The group entered the inn and pulled three tables together to sit at. Two serving girls appeared with jugs of ale and mugs.  The innkeeper was not far behind with a huge platter with four whole roast chickens. Before the first serving girls returned with a large bowl of roast potatoes parsnips and carrots, and a stack of plates knives and forks. 

Before they started eating Stevo healed the priest, who had no major injuries but a lot of cuts and bruises.  The priest thanked Stevo, Gregoor, and the prince by blessing the 3 of them. "Blessing, Touch of the Mighty. Gives +1 to all attributes." 

Gregoor and William had both gained 2 levels.  The three protection officers gained 1. Due to the high amount of xp he now needed per level Stevo also only gained one. 

They group tucked into their food, Gregoor quickly forming a bond with a protection officer called Damo. The serving girls returned with another large bowl of roast veg and a second jug of ale. The Earth based contingent finished their meal and returned home. 

Arriving at the Farm in time for the evening news.

"How was Drebun, did you see any action." Kahlil asked. 

"We arrived in time to join Gregoor's group for an attack to liberate a captured temple and rescue the priest. Every one gained at least one level, myself and Gregoor got two." Reported William before adding "For our roles in rescuing the priest, Gregoor, Stevo and myself were blessed, which gives +1 to every attribute." 

"Quite an evening gentlemen, are you hungry?" asked Debbie. 

"Not after the roast chicken and vegetables we were given at the inn, thanks though." Damo replied, drawing nods from the others. 

"Let's watch the news. The home secretary had to go back to London. Adam went with him as his security was busy in Drebun. Something happened today that got them in a flap." Claire spoke up whilst sitting next to Stevo. 

They started watching the news in time to see what happened. A huge anti-war protest in Central London turned into a bloody massacre when dozens of sword wielding maniacs and Halloween costumes attacked the marchers. 55 were killed and another 174 were injured, before police and the March stewards finally got the situation under control.  That ought to keep the home sec busy for a while thought Stevo, as the news turned to the Pacific, where Chinese forces launched a missile attack on Taiwan today, probably as a prelude to invasion.  65 missiles struck a range of targets from air defence radar stations to mobile phone towers. Taiwanese forces intercepted another 20 missiles. The American government condemned the aggression. 

"That attack of skeletal warriors in London is a prelude to what comes next.  I expect armed police to be deployed in all places where crowds gather by this time tomorrow.  Probably with the military to assist.  Mobilization of reserves was already being considered, that's unavoidable now.". Kahlil finished speaking as the newsreader announced all reserves who has served in the last 3 years were being activated immediately. 

William left with his protection officers shortly after this. Everyone else turned in for an early night. Stevo tired from the battle earlier, quickly fell asleep. 

The next time he opened his eyes it was still dark outside. Someone was banging loudly and persistently on his door, he made sure he was decent and opened it to find Debbie and his mother there. 

"Kahlil says we should move our things into the cellar there is a chance of an air raid." Diana stated calmly. 

"I'll get dressed and be right down." 

Stevo turned on his radio while he got dressed. The presenter was a popular figure in light-entertainment and seemed uncomfortable talking about war and destruction. The Chinese had landed troops in Taiwan overnight, and they were fighting their way inland, facing stiff resistance.  Two American warships were damaged by missile strikes off the Korean peninsula, where the conflict has become a bloody stalemate only 20 miles south of the old border.  In Europe there has been movement at 2 facilities where the Russians store nuclear weapons, and a flight of 4 tu-95 Bear strategic bombers was turned back by the RAF alert Fighters as they approached Scotland. 

Putin had made a speech late last night, reconstituting the former Soviet Union. Belarus and the central Asian states immediately joined, states such as Ukraine and the Baltic states, who were nato members decidedly less keen. Putin has given a 72 hour deadline for nato to withdraw their forces from all soviet territory or war would exist between them.

Stevo finished getting dressed and went down stairs, when he heard several car doors slam.  He got to the front door just as William was about to knock.

"I Hope you don't mind Stevo, I brought Catherine and the kids. I'd feel safer with them here than the government safe house. We've brought a small detachment of military guards with us, they have their own food if you could give them an outbuilding to use. They even have a couple of diesel generators and batteries. They'll guard the perimeter so you don't have to worry about looters etc."

"Fine with me William, if Kahlil agrees make yourselves at home."

"If Kahlil agrees to what?" He asked asked walked past taking a pile of blankets to the cellar.

"William's here with his family and 20 soldiers, says he'd feel safer with us than where the government put them." Stevo answered. 

"Fine with me, as long as the soldiers have supplies." Kahlil stated, when Stevo and William nodded that they were all set, Kahlil went to tell them where to set up. 

Stevo dumped a bag of clothes on one of the bunks in the basement, before deciding to get out of the way for a while.

Debbie had just walk into the basement with a backpack full of clothes when the radio cut out. A moment later a voice said "This is the wartime broadcasting service from London, we just got word of a missile attack against this country seek immediate shelter."

Stevo spoke up, "It's going to get crowded in here, time to head to Drebun."

Debbie nodded as did Claire who had heard Stevo. Soon they were at the inn. Drinking ale with Gregoor and trying to forget about the fall of civilization at home.  After they had been their an hour Kahlil arrived, he updated them. 

"Britain was hit by at least 20 Nukes. The soldiers have mostly moved into our cellar waiting out the fallout, the worst of it will be over in about a week. I would spend most of that time here.  William will be here shortly, he's just helping Catherine and the kids settle."

There was a commotion from the doorway as a young man was helped inside by two friends. The man was wearing the blackened and charred remains of a linen shirt. He had been badly burned.

One of the friends spoke up.  It was the carriage driver, who Stevo had helped previously.

"Help my friend Richaard, Stevo, Silly sod has drunk too much wine, tripped and fell into the fire."

Stevo quickly gave Richaard a healing potion start the recovery. Then started removing his burned shirt. There were several large areas of blackened skin underneath. Richaard would be unlikely to survive without Stevo's help. Even in a modern Earth hospital his fate would be uncertain.   Stevo asked the innkeeper to bring a bowl of clean water and several clean coarse cloths. Whist he was waiting he cast his heal on Richard, who was struggling despite the effect of the potion. The supplies having arrived he started cleaning the burns, large portions of burned skin and flesh came away whilst Stevo worked.  Twice the serving girls took away bowls of bloodied water and returned with clean rags. Stevo had finally finished cleaning the burns. He poured a healing potion into Richaard's mouth.  The raw patches began to shrink, and Richard's breathing noticeably improved. Stevo cast heal before sitting back against his seat.

"I've done all I can, he'll be badly scarred and may have trouble moving his arms and body when he is recovered.  Take him home and put him to bed after giving him a mug of water.  He handed his friend a healing potion.  When we wakes give him this."

"Thank you Stevo, he wouldn't have survived." The man said as they helped Richaard to his feet and walked him out of the inn.

Stevo didn't notice William came in during the treatment, the prince incredibly impressed with Stevo's work.

"Incredible Stevo, he would have died."

At that moment Stevo got a notification. 

"25xp awarded!  New title Master Medic 50% reduction in the mana cost of healing. Reduces the price of healing potions in the store by 20%"

"What are your plans folks,  I'm going to stay here tonight at the cabin, you are all welcome to join me?" Stevo offered. 

"I should be with Kate and the kids, I need to get back." Said William Kahlil and Debbie soon making their own reasons to get back. 

Claire surprised everyone when she said:

"I'll stay here with Stevo tonight."