The fairy lights didn’t lead far, straight across the square to the Inn in fact. Sitting on the porch around a table piled high with assorted tankards, cups, flutes and (strangely) a boot were the most outlandishly dressed group of people Peter had seen. Like, ever. Pham was there looking as gothic as ever, black robes a stark contrast to his chalk white skin and hair. Next around the table was a monk in red and saffron kasaya. She was completely bald and her eyes seemed to glow red. She was soberly sipping from a glass of water. Beside her a knight in iron full plate who’s snores echoed in their helm and gripped a fallen tankard that dripped off the table and onto the floor. The last member of the crew wore an iridescent blue cape with blindingly white highlights that hung weirdly lightly. Every time they lifted their hand to pick up the rainbow cocktail in front of them a flash of metal glinted in the shadows. Peter was particularly impressed by his top hat.

“Pete,” Pham called him over as he approached. “Stay awhile and listen.”

Peter pulled over a chair from another table and sat, a frown creasing his brow. “Uh, what?”

“Don’t worry, old game joke. How’s tricks?” Pham took a mouthful of yellow bubbly fluid from his flute. He saw Peter’s continued questioning look. “This? We can’t get drunk, we’re too young, but certain drinks like this champagne have lasting effects. I’m getting an extra five percent mana regen for the next hour from this.”

Peter pulled a cherry out of an empty cocktail glass and bounced it off the helm of the comatose fighter. “What’s his story then? So much health regen he decided to take a nap?”

The monk grimaced. “Warren turned 18 last night. When we logged in this afternoon after school he was already partying solo. All bar three of these are his. I’m Blaise, by the way.”

“Danny,” the guy in the oh so fancy cloak introduced himself, raising his glass. “Woz is going to have such a debuff when he wakes up.” He shook his head. “Pham you are officially the worst party leader in the history of leading parties. If you’re going to introduce a new member, it helps to actually introduce them.” He turned to face Peter directly and flared his cloak. It hung in the air in a way that fabric usually doesn’t, looking like Batman’s cape - if Batman had hundreds of tiny pistols clipped to the inside of his cape. “They call me Derringer Danny, Master of a Million Missiles.”

Pham piffed a piece of ice at him. “Nobody calls you that. Dumbass Danny would be closer. Now, come one we’ve got stuff to do. I think I’ve got a possible lead on the hidden questline and thought you might want in, Pete.”

Peter eyed the cape as it slowly fluttered back down. “Sure, but why me? I’m like, level two with bugger all skills.”

“Because you’re fearless.” Pham smiled like predator. “I haven’t seen someone look as bad as you in months. I’d say you’ve died four times in the last week at least. You’re almost as pale as me.”

Peter shuddered. “Four… would be an understatement. So, again, why me? Doesn’t that mean I’m bad at this?”

Blaise piped up. “Nah, means you’re driven. This is your world, not meatspace. Do you know how many people quit after the first death? How many play it super safe even if they do keep playing? Old tin can here,” she rapped on the iron cuirasse, “thinks that wearing an entire blacksmith shop will keep him safe. Danny and I’ve concentrated on dexterity and evasion and Pham loves his mana shield. You’re wearing the cheapest armour I’ve seen since my first day and you move like your dex is in the negatives. Yet, you keep coming back. Either your ball gag is in your inventory or you just don’t care about dying. If the former, I know a guy. If the latter, we’ve got a spot in our party.”

Thinking about his experiences so far… “Oh, it’s definitely the latter. I think I’ve managed to die in every way possible in this town. So, how do we go about getting into this quest line?”

Pham gestured at the guy opposite him. “Danny, if you would?”

Danny shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Uh, yeah. Ok. Well, you know how the main quest around here is sort of a twisted fairy tale theme? Usually there’s a fairy godmother pulling the strings in this sort of story. And… Um… I kinda” he leaned in and whispered, “sorta bribed a guard yesterday.” He leaned back looking shifty. “Yeah, an un-named source,” he continued in a louder voice, “mentioned that there might have been imps involved in the event outside the inn. Imps are sorta like twisted fairies, so I think we should be looking for a corrupted fairy godmother. We put her down and it’s legendary loot and beers all round.”

Blaise grimaced. “What sort of imps?”

“My un-named source didn’t say. Probably fire though.”

“Ugh. I hate fire. And imps. And fire imps. Besides, this is a beginner area. Nothing’s higher than level five. How are you going to get legendaries from a level five?”

