“How much farther to Cedar Springs?” Jean asked Kato.
Kato threw another piece of wood on the fire as he pondered the question. “Half a day?” he said. “The mine is a little farther out of town. Are you still heading there?”
Jean nodded and tossed a rabbit bone in the fire. “Yes. As soon as I know you and the wagons are safe, I will go get Sarah.”
“Did you ever think that maybe the wagon train would be safer without you?” Kato said with his eyes downcast.
“It had occurred to me.”
“Oh?” Kato said with a smile as he looked up at Jean.
“But it also occurred to me that we have done a pretty good job of keeping the people and the supplies safe. So, it balances out.”
Kato laughed. “It will be back to dealing with ornery passengers and clueless adventurers when you are gone. I don’t think there will be enough of the Black Wolf Guild left to bother us.”
“I hope you are right,” Jean said. Kato wasn’t wrong. She was pretty sure the guild had kept trying to attack the wagons because they hadn’t been successful. If they had gotten a few supplies or some kills, they might have moved on. Jean didn’t care. If they wanted a fight, she would fight.
“You owe me Jean,” Kato said as he reached for another piece of rabbit meat.
“What do you mean?” Jean asked.
“You got my favorite, most trusted guard, all fired up about getting his mine back. I reckon he will be going with you. And that leaves me short of one guard, and a friend.”
Jean sat back to think. Elm had mentioned that the guild had taken the mine claim from him but he hadn’t mentioned coming with her to take it back. Jean wondered what kind of response the guild would have if they managed to take it by force. Jean smiled. If she could rescue Sarah, and any other slaves, and set the mine back into the hands of someone like Elm, she would feel her efforts had been well rewarded. She looked at Kato. “Want to help us?”
Kato snorted.
“Unlike Elm, I have a wife and kids waiting for me to return home. It is nothing for you immortals to take big risks, but for people like me, it isn’t that easy,” Kato explained.
“Of course. I understand,” Jean said. She had seen Kato fight and she knew that he enjoyed the challenge and thrill of the battle but she had also seen him be a father figure to members of the train. He had chosen his profession wisely. It gave him a little bit of danger and adventure while protecting and supporting those who needed it. She imagined he was a great father to his kids.
“What do you know about the mine?” Jean asked.
Kato licked his fingers and sat back to think.
“Well, most of what I know comes from listening to people. From what I remember there is a small camp at the base of the mine. A few cabins for the workers and the guards. There are those who pan for gold in the creek and others who work the mine. I’ve heard talk that some of the miners don’t get to come out. They keep them underground for days and weeks at a time.”
Jean fumed. It was just like the real world, bad people making bad decisions and getting away with it until somebody finally takes a stand.
“The mine produces a good amount of gold and minerals. It would be a welcome change if that helped to grow the community with jobs and security. Right now, the only benefit to Cedar Springs is the little bit of food that gets purchased for the workers and the occasional visits to town from the guild leaders. They tend to cause a fair amount of trouble at the Inn.”
“What kind of trouble?” Jean asked curiously.
“Oh, running tabs, fighting with people over card games, fights, not paying the bills or expecting special treatment, the usual,” Kato said. “My friend runs the Inn, he doesn’t have anything nice to say about them.”
“Hmmm.” Jean sat back to think. The guild would be expecting them to arrive in Cedar Springs. They would probably have some kind of ambush planned.
“I have an idea,” Jean said as she leaned forward to tell Kato.
…
It was dark. Dark and cold. Jean crawled forward toward the outskirts of Cedar Springs. Randy grabbed her foot from behind. Her first instinct was to kick him, but luckily, she recognized that he was warning her. Up ahead a guard was standing up, he must have been kneeling or squatting down and she had missed him. She stopped and waited until he settled back at his post. The guard had been stationed outside the city walls, on the outskirts of the forest. Jean looked around but couldn’t see any other guards. She stood up and sent a knife flying towards the guard. It entered his throat and he slid soundlessly to the ground. Jean crawled to where he lay to retrieve her knife. His body disappeared and she motioned to Randy to follow her.
