Our celebratory lunch at The Wild Boar, the inn where I was staying, was a magnificent feast worthy for a king!

When the other patrons saw me sitting at the table with only a beer mug, they quickly ordered food for my table. In their eyes, I was a rock star, the improbable semi finalist in the Apprentice Division of the Melee Tournament. Despite my stocky build, they marveled at my defensive wizardry and also the fact that I had received only two hits during the entire tournament!

My table was soon overflowing with platters of beef, boar, and chicken served with carrots and potatoes and a thick, delicious gravy. However, before I could even take a bite of the mouth watering feast, the patrons had formed a line to shake my hand and offer their congratulations for my wonderful performance in the Melee Tournament. Cognizant of my need to foster better relations with the Non-Player Characters ("NPCs"), I took the time to talk with each person even though I was starving. Many of them asked about my school and my teacher. I pointed at Kalistra and told them she was my master.

Immediately she, too, was surrounded by patrons interested in learning more about her dojo. Kalistra cast an angry glance in my direction for interrupting her meal and then politely accepted their questions. After all, she was the Heir to the Butterfly School of Swordsmanship and I, as her pupil, had done my part in showcasing the school's techniques to pique interest from prospective students. Now, it was the Heir's responsibility to convince these people to send their kids to her school as students and apprentices.

The patrons began peppering her with questions regarding an apprenticeship at the dojo. Many of the gathered folks recognized her as the winner of the Master Division of the Melee Tournament from two years ago, and they were pleasantly surprised to discover that Kalistra was already instructing students despite her apparent youth.

"Can you explain the technique you used on Lord Paget?" someone asked me.

"Certainly," I replied and then raised my eyes to read the man's caption above his head. We were inside a gaming world and NPCs had captions above their head to identify their names and dispositions. The caption also included the NPC's level but, in my experience, it was always denoted with a question mark. I read the questioner's name as "Jarnid Vasley," and his disposition was "Interested."

When I examined Lord Vasley more closely, I saw that he appeared to be an experienced swordsman. He had a graceful but authoritative air about him. His dark brown hair was medium length and clean. He wore a dark green silk shirt and a black cloak that wrapped around his strong frame. A sword hilt was visible at his waist. Accepting the nobleman's request, I described the Duel Winner technique, which comprised of three quick strokes against an opponent's back. It was an advanced technique of my school, and my mastery of the Duel Winner technique persuaded the Grandmaster to grant me the rank of "Adept" in the swordsman profession.

Vasley's dark brown eyes widened with interest as he tried to visual my moves. The man had never heard of a technique that allowed a duelist to win his match almost instantly. While he did attend the Melee Tournament, Vasley was watching the matches in the Master Division to identify potential candidates to join his staff. Therefore, he didn't watch my match. To his regret. However, some of his guards DID catch my fight against the youngest Lord Paget and they enthusiastically described how the arrogant but skilled swordsman lost his match in mere seconds. They urged the employer to meet me and discuss my school's techniques. "Can you show me your technique?" Lord Vasley requested.

"My deepest apologies, milord, but I can't," I replied and bowed deeply.

Suddenly, the conversations around my table ceased and everyone was looking my way with fear and astonishment. The nobleman came from a powerful family which rivaled the Pagets, and his requests, however unreasonable, weren't so easily declined.

"Why not?" Lord Vasley asked with an even tone of voice. He was well aware that everyone was watching him now.

"I am switching professions," I revealed. "Kalistra has taken possession of my sword," I quickly added.

My admission elicited gasps around the dining room.

The nobleman's eyes widened with disbelief and then he became angry. "Why would you leave the path of the sword? My guards, who had watched your fights, were so impressed by your swordsmanship that they urged me to meet you personally. I'm sure you trained long and hard at your dojo for this tournament. And you trained under a renown master swordswoman who rarely accepted students. So why throw it all away?" he demanded to know.

I took a moment to answer his questions. I had already made an enemy of Kuerten Paget, whose father was the Regent of the Kingdom of Merlin. I didn't want to make an enemy out of Jarnid Vasley, too. "Milord, the reason is simple: I have no talent as a swordsman," I answered while trying to appear humble. "I have seen Kalistra fight and I realized that I could never approach her excellence in swordsmanship. I wish to engage in a profession more suited to my talents. I believe magic is my calling instead."

"Stand over there," the nobleman commanded and pointed to a spot away from the table. He was dissatisfied with my answer and decided to test me via another method.

While I was surprised by the order, nonetheless I obeyed immediately and stood at the designated spot.

