by Eden Redd
Thorrin nodded but looked to the priest, “I came here with a dog. Is she okay?”
“She is fine. She belongs to the Wells farm and safely returned to them. It was odd that she would be at the outskirts of town instead of on the farm a mile away.”
“I don’t know why she was there but she attacked a skeleton that came from the nearby forest. I healed her from a nasty gash on her side before she led me into town.”
Rosk’s calm demeanor darkened in an instant, “You said ‘skeleton’?”
Thorrin eyed the priest. “Yes, is that important?”
“It is. Apple Shire has been beset upon by some of the undead trickling down from the hills to the North West. They wander the countryside but some of them manage to find their way here.”
“Is it a problem?” Thorrin asked as his curiosity piqued.
The priest clasped his hands behind him as he spoke, “Apple Shire is a small town. We have about fifty residents here. I assist in its protection but I am only one man. So far, no lives have been lost but I have helped heal a number of injuries from the wandering undead. They are infrequent but we have had town meetings on such matters.”
“They won’t stop coming,” Lyra said plainly, sad eyes still staring at the floor.
Thorrin looked to her and then back to the priest, “It sounds like this might be a bigger problem.” Remembering that he wanted to do good in the world, the player quickly latched on the possibility. “I could investigate it for you. See if there is something more.”
Rosk’s eyes drank in the confident gaze of the paladin, “We couldn’t possibly ask you too….”
Thorrin put a hand up, “Think nothing of it. I believe the gods brought me here for a reason.”
Rosk reached out and took Thorrin’s hand and gave it a hearty shake, “Thank you good paladin.”
+1 to Sphere of Light
Thorrin watched as the message appeared in his vision and faded away. The paladin shook the priest’s hand before letting go.
“I will notify the town elders and inform them of your generous help.”
Rosk turned and walked toward the church entrance. Thorrin was feeling pretty good about himself until he turned to see Lyra’s sad expression. Stepping over, he sat down next to her.
“Thank you for last night,” Thorrin said with an odd smile.
Lyra continued to stare at the floor before her, “You cannot overcome what is coming. I saw it last night as I prayed. It was hazy but now I can see it. He will destroy you and burn Apple Shire to the ground.”
A chill ran up Thorrin’s spine. The way the cleric spoke cast a shadow over his bright spirit but the player pushed it away.
“If it’s that bad then maybe we can stop it together?” the paladin smirked.
“I have to stay here and protect the town,” the cleric said matter of fact.
Thorrin couldn’t tell if she was a player and really into the role or she was indeed an avatar. He wanted to simply come out and ask her but he didn’t want to chance being rude. If she was a player then why spoil it. Instead he thought he would dive deeper into his character a little further.
“It’s my duty to help those in need. I feel you’re doing the same. Not to worry, stay here and watch over the town’s people and I will strike out on my own. If I do not return, then I go to my grave knowing I shared a special moment with you.”
Thorrin reached over and picked up Lyra’s hand. Kissing the back of it, the cleric turned her sad eyes to him and her cheeks flushed pink.
The paladin was to his feet and walking away, letting the cleric’s hand gently fall away from his fingers. Without looking back, Thorrin walked toward the double heavy doors of the church. Taking hold of the large round handles, he pulled the door open and stepped out into the light.
Rosk was standing at the top of the stairs, a crowd gathered before him. Thorrin counted at least twenty people as their eyes turned from the priest to the paladin and smiled. The player felt uncomfortable as happy eyes and smiles continued to adore him as he stood by the priest. He wasn’t expecting this and it made him uneasy.
“This brave paladin will seek out the undead threat that has touched our lands!” Rosk proclaimed.
The crowd gave a cheer, looking to Thorrin as he tried to not stand awkwardly. A man stepped forward, bright blue eyes looking up from a weathered face. The man reached up and took one of Thorrin’s hands into his.
“Thank you, Paladin, for saving Bella. She is a treasure to our family.”
Thorrin looked down and smiled as Bella wagged her tail next to her master, “No thanks needed. She was doing well without me. I simply healed her.”
