“Wait, so let me see if I got this right. The kings hunters are an order of knights in service of the crown?”

Tiene nurses a mug of a drink Yadra called ‘good enough for you’. It wasn’t terrible. Yadra leans in from across the bar.

“That’s about it. And it’s considered universally unhealthy to catch the attention of one. I’ve never heard of an adventurer serving though.”

I scratch my head. The giant golem was terrifying. How would a player even get an avatar like that?

“He seemed friendly enough, so I’m sure it’ll be fine. Let’s get back to the etiquette training. How am I supposed to greet him again?”

We spend an hour training, with Tiene showing me how to hold the utensils, how and when to eat, when to laugh and what kinds of jokes are appropriate. Surprisingly few as it turns out.

Skill discovered: Etiquette.Skill increased: Etiquette.

“If we had more time I’d start teaching you about decorum as well. We’ll have to hope you won’t mess up too badly.”

Tiene sounded less than reassuring as she headed off to freshen up again. I’m left alone with Yadra, who is being uncharacteristically quiet.

“Will you be alright here alone? You’re sure you don’t want to come with us wherever we go? It’ll be sad without your glowing personality keeping our spirits high.”

She snorts, throwing her bar rag at me.

“Shut up stringbean. I’d rather go back to the mill.”

Her eyes darken for a moment as I hand her the rag.

“Thanks for coming for me by the way. I appreciate the assist.”

I smile at her before downing the rest of my drink. When Tiene comes back, I go and freshen myself up, and we go out to the courtyard. It’s an anxious wait in front of the gates before the doors open, and Humphrey the manservant escorts us in. There’s something off about his mannerisms this time. He seems distracted somehow.

Skill increased: Social Perception.

“Humphrey, are you alright?”

I can sense Tiene tense up next to me as the tiny man stops, turning slowly towards me. My best guess is that I broke some sort of code by bringing it up like this, but when I see his eyes I know I’m right.

“Sir is ever so kind to take notice of a simple servant such as I, but I must insist we keep moving so we do not keep his lordship waiting.”

Your standing with Humphrey the Manservant has changed: Dislike.

I shrug it off. At least I tried. When we continue moving, Tiene hits me to get my attention, stares into my eyes and shakes her head. Yep, clearly a faux pas.

We’re brought to a completely different part of the keep. A gargantuan table is placed in the middle of a room large enough to fly a kite in. Several fireplaces are set along one wall. Despite half of them being on fire, and the sunny day outside, the temperature in the room is strangely low. The table itself is set with a myriad of courses ranging from eggs and bacon to whole roast hog. On one side sits the Baron himself wearing a different, wine coloured robe. He seems to be talking at Grimguard, who is standing next to him. Humphrey leads us to a few chairs close to where they’re sitting. As we approach, Grimguard’s deep voice lowers further, making it impossible to hear what they’re saying. The Baron smiles at us, gesturing to the seats.

“Welcome friends. Please, sit down and partake of my hospitality.”

I glance at Tiene, who looks at me, then at the chair in front of me. I hurry to draw out the chair for her, seating her before myself. The Baron makes an effort to look like he’s focused on the food, but I catch him watching us intently.

Skill increased: Perception.

With a sense of impending doom, I help myself to a piece of the hog, near where the Baron has already had some. Tiene does the same. Humphrey serves us a cloudy drink from a carafe as soon as we start eating, and we all eat in silence for a minute. When everyone has had a few bites and a sip, I tap my glass with a small spoon. The Baron and Grimguard both fix me with an expectant look. I clear my throat.

“Your lordship, I wanted to express the gratitude of my companion and I for your exemplary hospitality. Never before have I seen wonders that measure up to the sights in your keep.”

The Baron nods imperceptibly, lifting his glass to me. I raise mine back, and we sip. The drink is heavy and sweet, clearly alcoholic with a hint of apple.

“This is really nice.”

Tiene elbows me in the side as the Baron gives me a sideways glance.

Your standing with Baron Brouswin has changed: Slight annoyance.

I mentally kick myself. Speaking out of turn is a massive nono.

“Tell me a little about yourself, Mister TeeCee. You’re the second adventurer to visit after my friend here.”

He gestures to Grimguard.

“Why would you want to be a simple farmer in a place like this?”

If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

I wait a moment to make sure he’s finished before I answer.

“Our mutual friend Jas recommended it to me after I spoke to him about my dreams of owning my own plot of land. He told me of a wonderful province where there would be land available.”

He actually creases his eyebrows now. What was wrong with that?

“I see. In his letter, Jas mentioned you worked at an inn before deciding to come here. Any reason why you’d rather work the fields than start up a public house of some sort?”

I consider it carefully. It doesn’t look like he’s trying to trap me into anything, but he’s definitely testing me. Grimguard’s unnerving eyes glowing at isn’t helping either.

