them, as though she wanted no part in the conversation.
“My suggestion would work just as well,” said Luke. “We take an army up, and liberate the city.”
“Your suggestion is risky,” said Kaoru. “We have no idea just how many Arbiters are up there. We’d be attacking blindly.”
Luke sighed and shook his head.
“Look, all of this is still theoretical until we claim the Elemental Wells,” said Luke. “After I’ve done that, we can finish this discussion.”
Makorin will be under my control once that happens. I’ll have the final say.
Kaoru nodded slowly. From the expression on his face, Luke could tell that they were both thinking the same thing.
“So be it,” he said. “I need your help for this plan to have any chance of succeeding, Kato. I will not take your effort and input for granted.”
Kaoru reached inside his satchel and pulled something out. He took Luke’s hand and closed it around the bag.
“This is… gold?” Luke raised an eyebrow.
“10,000 gold, to be exact,” said Kaoru. “Use it to buy an equipment upgrade for yourself and Tess.”
“10,000 gold?” Luke was stunned.
That’s more gold than I could earn in a month of questing.
Kaoru just smiled.
“I’m committed to this plan, Kato,” he said. “I want you to be committed to it, too.”
Luke stared at him for a moment, and then slowly nodded. He walked over to Tess, who was watching him with a matching look of bewilderment.
“Come on,” he said. “Let’s go shopping.”
Luke and Tess left Dunidan’s Rest through the gate and headed north across the Sarchia Desert. Tess skipped along lightly, not at all like someone about to embark on a dangerous, life threatening quest.
“This is amazing, Luke!” She looped her arm through his. “10,000 gold? That’s an unbelievable amount of money.”
“Yeah…”
But what happens after this? Is this the last time we’ll be able to laugh?
A couple of Sand Scamps began to circle around the two of them, sizing them up as potential targets. Luke used Conjure Sword 3 and struck them down with a wave of his hand, barely paying them any attention.
Stark Town was crowded, but not as crowded as it had been the previous weekend. Luke and Tess walked toward the central square, ignoring the street merchants hawking their wares.
“Do you have somewhere in mind?” asked Tess. Luke nodded.
“The equipment store right near the rune circle,” said Luke. “Everything there is expensive, but for once, we’ll actually be able to afford it.”
Luke pushed through a group of players and almost walked straight into a group of Arbiters. He flinched back, but none of them payed him or Tess any attention. They walked around them without stopping, each arbiter’s stride matching the others as though they were connected at the knee.
They have this city on lockdown. Can we really liberate it?
“Here we are, come on, Luke!” Tess pulled him into the equipment store. Compared to the crowds outside, it was relatively empty.
“Welcome!” The NPC behind the counter was an older man, with a few thin wisps of white hair on his head. “Can I help you with anything in particular today?”
Luke shook his head.
“We’re just going to browse, thanks.” He looked over where Tess had been standing only to find empty space in her place.
“Oh, wow…” Tess had made her way over to a set of priestess armor with a matching white cloak. It hung on a wooden mannequin. The bodice was made of a white enchanted fabric, free flowing with small leather supports sewn into the fabric. The cloak was made from the same deceptively protective material and allowed the wearer to use it as a shield.
“Try it on,” said Luke. “See what it looks like.”
Tess smiled at him and then pulled the outfit into one of the dressing stalls in the back of the store.
I’m bringing a girl shopping for the first time, and it’s in a fantasy world.
Luke waited for a moment, and then wandered into the
“My suggestion would work just as well,” said Luke. “We take an army up, and liberate the city.”
“Your suggestion is risky,” said Kaoru. “We have no idea just how many Arbiters are up there. We’d be attacking blindly.”
Luke sighed and shook his head.
“Look, all of this is still theoretical until we claim the Elemental Wells,” said Luke. “After I’ve done that, we can finish this discussion.”
Makorin will be under my control once that happens. I’ll have the final say.
Kaoru nodded slowly. From the expression on his face, Luke could tell that they were both thinking the same thing.
“So be it,” he said. “I need your help for this plan to have any chance of succeeding, Kato. I will not take your effort and input for granted.”
Kaoru reached inside his satchel and pulled something out. He took Luke’s hand and closed it around the bag.
“This is… gold?” Luke raised an eyebrow.
“10,000 gold, to be exact,” said Kaoru. “Use it to buy an equipment upgrade for yourself and Tess.”
“10,000 gold?” Luke was stunned.
That’s more gold than I could earn in a month of questing.
Kaoru just smiled.
“I’m committed to this plan, Kato,” he said. “I want you to be committed to it, too.”
Luke stared at him for a moment, and then slowly nodded. He walked over to Tess, who was watching him with a matching look of bewilderment.
“Come on,” he said. “Let’s go shopping.”
Luke and Tess left Dunidan’s Rest through the gate and headed north across the Sarchia Desert. Tess skipped along lightly, not at all like someone about to embark on a dangerous, life threatening quest.
“This is amazing, Luke!” She looped her arm through his. “10,000 gold? That’s an unbelievable amount of money.”
“Yeah…”
But what happens after this? Is this the last time we’ll be able to laugh?
A couple of Sand Scamps began to circle around the two of them, sizing them up as potential targets. Luke used Conjure Sword 3 and struck them down with a wave of his hand, barely paying them any attention.
Stark Town was crowded, but not as crowded as it had been the previous weekend. Luke and Tess walked toward the central square, ignoring the street merchants hawking their wares.
“Do you have somewhere in mind?” asked Tess. Luke nodded.
“The equipment store right near the rune circle,” said Luke. “Everything there is expensive, but for once, we’ll actually be able to afford it.”
Luke pushed through a group of players and almost walked straight into a group of Arbiters. He flinched back, but none of them payed him or Tess any attention. They walked around them without stopping, each arbiter’s stride matching the others as though they were connected at the knee.
They have this city on lockdown. Can we really liberate it?
“Here we are, come on, Luke!” Tess pulled him into the equipment store. Compared to the crowds outside, it was relatively empty.
“Welcome!” The NPC behind the counter was an older man, with a few thin wisps of white hair on his head. “Can I help you with anything in particular today?”
Luke shook his head.
“We’re just going to browse, thanks.” He looked over where Tess had been standing only to find empty space in her place.
“Oh, wow…” Tess had made her way over to a set of priestess armor with a matching white cloak. It hung on a wooden mannequin. The bodice was made of a white enchanted fabric, free flowing with small leather supports sewn into the fabric. The cloak was made from the same deceptively protective material and allowed the wearer to use it as a shield.
“Try it on,” said Luke. “See what it looks like.”
Tess smiled at him and then pulled the outfit into one of the dressing stalls in the back of the store.
I’m bringing a girl shopping for the first time, and it’s in a fantasy world.
Luke waited for a moment, and then wandered into the
Similar Books
