Soul Biter couldn't make it through the farmhouse door, but the Vicious Dog could. It followed me in as I fell through the door. It took a bite of my leg as I lay on top of two of our group that had burst in just before me. My health bar fell to the red. I saw the glow of many sword skills and heard the combined attack of the players. The dog burst like a blue-green firework.
Soul Biter tried to bite players near the door but was so constrained that, unless someone was square in the doorway, there was little he could do. "Heads up, the dogs are spawning again." a player near the window said. "Close the door, we have to keep them out" another player said. Soul Biter moved it's head from the doorway as the dogs ran towards it. I got up, rushed to the door, and slammed it shut just as the one of the dogs leap at the entrance. With my body against the door, I felt the blow as the dog smashed against it.
Two players came to help me hold the door shut, while another set the bar in place. The dogs barked and growled on the other side of the door, scrapping their claws on it. Soul Biter was circling the farmhouse to find us if we left the building. We took health potions to recover as best we could. Our weapons at the ready in case the dogs managed to break down the door.
Then, a deafening howl came from outside. Instinctively we put our hands to our ears. The scraping, the growling, and even the barking stopped. For a moment there was silence. Then we heard the sound of the dogs de-spawning right behind the door. "It's leaving." one of the players said. Soul Biter had given up. The players relaxed their stance, let their weapons droop, and let out a sigh of relief.
"Why? Why did you force me to abandon the fight? What were you thinking?" Ironfist yelled at Thunder. Thunder had nothing to say, he just stood there being scolded by Ironfist, with clenched teeth, and his hands in tight fists. It was odd that the smaller man had such a hold on the larger one. Thunder didn't deserve this, I'm the one who had called out to him during the fight. "He probably saved your life." I said
Ironfist attention now turned to me. "You! You're the one that called it off! It wasn't your place to give that order." Ironfist was fuming. He pointed his mace at me in a menacing way as he spoke. "We could have finished it, we were so close. Now it's back to square one. I could have had it, but because of you: nothing. I'll make you pay for that." Ironfist said. "I'd like to see you try." I said tauntingly. We both had our weapons up now and the other players were giving us room. I felt threatened and Ironfist was angry, our fuses were short and anything could set them off.
"That's enough." Karla shouted. Her distinctive voice made everyone pay attention. "It's not safe here. If you want to argue do it somewhere where we won't attract unwanted visitors. Back to town, the lot of you! I don't want to see you again until you've calmed down. You've got to stop acting like children." Karla scolded. She turned her attention to Ironfist "You! I want to know what's going on, but not here, and not now. I'm not in the mood." Karla growled with clenched teeth.
Ironfist was evidently not happy, but offered no argument. He left the farmhouse and harrumphed his guild mates as he passed them. Thunder turned to look at Karla and gave her a nod of respect before joining the rest of the gang. The other players also filed out and headed back to town. Karla and I followed a short way behind as to avoid any unwanted comments but retaining the protection of the group if need be. We split from the group once we got to town.
"Do all boys have such short tempers, so as to pick fights just like that?" Karla huffed, as we walked. "Boys? Most of them are at least twenty years old." I replied. "They certainly didn't act like it." she added. "Yeah I guess that wasn't very mature. I don't know what it is, but Ironfist is frustrated. It's as if he wants something and can't get it, and it's bothering him." I said. Karla put her hand on my upper arm to slow me down. "He's not the only one that's bothered by something, wouldn't you say Wolf?" Karla questioned.
I turned to face Karla. She stared into my eyes as if answers could be found there. "What ... what do you mean?" I asked. "You stretched yourself thinner than usual, I though you would have backed down sooner. I was seriously scared when I called to you. What was pushing you so hard?" Karla pressed. I turned away, my arms hung loosely on either side, but my hands were in fists.
"Childish stupidity. You said something that bothered me. You called me a wimp last night and I wanted to show you that I wasn't. I ignored the danger, and put us both in jeopardy." I admitted. "You snapped me out of it during the battle by calling me. I'm so sorry. I've let everything get to me recently. It's not fair to you, you deserve better treatment than that. Can you forgive me?" I pleaded.
Karla pushed her fist in my back, which made me stand straight and pay attention "You're not a wimp. You probably saved people's lives back there. And you stood up against Ironfist's stubbornness. It takes courage to do what you did." Karla said clenching her teeth. She opened her fingers and placed her hand on my back. Her tone softening she continued "I'm the one who should be apologizing. I didn't mean what I said. Next time I say something stupid, promise you'll let me know, alright?"
I leaned my head back and took a deep breath, it felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Honesty has a way of doing that to a person. I felt flattered, proud and happy by what Karla said. I had proved nothing, but only because I didn't need to in the first place. I turned around to face Karla and grabbed her hand in mine. I smiled and said,
"I promise."