Spirits of the Earth

Chain jingled, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, it actually had a sheath this time as Godfrey made his way through the crowd, more used to city folk. He still preferred the country, particularly his village. A lot of the other villages he visited were either starving...or something was wrong with them, but at least they made more sense then city folk.

He chuckled at the thought, his thick leather boots walking confidently on the ground, his spare hand adjusting the shield on his back, a simple banded wooden one that hide his bag as well. He was so proud of himself when he could finally afford some armor, allowed him to take better paying gear (he could even send money home! Heard the farm was beginning to prosper because of it).

However, new jobs also meant more dangerous ones, his smile faded, remembered some of the horrors he faced, such as escaping a sea dragon, a troll, even a were crocodile. He even ran into evil wizards that raised the dead, tried to roast him alive, or freeze him solid. His eyes glazed over before smiling, but the end was all worth it. The smiles of the people he saved, the smiles that there families were safe. It made him feel like he was doing good, he thought praises for the bards meant he was doing great, but it made him feel better when he knew that he saved someone, that he fought something evil, that he made the world a better place. Small things yes?


He looked about, smiling, the city hadn't changed much, still the same as he remembered it, except he wasn't hungry this time, in fact, he was stronger, faster, more experienced. He even travelled the world, so many different people...though, he was starting to have a suspicion that the general preference for maidens was skinny, like, even that one noble woman. He understands different areas have different cultures and beliefs, sure. But not a single well fed princess?! The gods must hate him or his entire village were the weird ones for such beliefs. He shook his head, one day, one day, but now was not the time for complaint. He had a promise to keep.


He entered into a tavern, the first tavern he visited outside of his hometown, He ordered the exact same thing he got last time...brought some memories, he even went to sit on the exact same (well, this barrel was brand new, beside the point) barrel to have his lunch. Besides his promise...its been a year since he's seen his family, he missed them, he wondered if he would need to buy more clothes for his mom? If the farm is doing better, she's going to get bigger. He scratched his chin in thought, he also wondered how his friends were, most were still looking to be farmers or guards.


The second thing that brought him back was magic, he needed to learn more about it...maybe ask the priestess of his village, she may know something, it would be nice to learn magic that came from his goddess, Yalthnea, or at least ways to protect himself from fireball or dragon breath. He was tired of running with his head cut off when the evil mage is trying to suck his soul out.

He shuddered at the memory, a hand going on top of his, that...that was something he wished no one else had to face.

He finished his lunch, standing up. Now, he had a Missendria to find, and he was going to keep his promise. He started to move, starting with an alley way, staying close to streets and richer areas. He was sure to pop up if she was still working for that robber baron...he hoped he remembered what she looked like still. He smiled at her memory, still one of the nicest people he found. His smile faded as he pretended to look over a stall, he would save her and keep his promise. This would truly be his first quest, and hopefully, just maybe, she would agree to travel with him, and he would finally have a travelling companion, however, that did not matter. First, he had to help her from her serfdom, and then she could decide what she wanted. The heroic path was hard and lonely, he sometimes regretted it, but he wanted to see that smile, his parents  smiles, to know he did right. By Yalthnea, he was going to do it right.


The city was much the same, it was mid-day the market bustling, people in pretty colors moving about, the only one who stood out from the guards was a lone, broad, brawny warrior in chain, looking over some some expensive looking sheaths and supposed magical cloaks. Too the trained eye though, it seemed he was looking for something else. Thankfully, no one remembered what he looked like either that day that he broke out, or perhaps it would be a different story all together right now.

Life had resumed as normal for Missendria. She'd get her mark, a letter of what to do and the time frame she had to finish it.  There was no ultimatum, but it was implied, and she rather liked her fingers and toes as they were. Strangely enough, she was only asked to pick pockets,  or steal items from those who seemed mildly with any wealth or power. Sure, it was still stealing and breaking the law, but as far as the types of jobs she was assigned, she was pretty lucky.

Picking pockets was easy enough, but there were certain artifacts her 'master' was after. She supposed whatever it was she was retrieving helped with that, and in turn got her just a little bit closer to freedom. In fact the past message even came with an update of her debt...

Which made her all the more soured of things. Supposedly, the debt came with an exorbitant amount of interest. She would be dead before it was ever paid. When she.. inquired about how to make.. more money towards her debt, she was handed a simple envelope with just one verbal instructions - she couldn't go back to pick pocketing once she took this job.

For most of the night she had paced, contemplating opening the letter to see what the job was. Another part of her screamed to return it.  If she opened it she knew she was making a deeper deal with the devil....

It was well past midnight when she opened the letter in a rush and read it against dying candle light. As she did so, a hand rested over her lips before she looked away, dropping away her hand as she shook her head.

"You have got to be kidding me."

She crumpled the letter within her hand and was about to burn it when she stopped herself and looked away , the candles flame dancing wildly.  The she looked at the paper, reopened it slowly and read it again.

How was she supposed to accomplish this. She stared over at the darkened window and found herself doing this for another good hour before she sighed and stuffed the crumpled paper into her pocket.

"Oh, Kia's will, I'm already damned!"
She blew out the candle and everything went dark.


The next morning an Essryni merchant princess was being paraded through town. It caused quite the commotion, many people running to the streets to get a chance to look at the exotic entourage and the beautiful merchant princess it held.

Lady Ne'friss'ati Anep'sheht Be'ahnest (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=14581.msg132750#msg132750) was everything the stories claimed Essryni wealth and beauty were, painted and decked out in gold and jewels from head to toe, her elaborate menagerie of animals and servants rolled in a fanfare consuming most of the bustling Street.

From the shadows of a nearby building, a dark cloaked figure watched the procession intensely. Although if there was any doubts who her mark was... those doubts were quickly cast out the window.

"And I thought Serenians could be pompous."

As the parade moved past, she slowly began to follow,  winding her way through the sea of people and keeping her hood hung tightly over her head. She felt ridiculous in her clothing, a simple,  dark pair of trousers and a heavy wool cloak to cover her top. She wasn't exactly still welcome openly on these streets anymore, but dressed as a man, most would be non the wiser.

As she neared the servant carried 'carriage' of this Lady Ne'friss, she was quick to study her,  searching for what was described in the letter. And then she saw it.

Now she just needed her chance.

Missendria hung back, trying to think about her timing.  She had to get it before the damn merchant princess got to her manor. And as she began to realize the direction of the processional,  she cursed under her breath.

Elricht manor- the merchant princess was almost there!

She had to act fast. Slipped a hand beneath her cloak, she grabbed a.bottle and hesitated briefly before muttering to herself, "Kia, look the other way."

Then she hurled the bottle and it crashed with a shatter and soon purplish smoke filled the streets. Chaos ensued and she took advantage of it. She didn't have time to second guess herself as she slipped through the smoke and slipped past the servants and blindly found her way towards the princess. She used a small charm on her bracelet to fan the smoke away from where she stood, and it revealed the princess was bent over and coughing just before her.

Her heart was in her throat as she wasted no time in throwing herself at the princess and snatched onto the necklace upon her throat and yanked it clean off her neck.

By then, the merchants fan bearers were working diligently to clear the smoke and Lady Ne'friss saw exactly what the cloaked figure had done.

"Shit."

The lady pointed. "Thief!" She exclaimed. "Thief! Theif!"

Thankfully the smoke was still lingering and although the confusion remained,  she wasn't free from it as she turned tail to run and had barely gotten off the streets where she ran head long into a city guard.

He drew his blade. Her eyes widened.
"Oh no.."
Whirling around on her heels, she wanted to escape, but a wall of people unfortunately had pressed her way in the chaos and the guard was upon her, roughly pulling her to him  as he held a blade to her throat.

"You're not going anywhere, thief."

Despite his fake searching through the market, there was certainly interesting things. Such as supposed magical cloaks, dwarven forged swords, cold iron swords...he was tempted to get that, iron tended to be painful to his folk, maybe help deal with all of those mages, rarity here when most were made of steel.


After a while, he seriously started to inspect some things, keeping an eye out. He wasn't suspecting to catch her the first day, oh no, but she had to come here eventually, market street had a lot of things to steal. The supposed thief would HAVE to pop up eventually if he kept his eyes out.

He was looking at some good cotton, maybe get some good clothing made for himself, his was starting to look patch work. Thats when he heard tell of a princess. His head immediately snapped over to the shouter, a child like grin. An actual princess?! Not a noble, but an actual princess?! He giggled like a child about to meet his favorite Disney character, he left the cotton he was looking at there with a nod and a few compliments before practically running off to take a look.

The crowds were thick, he took a few moments to push to a spot where he could see, she was coming. This was it, finally someone blessed by his goddess to be almost as large and fat as her an-such disappointment. Thin just like the rest, but he smiled anyway. This was a literal princess that he's getting to stand in front of, not some petty noble that pretended (Though, a few were quite nice), and she was beautiful AND from another country. His grin stayed before screams and smoke began to fill the place, uh oh. He backed up slightly to get better view, his smile fading as his things got suddenly serious. His hand unconsciously going to his sword hilt as he fought to get a better view of the outside of the smoke.


Now, he could of ran in, however, the princess surely has her own guards and servants, however, who ever made the smoke would have to run out. He scowled at the crowd as he went into a building, going up the stairs to find the occupants looking out the railing, rambling. He tapped them on the shoulder to get a better look as an old woman scowled and hit him on the shin.

"What are you doing you preposterous young man?" the old woman scolded. He smiled sheepishly before answering  as he gently fought for a better view.


"Just a man looking for the person who popped them smoke miss, sorry, just having a wee bit of a peek." he said before someone got smart and decided to attack him with a frying pan...which to be fair, he did barge in.


Thats when he saw someone cloaked, just barely, just barely pop out from the side, he only caught the end of the cloak. He grinned with a boisterous laugh before slapping some more man on the back, making him spill his drink onto a merchant below who screamed being soaked in beer. He ran down the stairs, then into the alley ways. He had gotten better at navigating them, it seemed most scoundrels liked the places, like a maze, narrow, easy to hide.


He ran around a bit before turning around to be a little ways to be in front of the guard and the mysterious person. He walked forward confidently , hand on his hilt, waving

"Lo, adventurer, want me to take her for ya Mr while ya check on the princess? I was watchin from them side rails above, only saw one pop out but could of been others sir." he says with a salute and country boy grin. Standing at attention like he would a guard. He's sure he wouldn't get credit, but he would be happy to help out. His eyes glanced at the cloaked figure as he got closer, it was hard to peer underneath the hood. But his eyes widened as he saw just the mouth and lips. He remembered those...Missendria? He hoped not, if it was, this was much MUCH deeper trouble then last time, MUCH. His face turned serious out of worry as he watched the figure then back to the guard, who knew what he would do.

Only thing he knew if this didn't work, he was going to pull a fast one, little lady owed him a steak before she was executed...not that he would let that happen.

She didn't go into this without a plan. The business was too risky,  and she wasn't about to die over it if she could help it. She had to get creative, and needed a distraction...
One that a sudden knight or whoever it was (she couldn't see past her hood) had provided. She ducked suddenly from the sword and elbowed the guard hard in the gut, turning swiftly on her heels and dropping another smoke bomb in her wake.

Her escape was becoming pricy. Those smokes were not cheap to make.And the moment she was free of the guard, she was leaping through the smoke and into the alley,  running and stumbling fast as she could.  She did not want to hang today,  and paused only briefly to be sure she wasn't being followed before slipping inside an old abandoned building.

As he stood there waiting, his eyes went wide, oh no, he dove after her, getting a fist full of smoke instead, but he did see where the person fled...directional wise, and started to run. Maybe this wasn't Missendria and some other thief...huh, oh well, best to catch the would be thief or assassin, starting to think thief, would of just killed the guard, and turn them in. He exited the smoke, eyes squinted as he saw a flap of cloak and ran after it.


For a man in chainmail, he was quite fast, and more importantly starting to get used to running in alley ways. The quick jingle of chain and stomp of boot upon cobble was starting to catch up as Godfrey ran at full speed, making turns left and right. He must of lost them as he stopped in a clearing too a skidding halt, last place, which means either abandoned building...or kept running. He looked about, eyes wide still, turning left and right. At this point, he might as well gave himself the abandoned building option.

He swallowed some panic before beginning to speak

"Alright sticky fingers, ya best come on and turn yar-self in, make things easier on yar-self." he said as confidently as he could. Though, this was to favor him more as he carefully listened for movement and kept eyes out for a cloak while smiling lazily as he could when he was freaking out that he in fact lost his quarry. Hopefully he spooked his prey, he started to wonder what sort of tale would be told about his success here...if he found the person. He let thoughts such of that keep panic at bay as he caught his wind again with deep slow breaths.

