by Paul Bellow
“I hate water,” Ewen grumbled.
“Last one across is a rotten egg,” I yelled then ran into the water.
I glanced over my shoulder and saw the strong current almost take one of them away.
They kept on smiling.
“Hold, strong,” I yelled. “And keep moving.”
The bear stopped and roared before getting in the water.
I stopped on the other side and cast Fish Slaying. Dozens of dead fish floated to the surface, getting the bear’s attention.
Evan and Ewen struggled onto the riverbank near me.
“What happened?” Evan asked.
“He was just hungry,” I said, nodding my head.
The bear feasted on the recently deceased fish.
“Great job,” Evan yelled, getting the bear’s attention.
“Be quiet,” I hissed. “Let’s go before he comes after us.”
“He won’t after that feast,” Ewen said. “Good idea.”
Evan stepped in front of him.
“You’re so smart,” he said. “I’m so happy you’re helping us.”
“No problem,” I said, loving my NPC followers.
With only two of twenty four mana points remaining for the day, anything bigger than a small creature would likely kill us.
“Stop here,” I said after we made it to a fallen tree.
The trunk—nearly ten feet high on its side—gave us good cover.
“We’ll rest here,” I said as I sat down on the ground.
“Kali, we should go,” Evan said, glancing around. “It’s not safe here in the forest. Back to the path.”
“Not yet. I need to...”
Don’t go OOC, I reminded myself.
“...rest and refresh. Do you understand? No more magic.”
“Oh,” Evan said, his head bobbing up and down.
The ever present smile on his face freaked me out. According to the game’s help files, it was the main reason brownies only worked at night.
After humans went to sleep, the brownies came into their houses to clean and tidy things up. I loved the depth of the Tower of Gates.
Evan walked over and plopped down on the ground beside me.
“Kali?” he asked.
I glanced over.
“Yes, Evan?”
“I can help,” he said.
“Oh, you can?”
I smiled politely, nodding my head.
“No, really,” he said. “I can.”
“Don’t give her the potions, bozo,” Ewen boomed.
Evan reached into a sack on his side and fished around.
“I have potion to heal, a potion to restore your magic, and...”
He smiled even wider. “A love potion.”
“Let me see the love potion,” I said.
He pulled out a red glass bottle. After handing it to me, I examined the magical item closely. Could I trust the brownies?
You Learned a New Skill!
Identify Magic Item - Basic Level 1 of 10
Another notification informed me the potion would only work on someone with an intelligence score of forty or lower. That gives me an idea, I thought as I grinned. With a bit of luck, I could teach the little Romeo a lesson about love.
“Don’t drink it,” Ewen warned as I raised it to my mouth.
A few drops of liquid came out, hitting my tongue with a sweet and sour taste. I opened my eyes wide.
“Oh,” I exclaimed, getting to my feet. “I love you, Evan. We must go to Thyananore, get married and have fifteen children. You’ll need a full time job or two to feed us all. Maybe you can work in the mines where it’s dark and cold. You don’t mind, do you? I love you so much.”
Evan’s eyes opened wider, but he kept smiling.
“I’m kidding,” I said, chuckling. “Come here, you.”
He backed up as I bent to hug him.
“Not funny,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “Can I please have a mana restoration potion? We’ll make better time. You want to go to Fishguard, right?”
Evan raised an eyebrow inquisitively.
“You want to marry me?” he asked.
Ewen shook his head. “She was faking, bozo.”
Evan kept smiling and handed me three tiny blue potions.
“One will restore your magic completely,” he said. “Concentrated.”
I opened one and sniffed, smelling spinach.
“Thanks,” I said. “Here’s hoping it tastes better than it smells.”
Evan giggled as I downed the contents.
You feel rejuvenated!
You have [12/24] mana remaining.
“That’s better,” I said, smiling.
“We go now?” Evan asked. “Long way to the city.”
I waved for them to follow.
“This way,” I said as I headed back toward the path.
We skirted the black bear. I knew my limits.
Thirteen wolves, forty five rabbits, two bears, six giant lizards, thirty five badgers, and several hours later, we neared the southern edge of Shockly Forest.
What a crazy adventure.
I almost had enough experience for level two. Would I get more spells? Skill points?
The anticipation was building as I got closer to leveling. Still, I was starting to miss Eric and Josh.
Were they okay? Had they found the quit option?
I loved huge game worlds, but I hated adventuring solo. Spells of Warcraft was never as much as fun when I played with Eric.
Evan and Ewen, a few steps ahead of me on the trail, whispered to each other as we walked. They were two of the most intriguing NPCs I’d ever met in a game, and I’d played a lot over the years.
I checked my stats as we walked. With twelve of twenty four mana and more than half my health, I wasn’t looking too bad. Not for a low level mage.
I couldn’t believe I was holding up so well.
“Do you have any more healing potions?” I asked.
“Yeah, yeah,” Evan said. “Coming right up.”
