by Pdmac
Raquel stirred and snuggled closer, causing him to wonder if his getting cancer was a blessing in disguise. He felt her stir again and looked down to see her eyes open.
Kissing his chest, she twisted her head to look up at him. “I wonder how early they start serving breakfast?”
“I don’t know.”
“Doesn’t matter. I think we need to take a bath.”
“Do I smell that bad?” he asked, suddenly aware of his manly aroma.
“I said ‘we’,” she replied with a wink and flicking her eyebrows. When he still looked confused, she added, “The tub is big enough for two.”
Even with the shared bath, Karl and Raquel were the first ones down for breakfast. A yawning Humphrey butted the kitchen door open and carried over a tray containing a small basket with hot rolls, plates with sausages, butter, jam and two cold ales.
“Did we sleep well?” Humphrey smiled.
“Very,” Karl replied with a warm smile at Raquel.
The upstairs door opened and Annabeth bounded in, looking refreshed and chipper. She scooted a chair out by Raquel and plopped down. Reaching for a sausage, she nibbled on one end and grinned at Karl then turned to Raquel.
“Told you he was good,” she merrily confided. “I’m thinking of exploring all the positions in the Kama Sutra.”
“Hopefully not in one night,” Raquel deadpanned.
“No, just the first fifty, then spread out the rest the next couple of times.”
“You do realize I am sitting here,” Karl intoned.
“Don’t mind us,” Annabeth cheerfully replied. “Pass the butter, please.”
Midway through breakfast and the numerous ways Annabeth pondered having sex with Karl, to include a night time skinny dip in the ocean, the upstairs door opened and Dieter emerged, Elena right behind him, her hand in his. Casting a sheepish glance at the three already at the table, he slid a chair out and sat as Elena kissed him on the cheek and went to the kitchen.
Dieter noted the three staring at him, smiling. “What can I say?” he shrugged.
“You don’t have to say anything,” Annabeth sweetly answered, patting his hand. “You have the right to enjoy yourself just like we all do. She seems like a real sweet girl.”
“The question is,” Karl said, “how are you going to feel and what are you going to do when we have to leave tomorrow?”
Dieter paused and stared down at the plate before him. “I was wondering if we could take her with us.”
“What an interesting idea,” Annabeth mused aloud.
“She’s a serving girl,” Karl sharply pointed out. “And you’d be distracted by worrying about her.”
“You worry about us,” Annabeth countered, nodding at Raquel and herself.
“It’s different. You two are players, a sorceress and a ranger. I don’t have to worry about you. You can take care of yourselves.”
“You mean you don’t worry about us?” She pretended to pout.
“Stop it,” he half-smiled. “It’s not the same. How would she contribute to the company?”
“She can cook,” Dieter stubbornly replied, “and bake.”
“That could come in handy,” Annabeth agreed, “especially when there are no towns around.”
“I think,” Raquel spoke up, “the question is whether it’s allowed, in the game I mean. Can an NPC just go wandering off with a player?”
There was a lengthy pause as they realized she had a valid point. Karl searched his memory for any indication or rule that an NPC had the same sort of freewill a player had.
“If I understand it,” he said, “NPCs are placed in towns, places, and situations to help or hinder a player.”
“Players respawn,” Raquel added. “I think NPCs do too, but it’s different.”
“So if Elena went with us or was killed,” Annabeth reasoned, “either way she would no longer be part of the game.”
“But that would only hold true for us,” Dieter said, “here and now. Elena is part of the town, right now. If someone else entered the game after we did, even if she came with us, she would still be here when the next player came along, because it would be a new game for him.”
“Whoa,” Annabeth marveled. “That’s deep.”
“How can she be in two places at once?” Karl argued.
“It wouldn’t be her,” Raquel thought out loud. “I mean, it would be her, but it would be her doppelganger. The old Elena would be with us, and the new Elena would be here when the new player came along.”
“That’s even deeper,” Annabeth said in reverent tones.
