By the time SJ reached the outskirts of town, several hours had passed, and she had not realised how long she had been gone. Checking her display, it was late afternoon. Walking across the final field to the edge of town, she began to hear the familiar sound of the smithy, and the smell of iron and fire rolled across the field, carried by the lake’s light breeze.
“I am not going to go to the mill until we hear back about the quest,” SJ said as she headed down the main path towards town.
“No. I would wait and see what they say. I have had no further response since I addressed it, and an adjudicator was assigned. I will chase it for you if I haven’t heard anything by later today.”
“That would be great. Thanks.” SJ replied. Dave had become more and more helpful over the past few days. Whether this had just been a natural progression in their relationship, SJ couldn’t be sure, but she was happy with how they were working and getting along. Dave was still as sarcastic, but it was fun and never with malice, and the more she listened to him, the more he reminded her of her uncle Dave. She hoped his operation had gone well but knew she would never know. It was strange when she occasionally thought back to Earth and her life before coming to Amathera. With its vibrancy and cultural differences, this new world, never mind fantastical creatures, felt more and more like the home she should always have been a part of.
Nearing the smithy, she could hear Zej’s usual booming voice, and it sounded like he was reprimanding someone again. Walking around the side to the open-fronted building, a large orc was standing at the forge, hammering away at a huge piece of glowing metal. Zej was busy at a table. It looked like he was shaping metal with a file for some weapon variant.
“Hi Zej,” SJ called as she approached.
Looking up, the broad-chested dwarf broke into a grin. “Hi, SJ. What brings you back to my hot paradise?”
“I wanted to ask if you ever have time off?”
“Occasionally, why?” he asked, raising one eyebrow and smirking.
“Not like that,” SJ stammered feeling her cheeks redden.
“And there was me thinking that a pretty little fae was asking me out for an ale,” he replied, chuckling.
The heat burned in her cheeks even more. “I wondered if you wanted to help with a quest?”
“It’s been several years since I quested or even considered going on a quest.”
SJ suddenly realised that she had no idea what level Zej was at. “Can I ask a personal question?”
“Aye. What is it?” Zej enquired and was interested in what she wished to ask.
“Can I inspect you?”
“If you wish. It doesn’t bother me.”
SJ triggered her identification skill and opened her mouth when her skill results returned.
You are unable to identify more than ten levels above your own.
That meant that Zej was at least level 16.
“It can’t work.”
“What level are you?”
“I am six.”
“I assume your identification skill isn’t very high yet?”
“No, not level 4 yet.”
“That is why, at level 5, you will receive ten more levels in identifying higher levels.”
“Oh. I had no idea.”
“If you have been around as long as I have, you learn a few things, even if I don’t have the skill myself.”
“Do you mind if I ask you then?”
“Ha. No. Not at all. I will save you the trouble. I am 231 years old and a Level 19 fighter.”
“Level 19!” SJ exclaimed in shock.
“Aye. I haven’t been questing in nearly fifty years now,” Zej replied, laughing heartily.
“Never mind your age.”
“I don’t suppose you are very aware of the ages of my kind being so young in Amathera. Dwarves can live until we are in our 400s. I am still a youngster.”
Although SJ was aware of the huge difference in ages, the fact Zej was 231 years old and looked from his face to be no older than in his thirties, thinking about it, she supposed he was just in his 230s.
“I am still trying to get used to the age differences,” SJ said apologetically.
Dave suddenly spoke, “This starter town gets even stranger. I can understand a few being higher levels, but a level 19 fighter in a starter town is very unusual, even if he has hung up his sword.”
“What is it you need help with?”
SJ looked over at the orc hammering away at the forge.
“Can we go outside?” SJ indicated to walk away from prying ears, not that he would have heard over the hammering.
Following SJ outside, Zej turned to walk up the steps. “Come, let’s get a drink and chat.”
The steps at the side of the smithy led up to where she had assumed Zej lived. When Zej reached the top and opened the door with several keys, she suddenly thought it might not just be a home. He stepped aside, letting SJ in. What beset her eyes was an amazing array of armour and weaponry. The area above the smithy here must be his shop. Standing on mannequins were beautifully crafted and shiny armour sets, posed with various weapons.
“Wow. These are amazing,” SJ said, scanning the interior and taking it all in.
“Ah, these are just a few showpieces,” Zej replied, smiling. Walking across the initial room and past a small counter, he went to another door and unlocked it, allowing SJ inside. The next room was his personal area. She entered a lounge with a large sofa and comfy armchairs, offering her a seat. The room felt warm and snug, and the heat from the forge below acted as a heat source for the building. Zej walked to a small set of drawers with a few bottles on them and took two glasses, pouring a dark golden liquid into each before returning and handing SJ one and sitting in one of the armchairs.
“Hentrot, duh,” he said, lifting his glass before him. “It means good health,” he said after seeing SJ’s confused expression.
“Hentrot, duh,” SJ replied, lifting the glass to her lips and taking a sip. The golden liquid felt like pure fire, touching her lips and tongue. Coughing violently as she swallowed it. “Woah. That’s strong,” she squeaked.
