We arrived at the village outskirts, met by a small contingent of men of varying descent, carrying bows and axes. Hunters, I assumed, based on their leathers and frocks.

“This here is Cressfal, and that’s a lot of people. What do you want?” One of the men stepped forward, he had a gleaming sword strapped to his back, running opposite of the recurve bow like the other hunters.

“We have traveled far South from the village of Val’Fore, which is no longer standing. We seek shelter, and potentially food, for the night. Perhaps longer, if your people permit it.” Ina spoke well before I had a chance to even trip over my own words. She stepped forward and smacked her chest with her right hand closed in a fist.

“That’s a lot to ask for, especially when we don’t know you. Have you...anything to trade? Perhaps money? Valuables?” Some of the hunters started wringing their hands together.

“Grandson, why are you pestering these people?” An old man smacked a large wooden cane against the back of the largest hunter’s head, causing him to jerk.

“Ow! Grandfather, these people se-” He was cut off quite abruptly.

“I heard what they requested, and it is becoming night. You will not harass them any longer.” The hunters started to disperse with sighs and groans. “Forgive my grandson, he is strong at heart, but has a young man’s mind. Come, come, we have room in the Inn, even if we must clear the tables and chairs. We have food, as well, and will be happy to share. It is a shame about Val’Fore, I did so love that village.” The old man shook his head as he turned about, heading into Cressfal. He held up a hand and waved us to follow.

“That went well,” I said to Ina, who turned and gave me a small smile.

“Well, I could use some rest. Shall we?” Ina turned towards the villagers and waved them on. Several people trudged forward, but a few of the children rushed past her and ran into the village proper.

“The children, will they be okay?” I was suddenly concerned about them, despite never having children in my own life.

“Children will be children, Vlad. Let them go, let them run. It has been a long day. They will know where they need to be when it is time.” And with that, the conversation was over. She turned her back and headed into the torchlight of Cressfal along with the villagers. I hung my head low, and took stock of the situation. On earth, children would never have been allowed to roam on their own. They would have been kidnapped, or worse. I am truly living in another world. I was shaken out of my thoughts by a very close wolf howl. I decided it was time to get into the safety of the village torches myself.

I found Ina and several of the townsfolk eating bowls of soup with hunks of bread at the inn. It wasn’t a large inn, sitting just off the main walkway, but it was big enough. It had several rooms in the back half with crude doors. Ina and I were given a shared room, while the elders of Val’Fore, and a few of the older population among them were given rooms as well. The rest slept on the wooden floor of the inn common room, where the hunters of the town had been “directed” to move the tables and chairs to the sides.

“Does not feel right,” I said as I stepped into the room Ina and I were given to share.

“What’s that? Have you never shared a room with a woman?” Ina laughed at me as my face turned red.

“Er, no, is not that. I simply have not spent time with a woman that was not Ina.” I rolled my eyes as I heard how stupid I sounded. “Also, is only one bed for sleep, is not strange?”

“That’s not so strange, not many places have more than one bed per room, and those that do, well, the rumor is that they’re quite expensive.” Her words were foreign to me, what did she mean by the rumor? Had she never seen a larger inn? Not like I knew what to expect, this was my first foray into the gaming world.

“Just as well, though, since I’m Ina, so I guess that negates the issue, then?” Her words were soft, encouraging, they meant to put me at ease. I took the chance to accept their well-meaning.

“Yes, I suppose is true.” I shrugged my shoulders as I sat on the bed. It was comfortable, despite looking like a basic straw mattress on wooden slats. I looked about the room and felt at peace. There were no hard metal edges, no nicotine stains on the plaster, there was nothing that reminded me of home, and maybe that was what I needed. There were no longer any severe deadlines, there was no super-giant company holding a paycheck out for me to jump towards. There was just the inn room, myself, and Ina. I noticed that there was a flashing marker in my vision, so I focused on it.

>>>

Quest Update: Relocation

You have successfully found a place for the villagers of Val’Fore to stay, despite the misgivings of the hunters early on. In exchange for your help, you receive 1,000 EXP, a free stay at an inn room with board, a small collection of Health Regen potions (3), and an increased reputation with the villagers of Val’Fore. Your rank with them has increased from Friendly to Respected.

>>>

Level Up X2!

You have 10 attribute points to distribute!

You have 5 total proficiency points to distribute!

>>>

Ah, I had leveled up after finishing the quest! I immediately put half of my points into Intelligence, and the other half into Spirit, then I decided to put 1 of my proficiency points into light armor, choosing Improved Fit, since I knew I would be using that most often. I put one point into bladed weapons, since I was carrying a short blade now, buying Piercing Blow, but I held on to 3, just in case. I had a feeling there would come a time when I would need points, but right now wasn’t it.

>>>

Skill: Improved Fit

Effect: Every piece of clothing in Eldgard fits every person, but what if you wanted it to fit better? Improved Fit enhances the way Light Armor fits a character, enhancing its effectiveness in combat by 5% (Current: 5%).

>>>

Skill: Piercing Blow

Effect: Punch through armor, flesh and bone with a fierce strike of a bladed weapon, dealing an additional 25% weapon damage (Current: 25%).

>>>

Satisfied with my accomplishment, I closed my skills and laid down on the bed.

“You’re sleeping clothed?” Ina’s voice was almost a chide. I turned my head to see what she was talking about, but immediately turned my head back.

“You are not wearing, eh, things.” I sputtered as I could feel the heat of embarrassment burn across my face. My eyes were wide as I stared at the ceiling.

“My clothing is appropriate for sleeping, Vlad. Your hides and whatever are not.” She stole across the room quickly and blew out the candle on the small dresser that lie in front of the also small window. “Now, you don’t have to worry about it.” I could hear the smile in her voice, as the bed shifted next to me where she sat.

“I suppose this is better.” I sat up and stood, unequipping my gear as well. I was down to my smallclothes before I even realized it. The cool air of outside pushed against my skin, despite the wooden walls of the inn. It was wonderful, it reminded me of spring in Russia.

“Are you going to lie down, or are you going to stand there all night like a fool? We’ve a long way to go tomorrow, you know?” Ina’s voice was tired, but it sounded so much like my Ina that I forgot where I was for a moment.

“Yes, dear.” My reply caught in my throat as I finished the statement. She just chuckled as she rolled over in the bed. I sat down and shifted a time or two, then lay my head on the pillow. It was like a cushion of air. Truly developmental magic in action, to make a hay pillow feel like the most expensive pillow I ever owned. I closed my eyes just for a moment, and I was pulled into a dream. I was on vacation in the United States with Ina, we were under false identities since we worked for large corporations. We were visiting a few of the old castles in the Carolinas, and we had rented a room at a bed and breakfast. The room was small, but cozy and enjoyable. She lay across my chest as we watched the wind blow the early fall leaves off of the trees outside the room, and for that moment everything was perfect.