“Then what would happen when the two Elena’s met?” Karl asked. “Suppose we had to retrace our steps back here? And anyway, are you saying that once we leave here a new Elena magically appears to take the old Elena’s place?”
“I don’t know what I’m saying,” Raquel shrugged. “All I know is that when my son plays RPGs, he can kill an NPC on his way to a quest. A friend of his does the same quest a day later and kills the same NPC.”
Silence thudded upon those at the table as the others tuned into a single word she had said.
“You have a son?” Karl said, suddenly feeling guilty.
“And a daughter,” she said with a pained sigh, irritated that she had let slip that part of her life.
“You never told me,” Karl said.
“You never asked.”
“Touché,” Annabeth chimed in.
“I have three boys,” Dieter softly announced. “They live with their mother. We divorced a few years ago, long before I was diagnosed with… my illness.”
Annabeth glanced around the table. “Sometimes I forget that all of us are here because we are terminally ill. For my part, I’ve been given a new lease on life and I’m going to take advantage of it. I’ve been given a gorgeous body and a sorceress’ skills. I’m going to enjoy this life to the fullest. Already I’m having more fun than I ever did in real life. The only thing we truly have to worry about is respawning.” She cast a meaningful glance at Karl. “I don’t even have to worry about getting pregnant.”
Turning back to the others, she added, “That’s why I choose to see my glass as half-full. Just look at the fun we’ve had so far, killing gnolls and humongous spiders, and ambushing orcs... and other things.” She wiggled her eyebrows at Karl. “I tell you, it’s only gonna get better.”
“Thank you Miss Sunshine,” Conrad laughed as he pushed through the upstairs door. “Any chance of flashing those gorgeous girls of yours?”
“Remember what I said last time?” she reprimanded him with a grin.
“Yeah, yeah. Can’t blame a guy for tryin’. What’s everyone doing down here so early in the morning? Mist hasn’t even burned off yet.”
“It’s called breakfast,” Annabeth explained. “You eat it after you wake up in the morning. You remember.”
“Ha ha,” he replied, stone-faced.
The upstairs door opened again and Sakura, Brad, and three more entered, greeting Karl and the others with a wave as they headed for another table, their conversation continuing.
Karl noticed Annabeth lean over and whisper something to Raquel.
“You have him tonight,” Raquel reminded her.
“Oh alright,” she sighed with a smile. “Mind if I tag along?”
“Of course not. I’d like that.”
“Where’re we going?” Karl asked.
“Shopping,” Raquel replied with a mischievous grin.
In the warm sunshine of the early afternoon, Karl, Raquel and Annabeth sat at a table outside a pub and watched the city’s people go about their business. Many recognized the orc-killing warriors and greeted them with plaudits and smiles.
“Wonder why they didn’t think to add coffee as part of this game?” Annabeth observed, watching a woman marching down the street, a young urchin in each hand.
“Where’d that come from?” Karl chuckled.
“I just thought it’d be nice to have an espresso right t
his moment… and a Danish.”
“Welcome to medieval Europe,” Raquel said.
Karl studied Raquel for a bit. “Tell me about your children.”
“Yeah,” Annabeth joined in, leaning forward.
Raquel was irritated at first, but then relaxed. “Not much to tell. My son is fourteen and my daughter is eleven.”
“And your husband?” Karl asked.
Raquel paused, taking a sip of ale as she chose her words. “We were never married. We had that idiotic belief that as long as two people loved each other we didn’t need to be married in the normal sense of the word. We were ‘married’ because we supposedly loved each other. Common-law is what they call it.”
“You sound unhappy,” Karl said.
“I am. Even though we thought of ourselves as husband and wife, merely living together does not constitute a marriage, especially a legal marriage or a common-law marriage. After five years of living together and giving birth to two children, he informed me one morning over coffee that he felt confined and needed more space, that I was too demanding, too restricting. He moved out and I haven’t seen him since. Neither have the children. I learned later he was living with another woman in Idaho.”
“So you had to raise your kids by yourself,” Annabeth said. “Lemme guess, and with no support from him.”
