I was frustrated and bordering annoyed. I glared at the staff in my hand and couldn't understand what the problem was. As I'd learned, all I had to do was pool energy into it and let fly. The problem was, I couldn't gather more than a little at a time. I tried pooling more, but anything more than needed just seemed to refuse to go anywhere. As I'd learned, the bit I could use was dangerous enough, it just wasn't the awesome blast I'd been imagining. After I'd learned about my new ability I'd headed straight for the exit to try it out. I'd gone a few steps into the gloom beyond the torches by the banners and done as I'd read in my book, which was held in my left hand. I'd held the staff in front of me and felt for my energy. What surprised me was how noticeable it was when I actually felt for it. Once I'd felt it it was almost instinctual to guide it to my hand . The first time had been a surprise, even though I was expecting it. I'd started pooling the energy in the staff before suddenly a ball of fire flew off in the darkness with a whoosh. I'd tried again and the same thing happened. I kept experimenting, trying to hold it back longer so I could gather more energy, but that didn't happen. I was about to start swearing at the stick when it hit me. It was my limit. I pooled the energy in the staff, but until I improved my understanding of the magic I wouldn't be able to do more. I felt like smacking myself for not realising it and gave the staff a twirl. Now that I was armed, after a fashion, I could go see what Akara wanted. Whatever it was that brought me here, I knew that it would not be as simple as hitching a ride back home.
I headed back into the camp and made straight for the tent to the right. Standing in front of it, with her own fire to boot, was a woman in a purple dress that looked vaguely Indian. She didn't notice my approach at first and seemed rather down, judging by her troubled expression. She looks up as I reach the fire and gives a small smile. I smile back and introduce myself. "Hi, I'm George. Am I correct in assuming you are Akara?" I ask.
"Yes, I am Akara, High Priestess of the Sisterhood of the Sightless Eye. I welcome you, traveler, to our camp, but I'm afraid I can offer you but poor shelter within these rickety walls. You see, our ancient Sisterhood has fallen under a strange curse. The mighty Citadel from which we have guarded the gates to the East for generations has been corrupted by the evil Demoness, Andariel. I still can't believe it... but she turned many of our sister Rogues against us and drove us from our ancestral home. Now the last defenders of the Sisterhood are either dead or scattered throughout the wilderness. I implore you, stranger. Please help us. Find a way to lift this terrible curse and we will pledge our loyalty to you for all time." I almost sighed. I knew this was going to be hard. None the less I smiled at her and said "I don't know about demonesses, but I'll try at the least. Where should I start?" Her smile seemed the tiniest bit brighter. " There is a place of great evil in the wilderness. Kashya's Rogue scouts have informed me that a cave nearby is filled with shadowy creatures and horrors from beyond the grave. I fear that these creatures are massing for an attack against our encampment. If you are sincere about helping us, find the dark labyrinth and destroy the foul beasts." I wasn't all that sure about attacking someplace actually called 'Den of Evil' so I asked her if she knew anyone who'd help me out. Her answer shouldn't have surprised me. "I am sorry," she said, " but many Rogue scouts have died in that horrible place. We cannot afford to lose any more. If you choose to enter that Den of Evil, you must do so alone." I shrugged and bid her farewell before heading back to the fire. This was not going to be easy, so I needed to think about it all before trying to take on the darkness on my own.
First, I reckoned, I had to improve my equipment situation. I was going to need more than a stick, a book and some potions to clear out a place like that. Especially if there were skeletons or zombies or whatever she meant by undead in there. I'd have to see what Charsi had laying around that she could spare. While it was worth a lot back home, I got the feeling that a hundred golden coins weren't much here. I was also going to need help. No matter how desperate either the rogues or I was, desperation couldn't swing a broom, much less fight monsters. The problem was that the rogues listened to Kashya, who didn't seem to like me much, and Akara, who didn't want to lose any of them. This was great for the rogues, but who was going to tell anyone they didn't want ME to die? I decided I'd ask Warriv at least. He looked rather sturdy, so I was hopeful he might be willing to help out. First, though, I needed gear so I headed off to Charsi's forge.
"Hey Charsi!" I greeted the smith who seemed to be taking a break, "I don't suppose you've got some spare gear around do you? Akara wants me to go have a look in some place called the den of evil and clean it up some." Her smile seemed to dim slightly as I told her where I was heading. "The beasts from the cave have begun to roam throughout the countryside. You'd better be careful out there. Here, I have some extra gear you can look through, but I'm afraid I have to sell them to you otherwise I can't buy supplies." She seemed really upset that she couldn't help me more, but I didn't mind. After all, times were obviously hard all around. I looked at the three tables she had with various bits and pieces of armor and weaponry spread over them. Again, as with my book, I seemed to get flashes of insight from the various items. Here a mace that did extra damage to the undead, there an axe that shocked its victims. Evena pair of shoes that let me run farther before tiring. I asked Charsi about some of the items and quickly learned that my suspicion that gold was cheap here was correct. Some of the items cost several hundred coins and one studded leather vest was worth over a thousand. No matter where I turned, I couldn't afford anything. I was feeling rather lost about what to do at this point as I was certain to get my head ripped off the first time I came across a demon. The world seemed to lurch again and Charsi looked at me sadly. "Here," she says and hands me a pair of worn gloves. They don't have any magical effects, but they would at least protect me a little bit. "Wow! Thank you! I promise I'll pay you back!" I said in surprise and more than a little gratitude. She was the first person to cut me even a little slack since I got here after all. Her old smile was back at my enthusiastic thanks and she rummaged around in a bin with scrap metal in it. Taking out a thin chain she used it to attach my book to my belt by the rings on the spine. I was reminded of a picture I saw once of an armored man with a large book hanging from his side fighting against a monster with a large hammer. With a spring in my step I walked off towards the entrance after thanking her again. It was amazing what a little bit of kindness could do to lift the spirit.