by Paul Bellow
“Why did the quest complete?” she asked. “What about Josh? Shouldn’t the quest not complete until he joins?”
Panic swept through my body.
“I’m not sure,” I said.
“Do you think he’s dead?” she asked. “What happens when you die in this game?”
“Careful with the xp penalties,” I said.
“This game is getting on my nerves…”
Her voice drifted off. I put my hand on her shoulder, but she scooted a few inches away.
“We should stop talking out of character as much as possible,” I said.
“Good idea, Eric, but it’s not exactly easy.”
“We have a few minutes to talk out of character,” I said. “We might as well use it to talk about everything.”
“I don’t know what to say, Eric. You’re not my favorite person right now, okay? Leave me alone, and let me think about this…”
Being in the game on my own wouldn’t have been such a big deal, but I didn’t want her trapped against her will.
“Do you believe me?” I asked.
She turned, still furious. I loved her honesty.
“Believe you about what?” she asked.
“That I didn’t purposefully trap us in here.”
“Sure, Eric. I believe you.”
Her tone of voice didn’t convince me.
“We should try to clear this level,” I said, trying to stay positive. “We should be able to get out of here once we beat the beginner level.”
“Are you sure?” Sarah asked. “How do you know?”
“I don’t know for sure, but what else can we do?”
She stared out, looking at the forest in the distance.
“I’ve been thinking about letting a monster kill me,” she said. “Maybe that’s the way to quit.”
“Don’t do that,” I said. “We don’t know what happens.”
The wagon hit a bump, sending me a few inches in the air. I barely stopped myself from falling over the edge and down to the ground.
“Careful,” Sarah yelled to the old man in front.
“Whoa,” he said, stopping the two horses up front.
Sarah twisted around.
“What are you doing?” she asked. “Why did you stop?”
“Gold or no gold, you’ll have to go,” the old man said in a deep voice.
“We had a deal,” Sarah said.
Our driver shook his head with determination.
“Your spell on me wore off a mile ago,” he said. “You two need to get out of the wagon now.”
“Or what?” Sarah asked, lifting her hands.
What powerful spells did she know? I wondered.
“Here’s five more gold,” she said, throwing coins at him. “That’ll more than compensate you for the ride.”
The farmer took a deep breath, his barrel chest rising and falling.
“Fine,” he relented then turned and yelled, “Yah-yah!”
The wagon lurched forward, almost sending Sarah hurtling off the back. I reached over to stop her then grimaced in pain.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“I’m more worried about Josh than me,” I said. “But the pain is getting worse. Maybe I’ll die and find out what happens.”
“Don’t talk that way,” she said. “We’re almost to the city.”
“I’m sorry about all this...”
My voice trailed off.
“Don’t worry about it now,” she said. “We can talk about it later. If we’re stuck in here, we might as well make the most of it.”
“I don’t want you to think I did this on purpose,” I said. “Are we good?”
“We’re fine,” she said. “I’m just worried about being in this game too long. Everything has been so crazy since we started.”
“Right? This world is amazing, though…”
She smiled.
“Except for the rats, huh?”
I grinned, hoping I’d regain the use of my legs.
“We’re getting closer,” she said. “I can smell the city. I can see where it got its name. Hang in there.”
She put her hand around my waist, instantly calming my nerves.
I closed my eyes, drifting off, unsure if I would wake up or succumb to the poison coursing through my veins.
What kind of evil game were we playing?
* * * * *
I opened my eyes and noticed we’d stopped. Sarah hopped down then reached over to help me out of the wagon. I groaned.
“Hold on a minute,” I said.
Both brownies jumped to the ground. Evan rushed over to Sarah. He hugged her tightly as I sat and fought the pain.
“Thanks for everything,” Evan said. “You’re the best.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay with us?” she asked.
“No,” Evan said. “We’ve got houses to clean.”
I scooted off the edge of the wagon, thinking my legs would hold me up. They bucked as soon as my feet hit the ground.
“Are you okay?” Sarah asked, rushing over.
I glanced up as she crouched beside me. The wagon rolled away; the old man cursing brownies, elves, and goblins.
“The poison is getting worse,” I said.
She frowned.
“We’re at a healer in the city,” she said. “Let me go inside and get some help for that poison.”
“Sounds good…” I coughed. “Can I get some water?”
“Get him some water,” Sarah said as she stood.
When nobody answered, she turned around.
“Evan? Ewen? Where are you guys?” she asked.
“They’re gone,” I said. “Do you have water?”
“Yeah,” she said. “But that’s so weird. I liked them.”
I coughed as she pulled out a flask of water.
“Here…” She kneeled and lifted it to my mouth. “Take it slow.”
Warm, fresh water hit my lips, tongue, and gums.
“That’s so good,” I said after she pulled it away.
She glanced toward the wood and stone building.
“I’ll be back,” she said. “Give me a minute.”
“Not going anywhere,” I said then smiled.