They continued their way around the perimeter of the city, taking out the guards. They had been quick and silent in their work. When they got back to the main road, they climbed back up on the small wagon they had borrowed from the train. They put on the cloaks and drove towards the city gates.
“Halt, who goes there?” the guard asked.
“We are from Monting. We had trouble with a wheel and are delayed. We have a grain delivery for the stables,” Randy called out. Jean sat hunched over.
“Who is with you?” the guard asked.
“My mother, she is sick and in need of the apothecary. Please, it has been a long day. We need food and shelter. We have coin for an Inn,” Randy answered.
“Let them in,” the guard said as he waved to the man holding the gate. Randy drove the wagon through the gates.
“Do you know which Inn is the closest? I want to get my mother settled before I deliver to the stables,” Randy asked the guard.
“Crooked Tooth is just down the way but it usually fills up. You might want to check Monty’s Frog, closer to the stables,” the guard suggested.
“Thanks,” Randy said as he slapped the reins and moved forward.
“Well done, Randy. You are convincingly honest and trustworthy,” Jean chuckled. Randy had the makings of a good lawyer. God help his soul.
“But it is true!” Randy said as he rolled down the dark street. “It was fun wasn’t it? I read that the best way to lie was to stay as close to the truth as possible.”
“Well, I am not your mother,” Jean countered.
“No, you are not! My mother hates violence,” Randy laughed.
“Anyways they are probably not thinking we would show up here before the wagon train. But once word from the guards fails to come in, they will be on to us,” Jean warned.
“I will get the wagon to the stables. Meet you at the Inn,” Randy said as Jean jumped down.
“Be careful,” Jean said as she walked away.
Jean moved easily towards the Inn. She had asked Feiona to help with her disguise. Hopefully, she looked old and unthreatening. Since levelling up her skills, her blood magic had made her younger looking and she suspected more attractive as well. Feionahad used a variety of muds and dirt to make her skin appear old. Her knives and weapons were well hidden under her cloak.
She opened the Inn door and stepped inside. It wasn’t as busy as she had anticipated. She picked a table in the corner and ordered a drink. She was hoping to blend in and listen.
Her ears perked up when a table started talking about the mine.
“The orders are way down. For a time, I was delivering enough food for thirty workers and ten guards. This last week they only ordered enough for the guards. I don’t know if they are getting their food from somewhere else or what,” the man said.
“Did you hear? Another group of campers are missing. Evidence of their camp was found, but nothing else,” a woman said at the table.
“I don’t like it, the stuff that goes on up there is wrong,” the man said.
“Too bad the mayor won’t do something about it,” the woman said with a shake of her head.
Jean had heard enough. It sounded like the people at the Inn were all residents of Cedar Springs. She was looking for the guild members. She put a few coins on the table for her drink and left the Inn. She saw Randy walking towards her.
“Put your hood up, those ears draw too much attention,” Jean said as he got closer. She wasn’t teasing him. She was actually worried that someone might recognize him. Randy put up his hood and smiled.
“Got it. The guy at the stable was really nice. He didn’t know much but he said sometimes the guards from the mine come into town to play cards. They usually go to the Thirsty Beaver.”
“Thirsty Beaver it is then. Keep your hood up and let me do the talking,” Jean said as they weaved their way through the streets.
“There it is,” Randy said.
Jean looked. The Inn was much busier, music was playing and the room was filled with smoke and laughter. She pushed open the door and found two seats at the bar. She ordered two ales and adjusted her hood. There was a table of six playing cards and drinking and laughing loudly.
“Hey! Barman, bring us another round on our tab,” one of the players yelled.
The barman poured the drinks and delivered them.
“That will be all for tonight boys, unless you clear up the tab,” the man said as he picked up the empty glasses off the table.
“Hatcher, pay the man.”
“I don’t have anything,” the other player replied.
“Sorry Barman, you will have to wait for payday.”
