“I cannot believe we have a subcommunity of orcs now.” Zahir watched the skilled orc masons set another foundation stone for Glossy’s new and expanded walls.

  “They’re good to have around. I was wrong, fighting that Lamia for them was the right move. The military might not even need the Manor.” Sage was thrilled the new arrivals were so well received and the missing individuals. They had a long road to make up the levels they’d missed, but aside from that they had returned without issue. For them, it seemed like they had fallen asleep and only woken up weeks later.

  “Your sister’s mines don’t hurt either. Is she doing ok?” Zahir asked the question he had meant to ask for several days.

  “She’s staying busy in the mines. I think meeting the blacksmith’s wife was hard on her, but I won’t go into that. I promised to stay in the village for now and she seems content with that.” Sage rocked back on her heels. She’d had enough of the outside world for now.

  “Maybe she should talk to Becca. I’m worried about her. She’s very quiet. She was quiet before, but now she’s really quiet and I haven’t seen her with the ax since you two came back.”

  “I’ll talk to her and suggest it. No promises, but I will suggest talking to Becca.” Sage agreed.

  ***

  “You are unclean. It was unwise to hide this from the Master.” The venerable man had an annoying habit of referring to himself in the third person.

  “I told you I was going to transform at the full moon. I just need to find the cure.” Ryan knelt, involuntarily, before the Master in the training hall.

  “I know of no cure for werewolves save the silver blade. I cannot continue to teach you while you are so tainted. I am not merciless though. You will take my staff, money from my stores, and you will not return until this blight is cleansed.” The master extended the staff to Ryan and tossed a heavy coin purse to the ground.

  “Do we know where I might find this cure?” Ryan gripped the staff and picked up the purse.

  “I’m sorry, my programming is limited. My knowledge in this area is insufficient to answer your question.” The Master responded and Ryan silently cursed.

  These monks had the worst dialogue options. It seemed like every little thing triggered them to respond with this same apology. How long training would last? What’s for dinner? Why do I need to shave my head? It was infuriating.

  “I will return when I am cured.” Ryan bowed his head. The Master ignored anything else he tried to say and that meant once again there was only one option. Leave the school and go wander around with strangers until they did something useful.

  His robes were ripped to shreds. The monks wouldn’t come close enough to give him new clothes once the transformation started. It was a sunny day, but still he was cold with little more than video game underwear on.

  Outside the school, he went into Bent Spoon’s market and immediately tried to get the clothing seller’s attention. Without clothes on, this NPC was going to try to jack up the price.

  “So your school was not so hot on you being infected?” A familiar feminine voice surprised Ryan.

  “Yeah. Hard to get a contract as a mercenary as a werewolf?” Ryan turned to smile at Scout.

  “I thought it would help, but no one wants to be infected.” Scout had a blanket wrapped around herself. She didn’t even have her bow.

  “Big surprise, right? Do you have any leads on a cure?” Ryan asked. The NPC store keeper was shocked to find two under-dressed people at her counter.

  “Maybe. Do you have any resources?” Scout asked and then told the woman what she needed.

  “I have a stick.” Ryan lifted the Master’s staff. It was probably the best weapon he’d touched so far, but still. Stick.

  “I transformed in Bent Spoon last night. The guards took everything until I can pay the fine.” Scout sounded like she was going to cry. The transformation was enough to make anyone cry.

  “I have money.” Ryan opened the purse and was pleased to see gold. “We can pay your fine and get out of here.”

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  “Are you sure? You don’t need to do that.” Scout did start crying.

  “We’re unclean. If we don’t help each other, nobody is going to help us.” Ryan slid the merchant the payment and gratefully pulled on pants.

  ***

  “Dave, hurry up. We’re almost there.” Steve came to the top of the hill and couldn’t help but try to see Davtown through the trees.

  “I know you’re all overpowered for this area, but some of us were in a coma while you were getting an XP boost. It’s still dangerous for me here.” Dave put away his sword and kept his eyes open for more elephant birds.

  “I never expected to be away from Max for this long. I never should have let the commander give us a delivery quest. I don’t think he understands what ‘on the way’ means.” Steve fidgeted with his new sword while Dave climbed over the birds’ corpses to catch up.