She has tucked herself into the back of the somewhat familiar building. Oh.. she had taken refuge here before. And with a certain Farm boy last time she was running from the law. Or rather, someone was running her from it. She had been carried off like a sack of potatoes.

Then she tensed when she heard a voice outside. As if! She knew this tactic and wasn't about to fall for it. But that also meant she had to either choose a really good hiding spot inside or continue to flee and hopefully not get noticed.

That's when she spotted a Sewer grate in the corner.  She rushed over to it and grunted with effort, the iron grate was damn heavy , but not immobile. Once it was clear enough, she spared a glance back at the entrance before disappearing into the world below.

She did her best to pull the cover back over, but it was harder to move at that angle so it was sloppy at best. Either way, she needed to keep moving and climbed down the ladder  until she was able to drop down carefully to the floors below.

Waited for a little bit, he heard nothing. Damn, He bit his cheek as he looked at the buildings...then he spotted one that looked familiar...was it the one they hid in before? Maybe? Who knows, but a good place to start. He went through, looking about, he was taking his time for a moment. Who knew where the culprit could of went, but haste makes waste, and he already waited long enough, might as well wait a little bit more to make things good.

He started to explore the building chain jingling as he moved at an even pace, it was dark, yet again most thieves liked the dark, he understood why himself on several occasions while hunting. In some ways, this was just another hunt. Thats when he kicked something hard, he looked down, a grate?

He grinned, ah! That is how his mouse fled, he went to pick it up, a heavy grate, but not as heavy as the boulders that he had to move to save that trapped child due to a mountain ogre raid. He moved it with a quick grunt and looked down, eyes going wide, he was incredibly surprised to see the figure on the ladder.

Obviously, speech has not worked so he tossed the grate too the side and got on the ladder, however, he had learnt a trick. You see, he had gloves on, which means if he did it right, he could technically slide.

He grinned, he was catching up! He went to slide, going down quickly before he caught his fingers as he yelped, ow ow ow.

After a quick wince he started to make his down normally, tears in his eyes from the pain, horrible mistake, terrible mistake,  now he can't even see. Hopefully the cloak was slow enough for him to wipe his eyes so he could see where it ran. Cause by god, his poor fingers!

She was almost at the bottom when the guard found her and made chase. Shit!
Once at the bottom, she turned tail and ran like hell. She had no idea just where these sewers went and like hell she'd simply let herself be caught.

She was cursing the straight hallway as it narrowed, forcing her to crouch down as she continued, when finally the path split and she took the high ground,  climbing up another small ladder through some sludgey slime, where she nearly slipped at the top before regaining her purchase before she pulled herself up and onto the upper level Sewer.
She spared a glance back,  saw she was still pursued and ran like helldown the next long hall of sewers.

He sniffed back some tears as he finally hit the ground, looking about as he quickly wiped his eyes. Mistakes were made that day as he sniffed and had immediate regrets as he looked the wrong way first, then the right way.

"Shit." he said as she started to run again. Thank the goodness it was a straight hallway, oh sea dragons. instead of ducking he slid part of the way then rolled, then crouched to try and gain some speed, almost getting stuck for his theatrics.

Once out of the tunnel he made his way through more sludge, his poor armor! How badly would it smell? How much cleaning, he mentally sighed. Yet another reason to dislike cities, sewers. At least there wasn't rat people down here trying to sacrifice pigs to some rat god.

He went up the ladder, took a breath, found the mouse, and started chasing again. If this kept up, he was tempted to make a pot shot at the runners leg. Running in chain vs in clothing put him at a disadvantage...nor did he know the streets that well. He mulled it over, he would give it another minute or two. Then try the bow trick, first patience though.

He took a deep breath and ran harder, he really didn't want to shoot the person, so might as well try as hard as he could for now before he was forced to take pot shots at legs.

His feet thundered as he forced himself to attempt to catch up, if only he had a little bit more range to tackle the person. Just need to get closer...or wasn't as fast, this chase probably would of been over.

Damn this guard! She just couldn't shake him. But a light at the end of the tunnel gave hope.  Her lungs were burning as she ran faster through the sludge nearly slipping as she grabbed onto the next set of ladder rungs and climbed, slipping once with a curse before managing to reach the top.
The damn grate was heavy and it took a few good pushes before it finally clamored open. She let out a sound of raw elation and began to pull herself through, the grate barely giving her space to wriggle through. Her heart was hammering inside her ears, knowing the damn Sewer guard was hot on her heels.

Once she was free of the sewers she paused a moment to see where she was- and nearly vomited. She was in a damn chamber room, one with a permanent installation of chamber pots that empty to the sewers below. And she was not alone as the 'seat' beside her was occupied.

And of course it was occupied by a damn guard!

"For Kia's sake!" She spat, covering up her nose before she dashed away from the chamber pots and made a go for the exit. Only to nearly smash into the back side of another guard! She barely had the chance the stumble away from him when she full body ran into something else.

Godfrey kept running, unlike his quarry, he did slip, tumbling as he scrambled too his feet and went up the ladder to see a very shocked guard, doing a number 2. He smiled and sheepishly waved as he climbed out. This was utterly disgusting, the person he was chasing must of been really really desperate, or just as disgusting. He no longer cared. He smelled, most likely like a pig pen. He sighed mentally. He wasn't angry, just sad. He excited the chamber pots and his jaw dropped.


This was the house of the late eccentric Lord Ribbe, a collector of enchanted objects. He passed away recently without heir. So the guards were taking his items as confiscated by the city to be put to use. Chief and favorite amongst his collection was a 10 foot tall gorilla statue. However, this gorilla statue was a magma elemental warrior that was put to sleep permanently by the late lord to serve as a statue.

Sadly, the magic was fading since the lord came to an unexpected passing, unbeknownst to the guards trying to move the statue in the hall way. That was until some cloaked figure bounced off the door guard sending him  to stumble then into the statue which woke up, eyes blazing as it looked around, enraged, lava spurted from its back as it smashed at a guard. It was not happy, at all.

There was sudden screaming as Godfrey scared and guards started to freak out. Now this was just ridiuclous, and another reason why he needed magic, like, how was he supposed to deal with THAT! He decided he should not and looked around for his mark, and found the cloaked figure...right next to the flaming rock gorilla. It almost sent him to tears as he ran straight ahead, barely ducking under a glob of lava which engulfed a poor guard, silencing the scream. He rolled, went to tackle the cloaked one, then, like a sack of wheat, run for the front door before they ended up dying by fire...or magma...or gorilla.

Meanwhile, the wooden mansion was suddenly on fire, all the fine silk tapestries were burning, globs of cooling rock all about, and an angry magma gorilla smashing the guards who were desperately trying to handle the situation until a mage got there, along with the chaos caused by some thief with a princess. Truely, this was not the guard forces finest hour.

When the roaring raw heat of a damn fiery gorilla statue came suddenly to life in a rage, she had all but lost it.

'You have got to be kidding me!'

The heat was do intense that she had to shield herself when the animal lunged itself and was attacking the nearest guard. The guard was gobbled up into absolute nothing by the immense heat of the lava. She barely had a chance to react when the wind was knocked out of her and she found herself tossed over a shoulder like a sack of wheat.

She couldn't even find her breath to scream when the chamberhouse walls began to collapse- the unfortunate last thing she would see before a thick wooden beam crashed upon her head and knocked her out into nothing.

Godfrey was baking, or more, the sewage on him was baking, like, getting really,  really hot. He was practically steaming. In fact, it may have been the sewage that saved him to keep him cool. He saw walls buckle and heave from the heat, the roar of the gorilla. The beam falling on him-THE BEAM FALLING ON HIM! He dodged to the right, smirking,  before  he noticed it clipped his charge. Aw shit, hopefully the cloak was still alive.


He then leaped from the building as a great explosion of fire rang out as the building collapsed sending a shockwave of smoke and ash across the place. People were screaming outside, coughing, yells of guards, the heavy boots of metal. It was crazy. He himself was coughing and gasping from air. He used his body as a shield for the fellow...bastard, getting him covered in sewage and even shite...or used too before it was baked off Sniff or on, most certainly on.

He gagged before scowling and pulling the cowl back now lets see who thi-oh the gods blessed him, or hate him, either one. It was Missendria. He stared in shock, it really was her, when did she go mad and decide to rob a princess?! Damn robber barons. He blinked before checking to make sure she was still  breathing. Now a lot more concerned, this wasn't just a thief, but his favorite thief.

He sighed in relief that she was, barely though with this smoke. He picked her up, removing her cloak, don't want people to identify her, tossing it to the side as he entered an ally way. His brain scrambled , was she still wanted here? What should he do? He didn't even know where she lived, does he take her to an inn? Take her out of the city? She probably needed out, especially now, but she may not be in the best condition for that.

He walked an alley way, mind blazing before setting her down gently as he could, going into his sack and rummaging about for his own travel cloak, carefully fitting that about her. Best he was going to do for now to hide her face.

Nodding, he picked her back up, adjusting the position to something more comfortable for her compared to over the shoulder, and started to make his way. Right, if a princess had items stolen, what would happen to the city? Lock down until someone was found would be smart...actually, thats probably whats going to happen, as this was now a diplomatic incident. He groaned, at least his time with backstabbing nobles within that one city left him a wee bit wiser.


He turned into a small inn, just a couple of streets down from the fire. Some people were still recovering from the incident that were outside here. He walked up to the counter confidently, slapping down a couple of coins.

"Room, my lady needs rest for recovery, and a couple pails of water." he said, bluntly but politely as he put down a couple of extra for service and for the inn man himself. He did bodyguard work a wee bit...it didn't go well, but he was able to pick up something. Maybe not a noble guard, but he could pretend to be a merchant guard potentially if anyone asked...heck, he wouldn't able to lie that, but he could certainly act with confidence like he was.


He got a hard stare, then a nod before leading the man to a smallish room, mumbled something about water and shut the door. He sighed as he put her down on the bed then slid down from the wall to rest. He was exhausted, at least carrying her was easier then last time, thank the blazes for all those other people he had to carry before. He stared to remove his stinking armor, scowling and cursing the misfortune. A scared look on his face, what was he going to do now? He had the thief, the city was in chaos looking for the suspect, and it was a princess to boot. After removing his chain mail and gloves he put his hands on his head. What was he to do?

When Missendria came around, she groaned, keeping her eyes shut tightly from the pounding pain radiating from her skull. Nausea swirled around in her belly and before she knew it, she was half throwing herself over the side of the bed as she vomited onto the floor.

Groaning, she wilted back into the bed,a hand draped over her forehead before she began to recall the events from the day...
Slowly her hand went to the dagger at her hip, and blindly she shot up and pointed the thing at the man's throat. But then her mouth fell open as she began to realize...

"Farm boy?"

Stayed there for a little bit, waiting for the basins of water. Of which he gladly took, cleaning her up around the face, he wouldn't dare undress or check for other wounds, he hadn't seen any blood stains, so it'll be ok, but don't want her breathing in ash.

After which, he took his shirt off and began to scrub himself  with one of the basins, the other two he left too the side. He looked at all of his scars, he didn't have as much as some veteran swordsmen, or some hero (get there one day) but he had a few...and they didn't offer any sort of experience for what to do next. He kept bathing himself before  she shot up, he was cleaning his hair, his armor in a corner, he still had pants on (how embarrassing if she woke up and he was in the nude...she might stab him in where the sun doesn't shine, with how his days have been going, thats 100% would happen).

He glanced up with a grin, though, his face looked stressed "Aye, it be me, now lay down before ya hurt yar-self or send more of yar guts across the room." he fussed as he shook his head clean of water before standing, going to the second basin and went to clean up the new mess...at least it wasn't on him. He also couldn't help but smile, she was alive, too many times he saw someone bump their head like that and never get up again.

He cleaned up the mess before sitting down again, waiting for her to reorientate herself to the room, surroundings, and not projectile vomit everywhere before speaking.

"Not sure whats in the news, but me thinks ya took somethin from the princess. The city is likely to be on lock down until what ever it is, is found." he said simply with a sigh, scratching his head "But, been through worse, so just need a way to get ya out of here some how or some way." he said as he stared at the ceiling, slightly dripping with water as he let his hair dry before looking back at her with a smile.


"You though, need to rest, can't do much until ya feel better...not sure how to fix yar noggin otherwise besides rest." he said nodding.   

Missendria blinked. Right.. she had been running from that Dessert lady's entourage. And the item she stole... she frantically patted down her clothing before feeling the item was still secure. And about this time she also realized she still has her knife pointed at Godfrey.

She swallowed thickly and lowered her hand.

"How.. how did you find me?"
It was bizarre to run into him again, and oddly fortunate that she had. Had... he been there in the crowd? Was he inside the burning manor?

