by Adam Drake
Please confirm the name: Kingdom of Anika.
“I confirm it.”
Congratulations, your Kingdom has been given the name of Anika. May it resound far and wide!
As Rob swiped the words away, he found Saif beaming. “Happy now, Sage?”
“Very happy, my Lord,” Saif said. “I think that is the last aspect we needed to cover which solidifies the Kingdom. Having a genuine name gives it validity.”
Rob crossed over to the massive blank tapestry against the fall wall, which was almost completely devoid of detail. He squinted at the little rectangular square on its far side. Previously, it had been marked Kingdom of Unknown. Now it said Kingdom of Anika. And below that, Ruled by King Robert Barron.
Cool, he thought.
“It is official,” Saif said, with a grin.
Rob rubbed at the back of his head and sighed. “I've been cooped up in here, too long. About time I got back to questing, don't you agree?”
“Most definitely, my Lord,” Saif said standing. “There are other matters we should discuss, but they can wait a little while longer.”
Rob didn't want to hear about them right this moment. He'd just been given a good dose of information which he needed to digest. And, besides, he really felt like killing something.
“I have a quest to kill some rats, I think. Maybe I'll tackle that one first.”
“Actually, my Lord, there is a matter of some goblins which need disposing of. That really should be on the top of your killing priority.”
“Okay, where are they?”
“At a nearby farmstead. I'll let the farmer tell you about it.” Saif waved a hand at the trunk. “Why don't you gear up while I fetch him, and we'll meet at the camp?”
Rob nodded and Saif left, practically skipping with each step.
From the trunk, Rob put on the steel helm and immediately felt foolish. It wasn't like wearing a hat, more like a soldier's helmet, large and bulky.
He switched out his leather jerkin for the thicker leather jacket. Unlike the flimsy jerkin, its sleeves extended to the wrists. Then he tied on the fine silk cloak, its dark coloring reminding him of dried blood.
Finally, he buckled on his steel sword and sheath.
On a whim he took the short steel dagger and slid it in his belt, next to the two Bags of Holding. Never know when another weapon might come in handy.
He noticed the large empty sling backpack at the bottom of the trunk. Not wanting to miss out on any loot that wouldn't fit in the Bags, he slung it over his shoulder, the strap crossing his chest.
After a quick check to see if he had forgotten anything, he noticed the wooden shield leaning against the wall and snatched it up. Then he went to the door and grabbed the handle. He paused, closing his eyes.
You can do this, he thought. You're a King now, act like it. And an Adventurer, so go adventuring. All this is a necessity. Steps toward your goal. Getting home and getting back to Anika.
He breathed deeply, trying to calm his nerves. Then he opened the door and stepped outside, ready to face what came next.
Had he known, in that moment, how his day would really be, he might never have left the manor at all.
CHAPTER TWO
Barely ten paces from the door and Rob was already soaked through to the skin.
The rainfall intensified, thrumming against his helmet and shield. The muddy path which led around the base of Castle Hill was even muddier, with deep brown puddles that came up to his knees.
Fortunately, there wasn't a chill in the air. Maybe it was all the gear he was wearing which prevented him from feeling cold, but he wasn't going to complain. He'd enjoy it while it lasted.
Tramping through the mud brought him to the center of camp. Nothing had really changed since he was last here, not that he expected anything to be different after two days. Still, he was a little hopeful his Kingdom might have evolved at level two.
Dreary shanties and single level huts crowded around the center clearing, looking all the more sad and pathetic in the gloomy rain.
Rob paused and looked about, not seeing anyone at first until he spotted Fumi under her lean-to. Not wanting to deal with the cook right then, Rob tried to sneak by, but the massive woman saw him and stopped chopping.
The King and his subject stared at one another.
Might as well get this over with, Rob thought to himself as he put on a diplomatic smile and trudged over to her.
Fumi watched him approach, impassive.
There wasn't enough room for both of them under the lean-to, and Fumi didn't budge an inch to accommodate him, so he stood before her in the rain.
“Good morning, Fumi,” Rob said, raising his voice to be heard over the drumming.
“Good morning, m'lord,” she said, her one eye glaring. “Feeling better now, are ya?”
Rob made a show of cringing at the downpour. “As good as can be expected on a day like this.” He thought of asking for something to eat. His stomach ached for food after not having eaten in two days. But when he saw the skinned rat carcasses on the table, he decided against it.
When the cook didn't say anything further, Rob looked around. “Did you see where Saif went?”
Fumi's eye widened, but as she shouted an answer, a terrible thunderclap rolled overhead.
“Pardon?” Rob asked, leaning forward.
“I said, I hope Saif went straight to the Many Hells!” Fumi screamed and smashed her cleaver into the table which cracked at the impact and split apart.
