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  Everyone else in our group nodded their heads.

  [PC] Rekon the Priest has left your party.

  “Will you help us stop the undead menace?” the king asked. “You can search for your friend while traveling the realm to find and stop the source of the dead coming back to life.”

  “I don’t know,” I said then turned to Bernard.

  He shrugged his shoulders.

  I didn’t want a war against the gnomes, which is why I didn’t object to the rest of us getting none of the treasure back at High Keep after we kicked the lich out. What kind of rogue character was I playing?

  “Let’s help them,” Derringer said.

  “I agree,” Josh added. “We’ve got no focus.”

  “You’ll be more than fairly compensated if you succeed,” King Angmore said. “Rekon and my other warriors will be on their own quests to stop the spread of the undead scourge.”

  “We’ll help,” I relented.

  Side-Quest: Stop the Undead Menace. Locate and remove the sources of new undead on level one-three. XP: 100,000

  Wow. That’s quite a few experience points.

  Rekon walked away, followed by the two gnomes in robes.

  “My men will show you to your fort outside the walls and north of the city. If you need anything else for your quest, let me know.”

  “Thank you,” I said. “We’ll be leaving as early as tomorrow.”

  “Suit yourself,” the king said. “I can’t guarantee your fort will be protected with everything going on these days, but it can serve as a home base if you need it.”

  “We won’t be around that long,” I said confidently.

  King Angmore turned to two of the gnome guards.

  “Escort these heroes to Fort Sumter,” he said.

  “Yes, sire,” a gnome replied then saluted.

  “Follow us,” the other said, heading toward the door.

  “Get the chest,” I said, nodding at Josh.

  He grumbled but bent down and picked it up.

  “We’ll divide the loot and come up with a plan at the fort,” I said.

  On the way, I smiled. Just like the Tower of Gates.

  We’d gotten Rekon out of our group without any problems, but a whole host of new ones had raised their heads to stop us.

  * * *

  When we arrived at Fort Sumter, I realized why the gnome king had given it to us so readily. The entire structure looked like it might collapse at any moment.

  Still, if we got stuck on level one-three for whatever reason, it would make a nice place to stay with some work.

  The Grabisco Isles had been okay. With the time-traveling and everything else, though, I’d not had that sense of high-fantasy adventure and shaping the world.

  I missed that in the game, and I hoped the Tower of Gates would deliver on later levels.

  “It’s a dump,” Josh grumbled. “Doesn’t even look safe.”

  As the two gnome guards who’d led us north of the city walls left, I surveyed the dilapidated wood and stone fort. Half of the wooden palisades had been knocked down, and the walls had holes in them.

  Inside the failing building looked in even worse shape.

  “We’re not staying here long,” I said. “Let’s make the best of it. It’s better than camping in the wilderness.”

  “Going back inside the city walls would make more sense,” Derringer said.

  “Let’s get inside and divvy up these items,” I said. “We need to secure this place before nightfall for the next night or two at least.”

  “Why do you think this side-quest is more xp than the main quest?” Bernard asked.

  “Simple,” Boki said. “It’s more dangerous. Don’t worry. Axelrod should be here soon.”

  “Yeah, you keep saying,” I said with a smirk. “Any moment now.”

  “We need to come up with a plan to find Sarah,” Josh said.

  He walked toward the palisades around the abandoned fort.

  “We’ve got a plan,” I said. “Go to Harrisburg then east to Shockly Forest. We’ll find her while searching for the source of all these undead.”

  Josh waved a hand, dismissing me as he continued walking.

  “I think we should find a replacement healer and mage for the party before we leave,” Derringer said. “I’ll be able to heal a bit, especially with that new wand, but our party isn’t balanced.”

  “Agreed,” I said. “Let’s lock this place down for the night. We can search for people to join the party tomorrow. Then we’ll go look for Sarah.”

  I watched as the others got to work fortifying our position, gently caressing the mighty Everlast potions in my bag. Cario had taken two, but I had three left. Just in case. I’d been addicted to synthetic opioids in the real world because of the pain from my exoskeleton, so I knew it could be hell.

  With all my father’s wealth, it hadn’t mattered from a financial standpoint. Still, I recognized the struggle. In a game, potions with an addictive penalty were not very smart or fun, but as a virtual prison, it might work to rehabilitate people.

  The longer we stayed inside the Tower of Gates, the more I began to hate my father - not for building it, but for keeping the technology from me for so long.

  I joined the others repairing the main walls to get my mind off everything. Throwing myself into the work allowed me to clear my thoughts and enjoy being able to use my entire body without any pain or prosthetics. I still wanted to get out, but the more time I spent playing the Tower of Gates, the more I enjoyed the benefits.

  We worked all day and into the night, locking down the fort as best as possible with so little time. After a quick dinner, we split up the guard shifts. I had the last one early in the morning, so I went to sleep. Exhaustion made it easy to fall asleep. I dreamed of taking the Everlast potions and becoming so powerful I fought my way to the end of the game.

  The nightmare? I still couldn’t find a way out. Tossing and turning all night, I didn’t get much rest.

