> 2 Hours until update.
The Orc Chieftain scowled, with his angry gaze fixed upon a distant wall.
"...I was about to send my guards, before I saw you walk by." Jorghan stated.
"Yes I imagine who ever is orchestrating this, is counting on you to do just that." I surmised.
"So you believe the attack on my village, is part of a larger scheme?" Jorghan asked.
"It just sounds like an 'okey doke' to me, but I don't know man." I sighed.
The Orc Chieftain stared blankly at me, as I realized my explanation wasn't very helpful.
"It's just what we call a 'distract and attack' method. Like shaking your hand with my right, to slap you with my left." I clarified.
"So... Will you go?" The Chief requested. "I would inform the guild of your help, after the business I am here for concludes."
"My party is gone right now and this might be a bit much for just me, solo. Besides I only have 2 hours until..." I trailed off. It was pointless to try to explain the imminent update to the NPC Chieftain.
"I have the fastest Felger mount in Devnia, and her first born remains unbonded. If you do this favor I ask, I will also give you a White Felger." Jorghan offered.
"What is a Felger?" I asked.
"My village breeds and trades Felger mounts, a feline monster used for riding and travel. They're not as suited to combat as wild Felgers, but they have superior speed, health and stamina than common horses." Jorghan proclaimed.
"Hmm. This is too good of an offer to pass up." I pondered aloud, "So after you make you're trade, you will report the incident as an official quest. This way you can return to your village immediately after publicly announcing it's weakened state. I guess that's faster than cancelling the trade and returning with live cargo and all your warriors."
According to Jorghan, someone had gathered a few bands of highwaymen into a larger force and attacked his village. This all happened while the Chief and several warriors were in Greenthorn, trading their mounts. The Raiders weakened the village's defenses, then the remaining enemies retreated into a nearby ruin. The few warriors left in Jorghan's village were ordered to hold their defensive position. My job was to ride to the ruin and finish the raiders off before they could regroup.
Jorghan held out his hand and asked, "Do we have a deal?"
I took his hand and said, "Deal. But I am solo, and on a time limit. I can only try my best."
> 1 Hour, 45 minutes until update.
Bonding with the Felger mount was simple enough. I placed my hand into it's powerful jaws on its large rough tongue, to show it trust. Then I bit the white and black striped cat's ear to show it dominance. I admit I was expecting to be mauled to death by the beast, but I followed the Orc's ritual and somehow survived. That's when my PAC confirmed I had received a pet White Felger, fitted with a custom Wolf leather saddle. I presented my badge to the very impressed guard at Greenthorns North gate, and exited the town mounted on a white tiger looking monster.
> 1 Hour 25 minutes until update.
The tiger-like beast was ridiculously fast. It was like riding a saddled missile on four paws. I fell off a few times and had to drink a healing potion to recover from the impact. Even worse, the saddle wasn't designed to accommodate a Dragonkin tail. I noted to make a few adjustments later. Approaching Jorghans village was under whelming to say the least. Several rows of small and simple wooden houses were protected by a 10 foot tall, stone wall with a narrow catwalk along it's top. Multiple wooden spikes jutted from the ground at the bottom of the wall, pointing up and outward. There were several plots of land for farming and in the center was a large fenced plot with the Felgers. I was greeted by two warriors at the gate, because Jorghan had apparently sent word ahead. I asked several questions about the attack, mostly as to the number or surviving raiders and their equipment. I was told that the raiders force of 50 fighters were reduced to only 9 or 10 survivors. I looked over the battlefield and noticed a few dozen fallen Orcs as well. Then I realized a lot of leering eyes, staring at my new mount. Jorghan had said it was a rare mount.
> 1 Hour, 15 minutes until update.
I had found the ruin quickly, and took a moment to observe its activity. I saw 3 guards patrolling the crumbling walls. According to my AVA they were lower level, and only posed a threat in numbers. I pulled up my stats and reluctantly placed my two available points into stealth:
> Name: Bruno Jenkins Level:7.
> Race: Beastkin(Dragon type) Class: Tank. HP:220/220 ST:160/160 MP:180/180.
> Age: 22. Height:6ft. Weight: 207 lbs.
> Stealth:7, Strength:10, Agility:6, Speed:5, Charisma:7, Mercantile:6, Vitality:10, Endurance:10, Intelligence:7 Wisdom:6.
> Skills: Dragon Scales(Racial/passive). Appraise (General/active)
> (Novice40%), Basic firebreath (Racial/active) (Novice27%) Guard(Combat/active)(Novice36%) Taunt (Combat/active)(Novice31%) Quick shot (Combat/active)(Novice21%) Basic Sparks (Magic/active) (Novice23%) Search (General/active) (Novice06%)
>
> Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
>
> Active effects: +5% stamina regen(racial), +2% health regen. (racial), +10% elemental resistance(racial).
> Armor base: 22 Damage base: 18
Slowly I approached the wall unnoticed and waited at an opening for a guard to pass by. After a few moments the guard passed and I grabbed him from behind, while covering his mouth, and dispatched him in silence. I had barely raised my stealth attribute, but the difference was night and day for a tank. I had even placed dark and loose clothing over my armor to avoid any reflections. After I dispatched the three guards in silence, I approached two raiders on the outskirts sitting at a wooden table. One raider stood up and casually mentioned going to relieve himself. I grabbed his mouth with my left hand, and impaled him with my curved sword. I laid his body down gently, and circled back to the still seated raider's blind spot. I was creeping up behind him when, he must have seen my reflection in the bronze teapot that was sitting on the table. He shot up from his seat, but could only get out: "Oh sh-!" Before I could decapitate the raider.
