Chapter 10: Stag’s Lake

Alia was **** in my arms as we trekked towards the looming Ironford. Fay walked extremely close to me. Jess was lingering behind us, checking to ensure our safety. Eclipse was held in Fay’s hand, and I wished I’d thought to give the dagger to her earlier.

“Halt!” a voice called. I turned to the left to see a big man on horseback, holding a longsword in one hand.

“What business do you have at Ironford?” the rider demanded.

“We’re en route to Lightcairn, but our party was injured and our supplies are low. We’re all exhausted. We request simply three days within your walls to recover.” Jess spoke eloquently.

“I see. I notice one among you bears a signet ring to Zahreem.” the rider noted.

“I was **** to take the oath.” I said truthfully.

“I see. Ironford has defenses against scrying, but bringing a ring of Zahreem into our city would render them useless. We are already barraged by physical attacks routinely. Magical attacks would assuredly destroy us.” the rider said.

“I can wait outside the city, then.” I said. Jess looked horrified.

“No! Seb, you mustn’t.” she said.

“It’ll be fine, Jess.” I promised her.

“Alright. I’ll take the three ladies into the city. The sir can visit the tavern outside the city walls: the Stag’s Lake.

“I will.” I said, and Jess kissed me.

“Take care, Sebastian.” she murmured, and took Alia from my arms. I walked around the city wall to see the tavern. Entering it, I found the bartender to be a burly man with a tattoo of a dragon across his face.

“Hello! Welcome to the Stag’s Lake. How may I serve you?” he asked. A thought occurred to me.

“Can you connect me with other adventurers?” I asked.

“Sure can! Who do you want to connect with?” he asked curiously.

“Amaya.” I said. He nodded. He flicked a switch, and I turned to see a ghostly apparition of a gorgeous black haired girl, my age with deep brown eyes and olive skin.

“Liam?” she asked in relief.

“Amaya.” I grinned and she threw her arms around me and we hugged tightly. I kissed the gorgeous girl deeply and it was so inherently Amaya that I nearly melted against her.

“You died! How the hell are you here?” she demanded.

“Sorry, I what?” I gaped.

“Your body! Liam, you’re fucking dead. Your funeral was last week.” she told me.

“Last week? How long have I been gone?” I demanded.

“A month.” Amaya whispered.

“Damn.” I whispered.

“So, how are you here?” Amaya asked me.

“Some evil wizard named Zahreem did a spell on me, and now I’m entirely in the game. I’m not connected to the real world anymore.” I sighed.

“That’s insane. So they can use magic that affects us for real?” Amaya gaped. I shrugged.

“It did for me.” I told her.

“I don’t want to leave.” she whispered, stroking my face.

“Me neither. But I can’t stay in this tavern for the rest of my life. And you still have a real life. Live it.” I told her.

“No! I love you, Liam.” she protested. I kissed her gently.

“I love you, too, Amaya. But I refuse to let you waste your life on a guy stuck in a video game. Move on.” I begged her.

“Or you could bring me into the game with you.” Amaya suggested. I blinked.

“Hell no!” I denied her immediately. Amaya looked miserable.

“I’m a mage. You have a higher likelihood of surviving if you bring me with you.” she begged.

“I can’t bring you to me, even if I wanted to.” I told her truthfully. But my gaze strayed to the ring.

“Can you try?” Amaya begged.

“Your whole family will think you died.” I said, a plan forming.

“I don’t care. I want to be with you.” Amaya said stubbornly.

“I can’t do it. But you might be able to. It’ll require a bit of luck and danger, though.” I said.

“I’ll do anything.” she promised.

“Ok, you’re looking for somebody called Zahreem. Tell him Sebastian requests your presence, and he should send you to me.” I told her.

“Zahreem. Got it.” she said.

“I’ve only seen him in the Fourth Realm, so you might have to get there first. He also sometimes goes as a rogue called Jak.” I told her. She nodded, closing the distance between us to kiss me.

“Oh! My sister. Can you offer her the same choice?” I blurted. Amaya nodded and then we kissed.

“I’ll see you soon.” she said, and disappeared.

“Something to drink?” the bartender asked. I turned.

“Yeah, whatever you got.” I said.