At level three, I now had new Standard Perks to choose from and with an increase in my Mind Stat, I could not only select another Skill, but I also had 7 Intellect points to spend. The new Standard Perks were interesting.

Based (3).

Unlock this Perk while touching an Item, Building, Natural Formation, Entity, or Dungeon to assign it as your Party Base. Only the Party Leader can assign a base. Only one base per party. This action will replace your previous base. Stackable.

Last Will (3).

Creates an Inheritance Slot that can be assigned to an Entity of your choosing. Any single item held in this slot upon the instance of your death will be transferred to your chosen inheritor. Stackable.

Fashion Souls (3).

Choose a single item of equipment and change its colour palette to your preference. Unique or Graded Artifacts are not applicable. Stackable.

Autophagy (3).

Starvation is offset at the cost of 1XP per minute. This cost increases as Hunger progresses.

With 7 points to spend, I could unlock the Stat Bump perk to gain a single point in any Stat and still have enough to unlock the Geek perk. Unfortunately, Autophagy also stood out as a solid choice. At 3 points, I wouldn’t be able to unlock Geek, but I could still get the Stat Bump and two of the starter perks, like Party Up and Friendly Fire. They would work well together and once I caught up with Riffy and the rest, we could discuss formally becoming a party.

Now that I had given it some thought, the idea of traveling together was becoming more and more appealing. Katri could be our Healer, Imber would Tank, and Vidari would of course be our Ranger. Once Riffy was back on his feet, he could easily adapt to a Rogue build, and that would allow me to explore the adaptability of a Battlemage, providing magical support and crowd control when necessary, then dealing high damage to single targets in close combat when the situation allowed it.

If the party needed me to, I could focus more on the caster role. But I had to admit, I got a kick out of charging in to the fray and feeling the mad rush of melee. Then again, I also loved the feeling that came when I pulled back to analyse my opponents, identifying their weaknesses, and concocting a winning strategy. Hence, my role as a Battlemage within the party could be perfect. I shouldn’t get too ahead of myself without talking to the others. They may have ideas of their own. After all, we barely know each other yet, and they still think of me as just a kid.

Come to think of it, how tall am I now? I wonder what kind of guy Katri is in to? Not that I care.

Still, my excitement was growing. Geek could wait another level. For now, I needed to open up my options for working in a party. Also avoiding starvation was an undeniable boon, so I’m not even going to question that one.

I selected Autophagy (3), Party Up (1), Friendly Fire (1), and Stat Bump (2). For my Stat Bump, I was torn between raising my Constitution or Magic to 5. I went with Magic to help with my Mana recovery speed.

With that set, I bid Reginald and Shan goodbye and returned to the surface. Just before I reached the light of day, Shan caught up with me. He held a book in his decaying hands.

“Oh, right,” I said. “I completely forgot. Thanks dude. Tell Reginald, I’ll bring this back soon and, you know what, I’ll bring another to add to his collection.”

Shan groaned and nodded his understanding.

Once I had climbed out of Reginald and Shan’s stinky hole —that came out wrong—, I retraced my steps back from the river’s edge to the road. Unfortunately, there was no sign of Katri or the others, but I hadn’t exactly expected to find them here. If they were smart, they would have headed on to the city to seek help for Riffy. He’s the one who was really in danger.

I’m coming, buddy.

----------

The great brass gates of Pentamorel City shone crimson with the reflected evening sun as it slowly dipped beyond the horizon. I had expected a city of towers and sky scrapers, but found a sprawling mesh of single-story adobe box houses and the occasional domed pavilion.

The dirt road I followed linked up with a larger paved one after cresting the first hill since bidding goodbye to Reginald. This larger road had been much heavier with foot traffic, and several wagons and carriages had passed me by as I trekked up to the walled city. One farmer had even offered me a ride on the back of his lizard-drawn hay cart, but I refused by claiming I enjoyed the view as I wandered into the city. Which wasn’t a complete lie, but my true reason had been that I didn’t want to get drawn into some potential quest or mischief before I had even located the gang.

There was a sentry posted at the gate, which was hardly surprising. A couple standard-looking guards were leaning on pole-arms or tapping shortsword to buckler shield as they squinted at the passing civilians. The only thing that stood out was the paladin look-a-like stood between the doors of the gate. His armour had the same symbolism as Vidari’s. I guessed that made him part of her faction, The Frontier I think she called it.