She stood and walked out of my sight. I took a deep breath. Pain had infiltrated every corner of my body; my legs ached and throbbed.
Seconds ticked by. Minutes felt like hours.
Where is she? What’s taking her so long? Am I dying?
Instead of checking my health again, I closed my eyes, trying to save up my energy. All the horses and people nearby didn’t help.
“They’re out of everything related to poison,” Sarah said.
I opened my eyes, detecting a distinct tone of worry in her voice.
“Figures,” I said. “Guess we’ll find out what happens when we die.”
“Don’t talk like that,” she said then glanced down the street.
“Help me,” I said, struggling to sit up.
“No, hold on,” she said. “Let me think of something. Maybe I can go buy a potion somewhere else or find a healer in a tavern.”
A man dressed in a puffy white shirt over chain mail stepped up and bowed. His thick, full beard gave him a grizzly look.
“Did I hear you say you need a healer?” he asked.
I noticed a fish symbol emblazoned on the front of his shirt.
“Who are you?” Sarah asked.
He rubbed his palms together and smiled.
“I’m Benji Bigelow,” he said. “Faithful servant of the Order of Fish.”
Sweat dripped from his forehead. My gut told me to trust him.
“He’s poisoned and paralyzed,” Sarah said, pointing to me. “Can you help him?”
“A question first?” he asked, a sense of urgency in his voice.
“Sure,” Sarah said. “But hurry.”
“Can I join your adventuring party? I’ve been stuck in Fishguard a long time, and I long to get away and experience the worl
d again.”
He looked from Sarah to me then back to her.
“You can’t join our party,” I said. “But we’d love to hire you to accompany us...if you can heal this poison in my body.”
Benji smiled and nodded.
“Very well,” he said. “Where does it hurt?”
“I can’t feel my legs…”
He moved his arms over my legs, the ill-fitting sleeves of his shirt blowing in the wind and hiding his hands from view.
I felt a tingle in my legs.
“Something’s happening,” I said, getting excited.
A notification window popped up.
The poison in your system is gone.
You feel better.
You have [12/12] health remaining.
“Wow,” I said, standing up. “That feels better. If I never see another giant rat again, I’ll be a happy man. Thank you so much.”
“Not a problem,” Benji said, still smiling. “A giant rat, was it? They’re the worst. I’ve got good at slaying them with my prayers and my handy mace.”
He lifted a weapon with a round metal head. Numerous spikes protruded from it.
“Nice,” I said, nodding my head appreciatively. “Thanks again.”
“How much do we owe you?” Sarah asked.
“I’ll tell you what,” Benji replied. “If you let me join your party, there’s no cost for this cure. All future cures would be in exchange for my cut of the treasure.”
Why is he so interested in joining our party? The game warned us about letting certain people join. Was this why?
“You can come with us,” I said. “As a hireling. We don’t just let anybody into our adventuring party.”
I turned to Sarah, and she nodded in agreement. We’d played so many hours together, we could communicate a lot with only a look.
“A job as a hireling would be nice,” he said. “I’ve been trapped in Fishguard way too long. The city’s nice, but it can be restrictive.”
“You’ve been trapped here?” I asked. “Why can’t you leave?”
“I could,” he said. “But adventuring alone in such a dangerous world isn’t smart.”
“We’d love to hire you,” I said, extending my hand. “Two gold a week?”
Benji grasped my hand tightly and shook it up and down.
“And you’ll cover expenses like food?” he asked.
“Fine.” Sarah looked toward the center of the city. “We should find a room to use as a base of operations.”
“I’m Drex of Harrisburg,” I said, remembering to stay in character.
Benji smiled and let go of my hand.
“I’m Kali,” Sarah said.
“Nice to meet you both,” Benji said. “Kali is right. We should get a room. I’ll show you around the city in the morning.”
“We’re looking for our friend,” Sarah said. “That’s most important.”
“Not many people are out at night, but we can ask around about him,” Benji said. “How would you describe your friend?”
“He’s half-orc,” I said. “A barbarian.”
“I see.” Benji nodded. “Follow me. We’ll secure a room then spend a few hours looking for him. The sun is setting soon, but we still have time.”
“Great,” Sarah said. “I’m sure he’ll stick out like a sore thumb.”
“Do you think he made it all the way to the city?” I asked.
She nodded her head and said, “Yeah. He’s not stupid. We both had instructions to come to Fishguard. He’ll show up sooner or later.”
“You’re right,” I said.
Benji took a few steps away then motioned for us.
“Come on,” he said “We’ll want to get a nice room.”
Sarah and I followed him through the bustling city, down one street and up another. No two buildings looked the same.
“This is amazing,” Sarah said in a soft voice while walking beside me.
I nodded, wondering what the game would be like with more players. My thoughts turned to Josh. We needed to find him.
After we reunited, we could concentrate on getting out of the game. It was cool, but I wanted out before my father returned.
Benji stopped a few blocks away. I saw a two-story brick and timber building. A sign reading “Half-Full House” swung above the door.
