He had been expecting something bigger.

“A spell book?” Jonnie wrinkled his nose. "You do know that Mages don’t carry swords.”

“I know.” I said. "I don’t want it to cast the spells. I want it for enchanting.”

“Enchanting? Ha!” He laughed. "You do know that’s like the hardest profession in the game?”

“Then I’ll have to practice.” I said. "Can you help me get a spell book or not?”

He looked me over. I got the feeling he was checking me out more than sizing me up. I crossed my arms in front of me.

“You wouldn’t be interested in joining the Guild would you?” He asked

I shook my head.

“Lots of free stuff.” He smiled. "Including a bed in every town where they have a branch.”

“I’d rather not pick a side if I don’t have to.” I replied

“That’s cool.” He turned to the shop keeper. "Hey Merlin! Do you have any work you need done?”

“His name is Merlin?” I asked

“Nah,” Jonnie grinned. "It’s something really long, old, and complicated, so I call him Merlin.”

“Oh.”

“Mer-lin.” Jonnie sang. "We’ve got an outsider that wants to work for a book. Whatcha got?”

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The character in the purple robes turned towards me. "You want work?”

I nodded. "I just need a spell book. I can get my own spells.”

He opened up the book on the counter. He flipped through a few pages. Once he found what he was looking for he turned the book around so I could read the page.

“Shock rocks.” He pointed at the yellow stones on the page. They were the same rocks that were all over the store. “I need forty two of them. Bring them back and I’ll give you a spell book.”

“Can you tell me where to find the shock rocks?” I asked

“I know!” Jonnie looked at the shop keeper. "I can go with her.”

“Is that acceptable?” Merlin asked

I looked at Jonnie. If he could help me, then I wasn’t going to refuse. I just wondered what he was going to want for it.

“It’s fine.” I said

“Awesome!” Jonnie clapped his hands together. "So what I’m thinking is that we go grab something to eat, maybe a few drinks, maybe a catch a few Zs.” He smiled. "Rest is important before a quest.”

“I need that book as soon as possible.” I said. "We leave now.”

“Okay.” He gave me a half grin. "That’s cool.”

“Do you need to grab something?” I asked

“No ma'am.” He patted his arms. "I keep everything I need right here.”

“Uh-huh.” I said. "Let’s go.”

Jonnie walked out of the store. "So do you have like a boyfriend or something?”

I stopped. "Jonnie.”

He smiled at me. "Yes.”

I gestured between us. "Not going to happen.”

“Oh.” He frowned. "Are you like into girls? Cause if you are that’s cool. I could be your wingman.”

“No. I’m into guys” I sighed. "Look I just want to get this quest over with.”

“It’s all good.” He started walking toward the gate. He looked at me over his shoulder. "After we’re done we can grab a few drinks and whatever, cause you know what they say.”

I knew I was going to regret it, but I asked anyway. "No, what?”

I felt his grin. "What happens in the game, stays in the game.”