Kit woke to the sound of a horse neighing. A strong unpleasant smell greeted his nose to make sure he was fully awake.

“OMG why is it so strong? What did that horse eat?”

Kit turned over and got a fright. Mars had covered his face with a large piece of black cloth.

‘Bloody sausages! He now looks like a giant rooster with a balaclava.’

“Mars, what’s with the cloth?”

“You just literally shouted about the smell, and you are asking why I’m wearing this. I want to eat this morning, not lose my appetite, so I put this on, you want one?”

“No, I’m ok, we can just go inside the Inn and find Iris to get away from the smell. What do you want to do today? We don’t have to help until dinner.”

“Let’s go explore the village for a quest.”

“Ok.”

Kit headed down the ladder praying it didn’t break. He could feel his weight bending the rungs and a slight creak accompanied his decent. Once he safely got to the bottom, he glanced up to see how Mars would fair going down the ladder.

When they made eye contact, Mars gave a wide grin and then vaulted over the railing of the loft. Kits heart gave a little lurch, before it could take off, Mars had already landed on the ground with a soft thud. Mars was in what could only described as a superhero pose. He was in a crouching position with one leg behind to balance, a palm flat on the ground and his other arm was out to the side.

“Holy Carp! That was amazing, how did you do that?”

Kit could only stare at his new friend in amazement. Mars was beaming at the praise from Kit.

“I’ve been in all kinds of different sports since I was little, my family is huge on fitness.”

Kit didn’t think that adequately described being able to achieve something like that. Kit was a little sceptical at that response, but he let it slide. Maybe it was due to this being a game and things you can’t do in real life you can do here. Kit got excited at the thought of one day doing that himself.

“That was seriously cool, can you teach me how to do that?”

“I think if we increase some of your stats, it should be possible.”

Kit got a little giddy after hearing that. The smell from the manure reached Kit’s nose once again. His nose let him know it was not happy and started to wrinkle.

“I can’t take the smell anymore Mars, lets head inside and find Iris.”

“Lead the way my friend.”

Mars made a bow. Kit shook his head at his antics and headed inside. Kit walked through the back door into the restaurant, he couldn’t see Iris in the dining area.

“IRIS, YOU HERE!” Mars yelled.

“I’M IN THE KITCHEN!”

Kit went to the kitchen to find Iris, when he got there Iris was busy making meals for the day’s menu. Kit instantly got excited at what he saw, yesterday he hadn’t entered the kitchen. Kit’s eyes went wide, and the silly grin was back on his face. Iris gave a chuckle when she saw him.

“Like what you see?”

“YES!” Kit couldn’t help shouting his answer, he was so excited.

Kit couldn’t keep his eyes in one place. He didn’t know where to look first. His eyes finally landed on a knife cutting vegetables on a wooden chopping board, all by itself.

“Marvellous melons! This is AMAZING! I want one.”

Iris couldn’t hold in her laughter. “Oh Kit, I wish I could keep you, just for your reactions.”

Kit didn’t mind being the one laughed at, he was sure he looked a sight right now. He had gotten used to Iris now, so he didn’t mind being laughed at. He knew there was nothing malicious behind her actions.

His eyes moved over to the stove to see a large wooden spoon slowly stirring the soup in a huge silver pot. He could see a faint blue light coming out of the pot.

‘Even a spoon works by itself. I’m going to be able to make large quantities of food without hiring anyone, I WILL SAVE SO MUCH MONEY!’ Kit started cackling like a mad man, in his head.

He continued to look around, noticing that Iris had just finished cooking the burly rabbit over a stone pit in the middle of the kitchen. The pit was the size of a small coffee table, the coals were glowing a purplish green colour. The stones surrounding the fire pit were a glossy black.

Kit moved closer to see what Iris was doing. Iris had taken the meat off a silver spike that was sitting on two frames either side of the fire pit. Kit assumed it had been used as a rotisserie to cook the meat. The rich smell of freshly cooked meat was making his mouth water, Kit stomach growled in response.

Iris laughed at him once again.

Iris walked over to a marble stone bench running the length of the kitchen wall. She placed the meat on top of another wooden chopping board. Sitting next to the wooden block was a white porcelain plate piled with freshly cooked vegetables. Iris picked up a carving knife and with a speed that shocked Kit, cut the meat into finely sliced pieces.

Kits mouth was hanging open.

“How is that even possible?”

“Skills and speed dear.” Iris was giving Kit a warm look, she had become fond of him quite fast.

“I think you will like this next part too.”

Iris gave a soft chuckle, she then placed three slices of the roast meat on the plate. A soft blue light started to swirl over the food, once it was entirely covered with the blue light, it pulsed once. The light disappeared and a number appeared over the top of the plate.

Thirty-seven glowed in a soft white, Iris glanced at Kit then picked up the plate. Underneath the plate remained another one the same. Kit wasn’t sure how she managed it. Was it sleight of hand. He didn’t see her replace the plate with another.

