Spirits of the Earth

Tags to @LostSoul
Mature theme due to horror themes

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"Miss Missendria, I'm quite surprised by your deceit.  You, a beholden of a debt impaired, seemed atleast wiser than most frail waifs charged for their men's misdeeds. It never occurred to me your last inquiry of payment suggested you were this anxious to see the debt fulfilled. Had I but known you were starved for reckoning, I would have told the steward a more proper deed, one that could have abolished all such future debts held unto me. The money and interest your lost love owed was quite steep, but seems to me you believe this freedom to debt is atleast worth your life or you would never feign to forfeit it in such a public manner."

The chained woman lurched forward viciously, fire evident in atleast one eye, the other having been swollen shut by fresh bruises that matched the ones lumped all over her soiled and battered body.
"Fuck you."

The man seated at the simple mahogany desk smiled,  eyes shining and never leaving her form before he rose from his chair.
"Now, is that any way to speak to the man who just saved your life?"

She spat at him, the gob landed unpleasantly upon his cheek.

He took his time to reach into his breast pocket, producing a clean,  white kerchief and wiped the spit away.

"Ahh, Missendria,  what a fiery spirit for a woman so easily bought," he went on, words barbed as he ran a gloved hand through her hair. It seemed she might spit at him again , but his fist gripped onto her hair and yanked her head back viciously.

"I'd mind your tongue if I were you. A man in my position only has so much room for tolerance, " he said coldly,  producing a knife and resting its cold, flat length to her neck.

He saw her mouth open as if to speak,  but she closed it as she trembled,  eyes still hot as flames.

"That's a good girl. I'd hate to cut out that tongue." He slipped the knife away and took a step back,  looking critically over her chained form.

He tsked .
"No.. this will never do. How long have you been playing dead? Ah, yes, most of the year. Well, the punishment should be fitting. Survive 'the wraith' and the debt will be returned to you.... double what you owe."

Missendria's eye widened,  fear gripping her heart at the very mention of her intended punishment.
'The Wraith'. She had only heard it mentioned darkly, a punishment with barely a survivor, torture so awful none dare speak of it except to arouse the spine tingling truth of what it was. Horror above horrors. And pain beyond imagination.

He smiled as he saw the fear plaguing her now.
"Good.. they didn't beat you senseless enough not to understand true fear " The man stepped around her, studying her form as she trembled in true fear and rage.
" You shouldn't look so distraught.  Not many survive such punishment. Then again.." he went on, pausing as he moved towards his desk and picked up a long, cold, coiling dark chain lined with long black barbs.
"If you die,  all debts would be lifted. " He turned to her, eyes cold. "Isn't that what you wish?"

He approached her, stroking the chain up her arm and yielding a pained shiver from her. She began to panic, began to beg- but a hard slap across her face silenced her. Though she wept.

"Tsk, tsk. You knew the repercussions for crossing me. I make my rules very clear.  And there are no exceptions to the rules. "




Somewhere to the unbeaten path she was taken, body wrapped in wicked spiked chains that dragged her across the roads behind his horse. It was always a personal task he took up, wracking the body along the worse trails, tested against the worse trials of pain...
And then hung for dead, chained wrapped from neck to feet, on the top most branch of a dying tree, a feast for the vultures and a burial for pride.

Live and the debt is doubled. Die and you're free.

Missendria hasn't known how many days or nights had past,  but each felt worse than the last. Dry winds and hungry birds would come to visit,  pecking raw at her weary flesh.  She'd cry out in pain,  startling the beasts until she'd pass out..only for them to start again. Several days in, she began to lose her voice, the birds viciously when they'd feast. Yet somehow she still clung onto this bitter life, whole her mind began to bend and warp beneath the thirst and the pain.

He had been searching, he had been searching for three days past the day he was due to meet her. He gave himself a ten day head start. Ten days to search for her to learn nothing, just recently did he receive a hint, a clue, in his search. He had even rented a horse in exchange for a days worth of lumber.

The year had been weary, draining...he had learnt many hard lessons, seen so much pain, felt so much pain, both in body and emotionally. This world was so full of pain, of evil...one day, one day he would make enough to where he could build a place, where his friends could be safe, where he relax, a place where the shadow didn't exist, a place of peace.

The horse clomped slowly on the road. He sat heavy in the saddle, it took two days to get used to riding the lad, feisty being he was. For many, it would be hard, in comparison to what he walked with every day, it was but a pebble on top of the rock.

His armor had dulled with dust, his face grim, eyes bagged from his search, a bag heavy with supplies, the horse with its own, including a kit for camping. Last he heard, Missendria was to be around the city still, but in fact in the country around the area. That was a good sign, means she didn't go far, still some what familiar territory...maybe he'll have a friend to bring home this time. He smiled at the thought, before shaking his head, alas, it would be but a day before leaving for another year...yet that one day is what kept him going some days.

He kept traveling, going deeper into the plains, a little ways from the town he last left her at, heading away from the city. He traveled a bit more, until he saw a flock of birds, vultures, in the distance. He decided to check that way, Vultures, flocked around the corpses or those dying.

He brought the horse to a gallop, riding towards the birds. Once he made it he stopped breathing and went pale. He saw the hair, the lone tree, almost corpse like hanging from the tree by cruel barbs, the rib cage visible, skin cracked with heat and dryness, chunks missing from where the birds nipped.

The world slowed and went silent as he got off the horse, running over to check how she hung, he looked the contraption over, he's seen it before, but only for murders back in the northern cities, called it a wraith, a cruel way to die, warlords would have them hanging out the walls, especially ogres and necromancers, made fine scarecrows and warnings. He began to work on getting the barbs out, moving slowly, most likely they would be barbed.

It took him time, bit by bit until she was free. Catching her as she fell before scrambling to get water for her, pouring some. He had to think...with these wounds, she wouldn't make it far...he could take her to the village, but even that old bat wouldn't be able to do much besides ease the pain, the wounds too deep, too starved, too thirsty...the priestess, there was a wright, a ritual of old she told him of. But she would need to make it back alive for that.

he started to pull gauze to bandage and stop any bleeding, giving her sips of water at a time. His mind was numb, he felt like he should panic, but he couldn't, if he panicked he would loss another, he would not loss her, nor EVER leave her alone again. He kept work on her in pale silence. He would find the person one day who did this, and rip his head off with his bare hands. He would not loss another not again.

He kept work on getting her patched up best she can, he would have to have the horse go fast to make it back, but they could, it was the only choice she had. Yalthnea look kindly on them.

She was vaguely aware something was happening, her body being moved but she couldn't open her eyes, or if they were, her gaze could not be focused. She barely made any audible noises , soft moans here or there to indicate she was alive, but even that was incoherent. And her body was limp, clothing mostly torn off and her body soaked in fresh and old blood alike, painting her flesh and making her skin seem more ash in color. And her breathing was shallow, her focus dimming but it did seem she was trying to look around.

He kept working until she was secure

"Its ok, I got ya, nor am I ever leaving ya again." he said once he was done making her look like a mummy

He then carefully scooped her up, carefully moving her to the horse. which snorted at the smell before putting her gently on the horse, then mounting the horse, then going to hold her so she's more or less resting on him compared to the horse, less bumpy from what he heard.

He then directed the horse to ride, and fast they did.

Through tree's, plains and hills they went at the gallop barely stopping as they passed the village save for Godfrey to get some salve, or to give her sips of water. Soon the tree's grew thicker as they went, older, the leaves turning from bright green to golden yellow and thick. The path more dirt like yet still well treaded, country roads.

Eventually, they reached a clearing with a wood wall, the tips sharpened, the sun high in the sky over a large open field full of farms wheat and houses, a small fort on the hill over looking it all. The area hilly forest besides the clearing.

The guards large and burly folk, raising a hand to stop, both six foot in height, in chain and kettle hats, bearing large spears of iron

"Halt, nay passing till we get a go-by Yalthnea." the guard said spotting the girl then Godfrey as he opened  the gate with his buddy

"Get! Get!" he said quickly as Godfrey rode in, the guards yelling to clear the streets.

The people were large here. The men burly, used to hard work or combat, bearded as they toiled in fields, worked by the fire, or stood at duty. Those at rest drinking ale  on large barrels outside large open sprawling taverns.

The woman round. Those that were poorer were less round, the richer the fatter. Working on moving cattle, milking cows, cooking, or eating. Food seemed to be all around in great quantities.

The people lively and full of cheer, so such a sight shocked them and all cleared, concern on their faces as the guards cleared the streets as Godfrey ran through them. People watching in interest. Children on parents shoulders or stopping to watch from their antics. Others from their meals.

He road through the small town, the buildings large but spread out, approaching a hill with a large opening, stopping as he got off slowly and carefully with Missendria before walking into the opening, not a word yet spoken on the trip, letting her rest, not daring to worry when he had a condition to fix.

Inside was dark, lit by candles, being held up by a giant statue of Yalthnea, just as large as the mini statue Godfrey showed her, just taller and wider and made of stone.

In front of the alter was a large woman with long brown hair in a green cloth robe that may be a little small for her. Curvy in build with a large bulging stomach that she held in both hands, like she was pregnant, but she was sitting in front of an empty table that showed scraps of a feast. She was relaxing and recovering from her large meal. It seems the town's fortune was improving if the priestess was putting on weight, was a good sign.

That didn't matter right now as he yelled

"Priestess! I need help! She is dying!" he said as he walked in. The priestess turning, her eyes widening as she stood up with a grunt, one hand on her stomach as she waved him over with urgency

"Good heavens lad! Don't bring me half dead people during second lunch!" she scolded, but also in panic as he directed him to put her down on a stone table in front of the alter. The cave room seemed large, but no chairs besides cushions to sit on, candles lit the entire area.

Godfrey would put his friend down carefully on the stone table as the priestess went to look her over, a frown on her rounded face.

