Hero

by Paul Bellow

  “Thanks, Charlotte.”

  While my spider familiar had faith in me, I wasn’t sure I had any for myself. Had we cheated the odds by making it to level one-two without dying? Could we survive without our equipment?

  Answers to my questions evaded me as I waited for the guards to take me to the courtroom. I hadn’t touched the slimy, foul-smelling gruel they’d left for breakfast.

  Water alone wouldn’t keep me nourished, but I wasn’t hungry or weak enough to eat what they’d left me. I hoped we could escape during the trial and get out of the city.

  Like what happened on level one-one, we had slowed to a standstill on our “easy” quest. I had more questions than answers about everything, like Josh.

  What had happened to him? Could our low-level characters defeat a dragon? Even if we found Axelrod, he might not help us defeat it.

  “Why are you so negative?” Charlotte asked.

  “Excuse me?” I replied.

  “You heard me, Sarah. We’re strong, smart, and we will survive.”

  I smiled and struggled to my feet.

  “You’re right. Thanks for the reminder.”

  “I’m here to help you, Sarah.”

  Her calling me Sarah blended the line between reality and the game even more, but I didn’t mind. I enjoyed hearing her say my real name.

  Two guards in black armor entered the room outside my cell. I wondered about the others, worried for Evan especially. He acted so young.

  Were the brownies younger than everyone else?

  A guard opened the cell then barked, “Get out here, traitor.”

  The other guard standing next to him snickered and leered.

  “You like what you see?” I asked as I walked out.

  “Stupid elf,” the guard said then shoved me forward.

  “You okay, Charlotte?”

  “I’m fine, Sarah, but don’t antagonize them.”

  “Lessons on etiquette from a spider. Great.”

  “You’re going to get what you deserve today,” the guard behind me said.

  I walked out of the room and down a hallway. The others were being led from similar rooms. After entering the courtroom, they led us through a crowd.

  Humans of all shapes and sizes packed every bench. Most of them leered at me as I passed. I kept my head held high as they led us to the front.

  A long, rectangular table was positioned in front of the room, facing a massive and intricately carved desk raised on a stage.

  Captain Riggardo sat behind it. He looked up as we entered, a smug smirk on his face. The imposing black plate mail he wore didn’t help matters.

  I took a seat between Eric and Bernard.

  The brownies were further down the table with Evan on the outer edge. I glanced around the room and noticed a chest full of our equipment nearby.

  Someone had placed my staff against the wall. I missed the sense of power it gave me when holding it. Even if it wasn’t very powerful, it was mine.

  “Order,” Captain Riggardo yelled then slammed a gavel down.

  The chatter behind us in the room behind faded.

  I leaned over at Omar and asked, “Where’s the prosecution?”

  Our attorney frowned, then turned his attention to Captain Riggardo.

  “Done with the chit-chat, are we?” the menacing head of the Black Guard asked.

  “Yes, your honor,” Omar said. “As my clients are new in the city, they were unaware that you’re judge, jury, and executioner because we’re in a state of war.”

  “Constant state of war,” Captain Riggardo barked.

  The audience behind us murmured their approval.

  “I’ve got a bad feeling about this,” Bernard said.

  “That’s enough talking from the accused,” Captain Riggardo said. “I know the complaint, and I’m ready to pass down my judgement unless there’s any evidence that backs up the defendants’ ridiculous claims that they’re innocent.”

  I glanced at Omar and saw him swallow nervously.

  “No, your honor,” he said.

  “Wait,” I hissed. “The thing.”

  “Oh, yeah,” Omar said. “We’d like to present evidence, but it’s a matter of security. I request a few minutes in your chambers privately.”

  “No,” Captain Riggardo said.

  Omar glanced over, a stunned look on his face.

  “Do the accused have anything to say for themselves before sentencing?” Captain Riggardo asked.

  Eric stood.

  Here we go.

  “I do,” he said. “We’ve got evidence, but we can’t talk about it here openly.”

