a couple of days at Vern¡¯s place, and the world is right again.

    Vern told me about a little house maybe an hour outside of town. It¡¯s abandoned he said, and so no one will disturb me practicing. His place is way out there, so I appreciate the idea of having a closer place I can call my own. And he seems to think that the solitude might help prevent the headaches. I don¡¯t get it, but he¡¯s an odd bird. And what do I know anyway? If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    But I¡¯ve been here 2 years already, and I don¡¯t think I can survive one more. So I gotta find a way to break through to those class 9 spells. I just gotta. I can¡¯t even imagine what Jane is thinking. I gotta get back to her.

    Isa put her hand on her chin. What if Celeste were home waiting on Isa? Or worse, if they had kids and Celeste was trying to explain why Mommy wasn¡¯t there? Isa would go without sleep or food to get back to them, so she felt like she understood at least a little of Gerry¡¯s anguish. Was that what drove him mad?

    She noticed that the light had shifted outside. Somehow it was past noon. She could fritter away whole days if she wasn¡¯t careful. ¡°Much as I like ya, Gerry,¡± Isa whispered, ¡°I gotta cut to the chase.¡±

    What a funny phrase - cut to the chase. Obviously a movie saying, which meant that it would mean absolutely nothing to most of the people here. What do they say instead, she wondered. And there she went again - sliding down these tangents. Isa really was getting a little loopy from all the close reading. She grabbed a few inches of pages and flipped them over. ¡°Let¡¯s wrap things up.¡±

    What she saw took her breath away. The whole page was filed with 2 words repeated over and over. Conjuration conjugation. Sometimes the letters were jammed up so close you could barely read, and other places, he¡¯d put so much space between each letter that it almost seemed like a nonsensical grouping of letters.

    Near the bottom of that page, in tiny letters, Gerry had written, Yes.

    Holding her breath, she turned the page.

    I can think, he¡¯d written. I can finally think clearly. And no one can hear me.

    The rest of the page was blank.

    The hair on the back of Isa¡¯s neck rose as she reached out to turn to the next page.

    At the top sat the word GATE. Below that in, Isa noted, neat script was an explanation of the spell. Some of it Isa already understood from Gerry¡¯s earlier writings. The spellcaster creates a doorway linking one place to another. The doorway can be big or small, and it will last for only a single minute. Not a lot of time for goodbyes, but then Gerry had been ready to go for years.

    Of course, Ealda thought that he died here at the Temple, so maybe he hadn¡¯t mastered the spell. Or maybe he¡¯d never scraped together the cash to get a diamond to cast the spell. But maybe he had cast it, maybe Gerry and Jane were still alive somewhere back home, sitting side by side holding hands. Isa thought that once Gerry had Jane again, he¡¯d likely never let her go.

    So what had happened? Did this story have a happy ending? The answer lay in the pages beyond. Isa knew now that the hard work of the spell happened in the pages after the nice, neat presentation. Like a wrecked kitchen sitting unseen while guests eat a gourmet meal.

    She turned to the next page in the spellbook.

    They guard it well. I have to believe that. Otherwise there¡¯s another year gone, and the gold, all my gold. The onyx inks and the diamond nib and the blessed white parchment, all gone if he finds it. Truly gone if he finds it. He¡¯ll take it away and use it. That¡¯s what he¡¯s wanted all this time. Vern, the snake. Vern, the schemer. He¡¯ll take the scroll and step through to America. And what will he do there? What could he do there? No, what couldn¡¯t he do there?

    He thinks I haven¡¯t quite mastered gate yet, and lord knows I am grown old in service to a dream of going home. But it¡¯s more than a dream now! And I don¡¯t care who reads these words now. Do you hear, Vernal Fedru? Do you hear me thinking these words as loud as I can? I am not afraid of you, and I am going home to Jane. I am going home.

    But now I need to rest. I can¡¯t let impatience ruin everything. One stumble, one mispronunciation and the scroll is wasted. Tomorrow is soon enough. Tomorrow if I¡¯m strong enough. Until then it¡¯s safe.

    That was the last page of the spellbook. Isa checked again that Gerry hadn¡¯t added anything after that entry, but the rest of the pages were blank.

    Spoiler:Isa''s Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name:Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class:FighterLevel:4

    Alignment: Chaotic Good

    Background:Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points:26AC:15

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 26

    Combat:+5 to Hit

    Weapons:Scimitar +1(left hand) 1d6 +4 (slashing) /Quarterstaff(right hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    16

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    5

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack:Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind- On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge- On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Forty Six: Spell Scrolls

    If Isa was reading Tinero¡¯s spellbook correctly, he¡¯d created a scroll with the gate spell embedded in it. And then he¡¯d hidden it somewhere. Isa sat back and let out a ragged breath. That could be a ticket home. But what are the chances he had been able to use it? And if he hadn¡¯t been able to, what are the chances that it was discovered and used by some-- Fedru!

    Isa quickly reread the last page, yes there it was - the wizard Fedru¡¯s name. And Vernal was his first name, wasn¡¯t it? She threw open her bag, not caring if the library monitor noticed, and grabbed her notebook. With shaking hands she turned to her quest log. There it was under the heading Delivery. ¡°Vernal Fedru lives outside of the village in a secluded cottage.¡±

    So Fedru had been guiding Gerry Tinero. Like he guided Joth? Well, that might be some comfort - if Fedru had found Gerry¡¯s gate scroll, he would have used it, right? And he was obviously still in Varana so that meant he hadn¡¯t found the scroll. Which meant that maybe Isa could.

    Unless of course Fedru had sent someone else through the gate. Or some thing. Who knew what his agenda might be. He¡¯d been off-putting in their one interaction but not unpleasant and not threatening.

    There was only one person she could talk to about the scroll and about Fedru - if she could trust him. And that was a big question - could she trust Joth Windbane?

    Isa closed the spellbook and rang the bell to bring the library acolyte to her. ¡°Thank you. I don¡¯t need this anymore,¡± she told him.

    As she walked to Lund¡¯s, Isa couldn¡¯t help but think about the day before. She¡¯d gone into the tavern with 30 some odd gold, and before the night was done, she¡¯d gained 71 more gold. It felt like a fortune, until she remembered that it would take 25 gold just to buy one of Anne¡¯s healing potions.

    The merchant was suddenly at Isa¡¯s elbow. ¡°What are you needing, girl?¡±

    ¡°Ah! Don¡¯t sneak up on me.¡± Isa looked up and down the road. ¡°Where did you come from anyway?¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you didn¡¯t see me. You should pay more attention. What is it you want to buy?¡±

    ¡°Nothing really. I was thinking about your healing potions, and--¡±

    Anne dropped the handles of her wheelbarrow and jogged around to the front. ¡°Well, aren¡¯t you in luck! Fresh batch from my friend. I should charge more because they¡¯re fresh, but it¡¯s a public service, really. You adventurers are out adventuring; it¡¯s the least I can do to give you access to healing potions at cost.¡±

    Isa couldn¡¯t help but smile. ¡°At cost, huh? What goes into a healing potion that makes it so expensive?¡±

    ¡°Herbs, spices, liquids¡­ important stuff. Secret recipe. Magical essences.¡±

    ¡°Makes sense.¡± Isa nodded for a moment and came to a decision. ¡°I need some information. Can I buy you a drink at Lund¡¯s? Maybe something to eat?¡±

    ¡°Information about who?¡± Anne narrowed her eyes.

    ¡°Information about what. Spell scrolls, to be exact.¡±

    ¡°Magic. Hmmm, magic¡¯s trickey stuff. I don¡¯t know if I¡¯ll earn my reward, and I have a big appetite. I know I look small, but my stomach is large.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll take my chances, and Lund has good prices.¡±

    ¡°You two¡­.¡± Anne bumped her closed fists together. ¡°Making it?¡±

    ¡°No! He¡¯s my friend, that¡¯s all, and I don¡¯t have a place of my own yet.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s just that there are other places to eat, you know. Like Saddler¡¯s. It¡¯s good. Quiet, older crowd. Perfect place to talk.¡±

    ¡°Saddler¡¯s? There¡¯s a Saddler¡¯s in my neighborhood. Back home, I mean. Isn¡¯t that strange?¡±

    Anne veered down a small path. ¡°Most places have inns and taverns - places where a body can get a bite to eat. Seems to me - keep up! Seems to me that it¡¯d be strange if you didn¡¯t have them in your world.¡±

    Isa double stepped to catch up with Anne. The woman was short, how did she walk so fast and with the wheelbarrow?

    ¡°The names, I mean. The names are the same.¡±

    ¡°Saddler¡¯s everywhere. Or just about. Man was a genius for marketing.¡±

    Isa shook her head. ¡°But no, my world¡¯s not like your world.¡±

    The merchant flashed a white-toothed smile. ¡°Oh child, that¡¯s what everyone says.¡±

    With effort Isa kept from sighing. Annoying old people - they sure seemed universal.

    Anne took another few turns as the thin path widened out to be a proper foot path. ¡°Forget Saddler¡¯s,¡± Anne said. ¡°Let¡¯s go to Zileek¡¯s. He lays a fine table. The plates are huge.¡±

    With a shrug Isa followed Anne as she veered right again and took another narrow path. Isa thought they might be near the river, but she wasn¡¯t sure. Still she kept an eye to the sides of the path. No gnolls were going to surprise her.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you worry,¡± Isa asked Anne, ¡°about bandits?¡±

    Thin branches, ferns, and wildflowers whapped against the wheelbarrow as the path narrowed more. ¡°I told you first time we met that I have protections. No one is messing with the wheelbarrow.¡±

    ¡°The wheelbarrow, fine, but what about you? You¡¯re pretty important.¡±

    ¡°Ha! You are sneaky, but I¡¯m not giving you my secrets. Here we are!¡± They were suddenly standing on a green lawn in front of a 3 story house. Anne rolled her wheelbarrow up the walkway and into the door of the house. Inside Isa saw a dozen tables, only one was occupied.

    ¡°Zileek!¡± Anee bellowed. ¡°Got a live one here. She¡¯s buying my dinner, so start slinging!¡±

    They sat at a table by the window, and Isa saw that the restaurant did indeed overlook the river. ¡°This is a cool spot. Where is everyone?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s early,¡± Anne said and waved her hand dismissively.

    ¡°Do they have rooms to rent? I¡¯d love a room with this view, if it¡¯s not too much.¡±

    ¡°May as be. I heard that old Ficksma died, but they¡¯ve been saying that for years. We¡¯ll ask Zileek.¡±

    As Anne spoke a very short, round man walked up. He had reddish gray hair and a long mustache. ¡°Inne, my friend, you ire bick,¡± he said.

    ¡°And hungry! Where¡¯s the food? But I want you to meet someone, too. She needs a place to stay. What¡¯s your name again?¡±

    ¡°Isa. Isa Chamberlin.¡± She stuck out her hand. ¡°Nice to meet you, Zaleek.¡±If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    He didn¡¯t take her hand. ¡°You cirry a blide.¡±

    ¡°I wha-- Oh! Yes, I¡¯m a fighter, I guess. But I¡¯m not a¡­.¡± Isa fished around for the right word¡­. ¡°mercenary. I don¡¯t hurt people on purpose.¡±

    Zileek looked puzzled. ¡°Thit¡¯s the point, yi? Heirtin¡¯ people?¡±

    ¡°Yes?¡± She was having a very hard time understanding him. She glanced at Anne, who sat smiling serenely. ¡°I¡¯m sorry - I¡¯m not from around here, so I¡­¡±

    ¡°Lots of people have trouble with the dwarvish accent,¡± Anne said cheerily. ¡°He¡¯s trying to figure out how much he can charge you for a room.¡± She moved her hands in the air. ¡°It¡¯s the dance! Dwarves are basically good - no offense Zileek - but he wants to charge you above market value, of course, and you - you want to undercut his profits and get a bargain. It¡¯s all very fascinating, but it¡¯s not getting me fed.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s a dwarf? Like a dwarf-dwarf?¡±

    Anne and Zileek stared at Isa. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m i dwirf. Ind you¡¯re a humin. Works thit wiy sometimes.¡± He gave her a friendly smile and held her gaze for a long moment. ¡°Now, let¡¯s get some food in you, Isi.¡± He rubbed his hands together.

    Isa laughed. ¡°That I understood.¡±

    ¡°Linguige is i funny thing.¡± Zileek nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll be right bick with something speciil for Isi.¡±

    The dwarf was back 5 minutes later with a laden tray. He put 6 dishes on the table between Anne and Isa, and in the center he placed a basket of flat bread.

    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Anne gestured at the food.

    ¡°It¡¯s dinner. Whit¡¯s it look like?¡±

    ¡°It looks great,¡± said Isa as she reached for a piece of bread.

    ¡°We eit fimily style, yi? You tike the breid ind some spoons of the dishes, ind you eit ind shire.¡± Zileek mimed bringing food to his mouth.

    ¡°Where¡¯s the meat?¡± Anne sounded exasperated. ¡°You know I like a good chop.¡±

    ¡°This is triditionil fire. Dwirves, we hive i lirge pililte. I thought Isi would enjoy this meil.¡±

    For her part Isa had already ladled out samplings of 3 different dishes. One seemed to be baked beans, another was greens with cubes of, perhaps, potatoes, and the third looked like falafel.

    She bit into the fried ball, and the taste was similar to falafel - savory, nutty, and sharp. ¡°This is so good,¡± she said around a mouthful of food.

    ¡°Hrumph,¡± said Anne as she tried to spoon the potato cubes without getting any greens.

    ¡°Good then,¡± Zileek clasped his hands. ¡°We¡¯ll tilk ibout rooms ifter you eit.¡±

    After he¡¯d gone Isa wiped her mouth. ¡°About spell scrolls. Let¡¯s say I found one and wanted to use it. What do I do?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t do anything,¡± Anne said as she mopped beans off her plates. ¡°Wish he¡¯d brought me a chop. Don¡¯t you? What¡¯s with the healer¡¯s menu, huh? He must be low on supplies.¡± She put her elbow on the table and gestured at Isa with her bread. ¡°You can use that, girl. He could use a strong hand around here. A fighter to keep things moving. I hear there are gnolls moving in. Could be they¡¯re causing havoc with Zileek¡¯s supply line.¡±

    ¡°Use what?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a bargaining piece, isn¡¯t it? You need a place to lay your head. He needs someone to fear up the gnolls from time to time.¡± She waved her hand in the air. ¡°It¡¯s a reciprocal thing, right? You wash my hands; I wash yours.¡±

    ¡°Right. Right. So about the spell scroll. Why can¡¯t I use it?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not a spellcaster. Are you? Only ¡®caster can use a scroll.¡±

    ¡°Then what¡¯s the point?¡± Isa sat back and moved the plate away from her. Disappointment crashed over her. At every turn she was being thwarted.

    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t know! What¡¯s the point of anything? What¡¯s the point of this meatless meal? No, you want to know the point? Here¡¯s the point: you didn¡¯t have to cook.¡± Anne crossed her arms over her stomach.

    ¡°OK.¡± Isa nodded her head. ¡°OK, fine. I can make this work.¡± She¡¯d just have to trust Joth. That had been her plan anyway. No need to change. To Anne she said, ¡°A spellcaster can read the scroll and that um, triggers the magic?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡°So you hold the dia-- the spell material, whatever it might be, and you read the scroll, and that¡¯s it?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t need the material. It¡¯s all there, baked in, if you please. That¡¯s why they¡¯re so damned--¡± She scratched her chin. ¡°So listen, you don¡¯t know what you got, because you can¡¯t read it. And I won¡¯t know what you got because I¡¯m no ¡®caster. So let¡¯s make this easy. I¡¯ll trade you a healing potion for the scroll.¡±

    Isa narrowed her eyes. ¡°Are you trying to swindle me?¡±

    Anne thought for a moment. ¡°Don¡¯t think so, no.¡±

    ¡°Well it doesn¡¯t matter anyway because I don¡¯t have a scroll. I¡¯m just hoping to get a scroll. And when I do, I can have a friend, I guess he¡¯s a friend, read it for me.¡±

    ¡°Use Ready Wizard. That way you¡¯re not beholding to anyone for anything. That¡¯s how I live my life.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s that? Ready Wizard. What¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°Wizards for hire. Though I think they branched to druids, too. They can teleport you, make you a mansion for the night.¡± Anne wiggled her eyebrows. ¡°For that special occasion, right? Right? Mansion, servants, fancy foods. 24 hours of bliss. But with druids you got practical stuff too like controlling the weather for a day or reattaching a thumb.¡± She held up her hand and flexed her thumb. ¡°See? Can¡¯t even see the scar.¡±

    ¡°So you think I should hire a wizard to read the scroll - once I have it.¡±

    ¡°Nice, clean business transaction. No entanglements, no having to go halvsies with your friend if you¡¯re getting something good from the scroll. Prices vary, depending on what you need, of course.¡±

    ¡°And where are these wizards for hire?¡±

    ¡°Usually they have a booth on the square, but you can journey out to Fedru¡¯s anytime, and he¡¯ll set you up.¡±

    ¡°Vernal Fedru? He¡¯s part of this?¡±

    ¡°He started it, didn¡¯t he! Crap wizard but a head for business. Wish I¡¯d thought of it. Get a bunch of poor, low level ¡®casters, and you put ¡®em on retainer.¡±

    Is that how he¡¯d started with Gerry? Maybe they¡¯d been friends at first, but things had turned sinister. Was Fedru still twisting wizards¡¯ minds? He had to be stopped. ¡°I have a friend who might need a job. How do you go about applying?¡±

    Anne snorted. ¡°No, you don¡¯t. You¡¯re a terrible liar.¡±

    Isa tried not to let her hurt feelings show - she thought she¡¯d done really well with that spur of the moment fib. ¡°I¡¯m just interested in the setup that¡¯s all. Gimme a break.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t think you should horn in on Fedru¡¯s turf, but you know your own mind. Wanna know the deal, ask your friend Joth Windbag. He¡¯s a Ready Wizard.¡±

    Spoiler: Isa''s Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter Level: 4

    Alignment: Chaotic Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 26 AC: 15

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 26

    Combat: +5 to Hit

    Weapons: Scimitar +1 (left hand) 1d6 +4 (slashing) / Quarterstaff (right hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    16

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    5

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Forty Seven: Revelations

    Isa tried to keep her surprise concealed. ¡°¡±Funny, he never mentioned it.¡± She fiddled with her fork for a moment. ¡°Where does he live anyway? I¡¯ve never been to his place.¡±

    ¡°Joth Windbine? He lives with Old Min Unger.¡± Zileek had returned to the table. He was short enough that he was eye level with Isa sitting down. ¡°Ind speiking of such, ire you truly looking for i plice to live? Miybe I hive i spot open.¡± He smiled broadly at Isa.

    ¡°Yes, but I¡¯m new here,¡± she said. ¡°Still getting my feet. So I can¡¯t afford much¡­.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re i stripping liss. Strong fighter, yi. Miybe we cin work something.¡± He stroked his mustache. ¡°Siy 4 gold, 5 for i week?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a good deal,¡± Anne piped up.

    ¡°Breakfast included?¡±

    He bobbed his head for a moment, perhaps calculating costs. ¡°Breikfist, sure. Ind you pitrol the grounds 4 times i diy.¡±

    ¡°When I¡¯m in town.¡±

    He nodded. ¡°When you ire in town.¡± He gave her a sidelong glance. ¡°See how 2 weeks goes, yi?¡±

    Isa grinned and stuck out her hand. ¡°Deal.¡±

    He looked at her hand and grasped it. ¡°Do you need i lift up, then?¡± He began to pull.

    ¡°No! It¡¯s a custom, I guess, on my plane to shake hands. It means we reached an agreement.¡±

    ¡°Shike?¡± He said but when Isa began to move her hand up and down, he grinned and joined in enthusiastically. ¡°We hive in igreement then. I¡¯ll hive your room reidy for tonight.¡±

    Anne gave Isa directions to Teg ¡°Old Man¡± Unger¡¯s house, and Isa promised Zileek that she¡¯d be back later in the evening.

    After only a few minutes¡¯ walking Isa came upon the house. Neat and well-kept, the house sat on a tiny plot of land, surrounded by trees on all sides. She knocked on the door, and a wizened man answered it after a few moment¡¯s wait.

    ¡°Hi,¡± she smiled at the stooped figure. He was not much taller than Gimble and looked much older. His skin had a papery look to it, as if a stiff wind would rip him in half. ¡°I¡¯m a friend of Joth¡¯s. Is he home?¡±

    ¡°Oh yes,¡± said the man. ¡°Indeed he is.¡± He pointed at her feet. ¡°Please do remove your boots. I don¡¯t allow shoes in the house, you know.¡± He leaned out the door a bit and waved at a bench beside the door. ¡°The basket will hold your boots.¡±

    When Isa had placed her boots in the wicker basket, she stood on the threshold and knocked on the door jamb. ¡°Mr. Unger? Can I come in now?¡±

    The old man tottered into view. ¡°Of course, my dear! Do come in. Use the runner, won¡¯t you? So much better for the wood if it doesn¡¯t have contact with moisture.¡± He wiped his hands with a distasteful look on his face.

    He led her into a small living room. ¡°I¡¯ll just let Joth know that you¡¯re here. Joth!¡± He walked to a side door, opened it, and called, ¡°Joth! A lady to see you.¡± He turned back and smiled at Isa.

    She heard a muffled reply, and Unger closed the door and gestured for Isa to sit. ¡°Joth doesn¡¯t get many visitors. Certainly not pretty ones. I always tell him that he¡¯s welcome to have people over. As long as they¡¯re clean and quiet.¡± He sat down and smiled at her. ¡°Such a blessing have Joth here. I can¡¯t climb stairs anymore, you know. Well, going up is fine.¡± He held up a finger. ¡°Slow but steady wins the race! But coming down, oh dear, I don¡¯t trust my balance.¡± He sighed and put his hands on his lap. ¡°But he is a help to this old man. Don¡¯t know what I would do without him these last 10 years.¡±

    Isa had only been half listening to Mr. Unger. Her mind was occupied with thoughts of Fedru and Gerry Tinero and the gate scroll, so she wasn¡¯t sure if she¡¯d heard what she thought she¡¯d heard. ¡°I¡¯m sorry - did you say 10 years? Joth¡¯s been here 10 years.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t think too harshly of him. He¡¯s a frugal lad, really. Saves his copper, and I say that¡¯s a useful trait in-- Well, I¡¯m a bit old fashioned, I know, but I think that a young couple should have a nest egg before they--¡±

    Isa tried to keep the alarm from her voice. ¡°Joth and I aren¡¯t-- I mean, we¡¯re just friends, Mr. Unger.¡±

    ¡°Of course, of course.¡± He shook his head. ¡°So old fashioned, Teg! You silly sparrow. But Joth is a fine--¡±

    ¡°Isa! What are you doing here?¡± Joth was dressed in loose cotton pants and a loose shirt. He looked like he¡¯d been punched in the stomach.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    ¡°We haven¡¯t seen each other in days, and I wanted to catch you up.¡± She smiled. ¡°So here I am.¡±

    ¡°Indeed. Well. Come upstairs.¡± He turned and went out the door, not bothering to see if she followed.

    ¡°I can make some tea,¡± Mr. Unger called after them.

    ¡°Careful on the stairs,¡± Joth muttered as Isa followed him up. At the top of the stairs he opened a door on the right hand side revealing a study. Once inside he said, ¡°Why did you really come?¡±

    ¡°Why did you lie to me?¡± Isa glanced around the room and sat on the cushioned window bench.

    ¡°Lie to you? About what?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve been here 10 years! Mr. Unger said so.¡±

    ¡°Oh that, I didn¡¯t lie. Not exactly.¡±

    ¡°You made me think that you¡¯d been here a short time.¡± He shrugged at Isa¡¯s words, so she pressed him. ¡°Why would you do that? What¡¯s it matter?¡±

    ¡°I was embarrassed.¡± He slumped down in the only chair in the room.

    ¡°Why? I just got here! What could you have to be embarrassed about? How would I know? Honestly Joth - Jeff - how would I know?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no call to call me that, OK? I needed-- I need allies, and I wanted you to - I don¡¯t know believe in me, I guess.¡± He lowered his voice. ¡°I¡¯ve been here 10 years, Isa. 10, and I¡¯m a level 5.¡±

    ¡°I forgot about that. What happened to you? I¡¯m a level 4 and I¡¯ve been here, what, a week?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t rub it in. I spent a few years studying, learning about Varana. I didn¡¯t know I couldn¡¯t level that way. In games you can do safe stuff, like herbalism, and level. And I had no one to judge my progress by. And then later, when I realized that I needed to adventure, that hit me pretty hard. I¡¯d wasted all this time.¡± He shrugged. ¡°It was a bad time, a dark time. Fedru and Teg, they helped me. Dragged me out of the house, and Fedru, he talked me off the ledge, I guess. Told me that I need to get some quest experience. So I started working for him some. Adventure parties sometimes need a wizard, and well I wasn¡¯t going to quest alone. Look at me! I¡¯m not an adventurer. You make it look easy, but it¡¯s not. It¡¯s not easy.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve almost died a few times. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s easy. I¡¯m scared and confused and oh yeah, mad. Mad at your friend Fedru. I think he knows how we can get home but he¡¯s hiding it. Or I don¡¯t know, he wants something from us. You work for him right? Anne told me.¡±

    With that, Isa told Joth about Gerry Tinero¡¯s books, about his gone-sour relationship with Fedru, about the possible spell scroll, and where she thought - if it still existed - that it might be.

    When she¡¯d finished Joth said, ¡°Fedru¡¯s a good guy! Well, I don¡¯t know his alignment. Probably neutral. He¡¯s got some levels in druid, and they are-- Never mind. What I mean is, he¡¯s not a bad guy. He wants to help me get home. He¡¯s told me so.¡±

    ¡°Great. Then he won¡¯t mind if we do just that. Get dressed.¡±

    Joth looked startled. ¡°Now? It¡¯s almost dark.¡±

    ¡°So what? Don¡¯t you have some sort of light spell?¡±

    ¡°Well yes, but¡­.¡± He opened his arms to gesture at the room. ¡°My things. I don¡¯t know what to take.¡±

    ¡°The scroll might not even be there, Joth. This might be wishful thinking over here.¡± Isa sighed. ¡°But I want to believe it¡¯s sitting in that cottage; I have to know, and it can¡¯t wait.¡±

    Spoiler: Isa''s Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter  Level: 4

    Alignment: Chaotic Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 26    AC: 15

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 26

    Combat: +5 to Hit

    Weapons: Scimitar +1 (left hand) 1d6 +4 (slashing)  / Quarterstaff (right  hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    16

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    5

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Forty Eight: Going to Tineroâ€™s Cottage

    With only a little prodding, Isa got Joth out the door and heading up the road past the Temple of Fazar and toward the ramshackle cottage by the road. It wasn¡¯t until they were on the road that she thought to wonder if she would remember where the cottage was.

    They hadn¡¯t gone far when Joth suddenly said, ¡°Oh jeeze!¡± He plunged his his hand into his bag and rooted around. ¡°Can¡¯t believe I forgot. I usually do this when I leave the house, but you rushed me and¡­.¡± A moment later he held aloft a small square. In the dim light Isa thought it might be leather.

    Joth murmured some words and touched his shoulder. Then he sighed. ¡°OK. That¡¯s better.¡± To Isa he said, ¡°Mage armor. I usually remember to cast it when I leave the house. Gives me better armor coverage.¡±

    ¡°And the leather? That¡¯s a material--¡±

    ¡°Component? Yes.¡±

    ¡°Where do you buy those, or do you have to gather them yourself? Is that part of the mystique?¡±

    Joth gave her a sideways glance. ¡°That¡¯d be like growing your own food. I mean, sure some people do that - they do that still right? It¡¯s only been 10 years; people aren¡¯t swallowing protein pills and eating little cubes of ¡®food substance,¡¯ right?¡±

    It was Isa¡¯s turn to give Joth a look. ¡°Yeah, people eat food. We¡¯re not all living on some sort of space colony on the moon or anything.¡±

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t really worried,¡± Joth said, but Isa heard something in his voice - was it fear?

    ¡°Life is kinda like it¡¯s always been, you know?¡± She gave him a grin. ¡°Babies poop. People get married - oh, well that¡¯s changed. Gay people can get married, too! You go to school, get a job¡­.¡± She shrugged.

    ¡°You can get married now? That¡¯s good. That¡¯s really good.¡± Joth nodded his head. ¡°I bet technology has¡­.¡± He made an explosion gesture with his hands.

    ¡°Oh my God, yes!¡± Isa walked sideways so she could see Joth¡¯s face. ¡°You know about the iPhone, but it¡¯s like years better - eons better - than the first ones. Phones are huge now. Huge! And so fast. The apps are insane. I was thinking about getting a smart watch that pairs¡­.¡± She trailed off. ¡°What? What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know that world anymore,¡± he said. ¡°I used to be the tech guy in the office. I mean not the literal tech guy, but I had the gadgets; I had the cool toys, the best computer.¡± He shook his head. ¡°I¡¯ve been here too long. I can¡¯t go back.¡±

    ¡°You said you wanted to - when we first met. You didn¡¯t really mean that?¡±

    I don¡¯t know, maybe. When I saw you, it brought up all those emotions.¡±

    ¡°How did you know,¡± said Isa. ¡°I mean when you saw me.¡±

    Joth laughed. ¡°You stood out like a sore thumb! Is that the expression? Sore thumb? Or did I make that up? I don¡¯t know anymore.¡±

    Isa thought about what Joth had said in his study, about his deep depression, so she touched his arm. ¡°You¡¯re good. It¡¯s all going to be OK. America¡­.¡± She shrugged. ¡°America is still just the same. You will fit right in. Trust me.¡±

    ¡°Well, we still have to find this scroll.¡±

    They walked for a few minutes, and then Joth said, ¡°I had it in the back of my mind that I could get enough cash together to pay someone to do the gate spell for me, or that I might be able to level up enough to cast it myself.¡±

    ¡°The diamond, though!¡± Isa said. ¡°When Ealda mentioned that--¡±

    ¡°You talked with Ealda about this? When?¡±

    ¡°Yesterday. I told you - she¡¯s the one who gave me access to Tinero¡¯s books. She¡¯s not a bad sort. A little intense maybe.¡±

    ¡°She doesn¡¯t like me,¡± said Joth.

    Isa thought about how Anne called him Joth Windbag. ¡°Hmmm,¡± she said.

    ¡°It¡¯s not me,¡± he turned to look at Isa. It was almost full twilight, but Isa could see his eager face. ¡°It¡¯s not me,¡± Joth repeated. ¡°Lots of people like me. Lund, Fedru, Old Man Unger, of course. There are merchants and spellcasters all over who like me!¡±

    Isa hadn¡¯t seen anyone besides Teg Unger who seemed to particularly like Joth, but the time that Isa had spent with him had been fine. He was a little whiney, maybe, a little bit of a well, windbag, but he seemed honest and good. ¡°I like you, Joth. I¡¯m glad we met.¡±

    ¡°Thank you. I appreciate that. It¡¯s getting really dark, I guess. Let¡¯s get some light going!¡± He rubbed his thumb across a small bit of wood in one hand while holding his other hand out palm up. He said something under his breath and a ball of light formed there. With another softly spoken phrase, Joth sent the ball ahead of them about 6 feet.

    ¡°That¡¯s better,¡± said Isa. ¡°Now we can see--¡±

    ¡°The gnolls,¡± Joth finished Isa¡¯s sentence.

    Four gnolls stood about 10 feet away, blocking the road ahead of them. Adrenaline flooded Isa¡¯s body. The hulking creatures stared at the two humans in silence, but Isa could feel the malice pouring from them. ¡°Fuck,¡± she said softly. ¡°What do we--¡± She didn¡¯t get to finish her thought because the gnolls suddenly leaped at them, spears and teeth gleaming in Joth¡¯s magic light.

    The first gnoll charged at Isa, and she was so surprised that she didn¡¯t even think to dodge his spear, so the tip ripped into her side. The gnoll danced back and chattered words to his friends. Two other gnolls squared off against Joth, but he managed to dodge both their spears.

    Isa was so busy worrying about Joth that she missed seeing the last one leap from the shadows and lunge for her neck. Thankfully his aim was off, and his fangs sunk into her shoulder where they hit her collarbone. The bone prevented him from getting a good purchase, and he tumbled off as Isa reacted to the pain of the bite.

    A triumphant howl sounded as the first gnoll reacted to his comrade¡¯s attack. He raised his arms over his head and howled again. The sound sent chills down Isa¡¯s spine, but part of her knew that was the point - to make her afraid. What it did instead was make her angry. She pulled out her scimitar and swung at the first gnoll. The sharp blade cut him from hip to shoulder as the tip of the scimitar sliced through the gnoll¡¯s armor like it was paper.

    The creature yelped in pain, and blood poured from the wound, but he didn¡¯t fall over. Isa hadn¡¯t given him a killing blow, just a crippling one. But before he could gather himself to return Isa¡¯s attack with his own, 2 shards of light plunged into his body and sent him sprawling into the bushes at the side of the road. Another shard hit the gnoll in front of Joth and, as the creature yelped in pain, Isa heard Joth say, ¡°Yes!¡±

    His triumph was short lived as that gnoll leaped at Joth, and jaws closed over the wizard¡¯s left arm. Isa swung at that gnoll with her scimitar but missed. As the blade passed dangerously close to Joth¡¯s face, Isa had time to reflect that this sword was very different than the rapier. She liked how she¡¯d sliced through the first gnoll, but the scimitar was a heavier weapon, wider and difficult to use with accuracy. Perhaps she could get used to it. The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    The gnoll in front of Isa growled and sidestepped looking for an opening. The two in front of Joth closed in on him. Isa stepped closer to Joth to protect them both from a rear attack. Joth fired his light shards at the middle gnoll, and it doubled over in pain.

    Isa took too long to decide what to do, and the nearest gnoll leaped at her, his jaws open wide. She moved closer to Joth, barely missing knocking him over, but the creature missed her and rolled past. She dropped the scimitar and grasped her staff with both hands. In one swift movement, Isa swung the metal tipped end of the staff at the prone gnoll¡¯s head. The staff connected with a satisfying crunch, and the gnoll stopped moving.

    ¡°OK, OK,¡± Joth muttered as he fumbled with his bag. He held up one hand, grasping something small. He released it and in a clear voice said, ¡°Burn.¡± A large circle of fire formed between them and the gnolls. Joth pushed the air in front of him, and the ball rolled toward the two creatures, who were frozen in fear and surprise. Isa didn¡¯t blame them - the ball was easily 10 feet wide. The heat emanating from it made Isa¡¯s hair dance.

    One gnoll was able to dodge out of the main path so that the ball¡¯s flames merely licked at it. The other was utterly consumed by the fire as the ball rolled slowly over it. The ball flared as it burned the gnoll, growing larger because of the added fuel the creature gave it.

    The singed creature stood up and growled at Isa. It crouched low as if to leap at her. She brought her staff up so that it was chest high and horizontal to the ground. ¡°Come on,¡± she whispered.

    Before it could move, 3 light shards hit it, one at the throat, one at the chest, and one at the groin. The creature let out a strangled yelp and fell over.

    ¡°Ha!¡± Joth lept in the air. ¡°I did it!¡±

    Isa turned to him. ¡°That was amazing. Those shards¡­.¡±

    ¡°Magic missile,¡± said Joth. ¡°Always hits. Every time.¡± He nodded. ¡°That was rad.¡± He rubbed his arm. ¡°That one bit me. You OK?¡±

    Isa had stopped listening to Joth as she noticed a roaring sound. She turned her head to see that Joth¡¯s fireball had doubled in size. Trees and shrubs were burning, and the ball continued its slow roll deeper into the forest. ¡°Joth, look,¡± Isa managed to say.

    ¡°Oh shit.¡± His mouth hung open. ¡°Shit.¡±

    ¡°How do you stop it?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know! I¡¯ve never cast it before. It¡¯s a new spell. A class 3 spell. I just leveled, right?  I¡¯ve had the guano for a while now, and I don¡¯t know how to stop it. Spells just stop. That¡¯s what they do. That¡¯s what this one will do.¡± He crossed his arms.

    Isa took a few steps closer to the fire. She didn¡¯t see how it would stop. The trees and shrubs were thick here, and even with the torrent of rain the other day, they burned fast. ¡°Joth, you have to stop this. The cottage - the scroll. They¡¯ll burn!¡±

    ¡°Isa, I told you it will burn itself out.¡±

    ¡°When?¡± Isa threw her arm toward the fire. ¡°It¡¯s got plenty of fuel!¡±

    The wind rose as the flames drew more air toward itself, and the light was bright and yellowy. ¡°I told you this is the first time! I don¡¯t know how to stop it.¡±

    ¡°Use a waterball spell. You can cast fire. So fucking cast water!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not a druid! I can¡¯t-- Help! Help!¡± Joth¡¯s voice rose above the roar of the fire. ¡°Heeeeeelp!¡±

    Two people appeared in front of them, a human woman and an elf man. ¡°You folks having a spot of trouble?¡± the woman asked.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Joth said, trying to catch his breath. ¡°Fireball. Trees. I didn¡¯t¡­.¡±

    ¡°No worries,¡± said the woman. ¡°Golure here will take care of that.¡± She pointed at the elf. ¡°I¡¯m Ramona. He¡¯s Golure. What do you think?¡± She said to the elf.

    He stood looking at the fire and then knelt down. He pulled a small bowl from his bag and poured a little water in. He stuck 2 sticks of incense on each side of the bowl and lit them. Then he began to chant as he picked up dirt from the road and sprinkled it on the water.

    ¡°What¡¯s he doing?¡± Isa leaned toward Joth and whispered.

    ¡°Casting a spell.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I got that part! I¡¯m not an idiot.¡±

    Ramona walked over to them, a big smile on her face. ¡°We¡¯ll have you cleared up in no time. Controlling the weather, well it¡¯s one of Golure¡¯s specialties. Good thing he was on call, eh?¡±

    ¡°He can control¡­.?¡±

    ¡°Yep,¡± Ramona rocked on her heels. ¡°Give him a few minutes, and we¡¯ll have ourselves a mighty storm. Bucket and buckets of rain. That fire won¡¯t know what hit it!¡± She looked at the 2 gnoll corpses on the road. ¡°Can see why you cast the spell, man. Gnolls are nothing to take lightly.¡± She nodded at Isa. ¡°You¡¯re ah, you¡¯re bloodied there. Let me fix you up.¡± She folded back the sleeves of her robe.

    ¡°Oh, no. I¡¯m alright,¡± Isa waved her hand.

    ¡°It¡¯s covered in the price,¡± said Ramona. ¡°Might as well get healed, right? Just last week, we got called to an awful mess. Travelers like yourself stumbled on a bandit camp.¡± She shook her head. ¡°Would have been worse, fatal even, of they hadn¡¯t a called out for us.¡±

    ¡°What is this?¡± Isa asked. ¡°Some sort of service?¡±

    ¡°Triple T,¡± Joth said. ¡°Travelers in Trouble Team.¡± He shrugged. ¡°Teg has the plan, and he put me on it.¡±

    ¡°Sure it¡¯s expensive, but not a bad deal, if you travel a lot,¡± Ramona said with a smile. ¡°I¡¯m not on the sales side, of course. But we have offices in the main towns. You can join there.¡± She looked around and took a deep breath. ¡°Smells like rain. Smells like rain, Golure!¡±

    The elf ignored her and continued his chant.

    ¡°He can¡¯t really hear me. Deep in his commune with the spirits of the sky or some such. Me, I¡¯m just a regular old cleric. Speaking of which - let¡¯s get you healed.¡± She touched a round symbol on her belt, and it shone like a torch. ¡°That¡¯s better. Ah, both of you need it, I see. You¡¯re a little dinged up, too my friend.¡± She pointed at Joth.

    He waved his hand. ¡°Just a scratch really.¡±

    ¡°A good sized bite, by the look of it.¡± She turned his arm in the light.

    Isa spared a glance at the chanting elf, and when she looked back, Ramona was patting Joth¡¯s arm. ¡°There we go. Now, let¡¯s look at our.... Fighter?¡±

    Isa nodded. ¡°Do you need me to sit. He got a good bite on my shoulder.¡±

    ¡°They did tear into you. Good thing you had the wizard along, hmm?¡±

    Isa glanced over the cleric¡¯s shoulder to see if Joth had heard. ¡°Yes,¡± she said to Ramona. ¡°I am glad he¡¯s along. I practically dragged him out of his house. If I hadn¡¯t¡­.¡±

    ¡°Yes, 4 against 1, isn¡¯t such good odds. Now, hush while I concentrate.¡±

    As Isa sat listening to Ramona¡¯s quiet words and feeling the light, cool healing touch, she felt like if she could just concentrate hard enough, she could slip back into Portland reality. She tried to think about her home, the smell of coffee brewing, the sound of rain on the roof.She could almost feel the rain on her face, and then she realized it was rain. The elf¡¯s spell had begun to work.

    Spoiler: Isa''s Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter  Level: 4

    Alignment: Chaotic Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 26    AC: 15

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 12*  (getting healed at this moment)

    Combat: +5 to Hit

    Weapons: Scimitar +1 (left hand) 1d6 +4 (slashing)  / Quarterstaff (right  hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    16

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    5

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Interlude 4: Joths Character Sheet

    Name: Joth Windbane / Jeff Windham

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 9inches / 220 lbs

    Class: Wizard Level: 5

    Alignment: Chaotic Good

    Background: Scholar

    Hit Points: 27 AC: 11 (without mage armor)

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 27

    Spell Attack: +7 to Hit

    Spell DC = 15

    Weapons: Short sword +4 to hit +2 to attack

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STRThis story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    10

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    14

    </td>

    <td>

    +2

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    18

    </td>

    <td>

    +4

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    8

    </td>

    <td>

    -1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: INT + 7 & WIS +3

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    7

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)*

    </td>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    -1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    -1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    -1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    History (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    7

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion* (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    -1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    7

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Ability: Arcane Recovery.

    Class Features:

    Neverending library card.

 Chapter Forty Nine: The Gig Economy

    The skies opened and rain poured down on them all. In the dim light of Ramona¡¯s glowing symbol and Joth¡¯s dancing light Isa could see splashes of rain hitting the elf¡¯s small bowl of water. After a moment the elf stood, picked up the bowl, held it over his hand and then poured the contents over his head.

    ¡°Druids.¡± Ramona shook her head. ¡°They¡¯re an odd bunch, but Golure is one of the better ones.¡± She held out her arms. ¡°And he gets results. The fire is already almost done.¡±

    ¡°In the meantime, we¡¯re getting drenched.¡± But as Isa spoke Joth came toward them with one hand out like he was balancing a tray. No rain hit him. ¡°Here we are,¡± he said. ¡°Floating disk. It¡¯s not exactly an umbrella, but it will do.¡±

    ¡°Tight fit,¡± said Ramona, but she shifted to get under the disk. ¡°This should pass fairly quickly. If I¡¯ve seen him do this once, it¡¯s a hundred times.¡±

    ¡°So this is your job?¡± Isa asked her. ¡°You get to help people every day like this?¡±

    ¡°Mostly. Clerics like me, we¡¯re in demand. People are always getting dinged up. Druids, wizards, not so much. Take Golure over there, he¡¯s got 3 jobs, but I think he likes the variety.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m a Ready Wizard myself,¡± Joth volunteered.

    ¡°Well that¡¯s nice. Good hours?¡±

    ¡°Seasonal, really.¡± Joth looked at his feet. ¡°But, you know, it¡¯s steady. I¡¯ve been with them since practically the beginning, so I get lots of work.¡±

    ¡°And you don¡¯t mind?¡± Ramona said to Isa.

    ¡°Why would I-- Oh, no we¡¯re not¡­. He¡¯s not my type.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re just friends,¡± said Joth. ¡°Isa,¡± he gave her a sideways glance, ¡°has a bard.¡±

    ¡°Bards,¡± Ramona sighed.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± said Joth.

    ¡°She¡¯s not my bard, and she¡¯s more of a rogue these days anyway.¡±

    Just then Golure, the elf druid, walked up. He was holding Isa¡¯s scimitar. Without a word, he handed it to her.

    Isa reached out her hand and took the blade from him. As it passed through the light from Ramona¡¯s holy symbol, the gold and silver flashed. ¡°Fancy.¡± Ramona¡¯s voice held surprise. ¡°That¡¯s quite a blade. People might think¡­.¡± Her voice trailed off.

    ¡°Might think what?¡± Isa sheathed the sword and looked at Ramona.

    The cleric still stood under Joth¡¯s floating disk even though the rain had all but stopped. She shook her head. ¡°What I was going to say, it sounded mean, and that¡¯s not what I meant.¡±

    ¡°I want to hear it. I¡¯m new here, and I need to know, need help with navigating this world. We have people like you - sort of like you - in my world. They¡¯re called nuns, and you expect a nun to give you the hard truth. They¡¯re kind of known for that, actually.¡± As far as Isa knew, anyway - based off years of nuns in movies and TV.

    ¡°None. Funny name. Seems a little harsh, a little withholding.¡± Ramona frowned. ¡°But what I was going to say is that, a blade like that, people might think you¡¯re for hire. A mercenary. That, or worse.¡±

    ¡°I disagree.¡± Golure spoke for the first time, and his voice was deep and slow. ¡°The blade is not the wearer.¡± He glanced at the night sky. ¡°It is a tool to be used as required.¡± He focused on Ramona. ¡°You are done?¡±

    ¡°Yep.¡± She clapped her hands together. ¡°These two healed up. Had to use a double on this one.¡± She gestured at Isa. ¡°So I¡¯m probably good for another call and that¡¯s all.¡±

    ¡°Hmm, and the night is still an infant.¡±

    ¡°The night is young, that¡¯s the saying, and you know it.¡± Ramona glanced at Joth. ¡°He¡¯s playing like he doesn¡¯t speak Common as good as me.¡±

    ¡°Thank you so much,¡± Isa said. ¡°I don¡¯t know--¡±This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    ¡°Happy to help. Right, Golure?¡±

    The elf didn¡¯t answer. He was examining a tall tree by the road.

    Ramona went on. ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure helping folks. Golure thinks so, too. Just not much of a talker. Now, you two stay out of trouble.¡± She gave them a grin and then joined Golure at the tree.

    The elf had one hand flat on the tree trunk, and the other hand moved gracefully in the air. To Isa it looked as if Golure was talking to the tree and the hand gestures were simply part of the conversation, like when you give directions to someone and you want to illustrate that you go straight (chopping motion) down the road and then take a left (hand flap to the left).

    Golure stopped talking, paused and then took a step back from the tree with his hand still palm-out as if still touching the tree. Ramona gave Isa and Joth one more wave and a grin and then stepped between Golure and the tree and disappeared. The elf nodded gravely at them, and then pivoted toward the tree. He also disappeared from view.

    ¡°OK,¡± Isa said. ¡°Obviously magic, but what the hell was that?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not a walking magic encyclopedia, you know.¡±

    ¡°Sorry,¡± Isa said, and she meant it. She¡¯d learned more about Joth in the last few hours than she¡¯d expected to, and it gave her a different window on his life.

    ¡°It¡¯s OK. Druids - I don¡¯t know much about them. No one does. Fedru¡¯s told me a little. He grew up in the tradition, left as a young man.¡± He shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s not for everyone.¡±

    ¡°I guess it makes sense that you can change your mind about what you do. People do it all the time - in our world, I mean. So Mery can grow up a bard - or thinking she¡¯s gonna be a bard, but then as an adult she¡¯s like, No, I want this other thing.¡±

    ¡°Yes, and no.¡± Joth dusted off his hands and cast dancing lights again. ¡°Take Fedru. He didn¡¯t want to be a druid; he wanted to be a wizard, but he¡¯ll never be able to cast the highest wizard spells because he¡¯s got some levels of druid.¡±

    ¡°So changing your mind is a bad thing.¡±

    ¡°Again, yes and no. Some people don¡¯t care. They like the variety, or they want to bonuses that two classes can give. Like Mery - bard and rogue go really well together. Sure she¡¯ll never be a world class bard, or rogue I guess, but she¡¯ll be this versitile fighter, spellcaster, charmer.¡±

    ¡°Do you want to - or maybe you already have?¡± Isa felt suddenly like she was prying.

    ¡°I have focused on wizard-only so that I can get the class 9 spells.¡± He shook his head. ¡°Slow going, gaining levels, but I figure either I get to go home under my own spell power, or if I¡¯m stuck here, I¡¯m going to be a powerful wizard.¡±

    ¡°And the Ready Wizard gig?¡±

    ¡°That helps. Not always, but sometimes I get experience from it. I think it depends on the situation, the danger, the difficulty. It¡¯s hard to gauge.¡±

    ¡°You need to get out more.¡± Isa couldn¡¯t help but grin.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Joth held out his arms, ¡°because we need more forest fires.¡±

    ¡°Our luck¡¯s changing,¡± said Isa. ¡°I can feel it.¡±

    Spoiler: Isa''s Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter  Level: 4

    Alignment: Chaotic Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 26    AC: 15

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 26

    Combat: +5 to Hit

    Weapons: Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +3  / Quarterstaff (right  hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    16

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    5

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Fifty: Random Encounter

    Thirty minutes later Isa regretted those breezy words as they traipsed through the dense undergrowth. She could not find the cottage. She¡¯d been so sure, so sure that she¡¯d find it again, but in the dark - that was the reason, Isa was sure of it - in the dark, the trails all looked the same.

    Joth was silent. His opinion on the situation was, officially, unknown, but Isa could imagine what he was thinking. It¡¯s what she would be thinking if the reverse were true. The verbal abuse she¡¯d be heaping on him by now¡­. it would have been epic.

    As she was about to apologize again, she saw a glint of light in the distance. Might be a fire, but it might be the reflection of window panes catching the distant dancing lights.

    ¡°Joth! There, I think that¡¯s the cottage.¡± Isa hoped it was the cottage, but if it was the campfire of some fellow travelers, well that wasn¡¯t so bad either.

    ¡°Hooray.¡±

    Before Isa could take more and a few steps toward the light, someone stepped in front of them about 15 feet down the path. ¡°Halt,¡± the voice said in accented Common. ¡°One chance to leave the forest you have injured. One chance.¡± The figure held up 1 finger.

    ¡°That was an accident,¡± Isa replied. ¡°You see these gnolls--¡±

    Another figure stepped up beside the first. ¡°So must it be. Life for life.¡±

    ¡°The gnolls,¡± said Isa, ¡°attacked us.¡±

    ¡°Not the gnolls, Isa,¡± Joth said quietly. ¡°The trees. They¡¯re druids.¡±

    To reinforce Joth¡¯s words, the first druid waved something in the air, and the club in his hand began to glow with green and golden light.

    ¡°Crap.¡± Isa shrugged off her pack so that she could reach her rapier. That stupid scimitar would have to go. Sell it to Gimble or something. To the druids she yelled, ¡°It was an accident! We didn¡¯t mean to set the forest on fire. The people put it out anyway.¡±

    While she was fumbling, Joth cast a spell but nothing happened. Meanwhile the first druid ran up to Isa and swung at her with his glowing club. He hit her head hard enough to make Isa bite her tongue. And before she could recover, the second druid swung his quarterstaff at her middle. The blow knocked the wind from her, and for a long, frightening moment Isa couldn¡¯t breath. Then all at once air rushed into her lungs as blood poured down her face. Not a good sign. She¡¯d been in enough fights now to know that.

    She¡¯d see if she could hit the guy who¡¯d thwapped her so hard with the quarterstaff and then decide if she need to use 2nd wind. She whipped her rapier at his throat and caught the side of his face. The blow connected, but it wasn¡¯t enough to do serious damage.

    Before Isa could decide to do anything else, Joth put something in his mouth, chewed, and blew breath at her. As he did, he forced the word haste out. The smell of licorice wafted to Isa, and she felt suddenly faster, more nimble, and dexterous.

    The druid with the glowing club swung at Isa again, trying for a killing blow, but in the glare of Joth¡¯s dancing lights, the club seemed to turn red for a moment, and the druid cried out, dropped the club and ran away. Isa was too surprised to strike out at him.

    The second druid, the one that Isa had traded blows with, he did not flee. His companion¡¯s sudden departure seemed to have shocked him, but he held his ground.

    Isa swung her rapier twice; her muscles working overtime thanks to Joth¡¯s spell. Her second swing connected, and Isa was thankful to see blood seeping from the wound she¡¯d just made on his arm. The druid was now as bloody as she was, and he was now outnumbered, but it foolish to think they had won, so she whispered softly - hopefully softly enough to escape the druid¡¯s notice - ¡°Second wind.¡± This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    Joth tried again to cast a ranged spell and failed. But the druid failed too, and in that missed swing of his quarterstaff, Isa saw an opening. She lunged forward and rammed her rapier into his side. The man grunted, shuddered, and fell.

    It was all over in less than a minute, from challenge to killing blow. Joth refreshed his dancing lights and looked at Isa. ¡°You OK? I was worried about you.¡±

    ¡°What was that licorice thing you did?¡±

    ¡°Oh that? That was a spell called haste. I forget about it, but it¡¯s handy. Makes you harder to hit, makes you faster too, so sometimes you should be able to attack twice.¡±

    ¡°I was; I did.¡± She bent down to examine the fallen druid. ¡°This is a nice staff.¡± She looked closely at the fine carvings and the silver-tipped ends. ¡°It could use this. Which means I can give Lund his staff back.¡±

    ¡°Does he have a pouch or papers?¡± Joth looked around. ¡°Who are these guys and why are they all the way out here?¡±

    ¡°Not much here,¡± Isa said. ¡°Except this.¡± She held up a golden yellow gem. ¡°Only fair you get this since you like gems so much.¡±

    ¡°I do?¡± Joth seemed genuinely perplexed.

    As they continued on the trail, Joth spared a glance at Isa. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re OK? I mean, that was a hell of a blow there at the beginning. That staff¡­.. It¡¯s pretty rad.¡±

    Isa snorted. ¡°Yeah, it is.¡± She lifted it for a moment as the silver shone in the lights. ¡°Let¡¯s hope we don¡¯t need it tonight.¡±

    Spoiler: Isa''s Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter Level: 4

    Alignment: Chaotic Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 26 AC: 15

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 16

    Combat: +5 to Hit

    Weapons: Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +3 / Quarterstaff (right hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    16

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    5

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    (USED) Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Interlude 5: Behind the Combat

    The Druid Encounter (Chapter 50)

    Isa

    Joth

    Druid 1 Shillelagh +6 1d8+2

    Druid 2 Quarterstaff +2 1d6

    Note: Joth has used 3x magic missile (lvl 1) and 1x fireball (lvl 3) from the gnoll fight.

    Initiative Rolls:

    I 19

    J 13

    D 8

    Isa AC 15

    Joth (mage armor) AC 14

    Druid AC 11 (with 27hp )

    Round 1

    I rolls 3

    J rolls 3 (weird!)

    Druid 1 16 - 6 dm to Isa

    Druid 2 20 - 14 dm to Isa (bloodied - down to 7hp)

    Round 2

    I 15 - 8 dm to D2

    Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.J casts Haste on Isa - Isa +2 to AC, addt attack

    D1 1 crit fail table result: 30 = Panic attack. You must make a successful DC 10 WIS Save (rolled a 4 +2) or become frightened for the remainder of the encounter. Frightened Condition: A frightened creature flees from the source of its fear as best it can. If unable to flee, it may fight. A frightened creature takes a ¨C2 penalty on all attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. A frightened creature can use special abilities, including spells, to flee; indeed, the creature must use such means if they are the only way to escape.

    D2 3

    Round 3

    I 18 - 11dm to D2 (bloodied at 19 out of 27hp) Isa does her 2nd wind +9hp to 16hp total

    J 8

    D2 12 (against Isa''s 15 AC)

    Round 4

    I 19 9dm to D2 - he''s dead.

    Note: Joth took no damage

    600xp -lvl 4 encounter

    SRD treasure calculator - rolled 75 for 1d6 x100gp - rolled a 5.

    Instead of 1 druid having 500gp, using treasure tables...

    rolled for a +1 quarterstaff and a piece of amber worth 100gp

 Chapter Fifty One: The Cottage

    Only 20 minutes later, after one circle back, and one wrong turn, they found the cottage. It was late, possibly after midnight, and Isa¡¯s eyes felt dry as dust. Joth seemed more rested, but then, he¡¯d been in pajamas when she¡¯d arrived at his house. Nice hours, if you could get them, huh? As they approached the cottage Isa whispered, ¡°Remind me to ask you about gigs for fighters.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± he whispered back, but Isa moved past him without clarifying.

    The cottage looked much as it had the other day. It might have sat there undisturbed for a century for all she could tell. She started forward, but Joth grabbed her arm. He pointed down and said, ¡°Tracks. Might be yours, but maybe not.¡± He waved a finger at the ground. ¡°Awful lot of tracks for one person.¡±

    They approached with stealth, and to Isa¡¯s ears at least, the two of them moved in complete silence. At the doorway of the cottage, Isa paused to listen. Nothing but silence from within. If someone, or more than one, was inside, they were like shadows.

    She started to move, and Joth pointed at himself and stepped gingerly into the cottage. He paused and then suddenly the cottage lit up with magic dancing lights. ¡°It¡¯s OK,¡± Joth whispered. ¡°It¡¯s empty.¡±

    ¡°Why did you want to go first? I¡¯ve got better skills.¡±

    ¡°Yes, but you took a couple of big blows with those damned druids. And if you get hurt, I can stabilize you, but I¡¯m no healer.¡±

    ¡°I did second wind. I feel pretty good.¡± She glanced around the room. With Joth¡¯s 4 lights illuminating, Isa could see much more detail than before. And now, knowing - still hoping, really, or wishing that this is indeed Gerry Tinero¡¯s cottage, Isa saw the room with fresh eyes.

    The rotting bedclothes, Gerry slept there when he got too exhausted from the magic. The splintered remains of the chair, did he sit and warm his hands at the fire and make notes in his spellbooks?

    And the mantlepiece carving, did Gerry look up at it lost in thought sometimes, looking for the right word or phrase?

    Isa became aware that Joth was speaking and moving his hands in the air. He turned slowly as he chanted. Obviously he was making a magic spell, but what kind of spell was it, exactly?

    After a moment he stopped and said, ¡°Someone used magic here recently, or maybe there was a magic item here recently.¡± He stood silent for a few seconds¡¯ more. ¡°It¡¯s that staff. And the scimitar.¡±

    ¡°Really? These are magical? I mean Mery said she thought the scimitar was well-made but magical? How cool is that? Makes me kinda sad to be going home.¡± Isa looked at the staff. ¡°This is really amazing, don¡¯t you think? Magic weapons. Do you think this, like, shoots fireballs or something?¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s not get ahead of ourselves. Could you - could you take those outside? Away from the house. At least 30 feet, maybe 50 to be safe. That way I can see if anything else shows up.¡±

    Isa walked outside and stood looking up at the stars through the trees. Once more she was struck by the beauty of this place. For all the unknowns, Varana was a simpler place than Portland. Violent, frightening, confounding at times but simpler. And, if Isa was being honest, there was something very satisfying about carrying a weapon and using it against bad guys. When they¡¯d been mugged in that alley in Hanchen, the old Isa would have handed over her bag without a peep, apologized because there wasn¡¯t more money, and then later, when she was alone, she would have bawled her eyes out.

    But here, here in this place, she had a magical sword and a magical staff! OK, she didn¡¯t really like the sword, and maybe she could sell it to Gimble, but she¡¯d had quite a few fights in this last week, and she¡¯d done pretty well. Yeah, she¡¯d been hurt a few times, and a few times, it had been on the edge of scary how much of her blood had been on the outside of her body, but all in all, she¡¯d held her own. More than held her own.

    She touched her notebook through the fabric of her small bag. And there were kids here to help. She still had that quest to help Mery rescue kids from that Thorn person. Not even a toss up between cleaning kids¡¯ teeth or rescuing them from kidnapping. And that was the good thing about a scroll, right? Joth could read it out any old time, and they¡¯d be home.

    In the dim light she saw Joth wave her back inside. She¡¯d talk with him about delaying returning to their world. Hopefully she could convince him to hold off at least a few days. They could go back to Bywater tonight. She¡¯d catch a few hours sleep and then to Deney to meet with Mery.

    ¡°So I was just thinking about--¡±

    Joth cut her off. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he shook his head, ¡°there¡¯s nothing here.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean? You said there was magic.¡±

    ¡°There is - it¡¯s divination, though.¡±

    ¡°What does that mean? What the fuck does that mean?¡± Isa glanced around the room, and her eyes fell on the fireplace. In place of the lions carving, Isa saw a small dark rectangle. She strode over to the mantle. ¡°A hidden drawer? But¡­.¡±

    ¡°The magic was strong right there,¡± Joth said quietly. ¡°I found a small switch. Out popped this drawer.¡±You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

    ¡°But--¡±

    ¡°Empty.¡± Joth tilted the drawer for Isa to inspect. ¡°You can see where something sat here for - well, who knows how long.¡± His finger outlined a skinny spot in the drawer with less dust. ¡°But someone got here before us.¡± He set the drawer down and shrugged.

    ¡°How much before?¡± Isa touched her rapier. ¡°Let¡¯s find them.¡±

    ¡°Hold up! It¡¯s dark; you¡¯re injured; I¡¯ve used most of my spells for the day, and we have no idea where they¡¯ve gone.¡± His face twisted a little in the dim light. ¡°Maybe they even used the scroll. We have to accept that that¡¯s a real possibility. Right? It¡¯s a gate spell.¡±

    ¡°Who would do that? That¡¯s stupid. No one would know to look here.¡±

    Joth was silent for a moment, and finally he said, ¡°We knew. You knew.¡± He shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s not stupid. It¡¯s logical. It¡¯s a logical hypothesis.¡±

    ¡°Well I don¡¯t see any paper laying around so it¡¯s not logical to think they used it.¡± Isa resisted the urge to stick out her tongue.

    ¡°The scroll would be consumed during the process.¡±

    Joth¡¯s calm, matter of fact voice made Isa¡¯s temper flare. ¡°Excuse me for not knowing ALL about magic!¡± She wanted to bring her staff down on the splintered wood that had been a chair. Where was that pail? Maybe she could whack that nice and hard to left off some of this anger.

    When she spied the pail, Isa¡¯s eyes grew big. It was stuck in the soft wood wall opposite Isa. She stepped closer and saw that it had a large dent in the middle, as if someone had done just what Isa had planned to do. Why would someone who was - presumably - successful in getting the scroll slam the pail hard enough to embed it in the rotting wood?

    ¡°There are,¡± Joth said, ¡°really two options. Either they used the scroll or will use it, or they plan to sell it.¡±

    ¡°Well we¡¯ll just buy it then. We¡¯ll go see Gimble right now and--¡±

    ¡°Isa, no.¡± Joth folded his arms and shook his head. ¡°A scroll like that, it¡¯s expensive.¡±

    With a deep breath Isa said, ¡°I have to scrape up 5,000 for a diamond, anyway. Diamond or scroll, what¡¯s the difference?¡±

    As the words left her mouth, she wanted to take them back. Joth¡¯s face crumpled with disbelief, and he said, ¡°It¡¯s a level 9 spell!¡±

    With an audible sigh, Isa said, ¡°Imagine that I¡¯ve been here a week, Jeff. Imagine that I know fuck-all about scrolls and spells and druids and-- And all of it! OK? Imagine that and then just tell me what you¡¯re trying to say.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Isa. Really. I¡¯ve forgotten what it¡¯s like to be new here. And I admire you. You jumped in with both feet, and--¡± He stopped when Isa held up her hand.

    ¡°Apology accepted. And I¡¯m sorry I called you Jeff. I just, I hate this limbo. I hate not knowing. You know?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± he said. ¡°I do know. This world is maybe more complex than our own. There aren¡¯t as many rules. No - that¡¯s not right. There are rules, just not laws. Or damned few anyway. But one thing that¡¯s true - magic is expensive. It takes mental effort, of course, but something like the scroll you¡¯re looking for, it¡¯s worth easily 200,000 gold.¡±

    Isa gasped. ¡°Two hundred thousand. That¡¯s what you said. Not two thousand? Not ten thousand?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s one of the highest level spells you can cast.¡± He spread his arms. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. We could sooner catch the moon as pick up a copy of this scroll at Gimble¡¯s.¡± He paused. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I hear myself, and I sound like an ass.¡±

    A dozen responses sprang to Isa¡¯s mind, but what she did was smile, laugh, and say, ¡°But are you a rich ass? I find myself in need of about 5,000 gold pieces.¡±

    Spoiler:Isa''s Character Sheet:<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name:Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class:FighterLevel:4

    Alignment: Chaotic Good

    Background:Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points:26AC:15

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 16

    Combat:+5 to Hit

    Weapons:Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +3/Quarterstaff(right hand) 1d6 +2 (bludgeoning)

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    16

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    5

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack:Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    (USED) Second Wind- On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge- On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Fifty Two: Random Loot

    The journey back to Bywater began silent and sullen. Despite Isa¡¯s words to Joth, she was beside herself with disappointment. She had been certain - certain - that they¡¯d find the scroll and be home by now. Sure, maybe she¡¯d be in Vermont or New Hampshire - Joth was from one of them - she just couldn¡¯t remember which. Or of course it was possible they¡¯d be in Portland, and Joth would have to find a way home. Either way, they¡¯d be in modern America.

    And that¡¯s what she wanted, right? The thoughts she¡¯d had waiting for Joth to do his magic detecting, those were just jitters. Pre-trip jitters. She had friends and a place, career plans - she had an acceptance to OHSU, a place ready and waiting for her to learn to be a dentist. Family, routines. She knew what to do in her real life; she knew what foods to eat, places to visit, music, culture¡­.

    She didn¡¯t have any of that here. Her stomach knotted tension and sadness. She missed hanging out with Marissa, laughing, sharing stupid memes, complaining about work. It was a good life. And in that moment Isa resolved to do what she needed to get back to it. Ealda would perform the spell. She said she would, said it without hesitation. That meant that Isa just needed 5,000 gold for the diamond. No, she needed 2,500 because she and Joth could go halfsies.

    Isa glanced at Joth in the dim light of his light spell. She was about to speak when her foot caught on something in the path. Joth caught her arm before she could fall, and he directed all 4 lights to the ground. In the soft yellowy light Isa saw an eye staring up at her. A dead man lay on the ground. She cried out and jumped back.

    ¡°It¡¯s the druid, Isa.¡± Joth began to kneel beside him. ¡°It¡¯s OK.¡±

    A twig snapped, and Isa felt a sharp jab in her side. As she turned toward to see what she¡¯d hit, a voice said, ¡°I am no coward.¡± A glint of metal flashed as Isa instinctively dodged.

    Joth¡¯s lights were suddenly over her head, and she saw the other druid standing before her. He¡¯d left his club when he¡¯d run away earlier, and in its place he held a small dagger. ¡°I¡¯m no coward,¡± he said again.

    ¡°No one said you were,¡± Isa held her staff out sideways, the rapier in her left hand.

    ¡°Eohin¡¯s staff. That¡¯s his, not yours.¡± He lunged toward Isa reaching for the staff.

    She brought the rapier up swiftly and stabbed him in the shoulder. She tried to make another attack, but she went wide with the second blow. From behind her, Isa heard Joth mutter some words and a white bolt flew past her and hit the druid. Ice and blood mixed on his chest.

    The druid took a deep breath, lifted his hands in the air and began to chant.

    Isa felt tiny fingers grasping at her feet and legs. With horror she glanced down to see that the forest floor was alive with plant tendrils, and they were all snaking toward her.

    With a leap, Isa tore free from their grasp. It was all she could do to keep her feet, and the druid, perhaps sensing that he had the advantage even if his spell hadn¡¯t quite worked, slashed at Isa again.

    The tip of the dagger tore at her left arm, and as the blood ran down, she had to wonder if the blade was poisoned. She surely did not want to die in a nameless forest in a strange land, and she knew that this was a dangerous foe who might kill her with one more good blow.

    She brought the staff up and swung down at the druid¡¯s knee. If she could knock him prone¡­. The wood cracked against his knee, and an instant later Joth threw another frost ray at him. The icy bolt hit the man¡¯s midsection and spread out. For a moment the man stood with his mouth open, and then he fell forward at Isa¡¯s feet.

    ¡°My god,¡± Joth said, ¡°are you alright?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m pretty done in.¡± She held up her arm. ¡°How do you know if you¡¯ve been poisoned?¡±

    ¡°Do you feel like puking?¡±

    Isa laughed. ¡°Fighting tends to do that to me.¡±

    ¡°Hmmm, that¡¯s the adrenaline probably. This would be more¡­. Actually, I have no idea. I¡¯ve never been poisoned.¡±

    ¡°So, if I¡¯m not dead soon, I guess that means I¡¯m not poisoned.¡± Isa meant it sarcastically but Joth nodded and said, ¡°That is a healthy way to look at it.¡± He gestured at the two dead druids. ¡°I guess he came back for his friend.¡±

    ¡°I think he was waiting for us. Waiting for a chance to - I don¡¯t know - redeem himself maybe.¡± She looked from one body to the other. ¡°We could sell their stuff right? Gimble, he¡¯d buy their boots and stuff?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯d get a few silver coins for them, probably.¡± Joth brought all 4 lights together and shone them over the dead men. ¡°Why?¡±The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

    ¡°Do you want to get home to New Hampshire? We need cash for a diamond, right?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s Vermont. I¡¯m from Vermont.¡± He didn¡¯t answer Isa¡¯s question but he knelt and began to pull the boots from the first druid.

    All told, the men had a few valuable things on them plus the basics. They each had a backpack and blanket. Each of them wore a sprig of mistletoe on a silver chain.

    The one that had surprise-attacked them was dressed in traveling clothes, and as the ice melted Isa pulled the jacket off him. He had a small box in the inside packet. Isa flipped up the lid and saw bunches of herbs inside. Tea maybe or herbs for cooking or healing? The box seemed nicely made. If nothing else, Gimble would give her a few coins for the box.

    ¡°This one has a nice coil of rope,¡± said Joth. ¡°I can¡¯t believe I didn¡¯t see this earlier.¡± He tied the coil to his pack. ¡°Elven quality,¡± he said. ¡°Worth 8 or 10 gold, easily.¡±

    ¡°This feels a little creepy to me, so I¡¯m glad that we might get a some actual gold out of it.¡± Isa sat back on her heels. The dead man lay sprawled on the ground, his eyes open to the sky. With a sigh she reached for his coin pouch. ¡°I¡¯m a little worried about how commonplace this is starting to feel.¡±

    She¡¯d barely muttered the words aloud, but Joth said, ¡°I used to make note of their names, the people I killed. Not that there have ever been that many. I¡¯m no great adventurer - you know that. But it¡¯s happened dozens of times over the last decade, right? When it¡¯s been kill or be killed. That¡¯s supposed to make it better.¡±

    Joth stood up holding a small pouch. ¡°Something else we missed the first time. This is saffron. I don¡¯t know maybe 5 gold worth here.¡±

    Isa ignored him. She had a tied scroll in her hand. ¡°Son of a bitch. Joth, look.¡± With shaking hands she untied the ribbon and unrolled the scroll. ¡°I can¡¯t read this. What¡¯s it say? Is this the scroll?¡±

    Joth reached for it and glanced at the writing. ¡°No, I¡¯m sorry. It¡¯s a scroll of see invisibility.¡± He spent a moment reading it, rolled it up, and tied the ribbon around the scroll once more. ¡°Very handy and probably worth a cool 150 gold.¡±

    Isa held up a small vial. ¡°Healing potion?¡±

    Joth nodded.

    ¡°This guy was ready for action, huh?¡±

    ¡°Not sure how long these guys expected to be on patrol. It makes sense that they¡¯d have a few trinkets at hand.¡±

    Isa stood up and dusted her hands. ¡°What do you think? What¡¯s the tally?¡±

    ¡°Hard to say. Maybe 250 gold.¡± Joth waved his hand over the two bodies. ¡°That¡¯s for everything. Not saying we¡¯ll find buyers for it all. Really just Gimble and Anne to buy and sell with in Bywater.¡±

    ¡°I need to get to Deney anyway. Promised Mery. So let¡¯s go to Bywater now, get some sleep, lord knows I need it, and then what we don¡¯t sell here, I¡¯ll take with me.¡±

    ¡°Mery¡¯s in Deney?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± said Isa. ¡°She¡¯s got a new lead on Thorn.¡±

    ¡°Ah, that¡¯s good news, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡± Isa finished packing what she could into her bags and bundled the rest in her arms for the journey back to Bywater. ¡°I¡¯d like to help her get this Thorn business settled before we leave.¡±

    Spoiler: Isa''s Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter Level: 4

    Alignment: Chaotic Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 26 AC: 15

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 11

    Combat: +5 to Hit

    Weapons: Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +3 / Quarterstaff +1 (right hand) 1d6 +3 (bludgeoning)

    (1) Potion of Healing

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    16

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    5

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    (USED) Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    (USED) Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Fifty Three: Sword for Hire

    They parted ways at Lund¡¯s. It was late, and Isa didn¡¯t want to try to find her way to Zileek¡¯s in the dark. And even then, he might not have the room ready. Hopefully Lund would have room for the night. She could use his advice on earning gold with her sword, and frankly, after the night she¡¯d had, she could use a few pints of Lund¡¯s brew.

    The bar was quiet. Isa had no idea what time it was or even what day it was. That was actually kind of nice compared to Portland, where it sometimes felt like every second was allocated.

    ¡°Isa!¡± Lund called to her from behind the bar. ¡°Where have you been hiding yourself?¡±

    She sat at the bar and piled the clothes bundle on the stool beside her. ¡°Everywhere and nowhere,¡± she laughed. ¡°Let me buy you a beer and I¡¯ll tell you all about it.¡±

    Later as Isa finished a second pint and her story, she sighed and said, ¡°So I need cash - coin, I mean.¡±

    Lund nodded. ¡°You want to be a sword for hire. I get that.¡± He wiped up a circle of spilled beer. ¡°Dangerous but lucrative. How I got this place.¡±

    ¡°Yeah?¡± Isa tilted her glass to get the last of the beer.

    ¡°Yeah, when I left the army I didn¡¯t have much. Hired myself out for a few years, saved my gold.¡± He wiped the bar again. ¡°And here I am.¡±

    ¡°Speaking of that, is 4 gold, 5 silver a good price to pay for a place to stay? With breakfast?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s a good deal, as long as it¡¯s not a skeevy place where you have to sleep with one eye open. Is it?¡± Lund¡¯s face was serious.

    ¡°Skeevy? I dunno. It¡¯s a place Anne took me - the merchant. A dwarf owns it.¡±

    ¡°Ah, Zileek¡¯s? By the river. Nice. If you like old people.¡±

    ¡°Sure. I got nothing against old people.¡± Isa suddenly felt drunk. The beer and fatigue had finally gotten to her. ¡°So it¡¯s a retirement home, like? ¡®Sisted living?¡±

    Lund mouthed the words ¡°sisted living¡± as if trying to parse their meaning.

    ¡°Hey! Does the river have a name?¡± Isa asked him. ¡°This Bywater, sure but what¡¯s the river?¡±

    ¡°Most folks call it the Bye. But it¡¯s real name, the one the elves gave it is Des¡¯eren.¡±

    Isa was very sleepy. She laid her head on her arm. ¡°That¡¯s pretty. What¡¯s it mean?¡±

    ¡°How much health did you say you have?¡± Lund was staring at her.

    ¡°I got like 11 or something.¡± Isa waved her hand. ¡°I¡¯m fine. What¡¯s the mean name? I mean the name. What¡¯s it mean?¡±

    Lund shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s really not important. Let¡¯s get you to bed. You need to rest and heal.¡±

    Isa sat up. ¡°I¡¯m fine. I want ¡®nother beer. And food. You don¡¯t have burgers here, do you? That¡¯s a damned shame.¡±

    ¡°You can teach me how to make that. Tomorrow. Right now we¡¯re going to get you into a bed.¡± Almost to himself he said, ¡°I haven¡¯t seen you this drunk since the first night.¡±

    Instantly she was sober. ¡°I wasn¡¯t drunk then. I had one beer. I was nursing it.¡±Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°Ha! I¡¯d hate to see you really drinking then. You two were pouring ¡®em down.¡±

    ¡°I was alone, Lund.¡± A cold wind seemed to trail down her spine. ¡°Remember? I ordered a hefe, and you gave me a pint of your own.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but later, your friend joined you. He paid for the room.¡±

    ¡°I thought you said Joth paid for the room.¡±

    ¡°No, I said he paid for breakfast for you.¡±

    ¡°Well then who was the guy? The one who paid for the room? He a regular here?¡±

    Lund sighed. ¡°It¡¯s not my place to know all about your friends.¡±

    ¡°You know I¡¯m here against my wishes. Whoever that guy was, he¡¯s probably the one that brought me here. Anything you can remember would be huge.¡± Isa looked hard at him. ¡°Anything.¡±

    ¡°He was a guy. Average looking. Average clothes.¡± He shooed her toward the stairs. ¡°You got all your stuff?¡±

    Isa pulled back and studied Lund. What did she really know about the half-orc? Maybe he¡¯d had a hand in her arrival here. But no, he¡¯d been nothing but a friend to her from the first. He seemed as perplexed by her presence as she was.

    ¡°Am I the first outlander to show up at your bar?¡±

    ¡°Of course not. I see strangers all the time.¡±

    ¡°I mean brand new strangers. Ones like me who are reeling from finding themselves far, far from home.¡±

    He furrowed his brow. ¡°I dunno, maybe. Maybe 1 or 2. How do you know? Varana is a strange place.¡± He walked up the stairs, and Isa followed.

    She wasn¡¯t getting anything else from him tonight. ¡°It is. And you¡¯re a good friend, Lund. Thank you.¡±

    He opened a door at the end of the hall. ¡°You¡¯re welcome. Now get some sleep. You¡¯re a mess.¡±

    Spoiler: Isa''s Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name:Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class:FighterLevel:4

    Alignment: Chaotic Good

    Background:Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points:26AC:15

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 11

    Combat:+5 to Hit

    Weapons:Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +3/Quarterstaff+1 (right hand) 1d6 +3 (bludgeoning)

    (1) Potion of Healing

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    16

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    5

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack:Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    (USED) Second Wind- On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    (USED)Action Surge- On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Fifty Four: Go by Tree

    Isa woke the next day feeling hungover. She hadn¡¯t had that much to drink - had she? The night was a bit of a blur after the first pint. She remembered talking about Zileek and about loot. Loot!

    She shot up and looked beside the bed. Her bags and the bundle were there. Of course they would be. Lund wouldn¡¯t take them, and the bar had been quiet last night, which was good. Isa wouldn¡¯t have had the wherewithal to handle a pickpocket.

    With a sigh she settled back into bed, but when she closed her eyes, she saw the dead druid¡¯s eyes staring into the sky. She¡¯d killed him. Well, maybe Joth made the killing blow, but she¡¯d done her part to take his life.

    Take his life. Like that was an object she could take, like an apple, or a glass, or a coin. She¡¯d taken his life and then his possessions. In the real world that would make her a sociopath. Here, here she was just being a smart adventurer. And, to be fair, he was trying to take her life, too. He¡¯d even said as much.

    He probably hadn¡¯t been a bad guy, not really. At the thought, she shook her head. Aloud she said, ¡°You don¡¯t know anything about him.¡± Trying to make him out to be a bad guy, just so that she could ease her conscience. ¡­. That felt like a sociopathic move.

    Isa rubbed her face and climbed out of bed. She looked in the small mirror at the dresser. When had she last really bathed? With the cold water in the ewer and a wash cloth, she did her best to freshen up. In the mirror she glanced at the bundle of clothes. The two men didn¡¯t need those things anymore. They were going to a good cause - getting this setter of forest fires (well, accomplice anyway) out of Varana.

    To that end, she decided to grab a quick bite, go to Gimble¡¯s to sell what she could and then she¡¯d hoof it to Deney. Where had Mery said they¡¯d be? Isa fetched her bag and pulled out her notebook. She hadn¡¯t written down the name - did she dare hope that it was part of her quest log now?

    This was a handy little device, the notebook. Imagine having that in everyday life? Not for little things like flossing or taking out the garbage but for big things like finishing grad school, or buying a house. Those things were their own rewards, Isa knew, but at the same time, having a reward - a real reward - for completing them would be great.

    Sure enough, under the Children of Thorn quest, there was the name: Cooper¡¯s Rooms. Meet Mery Braydon at Cooper¡¯s Rooms in Deney and help her defeat Thorn.

    If she¡¯d been paying attention, Isa would have noticed another change in her quest log, this one under the Always Coming Home quest, but she shut the notebook without a second glance and got dressed.

    As she pulled on her pants, Isa vowed to take a long hot bath at the first opportunity. She would definitely look for a bathhouse in Deney. Maybe she¡¯d do that before she got to Cooper¡¯s, before she saw Mery again.

    She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Not that she thought that anything sexy would happen with Mery. That was the furthest - well, not the furthest - thing from her mind. She ran her fingers through her dirty hair. A girl wants to look nice; nothing strange about that.

    When she got downstairs, she was surprised to see Joth sitting in a booth. When he spied her, he waved her over. ¡°I ordered some breakfast. We should eat before we hit the road.¡±

    The bartender named Tris put several plates on the table. Pancakes, sausage, bowls of oatmeal, and what looked like a fruit salad of chopped apples, raisins, and nuts.

    ¡°Sorry about the other night, Tris.¡± Isa mumbled. She was embarrassed to see the woman this morning, knowing that the last time they¡¯d spoken, Isa had started a small riot.

    ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. We were overdue for a good fight, and you left a good tip, so it¡¯s all to the good.¡±

    ¡°You were in a fight? Here?¡± Joth forked a few pancakes and 3 sausages.

    ¡°A guy tried to pickpocket her,¡± said Tris. ¡°He regretted it, I¡¯m sure.¡±

    ¡°He did pickpocket me, but yeah, I bet he did regret it later.¡± Isa took one of the bowls of oatmeal and ladled the fruit salad on a small plate.

    ¡°Somethings are simpler here,¡± said Joth. ¡°Back home, you¡¯d have filled out a police report, even though you knew you¡¯d never get your stuff back. But here, someone tries to rob you, you take matters into your own hands.¡± He held up his hands. ¡°Literally.¡±Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    ¡°Thanks for breakfast, but I have to get to Deney. I told you that.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Joth cut into the stack of pancakes. ¡°I¡¯m going with you.¡±

    ¡°Why? Do you have the quest?¡±

    Joth paused with the fork mid-way to his mouth. ¡°Quest? What quest? What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°The Children of Thorn quest.¡± Isa touched her bag. ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m going to Deney. I told you.¡± Her eyes narrowed. ¡°Are you alright, Joth? Did something happen? Have you seen your friend Fedru?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve got him all wrong. He¡¯s been helping me. Giving me jobs, helping me level.¡± Joth put down his fork. ¡°He wants me to get home.¡±

    Isa shrugged and focused on shoveling oatmeal into her mouth. She couldn¡¯t waste time chatting with the wizard. Joth could come with her or not - his choice. She couldn¡¯t very well keep him from walking down the same road, could she?

    After a few minutes of silence Joth said, ¡°You were hungry, huh?¡± He pushed his empty plate away. ¡°If you¡¯re ready I know a--¡±

    ¡°Joth, I¡¯m sorry. I can¡¯t stay and chat. I want to run by Gimble¡¯s.¡± She put the bundle on the table. ¡°See what he¡¯ll buy, and then I need to be on the road to Deney. It¡¯s a full day¡¯s journey there.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what I was about to say. I know a druid, owes me a favor. We can go by tree.¡±

    Isa blinked. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I thought you said ¡®Go by tree.¡¯¡±

    ¡°I did!¡± Joth laughed. ¡°It¡¯s a druid spell.¡± He held up his hand. ¡°I know, druids. But buddy of mine, he¡¯s also a Ready, and he owes me. I already asked him about casting transport via plant for us. We can step into a shrubbery here and step out in Deney.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t-- Shrubbery? Is this a joke?¡±

    ¡°It sounds like a joke. And it can be any plant, really. But you have to step into the plant, and it¡¯s easy - well, relatively easy - to step into a bush or a shrub. Maybe a large fern or honeysuckle vines¡­. But a tree? You can¡¯t step into a tree very easily, so it¡¯s kind of ironic, if you think-- Never mind. Melestra is ready out back. Are you ready?¡±

    Isa put her hands flat on the table. This was all so quick. ¡°I need to sell stuff. And pay for breakfast and-- Oh crap.¡± She sat back down. ¡°I forgot about Zileek. He did have a room for me last night, I bet. I need to run there and let him know it¡¯s gonna be a few days.¡±

    Joth held out his hand. Somehow he¡¯d left the booth and was standing ready to help her out. ¡°Easily handled; I can message him. Breakfast is paid for. There are dozens of merchants in Deney; you can sell your stuff there.¡± He smiled. ¡°Off we go!¡±

    Spoiler: Isa''s Character Sheet <input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter Level: 4

    Alignment: Chaotic Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 26 AC: 15

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 26

    Combat: +5 to Hit / +6 on the Quarterstaff

    Weapons: Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +3 / Quarterstaff +1 (right hand) 1d6 +3 (bludgeoning)

    <ul>

    <li>Potion of Healing</li>

    </ul>

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    16

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    5

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Fifty Five: The Loot Economy

    Deney is a large city. It seemed to Isa to be about twice the size of Hanchen. Even the streets on the edge of town were paved with cobblestones. Isa had stepped into the bush in Bywater and stepped out in a small park beside a fancy, 3 story house. The sign on the lawn said, ¡°Thakeley¡¯s & Sons.¡±

    ¡°What is that?¡± Isa asked Joth. ¡°A law firm or something?¡±

    ¡°Funeral home.¡± Joth took her arm and turned her around. ¡°It¡¯s the only one in town, so they do a good business.¡± He smoothed down his robe and then looked at Isa. He tugged at her jacket. ¡°Deney is known for its traders and its guilds. They expect people to be quick and professional. No bullshit, alright?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not the one who¡¯s always haggling and trying to angle a better deal. That¡¯s you, mister.¡±

    ¡°Yeah well, not in Deney.¡± He pulled at his sleeves. ¡°There¡¯s a moneylender I know, she¡¯s usually ready to buy whatever you¡¯re selling. But she¡¯s a little¡­. She¡¯s a little like Rainman, OK? So let me do the talking.¡±

    ¡°Oh, she¡¯s on the spectrum? Like Asperger¡¯s syndrome? They have that here?¡±

    ¡°I mean she¡¯s an idiot savant, like Dustin Hoffman, in the movie.¡±

    ¡°Oo, yeah, no.¡± Isa shook her head. ¡°No one says that anymore. You have been gone a long time. It¡¯s like¡­. People who act differently or think differently, well that¡¯s OK. It¡¯s no big deal. You just adjust a little, right? So this moneylender -- what¡¯s her name?¡±

    ¡°Abboth.¡±

    ¡°Right, Abboth. Let¡¯s go see her. I am tired of carrying around this damned scimitar.¡±

    Joth lead her down several wide streets. They seemed to be in a residental area. ¡°You know your way around, huh?¡±

    Joth shrugged. ¡°There¡¯s a great library here, so I get up this way when I can.¡±

    ¡°Libraries and guilds. Got it.¡± Isa pointed at a tall, run down house. ¡°What¡¯s that? It¡¯s the poorest place we¡¯ve seen so far.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s an orphanage. There are 2 of them in town. Or were, last time I was here.¡±

    ¡°Is that a lot? That seems like a lot.¡±

    ¡°I have no idea,¡± Joth replied. ¡°But Deney¡¯s a big place. Lots of trade. They have a huge book fair here every year. Buying, selling. Of all sorts¡­.¡±

    ¡°You mean sex workers. And probably crude contraceptives. So you get unplanned babies.¡± Isa sighed. ¡°Who runs the orphanages?¡±

    ¡°The temples, I assume.¡± He stopped at a row of buildings set back from the road. ¡°Here we are. No eye contact. No sudden moves. Abboth keeps a big knife behind the counter, and--¡± He held out his hands. ¡°Give me all the stuff. Even the scimitar. Just put it on top.¡± Once she¡¯d done that, he said. ¡°Keep both hands on your staff and keep quiet. Do that and you should walk out of here with a ton of gold, alright?¡±

    He let Isa open the door for him since his hands were full. ¡°Windbane, Joth. Wizard,¡± he called out.

    A short dark haired woman stood behind the counter. She wore a white apron over a white shirt. ¡°Joth Windbane,¡± she said. ¡°2nd class wizard, 4th level. 107, 5, 3.¡±

    What was that? Isa wondered. The numbers - did Joth owe her money? Isa expected Joth to correct the woman about his level - he had gained a level recently, but he simply smiled and laid the bundle on the counter, carefully balancing the scimitar in its sheath. ¡°This isn¡¯t mine,¡± he said hurriedly. ¡°It¡¯s hers. I just brought it in.¡± He paused. ¡°I expect to be back here in a few days. To settle up. In full.¡±If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    Abboth didn¡¯t respond. She took the scimitar in hand first, pulling the blade free of the scabbard. The gray metal shone in the dusty light of the shop. ¡°Pretty,¡± she said and set it aside. Next she unfolded the one druid¡¯s traveling clothes, running her hands down the side seams of the jacket, inspecting the buttons. She folded it carefully and moved on, taking each piece in turn and inspecting it with care. Belts, blankets, daggers, and gems all met with her exacting eye.

    Through it all Isa stood silent beside Joth, her hands consciously glued to her staff. She watched Abboth work from the corner of her eye, remembering what Joth had said. But at one point the woman held the black gem to the light, and she and Isa accidently made eye contact. Abboth turned bright red and dropped the gem with a clatter.

    Joth cried out and glanced at Isa, who quickly ducked her head. He retrieved the obsidian and placed it in the center of the counter.

    ¡°984,¡± Abboth said. Isa could see that she looked at the space between the two of them. ¡°Trade? I have an eversmoking bottle. Or 2 black pearls?¡±

    Isa kept quiet, trusting Joth, even though that was hard.

    ¡°Hmmm,¡± he said. ¡°Isa needs some ready cash. How about 150 in coin and the rest in gems.¡±

    ¡°Eversmoking bottle,¡± Abboth said, ¡°never had anyone express regret for buying one.¡±

    Isa could not remain quiet. ¡°What¡¯s it do?¡±

    Abboth looked at the floor. ¡°I attune it to you. Command word, like. And you,¡± she mimed pulling a cork from a bottle, ¡°unstopper it. Makes a helluva smoke. Can¡¯t see, can¡¯t breathe. Can¡¯t stopper it back without the command word.¡±

    ¡°Great fun at parties,¡± said Joth.

    Abboth continued as if he hadn¡¯t spoken. ¡°Hide yourself away, hurt your enemies, confuse the law.¡± She mimed putting the cork back in the bottle. ¡°And it¡¯s eversmoking. The smoke, it¡¯s there when you need it.¡±

    ¡°Very niche market,¡± Joth said pointedly. ¡°We¡¯ll take the coin and gems.¡±

    ¡°Oh sure.¡± Abboth turned away from the counter and crouched down. Seconds later she had a sack and an assortment of gems on the counter. She said, ¡°Amber, amethyst, jade, onyx, turquoise.¡± She flicked one of the turquoise away from the others. ¡°Little flawed so that¡¯s to bring it to 834 in gems.¡±

    Joth swiped the gems into a pouch and handed them to Isa. He picked up the coin bag and hefted it once. ¡°Feels heavy.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not.¡± Abboth began to straighten already straight papers on the counter. ¡°150 gold coins.¡±

    ¡°Of course. I¡¯m not doubting you. Sorry I-- Isa, here you are.¡± He handed her the coin bag. ¡°Thank you, Abboth. Always a pleasure.¡±

    Once they were outside Isa opened the gem pouch. Inside she saw several turquoise stones, 2 stones of the golden brown that indicated amber, a purple, some green, and some black stones. ¡°Don¡¯t lose this pouch, huh?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Most certainly.¡±

    Isa took a deep breath. ¡°That wasn¡¯t so bad. And with the other coins I¡¯ve earned¡­. I¡¯m like a 5th of the way home.¡± She looked sideways at him. ¡°So you owe Abboth some money? Is that what that whole greeting was about? You owe like a hundred some-odd to her? I don¡¯t mean to pry, but I just got a ton of gold, and if you need some¡­.¡± She couldn¡¯t believe she was saying this, but it felt right. He¡¯d done a lot for her in the short time they¡¯d known each other.

    ¡°No, that is all yours, fair and square. Besides, I have a few Deney quests in my quest log.¡± He shrugged. ¡°¡±I should be good.¡±

    Isa put the two pouches into her small bag, the one that held her notebook. ¡°Is there like a bank or something so I don¡¯t have to haul this around all the time?¡±

    ¡°Most taverns and inns have safes. You can store stuff with Lund, or are you going to go stay at Zileek¡¯s? You can keep things with him. Dwarves do not mess around when it comes to guarding valuables.¡±

    She forgot that she¡¯d mentioned the dwarf to Joth. ¡°Yeah, I guess we¡¯ll see how this quest goes, huh?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. So, where is Mery staying?¡± Joth looked both ways before stepping into the street.

    ¡°Cooper¡¯s Rooms. Any idea where that is?¡±

    He started laughing. ¡°She is something else. Honestly? Cooper¡¯s Rooms?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Isa felt a little annoyed. ¡°She said they have good prices and good ale.¡±

    ¡°They do. It¡¯s a guild inn. They cater to coopers. Barrel makers. Is your girlfriend a barrel maker as well as a bard?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s not my girlfriend. Don¡¯t be a jerk. And maybe. I don¡¯t know. How hard is it to make a barrel?¡±

    ¡°It takes years to apprentice. You can become a ¡®friend¡¯ to the guild, but that¡¯s pretty unusual.¡± He headed down the road. ¡°Can¡¯t wait to hear this story.¡±

 Chapter Fifty Six: Cooperâ€™s Rooms

    Once she saw the structure, Isa understood Joth¡¯s reaction. What Mery had blithely called ¡°Cooper¡¯s Room¡± was actually - according to the sign - ¡°The True and Venerable Hall of Coopers, Barrel Makers, and Caskmen.¡±

    The structure itself was one of the largest she¡¯d yet seen in Denney. The main building was 2 stories tall with wings spread out to each side of the building. A small dome sat atop the whole thing. After a moment Isa said, ¡°I¡¯ve seen state capitals that were smaller.¡±

    Joth stood beside her looking up. ¡°Yeah, Vermont¡¯s for one.¡±

    ¡°Do they really make that many barrels here?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, and I¡¯m not sure it¡¯d be wise to ask. Shall we?¡± Joth swept his arm out, and with a laugh Isa walked up the 4 steps to the main entrance.

    Once inside they were greeted by a young woman behind an enormous desk made to look like a barrel. ¡°Hello!¡± she smiled broadly. ¡°Where are you folks from?¡±

    ¡°Ah, from Bywater, I guess.¡± Isa shrugged.

    ¡°Bywater¡­.¡± she began to leaf through a large book that was sitting on the desk. ¡°Bywater, Bywater.¡± After a moment, she stretched her arms across the pages and smiled again. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Are you affiliated with a guild in a larger town?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re here,¡± Joth returned her smile, ¡°to meet a friend -- Mery Braydon.¡±

    ¡°Oh sure. Mery and her brother have been here a few days.¡± She glanced to her left. ¡°They might be in the dining room still. I can send a note in.¡± She grimaced. ¡°I can¡¯t let you past this area unless you are vouchsafed. You understand.¡±

    Isa took the proffered paper and pencil and scrawled a hasty note. A few minutes later a smiling Mery was standing in front of them. ¡°You brought a wizard. That¡¯s grand.¡±

    ¡°Mery, it¡¯s good to see you.¡± Joth nodded his head.

    ¡°He wanted to help,¡± said Isa.

    ¡°A wizard is always welcome. That¡¯s what my Ma always said.¡± With that Mery turned to the woman behind the desk. ¡°Rachel, can you spare 2 rooms for my friends?¡±

    ¡°Let me see,¡± Rachel replied as she ran her finger down a page-long column. She muttered a few names under her breath. ¡°I have one room, toward the back. First floor, 8c.¡±

    Joth and Isa looked at each other. He said, ¡°I could look elsewhere for accommodation. It¡¯s--¡±

    ¡°If Mery wouldn¡¯t mind the company, I--¡± Isa started and then stopped. She almost couldn¡¯t believe how bold she¡¯d just been! ¡°I mean, if there¡¯s a second bed,¡± she finished.

    With a broad grin Mery said, ¡°I don¡¯t mind at all.¡± She turned to Rachel. ¡°Well, that¡¯s settled. Rachel, 8c for our wizard friend here. Joth Windbane, is he. And this is Isa. Isa Chamberlin. They are assisting me for the Master, yeah?¡±

    The woman nodded and jotted down the names in her book.

    ¡°A spot of lunch then, and we can talk? Wat¡¯s in the dining room. He¡¯s picked up his first bard level.¡± Mery smiled. ¡°And the lute, thankfully. His singing is terrible.¡±

    ¡°Wait!¡± Rachel reached over the desk. ¡°Peace bond.¡±

    Joth and Mery both stopped, and Isa said, ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°Your weapons,¡± said Rachel. ¡°You can¡¯t carry your staff around, and you¡¯ll have to peace bond your sword.¡± She pointed at Joth who was already digging into his bag, ¡°And his spellbook.¡±

    ¡°Um, OK.¡± Isa stood still and smiled. ¡°Is it a spell?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a ribbon, love.¡± Mery pointed at the white strips in Rachel¡¯s hand.

    The young woman came around the desk and knelt beside Isa. She wrapped the ribbon around the hilt of Isa¡¯s rapier and through the handguard. Isa stood and watched, not knowing where to put her hands, so she crossed her arms and tried not to look at the woman on her knees.

    A few seconds later Rachel was standing again and facing Joth. He held out his spellbook like an offering, and with a few quick motions Rachel wrapped the white ribbon around it. Joth¡¯s spellbook looked like a giftwrapped present. ¡°There,¡± she said and smiled. ¡°And I¡¯ll hold your staff here until you leave the building.¡±

    Mery nodded, so Isa handed it to Rachel.

    As Mery led them to the dining room she said, ¡°New staff, there? Looks nice. What happened to the scimitar?¡±The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    ¡°I, ah, sold it. It just wasn¡¯t my style.¡±

    ¡°Hope you got a pretty bag of coin for it.¡±

    ¡°I took her to a place I know here in town,¡± said Joth. ¡°We did OK, I think.¡±

    ¡°Hmmm,¡± was all Mery said.

    To fill the silence Isa said, ¡°Wat leveled? That¡¯s great, so he¡¯s ¡­.?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s just a 1st level bard,¡± said Mery. ¡°But he¡¯s got his ranks of rogue, as well. ¡®Ranks of Rogue¡¯ - I rather like that. We had a spot of trouble on the road here, and it¡¯s so easy to level when you¡¯re new. Now the grind begins.¡± She grinned as they approached the table.

    A skinny young man swallowed a bite of food and stood up. Just days ago Isa had been hiding from him, ready to attack him, but here she was about to break bread with him. ¡°Hi Wat, good to see you again. This is my friend Joth. He¡¯s a wizard, and he came along to lend us a hand.¡±

    Joth cleared his throat. ¡°Hello, young man.¡±

    ¡°You still living with that old gent, aren¡¯t ya?¡± Mery said. ¡°You¡¯re turning into him!¡±

    Isa sat down and looked from Joth to Mery. ¡°How do you two know each other again?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a long story,¡± said Joth.

    ¡°Aye, it is,¡± Mery agreed. ¡°Besides, we don¡¯t want to bore the ¡®young man¡¯ now, do we?¡± She gestured at the dishes on the table. ¡°Lotta dwarves in the guild here these days, so they¡¯ve taken to serving dwarf style.¡± She waved her hand over the table. ¡°You share and mostly use bread as your fork.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s good bread,¡± Wat added.

    ¡°I ate this way at Zileek¡¯s in Bywater.¡± Isa pulled the bread toward her. Breakfast had been a long time and many miles ago, even if she hadn¡¯t walked the miles herself. She turned to Joth. ¡°You messaged him, right?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡± It came out almost as a sigh.

    ¡°Look, I told you I needed to stop by and see him, and you said you¡¯d--¡±

    ¡°Hey now,¡± Mery kept her voice low, ¡°we can have our friendly discussions outside. Coopers are a quiet bunch, and they like to eat in peace.¡± She glanced around for emphasis.

    Isa ducked her head and concentrated on lunch. Until she noticed Wat creating small pills of bread and tucking them in his pocket. Mery noticed Isa noticing and gave a small shake of her head.

    A mystery for later? Isa thought to herself.

    When they¡¯d finished eating Mery leaned forward. ¡°Up for a little reconnoitering?¡± She wiggled her eyebrows. ¡°Thanks to my young apprentice, we know where,¡± she lowered her voice to a whisper, ¡°the warehouse is.¡±

    It seemed that no one was going to mention exactly how Wat had come to share the information about the warehouse, but Isa quite remembered the house, the music room, and the magical interrogation.

