Chapter 7: Escape
Before Ferris could even ask. The approaching players had were loudly discussing their new pet.
"Do you think it knows any tricks?"
"No, you dumbass! It's a horse. They're bloody stupid animals."
"Who cares! I want to ride it!"
"Shut up Scoundrel! It's gonna be the boss's mount. When word gets out that our guild has mounts..." he stoped to smile wickedly. "Just think of the look on those bastards faces."
"But I wanna have a go! Boss, you'll let me try it right?"
"If we can tame it, sure." Twisted nodded calmly.
"Does anyone know how to tame a horse?"
"Uhhh...." the question was met with silence.
"Feed them?"
"Most games are like that."
"Hmm, I agree."
"I've got bread, jerky and some cabbages?" The player looked around at his companions who also brought out food items from their inventory.
"What do you think it eats?"
One of the girls spoke up, "hay and carrots."
None of them had either of those items.
"There were bags of carrots in the shed."
"Alright, Fingers go get them."
"What? Why me?" Four Fingers complained in a whinny voice.
"Just do it." Twisted commanded. Fingers ran off with a huff
"Let's try some of the veggies first. It's just a stupid NPC, can't be that hard."
Twisted picked a few of each and approached the horse.
Ferris had naturally seen and heard everything and was trying to find a good time to interrupt, but his embarrassment was overwhelming.
Would they even listen to him? Just say 'oh, hi, I'm actually a player please free me.'
And from the goodness of their hearts they will apologise and kindly remove the cart and open the gate for him?
Even in the real world strangers might not be so kind. In a game it's a whole other story. People enjoy being villains. They can be cruel or mean because 'it's just a game'.
Ferris had experienced this in games he'd played previously. While none of them were the amazing full VR experience, he didn't think humanity's dark side would change at all.
Although the six players were now chatting happily together, Ferris couldn't forget the horrific sight when they slaughtered the farmers and their families. Such brutality was unnecessary, killing one or two would scare the farmers into giving up everything.
Ferris also understood they couldn't get anything valuable, as the farmers were poor. He was the prize.
Even if he explained that he was a player they might not let him go.
As Twisted approached him, Ferris made a decision. He would escape.
A cabbage was held in Twisted's out stretched hand. As he came closer he muttered gentle soothing noises, intently watching the horse before him.
Ferris gently stretched out his neck, sniffed at the cabbage before moving away again with a dissatisfied snort.
Twisted now had hope in his eyes. The horse was interested! He put away the cabbage and replaced it with a banana, but the horse merely glanced at it before shaking is mane. Quickly a large array of fruit and vegetables were brought out. Ferris sniffed a few and nibbled slightly on an apple, appearing very tame and meek the whole time. However, as each item was rejected Twisted and the others became more and more anxious. The method seemed right, but what did horse want to eat?
Eventually, Four Fingers returned with the carrots, Twisted took them and held them out to the horse.
Ferris did his best to make 'happy horse noises' before enthusiastically munching on the carrots. After eating a bunch, Ferris moved his head allowing Twisted to stroke his nose.
As Twisted and his guild members were excited about their success, Ferris moved again. Now Twisted's hand was on the harness buckle that tied Ferris to the cart.
With the horse looking at him expectantly, Twisted knew what he had to do, and began removing the harness. All the while gently stroking the horses soft fur.
Feeling the hand on his neck slide down his back made Ferris feel extremely uncomfortable.
Especially when the hand moved onto his bottom.
Patting a horses rump seemed normal for Twisted, but for Ferris it felt like very invasive and disgusting. He was seriously cursing the 'realistic sensory experience' that the game was so proud off, because he truely felt like he was being groped by a man, and helpless to stop it.
Finally the harness was removed, Ferris spun around. His two back hooves kicking out, sending Twisted flying.
Without hesitation he sprinted across the paddock, quickly picking up speed and leapt over the fence. With a thunder of hooves he continued through the next paddock, disappearing into the fog.
The guild members were in shock.
What had happened? Who could explain what went wrong? Wasn't it all going well?
On the ground Twisted withered in pain. That kick had taken out a significant chunk of health.
"After that bastard!" He ordered.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone