by Paul Bellow
I shifted on the bench.
“What?” I asked.
She nodded toward Griznar.
I glanced over and saw him asleep at the oars.
“The city lights are getting fainter,” Bernard said. “I think we’ve drifted off course a bit.”
“Wake up,” I shouted.
Griznar didn’t stir. I got up in frustration and stepped past Bernard. When I reached the ferry captain, I shook him.
“Get up, drunk,” I said.
He didn’t open his eyes.
“Is he okay?” Sarah asked.
“Bernard, come take over the rowing,” I said. “We need to correct our course before we get lost out here.”
“Sure thing,” he said.
I pulled Griznar away so Bernard could take his place. After setting the passed-out goblin on the bottom of the boat, I stared down at him.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
His chest rose and fell faintly.
“Is he alive?” Sarah asked.
“Yeah,” I said. “Blackout drunk.”
“He didn’t look that drunk,” Sarah said.
I shrugged my shoulders.
“We’ll tie his boat up at the docks once we get across,” I said. “He’ll sleep it off or something.”
“I hope we find somewhere good to sleep,” Sarah said. “I’m so tired.”
She yawned.
I sat down next to her. “Me too.”
Bernard got us headed in the right direction again. After another ten minutes or so, I saw the main docks of the city up ahead.
“There’s a spot open,” I said, pointing.
Bernard peered over his shoulder for a moment then nodded.
“Got it,” he said.
The wooden boat bumped up against the dock. As Bernard tied it up, I left a gold coin next to Griznar.
Doing the right thing matters!
+5 Alignment
You are now -20 (Breaking Bad)
“Finally,” Sarah said. “Our alignment curse is broken.”
“We can only hope,” Bernard said.
“Let’s go find a room for the night,” I said. “We can continue our journey tomorrow after we rest up.”
“I wonder why that guard called Changtao the Slums,” Sarah said.
“Your guess is as good as mine,” Bernard said. “I’ve never been to the Forbidden Kingdom.”
“Let’s go,” I said. “We’ve got a big day tomorrow.”
15
We Should Probably Leave Now
Sarah
* * *
At the end of the dock, we reached a wide cobblestone street. Three-story buildings stretched into the distance. Everything looked fresh and new which was odd from what I knew about typical goblins.
We walked two blocks, stopping outside The Prancing Man Dancer.
“This look okay to you two?” Eric asked.
“If they have beds, I don’t care,” I yawned.
“Same here,” Bernard added.
Eric walked up to the front door and opened it.
I stepped through, glancing around the room. A dozen or more hobgoblins sat around wooden tables. Some of them looked over as we entered.
I saw several female goblins dancing in between the tables. Bernard and I followed Eric as he walked across the room toward an empty table in a far corner. I couldn’t wait to get some sleep.
Eric sat down with his back to the wall. I took a seat next to Bernard on the other side of the square table.
A well-endowed goblin waitress walked up.
“Can I help you three?” she asked.
I glanced up, admiring her bold, tribal tattoos.
“We’re looking for a room,” I said.
“Just one room?” she asked. “We don’t rent ‘em by the hour.”
“We’re here for the night,” I said.
The waitress turned to Eric.
“Why do you let your servant talk for you?” she asked.
He tilted his head to the side and kicked my foot under the table.
“Sorry,” I said as meekly as I could muster.
“Don’t worry about my companions,” Eric said. “How much for the room?”
“A copper piece if you don’t want dinner,” the waitress said.
Eric reached into my coin purse and pulled out three copper pieces.
“Send the dinner to our room,” he said as he handed her the coins.
“You’re upstairs in room number thirteen,” she said. “Ain’t no locks on the doors, so keep an eye on your belongings.”
The waitress walked away with the coins clutched in her hand.
Eric stood and turned to us.
“Let’s go,” he said. “We’ve got a big day tomorrow.”
I got to my feet and followed him upstairs while all the other hobgoblins watched us. They gave me the creeps, but I had to stay strong.
We found room thirteen near the back of the building. Eric opened the door and waited for us to go inside. I went in, glancing around.
“Nice,” I said in a sarcastic tone.
“It’s nicer than I thought it would be,” Bernard said.
“We’ve slept in worse places,” I said.
Eric walked over to the window on the far wall and looked out.
“If your illusion spell holds,” he said. “We’ll be fine.”
“My spell will hold,” I said. “Speaking of which, I need to do some reading tonight. Can you two keep it down?”
“I’m going to sleep,” Eric said. “We need to be rested up.”
“Me too,” Bernard added.
As the other two climbed into beds, I pulled out one of my magic books and sat down.
Just an hour of reading, I told myself.
Like that ever worked out.
* * * * *
In the morning, I woke without a sense of dread for the first time in a while.
Was it because we were about to finish our first quest?
“Good morning,” Charlotte said cheerfully.
She crawled down my arm, bigger than I remembered.
“Morning, Charlotte. Where are the other two?”
“They left an hour ago,” she said. “You stayed up too late studying.”