Iris laughed uncontrollably, she had to place the plate down quickly or she would have dropped it on the floor. Tears were leaking from her eyes and her facial expression could only be described as joyful.

“Oh, Kit!”

Iris couldn’t continue talking for a moment. Iris wasn’t the only one laughing, beside him Mars was in the same state, Kit clicked his tongue.

‘Honestly these two, anyone would be as excited as me. If they saw it for the first time.’

Kit wanted to be grumpy, he hated the feeling of people paying him to much attention, but he was still too excited from all the magic. He felt like a kid entering a huge lolly shop for the first time and not knowing where he was supposed to start looking first.

“Sorry Kit love, I couldn’t help myself. I haven’t had this much fun in a long time.” Iris patted his head.

Kit sighed “It’s ok. I know I’m a little overexcited right now.”

“I’ll make it up to you with some breakfast. How does that sound?”

Mars spoke before he could open his mouth. “That sounds great Iris.”

Now it was Mars turn to be laughed at. “Honestly you too, I wish I could employ you permanently.”

Iris shook her head, then gave them each a plate of the roast burly rabbit. Kit and Mars stood at the bench and ate their meal while chatting with Iris.

“Iris, what was that number that appeared above the plate just now?”

Kits was curious about all the things in the kitchen. He wanted to ask about everything, but he didn’t want to be the focus of attention again, so he decided to just ask about the number. He would save his other questions for later.

“That is my chef level, so that’s how many dishes I can make at one time. I only need to make one meal, and my cooking skill magically turns it into 37, with the help of this plate. The plate’s magic multiplies the meals by the chef level automatically.”

‘Once I learn cooking, I need to level up fast that will save so much time and money. I’m glad I have the chance to see what’s in a kitchen before I open my own.’

“What is the plate called Iris?” He could not help asking one more question.

“Magic multiplier plate.”

‘Ha-ha, they really did not put much thought into the names of the items. I can’t wait to find out what everything else in here is called.’

“Can you teach me how to make the roast burly rabbit please Iris?” Kit gave Iris a hopeful look.

“No, sorry Kit, if everyone can make it how would I make money. It takes a lot of effort and time to make a meal with stats. Some cooks can never make one in their whole lives. That’s why most chefs are secretive about their creations, so they can’t be stolen or replicated without permission.”

Kit felt his mood dip a little, he really wanted to learn how to make a magic meal. “I understand. How about the water Iris, is that a secret too?”

“No, the water is not a secret. I own the land where the spring is, and it naturally produces the stats. Although, I need to do another trip to the spring to collect water, but it is a pain.”

Kit had only wanted to ask one question, but they kept spilling from his mouth. He couldn‘t control himself.

“We can do it for you?” piped up Mars.

“That would be nice, but it would be hard for you dear. There are two Spectral Nile Reptiles in the spring they have been there for two years. I usually hire someone to distract them while I collect the water.”

“Why don’t you get someone to kill them?” Kit was curious as to why Iris had left them alone for so long.

“It cost too much money. They are very strong and the stronger the creature the more money it costs to pay someone to kill it.”

“We can do it Iris. Kit can collect the water and I will distract them.” Mars eyes lit up at the prospect of a quest.

“Ok but if it’s too hard, you leave straight away.”

Ding!

[CAL]

Quest accepted.

Iris’s Spring Water, uncommon.

Distract/Kill the Spectral Nile Reptiles. Bring the water back to the Inn.

Acquired: Horse lead rope + 10 speed to mount.

“Leave it to us, Iris.”

Kit was excited about going on another quest. He was also a little curious as to why they had just acquired a rope for a horse.

While Kit and Mars finished their meal of roast burly rabbit, Iris went outside. They received a nice boost once again to their stats, a 100 HP for 5 hours. Kit felt the same strange feeling from last night. The increase to his health gave him a nice robust feeling.

‘I could get used to this. I bet this is how really fit people feel.’

Kit took out the Horse lead rope. It was a long brown leather rope with a silver clip at the end. Kit was a little disappointed at how ordinary it looked.

‘What am I supposed to do with this, lasso a Spectral Nile Reptile?’

While Kit was pondering over the rope, Iris returned from outside. She was a little red in the face and was huffing from exertion. Kit wondered what she had been doing. Iris soon answered his unspoken question.

“Good, you found the lead rope. Pint is out the back, I just attached the wagon to him. The barrels are loaded onto the wagon already.”

‘Oh, now I know what the rope is for, I’ll lead a horse.’

“Iris, you should have let us do the heavy work.” Mars scolded Iris.

“That’s nice of you dear, next time I’ll let you young boys do it.” Iris gave Mars a soft smile.

“Iris before we go, how do we get to the spring?”

“I forgot, you don’t know your way around. I will get you something to help navigate the way.”

Iris walked inside then returned with two rolled up parchments and handed one to Kit and the other to Mars.

Ding!

[CAL]

Received: Map.

In Kit’s upper right field of vision, a Map appeared. There was a blue dot (indicating you are here) above it.

