Into the Game

We left as soon as Michael could walk.

The PKs would know where Mei and I had hidden. If they managed to deal with the dragon, we would be next.

Mei was wiped out. The strain of using as much magic as she had in one day was exhausting. Michael was doing a lot better. I could tell he was tired even if his cuts and bruises were healed.

It was dark out when we left the cave. We got back to the road and started towards the next town. There was no sign of the dragon or the PKs.

We hurried as much as we could, but it was still a two hour jog to Mount Terra.

The city was built into a mountain. The wall circled the base of the mountain. A trail wound up the mountain with stores and houses filling the caves that dotted the sides.

The guards moved to block us as we approached the gates.

“What is your business here?” One of the guards asked

“We need an inn for the night.” I answered

“Why are you out this late?” The other guard asked

“There is a dragon near the border.” Mei said. "It attacked our camp.”

The guards eyed us for a few seconds. They stepped out of our way and waved us to enter the city.

“You told them about the dragon?” I asked

“Dragons are the scariest creatures in the game. Even the guards will respect a player running from one.” Mei answered

I nodded. I could understand that.

“We need to find the inn.” Michael sat down in the middle of the street.

I looked around. There weren’t any of the caves that had an inn sign in front. "Do either of you know where the inn is?”

Both of them shook their heads.

“Have either of you been here before?” I asked

“I was here last week.” Mei said. "But I’ve not needed to sleep in an inn in years.”

I looked at Michael.

“I just stopped in to sell some stuff.” He shrugged. "It was four years ago.”

I turned back up the road and jogged to the gate.

“Excuse me!” I called to the guards

They turned to face me.

“Can you tell me where the inn is?” I asked

The guards looked at each other.

“Fourth cave up the road.” The first one said

“Thank you.”

I ran back to my companions. I motioned them to follow me. I led them to the inn.

We walked in. Once inside, you couldn’t tell that it was a cave. The walls were covered in wood paneling. A fire crackled in the fireplace, two empty tables were in front of a small bar that the innkeeper was leaning on. A hallway behind the bar led to the rooms in the back.

“Three rooms.” Mei said as she walked up to the bar.

“We only have two.” The inn keeper picked up a mug and started wiping it out.

She glanced back at me. "We’ll take it.” She swiped her thumb on the pad on the bar.

She turned around. "Let’s get some sleep.”