Karl didn't wake up until sunrise. It took a minute for him to remember why that was worrisome. Then he sat up quickly. Terry didn't come back last night.

God damn it we need communications systems!

He forced himself to shower and dress properly before storming out. System, where is—? Karl screeched to a halt in mid-thought. I've never tried it. It can't be that easy, can it? Has anyone tried it?

System, locate Terry Williams. There was no response. Naturally it couldn't be that easy.

System, help location residents Safe Zone. System, help resident location. System, where is Jake Cook now?

A map of Endurance popped up in a notification, with a blinking dot in the community center by the kitchen on the first floor. Karl headed that way at once.

When he got to the kitchen, he found Laura handing a haunch of meat—possibly from the giant squirrel—to Jake, who promptly vanished it into inventory with a quick thank you to the Cook before turning to leave. He caught himself up short before colliding with Karl.

“Karl! Uh, good morning!” He didn't look like he had slept much.

“Jake, I've got an engineering problem for you.”

“Uh, sure. Can we walk and discuss it?” Karl nodded and then followed Jake as he headed towards the mews.

“I take it the egg finished hatching.”

Jake nodded. “Letisha was up all night with the hatchling. I'm bringing her meat for a feeding.”

“Okay. Jake, what I need is some method for away parties to communicate with each other and the town.”

“Already tried, repeatedly. There isn't anything the System will let us have.”

“I'll take anything. Even short range. Hell, emergency flares or whistles would be an improvement over nothing, which is what we have now.”

Jake looked at him with interest. “Okay, that maybe I can do. Also, don't forget we have an Engineer now, from the supermarket group. I'll look into it, but later, after I get a little sleep. I was up all night in case Letisha needed me.”

Karl nodded at the mews ahead. “Should I stick my nose in or stay out of the way?”

“Out of the way for now.”

“Okay. Thanks, Jake. See you at the Council meeting.”

Jake grunted and trudged onward. Karl faded back and then turned towards the community center.

Some survivors had adjusted their schedules to the sun once well lit streets disappeared, so a lot of people were around and the cafeteria was gearing up for breakfast. Some looked like morning people and others looked like they wanted to reconsider the whole idea of a diurnal cycle. Karl came across Doug, who had bags under his eyes and was yawning but looked very satisfied. And smug.

Oh. Right. That makes sense. That's good. It's good. That's where she should be directing her... energies. God damn it, did anyone get a good night's sleep?

“Sir Karl?” Josh called from behind him.

Karl turned around to find Josh already in chain mail with Annie in one of the gray robes. “Yes?”

“Annie and I are both fourth level now, so we thought we'd grab a couple of third level people to form an escort for a recycling team. We think we'll be able to handle security with that much force.”

Karl hesitated, then nodded. “Sounds good. Make sure the recycle team has a copy of the metal map.”

“Will do. Thanks, Sir Karl.”

Not long afterward, Murray Williams came up to him in the cafeteria line. “Sir Karl, any word on Terry?”

Karl shook his head. “I asked to be notified by the watch the minute she came in, and haven't heard anything yet. Your daughter is very resourceful, Murray. If she stayed out all night, she had a good reason, and frankly, I wouldn't be too surprised if she comes home eighth level later today.”

Murray nodded fretfully. “It's still hard to picture my little fourteen year old girl as the most powerful person in the area.”

“Believe it. She's the only person besides me so far to kill an uncommon spawn all by herself. She's also almost the only person to engage with a rare spawn solo and get away in one piece. She saved my life more often than I saved hers when we were leveling up those first days.”

Murray kept nodding for a moment, then said, “Barbara and I plan to go looking for survivors today. We want to cover every house on Walnut Street end to end, and as much more ground as we can cover in a reasonable amount of time.”

“Well, Barbara's fifth level and you're fourth, right? You should be fine on your own, but if you want to escort some lower level people while you do that you're welcome to.”

It wasn't much later that Jo and Tabitha stopped by his table where he was just starting to eat. “We're headed back to the supermarket with whoever is willing to come with us and carry stuff. We'd like to take either Michael or Christine if you can spare them, just to have some ranged attack to help if we end up escorting a whole load of low level people. It's a long trip.”