“Ha. Dwarven brandy. So, what’s the problem?”
Waiting for the burning sensation to ease slightly, SJ replied. “I have discovered a necromancer in the next valley over and have a quest to get rid of him. I can’t do it alone as there are too many of them.”
“A necromancer, you say. Now, that’s unusual, being that close to here. I can’t remember the last time one even came in the area.” He replied, frowning. “You say there are too many of them. How many are there?”
“I saw five skeletons and a phantom. I believe he is trying to create another creature as he had received a shipment of blood.”
“In the name of Killoc, that cannot be allowed to happen. Why have you not spoken to Captain Broadaxe or the mayor?”
“I have only just returned, and you were the first that came to mind,” she replied, smiling.
“Well, I could dust my armour off and take Betty for a swing.”
“Betty?”
Zej stood and walked to the side of the room, where a metal pole was sticking up. When Zej picked the pole up, she realized that it wasn’t a pole but the handle of a huge two-handed Warhammer. “Betty,” he said, smiling.
The Warhammer was pure black in colour. Its front face was flat and smooth, but there was a sharp spike at its rear. It looked lethal.
“That’s one nice-looking weapon,” SJ said, admiring the finely crafted engravings on its surface.
“She has made me proud,” Zej said, lovingly looking at the hammer.
“If you could help, that would be amazing.”
“I can. It’s been a while, and I only normally get to use her when we get attacked by the hobs.”
“You help defend?”
“Anybody in the town can do it if it’s a hob raid. They come in numbers, so the more to defend, the better.”
“I had no idea there were that many issues here.”
“It’s not often, but on occasion, they think they can come and raid the town.”
“If you could help me, that would be amazing.”
“I can. When would you want to go?”
“It’s too late today, but tomorrow if you are able?”
“I am. Now drink up, and let’s celebrate your first real battle.”
SJ smiled broadly, taking another swig of the brandy, which again ended in a coughing fit. Bidding farewell to Zej, she had arranged for them to meet at the inn for breakfast before setting out in the morning. She couldn’t believe her luck that she had managed to find a level 19 fighter to support her on her quest.
“How does the experience work with level differences?” SJ whispered to Dave as she started to walk towards the church to see Lythonian.
“Shared equally, so Zej will get half if it is just the two of you and you are in a party when you complete it. That also means that any coin is split evenly in a party and that any loot can be shared out between party members as chosen and agreed. Depending upon who sets the party up, who has overall control of the loot assignment will decide.”
“If that’s the case, how do parties work? Are there bonuses or buffs?”
“It’s your quest, so you should set the party. Some party members may still be able to provide boosts during combat.”
“That sounds great.”
It didn’t take long to work through town to the church. The doors were open, but there was no sign of Lythonian. An elderly gnome was busy replacing the flowers around the vestry.
“Excuse me. Do you know where Lythonian is?”
“Hello dear. He is down in the crypt. That poor dryad girl who was killed the other day is being entombed.”
“Oh. I will not interrupt him then.”
“He won’t be long.”
Although SJ had been in the church several times, she hadn’t spent long looking around, taking the opportunity to walk around and look at all the various statues. The intricate detailing and sculpting were phenomenal, and on closer inspection, they looked almost life-like in appearance, although sculpted from stone. The gnome began to sing as she worked from vase to vase with fresh flowers. Her voice was carried by the arched ceiling, which made SJ feel at peace. The lyrics were about a tale of the valour and pride of a fallen hero.
The time passed quickly listening to the singing, and Lythonian soon returned.
“Hello, SJ,” he said upon seeing her standing and looking at the immaculate sculpture of one of the gods.
“Hi,” she replied brightly. “These are amazing.”
“They were created long before my time. The sculptor was a famous Dwarven stonemason.”
“They are so life-like.”
Lythonian smiled, “I do appreciate the detail in them. Anyway, what brings you back here so soon?”
“I have a question to ask of you. Is that ok?”
“Please do.”
SJ spent the next few minutes explaining what she had discovered about the necromancer and his following. She watched as his face went from shock to outright anger by the time she had finished.
Lythonian did not mess about with his response, “When are we leaving?”
“You are ok to help me? I don’t want to pull you away from your duties.”
“Disposing of a necromancer is more important than my duties here for a day. I can’t abide their art.”
“I am meeting Zej at the inn for breakfast, and then we can set off if that’s okay with you.”
“I will be there first thing. Do you have transport?”
“I was going to walk.”
“I will bring the cart.”
“That would be easier. Thank you.”
“Not at all.”
After biding Lythonian farewell, she left the church, heading back to town.
“With Lythonian and Zej, I don’t think you will need anyone else,” Dave said.
“Are you sure there are at least seven of them?”
“A level 19, 13 and yourself. I doubt you would have even needed Lythonian with you, although having a cleric is always beneficial in a party, especially with the undead.”
“That’s good to know. We have no idea what level the necromancer is currently at. I didn’t see him clearly enough to identify him.”
“I would have stopped you attempting to identify him anyway. Necromancers usually have high intelligence and wisdom, and wisdom is your enemy when it comes to your skill being sensed.”