    She gave a small sigh. Mery had been as gentle as she could be, given the circumstances, and the proof was sitting beside Isa right now, hoarding bits of bread for some reason.

    Joth wiped his mouth and said, ¡°Lead the way.¡±

    Once Isa had retrieved her staff and Joth had returned the ribbons from his spellbook and her rapier, they walked out into the afternoon light of Deney. Isa said, ¡°It¡¯s just ribbon? Nothing else?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Mery answered. ¡°Just ribbon. It¡¯s symbolic like. Any spellcaster could fire off at least a few spells, peace bond or not. And sweet Rachel didn¡¯t check you for daggers in your boots, did she?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t have daggers in my boots,¡± Isa said.

    ¡°Pah, and you call yourself a fighter?¡±

    ¡°Mery,¡± Wat spoke up suddenly. ¡°I¡¯m gonna go do that thing.¡± He hurried away without waiting for an answer.

    ¡°What¡¯s up with him?¡± Isa watched him corner the far corner. ¡°Does he have a girlfriend or something?¡±

    ¡°Or something,¡± said Mery. ¡°Several of them.¡± She laughed. ¡°I¡¯ve got him practicing animal friendship. It¡¯s a 1st level bard spell. Nice and easy. Tame an animal for 24 hours with a bit of food, a wee morsel as my granny used to say.¡± Mery shrugged. ¡°It was the first real magic spell I learned, so I figured, why not?¡±

    ¡°Mine was floating disk,¡± Joth said. ¡°But lots of people do find familiar. Can¡¯t go wrong with animals, right?¡±

    ¡°Aye,¡± said Mery, and she gave Joth a brief smile. ¡°Now, about Thorn and her warehouse¡­.¡± Mery gestured down the road opposite of the way Wat had gone.

    ¡°I could have sworn that Thorn was a man,¡± said Isa. ¡°Someone mentioned that. I just don¡¯t remember who.¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t blame a criminal mastermind for sowing lies,¡± said Mery as she started down the street.

    ¡°But you knew, didn¡¯t you?¡± Joth said to Mery.

    She sighed and turned around. ¡°My business to know things.¡±

    ¡°It true; you weren¡¯t surprised at the house, were you?¡± Isa took a step toward Mery.

    ¡°Rumors, theories, guesses. That¡¯s what you have to go on with a project like this.¡± Mery spread her arms. ¡°It¡¯s called building a case, people. Tisn¡¯t wizardry.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re like a detective?¡± Isa asked. ¡°Like a police detective?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know those words, but detectin¡¯ is part of what I do, yeah.¡±

    ¡°They don¡¯t have police here, Isa.¡± Joth muttered.

    ¡°Let¡¯s push semantics aside.¡± Isa felt herself getting annoyed at both of them. ¡°And get to the heart of my question.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not a secret, Isa!¡± Mery took a step closer to her. ¡°I help people uncover information, find lost things, stop bad things from happening. ¡¯S what I do, lass.¡± She paused and looked into Isa¡¯s eyes. ¡°Alright then? Are ya satisfied? At least for now?¡±

    Isa shrugged. ¡°I just need to know details. If I¡¯m going to be of any help I need to know.¡±

    ¡°Well,¡± Mery rubbed her hands, ¡°let¡¯s start right now. The warehouse.¡± She cocked her head. ¡°It¡¯s--¡±

    ¡°Near the docks.¡± Isa finished. ¡°I remember that from your time with Wat.¡±

    ¡°Yes, and if you¡¯ll step around the corner with me, we can do a little arranging before we head that way. Wizard Windbane, do you use disguise self much? Thinking we should change ourselves up, and for the lady¡­.¡± Mery pulled a small box from her bag. ¡°This is a disguise kit. Ever play dress-up back home? We¡¯re going to make you a little less you. The spell only lasts an hour, so we¡¯ll get you settled first, eh?¡±

 Chapter Fifty Seven: Casing the Warehouse

    Without any mirrors to see for herself, Isa had to take Mery and Joth at their word that she looked like an out of work sailor. Mery had Isa turn her jacket inside out so that the seams showed. She put a long bandana over Isa¡¯s hair and a short one around her neck. A few stray streaks of dirt on her face, a long scar on the back of one hand, and tar on the webbing of both hands finished the look.

    Isa started to touch the scar on her right hand, but Mery clucked at her. ¡°Don¡¯t touch! Not dry yet, and if you touch it before it sets, it will be all mucked up.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a scar,¡± said Joth. ¡°How would anyone know?¡±

    ¡°Hush. I¡¯d know.¡±

    Each of the spellcasters had also gone with a maritime look. Joth decided to stick with wizard but he went old and skinny with a silver sextant tied to his belt. ¡°Navigator for hire,¡± he said.

    Mery made herself look poor, pudgy, and disheveled. Her pants had a tear down one leg, and her jacket - also inside out - was stained under the arms.

    Isa winced and said, ¡°Do I look that bad?¡±

    ¡°Honestly?....¡± Mery looked serious and then laughed. ¡°Can you see the sweat stains?¡± She lifted her arm and pulled the jacket out to get a better view. ¡°You don¡¯t have sweat stains.¡±

    ¡°Gross,¡± said Joth.

    ¡°Wizards.¡± Mery rolled her eyes. ¡°Now then, let¡¯s get moving. The clock is tick-tick-ticking.¡±

    She led them through a maze of streets and alleys. Deney seemed to have been organized with no underlying pattern in mind. Several times streets converged with each other creating little triangles of land. The same road would be paved in one spot, dirt in another, and plank logs in a third.

    But wherever Isa looked she saw activity. The streets and buildings hummed with life. Dwarves, humans, and halflings all working together, talking, hauling, hammering, and sawing.

    ¡°We might get hired off the street,¡± Isa murmured to Mery. ¡°This place is seriously growing.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, between a clan of dwarves settlin¡¯ in and the shipbuilders getting a new source for wood, Deney is the place to be if you¡¯re looking for work. But, you got to register with a guild first. That¡¯ll be the first thing someone asks is where are our papers.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been to Deney more than a few times,¡± said Joth, ¡°but I¡¯m very lost. Are we heading to the docks because I don¡¯t--¡±

    ¡°Oh yeah, you weren¡¯t there,¡± Isa said. ¡°When we met Wat, I mean. Mery cast a spell - what was that?¡±

    ¡°Detect thoughts.¡±

    ¡°Detect thoughts,¡± Isa repeated. ¡°And she got these crazy impressions I guess. It was all kind of surreal.¡±

    Joth nodded. ¡°Wizards have that spell, too.¡±

    ¡°Why do bards and wizards have the same spells?¡± Isa looked from Joth to Mery. ¡°That seems awfully efficient.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re not the same spells,¡± said Joth.

    At almost the same moment Mery said, ¡°Bard and wizards, well that¡¯s like chickens and ducks.¡± She stopped at a corner and turned back toward Isa. ¡°Maybe dogs and cats is a better example.¡±

    ¡°You both have detect thoughts; you both have disguise self.¡±

    ¡°Yeah but you saw how I cast it,¡± Mery said. ¡°It was a song! A poem, a ballad about a down-on-her-luck sailor. A lovelorn lass named Michelle who--¡±

    ¡°And I just chanted some words,¡± Joth added.

    Isa shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s still the same magic.¡±

    ¡°Stand this way, love.¡± Mery held Isa by the upper arms and repositioned her 2 steps to the left. ¡°Now I can see Thorn¡¯s warehouse. And the old man is there! Remember what Wat said?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m talking about magic.¡±

    ¡°And it¡¯s perfect cover.¡± Mery nodded and smiled. ¡°Keep going. It¡¯s very interesting.¡± To Joth she said, ¡°That¡¯s the signal she uses. Old man means that things are good and people - and presumably - cargo are free to come or go.¡± This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    ¡°So,¡± said Joth, ¡°we can expect more of the same as we fought at the house in Hanchen?¡±

    ¡°You said it!¡± Isa clapped her hands together. Joth and Mery looked at her in confusion. ¡°You¡¯re the one,¡± she pointed at Mery; ¡°You¡¯re the one who said Thorn was a man. I remember now. We were outside the house in Hanchen! When Joth said it just now, I remembered.¡±

    ¡°Oh yeah,¡± he said. ¡°I remember, too.¡±

    ¡°I found that out after our raid.¡± Mery shrugged. ¡°Didn¡¯t think to mention it.¡±

    If Mery was lying, Isa couldn¡¯t tell, and why would she lie? ¡°I guess,¡± Isa said, ¡°it doesn¡¯t really matter. We know she¡¯s doing bad stuff, and we need to stop her. So we¡¯ve seen the warehouse. What¡¯s the plan?¡±

    ¡°You never cased a building before, have you love?¡± Mery grinned at her. ¡°We¡¯re just getting started. And with all this hand-wringing over Thorn, we¡¯ve only got maybe 30 minutes.¡± She seemed to think for a moment. ¡°Here we go. Once we¡¯re across the street, by the warehouse, Joth, I want you to act confused. Just follow my lead.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s perfect.¡± With that Mery crossed the road with Isa and Joth tailing behind. As they got closer to the building Isa saw two people standing just inside the entrance to the warehouse. Eyes glittered at her as they passed by.

    Once she was across the street, Mery turned so that her back was to the warehouse. In a high voice she said, ¡°I told you were should have gone left! Look where we are.¡±

    ¡°Oh well, oh my, oh dear!¡± Joth made his voice quaver, and it was hard for Isa to keep from laughing. He was as convincing as a 4th grader in a school play.

    ¡°I think we go that way to the guild hall,¡± Mery pointed farther down the block toward the back of the warehouse. She started walking that way.

    The other two followed. At the far end of the block there stood a tall fence. From the corner of her eye Isa noticed another guard. She was getting the hang of this outing. Although it was tempting to try to talk to the guard - maybe under the guise of getting directions, Isa played it safe and glumly followed behind the two principal actors.

    ¡°If this is where I think it is¡­.¡± Joth said in his quavering voice.

    ¡°Ah shut it, Gramps. We¡¯re not navigating by the stars here. And you!¡± Mery called to Isa making her jump. ¡°Don¡¯t straggle. Get left behind, you will.¡± With that Mery turned the corner, muttering to herself about useless shipmates, and why did she ever agree¡­.

    Mery led them away from the warehouse and the docks, which was good since all at once Joth went from skinny old man to plump younger man. Mery¡¯s clothes went from slovenly to neat in the blink of an eye. Isa looked down at her own disguise, her inside out jacket and filthy hands. ¡°Not fair! You both look fine now.¡±

    ¡°You could take off the bandana,¡± Joth said.

    ¡°No, I can¡¯t. My hair¡¯s all flat now.¡±

    ¡°You could turn your jacket right,¡± Mery said.

    Isa glared at them both as she pulled her jacket off and turned it right side in. ¡°I saw 3 guards. I¡¯m sure there were others.¡±

    ¡°Wat said there¡¯s usually 5 at the ready at any given time, and I wanted to see if they change it up.¡±

    ¡°So you¡¯ve been here before?¡± Joth sounded surprised.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t been sitting on my ass, there Jothy. Let¡¯s head back to Cooper¡¯s, and I¡¯ll show you my sketches.¡±

    The journey back to the guild hall was uneventful. Isa had half been expecting shadows to jump out at them as they navigated Deney¡¯s neighborhoods, shadows with sharp knives, but the most exciting thing was Joth startling a fluffy black and white cat. They had turned a corner, and Joth almost stepped on the cat who was sunning itself in a small patch of late afternoon sunlight on the sidewalk. More nimble than he looked, Joth danced past the cat and kept his feet. The cat, for its part, jumped on a window ledge, glared at the 3 of them, and twitched its tail.

    Mery led them to her rooms at the guild hall. She was on the 3rd floor with a wide window that opened on to the back courtyard of the building. A single double bed stood to one side, and 2 chairs sat beside a cold fireplace.

    Mery sat on the bed and Joth and Isa dragged the chairs over. Mery took a sketch from a book beside the bed and showed them. ¡°Using invisibility and some good luck, I¡¯ve had a chance to peek inside the warehouse.¡± She pointed at the right hand side of the sketch. ¡°I¡¯m guessing that this is where the kids are kept - it¡¯s a big section of the building, yeah? And the windows along that side are boarded over. One way in or out of that section - I¡¯m pretty sure.¡±

    ¡°And what¡¯s this area?¡± Isa touched the upper left of the paper. ¡°Is this were the fence is?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Mery nodded. ¡°There¡¯s not a visible gate or back entrance, but I¡¯m thinking there has to be one. Thorn wouldn¡¯t not have a back way out. She¡¯s not foolish. I mean, she wouldn¡¯t have gotten this far if she didn¡¯t have contingencies in place.¡±

    ¡°And so,¡± Joth said, ¡°you want to shut it down, like the house in Hanchen?¡±

    ¡°Yes, one step at a time. We¡¯re blocking her resources, her assets. It¡¯s all I can think to do -- the operation is too big.¡±

    ¡°Are the 3 of us enough?¡± Isa looked at Mery.

    ¡°4! We got Wat, don¡¯t we?¡± Mery smiled. ¡°He¡¯s a good lad, and he did well with his fight.¡±

    ¡°Tonight?¡± said Isa.

    ¡°Nah, let¡¯s rest up, and finalize plans in the morning.¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Joth stood up. ¡°I have a errands to attend to. When people found out I was coming to Deney, I got a long list of ingredients and items to procure. See you for breakfast at 9?¡±

    Isa avoided Mery¡¯s eyes. Thinking about breakfast automatically made Isa think about what comes before breakfast which so far in Varana had been sleeping, but here in Mery¡¯s room, well, who could say what might happen between now and then? Isa said, quietly, ¡°Sounds fine, I guess.¡±

    ¡°See you then,¡± said Mery and walked him to the door. After she closed the door she turned to Isa. ¡°Do you like the theater?¡±

 Chapter Fifty Eight: The Last King of the Halflings

    ¡°Theater?¡± Isa smiled and laughed. ¡°I haven¡¯t ever seen much, honestly. Just what they made us do in school.¡±

    ¡°I just thought, while you¡¯re here, you might like to see some of the Varanese way. Our culture. ¡± Mery shrugged. ¡°And it just so happens that there¡¯s a special event happening right now. The halflings, once a year they put on a history play about their last king and what happened to him.¡±

    ¡°A history play, like a reenactment?¡± Isa tried not to scrunch up her face. ¡°I mean sure. How much are tickets?¡±

    ¡°My treat,¡± said Mery. ¡°Dinner is included, so there¡¯s that. It¡¯s quite a feast.¡±

    ¡°It sounds fun. Really. Do I have time to wash up before? I hate to say this aloud, but I don¡¯t remember the last real bath I had.¡±

    ¡°Well you are in luck because Cooper¡¯s is known for their bathhouse. Takes up the whole basement.¡±

    ¡°Really? OK, that¡¯s great.¡± Isa looked around the room. ¡°Do I undress down there or¡­.?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll show you. It¡¯s a bit unusual,¡± said Mery. ¡°They made these extra large barrels - big enough for 2 or 3 people - and they fill them with steaming water from a hot springs. It¡¯s the most wonderful feeling to stretch out in the hot water. You¡¯ll love it.¡±

    ¡°Do they have individual ones? I - I¡¯m a very private person.¡±

    ¡°Oh sure. Don¡¯t you worry. You can have your own barrel.¡±

    ***

    An hour later, Isa was dressed in her other shirt, her leather pants, boots, and jacket. ¡°I¡¯m not exactly overdressed. Is that OK? I mean, in Portland this would be perfect for the opera - well, minus the sword I guess. But I just, I don¡¯t have many clothes and--¡±

    ¡°Hush,¡± Mery said. ¡°You look fine. I¡¯m the same. And for The Last King of the Halflings, you might have overdone it.¡± She laughed. ¡°It¡¯s not opera. Well, no, it is a little bit. It¡¯s a little bit of everything. I haven¡¯t seen it performed in several years. And each cycle, each cast is different.¡±

    They arrived at a large well-lit tavern called ¡°Springheel¡¯s¡±. A stream of very short people entered when they did. ¡°We¡¯re just on time, then,¡± said Mery. ¡°It pays to get a good seat. Lots of good sword fights. And the food is better up front.¡± Mery pushed her way through the throng of people who, to Isa looked like children playing dress up. Mery said something else about the food, but it was lost to Isa as the murmurs of the crowd increased.

    Ahead Isa saw a long table perpendicular to the stage. There were a few seats together, and Mery sat down and put a hand on the seat beside her. They were 4 seats in from the stage. ¡°This is perfect. Those folks,¡± Mery gestured with 2 fingers toward the halflings closer to the stage, ¡°will take the brunt of any food. Unless this lot,¡± she gestured to the people sitting beyond them, ¡°gets rowdy.¡±

    ¡°Food?¡± Isa looked at the tables around them. ¡°Are we the only humans?¡± She lowered her voice. ¡°I mean, that¡¯s cool, I guess. I just feel really big.¡±If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°The Last King is popular with everyone. And why not? Singing, dancing, fighting.¡± Mery counted on her fingers. ¡°Romance and intrigue. Audience participation. Dinner.¡±

    ¡°Wait, what? Did you say audience participation? I don¡¯t know anything--¡±

    ¡°I told you that¡¯s why I wanted a good seat. They love newcomers. Don¡¯t worry; it¡¯s easy.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a bard, a trained actor. I¡¯m not!¡± In her panic, Isa started to rise, but a gong sounded suddenly; the lights went out, and Mery grabbed her arm.

    From the dark stage came a light and high voice. ¡°Welcome all ye gentlefolk to this our humble cycle play.¡± A guitar strum sounded. A different voice said, ¡°The bards they sing of love and woe, as if mere words could make it so.¡± Strum. ¡°But what we play for you tonight, it is no lordly, grand delight.¡± Strum-strum. A third voice said, ¡°Blood and battle, betrayal and broken bonds. Deceit! Good people, lies and love long lost.¡± Strum-strum-strum. And then the first voice spoke again as the lights came up and showed a table laden with food and drink. Several halflings in finery sat around the table. They began to eat and drink.

    ¡°Servers at the ready! The feast is laid; the king approaches!¡± With that, a swarm of halflings bearing trays of food descended on the audience. Soon everyone was eating and drinking, like the actors on stage.

    And so began the strangest theater experience Isa had ever had. There was of course the feasting, and Mery hadn¡¯t lied - food was thrown at the stage and from it. But there were moments of pomp as the king addressed his subjects, and moments of suspense as rebels plotted against the king. High-minded speeches from the hero, and boos from the audience as the villain laid out his plots. The king, for his part, seemed more hapless than conniving. More of a buffon than an evil despot.

    There also was a love triangle, if Isa¡¯s memory was correct, but by the time that plot twist appeared, they were 3 hours into the play, which showed no signs of being done, and Isa was on her 3rd or 4th mug of ale. And sure enough, several audience members had been hauled on stage to dance, or sing, or in one case, hold up a sheet while the king sat behind it on his royal toilet.

    As they left the tavern, Isa said to Mery, ¡°But why is is called The Last King? He was sitting on the throne at the end of the play!¡±

    ¡°No-no,¡± said Mery. ¡°That was his twin brother. And he abdicated a week later, when the castle ran out of mead.¡±

    Isa laughed. ¡°Are you making that up?¡± She light jabbed Mery in the arm. ¡°That¡¯s not true!¡±

    Mery hooked Isa¡¯s arm through her own and leaned over. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you a secret, if you promise not to tell.¡± Her breath was hot on Isa¡¯s cheek.

    Isa turned toward Mery and kissed her. It was just a peck, but then it became a full kiss. Isa reached up and put her hand on Mery¡¯s shoulder. She could feel people pushing past them. A few grumbled, and a few hooted.

    When they finally broke the kiss Mery said, ¡°Why haven¡¯t we been doing that all along?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Isa smiled. ¡°Maybe because we had a thousand halflings watching us?¡±

    ¡°Unlike now.¡± Mery gestured to the people still coming out of the tavern. She looked up at the sky. ¡°Lovely night.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s go back to your room,¡± Isa said quietly. She felt more than a little drunk, but that made her feel bold, too. ¡°I¡¯ve wasted a lot of time, time that I could have been naked with you. Let¡¯s rectify that.¡±

    ¡°I know a shortcut!¡± Mery threw her arm over Isa¡¯s shoulder.

    But it wasn¡¯t faster. They stopped several times to kiss, and once in a shadowy doorway, things almost got out of hand. Isa pushed one of her legs between Mery¡¯s and leaned in for full body contact. She shifted her hips gently, and Mery sighed with pleasure. ¡°Not that I¡¯m against a good fuck up against a wall, but that¡¯s the hall right there.¡± Mery pointed down the street.

    Isa began to laugh. ¡°I guess I can wait 5 minutes.¡±

 Chapter Fifty Nine: Warehouse Raid, Part 1

    Isa and Mery turned the corner to go to the room and spied a figure sitting on the floor. Isa¡¯s hand immediately reached for her rapier. Mery put her hand out, silently gesturing for Isa to wait.

    With silent footsteps she approached the figure, the glint of a dagger in her hand. It wasn¡¯t until she was almost on top of the figure that he cried out, startled. It was Joth, and the wizard quickly stood with his hands in front of him. ¡°Where have you been? I fell asleep waiting!¡±

    ¡°What is it you need, then Joth?¡± Mery opened the door and motioned Joth inside, Isa noticed that she hadn¡¯t put her blade away.

    ¡°It¡¯s Thorn.¡± He looked at Isa. ¡°She has the spell scroll.¡±

    ¡°The gate scroll? How? Why?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but we have to stop her before she uses it.¡±

    ¡°I think I know why,¡± Mery said quietly. Both Joth and Isa turned to look at her. ¡°She¡¯s like you two,¡± said Mery. ¡°An outlander.¡±

    ¡°How do you know that?¡± Joth asked.

    ¡°Her name is Rose Camplin, and she got here a few years ago.¡± Mery gave her head a small shake. ¡°She was just like you, at first, Isa. Dumbfounded at her situation but ready to jump in and make the best of it.¡±

    ¡°Make the best of it? Is that what you said?¡± Isa felt her voice and ire rising. ¡°This is the person responsible for all these kidnappings, and you say she¡¯s just like me?¡±

    ¡°At first! At first, Isa. Damn it, calm down.¡± Mery rubbed her mouth. ¡°How do you know?¡± she asked Joth. ¡°Did Wat tell you?¡±

    ¡°The boy? No, it¡¯s in my quest log.¡± Joth¡¯s face got a little red. ¡°I noticed a quest yesterday and--¡±

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you mention it then?¡± Isa threw her arms up. ¡°All that talk about the scroll and--¡±

    ¡°Let me finish. Jesus. I¡¯m as surprised as you, OK? The night we got back from the cottage, I had a quest. It said ¡®Help Isa get home,¡¯ and the first item told me to come to Deney with you. Then tonight, tonight I had a new item, and it said to get the scroll from Thorn before she can use it. I read that and came right up here.¡±

    ¡°Well, looks like we¡¯re raiding a warehouse tonight, and if we have luck with us, Thorn will be sleeping there herself. And if not, someone there can lead us to her.¡± Mery picked up a small bag. It clinked gently as she put it over her shoulder. ¡°Isa, do ya have what you need? Alright then, let¡¯s get the boy.¡±

    Mery shook Wat awake, and he was dressed and ready in under 5 minutes. She handed him a small vial of red liquid which he stowed in his bag. Seeing the healing potion reminded Isa that she had one, too.

    As they walked down the quiet streets Mery said, ¡°This time of night they should have 2 guards on and 3 off. If that¡¯s the case, we can try to walk right in the front door.¡± She smiled at Isa. ¡°I have a spell called enthrall. Suddenly all eyes on me. Makes for a lovely distraction.¡±

    ¡°I could use that,¡± Isa muttered. Her stomach was in knots. Every minute wasted was a minute more this Thorn or Rose or whatever she called herself had to read the scroll.

    As if reading her mind, Joth said, ¡°She¡¯ll have to be a wizard or a cleric to read the scroll - is she a wizard?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± said Mery.

    ¡°She¡¯s a bard, too,¡± Wat offered.

    ¡°I can tell you all about it, later.¡± Mery said to Isa, who shrugged in response.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

    ¡°Does she know any high level clerics or wizards?¡± Joth asked Mery.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know! We haven¡¯t kept in touch now, have we? Seeing as we¡¯re on opposite sides of the table. She could be stacked to the ceiling with clerics, Joth, and how would I know? How would I know?¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s just focus on the work at hand,¡± said Isa. ¡°What¡¯s the plan?¡±

    ¡°Wat and I think that there are usually only 5 guards in the place at a time.¡±

    ¡°And sometimes the captain,¡± added Wat. ¡°Oh, and sometimes Thorn. Depends but sometimes she¡¯s there. Here.¡± He pointed, and sure enough they had arrived at the warehouse.

    In the distance they could see one man standing at the doorway to the warehouse. From this distance it was hard, but Isa tried to use her clinical eye to appraise the guard. He was muscular but seemed stiff and unsure on his feet. Drunk? Or maybe just muscle-bound in that way some bodybuilders look, as if they can¡¯t quite navigate through a doorway.

    ¡°I need to be a little closer,¡± Mery whispered. She crept toward the guard and then cast her spell. Isa couldn¡¯t make out the words, but she watched Mery¡¯s hands trace patterns in the air. A moment later she stepped toward the guard, speaking to him. He seemed to hang on her every word, and from behind her back, Mery waved them closer.

    As they got closer Isa heard Mery saying, ¡°And then when I was a little older, we performed in the Drudin Chamber. I played the part of Panthus - a difficult role, as you well know.¡± The man nodded, his mouth slightly open. He barely blinked as Wat moved up behind him and knocked him on the head. With swift movements, Wat caught the bigger man before he hit the ground and tied his hands and feet. He shoved a bit of cloth in the man¡¯s mouth and stood.

    ¡°Let¡¯s move him out of the way, lad.¡± Mery picked up his feet, and Wat got his hands under the man¡¯s arms. Together they carted him into the shadows a few feet from the door.

    ¡°It¡¯ll have to do; the man weighs a ton.¡± Mery nudged his thigh with her boot.

    She moved to the entrance and pushed the door open silently. Over Mery¡¯s shoulder Isa could see lights toward the back of the large room that revealed a high-ceilinged warehouse. Mery had said the children would be housed off to the right, and Isa craned her neck to try to see that area.

    Mery took a few light steps into the warehouse and Isa followed. Next was Joth with Wat in the rear. Mery pointed to the right. Isa saw a large black area that way, and in the dim light it seemed that the darker black was an open entryway. Straight ahead and to the left were pallets of goods, crates, and boxes.

    A voice from the left called out. ¡°Llewellyn, that you?¡¯ The voice came closer. ¡°Whatcha doing, man? Piss outside.¡± A man stepped into the light. He had a mug in one hand. ¡°Bloody hell!¡± He threw the mug at Mery, who was closest. She dodged it easily, but the mug smashed against the doorframe, and a second voice called out. ¡°Hi Boji! Trying to sleep!¡±

    ¡°Intruders!¡± the first one called.

    ¡°I wish you hadn¡¯t of done that,¡± said Mery.

    Wat started to race toward him, and Mery whistled. ¡°Stay by me, like we practiced.¡± She moved toward the man, who was pulling his mace from his belt.She swung her short sword, quickly slicing the air near the man, but her strikes were off. The second swing left her with her back to the man for a moment. Wat tried to step in, to protect Mery¡¯s back, but the man¡¯s mace jabbed at Mery, catching her in the kidneys.

    Isa¡¯s rapier caught the man for a small scratch on his face, and then Joth¡¯s ray of frost blossomed on the man¡¯s chest. As Joth¡¯s spell landed, the man tried to swing his mace at Wat¡¯s head. He missed and turned partially around.

    Before Isa could begin to feel good about this encounter. She heard voices from the right. Two more guards joined the fray. One was in his nightshirt and cap, but he held a mace nonetheless.

    Mery focused on the man in front of her. She swung at him and sliced him from shoulder to hip. Blood went everywhere, but the foe still stood. Wat waded in and hit him with 2 swings in succession. The man took the blows and grinned as he stood his ground. ¡°That all you got, boy?¡± he said. But his own swing went wide when he tried to return Wat¡¯s attack.

    Isa moved toward the 2 newcomers and jabbed at the man in armor. Her rapier tip flicked at his shoulder buckle - Isa had been hoping to loosen his armor, but her attack was too weak.

    Joth rubbed a bit of something on his finger and pointed it at the man in the nightshirt. ¡°You should go back to bed and sleep soundly until morning.¡±

    The man blinked, dropped the mace to the floor, and walked back into the still dark area behind him.

    ¡°Phillip?¡± The other man glanced to his right. ¡°Where are you going? Phil!¡± When his friend didn¡¯t respond, the man came at Joth, mace swinging. ¡°What did you do to him?¡± His blow landed just short of Joth, who flinched, thinking that he was about to be hit.

    Just then Isa heard voices behind her. A woman¡¯s voice was saying, ¡°It¡¯s not optimal, but it¡¯s time.¡±

    With a glance over her shoulder Isa saw a short woman wearing red leather armor, a tall bearded man with 2 swords on his belt, and a man in a priest¡¯s robe. They were all standing in the entryway of the warehouse.

    The woman gaped at the scene and said, ¡°Mery? Mery Braydon, what the fuck do you think you¡¯re doing?¡±

 Chapter Sixty: Warehouse Raid, Part 2

    The woman in red leather marched toward Mery, drawing swords from each hip. Wat¡¯s eyes went wide, and he said, ¡°Mery, you¡¯re the best fighter I¡¯ve ever seen. The smartest, fastest, best there is!¡±

    As those things were happening, Mery plunged her sword into the first man, killing him. Then she turned to face the woman in red. ¡°Rosie, we just want the kids. This has to stop, now. This... operation of yours, it has to stop.¡±

    ¡°Shit,¡± the man Isa had been fighting blurted out the word, reminding Isa that he was still a threat. She jammed her rapier in its scabbard and slammed him with her quarterstaff. He rocked back on his heels from the blow. Joth flung a ray of frost only a second later, and ice spread across the man¡¯s face. In response, the man lunged forward and just barely kept his feet. Joth zinged another ray at him.

    The bearded man and the priest followed Thorn toward Mery and Wat. Thorn jabbed at Mery with one blade and swung with the other. The swing caught Mery low on her leg and sliced through her leggings.

    Mery shuffled to the side and darted her blade at Thorn, hitting the woman on her upper arm. ¡°Ouch, that must sting!¡± Mery said with a grin. Wat moved up to the now free space and took his own swing at Thorn. His blow landed near where Mery¡¯s had, further damaging Thorn¡¯s left arm.

    Isa¡¯s focus stayed on the man in front of her. Time enough to help Mery with Thorn. She swung the bottom of her staff up, making the man start to dodge a leg blow, but then she brought the top of her staff around and slammed his arm. She felt rather than heard his arm break. He dropped his mace with a cry. Joth shot frost at him, hitting his throat.

    Isa could hear fighting behind her, Mery¡¯s muffled words. She needed to drop this guy quickly since Mery and Wat faced at least 3 opponents. With a moment of extra concentration Isa swung her quarterstaff up and just missed the man¡¯s ear, but she danced closer to him on the downswing and caught him between the legs. As he doubled over, Joth¡¯s ray hit him between the shoulderblades, and he collapsed.

    Isa pivoted on one foot in time to see Mery and Thorn trading sword blows, Mery¡¯s one blade against Thorn¡¯s two. But somehow Mery crouched under one of Thorn¡¯s blade, came in close and shoved her sword at Thorn¡¯s stomach. From Isa¡¯s vantage, she couldn¡¯t see Thorn¡¯s expression or the actual wound, but as Mery stepped away holding her bloody sword straight out, Thorn took a step back and fell over with one hand raised to ward off another blow.

    Wat started to swing his sword down at Thorn¡¯s arm, a blow that would have taken the woman¡¯s arm off, but Mery yelled, ¡°No!¡± and Wat somehow managed to check his swing.

    The bearded man took advantage of Wat¡¯s maneuver to lash out with one of his longswords. He caught Wat on the upper thigh, and the blade tore a rip through Wat¡¯s pants and leather armor.

    The priest made a hasty motion with the circle at his belt and then knelt beside Thorn. He placed his hand on her belly and whispered some words.

    Thorn, still on the floor gasping, said, ¡°What the fuck is wrong with you? I¡¯m leaving, and you¡¯re trying to kill me?¡±

    Mery trained her blade on the bearded man but answered Thorn. ¡°Trying to stop ya, not kill ya. Tell your man to stand down. No one else needs to die.¡±

    Thorn pushed herself to her feet. ¡°You used to be fun,¡± she said and spat out some blood. ¡°The old Mery woulda come with me, probably. Imagine us on a stage somewhere.¡± She stopped to draw a ragged breath. ¡°The music, the screaming crowds. Fucking brilliant. But you¡¯re a fucking¡­. cop now! And you¡¯re in my way.¡± She stooped to pick up her blades and turned to the priest. ¡°Do it. Read the scroll.¡±

    ¡°Ma¡¯am, under the very best of circumstances I would want time to study--¡±

    ¡°Alen,¡± Thorn flicked her blade at the priest, and the bearded man took a step toward him. ¡°Help the holy man find his inner peace.¡±

    ¡°They said you were goin¡¯ home, but I didn¡¯t believe it,¡± Mery said.

    ¡°I made my fortune.¡± Rose flashed a hand laden with rings. ¡°And now I want to get back home and make another one. The right way, with my songs.¡±

    The priest reached into his bag. Mery said to him, ¡°You¡¯re not wrong to want better conditions for your scroll, man.¡± She smiled at him. ¡°She¡¯s not a patient woman. Heaven knows it, and so do we, yeah?¡±

    The priest didn¡¯t respond except to scowl at Mery. He began to unroll the scroll. Wat struck at the priest with his short sword, jabbing the man in his side.

    Isa, realizing what was happening, ran toward the group. ¡°That¡¯s my scroll,¡± she yelled. Without thinking it through, she slid into the priest, knocking him off his feet. He fell but held on to the scroll.

    ¡°Actually,¡± Joth said from behind her, ¡°that¡¯s not your scroll.¡± He held a rolled piece of parchment in his hand. ¡°This is.¡±

    Thorn looked from the paper in the priest¡¯s hand to the one in Joth¡¯s. ¡°You fucker,¡± she breathed. ¡°Alen!¡± That was all the direction the bearded man needed. He charged at Joth with both longswords out. Joth¡¯s face turned white, and the scroll disappeared as Alen brought both swords down on Joth, slashing down twice across the wizard¡¯s front, making an X in blood.

    With a finger pointed at Joth, Thorn said, ¡°Why are we even fighting? Huh? We both want the same thing, don¡¯t we?¡± She took 2 steps toward Joth, her hips wagging as she moved. ¡°I was maybe a little hasty siccing Alen on you. I can patch you right up - in exchange for your scroll.¡± Thorn¡¯s eyes glittered in the candlelight. ¡°Not that I think it¡¯s the gate scroll, but a girl can¡¯t be too careful.¡±

    Isa took the opportunity to stand up as everyone focused on Joth.

    Joth had his hands clenched together as if he were holding a staff. ¡°Peddle that charm spell somewhere else. I¡¯m keeping this scroll.¡±This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

    ¡°I can still use it even if it has your blood on it,¡± Thorn spit out.

    As Thorn spoke Mery and Wat swung at her at almost the same moment. Mery¡¯s blow was high, hitting Thorn at the shoulder. Wat¡¯s attack went low; he slashed at her calf taking a chunk of meat from her leg. Thorn buckled from the blow and almost lost her balance.

    ¡°He¡¯s lying, Thorn,¡± said Alen. ¡°Lying through his teeth.¡± He grinned. ¡°Do you want your last words to be lies, wizard?¡±

    Joth plunged a hand into his robe, and as he did, it became obvious to everyone watching that his hands were empty. He came up with a small vial of red liquid and downed it. As he brought the vial down, Alen slashed out with one of his longswords and caught Joth¡¯s hand. Blood sprayed up, covering Joth¡¯s face.

    The priest shoved the scroll in his hand back into his bag and rushed to Thorn. He placed one hand over the leg wound and spoke softly. The blood slowed, and Thorn, bracing herself on the priest¡¯s shoulder stood up straight. ¡°You are going to die for that.¡± She pointed one sword at Wat. ¡°Little traitor. Did you think I wouldn¡¯t recognize you, you little shit.¡± She looked at Mery. ¡°You fuck up everything. Why is that?¡±

    ¡°You left me, as I recall.¡± Mery swung her sword at Thorn¡¯s face, and her swing was almost as if she was throwing her body fully into the swing. Thorn rocked back on her heels and the tip of Mery¡¯s blade just grazed her cheek.

    Wat ran forward and lunged again trying for Thorn¡¯s leg. His blade connected at the same spot. But the woman didn¡¯t fall; she retaliated, swinging her sword in a arc. Wat fell backward in his haste to retreat out of Thorn¡¯s blade reach.

    All the frustration and rage that had been building within Isa from the moment she¡¯d found herself stuck in this strange world, all the terror of combat and the gut clenching fright of seeing her own blood pooling on the floor, all of that coalesced into a ball of pure fighting grace, and Isa practically pirouetted toward Thorn with her quarterstaff spinning. She brought the tip of the staff hard across Thorn¡¯s jaw, snapping the woman¡¯s head up. Thorn¡¯s feet left the floor, and when she crashed back down, she was dead.

    Isa looked at Thorn¡¯s crumpled form and said, ¡°Fuck.¡± She thought she might vomit from the cocktail of fear, adrenaline, and relief coursing through her system.

    Alen, the bearded man, looked at the 4 of them, looked at the priest, still on his knees, and turned, running toward the front door.

    Wat, who was still on his back from his stumble, scrambled to his feet, but Mery said, ¡°Don¡¯t bother, lad. It¡¯s done.¡± To the priest she said, ¡°The scroll, please. And what did she promise you, for the service?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t kill me. I do many good works for Sagarat.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sure you do,¡± Mery replied. ¡°The scroll for us and payment for you. You tried yer best to keep her on her feet; you deserve something for your time and trouble.¡±

    ¡°Sh-she promised 100 gold.¡±

    ¡°Really? That seems awfully reasonable for services such as this. That¡¯s a mighty scroll that you still haven¡¯t handed over, by the way.¡± Mery¡¯s voice was pleasant, but she stepped closer to the priest. Isa followed her lead and came toward the man with her staff under her arm, the tip pointed at the man.

    He pulled the scroll from his bag and with a shaking hand, he held it out to Mery. ¡°Give it to the wizard. Joth? You¡¯ll be making sure it¡¯s the right thing, yeah?¡±

    Joth took the scroll and carefully unfurled it. His eyes scanned the page for a moment. ¡°Yes,¡± he said. ¡°This is a scroll for the gate spell.¡±

    ¡°Isa, Wat, please watch our friend while I get him his payment.¡± Mery reached for her coin pouch. After a moment she handed the priest a small bag. ¡°Here¡¯s 150. Please heal my young friend here.¡± She gestured at Wat. ¡°He got a bit banged up in the fight.¡±

    The priest took the bag, nodded, and put his hand on Wat¡¯s bloody leg and bowed his head. A moment later he raised his head, muttered, ¡°Thank you,¡± and began to walk toward the door.

    ¡°Wait a moment,¡± Isa said. The priest flinched as if she¡¯d lashed out at him. ¡°Can you heal Joth? The wizard? Look at him.¡±

    Joth really did look worse than any of them. His robe was in tatters from his fight with Alen. ¡°I¡¯m OK, Isa.¡± But even the hand he used to accompany his words had dried blood on it.

    ¡°Of course,¡± the priest laid his hand on Joth¡¯s shoulder. He turned to look at Isa. ¡°I only have enough godly spirit for 1 healing. I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    Joth put his hand over the man¡¯s hand. ¡°That¡¯s fine. I appreciate the help.¡±

    Isa fumbled with her coin pouch. ¡°Here, let me--¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± The priest shook his head. He dropped the pouch Mery had given him into Joth¡¯s hand. ¡°Sagarat shine his face on you, on you all.¡±

    Spoiler: Isa''s Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter  Level: 4

    Alignment: Chaotic Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 26    AC: 15

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 24

    Combat: +5 to Hit / +6 on the Quarterstaff

    Weapons: Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +3  / Quarterstaff +1 (right  hand) 1d6 +3 (bludgeoning)

    <ul>

    <li>Potion of Healing</li>

    </ul>

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    16

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    5

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    USED  Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Interlude 6: Boss Fight! Warehouse Combat

    Actual combat: Warehouse Raid

    My new method for writing up combat is to roll up a full round, make notes (the ones below) and then write it up, roll the next round, write it up, etc. It''s easier to make a cohesive narrative when I know how everyone fares for the round. Early combat I was trying to do a roll, then write. It was very tiresome.

    For guard outside:

    Mery - rolls 21 on stealth, casts enthrall (dc 14)

    Thug rolls a 12 for WIS saving - enthralled for disadvantage on perception - rolls a 3 to see the others. They knock him out.

    Initiative:

    Mery 16

    Wat 18 (held action - new position)

    Isa 16

    Joth 13

    Wat 18

    Thugs x3 9

    Round 1

    Wat - hold action

    Mery - rolls 1 crit fumble table 56 = costly mistake

    Your target may reroll any 1s on the damage roll for his next successful melee attack vs. you.

    Wat - rolls 7

    Isa - rolls 12 - 6dm to thug 1

    Joth - rolls 19 ray of frost 8dm to thug 1 - cold / speed reduced.

    Thug 1 (at 18hp) rolls 18 4dm to Mery. 2nd attack rolls 4

    Round 2

    Thug 2 and Thug 3 join. Thug 3 has 10 AC.(nightshirt)

    Mery roll 1= 24 9dm to T1 (8hp - bloodied)

    Wat r1 = 13 3dm to T1 (5hp)

    Isa r = 10

    Joth casts suggestion (dc 15) on T3 (nightshirt) go back to bed.

    Thug 1 (18hp) r= 9

    Thug 2 r = 12

    Thug 3 r= 8 fails check and BACK TO BED!

    Round 3

    Mery r=22 7dm to T1 - he''s dead

    Wat bardic insp to Mery and r=7

    Isa r=16 sheaths rapier and 7dm to T2 with quarterstaff T2 (25hp)

    Joth r=19 ray at T2 for 5dm (20hp)

    T2 r=1 Exposed defenses. crit roll 52=Your swing unbalances you so much that your target

    may take one melee attack against you as a reaction. Joth = extra attack due to crit fail - roll 13 for 2dm

    T2 now at 18hp

    Thorn - 2 attacks r1= 11 r2 = 21 3 dm to Mery

    Round 4

    Mery r1 - 19 4dm to Thorn (34hp)

    Wat r=21 6dm to Th (28hp)

    Isa r = 23 8dm to T2 (10hp bloodied)

    Joth r= 18 8dm to T2 (2hp)

    T2/Vet/Priest r=18+ (one die roll for all 3)

    T2 dagger to Isa 2dm - Isa at 24hp

    Vet r1 = 19 7dm to Mery 2nd attack r=10

    Priest 3dm to Mery (Mery 17hp)

    Thorn r1=8 r2= 9

    Round 5

    Mery (17hp) r1 =nat 20 3x dam + knockdown 7x3= 21dm to Thorn (7hp) + bloodied)

    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.Wat r-19 4dm to Thorn (3hp)

    Isa (24hp) Action Surge r1=9 r2=16 6dm T2(4hp)

    Joth r=27 7dm T2 dead

    Priest = cure wounds on Thorn +13hp. Thorn (17hp)

    Vet r1 =15 7dm to Wat (11hp) r2= 8

    Thorn (17hp) uses action to stand.

    Round 6

    Mery (17hp) charm person DC 14 WIS priest rolls a 22.

    Wat (11hp) r= 21 dm 7 to priest (20hp)

    Isa (24hp) rolled 23 for acrobatics to kick priest

    Joth minor illusion of a scroll

    Vet r1= 19 7dm to Joth r2 = 19 7dm to Joth Joth to (13hp bloodied)

    P (20hp) Priest rolled a 20 for dex but doesn''t beatIsa''s 23. uses his action to stand.

    Thorn (17hp bloodied) charm person on Joth DC= 12

    Joth rolled 21 for WIS saving throw!

    Joth 14 for deception - Thorn rolled a 3 for perception - doesn''t catch the lie but the Vet does.

    Round 7

    Mery (17hp) r = 24 dm 7 + bardic insp die roll 4. total dm 11 to Thorn (6hp)

    Wat (11hp) r = 17 4dm to Thorn (2hp)

    Isa (24hp) action to stand from tackling the priest

    Joth (17hp bloodied) healing potion for 6hp (23hp)

    Vet r1 =13 r2 = 22 6 dm to Joth (17hp)

    Priest (20hp) cure wounds on Thorn +13hp Thorn to (15hp)

    Thorn (15hp bloodied) r1 =13 r2 =14 against Mery''s AC of 15

    Round 8

    Mery (17hp) r= 15 5dm to Thorn (10hp)

    Wat (11) r=20 2dm to Thorn (8hp)

    Isa (24) r= 24 dm 8 to Thorn - Down!

    Joth (17 bloodied)

    Vet runs away

    P (20) hands over scroll heals Wat for 13 - Wat only has 18hp so he''s full

    P heals Joth for 13 - Joth has 27hp so he''s full.

    XP award = 700 each

    treasure - 2325gp

    Coins 329 gp

    Mundane Items

    Healing potion

    5 rings

    5 black pearls

    Hourglass

    Magic Items

    Scroll of Barkskin

    set of opal dice - magically cursed and with a delusion spell, so the possessor thinks they are "lucky"

    Bad guys:

    (4) thugs cr .5

    HP = 32

    AC = 11

    Multiattack: The thug makes two Melee Attacks.

    Mace: Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) bludgeoning damage.

    https://roll20.net/compendium/dnd5e/Monsters:Thug#h-Thug

    (1) veteran cr 3

    HP = 58

    AC = 17

    Multiattack: The veteran makes two Longsword attacks. If it has a Shortsword drawn, it can also make a Shortsword Attack.

    Longsword: Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) slashing damage, or 8 (1d10 + 3) slashing damage if used with two hands.

    https://roll20.net/compendium/dnd5e/Monsters:Veteran#h-Veteran

    (1) Priest [cleric] cr 2

    HP = 27

    AC = 13

    Mace: Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 3 (1d6) bludgeoning damage.

    Cure wounds X 4 (13hp)

    https://roll20.net/compendium/dnd5e/Monsters:priest#h-Priest

    (1) Thorn lvl 6 cr 3

    HP = 38

    AC = 13

    Melee Attack (Two-Weapon Fighting): Short sword (+5 to hit; 1d6 + 3 piercing) and short sword (+5 to hit; 1d6 piercing)

    http://dungeonsmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/dnd-next/dead-in-thay/dnd-next-human-bard-6.pdf

 Chapter Sixty One: Think of the Children

    With the priest gone Isa looked around her. Thorn lay dead, as did 2 of her guards. The third was, presumably still sleeping. Sleeping! The whole reason she¡¯d come was to rescue the children. As she whirled around to look at the dark area across the way, 2 small heads poked out of the doorway there. One said, ¡°Where¡¯s Boji? He promised me water.¡± The other said, ¡°Why were you fighting? Are you bad?¡±

    The first child pointed at the dead guard near her. ¡°Why is Lew sleeping here?¡±

    That question got Isa moving. She hurried to the children. She knelt beside the little girl, blocking her view of the dead man. ¡°He¡¯s¡­. Um, he¡¯s not well. But we¡¯re here to help you. Who all is sleeping right now? Can you count out all your friends for me?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s too little to know,¡± said the second child, another little girl. ¡°Are you bad?¡± She held her fists clenched at her sides.

    ¡°No, we¡¯re not bad. My name is Isa, and these are my friends. We heard that people were hurting children, and we wanted to help.¡± She gave the second girl a smile.

    ¡°You know me, don¡¯t you?¡± Wat was standing beside Isa. ¡°I been here before. And since some of ya have families to go back to, I wanted to help these people.¡±

    Isa clasped the hand of the first little girl. ¡°Let¡¯s get you some water and then get everyone up. OK?¡± She stood and looked around.

    ¡°That way,¡± said Wat, pointing to the left.

    As she and the girl walked toward the kitchen area, Mery and Joth joined Wat. Mery crouched to talk with the second girl, and Joth and Wat picked up the dead guard and started toward where Thorn lay.

    When Isa and the girl came back, Isa saw that about a dozen children stood or sat near the entrance to the warehouse. Wat was gone, and Joth and Mery stood talking quietly. They turned to her as Isa approached. To the little girl Isa said, ¡°Jana, will you go join the others? We¡¯ll see about getting a snack for everyone, OK?¡±

    To Mery and Joth she quietly said, ¡°Hi. What did I miss? Where¡¯s Wat?¡±

    ¡°I sent him to the Temple of Ganaysus. He¡¯s the god of bards and tricksters. I figure he¡¯ll know how to handle a dozen kids for a few days.¡± She shrugged. ¡°A donation to the temple - maybe a couple of these black pearls - should grease the way.¡± Mery opened her hand to reveal 5 black pearls.

    ¡°They¡¯re pretty but are they enough?¡± Isa touched one with her forefinger.

    ¡°They¡¯re 500 gold each,¡± Joth said. ¡°That Thorn, she had about 3,000 in gems on her. She was ready to step through the gate--¡±

    ¡°With her fortune,¡± Isa finished. ¡°I heard her say that. Hey, I¡¯m going to take the kids to the kitchen, OK?¡±

    ¡°Do you need a hand?¡± Mery pulled a flute from her bag. ¡°How about a tune then? A marching tune to march our bellies to the kitchen.¡± A jaunty melody filled the air. Mery began to high step toward the kitchen, and the children giggled and followed in her wake. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

    ¡°I¡¯ll just, um, stay here and,¡± Joth held out his arms, ¡°loot the place.¡±

    Soon Wat was back with several clerics and acolytes of Ganaysus. They gathered up the children and took them back to the temple. Mery promised to come in the morning to help sort out where they all belonged. The main priest, a plump man in a purple robe, took 3 black pearls from Mery with whispered thanks.

    As he left, a different group came in and took the bodies away. Mery nodded at the men as they covered Thorn and the guards in white cloth. ¡°Filius will make sure they get a proper burial. If you needed a god, Ganaysus isn¡¯t a bad sort.¡±

    When the 4 of them were alone again, Mery looked at the few things Joth had collected. ¡°No offense, wizard, but that¡¯s not much of a fortune,¡± Mery said. ¡°Not nearly enough for Rose.¡±

    ¡°Well,¡± he said, ¡°she had the rings and the pearls. The rings are probably 500 gold apiece. There¡¯s a scroll - another scroll - and a healing potion. This hourglass. Dunno why. Oh and the one guy. He had a set of dice on him.¡± He held up a small black bag. ¡°They look pretty. Might be loaded for all I know.¡±

    ¡°Loaded?¡± Wat held out his hand. ¡°What¡¯s that mean?¡±

    Isa answered. ¡°That they¡¯ve been doctored, weighted, to make them turn up certain numbers more than others.¡±

    Wat looked inside. ¡°They¡¯re black! They¡¯ll be lucky for me; I can just feel it.¡±

    ¡°Try ¡®em in some friendly games first, eh lad? Test ¡®em out, like.¡± Mery smiled at him. ¡°Well, there¡¯s Wat settled. Now about¡­.¡± She grinned as he started to protest. Mery rubbed her hands together. ¡°No offense to the wizard - well done in the fighting, by the way. All around. Very nice inspiration you gave me, Watty. Thank you kindly.¡± She paused. ¡°What was I saying? Oh! Yes, no offense to Joth Windbane but leave it to a bardic rogue to look for the loot!¡±

    Wat pocketed the dice and stood up. ¡°Or a roguish bard,¡± he said as he joined her.

    ¡°Did you really have a scroll? In the fight, I mean. For just a moment, I thought that maybe you¡¯d lied to me back at the cabin, and that maybe you had the gate scroll.¡± She felt her face getting red. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    ¡°Minor illusion. I don¡¯t know why I did that. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Of course,¡± he flipped one of the rips in his robe, ¡°I almost died because of it.¡±

    ¡°Leave the cleverness to us fighters, right?¡±

    He laughed. ¡°Right.¡±

    ¡°But really, Joth. I¡¯m sorry. This has all been so crazy, and you being friends with Fedru, and the way you were right there my first day, and how--¡± She¡¯d been about to say, and how so many people dislike you, but she¡¯d caught herself.

    ¡°I¡¯m not the most popular guy. I¡¯m not really a people person. Me and Fedru, we have that in common.¡±

    Isa said, ¡°Now that we have the scroll, I realize I¡¯m going to miss this place.¡± She looked over to where Mery and Wat were moving boxes and laughing. ¡°It has some good people. I have a lot of good memories. How about you?¡±

    ¡°Oh sure. Yeah.¡±

    ¡°Do you mind if we wait until tomorrow?¡± Isa quickly glanced at Joth and then away. ¡°I want to say goodbye.¡±

    ¡°Tomorrow is fine.¡± He handed Isa the scroll. ¡°Because I have no business reading this.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Isa smoothed out the scroll. The writing was all symbols and squiggles. ¡°Can¡¯t you read it, though? You¡¯re a wizard.¡±

    ¡°We want this to be successful for you - for us - so we should have Ealda read it.¡±

    ¡°Because she¡¯s a class 9, and it¡¯s a class 9. And we don¡¯t need a diamond!¡±

    ¡°But diamonds are always nice to have.¡± Joth smiled.

    ¡°You don¡¯t think Thorn had a sack of diamonds squirreled away, do you?¡±

    Joth shrugged. ¡°Let¡¯s see what our roguish bards have found!¡±

    ¡°You mean our bardic rogues.¡± Isa laughed and walked over to join Mery and Wat.

 Chapter Sixty Two: Goodbyes

    When Mery saw Joth she said, ¡°Aren¡¯t you a fright? I can¡¯t believe the children didn¡¯t run in terror. Come here.¡± She motioned him over and performed the mend spell on his robe. ¡°I leave you to¡­.¡± She waved her hand in a circle to indicate his bloody face. ¡°Deal with the rest. Bathroom off the kitchen there.¡±

    ¡°What did you find?¡± asked Isa.

    ¡°Nothing quite as thrilling as lucky dice, I¡¯m afraid.¡± Mery smiled at Wat, who was opening a barrel.

    ¡°How will you divide it all up? I mean I guess I want enough to give Ealda a tip - donation? - for reading the scroll for us. So can I have maybe¡­.¡± Isa pulled out her coin pouch and peered inside. ¡°Maybe 35 gold?¡±

    Mery began to laugh. ¡°We¡¯ll split it 4 ways. You can take your part.¡± She shrugged. ¡°Or leave some here, in case ya come back.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know how I got here, so I don¡¯t know how I¡¯d come back.¡±

    ¡°Magic, of course.¡± Mery laughed again and gestured toward Joth who was coming back. ¡°Yon wizard should be good for something.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think there¡¯s magic in my world.¡± Isa sighed. ¡°Sad but true.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t believe it.¡± Mery stood up and slapped her thighs. ¡°Now then, we¡¯ve found a few pretty things,¡± she said to the group. ¡°Mostly I think we should sell them and divide the gold. It¡¯s hard to say until the moneylenders paw through it all; probably though we have 8 or 9 thousand to divide. That¡¯s beside the jewelry. Rose had a good eye for jewelry, and I think - if you want it - we could each take a piece of that as a memento of our, ah, of our adventure.¡±

    She¡¯d laid 5 rings and a gold chain on top of one of the crates. Two of the rings had green stones. One was almost rectangular with facets cut in it. The setting was simple and clean. The other was larger; the stone sat as a semicircle atop a small nest of sparkly gems. ¡°Are those diamonds?¡± Isa asked.

    ¡°You like that one?¡± Mery said.

    ¡°No!¡± Isa said and then laughed. ¡°It¡¯s a little busy for my taste.¡±

    ¡°And I¡¯m not sure green is your color.¡± Mery picked up a silver ring with a golden stone in the center. Two thin bands of metal held the square stone in place. ¡°But this, this could be worthy to sit on your hand.¡± She took Isa¡¯s right hand and slipped the ring on her middle finger. ¡°What do you think?¡±

    ¡°Wat,¡± Joth said, ¡°would you like the gold chain? Or perhaps that emerald dripping with diamonds?¡±

    Wat shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s pretty I guess.¡±

    ¡°It will get you noticed,¡± Isa said. She picked up the emerald ring and handed it to Wat. She was thankful to have something to do besides look at Mery just then.

    ¡°I like that,¡± said Wat. ¡°A bard needs to be noticed, doesn¡¯t he?¡± He slipped the ring over his forefinger.

    ¡°They¡¯ll start calling you Wat Greenstone.¡± Mery tousled his hair.

    Joth put the gold chain around his neck, and Mery picked up a small gold ring with a dark stone. It looked black until Mery flashed it toward the light, and then Isa could see that it was a deep purple.

    ¡°It¡¯s beautiful. Unexpected.¡± Isa¡¯s eyes met Mery¡¯s.

    ¡°Just a trick of the light is all,¡± Mery kept her eyes on the ring.

    ¡°I think,¡± Isa replied, ¡°that there¡¯s something special there.¡±

    Joth coughed. Mery slipped the ring on her finger and said, ¡°Well then, that¡¯s nice. A little reminder of our time.¡± Mery looked at the gloomy warehouse. ¡°Not a cheery place for goodbyes is it? Let¡¯s go to the Crow¡¯s Nest, eh? A drink to comrades victorious and foes vanquished.¡±This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

    ¡°I think,¡± said Joth, ¡°that the boy and I will pass. We both got pretty banged up.¡±

    Wat shook his head. ¡°I could see my way to a pint!¡±

    ¡°The boy¡¯s a bard alright,¡± Mery said with a laugh.

    ¡°We can have a drink - a quick drink - at Cooper¡¯s. Let¡¯s let these two have a little time.¡± Joth put a hand on Wat¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°Well if you¡¯re going that way, and it looks like ya are, tell ¡®em to get a fire going in my room, lad.¡± She smiled and nodded at Wat. To Joth she softly said, ¡°Well done, wizard.¡±

    ¡°Thanks, Joth.¡± Isa waved at Wat. ¡°See you in the morning.¡±

    Isa and Mery started toward the exit, walking slowly to let the other 2 get ahead. More for something to say than any real curiosity, Isa said, ¡°Is there really a bar called the Crow¡¯s Nest? Is that not a total cliche?¡±

    ¡°Sailor¡¯s aren¡¯t known for their originality, Isa. Navigating by the stars sounds poetic but, it¡¯s not for poets and dreamers.¡±

    Isa looked up at the sky. There were so many more stars in the sky than back home. But that wasn¡¯t true, was it? They¡¯re there; you just can¡¯t see them for all the light. And life in Portland, with all its obligations, expectations, entanglements, it¡¯s all light. There¡¯s no place for mystery and shadow in modern life. Best to leave that uncertainty here so poets can have something to write about.

    ¡°What are you thinking so hard about?¡± Mery¡¯s voice broke through Isa¡¯s reverie.

    ¡°I was thinking that no one back home is going to believe me. This place - it¡¯s just too¡­. Unbelievable.¡± She laughed. ¡°You can tell I¡¯m not a poet.¡±

    ¡°You might surprise yourself. And as to your friends, who knows? You have quite a tale to tell, quite a tale.¡±

    Isa leaned over and kissed her. ¡°I¡¯m not very thirsty, are you?¡±

    ¡°I like a lass who knows her mind. I know a place with a nice warm fire - if a certain young man has fulfilled his obligation to his elders.¡±

    Isa threaded her arm through Mery¡¯s ¡°That¡¯s the best offer I¡¯ve had all night.¡±

    Spoiler:Isa''s Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name:Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class:FighterLevel:4

    Alignment: Chaotic Good

    Background:Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points:26AC:15

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 24

    Combat:+5 to Hit / +6 on the Quarterstaff

    Weapons:Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +3/Quarterstaff+1 (right hand) 1d6 +3 (bludgeoning)

    <ul>

    <li>Potion of Healing</li>

    </ul>

    <div>

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    16

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <div>

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    5

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack:Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind- On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    USEDAction Surge- On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Chapter Sixty Three: Clothing Optional

    Wat had been good to his word: Mery¡¯s room at Cooper¡¯s was warm and bright from the fire in the hearth. ¡°Good lad,¡± Mery said as she rubbed her hands by the fire. ¡°I¡¯m a summer child. Always loved the heat. You¡¯d like the summers here. All green grass, blooming flowers, thunderstorms, and long, long twilight.¡±

    Isa sat on the edge of the bed. ¡°How¡¯d you know I like those things?¡±

    ¡°What brown-eyed girl doesn¡¯t?¡± Mery grinned at Isa over her shoulder. ¡°And now that you got me alone in my room, what¡¯re your intentions, then?¡±

    ¡°What do your other brown-eyed girls do when they find themselves in such a situation?¡±

    ¡°Ah Isa, there is none like you.¡±

    Isa threw her head back and laughed. ¡°Does that line ever work? A+ for delivery, but¡­.¡± Isa smiled.

    ¡°Ooo, you¡¯ve a cold heart!¡± Mery grinned and walked slowly to the bed. ¡°But perhaps it¡¯s not too late ta save ya. Perhaps I know some magic that could melt it.¡± She pulled Isa to her feet. ¡°But to make it work, I¡¯ll need¡­.¡±

    Isa reached out and began to unbutton Mery¡¯s shirt. ¡°You need to take off your shirt; isn¡¯t that right? To cast a spell this special, you can¡¯t be constrained.¡± With the shirt unbuttoned Isa could run her hands down Mery¡¯s sides. She let her fingers glide down Mery¡¯s warm, smooth skin to her hips and then to the buttons of her pants.

    ¡°So true,¡± Mery murmured. ¡°We don¡¯t want anything to come between us.¡± She took off her shirt as Isa unbuttoned her pants. ¡°But that means, lass, that you¡¯re wearing entirely too many clothes yourself.¡±

    Isa whipped her shirt over her head and pulled off her bra. Mery¡¯s hands went to Isa¡¯s pants, and she pulled the sideties free. She gripped the top of Isa¡¯s pants and knelt, pulling the pants down with her. ¡°Ah yes, that¡¯s so much better.¡±

    Isa felt Mery¡¯s hands move up the backs of her thighs, and she shivered with pleasure. With her hands on Mery¡¯s head Isa said, ¡°The spell is working, I think.¡±

    ¡°But you need to be sure, don¡¯t you?¡± Mery¡¯s mouth went to one of Isa¡¯s nipples. After a moment she said, ¡°We can¡¯t leave it to chance. That wouldn¡¯t be right.¡±

    Mery stepped out of her pants and guided Isa to lay down. They lay naked, side by side. ¡°This,¡± said Mery, ¡°is the proper way to cast a magic spell.¡±

    ***

    When Isa woke, she saw Mery sitting in one of the fireside chairs. She had only her shirt on and one leg pulled up. She stared at the fire. Dawn¡¯s light peeked through the shutters. Isa rolled on to her side and propped her head with one arm.

    ¡°I wish I was a poet,¡± Isa said. ¡°Or a painter. I want to capture this moment. You, the fire, dawn breaking outside.¡± She smiled. ¡°And if dawn is breaking that means we didn¡¯t get 8 hours¡¯ rest. But I feel great.¡±The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡°Oh aye,¡± said Mery. ¡°sometimes it¡¯s worth the dip in your spells¡­.¡± She turned and rested her head on her knee. ¡°.... to cast a different sorta magic.¡±

    ¡°The lack of rest has not dimmed your charm, Mery Braydon.¡± Isa sat up. ¡°But then, that¡¯s not magic; that¡¯s you.¡±

    ¡°You are quite the spell yourself.¡± Mery stood up. ¡°I don¡¯t know when I¡¯ve had a better time.¡±

    Isa didn¡¯t realize it, but she was shaking her head.

    ¡°No?¡± said Mery. ¡°No to what then? I haven¡¯t asked!¡±

    ¡°Not with your mouth. Or rather, not with words.¡±

    Mery sat on the bed beside Isa. ¡°Ah but the tongue, it¡¯s mightier than the sword, so they say.¡±

    Isa took Mery¡¯s hand. ¡°I¡¯m glad I met you. I have so many amazing memories of Varana, but you, you top them all.¡±

    ¡°Nothing that says we can¡¯t make more. You can cast that gate spell anytime, you know.¡±

    Isa shook her head again. ¡°This place - you - are very tempting. Things seem very simple here, and I don¡¯t actually think that¡¯s true. And I think that¡¯s dangerous - that illusion. My life,¡± she waved her hand over her shoulder as if Portland, Celeste, dentistry school, work, family were all sitting right behind her. ¡°My real life is pretty screwed up - or maybe not. I don¡¯t know. No, I do know. My problems there can¡¯t be solved with a sword or a spell. So they feel huge. And un-winable. But I have to go face them.¡±

    Isa pulled her legs up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs. ¡°It¡¯s not all bad, back home. It¡¯s mostly good sometimes. But there¡¯s the stuff outside myself, politics, culture. That¡¯s stuff I can¡¯t change.¡± She rested her chin on her knees. ¡°I¡¯m babbling.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re trying to untie a knot with your mind,¡± Mery replied. ¡°No easy task, that. And once you have the solution, you still have to get hands-on with the damned rope! Because thinking don¡¯t make a thing so.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t have the solution, at all. But I¡¯m ready to go home, all the same.¡± She turned to Mery and put a stray strand of hair back in place. ¡°You understand?¡±

    ¡°Of course. I make no claim on your heart. You¡¯ve the makings of a fine adventurer, though.¡± Mery stood and walked back to the fire. ¡°And who knows what sort of quests you might find in your own lands, now that you know what you can do.¡±

    Isa laughed. ¡°I could walk down the street in Portland with a staff, and no one would blink. The sword¡­. That might get me noticed.¡±

    ¡°Staff¡¯s a good weapon. You handled it well.¡±

    ¡°That wasn¡¯t my point. But thank you.¡± Isa walked to the window and opened the shutter. The sun had fully risen, and Deney was waking up.

    A tree stood right outside the window. A few orange leaves clung to the upper branches. ¡°My first morning here I climbed down a tree kind of like this one.¡± She turned to look at Mery. ¡°I can¡¯t even tell you when that was - more than 2 weeks but less than a month, I think. Part of me feels like I¡¯ve been here forever.¡±

    Mery stood silent for a long moment. Finally she said, ¡°You¡¯ll live the life you must, wherever it is you go.¡± She shrugged. ¡°There¡¯s no help for it.¡±

    ¡°Meaning¡­.?¡±

    ¡°Meaning you¡¯ll be a fighter back in Portland. Maybe you won¡¯t use a sword or a staff, but you¡¯ll quest and strive and win through, all the same. And there¡¯s more than fight in ya. We both know that.¡± She smiled. ¡°Now, let¡¯s get you back home with some gold to show for your troubles.¡±

 Chapter Sixty Four: Breakfast, Beer, and Quests

    After they seated themselves in the Cooper¡¯s Rooms dining hall Isa said, ¡°So you and Thorn - Rose - you were lovers.¡±

    ¡°About that¡­. ¡®Twas a wind and a storm and a crashing of wills.¡± Mery looked out across the room as if trying to find the words. ¡°I¡¯ve never met anyone quite so captivating - at first glance, mind. And it wasn¡¯t physical, not all of it. Rose had a spark of genius - well you¡¯ve seen what she created.¡±

    Their breakfast arrived. ¡°Yes,¡± Isa said. ¡°A crime syndicate.¡±

    ¡°I guess I see what she might have become.¡± Mery shrugged. ¡°She had talent. She said she¡¯d been a singer in your world. But she hadn¡¯t gotten the audiences that she craved, that she felt her songs demanded.¡± Mery grabbed a roll.

    Isa said, ¡°She became a bard. I guess that makes sense. The music. But she didn¡¯t become the most famous singer in Varana. So that never really was her focus, no matter what she might have told you.¡±

    Mery opened her mouth to reply and then closed it. After a moment she said, ¡°We¡¯re all of us strands of light and dark banded together, tangled together, maybe. The good and the bad twisted or loosed depending¡­. Maybe. I don¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°You thought she might find redemption.¡± Isa¡¯s voice was quiet. ¡°Are you mad at me for making the final blow? You think that I--¡±

    ¡°No! She woulda killed us all, given the chance. But just the same, she woulda welcomed us if we¡¯d shown up saying we wanted to join her.¡±

    ¡°You really loved her.¡±

    Mery took a sip of water. ¡°I did. Once. That was years back. But I can¡¯t deny it. She was my first real love. She stormed into my life and showed me what it can mean to truly seize the day.¡± She shook her head. ¡°But she didn¡¯t love me back. Even the dumbest person can figure that out, given enough time.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Isa said, and she meant it. The same pain she¡¯d felt at Celeste¡¯s betrayal, it showed plainly on Mery¡¯s face. ¡°Thorn. She chose the name well.¡±

    ¡°Aye,¡± said Mery. ¡°She told me that was the name of her best song, the one she thought would make her fame in your world. Thorn¡¯s Song.¡±

    ¡°I will look it up once I¡¯m home.¡± Isa shook her head. ¡°How could she have done the things she did?¡±

    ¡°Talking with Wat, and thinking of my own time with her, I think she probably started out with good intentions. Some of those kids - Wat included, they¡¯re not safe at home, and maybe Rose thought she could save them.¡±

    ¡°The road to Hell is paved with good intentions. My grandma used to say that.¡±

    Mery shrugged. ¡°Never been there. But I¡¯ve seen more than one fall to the love of coin. First you¡¯re helping kids find work and shelter, then you¡¯re sheltering them yourself for a fee, and then who knows? Orphans in short supply, make some of your own.¡±

    Just then Joth sat down at the table, and Wat followed not far behind. Wat¡¯s hair was wet. He said, ¡°You can dunk your whole head in those bath barrels!¡±

    Isa smiled. ¡°We call them hot tubs.¡±

    ¡°I like that. Hot tubs. Tuuubs.¡± He smiled and ducked his head.

    ¡°We were just talking about getting you and Isa home,¡± Mery said to Joth.

    ¡°Ah, yes indeed.¡± He nodded. ¡°We have what we need now.¡±

    ¡°Except money,¡± said Mery. ¡°I¡¯ll take Wat with me and we¡¯ll get the goods exchanged today. We can meet you in Bywater tomorrow. To say goodbye.¡±

    Joth spooned breakfast casserole onto his plate. ¡°I have some things I want to do here in Deney today, so I¡¯ll see Isa to the druid circle. She can take a tree back to Bywater, and then we can all meet up tomorrow for the departure.¡±

    After breakfast Joth and Isa left the others at Cooper¡¯s and headed toward the druid circle. Isa said, ¡°We didn¡¯t arrive at this circle. Why do we have to leave that way?¡±

    ¡°The heavy lifting of the magic happens on this end,¡± said Joth. ¡°They create the portal here and just envision the end point, I guess you¡¯d call it.¡±

    ¡°Sometimes magic seems, well magic.¡± Isa laughed.

    ¡°It is. And that¡¯s why I¡¯m staying,¡± Joth said.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, what?¡±

    ¡°I said, I¡¯m staying.¡±

    Isa gave a laugh. ¡°In Deney, today. I heard you at breakfast.¡±

    ¡°I mean here in Varana. I¡¯m not going back with you.¡± Joth gave a tiny shrug. ¡°There¡¯s nothing for me there. Not anymore. Everything I know is here.¡±

    Isa opened her mouth, closed it, and then said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡­.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± he said. ¡°More than fine, really. Sometimes you speak, and I don¡¯t know quite what you¡¯re talking about. The world - that world - has passed me by. But this world. Isa, this world, I know what I¡¯m doing. Things make sense.¡±

    She smiled. ¡°I am going to miss my quest log.¡±

    ¡°Speaking of that, I expect to get a fat chunk of experience for helping you get home. Probably won¡¯t level again yet, but it will help.¡± He stopped in front of a tall hedge. ¡°Here we are. Deney¡¯s druid circle. They¡¯re a pretty humorless bunch; let me do the talking.¡±This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    While the druid cast the spell, Joth and Isa stood nearby waiting. ¡°Look,¡± Joth said suddenly, ¡°I don¡¯t know if I¡¯m gonna be in Bywater tomorrow. Not big on goodbyes.¡±

    ¡°But you said--¡±

    ¡°Yeah, that was just because I didn¡¯t want to make a big announcement. What does Mery Braydon care what I do? She barely tolerates me.¡±

    ¡°Well I can¡¯t force you, but I¡¯d like a chance to say goodbye.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re doing that now!¡± Joth gestured at the scene.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Isa glanced at the druid who was now standing beside a glowing archway. ¡°But this is too hasty. How long does that spell last?¡± She gave Joth a quick hug. ¡°I hope I see you tomorrow. That¡¯s all I¡¯ll say about it.¡±

    Isa turned quickly and stepped into the archway in Deney¡­. and out beside the large tree behind Lund¡¯s Tavern. She blinked at the change in light. It was overcast here in Bywater. With a smile she looked up at the second story of Lund¡¯s. What a difference between her first morning here and this morning.

    Going over her agenda in her mind, Isa walked to the front door. Lund, Gimble, Zileek, and then if Lund didn¡¯t mind, she¡¯d spend the night in the little room she¡¯d woken in on her first day. No special reason - it just seemed right to Isa to sleep there on her last night in Varana.

    ¡°My last night,¡± she muttered to herself. It was a little sad, and it was OK to admit that. She¡¯d met really great people; she¡¯d done some amazing things, seen amazing, unbelievable things. And now she was going home where she¡¯d never, ever, ever get to talk about them. Maybe she¡¯d play D&D with Marissa - she¡¯d pay closer attention to the game this time, that was certain.

    ¡°Isa!¡± Lund¡¯s voice broke into her thoughts. ¡°I heard you took off with Joth.¡± He stood smiling behind the bar. ¡°Good adventuring, I hope? Come tell me about it.¡±

    She dropped her stuff and climbed onto a bar stool. ¡°Is it too early for a beer?¡±

    ¡°Ha! It¡¯s never too early for a beer. Red Robe is smooth and strong. Perfect as a wake-you-up.¡±

    ¡°You still have some of that? From the house?¡±

    He leaned forward. ¡°I played around with my recipe and got a pretty good match to the original stock. It¡¯s popular, and I think part of that is everyone thinks it¡¯s gonna run out.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯ll catch on eventually,¡± said Isa as she took a sip of the pint in front of her.

    ¡°Will they?¡± He laughed. ¡°Tris said you guys were off like a shot the other morning.¡±

    ¡°Lund,¡± Isa shook her head, ¡°so much has happened.¡± She leaned forward across the bar. ¡°I¡¯m going home!¡± she whispered loudly.

    ¡°Really? That was some adventure payout, then. You kill a dragon or something?¡±

    ¡°We found the scroll.¡± She sat back.

    ¡°The scroll-scroll? The gate spell?¡± Lund gripped the edge of the bar.

    ¡°Yeah.¡± Isa took a sip of beer. ¡°It was a crazy fight, and somehow--¡±

    ¡°Where is it now. The scroll?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s in my bag.¡± Isa leaned away from the bar. ¡°Lund, you¡¯re scaring me.¡±

    ¡°Good. Do you have any idea how much a scroll like that is worth?¡±

    ¡°I¡­.¡±

    ¡°You are carrying around about 200,000 gold there.¡±

    ¡°Two hundred?¡± Isa could barely breathe.

    ¡°Thousand.¡±

    ¡°Gold. Like gold coins? Money.¡±

    Lund nodded. Isa looked around the empty tavern. ¡°But it¡¯s just a spell. I mean, it¡¯s a class 9, sure, and you don¡¯t need the diamond, but¡­..¡± She blew out a breath of air. ¡°Can I store it in your lockbox until tomorrow?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I think that¡¯s wise.¡± Lund moved to the end of the bar. ¡°Right now. Come on.¡±

    As Lund pulled out his iron-bound box he said, ¡°Who else knows about this?¡±

    ¡°Just Joth and Mery. Oh and Wat.¡±

    ¡°The kid?¡± Lund flashed a brief smile. ¡°He¡¯s doing OK then?¡±

    ¡°He was great in that fight.¡± Isa wrapped her arms around her waist. ¡°I feel like I¡¯m going to throw up. You got me so scared.¡±

    Lund stood up. ¡°Good thing too! Anyone coulda jumped you on the road.¡±

    ¡°I took a tree,¡± Isa said absently. ¡°So, Mery and everybody are supposed to meet me here tomorrow. It will be safe overnight, right?¡±

    ¡°Safer than in your bag.¡±

    Isa put a hand on his shoulder. ¡°Thank you. You¡¯ve been looking out for me since the moment I got here.¡±

    He waved his hand and started back toward the bar. ¡°You¡¯d a done the same.¡±

    ¡°Maybe.¡± She retook her stool and picked up her glass. ¡°Can I buy you a beer?¡±

    ¡°Can you afford it?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be an ass. Pour yourself a pint, and let¡¯s toast.¡± She held up her glass and waited until Lund had a full one in his hand. ¡°To Lund and his tavern! May strangers always find a friendly face behind the bar.¡± Isa took a drink.

    ¡°To Isa,¡± said Lund. ¡°May you find what you seek.¡±

    She put her glass down. ¡°I did.¡±

    ¡°Your questing days are over then?¡±

    ¡°Well, yeah. I¡¯m going home.¡± He shrugged, and Isa laughed. ¡°My world isn¡¯t like this.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have bars and people and problems? Sounds boring.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s just different.¡± She finished her beer. ¡°And yeah maybe a little boring, but I¡¯m kind of excited to have boredom again. Lund, that fight. There were like 6 guys, and this one - he used swords in both hands. I knew we needed to be there, but I was worried about holding my own.¡±

    ¡°But you did. You¡¯re here.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, they barely touched me. Poor Joth, he almost died. I got a scratch. Like literally a scratch.¡±

    ¡°So you didn¡¯t level?¡±

    Isa¡¯s hand went to her bag. ¡°I don¡¯t know!¡± She pulled out her notebook and flipped it open. ¡°No. I¡¯m still level 4. I guess that¡¯s OK. Not like it matters anymore.¡±

    ¡°If you say so,¡± sad Lund. ¡°Your world sounds weird. But,¡± he sighed, ¡°finishing that quest got you the reward, so--¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°The scroll. That was the reward.¡± Lund gestured at the notebook. ¡°Right?¡±

    Isa turned to her quest log. ¡°Under Children of Thorn, it says See Vernal Fedru and claim your reward.¡±

    ¡°See? It pays - money usually - to check your log.¡±

    ¡°But I don¡¯t want to see that guy. He¡¯s weird and scary.¡±

    Lund shook his head. ¡°Isa, he¡¯s a wizard. That¡¯s just¡­. Being scary is part of his outfit. Don¡¯t you want to go home with a little gold in your pocket?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d planned on selling stuff to Gimble so that I could make a donation to Fazar - you know, to thank Ealda. And I figured I could maybe take some coins home with me. I dunno if it will work.¡± She let her fingers rub against the words Vernal Fedru. ¡°What if I don¡¯t complete the quest? That doesn¡¯t hurt me, right? And why do I care? I¡¯m leaving!¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think it matters, for what it¡¯s worth.¡± Lund picked up her glass and held it out. ¡°Another?¡± Isa shook her head. Lund went on, ¡°Most people want rewards, of course, but I don¡¯t think you have to see him.¡±

 Chapter Sixty Five: Downsizing

    Isa stood up from the bar. ¡°That wizard is the last person I want to see.¡±

    Lund said, ¡°He might have other ideas about that.¡±

    ¡°He has to find me first, and unless he¡¯s got a gate spell in his pocket that¡¯s not going to happen.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not home yet, Isa.¡± Lund leaned his elbows on the bar.

    ¡°This is my home away from home.¡± She smiled. ¡°Speaking of that, I thought it would be kinda sweet to spend my last night here. Is that OK? Is the little room I had my first night available?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll check. We have room for you. That same room or another. You have a place.¡±

    ¡°Thanks, Lund.¡± She knocked on the bar. ¡°I¡¯ll see you tonight.¡±

    Once out on the road Isa took a deep breath. She would be home soon, and one mystery would be solved - she¡¯d know just how much time had passed since she¡¯d arrived here. She hoped it had been hours and not days. The idea of everyone worried about her was distressing.

    Gimble¡¯s shop was an easy stroll from Lund¡¯s, and the road was empty. Bywater is a small place, and after Deney, Isa had gotten used to the bustle of the local people and their activities.

    She pushed open the door of the shop. As before, a bumble of items greeted her eyes. A stack of boxes, a pile of boots and metal helmets, 3 unstrung lutes, and a potted lemon tree stood near the entrance as though someone had dropped those things and fled the store without getting payment.

    ¡°I sold the shoes,¡± said Gimble. He was standing near the wall of swords with a long white dress draped across his arms.

    ¡°I¡¯m not here to buy; I¡¯m here to sell.¡± Isa took 2 steps into the shop. ¡°I hope you got a good price.¡±

    Gimble ignored her last comment. He gently placed the dress on the counter and came toward her. ¡°What have you got, girl? I¡¯m pretty full at the moment, but you¡¯re here so¡­.¡± He seemed to be taking inventory of Isa and her possessions. ¡°The staff. That might¡­.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not for sale.¡± Isa planned on giving Lund the masterwork quarterstaff to thank him for his loan of the first quarterstaff.

    The shopkeeper¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°You¡¯ve been busy then.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I guess so.¡± Isa pulled her big bag over her shoulder. ¡°I have a few things to sell. Loot, you know.¡±

    ¡°You focused on the rapier the other day; it threw me off, but I see it now.¡± He took a step toward the counter. ¡°And I¡¯m sure you do quite well. It would be an honor to assess your-- the spoils of your victory. Victories. I¡¯m sure.¡± He gave a little bow.

    The gnome had been odd the first time she¡¯d met him, but this was an altogether different sort of odd. He couldn¡¯t be scared of her; that wouldn¡¯t make any sense. Maybe she¡¯d interrupted him in the middle of something. He¡¯d had the dress and-- maybe he had a lady friend in the back. But he should have locked the door if he was--This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    Gimble¡¯s voice interrupted Isa¡¯s spiral of thought. ¡°I said, I¡¯m glad to see you¡¯ve adapted so well to our plane.¡±

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Isa said absently. ¡°Listen, if you¡¯re busy I can--¡±

    ¡°No! No-no. Of course not. I have time for you. All the time. Take all the time you need. Just maybe you could put down your staff? We¡¯re friends after all. There¡¯d be no reason - no reason under the sun and moon for you to cast any spells¡­. Right?¡±

    ¡°Spells?¡± Isa shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m just a fi-- How funny. It didn¡¯t take long for me to be really comfortable with calling myself a fighter.¡± She put a hand to her chest. ¡°I¡¯m Isa Chamberlin. I was here really just a few days ago. You sold me this rapier.¡± She pulled the scabbard from her belt. ¡°This is one of the things I want to sell.¡±

    Gimble took the weapon gently. ¡°You didn¡¯t bond with it, too? Huh. Staff¡¯s an odd choice.¡± He looked at Isa quickly. ¡°Not odd. Unusual. Daring. Innovative, maybe.¡±

    ¡°Maybe you are confusing me with someone else. I just want to sell a few things and be on my way.¡± She paused. ¡°But I can go now. Perhaps you should lie down or something. You really don¡¯t look well.¡±

    Gimble¡¯s face had a sheen of sweat. ¡°Look, I have the shoes. I didn¡¯t sell them.¡± He laughed. ¡°You can have them back!¡±

    ¡°My Brooks?¡± Isa shook her head in confusion. ¡°Do you have a twin brother? The last time I was in, the guy was¡­ he was different than you.¡±

    ¡°Please, no magic. Your friend Windbane, he¡¯s a temperate wizard. He¡¯s no eldritch knight, of course but a model of temperance all the same.¡±

    ¡°Look,¡± Isa laid her hands flat on the counter. ¡°I think you¡¯re confused in your mind or something. I¡¯m a fighter. I don¡¯t know any magic.¡±

    ¡°But the staff, and you seem¡­.¡± He hung his head. ¡°Why don¡¯t you want to sell the staff if you haven¡¯t bonded with it? You¡¯re gonna sell your other weapon.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m downsizing, I guess you¡¯d say. I¡¯m going home, so I don¡¯t need these things, but the quarterstaff, that¡¯s going to be a present to a friend.¡±

    As she spoke, Gimble¡¯s head went side to side as if he couldn¡¯t believe his ears. ¡°I¡¯m getting old. I thought you¡¯d become a knight. Silly, really. Not reading the signs right, old man.¡± He chuckled and clapped his hands. ¡°Alright then! What do you have? Spill it, spill it out. Come on.¡±

    ¡°First, what¡¯s a whatchamacallit knight?¡±

    ¡°Eldritch. It¡¯s a magical fighter class. A wizard with a sword. Usually.¡±

    ¡°That sounds pretty awesome.¡±

    ¡°They are frightening. Fast, decisive, deadly.¡±

    ¡°Huh. And I could be one of those? If I was going to stay around here, I mean.¡±

    ¡°You seem capable enough.¡± Gimble shrugged. ¡°No offense.¡±

    ¡°None taken.¡± Isa put the loose gems, the navigator¡¯s kit, 2 old books, and an ornate belt she¡¯d taken from Hama, the bandit captain on the counter next to the rapier. After a moment she pulled off her boots and placed them on the counter, too.

    Gimble paused in sorting the gems and looked at the boots.

    ¡°Since you offered to return my running shoes¡­.¡± Isa let her voice trail off.

    ¡°I said that in a moment of weakness, girl!¡±

    She shrugged. ¡°All the same, you made the offer, and I accept.¡± She nudged the boots toward him. ¡°Thank you.¡±

    With a growl Gimble moved to the back room. He returned a few minutes later cradling the Brooks. ¡°I feel quite put upon.¡±

    Isa reached over and took the shoes. ¡°You have my word that if I come back here, I¡¯ll bring you a new pair.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯ll be ghost shoes?¡±

    Isa laughed. ¡°Yes, if I come back, I¡¯ll bring you some Ghosts. Probably not 8s. But yes.¡±

    That perked Gimble up, and he quickly ran through Isa¡¯s loot. She walked out with over 100 gold. As she closed the door behind her, she felt the weight of her coin pouch. ¡°Loot. What a concept. You win a fight with someone, and you get to sell their stuff.¡±

 Chapter Sixty Six: Morning Glory Afternoon

    With lighter bags and a heavier coin purse, Isa headed toward the river. Although she could have left Varana without seeing the dwarf Zileek, it felt wrong to leave without thanking him for his generous offer. If she¡¯d needed it, Isa would have had a place to stay.

    As she neared the river she noticed footprints, two sets tracing out a path ahead of her. She knelt to get a closer look. In movies a character is forever leaning in, nose touching the ground and then making pronouncements about the source of the tracks. Isa couldn¡¯t make any guess as to the origin. There were no claw marks, but they weren¡¯t boot prints either. Animal, humanoid, hellspawn¡­. Impossible to know.

    And it didn¡¯t matter anyway. Isa wasn¡¯t going where those tracks went. No way, no how. The river was the scene of her first battle, that inglorious confrontation with the gnoll, and she would not be returning. She could skirt the edges of the river, and they would take her to Zileek¡¯s house.

    The afternoon light gave a lively glint off the water. Small aquatic plants with tight purple flowers bobbed on the water. Varana was a lovely place, and the beauty simply reminded Isa that Portland was its own version of beautiful. The verdant forests and the colorful beds of roses, upon roses, upon roses. She would see them again and soon.

    As she approached Zileek¡¯s house, she came upon an old man walking slowly with the help of a cane. The tip of the cane sunk into the ground with each step, and Isa couldn¡¯t help but glance at the tracks he was making. She shook her head knowing that even these simple tracks, she could find a way to misinterpret them. ¡°I¡¯m no druid,¡± she said softly.

    ¡°Eh?¡± The man half turned to see who had spoken.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Isa said in a clear voice. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to disturb you.¡±

    ¡°¡±Not possible, young lady. Or rather, I was already disturbed prior to your arrival.¡±

    Isa fell into step beside him.

    ¡°Charles Ribone.¡± He put a hand to his chest. ¡°I used to walk 30 miles in a day and think nothing of it. Now just seeing my morning glories is an all day excursion.¡±

    Isa decided against making a pun about seeing morning glories in the afternoon. ¡°It¡¯s still,¡± she said, ¡°a nice day for a walk.¡±

    Charles gestured at her staff. ¡°You¡¯re a young adventurer on her way somewhere.¡±

    ¡°Here, actually.¡± Isa waved at the house. ¡°I¡¯ve come to see Zileek.¡±

    ¡°Our host. Esteemed, beloved, kind, generous¡­. Pick your modifier.¡± Charles swatted his hand as if the words annoyed him. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    ¡°I¡¯ve only met him the once. I think I¡¯d say ¡®kind.¡¯¡± Isa smiled at the old man. ¡°He was going to give me a place to live.¡±

    ¡°What, here? Are you sick? Only dying people around here.¡±

    Isa¡¯s step faltered just a touch, and then Charles chuckled. ¡°My friends accuse me of exaggeration. The ones still drawing breath.¡±

    ¡°I came here for dinner once.¡±

    ¡°And you didn¡¯t notice all the wrinkles?¡± Charles shook his head. ¡°Not very perceptive, my dear.¡±

    ¡°I think we were the only ones in the restaurant.¡±

    ¡°Must have come after 6.¡± Charles followed a path that led toward the river, and Isa followed. After a few minutes of silent walking he said, ¡°The flowers never change, except that they do.¡± He waved his cane toward the riverbank. ¡°These are not the same flowers as last week, but the roots are the same. They grow and blossom as their brothers and sisters did.¡±

    Isa felt like she needed to reply. ¡°The river is what drew me here. I liked the idea of waking up with this as my backyard. Des¡¯eren, I believe it¡¯s called.¡±

    ¡°Yes, or the Bye. But I like to call it the Well Met River.¡± Charles flashed a smile. ¡°A little joke from an old scholar. I¡¯ve always found it amusing that the elves called the river ¡®Hello¡¯ and the humans turned it into ¡®Goodbye.¡¯¡±

    This time Isa¡¯s step did falter. ¡°The Well Met River?¡± The name was so similar to the river that runs through Portland - the Willamette.

    ¡°Hasn¡¯t caught on, unfortunately. But you are free to borrow it, claim it as your own.¡± He gestured at a bench with his cane and sat down. ¡°This is a little farther than I normally go, if I¡¯ve gone down river already. I appreciate you spurring me on, though.¡±

    Isa sat beside him. Her mind churned with questions and possibilities. The river name - it couldn¡¯t be a coincidence. Charles might have information about how she slipped into this world, whether he realized it or not. ¡°A rest is nice,¡± she said.

    Charles gave Isa a smile. ¡°What happy chance that we should meet, Isa.¡± He nodded at her quarterstaff. ¡°Though perhaps it was fate. We both wield weapons of wood!¡±

    ¡°Were you an adventurer?¡±

    ¡°No, that was never my calling. Books called to me. History, philosophy, geography. I traveled a million miles in my mind, lived a hundred lives.¡± He rested his head on his cane. ¡°Wrote a few books of my own along the way. One of them, they still read.¡±

    ¡°History was always a favorite subject in school. So do you know how Bywater came to be? Or how this river got its name?¡±

    ¡°Bywater? No one has ever cared enough to chronicle its history. It¡¯s a trading post, a rest stop, a haven for those of us who call it home, but it¡¯s never been more than that.¡±

    ¡°And the river?¡± Isa prompted him. ¡°I¡¯m intrigued because it shares a similar name to a river in my city.¡±

    ¡°Ah indeed? No surprise there, most likely. The elves were very keen on naming everything in those first years. There must be dozens of name variants scattered across the land.¡±

    Isa shook her head unconsciously. ¡°No, I¡¯m from a different plane. It¡¯s called-- I don¡¯t know what it¡¯s called, actually. America, Earth, Gaia¡­. maybe you don¡¯t have a name for it at all.¡±

    He leaned toward her and smiled. ¡°The elves went everywhere. The trees, mountains, and rivers called to them in those days. And, child, since you are here, surely they went there.¡±

 Chapter Sixty Seven: Zileekâ€™s Curse

    Charles¡¯ gentle voice rang in her head as Isa hurried back down the path. Who would know for certain? Who here could tell her if elves had traveled to her world? You¡¯d think if Joth knew, he would have mentioned it, or if they had visited, that there¡¯d be evidence of it - here or back home.

    More evidence than her standing here now?

    Isa opened her bag with trembling hands. Could her notebook shed light on this? Maybe her quest log had updated. Was it too much to want a clear path to follow?

    ¡°Isi! We¡¯ve missed you. But you¡¯re here now.¡± Zileek came striding toward her with his arms out. ¡°Been out questing, hive you?¡±

    ¡°I have to go home,¡± she blurted out.

    ¡°You mein home-home? Your pline?¡± Zileek smiled up at her, his teeth white against his red mustache.

    ¡°Yes, I came to tell you, to apologize.¡± She glanced at her quest log. It was unchanged. But what better quest than to understand the link between these worlds? What could be more important? Did she need someone like Lund to give her a quest? He¡¯d done that once before.

    ¡°Isi? Sit down, liss. You don¡¯t look ill thit well.¡± Zileek led her to a shady spot on the side steps of the house.

    She held her notebook tight and looked at Zileek. ¡°I need to know how people move between the planes. I need to know if elves have visited my world.¡± She thought that alone might trigger a quest, but her notebook did not vibrate.

    ¡°I see.¡± Zileek nodded, a serious expression on his face. ¡°Well, it¡¯s migic, isn¡¯t it? Spells ind portils, ind the like. Thit¡¯s how you trivel.¡±

    ¡°But I didn¡¯t come here on purpose.¡± She used the notebook to punctuate her words. ¡°I slipped through a crack, or someone brought me here, or something.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re here for i purpose.¡± Zileek nodded.

    ¡°Are you saying that just to say something, or do you mean that I¡¯m here for a purpose?¡±

    ¡°I mein whit I siy. You¡¯ve i heiler¡¯s hinds.¡±

    ¡°A healer?¡± Isa shook her head. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    ¡°I knew thit ibout you the moment we met. You¡¯re here to leirn whit you need to tike bick to your own world.¡±

    ¡°No, I¡¯m not, and what could I take back? There¡¯s no magic in my world and no science here.¡±

    ¡°Eich pline his migic. Wouldn¡¯t be a pline otherwise.¡± He pointed at her notebook. ¡°Miybe you iren¡¯t quite done here if you hive thit out.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Isa sighed. ¡°My quest log is almost empty.¡±

    ¡°Ilmost is not ill.¡±

    ¡°Ah¡­¡± Just when she thought she was getting the hang of Zileek¡¯s accent, he threw a wild card out there.

    ¡°Whit¡¯s the quest, then? Hmm?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not even a quest - or rather it¡¯s the end of one. I¡¯m supposed to see this wizard - Vernal Fedru.¡± Isa drawled out his name. ¡°Because he¡¯s got a reward for me, but I don¡¯t really care.¡±

    ¡°Yeih? Why¡¯s thit then?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything for him on purpose. That¡¯s in the first place. Second, I¡¯m leaving, so who cares, right?¡± She didn¡¯t voice the third reason, but Zileek must have sensed there was more.

    ¡°Seems like i person could ilways use a rewird. Probibly coin, yeih?¡± Zileek paused. ¡°Unless there¡¯s something more to it.¡±

    He seemed to hang, waiting to hear Isa¡¯s response. And why not tell the truth? Wasn¡¯t like she¡¯d ever see the dwarf or the wizard again. ¡°I only met him once. He gave me the creeps.¡±

    ¡°Whit is thit? Is thit good? Like i fruit or something?¡±

    His face was so earnest that Isa had to laugh. ¡°It means,¡± she said, ¡°I thought he was strange and a little¡­.I don¡¯t know, sinister? He¡¯s probably fine. Perfectly harmless, but I didn¡¯t like him. So I don¡¯t want to see him.¡±

    ¡°For the best, if thit¡¯s how you feel. It¡¯s good thit you ire well off ind don¡¯t need the coin.¡±

    Isa rubbed her eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t know what I need anymore. Except I really do want to go home.¡± She looked at the dwarf. ¡°It¡¯s where I belong.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t doubt thit. Not it ill, liss.¡± He patted her hand. ¡°Ind I don¡¯t mein to liy i curse on you, but I cin see thit you¡¯re not done with Virini. Or miybe it¡¯s not done with you.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t believe in curses. People make their on luck.¡± Isa stood up. She wanted to be as far away from the dwarf as she could.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t mein to offend you, Isi. Truly.¡± He stood as well and looked up at Isa. ¡°You¡¯re i good ind kind person. Got i good heirt, ind I wish you the best. The very best.¡±

    Her annoyance wavered. He wasn¡¯t trying to scare her. Maybe this was the dwarven version of fatherly advice. ¡°So you think I should complete that quest? You think that I¡¯ll be done with Varana - or vice versa - when I¡¯ve completed that stupid quest.¡±

    ¡°I cin¡¯t siy for certiin; I don¡¯t know the source. I just feel the outcome.¡±

    ¡°Great. Well, thanks, I guess. I¡¯ll, uh, take it under advisement.¡±

    ¡°Fire well, liss.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, you too, Zileek.¡± Isa turned away troubled. With his accent it sounded for all the world like he said ¡°Fear well.¡±

 Chapter Sixty Eight: The Last Quest, Part 1

    After her talk with Zileek, Isa felt as twitchy as a cat. It was early, but she wanted to be back someplace safe and familiar, so she headed to Lund¡¯s. What would the other Lund¡¯s be like, she wondered. And was there actually a Lund¡¯s in Portland? Maybe she¡¯d already hit the rift the moment she opened the door.

    From what everyone here had told her, she either passed through a permanent portal - which meant that people from Foster-Powell were constantly stumbling into Varana, or someone had cast a transport spell that brought her here.

    Both possibilities seemed far fetched, and she had to all but rule out the first one. If there was a permanent portal between the worlds, she would have seen at least one or two other Portlanders come through. Which left the possibility that she¡¯d been brought here on purpose.

    For what purpose? To get a pair of old running shoes? Well, that failed because they were back on her feet. Although running shoes and leather pants was not a great look.

    What else had she left here? A lot of blood, and not much else. If this were a movie she¡¯d have unwittingly delivered some sacred trinket to the hero or the villain by now, but that hadn¡¯t happened.

    ¡°Not everything has to mean something,¡± she muttered as she approached the main road. Accidents happen. This was just an accident, a twist of fate. But through her own actions, she was going home.

    The sun was starting its descent when she arrived at Lund¡¯s. She¡¯d have an early dinner, maybe a few beers and then a good, deep sleep. For the last time she opened the door of the tavern.

    A few tables were occupied, plus a few people at the bar. She was just about to say hello to Lund when a figure approached from the side. ¡°Isa Chamberlin. I was hoping I¡¯d see you.¡±

    Isa cut her eyes to Lund as if to say Why is Fedru here? The half orc gave a small shrug, but his eyes stayed on the wizard. ¡°Oh?¡± she said, trying to keep her voice even. ¡°And why is that, Fedru?¡±

    ¡°I owe you a reward. You completed a quest that I offered.¡± He held out a small bag. ¡°100 gold.¡±

    She didn¡¯t take the money. ¡°That wasn¡¯t necessary. I was happy to help. Besides, it¡¯s really Mery¡¯s quest. Mery Braydon.¡± She felt a moment¡¯s pang as if she was literally shoving Mery into harm¡¯s way, but it was the truth.

    ¡°Ah yes.¡± He dropped the bag on the table. ¡°I have her reward as well. Would you sit for a moment?¡±

    He stared at her much as he had the first time they¡¯d met. Thinking of that reminded Isa of something, so she nodded. They were in a populated place, and Lund was literally at her back. She felt herself begin to relax by tiny increments.

    In the light of Lund¡¯s Tavern, the pentagram on Fedru¡¯s forehead seemed more quaint then foreboding. But then Isa was not the same person she¡¯d been when she first met him. She shrugged and slid into the booth. She didn¡¯t touch the bag of gold.

    ¡°I have,¡± he said as he sat down, ¡°a follow up quest. Are you familiar with the concept?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a follow up to the first one?¡± She couldn¡¯t keep a hint of sarcasm from her tone.

    ¡°Exactly.¡± He folded his hands. ¡°The children. They do not all have homes to return to, and I wish to ensure that they are looked after. Please. You earned this.¡± He pushed the coin bag toward Isa. As he did so, the sleeve of his robe bunched up, and Isa saw a band of leather around one wrist. A silver medallion sat in the center of the band. Etched on the surface was an image of a tree with a key tangled in its roots.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know if Joth told you,¡± Fedru went on, ¡°but I was an orphan, too. The druids took me in.¡±

    Isa nodded. Maybe it was a religious thing - the bracelet. Trees and keys and roots. Seemed pretty druid-ey.

    ¡°So what do you say?¡± Fedru was looking at her with his dark, piercing eyes again.

