We left the map maker with Archon grumbling and giving me dirty looks. I was being the modicum of gentlemanly behavior and managed to hide my smirk, for the most part anyway. “Just where are we going?” “We are going to the top my friend,” and with a gesture lifted my hand upwards towards the top tier of the city, where gleaming white stood the temple complex and the kings palace.

Glancing at me Archon nodded and then spoke, “Lay on Macduff, and damned be who first cries Hold!” “What the heck were you an English teacher back in the day?” “Is that Shakespeare?” Laughing at me Archon nodded and said, “Yes I actually did teach English for a while, are you a fan of the Bard?”

About to say no I thought for a moment, I actually had enjoyed Shakespeare in school. Not the papers I had to write but the person himself, l had learned to appreciate the many characters with all the flaws that he wrote about. The little telltale nuances of the society that he brought to life. The fact that many of his tales used what my educator had called low humor. The humor that the commoners had found so funny, cleverly disguised so that the upper class would not pay attention, but the working class would find amusement in.

“Yes I liked reading his work while in school,” I answered. By now we were approaching the gate to the next tier. “Onward and upwards” I said as we passed through the gate, steadily we walked the rest of the journey which passed in silence with both Archon and I glancing about at the ever increasing signs of power and wealth on display. By midday we had reached the top plateau and entered through a high wall.

The guards had questioned us and warned us to stay on the pathways and not go looking into any of the off limit areas. I assumed they were serious and assured them I was on a pilgrimage to the temples to pay my respect towards the Gods. Hearing me Archon gave me a puzzled look and then nodded at the guard. As we left and began to wander down the pathway along the circumference of the wall, Archon whispered, “What are you doing Tor?” Grinning I spoke, “I am coming to pay my respects my friend.” Maybe I will be finally free of the curse.” “Frowning at me Archon quickly spoke, “Curse, what curse?”

“The only clue I can tell you is this, “Double, double toil and trouble.” Thinking for a minute Archon suddenly swore and then said “I suppose I deserved that, but really what are we doing up here. Staring ahead at the gleaming white temples and shrines I spoke, “I am really coming to pay my respects and then to see if it will open any doors to me.”

“I don’t think the Gods usually take a hand on interest in players Tor. But you lead I will follow.” Shaking his head at me Archon gestured towards the buildings and I stepped forward. There are five main buildings towards the five main deities within the game. Inter spaced between the main buildings were the shrines, dedicated to the lesser gods and the largest of the shrines being for the Unknown Gods. I am not sure but as I approached the buildings my skin began to itch and I felt a mild burn within.

Not knowing what was happening I continued on slowing down in front of each temple and shrine. We finally arrived at the shrine to the Unknown God and at this point my skin felt like it was being pulled tight and was very itchy. I saw that above the entrance to the shrine was a stained glass window with the picture of a burning bush embossed on it. As I neared the entrance the interior of the shrine began to glow and the stained glass window was transformed into an actual burning bush.

The burning bus grew larger and began to rise above the shrine. I could hear people shouting and running towards the shrine from some of the other temples and shrines. Lifting my arms the sleeves of my shirt dropped exposing my arms. The black tattoos began to writhe about and then flames burst onto my skin. Both of my arms began to match burning bush flaming above us.

Archon swore, and looking at me he stepped back and spoke, “Tor, unless you want to answer some difficult questions from whoever is fast approaching I would lower you arms and cover them up.” Thinking fast I nodded and did as he suggested, Turning to look at Archon I saw the first monk run up to the shrine and fall on his knees. “A Miracle, a miracle he screamed over and over.”

“Fucking Zealot,” Archon whispered as he led the way along the path. We stopped and sat on a bench about 30 meters down the path in a slightly open area. We could clearly see the burning bush and the people as more and more Monks and Priests arrived and fell on their knees. “Look at those idiots, fools each and every one of them.” “Now you, yes you are going to tell me what the hell just happened and this time there will be no secrets.”

“Archon you had better relax, and stand down, I am not in you guild or your house.” “Fuck that, you did something here, something that involves the Gods and that might impact my house.” I stood up and with a nod said, “Here we part ways my friend, if you can control yourself at some point let me know and we will talk again.”