“Yeah, and you hate beer. You said it tastes like, and I quote, the smell of poor people had a baby with a dumpster fire and it was condensed into a bottle, if I recall correctly,” Pham added.

“Level five? Are you kidding?” Peter interjected. “I’ve only just passed level two. How am I supposed to take on level five imps.” He began breathing a little heavier. “I got my chest eaten through by rats. RATS.”

Various variations of disgust painted the faces of the party.

“Wait, only level two? Haven’t you done the main quests yet?” Blaise asked in surprise. “You should be at least level four by now. The death tax doesn’t kick in until after five, no matter how many times you die you shouldn’t have lost any skills or experience. Did you even register as a Traveller like you’re supposed to? The mayor’s secretary should have talked you through all this.”

Embarrassment colouring his cheeks, Peter ducked his head. “No. I haven’t. I came into town, tried to buy a weapon, failed, got sent to the Inn to start a quest and instead started dying. What’s the main quest line that you’re talking about?”

Danny clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Welp, you gon’ learn today. Pham, we can wait until tomorrow, this guy needs power levelling. Hard.”

“Yeah, ok. Pete, how many quests do you have in your list right now? Room for one more?

Checking his Adventurer’s Mark first, Peter nodded. “Room for another. I’ve got a couple in my inventory from the board, which one do you want me to add?”

Pham stood up and motioned for the others to do so as well. “Not from here. We’re headed to the south gate. You have a guard to talk to.”

They left the armour clad form drooling into the tabletop. “He’ll be logged out in a minute,” Pham explained.

A few minutes later the party arrived at the gate Peter had first entered the city by. Pham nudged him towards one of the guards, “Go ask him about the town. Don’t freak out if he’s grumpy, it’s his script.”

Peter shrugged and walked over to the indicated guard, a wolfman of some sort by the look of him. He had a face like a thundercloud, glaring at every passerby. Peter waved politely and smiled as best he was able. “Good morning sir, may I inquire about this fine city?”

The guard’s canine face split in what Peter fervently hoped was a friendly smile. “Greetings Traveller. I have heard much about you, you’re the talk of the guardhouse. Even sergeant Lapis was impressed by the way you’ve been helping everyone, and she doesn’t impress easily.”

Peter heard the gasps and muttering from behind him but pressed on. “I know I’m not exactly new to Averton, but I’m still finding my feet. These Travellers tell me you’re the one to talk to for orientation.”

“Ha,” the laugh was nearly a bark. “I’d say they’re having a laugh behind your back there Traveller. I sometimes get asked where to go, and be sure I tell ‘em. For you though, I’ll let you know that the local Traveller’s Guild representative is the mayor’s wife. See her about signing up and she will give you the rundown. Before you go though, come here,” he waved Peter closer. When Peter leaned in, he whispered in Peter’s ear. “Settle a bet for me, would you? Did you really take down HER? You know, the other night? Some of the boys say she cast a portal spell right into the heart of the city and you stopped her. Now, I don’t doubt you’ll be a legendary traveler one day, but be honest,” he gestured at Peter’s emaciated body, “you’re not there yet.”

Peter stood up on his tiptoes to whisper back into the guard’s lupine ear. “No, she never came through. Just a handful of imps. Does that win you the bet?”

The guard barked out another laugh. “Sure does Traveller. Let me shake your hand. You’re good luck to have around. Put ‘er there,” he held out a… hand? Paw? Either way, Peter shook it firmly. Something hard poked into his palm. He quickly closed a fist around it.

Peter walked back to the surprised party before checking his hand. In it shone a new copper piece. He held it up to the disbelieving members of his team. “I thought you said he was supposed to be grumpy?”

“The hell? He made me do fifty pushups before the jerk would talk to me,” Blaise complained.

“I know, I had to beat him in a foot race,” added Danny, “Have you ever tried outrunning a wolf? But I think we’re forgetting that Peter has completed a bunch of quests already. His rep in town would be pretty high by now.”

“Yeah, good point,” Blaise conceded. “Let’s get over to the Mayor’s Office. Maybe mister popular can snag a quest reward there too.”

Pham just nodded, clearly thinking about something.

The mayor’s wife/secretary was as ebullient as ever. “Back again young Traveller? More great news to deliver?”

Whilst the rest took their ease in the provided seats, Peter stood in front of the secretary’s desk. “No ma’am. I’ve just found out I was supposed to present myself to you as the Traveller’s Guild representative when I first came to town.”

