by Paul Bellow
All four men laughed.
“What’s so funny?” I asked.
Ferris shook his head, saying, “You’re too much!”
“He’s the first to call us out on it,” Aaron said.
The other three wizards nodded in agreement.
“Good job, barbarian,” Ferris said.
“We’ll note this in your employee file,” Thom added.
All four broke into another fit of laughter.
“Shouldn’t we be going after the rogue?” I asked after I realized they weren’t going to answer my question.
“Yes,” Ferris said. “You should be going after him. Go on, then.”
He nodded his head toward the dark cave entrance.
“You’re not coming in with me?” I asked.
“Too dangerous,” Ferris said.
Sherlock burped then nodded. “Much too dangerous for us,” he said.
“But it’s okay for me?” I asked, shaking my head.
“We’ll be out here waiting,” Ferris said.
I sighed then held up my battered sword with both hands. Maybe I could find the rogue and convince him to help me get away from the wacky wizards?
Before going inside, I lit a torch. With it in one hand and my sword in the other, I walked into the cave. The Four Wizards weren’t being nice to me, but I sensed something seriously wrong with each of them, especially the quiet one.
Aaron’s black robes and their admitting to working with Magictology made me nervous. I pushed the doubts and fears aside as I crept to the back of the cave.
The cavern narrowed to a tunnel leading deeper underground. Should I follow it? Go back? Yell out for Gord-En to help me? I needed to make a choice.
Hoping for the best, I ventured into the tunnel. Moss covered the walls on both sides. The further I went, the thicker it became. Soon, it covered the floor.
I kept walking, not paying it any attention until I felt drowsy. Tiny specks of pollen floated through the air as my torch cast strange shadows on the wall. Am I okay?
Thoughts of the game and everything fell away. I dropped my sword and torch to the ground before sitting down. Leaning with my back against the moss, I closed my eyes.
Sleep overtook me.
* * * * *
“Wake up, big oaf!” Sherlock yelled.
I opened my eyes and saw the Four Wizards standing over me.
“Where’s the rogue?” Ferris asked then glanced down the tunnel.
“I don’t know,” I said.
“You set off a trap,” Thom said as if it were a good thing.
“Better him than us,” Sherlock said.
I struggled to stand, still feeling woozy.
“Hold on, big guy,” Thom said. “You need another potion.”
“I’ll be fine,” I said, unable to stand.
Thom handed me another tiny bottle, this one red.
“What’s this do?” I asked.
“Tastes like cherry,” Thom said.
“Cool, but what does it do?”
“You’ll find out after you drink it.” Thom chuckled then turned to Sherlock. “A thousand platinum says he doesn’t drink it.”
“Bet,” Sherlock said then stroked his long, white beard.
I didn’t want Thom to lose money, but I also felt terrible. After uncorking the bottle, I drank the liquid inside down without bothering to smell it.
The faint licorice aftertaste wasn’t bad, but what did it do?
“What did I just drink?” I asked.
Thom laughed. “Sugar water,” he said.
I grumbled as I pulled myself up.
“Did you see the rogue at least?” Ferris asked.
“No,” I said.
“Useless piece of garbage,” Sherlock snorted.
“Watch it, old man,” I said, grabbing the front of his robes.
“Let me go!” he shouted. “Or face my wrath.”
“I’ve been with him around the campfire after beans night,” Thom said. “You don’t want to face his wrath. Believe me.”
The tension spilled away as I laughed at the stupid joke. At least I thought it was a joke. I couldn’t know for certain with these wizards.
“Knock it off,” Ferris said in a serious tone.
“He’s nearby,” Aaron said. “I can sense him.”
Ferris and Sherlock wandered deeper down the tunnel. Aaron, Thom, and I followed. Their magic light did better than my extinguished torch.
A ball of light following Ferris lit the path ahead. Why was it so important to chase the rogue down? He hadn’t killed the lich or anything.
Just when I thought I was beginning to understand the game, the rules changed on me. I planned on suing the corporation behind the Tower of Gates.
My dreams of riches faded as a loud barking sound brought me back to my present predicament. The Four Wizards all stopped in the tunnel.
“What is it?” I asked.
The yapping continued.
“Go check it out, barbarian,” Sherlock said.
I sighed then pushed them aside to walk forward.
The tunnel opened to another cavern ahead. Even with the strong light, I couldn’t make out anything in the darkness. The barking continued.
“Sounds like a big dog,” I said over my shoulder.
“Go check it out,” Ferris hissed. “Hurry up.”
I sighed then gripped my sword even tighter. The barking continued as I approached the sound. Can the dog not see me or something?
When I reached the cavern, I glanced around. The shadow of a huge dog on a wall to my left made me flinch. I held my sword over my left shoulder.
“Here doggy, doggy,” I said.
While I saw the shadow, I didn’t see the actual dog. The closer I got, the more I realized something wasn’t quite right. I stopped near the wall.
A tiny clay figurine of a dog sat on a flat rock. The barking sounds were somehow coming out of it. I wondered if I should pick it up or not.
“What is it?” Ferris asked.
