n

n

nNix dismounted and carefully made his way up the rocky incline to the top of the ridge. He had spent the past few hours searching Blacksmith Zane. Unfortunately, his hud map only helped him find the general area. A loud stomping followed by an enraged whinnying sound caused him to turn back to where he'd left Nightmare. After seeing nothing, he returned to his mount.

n

"Seriously... Are the noobs in Everspire stupid?

" Nix shook his head in disbelief and started searching the bodies. It marked the second time in the past hour that someone had attempted to steal Nightmare, this time there were two corpses.

nNightmare pushed his back with her soft nose.

n

"It's a bit funny, though. I step away and leave you unattended. It's almost like I'm daring them.

" Nix chuckled and swung into the saddle.

"I may have to get you more dragon blood.

"

nEverspire Continental Announcement: The Provincial Council of Neva will appoint a new Prefect to oversee governing and diplomatic duties.

n

"Why announce that?

" Nix decided that the best search option was to ride in large circles and hope to find the blacksmith. The landscape was a combination of rocky foothills and sporadic forests.

nFinally, after another half hour of riding, the steady din of a hammer being used led him down a narrow gulley. At the end of the gulley was a small hut and an outdoor forge that had been built under a solid-looking shelter. Three players were in the yard watching the blacksmith work; they turned at the sound of Nightmare trotting up.

nThe Everspire expansion offered basic class choices for those players who chose to make a 125 level character. Unlike characters that came through the rift, these instant characters couldn't return to Colonial. They started with the same crappy gear, but their classes held the potential of being upgraded to a higher tier. The five basic classes were druid, ranger, cleric, warrior, and thief.

n

"Greetings, friend.

" A tall, athletic man with curly brown hair greeted Nix when he dismounted. He carried a bow in one hand, a sure sign that he was probably a ranger.

n

"Heya.

" Nix greeted them politely.

"Waiting to see Zane?

"

n

"Not sure, we thought we'd investigate since he's set up in the middle of nowhere.

" The ranger extended his hand.

"I'm Lu Ban; this is Circa and Mollie.

"

n

"Nix.

" Circa was a slim man with short blond hair, for some reason he reminded Nix of Semmi. Mollie was a staff carrying druid with green hair and eyes; the combination made Nix stare.

"I have a quest with Zane; I don't want to jump in front of you.

"

nLu Ban's eyes lit up.

"Is it a shareable quest Nix?

"

nNix shook his head.

"Fraid not.

"

n

"No worries, then, go ahead and talk to him.

" Lu Ban stepped to one side, obviously intent on watching the interaction.

n

"Damn it.

" Molly pointed in the direction Nix had come from.

"Spire Chasers.

"

nNix glanced down the trail. A half dozen players were walking casually toward them; they were already spread out and ready for trouble. They were hunting.

"What's a Spire Chaser?

"

nLu Ban notched an arrow while he spoke.

"Their entire guild came here from another VR world. They all made new characters and have been robbing players for the past week.

"

n

"Robbing what? You guys all have crap gear.

" Nix stared at the group walking toward them,

"they can't engage in pvp without a challenge being made, right? Or they'll be kill-on-sight.

"

n

"Let's return to our binding points, Lu.

" Circa carried a single dagger but was shirtless.

nLu Ban nodded.

"You coming, Nix?

"

n

"No. It took me all morning to find this guy.

"

nMollie lowered her voice slightly.

"My return to bind hasn't reset yet. You guys go ahead.

"

nLu Ban cursed under his breath.

"How long?

"

n

"Half hour.

" Mollie was wearing a green shirt and brown leather pants; they were both common gear.

n

"Guess we'll fight them, Molls.

" Lu Ban offered her a smile.

"We'll try to create an opening and then retreat.

"

nCirca sighed heavily.

"Time to fight then, we've been grouping all morning. That makes us friends in my book.

"

nNix watched the interaction with a smile on his face; he liked their loyalty.

"I find the three of you impressive. I want to talk to these idiots. What could they possibly gain by stealing crap gear?

"

nMollie gripped her staff tight.

"They aren't known for diplomatic skills.

"

nNix smiled pleasantly.

"Well... luckily, I am a renowned diplomat.

"

nCirca frowned when the approaching group stopped ten meters away; he had his dagger held low in one hand.

"Get on your horse and ride Nix. I don't know where you got that thing, but they will definitely take it.