  * * *

  I woke the next morning to the sound of laughter in the kitchen area of the fort’s main building. The smell of bacon and coffee dragged me out of bed.

  “You’re finally up,” Bernard said then smiled.

  “I thought I had the last watch,” I said as I sat down at our barely functional wooden table. “Do I smell bacon?”

  “You sure do,” Derringer said then pushed a plate of the crispy breakfast meat toward me. “Help yourself.”

  “At least we’re not eating the brownie’s cooking anymore,” Josh said. “I’m going to kill those two creeps the next time I see them, and it’s not just about what they did to Sarah.”

  “Good point,” I said, grabbing two slices of bacon. “We’ve got to keep an eye out for them. Maybe they went back to Shockly Forest. That’s where Sarah met them, I think.”

  “Why did they kill her?” Bernard shook his head. “It doesn’t make sense.”

  “They told me it was because we let them die so many times, but Magi Inyontoo got into their heads,” I said. “No telling what that madman told them.”

  “Yeah,” Bernard said. “I guess, but still…”

  “When did this game ever make sense?” Josh asked.

  As he grabbed a handful of bacon from the plate, I took a bite from one of mine.

  “I hope we find better candidates to join us than Rekon,” I said.

  Josh nodded. “Nothing against gnomes, of course, but they guy creeped me out.”

  “Everyone ready to go?” I asked.

  Bernard chuckled. “We’ve been waiting on you, brother.”

  “You should’ve woke me up sooner,” I said. “Let’s get going.”

  “I’ll stay here and watch the fort,” Derringer said. “I want to work on those holy water explosives too. We’re going to need them eventually.”

  “Good idea,” I said. “Make as many as you can make before we leave tomorrow.”

  “We’re staying another day?” Bernard asked as he push
ed back his chair.

  “Depends on how it goes in Westwood,” I said. “You know how chaotic it can be.”

  He nodded then stood. Boki and Josh also got to their feet.

  I clapped my hands then said, “Let’s go find some spellcasters.”

  “Wait,” Bernard said. “Let’s divide this treasure first.”

  “I want that healing wand,” Derringer said, still seated at the head of the table.

  “As much as I hate reading books,” Josh said. “I’ll take the Tome of Strength.”

  “The Tome of Dexterity works for me,” Bernard said.

  “Bloody boots are too big for my dwarven feet, so I’ll take the blasted ring of water walking,” Boki said. “Whoever heard of a dwarf walking on water?”

  “Fine,” I said. “Boots that conceal my tracks will come in handy. We finally got through this process without fighting.”

  “Let’s go,” Josh said then walked to the door of our main building.

  We left the fort and headed toward the city on foot.

  The gnome guards at the first gate outside Westwood gave us no problems. As soon as we approached, the gates opened. When we reached the gates for the second wall, a gnome yelled at us from atop the wall about our papers.

  “Check with King Angmore, if you don’t believe me,” I snapped.

  As I stared up, shielding my eyes from the sun with my hand, I noticed the gnome guard laughing. Were all gnomes in the game so irritating?

  “Just messing with you,” the gnome called down. “Come on in.”

  The gate groaned then opened automatically. Our group walked through then headed toward the third set of walls protecting the inner city where the king lived.

  “We didn’t tell the king we were coming,” Bernard said as we got closer.

  “I don’t think it matters,” I said.

  The gnome guard atop the wall at the third gate also called down as we approached.

  “Halt,” he said. “The king isn’t receiving visitors today.”

  “We need to talk to him,” I said. “Tell him Drex and his companions are here for an audience. We talked to him yesterday.”

  “He specifically told me not to let you in today. You have a mission to complete according to him.” The gnome peered over the wall and waved. “Have a nice day.”

  “We’re not leaving until we see the king,” I said. “This is ridiculous.”

  “Careful...” Bernard put a hand on my shoulder.

  I pulled away.

  “No, this is nuts,” I said. “One day we’re heroes, and the next the king won’t see us?”

  “Let’s go to the city center,” Boki said. “We can find some spellcasters on our own.”

  “Fine,” I said, unsure of why I was so upset with the situation.

  We turned and walked back down the path. The middle section of the city housed high-priced businesses and private residences. Gnomish men and women walked everywhere, seemingly unconcerned with the devastation outside their walls.

  “Hasn’t anyone else survived?” I asked as we walked a huge, open-air market on the eastern edge of the city.

  “What do you mean?” Bernard asked.

  “All I see is gnomes,” I said. “Nothing against them, but you’d think there would be some humans or elves around.”

  “Or half-orcs,” Josh said. “Not that my kind are wanted anywhere.”

  “Excuse me,” a female said behind us.

  I stopped and turned to see a smiling female gnome dressed in a flowing purple dress.

  “You’re half-orc?” she asked, looking up at Josh. “I’ve never seen one of your kind before. Are the stories true?”

  Josh grinned and stepped forward. “What stories are those?”

  “I’ve heard rumors that a tower constructed of bones has appeared in the orc wastelands to the east,” she said. “Have you heard anything about this?”

  “No,” Josh said. “I haven’t been to the wastelands in a while.”

  “We’ve been traveling in distant lands,” I said to cover for him.

  “You’ve been to Gracoria?” she asked in an impressed tone.