“You are too modest but thanks all the same. My family has been here since Apple Shire’s humble beginnings. We are the oldest farm in these parts. I wish to ask you to come to my farm before you go. I may have some information that may help you on your quest.”
Thorrin could feel the town’s eyes on him. Not wanting to stay and chat, he kept his eyes on the kind man before him. “Please lead the way. No time like the present….Sir?”
“Saldor Wells. My family would love to meet Bella’s savior before you go.”
Saldor turned and led the way, Bella walking alongside him but glancing back at the paladin. Thorrin followed, a spirit of adventure filling his heart. Thoughts shifted between Lyra and the town’s people. If he could do a good deed before he started his travels again, it would be worth it. Lyra’s words invaded his thoughts and he tried to settle them to the back of his mind. With a deep breath, the paladin walked with his head held high in the shining sunlight.
Five
Sunlight bathed the two-story home. Wooden fences spread out in several directions and large groves of apple trees filled the surrounding areas. Thorrin took in his surroundings, eyes on the large barn, several cows, goats and chickens wandering about. The walk to the farm home was quick, the nearby forests swaying to the light breeze. Serenity washed over the paladin as Saldor lead the way, the gray in his hair turning into stark silver in the sunlight.
The front door to the home opened, beautiful older women stepped out, eyes squinting and smile blooming. Behind her a younger version stepped out with a cheerful grin. Thorrin figured they were Saldor’s wife and daughter. The young woman looked just like her mother but with thick black hair. The mother had a lustrous black but a white streak running from her right temple. Bella darted forward, mouth open and tongue hanging. The happy dog jumped up, licking the older woman’s chin a few times before jumping on the daughter and doing the same.
“My wife Shella and our daughter Nyta,” Saldor said with warmth.
The farmer and paladin approached. Thorrin stepped onto the porch, bowing his head to Shella and Nyta.
“It’s an honor to meet Saldor’s family,” Thorrin smiled.
“It is an honor to meet you,” Shella returned the smile. “Please come in.”
Thorrin stood up and walked in with Saldor close behind. The home was well furnished and comfortable. The paladin noticed the large fireplace and comfortable couches. A thick oak bookcase stood opposite of the fireplace. The smell of meat cooking filled the entire home and set Thorrin’s stomach to growling. He couldn’t believe how life like the simulation was. He was having moments where he forgot he was in a game. Nyta took Bella by the collar and lead her out toward the back, glancing at the paladin with a shy smile.
“My dear, can you please make some tea for our guest?” Saldor said with a hand touching his wife’s hip.
“I will bring out some lemon cakes with the tea, will that be alright sir Paladin?”
“Please call me Thorrin and I would love to have some lemon cakes,” The paladin smiled politely.
Shella bowed before moving toward the kitchen. Saldor pointed an open hand to a couch. Thorrin sat down and continued to eye the warm home. The farmer moved to the book shelf and ran a finger along spines on the top shelf. When he nearly reached the end, fingers curled around a small black
, leather bound book and pulled it out. Taking a few steps, he sat down next to Thorrin and held out the book. The paladin looked at it for a moment before taking it from the kind farmer’s hand.
“This is my great grandfather’s journal. He spent a lot of time recording the surrounding areas of Apple Shire. There are maps and journal entries that may be able to assist you on your quest. I grew up reading it but never had time to go on my own adventures.”
Thorrin opened the book and leafed through a few pages. Indeed, there were crude maps and descriptions of trails, lakes, rivers and areas to avoid.
“Thank you. This will be a big help.”
Saldor reached over and turned the pages to a map. A wrinkled finger tapped a shaded area. “Great Grandfather Seldor tried to explore this area many times but often came across strange things he couldn’t explain. Howls and moans often greeted anyone who travelled too close. He was an explorer but his family came first, that is why he never ventured further in. He was ready to settle down but that adventurous spirit was always there, even when he was picking apples.”