“Then you will have to wait for drinks too. Last time you ran a tab, I didn’t get paid for weeks,” the barman said.
“So what I’m hearing is that you did get paid. What’s the problem?”
The barman tried to be reasonable. “The problem is that I have to pay my bills on time. I have to pay my suppliers. I can’t afford to keep tabs going and not get paid.”
Jean was starting to fume. She had already heard enough. Randy put a hand on her arm and shook his head. They had come for information. They didn’t even know yet if they were from the mine. They needed to stay quiet. Randy had little effect on Jean.
“Mind if I play? I will buy a round of drinks,” she said as she approached the table.
The table laughed. “Grandma wants in on the action!”
“If she is buying, let her in!” Hatcher said.
“I haven’t played cards for awhile. What are the rules?” Jean said as she sat down.
“Texas Holdum rules,” the one player responded.
“All right, I will pick it up as I go,” Jean said as she watched the cards being dealt.
“Where are you boys from?” Jean asked.
“The mine, are you looking for work?” Hatcher laughed.
“Oh, thank you. Yes, I can cook. Do you need a cook?” Jean asked.
“Nah Grandma, we got a cook,” one of the players said with a chuckle.
“Too bad,” Jean said as the hands were dealt.
“I’m pretty good at gold panning. Do you need gold panners up at the mine?” Jean asked.
“We got a cabin full of them, so no,” the one player responded.
“Fold,” Jean said as she laid her cards on the table.
“Are you part of a guild then?” Jean asked.
“Grandma here asks a lot of questions. I don’t like it,” the one player said as he leaned back in his chair and narrowed his eyes at her.
Randy stepped in, careful to keep his hood up and his back turned. “Hey mom, the room is ready. Time to go,” he said.
Jean threw some coins down on the table, “Looks like my time is up,” Jean said as she pushed her chair back. Randy led her out of the room and towards the stairs. When they got to the top, they found a window and crawled out. They found a way down to the street and took up a watch.
“What was that?” Randy asked. “That wasn’t the plan.”
“I wanted to ask a few questions. The worst part is I had a really good hand,” Jean said as she checked her weapons.
Randy rolled his eyes.
“Besides, now we wait. When they leave, we will follow them, find out who else is in this guild and find out what we can about any plans for the wagon train,” Jean said as she put a hand on Randy’s shoulder.
“I didn’t even get to eat,” Randy pouted.
“Never mind, you can eat later. Look, they are leaving,” Jean said as she raised her chin towards the Inn.
The group of card players stumbled out of the Inn.
“Come on, we need to go warn the boss. I have a bad feeling about that old lady,” one of the players said as he ushered his friends down the street.
Jean and Randy followed, sticking to the shadows but staying close enough to hear bits and pieces of the conversation. The group came to a private house, knocked on the door and were let in.
“I’ll get in closer,” Randy said as he crept up to the window. Jean ignored him, went to the side of the house and entered through an open window. She was standing behind a door, listening to the conversation in the main living room.
“I don’t care if she is here. If she is, we find her. If she isn’t, we find her. When that wagon train comes into town, she will be close. There is no way she is going to sit back if we attack. I want that whole train, the supplies, the people and the loot. Nobody kills our members and gets away with it. Basti! Check in with the guards, make sure they alert us of anyone coming in or out of town.”
Jean crept back out and found Randy.
“Where did you go?” Randy asked. “You can't just disappear.”
“I went inside. Come on, they are going to find out the guards are all gone. Let’s take out as many as we can before tomorrow,” Jean said as she crept away. “They are going to attack the train, no matter what. We can reduce their numbers now while they aren’t expecting it,” Jean said over her shoulder.
Jean and Randy followed the guild members to the outskirts. As they separated to check in with the guards, Jean attacked. She took out two with her knives and then ran to watch as Randy took down another two guild members using a combination of whip and stabby basher.
“Almost too easy,” Randy said as he tried to fist pump Jean.
“Don’t get cocky, come on, there will be more,” Jean said as they moved back through the town and back to the house to eavesdrop.
