War Journal Day: 543 'Bedlam in Grandzam'
We have finally reached floor 55 the frontlines are five floors above us. We heard rumours that members of the guild 'Titan's Hand' were hanging around. It might have something to do with the fact that the guild 'Knights of Blood Oath' have set up their base here and they are supposed to have a lot of rare items but then again so are we.
End of entry.
Every street in the city of Grandzam was lined with street venders and stalls making reconnaissance of the city extremely hard. Grandzam is a castle with several rings of walls making their way outwards. At the centre was the castle Keep while the rest city resided between the Keep and the outer wall. The main road was in the first ring of the city between the outer wall and the first inner wall. The Swede and Jack walked down the main road weaving in and out of other players and NPCs. "Well 'his sucks," said Jack attempting to stretch his arms in the cramped street.
"Wha' do ya think Swede?" Jack asked gazing up at the giant beside him and he sighed after receiving no answer. He continued to gaze around casually browsing the various wares on each stall then he spotted the swinging sign of an inn. "Come on laddie I need a drink," said Jack patting Swede on the back before heading off into the inn.
Inside the inn it was relatively quiet. A couple of players hung by the bar while a group of six players all part of the Knights of the Blood Oath Guild sat at one of the larger tables. Jack and the Swede went up to the bar and leaned up against. "Too cold beers please mac," said Jack and he placed a couple of coins on the counter. The bartender turned around then produced two clean glasses before filling them with a golden brown liquid poured from a green glass bottle.
Jack took hold of one of the glasses and downed the contents. "Aye 'hat hits the spot," said Jack and the bartender refilled his glass. The Swede took the glass and held it motionlessly in front of his face. "You goanna look at it or drink it?" Jack asked jokingly and he was surprised when the Swede put the drink down and slid the drink out in front of Jack. Jack sighed before he downed the beer.
"Ha ha looks like your boyfriend doesn't want to drink with you. How about you join us in stead darling?" A tall man dressed in the red and white armour if the Knights of the Blood Oath guild asked Jack form over at the large table. Jack swung around on his stool and leaned back against the bar with his legs casually spread open. "Listen mac next time ya see a person in a skirt ya better think twice before askin' to buy 'em a drink," said Jack and he watched as the large table burst out in laughter.
"Oh an' it's a kilt not a skirt," said Jack swinging back around to face the bar. The knight who had offered Jack the drink however was not laughing like the rest of his friends but instead stood up, walked over to Jack and tapped him on the shoulder. "I don't reckon it's all that funny especially since you're the one in the skirt so I suggest you apologise for embarrassing me in front of my friends," said the knight and Jack just ordered another beer off the bartender.
"Hay are you even listening to me? Can you even hear me skirt for brains? I demand an apology," said the knight drawing his sword and a duel request pop up appeared floating in front of Jack. Jack hit the decline button and started to drink from his glass. The knight shouted and grabbed Jack's shoulder turning him around violently causing him to spill the drink on the knight. "You're going to pay for that!" The knight shouted raising his sword.
Smack came the sound that echoed around the inn followed by a crash as the knight hit the floor knocking over several chairs. The knight looked on in shock as the Swede stood towering over him having just delivered a strong punch to the face. The knight grabbed a stool and threw it at the Swede who caught it. The knight used the split second distraction of the stool to stand up and launch himself at the Swede. The Swede lowered the stool only to receive a punch a face. The Swede's head recoiled backwards and his hood fell off. "Huh?" The knight said in surprise and the Swede took the opportunity to return the stool. The Swede hit the knight in the chest with the stool soon followed by another blow to the head. The knight was thrown to the side and collapsed unconscious on the floor. The Swede repositioned the hood of his cloak back to cover his face and walked out of the inn. Jack placed a few coins on the bar apologised to everyone and followed the Swede out.
"Ay Swede wait up," said Jack as he weaved through the crowd after the Swede. Jack eventually caught up and stood in front of the Swede.
"Na' what's goin' on?" Jack asked but then he heard the distinct sound of someone crying quietly. Jack grabbed the Swede by the arm and took him into a quiet alley. Jack sat the Swede down on a stone bench and he kneeled down in front of him. "Come on na' it can't be that bad na' can it," said Jack patting the Swede gently on the arm.
Jack heard a long sniff come from under the Swede's hood and watched as the hood peeled back to reveal the Swede's head. Long purple hair braided in places fell down upon broad shoulders. A pair of brown tear clad omniscient eyes gazed down at the badly dressed Scotsman. A small smile appeared on the eternally closed lips and a small diamond glinted from atop a picturesque nose. "Either I'm bad at guessing genders or you're the most beautiful man I ever met," said Jack and the Swede smiled.
"Na' are ya goanna tell me what the problem is or do I have to guess that wrong too?" Jack asked and the Swede shook her head.
"I was always bullied as a child. I'm still bullied now," said the Swede and Jack interrupted.
"You bullied? Who's crazy enough to bully a giant?"
"Yes well I've always had a bullying problem that's why I ended up a reclusive gamer and its incidents like back at the bar that get me in trouble with other people. I don't like bullying but when I get involved someone gets hurt. I didn't want to see you get hurt but then I hurt that knight and I'm worried you'll hate me."
"Well let's think 'bout this for a sec. One in game an' specifically in towns ya can't hurt people except during a duel an' two that was the second coolest thing I've ever seen ya do. So why would I 'ate ya?"
Swede sniffed again and smiled. "Come on big girl gimme a hug," said Jack helping the Swede stand up and she crushed him in a bear hug.
"Sorry," said Swede and Jack just laughed as he rubbed his neck.
"Don' worry we'll just 'ave ta practise that part ay," said Jack and the pair laughed.