"I nay know if she'll make it, looks starved, and half eaten...best I can do is pa-"

Godfrey interrupted her as he held a hand up

"Blessed of Yalthnea, I'm sorry but is there not a ritual that ya can do? Ya talked about it once that could restore the body? She likely to die without it oh blessed one." he says respectfully bowing his head in reverance.

The priestesses frowned looking down "Aye...thar is one, requires one brave of soul...are ya sure yar willing to risk yar life and soul to help her Godfrey? Son of this blessed land, she is not one of us, is she worth risking yar eternal soul?" she asked carefully, one hand still gently rubbing her stomach as she frowned down at Missendria with brown eyes.

Godfrey nodded, bowing "Aye, she nay one of us, but she is me only friend outside of these walls, I would do anything for me friend, what must I do?" he said before looking up.

The priestess frowned again before her lips tightened before going towards the alter, huffing slightly as she struggles to bend over, hard to bend over when one's gut is stuffed with food and hard a rock from it too. She rose with some powder and paints

"Ya will take the test of the champion, ya will dive into the grove of Yalthnea, you and her. Thar ya will fight her wounds. The more ya succeed against the monster, the more she will recover...however, what happens to ya thar, happens to ya here, nor do I know how the goddess will take her presence in her realm...nor that this ritual is used to help her children...ya may fully pay the price for this Godfrey, another I ask if ya are willing?" she says as she begans to paint symbols in a thick moss colored paint over  Missendria, like a salve before motioning for Godfrey to sit down, motioning for him to take off his shirt as he nods in silence, watching Missendria with worry.

Godfrey is painted also in symbols as the priestess walks back to sit in front of the alter with a heavy oof as she gets down lighting some incense before looking back "Thrice I ask, are ya ready Godfrey? Ya risk yar self and her."

Godfrey nods again "Send me O blessed sister, this is right, may Yalthnea forgive this sin, and may she look kindly on these deeds." he says lowering his head as he goes to his knees.

The priestess nods, closing her eyes as she begins to hum before bursting into song, two others, junior priestesses in training also walk out, not as large as their teacher, but still chubby join in going to either side of her, one in white, the other in red, armed with drums they began to pound in tandem with the song.

The symbols slowly began to glow a blue color as a sweet smelling incense filled the room. Godfrey's and Missendria's vision blurring until they were some where else entirely the priestesses voices disappearing  to the sounds of birds and jungle.

They arrived in an underground forest lit by bright crystals, the forest lush and over grown. Godfrey was in a clearing, a circle filled with bones, shirtless save for a stone axe, across from him was an 8 foot tall bird demon. It looked like a vulture, flies  buzzed about it, it was thin with open wounds, much like Missendria's its face sunken, almost skeletal as it screeched at Godfrey.

Mean while, not too far away, on a balcony of sorts, Missendria would awaken, with all her wounds, yet no pain and awake. Beside her would be a very large figure in a long flowing robe the color of wheat...it could very well be wheat. The hair the same color of the robe that curled on to the floor such was the length, in chairs they both were. Said large figure had the same proportions of none other then Yalthnea, rubbing her stomach with a great smile as she looked over the edge, where they both had a clear view of what was happening.

She grinned before speaking softly, sounding like someone's mother, maybe even Missendria's "How long it's been since I've had guests, equally as long as I've had a champion and one just as thin arrive, welcome to my realm ya poor starved thing...count ya lucky that someone would do this for ya...it can't remember the last time some one decided to do this ritual, so long since one walked such a path." The goddess said softly, looking at Missendria with pity before looking down below eagerly, like she was excited to watch the bout to the death between the two.

Missendria had been drifting between life and death, never aware where she was, when it was or who she was. So when she awoke in some world alike but not quite her own, she stared after the large woman quite puzzled. She seemed somehow familiar, and her voice , familiar too.

She did not sense any animosity from this woman so she approached her slowly.

"Where am I? Where is this place?" She had not yet seen Godfrey and the creature down below.

The large woman was transfixed with the scene below, watching like a mother watching a child grow before looking over with a friendly grin

"Oh dearie, you are in my grove, deep within the earth, I hope you like it, it has shrunk...but it will one day grow, much like myself." said giving herself a pat with a giggle, causing herself to ripple and jiggle with it, like tapping a pool of water before making a motion below them.

"Ya were brought here to heal, my only remaining champion fighting for your life, quite literally dear.  " she said, making a motion as a plate of food appeared between them, though it was hard to tell what it was, switching from grapes, to bread, to even  a fully cooked pig. The goddess reaching down into the ever changing mass to pull out a fig half of Missendria's size, beginning to munch as she watched below.

"If this place had a name...it would be the evergrowth, though, that name has not been used in sometime, sit, and watch with me, let us see how your champion fares."

She said going back to watch eagerly.


Godfrey started to fight with the beast, catching its beak with a loud bash and crack, causing a screech and dodging of talons large and zwihanders. He would duck in and out, swatting at it, causing more wounds to open on the beast before it waved its large rotting feather arm to knock him into the bushes. Godfrey going flying like he was but a bug in comparison, disappearing into the vegetation.

Missendria, if she was paying attention may notice a wound or two close as the battle raged on. The Goddess making a comfortable seat of leaves and puffy mushrooms for Missendria to sit on should she choose. Glancing at her or the battle, watching both eagerly with pride, much like a mother might.

Missendria watched on, not certain what she was looking at nor fully comprehending what was going on. She frowned, watching the man go flying with a wince.

"Am I dead?" She asked, not sure what else to think of this or the situation. It seemed, for the moment, she hadn't recognized Godfrey at all. She itched at an arm, and as she did so she glanced down to spot wounds on her arm simply... vanish.

She sat up suddenly, gasping to realize she was covered in wounds.. wound that did not hurt!

The goddess chuckled, a joyful one that was loud like a birds cry, but also  causing shaking, as she held her gut in the belly laugh before wiping a tear from her eye with a grin as things stopped shaking

"No, not yet at least dearie, do you not remember?" she asks before tutting her tongue "Poor thing you, you were strung up, my champion found you, freed ya, and brought you here."  she said before making a motion below where Godfrey jumped out of the bush as the monster peered in, giving it a nasty wound to its head, gushing black vile putrid blood as it yanked its head back as Godfrey skid across the ground, a large bruise on his chest, as he panted.

"The man below is Godfrey and he's currently fighting to save you! How brave." she said clapping her hands after pointing at Missendria and taking another  bite of the gigantic fig before continuing to speak

"If he wins, your wounds are healed, if he fails, he dies, and what damage done to that thing down there is healed on you, so at least even in death his effort will not be in vain." she said before going back to watching the fight in amusement, eyes shining with a gleam of battle lust and pride despite being such a soft swollen looking individual  before looking back curiously to watch her expression

"And you, are the first one that isn't a direct child or blessed by me I had as a guest since the growth ages, what do you think dearie? Does it make more sense?" she asks, not in mocking, but in a motherly teaching fashion, like making sure she understands, lest she have to split her attention from the fight and her.

She takes another bite of fig, the human sized fig almost completely gone already during her munching and talking. Another screech coming from below and cry of pain coming from below,

The moment the goddess mentioned his name, her eyes widened and skin paled and before she knew what she was doing, she was trying to throw herself down into the fight!

"Farmboy, stop!"
She couldn't just let him sacrifice himself for her! What on earth was he thinking!?

The goddess laughed, causing herself to ripple again

"Oh baby, you were dying, as far as he thought, this was the only way to save you, he must really like you to risk his life for such." she cooed as she looked down

"Even then, I'm bound from interfering directly for him, I must let my children grow..." she said sadly before glancing down then back at her.

"Unless, you want to interfere?" she asked, but her voice changed, it was still soft, but she sounded excited in a sense as she glanced down again.

Godfrey was fighting, his arm bleeding horrendously from talon scrapings his chest as well,  the monster and him were circling each other panting each, both worn and weary. Resting before the next bout at each other.

Missendria panicked. She couldn't just let him fight that creature alone! She shook her head.
"This is my fault.. my burden to bare... Godfrey.. he can't.. just.." she looked around frantically for something,  anything to use as a weapon and when she noted another human sized fig, she rushed over towards it to see what other large foods she could use as a possibly weapon. She settled on a simple pea, muchmuch larger than a normal pea and weighed tons more too! She grunted and carried it towards Godfrey, calling back apologies to the goddess for taking her pea.

"I'm going to need to borrow this!" And she headed over towards the battlefield, strangely struggling with the pea before she felt close enough she could confidently hurl it at the bird.

"Hey, bird brain!" she called, trying to get its attention before hurling the over sized vegetable towards its head.

The goddess laughed, watching with amusement

"You are adorable! Of course, take it..." she said, grinning as she watched, the pea flying over head, the bird not seeming to pay attention to her at all, like she didn't exist, the pea indeed did hit it, bouncing off its head as it looked about before  its leg was hit with the stone axe from Godfrey, his blood spilling on the floor. It shrieked as it clawed at him or tried causing Godfry to tumble away instead.

The goddess appeared beside her for a moment, looking extremely pleased

"Mmmmm, you are entertaining! Very thoughtful, you yourself can't touch the creature, by of course my own realms creations! What a clever girl." she said rippling with another laugh in pride , standing there watching with a large grin before looking over.

"Though, ya can't help much with just a pea, and it won't do much...say, what if you and me make a deal yes? I can see why the boy want you, and I'm quite invested in his success, being my only champion...three gifts for three things from you." she said holding up three pudgy fingers before waving a hand.

"Now now, I won't put you in debt child, of course, you may not like the price of the gifts, but I shall not ask more for you then you can give. I seek growth, and in you, I see the potential for so much, surprising for such a little thing." she said poking at her, clearly amused by her reactions, like watching an child do something unsuspected again and again before glancing back towards Godfrey. Now clearly wounded and tired, though still fighting, the creature the same.