Lord Vasley walked slowly in a circle around me as if he was inspecting cattle. He took mental note of my relatively short height, the length of my arms, my belly, and my skinny legs whose shapes were visible through my tights. When he was finished with his inspection, the nobleman nodded. "You don't have the typical body of a swordsman," he admitted; in his eyes, I looked more like his accountant. "Your appearance in the semi finals in the tournament is a reflection of your hard work, dedication, and effort. However, this won't enough for you to reach the pinnacle of the swordsman profession. Very well. I approve of your change in your profession and I will support you. Are you seeking a magic teacher? I can arrange for someone to teach you," Lord Vasley offered.

"You are very kind, milord," I bowed deeply. "But I already found an instructor."

The nobleman nodded again, secretly relieved by my answer. The mage guild was a secretive lot compared to the other professions, and it would have required many favors and gold coins to find a suitable and willing instructor for me. For me to find a teacher on my own was an accomplishment which elevated my standing in Lord Vasley's eyes. He looked back at the table and saw all the uneaten food. "Enjoy your feast, milord. I'm sure you're famished after so many matches. We will talk again." Lord Vasley patted me on the shoulder and gracefully left my table.

A large entourage followed the nobleman and they, too, moved away from my table. However, Lord Vasley turned and said something to a man standing in his group.

The man then approached a barmaid and tilted his chin at my table.

"You did a wonderful job in placating Lord Vasley, milord," the innkeeper said, causing me to turn my attention to Deun'Luye. The gnome bowed deeply. "He is a powerful man who was among the select few considered by the Church for the regency. The Vasley and Paget families are rivals. You are now considered an enemy of the youngest son of the Pagets, and the nobility has taken notice. You would be wise to cultivate good relations with Lord Vasley," he advised.

I nodded. I was mistaken for a noble because of my three-worded name, "Lawrence Eugene Mulligan." Commoners carried only the first name while nobles carried a surname as well. Three names were rare. While being a nobleman meant courtesies from the commoners, I also became ensnared in the politics of the nobility.

"Now eat, drink, and be merry. If my cook discovers that your table cannot finish this wonderful feast, he will be very upset with you," the innkeeper continued. He gave my table one last look and then walked away.

Returning to my seat, I ordered another round of ale. Following the innkeeper's advice, we finished the delicious feast on our table and emptied all the plates.

Right after we finished, a page entered the dining room. He frantically searched the room until he discovered me sitting in the back. The boy hurriedly approached me, huffing and puffing. "Milord, please return to the courtyard for the closing ceremonies!"

"Let's go!" Kalistra ordered.

I tried to take coins from my waist pouch to pay for the feast but the barmaid came up to me and shook her head. "Lord Vasley has paid for your table," she informed me.

I smiled in thanks and quickly followed my master out the door. I noticed that my travel companions, Rijana, Bjoukin, and Bjoukia, were following me until we reached the courtyard. The trio entered the stands instead.

Another page ran up to me and said, "Please follow me." The boy led me to a spot and said, "Please stand here."

When I took my spot, I saw that a row of fighters was taking shape in the courtyard. To my right stood Raiew, an elf who won my division. To my left stood an unfamiliar swordsman.

When the row was completed, Mayor Wilshire crossed the courtyard and stood in front of us. "My friends, these are your winners, finalists, and semifinalists for all the divisions of this year's Melee Tournament. Now, please join me in giving them a round of applause." The nobleman started clapping and the audience joined him. After a few seconds, Mayor Wilshire raised a hand to signal the applause to cease. "And now, I shall distribute the prizes." The nobleman walked toward the left end of the line, where several pages were waiting.

A cleric held a writing board with a list of names and their placements. The man started by reading the name of the semi finalists for the Amateur Division. One page gave each contestant a small pouch while another page passed badges to the mayor. The mayor shook each contestant's hand and gave him a badge.

The group worked quickly down the line and soon it was my turn. "Lawrence Eugene Mulligan, Finalist in the Apprentice Division!" the cleric announced. I received my sack of coins, my hand shake with the mayor and then my badge. I was surprised at first because I only made the semi finals. However, I remembered that Arthur had forfeited his placement and thus, I had moved up to take his spot. I pushed my thoughts aside when I received a pop-up notification which read, "Title ACQUIRED: Finalist in the Melee Tournament. +250 Reputation. +500XP."

As I mentally swiped the message aside, Mayor Wilshire said, "Please come to my office later today."

I nodded and the mayor then moved down the line to reward Raiew.

When the mayor reached the right end of the line, he started clapping again.

The audience quickly joined as well.

After a long but hearty applause, Mayor Wilshire held up his hands. "I thank you all for making this year's tournament a successful one. For those of you who are leaving Bristol shortly, I bid you a safe journey to your destination. May the Gods of Law and Order continue to watch over you," he said and then the mayor left the courtyard.

The crowd started dispersing as well.

Eventually, Kalistra, Rijana, Bjoukin, and Bjoukia rejoined me in the courtyard.

