Boost

by Paul Bellow

  “The rest of us have lived many years,” Bernard explained.

  “I remember the year I spent on my own now, and it’s weird,” Josh said. “We need to find Sarah, get to the warp zone, and find a way through it.”

  “Bernard and I will go find a ranger,” I said.

  “I’m going to price out some armor,” Josh said then turned.

  “Stay out of trouble,” I called out as he walked away. He said nothing and kept going, which was unusual for him.

  “He’s such a brute,” Leena said. “We’ll meet at the Inn tonight. I’ve got things to do too.”

  As she walked away, I turned to Derringer.

  “Can you go keep Josh out of trouble?” I asked. “Please?”

  “Sure,” he said. “I could use some supplies as well.”

  He ran after Josh, struggling to catch the hulking half-orc.

  “Ready to find a good ranger to join group?” I asked.

  Bernard nodded. “Anyone’s other than Sylvar,” he said.

  I grinned then walked down the street to find a tavern nearby.

  * * *

  We stumbled on The Gnome’s Armpit as we walked down a back-alley. The dilapidated building was missing tiles from the roof. A dark, black stain ran up one of the walls. Two drunk men stumbled out a doorway as we stopped.

  “Looks interesting,” I said. “What do you think?”

  “I’m not sure we’ll find a ranger here,” Bernard said.

  “Probably not, but we’ll find someone who can lead us to a ranger,” I said. “Where’s your sense of adventure, old friend?”

  “I left it back in Westwood before we picked up Leena,” he said then sighed.

  “Never mind her,” I said. “Let’s check it out.”

  He frowned and nodded. She must’ve messed with his mind big time. I followed him across the alleyway. He opened a wooden door then walked into the darkness with me close behind. As my eyes adjusted, I saw a crowded room full of dangerous souls.

  We strode across the room as if we owned the place, taking seats at a table in the far corner. A sweaty, overworked woman rushed over.

  “Can I help you?” she asked in a tired voice.

  “Some ale,” I said as I pulled out a gold coin. “Keep it coming, and keep the change.”

  “Yes, sir,” she said, the foundation of a smile forming on her face.

  “In fact,” I said, pulling out a few more coins. “Ale for the whole room.”

  While not able to see everyone in the darkness, I heard their cheers of approval. Bernard leaned forward with his elbows on the round, wooden table, and I moved my chair to be able to see anyone coming toward us.

  “Do you at least have a plan?” he asked.

  I grinned then said, “Wait for it.”

  He scooted back in his chair. The waitress returned with a glass pitcher full of dark liquid and two almost clean glasses.

  “Another round for the house!” I yelled, pulling out a few more coins.

  “Careful,” Bernard said. “Don’t flash too much wealth in here.”

  The woman smiled then scampered away to the kitchen.

  “More for anyone who knows a decent tracker,” I said.

  I heard murmuring in the darkness, but no one spoke up.

  “This might be one of your worst plans ever,” Bernard said as he poured himself some of the ale then drank. While I easily resisted the urge for virtual alcohol, the Everlast potions in the bag on my belt called out to me.

  Drink us. You need us. The power is so great.

  I relished the memories of being OP on the battlefield and saving the day for the party. Bernard busied himself with drinking ale, keeping quiet until the waitress returned.

  “Do you want your second round now?” she asked.

  “No, it’s okay,” I replied. “Another round for the house!”

  The sounds of approval came even louder this time. I hoped at some point, someone would come up to us with a good recommendation for a ranger to track Sarah. With Captain Skids after Magi Inyontoo, I didn’t know how much time we had to find her and complete the side-quest before leaving level one-three.

  I sat up as a shapely human female in tight, black leather approached. She had her hair pulled back and tied together, exposing the cold, sharp angles of her face. Her eyes pierced mine as she stopped in front of our table.

  “Hello,” Bernard said. “Can we help you?”

  “You’re looking for a tracker?” she asked. “Are you paying?”

  I nodded. “Yeah, but we don’t pay until you introduce us to them.”

  “I’m the tracker,” she said. “Who’s your prey? I want a double-share if it’s Magi Inyontoo.”

  Another player character? Will she join our party?

  “It’s not prey,” I said. “We’re looking for a unique spellcaster.”

  “My name’s Raven,” she said, pulling a chair over and sitting down with its back to us. “Raven Merriweather.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Raven,” Bernard said, pouring on the charm.

  Had he forgotten all his lover’s woes with Leena so soon?

  “Can you go get the others, Bernard?” I asked.

  “Right now?”

  He smiled, not taking his eyes off the female ranger.

  “Please?” I asked. “Raven and I can chat more while you get them. It’ll save time.”

  “Fine,” he sighed. “Excuse me.”

  He stood and bowed slightly.

  “After we find this person, we might be looking to expand our party of adventurers,” I said, studying her reaction.

  “Not interested,” she said. “How much are you paying to find this spellcaster?”

  I pulled a number out of the air.

  “A hundred and fifty gold.”

  She snorted then rolled her eyes, her emotional mask slipping off for a moment.