> 45 Minutes until update.
I snuck closer to the middle of the old ruined outpost, and discovered four raiders drinking and eating at a cooking pot. They were unaware of my presence but it was a little too risky to engage them at this time. I tossed a pebble across the room and they all turned away from me. I used the distraction to sneak past them. Behind me I heard them speaking:
"Fucking rat infested place!... I can't wait 'till we get the ok to get outta this dump." Cursed a raider.
"Soon as we get a message from Mr. Kohek, we're going home. Once that big 'Tusky' Chief gets killed, Mr Kohek will march a war party thru that twice-damned village. Then we get paid and lay in the shade, fella's." A second voice called out.
"Yeah." Chimed a third.
"Damn right!" Cried the fourth.
> 35 minutes until update.
Less sun was shining through the crumbling roof, giving me more shadows to maneuver in. I imagined Casey would have had this done in 5 minutes, as I came to several newish beds placed in an old crumbling room. One of the beds had a raider sleeping under a few ragged and torn blankets. I covered his mouth and slid my sword into the back of his head. He kicked out once then laid motionless, on his newish death bed. I had searched around and was sure the four I snuck past earlier, were all that was left.
> 25 Minutes until update.
It didn't seem like the four were going to separate before my timer ran out. I checked their levels and saw they were only on or two higher than my own. I use to say as a kid, 'If I'm gonna get jumped regardless, I might aswell look talk shit the whole time.' I Boldly walked into the room as if I belonged there and activated my Taunt skill:
"Ey! Any a' you fuckers wanna try to slay tha' Dragon?!" I grinned wildly.
My taunt skill effected all four of them, buffing all my resistances +5% for each effected enemy. (+10% when I activated my Guard skill too.) With my defense at its current peak, I charged the four Highwaymen. While Taunt was effecting them, they had no choice but to charge right back. I ran my Sparks skill into my shield and bashed the closest, and largest one. The archer of the group was taunted and didn't try to get his bow, but charged with her dagger instead. This was fortunate, because while her dagger barely caught my arm I buried my sword in her neck. I Rolled forward and pried the sword from her neck with the momentum. The sound of a crunch was followed by a sloppy ..sluck noise, as her neck broke after she had already died. The remaining two raiders reached me at the same time, with swords raised. I deflected one sword with my shield, then turned my body to avoid the second. I was a moment too late and suffered a slash to my lower back. I stomped down on the first swordsman's leg and heard a snap followed by a scream in pain. I shoved my sword in his back, then spun with my shield extended out, bashing the second swordsman who was behind me. During the moment he was stunned I shoved my sword forward, but only wounded him as he stumbled back at the moment I thrust forward. I heard a heavy rustling behind me and sidestepped a large 2H hammer, being swung down on my previous location. It crashed into the already broken floor, and chunks of stone crumbled from the walls and ceiling.
> 15 Minutes until update.
I didn't even look behind me as I leapt toward the second swordsman, kicking off the wall to change my trajectory and sank my sword into his throat. I tried to pull my sword out, but it was wedged in too deeply. I dropped it and dodged just before a 2H hammer caved in the raiders deceased chest. I turned into the brute and let out a Firebreath too early and only charred his armor and singed his shoulders. While he was disoriented, I picked up the archers Iron dagger and threw it into his chest with Quickshot. The cheap dagger didn't nearly penetrate enough, and the brute thrust his hammer forward in a spearing motion. I met his hammer with my shield, but not to block. I matched his momentum and cancelled the force of his thrust. He retrieved it too fast for me to leverage it and disarm him, but I did grab an Iron sword from the dead raider.
> 10 Minutes until update.
I began an internal monologue: This is not good. I have no Idea what to expect if I'm logged out while he is still alive. Could there be a lag delay, and he crushes my skull while I'm mid-log? Would I lose my shit because of some glitch?
I didn't have time to think further, the brute swung his hammer overhand and I wouldn't be able to stop the momentum of a full swing. I jumped to the side and barely missed being crushed. I then leapt forward, but was surprised to see him yank back violently, the hammer caught my leg and pulled them out from under me. I started twisted my shoulders to start rolling the second I hit the ground. The hammer fell inches from my head, covering my Dragonkin face in dust and debris. Particles bounced off the lenses of my AVA, and I got to my feet. I ducked a sideways swing and slashed at his large muscular arms. The brute made no response.
> 5 Minutes until update.
I could only think of one thing, and it was terribly risky. The Brute was slowing down slightly, and I was still in good shape... for now. I concentrated on getting past his hammer swings. I could only apply small slashes and move away because I didn't have time to plant my feet and stab. I buzzed around his swings like a humming bird.... or more like a Dragonfly. Then I took a step back just before the hammer could flatten me, then thrust myself forward. The large raider released his grip from his hammer and tried to grab my arms. I unfolded my collapsed wings and thrust them between his arms and mine. His blunt fingers tore though the leathery membrane and scales of my wings, and I shoved the Iron sword into his heart. I then activated Sparks just to expedite the kill further. My hands went numb as the inferior raider sword jolted me too, and crackled with electricity. The brute fell backward, already dead. I fell to the ground and everything went black.
> Update in progress.