The golem struck at Erik over and over, and his hissing breath was telling Rook the fight wouldn’t last long. The heavy iron chain sparked as the metal scraped heavy lines into the floor with the golem’s lumbering footsteps

  The goblin barely regarded Rook and Reina with more than an annoyed glance. It was fine to Rook; he’d been disregarded his whole life. Now, by an ugly green monster, it was no different.

  Rook glanced at Reina and quickly thought back to his Special Reaction Team training in the Army. Please understand this.

  Holding the stone up towards the goblin, he walked in a wide berth around the goblin. “Take the left and I’ll get the right, fan out wide. When I ask if you have the shot, yell that you do.” Reina nodded and mimicked his motions.

  Good so far. The goblin shot its gaze back and forth between Reina and Rook.

  “Do you have the shot?” Rook asked, shuffling until he got in position to launch the stone towards the goblin controller.

  Reina looked momentarily confused until she saw his eyes. “Yes, I have the shot!” Reina responded, pointing her sword at the goblin.

  Bang. Rook sent the stone tumbling end over end until it collided with the goblin controller, right between its white eyes, ending the spell. Now that the magic was gone, the Morgon leaked fumes from its multiple wounds. No longer enchanted by protection and silence magic, Erik pointed at the flesh golem. Its ugly head exploded as the falcon dive bombed right through it.

  Wilds Goblin slain x2

  Wilds Goblin Mage slain x2

  Morgon slain

  600 experience gained

  You have reached level 11

  +2 core attributes

  550 experience of 700 until level 12.

  Attramancy increased to level 50

  Blunt increased to level 139/250

  +50 experience gained

  600 of 700 experience until level 12

  Opportunity Quest completed: Clear the temple of All Power

  +1 core attributes

  300 experience

  You have reached level 12

  200 experience of 750 until level 13

  Rook placed the point into Arcane Wisdom, bringing it up to nine. The projectiles were getting easier to control, and the mana sickness was less intense. However, the exhaustion was another thing. Rook swore as he and Reina walked to the ground level, all the while rubbing at his aching legs.

  Reina turned to him and smiled, as if he had single-handedly achieved the mission. However, Rook wasn’t foolish enough to take credit for a team effort, so he politely smiled back. The other two points he placed into strength, bringing it up to five, because battlemages needed strength, or so he reasoned with himself for several moments.

  “Thank you, Reina, I couldn’t have done it without you.”

  Settling for leaning against the exterior wall, not soaked in goblin blood, Rook and Reina waited while Erik made his pilgrimage.

  “Well, if it’s not the love birds,” Jody said, smoking a pipe.

  He never looks stressed on one of these quests. Either he’s totally confident in our abilities…or his.

  Reina shifted so she wasn’t so close to Rook.

  “Oh, stop, lass, I’m only kidding. A really good Sentinel-Scribe partnership is difficult to find and harder to achieve. Enjoy your small rest, we have a small trek back to camp.” Jody took a drag from the pipe.

  “Aren’t you gonna tell us what we did wrong?” Rook asked, struggling to keep his eyes open.

  “You both did overall fine today. There are a few things you need to tweak, or you’ll find yourselves dead in a sinkhole somewhere. Reina, watch your surroundings; situational awareness is paramount on a quest. It could be the difference between finding a diamond-ranked piece of gear or finding your legs blown off from a ward.”

  “Understood,” Reina said, her gaze sinking to the ground.

  “Rook, you’re a natural protector. It’s admirable, but you’re going to get killed for it one day. Reina is more than adequate with her blade.” Jody let the smoke drift in a thick stream towards the sky before blowing it out. “Trust me, this one’s from experience. You can’t protect everyone, and you must put your trust in them.”

  “Got it,” Rook responded, slightly annoyed at how right the man was.