The large lady waved a dismissive hand. “Oh that, no matter. We usually insist on Travellers registering as soon as possible, but you’ve been so busy I think we can let it slide. Try not to forget to register at the Guild desk when you head off to the big smoke though. Some Guild officers can be a mite touchy about Travellers making a mess in their parish without the proper forms and insurance.” She pulled out a large leather bound ledger and a golden fountain pen. “Just make your mark here and we’ll consider it done. Don’t go drawing anything funny though. That one,” she pointed at Danny, “drew something so inappropriate I had to burn the page.”

Peter looked behind him where Danny was trying to hide his laughter inside his cape and failing miserably. “Seriously? Should I ask, or is it a safe assumption?”

Pham smacked Danny across the back of the head. “Yeah, it’s exactly what you’re thinking. That’s his sense of humour. Technically, what you sign in the book is what your name is in game. Generic citizens will simply call you Traveller until you do, though some have a smarter AI and can learn your name regardless.”

Peter signed his name with a flourish. “There you go. All neat and proper.”

“My goodness. I’ve not seen penmanship like this in an age. What a fine young man, you must keep the pen. It’ll help you practice. Now, off you go. I’m sure you’ll want to see the Temple to bind your soul in case your adventures become too adventurous.”

“Ma’am, I have already done that. Is there anything else you can tell me as a new Traveller?”

She placed her hand on her chest, taken aback. “My goodness Peter, you’ve come so far already. You’ve bound your soul to the shrine of Fjor, helped so many people in town and even gained experience enough to better yourself. Take this pamphlet and read it carefully.”

Peter took the proffered booklet and read the title. “So, you’ve gained a level: A Traveller’s guide to skills and stats?”

“I’m sorry, what?”

Peter looked up into the glazed eyes of the lady behind the desk. He repeated the title of the pamphlet again and watched her zone out again.

“They can’t hear it, you know,” Blaise pointed out helpfully. “Any time you say something meta, Citizens just blank it out. Doesn’t help tell retired Travellers from Citizens though, the good ones have all been around the traps and will blank you just the same as a Citizen. They really hate being outed, they’re all hardcore roleplayers.”

Danny stopped chuckling dead. “Oh yeah. Remember that one in, where was it? The shop two towns over? Was roleplaying a smith and forgot to blank when I mentioned my plus nine ogre slaying knife? And when I called him on it he hit me so hard I went out through the window? Damn that hurt. Had a broken rib debuff for days.”

Blaise started chucking this time. “You deserved it. It wasn’t like you just ‘called him on it’, you were an ass. Pestered the guy for an hour and scared away all the customers.”

“Well, you didn’t have to keep poking me in the ribs every five minutes to see if the debuff was gone.”

“Yeah. I did.”

“Enough. Peter’s done here, let’s get back to the inn.” Pham slapped them both upside the head this time while Peter and the mayor’s wife looked on in incomprehension.

“Ow, orright. I was feeling parched anyway. Lead the way oh fearless leader.” Danny doffed his top hat and bowed deeply as everyone filed past him out the door. He gave a cheeky wink to the lady as he pulled the door shut.

“Ok, you guys pull up seats, I’ll grab snacks. We might be here a while, Peter’s got to read the little book.” Pham left them on the Inn patio and went inside.

Everyone sat around the same table as before, now devoid of mess and unconscious player. While his new compatriots chatted, Peter flipped through the pamphlet. It described what occurred when you gained a level, how all health, mana, stamina, toxicity and everything with a cooldown, was reset. Benefits of levelling up also included three points to spend on “primary attributes”. Peter pulled off his left bracer and rolled up his sleeve.

“Woah, sweet ink.” Blaise grabbed his arm and pulled it over to get a better look. “Where’d you get this done? There’s no tattooist in town as far as I know.”

Peter pulled his arm back. “My bracers were badly made, the dye leaked and stained my skin. Looks cool, doesn’t it? Hey, uh, what are primary attributes?”

Blaise pulled her sleeve up and showed him her Mark. “Here at the top, these scores here. See how my strength and dexterity are higher than yours?”

Comparing his stats to Blaise’s Peter felt a bit emasculated. “All mine are still one. Is that bad?”

“Not really. Straight ones are basically just you as you are out there in meatspace. Once you start adding to them the system gives you a bit of a boost to whatever you’re doing. See how there’s a plus sign beside each number?” Blaise pointed to the symbol. “Each time you hit that you add a point to the stat. Once you have added all the points you want, hit the confirm button at the bottom. The system recalculates all the hidden values and voila, you’re levelled up.”

