A collective sigh escaped everyone. Nick didn’t realize how cold his sweat had gotten until he rubbed his forehead with the back of his hand. He never wanted to do that again.

Evelyn got up, heading for the front door. Ezekiel remained by Milo, his head bowed, looking worse in the light. His eyes were closed tight, no doubt the light hurting him. Milo was on his side on the couch, visibly ill. He was down to two hit points. He could only get two hit points, and a stiff breeze would knock him unconscious. Grizzizzik was leaning against the countertop, staring at nothing. Nick hoped he was rethinking his life choices, because they barely got out of that fight alive.

Nick noticed the front door was still open, and he walked over to close it when he saw Evelyn in the front yard. He watched, curious, as his little sister held out a hand and Moonsparkle walked over to her. Nick raised an eyebrow, curious. This was not the first time Evelyn met the unicorn. That much was obvious. Evelyn ran her fingers through the unicorn’s mane, whispering to her. Thanking her. Moonsparkle nickered before moving away from the yard. As soon as the unicorn was on the road, it galloped away, and Nick closed the door to not intrude on something private.

He walked back into the kitchen, seeing Tyler leaning against the countertop. Nick grabbed his glass and filled it with more water.

“You okay?” Tyler asked.

“Yeah,” Nick said.

Tyler studied his face. “Akshi just threatened your life, Nick. Are you okay?”

Nick drained his glass of water, glancing at Grizzizzik. “I’m… making it work.”

“You have school tomorrow. We didn’t kill Akshi. He’s going to be there,” Tyler said.

Nick shook his head, gripping his cup. “If you want to make me more frightened, you’re doing an excellent job.”

Tyler’s smile was small. “I can be in Elmwood in a half hour. Please call. Or get your sister to call. In fact, I need you to check in with me tomorrow after school, once you're home safe. If you’re going to school at all. I… need to know you’re safe.”

Tyler’s concern strangely touched Nick. “I’ll get Evelyn to check in tomorrow. I have work.”

“And earlier, if needed,” Tyler said.

Nick nodded. “And earlier, if needed.”

Tyler looked as though he was trying to relax, but his gaze flickered over to Walt. Nick’s dad was walking to the kitchen, a book under one arm. Out of instinct, Nick’s shoulders straightened.

“That was certainly… interesting,” Walt said, staring at Tyler.

Their game master shrugged. “That was one of our more action-packed sessions, no doubt.”

“So… can I go back to attending CCNC sessions at other people’s houses?” Nick asked.

The pretend smile on Walt’s face dropped. “I suppose.”

It was good enough for Nick. The next session was Ezekiel’s lycanthropy cleansing. Even thinking about it made him deflate. Now that they did the impossible and got Akshi’s sword, they had one more impossible thing to worry about. They still had an intact bar of silver.

Walt turned his absent smile back at Tyler. “That woman character going to show up again?”

Tyler took in the lack of a genuine smile, the dry tone, and he straightened. “It’s… whatever the story demands.”

Walt scrutinized Tyler’s face. “Electrical engineering, huh?”

“Yes, Mr. Larsen.”

Walt grunted, unimpressed, and moved out of the kitchen, back toward the couch. Tyler watched, his eyes widening. “I… think I just got on your dad’s bad side.”

Nick sighed, tapping Tyler’s glass of water with his own. “Welcome to that lifelong sentence.”

Tyler winced as Alejandra walked over, looking uncomfortable and dropping her voice. “How much longer until Hraktar and Princess Clarissa get here?”

Tyler shrugged. “Princess Clarissa is moving pretty fast. They should get here in another ten minutes.”

Alejandra picked at the skin by her thumb, glancing around. “Can we possibly stay that much longer? The session is done, and Walt probably wants us to leave now.”

“There’s no ‘probably’ about it.” Tyler glanced at Walt again, who directed a frown at Tyler before glancing at his watch.

“Go,” Grizzizzik whispered.

Alejandra turned toward him. “What?”

“Go.” Grizzizzik still didn’t look at her. “Akshi threatened Nick tonight. Knew the kid’s name and surname. Probably knows his address, too. We need Hraktar here for protection. We need everyone here to protect him if Akshi retaliates. Go on home, leave us to protect Nick.”

Nick listened to his character, struggling to keep the surprise off his face. Grizzizzik had been humbled tonight.

“I like that idea. You five stay here and protect Nick.” Tyler headed toward the table. “I’ll pack up and leave. Call tomorrow. Please.”

