Chapter 11: Chapter 11:Dragonfront!
Lucian and the others finally arrived at the gates of Dragonfront. They were large and guarded by a group of six men with shields and spears. Clearly, the town's military as they were dressed in chain mail and plate armour. All of them bearing the same crest.
"Hold there!" One of them shouted as he raised his hand.
Gilly pulled the horse's rains to stop, and Ron stood up as he rooted around in his bag.
"What's your purpose here?" The guard asked as he took a look at Gilly and the carriage.
Ron suddenly popped out of the carriage next to Gilly and flashed the guard a crystal.
"My name is Ron. I'm a member of the adventures guild and am here on business." He said.
The guards took the ID crystal and could see he was telling the truth. The crystal was imbedded with magic and showed that Ron was who he said he was, as it displayed his picture, name and rank within the guild.
"Very well, open the gates!" He shouted to the others.
The gates opened, and Gilly whipped the horses signalling them to move.
"I'll get us to the healer. Don't worry, lad, she will be alright." He said as he steered the carriage down the streets of the town.
Lucian took in the sight. He could see all sorts of people and other races wandering the streets: humans, elves, dwarfs and even some beastmen.
It was an impressive spectacle and further confirmed that he was in the game world of Astaria.
"Wow!" Gilly shouted as he pulled the horses, getting them to stop.
"Alright, lad, this is the place. Let's get her inside." Gilly said as he hopped down to help.
Ron, Gilly and Lucian all helped carry Scarlett inside the healers quarters. It was pretty large, and the front entrance seemed to be a shop front that sold potions.
A girl was sat at a table and noticed them come in with Scarlett.
"Oh my, what do we have here?" She asked, getting to her feet to help.
"We got attacked by a griffin. She's in bad shape. Please help her." Ron said.
The girl didn't look very old, but without hesitation, she tied her hair back and started chanting.
Scarlett's body suddenly floated into the air as of she was lying on a table.
"Let's get her to the urgent care unit." The girl said.
"I'm afraid you two will have to wait here. Only one person is allowed inside with her." The girl said to Lucian and Gilly.
"That's fine. I will come," Ron said as he followed her inside.
Lucian and Gilly nodded as they waited inside the shop area.
"She will be fine now. She's in great hands," Gilly said, crossing his arms.
Lucian nodded as he looked at all of the potions around the shop.
"I have to ask Lucian. That griffin hit you pretty hard. Don't you want a check-up?"
Lucian smiled a little as he grabbed his large bicep.
"I'm as healthy as a horse. Don't worry about me, Gilly." He said
Ron and the girl walked back into the shop, catching both of their attention.
"Well?" Gilly asked.
"She's ok," Ron said with a smile.
"Her injuries are bad, but manageable. I have placed her in a healing sleep for now. She will be fine come morning." The girl said with a smile as she brushed her hair back with one of her hands.
Lucian realised she wasn't a human at all when she did. Her long blond hair had covered her ears, and when she moved it, Lucian realised she was an elf.
"Thank you, Zaleria," Gilly said with a smile.
She nodded and bid them farewell as they all left her shop. Hopping back into the carriage, Lucian could see that Ron had relaxed a little.
"Alright, Gilly, I think it's time we got you home so we can complete this quest." He said, placing a hand on the back of his head, giving an anxious chuckle.
Gilly smiled.
"Don't worry, lad, if I had known that a griffin would attack us, I would have hired more experienced adventures. Don't blame yourself."
"I know," Ron said, a little disappointed in himself.
With that, Gilly signalled the horses to walk, and they set off towards the adventures guild. The sun had set now, and it was dark out. Street lamps of oil and candles provided enough light to get around, and the town was anything but quiet.
They soon arrived at a large building that had a vast crest and writing above saying Adventures guild.
"Alright, here we are," Gilly said as he parked his carriage in one of the spots provided outside of the guild.
"Is this your first time visiting the adventures guild?" Ron asked after seeing the look on Lucian's face.
Lucian was impressed by the size of the place, and Ron could tell.
"Come on, let's get in out of the cold!" Gilly shouted as he was already one foot inside the doors, waiting on both of them.
As Lucian walked in, he was greeted by so many different scents that his nose almost went into overload.
All sorts of food, ale, wine, beer, the smell of men and woman, sweat and perfume. Blood and even piss filled the air.
To an ordinary person, it must have smelt like a regular bar or pub. But with Lucians boosted senses, he could smell everything.
The place was jam-packed with all sorts of people inside. Dead ahead was what looked like the main reception. To the left was a large bar area with plenty of tables full of men and women all having a good time.
"Welcome!" A large man said as he placed his arms around Gilly and Ron's shoulders. He was totally drunk, and Ron greeted him before sending him on his way.
"Don't mind the bad manners. This is usually how it gets every night at the lower levels." Ron said with a smile.
"Lower levels?" Lucian asked.
"Yeah, down here on the bottom floor where you will find every rank up to steel. This is our rest area, where we can take shelter, get food and drink cheaper than average prices. Upstairs you have the middle floor where Steel rank up to Emerald rank have their own special area of rest. They also get loads of perks like free accommodation provided by the guild."
"Hello there." The receptionist said, halting Ron of his speech.
She was a human female with long brown hair dressed in pleasant green robes that seemed of eastern design.
"Hello, I would like to register a completed quest for payment, please," Ron said, greeting her.
"Not a problem. May I see your ID crystal, please?" She asked.
Ron handed over his bronze coloured crystal, and the receptionist scanned it as the information popped up in a display for her to read.