The Frontier dude didn’t look tough or anything. He had a crop of purple-tinted greying hair in a single wispy spike above his head and a paleness to his skin that told me this wasn’t his usual job. He’s covering for someone, I suppose. He had butler vibes, or a bank teller maybe. Do they even have banks in this world?

The Frontier butler stepped forward to bar my path as I'd seen him do to everyone who entered before me.

“Resident or visitor?” he asked.

“Visitor,” I said.

His eyes flashed and I felt the smallest tingle run up my spine. Did he just Basic Identify me? Is that what that feels like?

“Name?” he asked.

There’s no point lying now. “Null,” I said.

The guards perked up. There was no denying it. They went from slouched to standing at attention in the blink of an eye. One of them stepped behind the gate. I heard his footsteps speed up a few seconds later. He just ran off somewhere… I really hope this isn’t on my account.

My heart rate ticked up a few notches and the hair around my forehead got a little damp with sweat, but I tried to stay calm. They probably just think I’m lying about my stupid name. This will soon be resolved.

“Welcome to Pentamorel, sir.” The Frontier butler bowed politely. “As this is your first time visiting the city, please allow us to provide an escort to guide you to your quarters.”

“Oh, thank you, but I have somewhere I need to be,” I said. “I’m looking for my friends.”

“Not to worry, sir,” he raised his palm to guide me off to a side passage within the city walls. “Everything has already been arranged. The captain is eager to meet you. Please follow me.”

Stay calm. You haven’t done anything wrong. They are just trying to be nice.

My instincts were freaking out or something because my fight or flight response kicked into turbo mode. I was obviously unused to polite society. Meeting Reginald and discovering that some people could just be kind for the sake of being kind had helped me recover from the savage brink, but even that encounter began with a fight.

Clearly my body was still expecting every interaction to result in a life-or-death struggle. I needed to find some time to relax and meditate. Maybe do a little breathing. I wonder if there’s a Stat for that?

Distracting myself worked to release some of my tension. I followed the polite butler into the hidden passage and tried to slow my heartbeat by listening to the repetitive trudge of heavy footsteps as the guards took up formation surrounding me. That’s right, I told myself. This is completely fine…

Shit.

----------

They led me to a small confined room replete with barred windows and a straw mattress. It was probably pretty dirty, but I couldn’t see much because at that moment they slammed the door shut. I was alone in near-darkness with only the dim streaks of light through the bars in the door. Not even gonna leave me a candle, huh?

“Wow, such lovely accommodations,” I snapped through the bars of the door as they locked it shut.

“The captain will be with you shortly,” said the piece of shit butler. “We apologise for the inconvenience.”

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

Son of a… bureaucracy.

I waited for their footsteps to fade away, but they didn’t. They just stood outside the cell —let’s not beat around the bullshit, this is clearly a cell— they just stood there watching me.

“Is this how you treat every new visitor?” I asked.

The guards on the other side of the cell door remained silent. This is awkward.

I figured since I wasn’t getting anything out of them, I should at least take in my surroundings. I’m probably going to need to break out of here at some point. The jail break quests are an inevitability in RPG’s.

I knelt down and reached under the straw mattress for a hidden lever or sliding panel.

“You guys wouldn’t happen to know of any trap doors around here, would you?” I asked the guards.

“Escape hatch rooms are reserved for prisoners who can’t follow orders,” said a booming voice from the corridor outside my cell. I didn’t notice him approach. “Our escapee rooms overlook the southern canyon. It’s amazing how quickly a look down into that chasm can change a prisoner’s attitude.”

He was another Frontier man. But this guy looked like a soldier, and not the simple brutish kind like Imber. This guy meant business. Trim beard, battle scars, puffed out chest…

“You must be the captain?” I asked.

“Captain Horax. You’re perceptive. Good. That will speed things along,” said the captain. “I’m here to inform you of the charges laid against you.”

“I really think you’ve got the wrong guy.”

“Prisoners who speak without permission will be given the lash,” he barked, suddenly stern.

I retreated a few steps back from the door. His change in tone had caught me by surprise.

