Adam Drake - Blackout

I was biding my time.

After a few minutes of me dodging club swings and then firing arrows into his thick skin, the orc slowed down. Panting, he hunched over but kept an eye on me.

“Little wench not fight right,” he said between ragged breaths. “Should fight like warrior and die like warrior.”

I gave a glance in Thorm’s direction. The Holy Knight stood under the tree looking bored, the blade of his broadsword resting casually on one shoulder. It made for an unassuming image, but I knew he was ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice.

I stopped moving and switched to my sword. With a come-hither hand wave I said, “Come at me, bro!”

This triggered an even angrier reaction from the orc. Maybe the come-hither hand wave was obscene to orcs? Regardless, the elite stood upright as if revitalized with new energy.

Here it comes, I thought while altering my stance.

The orc roared and, holding his stalagmite club over his head with both hands, used his charge ability. He flew at me with lightning speed.

There was little time for me to register that this might not be a good idea. But just as the orc closed in for the kill I did the unexpected.

I ran straight at him.

This sudden change barely altered the orc’s speed who was caught in full charge until it was finished. The millisecond we were going to collide I used my Cloak of Shadows.

Use Phase Ability .

I became corporeal, like a ghost.

The result was me running through the charging orc, who in turn had tried to time his swing for his approaching target. He stumbled as his club hit the ground with a tremendous cracking noise.

The moment I emerged out the back of the orc (that doesn’t sound good, does it?) I spun about and unphased, becoming whole again. My sword pierced bare flesh, sliced against his spinal column, and skewered his heart.

The orc collapsed to his knees, dropping the stalagmite.

I placed my foot against his back and shoved. My sword unsheathed from the orc’s body and he fell flat on his face, dead.

Thorm offered a slow, teasing golf clap. “Nicely done,” he said as he walked over to admire the corpse. “Where did you pick up that trick?”

I shrugged. “Got the idea thanks to a yellow unicorn.”

Thorm searched the corpse and removed a large sack of coins. “Unicorn? Yellow? You are full of surprises, Vivian.” He grinned and took a necklace of finger-bones as well.

“What we get?” I asked, nodding at the coin sack.

“10,000 gold coins,” he said. He tried to give me half, but I refused.

“This was your quest and lost your party because of it. Keep it all.”

“Nonsense,” said the knight. “I would most certainly have been smashed to a pulp with that stalagmite of his if you hadn’t come along. I insist.”

I shrugged. Who was I to refuse money?

“Speaking of your timely arrival,” said Thorm. “To what do I owe this visit? You seemed a little flustered when you chatted me.”

With a heavy sigh, I said, “I got Mudhoof killed.”

Thorm’s eyes widened. “Again? This is starting to be quite the habit with him. Maybe you two need some away time from each other.” He chuckled.

“He says it’s all part of the game but I can’t help feeling guilty.”

A loud cry came from deep within the cave, followed by another.

Thorm gave the entrance a worried glance. “His clansmen are wondering where he got off to. Best we leave while we can.” He gave me a questioning look. “Unless you are into farming orcs for potential loot and materials?”

“Nope,” I said. “Had me fill of orcs for a while.” With that I summoned Smoke.

The dark horse appeared before me, nickering and shaking his beautiful black mane.

As I mounted, Thorm summoned his own mount. A large snow-leopard blinked into existence. It had thick white fur with a smattering of large black spots. Huge fangs protruded from its mouth as it roared a greeting to Thorm.

“Wow,” I said as Thorm jumped up onto the big cat. “You got a new mount? What’s her name?”

“Snowflake,” he said with a cheeky grin.

I laughed. “Figures.”

More cries came from the cave, this time much closer.

“Come on,” said Thorm. “Let me check in with the quest giver. He’s at a nearby keep. On the way you can tell me what you’ve been up to and how I can help.”

A group of a half-dozen orcs trundled out of the cave entrance and looked around. When they spotted us they roared with excitement. Then they noticed the body of their slain leader and the roars turned to cries of rage. They moved in our direction.

“Let’s blow this popsicle stand!” I said.

Thorm and I kicked our mounts into a full gallop and soon the cries of the enraged orcs faded into the forest behind us.

The keep was located next to a river a few leagues away from the orc cave. The banner of a local lord flew from the battlement walls which surrounded it. A small cohort of human soldiers milled around looking nervous.

In the clearing around the keep were scattered bodies, both human and orc. There had been a battle here recently.

As Thorm and I rode up to the front gate, the portcullis rose and a trio of warriors emerged to intercept us.

“Halt!” said the leader. “State your business.”

Thorm eyed the warrior with mild annoyance. “You know who I am since your commander sent me out on a quest from here just this morning.”

The leader blustered. “That may be so, but unless you have proof that this quest has been completed I cannot grant you access inside.” Thorm glanced at me and I stifled a laugh. Sometimes the game’s NPCs could be very strict with procedures.

The Holy Knight produced the necklace of finger-bones and shook it. The bones rattled. “Good enough?”

The warrior harrumphed and nodded. “You may pass, hero.” He turned to the guards who blocked the open gate. “Let them through!”

We rode into a small inner courtyard with several makeshift buildings shoved up against the walls. Being so cramped it was a wonder anyone could even move about. I also noted the defense force was meager.

“Not much to this place,” I said, dismounting. “Have they ever been overrun?”

Thorm dismounted and patted Snowflake’s nose. “The orcs had control of this keep a month ago.”

“Oh, yeah? What happened?”

“I took up the human quest chain and helped push the orcs back to their caves. Was a heck of a good fight, too. Now that a commander has been assigned here I’m hoping the supply route from the Farewell Fall’s capital will resume again.”

“Nice work,” I said, impressed. “You must be get good passive experience points from this.”

Thorm shrugged as we walked up the steps and through the keep’s main entrance. “Every little bit helps. This character level has taken forever. Almost done, though.”

Inside the keep a guard directed us to the main chamber. Within sat a troubled looking commander mulling over a map spread out on a large table. Upon seeing us enter he blinked in surprise.

“Didn’t expect to see you back,” the commander said.

“It was more difficult a task then we expected, sir,” said Thorm. He enjoyed a little roleplaying when questing. Few players do anymore which was a shame. Myself included.

The commander nodded. “Very well. Let us see your proof before I can give you the reward.” Thorm pulled out the finger-bone necklace and handed to him.

Grinning with satisfaction the commander said, “Excellent! That vile orcish pig is dead! Now we can start making plans for our final assault on their tunnel hideaway.” He looked to Thorm hopefully. “Interested in one final battle which will rid these lands of the orcish scum?”