Shella stepped from the kitchen, a silver tray in her hands. Steam rose from the tea pot and golden yellow cakes formed a small pyramid. Placing it on a wooden coffee table, Thorrin reached out and took one of the cakes. The taste filled his senses with lemon goodness and the player tried to figure out how they did that.
Saldor continued, “If I were a younger man, I would be out there with you.”
Thorrin nodded his head, “I would welcome your company but you must stay to watch over your family. I cannot tell you how valuable this journal is. Once I’m done, I’ll return it to you and maybe add a few updates.”
Saldor smiled, “I know my great grandfather would appreciate it.”
“Before you go, have some tea and take a cake with you. When you return, stay with us as long as you wish,” Shella smiled.
Thorrin bowed his head as Shella poured steaming tea into one cup after the other.
***
The forest stretched out in all directions. Thorrin walked along a small almost nondescript dirt path. A fond memory of waving goodbye floated in his mind’s eye of the Wells family wishing him good fortune. The warm energy pressed at his being. It was nice just to visit a family that seemed so happy and content. Flashes of Thorrin’s real life family stabbed upward into his mind. Try as he might, the crazy insanity of his mother and sisters were too much. They never had a comfortable home with constant moving. Either his mother was running from the police or his sisters were. It was enough to push him to leave home as soon as he could and get into college. But here in the game, strange impulses ran along bright nerves. Guilty thoughts of wanting to sit with the Wells family a little longer and hear about their stories crashed on the shores of his spirit.
The player pulled out the journal as he walked. Leafing to the map, he tried to push back reality and only think of the quest. Once he stopped whatever undead forces were attacking the town’s people, maybe he would spend some time with the Wells and get to know them better. The thought of it caused the paladin to let out a happy sigh.
The map was a rough sketch of the area. Saldor said it would take half a day just to reach the dark hills to the North West. Not wanting to waste any more time, he upped his stride. Better to reach the area during the day then fight undead monsters at night. Thorrin had seen enough fantasy movies to know that night was their domain and since he was going at it alone, he needed every edge he could get.
The forest breathed with life. Leaves rustled as branches swayed. Woodland creatures moved among the ground, eyeing the paladin before bounding or scurrying away. Thorrin was falling in love with the game. Growing up, his mind was always in video games. But now he was truly in one and it was blowing his mind in a fantastical way.
Time pressed on. The sun moved across the digital heavens, not a cloud in the sky. Shafts of light penetrated the foliage, casting glowing circles on the small dirt path. The more Thorrin thought about the quest, the more at ease he had become. If fighting the undead was going to be as easy as that skeleton he saw, then this quest should be a simple one. With a deep cleansing breath, Thorrin closed his eyes as he walked, just long enough to enjoy the spiritual calm. When he opened his eyes, he took a mental snap shot of the beauty of the forest before him.
The calm floated away as the sound of breaking tree branches and huffing rose up to his left. The paladin turned to see several blue skinned people, running toward him with wide eyes. Hand reaching for his hammer, he unhooked it from his belt and turned just as a blue skinned woman crashed into him. The paladin and woman went crashing to the forest floor and rolling. Thorrin rolled back onto his feet, bracing himself. The blue woman was also to her feet, dagger in hand.
Two more figures stopped running and skidded to a halt. The blue woman with long black hair eyed the paladin, fingers gripping her dagger. Thorrin gazed at her, knees bent and hammer ready. The woman wore leather armor, covering her mid-section. Leather boots covered her feet while the rest of her was bare skin. Even her hips were barely covered by what looked like a leather bikini bottom. She stood at least six five, with toned muscles raised against tight skin. Dagger out, she pointed the tip at the armored paladin, breathing heavy.
The blue woman’s face formed a heated scowl, “Are you our contact? Are you here to see us the rest of the way?”
Thorrin was silent, unsure what to say.
“Are you our contact!” The blue woman demanded.
“He must be, he’s a paladin,” said a smaller female only wearing a simple loin cloth and fur top.
“Please Paladin, show us the way out of here,” said the blue male wearing only a simple loin cloth.
