The tavern is large but warm, thanks to the several blazing fires and numerous lit lanterns that throw dancing shadows on the wooden walls.

You cautiously head towards the bar on the right side of the tavern. The innkeeper Sal is there, looking like he would rather not be. Two men are sat on stools in front of him at the bar. They turn slowly to watch you.

“Ready to fill those forms in yet, or do you need another half an hour?”

“I can do them now. I just had my purse stolen.”

“Thanks for the warning.”

“I know, the must be a gang about.”

“I meant thanks for warning me you have no more money.”

“I’ve paid for tonight… I’m not sure what I’m going to do after that though.”

“If you’re willing to learn and work hard you can always earn a living here.”

His advice sounds sensible enough but the look he is giving you makes you feel nervous.

Sal hands you some papers. One is a guest checklist asking if you want a fire /meal etc. You quickly fill it in with the quill and ink well on the bar and leave the ink to dry.

The other is a guest survey which you fold up and put in your pocket. He also hands you a breakfast menu and asks you to choose. He says you cannot upgrade to the full Glamis breakfast because it is 1K extra - which you no longer have.

“I’ll have the toast and toppings. Poached Dragon eggs sound interesting and butter honey jelly with honey coffee.”

“An excellent choice. What about your evening meal and drink?”

“Beef stew and dumplings sounds good, and I’ll try the mead.”

“Why don’t you go to your room - room 3, and get settled in. I’ll get your meal ready. Go up the stairs and follow the corridor. It’s the third room on the right.”

You leave the bar area. You notice others in the tavern at the same time they notice you. There is a young blonde barmaid busy filling tankards with mead, and man is sat by himself in front of a fire in the furthest corner and there are two groups of four men whispering to each other as they eat their meal and drink ale.

You head up the wooden stairs which creak loudly and find your room. It is unlocked. You walk inside and are pleased it looks comfy and is clean. The fire has already been lit and the room is warm.

You put your kit on the bed and look out of the window.

It is dark outside, and all the stalls have been emptied. You watch some merchants put their unsold stock into the tavern’s outbuildings to store it till the next market day before they head inside the tavern.

Dragons are led over to the stable block and given food. You can hear the hum of conversation outside and below you and you wonder how noisy it will get later.

You lock your room door behind you and head back downstairs. You are hungry and are looking forward to your stew.

Listen, can anyone else hear us speaking? Or do they think I’m talking to myself?

Only we can hear what we say to each other.

That’s good to know, this tavern is in a great spot for customers, isn’t it?

And unsavoury characters.

I can’t see how much danger I can be in here, it’s too busy.

Please note your lack of current observational skills.8/20 means you are constantly in danger, but you do not know it.

Actually, my observational skills have improved 100% - I don’t need glasses here.

Being able to see is not the same as understanding what it is you see. You will learn that skill quickly you will not remain in the game long.

We’ll see. You know how… I’m really Ellie? How come now I can’t imagine my mother’s face anymore? I tried to, but it’s blank. Why is that?

Here, Valda’s memories are stronger. Ellie does not exist. Not here, anyway.

What if I forget who I really am?

That is a possibility. But right now, you need to eat and rest then await your destiny.

You are ushered over to a table next to a roaring fire which has your meal and drink on it already, placed by the barmaid, Elspethe. She does not speak to you or look at you.

You sit and eat the delicious meal watching the flickering flames of the fire and watching everyone else as they eat, drink and talk.

Time appears to pass swiftly. Once you have finished your drink and you know you cannot buy another, you head over to the entrance where you saw a stack of tourist leaflets on a shelf earlier.

You pick them up and start reading through them. They describe the delights of nearby towns and villages that have places of interest to visit.

One of the men who spoke to you before, walks over to you.

“I can show you the sights.”

He is an imposing man with sharp features and a deep scar across his left cheek. He is missing half his little finger on his right hand. He looks at you with a sideways glance as he chews on tobacco. He is heavily armed. His name is Hagarh.

“I’m sorry, I’ve no money for a guide. I did have, but a cutpurse stole it earlier.”

“If I were you… I’d be careful trying to find your own way around here.”

“Just how dangerous is it around here? I notice you’ve got a fair few weapons on you for a tour guide.”

“You also carry weapons. I hope you can use them. Here, those who can’t, don’t survive long. Tourists in particular… have… accidents. Even with a guide.”

“Thanks for the warning. If I manage to earn some Kand I’ll be sure to let you know.”

He grunts and pushes more tobacco into his heavily stained mouth.

