Asha turned to see Rand, and then Killum, rush inside and press themselves to the wall on either side of the door. Both men were puffing, looking flushed from excursion. Killum's character still had his face from the last realm, but his body looked a little taller, more muscular. Her eyes lingered on his broad shoulders, before he noticed them.
"You found Asha!" Killum said.
"It was more like she found us," Tiana said. "Welcome back to the living, battle-mage."
"Living?" Asha asked.
Killum flushed even redder and averted his eyes. Fergus laughed. And Rand shook his head. It was Tiana that answered.
"Fergus and I ran into each other on the river, heading for Oxenbluff, just seconds before a troll attacked us," she said. "We didn't have any weapons, and the monster was pretty clever for a troll. Anyway, he backed us up against a cliff and I thought we were troll dinner, when Rand and Killum appeared out of nowhere and saved us."
"Very heroically, I might add," Rand said.
"Yes, you were adorable," Tiana continued. "Anyway, while Rand distracted the troll, Killum went up on top of the cliff and dropped a boulder on the troll's head. We thought it was killed, until Killum strutted up to it like the conquering hero."
"The troll sat up and thrust his spear, turning poor Killum into human shish-ka-bob," Fergus cried. "You should've seen the look on his face."
"Hey! I killed the troll before he killed me."
"More like killed him at the same time," Rand said. "But you killed him."
Killum caught Asha's eyes, looked embarrassed, and shrugged. Then his eyes raked her body a few times. "Damn, girl, you get hotter with every realm."
Asha felt her face heat up. At the same time a smile she couldn't stop spread, and she averted her eyes. She noticed Tiana watching her reaction with a bemused look.
"We have to go now," Killum said. "Rudolf is looking for you, Asha. He told the gate guards you murdered him, so has this town's excuse for cops after you as well."
"He knows I'm here?"
"I don't think so, but he was searching your room at the Crooked Staff. A couple in the pub told me to warn you," he said. "Considered yourself warned. Since it's such a small town, I don't think it'll take long for them to find you."
"Madam Elise!" Fergus shouted. "We'd like to settle up, please."
An elderly woman came out of the kitchen. She couldn't have been over five foot even, with steel-gray hair tied in a bun at the back of her head, and wearing a blue flowery dress. Madam Elise gave them all a friendly look as she wiped her hands on a red apron.
"We're good," the innkeeper said. "Farewell, my friends. May your path find you safely back to my door."
"Speaking of doors," Killum said. He gave Asha a worried look. "Is there a back door we can use?"
"Trouble?"
Asha checked the innkeeper out. Fergus, Tiana, and Rand might trust her, but that was the first time she'd seen Madam Elise. For all she knew the innkeeper was best friends with Rudolf.
Human Innkeeper (Lvl 17). +6 Light.
That surprised Asha. Madam Elise seemed like a player to her, but she leaned toward Light, so couldn't be all bad. Making a snap judgment, Asha decided to trust her.
"Last night a Dark wizard attempted to entrance me so he could…um, have his way with me. I defended myself," she said. Shrugging. "Unfortunately, I killed him. And worse, he's an Immortal, so now he's back and looking for revenge."
"How awful," Madam Elise said. "Of course I have a back door you can use. I suggest following Wall Street over to the smaller Forest Gate. The Forest Road will take you north, but get off it after an hour or so. Go any direction but north."
"Why not north?" Asha asked.
"It's the road to the Warlord's Castle," she said. "The farther away from that haunted place the better."
"So there's nothing north of here but that castle?" Rand asked.
"Oh no, the entire Kingdom of Kumar is up there," she said. "We're in the far south of the kingdom, but last year Lord Kathro led an undead host to conquer the castle. By doing so, he cut us off from the rest of the kingdom. Since then, his undead host has been terrorizing the towns and people of the valley. The farther north you travel, the more dangerous the journey."
"Do you think this castle is a dungeon?" Asha asked Killum. He grinned and nodded. "Then maybe we should head for it."
Madam Elise looked shocked. Killum looked eager, as did Rand. Tiana and Fergus were a little more wary.
"So Lord Kathro is the Warlord now?" Asha asked. "Will we replace him if we defeat him?"
The innkeeper shrugged. "Whoever kills the castle's master becomes the new master. If you kill Lord Kathro, you will become Warlord and rule the valley."
You've been offered Quest to Conquer Warlord's Castle! Death and danger are assured, but the rewards are power and wealth. Do you accept this quest? Yes or No?
Asha glanced at Killum, who was looking up at his quest prompt. Fergus, Rand, and Tiana were also looking up into space. Killum caught her eyes. For a second, electricity seemed to pass between them. Then they smiled and nodded.
"Yes, I accept," Asha said.
"We're off to slay monsters," Rand said.
Killum took the lead. "Can we stop and buy some weapons and spells on the way out of town?"
"Follow me," Asha said, pushing past him. "We'll arm up, get our battle-mage some spells, and head out. Provided we all have enough coin." She paused, giving them a grim look. "And I'll tell you my news. It's not good. We actually may be stuck in the Game forever."
Chapter 17
The Forest Gate was tiny in comparison to the main gate, only about the size of a standard door. Still, a dozen guards guarded each side. The people coming and going were mostly peasant farmer type mobs. Killum noticed a pair of hunters, as well as a "wood gatherer" character.
Killum approached the gate with a little more spring in his step. Asha had taken him to Witchers Alley, where he bought magical weapons and spells, as well as healing and mana potions. He couldn't afford a magic sword, but got a decent one, and bought Wolfsheart Spear. It was a stabbing spear, but enchanted to always strike the heart of his enemy. And it was bound to him. He also bought a used, black-stained cuirass to protect his chest and back, and a matching steel helmet with a red horsehair crest. He even loaned Fergus and Rand enough coin to buy weapons. Fergus bought a curved elven sword and some green and brown elven leathers to wear, while Rand got a new battle-axe and horned helmet. Tiana had stolen enough purses to buy a dwarven battle sword, which was the same size as Asha's short sword.
"You know, from the back, Rand looks just like a minotaur calf in his horned helmet," Fergus said.
"Calf?" Rand cried.
"Hush down," Killum said. "Don't cause trouble at the gate."
The gate guards turned as they approached. Half of them put hand to hilt. That worried Killum a little. Were they told to keep an eye out for Asha?