“It's fine by me, but run it by Paul as well. I know he was doing archery lessons and might need them to teach defenders.”

Karl was still savoring his sausage and eggs when Kat marched up to his table. “I won't be at the Council meeting today. Duncan's my deputy and he can fill you all in on everything.”

“That's fine, Sheriff. What will you be doing?”

“I need to go kill things and level up. Fourth level isn't going to cut it when there's a good dozen people higher level than that here in town. I want to take some of my people into the marsh and thin out the marsh folk a little, maybe see if I can get the lay of the land in there.”

“Make sure to ask Paul for Terry's map and listing for the marsh; it's four days old now, which is pretty ancient, but you can do a comparison and get an idea of their rate of growth at least.”

“Good idea.” Kat turned to go.

“Oh, and Sheriff?” She looked back at him. “I approve your plan, but please remember they're not just 'your' people any more, they're residents of Endurance, and the rest of the town are now your people too. So I'd request that you mix and match at least a little. Take one or two people along who you don't know and get used to them. We've got about a hundred and fifty people now though; you don't have to learn about them all at once.”

She looked as if she wanted to argue, but held her tongue for a moment, then nodded. “Yeah. That makes sense. Thank you...Sir Karl.” She clearly said the last with reluctance and stalked off.

This 'Sir' thing is causing problems. It's a sign of respect, and it helps the group to have a clear focus on who the leader is, but it also looks like I am claiming things I haven't earned and don't deserve. Like one of those titles. Karl brooded for a minute, then called up his stats for the first time in a while.

Karl Friedrich Hausman

Class: paladin

Level: 7

Experience: 10650/16000

Health: 292/292

Mana: 350/350

Stamina: 150/150

Endurance: 26

Body: 9.3 (Strength: 13, Constitution: 9, Agility: 6)

Mind: 7.7 (Intelligence: 9, Willpower: 8, Aptitude: 6)

Social: 5.7 (Charisma: 10, Personality: 3, Allure: 4)

Skills:

Analyze Creature (1)

Brawling (4)

Short Spear (2)

Shield Bash (4)

Short sword (4)

Sense Deceit (1)

Righteous Presence (4)

Leadership (3)

Broadsword (2)

Spells:

Healing Hands (5)

Purge Poison (1)

Spellsword (1)

Guardian Aura—upgraded to Guardian Angel (1)

Circumstantial Prayer (3)

Blessing of Courage (1)

Karl stared at it for a moment, trying to figure out when his skills increased. He was often far too busy fighting for his life to read notifications, and sometimes he sort of skimmed the messages later without thinking too hard about it. It wasn't as if they were urgent, and so many other things were

“Sir Karl?”

He blinked the notification closed. A young woman was standing there. Mary? No, Mandy? “Hi, Mandy, is it?” Her smile told him he'd guessed correctly.

“Yes, Sir. I'm sorry to bother you, but I had a question.”

“What is it?”

“I was wondering if you could tell me how to become a paladin.”

Karl blinked. “No class yet?” She shook her head. “Well, that's a good question. You're the first to ask me that. Let me think... What has the System offered you so far?”

“Warrior and Healer. I did a little bit of fighting with a baseball bat, and later I used a healing staff when our healer got hurt and was out of mana.”

“Hm. Those were two of the ones I got offered. The other two were Martial Artist and Paladin.”

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“How did you get offered Martial Artist?”

Karl laughed. “Through a grievous misunderstanding on the part of the System! Basically I was in combat against five goblins, and I had no idea how to fight, so I was just trying everything: punching, slapping, kicking, throwing, shoving, as fast as possible. I'm guessing that's what did it.

“But you asked about paladin, specifically. Well, I'll tell you exactly what happened and you can draw your own conclusions. I was down to four health with one opponent still standing, a Goblin healer.”

“You mean you—?”

“I know, I know! Always get the healer first! I know that now.” Karl chuckled. He was getting a bit of a worshipful vibe from the young woman; while that was potentially good for her preferred class, he didn't want that worship misdirected at him.

