They followed the merchant road north, meeting daylight as they climbed high enough along the path to see the vineyard acreage on the outskirts of town. Before long they would follow the winding pathway so far up that they would reach the clouds.

The bartender had come through on a change of clothes for Kitano; an ugly gray blouse, a hooded cape, rough farmer’s pants, black boots, and a pair of gloves.

Bellarouse the rogue sold them a horse bridled with rawhide. Grandeur haggled for a mule from one of the porters staying at the inn. Kitano could see the wizard’s purse was getting empty already. She was still without a weapon and heading into dangerous territory.

Before they left, the rain had come again. When they passed back by the tavern and the mercantile, Kitano could see empty buckets discarded by the cooling embers. As she rode past Bellarouse watched them follow the merchant road.

Before them, the merchant road met the winding, screw-like path that wrapped its way around Magus Tower.

Kitano's legs ached with phantom pain as they climbed. Her stomach growled and before long she found herself chewing on the bread they'd packed for the trip.

Grandeur called for a break in the climb broke his silence. “Why did you undervalue your quest to meet Herald AI?”

Kitano rested her legs, hanging them over the edge of the grand stair. She could see the land of Ungar - it's black peaks dotting the horizon - where the two counties met.

"I don't."

"Then why do you trust this rogue?"

"I don't"

Grandeur raised an eyebrow. "To understand an adventurer's mind is folly," he chuckled.

Kitano looked over at him. “I know her type,” she said. “Her character might be charming, but she's a biobake. We're people who want to immerse themselves completely in the online worlds. It’s no hobby. Through the years we’ve become the type to exploit everything we can get our way.”

The wizard nodded. “Then why subject yourself to such a life?”

There’s no easy way to answer that. She decided to change the subject. “Why are you helping me? The last time you gave me any assistance, it didn’t turn out well for you.”

“Our goals are one and the same,” he answered. “What I witnessed in the underworld changed me… And what I saw walking down the halls of the One-Way House has tempered my resolve. This world is doomed. You have all but confirmed it by the quest you’ve taken. The lords above do not sit on their thrones.”

“What is the one-way path?” Another term she’s never heard of before. Whoever remade you took a lot of liberties with your programming. The thought gave her pause. When they reached Herald AI, and he corrected whatever it was wrong in the world, would Grandeur be allowed to stay?

Grandeur studied the dark clouds overhead. “The Myth Makers are near. Shall we find these biobakes?”

And now he avoids my question, she thought.

“Lead the way.”

Grandeur led her through a wall of gray clouds. She could smell the ocean on the wind. But as they climbed, the colder it felt until soon the ground became frozen and the rain turned into sleet.

“Just over this horizon,” Grandeur called. “Koronzia wills that--” he broke.

Kitano peered out from under her hood, barely aware that he’d stopped talking. Snow covered the road before them. The path grew narrow. Soon they would reach the peak. Mounds of glassy, snow-covered ice decorated the road before them. They were sharp as though the gleaming white fangs of Magus Tower.

But that was not what gave Grandeur pause. Up the road stood a figure, awaiting them. Kitano could not see the figure’s face, but from the look of his well-worn sapphire robes, she knew who awaited them.

“Kit, stay back,” Grandeur said. “There’s more to this than what we see before us.”

“There’s nothing to fear,” Kitano answered. She’d met the NPC down the path on a handful of occasions, as did many of the other players of Herald of Tomorrow. “Puliska is a trickster who can be found on each continent. He’s just a random encounter.”

Grandeur lowered his voice, but whatever he said was lost in the wind.

Kitano approached the trickster.

“Welcome yeshling,” the trickster called. “Come to me. Puliska knows your face… You’ve embarked upon too great a journey, and are lost. Puliska will help. For he knows the way,” the trickster said in his thick, eastern accent. His white beard, stained by wine, was encrusted with snow.

Kitano smiled, she’d always liked Puliska. Another favorite among players. “We’ve met before,” she said. Her tone became serious. “Maybe you remember Avalon the Huntsmen? Of Haymar’s Reed guild?” When he gave no indication he remembered, she went on, “I can’t play your games today, but I would like to trade with you… I know you carry a few things I could use.”

He gave her a wry smile and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “Do you now?”

Kitano looked back to Grandeur, who looked ill. “Oh yes, and I’d like to play your game, but I really have an important place to be.”

The trickster laughed. “Ah, yeshling, if you only knew…”

His grip on her tightened. Looking back, she saw that his eyes had changed. Red-rimmed eyes glared down at her. Gone were the joyful, milk-white eyes she’d known before.

Grandeur came charging forward, sword raised. The hoofs of his horse picked up a storm of ice as he sped toward them. In an instant the blade came down, crashing across Puliska’s back.

The weapon bounced off. The wizard fell from his horse, he tumbled down toward the edge of the road. The trickster cackled.

Kitano wheeled around, trying to free herself, caught in the NPC’s iron grip. The cold road below them became alive… Armored figures rose from their hiding places. These knights wore peculiar armor; sharp as broken glass, but clear. She could almost see straight through them.

Grandeur hit the trickster again, but the weapon was of no use. His blade could not pierce his enemy. He recoiled back, falling to the ground in defeat. The others, more than ten of them, surrounded them. Puliska pushed Kitano to the ground.

This wasn’t right. This isn’t the trickster. The real Puliska, she knew, could be injured only, but was far from impervious to damage. Very few enemies were truly invincible.

“Who are you?” she managed to ask.

One of the knights raised a pike, ready for the kill.

“The Herald does not wish to receive you,” the trickster said darkly.