Missendria's wounds half healed by now, but many still remain.

Missendria paused a moment to take in the large goddess before scrunching up her face in distaste.

"Forgive me if I'm not sounding so enthused to trust anyone when they want to exchange favors.. that's.. kind of how I got myself here in the first place, " She went on, watching Godfrey with an embarrassed winced at the recollection. "I don't make good choices. He.. he shouldn't have to suffer for those choices I made. It..it isn't right."

The goddess giggled again

"Its ok, you've been hurt much child...anyone would think the same in your situation no? All is forgiven." she said as she sat down with a thump looking her over

"Hmmm, not all choices you made must be bad, after all, if they were, he wouldn't be here for you now, you wouldn't have that cat you care for..." the goddess mused before looking back to the fight in thought then back to her

"Hmmmm, perhaps I shall still lay out the deal...I think I will. One, I offer you the gift of growth." she said grabbing another food item, a pea, but she looks at it as it grows and keeps growing to the size of an elephant before her mouth opens impossibly wide to eat the entire thing, she licks her lips and pats her stomach before looking back.

"The price for the first being that I infuse with you the desire to grow...as you would be unable to use it without such a price, what use is a gift one can't use?" she said musing before  putting up a second finger

"Two, I offer you a champion if you are to be my child." she said as she made a motion towards Godfrey, currently punching the bird thing in the eye while yelling "In return, you watch over him, as he protects you, to watch you grow, you advise him...I have big things planned for him." she said nodding before putting up a third finger

"Three, your debt...I can perhaps help in relieving that, in exchange. Set up a shrine in my name, you don't have to worship me, though, I certainly wouldn't mind if you did." she said giggling  before holding up three gifts

"Three gifts, three prices." she said simply waggling her fingers before looking towards the fight, not pressing the issue before grinning

"Many children make mistakes, same as you, many think the same...but that is why you have friends and family no? To help when bad choices are made, even that boy has made a few, I will not talk about his pain to you, that is his right to share, not mine." she mused, watching eagerly again as Godfrey hits a tree and falls, coughing up some blood the monster hissing at him, but also limping its-sefl.

Missendria took in what the goddess offered, the gifts all strange but useful in their own right.But she was tired. Tired of playing games and debts for the want of others.

"No.." she began to say, words careful. "I am no longer in that business to take up any bargains. If I'm to pay a price I'll pay that price. And if some farm boy aims to get in my way, " She went on , smirking as she picked up another pea. "I'll just have to get into his way."

And before the goddess could stop her, Missendria was approaching the battle once more, pea in hand as she waited for the right moment to strike as she threw the over sized pea at the things head and tried to get its attention. She wouldn't let Godfrey do all the dirty work to help her. It was not in her style.

The goddess raised her brows, and watched as yet another one of her peas were wasted on a monster instead of in someone's stomach, sighing, even her deal was rejected. She did nothing but watch, after all, the only thing she could do is watch.

Yet another pea went flying, landing in the monsters mouth as it tried to bite Godfrey, still not noticing her still, but it did save Godfrey from being bit as he caught it on the neck, felling the beast  before collapsing himself from his own injuries.

With the monster defeated, the world would began to fade slowly, turning into a bright white light. The goddess laughing in mirth and joy.

"Be at peace then my child...you known where to look if need something from me." she said in cheer. Would she ever look for her? Maybe, maybe not, but it was not in her nature to reject someone seeking growth, and if not her, then perhaps another will come one day...one day.


Everything turned white and then slowly faded back into reality. Missendria on the stone table, three round faces looking down in surprise, Godfrey on his knees before the table, covered in bandages, almost mummy like, and taking big deep, wheezing breathes.

It seems whatever it was, or happened, was over now.

It kind of hurt.. dissolving back into reality, like ripping off a bandaid. Her body tingled, a faint pins and needle feeling that crescendoed into.. nothing. She felt.. nothing and sat up suddenly,  realizing she was no longer with Godfrey's goddess but she was now on a stone table,  strange women clucking over top of her as she scrambled to get off of it before- well, it was too late for the vase she found, as she vomited into it. Though very little was inside her stomach, the sudden traversing of realities wasn't without its payments,  and though the injuries she sustained no longer plagued her and threatened her life, she was still recovering from the mental shock of everything.

She shivered, feeling as if with fever as she groaned and tried to recall what had happened. She recalled when they caught her, chained her up and cast her before her boss.

He was a man she had never seen before,  only having known him by name and been told that was whom the debt was for. Opus Dey. He wasn't what she has been expecting,  but they never were. And how she lived.. survived it all...
She grimaced, recalling the torture as her eyes bubble with hot fresh tears...

And then she recalled the goddess, a strange dream indeed, as she leaned her pale face against the stone table, a hand over her unsettled belly as she tried to keep herself from wrenching again.

The trio of plump priestess gave her space, one gasping

"Not the vase-" then sighing as it was desecrated by stomach contents, hand going to her head and mumbling as the two smaller ones stepped up to help her, acting very much like mother hens, trying to direct her to the table.

"Just settle down dearie, you've been through a lot, its ok, yar safe here."

Meanwhile, Godfrey felt like he just got his ass kicked. Which was true, his left arm was bandaged to his chest, one of his eyes was covered in bandages, and his torso was wrapped in them, to the careful eye, he almost traded wound for wound a little. He didn't raise his head, everything hurt too much, he was also sick, but didn't have the energy to chuck, already having lost his breakfast when the monster first him.

He did glance up, someone was moving, and it was too thin to be anyone from his village "Did it work?" he groaned, unaware his bandages were already blood soaked on him. The larger one went over to check "Yes, she's up and moving, Sylle and Baile are tending to her, now up, don't be a baby, ya asked for this." she said lifting him up to his feet like he was but a small child. He whined in pain, leaning on her for support.

Sylle and Baile were still tending to Missendria, one holding her hair so she didn't barf on it, the other one, pushing calming incense to help with the nausea  and rubbing her back, cooing softly to help her calm down.

The head priestess clucked "Now, fine mess we have here, after she's done being sick, we'll set her beside our Godfrey here and leave them be, have him deal with this." she said moving Godfrey to lean on the wall before the other priestesses went to speak, the head one raising a hand "Nay, nay a word from you two, he's the one commiting heresy by demanding a ritual only saved for our goddesses blessed, he'll pay the price for it." she said, Godfrey going to speak before she merely turned to glance at him. He quickly shut his mouth, not wanting to take a verbal whipping.

After which she nodded "Bring the girl over to relax after she's done desecrating the alter with vomit, a snack is needed after this fine mess, Yalthnea forgive us for these deeds." she prayed before going to waddle off into the back, grumbling about heresy, food, and vomit.

The priestesses nodding, one pulling a cloth for her eyes "Awww, nay shed a tear dearie, you'll be fine you poor thin thing you." one said, going to bring her over gently besides Godfrey before going to scamper off themselves, talking about rags to clean and giggling that they got to do such an old ritual. Leaving Missendria and Godfrey to their own devices.

Missendria's head was swimming. Her stomach was still uneasy, but was much more manageable now. She didn't fight it when she was lead away, but the moment she saw Godfrey's condition she nearly was upon him, looking his battered body over with concern.
"Godfrey... you're hurt... how? Did that..the dream.. whatever that was..was it real? Did it hurt you?"
She moved a hand to check over him, resting it upon his forehead to check for a fever.

Godfrey would look up slightly, looking tired, things a little dizzy, but mostly, he just hurt, his words barely being held together by who knows what, but he trusted the priestesses, good work they do.

He began to mumble speak

"Ritual, have to fight wounds, if win, heal complete, if loss, death, but won, and yes, very real, the grove of Yalthnea, real place." he said before his face turned serious

"What happened to ya...what is going on? Tell me, who has ya with such an iron vice?" he asks with deep concern.

"I thought ya were just in debt, but it seems worse then just that, and also, I'll never, ever let ya out of me sight again, it was terrifying to see ya like that, I don't know what I would do if I lost ya...ya and me family are the only thing that keep me going some nights." he rambles, looking hecking tired and weak, but still concerned, no fear, sweaty, like after a hard battle, but no fever.

Missendria could not believe it. It had been real? And Godfrey had fought for her like some sort of champion? Missendria's vision blurred with hot tears as she hit him, not hard enough to hurt him, but she was sobbing, almost hysterical.

"What were you thinking!? Are you mad?"

She shook her head, the damn tears seeming unending.

"You shouldn't have done that! Godfrey, you idiot!" And inspite of herself,  she flung her arms around him and hugged him fierce, sobbing into his shoulder.

Godfrey was hit, his eyes were wide, mostly from the sudden spike of pain it brought by his own wounds. He went to speak before he was hugged, his eyes bulging from the intense pain, like his arm and his chest were on fire as he was squeezed. Gasping until released as he pants from exhaustion and pain.


He takes a moment to recover before looking over at her, tired, but happy to see her better. Normally, this would be the part where he hung back, kept it to himself...but a certain friend of his wanted him to be happy, and one thing keeping him from being happy was keeping his feeling inside, no longer would he allow such sadness to fill his void.

"I thought that if I never saw ya smile...that I would be unsure if I could keep going. I like ya...like, really like ya, nay sure about love...but I would be lying if I said I didn't dream of ya." he said looking down.

"I thought that ya would die...it scared me, so I took ya here, asked the priestesses to perform the ritual." he says, things were getting fuzzy, huh, the room was also spinning imagine that

"Probably chewed out for...heresy...hey...ya betta be here when I wake up..."

he says before promptly passing out, fighting demons in inter dimensional realms of the gods was quite challenging, he was also exhausted to the point he needed sleep...he really gave it his all to get her out of that predicament.

She may notice that on his neck was a pattern, like a tattoo but skin colored, that weaved like vines, oddly similar to ones she may have spotted on Yalthnea. They weren't there before, and almost seemed to move for a moment, growing. In fact the only reason she probably saw them was because they were moving, like worms on the skin, forming patterns, like Yalthnea's clothing before stopping, and blending in perfectly in the skin...like nothing was ever there.

