Drake opened the door of the tavern. Gavin was at the bar in his usual spot, drinking out of his stein. He turned toward the door and nodded at Drake before turning back to his drink, unbothered by the impending attack on the town by the monsters. His attitude towards Drake had changed since his debt was paid.
Mayor Ivan was standing over his map. He and the captain of the town guard were pointing at the map animatedly, discussing ways to protect the town from another attack by the monsters. The table was surrounded by the soldiers working under the town captain. They looked up as Drake and his friends walked in. There was a question in their eyes. They wanted to know if the barrier had been dealt with.
Drake led his friends to the large table, stopping next to Mayor Ivan. "The barrier is down." He informed them, answering their silent question. His tone was calm, unwavering. In the short couple of days they had been inside the game-like dimension, Drake had changed considerably. He wasn't the quiet, reclusive gamer any longer. He had become a leader. It helped that he had gained power, but what really changed him was a purpose: The purpose of saving the little girl Nelly, and then the small town of Draco.
As time passed, he felt his connection to the dimension grow. It was as if it were becoming a part of him. He wanted to help and protect them. Right now, they needed protection. His quest would have to wait.
Chad and Mike stood silently flanking Drake on either side. Neither boy said anything.
Drake folded his arms across his chest. "What do you need us to do. I may not possess the power of the Dimension Master, being only an heir, but my friends and I can still help."
Drake quickly looked back at his friends. He hadn't even spoken to his friends about staying in town to continue to help. He knew they wanted to get home. So did he, but it felt more important to help these people.
Chad and Mike just nodded in agreement. Neither of the boys protested, nor did they appear as if they didn't want to help. Whatever Drake decided, they would follow.
Mayor Ivan looked relieved. "We took a census of the town while you were dealing with the barrier. A new roster has been made. No one was taken during the last battle. We lost several soldiers but no civilians."
Drake nodded, taking in what the mayor was saying, then he spoke. "Make sure that if anyone finds any object. Especially if it has runes or symbols on it, to bring it to me. The monster's shaman might try something else. He had planted a totem. It was a little leather bag filled with items. Nelly had found it. It has since been destroyed. However, that doesn't mean there aren't more items planted around the town."
Ivan nodded as he tugged his scruffy beard. It was clear this bit of information troubled him. He didn't like having magical objects planted around the town for his people to find. It was dangerous. "We will keep a lookout. Currently, we plan to use the same strategy as before. It worked well. In the meantime, we're going to upgrade the locks and window shutters to help protect the homes. We shouldn't have to hide every night in the cellar."
"I would advise hiding in the cellars if the alarm bells are rung. Other than that, I would keep the cellars prepared in the event that hiding for a few hours turns into days. I doubt it would come to that, but it's better to be safe than sorry, as the saying goes." Drake suggested. He knew it would make the lives of the people miserable if they had to hide in their cellars every night. They needed a normal life, not one of fear. "My friends and I are going to scout out around the town. When we're finished, we'll come back here. It shouldn't take that long."
Ivan nodded as Drake turned and headed toward the door. Chad and Mike followed behind him. As soon as the tavern door closed behind him, Drake turned to his friends. "I'm sorry I didn't discuss it with you. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, so there was no time. I know you guys want to get back home, but these people need our help."
Mike shrugged. "I don't mind. I have a feeling the road we're going to travel to complete the quest is going to be difficult. The longer we have to get stronger and gain more weapons and experience, the easier it will be to complete the quest."
Chad nodded in agreement. "I don't mind either. I agree with Mike. I do have a specific worry thought..." he started. He paused as if trying to word what he was thinking.
Mike and Drake looked at Chad, waiting for him to continue.
"Well," Chad stated. "The red thread you were following disappeared. I'm wondering if something happened to the enchanter…or shaman…or whatever they are called. We also know that it was someone else who placed the barrier. It coincided with the erasing spell the enchanter placed. It makes me wonder if someone was helping the enchanter prevent you from stopping his spell. Obviously, it didn't work. My worry, though, is that we seem to have more than one person after us. I don't think the Dimension Master was the one who made the barrier. We're on a quest that he gave us. Why would he trap us in town if he needed us to complete the quest? That means we have more than one enemy."
Drake sighed. "I'm pretty sure we have more than two. First off, we have the gargoyle shaman, then we have whoever placed the barrier. I also think adding the gargoyle leader or king, whatever they call him, because we took his prey from him when we took Nelly, and I killed the bandit. At minimum, we have three enemies. I would go as far as to say that we have more enemies than we may not even know about."
Mike pulled his storm sword from its sheath. "Let's scout around the town and figure out what the heck is going on around here. If someone is doing this to stop us from completing the quest and going home, I will turn the bastards into light particles," he seethed. Mike wanted to get home, but he was in complete agreement with Drake that they needed to help the people of Draco town. He was just frustrated because he wanted to get on with the quest. It felt like the dimension itself was trying to stop them from completing their goal.
Chad pulled his bow from his back as they headed toward the outskirts of town. They were heading toward the exit of the town that led to Dragon Head Mountain. Their plan was to walk the perimeter of the town to see if they could find any clues. Just as they started walking, a loud voice was heard from behind them.
"I'm coming with you," Gavin called. He had a pair of axes on his back.
As the boys waited for Gavin to approach, Mike whispered. "Do you think he's one of them?"
Drake discreetly shook his head. "I don't think so. We can keep an eye out, though, just in case I'm wrong."
Gavin stopped in front of Drake, giving a quick bow. "I want to help you," he stated.
Shrugging, Drake started walking again with his friends at his heels. As the four walked through the barrier of the small town, Gavin caught up to Drake.
"Something is going on around here," he stated. "I can feel it."
Drake nodded, not saying anything.
Sighing, Gavin continued. "I know you're on a quest to take over for the current Dimension Master. The only problem we've had has been the monsters coming at night. Everything has changed since you got here. I think someone is trying to stop you."
Drake turned to the large man. "Who told the mayor that I was coming for my quest?"
Gavin chuckled. "That was the Dimension Master. One day, he came here and called a meeting with the townsfolk. He gave us explicit instructions," he stopped. "Before you ask, we are forbidden to tell you more about the Dimension Master. He did say, though, that you were starting your quest and that he had a room ready for you and your cohort because you would arrive late. I don't think he expected someone to try to interfere with your quest."
"When you incurred your debt to Drake, then how did you not know who you were speaking to if you were all told we were coming?" Chad asked, suspicion in his tone.
"I wasn't really paying attention to who I was talking to, just what was being said. I didn't realize who until after the fact," Gavin confessed.
Mike chuckled. "I bet you won't make that mistake again, will you?"
Gavin shrugged. He didn't have time to say anything because just then, glowing orange eyes charged out of the forest as a menacing growl followed.