  Captain Riggardo leaned forward, staring at Eric.

  “That’s not going to happen,” he said.

  I put my hand on Eric’s shoulder, worried about what might happen next.

  A commotion at the back of the room got everyone’s attention. When I turned around, I saw three guards struggling with a bulky half-orc.

  Josh? My heart beat faster.

  Captain Riggardo slammed his gavel down.

  “Order!” he yelled. “Order in my court. What’s going on back there?”

  “We found this orc openly walking through the city,” a guard said.

  “My name’s Yorg, and I’m a half-orc,” the barbarian growled. “I’ve got as many rights as a full human. Tell me otherwise. I dare you.”

  “Bring him forward,” Captain Riggardo yelled.

  “It’s do or die time,” I said to Eric then cast a spell.

  Someone probably saw me, but I didn’t care. Captain Riggardo shimmered then took on the appearance of a hobgoblin as the guards reached the front of the room.

  “Hey, what’s going on?” one of them yelled.

  I stood on my chair, stepped to the table, then leaped forward to the chest containing our items. Everyone in the room went nuts as Captain Riggardo, looking like a hobgoblin, stood.

  “Secure the prisoners!” he barked.

  The guards looked at each other with a look of confusion on their faces. Eric and the others used the opportunity to run toward me and the chest near the judge’s bench.

  “Get them!” Captain Riggardo yelled. “That half-orc’s no friend of ours!”

  “Smashing time,” the half-orc screamed as he pushed the guards away.

  I grabbed my staff and bag while Eric and the others gathered their weapons.

  “Get the chest,” I said, looking around the room.

  Half the people in the audience had run outside while the others cowered in the back.

  “Omar, we need your help,” Eric shouted.

  The attorney glanced up at Captain Riggardo then rushed over toward us.

  At the same time, the half-orc went into a rage, attacking anything in range.

  The guards, even in their armor, fell to the floor in a heap.

  “I’ve got the chest,” Omar grunted. “The wagon is outside.”

  “Let’s go,” Eric said.

  Captain Riggardo leaped over his desk and landed a few feet away from us. Our new half-orc friend barreled past, knocking into him. The two of them wrestled as Eric led the others toward the back door.

  “Hold on,” I said. “We can’t leave him.”

  “We can’t control that barbarian right now,” Eric hissed.

  “I’ve got an idea…”

  Before he told me not to, I cast my new Freeze Person spell. As soon as I touched the barbarian’s arm, he froze, a look of confusion on his face.

  Captain Riggardo pushed him away and turned.

  “You’re going to pay,” he shouted then rushed into me.

  I leaped to the side just in time for Eric to run forward. His sword slid into Captain Riggardo’s stomach. The others in the courtroom were clearing out fast as I cast another spell.

  Three discs of lava shot out of my palms and connected with Captain Riggardo. He cried out and fell to the floor in a heap. Blood flowed from his stomach as his clothes burned.

  Eric turne
d.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  I nodded.

  “Bernard, can you help us?” I asked.

  “Of course,” he said. “Ewen, Evan, watch the door and look for the wagon.”

  The brownies took off toward the back of the courtroom. Bernard and I each picked up one of the barbarian’s legs while Eric lifted both his arms.

  “What about Captain Riggardo?” Eric asked, standing over him with sword drawn.

  “Leave him be,” I said. “Maybe he won’t come after us. Let’s get Josh out of here.”

  Eric put his sword away then picked up Josh’s feet.

  “He’s too heavy,” he said, breathing heavily. “How long does this spell last?”

  “A while longer,” I said. “Let’s drag him.”

  We dropped the barbarian on the wooden floor before dragging him toward the back.

  “Are you sure we need to take a half-orc barbarian?” Omar asked.

  He adjusted his grip on the chest in his arms.

  “Yes,” I said. “He’s joining our party, too.”

  “Well,” Omar said. “I’m not a member yet, but…”

  “Let’s go,” Eric interrupted as he dragged the barbarian’s body to the back.

