Brother Keepers Read online

  Chapter 8 - Benefactors

  "Ernie, I think it would be best if you took some time to reassign your armor and weaponry. Your odds of defeating the drake brood mother might significantly increase if you use the proper gear."

  I jab at the mouse button, and my warrior screams to attack the drake mother before charging into the monster's flame.

  Once more, ignoring Oliver's advice results in my warrior's death. It will take me several more minutes to again guide my warrior's spirit back to my character's resurrection totem. I don't mind at all. Oliver and I have plenty of time. No one from the world beyond the Clove Field estate is aware of Dr. Zito's passing. No one beyond the estate's fencing seems to miss the doctor in the least. Oliver serves as the estate's executor. His microchips have little problem administering to the finances and upkeep that the estate demands. The outside world likely sees no change at all behind those fences built by Dr. Zito.

  "I've told you a hundred times, Oliver. I like the way that armor looks on my character."

  Oliver's internal fans again whirl. "How your character looks has nothing to do with the game's dynamics."

  "I don't care, Oliver."

  Oliver goes quiet. His eye clicks at the monitor while that drake mother quickly dispatches my warrior a second time. I grin from ear to ear. I have my home. I have my life. And most importantly of all, I have my friend.