  “What do you know about Gracoria?” I asked.

  “As much as you, I’m sure.” She winked her left eye. “Will you brave heroes join me for lunch at my villa? I’d love to spend some time with you.”

  “We’re looking for adventurers to join our group,” I said. “You wouldn’t happen to know any healers or spellcasters, do you?”

  “Dear no,” she said, putting a hand to her mouth. “My husband might, though. Come join me for lunch. I also know what they say about orcs and their appetites.”

  “We’d love to join you,” Bernard said before anyone else could speak.

  “Great,” the gnome said. “My name is Gloria. Pleased to meet all of you. My villa is just around the corner. Follow me.” She turned and headed down one of the brick paved streets.

  As we walked after her, I wondered if her husband would be able to help us find suitable people to join our group. We needed a well-rounded party which meant a healer or two.

  I had no idea of what we’d face on our journey across the wilderness. Other than they’d likely be undead and worth low xp. I hated level one-three even more than the first two levels.

  Chapter 6

  Death at Fort Sumter

  Eric

  Gloria led us through an upper-class neighborhood with two and three-story homes set well apart from each other. She smiled and waved at other gnomes passing by as we walked.

  At one of the houses, three levels high and made of brick, she stopped next to a wooden gate set into the stone wall surrounding her property.

  “Jack is probably out back napping under the trees,” she said. “This will be a pleasant surprise for him. He’s always so curious about the news from outside Westwood.”

  “Didn’t you say something about lunch?” Josh asked.

  “I’ll have some brought out,” she said then opened the gate. “Follow me.”

  We followed her to the main house. She stopped then opened a fancy set of double doors tall enough for us to go through without bending over.

  “Come inside,” she said then went in.

  I glanced around as we went in after her. Fancy paintings hung from the walls all over the room, colorful battle scenes and a few landscapes.

  “Nice home,” Bernard said, also glancing around to case the place.

  “Better than Fort Sumter,” Josh said. “A lot nicer.”

  “Is that the land the king gave you?” Gloria asked.

  “Yes,” I said. “The place isn’t much yet, but we appreciate the gesture.”

  Gloria smiled then motioned for us to follow her deeper into the house. She walked through the foyer, past a living room, through a dining room, into a kitchen, past a pantry, then finally into the back yard.

  A much older gnome sat in padded wooden chair under a giant tree, casually smoking a long, wooden pipe.

  “I’m home,” Gloria said in a sing-song voice. “I’ve brought guests.”

  Her gnomish husband stood and looked us over.

  “So, you’re the heroes of High Keep?” he asked.

  “What’s left of our group,” Boki said.

  “My name’s Jack,” the gnome said. “Thanks for all you’ve done for the realm.”

  “They need help finding a spellcaster to join them,” Gloria said. “I’ll get the servants to prepare some food and drink. Be back in a minute.”

  “I like meat,” Josh called out over his broad shoulder as she walked away.

  “Meat you will have,” Jack said. “The spellcasters are another matter.” He frowned, wrinkles deepening around his face.

  “You can’t help us?” I asked.

  “We need all the spellcasters here to protect us,” he said. “I’ve been hearing reports of a powerful elven warrior mage operating out of Shockly Forest. Maybe you could enlist her help to fight the undead menace.

 
My eyes widened. Was he talking about Sarah?

  “Do you know her name?” I asked.

  Jack tilted his head to the left. “No. Why?”

  “She might be using another name,” Bernard whispered then turned to our host. “Do you have any specific information on her whereabouts?”

  “No,” Jack said. “I’m not sure of her name either. She’s mysterious and keeps to herself. I’ve heard about her over the last several years.”

  I took a deep breath. Bernard and others had experienced differences in time when turned into an NPC. Had she been on level one-three for a year or more before we arrived? More importantly, was she okay?

  “Thanks for the tip,” I said.

  Jack nodded.

  “I’m sorry we can’t spare any of our healers for your quest,” he said.

  Gloria stepped over and smiled.

  “We can help in another way,” she said.

  “Oh?” I asked. “How’s that?”

  Jack stood and stretched.

  “Come with me,” he said. “I’ll show you my workshop.”

  Derringer’s face lit up at the word. We followed the older gnome back into the house then down three flights of stairs. At the bottom, I saw a vast workshop with various suits of armor and weapons everywhere.

  “Impressive,” Derringer said, nodding as he looked around. “You have a Dragon Forge!”

  He rushed toward the far wall.

  “Best investment I’ve ever made,” Jack said.

  “Did you create all these weapons and armor?” Bernard asked.

  “Sure did.” The older gnome walked over to a table. “Here’s a few other gadgets I’ve been working on. They might come in handy.”

  I checked his status in the game. He came up as an NPC.

  “This is my Contraption of Light Barriers,” he said, holding up a lantern.

  “Looks like a normal light to me,” I said.

  He grinned then said, “Shield your eyes.”

  I placed my hand over my eyes as he turned on the contraption. A brilliant source of light nearly blinded me. Was it an offensive weapon disguised as a lantern?

  “Too bright,” I said. “Turn it off.”

  Jack laughed as he covered the light.