The words on their tongues are not always the thoughts behind their eyes.

  - Attributed to the pywright Vn di Panoli.

  Golds and browns were in full riot across the boughs of the trees in this part of the forest, coloring the leaves with the st warmth of summer. The weather had grown cool and crisp with the changing of the seasons, the loamy scent of the woodnd filling the air. Here and there, either Elwin or Kidu would point out a fruit, a nut, or an edible herb and, as a party, we would stop to gather some.

  One of the fruits, which I was told was called a Sasan, tasted sweet and tart at the same time. I swore I sensed an end note of aniseed as I gobbled one down. Sasan was not as delectable as Snap-Honey, but it came in at a very close second. Elwin informed me that people near the woodnds on this continent would gather the berries and make an aromatic pie at the turning of the season.

  The animals of the forest, too, were busy with gathering food. Here and there, small creatures of feather, fur, and scale competed with one another to stock their rders or put on enough fat for the coming winter. The rger denizens of the forest were also out and about. More than once or twice, Kidu had us skirt around the spoor of what he considered to be a wild creature that was best left undisturbed.

  Checking over my Status in the corner of my vision, I was pleased to note that I was in good condition. I could have done with a bit more Mana, but thanks to my Mana Regeneration skill, I had gained a few points passively without having to rest.

  Health: 283/283

  Stamina: 57/62

  Mana: 7/15

  I considered using the Drain spell, but concluded that the Mana gained would be far less than the Mana expended when used on lesser organisms.

  What would happen if I used the spell on my companions? Could I Drain them of their Mana and Health? Would using a Heal spell on them ter to repair the damage result in a net gain? After all, it was not like they had any use for their Mana. It was certainly a line of thought worth pursuing at a ter date, albeit with my companions’ permission of course.

  The forest was beginning to thin now, the undergrowth becoming more sparse as we pushed on. The beast trail that we were following was slowly evolving into a muddy path. In the far distance, I could see the city of tents, Ansan, growing ever closer.

  Then, suddenly, it happened. The sounds of the forest stilled for a moment before a bush arose in front of me to form the shape of a man. The cool rasp of drawn steel rang in the air, as bdes were removed from their scabbards.

  “Hold up there, friends,” the man said, his voice cultured and at odds with his rough appearance. He removed the hood that hid his features with his left hand, revealing a weaselly face. His other hand held a war cleaver, with a wicked serrated single-edged bde. He was clothed in what I could only describe as a proto-ghillie suit, with odd bits of the local vegetation attached to a dark brown gambeson that made him resemble nothing more than innocent pnt life. Around us, simirly-cd men popped up like new and unwelcome growths.

  Gncing at my companions, I saw that Kidu and Elwin looked completely stupefied, having been completely taken unawares. Quickly trying to assess the threat we were facing, I looked around. My eyes darted this way and that as I hurriedly equipped my shield from my back. We were surrounded by five men in total, that I could see, perhaps more in hiding.

  This was the second time my group had been ambushed and I could feel a swelling frustration that was swiftly growing into a rumbling adrenalin-fueled anger. This would not be a repeat of my encounter with the elves.

  Unlike the elves, this group did not exude an air of tangible menace. By their dress and demeanor, I surmised this group to be common garden-variety bandits. Just out of the forced and scripted svery stage, and with the open world of the game now avaible to me, I was a little disappointed to already be facing such a cliche ‘fantasy’ enemy.

  The enemy began to encircle us and one of the men, equipped with a staff and dispying an obscenely obese girth, whispered into the leader’s ear. Seeking a measure of my foes, I hastily cast an Identify at their exchanged words. I was fully prepared to do whatever it took to live. These bandits would not find my group easy prey.

  “...take alive…” was all the meaning I could glean with my spell before the portly man waved his fingers in my direction, causing me to lose control of my magical energy.

  “None of that,” the fat man wheezed, turning his beady eyes towards me as he smiled.

  The bastard had interrupted my cast with a ruddy counterspell or some simir skill. Still, the spell was not at a total loss, as the words ‘take alive’ were revealed to me… Meaning that this group had to fight within certain constraints. We, on the other hand, were under no such restrictions.

  “Now, there is no need for this to be any more difficult than it needs to be. It is just like the dream! Providence, after all,” the obese man excimed between bored breaths, “As expected from her Champion, you have some gift with the Control… untrained though you may be. Ahh, forgive my manners. My name is Amon Vanes, Priest of the Church.”

  My mind was confused by Amon’s rambling words. Champion? Divine will? As these thoughts ran rampant in my mind, Amon continued, “I will, of course, have you all put your weapons down and come with us peacefully. Peacefully…”

  “Wait!” I half-shouted, my stomach turning to lead as a sinking feeling overcame me, “You come on behalf of Avaria?” I questioned, tamping down long-suppressed memories.

  Amon visibly bnched as I used ’s name, and his left eye ticked in annoyance, “Yes, yes of course. She chose me to deliver you unto her loving and caring bosom. Be not afeard, for you are her Chosen, and all of us here will be but your humble escorts,” he delivered, the lie obvious in his oily tone.

  I pretended to be at ease, lowering my weapons a fraction, even as cold rage boiled inside me. Sneaking a gnce at Kidu and Elwin, I feigned compliance and surreptitiously took a step forward.

  Hurriedly, I tried to take stock of the situation. On the face of things, these people were technically on my side. Perhaps there was a way to talk myself out of this situation, even recruit these people to my cause. On the other hand, I had a pitiable Charisma, so I doubted that going down that road would be the wisest move. Also, did I even want to go through the hassle of negotiating with such obviously low-level scum? If I could do something about Amon‘s magic, the rest should fall like dominos. Sometimes the simplest solutions were the best, and in this case, probably more rewarding in terms of experience. I hoped that my companions would follow my initiative.