Without hesitation we went through the next one. Then the next, and the next and the next. Each time a different setting, a different town or city, a new place.

After the twentieth gate we arrived in a little fishing village located next to a huge lake.

Thorm said, I think we lost them, Miss Valesh. His avatar's face was flush from the chase.

I agreed and consulted the map. The next gate is the last one listed.

And after that, Wally's Womp? asked Thorm.

A shrug was my only answer. At least it was honest.

We trotted our mounts away from the village and along the lake's shoreline. A travel gate sat upon a mound of giant rocks as if waiting for us.

Thorm stopped at the gate's base and gave me a pensive look. I have a suggestion you will not like.

I hadn't even heard what it was and already I didn't like it. Suggestion?

I should go through first, in case there is a welcoming committee on the other side.

Why, do you think there might be one?

How do we know those guys chasing us didn't send word to Ogden that we were coming? One of them might have realized our intent from the path of gates.

As much as I hated to admit it, he was right. If this happened to be the only gate that led to Ogden's hideout then it would most likely be guarded, or watched at the very least.

But sending Thorm into a potential ambush on his own didn't sit well with me at all. Not after Mudhoof's sacrifice. I didn't want to have another friend end up in the newbie zone because I couldn't go through a gate.

Thorm sensed what I was thinking. It will only take a moment. Once on the other side I'll send you a chat with a situation report.

A situation report? I said with a rueful smile. A girl doesn't get many of those now a days.

Thorm waited for my response. He could have gone anyway without my blessing but he was just too darn honorable. Part of why I liked him so much. And didn't want to get him killed.

We'll take another approach to this, I said, and dismounted Smoke who nickered in protest.

And that is?

I dismissed Smoke, and the horse vanished. I'll go with you.

Without your mount? Thorm looked confused. You will still be seen if someone is there.

I unsheathed my sword and slipped into Shadow which, thanks to my Legendary Cloak, made me invisible.

Don't worry. No one will see me, I said, and jumped up onto Snowflake behind Thorm.

Ah, Thorm said. That will work.

Just a solo Holy Knight looking for the next marker of a quest chain.

And if there is trouble?

Then we fight, I said with determination.

Very well, Thorm said.

And we went through the last gate.

CHAPTER TEN.

Immediately upon crossing to the other side, Thorm pulled Snowflake to a stop.

A dark marshy swamp surrounded us. Thick fog cocooned the small patch of muddy ground the gate stood upon.

Blighted trees and dead brambles appeared as murky shadows through the fog. Strange animal noises and cries undulated from all directions.

Despite the dire looking scenery, I found myself relieved.

No one was here waiting for us. We appeared to be alone.

After a few moments, Thorm quietly said, So far so good. He had his long kite shield pressed up against one side of us while holding Snowflake's reigns in his other hand.

The giant cat mount warbled with distress.

Snowflake doesn't like it here. Maybe we should take that as a sign, I whispered.

Shall we continue?

Yeah, we came this far. Why not?

Thorm guided Snowflake away from the gate platform and a short distance across the muddy grass. Then he paused.

Problem? I asked quickly scanning around.

Yes, which direction do we go?

No idea. The route on the map ends at this gate.

Thorm looked about at the grimness of the place. This is Wally's Womp?

I guess. Well, I don't know. The cartographer at the Locators Guild couldn't really specify. He only said that this gate was one of the closest to Wally's Womp.

There may be other gates nearby?

I suppose. Why?

Then we may have other avenues of escape when it becomes necessary.

There wasn't a path leading from the gate to follow. I pointed to the south, then realized, even as an ally, Thorm could not see my invisible form. Head south and see what we can see.

Thorm nudged Snowflake forward, and we cautiously entered the marsh. Within moments the gate vanished into the fog behind us. Only the gloomy outline of trees could be seen around.

Whether it was the potential for an ambush, or the thick fog that limited our vision, we became very jumpy. Several times we stopped and did nothing but listen. Once it became apparent we would not be immediately attacked or were being followed I dropped my invisibility.

I was about to ask Thorm to stop so I could summon Smoke when we pulled up short.

What's this? Thorm asked, concern tinging his voice.

Ahead of us, the fog thinned enough so details of the topography could be seen. A massive hill appeared. I noticed it was oddly shaped; wide, and rounded along its top. Almost as if we were looking at a cathedral dropped in the middle of the marsh to obstruct our progress.

