Chapter Fifteen

I don’t even knock on Kashvi’s door when I arrive at her house for the game Saturday. I’ve only been coming here for a few weeks now, but it’s starting to feel like a second home. I push the door open—my hands full of jewelry-making supplies for after the game—and say a quick hello to Kashvi’s mom before heading to the basement.

The rest of the group is already there, and they let out a cheer when I arrive.

“Yay, you’re here!” Kashvi exclaims. “We were just talking about costumes—Sanjiv came up with the perfect idea.”

“We came up with it together,” he says.

Ideas for the costume contest at the comic store took over the group chat as soon as we left the diner last night, and it’s been a constant debate since I woke up this morning. We quickly decided we wanted to do a group costume instead of dressing individually, which is great for me since I don’t have any ideas. I’m shocked to hear that we might already have a concept, because this group is seriously picky. By tena.m. they’d already dismissed all superhero and video game characters.

“Okay.” Kashvi puts her hands out to me like she’s about to announce huge news. “Have you ever heard of the ’80s D&D cartoon?”

I glance around the room in confusion. I don’t know current cartoons, let alone ones from decades before I was born.

“Don’t worry about it,” Mark tells me. “I hadn’t either since it’s ancient.”

“That’s no excuse. We should all know our history,” Sloane says seriously.

“Here, look at this,” Kashvi says, and holds up her phone to a still shot of an animated series. There’s a party of six people dressed vaguely like wizards, barbarians, and fighters. There’s even a baby unicorn. “Wouldn’t it be great if we each chose one character and dressed up together? It would be so meta to have our group go as the original cartoon party!”

“I’d like to point out that no one is going to understand this costume idea. We’re going to look like six people in miscellaneous fantasy costumes,” Logan says.

“The judges will be old and they’ll get the reference. That’s all that matters,” Sanjiv argues. “It’s perfect—we can dress up as the entire party and no one is left out.”

“I already called the little kid barbarian,” Sloane says. “I have an old unicorn stuffed toy I can bring to complete the look.”

I nod and scan the picture. With that character gone, there are three male characters and two female characters left…which does work out perfectly for our group. There’s just one problem.

I point to the two female characters. “These are the costumes we’d need to wear? It’s forty degrees out!” One of the characters has on a very short tunic and thigh-high boots, while the other is basically wearing a fur bikini.

Kashvi grimaces. “I know, it’s totally sexist. Of course the women are wearing the most impractical costumes possible. If you want, I can be Diana.” She points to the one in the bikini. “Assuming my parents let me out of the house.”

“Is that the character you wanted, though?”

“I mean, I had my eye on the thief, but I can do whatever. Or we can scrap this and choose a different costume idea.”

“You can change your costume,” Mark tells me. “We won’t care.”

“You’ll look hot no matter what you do, Quinn,” Sanjivsays.

Kashvi slaps him on the shoulder. “Eww, don’t call herhot!”

He throws up his arms. “I was trying to be reassuring! Come on, am I wrong?”

He glances around the room, looking for support, and my disobedient eyes head straight for Logan even though my brain screams, Don’t look at him!

His eyes are already on me, pupils dark and Adam’s apple bobbing. I flush at his expression. If this is his response to only the idea of the costume, then I’d be better off claiming the character who wears the huge billowing cloak. Although…I pull my lip between my teeth and glance back at the picture of Diana. I’m not walking around a comic store in a glorified swimsuit, but I bet I could make it my own. I have a few pieces that could work, and Grandma might have something in the attic.

Even with my changes, it would still be completely out of my comfort zone. A costume like this draws attention. That’s not something I’m usually up for, but if I’m surrounded by the rest of my party, then it sounds fun. Maybe even empowering.

“Actually, I love this,” I tell the others. “I’ll be Diana.”

“Are you sure?” Kashvi asks. “I don’t want you feeling bullied into it as the newest member.”

The fact that she’d be worried about that only makes me feel better.

“I’m absolutely sure.” I smile reassuringly.

