After taking a night back in the real world to catch up with David and her business obligations, Jean logged back in to the game. She had to admit she was enjoying her time in the game. And despite the fact she was on a mission to help Sarah, she couldn’t deny this fantasy world held a certain appeal. Heading down to the Inn main floor, Jean greeted Marta as she took a seat for breakfast.
“How was your night?” the Innkeeper asked as she poured a hot coffee for Jean.
“Amazing, thank you. The bath was a real treat and the bed was comfortable,” Jean replied. She was thankful for Marta’s service; she had always enjoyed a good coffee and this one smelt perfect.
“Are you sticking around for another night?” Marta asked.
“No. I think I will head out of town. How far is it to Cedar Springs?” Jean asked.
“Do you have a horse? Or cart?” Marta questioned.
“No.”
“Probably take a couple weeks by foot,” Marta answered. “Do you want the breakfast special?”
“A couple weeks?” Jean leaned back in her chair. “How much is a horse? Yes, to the special.”
“Fifty gold,” Marta said.
“For the special or the horse?” Jean gasped.
“The horse,” Marta chuckled. “The special is on me.”
Jean sipped on her coffee. A horse was too much, she couldn’t deplete her coins like that. She didn’t want to waste another two weeks getting to Sarah by walking. Her contract would be expiring and Jean was sure they would do something to prevent Sarah from leaving.
Marta returned with the special. “I heard what you did for the new adventurers last night. This is on the house. We could use more people willing to fight back against the Black Wolf Guild, they have their hands in all kinds of things in town.”
“Yes, I’ve heard. I’m on my way to help my granddaughter. She is under contract with them. I need to get to Cedar Springs but I can’t afford a horse. Do you have any suggestions?”
“Seeing as you don’t seem to have a problem with fighting back, you could ask Kato if he wants to hire you for his wagon train. It doesn’t pay much, just food, but there are opportunities to learn skills from travelers and gain experience with your fighting skills. The wagon trains get attacked often, so you could get injured or killed.” Marta paused. “I would hate to see that.”
“Thanks,” Jean said. “How long does it take for the wagons to get to Cedar Springs?”
“Depending on roads and attacks, usually a week.”
Jean sighed. It was the best she could do. “Where do I find Kato?”
“He will be loading the wagons down by the stable. Tell him I sent you, maybe you’ll get some better rations,” Marta said with a wink. “But don’t be expecting any hot baths.”
Jean wolfed down her food and waved good-bye to Marta. She strode down the street towards the stables. There were several wagons lined up. Most were piled high with goods, one was dedicated to people. A variety of animals were tied up and secured to the back of the wagons. Jean looked around for someone taking charge. It didn’t take long. A short man with full leathers and a long ponytail was shaking his head and pointing to a wagon. The woman he was talking to was pointing to a different wagon. Jean laughed as he picked up her bag and cage of chickens and planted them in the back of the wagon. The woman didn’t look happy but sat down and crossed her arms in defeat.
Jean intercepted the man.
“Kato?”
“Yes?” he said irritated.
“Hi. My name is Jean. Marta from The Sleepy Hollow sent me. I’m looking for an opportunity to ride to Cedar Springs.”
“Are you any good with those things?” Kato asked while looking at Jean’s bandolier.
“They aren’t there for decoration,” Jean answered.
“Prove it. See the big knot on the stable door? Hit it.”
Jean turned, saw the knot and let two knives fly. They both landed in the middle of the knot.
“Huh, OK. You’re hired. I can provide food, nothing fancy. If we get attacked, and we will, I expect you to use those knives to protect my goods and my patrons. Deal?”
Jean smiled and nodded, “Deal.”
Kato shook his head in wonder. “You’re in the second wagon. We leave in twenty minutes.”
Jean used the time to search the area around the stables. She hoped that she would be able to find the plants she needed to make her healing potion. It had been bugging her that she didn’t have them made up. She hadn’t tried the ones she had purchased from the apothecary shop and didn’t want to take any chances being without. The wagon train was just leaving when Jean pulled herself up into the second wagon. She had found what she needed.
Time passed slowly on the wagon trail. It was too bumpy and crowded to work on her leather skills, sharpen her blades or make her potions. Jean got out and walked for most of the morning and into the early afternoon. The wagon only stopped at night. Jean found it mildly amusing watching the people, jumping down, disappearing into the forest to relieve themselves and trying to get back into the wagon before they were left behind. Otherwise, she scanned the road side for plants and herbs she could use. By the time the wagon stopped at dusk, Jean was irritable. She immediately found a quiet place to pitch her tent, within sight of the wagon so she could fulfill her obligation, but far enough away to avoid the chaos of animals and people trying to get fed and settled. First she made her potions, then she worked on her leather project. She was hoping to have it done before she got to Sarah. The bell rang and Jean considered getting in line for food, but decided it was a waste of her time. She built a fire and cooked her own meal. Afterwards she enjoyed the warmth of the fire and sharpened her blades and axes.