"

nLu Ban nodded in agreement.

"We'll delay them, Nix; it would be tragic to lose a mount to them.

"

n

"Which one of you own that mount?

" A huge bald man with a shield and sword in his hands spoke. Unlike most of the people walking around, he had a full set of leather armor.

n

"That's my horse,

" Nix spoke calmly while he moved away from the trio. The armored man reminded him of Hyai's son-in-law if Bane had somehow turned into a complete dick.

n

"We're going to take him.

" The Bald man gestured for one of his men to take her.

nNix nodded in agreement.

"Take good care of her, she's really friendly.

"

nA slim man with a long black braid approached Nightmare, his greedy face locked in a wicked smile.

"We'll get paid for this one, boss!

"

nNightmare waited until he stepped within range and sprang at him. Her teeth sunk into his shoulder while one three-toed front foot raked its wicked claws across the man's stomach, spilling his entrails on the ground. The demon horse stomped him a few times for good measure and then backed away a few steps.

nBoth groups seemed to be frozen in place, Nightmare went back to grazing, her bloody muzzle staining the grass.

n

"Bastard! You knew that was going to happen!

" The bald man's forehead was bulging with muscle and veins.

nNix shrugged helplessly.

"She's never done that before; he must have spooked her.

"

n

"He'll respawn in town Zed, most likely he'll be thrown in the stocks for a few days.

" The only woman in the group spoke; she also was wearing a full set of leather armor. Two swords were visible, one over each shoulder.

nThe bald-headed Zed nodded.

"You owe the Spire Chasers a debt now.

"

nNix noticed their armor was actually mid-tier, it was still crappy gear, but better than their victims.

"Why steal from players in the starter zone? What could you gain from it?

"

nZed scowled at him.

"None of your f*cking business.

"

nStorm Rider

nA flash of lightning and Nix appeared behind the woman who had spoken out. He pushed flames into Wrath.

nExecution

nHer head bounced away in a stream of blood while her body collapsed forward on the ground.

nSera Vi has been slain.

nBecause Sera Vi has 14 blood counters against her, your faction with Neva has increased by 14.

n

"Holy **...

" Zed looked decidedly pale.

nBackstab

nCirca has landed a critical hit on Zed.

nThunderfist

nNix punched Zed in the chest, knocking him to the ground.

nZed has been stunned.

nMollie has cast. Thorned Vine

nA large patch of vines exploded upward out of the ground, wrapping around three of the Spire Chasers.

nPueblo has been bound in place.

nChakadai has been bound in place.

nFortran has been bound in place.

nTrueshot: Burst

nLu Ban has scored a hit on Pueblo

nLu Ban has scored a hit on Pueblo.

nLu Ban has scored a critical hit on Pueblo.

nPueblo has been slain.

nMollie has cast Natures Fury.

nNix's attack rating has increased.

nCirca's attack rating has increased.

nLu Ban's attack rating has increased.

nHamstrung: Hilt Strike

nCombination Attempt successful.

nCirca has crippled Chakadai.

nChakadai has been stunned.

nClear Shot

nLu Ban has scored a critical hit on Chakadai.

nChakadai has been slain.

nFortran has resisted Thorned Vine.

nImmediately Fortran stealthed and disappeared from view.

nDragon Eyes

nNix's eyes changed from yellow to orange as his vision changed to thermal.

n

"Behind you, Mollie.

"

nFortran has attempted Backstab

nNatures Rebuttal

nMollie uses the power of nature to reverse the attack.

nFortran has been slain.

nIt had only taken a few seconds, but Nix's new friends had managed nicely. The sound of footsteps running away drew all their attention.

nLu Ban shook his head at the sight of Zed fleeing.

"Leave him; we don't need the trouble.

"

nStorm Rider: Thunderfist

nCombination Attempt Successful.

nNix appeared in front of the fleeing guild leader and punched him in the chest.

nZed has been stunned.

nNix dragged him back to the group by his feet and then dropped him there.

"I bet you have more counters than all of your cronies combined.

"

nMollie let a laugh escape before covering her mouth.

"Sorry.

"

nNix glanced at her.

"What?

"

nMollie couldn't hide her smile.

"No one says, cronies.

"

n

"Huh?

" Nix looked at the other two for confirmation.

nCirca shook his head.

"Nope.

"

nLu Ban shrugged helplessly.

"Unless you're a grandpa.

"

n