“Why haven’t they come back yet? Where the hell is Basti?” one of the leaders in the house said.
Jean and Randy waited. One of the guild members that had left to check the guards to the north came running in.
“They are gone,” he panted as he entered the room.
“What do you mean gone?” the leader said.
“Not there,” he said as he caught his breath.
“Shit. OK everyone buddy up. We sit tight until tomorrow. When the wagon train arrives, we will be ready.”
Jean nudged Randy, “Come on, let’s get some rest. Big day tomorrow,” she said as she pulled him away from the window.
Jean and Randy had arranged to sleep in the wagon that was being stored in the stable. It was warm and cozy in the stable, and it allowed them to stay well hidden. Before first light, Jean woke Randy and they had a cold breakfast of buns and meat.
“You made me go to bed hungry,” Randy said when Jean brought out the food.
“Well, yeah, but now you can really appreciate the food,” Jean smiled and gave him a push.
Randy shook his head. Jean was a strange combination of tough and kind.
“What now?” Randy asked as he munched on his breakfast.
“Kato and Elm are going to arrive at first light, much earlier than the guild will be expecting. I think they will arrive and unload without too much resistance. Once they are safe and out of danger, I’m going to the mine to rescue Sarah. And I imagine you will complete your quest and find the widow,” Jean surmised.
“OK, but I think I will go with you to the mine. I want to meet Sarah and see the mine operation. Maybe Elm will have a quest for me,” Randy said thoughtfully.
“I’d love to have your help,” Jean said. “Let’s go, we will find a spot to watch the wagon train come in. If there is any trouble, we will be ready,” Jean said as she patted her weapons.
They left the stable with their hoods up. They hadn’t been suspected yet, but they didn’t want to take any chances.
“There,” Jean said as she pointed to a building along the city wall. “From the rooftop we will have a clear view of the road and the city gates.”
Randy nodded and followed Jean up to the rooftop. They stayed low, hiding behind a chimney. They could hear the city guards preparing to open the gates for the day.
Jean kept popping her head up to check the road. “I don’t see them yet,” Jean said, sounding concerned. The sun had risen and Kato had assured her that they would travel through the night to arrive earlier than expected.
“I’m sure they will be arriving any time now,” Randy said as he had a look himself. There was the usual traffic coming down the road. Small carts and wagons from local farms, looking to set up stalls inside the city walls for the market day. He could also see a variety of people on foot or walking with various animals coming out of the forest. They would be coming in to buy supplies or to work for the day but no familiar wagon train.
“I don’t like this,” Jean said as she had another look. She sat down on the roof to think. Randy stared at the road while he thought.
“I see them!” Randy said excitedly.
Jean had a look and relief swept her face. They were late, but it looked like the train was moving as usual. She could see Kato and Elm walking up and down the length of the wagon train as they always did.
“Let’s get closer to the gate and see if they have any guild members waiting to attack,” Jean said to Randy.
“Jean look!” Randy said as he pointed to the road. A line of men were coming out of the forest on both sides of the wagon train. There were at least ten on each side.
“They aren’t waiting for them to enter the village, they are attacking them on the road!” Jean said as she looked. “We need to get out there to help!” She grabbed Randy and started to climb down from the rooftop.
“Got you!” a man said as they jumped to the street. Jean recognized him from before. He was big and mean looking. She flung her knife at him and then followed the attack with a roundhouse kick to the chest. The man stumbled back but wasn’t down. He yelled out and Jean saw several others coming towards them. She turned her back to Randy so they could assist each other. They had practiced the move before and she hoped he would stay in position. She heard his whip lash out and slice one of the attackers. She turned her attention back to the man lunging towards her. He had a short sword so she used her hatchet to block his attacks. When he got too close she would hit the sword to the side and then deliver punches and kicks to whatever body part was exposed. She could hear Randy using his stabby basher weapon now, so his attackers must have moved in close as well. Jean thought of her friends being attacked on the road and felt a surge of adrenaline. She dodged another overhand attack from the short sword and thrust her Bowie into the man's throat. She had learnt that avoiding the main torso was her best strategy, too often the armor deflected her knives.