  I looked around at the chaos we’d caused in the courtroom.

  The Black Guard would come looking for us. Who would take Captain Riggardo’s spot?

  “Hurry up,” Eric called from the doorway. “We’ve got to go.”

  I snapped out of my thoughts and dashed to the back of the courtroom. Outside, a covered wooden wagon stood in middle of the road.

  A goofy-looking guy sat in front, hands on the reins.

  “Get everything inside,” Eric said.

  Josh’s head dragged along the ground.

  “Hey, be careful,” I said.

  “Check out this wagon,” Evan called from the doorway to our getaway vehicle. “It’s terrific. There’s food and wine inside.”

  “That’s great, Evan,” I said as I walked over.

  Eric and Bernard lifted the bulky barbarian into the wagon.

  “Guards are coming,” a man sitting in front of the wagon said. “We’ve got to go.”

  The wagon lurched forward.

  “Hey!” I yelled, running after it.

  Eric hung out the open door and offered his hand.

  “Come on,” he said. “You got this.”

  I grabbed his wrist and ran faster. He helped me inside as the wagon raced down the middle of the street. Men and women yelled all around as I closed the door.

  “Where’s Ewen and Evan?” I asked, glancing around the packed interior.

  “Up here!” Evan called from an open hatch on the roof. “Cool, huh?”

  I smiled politely then looked over at Eric.

  “We made it,” he said, grinning.

  I shook my head.

  “Barely.”

  “Way too close for my liking,” Bernard said as he sat on a bench, his feet resting on Josh’s chest.

  I sat down across from him and looked down at the barbarian. He would be waking up soon. Had his barbarian rage ended or would he fly into another one?

  Eric sat next to me while Omar took a seat next to Bernard toward the front of the wagon.

  “Where’s the driver going?” I asked.

  Omar opened a window and called through, “Where are you going, Rusty?”

  “Away from the city,” the man yelled.

  Evan popped his head inside and said, “We’re being followed, Sarah. They’re shooting arrows.”

  “Get in here,” I said.

  The brownies popped back into the wagon.

  “I can’t cast a spell up there if we’re moving so fast, but I can try my bow.”

  “No,” Eric said. “We’re safe in here for now. Can Rusty go any faster?”

  Omar shouted at the driver to hurry then screamed in pain.

  “You’re stepping on my toe!” he shouted.

  Evan stepped back, falling into my lap.

  “Careful,” I said.

  The brownie kept smiling as he sat between Eric and me.

  “Did you see how many men are chasing us?” Eric asked.

  Evan nodded. “Three men on horses and another wagon,” he said.

  Ewen sat down between Omar and Bernard.

  “Maybe we can outrun them,” Eric said. “I’m out of ideas.”

  Bernard nodded.

  “At least we got away,” he said. “That was too close.”

  The half-orc barbarian stirred on the floor, slowly moving.

  “What did you do to me?” he groaned. “My head hurts.”

  Must be a side-effect of the spell.

  “You weren’t able to hear anything when you were frozen?” I asked, curious about the specifics of the new mid-level spell.

  “I heard it all, Sarah.” He sat up, rubbing his head. “You think I’m an idiot, but I’m not. This game is so messed up.”

  “Sorry you died, man,” Eric said.

  Josh glared at him.

  “It wasn’t my fault,” Eric said. “You’re just not good at this game.”

  “You don’t think I’m good at this game?”

  Josh laughed.

  “Well, you’ve been turned into an NPC more times than me,” Eric said.

  “Cut it out, you two,” I said. “We need to work together.”

  “Being an NPC isn’t all bad,” Bernard said.

  “That’s what I’m saying.” The barbarian smiled, his huge, half-orc teeth showing. “I didn’t stay one long. And look at me now. Bigger and better than ever.”

  Josh looked directly into my eyes. I glanced from him to Eric then back again.

  “Good to see you, Josh,” I said. “We’re so glad you showed up. Did you know we were on trial or was that just a coincidence?”