  Jody stacked two bricks and sat on the makeshift chair. “I want to give you both a cautionary tale, about the Blasted Steppes and the Orcish Wars. We were stationed in Berg, one of the only cities with a working portal gate still. I was training with my scribe, Juniper, when we got the distress message from the Thrakkamar Sentinels. The Orcish clans were traveling too close to Ring City, the central hub.” Jody gazed at the wall with a thousand-yard stare. “We take the portal, and end up on the front lines, between a bakery and the skeletal remains of a few shops. It was all hands on the wall; no Sentinel was to stay back.” Jody took a deep inhale. “The city was overtaken by their warchief, Kurosanga, the red orc. He skinned the guards and those who fought back, and those Sentinels who were stationed there, pinning their skins to the wall. The rest of the remains were in a pile, while carrion birds feasted. The Ring city folks were in makeshift cages, built from mud and bones.” Jody took a shuddering breath. “The Bloodstone had made them strong, so many Sentinels died that day.” Jody paused, tapping the ash out his pipe. “We get the order to retreat and regroup, but there were so many left behind that I couldn’t…” Jody’s thousand-yard stare came back.

  If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  “What happened to Juniper?” Reina asked, breaking the man from his thoughts.

  Jody smiled. “Ah, yes. The point of my story is, you can’t save everyone. No matter how hard you try, or how important they are to you. However, in the end, those with good intentions always win. We crushed Kurosanga and his clan. Then we nearly exterminated the Orcish population and dealt a massive blow to the Bloodstone.”

  Jody’s story was somber, but Rook felt as if he knew him just a bit better now. The man was deeply scarred, and had Koraxe not stopped him, he may have drawn his axes on those Helms guild members in the Stumbling Ogre.

  The grateful spirit summoner came to the group later on as the sun began to dip. When they walked down the path and got to camp, it was nearly time to bed down. Erik graciously set up the camp that night for the group. By the time the beds were set and watches determined, Rook’s bedroll didn’t beckon him; it damn near forced him to lie down and sleep.

  Heavy-lidded, the sweet darkness took over, letting Rook drift into sleep. He dreamed of the Flesh golem grabbing hold of Reina’s struggling form and breaking it. Gasping, Rook jolted upright and looked around. Instead of a crushed accordion version of his friend, he found her snoring soundly beside the embers of the dying fire.

  “You’re awake?” Erik asked, breaking a few sticks and feeding the flame.

  “Nightmares,” Rook said. “Can’t live with ‘em, can’t send ‘em all overseas.”

  Erik gave him a gentle smile. “My falcon has the watch.” He looked up towards the starry night. “You can sleep.”

  “Then why are you up?”

  “I have to pray.” He gestured towards Jody.

  Rook looked over at the dwarf, who was seated against a tree, smoking his pipe. Rook wasn’t certain, but he thought he heard the man speaking. Sometimes talking to your friends who aren’t here anymore is therapeutic.

  The dawn brought life to the forest, bathing Rook in soft light. Reaching up until his hands hit cool earth and his back gave a satisfying pop, Rook sat up. His sleeping bag rolled tightly into a bundle and was easily stored in his inventory. It’s going to be a long freaking walk back, thank everything for good boots.

  * * *

  They came upon the village remains once again, and Erik offered a prayer for the souls lost that day. It took most of the day, without stopping, but they reached the gates of Ollar.

  “Alright, I believe this is where we part ways,” Erik said, smiling brightly at the group. “Sentinel Jody, it’s been an honor to travel with you.” He gave a respectful bow. “Rook and Reina, I wish you both the best. I couldn’t have done it without you. Once I finish my pilgrimage, maybe our paths will cross again. Only the Old Gods know.”

  “A good lad, that one,” Jody said. “He’ll make a fine summoner, if he can get over his fears.” Jody nodded to the pair. “I know there’s nothing you’d rather do than sleep. However, if you can sneak in training, do so. These times when you’re the most tired are some of the only and best times to train,” Jody said, and without another word, he waved and cut down the street out of sight.