“Wise choice,” he said. “Tomorrow morning you will be brought before the council so that they may decide the punishment for your crimes. You stand accused of Heresy, and unprovoked violence against a Sister of the Faith. You may speak.”

“You’ve got the wrong guy,” I said, as calmly as I could manage through gritted teeth.

“I do not recommend using that as your first line of defense tomorrow,” replied Horax.

“Who accuses me?”

“The charges were brought against you by The Frontier Commander of Pentamorel.”

“Who the fuck is that?”

“That would be me,” said the captain.

“Well, that’s funny,” I said. “Because we’ve never met before now.”

“There are two witnesses to your crimes,” The captain continued calmly.

“This makes no fucking sense. I don’t even understand what the charges mean.”

“As the highest ranking member of the faction in this city, I will be representing The Frontier on the council tomorrow. If you give my men no trouble between now and the trial, I will keep your good behaviour in mind during the sentencing,” Horax stamped his foot once and nodded in dismissal before turning to walk away.

“That’s it?” I asked.

“I suggest you make your peace with the All-Mother,” said the butler.

“Make peace with your receding hair line, bitch.” I slammed my fists against the cell door. What the fuck does this mean? Heresy? I haven’t even spoken to anyone except a farmer since leaving Reginald's dungeon.

Unprovoked attack against a Sister of the Faith?

The image of Hesta worming her way underground as she fled the battle flooded my mind. The repulsion I felt at the memory of her twisted face knocked me to my knees. That rotting shifter scum did this.

But what did he mean by 'there are two witnesses?' Who else did she convince to lie for her?

The only people present during the fight were Vidari, Imber, and Katri. Of course Riffy was there too, but I doubted he remembered anything. Was there someone else I wasn’t aware of? Could someone have evaded my Basic Detect?

The most logical answer was that she had convinced a friend of hers to lie. But if so she was making a huge mistake. Vidari, Imber, and Katri were all here in the city. I just needed to find them and they would clear my name. But I can’t find them while I’m stuck in this fucking cell.

“I need to calm down and think.”

----------

I didn’t know who I was. I didn’t know what my identity had been. Honestly, I didn’t really know the first thing about me. But after sitting down in my cell to think, I soon learned I wasn’t the motionless meditation kind of guy. I was a walker, a pacer, a back-and-forth, up-and-down, round-and-round kind of racer.

I tried to gather my thoughts and be still with them. I delved the hidden depths of my soul for untapped energy. I endeavoured to circulate essential energies through my core to empower my inner essence. In the end, I cultivated a huge waste of time. But while I was thinking of my options, I did select Ram Slam again. That skill could always come in handy and I had the space for it again. So why not?

“Null?” she said.

Katri stood just outside my cell. The orange candlelight shone gold on her carefully braided hair. Her skin was the softest, sweetest thing I had seen since I came to this world. Nothing so beautiful had ever looked upon me with such gentle eyes.

“Katri?”

“I heard what they are doing to you,” she whispered. “I am outraged.”

“How did you find me?”

“I have some sway here because of my duties, but we don’t have time. You must listen to me,” she whispered hurriedly.

“Is Riffy O.K?” I asked.

“Yes. You mustn’t worry about him. It is you that we are worried about.”

“They’ve brought charges against me,” I said. “I think Hesta is behind this.”

“Perhaps, she may be involved, but it was The Frontier that summoned the council,” she practically spat the name of that fucking faction. Her anger warmed me.

At least I’m not alone.

“It was those idiots’ fault, Vidari and Imber. They reported all that had happened to that pompous captain and once he learned of your equipment, he became overwhelmed with envy. I saw it in his eyes. Of course, he latched onto the news that you had bitten me and once he learned of my unique gifts and station within the Sisterhood… there was nothing I could do,” she looked to be on the verge of tears.

“Of course, Katri,” I reached for her hand. She flinched at my touch. The poor girl is terrified. “You know I don’t blame you. I’m stupid for not realising. I bit you. I used my vampire bite during the fight. It was the only thing I could think of to restore my strength. I hadn’t known you were innocent then. I thought you were one of the attackers.”

She moved her hands away from the bars and her face dropped into shadow. When she spoke again the fury in her voice was unmistakable.