A priestess would come out going to kneel before the two after walking over "I'm sorry to interrupt dearie, but he needs a moment of rest, we gave him something to ease the pain, thought I would check before our after ritual meal." she says looking Godfrey over, then going to look at her "Are ya doing ok?" the priestess asks, waiting patiently with a small grin. 

She had grown silent in her weeping,  her form pressed across his as he slept. She was so distraught that she almost didn't answer the priestess.

When she asked how she was she wasn't even sure how to answer and she shook her head.  No, she wasn't okay.This wasn't okay. He wasn't okay.

She remained seated beside Godfrey, eyes red from tears, a single hand moving to brush blonde hair from his face.

Godfrey slept, mostly in peace, narcotics did wonders for that.

The priestess would frown, patting her on the back, standing up to go somewhere, coming back with a blanket to put around her, then going some place else, coming back with three different bowls, each with a different kind of stew, each rather large. One stew, red, one stew brown, one stew green in color. She then stood up walk away.

A second priestess came, this one in red, and compared to her apprentice peer in question, it looked like she just ate a ball, the two peers discusses before the one in red nodded, rubbing her stomach, as she walked to get something as the other left. Coming back with a curtain that she set up around the two, a thin one that was easy to see through, but also obscuring as well. As like giving privacy, like a room to recover in. The red one also came back with more food, three seperate dishes of meat. Beef, Lamb, and Chicken before bowing her head, leaving, and coming back with three separate jugs, one full of water, one full of blood red wine, the other of some sort of juice.  All the food neatly in order she bowed her head, closing the curtain and sat right outside of it, setting up sweet smelling incense, ment to calm, used for meditation.

Outside one could hear faintly the sounds of crying with someone trying to calm them down.

Godfrey would wake up later, one eye opening first then the other, groaning slightly "Did I die?" he muttered out  before slowly looking over, grinning slightly "Ya ok city girl?" he asked, he felt like crap, he did feel a little better...but was struggling to remember what happened, he remembered the fight, then saying something to Missendria...eh, he probably said something important, whatever. It was here and now, and he won...despite his injuries, he would heal, he somehow all ways did. In fact already feeling stronger then before.

If Missendria was paying attention during his rest, she would see his skin move, like vines moving over each other, giving flash backs to Yalthnea's jungle. It was very slow movements, and once it stopped moving, it couldn't even be seen. He also looked better and more awake and less drugged up now.

Godfrey frowned as he looked about, he must of been out a long time  if they had the curtain set up, his good arm slowly went up to pat Missendria to let her know he still lived with a reassuring grin. He lived, and so did she! Success indeed.

For the first hour or so she watched him, tending to him best she could and did infact,  notice the strange markings moving beneath his flesh. But some hours into it, she has fallen asleep,  an arm draped beneath her head ti act as a pillow as she lay curled beside him.

Food and drink untouched lay at their feet, except a small cup Missendria used for a drink. At first she didn't awaken, to exhausted from the torment,  the dream. .. the whole ordeal buy her eyes eventually opened and through bleary eyes she croaked out his name.  "Godfrey?"

Godfrey slowly glanced about, even food, he was indeed out for a wee bit of time. He looked back as he heard his name with a grin

"Aye, that be me." he says looking over, not turning, that was still painful. He did skootch slightly to face her, very slight, but he did, including grabbing a slice of beef to eat with his good arm, he was starving, he started to eat with a grin at her. Doing his best to be in good cheer, and not moaning. Meaning, he would normally moan, but he didn't want to worry her with his whining, she looked just as spent as he did...what happened in their with her?

He knew that most watched with Yalthnea...but never a worshiper not of hers ever joined her up there. Strange thing that must be, hopefully it didn't scare her, or perhaps it was her own wounds. Yalthnea was a strange goddess, kind yet cruel, growing, yet devouring...let hope be she met one of the better sides of that.

Her eyes threatened tears that she refused to let fall. She couldn't help but smile at his remark as she slowly sat up and eyed him as he ate.

"You're lucky you're injured or I'd hit you right now good and hard, Farm boy."

Godfrey kept the grin, smiling more at her smile, seems she was alright.

He laughed weakly at her remark "Ya wounds already did that me thinks, but I'll count me self lucky thin bean." he says sticking his tongue out before looking about

"How long we been here?" he asks glancing over, the priestess still tending outside the veil, her stomach less inflated, staying motionless as a statue. He then looked to the food, coldish, but still good, hometown food was always good though.

He looked back "And ya looking better! Well, ya lost weight, thats nay good, but nay lookin like the dead yar self." he said, somewhat jesting ,but also serious making a motion to her healed state.

Missendria looked around, frowning.
"The better half of a day..maybe longer. I.. hadn't really kept count. "

Then at his words she smiled but grew quiet, seeming to withdrawal herself somewhat internally before glancing away.

"I'm surprised I'm still alive," she stated quietly, eyes averting his as she looked at the floor, blonde hair veiling her face.

Godfrey listens, nodding his head as he chews, growing quite as he listens before shaking his head

"Don't be, told ya I would go to hell and back for ya...say, I nay remember exactly what I said to yee before I went out...but I ment every word of it, I also never plan to let ya out of me sight, I know I said something like that, so if ya don't go with me, I'll go with you." he says  with a grin

"I never, ever, want to see ya like that again, not sure who ya owe...but I'll be sure that they nay hurt ya without losing thar face themselves." he says before nodding like it was already decided before grinning at her, going to pat her back, not wanting to just hug her, he was confident, but not THAT confident.

"Like I said, I'll be thar...no need to worry either, I'll recovery quickly and its safe here, the folk strong, guards better than yar average man. Don't fear." he says in comfort, his face grinning but looking unsure, he really hoped she was well, or not freaking out anymore. If she tried her usual I can't stay, nope, he was going with, whenever she liked it or not. He refused, he would make sure she was safe...never again. Maybe once he gets his own place he could settle down, drag her with, make her his fat princess....WOAH WOAH WOAH! Dangerous thoughts there!

He blushed with a stupid grin on his face before shaking his head, lost in semi-delusional thoughts as he thought to keep a non embarrassed face as he bashed his head for narcotic chased thoughts, muddling his control receptors.

When Missendria finally turned to him, her expression was torn. Worry knit her brow and her eyes threatened with tears.

"Farm boy.. Gods.." she turned away from him, closing her eyes as the tears finally spilled. She shook her head. "You have no idea what you're asking. You just don't get it... And I could never live with myself if another took up the burden of my mistakes. I.. I was the fool who got myself into this mess. " she went on, smiling sadly. "I won't have it mess up the life of another." She turned to look at him, eyes never wavering.  "Please understand... my life.. the debts I owe are mine to bear. It is.. sweet of you, heroic even in..how you.. you wish to help me but please.." she went on, taking his hand, eyes pleading with his as she shed more tears. "I will not let others suffer because of my foolish choices. "

She lifted a hand to stop him, halt him from speech as she composed herself. When the crying subsided,  only then did she look at him again.

"I owe you my life." Her hands trembled as she reached one forward to cup his cheek. "But you should.  You shouldn't have.. I.."


She recalled the debt.. the promise.. the curse. Now that she lived... her debt was doubled and who knew if it would ever get paid.

She retracted her hand from him suddenly and turned from him, rising and moving with haste, brushing through the veiled curtain and into the room,  down the hall.. down to anywhere but with him.

She was crying as she ran, blinded most of the way with tears until she found a corner that she dropped into and buried her face into her hands and sobbed.

Godfrey's eyes go wide. By. The. Gods. How many more times is he going to have to save her to get it through her head that he absolutely does not care...you know, fuck it, if there are no fat princesses he'll just have to make them. Ha, take that world.

He was listening, his brows seriously bent, but inside he was screaming internally. He went to speak, but she held her hand, then got up and ran! WHAT THE FUCK! He got his shit kicked in just to have her run away....AGAIN?! He was totally going to make her chunky after this, he swore by Yalthnea he would. He hated chasing her, he's already been doing it for years....YEARS!

He groaned, almost crying with pain as he stood up, stumbling out of the curtain, the priestess rising going to speak as he put his good hand up "Nope, gotta find her, I was serious in that I was nay letting her out of me sight." he said, the priestess pointing with a scowl going to speak as he looked over "And aye, I'll try not to rip anything."

He then went off in the general direction, he thought he was running, but he was more limping and breathing heavily. His ribs hurt so bad and she was making him chase her. Every second felt like an hour in nails before finally hearing her cry. He slowly waddled up (same speed the entire time). Before going to sit next to her.

"Aye...I don't get it, also true that ya probably did, and nay saying I'm taking up yar burden, I'm going to help ya with it, and its nay messing with me life if I'm choosing to do this. I'm going to help ya clear yar debts...preferably by killing enough people that yar debt collector bails, or the person in question...and I'm not suffering, I love being with ya, its suffering when ya run away and when I see ya cry..." he says after a moment of catching his breath turning to hug her.

"And even if ya do run, I'll chase ya down to help ya, I'll be with ya the entire way, I already said I wouldn't let ya out of me sights, I intend to keep it, to hell and back."

He says softly and honestly, she thus far was still his only friend after all of these years, and he refused to loss her.

She needed a moment to be alone, a moment to collect herself. But the tears were unyielding and she couldn't stop herself, so she didn't. 

By the time Godfrey found her, she was still crying. She wasn't even sure all he said, but the moment his arms went around her she broke.

His embrace felt strong, warm.. secure. She shivered into, sobbing and unable to do much else. How long had it been since she was genuinely held by someone who cared for her.  It had been too long.

Somewhere between sobs she garbled out an apology, but held him fierce nonetheless. God's knew she needed a moment like this. She has too many pent up emotions.