  “Max is fine. I have been getting weekly reports from the sitter. He’s doing well in school and he expects to be a ranger any day now.” Dave pushed one dead bird off the road with some effort.

  “No one else has in-game messaging. It seems weird you’ve got it.” Steve commented as they resumed their hike.

  “It’s part of being an enhanced courier with Silver Wing. You’ll unlock it soon. And look, there’s home sweet home. Little Max is probably bursting with joy to see you.” Dave took a deep breath after the fight. It was exhausting work keeping up with Steve.

  Steve started to jog. He came down the hill and right to the open gates. His old patrol were at the gates with Sergeant Macintosh back in the lead. They waved him through without question and within moments he was outside his familiar front door.

  “Just running after you has leveled up my athletics three times.” Dave protested when he caught up again.

  Steve tried to open the door, but it was locked. He had never locked it. He didn’t have a key. Dave put a calming, furry hand on Steve before he kicked the door in. A simple knock on the door brought the sitter right out.

  “Can I help you?” The woman asked when she didn’t recognize Steve.

  “Brenda, this is Steve. He’s Max’s big brother and he’ll take over things with his brother again.” Dave, who she did recognize, made introductions and they all went into the house.

  “Max, there’s someone here to see you.” Brenda announced happily and Steve smiled as footsteps pounded on the stairs.

  “You’re not Max. Is he still upstairs?” Steve’s excitement stalled when a blond teen came down the stairs.

  “No, this is Max.” Brenda said through a strained smile.

  “No, this is not my brother.” Steve was now firmly headed to anger.

  “Oh, he was supposed to be back before you got here.” The boy retreated a few steps. “This isn’t supposed to happen.”

  “It’s happening and if you….” Steve started and the teen nearly tripped on the stairs while backing away from Steve’s anger.

  “Maybe you could tell us why Brenda thinks you’re Max.” Dave stepped between the boy and Steve.

  “Max asked me to switch places with him. I told my parents I was in advanced training and when the new sitter came, I told them I was Max.” The boy had his hands up defensively.

  “But the last sitter introduced us.” Brenda was very confused.

  “I’ve been pretending to be Max for three weeks. The last sitter never saw Max.” The boy admitted.

  “Three weeks? And he hasn’t come back?” Steve demanded with a spray of spit.

  “He said it was important. He left a note, I didn’t read it. I need to go home.” The boy attempted to slip past Dave and Steve to get out the door. Brenda slid into his path and stopped him.

  “Where did Max go?” Brenda asked calmly.

  “South. Somewhere south of the Capitol. He went with someone. I don’t know anything else.” The boy was beginning to tremble.

  “I think you might know more.” Steve’s words came out with thick menace on them.

  “We need to read this note. Brenda will escort you back to your parents and explain where you’ve been for three weeks.” Dave spoke very reasonably.

  “That’s not needed.” The boy said, but Brenda already had a hand on his shoulder and took him out the door.

  Steve was already upstairs. The low bed was just as messy as ever, but things were gone. Max’s back pack. The spare quiver. Both Max’s cloaks. Maybe the sitters would notice if they had come up here.

  The top drawer came out of the squat chest of drawers in Steve’s hand. It was completely empty, the whole chest moved and he knew all of Max’s clothes were gone. A single folded piece of paper was in the drawer.

  Steve, Mom and Dad are here. They’re in the game with us. I’m going to them. They want to be a family again. Don’t be too hard on Justin, he’s too trusting and wanted to help. Don’t worry about me, I’m safe. Mom and Dad sent a servant to get me. I’m safe. We’re going to come back to get you once I’ve seen Mom and Dad. We’ll come to get you.

  Love Max

  Steve dropped the drawer and sunk to the floor. The anger abandoned him. He wanted to throw up. They were back. He’d kept Max away for years and it was all gone in an instant. No, he only realized it now. This happened three weeks ago. Steve’s stomach churned and tears blurred the whole room until everything was gone. He couldn’t even see Dave or hear what his friend was trying to say.