“Yes, you do that.” The wizard was already back to searching the overlord’s desk. The others returned to searching the room, looking for any useful information or valuable loot.
Fibble moved over to a wall near the stair, and pushed in a section. A small door opened, and he rushed in. He came out a moment later carrying a ratty blanket, and piece of paper, and moved to his customary spot near Sasha.
Sasha noticed him standing there looking at the paper. “Can I see, Fibble?” The little goblin smiled and reached up to hand it over.
Sasha smiled when she saw what was on it. It was a drawing with stick figures, much like a very small child would create. They were clustered together and holding hands. “This is your family?” her eyes were tearing up. Lydia came over to see, and had the same reaction.
“Yes. Little one is me. Big one is mother. Other ones not so little are brood brothers and sisters. All gone now.” If the little goblin wasn’t so filthy, he might have been the center of a group hug just then.
“Holy shit!” Max said. Everyone turned to see him looking at the door to ‘Fibble’s hole’. He stepped closer and bent down to get a better look.
“What? Fibble forget something in hole?” The goblin looked at his picture, and his blanket. “Nope. This all Fibble’s stuff.”
Max moved aside and the rest of the group bend down to look through the door. There was a room the size of a large walk-in closet. Stacked nearly floor to ceiling were piles and piles of loot. Weapons, armor, chests big and small. Mounds of gold and silver coins.
“This is way more than a goblin clan could have gathered. This must be left over from the original inhabitants,” Fitz said.
“What? Shiny things? Bah! Hard to sleep on. Can’t eat. Fibble find hole one night time when cleaning. Overlord out hunting. Fibble touch wall and it opens. Smell funny at first. Then Fibble hide blanket and picture in hole so overlord not find and take. Keep hole secret!” The little goblin walked up to the entrance and looked around again. “Humans like shiny things, Fibble give! Present for killing demons!” He smiled his biggest gobliny smile.
Brick had dropped down on his knees and was mumbling, “Oh, sweet Durin.”
Max was speechless. The lootmaster himself. The man who always had a clever comment. Speechless.
I don’t blame him.
Just a short peek inside told him there were hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of golds worth of items in there. Not to mention all the actual gold. Several of the items glowed, clearly enchanted. On a whim, he activated mage sight. The blinding glare from inside the room made him look away. He smiled as a thought occurred to him.
Tapping Fitz on the shoulder, he leaned in to whisper in the wizard’s ear. A mischievous smile appeared on the wizard’s face as well. Alexander cleared his throat loudly. “Hey, guys?” he said loudly. When all eyes turned to him, Fitz covertly cast a blanket mage sight spell on everyone.
Brick, used to the effect, looked questioningly at Alexander before it dawned on him to look at the loot pile. The dwarf just fell flat on his back, passed out.
Max looked with alarm at both the change to his sight (he’d never experienced mage sight before), and his friend seemingly dropping dead. “What did you do, wizard?”
Fitz just laughed and pointed toward the loot pile. “It’s called mage sight. It lets you detect magic.”
As Max turned his gaze toward Fibble’s hole, his eyes widened, then shut tight. After a moment they opened again. As the realization of what he was seeing sunk in, his legs got weak beneath him and he sat abruptly on the floor.
After having a good laugh over their new fortune, Max began to worry about them being able to carry it all. Even with their weight reducing bags of carrying, the sheer volume and weight of all that loot was imposing. Fitz solved the problem for them by waving his hand and teleporting it back to their compound. He said they’d find it in their dining room.
I wonder if the table will hold up.
“What shall we do about the rest of the demons? We left maybe a third of them alive as we took the short route down here,” the captain asked.
Fibble wasn’t shy about his opinion. “Kill! Kill all demons!”
Fitz disagreed. “It’s supper time, and they’re not going anywhere. The portal is destroyed.”
Alexander tended to agree. “We’ve still got things to do in the village. We can come back in a few days and finish them off. Good xp if nothing else.”
As none of them were inclined to walk all the way back out of the dungeon, Fitz told Alexander to mass teleport the group. But first he had to take care of Fibble.
“I’ll take him back to the tower’s first level. I’ll Fibble-proof it, make sure he’s got food, and get Rufus to watch over him. Then I’ll rejoin you at the village.” With that, the wizard and goblin were gone.
Alexander closed his eyes and focused on the teleport spell. And a few seconds later, the bottom room was empty.
Chapter Fifteen
There Ain’t No Cure for Stupid
Back at the village, the sun was setting. The adventurers headed toward the warehouse, where, as before, a meal was being distributed. With the notable addition of wondrous smelling bread and pastries!
The captain, asserting his role as a representative of the king, raised his arms and called out for everyone to gather. After allowing a few moments for stragglers, he began, “Many of you know, a dungeon was discovered near the quarry yesterday. Today we went and investigated. The dungeon had appeared in a cave system that was home to a goblin colony. The demons managed to open a portal on the lowest level, and drove the goblins out of their homes, straight toward your village.”