He went to speak more, but she was crying and even harder. She also pressed into him which put pressure on his wounds. Regardless he still squeezed tightly, like a deep one armed hug, which is the best he could do. And stayed there in the silence. This is the best he could do for now.

he shook his head, cooing softly "Its ok...its ok." he said, taking the full steam of it, trying not to cry from his own pain, mostly at being squeezed back...how long she must of suffered...maybe this is what Lusca fell when watching him? How long she must of suffered...how long has she suffered?

The thought angered him slightly but he held on, something to worry a bout later, he had a friend to care about.

She appreciated that he gave her this silence,  and what words he did offer were soft.. gentle. Her arms eventually relaxed, sobs dwindling as she sighed and turned away from him.
"I'm sorry, Godfrey," She went on, wiping at her tears. Things would have been easier for him if they hadn't met.

Godfrey stayed there, sitting in the silence, contemplating before she spoke again, turning away, he relaxed as the pain softened before cooing softly again

"Don't be...its ok, I'm here."

He said just as gently, his hand going to rub her head gently, to pull her into him gently. Its what his mother did...Lusca did the same thing...huh, maybe she already knew?

Despite her body tensing some as he moved to hold her, she let him. She knew better than to fight his attentions in that moment,  and the pair of them needed it, besides.  She sighed after a long moment before finally speaking, staring off listless as she spoke.

"You probably deserve to know the story behind all of this." She smiled, but it was forced. "Just.. give me time. I... it... " she struggled for the right words. "It's not easy for me to talk about."

Remained there, trying to be comforting, glancing over as she began to speak.

"Its ok, ya have all the time in the world. I'll be here with ya regardless...I understand." he said, and he really did, he had his own latches he wished to never speak of, he would one day, for his own happiness, for now, he would listen to another latches, or remain there at the door waiting.

He stayed still, rubbing her head...he hoped that was helping, he wasn't sure he was doing much. Normally he would have two arms to hug, not like, one arm...he felt awkward, but it did feel like it was helping? Maybe? Hopefully? His brows knitted in worry, he just hoped it helped.

She took in a long breath before sighing. She wasn't sure where to begin or if she even could behind.  She raked a hand through her hair.
"Gods I've made a mess of things " she grimaced but cast a small smile in his direction. "Somehow.. during the worst of it... you've been there." Her brows knit with confusion and concern. "Like Somehow you knew to be there. Like.. like when you just found me. " Her voice cracked as she trailed off, pressing her lips together as she looked away.

Godfrey listened, staying silent, looking down in thought before looking back up

"Nay sure...me thinks ya doing the best ya can." he says after she's all done "I've tried to be thar...nay sure if some one has plans for ya, the only one that guides me is Yalthnea...perhaps she took interest? Or par'haps ya lucky, either way, I'm glad to that I did find ya, and helped ya out...I wouldn't of changed me mind nay matter how many times I went back...again and again I would." he said softly, his brow furrowing, she had a point, he was there to help her...did she have a tie in with his goddess? He would have to ask the priestesses...maybe there was more to meet the eye, and if so, what is Yalthnea planning?

His brow furrowed in thought, glancing over then back. For now, all he could do was give her space, some time, but he wouldn't leave her alone like that, not ever again. Even if she insisted, yelled, told him she hated him he would not. Out of all the things he's seen, he wouldn't let another Lusca happen, not to someone he cherished, at this point might as well be close to love.

And to whomever did it...he would find them, and do something specifically non-heroic in any sense of the word...but for now, he had someone to care for, and a mystery to solve. He looked closely at her skin as she looked away. From legends, her children tended to have tough skin, supple and soft to the touch, but could be toughened by Yalthnea's magic...nor was her mark upon her neck...nor had she had any changes in appetite or hunger...nor did she have a specific champion. His eyes went wide, checking his hand, even peeking at his bandaged arm, no mark...so she wasn't a child...maybe not yet? Maybe thats what Yalthnea is wanting, but why her? Why him, he was no champion...was he?

This raised more questions, he glanced over at Missendria, sad at her own pain, but also wondering, how deep were they in someone else's game? Or the end goal behind what may be happening?

Missendria thought back to what had happened in that.. dream. She felt uncomfortable at the memory, but he seemed interested in what had happened. If it truly had happened.

"If your goddess has plans for me, she has a strange sense of humor," She muttered. Then she studied Godfrey for a long moment. He.. didn't know.. did he?

"What.. are you to your goddess?" She asked, seeking his eyes, a response,  in earnest.

Godfrey was lost in thought before glancing over then back down "From what I can tell, she's vary laid back." he said, which is true, from the teachings, she's seen as the great mother, caring of her children, wishing to see them succeed.  He scratches his head

"Meaning...she views us as her children, and wishes to see us succeed and grow..." he says before glancing over again, his head tilting

"Eh? Errr...I'm nay sure?" he says with a raised brow glancing away like in thought "Errr, men represent the battle, protectors of the garden and her champions, to fight battle to help spread growth...then ya have her champions, blessed warriors, normally tied to a child of hers, think the opposite of the champion, the female side. The champion is said to be blessed with strength, toughness, and speed that grows with his deeds, however, if the champion ever falls from what he thinks right, into the darkness, or rejects Yalthnea, the power is lost. Normally they are tied to a child, or coven of her children. Her children tend to be taller then average, hungrier, and have vast magical powers, nay only in Yalthnea's powers, but in other magics, vary powerful users of magic." he says , his free hand scratching his chin.

"Thy problem is, at least in wot I learnt, champions normally are nay without a child, and a child can not be without a champion to foster thar growth, the child represents the side of growth and fertility...the last time thar was children and champions was when Yalthnea ruled a vast portion of land, kingdom wise, a great battle was fought and Yalthnea was defeated by some opposing power, but that was a vary, vary long time ago." he said scratching his head in thought, trying to think.

"Yalthnea isn't an evil goddess, she desires growth and success of her people...I...I've been also having dreams recently." he says, face serious "Of ruling a city, a vast, powerful city, the land stretching beyond what the eyes can see, then growing, with a vary large family...maybe its connected...maybe she seeks to empower her followers once more?" he says looking over "But yar nay her follower? Perhaps she still see's ya as a child...may'haps ya have power to be a child? " he questions looking at her before tilting her head.

"Meaning...if I'm a champion, which I'm nay sure I am, such champions are hard to tell until such deeds grows thar power to such recognition...but if I am, then she'll seek children for the champion to protect...why do you ask? Did something happen with Yalthnea? I'm sure she wouldn't threaten...it is very unlike her, nor force free will...but what was she like? Besides the pristesses, ya would be the first to speak with her in quite some time."

He says his face curious, excited, but also puzzled, like he was putting pieces together.

It..was a lot to take in. Godfrey had.. taken her to such an intimate world, one he treasured, and risked his life...
She thought back to the battle and her conversation with the goddess. Not many would have done such things for another.

And then guilt lay in her belly like a rock. She had spoken to some goddess, one not even her own.. and denied this goddess, whoms realm saved her own life...

She lowered her gaze, still digesting it all before speaking carefully, quietly..


"Your.. goddess spoke a.. a lot.  She .. spoke of you.. of the trial.. about saving me." She slowly gained the confidence as she spoke to look him in the eyes. "Your goddess made me.offers.. which I refused.." she went on, frowning. She wasn't going to lie to him but.. she felt so uncertain as she spoke. She hugged herself and went on, gaze dropping again. "I.. I refused because I did not want to be in any more debt.. in any more places outside my control and she.."

She looked up at Godfrey again, wondering if he would be upset with her for refusing so much after all he had done.

"She also was proud.." she went on,  smiling a little, even as she tried to hide it. Heck, she was proud of him too. "Proud of you and what you are. She.. mentioned a champion.. that.." she weighed her words and watched his expression carefully. "That you are her champion, Godfrey. And how you are doing right by her."

Godfrey would be resting, still in thought before she began speaking before nodding with a sheepish grin "Aye...the three will chew me out later for that...supposed to be for champions to save children of Yalthnea..." he says chuckling before raising his brow and laughing

"Nay nay, don't feel so bad...I'm sure ya will meet again, meaning I do have her in me pocket if ya ever want to speak." he says patting his pocket with a grin before going to pat her back gently

"But nay, she's not one to take offense...though don't be surprised if she keeps offering, from what I gather from our legends, she's persistent if nothing else, but also not one for debt, three things normally in exchange for three others and let it be that...debt is not her domain." he says before looking over eyes shooting to his brow in shock

"P-proud?!" he says in almost disbelief, the goddess talked about him?! WHAT! He listened more, brows wide, his face paling, in shock, happiness, fear, a mix of emotions as he looked away, still processing.

"I...I'm her champion? Then I'm the first she's had in over...before anyone can even remember." he says  hand going to his chin.

"If...if I'm her champions...then her children will come back, what did she offer you?" he asks suddenly, a worried look. He had a feeling, and he wouldn't mind if she was, in fact, he would be over joyed...but he didn't know if she would be happy about it...if his suspicion was correct, Yalthnea would choose someone the champion already felt tied too, loved and wanted to protect...which would mean Missendria.

He watched her carefully, he felt a weight, a sudden charge. He was just a farmer seeking heroics, he did not expect to suddenly be a beacon for his people.

Missendria studied him when the moment clicked that he was chosen. That he would be the champion he always dreamed. That he could honor his goddess.. make that difference in the world he always wanted...


The hand idly resting at her side twitched. Her. .. smile faded from her eyes as a brief flash of sadness washed through her, but she was quick to drop her gaze to hide it. She smiled, it was forced, as she laughed softly,  happy for him.. truly..

'Way to go, Farm boy. You're on your way to living your dreams. '

As the question came back to her., she froze.

"I.. I can't remember it all.. it was.. pretty chaotic." But she brushed it off with a casually practiced shrug, her face neutral when she lifted her gaze.