“Working at an inn gave me a lot of insight into the World Below. I met many good people and learnt skills I never had before. But I came to this world to produce the items we need, to fill what I perceive as a gap in the markets across the lands. Maybe I’ll extend into an inn one day, but for now, a plot of land and a chance is all I require to succeed.”

He smiles ruefully, his lips a thin line before taking another long sip. When he finishes, he waves at his manservant.

“Humphrey, I tire of this meal. Could you escort our honoured guests out of the keep?”

My heart drops. Am I being dismissed like this? I stand up slowly, a questioning look on my face.

“My lord, I…”

Your standing with Baron Brouswin has changed: Annoyed.

He turns towards me, all traces of the fat, decadent ruler gone. In his place is an angry, petulant man child.

“You have been dismissed, and you will not address me. Leave now, before I…”

Grimguard raises a hand, interrupting the Baron.

“My lord, if you would permit me to speak on this adventurers behalf.”

With a look of clear surprise, the Baron nods.”

“Thank you my lord. While this oaf has demonstrated exceedingly poor manners, he did maintain an etiquette far above any of the common farmers of the region. I believe that if we place him with them, he will be a good influence on their behaviour in general. In addition, I have just finished surveying the old Greenlily region. It would be a perfect place for someone like him to prove himself worthy of your generosity.”

The Baron nods slowly, a smile slowly spreading on his face. He’s back to his old self when he looks at us again.

“TeeCee the adventurer, will you accept stewardship of the Greenlily region of my province? You will be expected to deliver weekly quotas of produce to the keep, and to keep the lands in reasonable repair. In return, you will have free rein of the region, subject only to myself, the law of the land and those who speak for me. What say you?”

I give Tiene a bewildered look. She nods eagerly, gesturing for me to answer. I look at Grimguard, but his mechanical nature makes it impossible for me to read him. The Baron himself is starting to look impatient. Fuck it.

“My lord, I accept your charge. With this land I will serve you to the best of my abilities, maintaining the land and meeting your quotas.”

He nods at me, smiling like he’s just tasted something delicious.

[tds]You have gained a title: Serf./tds]

Quest complete: Dinner with the Nobles.- Marginal success: You have been provided a plot for your own use in return for producing supplies for the Barony.

We are shortly excused from the table, returning to the courtyard. When I see the sun again, I finally let out a breath.

“I was not expecting that to work so well.”

Tiene looks at me, beaming with happiness.

“I was sure we’d be leaving this place tarred and feathered. But you got it! I’m so proud of you.”

She hugs me tightly for a moment before releasing me with a shock.

“I have to go tell Yadra. I’ll pack up our room, and you fetch Reynard and the wagon. I can’t wait to get there!”

Looking at her running off, I stroll towards the stables.

Reynard? What kind of name for a foxburro is… Ohh, I get it.

When I arrive I tip the stablehand half a gold coin. Before I know it the wagon and beast are both outside, groomed and cleaned. Ask the kid about instructions as to where I need to go, and the moment I mention Greenlily his eyes go wide.

“Mister, are you sure you want to go there? It’s haunted.”

I ruffle her hair as I chuckle.

“I wouldn’t worry about it too much. The kings hunter himself has been there and checked it out. He says it’s safe.”

She seems unconvinced by my reassurance.

“But the ghosts live far underground. They only come out during new moon, or when someone sleeps without circling the camp with salt or…”

She goes on for a few more sentences, listing various criteria for ghosts to appear. By the time she’s finished, Tiene comes running out the door, backpacks in tow.

“Reporting for duty boss. Did you get the directions?”

I nod at her, dismissing the stablehand.

“Four hours ride along the main road, one hour on the dirt roads. Let’s go buy some supplies. If we hurry we should make it by sundown.”

We head to the general store, buying the basic supplies we’ll need. I get some tools and farming implements, a large tent, two sleeping bags, some torches and an oil lamp. I look longingly at a cooking kit, but it’s out of my price range at the moment, so I have to settle for dried rations and a weeks supply of water. Finally done, I realise we’re down to 5 gold coins in change. As we’re leaving the keep, I check in with the guards about where we’re going and the directions, getting nervous looks in return. Soon, we’re back on the road.

“Do you think we’re going to have to deal with ghosts?”

I look at Tiene as she contemplates my question.

“Maybe. I mean, the previous occupants did die quite horribly. On the other hand, they didn’t die until they reached the keep, so it depends on what was there before them.”

Staring at her, she looks back at me.

“What?”

“What do you mean what? How did they die?”

She shrugs.

“Some kind of poisoning I think. It was years ago, so I’m sure it’s fine.”

I grumble as we continue down the road.

“No, don’t go into the dark forest where the serial killer escaped to after the mental institution. Look out for that pothole, we’d better take a detour up past that cute little castle on the hill covered in darkness. Sure mister, I’d love a monkeypaw. Wishes you say? What could possibly go wrong.”