Chapter 26: Preface

Sooner than I’d like, the next day comes. It’s the first time I’m not excited to log in and play. My friend’s faces tell as much as mine. We are all pale, as if emotions refused to stay with us. The four of us, looking at each other. We exchange a few dejected hand gestures as a salutation of sorts.

We know what we are against, but have no clue about their numbers, combat experience, motivations, strategies, nothing. In the best-case scenario, we get to the town and evacuate it. Maybe we can redistribute them into villages on the opposite side. Worst case... we are late and get annihilated along with the townspeople.

Let’s try and get our hopes a bit up. I gather all my courage and speak timidly. “Do you remember my post on the forums? It got some traction.” As I see her face light a bit up, I liven up a bit. “Maybe we will get some people joining us!”

“That’s good news. Maybe if we have the numbers advantage, we can win.” Dorian calmly analyses. There’s no trace of joy in his voice, and although he is probably trying to keep his expectations in check, I can see relief in his face.

“Yes! I said we’d meet them by 9 at the East gate. Should we do a little briefing before?” Nobody says anything, but their faces show no signs of opposing. I proceed. “I don’t think we will be able to coordinate a big group. I’ll propose to split in small parties of 4 to 5 people, as role-balanced as possible.”

“What is our plan if they use long-range artillery?” The question catches me by surprise. What can we do? Nothing?

“I don’t think there is much we can do… seek cover and wait for them to come. And the same applies if we find ourselves harassed by magic.”

Silence fills the group once again… reality is settling in, and we know our probabilities of victory are reduced. We know we are as good as dead. Before the thoughts take root inside us even more, I change the topic. “I know it’s early, but why don’t we go to the gates? There’s nothing we can do here.”

Silently, everyone, including me, turns and heads for the gates. Please let there be some people. Even if only half of the messages are from committed people, that would be immense.

As we approach, the noise of conversations, swords, songs, and even shouts and screams start filling the air. The entrance looks cramped, people are overflowing, some are outside the city and extended all over the plains. “Wow” amazed, I can’t contain myself. How many people are waiting on the outskirts?

“Do you think we can go up the walls?” I take a 360 look around me and expand my arm to make my point clearer. “It will be hard to say anything from down there.”

With the mood a bit lightened, everyone agrees to check if they let us. We ask the first soldier we find, who, upon hearing our names, offers no resistance and escorts us up there. We are becoming famous, it would seem. Maybe this soldier, too, has family in Draka.

At the end of the stairs, as soon as my head reaches the open space, the sun shines on my face, forcing me to cover my eyes. Last step. I approach the end to look through the defenses. The rays still blind me; I improvise a shade with my hands and raise my sight. I... am I dreaming?

A hundred? That’s what it looked like from the gates. But… this is at least a thousand people! My stomach revolves, and a lump finds its way into my throat. I can’t cry now, not in front of all these people. I can’t show such weakness. Some people, maybe alerted by the soldiers, are already taking notice of us.

Taking a deep breath and pushing my mucus up, I expose myself to the multitude while raising one hand. I can see ones tapping the others, whispers here and there, pokes to get the attention, and even fingers pointing at us.

“Thank you!” I close my hand into a punch and shake it. “You all came, and I have no words to express how much it means.”

“Hell yeah!” “Of course!” “What do you think!” Shouts, laughter, and more shouts mix together in this beautiful cacophony.

I let it die and continue. “Let me be straightforward. We will be outnumbered, our position vulnerable, our enemies strong.” A pause to let them take it in. “Our chances of winning are slim, maybe none.” I know you know it. “However, we will not abandon Draka to die by themselves! We will fight until our last breath! Every mouse we slaughter is a victory! Every person we save is a victory! We will die with honor, knowing we did all we could!”

Everyone’s faces turn into a full grin. Whistles sound and resound, surely reaching the confines of the city. Shouts and claps swallow down my last words.