"So one quest to escort a Sir Gilbert to dragonfront. Is your registered team with you?" The receptionist asked.
"No..." Ron mumbled.
The receptionist could feel his loss and quickly skipped over to the next part.
"I can confirm you are Sir Gilbert, and the guild, therefore, recognises this quest complete. Here is your payment. Thank you for using the adventures guild, sir." She said as she handed a bag of money over to Ron.
Lucian couldn't help notice that she had called him Sir Gilbert and not Gilly. Making him wonder just who this man really was.
"Alright, thank you again for everything, both of you," Gilly said to them.
"Ron, my sincere condolences for your loss. But do not disparate. Scarlett is in great hands. She will pull through." He said to Ron.
"Lucian, come and see me at my shop about your Goblin. If you get lost, just ask for the monster traders. You can't miss it." He said with a wink.
Lucian nodded, and both he and Ron bid Gilly goodbye.
Ron turned to Lucian while tossing his coin purse up and down.
"I don't know about you, but I am in need of some good food and drink. What do you say? It's on me." Ron said.
Lucian agreed, and little red also popped up, already knowing what the word food ment.
With that, Both Ron and Lucian found some space at one of the tables. Ron ordered two lots of beer and food.
The barmaid came right over with the drinks. "That will be five coppers, please." She said in a sweet voice.
"Here you go," Ron said, smiling at her.
Suddenly the girl jumped in the air in shock as a loud slapping sound rang from behind her.
"How about you get my boys and me some drink, darling!" A thuggish looking brute said as he had slapped her on the bum.
The girl turned around with an angry look on her face as she picked up Ron's drink and threw it in his face.
"Don't you ever touch me, you filth!" She shouted, getting everyone's attention.
The man stood to his full height, towering over the girl. He was dressed like A barbarian with leather and fur armour on. He had a black mohawk and scars across his face, making him look very intimidating.
"That's not very nice!" He said as he raised his hand to strike her.
"That's enough!" Ron said as he stepped in the way to protect her.
The large man stopped and laughed as he looked down at Ron.
"Well, look what we have here, boys! This little pipsqueak wants to play hero!" He said, getting a laugh from his teammates, who looks just as mean as he did.
Everyone in the area had stopped to see what was going on. Lucian knew that was normal, but he had to wonder why no one else was helping.
"Look here, kid, do you know who I am?" The brute said.
Ron shook his head.
"I don't care who you are. You should apologise to the girl for what you did and leave her alone." He said, not backing down.
"I am Kain. I'm a steel rank adventurer kid. Now I suggest you leave before I kill you and take the girl anyway." He said, laughing.
"In fact, my boys and I might share her!" He said, getting a cheer from his men.
Everyone else in the hall was quiet as they watched what was happening. Lucian could tell that everyone was scared of this guy and his men, not daring to challenge them.
"That is enough!" The receptionist of all people shouted.
"You know the rules, no fighting inside the guild. If you want to fight, you will have to leave." She said.
"Shut it you!" Kain shouted suddenly, even scaring her.
"If I want to kill this brat for insulting me, I will! You know the rules!" He shouted.
"Now, how about it, kid? You willing to die for this whore?" He said, bending down as he said it.
Ron moved fast and suddenly punched Kain in the jaw with a good right hook. The punch hit right on the spot, and Kain even stumbled back a little as he wasn't expecting it.
Kain steadied his feet and rubbed his jaw.
"Fuck me, lads. This one has a cannon for an arm there!" He shouted, getting a laugh from them.
"But now that you've hit me, it's all fair game from here, brat!" He shouted as he lunged towards Ron with his right hand raised.
Ron was almost frozen in place. He hadn't expected his punch to do such little damage, and now that Kain was about to attack him, he didn't know what to do.
Ron closed his eyes and crossed his arms over his face as he got ready to take the beating. However, to his surprise, the punch never came.
He opened his eyes and could see that Lucian had stopped his punch with one hand, much to his and Kains surprise.
"What the hell?" Kain said in shock.
Lucian had moved fast and stopped the brutes punch with one hand, catching it with ease.
Now that he was close enough, he could also see his stats and decided to take a quick look.
Name - Kain
Class - Human Barbarian.
Skills - Two-handed sword expert.
Rank - 7/20 - Steel rank.
States - Strength 5/10 - Speed - 3/10 - intelligence - 2/10.
Magic - 0/8.
Active effects - Alcohol consumption. Minus Ten points to all stats. Current rank of. Iron.
Lucian was surprised to see that another slot had appeared, saying that because he had drunk alcohol, he was weaker.
"Why you!" He roared as he went to throw another punch with his free hand.
Lucian suddenly squeezed his fist as hard as possible, feeling the bones in Kain's hand crack.
"Arrgghhh!" Kain screamed from the pain, dropping to his knees.
"I think you should leave now before things get worse for you," Lucian said, giving him a death stare.
Lucian let go of Kain's hand, and the man stood back up, taking a step back. He could see that Lucian was the same height as he was with the same build. However, he had something in his eyes that Kain didn't like.
Kain's men all stood up, getting their weapons ready for a fight, but Kain raised his good hand, signalling them to stop.
"Whatever, this place is boring anyway! Come on, lads, let's get out of here." He said as he grabbed his gear and walked out, his men following in surprise.
The place was quiet for a moment before someone raised their mug and started cheering. Suddenly everyone started to cheer and burst out as they applauded Lucian for his efforts.
"Now, how about that food." He said, turning back to Ron and the barmaid.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone