The Dragon's Wrath: A Virtual Dream

Chapter 17: The Earl and Selene

(Saturday, March 6th Game Day / Friday, January 22nd Real Day)

The village of Andal is roughly 60 miles away based off a vague memory if I follow the river, though since I hadn't charted it yet it was just a best guess.

The furthest of the Northern Triangle's villages was roughly ten miles west of my location, with the southern point of the Triangle being another ten miles out. From there, it would be a roughly thirty five mile journey to Andal… not the worst of journeys but certainly a waste of time if I don't find anything.

Leaving Katherine at the cabin with the majority of my supplies, I headed out on my journey. Roughly an hour later I ended up at the northern-most village and it was now mid-day.

Without any time to lose, I started asking the townsfolk if any of them had dealt with the Earl in Andal before and was informed there was one family that had previously lived under his rule, but out of discontent with the Earl's treatment the man moved his family north about four months ago.

A disgruntled ex-villager would be perfect for gathering information, things were going quite smoothly. With a plan to simply ask the man for some details and continue on my way, I headed out and asked the other village folk where I could find the family.

I was disappointed in very short order; it turned out the family had disappeared two months ago after a few men from the Earl visited, though all of their belongings were still in their house.

Sounds like the Earl has a hard time letting go, I guess this is why Katherine said I would be an enemy of the Earl if I helped her… sigh. I look to the sky and see that the sun is starting to set. It seems I have less than two hours before nightfall, I better hurry.

I make it to the outskirts of the southernmost Triangle Village just as the sun finally sets and make my way to the inn; as I was able to catch a few more rabbits and a fox while traveling, I traded them all for a few copper a piece and a place to stay for the night. This was the key to success in-game, never paying straight for services but trading for what was necessary and turning a profit if possible.

Bartering often proved much more valuable than straight trade.

The inn here was quite a bit larger than the other village and the population seemed to be at least double at over fifty people. Of course, those were NPC numbers as there was not a single player. But despite the lack of users, it wasn't a bad place to do trade.

Settling into my small bed inside the inn room, I decided to log out for a short break. Though one can travel at night, it's dangerous and easy to get lost out in the woods without markers but thanks to the speed of the game you'll only be in the dark for four hours before the sun rises again.

It wasn't too bad, these planned breaks. There were certain benefits to playing aggressively for a few hours then relaxing for a bit. I'm sure that was all a part of the developer's decisions.

The next journey was a thirty-five mile trek that would take me through a narrow path through opposing forests. There wasn't anything too special about it except for the fact that it would take at least three and a half hours to complete.

Could really use a mount right now… but I would just have to make due with an extended marathon.

Seeing as players were capable of running at incredible speeds if their Agility stat was high enough, late game travel wouldn't be a big deal. Especially if one coupled their high Agility with a high Endurance stat, a person could run for hours at incredible speeds.

Unfortunately my Agility wasn't much better than an average athlete so the fastest I could run at was a pace of about a mile in seven minutes. The upside was that I actually had relatively high Endurance so I could maintain that pace for a few hours… 8.6-MPH wasn't a half bad marathon pace.

After logging back in it was still dark out but my character had rested for two hours which was equivalent to a quarter-day in-game, so I was essentially well rested and good to go. I grabbed my gear and started my run south, with hopes of being able to find some hunting on the way.

I hadn't had breakfast in-game after all!

Roughly four grueling hours later I had finally arrived at Andal.

On the way I killed three foxes and seventeen rabbits, filling my small bag to the brim. But the biggest discovery was of a small bear sleeping in a tree! Unfortunately the bear looked to be well over level 50 and would pose a serious threat, too dangerous to hunt solo so I had to leave it be. At that time a thought crossed my mind, "Ah, maybe I should have brought Katherine with me…."

As I made my way into the village I was quickly greeted by a guard standing post at the northern entrance, the village was barricaded with wood and had four entrances respectively.

Walking through the village I made my way around the stalls, browsing for goods that might be useful. The village had at least two hundred people and a standing militia of around twenty. It was a small force but a deadly one this far north, if they mobilized against the smaller Triangle Villages… I'm afraid they wouldn't last very long.

There weren't any active players here either; the North really was a vacant wasteland.

It didn't take long for me to realize that the village people were of poor spirits compared to the lively warriors who were indulging themselves in ale in what was essentially mid-day.

Maybe if they had a recreation center where they could dance and sing they would be happier.

