The World Around the Corner

By Rick Ellrod

Jeff and Dana are ardent—and flirtatious—companions in an online role-playing game. Neither is aware they also know each other in real life, where they’ve clashed on multiple occasions. But when they join forces on a road trip to solve a mystery, they discover the connection between their online and everyday identities. Can their virtual relationship carry over into a real-life adventure?

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: Aug 22, 2018
• ISBN: 9781509220755

Rick Ellrod

Rick Ellrod (Frederick E. Ellrod III) has been a storyteller, and a lover of stories, from childhood. He has two short stories in print, and is submitting a science fiction novel called House of Stars for publication. He is also an amateur musician with more enthusiasm than talent. Professionally, Rick is Director of the Communications Policy and Regulation Division of Fairfax County’s Department of Cable and Consumer Services. From 1992-2009, he worked as an attorney in a law firm representing local governments on cable and telecommunications issues. Earlier, he taught philosophy for several years at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Rick graduated from Harvard Law School cum laude in 1986 and holds a Ph.D. in philosophy from Boston University (1979). He is a member of the Washington Science Fiction Association (WSFA).

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Dana stood two careful feet away from Jeff on the doorstep as he rang the bell. She was trying fervently to remember exactly what she had said, how far she had gone, talking with Badon online. Would Jeff expect her to, well, flirt with him the way she did with Badon? It wasn’t fair if he supposed she’d exchange provocative remarks with any guy just because she had talked that way, very mildly really, with Badon. But no, wait, it was Jeff she had been flirting with when she chatted so breezily with Badon. Her head was beginning to hurt.

Praise for THE WORLD AROUND THE CORNER

A quirky twist on a well-loved genre, The World Around the Corner brings you romantic comedy like you've never seen it before. Rick Ellrod has a talent for creating unique characters and plotlines.

~ Anne Garboczi Evans, author

Having beta read several of Rick Ellrod's works, I've always been impressed by the intelligence of his relaxed, engaging prose. I look forward to the rest of the world reading his works, as well.

~ JC Kang, USA Today Bestselling Author

Rick Ellrod writes sophisticated stories with appealing characters and fun twists. With The World Around The Corner, he has combined romance and LitRPG and shown that he masters both genres.

~Ashlinn Craven, author

Parallel worlds. One quest to find a princess. Another to find a missing friend. In a clever mix of role-playing fantasy and real life, Rick Ellrod has crafted an engaging story full of wit, charm and romance.

~Laverne St. George, author

The World Around the Corner

by

Rick Ellrod

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

The World Around The Corner

COPYRIGHT © 2018 by Rick Ellrod

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: [e-mail]

Cover Art by Debbie Taylor

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

Publishing History

First Sweetheart Rose Edition, 2018

Digital ISBN 978-1-5092-2075-5

Published in the United States of America

Dedication

To Tiptonn, Ranlira, Gwydion, Andurs, Meerschaum, Emeraldice, Hulkxx, Outsydor, Pickleann, and the rest of The Henchmen

Chapter 1

Jeff Stanton yanked out his laptop and slung his backpack, with its cargo of student term papers, into a corner of his apartment’s study. His faculty office hours at the University had run late; his car was giving him trouble again; and his Heroes’ Calling guild had an early start time, in deference to the schedules of its East Coast members.

He tilted the mike on its boom slightly and made sure the webcam was set to include the mat behind him. Gauging the late evening light, he slipped on a pair of snug elastic bracelets studded with small metal beads. The camera would pick up large-scale movements, but its sensors would read the positions of the chips in the bracelets more precisely.

The martial intro music ended, and the Heroes’ Calling logo faded into swirling mists on the screen. The mists cleared in turn to reveal a rocky hollow shaded by a gnarled overhanging tree. A late afternoon sky shone deep blue above. The virtual environment felt more like home than the small Midwestern college town where he lived. A vacation home, perhaps.

A campfire burned brightly at the bottom of the hollow. Jeff saw the back of his own character, Badon the warrior, seated cross-legged on the ground. Across from him was the wizard Archonis, who was wearing robes of a rather garish yellow, and Meretreia, a female bard in flared blue trousers and green tunic, lute slung over her back.

Archonis executed a dignified bow as Jeff appeared, and he waved back. Hey, Badon, the wizard’s voice came from the speakers. A player chose the voice along with the character’s appearance, and Archonis had selected an impressively sonorous tone. Ready for the weekend?

You bet. Archonis would hear Jeff’s words in Badon’s mellow voice, thanks to the filters in the software. I’d apologize for being late, but I guess I’m not the only one. Hi, Merry.

Hello, Badon. Meretreia turned left, then right. Pendragen was here a minute ago. He had to go offline.

’S okay. How about Evanesce? Anyone talked to her lately?

Not me, said Archonis.

I haven’t. Meretreia’s voice sounded feminine, but that too could be due to filters. I thought she was supposed to be on tonight.

Jeff glanced over the guild roster and chat. Various other members were disporting themselves in exotic locales. Snowstorm the frost wizard and Montana the ranger were trying to run the Haunted Keep alone, with mixed results. Imagofer was in Aderrit, one of the major cities, buying new equipment. Eirik and Lyrania were discussing parties coming up over the weekend—Jeff seemed to recall they attended the same school and were acquainted outside the game. Rogann wasn’t on, although Friday night was one of the few times he generally made an appearance. Neither was the Pumpkineer; he was on vacation. Tomtom was–

Next to Badon a burly armored figure shimmered into existence. This was Pendragen, chief of the Northern Lights guild. Howdy, folks. I ought to be good for a while now.

Next to Meretreia appeared a tall woman with an athletic litheness and a mane of black hair. Hey there, came in dulcet tones.

Rosmara. Jeff grinned and straightened up in his chair. It wasn’t really an adventure until Rosmara showed up. He typed a code, and his character on the screen clapped briefly. Late again, huh?

Didn’t want to disappoint you.

But are rogues supposed to be so predictable?

It lulls you into a false sense of security.

Jeff took a moment to appreciate the rogue’s well-developed feminine figure. Of course, there was no telling what Rosmara’s player looked like IRL—in real life. Jeff’s own Badon, for instance, was tall, brawny and black-haired, while Jeff himself was tall but wiry, with light brown hair. He had done a good deal of daydreaming about the corresponding possibilities for Rosmara. Of course, he couldn’t be certain Rosmara’s player was even female—though her conversation sounded feminine enough.

At the bottom of his screen, a line of text appeared; the color and label told him it was directed to him privately from Rosmara. Hi, pal, it read. Good to see you!

Jeff typed back, Likewise! How’s your week been? Aloud he said, I’ll have to watch my back.

So-so, Rosmara responded. Couple of frustrating things.

We’ll see if we can bring up the average for you tonight!

Over the speakers, Archonis was saying, This may be everybody. Pen, is Evanesce going to be here?

I thought so. I haven’t heard from her, though.

What about Rogann? asked Meretreia. He knows her IRL, doesn’t he?

Yeah, he’s her father, said their leader. I don’t think he’s been on lately either, though. We’ll go ahead without her.

If we leave Ev behind, we can summon her the next time we reach a campsite, Rosmara said. But if she misses an important step in the quest, we might have to go back for it.

Jeff nodded to himself. Hate to backtrack, but we’ll do it if necessary.