Then something registered. She thought back to the sewers and looking around the room, she realized with a gasp and stood up from the bed, suddenly.

"You... You were the one that chased me into the sewers!"

He watched, her, blinking, he was about to answer before she answered her own question and he nodded again, another grin.

"Aye, told ya I would be back in a year to save ya from the robber baron, seems I was a day too late me thinks, also, ya owe me cleaning for me armor." he says waving a hand at the smelly pile of armor before looking back, making a motion for her to settle down.

"For now though, rest ya took a nasty bump to yar head, take it easy, last thing ya need is to spill more of yar guts." he said gently making a motion "I got a basin for ya if ya need to be cleaned up as well, but right now, ya need to tell me whats goin on and what happened...also, knew ya would try to take something from someone, nay thought ya would target a princess." he said, a wave of disappointment going over him on how skinny an actual princess was, causing a sigh. What a messed up day.

She blinked but didn't recall the bump to her head. But the splitting heas ache and a ginger touch to the bump confirmed. She winced.

As he began to make suggestions ,she was already on her feet.

"No.. I have to go.I.. I can't stay here."

Cautiously she approached the window, peering out to see where she was and if the streets were crowded.

Godfrey's eye twitched, great, now she's acting without sense. He took a deep breath, Yalthnea give him patience before he did something rash. This whole thing was a shit show. He took another breath before speaking.

"We are currently in an alley way inn named 'The Guards Brew', I threw away yar cloak and we were not followed, guards were too busy dealing with whatever it was you activated in the mansion, where is it yar planning to go." he said slowly, going to stand up and pick up his things...including his smelly armor.

Mean while, he was slamming his head on his own mental wall, however, she was a friend and he made a promise. He told himself this as he started to pick up his things. Well, he couldn't keep her here, she has a point there, the guards would eventually find them...there is reasoning. He smothered his own rage at how chaotic this was...desperation made people do strange things.

She hesitated by the window. She hated feeling so guilty. He had helped her. But all she could do now was run away.

"Look..pretend you didn't see me,okay?" She asked. She slowly slid the window open. The evening breeze smelled and felt good on her face. But the She felt dizzy and closed her eyes, her head reminding her it was pounding. What the hell hit her over the head anyway.

He got his stuff on, grumbling that he was forced to put on his sewage smelling armor...but this stuff was expensive and there was no way in high hell he was going to abandon it. He looked over as she crawled out the window. He laughed at what she had to say as he joined with.

Pretend he didn't see her? Sure, let me wait an entire year with a promise that I would come see you to pretend not too see you? Yeah, no, wasn't going to happen.

He was grinning, chuckling as he stood or walked beside her.

"Too bad, I promised ya I would be 'ere to help, so I be helping, mostly by going whar ya going." he said with another chuckle. He closed his eyes to smell the air...ahhh, sewage. Priceless.

Her face skewed in confusion as she turned to him and placed a hand upon his chest. She tried to smile, but it was strained.

"Look.. I appreciate  you wanting to help. But this.. I..."

How could she explain to farm boy she couldn't get him involved.

"I have to do this alone." She made sure to emphasize it. Eyes roamed him momentarily at their close proximity.  He seemed to have grown some. She quickly looked away, hesitating before she shook her head and steeled her resolve.

"What I'm doing.." she continued, being sure he was looking her in the eyes as she spoke. "You can't follow."

He tilted his head, alone? She had to do this alone?

His brow furrowed before he spoke

"I'll help you, even if I have to damn myself in sin. I'll keep my promise, even if it means I'll be nothing but dust in the end. You are my friend, and I'll go to hell in back to see you safe, even if the world has to burn in the process. Lets go." he says taking her hand gently in his

"I've seen things a normal person shouldn't ever see, I've been a tool of scheming nobles by accident. I've saved people by going to hell and back. Those were just people, you are a friend, if I'm willing to go do far worse to see those that I care for safe, even if it means my end, lets go." he says firmly.

She was his first friend outside of his village, it didn't matter what happened, he would always be there for a friend, even if the world thought him the bad guy, cause to his friends, he would be a hero. Sometimes at the end of the day, thats all it takes to be one.

He grinned to beat the sudden seriousness that had fallen "Besides! Who else is going to put meat on yar bones!" he says with a chuckle, he felt awkward being suddenly so serious there, but it was true, probably truer then most things he said, cause it was his nature, and it made him.

The emotions he evoked swirled and twisted into fluttering knots within her belly. Her face turned pink at the statements before she finally found her voice.

"Has nobody ever told you 'No', Farm boy?" It was hard to tell if she was mad or joking.. or both. She clenched her teeth.

"I'm being serious. This.." she sighed, irritated, and turned away from him befire looking back with a haughty glare. "Look you can't just come back here thinking that hero act from a year ago will wedge you into this.This is my problem. And it doesn't involve you."

Her eyes shined angrily and she felt awful for saying it. He did just save her again,  did he not? But she was already stressed to her limits and the last thing she needed on her conscious was to have him involved with this, or get his blood on her hands.

"Things are too complicated now." She trembled some but pressed, "Godfrey  .. please . Things.. aren't that simple. You can't just.. just show up and do this."

He nodded with a chuckle

"A few people actually." he said, his brow furrowing as she spoke. He waited patiently for her finish speaking, his smile slowly fading before nodding

"I understand yar being serious...but so am I, and I can come back because I'm here now, it is yar problem, I'm just here to help you with it."

he said before nodding some more "Very complicated I take it, ya should explain it to me simple country head whats going on, and aye, Aye I can, I showed up plenty of times and did things, this is but another matter, besides, this is what friends are for, sticking it up to whatever is going on while robbing skeletal princesses. We should get going before a guard spots us." he said with a grin, tapping his head before making a motion for her to lead on

Did he feel bad for pressing himself into this, yes, was he risking himself? For sure, but he already decided a year ago he would do what he could, and he always kept his promises. He would save her or help her out of this, one struggling hand at a time or die trying.

That was the last straw. She couldn't handle it and with a sudden cry, she shoved Godfrey further into the room before she slipped out the window, hastily slamming it shut. once she was outside, she gave him one angry but apologetic look before she made her way down to the street.

She looked to be sure no guards were coming before she rehooded herself and raced down the street.

Damn farm boy! Why did he have to make this more complicated!? And she knew he was trying to do good.. but..

This was her debt. No one else need damned.

He was shoved, eyes going wide as he took a step back, tripped over the bet, water going every where, he scrambled too his feet now with smelly wet chain. He felt his face go red, did she just fucking run again. He looked out the window, seeing her run. He swear steam almost left his ears.

He jumped out the window, glass shattering as his thick leather boots hit the ground, he turned, and started running after her. He didn't worry too much about the window, he already payed for it emotionally. His running was as hard as previously, but he felt kind of peckish, he was so getting some lunch...or dinner? He was getting food, didn't matter

For now, he had some antsy skinny bitch he called a friend to catch...and WHY DID SHE HAVE TO BE SO FAST!?

His face was red, almost screaming in rage as he ran after her, like some horribly angry guard. He was so going to do nothing when he got to her besides scold her....like, a lot.

At the sound of the broken glass she whirled around, mouth gaping in shock. Did he just.. what was wrong with him!? She didn't have time to think, he was already making chase! She huffed. What the heck was he thinking!?

More importantly, she had to wonder what she was thinking. She smiled a little,  finding herself sadly fond of the chase.But the thought didn't last. She only had so much time before she had to make the drop.

Her expression grew serious as she wound her way through the back alleys , finding the less guarded paths to heads towards the river. She knew Farm boy had to be close.. but how could she shake him?

As she rounded a bend she spotted a cart pile with hay. Godfrey was still a ways behind her and she was growing weary, her head pounding and body red with sweat. She was starting to see stars and used whatever momentum she has left and dove into the hay stack,  sinking within and trying to train her breathing to a slower pace. She felt dizzy. She felt sick. She just hoped she could lose Godfrey.. atleast for the night. She'd make it up to him later.  She did owe him that steak...

Now, not only was he angry cause she was running...AGAIN! But also she was doing it with a head wound, like, what she going to do? Run for a few minutes then into a wall and make the whole thing worse. He skidded as he rounded a corner, seeing her move around another, just her foot though. He gritted his teeth, he had to be fast enough to catch her before he lost her again.


He huffed and puffed as he made the bends, he glanced, they were close to the river...he could potentially get them across, she may hate him, but she would be out of the city for sure. He stopped as he lost sight of her, he looked about, road, turn, hay pile...hay pile? He looked over it, glancing at the ground, couple of straws of hay...hay looked slightly matted, she couldn't of made it far.

His brow furrowed as he marched up to the hay pile, leaning on it

"Remember how I said I would go to hell and back for ya?" he said in between breaths as he leaned forward to grab her before she choked on some hay or something. Doing his best to keep his grip gentle as possible, he didn't want to hurt her...well, brief images danced through his mind as he had to chase her, but it would be ok. A big grin on his face as she came out, as he would always be here one way or another.

When he pulled her out, she just about spilled into his arms. She didn't even fight it,  eyes glazed with dizziness and fatigue.  She was a mess, hay sticking to sweat slick clothing and her hair. She was awfully red, not even realizing she might be with fever as she was seeing stars. She closed her eyes as she gripped him suddenly, legs slackening against her will.

Godfrey caught her with a grunt, adjusting his hold so she isn't potato sack riding again, more like a cradle for her safety. He frowned at her situation, then frowned some more when he realized that jumped through the window and the inn will have most likely called the guards. He was not a happy camper, he frowned some more knowing that said unhappy inn keeper saw his face and most likely reported it...to the militarized guard looking for a thief. He closed his eyes, what was he going to do...

He opened his eyes, he knew EXACTLY what to do. He grinned, he was about to pull a move straight out of his countries most famous noble tale, that one guy who faked his death ( it was some really pompous name he didn't care to remember). He confidently walked the street, stopping out side of a better looking inn, he wrapped her in a shawl  before carrying her inside a more fine inn. Slapping more money on the table (it hurt, but not for long), asking for another room, his lady was not doing so well and had to fetch a doctor. The man rushed to help him to a room, he carried her up, putting her down as he thanked the man before shutting the door before turning around, quite red in the face.

Not out of anger, but the fact he had to search her pockets. It took him way longer to actually get the process started. Once he started, he carefully as he could searched, doing as little as possible to touch her until he found it. His eyes went wide, woah, that was one big necklace. He took it, carefully pocketing it before leaving, then coming back with a wet rag to put on her head, wiping her face off of sweat.

He later went down, telling the inn's man that he would be back hopefully after find a doctor, thanking him plenty for the room, he was truely a kind man. Then left, headed straight for the guard area. They put their halberds up, wanting to know why he was here.

Godfrey casually strolled up, holding out the necklace.

"I wish to report the princesses necklace found." he said, the guards hastily dragging him inside to where he made report to the captain. Oddly enough, the same one who arrested him a year ago. He smiled, made greeting, then got straight to business. He came back here after a year of mercenary work (hero work really), to come visit his family, went to see the princess, saw a figure leave, went to help the guard who captured said figure, said figure escaped. He chased the figure into some chamber pot area, appeared in some giant room with a burning gorilla. He tried to save the thief and a guard and failed miserablly, both were burned, the only thing left of the thief was her cloak, ash covered, but he did find the necklace. From their he got lost until now and wanted to return it.

After a moment, the captain nodded, saying there will be a much bigger reward, handing over a small sack, praises, that he should go meet some important nobles ( he really didn't want to meet any of them at the moment). He simply smiled, saying he had found a sick woman on the way who was trying to get out of the city and he needed to help her. There was some arguing that they could do it, but he insisted. They relented and would allow him access. He returned back too the inn.

He entered sad faced, saying he couldn't find a doctor, so he was going to escort the poor lady out to find a medicine woman. Went back up retrieved his ill friend, picking her up the same way he carried her in, like a gentle cradle. Then proceeded to walk out, and so he did, he walked straight out, not even the guards stopped him, just some saluting. And he kept walking out stopping as he finally left the city before turning back, his face set seriously, he needed to get her help. He layed his coin purse on top of her, it was hers, anyway, how much in there? He wasn't sure, but hopefully this makes up for faking her death and returning the necklace...he hoped.

He frowned glancing down, for now, he hoped he would be able to get her to a nearby village medicine woman, for they were safe, for now.

She made a soft noise when she finally came around. Her head was still pounding and she smelled wet metal, sweat and ...

"Ugh.. what reeks of sewage."

Blinking groggily,  she finally realized,  with a start, that she was in Godfrey's arms. She pushed a little.

"Wh.. what!? What happened... where!?" She stammered, floundering in his arms. "Godfrey...?" She looked into his eyes. "What.. what's going on?"

