Chapter 2. Part 2.

Time In Town.

This is Gwen's first time visiting Midval.

It is very much a classic medieval town, rather than the small village near the cabin. Everything is packed in tight, safe behind the large stone walls. There is very little greenery. Nature is the world outside the gate. The town is stone and wood, white washed walls and slate roof tiles.

The pair walk down the main street to the market square. Gwen is vary excited. “Now this is how it should be.” she says between glances at the vendors lining the street. As display windows were not known, each shop would setup a table to display some of their goods. An apprentice usually ran the stall, the shop's owner did real business inside.

As they walked around the market Mark noticed a trio of guards stopping at each merchant stall. They would exchange a few words then be given a small bag. Coins most likely. Tax collection maybe? Mark didnt really care at that moment, it was of no concern to him. But then the guards came closer and he clearly overheard them say to a nearby merchant. “Its that time of the month. Pay up if you want our continued protection.”

Extortion, was the name of their game. They were official town guards, so maybe that was just how it worked here. It was not his place to get involved. Better to be smart and just ignore it for now.

Then he noticed a pair of scruffy men going to visit each merchant stall in much the same manner. One was a short weasel of a fellow, the other big and tall brick of a man. They looked exactly like thieves, going round doing their own extortion. Right behind the guards. Either they were very dumb or they knew the guards would not be paying them any attention today.

The old me would have stayed out of this. Not my business. No one is in danger. Nothing but trouble. Mark thought as he walked right up to the guards. The choice to act already made. “You men there.” he said in his best authoritarian voice, “Are you incompetent or are you in league with those thugs?”

The trio of guards looked at him angrily. Hands went to sword hilts, but no one drew their blades. What they saw was not a high school kid with no confidence and even less authority. They saw Mark as everyone in this world did, a young noble man. Well dressed with top quality weapons and armor, what else could he be? “Excuse me sir.” the lead guard said “What are you talking about?” Even as he said it, Mark noticed, the man's eyes glanced over at the thugs in question. He very well knew what was going on. The guards were a part of the protection scam.

“Those men right there are thieves. Bring them to me at once.” he demanded pointing in dramatic style.

The guards pretended to look confused, “Wait a moment sir...” one of them began to say. No doubt stalling for time.

Although this was totally unplanned, he had enough confidence in his partner to go for a wild idea. “Gwen!” he called out, still pointing at the thugs. “Short & Tall over there. Take them down!”

She was surprised by the call, but not shocked or worried. She reacted with calm quickness. Passing her recent purchases to the merchant, “Hold this.” she said then dashed off. She boosted her speed and strength as she ran. By now the thugs had clued into what was up. So they started to flee.

But they were too slow.

Gwen hit them with a bolt of lightning. Everyone gasped and many crouched in panic as the ka-boom split the aid a fraction of a second after the lighting flashed. She really liked electricity based magic.

Mark still firmly in the role of an arrogant young lord, said to the guards, “Come on then, lets see that justice is done.”

“But sir, you ca. . .” the guard stammered then cut himself off. Telling any lord “you cant” is dangerous enough. But this one had an assistant who clearly could. There was no point in arguing.

“Whats up?” Gwen asked casually. As she stood over the crumpled and dazed criminals.

“These men were extorting money from the merchants.” Mark said as he bent down to find the coin bags. “As citizens of this great kingdom, I took it upon us, to show the guards here how to deal with scum who rob the good common folk.” standing up he handed the bag full of coins to Gwen. “We will now return these coins. And you men will accompany us. I want to make it very clear how seriously I take incidents like this.”

“What about them?” she asked, nudging one thief with the toe of her boot.

“The guards will take them into custody, of course.” Mark said enjoying his role.

The three guards nod quickly.

He hopped that they really did get the message.

But if TV and games had taught him anything, it was the minor characters were usually dumb and vengeful. So he could expect that the guards and or thieves would try to get some pay back.

Oh well, that was a problem for tonight or tomorrow. For now it was time to spread the wealth. he thought as he started handing out coins. He had no idea how much each merchant had been taken for, So he just gave each of them a few coins. No body complained

Later that day at the Inn.

In some ways it seems quite similar to the Inn at the village. There was a big room that acts as tavern, with kitchen out back, but instead of just having a second floor with rooms for guests, this place also has a third floor which was rented to staff.

Mark was feeling quite good about the day, when he and Gwen sat down at a table. But he could not help notice the look on her face. “What is wrong?” he asked. Hoping she would not say those three little words all men dread to hear “you should know.”

To his relief she said, “This has been great but, I think we have lost track of time.”

“Its only late afternoon.” he said before starting to catch her meaning.

“We have been over here 5 days so far and it will take us 3 more to get back to the cabin.” She said calmly but urgently “That is a total of 8 days more importantly 8 hour from when we left. It will be after midnight by the time we get back home, and its a school night.”

Normally Mark wouldn't care about that sort of thing. He stayed up late playing games lots of times. The next day if he felt tired he would just skip school. But looking at the worried expression on Gwen's face he started to clue in. This was a big deal to her. Would her parents be pissed off?

“Yea sorry about that.” he said lamely. “You are totally right.”

“Tomorrow morning we have to hurry back home.” she said firmly. Gwen was not blaming him, nor was she really upset. She just wanted to get the facts on the table and be clear about their course of action. But doing so made Mark look like a puppy that she had just kicked across the room.

Back to Real Life.

When they return to the real world. It is indeed after midnight.

No big deal for Mark, as he now lives alone with out parental supervision.

But for Gwen there will likely be trouble. Her parents are usually reasonable, but very regimental. They expect certain things from her, like calling home if she will be late. A few minutes does not matter but a few hours most certainly will.

Reluctantly Gwen checks her phone, 7 missed calls, 3 messages. She tries not to lie to her parents. “Lies make life messy.” her mom often says. But she cant very well tell them the truth.

“Im sorry.” Mark says for about the tenth time.

“Dont worry.” She waves him off “Although I may be grounded for a while.”

He looks at himself in the mirror, still dressed in the clothing of the other world. It all seems so silly. But it was not just a cosplay suit of escapism. The door way is real. The other world is real. The adventure they just went on really did happen.

“Do whatever you think best.” he tells her, “We will go again when you are free.”

As things turned out, Gwen would be free in just a few days.

In time for a week end adventure.