“Perfect.” He leans forward toward the other players. “What we need is to talk to someone in charge. The city has now had three major encounters in a row and we’re the oneswho keep saving the day. We deserve answers and compensation for all this death-defying work.”
“It wouldn’t be so death-defying if you didn’t keep charging into battle,” Felix says with a shake of his head.
“Well then, I wouldn’t be doing a good job role-playing because that’s exactly what Axolotl and his axes would do. So, here’s my thought. We start walking up this road—”
“Until we come to whoever lives at the top of it,” Nova finishes. “Brilliant. Rich and powerful people always live on top of hills.”
Everyone nods their agreement and turns back to me. I don’t know who lives at the top of this hill, but I better figure it out pronto.
“Right. Okay, you all walk up the road for twenty minutes. During that time you pass only a few people, who avert their gazes and hurry past you. Eventually you see a large structure at the top of the hill. It’s a…” I roll a d20 in my hands mindlessly and try to pull something together. “It’s a citadel. Two guards are posted at the entrance.”
“We go up to the first and ask what’s been happening in the city lately,” Li says immediately.
I clear my throat. “The city is being overrun by foul beasts, day and night,” I tell them in the deeper voice of the guard. “We used to be on the streets constantly, battling them back, but our ranks were diminished and now our leader doesn’t send us out.”
Nova frowns. “But if the city is under siege, why did you have a musical festival only days ago?”
I cringe. It’s literally painful discovering in real time how bad I am at this.
“Uh…well…” I look down at the table and back up. “Our ruler thought that it would be a good idea. To bring more people to the area.”
“More people to be slaughtered, it sounds like,” Felixsays.
“And to support the local businesses,” I continue. “That’s why he planned the festival for outside the city. And to give the remaining townspeople something to look forward to. They have so little.”
“And they’d have even less if it wasn’t for us,” Max retorts, but at least the group looks mollified by the answers.
“Do you know if any other elves have come here for refuge?” Li asks my guard. “Or any information about a blight in the lands to the east of here? We’re searching for information.”
“No other elves have come, or at least they haven’t made themselves known to me,” I reply in my deep voice.
Li droops a bit and my stomach twists in guilt. I hate seeing her this way, but I don’t even know why this city is under siege (except that encounters with monsters are easier for me to throw together).
“Zelda steps into the guard’s personal space and growls,” Nova says and pats Zoinks on the head. His tongue flops out into a huge grin and we all laugh. He couldn’t intimidate a mouse. “You don’t seem like the kind of man who has a lot of answers, and since that’s all we need right now, I think we’re done with you. We want to speak to your ruler.”
If I wanted to, I could refuse to take them, or make the party persuade my character to do their bidding, but I don’t have the heart to do that. I’ve already given them enoughpushback.
“Oh my god, I’m sorry to interrupt, but your dog is precious! Can I pet him?”
We look up to find Melanie standing in the doorway to the dining room. The rest of Mom and Dad’s group walks up the basement stairs, and it’s clear the night is done. We didn’t accomplish very much other than fighting, but the party didn’t revolt against me, so that’s something.
Li is especially quiet as everyone packs up and heads out. She doesn’t even laugh when Zoinks stands on his hind legs to give Max a lick on the cheek.
“Doing okay?” I ask her quietly.
“Yep. See you tomorrow.” She waves, but my stomach clenches at her monotone. I’m letting her down as DM, that much is clear. Felix is quick to her side. The two walk out, talking in hushed voices, and I’m left in the doorway with my worries and self-doubt.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Max:Do you have time to go to a game store with me after school? I thought we could pick up some D&D miniatures for the game.
I blink and reread the message as I walk to my sixth-period class, still getting used to the fact that Max and I text now. It’s Wednesday, the one day each week when we don’t have extra band practice after school, so technically I’m free this afternoon.
Hazel:Where? We don’t have anything in town.
Max:I know, it’s one of the worst parts about living here. I found one about forty-five minutes away though. I can drive us.
I squeeze my phone a little tighter. A whole afternoon with Maxanda game store? There’s no way I can say no tothat.