“Bingo.”
“Where are the kids now?” Karl asked.
“With my sister,” she replied, a lump in her throat. “She’s a good woman with two kids of her own. Thankfully she’s in a stable marriage.” She turned to look down the street, her eyes misted. “I hope I can get back before they forget all about me.”
“You’re their mother,” Karl comforted, placing a hand on hers. “I doubt they could ever forget you.”
“Thank you,” she replied with a weak smile. “All things considered, I think Annabeth has the right outlook. Life for us is here and now. We need to make the most of it.” As if suddenly understanding her place, she brightened. “I need to live life to the fullest, have adventures, excitement, so when I do go back, just think of the stories I can tell my kids.”
“See?” Annabeth softly spoke. “I told you you’d find an answer.” She glanced around the busy street then back to her ale. “Now if they could come up with some coffee, I’d say life was perfect.”
Karl and company were in the tavern, enjoying a late meal while sharing their finds of the days and planning the morrow’s departure when the burgomaster and aldermen came in. Karl was about to call out his thanks for the city’s support when he noticed the burgomaster’s look – a mixture of awkward embarrassment and anxiety.
Seeing Karl, the burgomaster made a beeline for him, the aldermen in single file behind him. The room went silent to hear what he had to say.
Swallowing, he tapped his fingertips together. “Ah, they’re back.”
“Who’s back?” Karl replied with a frown and a smile.
“The orcs. They’re back.”
“That’s impossible,” Karl affirmed. “We killed them yesterday. You have their ears.”
“Yes, yes, I know. But, you see, they’re back. They’re standing outside the gate demanding we feed them.”
“That’s impossible,” he repeated, bolting out of his chair. “Show me. Wait.” He turned to the others. “Get your weapons, but keep them hidden until I tell you.”
Quest Alert: Save the town from orcs - again
Reward: Unlimited access to supplies, scrolls, potions, and weapons currently in the town
Do you accept this quest? Yes No
With a snarl, Karl smacked the ‘Yes’ icon. “Damned nuisance.” When the rest returned, fully armed, the burgomaster led the way to the walls above the city gates.
As they made their way up the stairs, Dieter touched Karl on the elbow. “If there are orcs, I’d like a chance at them this time.”
“Fair enough. Stay out of sight for the moment.”
“Thanks, Boss.”
Karl and the rest of the company lined up behind the battlements and much to their surprise and chagrin, saw the three orcs standing outside the gate. The orc in the middle carried a falchion while the other two wielded battleaxes. They looked to be the same ones from last night, although Karl wasn’t quite sure how to differentiate orcs other than their clothing, for all orcs looked the same.
“Bah,” the middle orc spat. “I knew I smelled dwarf and elf.”
“You don’t smell so good either, cupcake,” Conrad shot back.
The orc’s bravado wavered slightly when he saw the Viking flanked by a ranger and a sorceress. “This don’t change a thing. Give us food or we destroy this place.”
“Food?” Karl called down. “Of course. I’ll make sure they give you plenty of food. What would you like? Mutton? Bread? How about ale?”
“Mutton?” The orc on the left eyes lit up. “Yes. Mutton… and ale. Lots of ale.”
“Of course.” Karl turned to the burgomaster whose stunned face told him the poor man was trying to figure out how to explain to the city that not only were the orcs back, Karl was demanding they be fed. In a voice loud enough for the orcs to hear, he announced, “My good burgomaster, a feast for our guests outside.”
“But… but,” the burgomaster stuttered, horrified.
Karl suavely pushed him aside and called down to the orcs. “Give us a few minutes. Make yourselves comfortable. How about an ale while you’re waiting?”
“Yes,” the orcs on the flanks said at once.
“No tricks,” the middle orc growled.
“Tricks? Of course not. My friends and I are simply passing through. We’ll be on our way back north tomorrow.”
Stepping away from wall and out of view, he gathered the group, beckoning the burgomaster closer.
“I need two volunteers to act as a distraction by taking the ale out to them.”