It was getting late, evening...most certainly past his super time. If he ever gets to this medicine woman, he wondered if he could get some ham...OH! A slice of cow, with some bacon, maybe some wheat cakes an-

He glanced down as she stirred, he chuckled before looking back down the road, the thing stretched forever

"That'd be me." he said simply with a grin, happy to see her awake, his brows went up a bit as she started to flounder, he adjusted his grip, and put his head back to avoid any push.

"Settle down thar. We're outside the city, ya have a nice pouch of gold...well, I hope its gold, ya also happened to die in that big fire that happened today, so Missendria the thief is dead...at least in that city eh?" he said with a grin, keeping his pace even, not trusting that she wouldn't start running, or worse, trip and hurt herself if he set her down.

He kept walking for a bit before turning slightly red in the ears "I, uh, had to search ya pockets for what ya nabbed, no worries, it got turned in, thats whar the gold is from, yar out of the city, nay have to worry about yar debt cause yar dead! Now ya can live yar own life eh?" he said, a large boyish grin more suited for someone in their teens then almost 20's. He was practically beaming at her  as he looked back on too the road.

"Searching for a medicine woman for ya...ya were running a bit hot, good excuse to get ya out too boot." he said nodding sagely, he was such a genius. His foot took another step on the dirt road, it was good to be back in the country, and if he pretended, he just saved an incredibly plump princess from a revolution by faking her death, just like the story. His grin broadened at the thought. Helped a friend and in heroic fashion, he chuckled at the thought.

Missendria paled despite her fever. Her head hurt so badly she needed to close her eyes.

"Wait wai wait... Godfrey.. please..put me down. I..." she felt woozy, groaning. "What are you..are you saying? You.. you . returned the necklace!?"

Never mind she was apparently dead!

He snickered despite himself, he was SO clever

"Ah yep, I returned it, said I pulled it from yar burnt corpse, guard said they'll report it when the sun comes up, and nope, nay putting ya down. Ya sick, tired, and head still hurt...you will also likely run. I'm hungry, I do not wish to do another chase whar ya may potentially hurt ya self." he said nodding sagely again

"Nay worries, we'll be hitting a town nay too far from here with a wise woman, get ya treated up for a wee bit, stay with ya until ya better, then we can discuss what ya doing from thar now ya actually a free lass." he said, like was all so simple, everything was solved, easy peasy lemon squeezy.

He smugly grinned, not only saved his friend, but she also got payed without debt. More then likely he'll... have to meet with the princess to get some other reward, he didn't want to, girl that thin has no right to be called princess, but alas, he'll go anyway, and also give that to her, as she technically needed it...unless, it was like, really big, then he's keeping that reward (like a noble title, OH! If he got a title, he could get a place like home, he would need to get a statue up for his goddess, would his parents be noble too! an-) he shook his head to stop day dreaming.

"Almost thar..." he said, he was getting kind of tired, all this carrying and running since lunch without even dinner, saddened a soul ya know?

Missendria's mind swayed as she groaned again.  She couldn't take all of this information and struggled again.
"Farmboy.. please... you can't carry me all the way.." she blinked. "Where are we going?" She wasn't some light weight! But as she struggled in his arms, she noted there was more rigid give then before.  He must've.. bulked up some, or something.
She sighed, exasperated.
"Godfrey, please! Put me down!"

He laughed

"Only if you promise not to run and use me as support, and I could, had a lot of practice recently." He will never admit to also training so he could carry a Yalthnea sized princess one day, which she was no where near.

He kept walking until then

"I'm walking ya to a village called Taer, small one outside the city, about six hours away from my village, know it had a wise woman, she treats me up sometimes when I take tasks about here...will treat you as well."

he said simply, getting ready to put her down, smiling at she still had some fire left, must mean she was getting better already!

She gave him a look.
"What if I did run off.. you gonna just chase me again?" She asked with a huff. But there was a bit of playfulness in her voice.

"Just put me down. My legs aren't broken."
.. were they?

He sighed

"Aye....please don't." he said, but couldn't help but smile himself as he stopped, gently putting her down. Once down, he watches carefully, then begins to walk


"Nay, ya legs kind of twiggy, but not broke." he said, which wasn't really true, but was kind of true, maybe not true? Doesn't matter, he got a shot in, thats what counts, verbal word play, HA!

He also took a breath, he got to shake his arms off, phew, gave him a bit of rest for sure.

He slowed his pace to walk side by side with her.

She gave him a sharp glare, but a hint of playfulness in her eyes was hard to hide.

"Twiggy legs?" Was he carrying the right woman? A twig, Missendria was not. It took her a few steps to feel comfortable walking as she put a hand to the lump on her head.

"So you said I died?" She winced and pulled her fingers away. "Well, certainly feels like it."

He almost snorted at the twiggy legs comment before chuckling


"Nay nay, in the city, aye, da opposite, in me village, legs be about normal to small dependin." he said with a grin.

He kept quite as he they moved along, houses in the distance

"Aye...thought it may be the best way to get ya out of yar situation...which ya are now, how does it feel to be free eh?" he said with a grin over before looking back

He wanted to ask now, but he felt it unfair, he would wait until she was better before he asked her once again to be his traveling companion. He stayed quite in thought...what if she said no? His brow furrowed in thought, guess he would keep going his way then. He pointed the houses a few paces in.

"See almost thar." he said, letting silence fall again...he wasn't too sure on what to say, been a while since he made small talk.

Free? Her smile was small and... sad. Godfrey... sweet as he was, had no idea how wrong he might be. Her... master.. it...
Was never so simple as a 'contract'..  In fact, she had been warned not to even try to get out of her contract. She shivered. It was best not to think about it.And her head really, really hurt.

She dropped her gaze, still uncertain how to respond.
"Feel? I feel like my heads about to explode. And I could use a month's worth of ale " She might as well laugh it up. For now anyways..she supposed on farm boy's book she was.. free.

He kept walking, sometimes glancing over to make sure she was alright, the houses getting bigger with their thatch huts as they got closer.

He frowned at her frown

"Hey...you ok?" he asked as they walked as he nodded "Inn has some...not the best, but will get ya through the night, I can order some for ya and bring it back as the wise woman works on ya?" he said, his brows furrowed in worry.

Why was she sad? She should be happy? Was this whole thing deeper then he thought...how far would he have to go to get her out? How far would he be willing to go to dig her out.

The answer was obvious, as far as he needed to, a hero did not rest until the task was done, in some ways, the task is never done...well, he won't know until she tell him, but for now a victory.

He still frowned though, things were supposed to be more...happy? Then this sad thing going on, dang...maybe he should really push for her to come? He didn't even know what she wanted. His brow furrowed again in confusion, why this gotta be so complicated?

She wobbled a little, involuntary and caught onto his arm. She apologized softly before shaking her head.

"I'll be alright. Its... been a long day."

She sighed and leaned into him, eyes closed.
"We're almost there, hrm? I could also use more rest."

He kept walking, stopping slightly to allow her balance before continuing on, he simply nodded

"Aye, aye it has."

he said simply, moving a tad bit slower before glancing over, almost there, probably in the next two minutes.

"Aye again...once in, I'll lead you to the wise woman, get us some food." he said before his brow furrowed

Oh shit...how much did a city girl eat, they had to eat less then the average girl back home...huh...fuck it, he'll just bring her that amount+extra, can't go wrong with more.

He sighed, tired himself, it had been an emotionally+physically exhausting day indeed.

She nodded, tired, and sighed as they continued.
"I hope this woman knows miracles.  Gods and the heavens know I need atleast that."

He grunted in response, as they got to the front of the village where a guard stood at ease.

The guard straightened up as they came, Godfrey waved, allowing the guard to get back to rest. Travelers waved, not bandits.

Besides, if it was a ruse, it would work well here. The two would pass in fine, if not watched a little warily. The town was small, a clear circle with a large building heavily lit, lots of noise and laughter came from it, the local inn. They passed by the inn to a much quiter darker part, to a small house where Godfrey knocked on the door.

An old woman, one that looked like a hag answered, with old gnarled hands opened the door where the hag scowled at them.

"What bring you at this time?"

She asked, voice crooked and old.

He made motion to Missendria on his arm, nudging her forward "This one needs help, she has hit her head and suffers fever." he said.

The old woman glared, scowling as she opened the door wider before speaking

"Come, have a seat, always coming hurt or to bring food...at least its not you this time." she said, beckoning them in.

Inside was various herbs hanging with a fire place to keep them warm, behind a cotton curtain must of been the old woman's room. As this room looked like a mix between a room, kitchen, and herb room. Three statues  sat on in the room, like gods. One was of the Kai, the duel god, formed in two parts, with an acorn, a green leaf, a red leaf, and a stick around the head that split into a female and male one, the next was made of dark oak in the shape of a horse, Fyarion, the body had shiny bolts in it that flickered in the light, And the last was a simple stone statue of a very curvy, but also a very fat beautiful woman with long hair.

The Kitchen hung even more herbs and a smokery built into the house, smoking something, probably from her fire place, it also had garlic and other edible, tasty herbs hanging about as well. The bed was of soft straw and where the city girl would be led.

The old lady began to look about for things, grumbling about head wounds and politices, sometimes hobbling over with an old cane to poke, prod, or feel the girl, before looking for more things, causing clanging of pots and pans.

Mean while, Godfrey went and kneeled in silence before the stone statue, staying there for a bit before standing, putting a hand on the city girls shoulder "I'll be back with some food in a bit, I trust her, she'll treat ya good." he said before waving and leaving silently to get them food.

The light was low in the room casting shadows as the old lady came back to mix herbs before speaking

"Now, this stuff is a wee bit nasty, but will heal ya up proper." she said as she began to mash things in a motor and pestle, sitting on a stool beside the bed. Soon, only thing that made sound was their breath and the motor and pestle with its almost silent thumps.

By the time the pair made it inside the old hag's hut, she was thankful to finally have a seat. Yes, it did her some good to walk so that Farm boy wasn't carrying her around needlessly, but she still felt unsteady on her feet- and her head never once stopped pounding.

As she was lead into the little place, an interesting mingle of smells assaulted her nose- heavy garlic, but things more alchemical perhaps were added to the dank and thick smell. It was almost as if the air itself were dried out by the hanging herbs, and that the dust was thick with it, too.

The little place was perhaps what one might imagine an old medicine woman might live- one who was a mystic, and mysterious in her ancient arts. So many things inside were intriguing to her, interesting Gods and idols she had never seen nor heard of- at least ones that were always cast in shadows by Kia herself.

The old woman chatted as she went to work with her mortor and pestle, grinding up the ingredients to a fine, misty powder. Her hands were gnarled and bumped over with years of callouses and swollen knuckles riddled with pains of the old. She would have offered the help the poor woman, but she was fast and efficient at her work, despite her age- and just as Missendria was finally relaxing enough in her chair, the old woman spoke again.

"I'm not worried about the taste. It can't be worse than the sewer waters," she told her, a small smile to her lips. She studied the old woman before introducing herself. "Farm boy didn't give to you my name, but I'm Missendria. Missendria Rakkel."

The old woman cackled as she pounded at the pestle

"Carlin, not from around here aren't ya? The boy normally doesn't bring other people to be fixed...nor do I remember him getting a traveling partner, but I'm getting old, memory don't work too well." she said before hobbling over to a jug, pouring it into the motor and pestle, swirling it around before hobbling back.

"Now drink this, will lessen the pain." she said, glancing from the stone statue to her before waving and shaking her head "Watch yar self with that lad...he's got weird beliefs, worshiping that strange goddess in the country they do." she said as she hobbled off to get more things, coming back with some blue glittery paste, which she goes to smear on her head, it wound tingle and itch horribly for a few seconds.

"Thats to help the fever, don't touch it now, will cool ya down."


Meanwhile, Godfrey was getting food, and was totally not sure what to do, did city girls eat anything special? He was loading up a tray, able to convince the inn keeper to lend him a wooden circle for it, loaded with ale, soups, slices of meet, cooked potatoes, stews, eggs, sandwiches, and over all too much food. He stared at it, would there be enough for him too? It was common for the woman in his town at night to eat until they were completely stuffed to the gills... he highly doubted that city girls do the same, but had to be sure, otherwise he would give up his portion. After confirming that there was in fact enough food for all factors. He walked back slowly, balancing the tray, walking back in. Where he put it on the counter, grinning, and about to speak before he was hit over the head by the old womans cane.

"What are you doing bringing so much food! She isn't Yalthneaian stone for brains!" she scolded, hitting him over the head again, as he put his arms up, trying to explain before being beat some more

"Wait some fo-" thunk "Will yo-" thunk "Stop ya old ba-" Thunk thunk

Godfrey was in a ball before the old woman 'humph' then turned back to check on her patient, then back tracking to get an ale.