“Come and see,” I said. “Magic item, I think.”
The Four Wizards crept over to me.
“I’ve seen these before,” Aaron said.
“The Filcher’s Guild makes them, right?” Sherlock asked.
I reached down to pick it up.
“No!” Ferris shouted as he pushed me.
“Traps!” Sherlock said. “You always check for traps.”
“I’m a fighter!” I growled. “That trap stuff is for you guys. I’m not even sure why you brought me along with you. You could be doing all this on your own.”
“But you’re fun to have around,” Thom said.
“And you’re unique,” Ferris said. “In that you don’t have a PIN.”
“Pin?”
“A prisoner identification number.” Ferris studied my face. “Do you know anything about why you don’t have one?”
“My girlfriend’s friend hacked into what we thought was a game,” I said. “That’s all I know.”
All four wizards watched me closely for a few silent and tense moments.
“Interesting,” Thom said then chuckled.
His bright red hair looked odd in the magical light.
“We need to keep looking,” Ferris said. “He’s around here somewhere.”
“Let me check the dagger again,” Sherlock said.
He held out his palm with the dagger in it. All four wizards studied it carefully, nodding their heads thoughtfully but not saying anything.
“Well?” I asked.
“He’s definitely somewhere close,” Ferris said. “But where…”
“Are you going to check for traps on the dog figurine?” I asked.
“It should be fine,” Sherlock said, not paying attention.
Without waiting for them, I reached down and picked it up. The barking noise continued.
“Anyone know how I get this to stop or what it’s for?” I asked.
“Merlin’s Watchdog,” Thom sai
d. “It’s like a motion detector.”
“Cool,” I said, still studying it in my hand.
“They’re made to only work for one person,” Sherlock said.
I sighed then dropped it to the ground.
“This way,” Ferris said.
He walked toward one of two tunnels in the cavern besides the one we had come in through. I still doubted whether I had made the right choice in going with them or not.
They hadn’t really given me a choice, but I didn’t like the way they were treating me. Even though I was a lot lower level than them, I could still help them out.
“Everyone, be quiet,” Ferris said, ironically, in a loud voice.
We continued down another tunnel, his glowing ball of light leading the way. Up ahead, I saw a shadowy figure run away. Was it the rogue? Someone else?
“After him!” Ferris shouted.
The Four Wizards stepped aside and looked at me.
“Great,” I said then jogged forward, sword raised.
I thought of everything that could go wrong as I stepped forward. The tunnel bent to the left then right, twisting every which way. I kept moving.
“What do you see?” Sherlock asked behind me.
“Nothing,” I said, then added. “Wait...there’s a portal.”
“Move,” Ferris said as he pushed me aside and ran faster.
I followed him, sword up and ready for action. As we reached the glowing portal in the air, it disappeared with a distinct snapping sound.
“Why can’t you guys cast that spell?” I asked, impressed.
“Hush,” Ferris hissed.
“It’s forbidden magic,” Thom said casually.
“Why?” I asked.
“The gamemaster doesn’t like it,” Thom said. “It’s dangerous to use.”
“We have to reopen it and use it,” Ferris said right after Thom’s warning.
“Is that a good idea?” I asked.
“Quiet or I’ll turn you into a toad,” Sherlock said.
He and Ferris studied the air where the portal had appeared. I stepped back, wondering if I should just flat-out run away from them and hope for the best.
Much like Rizzo and his crew, the Four Wizards were treating me like a stupid barbarian. While I didn’t know the ins and outs of the game, I didn’t think I was doing too shabby.
I watched as the four bumbling wizards measured an invisible spot in the air, frantically writing calculations down on a sheet of parchment they passed between each other.
“Ten thousand platinum says you can’t open it back up,” I said as a lark.
Immediately after the words left my mouth, the portal flickered to life.
“Pay up, or we own you legally,” Sherlock said.
With Thom laughing, I couldn’t tell if he was serious or not.
“Come on,” Ferris said. “It won’t stay open long.”
He turned to me and waved me forward.
“You first,” he said. “Move it.”
I dove head first through the circular, floating portal.
14
A Battle with Gord-En
Josh
I landed on a lumpy mattress on the other side of the portal. A grizzled man wearing studded leather armor glanced over at me as I struggled to get up.
“Geronimo!” Thom yelled as he jumped through.
Three others in the room took defensive positions. At least one was a spellcaster from what I could tell. The other two looked armed to the teeth with exotic weapons.
“You’re caught, Gord-En,” Ferris said after climbing through the portal.
As Aaron and Sherlock emerged, I sat up on the bed. One of the warriors turned his curved sword toward me. I raised my hands in the air, ready to draw my weapon.
“What do you want with me?” Gord-En asked.
He held two long, thin blades, one in each hand.
“Why are you messing with Aquarius?” Ferris asked.
“Yeah,” Sherlock added. “Don’t mess with Magictology.”
The rogue with tired eyes shook his head. I rolled off the bed away from them. Everyone in the room stared at each other, none of us moving or saying anything.
“Magi Inyontoo will be stopped,” Gord-En said. “It’s only a matter of time.”