    ¡°About what?¡± Isa cupped the bag of gold in her hands, more for something to do than to claim ownership. As she did so, she felt an intense heat at her side. Her notebook felt like a burning ember. She¡¯d leveled!

    Fedru said, ¡°About running the orphanage. You¡¯d have help, of course.¡±

    Lund placed two pints of beer on the table and left. Isa took a sip and said, ¡°When we met the first time, you asked me if I believed in prophecy. Why?¡±

    ¡°I did?¡± Fedru seemed genuinely surprised.

    ¡°Yes. You made me tea, told me you don¡¯t like coffee, asked me about believing in prophecy, and then made a prediction. All in the span of like 40 seconds.¡±

    He nodded. ¡°The deer. I remember now.¡± He took a drink from his glass. ¡°Always a treat, coming here.¡±

    Isa waited for him to go on. After a long moment¡¯s wait she said, ¡°I¡¯d like to know what you meant about the prophecy.¡±Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

    ¡°Do you have many prophets in the land of Foster?¡±

    He remembered where she was from but not that he¡¯d brought up prophecy? Not possible. And yet, he was a wizard, so she didn¡¯t want to make an enemy. ¡°They are known for their volume, not their accuracy. In my land.¡±

    ¡°Which is why¡­.¡±

    Isa nodded. ¡°I wanted to know more.¡±

    ¡°My mind would be clearer, my memory sharper, if I knew that I had someone to run the children¡¯s home.¡±

    ¡°Haha, no.¡± Isa admired his persistence. Obviously he wanted to make sure the children got the same chances he had. She pushed the 100 gold toward him. ¡°Here¡¯s a donation - to help with the setup or expenses.¡±

    He didn¡¯t touch the bag. ¡°You must have great plans in mind. I can appreciate that.¡±

    ¡°Honestly,¡± Isa sighed, ¡°I wanna go home, and that¡¯s what I¡¯m doing.¡±

    Fedru gave a solemn nod. ¡°You have your own battles to fight in your own lands.¡±

    ¡°Something like that. So take the money. Use it for the kids.¡±

    Fedru leaned back. ¡°What I saw in my vision was a left handed woman who would change the fate of many people. That you have done. Or, perhaps that is what you will do when you return to Foster. I cannot say. Prophecy is more an art than a science.¡± He picked up the bag of gold and slipped it into his pocket.

    With his hands flat on the table Fedru said, ¡°Tell me of your lands. I have traveled to many planes but not Foster.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ It¡¯s very different than here. Loud, crowded - more crowded than Deney. We have machines instead of magic.¡±

    ¡°Gnomes and dwarves are fond of machines.¡±

    ¡°We don¡¯t have those. It¡¯s humans.¡± Isa paused. ¡°As far as I know.¡±

    ¡°It is loud and crowded, and you wish to return. Perhaps I am still too much a druid.¡±

    ¡°There are really wonderful parts, too. Many, many places are sort of like Bywater, and there are forests, rivers, oceans. The mountains¡­. They stick up like the teeth of the world. And any time of year they are covered in snow.¡± Isa smiled to herself. ¡°I miss it.¡±

    ¡°¡®The teeth of the world.¡¯ I should like to see that.¡± Fedru finished his beer. ¡°I can see that your mind is fixed.¡±

    ¡°It is.¡±

    ¡°Then I shall put your donation,¡± he bowed, ¡°to good use. And take my leave of you.¡± He pushed himself out of the booth.

    ¡°I¡¯m-- I¡¯m glad we got to talk,¡± said Isa.

    Fedru bowed again, fully this time. ¡°Agreed. Safe travels to you, Isa Chamberlin.¡±

    When he¡¯d gone Isa moved to the bar. She said, ¡°That was weird.¡±

    ¡°Fedru does not often come to town.¡± Lund leaned on the bar and looked at the door. ¡°I don¡¯t remember the last time I saw him in here.¡±

    ¡°Well, he lives in the middle of nowhere; I can tell you that!¡±

    Lund pulled another beer for her. ¡°I¡¯ve gotten kinda used to seeing you here.¡±

    ¡°Me too, Lund. I¡¯m going to miss you.¡± She laid the druid¡¯s masterwork quarterstaff on the bar. ¡°This is a going away present for you.¡±

    ¡°This isn¡¯t a tradition we have here.¡±

    Isa shrugged. ¡°Us either - or rather, the person going away gets the gifts. But I won¡¯t need this back home.¡±

    ¡°You hope!¡± Lund took the staff in hand. ¡°It is well made.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, got it off a druid. It¡¯s a masterwork - extra accurate, extra damaging.¡±

    ¡°Isa¡­¡± Lund shook his head and put the staff back on the bar. ¡°Sell it.¡±

    ¡°I already told Gimble it¡¯s not for sale. You have to keep it.¡± She paused. ¡°At least say that you¡¯ll store it for me, should I find myself back here sometime. And in the meantime, if you need it, you have it.¡±

    ¡°Alright,¡± he said. ¡°But what a strange land is yours if you don¡¯t need weapons.¡±

    ¡°Everything is kinda specialized there. We have people to fight for us, protect us, grow food for us¡­.. It¡¯s great!¡±

    ¡°But then what do you do?¡± Lund reached for Isa¡¯s pint glass. ¡°Wait, have you eaten? You need to eat.¡± He was back a minute later with a slab of bread and 2 small pieces of cheese. ¡°Eat this.¡± He pointed at the cheese. ¡°It¡¯s good, trust me. My people call it--¡±

    ¡°Cheese! Oh my God.¡± She put her hand to her chest. ¡°Cheeeese.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve had it before? Where?¡±

    Isa stopped halfway to putting a piece in her mouth. ¡°Is it not a thing here?¡±

    ¡°It is a thing. You are eating it, but most humans, they don¡¯t like it.¡±

    ¡°Not where I¡¯m from. This is good.¡± She broke off a piece of bread and folded it around the other piece of cheese. ¡°It¡¯s like a blue cheddar.¡± She saw that Lund was about to comment, so she added, ¡°That¡¯s an expression. It means the cheese has a combination of flavors.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m still just very surprised. I thought that you should have something good and filling before your journey, and I also thought that you, of all humans, might enjoy an exotic food, but I didn¡¯t think¡­.¡±

    ¡°If I could figure out a way to make a door between our worlds, people would flock here for your beer and this cheese.¡± Isa took another bite of her makeshift sandwich.

    ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t sell it.¡±

    Isa¡¯s mouth dropped open. ¡°The cheese? You¡¯re kidding. People really don¡¯t like it?¡± She finished the last bite.

    ¡°They think it¡¯s odd to eat milk.¡± He shrugged.

    ¡°Is this goat¡¯s milk? It¡¯s got a kind of a grainy texture that--¡±

    ¡°Goats?¡± A look of disgust crossed his face.

    ¡°Cows, then?¡± Isa¡¯s stomach took a tumble as she considered the other possible milks besides cow¡¯s milk. ¡°Tell me this is made from cow¡¯s milk.¡±

    ¡°This is orc¡¯s milk, of course. Well, and some half-orc, too probably. I don¡¯t remember where I got this. Mother¡¯s milk cheese is a cure-all for orcish peoples everywhere. A food to give comfort.¡±

    Isa swallowed and ran her tongue along the inside of her mouth. ¡°I¡¯ll take that beer now.¡±

    As he poured it, Lund said, ¡°You don¡¯t really use cow¡¯s milk, right?¡±

    ¡°Oh yeah, we do.¡± Isa gulped down some beer. ¡°Although not sure I¡¯ll ever eat cheese again.¡±

    She saw a flicker in Lund¡¯s eyes and put down her beer. ¡°The cheese was fantastic. It really tasted out of this world.¡± Lund opened his mouth, no doubt to say something literal about worlds, so Isa held a finger up. ¡°So thank you for sharing it with me. I¡¯m glad I got to try it. And I really do wish there was a door between our worlds because this is my favorite bar.¡±

 Chapter Sixty Nine: The Last Quest, Part 2

    The next morning Isa woke with a start, not unlike the first morning of her stay here. But then she remembered that she was going home soon. She pulled on her jeans instead of the leather pants. She wouldn¡¯t need those, but she would keep the jacket. It was a nice keepsake. Her adventure jacket.

    With practiced ease Isa started to put on the bracers, but then she stopped. She could return these to Lund. Maybe he¡¯d take the pants, too. He could sell them maybe.

    Downstairs she heard Mery¡¯s voice before she saw her. The bard was sitting at the bar talking with Lund. Isa realized that she was telling him the tale of the fight with Thorn and her men. Lund had heard the basics from Isa, but of course Mery¡¯s version was more exciting.

    ¡°And here she is!¡± said Mery. ¡°We¡¯re losing quite a fighter here, Lund.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know about that,¡± Isa waved her hand in dismissal.

    ¡°Are you hungry?¡± asked Lund. ¡°Anything to eat before you head out?¡±

    ¡°Nah, I¡¯m really nervous. I just want to go. No offense.¡± This to Mery. ¡°I¡¯m just worried that something¡¯s going to go wrong, and I¡¯d rather know that right away.¡±

    ¡°Here¡¯s the scroll.¡± Lund handed her the paper, and Isa slipped it into her bag.

    ¡°And here are your bracers returned. And thanks to Mery, they look pristine. You¡¯d never know that a gnoll tried to chew right through the one.¡± Isa laid a hand on the bracers. ¡°Just one more thing to thank you for.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯d have done the same.¡±

    Isa nodded, hoping that was true. She stepped back and said, ¡°Well, that¡¯s it then.¡±

    ¡°No, there¡¯s this as well.¡± Mery held out a small bag. ¡°Your share of the loot. I traded it for gems. I figured they are light and valuable everywhere.¡± She paused. ¡°They are valuable in your world?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Isa smiled. ¡°Diamonds are a girl¡¯s best friend.¡±

    ¡°No diamonds, I¡¯m afraid. Some small sapphires, tigers eye, and pearls. About 500 gold worth.¡±

    Isa tucked it into her jeans pocket. ¡°OK, I¡¯m going. My last quest.¡± She took a deep breath and spread her arms to hug Mery who said, ¡°I¡¯m going with you! At least to the temple. Not going to your plane. I like ya but not that much.¡±

    ¡°No, really, it¡¯s--¡±

    ¡°We talked about it,¡± said Lund. ¡°We don¡¯t want you having trouble on the road.¡±

    Isa opened her mouth to protest and thought better of it. She was carrying an incredibly valuable scroll. She threw her arms around Lund and gave him a big hug. ¡°Thank you for everything. I won¡¯t forget you.¡±

    ¡°Safe travels, Isa. Maybe your road will bring you back this way. You¡¯re always welcome.¡±

    Isa turned away, nodding her head. She didn¡¯t want Lund to see her glistening eyes. Once she and Mery were out in the fresh air, Isa felt better. She glanced once over her shoulder at the tavern.

    ¡°He¡¯s a good lad,¡± said Mery.

    ¡°Yeah, you know I¡¯m going to miss you, too. I thought this would be easier.¡±

    ¡°I admit that I almost hopped it here last night.¡± She grinned at Isa. ¡°But I didn¡¯t want you thinking I¡¯d be wasting away without you. You¡¯re a sweet lass, but¡­.¡±

    ¡°No fireworks.¡± Isa laughed with relief. ¡°That¡¯s what I was thinking. Great sex, but you¡¯re not my soulmate.¡±

    ¡°No call for that kind of talk! I do have a reputation to maintain!¡±

    They walked down the road in companionable silence. After about 5 minutes Mery said, ¡°I did consider stealing the scroll so you¡¯d have to stay. But I decided you¡¯d frown on that. And to make up for my wicked thought,¡± she went on quickly, ¡°I gave you an extra 100 worth of gems.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure I believe you - about either statement.¡± She felt the bag in her front pocket. ¡°How would I know? I¡¯m not sure what this will even buy me back home.¡±

    ¡°Hopefully at least 600 gold worth of goods.¡±

    ¡°Maybe more. I have no idea the going rate for tigers eyes.¡±

    ¡°Do you want gold instead?¡± Mery sounded concerned. ¡°Or is there something that your people want or need?¡±

    ¡°Like trade goods? Seriously?¡±

    Mery shrugged. ¡°Yeah, why not? Everyone needs health potions.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve told you - my world is not magical.¡±

    Mery smiled and shook her head. ¡°Just because you haven¡¯t seen it doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s not there. The fact that you are here, and that you are about to get back, that tells you it¡¯s magical.¡±

    ¡°So you think I should just conjure up Anne Merchant to¡­..¡± Isa stopped, expecting to see the merchant ahead on the road.

    ¡°To what?¡± Mery stopped, too.

    ¡°To like pop into existence right here. I say her name, and boop! she¡¯s here.¡±

    Mery laughed. ¡°She¡¯s a real person, you know. She¡¯s not some conjuration. She just has a nose for business.¡±

    Isa felt her face get red. ¡°Good friends, are you? Well, in my experience all I have to do is think about spending money and--¡±

    ¡°I heard you were leaving.¡± Anne and her wheelbarrow were standing in the road beside Isa.

    In response Isa waved her hands from Mery to Anne. ¡°See?¡±

    Mery hugged the merchant. ¡°I missed you in Deney!¡±

    ¡°Well, I can¡¯t wait around forever, girly. Got people to see, things to sell.¡± Anne looked at Isa. ¡°You¡¯re staying? If it¡¯s because of this one,¡± she hooked a thumb at Mery, ¡°I can tell you that¡¯s a losing proposition.¡±

    ¡°Auntie! Isa is leaving. We are just friends, I¡¯ll have you know.¡± Mery crossed her arms over her chest.

    ¡°First time for everything, I guess.¡± Anne scratched her nose. ¡°I thought you two would hit it off, have a whirlwind of a romance, then she¡¯d,¡± Anne pointed at Mery. ¡°break your heart. And then you¡¯d go off adventuring to try to forget her. That¡¯s how it usually goes.¡±

    Mery gave Anne a gentle thwap on the shoulder. ¡°It is not!¡±

    ¡°Be that as it may,¡± said Anne, ¡°what do you want to buy?¡±

    ¡°I actually want to sell these, if I can.¡± Isa pulled the leather pants from her large bag.

    ¡°Hmm, hide.¡± Anne shook them out and held them up, turning the pants this way and that. ¡°In pretty good shape. You really didn¡¯t get much fighting done, did you?¡±

    Isa burst into laughter. ¡°Enough for my taste, thank you.¡±

    ¡°Give you 3 gold.¡±

    ¡°What if I throw in the bag?¡± Isa pulled the big bag she¡¯d gotten from her first quest over her head.

    ¡°3 gold, 5 for both.¡±

    ¡°Auntie.¡±

    ¡°Hush,¡± Anne said to Mery. ¡°Family is family, and business is business.¡±If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°Fair enough,¡± Isa shrugged. 5 silver was 5 silver, though she wasn¡¯t sure what she¡¯d do with the metal once she was home.

    Mery grabbed the big bag out of Isa¡¯s hands. ¡°¡¯S nice bag. I¡¯ll give you a gold for it.¡± Before Isa could protest Mery shoved a coin into her hand.

    ¡°Mery. That wasn¡¯t necessary.¡± Isa gave her a smile.

    ¡°Yeah, Mery. Not necessary.¡± Anne sighed. ¡°Are we done? I was on my way to breakfast when you interrupted me.¡±

    ¡°Anne, it has truly been a unique pleasure.¡± Isa bowed.

    ¡°Keep yourself out of trouble. Fighters are always fighting something.¡±

    Isa spread her hands. ¡°I hung up my weapons. I¡¯m not a fighter anymore. We don¡¯t have those in my world.¡±

    Anne snorted out a laugh, grasped the handles of her wheelbarrow, and hurried away.

    ¡°Is she really related to you?¡±

    Mery watched Anne for a moment. ¡°Yeah, for true. My mum¡¯s side of the family.¡±

    ***

    The rest of their journey to the Temple of Fazar was uneventful. Isa climbed the 3 steps to the front door. Mery stood at the bottom of the stairs. ¡°Here¡¯s goodbye, then,¡± she said.

    Isa grasped her bag, feeling the hard edge of her notebook and the reassuring crackle of the scroll. ¡°Yes,¡± said Isa.

    ¡°I wish--¡± Mery stopped. She shook her head. ¡°I kind of wish I had a spell to keep you here. But I know you need to go.¡±

    ¡°I do. Your world is lovely, but¡­.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not your own.¡±

    ¡°No. I don¡¯t belong here.¡± She ran down the steps and gave Mery a long kiss. ¡°Thank you for helping me. I wouldn¡¯t be here - here -  without you.¡±

    ¡°Aye. Safe travels, Isa.¡±

    ¡°Safe travels, Mery.¡± She turned and ran back up the stairs and knocked on the door. After a long moment the door opened. Isa stepped through, and she didn¡¯t look back to see if Mery was there.

    My last quest, she said to herself as she followed the acolyte down the now familiar corridor. Ealda sat behind her desk and stood when Isa walked in.

    ¡°I hadn¡¯t expected you so soon.¡±

    ¡°Me either, but I got very, very lucky.¡± Isa pulled out the scroll.

    Ealda didn¡¯t breathe as she took it from Isa¡¯s hands. Her eyes roamed over the paper¡¯s surface. ¡°It is indeed the gate spell.¡±

    Isa hadn¡¯t really doubted that, but it was a relief to hear confirmation. ¡°Do we need to move the desk, or¡­.¡± Isa looked around the cramped office.

    ¡°I won¡¯t be reading this scroll.¡± Ealda rolled it into a tight cylinder.

    ¡°But¡­.¡±

    ¡°With your permission I¡¯ll trade you the scroll for a gate spell.¡±

    ¡°It is a lot of money, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    Ealda nodded. ¡°And this is a fine specimen. True artistry.¡±

    ¡°Gerry Tinero,¡± said Isa. ¡°This was his. But really I--¡±

    Ealda raised one eyebrow and then nodded. ¡°We will sell the scroll and use the money to help fund a new library.¡± She stood. ¡°I prayed about it, and this is Fazar¡¯s answer. Of course it is. You can¡¯t question the will of the gods.¡±

    She touched a paperweight on her desk and muttered some words. A moment later a small chest shimmered into existence on Ealda¡¯s desk. As the priestess touched the chest it seemed to solidify.

    ¡°That is quite a spell,¡± Isa managed.

    ¡°Secret chest,¡± said Ealda. ¡°It is one of my favorites, even if it is rather pedestrian.¡± She reached inside and pulled out a diamond the size of a walnut. ¡°This is worth 10,000 gold here. I do not know its worth in your world, but I offer it as part of our trade.¡± She held it out to Isa with one hand while she reached back into the chest. She brought out a smaller diamond. ¡°This we¡¯ll use for the spell.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s enough that I¡¯m going home.¡± Isa shook her head.

    Ealda cocked her head. ¡°I do not understand your reaction. I don¡¯t think that you are attempting to bluff for a larger trade, but you should at least take this.¡± She held out the diamond again. ¡°It must be worth something in your world, or if you return here, you have something of great value.¡±

    ¡°Alright.¡± Isa took the diamond and slipped it into her jacket pocket. ¡°Thank you. I appreciate all that you¡¯ve done for me.¡±

    ¡°I name you a friend of Fazar, Isa Chamberlin. I don¡¯t think you have the¡­ temperament to be a wizard, but if you care to take the path, come back and see me.¡± She put the small diamond on the desk and sat down. ¡°Are you ready?¡±

    Isa nodded and stepped closer to the bookshelves. Her heart was on her chest. There was no room for air.

    The priestess began to chant and move her hands. At first Isa didn¡¯t notice anything, but then after about 20 seconds she could see a faint outline of a door in the middle of the room. Slowly, as Ealda chanted, the door became more visible until finally Isa was looking at a glowing doorway.

    ¡°Go now, Isa. The spell is brief.¡±

    ¡°Thank you again,¡± Isa said to her. ¡°Oh my God, thank you.¡±

    The priestess didn¡¯t make eye contact with her; her gaze stayed focused on the diamond. With a deep breath Isa walked toward the door. She was surprised to see a handle. As she reached out to grab it part of her was certain that she¡¯d wake up in bed at Lund¡¯s or that the handle would break apart like mist, but it didn¡¯t. Her fingers curled around solid metal.

    With a click, the handle turned, and Isa pushed open the door. She stepped across the threshold and into the night air. A whoosh sounded near her, and Isa started. She turned around to see that she was standing in front of the Starday Tavern. The bright neon of the sign shone bright in the puddles on the sidewalk.

    Neon light reflecting on puddles! Neon!

    Isa heard the whoosh again and whirled back around, expecting to see some creature had followed her through the door, but instead she saw a TriMet bus using its hydraulics to lower the front exit for an old man with a walker.

    For a moment Isa stood agape at the scene, and then she whooped for joy, raised her arms over her head, and did a dance. Relieved laughter poured out of her. As she made a full circuit around in her little dance, Isa¡¯s eyes met the bus driver¡¯s. He gave her a smile and a thumbs up. He called out, ¡°You win big at video poker?¡±

    Isa put her hand in her jacket pocket. The diamond was there. She patted her jeans and felt the bulge of the gems Mery had given her. ¡°Oh yeah!¡± she answered.

    ¡°Right on,¡± the driver nodded. ¡°Need a ride?¡±

    Isa waved him off. ¡°I¡¯m good. Take care.¡±

    She turned and started up the street. Home was just a few blocks from here. At the corner Isa paused to look at Foster Road. The Dutch Brothers was doing a brisk business, and a couple passed her talking. She caught the words, ¡°coffee collective¡± and smiled to herself. Yes, she was definitely in Portland. But how many days had passed?

    Once she got home, she¡¯d figure that out, but for the moment Isa savored the feeling of walking in her neighborhood, of walking the familiar path, of heading home.

    At the corner, she turned left and put the lights of Foster behind her. She¡¯d only gone a few steps when she felt a vibration in her bag. The feeling made Isa freeze. A quest? But she was home! No more quests, no more fighting, no more--

    The vibration pulsed again, and with a feeling of dread Isa reached into her bag. What impossible task would-- Her fingers touched the cool metal of her phone. She burst into laughter as she pulled out her cell phone. A text message alert blinked at her.

    The lock screen showed Isa that it was the same day - same night - as when she left. A few hours had passed since she¡¯d walked into Lund¡¯s Tavern. With a shaking finger Isa unlocked her phone and read the message. It was from Marissa, and it said, ¡°Alice wants your number. Is that cool?¡±

    Isa broke into a grin. She hit the microphone icon. ¡°Yes, exclamation mark. And you have to invite me for your game next week, period. I think I¡¯d be kinda good at Dungeons and Dragons.¡±

    Spoiler: Isa''s Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter  Level: 4   Note: Isa has enough XP to level - she just forgot about it for right now.

    Alignment: Chaotic Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Hit Points: 26    AC: 15

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 26

    Combat: +5 to Hit / +6 on the Quarterstaff

    Weapons: Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +3  / Quarterstaff +1 (right  hand) 1d6 +3 (bludgeoning)

    <ul>

    <li>Potion of Healing</li>

    </ul>

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    16

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    5

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

 Interlude 6: The End of Book 1

    Hi everyone, I just literally typed the words "The End" about 10 minutes ago. Then whooped for joy and posted it here at RRL. And I wanted to just get a few thoughts and thank yous out there......

    I had no idea what I was in for when I started this story in December. I have had so much fun creating this adventure. Over the last 3 months I''ve somehow pulled over 100,000 words out of my brain and onto the page, and what''s even crazier? I''m going to try to do it again!This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

    And that wouldn''t be possible without the kind words, ratings, reviews, and encouragement that I''ve gotten here. What an awesome community. So, thank you. THANK YOU!

    I''ve got Book 2 bubbling in my brain right now (although I don''t have a title). So I''ll probably post Chapter 1 of that on Monday or Tuesday - I like to keep a few chapters ahead of what''s posted.

    My heartfelt thanks to you. And if you liked the story, please review it and tell your friends!

    Beth

 Interlude 1a: Introducing Book 2 - The Lockwood Quest

    Hi all, here''s to Book 2! The adventures continue!

    Isa''s back in Portland, but not for long.....

    I plan to experiment with using more of the dice rolls in the narrative. Isa now knows how to play D&D so it''s possible that she''ll think consciously about say, a perception check. I want to see how that plays out within the story structure -- it might not work.

    Note on the game engine for this story -- I use the Open Gaming License for 5th Edition, Dungeons & Dragons.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!

    The Varana Nights series uses Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) as the game engine. D&D is a tabletop role-playing game. Players come together at a table (real or - thanks to places like Roll20 - virtual) and play the role of adventurers. One person is the game master. In D&D this person is usually called the Dungeon Master or DM.

    The DM knows the full story and the players - called player characters or PCs - know their own character¡¯s backstory, motivations, and reactions to events. As players move their characters through the imaginary world, they encounter story characters (called non-player characters or NPCs), monsters, and mysteries. They will explore strange and sometimes dangerous locations, fight bad guys, go on quests, find treasure, eventually level up their skills, abilities, and gear.

 Lockwood Chapter 1: The Campaign

    ¡°Does a 17 hit?¡± Isa looked from her d20 to Michelle, the Dungeon Master. The dark haired woman, sitting with a tri-fold screen in front of her, shook her head.

    ¡°Damn,¡± said Marissa, ¡°what kind of AC does this thing have?¡±

    ¡°More than 17.¡± This from Alice, who rolled 2 d20 dice next. One was green and the other gold. The gold one showed a 9, and the green one showed 19. ¡°Does a 25 hit?¡±

    ¡°It better,¡± muttered the man sitting across from Isa. His name was Felix, and he played the cleric in their weekly Dungeons and Dragons game.

    Ever since she¡¯d gotten back from her own adventure in Varana, Isa had come to her friend Marissa¡¯s house for Thursday D&D, which Marissa said stood for Dungeons and Drinking. The nickname aside, the game was the focus.

    Isa couldn¡¯t be sure, but this very game group might have caused her little adventure 3 months ago when she spent what felt like a month in the magical land of Varana where everyone lived their lives as characters inside a D&D campaign.

    ¡°25 hits,¡± Michelle told Alice. ¡°The other was a miss? Roll for damage.¡±

    ¡°2 d6 plus 4,¡± Alice said as she rolled the dice.

    ¡°Wait,¡± Michelle held up a hand. ¡°Only one attack hit.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but Broswin is right there.¡± Alice pointed at the mini figurines on the table. ¡°Sneak attack.¡±

    ¡°I am within 5 feet,¡± Isa said as she touched the fighter mini, nudging it just a touch so that it sat squarely within the gridlines on the map. As she pulled back her hand, Isa bumped the 5-headed pipe-cleaner constructed creature sitting adjacent to her mini and knocked it over.

    Felix raised his arms in the air. ¡°Success! The enemy is vanquished.¡±

    ¡°Hardly,¡± Michelle said as she righted the monster. ¡°What was your attack again?¡±

    ¡°16,¡± Alice said promptly. Michelle nodded and jotted down the number behind her screen.

    ¡°Nice work, babe.¡± Isa moved a strand of Alice¡¯s dark brown hair from her face. ¡°Way to stabby-stab him.¡±

    When she¡¯d left Marissa¡¯s house months back, Isa had stopped at a bar for a drink, slipped through a crack in reality and ended up at a Varanese bar called Lund¡¯s Tavern. Through luck, determination, and help from many people, Isa had made it back to the real world. Where she promptly started playing the game version of what she¡¯d been living.

    It made a twisted sort of sense. Although she¡¯d called Portland ¡°the real world¡± the entire time she was in Varana, there had been nothing make-believe about the place. She¡¯d almost died more than once there. And yet, she sort of missed Varana, so playing D&D gave her a little reminder of her time in that world. Plus, there was Alice. They¡¯d met at Marissa¡¯s game night, and now that they¡¯d been dating for several months, the D&D session was a fun couple-y activity for them.

    ¡°Telmar,¡± Michelle said to Felix, ¡°you¡¯re up.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m gonna cast prayer,¡± said Felix.

    ¡°I like it,¡± Michelle said. ¡°What¡¯s it do?¡±

    ¡°You could throw some healing my way,¡± said the woman sitting next to Felix. Her name was Della, and she played the mage in the party.

    ¡°You¡¯re about to get plus 1 on AC, attack, damage¡­..¡± Felix looked at the card in front of him; ¡°... ability checks and saving throws. Not too shabby.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s the range?¡± asked Michelle. She looked at the minis on the table.

    ¡°25 feet,¡± said Felix. ¡°I think I get everyone.¡±

    ¡°Not Marissa, not Nim, I mean.¡± Isa pointed at her friend¡¯s ranger figurine which was back a bit from the group.

    ¡°I got barkskin on.¡± Marissa waved dismissively. ¡°I¡¯m good.¡±

    ¡°And that is good for a minute, y¡¯all,¡± Felix added.

    ¡°Is that enough time to take down the hydra?¡± Della said aloud.

    ¡°That¡¯s 10 rounds,¡± said Alice.

    ¡°Yeah, but the hydra already laid into us,¡± Marissa pointed out. ¡°And it¡¯s about to have its second turn.¡±

    ¡°Which is why I wanted healing,¡± said Della.

    ¡°I have a healing potion,¡± Isa told her.

    ¡°You¡¯re not going to use your turn to give the mage a healing potion.¡± Alice frowned.

    ¡°I would if she was bleeding out.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Broswin.¡± Della said to Isa and glared at Alice.

    Although they were friends outside of the D&D campaign, Alice¡¯s rogue, Magrat, found Della¡¯s mage, Arwella, annoying in the game, and vice versa, so they were always digging at each other. Arwella¡¯s background was ¡°scholar,¡± and Magrat¡¯s was ¡°sailor,¡± so they barely understood each other¡¯s vocabulary much less their motivations.

    When Isa joined - her fighter Broswin had been hired by the mayor of the town to accompany the adventurers in exploring a nearby ruin - Alice and Della had delighted in telling Isa the elaborate scenario that had thrown the group together as adventurers. Michelle, sitting behind her screen sipping a beer, had smiled as they told the tale. She¡¯d created the campaign, Isa knew, and had taken evident delight in hearing it re-told by the friends.

    ¡°Alright,¡± Michelle shook a handful of dice. ¡°The hydra¡¯s turn. 10 foot reach, people.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Marissa did a little seated dance with her hands in the air.

    ¡°Were you hoping for a party wipe?¡± Isa fake-glared at Marissa.

    ¡°Got my eye on that sweet longsword of yours.¡± The moment the words were out Marissa covered her mouth. Everyone at the table roared with laughter. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    ¡°I¡¯m stealing that,¡± said Felix.

    ¡°It¡¯s a fairly specialized pick up line, Fey.¡± Alice tossed a mini marshmallow across the table.

    ¡°You have no idea what kind of action you can get at a con.¡±

    ¡°Maybe you can,¡± said Della. ¡°All the straight men are too busy one-upping each other on geek cred to pay any attention to the opposite sex.¡±

    ¡°I find all my girlfriends at game nights,¡± Alice said.

    ¡°All? Huh.¡± Isa popped an eyebrow at Alice and bit into a pretzel. ¡°Tell me more.¡±

    ¡°Guys, we¡¯re gonna be here all night if you keep getting distracted.¡± This from Marissa.

    ¡°We haven¡¯t played in 2 weeks,¡± Felix said. ¡°We need to ease into it.¡±

    Michelle held up a handful of d20s. ¡°5 heads, 5 dice. Bam goes the hydra!¡± She let the dice fall behind her screen.

    The campaign had them in a swamp currently, a place Isa had never encountered in Varana, but that was probably just good luck. If she¡¯d stayed, no doubt Mery or Joth would have dragged her to a swamp eventually, and Isa would have found herself face to face with a real hydra.

    The game version was bad enough: 5 heads meant 5 attacks. Each head sat atop a snake-like neck, giving it a 10-foot reach. Its attack - a bite attack - had a plus 8 toward success. And the damage this thing could do - 1 d10 plus 5. Isa knew this because her fighter Broswin had taken 13 damage from just 1 of those heads. She only had 52 to begin with and to lose a quarter of them in one chomp?

    ¡°OK¡­.¡± Michelle glanced at the small card in front of each player that listed their armor class and passive perception. ¡°Isa, you are OK. That 19 AC saved your butt. Alice you¡¯re OK. Della and Felix, let¡¯s roll some damage.¡± Dice tumbled behind the screen. ¡°Lucky! Felix, you take 8 damage, and Del, you get 6.¡±

    ¡°Are you bloodied?¡± Felix asked her, meaning was she below 50% of her hit points.

    ¡°Yep, but it¡¯s my turn, and it¡¯s payback.¡± Della held a card up. ¡°Fireball.¡±

    ¡°Hey,¡± said Marissa, ¡°would you be cool with holding your action until right before its turn? If we can chop off a few heads, your fire damage will keep them from growing back.¡±

    ¡°I want you both to make nature checks,¡± Michelle said.

    Both women picked up their d20s, shook them, and rolled. ¡°Fuck,¡± said Marissa. ¡°10.¡± Della smiled. ¡°15.¡±

    ¡°OK,¡± Michelle nodded. ¡°Arwella would certainly know, from her extensive reading, about the fire trick. What do you wanna do?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll hold my action.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t forget your prayer buff.¡± Felix pointed his finger at the group.

    ¡°Crap!¡± Della looked at Michelle. ¡°Would that have saved me?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think so. I think he rolled an 18 or 19 against you.¡±

    Isa grabbed her pencil. ¡°That¡¯s plus 1 to¡­.¡±

    ¡°AC, attack, and damage.¡± Alice touched her arm and whispered, ¡°You OK? Why are you so distracted?¡±

    ¡°That paper is due Monday,¡± Isa replied softly. ¡°I should be home working on it.¡±

    Alice nuzzled her ear. ¡°All work¡­.¡±

    ¡°Gives Jack an A in the class.¡±

    Marissa rolled attacks for her longbow. Before she could give Michelle the results, the DM said, ¡°Isa! Roll damage for your last attack. I goofed on the AC for Mister Snakeyhead.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s Snakey McSnakeyhead,¡± Felix said quickly.

    ¡°So 17 does hit? Nice!¡± She rolled the d8 for damage.

    ¡°But you won¡¯t get the buff from the prayer,¡± said Alice. ¡°Telmar cast that after your turn.¡±

    ¡°8 damage.¡± Isa tried to keep the disappointment from her voice.

    ¡°Great.¡± Michelle made a note. ¡°OK Nim, whatcha got?¡±

    ¡°A 23 and an 18. Which both hit, right? So that¡¯s¡­..¡± She rolled 2 d8 die. ¡°19 damage. Damn. We need to drop these heads, and no 19 is gonna do it.¡±

    Michelle didn¡¯t respond. ¡°Broswin. You are up.¡±

    Isa rolled successfully on her two attacks and rolled max damage on her rolls. ¡°28 damage!¡± She beamed at Marissa, who raised her beer bottle in salute.

    Michelle removed one of the pipe-cleaner heads. ¡°Nice work.¡±

    ¡°So 28 is the number to beat?¡± Della asked Michelle, who shrugged and said, ¡°Make a nature check.¡±

    Della rolled her d20 and groaned. ¡°5.¡±

    ¡°Anyone else want to make a check to see if you can ¡®remember¡¯ how much damage you need to chop off a head?¡±

    The whole group, minus Della, rolled their d20s. A chorus of voices rose, but all but one roll was under 10. Felix slapped his hands. ¡°Natural 20!¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t--¡±

    ¡°--crit on a skill check,¡± he finished for her. ¡°Way to take the joy out of my life. So 24 for my nature check.¡±

    ¡°You,¡± said Michelle pointing at him, ¡°know - maybe thanks to your god - that if a hydra takes 25 damage in a single turn, it loses a head. With a 24, you also know that at the end of its turn, 2 heads will grow in place of that one unless someone cauterizes the wound. And you know that if the head regrows, the hydra regains 10 hp for each head.¡±

    ¡°How we gonna do this?¡± Felix muttered.

    ¡°You have sacred flame, right?¡± Isa said to him. ¡°Cantrip?¡±

    His eyes got big, and he nodded his head.

    ¡°Magrat¡¯s turn,¡± said Alice. She rolled the dice. ¡°Got a 20! And a 14 plus 6, plus 7 - thank you, Telmar - 21 for that one.¡±

    ¡°Double damage for the crit, and let me consult the book of crits to see what else happens¡­. That¡¯s a piercing weapon? Nice - stunned for a round.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s 28 damage total, between the hits.¡±

    Michelle removed another head. She fluffed out the 3 remaining heads as if they were flowers in a vase.

    ¡°If it¡¯s stunned¡­.¡± Felix cocked his head.

    ¡°Yeeeees?¡± said Michelle.

    ¡°It wouldn¡¯t know to regrow those heads, right?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not a conscious decision. It¡¯s a reaction to trauma.¡±

    Felix shook his head. ¡°You just had that answer right there.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s my job.¡± Michelle smiled. ¡°Having all the answers. And it¡¯s your turn.¡±

    Felix looked at the spell cards in front of him. ¡°Much as I want to whoop some fire on that hydra¡¯s ass, I got a mage with half her hit points, so I¡¯m gonna cure wounds as a 3rd level. Plus I am a discipline of life so we get to add another 5.¡± He rolled 3 d8s and said, ¡°12 plus 5 - 17 hit points to Arwella.¡±

    ¡°Nice!,¡± said Della as she wrote the number on her character sheet. ¡°I¡¯m back to 38. Wow. Thank you. And it¡¯s my turn.¡± She picked up a handful of d6 dice. ¡°Fireball.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s the area of effect on that?¡± Michelle asked.

    ¡°20 foot radius, but I have spell sculpt so it¡¯s fine.¡±

    ¡°Cool. And the difficulty check? What¡¯s he gotta make to take half?¡±

    Della looked at her spell sheet. ¡°14. If he makes it, he¡¯ll take half.¡±

    Michelle rolled a d20 behind her screen. ¡°Nope. He rolled a 12. Let¡¯s see the damage.¡±

    Della let the d6s fall from her hand. There were 2 6¡¯s, 2 5¡¯s, a 1 and a 2. ¡°25 exactly!¡±

    ¡°26,¡± said Felix. ¡°Prayer.¡±

    ¡°Well done.¡± Michelle pulled a third head from the creature. ¡°Two heads left, and you successfully cauterized the wounds.¡± She put the 3 heads off to the side. ¡°Won¡¯t be needing these.¡± She touched the 2 remaining heads with her fingertip. ¡°These guys, however, they have something to say. And they are going to each go after the people who hurt them the most. The two with the stabby swords. Broswin and Magrat.¡±

    She rolled dice and winced. ¡°Ooo crit fail on Isa, and an 18 on Alice. Let¡¯s look at the fail first. Michelle pulled out her deck of cards. ¡°Ah, disadvantage on the next attack.¡± She stuck the card to her screen with a metal clip. She rolled a die. ¡°And Alice - Magrat, 10 damage to you.¡±

    ¡°I use evasion to take half.¡± Alice jotted ¡°5¡± on her sheet.

    ¡°How¡¯re your hit points?¡± Felix asked Alice.

    ¡°Good. 23.¡±

    ¡°OK! Top of round 3.¡± Michelle placed a new mini beside the hydra. The figurine had a long sweeping robe and one hand outstretched. ¡°And,¡± said she to them, ¡°an older man appears beside the hydra. He pats its side affectionately and glares at all of you.¡± She looked at the group. ¡°What¡¯s his name?¡±

 Lockwood Chapter 2: The Evil Wizard

    This is something that Michelle often did as the DM, ask the players to add color to the story with place names or descriptors for NPCs. Isa thought of it as a D&D version of Mad Libs. And without a thought Isa said, ¡°Vernal Fedru. That¡¯s his name.¡±

    Michelle made a sour face; Marissa choked on her beer, and Felix said, ¡°Verna Whosit? You pulled that right out your ass, didn¡¯t ya?¡±

    Isa shrugged. ¡°Call him Fedru. The evil wizard Fedru.¡±

    ¡°Where in the world did you get that from?¡± Marissa mopped at the front of her shirt where she¡¯d spilled a little beer. ¡°So specific, so random.¡±

    ¡°Truly,¡± said Della. ¡°But I like it. Fedruuuu.¡±

    ¡°Sounds familiar - Star Wars?¡± Michelle cocked her head.

    ¡°No way,¡± Alice laughed. ¡°Isa is not a Star Wars geek.¡±

    ¡°We don¡¯t have to use it,¡± said Isa. And she was regretting the outburst, but it just seemed too perfect, given the situation. Draw a tiny pentagram on the mini¡¯s forehead, and it could be Fedru.

    Of course, creepiness aside, she had no idea of Fedru¡¯s - the real Fedru¡¯s - alignment. Maybe he wasn¡¯t evil at all. He¡¯d certainly done several good things. Helping the kidnapped kids, and¡­. Maybe that was it, but still that was one good thing. Evil people don¡¯t do good things, right?

    ¡°Isa? Your turn.¡± Marissa was looking at her strangely. ¡°Where¡¯d you go?¡±

    ¡°When? Nowhere!¡± She hadn¡¯t told anyone - not even Alice - about Varana. Except for a few scars, oh and several thousand dollars in gems, she had nothing to prove that the whole thing ever even happened.

    Marissa snorted with laughter. ¡°Weirdo. Pay attention.¡± She pointed at the board, and then made air quotes: ¡°Evil wizard.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll go for the hydra again,¡± said Isa, grabbing her 2 d20s¡­..

    ¡­.Three more combat rounds and a few healing potions later, the hydra was dead, and the ¡°evil wizard¡± had fled. At that point Michelle looked at her phone and said, ¡°This is a good stopping point. We¡¯ll pick up next week with looting the hydra.¡±

    Isa brought in the bowl of pretzels, set it on the counter and went back for her wine glass. Marissa was loading the dishwasher. She glanced at Isa. ¡°Thanks, hon. Some session, huh? Hydras are no joke.¡±

    ¡°Yeah!¡± said Isa. ¡°I¡¯m glad you knew what to do.¡±

    ¡°Michelle was right - that was meta-gaming. I should have said that I wanted to roll nature.¡±

    Isa ate a pretzel. ¡°It worked out.¡±

    Alice came in with two stacked bowls. ¡°We kicked that hydra¡¯s ass,¡± she said.

    ¡°But not the wizard¡¯s.¡± Marissa took the bowls.

    ¡°As usual,¡± Isa kissed Alice¡¯s forehead, ¡°you played brilliantly.¡±

    Della poked her head in the kitchen. ¡°I¡¯m going to give Michelle a ride. See you guys next week.¡±

    Alice kissed Isa and said, ¡°Be right back!¡± She headed back into the living room, and Isa heard her say, ¡°Felix, that website¡­.¡±Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

    ¡°What¡¯s his deal, you think?¡± Marissa leaned against the counter and took a swig from her beer bottle.

    ¡°Who?¡± Isa had been turned toward the living room.

    ¡°Vernal Fedru.¡±

    ¡°You remembered his name!¡± Isa smiled. ¡°Yeah, no fair running away, huh?¡±

    ¡°It is an unusual name. How¡¯d you come up with it?¡±

    Was there a tone in Marissa¡¯s voice? Isa paused for just a moment, considering her long time friend. No, Isa decided that she must just be tired and imagining things that weren¡¯t there. ¡°It is an unusual name,¡± she said. ¡°I think it¡¯s from Doctor Who.¡±

    ¡°The Dock-tor?¡± Marissa laughed and turned to the sink.

    ¡°The very one,¡± said Isa. After a moment she said, ¡°It¡¯s late. I¡¯ll get Alice and get out of here.¡±

    Marissa nodded but didn¡¯t answer.

    Isa found Alice and Felix sitting on the couch. Well, Felix sat on the couch. Alice kneeled on the couch, facing Felix. She said, ¡°I can get the people there, but we need the informational infrastructure in place.¡±

    ¡°Agreed. Between me and Ben, we can get the basics.¡±

    They both stopped to look at Isa. ¡°Hey guys. Fey, did you drive?¡±

    ¡°Nah I took the bus.¡± He stood up. ¡°We blowing this place?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, the fun is over,¡± said Isa.

    ¡°I heard that!¡± Marissa called from the kitchen.

    ¡°You need a hand with anything else?¡± Alice hopped off the couch and went to the kitchen.

    ¡°I guess I¡¯m not leaving yet,¡± Isa said. Felix laughed and said, ¡°I¡¯m heading out. Maybe see you this weekend?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. I know we¡¯re doing Oaks Bottom on Sunday. Maybe after?¡±

    ¡°Definitely after. You will not find me running, ever.¡± He called goodbye to Marissa and left the apartment.

    Isa sat on the couch and pulled her D&D bag toward her. It was amazing how similar Varana is to the game world of Dungeons and Dragons. Thinking back to the time she¡¯d broken her hand during the fight with the bandit captain, the one with the amazing scimitar, it was hard not to think that was the equivalent of rolling a 1 in combat.

    But who rolled the dice? It certainly wasn¡¯t Isa, not consciously. But the entire time Isa had spent in Varana had there been someone rolling dice and determining what happened to her? ¡°Someone.¡± Like God? Or a god?

    She shook her head. It was impossible to know, so why even waste time pondering? She¡¯d gone to another place, but she¡¯d come back. And all the people there - Joth, Mery, Fedru - they wanted to be there. They thrived there.

    Of course there was the question of why people like her and Joth ended up in another world. Was it just the most coincidental confluence of events that allowed Isa to walk into a bar in Portland and sit down in a bar in Varana?

    Maybe it had been part of his general vibe of mystery, but Fedru claimed to have had a vision about Isa. Well, what he¡¯d actually said was that a left handed woman would change the lives of many people. She couldn¡¯t be the only left handed woman in Varana, and what a vague prophecy anyway! ¡°Change the lives of many.¡± By fixing their teeth? That seemed the only likely impact that Isa Chamberlin was going to have on ¡°many¡± people in the short term. And that had nothing to do with Varana.

    ¡°What are you thinking so hard about?¡± Alice stood at the kitchen threshold with Marissa.

    ¡°She¡¯s always been a thoughtful drunk,¡± Marissa said with a smile.

    ¡°I am not drunk.¡± Isa shoved her character sheet and player¡¯s handbook into her bag. ¡°I am tired though.¡±

    ¡°See you tomorrow,¡± Alice said to Marissa.

    ¡°Yeah, bright and early.¡±

    Alice laughed. ¡°That¡¯s every day in the plant business.¡± Alice and Marissa both worked for a nursery. Marissa worked in landscaping, and Alice worked in the actual nursery.

    ¡°But we have our nights free.¡± Marissa kissed Alice on the cheek. ¡°Safe getting home you two.¡±

    Isa gave Marissa a hug and a kiss. ¡°Thanks for always hosting.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re playing with us. My favorite game and my favorite people.¡±

    ¡°I still miss your druid,¡± Alice said to Marissa.

    ¡°Wanker Goodfoot, the gnome druid. He was fun.¡±

    ¡°Wanker?¡± Isa looked from Alice to Marissa.

    ¡°A gnome druid?¡± Marissa smiled. ¡°What else would he be called?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going home,¡± said Isa. ¡°You people are weird.¡±

    Alice hooked her arm through Isa¡¯s. ¡°You love us; don¡¯t try to deny it.¡±

    ¡°Both of you get out of my house.¡± Marissa pushed at their shoulders.

 Lockwood Chapter 3: Oaks Bottom

    Sunday dawned bright and cold. Isa and Alice donned layers, and Alice drove them down to Oaks Bottom park for an early morning run. They both liked the park¡¯s trail for running, and Isa also liked that the early part of the trail reminded her of Varana. It had been very beautiful there. Dangerous and deadly but beautiful, too.

    The Oaks Bottom trail loops through groves of aspens and ash, mossy rock-covered hills, and boggy lowlands. In the early spring Sunday morning, the trail was also all but deserted.

    Although Alice could run faster than Isa, she tended to match Isa¡¯s pace for the first few miles, then she¡¯d speed up and circle back later in the run. They¡¯d gone less than a mile, so Alice was running right beside Isa.

    They came to the crest of a hill in one of the wooded areas of the trail when Isa spied a figure in white on the trail ahead. She slowed her pace, thinking that she¡¯d drop behind Alice until they passed the figure on the narrow pathway. With a glance down, Isa slipped in behind Alice who surged forward down the hill.

    ¡°What? What¡¯s wrong?¡± Alice looked over her shoulder at Isa.

    They should have been passing the white figure, but the path was empty. Isa stopped and looked around. ¡°There was a person. On the trail. To pass them I got behind you, but¡­.¡±

    ¡°No big deal, babe. They probably went off trail. Mushroom hunter or tweaker.¡± Alice wiped her face.

    ¡°No, but they were right--¡± Isa looked at the ground and spied something gold. She picked up a necklace with a circular medallion. Stamped on the golden circle, a tree with a key tangled in its roots.

    She¡¯d seen this symbol in Varana. On Vernal Fedru¡¯s wrist, and here it was in Portland. Isa took 2 steps toward the wood. Where had the figure gone? Who were they?

    ¡°Isa? Isa! What¡¯s wrong?¡± Alice looked alarmed.

    ¡°This.¡± Isa held up the necklace. ¡°I--¡± If she told Alice about the symbol, she¡¯d have to tell her everything, no matter how crazy it sounded.

    Alice shook her head. ¡°Baby, what are you-- You look like you¡¯ve seen a ghost.¡±

    ¡°I saw someone, on the trail, and they dropped this.¡± Isa held her hand out so that Alice could see the medallion.

    ¡°A necklace?¡± Alice brushed a finger across the design. ¡°That could have happened anytime. It could have been here for days.¡±If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    ¡°Come on - in Portland?¡± Isa closed her fist. This necklace meant that someone from Varana was in Portland. She knew that was possible, probable even, but why here? Why now? Was it coincidence that they were in Oaks Bottom just when Isa was?

    ¡°I didn¡¯t see it,¡± Alice said. ¡°Only you and your eagle eyes saw it, so yeah, it could have been here for days untouched.¡±

    ¡°But who dropped it? If not that person in white, who?¡±

    ¡°It is not a big deal, not a grand mystery, Isa. Just put it back, and maybe the person who dropped it will retrace their steps.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not gonna--¡±

    ¡°Or keep it! That¡¯s fine. It¡¯s a cool design. Just, let¡¯s get back to our run, yeah?¡± Alice put her hands on her hips. Her brown hair was pulled back for the run. She had her jacket zipped to the top still; they hadn¡¯t been running long enough for either of them to get hot.

    Isa couldn¡¯t keep the necklace. This tree & key design, it was Fedru¡¯s, and even if he wasn¡¯t an evil wizard, Isa didn¡¯t want to be reminded of him. But leaving it? That seemed nuts, too. Here was evidence that Varanese were here.

    Still Isa had to make a decision. ¡°I¡¯ll just hang it from this branch.¡± She shrugged. ¡°Maybe the right person will find it.¡±

    Later, at brunch with Felix, Alice told the story of the necklace, and Felix laughed at the idea that the rightful owner would come back to reclaim it. ¡°That necklace is long gone. Either around some hippie¡¯s neck or pawned for $5.¡±

    Isa tried to be a good sport. ¡°It just seemed special, alright?¡± She took a sip of coffee. ¡°The person who lost it, they¡¯ve got to be missing it.¡±

    The conversation flowed on, as did the day. About 4 o¡¯ clock Alice went back to her place on Belmont since Isa had the paper to finish.

    It hadn¡¯t been a fortune, but the gems that Isa had brought back were enough to allow her to start grad school a quarter sooner than expected. It was just 2 classes until summer, but that was fine with Isa. She was still part-time at the clinic and the light workload and light class load were designed to help her ease back into academia. Come summer Isa would jump into the OHSU dentistry program with both feet.

    But Isa couldn¡¯t settle into writing the paper. She¡¯d focus on her laptop for 20 minutes and then pace for 5. Her paper was on frenectomies, a procedure Isa knew well. At 10 years of age she¡¯d had a maxillary frenectomy to remove excess tissue between her front teeth. The experience should have been frightening, but Isa had been fascinated, and that fascination led to her interest in dentistry.

    That personal touch had no place in an academic paper, but it was interesting to revisit the process and see what had changed in the ensuing 18 years. That was good for half a paper. For the rest, she¡¯d found an interesting study on lingual frenectomy on newborns to alleviate ankyloglossia - commonly called tongue-tie - which could prevent infants from being able to nurse properly.

    Except none of that could compare with the gnawing thought that people from Varana were in Portland. Were they here for her? Maybe they were entrapping other people as she sat in her apartment writing about mouth surgery. What did the figure in white want? Why had he or she been at Oaks Bottom? Were they trying to get Isa back to Varana? But why?

    The only way she was going to find out was by going back to Oaks Bottom.

 Lockwood Chapter 4: Portals

    Dusk was just beginning to fall as Isa drove Holgate Boulevard to the park. ¡°This is crazy,¡± she said aloud, but she didn¡¯t turn around. Yes, it was circumstantial that the necklace was Varanese, but--

    You should stop right there, she told herself. Turn the car around and go tell Alice everything.

    But where would she even begin? ¡°The night we met¡­.¡± That was a start, but what follows? ¡°I slipped into another dimension¡± or ¡°I visited a D&D plane¡± or maybe just scrap the beginning altogether and just say, ¡°2 months ago something inexplicable happened¡­.¡± No, God help her, that sounded like the beginning of a marriage proposal.

    As she pulled up to the park, Isa made her decision. First things first: she would find the person who dropped the necklace, talk with them, and then decide what to do about telling Alice.

    If the parking lot was any indication, the trail would be busy. At least 10 cars filled up the little lot, which meant Isa had to park on the street. And, although she wasn¡¯t dressed for it, Isa jogged down the trail. The sooner she got to the spot at the bottom of the hill, the better.

    Despite the cars, the trail seemed as empty as a Sunday morning. Isa jogged along looking for the spot. The path is hilly for the first part of the route - one of the things Isa liked about it - so any of the 3 hills could be the hill. Or rather, the bottom of the hill.

    Nearing the top of the third hill Isa heard voices. Faint and indiscernible, but voices nonetheless. At the top of the hill Isa was able to see that two figures were struggling with each other at the bottom of the hill. One figure in brown, the other in jeans and a sweater. As the two moved, Isa realized that the one in the sweater was Alice. She yelled Alice¡¯s name, and both people stopped and looked up.

    ¡°Isa!¡± Alice yelled out, and the figure in brown yanked on her arm.

    Isa started pounding down the hill as fast as she could, and a figure in a white robe seemed to shimmer from the treeline and grab Alice¡¯s other arm. Between them, the two wrestled Alice toward the trees.

    Suddenly aware of having no weapon, Isa considered her options. She could try to tackle the one in white - they seemed the taller of the two, the one who had tipped the scale against Alice. But if she missed her tackle, Isa would be sprawled on the ground and no help to anyone.

    She had almost reached them when the one in white touched a tree trunk with the palm of their hand. The trunk began to glow green, and the lead figure stepped through, dragging Alice. The one in brown shoved Alice from behind and stepped through the glowing portal.

    Isa reached the tree just as the light faded. ¡°No!¡± she screamed. ¡°No, no!¡± She slapped at the trunk with her hand. ¡°Open, damn it. Open!¡±

    The trunk began to glow with a brown light. Isa jumped back and stared at her hand. Had she just somehow cast a spell? She immediately surged back and placed her hand squarely in the middle of the glow.

    ¡°Come on, come on,¡± Isa muttered, but the trunk stayed solid. ¡°Fuck. Come on, open!¡± She shoved her hand against the trunk and fell through, landing on her hands and knees in warm, dappled sunlight.

    Isa scrambled to her feet and looked around. A man in a white robe lay on his side moaning. A woman in green stood beside a large tree, one hand on the tree, the other clasped to her side. Blood dripped red through her fingers. Other figures lay on the ground, motionless. Alice was not one of them.

    With a sigh of relief Isa scanned the trees to see which way they¡¯d taken Alice. No movement. ¡°Alice! Alice!¡± Isa drew a deep breath and screamed out her girlfriend¡¯s name one more time, the name ripping out of her throat as if the force alone would reveal Alice to Isa.

    ¡°They are gone. Portal.¡± This from the bleeding woman. Her voice had a soft lilt that reminded Isa of Mery¡¯s voice.

    Isa snatched up a stick not much longer than a ruler, but it felt good to have something in her hand. She advanced on the woman. ¡°Where did you take her? There was someone in brown with that one.¡± Isa whipped the stick toward the now-still form in white. ¡°Where are they?¡±

    ¡°Vayla is dead.¡± The woman motioned her head past Isa. ¡°Your friend was taken. We were set upon by enemies.¡±

    Now that she knew where to look, Isa glanced behind her and saw a brown-clad body in the leaves. She refocused on the injured woman. ¡°Why did you take Alice? Who has her now? Tell me right now.¡± She stopped 10 feet from the woman. At this distance Isa could see more blood on the ground. ¡°I can help you or hurt you - your choice.¡±

    ¡°They didn¡¯t take Alice, not on purpose. You¡¯re Isa, aren¡¯t you? It was supposed to be you.¡±

    At the woman¡¯s words Isa¡¯s stomach clenched. ¡°What do you mean?¡± She glanced behind her, suddenly realizing her vulnerable position.

    ¡°We are alone,¡± the woman said. She moved her bloody hand. ¡°And you have me at disadvantage.¡± She closed her eyes. ¡°Your friend, Alice, she touched the necklace, yes? That was designed to call you back to Varana. Your help is required.¡±

    ¡°Fuck that. You¡¯re wasting time. Who took Alice and where?¡± Isa took half a step closer to the woman. She knew instinctively that the woman was stronger and faster. In a fair fight, Isa would be outmatched, but the woman had a bad injury, that was obvious, and the blood loss had weakened her.

    ¡°I can help you,¡± the woman said to Isa. ¡°I¡¯m the only one who can.¡± She gestured weakly at the clearing. ¡°Who else is here to say where your friend has gone?¡±

    Anger flared in Isa. She tightened her grip on the stick. ¡°You look pretty hurt. I can make that much worse for you.¡±

    ¡°And never know where Alice has been taken. Isa, I know your enemy, for he is mine as well.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t have--¡±

    ¡°Vernal Fedru.¡± The woman¡¯s voice was quiet, but Isa had no trouble hearing her. ¡°Has he not thwarted you at every turn? Enticed you from your path?¡±The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°That makes no sense. He¡¯s not-- I¡¯m no one. I don¡¯t belong here. He was happy to see me leave.¡±

    ¡°And you don¡¯t wonder why?¡± She lifted her hand away from the wound on her belly. ¡°Help me, and I shall help you. Alice is in danger, after all.¡±

    Isa saw the logic in her words. If the woman died, Isa would have lost her only lead to Alice. It had been a few years since she¡¯d taken first aid training, but the basics were there. With luck, she could bind the woman up enough to keep her alive until a healer could finish the job properly. ¡°Drop your dagger over here,¡± she told the woman. ¡°And any other weapons you have.¡±

    The woman pulled a knife from her belt and tossed it at Isa''s feet. Isa picked it up and knelt beside the man in white. ¡°He¡¯s still breathing,¡± she said as she sawed at the hem of his robe to make a bandage.

    ¡°That is well,¡± said the woman. ¡°We¡¯ll see to him later.¡±

    Isa approached the woman. ¡°Lift your shirt a little for me. I need to see the wound.¡±

    ¡°I am called Ysel. Since I know your name, I thought you should know mine.¡±

    Isa didn''t answer. The woman¡¯s wound was severe, moving from just above her navel to her right hip. Isa had no salve, no wine, not even any water to wash the wound. For now pressure would have to do.

    ¡°How many were there? The ones who took Alice,¡± she said to the woman. ¡°Looks like a longsword, cut maybe? What sort of weapons do they have? I don¡¯t have time to waste.¡± Isa reached her arms around the woman, pulling the cloth across the wound.

    ¡°We were 3; they had 6 or 7. My¡­. friends,¡± Ysel winced as Isa pulled the cloth tight. ¡°They stepped through the portal, and moments later so did our attackers. I am ashamed to say they surprised even me.¡±

    ¡°So they knew your plans?¡±

    Ysel nodded. ¡°That is what I fear.¡±

    Isa tied the ends of the bandage. She¡¯d done the most basic of basic first aid, but it would have to do. She reached up to pull down Ysel¡¯s shirt, but Ysel grabbed Isa¡¯s hand in both of her own. ¡°They were right. You have the hands of a healer, Isa.¡± She put Isa¡¯s hand against her breastbone. ¡°I give this gift to you.¡±

    As Isa watched, her hand glowed green between the other woman¡¯s hands. With a cry she yanked back and stumbled away, clutching her hand. After a moment she dared to look at her left hand. It seemed fine. ¡°What did you do?¡± She glared at Ysel. ¡°What was that?¡±

    The other woman smiled and stepped toward Isa. ¡°You have my blessing, Isa. With that comes many gifts.¡± Ysel held out the necklace with the tree and key medallion. ¡°First, this is for you. Wear it always, and I will be with you, for I am The Lady of Lockwood, and I name you a cleric of my clan.¡±

    Isa found herself ducking her head to accept the necklace. Even so she mumbled, ¡°I don¡¯t understand.¡±

    ¡°I know,¡± said Ysel.

    Once the necklace was around her neck Isa straightened up and said, ¡°Why would your sworn enemy, Vernal Fedru, wear this symbol? I recognized it because he wears it, too.¡±

    ¡°Are you expecting me to deny it?¡± Ysel crossed her arms. ¡°I cannot control who wears my symbol, can I?¡±

    ¡°That didn¡¯t answer my question. And before I trust that you really have Alice¡¯s best interests at heart I need to know.¡±

    ¡°Fedru was once part of my clan. He grew up among my people, taken in at an early age. You would say he was an orphan.¡± She shrugged. ¡°But the child is not the man. Now, trust or don¡¯t, but the danger to Alice - and to yourself - will only grow. So here is your first lesson in magic.¡± Ysel pointed at the man in the white robe. ¡°You can heal Doma. You have that power now. My first gift: Healing Word. You can send a small healing light toward a friend. Point your finger at Doma over there. Think of my symbol, the one you now wear, and say ¡®thrive.¡¯¡±

    ¡°Right now?¡±

    Ysel nodded. ¡°Quickly now. We need to find Alice.¡±

    Isa swallowed, but her throat felt raw and dry. She pointed at the man, pictured the symbol, and croaked out the word. Nothing happened.

    Ysel took Isa¡¯s right hand and placed it over the medallion. ¡°At first you might need help. That¡¯s understandable; you are an outlander.¡±

    Isa¡¯s hand felt warm against the metal. ¡°OK, I¡¯ll - I¡¯ll try again, but--¡±

    ¡°Do it. Do it, now.¡±

    Isa flung out her hand, finger aimed at the man in the white robe. Her right hand gripped the medallion. ¡°Thrive!¡± she said. A pale green light shot from her finger toward the man.

    He shuddered and sat up. ¡°My Lady!¡± He pushed himself to his feet. ¡°They attacked, and I saw¡­.¡±

    ¡°I am well, Doma. Isa healed me and you too, and now we must go find her friend. You took the wrong outlander. I am displeased by that, but I will save my words for later.¡± She let the bandage Isa had used flutter to the ground. ¡°Come with me to Lockwood. From there we will rescue Alice.¡±

    Spoiler:Isa''s Level 5 character sheet!<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name:Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class:Fighter Level:4 / Cleric level 1

    Alignment: Chaotic Good

    Background:Stranger in a Strange Land

    Domain: Nature

    Hit Points:34  AC:16

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 34

    Combat: +6 to Hit / +4 on club/shillelagh

    Weapons:Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +3 / club/shillelagh+4 (right hand) 1d8 +4 (bludgeoning)

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    16

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    5

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature* (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack:Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind- On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge- On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

    Cleric Spells: DC = 12 Spell Attack +4

    Cantrips ¨C Shillelagh / Spare The Dying / Sacred Flame / Thaumaturgy

    Level 1 - Animal Friendship (domain) / Healing Word / Bane

 Lockwood Chapter 5: Cleric of Lockwood

    Ysel walked to the large tree where Isa had first seen her and place her hand on the trunk. ¡°My home is far from here. We will travel this way.¡±

    The man in white, Doma, hurried past Isa. ¡°Yes, my Lady,¡± he said and stepped through the glowing green tree trunk.

    Ysel seemed to sense Isa¡¯s hesitation. ¡°Once we are at my home, we can get you weapons, and I will discover where they have taken Alice. Don¡¯t waste time.¡±

    Isa nodded and stepped through the glow. A shadow crossed her face, and then she was standing in a tall grove of oaks. Several elves and humans stood as if frozen in mid-motion. Then a murmur as people saw Ysel step past Isa.

    ¡°This is a new cleric of Lockwood! Isa Chamberlin. Mark her face. I name her friend of the Lady of Lockwood.¡±

    A murmur went through the group. A few of them inclined their heads toward Isa. She nodded in response. ¡°Come,¡± said Ysel, and she began to walk toward a large house set in among the tall trees.

    ¡°What if I don¡¯t want to be a cleric?¡± Isa hurried after Ysel who whirled around and said, ¡°Is that true? Are you unhappy with this task?¡±

    ¡°You mean I could change my mind?¡± She hadn¡¯t expected to have a chance to discuss this. She hadn¡¯t actively chosen to be a fighter, and part of her thought that perhaps that¡¯s just how things go here.

    ¡°Are you not a healer in your world?¡± Ysel looked deep into Isa¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°I¡¯m not a medical doctor. I¡¯m studying dentistry.¡±

    ¡°Huh. Well, you healed Doma. You healed me.¡±

    ¡°Yeah but that was just--¡±

    ¡°Do you turn away from your destiny?¡±

    ¡°My destiny?¡± Isa gave a laugh. ¡°I¡¯m just,¡± she shrugged, ¡°you know¡­.¡±

    ¡°Have you not been listening to me? You were sent here to heal the rift between our worlds.¡± Ysel frowned. ¡°You and no one else. I have seen the visions, as have my druids.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what that means!¡± Isa threw up her arms. ¡°What rift? Where? Is it going to save Alice? Then let¡¯s go.¡±

    A young elf came running up. ¡°My Lady, your body has been damaged; I sense it.¡±

    Ysel waved him away. ¡°It is healed.¡±

    ¡°My Lady, I fear that--¡±

    ¡°You and your fear leave us.¡±

    The elf clamped his mouth shut, bowed, and let them pass.

    ¡°Is that a spell?¡± Isa asked her. ¡°I could so use that sometimes.¡±

    ¡°Not as such, but command would do much that same. At least for a short time.¡±

    ¡°So you¡¯re like a¡­.¡± Isa didn¡¯t want to complete the thought. She knew that the woman, no that wasn¡¯t the right word, the entity walking beside Isa had given her a magical ability, and who could do that except¡­.

    ¡°A goddess?¡± Ysel finished Isa¡¯s comment. ¡°Yes, I am.¡±

    ¡°How do you know I¡¯m your chosen one or whatever? Is that why Fedru took Alice? Or rather me - why he wanted me?¡±

    ¡°Have patience, Isa.¡± As Ysel approached the doors of the house, they opened. Two white-clad women stood to the sides, holding the door. ¡°My Lady,¡± they said in unison.

    ¡°Our stay is brief,¡± Ysel said to them. ¡°Bring me my bowl, some food, and gear for this warrior cleric.¡± She glanced at Isa. ¡°Two weapon, yes? That will do for now, but soon you may find you cast more spells than swing your sword.¡± She paused and nodded. ¡°One of my shillelaghs will do, and¡­.¡±

    ¡°I like a rapier,¡± said Isa. ¡°What¡¯s a shillelagh?¡±

    ¡°It is a sacred weapon of the grove,¡± one of the women answered. Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    ¡°It¡¯s a club, a nice, heavy club,¡± Ysel said as she walked through the front room and into a small room with a large fireplace. She sat down at a table. ¡°Where¡¯s my bowl? I asked for my bowl.¡±

    A woman rushed in with a large silver bowl, shallow and wide like a punchbowl. She set it carefully on the table in front of Ysel and poured water in to the brim.

    ¡°Isa, sit. Here. Beside me.¡±

    Without another thought Isa sat in the chair beside Ysel. It was easy to forget that the slim, dark haired woman was not, in fact, a woman. ¡°Should I call you something special¡­.?¡±

    ¡°Ysel is fine. It is my name. Now sit still. To find Alice, I must see Alice. And to see Alice, I need to see with your eyes, the eyes of love.¡± She looked deeply into Isa¡¯s eyes. Slowly Ysel brought her hand up to rest on Isa¡¯s cheek. ¡°Ah yes. Lovely.¡±

    After a few more seconds Ysel turned away and focused on the bowl. Isa felt a hand on her arm. One of the white women said softly, ¡°Come away. The Lady must See.¡±

    Isa slipped out of the chair and followed the woman from the room. Another woman gently shut the door. ¡°The scry,¡± she said, ¡°will take at least 10 minutes, but still we must move quickly.¡±

    The women each grabbed an arm and hurried Isa into a large, airy room. A fire pit took up the center area. Beside it stood a table and a bench. Weapons had been placed on the table and on the bench, a folded stack of clothes.

    ¡°Your clothes,¡± One woman said as she lifted Isa¡¯s small bag from her shoulder.

    ¡°My bag!¡± Isa hadn¡¯t thought about it since she¡¯d slung it on before leaving the house. Would it have her car keys, phone, and wallet, or - as she suspected - would the bag have a small notebook and not much else?

    She grabbed it as the woman tried to place it on the bench. ¡°There¡¯s no time,¡± the woman said.

    ¡°I¡¯ll make time,¡± said Isa as she opened the bag. Inside was her notebook and a small pouch. Isa opened the pouch and saw the gold coin that Mery had given her just before they parted ways - Isa had kept that in her wallet as a souvenir - and 2 small black pearls.

    She cinched the bag and pulled out her notebook. She¡¯d never expected to see it again, never expected to need it again. And yet Isa¡¯s hand trembled with excitement as she opened to the first page. She saw ¡°Class: Fighter 4 / Cleric 1.¡± Below that she saw the notation: Strength -11, Dexterity - 16, Constitution - 11, Intelligence - 13, Wisdom - 13, and Charisma - 12.

    Isa had certainly healed the man called Doma, and it had felt good to heal his wounds. Could she be a fighter and a healer? Ysel seemed to think so.

    Isa brushed her thumb across the word Cleric, and these words appeared: The power of your magic comes from your connection with Ysel, the Lady of Lockwood.

    One of the women said something to Isa, but she ignored them. Below the ability scores she saw the words ¡°Prepared Spells.¡± There were 7 spells listed. Under ¡°cantrips¡± - which Isa knew meant always-ready spells, there was Shillelagh, Spare The Dying, Sacred Flame, and Thaumaturgy. Under Level 1: Animal Friendship, Healing Word, and Bane.

    Shillelagh. There was that word again. Is it a weapon or a spell? Isa brushed the letters to see what the notebook would reveal. Immediately Isa saw words appear on the page. When you speak the holy word, the club you are holding is imbued with the power of Lockwood. You swing it with the might of your spells, not your body, and because your spells are as strong as Lockwood Forest, your swing is strong, indeed. The spell ends when you lose contact with your weapon.

    ¡°Healer Isa? Please, your armor.¡± One of the woman held up a brown coat. It was similar to armor Isa had seen, but it didn¡¯t look like metal; it looked like tree bark. Isa reached out a hand to touch it and felt cool metal, not bark.

    ¡°Wait, sorry - what did you call me? What was that name?¡±

    ¡°I called you Healer.¡± The woman pulled the scale mail closer as if Isa would strike out.

    ¡°Yes, but that wasn¡¯t the actual word.¡± Isa shut her eyes in concentration.

    ¡°Another gift,¡± said Ysel from the doorway. ¡°You can now speak Eli, the language of the elven people. Athay is the word you¡¯re hearing, It is a title for clerics of the clan.¡± Ysel waved a hand at the armor and weapons. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you dressed? Why isn¡¯t she dressed?¡±

    The two women bowed their heads, but before they could speak Isa said, ¡°I had some questions, that¡¯s all. Did you find Alice?¡±

    ¡°I did indeed, which is why I need you ready for battle.¡± Ysel waved her hand to hurry Isa along. ¡°The coat looks fine. Is that hide? She can wear the scale coat over that. She needs leggings and boots.¡±

    Isa slipped out of the loafers she¡¯d put on that morning. No Brooks for Gimble this time, but with any luck she and Alice would be back in Portland in a few hours. She pulled off her jeans, turning them inside out in her haste. One of the woman snatched them away while the other held out cloth pants with more of the brown metal scales sewn on. They were lighter than Isa expected, but then most of the scales were on the thighs and down the sides.

    While Isa was getting dressed Ysel looked over the weapons. When the women had finished with the armor, Ysel handed Isa a rapier. It was longer than her last one, but lighter. The handguard was a broad metal oakleaf design. The club was dark, polished wood with a delicate vein of silver twining up the handle. The head was bulbous: sanded wood so that it was lighter than the rest. It glistened as if encased in glass. A strap ran through the bottom of the handle, and Ysel hung it from a hook on Isa¡¯s coat.

    ¡°There,¡± she said to Isa. ¡°We are ready for war.¡±

 Lockwood Chapter 6: Battle Ready

    ¡°War?¡± Isa jolted at the word. ¡°We¡¯re just trying to get my girlfriend back. I don¡¯t want to start some grand conflict.¡±

    Ysel sighed. ¡°To get Alice back, to ensure her safety and your own, it is war.¡± She held out her arms and one of the women put a long leather coat through one arm and then the other.  The other woman tied a leather strap around Ysel¡¯s waist and hung a club like Isa¡¯s at her side.

    ¡°But,¡± Ysel went on, ¡°this is but a skirmish in a greater endeavor. You and I will take 2 of my clan with us. A druid and a ranger. We travel light, hit them fast, and flee.¡±

    ¡°How many did you see in your bowl?¡±

    ¡°I see what Alice sees. She is being held at a sacred place called Hal-ghit Hal. There are at least 4 around her, but I would expect half a dozen total, perhaps a few more.¡±

    ¡°Half a dozen?!¡±

    ¡°We can summon bears to aid in the fight if needed.¡± Ysel strode toward the door. ¡°Come. Gutharian Rites take time, but we cannot afford to delay.¡±

    Isa finished tying off the lacing on one of the boots and leaped after Ysel. ¡°What sort of rites?¡±

    ¡°Death rites. In this case I believe they want to destroy Alice¡¯s soul so that she cannot be resurrected.¡± Ysel snapped her fingers, and a servant opened the front door. ¡°But of course,¡± she said over her shoulder, ¡°they think Alice is you.¡±

    In the yard outside her house Ysel stopped and waved over a young blonde-haired elf woman with a bow and an older man with a braided beard. The rest of the dozen or so people continued with their work.

    ¡°Destroy her soul?¡± Isa shifted so that she was in front of Ysel. ¡°What are you talking about? Is that even possible? I don¡¯t--¡±

    ¡°Elves are old, older than even me. With magic, there is little they cannot do, if they will it. Now, heed me, all of you. We go to the Weblin Wood, to Hal-ghit Hal.¡±

    The elf woman drew a quick breath, and the man simply nodded an acknowledgement.

    ¡°I do not know,¡± Ysel said, ¡°all that we face there, past a high cleric and his pawns. I expect druids and mages, and--¡±

    Isa said, ¡°If this is war, shouldn¡¯t we bring a few¡­.¡± She realized that the entire yard had stopped working, and everyone stared at her. ¡°Um¡­. shouldn¡¯t we bring more people, just in case?¡±

    ¡°Mortals don¡¯t generally interrupt me,¡± Ysel said. She crossed her arms. ¡°In case you are wondering why the clan stands speechless. That is why.¡± This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry? You¡¯re my first goddess, and you look - no offense - you look mostly human, so it¡¯s easy to forget.¡± Isa paused. This woman - this goddess - was her only hope for rescuing Alice. She said, ¡°I really am sorry. I just want to get my girlfriend and go home.¡±

    ¡°It is well that you are here, Isa. Your world and our world must not continue to mingle together. Your world is like yellow dye seeping into ours. It cannot continue.¡±

    ¡°Good, yes, agreed. So let¡¯s bring a fucking army and get Alice, then we¡¯ll be out of your hair forever.¡±

    Ysel¡¯s eyes glowed bright green and her hair swept back as if a strong wind blew. ¡°I am the Lady of Lockwood, and that¡¯s all the army you need.¡±

    All the people in the yard, including Fara and Mellar, knelt. Isa took a step back and bowed, keeping her head down. She hadn¡¯t doubted Ysel¡¯s claim to divinity, not exactly, but she¡¯d had no frame of reference for the power a goddess would wield. She still didn¡¯t - to be honest - but Ysel was Isa¡¯s only hope, so she¡¯d go 4 against who knew how many and hope for the best.

    ***

    They stepped through another glowing tree trunk and emerged in the cool shadows of an ancient forest. Isa could hear the bubble of a stream running nearby. Ysel put a finger to her lips, making sure that the other three saw her. She took 3 steps forward and paused. She then motioned them forward. Isa was aware of the weight of the new armor across her shoulders. The scales swoosh-swooshed together as she walked. In response Isa slowed her walk by half, trying to stride like a model on the catwalk.

    Ysel put a hand on Fara¡¯s shoulder and pointed into the distance. The ranger nodded and slipped off her bow. Ysel touched Fara¡¯s quiver of arrows, whispering something in the elf¡¯s ear. The ranger drew an arrow, paused, and loosed it into the forest, but whatever she was aiming for, she missed.

    Wordlessly Fara turned to Ysel, her face in pain. The goddess touched her hair and smiled. She motioned the others forward. In barely a whisper she said, ¡°There is a lookout ahead. We will try to eliminate him when we are a little more in range.¡±

    Fara swallowed and nodded.

    Carefully they moved forward. Isa was beginning to get a rhythm for walking as quietly as possible in the armor, but was it worth the extra protection? She thought about Broswin, her fighter in their weekly D&D game. She had splint armor - whatever that was - and an AC of 19. That was nice in the game. The bad guys had trouble damaging Broswin, but it was hell for the fighter to sneak up on anyone. And now Isa understood precisely why.

    Ysel halted them again and nodded to Fara. The elf took a deep breath, nocked an arrow and let it fly. In the middle distance Isa saw a brief spout of flame and then it was gone. Ysel nodded her head and patted Fara on the shoulder. ¡°Forward,¡± she said softly.

    With slow movements, the 4 of them advanced through the forest. Mellar had been quiet until now. He gripped his club and whispered to it. The handle flashed with silver light. He leaned toward Isa. Softly he said, ¡°Cast your spell, child. The holy word is wrath.¡±

    ¡°You mean shillelagh?¡±

    He nodded, so Isa gripped the club in her right hand and brought it up near her head. It felt odd to whisper to a piece of wood, but she did it anyway. As the word ¡°wrath¡± left her mouth, the silver inlay began to glow.

    ¡°Hold it tight,¡± he told her. ¡°And when the glow fades, whisper again. Do it as often as you must, even during the fight, yes? Cast the spell and swing.¡±

    Isa swallowed because she saw a sick, brown glow in the distance, and she knew that she was about to do what she thought she¡¯d never have to do again: kill.

 Lockwood Chapter 7: Hal-ghit Hal, Part 1

    The brown glow bled out of the wide opening of a tall, wide tree stump. Two men with scimitars stood on either side of the opening. The tree had broken off perhaps 20 feet up, and the opening to the inside stood at least 10 feet wide. This was the sacred site that Ysel had called Hal-ghit Hal.

    ¡°There,¡± Ysel whispered. ¡°In my vision I saw two men and a huge hollowed out tree trunk - a tree as big as a room. I saw the older man sprinkling a powder, and the younger man grinding something with a pestle.¡±

    Fara said, ¡°I see a small fire perhaps 50 feet from the tree. Guards?¡±

    ¡°I would expect no less.¡± Ysel motioned the three closer. ¡°The older man - he is a cleric, and he must not finish the ritual. Disrupt him as best you can.¡±

    They all nodded, and Ysel stood. She reached to her belt and took out a handful of a dark fiber. Cupping it in her palm, she whispered words and then smeared it down the front of her armor.

    Mellar did the same and then he moved swiftly but silently the edge of the tree line. Isa padded up beside the man and peered through the branches. Isa could see a man speaking and waving one hand. At the man¡¯s elbow, Alice. She was naked, gagged and tied to a plank, and she flinched as the man sprinkled something on her head.

    Alice was alive! And Isa would make sure she stayed that way. She rose, ready to run full tilt at the guards.

    Mellar gripped her arm like a vice. He said, ¡°I know this place. The tree has openings on both sides. One moment and we will flank them from behind.¡± He whispered some words, creating shapes in the air. Instantly a tiger appeared in front of the guards. With a shout, they both brought up their scimitars.

    Mellar took off at a swift run, and Isa followed. From the corner of her eye she saw sparks fly by and heard a cry as someone got hit. She and Mellar were at the side of the trunk so her view was blocked. She could only hope that it hadn¡¯t been Alice crying out.

    They rounded the side of the tree; Isa overtaking Mellar. She raced through the back and brushed past a man in a hooded robe. The man next to Alice had his hand at his side. A sparking javelin quivered in the ground behind him.

    ¡°Alice!¡± Isa gripped the side of the table that supported her girlfriend. In a moment Isa took it all in. Alice gagged and bound at the hands and feet. A garland of purple-black flowers draped around her neck. A series of shallow cuts across her belly - this was start of the ritual Ysel had mentioned.

    Through the gag Alice tried to speak.

    A flaming arrow hit the hooded man. He dropped the tray he was holding, beating with his hands at the flames. With a cry he pulled a pouch free and spilled something into his hand, then he smeared it across the robe. The same protection spell that Ysel and Mellar had done, Isa realized.

    While Isa was distracted, the high cleric reached across Alice and grabbed Isa¡¯s hair, pulling her across Alice¡¯s body. With his other hand he cupped Isa¡¯s cheek and hissed out a string of words. Pain burned across her face, and she jerked away instinctively, losing a clump of hair in the process.

    Mellar stepped up beside the cleric, a flaming blade in hand. Alice flinched as Mellar swung the blade.

    Isa touched Alice¡¯s shoulder. ¡°He¡¯s a friend,¡± she said. At least that¡¯s what she intended to say, but the side of her face felt swollen and numb, as if she¡¯d just left the dentist¡¯s chair, so what came out was more like, ¡°Sh¡¯s fren.¡±

    Hearing Isa¡¯s voice seemed to enrage the cleric. His eyes grew large, and he pointed a finger at Isa and spoke strange words again. She felt her body clench up, and her hands shook. What horrible spell had he cast on her?

    She pushed away from Alice, grabbing for her rapier with a shaking left hand. If only she had her old staff at hand, she could have used it as a cane.

    With effort Isa lunged around the far side of the table and jabbed at the cleric. The strike hit his foot because of her shaking hands, and she realized in a flash that she should put that club to use - bigger surface, still not very heavy, and if her hands were going to continue to shake, she¡¯d have a better chance of hitting something with the club than with the thin point of the rapier.

    Another seizure doubled her over, and the cleric pushed her aside and laid his hands on Alice¡¯s chest. He began to mutter a spell. When his hands touched her, Alice cried out and tried to pull away. Blood trickled down from her ankle where the rope had rubbed the skin raw.

    Isa could hear fighting just outside the entrance of the tree trunk. She couldn¡¯t see Fara, but she saw Ysel fighting in the middle of 4 men. One slim man whirled 2 swords in the air just inches from Ysel''s face. Before Isa could even think if she should leave Alice''s side and run to Ysel, the man with 2 swords disappeared and a cat sat in his place. Everyone but Ysel paused at this change. The goddess laughed and began to cast another spell. The remaining 3 men began to scramble away, but as they did dark halos began to descend on them. The men began to swat at the air around their faces, and one man tried to run and swat at the same time. He slammed into a tree and fell down.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    A grunt from nearby brought Isa back to her own fight. Her ally Mellar struck at the enemy cleric again with his flaming blade, hitting the man on the arm. Blood began to flow from the wound, and Isa was heartened to remember that meant he was close to death. She squeezed Alice¡¯s foot and said, ¡°Hold on.¡± With her shillelagh in her right hand, she swung at the cleric¡¯s head and caught his ear.

    The tiger Mellar had conjured yowled in rage or pain - Isa didn¡¯t know which. Ysel called out, but the cleric began to speak again. He waved his hands, and Isa tried to shield Alice from whatever magic he was casting. When nothing happened Isa looked up to see the cleric holding his mace. Blood no longer flowed from his wounds, and his helper, the hooded man, was somehow beside Isa. He brought his own club down on Isa¡¯s hands which gripped the table. She wasn¡¯t quick enough, and the club caught her left hand full on, breaking her fingers. She screamed in pain, and Alice screamed through her gag, too. Had she gotten hurt from the blow, too?

    The cleric raised his hands, but before he could speak, a flaming arrow hit his shoulder and flames trailed down his sleeve. With a cupped hand and a muttered word, he quenched the flames. He stepped toward the entrance, raised his hands again, and in a thunderous voice called out a spell. Isa felt a fetid wind whip past her. Mellar cried out once and fell over.

    ¡°Ah fuck,¡± Isa muttered. "Ysel! We could use a hand!" She swung at the cleric and missed. With an effort she brought the club around again and slammed it into the cleric¡¯s side. His hands were still raised from his spellcasting, and Isa felt his ribs give way.

    A cry behind her made her glance over her shoulder. The hooded man was about to bring his club down on Mellar. The cry had been his triumph at felling Isa¡¯s compatriot. Before Isa could make a move to protect Mellar, the cleric slammed his mace into Isa¡¯s side, mirroring the blow she¡¯d given him.

    Blood dripped from her side as she tried to catch her breath. Spots swam in front of her eyes. Her face was level with her girlfriend¡¯s. ¡°Alice. Alice. I¡¯m--¡±

    The former bladesman turned cat by Ysel jumped on the table and lunged at Alice¡¯s face. Without a thought, Isa grabbed the cat by the scruff of its neck and flung it away. She heard a thump and a cry as the cat hit the side of the tree trunk.

    The hooded man tried to hit Isa again with his club. It glowed with brown light as it swung past her head. ¡°Wrath,¡± she whispered, and her own club gleamed with green light.

    From outside the tree, Isa heard Ysel say, ¡°Heal my people!¡± A wind blew the tree branches overhead, and small white flowers drifted down on Isa and Alice. She felt worlds better, even though her hand was still broken. With that hand Isa tried to pat Alice. ¡°Courage, love,¡± she said. ¡°Courage.¡±

    The cleric bent down, growled out a phrase, and then in accented English he said, ¡°Lif a gain!¡±

    To Isa¡¯s surprise, the bladesman pushed himself up beside the cleric. He was no longer a cat, and worse, he had a sword in each of his hands. He gave a great laugh. The hooded man leaped toward him. ¡°Grenyen!¡± he said and put his hands on the new man¡¯s shoulders. ¡°Welcome back and be healed.¡±

    ¡°Where the fuck did you come from?¡± Isa blurted out.

    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t have thrown me against the wall. This cat¡¯s got dangerous claws now,¡± the man said to Isa. "First you and then that bitch who hexed me. I''ll show her what kind of cat I am."

    Spoiler: Isa''s Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class: Fighter Level: 4 / Cleric level 1

    Alignment: Chaotic Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Domain: Nature

    Hit Points: 34 AC: 16

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 17 (bloodied)

    Combat: +6 to Hit / +4 on club/shillelagh

    Weapons: Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +3 / club/shillelagh +4 (right hand) 1d8 +4 (bludgeoning)

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    16

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    5

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature* (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

    Cleric Spells: DC = 12 Spell Attack +4

    Cantrips ¨C Shillelagh / Spare The Dying / Sacred Flame / Thaumaturgy

    Level 1 - Animal Friendship (domain) / Healing Word / Bane

 Lockwood Chapter 8: Hal-ghit Hal, Part 2

    Alice said something from behind her gag, but Isa kept her eyes on the man in brown leather. ¡°Were you a cat first or a man?¡± she asked him.

    ¡°Before I kill you, I¡¯ll show you the kind of man I am. The kind of man I was before that elf bitch! out there changed me.¡± He jabbed a sword at the front of the tree, and Isa swung her club down hard on his outstretched hand. It was a solid blow, but he didn¡¯t lose his blade.

    ¡°Sneaky-sneaky,¡± he said and then his blades whirled toward Isa. She tried to move away from Alice so that her girlfriend wouldn¡¯t get hit accidentally, but the cleric sent a ghostly mace flying at her head that barely missed her.

    In that moment of distraction, Grenyen struck Isa with both blades at once. One blade slashed down her front, parting her armor. The other blade plunged into her side, and Isa felt a hot stinging that she would later learn was poison.

    She dropped to one knee and only caught herself with her broken hand. A scream ripped from her, and Isa bowed her head feeling her life ebbing. Just then she caught sight of one of the tiny white flowers, and she remembered second wind. She could regain some health - maybe not enough to save herself but enough to protect Alice a little while longer.

    Although the shillelagh still glowed with silvery green, Isa grunted out the word wrath and rose swiftly to her feet. The club caught the man named Grenyen in the face. He¡¯d been bringing his empty hand toward his face, and Isa¡¯s club broke his hand and his nose in an instant. His head snapped back, and he fell to the ground, dead.

    From the tree trunk entrance Ysel began to chant a spell and then something white moved past Isa, coming between her and the cleric. She saw shimmering white flanks and a shaggy mane, and then she noticed the horn in its forehead. ¡°You have got to be kidding me,¡± she said aloud.

    ¡°The tide turns with you, Isa!¡±

    The cleric screamed in pain, but Isa couldn¡¯t say why. Perhaps the mere sight of the unicorn was painful to him. The hooded man seemed unfazed by the beast¡¯s appearance. He swung at the unicorn, bringing his club down on its neck. He then moved closer to the cleric. ¡°My lord,¡± he said, ¡°heal yourself! Wathren needs you.¡±

    At the name, the unicorn reared up, hooves flailing. They slammed the cleric to the ground, and then the unicorn bent its head and rammed its horn through the cleric¡¯s belly. With a snort, it pulled free and shook blood and entrails from its horn.

    The hooded man gave a strangled cry and hit at the unicorn again. Isa took advantage and began to work at the knot binding Alice¡¯s hands together. ¡°It¡¯s going to be OK,¡± she murmured.

    Alice tried to speak, and Isa realized she should move the gag, realized she should have done that first thing. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, baby. Hold on.¡± With her good right hand, Isa began to move the cloth gag.

    The hooded man¡¯s club hit Isa¡¯s shoulder, knocking her to the ground. The unicorn neighed and lashed out with its hooves again. The man backed up a step.

    The unicorn bent to Isa and put its horn on her left hand. The bones mended immediately and the unicorn nudged her hand. Isa closed her now-healed hand around the horn, and the unicorn lifted her to her feet.

    The hooded man¡¯s eyes glinted. He pointed his club at Isa. ¡°You will die for what you have done here today.¡±

    But before he could get close enough to attack Isa, a streak went by her and tackled the man. After a moment¡¯s struggle Ysel bounced up, but her quarterstaff had been knocked loose in the tackle. It rolled to Isa¡¯s feet. The man, his hood knocked back from Ysel¡¯s attack, looked up at Isa. He raised his hand as if to cast a spell, but before he could speak, Isa picked up the staff, said ¡°Wrath,¡± and slammed the quarterstaff down on the man¡¯s head. Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!

    In the sudden stillness the unicorn trotted past Isa and touched Ysel with its horn. ¡°Nyegal, my friend,¡± the goddess whispered.

    Isa dropped the staff and turned back to the table where Alice lay. ¡°It¡¯s over,¡± she said to Alice as she removed the gag. ¡°You¡¯re safe.¡±

    Alice tried to sit up. ¡°Isa! What¡¯s going on? Where are we? You¡¯re all bloody! Are you OK?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine. We¡¯re fine. Let me get you loose.¡± As she reached toward Alice¡¯s bound hands, a dagger slid into view. ¡°Here,¡± said Ysel, ¡°this will help.¡±

    Isa took the dagger and cut the rope at Alice¡¯s hands and then did the same at her feet. Alice sat up and pulled the garland of flowers from her neck and dropped them with disgust. She put her hands to her head. ¡°They must have drugged me. I thought I saw a¡­.¡±

    Alice stopped talking as the unicorn padded up to stand beside Ysel. Alice reached out her hand, and Isa took it. ¡°Yeah, me too,¡± Isa said.

    ¡°Alice. I am Ysel, Lady of Lockwood. You are safe now. Your lover fought well and bravely as did my clan.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t understa--¡±

    Ysel reached out and placed her finger on Alice¡¯s forehead. The woman slumped to the table. Isa caught her and cried out. ¡°What did you do?¡± She glared at Ysel.

    ¡°She¡¯s fine. Her mind is a whirl of chaos right now - as one might expect. It is simply easier to deal with her once we have finished here.¡± She lifted Alice as if she weighed no more than a child and placed her across the unicorn¡¯s back.

    ¡°Now,¡± Ysel put her hands on her hips. ¡°We must consecrate this place. Hal-ghit Hal must once more be in balance.¡±

    Spoiler:Isa''s character sheet

    Name:Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class:Fighter Level:4 / Cleric level 1

    Alignment: Chaotic Good

    Background:Stranger in a Strange Land

    Domain: Nature

    Hit Points:34  AC:16

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 34 (fully healed by unicorn)

    Combat: +6 to Hit / +4 on club/shillelagh

    Weapons:Rapier (left hand) 1d8 +3 / club/shillelagh+4 (right hand) 1d8 +4 (bludgeoning)

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    16

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    5

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature* (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack:Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind- On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge- On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

    Cleric Spells: DC = 12 Spell Attack +4

    Cantrips ¨C Shillelagh / Spare The Dying / Sacred Flame / Thaumaturgy

    Level 1 - Animal Friendship (domain) / Healing Word / Bane

 Interlude 2a Combat Notes for Hal-ghit Hal

    Combat notes - Alice rescue

    Init:

    Tiger 21

    M 18

    Y 15

    Mobs 15

    F 12

    I 10

    d1 27 to 15hp +20 to 27 to 16 to 6

    g1 - 57hp to 45 +20 to 57 to 45 to 31 runs away.

    g2 - 42hp +20 to 57 to 43 to 37 to 30 to 20. bloodied. dead

    assassin 78hp to 51 to cat! to 1 to 15hp to 7hp to 2hp to dead.

    g3 - 42hp to 15 to 9 to 1 to dead

    g4 - 42hp to 15 to 6 to dead

    d2 - dead from insects

    priest 93 hp to 73hp to 59 to 51 to 44 to 37 +20 to 57 to 43 to 31 to 17 to 11

    to 23 (cure wounds) to 15 to dead.

    Tiger at 46 hp to 40hp to 34hp to 16 to 4 to dead

    unicorn AC =12 / 67hp

    Ysel - 99 to 93 to 81 to 69 +18 to 87 to 81

    Isa - 34 to 26 to 20 to 17 (bloodied) +18 fully healed 34 to 29 to 5(!) to 14hp. still bloodied. to 9 to 20.

    Alice - fully healed (10hp)

    unicorn 67 to 62 to 57

    round 1

    ** guards roll 19 on perception - no surprise round

    M casts conjure animal

    - summons saber tooth tiger Tiger rolls 21 on init so he goes 1st next round.

    Y throws lightning javelin at priest.rolls 21. priest dex save = 4.

    5 d6 damage = 20. priest at 73 hp

    F flame arrow to druid 12damage

    I takes turn to get to priest and Alice.

    priest - casts Harm on Isa. she makes CON saving throw (17) and takes 8damage. no lasting necrotic.

    druid - casts barkskin on self

    guards - attack tiger. One hits for 6 damamge to tiger. Tiger at 46 hp.

    round 2

    other group makes perception (not that hard!) so they spend this round getting to the fight.

    Tiger tries to claw and bite. Bite succeeds for 8 damage to g1.

    M rolls 22 with flame blade at priest 14 fire damage priest to 59

    Y casts sunbeam on group of 4 coming up to the fight. 1 guard plus 2 others... CON saving throw - they roll 6. 23 damage and blinded until Y''s next turn.

    Priest casts contagion on Isa. (no one else in range). Seizure: The creature is overcome with shaking. The creature has disadvantage on Dexterity checks, Dexterity saving throws, and attack rolls that use Dexterity. https://roll20.net/compendium/dnd5e/Contagion#content</a>

    G1 - swing at Tiger for 6 damage (G2 blinded)

    F arrow - crit fail: broken string - lose a turn.

    I swings with rapier at disadvantage - luckily low roll was 16. made perception that her hands are shaking and she should wap with shillelagh in future. 8 dam to priest.

    round 3 the gang is here.

    T - claw G1 for 12. bite misses.

    M - flame blade misses.

    Y - insect plague - d2, g3 & g4, and assassin (DC 14) they rolled 12 27 dam.

    priest - tries to focus on the ritual again. 5 dam to Alice.

    assassin - attacks Ysel. one swing hits. 6 damage. no poison

    G1 & G2 crit! 16 dam total to tiger. knockled prone and +2 dam for artery hit. Tiger very bloodied.

    D1 - tries to hit Isa - rolled with advantage and best roll 14. (miss)

    g3 & g4 - 13 to hit Ysel - nope!

    F - spends turn restringing bow.

    I - shillelagh at priest (was going to help Alice, sees priest bloodied and attacks). 7 dam.

    round 4

    T- bite and claw both miss.

    M - flame blade at priest 15 damage!

    Y - polymorph on the assassin. he rolls a 7 for WIS saving throw so he''s turned into a cat with 2 hit points. The transformation lasts for an hour or until the target drops to 0 hit points or dies. https://www.5thsrd.org/gamemaster_rules/monsters/cat/</a>

    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.Priest - casts mass cure wounds for 20hp heals himself the first 2 guards and the druid assistant.

    G1 and 2 - attack tiger - 12dam

    D1 rolls a 20 on Isa for 6 dam + breaks Isa''s left hand

    g3 & 4 try for Ysel - hit with 22 - 12 damage Ysel to 81.

    F - flame arrrow at priest - 15 to hit 14 dam Priest to 43 - bloodied (again)

    I roll at disadvantage since she got a fucking broken hand!

    round 5

    T to g1 - 22 for bit - for 12 dam g1 to 45

    M - flame blade at priest - 22 for 12 dam priest to 31

    Y - attacks g3 but misses.

    Priest - tries to hit Isa with mace rolls a 7. steps toward entrance so he can see Ysel, too. then divine word! CHA saving dc 13. I - 15 / Y - 18 / M - 1 he''s blinded, deafened, and stunned for an hour.

    g1 & 2- roll a 1. crit fail break bone in hand. disadvantage on attack. maybe one steps on others foot and the other slams hand so they break each other...

    g3 & 4 - 19 against Ysel. 12 dam to Y Y at 69

    assassin as cat - tries for Y rolls a 12.

    F - runs to Ysel to fight melee with g 3 & 4. 6 dam to g3 and 9 dam to g4

    I - rolls a 6 at priest. action surge! rolls a 20!! with shillelagh 14 dam to priest

    round 6

    T swipes at g1 & 2 misses both times (but she only has 4 hp!)

    M - stunned!!!!

    Y - crit fail - leaves herself vulnerable to attack but g3 misses. Y 2nd attack misses.

    Priest - mace at Isa - 3dam Isa to 17 - bloodied. cast shield of faith on himself AC +2

    d1 against M w/ advan. but misses.

    G1 & 2 - broken bones = disad. one success - tiger is dead.

    g3 & 4 - crit fail drop weapons

    Assassin - jumps to table with Alice.

    F - g3 & 4 8dam and 7dam g3 to 1hp. g4 dead

    I - shillelagh at cat 8dam. cat dies. becomes assassin again.

    round 7

    Y - to priest - dispel magic shield. AC to 12 again.

    Priest - cure wounds for 12. up to 23 hp

    G1 & 2 - disadvan. against Ysel. 12= miss.

    G3 pick up weapon.

    D1 attack Isa misses.

    F - 23 against g3 - dead

    I - shillelagh at priest 7dam priest to 16hp

    round 8 !

    Y - mass cure wounds for 18hp.

    priest - casts revivify on assassin.

    g1 & 2 disadvan. attack Ysel - 11 = miss

    D1 - heals assassin for 14 - assassin to 15hp

    F - hits g2 for 14 dam - two swings.

    I - 24 to hit assass. 8dam to assass.

    round 9

    Y - heat metal on assassin''s blade for 5 dam.

    priest - spectral mace at Isa. misses.

    g1 & 2 - disadvan. crit fail. 6 dam to g2

    D1 - shillelagh at Isa 5dam.

    assassin - hits Isa twice. 12 dam + 12 poison dam. 24 total

    F - attack on g2 for 7dam

    I - 2nd wind for 9hp. renew shillelagh. attack assassin for 15 - 5 dam. he''s dead (again).

    round 10

    Y - summons unicorn. 9 init (after Isa)

    priest - attacks unicorn - crit fail breaks knee - disadvant.

    g1 & g2 - Ysel - miss.

    D1 - attacks unicorn, too. for 14. 5dam.

    F - attack g2 for 10.

    I - attacks priest. for 8dam

    Unicorn - priest hooves = 11. horn crit - 16. Unicorn kills priest!

    round 11

    y - crit fail. confused for a round. (maybe attacks priest too)

    g1 & 2 - with Ysel confused gave them advantage but they rolled a 5.