“Let me pay you for it,” I said.
I reached into my pouch and pulled out two gold coins.
“Here you go,” I said, holding out my hand. “Wish I could give you more, but I need to equip myself for the journey ahead.”
“I wish you could give us more too,” Evan said, grabbing a coin. “This is more than enough. I made the potion for three copper.”
“Be quiet, fool,” Ewen hissed.
He grabbed one of the gold pieces and stuffed it in a pouch.
“We’re coming to the southern edge of the forest,” I said. “Maybe we should stay among the trees one more day.”
“No,” Evan said in a whiney voice. “We need to keep going. You need to find your friends. Remember your friends?”
“You’re right,” I said then sighed.
I would’ve had enough xp to level after killing a few more woodland creatures, but the others might be in trouble. My NPC companion was right. I needed to find Eric and Josh.
More than forty eight hours after starting the game, I found myself fully immersed in the Tower of Gates. Reality had slipped away a little more with each passing moment.
The simulation did have its positives. Even as NPCs, the brownies had made the last two days a bit more enjoyable. I’d gotten to know my game character a lot better too during the two days alone.
Evan tugged at my arm, breaking me out of my thoughts.
“Kali, look,” he said.
He pointed toward the edge of the forest.
“What?” I asked, seeing nothing.
“Sunlight,” he exclaimed then laughed hysterically.
“Cut it out,” Ewen said in a serious tone. “There’s gnolls in the area.”
Somehow, I knew gnolls shouldn’t be in the forest. Was it another side quest to distract me and keep me playing?
Evan rushed forward with Ewen struggling to keep up. I kept walking at a stead
y pace, still amazed at the reality of the simulation.
When I emerged from the trees into the sunlight, I shielded my eyes with my hand. The dirt path widened as it continued toward the walls of a city barely visible in the distance.
“Thank you, Kali,” Evan said. “We’ll be safe from here.”
Quest completed!
You gain +500 experience points!
Nice. Why no level gain?
> Stats xp
You have 2,995 experience.
You need 5 experience to make it to level two.
I sighed. Just my luck.
“We’re going now,” Evan said.
The two brownies took a few steps.
“Hold on,” I said. “Maybe I’ll go with you.”
“It’s not necessary,” Ewen said.
Why are they so anxious to get away?
To my right, on another road, I saw a cart also traveling south.
“Never mind,” I said. “You guys go. I’ll catch a ride from that guy.”
Evan looked to Ewen.
“Don’t even think about it,” the latter said. “We’ve got to go.”
“Fine,” Evan said with a twinge of disappointment in his voice.
I smiled, loving the brownies. They would be missed.
As Evan and Ewen walked south, I ran toward the slow-moving cart. Knowing Eric, he’d already leveled up to three or four already.
The wagon slowed down as I approached. I smiled, ready for a ride into the city. A man with dirty clothes sat in front, staring at me.
“Hello,” I shouted, waving a hand.
The man stopped the wagon, still clutching the reins.
“Hold on, elf,” he said in a nasty tone.
“I need a ride to the city,” I said. “How much for a ride?”
“This realm’s going nuts,” the man said. “First, it’s a guy with goblin armor who needs my help, and now I have to deal with you.”
“A guy with goblin armor?” I asked, ignoring his insolence.
The rustic man stood and scrambled into the back of the covered wagon. I heard him mumbling as I walked around to the back.
When I reached the rear opening, I saw a tall man in strange armor on the floor, writhing and groaning. I looked up at the old man.
“Where did you find him?” I asked.
“Does it matter?” he asked. “I’m tired of the lot of you.”
I watched in horror as he kicked the body, causing it to roll over the edge. The armored man smashed onto the road.
“That’s no way to treat an injured man,” I said, getting more upset.
“Eat me,” the old man said then moved to the front of the wagon.
I stormed around, catching him as he picked up the reins.
“Stop,” I said, raising my arms.
He laughed, looking over with a smirk.
“Or what, elf lady?” he asked. “What are you going to do?”
“I’m a powerful mage,” I lied. “Do not leave until I attend to this man.”
“We’re here,” Evan said, breathing heavily. “Are you okay?”
I turned and saw the two brownies. Ewen hunched over.
“We thought you might need some help,” Evan said.
I smiled, touched by his attachment to me.
This is such a strange game...but nice.
“Can you sell me another potion to heal someone?” I asked.
Evan glanced up at the man on the wagon.
“He’s not hurt,” he said. “He’s just old.”
“Now I gotta deal with brownies?” the old man asked.
“Not him,” I said. “He’s behind the wagon. Go help him for me.”
“I’ll give him the potion,” Evan said then walked past.
“Can I go now?” the old man asked.
“No,” I said. “We need a ride to the city.”
“I’m not giving a ride to an elf and two brownies,” the old man said.
Thinking quickly, I came up with a plan.
“Ewen, give the driver of the cart a special potion, okay?”