“Well,” Ferris said, reaching into a bag tied to his belt. “You did ask.”
He pulled something out then tossed it in front of them. A thick cloud of black smoke spread through the room, blocking everything from view.
What on earth is he thinking?
I held my sword up with one hand and used my other arm to shield my face from the sulphurous smoke filling the enclosed space. Someone bumped into me.
“They’re here!” Sherlock yelled, not realizing it was me.
Or maybe he had known and wanted to kill me?
Several lightning bolts flew into my body. I fell to the ground, paralyzed but not taking any damage.
“Got one,” Sherlock said.
I groaned as my spasms continued.
A scuffle broke out across the room. I couldn’t see anything, but I heard grunting and the clash of steel against steel. When I quit shaking, I started coughing.
I struggled to breathe as I wondered if I was dealing with the stupidest wizards in the history of magic users. They were going to get me killed if I didn’t leave.
Someone kicked the door of the room open. I saw silhouettes run into the hallway. After jumping on the bed, I jumped off the other side then ran for the door.
Outside in the hallway, smoke obscured most of my vision, but I saw Aaron in his black robes at the top of a staircase leading down. Gord-En stood a few steps away.
“Don’t do it!” Ferris shouted, his shrill voice sounding familiar.
I ran toward the stairs. Quiet Aaron stood at the top. His dark black hair contrasted with the redness of his face. Was he a barbarian who could rage?
Aaron shouted a spell then thrust his palms out. Waves of fire formed and slammed into the rogue, knocking him down the stairs. I watched as he tumbled.
The walls and stairs both caught fire, the flames quickly spreading. Aaron continued raging, thrusting his hands and throwing fireballs and more.
I found Ferris and Sherlock near the top of the stairs, keeping their distance from the rampaging Aaron. Was he secretly a barbarian like Monky was a psionicist?
Screams from the first floor of the building also spread fast, building in pitch and tone. The building wasn’t going to last much longer. We needed to get out.
“The stairs are a no-go,” I said. “We need to climb down outside.”
“No time,” Sherlock said. “I’ve got a better idea. Step aside, brute.”
He pulled out a wand which started spraying water. As the stream continued, it became stronger. But while putting out the fire, it was also destroying the building.
“That wand’s cursed!” Ferris shouted. “I told you to never use it.”
“You’re not the boss of me,” Sherlock said, grinning.
He hit Aaron with the stream of water, sending him flying down the hallway and out a window. I opened my eyes wide at his treatment of a so-called friend.
“Don’t worry,” Sherlock said. “He’ll be fine in his rage-state.”
I pushed him aside then walked down the hallway, almost slipping on the wet wood. At the end of it, I glanced out the shattered glass window.
Aaron continued his wanton destruction down below, setting another building on fire. Men and women ran in every direction, shrieking.
I climbed through the window and dropped to the ground. The inn we had been in continued burning as I caught sight of Aaron chasing an elderly couple.
He stopped raging as suddenly as he had started. I jogged over as he looked around at the devastation. Ferris, Sherlock, and Thom ran out of the front of the building.
“Did we kill the rogue at least?” Aaron asked in a shaky voice.
I shook my head. These guys were worse than me
at the game.
“He got away,” Ferris said. “That was close, though, you know?”
“If you think a mile away is close,” I said.
Ferris’ brow furrowed. “Shut-up,” he said.
Thom pointed toward the inn. I turned my head and saw a short, rotund man stumbling toward us with a frying pan in his left hand.
“You people!” he shouted. “Stop! You ruined my inn.”
He stopped a dozen or so feet in front of us.
“Go away,” Ferris said. “We don’t have time for you.”
“You need to pay,” the man insisted.
I reached into my sack.
“Don’t you give him anything,” Sherlock snapped.
I grinned, not thinking he was serious. When I kept digging, he waved his hand.
“Hey,” I said, unable to bend my arm. “Cut that out.”
Thom laughed as Sherlock stared me down.
“You’re mine now,” he said. “You’ll listen to your owner.”
“Very funny,” I said.
“I’m not kidding,” Sherlock said. “You bet me with insufficient funds, and that enables me to own you. Don’t think you’re special because you don’t have a PIN. I’ve known plenty of people who erased them or got them customized with numbers or letters that mean something.”
“Whatever,” I said, not wanting to push the matter. “We should go.”
“No,” Ferris said. “We need to cast the Hail Mary Teleport spell.”
All the mirth fell from Thom’s face at the mere mention of the name.
“No,” he said. “It’s way too dangerous.”
“While I hate to admit it,” Sherlock said, “but I agree.”
“No way,” Aaron added.
Ferris ignored them and pulled a book out of a much smaller bag at his side.
“Excuse me,” the owner of the inn said. “Someone needs to pay up.”
“Be gone,” Ferris said then pointed a wand at him without looking.
The innkeeper morphed into a field mouse before my eyes. I stared as he darted away. A house cat leaped out of the darkness and pounced on him.
“You see how quickly life can be taken in the Tower of Gates,” Thom said.
He looked up at me and grinned, his white robes battle-stained.
