Hero Gothic I

Part 5

Heroes Guild. Albion

I woke up with a massive hangover that I immediately cured by drinking some more for breakfast. Amazingly that worked, and when my head cleared up I remembered that I was now a fully qualified Hero.

Also I recalled that I'd had sex with Whisper, and by the looks of things she was long gone. I wondered then if we'd destroyed our friendship, but given that we might end up rivals in the near future I figured that our estrangement might be for the best.

Once my liquid meal was done with I went up to what was no longer my bedroom in order to collect my stuff. As to why this room was no longer mine and Whispers, that was because as full Heroes we got private chambers, ones we had to pay rent for.

I hadn't decided where I would be living yet. Not many Heroes actually lived at the guild, unless they were teachers, many rented room at inns when they needed to, and the more wealthy ones owned properties that were scattered all over the land. However since I was poor I'd most likely end up sleeping outdoors, at least until I got some gold together.

When I had my leather armour on and all my weapons were secured on my person I went to the map room, and picked the first quest card I could find. The map was actually a powerful magical device that let the guild know when people were willing to hire a Hero. It even told us what the reward would be, somehow.

The quest card I'd picked up was nothing special. Giant wasp attack at the picnic area just outside Bowerstone, which was a town not far from the Guild. It wasn't even more than a few minutes walk from here as long as I took the right path. Which I knew since I'd been to the picnic area before.

I then looked around and I realised that I was in fact free to come and go as I pleased. I'd been out of the guild before, but never alone as apprentices weren't allowed to go off by themselves.

Now things were different. Should I so desire it I could walk out the double wooden doors and never be seen again. If I wished to it was even possible for me to get on ship and sail far away. I might not have enough money to by passage on a sea going vessel, but I was young and strong so many captains would be willing to take me on as crew.

However I no real desire to travel so far this soon from graduation. While I didn't exactly have real friends here I did have people who would support me, and the guild was still open to me should I need to use its library or just to get a hot meal.

Another thing I took note of was that while I was still welcome here, no one seemed to care if I left and never came back. My graduation had been celebrated last night, but come morning it was old news and no one had even said goodbye.

After letting all that sink in I headed off to the guild shop and brought enough supplies to last me a few days. Not just food, but also some potions. It was then I remembered that I still had that elixir of life stashed in my back pack so soon as my shopping was done I chugged that down.

I felt a little different after that, more energised and somehow more alive if such a thing was possible. I now wanted to get out there and face the world, so that was exactly what I did.

However rather than simply race off to the picnic area. I went to find the guy who sold titles. Well actually his service was that he would go around and inform everyone of the title, and then tell them what a great Hero I was.

Since I hadn't actually done anything worthy of note as of yet I didn't feel right paying him for that but, I badly wanted to change my name to Gothic, it felt right somehow and it was worth doling out some coins so that no one would call me 'Chicken Chaser' ever again.

(Line Break)

Picnic Area. Albion

The first sign of trouble that I saw was two men who were running right at me. Only they weren't the threat, the real danger was the nasty thing chasing them. It was pretty much a giant wasp.

"What is it with fantasy worlds and overgrown bugs" I muttered to myself.

If it wasn't huge beetles, it was massive bees, or giant scorpions, and worse of all groups of giant spiders. Which made no sense as spiders were solitary creatures by nature, they didn't form packs like wolves did.

"Ah, help us!" one of the blokes called out.

A casual swing of my flame embed steel blade dispatched the wasp without issue.

"You're welcome" I said to the men I'd saved

They didn't stick around to say thank you, they just kept running. Not that I blamed them as if I'd been lacking in super powers I'd already be a spot on the horizon.

As expected the picnic area was swarming with more huge wasps, and I knew they weren't going to be so easy to deal with. Judging by the looks of things they'd already killed a few people, or at least stung them into comas, as there were bodies lying about.

I started by setting a few of them alight with my fireball spell. With so many wasps around, aiming wasn't even issue until, and all the smoke seemed to confuse them. However it didn't do anything to me because of the way the wind was blowing, so I just blasted them some more.

Once the smoke had cleared those that survived came after me, but there weren't exactly a lot of them, and I was quick on my feet so my sword ended their lives before they could sting me.

Then the big Momma Wasp showed up. Queen or not, she was still just a big bug, and so it really wasn't too hard to deal with her. I shot the big bug full lightening then when the thing was busy having some sort of fit on the ground I stabbed her, and, then stomped on it until the big wasp finally stopped moving.

Once that was done I realised what a big mess I'd made of myself and I was so glad that leather was easy to clean. However before I could do anything about that the people who had been driven from this area all returned and started cheering at me.

It was a very odd feeling to say the least. It was like being a celebrity, only I'd actually done something worth praising.