“Then the goblin healer did one smart thing and one stupid thing.” Mandy was leaning forward, listening intently. “The smart thing it did was to cast the minor curse 'blood loss' on me. It takes away one health every ten seconds for ninety seconds. That was it. It could have just stood back and waited for me to die, and I would have died. But then it did the stupid thing. It ran up and attacked me with its staff, and that saved my life.

“I punched the healer, grabbed the staff, and beat him to death with it as fast as I could, while my health ticked down. And then I had one health left, and the minor curse was still going. I was seconds from death.”

“But you had a staff of healing!” Mandy exclaimed in understanding.

“But I didn't know how to use it,” Karl pointed out, and her expression went back to tense. “So I honestly and fervently prayed to be saved. I prayed to God, and the System answered. I don't know if it was coincidence, or destiny—if God used the System to give me my calling, or the System was just going to do it anyway.

“When I was offered the paladin class along with the other three, I knew that it came with responsibilities and duties that I would struggle to fulfill, a standard that I would find hard to rise to. Whether those come from God or the rules of the System I don't know. I don't know who to thank, so I thank them both. Saving my life means that I owe them a debt. And I pay my debts. So I took the class, knowing it was going to be a lot of work.

“The System runs a lot with intent. It is...trying to tell us who we are, based on our actions. But we have a choice, and a voice, in that. Now more than ever, we can change ourselves to be the people we truly wish to be. If you truly wish to be a paladin, if you are willing to serve, then tell God and the System so.”

“I've tried, but nothing happened. Do I...have to be a Christian?”

“Not in my book,” Karl answered at once. “Although if you believe in another faith, you might get the same class but with a different System name.”

“I want to be a fighter and a healer, both.”

Karl nodded. “Druids do some of both. Maybe you want to talk to Valerie or Murray instead?”

“I mean, I...” Mandy stopped, groping for words. “I want to fight for what's right. But I don't want to just kill things. Does that make any sense?”

“Certainly. Maybe paladin is the right choice for you. Can you be even more specific? What about being a paladin appeals to you?”

Mandy took a breath. “I want...to be strong. I want to be powerful. But I don't want it in order to be a bully; I want to be powerful so I can stop bullies. I want...to know I'm doing the right thing.” The words were honest, but the silence that followed was a lie.

System notification: Your skill in Sense Deceit has increased (1—>2)

“Mandy, I can tell there's more.” Karl tapped his forehead. “Why else? What other motive do you have?”

She looked as if she wanted to squirm or fidget, but was keeping herself still with willpower. “I...want to be looked up to. I want people to respect me, and call me Lady Mandy, and admire me. I want to be special. I want people to like me.”

Karl nodded. “Thank you for telling me. This class requires great honesty. I should warn you, some of the abilities are only activated when the System decides it. I haven't tried using my paladin powers for a bad reason, but the way I envision it, I think they would work badly, or not at all. But that's speculation on my part.

“Mandy, none of those desires are inherently bad. You can have them and be a paladin. You can fulfill them and be a paladin. But...those later ones can't be your primary motives. And you can't let those desires warp your actions and choices. If you have to choose between what's right and what's popular...”

“I'll do what's right!”

“Are you sure?” Karl asked gently. “This class, it's a heavy responsibility.”

“I know. I'll...I'll put points into Willpower if I have to,” she said honestly.

Karl nodded. “That's good. But I should also point out that people calling me 'Sir Karl' was a PR stunt slash practical joke by Terry. Being called 'Lady' won't come with the class. The System has its own titles.”

“Like Hero?”

“Yes. That is the only title I have actually earned. I try to make a point of calling people by their titles when it seems appropriate. I also...would like to see if there is any way I could truly earn the title 'Sir'. Do you think you understand what I've been trying to tell you?”

“My motives need to be pure,” Mandy said quietly.

“Or at least the pure ones have to win out over the other ones. Know your weaknesses, don't hide them from yourself. Honestly, it's a rough job. If you want to kick back and relax sometimes you might want some other similar class instead.”

“Sir Karl...is there...any way you could check? To see if I'm worthy?”

“Don't put it like that,” Karl snapped.

