Setting up a meeting in the keep meant that even if you didn't know your way around town, it would be impossible to miss. It stood out from the rest of the town in stark contrast to the houses and shops, which were mostly of plaster and thatched roofs. The keep was made of stone and reflected the construction of the wall that surrounded the town. Arrow slits could be seen along it's walls and battlements circling it's top. The medieval feel of it was conveyed effectively as we crossed it's drawbridge and passed under a large reinforced portcullis.

The inside was just as convincing. We walked along a corridor dimly lit with torches hanging from it's stone walls and ended at a spiral staircase. Light from outside peered into the stairway through arrow slits. We made our way to the top and entered a large room with a wooden ceiling and floor. A fire was burning in the large fireplace set in the corner of the room and the whole room was lit with candles.

Players were slowly filing in. Some were obviously used to being together evident by the way they grouped themselves. They were either part of a guild or simply tended to party together. I knew no one there, and neither did Karla for that matter. We hadn't met many people since the game started and generally kept to ourselves. This was the first time we were with such a large crowd, I felt somewhat uncomfortable. I was glad Karla was with me, even if she too seemed nervous.

"What do you suppose Ironfist wants with all these people? It's like a mini army" Karla whispered to me as she looked at the people around us. I shrugged my shoulders and shook my head. "I don't know. We'll know soon enough : Ironfist just got here." I whispered back. Karla turned to the stairway and saw Ironfist and and a few members of his guild entering the room. They made their way to the middle, Ironfist grabbed a chair and stood up on it.

"Good evening gentlemen, my lady." he nodded to Karla making her slightly uncomfortable. Karla was in fact the only girl at this meeting. "I'm glad you all could come. The Brutal Knights, my guild, has been trying to make a name for itself. We're working to get stronger and more capable of defeating what this game throws at us. We have a goal: We want to take part in the clearing group and defeat a floor boss." Iron fist announced. The crowd seemed to get uneasy and chatter spread throughout the room.

"Settle down people, settle down. I'm not suggesting you all join my guild and we head ten floors up to take on a boss. On the other hand anyone wanting to join is welcome as long as we have similar goals. But we'll never reach our goals if we don't prepare ourselves. The boss on this floor was defeated but there is one boss that was ignored because it was possible to bypass it. This floor still has an unchallenged field boss: Soul Biter, the Hound. My guild has set it's sights on defeating it and I want you to help us do it." Ironfist explained.

Most players in the room were visibly not amused. People started arguing, and by his reaction, Ironfist had probably not expected so much resistance. "You're crazy, I'm not putting my life on the line for this." one person cried out. "It's not worth the effort. A complete waste of time." yelled another. Others were arguing amongst themselves. "I ... please ... that's not ... can you ..." Ironfist was quickly losing control of his audience.

"You don't have to come!" said a booming voice over the arguing crowd that managed to catch everyone's attention. "You don't have to come." he repeated and turned towards Ironfist so that he may continue. "Those who do not wish to partake in this endeavor are free to leave. We're not forcing anyone. But we cannot do this alone, you are all capable warriors and we are asking for your help. That said, the choice is up to you." Ironfist said.

For a brief moment nothing happened, then one player shook his head "Sorry I can't risk it." he said and headed for the stairs. It had a cascade effect and the crowd in the room thinned rapidly. As players left, others weighed their options and eventually left also. I moved to make my way to the stairs but Karla grabbed my arm and stopped me. I screwed my face up but made no objections.

Only twelve of us remained, including Ironfist and his guild members. He eyed each of the remaining players looking for the confirmation that we weren't going to leave. "I seem to have in front of me the best and most willing players. Don't feel bad for the others, I expected many would not want to participate. This is not going to be a walk in the park. I only wanted those that were truly determined to fight and push the limits of what they're capable of. Now, let's get down to business." Ironfist said as he proceeded to explain his plan and strategy.

Back at our room at the inn, I sat on my bed with my back turned to Karla. If I was going to share the room with Karla I would at least have the courtesy to not look at her while she changed out of her armour and into her sleepwear. Karla was chit-chatting about the meeting and how it went. I wasn't really paying attention to what she was saying.

"What is it Wolf? You've been awfully quiet since we left the keep." Karla inquired. "What? Oh yeah. I'm sorry." I said startled at Karla's question. I turned to face Karla. She was standing next to her bed running her fingers through her hair waiting for me to elaborate. I screwed my face up "I'm ...well ... I'm worried about tomorrow. It's not a risk I want to take." I said.

"You're having second thoughts? Oh come on, we can do this! As far as what Ironfist said, it's not that high a level and with the twelve of us it won't stand a chance." Karla said. "I'm not so sure; we know very little about it. A boss has changing attack patterns, we can't predict what it will do. The twelve of us make a formidable defense but an attack at the wrong moment could get one of us killed." I said.

"Geez, I can dodge its attacks and it'll be no match for my katana." Karla said. "Our lives will be on the line! When did you become so bold?" I said as my voice raised a little. Karla brushed me off with a "tsk", "Don't be such a wimp." she said. It was meant as a tease but came out with to much honesty that I was taken aback and didn't retort.

"Fine! We'll go." I said angrily. "You don't sound convinced." Karla asked looking at me with raised eyebrows. I took a deep breath and sighed "Yeah, I'm sure." I fell into bed on my back. I held up my right hand in a fist and motioned it as if I was chopping, then let it drop to my side. Karla got into her bed and turned her head in my direction. "Wolf, Thank you, for agreeing to come with me. I wouldn't have been able to go alone." Karla said. I smiled at Karla, then turned my head and stared at the ceiling and whispered too softly for Karla to hear.

"Just make sure I don't come back alone."