As I began to dress I smiled at myself and wondered at my good fortune. Being with Reona had changed me on some level. Sex was sex but I think what had happened had to do more with intimacy at an emotional level. I had not realized how lonely I was until I was not alone. This thought gave me pause to look at my life. I had been alone for years both at the orphanage and at school. Sure I had friends, even girlfriends, but honestly, they were just people I would associate with or look for someplace private to get physical with. There was never any emotional attachment.

Not sure what it said about my psyche but I was beginning to realize I was undergoing more emotional bonding with an Npc than I ever had with real life girl. It will be what it will be I thought as I walked out the door. Going down the hallway I realized that I was at the Inn, on the third floor. I had not realized that Reona had a room at the Inn. Making my way down to my room I silently entered but seeing Twink asleep on the bed I slowly retreated quietly closing the door.

Going down the stairs to the common area I snagged a chair at an empty table. Looking up I saw Reona coming towards me. Stopping she quickly bent down and gave me a kiss, and then with a wink she said “I bet you worked up an appetite, heard you were busy last night. I will bring you some breakfast and hot kavaa." Looking at her she walked back to the kitchen I wondered if it had all been a dream, but her kiss a moment ago assured me it had all happened.

Once Reona returned she sat down beside me and watched me eat, gently resting her head on my shoulder. I asked “Won’t the Innkeeper say something since you are not working?” “Looking at me with a smile Reona replied, “he better not as I am the owner of the Inn.” I nodded between bites. I really was a breakfast person and not much can dissuade me from enjoying a good meal in the morning.

Sitting back and sipping my kavaa I looked at the beauty resting beside me. “Guess I better call you boss then.” “You can call me anything you want to but calling me boss will only work in the bedroom.” Then with a smile she said “I bet you have some questions, but can we talk tonight, I am moving you and Twink up to my floor, the bedroom next to mine.” Looking at her I could see her biting her lip and waiting for my approval.

“That sounds great” I said, “Listen do you know of anywhere in the city I can find some information on the Runic symbols?” Thinking for a minute she replied, “If you go to the temple complex at the top of the city you can ask the monks who care for the temples to show you the library. For a small donation to one of the Gods they will grant access to it. I am not sure where else you could look.”

Thanking her I departed with a discrete but passionate kiss. Then making my way to the door I stood for a moment staring and thinking. Mainly about Archon who was standing across the road smoking his pipe and waiting. “Hello Tor” he said with a smile, I have been waiting for you to make an appearance."

“Have you ever peed in a dream” I asked? “No don’t answer, it is a rhetorical question, just listen, never pee in a dream, trust me.” Looking at me like I was crazy Archon blew a large cloud of smoke up. "Did you have a bad night" he said with a fatherly concern that seemed to be as real as a televangelist actually caring for someone.

“No I had a great night.” I replied. "Why are you here Archon?” “Last night someone from our house was nearby and strangely enough was assaulted.” Looking at Archon I spoke, “That is like my rhetorical question, it does not make sense and I am not sure why you are telling me this. Although my question did end in a word of wisdom I see nothing in what you are telling me that I can derive anything from.”

Calmly blowing smoke from his pipe Archon chuckled and then spoke again, “You know my friend; I think you and I are going to hang out today.” “Could I hang out with Kaie instead; no offense but she looks better, smells better and I do not mind her walking around with me all day.” “All true but you are stuck with me.” Lovely and I had just been thinking that the day was starting out so good.

Right, well off we go then and with a quick look at my interface map I set out. I noticed that I had several windows shrunk down at the corner of my vision. Only one seemed important and that was the blinking mail icon. Rounding the corner I saw a mailbox on my map about a kilometer farther down the street. Glancing at Archon I saw him looking around as we walked and then with a frown he spoke.

“Tor, you live close to the abandoned area, and the Kradula, why? You know that I would like for you join the guild and then you could become a member of our house in an instant. You could be living two tiers higher in the city. Also, for whatever reason, Kaie is taken with you. Does that make a difference? By the way what did you do, sneak in some Old Spice aftershave.” Laughing at his wit, he waited for my reply.

“Archon” I began, “first I like where I am living, second I work there and it is convenient for me. Third while you old bastards may have a lot of goods and wealth, I am not sure that whatever you have planned is going to be good for this world.” Staring me he smiled and then patted me on the back. “Damn I wish you would join us, it would be good to have someone not afraid to speak his mind working with us. Also I get the feeling that Kaie would be much happier especially in the mornings if you were the one to get her up and out of bed.”

Swallowing the smart ass remark I was about to make I just nodded. “Look I am glad you like me, but for now I am working through this game on my own.” “Fair enough, but listen my young friend I have one more thing to tell you.” Nodding at me he spoke, “Do you remember the Jackass, that young punk.” “Yes, I sure do, what of him.” Archons face went grim and he spoke once more, “He connected with a bunch of his spoiled friends. They are all donators, not worthy of being here.” I nodded in agreement, players like that were useless, worth less than a pile of cow crap, at least that could be used for fire or in a garden.

“Well it seemed that one of his friends has a parent who worked in the development of the game, and upon the urging of junior the parent made some changes to the patch that came online last night.” "What changes?” I asked. “Players can now form houses without being part of one of the guilds. That means that the guild rules that govern the houses are not going to be in place.” “Crap.” I spoke softly, “that can open up the door to a lot of abuse towards Npc and other players, especially the low levels.”

Nodding his head Archon said, “Jackass and at least twenty of his friends have made a house, they are calling it PK Elites. There is one other thing about these guys I think you should know.” “What” I asked. “They have put a 5k reward on you, anyone who brings you to them, alive of course well receive the gold.” “Shit,” I try not to be a vulgar person but sometimes things escape me.

“Thanks Archon I owe you one.” “Yes you do and you’re welcome.” We had arrived at the mail box by this point and stopping as I explained I needed to check my mail. I waved my hand over the box and read the messages as they arrive. The auction had been a success and the Methrill bar had sold for a great deal of gold. The actual auction price was almost double what I had asked. I was now rich or at least close enough to fake it Ingame.

I stopped for a moment and collected my thoughts; money was simply a tool to me. I could find enough at night with my Dragon eyes treasure ability. It felt pretty good to have that money in the bank for a rainy day though. What I needed to do now was to find out what the heck had happened to me last night, and what did the tattoos on my body mean. Also, I needed to work out a training schedule for my new abilities, and develop a pathway to level up on. I guess there really is no rest for the wicked.