"Gods know I need it for yar foolishness." she grumbled inbetween sips before hobbling over to fetch a rag, going to wet it.

Godfrey, now uncurled from his scolding beating went over with a grin and furrowed brow "Ya ok thar?" he would ask before, glancing as the old woman was coming back, Godfrey taking a couple of steps back to keep himself out of wacking distance.

"Sweated through her clothes, now get, nothing for you too see."

"Wait let me gra-"

"I SAID GET YA CLUB FOOTED, FOOD FOR BRAINS, BOY! GET!" she shouted shaking her cane threateningly

Godfrey quickly grabbed as much food as he could take before scrambling out. The old woman scoffed before turning back

"At least they respect woman, now, lets get ya cleaned up." the old bag would say, and start to get her cleaned lest she sat in sweat.

Missendria winced as the old woman applied the ointment, but did as she was told. It tingled and burned but... well, she had worse.
Like the taste of whatever it was the old woman gave her from the pestle. Kia's beard! What a hair curdling god-awful taste it was! It took most of her wits not to vomit it out, but she swallowed it down and was half wheezing once she did.

Then Godfrey returned and-
Well, the interesting show that went on was almost enough to make her forget about the fact she still felt she needed to vomit. She couldn't help herself but smile as farm boy was then shooed away and the old woman was left back to tending to Missendria in relative silence.

She hadn't realized that well, despite being in men's clothing, she was soaked with sweat and well-
men's clothing aside could NOT hide how much.. ahem womanly she was that was pronounced by such means.

Even still, she couldn't help herself but smile, and also snag whatever ale there was and guzzled it down until that almost made her vomit too. But at least most of the taste was out of her mouth. She sighed and turned to the old woman, not sure she had the stomach for food at the moment before she glanced towards the door.

"I could definitely beneath from a bath," she went on with a sigh. "Do you have waters or a well that I could use to wash? And if it's not too much trouble, a change of clothing as well." The longer she was in these clothes the worse off she'd be. Sewage water was vile and apparently she had some coin to spare.

"Even a nearby river might be nice. I need a good, thorough soak," she went on, moaning at the thought.

The old woman would help out, going back to her youth on how she used too look the same way...how much that was a lie or not is too be seen, but she seemed to be day dreaming about it as she helped with the sweat.

Eventually coming back to the present, scowling "Aye, got a cotton robe..." she said , hobbling to her own room, and coming back out with it

"Here, we have a river, nay a well, ya can go thar, best becareful, many a peeper around here, if they aren't too drunk." she snorted, complaining about drunken lechers as she got to cleaning things before looking back

"What are you doing, ok, before that stone for brains gets done eating and asks where ya are, he probably took a dunk recently himself.

Meanwhile, Godfrey was cleaning his armor in the river, as it smelled miserably. He had eaten his second sandwich, he would get too the soup and ale later...after he didn't smell. He dunked and turn, putting the clothes sopping wet to the side. After which, he would pick it up, then his ale, back in his normal peasant clothing, and going to walk back, beginning to eat his soup, damn old woman, chasing him out ,beating him with a stick...probably cause he reduced her discount from 10 to 5 percent...and cheaped her out of a gallon of milk, dang, should of let her have the gallon to avoid that beating, his head and arms smarted with those welts...hopefully Missendria was doing ok...he still worried how would she react?

Would she say yes...meaning, best case is that she goes and converts, but thats a fairytale...from the outside world, his people were weird...he was weird. What a strange world. He shook his head, taking another spoonful of the squash soup, had to wait until she was better anyway, for all he knew, the answer could be a no, for some reason, he dreaded that answer.

"Someone peeping is the least of my worries. I just want to be rid of this Sewer smell."

When the robe was offered she accepted it graciously,  and took what soaps were offered too before leaving the place for the river.  Thankfully it was nightfall and the moon offered ample lighting. She found a tall, secluded place among the river reeds and shed herself of all her clothing before stepping out into moonlit waters as she began to scrub her entire body down fervently.

Godfrey missed such a scene, heading back up, freshly cleaned himself, he knocked on the door to the olds woman's house, finishing his soup as he was tugged in the door shutting, he was pulled into a seat before the old woman sat down as well

"Listen here you, where ya been the last year? They keep sending me louts to mesmorized by leaving and starting fights, or people who can bargain too well, had enough of it." she said, slamming her staff onto the floor.

"Also, unlike you to bring a girl, even more so that she nay even yar type, whats going on before I wallop ya?" the old witch said, spitting into a spitting jar, she had some about, helped make her point.

Godfrey snorted with a grin

"Maybe its cause your bargaining's getting worse, been out doing tasks and such...and no, before ya ask, I nay found that princess yet, nay ya dare snicker ya old bat." he said before being thumped again for bad manners.

"Yow! And she's a friend...got stuck in some nasty business, been trying to get her out, and aye, she nay me type, too thin, doesn't mean I can't help her ya-" he had his arm up this time, but still got thumped before the old woman started to speak again.

"Well listen up, yar old place be missing ya, and keeps pestering me about yar health, so go over and tell them ya ain't a dead bag of bones." she said poking him with her staff, he swore on Yalthnea he would break that staff someday from all the beatings it gave him.

He sighed with a nod "Aye, been meaning to go back... haven't seen me ma or pa...and pay me respects to da lord. Poor old soul he be...maybe do some tasks about thar, strong enough me thinks to handle them dire bears and a goblin or two eh?" he said before being smacked again as the old witch spoke

"What about the girl? She ain't staying with me, so ya best do something with her before I toss her on the streets for lolly gagging, ain't a charity here." she huffed, despite her words, most of her work was technically charity

His eyes went wide "Oy! I can't just ask her to come with me back home! W-what would she think! Me beliefs make me a fre-" He couldn't even finishing before she bashed him over the knee , it didn't hurt as bad as make him jump. She cackled as she spoke.

"Ya already a freak, so might as well ask and let her do as she will, nay going to change being a freak any whar but home, and don't ya dare think of changing, nay be you without...what ever goes up in that rock ya call a head. Just letting ya know she not staying here, can't handle city folk and thar fancy ways." she said again scoffing.

Godfrey went quite and stayed that way in thinking for a minute before the wise woman got up
"Now, best you be on yar way, yar time is up for staying, thanks for paying me in food, saved me a trip for a day." she looked at the food "Or the next month, now scoot, tell that Missendar whats it to leave the soaps at the door, can keep the clothing, now scoot and get a room or start heading back or something! Just get out will ya!" she said shooing him out, he reached over to grab more food which enacted a screech from the old woman who started to beat him again until he was out the door where she promptly slammed it on him, leaving him on the front stoop.

He sat there with a couple of ales, a couple of slices of ham, and a breadbowl of stew. He sighed, putting his head in his hands, damn old woman and their smarting words.

To say bathing in the river was heavenly was an understatement. She enjoyed every single second of scrubbing off the filth of the sewers from head to toe, three times over and even letting herself sink several times deep into the river to be sure each and any crevice at all possible that needed cleaned was, before she stepped back into the reeds and let herself air dry for a time, shivering in the moonlight but enjoying the quiet calm.

After a time, she did a second pass at ringing out her hair, her wavy blonde locks much darker and heavier with curls that hung and created little rivulets down her neck and skin. When she felt dry enough, she slipped into the old robe and tied it tight to her body- it being a bit smaller on her form than the older woman's who leant it to her but...

She sighed and looked down at her sewage soaked clothes. That's when she went to work, scrubbing them out thoroughly now before ringing them dry. She had to have been gone for quite a time, but she returned in due time and knocked gently at the old woman's door.

"I... was curious if there was some place I could set up my clothes to dry."

Godfrey was still there on the front stoop, he perked his brows, going to speak before the knock happened.

A very angry grumble came from outside

"Branch outside, leave the soaps at the door, and already told stone for brains, ya ain't staying here, go find him unless he's still sulking on the front steps, he can handle yar clothes otherwise." A very cranky voice answered from inside.

Godfrey glared at the door before standing "I-I can help get those hung for ya, let me take them for ya, I can get us a room for the night as well, I checked while inside, they still have my towns room open and my folk haven't been here to trade so we're good to take it." he said, moving to take her wet clothes, he got so distracted that he didn't hang his either. He stopped to pick his up too, then taking her if allowed.

Most importantly was getting away and the clothes hung so he isn't beat by both parties, instead of the back of that old crones house, he went to the back of the inn, a line already set to where he went to hang the clothes, glancing to make sure Missendria was ok. Dress suited her, he eventually came back after hanging on the line to look her up and down with a grin.

"At least ya looking better! How ya feelin? Probably for a good sleep?" he asked, he still had food if she wanted it, if not, always enough to have a bit more, could make for some ok breakfast, but he would prefer to be home for that, alas, still about a day away.

Missendria raised a brow at his compliment.
"I suppose an old woman's robe is far more alluring than a sewage soaked suit."

And at his queries, she nodded.
"A good rest and more ale in my belly would be nice. But I suppose beggers can't be choosers. And of course," She added with a smirk. "Some decent rest in a bed."

He laughed before responding

"Aye, the robe do be, probably from lack of smell mind you." he said with a grin, before motioning for her to follow, leading her inside the inn.

The inn was broad and rustic, tables all round and of solid wood where mostly country folk were discussing their day and future plans. The floor making solid thumps as he led her to a door then led to a series of rooms. At the end, with a big door that lead to a surprisingly large room with a couple of beds and one big bed, there was also noted a rather large selection of cured food and cheese in the room to snack on as well.

"This here is my towns room when we visit to trade." he said before moving in, putting the ales he snagged from the hag down and moving to sit on one of the beds, cotton sheets and straw, smelled like home...ish, all ready! He grinned in nostalgia, tension leaving his shoulders as he layed down on it with a relaxing sigh before sitting up, his grin broader, he even seemed happier in a way, content at surrondings he was use too

"Behold! Ale and food for ya to ya hearts content, can always run to get more if need be." he said spinning around the room,  to show off the table, the beds, how they always have access to food, even the stone statue of a very fat, curvy, woman...it looked oddly like the one in the old womans house. He seemed enthused to show every bit of the room, saying how he spent so much time here, his first step into the outside room, trading, how he was able to get the food, haggle to get the statue in, even the beds! The large one was a great feat to get, but quite comfy, haggled quite a bit to get that one in PLUS for food to always be in the room.

As she was leading into the room,  she took her time to soak up the details.

"My, my, Farm boy.  I'm impressed. Seems your people have food connections here. What did you say it was you traded?" She asked, moving to grab herself a cup of ale.

He would stop as he spotted a patch of hay, it seems the good innkeep put it there special, SCORE! He took some up to get to work with a grin before sitting one of the beds and looking over, beaming happily

"Well, my village trades a lot, but my family trades generally in wheat, livestock, and hay. Over all, the village trades in cold iron weapons, armor, leather, and our biggest seller is food! We have lots generally." he said smiling before nodding as he motioned too the table.

"Aye, food is very important too my people, a successful farmer or lower nobility generally have up to 5 meals a day, it improved relations greatly when we got food put into the room for snacks after supper." he said with a grin, like he was the best haggler ever, and totally not because of that one time the lords wife came to watch and ate everything in sight...more then his people usually did anyhow, impressive woman she was...maybe thats why? His people did eat a lot.

He scratched his chin before nodding "Aye, a lot of thar ale is also ours, almost all the food products are, we produce enough food to feed the city even, our farms are our pride." he said grinning, he didn't want to spoil the surprise of telling her when she could see the magic the priestesses work in making the crops grow large and fast, or how they could get the animals larger and fatter, its what made their village so successful, they likely would of died long ago without them.

Then he frowned realized that he actually hadn't asked her yet before chuckling, putting the straw doll of a thin woman of a dress down on a table, he started to work on another with a grin

"Aye, in my town, the field stretch as far as the eye can see, the tree's thicker then houses and full of old ancient things, everything is green or the color of gold, OH! And our pumpkins! Some our the size of people!" he said proudly with a grin before waving his arms about

"Our pigs can be taller then a man and wider then doors! Nay even wolves or small bears could take our sows!" he said with a laugh as he started to ramble on more about how big his towns produce and life stock was, all of it seemed un-naturally large and tasty to his description. It seemed even the tree's and wildlife was as large too, telling of bears big as trolls and deer's antlers that could take an entire wall up.

During his telling he would put more dolls down, one of a farm boy with a hat, another woman, but more round, and another farm boy with a straw hat, slightly larger then the first one, he put them all in a row, his eyes practically shinning with a green hue with glee.