She flinched. “I'm sorry, Sir Karl, but...how should I put it?”

“Let's try to find out if your motives are worthy. You are a human being and have worth, regardless of what any System says. Understood?” he asked forcefully. Mandy nodded. “Then give me your hand. I don't know if this will work but I'll try.”

Mandy held out her hand and Karl grasped it. He closed his eyes and bowed his head in prayer for a moment. God in Heaven, please guide us, and the System. System, tell me how Mandy can become a paladin.

Nothing.

System, help identify paladin. Help test motives. The description of Sense Deceit came up.

System, identify class. System, offer class paladin. System, please offer Mandy a class that will make her happy. System, what abilities will let me help her? System, Detect Paladin. Detect Paladin candidate.

Beside him, Mandy murmured, “help Squire.” Pause. “Help Knight.” Another pause. “Help Paladin.” A much longer pause. “Help Lady.”

There's a class named Lady? Karl wondered.

“Help Noble Act.”

It seems she has gotten a lot of information. Thank you, System. Karl opened his eyes and released Mandy's hand. Then he waited while she read through whatever notifications the System had sent her. She apparently made her choice, because she got that stunned look people usually got when the System poured lots of new information into their brains. After a few seconds she blinked and looked at him.

“I've got my class. I'm a Knight. Thank you, Sir...Sir Karl.”

Karl inclined his head. “Congratulations, Lady Mandy.”

“Not yet,” she answered, eyes shining. “But I will be. I know how to get the title now.”

“Wait, you do?”

Mandy nodded. “Well, sort of. I have to perform three Noble Acts.”

“Does that work for 'Sir' as well?”

“Yes, it's the same thing.”

System Notification: For completing three or more Noble Acts as a Knight class (Paladin subclass), you have received the honorific Title 'Sir'. Titles are cumulative unless otherwise indicated.

Noble Acts completed include:

Act of Courage: attempting to rescue Letisha Jones

Act of Dedication: acceptance of Paladin class

Act of Fairness: attempting communication with a hostile foe, despite opposition

Act of Fulfillment: making and fulfilling a vow to defend others, Safe Zones created

Act of Perseverance: revival of Murray Williams

You have gained Renown: +3, for acquisition of a second title.

Sir/Lady/Knight: +5% bonus to all social interactions. +1 Charisma. +1 Renown.

Your Charisma has increased (10—>11)

Karl stared. “But that...that just happened now?”

“What did?”

“I just got the Title 'Sir'. Just now. Which doesn't make sense.”

Mandy blinked. “Was helping me a Noble Act?”

“No, these acts are from days ago. Why wasn't it awarded until now?”

“I...don't know, Sir Karl. Sir Karl,” she repeated with emphasis. Ah. Once she knew the requirements, and thought I hadn't satisfied them, she was understandably reluctant to address me by an actual Title I hadn't earned.

“Were you offered the paladin class? I heard you reading help about it.”

“I was. But it turns out the Paladin class is a special case of the Knight class. I get fewer spells, but they are...more reliable, I guess. Less vulnerable to me screwing up emotionally or spiritually, which I was worried about once you explained it.” Mandy hesitated, then continued.

“There was also...a Squire class. Apparently if I took that one, I had to serve under a Knight for a while and then graduate to Knight or Paladin when I achieved certain goals. It would have given me a...back door into Paladin, I think. If I wasn't ready for it now but would grow into it. I'm sorry, Sir Karl, but going directly to Knight seemed like a better choice for me.”

Karl shook his head. “Don't apologize for your choice of class. Seems to me it's about as important as choosing who to marry, and probably harder to take back. Always follow your heart in the most important matters. It's your life, and it has value. Don't ever diminish it or throw it away.”

Mandy ducked her head. “Thank you for understanding, Sir Karl. And thank you so much for your counsel! I need to go figure out what to do next.” She got up excitedly. Karl waved to her in friendly dismissal and she ran off with a smile.

Karl kept his own smile up until she was out of sight, then frowned. All right, System, what gives? As expected, there was no response. I'm not leaving this alone, System. I don't want a 'participation trophy' or something you just made up to make me happy. Still no response.

