Then a clearing opened up amongst the densely packed trees. The entire space was composed of an outcropping of layered stone.

I looked at it blankly. This is stone we need?

The leader nodded. Yes, boss. Y'Godda smiles upon us placing it so close to the Keep.

Well, thank Y'Godda, then, I said. From my command menu I purchased a quarry with the last of my gold. Then I placed its outline on the flattest portion of the rocks. I told the leader to stop cutting trees and bring his unit over to assemble the quarry and start cutting stone.

He nodded happily, then screamed for his men.

Leaving them to it, I walked back through the tree line to the Keep. Smoke wandered over and nuzzled me hand.

That was the quarry taken care of, but without any more gold, nothing else would be built and no more units could be trained. I had to find a vein of gold and fast.

Footmen Unit training complete.

I looked toward the barracks.

The soldiers I'd seen training on the grounds had assembled themselves next to the barracks building in two rows of six with their leader at the front end.

Scout Unit in training.

A solitary man, clad in leather armor with a deep green hooded cloak skulked around the training grounds. He shot at one of the dummies with a bow, then quickly stabbed another with a dagger.

Time to train unit: 2 minutes.

The footmen leader suddenly bellowed, Ready for orders, Commander!

I walked along the assembled lines of men, making a show of inspecting them. If I was expected to command them, then I could pretend to act like I knew what I was doing.

Each man gave me a slight head nod as I passed.

To the leader I said, I have a very important task for you.

We are ready to do whatever you ask of us, Commander! he said.

I nodded. Our resources are depleted so I cannot afford more soldiers for a while. Can you split this unit into two groups?

Of course, Commander.

Good. Please assign half your men to guard the workers over there at the trees.

Yes, Commander! the leader then barked orders at his unit. One row of six men broke rank and marched quickly over to stand near the woodyard.

I then pointed at the banner's skeletal altar. Place the others there. They are to prevent anyone from touching the banner at all costs.

Yes, Commander! he said, followed be more barking of orders. With a nod, the leader trailed after his men and they formed a circle around the altar.

I tried not to get too depressed looking at my twelve footmen. This was all I had, and I knew it would not even be close to enough once Amara came calling again. And she would.

Scout Unit training complete.

The Scout jogged over to stand next to the barracks building. He leaned against his bow almost casually and gave me a slight nod. Commander, he said. What do you need of me?

The cool loner type, I thought. We need gold, I said and swung a hand to indicate the forest to the south. I need you to go in there and find a vein of gold and report it to me immediately. In fact, report anything you find in there that might be useful.

I assumed that gold would be placed close to each opponent's starting area. But mine was not out in the open, so it must be in the trees somewhere. Or so I hoped.

No gold, no chance at victory.

The scout nodded again and skulked off toward the tree line. Within moments he vanished from view.

I surveyed my little empire. Few men, and even fewer resources did not bode well for a good start. And until there was actual gold to use there was little else for me to do here.

With a single leap I was back in Smoke's saddle. I pointed him northwest, the direction Amara and her grunts had appeared from, and kicked at his sides.

The footmen leader called out to me in alarm. Commander! Where are you going?

Look after things while I'm gone, I shouted over me shoulder. I think it's time I gave my opponent a little visit.

Then I broke into a gallop.

CHAPTER SIX.

I followed the open plains to the northwest until my base vanished from view behind the trees.

The terrain changed little; flat ground buttressed by tall trees on either side. The map began to fill out with these details and eventually showed that the plains curved around toward the north.

Other than the occasional flock of birds, and a mother boar with piglets which scampered through the forest, I encountered nothing else.

I'd assumed that Amara would have perhaps tried to send another grunt unit to attack again. No doubt, her resources were just as depleted as mine.

After investigating several blank patches of ground with exposed rock along the way, but finding no gold, I came to the conclusion any potential gold veins would be hidden. Or placed in strategic spots around the map.

Lost in thought, I almost didn't notice a slight change in the tree line to the east. There was a distinct gap with the beginnings of a narrow path.

Curious, I trotted over, wary of an ambush.

It was definitely a path, well worn. But it was far to narrow to ride Smoke through.

Where did this path lead and did Amara notice it when she passed this way before? Based on how fast she grunt-rushed me, I doubted she had time to investigate it herself.

I considered my options. Keep exploring north, or follow the path. A glance at the map, with icons representing each building and units, showed nothing had changed. The scout had traveled due south until he came upon the sheer barrier cliffs and turned northeastward. No indications of him discovering a gold vein.

Gold could be here though.

Not wanting to waste any more time, I dismounted. With a snap of my fingers Smoke popped out of existence and the mount icon on my view-screen went on a two-minute re-summoning timer.

I didn't think I'd need to run off in a hurry within the next two minutes. At least I hoped not.

Sword in hand, I entered the forest along the path. The air cooled around me so much I had to go into my game settings and reduce my simulation suit's temperature controls. I liked a good virtual reality experience as much as the next person, but I didn't need to freeze to death while doing so.