Missendria listened to him gush, her simple smile never leaving. It was more than evident through his exuberance how much he loved and cared for his home. She drank most of her ale and nodded at his embellishments of the town and gestured to him, nodding, beer in hand.
"Impressive. "

And he went on some more. It was charming. Very child like. It was good to see that aspect of him had yet to break. She wandered over towards the dolls he made, picking up one of the females and studying it in silence. Then she sat it back down and turned away from him,  thoughtfully.

"You have.. so many good things about your home. Curious.. as to why a man would leave such a thing he loved." She peered back at him curiously, tucking some hair away that fell over her face almost shyly. Then she turned away and drank nearly the rest of her ale.

He would laugh, it wasn't much, it was simply home...but compared to the rest of the world, yeah, it was special, his favorite place, and no other could come close.

His smile didn't fade when she asked the question, he did tilt his head. He hadn't told anyone before but his closest friend, not even his parents...well, too him, she was his closest friend outside of his village, so might as well spit out, hopefully she'll be too drunk to remember.

His ears turned red before he spoke, a finger going to scratching at his cheek "Stories are important to my people...and I grew up listening to ones about hero's, about saving the day, doing good, or simply stopping evil and doing whats right, even if they were a thief or murderer, with serfs becoming kings to even emperors, and in most, it ended happy, or doing what was right, even at the cost of themselves." he said before scratching at his neck, this was more embarrassing then he thought.

"A-and I wanted that, I wanted to be the hero with the shinning sword, to save the day, to get the girl and live happily ever after. Where I'm from, men are seen for their skill at arms, in combat...my family is poor, we have a farm aye, but most went to selling, my mother was quite small compared to the other wives and daughters of the other farmers, who are quite plump. We didn't have enough to train in arms me nor me father, I could of joined the guard I guess...but it wouldn't be the same. I saved up enough to get me a sword, took a few years, but I got it, did favors until I got enough supplies to leave town...I don't want to be a serf forever, I want to have my name sung by bards for my deeds, to have a princess as large or larger then Yalthnea, to have a castle and my own lands so vast and successful, that even the most poor could eat until they pop...for my name to live on and for my children to be proud of their linage. For my sons to be great fighters and strong in arms, for my daughters to be well-fed and wise where I couldn't be."

He said, taking his time to get through that chunk, his elbows on his legs before smirking and continuing

"Its much harder then I thought...the world outside is different, more cruel, not even my own beliefs, nobles are spiteful, backstabbing sports, people starve so others could feast even though they would prosper more if they gave of their plentiful stock, princesses are not as large as their land...but quite skinny, and dragons that capture you  for misunderstandings and other horrible things...I've seen so many, and so many times I wanted to go home." he said, his brow furrowing, a tear falling from an eyes before wiping it away.

"But their smiles...to see that despite my hard ship, that a town no longer has to live in fear of the bandits knocking on their door. To see a father cry when his children are back in his arms instead of a trolls belly, to be payed by the last morsel of food an orphan has because they are too poor to provide anything else...it makes it worth it, every day, and even more so that I'm doing what is right, even if my name isn't being sung, I'm a hero, to my own people and friends." he said with a grin, sniffing as he rubbed his nose slightly, can't go crying now after all of that

His brows shot up, shit might as well tell her now that he's pouring his heart out or he never will.

He clapped his hands before continuing

"So...I want you to come with me, as I said before, a year ago, yar the best person I know outside of my village, and one of the kindest I know as well...and a good friend, I trust you with my life, and I want you to join me in my adventures...but things ya should know about me, and my, uh village." he said as he made a motion to the stone statue

"That is my goddess, Yalthnea, and my village's goddess, including the surrounding villages where I'm at, the goddess of Battle, Fertility, and Growth, and many, from what I've seen would consider us...strange." he said taking a breath before continuing

"Um, compared to the outside, its viewed as beautiful for a lady to be plump and fat, and its a casting system where I'm at, as the fatest generally is more successful and richer then the others, we as men are viewed for our might and strength in arms to protect our lands and ability to give to our families. I too hold those same views, which I learnt are quite strange or even disgusting by some folks...for example, you are very pretty and compared to your peers in the city, shaply, but in my home town, you are thin and many would think you starved in torture, or the poorest of poor." he said as he scratched the back of his head, oh boy, this was getting hard

He swallowed before continuing "I...I wanted to let you know before you made a choice to go your own way, or to come with me, as those are my peoples beliefs, and we are a wee bit strange....umm yeah, what ever you choose to do, it is up too you, you are free and I'll always be here for you, even if you choose to go your separate way, I'll always come and check on you year after year...you're my only friend outside of my hometown anyway." he said with a big grin, trying to crush the panic on the inside, he had never done this before, its not like he was asking her to marry him oh jeez, but it still was nauseating stressful...wait, was she drunk? Perfect, hopefully she won't see how embarrassing or red this made him.

And he was bright red, and sweating bullets despite his smile, clearly, this took some effort to get out, sometimes even like he was chocking to get the words out of fear, but he said it honestly, and he would wish her well regardless of choice...she was one of his only friends. He sat there, back straight, his hands gripping his knees until the knuckles were white as he waited...he may have stopped breathing as well.

Godfrey was... a lot to take in; from his enthusiasm of words and actions themselves. Her smile was small as he went on, gushing about his home land, family and dreams. At first, her blush mirrored his when he spoke about finding himself a lover, her stomach wriggling some in flip flops of uncertain emotions.  Primarily because saving the girl was exactly what she kinda was to him.

But as he went on about his goddess and finding a fat princess,  she couldn't help herself but hide her slight pang of jealousy with a carefully practiced smile that didn't falter, eyes glistening drunkenly as she listened.

It.. was alot to take in. A hero..
Farm boy had several noble goals. Which is why him asking her to join him actually hurt, an awward sensation curling within itself in an acidic knot within her belly. She wasn't even sure what to say, after all, he had said so much.

And her head was dizzy. She was drunk.

So.. she laughed.  Before realizing, with a bit of sobriety.
"Wait.. you're being serious?"

He clasped his hands, and nodded

"Aye, I am, as I said before ya a friend, a good friend, one of the kindest people I've met, an-and yar a good person, I mean it too." he said nodding again, he wasn't sure what else to say.

He went quite, a mix of emotions dancing on his face, his eyes continuing to sparkle green, the flecks dancing

"I...I don't want you to feel that you aren't noble...to me, you are a good person what ever ya tell yar self. I've met with knights, nobles, counts, dukes, other farmers, even priests that do good...and almost none of them actually do, yet you do, you do care...whatever decision ya make, know you are a good person, and special too me." he rambled on awkwardly before shutting up, he wasn't sure what to see, but he did want to come across as honest as possible which he was.

He had a lot of thoughts about her, he liked her, she was a good person, she was attractive, missing out on his people's standards, but most thought that weird...he even doubted he could get a princess that even believed in what his people believed in...what if he became noble himself? Without marriage? Just through his own skill and merit? That was an interesting thought.

And such thoughts helped distract his own knot of anxiousness, he had a feeling she would say no, and it ate at him, and he didn't know what to do about it, or his own feelings about the situation.  He kept his face neutral as possible, though, he probably looked anxious, maybe even a little scared as he waited, this, thus far, was one of the most scary things he had ever done...and he was unsure why.

How was she to reply to that? The farm boy with the near unhealthy ambitions to do good.. be a hero... While it was charming, it was almost a bit exhausting to her, as one might compare to the tolerance of the exuberance of children. And she felt.. strange , a uneasy tickling Whirling within her belly as he went on, praising her, nearly a woo, and she just couldn't help but feel... guilty.

She had not known farm boy for long, but a night in jail would make anyone a bit closer. She could hardly comprehend how he deduced she was such a good person, one he was willing to take on as a travel companion on his adventures. She certainly didn't feel like such a good or worthy person, and his ignorance became transparent by this request.

She felt awful  and awfully confused, because she felt as though she must have done something to string him along, make him ignorant to her vices and become charmed. She was no hero,  nor hero's ally. In fact, she wasn't even perceived as Godfrey's type, a curvaceous woman, yes- a large and pleasantly round one? She was not.

She was also by no means an adventurer, and in fact, she felt she made pretty awful life decisions, one being the choice to follow a man and fall in love with him.  It hurt too much. Things were far easier when she was alone.

She steeled her emotions; her stomach still churning in knots. She wasn't sure how to reject him, knowing it was the only option she ought to do.And she was tired. And she was drunk.


Oh. She was drunk.

She kept her smile cooly upon farm boy as she took her time to reply,  no doubt his heart gnawing over with anticipation. That much was evident in his demeanor.  And.. was he sweating with his blush?

"Farm boy," She went on, laughing softly through closed lips. "Do you even realize what you're asking? Who you're asking?" She did that closed mouth chuckle again, smiling her polished, coy smirk as she held onto her drink.

"Don't ask me such foolish things when I'm drunk. " she took a moment to toy with part of the man's sleeve. It was a habit she picked up when toying with men for information and Godfrey's question put her on the defensive. She smiled her little coy smile and shook her head. "I can barely keep my eyes open, or comprehend what even happened. My head hurts and the room seems to be rocking like I'm on a ship."

She chuckled and patted his hand.

"The only thing I can answer for you right now is that I could go for another drink. I just want to get drunk enough to pass out." She raised her glass to him and smirked. "You should join me." Because drunk men were easier to deal with than this.

Godfrey was waiting in gnawing anticipation, he scolded himself for his thoughts, he would accept what ever answer was given, and if be, he would return after another year, even if tonight would hurt like no other. He had dealt with such pain before, and he would deal with it again.

He tilted his head in confusion, why was she asking that.

He took a moment to nod "Aye, ya are Missendria, my friend...and also yes, its...hard, I never asked anyone to be a traveling companion with me, a-and I'm sorry for being so anxious...I've noticed the world thinks much differently then me or my little town, most people find it weird, and not something I ever really told anyone before, so I got nervous." he said, not mentioning that he wasn't used to talking to pretty woman, but thats something he would never admit, ever, at least too her.

Then his eyes widened, she was indeed drunk, and he chided himself some more, should of thought of that before telling her so much, she wouldn't even remember probably with her head and drink...on the other, thats exactly why he told her. He was scared she would, he had a niggling voice in the back she would say no, ever after all of this time...he could choose to follow her, but she would also reject that...maybe it didn't matter how much he tried, maybe the answer would still be the same. Sometimes, not even hero's could accomplish things, and their first task was letting go they couldn't do everything, that failure would happen. To Godfrey, he had a hard time even thinking of accepting failure, much less thinking about it.

He went to open his mouth to speak, shut it, then opened it again with a smile of his own.

"I'll drink with you a while, but not too much, I have to be awake in the morning." he said, trying to keep his cheer, but a gloomy stoicism took hold, he knew the answer, and it hurt, it hurt so bad...maybe its not because he couldn't have her follow or he follow her, but because deep down, she didn't want him close, a friend...maybe she never saw him as a friend, but a tool? That thought hurt even worse, it made him feel empty inside.

He grabbed an ale, making sure it was one of the smaller, less heavy in booze ones, going to knock her glass with his, using his spare hand to open it, then pretend to take a swig, when he only but took a sip. For now, this is all he could due to easy her too comfort, he wouldn't sleep well tonight...he didn't want to drown himself like a war vet, he had seen that path too many times, nor wished to walk it. He would face his mistakes openly, nor get too drunk to share the horror's he had scene, for he did not wish to harm her, or see him in such a pathetic state, she did not need his burdens when she had her own, besides, she was likely to travel her own way. At least, even if it was faint, he would keep a twinkle of hope.

He took another fake swig, when it was but another sip, a calm acceptance coming over him, he grinned at her, a cheery one compared to his previously stoic grin, like something changed and decided upon, he made a motion.

"Aye, our drink is solid, both ale and mead." he said nodding, he would weep his losses when she slept, until then, he still had his promise too keep, and would enjoy this time, as he was unlikely to ever do this again with her, yet another punch to the gut, and another reason to weep.

Oh she might be a little drunk, but she wasn't far enough gone not to check on his progress with his drink.
"Hey.. farm boy.. you gotta drink more than that. You can't just sip at your drink if you're gonna drink with me. " She smiled at him playfully.  He should atleast get a little tipsy.

He shook his head with a grin as he drunk

"I don't want to get too drunk, for all I know this may be the last time I see you, and I want to remember every minute of it." he said, despite the grin, it was oddly serious as he took another sip,

"If I get too drunk, how am I going to remember? So tell me more about yar self since ya head pounding drunk? Might make me drink more ya know." he said with a chuckle, he wasn't going to drink more, he was going to remember every single moment and keep this fun moment for as long as possible, cause before he knows it, it might be gone by tommorow.