  “Not even close.” She scooted her chair back, the legs scraping against the dirty wooden floor. “Good luck with your hunt.”

  “Hold on,” I said. “How much do you want?”

  “I need a hundred-thousand gold quickly,” she said.

  The number reminded me of Captain Skids.

  “Are you going to Gracoria too?” I asked.

  “Every question you ask is an extra thousand gold.”

  I smiled, not saying anything as we stared at each other.

  “Who would you want me in your party if you weren’t desperate?” she asked. “You don’t even know anything about me. And if you’re so desperate for people, why would I want to be in your party?”

  “Good points,” I said. “Care for a drink?”

  “No,” she said. “Do we have a deal?”

  “We need to wait for my friends,” I said.

  “Are they as low-level as you and that other guy?” she asked.

  I leaned forward, realizing I was dealing with a PC.

  “We’re trying to get out of the game,” I whispered.

  She laughed, the entire top-half of her body moving.

  “Are you done?” I asked when she finished a moment later.

  “Will your friends be long?” she asked.

  “Are you in a hurry?”

  She glanced over her shoulder.

  “I don’t like to waste my time,” she said.

  “We have the gold if that’s what you’re worried about.”

  “They thought they could trap me here on level one-three, but it’s not happening,” she said. “Even if I have to work with low level noobs like you.”

  “Who thought they could trap you?” I asked.

  I did my best to not let her abrasive personality get to me.

  “Don’t worry about it,” she said.

  “That makes me more worried.”

  She pressed her thin lips together into a smile.

  “It’s good to be worried in this game,” she said.

  “Agreed.” I nodded, making eye contact again.

  We both fell sile
nt while waiting for Bernard to return with the others.

  * * *

  A little while later, the door to the tavern opened and light streamed in. I saw Bernard, Derringer, Josh, and Leena walk through the doorway and head toward us.

  “Finally,” Raven said, still standing.

  I stood and motioned the others over.

  “No way,” Leena said after seeing Raven.

  The ranger-for-hire shook her head too.

  “Absolutely not,” she said.

  Both women stared at each other.

  “You two know each other or something?” Josh asked.

  “We do,” Leena said. “She left me for dead after a battle.”

  “You know why,” Raven countered.

  The women stood tall, neither backing down.

  “Let’s not cause a scene,” I said to defuse the situation.

  “There won’t be any scene,” Raven said as she pulled a blade.

  Leena stepped back and raised her arms to cast.

  “Whoa,” I said, stepping in between them. “Can someone explain what’s going on? You left her for dead? I’m sure you had a good reason, right?”

  Raven shook her head slowly, continuing to stare down Leena.

  “She deserved everything she got,” the ranger said. “I’m out of here.”

  “Hold on,” Derringer said. “We still need a tracker.”

  “If she joins the party, I’m out,” Leena said.

  She lowered her arms to her side but kept her eyes on Raven. I glanced at Bernard who only shrugged, offering no help.

  “One of you needs to speak up,” Josh said and took a seat at the table, leaning back.

  “We should talk this out,” I said and sat down.

  Bernard and Derringer did the same, while Leena and Raven stayed on their feet, still staring each other down. I hated when gaming parties fought with each other.

  I slammed my fist on the table. “Listen up.”

  The two women turned their angry faces toward me simultaneously.

  “I can’t believe you’re hanging out with low-levels,” Raven said.

  “They saved my life,” Leena said. “Magi Inyontoo almost had me.”

  Raven’s frown deepened, entrenched itself on her face.

  “He needs to be stopped,” Raven said.

  Leena nodded. “Nobody seems to be willing to do what needs to be done.”

  “Hey,” Derringer said. “Some of us were trying long before you came into the game.”

  Does everyone except me know this Raven player?

  “Can we not cause a scene?” I asked. “Sit down. Let’s talk.”

  Still showing no emotion, Raven pulled a chair to the table and sat down between Derringer and Josh. Leena took the open seat next to me with the barbarian on her other side.

  “How did he almost kill you?” Raven asked.

  Leena sighed.

  “I tried to go after him solo,” she said. “Big mistake.”

  Raven shook her head.

  “You never were too smart when it came to strategy,” she said.

  “I’m still alive.” Leena crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m surprised you’re still here on level one-three.”

  “With the bounty on Magi Inyontoo’s head, a lot of people will be coming through this level,” Raven said. “At least until I kill him and claim the xp reward for stopping the undead.”

  “Hold on.” I leaned forward. “Price on his head? What are you talking about?”

  “The MetaToG Guild has a bounty out on Magi Inyontoo because they’re tired of him saying he’s the father of the game.”

  “Yeah,” Leena added. “The game’s not meant to have one player so powerful. He was an okay player at one time, but as soon as he started flexing and fronting, players who have been in here longer started to get upset.”

  “Kinda like you,” Raven said.

  I frowned and leaned forward.

  “Maybe you’re not a good fit for our party,” I said.

  Josh smiled.

  “I dunno, I kinda like her,” he said.

  Leena and Raven continued staring at each other.

  “We could use her help to kill Magi Inyontoo and stop the undead menace on this level,” Leena said. “After we do, we can collect the bounty on his head and reap the xp rewards for the side-quest.”