“Hang on,” I said. “Let me stretch.”
Charlotte climbed up my arm as I stood and reached for the ceiling with both my arms. After stretching, I walked to the window.
Outside, I saw the goblin city in all its glory. While impressive at night, it looked even more amazing during the light of day. I heard people cheering a few blocks away from our inn.
“You should eat,” Charlotte said.
“Good idea,” I said. “Then we’ll go find the boys.”
“They’re men, not boys, Kali. I don’t understand.”
I grinned as I walked across our room.
“Don’t worry about it,” I said out loud before I left.
What an adorable spider, I thought as I went downstairs.
Only one hobgoblin sat at a table in the dining room. I took a seat as far away as possible. The same waitress from the night before came over.
“What do you want?” she asked in a snippy tone.
“Just breakfast,” I said. “Something light.”
The waitress laughed then shook her head.
“You’re the snootiest goblin I’ve ever met,” she said. “Was your mama a hobgoblin or something? Are you mixed?”
“That’s none of your business,” I said. “Bring the food, and I’ll throw an extra coin in for you. How does that sound?”
“Be right back.”
The waitress turned then left for the kitchen.
I tapped my foot as I waited. Being behind enemy lines wasn’t very much fun. And again, I found myself falling deeper into the game.
Memories of the real world became even more distant with every night I spent trapped inside the intense virtual world.
Was Josh okay? Had he found a way out without us?
I pushed the questions aside as the waitress returned. She dropped a plate full of scrambled eggs and a few strips of bacon on the table. I smiled as I stared down at the food.
“Time to pay up,” the waitress said, holding her hand out.
I retrieved a couple of copper coins and gave them to her. She took them then walked away. I sat and enjoyed the virtual, yet tasty food.
As I ate, a group of hobgoblins walked in. They sat at the table next to me. I ate while keeping my ears open for any information.
“Once our dear leader convinces that mage to do our bidding, we’ll be set,” one said. “The humans will never know what hit them.”
I set my fork down on my almost empty plate.
Let’s get out of here, Charlotte. I’ve got a bad feeling.
I stood, hoping the hobgoblins didn’t notice me. They did.
“We’ve got a civilized one here, do we?” a hobgoblin warrior asked.
His buddies snickered as I turned with my head down.
“Yes, sir,” I said.
We should go, Kali.
I’m trying, Charlotte.
“You and your kind have a place in the new world,” the hobgoblin said. “Don’t you worry your pretty face.”
I bowed, then turned and went to the bar to ask about Bernard and Eric. The hobgoblins left me alone as I walked away.
When I reached the waitress, I stopped and raised my head.
“Do you know where my companions went?” I asked.
She shook her head.
“Do you know how many guests we have here?” she snapped.
“Thanks anyway,” I said then turned.
As the hobgoblins laughed and talked nearby, I walked outside. The bright sun hit me in the street. I took a deep breath.
Where would I go if I were Eric?
I heard the crowd cheering again a few blocks away. They would probably check it out. I rushed toward the ruckus.
Two streets over, I saw a crowd gathered in a square plaza. Goblins and hobgoblins filled every open space. I saw a glimpse of a water fountain in the middle of them.
Carved, stone dragons poked up above the crowd.
A particularly well-dressed hobgoblin stood atop the rim of the fountain. He raised his arms.
“This is our time,” he shouted. “The time for friendly is over!”
I scanned the crowd and spotted Eric and Bernard near the front.
They better not say anything.
I walked toward them.
Bernard saw me approaching and waved with a smile.
Why are they being so stupid in this game? This is an incognito mission.
When I reached Eric, I tugged on his shoulder. He turned his head.
“I’m trying to listen to this guy,” he said.
“What are you doing out here?” I whispered. “We’re undercover.”
“A group at breakfast told us we had to hear this guy speak,” Bernard said. “And he’s very persuasive. You should listen.”
“Yeah,” Eric added. “Calm down. You’re the one making a scene. Just listen to the guy for a moment. He makes a lot of sense. I love his harmonic voice. He speaks to the true me.”
I raised my left eyebrow. Were they joking around?
“Hypnotism, Kali?” Charlotte asked.
“I think so,” I answered.
Bernard and Eric turned back to the hobgoblin speaker.
Was he charming the whole crowd somehow?
“Come on,” I said, grabbing Eric’s arm. “We should go.”
He pulled his arm away.
“It’s just a game, Sarah,” he said. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Don’t speak OOC out here in the open,” I hissed.
Eric rolled his eyes like a petulant teenager.
A nearby goblin leaned in and asked, “What language are you speaking? Is that human or a magic elven tongue?”
“Don’t worry about it,” I said. “Leave us alone.”
“Spies,” the goblin yelled. “There are spies in our midst.”
Everyone around us backed away, surrounding and trapping us. The hobgoblin who had been speaking walked toward us.
“What is that strange language you speak?” he demanded.
“It’s nothing,” I said. “We made up our own language.”
