Take us down on the path outside of town, girl. No need to freak anyone out more than they already are.
Pachi banked down sharply to comply, and soon we were trotting along the pond’s shore. It was just after noon, and we’d flown perhaps a hundred miles. Having access to wings was a wondrous boon.
I walked in front of Pachi, and the small figure of Abra popped into view, heading from some supreme fishing spot no doubt. “Hana!” he cried, a look of joy on his grubby face. And then, “Pachi?” The boy stopped dead in his tracks, staring at the enfield as she walked serenely behind me.
“Same old Pachi!” I said. “She just grew up.”
The boy muttered, walking up to her carefully, “You are so gorgeous.”
She answered by pushing into his chest with her huge nose.
Hoping for a more or less drama-free entrance into town, I asked Abra, “You mind leading us back into town? The less we freak people out, the better.”
Abra trotted ahead. “No prob. Where to, guys?”
I answered immediately, “We need to speak with Dandre. We have bad news.”
“If it’s about the army marching towards us, then we already know. But the marshal is gone. She took a few of our warriors and met up with the rangers.”
I nodded, absorbing the news. “Well then, time we checked in on the old man. I miss him anyhow.”
Another big surprise met us as we turned the corner and saw the road leading into town. A gate had been built from freshly fallen logs, and though it was crude, the structure looked sturdy. It stood over ten feet tall, and two platforms stood to either side.
The heads of guards poked out above. It was a great place for archers to stand. The gate itself was simply made, two large doors that swung on hinges and met in the middle. It was only opened a few feet, enough for foot traffic to pass by. A guard met us there, dressed in simple leather armor, a long sword on his hip.
The young man held out a hand and challenged us. “Hold! State your business.” He looked nervous about his newly found authority, unwilling to overlook his duties.
I answered in a calming tone, hoping to put him at ease, “I am Hana, and this is my companion Pachi. We are friends in this town and were sent on a mission by Selna, Quinn, and Marshal Dandre.”
The guard’s face scrunched up, trying to remember my face, but Abra just pulled on his sleeve. “She’s also my friend. Trust me, we want Hana and Pachi here. It’s okay, Dane.”
“Alright then,” the man relented, tension falling from his features visibly. “If you know this scoundrel, you can’t be bad folk.”
We passed through the gate, and I glanced back to see how it locked. Two thick logs had been withdrawn which, when in place, secured the two sides of the gate like oversized locking bars.
Taelman’s Pond had shifted from the docile town it had been. It was now milling with activity, with NPCs and players alike moving about in an endless gyre.
Quinn’s shop was equally transformed. In a wide alley beside it, a group of ten or so townsfolk drilled with sword and shield. A player I hadn’t seen before, one with a warrior or soldier class, was shouting orders to the NPCs, correcting them on their form.
Abra stopped short. “It’s pretty busy in there these days. I’m gonna head out and see if I can get any more fish. Corell has everyone who can gathering food. Wish we had time to fish, Hana. The trout are finally in season!” The boy had a forlorn look in his eyes.
“Maybe if we survive the next couple of days, Abra. I’d still love to learn.”
Pachi gladly took her rest, and I removed the saddle before heading into the weapons shop.
The door tinkled as I opened it, like always, but inside had changed. The weapons that used to line the walls were almost all gone now, most likely having been assigned to the villagers or sold to ambitious players, and strange faces looked up to see me enter: men and women who were no doubt planning for the siege.
A woman said, “What y’need, girl? Quinn’s busy.” I looked her in the eyes and recognition registered there. “Oi! You’re the one that bought them bracers from me and me brother a while back. Don’t have anything good for you now, girl. Our shop’s been gutted.”
I laughed at the woman’s bluntness. “Yep, it’s me. And you’re Claire, right? How’s your brother?”
“He’s lost his mind. Been cranking out leather vests and the like nonstop. I keep telling him he needs sleep too, but he won’t listen. Anyway, it’s like I said: Quinn’s busy.”
The old man called from behind Claire’s shoulder, “Not too busy for a friend. Please, Hana, come on back. We have much to discuss.”
I ran around to see the man, dodging a few people who were gathered around a map spread on the counter. He met me in the doorway leading into his workshop and we embraced.
I’d never had a fully functional grandfather growing up, just pictures of the people who had raised my parents. Video chats had been a thing for a while, and I even got to meet my mother’s dad a few times, but it was never a very intimate ordeal.
Quinn was the real deal. He smelled like old paper and weapon oil as I hugged him, and his arms felt strong.
Then he held me at arm’s length. “My, you have gotten much stronger. That is good to see. You’ve heard of the troubles, then.”
“Yes, and we have more bad news. Judas, the herbalist, said enemies are coming from multiple locations, and when Pachi and I passed over the Lorinand Forest we saw hundreds of