    D1 attacks unicorn again. 5 dam.

    F - g2 both success - 20 dam. dead.

    I - tends to Alice. tries to untie with one hand. D1 moves toward Isa so unicorn does legendary action - hoof attack

    Uni - hooves for 11dam druid

    round 12

    Y - confused

    g1 - hit Y for 6dam

    D1 - hits Isa for 5dam

    F - g1 14 dam

    I - shields Alice.

    Uni - healing horn to Isa. for 11hp Isa to 20hp.

    round 13

    Y - runs past g1 - attack of opp, misses. rolls a 20 against d1 10dam and knocked prone.

    g1 sees d1 get knocked prone, makes a run for it. Fara get attack opp, but misses.

    d1 spends turn getting up. at 6hp.

    F - grabs bow

    I - hits d1 with shillelagh kills him.

    Ysel - 99 to 93 to 81 to 69 +18 to 87 to 81

    Isa - 34 to 26 to 20 to 17 (bloodied) +18 fully healed 34 to 29 to 5(!) to 14hp. still bloodied. to 9 to 20.

    Alice - fully healed (10hp)

    unicorn 67 to 62 to 57

    Fara OK and Mellar still stunned, blinded, and deaf.

    unicorn heals Ysel for 11 - Y at 92hp

    Unicon heals Isa to 31hp. and heals Isa''s hand.

 Lockwood Chapter 9: Adequate Wisdom

    Once back at Lockwood, the unicorn knelt and allowed two elves to lift Alice from its back. They carried Alice to a bed set out beneath a flowering cherry tree. ¡°She¡¯ll love that,¡± Isa murmured. Besides her work at the nursery, Alice spent much of her time outdoors, running, hiking, climbing.

    ¡°Come,¡± Ysel broke in on Isa¡¯s thoughts. ¡°We will talk and wait for Alice to awake.¡±

    Isa followed the goddess to the tree. As they sat an older woman in a white robe brought them tea. Ysel held the cup to her nose and inhaled. ¡°You fought well, Isa. The high cleric, his spells would have felled a lesser woman. I would see your notebook.¡± She held out her hand.

    Isa¡¯s hand was on her bag before she caught herself. ¡°I don¡¯t - I mean, that¡¯s personal. Why do you want to see it?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t need your notebook. That was me being polite. Unlike what you¡¯re doing, which is being rude.¡±

    ¡°Me rude?¡± Isa sat forward on her chair. ¡°You pull me here, accidentally let my girlfriend get taken, tell me a bunch of mumbo-jumbo - which I am not sure I believe, by the way. And now you want to look at my personal notebook?¡±

    ¡°Yes. I was¡­. impulsive before. Before I bestowed my gifts, I should have checked your abilities. Being a cleric means being wise.¡± She sipped her tea and held out her hand once more.

    With a sigh Isa pulled out her notebook. ¡°I¡¯m plenty wise. But I¡¯d be fine if you take away those so-called gifts.¡± She handed her notebook to Ysel. ¡°I haven¡¯t even had time to look at it since I¡¯ve been back, but please help yourself.¡±

    Wordlessly Ysel took the notebook and leafed through it. She lingered, sipping her tea, and slowly turning pages.

    Finally Isa couldn¡¯t take the suspense. ¡°Well,¡± she said, ¡°what do you think? Am I wise enough for you?¡±

    ¡°I thought you said you didn¡¯t care. I could take back my ¡®so-called¡¯ gifts. Isn¡¯t that what you said?¡± Ysel arched an eyebrow.

    ¡°Wisdom is highly valued in my world; I want to measure up.¡±

    ¡°Is that true?¡± Ysel looked into Isa¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°No. I don¡¯t know. It should be.¡±Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

    Ysel smiled. ¡°I perceive that each of those answers is the truth.¡± She handed back the notebook. ¡°I want to make sure that you can understand, and, with your adequate wisdom, you should be able to understand why we must protect Varana from your world.¡±

    ¡°Adequate? Adequate?¡± Isa opened her notebook. ¡°You have got to work on your bedside manner.¡±

    Just then Fara walked up. She looked horrified at Isa¡¯s words. ¡°My Lady, do you require vengeance for this insolence?¡±

    ¡°No, no. This is a¡­. spirited exchange. No harm done. You have brought the rewards of our conquest!¡±

    Fara took off her bow and laid it aside. Then she knelt and unwrapped a large bundle. She set aside a small chest and laid out several rings, a necklace, several small bags, 3 sets of clothes, 2 daggers, and a quarterstaff. ¡°These are for Isa and Alice,¡± said Fara.

    ¡°You were really handy with that bow,¡± Isa said. ¡°I saw more than one flaming arrow hit that cleric guy. And the way you took out that lookout. It was impressive.¡± She pointed at the bow. ¡°May I? I haven¡¯t held one of these in - I don¡¯t know 10 years?¡±

    Fara cut her eyes to Ysel, who nodded. ¡°Any gifts that I have,¡± said Fara, ¡°come from the Lady. It is for Her to say, and She says yes.¡±

    ¡°You have some skill with a bow?¡± Ysel asked.

    ¡°I used to,¡± said Isa as she picked up the bow and pulled on the string. Immediately she laughed. ¡°It¡¯s been a very long time. How do you even draw this?¡±

    Ysel said, ¡°I leave you to review these things. You will want them on the journey. These and perhaps¡­. Yes.¡± With that she turned to leave.

    ¡°What about Alice?¡± Isa asked. ¡°You were going to be here when she woke up.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s fine. I explained everything already.¡± Ysel strode away.

    ¡°But¡­.¡± Isa looked at Ysel¡¯s receding form. ¡°Alice is still asleep¡­.¡±

    Fara held out her hand for Isa to return her bow. ¡°She is a goddess.¡± She jogged after Ysel.

    ¡°She really is, isn¡¯t she?¡±

    Isa jumped to hear Alice¡¯s voice. ¡°Alice! Hey, you¡¯re awake. It¡¯s OK - you¡¯re safe here.¡± Isa ran her hands through her hair. ¡°I don¡¯t even know where to begin. This place--¡±

    ¡°She explained it - Ysel did. Sort of.¡± Alice closed her eyes. ¡°There¡¯s a lot I don¡¯t understand, but I know about the rift; I know it needs to be healed, and that it¡¯s your job to do it.¡± Alice looked at Isa. ¡°I wish you¡¯d told me. I would have helped.¡± She gave a small laugh. ¡°I might not have gotten into such trouble, huh?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know!¡± Isa knelt beside Alice¡¯s bed. ¡°I just found out.¡±

    ¡°But you¡¯ve been here before. I can¡¯t believe I didn¡¯t sense something.¡±

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t matter. We¡¯re safe, and I¡¯m going to get you home. Right away.¡± Isa glanced over her shoulder trying to see where Ysel had gone. With everything that had happened, Isa hadn¡¯t thought to ask about getting Alice home.

    ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere.¡± Alice sat up and took Isa¡¯s hand. ¡°Now that I understand, and until that rift is repaired, I¡¯m staying with you.¡±

 Lockwood Chapter 10: Notebooks

    ¡°You don¡¯t understand--¡± As the word left her mouth, Isa realized her mistake. You don¡¯t tell Alice Fondel that she¡¯s mistaken. About anything. It¡¯s not that she was sensitive or pouty. No, Alice was just that smart, and Isa had learned that she generally only made declarations after long deliberation. If Alice said she wanted crispy eggplant at Wong¡¯s, you could be sure that she¡¯d studied the menu ahead of time.

    Isa started again. ¡°I was so worried about you.¡± She leaned over and kissed Alice. ¡°I didn¡¯t know what to think about Ysel - I still don¡¯t - but I needed help finding you.¡±

    ¡°You were amazing,¡± said Alice. ¡°That man, the one - the one doing that¡­. Ritual, I guess. He touched your face, and¡­.¡±

    Isa took Alice¡¯s hand and squeezed it. ¡°We don¡¯t have to think about that right now. We¡¯re safe; we¡¯re together; let¡¯s get married.¡±

    ¡°Wh-wh-what? Where did that come from?¡± Alice gestured at the grove and the people working and wandering about. ¡°In the midst of all of this, you still manage to be the most surprising thing around.¡±

    ¡°Is that a Yes?¡± Isa flashed a smile and then grew serious. ¡°I thought I¡¯d lost you, Ally. And in the fight, all I could think about was getting you out of there.¡±

    ¡°Where did you learn to fight like that? You don¡¯t kickbox or do martial arts. You don¡¯t even do yoga, but you moved like¡­. I don¡¯t even know.¡±

    ¡°I have good dex.¡± Isa had meant it as a joke but talking about her ability scores made her think about her notebook. Since she had a notebook, Alice should, too. Isa looked under the bed. ¡°Do you have a small notebook?¡± She held out her hands. ¡°About yea big?¡± Without realizing it, Isa used the same words that Joth had used on her just a few months ago.

    ¡°A notebook?¡± Alice shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t even have my-- my bag!¡± Alice got off the bed and leaned over, picking up one of the bags that Fara had laid out with the other loot.

    ¡°Is there a notebook in there?¡± Isa suddenly wanted to explore Varana with Alice, but if she didn¡¯t have a notebook, that meant that the¡­. The what? The gods, the universe? The Controller, Isa decided, the Controller - whoever, whatever that was - it had either given Alice a notebook or it hadn¡¯t, and nothing Isa could do about it.

    ¡°Gimme a second,¡± Alice grumbled as she opened her bag. ¡°There are 2 books in here.¡±

    ¡°Two?¡± Isa reached into her bag to retrieve her own notebook. ¡°That doesn¡¯t make any--¡±

    ¡°She gave me one - Ysel. In my dream. She handed me a book, and she said¡­.¡±

    ¡°Notebooks are, well they¡¯re personal,¡± said Isa. ¡°They¡¯re like your character sheet, but they also have your quests and any notes you make. They have your spells, if you¡¯re a magic person.¡±

    ¡°Wait - what?¡± Alice opened the notebook in her lap. ¡°My ¡®character sheet¡¯?¡±

    ¡°You said Ysel explained it all.¡±

    ¡°She told me about Varana, about its magic, and the danger the rift poses. She did not mention character sheets.¡±

    For a moment Isa was at a loss, and then she realized that Ysel wouldn¡¯t need to know about D&D. Varana would just be¡­. home to her, and notebooks, well they¡¯d just be the way you organize your life.

    ¡°This world,¡± Isa said slowly, ¡°it functions kinda like a game of Dungeons and Dragons. I¡¯m a fighter; you¡¯re a-- What are you? A rogue, like in the game?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m a wizard?¡± Alice looked from her notebook to Isa. ¡°So the second book¡­..¡± She picked up the other book. ¡°....Is my spellbook. I remember now. Ysel handed it to me, and she said, ¡®The power of nature dwells within.¡¯¡±

    ¡°Not a rogue? Huh. But you know how to play a rogue.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but my very first character was a wizard - Maria. Named after Maria Merian, a German botanist. How funny. Hadn¡¯t thought of her in a long time. That was 3.5. And think about it - I¡¯m not really very rogue-y, do you think?¡±

    True, Alice was nothing like the one real rogue that Isa knew - Mery Braydon. Alice was careful, deliberate, methodical. ¡°But wizard? Are you happy with that?¡±

    ¡°I guess I¡¯ll see. Della¡¯s pretty awesome in fights. God, I wonder how different it is from 3rd edition.¡± She laughed. ¡°Listen to me. This isn¡¯t a game. I don¡¯t have dice.¡±

    ¡°Fighting,¡± said Isa, ¡°I can¡¯t explain it but combat feels a little like the game. But yeah, no dice.¡±

    ¡°Some spells used to be automatic hits. And yeah, that¡¯s right, magic missile¡­.¡± She hurriedly flipped open the spellbook.

    ¡°Do you mind if I look at your notebook?¡± Isa asked. She held out her own. ¡°It¡¯s kinda personal - everything is in here, but I want you to look, if you want.¡±

    ¡°Sure.¡± Alice handed Isa her notebook without looking up from the spellbook. She patted beside her leg. ¡°I¡¯ll look in a sec.¡±

    For a few minutes they sat in silence. Alice was somehow Level 3 already, and the first of her 2 quests was simply ¡°Level Up.¡± The other quest was titled ¡°The Lockwood Quest.¡±

    Too late Isa thought about her past quest log. Alice would see the quest to rescue Mery; she¡¯d see the feldspice quest, and even that silly quest that began it all--The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

    ¡°Fedru, the evil wizard, huh?¡± Alice held up Isa¡¯s notebook. ¡°Not from Star Wars or Star Trek. Not fictional at all.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know that he¡¯d try to find me. Al, if I thought you were in danger, I would have told you. You have to believe me.¡±

    ¡°I do, babe. Besides, Ysel told me that it was supposed to be you on that table. It¡¯s kind of a good thing it was me and not you. You only found me because Ysel looked into your mind.¡± Alice tapped on Isa¡¯s notebook. ¡°How do you know this Fedru?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s a guy in Bywater - this little village - and I don¡¯t know if he¡¯s a good guy. I mean I thought I knew, but--¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not making any sense, love. You thought Fedru was a good guy?¡±

    ¡°No! God, no. He was totally weird and creepy. His friend, Joth - Joth Windbane. He¡¯s a regular guy like us. Hey, he¡¯s from Vermont, too! And a wizard.¡± Isa pulled back to look at Alice. ¡°That¡¯s kinda strange.¡±

    ¡°This whole thing is strange.¡±

    ¡°Yeah but Joth¡¯s from Vermont. You¡¯re from Vermont.¡± Isa cocked her head.

    ¡°Yeah right. No, wait - his last name is Windbane? One of the Middlebury Windbanes, no doubt.¡±

    Isa said, ¡°Seriously? There¡¯s a Windbane family?¡±

    ¡°That was sarcasm, babe. You¡¯ll find lots of Connors, Thompsons, Lingettis, and Fletchers in Vermont, but no Windbanes. Who is this guy?¡±

    ¡°Right. Of course. Silly. Yeah, I don¡¯t know. Joth¡¯s kind of annoying, but also kind of endearing. He rents a room from this old guy, and I don¡¯t know - he just doesn¡¯t seem like a bad guy, but he works for Fedru.¡±

    Alice frowned. ¡°If he works for the guy who tried to kidnap you and kill me, then yeah: he¡¯s a bad guy.¡±

    ¡°He does, like, wizard-for-hire stuff.¡± Isa shrugged. ¡°Gig economy.¡±

    Alice put her head in her hand. ¡°You really want to think the best of this guy. Why?¡±

    ¡°We fought together, a couple of times. He saved my life at least once. There were these gnolls, so Joth set the forest on fire, which pissed off these druids.¡±

    ¡°Gnolls, druids¡­. This really is like D&D, but it¡¯s life.¡±

    ¡°And we¡¯re playing together.¡± Isa stroked Alice¡¯s cheek. ¡°I like that.¡±

    Alice smiled shyly. ¡°Ysel, when she came to me in the dream, she called me ¡®Princess Alice.¡¯ Is that what you¡­.?¡±

    Isa¡¯s cheeks felt hot. ¡°I mentioned you to a friend of mine once - before we started going out - and she called you ¡®Princess Alice.¡¯¡± Isa shrugged. ¡°It fits you.¡±

    ¡°Princesses don¡¯t have dirt under their fingernails.¡±

    ¡°Everything you do is perfect.¡± Isa pulled a strand of Alice¡¯s hair back into place.

    ¡°You must love me.¡±

    ¡°I do.¡± Isa looked into Alice¡¯s eyes. ¡°I really, really do.¡±

    ¡°I love you, too.¡± Alice smiled. ¡°And I forgive you for keeping this a secret.¡± She looked around. ¡°I probably wouldn¡¯t have believed you. Where is this place? Or maybe it¡¯s when is this place?¡±

    ¡°I haven¡¯t found that out. I do know time can be weird here. It didn¡¯t really move much in our world. I was here for like a month and only a few hours passed in Portland.¡±

    ¡°So,¡± Alice said, ¡°we can help with the rift and not come back homeless and jobless.¡±

    ¡°If we help with the rift. I still don¡¯t understand.¡± Isa reached for her notebook. ¡°This Lockwood - of course! - quest¡­.¡± Her voice trailed off as she read about the quest. The shield between Varana and Earth ruptured generations ago, and with time and use, the rupture spreads. You, Isa Chamberlin, have a chance to heal the shield and restore balance.

    ¡°I understand,¡± said Alice. ¡°She showed me. I saw the shield, saw the wound, saw the damage.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but babe, Varana isn¡¯t our--¡±

    ¡°The damage to our world.¡± Alice patted her chest. ¡°Our world, Isa. But both worlds need our help. If you¡¯d seen what I saw, there¡¯d be no question.¡±

    Isa nodded silently. ¡°OK. I hear you. We¡¯re going to need¡­.¡± Her voice trailed off as she saw new writing forming on the page. Under The Lockwood Quest it now said: Gather friends and supplies for the journey east. ¡°¡®Gather friends.¡¯¡± Isa closed her notebook. ¡°I do have friends here, and it¡¯s time you met them.¡±

    Spoiler:Alice''s Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name:Alice Fondel

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 9 inches / 160 lbs

    Class:Wizard Level 3

    Alignment: Chaotic Good

    Background:Stranger in a Strange Land

    Arcane Tradition: Evocation

    Hit Points:17  AC:12 (15 AC with mage armor)

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 17

    Combat: +4 to hit +2 to damage

    Weapons:Dagger +4 to hit 1d4 +2 / light crossbow +4 to hit 1d8 +2

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    13

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    15

    </td>

    <td>

    +2

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    18

    </td>

    <td>

    +4

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: INT +6 and WIS +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    6

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature* (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    6

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    6

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    6

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion* (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    6

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Feat: Plant-Based ¨C Alice¡¯s connection to nature (enhanced by her contact with Ysel, Lady of Lockwood) gives her proficiency in Nature checks. It also gives her advantage on Perception, Stealth and Survival checks when she¡¯s in the wilderness.

    Class Features:

    Arcane Recovery / Sculpt Spells / Evocation Savant

    Wizard Spells: DC = 14 Spell Attack +6

    Cantrips ¨C Frost Bite / Message / Poison Spray

    Level 1 ¨C Charm Person / Absorb Elements / Mage Armor / Shield / Magic Missile

    Level 2 ¨C Suggestion / Blindness & Deafness

 Lockwood Chapter 11: Plans

    Alice shook her head. ¡°Not sure you should be flitting around - what is this world called again?¡±

    ¡°Varana,¡± said Isa.

    ¡°Not sure you should be flitting around Varana,¡± Alice continued. ¡°That Fedru guy is going to find out soon enough that you¡¯re not dead, and who knows what he¡¯ll do then.¡±

    Isa shrugged. ¡°The sooner we get this quest done, the better. The quest says we should gather supplies.¡± Isa gestured at the items laid out on the grass. ¡°And friends. We¡¯ll sure need a guide with this. ¡®East¡¯ isn¡¯t much for directions.¡±

    ¡°Will more info appear as we go on? Like in video games?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, they should. That¡¯s what happened last time.¡± Isa sighed and picked up a dagger. ¡°What kind of weapon are you thinking?¡±

    Alice held up her spellbook. ¡°Magic. I want to look over these spells. And I need to pick new ones. ¡®Frostbite¡¯, ¡°shield¡¯, and oh yeah! ¡®magic missile.¡¯¡±

    Isa sighed. ¡°I should do that, too. I know shillelagh and healing phrase. Word. Healing word, I think.¡± Alice laughed, and Isa was glad to have her here for this adventure. ¡°You know,¡± Isa held up her notebook, ¡°quests have rewards. This one is¡­.¡±

    ¡°We save the world. Worlds.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but loot,¡± Isa said absently. ¡°Here: ¡®Reward: 500 gold and an elvencraft weapon of your class.¡¯ Not bad.¡±

    ¡°And save the world. But elvencraft? That sounds nice.¡± Alice bent her head to her spellbook again.

    ¡°It¡¯s like that, huh? We¡¯re on the adventure of our lives, and you¡¯re going to read. Fucking wizards.¡±

    Alice held up her middle finger without looking up.

    ¡°So I¡¯ll just pick out stuff for you, shall I, dearest?¡± Isa grinned and bent to look over the items that Fara had laid out. After a few minutes of silence Alice said, ¡°So I can¡¯t wear armor, but at least I don¡¯t have to wear a stupid robe.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you want to blend in though?¡± Isa held up a heather green robe.

    Alice snorted. ¡°No. I want to be comfortable.¡± She leaned over and picked up a belt that had several compartments sewn to it. ¡°This must be the component belt. You know how Della uses that rod for spellcasting? I can use this.¡± She put the belt in her lap. ¡°This is real, right? It¡¯s surreal, you know?¡±

    ¡°I know. You get used to it. Really quickly. Dangerously quickly.¡±

    ¡°Are you going to like being a cleric?¡± Alice asked.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know how much different it will be. It¡¯s OK, I guess.¡± Isa shrugged. ¡°I like helping people. Of course, I liked the fighting, too. It was scary how much I liked it. I killed people, Al.¡± Before Alice could respond Isa went on, ¡°It was always justified. I never - I mean, they always - I mean, I didn¡¯t set out to harm anyone. You have to believe me.¡±

    Suddenly Alice was hugging her tightly. ¡°I know. I believe you, of course I do.¡± She leaned back so that they were face to face. ¡°Isa, you are a good person. I know that. Those men today, they would have killed me, but you stopped them.¡± Alice put her hand on Isa¡¯s cheek. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

    Isa looked at the ground. ¡°I had help.¡±

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t change what happened. You were so brave. When that man grabbed your face--¡± Alice pulled her hand away from Isa¡¯s face. ¡°Does that hurt? I forgot!¡±

    Isa laughed. ¡°I¡¯m fine. The, ah, the unicorn healed me.¡± She shook her head. ¡°Not everyone can say that.¡±

    ¡°Unicorns, magic, goddesses.¡± Alice nodded across the way where Ysel stood talking to 2 elves. ¡°I don¡¯t know why you thought I wouldn¡¯t believe you. Although, it does explain that crazy scar on your side.¡±

    Isa picked up the quarterstaff. ¡°You know what¡¯s really crazy? I have no idea when I got that. Because you¡¯re right, Ally - this is life. And death. I have almost died a couple times. So you have to be careful. You have to learn to protect yourself.¡± She made a few practice moves with the staff.

    ¡°I have gifts to aid in that,¡± said Ysel. She stood with arms crossed watching Isa with the staff. A young woman in a white robe stood behind her with folded clothes in her arms. ¡°That staff, for instance, it will light your way. Say my name when you desire light, and the staff will glow like sunlight through leaves. It is also, as you can see, quite well made. Use it well.¡± To Alice she said, ¡°A fine dagger for my newest wizard?¡± She gestured at one of the daggers and sheaths on the ground.

    ¡°Oh sure. Yes, I guess,¡± said Alice reached over and picked one up, pulling the blade free. ¡°I¡¯ve never used a knife. Well, I¡¯ve used knives but not like this, you know?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡±Ysel nodded. ¡°I do know. But, you will have time to learn. Fara and Mellar will guide you to the Hinterlands, and Fara is quite adept with daggers.¡±

    ¡°Uh,¡± Isa held up her hand, ¡°I was going to go to Bywater and see if my friends want to come.¡±

    Ysel smiled. ¡°I don¡¯t understand.¡±

    ¡°The quest. It says ¡®Gather your friends.¡¯ Those guys were great, but they are not my friends.¡± Isa smiled back. ¡°So, where is Bywater from here?¡±

    Ysel blinked. ¡°You are serious.¡±

    Isa pointed at the cloth in the woman¡¯s arms. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±

    The woman stepped forward and held her arms outstretched to Isa. ¡°Cloaks for you. Gifts from the Lady.¡±

    Isa took the top one and let it drop open. The cloth was a thick green color that shimmered as the light hit it. A deep hood fell from the back. A silver buckle hung at the neck, and delicate embroidery traced down the front. ¡°It¡¯s beautiful.¡± She turned to hand it to Alice, assuming that they were the same.

    ¡°Oh no,¡± said Ysel. ¡°That one is yours. It is an elven cloak. When you wear the hood up, your enemies will have a hard time recognizing you, and you will move like shadows in the forest. Wear it well, Isa.¡±

    Ysel nodded at the woman, who stepped to Alice and offered the other cloak. As Alice held it up, Ysel said, ¡°This is a cloak of magical resistance, for you Alice. If someone tries to cast a spell on you, this cloak will offer some protection against enemy magic.¡±

    Alice¡¯s cloak was a russet red like fall leaves just turning. It had a gold clasp at the neck and wide sleeves. Both of the women put the cloaks on. ¡°I feel a little cosplay,¡± said Alice.

    ¡°I had a cloak last time. I think I sold it to Gimble. Trust me, you get used to it. And in the rain, you¡¯ll be glad to have it.¡± To Ysel, Isa said, ¡°So where is Bywater? Can we walk there from here?¡±

    ¡°Bywater is west,¡± said Ysel. ¡°You need to go east.¡±

    ¡°We will,¡± said Isa. ¡°I just - I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d get to see my friends again, and if there¡¯s a chance they want to come with us, we¡¯ll be lucky to have them along. Can you trust me on this?¡±

    Ysel turned and began to walk quickly. Over her shoulder she said, ¡°You¡¯ll go by tree. Come.¡±

    Isa and Alice bundled up their weapons and bags and hurried after Ysel. They found the goddess standing beside a huge tree at the edge of the glade. ¡°When you wish to return, and make it soon, simply return to the Bywater tree, place your hand on the trunk and say my name - my full name.¡±

    ¡°The Lady of Lockwood?¡±

    Ysel nodded. ¡°Come see me when you return.¡±

 Lockwood Chapter 12: Riverside Encounter

    They stepped through the tree and into a meadow bathed with the light of the setting sun. ¡°Go by tree, huh?¡± said Alice.

    ¡°That¡¯s what I said!¡± Isa grinned. ¡°It¡¯s pretty handy. Can you like copy that into your book?¡±

    ¡°Of course not. Totally different kind of magic. At least, it was in 3rd edition.¡± Alice paused. ¡°Fuck, I am going to drive myself crazy overthinking this. I don¡¯t know, OK? I don¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°Babe,¡± Isa held up her hands, ¡°it¡¯s alright, really. I was just¡­. Well, I meant it, but it was kind of a joke, too.¡± She took Alice¡¯s hand. ¡°We¡¯ll figure it out together.¡± She took a deep breath. ¡°Look at this place. This is Varana. Isn¡¯t it amazing?¡±

    Alice squeezed Isa¡¯s hand. ¡°Yes, it is. I¡¯m glad I¡¯m here. With you, helping. Both worlds are worth saving.¡±

    ¡°Explain how you know all this again. Ysel talked to you when? How?¡±

    ¡°She is a goddess. I woke up - only not really - and I was standing on a cliff looking down. Ha, I knew it wasn¡¯t real because I wasn¡¯t scared. And I turned and Ysel was standing beside me, and she pointed into the distance. I followed her finger and saw this¡­. Shimmer, I guess. This huge, vast, massive¡­. Wall. It billowed like a curtain, shimmery and nacreous. It was--¡±

    ¡°Nacreous?¡± Isa blurted out the strange word. ¡°Like diseased?¡±

    Alice sighed. ¡°Like mother of pearl. Like a soap bubble, swirling, shimmery rainbows? Like a huge soap bubble but a wall.¡±

    ¡°You coulda just said that,¡± Isa muttered.

    Alice put a hand on Isa¡¯s cheek. ¡°You need to do more crosswords.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t think that¡¯s a thing here.¡± Isa looked around. ¡°There¡¯s the river,¡± she pointed to the right. ¡°We can follow it until we come to a path. Why did Ysel put us all the way out here?¡± She stepped back and turned around, marking the spot in her mind.

    Alice picked up a fallen branch and jammed it in the ground by the tree. ¡°There,¡± she said, ¡°we¡¯ll be able to find the right tree.¡±

    ¡°Huh. Good idea.¡±

    ¡°You know what else is a good idea? Putting up your hood.¡± Alice motioned at Isa¡¯s cloak. ¡°I would rather that we didn¡¯t have a fight yet. I need to study up on my spells. Take blindness, for instance. Not something Della ever uses, I don¡¯t think.¡±

    ¡°You can blind people? For how long? Remind me not to make you mad.¡±

    ¡°That is the least of my powers.¡± Alice grinned and linked her arm with Isa¡¯s.

    They started toward the river in the growing dusk, but they hadn¡¯t gotten far when Isa heard a high yip-yip noise. ¡°Ah shit,¡± she said softly. ¡°We¡¯re by the river. Of course.¡±

    ¡°Of course what?¡± said Alice.

    Isa took her arm. ¡°Gnolls. We¡¯re just gonna¡­.¡± But just then a scream ripped through air. They both ducked. ¡°What,¡± said Alice, ¡°was that?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. And I don¡¯t want to know.¡± Isa scanned the horizon. ¡°We¡¯ll just--¡±

    Her words were cut off as a wolf-like creature tumbled into view. It rolled twice, groaned, and lay still. From 10 feet away Isa could see great claw marks across its body.

    Alice began to fiddle with her belt. Isa grabbed her hand and stepped back two paces. ¡°What are you doing? Let¡¯s get out of here.¡±

    Alice held up a scrap of leather. ¡°Mage armor,¡± she said.

    ¡°Can you cast it and run?¡± Isa said as another scream blasted out.

    ¡°No!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s too bad.¡± Isa pulled on Alice¡¯s arm and began to run toward the tree line, retracing their steps. Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

    Once they were at the edge of the trees Alice took out her spellbook and traced a finger down the page. She held the leather scrap to her arm and muttered some words, moving her finger along as she read aloud.

    A moment later, Alice snapped the book shut and shoved it in her bag. ¡°That¡¯s better. Mage armor.¡± She straightened her cloak. ¡°Now, how do we get out of here?¡±

    ¡°I dunno. That was a gnoll. Most of a gnoll. They must be fighting something really gnarly. We just need to get past them without getting involved.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I guess we don¡¯t need to look for trouble,¡± said Alice. ¡°Not from something that would slash a creature in half.¡±

    They began to move parallel to the river, moving slowly and fairly silently. Isa glanced down at her cloak. In the treeline, in the dusk, even she had trouble telling where the cloak stopped and the ground began.

    A noise to their right put Isa on high alert. Alice squeezed her hand to indicate that she¡¯d heard the noise, too. Isa took a gentle step toward the noise, then a second one. Suddenly she saw a gnoll about 15 feet in front of her. The expression on his dog-like face told Isa that he was just as startled as she was.

    Without hesitation Isa whispered, ¡°Wrath.¡± Her quarterstaff pulsed with light green light. She charged at the gnoll, but missed his head by an inch. ¡°Damn it!¡± she said as she tried to pull back from the gnoll¡¯s spear tip. She felt the edge of the metal graze her ear. A spot of white appeared on the gnoll¡¯s chest, and Isa recognized the frostbite spell - it had been one of Joth¡¯s standbys.

    As she and the gnoll traded blocks, Isa noticed 2 more gnolls merge out of the shadowy trees. ¡°Ally, we have company!¡±

    ¡°I see!¡± Alice said and cast magic missile at the gnoll in front of Isa.

    ¡°Magic,¡± muttered Isa. With her right hand she grasped Ysel¡¯s medallion. The edge of it cut into Isa¡¯s hand as she muttered the word, ¡°Bane.¡± All 3 gnolls seemed to stagger for a moment. But then the one in front of Isa barked and jabbed his spear into Isa¡¯s side. She felt the armor tear as the spear sliced through leather and skin. WIth a grunt Isa held tight to the medallion. It seemed right to keep holding it while she wished bad things to befall these 3.

    Another gnoll charged at Alice and poked his spear at her shoulder. Alice cried out in pain.

    ¡°Alice!¡± Isa flicked the end of her staff at the one in front of her, just to keep him at bay while she stepped closer to her girlfriend. ¡°Are you OK? Are you bleeding?¡±

    Alice flung her finger at the gnoll by Isa. Frost bloomed on her chest again, and he visibly slowed. ¡°Of course I¡¯m bleeding! This gnoll just jabbed me!¡±

    ¡°Burn!¡± Isa said and pointed her staff at the gnoll she¡¯d been fighting. The gnoll yipped in pain. ¡°Freeze!¡± said Alice as she shot a frostbite spell at the same gnoll. It fell over dead.

    ¡°One down,¡± Isa muttered as she ran to the far gnoll and hit it twice, once with each end of the staff. Blood poured from the creature¡¯s broken nose. Alice cheered and cast frostbite at it.

    While she was cheering, however, the gnoll in front of her slammed his spear into her leg, trying to pin Alice in place. ¡°Shield-shield-shield,¡± said Alice and waved her hands. The spear somehow skidded off Alice¡¯s leg and went into the ground. Wordlessly the gnoll snatched it from the ground and shoved it at Alice¡¯s face.

    Isa traded blows with the third gnoll until she saw an opening and with a lightning-fast blow, she knocked him down and dead.

    With a glance Isa saw that Alice was trying to open her spell component belt again. Alice rubbed her thumb and forefinger together and said, ¡°You should run away.¡±

    The gnoll¡¯s ear went back and then it shoved its spear into Alice¡¯s shoulder. Alice cried out, dropped whatever was in her hand and dropped to one knee.

    ¡°Love!¡± Isa lunged toward Alice and the remembered that she could heal. ¡°Thrive! Thrive!¡± She flung out her left hand while her right hand stayed tight, clenching the medallion. ¡°In the Lady¡¯s name, thrive!¡±

    Alice coughed and pushed herself upright. As she came up, she shot a frost at the gnoll, hitting it again. It staggered back from the attack, and Isa jumped between Alice and her attacker. ¡°Not today,¡± she said and hit sideways at the gnoll¡¯s head. The staff made a solid thwack, but as Isa brought the staff back to try for a second blow, she felt something tear in her shoulder, like she¡¯d just sprained something.

    The gnoll, for his part, could only shake his head, trying to recover from the head blow.

    Isa tried to bring up her staff, but her left arm felt funny, so instead she said, ¡°Burn.¡± A column of flame dropped on the gnoll like a 2x4, and he fell over dead.

    ¡°I think I¡¯m going to throw up,¡± Alice bent at the waist and let her arms dangle. ¡°Holy shit. We just had a fight. With gnolls.¡± She tried to straighten up and almost fell over.

    Isa caught her. ¡°We need to get out of here. Let me just grab any cash they had.¡±

    Alice straightened up. ¡°You are going to loot? At a time like this?¡±

    ¡°We have no money - well, I have a couple of pearls, but we need coin for everything. Trust me.¡± She bent and felt at the belt of the closest gnoll and then did the ame at the other two. She held up the three coin purses and a short sword. ¡°We can sell this stuff.¡±

    She stuffed the coin pouches into her bag and put the sword and scabbard through her belt. ¡°Let¡¯s get you to Lund¡¯s You need a drink and a long rest.¡±

    ¡°Really? Do they even call it a ¡®long rest¡¯?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Isa walked them quickly along the tree line, keeping an eye and ear for any indications of other creatures. ¡°All I know is that if you fall asleep, it takes something big to wake you up before 8 hours has passed. You¡¯ll love it.¡±

    After 10 minutes they came to a small road. Isa turned right and hurried toward a glow in the distance. ¡°Bywater¡¯s not far. You can meet Lund, maybe Mery. We¡¯ll eat, have a drink, maybe buy some--¡±

    ¡°If it¡¯s buying you want to do, why wait?¡± Anne the merchant and her wheelbarrow stood on the path.

 Lockwood Chapter 13: Dinner at Lundâ€™s Tavern

    ¡°Hey girly¡± Anne the merchant flashed a smile at Isa. ¡°Didn¡¯t think we¡¯d see you again.¡± Anne crossed her arms. ¡°Who¡¯s this?¡± She waved a finger at Alice. ¡°She¡¯s even taller than you! Does Mery know you¡¯re here?¡±

    ¡°Anne! I forgot that you-- I mean, hello. It¡¯s good to see you.¡±

    The merchant focused on Alice. ¡°Another outlander, huh? A bloody one at that.¡± To Alice, Anne said, ¡°Need a healing potion, that¡¯s what you need. I got one riiiiight¡­.¡± Anne began to shift the contents of her wheelbarrow.

    ¡°Isa tells me that I¡¯ll be fine after a night¡¯s rest.¡± Alice stuck out her hand. ¡°Alice Fondel. It¡¯s nice to meet you.¡±

    Anne looked at Alice¡¯s hand and then looked at Isa. ¡°Whatever she told you, it¡¯s exaggerated. Embellished. Probably an outright lie.¡±

    ¡°Oh no, she didn¡¯t say--¡±

    Before Alice could finish her sentence, Anne said, ¡°I wasn¡¯t worth a mention? That hurts, cuts to the quick, it does.¡± She sighed. ¡°Still business is business. What do you need? Besides healing.¡±

    ¡°Nothing,¡± said Isa. ¡°Should you be out this late? Alone?¡± She pointed over her shoulder. ¡°We just ran into 3 gnolls, and we heard a scream, like some huge bird of prey--¡±

    ¡°You said you were gonna buy, otherwise why would I be here, freezing my keister off?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s actually kinda mild tonight,¡± Alice began, but Anne ignored her.

    ¡°You look different,¡± Anne said to Isa.

    ¡°Well,¡±said Isa, ¡°I¡¯ve been gone for 3 months.¡±

    Stepping closer, Anne peered up at Isa. ¡°You¡¯ve got an elvish cast to you.¡± She waved a hand in front of Isa as if washing a window. ¡°And it¡¯s not the armor. Don¡¯t be so quick, girly, to think you know my mind.¡± She stared up at Isa for a long moment. ¡°You been cavorting with tree worshipers. You, too.¡± She pointed at Alice without taking her eyes off Isa. ¡°For a long time. Huh. Why didn¡¯t I see it before now, I wonder? What are you hiding, Isa? And why?¡±

    For no reason, Isa felt guilty, and then she rallied. ¡°I am not hiding anything! I ran into someone, and she helped me - us - out of a jam. Sure, she¡¯s an elf. Sort of. I guess. What¡¯s it matter? Look,¡± Isa pulled a black pearl from her pouch. ¡°Got any healing potions?¡±

    In the growing darkness the pearl looked like a solid ball of ink. Isa held it in her palm, waiting for Anne to take it. Instead the merchant said, ¡°I suppose you¡¯re wanting the family discount now?¡±

    ¡°Is Mery in town? I want to see her.¡± To Alice Isa said, ¡°Mery is Anne¡¯s niece.¡±

    ¡°My sister¡¯s girl.¡± Anne added, looking at Alice. ¡°A good sort overall. But I¡¯m glad you,¡± she said to Isa, ¡°didn¡¯t pine away for her. She¡¯s not the settling kind.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re just friends,¡± Isa said to Alice. ¡°And besides Anne, we have a quest. That¡¯s why I want to see Mery.¡±

    Anne held a small vial up in the dying light. ¡°Here it is! Last one in stock. That¡¯s always a sign, don¡¯t you think? Meant for you, if it¡¯s the last one.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll give you 25 for it,¡± said Isa.

    ¡°Fine,¡± Anne shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t have change though.¡±

    Isa sighed loudly. ¡°Really? Since when?¡±

    ¡°I was on my way home when you summoned me. If you kept normal hours maybe things would be different.¡±

    ¡°I did not summ--¡±

    ¡°This is pretty.¡± Alice held up a beaten copper bracelet. In the dim light Isa could just make out the outline of a bird on the face of the cuff. Alice went on, ¡°Maybe this and the potion for the pearl?¡±

    ¡°Last person who shifted through my things lost a finger.¡±

    Alice stepped back, clutching the bracelet tight. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I--¡±

    ¡°No harm done. Lemme see it. I do have some cursed items in my stock.¡±

    Alice tossed the bracelet at Anne who caught it with a grin. ¡°Now, what do we have here¡­.¡± She rubbed her thumb over the design. ¡°I surely would have remembered getting this.¡± She paused. ¡°Sold.¡± She held the bracelet out to Alice. ¡°Finders keepers, as my great granny was fond of saying.¡±

    ¡°Here.¡± Isa shoved the pearl into Anne¡¯s hand and snatched the healing potion. ¡°Done. Thank you.¡±

    Anne grasped the handles of her wheelbarrow. ¡°Take care of yourself, Athay. See ya ¡®round.¡± She started to trot past them.

    ¡°Wait! What did you call me?¡± Isa held out her hand as if to stop the merchant.

    ¡°I called you by your name, didn¡¯t I?¡± Anne gave Isa a puzzled smile.

    ¡°You called me Athay - ¡®healer.¡¯¡±

    ¡°Lay that blame at the elves¡¯ feet, not mine.¡± Anne hunched her shoulders and scurried into the night.

    Isa stood with her mouth open watching the merchant melt into the night. ¡°That,¡± she said finally, ¡°was Anne, the merchant. One of the more memorable people in Varana.¡±

    Alice flashed the copper bracelet, now on her wrist, in the dim light. ¡°Why don¡¯t you light the way for us, babe. And tell me aaaall about this Mery.¡±If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ***

    Isa didn¡¯t get very far in recounting her adventures with Mery when they arrived at Lund¡¯s Tavern. ¡°Now, Lund is a half-orc,¡± Isa said. ¡°Just so you know. It¡¯s really hard to tell. I thought he just had a bad underbite the first time I met him.¡±

    ¡°Any friend of yours¡­..¡± Alice smiled. ¡°But he speaks English - er, Common, right? Do they call it Common?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, they do. I really don¡¯t understand how it¡¯s so much like RPGs, but it is.¡±

    ¡°Well,¡± Alice said, ¡°if the shield has been ruptured for generations, maybe Gary Gygax stumbled into Varana just like you.¡±

    ¡°And came home with an idea for a game?¡± Isa shrugged. ¡°I guess that¡¯s as likely as anything.¡±

    ¡°I await your theory with bated breath.¡±

    Isa put her hand on the door. ¡°Wizards,¡± she said with mock exasperation. ¡°But seriously, get ready for your first tavern experience. I give you¡­.. Lund¡¯s.¡± She pushed the door open wide to reveal an empty bar.

    Lund looked up from the glass he was polishing. ¡°Isa? What are you doing here?¡±

    Isa stopped in the middle of the tavern and turned around. ¡°Is it a holiday? Where is everyone?¡±

    ¡°They¡¯ll start showing up soon - the wyvern is keeping them away during the day.¡± He put down his cloth. ¡°Let me look at you. New armor? Nice. Elvish? And who¡¯s this?¡± Lund walked around the bar to meet them.

    ¡°Lund, this is Alice, my girlfriend. Alice, Lund. He¡¯s a great guy. Loaned me his bracers, gave me weapons, a job¡­.¡± Isa clapped him on the shoulder. ¡°Helped this outlander feel at home.¡±

    ¡°Alice. Welcome.¡± Lund gestured to the bar. ¡°Do you need food and drink?¡±

    Alice took off her bag and sat at a stool. ¡°God, yes. I don¡¯t remember the last time I ate. Breakfast?¡± To Isa she said, ¡°Did the elves feed you? I didn¡¯t get any food.¡±

    ¡°I knew there were elves,¡± said Lund. ¡°There¡¯s something about you that says Eli. Where you been? I thought you went home.¡± He went behind the bar and grabbed two glasses.

    ¡°I did. But then I came back.¡± Isa sat next to Alice and pulled out the 3 pouches she¡¯d pulled from the gnolls. She spilled the coins on the bar. Mostly silver coins bounced and spun on the wooden surface. Isa counted it slowly. 26 silver and 13 copper. ¡°Have your prices gone up?¡± Isa pushed the copper coins toward Lund. ¡°Three beers, please.¡±

    Alice picked up one of the silver coins. ¡°It¡¯s really silver. Even the currency is the same? Fascinating.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s a wyvern?¡± Isa asked. ¡°Must be bad if it¡¯s keeping people away.¡±

    ¡°A wyvern--¡± Alice and Lund both started to answer. He looked at Alice. ¡°You¡¯re not from Varana, are you? What plane are you from?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m from, um Earth, I guess.¡±

    ¡°But you¡¯re not sure?¡± He drank from his glass. ¡°That¡¯s gotta be rough.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re from the same plane,¡± said Isa. ¡°It just has a lot of names. You seen Mery or Joth? I have a quest I wanted to share with you guys.¡±

    ¡°Huh, I¡¯m interested. Got plenty of time during the day. I¡¯ll trade you - my quest for yours.¡±

    Alice took a sip of beer. ¡°Oh my God, this is good. Isa! This is like¡­.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I know. Don¡¯t ask for cheese, by the way.¡± To Lund Isa said, ¡°What¡¯s your quest?¡±

    ¡°I need help running off that damned wyvern. I¡¯m paying gold for it.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t want to kill it?¡± asked Alice.

    ¡°You ever faced a wyvern?¡±

    ¡°Not in-- I¡¯ve read about them.¡±

    ¡°Then you know,¡± said Lund, ¡°that you need a dozen people to take one down.¡±

    ¡°I assume,¡± said Alice, ¡°that wyvern blood, hide, and tail are as valuable here as they are at home.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but Bywater isn¡¯t packed with bored level 10 fighters.¡± Lund leaned forward. ¡°If it¡¯s us 3, our bet is to try to run it off.¡±

    ¡°Offer more gold, or a share of the carcass. That¡¯s what I¡¯d do, if I were in your shoes.¡± Alice took another drink.

    Isa looked from her girlfriend to her good friend. They were not off to a good start. ¡°Well, I accept,¡± she said and felt her bag vibrate. ¡°Ally, your notebook - it buzzes when you take a quest. It gets hot when you level.¡± She pulled out the notebook and looked at the quest. ¡°50 gold? Awesome. Isn¡¯t that awesome, babe? Did you take it?¡±

    Lund said, ¡°So, what¡¯s your quest? I can have Tris watch the bar for a day or two.¡±

    ¡°I think we need longer than a few days,¡± Isa said. ¡°This will take us to somewhere called the Hinterlands. Sounds remote.¡±

    ¡°It is. You can get about 3 days¡¯ walk from the White Desert because that¡¯s when the trees give up, but even then, you have at least 10 days before you¡¯re in the Hinter proper. What¡¯s the quest though?¡±

    ¡°Repair the rift,¡± said Alice.

    ¡°The what?¡±

    ¡°The shield, the wall,¡± Isa made a circular motion with her glass. ¡°The thing that separates our worlds. It¡¯s ripped, and supposedly I can fix it.¡±

    ¡°Which is why,¡± said Alice said to Isa, ¡°we don¡¯t really have time to hunt wyvern.¡±

    ¡°We have time. Hey Lund, did you offer food? I got silver I want to part with for some of your cooking.¡±

    ¡°Sure.¡± Lund pushed himself off the bar and headed to the kitchen.

    ¡°Why,¡± said Isa, ¡°are you being such a bitch to my friend?¡±

    Alice put her glass down slowly. ¡°I¡¯m doing no such thing. We have an important job. You have an important job, and I don¡¯t want you wasting time on side quests.¡±

    ¡°Side quests? This is helping out my friend, who asked for it. Look at this place? It should be packed, alright? This is his livelihood.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± said Alice. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. This isn¡¯t a video game. These are real people with real problems. Dangerous problems.¡±

    ¡°What was all that about wyverns? You sounded downright mercenary there.¡±

    ¡°Wyvern¡¯s blood was a potion ingredient in Farthest Quest 2, so I got kind of obsessive about it in-game. You had to collect 200 vials to supercharge your armor.¡± Alice shrugged. ¡°But that was just a game.¡±

    Lund came back with 2 plates piled high with food. Bread, sausages, slices of grilled onion. He slid them in front of the two women. Alice smiled at Lund. ¡°This looks fantastic. I gladly accept your wyvern que-- Woah! It does vibrate.¡± Alice grabbed her notebook and her spellbook and laid them on the bar. ¡°This is so cool, but do you mind if I spend some time with my spells? I don¡¯t feel very prepared to take on a wyvern just yet, even if it¡¯s just scaring one off.¡±

    ¡°Wizard, huh?¡± Lund raised an eyebrow.

    ¡°She¡¯s a class 2 wizard already,¡± said Isa. ¡°We met up with 3 gnolls near the river - I know, I know - but that¡¯s where Ysel put us. Anyway, Ally kept her head in the fight. And speaking of wizards, have you seen Joth?¡±

    ¡°Nah, not in weeks. I thought maybe he changed his mind and found a way back to your plane.¡±

    ¡°How about,¡± Isa dropped her voice, ¡°Fedru? He been around?¡± Isa picked up her fork and speared a sausage.

    ¡°Not since the night before you left.¡±

    Isa glanced at Alice to see if she was listening, but Alice was looking at her new copper bracelet. Now that she had proper light, Isa could see that the bird image was a fairly detailed engraving of a crow perched on a tree limb. Alice seemed lost in thought, so Isa returned her focus to Lund. ¡°And Mery? I was hoping I¡¯d see her here.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s been busy in Deney, with the orphans. Trying to make right what Thorn started.¡± Lund shrugged. ¡°She comes by once a week or so. To make sure - so she says - that I¡¯m not dead.¡±

    ¡°I could really use your help - both of you - with the quest.¡±

    ¡°Start from the beginning,¡± said Lund. ¡°We¡¯ve got at least an hour before the place starts to fill up.¡±

 Lockwood Chapter 14: Find Familiar and Other Spells

    Isa opened her mouth and promptly closed it. Start from the beginning? Where¡¯s that? When¡¯s that?

    ¡°It¡¯s a really long story, so I¡¯ll start with - damn, it was this morning when-- No wonder we¡¯re hungry.¡± She turned to Alice. ¡°Babe, eat.¡± She stroked Alice¡¯s blonde hair, but Alice didn¡¯t look up from her writing.

    That¡¯s fine, Isa thought to herself. This is a lot to process, and if Alice needs to write it out, that¡¯s fine. To Lund she said, ¡°Alice and I were in a wooded area on our plane this morning¡­.¡±

    When she got to the part about giving first aid to Ysel, Isa said, ¡°Wait a minute - she¡¯s a goddess. She didn¡¯t need my help. That was a setup!¡±

    ¡°Who¡¯s a goddess?¡± asked Lund. ¡°You¡¯re cavorting with deities now? Not sure that¡¯s a good idea, Isa.¡± He looked at the ceiling nervously.

    ¡°Have you heard of Lockwood?¡±

    ¡°No, should I?¡±

    ¡°Figures. ¡®Obscure goddess takes interest in outlander.¡¯ Great headline. So this Ysel, she¡¯s the ¡®Lady of Lockwood,¡¯and it¡¯s her fault I¡¯m back here - that we¡¯re back here. They thought Alice was me. Stupid, really.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Alice looked up from her notebook and blinked.

    ¡°I was telling Lund how we ended up here.¡± Isa smiled at Alice. ¡°What have you been up to over there?¡±

    ¡°Um, this bracelet¡­.¡± Alice held up the copper bracelet on her left wrist. ¡°It¡¯s magic.¡±

    Lund took a step back.¡±What do you mean, magic?¡±

    ¡°I just get the feeling that if I stroke the design¡­.¡± Alice ran her middle finger over the engraved crow. ¡°.... a real crow--¡±

    A jet black crow slowly formed in the space above the bracelet. After about 5 seconds, it fluttered its wings once, as if to test them and hopped on Alice¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°.... will appear,¡± Alice finished.

    ¡°That¡¯s definitely magic,¡± said Isa.

    Lund had visibly relaxed. ¡°I don¡¯t mind familiars,¡± he said. ¡°They don¡¯t poop or eat, and they are generally well behaved, except this weasel one time--¡±

    ¡°Wait - familiar?¡± Isa looked from Lund to Alice. ¡°Like a witch¡¯s familiar? But you¡¯re a wizard.¡±

    ¡°Wizards have a spell for that,¡± said Alice. ¡°And when I put the bracelet on, I got this funny feeling.¡± She turned to face Isa. ¡°You know that feeling like you know that you¡¯re supposed to do something, but you can¡¯t remember what it is? Like, you¡¯re at the store and you know there¡¯s something that you¡¯re forgetting to buy, but you have no idea what it is? That¡¯s what I felt when I put on the bracelet. And it took me a while to figure out that I should look at my spellbook.¡±

    The crow shifted on Alice¡¯s shoulder, adjusted one wing, and then sat down.

    ¡°OK,¡± said Isa. ¡°We have a crow. What does it do? Like, what¡¯s the point?¡±

    Alice reached up and stroked the bird¡¯s side. ¡°What¡¯s the point of anything, Isa? What a thing to say! To answer your rude question, I don¡¯t know yet. But if it¡¯s a spell, it must be useful. And maybe, if you promise not to be rude to Peck, I¡¯ll explain it all to you.¡±

    ¡°Peck? You named him already?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not a he - or a she. It¡¯s a spirit, and it¡¯s name is Peck.¡±

    Lund had been watching the exchange. ¡°Don¡¯t see many familiars around here. Don¡¯t know why.¡± He held his finger near Alice¡¯s shoulder. ¡°But I always liked crows.¡±

    Peck walked on to Lund¡¯s finger and stretched out its wings. With one black eye, it seemed to look at Isa. ¡°Me too,¡± said Isa. ¡°Really. Got a feeder and everything.¡±

    The front door opened, and Isa turned quickly toward it, hoping to see Mery. Instead a group of three travelers walked in. Lund put Peck beside Alice¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I got customers! You stay here,¡± he said. The crow dutifully moved to Alice¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°Is it just me,¡± Isa watched Lund as he hurried to the kitchen, ¡°or does he seem over the moon about having customers?¡±

    Alice shrugged. ¡°I don¡¯t know him well enough. What are you thinking?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m thinking,¡± Isa said slowly, ¡°that wyvern has really screwed Lund over. I think business is really hurting, maybe.¡±

    Lund moved past them with a pitcher of beer for the table of travelers. They both watched as he talked to the group. ¡°I¡¯m going to sit and look at my spells,¡± said Alice. ¡°Maybe you and your friend need some privacy.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, yeah, that¡¯s good. Thanks, babe.¡± Isa watched Lund as he moved back to the kitchen.

    Alice put her bag at a booth, and Peck cawed and took flight. It landed on the back of the booth.

    Isa gave them both a little wave. ¡°I¡¯ll join you, um, soon. ¡¯Cause I¡¯ll need to look at my spells, too. Lund¡¯s a great fighter, has this greatsword that¡¯s like¡­.¡± Isa stretched her arms out, almost spilling her beer. ¡°It¡¯s big.¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Lund was back at the bar.

    ¡°Your greatsword, actually.¡± Isa ignored Lund¡¯s puzzled look. ¡°So, this wyvern, it¡¯s doing a number on you, huh?¡±

    ¡°You mean a spell? They¡¯re not magical creatures.¡±

    ¡°I mean like it ruining business. It¡¯s a side effect of the wyvern taking up residence.¡±

    Lund waved his hand dismissively. ¡°I¡¯m doing fine. Really.¡±

    Isa shifted around to face the nearly empty tavern, resting her elbows on the bar. ¡°Yeah?¡±Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

    ¡°It¡¯s early yet.¡±

    ¡°You telling me the truth?¡± She turned back to face her friend. ¡°I know what it¡¯s like to live paycheck to paycheck.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what that means,¡± he said. But he leaned forward, his arms on the bar. ¡°Does it mean wondering how you¡¯re gonna pay the rent? Because--¡±

    ¡°I knew it!¡± Isa slapped the bar with her hand. ¡°Oh, sorry. Look, we¡¯ll help with the wyvern. We don¡¯t need the gold.¡±

    ¡°Yes, you do,¡± Lund said with a grimace.

    ¡°Not as much as you.¡± She leaned over the bar. ¡°Not to be a dick, but do you even have enough for the reward?¡±

    He shook his head. ¡°I figured I can do trade or something. The whole town is hurting. It¡¯s like we¡¯re cursed or something. Before the wyvern, we had bad rains. The river overflowed its banks. That hasn¡¯t happened in, oh, years. Years and years.¡±

    Trade? When was he going to mention that? ¡°You should come on this quest with us.¡± Isa blurted out. ¡°Leave the wyvern to someone else.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t run away from this problem, Isa. Besides, who¡¯s gonna take on the wyvern? Gimble? Anne?¡±

    ¡°This quest, it pays good money,¡± she said. ¡°And Ysel, she¡¯s a goddess. For real. And if Bywater¡¯s cursed, well maybe she can lift it or combat it or whatever. She is a deity.¡±

    ¡°Help me with the wyvern, and we can talk.¡±

    ¡°Deal.¡± Isa took a swig of beer. ¡°This is going to be so great. We¡¯ll get Mery, and then we can--¡±

    ¡°How much?¡±

    ¡°How much what?¡± She knew exactly what Lund was asking, but she couldn¡¯t remember how much money Ysel had offered. She grabbed her notebook. ¡°Like a thousand gold, something like that.¡± She flipped through the pages.

    ¡°No. No way.¡± Lund shook his head. ¡°A thousand gold for--¡±

    ¡°500 gold.¡± Isa looked up. ¡°And an elvencraft weapon. And,¡± she held up one finger, ¡°the favor of the Lady of Lockwood.¡±

    ¡°Right.¡± Lund nodded. ¡°¡®The Lady.¡¯¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t believe me!¡±

    ¡°I do. I do. I mean. Look at you. All kitted out in elven armor. And,¡± he pointed at Alice and Peck, ¡°your girlfriend there is some kind of nature wizard.¡± He shook his head. ¡°Something happened to you.¡±

    ¡°That,¡± Isa picked up her glass, ¡°is a good way to describe it. Ysel happened to me.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t deny - something¡¯s gotta change.¡± Lund looked at the door of the tavern which had remained closed the entire time they¡¯d been talking. ¡°Half a dozen customers a day isn¡¯t going to pay the bills.¡± Just then the group of travelers hailed Lund. ¡°You go sit with your girl. I¡¯ll bring you another round.¡±

    Isa nodded and crossed to the booth. Alice looked up from her book. ¡°Ysel said I had the power of nature. Is that like weather, do you think? Or poison or maybe animals¡­.?¡±

    Isa shrugged. ¡°You tell me. I only have a few spells. Did you see how my club glowed all silvery and green? That¡¯s a spell. A cantrip, so that¡¯s cool, right. Just casting and casting.¡±

    ¡°My frostbite - that¡¯s a cantrip. Pretty handy to just spam that.¡± She ran a finger down a page of her notebook. ¡°I¡¯ve got some outright offensive spells, a few defensive - mage armor, Della¡¯s favorite - and then a couple of manipulation spells. Charm person - has Felix ever gotten that spell to work?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve seen it work for real, and it was a little frightening,¡± Isa said, remembering when Mery cast the spell on the young thief, Wat.

    ¡°In the moments of battle, I didn¡¯t have time to truly think ¡®Holy shit, I¡¯m using magic!¡¯ But now,¡± Alice gestured at the books in front of her, ¡°holy shit! We¡¯re using magic!¡¯

    ¡°The notebook, it¡¯s interactive, I guess you¡¯d say. Swipe your finger on a spell, and it will write out more information. Try it. I¡¯m not explaining it very well.¡±

    Alice wiped her finger across the words Absorb Elements and gasped as words appeared. She said, ¡°It¡¯s a reaction! If someone hits me with frostbite, I can basically hold the cold element in my dagger and then use it on a dagger attack. The dagger would do some frosty damage to my enemy, and what¡¯s left hits me.¡±

    ¡°So it doesn¡¯t absorb it forever.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Alice shook her head. ¡°But that¡¯s pretty cool - I can siphon some off and turn it back on them. I need to practice with that dagger!¡±

    ¡°What else you got?¡± Isa tried to read upside down. ¡°Anything for a wyvern? What is a wyvern anyway?¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re like dragons, if I¡¯m remembering right. Like a dragon cousin or something. They have a lot of hit points, so I can see why Lund.... Listen to me! ¡®Hit points.¡¯ I assume that they are very stout and hearty and hard to kill. In the game, they have a lot of hit points.¡± Alice laid her arms across the open books and took Isa¡¯s hands. ¡°Do you really think this is real? Is it even possible that tabletop games are based on this world?¡±

    ¡°Of course it¡¯s real - we¡¯re here, aren¡¯t we?¡±

    ¡°I guess so.¡± Alice pulled her arms back and looked down at the book. ¡°I should act like it¡¯s real.¡± She touched her shoulder where the gnoll¡¯s spear had hit her. ¡°Which leads me back to the wyvern. If it has a lot of hit points in the game, that would - at least partially - be due to a good constitution. So no disease spells, no blindness or anything.¡± She turned the page on her spellbook. ¡°Maybe this acid arrow.¡± She rubbed her finger on the page. ¡°It¡¯s got a 90 foot range. Yeah, I¡¯m going to prepare this instead of blindness. So¡­..¡± she bent her face closer to the book.

    Peck hopped down and stood beside the spellbook. ¡°Raawk,¡± it said.

    ¡°In the morning,¡± Alice went on, ¡®I need a few minutes to just look over the spells. Like how you review right before the test.¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯re a genius like Alice. If you¡¯re a mere mortal like Isa, you¡¯ve spent the last 3 days studying and trying to prep for the test, hoping for a solid B.¡± Isa looked down at her own spell list in her notebook. ¡°So I have this spell called thaumaturgy. It says, Demonstrate your devotion to the Lady of Lockwood by performing a small wonder like making a sound originate up to 30 feet from you or making your eyes glow bright green for a minute. So, let¡¯s say Peck is off to the left. He can squawk--¡±

    ¡°It. Peck¡¯s not a he.¡± Alice said

    ¡°Yeah but it¡¯s just easier to--¡±

    ¡°Details matter, babe, especially in magic.¡±

    Isa suppressed a sigh and nodded. ¡°Peck can squawk off to the left, and I make a squawk to the right, using thaumaturgy, and the enemy will think they are surrounded!¡±

    Alice raised one eyebrow. ¡°That¡¯s clever. Peck, you up for that?¡±

    ¡°Raawk.¡± The crow rubbed its beak against Alice¡¯s spellbook.

    ¡°The other neat spell that Ysel gave me is called bane. Listen to this: The curse of the Lady descends on up to 3 of your enemies, making their lives harder for 60 seconds. They won¡¯t wield their weapons as accurately; they won¡¯t dodge your blows as deftly. I can also befriend animals¡­.¡± Isa went silent as she finished reading the spell. ¡°Well, shit, I can try to anyway - it says they have to be dumb.¡± She leaned back and pushed her notebook away from her. ¡°Isa Chamberlin - friend of dumb animals.¡±

    Alice started to laugh. ¡°How do you know what animals you can charm? Is there a list somewhere?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll have to ask Ysel why she gave me this dumb-ass spell,¡± said Isa.

    ¡°Can you change your spells, too?¡± asked Alice. ¡°That would be interesting to know. Felix could change his spells. But that¡¯s just a game. You, on the other hand, had a goddess bestow magic on you. Think about that, honey. A motherfucking goddess gave you magical abilities.¡±

    ¡°A motherfucking goddess,¡± Isa repeated. ¡°Woo!¡± she raised her arms in the air. ¡°Lockwood!¡±

    Alice laughed again. ¡°Team Lockwood.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s us, huh? ¡®Team Lockwood.¡¯¡±

    The two women nodded solemnly at each other and then broke into smiles.

 Lockwood Chapter 15: Wyvern & Friends

    Lund stopped by, dropped fresh beers and grabbed empty plates from the table. ¡°Are you set for tomorrow? I want to go early - dawn or thereabouts - and try to run it off. I¡¯m not sure it will work. It might just attack us, and if that happens¡­. Wyvern are big and fast. They make 2 attacks, Isa, and they fly. So you need to be ready.¡±

    ¡°Why are you saying this to me? I¡¯ll be ready.¡±

    ¡°Alice,¡± he said, ¡°do you need anything special? I¡¯ve got a nice room on the 2nd floor for you both. Tris has a fire going already.¡±

    ¡°Thank you,¡± she said. ¡°We, ah, we got off to a bumpy start. Thank you for the wonderful hospitality.¡± She picked up the glass of beer. ¡°And for taking such good care of us. This is like a boutique hotel. Do you have a pillow menu, too?¡±

    Lund blinked. ¡°Is that a food? I don¡¯t--¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s making a joke, buddy. Don¡¯t sweat it.¡± To Alice she said, ¡°It¡¯s been a long day. Let¡¯s finish with these spells and get to bed.¡±

    Twenty minutes later Alice downed the last of her glass and stood. ¡°Peck, can you find a nice place to settle down for the night?¡±

    Lund came over the get the dirty glasses. Alice continued to the crow. ¡°Stay out of Mr. Lund¡¯s way, alright?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s Subash, my last name is Subash,¡± Lund said.

    ¡°Alice Fondel.¡± Alice stuck out her hand. ¡°At your service.¡±

    ¡°Oh, ah, thank you?¡± Lund gave Alice¡¯s fingertips the barest squeeze. ¡°Um, good rest. To you both.¡± He nodded at Isa. ¡°I¡¯ll call for you at dawn.¡±

    As they walked upstairs Isa said softly, ¡°Maybe Princess Alice has made another conquest. Breaking hearts all over Varana, eh?¡±

    ¡°Hardly.¡± Alice laughed softly.

    ¡°So I warn you,¡± Isa had her hand on the door of their room, ¡°no heating, no indoor plumbing. It¡¯s a bit like cabin camping.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s an adventure, and we¡¯re together. Nothing else much matters.¡±

    The room was warm and bathed in the yellow light of the fire. Two quilts lay folded across the bottom of the large bed. ¡°This,¡± said Isa, ¡°is much nicer than my old room.¡±

    Alice ran her hand along the mantle and then walked over to the dresser. ¡°It¡¯s going to take me a few days to stop questioning the reality of all of this.¡±

    ¡°Oh yeah, I went through that, too.¡± Isa sat on the bed and began to unlace the boots that Ysel had given her.

    ¡°Is that true?¡± Alice turned to look at Isa. ¡°I don¡¯t believe that¡¯s true. You¡¯re at home wherever you are, Isa. Nothing fazes you. Ever. I bet,¡± she plopped down beside Isa, ¡°that you simply squared your shoulders, took a deep breath and waded in without a second thought.¡±

    ¡°And that¡¯s a good thing right?¡± Isa shoved the boots under the bed.

    ¡°Well, now, I couldn¡¯t say; I barely know you.¡± Alice put her hand on Isa¡¯s cheek. ¡°We just met downstairs, and you enticed me up to your room with sweet promises.¡±

    Isa smiled. This was a game they liked to play sometimes. ¡°That¡¯s true.¡± She leaned in and kissed Alice¡¯s lips. ¡°You haven¡¯t even told me your name.¡±

    ¡°Perhaps,¡± Alice¡¯s fingers went to Isa¡¯s side, and she began to unbuckle Isa¡¯s chest armor, ¡°I¡¯m traveling in disguise.¡±

    Isa lifted the surprisingly light armor off her shoulders. ¡°Then perhaps you were foolish to come to a stranger¡¯s bedroom. What if I knew who you really are, Princess?¡± Isa gently laid Alice down and looked at her. ¡°What if your mother sent me to find her runaway daughter?¡± Isa stood up and unbuttoned her pants.

    Alice sat up and began to unbutton her shirt. ¡°Maybe I knew that, and I want to seduce you to keep you from following the queen¡¯s orders.¡±

    In a few moments they were both naked. ¡°Well,¡± Isa said, ¡°you are known throughout the kingdom for your clever ways.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m more than just a clever woman,¡± Alice said as she ran her hands down Isa¡¯s sides.

    Isa laughed. ¡°Don¡¯t I know it!¡± She pulled Alice close. ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re here. I¡¯m so sorry that you got caught up in this, but I¡¯m glad that you get to experience this world.¡±

    Alice slid her hand between Isa¡¯s legs. ¡°There¡¯s nowhere I¡¯d rather be.¡±

    ***

    The next morning Isa woke to Alice reading her spellbook in bed. She said, ¡°You¡¯re going to ruin your eyes, reading in this dim light.¡±

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t sleep anymore. I¡¯m too excited.¡±

    Isa sat up. ¡°But you¡­¡± Her hand went to her shoulder to indicate Alice¡¯s wound.

    ¡°Oh yeah, I slept enough. I¡¯m just anxious to explore the world and see everything.¡± Alice closed her book and jumped off the bed.

    Isa looked at the puddle of clothes on the floor. ¡°Someone got crazy last night.¡±

    A knock on the door, and Lund¡¯s voice came through the wood. ¡°You two up? It¡¯s almost full light.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll be down in a few minutes, Lund.¡± Alice said.

    Isa leaned over to grab her bra, and the Lockwood medallion shifted on the chain around her neck. With her fist closed around the symbol Isa said, ¡°I, ah, I think I need to pray?¡±nShe pulled on her trousers and sat cross-legged by the dying fire. Isa had never been one to meditate, but she did so now. It just felt¡­. right, somehow. She let her mind wander, thinking about her first journey in this strange and wonderful world. She could hear the sound of water lapping at the marsh beds, see the shimmering spiderwebs covering the tree, and smell the fresh breeze of the woods between Bywater and Fedru¡¯s cottage.

    Fedru. Why had Joth sent her to his cottage? If Ysel¡¯s to be believed, it was so Fedru could take the measure of his adversary. But then why didn¡¯t he kill her when he had the chance? Anything could have happened to her that day. The spiders, the deer, even Mery might have been an enemy instead of a friend. Dangers surrounded her then and now. So why had Fedru let her leave? What was she missing?

    Isa could feel her throat closing with fear. Relax, she told herself. Breathe and focus on that. In and out. In and out. Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

    After a few cycles of breath, Isa felt her shoulders relax. Silently she said, ¡°Ysel, I put my trust in you. You¡¯ve helped me so far, and I guess why would that change now, right?¡±

    With that, Isa opened her eyes. Alice was sitting on the bed, dressed with her bag slung across her shoulder. Peck sat on her knee.

    ¡°My faithful companions are ready, eh?¡± Isa stood and finished dressing. She got her own bag and her staff. ¡°Let¡¯s go see about that wyvern.¡±

    ***

    Lund lead them through a forest path that cut across the road. Soon Isa was seeing broken branches and trampled bushes. ¡°Large creature, huh?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Lund said. ¡°Unlike a true dragon, it doesn¡¯t breathe fire, and it¡¯s pretty dumb.¡±

    ¡°Dumb?¡± Isa echoed. ¡°Like how dumb?¡±

    Alice thumped Isa¡¯s shoulder and smiled. ¡°You want to befriend the wyvern?¡±

    Lund looked over his shoulder. ¡°What? I¡¯ve never heard of anyone making a pet of a wyvern. They¡¯re mean, unpredictable, and--¡±

    A roar split the air and then came the sound of wood cracking.

    ¡°Not very stealthy,¡± finished Alice. She touched her shirt and muttered something.

    Lund pulled out his greatsword, as Isa softly said, ¡°Wrath,¡± and watched her staff glow silver-green.

    The wyvern came into view. It saw them, let out a fresh roar, and charged. Before they could react, its barbed tail swung around and hit Lund square in the chest. A green cloud surrounded him for a moment, and then the tail was gone and the green cloud, too. Lund was on his knees, retching. Blood poured from the wound in his chest.

    ¡°Holy fuck! Lund.¡± Isa grabbed his arm. Alice was on the other side. They tried to drag him back toward the trees, but he was too heavy for the two women to manage.

    ¡°Hold on,¡± he coughed and fumbled for his bag. ¡°Hold. On.¡± He pulled up a familiar vial, thumbed the cork off, and tossed it back. ¡°Alright,¡± he said, but his next words were drowned out by a cascade of barks and yips.

    A troop of gnolls had appeared opposite them. The throng seemed to be led by a tall, heavy gnoll with a silvery breastplate. He had a sword and shield. He spied them and sketched a bow. Then he began directing his people to spread out to attack the wyvern.

    The wyvern lumbered around to face the new threat. His tail swept dangerously close to Alice. Isa clutched her, unable to speak. One swipe of that tail, poison or no, and Alice would be dead. In her girlfriend¡¯s ear she said, ¡°Are we fucking nuts?¡±

    Alice nodded. The wyvern swiped at one of the gnolls, and Alice pulled a pinch of powder from her belt. ¡°Acid,¡± she tossed the powder into the air. ¡°Arrow,¡± she said and flung her hand forward. A green arrow formed from the dust and flew through the air straight toward the wyvern¡¯s right side. The arrow hit and sizzled. The wyvern roared in pain and turned back toward them.

    ¡°Honey!¡± Isa yelled. ¡°Don¡¯t antagonize the nice dragon.¡±

    It took a step toward them. Isa let go of Alice and placed a hand on her medallion. She stretched the other hand toward the wyvern. ¡°In the Lady¡¯s name I lay a bane upon you, beast!¡±

    The wyvern shook its head as if Isa had hit it. The gnoll captain took advantage of the distraction to land a mighty blow at the creature¡¯s tail. The hit seemed to make the wyvern take flight. As it left the ground, one of its back claws caught Isa across the face. It knocked her to the ground, and Alice screamed to see blood pulsing from Isa¡¯s head.

    ¡°Veddy sorry!¡± called the gnoll captain.

    Lund waved in response and picked up Isa. He and Alice ran for the trees. Once they were deep in the woods, Lund put Isa down and reached into his bag.

    ¡°Wait,¡± said Alice. ¡°Isa bought a healing potion from a merchant. Anne something. It will be in her--¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not dead.¡± Isa pushed herself on her elbows. She wiped at her face and looked at the blood. ¡°Yet.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not going to die.¡± Alice handed her the healing potion she¡¯d fished out of Isa¡¯s bag.

    ¡°That¡¯s 25 gold! I¡¯ll be fine soon. Gimme a second.¡± Isa tried to stand but got dizzy. ¡°Help me up, will ya?¡± Alice and Lund each took an arm and pulled Isa to a standing position.

    Isa focused on Lund. ¡°How are you? Do you need healing?¡±

    ¡°Not as much as you.¡±

    Isa nodded and licked her lips. In the distance they heard the wyvern roar. Isa and Alice both flinched. Lund took a few steps back toward the fight. ¡°They might be winning. So we might not want to be here if they do. Apology or no, gnolls aren¡¯t generally the friendly sort.¡±

    Isa took a breath, touched her medallion with one hand and her face with the other and said, ¡°Me thrive. Heal myself, I mean.¡±

    Instantly the blood stopped flowing down her face, and the nausea Isa had been fighting vanished.

    ¡°That gnoll,¡± Lund pointed at the distant fighting, ¡°the one with the shield, he¡¯s trying to hack off the wyvern¡¯s tail. Almost has it, too. I¡¯m going to see if I can help.¡±

    ¡°Wait!¡± Isa and Alice both spoke, but Lund ignored them and ran back toward the melee.

    ¡°Hey! Snapjaw,¡± Lund called to the gnoll captain. ¡°Keep at it. I got the front.¡± He gestured with his greatsword at the wyvern. When he was close enough, Lund swung his weapon at the wyvern¡¯s front leg.

    From her spot at the edge of the woods Isa couldn¡¯t tell if the first blow was a hit. The second certainly was. With the first blow Lund had his back almost completely to the wyvern, but as his natural motion began to swing him back the other way, Lund landed a mighty blow on the wyvern¡¯s left leg. The beast roared and reared up. At that moment the gnoll captain delivered another blow to the creature¡¯s tail, and the wyvern whipped around and pushed itself into the air with 3 legs. Its tail stayed on the ground. The gnoll had severed it!

    The loss of its tail made the wyvern tilt wibby-wobby in the air, and it looked like the beast might crash to the ground. Lund dove out of the way, but not before one of the creature¡¯s back claws knocked him down. He didn¡¯t move from where he¡¯d landed, and Isa felt her heart in her throat.

    Spoiler:Isa''s Character Sheet:<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name:Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class:Fighter Level:4 / Cleric level 1

    Alignment: Chaotic Good

    Background:Stranger in a Strange Land

    Domain: Nature

    Hit Points:34  AC:16

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 8 + stunned for 1 round

    Combat: +6 to Hit / +5 on staff/shillelagh

    Weapons:+1 Quarterstaff with shillelagh +5 to hit 1d8 +5 (one handed)

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    16

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    5

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature* (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack:Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind- On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge- On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

    Cleric Spells: DC = 12 Spell Attack +4

    Cantrips ¨C Shillelagh / Spare The Dying / Sacred Flame / Thaumaturgy

    Level 1 - Animal Friendship (domain) / Healing Word / Bane (USED)

 Lockwood Chapter 16: The Lockwood Pack

    Isa took off running toward her friend. She hadn¡¯t expected to ever need it, but she¡¯d been reading about her spell spare the dying. If Lund were close to death - and Isa had to admit that they had both come too close to death 30 seconds after encountering the wyvern - her cantrip would at least stabilize him until she could heal him.

    Isa skidded on her knees, coming up beside Lund in the dewy grass. The wyvern was keeping aloft, but its blood dripped everywhere, and everywhere Isa looked she saw the remnants of battle. She tried to say her spell, but it was hard to breathe, both from the sprint across the open space and the acrid smell.

    Finally she choked out the words: ¡°Lockwood spare you, spare your life.¡± She laid a hand on Lund¡¯s heart while the other pressed her medallion to her own chest. She was rewarded with feeling Lund¡¯s chest rise and fall with steady breaths. He was alive.

    A groan sounded to her left, and Isa saw a wounded gnoll in the grass about 10 feet away. With a quick glance at the battle (the wyvern was still occupied by the gnoll captain and his group) Isa crawled to the gnoll. His eyes went wide as she approached and one bloody hand reached for his knife.

    Isa stopped short and held out her medallion. ¡°Healer,¡± she said. ¡°Athay. Athay.¡±

    The gnoll growled out a response. His hand didn''t move from his knife, but he didn''t slash at her.

    Isa grasped his leg and said, ¡°Lockwood spare you.¡±

    Gently the gnoll pulled free from Isa¡¯s grasp. He said something and pointed over his head. Isa followed his arm and saw another gnoll on his knees, panting. Both of his arms were curled to his midsection.

    ¡°Athee,¡± the first gnoll said. He touched his chest. ¡°Athee.¡±

    Isa nodded and crawled toward the second gnoll. She glanced at the wyvern and saw a patch of white blossom on its hide. Alice? Sure enough Isa saw her girlfriend at the treeline hurling her hand toward the wyvern again and again. Those trees would not protect Alice if that wyvern decided to charge, but she was too far away for Isa to even yell - and that might just draw the wyvern''s attention.

    ¡°Lady helps us,¡± Isa muttered, not so much as a prayer but as curse.

    She focused once more on the second injured gnoll. This one had garlands at his? her? wrists and ankles, and in a flash she understood: this gnoll was also a healer, a healer in danger of dying.

    In a moment Isa cast her healing word over the gnoll. It immediately whipped around to face her. ¡°Athay!¡± Isa held up her hands, one still clutching her medallion.

    The gnoll said something and with a snarl loped away from Isa and toward another injured gnoll.

    Just then the wyvern let out a roar. It shook its head back and forth like a dog emerging from the water. The motion moved through its whole body down to the still-bleeding stub of its tail. Black blood streamed through the air bathing several gnolls. The gnoll captain called out to his squad, waving his sword and gesturing with his shield.

    Isa saw another white splotch hit the wyvern. In another setting it would have been comical: Alice¡¯s one-sided snowball fight.

    Alice had ice; Isa had light. She clutched her medallion once more and spoke the words to cast her sacred flame spell. Light seemed to rush up from the ground and envelope the wyvern.

    It let out another roar and lept into the air. Several gnolls rushed in, including the captain, and jabbed at it as it took to the air. The creature dodged most of the blows and, with a few strong wing-beats, it moved toward the river. Several gnolls chased after it. The captain and the strangely dressed gnoll that Isa had healed stayed behind.

    These two moved toward Isa, and she suddenly felt afraid. Sure, they¡¯d had a common enemy, but that enemy was gone. Would they attack her?

    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to scare it away!¡± she called. ¡°I was trying to help.¡± She stepped toward Lund, pulling the healing potion from her bag. In one smooth motion she thumbed the cork from the vial, knelt, and poured it into Lund¡¯s mouth.

    Almost immediately he threw his arms over his face and pulled his legs toward his chest. When no attack came Lund lowered his arms.

    ¡°It¡¯s OK. Wyvern¡¯s gone,¡± Isa said. ¡°But we have other company.¡± She looked at the two gnolls who¡¯d stopped about 10 feet from them. The captain, Isa noticed, had sheathed his sword. She stood slowly and spread out her hands. ¡°Thank you,¡± she said to the both. ¡°You saved us.¡±

    ¡°You,¡± the captain pointed at Isa, ¡°saved Grynmar.¡± He waved his hand at the gnoll beside him. ¡°Grynmar saves others. You save others.¡±Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

    Lund stood, tugging his leather armor back into place. ¡°We were-- Where¡¯s Alice?¡±

    From behind them came Alice¡¯s voice. ¡°Right here.¡±

    Isa turned to see her girlfriend give a small wave. ¡°That¡¯s Alice. I¡¯m Isa; he¡¯s Lund.¡± She and Lund exchanged glances, and he shrugged. Isa said, ¡°We¡¯re, uh, the Lockwood Pack, I guess.¡±

    ¡°I am named Vikk Fastclaw.¡± The gnoll captain stood tall. ¡°Pit champon, leader of Fastclaw Pack. Blood pact between our packs.¡± He waved his hand back and forth in the space between them. The gnoll beside him, the one he¡¯d called Grynmar, snorted. As if in response Vikk raised his voice. ¡°Blood pact. Truce for common prey, but you go now.¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Lund agreed. ¡°May you drink your enemies¡¯ tears by the light of his hearth fire.¡±

    Vikk opened his mouth and let his tongue hang out. ¡°Yes. Yes!¡±

    Isa and Lund took several steps back and joined Alice. In the distance they heard a crash, a wyvern roar, and the clamor of gnoll barks. Softly Isa said, ¡°What do we do now?¡± She kept her eyes on the gnoll healer Grynmar.

    ¡°Gotta turn our backs on them sometime,¡± said Lund. He let out a grunt and turned toward the treeline. Alice and Isa did the same. They both had to trot to keep up with Lund¡¯s long stride.

    ¡°Are they following?¡± Alice asked.

    Isa tried to hear extra hard. ¡°I don¡¯t think so, but I can¡¯t be sure. I won¡¯t be sure until I¡¯m back at Lund¡¯s. And even then I might check under the bed.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re not hubgubbins,¡± Lund said.

    ¡°Hubgubbin? What¡¯s a hubgubbin?¡± Isa grinned at Lund. Now that the immediate danger had passed she was starting to enjoy herself again. ¡°And what was that you said to the gnoll? Drink your enemies¡¯ tears? What?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s an orc blessing. Something a mother might say to her daughter or son before they journey into battle.¡±

    ¡°Definitely sounds like something my mother would say,¡± said Alice. Quickly she added, ¡°She¡¯s not orcish, just¡­ fierce, maybe. Maybe that¡¯s the word I want.¡±

    Isa glanced at Alice. She knew that Alice¡¯s parents were divorced, but past that, Alice¡¯s family situation was a big unknown. They hadn¡¯t met each other¡¯s families yet, but Isa knew that her mom would adore Alice and vice versa.

    As they tramped through the wood back toward Lund¡¯s, Isa thought about her two lives. On the one hand, there was Portland. Friends, family, job, school, future fulfilling employment. But then there was Varana. Magic, adventure, meaningful quests - most of them anyway - and friends. They weren¡¯t her Portland friends, sure. And she especially missed Marissa, but Alice was here, and if the goddess was to be believed, Isa had the most meaningful quest of all at hand.

    They broke through the trees near Lund¡¯s Tavern. It was early yet, so maybe they could get a few more provisions, leave a note for Mery and be back in Lockwood tonight.

    Spoiler: Isa''s Character Sheet<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Name:Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 120 lbs

    Class:Fighter Level:4 / Clericlevel1

    Alignment: Chaotic Good

    Background:Stranger in a Strange Land

    Domain: Nature

    Hit Points:34  AC:16

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 8 + stunned for 1 round

    Combat:+6 to Hit / +5 on staff/shillelagh

    Weapons:+1 Quarterstaff with shillelagh +5 to hit 1d8 +5 (one handed)

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    16

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    5

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature* (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack:Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features:

    Second Wind- On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again.

    Action Surge- On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye: Spend 1 combat turn studying your enemy and learn one of the following: if the enemy is equal to or stronger than you in strength, dexterity, or constitution. Can spend up to 3 turns to discern all 3. Can be used outside of combat as a free action - spend 1 minute to learn all three.

    Cleric Spells: DC = 12 Spell Attack +4

    Cantrips¨C Shillelagh / Spare The Dying / Sacred Flame / Thaumaturgy

    Level 1- Animal Friendship (domain) / Healing Word (USED) / Bane (USED)

 Lockwood Chapter 17: Meeting Mery

    ¡°I am sorry that we couldn¡¯t get any of the wyvern blood or even better, that tail,¡± Alice was saying as they entered the bar.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± said Isa, ¡°if Mery had been with us, those gnolls--¡±

    A figure at the bar turned. ¡°Gnolls? Can¡¯t say I¡¯ve ever sought out their company.¡±

    ¡°Mery!¡± Isa ran toward her friend and hugged her tight.

    ¡°Tris was just telling me that you¡¯d turned up again.¡± Mery grinned. ¡°Couldn¡¯t stay away, then? Missing the adventuring life?¡± She seemed to notice Alice for the first time. ¡°Mery Braydon. Pleased to meet you. Your name wouldn¡¯t be Alice, would it?¡±

    ¡°How did you know that?¡± Alice smiled. ¡°Did Tris tell you?¡±

    ¡°No, your fame precedes you.¡±

    ¡°I did tell her,¡± Tris called out.

    ¡°But I knew it already,¡± Mery shook her head and smiled. ¡°If Isa was going to come back to Varana, she¡¯d have to bring Alice.¡±

    Alice looked from Mery to Isa. ¡°But we barely knew--¡±

    ¡°My friend,¡± said Isa, ¡°has a good memory. I mentioned you once.¡±

    ¡°Twice,¡± said Mery. ¡°Princess Alice from the land of Vermand.¡±

    ¡°Vermont,¡± Alice and Isa both corrected her at the same time.

    Mery ignored their words, stepped back and put her hands on her hips. ¡°You¡¯ve been to the wars, haven¡¯t you? And barely made it back?¡± To Lund she said, ¡°Tris tells me you¡¯ve a wyvern in the neighborhood. You didn¡¯t go¡­.¡±

    Lund thumped his greatsword down on the bar. ¡°We did.¡±

    ¡°And you survived.¡± Mery¡¯s voice lilted up at the end as if she was asking instead of telling.

    ¡°Apparently.¡± Lund sat down. ¡°But it was a close thing. Right now I am thankful for Anne Merchant and her half-price potions.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll drink to that,¡± said Alice.

    ¡°Did I hear this one,¡± Mery hooked a thumb at Isa, ¡°say something about gnolls?¡±

    ¡°They helped us.¡± Alice looked from Mery to Lund. ¡°That¡¯s weird, right?¡±

    The front door banged open, and Anne strode in. She had a basket on one arm. ¡°2 for 1 sale! 2 for-- Where the hell is everyone? I thought I was gonna do a brisk business in potions today.¡± She turned around, holding her arms out, the basket rocking gently to the movement.

    ¡°I could use a couple potions,¡± said Mery. ¡°Sounds like I¡¯m heading into adventure.¡± She slapped her belly. ¡°Good thing. Deney¡¯s making me soft. Beds and fires, hot meals and fine wine. Why I--¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to drink all the wine.¡± Anne sounded a little petulant.

    ¡°But it¡¯s there!¡± Mery laughed and handed a stack of coins to Anne. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    ¡°Did you know about the bracelet?¡± Alice held her arm out to Anne.

    ¡°This one,¡± Anne said to Mery, ¡°rummages around in my cart - I know! - and comes up with this. Find Familiar.¡± Looking like a proud mother she said to Alice, ¡°Well, where is it? Here black beauty. Here!¡±

    Peck landed on Alice¡¯s shoulder and cawed at Anne, its body rocking back and forth with each sound.

    ¡°So you did know?¡± Alice seemed to study Anne. ¡°You wanted me to-- But--¡±

    ¡°Babe, relax.¡± Isa put her hand on Alice¡¯s arm. ¡°What¡¯s the harm?¡±

    ¡°No harm. I just--¡±

    Tris brought a pitcher and glasses to Lund¡¯s spot. ¡°A pick-you-up.¡± She poured a glass and handed it to Lund, who blindly held it out for someone to take.

    Isa took the glass and handed it to Alice. ¡°Relax,¡± she said softly. ¡°These are good people. Friends.¡±

    Alice sat down beside Lund. ¡°What did you call him, the head gnoll?¡±

    ¡°Snapjaw,¡± Lund replied.

    ¡°You know him?¡± Isa reached past for a glass and the pitcher. She poured a glass for Anne who waved it away.

    ¡°Snapjaw is a hero of the gnolls,¡± Mery replied. ¡°Like a folk hero. ¡®Let me tell you the story of Snapjaw and the wicked snake.¡¯ That sort of thing.¡± She smiled at Lund. ¡°You haven¡¯t been messing with heroes, have you?¡±

    ¡°He had a shield and a breastplate. Knew how to handle himself, so I called him ¡®Snapjaw.¡¯ Big deal.¡± Lund shrugged and took a long drink.

    Dimly Isa heard Tris say to Anne, ¡°Do you have more of that poultice?¡± And the merchant happily thumped her basket on the bar to haggle.

    ¡°Sorry I missed the action,¡± Mery said.

    Isa tilted her head. ¡°Plenty more on the way. I was hoping to get your help for a quest I have. That we have.¡± She gestured to Alice.

    ¡°How long you been back? Not wasting time, then?¡±

    ¡°It is a long story, but the highlight? A goddess gave us a quest. Lady of Lockwood. Ever heard of her?¡±

    Mery shrugged. ¡°Elven?¡±

    ¡°Oh yeah,¡± said Isa. ¡°Definitely. She brought me here - us - and I have to do this big, important quest.¡± Isa reached for her notebook. ¡°Ever been to the¡­.¡±

    ¡°Hinterlands,¡± said Lund.

    ¡°Right. Right. Good memory. We--¡±

    Lund interrupted Isa. ¡°I was reading it.¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± Isa gave him a smile. ¡°That¡¯s cool. So this goddess, Ysel--¡±

    ¡°In my notebook,¡± Lund went on.

    Isa turned toward him. ¡°In your¡­.¡±

    He waggled his notebook in the air. ¡°Yeah. Would someone like to explain how I got this quest?¡± He laid his notebook on the bar and picked up his glass of beer.

    Peck hopped from Alice¡¯s shoulder to the bar and strutted over to stand on the book.

    ¡°Did you have something to do with this,¡± Lund asked the bird.

    ¡°Gaw,¡± said Peck. ¡°Caw-caw.¡±

    ¡°That goddess of yours, did you tell her my name?¡± Lund half rose from his seat at the bar.

    Isa looked at Alice. ¡°I don¡¯t-- I don¡¯t think so?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s not really mad.¡± Mery stepped between Lund and Isa. ¡°You¡¯re not mad! Don¡¯t even pretend. Adventure, loot, good friends, doing good. Gods help me, it¡¯s right up your lane. And the-- what¡¯s the reward?¡±

    ¡°500.¡±

    ¡°And how much,¡± Mery lowered her voice, ¡°how much do you still owe on this place?¡±

    ¡°Almost 3,000.¡±

    ¡°Well that¡¯s rather nice! Cut it by a third with one adventure.¡±

    ¡°A third?¡± Isa broke in. ¡°That¡¯s not--¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s giving me her¡¯s, too. Isn¡¯t that what you mean, Mery?¡± Lund¡¯s voice was quiet. ¡°But that¡¯s silly, and it doesn¡¯t matter because I¡¯m not going.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a sacred quest there, Subash.¡± Mery pulled the notebook toward her. ¡°Given by the, ah, Lady of Lockwood herself.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t ask for it,¡± he said.

    ¡°And yet, there it sits in your log. Fate.¡± Mery shut the book and pushed it toward Lund. She gestured at Tris and Anne at the far end of the bar. ¡°Tris will be fine! One of the girls can help, or that cute lad from the smithey. The 4 of us? What a team, eh? Brawn and brains and--¡± Mery stopped and looked at Isa. ¡°What¡¯s it you do again, lass? And the princess, of course, tossing spells like flower petals.¡± Mery sighed. ¡°Think of the stories yet to be!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not saying yes,¡± said Lund.

    ¡°But you¡¯re not saying no!¡± Isa grinned and finished her beer.

 Lockwood Chapter 18: Lundâ€™s to Lockwood

    Ysel surveyed the group and said to Isa, ¡°It is as I prophesied: the friends gather for adventure.¡±

    Her dismissive tone made Isa study her friends. What could cause such disapproval? Mery Braydon stood, arms folded, talking with an elf woman who was practicing her archery. She¡¯d already tried to make an impression on the goddess when they first arrived. Charm pouring out of her like a stream overflowing its banks in a spring rain, but Ysel had simply nodded and turned her attention to Lund, the next adventurer in line.

    Lund had been quiet as they journeyed to the travel tree, and that didn¡¯t change when they stepped through the portal. Ysel and her servants had been waiting with bowls of cool water and soft white linens. She¡¯d bade them all to wash their hands and face, as if they¡¯d journeyed a hundred miles of dusty roads instead of 3 steps in the green light of the portal. Lund had dipped his fingertips in the water and shaken them dry as if partaking in a useless, ancient ritual. Ysel spoke softly to him in those first few minutes, too softly for Isa to hear, and now he seemed more bewildered than petulant, sitting under a tree by himself.

    Ysel had then turned her full attention to Alice. The two greeted each other like old friends. The goddess murmured something in Alice¡¯s ear and brushed her lips across her cheek before turning to Isa. ¡°We have much to discuss and little time. Come. All of you, come.¡±

    Isa spied her girlfriend sitting some distance away. She and Peck were consulting with a gray haired elf, Alice¡¯s spell book on the grass in front of them.

    ¡°Yes, I think they are ready for what might lie ahead. Is that so wrong?¡± Isa turned to look at Ysel. ¡°We each have our reasons for being here I guess. But we¡¯re here, right? And you want us to be successful; you need us to be successful.¡± Isa had been trying to decide how to broach a certain subject with Ysel. She wanted better armor for Lund, healing potions and extra javelins. Lund, she told Ysel, was risking a lot to come on this quest. Isa would do what she could to ensure that he had proper tools.

    ¡°Can not the same be said for all of your friends? And even yourself?¡± Ysel studied Isa.

    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t plan on staying here, so it¡¯s not that big a deal to me what I wear or carry. As long as it works.¡±

    ¡°Indeed. A mortal who knows her mind.¡± Ysel motioned to a servant. ¡°Light the fire and bring the wine. I would address my adventurers.¡±

    At her words 3 elves hurried away, and 3 more quietly approached Isa¡¯s friends, bringing them to a bonfire in the middle of a small grove. When Isa arrived Lund, Mery, and Alice were all seated on stools around the growing fire. Isa slid on to the stool by Alice. Ysel was nowhere in sight.

    No one spoke as a hooded woman silently gave them each a wooden cup filled with wine. The moment Isa had the cup in hand the fire blazed, and Ysel stepped from behind it. ¡°It is the work of the gods to make and unmake the worlds. It is the work of mortals to tend them, shape them, protect them. And so we find ourselves here. Our worlds need succor. Look, look into the flames.¡± With a flick of Ysel¡¯s finger the flames shifted, and the tiny tongues transformed into brushstrokes on canvas. The friends saw a vista painted in flame and ash, but for all that it was a peaceful scene, almost pastoral. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

    Isa felt herself leaning forward, ready to fall into the scene before her, but then the picture changed as dark clouds gathered and the tall grassess whipped back and forth as though a great wind were sweeping past.

    ¡°There are those,¡± Ysel continued, ¡°who would profit from strife, and even the smallest life is in danger when mortals put their minds to it.¡±

    Isa felt rather than saw Alice shift beside her. She felt it too, then. A cold thread seemed to be worming its way up Isa¡¯s spine as Ysel continued to talk. ¡°The poison is slow, but we feel it even now, even here. The worlds bleed together, and what was lovely¡­.¡± Ysel swept her hand toward the fire as flames rose with a roar. ¡°....Turns wild and dangerous.¡±

    ¡°So you¡¯re saying that my world is killing this world?¡± Isa couldn¡¯t keep silent any longer. ¡°That seems pretty--¡± Isa suddenly lost her voice.

    ¡°What matters is that you understand the need, the dire need to heal this rupture.¡± Ysel¡¯s eyes seemed to bore into Isa¡¯s head. ¡°What else you think or feel is inconsequential. Whatever else you do is meaningless in the face of this threat. Do you understand?

    ¡°Now, let us talk of action not impetus. The White Desert is your gateway. I will get you as close as I can, and then you will journey to the Shimmer to heal it. Nothing and no one should dissuade you from this goal.¡± Ysel¡¯s gaze seemed to grow with every second; her eyes rested briefly on each of the 4. Isa didn¡¯t feel any different, but she wondered if something had been exchanged on a deeper level, expectations, promises, prayers.

    With a deep breath Ysel held up her cup. ¡°So drink friends! Drink to success, to sacrifice, to unexpected blessings.¡± Ysel tossed back the contents of the cup, and the 4 friends did the same.

    The wine burned down Isa¡¯s throat, and for a panicked moment she wondered if she was dying, but then the heat was replaced by a cool, light feeling that spread from her chest in all directions. She turned to check on Alice and saw a fierce light in her lover¡¯s eyes. Alice¡¯s fingers gripped the wooden cup with white knuckles. ¡°Ally? Alice? Babe, are you¡­.¡± Isa reached out her hand.

    ¡°The animals, the trees¡­.¡± Alice shook her head. ¡°Look at it, Isa. They are dying before our eyes. Every moment counts.¡± She stood and let the cup fall from her hand.

    Isa glanced at the fire but the scene depicted hadn¡¯t changed. Snow swept across a barren landscape, and the only color was the curtain of shimmering swirl. What was the word Alice had used? Nack-- nackress? Nacrish? Whatever the word, Isa understood that this place with its swirling rainbow of color, like an oil slick suspended in air, was now her goal. She¡¯d swept her friends up into a quest that was meant for her, but she couldn¡¯t feel badly about it. Isa knew that she would need them, their skills, their good cheer, their dedication, before the end.

    ¡°I see right enough the damage.¡± Mery¡¯s voice broke the silence. ¡°But can this truly be harming their world?¡± She gestured at Isa and Alice. ¡°They seem none the worse.¡±

    Ysel didn¡¯t reply, but Isa sensed that she¡¯d been about to and thought better of it.

 Lockwood Chapter 19: The Last Inn

    Early the next morning, with packs loaded, weapons oiled, wrapped, or otherwise tended, the 4 adventurers met at the small grove near Ysel¡¯s house. Isa was pleased to see that Lund had an elvencraft breastplate to match her own. He had new knee-high boots and a light gray cloak.

    Mery was dressed in new supple armor and a cloak of light purple with ivory ribbon trim. Her boots looked like they¡¯d walked many miles, but the laces were new. She had a flute looped over one shoulder. Isa had never heard Mery play an instrument, but of course she¡¯d be good at it; Mery was good at everything she did.

    Isa and Alice had dressed silently this morning. The quest and the inherent dangers were suddenly all Isa could think about. But why should that be? She was no longer a newbie, no longer a level 1 fighter trying to understand Varana.

    Alice made a sound as she blew her hair from her eyes, and Isa realized that¡¯s what had changed. She had Alice to worry about. Not that she¡¯d ever say that aloud, but the stakes of survival, of success, were greater now because she was sharing them with the person she loved.

    There in the grove the 4 of them nodded to each other in greeting, and for a moment Isa wondered if anyone was going to speak, but then Mery twitched an eyebrow and said, ¡°Nice cloak,¡± to Isa.

    ¡°Same at you. I like the piping.¡±

    ¡°The what?¡±

    ¡°The ribbon. That¡¯s called piping when it¡¯s used to decorate edges like that. Cakes, cloaks¡­. Probably other stuff too.¡± Isa ducked her head, suddenly embarrassed to be talking stitchery. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter,¡± she mumbled.

    Alice laced her arm through Isa¡¯s. ¡°I love you,¡± she said softly.

    Just then Fara, the elven ranger, and two other elves joined them in the grove. ¡°Are you ready for the journey?¡± she asked them. ¡°Do you have all that you require?¡± Fara¡¯s voice seemed oddly high and stilted as if she were reciting lines from a play. They all nodded. ¡°Very well.¡± She motioned to one of the other elves, and he walked to the large tree and began to chant.

    Isa stepped closer to Fara. ¡°Where¡¯s Ysel? Are we leaving now?¡±

    ¡°You go,¡± Fara raised her voice to address all 4 of them, ¡°with the Lady¡¯s blessing. All of Lockwood journeys with you in our hearts.¡±

    ¡°But not in your bodies where it might do us some good.¡± Mery¡¯s voice was barely a whisper.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Alice bowed to Fara.