Oh..
Oh she could not help herself but laugh,  a sudden bark of a noise that she couldn't hold back any longer as it exploded from her the moment he stopped.
And
. She.. kept.. on.. laughing, full belly laughs.

He blinked at the laugh, joining her in laughing, at least she was laughing, maybe it was at him, but it was something, he grabbed one of the stronger drinks for her, leaning back with a grin.

"Watcha ya laughing about? My serious comments? I'm being serious ya know." he said watching, chuckling, content too see her happiness before snickering

"Ya know what helps with ya drink, food." he said sliding over some food, which was more moving the entire table over, he knew she was drunk but not THIS drunk. He laughed at the thought, shaking his head, yet still grinning.

"You.." she tried to speak, but through her fits of laughter it was hard. She finally calmed down enough to wipe at her eyes as she shook her head. Her lips were still curled, eyes twinkling as she leaned forward at the table.

"You know.." she went on with a smirk.  "You're probably the first man I know to refuse to get drunk with me. Most men aren't.. they just don't.." she laughed again. "You definitely are something unique, Farm boy."

Most men had just one thing in mind. Farm boy? She supposed he had some sort of one track mind, that was for sure.

She was still smiling, laughter in her eyes.  She glanced down at the offered food, and took a large piece of it, and then a large bite before speaking through a full mouth as she chewed moaning.
"Gods I must be starving,. This food tastes like heaven. "

He raised a brow before chuckling

"Aye, I do be one of a kind, don't let yar self down, ya do be as well." he said with his own grin...what was she referring too? Two people drunk normally results in telling of sad tales right? Right? According to the tales he read, mostly secrets, tales, and uh...more tales?

He shrugged before taking another sip, didn't matter, he was happy that she was happy. He did grin ear to ear, she liked the food! Of course she did, its his recipe for smoked meat that she was eating after all, he sold that for 4 cows last year. Now he wasn't that prideful, but he was a magical cook, and in a town where every single person cooks better then anyone from any place else he ever ate, including noble food? Oh yeah, he was confident in his cooking.

He nodded "Aye, me own special recipe ya eating thar, and ya probably are, glad ya like it! Its renown even in my own village!" he said as he pushed some other plates. Now, at home, during this time, which was dinner, it was common to eat until they were engorged...did city woman do the same? Probably not, but it would be so hot if she did.

He grinned, lost in his day dream before blinking and snapping back to reality, shaking his head and taking another sip, oh yeah, what he needs, imagining sexy things before she goes, great, real great. He chuckled at the ridiculous of it, flicking his ears before they turned red.

"Ya must not get food like this in the city huh?" he said with a smug grin before laughing "Also, call me Godfrey, or should I just start calling ya skinny bone?" he said with a laugh, even happier that she enjoyed his food and the drink, pride and joys of his town they were.

"Your recipe?" She asked, mouth gaping before swallowing her food. "You might want to rethink you're career." She smirked, which broadened even more at his quip.
"No.. I think I rather like Farm boy," She said, smuggly popping more food into her mouth.

He laughed

"Aye, loved the stories too much, besides, wanna be free I tell ya, free! If I'm a lord, sure I got to till me land and manage all of that lord stuff, but I could cook when ever I wanted too...it relaxes me, it, uh, also helps with the uh....getting a princess thing." he said turning red.

"Everyone likes good food, 'eard that a woman's heart lies in her stomach...so I tried extra hard to learn to cook, thank ya for the compliment." he said turning bright red.

FOCUS GODFREY! Don't get distracted! She's likely to be gone by tommorow! TOMMOROW! He shook his head, still bright red thought.

"Uh, anyway! Ya like farm boy eh? Then skinny bone will be yars, fits ya, or ya want another thar city girl? And nay, can't choose city girl, gotta have a bit more...zing? Ya think?" he said with a grin, the objective was happiness until she slumbered! He blinked, remembered how sad it'll be when she's gone...even though he'll see her in a year...damn, why does he even need to stop trying? Momma always said to keep trying. It cheered him as he took another drink.

At this point of time, even thought he barely drank one/third of the bottle, a fatal weakness of his, his tongue and thoughts got more cheerful, as in nature, he's a happy man, even though he's no where close to being drunk, just tipsy, it cheered him greatly from his solemn mood.

Missendria moaned. It might have even sounded like she was doing something other than eating.
"Well, a princess would have to be without a mind to pass up this good of food " She went on, eating with haste and licking her fingers clean between great big bites.

"And it's alright if you can't come up with a nickname," She chuckled. "Not everyone can be as clever as me." She smiled proudly at that, stuffing even more food into her face, most unlady like but hell if whe cared. Who knew when she could get this much good food ever again. 

"But my friends call me Missendry. Or Missy. Well, to be honest," She went on, swallowing her food down with more drink. "If I still had friends anyways I'm sure that's what they'd call me."

She paused a moment, eyes widening as she laughed out , "Or a clever person could go with Miss End Me." She was still laughing as she got another helping of food. Food and drink should help her sleep, besides. Especially if she has a filled belly.

"That's it!" She stood and raised her glass at the idea. "Miss End Me the world famous thief!" She laughed but then the world was spinning as Missendria suddenly toppled over towards the ground.

He was growing more red by the moment as he shifted himself about as he nodded awkwardly

He also nodded "Aye, n-nay the most uh, clever." he said, trying to pretend he wasn't tomato red, and failing miserably.

He did raise a brow "Oy, I'm a friend." he said before both brows shot up, and he laughed, but had an uneasy feeling.

"Miss End Me? Nay nay, does sound good, but rather ya not die on me or fall on me." he said laughing before she actually toppled over. He rushed over, knocking his chair over in the process to catch her, hard wood floors would NOT help her head. He slid to catch her, even if that meant falling over on him before moving about to pick her up, or sit her up on a bed. Laughing nervously as he went to speak.

"Mayhaps its time ya sleep Miss End Me." he said with a sad smile, ah shit, he was already feeling sad, damn, like a good dream, gone in the morning...fuck.

The two landed together on the floor in, the action being heroric and innocent enough. Too bad for the already flustered farm boy that the woman he was saving was nearly falling out of her robe when she landed over top. And he'd have a good view, especially as she pressed herself up off of him, the action making her precarious clothing situation far, far worse as the front of her robe opened wider.

And it seemed she was none the wiser.

As Godfrey stood and scooped her up into his arms, the robe spilled down one shoulder to expose it, and the angle only made her nearly free pair of breasts appear to be nearly bursting at the seems. And Missendria's reaction wouldn't be helping.

Her smile was playfully coy as her eyes danced while he carried her to bed.

"You taking me to bed already? And here I thought you weren't drunk enough to ask," She teased, voice even a little sultry and her body,  leaning forward just a little that Godfrey just about had an open show. It didn't help that the robe was also hiked up some, showing off shapely legs in turn.

Godfrey was happy to catch her, but his brain almost malfunctioned  at her...uh, clothing situation. This was probably was the closest he's had to being in a room with a woman with, er, such a clothing situation.

If he wasn't red already, he would be even redder now, staring like a surprised Pikachu meme  before looking away, cause like, wow, for how thin she was, very impressive...uhh, assets.

He stared at the ceiling the rest of the way, which may have looked easy, but in his mind, he was having an internal war to not look down. It was currently a stalemate as he robotically carried her over and put her down before nervously laughing.

"Ya wish, maybe if ya stuffed yar self swollen, started to fatten up, and wanted belly rubs." he said before putting a hand over his mouth. Did he just fucking say that?! By the goddess he did, he wanted to die, he needed to settle down before this got even worse. It already was, he felt like screaming and running around in circles while the bells chimed doom. He glanced down and stared for another minute before he pushed his head aside, grabbed a mug of water and dumped it on himself.

He shivered in the sudden coldness as he slapped himself, facing away from distraction incarnate over there and before he could say anything else that would make him want to stab himself. He put his hands over his eyes as he clobbered the lustful uprising in his head forcefully. It was a long moment before he spoke.

"Uh, nay nay, ya drunk, should get sleep, saying silly things." besides, she was a city girl, there was no way she would EVER want to do anything he just said, it was probably disgusting (Learnt the hard way, also, never, EVER call a noble woman pretty straight up, very likely you'll be beat up, tossed into a cell, then have to fight the corrupted system to get out) to her. He shook his head and stared into a corner,  as he shook his head and went to clean up, or find a bucket of water to dump on himself.

His mind was going crazy in emotions and panic, highly distracted as he  searched about, not franticly, but obviously shocked and distracted by his own thoughts, what the fuck was happening?!

Where she was discarded onto the bed, she lay like a sultry minx on her side. Her eyes sparkled as she watched Godfrey flounder and half drench himself in water.

"You mean like this?" She asked about his swollen statement, holding up the small statue of his goddess , the item on question. She let herself take on the statue from where she lay, this time it would have to be confirmed she wasn't topless to one degree but.. somehow she was just barely hanging onto decency.

The statue, if he were to look, was the one she just so happened to pick from his pockets.

He would glance over, eyes wide, his statue-by his goddess's tits, he was SO glad he didn't drink more.

All together more red as he searched his pockets, his mouth dropping, his statue! He almost forgot by uh...get his statue, focus, no more running around in fire. He could do this, he got this, he was the man. He took three steps and almost passed out as he forgot to breath.

"Errr, can I have that back? Its important, the priestess gave it to me so the goddess would always watch over me and smile at my achievements." he said, going to sit gently on the side of the bed, cause passing out from lack of breath and panic would not look cool for the future.

The statue its-self was a lot more detailed then the larger ones. The hair was long and wild, going almost all the way to the statues feet. The statue its-self was nude and despite being able to fit in the size of her palm, it would probably be a very, very large person in life. The statue had a round face with eyes that seemed to gleam, maybe some sort of obsidian or gem? It was hard to tell the color in the light, it seemed to go from blue, to green, to sometimes even orange. The statue had a wide happy smile, motherly in a way. The statues limbs were long and thick, the statues hands were resting on the statues very large stomach on the sides, like it was hard to reach the middle. The stomach was quite large, massive enough that it rested right above the statues knees. The statue's chest was quite large, resting heavily on her stomach. Making the statue look bountiful. The legs looked thick and strong to hold the frame, with an ample backside with hips extremely wide, even the rolls in the back were detailed, and yes! The statue was gem encrusted, it was hard to tell, but things sparkled when it hit the light, like just under the surface. It was obviously very well made.

He looked at the statue with slight worry, but also seemed to smile at it as he looked away, totally not using the statue to look at the very drunk ladies uh...form, nope, not at all (why was she so HOT).  He nodded silently, he needed to take his mind off his companion, he started to talk, the statue bring nosalgia, perfect, home was a good way to distract.

"Aye, it is the ultimate goal to reach Yalthnea's size for woman from the perspective of our tribe. The bigger, the more blessings one gets as they absorb the powers of the earth...I plan to go back home soon, as their is old magic back home, and I hope to learn some, most of the magic that the priestess knows is tied to growth, not a domain I have access too, but battle? Aye, that is my role, but it has been aeons since we had a priest, only appearing in times of war or need for more land, when the village needed to stretch its borders." he said, looking down, the only safe space that wasn't too his left, it helped to calm him to think of home (though his head was screaming at him to look). 

He didn't, he kept chatting about home, red in the face, she may spot a small book sticking out of his pockets as he waited for her to return his statue that seemed to sparkle happily  in the light in a pretty red color.

Missendria only studied the statue in passing. She had never seen a woman in person so hefty before, the closest being the baker's wife from her own little town. And the wife had seemed very happy.

But then she noticed his red face. Then his butt- more notably the journal sticking out and she, more obvious and more playfully, dove for it and snatched it from his pants.

Godfrey was lucky his back was to her, or else he would have gotten a free show. The robe was just about to undo itself as she lay there beside him,  resting on her belly as she opened the book with smug interest.

"What's this? Does farm boy have a cheque book? Or ..personal diary?" She began to flip through some of the pages.

WARNING: Dark thoughts in the journal

He would keep sitting there, waiting for the statue, before his journal was taken, his eyes went wide, oh no. There was a lot in there, his desires...his lusts...his pain, his happiness...thank goodness she was drunk, maybe she'll be distracted...maybe she won't remember, but those are words, his statue is more important, someone from his village gave him that, and he could always buy another journal, he couldn't this statue.

Speaking of distraction, he turned, relaxing that she was on her stomach and not that he could see anything (he might of done something embarrassing, and he should not be taking advantage of a drunk woman...well) he stared for a moment before he grabbed a plate of food and simply nudged it closer. Meaning, he was a good guy, but not a saint and she was drunk, just going to leave some food about in hands reach...just in case.

He also took the chance to try and tack the statue back, being very gentle while she was distracted by his journal, acting like her hands were like a childs.