The Earl rewarded his warriors and kept them happy at the expense of the villagers, if my guess was right. And dissent and escape led to your eventual disappearance, evidenced by the family that had moved north.

They just couldn't catch a break either way, it seemed.

Not finding anything of use at the stalls, I made my way to the trading post to sell off my foxes and rabbits. I would have kept the fox pelts but there was no telling what might happen in the next few hours and the added weight on my back would be a detriment in battle.

As soon as I finished trading, the Earl strolled over with what must be Wife #2 for she certainly was peculiar looking… I made my greetings and bowed to the Earl, showing my respects.

After introducing myself the Earl claimed to have heard of me, "The First of the North," he says to me. It seems my title had already started to spread, this could help me leverage, lucky!

Now I just need to gather some information and hope Selene hasn't been captured or disposed of. As I was thinking that, the figure of a female hunter with medium length black hair had just walked through the eastern gate carrying five wolf pelts and a large bag of meat. That's my girl… and… she's early... "Son of a bitch," I muttered under my breath.

I quickly tried to think of a way to turn this situation to my favor, hoping the Earl wouldn't do anything drastic… too late, I could see the Earl's sinister smile already as he waved to a few men.

Before they could apprehend her or say anything I decide to try my luck, "My honorable Earl, who is that female hunter that comes our way? She has many pelts dangling from her arm, and such a large bag hanging from her shoulder. She must be a skilled hunter!"

The Earl was caught by surprise and simply replied, "She is indeed a formidable hunter, but not to the level of my men!" …of course, I figured he would boast as most nobility would.

I decided to push this route and ask the Earl, "Ah! My Earl, I saw a bear asleep in a tree just half a mile north of the village but thirty minutes ago, would you do me the honor to lend me this female hunter so I may challenge the bear?

"I am afraid that I alone am not capable of such a feat, but with a skilled hunter at my side I believe the bear shall be mine. Of course the spoils would belong to you my lord, as undoubtedly all the lands as far as I can see belong to you, and all that sets foot on your land in turn belongs to you as well."

I've baited the hook and tossed the line; now let us see if it sinks.

The Earl was visibly unhappy, but attempted to mask his displeasure and offered a counter proposal, "Ah but the poor woman, she has just returned from a long hunt, why not take one of my men instead and let the young miss enjoy a much deserved break. We can enjoy the bear together; in fact once you kill that bear we shall have a feast with all of the warriors!"

The words were true, no matter the character of the man speaking, she had just returned from a week-long expedition. But I couldn't lose this opportunity else she may end up dead and the quest a failure, not to mention the loss of trust from Katherine.

My new lovely pocket healer cough companion.

"Ah but I am so intrigued by this female hunter, I have never met a female that could hunt wolves alone, I implore you my lord, to lose this chance, no, I must have this chance to hunt the bear alongside a beautiful huntress! Mayhaps, would the Earl care to join as well?"

It was a longshot, but maybe.

Just maybe it would work.

The Earl quietly thought to himself with no care of hiding his emotions on the subject as his face writhed and wiggled like a worm. No a worm is too kind, he writhed and wiggled like a maggot. I wanted to step on his face until the boot came out the other end.

In the end, with all of the village folk looking on, he decided to save face and replied with a loud boisterous laugh, "Haha you have a way with words young adventurer! You remind me of my youth! But alas I am but an old humble lord and am no longer fit to hunt. If you insist on hunting with her so, I shall permit it on condition that you are escorted by five of my finest warriors. They are experienced in battle and will ensure your safety in case anything goes wrong!"

Perfect.

I was able to gather from the trade master that he only had control of twenty warriors, though I knew from my play-through during the Alpha testing that all of his guards were around level 60-80 except for his champion who was level 100.

So long as it was the lower level guards I might be able to pull this off.

I made my way towards Selene who had heard the last bit of our conversation and introduced myself.

"How do you do miss, my name is Roth Sigurd, the first adventurer of the North, and it would be to my utmost pleasure to extend an invitation to you to accompany me on a joyous hunt of a menacing bear, just north in the woods."

Phew that was pompously long-winded, but thankfully her disposition wasn't bad.

She paused for a moment then returned a greeting, slightly bowing her head and saying: "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance Roth Sigurd, but as the Earl has noted I have just returned from a hunt and would prefer to settle my affairs and have a meal. I must also see to my friend, so if you would excuse my rudeness I would be grateful."

Sigh, this girl.

Meanwhile the Earl let a devious smile creep up the side of his face.