    From the corner of her eye Isa saw the pale green glow of the tree portal. ¡°You will step out at the Last Inn,¡± Fara went on. ¡°The Lady is well known there, and you will be among friends.¡±

    ¡°Alright then,¡± Isa said. ¡°Thanks, and uh, see you later.¡± She walked past Fara and through the portal, hoping the others would follow at her heels.

    Isa left the warm sun of the Lockwood grove and with one step, she entered the windy area called the Hinter. There to the left sat the Last Inn. Although the name made it seem like a dire place, the Last Inn was large, well-kept, and inviting. Isa stepped to the side and waited for her friends.

    Alice came through right behind Isa. She grabbed Isa¡¯s hand and gave it a quick squeeze. Next came Lund with Mery right behind. As they watched, the portal faded to nothing.

    ¡°Well, there¡¯s that,¡± said Mery. ¡°We¡¯re hundreds of miles from the grove now.¡±

    ¡°Have you ever been here?¡± Isa asked Lund, and as the words left her mouth she realized she sounded fearful. She didn¡¯t feel fearful. Apprehensive maybe but not fearful.

    ¡°Nah,¡± he shook his head. ¡°Never ventured this far north. Never wanted to. But it¡¯s pretty enough I guess.¡± With his chin he gestured at the inn. ¡°Let¡¯s get out of this wind.¡± He started toward the inn, bent slightly at the waist to cut the wind. After a moment Isa and the others followed.

    The inn had a wide porch on the front with solid wooden panels every 3 or 4 feet. As Isa climbed the stairs to the door she saw that the panels were set in grooves on the railings. Protection from wind and storm or from attacks? Or maybe both.

    Lund yanked open the door and held it for Isa, Alice, and Mery to walk through. Light blazed throughout the common area. Two large fireplaces anchored each end and a huge brass brazier sat squat in the middle of the room. Fat white candles sat on each table, and overhead 4 chandeliers shone a warm yellow light.

    ¡°Well here¡¯s a tale to tell!¡± A large man stood behind the bar. A clean white apron covered his ample stomach. ¡°Welcome friends. Welcome to the Last Inn. Culler Carson¡¯s my name. This is my inn.¡± He spread his arms. ¡°Food? Drink? Beds? What do you require?¡±

    ¡°All 3, I think,¡± said Lund. ¡°At least for one night.¡± He glanced at Mery who said, ¡°This is Isa¡¯s party, not mine.¡±

    Isa stepped to the bar. ¡°How much for 3 rooms and board?¡±

    He looked at the group for a moment as if calculating. ¡°10 gold for beds, meals, and all the mead you can drink.¡±

    Isa glanced at Mery and Lund. ¡°Seems fair,¡± Lund said. ¡°Though who can drink a lot of mead?¡±

    ¡°Does that include breakfast?¡± Isa put her hand on her coin pouch. Ysel had given her a 100 gold for provisions.

    ¡°Sure. We¡¯re simple folk up here at the end of the world, but we¡¯ll fill your bellies. We know how to do that.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m Isa, that¡¯s Lund, Alice, and Mery. We¡¯ve come from--¡±

    ¡°Lockwood by the look of you. All decked out with fine clothes and fine weapons, and not a one of you an elf. That¡¯s interesting.¡±

    Mery sat at the bar and crossed her arms. ¡°What¡¯s it to you who we are and what we carry? A body could get worried thinking she might get robbed of a night.¡± She traced a finger along the wood grain of the bar. ¡°Thoughts like that could be bad for business. If people thought that an innkeeper might pilfer a traveler''s things, well--¡±Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

    Isa sat down beside Mery. ¡°Forgive my friend Mr. Carson was it? She¡¯s from the city and doesn''t trust anyone.¡±

    ¡°No offense taken. But the same could be said for a poor innkeep. Well-armed strangers under his roof and him with barely a copper to spare.¡±

    ¡°Barely a--¡± Mery started to respond, but Alice said loudly, ¡°Are these magical?¡± She pointed at the chandeliers.

    ¡°Well, yes. Yes, they are. But that doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m rich! Had a wizard fellow stopped by regularly for a few years. We took a trade, him and me.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll take a table and dinner by the fire.¡± Lund pointed at a round table in the corner. ¡°Are we your only guests for the night?¡±

    ¡°Hard to say. Expecting a group of miners any day. And there are the locals. They¡¯ll seep in later.¡±

    ¡°Locals?¡± Isa cocked her head. ¡°Who lives up here?¡±

    ¡°Lots of folks. Everybody has to live somewhere, why not the Hinter?¡± He waved Isa and Mery away. ¡°Join your friend. I¡¯ll be along with mead soon enough.¡±

    Alice and Lund were shedding their packs, leaning bags and weapons at the wall by the table. Lund grabbed a chair, rotated it, and sat facing the fire. ¡°You got me here. I still don¡¯t quite believe it.¡±

    Mery pulled a chair beside Lund. ¡°Remember our first adventure? This isn¡¯t so different.¡± She gestured at the crackling fire. ¡°Remember? You trying to strike a fire with me shivering beside you.¡±

    Carson placed a jug of mead on the table and 4 squat clay mugs. ¡°I¡¯ll bring bread and nuts directly. Dinner¡¯s not for another 3 hours. Meat¡¯s got to roast.¡±

    Alice poured mead into all 4 cups. She lifted one to her nose and sniffed. ¡°I haven¡¯t had mead since college.¡±

    ¡°Ren Faire?¡± Isa said smiling.

    ¡°You say that like it¡¯s a bad thing.¡± Alice took a sip. ¡°Hmmm, it¡¯s not as sweet as I expected. This is more like wine.¡±

    They sat by the fire, and Alice said, ¡°How did you two meet anyway?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s no easy answer. The very first time, he heckled my song and--¡±

    Lund interrupted. ¡°I did not! But her playing warranted it.¡± Lund took a drink of mead, made a slight face, and set it on the table. ¡°Too dry! Picture it - I¡¯m sitting in a tavern with my friends¡­.¡±

    ¡°Most moth-eaten group of mercenaries you ever saw, Isa.¡± Mery¡¯s eyes shone with laughter.

    ¡°We were perhaps a little travel-stained.¡± He leaned toward Alice. ¡°I¡¯ll give her that. We were only 2 days¡¯ march from battle. We wanted food, drink, and something to take our minds off fighting.¡±

    ¡°Where was this?¡± asked Alice.

    ¡°When was this?¡± asked Isa.

    ¡°10 years ago, give or take.¡± Mery shrugged.

    ¡°So you were pretty young.¡±

    ¡°We both were,¡± said Lund. ¡°But that doesn¡¯t excuse her singing.¡±

    Mery settled back in her chair and told them the story. She had been part of a traveling show working the west coast of Varana. It was her first time away from her family troupe. ¡°I was thrilled, and scared, and loving every minute,¡± she said. ¡°I was low on the bill. Or rather, high on the bill. I think I was the 3rd act to play. I was terrible.¡±

    As a part of her family¡¯s traveling show Mery had mostly acted, with an occasional stint as a 3rd voice or backup strings. That hadn¡¯t stopped her from jumping at the chance to join Master Frizzle¡¯s Traveling Proscenium. He was an old friend of her father¡¯s. Franka Frizzle, gnome, magician, master storyteller, part-time wizard, and full-time huckster. Mery learned more in that summer than in all her previous 16 years.

    But this was early on, maybe the 3rd or 4th town on the tour. ¡°And I took myself too seriously. I had this act that was--¡±

    Lund interrupted. ¡°She got up on stage with a lute that was almost as big her. And she--¡±

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t my lute. I worked with what I had, now didn¡¯t I?¡± Mery took a sip of mead and sat forward. ¡°Picture the scene,¡± she told them. The inn had been packed with travelers and soldiers. At first Mery and the troupe had been thrilled to see that every seat was filled. Frizzle scurried around behind the purple curtain giving advice, adjusting costumes, swapping the hats that the twin jugglers were wearing, and generally succeeding in making everyone, even the veteran performers, nervous.

    It was he who shoved the lute into Mery¡¯s hands. ¡°Strum it a bit, lass.¡± He patted her shoulder. ¡°It might distract them.¡±

    Before Mery could ask what he meant, the second act, the jugglers, was going on, and Mery stood in the wings, clutching the lute. Her act was a stew of monologue, folk songs, bits of famous speeches, and her finale: the fight scene of The Borrowed Brothers.

    ¡°Do you know it?¡± Mery asked Isa and Alice. ¡°Do they have that where you¡¯re from?¡± They looked at each other and shrugged. ¡°Ah, fair enough,¡± said Mery.

    The fight scene, she told them, is famous for both its longevity and its weapons. The brothers - they aren¡¯t really brothers, but that¡¯s another story - fight in a kitchen. One uses a knife and the other has a pot lid as a shield and a spatula as a sword. And they fight for a good 5 minutes, ranging all over the stage, on tables, under tables, ducking behind chairs¡­.

    ¡°But,¡± said Lund, ¡°she didn¡¯t have any of that. No chairs, no table, no pot, no lid. And she¡¯s up there on her own!¡± He held up a finger. ¡°1 girl, playing 2 brothers. With imaginary weapons.¡±

    ¡°It was art! It was art,¡± Mery said to Isa. ¡°I was trying to show the futility of aggression and the limits of actions as a substitute for language.¡± She paused. ¡°I was 16.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s actually a pretty good excuse,¡± said Alice.

    ¡°I like her,¡± Mery said to Isa.

    ¡°Right,¡± said Isa, ¡°we get the idea. Performance art in front of a bunch of drunk soldiers.¡±

    Lund¡¯s group was the largest table in the tavern. They¡¯d been eating and drinking since lunch, and time and effort had not slowed them. They¡¯d tossed bread rolls at the jugglers, trying to hit the balls in the air. They¡¯d sung along with the bard who¡¯d come on before, and now, here was young Mery with her huge lute.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t even get to the fight scene. I was halfway through the speech that General Endelish gave to his troops before the Battle of Haven Hill, and--¡±

    ¡°In hindsight¡­.¡± Lund said and trailed off.

    ¡°In hindsight I should have skipped the speech that the great elven general gave before his army slaughtered hundreds of orcs and half-orcs.¡±

    Alice covered her mouth, and Isa looked from Mery to Lund. He shrugged. ¡°The Battle of Haven Hill was a long time ago.¡±

    ¡°That was not the attitude of his fellow soldiers,¡± said Mery. ¡°We had the start of a right good brawl on our hands, but Lund, he--¡±

    ¡°All I did was remind a couple of the really boisterous ones to mind their manners.¡±

    ¡°He knocked them out cold.¡± Mery took a sip of mead. ¡°No one else wanted to tangle with him after that.¡±

    Alice smiled. ¡°So you finished your set, bought him a drink, and--¡±

    ¡°Gods no,¡± said Mery. ¡°I ran off the stage, out the door, and hid in one of the wagons until morning.¡±

    Lund nodded and reached for the loaf of bread that Carson had brought over. He tore off a hunk. ¡°True enough,¡± he said between bites.

    ¡°That¡¯s not the story I was expecting to hear.¡± Alice looked from one to the other. ¡°That doesn¡¯t get you quite here, does it?¡±

 Lockwood Chapter 20: Secondhand Luck

    Lund stretched out his legs. ¡°Secondhand luck, my grandma would have called it. Not mine,¡± Lund pointed at himself with his mug of mead. ¡°Hers,¡± he pointed at Mery.

    ¡°Meaning I didn¡¯t deserve the luck that came to me.¡± Mery took a drink. ¡°Which is unfair and untrue.¡±

    ¡°About a year had passed,¡± said Lund.

    ¡°More than that. It was the fall after my second summer away, and I¡¯d written to my parents to tell them that I¡¯d be delayed coming home to the troupe.¡±

    Lund nodded dreamily. ¡°Fall. A soldier¡¯s delight. Warm days, cool nights, and a winding down of battle season. I was a hired sword by then, and we¡¯d been camped at Falenfen Valley for a week, with another 3 days planned¡­.¡±

    It wasn¡¯t the best encampment, but the valley was seldom traveled and the settlements few and far. Lund¡¯s fellow fighters, many of them grumbled as the days flowed into nights and day again. But Lund was happy for the break from fighting. He¡¯d begun to nurture the first thoughts of leaving the fighting life and doing something else - anything else. But what? He¡¯d asked himself over and over. It¡¯s one thing to know what you don¡¯t want; it¡¯s quite another to know what you do want.

    ¡°I¡¯d taken myself a ways from the camp. Somewhere quiet where I could weigh my thoughts without interruption.¡± Lund rubbed his chin. ¡°Once you let yourself consider another way, how do you go back? I¡¯m no soldier - I¡¯d already realized that, but I wasn¡¯t much of a mercenary either. The only fights I wanted were my own and as few of those as I could manage.¡±

    Mery leaned forward and said, ¡°I¡¯m about to interrupt this little idyl Lund¡¯s got going.¡±

    ¡°The bugbears are,¡± said Lund.

    ¡°Bug-bear?¡± said Isa. ¡°You¡¯re making that up!¡±

    All three of them looked at Isa with varying degrees of surprise. ¡°Babe, don¡¯t you remember that time Felix got one-shotted in that ambush? That was a bugbear.¡±

    ¡°Who¡¯s Felix?¡± asked Lund.

    ¡°A friend back home,¡± said Isa. ¡°He plays a cleric.¡±

    Mery gave her a confused smile. ¡°He plays at being a cleric? How¡¯s that work? What god would--¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a game we play,¡± said Alice quickly. ¡°In our world. But it doesn¡¯t matter, really.¡± To Lund she said, ¡°About the bugbear¡­.?¡±

    Lund looked at Isa, who waved her hand. ¡°Bugbear. Got it.¡± Inside she kicked herself for saying anything. How could she explain to Mery and Lund that their everyday life was a game, a pleasant pastime, in Isa¡¯s world? How would she feel to hear that Varanese have a game where ¡°college student¡± is a class, and players can get a magic item called a ¡°cell phone¡± as an equipable item?

    ¡°I¡¯m a lover of games.¡± Mery folded her arms over her chest. ¡°So how is it that I haven¡¯t heard of this one before?¡±

    Isa and Alice looked at each other. Alice shrugged as if to say, ¡°They¡¯re your friends.¡± Isa opened her mouth and then shut it. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t know what to say. Our world is really different than here.¡± She glanced around the common room as if to remind herself of that truth. ¡°We don¡¯t have taverns, or traveling troupes. We don¡¯t have monsters or--¡±

    ¡°Eh,¡± Alice wiggled her hand side to side as if to equivocate Isa¡¯s words. ¡°We do have monsters; they just don¡¯t have scales or wings.¡±

    ¡°But we do have stories and games,¡± said Isa. ¡°And we play a storytelling game that is a little bit like Varana. Not on purpose - as far as I know. It¡¯s just a coincidence.¡± Isa shrugged.

    ¡°Huh,¡± said Mery.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Isa nodded. ¡°Not very interesting. It¡¯s not even a very popular game, all things considered.¡± She took a sip of mead, feeling that she¡¯d done a fine job of not answering Mery¡¯s question.

    ¡°So you¡¯re sitting in the woods,¡± Alice said to prompt Lund to continue.

    He nodded. ¡°And I hear a noise. Just a small one.¡± He held his thumb and forefinger slightly apart. ¡°But it brought me out of my reverie. Could be an animal, could be a friend. Could also be an enemy, so I slipped off my rock and stepped to the side. Just a few steps showed me that 2 bugbears were setting up a little welcoming party in the distance. They love a good ambush, bugbears, and they were almost in position to jump their quarry.¡±The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    ¡°Me,¡± said Mery.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know that at the time,¡± said Lund. ¡°I was mostly just glad they were facing away from me.¡± He paused to scoop up a handful of nuts and pick one from his palm. ¡°I couldn¡¯t just leave though. Bugbears are vile creatures. You know.¡± He looked at Alice, who nodded.

    ¡°What had you done to antagonize them?¡± Isa asked Mery.

    ¡°What had I done?¡± Mery¡¯s voice held surprise and indignation. ¡°What had I done? Nothing! That¡¯s what.¡±

    ¡°Well, that isn¡¯t exactly--¡± Lund began to say, but Mery continued. ¡°Lund said they¡¯re vile, and he¡¯s got the right of it. Ambushing innocent trav--¡±

    ¡°You were running away,¡± said Lund.

    ¡°Rightly so!¡± Mery said.

    ¡°With stolen goods,¡± Lund finished.

    ¡°Well now¡­.¡± Mery spread her hands. ¡°There are 2 sides to every story.¡±

    Isa grinned and took a drink. She settled back in her chair and put her hand on Alice¡¯s leg. ¡°Why am I not surprised?¡±

    ¡°They were stolen goods. They were indeed, Alice. Your man Lund, he tells it true, but I didn¡¯t steal them.¡± Mery shifted in her chair. ¡°I was liberating them.¡±

    ¡°Chaotic good,¡± Alice said softly.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know she was the awful bard from before,¡± Lund said.

    ¡°If you had, you¡¯d have let them jump me, then?¡±

    ¡°No!¡± Lund gestured to Isa and Alice. ¡°I¡¯m just explaining.¡±

    The bugbears had set up in a classic ambush formation. One on each side of a downward path, one slightly behind the other for easy flanking. Lund felt rather than saw them tense for the kill, and without thinking it through, he crashed through the brush at the bottom of the hill.

    Both bugbears whirled to see what created the noise. Their clubs and spears, already in hand for the ambush, twitched with barely contained energy.

    ¡°And then he starts yelling,¡± said Mery. ¡°Yelling like a fool.¡±

    ¡°I wanted to warn their victim. It was foolish though,¡± Lund nodded his head. ¡°Coulda been anybody coming down that path. Including another bugbear. I took a big risk. But I wouldn¡¯t change a thing if I had it to do over.¡±

    He¡¯d startled the bugbears alright, startled them right into action. One charged at Lund with his morningstar swinging over his head. At the last moment he swung the weapon low, catching Lund at the hip. Lund returned the blow, hitting the bugbear on the shoulder as his attack took him past Lund. The other bugbear jabbed a javelin at Mery who did not jump away in time. As the spear tip ripped across her thigh, Mery tried to grab her short sword and dodge at the same time and only succeeded in keeping her feet under her.

    The bugbear circled her slowly, and Mery matched his movements, lashing out with her sword. The two traded several cuts which only succeeded in bloodying the ground at their feet. For his part Lund, concentrated on the enemy in front of him. This bugbear was heavier than most he¡¯d seen, and that should have made it easier to hit him, but somehow the creature¡¯s bulk worked to his advantage. He seemed to bob like leaf in a pond.

    Lund took a few blows, trusting that his jacket would mitigate the damage. He needed to maneuver closer to his foe to prevent him from getting a full arc on his swing. But the bugbear seemed to sense Lund¡¯s tactic as he jabbed his morningstar at Lund¡¯s belly and shuffled backward. The bugbear glanced down to check behind him, and Lund leapt forward and drove his sword into the creature¡¯s belly. As the bugbear fell, Lund gave a shout.

    ¡°Good on ya,¡± Mery called to him. Both Mery and the bugbear she was fighting had paused at Lund¡¯s cry, and both saw the dead bugbear at the half-orc¡¯s feet. The remaining bugbear growled and turned his focus back to Mery, but his attack went wide. Mery¡¯s blade sliced up his forearm as the javelin breezed past her. ¡°And,¡± she called to Lund again, ¡°I could use a hand here!¡±

    ¡°What have I gotten into?¡± Lund muttered to himself, but he moved toward the other battle to lend a hand.

    The bugbear growled out some words and lunged again at Mery, this time catching her square in the middle with his javelin. Mery grunted and fell, her sword dropping to the ground at her feet. As she fell, Lund attacked from behind, knocking the bugbear off his feet and plunging his sword through the bugbear¡¯s stomach.

    ¡°I thought she was dead,¡± Lund told the group. ¡°That last thrust, the way she dropped her sword¡­.¡±

    ¡°I thought so, too,¡± said Mery. ¡°I remember thinking, ¡®This is where my song ends.¡¯ Foolish, sentimental thought, I know, but it¡¯s the truth. And maybe that¡¯s what saved me. The blood was flowing out of me; I could feel it. And I said to myself, ¡®No. It doesn¡¯t end here.¡¯¡±

    ¡°As I was kneeling down beside her to see if I could help--¡±

    ¡°He was going to loot my body,¡± Mery interrupted.

    ¡°I was not going to loot her body.¡± He glared at Mery. ¡°I was going to help, but then she sat up, one hand on her belly.¡±

    ¡°I was grievous hurt.¡± Mery made eye contact first with Alice and then Isa. ¡°Grievous. But somehow I was still alive.¡±

    ¡°You healed yourself,¡± Lund made a shooing motion. ¡°She healed herself, bip, bam, bang.¡± He dusted his hands to punctuate his words.

    ¡°I¡¯ll not eat this cold supper, Lund Subash. Besides, he doesn¡¯t really care to argue. He just likes an audience.¡±

    ¡°Said the bard,¡± Isa muttered.

    ¡°It¡¯s like a story,¡± said Alice. ¡°Or a novel, a fantasy novel. And so you threw your lots together and had all sorts of adventures.¡±

    Mery and Lund looked at each other, and Mery shrugged. ¡°A small story perhaps, one that began with secondhand luck.¡± She settled deeper in her chair. ¡°Who knows how it will end?

 Interlude 3a: The Bugbear Encounter

    Young Lund

    AC 18 HP 35

    Battle axe +5 to hit 1d8 +3

    Young Mery

    AC 13 HP 15

    Short sword +3 to hit 1d6 +2 / dagger +3 1d4 +2

    bardic inspiration 3 uses 1d6

    Bugbear X 2

    AC 16 HP 27

    Morningstar +4 to hit 2d8 +2

    B1 27 to 19 to dead

    B2 27 to 20 to 15 to 9 (bloodied) to 3 to dead

    M 15 to 10 to 1 to zero to 1hp

    L 35 to 28 to 23

    This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.Init -

    B 12

    M 11

    L 9

    Round 1

    B 22 B1 hit''s Lund 7pt dam B2 javelin at Mery for 5 dam

    M crit fumble / fumble chart "re-roll you lucky bastard" rolls 12

    L 21 hits B1 for 8pt dam

    Round 2

    B rolls 6

    M rolls 19 B2 for 7 2nd roll 12

    L rolls 7

    Round 3

    B rolls 7

    M 17 B2 for 5 dam 2nd roll 16 for 6

    L rolls 10

    Round 4

    B rolls 19 B1 5 dam to Lund B2 9 to Mery

    M rolls 11

    L crits! rolls 10 dam x 3 B1 dead. inspiring attack gives 1d6 to Mery for next attack (if she survives)

    Round 5

    B2 rolls 10

    M rolls 10 even with the extra d6

    L rolls 13

    Round 6

    B2 rolls 10

    M rolls 21 for 6 dam to B2 2nd attack rolls 13

    L rolls 13

    Round 7

    B2 rolls 13 for 4 dam to Mery - Mery unconscious.

    M rols 20 on death saving - 1 hp!

    L rolls a 20 for 7 damage B2 is down

 Lockwood Chapter 21: Mapmakers and Other Oddities

    Carson, the innkeeper, had just finished feeding the fire when the front door blew open revealing two small figures framed in the dying light of day. Carson squinted at them and waved them in. ¡°Shut the door, damn ya! The wind¡¯s gonna pick up soon as the sun goes down. In or out. I don¡¯t care which.¡± But even as he spoke he rushed to the door and practically pulled the 2 travelers inside.

    They were both short, Isa could tell that much, but they were wrapped up in so many layers that she couldn¡¯t have said if they were male or female, children or wizened elders. They both had goggles over their eyes, and the first one pulled them off and down so they dangled around his? her? their? neck. A set of light green eyes met Isa¡¯s, and the person nodded. Isa lifted her mug of mead in welcome.

    ¡°We¡¯re not the only travelers about this evening,¡± said Mery.

    ¡°They¡¯re not children, right?¡± Alice asked softly.

    ¡°Nah, probably gnomes. Maybe halflings.¡± Lund gave a brief glance over his shoulder. ¡°Gnomes, I¡¯m pretty sure. This far from fields and valleys? Gnomes. It¡¯s the rare halfling that travels far.¡±

    ¡°Calling Bilbo Baggins,¡± Alice said to Isa and smiled.

    Isa thought about the gnomes she¡¯d met. ¡°They seem tall for gnomes.¡± As she watched, the newcomers stripped off 2 outer layers and dropped them in a heap by their backpacks. The one who¡¯d locked eyes with Isa removed their hat and long black hair spilled out. The other one did the same and revealed a bald head ringed with dark stubble.

    ¡°A gnome and a halfling.¡± Lund kept his voice low. ¡°That¡¯s interesting.¡±

    ¡°Which one is which?¡± asked Isa.

    ¡°Ya didn¡¯t just say that?¡± Mery shook her head. ¡°What a thing, Isa Chamberlin, what a thing.¡± She tipped her chin toward Alice. ¡°You know, don¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Well it¡¯s not polite to stare, and I--¡±

    ¡°This world of yours, it gets more and more boring with every crumb of knowledge you drop, Princess. No little folk? Huh.¡± Mery stood and grabbed 2 more chairs, placing them close to the fire and pushing her own chair to the table. ¡°We¡¯ll discuss distinguishing features and how to tell the Augwaith apart at a later date.¡±

    Lund tugged at his ear lobe and mouthed ¡°It¡¯s the ears.¡±

    Mery raised her voice and said, ¡°If you¡¯ve a mind, friends, the fire is burning well. Plenty of room, and we¡¯ll not press you if you want quiet with your warmth.¡±

    The black-haired one raised her hand in acknowledgement but didn¡¯t turn from her negotiations with the innkeeper. A few minutes later the two approached Isa¡¯s group. They¡¯d shed several more layers of outerwear to reveal bright blue jackets, white shirts, and brown pants. They were of a similar height, but the black-haired one was a slender female, and the balding one was a stout-chested male. He had a scar on the left side of his face that ran the length of his jaw.

    ¡°A fellow campaigner, it seems!¡± Lund stood and held out his hand to the male. ¡°Lund Subash, Battalion of the Southern Reach, now a civilian of Bywater.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re far from home, Subash. Throm ka-la.¡± The bald fighter gripped Lund¡¯s hand and looked up to meet his eyes.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    ¡°I am Dockma Nimnor,¡± said the female. ¡°Gnome of the Rulnor. This is Flanor Underbough of Riverwind.¡± She sat down and Flanor  followed her lead.

    ¡°I¡¯m--¡± Isa and Mery both started talking at the same time. They laughed and looked at each other. ¡°Go ahead,¡± said Isa. ¡°No-no,¡± Mery said. ¡°It¡¯s your quest.¡±

    ¡°A quest, is it?¡± Dockma looked from one to the other. ¡°This far north? This is a vast region and not well mapped.¡±

    Isa looked from Mery to Lund. Why hadn¡¯t she thought of maps? Ysel hadn¡¯t given Isa anything like that, and it would have been helpful.

    ¡°Dock¡¯s a mapmaker,¡± said Flanor. ¡°The brain¡¯s of the outfit. I¡¯m just the brawn, you understand.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not exactly true,¡± Dockma said mildly, but Isa had a feeling that she was pleased by her companion¡¯s words.

    Carson arrived with another jug of mead and basket of bread. ¡°Evening meal is ready, if you¡¯d like to take your seats at the table.¡±

    ¡°Shall we eat all together?¡± Mery smiled at the newcomers. ¡°I¡¯m a bard, by trade, a collector of stories.¡± She bowed.

    Dockma inclined her head. ¡°Roadside treasures are new friends found, with bright eyes and helping hands.¡±

    ¡°Talus¡¯ The Wedding, if I¡¯m not mistaken,¡± said Mery. ¡°Billgully¡¯s speech. I played Petunia most often, although I would have made a fine Falinda.¡± She pulled two tables together and sat down. Alice and Isa sat beside her. The newcomers sat opposite, and Lund sat at the end of the table closer to Flanor than to Isa.

    ¡°A bard and a fighter,¡± said Flanor. ¡°And what else?¡± He smiled warmly at Isa and Alice.

    ¡°I¡¯m a wizard, I guess,¡± Alice blushed. ¡°Of Lockwood. The Lady of Lockwood, I mean. She is my patron.¡± She covered the copper bracelet on her left wrist with her right hand.

    Isa noticed Dockma noticing Alice¡¯s movement. Why had Alice done that? All she did was draw attention to the bracelet, and why did it matter if she had jewelry, magical or not? ¡°I¡¯m Isa Chamberlin. I¡¯m a fighter and a cleric.¡± She shrugged.

    ¡°Tell me about your bracelet, ah, I didn¡¯t catch your name.¡± Dockma¡¯s light green eyes stayed on Alice¡¯s face.

    ¡°Alice, Alice Fondel. It¡¯s just...¡± she said, turning her hand back and forth. ¡°I got it secondhand.¡±

    ¡°So you make maps.¡± Isa smiled at the gnome. ¡°I honestly don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever met a mapmaker in my whole life. And it¡¯s funny, you should mention--¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s an interesting design,¡± Dockma said to Alice. ¡°Elven, I assume, but it¡¯s not their usual--¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s your quest then?¡± Flanor smiled at the three women. ¡°What¡¯s got a soldier out of retirement? Not that you¡¯re wrong to bring along a¡­. What¡¯s your weapon?¡±

    ¡°I like a greatsword, but I¡¯m comfortable with about all your basics.¡± Lund shrugged.

    ¡°So a bard, a wizard, and a fighter all decide to come along at the behest of a fighting priestess. And an outlander, too, unless I¡¯m mistaken.¡±

    Just then Carson placed 2 small platters at each end of the table. They held slices of meat and heaps of roasted potatoes. He put a large plate of green beans in the center of the table.

    Dockma placed a slice of meat and a spoonful of beans on her plate. ¡°If they do not wish to discuss it, Flanor, we should not pry.¡± She took a small bite. ¡°We have had an exciting journey so far, and I am not hesitant to share a good tale with well-met traveling companions. We have been - that is I have been mapping the northern-most borders of Varana. Most cartographers leave the area north of the Hinter blank. ¡®The Hinterlands,¡¯¡± Dockma waved one hand in the air, ¡°Uncharted, unknowable, impassable, impossible. But we knew better, didn¡¯t we, Flanor?¡±

    The halfling nodded, his mouth full of food. He held a finger in front of his mouth and chewed. Finally he said, ¡°Not much treasure up here - shame, really - but plenty of raw materials. Is that what¡¯s drawn you north?¡±

    Isa hadn¡¯t expected to meet a mapmaker just where she¡¯d need one. Was this Ysel¡¯s doing? Although maybe it made sense that such a remote area would attract explorers. ¡°We¡¯d gladly pay for some advice,¡± she said to the gnome.

 Lockwood Chapter 22: The Northern Lights

    ¡°Advice?¡± Dockma leaned forward. ¡°What does that mean, advice?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a mapmaker,¡± said Mery. ¡°I¡¯m betting she means maps.¡±

    ¡°An annotated map I guess,¡± said Isa. ¡°You know one that marks water sources or good camping spots.¡±

    Dockma concentrated on her plate, and Isa wondered if she was calculating costs in her head.

    Alice spoke up just then. ¡°It¡¯s got find familiar. My bracelet.¡± She stroked the bird etching, and Peck appeared on her shoulder. ¡°I did get it secondhand.¡±

    Dockma took a bite and studied Alice as she chewed. ¡°Find familiar. That¡¯s handy, but not exactly rare.¡±

    Alice touched her bracelet again. ¡°I never said it was!¡±

    ¡°Aye now,¡± said Flanor. ¡°What¡¯s this fellow¡¯s name then?¡± He held out his hand, palm up as if expecting Peck to hop into it.

    ¡°Can of worms,¡± muttered Isa.

    ¡°Peck doesn¡¯t have a gender. It¡¯s a spirit, so it¡¯s incorrect to assign a gendered pronoun to it.¡±

    This was met with silence by the table.

    ¡°Peck, then?¡± The halfling gave Alice a bright smile. ¡°The bird is called Peck. Good name, I say.¡± He motioned the bird with his open hand. ¡°Come see old Flanor, why don¡¯t ya.¡±

    Peck acted as if he hadn¡¯t heard a thing.

    ¡°I¡¯m still getting used to Peck myself,¡± said Isa. ¡°So don¡¯t take it personal.¡±

    Flanor waved his hand in dismissal. ¡°Nah, it¡¯s fine. A crow knows his - its mind. Love ¡®em, myself. Smart birds. Loyal, but independant. My granny, she used to say I was the white crow of the family because I didn¡¯t want to be a farmer.¡± He took a bite of dinner. ¡°Took it as a compliment, I did.¡±

    ¡°For 50 gold,¡± said Dockma, ¡°I can make you a map of the Hinterlands.¡±

    ¡°50 gold!¡± Isa sputtered out the number. ¡°But that¡¯s--¡±

    ¡°White Desert, Hinterlands proper, all the way to the Northern Lights.¡±Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

    ¡°You mean the Shimmer?¡± Lund asked.

    Dockma wrinkled her brow. ¡°I mean the glow that marks the edge of our plane.¡± She cocked her head. ¡°Here it¡¯s called the Northern Lights. That quest of yours - what did you say it was again?¡±

    ¡°We didn¡¯t,¡± Lund answered.

    ¡°I think she knows that, Lund.¡± Mery¡¯s voice had an edge to it. ¡°No need to be difficult. Gold is gold.¡± She pulled out a small pouch that clinked as she put it on the table. With one hand Mery spread the cinched neck and shook a few gold coins to the table.

    ¡°Now who¡¯s being difficult?¡± Isa leaned toward Dockma. ¡°We need to reach the Shim-- the Northern Lights. Our reasons - well, let¡¯s just say that a goddess gave us the quest and who am I to question Her?¡±

    Dockma nodded silently and then said, ¡°A goddess. This Lady Longwood, I assume?¡±

    ¡°Lockwood,¡± corrected Isa. ¡°She¡¯s, ah, regional deity, I guess, so that¡¯s probably why you haven¡¯t heard of her, or maybe you¡¯re not a religious type, but thanks to my friend there¡¯s your money. How long will a map take?¡±

    ¡°For the detail you want? 4-5 hours. I can start tonight, but it might not be ready for an early start. Probably won¡¯t be ready - I can¡¯t forego sleep.¡±

    ¡°No one¡¯s asking you to.¡± Mery pushed the coins and pouch toward Dockma.

    ¡°How far is it the Lights?¡± Isa sat forward in her chair.

    ¡°It is difficult to measure distances up here. That¡¯s one reason that mapmakers tend to avoid the Hinter. There is only 1 path through the White Desert and then--¡±

    ¡°That we know of,¡± interjected Flanor. ¡°Probably the Ekconner have other paths. They¡¯re just not telling you.¡±

    ¡°Once you are passed through the White Desert,¡± Dockma didn¡¯t acknowledge Flanor¡¯s comment, ¡°you have at least 3 more days¡¯ of walking. Cold, windy, blinding, difficult terrain.¡±

    ¡°But their beauty leads you on, that¡¯s for sure.¡± Flanor smiled. ¡°Wore out a pair of boots, but I wouldn¡¯t change a thing. Those Lights.¡±

    Isa held up her hand. ¡°How do they look? I mean, do they look OK?¡±

    Dockma and Flanor looked at Isa and then at each other. ¡°They cover the sky for miles,¡± said Dockma. ¡°It¡¯s all you can see, this shimmering light. It moves--¡±

    ¡°Dances,¡± Flanor said. ¡°The Lights seem to swirl and turn and--¡±

    ¡°Quite,¡± said Dockma. ¡°They are ever-changing. Sometimes they seem stormy, dark and angry, and sometimes they seem lighter - more yellows and blues than dark greens and blacks. And you can breathe easier when the Lights are yellowy-blue swirls. I don¡¯t know why.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Flanor agreed. ¡°No one knows.¡±

    ¡°And the storms--¡±

    Before Isa could ask her question, Alice put her hand over Isa¡¯s. ¡°We¡¯ll know,¡± she said softly. To Dockma she said, ¡°If there is anything we can do in return, please let me know.¡±

    Mery propped her head in her hand and turned to face Alice. ¡°50 gold is quite enough.¡±

    ¡°Your friend is right.¡± Dockma swept up the coins and purse. ¡°But I appreciate the thought.¡± To her traveling companion she said, ¡°Don¡¯t drink too much. Tomorrow is a long day.¡±

    Flanor signed and pulled more meat from the plate in front of him. ¡°Aye.¡± He picked up his mug of mead and looked down at the contents. ¡°Is it possible to get drunk on bee piss?¡±

 Lockwood Chapter 23: Old Wounds

    Lund poured more mead into Flanor¡¯s mug and then his own. ¡°Cheers,¡± he toasted Flanor and downed his drink.

    ¡°To warriors everywhere!¡± Flanor raised his mug and then drank deeply. His eyes seemed unfocused as if lost in memory, and then he seemed to come back to himself. ¡°For true, a goddess gave you a quest?¡±

    He¡¯d directed his question to Lund, but Mery answered. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t have believed it myself, but these two,¡± she gestured at Isa and Alice, ¡°first name basis with Her.¡±

    ¡°But you¡¯re not elves, any of you.¡±

    ¡°Does that matter?¡± asked Alice. ¡°Sure, we¡¯re outsiders, but Ysel picked us, so¡­.¡± Alice shrugged.

    ¡°See? First name basis.¡± Mery shook her head and grinned. ¡°A party should always have room for another fighter, Flan. What¡¯s your weapon? Looking for more adventure?¡±

    ¡°I use a longsword. Handaxes for real up close.¡± He pointed a finger at Isa. ¡°You¡¯re a fighter, too, is that right? What do you have for close in?¡±

    Isa felt like a professor had just called on her in class. She looked at Lund. ¡°I have a quarterstaff. And I guess that¡¯s it. I used to use a rapier, before. Before I became-- before Ysel made me a cleric.¡±

    ¡°She used it well, I can tell you,¡± said Mery.

    ¡°That¡¯s all well and fine,¡± said Flanor, ¡°but that¡¯s not today, is it? And besides, that¡¯s no weapon for close in! Not unless you bash ¡®em in the face with the pommel. What you need,¡± he paused. ¡°What you need is a long,¡± he held his two forefingers about 10 inches apart, ¡°blade, not too thin, not too delicate. It¡¯s got to be able to punch--¡± With that he curled his fist and jabbed forward. ¡°--through the seams of his armor, right?¡±

    ¡°Thanks for the advice.¡± The idea made Isa a little squeamish, even though she¡¯d been in plenty of fights by now.

    ¡°Some people,¡± Flanor continued talking, ¡°will tell you to get a war pick. They¡¯re wrong. If I had a gold coin for every soldier I¡¯ve seen cut down--¡± He shut his eyes tight as if in pain, and he tilted as if falling from his seat.

    ¡°Mister Flanor, are you OK?¡± Alice began to rise from her seat. ¡°Isa, do something!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m alright. I¡¯m alright,¡± he said. ¡°Just an old wound. Flares up from time to time.¡± He took a long drink from his mug, set it down, and ran his thumb back and forth across the rim.

    ¡°To old wounds,¡± Lund lifted his mug and nodded at the halfling. ¡°They remind us of who we used to be.¡±

    Flanor lifted his mug. ¡°Truer words, my friend, were never spoken.¡±If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    ¡°We¡¯ve been sharing tales of our adventures,¡± Mery said to Flanor. ¡°Have you a mind to share one of your own?¡±

    ¡°Only in the interest of keeping these young ones,¡± he gestured at Isa and Alice, ¡°from making a grave mistake. Old wounds indeed.¡± He rubbed the scar along his jaw. ¡°Have you fought with dwarves? Alongside them, I mean. They fight tough, and they fight dirty, and they hold a thing in their teeth until well past time you or me¡¯d be letting it go.¡± He took a sip of mead. ¡°Friend or foe, it matters not if they¡¯ve a mind to be aggrieved.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re saying a dwarf gave you that scar?¡± Lund sounded surprised.

    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t even tell the story for fear a dwarf will overhear and get offended.¡±

    ¡°Thin skinned bunch, huh?¡± Isa smiled and lifted her mug.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take a wagon of dwarves over elves,¡± said Mery. ¡°But I¡¯d rather leave ¡®em all on the side of the road. I like regular folks. Halflings, humans, half-orcs. Simple folk with simple needs.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you felt so strongly about this,¡± said Isa. Mery shrugged in answer.

    Silence settled on the table. Finally Mery put her mug on the table and said, ¡°I¡¯ve heard tales that there¡¯s a trade route through the White Desert, but perhaps you and the cartographer found a better way?¡±

    ¡°The Eckonner--¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s Yechor-nur, actually,¡± said Mery. ¡°It¡¯s been bastardized over the years--¡±

    ¡°No, it¡¯s not,¡± said Flanor.

    Mery stopped, her mouth agape. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°What? I¡¯m just correcting you,¡± said Flanor.

    ¡°But I¡¯m correcting you, man. I think I know, I think the College of Bards knows--¡±

    ¡°OK, great.¡± Isa spread her hands on the table. ¡°The indigenous peoples of the White Desert, they have a path through the desert? Why did I just buy a map?¡± To Alice she said, ¡°Why didn¡¯t Ysel talk to us about this? Did she talk to you about this? Give you any special guidance?¡±

    Alice shrugged. ¡°No, but I trust Her.¡±

    ¡°I trust Her too,¡± Isa said quickly. ¡°But this is a practical matter. A mortal matter. Not sure She¡¯s really all that¡­.¡± Isa waved her hand in a circular motion. ¡°....in tune to mundane things like directions.¡±

    ¡°We have 3 days to figure it out,¡± Alice said. ¡°It¡¯s 3 days to the edge of the desert. Lund said so.¡±

    Isa realized that other conversation at the table had halted as everyone listened to her exchange with Alice. ¡°I just want to get there in one piece and get back,¡± she said.

    ¡°The Eckonner--¡± Flanor glared at Mery, who remained silent. ¡°They have their secret ways, that¡¯s true enough. And they are secret. How they get their tin and salt and silver from the mountains through the desert, no one can say, not even Dockma.¡± He drained his mug and stood. ¡°But we found a way, our own way. We¡¯re looking for places to mine, access to the rock salt, of course. Not trying to reach up to the Northern Lights, but you can bet that Dockma¡¯s map will get you through. You might have to fight every step, but she won¡¯t steer you wrong. Guarantee.¡± With that he turned away.

    ¡°Wait!¡± Alice stood, too. ¡°Fight? All the way? I don¡¯t¡­..¡± She looked at the rest of the table. ¡°Did you hear that? What¡¯s he mean?¡±

    The halfling turned back to the group. ¡°This is a harsh land. Wild animals, people, weather. None of it cares if you live or die. Well, no, not true. The weather doesn¡¯t care. The animals, they want you to die. The people? Like as not they just want you gone, gone from their sight, gone from their land. Gone.¡±

 Lockwood Chapter 24: Many Fish River

    The next morning, with Dockma¡¯s map in hand, the group set out for the desert. The road went straight north as far as they could see because there were no obstacles to make the builders have to veer left or right. At the rise of a small hill Alice looked back at the inn. ¡°I wish they¡¯d come with us.¡±

    ¡°We have her map,¡± said Lund. ¡°That¡¯s better than the gnome herself.¡±

    ¡°I dunno, I rather liked her,¡± Mery said. ¡°And that Flan, he could handle himself in a fight, that¡¯s obvious.¡±

    ¡°The smaller group is probably better. The Yeckonner,¡± Lund pronounced the name carefully, ¡°from all I¡¯ve heard, they don¡¯t mind a few folks here and there, so we might get a warm welcome when we get to the desert¡¯s edge.¡±

    Alice said, ¡°I imagine that they can appreciate people who touch lightly on the land, people who don¡¯t make a fuss, people who evidence a reverence for this world.¡±

    ¡°You sure you¡¯re a wizard?¡± Mery grinned. ¡°Talking like a druid, you are.¡±

    ¡°In our world Ally spends most of her life with plants. I think she likes them better than humans.¡±

    ¡°Most humans,¡± Alice corrected.

    They walked at a comfortable pace, chatting occasionally and then lapsing to silence. Alice walked by Lund mostly, with Peck on her shoulder. Sometimes she¡¯d trail behind as she stopped to examine a plant or collect a few leaves.

    ¡°Druid in the making,¡± Mery said with a shake of her head. She held up a finger. ¡°Which is fine. I¡¯ve known a few druids in my day who were not complete stick-up-the-asses. And your girl, Alice, I think she¡¯d be one of them.¡±

    ¡°Thanks, I guess.¡± Isa laughed. She watched as Alice crushed a leaf between her fingers and sniffed. ¡°I think maybe she¡¯s-- It¡¯s easy with her, you know?¡± She glanced at Mery.

    ¡°Sure I do. I know that feeling. She¡¯s the glove to your hand, or so you hope.¡± She lowered her voice. ¡°What does she say? Does you no good if she doesn¡¯t feel the same.¡±

    ¡°I think she does. We¡¯re not big talkers either of us, and we haven¡¯t - I mean it¡¯s only been a few months. I wouldn¡¯t have asked her to be here with me, you know? That¡¯s a lot to, well, ask, but I¡¯m so glad she is.¡±

    Just then Alice rejoined them with a handful of small, sharp-edged leaves. ¡°Mint,¡± she held out the leaves for Mery and Isa to smell. ¡°Or near enough. In the Lamiacaea family for sure.¡±

    Mery took a leaf and popped it in her mouth. ¡°Beggar¡¯s mint it¡¯s called. Makes a lovely tea.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fond of mint tea, too.¡± Alice smiled. ¡°I¡¯ll steep some tonight for us.¡±

    They stopped to eat when the sun was just overhead, sitting beside a small, fast stream. Isa laid Dockma¡¯s map over her legs. ¡°We are here, obviously.¡± She tapped a spot on the dark line that denoted the road. ¡°And this is the Many Fish River.¡± She craned her neck to inspect the stream beside them. ¡°Sounds like a marketing ploy to me.¡±Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!

    Lund stretched out by the stream with his head almost touching the water. ¡°There are many fish; they¡¯re just this big.¡± He held his thumb and forefinger half an inch apart.

    ¡°Maybe it grows,¡± said Alice. ¡°Maybe this is the source of the river, like the Nile.¡±

    ¡°Or the Mississippi? Sure, I¡¯ll buy that. And the road follows the river for a long time. Like a really long time so we¡¯ll probably find out for ourselves.¡±

    Isa studied the map for a few more minutes and then suggested they would make for the first landmark on Dockma¡¯s map. It was a ruin, the gnome had told Isa, not much more than a jumble of cut stone and rotting timber. There was still enough roof to shelter a small group - more of a 3-sided hut than any sort of grand keep, but it would deflect most rain and wind.

    Not long after they¡¯d resumed walking, still dusting the crumbs of their lunch break from their hands, the group saw that the road bent to the east, and it soon became clear why. The road dipped down and their small stream widened enough to be considered a small river, easily 10 feet wide.

    Another 30 minutes of walking and the river widened even more, easily doubling in size and speed. The foamy water churned against the banks, and the road ran so close at times that they had to shout to be heard over the sound of the rushing water.

    Isa grinned. ¡°If there are ¡®many fish¡¯ in there now, you can¡¯t tell.¡±

    As the sun began to dip to the horizon, Isa felt doubts creeping into her mind. We should be at the ruins by now. If I¡¯ve got the scale of Dockma¡¯s map right. If Dockma¡¯s map is accurate. Because what do I really know about the gnome? Maybe selling sham maps is how she really makes her living. No chance at repeat business though.

    Alice must have sensed Isa¡¯s worry because she laced her fingers with Isa¡¯s as they walked along. ¡°You know,¡± she said, ¡°Peck can fly ahead for us, and I can see and hear what it sees and hears.¡±

    ¡°Really? That¡¯s a great idea, love.¡± Isa stopped on the road. ¡°What do you need? Should we--¡±

    ¡°Nothing special at all. I just need to make that mind connection with Peck, and then it flies out and surveys with my senses as a passenger.¡± She paused. ¡°I haven¡¯t done this before. It¡¯s in the spell, though. This little bit, I mean.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll want to stay still,¡± said Mery, who¡¯d been listening. ¡°That bird will have your eyes, not you.¡±

    ¡°True,¡± said Alice, ¡°but you guys can help me. I don¡¯t want to waste time. I wish I¡¯d thought of this while we ate lunch.¡±

    ¡°It wouldn¡¯t have helped,¡± Isa gestured to the empty landscape and the busy river. ¡°You would have seen this.¡±

    ¡°Peck,¡± Alice held out her arm and the raven landed lightly. ¡°Follow the river, and let¡¯s see if we can see this ruin of Isa¡¯s.¡± To Isa she said, ¡°Hold my arm and just lead me along, OK? I¡¯ll tell you what I¡¯m seeing, and we can adjust Peck¡¯s flight plan if needed.¡±

    ¡°I really don¡¯t think this is--¡±

    But before Isa could finish her thought, Peck flew from Alice¡¯s arm, and Alice gave a cry of delight. ¡°This is amazing. Like a Disney ride or something.¡± Alice¡¯s hand clutched at Isa and her feet stumbled.

    ¡°Babe, I don¡¯t think you should try to walk.¡±

    ¡°I agree,¡± said Lund. He picked up Alice¡¯s other hand, but she waved him away.

    ¡°Guys, I got this. I just need to get my rhythm, OK? This is a little weird.¡±

    Mery walked in front with Isa holding Alice¡¯s arm and Lund hovering just behind Alice. ¡°River, stones, road,¡± Alice muttered. ¡°I can¡¯t tell - maybe that¡¯s-- Oh!¡± She put her hand to her head and staggered into Isa, tripping her. As Alice tried to gain her footing, she fell into the river and began to move rapidly away.

 Lockwood Chapter 25: The Ruins

    Isa could see that Alice was trying to swim to shore, but the strong river current kept pushing her toward the middle. Isa ran along the bank of the river, trying to keep up. Her pack bounced against her back. Her pack. Her pack had rope. She¡¯d just need to get to it.

    As Isa stopped to shrug off her backpack Lund thundered by with a coil of rope in hand. Mery followed at his heels. To Isa she said, ¡°Great Georgie¡¯s ghost, she can swim, can¡¯t she?¡±

    ¡°Yes, she can swim! That¡¯s what she¡¯s trying to do.¡±

    Lund was below Alice now and poised to throw his rope out. Alice, for her part, tried slow her movement by spreading out her arms. Her russett red cloak trailed out behind her.

    Isa glanced up at Mery as she pawed through her bag for the rope. ¡°Don¡¯t you have a spell to help her?¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t sing her out of the river, lass. Don¡¯t you have a spell?¡±

    ¡°Fuck if I know, and I don¡¯t have time to figure it out now.¡± Isa grabbed her own length of rope and ran to join Lund. As Alice bobbed closer to them Lund threw the rope, but it landed short. Isa swirled her rope end over her head and threw with all her strength. The rope went past and behind Alice, who tried to turn around and grab at it, but the river moved too swiftly.

    ¡°Isa!¡± Mery was at her side. ¡°Try again. You¡¯re a hero and a fighter. A dexy fighter, eh?¡±

    With Mery¡¯s encouraging words Isa jogged ahead and threw the rope to Alice once more. This throw went right to Alice, and she grabbed hold easily.

    Isa was so excited to have the rope in Alice¡¯s hands, she didn¡¯t think about the weight of Alice on the rope. It pulled taut almost immediately, and then the rope almost slithered through Isa¡¯s hands. As it was, she got a terrific rope burn on the webbing of her left hand where the rope burned past before she got a better grip. The momentum of Alice and river still almost pulled Isa off her feet. With casual grace Lund reached out and steadied Isa by hooking his hand on the waistband of her pants.

    They pulled Alice to shore, and as she neared the riverbank, she seemed to find her feet and trudged ashore. Isa threw her arms around her girlfriend, ignoring the sopping wet clothes. Peck landed nearby and croaked out a call that Isa took to be a cheer.

    ¡°Next time,¡± she said to the bird, ¡°let¡¯s not let Alice walk and ride at the same time, eh?¡±

    Peck cawed again, and Isa and Alice laughed. Isa wiped Alice¡¯s hair from her face. ¡°Don¡¯t scare me like that again, right?¡± Alice nodded and shivered in the cold wind.

    ¡°How far is the campsite?¡± asked Lund. ¡°We need to get you in dry clothes, and I don¡¯t think that can wait.¡±

    ¡°We can build a fire here; won¡¯t take 2 minutes.¡± Mery slipped out of her pack and stripped a handful of leaves off a small shrub growing at the river¡¯s edge.

    ¡°Fire!¡± said Alice.

    ¡°Yeah, honey. We need to get you warmed up.¡±

    ¡°No, I mean we saw smoke at the ruins. Me and Peck. There¡¯s a campfire; someone is there.¡±

    Isa rubbed Alice¡¯s arms. ¡°Well that¡¯s good, isn¡¯t it? They¡¯ve got the place heated up for us.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s bad, Isa.¡± Lund paused midway through unbuckling his bag. ¡°I don¡¯t know--¡±

    Isa said, ¡°We can deal with it when we get there. Right now we need to get Alice warm and dry.¡± To Mery she said, ¡°Too bad you don¡¯t have a ¡®dry¡¯ spell to go with your ¡®mend¡¯ spell.¡±Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

    ¡°Ah!¡± Alice tapped her head. ¡°I do. I have a spell. Prestidigitation. It can warm material.¡±

    ¡°Good girl!¡± Mery grinned over the small fire she¡¯d built. ¡°That¡¯s a bard spell and a wizard¡¯s. Not something I ever studied, but dead useful here.¡±

    ¡°At least take my cloak for now.¡± Isa undid the clasp at Alice¡¯s throat and pulled the heavy fabric away. In another moment, she¡¯d removed her own cloak and settled it across Alice¡¯s shoulders.

    Alice sat down, cross legged at the fire with her bag beside her. ¡°There¡¯s just one problem with casting prestidigitation. My spellbook is ruined.¡±

    ¡°Oh babe.¡± Isa sat down hard beside her.

    ¡°What happened to it?¡± asked Mery.

    Both Isa and Alice gaped her. ¡°You will have noticed,¡± said Isa, ¡°that she just took a swim in the river. Water and books, not friendly. Not a good combo.¡±

    Mery scrunched up her face. ¡°It¡¯d take more than water to hurt a spellbook. Have a look.¡± With her chin she gestured at Alice¡¯s bag.

    Sure enough, Alice¡¯s spellbook was dry. A few drops of water beaded on the cover, but the pages were bone dry. Her notebook was also unharmed by the river water. Isa pulled her own notebook from her pack and flipped through the pages. ¡°I feel like I¡¯ve already learned a lot since I¡¯ve been back. When are these numbers going to reflect that?¡± she asked the group.

    Lund shrugged in response, but Mery said, ¡°When you¡¯re young, or new to the world, I guess I should say, well, everything is new, isn¡¯t it? Every spell, every creature, every problem and solution. It¡¯s all new. But soon enough, you get used to the world, the creatures, how things go day to day, and so the experiences, they pile up, eh? They pile up one after another, blurring into weeks and months of the same situations, same problems, same solutions. And you look back at a year¡¯s worth of living, and you can remember a handful of moments. Just a handful out of all the hours of all the days and weeks.¡± Mery stopped abruptly and poked at the fire.

    ¡°She means,¡± said Lund, ¡°that it¡¯s going to take a while before you get to level 6.¡±

    Alice bunched her shirt fabric in both hands and began her spell. Prestidigitation can only warm a small area, but one spell was enough to warm her shirt. ¡°That will last for an hour,¡± she told Isa.

    ¡°What about your pants? You¡¯re still soaked through.¡±

    ¡°You can run the spell twice more,¡± Mery reminded her.

    Once Alice had warmed each leg of her pants she touched her bracelet and summoned Peck. ¡°Since we¡¯re nice and settled,¡± she smiled wryly at her own words, ¡°Peck and I are going to do a little more reconnaissance. Someone is camped in the ruins and before we go to far, we should take a good look, right Peck?¡±

    ¡°Wait a sec,¡± said Isa. ¡°Why did you stumble before?¡±

    ¡°I got excited about the campfire, I guess.¡±

    ¡°You guess? Not good enough.¡± Isa crossed her arms.

    ¡°I¡¯m sitting right here. Not trying to walk or talk or anything.¡± Alice crossed her own arms.

    Mery shook her head at them both. ¡°Did you not read the spell?¡±

    ¡°Of course I did!¡± Alice straightened up.

    ¡°May I?¡± Mery pointed at Alice¡¯s spellbook. After Alice nodded Mery picked it up and flipped to the Find Familiar spell. ¡°You have to be within a 100 feet of Peck for that connection. That¡¯s why you tumbled.¡±

    Alice leaned over and read the page. ¡°I think I read those as two separate things - the link and the seeing. But they are, well, linked, aren¡¯t they?¡±

    Mery nodded and handed the spellbook back to Alice. ¡°Magic¡¯s trickey. But then, it has a right to be. Here we are taking a hand in shaping the world.¡±

    As Isa watched Alice sent Peck straight up from the fire and with some testing figured out what 100 feet looked like. From the height Alice was able to confirm smoke in the distance, but they were too far away for her to be able to determine anything else.

    Lund suggested caution. ¡°We¡¯re at the edges of the world now,¡± he said. ¡°No one to help us if we stumble.¡± But Mery, naturally, disagreed. ¡°Whoever is there, if we can¡¯t be friendly, we¡¯ll know soon enough and adjust accordingly.¡±

    ¡°Seems risky,¡± said Alice. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s a traveler like us, but maybe it¡¯s a fugitive or a camp of bandits.¡±

    Isa slapped her hands on her thighs and stood. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± she said. ¡°I really don¡¯t. But here¡¯s something. He can see our fire as easily as we saw his, so we¡¯re not going to be surprising anyone. Any traveler would make for the ruins, it seems to me. Even if you didn¡¯t know it was there, once you saw it, you¡¯d think ¡®That¡¯s the place to make camp.¡¯ Right? So that¡¯s what we¡¯ll do. This must happen. Different groups converge on a likely camping spot. What do you do?¡±

    Mery sighed. ¡°We hope for the best, but we ready our blades.¡±

 Lockwood Chapter 26: Investigation Check

    Approaching the ruins seemed to take hours. The dark spot on the horizon stayed small, and to Isa¡¯s eyes, inscrutable. Dockma had marked the spot on her map and said it was a good shelter from the wind. But was it really safe? Might the stones and timbers rotten with age fall around their ears? Who had made the ruins anyway? If Dockma knew, she hadn¡¯t said.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t really matter, does it?¡± she muttered to herself. Think about all the places you¡¯ve lived in your life. What did you know about any of them, and you¡¯re gonna split hairs over a place to rest for one night?

    But something felt strange to Isa. Something gnawed at the edge of her stomach as they moved down the road. She couldn¡¯t name it, and part of her might have dismissed it as foolishness - the rational part of her, the Portland part, the part that didn¡¯t believe in magic. But it was there all the same. Excitement or fear, or maybe a cocktail of the two. She glanced at the others, wondering if at least Alice felt the same. They were, after all, from the same place so presumably they would be having the same reaction to the situation.

    Alice had a grim look on her face, a determined look. It reminded Isa of her mother¡¯s expression when they¡¯d be stuck in a traffic jam. No way out; can¡¯t turn back. The only way was through. She had Isa¡¯s cloak wrapped tightly around herself like a hug. Alice¡¯s cloak was draped across the back of Lund¡¯s pack to air dry.

    The ruins came into sharper focus suddenly, as if Isa were adjusting a pair of binoculars. She could see a ramp that sloped down to the structure like a driveway. The left wall of the building stood intact. To the right of the ramp there were what looked like the remains of a building: rubble piled on a mound of sand. The back wall was missing a few stones - on purpose or by accident it was impossible to say at this distance, and maybe impossible to judge up close. What did Isa know about stone work?

    The road was wide and the land flat. Even if they¡¯d wanted to approach with stealth that would be easier said than done. ¡°Let¡¯s assume that they¡¯re friendly,¡± said Lund. ¡°Let¡¯s assume that they are just like us.¡±

    ¡°And what would I be doing if 4 armed people were making for my camp?¡± Mery replied, but Lund didn¡¯t answer.

    Isa shaded her eyes against the afternoon sun. ¡°I don¡¯t see anybody. Maybe they are out foraging or hunting?¡±

    ¡°Maybe,¡± said Mery. ¡°Or maybe they are positioned to strike at us from the shadows.¡±

    ¡°Stay here,¡± Lund put his hand out at his hip, as if to check their movement. He stepped forward.

    ¡°No way,¡± said Isa. She gripped her staff and trotted to catch up with him. She resisted the urge to say ¡°Stay here¡± to Alice and Mery. They might listen about as well as Isa had.

    When she and Lund were about 50 yards from the ramp, he stopped and raised his right hand. ¡°We¡¯re travelers looking for shelter for the night. We mean no harm.¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

    ¡°The smoke--¡±

    ¡°Wait,¡± Lund said quietly, and Isa could feel the tension in him, feel that he was a rubberband ready to snap. She¡¯d wanted to mention that the smoke looked almost white up close and that it didn¡¯t smell like smoke. Was it an illusion? Why would someone do that? How would someone do that?

    The hair on the back of Isa¡¯s neck stood up. ¡°It¡¯s a trap,¡± Isa said through clenched teeth.

    ¡°What?¡± Lund spared a glance at her.

    ¡°Trap.¡± When he didn¡¯t react properly she repeated herself: ¡°It¡¯s a trap.¡±

    A shadow flitted across her face, and Isa tilted her head to see Peck flying above them. When she lowered her gaze again Isa scanned the ground for traps. It all looked fine. How could she be sure? ¡°Let me go first at least,¡± said Isa. With her staff in front of her like a cane, Isa stepped forward, sweeping the end of her staff low and tapping the ground every few feet. Peck cawed overhead as if approving of Isa¡¯s prudence.

    At the bottom of the ramp was the damaged wall. To the right, open air and sky. To the left the wall ended in a dim opening. In the recesses of the area Isa saw the fire flicker. Faint daylight shone through from a break in the ceiling illuminating a spot by the fire. ¡°Hello? Anyone here? We won¡¯t hurt you.¡± She started to step into the area, but Lund dropped his hand on her shoulder. The touch almost made Isa shout with fear.

    ¡°Mmm,¡± he murmured, and Isa took it to mean Stop. Don¡¯t move.

    She did as he asked, but Isa let her eyes roam over the room. It was maybe a 12 foot square area. It would have been a true room except that the far left wall was missing. Where the walls came together a large chunk of masonry was missing. It had created a large enough opening that even Lund, if he crouched and turned sideways, would be able to navigate. Maybe whoever had lit the fire had slipped out that way.

    The small fire burned low, but a small stack of sticks sat piled nearby. Someone had hoped to spend the night - at least - in this shelter. No sign of bags or packs, no food or pans, so whoever had been here had left.

    Isa turned to go back toward the ramp. This couldn¡¯t be the only structure. Surely there was more to this ruins than one room, mostly intact. She bumped into Lund who was standing squarely behind her. ¡°Empty,¡± she whispered to him. He kept his eyes forward, intent on the room. ¡°Huh,¡± he replied.

    Why the ramp, Isa asked herself. What purpose did it serve? Maybe it was an accident. Maybe the sands had shifted over time, blowing unevenly thanks to the standing structures. But it hadn¡¯t had the give of regular sand. No, the ramp had seemed solid, purposeful, built to handle heavy loads coming or going.

    Isa stared at the sand pile opposite the wall. If you wanted to unload heavy carts, say, if you were, perhaps, building something complex and dangerous, you might choose the desert. But could one person do this? Clear the sand, build the foundations, erect the walls?

    Why had she started this odd train of thought? Focus on what matters, she told herself. Shelter for tonight and traveling tomorrow. As she turned back toward the room an etched rock caught her eye. At the base of the wall one stone had a small drawing. It looked like a U with a line coming straight up from the middle. The straight mark had a small squiggle on each side. Possibly it was a crude sailboat with 2 sails. It might have been a flower in a pot. Isa made a note to look more closely in the strong light of morning.

    Isa walked up the ramp and scanned the empty road. Where had Alice and Mery gone?

 Lockwood Chapter 27: Dulrak Gingerfist

    Lund was crouched near the fire. ¡°What do you make of this?¡± He asked Isa and held out a few stubby pine needles in the palm of his hand.

    ¡°Have you seen Alice and Mery? They¡¯re not on the road.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯ll show up soon. You know they can take care of themselves.¡±

    Isa chewed her lip. ¡°Not if, like, a gang of people jumped them.¡±

    Lund brushed the pine needles from his hands and stood. ¡°We would have seen a gang of people.¡±

    ¡°Would we? They could have crawled out of the earth like, like pod people or something.¡± Isa knew she was working herself into a worry.

    ¡°Pod people? Isa, I don¡¯t--¡±

    Lund¡¯s response was cut short by a shout from beyond the back wall. Through the crack in the corner Isa suddenly saw a short shadow. She immediately snapped her right hand on her staff and brought it almost horizontal. ¡°Wrath,¡± she whispered.

    Lund silently pulled his greatsword from its sheath, but before either of them could move a round, bearded face thrust through the opening. The head of a male dwarf with shaggy red hair and a thick brown beard took up a good part of the upper half of the opening. ¡°They¡¯re in here,¡± he said over his shoulder.

    ¡°Isa? You and Lund OK?¡± Alice¡¯s voice came from somewhere beyond the dwarf. Then Mery¡¯s voice said, ¡°Get in, already! We¡¯ll make this a cozy affair, and why not?¡±

    The dwarf pushed himself through the opening and sat down at the fire. He held his hands out to warm them. Isa realized he wasn¡¯t even wearing a jacket. ¡°Put your weapons down. I¡¯m no foe. Caught me napping you did.¡±

    To Isa¡¯s ears he sounded just like Zileek, the dwarf in Bywater. He had the same tilted accent that made napping sound like nipping.

    He rubbed his hands together and squinted up at Isa and her glowing staff. ¡°Druid, eh? That¡¯s a nice staff. Me? I thought about using meld to stone. Why fight if I don¡¯t have to? But that would have left me deaf, blind, and dumb. And 8 hours later I¡¯d have to come out, company or no.¡±

    ¡°Why did you hide?¡± asked Alice.

    Mery busied herself with getting water boiling in a pan by the fire.

    ¡°I¡¯m not a druid.¡± Isa felt the need to interject that.

    The dwarf didn¡¯t seem to hear. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you hide? 4 strangers coming up, armed for battle. How am I know your intent?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s actually what I said to them,¡± Alice replied. ¡°Can¡¯t be too careful. I¡¯m Alice Fondel by the way. That¡¯s Isa, Lund, and that¡¯s Mery. She¡¯s the one who figured out you were there.¡±Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    ¡°Detect magic,¡± Mery grinned. ¡°The old ways are the best, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    ¡°I knew it was magic!¡± Lund clenched his fist.

    ¡°You knew what was magic?¡± asked Mery.

    ¡°The pine needles! Why are there pine needles at the edge of the desert?¡±

    ¡°Nicely reasoned, Lund, was it?¡± The dwarf touched his chest. ¡°I am Dulrak of clan Gingerfist.¡± He turned to Isa. ¡°Not a druid, huh? Cleric, maybe? Nature?¡± He leaned forward. ¡°What¡¯s your symbol? Who do you worship?¡±

    Isa touched her necklace. ¡°Lockwood. The Lady of Lockwood.¡± She was waiting for him to ask who that was - no one else seemed to know the elven deity - but Lund said, ¡°What¡¯s a dwarf doing out here on the edge of the world?¡± He reached into his pack and held out a piece of bread.

    Dulrak took it, ripped it in half, and put one piece in his mouth. Around his food he said, ¡°If the pay is right, a dwarf will go even to the ends of the world, right enough.¡±

    ¡°I can agree with that,¡± said Mery. ¡°We¡¯re on a job ourselves. Have you been out into the wastes much? We¡¯re traveling right to the edge, we are.¡±

    ¡°This Lady¡¯s sending you to the wastes, then? Interesting.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s your line?¡± Isa asked Dulrak. ¡°Meld to stone¡­. Is that a wizard spell? Sounds familiar.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m a druid. Pine needles didn¡¯t give that away?¡± He cocked his head. ¡°You¡¯re new to all this, yes?¡± His eyes seemed to travel from Isa¡¯s boots all the way to her hair. ¡°That¡¯s Her symbol? The tree?¡± Dulrak put his hand to his throat to indicate Isa¡¯s necklace.

    Unconsciously Isa mimicked his movement. ¡°Yes,¡± she said, and touching the tree and key symbol made her suddenly think of Vernal Fedru, the strange wizard. He¡¯d once been part of Ysel¡¯s tribe and still wore the symbol for some reason.

    ¡°It¡¯s funny to see it again and so soon.¡± Dulrak¡¯s voice was thoughtful but clear, still Isa almost missed it, lost in her own thoughts. Once the words sunk in, she took a step toward the dwarf. ¡°You¡¯ve seen this? Here? When? Where?¡±

    Dulrak shrank back at Isa¡¯s movement, and Mery stepped between them. ¡°Not trying to cause trouble, friend.¡± She gave the dwarf a smile and angled herself directly in front of him. ¡°New convert, right? Always trying to please. What say we stoke up this fire and get fed and settled for the night?¡±

    ¡°This place,¡± Dulrak said slowly, ¡°it is a haven, a waypoint, for many people but especially for druids.¡± He paused and looked directly at Isa as if to make sure she was listening. ¡°People - groups or single travelers like myself - when they add to the store, they leave a sign to say, ¡®This group left this firewood¡¯ or ¡®A druid of this god or goddess planted this herb.¡¯ Do you understand?¡±

    He held her gaze, seeming to want an answer from her, and it seemed to Isa as if she and Dulrak were the only people in room. Until she answered him, they would stand as they were, in the dying light.

    Isa blinked. ¡°Yes. Yes, of course I understand!¡± Whatever had passed between them seemed overwrought for the subject matter; Dulrak acted as if this mundane point needed to be spoken aloud and acknowledged. ¡°Yes,¡± she said again. ¡°That seems like common courtesy. And so Lockwood druids probably stayed here at some point.¡± She waved her hand in the air. ¡°They came here, stayed a night and left it better than when they arrived.¡±

    In the silence that followed Alice said, ¡°We should all sit and eat. We have plenty. There¡¯s plenty.¡±

    Dulrak stood. ¡°I, too, have plenty, and it is the dwarven way to lay on a feast for new friends.¡± He dusted his hands and went to the corner of the room nearest the opening. He pulled up his pack and jacket. ¡°Glad you didn¡¯t try to rifle my things.¡±

    ¡°We didn¡¯t even see them,¡± said Lund.

    ¡°We didn¡¯t really have time to--¡± Isa began.

    ¡°That¡¯s the point! Move quietly. Leave no trace, eh?¡± Dulrak chuckled and walked back to the fire. Through the corner opening, the sun was now dipping to the horizon. He pulled on his jacket. ¡°And make use of what the Mother gives you - be it sun or shadow or storm.¡±

 Lockwood Chapter 28: Bandits!

    Isa woke with a start. The sheltered area lay in darkness still, and she sensed rather than saw that Alice was sleeping deeply beside her. She listened for a moment, ears straining to hear. What had woken her? She didn¡¯t have to pee. The air was cold, but it had been that way when they lay down the night before, so that wasn¡¯t it. Had someone shifted? Maybe Mery rolled over; maybe Lund coughed; maybe the dwarf snorted in his sleep.

    She turned to look at Dulrak. At bedtime he¡¯d propped himself up against the inner wall with a blanket pulled up to his chest. His battleaxe lay beside him on the right. He had his pack at hand on the left. Isa could see that he was still in that same position, but as her eyes traveled to his face, she saw his dark eyes glittering in the gloom. Slowly he brought 1 finger to his lips, then he pointed past Isa, toward the cracked corner opening. He held up 2 finger, and then pointed toward the main opening that lead out to the ramp and help up 3 fingers.

    Isa started to rise up, but Dulrak motioned her down. He held up both hands.

    Movement to Isa¡¯s left made her turn her head. She saw Mery¡¯s open eyes. They nodded at each other, and Isa touched Alice gently. When Alice stirred, Isa put her finger to her lips.

    In the quiet of the night Isa heard a murmur from the dwarf. One of his hands seemed to move, and Isa thought she heard a faint scraping sound. Mery stood and pulled her sword free. The noise seemed to reverberate in Isa¡¯s ears. If Lund heard, he didn¡¯t move. Dulrak stood and picked up his axe. He tilted his head toward the doorway and the ramp. Mery nodded and tilted her head toward the opening in the corner.

    Alice touched her bracelet and summoned Peck. He left her shoulder, and Alice clutched Isa¡¯s hand and swayed a bit. A few seconds later Peck was back, and Alice leaned toward Isa. ¡°Two that way,¡± she pointed at the cracked wall. ¡°And 3 that way.¡±

    Isa nodded and stepped carefully to the edge of the wall that was the threshold for the main opening. Shielded from the enemies, she cast shillelagh on her staff. As she rounded the corner to confront the strangers, she heard fighting behind her. But she couldn¡¯t worry about that now. In front of her stood 3 men with scimitars. The third one also had a dagger in his left hand. He seemed confused by her presence, so Isa took the opportunity to slam her staff into his right shoulder. If she could get him to drop the scimitar, that was all to the good.

    She felt rather than saw that Lund had come up beside her. He had his greatsword loose in his hand. ¡°You should go,¡± he said, ¡°before someone gets hurt.¡±

    The man with the dagger blinked as if waking from a dream. He said, ¡°Are you part of the Menesian fold? You¡¯ll die like your magician king.¡±

    From behind her, Isa heard the sounds of Mery and Alice fighting. Impossible to know if they were winning. Best to dispatch with these 3 and then go help Alice. With that resolved Isa swung again at the leader, but he dodged, and Isa realized that she¡¯d stepped too far into the swing and was now vulnerable to a backstab.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    It¡¯s possible that only the roaring entrance of Dulrak and his battleaxe saved Isa¡¯s life. He swung the weapon at the leader and managed to part the leather straps on one side of the man¡¯s armor. The breastpiece flapped a little as he tried to block another attack from Lund, but Lund¡¯s blows hit home and blood poured from the bandit¡¯s arm.

    The 2 women flanking the bandit leader moved in tandem and each sliced at Lund, one hitting him on the shoulder and the other at the calf. Isa breezed past them both, her staff glowing faintly green in the moonlight, and hit the leader in the midsection.

    As she pulled back, Isa thought she heard Alice say, ¡°God damn it!¡± Mery said something in a laughing tone, but Isa couldn¡¯t make it out. Then her focus was back on the battle in front of her. Both Dulrak and Lund seemed to decide to go on the offensive. The other bandits took advantage and they each landed cuts on Dulrak and Lund. It didn¡¯t change the tide of battle though, because each man landed blows on the leader, and with sudden insight, Isa realized that she might be able to finish him with a blow to the midsection. With a deep lunge, Isa slammed the end of her staff into the man¡¯s belly and drove him down.

    In the silence that followed, the 2 women on each side looked at each other, looked at the fallen leader, and bolted from the encounter and melted into the night.

    As Isa moved toward the corner opening she heard Alice yell in triumph, followed by a cough and a grunt. A lone bandit dropped to his knees in front of Mery, his hands clutching his belly. In the moment Isa took it all in. The man¡¯s eyes were red and wet with tears. Snot dripped from his nose, and blood dripped through his fingers.

    Mery put her foot on the man¡¯s shoulder and pushed him over backwards. ¡°Your love, she hit him with a face full of poison. ¡®Twas a fine move.¡± She looked past Isa and said, ¡°Alright?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Lund answered. ¡°A couple of bandits.¡± He gestured at the two men at Mery¡¯s feet. ¡°No trouble here?¡±

    ¡°Nah.¡±

    Alice moved to Isa and hugged her. ¡°That was scary. I didn¡¯t know what to do. Kept trying the poison spay. On paper it looks good, and it¡¯s a cantrip, but then¡­.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Isa nodded. ¡°It¡¯s not a game. It¡¯s real.¡±

    ¡°I was so excited to have the spell work, but¡­.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Isa said again. She remembered the stew of emotions after battle. The elation of surviving, winning through, sometimes even landing the killing blow, and then the realization settling on her shoulders like January rain that she¡¯d killed someone. A man was alive and then he wasn¡¯t, and it was Isa¡¯s doing.

    Isa heard Lund ask, ¡°Did they say anything?¡±

    ¡°Like what?¡±

    ¡°Anything about a magician king? And a name. What was the name? Isa?¡±

    She scrunched up her face trying to remember the name the man had said.

    ¡°Menesia,¡± said Dulrak from campfire.

    Current Hit Points:

    Hit Points:

    Mery = 27

    Isa = 30

    Alice = 13

    Lund = 32

    Dulrak = 63

 Lockwood Chapter 29: Side Quest: King Menesiaâ€™s Tomb

    Dulrak held a square of paper between his first two fingers. ¡°Selvank looks upon us with favor. This is a map to a tomb.¡±

    Mery sat down beside him. ¡°Had that long?¡±

    Lund entered the sheltered ruin next and leaned against the wall, folding his arms across his chest. Isa paused at the threshold of the makeshift doorway. Lund was tense; Mery seemed wary of the dwarf¡¯s words, but why?

    ¡°I just got this! From yon captain.¡± Dulrak gestured through the main doorway where they¡¯d fought the bandit leader.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t know we were looting already.¡± Mery¡¯s voice sounded mild.

    ¡°Come now! Don¡¯t play games. I wanted to make sure he was good and dead. Unlike your friends there, I like to make sure my enemies are dead before I turn my back on them.¡±

    ¡°Why are we bickering, and who¡¯s Selvank?¡± Alice asked as she sat down on the other side of the dwarf.

    ¡°He¡¯s my god, the source of my power. Watches over the rocks and rivers and rain, he does.¡±

    Alice nodded and then said, ¡°Where I come from--¡±

    Mery leaned forward and caught Alice¡¯s eye. ¡°Not to be rude, let¡¯s talk about this map and this tomb.¡± To Dulrak she said, ¡°Are we going to get more visitors do you think?¡±

    Isa took up a spot beside Lund. ¡°Yeah,¡± she said quietly, ¡°I should have made sure he was dead.¡±

    ¡°You were thinking about Alice.¡± He pushed himself off the wall and announced, ¡°I¡¯ll take a look around outside. See if those 2 runners have found their courage.¡±

    Mery looked puzzled so Isa said, ¡°We were fighting 3 people and when the leader, I guess he was the leader, when he fell, they ran.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± said Dulrak in answer to Mery¡¯s question. ¡°It¡¯s a map not a battle plan.¡± He held the square out to Mery.

    She spread it on her knees and leaned forward to view it by the firelight. Alice and Dulrak leaned forward, too. After a moment Alice glanced up at Isa. ¡°Looks like a baseball diamond.¡±

    ¡°What sort of diamond?¡± asked Mery.

    ¡°It¡¯s not a real diamond.¡± Isa crouched beside Mery. ¡°It¡¯s a shape.¡± She traced her finger along the vertical line of the map. To Isa, the map simply looked like half a square with only the bottom parts showing. An arc connected the two halves about halfway up, and on the left side an X sat to the right of the line. On the right side, almost on top of bottom part of the square, was a circle with a line through it. ¡°OK,¡± she said, ¡°maybe it¡¯s a map, but where do you get the tomb part?¡±

    Dulrak reached over and brushed his finger against the letters at the bottom of the page. ¡°That spells out Menesia. And that, down below says ¡®Resting place.¡¯¡±

    ¡°But this is just someone¡¯s drawing,¡± said Alice.

    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s generally what a map is.¡± Mery shook her head slightly. ¡°Quiet, everyone I need to think. The name is familiar. Menesia.¡±

    Isa stood. ¡°Maybe one of the others has something on him. More of the map or something. Ally, wanna help me?¡± Isa held out her hand to Alice. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    ¡°Help you?¡± Her girlfriend looked up blankly.

    ¡°With looting. The bodies. We need to see if they have anything useful.¡± As the words left her mouth she knew what Alice was feeling. It was the same trepidation that she herself had felt in the early days. Picking items off a fallen enemy in a game is one thing. Touching the body of a dead person, taking possessions from their lifeless corpse, was quite another. And Alice hadn¡¯t been faced yet with this part of combat. The wyvern fight, they¡¯d fled and left the battlefield looting to the gnolls.

    Alice took Isa¡¯s hand and stood. ¡°Right. Of course.¡± Her voice was tight.

    ¡°It gets easier,¡± Isa murmured as they squeezed through the cracked opening.

    ¡°It¡¯s just -- looting in the game is always so fun. Fun for Michelle, fun for us. But this¡­.¡± Alice gestured at the 2 dead bandits crumpled on the ground. ¡°This feels like desecration.¡±

    Isa knelt beside one of the men. ¡°This is a hostile place. Most things out here are trying to kill us, or maybe I mean that nothing cares if we live or die, so we have to care.¡± She unbuckled his scimitar and pulled the sword and scabbard free. The sword felt fairly light, especially compared to her staff. But the staff¡­. It was versatile, simple, powerful. It was there whenever she needed it.

    Alice¡¯s voice broke through Isa¡¯s thoughts. ¡°I said, how do you know what to keep? Encumbrance is a real thing.¡±

    ¡°I take the coins and the weapons and tend to leave the rest unless it¡¯s unusual. Like Wat found these lucky dice once, and¡­.¡± Had she asked Mery about Wat? She made a note to do that when they were done here.

    ¡°It¡¯d be too much to hope to get a nice notebook filled with information--¡±

    ¡°Notebook! Alice, love, you are brilliant!¡± Isa scrambled to open the dead man¡¯s bag. ¡°Have I asked you to marry me?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°And what did you say?¡± Isa¡¯s hands had found the hard shape of the man¡¯s notebook.

    Alice looked at Isa. ¡°If you have to ask¡­.¡±

    She was flipping through the pages. ¡°This guy had a 13 intelligence. What was he doing with this bunch? He should have known better.¡±

    ¡°I rest my case,¡± said Alice, but there was a smile on her face.

    ¡°Babe,¡± Isa walked on her knees to Alice. ¡°Check this out: under Quests, ¡®The tomb of Menesia, king of Kelima. Journey with Rucker to the tomb and recover the crown of Menesia for Walver Stonegrime. Reward 500 gold.¡¯¡± Isa looked at Alice. ¡°The crown of an ancient king. That¡¯s pretty badass, right? What do you think Ysel would think about a small side quest?¡±

    Alice sat back on her heels. ¡°The same thing I do - no. We don¡¯t have time.¡±

    ¡°But what if there¡¯s something we can use? What if there¡¯s something we¡¯re gonna need? Maybe that crown or a scroll or something. Maybe this isn¡¯t a side quest.¡± Isa¡¯s hand went to her side to get her notebook, but her bag was by the campfire. ¡°I want to look at my quest log. Maybe this Menesia is part of the, the tapestry of our quest, huh?¡±

    Alice stood and brushed off her hands. ¡°Why are you so reluctant to-- No, that¡¯s not the right way to phrase it.¡± She touched Isa¡¯s arm. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± she asked quietly. ¡°What aren¡¯t you telling me?¡±

    ¡°Nothing. There¡¯s nothing I¡¯m not telling you.¡± She turned so that her back was to the opening and spoke quietly. ¡°Look, Ysel sent us out here, right? She sent us. She didn¡¯t lead us. She¡¯s not with us. Yeah, she lectured us about the dire outcomes if we fail and about how the Shimmer is dying, but if she really thought that we had only days to complete this, she¡¯d have come. Right? She¡¯d have come.¡±

    Alice looked at Isa and in the dim light, her eyes seemed dark and unreadable.

    ¡°I¡¯m not saying we¡¯re doing this, Al. I¡¯m not. But if we have a new quest, well, I don¡¯t know maybe that¡¯s a sign. Maybe that¡¯s Her telling us, guiding us.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t want to leave here, do you?¡±

    Isa gestured at the ruins. ¡°There¡¯s not even a full room here. Of course I want to leave.¡± Isa crossed her arms. ¡°I don¡¯t--¡±

    Alice placed a hand on Isa¡¯s arm. ¡°Let¡¯s join the others.¡± She touched Isa¡¯s forehead and pushed a lock of hair from her eyes. ¡°I understand. I do. I understand.¡± She moved past Isa toward friends and fire.

 Lockwood Chapter 30: The Debate

    Isa read the words from her notebook with a mixture of excitement and dread. ¡°¡®Enter the tomb of Menesia, last king of Kelima. Prevail against the shadows, bring light where once was darkness. Destroy the heart of the tomb. Reward: Consult the goddess.¡¯ What does that mean? ¡®Consult the goddess.¡¯ Is that the reward or Ysel will tell us the reward?¡±

    Lund shrugged. Alice said, ¡°What¡¯s the other one say? The captain¡¯s notebook?¡±

    Isa picked up the dead man¡¯s notebook: ¡°Enter the tomb of Menesia, king of Kelima, deliver true death to him, recover the crown and urn, and return immediately to Stonegrime. Reward: Hand of death, 1,000 gold, and one viper vial.¡± She looked at the group. ¡°What¡¯s that mean ¡®true death¡¯? Since when did quests become riddles?¡±

    ¡°Sounds like your man there, Menesia, is undead. Maybe a skeleton, maybe something worse.¡± Mery held out her hand for the notebook in Isa¡¯s hand.

    ¡°Worse?¡± Isa gave her the captain¡¯s notebook. ¡°How worse?¡±

    ¡°Maybe a mummy, maybe a lich. But the urn¡­.? Mummy probably, and this Ben Rucker, he was going to fight him.¡± Mery waved a hand in the air. ¡°With help from half a dozen friends. So let¡¯s see who this Ben Rucker is that he¡¯d fight a mummy.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think I ever fought¡­.¡± Alice¡¯s voice trailed off.

    ¡°Most people haven¡¯t fought a mummy,¡± said Dulrak. ¡°Not exactly scattered like leaves on the ground. I¡¯m no fool, but the idea of the dead walking, well that raises my hackles. Makes me want to do it, to fight. And the quest,¡± Dulrak leaned an elbow on one knee, ¡°it says ¡®destroy it.¡¯ The tomb or the mummy?¡±

    ¡°What are you saying?¡± Mery looked up from the notebook.

    ¡°He¡¯s saying we should go kill this thing ourselves,¡± said Lund.

    ¡°How do you kill a mummy?¡± Isa asked. No one answered. ¡°Mery? You must know some stories¡­. Isn¡¯t there a play about a mummy king? There¡¯re movies, there has to be¡­.¡±

    Her voice trailed off as Mery shook her head. ¡°Sure there are some tales, maybe a play or two, but my family never bothered with it. The costumes - a little elaborate for my mum¡¯s tastes, and the subject matter, well that was a little too intense for the little ones. We usually did lighter fare. Family audiences, you know. History, comedy, the occasional star-crossed lover. But I really don¡¯t think we need to go mucking around in a tomb.¡± She looked at Lund. ¡°Seriously? Fighting the undead, it¡¯s a fools game.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡± Alice and Isa spoke at the same time.

    ¡°They¡¯re hard to kill, being dead already.¡± Dulrak shifted on his seat. ¡°And well, for instance, if there are skeletons down there--¡±

    ¡°And why wouldn¡¯t there be?¡± Mery injected.

    ¡°If there are skeletons,¡± Dulrak went on, ¡°you need to smash ¡®em. Your staff will do it, my hammer. But yon greatsword? What¡¯s a blade against bone?¡±

    ¡°Fire¡¯s good for regular undead,¡± Lund added. ¡°Or lopping off their heads, of course.¡±

    Alice looked from Lund to Dulrak. ¡°Right. OK. Do you have any fire spells? Do you have any fire spells?¡± She turned to Isa.

    Isa had been listening to all the back and forth, the 4 voices chorused from determined to incredulous. And where did she fit in? What did Isa want?

    On the one hand, she craved adventure in the same way she had when she was sitting around a table at Marissa¡¯s apartment. What treasures might be nestled in a king¡¯s tomb? Maybe Ysel meant for them to enter the tomb - the goddess must have, otherwise why the ¡°consult the goddess¡± reward? But nothing in Isa¡¯s life in Portland had prepared her for a moment like this. Their little tabletop adventure group rarely debated the merits of an encounter; they sallied forth into whatever peril Michelle had prepared for them, but then, the worst that could happen in the game was you¡¯d have to re-roll a character. Here, the stakes were real.

    ¡°Are we crazy?¡± Isa said aloud. ¡°Are we really going to do this?¡±

    ¡°We could vote,¡± Lund suggested.

    ¡°We don¡¯t even know where the entrance is,¡± Mery pointed out. ¡°This is not exactly a Dockma-level map here.¡±

    ¡°Yes! Of course.¡± Alice reached for Isa¡¯s bag. ¡°If it¡¯s visible, Dockma will have mapped it.¡±

    ¡°If it¡¯s visible, it would have been looted well before now,¡± said Mery.

    Lund spoke up suddenly. ¡°Why were they here then? This Rucker and his crew, why were they here?¡±

    Dulrak started to laugh. ¡°Clever lad, clever, clever lad! Where¡¯s the entrance? We¡¯re probably sitting on it!¡±

    ¡°Ah fuck,¡± Mery muttered.

    ¡°Look,¡± said Isa, ¡°I don¡¯t relish the idea of going into a tomb. But it seems like it¡¯s - I dunno - fate, maybe? And these are bad guys right? This king and uh, whatever else is down there.¡±Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Dulrak said quietly. ¡°Most assuredly.¡± He smiled at Alice. ¡°And to answer your question, I don¡¯t have fire spells as such. I can summon some small fire elementals. They can wreck a room, I know. And I have this.¡± He smiled and patted a flask on his belt. ¡°Alchemist¡¯s fire.¡±

    ¡°I have sacred flame. Ysel gave that to me. I can do it over and over. It¡¯s a cantrip.¡±

    Dulrak grinned. ¡°Can you turn the undead yet? What¡¯s your level, if you don¡¯t mind me asking.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m a new cleric. Very new.¡±

    ¡°But steady,¡± said Mery. ¡°And a good fighter.¡± She smiled at Isa. ¡°And this little disaster you¡¯re dragging us into, if we survive, you¡¯ll like as not level up, won¡¯t you?¡± She stood and slapped her thighs. ¡°Are we ready? Let¡¯s go see about this tomb.¡±

    ¡°Wait,¡± Isa held up her hand. We all got a little banged up in that fight. We should rest and heal.¡±

    ¡°Is there such a thing here as a short rest?¡± Alice looked at the Varanese. ¡°It¡¯s something we have in--¡±

    ¡°In your game back home?¡± finished Mery. ¡°The storytelling game no one plays.¡±

    ¡°A small rest, a nap or quiet contemplation can ease the mind,¡± said Dulrak. ¡°We think of it as a gift of the gods. If no one was badly hurt¡­.¡±

    Lund shrugged. ¡°I took a few hits, but a little nap should fix me up.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s fine then,¡± said Dulrak. ¡°A small rest. Who wants tea?¡±

    ***

    They rested about 2 hours, and then with the sun just over the horizon, it was time to do battle. During their small rest Isa had stretched out on her bedroll and let her mind drift. Her thoughts turned to Oaks Bottom, back home in Portland. She ran the trails in her mind, seeing the path dip and turn, cresting and falling with the lay of the river land. Sunlight sparkling on the Willamette River, a breeze shifting leaves and wildflowers.

    Suddenly she sat straight up and looked at her girlfriend. Alice sat with her hands wrapped around a cup of tea and a book resting on her lap. Peck, the crow perched on her shoulder. The others of the group were scattered around the room, quiet and still. Isa got up quietly and sat beside Alice. ¡°Why did you go to Oaks Bottom Sunday?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Alice placed a hand on the book as if to mark her place and looked at Isa.

    ¡°Sunday. Why¡¯d you go to the park? You were gonna go home. I had to work on my paper, and you were gonna go home. But you didn¡¯t go home.¡±

    ¡°Why does it matter? If I hadn¡¯t been there, you¡¯d be here, without me.¡±

    ¡°No, maybe neither of us would be here. Don¡¯t be weird. Did you¡­ I don¡¯t know get some feeling that you had to go to the park? You weren¡¯t dressed for a run, so don¡¯t use that excuse.¡±

    Alice closed the book. ¡°Excuse? Excuse? What are you saying, Isa?¡±

    What was she saying? That Alice had gone there with intent to-- what? Get kidnapped? How would she have known? ¡°I¡¯m not saying anything. It¡¯s just weird, right? How we both ended up there.¡±

    Peck cocked his head to stare at Isa with one beady black eye.

    ¡°I was bored. I called Marissa,¡± Alice said. ¡°I asked her if she wanted to get a coffee at that little place up on Division.¡±

    ¡°The one with the fountain? I love that place.¡±

    Alice sighed. ¡°I miss home.¡± She put her head on Isa¡¯s shoulder, and Peck squawked and flew off to perch on the jagged edge of the crumbling wall.

    ¡°Yeah, me too.¡± Isa put her hand on Alice¡¯s leg. Why fight about stupid Oaks Bottom? We¡¯re here; we¡¯re together. Everything else is just details. She gave a quiet laugh and said, ¡°I could do with an Americano about now. What¡¯s up with this? I thought it was your spellbook.¡±

    Alice chuckled. ¡°I leveled. Level 4. Whoopie.¡±

    ¡°Babe, that¡¯s great! Nice. So do you have more spells or¡­.?¡±

    ¡°One more spell and looks like yours truly is a little healthier and nimble. My stats, they are a little better.¡± She opened the book. ¡°And with mage armor, I¡¯m just that much harder to hit.¡± She shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s surreal to look at these numbers and think that they¡¯re real. They are real.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I know. I thought about that a lot last time I was here, and I guess we have stats back home - real stats I mean. We just don¡¯t have it laid out in a handy notebook. What I would give for a quest log sometimes, right?¡±

    ¡°Speaking of that,¡± Alice flipped to the back of her notebook. ¡°The wording here says ¡®enter the tomb and destroy it.¡¯¡±

    ¡°And all its artifacts,¡± added Mery from her spot on the ground.

    ¡°So maybe it¡¯s empty, the tomb. Doesn¡¯t say fight monsters and then destroy the mummy king¡¯s tomb.¡±

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t put a lot of stock in wording,¡± said Dulrak. ¡°There are monsters. Undead, creeping shadows, maybe rats, maybe scorpions, and most likely, old King Menesia himself. We¡¯ll just take it slow, methodical, yes?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡± Alice sighed and closed her own notebook. ¡°I¡¯m ready.¡±

    ¡°Did anyone else level?¡± Isa looked at the group. ¡°Alice leveled.¡±

    ¡°Well done,¡± said Lund. ¡°Let¡¯s make sure you survive to get to the next level. You and Isa stick together. I¡¯ll lead, with Mery. You two and then Dulrak. Does that work?¡± He looked over Alice¡¯s head to the dwarf.

    ¡°Yes. If you come to a branch and you¡¯re unsure, I can ask Selvank for guidance. Not saying He¡¯ll answer, but I can ask.¡± He picked up his quarterstaff. ¡°I asked Him about the entrance, and again not saying that I¡¯ll get an answer, but I have a thought. There are some stones just outside. I thought they were pavers or maybe bits of the building that had been covered in sand, but now I wonder.¡± He looked at the staff in his hand. ¡°Let¡¯s see if we can knock on the front door.¡±

    Hit Die Rolls:

    In 5th Edition you can take a short rest and regain a few hit points by "spending" hit dice. You can read more about the rules at Roll20.

    https://roll20.net/compendium/dnd5e/Resting#content

    Hit die rolls:

    Mery = current HP 27 (d8) roll 4 so new total HP = 31

    Isa = current HP 30 (d10) roll 1 & roll 4 so new total HP = 34

    Alice = current HP 13 Alice leveled. New MAX = 31. Used Recovery/Short Rest to gain max HP so new total HP = 31

    Lund = current HP 32 (d10) roll 2 & roll 9 so new total HP = 43

    Dulrak = current HP 63 (d8) roll 3 so new total HP = 66

 Interlude 4a: Alices Level 4 Character Sheet

    Name: Alice Fondel

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 9 inches / 160 lbs

    Class: Wizard  Level 4

    Alignment: Chaotic Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Arcane Tradition: Evocation

    Hit Points: 31 AC: 13 (16 AC with mage armor)

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 31

    Combat: +5 to hit +3 to damage

    Weapons: Dagger +5 to hit 1d4 +3 / light crossbow +5 to hit 1d8 +3

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    13

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEXSupport the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    </td>

    <td>

    16

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    14

    </td>

    <td>

    +2

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    18

    </td>

    <td>

    +4

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: INT +6 and WIS +2

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    6

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature* (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    6

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    6

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    6

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion* (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    6

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Feat: Plant-Based ¨C Alice¡¯s connection to nature (enhanced by her contact with Ysel, Lady of Lockwood) gives her proficiency in Nature checks. It also gives her advantage on Perception, Stealth and Survival checks when she¡¯s in the wilderness.

    Class Features:

    Arcane Recovery / Sculpt Spells / Evocation Savant

    Wizard Spells: DC = 14 Spell Attack +6

    Cantrips ¨C Frost Bite / Message / Poison Spray

    Level 1 ¨C Charm Person / Absorb Elements / Mage Armor / Shield / Magic Missile

    Level 2 ¨C Suggestion / Blindness & Deafness / Acid Arrow

 Lockwood Chapter 31: The Tomb Entrance

    In a few minutes they were all standing outside watching Dulrak thump his staff along the ground as he slowly walked parallel to the back outside wall. He was on his second pass when his staff made a hollow thump. Dulrak tapped the ground slowly, outlining the shape of the stone covering. ¡°Might not be the tomb¡¯s entrance, but it¡¯s something.¡±

    Working with Lund they were able to raise the slab up and over to reveal a dark hole. Mery sent a dancing light down the hole, and they saw about 8 feet down, the floor. Dulrak lay down and leaned his head over the edge. ¡°No enemies lurking, no spiders. It¡¯s oddly empty, I think.¡± He stood and dusted the sand from his shirt. ¡°But there¡¯s only one way to know!¡±

    Lund jumped down first and before he could speak, Mery slid off the edge and into the hole. She took a moment to conjure a second dancing light and had them bob waist height. She took a few steps away from the shaft and then popped her head back. ¡°No traps - at least none I can see.¡±

    Lund held up his hands. ¡°Alice, step down; I¡¯ll help you.¡±

    To Peck Alice said, ¡°You go on for a little bit. I don¡¯t think you¡¯d like it down there.¡± She sat at the edge, leaned out and grasped Lund¡¯s hands. He said, ¡°Take it slow. Use my leg, if you need.¡±

    Although she wasn¡¯t graceful about it, a moment later Alice was standing beside Lund and Mery. Isa looked at Dulrak, who was about 6 inches shorter than her. ¡°I¡¯m probably OK to jump down. Are you, I mean should I¡­.?¡±

    Dulrak peered into the hole. ¡°It¡¯s a drop, alright. I don¡¯t know why I thought there¡¯d be a ramp.¡± He looked around. ¡°I have rope, but nothing to tie it to.¡±

    ¡°I can hold it,¡± Isa said, with more confidence than she felt. ¡°And Lund will be there to help.¡± She leaned over. ¡°You catching this?¡±

    Lund¡¯s face grew alarmed. ¡°He¡¯s jumping? You¡¯re jumping? Wait a moment!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s an expression. We¡¯re going to use rope. Just be ready.¡±

    ¡°For what?¡± Lund strained his neck looking up at them.

    ¡°To catch him,¡± Isa mouthed silently.

    ¡°Ah, yes. Right.¡±

    Isa grasped the rope in both hands and put her weight on her back leg. Dulrak sat on the edge with the rope around his waist. ¡°I hope getting out is easier,¡± he said and slipped over the edge.

    Isa was immediate yanked forward, but she didn¡¯t lose her feet. Her arms felt like they¡¯d been yanked from her sockets, but almost immediately the strain was gone. She trotted to the edge and peered over to see Dulrak in Lund¡¯s arms. ¡°That could have been worse,¡± said the dwarf.

    Isa easily hopped into the hole, and the group was reunited. They were standing in a low hallway, about 8 feet wide and 8 feet tall. Isa was facing a stone wall, and as she turned she saw that there was only one direction to travel. With some shuffling they had their marching order: Mery, Lund, Alice, Isa, and Dulrak.

    Isa gave a nervous laugh and said, ¡°If you¡¯re an evil dwarf, will you go ahead and kill me now so I don¡¯t have that hanging over my head?¡±

    Mery shushed her from her spot at the head of the column, and Isa shrugged. To Dulrak she said softly, ¡°For real, I don¡¯t particularly want to die.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll go ahead, and you can be at my back.¡± He brushed past her and winked. ¡°You¡¯re not a happy killer, I hope. Smile and smash.¡±

    Mery sent a small ball of light to hang near Dulrak so that Isa had some dim light to watch her step. They¡¯d gone about 10 feet down the hall when the reality of their situation truly sunk in. A chill zinged up Isa¡¯s spine, and she tried to suppress the urge to turn around. She told herself that there was nothing behind her, which lasted until she heard the hissing. As she turned around something hit her leg and fell off. It was a beetle, and then Isa saw a mound of writhing, shiny, dark beetles moving toward her. Individual beetles popped up from the core like popcorn kernels exploding in a hot pan. Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

    With a grunt of revulsion Isa brought her staff down on the swarm, smushing several of them under the metal-capped end. Isa had the wherewithal to say, ¡°Wrath¡± as she jabbed down and her staff glowed with its now familiar silvery green light.

