"Unfortunately, you earned another kill and took a turn to Darkness," Tilly said. "Sorry."
"So am I," she said. "Every PK digs at my soul. I only want to serve the Light." She paused. "And conquer dungeons, of course. Even Minions of Light like to kill monsters and have some fun." She pointed at the Dark Staff. "If I sell the staff, will that erase my one point to Dark?"
"Yes," Tilly said. "Actually, selling it might earn you a few points toward Light, too."
"Don't forget to take his purse," Naws said, turning away. "I'll take the stew to your room. That's room 25, Tilly."
Asha quickly grabbed the black leather purse and followed Naws up to her room. She'd hoped room 25 was on the second floor, but they didn't use the American system. The three story pub was ground floor, first floor, and second floor. Asha sighed as she followed him up to the top floor, only to learn her room was all of the way to the end.
In the room, she discovered a small bed pushed into the far corner. A jug of water sat upon a small table, with just a pair of chairs. She walked over to look out the lone small window, barely noticing the faint breeze coming in.
"Naws, if you hear of four other Immortals new to town, would you let me know?" she asked. "They would be a human battle-mage, an elven ranger, a redheaded…um, woman, and a dwarven warrior."
He nodded and said, "I highly recommend you leave Oxenbluff at first light, Asha. Rudolf's respawn site is only about an hour from the gate, so he'll be here bright and early looking for revenge. Tilly and I'll do what we can to help, but he's more powerful than both of us together. We're just hedge witches."
"The gate opens at sunrise?" she asked. He nodded. "Thank you. I'll leave before first light."
Asha placed the bar across the door and sat on the bed, pulling up her HUD. There had to be a way to exit the Game. It was just well-hidden and had to be ferreted out.
Chapter 13
Fergus led the way through the shantytown. Tiana followed, with Rand bringing up the rear. The dwarf kept a covert eye on the would-be muggers as they steadily grew closer and closer, while trying to not alert their prey.
People were rushing in and out of the gate as they approached. The sun was about to set, and Rand guessed the gate closed at sunset. The guards were mostly looking west, so they were eager for their long day to end, too. Then he noticed a commotion at the gate. The guards had seized a man and were dragging him away.
"What happened?" the dwarf asked.
A stranger answered. "Vagrant."
Another said, "The Watch will arrest anyone who doesn't have at least one shekel. They check at the gate before letting you inside."
Fergus stopped and looked back at them worriedly. Rand felt a moment's panic, and then remembered that Tiana had money from the troll.
"Tiana, quick, give us each one shekel," Rand said in a loud whisper. He glanced back to see the muggers moving faster towards them. "Hurry."
"I'll do you one better," she whispered, tossing each of them a small purse with money. Rand gave her a questioning look. Tiana grinned. "I'm already starting to level up on my Cutpurse Skill."
A bell tolled so close and loudly the air vibrated around them. The guards started shouting, as more people raced in and out. Fergus took off running, with Rand and Tiana side-by-side a step behind him. Even the bad guys were racing for the gate.
They passed through just as the heavy portcullis began its slow descent. A couple dozen soldiers stood inside and corralled everyone entering. All they had to do was show a coin purse and they were allowed to continue. Rand noticed the muggers slipped through just in time.
"Those guys over there are chasing us to rob us," Rand told one of the guards.
Several guards headed towards them.
"Let's start looking for Asha," Tiana said.
"No, first we have to make sure we lose those guys," Fergus said, watching the guards speaking to the muggers. "I don't think the guards are going to arrest them. Let's get out of here."
Rand saw the others slip the guards some money, and be released. He ground his teeth, looking around for a better weapon. Then he followed Fergus and Tiana up the steep cobblestone street.
"You were right, Fergus. They bribed the guards," Rand said. "They're still after us."
"And now they're pissed off at us," Tiana said. "What are we going to do?"
Fergus stopped and they gathered around. Rand pointed up the street. The street widened into a market. The vendors were in the process of tearing down their stands and loading their merchandise into carts.
"We make our stand there," Rand said. "There will be things to use as clubs or to throw. But I'll hide back here, and come up behind them. I think they're likely to break and run if hit from two sides."
"What the hell, it's as good a plan as any," Fergus said.
Rand ducked into a cobbler's shop. The shop owner, busy repairing a boot, looked up with a scowl. The dwarf noticed the shelves behind the cobbler were filled with sandals, shoes, and boots, many with very high heels.
"Wow, this is a very modern medieval world," Rand said, and then heard men running out on the street.
He counted five men in dark tunics pass by, and then followed them. They all had hands on knives, and a few carried simple wooden cudgels, and they weren't trying to hide their intentions anymore. He heard the anger in their whispered voices.
"They'll be slowed by the market. We'll drag them into Wilber's Alley to be sliced and diced," a hobgoblin said.
Pakal. Highland hobgoblin warrior (Lvl 23). -11 Dark. PK: 37.
Chuk. Human warrior (Lvl 19). -6 Dark. PK: 9.
Quansi. Goblin witch (Lvl 12). -15 Dark. PK: 2.
The other two goblins were Level 5 hunter mobs with no name displayed. The hunters were out ahead of the others, both carrying recurved bows with arrows notched. Rand realized they could take Fergus and Tiana out fast, leaving him alone to face them all.
Rand made his move as soon as Fergus and Tiana split up, moving to opposite sides of the street. His friends began yanking down anything and everything they could to block the way.
"Where's the dwarf?" Quansi asked. She started to slow. "Ambush."
"You're one smart cookie," Rand snarled, coming up behind her. He seized the back of her head and her pointed chin, and snapped her neck. "One dead witch!"
He snatched up her cudgel and plowed into Pakal and Chuk, both of whom turned to fight. Rand popped Chuk on the knee, and kicked straight out into Pakal's belly. Both muggers cursed. Chuk counterattacked with a cudgel, while Pakal grabbed Rand's leg and held on.
"I got him!" the hobgoblin cried. "Smash his skull in! Kill him!"
Chuk circled around behind Rand, cudgel in his left hand, a knife in the right. "I'm going to hurt you bad for killing my girlfriend."