Suddenly, a man dressed in rags with his cloak hood pulled up over his head bursts through the door.

“Sal! I have returned! Mead and my room! I have news for you all.”

“As always, your room is ready, Trellis. Come warm yourself by the fire and tell us what you know.”

Trellis is a travelling bard. People on Glamis fear him. They think he has secret powers and was once a powerful wizard. They do their best to take care of him when he turns up unexpectedly, so he does not put a curse on them or their business. Most taverns keep a room just for Trellis and he provides entertainment and the latest news in return.

There are those who believe he is a spy for the King, and he travels from tavern to tavern to seek out those who plot against him.

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

However, he is handy to know. He is the ultimate guide, but he insists on travelling alone.

He seems to have a sixth sense when choosing songs to sing in each tavern he visits. Does he know what is in their minds, or is it just a lucky guess?

You notice him look at you quizzically.

“Will you be singing here, tonight?”

“Of course! I have many songs to sing. I may even have one just for you. But first, I must get warm. It’s a biting wind out there for sure. My bones are splintering they’re that cold.”

He heads over to the fire and holds his hands out to the flames.

The barmaid is talking to one of the groups of men. They are looking over at you. One of the men hands her something and she walks quickly away with it.

You head to a fire with no one near it wanting to hear Trellis sing and tell stories, but you feel awkward and self-conscious at having no drink in your hand and no coin to buy another.

Trellis is given a hot meal and drink of mead. He finishes both surprisingly quickly.

The atmosphere and noise level changes when he stands in the middle of the tavern in front of the bar. You have a good view of him where you are standing.

Trellis starts to play a sombre tune. Anticipation rises in the room the hairs on the back of your neck rise. You sense genuine fear of what Trellis might say is in the air, all around you. The tavern is full, and you can cut the atmosphere with a sharp sword.

“I’ve been a-travelling, my friends. Far and wide I have wandered. A bard’s journey never ends -there are always tales to tell, to put in a song. I have important news I must share with you all. Listen carefully and learn from the mistakes of others…

‘The King’s escape’

Gather round, I’ve a tale to tell

of plans to murder, of plots to kill

our own King’s head they tried to target

but their whispers were too loud.

Loyal ears heard their words

- And the King’s guard lay in wait

And so, on a dark cold night like this

the plotters stood bold, waiting

for the signal for their plan to unfold

but the King’s guard stood out from the shadows

instead of the King’s soul.

- It was the plotters’ tears that fell, not the crown.

Now let this be a lesson to you all

if any of you have plans to see the King fall

he has eyes and ears all around

they’ll hear every word, thought and sound

so beware of what you say and who to

those up on the gallows tonight - could be you

Plotters beware - your friends may not be.

Those on the gallows tonight

are a lesson for all, plainly seen

Could be you

Could be you…

Your gaze falls on the group of four men dressed in black. They all have faces like chalk, frozen, listening to every word and all seem deep in thought.

“Let that be a lesson to any who plot to take the crown.”

Trellis keeps his gaze on the four men for several seconds as if he can read their minds.

“Now, for ‘Call of the kin’…

Come kin, come!

Grab your sword and flag,

stand in line

in front of your ancestors, long past

Come kin, come!

Dom di dim di dom do doh

It was a fateful day Tom Goode

took a man’s life

when a silver blade pierced Sam’s heart

in the heat of a rekindled row

- unresolved for centuries by kin

Fresh blood on the floor reignited the feud

and fresh bones piled up on both sides

- once proud men of kin

It’s a sad tale I tell

of Tom and Sam

of revenge and men cut down

in their prime

because blood screams for blood,

demands equal sacrifice

drop for drop

Come kin, come!

Till none of us stands

till our name is forgotten

in the archives of dust

and our bones with no name

sink into the soil

Come kin, come,

- lay down your life for revenge

Come kin, come!

Dom di dim di dom do doh…”

“I know Tom Goode. Impulsive, but he was a friend to all but the Relphas. Is that the feud you speak of?”

“Yes, Sal. It’s started up again. Words escalated into bloodshed… And now we’ll all pay the cost of Tom Goode’s itchy fingers.”

“Is it as bad as it ever was?”

“Worse. The Relphas have vowed to make the Goodes extinct and end the feud once and for all. So much blood is involved. Blood ties, marriage ties, children… Two families start a war - and we all play a part in it sooner or later. We’ll get dragged in and under by this. No one will be safe.”

“It’s a bad business, no doubt about it. Always has been. How far away are they?”

“Less than 100 miles.”