The camp had quieted down and Jean was feeling less irritable now that she had finished working on her projects. She saw Kato walking around the camp, checking on animals and people. Eventually, he made his way to Jean’s tent.
“Didn’t see you grab any grub,” he said as he approached.
“I have my own food,” Jean replied.
Kato grunted and sat down beside her fire. “Well, I bet you don’t have any of this,” he said as he passed her an item. “Dessert.”
Jean took the item from his hand and unwrapped the cloth. Inside was a delicate looking pastry filled with berries and covered with icing sugar. Jean raised her eyebrows in surprise.
“Marta sent them. Told me to make sure you didn’t die. Something tells me I don’t have to worry about that,” he said as Jean took a bite.
“I hope you’re right. These are delicious!” Jean said in between bites. She had to admit the food in the game was incredible.
“We leave at daybreak. You are on first watch tonight. When your three hours is up, make sure that guy is awake,” Kato said while he pointed to a large hairy man leaning against the wagon. “His name is Elm.”
Jean nodded her understanding and thanked Kato for the sweets. She stood up and started walking the perimeter of the camp. Kato was experienced. He had arranged the wagons so that the animals were on the outside. They would always make a noise or shuffle if someone or something came in close. The wagons offered cover for the vulnerable to hide in or under. Fires had been lit around the perimeter so that anyone glancing out could see who was coming or going. Jean enjoyed the quiet of the guard job. She stayed vigilant and the time passed quickly. She woke Elm, still leaning against the wagon. Jean made sure he was alert and returned to her camp. Jean slept surprisingly well and woke up feeling rested, before first light.
The wagon train grew in size during the day. Wagons would be waiting along the road to tuck in behind. Kato was always there to greet them and redistribute people or goods if need be.
Jean had found herself walking behind the wagons with a tall elven woman. They laughed when they both reached down to grab the same plant.
“My name is Feiona. What’s yours?”
“Jean.”
“What are you picking the dandy root for?” Feiona asked.
“Healing potion. You?”
“Stomach tonic. I’m pregnant and this one is giving me trouble,” Feiona said while she patted her belly.
“What else do you need? I can help you look, if you like. I wouldn’t mind learning some more alchemy.”
“Sure. I can point out the ones I know while we walk,” Feiona said with a friendly smile.
Jean was glad of the distraction. The daytime on the wagon train was the worst, it bored her and she found herself worrying about Sarah. She had done much better when she was busy, learning or training.
“Manglewort?” Jean said as she pointed to a blue flower along the track.
“No. See the leaves? They are pointed instead of rounded.”
Jean blew air out her nose in frustration. “I thought I was getting it,” she muttered.
“You’ve learnt a lot today Jean. I think I will jump in and have a rest. Thanks for the company,” Feiona said with a tired smile.
Jean dropped to the back of the wagon trail. She thought she might be able to practice some throwing. She had made a couple practice throws when something caught her eye in the trees. She squinted her eyes and focused. There it was again; something was moving parallel to them. Jean checked the other side of the trail and saw more movement. Ambush? Jean thought to herself. She glanced up the train of wagons. She saw Elm walking back towards her, checking on each wagon as he passed. She lengthened her stride and met him.
“There is movement in the trees on both sides. Good chance we are being targeted,” Jean said quietly.
Elm dropped his head. “I’ll take this side. You take the far side. Kato will jump in where he is needed.”
Jean crossed between the moving wagons and scanned the trees. She decided that there were probably at least twoon each side of the road. She watched for their movement and positioned herself so she could defend the wagons effectively. A quick glance told her Elm had done the same.
“Whoa,” Jean heard from the lead wagon. The wagons came to a stop. Jean saw that there was someone standing in the middle of the road, flagging them down. Jean glanced at the trees. The attack will happen when everyone is distracted by whatever nonsense the person waving them down would say, she thought to herself. Jean readied her weapons. Kato had moved to the front to talk to the person. Sure enough, Jean saw the movement in the trees and two bandits ran out of the trees. Jean saw that they had swords and daggers. Jean quickly looked to the trees to see if they had any archers hiding in the trees. Not sensing any danger of long-range weapons, Jean charged forward and met the first attacker. She blocked the overhand slash with her axe and landed a kick to the bandit’s chest. He looked surprised by her strength but rallied quickly. She went on the defensive and matched each thrust or slash with a block. When the bandit looked like he was going to reposition himself, Jean threw her knife. It found its mark in the bandit’s throat. Again, the bandit looked really surprised that he had been hit.
