“If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” – Rudyard Kipling

  Consciousness returned. How, Hank wasn’t sure how he arrived nor where, all he knew for certain was how comfortable he was. “Hmm, soft warm bed.”

  “Oh, goody you’re awake. I’ll tell Dad.” the door slammed and Hank remembered why he hated mornings. Headaches always came in the morning. Hang on a minute he hadn’t been drinking. That’s right crazy girls, smelly bandits, corrupt guards and angry dukes, yesterday had been one heck of a day. “Better check the logs starting with the quest log.” Hank opened his quest log

  “Corrupt guards, Damsels in distress. Please, could it be any more cliché. Someone needs to demand a refund from the programmers.” The dry tone of the AI intruded into Hank’s thoughts.

  “Hello AI.” There was no response. "Hello." Only silence.

  Hank returned to looking at the quest log.

  “What? Where did all that come from?” Hank asked himself before noticing there was a helpful notice connected to all of them.

  “Huh.” He remarked. Hank had never seen a quest amalgamation before. He opened the window of the newly created quest.

  “What! Stupid game. I almost get killed, twice, and all I get is 85 XP and a vague promise that I might get 2 Tsuki and some other rewards from people I don’t know. Just peachy.” Hank was incensed. “Well, hopefully I got some skills with the quarterstaff.”

  “So I lost XP this morning. Fantastic! I can’t believe this stupid game. Hey AI, your rewards systems sucks.” Only silence answered. “Fine, I’m checking the combat log.” Hank paused waiting for a response. Nothing. He opened his combat log. Hopefully it would contain better news than the obviously broken quest system.

  “Woohoo, some points, I so need to get into combat more often.” He rubbed his hands together before continuing with the log.

  That’s the condensed version. Wow, so glad that I don’t have the long version showing during combat or I wouldn’t be able to see a thing. Ouch. I’m not sure how many points I missed out on, but I need to get that team work skill sorted out. What else happened? Hank’s interior monologue and obscured vision prevented him from noticing the door quietly opening.

  Hank closed the largely boring skills log. “I still can’t believe that I didn’t go up a level with all those lovely points I earned.”

  “What’s this about points?” The voice of the rescued girl interrupted Hank’s thoughts startling him sufficiently that he jerked up in bed.

  “What?” He asked before his brain caught up with the situation.

  “Dad sent me in before. He said you should be awake. He told me to find out who you are. Even though you rescued me, he still doesn’t trust you. Which is just silly.” Elise continued.