"But this isn't about me, Farm boy." She smiled at him now. "You.. you've been chosen to be a champion. " And her eyes were full of support and pride for him. A warmth touching them, and her smile.

'And my has he grown..'

Godfrey swallowed still processing it...he was champion...and it all started to click. The reason for the strange dreams, lots of women, need for adventure and heroics. Yalthnea was ready to branch out, and he had been chosen. Most champions made children their wives...but 5? Maybe that was just Yalthnea pushing him to guard that many? He wasn't sure anymore, he felt overwhelmed and shocked. Like finally seeing all the pieces come into place.

He glanced over at her, eyes widening, she didn't remember...but if she stays with him, Yalthnea will continue to offer, or would his desires slowly change her into one? What strangeness...Godfrey would tell her, she deserved to know.

He swallowed before nodding "A-aye...I have been...remember how I stated about champions being guardians to the other blessed? Her Children? I...I think she may have offered ya that...and I think she still will." he said with a grin, but watching her carefully, he really, really hoped she saw it as a positive "I-it would make sense...I'm vary attached to ya, but thought to let ya know." he said before looking straight ahead, chuckling

"Who would of thunk it...well, champion and soon to be getting me own place. Say, remember when I got ya out of the city? Them folk are giving me a plot of land, way out in the middle of no whar, thinking that's whar I'll start growing city eh? Safe for ya too, and even if they come, swat them back ya?" he says grinning at her before his eyes spark to smile at her, her own smile touching him, he loved that smile...wanted to see it everyday, never again that hell image...never again. He smiled back, glad she was here still, what would he be without his only friend? Would he still even be here?

Missendria lifted her brows, impressed.
"They gave you land?" Her smile was small but the pride shown brilliantly in her eyes. "But I'm proud of you, Farm boy. Really.." she tucked some loose strands of hair away from her face and listened as he went on, cheeks turning pink at his reminder that he cared for her.

"You know.. now it all makes sense why you got some land," She went on smuggly, a hand to her hip. Her eyes danced. She wasn't going to just tell him. Teasing was always way more fun, besides.

Godfrey nodded "Aye...thinking I'm going to turn it into a big place one day, tiny place from wot I hear, but, middle of no whar...means room to grow ya know? Perfect to hide for ya, good to expand, who knows, thar is a mountain, maybe get a castle up thar?" he says with a grin, but he dosn't seem to be joking about any of it.

He raised a brow

"It does? Something about the necklace belonging to a princesses or something?" he asked, her eyes were smiling, that brought an even bigger smile...but it also left him wondering if he was missing something, he raised a brow in question. He was relieved that she didn't seem to upset that she would be harassed by some goddess to be her child, which was nice...she may even accept. He grinned at that, but still lost in confusion as his mind went back to what she could be hinting at.

Missendria beamed, and though she tried to tuck it away, it was blossoming too largely.
She shook her head.
"A merchant princess isn't the same as a royal one, Farm boy," she jested, giving a light poke to his arm. She still smiled and looked away, looking around the place they were in without giving him the answer. No, she would take her time about it and just enjoy their simple, playful banter.

Blinked, merchant princess? Meaning, that still counted to him, gotta work the way up obviously but he didn't know any-

His eyes went wide, waaaaaaaaaaaait, he didn't hear that right, but she would get so chun-she wants his hand in marriage? Wait, that would be Yalthnea would pester her forever! Does that mean she-

Godfrey looked so shocked, he might as well broke down

"Uhhhhhhhhh."

He would need to get a ring, oh god, his family and the entire town wound literally wound faint, oh jeez, wait, she was totally joking...right? Wa-

At this point, he was broken down as he slowly began to turn a very, bright red. Mind racing between this being a joke, fantasy, reality, and then all three mixed together.

Her lips fell open as she gave a breathy laugh.
"Godfrey?" It looked as if he was choking on his emotions. She repositioned herself so she was more squarely facing him as she moved to poke a finger between his eye brows. "Your head in the clouds?" Sometimes she wondered what went on inside that head of his- despite him speaking a lot of it out loud. She shook her head, still smiling.

"I just meant they gave you land because you were either a fool they wished to pawn it off on or.." she smiled, eyes dancing. "Maybe you actually deserved it." And this time she poked him on the chest. She shook her head, laughing as she rose, finally. The stone ground hurt her knees and she creaked some sitting up.

"Really, Farm boy. You are such a dreamer." And though she jested, her smile was still real as she offered down a hand to him so he too, could stand.

Godfrey blinked

"Uh." he got poked as he blinked some more as he shook his head. A lot happened up there, half of it was heroics, the other half perverted thoughts of woman getting fatter or already plump woman with long hair (he refused to admit at least 1/3 to a half was Missendria though).

He blushed harder "Oh yeah, well, doesn't matter, its going to be great, ya going to help too." he grinned "Give ya something to do while ya thar! As I said, nay plan to let ya out of me sight." he said grinning taking the hand before chuckling before he grinned

"Say, since ya here, wanna meet me parents? I'm sure the town's dying to meet ya." he said, trying to pretend he wasn't incredibly red, and it was true, the town would want to meet her, and best to get the shock over with, his mother would have a fit and his father would probably faint, on the other, it would a feast...maybe it would be just as treacherous for his heart with his parents AND Missendria as it was for fighting that wounded.

He winced suddenly feeling the poke AFTER it hit him in the chest, seems he was so distracted feeling was delayed. He felt the pain of going up as well, but he was smiling happily, stupidly in-fact, standing there staring at her and her own joy. He fought so hard for it, and now he saw it bloom...maybe wi-

He quickly slapped himself, jeez, brain in over drive dude, snap out of it! He chuckling goofily, apparently still day dreaming slightly.

Missendria raised a brow at him. He had yet to take her hand. She grabbed onto his and pulled to lift him to his feet, surprised that she wasn't in much pain except for over all feeling achey and a little warm.

"I suppose I'm at your mercy, Farm boy." She smirked. "I'd love to meet your parents." And see who was responsible for such a man. It would prove interesting in the very least and .. she owed him at least that.

"But are you sure you're feeling well enough to walk?" she asked, more seriously, as she offered an arm for him to lean on. "You look like shit," she told him, brushing a stray blond hair from his face.

Hand was taken as he was pulled to his feet, blinking, turning even more red.

He nodded sheepishly and shyly beaming himself, it was like a dream


He nodded shakily "Y-yeah, I feel I can do anything with ya." he said, squeezing her hand gently with a chuckle "Probably cause yar in a pickle everytime I find ya." he says laughing gently, he didn't even feel pain, just fluttering. He then went to lead her, gently guiding her to the entrance. If she was paying attention. The walls of the halls had carved images, of a greater time, of vast lands and of heroic deeds, and very large woman, not just with width, but also height, that made giants, valleys and vast fields with but a wave of their hands. The champions sometimes lifting said mountains are smiting giants and dragons with but their bare hands. Even taking swords blows and coming unscathed. Soon, they were out if not stopped. Godfrey keeping an even pace as they exited into a purple sky. The sun setting.

Two individuals were outside along with a priestesses who was trying to calm them.

One was a chubby woman, with a decent sized pot belly that must still be growing, as her clothes looked rather tight. Her chest and hips were also large, curvier then Missendria. Her hair long, all the way to her butt in a platinum blonde, and was pacing, wrinkles in her eyes showed her age, but she looked youthful besides for the slight wrinkles. The man was a little taller then Godfrey, and a lot bulkier, a big beard, He was standing patiently, face grim. Hair was red, arms crossed, if he was 40 feet taller, he would look like some sort of fire giant.

Soon as Godfrey was out, the woman ran out to embrace him, Godfrey gasping

"Oh you live! My poor baby boy, asking for rituals that nay 'ave the child in them, whats wrong with you." she said after picking him off the ground with surprising strength with her hug, Godfrey still grasping as she put him down, gasping

"By the goddess! So hurt! My sweet cinnamon roll." she scoffed frowning "This girl better b-" she stopped talking gasping in horror and shock as she spotted Missendria, hands going to her cheeks

"She's so thin and starved! You poor thing! Nay wonder he wanted to help." he said, the woman running over with surprising speed to look her up and down a she looked at her features and going to pester her, like a mother hen as she began to badger on.

"So thin! Need a couple of meals in ya, ya look like just as me son described! Per'tty thing and nay a wound! So it worked, don't ya worry dear, give ya place to stay and eat till yar hearts content, you will stay a day or two won't you! Oh, my poor sons any time he's here is all he talks about is some per'tty city girl who could stand to eat more. Oh by Yalthnea, me manners! I'm Valenta, and ya must be Missendria!" she said suddenly going to hug her

Mean while the fire giant blinked, frowning at his son, then glancing at Missendria and staring, like he was shocked, he looked to his son questioningly as he recovered his breath moving his way over, muttering something to him, Godfrey looked up

"Errr, nay papa, vary diff'rent outside."

The fire giant muttered before Godfrey turned beat red "Do NAY tell her that....but aye... wouldn't mind." he says, the fire giant seeming to not crack a grin but rumble in laughter before glancing at Missendria and grunting "Talgor." he said nodding his head before his wife let go of her bear hug, surprisingly strong to smack him

"Be more polite ya big lug to ya f-this nice young lady, look how late it is, can't ya see both are probably starving, missing out on second breakfast and lunch?! Dinner is in the oven and I need to get back to it." she said in a scolding manner before suddenly giving a death glare to Godfrey.

"Now ya bring that young lady over tonight or we will have words." she said like she may kill him before smiling sweetly at Missendria before grabbing her husband and quite literally dragging him away as he salutes the two of them. The entire time either badgering him or gushing over Godfrey bringing a girl home finally.

Godfrey had his head down, beat red before coughing.