I winked. The gruff brownie tilted his head to the side and stared, still smiling as if his life depended on it.
“Special potion?” he asked.
“You know, the one you love,” I said, emphasizing the last word.
Was he smart enough to understand?
“I don’t need no stinking elf magic,” the old man said.
“This will bring you wealth and riches,” I said, lying again.
“Oh...” Ewen nodded his head. “I see what you mean. Let me get it.”
The old man in the cart peered down at Ewen as he reached into a sack at his side. After retrieving a glass vial, he brought it over.
“What’s this do?” the old man asked.
“It’ll make you feel ten years younger,” I said.
“Didn’t you just say it would bring me wealth and riches?” he asked.
Thinking quickly, I said, “if you feel ten years younger, you’ll be able to accumulate more wealth, right? Not to mention the women.”
He studied my face a moment. No one said a word.
“Fine,” he said. “I deserve something for all this hassle.”
Ewen handed the old man the love potion. I watched as he took out the cork then downed the entire contents in one go.
As he quaffed it, I stepped into his line of sight. He blinked rapidly a few times then smiled like a lecherous old man.
“You’re so beautiful,” he said, undressing me with his eyes.
“Stay here and wait for us,” I said. “Please?”
“Anything for you, my sweet elf princess,” he said.
I smiled then turned and walked to the back of the wagon.
Would things finally start going better?
For the best game ever, I wasn’t having much fun.
6
I Don’t Know Your Father, Brah
JOSH
As I trotted toward the approaching caravan of covered wagons, my thoughts turned to Sarah.
Would she be with this new group? Or would I end up fighting again?
This game seems so stupid.
Unlike the first group of wagons, these stopped and pulled into a defensive ring. I rode closer. A few hundred feet away, my horse stopped and whinnied in fear.
“Whoa,” I said in a soothing voice. “Calm down, baby. We’ve got this…”
She settled down, but I could still sense her nervousness.
The horse refused to move.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
Several well-armored knights walked out from behind the wagons. One of them headed in my direction.
Are they sizing me up? Can I take them all out? Should I kill these guys too?
I sat atop my horse, wondering if I should charge them. From what little I knew about medieval history, being on horseback was a big advantage in battle, but I hesitated.
Three of the knights screamed and charged forward on foot. With the reins in one hand and my sword in the other, I clamped my legs together to get the horse moving again.
A fireball flew by, barely missing, and slammed into the closest knight. He promptly exploded into various pieces. My horse reared up, shielding me from the worst of the fiery blast.
I twisted around and saw a man in black robes with a hood masking his face.
Did he cast that awesome spell?
I want to be his friend. That better not be Eric looking so cool.
A knight shouted from behind the wagons.
“Attack!”
Several dozen other armored soldiers ran toward me, fanning out as they came. I held my sword up as I rode forward, slipping into the game even more every minute I stayed.
Another fireball shot past me. Maybe if I showed the wizard guy I was on his side—he’d help me find Sarah—I reasoned, as I kept riding toward the armored knights.
Could I kill them?
I reached the first warrior and brought my sword down
hard. The blade bounced off his helmet, and he fell to the ground. As I kept riding, several other knights ran forward to kill me. They never made it close as magic electricity shot at them.
I watched the lightning hit one of them then bounce to several others. They all fell, shaking uncontrollably and yelling in pain.
I reached the first wagon and stopped my horse.
Every time a warrior came out, the wizard took them out with an even nastier spell. I kept expecting him to hit me.
After he killed a few more, I rode toward the wagons. Two knights ran out with their swords raised. I stayed on my horse.
“What are you doing?” he asked. “Please help us.”
“I’m one of the bad guys, dude,” I said, then grinned.
One knight ran back while the other charged me.
The Paladin of Fish HITS you for 7 damage.
You have [11/18] health remaining.
“Come here, you,” I yelled as I twisted around to reach him; and as he stared up at me, I stabbed him in the neck.
Your pierce DECIMATES the Paladin of Fish for 11 damage.
This Combat is Over.
The Paladin of Fish is dead!
You gain +100 experience points!
You have 1,200 xp
You need 100 xp for level two Warrior
I rode closer to the circled wagons. All around, burnt men groaned on the ground. Thoughts of Eric and Sarah faded as I got wrapped up in the excitement of battle.
Nearby, I noticed a man on his knees struggling to get up.
Not on my watch.
I rode over and brought my sword down in a mighty arc. The blade hit his helmet directly.
Your slash INJURES the Paladin of Fish Trainee for 4 damage.
The Paladin of Fish Trainee is dead!
You gain +50 experience points!
You have 1,250 xp
You need 50 xp for level two Warrior
This is kind of addictive, I admitted as I looked for another target.
The game screens made it more interesting.
A knight darted from behind the wagons. I rode toward him at full speed. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the wizard in black robes.
The warrior sprinted away, but he was no match for my horse. I caught up and went for his neck, hoping to cut his head off.