  Everyone turned to look at the half-orc barbarian.

  “Aren’t you going to let me join your party first?” he asked.

  “Yeah, about that,” Omar said.

  “Is everyone agreed?” I asked.

  Everyone gave their permission.

  Yorg a half-orc barbarian has joined your party.

  Omar Persyn a human wizard has joined your party Rusty a human warrior has joined your party.

  I turned to Josh and asked, “Where have you been?”

  My real-life boyfriend smiled.

  “After Eric got me killed, I don’t remember much,” he said. “Someone told me I’d find you guys here, so I came as fast as I could.”

  “Who told you?” Eric asked.

  “I don’t remember,” Josh said.

  Eric and Josh glared at each other. “Are they still chasing us?” I asked to break the tension.

  Omar pointed behind us.

  “If you open that latch, you can see out the back,” he said.

  Eric twisted around and opened a small viewing slit.

  “Well?” I asked.

  “They stopped at the edge of the city,” he said then turned back around. “Good to have you back with us, Josh.”

  “Good to be back,” the barbarian said.

  The inside of the wagon grew silent as we rolled toward Woodshore Forest, bouncing every time we hit a rock in the road leading away from the city.

  8

  Cut Scene

  Potion of Nine Particular Emotions

  Magi Inyontoo

  I still couldn’t believe the new players had managed to stop me. Had I gotten slow after so many years in the game? Would I be trapped forever?

  The yellow-green potion in front of me bubbled. I took it away from the flame but not quick enough. Liquid spilled over the top of the glass.

  Not again.

  I sighed as I surveyed the mess on my workbench. After the new players had destroyed my Cursed Pendant of Visions, I came up with another idea to escape the game. While a potion wasn’t permanent, it allowed me to create more powerful magic. All I needed was enough time away from the gamemas
ter AI.

  The hundreds of years I’d spent in the game had taught me a few things. For one, getting to the end of the game was impossible and not the way to escape. Also, I would get out no matter what it took.

  I glanced around my workspace in the Tower of Sherlock, half-expecting Eddie or someone to come in and bother me. They’d left me weeks earlier.

  The stupid mutt-man had convinced another few dozen players to quit Magictology and go with him to level one-nine, knowing I couldn’t follow.

  Could I blame any of them? Probably not. My research into a magical item that could affect the gamemaster AI further frayed my already splintered mind.

  I walked over to the window and looked out at the mountains. Why couldn’t I accept I would be trapped forever and just enjoy myself like the others?

  Even if all the players quit worshipping me, I would continue my work. Time was on my side. If I worked hard and long enough, I’d break through.

  I needed to talk with Sarah to convince Eric to speak with me. With his mind and mine working together, we’d find a way to escape the stupid game.

  As I walked back to my workbench, ready to get to work, a full-length mirror hanging on a wooden stand flashed. I sighed then turned to it.

  Eddie the dogma yapped at me in the mirror’s reflection. I walked over, half-tempted to go kill him for his insolence. The group of men around him didn’t intimidate me in the least.

  “What do you want?” I asked.

  “You know what I want,” Eddie barked. “Control of everything.”

  “Because you’re so small?” I asked, knowing it would anger him.

  The tiny man with the head of a Terrier snarled and yipped while pacing back and forth. I smiled, loving my power over the emotions of others.

  After a few moments, Eddie calmed down.

  “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight,” he said. “It’s the size of the fight in the dog. You’ll be learning that lesson soon.”

  “My undead army will reach you eventually,” I said. “All of you.”

  In addition to crafting a new potion, I had other plans in the works.

  “You can try,” Eddie said. “But your power is waning. Even if you won’t admit it to yourself.”

  “Shut up, runt. You’re the one who ran away.”

  “Because you’re nuts.” Eddie shook his head. “I didn’t want to contact you, but something important has come up. A lot of us here have been talking, and we’re going to permanently erase you from the game. None of us is sure exactly how yet, but your time is running out.”