Rob watched the two halves of the table collapse to the ground, Fumi's eye never leaving him.
“My Lord! Over here!”
Relieved for an excuse to look away from the angry cook, he spotted Saif standing with another man, under a makeshift canopy across the muddy path from him.
Giving the glaring Fumi a quick nod, Rob crossed the center clearing, slipping in the mud.
Arriving safely under the canopy, Rob shook out his cloak and said, “Keeping your distance?”
Saif looked over at Fumi. “I thought it wise. This weather makes her grumpier than usual.” Then he turned to the man beside him. “My Lord, may I present to you Breddin, one of your farmers.”
The man was short and stocky with large muscular hands. He'd removed his cap respectfully as Rob approached, revealing a bald head with patches of wispy hair.
“My Lord, it is an honor to finally meet you,” Breddin said, eyes wide. “We heard what you did with old King Perrin and making the walls go away and I got to say we are very happy you are here!”
“It was my pleasure,” Rob said, offering a tight smile. What was he expected to say? That he didn't want to be there at all?
Saif nudged the farmer. “Tell him about the goblins.”
“Oh, yes,” Breddin said, looking at Rob eagerly. “Got me a farmstead just down the road. Had it for ages. Fine plot of land if I do say so. But when it came time to get some seed, me and the wife went down to the trading post to fetch it, and bring it back by wagon. Only we got caught behind one of those damned walls! Couldn't come back. The wife was beside herself with worry. Going on and on about 'What would happen to the farm? What would happen to the farm?'. Damned annoying to listen to for days on end.”
Saif nudged Breddin again.
Breddin nodded at Saif. “Right. So, you, in all your wonderful kingly glory, made the damned walls go away. Thank you for that, again.”
“Uh,” Rob said. “You're welcome.” Across the way he heard Fumi hacking at something with her cleaver. She must have found another table.
Breddin continued. “Came back to the farmstead with the seed wagon only to find a damned bunch of goblins running amok! Chased us away, they did! Had to leave the wagon and everything.” The man was visibly upset.
Rob asked, “How many were there?”
“Dunno,” the farmer said with a shrug. “One too many, if you know what I'm saying. Bloody vermin, they are. I would have taken them on myself, only I didn't have a weapon othe
r than my temper. Those things are armed, too. It was all me and the wife could do but come and ask for help.”
Here it comes, Rob thought.
Breddin looked to him imploringly. “Can you clear my farmstead of the damned bloody goblins?”
You have been offered a quest: 'Goblins Amok'
Secure Breddin's farmstead and eradicate the gang of goblins.
Reward: 1,000 experience points.
Accept or Decline.
Rob cast a glance out at the pouring rain and the pools of muddy water. Maybe adventuring out in this crap wasn't a good idea. But he was the king, and the only one capable of dealing with this mess. He looked back at Breddin's pleading expression.
“Okay, I'll do it,” he said, feeling like he might be getting in over his head.
Breddin practically jumped for joy. “Oh, that's kind of you my Lord. I insist on giving something to you in return.”
“No, that's okay. It's my duty to help,” Rob said, not really feeling the words.
“No, I insist,” Breddin said.
“That's fine, Breddin,” Saif said. “The King would be honored to assist you in your time of need.”
Breddin scratched his chin, “Well, I got a scroll I can give him.”
“Scroll?” Rob said, perking up.
“You have a scroll?” Saif said, surprised. “What kind of scroll?”
“A Light scroll,” the farmer said. “Passed down through my family for years. Never had a use for it as everyone gained the spell in their teens. Just held onto it as a keepsake. Think my great-great grandmother stole it from a pirate, or some such. Not sure. But it is yours to have, my Lord.”
“That would be great!” Rob said feeling elated. For a moment he forgot about the rain and the miserable state of his kingdom. He'd be able to cast a spell!
Glad to see his King happy, Breddin continued, “You'll find it behind a loose stone in the mantelpiece. Doubt those goblins have the brains to search for anything there.”
“Thank you,” Rob said, and meant it.
Their business finished, Saif politely indicated Breddin could go. The farmer bowed repeatedly at Rob as he back out into the rain. Then he dawned his cap and scampered off down the muddy path to disappear among the buildings.
Saif grinned at Rob. “Now that's a bit of luck, my Lord, isn't it?”
“Is it?” Rob said, turning to face the Sage.
“Pardon, my Lord?”
“I find it a strange coincidence that we were just talking about my needing a scroll, and low and behold, the very first quest I get has one.”
Saif appeared to consider the veiled accusation. “My Lord, you are quite correct.”
“I am?” Rob said surprised. He didn't think Saif would be so ready to admit he had a hand in this.