    In the brighter light Isa saw the swarm pull back as if to retreat, but then as a mass, the beetles surged forward and covered Isa¡¯s right foot. Before she could blink they¡¯d reached her knee.

    She let out a cry and slammed her leg against the wall. Most of the beetles fell away, but Isa knew that she¡¯d bruised the crap out of her knee. The movement caught Dulrak¡¯s attention, and he stepped forward and pointed his index finger at the beetles. A fine mist sprayed out but seemed to fall short of the swarm.

    Several beetles flew up, landing on Isa¡¯s hand. She felt a stinging, and as she flung them off, her staff¡¯s light died. Isa had broken the spell by taking her hands off the staff. ¡°Damn it.¡± She brought the staff down on the beetles, crushing another few dozen.

    Dulrak stepped closer to the swarm and tried to spray them again, and although the swarm was noticeably smaller, whatever he was spraying, it didn¡¯t seem to stop the insects.

    Isa felt a hand on her shoulder, and Mery pushed past her. ¡°Oh for heaven¡¯s sake.¡± She stomped on the beetles, crushing them under her heel. ¡°Not the last we¡¯ll see of these probably, but a boot¡¯s as good as a blade against such as these.¡±

    ¡°Thanks,¡± Isa said as she reached down to rub her bruised knee.

    ¡°Did you get hurt?¡± Mery touched Isa¡¯s knee. ¡°Let me help.¡± She muttered a few words, and Isa felt a cool wave pass through her leg as if she¡¯d waded into a river on a hot day.

    ¡°Everything alright?¡± Alice¡¯s face appeared over Mery¡¯s head.

    ¡°Spot of bother with some insects,¡± said Dulrak. ¡°All fine now. And Isa healed!¡±

    ¡°Healed? What happened?¡± Alice squeezed past Mery. ¡°Isa?¡±

    ¡°They came from behind, just this wriggling mass of¡­.¡±

    ¡°Can I get some light up here?¡± Lund¡¯s voice came through the dim darkness.

    He was standing in front of a round door. It was covered in strange, blocky runes. In the center was an etched face, black lines on a silvery metal.

    ¡°Check for traps,¡± Alice whispered.

    ¡°The spell?¡± Dulrak smiled.

    ¡°The act.¡± Mery stood with her hands on her hips. The hole they¡¯d used to enter the hall was a distant smear of light, so Mery set 4 dancing lights to illuminate the door. After a few minutes she nodded. ¡°Alright. I¡¯m done, and I could be wrong, but I think if we touch the silver plate it will open the door, but--¡± She swatted at Lund¡¯s hand which had started toward the centerpiece. ¡°But a trap will open at our feet, too. I need some reach.¡±

    ¡°I can give you 10 feet with a javelin,¡± said Dulrak.

    Everyone stood back while Mery reached out with the spear. When she pressed on the silver face, the tile in front of the door did not move. The door did, and as it moved to the side more beetles poured out of the widening crack. ¡°Ah shit,¡± said Mery. She pulled out her short sword and slashed at the insect swarm. As before they hopped and clicked but none of them had reached Mery.

    Alice tried to shoot a bolt of frost at them, but she missed. Isa used her sacred flame spell, hoping that lighting up a few would harm them all. ¡°Magic over might! That¡¯s the way,¡± Dulrak said.

    ¡°If you don¡¯t have magic, try a really big sword,¡± said Lund as he stepped toward the swarms. When he¡¯d finished his swing, he stepped over the swarms so that he was on the other side of the doorway.

    The beetles hissed as both Alice and Dulrak hit them with magic. Alice with her frostbite spell and Dulrak with his poison. ¡°That¡¯s it,¡± said Mery. ¡°We¡¯ve got them running now.¡±

    But just then, as she lunged forward with her sword, Mery slipped and slammed her hand into the wall. Isa heard the bones crack as Mery¡¯s dancing lights extinguished. ¡°Careful!¡± Lund said as he swung his sword again. The blade passed through the heart of the swarm and suddenly the few remaining beetles scurried into the deep shadows.

    Dulrak held out his palm and a small lick of flame appeared. He held it close to Mery. ¡°You right smashed your hand, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Mery held her right hand to her chest. ¡°But in a moment I¡¯ll be good as a restrung fiddle.¡±

    Dulrak¡¯s small flame seemed to shrink as Isa¡¯s eyes adjusted and the size of the room became evident. Lund lit a torch and held it high. ¡°Look at this place,¡± he said. ¡°This is no simple grave.¡±

 Interlude 5a: Dulrak Gingerfist 8th Level Druid

    Name:Dulrak Gingerfist

    Race:Dwarf of the mountain clans

    Height & Weight: 4ft 9 inches / 193 lbs

    Class: DruidLevel 8

    Alignment:Neutral

    Background: ?

    Circle of the Valley Lands

    Hit Points: 67 AC: 15

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>:67

    Combat: +7 to hit +4 to damage

    Weapons: +1 Warhammer+8 to hit 1d8+5/ javelin +7 to hit 1d6 +4

    <div>

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    18

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    +4

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEXDid you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

    </td>

    <td>

    17

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    14

    </td>

    <td>

    +2

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    17

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: INT +3 and WIS +6

    <div>

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    6

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    7

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics* (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    History (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation* (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    6

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Dwarven Features: Resistance to Poison, darkvision, stone cunning

    Class Features:

    Wild shape X 2 per long rest (max CR 1)

    Druid Spells: DC = 14 Spell Attack +6

    Cantrips ¨CGuidance / Magic Stone / Poison Spray / Produce Flame

    Level 1 ¨CHealing Word/ Cure Wounds / Speak w/ Animals / Thunderwave

    Level 2 ¨CHeat Metal / Spider Climb / Locate Plants & Animals / Web

    Level 3 - Conjure Animals / Dispell Magic / Daylight / Plant Growth / Stinking Cloud

    Level 4 -Confusion / Greater Invisibility / Stone Shape

 Lockwood Chapter 32: Bone and Stone

    Lund¡¯s torch revealed a large chamber with hallways running left and right. Straight ahead of them was an open space that might have been an amphitheater or a throne room. In the gloom Isa thought she saw a raised area like a stage. ¡°If this is a baseball diamond, we¡¯re at home plate.¡±

    Four lights appeared over their heads. ¡°Which way?¡± murmured Mery.

    ¡°To the left is the X, and to the right was the circle.¡± Dulrak had the map in his hand.

    Alice took a step toward the stage area. ¡°And straight ahead?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t!¡± Dulrak grabbed Alice¡¯s arm. ¡°Don¡¯t go too far. No telling what¡¯s out there, what¡¯s lurking.¡±

    ¡°Did anyone recognize that writing?¡± asked Mery. ¡°It¡¯s not something from your plane, is it? Or a dwarven language?¡±

    Dulrak snorted. ¡°Does this look like dwarven craft?¡± He held up his hands and turned around. ¡°Besides, you said the name seemed familiar. I should be asking you, bard, about this place.¡±

    ¡°Do you have any idea the lines I¡¯ve memorized and forgotten?¡± Mery rubbed at the hollow part of a sunset scene carved into the wall. ¡°This king, this Menesia, maybe there¡¯s a story about him, a legend even, or maybe it¡¯s just a name some poet plunked from the ether. Hmm? Maybe some shit with a pen and too much time just liked how it sounded: Menesia. Menesia!¡±

    Mery voice was barely more than a whisper, but the king¡¯s name reverberated off the walls and the high ceiling.

    ¡°Oh, huh, maybe that was a bad--¡± Lund¡¯s words were drowned out by a clanking sound that seemed to come from all sides at once.

    ¡°That, my friends, is the sound of skeletons.¡± Dulrak gripped his warhammer. ¡°I haven¡¯t smashed anything in days, so I¡¯ll quite enjoy this.¡±

    But from the darkness came bony figure after bony figure. The skeletons fanned out so that the group faced a line of skeleton soldiers, each armed with a sword. Most of them had bits of armor still clinging to their frames; a few still had helmets sitting atop their bare skulls.

    Isa cast her shillelagh spell and waded into the crowd, hoping that their swords were as dull as they appeared. For her efforts she heard bones cracking and, as her staff whirled around, she saw one of them lose his arm and sword.

    Dulrak stepped to the side and swung his hammer with a loose-limbed swing that seemed designed to catch as many enemies as it could. Lund and Mery, with their blades, tried to hack at joints to disable or dismember the skeletons, and Alice shot frostbite spells until she suddenly found herself surrounded by skeletons.

    For a moment she seemed paralyzed with fear, and Isa tried to smash her way through them to reach her girlfriend. Another skeleton leaped in front of Isa, and its teeth seemed bloodstained in the light of Mery¡¯s lights. She smashed it away but not before it had sliced her leg, the sword trailing down from thigh to calf. And as she watched, another skeleton slashed at Alice¡¯s face with its free hand. Blood trickled down Alice¡¯s cheek as she let off 3 magic missile darts. The force of the darts caved in the ribs of the 3 closest skeletons, but none of them crumbled. In fact, they barely slowed. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    ¡°Lund!¡± Isa called as she swung her staff at a skeleton¡¯s legs. ¡°Help over here.¡±

    ¡°Coming,¡± he said and slammed a skeleton into the wall, breaking into a dozen pieces. Isa could see that Lund was bleeding from several cuts.

    ¡°Are you crazy?¡± She swung again. ¡°You could have punctured a lung.¡±

    ¡°They don¡¯t have lungs,¡± Lund said as he joined Alice in what had now become a semicircle of skeletons.

    Alice slashed upward with her dagger and severed the sword arm of one of the skeletons. Lund swept his greatsword low and toppled two of them. Once they were on the ground, he stomped their skulls, and Alice joined in.

    The violence was over in an instant. Barely a minute had passed since the skeletons had loomed out of the darkness, and now they lay in pieces, battered and crumbled.

    ¡°Everyone alright?¡± Dulrak slipped his hammer through the belt around his waist.

    ¡°I took a few hits,¡± said Lund.

    ¡°You¡¯re bleeding, babe.¡± Isa started to touch Alice¡¯s cheek.

    ¡°Leave it. It¡¯s just a scratch.¡± She must have realized her words sounded harsh. She smiled at Isa and said, ¡°Save your spell for when I really need it.¡± She wiped the blood away with her fingers. ¡°It¡¯s already clotting.¡±

    Isa felt a hand on her arm. Dulrak stood there, smiling. ¡°You also took a few hits, lass. Let me fix you up.¡±

    She tried to shrug him off with ¡°Save your magic,¡± but the druid¡¯s hand grasped her arm. ¡°Oh, I will,¡± he grinned and handed her a healing potion. ¡°Thank you,¡± Isa said as she pulled the stopped free. ¡°I owe you.¡±

    ¡°No doubt you¡¯ll have the chance to repay me.¡± He tucked his thumbs into his belt and looked around. ¡°Full of surprises this place.¡± He walked toward the raised stage where Mery was standing.

    Isa, Alice, and Lund joined them. Past the stage, cut into the wall were dozens of shallow niches. From this distance it looked like some might hold piles of bones, but Isa couldn¡¯t be sure.

    Dulrak nudged her. ¡°If you stay true to your cleric nature, in time you could turn those bones to dust.¡± He flexed his hands. ¡°To feel your god¡¯s wrath flow through you, to be a conduit for that kind of power¡­. Heady stuff. Heady, heady stuff.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know how long we¡¯ll be here.¡±

    ¡°Hmm, well, I haven¡¯t seen your magic yet, so I can¡¯t say if it¡¯s a loss or not. But good magic, clear, light, good magic is rare enough, rare enough for the loss to matter.¡±

    While they¡¯d been talking Mery had climbed onto the stage and was carefully walking toward a group of pots that lined the left hand wall. Her hands hovered over the first pot for a moment before she picked it up. A moment later Mery held it upside down and shook it to show it was empty.

    The others joined her on the raised platform. ¡°I thought,¡± Mery said quietly, ¡°that there might be some grave goods. Gems, silks, the like. So far, it¡¯s only dust.¡±

    ¡°How old might this place be,¡± asked Alice.

    Mery shrugged, and Dulrak said, ¡°Impossible to know, but if we find any likely artifacts, an expert can tell us more.¡±

 Lockwood Chapter 33: Bardic Inspiration

    ¡°So,¡± said Lund, ¡°where now? Left or right?¡±

    ¡°What did the map show?¡± Isa asked Dulrak. He pulled the paper from his pouch. ¡°Just an X on the one side. Here.¡± He put his finger at the end of the left leg. ¡°And the funny circle at the right.¡±

    ¡°¡®X marks the spot.¡¯ Isn¡¯t that what they say?¡± said Alice.

    ¡°Who says that?¡± asked Lund.

    ¡°It¡¯s a saying on my - our - plane. But, babe, that only applies to treasure maps in bad movies.¡± She gave Alice a brittle smile. The ferocity of the skeleton attack had shaken Isa more than she wanted to admit. In fact, part of her wanted to march back to the entrance shaft and climb back up, and maybe keep going.

    ¡°I agree with Princess Alice,¡± said Mery. ¡°The left way. An X, well that¡¯s going to mark the important bit, innit? That circle, that¡¯s just another way to say ¡®Watch out!¡¯¡±

    ¡°Unless that¡¯s exactly the opposite. Can I¡­?¡± Lund took the paper from Dulrak.

    ¡°They¡¯re just--¡± But whatever Mery was going to say, she kept to herself.

    Lund handed the map back to Dulrak. ¡°I think we¡¯ll end up in both places so it doesn¡¯t really matter where we go first.¡±

    ¡°But really, do we have to go anywhere?¡± Isa looked at the group. ¡°We¡¯re supposed to destroy the tomb. Can¡¯t we do that from here?¡± She waved a hand at Dulrak. ¡°You¡¯re pretty powerful, right? Maybe you can just make an earthquake or something.¡±

    ¡°Destroy it? Not before we find the crown.¡± said Mery. ¡°And the gems and the gold. There are gems and gold; I feel it.¡±

    Isa had just blurted out the question, but now it really did seem like the right course of action. Destroy the place and be done. She gave the cavern a surreptitious glance. The sooner, the better. Aloud she said, ¡°It says ¡®Destroy the heart of the tomb.¡¯ Pretty clear instructions.¡±

    Mery gave Isa a long look and walked over. In a low voice she said, ¡°You¡¯ve not been under the ground before; makes you nervy, and that¡¯s alright. It¡¯s not natural, being down here.¡± She rubbed a silver ring that she wore on her left thumb. ¡°I think we have time, maybe, for a little story, a little pick you up, as they say. A little inspiration.¡± She waved to Lund and Dulrak to come closer and pulled Alice nearer. ¡°The darkness can weigh on you like a wet cloak, aye? And the feeling seeps into your bones. Makes you tired, worrisome, a wee bit afraid. Good thing you have a bard along, yeah?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think we have time--¡± Dulrak started to turn away, but Mery grabbed his arm. ¡°You¡¯re an old campaigner; I can see that. And you don¡¯t have to listen, but I want to lighten the load for these two.¡± She gestured at Isa and Alice and said, ¡°Do you have tales of Preston the Tinker in your world?¡±The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    When they shook their heads Mery said, ¡°For shame! You have mad King Lear but no Preston? A clever lad, was Preston. In the stories, he travels from town to town mending and selling and telling stories. There¡¯s nothing he can¡¯t mend - or that¡¯s what the stories say about him. And his fame grew with each town until the children of a new town or village, mad with excitement at Preston¡¯s arrival, would parade him into town. They¡¯d dance and sing and generally run like drink-mad sprites. This level of fame, it suited Preston. He could set up in the village square and the customers came to him, not the other way around, and his belly grew plump on the dinners his audiences bought for him.

    ¡°But¡­.. one day, he was finishing up sharpening a cook¡¯s knife when he felt a tap on his shoulder. I say ¡®a tap¡¯ but it was more a peck and a hard one at that. And Preston looked up to see a raven perched on his shoulder.¡±

    ¡°Like Peck,¡± said Alice.

    ¡°Very much like Peck,¡± Mery agreed. ¡°And that bird, it had a note tied to its leg. And what a note! Do you know what that note said?¡± Here Mery paused as if expecting an answer.

    ¡°It was a summons! A request if you will. A wealthy lady (so the note said) had broken her favorite kettle, and no one had been able to repair it, and, the note said, more than one man had given his all only to fail in the task. Fix the kettle, and he could name his price. Preston had only to say ¡®Yes¡¯ and the raven would lead him where he needed to go.

    ¡°As Preston looked up from the note he realized that the whole square was empty. The village itself lay quiet as the proverbial grave, where it had - just moments ago - been bustling with townfolk. Our man looked at the note, looked at the noonday sun just at its zenith, looked to the raven sitting quietly on his shoulder, and he said, ¡®Yes.¡¯

    ¡°Well that was all the bird needed. It cawed twice and flew from Preston¡¯s shoulder like a rock from a sling. Preston scrambled to gather his things and follow along in the bird¡¯s wake. And Preston, he had a time keeping his feet and keeping his head, as they say. One eye on the path and one in the sky, trying to keep that raven in sight, when suddenly, the raven dropped like a stone. With a cry Preston ran to find where it had fallen.¡±

    Mery paused again. ¡°Have you heard this one before, Lund Subash? Have I told it?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± he said. ¡°Don¡¯t think so.¡±

    ¡°Well good then that I can surprise you still after all the years we¡¯ve known one another. So there¡¯s Preston, running like a gnoll is on his tail, and he pulls up short, and it¡¯s a good thing because at his feet is a wide, black hole. He looks up; he looks down; he looks around, and before Preston can decide what to do, a jet black toad hops up from the hole.

    ¡°Up until now, the day¡¯s been just grand for Preston, eh? But bright blue sky to deep, dark hole? That¡¯s just not quite what our man had in mind. And he¡¯s not alone, yeah? You know how Preston feels. Not many would trade the wide sky for a black hole, but Preston? Well, he reputation was on the line, wasn¡¯t it? He¡¯d been tasked with fixing the unfixable - or so it seemed. With one glance at the bright yellow sun, Preston waved his hand at the toad, jumped down the hole, and said, ¡®Lead on.¡¯ And that,¡± Mery dusted her hands, ¡°is a fine place to stop. When we¡¯ve cleared our own deep, dark hole, well, then ye shall hear the rest.¡±

    Isa realized that her hands were now glowing faintly in the dim light of Mery¡¯s dancing lights. ¡°Was that a spell? Did you just weave a spell with a story?¡±

    ¡°Mayhap. It may just be that you¡¯ve a little of Preston¡¯s own luck about you. It¡¯s not permanent, not even all that powerful, but maybe my story might buoy your spirit that little bit and that will be the difference in the adventures to come.¡±

    Dulrak turned toward the group - he¡¯d had his back to Mery as she told her tale. He turned toward them and said, ¡°If we¡¯re going, we should go.¡±

    They lined up much as before: Mery and Lund in the front, then Alice and Isa, and Dulrak at the rear. In silence they ventured down the left hallway, and Isa had to wonder what the mapmaker had meant when she made the X. Creature or treasure? Tomb or trap? What waited in the cool dark silence?

 Lockwood Chapter 34: Always Check for Traps

    Isa was too far back to know for certain what Mery was doing when she halted their movement periodically, but she assumed that Mery was trying to find and disarm traps. Soon enough they¡¯d resume their slow march down the wide, black passage. That was a small comfort: she and Alice could walk side by side. They crept down the hallway, and Isa sometimes felt sharp bits of rock under her boot. Once the floor seemed sunken as though a large rock had cratered the floor, but where that rock might now be was a mystery.

    Whispering floated back to them, and Alice said quietly, ¡°Dulrak, Mery says don¡¯t move.¡±

    Isa glanced over her shoulder and in the dim light she saw Dulrak nod and tighten his mouth. She pivoted her hips so that she was looking at Dulrak and back the way they¡¯d come. ¡°What do you think¡¯s going on?¡± she asked him. He shrugged in response. ¡°Can¡¯t see a thing around yon big fella.¡±

    ¡°Lund? Yeah, he¡¯s a solid guy.¡± Isa leaned forward to see if she could spy Mery, but the gloom had swallowed her up.

    Silence grew until Isa thought her head might explode from sensory deprivation. Then she heard Lund say something, but before she could comprehend his words, Isa felt herself sliding forward.

    It all happened so fast. Isa¡¯s feet came out from under her, and she started sliding down toward where Mery and Lund should be. Dulrak bumped against her, bounced against the wall and hung there as Isa slid away from him, his form seeming to recede in the darkness. She didn¡¯t have time to try to slow her fall or wonder what had happened before she landed with a thump on a bundle of something squishy.

    Lights rose up, 4 balls of white light, and Isa saw that she was sitting on Alice. She scrambled free and helped Alice to her feet. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, babe. Are you OK?¡±

    Lund stood up and said, ¡°Mery, what¡¯s that?¡± He pointed up at the steep ramp that had once been the floor of the hallway. Mery sent one of the light balls upward to reveal Dulrak slowly climbing down the side of the wall. ¡°Thank you for the light,¡± he said. ¡°Dwarfish vision is good and all, but I¡¯d rather not fall.¡±

    In a minute he had joined them in the new hallway 20 feet below where they¡¯d started. In the bright light of Mery¡¯s 4 lights Isa saw that Alice was uninjured. She felt Alice¡¯s arms and looked into her eyes. ¡°You sure you feel alright?¡±

    ¡°Isa, I¡¯m fine. I feel fine. Even you using me as a landing pad was OK.¡±

    Mery laughed. ¡°Preston¡¯s own luck it is. Me, I slid face first down that ramp, wondering if I was going to drop into a pit of snakes or stakes or boiling oil. But look at us. We¡¯re fine. That one didn¡¯t even fall!¡±

    ¡°I did get a nasty bruise, I think.¡± Dulrak rubbed his elbow. You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

    Lund said, ¡°How do we get back up?¡±

    ¡°Not sure we do, man.¡± Mery put her hands on her hips and looked up at the far ceiling.

    ¡°Someone made this trap so there has to be a way out,¡± said Alice.

    ¡°Alice is an architect, so she knows what she¡¯s talking about,¡± Isa told the others.

    ¡°Landscape architecture,¡± said Alice. ¡°But it just stands to reason. This didn¡¯t just happen. Someone designed and built it.¡±

    ¡°Do traps ever have trap?¡± Isa asked suddenly.

    Mery looked puzzled. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°I mean is a big rock going to come rolling down that ramp now? Or will this floor give way?¡±

    Mery laughed. ¡°Gods, I hope not. But who knows what the good king has planned for us? Alice, why don¡¯t you help me find a way out of here?¡± Mery locked arms with Alice and sent the dancing lights in a low sweep of the passage. Isa trailed behind them with her staff in hand. She¡¯d activated her special spell so the weapon was giving off its own faint silver-green glow.

    At almost the same moment Alice and Mery said, ¡°Ah!¡± Alice reached out her hand and pressed a decorative square set into wall. It was just one square among many, but almost immediately Isa saw the difference. The decorative fronds of this square were less pronounced. Their feathery edges seemed blurred, perhaps worn away with use.

    The square sunk into the wall, and a grinding noise reverberated through the passage. A panel opened beside the square revealing a black rectangle about 3 feet wide and 5 feet high. Before anyone could speak, a dark mass spewed from the darkness - hundreds of tiny black spiders poured from the opening. All three women recoiled at the sight, but Alice was the first of them to step forward again, ready to engage the swarm. The swarm had its own plans because the teeming spiders ran right for Dulrak. He sidestepped them neatly as if it had all been choreographed ahead of time. Lund swung his greatsword down on them, while asking Dulrak, ¡°Do you have a spare hammer? If we¡¯re going to fight creeping things I need something that will kill them quickly.¡±

    ¡°Poison¡¯s the thing,¡± said Dulrak. ¡°Too fast to smash.¡± He and Alice both sprayed mist from their index fingers. A fog covered the swarm, and a few seconds later, when it cleared, Isa saw that the swarm was over half dead. Beads of dead spiders, their legs curled tight, covered the floor.

    She tried to pound them with the end of her staff, and Lund joined in, slashing at the few remaining spiders. The surviving spiders - perhaps a dozen in all - scurried away into the shadows of the passage way.

    ¡°Now then,¡± Dulrak used his boot to sweep the dead spiders from the threshold of the now-revealed passage way, ¡°the way out.¡±

    Mery nodded and called forth her 4 dancing lights. She aligned them to look a bit like legs and a torso and sent it walking down the low passage. Dulrak leaned against the doorframe, resting his head on his arm. Mery squatted, arms on her thighs, watching the light figure walk down the passage. ¡°So far, so good,¡± she muttered. ¡°Aye,¡± Dulrak said without lifting his head. ¡°What is that, 50 feet? 60 feet it¡¯s gone now?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, about that why?¡±

    Dulrak looked at the group. ¡°I think it¡¯s time we got out of this little hole.¡±

    Current Hit Points:

    Alice HP = 37 (used temp HP in the fall into trap)

    Dulrak HP = 59 (no temp HP)

    Isa HP = 28 +10 temp HP = 38

    Lund HP = 33 +5 temp HP (used 5 in the fall) = 38

    Mery HP = 37 (used temp HP in the fall into trap)

 Lockwood Chapter 35: Ascension

    Dulrak marched first into the passageway, following Mery¡¯s dancing lights. Mery said, ¡°Let me go first. Traps!¡±

    ¡°Nuh,¡± he answered over his shoulder, his head only a few inches from the ceiling. ¡°What twisted mind would booby trap the workers¡¯ passage out?¡±

    ¡°The same one who¡¯d put a tomb inside a maze,¡± Lund said softly.

    Alice laughed. ¡°You¡¯re both right, I think.¡± She started to follow behind the dwarf, but Isa caught her hand. ¡°Babe. No. Just¡­. No. Let Mery go next. Why risk it?¡± She laced her fingers with Alice¡¯s. ¡°I know how easy it is to get overconfident. I do. That interesting scar on my side? Remind me to tell you about that little misadventure sometime.¡±

    Mery pushed past them and gave Isa a quick glance. ¡°I¡¯ll just be moving along myself. If there are traps that damned dwarf will trigger them.¡±

    ¡°Go ahead, you two.¡± Lund waved his hands toward the passage. ¡°I¡¯ll cover the back.¡±

    Isa was glad to discover that after about 15 feet, the escape passage from the trap opened up. It was still narrow, but she could stand up straight. As she straightened up, the lights went out. The darkness was swift and complete. Her hand found Alice¡¯s in the darkness, and they clung to each other. The hair on the back of Isa¡¯s neck tingled, and she was suddenly very aware that she was standing under tons of rock and that if they died here, no one would ever find their bodies. They¡¯d be skeletons who-- and maybe the skeletons they¡¯d fought had been hapless adventurers. Maybe--

    Her spiraling thoughts were interrupted by a small light. Dulrak, at the head of the group held a small flame in his hand. He held it above his head, and the weak light spilled out and barely reached Isa¡¯s spot.

    Isa remembered her shillelagh spell then and activated it. Her staff¡¯s glow added slightly to the illumination. In the pale light Alice looked pale, almost ghostly.

    ¡°Here,¡± Lund¡¯s voice came from somewhere around Isa¡¯s knees. She turned and saw that he had put his bag on the ground. She bent and held her staff to his face. ¡°Torch,¡± was all he said. His face was unreadable in the deep gloom, and Isa wondered if he was trying to master the same panic that wanted to envelope her.

    A moment later Lund¡¯s torch flared, and he pushed past them to the front. Isa saw that they stood at the bottom of a stone staircase. After the first few steps, the light faded and the steps seemed to be covered in an unnatural inky blackness.

    ¡°It¡¯s magic, this darkness,¡± said Mery. ¡°Snuffed my lights as clean as you please. That¡¯s magic, it is.¡±

    Dulrak gestured for Lund to lower his torch, and he crouched to examine the stone of the bottom step. ¡°These seem to be of a piece with the rest of the tomb. Same sort of chisel used here as there.¡± He flung his hand over his shoulder as if to indicate the trapped area.

    ¡°What does that mean?¡± Isa asked.

    Alice knelt beside the dwarf. ¡°Maybe that this staircase could be trapped like other parts of the tomb.¡±

    Mery snorted. ¡°I can tell you that darkness isn¡¯t natural.¡±

    ¡°Likely it¡¯s a spell,¡± added Dulrak.

    Lund stepped forward and stuck his torch into the black area. Immediately they were plunged into almost darkness; Isa¡¯s staff shed the only light. Lund pulled the torch out slowly, and light grew as more and more of the torch was revealed. ¡°Definitely magic,¡± he said with a satisfied tone.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

    ¡°That¡¯s a nasty trap in and of itself.¡± Isa couldn¡¯t help but poke her staff into the dark space. As with the torch, the light faded once it made contact with the dark. ¡°You clamber up the stairs, not even thinking and, what? plunge to to your death because the steps lead over an edge? Or walk into the waiting arms of a giant spider? Or enter the burial chamber of the mummy king, himself?¡±

    ¡°Probably the first one,¡± Mery said. ¡°When it comes to deadly traps, love, simple is best.¡±

    Isa felt her face get hot. Mery was condescending to her when all Isa was doing was trying to help.

    ¡°With any luck,¡± Dulrak stood and dusted off his hands, ¡°we¡¯ll be able to see for ourselves.¡±

    ¡°Daylight,¡± said Alice.

    Dulrak nodded. ¡°Smart lass.¡±

    ¡°And you¡¯re worried,¡± Alice went on, ¡°that this darkness spell is too high a level for your counter-spell. Odds are good we¡¯re fine, right? This is some sort of triggered ward spell or something. Maybe when we sprung the trap? So it¡¯s been sitting dormant for years, maybe hundreds of years. It might dissipate before I finish this sentence¡­.. OK, no, but you know what I mean.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t think this was cast by someone on the other side of that cloud?¡± asked Isa.

    Alice frowned. ¡°Nah. They would have attacked by now.¡±

    ¡°But the darkness,¡± Isa said, ¡°it would impede them, too. I just don¡¯t think you can--¡±

    Dulrak had been muttering over a piece of cloth, and suddenly a bright yellow light burst from it. ¡°That¡¯s better,¡± he said. He jammed the cloth over the end of a javelin and held it in front of him like a lantern on a pole. To Isa¡¯s amazement, the darkness on the stairs disappeared as if it were normal, everyday darkness and not a black hole of night.

    With a grin Alice said, ¡°Daylight. That is a useful spell. I can learn that, I think. With a little time and effort.¡± To Dulrak she said, ¡°Is that evocation? It is, isn¡¯t it? I can totally learn that!¡±

    Isa gripped her staff. ¡°Let¡¯s just survive this day, right?¡±

    With Dulrak and his makeshift lantern in front, they took the stairs upward. Once at the top, Dulrak hesitated, and a moment later Isa understood. They had another choice to make. They could go left or right. Dulrak¡¯s lantern shone out about 60 feet and to the left seemed to be a hallway much like the one they¡¯d been in before the trap. To the right - it was hard to say what it was - a room of some sort. Dulrak¡¯s light was swallowed by the seemingly large space.

    ¡°Which way?¡± said Lund.

    ¡°Which way, indeed.¡± Dulrak dropped his head to his chest and closed his eyes as if in prayer. A moment later: ¡°That way,¡± he pointed left, ¡°is the way we were heading. This, I don¡¯t know. A chamber, perhaps, behind the first area we saw, with the burial nooks.¡±

    ¡°Agreed,¡± said Mery. ¡°That feels right. So let¡¯s go left. I mean - we were heading to the X on the map, so let¡¯s continue that way.¡±

    ¡°But wait,¡± said Alice. ¡°Think about what the quest said.¡±

    ¡°What did it say?¡± asked Lund. ¡°I didn¡¯t really read it.¡±

    Alice smiled at him. ¡°It said ¡®Enter the tomb.¡¯ Done. ¡®Prevail against shadows.¡¯ If shadows equals bugs and spiders, we¡¯re good there. ¡®Bring light where once was darkness.¡¯ Double done - look at Dulrak¡¯s daylight spell! And last ¡®Destroy the heart of the tomb.¡¯ That chamber,¡± Alice pointed to the right, ¡°that¡¯s the heart of the tomb - the center, anyway. Let¡¯s take care of this and be done.¡±

    The group was silent until Mery blurted out, ¡°Why the hell did you memorize the quest? What¡¯s that about?¡±

    Isa laughed. ¡°She can¡¯t help it; whatever she reads, it¡¯s memorized. I hear you, babe. But what if you¡¯re being too literal? The other quest - the bandits¡¯ quest log said something different.¡±

    ¡°Bet you 5 gold she can recite that one too,¡± Mery whispered to Lund.

    ¡°Actually I can¡¯t,¡± said Alice. ¡°I didn¡¯t read their notebooks. Isa read aloud.¡±

    Dulrak had been standing quietly, his magic light illuminating them all, his eyes black pools. ¡°Unnatural creatures dwell here. I know it; Isa knows it, though she might not understand the squirming in her guts for what it is. I don¡¯t particularly care what words in a notebook say. It¡¯s written here.¡± He touched his chest with one finger. ¡°Selvank shows His chosen the path to take, and in this case that means scouring this tomb of all abominations.¡±

    Lund looked at his feet. Mery said, ¡°I¡¯ve always been for exploring the whole place. Never know what lies in the dust waiting to be found.¡±

    Isa looked at Alice. ¡°The captain¡¯s quest, it did say something about giving ¡®true death,¡¯¡± she made quotation marks with her fingers, ¡°to the king who lies buried here, this Menesia guy.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s it say then?¡± Mery said. ¡°The quest, read it again for us.¡±

    Isa pulled the bandit¡¯s notebook from her bag and read aloud. ¡°Enter the tomb of Menesia, king of Kelima, deliver true death to him.¡± She paused and then said, ¡°It goes on to say that they should get the crown - the king¡¯s crown, I guess - and an urn and take it to this guy Stonegrime.¡±

 Lockwood Chapter 36: Haunted Tomb

    ¡°A crown and an urn,¡± said Mery. ¡°Stonegrime¡¯s loss, our gain. Name sound familiar to you, Dulrak? Stonegrime? Don¡¯t think I know any myself.¡±

    ¡°Are we all in agreement?¡± asked Lund. He didn¡¯t look directly at Alice, but Isa did.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Alice said softly. ¡°OK, I¡¯m with you.¡±

    Isa smiled and ran a finger down Alice¡¯s arm. ¡°Together we¡¯re unbeatable, right?¡±

    ¡°To the left then?¡± Dulrak held his javelin up, and the ensorcelled cloth shone bright over the hallway. When no one answered he moved forward.

    ¡°By all the gods,¡± Mery sputtered. ¡°Let me go first. Traps? Remember those?¡±

    Mery and Dulrak walked first down the hallway, Mery half a step ahead of Dulrak. Alice and Isa followed right behind, and Lund stayed at the rear, using a javelin as a walking stick.

    They came to a sharp corner, and Mery held up a hand to stop the group. She knelt and examined an ornamental knob set into the wall. To Isa, it seemed that Mery took care to keep just behind the ornament. She crouched down to better see what Mery was doing. As she watched Mery¡¯s fingers seemed to walk along the outer edge of the rounded knob. For no reason that Isa could discern a bolt shot from the knob and clattered off the stone wall opposite.

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s done.¡± Mery stood up. ¡°Until the next one, that is.¡± She turned and smiled at the group. She peeked around the corner and then motioned Dulrak forward.

    Another door stood to the right about 10 feet from the corner. Dulrak¡¯s light shone across the face of the door showing deep carvings, words and images sharing space across the surface.

    ¡°If this were a video game,¡± Alice whispered, ¡°the key would be on the other side of the dungeon.¡±

    ¡°This one¡¯s different,¡± said Dulrak, as he peered over Mery¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°Yeah, but I don¡¯t think it¡¯s trapped.¡± Mery craned her neck upwards. ¡°I don¡¯t see anything. No trigger mechanisms, no wires.¡± She looked down. ¡°No trap door¡­. I¡¯m not saying there¡¯s not a swarm or 3 of beetles on the other side, but¡­.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re with you,¡± said Isa. ¡°Go ahead and open it.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not even sure I know how.¡± She reached out with her thumb to push aside a small tile and got a face full of stinking spray. The blast made Isa and Alice cough, but they were far enough away that the puff of putrid air didn¡¯t affect them. Dulrak cleared his throat and said, ¡°You alright there?¡±

    ¡°Yes, damn it,¡± said Mery. She wiped her mouth and spit to the side. ¡°I hope the whole room doesn¡¯t smell like that.¡± She pushed a few more tiles, lifted a lever, and softy tapped the center of the door with the end of her dagger. The door swung open noiselessly.

    Isa heard Dulrak mutter something, and then, his lantern held high, he stepped into the chamber. Gold glittered everywhere. Gold inlay on the floors, gold moulding on the ceiling, gold-flecked murals on the walls, and most impressively, a gold sarcophagus sitting at the far end of the room.

    ¡°Perhaps this is significant,¡± Dulrak said quietly.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    ¡°I¡¯ll say,¡± said Isa. She started to step into the room, drawn by the dazzle of gold practically dripping down the wall, but Mery grabbed her arm.

    ¡°Wait,¡± Mery told Isa. ¡°Look.¡± She pointed at the floor and the deep footprints that Dulrak¡¯s steps had created. ¡°Who knows what sorts of traps they laid upon the room, what curses.¡±

    ¡°Dulrak looks fine. He¡¯s not being shot at or attacked.¡±

    ¡°And I hope to keep it that way,¡± said Mery. She stepped carefully over the threshold, leaving Isa and Alice almost side by side in the hall.

    Lund stood looking over their shoulders. He said, ¡°I don¡¯t think we can carry all that. Gold is heavy.¡±

    Almost the moment Mery¡¯s foot touched the floor a low growl sounded from the far corner. The growl rose to a yowl, and a horrifying creature emerged from the shadows. It was shaped like a panther: massive wedge of a head and huge paws, a long, twitching tail. But it seemed to be made of smoke and ice. Mist steamed off it as it moved toward Mery with slow steps. Its feet didn¡¯t disturb the dusty floor.

    Isa froze at the sight of the ghostly animal; her insides seemed to turn to ice and adrenaline flooded her body. She wanted to run, scream, faint, and cry, but she couldn¡¯t even move. Her eyes stayed locked on the panther as it swiped Mery with one of its great paws.

    Mery staggered even though it seemed like the shimmering paw passed right through her. For her part Mery slashed back and forth with her sword, parting the misty form twice. The ghost cat hissed and dropped its head lower, ears back and flat.

    Dulrak seemed to be trying to move, but his hands seemed frozen at his side. Alice, however, flashed out a hand, and 3 glowing darts slammed into the panther, rocking it slightly as it began to circle Mery. Its ghostly form hadn¡¯t changed, and it still seemed more shadow than substance, but the mist that had surrounded the cat was gone.

    That did not make the ghost any less terrifying to Isa, and from her seemingly petrified position, she watched the battle unfold. Mery danced away from a second attack by the shimmering shadow. It growled again, the low grumble rolling into a full battle cry, and oddly enough, that seemed to rouse Dulrak from his frozen state.

    With a guttural cry he swung his warhammer down on the back of the panther, and once more the ghostly body seemed to feel the blow, staggering away almost to the wall before coming back. It pounced on Mery, who seemed to anticipate the move. She had her short sword up and braced with both hands so that the panther impaled itself on her blade. Mery fell under the weight of the cat, but even as they both fell, the panther¡¯s form dissolved into golden dust.

    As the dust floated to the floor Isa felt like she could finally breathe, and a sigh from Lund told her that she hadn¡¯t been the only one affected by the ordeal. She took a step away from the doorway and stumbled as if her legs had fallen asleep. Alice caught Isa before she could fall.

    ¡°Babe, are you OK?¡± Alice¡¯s eyes seemed to search Isa¡¯s face. ¡°You look¡­.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Isa suddenly felt annoyed and embarrassed by how frightened she been by the ghost cat.

    ¡°That was something new,¡± said Mery. She laughed and held her stomach. ¡°Ouch.¡±

    Alice touched Isa¡¯s face, her fingers trailing down her jawline. Isa thought there was a question in her eyes, but Alice didn¡¯t speak it. Instead with her thumb she brushed Isa¡¯s lips and said, ¡°I love you.¡±

    ¡°I love you, too.¡± Isa dropped her eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t know what happened. I--¡± Her words were interrupted by a scraping sound from the room.

    The sound of stone on stone drew everyone¡¯s attention. It took Isa only a moment to realize that the lid of the sarcophagus was moving, slowly but steadily, off its base.

    Three people spoke at once. Dulrak said, ¡°Fire. Use fire.¡± Lund said, ¡°True death.¡± And Mery mumbled something as she wiped her forehead, leaving a smear of blood.

    ¡°Wait,¡± said Isa. ¡°Wait a minute. What¡¯s coming out-- That¡¯s not a mummy. That¡¯s not¡­.¡± She gripped her quarterstaff and whispered, ¡°Wrath.¡± Damn it, Ysel, she thought to herself, what have you done?

    Beside her Alice quietly cocked her small crossbow. ¡°You have a health potion, right?¡± she said to Isa.

    ¡°Yeah. You?¡±

    ¡°Mmmhmm.¡± Alice¡¯s lips were closed tight, and Isa could see that her hand trembled a little. Somehow that gave Isa the courage she needed, and she moved into the room to stand by Lund.

    The sarcophagus lid was now halfway off, and a perfectly wrapped hand grasped the side of the coffin. Mery, who¡¯d been mumbling to herself now flung out a hand and said, ¡°Curse ye!¡±

    A head rose above the edge of the sarcophagus, and Isa got her first look at King Menesia.

 Lockwood Chapter 37: Menesia, The Mummy King

    In her imagination Isa had been picturing the white-bandaged, grasping, unraveling horrors that had played across countless movie screens, but Menesia was anything but. The hand and arm that rose above the sarcophagus were framed in tight, tidy, sable cloth that seemed to shimmer in the light of Dulrak¡¯s daylight spell.

    A woven mask fell away as the mummy king sat upright, revealing two dark eyes and a mouth surrounded by more of the dark brown cloth. On its head sat a golden circlet with a yellow stone set in the center. A crossbow bolt zinged past Isa and lodged in the mummy¡¯s shoulder. He looked down at it and then looked at the group arrayed against him. His mouth opened, and sounds came out.

    They didn¡¯t seem like words to Isa. At first they sounded like dying gasps, choking, harsh cries, but then the noise grew as the voice seemed to gain power. A wind whipped through them all - Isa felt her hair stir - and left them standing, intact, unharmed, unscathed by the cries.

    As the sound died away Isa realized that the mummy was already partway out of the sarcophagus. One leg was touching the floor, and Isa saw that his narrow foot was covered by a gold cloth slipper. She brought her staff down on the hand that braced the sarcophagus as the mummy leveraged himself up. She heard bones crack, but the mummy king didn¡¯t even flinch.

    The chamber filled with more light, and from the corner of her eye Isa saw that Dulrak had a flaming sword in his hand. He rushed toward the mummy just as the creature gained its feet, and it dodged the attack easily.

    At its full height, the mummy was as tall as Lund, and his whole body seemed to swivel toward the doorway and Alice. He took a slow step toward her. Lund used the moment to his advantage and swung at the mummy. His sword hit the creature¡¯s midsection and connected for a moment before another step pulled the sword free. Again, the mummy king seemed to ignore the damage dealt, even though Isa could see something leaking from the wound.

    Another step brought the mummy king directly in front of Isa. She braced her quarterstaff in front of her, intent on keeping him from Alice. The mummy seemed to realize that his way was blocked, and he backhanded Isa as if she were a ragdoll. As the gold flecked cloth touched Isa¡¯s skin, she felt a wave of revulsion race through her body, even as she hit the far wall and landed crumpled in a heap.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    Using the wall and her staff to gain her feet, Isa heard Mery say, ¡°Silence is golden.¡±

    Isa stood for a moment, holding her side. Blood dripped from her mouth. A sharp pain radiated from the small of her back around to her breastbone. Had he cracked her ribs with that blow? Did the blood signal internal bleeding?

    Dulrak¡¯s flaming sword flickered and cast large shadows across the chamber. His improvised lantern had fallen to the side, discarded in the moment of battle. With a cry Dulrak hacked at the mummy¡¯s leg with the flame sword and the wrappings smoldered, smoke spiraling up through some of the large seams.

    The mummy fumbled with the ornate scabbard buckled at its waist, and Isa could see a pair of hilts sticking up from the belt. With a cry she charged at the mummy, her quarterstaff held out like a jousting stick. She caught the mummy in its midsection, and it folded over for a brief moment.

    Isa¡¯s maneuver landed her, hands and knees, at Mery¡¯s feet, gasping for breath. Blood and spit spotted the floor with each heave of Isa¡¯s lungs. Mery leaned down and cast a healing spell on Isa.

    Immediately Isa¡¯s breathing eased, but the blow and its aftermath still reverberated in her mind. She¡¯d been touched by a real mummy. Ancient hands had touched her skin, and while the wrappings had felt dry, Isa couldn¡¯t help but feel her skin crawl at the idea that a walking dead thing had hit her, hit her with such force that she¡¯d flown across the room and probably come close to death, was close to death, healing or no. She rolled on her back, oblivious to the danger around her.

    The mummy pivoted toward Dulrak and his sword of flames. ¡°Come ahead, you filth,¡± the dwarf said. His voice trembled as the mummy¡¯s glare bore down on him, but Dulrak stood firm.

    A green arrow flew through the air and landed on the mummy¡¯s back with an audible hiss. The arrow dissolved into a green, bubbling liquid, and Alice whooped with joy.

    ¡°Isa,¡± Mery¡¯s face was just above Isa¡¯s. ¡°Can you move, lass? Are you with me? Isa?¡±

    The mummy loomed suddenly over Mery¡¯s shoulder, and Isa tried to cry out, maybe did cry out because Mery ducked low, and the mummy¡¯s arm passed overhead.

    Lund swung at the mummy¡¯s head and clipped the side of its face. It had just started to turn when Dulrak shoved his sword into the mummy¡¯s chest and held it there. Smoke poured from the wrappings, and small tongues of flames peeked through in places. The mummy dropped to its knees and fell backwards, lifeless.

    The crown tipped off the mummy king¡¯s head and landed on the floor at Lund¡¯s feet. From Isa¡¯s place on the ground, she was eye to eye with the yellow jewel. It seemed to pulse with malice, but as she shifted to sit up, she thought that maybe that had simply been a trick of the light, just the yellow gem reflecting the red light of Dulrak¡¯s sword.

    With a sigh Lund reached down to pick it, and a strange voice said, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t touch that if I were you.¡±

 Interlude 5a: The Mummy Kings Tomb Combat

    Enter tomb. Panther ghost awakens. Horrorfying visage DC13

    WIS saving throw

    A +2 - 18

    D +6 - 8

    I +1 - 6 - failed save badly enough that she ages 1d4 + 10 years. only rolled a 1 (whew) Isa ages 10 years. She''s 38 now.

    L +1 - 11

    M +2 - 13

    INIT

    M +3 - 22  31HP  31-13= 18

    Ghost +1 - 20  45HP 45-13= 32-7= 25-6= 19 (bloodied) -1= 18-13= 5-5 = dead!

    I +3 - 18  38HP

    L -1 - 8    48HP

    A +3 - 5   37HP

    D +0 - 4   59HP

    M advantage on roll - rolls a 1 and then a 20. 13 damage - NOT double damage: resistance to slashing but, + crit chart, but it made its save.

    Ghost - 17 to hit Mery. for 13 damage

    I saving throw fail

    L also fail

    A Magic Missile! 7 damage

    D saving throw: 18!

    M 14 to hit - 6 damage (half dam) but bloodied

    Ghost 12 to hit - no!

    I 12 on save - fail

    L makes save!

    A tries frostbite for 1 damage

    D 26 to hit 13 damage w/ magical weapon!

    M 19 to hit for 5 dam. Dead!

    Mummy Lord Encounter

    Mery 18HP - cure wounds for 15 18+15= 33HP

    Isa 38HP 38-13= 25 and 21 necrotic damage = 4HP 4+9= 13HP

    Lund 48HP

    Alice 37HP

    Dulrak 59HP

    Mummy Lord 97HP 97-14=83-11=72-9= 63-13= 50(bloodied)-20 = 30-5= 25-9= 16-20 dead!

    M Mery casts Bane but ML makes save.

    A crossbow - 23 to hit. 11 damage EXCEPT immunty since the crossbow is not magical.

    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.I shillelagh 18 to hit for 14 dam! (magical)

    D flame blade miss

    L 18 to hit for 11 dam

    ML legendary action: blasphemous word DC16 CON. WOW! everyone rolled well.

    CON saving throws

    D +2 - 18

    I +3 - 23

    L +7 - 22

    M +4 - 23

    attack: dreadful glare at Alice (who shot him) DC 16 - Alice just makes it.

    Rotting fist: Isa (who hurt him) 19 to hit. 13 dam + 21 necrotic. she makes (whew) saving throw to avoid mummy rot.

    M Mery casts silence (in respone to the blasphemous word) no DC - it''s just quiet. Mery puts it just past them so they can cast and talk. So if ML moves....

    A acid arrow - 24 to hit for 9dam.

    I 21 to hit for 13 dam (bloodied)

    D flame blade hit! 25 to hit 20 dam

    L swing and miss twice

    ML dreadful glare at Dulrak DC 16 WIS - Dulrak rolls 21. rotting fist at Mery and misses with a 13 - takes 5 more damage from Alice''s acid.

    M heals Isa for 9HP

    A magic missile for 9 dam

    I sacred flame but ML makes DEX save.

    D flame blade! or another 20dam and dead!

    23000 gp Platinum Cloth cape (750 gp), Bolt of Electrum Cloth (750 gp), Dragonscale Pouch inlaid with Electrum (750 gp), Dragonscale Belt (750 gp), Mithral Plate Armor (rare, dmg 152), sword of wounding (rare - must attune), Sun blade (rare - must attune)

 Lockwood Chapter 38: Just Business

    Dockma Nimnor, the gnome mapmaker, stood in the doorway. Flanor, her halfling soldier companion, was beside her, one hand wrapped around Alice¡¯s arm and a shortsword in his other hand. Their height difference would have been comical in a different setting.

    ¡°You¡¯re too late to join the fun,¡± said Lund.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure that wasn¡¯t the point,¡± Mery said to him.

    ¡°Who¡¯s this?¡± Dulrak tucked his hands in his belt.

    Isa pushed herself to her feet, careful to avoid touching the mummy. ¡°Babe,¡± she kept her eyes on Alice, ¡°why don¡¯t you come over here?¡±

    As Alice tried to move, Flanor gripped her arm more tightly. ¡°Ouch,¡± she said to him. ¡°You¡¯re hurting me.¡±

    Flanor dropped his eyes. ¡°Not my intention, girl. It¡¯s a bad situation all ¡®round.¡±

    ¡°Flanor, let the woman go.¡± Dockma smiled at the group. ¡°We¡¯re all friends here.¡± She shrugged off her backpack and tossed it to the halfling, who had sheathed his blade. Dockma said, ¡°Retrieve the crown, will you? Careful! Don¡¯t touch it, remember?¡±

    ¡°I remember. I¡¯m not an idiot.¡± Flanor dropped the bag over the crown and scooped it up, cinching the bag. He scurried back to Dockma¡¯s side. Meanwhile Alice had joined Isa.

    ¡°We only caught the end of the fight,¡± said Dockma. ¡°But well done! Well done, with the flaming sword,¡± she said to Dulrak. ¡° Like an avenging angel marching to battle! But you don¡¯t look like a paladin. Well, maybe a poor paladin. Speaking of that, this is all we wanted.¡± She patted the bag. ¡°The rest of the treasure, whatever there may be, is yours. You might want to get that belt off him before he really catches fire, though.¡± She flicked a hand lazily at the smoking mummy.

    Lund bent down and touched the ornate metal belt buckle. ¡°Oooch!¡± He pulled back his hand and jammed his finger in his mouth.

    ¡°Remember this,¡± said Dockma. She tipped a bit of water from her canteen into her hand, and it expanded into a water ball, resting on her palm, wobbling slightly in the air. When it was about 3 feet across, Dockma gently blew on it. It shifted slowly through the air and then hovered over the mummy king¡¯s body. She snapped her fingers, and the ball of water dropped suddenly, drenching the mummy and Lund.

    ¡°There,¡± she said. ¡°One no longer flammable mummy.¡±

    Mery¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°You¡¯re a wizard then? Shoulda known. You wizards and your books.¡±

    ¡°Sorcerer, actually. Books are a pleasure, not a requirement.¡± Dockma smiled at the group. ¡°This is just business. I hope you know that. We didn¡¯t expect you to be here.¡± She pulled a stone from her bag and held it up. ¡°Yes, this is about right, I think.¡± She pointed at Isa. ¡°It¡¯s a good map, by the way. I wouldn¡¯t give you less than my best.¡±This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

    ¡°Thanks, I guess.¡± Isa frowned at the gnome. ¡°But I don¡¯t¡ª¡±

    ¡°Ah na,¡± Dulrak rushed toward the door as Dockma and Flanor stepped back over the threshold. Dockma threw down the stone, and a wall rose up in its place. Dulrak stopped just in time to avoid smashing into the wall that now replaced the door of the chamber.

    His shoulders dropped, and he turned around slowly. ¡°I can tell that you¡¯re as surprised as me, so I don¡¯t think this was planned.¡±

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t,¡± Mery said. ¡°But I should have expected it.¡± She turned to Lund. ¡°You didn¡¯t hear them behind us?¡± He shook his head.

    Isa stepped to the middle of the room. ¡°Everyone is being awfully calm about the fact that we¡¯re walled up inside a burial chamber. What are we going to do about that?¡±

    ¡°These two can bang us out,¡± Mery gestured at Lund and Durak. ¡°Don¡¯t doubt it.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll help,¡± said Alice. ¡°Give me one of your axes. I¡¯ll use the head.¡±

    Dulrak held up a hand and put his ear to the wall. A moment later they heard a shriek and a thump.

    ¡°Was that¡ª¡± Alice started to ask, but Dulrak held out his finger as if to signal for another moment of quiet.

    ¡°We¡¯ve got company,¡± he said as he turned to address the group. ¡°At least 3 creatures out there. One, at least, sounds too heavy to be a skeleton. Perhaps it¡¯s another mummy.¡± He surveyed the group for a moment. ¡°Odd as it sounds, I think we should rest here. Rest and restore and then we smash the stone and make our escape.¡±

    Everyone began to talk at once. Isa realized that she and Mery were the only 2 shaking their heads ¨C Mery vigorously ¨C against the idea. The other 3 were discussing the logistics of camping in the chamber: airflow, lighting a fire, sleeping arrangements.

    ¡°I¡¯d want a full 12 hours¡¯ rest,¡± Dulrak was saying. ¡°Your lass, she took a beating from the king, didn¡¯t she? We need her at full health.¡±

    Alice nodded. ¡°So we do two watches?¡±

    ¡°Aye, 6 hours¡¯ sleeping and 2 for watch. Then we rotate. We let Isa sleep as much as she wants, no watch. We have enough.¡±

    ¡°Not that I agree with this plan, at all,¡± said Isa, ¡°but I can take watch just like everyone else.¡±

    Mery strode over to the stone wall covering the doorway. ¡°No, we¡¯re leaving now. We¡¯ll lose air; we¡¯ll be poisoned by the mummy. Or maybe he wakes up? Eh, think of that? Maybe he wakes up!¡± She rapped her knuckles on the wall first high and then low. ¡°Not too thick, probably. We can smash it in an hour or two. Then we make a run for it. Isa in the middle. We smashed the skeletons before. We can do it again.¡±

    No one spoke until Alice said, ¡°Do we vote? How else do we decide?¡±

    ¡°Vote¡¯s fine by me.¡± Mery raised her hand. ¡°All in favor of leaving this tomb? Isa? Lund? Come now.¡±

    Isa started to raise her hand, but Alice held up her notebook. ¡°The quest. Don¡¯t you care about the quest?¡±

    ¡°We completed it,¡± said Isa. ¡°We killed the king. Brought him the ¡®true death.¡¯¡± She looked at the charred mummy. ¡°Right?¡±

    ¡°We haven¡¯t destroyed the tomb, though,¡± Lund said quietly.

    Mery put her hands on her head. ¡°Since when do you care about the fine print, Lund Subash? Don¡¯t you want to live? Don¡¯t you want to make it home alive?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you?¡± he countered. ¡°What about the treasures? There¡¯s treasure in this very room, but you don¡¯t seem to care.¡±

    Mery paused, dropped her head, and said, ¡°I don¡¯t like small spaces.¡±

    ¡°Who does?¡± said Isa. ¡°My God, who does? Wasn¡¯t I the one¡ª weren¡¯t you¡ª Preston, the Tinker!¡±

    Alice put her hand on Isa¡¯s arm. ¡°It¡¯s a bad situation, Mery; no one disputes that, but Dockma, maybe she did us a favor. I¡¯ve used up spells; you¡¯ve used up spells; Isa almost died. We have a chance to rest up and face the, the horrors of the hallway fresh. All our spells, all our hit points and abilities. What do you say?¡±

    After a moment Mery sighed. ¡°I lost the vote, huh?¡± She looked around the room. ¡°I get first call on treasure? My sword was for shit against that mummy. Maybe he¡¯s got a better one.¡±

    The others looked at each other and shrugged. Then Dulrak said, ¡°Who wants first watch?¡±

 Lockwood Chapter 39: Loot!

    Before anyone took watch, the whole group gathered up the treasures they could find. Isa and Alice found a heavy silvery cape spread out inside the sarcophagus and a pouch made of some sort of reptile skin. Lund found a chest filled with gold coins. Mery unbuckled the sword belt from the mummy. She also pulled a necklace from around the mummy¡¯s neck. Dulrak found a set of bright silver armor behind a screen in one corner. A shelf next to the armor had 2 potion bottles and a jar of some sort of ointment.

    They laid everything near the door and sat in a semi-circle around it. Lund had opened the chest and the gold gleamed in the light of Mery¡¯s dancing lights. ¡°First choice?¡± Mery asked the group. ¡°Besides the gold, I mean. That¡¯s divided, right?¡±

    She pulled the first blade from the scabbard. It tapered from 4 inches near the handle down to about an inch at the tip. The dark metal seemed to drink in the light. Both edges seemed very sharp.

    About halfway down the blade Isa saw a drawing etched into the metal. She leaned closer for a look. Mery tilted the blade toward her. ¡°An eagle,¡± she said, ¡°caught mid-battle, just about to catch her prey. It matches the pommel.¡± Mery adjusted her grip to show off the end of the dark handle. There sat a stylized bird¡¯s claw with a red gem clutched in its talons.

    ¡°This,¡± Mery said, ¡°is a blade. I could do something with a blade like this.¡± She stood and held the sword out, at the ready. ¡°It¡¯s light.¡± She took a practice swing well away from the group. ¡°Feels well balanced.¡±

    Replacing the sword to its scabbard, Mery touched the other hilt. She began to pull the sword free from the scabbard and frowned. ¡°It¡¯s broken.¡± She held up a sword hilt with no blade.

    The hilt was a dull golden color, flat and bar-shaped. Its pommel was carved into an oval shape with 3 arcs in it, as if depicting the sun slowly setting.

    Mery turned it over. ¡°I don¡¯t get it.¡± She held the hilt toward Isa.

    As Isa¡¯s fingers grasped the hilt, a bright light flashed for a moment. Mery tumbled backwards and came up with a surprised look on her face. ¡°You almost took off my nose!¡±

    ¡°I saw the flash too, but I don¡¯t understand.¡± She turned to look at Alice. ¡°Did you see it?¡±

    Alice shook her head. ¡°I wasn¡¯t paying attention. Let me see.¡±

    Isa tilted the hilt up so that if the light flashed again, it would at least go toward the ceiling. Alice took the hilt, but nothing happened. She adjusted her grip a few times. ¡°It¡¯s heavy, but I don¡¯t even see where the blade would go.¡± She looked at Lund. ¡°Why would someone do that? It is like a training sword without the sword?¡±

    Mery had been staring at the hilt, and now she said, ¡°Isa, careful now take back the blade, won¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not a blade,¡± Isa said, but she took it from Alice and held it upright. A bright, thin sword shone for about 2 seconds before fading. The light had been bright enough that Isa saw the line of the blade behind her eyes.

    ¡°Tis a blade,¡± Mery laughed. ¡°A radiant blade. I¡¯ve heard tales but never seen one.¡±

    ¡°Is it really?¡± Dulrak sat forward. ¡°My cousin is a grand cleric of Selvank, and they have one of these in the temple. A holy relic. You¡¯ll need to attune to it, Isa or, rather, it to you. And then you will be able to wield it in battle.¡±

    ¡°Babe,¡± Alice reached over and touched Isa¡¯s cheek. ¡°That¡¯s so awesome. Proud of you.¡±

    Isa felt her cheeks get hot. She looked down at the hilt. ¡°How do I carry it? There¡¯s no blade to¡ª¡±

    Mery pulled the scabbard free of the belt. ¡°Clever bit of engineering here.¡± She handed the scabbard over, and Isa saw that it had a wide mouth where the hilt slotted in. ¡°Thread it through your belt, and none¡¯s the wiser.¡±If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

    Isa looked at Dulrak. ¡°How do I attune?¡±

    ¡°You need to sit with it for a few hours. Study it, mediate on it. It¡¯s powerful magic ¨C religious magic ¨C and well, it needs to know what sort of cleric you are.¡±

    ¡°You mean it might not work if it doesn¡¯t¡ª I don¡¯t know, find me worthy?¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t say, lass. I¡¯m telling you all I know. But I will say that, if it works for you once, it will work for you always. Assuming that you stay right with your goddess.¡±

    ¡°Huh. Well so far, so good, but She¡¯s a strange one.¡± Isa turned her attention to Lund. ¡°What do you like of this loot? Anything? Must be something you could at least sell.¡±

    ¡°The armor,¡± said Lund. ¡°That king, he was a tall guy, maybe not so skinny in life. So it might fit me.¡± He lifted the breastplate from the dummy and strapped it on. It fit Lund perfectly, as if it had been custom made for him. He moved his shoulders and swung his arms. ¡°It¡¯s light.¡± He glanced down at the mummy. ¡°Made for a king.¡±

    Mery grinned at him. ¡°I am definitely standing behind you from now on.¡±

    ¡°Tank and spank, for sure,¡± said Alice. ¡°The old ways are the best.¡± She was cradling a small jar, and Isa said, ¡°Whatcha got there?¡±

    ¡°It was with the potions,¡± said Alice. ¡°It¡¯s warm, so I¡¯m holding it. My hands are cold.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s in it, though?¡±

    Alice shrugged and opened the jar. ¡°It¡¯s some sort of cream. Smells nice.¡± She brought the jar to her nose. ¡°Rosemary?¡±

    ¡°Is it healing, then?¡± Mery asked. ¡°Are the potions healing, I hope.¡±

    Dulrak shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m not sure. They were with the armor, so maybe this ointment does something to the armor. Maybe it¡¯s polish.¡±

    Alice held up one of the potions. A red dollop of color hung suspended in clear liquid, and as Alice held it up, the red splotch grew in size until the entire flask was red.

    ¡°What did you do?¡± said Isa. ¡°Is it gonna explode or¡­.¡±

    ¡°I barely shook it. I just held it up to show you guys, and¡ª¡± As she spoke, the red began to shrink back to its original size. Alice looked at it, looked at the others. ¡°Did you see?¡±

    Mery started laughing. ¡°A shrinking potion? What a lark!¡± She shook her hand. ¡°Don¡¯t drink that. Alright? Don¡¯t drink it. You¡¯ll be a weak, small thing ¨C only for a few hours, but we don¡¯t need that now, do we?¡±

    Lund glanced at Dulrak. ¡°Small isn¡¯t always bad.¡±

    The dwarf didn¡¯t seem to notice. He said, ¡°Yon halfling soldier, he didn¡¯t need height to hold the sword.¡±

    ¡°Is that one like a smoke bomb?¡± Isa pointed at the other potion flask which seemed to contain a swirling gray cloud.

    Alice shook her head. ¡°If I had to guess ¨C and I guess we do ¨C I¡¯d say it¡¯s a gas form spell. Drink it and it¡¯s like someone cast gaseous form on you.¡±

    ¡°I see what you¡¯re saying,¡± said Mery. ¡°But this could be anything. Could be a smoke bomb. Not so strange. Why the leap?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll get 3rd class spells soon enough, so I¡¯ve been studying them. Gaseous Form is a 3rd class spell. Seemed like a¡ª You know,¡± Alice stood up, ¡°I really don¡¯t have to explain myself to you. You want the damned potion, take it.¡± Alice tossed the cloudy flask at Mery, who scrambled and caught it with one hand.

    In the silence that followed Dulrak said, ¡°A dwarf can always use another pouch. I¡¯ll take this.¡± He held up the reptile skin bag. ¡°And this, if there are no objections.¡± He pointed at the necklace that the mummy had been wearing. ¡°I cast detect magic, and it¡¯s magical, alright. I think I know what it does, but I¡¯ll mediate on it during my watch.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s eat and then decide on watches,¡± said Lund. He pulled a packet from his bag. ¡°I brought some meat and bread. I have salt, too.¡±

    Everyone sat to eat. They followed Lund¡¯s lead and shared provisions, such as they had. Dulrak had a flask of rum. Mery had some dried fruit, and Isa happily took a handful. ¡°They¡¯re like Raisinets,¡± she said to Alice.

    ¡°Like raisins, you mean.¡± Alice peered into Isa¡¯s hand. ¡°No chocolate.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m imagining the chocolate, alright?¡±

    Lund was talking with Dulrak. ¡°And so you are on your own for months at a time?¡±

    ¡°Aye,¡± he took a swig of rum. ¡°It suits me. I don¡¯t particularly care for the underground.¡± He glanced up. ¡°This? This is nothing. A few feet of rock, at most. Where my clan lives? That¡¯s real underground. Miles under the mountains and valleys. Deep, dank, dark.¡± He shuddered. ¡°I prefer the wind in my face, thank you.¡±

    Isa felt her eyes drift to the ceiling. He can talk about miles of rock; this is quite enough for me ¨C more than enough. She glanced at the others. Had Dulrak¡¯s words affected anyone else?

    ¡°So,¡± Mery slapped her thighs, ¡°about those watches. Who¡¯s with me first? Alice?¡±

    ¡°Me?¡± Alice put her hand to her chest.

    ¡°Yeah, why not? Girls against the boys.¡±

    ¡°I can take a watch, everyone.¡± Isa stood up. ¡°I feel fine.¡±

    Dulrak held up his hand. ¡°Mayhap 2nd watch. You need to rest and heal now.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s right,¡± said Lund. ¡°You look like hell. A stiff wind would knock you down. Alice, you two bed down. Mery and I will take 1st watch. You and Dulrak can take second.¡±

    Alice nodded, took Isa¡¯s arm, and led her to the area where the armor had been. She grabbed the silvery cape that had lain in the sarcophagus and spread it out on the floor. ¡°Maybe it will keep the bugs away,¡± she said with a smile.

    Isa lay down, and Alice wrapped her arm around her. ¡°Sleep, love. Rest and heal.¡±

    ¡°Is that a spell?¡± Isa said. She¡¯d meant it as a joke, but her eyelids had become too heavy to hold open, and if Alice answered, Isa missed it because she was already asleep.

 Lockwood Chapter 40: Unexpected Visitor

    Isa slept through both 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> watches. When she awoke, Alice and Dulrak were chatting quietly. She joined them at the small fire, and Alice handed her a mug of tea. The room looked much as it had 10 hours before except that swept into the corner were a few dozen insects.

    Dulrak noticed Isa noticing and said, ¡°Poison spray twice over. We¡¯re no match for them, eh Ally?¡±

    ¡°No indeed, Rik.¡±

    ¡°Rik? Ally?¡± Isa looked from one to the other. ¡°What did I miss?¡±

    ¡°We had a spot of trouble ¨C insect trouble ¨C but we handled it, one-two.¡± Dulrak dusted his hands. Alice did the same and nodded. ¡°One-two,¡± she said. And they both started laughing.

    Isa sipped the tea. ¡°Has Alice told you more of our quest? The Shimmer?¡±

    ¡°A bit, and I approve. Balance, ever, in all things. Balance.¡±

    Alice leaned her head on Isa¡¯s shoulder. ¡°We need to talk alone,¡± she said softly.

    Mery joined them at the fire. Her hair was tangled on one side and flat on the other. ¡°This place reeks. Can we leave now?¡±

    Isa was still trying to understand what Alice had said. She looked at her girlfriend, and Alice smiled and brushed hair from Isa¡¯s face. It was a gentle touch, and what Isa saw in Alice¡¯s eyes wasn¡¯t hurt or anger, it was more sadness or a watchfulness that hadn¡¯t been there before. What had happened during the watch? ¡°Yes,¡± she said and nodded her head. Then she turned to Mery and handed her the mug of tea. ¡°Rough night?¡±

    ¡°Bad dreams. Better for the rest, sure what little rest I got.¡± She gulped down the tea. ¡°Hand me a hammer. I¡¯m walking through that door this morning.¡±

    ¡°That you will,¡± said Dulrak. ¡°With the knowledge of the clans in me, I studied the wall last night. I think a few good taps here and there, and we¡¯ll be out in good time.¡±

    While the other readied to tackle the wall, Isa and Alice stayed at the small fire. Both of them kept their faces forward, but Isa said, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    Alice took a sip of tea. ¡°This is hard to explain.¡±

    ¡°Are you--¡± Isa swallowed hard. ¡°Are you breaking up with me?¡±

    ¡°No! God, no.¡± Alice pivoted to look at Isa. ¡°I love you.¡±

    ¡°Then what?¡± Bad thoughts flew through Isa¡¯s mind. Alice was dying; she¡¯d been diagnosed back in Portland, but then she¡¯d been whisked here and--

    ¡°You¡¯re older,¡± Alice said abruptly. ¡°I could see it almost right away. That cat, that ghost jungle cat. It--¡± Alice stopped. ¡°It was scary. This whole thing,¡± she waved her hand in the air, ¡°is fucking scary. Like blow out the top of your head scary. Collapse in a sobbing heap scary.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re older, babe. Like, you look older. Here,¡± she touched the side of Isa¡¯s eye. ¡°And here.¡± She brushed Isa¡¯s lips. She studied Isa¡¯s face. ¡°It¡¯s not bad. Not at all. But, you look like you¡¯re in your 30¡¯s.¡± She bit her lip. ¡°Late 30¡¯s.¡±

    ¡°I look older. I look older? It¡¯s the light. Come on; it¡¯s the light.¡±

    ¡°Hmmm. Maybe. Or the stress.¡± Alice flashed a smile. ¡°But you feel OK, right? Strong and--¡±

    Isa stood up. ¡°I am not enfeebled, if that¡¯s what you mean.¡± She held out her hand. ¡°Let¡¯s help our friends get out of here. In the sunlight you¡¯ll see. You¡¯ll see that I¡¯m fine.¡±

    That¡¯s what she said to Alice, but in the back of her mind, Isa thought about how the sight of the panther had made her feel, the ice shard of fear that had lodged inside her, how helpless she¡¯d felt. Could that fear have manifested itself on her face? Certainly folklore says that fright can turn your hair gray. Isa pulled a strand of hair in front of her face. It looked as blonde as ever.

    She crossed her arms and said to Dulrak and Lund, ¡°How we doing?¡±Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    ¡°Mark my words,¡± said the dwarf, ¡°we¡¯ll be clear in no time, now.¡±

    True to his word, Dulrak, with Lund¡¯s help, breached the stone wall and cleared a big enough passage in less than two hours. Alice peered at the broken stone. ¡°This is like 4 inches thick! What a crazy gnome. She was trying to kill us.¡±

    Isa grabbed a piece of stone from the rubble. ¡°Or protect us. Nothing got in last night.¡± She dropped the stone and held up a finger. ¡°Beetles don¡¯t count.¡±

    ¡°So, we get to leave now?¡± asked Lund.

    ¡°After we finish the quest,¡± Alice said. ¡°First we have to enter the heart of the tomb.¡±

    ¡°It sounds really creepy when you say it like that,¡± said Isa.

    ¡°The center of the underground funereal structure. Is that better?¡±

    ¡°The lot of you are getting a bit dark mad,¡± Dulrak said as he looked at the others. ¡°It happens. No shame, but you must gather yourselves. As Alice says, the quest isn¡¯t yet fulfilled.¡± He picked up his warhammer, wiped away the stone dust, and tucked it into his belt. ¡°Cast your protective spells, say your prayers, cinch your armor, we venture forth.¡±

    Once more Dulrak cast the daylight spell on the cloth and handed the javelin to Alice, who held it above their heads as they left the chamber. Mery and Lund led the way with Alice and Isa behind and Dulrak in the rear. They moved down the short hallway and then followed as it turned south toward the center chamber.

    They¡¯d only gone a few feet when something heavy fell from the ceiling, knocking Alice to the ground. She lost her grip on the makeshift lantern, and the javelin and cloth landed against the wall. The cloth bunched as it fell so that the light it cast only reflected off the wall.

    In the weak light Isa saw a huge green snake writhing on the floor. It began to coil, its body sliding over Alice¡¯s leg. She cried out and tried to scoot away on her butt.

    Dulrak stomped one foot on the snake¡¯s body and brought his hammer down. Mery had pulled her new sword free, and now she used it to cut the snake in half.

    Lund picked up the lantern and held it high. Thin red blood had already begun to pool on the floor. He held out his hand and pulled Alice to her feet. ¡°You¡¯re alright, right?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± she said. ¡°A little bruised maybe.¡±

    ¡°Let me see you.¡± Isa stood in front of Alice and checked her eyes and her neck. ¡°It didn¡¯t land on your head, you¡¯re sure?¡±

    ¡°I think, I think it hit my shoulder. That¡¯s when I dropped the stick.¡± To Lund she said, ¡°I can take it back. I¡¯m OK.¡±

    Mery craned her neck up. ¡°More of those, you think?¡±

    Dulrak shrugged. ¡°A certain breed likes the dark places. We might run into more. This one¡¯s mate or children. But,¡± he put his warhammer away, it was easy to kill, so I shouldn¡¯t worry about it.¡± He tapped the snake carcass with his boot. ¡°Normally I¡¯d take the last third as meat. Snake is tasty right enough, but we have work to do, eh?¡±

    Mery started down the hall, walking slowly, but Isa called out, ¡°Is this the right way? Isn¡¯t this the way we came?¡±

    ¡°Tis the right way! Now hush so I can concentrate.¡±

    They moved slowly, with Mery checking every few feet for traps, and Alice keeping one wary eye on the ceiling. Isa couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that this wasn¡¯t the way to the center chamber, but that worry was pushed out of her head when up ahead, illuminated by Dulrak¡¯s daylight spell, a shadow crossed perpendicular to them from another passage.

    Mery began to creep toward the intersection of the 2 areas. Isa couldn¡¯t resist joining her. She peered out and saw the bandit captain that she¡¯d just recently killed walking slowly down across a small room. He had one hand covering his belly. Without thinking she said, ¡°But you¡¯re dead!¡±

    The man turned toward her. With his hand still covering his middle, he took 2 sliding steps towards Isa. Mery tried to sweep his legs out from under him, but she mis-judged his gait and swung too soon. Alice muttered a spell under her breath. Dulrak stooped, pinched a bit of sand between his fingers, said something in another language, and tossed the sand over his shoulder.

    Behind the bandit, a cloud of dust appeared, swirling over his head. If it was hurting him, he didn¡¯t show it. Mery landed a blow on his leg, and as the blade sliced into his flesh, Mery saw ¨C for just a flash that might have been her imagination ¨C a green glow to the wound.

    Lund pushed his way through and blinked at the bandit. ¡°Who woke him up?¡± he muttered as he swung his sword at the dead man¡¯s head. The tip of the greatsword sliced the bandit¡¯s face, severing the part of the cheek and jaw.

    With a hissing sound the bandit swung one arm at Lund. He hit the half-orc solidly in the stomach, and as Lund bent over from the blow, the bandit hit him again. Lund dropped his sword and he clenched at his middle with both arms.

    To answer the attack, Dulrak swung his hammer over his head and down on the bandit¡¯s shoulder. Alice came up beside him with her small crossbow cocked. Dulrak¡¯s arm hit Alice, and she stumbled toward the bandit.

    Isa watched in horror as the man¡¯s fist connected with Alice¡¯s face. Alice was knocked to the side by the force of the hit. At that moment she had no other thought than to kill (again) this bandit captain. She flew at him with her new glowing blade in hand, and as she swung it, she remembered that as a fighter, she could force another attack. Even as the first slash was parting the dead man¡¯s skin, Isa brought her other hand to the hilt of the blade and swung around for a second, two-handed attack. This blow landed just below the bandit¡¯s right knee, and the blade sliced clean through, toppling the man.

    The bandit yowled with rage as he tried to push himself up. Dulrak stepped forward and with a blow like he was splitting firewood, he brought his warhammer straight down on the dead bandit¡¯s head. He crumpled to the ground and didn¡¯t move.

    Current Hit Points:

    Alice HP 16

    Dulrak HP 67

    Isa HP 23

    Lund HP 41

    Mery HP 60

 Interlude 6a: Zombie Bandit Captain Combat

    Alice: freaked out

    Dulrak: rolls 23 for 9dam

    Isa: miss

    Mery: 20 for 7dam - snake dead

    R1

    Alice casts blindness at Cap. DC 14 CON and he rolls a 15.

    Lund two swings, two misses for Lund.

    Isa crit fail. Confused for a round. Takes no action.

    Mery rolls 14 - Cap AC = 15

    Bandit Cap 13 to hit Isa - miss, 2nd attack 11.

    Dulrak conjures Dust Devil behind BC. component - pinch of dust.

    A - acid arrow 16 to hit! 9 dam to BC

    L - two hits! 20 and 25 for 18 dam total

    I - CONFUSED!

    M - 26 to hit. for 5 dam (resistant to necrotic so 1 dam there) 6 dam total

    BC - attack Lund, who dealt most damamge. 1 crit, one miss. 22 dam and dropped weapon/dazed for a round. BC tries to "glare" at group but Dulrak''s dust devil attacks! Takes 5 damage and is pushed to the side.

    If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.D - warhammer (2 handed) hit for 23. for 8 dam.

    A - crossbow - crit fail. Reaction attack by BC with advantage. He rolls a 26 for 11 dam.

    L - picks up weapon but still too winded to attack. (gut punch by BC)

    I - Nat 20! 11 dam total so 22 dam total Bloodied.

    M - 24 to hit 10 dam +1 necrotic = 11 dam

    BC - Bellow in frustration - attack Isa. 15 (miss) and 21 to hit. for 11 dam

    D - warhammer! CRIT! 2-handed crit for 26 damage and he''s dead.

 Lockwood Chapter 41: Return of the Mummy

    Dulrak still had his hands on his hammer, which was still buried in the now re-killed bandit captain, when 2 more foes joined the fight. Shambling toward them, in his sable wrappings, was Menesia, the mummy king. Behind him, holding a candle aloft, was a young man wearing a black and yellow robe. He had black dust smeared across his eyes and lips, and he was chanting as he matched the mummy¡¯s pace.

    Dulrak dropped the handle of the hammer and conjured a flaming blade. With a fierce cry, he swept the blade at the mummy and seared its midsection. As he finished his stroke, the mummy punched Dulrak in the stomach. The dwarf stumbled, and his flame blade disappeared, but he kept his feet.

    Suddenly Lund was beside him, and with a flurry of action, he hit the mummy 3 times with his greatsword. The young priest stopped chanting and pulled a pouch from his robe. Alice fired magic missile darts at the priest and the mummy, but neither seemed to notice them.

    Mery, who had moved toward the priest, cheered Alice¡¯s attack. As she swung at the priest she said, ¡°You¡¯re an inspiration, Princess!¡±

    Isa circled to the far side of the mummy and brought her light blade in an upward swing to catch him under the arm. The blade shone with radiant light as it connected and seemed to burn even brighter as it cut through some of the wrappings. The sable cloth fell away, and under them Isa could see withered, leathery skin.

    The mummy let out a screeching roar and raised its arms over its head. The sound seemed to crash into Isa like a slap, and she blinked with surprise at the force. While she was still reeling, a foul wind swept past her, and Isa doubled over, retching.

    As the nausea left her, she turned to see Lund stagger and fall on his backside, like a man who¡¯d just gotten bad news. And Alice, Alice dropped like a sack.

    Isa fell to her knees almost as if their bodies were connected. She started to crawl toward Alice, but then the end of a sable bandage hit Isa in the face, she twisted her whole body to stare up at the looming figure of the mummy king! He¡¯d take his retribution for the damage that she¡¯d done to him.

    All thoughts of Alice, the group, their quest, they all were swept from Isa¡¯s mind, replaced by fear. Skin-crawling, icy fear that left Isa frozen on the ground.

    ¡°Ha, you wretch!¡± Dulrak hit his chest. ¡°Come take me on.¡±

    The mummy pivoted slightly, pointed one wrapped hand at Dulrak and mumbled a few words. The dwarf whipped his head back as if he¡¯d been slapped. He put his hand to the side of his face and flicked something from his fingers.

    In the shadowy light Isa couldn¡¯t tell what had hit him, but as she watched, Dulrak¡¯s eyes narrowed, and he lowered his head almost like he was going to charge at the mummy like a bull. He began to chant, and his breath came in gasps. His voice rolled like gravel through the small room, and Isa suddenly felt a new fear ¨C fear of this dwarf druid and the power that lay curled inside him.

    Lund was suddenly beside Isa, and he caught the mummy king in the leg as he stepped forward. The blow severed the mummy¡¯s leg, and it went down to its knees. Lund¡¯s second blow knocked him prone. As the mummy king lay at his feet, Lund reached over and grabbed the javelin with the lighted cloth attached to it, and he drove it straight down through the mummy¡¯s chest.

    Mery knelt beside Alice and cast a healing spell. As Isa watched, Mery lightly touched Alice¡¯s forehead and whispered in her ear. But Isa had planned on doing that! She was going to cast spare the dying, and then she was going to cast healing on Alice as soon as it was safe. But now Mery had taken that from her.

    With an outstretched hand, Mery brought Alice to her feet. And before either of them could react, the priest was beside them. He clutched Mery¡¯s arm and spoke softly. The words hissed from him, and Mery¡¯s face seemed to twist with every syllable.

    To the priest Alice said, ¡°Hey! You! Listen to me.¡± She broke eye contact with him to open her spell pouch. Her fingers fumbled through the contents as Alice looked up and resumed speaking. To the priest she said, ¡°You are going to leave her alone. You¡¯re gonna sit down and stop attacking. You¡¯re gonna¡ªWhere is it?¡± She looked down at the pouch, and the priest grabbed Alice¡¯s chin, spoke a word, and spit in her face.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    Alice fell away gagging and landed on her hands and knees vomiting.

    The priest smiled, but then Mery had her hands on both sides of his face. ¡°Hey, ya blighter, listen to me. Sit down and tell us how to really kill the mummy. Kill him dead.¡±

    With that she shoved the priest away from her, and he sat down at once. He opened his mouth and said, ¡°Vazo al yve balabini yak. Ates v ayar.¡±

    ¡°In Common!¡± Mery crossed her arms and glared down at the priest.

    He looked startled and shook his head.

    Dulrak stepped toward them, and the light showed that the left side of his face was a mass of rippling flesh as if he¡¯d suffered a burning wound. Isa finally found the voice to say, ¡°What the hell happened to you?¡±

    ¡°Some sort of rot. Feels like it¡¯s healing already. Dwarves are hearty. Now,¡± he leaned down with his hands on his knees. ¡°Ku¡¯zuguma ekconna?¡±

    The priest nodded once. ¡°Moto seti.¡± He covered his heart with his hands. ¡°Moyo maya seti sa.¡±

    ¡°You speak¡ª¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Dulrak answered Mery. ¡°I know some ekconna. Almost have to if you want to survive the winter in the Hinter, don¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°What did he say?¡± asked Alice.

    ¡°He says we take the heart and burn it.¡±

    ¡°So we can just set the whole body on fire.¡± Lund dropped his pack and began to unpack his kindling.

    ¡°No,¡± said Alice. ¡°He¡¯s a mummy. His organs are gone.¡± She chewed her lip. ¡°His heart could be anywhere. Might not even be in this tomb.¡±

    ¡°You think those assholes took the urn?¡± Isa put her hands on her hips as anger flared. If Dockma and Flanor had the urn, there was no way for them to truly kill the mummy without first wasting time tracking them down.

    ¡°Which assholes?¡± asked Mery. The first ones or the second?¡± Isa shook her head in confusion. She said, ¡°Who was the first?¡±

    ¡°The bandits,¡± Mery replied. ¡°You said they took off running. Maybe that¡¯s because they got what they came for.¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Alice shook her head. ¡°No, that can¡¯t be.¡±

    Just then the priest reached toward Mery with a hand wreathed in swirling shadow. As he grabbed her hand, the swirling shadows raced up Mery¡¯s arm and to her chest. Just as quickly, it raced back to the priest. He grinned at Mery and said something.

    She shuddered and then swallowed. ¡°You¡¯re all alone,¡± she whispered. ¡°Alone and injured. Aren¡¯t you scared? Run. Run, run, run.¡±

    Her words didn¡¯t seem to affect the priest, but Lund dropped his sword and backed up. On the other side of the room Dulrak had tipped a few drops of water into his palm where it formed a knife made of ice. With a word, he shot the knife right at the priest¡¯s head, but the aim was just off, and the knife shattered uselessly behind the priest.

    Isa took advantage of the chaos to step beside Alice and cast a sanctuary spell. Shimmering light descended on Alice as Isa spoke the words and used her silver Lockwood necklace to catch and reflect the light of the daylight spell.

    Alice knelt and loaded her small crossbow. She seemed oblivious to the work that Isa had just accomplished. ¡°Babe,¡± Isa spoke softly. ¡°Don¡¯t undo my work. Just get back, right? You are badly hurt.¡±

    ¡°Everyone is hurt. You, Lund, everyone.¡± Alice took careful aim and fired the crossbow at the priest. ¡°Yes! Got him.¡± Alice crouched to load the weapon again, and Isa stepped in front of her. She activated the sun blade again and took a swing at the priest, but he was just out of her reach. To get closer, though, that would expose Alice to his line of sight.

    ¡°Lund!¡± Isa called out to her friend. ¡°Dulrak? I need you guys.¡± She spared a glance to her right and saw Lund still frozen in the shadows. He seemed to be as frightened as she¡¯d been with the ghost. ¡°Lund, listen. Lund!¡± She waited to see if he would reply or move toward her, but in the silence she heard the priest casting another spell, and she swung her sword back at him.

    Before she could think of what to do, Isa heard a choking sound behind her. She whirled around to find Alice fighting with a large skeletal hand that had attached itself to her throat. As Isa watched, the hand squeezed Alice¡¯s neck, bony fingers digging into the flesh. The massive hand almost encircled Alice¡¯s neck as it attacked. Alice held onto the bit of wrist that the hand had; she held on, pulling the hand away from her throat.

    As Isa reached over to help pull the hand away, the fingers went limp, and the hand suddenly hung like a necklace from Alice¡¯s throat.

    Alice reached up and tried to yank the hand away, but it stayed in place, fingers locked at the base of Alice¡¯s skull.

    ¡°Alice, let me¡ª¡±

    ¡°Go! Go kill.¡± That was all Alice could manage before coughing again. She grabbed Isa¡¯s arm and stared into her eyes, as if to reinforce her words. Then she was looking in her bag again, and she pulled out the jar of ointment she¡¯d found. ¡°Heal,¡± she rasped out and smiled.

    ¡°OK,¡± Isa returned the smile and faced the priest again. From the corner of her eye, she spied a huge snake rise almost to the ceiling and prepare to strike. She moved toward the snake, sword out, when Lund yelled out, ¡°It¡¯s Dulrak. The snake! Don¡¯t kill him.¡±

    The priest had also turned toward the towering snake, and that was all the distraction Mery needed. She flashed into the center of the room and ran her new sword right into the priest. Her blow hit him just above the belly button. He stood for a moment with both of his hands cupped lightly around Mery¡¯s hand and sword hilt before slumping over. Slight as he was, the priest would have knocked Mery down if a giant snake hadn¡¯t slid between them.

    From Isa¡¯s vantage, it looked like the snake grazed the tip of Mery¡¯s nose as it pushed the priest over to land on his back. Mery¡¯s fingers let the sword hilt go so that her weapon went down with the body.

    And then it was Dulrak standing over the dead priest. He plucked the sword from the dead man and handed it carefully to Mery.

 Interlude 7a Mummy King Combat #2

    D - Flame Blade! 16 to hit MK. for 7 dam

    Mummy King - Glare at Dulrak - D passes his check! Fist at D ouch 16 to hit. for 12 dam + 23 necrotic

    L - 2 attacks plus SURGE! 15, 21, 25 to hit. for 32 dam total

    I - 17 to hit. sun blade - 2handed. 13 dam MK now bloodied and he unleashes blashmemous word! DC 16 CON. Dulrak fails, Isa fails. Stunned for a round.

    A- magic missile 2nd lvl so 2 darts at wiz for 8dam and 2 darts at MK for 6 dam

    M - 13 at wiz. miss. bardic inspiration to Alice 1 d6.

    Wiz - Circle of Death! crushed black pearl. DC 15 CON Alice fails (knocks her to 0). Lund fails. 22 dam. everyone else 11 dam

    D - stunned

    MK - Glare at Isa. fails - she is frightened. MK casts contagion on Dulrak - Flesh Rot == vulnerable to ALL damage, disad on CHA checks.

    L - 2 attacks at MK both hit! for 20 dam kills MK. (again)

    I - FRIGHTENED!

    A - 17 for 1st death saving throw.

    M - cure wounds - Alice. for 14HP!

    Wiz - Bestow curse - Mery (who just healed someone) Mery fails WIS saving throw Curse= extra 1d8 necrotic damage on every hit.

    D - Dulrak makes his Flesh Rot saving throw DC 17 CON and D rolled a 22 (nat 20+2) then he casts BLIGHT! against Wiz. DC 14. Wiz makes it (rolled a 15) half damage - 17 dam.

    L - Lund is going to drive a javelin thru MK''s chest to pin him, in case he re-re-reanimates.

    I - 17 to hit 11 dam to wizard

    A - tries to cast Suggestion (my bad - she doesn''t have anymore spell slots at this level) - Wiz makes saving throw. and attack of opportunity.... (Alice doesn''t really have the juice for another 2nd lvl spell) ray of sickness for 4 dam to Alice.

    M - makes perception check to understand what Alice is doing. tries Suggestion and wiz fails save this time. Mery: "Sit down and tell us how to really kill the mummy."

    Stolen novel; please report.Wiz literally follows Mery''s suggestion. Sits and speaks. He doesn''t speak Common. (sad trombone)

    <div>

    A - ray of frost but it missess.

    I - casts sanctuary for Alice. uses her Lockwood necklace as the "mirror"

    M - casts dissonant whispers at wiz. he makes save so 7 damaage.

    Wiz - tries chilling touch at Mery but fails attack.

    L - crit fail on 1st attack. panicked for one round.

    D - shakes out some water makes ice knife. knife misses and shattered against the wall.

    A - crossbow 20 to hit. for max damamge - 11! The attack ends the sanctuary spell.

    I - 14 to hit (misses)

    M - damn, Mery rolls an 12 - with advantage!

    Wiz - Casts chill touch at Alice (who damaged him last.) Skeletal hand grasps Alice''s throat. 6 points necrotic damage to Alice and she can''t be healed until end of Wizard''s next turn. Hand stays there until end of Wiz turn.

    L - PANIC!

    D - shapeshift into giant snake!

    A - opens jar of ointment and uses one dose. WHICH DOES NOTHING (because of the necrotic nature of the spell). So 1 dose gone. damn.

    I - rolls 11. sigh.

    M - Mery rolls a nat 20! 18 damage + 2 necrotic from the "wounding" part of the sword for 20 total and the wizard is dead.

    Alice HP 4

    Dulrak HP 32

    Isa HP 12

    Lund HP 19

    Mery HP 38

 Lockwood Chapter 42: The Heart of the Tomb, Part 1

    ¡°That¡¯s quite a party trick, the snake,¡± Mery said to Dulrak.

    The dwarf shrugged. ¡°Selvank grants his druids the small miracle of transformation, but it¡¯s not something I really like to do. I never feel quite myself for a long while. In this case, it seemed like a good plan, but I needn¡¯t have bothered.¡± He pointed at the sword at Mery¡¯s hip. ¡°You should give that blade a name.¡±

    ¡°Becoming a snake didn¡¯t heal the wound.¡± Isa waved her hand at her face. ¡°Your face.¡±

    ¡°No, it can¡¯t do that,¡± said Dulrak, and he touched the scar tissue gently. ¡°I was never a great one for the ladies anyway.¡±

    Lund knelt beside the priest and tugged off the dead man¡¯s belt. ¡°Why¡¯d he even attack?¡± he said to Mery. ¡°I thought you had him under your control.¡±

    ¡°Suggestion is a delicate balance. You have a dozen words ¨C at most ¨C to say what you want. I thought, since we were talking all civil, that we¡¯d¡ª¡±

    ¡°Shake hands? Go your separate ways.¡± Lund leafed through a small book that he¡¯d pulled from the priest¡¯s body.

    ¡°Is that his notebook?¡± asked Alice. She started to stand but fell back.

    Isa rushed to Alice and felt her forehead. ¡°Here, I saved one spell for you. Let me heal you, love.¡± She laid her hand on Alice¡¯s shoulder and spoke the holy words that sat at the edge of her tongue. A green glow seemed to coalesce over Alice¡¯s head and then dissolve.

    ¡°She¡¯s not the only hurt one,¡± said Dulrak. ¡°You and Lund aren¡¯t in much better shape. Here, let me help.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve got a potion.¡± Lund waved him away.

    ¡°No, you don¡¯t,¡± said Alice. ¡°You used it.¡±

    Lund reached for his own belt and came away empty.

    ¡°It¡¯s been quite a few days.¡± Dulrak patted Lund¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Meeting you four has proved exciting. And we¡¯re not through it yet. Let me help.¡±

    As soon as Dulrak moved away from Lund, Alice joined him beside the dead priest. ¡°Is that his notebook? I want to see if I can figure out what spells he cast ¨C both for my sake and Rik¡¯s.¡± She looked up at the dwarf and smiled. ¡°Scars are interesting and all, but if we can cure you, heal your face, we have to try.¡±

    The dwarf growled, but then he smiled. ¡°We can worry about restoring my beauty when we¡¯re done with the work at hand. He finished healing Isa, and then said, ¡°We have an urn to find. Anything useful in his things?¡±

    Lund shook his head. ¡°A few coins, a piece of obsidian, and a small book about some noble family.¡± He flashed the book up and then looked at the cover again. ¡°Ever heard of House Fystead? Me neither, but someone wrote a book about it.¡±

    Alice looked up from the book in her lap. ¡°His name was Grego Fibroke. Fibroke, Fystead¡­. Poor relation maybe?¡±

    Mery sighed. ¡°Unless that book is going to tell us where the mummy¡¯s heart is, you need to put that away until later.¡±This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    ¡°As a matter of fact¡­¡± Alice began, and Isa clapped her hands and said, ¡°My brilliant girlfriend.¡±

    ¡°Actually no.¡± Alice closed the priest¡¯s notebook. ¡°There¡¯s nothing there. Wishful thinking.¡±

    ¡°No quests, no notations?¡± asked Lund.

    ¡°His main quest is ¡®Serve Milgar, Lord of Decay.¡¯¡±

    ¡°Nice one for the old resume,¡± Isa muttered.

    ¡°Does that sound familiar to you?¡± Lund asked Dulrak. ¡°This is your land, not ours.¡±

    Dulrak frowned. ¡°There are many gods in the Hinterlands, and this not the land of my birth.¡±

    ¡°Is that a ¡®yes¡¯ or a ¡®no¡¯? Because I can¡¯t tell.¡± Mery rested her hand on her hilt.

    Alice stepped forward, not quite between Dulrak and Mery. ¡°What¡¯s happening? What¡¯s with the aggro, Mery?¡±

    ¡°We don¡¯t know who this guy is! He might be a mole, a spy. What was he doing here anyway? Maybe he was meeting up with the bandits, and we got in the way.¡±

    Dulrak scratched his beard and stretched. ¡°What could I say to make you believe me?¡± He shrugged. ¡°Nothing. Nothing I could say is going to convince you of my intentions if you¡¯ve made up your mind. So I say this: forget words; look to the deeds.¡±

    ¡°He did kill the mummy,¡± said Lund.

    ¡°You killed the mummy,¡± said Alice.

    ¡°The second time. He killed him the first time.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s done nothing but help us.¡± Isa slid her hand into Alice¡¯s. ¡°At every turn.¡±

    Alice looked at Isa. ¡°He could have killed us all last night, and he didn¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s always worth asking the questions.¡± Mery addressed Dulrak. ¡°I¡¯m not wrong; we made common cause, yes but¡­.¡±

    Lund raised his hands above his head. ¡°First inn we come to, drinks are on me, but right now we need to find that urn. Otherwise we¡¯ll be taking turns killing this mummy, and I don¡¯t relish that.¡±

    ¡°Alright then, settled. We¡¯re not always going to agree. Druids, we¡¯re a queer lot, I don¡¯t deny it. But my heart is true.¡± Dulrak then held up his hands and walked around the small chamber as if trying to sense which direction to go.

    He said, ¡°Either the heart urn is here, or it¡¯s not.¡± This was met with silence. ¡°And since we¡¯re here, we should make a thorough search of the complex because the chances are just as good that the heart is here rather than stored elsewhere.¡±

    ¡°Ha!¡± Mery slapped her hands. ¡°It¡¯s here. It¡¯s here, somewhere. The quest ¨C the quest that poxy bandit had proves it.¡± She snapped her fingers at Alice. ¡°You, walking, breathing compendium, what was their quest? What did it say again? ¡®Recover¡¯¡­¡­¡±

    Alice broke into a smile. ¡°I told you: I didn¡¯t read it, but I remember the important part. ¡¯Recover the crown and urn.¡¯¡±

    ¡°What if Dockma took it, though?¡± said Isa. ¡°She got the crown, why not the urn?¡±

    ¡°Fuck!¡± Mery threw her hands up. ¡°Thanks for ruining my day, Isa.¡±

    Lund had been silent standing near the mummy¡¯s body. He reached down and pulled one of its arms away from the torso. He pulled out a hand axe and began to hack at the mummy¡¯s elbow joint.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Mery cried. ¡°Have you lost your mind?¡± In response he tossed the severed forearm to Mery, who batted it away.

    ¡°We don¡¯t know,¡± Lund said, ¡°when this thing will wake up again ¨C if it will wake up again now that the priest is dead.¡±

    ¡°Plenty more priests; we can count on that,¡± Alice said softly.

    Isa looked at her sharply. ¡°You think so?¡±

    ¡°Well, yeah. Where did he come from, Mister Fibroke? He was trained and supported by someone or a lot of someones, probably.¡±

    ¡°You two,¡± Mery poked her index and pinkie fingers at Isa and Alice, ¡°are the good news twins. So just keep your insights to yourselves, alright? What this group needs ¨C besides a good night¡¯s sleep ¨C is a short rest. Just an hour. And I can weave a little musical magical mystical spell to enhance your relaxation. Agreed?¡±

    Alice peeked at her notebook. ¡°I¡¯m in,¡± she said. To Isa she muttered, ¡°I have 16 fucking HP. I¡¯m still technically bloodied.¡±

    Isa dropped to the floor. ¡°I¡¯m in, too. Resting.¡±

    Lund picked up the mummy king¡¯s severed arm. ¡°You could use this as a club. If you had to. In a pinch.¡±

    ¡°Improvised weapon,¡± Isa muttered.

    ¡°I think you could categorize it as a club,¡± said Alice. ¡°DM¡¯s choice, of course.¡±

    ¡°Who¡¯s our DM? Ysel? Is that how it works, do you think?¡±

    Alice shrugged and laid her head on Isa¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Shhh. Your girlfriend needs her beauty sleep.¡±

    ***************

    Current Hit Points

    Alice HP 16

    Dulrak HP 32

    Isa HP 23

    Lund HP 31

    Mery HP 38

 Lockwood Chapter 43: Never Split the Party

    Everyone stretched out on the floor, trying to find comfort on the sandy stones. Mery began to sing softly, and Isa felt herself drifting to sleep, even as part of her was amazed at such a feat. What if the mummy woke up again? What if more killer priests showed up?

    But these thoughts broke apart almost as soon as Isa thought them, and a blanket of gray calm seemed to settle on her.

