I shrugged. Who was I to refuse money?
“Speaking of your timely arrival,” said Thorm. “To what do I owe this visit? You seemed a little flustered when you chatted me.”
With a heavy sigh, I said, “I got Mudhoof killed.”
Thorm’s eyes widened. “Again? This is starting to be quite the habit with him. Maybe you two need some away time from each other.” He chuckled.
“He says it’s all part of the game but I can’t help feeling guilty.”
A loud cry came from deep within the cave, followed by another.
Thorm gave the entrance a worried glance. “His clansmen are wondering where he got off to. Best we leave while we can.” He gave me a questioning look. “Unless you are into farming orcs for potential loot and materials?”
“Nope,” I said. “Had me fill of orcs for a while.” With that I summoned Smoke.
The dark horse appeared before me, nickering and shaking his beautiful black mane.
As I mounted, Thorm summoned his own mount. A large snow-leopard blinked into existence. It had thick white fur with a smattering of large black spots. Huge fangs protruded from its mouth as it roared a greeting to Thorm.
“Wow,” I said as Thorm jumped up onto the big cat. “You got a new mount? What’s her name?”
“Snowflake,” he said with a cheeky grin.
I laughed. “Figures.”
More cries came from the cave, this time much closer.
“Come on,” said Thorm. “Let me check in with the quest giver. He’s at a nearby keep. On the way you can tell me what you’ve been up to and how I can help.”
A group of a half-dozen orcs trundled out of the cave entrance and looked around. When they spotted us they roared with excitement. Then they noticed the body of their slain leader and the roars turned to cries of rage. They moved in our direction.
“Let’s blow this popsicle stand!” I said.
Thorm and I kicked our mounts into a full gallop and soon the cries of the enraged orcs faded into the forest behind us.
CHAPTER EIGHT
The keep was located next to a river a few leagues away from the orc cave. The banner of a local lord flew from the battlement walls which surrounded it. A small cohort of human soldiers milled around looking nervous.
In the clearing around the keep were scattered bodies, both human and orc. There had been a battle here recently.
As Thorm and I rode up to the front gate, the portcullis rose and a trio of warriors emerged to intercept us.
“Halt!” said the leader. “State your business.”
Thorm eyed the warrior with mild annoyance. “You know who I am since your commander sent me out on a quest from here just this morning.”
The leader blustered. “That may be so, but unless you have proof that this quest has been completed I cannot grant you access inside.” Thorm glanced at me and I stifled a laugh. Sometimes the game’s NPCs could be very strict with procedures.
The Holy Knight produced the necklace of finger-bones and shook it. The bones rattled. “Good enough?”
The warrior harrumphed and nodded. “You may pass, hero.” He turned to the guards who blocked the open gate. “Let them through!”
We rode into a small inner courtyard with several makeshift buildings shoved up against the walls. Being so cramped it was a wonder anyone could even move about. I also noted the defense force was meager.
“Not much to this place,” I said, dismounting. “Have they ever been overrun?”
Thorm dismounted and patted Snowflake’s nose. “The orcs had control of this keep a month ago.”
“Oh, yeah? What happened?”
“I took up the human quest chain and helped push the orcs back to their caves. Was a heck of a good fight, too. Now that a commander has been assigned here I’m hoping the supply route from the Farewell Fall’s capital will resume again.”
“Nice work,” I said, impressed. “You must be get good passive experience points from this.”
Thorm shrugged as we walked up the steps and through the keep’s main entrance. “Every little bit helps. This character level has taken forever. Almost done, though.”
Inside the keep a guard directed us to the main chamber. Within sat a troubled looking commander mulling over a map spread out on a large table. Upon seeing us enter he blinked in surprise.
“Didn’t expect to see you back,” the commander said.
“It was more difficult a task then we expected, sir,” said Thorm. He enjoyed a little roleplaying when questing. Few players do anymore which was a shame. Myself included.
The commander nodded. “Very well. Let us see your proof before I can give you the reward.” Thorm pulled out the finger-bone necklace and handed to him.
Grinning with satisfaction the commander said, “Excellent! That vile orcish pig is dead! Now we can start making plans for our final assault on their tunnel hideaway.” He looked to Thorm hopefully. “Interested in one final battle which will rid these lands of the orcish scum?”
Thorm shook his head. “My apologies, commander, but I am afraid another matter has come up.” He gave me a wink.
Gravely disappointed the commander said, “I understand. We will still move ahead without you although your absence will be felt. Mayhap another adventurer will take up our cause.” The last was said with a pointed look at me.
Amused, I quickly said, “Sorry, sir. But I am the reason he must leave in the first place.” Some quest givers were quite persistent.
“I understand,” the commander said. Then he turned to Thorm. “Now for your reward as promised.” He reached into a small chest which sat on the floor next to him and pulled out a large sky-blue feather. It gave off a metallic glint in the light. “A Pegasus Feather.”
Thorm took it and smiled. “Thank you, sir.”
I blinked in amazement. “You’re on a special mount quest?”
Thorm nodded and stashed the beautiful feather into his inventory. “Yup. This only makes the second feather, with maybe a dozen more to go. Then there’s the magical saddle quest and another to free a featherless horse from an air castle, or something. I haven’t looked to far ahead on the requirements.”
“And you’d have a Pegasus for a mount? I flying horse? Dang,” I said impressed. “Maybe I should start that one, too.”
Thorm chuckled. “If you do, be ready to kill a lot of orcs.”
The commander said, “Your quest is complete. Good journeys to you, sir.”
“Thank you,” said Thorm.
A system message appeared.
Thorm Brightsword has attained a new level. Congratulations!
“Ding,” said Thorm casually.
“Gratz!” I said.
“Gimme a minute to distribute my points.”
We walked out of the chamber leaving the commander to worry over his map.
Outside, Thorm paused to scrutinize his Holy Knight skill tree.
Now I was safely away from the rabble of would-be bounty hunters, I felt it safe to remove the Mute All Players option in my settings.
The moment I did, a chat request appeared in my lower vision. Bishop The Red, again. With a scoff I canceled his requested.
“Hmm,” said Thorm pensively.
“What’s up?”
“Can’t decide on how to spend my points.”
I laughed. “You’ve been at this level for how long, and you’ve never taken any time to consider what you’d do with the points once you got them? It’s my main obsession.” Truth be told, owning the Cloak of Shadows had put a kink in my leveling plans. The abilities it granted me negated some Shadow skill branches, like Phase. Now I needed to consider other skill branches.