“But it is not a strange coincidence of my doing.”
“Who's then?”
“The Gods.”
“What?”
“They are, no doubt, aware of your lack of magic and wish to nudge that ability into existence by guiding this particular quest in your direction.”
Rob considered the explanation. This was a game. And he was a low level player that couldn't progress without magic, so the game created the means for him to get it. He wondered how long that would go on for.
Rob sighed. “Whatever. Have you seen Jace around?”
“I believe he went into the Eastern woods a short while ago to hunt.”
“In this weather?”
Saif shrugged. “The rain masks his movements, I believe. I'm not sure. Did you want to wait for him to return before going?”
Yeah, Rob thought. He could use the back up. But he couldn't haul Jace around everywhere, especially when the big man was so hesitant about fighting to begin with. Plus, Jace had almost burned to death the last time he did.
Now that the walls were gone, Jace could settle back into doing what he wanted; cutting down trees and hunting for game.
When Rob didn't answer right away Saif said, “I could ask one of the farmers, who arrived yesterday. They're not fighters, by any means, but they could accompany you.”
“No, that's fine,” Rob said. “I'll be fine.” He hoped he would be. “How do I find this farmstead?”
“Should be on your map, my Lord.”
“Oh, yeah. Right.” Rob pulled out his Scroll of Location and unrolled it. It showed his immediate surroundings, marked Main Camp, and the little road heading south. Following the road would take him to the northern end of the swamp. There, a little red X marked a spot named 'Farmstead' on the eastern side of the road.
“Not too far,” Rob said, returning the Scroll to its bag. When the two men stood quietly for a few moments, Rob realized he was simply delaying leaving.
An Adventurer-King does not delay, he thought. “I'm off,” he said and left the safety of the canopy.
“Good luck, my Lord!” Saif called after, but the sound of the rain and the splashing of Rob's boots drowned him out.
He headed southward through the camp. Occasionally, he saw light from within some of the huts, but no people.
They're the smart ones, he thought. Here he was, marching through a storm like a maniac. They probably thought him mad. His only other option was to return to the manor, but the prospect of another moment in that place gave him shivers.
Soon, the last of the camp was behind him and forest crowded his view on both sides.
He was about to go into combat again, so he replayed his fight with the skeletons over in his head, thinking on how he moved, and reacted. His fighting prowess was desperate and, at times, flailing. But he would get better at it the more bad guys he killed.
After a while, the rain begun to die down, and he was able to make out more details in the distance. As he came around a short bend he stopped, spotting something ahead. He shielded his eyes and squinted.
A wagon sat in the middle of the road, about thirty paces away from where Rob stood. It didn't have a canopy, like those old western movies, nor any horses.
The seed wagon.
Quietly, Rob unsheathed his sword and pulled his shield in closer. He scanned the trees, but the weather turned the forest into an inscrutable wall of murk.
Was this is the place? He fought the foolish impulse to double check his map to be sure.
Swallowing hard, he slowly approached the wagon, his eyes darting everywhere.
As he got near, he could see the wagon was parked in front of a pathway that led into an open clearing flanked by forest. In the middle of the clearing were two small buildings. One a little house, the other he figured to be a barn.
Reaching the wagon, he kept on its opposite side, to hide his presence.
The rain had tapered off some more, allowing him to see better.
There wasn't a hint of movement anywhere. No lights in the buildings or animals in the makeshift pens.
Maybe the goblins left? He found himself relieved at the thought and then chastised himself. What kind of king hides from a fight?
He peered into the wagon to find several sacks stacked up inside. They'd been torn open and seeds were scattered everywhere.
Guess goblins didn't have much use for those, he thought, as he circled around to stand at the foot of the path. He waited, listening.
A bird hooted in the trees behind him. Rain pattered against his helmet. The leather of his jacket creaked when he moved.
Several long minutes passed. Convinced no one was around, he cautiously moved forward. As he got closer, he could see details of the buildings more clearly. The house consisted of rotting boards and mud-bricks, and the barn looked to be on the verge of collapse. Was this a reflection of the state of his kingdom?
Reaching a spot between the barn and house, Rob stopped. He turned in a slow circle, looking over the entire stead. Aside from its sad and pathetic construction materials, nothing looked amiss.
No one was here. If there had been goblins, they were long gone, probably off to terrorize another
farmstead.
He sighed, his shoulders sagging. Now what was he going to do?
Suddenly, a loud crashing noise came from the barn. Out of its darkness a chicken leapt through air, flapping its wings furiously and clucking.
Behind, a little skinny humanoid ran out after it. Upon seeing Rob, it stopped, sliding along its feet in the mud.
Okay, Rob thought. Now that's a goblin.