"Maze is looking for you" the Guildmaster's voice then sounded in my ear.

I'd forgotten that the guild seal could be used for telepathic communication. Now I'd been reminded in a really, really unsettling way. I did not like people talking into my head.

"Errr, can you hear me?" I asked my old mentor.

He said nothing back so I assumed that either he'd broken the connection or that I needed to be holding the seal in order to talk back. Not that I tested that out as it wouldn't take that long just to walk back to the guild and ask about this in person.

Which was exactly what I did.

(Line Break)

Bowerstone. Albion

I'd learned a bit about Bowerstone from other Heroes that had passed through the Guild in my novice days. I'd even visited the place as part of group in days past, and I had already decided I wasn't going to stick to the rules. Not if I had anything to say about it, at least, but I doubted that my views on the matter would be taken into account.

The guards on the gate stopped me, of course. I was clearly armed my flame sword was hard to miss.

"You've never come into Bowerstone before, have you?" one asked me.

The idea of offering a bribe crossed my mind, but it seemed risky given that I didn't know enough about either of them men in front of me to tell if they were the kind to take a payoff. And I was hardly flush with cash even after doing a quest.

"I'm about to change that" was my reply

That perhaps hadn't been the best thing to say. If I'd been more polite they might have made an exception for me.

"We have some rules around here" the other guard then told me "That you need to know about before we can let you in".

It seemed as if I wouldn't be allow to keep my weapons after all, but that wasn't the huge concern it might seem to be. They couldn't take my power of Will away and I had been trained to fight in hand to hand combat. Still being unarmed outside of the Guild was unsettling.

"I'm listening" I said.

In fact I already knew about the rules, as I had in fact been here before, but back then I'd been a kid and I hadn't brought any weapons with me as adults seem to dislike children having sharp metal objects.

"Bowerstone is a peaceful town" I was then informed "Which means I will have to confiscate your weapons. They will be locked away in the barracks and you can reclaim them when you are ready to leave".

I handed over my weapons, but not happily.

"There are shops, inns, lots of different people to met" one of the guards then told me "So why not pay the tavern a visit. You can't miss it".

I wondered if they were on commission or something. It sounded as if they got paid to mention the local watering hole.

"Oh and keep an eye open for Lady Grey" I was then warned "Treat her with respect. She is the Mayor after all".

According to everything I'd heard Lady Grey was not someone to be trifled with. I planned to avoid her if possible.

"Enjoy your stay in Bowerstone" one of the guards said as he handed me a piece of paper "And here is your receipt. Don't loss it".

I'd been given a piece of paper that had my weapons listened on it and it also had my new Hero name written below the list.

"Thanks" I said before heading side.

I barely got a chance to look around before someone tried to get my attention.

"Over here!" Maze shouted.

He was standing in front of the pub, he looked more causal than I ever seen him. Not in terms of dress, but in posture. I figured this was because he didn't see me as kid anymore, this was a meeting of two Heroes out in the real world.

"Good afternoon" I said

That was when I noticed how many of the smaller locals were looking at me. My response to this was to wave at the children.

"Been enjoying all the attention, have you?" Maze asked me as he crossed arms "I remember what is was like".

The children were soon herded off back into the schoolhouse, so I was able to focus my attention on the Will using Hero.

"I guess everyone heard what happen at the Picnic Area" was what I said in reply "I didn't think news would travel this fast".

For a short time I had forgotten that gossip could sometimes move faster than light, despite whatever Albert Einstein had to say on the matter.

"Yes, I've heard about your encounter with the Wasp Queen" Maze told me "Most of Bowerstone is talking about it. But you shouldn't let your pride get the better of you".

I still found the whole thing too strange to worry about it effecting my behaviour enough to make me arrogant, but I would keep his words in mind for the future.

"Anyway, that's not why I summoned you here" Maze said now changing the subject "You see there are dark forces gathering that will put your giant insect to shame".

By that I assumed he meant Jack of Blades. I remembered enough of the game to know who the real threat was.

"Tell me, how much do you recall about that night I took you to the Guild?" Maze requested of me "In your mind was there anything strange about the raid on Oakvale?"

I thought for a moment before answering, and it seemed odd to me that he was asking about this now. The village had been attacked years ago, and my memories of that day had faded over time.

"Not much" I said to Maze "My sister told me to hide in some bushes so most of what I saw were dead bodies lying on the ground and lots of feet as people running about. There was some screaming as well and something caught fire, that's about it".

That much at least was crystal clear in my mind. I'd had nightmares about it for months despite my efforts not to get attached to the people there.

"At the time I'd thought those bandits had killed your whole family" Maze was now saying "And that if given the chance you'd be next".