He paused as there were cries of outrage, sorrow, and fear. Once they’d died down, he continued. “We killed many of the demons, including their leader, and we destroyed the portal. In a few days’ time, we’ll go back and clear the area of the remainder of the demons. Whitehall will be a much safer place!”
This time there were some ragged cheers. “Now please, enjoy your meals and get a restful night’s sleep!”
As the captain stepped back toward the group, Alexander gathered them together. He made a quick proposal.
“These folks lost so much to the goblins. Some of this may have been theirs. Even if it wasn’t, I think they deserve a portion?” They others all agreed. They did some quick inventory trades and were ready. Alexander stepped back toward the crowd. He raised a block from the ground under him so that he was tall enough for all to see.
“People of Whitehall, we have one other announcement. The goblins and demons we killed inside the dungeon left behind some… resources. We have decided that a portion of those resources are yours!” He held up a bag of coins. “Where is Mayor Stanton?”
“He went into Stormforge for supplies!” Thomas shouted from somewhere in the back of the crowd.
“Does the town have a vice mayor, or a treasurer?” He was greeted by total silence. Looking around, he spotted Millicent and her daughters sitting on a bench. “Milicent, as there’s no village official to accept this, I’m entrusting these funds to you, as you currently have the most secure home in the village. If that’s alright with you?”
Millicent nodded her acceptance, sending one of her daughters to retrieve the bag. The young woman took the bag from Alexander, nodding her thanks. She took two steps toward her mother, and froze. Eyes wide, she stammered, “There… there’s five thousand gold here!”
After a stunned silence, there was much more enthusiastic cheering than the captain received.
Alexander waived his arms until the crowd quieted down. “This money is yours to do with as you see fit, but I would make two very strong recommendations. First, keep it quiet. Rumors of large amounts of gold will draw thieves. The city is only a short walk from here. Second, use this money to invest in the village. Buy tools and building supplies. Purchase crafting materials that you can’t harvest yourselves. Even buy some training. What we want more than anything for you is
not just survival, but for you to be able to thrive and grow!”
Ragged applause from the crowd was the only reaction.
Having said his bit, Alexander stepped down and went to dish up his supper. After he’d eaten, he went back to working on the walls, raising section after section until he got tired. By the time he was finished, the new stone walls circled just over a third of the village.
The mayor had returned, bringing back a wagon load of supplies. Surprisingly, he brought back a couple of players with him as well. Alexander found them wandering around the village, clearly narrating a recording. A woman was talking to some of the villagers, asking them about the attack, and the rebuilding that was going on. The other player, a man, was doing the recording, shifting angles and moving in for close-ups.
“Can I help you with something?” Alexander asked them.
The man looked surprised to see him. “Oh! We didn’t think you were here. The mayor told us you were out clearing a dungeon.”
“We were. We’re back now. I’ll ask again. Can I help you with something?” Alexander didn’t like the idea of people filming the vulnerable village. Most players had little or no respect for NPC’s, and would take advantage of them if it served their interests.
“Got some suspicious players near the town square. Filming villagers. Thought we weren’t going to be here. Might need some backup,” he sent in guild chat. Then he turned his own recorder on.
As the son of famous man, he’d had his share of run-ins with paparazzi and half-assed reporters who were looking for quotes they could use to validate whatever story they were pushing. It had been especially bad after his mother was killed. Everybody wanted photos of the grieving boy. These guys felt the same.
The man looked hesitant, then decided to go on the offensive. “It’s a free world, man. We can be anywhere we want to be. What’s your problem?” The woman had stopped talking to the villager and stepped next to her partner.
“My problem is that you’re recording me right now without my permission. And that you just told me you’re here because you thought we wouldn’t be. So you’re up to something, and this village is under my protection. So explain yourself. Or my problems are quickly going to become your problems.”
With a wave of his hand, Alexander raised stone walls behind and on either side of the duo. Now if they wanted to move, their only way to go was through him.
“Easy there, Alexander. We mean you no harm. We’re just here for a story,” the woman said. “We were in the market in Stormforge, and we heard the mayor talking about the group who had saved his village. We thought it would make a good human interest story.”
Brick, Max, Lainey and Sasha came trotting over. The captain was approaching as well, but Alexander made a motion for him to hold. This was a conversation that NPC’s didn’t need to hear. In fact, he turned to the villagers that the woman had been talking to, and in a loud voice, said “These are bad people. They do not have your best interests at heart. Spread the word that talking to them is a bad idea. The attention they bring won’t be good for the village.” The villagers nodded, and without hesitation spread out to warn the others.
The man in the box got angry at that. “Just who the fuck do you think you are? You can’t control who we talk to!” He stepped forward. Instantly Max and Lainey had arrows nocked and bows drawn.