  I took a deep breath, trying to process all the information.

  “Will the MetaToG Guild actually pay us if we kill him?” I asked.

  “Their word is as good as gold,” Derringer said. “I thought about becoming a member, but my buddies got wrapped up in Magictology…”

  His voice drifted off.

  “We need to find Sarah before we do anything,” I said. “That’s why we want you in our party, Raven. She’s our number one priority now.”

  “I agree,” Leena said. “She can help us kill Magi Inyontoo. It’s the only way we’ll be able to overpower him.”

  “Magi Inyontoo is a punk,” Josh said. “He can’t be that hard to kill.”

  “Our plans are simple,” I said, trying to retake control of the conversation. “We find Sarah then shut-down the undead production on this level which means taking out Magi Inyontoo. The risks are high, but so are the rewards.”

  Derringer chuckled and shook his head.

  “You’re something else,” he said. “If only it were that easy.”

  “Why can’t it be?” I asked.

  “If we’re going to have a chance at defeating Magi Inyontoo, we need to work together,” Leena said. “It’s the only way.”

  She held her hand across the table.

  “Fine,” Raven relented.

  “Great,” I said. “Do we all agree that Raven should join the party?”

  Everyone nodded, including Leena.

  [PC] Raven Merriweather the Human Ranger has joined your party.

  “How high of a level are you?” Josh asked.

  “That’s rude,” Derringer said when Raven didn’t answer.

  “We have bigger things to tackle right now,” Bernard said.

  “I need more information on your friend,” Raven said.

  A loud boom outside got our attention. I stood and pulled both of my swords out as someone near the front door opened it to look outside. Light streamed in. I saw a group of men outside. Some wore robes while others had on leather armor.

  The six of us walked toward the door with Derringer and Josh leading the way. Our two high-level spellcaster walked behind them. Bernard and I took up the rear.

  My remaining three Everlast potions in my pouch called out to me. I resisted the urge to take one, wanting to see what we’d meet outside before deciding what to do; the high-level magic still called my name.

  Chapter 16

  Return of the Rats

  Eric

  Outside, I breathed a sigh of relief as I saw an elven ranger and a human mage wearing red robes. Rizzo and Sylvar returning as new characters to avenge themselves? Three others stood near them. I gripped my swords tighter.

  “There’s the stupid half-orc who killed me,” the elf said, pointing at Josh.

  “I’ll show you stupid,” the barbarian said, stepping forward.

  “Hold on.” Raven drew a glowing steel blade. “Who are you? What do you want?”

  “They know why we’re here,” the elven ranger said.

  He had an arrow nocked in his bow.

  “We didn’t mean to kill you,” I said.

  “Doesn’t matter,” the ranger said. “We’re here to kill you under orders of Magi Inyontoo.”

  “You’re still taking marching orders from him?” Josh snorted.

  Several people had formed a crowd behind the five accosting us. In addition to the new Sylvar and Rizzo, they had another spellcaster and two warriors.

  “Razzo and Sylvax are smart,” one of their fighters said. He wore chainmail with a greenish tint.

  I laughed at the mention of their new names.

  �
�Quit laughing,” Sylvax said. “I tried to help you guys, but you killed me.”

  The anger displayed on his face didn’t frighten me. He stared at Josh.

  “We’re here to challenge you to a fair fight to settle this once and for all,” Razzo said.

  “Any followers of Magictology deserve to be taken down, but we don’t accept your challenge,” Raven said. “Fighting in the city is not advised.”

  “We’re not stupid,” Sylvax said. “Meet us outside the city gates. We’ll wait an hour. If you don’t come, it’ll be even worse.”

  “Don’t threaten me,” Derringer said. His black sword glowed as he held it in his right hand.

  Razzo the Red laughed, his loose, ill-fitting robes dancing around.

  “You guys are something else,” he said. “Not sure what yet, but something else entirely.”

  “Do you accept our challenge or not?” Sylvax asked.

  “You’ll know when we show up outside the city walls,” Leena said.

  Three city-guards walked up, attracted by the crowd and tough talk. Razzo, Sylvax and the rest of their group turned and walked toward the east gate. We went back inside the tavern.

  “What do you think?” I asked Raven, our highest-level party member.

  “It’s obviously a trap,” she said. “But we can take them.”

  “Yeah,” I said, nodding as we walked back to our table. “Josh did accidentally kill Sylvar last time we saw him. He was trying to help, but with the barbarian rage and all…”

  My voice drifted off.

  “All Magictology followers must be stopped wherever we find them,” Raven said.

  She put her sword away then sat down at the table.

  “We should vote about this,” Leena said.

  “Agreed.” I looked around. “Anyone against taking their challenge outside the city?”

  Raven surprised me when she raised her hand.

  “I thought you said we should take them out,” I said.

  “We should,” she said. “But on our own terms.”

  I nodded.

  “Anyone else?”

  No one else spoke up or raised their hand.

  “It’s settled,” Derringer said. “Time for battle.”

  “Always a good time for a battle in this game,” Josh said.