Thorrin eyed them. He knew they were trolls as it was explained to him by his angel but they didn’t look like any trolls he seen or read about. They were beautiful with chiseled features, athletic bodies and the women had feminine curves. Their noses were slightly pointed and hair was thick. Unsure exactly what was happening, the paladin kept his stance.
“Are you mute!” the leather clad troll said and shook her dagger point at him.
In the distance behind the trio of trolls, branches snapped and shouting roared through the forest. Thorrin glanced past the trolls and managed to see bodies moving in the distance, shafts of sunlight lighting up blue bodies.
“Talisa, we can’t stay here!” the male troll said with an edge of panic in his voice.
“I don’t want to go back,” the smaller female troll said with a hint of desperation.
Thorrin felt the spike of fear and dread. Seeing the chaotic panic rising in all their eyes, the paladin lowered his hammer and made direct eye contact with Talisa.
“I’m not your contact but I will help you.”
Talisa eyed the human paladin but kept her blade up, “You don’t even know us.”
Thorrin barely nodded his head, “I know but it doesn’t take much to know you need help. The forest grows thicker to the north. I might be able to hide us but we have to move now!”
The female troll eyed him uncertainly.
Thorrin’s eyes turned soft as he stared at the blue troll, “I will do everything I can to protect you.”
+1 to Sphere of Light.
Talisa lowered her dagger as her own eyes softened. The other two trolls moved in closer to their protector. Thorrin turned and took three big steps forward before something darted past his head and sunk into tree. Looking over, a long arrow vibrated from the impact, the point buried deep into the nearby tree.
Thorrin shifted on his feet and stalked forward. Seven-foot blue muscled bodies stepped closer. Some carried bows with arrows notched. Others held clubs and swords in meaty hands. They came out from between trees, at first only a dozen but more crept up from behind. The paladin moved himself so he was between the advancing trolls and the three he just swore to protect. Fifty feet of forest lay between the trolls and the paladin, arrows heads gleaming in the sunlight.
Hammer in hand, Thorrin prepared his protection ability. A troll wearing a black leather loin cloth and armor covering his chest stepped from the group, eyes hard and mouth twisted into contained rage. The paladin drank it in as trolls shifted into a semi-circle. Some waited in the back, large spears strapped to their backs and blades in their hands.
The angry troll took a few more steps forward, eyes on Talisa and ignoring the paladin between them, “You are a traitor! Surrender your head and the love slaves will be spared,” the troll hissed.
“Choke on your own cock, Kurn! I will give my last breath to make sure they are free!” Talisa spit back.
The corner of the angry troll’s lip deepened downward, “Foolish child, you will be used to satisfy all the males and females before I lop off your head. Drop that pathetic dagger or your body will be filled with arrows.” The troll took a step closer.
Thorrin pointed his hammer at the bald troll, “Not another step or I’ll be pulling my hammer from your smashed skull.”
The troll stopped and turned his attention to the paladin, “Human, be gone or my battalion will have another play thing to empty their seed into. This matter does not concern you.”
“It does concern me, now back off,” Thorrin commanded.
The troll ran his hand over his smooth head before leering. “Call up the healers. Archers, wound but do not kill the criminals.” Eyes centered on Thorrin with an evil gleam, “Kill the human. We will skin him afterwards.”
Thorrin activated his protection, funneling wisdom points into a protective aura. He knew the odds were against him but if he fought long enough, the three trolls could get away. The player didn’t expect to get into such a difficult battle so soon but he knew in his heart he had to do what he could to stop these monsters. Bow strings pulled back as arrows pointed in the paladin’s direction. The area grew silent as the grave.
Thorrin took a deep breath, eyes locked on the small army of trolls. A roar above vibrated through the air. Black eyes widened and looked around. Some looked up as another roar blanketed the area with terrifying power. Kurn raised his gaze and even his angry brow softened for a split moment. Thorrin kept his gaze steady as the sound of massive wings filled their air with powerful beats.