Everyone raised a hand, which surprised and pleased him. He pointed to Ross and Carole.
“OK. You two will carry the ale out.” He switched his attention to Annabeth holding her staff. “What can you do with that?”
“I can do both a fire bolt and an ice bolt.”
“Good.” He turned to the mage. “Lana? What do you have?”
“I can do a mind confusion spell.”
“OK everyone, here’s the plan. As soon as Ross and Carole are halfway to the orcs, Annabeth will hit the middle orc with a fire bolt then hit the orc on the right with an ice bolt. At the same time, Lana will cast her confusion spell on the orc on the left. Dieter will lead the rest of us in the attack. Myself and Raquel will be in reserve. Questions?”
“You want Lana and me up here?” Annabeth asked.
“Yes. Sorry. I should have been more explicit. Up here gives you better line of fire. Any other questions?”
When no one said anything, Karl turned to Dieter. “Go ahead and organize your attack.”
“Thanks, Boss,” he replied, pleased with the responsibility.
While Dieter briefed the attack force, Karl turned his attention to the burgomaster. “Get me three mugs and a pitcher of ale.”
“Yes, yes,” he responded, excitement and relief in his eyes.
As the burgomaster headed back down the stone steps to fetch the ale, Karl leaned over the battlement. “It’ll be just a minute more, gentlemen,” he cheerfully called down to the orcs. “We’re looking for ale mugs large enough to hold your ale.”
“Just bring a damned pitcher,” the orc on the left impatiently stated.
“Ah. Good idea. Why didn’t I think of that?” He suppressed a smirk when he saw the anticipation of the two orcs on the flanks. The middle orc still appeared wary. Disappearing from view, he turned to the group. “Get ready.”
Within a few minutes, all were in position and waiting. The burgomaster and aldermen bustled up with the ale and mugs, a small crowd of citizens following. Handing the pitcher and mugs to Ross and Carole, he stood there, hands on his hips as if to say he had done his part;
now it was up to Karl to fix the problem.
“You might want to take cover in case the orcs break through,” he counseled.
The burgomaster’s smug confidence vanished and he spun around to shoosh everyone away. Yet few would leave, instead wanting to crowd the battlements to watch the show. With a helpless shrug, he turned back to Karl.
“If you want this done right, keep them out of our way,” Karl warned then led the way up to the battlement.
He gazed down at the impatient orcs and called out. “Are you ready?”
“We been ready,” the middle orc snapped.
Though smiling at the orcs, he whispered to Annabeth and Lana, “Hit them when their attention is diverted when the gate door opens.” Then in a loud voice for all to hear, he called out, “OK. Go ahead and bring out the ale.”
The gate door opened and Ross, carrying the ale pitcher, stepped out first. In unison, the orcs dropped their gaze and focused their attention on the door. No sooner had their heads dropped that Annabeth thrust her staff at the middle orc, sending out a burst of fire that ignited his skin and clothing, and sent him dancing and flapping his arms in spasmodic terror.
At the same time, Lana swirled her hands and pushed out a confusion spell that hit the orc on the left whose rapt attention on the pitcher was abruptly interrupted and he dumbly stood there, watching his mate roll around on the ground as the fire continued consuming his clothing and flesh.
By this time, the orc on the right was encased in a thin layer of ice, his eyes locked in frozen horror as he watched a human giant emerge, a large double headed battle axe gripped in his right hand. More humans, elves and dwarves spilled out behind him.
The crowds on the battlements roared their glee as Dieter swung his axe and decapitated the orc frozen in ice. The confusion spell was just starting to weaken in the other orc when Conrad, Wendell, and Sharyn, a high elf, made quick work of him, killing him where he stood.
Sakura and the others calmly walked over to the final orc, kneeling on the ground, his charred and bubbled flesh split to expose the sinews and muscles of his frame. He looked up at them, defiant to the last, reaching for a weapon too far away. Sakura walked behind him, grabbed what was left of his hair and jerked his head back as she sliced his throat.