Nick nodded as Tyler walked toward the table. Tyler grabbed his boxes and placed them on the table, putting away the miniatures. Grizzizzik stumbled toward the couches before collapsing on them. Nick wasn’t sure if it was collapsing, so much as his character’s knees gave out. In the bright light, Nick noticed a thin bit of fur covering Ezekiel’s body. It wasn’t thick, but it was an off-white color, and it was far more pronounced in his face. Ezekiel reached over for one of Lydia’s throw blankets and wrapped it around his head, giving himself a small hood of shade from the light.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“Do you guys have the Lord of the Rings books?” Rafael whispered.

Nick glanced at him, then nodded. He slipped into his room and found the first book, then came back to hand it to Rafael. Nick watched as Rafael handed the book to Ezekiel. The cleric took it, tears filling his eyes as he curled into a fetal position and started at the beginning of the book.

“Is… he going to be okay?” Nick asked.

“He will now. And once Princess Clarissa gets here,” Rafael said.

Nick nodded, the full brunt of the situation hitting him. They survived the heist for Akshi’s weapon. Barely. Now they needed to last a week, and make sure Ezekiel got cleansed of lycanthropy.

Rafael and Alejandra gathered their things. Walt walked over to Rafael, and Nick wasn’t sure how much more he could take of his father’s favoritism. Instead, he sat down next to Grizzizzik.

“So… you going to level up now?” Nick asked.

“Shh.” Grizzizzik glanced at Derek. Nick doubted Derek could hear, since most of his friend’s focus was on the mana fusor.

“Oh, I found out they can’t hear me when I talk about your leveling.” The unsettled feeling returned. “I can talk about it as openly as I want here.”

Grizzizzik glanced at Nick, surprised. “Really?”

“Really.”

Nick didn’t know what to expect after explaining that his friends couldn’t hear him talk about the leveling. Complete silence and disinterest from his character should not have surprised him.

“Akshi wiped the floor with you. You need to get stronger. Fast. What the hell are you waiting for?”

Grizzizzik rubbed his chin, tearing his gaze from Nick. Once again, his rogue shut down.

“Grizz—”

“Later.”

“No. No later,” Nick said, anger flaring inside him. “I refuse to roll another battle for you until you’re at level four. Understand?”

Grizzizzik studied Nick’s face, the coldness in his eyes dangerous. “Fine. You won’t roll another battle for me until I’m level four.”

Nick wasn’t sure what to say, but he did know that Grizzizzik calmly repeating his own words gave him no comfort. His character got up and walked toward the back door, slipping outside.

What the hell was Grizzizzik doing. Still? None of it made sense. Why wasn’t he leveling up? Why was he shutting down? Grizzizzik asked everyone to stay here tonight to protect Nick, yet he still refused to level up.

Time froze, and words appeared. It was almost strange after having a regular session.

Roll for perception.

Nick took the d20 floating in front of him and gave it a shake. It landed on a nine. “Well, it’s certainly consistent,” Nick mumbled. A +4 appeared, making it a thirteen. It wasn’t bad. It might be enough to check the perimeter of the house.

“Well, we better go,” Rafael said after a break in his and Walt’s conversation.

“Yeah, it’s getting late.” Walt glanced at his watch. “You all better get back home. It is school tomorrow, after all.”

Tyler grabbed his suitcases, placing the totes inside. There was the sound of galloping hooves, and Nick headed toward the front door.

Evelyn was already out there, watching the black war horse galloping toward the house with Hraktar holding on like his life depended on it. Clarissa the horse pulled to a stop and Hraktar got off, stumbling. Alejandra ran past Nick, throwing her arms around Hraktar. At least, she tried to. Hraktar had such broad shoulders, he doubted Alejandra could completely wrap her arms around him. The war horse shrank, and Clarissa appeared on her hands and knees, panting. She looked bone weary as Evelyn dropped to her knees and hugged her.

Nick realized that these two were the only reason everyone else got out alive. The two sisters Nick fought to not join the campaign when they first started five years ago. He was reminded over and over how much they needed these two. He was glad, again, that his twelve-year-old self was outvoted and the two sisters were allowed to stay.

“Ezekiel. Where is Ezekiel?” Clarissa asked once her breathing had returned.

“He’s inside. Come on.” Evelyn helped her princess to her feet before they all walked inside.

Clarissa picked up her skirts and ran to Ezekiel, hugging him tight. “Forgive me. Please forgive me.”