We start the session right on time, to make sure we don’t lose any impatient viewers, and Sloane uses their gravelly voice to remind us of where we left off, having been captured and taken to a palace.

“The five of you are brought into a palatial throne room in chains. The ceiling soars above you and elaborate mosaic art along the walls tells the story of a brave man who has defeated every foe in his path,” Sloane tells us.

“Is it me?” Rolo asks excitedly.

We all laugh and roll our eyes.

“No, it is not, Rolo. The art depicts King Thalun, who sits on the throne on a dais above you. As the guards bring you in front of him, he stands and looks down at you with a haughty expression. His clothes are regal, but his face is haggard and there are dark circles under his eyes.” Sloane clears their voice. “I see my guards have finally brought you to me, though not without trouble. I had not anticipated such a fight from you five.”

I glance around at the others. It’s clear that someone needs to speak to the king on behalf of the group. To my surprise, the others are looking to me. Sure, I was able to get the equipment back last time, but I’m also the reason we’re standing here.

I wait another second, but when it’s clear no one else is going to speak, I sit up and look directly at Sloane. “Sir—”

“Your Majesty.”

So it’s going to be like that. I’m not off to a great start.

“Your Majesty, we request to know on what grounds you have taken us prisoner. We have done you no wrong, and only wish to be free to pursue our own endeavors.”

“It is true that not all of you have brought harm to me. But one of you has and is in my service.” Sloane turns to Logan. “Adris Starcrown, known rogue and thief, you stole a locket that was very precious to me years ago. You eluded my escape before, but now you will pay for your crimes.”

My eyes widen, as do the others around the table.

“And…if I may ask,” I continue, “why have the rest of us been brought before you?”

“I had you captured because I need a magic user, and the fact that you are a dwarf will serve my purposes even better.” Sloane’s focus slides to the twins, then to Mark. “As for you two, do you not recognize your own father?”

We all gasp, then exchange excited looks with each other. Sometimes I really love D&D.

“Daddy?!” Rolo cries, and we all burst out laughing.

Sloane tries to keep a grim expression, though I can tell they want to laugh too. “Your Majesty.”

“Not to be rude, Your Majesty, ” Lasla/Kashvi says, with a tone that’s anything but daughterly, “but if we’re truly your children, then why would you need to capture us and chain us? We’ve been searching for you and would have gladly come on our own.”

“Because I have learned I cannot trust anyone in this world, even my own children. I had heard you were searching for me, but many want me for my riches or what I can provide for them.”

Sloane is doing such a good job as the king that I barely even register their voice anymore. I only hear the deep arrogant tone of King Thalun and can imagine him looming above us, his thick brows furrowed in distrust.

“Are you open to providing for us? Because I’d love an actual mattress and a warm dinner tonight,” Lynx/Sanjiv asks.

“I’ll take the gold,” Rolo adds. “I’m used to sleeping on the ground.”

“The only thing I’m prepared to give you is a proposal. I have a mortal enemy and I need you to dispose of it.”

We shift in our seats. I’ve only played in a few campaigns but it’s clear that we’re about to get our first big quest.

“And what is this enemy?” I ask.

“A dragon. It has been plaguing my kingdom and killing my soldiers, and it cannot continue.”

We all look at each other in concern. Killing a dragon is a pretty cliché D&D quest, but that doesn’t make it easy. We’re only Level2. There’s absolutely no way we can kill a dragon without more experience.

“But surely you couldn’t expect us to defeat a dragon that your own men cannot defeat?” Adris/Logan asks.

“That is why I chose you five. Each of you has particular skills that make you more valuable than a foot soldier, and my children must be eager to prove themselves to me. If you are able to defeat this dragon, you will be richly compensated.”

“Give us a moment to discuss, dearest Papa,” Rolo says, and we all chuckle.

“Don’t anger him further,” Logan warns. “He’s already sending us on a doomed quest as it is.”

“Should we try to negotiate with him?” Sanjiv asks. “Or use our relationship as children to get him to soften? He can’t really want to send his own children to their deaths.”