“Yes,” Randy said as his attackers were finally down. Jean had a quick look around and decided to make a run for it. She grabbed Randy and pulled him towards the main gate. A person behind them yelled to the city guards to stop them, but the man wasn’t able to do anything, too many people were moving in and out for him to see who he should be stopping. Jean took off running down the road. Everyone who had been coming into the city had started running away from the wagon train attack, they wanted to reach the safety of the city. Jean pushed people out of her way as she raced down the road. From what she could see, Kato and Elm were outnumbered and in trouble.
“Dammit,” Jean swore as she saw Kato go down. The attackers were going for the supplies now, grabbing what they could from the supply wagon and trying to stop the people on board from running. She could see that they had tied up several women and children and were holding them together with armed guards.
They were spotted as they got closer. Jean saw one man had noticed her and Randy running down the road and sent three members to stop them. Jean assessed the distance and let several of her knives fly. At least one found a target but it wasn’t a lethal injury. The defenders kept coming at them. Two had bows and were letting arrows fly as they ran towards them. Jean ducked and swerved to avoid the arrows. Randy grunted as one hit him in the leg but he kept running. They met on the road. Jean took on the ones with bows while letting Randy deal with the other one with the sword. Jean threw her knives, aiming at the arms of her attackers. She landed one in the shoulder of her attacker and saw him grab a knife from his belt instead. She wasted no time and sent another knife to the other man's bow arm. She missed the arm but hit the bow, rendering it useless. She felt a pain in her leg and saw that at least one of the arrows had found a mark, but she knew it wasn’t too bad. She ignored the pain and attacked the closest man with her hatchet. She slashed out and caught him in the thigh, a deadly cut that sent him to the ground. She glanced to check on Randy but his attacker was already on the ground.
“Watch out!” Randy yelled at her. It was too late. Jean felt the man’s arm wrap around her neck, pulling her backwards with a knife to her belly. Luckily, her training had prepared her for scenarios such as this. Jean twisted her body and used the man’s own weight to push him backwards. She landed on top of him with her knife stuck in his belly. The force of her weight and the impact of the ground was enough to puncture the armor.
“You OK?” Randy said as he pulled her up.
“OK for now,” Jean said as she assessed her stats. Her health was low but there was no time for potions. They needed to help Elm and Kato. “Get to Kato. I will help Elm,” Jean said as she ran limping forward. She grabbed her knives as she ran by and fired them at anyone within range. She saw Elm battling with swords to the side of the road and flung her magic imbued hatchet at the attacker’s back. It hit with a force that sent her target flying forward into Elm. They both fell to the ground. Jean ran up and pulled the weight off Elm. Elm looked pale and glassy eyed. She reached into her bag of holding for a potion. She lifted his head and tipped the magic elixir into his mouth. Jean was holding his head when she felt the arrow pierce her back. She fell forward from the impact. The arrow tip had lodged behind her shoulder blade. She cursed, her good throwing arm was damaged. She looked around and saw her attacker, he was about to launch another arrow in her direction. She grabbed Elm and rolled with him, trying to protect him from the attack. Jean grunted as the arrow struck her in the leg. Her notifications were distracting her, she was well aware of her health status. Dammit! she cursed to herself, she was so close to Sarah and she was going to be forced back to the start. She looked around and saw that if she could roll Elm a little bit farther, they would have some cover. Elm grunted, the potion had worked to help heal his wounds and he was assessing the situation. An arrow whizzed past their heads and Elm reacted. He pushed Jean under the wagon and then flew under with her. Jean was on her belly trying to breathe, the arrow had pushed in further and she was fading fast. She felt Elm slide back out to get his sword in between arrows raining down.