“Not so fast” and with those words Archon jumped up and grabbed my arm. Having achieved level ten my strength and stats had grown, but this man was almost four times my level. Realizing this on a cerebral level did not stop me from grabbing his arm and beginning to pull his hand down. With a grimace Archon said, “Tor, sit before I hurt you, you do not have the strength or the power to escape.”

Shouting, “Fuck that right back at you,” I began to push his arm down and away from my arm. Archons eyes opened wide and on his face, a shocked look appeared. Activating my physical dps attack, I began to do an Ippon Seoinage, a one armed shoulder throw. It was over in a second, with Archon hitting the stones of the pathway hard. It was clear that his breath had departed out of him and he had lost at least half his life as shown by the display hp bar.

Looking at him, his face a mask of shock and pain, I felt a great deal of sadness rise up within. Quickly I cast my simple healing spell on him, relieved to see his health go up by at least a quarter of the hp bar. “I am sorry Archon; I spoke softly, “One day I hope that we will sit for kavaa and share a smoke again.” Blinking back some eye sweat, I activated Dragon shadows and faded from his sight.

Turning, I moved off the path and began to walk towards the entrance, ignoring the soft calls of “Tor, wait, Tor I made a mistake” as they faded behind me. Glancing left and right I saw that I was approaching the central temple. Strangely enough, sitting on top of the roof was the figure of a man, with small wings on his arms, back and feet.

I stopped and stared having never seen nor heard of such a person before. Suddenly the strange figure spoke,” ah, begods hate when you frikken pilgrims come up here and stare at me. Go away and piss off you daft pile of meat.” I continued to stare at this strange creature and finally spoke, “What the heck, what are you, an angel?” Looking down with me at amazement the little fellow said, “you can see me, how can you see me, not even the high priest can see me unless The God allows it.

We stared at each other trying to puzzle this odd situation out. I finally spoke, “sorry sir I am not meaning to be rude, but I have never seen anything like you and am not sure how to respond.” Puffing his chest out like a little peacock, and indeed the feathers on all six of his wings were brilliantly colored the little man said, “I am Komhether, the messenger of the Gods, and who are you that you can see what has been hidden from mortal eyes?”

That was a good question, how and why could I see him. Thinking fast I could only conclude it had something to do with my Dragon eyes ability, to see hidden treasures. I spoke up to the little fellow, and explained that I could see hidden treasures and that was how I was able to see him. Upon hearing the words treasure, he began to preen and then spoke, "Treasure, yes to be sure I one of the most valued treasures of the Gods."

Looking up at the little messenger, I thought back to something I had learned many years ago. “Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.” I knew it was from the Bible, but where, I did not know. It somehow seemed to apply to the vain little man on the roof of the temple.

Reaching into my bag, I pulled a smoke out and lit it. Taking a deep breath, I looked back up at the messenger to find he was floating down to have a good look at what I was doing. Staring at the smoke I was exhaling he asked, “Human what is that strange thing you are doing? How is it that you have smoke coming forth from your being? Are you a dragon?” Hearing the last question I almost swallowed the cigarette. Realizing he was referring to the smoke, I shook my head.

“I am having a smoke,” I explained. “it is something that humans do upon occasion, to relax, to stop and look around and appreciate the world.” Sighing softly the little fellow nodded and said, "that is mainly what I spend my time doing. Waiting around and enjoying the sights until the Gods have need of me." Giving me a sad look he then asked, “May I try a smoke?”

“Of course my friend” and I rolled him ten cigarettes and then lit the first one for him. Taking in a deep drag, he held it in and then blew out a perfect smoke ring. Glancing at the pleased look on his face, I knew that another person had just succumbed to the temptation to smoke. Hearing his pleased voice calling out, “Thank you sir, thank you,” I nodded and began to walk away.

I suspected he would find me when he wanted more smokes and that was what I had planned. Looking back, I saw him leaning forward with a smoke in hand and an impish grin on his face. Stopping, I recalled an album cover from the nineteen eighties. Van Halen: 1984. Calling out to Twink I asked her to play VH 1984 the song Jump. I needed some good music to listen to as I walked home.