The journal was bound in leather, and relatively new and well carried for. If she had the sense to notice it, it was meticulously organized.

Some random pages include

"I met with house Nabork today, they lost their daughter, kidnapped. I found her dead, overdosed on drugs in a whore house. I burned the place to the ground after rescuing those trapped, I found more dead inside, including an attempts at a demon cult. The number was 23. The family grieved and I was payed...I did not deserve this money.       47 days until I visit my friend and go home



I couldn't sleep tonight, the same dream again and again, I wanted to quite and go home.

I had to kill a group of possessed children today, I was too late too save the rest, they died in my arms. I was able to stop the priest causing the issues, fell into madness...I thought about drinking my troubles away, I choose not too, I'm proud of myself


I couldn't sleep tonight, I've done such terrible things, I've failed so many times, I don't know what i'll do if I fail again...23 days until I see my friend and home


0 days until I see my friend and home, I'll ask her to join me again...but I have a feeling she'll reject me, I'll be upset at the time, but I've done much, she won't die, I'll see her again, be it in a year or sooner, you'll be ok Godfrey, you'll see her again in a year. It'll be ok

Hey bud, 32 more days, you can do this, I know its rough, I know the ogre is scary, but that family is going to be so happy, you'll be able to send this money home to your family, you'll get a little stronger to help the city girl, it'll all be worth it, just take it one step at a time

The journal seems to have much more of this in poor, but readable hand writing, including interesting drawings and maps of ruins that connect to his goddess, but the tide goes up and down with very dark thoughts and horrible deeds, to supportive messages, and the good he's done. Its very...mixed? Chaotic despite the organization. It seems he was counting down the days too as well. In fact the journal was bought that same day if she were to look at the first page.

He would allow her to read, simply sitting beside her, staying quite, it hurt to look at, some parts made him smile, but over all, it was a reminder of why he got up every day, and why couldn't nor wouldn't stop getting up everyday.

As distracted as she was by reading the journal, she was a master of sorts, of her craft. When he would try to sneak the statue back, she cleverly moved it away, until he tried enough times that she promptly sat on it. Then sat up with a grin.
"Farm Boy, whats all this talk in here about a friend?" She showed him the page, but didn't actually show him it.
"Wait.. are you counting down to your reunion?" She went on with a giggle.

Godfrey's eye twitched, yes he was counting down when he saw her next she was pleasant, kind, smart, he genuinely liked her, was he attracted to her? Of course, meaning, she was rail thin, but she was pretty. But he she probably didn't like him, nor his life style, and he had a princess to catch (maybe, who knows).

He grinned, suddenly going to pick her up, and sit where she was while putting her on his lap, bam, situation solved...wait, now he was sitting on his goddess, may she forgive him, and she was sitting on him! Know what? Fuck it.

One hand around her waist, the other taking a handful of meat, and going to put it into her mouth next time she spoke, he was already red and no way was she going to make fun of how much he cared about things, cause he cared a lot. He would be gentle of course, not wanting to hurt her, make her quite, yes, he was quite tired of being red. Besides, she could do with more meat, win-win situation, obviously.

The free hand would start to make small circles on her stomach. Would this help her sleep? Maybe, he knew it was relaxing, his dad did it to his mom whenever she overate or wanted to relax, so it must work a little bit, right?

He looked away while this was happening, he was quite excited, AND had a girl on his lamp, a thin one, sure, but he had a girl on his lap, woah. His brain was doing everything it could too not shut down at the moment. So much so, that he forgot to say anything at all besides coy looks and embarrassment, he didn't even notice!

And talk back she did, or atleast she tried, before whatever food it was got stuffed into her mouth. She couldn't help but laugh and jerk away, shaking her head to avoid more.

"You can't silence me so easily, Farm boy! I know your weakness! This friend..!" She went on, holding up the journal to keep it out of his reach, atleast the best she could. She was too drunk to properly realize it was her, but buzzed enough that she enjoyed tormenting her farm boy hero.

He would try to put more in, but it wasn't very hard, and wouldn't try very hard, he would grin

"Oh ya? What if said friend is you? What now huh skinny?" he said with a grin, now trying to win this embarrassment game
,
"What then eh? What if it you? Cause it is? Maybe its because I like ya, think ya great, even if ya need to grow a gut, ya would look great with one." he said, no longer carrying to watch his tongue, this was ridiculous "Maybe to ask ya to be my first wife or something...not that I was, but I was going to ask to come with me, beside the point." he said, still red in the face, jeez, like he was confessing to a crush without confessing...well she was a crush, whatever, he was going to confess, ever, not like she liked him back, and she was nicer then any princess he met regardless.

He tried to stay calm despite his attempts to playfully put food in her mouth and rub her belly, he didn't want more nonsense coming from her mouth unless he worked for it, and it was a first time touching a female stomach (SCORE!) even if it was thin...but still, very nice.

Even drunk and giggled up as she was, Godfrey's words were a little sobering, even if it took a moment to comprehend. It was then she realized just how cozy the pair had become and she dropped her gaze, lips still plastered in her playfull little smile, as ratty curls of drying blonde hair hung about her face. Despite her hair being a veritable mess, it looked good on her, sexy. But she had to be careful how she played her cards now so to not hurt Farm boy anymore than she should.

"Lets... not be told hasty now. I think..:"she went on, slipping away from Godfrey's attentions and scooting herself closer to the edge of the bed, a leg now draped over the side as she smoothed back some hair and consciously fixed her robes to be a little more modest.
"I think we ought to slow down on our drinks, Farm boy."
Before one of them got hurt..

She avoided his gaze as she fussed over her hair, then readjusting her dress as she cleared her throat.
"Besides,am I to really believe you'd think of me so fondly after i got your ass sent to jail that you'd keep track of the days we'd meet again?"

His brows raised and he laughed hard, o-ho! How the tides have turned! A large grin on his face as she moved away, he retrieved the statue under his butt (may the goddess forgive that), putting it back into his pocket as he remained on the other side.

His smile remained as he looked about, not wanting to stare as she fixed her self up, an arm over the side before he glanced back, his smile fading, hasty, HASTY?! He laughed hard again before grabbing his barely sipped bottle.

"Ya the one that needs to slow down a little, going to have a killer pain in yar head come morn, I'll get ya some water, I'll be fine." he said snickering as he shook it and put it back, going to the pitcher of water (thank the inn keeper) and going to pour her a mug before looking over, his smile fading as he suddenly got serious.

"Aye, and ya didn't get me send to jail, I got me self sent thar...as I've said so many times, I'll say it again, I think fondly of ya and trust ya completely...unless ya getting stubborn about running again, then mayhaps not, but over all, aye...ya and me town were the only light keep me sane with all the horrible things I've seen." he said coming back  and handing her a mug.

"Think better about yar self, yar a great person." he said before sitting on a bed across from her, maybe if he kept saying it, she'll believe it, he lost count after the 4th time, but maybe it would sink in, he stood up to get himself a mug speaking of which.

She continued to avoid his gaze. By Kia's name, he was too innocent. If he had any sense, he'd run the opposite direction of a girl like her.

She should hurt him, crush his heart..
But did she really want to? It might get him off her back, stop accusing her of being such a good friend...

But he was stubborn,  and seemingly stubborn more than most, atleast where his dreams were concerned.

She accepted the water and took a sip, the quiet reminding her how much her head ached.  She drank only some of the water, holding it for a time before setting it off on a table nearest the bed.

"This day has been far too long." She forced a yawn, standing as she stretched and walked away from him. "I think I need to sleep off it all." She smiled, another forced one,  well practiced.  "So which bed is mine?" She asked, finally turning to him.

It was quite, he didn't like it, it left him too much time to create fantasies of everything that happening. He grumbled as he wandered over to a bed, and sat down, might as well start getting ready, keep his mind focused on something that wasn't what ever is currently happening.

He glanced over as she finally spoke as he made a sweeping motion

"All the beds if ya wish, I recommend the big one though, most comfortable, I'll be sleeping in this one here." he said, patting the one he was laying down in, he went back to staring at the ceiling

"Just tell me when ya ready and I'll get the lights turned off for ya, unless ya sleep with it until it fades?" he asks sparing another glance with a lazy, sleepy grin. He kept the grin despite knowing that the night was soon to be over, and in the day, she would be gone. It hurt a little.

He would offer her the larger one.She nodded,  but frowned as she thought it over. "I'm not sure I could sleep well with the lights on, " she admitted, although it was only half truth.

"And the lights are hurting my eyes, " She added. Then she sighed and stood. "But I can snuff them out if you're ready to call it a night."

He grinned and made a gesture going to stand, but she already beat him too it, he went back down to relax with a grin

"Be me guest! And may the gods watch yar dreams this night, hope ya feel better in the morning." he says, watching her until the lights went out before staring up at the ceiling, then closing his eyes, hoping sleep will claim him before she escapes or his own sorrow claims him...it did allow him to think, what would he do if he was successful? Get his own catch of land, plenty of farmland, his own castle for all his friends and family to live in...a gift to give to those he loved.

Sleep slowly claimed him with distractions of  what ifs and what could be's, all a distraction to help himself sleep, and his friend to do as she wished, may she be safe when he wakes.

One by one the candles were capped, the room filling with the smoke of their dead light. And when the shadows took over, the sounds of the night became louder. Godfrey had fallen asleep before Missendria, but she couldn't fight it off much longer after he. The day had been too long.

But she slept fitfully, stirring well before the morning light while crickets still chirped. She sat up, raking a hand through her hair and peered around the room, confused a moment before she recalled the events of the day- and her pounding her reminded her that it would not be easy to forget, either.

She noted Godfrey was still sleeping, breathing calmly as she slipped out quietly from the bed. She hadn't much to gather, just a few things Godfrey had afforded her. She was 'dead ' after all. She supposed it was time to start over.

She peered over at Godfrey as she made her way towards the door. He might not ever forgive her but guilt would eat away at her if she stayed. He may think he saved her, but she knew better. She had to move, and as fast as she could.Her master would catch her trail eventually and it was best not to be anywhere near farm boy or his home.

She smiled sadly at his sleeping form before whispering 'Sleep well, Farm boy. " And she disappeared into the dying night.

His dreams were confusing. He saw the garden, the mighty grove of Yalthnea, from there he saw a mighty city, fields as far as the eye could see, a castle that towered mightily over the populace that it protected. People danced, no man nor woman starved. Grand portals leading to exotic places roared with arcane energies, transporting goods. Forges pounded with elemental fury, runes grow brightly on the weaponry of soldiers, strong as steel and tough as mountains. That he sat on a throne, surrounded by friends and family amongst a great court with fattened wives and vast amount of children.

"Grow"

A single echoing word heard before it vanished with visions of deeds, of him fighting against horrors, facing raiders, dragons, ghouls, giants, and other things as the city broke down, then built its-self up and spread, and grew, and grew and grew.

He awoke with a gasp, a cold sweat from his dream  as he sat up, hands cleaning his brow, what a terrifying vivid dream, he had none like any other. He looked about, reorienting himself to reality instead of the vastness and power that was his dream. The room, Missendria! S-she was gone. His heart sank as he looked about, another year...but how could he hear of her troubles he shou-No, she made her choice and he would respect it, another year, another chance. He cleaned his covered his eyes, steadying his heart, easier said then done, but at least it came with out shock.

After a moment he stood up, looking about for his journal, left too the side as he began to get cleaned up. After finding it and a nice bath in a basin of water (thank the fires for hot water). He would write the day, another 365 days to go, or sooner if he hears of her troubles.

He got dressed, payed his inn bill and went home. He was well received, where he told of his journey thus far, he met back with his parents, his mother growing fatter, his father stronger as the farm grew. He went to the priestess, hearing that only those blessed by Yalthnea could wield magics, and only her children. He was no woman, that was not his gift to bear. However, he did hear of her champions of ages past, tales of his heroes of his child hood, they were not myths. He heard rumors from the priestess that the ruins around may still bear their weapons, perhaps he could find power within the past? Of weapons and armor in an era long power him, an era where Yalthnea held sway amongst tribes before being beaten by warriors of iron and strange powers.

So he stayed for a day, enjoying the comfort of home, easing his sorrow, ignoring the protests that he still remained without companion on his journey, that he should stay and be with kin instead of the strange world outside. He wanted too, he so wanted too...but he was going to be a hero, and he would do it, it was a dream, something he would never allow to be crushed, even by his lonely soul and his mother's gentle nagging and heavy nudging that he should settle.

The next day he left, in search of a near by ruin, in seeking of power. The priestess told him much, but not a prophecy that she has been kept secret ever the generations of priestesses, each being told to to the young ones to carry on to the next until it was time, a prophecy given when the Children of Yalthnea and her Champions disappeared one day.



[END THREAD]