The well-dressed hobgoblin turned to Eric.
“You better keep your goblin servants in check,” he said.
Eric strutted forward, chest out.
“You talking to me?” he asked.
A hushed murmur swept through the crowd.
The other hobgoblin stepped closer.
“You heard me,” he said.
“We should go,” I said.
“How?” Bernard asked.
As Eric and the hobgoblin stared each other down, I saw the crowd getting worked up. We had to go.
“You’re out here rabble-rousing,” Eric said. “But have you fought the humans or elves? What do you know of suffering?”
The hushed crowd turned their attention to the charming hobgoblin.
“Well, no,” he said. “But...”
“That’s what I’m talking about,” Eric continued. “My servants and I have come from the lands of the humans, and we’ve seen suffering on their side. There’s a story you don’t know.”
“Heresy,” the hobgoblin shrieked as he pointed an accusatory finger at Eric and smiled self-righteously.
I cast Charm of Thought. The forty-mana drain would hurt, but I had to do something before Eric got us killed so close to finishing our quest.
You cast Charm of Thought.
You have [64/104] mana remaining
The spell went off without a hitch as I concentrated on the seductive hobgoblin. He turned to me, confusion smeared all over his face.
“Goblins rule,” I said in a commanding voice.
The hobgoblin blinked twice in quick succession then turned to the crowd. He paused as if fighting my spell with his own magic.
“Say it,” I hissed.
“Goblins rule,” he shouted.
Everyone in the crowd around us cheered. I pushed forward.
“And elves aren’t so bad either,” I yelled.
The entire plaza went quiet in an instant as all eyes turned to the hobgoblin.
“And elves aren’t so bad either,” the hobgoblin repeated. “I have one or two elven friends.”
Someone in the crowd threw a squishy tomato, hitting the hobgoblin.
“Get out of here, elf-loving traitor,” another yelled.
“Hey,” the hobgoblin shouted as it bounced off his armor.
As he turned his attention back to us, I wondered if I needed to cast the spell a second time.
Had I ruined his reputation enough?
“Everyone shut up,” another hobgoblin said as he walked up. He was dressed in black and wore a beret—then he stopped in front of us.
“Now you did it,” Eric mumbled.
“I didn’t start this,” I hissed. “You fell prey to a simple persuasion spell. Be ready to fight our way to the docks.”
“Are you a spellcaster?” the hobgoblin with a beret asked.
He tilted his head back, looking even more impressed.
“Yes,” I said. “And I’m on a special mission for Magi Inyontoo.”
I felt the eyes of everyone in the crowd on me.
“The plan progresses well?” the hobgoblin asked. “Why are you here in Taowutang? Is something wrong?”
“We’re on our way back to report to him,” I said.
“Yeah,” Eric added. “Are you trying to impede us?”
The hobgoblin chuckled.
“You seem to be doing a good enough job impeding yourselves.”
Isn’t that the truth?
“We should go,” I said. “Time is of the essence.”
“Indeed,” the hobgoblin with the beret said.
He stroked his chin as he continued staring.
I looked at Eri
c.
“Can we go now?” I asked. “Please?”
“Yeah, let’s get out of here,” he said.
We turned to walk away.
“Hold on,” the hobgoblin said.
Eric stopped.
“Yeah?” he asked over his shoulder.
“Aren’t you going the wrong way?” the hobgoblin asked. “The docks are in the other direction.”
“We’ve got other business to do,” Eric said. “Do we have a problem?”
“No, no,” the hobgoblin said. “Carry on.”
I walked away with the other two at my side.
“Are you crazy?” I whispered after we got to the next street.
“What do you mean?” Eric asked. “You’re the one who cast a spell and got us noticed.”
I stopped and crossed my arms over my chest.
Bernard sighed.
“Will you two please stop arguing?” he asked. “I told you, the game will work against us because we’re getting so close. This always happens. We’ve got to keep our wits about us.”
“He’s right,” I said, dropping my arms. “Let’s go.”
We put our differences aside and headed toward the docks.
“I don’t think we should stick around here,” I said. “Let’s take a boat across the channel to the real Forbidden Kingdom.”
“Agreed,” Eric said. “Sorry I fell for that guy’s charm.”
“It happens,” I said. “We’ve got this if we keep moving.”
“There’s a ferry,” Bernard said, pointing toward the choppy water.
I saw a double-decker barge tied up beside the dock. Goblins and hobgoblins climbed aboard, causing it to sway back and forth.
“We’ve got to hurry,” I said.
The others followed as I walked toward the ferry. Eric double-stepped and got ahead of me, taking the lead. He pulled out some coins as we got closer.
We boarded right before the vessel filled completely. Several goblins untied the ferry from the docks while others took to oars on the lower deck.
I stood at the rails around the top deck with Eric on my right and Bernard on my left. Even after so many hours, I felt weird looking like a goblin.
“You know anything about the Forbidden Kingdom, Charlotte?”
“No, Kali. I’m sorry.”
“That figures.”