“CAL, can you add our destination to the map?”

A red dot appeared on the map. ‘I am not sure how far away that is, it doesn’t have a guide.’

“CAL how far away is that?”

[information not available]

‘Fudge sticks! I must have to unlock it somehow.’

Iris was giving Kit a strange look.

“Kit dear, who are you talking too?”

Kit went white, he’d forgotten that Iris had no clue about CAL. He could feel his dream starting to crumble, tears entered his eyes. How could he make so many mistakes, was he subconsciously sabotaging himself? This was the happiest he had been for so long, Kit didn’t want it to end.

“Since the accident with the potion, he has an invisible friend. His name is CAL, Kit forgets that no one else can see him. So, he looks a little funny conversing with him.”

Mars saved him once again, with his quick thinking. Kit was thankful to Mars, even though he now had an imaginary friend like a toddler.

“I didn’t realise you had brought your friend with you, as well Kit. Umm …” Iris was lost for words.

He felt so embarrassed, but it was better than having to leave the game. Kit thought he should join in with the idea, even though he wanted to crawl into the nearest hole.

“He is a little magic Iris, he only comes out sometimes. He was curious about the map. If I am lucky sometimes, he will give me information. That’s why I was asking him questions about the map,” Kit plastered a large smile on his face.

Iris glanced at him like he had gone mad. Well at least being mad was better than not being able to play. He hoped Iris would still let him stay in the loft tonight.

“Oh ….”

“Um .., well it’s nice to meet you CAL, I’m Iris.”

Kit was a little surprised at Iris’ response. His smile he had plastered on his face turned into a real one. Iris was not going to get rid of him, just because he was a little crazy in her eyes. Next to him Mars was trying hard not to burst out laughing, he could see his face turning red from holding his breath.

Kit decided he was going to put pepper in Mars’ mattress tonight as pay back.

“He says hello Iris, and thanks for looking after me.”

Iris gave him a pat on the head, her warm smile had returned to her face.

‘It looks like she is just going to take it as a quirk to my personality. She really is a nice person.’

Kit was amazed he could feel so much warmth towards an NPC.

“Well, now that’s sorted let me introduce you boys to Pint, follow me.”

Outside the horse that made the horrible smell this morning was standing in the courtyard with a cart attached to its back. Kit could see the outrageously oversize horse that was Pint up close. Last night Kit didn’t pay too much attention to the horse.

Pint really could only be called oversized, he was twice the size of a regular horse. Like the burly rabbit, Pint had muscles on top of muscles. ‘What is with this game? Why are all the animals so buff? I’ll develop an inferiority complex at this rate.’

The horse was a deep chocolate colour, despite its enormous size, it was quite striking. Its coat was so glossy it sparkled in the sun, it looked like it would feel silky. Its mane and tail were white giving it a nice contrast against the brown, it had huge round doe eyes.

Pint snorted and stamped its front hoof. Kit felt a little tremor from the impact of the hoof hitting the ground. ‘Please be a friendly horse.’

Kit was a little scared to get close to the enormous beast. Kit glanced over to Mars to see him take a step back, then move behind Iris. ‘Looks like Mars doesn’t want to get close to it either.’

“Pint, you behave or no beer for you. Don’t you boys worry about him, he is really a big pussy cat, he is just showing off.” Iris took the lead rope from Kit and attached it to Pint.

“So, who wants to lead him?”

Kit and Mars both stayed silent.

“He really is a softy, look all you have to do is give him some beer, and he will be putty in your hands.”

Iris took out a bowl and a glass bottle filled with a dark brown fluid. She filled the bowl then put it under Pint’s nose. The large horse drank the liquid with enthusiasm, sloshing the contents all over the place. Once it had finished, he started to rub his head against Iris in a loving manner.

“See, big softy.”

Iris held out the bowl towards them. Mars took a tentative step closer to the horse, he eyed it warily. When it did not move, he went over to Iris, she instructed Mars to fill another bowl. Mars fed the horse some more of the dark liquid. To Kit’s surprise, the horse acted the same way towards Mars as it had Iris after finishing the drink.

“Right now, you boys are acquainted you can head off. First you will need some more bottles of the beer.” Iris handed Mars five bottles of the dark liquid.

“Iris is that really beer?” Kit thought Iris had been joking with them when she said the horse liked beer.

“Yes dear, Pint is a special type of horse, though I can’t remember what now. I won him in a poker game from a stable owner. The instructions I got sent home with was that he will only behave with some beer. Turns out that was true, he is a feisty fellow without getting his daily rations of beer.”

‘This game is so weird sometimes, this horse is an alcoholic. Does it get drunk as well?’

“Will he be ok with you not coming with us.” Kit felt a little uneasy, what if the horse played up on their travel to Iris’s house.

“Yes, he does not care who takes him as long as there is beer.”

“Ok, well we should head off then, see you tonight, Iris.”

Mars led Pint out of the courtyard without any issues. They headed towards the southern exit of town.