I wanted to punch the old man. “Seriously? That whole thing was for nothing?”
Quinn took his time laughing, his hands already busy undoing my katana’s bindings. “Very little in life is for nothing. I am pleased that you succeeded, though. The experience will help you on your journey.”
Quinn’s hands moved deftly about the katana’s handle, working on freeing the blade from its unworthy trappings. Then, seeing the man was already transfixed in his task, I left to see what I could do in the town’s defense.
We needed every advantage in the upcoming fight. If we had half a day to prepare, I’d make use of every minute of that time.
2: “A leader is no more than the sum of her followers.”
— Selna Amredor of the Sirrushi Doondane
MADI
The crowd that met me in the morning in front of the Rooster’s Head was larger than I’d expected. Drunks tend not to back their words so often, but apparently the prospect of a world event and the loot and XP that would come with it was too much to pass by.
I nodded to Oliver and his group and was happy to see the other team that had been in the finals against them: the casters and tank. They would make tremendous allies. Teegan was there, of course, as were a dozen of the other solo and Battle Royale contenders.
Kazen and his hellhound weren’t present, and though they were strong, I wasn’t upset at their absence. Instead, the chick with the peryton stood proudly. So did Akira and the flame leopard Xiao Pang. A few of the other Companion’s Cup teams stood beside them, waiting patiently to hear the scoop. In all, at least thirty adventurers wanted to join the fight against the Rat King. It wasn’t an army, but they were so powerful, the group could stand against a small army.
I took a deep breath, not wanting to screw this up. “Hey everyone! Thanks for showing up. So, this big quest I told you about starts over in Taelman’s Pond. They are expecting a siege tonight or tomorrow morning at the latest. I am not sure if all of you can swing it, but I am headed there now. Anyone that wants to come is welcome.”
When I finished, I saw most of the player’s faces go slack, their eyes scanning information I couldn’t see. Oliver said what everyone else was thinking. “Damn, Madi, that just made for an official quest. We’re in! The rewards are insane!”
One of the casters spoke up next, his group members nodding in approval. “15,000 XP and an unlocked quest chain! Damn, we’re in, too.”
When we headed out of town, most of the group remained, and I counted them up. Thirty-one new allies in total, players and companions both. Whatever force was coming for Taelman’s Pond had a fight in store for them.
We were leaving through the first gate, nodding to the guard, when a boy ran up to us, panting with effort. “Wait! There’s trouble coming. Please don’t leave!”
I stopped to look at the boy’s appearance. He was dressed well for one so young, and his face had blood splattered across it.
I gave him a second before asking, “What’s up, buddy? What is it?”
He stuttered a moment, then said, “I am Sir Broyn’s squire. He’s the head of the Bridgerun forces. We were on a scouting mission, and we came across a huge force. They are headed this way! I was told to head back and see who can help stand against them. There are at least two hundred by Sir Broyn’s count.”
I nodded, taking in the information as quickly as it came. “And where is your knight?”
The boy covered his face in shame. “I think he’s fallen. There were only twelve of us. Sir Broyn led a charge to buy Bridgerun some time and sent me running back. They’re only a few miles away!”
I looked at the group of travelers and shouted to them, “You guys down to do some killing before we get to Taelman’s Pond?” They poked at a quest prompt that popped up, and though I know I must have received the same, I ignored it for now.
A hulking warrior, most likely someone’s tank, bellowed, “Hell yeah! Let’s go crush the bastards!”
Teegan stepped forward, holding a hand up. “Wait a minute. Two hundred is a lot of baddies. Surely, there is a way to go about this.”
“Have an idea?” I asked.
He looked at the players who were practically chomping the bit to slay, and said casually, “Well, it’s simple. We head out, ambush the enemy, then fall back and fight on the bridges.”
I gave him a shove. “Damn, man, you just naturally think that way?”
He laughed and nodded. “Yeah, I guess so. Been pondering what it would be like to either siege or protect the city from the bridges. It’s an interesting and potentially powerful defensive structure.”
I looked to the crowd of players and said, “I’m down. You guys agree?”
“Hell yeah!” the same warrior bellowed, and several laughs followed at his expense.
I turned to the boy and said, “Okay, then. You go tell the guard at the bridge what is coming. His name is Miles. Tell him that Madi and the adventurers are going to cut down the enemy’s numbers and then fall back here. Tell them to prepare defenses and gather as many troops as they can, especially archers!” I smacked the kid on the back to send him on his way, then turned to the group with a grin on my face. “Now let’s go hunting!”
We jogged out down the road the kid had pointed to. Not all of us had mounts, so our legs would have to do. I sent the peryton, with her companion’s permission, on ahead to scout.
After we’d gone