“You knew who I was when I walked up, so you’ve seen the PWP videos. You know we won’t hesitate to kill those who threaten us, or those we protect. You purposely came here while my friends and I were not here. That tells me you have a motive you know I wouldn’t like. I’ll say it again. This village is under our protection. Now, who are you, and why are you here?”
“You can’t hold us here! It’s against the rules to detain or imprison players!” the man was getting angrier.
“You are not in any way detained. I have simply blocked your view, to prevent your recording this village. Which, by the way, is not a right guaranteed by the game. You can record stone walls all day long, but that’s all you’re going to get here. And you still haven’t answered my question. This is the last time I’m going to ask. Who. Are. You?”
The woman put a hand on the man’s shoulder, pulling him back. “We’re just a couple of players who heard a cool story and decided to come investigate,” she tried.
“Bullshit. You were doing recorded interviews. You were trying to avoid us while doing them. Try again.”
“And tell the truth this time,” Brick growled. “Me patience has worn thin.”
“Fine. We work for HoloNews Network. We were sent to do a follow-up on the –“
“BULLSHIT!” Alexander growled. “Any network reps would have jumped at the chance for an in-game interview. Your friend here was not happy to see me in the least. Now you’ve lied to us.” Alexander looked at Lainey, who infused her arrow with electricity, making it spark and arc. “And you STILL have not told me your names.” Alexander waved the captain over.
Alexander sent a group chat. “Guys, I think they’re PWP. I see an opportunity here. Turn on your recorders, and equip your SEEE YA T-shirts. We’re gonna have some fun!”
When the captain arrived, Alexander asked him. “Captain, the king has declared that all PWP members are enemies of the kingdom, and should be arrested or killed on sight, is that correct?”
The captain took a moment to look at Alexander’s bright yellow “SEEE YA!” shirt, and smiled. “That is indeed correct.”
“And, as Captain of the Guard, do you have an ability to detect whether a particular adventurer is, in fact, a member of PWP?”
“Yes, I do. I can see the reputation of all citizens and adventurers. It helps in fulfilling my duties.”
Alexander motioned for the captain to step closer so that he could see the two ‘reporters’ inside the box. “Can you tell us if these two, who have been talking to villagers and asking questions about the rebuilding efforts, are members of PWP?”
The captain concentrated on the woman for a moment.
Quest Received: Protect the Realm
An enemy of the realm has been identified. Detain them if possible. Kill them if necessary.
Reward: 100 gold per enemy adventurer.
“You are correct, Alexander. Both of these people are affiliated with the guild PWP,” the captain said. Then turned to address them. “You are under arrest as enemies of the Realm. Your presence here and the actions described suggest Espionage. If you are found guilty, you will serve a minimum of one year hard labor. Drop your weapons, now.” The captain put two fingers to his mouth and let out a high pitched whistle. Within seconds, guards were running toward them from several directions.
Anticipating that the players would rather die than be captured, Alexander said, “Lainey!”. A stun arrow hit the man in his groin area. The woman raised her hand and began a cast, and Max hit her with a silence arrow. She pulled a dagger and jumped at Alexander, who was still blocking the entrance to the stone box. The dagger slammed into his chest, but failed to penetrate his mithril shirt. Surprising everyone, the captain drew his sword and made a single swift strike, cutting off the hand holding the dagger.
The woman screamed in rage and pain. “PWP will have your heads! We will never stop!”
By this time, the guards had arrived. Alexander lowered the stone walls, and both players were subdued.
“You look to me like you’ve been stopped. Again.” Max’s smirk was priceless.
Many of the villagers had gathered round as the guards had charged in. Most had been in the city when Alexander had brought in the first group of PWP’s, and when PWP had attacked the city and killed several citizens.
“As you have all just witnessed,” the captain began, “these adventurers attempted to murder Alexander here. They did so in full view of myself and several members of the guard. The charge of attempted murder will be added to the charge of espionage!”
As the guards began to lead the prisoners toward the barracks to be locked up,
Brick began his classic two-handed wave. “SEEE ya!” he shouted.
Laughing, the others of the group joined him. “SEEE YA!”. Recognizing the tradition from the city square, many of the villagers took up the chant and the wave as well. “SEEE YA!”
Alexander couldn’t help himself. He shouted, “When you talk to Henry, tell him I said to stop recruiting stupid people! Its making him look bad!”
Alexander then approached the captain. “Captain, I suggest you teleport those two immediately to the city. As long as they are out here, their friends may try to rescue them. Your men’s lives are in danger.” He couldn’t tell the captain that they’d likely try to kill themselves or each other to escape.
The captain nodded his head, and called his guards back to him. He grabbed one player in each hand, and teleported away. Hopefully, they’d not had time to share whatever footage they took of the village. Once in the dungeon, their bind point would be set there permanently, and they’d have no access to mail or chat. The GMs would make sure of it.
The Greystone Chronicles: Book One: Io Online Page 37