    Sometime later she opened her eyes to the gloom of the small chamber where they¡¯d laid down. Had it been an hour or 5 minutes? Her notebook would tell her how many hit points she had, but to get to it, she¡¯d have to sit up and open her shoulder bag. Wait until you hear someone else stirring, she told herself.

    To pass the time Isa let her mind drift. Images of Oaks Bottom Park flitted by, then Ysel, as Isa had first met Her by the tree, before Isa knew that She was a goddess. All of her adventurers in Varana, nothing had prepared her for this tomb and its denizens. Had that ghost cat really aged her? Surreptitiously she held the back of her hand out for inspection. Her grandmother had always said that a woman first shows her age in her hands. Was that blood? Christ, what would her grandmother think of that?

    Isa rubbed the dark streak, and flakes of red fluttered to the floor. In this light it was impossible to judge how her hands looked. Once they were out of this stupid tomb and in the bright light of day, Isa could get a good look at herself, take stock, and know if Alice was right.

    And what then? Can you reverse something like this? Would another cleric ¨C a powerful one ¨C be able to restore her age? But what would that even mean? What had Isa lost, really?

    Alice touched her shoulder. ¡°Stop fidgeting,¡± she whispered.

    She rolled toward Alice and softly said, ¡°Do I really look old?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m trying to heal, my love. Quiet.¡±

    ¡°But¡ª¡±

    Alice put her hand on Isa¡¯s stomach. ¡°Shhh.¡±

    Isa stared at the ceiling and tried to clear her mind. Maybe she should try mediation or take up yoga. Staying limber is important, after all. Of course, so is nutrition. She and Alice could both stand to take a multivitamin, and¡ª

    Isa sat up. ¡°I¡¯m old!¡± She put her head in her hands. ¡°I¡¯m having old people thoughts, and I don¡¯t know what to do about it.¡±

    Mery groaned and sat up. ¡°Growing older is what happens to lucky adventurers, so count your blessed stars.¡±

    ¡°Has it been an hour?¡± Lund held his arms straight up. ¡°I feel good.¡±

    Dulrak pulled out his notebook, flipped a few pages, and nodded. ¡°Not sure we can expect much better considering the accommodations.¡±

    Alice stood and retrieved her own notebook. ¡°That¡¯s great ¨C just one point off from max points for me.¡± She turned a few more pages. ¡°And I recovered enough magic for two more spells. Forgot about that. And I hope I don¡¯t need them.¡±

    Isa started to look at her notebook, but she realized that her age was listed on the front page, and did she really want to see her fears confirmed in ink? She¡¯d look next time she leveled but not before.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking,¡± said Lund. ¡°We have a lot of searching to do; we should split up.¡±

    Everyone began to talk at once, and when the din died down Alice said, ¡°He¡¯s right. I know it¡¯s a stupid idea ¨C you never split the party, but we don¡¯t have a lot of time.¡±

    Isa shook her head. ¡°There¡¯s five of us, babe. How does this even work?¡±

    ¡°If it¡¯s even numbers you crave,¡± Dulrak smiled, ¡°I can conjure up a dire wolf or a bear quick as you like.¡±If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

    ¡°But¡ª¡±

    ¡°We have two hallways,¡± said Lund. ¡°And every minute we spend searching for that urn is another minute for that mummy to wake up or revive or whatever it is that happens.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t forget the priests,¡± said Alice.

    ¡°If we do this¡­.¡± Mery held out a finger. ¡°If. How are we going to communicate?¡±

    Lund laughed. ¡°The bard asks this question? You have message. I¡¯ve seen you use it hundreds of times.¡±

    ¡°What if we get out of range?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve got message too, and I have Peck,¡± said Alice. ¡°I can summon him, and if we find something, I can send him to find the other group.¡±

    ¡°Two groups?¡± said Isa.

    ¡°Two hallways.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not exactly accurate.¡± Alice pointed down the straightaway. ¡°Three hallways. That one just happens to be where we came in, and maybe we missed something or maybe there¡¯s a room that¡¯s now blocked off with that trap we triggered.¡±

    ¡°Who¡¯s got the map? There were marks on it, right?¡± Lund looked around. ¡°One on each side? I say we explore this side and see what happens.¡±

    Alice pulled the rude map from her pocket. ¡°If we can believe this, there is something on this side.¡± She pointed at the mark on the right side of the paper. ¡°The author of this map thought it was important.¡±

    ¡°Fine,¡± said Mery. ¡°Me and Isa and Lund. You and Dulrak and his animal friends.¡±

    ¡°Wait a minute. I didn¡¯t say that I wanted to go with you. Maybe it should be me and Alice and Lund.¡± Isa crossed her arms.

    ¡°Dulrak and Lund could go,¡± said Alice.

    ¡°The fighters together?¡± Mery shook her head.

    ¡°Dulrak, Lund, what do you think?¡± asked Isa.

    Lund said, ¡°Isa, Mery, and me. Alice, you and Dulrak make a good pair, and he can heal.¡±

    Dulrak shook his head. ¡°Alice will have her bird; I will have my wolves. That should be two separate groups. The animals can be our messengers. No distance penalty.¡±

    ¡°Oh. My. God.¡± Mery clutched her head. ¡°Boys and girls. Done. Let¡¯s go.¡± She marched toward the northern hallway.

    ¡°I guess¡­.¡± Alice shrugged, and Lund nodded. He said, ¡°We could spend a day and a night debating. Be careful, go slow, and send Peck if you find something or need help.¡±

    Isa nodded. ¡°Same. Send one of the¡ª¡±

    Just then Dulrak finished his spell and two large wolves now stood in front of the dwarf, one white, one black. He looked at Lund. ¡°I almost feel like we should send one with them.¡± When Lund nodded, Dulrak bent to the white dire wolf and whispered in its ear.

    A moment later it was beside Isa, and Dulrak said, ¡°Her name is Arna, and she¡¯s a good and true friend.¡±

    With that Isa and Alice hurried to catch up with Mery whose dancing lights were casting shadows on the low ceiling of the passageway. The bard herself waited 20 feet down the hall. Arna padded along beside Isa, the dire wolf¡¯s shoulders almost even with Isa¡¯s hip.

    ¡°Did we make the right choice?¡± Alice asked.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. We might not know until we¡¯re all back together again.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Alice said softly. ¡°There¡¯s a reason that players never want to split the party.¡±

    ¡°More game talk?¡± Mery rolled her eyes. ¡°But you brought a friend!¡± Mery knelt down to let Arna sniff her hand. As if in response, the dire wolf bared her teeth and let out a low growl.

    ¡°Mery?¡± Isa felt the hair on her nape rise.

    ¡°Dogs love me. I don¡¯t¡ª¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not you,¡± said Alice. ¡°It¡¯s them.¡± She pointed at the three men standing the room behind Mery.

    Spoiler: New Hit Points

    New Hit Points (short rest + song of rest - all but Dulrak used 4 hit dice)

    Alice HP 4+12= 16+ 14 and 2 spells = 30 HP

    Dulrak HP 32 +17 and 4 spells 49 total out of 67? More hit dice! 49+14= 63 HP (used all hit dice)

    Isa HP 12+11= 23 + 26 at MAX 34 HP

    Lund HP 19+12= 31+ 36 at MAX 63 HP

    Mery HP 38+23 at MAX 60 HP

 Lockwood Chapter 44: Cultists

    Three men in black and yellow robes stood just within the chamber. They seemed as surprised to see Isa and friends as Isa was to see them. The first to react was the Arna, the white dire wolf. She barreled past Mery, and launched herself at the tallest man, the one with the claw necklace. Arna hit the man squarely in the chest, and they both went down.

    As the man scrambled to his feet, his two companions brought their maces down on Arna, hitting the dire wolf on the head and back. As the maces landed, a swoosh of light left the weapons, and Arna yelped as if burned.

    Isa grabbed the hilt of her radiant blade and felt some reassurance when the line of yellow flame appeared. Why hadn¡¯t she had it out before? And where had these new foes come from?

    She tried to put the thoughts from her mind as she stepped toward the tall man. He fixed his eyes on Isa and began to chant. The words he spoke were meaningless to Isa, but they filled her mind with shadows and pulled at her stomach, making her feel weak and nauseated. Moving through the discomfort, Isa swung her sword at the man and sliced across his chest.

    The dire wolf had gotten up and once more jumped at the tall man, grabbing his arm in her mouth and shaking it. Blood and saliva flew as the dire wolf moved back and forth, as if to pull his arm out of the socket.

    One of the other men kicked Arna to make her release her hold on the tall man¡¯s arm. He fell away, clutching his arm and blood flowed freely. Both men laid hands on the tall man and murmured in their language, and even though she didn¡¯t understand the words, Isa recognized the intent: they were healing him.

    Even as his wolf bite closed over, a bloom of frost spread across his neck. Alice had unleashed her frostbite spell. Mery shifted to the side and sliced at the legs of one of the clerics. He buckled and almost fell.

    Isa moved to the other side, trying to flank the men and prevent them from healing their leader again. She tried to spy any other doors in the room. Would more enemies arrive to join the fight? Or had these three been hiding here the whole time?

    A shadowy spot on the wall caught Isa¡¯s eye. Was that a half-hidden door? And as her attention left the battle, the leader reached out and almost caressed Isa¡¯s cheek. She felt lightheaded as if she¡¯d spun herself around several times, and the place where the tall man had touched her felt cold.

    He smiled now and said something to Isa. His voice was low and intimate, as if they shared a secret.

    ¡°Isa! Alice!¡± Mery¡¯s voice cut through the foggy feeling that had begun to creep into Isa¡¯s mind. ¡°Chin up, you two! Help is on the way!¡±

    Help? Isa blinked, stepped back, and tried to clear her head. I have to help myself; I have to survive this fight. ¡°Second. Wind,¡± she said softly and immediately felt better. Stolen novel; please report.

    Before Isa could raise her sword again the tall man was speaking again. He swept his arm out, and in Common he said, ¡°All weapons away and sit.¡±

    Isa tucked her hilt into her belt and dropped to the ground.

    One of the clerics laughed and brought his mace around like a baseball bat, catching Isa in her stomach.

    The blow knocked Isa to the side. Gasping for breath, she tried to push herself upright and collapsed back; the effort proved too much. Feet scuffled in front of Isa¡¯s face, and she heard more chanting. As before, the tall man touched Isa. This time he held her arm, and she felt dizzy and weak. His touch was cool and gentle, and for a moment Isa thought it must be Lund, but then her skin was on fire, and his grip was a vice squeezing her arm until she thought her bones would crumble.

    Isa heard Alice¡¯s voice saying, ¡°Hold on.¡± And then she slipped into darkness.

    What seemed like a moment later, Isa woke to Alice kneeling beside her. Alice stroked Isa¡¯s arm where the man had burned her, and where Alice touched felt better. Where there had been a crawling, burning sensation, there was now coolness.

    ¡°I smell lavender,¡± Isa muttered.

    Alice kissed her cheek, and Isa caught Alice and pulled her down for a long kiss. ¡°I thought¡ª¡±

    ¡°I know,¡± said Alice.

    ¡°That man, he¡ª¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s gone.¡± Alice put a hand on Isa¡¯s shoulder to keep her prone. ¡°Stay still. Everything is under control.¡±

    From behind her Isa heard Dulrak say, ¡°It¡¯s not here. It must be back where Lund and I were heading. If it¡¯s here at all.¡±

    ¡°The urn is here,¡± said Alice. ¡°It has to be.¡±

    ¡°Then we need to get it.¡± Isa propped herself up on her elbows.

    ¡°Tell you what,¡± Mery said. ¡°You and Dulrak stay here and guard this little secret tunnel, and the rest of us will go back and look for the urn.¡±

    ¡°Agreed,¡± Dulrak tucked his thumbs into his belt. ¡°Me and Batraz,¡± he patted the black dire wolf beside him, ¡°and Isa.¡±

    ¡°As for you,¡± Mery pointed a finger at Alice. ¡°Maybe you could actually summon that damned crow now?¡±

    ¡°Peck!¡± Alice touched her copper bracelet. ¡°There wasn¡¯t time before. Those men, they¡ª¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I was surprised, too," Mery admitted.

    A black crow appeared on Alice¡¯s shoulder and let out a harsh cry. ¡°You¡¯ve missed some fun,¡± Alice told him.

    ¡°Right then.¡± Mery rubbed her hands. ¡°Dulrak, wolf, Isa. You three stay here and keep watch. That fucking wizard might find his courage and a dozen friends and return, so¡ª¡±

    ¡°Wait. What?¡± Isa looked from Mery to Alice. ¡°You said he was gone.¡± She started to get up and got as far as a sitting position.

    ¡°Gone, not dead. But he¡¯s hurt. The blood trail shows that.¡±

    Dulrak pulled his warhammer from his belt. ¡°We¡¯ll send Batraz if we get visitors.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll send Peck,¡± said Alice.

    ¡°And message,¡± added Mery.

    ¡°But we¡¯ll be back well before that.¡± Lund spoke for the first time since Isa had woken. He leaned over and held out his hand. ¡°They knock you down, Isa Chamberlin, but you keep getting up, don¡¯t you?¡±

    Isa took his hand and got to her feet. ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure the point is to not get knocked down, but I appreciate the sentiment.¡±

    Spoiler: Current Hit Points<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Alice HP 30

    Isa HP 11

    Mery HP 56

    Dulrak HP 63

    Lund HP 36

 Lockwood Chapter 45: Guard Duty

    <h2></h2>

    Dulrak stood facing the secret door that presumably led out of the tomb.

    ¡°Should we venture down that way?¡± asked Isa.

    The dwarf shook his head. ¡°Too dangerous.¡±

    ¡°We can¡¯t just stand here.¡± Isa looked around the dimly-lit room.

    ¡°Sure we can. Or better yet, you should sit.¡±

    Isa opened her mouth to protest, and then decided that she really didn¡¯t feel all that great, so she sat down. With her back propped up on a side wall, Isa pulled her knees to her chest. ¡°Do you know these guys? I mean, have you encountered them before?¡±

    Dulrak shook his head. ¡°There are many cults in the area. The Hinter, it¡¯s a harsh place, makes the folk who live here pull together. It¡¯s survival, at least at the start, but to keep the tribe together, you have to find commonality. Language, custom.¡± Dulrak waved a hand. ¡°Religion. Surely you have those things where you¡¯re from.¡±

    Isa shrugged. ¡°Some places more than others.¡±

    Dulrak nodded and patted the black dire wolf on the side. The wolf was almost as tall as the dwarf. He scratched the dire wolf between the ears, and Isa heard him say, ¡°We¡¯ll see Arna a little later. Need to conserve my spells, right?¡±

    When had the white dire wolf left? Isa tried to think back to the battle. Arna had almost ripped that wizard¡¯s arm off ¨C Isa remembered that. If only she had. Might have saved Isa some trouble. And then Alice was beside her, with her crossbow in hand. But that was about the last thing Isa remembered.

    Alice. She seemed so unfazed by this tomb and the creatures inside it. Casting spells here and there. Traipsing off with Lund and Mery. Alice had even shrugged off the giant snake that fell on her. As if that were a common occurrence! She hadn¡¯t aged 10 years, and unlike Isa, she hadn¡¯t become petrified at the sight of the mummy.

    Isa frowned unconsciously. What was wrong with her, that she had suffered so much and Alice so little? They were both outlanders, strangers in a strange land and¡ª

    A small voice in the back of Isa¡¯s mind said, Is that true? Do you really know where Alice is from? Maybe she¡¯s not from Vermont.

    ¡°Nonsense,¡± Isa whispered. ¡°Stop being an idiot.¡±

    ¡°Hmm?¡± Dulrak glanced at Isa. ¡°Do you need something, lass? You should try to rest. Your health is still quite low. Wish I had a few goodberries. A small bit of healing, but they taste good, and they just make you feel better, eh? The way a good meal can make you feel better when you¡¯re low.¡±

    Isa nodded. When was the last decent food she¡¯d had? At the inn? The meal they¡¯d shared with Dockma and Flanor, those snakes. She tried to remember what they¡¯d all eaten. And had Alice done or said anything strange? Were there any indications that perhaps this wasn¡¯t all new to her?Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    She seemed to have taken the last 5 days in stride. Had Isa herself been as sanguine on her first trip through Varana? And why was it so much harder now? Isa had never faced anything as challenging as this tomb. What¡¯s to say that she wouldn¡¯t freeze up again? What if Alice fell and Isa was too frightened to heal her?

    You¡¯re supposed to be the strong one, the experienced one. Get your head together.

    Isa shifted positions on the hard, stone floor. All these thoughts were useless. Wondering about Alice, useless. ¡°Just talk to her,¡± Isa muttered to herself.

    ¡°Oh man, Lund just picked up the arm.¡± Alice¡¯s voice was in Isa¡¯s head.

    ¡°What? What the hell?¡±

    After a pause, Alice said, ¡°Message, babe. Cantrip.¡±

    ¡°Right. You OK? Everything OK?¡±

    At Isa¡¯s words, Dulrak pushed himself off the wall. ¡°What¡¯s happening? What do you hear?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s Alice,¡± she told him. ¡°No news.¡±

    ¡°Yeah fine,¡± said Alice. ¡°Just practicing. And the arm.¡±

    ¡°Have you found the urn?¡±

    ¡°Just getting to the room. Probably almost out¡ª¡±

    ¡°Al? Ally?¡±

    ¡°Are they alright?¡± asked Dulrak.

    ¡°I think so. I¡ª I think she¡¯s probably at the limits of her message spell.¡± She paused. ¡°That¡¯s probably all it is, right? Range? There¡¯s nothing¡ª They didn¡¯t get attacked or¡­.¡±

    ¡°Let me send Batraz. He can check and if they are fine, he¡¯ll come back.¡±

    ¡°And if he doesn¡¯t?¡± asked Isa.

    Dulrak murmured in the dire wolf¡¯s ear. ¡°Then we¡¯ll know to go join them. Give it ten minutes?¡±

    Isa nodded and stood as the dire wolf raced from the room.

    ¡°I have enough magic to give you a healing,¡± Dulrak said.

    ¡°Save it. I have one dose left. I¡¯ll do it now. Who know what¡¯s going to happen, right? This place has been quite the surprise so far.¡± She put her hand flat against her chest and pressed her palm into the locket that Ysel had given her, the necklace that had started this whole adventure. Silently she prayed, ¡°Let me get out of here in one piece.¡±

    Dulrak was watching her. ¡°Better?¡± he said.

    ¡°Better.¡± Isa nodded. ¡°I don¡¯t feel like I¡¯m going to fall over.¡± She rubbed her face. ¡°I want a long, hot bath when we¡¯re done here. Any spa recommendations?¡±

    ¡°Ha! If it¡¯s baths you want, the Fang Tribe is your best bet. Quite clean people and they have¡ª¡±

    Peck came gliding in, landed on a shelf by the door, and cawed.

    ¡°Oh no.¡± Isa covered her mouth. ¡°Oh shit. Dulrak, I don¡¯t think¡ª What if I freeze? What if¡ª¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have time to worry. Trust your god and your blade.¡± With his warhammer in hand, Dulrak was out the door and down the hall.

    Isa followed on his heels, and Peck flew past them both, cawing in short bursts. Isa could have overtaken Dulrak, with his short legs, but in the narrow hallway, Isa knew it was best to keep single file. The hall was dark so Isa pulled out her sun blade which shone like a torch in the gloom.

    A minute later they were in the room where they¡¯d fought the mummy king the second time. Isa was gratified to see that his body was still where it had fallen. Moving past him, Dulrak turned left and up a new hallway. Isa knew this must be how Alice and the others had gone, but she couldn¡¯t help but slow down for fear of traps.

    With her right hand lightly touching the wall, Isa carefully made her way along the passage. Dulrak and Peck were easily 20 feet ahead. As Isa watched, the dwarf disappeared into a doorway to the right, but she forced herself to go slowly.

    When she was 15 feet from the door, Isa could hear fighting, and she felt anger flare up. Is this your doing? she silently asked Ysel. Why are we here? What¡¯s the point of this? I don¡¯t like it. ¡°In case you even care,¡± she added softly.

    Isa hadn¡¯t expected a response, so she wasn¡¯t disappointed when none came.

 Lockwood Chapter 46: The Heart of the Tomb, Part 2

    What Isa saw a confusion of bodies when she stepped to the doorway. Lund seemed to be fighting a giant shadow. Alice pointed a finger at a mummy and shouted something. From the corner of her eye, Isa saw a second mummy swing at Dulrak and knock him into the wall. The dwarf staggered but kept his feet and came back at the mummy with his flaming blade in hand.

    Whatever Alice had said, it didn¡¯t stop the mummy from swinging at her, and Isa knew what she needed to do. Of all the people in the room, her girlfriend needed her the most. She took three steps into the room and jabbed her blade in the gap between Alice and the mummy and felt her blade sink into the creature¡¯s midsection.

    To her left she heard a grunt, then a cry, then a crash. She looked over to see Lund on the ground. The mummy king¡¯s arm was beside him, and a tall man in black and silver armor stood over Lund. Before he could raise his greatsword for a killing blow, Mery swept past him, piercing the spot behind the man¡¯s knee where two pieces of armor came together.

    ¡°Cover me,¡± Alice said as she reached into her bag.

    ¡°Wait, what?¡± Isa took her eye off the mummy as Alice rushed to Lund. She stepped into the spot Alice had just vacated and parried a blow from the mummy. As Isa¡¯s light blade met the mummy¡¯s arm, the two locked eyes. Isa wanted to look away, afraid of what might happen if she stared directly into the mummy¡¯s eyes, but she knew that if she yielded, the mummy would lunge after Alice.

    Her insides felt numb, but she forced herself to say, ¡°I am not afraid of you.¡± And as the words left her mouth, Isa had the strength to push the mummy back. With a little space, Isa took in the battle. Dulrak had squared off against the other mummy. Lund was back on his feet with the mummy king¡¯s arm in his hands. He bought it down on the tall man¡¯s head, and Mery followed with another jab at his leg joint.

    As the tall warrior reacted to Mery¡¯s attack, Lund tackled him in a bearhug. While the man was pinned, Alice swung her dagger at him but missed. The warrior bellowed and smashed his head against Lund¡¯s.

    Lund clapped his hands over one eye and staggered backward. A rotten smell blew Isa¡¯s hair back, and she remembered her own fight. The mummy was rocking side to side as it came toward Isa, so its swings were wide.

    Flames flashed close to Isa¡¯s head, and she heard Dulrak say, ¡°I¡¯ll bring you the fire.¡± He brought his weapon around and slammed the flaming blade into the other mummy¡¯s chest and held it there until the creature burst into flames.

    Over the sound of the burning mummy¡¯s screeching Isa heard Alice call to her. She turned to see Alice bent over a convulsing Lund. Alice tried to hold down one of Lund¡¯s arms with her elbow while opening her little jar. With one spasm Lund knocked Alice off him and sent the ointment jar rolling into the corner.

    Isa holstered her blade and dove to the floor near Lund. She came up with a handful of his hair. ¡°Spare the dying,¡± she gasped. ¡°Ysel, damn it. Hear me. Spare him. Spare Lund.¡±

    In that moment Lund began to breathe with deep, even motion, as if asleep. Before Isa could move, the tall warrior hacked at her, catching her leg with the tip of his greatsword. A line of fire seemed to race up Isa¡¯s leg, and she had time to wonder if the blade had been coated in poison. And then a shadow crossed Isa¡¯s vision as the tall warrior kicked her in the face, and the world went dark.

    Isa awoke to the taste of ginger, and Alice sitting beside her. The room was quiet. She reached out a hand and felt Lund beside her. His chest rose and fell.

    ¡°He¡¯s alive,¡± said Alice. ¡°Thanks to you, my brave fighter.¡± Isa tried to sit up, but Alice laid a hand on her chest. ¡°We¡¯re safe. For now, so just rest. Dulrak¡¯s tending to the others.¡±

    ¡°The others? What happened? We¡¯re safe? The warrior, he¡¯s¡­.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, he¡¯s dead.¡± Alice wiped the sweat from her face, and Isa saw a long, jagged wound on Alice¡¯s forearm. Blood still dripped from it.

    Isa scrambled into a sitting position, grabbed the end of her cloak, and wrapped it around Alice¡¯s arm. ¡°You¡¯re hurt! Jesus!¡±

    Alice laughed. ¡°Oh wow. I kinda remember that. He caught me with the back edge of his sword.¡±

    ¡°And Alice paid him back in full,¡± Dulrak said over her shoulder.

    Alice shifted to face the dwarf. ¡°Only because you were holding agro.¡±

    A puzzled look came over Dulrak¡¯s face. ¡°I don¡¯t¡ª¡±

    ¡°She means that you kept the warrior¡¯s attention,¡± said Isa.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

    ¡°Couldn¡¯t take my eye off him! He¡¯d have had my head if I¡¯d given an inch. Nearly did that to Lund! And it was a close thing, still. But Alice and her daggers..... Best stay on her good side, lass.¡± He grinned which made his scarred face seem almost friendly.

    Then he knelt beside Lund and laid a hand on his shoulder. As the half-orc roused, Dulrak leaned in. ¡°Nothing I can do about your eye, lad, not for a long while, but mayhap in your travels you¡¯ll meet a Class 7 cleric or druid who can regenerate it for you.¡± He patted Lund¡¯s shoulder. ¡°What matters is you¡¯re alive.¡±

    ¡°His eye? What¡ª¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, Isa.¡± Lund sat up. ¡°I¡¯ve seen worse wounds and seen them fixed in due time.¡± As he turned toward her, Isa saw that his left eye was closed over: swollen, red, bloody.

    ¡°Are you sure it¡¯s not just like, the world¡¯s worst shiner?¡± she said.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure,¡± he said. ¡°I felt the spike from his gauntlet¡ª¡±

    ¡°Oooow!¡± Mery waved her hand. ¡°That¡¯s enough of that. I know just the priest. He¡¯ll set you right. I¡¯ll even pay for it if you promise to never, ever, talk to me about it.¡±

    ¡°All you need,¡± said Dulrak, ¡°is a prayer wheel and some blessed water. So there¡¯s really not any fee.¡±

    Mery glared at the dwarf. ¡°The point is, a spell like that takes time. Takes time, takes effort, and focus. A class 7 priest isn¡¯t going to be sitting bored in his house waiting to regenerate someone¡¯s eyeball!¡±

    Alice reached into her bag and pulled out a square of cloth. ¡°We can at least get you cleaned up and covered.¡± She tied off the cloth and settled it over Lund¡¯s ruined eye. ¡°Too tight?¡±

    He touched the cloth gingerly. ¡°Nah, feels good. Thank you.¡±

    Isa waved her hand at Dulrak¡¯s bloody clothes. ¡°You healed everyone. What about you? You look as bad as I feel,¡± Isa told him.

    ¡°It was a hard fight, no lie, what with you, Mery, and Lund, all laid out by the tomb¡¯s champion fighter.¡± Dulrak looked down at his clothes. ¡°But most of this blood? It¡¯s not mine.¡±

    Lund bent and picked up the mummy king¡¯s arm, and Mery said, ¡°You are not keeping that filthy thing.¡±

    ¡°It took the shine off that pretty armor,¡± said Lund as he kicked the warrior¡¯s body.

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t make it less disgusting.¡± Mery had started looking in the pots, jars, and urns stacked in the room, but she glanced at Lund when she spoke.

    ¡°I¡¯d handle with care, my friend,¡± Dulrak said to Lund. ¡°Heard of mummy rot?¡±

    Isa pushed herself up. The room was filled with shelves and rows of crockery. ¡°Why are there so many fucking urns in here?¡±

    ¡°Probably the same reason why there were two mummys and a giant warrior here,¡± said Alice. ¡°The mummy king¡¯s heart, it¡¯s here.¡±

    ¡°Less talking and more searching,¡± said Mery.

    Lund placed the mummy king¡¯s arm on the ground beside the warrior and picked up the warrior¡¯s greatsword. He held it to the light, turning the blade on edge.

    ¡°Less looting,¡± said Mery. ¡°More searching.¡±

    ¡°Someone¡¯s got to keep watch,¡± Lund replied. ¡°What if those priests show up again?¡± No one answered, and after a moment Lund laid the sword up against the wall and helped with the search.

    Quiet descended on the room broken only by the periodic scrape of lids being lifted off jars and urns. Finally Alice said, ¡°Found it!¡± She gently lifted a small urn from its place behind several large pots. Mery sent her dancing lights to circle around Alice like fireflies.

    As they watched, Alice tilted the urn on its side and shook out the contents. A small bundle about the size of a grapefruit tumbled into her hand. It was wrapped in white cloth, compact and unassuming.

    ¡°Are you sure?¡± asked Lund.

    ¡°Who¡¯s got a flint?¡± asked Alice. ¡°We need to destroy this with fire.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll go you one better.¡± Isa held out her palm where a small flame danced. ¡°Magical fire.¡±

    Alice placed the wrapped heart on the ground, and Isa touched the flame to the white wrapping. With a puff, the flame went out.

    Mery sniggered. ¡°Need an old-fashioned flame for this, eh?¡± She pulled a piece of metal and a stone from her pocket and knelt beside Isa. ¡°Want heat, ask a bard. I always say.¡± She teased a piece of the wrapping free and laid it out. Next she took a tiny bit of fluff and shavings and set it on the freed wrapping. But her efforts to start a fire also failed. The spark would land on the fluff, flare, and die.

    ¡°What we need,¡± said Lund, ¡°is¡ª¡±

    ¡°Mount Doom,¡± Alice said.

    ¡°¡ªa big fire.¡± Lund finished. ¡°A good, strong, roaring fire. Then we toss in the heart.¡±

    ¡°We don¡¯t have any wood,¡± said Mery.

    ¡°Shelving.¡± Dulrak patted a support beam.

    ¡°You can¡¯t be serious....¡±

    Her friends¡¯ voices faded as an idea crept into Isa¡¯s mind. It might work, she told herself, and if it didn¡¯t what¡¯s the harm? She pulled her sword hilt from her belt and watched the flaming blade shimmer into existence. Before anyone even noticed, she brought the blade straight down into the middle of the mummified heart.

    Spoiler: Current Hit Points

    HP Tally

    Alice = 6 HP

    Dulrak = 24 HP

    Isa = 11 HP

    Lund = 14 HP

    Mery = 10 HP

 Interlude 8a: The Heart Fight

    Mery - casts Bane. DC 15 CHA. Champ makes it. Mummies don''t. -1d4 on attack and saving.

    Mummy King''s Champion - 1st attack, crit fail. Weapon becomes lodged in wooden shelf. Next attack is attempt to dislodge. Fail. last attack succeeds in freeing sword.

    Alice - poison at mummy1 DC 15 CON but duh - they are immune to poison. already dead!

    Mummy 1 - glare at Alice DC 11 WIS she rolls a 12! Attack crit fail! Almost falls. Doesn''t

    Mummy 2 - glare at Batriz and fists for 28 dam. Dire wolf disappears.

    L - first attack = 12. second attack 19 to hit for 12 dam

    M - 15 to hit champ.

    Champ - 1st miss. 2nd 18 to hit Lund. 3rd 22 to hit Mery for 23 (!)

    A - frostbite at m1 DC 15 CON. M1 fails, for 2 dam + disad on attacks

    M1 - Glare at Alice - she makes save. (bane -1d4) with disad and bane rolls a 1

    M2 - Glare at Dulrak, who just entered. he makes it. (bane -1d4) Nat 20 for a crit - nat 20 overrides any negative modifiers. Fist at Dulrak. for 22 on the crit. plus 7 more necrotic dam. Dulrak *just* makes his saving throw to avoid Rot.

    D - Flame Blade. 16 to hit M2. for only 6 dam.

    I - sun blade against M1 (who is attacking Alice) 22 to hit. for 13 dam

    L - Mummy''s arm as club (with Brawler feat +7 to hit, +4 to dam) a Champ. 23 to hit. **Mummy''s Arm stats: [rotting fist] Hit: (2d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage plus (3d6)necrotic damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be cursed with mummy rot. **

    Attack for 16 dam plus 8 nec. Champ makes rot save, no problem. I decided there was a 5% chance that Lund could contract Rot himself (will go up with each use). Rolled a 3. But Lund made CON saving throw. Whew.

    M - 16 to hit.... against 18AC

    Champ - all against Lund 1st = 11, 2nd 25, for 20 dam. 3rd 18 (miss).

    A - ointment for Lund. M attack of opportunity = rolled 9 to hit. Ointment heals Lund for 14 hp.

    M1 Glare at Alice but she''s immune now. thanks to Bane - rolled a 7 to hit Dulrak

    M2 Glare at Isa ... who just makes her save! thanks to Bane, he also misses

    D - flame balde against m2. damn, 10 to hit. against AC 11.

    I - sun blade against M1 for 12 to hit! for 15 dam.

    L - Mummy''s Arm for 22 to hit. for 11 + 15 necro. Champ makes his CON saving throw (hes got a +9!) for 26 dam -- Champ is bloodied! 10% chance for Lund to get exposed to Rot. nope.

    M - gives herself last insp to attack Champ. finally hits! for 21. for 7 dam plus 1 neco from the blade itself.

    Champ - crit fail first attack. drop to end of init after this turn. 2nd attack = 22 against Lund. for 12 dam. 3rd attack = 14.

    A - daggers against champ. 14 and 13 to hit against 18 AC

    M1 - 12 to hit Dulrak (Bane)

    M2 - 14 to hit Isa (miss also Bane)

    D - flame against m2 for 12 against 11 AC! for 20 dam

    I - sun blade M1 for 10.

    L - Mummy''s Arm. for 16 and a miss. 15% chance for Rot but nope - rolled 24

    M - 19 to hit Champ. for 7 + 2 necro.

    A - tries frost agains champ - he easily makes save. (+9 CON!)

    M1 - rolls 12.

    M2 - rolls 10

    D - flame M2 rolls 12. for 22 dam

    I - sun M1 for 15. for 12 total

    Champ - 1st 14, 2nd for 22 for 11 dam to Lund. 3rd for 13. Lund unconscious.

    L - 1st death saving = 19. One success.

    M - cure wounds (last one) to Lund for 12 HP

    A - daggers at Champ. 1st with +6= 20 for 6 dam. 2nd 18 to hit. for 1 more dam. Champ at 34 HP

    M1 - rolls a 7 against D

    M2 - rolls a 9 against I

    D - flame! M2 for 24. 24 dam and M2 is down.

    I - sun! M1. 18 to hit. 13 dam and M1 is down.

    Champ - targets Mery for healing. 1st = 20 for 13 dam, 2nd = 14, 3rd = 28 or another 12 dam. Second Wind for 20 HP

    L - 23 to grab Champ. for 5 dam plus grapple attempt. opposing STR checks. Lund = 19 Champ = 11. Grappled for (1) round.

    M - Nat 20! for 18 dam + 3 more necro

    A - 16 and 15 to hit with daggers. both miss.

    D - flame for 22. for 11dam.

    I - 24 to hit with sun blade. for 4 dam

    Champ - breaks free of grapple. punches Lund in face, hurting his eye. DEX check to keep weapon. rolls a 21. two attacks.... both at Lund. 1st for 25 for 14 dam, 2nd for 21 and 15 dam

    L - death save 1 = 7 (1) fail.

    M - rolls 17 against 18 AC

    A - daggers 2nd hits for 2.

    D - flame for 17 and miss.

    I - spare the dying on Lund. Touch spell so Champ gets attack of opp. 20 to hit for 15 dam to Isa.

    Champ - 1st roll = 1 - broken bone= disadvan. 2nd roll = 11. 3rd roll 21. 9 dam to Isa. Isa is unconscious.

    L - stable

    M - 23 to hit for 8dam. Champ with 3 HP staggers

    A - daggers miss!

    D - flame blade.... for 11. damn.

    I - 1st death save 13 for (1) success.

    Champ - 1st 19 w/ dis. 2nd 18, 3rd 11. 1st hit to Mery. for 12 dam and she''s down. 2nd to Alice for 14.

    L - stable

    M - 1st death save - rolls 11 for success!

    A - daggers. 1st miss. 2nd for 19 for 1 dam. (wow this is a never-ending battle!)

    D - flame blade.... for 14!

    I - rolls 5 on death save.

    Champ - 1st 23 to hit, 10 dam to Alice. 2nd 19 to hit, for 10 dam to Dulrak 3rd 11 is a miss.

    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.L - stable

    M - 17 for 2nd death save

    A - daggers! 19 to hit for 6 and champ is down!!!!!!!!!!

    Dulrak heals Mery for 10. Potion heals Isa for 11.

    Dulrak uses last magic to heal Lund for 14

    A = 6 HP

    D = 24 HP

    I = 11 HP

    L = 14 HP

    M = 10 HP

    <div>

    Spoiler: Hit Point Tallies:

    Lund - HP 36-13= 23-20= 3+14= 17-12= 5-11= down + 12hp = 12-29 = down

    Mery - HP 56-23= 33-25= 8-12= down.

    Mummy King''s Champion - HP 143-23= 120-12= 108-24= 84-26= 58 (bloodied) 58-8=50-9= 41-7= 34-5= 29+20= 49-21= 28-11= 17-4= 13-2= 11-8= 3-1=2-6= dead!

    Alice - HP 30-14= 16-10= 6

    Mummy 1 - HP 58-2= 56-6= 50-13= 37-15= 22-12= 10-13 = dead!

    Mummy 2 - HP 58-20= 38-22= 16-24 = dead!

    Dulrak - HP 63-29= 34-10= 24

    Isa - HP 21-15= 6-9= down.

 Lockwood Chapter 47: Afterglow

    Light burst from the mummified heart, exploding outward and washing over Isa and the others, racing down every passage way, lighting up every crack in the flooring and every opening in the ceiling. Although there was no heat, Isa¡¯s hair blew around her face just as it had when Joth had accidentally set the forest on fire and the trees had blazed all around them.

    The light seared into Isa¡¯s eyes with the power of a spotlight. She blinked, trying to clear the afterimage from her vision, and at first, she thought the white feather was part of that. But then she blinked again, and a feather still drifted slowly downward. She held out her hand and waited until the feather settled there.

    And then, as if the touch of the feather restarted the world, suddenly everyone was talking at once, and the din crashed into Isa like a wave. Alice was beside her, kissing her face. ¡°You did it,¡± she said with a smile. ¡°I love you.¡±

    Isa focused on Alice and blurted out, ¡°You¡¯re glowing.¡±

    Alice laughed and held out her hand as if examining it. ¡°Am I? I feel fine.¡±

    Closing her fist carefully around the feather, Isa smiled. ¡°I feel fine, too.¡±

    ¡°My wounds, they¡¯ve closed up,¡± Lund looked at his arms. ¡°That light¡­¡±

    Mery pulled out her notebook. ¡°Did it heal us? How? Why? It doesn¡¯t¡ª Well, damn. Sense or no, it¡¯s there. I¡¯ve got about half my health.¡±

    The feather felt insubstantial in Isa¡¯s closed fist. Had she imagined it? The tiniest peek showed the white feather still nestled in her. Should she tell the others? What was it even for?

    Alice grabbed her notebook and said, ¡°Me, too. And I leveled. Level 5, babe and class 3 wizard.¡± She flipped a page. ¡°So many spells. How about you? Did you level, too? Isa?¡±

    Isa touched her bag. If she looked at her notebook, she¡¯d see her age and whatever she saw there, it would be the truth, no going back. ¡°I dunno,¡± she said. ¡°I¡¯ll check later. We need to get out of here. Who knows if other people saw the light. Those priests might not be happy with us, and I¡¯m tired of this hole in the ground.¡± As she stood, Isa slipped the feather into her bag beside her notebook.

    Alice touched her calf. ¡°Babe, my quest is complete ¨C the tomb quest. Is yours? We didn¡¯t get to consult the goddess.¡± Alice looked at the group. ¡°Did I miss the goddess?¡±

    ¡°Mine is crossed out, too,¡± said Mery. Her voice filled the room as she read the quest aloud. ¡°¡®Enter the tomb of Menesia, last king of Kelima.¡¯ Done. ¡®Prevail against the shadows.¡¯ Just barely. ¡®Bring light where once was darkness.¡¯ Isa took care of that now, didn¡¯t she? ¡®Destroy the heart of the tomb.¡¯ Again, our Isa. And then this: ¡®Reward: Consult the goddess.¡¯¡± Mery looked up from her notebook. ¡°Anyone?¡±

    ¡°It must be Isa,¡± said Lund. ¡°She destroyed the heart. Was it your Lady of Lockwood? What did She say?¡±

    ¡°Guys, I haven¡¯t talked to any goddesses.¡± That was technically true. Isa shrugged. ¡°Maybe She¡¯ll visit me in my dreams or something.¡± She looked down at Alice, still sitting on the floor. ¡°Isn¡¯t that how you and Ysel first talked?¡±

    ¡°True.¡± Alice got up and dusted off her cloak. ¡°And Isa¡¯s right ¨C we can¡¯t sit around here all day waiting for someone to show up.¡±Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

    ¡°Anything good?¡± Mery gestured with her chin at the dead warrior.

    ¡°Sword looks good,¡± said Lund. ¡°Any objections to me taking it? He¡¯s also got a crystal necklace and what I bet is a magic rod.¡±

    Mery snorted. ¡°Not really my style, but let¡¯s take them, and I can identify them tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°Nice armor,¡± said Dulrak. ¡°Fetch a good price at the markets.¡±

    ¡°If you want to carry it,¡± said Lund, ¡°take it.¡±

    ¡°Nah. I¡¯m already at my limits. I just thought¡­¡±

    ¡°How much is it worth?¡± asked Isa.

    ¡°A thousand gold, easily,¡± said Dulrak.

    A thousand gold. What could Isa do with that kind of money? She and Alice would have a nice cushion for expenses and¡ª Except that they were almost to their goal, weren¡¯t they? So what did gold coins matter, one way or another, if they were going to be back in Portland in two or three days? Back in Portland. That part is fine, Isa thought to herself, but how do you explain to Marissa and the others that you¡¯re 10 years older?

    Mery put her hands on her hips. ¡°The rest of you need to learn to travel light. Me? I have room and strength to pack in another 50 pounds. Carry an extra 50 pounds for a day or two and then get a thousand gold for my troubles? Done.¡± She knelt beside the warrior and began to unbuckle the straps.

    ¡°Which way are we going?¡± said Dulrak. ¡°The way we came or the back door?¡±

    Everyone paused, and as a group they turned to Mery. ¡°Why is it my decision?¡± She sounded aggrieved.

    ¡°Because,¡± said Lund, ¡°you¡¯re the one who will complain about traps if we don¡¯t go the way you think, so we¡¯re all happy to give you the choice.¡±

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t put it like that,¡± said Alice.

    Mery sat back on her heels. ¡°You can detect traps,¡± she said to Dulrak. ¡°So can you, Isa once you have your cleric wings or whatever for class 2 spells.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t have an ounce of magic left in me,¡± said Dulrak. ¡°Even if I had prepared to cast it today, which I did not.¡±

    ¡°Class 2 cleric,¡± Isa muttered.

    Alice slipped her arm through Isa¡¯s. ¡°I bet you leveled. Just take a peek.¡±

    Isa shook herself free. ¡°Alice, no. We don¡¯t have time. And even if I did level, maybe I¡¯m gonna take another rank of fighter instead. Lund? Level 5 fighter, kind of sweet, right? Two attacks and other... stuff....?¡±

    ¡°You do get a new specialization. Maybe you¡¯ll want to do eldritch fighter. You already have a start on the magic.¡±

    ¡°Fine,¡± Mery stood up and hauled her pack to her shoulder. ¡°We¡¯re going the back way. It¡¯s a fucking coin toss, anyway. But try to keep up.¡±

    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we scout ahead or¡ª¡± Alice¡¯s words went unanswered by the group as the others gathered their bags.

    ¡°It¡¯s a good idea, love,¡± Isa said softly. ¡°We¡¯ll keep an ear out. No one is going to surprise us.¡±

    Alice glared at her. ¡°You did not just say that. Way to jinx us, Chamberlin.¡±

    Spoiler: Currrent Hit Points

    New Hit Point Tally:

    Alice 15

    Dulrak 33

    Isa 24

    Lund 48

    Mery 30

 Lockwood Chapter 48: Secrets in the Tunnel

    Mery led them back down the hall and to the room where they¡¯d fought the mummy king the second time. The chamber was empty. Even the priest¡¯s body was gone. Isa saw Mery and Lund exchange a look, but no one spoke.

    If comrades had quietly taken away the young man¡¯s body that meant that they¡¯d ventured back into the tomb while Isa and her group were just yards away. And if they¡¯d done that, what¡¯s to say that they weren¡¯t waiting just ahead in the dark hallway leading to great chamber.

    As if he¡¯d read Isa¡¯s thoughts, Lund stopped just short of the threshold, where the dim light met the inky darkness of the long hallway. Mery turned right and moved slowly up the hall that she and Isa and Alice had so recently hurried down. Isa lagged behind, letting Alice and Dulrak get ahead of her. As they passed, Lund stepped away from the opening and followed behind. Isa said, ¡°Did you see something?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± he said softly, ¡°but why take chances?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡± Isa put her hand on the hilt of her sword, but she didn¡¯t pull it free; she didn¡¯t want the light.

    Mery moved at a snail¡¯s pace, one ball of light bobbing near the ground. They moved up the hall and into the small chamber with the secret opening. She led them through the opening and into the tunnel that the priests had used. Mery¡¯s movement dropped to the walking equivalent of a crawl.

    The tunnel was low and narrow, so they had to move single file. Mery was in the lead with Dulrak right behind her, then Alice, Isa, and Lund guarding the rear.

    They¡¯d gone about halfway up the tunnel, when Isa distinctly heard Mery say, ¡°Fuck.¡± Then there was a hissing sound and a horrible smell. The smell seemed to cover Isa¡¯s face like a mask, stinging her eyes and filling her mouth with an acrid and bitter taste.

    As she coughed to try to breath, Isa felt Alice bump into her as she fell to the ground. Isa dropped to her knees. It was easier to breathe near the floor, and Alice was breathing, thankfully, but Isa could not rouse her.

    Dulrak leaned down, and Isa felt his hand on her shoulder. ¡°The poison got her? Is she unconscious?¡± Before Isa could answer, the dwarf was kneeling beside Alice. ¡°Spare the dying, Isa. The spell, use it, and I¡¯ll carry her the rest of the way.¡±

    Isa¡¯s eyes filled with tears. Spare the dying? Alice? But even now, the poison must be trickling down Alice¡¯s throat, seeping into her lungs, filling her stomach. She didn¡¯t want to say the words, didn¡¯t want them to be true, but with a trembling hand Isa touched Alice¡¯s forehead. She brushed back some wispy blonde hairs and whispered, ¡°Spare the dying. Spare Alice. Spare her. I can¡¯t¡ª I can¡¯t do this alone.¡±

    Nothing in Alice¡¯s countenance changed, and Isa just had to hope that the spell had done its work.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t see it,¡± Mery spat and wiped her mouth. ¡°And got a nose full¡ª Alice? Damn it all! Is she¡­.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s alive,¡± said Dulrak. ¡°And I¡¯ve got her.¡± He pulled her arms up and positioned her over one shoulder so that Alice balanced evenly. He wrapped an arm around her thighs to keep her in place, but as Dulrak took a step forward, Alice¡¯s arms dropped, and her hands hit the ground.

    ¡°I can carry her,¡± said Lund.

    ¡°Nonsense. You¡¯re a better fighter. Just bind her arms so they don¡¯t fall down.¡±

    ¡°Bind her arms?¡± Isa repeated.

    ¡°You want her to wake up with scraped and bloody knuckles? Bind her arms.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll do it,¡± said Mery. She tied one end of a scarf around Alice¡¯s right wrist, looped the free end through Alice¡¯s belt loop and then pulled the other arm up into position and tied the other wrist.

    Dulrak took a practice step. Alice¡¯s arms bounced, but they didn¡¯t come free and fall.

    The tunnel, which had been rising slowly, angled sharply upward now, and Isa felt her heart lift at the idea of being back above ground. It was as if they were surfacing from a long, deep dive.

    They hadn¡¯t gone far when Mery knelt to examine the floor. Her fingers brushed lightly against a seam in the floor. As if in response, something rumpled and shook the floor. A small cascade of pebbled skittered down the tunnel toward them.

    ¡°Ah damn, boulders!¡± Mery called out and dodged to the left. Isa followed her motions, moving to the left hand of the tunnel. She still felt woozy from the poison, a little lightheaded, but she laid herself flat against the wall beside Mery.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

    Dulrak shifted to the right. ¡°Ow,¡± he yelled. ¡°Damn it all,¡± he muttered.

    Everyone braced for the incoming boulders, but nothing came.

    In the silence Dulrak said, ¡°Can someone¡­.?¡±

    Isa looked over to see that two spikes had come out of the wall just at head height for Dulrak. One spike rested at the back of his head, and Isa could see blood dripping on to Alice¡¯s back. The other spike had pierced Dulrak¡¯s nose.

    Lund came forward and tugged on Dulrak to free him. Isa noticed that ahead of them along the right wall were dozens of thin, sharp spikes.

    ¡°Clever bastards,¡± said Mery. ¡°There are no fucking boulders. They expect you¡¯ll impale yourself on their spikes, thinking you have to dodge a boulder or two.¡±

    Isa offered the hem of her cloak for Dulrak to stop his bleeding nose. He waved her away. ¡°It will stop soon enough. Dwarfs, we¡¯re a hearty bunch. Good, thick blood.¡± He shifted Alice¡¯s body on his shoulder and said, ¡°Onward out of this damned hole. Even I¡¯m ready to surface.¡±

    No more than 20 yards ahead Mery stopped again. In the distance a patch of gray stood out from the dim tunnel view. It was too much to hope that Isa was seeing the dawn in the sky, and she kept quiet even as she wanted to call out with relief.

    Mery scurried silently ahead. After a moment she waved the others forward. At her motion, the four of them brought their heads together. ¡°I don¡¯t hear anything,¡± Mery barely made a sound. ¡°So maybe we¡¯re lucky. Lund, go first?¡±

    He nodded and slowly pulled his sword free. Pushing past Isa, Lund moved toward the lighter patch of gray. Although Lund moved slowly, Isa could hear the squeak of sand under his boots.

    ¡°Isa?¡± Mery waved her through.

    Isa nodded and ducked between Dulrak and Mery. She kept her hand on her sword hilt, but she didn¡¯t activate it. She moved to Lund¡¯s left. He¡¯d be blind to periphery movement from that side, and Isa wasn¡¯t about to let him fight with that vulnerability.

    The tunnel turned sharply upward at a 40-degree angle, and Isa felt her thigh muscles begin to burn as she hiked upward behind Lund.

    The square of gray grew bigger with each step Isa took until they were within 20 feet of the entrance. Lund suddenly threw up his hand, gesturing Isa to stop. He turned carefully and put his hand over his mouth.

    Whatever he heard, it was too soft for Isa to make out, but of course she trusted Lund.

    ¡°Someone out there.¡± His words were like breath in her ear. Lund cupped Isa¡¯s elbow, and they stepped forward in tandem like they were dancing. Several shapes were visible by the light of a dying fire.

    ¡°You,¡± he said, ¡°stay back. Left.¡±

    She nodded and watched as Lund padded forward, He was never the quietest member of the group but this time, he did well. He had almost reached the group before they noticed him.

    Alarm raced through the group at the fire, and Isa saw one figure begin directing the others. The clumps sorted themselves out to be a group of spellcasters and several spear-wielding warriors. Their leader was a woman dressed in dark robes. Her hair was bound on top of her head, held in place by some spiny ornament.

    Before Lund could close on her, the woman threw two daggers at him. One sliced past his head, and the other one lodged in the hollow of his shoulder.

    Isa heard Lund grunt as the blade pierced his skin, but he kept his two-handed grip on his sword and descended on the woman with a flurry of sword strokes.

    One of the spellcasters stepped forward and threw a handful of something into the air. As the glittering material began to shift down, he began to chant a spell. Isa flinched, waiting for the impact of whatever damage would result from the spell, but when nothing happened ¨C nothing that Isa could see or feel ¨C she pulled her sun blade free and charged at that spellcaster. Her blade ran right through the man¡¯s middle, and he crumpled to the ground, blood bubbling at his lips.

    As she turned to find Lund, she realized that she had done exactly what Lund had told her not to do. She¡¯d left his side; she¡¯d waded into the battle; she¡¯d left herself and Lund exposed to flanking attacks from unseen troops.

    Metal rang against metal as Lund fought with the leader. She flashed daggers, blocking his attacks where she could, but Isa could see that Lund had at least landed one or two blows.

    The woman crouched low and swept her dagger at crotch level. Lund jackknifed to avoid the blade, and the woman fell back on her hands and kicked upward, trying to kick his face. In a blur, Lund¡¯s greatsword lopped off the woman¡¯s leg at the knee.

    The severed limb tumbled to the ground, a muted noise even as silence descended on the group. The leader gasped as she grabbed what remained of her leg with both hands. She began to speak, but she toppled over before she got more than a few words out.

    Even though Lund struck down the leader of the group, he was still vulnerable on his left side, so Isa pivoted that way just as a shaft of burning light slammed down where she¡¯d just been.

    Isa knew that spell: sacred flame. If these casters were clerics, they could cast sacred flame all day long; Isa would need to stay alert to avoid getting hit by one.

    Lund moved toward the group of warriors and, to a man, they shuffled backward as he advanced. The one at the front stopped, thumped his spear on the ground, and then ran forward with the spear aimed at Lund¡¯s chest.

    With more grace than expected, Lund ducked the spear point and brought his sword low across the man¡¯s middle. The warrior fell bleeding, his spear forgotten.

    One of the spellcasters dropped to her knees beside the warrior and laid a hand on his bloody stomach, whispering words in his ear. Isa lunged toward the woman, hating herself for doing it and knowing that it was the right choice ¨C she had to target the healer.

    Before she could reach the healer, however, another one of the clerics blocked Isa¡¯s way, his club held out like a quarterstaff. Isa was too focused on fighting the man in front of her that she forgot that there was one more magic user unaccounted for. The shaft of magic light hit Isa like a spear, and she dropped to the ground unconscious.

    Spoiler: Current Hit Points:<input class="spoilerButton" type="button" value="Show">

    Current HP

    Alice - down

    Dulrak - 25

    Isa - down

    Lund - 14

    Mery - 11

 Lockwood Chapter 49: Surfacing

    Isa woke in twilight. The first thing she saw was open sky, and she smiled. Whatever else might have transpired, she was no longer deep underground in a tomb. She heard the murmur of voices and turned toward them. Lund and Mery sat with their backs to her. Alice and Dulrak both lay sleeping nearby.

    The white cloth around Lund¡¯s head brought the recent battles into sharp focus for Isa. She remembered the tall warrior and how he and Lund had exchanged blow after blow until the man punched Lund in the face, destroying Lund¡¯s left eye and knocking hm out.

    Is that why Ysel had given Isa the spare the dying spell? Had she foreseen all the troubles they would have. She gave an involuntary snort. You could consult with the goddess about that, she told herself.

    The feather. No, she would have to give it serious thought before using the feather. Her hand went to her bag, as if to reassure her that she still had it.

    At the sound, Mery glanced at her, mid-sentence. Whatever she¡¯d been saying to Lund was forgotten as she smiled at Isa and waved her over. Isa got up quietly and joined them.

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid to ask,¡± she said to Lund. ¡°How is your eye? Are you in pain?¡±

    ¡°No, no pain. It¡¯s a little tender.¡± He gently touched his temple and the white cloth Alice had fashioned.

    ¡°And magic can bring it back?¡±

    Lund nodded. ¡°I¡¯ve seen it happen. I forget the spell.¡±

    ¡°Regeneration,¡± said Mery.

    ¡°Of course.¡± Lund laughed. ¡°What else would it be?¡±

    ¡°First chance we get,¡± said Isa, ¡°we¡¯re getting you healed. It¡¯s my fault you¡¯re even in this place.¡±

    ¡°I leveled, so it¡¯s not all bad.¡± He smiled.

    Mery looked at Isa. ¡°I leveled after the first time we fought that fucking mummy, so you must have leveled, too.¡±

    ¡°Hmmm,¡± said Isa, ¡°I¡¯ll have to check.¡± To Lund she said, ¡°Did you carry me?¡±

    He smiled and nodded. ¡°Dulrak had Alice, so I carried you.¡±

    ¡°How far?¡± Isa looked out on the vast expanse of sand.

    ¡°A mile or two,¡± he said. ¡°Not far.¡±

    Mery patted his shoulder. ¡°We had to move quickly. Dawn was breaking, and we didn¡¯t know who else might be around. Dulrak led us here and took first watch.¡±

    ¡°Mery¡ª¡± Lund lowered his voice even more. ¡°Mery didn¡¯t want to sleep. She didn¡¯t tru¡ª¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not that I didn¡¯t trust him, but you have to admit, the dwarf showed up at an awfully convenient time. We don¡¯t know his motives, his plans, his end game.¡±

    ¡°He fought like a tiger,¡± said Lund. ¡°His flaming blade probably saved our lives. How can you¡ª¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not saying we don¡¯t owe him.¡± Mery leaned in. ¡°I¡¯m saying we don¡¯t know him. But I did sleep, so there. Lund put you down, and we both stretched out beside you. Never been so happy to rest. And now,¡± she hiked a thumb over her shoulder, ¡°he¡¯s resting, and we¡¯re watching.¡±Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

    ¡°Why isn¡¯t Alice up?¡± asked Isa. ¡°Should I be worried?¡±

    ¡°Nah,¡± Lund shook his head. ¡°I knew a guy once, he slept a whole day after a big battle. He was fine.¡±

    ¡°Well, I¡¯m going to check on her at least.¡±

    Isa sat down beside Alice and touched her hair. Alice¡¯s blonde hair spilled on to the sand, and the growing darkness drained the color from both so that hair and sand blended together.

    They¡¯d almost died, both of them, and if that had happened, the sand would have covered them, covered their bodies, their faces, their eyes. Was this journey worth the risk? Ysel certainly seemed to think so, but She wasn¡¯t here, so how important could it really be?

    Isa had never questioned the goddess about that, had she? No, Isa had accepted the story, accepted the quest, and off they went, as if this was no more than a game.

    She stroked Alice¡¯s hair. But it wasn¡¯t a game, and they needed to decide if they wanted to continue to the Shimmer or break off and find a way home. Isa had done it once; she could do it again, because suddenly none of this mattered. She¡¯d lost 10 years of her life ¨C Isa didn¡¯t need to look at her notebook to know that it was true. She was scarred and bruised and tired. And for what?

    It was practically a lark, the way she¡¯d approached the tomb quest. She¡¯d given it no more thought than she would have to any side quest in the RPG: here¡¯s a chance to score some loot, get some XP, and who knows what else?

    And she¡¯d almost died ¨C they all had! Life and death came down to Lund¡¯s sword, didn¡¯t it? If he had fallen¡­.

    ¡°Isa? Babe, why are you pulling my hair?¡± Alice touched Isa¡¯s hand and tried to sit up. Isa realized that she had been clutching Alice¡¯s hair in her fist.

    ¡°Sorry. I was¡ª¡±

    ¡°Where are we?¡± Alice sat up.

    ¡°A long-dried riverbed,¡± said Dulrak. He rose and stretched. ¡°That was a good nap, by all accounts. Everyone feeling healthy and strong? We need to move on.¡±

    ¡°Why here?¡± Isa gestured at the boulders that loomed over them like bare trees.

    ¡°These stones offer the only shelter that seemed close enough. It¡¯s just sand and wind and sky out here. Or haven¡¯t you noticed?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been underground for a couple of days, so I haven¡¯t really been able to appreciate the view.¡±

    ¡°The Yeckonner have a settlement north of here ¨C Mefal ¨C not half a day¡¯s walk,¡± said Dulrak. ¡°It will be cold work but traveling by night can be a blessing.¡±

    Mery scraped at the sand with the toe of her boot. ¡°What if I said we should split up?¡±

    ¡°We split the party once,¡± Alice started to say, and Mery talked over her.

    ¡°I mean, we four go our way, and the druid, he goes his way. Surely,¡± she said to Dulrak, ¡°you were going someplace to do something when you stumbled upon us.¡± She crossed her arms and stared at him.

    Dulrak frowned. ¡°I was. I was indeed.¡±

    Alice stepped forward. ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s necessary. We wouldn¡¯t have survived¡ª I wouldn¡¯t have survived without all of you. Why break up now?¡±

    ¡°No offense,¡± said Mery, ¡°but you are a junior member here. I¡¯m not sure your opinion really matters.¡±

    ¡°Hey!¡± Isa stepped toward Mery. ¡°Don¡¯t be an ass. What are you saying? What harm can it do to get to the settlement, and then we figure it out. If Dulrak had wanted to kill us, he had ample opportunity in the tomb.¡±

    ¡°Kill you? Kill you?¡± Dulrak shook his head. ¡°Humans. You think that everything revolves around you. Everyone. Around your wants, your desires.¡± He picked up his bag. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you this because Selvank encourages his followers to look always for balance and if they cannot find balance, to look for good. There is good among you, and so I say, Mefal is half a day¡¯s walk, due north.¡± He pointed at the distant mountain range. ¡°Look for the gap tooth spire yonder and keep that at your front.¡±

    With that he slung his bag over his shoulder and turned east.

    ¡°Wait!¡± Alice grabbed his arm. ¡°I don¡¯t want you to go.¡± She turned to Isa. ¡°You don¡¯t want him to go either, right?¡±

    Isa sighed. Why can¡¯t this be easy? What¡¯s Mery¡¯s game anyway? The dwarf isn¡¯t a bad friend to have, not at all. ¡°Fuck,¡± she said softly. ¡°Look, I don¡¯t want to take sides¡ª¡± Alice glared at her. ¡°But I will, I guess. Let¡¯s get to this settlement, alright? And then we can argue all we want while enjoying a hot meal and a mug of ale. Assuming, that is, that you really planned to continue north, Dulrak? Maybe you¡¯re anxious to be shed of us.¡±

    ¡°Not at all. I¡¯d planned to go to Mefal to trade there and check on a few things.¡±

 Lockwood Chapter 50: The White Feather

    Mefal is the last permanent settlement before the White Desert shows its full strength, stretching away in three directions. Looking north, a traveler could see the edges of the Shimmer and perhaps wonder just how far away it was.

    And although it was little more than a hamlet, Mefal had an inn with a large fireplace. Through clever engineering, a large stone soaking pit had been constructed in a room behind the fireplace, so it is always warm, always ready for cold and weary travelers to wash the grime and sand away.

    The soaking pit was the second place Isa visited once they arrived at the Black Wagon Inn.

    They arrived in Mefal as the sun was rising behind them. The main street was all but empty. One man sat on the wooden step of a slanting building. He had his head resting on his folded arms. He didn¡¯t stir as the group walked past him.

    Quietly Dulrak said, ¡°The inn is just ahead. Husband and wife run the place. I¡¯ll find you there for dinner tonight, and we can talk.¡± The wind blew his beard over his shoulder, and in the morning light, Dulrak¡¯s face looked like a ruin.

    Alice grabbed his arm. ¡°Where are you going?¡±

    He smiled and patted her hand. ¡°I have my own business to attend. But they know me here. Ask anyone you like, none will speak evil of me.¡±

    **

    The Black Wagon Inn was a two-story building ¨C the only one they¡¯d seen in town so far. It sprawled along the street like a traveler who¡¯d dropped his bags and slept where he lay. The building was wood with a stone foundation and three fat chimneys spaced evenly with the fattest one in the middle.

    Mery looked up at the roof with her hands on her hips. ¡°I¡¯ve seen worse,¡± she said.

    ¡°Three chimneys,¡± said Lund. ¡°Should be warm, if nothing else.¡±

    Mery led the way into the inn, and Isa was happy to leave the haggling to her. She wanted to find a quiet place to check her bag. She had to know if the white feather was still there. Until she laid eyes on it again, part of her could think it was an illusion, an afterimage from the light that burst from the mummy¡¯s heart.

    And she couldn¡¯t say why she needed privacy. They¡¯d all been there. They hadn¡¯t seen the feather, true, but they had all heard the quest, heard the words about the goddess, so no one would disbelieve her if she told them about the white feather. No one would try to take from her for their own gain.

    As Mery talked with the thin, bald man behind the desk, Isa looked for any indication that the inn sported an indoor toilet. She poked her head into the common room, but it was empty. A hallway ran parallel to the front desk, and Isa took a few steps down the hall. She turned sideways to allow two dwarves to walk by. They nodded acknowledgement and resumed talking. One said to the other, ¡°Have you heard from the construct?¡±

    His friend¡¯s reply was lost to Isa as she spied a short, dark haired man hurrying by with a platter of food. She asked, ¡°Do you have a bathroom or an outhouse?¡±

    ¡°Water closet¡¯s upstairs,¡± he gestured with his elbow. ¡°Guests only.¡± And then he hurried into the other room.

    Mery was saying the bald man, ¡°That¡¯s fine. We¡¯re a companionable group, as you can see.¡±

    The man nodded. ¡°Our ways are not everyone¡¯s ways, but in the North, you come to appreciate body heat ¨C no matter the source. Southerners, they dismiss our big beds as ¡®orc beds¡¯, but we prefer not to freeze to death in winter.¡±

    ¡°Excuse me,¡± said Isa. ¡°Hi. I need to use the water closet.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s Isa. Chamberlin. One of the group. A little¡­.¡± Mery shrugged.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

    ¡°Entitled?¡± said the man.

    ¡°Impulsive, I was gonna say.¡± Mery smiled.

    Isa gave the man a weak grin that she hoped conveyed that she was harmless. He sighed. ¡°Head of the stairs. If you stink it up, light the candle. If you splatter, clean it up. Those are the rules.¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Isa nodded. ¡°Thank you.¡± To Alice she murmured, ¡°I¡¯ll be right back.¡± She trundled up the stairs like someone in a hurry to find the john.

    Once inside the small closet Isa let out a sigh. She hadn¡¯t been truly alone in days. On a small shelf a thin candle burned beside an unlit, squat candle. Isa¡¯s eyes trailed upwards and caught sight of a small mirror fixed to the wall. With a sigh Isa picked up the lit candle and leaned forward to look in the mirror.

    Lines at her eyes and at her mouth. A crease on her forehead, as if she¡¯d spent years worrying over all the big and little problems of life. A little vertical line between her eyebrows that she could have sworn had never been there before.

    How much of this is weariness and how much is aging?

    That was impossible to answer, and anyway, she¡¯d come in to check on the white feather. Isa put the candle down and reached for her bag, then came a knock on the door. ¡°Isa?¡± called Alice. ¡°You OK?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡± Isa looked at her bag and then at the door. ¡°Almost done.¡±

    ¡°We have a room. All of us. One room.¡±

    She heard a noise that might have been Alice leaning against the closet wall. She opened her bag and reached in. Her hand went past her notebook ¨C now that she¡¯d seen the damage from the ghost, Isa felt like she could look at her notebook and see ¡°Age: 38¡± without crying ¨C and she felt the feather, nestled between her notebook and the heavy canvas of the bag.

    ¡°What am I going to do about you?¡± she said softly. And at that moment Lund¡¯s face came to mind. He might not know what to do, but he¡¯d never let Isa down. She could talk to him about the feather, get advice.

    Of course, she could ask the same of Alice. She told people that Alice was the smartest person she¡¯d ever met, so why not open the bathroom door and tell her girlfriend everything? Isa reached out her hand to unlock the door but stopped short. Maybe the quest log showed something new, now. She hadn¡¯t thought of that. She¡¯d check her notebook later, when she had time. For now, she¡¯d spent too much time hiding in the bathroom.

    Pushing open the door, Isa was greeted by Alice and Mery. ¡°Mery got the bathhouse for us!¡± Alice clapped her hands together and bounced merrily.

    ¡°It¡¯s a marvel,¡± said Mery. ¡°Bloody genius. They are getting it ready for us now.¡±

    ¡°A house? I don¡¯t¡ª¡±

    ¡°A tub! Big thing, too. We¡¯ll all fit nicely.¡± Mery grinned and pulled Isa toward the stairs.

    ¡°All of us?¡± Isa looked from Mery to Alice.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be a cold cloth, you outlander. We¡¯ll all keep our privates private, alright?¡±

    ¡°And babe, they will clean our clothes while we¡¯re soaking. Can you believe it? Clean clothes.¡±

    They¡¯d reached the common room, and Isa saw a small door to the left of the fireplace. It was only about five feet tall and made to look like part of the paneling when it was shut. Mery ducked down and into the room, with Alice and Isa following.

    **

    They¡¯d all been soaking about 30 minutes when the innkeeper knocked and entered the bathhouse. ¡°Your friend has arrived.¡± He waved his hand as another figure stepped into the room, stooping low to come in.

    Mery was out of the tub and crouched on the stone floor before the figure had straightened up. ¡°Friend? All my tall friends are here.¡±

    The innkeeper shrugged. ¡°She knew your names.¡± He turned and left the bathhouse, leaving the door open.

    ¡°She?¡± Isa stood up in the tub. There was something familiar about the figure. She was wearing a traveling cloak with the hood up, and Isa couldn¡¯t help but wonder if it was an elven cloak like her own.

    Lund stood up too and water beaded off his naked torso. Between the muscles and the scars, he cut an intimidating figure, even with a bar of soap clutched in one fist. In a low clear voice he said, ¡°We are unarmed but not defenseless. Perhaps you should leave now, and when we are done, we can join you in the common room.¡±

    ¡°I rather like the privacy of this room,¡± said the figure as she pulled back her hood to reveal her face.

    ¡°Marissa?¡± Alice and Isa both gasped.

    ¡°In the flesh,¡± she said with a smile. She leaned down and closed the door. ¡°I¡¯m not armed, by the way. The keeper, he made me disarm before he¡¯d let me in here. I guess I failed my charisma check.¡±

    Isa and Alice were out of the tub and hugging their friend and not worrying about getting bath water everywhere. ¡°How are you here?¡± asked Alice.

    ¡°Why are you here?¡± asked Isa at almost the same moment.

    From behind them Mery said, ¡°I¡¯d like to know how you two outlanders know a half-elf.¡±

    Marissa paused in the act of untying the scarf that held back her hair. ¡°You must Mery Braydon.¡± She fluffed out her bright pink hair with one hand and jammed the scarf into her pocket with the other. ¡°You¡¯re just as Ysel described.¡±

    Isa clutched her head. ¡°Wait. Ysel? How the hell¡ª Did she lure you into Varana, too?¡±

    Marissa bit her lip. ¡°The other way around, actually.¡± She smiled, and her eyes took in the four friends. ¡°Why don¡¯t you get back to your bath, and I¡¯ll explain everything.¡±

 Lockwood Chapter 51: Notebooks

    ¡°I think we¡¯re done with bathing,¡± said Alice.

    ¡°Yeah, done,¡± said Mery. She had grabbed a towel and come to stand beside Marissa. ¡°You¡¯re a magic user then?¡±

    Marissa shied away from Mery¡¯s hand reaching for her hair. ¡°I am but¡ª¡±

    ¡°Magical accident, I¡¯m guessing? Your hair.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s hair dye. Nothing fantastical about it.¡± Isa grabbed Marissa¡¯s shoulders. ¡°Why are you here? How do you know Ysel? Is this your fault?¡±

    ¡°Is what my fault?¡±

    ¡°This! All of this. Did you send me here? A couple of months ago I left your house and ended up here.¡± Isa took the towel that Lund offered but continued speaking. ¡°I moved heaven and earth to get back to Portland, but I¡¯m back here again. And I just need to know if it¡¯s your fault.¡±

    ¡°I had nothing to do with this, with you. I¡¯m as much at Her whims as anyone.¡±

    ¡°So Ysel brought me here the first time, too?¡±

    ¡°Our clothes won¡¯t be ready for another half hour or so.¡± Lund spoke up for the first time since Marissa had unveiled herself. ¡°That is the most comfortable place to sit in here.¡± He gestured to the soaking tub.

    ¡°He¡¯s right,¡± said Alice as she walked back to the tub.

    ¡°I don¡¯t need to bathe.¡± Marissa shook her head.

    ¡°But you need to be naked,¡± said Mery. ¡°¡®Naked men tell the truth.¡¯ That¡¯s what the philosopher Panktel said. Of course, he must not have had sex with any men because that is decidedly not true. Men will say anything if they think it will get them laid. But,¡± she dropped her towel, ¡°the basic premise holds up. Strip.¡±

    Marissa put her bag by the door, slipped out of her cape, and pulled her shirt over her head.

    Marissa Mills, here? Think, Isa ¨C probably not her real name. Isa couldn¡¯t help but wonder at this strange event. Ysel had implied that Isa was simply a handy tool in Ysel¡¯s moment of need, but what if that wasn¡¯t true? What if Ysel was behind it all? But to what end? Had She arranged for Isa to meet up with Joth and subsequently Fedru? Had that been the long-term goal? Get close to Fedru to spy on him? That or worse?

    Marissa had seemed¡ª Wait, she¡¯d known Marissa for years, so just how far did this all go? ¡°Are you an assassin?¡± Isa blurted out. ¡°A half-elf assassin? Or a spy?¡±

    ¡°An assassin?¡± Marissa laughed. ¡°No. More like a field researcher.¡± She slipped out of her pants and stepped into the bath.

    ¡°Researching what?¡± Alice¡¯s voice was cold.

    Marissa cocked her head at Alice¡¯s tone. ¡°I¡¯ve always been interested in other places ¨C you know that ¨C and so when I¡ª¡±

    ¡°Bullshit.¡± Mery pointed a finger at Marissa. ¡°Another good reason to make you strip ¨C no hidden weapons.¡±

    ¡°Do you think I¡¯m dangerous?¡± Marissa said to Lund.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what to think,¡± he said.

    ¡°I do,¡± said Alice. ¡°I know what to think. I know what to feel anyway. Betrayed. That¡¯s what I feel. We¡¯ve been friends for over three years. That¡¯s a lot of time that you spent not telling me the truth.¡±

    Isa slipped her hand into Alice¡¯s and squeezed. ¡°Even longer for me. Care to explain that?¡±

    Marissa slid down and let the water cover her head. When she surfaced, she said, ¡°I knew I was going to have to explain to you both, and that was scarier than anything else I¡¯ve faced. Look, I¡¯m on your side. Bottom line, I¡¯m on your side. Be mad at me. I¡¯d be mad at me if I were you. But trust that I¡¯m here to help.¡±This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    ¡°Ysel¡ª¡± Isa began.

    ¡°She sent me to find you because you got sidetracked.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s no lie,¡± Alice said softly. ¡°That tomb¡­.¡±

    ¡°We have only your word on that,¡± said Lund with a shrug. ¡°Truth or lie, that can¡¯t be determined with what we have in front of us.¡±

    Marissa nodded. ¡°I guess that¡¯s true.¡±

    ¡°I could cast a zone of truth tomorrow,¡± said Mery. ¡°But if you¡¯re as smart as I think you are, you could lie all day long in there, and maybe I¡¯d never detect it.¡±

    ¡°Trust.¡± Marissa spread her hands out, resting them on the surface of the water. ¡°That¡¯s what we¡¯re left with.¡±

    ¡°Not exactly.¡± Lund vaulted out of the tub and was beside Marissa¡¯s bag in two strides. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t normally do this,¡± he said as he pulled open Marissa¡¯s bag. ¡°But this will solve¡ª well, not everything, but your notebook will answer some questions, won¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s private!¡± Isa and Marissa both spoke at once. Marissa started to get out of the tub, but Alice put a hand on her arm. ¡°This is better,¡± she said. ¡°No secrets. I¡¯ll get mine, too. If anyone wants to look at it, they can.¡±

    Lund nodded and went back to reading Marissa¡¯s notebook.

    ¡°What so interesting?¡± Marissa called.

    ¡°You have a rank of monk?¡± he raised his head. ¡°And four levels of druid. How long have you been on this assignment?¡± Lund flipped to Marissa¡¯s quest log.

    ¡°Five years,¡± said Isa.

    ¡°Yeah, give or take.¡± Marissa shrugged.

    Alice held up her notebook. ¡°Any takers? Anyone want to plumb the enigma that is Alice Fondel?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll take a look.¡± Marissa held out her hand.

    ¡°Five years and you¡¯re only a level five?¡± Mery asked her. ¡°Not a lot of excitement with these two, huh?¡±

    Isa didn¡¯t hear Mery¡¯s question. She was thinking about her own notebook. She hadn¡¯t looked at it yet and shouldn¡¯t she be the first to see her new age? She pulled herself out of the bath and crouched over her bag. Mindful of the white feather, Isa carefully pulled out her notebook.

    ¡°Isa¡¯s joined the party.¡± Mery laughed and sat on the edge of the tub. ¡°Lund, hand me over my bag, will you?¡±

    Lund closed Marissa¡¯s notebook, walked over, and handed it to her. ¡°Thank you,¡± he said softly. ¡°And let me get mine. I¡¯ve¡ª I was a soldier for a while.¡±

    ¡°Lund! My bag?¡± Mery shook her head and went to retrieve her notebook.

    Marissa shook her head and said to Lund, ¡°I already know you¡¯re a good person.¡±

    ¡°Fair¡¯s fair,¡± he said. When Marissa didn¡¯t take the notebook, he said, ¡°Please.¡±

    Marissa''s Character Sheet

    Name: Marissa Mills

    Race: Half Elf

    Height & Weight: 5ft 10 inches / 185 lbs

    Class: Druid/Monk Level: 4/1

    Alignment: Good

    Background: Spy

    Hit Points: 23 AC: 13 (leather)

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 23

    Combat: +5 to Hit

    Weapons: +1 Quarterstaff /Shillelagh 1d8 +3 (bludgeoning) and Unarmed Strike +4 to hit for 2 damage (bludgeoning)

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    12

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    14

    </td>

    <td>

    +2

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CON

    </td>

    <td>

    8

    </td>

    <td>

    -1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    15

    </td>

    <td>

    +2

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    16

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    17

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Int +5 and Wis +6

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    5

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature* (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    6

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    6

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance* (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    6

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception* (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    History (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    5

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand* (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    5

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth* (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    2

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Wild Shape ¨C beast form for 2 hours. Unarmed Strike as a bonus action (Monk)

    Extra Features: Natural Recovery: recover (2) spells during a short rest. Feat: Observant which allows lip-reading and gives +5 to passive perception (+21) and passive investigation (+17)

    Spells: Cantrips- Guidance, Shillelagh, Druidcraft, Gust. 1<sup>st</sup> Level- Animal Friendship, Beast Bond, Charm Person, Earth Tremor. 2<sup>nd</sup> Level- Barkskin, Locate Animal or Plant, Pass Without a Trace, Spider Climb.

 Lockwood Chapter 52: Youâ€™re Only as Old as You Feel

    Isa heard the conversations around her, but she was focused on her closed notebook. With a deep breath she opened it and saw ¡°Isa Chamberlin, age: 38¡±

    Seeing her new age in black and white actually calmed Isa. No more worries, no fears. This was reality; here was truth. She closed her notebook and looked up in time to see Mery snatch the book from her. ¡°Alice, catch.¡± Mery tossed Isa¡¯s notebook to Alice. ¡°She¡¯s not keeping secrets, I hope.¡±

    Isa held up her hands. ¡°Who¡¯s got all the notebooks?¡±

    Lund smiled and showed his empty hands. Marissa said, ¡°I guess I do.¡± She held out her notebook. ¡°Here,¡± she walked over to Isa. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t know about the first time, and I only just found out about this time. And, I didn¡¯t do this to you. At least, I don¡¯t think I did.¡±

    Isa took Marissa¡¯s notebook. ¡°I wish we¡¯d¡ª¡±

    ¡°Yeah. If I¡¯d told you the truth, maybe¡ª¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡± Isa nodded and looked down at the notebook. ¡°It feels weird to look at your personal stuff.¡±

    ¡°Lund was right ¨C it¡¯s the shortest path to trust.¡±

    ¡°That and being naked in front of all of you.¡± Isa laughed.

    Alice moved closer to Isa and said quietly, ¡°Let¡¯s talk later. I love you.¡± She handed Isa her notebook.

    Looking at the two books in her hands. ¡°Did Lund say you¡¯re a monk? I don¡¯t¡ª¡±

    ¡°I do,¡± said Alice. ¡°Aikido. Right?¡±

    Marissa nodded. ¡°I didn¡¯t really pay much attention to my notebook in Portland ¨C evident by the fact that I¡¯m still a level 4 druid ¨C but yeah, after I started studying aikido I guess I got a level of monk.¡±

    ¡°Buddhist,¡± said Alice to Isa. ¡°Not Gregorian.¡±

    ¡°I was figuring that out.¡± Isa held up her notebook. ¡°I got mine back. Does everyone have their book? This was a fun little exercise but¡­.¡±

    ¡°So Alice is a wizard,¡± Marissa said.

    ¡°Yes, she is,¡± replied Alice.

    ¡°I thought maybe a druid, with all the botany.¡± Marissa shrugged. ¡°It suits you, though. And Isa? You¡¯re¡­?¡±

    ¡°A fighter and, thanks to Ysel, a cleric, I guess.¡±

    ¡°Isa was stingy with the notebook,¡± said Mery. ¡°But the person who matters most got to see it, right Ally?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t really need to see it. We don¡¯t have secrets, Isa and I.¡±

    Just then came a knock on the door. ¡°Service!¡± called a voice, and the door opened.

    A man entered with a basket piled with clothes. ¡°Cook¡¯ll do you breakfast, if you¡¯re hungry.¡±You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

    Mery nodded. ¡°Five for breakfast, and we¡¯re past hungry and out the other side.¡± She winked at the man. ¡°Tell the cook that, won¡¯t you, please?¡±

    As they were getting dressed, Mery kept glancing at Isa. ¡°You feeling quite yourself, Isa?¡±

    Buttoning her shirt, Isa shrugged. ¡°Sure. I guess.¡± She bent to grab her shoes.

    ¡°Let me see you,¡± said Marissa.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Isa stayed in a bent position.

    ¡°Baby.¡± Alice put her hand on Isa¡¯s back. ¡°It¡¯s alright. And you can¡¯t hide it anyway.¡±

    ¡°Hide what?¡± Lund looked from Alice to Isa. When no one answered he looked at Marissa. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±

    Marissa held up her hand. ¡°Did something happen in the tomb? Did you¡ª¡±

    ¡°The ghost,¡± said Mery. ¡°That fucking cat.¡±

    ¡°I remember the ghost,¡± said Lund. ¡°Almost pissed myself.¡±

    ¡°But it didn¡¯t age you ten years, did it?¡± Isa shot back.

    ¡°Age me?¡±

    ¡°Damn and double damn.¡± Mery patted Isa¡¯s shoulder. ¡°You¡¯re only as old as you feel. That¡¯s what my granny likes to say.¡±

    ¡°How old is she?¡± asked Isa.

    ¡°Sixty.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m catching up to her.¡± Isa snatched her bag and weapons and left the room.

    In the large common area, a girl was setting plates at a table near the fire. ¡°For you and yours, ma¡¯am,¡± said the girl.

    Isa sighed inwardly. Ma¡¯am. I¡¯ve become a ma¡¯am. ¡°Thank you,¡± she said and started to sit down. But really, the last thing she wanted to hear was Marissa Mills explain how all of this is part of Ysel¡¯s great idea.

    She grabbed a roll and an apple from the table and said to the girl, ¡°Is there a healer in this village?¡± The girl nodded. ¡°Mimay Surefoot. She has a cat!¡±

    Isa glanced at the soaking tub door. ¡°Where can I find her?¡± Before the girl could answer Isa was moving toward the front door. The others would be emerging any moment.

    ¡°She usually has a stall at¡­.¡±

    Isa missed the last part because she¡¯d already left the inn. In a village this size, how hard can it be to find a healer. What was her name? Mayme? Mimi? Mayme, Isa was almost positive. Mayme, the cleric with the cat.

    She paused for the briefest moment in front of the inn before ducking around the side of the building. Mefal was probably considered a metropolis by the inhabitants of the region, but it was just a collection of buildings that seemed to be grouped in a basic oval. There were no trees, only the dusty buildings set on flat, barren land.

    Within ten minutes of leaving the inn, Isa had seen Mefal in its entirety. A hundred yards from the inn, and set apart from the other buildings, was a blacksmith¡¯s workshop and a storage shed beside it. The shed had a thick chain and lock draped through the door¡¯s handles. Past that, almost at the edge of what seemed to be the village limits, Isa saw a clearing with a low fence. Impossible to know what the fence was for; almost impossible to think that it was strong enough to keep anything in or out.

    The wind blew cold from the west, and Isa gripped her cloak closer. With her hands still clenching the fabric, Isa looked around her, turning in a slow circle. ¡°If I was a healer, where would I set up my shop?¡± Stall, not shop. The serving girl distinctly said stall.

    But her survey of the town had showed no market area and no people. Where are the people?

    Again, the wind whipped at her cloak, and Isa wiped a tear from her cold cheek. Think about it, she told herself. In this climate would they have an outdoor market? No. They¡¯d have some big barn-like structure, or some pavilion so that at least the merchants would be protected from rain and snow.

    Had she seen anything like that in her circuit around the village? As she turned to survey again, Isa saw movement out of the corner of her eye. A cloaked figure moved toward the blacksmith shop. ¡°Hello,¡± she called. ¡°Do you live here?¡±

    The figure hurried on as if they hadn¡¯t heard. And it was possible, with the wind picking up, that Isa¡¯s words had been lost. She jogged to catch up with the only person she¡¯d seen outside the inn. Surely this village wasn¡¯t devoid of people; it was just a matter of getting the local perspective. And besides, the blacksmith¡¯s would be warm at least.

    The shop had a piece of canvas or hide hanging from the eaves and tied to hook near the ground. Perhaps it covered a summer entrance or maybe just a gap in the planks that made up the walls of the building, and, as Isa approached, the wind blew the canvas sideways revealing the inside of the smithy. Joth Windbane stood talking with a tall, bearded man.

 Lockwood Chapter 53: Old Acquaintance

    Joth Windbane? Here? As Isa gaped, both men glanced in her direction, no doubt drawn by the movement of the canvas. In the second before the canvas flapped shut, Isa and Joth locked eyes. Isa saw shock and perhaps fear on Joth¡¯s face.

    She hurried along the side of the building to the entrance. No more than five seconds had passed, but when she entered the shop, Isa saw the blacksmith standing much as she¡¯d seen him in the brief glance through the window. ¡°Where is the wizard?¡± she said. ¡°Joth Windbane. Where is he?¡±

    The man put his hands on the table in front of him but didn¡¯t reply.

    ¡°Look,¡± Isa said. ¡°This is important. We¡¯re old friends.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t know the name.¡± The words ground out of the man¡¯s mouth as if each syllable caused him pain.

    ¡°Of course, sure. Maybe he¡¯s using a different name, but the wizard ¨C the man you were talking to just, like a minute ago. That guy. Where¡¯d he go? Did he say why he¡¯s here?¡± Vernal Fedru¡¯s face flashed in Isa¡¯s mind. ¡°Are there other wizards here? A man with a symbol?¡± Isa touched her forehead.

    Perhaps it was her imagination, but something seemed to flash in the man¡¯s eyes as Isa touched her forehead. ¡°I¡¯m not here to bring trouble,¡± she said. ¡°Joth really is my friend.¡± I think.

    The man pulled a grimy cloth from his pocket and picked up a metal ring from the table and began to polish it. ¡°I can¡¯t help you.¡±

    ¡°Can you at least tell me where the healer lives? The one with the cat.¡±

    ¡°Only one healer on Mefal. That¡¯s Mimay Surefoot.¡± He jabbed one grimy finger past Isa¡¯s shoulder. ¡°That way.¡±

    With that, the man turned his back on Isa and began to sort through a bundle of short metal rods. ¡°OK,¡± said Isa. ¡°Great. Thank you.¡±

    As she walked out of the building, Isa repeated how the blacksmith had said the healer¡¯s name. ¡°Muh-may. Muh-may Sur-fit.¡± Was it even possible that a healer could restore her age? No one had mentioned that possibility, not even Mery, who knew everything about Varana. But then, the spell that Lund had mentioned to Dulrak ¨C regeneration ¨C maybe that would work for Isa, too. Or restoration. Isa knew there was a spell called restoration. Her friend Felix had used it in their game to cure some swamp disease that Della¡¯s mage had gotten.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    Felix and Della, and Michelle, their DM: they were still safe in Portland, presumably. Isa would have to ask Marissa on that point.

    About 20 yards from the blacksmith¡¯s stood a building that stretched out easily 300 feet. It had three doorways that all stood open. As Isa got closer, she could see that the doorways were more akin to breezeways, as she could see through to the distant mountains on the other side of the building. The openings on both sides must help facilitate people moving about as they shopped. That was assuming that there were ever enough people to even fill the space to begin with.

    Wind blew Isa¡¯s hair across her face as she studied the building. From here it appeared deserted, but then so did the whole town. She¡¯d seen one man on the street when they¡¯d first arrived, but now it was getting near mid-day and where was everyone? Was the town covered in an invisibility spell?

    Fuck. Invisibility. Isa turned back to look at the blacksmith shop. Joth had probably cast invisibility on himself before Isa walked in. Wizards can do that spell, probably. And¡ª Isa fumbled for her notebook. ¡°There¡¯s a dispel magic spell. I know there is. Can I cast it though?¡± Isa flipped to her spells. Nothing on her list resembled a ¡°dispel¡± spell, but she could get more spells, right? She could take another level of¡ª ¡°Eldritch Knight?¡± Isa read the words she saw writing themselves across the page.

    She gently brushed the words with her thumb so that the notebook would display information about them. She read, ¡°An Eldritch Knight is a magical fighter. Fighters with access to the magical energies of the planes may choose, when the time is right, to follow the Eldritch path. A knight will focus on the mysteries of the wizard schools of abjuration and evocation, learning to create magical barriers, dispel a foe¡¯s magic spells, and evoke the elements to enhance weapons or harm those who would move against them.¡±

    Dispel a foe¡¯s magic spells. That is exactly what Isa wanted to do. ¡°I¡¯m in,¡± she said aloud. ¡°I want to be an Eldritch Knight.¡± She¡¯d half expected a thunder clap to follow her pronouncement, but nothing happened, and after a moment, Isa closed her notebook with a snap and put it away. She¡¯d talk with Alice tonight about what wizard spells to study.

    Now, to see about getting her ten years back.

 Lockwood Interlude 9a: Isas Level 6 Character Sheet

    Name: Isa Chamberlin

    Race: Human

    Height & Weight: 5ft 6inches / 125 lbs

    Class: Fighter Level: 5 / Cleric level 1

    Alignment: Chaotic Good

    Background: Stranger in a Strange Land

    Domain: Nature

    Hit Points: 48 AC: 16

    <u>Current Hit Points</u>: 48

    Combat: +9 to hit - Menesia¡¯s Sun Blade 1d8 +6

    Other Weapons: +1 Quarterstaff with shillelagh +7 to hit 1d8 +6 (one handed)

    <table width="192">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td width="64">

    STR

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    11

    </td>

    <td width="64">

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    DEX

    </td>

    <td>

    16

    </td>

    <td>

    +3

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CONThe tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

    </td>

    <td>

    11

    </td>

    <td>

    0

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    INT

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    WIS

    </td>

    <td>

    13

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    CHA

    </td>

    <td>

    12

    </td>

    <td>

    +1

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Saving Throws: Str and Con +3

    <table width="534">

    <tbody>

    <tr>

    <td>

    6

    </td>

    <td>

    Acrobatics* (Dex)

    </td>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Medicine (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Animal Handling (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Nature (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Arcana (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Perception* (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Athletics (Str)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Performance (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Deception (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Persuasion (Cha)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    History* (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Religion (Int)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    4

    </td>

    <td>

    Insight* (Wis)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Sleight of Hand (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Intimidation (Cha)

    </td>

    <td>

    3

    </td>

    <td>

    Stealth (Dex)

    </td>

    </tr>

    <tr>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Investigation (Int)

    </td>

    <td>

    1

    </td>

    <td>

    Survival (Wis)

    </td>

    </tr>

    </tbody>

    </table>

    Special Attack: Two weapon fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

    Class Features: Eldritch Knight ¨C cast wizard spells using INT (spell DC 12 spell attack +4) & Weapon Bond

    Two attacks / Second Wind - On your turn, you can use a Bonus Action to regain hit points equal to 5 + your fighter level. Short or Long Rest before you can use it again. Action Surge - On your turn, you can take one additional action on top of your regular action and a possible Bonus Action. You must finish a short or Long Rest before using it again.

    <u>Martial Archetype: Surgical Fighter</u>

    3rd level - Clinical Eye

    Cleric Spells: DC = 12 Spell Attack +4

    Cantrips ¨C Shillelagh / Spare The Dying / Sacred Flame / Thaumaturgy

    Level 1 - Animal Friendship (domain) / Healing Word / Bane

    Eldritch/Wizard Spells: DC = 12 Spell Attack +4

    Cantrips ¨C Fire Bolt / Message

    Level 1 ¨C Alarm / Comprehend Languages / Detect Magic / Identify

 Lockwood Chapter 54: In Search of a Cleric

    The market building seemed to be the sturdiest structure in the village. The wooden slatted walls stood straight and even, and where a small gap might show, someone had daubed clay or pitch to stop up the hole.

    Isa entered the building at the near end, stepping from the sunshine of the day into echoes of the all but deserted building. On her right, the space stretched with tables and shelving every ten feet or so. On the left stood a loose grouping of benches and a U-shaped table pushed to the side. A makeshift counter stretched from one side of the building to the other, anchoring the very end of the marketplace. An older woman stood behind the counter talking with a couple, and a lone man sat on a bench sipping something from a mug.

    As Isa approached the trio, she thought she heard the man say something about a construct. The word sparked something in Isa¡¯s mind; she¡¯d heard the word before, but she couldn¡¯t remember the context. Something else to ask Alice about.

    The woman behind the counter straightened up and said, ¡°Mefal¡¯s a peaceful place, mostly. You want to trade, we¡¯ll trade. You looking to fight, you take that out to the White Desert. Plenty to fight out there.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m a cleric,¡± Isa said. Not lying. ¡°Of the Lady of Lockwood. I¡¯m looking for Mim¡ª¡±

    ¡°Plenty kitted out for a cleric. What with the staff and breastplate, and that blade at your belt.¡± The woman¡¯s voice sounded bored, but her eyes stayed on Isa¡¯s face.

    Isa shrugged. ¡°We¡¯ve seen our share of troubles. My friends and I.¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯re a cleric,¡± said the other woman, ¡°why do you need Mimay?¡±

    The woman behind the bar narrowed her eyes. ¡°Good question, Sarra. Why do you need Mimay?¡±

    ¡°I want to consult with her. On a matter. A private matter.¡± Isa peered at the far end of the building. ¡°I was told she might be here.¡±

    The woman¡¯s companion spoke up for the first time. He said, ¡°We¡¯re awfully protective of Mimay. She¡¯s our only healer.¡± He stood up and turned around. Isa craned her neck up. He was easily a foot taller than Isa.

    ¡°I appreciate that. As I said, I¡¯m a healer too.¡±

    ¡°So you say,¡± he said and settled his hands on his belt.

    Perhaps Isa had gained some wisdom along with her ten years. She felt certain the man was simply puffing himself up, maybe to impress the women or to scare off Isa. ¡°Didn¡¯t your friend just say she didn¡¯t want any fighting in here? Now, I am perfectly capable of walking the length of this building in search of the cleric, but where I¡¯m from, you stop to chat with friendly folks. And if a traveler has coin, why, they can get a drink.¡± She reached into her coin pouch, pulled out one of the old copper coins from the tomb, and laid it on the counter.

    ¡°Where are you from?¡± The woman swept the coin off the table and uncorked a jug.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

    ¡°An obscure place called Foster-Powell.¡± Isa raised the mug to her mouth and paused for a half a second, wondering if it was wise to accept this stranger¡¯s drink. But then she gulped it down in one swallow. The liquor burned all the way to her stomach, and her eyes watered.

    Isa laughed, shook her head and said, ¡°You¡¯re not Mimay, are you?¡±

    The woman chuckled and shook her head. ¡°Mimay stands about this tall.¡± She held her hand about chest high. ¡°One of the halfling tribe. Flaming red hair, carries a sickle. You can find her at the other end. Piss poor luck that you came in this way instead of that way.¡±

    ¡°And miss the fine conversation and drink?¡± Isa smiled and winked.

    ¡°Heve.¡± The woman stuck out her hand. ¡°Heve Nery. This is my place. You¡¯re welcome back any time.¡±

    ¡°Isa Chamberlin. And thank you. My friends and I will be moving along in a day or two, but you may see us before then.¡±

    Isa moved past the couple and into the market area, proper. A few merchants had set up since Isa first entered. She moved slowly up the pathway, partially so that she didn¡¯t miss seeing Mimay and partially because the liquor had started a small fire in Isa¡¯s stomach, and she thought that any moment, she might find herself stumbling along, good and thoroughly drunk.

    What a strange turn of events: she¡¯d woken in the desert, having escaped a haunted tomb with well, not her youth, but at least her life. She¡¯d seen two old friends in the course of a short time. Well, at one time they were friends anyway. What is Joth now? Is he still my friend? Was he ever my friend?

    Isa stopped short and turned around. She¡¯d only come a short way from Heve¡¯s bar. She could go ask her if she knew Joth Windbane. The blacksmith obviously did. No, Isa shook her head. He¡¯d expressly said that he didn¡¯t know anyone with that name. But he was lying, obviously. Otherwise he would have said, ¡°Is he the guy who just turned invisible?¡±

    Isa wiped her forehead and continued her walk to the far end of the building. When had she last had hard liquor? Probably in Portland. Yes, brunch with Felix, but do Bloody Marys count?

    She glanced at the merchant table to her right. A woman had placed earthenware bowls and plates in a stack in the center of the table. The glaze was a pretty light brown color. Isa nodded at the woman and moved on.

    She spied an orange tabby curled up on a shelf behind an empty table. Had the serving girl said what kind of cat lived with the healer? This might not be Mimay¡¯s cat. Maybe the place was lousy with cats, though Isa hadn¡¯t seen a cat since she left Portland.

    A glance left and right showed no one nearby, so Isa stepped around the table, set her staff against the wall and reached for the cat. ¡°Hey kittie,¡± Isa said softly. ¡°Do you like to be petted?¡± She used one finger to stroke the cat¡¯s back. It flinched but didn¡¯t move. Isa petted the cat a few more times until it began to purr.

    Isa scratched the cat behind the ears, and it grabbed her hand and began to lick it. ¡°Ok,¡± Isa laughed, ¡°we¡¯re friends now. Who¡¯s your human ¨C er, your non-feline companion? Of course maybe you don¡¯t have one. Plenty of cats are just fine without one, right?¡±

    Petting the cat made Isa homesick. She didn¡¯t have a cat of her own, but there were several in her neighborhood and a few who would greet Isa as she walked home. She gave them all color-based names. All black cats, she called Midnight. White cats were Ghost, and orange cats all got the special name of Rinso because her grandmother had an orange tabby with that name.

    ¡°Your name probably isn¡¯t Rinso, is it?¡± The cat shifted on its side and yawned. Isa smiled. ¡°No, I didn¡¯t think so.¡±

    She gave the cat another scratch behind the ears and said, ¡°This has been lovely, but I still need to find the cleric.¡±

    ¡°You found her.¡±

    Isa whirled around to see a short, red-haired halfling woman standing with her hands on her hips. Her long hair was pulled away from her face, and she wore a plain breastplate over a sweater and skirt. At her belt the cleric had a sickle and a pouch.

    Before Isa could greet her, the woman said, ¡°You don¡¯t look sick. What¡¯s your problem?¡±

 Lockwood Chapter 55: Mimay Surefoot, Cleric of Bywick

    ¡°My problem?¡± Isa blinked at the cleric in front of her. ¡°I don¡¯t¡ª I mean, I have a situation, I guess.¡±

    The halfling rolled her eyes and said, ¡°If I had a gold coin for every time I heard that¡­. Well, come on.¡± She turned her back on Isa and started briskly toward the far end of the building. ¡°My clinic is down here. Saw a biggen messing with my cat, that¡¯s why I came over. Don¡¯t mess with my cat.¡±

    Isa hurried after Mimay, and with her longer legs she caught up quickly. ¡°I wasn¡¯t messing with the cat. I was petting her. Her?¡± The cleric nodded. Isa continued. ¡°I like cats, and I knew that you had one, so I stopped to¡ª¡±

    Mimay stopped short. ¡°Who told you I had a cat?¡±

    ¡°Are you always so¡­.¡± Isa waved her hand in a circle trying to think of a nice word for grouchy.