  Speaking of sneaking in training, I’m maxing it tonight. Rook and Reina began the last stretch up the stairs to the room. He wanted nothing more than to rest while soaking his tired bones. The march back and fighting made him weak. As they sat, Brianna brought two bowls filled to the brim with a meat and potato stew. Rook’s mouth watered as they sat steaming on the table. God bless that woman’s generosity. Rook ate the stew and walked up to the room.

  “Aren’t you going to bathe?” Reina asked, with a tired frown.

  “That sounds like more of a demand than a question,” Rook responded, with a chuckle. “I’m going to train first before I take a bath.”

  “Oh, no, you’re not. You can bathe and then bathe again,” she said, crossing her arms.

  After a long staredown and mental negotiation, they came to an agreement and he found himself in the warm waters of the Stumbling Ogre tub.

  Name: Rook

  Level: 12

  Rank: (Copper)

  Effigies: 1 of 5

  Challenge Coins: 1 of 8

  Experience: 440 experience of 750 until level 13

  Core Attributes

  Strength level 5

  Dexterity level 4

  Arcane Wisdom level 9

  Charisma level 10

  Constitution level 3

  Core Competencies

  STRENGTH

  Unarmed 10/250

  Blunt 139/250

  Block 25/250

  Dexterity

  Sneak 250/250

  Survival 17/250

  Alchemy 2/250

  Crafting 0/250

  Arcane Wisdom

  Pyromancy 4/500

  Cryomancy 4/500

  Psyomancy 4/500

  Attramancy 50/500

  After the bath, Rook put on his training gear and walked back into his room, relieved that his aches felt better. But maybe a trip to the healing district was warranted. The sounds of the tavern below faded slightly as he focused on the task at hand. He pulled the journal of Sergeant Rix out. At least something good came out of your name. Rook crouched into the duck walk stance and began the exploit. Reina was a good sport until her eyes physically wouldn’t allow her to stay up and buff his stamina any longer. Since he was essentially alone now, it took a few hours to max the stealth.

  Stealth 250/ 250 (Unlock next tier with bronze)

  +260 experience gained

  440 experience of 750 until level 13

  “Got it,” Rook said, walking back to the tub and soaking again. He walked back to the room, lay down, and closed his eyes. “Goodnight, Reina.” He fell into a deep sleep, pure darkness that refreshed his body.

  An alarm came in the form of a cone of sunlight. The ray peeked into the room, striking Rook on the face. Feeling invigorated, Rook checked his stats. “I wonder if Jody would let us go train again,” he said, placing his hands on his knees and standing up. “I’d like to increase my blunt skill.”

  “I agree, I’m at level 40 with Sap, I’ve never had a skill increase so quickly,” she said with a smile.

  “Makes sense, I have a passive called high speed, low drag that increases skills quicker.”

  “What?!” Reina said, shocked. “Can you share it?”

  “I think so,” Rook said, opening his menu and willing the skill to share, like in Legends Triumph Online.

  “Got it..” Reina trailed, and her mouth dropped. “You realize that you’d be in high demand as a dungeon party leader?” Reina asked, focusing with that thousand-yard stare again. “You could definitely charge a fortune as a trainer.”

  “Maybe next time I get Isekaied,” Rook said, jokingly.

  They got ready and exited their room. Making their way down into the tavern, they were met by Brianna’s smiling face.

  “Well, you two had an eventful few weeks, eh?” Brianna asked, handing them mugs of water. “Be right back.” She moved towards the board where two dwarves fought for a silver quest. “Go together, you fools, or add another in the same dungeon. Stubborn dwarves, damn it.”

  Brianna returned and smiled. “Sorry about that. It seems that quests for the crystal prison dungeon have been popping up a lot lately.”

  “No worries,” Rook downed his mug and let out a contented sigh. “Say, what’s on the agenda today?

  “I was wondering the same thing. I don’t see Jody yet,” Reina added.

  “Yes, about that,” Brianna said, walking back. “Jody’s got Sentinel business this morning. Most likely doing a progress report for the Sentinel Commander.”