Page 44 of The Highland Game

Hey. So, about yesterday . . . sorry for how I acted. I was dealing with some stuff IRL. I wasn’t quite myself.

Of course, the things I was dealing with in real life involved Jamie, not that he has any idea. Honestly, I’m not sure this apology is going to cut it. He probably lost a shitload of EXP yesterday. If I were him, I’d be absolutely raging.

His reply comes in surprisingly quickly.

LochNLoad

No worries. Wasn’t my best day either.

Wait, what? He’s not going to berate me? Make me grovel? Demand I transfer him in-game currency in compensation?

LochNLoad

Hope everything is okay your end. Always here if you need someone to talk to.

I blink at my phone. I just . . . don’t get it. How can someone who’d abandon a person in a storm be capable of such easy kindness? The two sides of Jamie don’t match up at all.

LochNLoad

Fancy giving that quest another go tonight? Or we could try a different one?

Wow, it looks like getting back in his good graces might just be a lot easier than I was expecting. I fire off a reply saying I’ll see him online tonight.

Later, after the last punter has stumbled out of the Pheasant and Da has gone to bed, I settle in front of my laptop. My hair is still damp from my shower, and I’m wrapped up in my comfiest jammies. It’s just me, the glow of my screen, and a whole heap of questionable moral decisions.

As soon as I log into Highland Legacy, a message pops up.

LochNLoad

Ready to head back to Dun Speir? That wraith won’t slay itself!

SassyLassie

Actually . . . I’ve got a different idea. Meet at Elderhollow Forest?

LochNLoad

Intriguing! See you in a moment.

We both fast travel to the forest, then I guide Lochie through the towering trees, past bubbling streams and crumbling ruins overtaken by ivy, to our destination: the base of a roaring waterfall. The water tumbles into a crystal-clear pool, sending up sprays that catch the sun and scatter tiny rainbows across my screen.

LochNLoad stops beside me.

LochNLoad

Nice view and all, but . . . what now?

Instead of answering, I walk straight through the curtain of water. Lochie hesitates for a moment before following. There’s something satisfying about knowing something he doesn’t—not that it happens often.

Beyond the waterfall lies, not a dark cave, but a hidden grove bathed in eternal sunshine. Flowers in every colour ripple across the grass like a living tapestry. Butterflies weave lazy circles through golden beams of light filtering between ancient oaks. The air practically oozes serenity—a stark contrast to Highland Legacy’s usual vibe of misty landscapes and looming danger.

LochNLoad

Holy shit! How did you find this place?!

SassyLassie

By accident! A troll was chasing me ages ago, so I ran through here to escape and . . . voilà.