"Uh, that be me mom and Da...we should get going, me momma would beat me if I didn't bring ya..." he says, still having not let go of her hand during the ordeal, already knowing his parents were a lot, but squeezing it reassuringly, going to lead her once again, through sleepy fields and pastures, the entire town sleepy on the outskirts towards a decent sized house near a rather large farm. Said fire giant waiting outside, as the shadow of someone moving at high speeds with clattering dishes and such inside, talking dreamily about some sort of fantasy.

The entire interaction of parents with their son was so endearing that it wasn't until his mother began to fuss over her and more or less give Godfrey's crush on her away that she had become acutely aware that she and Godfrey had been holding hands. And had been communicating a lot through squeezing. Her own cheeks were a bright pink by the end of it, her mind a little dizzy over taking it all in but a squeeze from Godfrey's hand had her gaze pulling to his.

"Your.. parents are quite lovely, " She began. She dropped her gaze and chewed over her words with a small smile. "They seem fitting though.. probably as best as I Could imagine your parents. " she went on, then lifted her gaze to study him, his face. "Are you sure you're up for anything? Shouldn't you be resting after all you've been through.?"

Godfrey grinned as they walked up

"They are...best one I could have..." he said, feeling awkward that his mom just stabbed open his heart at least she didn't poke his de-oh no, they're going to dinner, of course she would.

He laughed,  glancing over beaming at her as his father opened the door, as Godfrey tried, and failed since his other arm was bandaged.

"Aye, I'm with people I love after all." he say making a motion with a chuckle "Besides, this is what counts for rest around here." he followed up with, also true, his mother would not rest until she had a least a week with her.

Inside would be surprisingly open the door ways wide with couches, a second floor, areas leading to other rooms that were closed or currently open. Seems the kitchen and dining area was the largest. The table fit to bursting with food, a full pig, half a cow and what looked like 4 loaves of fresh baked bread, half a garden of cooked veggies of various kinds, two cakes and three pies. His mom would peek around with a grin

"Oh you both are here! Both look SO cute." she said, causing Godfrey to close his eyes, feeling his soul leave his body in external pain as she went to drag them both to the table, gently, but forcefully, the plates already loaded.

"Don't be scared to have fourths or even more sweetie!" she told Missendria as Godfrey's father walked in to take a seat as well, Godfrey trying to protect her from much of his mothers pestering by sitting beside her. The table looked like it could hold around twenty people, way too much food, or so it seemed. Quick prayer was said before eating began with sudden conversation. It was very fast paced, it had to do a lot about farming and pestering Godfrey and Missendria with questions.

Godfrey answered a lot of his, it seems he was busy saving a multitude of villages, giant moss dragons, and learning recipes.

As the questions went towards Missendria in rapid pace, Godfrey quickly coughed

"Err, Momma, she's nay used to this, this is probably a wee bit over whelming." he said towards his mom in an attempt to spare Missendria questions about what she does and who she is, how she's been doing, what the city is like, if she's eating enough, that her son is incredibly single and lonely and if she wanted more food despite just beginning to eat.

Godfrey quickly whispered in the break "Take it with stride, things move fast around 'ere." he said  with a wink towards her, not having a free hand to squeeze hers, his only free and with a fork. He did tap her foot with his. Thankfully, papa Godfrey was very quite, he did however to make sure all the plates were kept full, answering in grunts or nods, his wife already done with her first plate and working on the second, somehow mastering the art of eating while talking at the same time.

Godfrey kept close and watched Missendria, worried but also amused, this was embarrassing, but hopefully she felt welcomed at least, hopefully a lot warmer then the city. Occasionally, the father and mother would look at her with worry, but both seemed cheery like Godfrey. If she cared to notice, the table seemed self carved from some dark wood. The utensils also freshly blacksmithed and of steel, the knives large, like used for eating or for defending, spoons carved, the bowls and plates were twice as big as a regular plate or bowl, and had twice as much food. Carvings of Yalthnea about the room with intercate woven branches for the ceiling in the design of some grand story and battle. Like a semi rich cozy comfortable farm house.

Missendria expected the questions and answered them all the best she could, talking about how noisy the city was, but how it was nice to be around so many different people. That it wasn't without its dangers, which of course that's how she happened to meet Godfrey- and on mutilple occasions.

She would blush when the question would revert to his parents (mother in particular) playing match maker,  and she would cleverly dodge the question to ask his parents more about them and how they met and about how Godfrey must have been a handful growing up.

The conversation and homely atmosphere had Missendria atleast eating seconds, the food left delicious after having not eaten in days. She had to politely decline thirds but saved room for double dessert. After all, clearly humans had a second stomach specifically for dessert.

Godfrey would remain silent, exchanging in a silent conversation with the eyes, espescially as his father went to serve thirds. As much as he wanted Missendria to follow with the tradition of eating to max capacity at night, she was not from here nor would it be kind to force it on her.

His mom however had sixths and quad desert. She went from pot belly too it looked like she ate an entire child. Before this, she was happily getting distracted with questions about Godfrey and her own relationship. Seems she was a WEE bit of a romantic, talking loveingly about how she was seduced with cheese cake and belly rubs. For Godfrey, she gushed, and gushed, and gushed. Like she was hell bet on embarrassing him with each and every tale about every single stupid thing he's done. By the end of supper, his entire child hood was told in an epic tale.

He had went for thirds and between the 4 the feast was 1/3rd of the way through. His mother somehow standing up despite being gorged and ready to pop.

"Oof, nay worries dearie, we'll get ya here soon." she said patting her self and licking her lips, like she was still thinking about food before stiffling a burp "Thar be a room up above for the two of ya, two beds, and I left a pie up thar in case ya get the midnight munchies." she says with a wink towards Godfrey, already defeated by embarrassment by his mother. His father mearly nodded, getting things cleaned up as she began to waddle around and help.

"Why don't ya two go up and rest, we'll get this cleaned up, long day ya two had, check yar quarters and all, give ya two time to chat." she said dreamily, one hand cleaning, the other hand rubbing her stuffed to the brim stomach.

Godfrey mearly nodded, face so red he may as well been glowing motioning for her to follow.

Upstairs was quite compared to down stairs, he led her to a very large bedroom, showing her a bathroom, explaining that it led to a shoot to mix with other fecal manner to create fertilizer. The bed room had two beds, and there was a pie, big as someone's chest with a heart shaped note on it, the room was engraved in carvings of glorious battles and tales, all hand crafted, after he was in, Godfrey deflated  as he sat on the bed, pulling some bandages off to move his hurt arm carefully.

"Uhhh...sorry about that, apologizes if a wee bit forceful with the food they were, its common around here for the woman to eat as much as they can at dinner." he says, not telling her why they do that, he was already thoroughly embarrassed that his mom hung him from the pole about his own feelings, including how love to see her get chunky, thanks mom...so helpful. Not including all the other stuff she spiked him with, like his whole soul laid bare.

He coughed as he made a motion "Uh yeah, here's our rooms and uh, hope ya liked dinner, momma taught me to cook...said it would help me-" and stopped himself  and simply nodded "Uh yeah..." he said with a sheepish grin, hand behind head as he stood their awkwardly. He was less afraid of how his parents thought of whomever he brought home, he was more afraid of whomever he brought home still liking him by the end of it. And that ate at him.

Missendria followed, keeping politely quiet unless she was spoken to. She kept herself reserved, sure she could be a social butterfly, but she was tired and still mentally reeling from the wraith. Being in Godfrey's home was a much needed distraction, and the pair left to share the same room was not lost upon her, nor the heart lovingly carved in the center of the pie.

"Your parents are good people," She went on, moving towards her own bed with a sigh. A palm smoothed over the bedding.  "Makes me wonder how they ended up with such a son." She was teasing, evident by her sparkling eyes and smirk.  "But I guess they trust you enough to share a room with a girl. " she wouldn't be surprised if his parents encouraged the pair to share a bed. But two they had.

She stared over at the door.
"Am I able to bathe?" She asked. "I'm so exhausted but I'd rather not crawl into a clean bed like.. like this. "

She was sweaty and grimey from their travels and a bath just sounded heavenly.

Godfrey nodded "Aye, sometimes a bit zealous..." he says, totally missing that he is much the same before blushing and going to speak before nodding

"Oh, aye, go down stairs, take a left at the stairs, careful its steamy, will be a vary big bath, vary hot, towels on the side along wiz soaps and such, careful, me mamma may jump in to join ya, harass ya about being thin." he said seriously but grinning as he laid down himself, exhausted from his own journey with fighting what ever that was, sighing with a chuckle

"Me thinks ya will like the bath..." he says chuckling

Missendria nodded, smoothing a hand down her clothes as she moved towards the door. The clothing leant to her was a little large and hung off her form some as she turned to disappear down the hall and stairs to the bath.

The waters were in fact hot, a heavenly thing as she shed off her clothing and stepped into the bath, laying back and closing her eyes and just soaking in the water after having already scrubbed herself thoroughly down with soap.

She wasn't sure how long as was in there, having fallen asleep in the bath.

Godfrey napped, between nervous and in bliss, what a strange place to be in, he smiled.  What bliss

Meanwhile,  Missendria may see images of the grove, the goddess, accept the gifts three, and more pestering before she may be awaken by the splash of  Godfrey's mother getting in the bath, sitting there loudly, hair up in a bun, eyes closed as she began to soak, still looking bloated from her meal as he began to clean herself, jiggling everywhere, humming happily, sometimes glancing at Missendria, it looked like she was trying to be quite, and failing, miserably, but at least she was trying.

Missendria awoke to Godfrey's mother settling into the bath and at first Missendry was confused,  but then she realized where she was and relaxed some.

"I'm sorry. I must've fallen asleep. "

She looked around the room towards her towels but worked at rinsing her hair if any remaining soap,  first. The goddess.. was it a dream ,? That's what it all seemed like.. felt like .. Yet here she was. Somehow alive. Unless,of course,  this was some strange afterlife.