“This is the best place for those on a budget,” Benji said. “I assume you two don’t have much gold. Let me know if I’m wrong.”
“We’ll be getting more soon,” I said confidently.
“But we want to save as much as possible,” Sarah added.
“Then this is our best bet,” Benji said. “Come on.”
He walked up to the front door and opened it, holding it for us. Sarah went inside first while I followed close behind.
I blinked, as my eyes adjusted to the darkened room.
“Just your typical inn,” Benji said. “How long are we staying?”
I turned to Sarah and shrugged.
“How about a week?” she said. “I doubt we’ll be here that long, but maybe we’ll get a better rate if we reserve it for seven days.”
“Good thinking,” Benji said. “Right this way.”
We followed as he walked through the lobby and into a dining room. A half-dozen tables filled up most of the space.
Benji headed to the bar on the other side of the room. A woman with a red and black plaid handkerchief tied over her head stood behind it.
“Can I help you?” she asked as we stopped in front of her.
“We need a room for a week,” I said.
She tilted her head back, looking us over.
“Are you wanted by the law?” she asked.
“No,” Sarah said. “Do we look like we’re wanted?”
“You can never tell these days,” the barkeep said.
Benji cleared his throat and asked, “How much for a room for the week?”
“It’s one gold per week per person.” The barkeep put her hands firmly on the wooden bar. “Payment up front. No credit.”
I reached into my coin pouch and pulled out three gold coins.
“Here you go,” I said as I tossed them on the stained wood.
She snatched them up.
“Here’s your key,” she said, dropping an iron key on the bar.
Sarah grabbed it.
“I’m so tired,” she said. “Do you mind if we start our search fresh in the morning? He’ll be okay one more night on his own.”
“Are you sure?” I asked.
She nodded.
“Benji and I will still go out for a bit,” I said. “Are you okay here on your own?”
“In the inn?”
She shook her head, a faint smile on her lips. “I’ll be fine. Unless there’s a mimic pretending to be a table or something.”
“No mimics in here,” the barkeep said.
I smiled, loving Sarah’s sense of humor.
“Fishguard can be rough,” Benji said. “We’re not exactly in the best neighborhood. You wanted economy…”
“We’ll be back soon,” I said.
Benji stepped forward.
“I can stay here with her,” he said. “And watch her. I mean…watch out for her. Not a problem for me at all.”
Sarah smiled.
“I’ll be fine,” she said. “See you two in the morning.”
Benji and I walked out of the bar area while Sarah headed upstairs.
“There’s only one place to check for a half-orc,” Benji said as we made it outside. “Down by the docks.”
“Lead the way,” I said. “You’re the coolest priest I’ve met in all my travels as an adventurer.”
Benji smiled nervously as he ran a hand through his thick, brown hair.
“Um, thanks,” he said.
I turned and sniffed the air a few times.
“Let me guess,” I said. “The docks are that way.”
“Yup,” Benji said, chuckling. “Follow me.”
We walked away f
rom the inn, cutting down the first alley. The smell of booze and fish got stronger the closer we got to the docks.
“Have you ever been off the Grabisco Isles?” I asked.
“No,” Benji said. “Maybe someday.”
I wondered if it was possible to sail away from the main game area. How open was the world? Could we explore our way out?
“Let me do the talking,” Benji said as we approached a boardwalk.
Several weathered wooden docks reached into the ocean. Benji turned onto one of them, walking quickly toward a fishing vessel.
“He’s not here,” he said, not looking around.
“Who?” I asked, struggling to keep up with the priest.
“Nobody,” Benji said. “Somebody…but nobody.”
“You’re not making any sense,” I said.
“Do you want to get a beer?” he asked. “Do you drink?”
“I could use a brew,” I said casually.
While I’d gotten drunk a couple times, alcohol wasn’t my thing.
Benji smiled and patted me on the back.
“Come on,” he said. “I know the perfect place. We can pick up all the latest gossip. Maybe we’ll hear about your friend.”
I followed him back to the boardwalk. He traveled a few hundred feet, stopping in front of a rundown building, more of a shack.
“Here?” I asked.
“Trust me...” He opened the battered wooden door. “It’s better on the inside than it looks on the outside.”
“Okay…”
I walked through the doorway. A dozen gruff figures all turned. My rogue instincts kicked in, and I slinked over to the nearest corner.
Benji followed. We both took seats across from each other at a booth.
“You come here often?” I asked.
“More often than not lately,” Benji said.
A human waitress with curly blonde hair walked up.
“Can I help you guys?” Her smile faded as Benji turned around. “Don’t order the fish. For the sake of all that’s holy, Benji, don’t you order any fish.”
I smiled as I glanced over at him, wondering about the story.
“Bring us a pitcher of ale,” he said. “And make it snappy.”
The waitress rolled her eyes before turning. I watched as she walked away—impressed by her figure.
“Do you know her?” I asked.