“For what?” Ezekiel asked.

“For… when you were in your wererat form, I slaughtered you.”

Ezekiel placed a hand against her cheek. “Please do that. Every single time. And never ask me for forgiveness. I’m fine.” He placed his forehead against hers. “I’m fine.”

Milo reached behind him, pulling out Akshi’s long sword. It slipped from his fingers and clattered to the ground. “Someone else take that. Please. I don’t trust myself to have it. Not after…” He ran a hand through his hair.

Hraktar picked up the sword, putting it in his own inventory. “Sleep it off, Milo. You look like shit.”

Milo didn’t need to be told twice. It seemed like he was waiting for Hraktar to come before he fell back against the couch, already snoring softly. Derek moved around, grabbing his character’s shoulders and easing him against the couch. Milo was out. They were lucky to still have him.

“So um, see you tomorrow,” Rafael said with Alejandra next to him.

“See you tomorrow,” Nick said.

Rafael and Alejandra headed toward the door. Hraktar frowned, watching them leave.

“Akshi threatened Nick,” Ezekiel said. “Everyone needs to stay here. To make sure he’s alright.”

Hraktar’s eyes snapped to Nick. “Oh.”

“I think Grizzizzik is taking the first watch, considering what I rolled,” Nick said.

Hraktar got to his feet. “I’ll join him.”

Nick nodded as the fighter walked outside. Derek gathered his things and walked toward Nick. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Derek glanced at Milo, soft snores emanating from the mana fusor. “Watch him. He’s squishy, but valuable.”

“He’s got his friends with him. He’ll be fine,” Nick said.

Derek patted Nick on the shoulder. “Also, please consider blessing your dice. Or an exorcism of some sort. Or just buying new ones all together.” Nick couldn’t help it and snorted. Derek waved at Walt. “Bye, Mr. Larsen.”

Walt waved, still watching Tyler. Nick walked over and grabbed a blanket, spreading it across Milo. Clarissa had her arm around Ezekiel as she helped him up the stairs to the guest room.

Tyler finished zipping the suitcases and lifted the handle. “Alright. I’m all set. See you later, Nick, Evelyn. Bye, Mr. Larsen.”

“Travel home safe,” Evelyn said.

“Let’s not have another session during the school week, okay?” Walt said.

“Well, I assure you, we rarely have them. But this was your idea,” Tyler said.

Walt narrowed his eyes. “Excuse me?”

Tyler grabbed his suitcases. “I mean, we’ll keep having them on the weekend. As we usually do. It was your specific request to have it tonight, so we obliged. Half the struggle of CCNC is scheduling.”

Walt shook his head, the glare a fraction of one he gave Nick. Tyler kept Walt’s gaze. “Go back to college, Tyler. Focus on your studies. Do something actually worthwhile with your time.”

Tyler had a response on the tip of his tongue, one he clamped behind his jaw. Nick knew, because he’d been there so many times before. He even saw a muscle twitch in Tyler’s jaw before he opened his mouth. “Good night, sir.” Tyler grabbed the handles and dragged them behind him, leaving the house. Evelyn watched the exchange, frowning.

“It’s late, you two. Go to bed,” Walt said.

Nick shook his head, heading down the hall to his room.

“Does Dad hate Tyler?” Evelyn whispered.

“Seems like it.”

Evelyn’s eyes widened in surprise. “Who hates Tyler? Like, seriously? What’s wrong with Dad?”

Nick opened the door. “I gave up trying to understand him.” He slipped inside his room before putting on his pajamas. He rested on his bed, trying to unwind. Assuring himself they had what they needed. They took a beating, but were still standing.

Nick closed the book he’d been pretending to read for the past ten minutes. It was past midnight, and he needed to sleep. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then let it out, trying to imagine all the fear going out with the breath. There was no proof Akshi would come after him. He might have said that to throw Grizzizzik off. Nick was probably safe. But he also probably wasn’t.

There was a rustling right outside Nick’s window. He leaned against it, trying not to panic, but saw Hraktar right outside. Nick made eye contact with the fighter, and Hraktar nodded. Nick nodded back, then climbed into his bed. He faced the ceiling before closing his eyes. It would be okay. A rogue and a fighter were keeping watch. The mana fusor was sleeping on the couch not that far, recovering. A badass druid with a compassionate cleric were upstairs. He’d seen how they fought today. They wouldn’t let anyone hurt him.

With that thought, Nick allowed himself to drift off to sleep.