The Druid approaches the Orc and…” Aaron rolls the dice, and we all lean closer to the board until it slows to a stop in the middle. I lean back with a smile as Aaron says, “And he lands the blow, but it isn’t enough to prevent the Rogue’s death. Perhaps he shouldn’t have thought it wise to sneak around the Orc with so little perks to keep him evaded.”
Finch and Troy snigger. I suppose this is a recurring thing for Conner.”
“And so,” Aaron continues, “Granick, in a low, slurred voice, asks the Rogue, ‘Do you have any last words?’”
They look at me expectantly.
“Um…” I scan the board as I bite the inside of my cheek, peeling the skin away. My focus settles on the sorcerer. “With the rest of my strength, I g-give my precious dagger…thing…,”—I whisper the last word with little confidence—“to the Sorcerer to use in my stead…”
“Wow,” Troy says.
“You need to roll high for you to give me your equipment,” Finch states. “But if you do, Sorcerer Barthis will use it on his roll. Conner’s daggers are OP, with a high critical roll and frighten chance. We can defeat Granick if this works!”
I lean forward and glare at the dice as they roll across the board, my heart skipping a beat until they roll once more, landing on Critical Success—but I have no idea what they’re talking about.
Still, I stand with them and smile.
“Fuck yes!” Finch says.
“And so, before the Rogue draws his last breath, he hands the Crimson Dagger to Barthis, and he says…”
They look at me expectantly. So, I take a deep breath and say, “Tear them into ribbons.”
“Whoa!” Troy laughs.
The door opens, and Conner enters with a bag of hot chips. “Hey! Did I miss anything? How did Noya go?”
“She died,” Aaron answers, and I wince.
Conner grins, eyeing me playfully as he sits beside me.
“But it was your mistake for trying to do a sneak attack, and it failed, so…she made up for your mistake by rolling high and giving your dagger to Troy. Now, if he rolls high, the mighty Granick will fall.”
“Wow…” He raises the bag of chips towards me. “Have some.
Blush burns on my face when I take a chip and lean back comfortably in my chair.
The adrenaline still courses through me. I imagine myself there as the orc shattered my arm, and I lay in a pool of blood. With the last of my strength, I gave my prized possession to the sorcerer dude.
My fingers tighten against my tights, and I smile.
I haven’t had this much fun since I can remember.
Conner points to Troy, laughing with his mouth full.
And it’s all thanks to him.
Conner leans towards me as the others play the rest of the game. He says, “So, you killed me?”
“Sorry,” I murmur.
“Nah, it’s good. Means I get to talk to you more.” Before I can speak, he raises the bag of chops again. I take another bite, feeling the sudden hunger taking over me. “Would you come back next Friday?”
I place my hand over my mouth as I chew and say, “Yes.”
“You can be my cleric and make sure I don’t fall in battle.”
I shake my head and say, “I want to be a Paladin.”