Which was why the Guildmaster had wanted me to change my name, and had told everyone that I'd been found on a remote farm.

"But it seems there may have been another survivor" Maze then informed me "A member of your family".

I knew exactly who it was, but I couldn't say that as there was no way that I should have known.

"Really? Who?" I asked, while trying to feign surprise.

The answer wasn't long in coming.

"Your sister" Maze told me.

I did my best to act shocked.

"Theresa, she alive!" I said.

Maze seemed to accept my reaction as being genuine, which was as it should be as even the smartest of people tended to see what they expected to see rather than what was actually going on. Even I acted that way, although I did try to see things in different ways.

"I'm afraid it's only a rumour, and there's no way to be certain yet but I thought you should know" he said "When I learn more I'll let you know".

I nodded my head rather than saying anything. I wasn't a great actor so the less I spoke the better.

"Oh one more thing, it seems that someone left you a house" Maze said before disappearing in blue light.

Now that bit of news did shock me.

(Line Break)

Bowerstone. Albion.

I examined my new property, and then went about fixing it up as according to the guard I'd spoke to, the house had been brought for me well over a year ago. I could only assume it was my mysterious benefactor, somebody out there had gone out of their way to make things more pleasant for me, and I had no idea who it could be.

Theories I had in plenty. It could be Jack of Blade simply being crazy. It could be Theresa even. It could even be that one day I'd learn to use Will to travel in backwards in time, and that future me was using that power to help present me. Which seemed unlikely as I knew that history was not something a person should mess about with.

As I thought about what else could be behind this I tided up. The house had been empty for a year so there was dust and cobwebs everywhere and a bird had left a nest in the chimney. So the furniture in each room got shifted around a bit, and I swept up. Then I stopped as that was all the improvements I could make to this place with paying for anything.

"So, you own this place do you farm boy?" Whisper asked me.

She'd sneaked up on me so silently I'd almost jumped into the air. I'd forgotten that she was trained in stealth.

"Yes" I answered "It was left for me".

Not even the guards had a name for whoever had brought it for me. Lady Grey might know more, but my gut was telling me to avoid her.

"Two rooms?" she then enquired.

I could see where this was going.

"Do you want to move in, Whisper?" I asked back "I'd of thought you'd be sick of the sight of me by now"

We'd shared a room for years and she'd driven me to the point of insanity a few times, and I must have driven her up the wall at least a little.

"Don't get your hopes up Skywalker" the young woman said "I'm not thinking marriage I want a place to live, and you've got room".

By that I assumed she meant that this wasn't going to develop into any sort of romantic relationship. Which was fine by me as I might have to kill her one day. Still I really wouldn't mind shagging her more, I had conflicting feelings about her to say the least.

"Besides we'll both be off doing quests so we won't see each other that much" she pointed out.

That made sense so I decided that she could rent the room. If nothing else it meant I wouldn't end up living with a stranger.

"Long as you pay then you can stay" I told Whisper "And it's Gothic now. Remember that"

I then handed her the spare key.

"Don't worry. I'll make sure you get something for your trouble" she assured me as she walked upstairs "I still need to get you trained up for my harem after all".

I'd just sat down when Whisper shouted something.

"You can start by heating up some water!" she said "I need a bath".

I knew had to nip this in the bud right now. Gothic the Hero was no ones servant. But I also didn't want to argue about it so I just got up and walked out the front door. There was a tavern nearby and the drinking age was only fourteen here so I was more than old enough to go for a pint.

(Line Break)

I staggered back home a few hours later, and I wasn't in a great mood as while the local ladies had been impressed by my slaying of huge killer bugs, none of them had wanted to go to bed with me. Apparently there weren't many single women around, and those that weren't already married wanted husbands who could support them.

However I had enjoyed the drinking games, and the singing. I had introduced a few new songs, and I currently had one of them stuck in my head.

When I got upstairs I opened the door to the larger of the two bedrooms, and began to get undressed.

"Wrong room, farm boy" a voice told me.

Whisper had decided to take the bigger bed for herself. I found this annoying.

"Oh for fuck's sake" I moaned.

Whisper got up out of bed, and while it was dark, there was enough moonlight to let me see that she was only wearing a night shirt.

"You're drunk" she stated "Again".

Well I'd been celebrating my success, and I may have said something along those lines, but I wasn't sure if any words actually left my mouth.

"You're lucky I still think you're cute" she then said "You can sleep with me tonight, but no sex".

I must have made a sad expression because her firm face softened a little.

"Fine, I'll give you a quick rub, but no kissing I don't want to smell your breath" she was now saying "and I'm not doing any house work if you're going to be wandering into my room late at night wanting me to make you happy".

That seemed like a fair deal to me. Afterall I could always pay one of the locals to clean the house for me.