Kashvi glances at Sloane. “How many other soldiers are in this throne room with us and the king?”

“There are only two, one on either side of the king,” Sloane replies.

“I say we try to get out of these chains and attack them,” Kashvi tells us. “This might be our best chance.”

“No way,” I reply. “We’ve already tried that and we know what’s going to happen. There might only be two here now, but they probably have a whole battalion outside those doors waiting for us. I think we should agree with his request.”

“Agree?” Logan asks. “But Nasria doesn’t trust anyone or anything.”

It isn’t lost on me that Logan and his character are interacting more with me this session. I have to say, it makes the game much more fun.

“True, I don’t trust the king at all,” I reply. “But if we agree, he’ll have to let us go in order to track the dragon, and then we can decide what we’re actually going to do.”

Mark nods approvingly. “Sneaky.”

“Makes sense to me,” Sanjiv replies.

Logan turns to me. “I half expected you to try negotiating with him to save yourself since you aren’t actually in his debt like I am.”

“That’s harsh even for me. You’re one of my party members.”

He cocks his head and gives me a small smile. “Does that mean you’re beginning to trust me?”

“I…I’m not sure yet.” A jolt of adrenaline shoots through me at his expression. “I’m possibly beginning to think about trusting you.”

“Good to know I’ve made a small amount of progress, then.” His gaze is warm, without a hint of sarcasm. “For what it’s worth, I’d trust you with my life.”

I make a strangled sound before I can stop myself. He raises an eyebrow and returns his focus to the others.

Trying to figure out Logan is hard enough when it’s just the two of us, but it’s impossible when we’re sitting at this table. I know I shouldn’t trust anything he says or does here because it’s not him, it’s Adris, a character he especially designed to be charismatic. But it’s still him playing his character, right? So if he’s dismissive of me, is that only because our characters don’t get along? If he flirts, is it only his character saying the words? More and more, I’m understanding why it’s important to keep romance away from this livestream. It makes everything a million times more confusing.

We agree to the king’s request and are released to begin tracking down the dragon, though we all agree that we’ll be no match for it. We make our way back into the dense woods only to run into a wyvern. Rolo loses so many hit points that we almost lose him, but by the end of the session everyone is still alive, so I guess that’s saying something.

I rub my eyes and slump back into my chair when the cameras turn off. That was exhilarating and draining at the same time.

“Fun session.” Sloane chuckles. “Looks like the chat has a new favorite.”

“I told you Rolo was a winner. Everyone loves an underdog,” Mark says, and puffs up a bit.

“Not you, although they do love you too. There were some concerned comments when you almost died. No, they can’t stop talking about our dwarf sorcerer.”

I blink, then sit up and look from side to side. “What?Me?”

“One viewer is requesting I bring in another wyvern next time so they can watch you demolish it.”

“Do not listen to them,” Sanjiv says wearily. “We were fighting for our lives out there. I don’t know how you expect us to take on a dragon.”

“Can you tell who the people in the chat are?” I ask.

Sloane inspects the screen and shakes their head. “No, not really. I mean, my parents watch every game, but I know their usernames. And there’s a few friends from school who log on. But otherwise none of the usernames are recognizable.” They lean a little closer. “Actually, it looks like you have a fan, too, Kashvi.”

“Everyone likes a girl with a sword,” she says. “But I’m glad the chat isn’t full of haters. And to think there was ever a question of whether we should add Quinn to the group.” She raises a playful eyebrow at Logan. “She’s our MVP now.”

He raises his hands in defense. “I’m happy to admit when I’m wrong. I can’t imagine the game now without Quinn—and Nasria—in it.”

There’s an intimacy in his eyes that makes me jittery. I busy myself with stacking my game books because one look at my face and the group will know my feelings for Logan are quickly becoming less and less platonic.

“That’s good,” Sloane continues, “because they particularly love listening to your characters bicker. And flirt.”

The others look a bit uncomfortable at that news, but Logan only laughs. “I guess we’ll have to keep it up, then.”