He called up his stats screen again and looked at the first section. Sure enough, he had two titles, four Renown and his charisma was at 11. Nothing else had changed.

Karl got up, took care of his breakfast dishes, then headed to George's office. He knocked and waited, unsure whether anyone would be in there yet. After a moment the door swung open and he stepped inside. He quickly closed it behind him.

George wasn't there, nor was Miss Parker, but Cindy Waller and Emily Whittaker were arguing excitedly over something. “What about a surveyor? Or a...a politician maybe?”

“No dearie. Since realtor worked, let's try safari companies.”

“Oooh! That's so smart! Miss Parker, you'll never believe—” Cindy looked up and her sentence came crashing to a gulping stop. She swallowed. “Sir Karl! I'm sorry, I thought you were Miss Parker! She was supposed to be here any minute and—” there was another knock. “That's her. System, open the door.” Karl stepped forward to make room as the other researcher came in.

“Oh, Sir Karl! Good morning! Were you looking for a briefing before the Town Council meeting?”

“Actually I wanted to stop in with another research topic, but it looks as if you have your hands full with something.”

“Oh, of course! Please, let me know and I'll write it down before diving into whatever's got them so excited.”

Karl nodded. “I wanted to know about any cases of the System updating or changing the rules since it started. Specifically, the System has just now awarded me the Title 'Sir' for actions I took days ago, and I want to know whether that is because the Title didn't exist before now, or for some other reason.”

“Oh! You have it officially now? Congratulations, Sir Karl!”

“Thank you. Also, it appears I have a bit of Renown now as a result.”

“Oh. That is interesting. Thank you, Sir Karl, we'll look into it.”

Karl glanced around the room. “I think I'll get out of your hair so you can prepare for the meeting. Thank you all for your efforts.” He excused himself quickly and left. Well, something's got them worked up.

As Karl turned to go, he noticed a board outside the office with lots of small pieces of paper stuck to it with pins. The top read Information Bounties and beneath that said, “We will pay for information you discover on the topics below. NOTE: Questionable results will be subject to verification with magic by Sir Karl or Sheriff McPhee.” He took a moment to read some of the listings:

The name and description of a monster not already known: 10 copper

The list of types, locations and times of all your fights with monsters: 3 copper/fight

List of items you tried to Systemize and failed at System start: 3 copper/item

The name and description of a class not already known: 10 copper

New Important Facts about the System: 1 copper/experience awarded

…

There were at least a dozen more. Bounties are good motivators, Karl thought approvingly. And it's one step closer to an economy, one more way coin can change hands.

Speaking of coin, I really need to go earn some myself. I have furniture to pay for and research to fund, plus it is nice to be able to give people things.

Karl went for a walk outside. He could see Michael and Paul supervising archery lessons for six people. He went up on the wall for a few minutes and chatted with the guards. He resisted the temptation to stick his nose in the mews. He spent a fruitless while attempting to interrogate the System, failing to get any breakthroughs or insights or Important Facts.

Finally he gave in to temptation, pulled out his pad, and checked the Renown section for Earth. There were several entries now, which was heartening. His own so far consisted of a single video clip. Curious, he played it. It was very short. It also had a soundtrack Karl recognized, to his horror.

The Benny Hill theme.

It was his crazy fall down the hillside in the kythar camp. The one where he'd tried to shield bash a kythar on top of a hill, missed, almost fell, caught himself, got pushed over the edge by the kythar, yanked the monster along, landed on his shield with the kythar on top of him, and then they started sledding down the hillside...Then there was a lot of chaos in a few seconds, ending with him accidentally landing on one guard, killing it, somersaulting to his feet, and killing the second guard while it stood there dumbfounded. The final moment was Chenelle, coming down the last few steps of the hill and commenting, “Well, that happened.”

I'm a comedy skit. Karl glowered for a few moments, then thought, serves me right for trying to feed my ego. He thought about it a few more moments, and then started laughing at himself. I should show this to Chenelle...if she's not too busy plotting the revenge of a woman scorned.

Finally it was time for the council meeting, so he headed in and up to the office they used.