Peter poked around at the values in his Mark. “So, what’s good? I’ve never played a game like this before.”

Danny flicked his cape to the side and put his feet up on the table with a sigh. “Everyone’s different. You want to run fast, Dex is your friend. You want to carry a mountain of loot, invest in strength. Your constitution is related to your health points somehow but that’s one of the hidden stats. I’ve heard that there’s secret skills that let you see someone’s health or mana as bars or even numbers but I’ve never found one. Apart from dying a lot, what’s your play style? Do you have a preferred weapon?”

Peter thumbed the button for his inventory and pulled out his scythe. He hit the release at the top and folded the blade out straight. “I was given this by a high level player a couple of days ago, it seems to work good with a stealthy attack?

“May I?” Danny held out a hand. Peter tried to hand it over but it wouldn’t unstick from his hand. “Ohh, a soulbound. You don’t see them in these parts very often.”

“Or ever,” the jealousy in Blaise’s voice was clear.

“And it’s got hidden stats. There’s probably some stupid quest attached to it. You know, kill twenty of this, jump a thousand times, stand on one leg for an hour. I once picked up a bow that said that if you take a hundred critical hits whilst wielding it you get some additional effects to every shot. Bugger that for a game of soldiers. Crits hurt.”

“So, can you see what this one needs? It doesn’t tell me.” Peter put it back in his inventory.

“Nah, no idea.” Danny shrugged.

“You never have an idea, Dan.” Pham reached over Danny’s shoulder and put a bowl of nuts and a pitcher of a fizzy drink on the table. “Maybe if you got a clue you wouldn’t need a million shots to take down a mob.”

Danny nearly fell over backwards. “Woah, where’d you come from?”

“Well, when a mummy and a daddy love each other very much…”

Blaise started making retching noises. “Oh gods. I don’t even want to think about it.”

While the others horsed around, Peter made up his mind about his stat point upgrades, going with increased dexterity for his stealth, more strength in the hope his wings would benefit and a touch more charisma, since being nice to Citizens seemed to be paying dividends. He looked over the golden fountain pen before putting it in his rapidly filling inventory as well. A popup started to form, but someone waving in his face distracted him.

“Oi, you done yet?” Danny settled back in his chair. “You’ve done the guard, the signing, the first quest,” hr ticked the items off on his fingers. “The back to the guild for the first level up, what else is there Pham?”

Pham slid his sleeve up. “Hold on, I’ll check my completeds. Hmm, you’ve been to see the old lady out in town?” Peter nodded. “You should have enough copper for a simple weapon now, you want to pop over to the smith?”

“Ha! He’s got that covered. Pete, show him your pokey stick.”

Peter dutifully pulled out his scythe again and showed Pham.

Pham’s eyes opened wide. “Damn son! Where’d you score that? Nothing in this zone should drop a polearm at all, let alone one as rare as that.”

“Dani gave it to me, said it was part of a quest she had.” Peter shrugged and out it away again.

Pham went back to checking his quests. “That’s a weird one, never seen a quest like that. Lucky you.” He tapped his arm and held it up for Peter to see. “Done this one?”

“Oi, I did no such… wait, did you say ‘she’?” Danny sputtered belatedly.

Blaise punched him in the shoulder, causing him to fall right out of his seat. “Slowass, you’re not the only Danny in the world. This world or the real one.” She poured herself a glass from the pitcher. “Mmmh, that’s some good lemonade. I should come back here more often, the food’s awesome.”

Peter squinted at the tiny writing on Pham’s arm. “Yeah, that’s the one out at Granny’s place. The toad at the bottom of the well was a bit weird, but you tell it a couple of jokes and it chucks up all the water it’s drunk.”

Pham turned his wrist back to himself and scrolled back and forth. “Toad? I never found a toad out there. We went out and Granny had been eaten by a wolf and you had to help a woodcutter take it down. What happened when you went out there?”

“Uh, I got out to Granny’s place first thing in the morning, gave her the medicine in the hamper and she asked me to water and feed her animals. The rope for the well is wrapped around a big toad so you have to free it. I couldn’t lift the thing, but when I told it a bunch of toad jokes, it laughed it’s guts up.”

Blaise threw a peanut at Peter. “Pfft. How early in the morning did you get there? Granny was dead when I got there. Dan?”

Dan was picking himself up off the ground and rubbing his arm. “Yeah, I’ve never seen Granny alive. Also, OW!”