“I was in miniature form, though?”
“I am just advising that identifying any of the robed classes is going to be more challenging in general due to their Wisdom levels.”
“I am sure you said when we first came here that everything should be balanced to it being a starter town.”
“I did, but since arriving, this is not a normal starter town, nor is what is happening normal in any way.”
“What do you mean?”
“A god and a dragon for a start, both of which you have interacted with, and then the higher levels that reside here also. I have not been able to find anything in the archives about this town either in relation to details. It really does seem as though it is rarely used. Yet, still evolved well without Legionnaires being present. It’s an anomaly on its own.”
“Let’s go see if Fizzlewick is back yet,” SJ said, heading to the tailor’s.
Everything was dark inside the shop, and the closed sign was still hanging on the door.
“I hope he is back soon,” SJ grumbled.
“I am sure he will be eventually. He is a god, though, and works on his own timings, so there are never any guarantees.”
Feeling a little dejected about not being able to progress her Tailoring skills without getting some cloth, she decided to head to the vendors. She had seen several in the town that sold materials and headed to one. “I am going to get the cloth bundles, at least.”
An hour later, she returned to the inn with ten bundles of cloth in her inventory and picked up some other clothing items to wear in her room, including a nightdress, all for 50 coppers less. After speaking to Kerys and arranging breakfast for three the next morning at first light, she returned to her room. Training would have to be missed tomorrow due to the quest. SJ felt obliged to let Lorana know she wouldn’t attend. Mobile technology had become such a part of everyday life back on Earth that updating someone took seconds, and doing it in Amathera took so long due to having to visit all the individual locations. It was frustrating not having the ability at her fingertips. Sighing, she resigned herself to calling and seeing Lorna at the barracks.
Walking down the inn steps the next morning, SJ smiled at seeing a table laid out as she had requested. Three places were set, and a large coffee pot stood in the middle of the table. Fhyliss was busy sweeping the floor from the previous evening’s activities and waved at SJ as she entered. Sitting at the table, SJ poured herself a large glass of coffee and sipped it while she waited for Lythonian and Zej to arrive.
Lythonian arrived first, wearing his usual attire. His gleaming chainmail and white cloak clashed with the inn’s darker tones. Sitting at the table with SJ, he poured himself a coffee after exchanging pleasantries. Fhyliss had raised her eyebrow at seeing Lythonian enter the inn, which stated that he usually did not frequent the establishment. Not long after, the inn doors burst open, and Zej walked in.
The vision of pure power that oozed from the dwarf was immense. Wearing a suit of dark blue-coloured full-plate armour and holding Betty’s impressive form resting on his broad shoulder, SJ was speechless at the sight.
“Lythonian,” Zej said as he walked to the table, thudding Betty on the floor next to it.
“Zej, my friend. I have not seen you at a service in a long while.”
“Apologies, but I have been busy recently. We had an influx of Apprentices that I am slowly whittling down,” he replied, chuckling. “I was unaware you would be joining us on this adventure?”
“That is my fault, Zej. I only spoke to Lythonian after I saw you. It is not a problem, is it?” SJ replied.
“Not at all. Lythonian and I have fought together before, and I know how adept he is with that mace.”
“Anything for the path of righteousness,” Lythonian responded.
Sitting, feeling completely outdone by both of her recruited members, SJ was uncertain of what to do or say. Because they were such high-level members in comparison, she could not advise or offer guidance to either of them.
“Would you both like food before we depart?”
“Aye. That sounds good. Floretta cooks a mean breakfast.”
“Fhyliss?”
Fhyliss walked over, hearing SJ call.
“Would it be possible to get three breakfasts, please?” SJ asked, smiling.
“Of course,” Fhyliss replied, walking to the serving hatch.
“Fhyliss, can you make mine a double, please?” Zej called after her, turning and smiling in response.
A while later, Zej finished his double portion of breakfast. Floretta had begun adding mushrooms, which tasted divine fried, as SJ had suggested.
“Shall we go?” SJ asked.
“Let’s. While the day is still young.” Lythonian replied, standing.
Walking out of the inn door, Lythonian introduced SJ to Humberto, his horse, who was pulling a cart with enough room for the three of them to sit comfortably. Even with Zej in his plate armour as they began to move off through the town, the horse had no problem pulling the cart. The sky this morning was the first morning since her arrival that the sun was not shining as brightly as it had been.
“Looks like we will have rain this evening or tomorrow,” Zej said, looking at the sky.
Looking up, SJ could not see anything to make her believe it would be apart from it being a slightly cooler day, but she had no reference.
“I hope we are back by this evening if we make good time getting there.”
“I would like to hope so as well,” Lythonian added.
“I am sure we can be back for this evening. I don’t see a necromancer being too problematic.” Zej answered, smiling.
The enthusiasm of the two older warriors affected SJ, and she felt safe and secure in the knowledge that she had two stronger members in the party to support her in completing the quest. As they began the drive to the valley, Zej and Lythonian started to recount some of their previous tales of battle and questing.