Jean could see Randy battling someone on the side of the road. She groaned as she saw him let his guard down. The sword swung sideways to catch him across the torso. But much to her surprise, Randy blocked it by swinging his stabby basher around his back to block. Jean was impressed and hopeful that Randy would make it, if she didn’t. It was hard to breathe and the pain prevented her from doing anything but watch and wait. She heard the arrow before she saw it. Her heart fell as she knew it was going to hit Randy in the back. She didn’t want to, but she closed her eyes. Instead of hearing the tell tale thwack, of an arrow into flesh, she heard another sound. Jean opened her eyes. A beast had come out of the forest and was ripping Randy’s attacker apart with its fierce teeth. I’m hallucinating , Jean thought, perfectly normal when you are dying. Jean blinked her eyes and tried to make sense of what she was seeing. There was a purple skinned woman shooting arrows at lightning speeds. She was taking out the guild members with a calm practiced stance from the sidelines. The beast was ripping and bashing his way through them as well. Jean heard Elm shouting his encouragement to someone. Then he ducked back under the wagon.
“Got any more of those potions Jean?” he asked while trying to roll her off her bag of holding.
Jean tried to nod, but she was having a hard time communicating.
“Got it,” Elm said.
Jean felt him lift her head and she almost screamed from the pain in her back but instead her mouth opened and she let the magic potion slide down her throat. Jean felt the pain dissipate and her cognitive ability returned. She wasn’t going to die! she thought excitedly. She was going to make it to Sarah. Her notification let her see her health returning. Jean pushed herself up onto her elbows.
“Randy?” she asked Elm.
“From what I can see he is currently getting some healing and staring at our new friends,” Elm said with a chuckle. “Don’t know where they came from, but I sure am thankful.”
It was quiet now and the people who had been hiding started to poke their heads out of hiding spots. Jean let Elm help her out from under the wagon and they shared another potion, bringing them both back to full health. They saw Randy crouched beside Kato and approached anxiously.
“How is he?” Jean asked as she knelt beside them.
“I gave him two potions, he is looking better. How are you guys?” Randy asked.
“Same. Did you get a potion in you?”
“Yes. Still hurts but my stats are good.”
“They got prisoners. I saw them tied together when we approached. They must have escaped during the fighting. As soon as we are able we will have to go after them,” Jean said as she looked around.
“What the hell is that thing?” Jean said as she saw the strangest creature come out of the forest.
“I don’t know but it saved my life,” Randy said as he looked up.
The strange creature was part owl and part bear. It sniffed around and kept looking behind him. Two elfish looking people walked along the wagon train, checking for danger. One was a woman with purple skin and sexy armor and the other was a dark elf with spears on his back. Jean raised her eyebrows, they looked very confident.
“Hello!” the boy elf said as he approached.
Jean stood up and readied her weapon while Randy did the same.
“It looks like we got them all, aside from the ones who got away with the prisoners. We can track them easily enough. Are you OK?” he asked.
Jean was reluctant to let her guard down but didn’t think they were a threat after all the help they had provided. “Yes, thank you. We are going to track the prisoners as soon as our friends have healed,” Jean said.
“I’m Ryan and this is Dawn,” the dark elf said. “And this is my pet, Hedwig.” The owlbear was sniffing around. It was huge. Jean had never seen anything like it.
“We’ve heard about you,” Dawn said. “You’ve been protecting the wagon train against the Black Wolf Guild. You’ve got quite a reputation for throwing knives,” she said.
Jean looked at Randy. He was having a hard time not staring at Dawn. Jean rolled her eyes. “This is Randy, he has been helping too,” Jean said.
“We are here to help rescue a friend from the mine. I imagine the people that were taken would be heading there,” Ryan said as he looked around. “Are you open to working together?”
Jean had learnt that working with others had benefited her in the game. She looked at Randy with her eyebrows raised. He nodded.
“I also have someone special held under a bad contract at the mine. What did you have in mind?” Jean asked.
Kato had come around and was sitting up. “Whatever you guys are doing, leave me out of it. I want to get these wagons to Cedar Springs and head for home. I've had enough fighting in the last few days to last years,” Kato said as he brushed himself off.