“They will kill you for this,” she said. “Execution. The trial will be a mockery. You have only one option.”

“What should I do?”

“There is nothing you can do for now,” she whispered. “Have faith in me. I will make the arrangements. For now just stay here and don’t draw anymore attention to yourself.”

“I won’t do anything. I’ll just sit here.” I realised how hopeless I sounded. “Hey, at least I can finally get a good nights sleep.”

She smiled.

“If Riffy is better now. I want to see him,” I said. “Can you bring him here?”

“No, he…” she hesitated. “He’s still sleeping.”

She’s lying.

“Bring him anyway. Whatever happens tomorrow… just… let me see him.”

“I’ll send him, but it can’t be for long,” she said. “If they realise I am helping you we will lose our only chance.”

“Thank you, Katri,” I said. “I would be lost without you.”

She pulled her hood up and turned to leave.

“Katri,” I called out and she paused with her back to me. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I bit you. It was wrong. I shouldn’t have touched you. I should have never laid a finger on you. Forgive me.”

She looked as though she was trembling. Is she crying?

Silently, she walked away.

----------

An hour later, a squeak roused me from my vicious day dreams. Riffy squeezed in through the bars of my cell and leaped into my arms. Criteria fulfilled.

Name: Riffy. Race: Red Squirrel. Class: NULL. Lvl 0.

Mundane Creature. Herbivore. Highly Social. Infant.

Red Squirrels are engaged in an eternal war with their bitter rivals, the Grey Squirrels.

“Riffy!” I could barely keep my voice down. “You’re awake! You’re alive! Oh, it’s so good to see you, buddy.”

“Null, Null, Null,” said Riffy.

“You can talk?” I almost dropped him in surprise.

“Yes!” said Riffy. “Up Voice said I have a perk perk perk. She said it was special because I’m special special special.”

“What?”

Riffy’s eyes glazed over and he appeared to be reading something out. “Perk: Linguillionaire. Gain translation to and from one additional language. Language chosen: Common. This perk is unlocked by speaking over one million words without interruption to a single entity who does not share a language with you."

“Wait, what?” I asked. “Riffy, did you discover a perk because you spoke a million words to me while I was sleeping?”

“Yep, yep, yep!” said Riffy. “Up Voice helped me pick the language that you big lumps speak.”

“AIAI did that,” I said. “Damn. That was actually pretty nice of her.”

“Praise the Up Mother,” said Riffy.

“No,” I said. “Let’s not get into that habit of praising anybody, but I guess she did a nice thing.”

“Yay, yay, yay,” said Riffy, then he sagged a little.

“What’s up little guy?” I asked. He really is tiny. “Are you sleepy?”

“NO!” he shouted even while his eyes started to droop.

“I’m really glad you came to see me.”

“Null’s in trouble,” said Riffy.

“It’s going to be alright,” I said. “In fact, I have some good news. Well, it’s more of a question actually. I was wondering if you would like to join my party?”

“Wow,” he said. “Party, party, party! When does it start?”

“Oh, it means we would be on a team together.”

“Together, me and you?” Riffy beamed at me with suddenly bulging eyes.

“Yep,” I said. “What do you think?”

“Yes, yes, yes.”

Party formed. Leader: NULL. Name: Required. Members: NULL (3), Riffy (0). State party name using clarifying statement ‘Party name is’.

“Oh, shit,” I said. “We have to decide what our party name is going to be.”

“Praise the party!” Riffy shouted.

Confirmed. Party name: Going to be.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake!”

Some where down the corridor outside my cell, someone whistled.

Riffy’s ears perked up.

“Is that a signal?” I asked.

Riffy nodded. “She says, I don’t come tomorrow. Bad bad bad.”

“She’s right, Riffy,” I said. “You should stay away tomorrow. We’ll come get you when it’s all over. I promise.”

“You’ll come get me?” he said. “You promise?”

“I promise.”

“You promise, promise, promise?”

“I promise, promise, promise.”

Riffy nodded and then scampered through the bars of the cell. The last I saw of him was a flash of red bushy tail in the candlelight as he departed into the darkness.

I lay down on the straw bed and covered my eyes with my forearm. Everything is going to be fine. I have a promise to keep.

----------