“We are no army; the situation won’t allow a fine command chain,” I say once everyone calms down. “Find 4 or 5 people to work with. Make sure you all have a tank and a healer.” As it seems, most people already came in groups, but those who didn’t start gathering together. “The strategy is simple, take cover, wait for them to get close, and slaughter the shit out of them!”

The volume of the cheering increases to levels much higher than before, threatening to leave everyone deaf. But I won’t stop it. I actually don’t want it to stop. This is precisely what we need, a boost to our morale.

A sudden touch on my back makes me turn in a flash. Oh, it’s Lillia. “Thank you.” She says with her head held up.

“There is nothing to thank me for! We are in this together, and you did as much as I did.”

“No. Thank you for posting it on the board. Thank you for carrying the weight of our group. For your initiative and leading.” Her words are honest and come deep from her heart. Her watery eyes clearly state this is not a bluff; she is being honest. As honest as a little kid, as a drunk who can’t help but speak the truth.

“I…” I’m once again without words. It’s a recurring theme today, by the looks of it. “I just couldn’t stand seeing you so heartbroken. Whatever happens today, don’t blame yourself. You did all you could!”

“Yes!” Her beautiful smile shows again, and I can’t help but fall into a trance, spellbound by her perfect, red, playful, and insinuating lips.

The cheering has not decayed even a bit; everyone is actively searching for people or organizing themselves. I shake my head, suddenly aware I’ve been staring at her for a tremendous amount of time. I fake a cough. “Maybe we should go down with them.” I look away as I blush. “Now that I think about it, did you find any potions?”

“I’m afraid not.” She says, unaware of my long stare or not bothered by it. “They do exist, but by the looks of it, they are a scarce product of alchemy. Maybe once more alchemists appear and start concocting them…” Her smile gradually disappears.

“It’s ok! We’ll manage without. Come, I’m sure there are lots of people waiting to meet us.” I put on my best smile and pull her by the hand. The emotion of the moment, the fear of not seeing her smile again, has punched up my bravery. Too conscious of my own doings, I let go of her as soon as I realize it. Damn, I’m stupid. Why would I let go? We go down, together, but no longer so intimately close.

I knew of the expression bath of masses from before, but hell. Had I experienced it before, I wouldn’t have had the stupid idea of going down and meeting them. Everyone is greeting us. Some are boasting of their levels, which are usually above ours at around 30. Some just take a look while others try to grasp you. And then there are the maniacs who request to have duels. Who the fuck would think it’s a good moment to have a duel?

“Rand! Fuck! Come here and stop messing around!” I call him, who is enjoying the popularity without any inhibition, with the slim hope he can act as a bodyguard.

Time passes quickly as we hear some stories of the adventurers here present. Monks. Paladins. Bards. Shamans. Swordsmen. Every imaginable class is here. It seems the possibilities are truly infinite. As it nears 9, the time we set to meet, fewer people arrive. Well then…

“Is everyone ready? We will be moving now!” I shout, pushing out all the air in my lungs so that everyone can hear me. And be it because they heard me, their teammates told them, or they simply realized we were leaving, our little procession starts its march towards its objective.

The town is not far, 60 minutes tops at this pace. Which is why I don’t get why those rats would take it. It’s too close and holds close to no defensive significance for the city. They might as well just attack directly.

“Why do you think they attack this town?” I ask Dorian, who is walking next to me. And why this one, I think to myself. Why not any of the other towns and villages scattered around here?

“Most probably to spread terror.”

“Those fuckers…”

I spend the rest of our travel going from group to group and sharing what we know of our enemies. Their classes, abilities, and spells. Unique features like seeing in the dark. And even dreadful news like the amount of them we saw in the throne room.

The more groups I visit, the more an unsettling sensation invades me. Why is it that there are so few healers? Why is none of them directly affiliated with the church? Something fishy is going on, I’ll have to get to the bottom of it once we are back.

And just like that, the town comes within reach, a hundred steps away.