Blaise threw a peanut at him too. “Don’t be a big sissy. It didn’t hurt that much. Hey, Peter, you reckon that was a hidden quest? I’ve hit a few, they’ve always had weird and crazy prerequisites, turning up early hasn’t been one of them.”

“Focus peeps. I’ve got time for one more run tonight and then I’ve got homework. Pete, you done this one?” Pham held up another quest description.

Neither sleet nor snow nor raging Direwolves shall stay this messenger from the swift appointment of his rounds. Peter struggled to read the title. “Is that one a mailman one? Where’s that one come from? I haven’t seen it on the quest board.”

“Not every quest comes from the board.” Pham stood up, picked up the bowl of nuts and practically inhaled the remainder. “There’s probably more around the town than are on the board itself. Let’s go, I’ll explain on the way.”

As they headed off down the street with the other two following along trading good natured barbs, Pham continued. “I’m guessing you don’t know about multi-stage quests then? You see, there’s plenty of work for Travellers like us if you look around.” He gestured widely, as if to take in the whole town. “The local inn or similar has a couple of jobs to get you started and meeting the locals, but after that you need to keep an eye out. Some even have multiple stages, you finish the first one the right way and the second pops up. Not talking about hidden quests here, they’re different and don’t count towards your job limit either.”

Peter unlaced his bracer and flicked through his quest list. “Yeah, I’ve run into that before. I can’t say I’ve been looking too closely at the list though, hidden quests don’t count?”

Pham stopped and leaned against an almost cartoonishly large post box. “We’re here. In the next five minutes or so, a guy is going to come up, try to post a letter and find this box miraculously full. He’ll then ask the nearest Traveller, that’d be you, to deliver his letters. When you do it on your own, it takes about half an hour to get to all the houses. We take one each, we’ll be back at the inn for burgers and fries in about ten.” He pulled out a pocket watch and flipped it open. “Even with these two, this’ll have to be my last. If I don’t get all my homework done my Gran… Let’s just say I’d better get it done.”

As predicted, an out of breath young man rushed up and attempted to stuff four letters into the postbox but they just wouldn’t go. Pham took several steps back, pulling the other two with him.

“You there, uh,” the young man frowned for a moment, “Petey?” He held out the handful of letters.

“Peter, if you would.”

“Peter then. Would you be so kind as to run these letters to where they need to go? My Da needs them to be delivered this afternoon.” He shook the letters again.

Peter reached out hesitantly.

“Please? These writs must be received by nightfall, else I’ll get a beating again. I’ll give you ten coppers here and now if you’ll say yes.”

Accepting the letters and the coins, Peter assured the young man they’d be in the recipient’s hands post haste. He watched sadly as the boy turned heel and rushed off. “No-one should be beaten by their folks. That’s just wrong.”

Pham coughed loudly behind him. “Yes, right. Let’s get moving. Here, you two get the ones down south, I’ve got this one, Pete you take this one.” He snatched the letters and redistributed them. “Go people, we don’t have all day. Night. Whatever.” He rubbed anxiously at his eyes.

Peter checked his Mark and saw that the quest had been added to his list, so he flicked on the magic GPS. Whatever had caused Pham such discomfort was a problem for another time, the party was splitting up for their assigned tasks.

The lights led out the north gate again, but this time followed a fork in the road eastward towards the forest. Any concern that he might have to approach the foreboding foliage was quashed quickly though as the house he sought was only a hundred meters or so down the fork.

It was a nice little thatched cottage with a solid looking door and white rendered walls. A white picket fence separated the yard from the fields of grain all around it. Around the back the more traditional farmyard trappings could be seen, but it appeared as though the owner had tried to make the front as welcoming as possible, with flower beds and a bird bath decorating the smooth cropped lawn.

Peter didn’t bother opening the gate, opting instead to simply leap the fence and dash up to the door and rap the brass knocker against the door.

“Coming!” A faint voice echoed from somewhere inside. A few moments later the door swung wide and a portly lady greeted him with a jovial smile. “Ohh, it’s you Peter. I’ve heard so much about you from Annette over at the tailor shop. I’m Maybel, but the way. You’re looking right spiffy I must say, she does excellent work. What can I help you with?”

Peter proffered the missive. “Ma’am, I’ve been tasked with delivering this letter to you.”