"The mayor has asked to see me," I told them. "What will you do?" I asked.

"I will come with you," the cat girl said matter-of-factly. "After all, you are now weaponless and I am still responsible for your safety until you return to Tregome."

"The Elven Nation has assigned us to protect you," Bjoukia said.

"Okay," I nodded. "Um . . . does anyone know where the mayor's office is?" I asked with embarrassment.

"I'll take you," Rjiana offered. She grabbed my hand and started pulling me along.

Kalistra hissed while Bjoukia giggled.

The cat girl quickly stood in front of the female mage and held out her arms to block Rijana's path. "Do you have to hold his hands?" she asked. Her eyes glowed menacingly.

However, the human mage was nonplussed by the cat girl's hostility. "Lord Mulligan is now MY pupil. I can do whatever I want with him. Besides, I would prefer to keep him close at hand because of this crowd," she reasoned.

Kalistra opened her mouth to offer a saucy response but I immediately jumped in. "It's fine, Kalistra," I said.

With a "hmph!" the cat girl dropped her arms and then positioned herself to my right. Even though I had quit her dojo and therefore, she was no longer my instructor, Kalistra was still my bodyguard.

Bjoukia giggled again and her twin brother elbowed her to stop.

"You're not helping, sis!" Bjoukin hissed under his breath as the two elves positioned themselves behind me.

Despite my best efforts, I was not able to maintain my mental map as we walked the streets of Bristol. There were still far too many pedestrians on the streets and they blocked my view of the distinctive shops and other landmarks along the streets that I normally used to make my map. Thus, when we arrived at the Mayor's Office, I did not unlock a new location on my map.

I took a moment to study the exterior of the building. It was a two-story structure made of wood. The entrance was a set of double doors guarded by two knights in plate mail armor. Each man carried a sheathed long sword and a tower shield. On the shield was an emblem: a golden silhouette of a flying hawk attacking with its feet; the silhouette was inside a red circle. A blue flag hung above the door with the same emblem. Nothing else identified the building as the Mayor's Office.

When Rijana opened the door, the two knights eyed us closely but did not challenge our entry.

We immediately found ourselves inside a large reception room. There were many tables and chairs in the room. Many seats were already occupied by commoners and nobles alike.

I could tell who the nobles were by their expensive looking attire, as well as their entourage of guards and aides. While the noblemen sat, their aides and retained men stood behind them.

Directly across from the entrance, on the other side of the reception room, was a large desk filled with stacks of papers and books; there were also a quill and inkwell. Sitting behind the desk was a gnome. He was busy giving instructions to young pages who then left the desk to perform their assigned tasks.

Rijana approached the gnome and said, "The Mayor has requested to speak with Lawrence Eugene Mulligan." She turned to point a finger at me.

I stepped forward and read the caption above the gnome's head: "Secretary Wiug'Luen." He had a long nose protruding out of his face and a pair of tiny glasses dangled over the end of his nose. His skin was patchy and shriveled as if he spent too much time under the sun.

The secretary opened the gold colored appointment book on his table. After a moment, the secretary frowned. "Milord, you don't have an appointment with the mayor today."

"No, I don't believe I do," I replied honestly.

The secretary's frown deepened and his eyebrows were raised

"When I shook hands with Mayor Wilshire at the awards ceremony earlier today, he asked to see me afterward," I added quickly.

The gnome rubbed his chin as he pondered my answer. Suddenly, the secretary raised his hand. "Xoni!" he called.

A young lad quickly ran up to his desk. "Here, sir!"

"Please step inside and politely inform the mayor that Lord Mulligan from the Melee Tournament is here," Wiug'Luen instructed.

"Yes, sir!" Xoni replied. The page quietly opened the door behind the secretary's desk and stepped inside. A minute later, the page came out of the office and held the door open for an angry nobleman.

The nobleman was tall, handsome looking, and had a muscular frame that his loose fitting dark blue tunic failed to hide. He wore a velvet black cape, black hoses, and black boots. There was a sword at his belt adorned with a topaz at its hilt. When the man laid his eyes on me, he immediately put his hand on his sword hilt and took a stance. But remembering where he was, the nobleman dropped his hand and stomped out of the office, slamming the door behind him!

Although it was a brief encounter, I managed to read his caption: "Ethaniel Paget." I winced when I saw the surname. He was related to Kuerten Paget, the arrogant nobleman who I had defeated in the melee tournament. Hence, the hostility from this older Paget when our paths crossed.

"The mayor will see you now, Lord Mulligan," the page announced while still holding the door.

I nodded and walked past him.

When my companions tried to follow me inside, the page quickly held out his arm to block their way. "The mayor will only see Lord Mulligan," the boy announced and closed the door behind me.