A few paces along, the gap behind me disappeared from view. Somewhere, deep within the crowd of dark trees came the ululating cries of some animal.

I paused, waiting. The cry came again, but further away. Without a clue as to what it was, I decided to take a precaution and slipped into Shadow Form. I effectively became invisible to a casual observer. And provided I stayed within shadows and did not engage in combat, my pseudo-invisibility would not negate. A unique ability given to the Shadow class.

I moved further inward following the path's twists and turns through the foliage. After several minutes I started to worry it may go on forever, or at least cut across the entire width of the map. There was no time for such folly.

I'd almost convinced myself to turn and go back when a chat request appeared on my view-screen. But unlike a player requesting a chat with their name attached to it, this one simply said, 'SCOUT'.

I selected the request, and a screen opened up before me. The cool gaze of the scout greeted me.

Uh, hello, Scout, I said with hesitation. I'd never once received a chat request from a NPC before. And, to be quite honest, didn't know they even had the capability. Perhaps it was a feature only found in Battle Field sessions?

The scout nodded once, his hood pulled down low to almost cover his eyes. Found you some gold, Commander. The screen angled away from him to show a wall of sheer rock. A wide spot along its dark surface glittered with gold, its veined pattern spreading outward like roots.

I felt a rush of relief at the sight. Oh, thank the Gaming Gods! I said.

The scout put the screen on him. Gaming Gods, or Y'godda, he said with a shrug. Who's to know which?

I actually laughed at his odd humor. Well, I thank them both. Can you lead some workers to that spot?

Not needed, the scout said. It's marked on the map.

And so it was, a gold nugget icon at the very bottom of my map against the cliff line.

Okay, please continue scouting the forest and see what else you can find. When you're finished with the east forest, scout out the western one, too.

The scout nodded and was about to turn away when I said. Oh, and Mr. Scout.

He looked at me expectantly.

Good job! I said with smile.

One corner of the scout's mouth raised a little which I took for his version of a grin, then he closed the chat screen.

I looked to my status screen to see where things stood.

The wood situation was fine, so I opted to pull the worker unit from their chopping duties. I selected their icon from the map then tapped the gold vein icon, and a system message appeared Build a Gold Mine at this location? Cost: 200 gold, 150 wood - Yes/No?

Heck, yeah! I said.

Immediately, the worker unit's icon moved through the trees in the direction of the gold vein. It really annoyed me that I didn't even have the 100 gold to hire my third worker unit to help out. But such are things when you are just starting out. Later, I hoped to have dozens of these units toiling away on buildings, mines, and defenses.

A worry tickled the back of my brain. I selected the half unit of footmen which had been guarding the woodyard. Then I assigned them to the gold vein. They moved as well, a short distance behind the worker unit.

This meager defense of the gold mine would have to do for now. I was just grateful the thing actually existed.

Another quick glance at the map overview of the base showed nothing else of note. Workers chipped away in the quarry, and the other half unit of footmen stood guard at the banner's altar.

So if the gold mine is taken care of, did I still want to follow this path? Scouting north toward Amara's base seemed the more prudent use of my time.

But as I turned to go, something further down the path caught my eye.

Cautiously, I approached.

The path ended at a small open space between the trees. In the middle of this little clearing was a massive ogre.

He was kneeling, head bowed down. His wrists were shackled and bound by chains to giant iron loops in the ground.

His armor was patchwork, exposing acres of green skin crisscrossed with scars.

Now what do we have here? I thought. The being was easily taller than me while kneeling and as wide as a supply wagon.

I called up its information.

Name: Grax Unit: Champion Race: Ogre Hit Points: 500 Speed: 40 A former champion of Y'Godda's army.

Cost to free: 1,200 Battle Points.

Whoa. Nice, but I couldn't afford him at the moment. I'd need to kill more trolls to get there first. Or Amara, again.

I chuckled at the last thought.

Hearing me, the ogre tilted his head up and looked around.

Who is there? Grax grumbled. His voice was deep and resonant.

Figuring I was safe while he was chained I slipped out of my Shadow Form. Hello, I said.

The humanoid regarded me, then nodded. You are the red commander, he said. Might you be here to free me from these chains?

I shook my head. Sorry, that will have to wait a little while. Can't afford you.

Grax suddenly pulled violently at his chains, causing me to take a couple of steps back. Man, was he big.

I will fight for you, Commander. Of that there is no doubt. Enemies with be crushed and victory will be yours with me at your side.

I held up a hand. I don't need any convincing, my friend. My army is in desperate need of a champion such as yourself. But the time is not right. I do promise to return and free you from your bounds.

The green giant nodded. I hope that you return soon. It has been ages since I've fought in battle and I crave the smell of blood and the sounds of agony!

Laying it on a little thick, I thought. I'm already sold on him. Getting this guy on my side would be a priority. If for nothing more than to ensure Amara didn't get him first.