Jean nodded, grateful for the potions she had on hand to heal them all. “Kato is right, our first priority is getting the wagons to the city. Then we can strategize our attack on the mine.”
“I will check to see that everyone is OK. We move out in five,” Kato said as he nodded to the drivers to get back into their seats.
Jean, Randy, Ryan, Hedwig and Dawn followed the wagon train into Cedar Springs. No attacks came and the grateful people thanked Jean and Randy for all of their help. The supplies were unloaded and contracts were fulfilled.
“You have time. Why don’t you go finish your quest?” Jean said to Randy.
He nodded and asked the stable manager if he knew where he could find Analise Restwater.
“Analise? Aye, she is usually down at the school,” he said in response.
“Maybe I should go with you?” Jean said. She was still on edge and waiting for an attack.
“I shouldn’t be long. I will meet you and the others at the Inn,” Randy said as he walked away.
Jean reminded herself that Randy had been on his own for longer than he had been with her. She didn’t have to babysit him. She watched him walk away and then turned to find the Inn she had agreed to meet Ryan, Elm and Dawn at.
Randy approached the school house. There were many children running around and playing in the yard. A woman was crouched down tending to what looked like a scratched knee. Randy stood back until the young girl had been patched up and sent on her way.
“Mrs. Restwater?” Randy asked.
“Yes?” she replied.
“Hi. My name is Randy. I was given a quest from Barney to return an item of your husband’s to you. Do you have a minute?”
Analise looked stunned. “George?”
“Yes. I found his remains near the Red Hedge Swamp. Barney took the leather bag and thought that you should have his notebook,” Randy explained.
“His notebook with his drawings?” she wondered out loud.
“Yes, and there is a letter for you as well,” Randy added as he handed her the book.
Analise flipped through the pages with tears running down her face. “I knew something had happened when he never came home and I’d already mourned his loss, but there was always a question. At least now I know.
Randy didn’t have the right words to comfort her, so he stood quietly.
“What was your name again?” she asked once she regained her composure.
“Randy.”
“Barney was right to have sent you. I will cherish this book more than anything. Thank you,” she said sincerely.
Congratulations Hero. You have completed your quest. Analise Restwater is offering you a reward. Do you accept? Yes/No.
Randy wasn’t sure what the reward was, but he clicked ‘yes’ anyways.
“George had dreams of living out in the forest where he would be able to write and draw. I didn’t share his romantic notions of what life would be like in the forest. I would miss the children and the safety of the community. I have rewarded you with the deed to the land he had hoped to develop for us. I wish you the best of luck in your travels Randy. Thank you for this,” Analise said while caressing the notebook. She turned to call the children back into the school.
I’m a land owner ? Randy thought as he turned to go. It wasn’t the reward he had been expecting but he was nonetheless grateful. He asked for directions and found his way to the Inn to meet Jean and their new friends.
When he arrived, Randy was happy to see that everyone had arrived safely and were having an animated discussion with several villagers. Randy sat down to listen.
“I heard them talking. They have gathered all the guild members from the area to the mine. They are going to make a strong stand against you,” the villager said.
Ryan looked thoughtfully at the villager. “Would you or any of your fellow villagers be willing to join us in the rescue mission? We hope to dismantle the guild by taking the mine away from them. The rightful owner is this man, Elm.”
“Yes. I believe many villagers would welcome a chance to get the mine back into the right hands. We depend on the mine to bring people to our town and to provide stable jobs. Those Black Wolf guys caused nothing but trouble for most of us in town,” the villager said with a confident nod of his head.
“Great, so this is what I propose,” Ryan started and then proceeded to tell the group what he had in mind. Jean sat back listening to his proposal. Her respect and admiration grew for him as she heard how he planned to help the locals. He was well spoken and a natural leader. Jean had been impressed to hear he had already dealt with some strong guilds and had even started his own settlement. This was the kind of person Sarah should be playing the game with.