“Thanks for the warning, Trellis. I’ll start to make preparations. I’ll do what I can in the time we have left.”

You listen with interest trying to understand what the situation is and how it might affect you.

Elspethe heads towards you bringing a hot drink. She hands it to you abruptly then turns to walk away.

“Hey! I can’t have this I’ve got no coin to pay for it.”

“It’s on the house.”

She does not look back and her voice is harsh. You can smell mint. You realise it is a hot cup of bittermint coffee. You are grateful to have a drink in your hand in the full tavern. It gives you a reason to stay there and listen to more.

You take a sip. It is bitter with a strong aftertaste of mint. You are not keen on the drink but sip it slowly anyway. The group of four men dressed in black are watching you and laughing.

Trellis starts to tell a story about a wandering beggar (who was really a King) and how no one noticed him when he was dressed in rags, but everyone did when he wore the crown. The King went back to his throne and decreed that all in rags should be treated like kings - in case they were.

You are feeling sleepy. You decide to go to your room. You leave what is left of the drink on a nearby table and walk past the men’s table. They are grinning at you. You feel uneasy.

I feel weird, like my legs aren’t mine.

Technically, they are not your legs.

I don’t think bittermint coffee agrees with me.

It is more likely what was added to it.

You mean I’ve been drugged? By that barmaid?

If you were more observant, you would have noticed the men talk to her and hand her something. That something was put in your tankard on their say-so.

I did see that but… I didn’t think much of it. Was it poison?

No. But it could have been. It is a sleeping potion. Luckily, you did not drink it all and you do have good resistance to poisons and portions stop. 9/10. Even so, you cannot go and collect the herbs you will need to create an antidote as it is too dark. There is also a storm brewing. You need to sleep it off. But I do not advise that at the moment.

Why not?

You will not wake up. Those men aim to kill you tonight as you sleep. Normally you would have enough skills with the axe and shield to take them on and win easily, but your stats have been lowered due to the potion.

Your current affected stats are:

Agility 10/20

Strength 9/50

Speed 11/20

Stamina 13/20

So, I can’t win them?

Not without sustaining heavy damage, if not death. Your current health/damage status is 50, at its maximum level but a situation like this can deplete you to death in minutes.

Is there a spell I could use, or what about the Dragon elixir?

That is for you to decide.

You’re a great help.

You chose the spells.

In a hurry! I didn’t have a chance to choose. You kept rushing me. What spells do I have?

The camouflage spell might be a good choice in the circumstances.

So I blend into the background and when they come in, they can’t see me? Now that’s a useful spell!

Not really. It doesn’t last long. A few minutes at the most. But it will give you the element of surprise. You will need it as there are more of them and you are sluggish thanks to the potion.

I’ll use it.

Are you sure? You can only use it once. You will need to buy another.

Have you got a better idea?

I have several, but it is you that must travel through this world. I am merely an observer and stat master.

Do you want to swap places? I’m far more at home on the other side of the screen. I’m like a duck out of water having no control over things like this. I prefer buttons and levers.

There are many - even some who are under this very roof right now who would gladly swap places with you.

Great! line ‘em up! I’ll pick who I want to be out of them. It could be interesting. How long have we got before they attack?

I suggest you activate the spell now.

Do it.

Done. And here they come. Two of them. The rest have stayed downstairs which is to our advantage.

Great! Can I beat them?

If the plan works and you attack early, yes. But not without sustaining damage.

Attack them? With the axe?

Of course. It is your weapon of choice. You are highly skilled in its use as Valda. Your life depends on it.

But it’ll kill someone! I can’t start swinging an axe at people.

They will be swinging one at you. And they have not been drugged.

They are behind the door. They use a lock picking spell and open it. They cannot see you.

Attack now!

I can’t, not unless they swing at me first. It must be self-defence, or it’s murder.

In your world, maybe. You are still thinking like Ellie Chadders, not Valda the Shield maiden. You will not survive here as Ellie. You must become Valda.

The spell is weakening.

Strike! Strike!

I can’t!

It is too late. They can see you.

5 points damage

Strike! It is self-defence now!

That axe is sharp! I can’t!

10 points damage

15 points damage

should I just call ‘Game over’ now?

20 points damage

You finally start to swing your axe. You really should have your eyes open in a fight.

I can’t look!

25 points damage

I can’t win!

You have only 25 points remaining before death.

Strike!

Become Valda!

N.B - Character sheets, background info, floor plans etc are available on my Patreon page –

https://www.patreon.com/LitRPGVanessaFletcher

See my other books etc on my website –

https://www.ashentapublishing.com/