Into the Game

We made it to Trumpit in four hours.

Compared to the outpost, Trumpit was huge. Instead of a rail fence, there was an actual seven foot tall wooden wall. Guard towers rested above the gate and were positioned every twenty feet.

We walked through the open gate without getting stopped by the guards out front. The village was full of people. There were more houses than I could count. Some were brick, others were log. There were two story and single story houses.

Computer characters and players roamed the dirt streets. Some of the characters tried to talk to us, but my escorts waved them away. Peddlers were the worst traders to deal with. They bought low and sold high. Some might have interesting or rare items, but we didn’t have the excess coins to buy anything rare anyway.

Coins weren’t exactly the right term. Each player had their money stored at the bank. The coins were accessed by swiping their thumb on a scanner. Coins could still be found in camps or monster dens, but they were deposited in the nearest bank, or traded at the closest store as soon as possible. It was the only way to keep money safe from bandits or player thieves.

Michael left to go trade the furs and meat for other supplies. Mei led me to the shaman’s house.

Unlike the other houses, the Shaman’s house was more of a castle. There were four guard towers on each of the corners of the yard. A metal fence ran between the towers. The house itself was a three story brick tower.

I walked up to the gate. "I’m here to see the shaman.” I waved the elephant tooth.

The guards pulled the gate open. Two soldiers in shiny armor with blue tunics flanked us. They moved behind us as the guards at the front door stopped us.

“Relinquish your weapons.” The guards held out their hands

I reached for my sword. I heard the soldiers behind us draw theirs.

“Slowly.” The guard said.

I slowly took out my sword and handed over to the guards. They pointed at my bag. I slid it off my shoulders and passed it over.

“Yours too.” The guards turned to Mei.

She looked at me. Her hood was still up and her cloak was wrapped around her. She backed up. "You don’t need me.”

“What?” I demanded. "What am I supposed to do?”

“The guards can direct you.” Mei held out her hands. "I’ll hold your stuff.”

The guards looked at me.

“It’s okay.”

They passed my sword and bag over to Mei. She turned and walked through the gates.

I watched her leave. Without my sword or one of my friends, I felt naked. I flinched as the doors to the house opened. The guards motioned for me to enter.

I stepped into the lion’s den.

It wasn’t a bad description. Animal heads littered the walls of the entryway. Torches provided the only light in the hall. I had seen windows, but they had been further away from the main hall.

The doors creaked as they closed.

I turned around. "Wait! Where’s the shaman?”

Silence was the only thing I heard from the guards. The doors slammed shut. I was alone in a trophy room.