“What a polite young man you are. Thank you,” she looked at the back of the letter to see who’d sent it, “wonderful. We’ve been waiting on this, I must reward you somehow. I know, how about some pie? I’ve just baked a fresh apple pie for the hands out in the fields, you may have a slice if you like.” The words came tumbling out of her in a breathless torrent.

Feeling time slipping away, Peter declined. “I really must go. I have someone waiting for me.”

“Well, you must come back some time. I’d love to hear all about it, and so would my husband. We haven’t had Traveller for dinner in a long time. But I mustn’t keep you, I’m sure your ‘someone’ is someone who shouldn’t be kept waiting.” Maybel’s face split into a knowing grin. “Toodloo.”

Peter felt his cheeks prickle at what he thought Maybel was suggesting. Rather than correct her though, he settled for bidding her goodbye.

It didn’t take long to get back to the inn, but Pham, Blaise and Danny were already there, Pham tucking into a meal with gusto while Danny leaned back on the rear legs of his chair again, feet on the table as well. Peter could hear him complaining as he approached the inn and paused to listen.

“C’mon Pham. Why’re we power levelling this noob? I’ve got better things to do than drag ass all over this hick town.”

Blaise backhanded him casually, lifting his feet off the table momentarily. “You know why, dumbass. Dude’s got a connection to the geas. We paid an assload to that guy in the post office to find out where that letter came from. Now keep it down, he’ll be back soon.”

Pham just kept eating, focussed on his plate and clearly savoring every bite.

“Oi, there’s no need for that.” Danny rubbed his arm where Blaise had hit him but lowered his voice. His next words were inaudible but from Blaise’s expression they were inappropriate too.

Blaise stood up with one hand cocked back but Pham simply lifted Danny’s foot sharply, tipping him entirely off balance. The chair shattered as it hit the ground and Danny attempted to roll backwards to his feet only to be caught up in his magnificent cloak and tumble backwards again. His awkward acrobatics took him down the patio steps and out onto the sidewalk where Peter had been standing. Danny scrambled to his feet, straightened his clothes, spat “Noob!” at Peter and stalked off.

“Is he going to be ok?” Peter inquired as he took up an unoccupied seat.

Pham smiled, put down the oversized drumstick he was clearly enjoying and wiped his mouth on a napkin. “Nothing that won’t have healed by the time he logs back in tomorrow. Now, did you deliver the letter?”

“I did. They invited me for dinner too. Is that what you meant by quests leading to other quests?”

Blaise put a kindly hand on his shoulder. “Not that one. You’re not ready for dinner at that farm. There’s a farm hand out there could do with some help moving the crop if you want though.”

“Anyway,” Pham interjected, “go turn in the quest. You should still get decent XP even though we’re a few levels higher. I’m going to finish here and log out before someone starts yelling about homework. Blaise, see you tomorrow? Is Danny going to be on too?”

Blaise shrugged. “You know my cousin as well as I do by now. He’ll bitch and whine but if there’s ‘mobs to gank’, his words not mine, he’ll help. This running about not-killing-things isn’t fun for him. Peter, nice to have met you. If you’re hanging out with Pham tomorrow I’ll see you then.” Blaise stepped out into the street and pulled out a tin whistle, played a short melody and stashed it back in her inventory. A few moments later a large bird resembling an ostrich with a saddle on it’s back ran up and kneeled to let her climb on. With a final wave, Blaise rode off.

Peter stared at the shrinking figure. “What the heck was that?”

“Limited edition reward mount,” replied Pham around a mouthful of food. He seemed determined to stuff as much into his face as possible before logging off. Swallowing, he continued. “She got it as a pre-order bonus. Okay, I gotta run. If you’re on tomorrow we’ll see about getting you to level three. Laters.”

Peter had never seen a log off from the outside before. Pham’s body turned translucent and then shrunk to a mote of pink light, like a tiny star. The star hung for a moment then shot upwards, vanishing as it passsed through the roof of the patio. Peter sat watching the point where it had disappeared for a moment in stunned awe.

“That looks so cool.” He looked around at the deserted tables. “I’m talking to myself again, aren’t I?”

“Squeak!” The sudden noise from the back of his neck nearly made him leap out of his skin.

“Acgk! DB! Don’t do that buddy.” Peter reached around and gave his companion a scratch. The little rodent had been sitting back there so quietly Peter had completely forgotten he had a passenger. “Let’s go finish this off. Pham’s right, there’s homework to do and mum’s probably home by now. Okay?”

DB didn’t say anything, just snuffled in Peter’s ear which he took as assent.