    ¡°Frontier is a dangerous place. How should I act?¡± Before Isa could answer, Mimay continued toward the end of the building where a wooden frame stretched with canvas created a wall. She stopped at the edge of the wall. ¡°My clinic,¡± she said. ¡°And,¡± Mimay held out her hand, ¡°there¡¯s a consulting fee. One silver.¡±

    ¡°You make money off healing people?¡±

    ¡°I make no promises about the outcome. I don¡¯t even know what¡¯s wrong with you, what your ¡®situation¡¯ is.¡±

    ¡°But you¡¯ll take my silver all the same.¡±

    ¡°Time is money, don¡¯t you think? How much do you charge people for your time when you¡¯re guarding or fighting or killing ¨C whatever it is that you do to earn your bread.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not a killer. I happen to be a cleric, too.¡± Isa opened her coin pouch, pulled out a silver coin, and handed it to Mimay. ¡°But, I¡¯m new at it. That¡¯s why I¡¯m here. In case you were wondering.¡±

    The woman threw herself into an armchair at the far end of the space and patted the short stool beside her. ¡°Sit. I¡¯m Mimay. What¡¯s your name?¡±

    ¡°Isa.¡± She sat on the stool which was cut low enough to make them see eye to eye.

    ¡°And what¡¯s wrong with Isa?¡±

    Isa opened her mouth, closed it, and felt tears in her eyes. She shook her head. ¡°I¡ª So many things, really. I saw a ghost, right? And it aged me ten years. This isn¡¯t my plane; I don¡¯t belong here, but this goddess plucked me here and¡ª¡± Isa swallowed. ¡°And I¡¯m in love, but I¡¯m scared. What if she leaves? Last one did. And I don¡¯t really understand what I¡¯m supposed to do.¡±

    ¡°Quickly now, tell me ¨C when did you see the ghost? Was it last night? Yesterday?¡±

    Isa shook her head. ¡°No, it¡¯s been two, no three days I think. Time was strange in the tomb.¡±Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

    Mimay shuddered. ¡°Ominous words, stranger.¡± She slashed the air with her hand and muttered something under her breath.

    ¡°Not my tomb, obviously. It¡¯s a day¡¯s walk south, I think. It¡¯s in my notebook.¡±

    Isa reached for her bag, but Mimay stopped her. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. It¡¯s too late. When a body is wracked by the Horror, a skilled healer has a day and a night to cure them. After that¡­.¡± Mimay spread her hands.

    ¡°There¡¯s no¡ª That can¡¯t be right. That¡¯s not right.¡±

    ¡°Right, wrong, they¡¯re just words. Nature will have Her way.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve lost a decade. I¡¯ve lost my 30s. That¡¯s what you¡¯re telling me.¡± Isa slumped against the wooden wall. The boards were cold from the brisk wind blowing outside.

    Mimay shrugged. ¡°Hard to gauge age with biggens. You all look sad most all the time. I can say that maybe you¡¯ve more reason than most; you¡¯re carrying a heaped basket of troubles, all right.¡± She patted Isa¡¯s hand, and her eyes seemed to soften. ¡°It¡¯s a sad harvest, child.¡±

    Isa put her face in her hands. Ten years truly gone. And for what? They¡¯d gotten some trinkets from the tomb, a few good weapons, but¡ª

    A hand landed on her shoulder, and Isa heard Marissa¡¯s voice. ¡°Everyone¡¯s looking for you. What are you doing here?¡±

    Isa sprung from the stool and whirled to face Marissa. ¡°Why are you really here? Why am I here? What did I sacrifice ten years of my life for? I hope it¡¯s worth it.¡±

    Marissa backed up with her hands in the air. ¡°You saw my notebook. You¡ª¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t pay attention! I had other things on my mind, like my middle-aged face.¡±

    ¡°When did you become a whiney brat? You look fine, a little tired, but damn you¡¯re not the only one to lose something.¡±

    ¡°What compares to ten years? Please enlighten me.¡±

    Suddenly a head of red hair stood between Isa and Marissa. ¡°If you two are going to fight, please do it elsewhere. I have several delicate instruments, glassware, and such, and if anything gets broken, I will be a bane upon you for as long as you stay in Mefal.¡±

    Marissa looked around as if seeing the space for the first time. ¡°You¡¯re a healer? Who¡¯s your god?¡±

    Mimay patted her sickle. ¡°Bywick, harvest god. He wants hard work, stability, patience from his flock. And I try. Bywick knows I try, but I¡¯m not a patient person by nature. So, if you break any of the glassware that I had to wait four months for¡­.¡± She returned to her chair. ¡°Well. I¡¯ve said my piece, warned my warning.¡±

    Marissa had been shaking her head through the last part of Mimay¡¯s speech. ¡°What do you think I am, some brawler?¡± Mimay shrugged. ¡°We¡¯re friends, me and Isa,¡± said Marissa. ¡°We just¡ª I wanted to find my friend, all right? I meant no offense. Isa? You ready? Everyone is looking for you.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Isa replied.

    ¡°No?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not ready. I came here to talk to the healer, and I¡¯m not done yet. I¡¯ve barely started! So I¡¯m going to sit down and talk with Mimay.¡±

    ¡°I can help you next,¡± Mimay said to Marissa. ¡°Whatever is wrong with you is manifesting in your hair, I see. We¡¯ll get you right as rain. Good thing you came early though, I might need a few spells to tackle that.¡±

    ¡°My hair is pink on purpose.¡± Marissa told the cleric. She turned to Isa. ¡°Mery is lining up a guide for us. It¡¯s hard to get to the Shimmer.¡±

    ¡°The Shimmer?¡± Mimay looked from Marissa to Isa. ¡°What do you want going all the way out there?¡±

    Isa ignored the question. ¡°I will be right back; is that OK? I¡¯m not done talking about the curse.¡±

    Mimay waved her hand. ¡°Might be a line when you get back. Maybe I¡¯ll be all out of spells. Suit yourself.¡±

    ¡°We need to talk,¡± Isa said as she walked past Marissa and into the main market. Business had picked up in the short time that Isa had been talking with Mimay. Several more vendors had laid out wares, and as if by magic, shoppers of all sorts had arrived to inspect the offerings.

    Brushing past two large men who were dressed in layers of leather armor, Marissa said, ¡°Yeah we do. Ysel says¡ª¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk about Her. I want to talk about you, your life in Portland.¡± She nodded toward the bar at the far end of the building. ¡°Buy me a drink. You owe me that much.¡±

 Lockwood Chapter 56: The Spy Life

    ¡°It was supposed to be temporary.¡± Marissa refilled her clay mug and gestured to Isa¡¯s.

    ¡°Yeah.¡± Isa drained her mug and held it out. How many times had she sat across from Marissa? How many times had they shared food, drink, and laughter?

    She sipped the thin beer. ¡°I¡¯m really mad at you, you know. You could have told me, warned me. When I got back to Portland¡­ How come you didn¡¯t know about that, hmm? Why didn¡¯t Ysel tell you? Or did She?¡±

    ¡°I already told you that I had no idea. And Ysel¡ª¡± Marissa¡¯s eyes shifted away from Isa. ¡°Ysel is young. Older than us, of course. Way, way older. But for a goddess,¡± Marissa leaned forward and said softly, ¡°She¡¯s really young. Her ¨C what do you call it ¨C Her dominion is pretty small.¡± Marissa took a drink. ¡°Out of all my friends in Portland, I would have told you, but honestly, would you have believed me?¡±

    ¡°Last year? No. But three months ago, sure, of course.¡±

    ¡°Exactly my point.¡±

    ¡°Exactly my point. You should have known I¡¯d been here. You¡¯re a druid for fuck¡¯s sake.¡±

    Marissa closed her eyes. ¡°Do you need to see my notebook again? I¡¯m a level 4 druid. Level 4! You can sneeze and get to level 4. That¡¯s how little XP it takes.¡±

    ¡°So you¡¯re a shitty druid. But that means you¡¯re a good spy, right?¡±

    With a cocked head Marissa said, ¡°I don¡¯t follow.¡±

    ¡°I call bullshit. Sure, maybe you could have tried a little harder with your XP, but that wasn¡¯t¡ª isn¡¯t your job. Your job¡ª Well, what does a spy like you do?¡±

    ¡°A spy like me. Ha. I¡¯m not James Bond, OK?¡±

    Isa had been taking a drink, but she slammed her mug down. ¡°All the cultural references, the movies and books, what is that? How did you learn it all? You¡¯re really very good.¡±

    ¡°Honestly?¡± Marissa smiled. ¡°It was punishment. Going to Portland, it was punishment. ¡®Give it to Marissa,¡¯ they said. ¡®A few weeks and she¡¯ll be ready to focus on her spell mastery.¡¯¡±

    ¡°A few weeks? I have known you for years.¡±

    ¡°Yeah well, time moves differently in Portland, right? How much time passed there when you were here?¡±

    ¡°Not years. Not even close. And don¡¯t try to sidetrack me.¡±A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    ¡°I¡¯m not tr¡ª Look, here¡¯s the deal.¡± Marissa leaned forward. ¡°I like it in Portland. A lot. It beats the hell out of living in a shithole like this, right? You have electricity, heating, plumbing. Really, all this magic and no one¡¯s figured out plumbing?¡± Marissa spread her hands on the table. ¡°So maybe I embellished a little in my reports. Maybe I told the elders that Portland bears watching.¡±

    ¡°Watching for what?¡± Isa shook her head. ¡°You¡¯ve talked a lot and said little.¡±

    Marissa gave her a smile. ¡°No slack, huh? Well, it¡¯s related to your quest at the Shimmer. We know that someone, some group has been using the veil between this plane and your plane and weakening it with each passage. I knew that people fell through, but why would I think you were one? My first indication was when you said the wizard in our game should be called ¨C of all things ¨C Vernal Fedru.¡±

    ¡°I forgot about that.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t. Almost spit my beer across the table. No way was that a coincidence.¡±

    ¡°Is that why you wanted to meet with Alice? You thought she¡¯d know. That I would have told her.¡±

    ¡°Alice called me,¡± said Marissa. ¡°She suggested coffee at The Roast.¡±

    ¡°But she was 80 blocks from there, at the park. She was bundled away by some of Ysel¡¯s people. And I¡¯d been thinking I was lucky enough to have seen it, but¡­¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll have to ask her,¡± said Marissa.

    Isa nodded, thinking of how deftly it seemed that Alice had answered some questions and dodged others. Which, now that she considered, was exactly what Marissa was doing this very moment.

    ¡°What¡¯s your real name? Can¡¯t be Marissa? Maybe it¡¯s Nimlawli, like in the game.¡±

    ¡°Marissa Mills doesn¡¯t sound very elven, huh? Nimlawli is the name of my favorite aunt. I guess I was feeling homesick when I created my ranger.¡± She paused, and then said, ¡°I¡¯m doing it, aren¡¯t I? Telling you a little bit instead of the whole. Force of habit, I assure you.¡± She held out her hand. ¡°My name is Audrin.¡±

    Isa lightly slapped the outstretched hand. ¡°You could just tell me and not have it be a big production. That¡¯s what normal people do: they tell other people things about their lives. It¡¯s called sharing; it¡¯s how friendships are supposed to work.¡± She blew hair from her eyes. ¡°So what do I call you?¡±

    Marissa ¨C Audrin ¨C shrugged. ¡°I answer to both.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s been a long couple of days, truly it has, so don¡¯t be an ass. What do I call you?¡± She knew her tone sounded harsh, and Isa almost apologized, but then she thought of all the years she¡¯d known ¨C thought she¡¯d known ¨C Marissa.

    ¡°Call me Marissa. And let me show you that you are stuck with me, anger or no.¡± She pulled out her notebook and turned to the quest log. The top listing said: Assist Isa Chamberlin on her quest to heal the Shimmer. Her success is your success. Reward: 10,000 experience points and 10,000 gold.

    ¡°Fine. So you have a quest. I don¡¯t see any negatives if you don¡¯t help, though. So you report to Ysel every day? With your spy information, I mean. Every day or maybe just once a week? Does She make a portal for you?¡±

    Marissa drained her mug. ¡°I hurt you. I know that. But give me a chance, will you? I wasn¡¯t spying on you or Ally or any of the group. It was my job to scope out what Fedru and friends were up to.¡±

    ¡°And did you? Figure it out?¡±

    ¡°Your plane has some vestiges of magic. At some point, maybe even within human history, people from my plane traveled to your plane. And maybe they used magic and it flourished, like a rare plant that takes root in unexpected soil. All I know is we found magic where there shouldn¡¯t be magic. And we weren¡¯t the only ones.¡±

    ¡°Fedru.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Who knows how he stumbled on it. But in your world, Fedru is creating strong magic. Scrolls and potions, and maybe even spells.¡± She picked up her mug, looked inside and set it down. ¡°It¡¯s a mess.¡±

 Lockwood Chapter 57: Bodies in Motion

    "There you are!¡± Alice thumped her hands on the table and beamed at Isa and Marissa. ¡°You should have let us know.¡±

    Isa turned around in her chair. ¡°Everyone¡¯s here?¡±

    Alice pulled up a chair. ¡°They will be as soon as I tell them.¡± She touched the copper cuff on her wrist, and her familiar appeared on the table. ¡°Peck, find Lund. Bring him here.¡± The crow cawed once and flew away.

    As Alice opened her component pouch, Isa touched her arm. ¡°No need for magic; Mery¡¯s right over there.¡± She pointed to the far end of the market where Mery stood looking at something on a table. ¡°And that¡¯s perfect because I want to ask you something. Why did you go to Oaks Bottom on last Sunday? You were going to have coffee with Marissa, but you were miles from the caf¨¦.¡±

    Alice opened her mouth, but Isa said, ¡°Are you a spy, too? Is this your world?¡± She looked into Alice¡¯s eyes. ¡°Tell me the truth.¡±

    ¡°The truth? The truth is I¡¯ve been sick. Unwell. And I felt something when I touched the necklace.¡± She reached out to stroke the medallion that hung around Isa¡¯s neck. ¡°I dismissed it, of course. But I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that it could help me.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean unwell? You¡¯re not, like¡ª¡±

    ¡°No, I¡¯m not,¡± Alice said quickly. Isa was glad that Alice cut her off. She didn¡¯t want to say the word ¡°dying.¡± Alice continued, ¡°For a few months I¡¯ve had these headaches that¡ª¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know that!¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± said Marissa. ¡°You didn¡¯t tell me.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve all been keeping secrets, huh?¡± Alice cocked her head to look at Isa and then Marissa.

    ¡°But this is serious,¡± Isa said.

    ¡°Indeed it is.¡± Mery plopped into the chair beside Alice. ¡°No one wants to be our guide.¡± She waved her hand at the market. ¡°None of the locals are willing to kit-out and lead us to the Shimmer.¡± She rested her arms on the table. ¡°And I don¡¯t know why.¡±

    ¡°That cleric wanted to talk about it,¡± Marissa said to Isa. ¡°Maybe she can help us.¡±

    Isa grabbed Alice¡¯s hand and pulled her from the table. ¡°We¡¯ll be right back,¡± she muttered to the others. With Alice in tow Isa stepped outside into the cold and wind.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me? Did you go to the doctor? What did they say?¡±

    ¡°They wanted to run about a million tests.¡± Alice shrugged.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡± Isa gripped Alice¡¯s hand.

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t always in pain. Jesus.¡± Alice yanked her hand away.

    ¡°And now? Did Ysel heal you? Was that the price?¡±

    ¡°The price?¡± Alice frowned.

    ¡°You must have been rewarded.¡± Isa knew how she sounded ¨C whiny, wounded, petty ¨C but she couldn¡¯t help herself. ¡°For getting me back to Varana.¡±

    ¡°The world,¡± Alice stepped forward so that her face was only inches from Isa¡¯s, ¡°does not revolve around Isa Chamberlin.¡± With that she whirled away and headed between two of the buildings. The wind blew Alice¡¯s hair sideways as she left the shelter of the buildings.

    ¡°Where¡¯s Alice going?¡± Lund stopped beside Isa as Peck flew off, following Alice¡¯s trail.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Isa stepped back into the market. ¡°Everyone is here ¨C everyone else.¡±This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    ¡°Dulrak?¡± Lund¡¯s voice held surprise.

    ¡°Oh, no. I don¡¯t think so. When I said everyone, I¡ª¡±

    ¡°Lover¡¯s spat then?¡± Mery said as Isa and Lund arrived at the table.

    ¡°Fuck off.¡± Isa slumped into a chair.

    ¡°What did I miss?¡± Lund looked at all three women in turn. When no one answered, he looked at Marissa. ¡°Seriously, what is going on?¡±

    ¡°We were, ah, talking to Alice, and¡ª¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand any of this,¡± said Isa. She lifted her bag over her head and dropped it on the table. ¡°And I don¡¯t care anymore. I¡¯m going home.¡± She stood, picked up her staff, which had been leaning against the table where she left it, and started walking to the far end of the market.

    A gate spell had gotten her home once, no reason it wouldn¡¯t work again. And maybe Mimay was powerful enough to cast it for Isa. Surely the sun blade she¡¯d gotten from the mummy¡¯s tomb was worth enough to pay for the spell, pay for the diamond the spell needed. The blade, the staff, whatever coins were tied to her belt, it would be enough.

    The market was crowded with buyers and sellers now. Almost every stall was open. People called to her, announcing their wares, but Isa had her eyes on the canvas wall that signified Mimay¡¯s clinic.

    There were three people leaning against the wall, waiting their turn with Mimay. Isa nodded to the young man who was last in line as she took her place beside him.

    A dark-haired girl, second in line, leaned past him and said to Isa, ¡°Don¡¯t bother. She¡¯ll be done before she gets to you.¡±

    ¡°Done?¡±

    ¡°Tapped, empty, void of magic,¡± the girl said.

    ¡°You can¡¯t know that, Cassie,¡± the young man mumbled.

    ¡°She¡¯s doing Printis now, and then she¡¯s got Hildrith, then me, then you. What¡¯s left? Cantrips like mend?¡± Cassie looked at Isa. ¡°Do you need something mended? I didn¡¯t think so.¡±

    Isa folded her arms around her staff, leaned against the wall, and stared straight ahead. Through the throng of shoppers, she thought she could make out three figures sitting at a table in the caf¨¦ area. Bodies would obscure the group and then part, allowing Isa a momentary glimpse. Let Marissa complete the quest, Isa told herself. Ysel is her fucking goddess anyway.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry about my sister,¡± the young man said. ¡°She¡¯s very rude sometimes.¡± He held his hand out. ¡°I¡¯m Gil.¡±

    ¡°Isa.¡± She gave his hand one pump and then tucked her hand back under her arm.

    ¡°Are you injured? You can take my place. I just need to¡ª¡±

    Cassie whapped him on the arm. ¡°She doesn¡¯t care. And you¡¯re not giving up your place in line. You saved up weeks for the coin.¡±

    ¡°I can wait another day if I must,¡± said Gil. ¡°And I can make money; it isn¡¯t hard.¡±

    In a harsh whisper Cassie said, ¡°No one¡¯s guiding right now, you know that. The docks are empty.¡±

    ¡°No law says I can¡¯t go. And if no one else is guiding, I can name my price.¡± He leaned toward his sister. ¡°You¡¯re just jealous that I can do it, and you can¡¯t.¡±

    Isa shifted, feeling uncomfortable overhearing their family discussion.

    ¡°It¡¯s dangerous, Gil. That¡¯s why no one¡¯s going out into the Hinter!¡± Cassie¡¯s eyes met Isa¡¯s. ¡°Do you mind?¡±

    ¡°Sorry,¡± Isa mumbled and looked down.

    ¡°Don¡¯t pick on a stranger when you¡¯re really mad at me,¡± Gil told his sister. ¡°You don¡¯t even want to be here. Go home.¡± To Isa he said softly, ¡°Sorry about that.¡±

    Isa could feel Cassie¡¯s eyes upon her, but she kept her eyes forward.

    ¡°She¡¯s older than Ma,¡± said Cassie. ¡°So keep it in your pants.¡±

    Isa felt her mouth tighten involuntarily. Just how old do I look? ¡°She¡¯s not wrong, your sister.¡±

    ¡°Next!¡± Mimay¡¯s voice called out as a gray and bent man shuffled past them.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with him?¡± Isa asked Gil.

    Gil stepped two steps closer to Mimay¡¯s room as the old lady at the front of the line took a seat on the stool in front of the cleric. ¡°Curse,¡± he said. ¡°The life drains out of him like a cracked bowl. So once a week or so, he comes to Mimay and she heals him up again. He usually comes on an off day. A non-market day since he needs extra care.¡±

    ¡°He really didn¡¯t look all that great leaving. I can¡¯t imagine what he looked like before.¡±

    ¡°He was a strong man, tall and strong.¡±

    ¡°I meant before she healed him,¡± said Isa. ¡°Before meaning this morning.¡±

    The murmur of voices near and far filled the silence between Isa and the young man named Gil. That was fine with her. She needed to keep an eye on her friends at the far end of the market. If they made signs of coming this way, Isa wanted to be ready to slip away.

    ¡°Next!¡± Mimay called out, and Gil took another two steps closer to the stool. Now Isa¡¯s view was partially blocked by the canvas wall. She stepped forward and turned so she faced Gil. ¡°Little drafty,¡± she said.

    With the move, she was now completely out of sight. With any luck, the crowded market had obscured Isa¡¯s movements. Assuming Marissa, Mery, and Lund were even watching from the far end. Assuming they were even still in the market. Perhaps they¡¯d gone back to the inn or to find Alice.

    ¡°Wait for winter,¡± said Gil.

    ¡°What?¡± Isa shifted her focus to the young man across from her.

    ¡°I said, ¡®Wait for winter.¡¯ You think it¡¯s windy now, just wait.¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t be here that long,¡± she replied, and silence once more settled around her.

    ¡°Next!¡± Mimay¡¯s voice was loud in Isa¡¯s ear. Cassie pushed past her. ¡°You¡¯re too old for him,¡± she muttered to Isa.

 Lockwood Chapter 58: From a Distance

    Isa settled back on the outer wall to wait her turn to speak to Mimay. The rough wooden boards were cold against her backside. Cassie had disappeared, and there was no one behind Isa in line. She stared at the floor and tried not to overhear Gil¡¯s conversation with the cleric.

    From the corner of her eye she saw a flash of bright light as Mimay pulled a silver-backed mirror from a drawer. She held it down so that both she and Gil could peer into it. Mirrors. What spell uses a mirror? Isa tried to think if Felix had ever employed a mirror during one of their table top sessions. She felt certain she¡¯d have remembered that. There would have been endless jokes about the vain cleric who carries a mirror.

    Maybe Gil wanted to see something in his future. Maybe a magic mirror would do that. Maybe that¡¯s what Isa needed, too. She shifted ever so slightly closer to the pair.

    ¡°Last time we failed, remember?¡± Mimay¡¯s voice was gentle. ¡°I don¡¯t want you wasting your money.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s mine to spend.¡±

    Mimay¡¯s only response was to sigh. She bent her head over the mirror again. Finally she sat back and said, ¡°I don¡¯t understand.¡±

    ¡°What did you see?¡± Gil leaned forward and so did Isa.

    ¡°Tracks. In the sand out near Onyx, if I¡¯m not mistaken. Small tracks like someone poked at the sand with a stick. Several sticks. I don¡¯t¡ª¡±

    ¡°But you didn¡¯t see her?¡± Gil leaned forward. ¡°The Onyx Hills, dangerous country, Mimay. Is she alone?¡±

    The cleric leaned closer to the mirror. She breathed on the surface and waited. Finally she said, ¡°She doesn¡¯t want to be seen.¡± Mimay put her hand on Gil¡¯s arm. ¡°Let it go, son.¡±

    ¡°But the tracks ¨C do you think she¡¯s being followed?¡±

    ¡°I think Dockma Nimnor goes where she will, and if someone is fool enough to follow her ¨C that includes you ¨C then they get what they deserve.¡±

    The mention of the gnome mapmaker made Isa jump. Both Gil and Mimay looked up at the sound. ¡°You¡¯re back,¡± said Mimay.

    ¡°Did you say Dockma? The woman who makes maps? You know her?¡±

    Gil answered with his own question. ¡°How do you know her?¡±

    Isa licked her lips. If that double-crossing gnome still had the mummy¡¯s crown¡­. well that would buy a gate spell for sure. And technically the crown belonged to Isa ¨C to the group. They¡¯d found the tomb; they¡¯d killed (eventually) the mummy, not Dockma.

    ¡°She sold me a map of this region, actually. And then, well, our paths have crossed a few times since.¡±

    Gil stood quickly. ¡°When did you last see her? Where was she going? How did she look?¡±

    ¡°Gil.¡± Mimay caught his arm. ¡°Let the woman speak.¡±

    ¡°It was a few days ago,¡± Isa told him. ¡°Half a day¡¯s walk from here. Maybe more. I was, I was injured, and my friends¡ª¡± Isa stopped short. They were her friends. They¡¯d fought beside her, healed her, carried her when she couldn¡¯t stand. And what was she doing running away like this?Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    At that moment Isa decided to see the Shimmer quest through to the end. Not for Ysel, not for any personal gain, but for her friends.

    ¡°You¡¯re a guide? We need ¨C my friends and I ¨C need to get to the Shimmer, and we want to find Dockma. She has something of mine. We could help each other, right?¡± She stuck out her hand.

    Gil grabbed her hand and shook it. ¡°Meet me at the docks in an hour. I just need my gear.¡±

    ¡°Docks?¡± Isa said to Gil¡¯s back. ¡°Docks?¡± she said to Mimay. ¡°But this is a desert.¡±

    ¡°Where there¡¯s wind, there¡¯s sailors.¡± The cleric shrugged. ¡°That¡¯s the way of it. Besides, how do you think you cross the vasts of the Hinter, on foot?¡±

    ¡°Well, I¡ª¡±

    ¡°So you came back. And why? I told you I can¡¯t take away the years. You¡¯ve earned them, just not in the usual way.¡±

    ¡°I have this quest. It¡¯s about the Shimmer.¡± Isa reached for her notebook and remembered that she¡¯d left her bag with the others. Rather dramatically left her bag with the others. Fuck. ¡°Can you come with me? I can explain it all once you¡¯ve met my group and seen the quest log.¡±

    ¡°Consultations aren¡¯t free.¡±

    ¡°Here.¡± Isa handed her the coin pouch from her belt. ¡°Your fee.¡±

    Mimay opened the pouch, took out five silver coins, cinched the bag and handed it back. ¡°And buy me an ale. I¡¯m ready for one after dealing with that Cassie Whitsel.¡±

    Lund, Marissa, and Mery were still sitting at the table. Isa¡¯s bag was sitting on the table where she¡¯d left it. ¡°Where¡¯s Alice? Didn¡¯t she come back yet?¡±

    Mery shrugged. Marissa said, ¡°We thought she might be with you.¡±

    ¡°Well she¡¯s clearly not with me.¡± Isa tried to keep her voice even.

    Lund stood up. ¡°I¡¯ll go look for her. Stay here.¡±

    ¡°Lund!¡± Isa grabbed his arm and leaned to his ear. ¡°I saw Joth Windbane. Be careful.¡±

    Lund looked at Isa and raised one eyebrow. ¡°I don¡¯t know why he¡¯s here,¡± she said to his unspoken question. ¡°Just be careful, right?¡±

    Isa snatched her bag off the table and dropped it to the floor. ¡°This is Mimay. She¡¯s a cleric.¡± Isa dropped into a chair. ¡°I got us a guide, and I thought Mimay could give us some, um, insight into the Shimmer before we leave.¡±

    ¡°Talking is thirsty work.¡± Mimay touched her throat.

    ¡°Don¡¯t I know it.¡± Mery poured a mug from the pitcher and handed it to Mimay. To Isa she said, ¡°You didn¡¯t just say that Joth Windbane is here, did you?¡±

    ¡°Who?¡± asked Marissa.

    ¡°He¡¯s a guy I met¡ª¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s an outlander, like your girl, here,¡± said Mery. ¡°And an outlaw, perhaps. What¡¯s he doing here, did he say? And could you even believe him if he did?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t talk to him. I saw him, and I think he saw me, but then he disappeared.¡±

    ¡°The name isn¡¯t familiar,¡± said Mimay. ¡°He¡¯s not been here long then.¡±

    ¡°Do you know the name Vernal Fedru?¡± Mery asked Mimay. ¡°Old man, brand on his forehead.¡± Mery tapped the space above her nose.

    ¡°Circle and star? Not by that name, no.¡± Mimay cocked her head. ¡°Friend of yours? You¡¯re meeting in Mefal? You have some business with the Shimmer?¡±

    ¡°Hardly,¡± Marissa took a drink from her mug. ¡°I can¡¯t begin to tell you the things I want to do once I get my hands on Fedru¡¯s scrawny neck.¡±

    Isa leaned her elbows on the table. ¡°To answer your question, no. We¡¯re not friends. I guess we¡¯re enemies, or at least Ysel is enemies with Fedru. Maybe me and Joth, maybe we¡¯re caught in the middle. Pawns.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not treasure hunters?¡± Mimay looked from Mery to Isa.

    ¡°No, why would you say¡ª¡±

    ¡°You got a map from Dockma, and all that woman cares about is treasure.¡±

    ¡°You know Dockma?¡± Mery laid her hands on the table.

    ¡°I was getting to that,¡± Isa muttered. To Mimay she said, ¡°Dockma¡¯s a long story. But we¡¯re not after treasure. We have a quest; I told you. A quest to heal the Shimmer.¡±

    ¡°Heal the Shimmer? What foolishness is this?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what I wanted to show you.¡± Isa pulled out her notebook and flipped to the quest log. ¡°See? Heal the Shimmer, heal the shield between the planes.¡±

    Mimay leaned forward and squinted. ¡°Such a strange¡­.¡± In a low voice she went on: ¡°Woven shadows. Shadows and sounds and tracks in the sand.¡± She sat back, drained her mug of ale and stood up. ¡°Best of luck to you.¡±

    Isa snagged Mimay¡¯s sweater and said, ¡°You haven¡¯t told us anything! Sit down.¡±

    The halfling struggled to break free and then sat down. ¡°There¡¯s nothing to tell! The Shimmer is the Shimmer. It¡¯s not a creature you can heal! It¡¯s a¡ª¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s what?¡± asked Marissa. ¡°Our quest clearly says¡ª¡±

    Mimay waved a hand to quiet Marissa. ¡°Wait. Wait-wait. All creatures great and small¡­. Great? He did say great, but that¡¯s something beyond¡­.¡± She gripped the edge of the table, shaking her head. ¡°It¡¯s dangerous, Father. A dangerous crop.¡± Mimay cocked her head as of to hear better. ¡°Yes. Yes, that¡¯s true ¨C who else is there?¡± She looked at the group in confusion. ¡°Bywick says¡ª Bywick says, I¡¯m coming with you?¡±

 Lockwood Chapter 59: Setting Sail

    Eight people stood on a dock at the edge of a town called Mefal. It was a strange assortment of folk: several humans, a dwarf, a halfling, a half-orc, and a half-elf. And the dock was strange, too. Like any dock in any port town this dock was made of wood and beams, set at the edge of a vast space. Nestled against the dock were dozens of boats. But these boats were sand craft, built for speed, constructed to endure the winds and sands of the region and outfitted with tall wheels so that they could sail over most of the rocks of the Hinter. For all that though, they looked like traditional sailing vessels.

    At least, most of the boats had a traditional design. The boat that the group stood contemplating was different ¨C more of a raft, really. It was tall, certainly and had two triangular sails, like the other boats. But it was half the size of the other boats, and the planks that made up the deck looked cracked and splintered. Plus there was no railing circling the edge of the deck. Anyone or anything could roll right off the edge. Netting lay in heaps on the deck, and the main sail looked like a patchwork quilt because of dozens of repairs to the cloth.

    Gil, the captain of the boat jumped down to her deck and spread his arms wide. ¡°Welcome to Ladja, queen of the sands.¡±

    ¡°Will we all fit on it, I mean her?¡± Isa brushed the hair from her eyes and gave Gil a smile.

    ¡°Of course!¡± He held out his hand. We¡¯ll need to be careful about moving much when she¡¯s under sail, but it will be fine. Mimay?¡± The halfling cleric took Gil¡¯s hand and hopped down to the deck. ¡°Of course,¡± Gil went on, ¡°it helps to have a few lighter folks in the mix. No offense to the fighter or the dwarf.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not joining this expedition,¡± said Dulrak. ¡°I¡¯m just here to say my goodbyes.¡± He held out his hands to Alice and said, ¡°You¡¯re a smart one. Smart, strong, and ready for the trials ahead.¡± He smiled and squeezed her hands. ¡°I know it.¡± He pulled her forward and whispered in her ear.

    Alice hugged him and jumped down to the boat deck. Lund held out his hand, and Dulrak grasped his forearm. ¡°Safe travels,¡± Lund told him. ¡°I¡¯m glad our paths crossed. I am in your debt, and if you come to Bywater, I can begin to repay you.¡±

    With that Lund sat down on the edge of the dock and eased himself to the deck of the craft. Gil directed him to sit in the center of the raft, near the main mast.

    Now only Marissa, Isa, and Dulrak stood on the dock. ¡°Thanks for finding Alice today,¡± said Marissa. ¡°And my goddess thanks you for your help in the tombs. Ysel, She knows that they would not have survived without you.¡± Marissa handed him a wooden disk about the size of a quarter. ¡°If you should find yourself in the eastern lands, She would gladly welcome you and heal your face of the damage done in Her service.¡±

    Dulrak touched the edge of his cheek where gray, crusted skin met shiny pink and smiled. ¡°I didn¡¯t do it for your Lady.¡±

    ¡°All the same, She bid me give you a token. Safe travels to you.¡± Marissa nodded and dropped down to the raft.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Isa said, ¡°for saving my life. Repeatedly.¡± She shook her head. ¡°We had no business going into that tomb. Don¡¯t know that it was worth it. For either of us.¡±

    Dulrak took Isa¡¯s hand. ¡°It¡¯s sadness that ages you, not years. Sadness and regret. The future ¨C the future is a blank page. Write your story on it in bold strokes.¡±

    Dulrak¡¯s words surprised Isa, and she stood with her mouth open trying to think how to respond.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°Isa?¡± Alice¡¯s question was punctuated by the thump of ropes hitting the dock. ¡°We¡¯re ready to cast off.¡± Gil, Lund, and Marissa all stood at the edge of the raft, long metal-tipped poles in hand. Mimay was on her hands and knees covering their gear with netting.

    ¡°OK,¡± Isa smiled at Dulrak. ¡°Um, farewell, I guess.¡±

    ¡°You, too lass.¡± He thumped her back. ¡°Good luck.¡±

    She jumped to the deck and turned around to wave. Alice tucked her arm through Isa¡¯s ¡°We¡¯ll meet again!¡± Alice called to Dulrak.

    He laughed. ¡°Count on it, Ally!¡±

    ¡°Do you rea¡ª¡± Isa bit off her question. In the few hours since they¡¯d been reunited it seemed that they were both trying to be kind to the other. Isa had wanted to ask if Alice really thought she¡¯d see Dulrak again and in which realm, Varana or in Portland, but she stopped herself. Such a question might seem confrontational.

    Instead Isa shrugged off her pack and pulled her bag off her shoulder. She pushed them under the netting and helped Mimay tie it off.

    Marissa grunted with effort as she leaned against the tall pole. Isa looked at Lund and Gil at the front two corners of the raft planting their poles and pushing them down and away, making the raft move slowly away from the dock.

    ¡°Can I help? Is there another pole?¡± Isa asked.

    ¡°It¡¯s heavier,¡± Lund grunted with effort, ¡°than it looks.¡±

    ¡°You and Alice can take my spot,¡± said Gil. ¡°I¡¯ll get the minsel up.¡± He held the pole up. ¡°Watch your friend there and follow his stroke.¡±

    Isa strode across the deck with Alice at her heels. She took the pole from Gil and almost dropped it. ¡°It¡¯s heavy,¡± said Gil.

    ¡°We got it,¡± said Alice as she grasped it.

    Lund said, ¡°On three. One, two, push.¡±

    After a few tries Isa and Alice found a rhythm. The height difference between them helped. Alice kept her hands high on the pole, and Isa had hers low, almost at her thighs.

    The wind blew her hair into her mouth, but the stiff breeze smelled clean, and the chill felt good as Isa¡¯s muscles warmed to the task. She hadn¡¯t realized how smoky and rank Mefal had been until the fresh desert air filled her lungs.

    Behind her Isa heard the fa-lump of a canvas sail catching the breeze. Gil scrambled up beside them and quickly untied a smaller sail. He hauled on a thin rope and pulled the smaller sail up and secured it. ¡°You can pull in your poles now. She¡¯s not the fastest, but Ladja will prove her worth on the lees.¡±

    They all settled down on deck in a loose semi-circle near Gil, who stood beside the mast.

    Isa glanced behind them. The docks of Mefal were a speck in the distance, and the tracks of the boat stretched back, deep, unwavering parallel lines connecting them to the town. Something about the tracks caught Isa¡¯s attention. They were wider than she¡¯d expected, and the sand was rucked up into crests after the boat had passed.

    Alice said, ¡°Are there pirates out here? What if we¡¯re followed?¡±

    ¡°Did you have to say that? Honestly.¡± Mery gave Alice a backhanded slap on the arm.

    ¡°Sometimes,¡± said Gil. ¡°But not lately. No one¡¯s sailing these days.¡±

    ¡°Right,¡± Isa nodded. ¡°I remember your sister saying that. Why?¡±

    ¡°Strange sightings, strange weather, strange creatures....¡± Mimay¡¯s voice trailed off.

    ¡°So... strangeness,¡± said Mery.

    Gil shrugged. ¡°Sailors are a superstitious lot. We need the winds, stars, sands for survival, and when even one part of that is unbalanced, the whole comes into question.¡± He rubbed his thumb along one of the taut ropes. ¡°Without a lodestar, a man might lose his way.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s that from?¡± Mery craned her neck to look up at Gil.

    ¡°What¡¯s what from?¡±

    ¡®The lodestar bit. It sounds familiar¡­.¡± Mery snapped her fingers. ¡°Malvolo¡¯s first speech, from A Digger¡¯s Tune. You¡¯re a little young for the part, though. Should be an older man in the role.¡± She fell silent, squinting into the distance.

    ¡°Mery is a bard,¡± said Isa by way of explanation.

    ¡°Do you like theater?¡± Mery stood up, and Gil grabbed her hand to steady her. He said, ¡°Can¡¯t say I¡¯ve ever seen one.¡± He loosened a rope and let the main sail out a bit. ¡°Hold tight,¡± he said. ¡°See that smudge there in the distance. That¡¯s where we¡¯re headed. We¡¯ll shelter there overnight and if Bywick favors us, Mimay, we¡¯ll pick up the trail there.¡±

    ¡°Onyx Hills,¡± said Mimay.

    ¡°The Shimmer is that close?¡± asked Lund.

    ¡°We have to rescue Dockma first,¡± said Gil.

    ¡°Dockma?¡± Lund¡¯s eyes opened wide. ¡°Dockma walled-us-up-in-a-tomb, Dockma? The woman who stole priceless treasure literally from my hands? That Dockma?¡±

    ¡°You know her, too?¡± Mimay gave Lund a crooked smile.

 Lockwood Chapter 60: Toward Onyx Hills

    Mery and Alice took turns telling Mimay and Gil about the group¡¯s encounters with the mapmaker and her halfling companion. Marissa hadn¡¯t heard the tale either, so they had three rapt listeners. When Alice got to the part about the wall she said, ¡°At the time I thought ¨C and I still think this ¨C that she had done us a favor. We¡¯d taken some lumps fighting the mummy. A safe night¡¯s sleep was just what we needed.¡±

    ¡°That sounds like my Dockma,¡± Gil said. They were the first words he¡¯d spoken since Mery and Alice had begun their tale.

    Mimay nodded at Isa. ¡°This is the tomb you mentioned earlier?¡±

    ¡°The very one.¡± Isa tried to keep her tone light. In her periphery she saw Gil pull on one of the ropes. There was a tinkle of metal hitting metal, and then the raft tilted to one side. Everyone tumbled and yelped with surprise. Isa slid toward the edge of the raft as the right corner gouged a furrow in the sand. She grabbed hold of a rope just before her feet shot past the edge of the boat. A flash of red hair caught her eye as Mimay slid off the boat and rolled in the sand.

    The raft came to a shuddering stop, and Isa felt someone resting against her shoulder. She yelled, ¡°Alice! Are you¡ª¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m right here.¡± Alice¡¯s voice was in her ear. ¡°Holding the same rope as you.¡±

    ¡°We lost a wheel,¡± Gil called out from above Isa¡¯s head. She tilted her head back and saw him standing with one arm wrapped around the mast. Lund clung to the far edge of the raft with Mery beside him.

    Marissa had been clutching at the netting that held their gear, but one tie came free and Marissa swung down, almost to Isa¡¯s level. She muttered, ¡°Son of a¡ª¡± as she tried to get a better purchase on the netting, but it pulled free completely, and she, too, fell to the sands below. The bags and packs tumbled after her.

    Mimay¡¯s skirt was over her head, and she wasn¡¯t moving. Isa loosened her grip on the rope. ¡°I need to get down there,¡± she said to Alice. She felt rather than heard Alice nod.

    Hand over hand Isa lowered herself toward the sand. Her arms shook with the effort, and she could see that the rope ended before it reached the ground. She would need to drop about ten feet to the ground.

    Behind her Isa heard Gil shouting orders. Marissa had rolled over and gotten to her knees. She was holding out her left hand. Her lips moved, but Isa couldn¡¯t tell what she¡¯d said. ¡°Mimay!¡± Isa wiggled down so that her hips were over the edge of the raft. ¡°Are you all right? Mimay?¡±

    The halfling stirred, rolled over, and smoothed down her skirt, all in one motion. She put her hands on her stomach. ¡°What foolishness was that?¡± she called out. ¡°Gil Whitsel, what have you done?¡±Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

    ¡°It¡¯s just a wheel. I¡¯ll have her righted in a jiffy minute.¡± This was followed by lower murmurs between Gil, Mery, and Lund.

    Marissa got to her feet, still holding her left hand out.

    Isa said, ¡°Ally, I¡¯m going to roll on my stomach, OK?¡± Using her left hip and leg as leverage, Isa rolled on her right side and then over on her stomach so that she was facing the deck. The rough, bleached, and dirty boards came into sharp focus. She could see a line of five grains of sand stacked one next to the other in a tiny crevasse.

    ¡°Splinters,¡± she muttered to herself.

    ¡°I¡¯ll follow you,¡± said Alice. ¡°Looks like we lost most of our luggage.¡±

    ¡°No. Stay put. For now, OK? Please?¡± Isa raised her head to look at Alice. ¡°No telling what creatures live in the sand.¡±

    When Isa¡¯s legs were both dangling free of the deck, she closed her eyes and let go of the rope. She landed with a thud on sand. Mimay was collecting bags into a central spot. Marissa was still looking at her left hand. Isa walked toward her with her hand out. ¡°Are you injured?¡±

    ¡°Splinter,¡± Marissa held up her hand, showing Isa a long gash on the outside of her left hand. A piece of wood stuck out of the wound. ¡°Big fucking splinter.¡±

    Isa immediately put her hand on her Lockwood necklace and began to speak.

    ¡°Save it,¡± said Mimay. ¡°I¡¯ve got a kit around here somewhere. That¡¯s good enough for a splinter.¡±

    ¡°But I¡¯ve got healing sp¡ª¡±

    Mimay looked up at Isa with her arms akimbo. ¡°And I said, ¡®Save it.¡¯ You don¡¯t know what we might find out here today. That healing spell might be the difference for you or one of your friends here.¡± Mimay patted her belt. ¡°So help me find my kit and my sickle. No good without my symbol, eh?¡±

    Marissa held up a small canvas roll. ¡°This your kit?¡±

    Mimay grinned. ¡°The very one. Have a seat.¡±

    Mery helped direct Gil in dropping anchors over the left side to help pull the right side out of the sand. Once that was done, Gil dropped to the sand and climbed up under the raft. With her hand now bandaged, Marissa joined Lund in tossing the bags up to Alice and Mery, who stood on the deck of the raft.

    Isa looked up at the boat. Now that she was on the ground, she could appreciate the construction. The underside was a web of crisscrossing boards and three wooden axles, banded in metal. Fixed to the ends of each axle were large black tires.

    Isa blinked. Tires. Not wheels.

    She took a step toward the middle one. Could it be rubber? But she¡¯d never seen anything like this anywhere in Varana. With a grunt and a few curse words, Gil emerged from the shadows under the raft with a long box. ¡°Tools,¡± he said as he placed the box on the ground. ¡°Now all I need is a wheel.¡± He grinned at Isa and said, ¡°Come on. I could use a hand with retrieving it.¡±

    ¡°About these wheels, they don¡¯t¡ª I mean, I¡¯ve never seen anything like them here.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. New design. Like I said, most sailors are superstitious. Don¡¯t trust new ideas.¡± In a gruff voice he said, ¡°Wood was good enough for Granddad, it¡¯s good enough for me.¡±

    ¡°But where did you find them?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you worry, they¡¯re safe as wood. Better, even! I¡¯ve been sailing with them for months. What happened here ¨C that was a fluke. Just need to make sure all the nuts are tight. Foolish of me to leave dock without doublechecking. I¡¯m just worried about Dockma, I guess.¡±

    Isa spied the wheel in the near distance. Even from here it looked like a monster truck tire, black and ridged. And what if it says Michelin or Goodyear? Well, Isa told herself, that tells you what you already know ¨C objects and people can move between the planes.

 Lockwood Chapter 61: Spyglass

    Up close, the tire looked like any tire Isa would expect to see on a car in Portland, only this one looked to be almost six feet across. Isa crossed her arms. ¡°Maybe you should have brought Lund with you. This tire is huge.¡±

    ¡°Tire? That¡¯s what they call wheels where you¡¯re from?¡±

    ¡°Ones like this, yeah.¡±

    ¡°You have wheels like this? I thought it was new, a new invention. Huh.¡± He bent over and worked his hands under the edge of the tire.

    Isa joined him, and their combined effort righted the wheel. Isa looked up at the top ridge. ¡°I can say that I¡¯ve never been this close to a tire this big.¡± She ran her hands over the area where she¡¯d expect to see a logo. ¡°Who did you say made this?¡±

    ¡°There are several artificers working in the Hinter. Lowlanders don¡¯t want to admit how clever the Yeckonner are. Which is¡­.¡± Gil stepped through the tire and stood opposite Isa. ¡°¡­.their own loss. We¡¯re going to slowly roll the wheel, all right? And outlanders, well how would you know our ways? But the land inspires a certain creativity, a certain outlook.¡±

    They began to move the tire hand over hand, and Isa was able to match Gil¡¯s pace by watching him through the huge tire opening. She said, ¡°Can we expect this sort of thing happening again? Sorry, that didn¡¯t come out right. Crashes like this, they happen a lot?¡±

    ¡°They can. We¡¯d worked up some good speed. I¡¯m glad nothing worse happened. The axle could have split; the bow could have cracked. Those boards, they could have sheared right off.¡±

    ¡°Or someone could have been killed. We¡¯re lucky that Marissa¡¯s splinter was the worst of it.¡±

    ¡°Oh. Yes. Of course,¡± said Gil. ¡°Although Ladja is designed to be sailed by just one person.¡±

    ¡°Yes, but¡ª¡± Isa stopped herself. They were all safe; in a day or two they¡¯d be at the Shimmer and Gil and his boat would be a memory.

    As they neared the boat Isa could see three figures looking out at the distant desert from the bow. Mimay was one of the people; her short stature was striking in comparison to her two companions.

    Isa dropped her head to concentrate on guiding the large wheel the remaining distance to the raft. When she glanced up again, only Mimay still stood on the deck. Just then she heard a voice in her ear. Mery said, ¡°Spotted a group of hunters. Alice is coming to you.¡± And sure enough, Alice was closing the distance to them quickly.

    To Gil Isa said, ¡°They¡¯ve spotted someone. Here¡¯s Alice now.¡±

    ¡°A group of ten headed our way,¡± Alice said. ¡°Carrying some sort of kill. They look like bees, maybe. Swear to God, bees with legs and arms.¡± To Isa she added, ¡°And wings.¡±

    ¡°Threeps,¡± said Gil. He let go of the tire. ¡°Did they see you? Did they see the boat?¡±

    ¡°No. I don¡¯t know. Mery used a scope. A spyglass. So, unless they have one too, I don¡¯t think so.¡±

    ¡°Unlikely. But they are territorial, quick to strike.¡± He seemed uncertain what to do.

    ¡°Well surely,¡± said Isa, ¡°they¡¯ll understand that we suffered a breakdown, and we¡¯ll be on our way soon.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t know threeps. Seven against ten, you said?¡± He nodded. ¡°Let¡¯s go. They¡¯ll take that risk. Ladja would be quite the prize. Leave the wheel.¡± He started to run toward the raft. Over his shoulder he said, ¡°We¡¯ll come back for it if we survive.¡±If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

    When they got to the raft, Lund and Marissa were arguing. ¡°Get up there.¡± Lund pointed up at the deck.

    ¡°I can¡¯t help from up there,¡± Marissa replied.

    From above Mery said, ¡°It¡¯s literally her funeral, Lund. You gotta focus. We need to be ready in case they¡ª Oh good, you¡¯re here. Are we about to have a fight?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Gil scrambled up the rope in seconds and pulled a small spyglass from his belt. When Isa joined them at the bow, Gil was saying to Mery, ¡°Where were they when you last saw them?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean last?¡± Mery raised her own glass to her eye. ¡°Where are they? Where the fuck¡­.¡± She moved her head, scanning. ¡°Fuck me, there¡¯s the kill.¡± She collapsed the glass and said, ¡°How do they fight?¡±

    ¡°How do¡ª¡± Gil lowered his spyglass.

    ¡°They left their kill. Only reason for that is they found something better.¡±

    Gil tucked his glass away and pulled free one of the two short swords hanging from his belt. ¡°They¡¯re cowards. If they think they¡¯re going to lose, they¡¯ll break and run.¡± He vaulted over the bow of the boat and disappeared.

    Isa started back toward the rope, but Mimay stopped her. ¡°Help me down.¡±

    ¡°Meet you below,¡± said Mery, and she followed Gil over the front of the boat. Isa heard a grunt and Mery saying, ¡°Son of a bitch. Who put that hole there?¡±

    Isa and Mimay got the edge of the raft. Alice looked up. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±

    ¡°Gil thinks they¡¯re attacking. Lund! Help Mimay. Please.¡± Isa held the rope out for the cleric. ¡°It¡¯s not far, and Lund will be right there to catch you if you slip.¡± She looked over the edge, plopped down on her butt and jumped down.

    She landed on the sand in time to see Mimay lowered to the ground by Lund. The halfling tugged her sweater into place. ¡°Are they here? Are they attacking?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Alice told her. ¡°We¡¯ll keep you safe.¡±

    ¡°Safe? Bywick is my shield and armor. I¡¯m talking about the blessing. Only lasts a minute, and if I want to try to keep you children from harm, I need to make sure I don¡¯t say it too early.¡± She thumped Lund¡¯s hip. ¡°What do you see?¡±

    He scanned the sands. ¡°Nothing.¡±

    From under the raft Mery whispered, ¡°Isa, this way. Lund, you and the others stay here in case they flank.¡±

    Isa glanced at Alice, and the two of them moved toward Mery. ¡°I said Isa.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t really care.¡± Alice touched the copper cuff on her wrist, and her familiar appeared. ¡°Peck,¡± she told the bird, ¡°stay with Marissa. Come to me if they have trouble.¡±

    Isa followed behind Mery. ¡°I really don¡¯t think we should split the party,¡± Isa said. ¡°It never works out like we want.¡±

    ¡°Gil says we just need to scare them off. Three blades drawn against them, that should put some fear into their eyes.¡±

    ¡°How many eyes does a bee have?¡± muttered Alice.

    Gil crouched beside a large stone about 15 feet past the raft. He was scanning the area with his spyglass. ¡°Gil! Where are they?¡± Mery called softly. In response he motioned that they should join him. With eyes on the rocks and sands ahead, Isa darted across. Nothing stirred.

    ¡°Are they even out there? Maybe they gave up,¡± she said to Gil.

    ¡°Why aren¡¯t they attacking?¡± said Mery. ¡°Are they scared? I could scare them a little more.¡± She stood up and when no spears or spells rained down, she called out, ¡°We don¡¯t want to hurt you. Leave now and we won¡¯t call the full crew down from the ship.¡±

    Her words met with silence. Alice said, ¡°Either they¡¯re gone or they¡¯re not going away. Which is it, though?¡±

    ¡°They can blend into the sands,¡± said Gil as he stowed his scope. ¡°Wait here while I take a closer look.¡± He crouched low and ran to a boulder farther away. As he came to a stop and turned to smile at the group, spears fell from the sky. Two nicked Gil and a third lodged in his thigh.

    ¡°I guess they¡¯re still here,¡± Mery said. ¡°Isn¡¯t that a pain in the ass.¡± She charged out from their spot and joined Gil. He pulled the spear from his thigh and tossed it aside.

    ¡°Do you see them?¡± Alice asked Isa.

    ¡°No.¡± Isa¡¯s eyes strained to see where the spears had come from. They were well camouflaged, these adversaries. And why were they even fighting? Why hadn¡¯t they responded to Mery¡¯s words? But then, why didn¡¯t her group just repair the raft and go on their way, assuming that they would be left alone? But then, the spear that Gil had just pulled from his leg was all the evidence Isa needed to tell her what to do.

    ¡°Magic missile?¡± Alice asked as she stared at the sandy landscape.

    ¡°Yeah, I guess. When we have something to shoot. Did I tell you I leveled?¡±

    Alice glanced at Isa. ¡°I looked at your notebook, remember?¡±

    Something is Alice¡¯s tone irked Isa. She was never wrong, never unsure, never misspoke or forgot anything, apparently. ¡°Notebooks change. People change, Alice.¡±

    Alice shifted so that she was facing Isa. ¡°What the hell does that mean?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m just saying that just because you looked at my notebook days ago¡ª¡±

    ¡°It was yesterday.¡±

    ¡°Fuck. Do you hear yourself? You don¡¯t always have to be right, all right?¡±

    Before Alice could respond loud clicking filled the air.

 Lockwood Chapter 62: When Threeps Attack

    Isa peered around the rock she and Alice were behind and saw four tall creatures in battle with Mery and Gil. They had small bullet-shaped heads with feathery antennae, short, jointed arms that ended in claws, long sturdy legs, and almost transparent wings.

    ¡°You weren¡¯t kidding about the bees,¡± Isa said. ¡°Put them in black and yellow sweaters and they¡¯d be nightmare wasps.¡±

    ¡°At least we can see them now,¡± Alice replied as she shot magic missiles at each of the four threeps.

    ¡°I have something like that now,¡± Isa mumbled. ¡°If I can remember the words.¡± It wouldn¡¯t do to get her notebook out right now, so Isa spoke the words of the fire bolt spell as she remembered them, hoping to get them right. A flame shot from her palm but fizzled just a few feet away. That can¡¯t be the range. No one would use it if that¡¯s the range. ¡°Sword it is,¡± she said to Alice.

    As Isa stood, she pulled the hilt of the sun blade from her belt and smiled as yellow light shimmered into existence. Four insect men had surrounded Mery and Gil, lashing at them with their long claws. From behind her she heard Mimay call out, ¡°Bywick is with you! By the sickle, He is here!¡±

    Mimay stood halfway between Alice and the front left tire of the raft, her sickle held high as she cast her blessing. Spears flew toward her but fell short, and she laughed as she joined Alice at the rock.

    Isa entered the melee as one of the insects raked a claw along Gil¡¯s back. Blood splattered the sand at their feet. Now that she was close, Isa realized that the creatures were humming as they fought. A deep thrum seemed to cover the area with no clear origin.

    Mery dodged a swinging claw and rolled to Gil¡¯s left. ¡°Took off part of your right butt cheek, lad.¡± She grinned as she sliced the head off a spear. ¡°Be sitting lopsided for a while.¡±

    ¡°Mery¡­.¡± Isa swung at the nearest insect. ¡°Has a sense of humor,¡± she said to Gil. She parried one of the creature¡¯s claws. The sun blade felt light in her hands, and she¡¯d barely noticed when she¡¯d connected with the enemy¡¯s arm. Was this something new for this level? Isa vowed to spend real time looking at her notebook once this fight was over.

    A flaming sickle popped into existence and yanked one of the insects off its feet. As it fell, Gil plunged both of his blades into its midsection. The entire group ¨C human and insect ¨C paused as a shriek burst from the creature, dying prayers or perhaps a curse. In the silence that followed Isa heard Mimay whoop.

    The insect men renewed their attack, and the humming sound rose to an industrial-level drone. Isa gripped her sword. The sound was disorienting. Claws, eyes, hands, they all seemed to swirl around Isa. As she jabbed her sword at a large insect eye, she realized that at such close quarters, in such a din as this, she might accidentally cut Mery or Gil. She tried to find Mery in the throng.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

    Throng? There should only be three insect men left standing so why did it seem like there were a dozen or more? From the corner of her eye, Isa saw purple darts zoom by. Alice¡¯s magic missiles, and they hit four insect creatures that Isa swore hadn¡¯t been there a minute ago.

    With a move that would have made her old ballet teacher happy, Isa pivoted on one foot and felt her back brush against one of the creatures. Claws almost snagged her cloak as she rolled past. As she found her feet, Isa sliced her blade down on the creature she¡¯d vaulted past, catching him under one wing. She felt her blade sink in, and the insect buckled to the ground.

    A rattling like a gun sounded close to Isa¡¯s ear. One of the insects was pointing toward the rock that sheltered Alice and Mimay. Two creatures broke from the group and leaped high into the air. It looked like they might land behind the rock and right on top of Alice.

    ¡°Alice!¡± Isa roared. ¡°Incoming!¡±

    Suddenly Alice was standing beside the rock and bolts of frosty air left her fingertips. But she was pointing straight ahead, not above, and the insects landed lightly behind her. Mimay¡¯s flaming sickle swept one off its feet, but the other extended claws toward Alice.

    Before Isa could move, Mery plucked a spear from the ground and hurled it at the creature. She yelled, ¡°Behind you.¡±

    Alice¡¯s eyes went wide, and she dropped to the ground as the spear passed over her head and impaled the insect.

    More spears landed around Isa, Mery, and Gil. Isa had been too busy watching Alice to think to dodge, and a black iron spear scraped down Isa¡¯s side, burning fire as it tore clothing and skin. She looked down to see green mist rising from the wound. ¡°What the¡ª¡±

    ¡°Poison,¡± hissed Gil. ¡°Try to fight¡ª¡± He stumbled and fell to his knees.

    The three remain threeps all chittered and turned toward Gil.

    ¡°Oh no. No, indeed.¡± Mery lunged forward with her sword and sliced a claw clean off. The injured insect turned toward Mery, as if to engage in combat. Instead of rocking back, Mery danced forward and struck its head off.

    The two insects reared back, and in one motion they took to the sky, bounding at least thirty feet with the leap. In a blink, they were out of sight, leaving their wounded and fallen comrades behind.

    Gil was on his hands and knees, retching. Mery put her sword away slowly. ¡°You¡¯re bleeding,¡± Isa told her. Mery looked down and saw where a threeps claw had sliced through her jacket, vest, and shirt to find skin. ¡°My favorite shirt,¡± Mery muttered.

    ¡°Here, boy. You¡¯re not dying. Not today.¡± Mimay had hiked up her skirt and jogged across the sands to kneel beside Gil. She laid one hand flat on her sickle and put the other to Gil¡¯s forehead. Words of healing tumbled from the halfling¡¯s mouth, and Gil pushed himself to his knees. In that stance he and Mimay were almost eye to eye.

    ¡°What was that, then?¡± Mimay asked. ¡°If your father knew¡ª¡±

    ¡°They would have taken Ladja, and then where would we be?¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t know that. It was a foolish risk. That was a 3<sup>rd</sup> class healing I did on you, boy.¡± She held up three fingers. ¡°Not the strongest I¡¯ve got but no minor thing either.¡±

    ¡°No wonder they attacked us,¡± said Mery. ¡°They have nothing of their own.¡± She straightened up from checking one of the bodies. ¡°Even their weapons are crappy.¡± She held out a handful of gold coins. ¡°Ten gold. That¡¯s all I could find. No potions, no gems, not even a belt or map or tin cup!¡±

    Gil rubbed his face. ¡°Let¡¯s get that wheel afixed and be on the way.¡± He scanned the horizon. ¡°Who¡¯s to say they won¡¯t come back.¡±

 Lockwood Chapter 63: Mending Party

    A few hours later, they were once more racing across the sands of the White Desert, moving ever closer to the Onyx Hills. They had no sightings of threeps or any other citizen of the sands. For that Isa was thankful. She needed time with her notebook, time to understand what her hasty decision of two days ago really meant. ¡°Eldritch is bad, right?¡± she asked Alice. ¡°¡®Eldritch horror¡¯ isn¡¯t that the phrase?¡±

    ¡°It means weird and maybe a touch scary.¡± Alice looked at the notebook in Isa¡¯s hands. ¡°Did you¡ª¡±

    ¡°When I leveled to 6, I was ¨C well not right when I leveled, but after ¨C I was mad at Joth, seeing him and then him disappearing, and the notebook offered me the chance to take this ¡®Eldritch Knight¡¯ subclass, I guess. So, I did.¡±

    ¡°I told you about that, remember? Michelle¡¯s got a character who¡¯s one.¡±

    ¡°Michelle¡¯s the DM. She plays all the characters.¡±

    ¡°She gets to play as a player sometimes, too. Let me see.¡± Alice held out her hand. Isa watched as her girlfriend leafed through the pages. ¡°You got a couple of wizard spells. Did you choose fire bolt for a reason?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Isa shifted her position on the deck. The boards suddenly felt hard, so she stretched out on her back. Staring up at the blue, cloudless sky, Isa repeated her question.

    ¡°I¡¯m not calling your choices into question, babe. I just think it¡¯s interesting that I¡¯ve got frost and you¡¯ve got fire. Smart to diversify, that¡¯s all I meant.¡±

    Isa pulled her cloak tighter. The White Desert was a cold place. If snow began to fall, Isa would not be surprised. ¡°I thought it would be good to get message, too.¡±

    ¡°Agreed. And you can bond with a weapon so that no one can take it from you. You should do that with your blade ¨C Menesia¡¯s blade.¡±

    ¡°I remember the gnome in Bywater, the shopkeeper, he thought I was a knight ¨C one of these eldritch ones, and he didn¡¯t understand why I¡¯d sell my staff. Now I understand what he was saying.¡± She tucked her hands under her armpits. ¡°It¡¯s all so complex. Can¡¯t I just whack things that threaten us? And why is it so cold?¡±

    ¡°Because we¡¯re heading to the equivalent of the North Pole.¡± Alice smiled and tugged on Isa¡¯s cloak. ¡°My little hothouse flower.¡±

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you cold?¡± Isa sat up.

    ¡°It¡¯s a little chilly,¡± Alice said, but Isa noticed she made no move to tie her cloak tighter.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    Just as Isa was beginning to suspect that no one else was as cold as she felt, Mimay sat down rubbing her hands together. ¡°Gil Whitsel! Get out your heater. We¡¯re cold.¡±

    Standing at the rudder, Gil said something to Mery and put her hand on the stick. He pointed at the dark hills, and she nodded, holding the rudder with both hands. The wind blew her dark hair back, and Isa had a sudden image of Mery as a pirate queen, directing a band of rogues and pirates as they swarmed over an enemy ship.

    As Gil set up the small stove Isa said, ¡°How do you know Dockma?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s come through Mefal a few times on her expeditions. Needed a guide and there I was.¡±

    ¡°That simple, huh?¡±

    ¡°Well, no,¡± said Gil, sitting back on his heels. He grinned. ¡°Do you want to hear the story? It¡¯s a good one.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re like a son to me,¡± said Mimay, ¡°but no, I won¡¯t have you hang your tall tale on my ears.¡±

    ¡°Tall tale? When have I ever¡ª¡±

    ¡°Later.¡± Mimay waved him away as she leaned toward the warming stove. ¡°You have a ship to steer. That bard is no sailor, and one crash is enough for me.¡± She leaned even closer to the stove and muttered to herself. Isa thought she heard the words, ¡°Just like his father.¡± She called after Gil, ¡°Send the bard here, won¡¯t you?¡±

    Mimay turned to look at Alice and Isa. ¡°I can be a little bossy, but you got to take the matter to heel, don¡¯t you? Grab the mallowbeast by the horn, as they say. Otherwise nothing gets done.¡±

    Just then Mery sat down. Mimay smiled at her and said, ¡°Let¡¯s have an old-fashioned mending party. You took quite a turn with the threeps.¡± She looked around. ¡°Where¡¯s that girl? The druid.¡±

    Marissa was at the stern talking with Lund and keeping an eye on their flank. When she heard Isa call her name she came and stood over the group. Mimay squinted up and said, ¡°Sit down. We¡¯re mending.¡±

    With a laugh, Marissa squatted. ¡°Mending? Like the cantrip?¡±

    ¡°Cleric, cleric,¡± Mimay pointed at herself and Isa. ¡°Wizard, bard, druid,¡± she said as she pointed at the others. ¡°We can all mend so that will make light work.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t have mend,¡± Isa said quietly.

    ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t¡­.¡± said Marissa.

    Alice gave Mimay a crooked smile. ¡°I didn¡¯t take that cantrip. I didn¡¯t think¡ª¡±

    ¡°You have it at least,¡± she said to Mery.

    ¡°Yep, I do,¡± said Mery. ¡°Thanks to a woman not unlike yourself. My grandmother.¡±

    ¡°The outlanders I can almost excuse, but the elfling? Marissa, was it? I don¡¯t have the words.¡± She shook her head and then gripped Isa¡¯s knee. ¡°When you get to level 10, you can take another cantrip ¨C at least that¡¯s how it used to work. So, you make sure to take mending, eh? At a certain age, well I don¡¯t like to say, but it¡¯s true; at a certain age, it¡¯s expected that you can mend.¡±

    Isa flinched. What was the halfling trying to say?

    ¡°It¡¯s not that important in our world,¡± Alice said. ¡°We don¡¯t tend to get into situations where our clothes get ripped.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s for sure.¡± Marissa nodded her head. ¡°It¡¯s a little boring, but damn do you get used to it pretty quickly. I mean, there¡¯s lots of fighting. Lots. Of. Fighting. But it¡¯s not physical; it¡¯s verbal, and it¡¯s subtle, a lot of it. People there, they say one thing and mean something totally different, totally hurtful. And then, if you point it out, they tell you that you misunderstood!¡± She laughed. ¡°They say, ¡®I¡¯m sorry you were offended.¡¯ It¡¯s the strangest combat you¡¯ve ever seen. Deep wounds. Deep, deep wounds. You didn¡¯t even know you lost, didn¡¯t even know you were bleeding until long past.¡±

 Lockwood Chapter 64: Weapon Bond

    Silence met Marissa¡¯s words. Isa tried to remember when she¡¯d last heard such bitterness from Marissa. She was always so blithe and breezy. Nothing seemed to touch her. All those days hanging out, shopping, watching movies, with friends at bars, Marissa was always the solid one, the practical one, the one with the plan for what happens next. She never dated anyone very long; she always said it was because she didn¡¯t want commitment. Her parent¡¯s messy divorce, she¡¯d said.

    Which was plausible. Everything Marissa said was plausible. Everything she did in Portland, it was within these ¡°normal¡± parameters.

    Mery laughed and broke the silence. ¡°Rough place you girls are from. Came to Varana for the relaxing, friendly atmosphere, did you?¡±

    ¡°Sounds like Thornbury to me,¡± said Mimay. ¡°The cities are rife with that sort of thing. All machinations, intrigue, plotting, and the like.¡± The cleric shivered. ¡°Stab me in the front, thank you very much.¡±

    ¡°Cities? You have cities?¡± Alice asked.

    ¡°Oh sure. Some places are wilder than others. Varana contains a multitude. Wouldn¡¯t expect it to be any different on your plane.¡±

    ¡°Yes, but the technology, the magic. It¡¯s all very agrarian.¡± Alice looked at Isa as if wanting support.

    Isa nodded her head. ¡°We just didn¡¯t realize that¡ª¡±

    Marissa cut her off. ¡°Just because they don¡¯t have iPhones doesn¡¯t mean they¡¯re primitives, OK?¡±

    ¡°Primitive?¡± Isa felt her voice and anger rising. ¡°Who said anything about that? What Alice was saying¡­.¡± Isa glanced at Alice. ¡°You can step in here any time.¡±

    ¡°Everyone keep your panties on.¡± Mery stood up. ¡°I¡¯ve traveled all over. This plane and others. People are fuckers no matter where you go. Some are good hearted for the most part. Others need a knife in the gut instead of a handshake. Cities, villages, deserts, they¡¯re just places to go or pass through.

    ¡°Bards don¡¯t have a home. There¡¯s a place where they were born, and sometimes it is just a place where the wagon stopped long enough for you to slip out between your mother¡¯s legs into your father¡¯s waiting hands, or your grandmother¡¯s or the fiddle player¡¯s. So let¡¯s not get all prickly about where we came from, yeah? Let¡¯s concern ourselves with where we¡¯re going.¡± With that Mery pointed at the approaching Onyx Hills.

    ¡°Who lives there?¡± said Alice.

    Isa stood up and touched the hilt of the sun blade. ¡°I need to do this thing, this ritual with my weapon. Al, can you come get me in an hour?¡± With that she moved to the rear of the raft and sat near a bundle of gear. She pulled the sword hilt from her belt. As she gripped it, the blade shimmered into existence, and light played across her face. She glanced back at the group to see if they had noticed the light, but no one was looking in her direction. Possibly no one was purposefully not looking in her direction.

    Isa placed the sword on the deck and took her hand away. The blade and its light disappeared. She was ready to bond with it. If only she knew how. ¡°Bond,¡± Isa muttered. What does that even mean? When you bond with a person, it¡¯s because you shared time, effort, a goal. What goals does this blade have? Should I ask it? Have I truly gone crazy now?This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

    Isa sighed. So much of life in Varana was unclear. Where did the notebooks come from, anyway? If Ysel is really a god, is there a leader, like a head boss? A Zeus at the head of the whole thing?

    She bowed her head and stared at the hilt. It was gold and brown with an inlaid iridescent design ¨C magical runes, perhaps? The base was brown and the gold metal bands ringed the hilt, evenly spaced, from top to bottom. At the bottom, the hilt flared out just a touch, and Isa knew that if she should grasp it, a cross piece would appear as a companion to the actual blade.

    Isa picked it up with two fingers so as not to activate the blade and set it with the top facing up. The top was capped with a raised image of the sun, and Isa knew that she could press it into a dollop of hot wax to make a seal if she wanted, if she were inclined to mark a document. As she looked at the image, it seemed to move, the rays of the sun stretching and flexing.

    She wanted to pick it up, but then she didn¡¯t want the blade to appear. How could she ever bond with the damned thing if it was always going to be a naked blade? Maybe that was part of the bonding, learning to control it.

    Feeling a little foolish Isa said, ¡°Stay¡± and picked up the hilt. The blade did not appear. Had she broken it or mastered it? She said, ¡°Come¡± and the blade appeared. The light seemed blinding. She tried to blink away the after-images. ¡°Could you tone it down with the lights? Jeeze.¡± And the blade dimmed.

    Isa dropped the blade to the deck. ¡°Holy shit. Can you understand me?¡±

    The blade didn¡¯t move.

    ¡°Right. Um, if you can understand me then bring the blade out.¡±

    Nothing.

    ¡°So you¡¯re not a genie trapped in the hilt or anything?¡±

    The hilt lay where Isa had dropped it. With a sigh she picked it up and realized that the blade had not automatically popped into being. ¡°Progress,¡± she muttered.

    ¡°Come,¡± she said, and the blade appeared. ¡°Stay.¡± It disappeared. ¡°That works, I guess.¡± She rubbed her thumb over the sun seal at the top. ¡°We¡¯re bonding.¡± She placed the hilt so that it rested across both her open palms. What now? Were they bonded or was there more?

    Isa glanced at the group at mid-deck. Alice was making no move to come toward Isa, so there was plenty of time left in this little bonding ritual she was doing. But without instructions, how could she know what to do?

    Just then a memory popped into her head. Sixth grade, their teacher Mrs. Webber, plopped two bags of oranges on her desk. ¡°We¡¯re learning about sense memory,¡± she told the class. Each child took an orange and made a small ink mark on it, claiming this orange as their own. And then they had two minutes to study the orange. At first there were giggles and nervous seat-shuffling, but then the class settled into looking at their oranges, really looking, since Mrs. Webber had made it clear that this was a graded exercise.

    Isa studied the face of the orange, the one rough spot on the skin, and the way that the navel part was a little lopsided. Surely, she could pick her orange out of the bowl, even without seeing her small ¡°ic¡± mark near the bottom. But then Mrs. Webber said to the class, ¡°Close your eyes.¡± And she gave them two minutes to study the orange with only their sense of touch. ¡°Pay close attention,¡± she told them because in a few minutes they¡¯d be trying to pick their orange from all the oranges using only touch to identify their fruit from the others.

    Once the two minutes were up, everyone placed their oranges on the corner of their desk, and Mrs. Webber came up and down the aisles collecting them. Isa watched her orange disappear into Mrs. Webber¡¯s bag, and she wondered if she¡¯d ever be able to find hers among all thirty of the oranges.

    The rough spot helped. That little pinhead of a rough spot, low on the side of the orange helped Isa eliminate a good half the oranges that passed under her hands that morning. When she felt any sort of rough spot, she next felt toward the top, looking for that lopsided place at the navel, and finally, after touching at least a dozen oranges, Isa was certain that she had her orange in her hands. She cradled it, much as she now cradled the sun blade hilt, and waited for Mrs. Webber to tell them to open their eyes. While she waited, Isa turned the orange upside down, and the first thing she saw when she opened her eyes was her inked initials.

    She closed her eyes and let her fingers travel across the hilt, counting the bands, tracing the sunburst image on the top of hilt. Of course, she would know this hilt anywhere. Even in the dark, she¡¯d be able to grasp it and know it was her own. And as Isa¡¯s hand rested on top of the hilt, she knew that no one would be able to take it from her. The blade was part of her now.

 Lockwood Chapter 65: Creatures Great and Small

    Gil dusted his hands, casting sand to the wind, which was now blowing stiff and strong to the south. They¡¯d docked in a little alcove at the foot of the Onyx Hills, Gil steering the raft deftly between two large outcroppings.

    ¡°If this was water, you¡¯d call this a smuggler¡¯s cove,¡± said Mery. She stood at the bow of the craft, her cloak blowing back in the breeze.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯re right, as far as it goes.¡± Mimay was beside her, watching the rocks as Gil navigated the narrow passage. ¡°But there¡¯s nothing to smuggle and no one to care.¡±

    Lund said, ¡°Are you sure about the ¡®no one¡¯ part? Those insects were real enough.¡±

    ¡°Yes, but they don¡¯t exactly trade.¡±

    ¡°How do you stand it?¡± Marissa rubbed her arms against the cold. ¡°It¡¯s so barren. Cold and barren.¡±

    ¡°How do you stand the lowlands?¡± Gil called over his shoulder. ¡°All those trees pressing against you. Forests, do you call ¡®em? Living coffins, I¡¯d say. Everything so close. Can¡¯t see, can¡¯t breathe, can¡¯t move.¡± He adjusted the rudder and yanked on one of the thin ropes that controlled the main sail. ¡°Lund! Drop anchor, friend. Ladja would like a catnap now. She¡¯s carried us many miles, many leagues, and now we carry on, on foot. Mortals once more.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure he¡¯s not a bard,¡± Isa whispered to Mimay.

    ¡°That¡¯s just how sailors talk. In port or on deck. Why use three words when ten is so much better?¡±

    ¡°Like I said: bards.¡± Isa smiled.

    Gil led the group through a maze of rock until they were standing at a small cave overlooking a wide canyon. In the near distance, the Shimmer flowed and pulsed. It was impossible to think that Portland lay just on the other side of that wall somehow.

    Marissa caught Isa¡¯s eye and smiled. ¡°We¡¯re almost there,¡± she said.

    Mery and Gil both had their spyglasses in hand. Side by side, they scanned the desert floor 100 feet below. With her naked eye, Isa could see white sand flowing through the canyon like a river.

    ¡°We¡¯ll be sandblasted the minute we leave this shelter,¡± she said to Gil.

    ¡°We¡¯re not going to the canyon floor,¡± he said. ¡°We¡¯re going there.¡± He pointed at a small hill on the plains, near the canyon rift.

    ¡°I¡¯ll ask the obvious,¡± said Lund. ¡°Why there?¡±

    ¡°Boy¡¯s a natural tracker,¡± said Mimay. ¡°If he says that¡¯s where Dockma is, you could lay money on it.¡±

    Gil collapsed his spyglass and turned to the group. ¡°Tracks lead toward it ¨C worrisome tracks, but they look fresh.¡± He bobbed his head as if disagreeing with his own statement. ¡°And that is the entrance to catacombs. They have been cultivated and expanded over the years.¡±

    ¡°More tombs,¡± Isa muttered.

    ¡°Not tombs,¡± Gil said. ¡°Sanctuary. Shelter from the sands and sun, from the wind and the Shimmer storms.¡±

    ¡°Shimmer storms,¡± Isa and Alice spoke at the same time. ¡°What the hell is a Shimmer storm?¡± Isa asked.

    ¡°Before I met you,¡± said Mimay, ¡°I would have said they were storms like any you¡¯d see in the lowlands. Why wouldn¡¯t the wind blow through the planes and kick up dust and debris? But that was before Bywick showed me the truth.¡±

    ¡°Bywick is your god?¡± Alice asked. ¡°And¡­ He told you about the storms?¡±

    ¡°In so many words. The Shimmer ¨C I always thought it was a what, not a who. But that¡¯s what Bywick told me ¨C it¡¯s who. We always say, ¡®He watches over all the creatures, great and small.¡¯ And you can¡¯t get much greater than that.¡± The cleric waved her hand toward the horizon and the nacreous curtain that stretched as far as the eye could see.

    ¡°That¡¯s alive? That¡¯s¡­.¡± Isa fell silent. She¡¯d thought Ysel was speaking metaphorically about healing the Shimmer. It never occurred to her that it was an actual creature in need of actual healing. How long would it take to heal it? Days? Weeks? Maybe longer.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    Isa craned her head and tried to see the top of the Shimmer. If there was one, it was lost in the clouds. ¡°I know you¡¯re worried about Dockma and all, but I need to get started healing it. It? Her?¡± She looked at Mimay.

    The cleric shrugged. ¡°Does it have sex organs? This is your quest.¡±

    ¡°What if there are dozens of these creatures?¡± Alice stepped toward the lip of the path and turned west. ¡°Is there a Shimmer in all directions? If I go that way far enough what do I find?¡±

    ¡°There are mountains to the west,¡± Gil told her. ¡°No one I know has ever traversed them to see what lies on the other side. To the east is a great sea. The lights flicker at the horizon, where the water meets the sky but¡ª¡±

    ¡°What do the sailors say?¡± asked Mery.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°The sailors ¨C the other kind of sailors. The ones who sail real¡ª regular ships. On the water.¡±

    Gil furrowed his brow. ¡°Who would do such a thing? You could drown!¡±

    ¡°Trust me, people do it all the time on our plane,¡± said Alice.

    ¡°Drown? I can see why,¡± said Mimay.

    Lund pointed at three specks moving near the small hill that Gil had noted. ¡°Someone is down there. Where¡¯s the glass? Who is that?¡±

    Mery had her spyglass in hand. Training it on the specks she said, ¡°What the¡­ those are dark dwarves. The kind who supposedly never come to the surface. What the hell are they doing in the desert?¡±

    ¡°They are moving toward catacombs,¡± said Alice.

    Isa could tell that was the wrong thing to say. Mery whirled around, slammed her glass closed, and said, ¡°Oh good, the expert opinion I was so lacking. You have done nothing but complain, second guess, and disagree ever since I met you.¡±

    ¡°Me?¡± Alice moved toward Mery. ¡°The only time you speak to me is to question my actions, my motives, my ideas. I think¡ª¡±

    Lund stepped toward Mery and Marissa toward Alice. ¡°Let¡¯s take a minute,¡± said Lund, ¡°to remember why you¡¯re here.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m here for the rewards,¡± said Mery. She looked Isa in the eye. ¡°Nothing else.¡±

    ¡°Great,¡± said Marissa. ¡°You can have my share of whatever there is. Let¡¯s just focus on the task at hand.¡±

    At Marissa¡¯s words Isa glanced once more at the Shimmer. It was past the catacombs and impossible to gauge just how far past from this distance and height. And she felt certain that to get to the Shimmer and to be able to heal it, she¡¯d need these allies.

    ¡°How do we get down there?¡± she said to Gil. ¡°Let¡¯s get this over with.¡±

    ¡°Not so fast, Outlander!¡± Mimay grabbed her arm. ¡°Perhaps we should see what we can before we go traipsing down there.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what we just did!¡± said Alice. ¡°Unless you have some grand¡ª Scry. You have scry, don¡¯t you? That¡¯s a high level spell.¡± Alice stepped to Mimay¡¯s side. ¡°Can I watch?¡±

    Mimay laughed and raised her eyes to Alice¡¯s. ¡°Wizard, is that right? Never met a wizard thought she could learn anything from a cleric.¡± She shrugged. ¡°Nice change. Sit down.¡±

    She pulled a flat object from her bag. It was wrapped several times over with a soft, gray cloth. As Isa suspected, it was the silver mirror she¡¯d glimpsed at Mimay¡¯s clinic in the market.

    ¡°This is my instrument ¨C what I use to see, well in this case a gnome named Dockma.¡± She laid the mirror on her lap, face up. ¡°Now everyone ¨C but you, wizard ¨C give me some space and quiet.¡± To Alice she said, ¡°Since I know the subject¡­.¡± Under her breath she said, ¡°The ice-hearted, selfish, treasure monger that she is¡­.¡± And then louder, ¡°I will hopefully have an easier time finding her than if I was looking for someone I didn¡¯t know, someone you¡¯d told me about.¡±

    Alice nodded, and Mimay continued. ¡°You have to concentrate, think with all your heart about the person. And if we¡¯re lucky we¡¯ll see ¨C and if we¡¯re really lucky, hear ¨C what is going on around our subject. They say,¡± she touched the edge of the mirror, ¡°that you can scry them for ten minutes. I¡¯ve only ever managed five or six. It¡¯s hard work, girl.¡± Mimay sounded defensive.

    Isa debated speaking up and then said, ¡°Last time you only saw tracks. What are the chances¡ª¡±

    ¡°Last time?¡± Mimay looked up at Isa, one eyebrow raised. ¡°Oh yes, when you listened to a consultation you had no right to overhear. I do remember that.¡±

    The cleric hadn¡¯t seemed annoyed at the time, so Isa was a little taken back by Mimay¡¯s vehemence. Before she could apologize, Mimay said to Alice, ¡°Here¡¯s the thing ¨C there¡¯s a chance that the spell will fail. If someone doesn¡¯t want to be found, you¡¯re not going to see them.¡±

    ¡°But Dockma will want to be found,¡± said Gil. ¡°She¡¯s no fool. She¡¯ll know we want to help.¡±

    Mimay said, ¡°Now wizard, the key is to think on the feature you know best on the person, and if you have something of theirs¡ª You don¡¯t have anything of hers, do you? Any of you? No? Well then, Bywick willing, I¡¯ll be able to see her and hear, and maybe we can figure out if she is in those caves.¡±

    A little more than ten minutes later, Isa heard a faint voice coming from Mimay¡¯s lap. She leaned in, as did the others. The voice said, ¡°¡­. Retriever did its work, eh? And now I have what is rightly mine.¡±

    A different voice, higher and female, said, ¡°It¡¯s no more yours than it was mine.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s her; that¡¯s Dockma!¡± Gil gripped Mimay¡¯s shoulder and leaned closer to the mirror. ¡°Who¡¯s that talking to her? Who took her?¡±

    ¡°Back up, boy. Don¡¯t break the spell.¡± Mimay didn¡¯t look up.

    ¡°Gil,¡± Mery grabbed his hand. ¡°Give her room. Scry is delicate.¡±

    ¡°Alice,¡± Marissa hissed, ¡°what do you see?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s a dwarf, I think. Caught just a glimpse, and she¡¯s looking down now. I see feet. Flicker of light, a stone floor¡­. It is the catacombs, I think.¡±

    The voices came through again. ¡°What are you going to do with her?¡± said a third voice, another male.

    ¡°She could be useful,¡± said the first voice, and Isa caught the dwarven accent.

    The male voice grew louder as he replied, ¡°So is a viper, but you¡ª¡±

    Mimay jumped, and the mirror clattered to the ground.

    ¡°What happened?¡± Gil flung himself down and grabbed Mimay¡¯s shoulders. ¡°What did you see?¡±

    The halfling woman blinked as if waking up. ¡°I saw Athar the Eye, the man you Outlanders call Fedru. He and Stonegrime have Dockma.¡±

 Lockwood Chapter 66: The Rangerâ€™s Art

    ¡°Fedru?¡± Isa and Marissa both jumped at the name.

    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t be surprised,¡± said Isa. ¡°Afterall, I saw Joth. Why wouldn¡¯t his master be nearby?¡±

    ¡°Who is this Stonegrime?¡± asked Marissa. ¡°What¡¯s he got to do with this?¡±

    The name was immediately familiar to Isa. She clutched Alice¡¯s arm. ¡°From the quest log ¨C the bandit¡¯s quest log.¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Alice nodded, ¡°Walver Stonegrime. He wanted the crown.¡±

    ¡°And he got it, didn¡¯t he?¡± said Mery. She turned to Gil. ¡°Your girlfriend there, she stole a mummy¡¯s crown from us. But fate has turned right around on her. Ha!¡±

    ¡°If she hadn¡¯t,¡± Alice said quietly, ¡°that would be us dead on that stone floor.¡±

    Alice¡¯s words sent Gil into panic mode. He was all for charging down the hill and into the caves without another thought.

    ¡°She might not be dead.¡± Mimay glared at Alice. ¡°But if you go attacking everyone, they¡¯ll kill her, surely.¡±

    Lund folded his arms across his broad chest and stood in front of Gil. ¡°Think twice, now. We want to be a help to her. Charging in, swords out, no plan, what good is that for anyone? Maybe we win through, but what if we don¡¯t?¡±

    ¡°But they¡¯re going to kill her.¡±

    ¡°If they are,¡± said Mery, ¡°it will be done by now, and all our rushing won¡¯t remedy it.¡± She held up her hand. ¡°But on the other hand, prudent haste, that¡¯s a good idea. Go fast when we can and slow where we must. More importantly, we know that a powerful bastard of a wizard stands between Dockma and freedom. And this dwarf, too. Do you know him?¡± she said to Mimay.

    ¡°Stonegrime. Yes, he comes through Mefal sometimes,¡± the cleric said. ¡°Sometimes he¡¯s got gear to sell ¨C inventions or salvage. He¡¯s made a name with his constructs, but lately he¡¯s been talking up a shooting staff. Another invention, I suppose.¡±

    ¡°Shooting staff?¡± Isa frowned. ¡°Like a rifle? It shoots out bullets? Does it make a boom and give off smoke?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Gil nodded. ¡°I¡¯ve seen one. It can fly farther than my best arrows, with the same accuracy. But I don¡¯t think that¡¯s his invention, Mimay. Lately he¡¯s had fewer wares and more salvage,¡± said Gil.

    Marissa said, ¡°He¡¯s buying those from their world.¡± She pointed at Isa and Alice. ¡°And giving magic in exchange. I was supposed to figure out who was behind it.¡±

    ¡°The rift in the Shimmer,¡± Alice said, ¡°we¡¯re tasked with closing it to prevent just this sort of contamination. Your world doesn¡¯t need rifles and monster truck tires, and mine certainly doesn¡¯t need magic.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s debatable,¡± said Mery. ¡°But entirely beside the point ¨C at least right now. Right now, we need to get Dockma and have a chat with our old friend Fedru. Gil, lead the way. We¡¯re with you.¡±

    The ranger nodded and hurried down the sloping trail. The way down from the heights was narrow. Sand and pebbles shifted under their feet as they made a hurried descent. The rough stone of the cliff face was a welcome friend as Isa tried to keep her footing as they hurried down. Gil and Mery were in front, barely able to walk two abreast. Next were Alice and Mimay, then Isa and Marissa, with Lund in the rear.

    Why was Mery so anxious to recue Dockma? Or maybe she wanted to confront Fedru. But that didn¡¯t seem right to Isa either. Mery had barely mentioned the wizard the whole trip. If she had a quest to capture him or stop him, why didn¡¯t she share that with the group?This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    ¡°It¡¯s a big party,¡± Marissa murmured. ¡°What would Michelle think about a group this big?¡±

    Isa was glad for the distraction. She could ruminate about everyone¡¯s motives for days, but instead of answering her friend, Isa said, ¡°Why in the world did you start playing a game that¡¯s based on your world?¡±

    Marissa shrugged. ¡°I needed to make friends, and when I first heard about this group game with magic and elves and dragons, I thought, ¡®I¡¯ll be great at this!¡¯¡± She grinned at Isa. ¡°At first, when I said weird things or made cultural mistakes, people assumed I was just a weird role-player. Nary a red flag from the other people at the table.¡±

    ¡°And people chat so much while they¡¯re playing,¡± said Isa.

    ¡°Our group does. Some are more serious than us and only speak in character, but I like the mix we have. Felix helps keep things light, and I like that. So different than the real world.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Isa muttered as she steadied herself against the wall. ¡°If you die there, you just re-roll.¡±

    At the base of the cliff Gil knelt to examine the ground again. He moved away from the group about ten yards and knelt again. When he rejoined them, he said to Mimay, ¡°More of those strange tracks. They seem to move in a sweeping curve.¡± He swept his hand out, encompassing the whole vista.

    ¡°Patrol, you think? But what kind of creature?¡± She looked up at him and frowned.

    Alice said, ¡°Our lore says that the dwarves are clever with their tools and, and their machines.¡± She glanced at Marissa. Machines? she mouthed as if asking for the right word.

    ¡°True,¡± said Mery. ¡°Let me see these tracks. Saw a man in Deney once who had a big metal spider.¡±

    ¡°How do they get power?¡± asked Isa. ¡°You don¡¯t have gasoline engines ¨C do you?¡±

    ¡°How old are the tracks?¡± Marissa asked. Everyone else ignored Isa¡¯s question.

    ¡°No, really how would something like move without¡ª¡±

    ¡°Magic, babe.¡± Alice¡¯s voice in Isa¡¯s ear. ¡°It would be powered by magic.¡±

    Without another word Gil crept forward and lay flat on the sand. After a moment he gestured them forward. Once the group had reformed around him, he said, ¡°There are fresher tracks here. Short strides,¡± he pointed at four small mounds in the sand, ¡°but walking fast.¡±

    ¡°The dark dwarves,¡± said Mery.

    ¡°But are they tracking or being tracked?¡± Marissa bent to look at the mounds.

    ¡°Or in yoke with them,¡± said Mimay.

    ¡°The strange tracks are older,¡± Gil told them. ¡°So, if they are not in league, the dwarves are following the tracks for their own purposes.¡±

    The wind whipped the sand into small funnels that spun and dissolved in a moment. Isa pulled her cloak tighter. ¡°Will we overtake them? You said they¡¯re walking fast.¡±

    Gil snorted. ¡°Fast for dwarves. But we can avoid them. I don¡¯t like having them behind us, but we need to get to Dockma.¡± He knelt and put his forehead to the sand. Isa and Alice looked at each other, and Alice shrugged. Isa caught Mery¡¯s eye as Gil remained prone and the silence grew. Mery held one hand up as if to say Wait.

    Just then Gil pushed up from the ground. ¡°They don¡¯t have any fiends or undead lurking around. That much I can tell, but I can¡¯t spare more time to study the land. We have to pick up the pace.¡±

    He started forward, and Marissa grabbed his cloak. ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting for you to cast pass without trace. What¡¯s the problem?¡±

    ¡°The spell?¡± Gil frowned. ¡°I don¡¯t need that.¡± He swept his arm out, taking in the desert, the dark hills, and the Shimmer. ¡°This is my land.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but maybe you noticed that you have other people with you? Maybe they could use a boost? Leaf and star!¡± Marissa pulled a small box from her pocket. ¡°Gather close everyone. Thirty feet is the limit. Goddess, shield our path, hasten our steps, blind our enemies.¡± She dipped her thumb and forefinger into the box, pulled out smudged fingers, and held them aloft. ¡°In Ysel¡¯s name, we pass without a trace.¡±

    Dark dust, picked up by the harsh desert winds, swirled away from Marissa¡¯s outstretched hand. Isa watched it and then brought her gaze back to the group. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we be,¡± she said, ¡°like, invisible or something?¡±

    ¡°Too showy,¡± said Marissa. ¡°Trust me, we are untraceable now, practically invisible to others.¡±

    ¡°For all intensive purposes,¡± Alice said with a smile.

    ¡°Right.¡± Marissa gave her a grim smile. To Gil, she said, ¡°Lead the way, Ranger. Everyone keep up. Thirty feet, remember?¡±

    With almost unerring movement, Gil led the group forward over the sands. Only once did Isa see more of the strange triangle-like tracks, but if the creatures that made them were nearby, they kept out of sight.

    When they were about thirty yards from the low hill that denoted the entrance to the catacombs, Gil threw himself to the ground, and the others followed his lead. He rested his chin on his folded arms and stared at the hill.

    ¡°Why are we stopping?¡± asked Mimay.

    ¡°Can¡¯t be as easy as walking in; you know that.¡±

 Lockwood Chapter 67: Dark Dwarves

    As they watched the entrance, Isa caught a flicker of movement near the mouth of the cave. She also saw that Gil was reaching for his longbow.

    ¡°How far away are we?¡± she hissed to Alice.

    ¡°Hundred feet?¡±

    Isa grinned. ¡°Fire and frost?¡±

    Alice shook her head. ¡°The frost range is short ¨C like sixty feet. Magic missile?¡±

    Isa shook her head. ¡°Don¡¯t waste the spell.¡±

    ¡°But it always hits.¡±

    ¡°Exactly my point.¡±

    Mimay put her hand up. ¡°Hush!¡± She conferred with Gil in whispers. Several times Mimay gestured at the cave, and several times Gil shook his head.

    ¡°What we need,¡± Mery muttered, ¡°is a distraction.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what I was thinking.¡± Lund began to rise from his prone position.

    ¡°Not that kind.¡± Mery grabbed his arm to stop him. ¡°Not the kind where you get killed and the whole place is up in arms. Literally. No, what we need is lights.¡± Her hands swayed in the air. ¡°Dancing, shining, moving lights. Maybe it¡¯s a person, maybe it¡¯s a creature. Maybe someone will need to investigate.¡±

    Mery moved her hands like a puppeteer, as if she had strings attached to the light figure. She made it dance and swoop and run across the sand, dodging and bobbing as it moved against the darkening sky.

    One of the dark dwarves emerged from the shadows of the catacombs for a closer look. He moved cautious closer to the lights, and Mery gently, carefully moved the figure away and then teased it forward again, as if she were a fisherman and the dwarf her fishy prey.

    ¡°Come on,¡± muttered Gil. He had his bow string taut and an arrow ready to fly once the dwarf was in range.

    Isa gripped her staff and watched the scene. Alice, who knelt beside her, was talking softly to Peck. She let the bird fly off toward the Shimmer, and before Isa could wonder why, Gil let loose his arrow. It flew true, hitting its target in the shoulder. The dark dwarf staggered under the impact, shook his left arm as if testing its strength, and turned back toward the entrance.

    ¡°That¡¯s bad, isn¡¯t it?¡± Mimay looked from Gil to Mery.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± said Mery. ¡°He¡¯s going to get his friends. Nice work,¡± she said to Gil.

    ¡°I did that on purpose,¡± he replied. ¡°Better to fight them in the open instead of in that warren of tunnels.¡± He looked at Isa for support. ¡°Right?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m no tactician.¡± She held up her hands.

    ¡°As a plan, it has some merits.¡± Lund pushed himself off the ground. ¡°But you should have maybe told us ahead of time. Marissa, come with me, and tell me what animals you can summon again.¡±

    Marissa¡¯s eyes darted from Isa to Lund. ¡°I can¡¯t, uh, I¡¯m only a 2 class spellcaster, remember?¡±

    ¡°You can shapeshift at least, right?¡± He started to move away from the group, angling out to the left of them. ¡°We¡¯ll flank them. Just keep them focused on you, all right?¡± These last words were for Mery. Stolen novel; please report.

    ¡°I could be a bear or a snake,¡± said Marissa. ¡°A poisonous snake? Stealthy like. Or maybe you want to charge them.¡±

    Lund¡¯s response was lost to Isa as they moved away from the core group.

    Silence settled over them as they watched for the wounded dwarf to return. Isa put her mouth to Alice¡¯s ear. ¡°Once they get close, I¡¯m going in, OK? I have to.¡±

    Alice nodded. ¡°I know.¡±

    Just then four shapes appeared at the mouth of the catacombs. Mery¡¯s gaze was stern. ¡°Fucker probably got healed while he was getting his friends.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t think about that,¡± Gil muttered.

    ¡°We should have waited until morning,¡± said Mimay. ¡°Dark dwarves hate the sunlight. This lighting, it plays right into their strengths.¡±

    ¡°We couldn¡¯t wait. Dockma needs me, remember?¡±

    ¡°That remains to be seen.¡± Mimay patted Gil¡¯s shoulder as if to soften her words.

    ¡°They¡¯re in range,¡± Isa hissed.

    ¡°They need to get closer,¡± said Mery. ¡°Otherwise Lund¡¯s gambit is useless.¡± She conjured a red ball of light and let it hover over her outstretched palm.

    Isa was reminded of that moment in the farm house when Mery first showed her the dancing lights. It felt like a million years had passed since Isa and Lund had stormed the remote house and rescued Mery. And in the quiet aftermath, Isa and Mery were supposed to be keeping watch for enemies, but Mery had conjured the lights and they¡¯d watched those instead, moving closer in the soft darkness.

    As if reading Isa¡¯s mind, Mery grinned and said, ¡°Nothing like fairy lights to steal a girl¡¯s heart away. Mayhap it will work on stonehearted dwarves, too. What do you think, Isa? Is the magic potent enough?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sure,¡± said Alice, ¡°that short-term, you could charm anyone you had a mind to.¡± She flashed Mery a decidedly sour smile.

    Mery¡¯s own smile seemed undaunted. She said, ¡°No harm in trying, is there?¡± And then without looking, she sent the red ball zinging toward the dark dwarves. It sailed between two of the soldiers and then looped down to come between the legs of a third.

    In response four javelins came soaring toward the group. In the dusky lighting Isa didn¡¯t see the javelins until they were almost among them. Lucky for Isa, only one of the spears came near her. Two hit Mery, one right after the other, as if they knew the author of the lights.

    As Isa watched, the last spear landed just at Alice¡¯s feet. It seemed to lose momentum just as it neared her, and for that Isa was thankful. She was very aware of just how vulnerable Alice was to direct attacks.

    ¡°Watch this,¡± Alice said and pointed her finger at the first dwarf in the pack running toward them. ¡°I think they are just¡­. about¡­. in range.¡± An icy blast left her fingertip and shot toward the dwarves. The one Alice hit seemed to shiver and slow as a white film covered his torso.

    ¡°Frost and fire.¡± Isa grinned as she shot her fire bolt at another dwarf. Gil shot one of his arrows at the lead dwarf as Mery healed herself from the javelin damage. Mimay was rummaging through her pouch and muttering to herself.

    Distance fighting was fun, for a few moments. The dwarves were concentrating on running to the group, so they did not answer the attacks with their own volley of javelins again. But as the first of the four dwarves arrived at the little knot of adventurers, Isa had time to think about Lund¡¯s plan to surprise their foe. He could spring whatever trap he had devised anytime now, preferably before they got close enough to swing the slim axes in their hands.

    And then melee began, and Isa didn¡¯t have time to wonder where Lund and Marissa might be.

    Mery pulled out her sword, as did Gil. He had a short blade in each hand. The swords seemed not much bigger than a long dagger, but he wielded them well, slicing down the dwarf he¡¯d shot with a one-two stabbing.

    Mimay crumbled a leaf in one hand and the bits of dried matter caught the wind and drifted away. As they did, Mimay swung her sickle in the air, nowhere near any of the enemies, but one of the dwarves suddenly glowed with a bright white light as though he¡¯d been struck by lightning. Isa followed Mimay¡¯s spell with a thrust of her blade and suddenly there were two dwarves instead of four.

    A roar sounded in the distance and a bear lumbered into view with Lund sprinting right beside it. Isa was glad to know they were on her side because the sight was truly frightening. Marissa, in bear form, charged at the dwarf trading swings with Gil. Alice shot another frost spell at that dwarf which slowed him down and made him unable to dodge Marissa¡¯s swipe.

    Lund swung his greatsword at the last dwarf and struck him down with one swing. In the sudden stillness the group looked at each other. Without a word, they moved toward the mouth of the catacombs. Lund, Gil, and Marissa led the way with Alice and Mimay in the middle and Mery and Isa right behind.