As the fog dissipated more, a large path could be seen leading away from the strange hill and vanished to the west.

Guildhall? I whispered.

Thorm shook his head. Doubt it. We're looking for the guildhall's gate. Aren't we? Suddenly, Snowflake tensed up beneath us and let out a low growl.

Mounted figures emerged from the west, following the path approaching the hill.

We were far enough away, and within a thicket of bushes and dead trees, that we were not spotted right away.

I slid off Snowflake as did Thorm. Our eyes never leaving the passing forms. As we hunkered down behind the cover of a fallen tree, Thorm dismissed Snowflake with a gesture. He was too big to try to hide, even in this fog. If we were spotted, though, we could bring our mounts out in an instant.

None of the figures, numbering about a dozen, seemed to look in our direction.

Who are they? Thorm asked.

I tried to assess them, but came up with character information screens with blank statistics. The fog, or even magic, masked these individuals from prying eyes.

A pair of horses pulled a small wagon. Lashed to the top of the wagon sat a black statue of what looked to be a woman. One arm stretched out in front of her with a finger pointing ahead.

The group stopped directly in front of us and looked toward the odd hill. Their outlines were various, indicating a wide range of races and classes.

But one near the front caught my attention. Its form was sloping and had what looked like wings grasping at the reins of its horse mount.

Then it struck me. I knew exactly who it was.

Just then the figure turned its rounded head to speak with another rider, and I saw a small beak instead of a mouth.

Ogden Trite!

With an avatar of a huge gray owl, Ogden Trite was recognizable even at this distance. This was the individual who had tried to double cross me over the Cloak of Shadows and spitefully put the bounty on my head.

Anger blinded me and I rose up, sword in hand.

Thorm grabbed at my wrist and pulled me down. It took everything I had not to strike out at him, but did not resist.

There are too many, Vivian, he said, tone firm. No need to commit suicide when we now have the advantage.

Advantage? I hissed. How do you figure we have that? Getting my anger under control was difficult considering my tormentor was a short sprint away.

Thorm released my arm, and calmly said, We know we're in the right place, now. Before it was just speculation. Let us bide our time, at least for a little while longer, and try to learn more.

The rational part of my brain wrestled with the animal aggression which howled for revenge. But Thorm was correct. We had Ogden now. There would be no more hiding. If I wanted to end this once and for all, it wouldn't be gained from rushing at him here. But I wanted to. Badly.

I glared at Ogden from the safety of our hiding spot. There was small satisfaction to be gained knowing he was unaware of our presence, and that I could kill him now. But it would be both suicidal and, most likely, unsuccessful.

Ogden had surrounded himself with a large cadre of guards. No doubt, because he knew I would be out to get him. Another small bit of satisfaction.

Still, he only had me to be concerned about, while I, on the other hand, had a blood-thirsty subset of the server's population out to get me.

What is he waiting for? I asked.

Thorm shrugged. That hill is strange, maybe-. Before he could finish, Ogden stopped speaking to his companion and raised a wing above his head. A signal.

Suddenly, the hill before us moved.

The vast object heaved upwards as if forced from below by tectonic forces. The sound of cracking rock and earth filled the air, blotting out the natural noises of the marsh.

Stunned, Thorm and I could only watch in wide-eyed amazement.

The hill shambled forward, its huge murky outline getting bigger. Then, it stopped moving.

From the middle of its dark mass two large ovals appeared. They illuminated brightly as if many lanterns or torches burned from within. Then the bright ovals blinked.

I stifled an intake of breath.

They were eyes.

The eyes moved in closer and a colossal reptilian head formed. A hooked beak, mottled with lichen and muddy grass appeared beneath them. It took me a second to recognize what I was gaping at. A turtle. A huge, mountain sized turtle.

None of the group before us fled in fear, they simply waited, as if being confronted with one of the largest creatures in the game was a normal occurrence.

Whoa, Thorm said, awestruck.

Yeah, I said. I'd encountered nothing like this before. It was terrifying as much as it was impressive.

Pull up its stats, Thorm said.

I did.

Name: Wally's Womp Species: Void Titan Subspecies: Guardian Level: Unknown Hit Points: Unknown Mana: Unknown Armor Class: Unknown Attack Rating: Unknown Damage Range: Unknown Weapon Type: Unknown Abilities: Unknown Special Abilities: Unknown Notes: Enslaved. Avoid at all costs.

Holy cow, I said, amazed.