Though I can't blame her for being reasonable, stop making me work so damn hard!

Katherine! Why couldn't you have some secret safe word or something!

"Ah but miss, uhm, miss…." I trailed off on purpose to let her continue on.

"Selene, Mister Roth."

"Ah Selene, quite a lovely name. Miss Selene, I simply must insist that you hunt with me, I'm sure your friend will be fine if she does not see you within the hour? Come, come, let us sell these pelts to the trade master and I have rabbit jerky for the road, we must hurry you see, the bear may wake and move at any moment!"

At this I look to the Earl and repeat myself once more, "Earl, this friend Selene speaks of, I'm sure she is not ill or anything? Surely Miss Selene can see her after, yes?"

To this the Earl's smile vanished for a moment but was soon back and wider than ever as he confidently stated, "Of course! The Miss is in the best of care in the presence of my other wives. Miss Selene, I must insist that you take our quirky adventurer here out to finish this most grand of hunts!"

Up to this point everything had gone smoothly, though I still had to be wary of this Earl potentially ordering his men to kill me as soon as we exit the village walls.

Looking at Selene and extending my arm, I confidently spoke out, "Ah then it is settled, come with me Miss Selene, we shall take these furs to the trade master and be on our way!"

I knew we likely wouldn't be coming back to this village anytime soon, so it would be best to get some money for these pelts… else they be lost. After settling the trade the now party of seven made their way out through the northern gate and into the forest.

The bear was only minutes away and the warriors didn't seem to care too much about me. I decided now was the time to inform Selene of the plan to escape.

Selene was walking ahead of the five men, so I shortened my gait to that of the warriors and leaned my head over with my hand covering my mouth, "She's a fine lady is she not? Watch and learn from the master gents, I'll show you how to win over a lady such as she."

As soon as I finished the men chuckled and let out grunts of approval and I thusly sped up my pace and slid in next to Selene. Putting my left arm around her shoulders I quickly whispered to her, "Your life is in danger, act normal."

Expectedly, she still reacts to my sudden flirtatious gesture and attempts to lean away.

I quickly turn my head back and wink at the five warriors watching from behind and then lean my head towards her ear, "Katherine sent me to save you, giggle now."

She quietly retorts, "What!?" as she attempts to slyly push me away with her right arm.

Of course, I will have none of it and pull her in tighter with my left arm, "Giggle now, keep up appearances, they will kill us."

She turns her head into mine and lets out a short and soft giggle.

Oh not bad, I think to myself.

She then blurts out a command, "Quickly explain your actions."

Simply nodding in agreement as I must do what the lady commands, "The Earl killed your traveling convent under the guise of bandits, he meant to take Kate as a wife, she ran, I saved her life, I'm here to save yours, do as I say if you want to live."

Selene stopped walking for a split second but I nudged her forward, "Keep moving, giggle again, do it naturally." She looked my way and giggled softly. At this I gave a thumb's up behind her back as I continued to walk with Selene under my arm and heard one of the men let out a laugh.

"If I am to believe you, where is Katherine now?"

"At my cabin."

"And where is that? How is that?"

"She traveled north along the river to the east in search of you and after three days arrived at my cabin under attack by wolves. I killed them. She asked me to save you and now here I am. Look we don't have much time, are you with me or not?"

She took a moment to gather her thoughts and replied, "Alright I will believe you, for now. The Earl was always a bit of a fish. What's the plan of escape?"

Music to my ears… I let off a faint smile, finally we're getting somewhere.

I take a moment to gather my thoughts and then inform Selene of the plan, "After we kill the bear and divvy up the meat, look for an opening or make an excuse to briefly get away and slip out, head north then cutback and take the eastern river north, in two to three days you will come across a cabin at the base of a mountain, Katherine will be waiting. I'm going to kiss you, slap me."

As I finished, I went in for a kiss.

For an NPC she had surprisingly soft lips….

SLAP!

I remove my arm from her shoulder and pretend to be staggered, I look at the men with abject shock and horror on my face, and then look back at Selene who was now as red as a cherry; I didn't think an NPC could blush…?

Was it really embarrassment?

Was the AI that advanced?

I didn't have the time to consider these things so I made my way back to the warriors, "Ahhh it seems I have been shot down boys, but worry not for I am not one to give in to minor setbacks!"

The five men all start laughing and howling, it was cheap entertainment while on the move and even if they planned to kill me, a laugh was always worth postponing an execution for another ten minutes.