Ha! Serves you right for underestimating your opponent, Jean thought as she assessed the scene around her. The other bandit was harassing the man in charge of the goods wagon. They were fighting and it looked as if the bandit might have the upper hand. Sure enough, the bandit pulled out a weapon that must’ve been magical. A blue light pierced the wagon man through the chest. The bandit didn’t waste any time, he grabbed several boxes of goods and was about to run off. Jean grabbed her torpedo and threw it with all her strength. It connected solidly with his chest. The boxes, and the man, flew backwards. Satisfied that he wasn’t going to get back up, Jean looked to see how Elm and Kato were doing. Elm was battling a strong swordsman but seemed to have the upper hand. Jean let him finish the fight on his own. Kato had been surrounded by several bandits and was trying to fight them off. Jean rushed in and hit them with knives. It was a very effective counter attack, the bandits were facing away from her so the blades entered their backs. With them taken by surprise, Kato was able to cut them down.
The animals were pulling on their ropes and making a real racket. The passengers of the wagon train had started to climb and crawl out from their hiding spots.
“Check for wounded or missing persons,” Kato yelled to Elm and Jean.
Jean saw Feiona and raised her eyebrows at her.
“I’m fine, as well as everyone in this wagon,” she said to Jean.
Elm was jogging around the train checking, but it looked like he hadn’t sustained any injuries. Jean made her way to Kato.
“The usual bandits?” she enquired.
Kato poked his toe at the bandit he was standing over.
“No. These aren’t normal bandits. The weapons and skills were too high,” Kato muttered.
Elm walked up, “I recognized one of them. I had seen him around Sweet Water, talking new players into contracts. I bet this was the Black Wolf Guild.”
“Why?” Jean asked.
“Like most adventurers they like to increase their experiences and skills. An attack like this requires coordination, timing, planning and stealth. Plus, the added bonuses of getting away with some goods or new weapons. I would expect them to try again,” Elm said as he looked around.
“Well, let’s get moving. Check to make sure the animals and people are all ok, sometimes shock comes after the fight,” Kato warned. Jean appreciated his warning. She had been on a business trip once where the plane had experienced a malfunction. The plane was able to land but it was a very scary, rough landing. It wasn’t until everyone had been helped out of the plane and assessed that a man had gone into shock. He had never experienced anything like it before and it took the doctors several hours to stabilize him. It had unsettled Jean deeply. The man was technically unharmed but his body shut down. She had kept in touch with him and helped him find a good counsellor to work through his trauma.
Jean made sure to check everyone on the train several times and was happy to see that everyone, including the animals had settled back into the monotony of the road. That night when the wagon train camped, Kato got everyone’s attention.
“The attack today was not the usual, hungry bandit looking for an opportunity. The men today were well armed and masquerading as bandits. I expect them to strike again. Anyone who has skills is asked to first defend yourself and then anyone around you that needs assistance. If you do not have the ability to defend yourself, please hide or have someone that can help you nearby. We will do everything we can to protect you, the animals and the goods.”
Everyone huddled around the fires a little closer that night but Jean was impressed with the resilience of the people. She made sure her weapons were sharp and ready for her watch.
“That was some skilled fighting today,” Elm said as she woke him up for his shift.
“Thanks, you too,” Jean said sincerely.
“Why are you doing this?” he asked quietly.
“It’s faster than walking and I couldn’t afford a horse,” Jean replied honestly.
“I mean, why put yourself in danger and fight? The food isn’t even that good,” Elm said.
“I could ask you the same question,” Jean answered.
“I’m a friend of Kato’s. He helped me out when I needed it. Now I help him when he is short guards,” he said as he adjusted his weapons. “Plus, I suspected the Black Wolf Guild might try this. I want my chance at taking them down.”
“Really, why?” Jean asked, her interest piqued.
“Let’s just say that I used to have a gold claim and now I don’t. A business deal with the guild went bad,” Elm said sourly.
“Let me guess, bad contract?” Jean said.
“Worse. Bad contract and dead partner,” Elm said as he shuffled his feet. “I’m not the type for revenge but a little pay back seems appropriate.”
“I understand,” Jean said. “Let me know if I can help in any way. I have my own reasons for wanting to disrupt the guild.”
“Save a few for me,” Elm chuckled. “Those knives of yours are deadly.”
Jean laughed and agreed. She wondered if the Black Wolf Guild knew how many people were making moves to take them down. Regardless, Jean was encouraged to be with people who could support her attempt to get Sarah out of the guild