Her mother kept washing, humming before looking over

"Oh, did I wake ya dearie? I'm sorry, just got done cleaning the table, thought I would go into the bath as well seeing as you entered, then get a midnight snack." she said licking her lips patting her bloated belly, sending little ripples through her self besides looking over

"So,  area ya doing ok sweetie? I know the ritual heals...but its use was for our goddesses children when wounded, so I wanted to check, nay a priestess, but a wee bit concerned that everything is fine? Ya know, a girl chat" she said giggling going to move over and sits heavily beside her before frowning

"Nay worry, we'll get ya here ya poor skinny thing." she said patting her own stomach  for emphasis, then beaming at her and humming happily at her.

She offered the older woman a tired smile.
"I'm doing as good as I can be. Thanks to your son and your priestesses. I.. I'm not as religious as I could be.. but I'm just happy your son is always able to come home to you. "

She thought over the child remark and the goddess' offer and frowned. She was offered something in exchange...
No. She had declined and that would be that.  The goddess has many followers.. why not seek one of them?

The older woman grins, nodding her head

"Good! Vary good...my son told me you may not have one, know that yar always welcome here, and thats perfectly fine sweety. Even some around here don't believe, even when the priestesses give bounty to the crops, or help in healing wounds that one shouldn't survive." she says chuckling before putting a hand to her mouth.

"Oh my, nay ment to insult, each to thar own beliefs, just find it funny me self...I also heard ya are in a rotten place, feel free to stay as long as ya like, we may not look much, but this town has survived not just by farmin and good eating." she says flexing, as surprising amount of strength beneath the softness with a chuckle.

"And nay city folk here, too small for anyone to not notice, it'll be good to collect yar wits if ya need it..." she says smiling happily before chuckling "World is cruel out thar, at least we can make it safe at home, put good food in ya belly and see smiles yes?" she said grinning as she soaked before glancing.

"Ya also seem to have something on yar mind, got more eyes then me husband or spawn don't ya know!" she says giggling looking at her curiously, older womans intuition at work as she relaxed in the bath.

Meanwhile, Godfrey was practically asleep, been a long day, totally oblivious  to anything but dreams of glory and cities, so many cities.

Missendria smiled. Godfrey was so lucky. His parents were wonderful people, exactly how stories depicted a family with a wealth of love and community. She.. hadn't been so lucky. But it wasn't like she hadn't dreamed of such a family herself.

"I appreciate the offer," She told the older woman, inclining her head. But then the woman asked her if she wanted to talk... and Instinctively she threw up her defenses and shook her head with a smile.

"I've just got a lot on my mind. Nothing rest and time might not solve. " She sighed and finished fussing over her hair, having begun to ring it out of some of the excess water. She then fetched a towel and began to bind her hair within it, before peering back at Godfrey's mother.

"You raised a good son," She told her, truthfully.  "He's making a difference wherever he goes. He's impressively still optimistic about it, too " That made her smile, blush even as she hesitated to step out from the edge of the bath. But then she was stepping from the waters and beginning to dry herself off, back towards the old woman where the healed scars from her ordeal were clearly visible.  The Wraith had done terrible things to her.

The older woman puffed her cheeks as her offer went rejected, but she didn't push, just pouted, watching her get out before grinning.

"Just so ya know sweetie, that boy hasn't failed at anything he set his mind too, will o' stone he has, nay will give up, even on things that seem like dreams. Have a good night Dearie." she said waving at her as she got out, eyes flicking to her back, a pained sad look on her face despite the smile, but it still remained. Giving her space as she got up, not moving as much as watching.

Wrapping a towel around her form, she turned to the old woman and smiled.
"Thank you." Shr nodded. "You have a good night as well."

She returned to the room, too tired to realize she left her clothing behind. The day had been too long for that. So when she slipped into the room and stood over her bed in just a towel and her wet hair clinging against her form,  she sighed and peered over at Godfrey.  He was asleep. That made her smile. She watched him breath softly for a few moments before turning her back to him and slipping out of her towel, that she hung on a nearby chair and slid under the covers. Shivering, she nestled in and let the chilled blankets slowly warm her form as she drifted off to sleep.

Godfrey woke breathless, sweaty. He was still surprised to be a champion. He slowly sat up, the sun not even up yet. He wiped his brow, looking over, eyes wide. Missions accomplished Missendria was still there! He spent some time sitting there, thinking, shaking his head away from his more base desires...well, a little time for that, but still, a focus.

He would be setting up in a new place, get Missendria to come with, he wasn't going to leave her. He would have to figure out who was exactly after her while keeping her safe. He would probably stay here for a week or two, help him recover, give Missendria some time to relax...maybe put some pounds on her.

he nodded before slowly standing, heading for the door quietly,  before glancing at her, and smiling. Safe for now...and he would keep it that way. Then at the towel...but no clothing? He would have to give her his mom's old, old dress. It would hang big on her, but it would work until his mother eventually sewed something for her to grow into, though, he would push for more form fitting, Missendria seemed to wear more form fitting then lose anyway.


He would go down stairs, things already in action in the kitchen, his father already walking out the door to the fields, the sun not even out yet, but getting close. Being surprisingly quite themselves as they busied themselves.

Godfrey would go down, mother busy in the kitchen cooking. Turning her self to look over, cooking up a feast.

"Oh morn thar dear! Just cooking up first breakfast, thinking about going to five meals a day while yar girl is here, help put some meat on her." she said before Godfrey shook his head, moving his hurt arm, it was very sore.

"Nay nay mum, stick to four, nay used to eating much, get her used ya know? She's also been having a very rough time lately, and can she borrow one of yar old dresses, one ye out grow Mum? Needing some clothing." he says his mother raising a brow.

"Aye, I can get her something love, and wot are ya going to do? Can't go workin hurt like that." she said, putting eggs into a giant salad bowl fit to bursting with eggs, and checking the oven as Godfrey scratched his head.

"I'll rest up, try and teach Missendria girl a bit on how to survive in the wild, par'haps in using a sword, but mostly wot she wants, want to rest her up a bit, then planning to take her to that farm that I'm supposed to get...hide her away."

he says before his mother grins.

"When ya going to fatten her up and marry her?" she asks bluntly before Godfrey's eyes went wide

"MUM! Nay sure she even likes me...aye I like her, but nay even hint at a ring to her I swear, ya already poured me heart out to her, nay need to scare her off...and told ya, taking it slow..." he says face red as he turned to walk away, leaving his mom with giggle fits. he walked into the main room, getting a wood chunk, maybe he could carve her a bracer.

He sat down and got to carving, his mom cooking up a feast before setting the table and running up to get her a dress. Still in her night dress herself as she left a folded up farmers dress, one she out grew soon as Godfrey sent her money, she was getting big so quickly. She grinned, rubbing her stomach before knocking on the door gently then opening it.

"Waky waky deary! It's breakfast time!" she said, leaving said dress right in front of the door.

"Here's a dress for ya, and breakfast is down stairs, we be waiting for ya." she said  before closing it gently, the sun already rising when she went to wake her up.


Missendria however, may of had some strange dreams last night, Yalthnea seeming to haunt them, not annoyingly, but always there, mentioning gifts of three. Always appearing soon as she may forget. Nor ever interfering unless she chose to address it. In fact, it seemed to be waiting to be addressed in some ways, just waiting. Should she address it, the dream would change, suddenly being pulled somewhere else, the same grove she was in last time, Yalthnea, waiting.

Missendria woke with a soft, protesting groan but eventually opened her eyes and grumbled her thanks to Godfrey's mother. She lay there a moment once she was left alone, thinking back to all that occurred and her dreams. But then she shook it off and rose, putting on the too large of a dress and synching it as tightly as she could so it wasn't falling off of her body. Then she made it down to breakfast and everything smelled like heaven.

Much like dinner, very large looking feast, much smaller then dinner, but a very large amount of food consisting of bacon, sausage, eggs, veggies, pancakes, waffles, everything that could be for  breakfast was likely to be found.

Once again, people sat around at the table, fire giant dad coming in, reporting about cows, state of wheat and such, Godfrey had a carving of something he was working on, much hustle and to do.

People ate less, Godfrey only having about the same as last time, his mom cutting her intake down by about half. Only about 3-4 plates for her, still looking glutted, but like a thanks giving feast, only looking a bit bigger, enough to tell she had plenty, in comparison to looking ready to pop. Much less questions besides for whats planned. Encouraging Missendria to have more then enough, but not in the same comparison as last night. Things then were cleaned up, everyone quickly getting back to work. Leaving Godfrey and Missendria to digest.

Godfrey would turn once they were alone with a grin.

"Well, we got some time for ourselves, and vary likely for a week or two, think of it as one of them vacations, get ya some rest." he says chuckling

"And, I'm all to yar attentions, what ever ya want to do, I'll do it with ya. At a week or two, I'm going to be moving in to our new farm area, think I'll drag ya with me, telling ya, serious that I nay plan to let ya out of me sight." he says grinning, resting in the chair, looking much better then yesterday. He grinned softly at her, like he was incredibly happy, which he was. Things seemed to be finally going ok for her, for at least a day, and he wanted to keep things happy for her as long as he could (and stuffed like a turkey). And once then, he was going to make sure to keep that happiness for her and himself for eternity if he could

Missendria ate her fill and then some, smiling pleasantly as he spoke. She tried to stifle a yawn but apologized.

"It seems I'm still tired." She studied him, expression serious. "Aren't you? You have been through quite a lot. Are you sure you shouldn't be resting?"

Godfrey smiled, settling in just fine (and eating well!) it seems she was. It was good...he hadn't felt this relaxed in a while, sure, he hurt, but this was everything too him.

He blinked with a chuckle "Almost dying does that." he says going to take a drink from his glass, he was tired too, he could sleep for days, he looked over, his smile twitching. He was, he was so tired...but she probably suffered worse then he.

"Aye...aye I am, but I'm also scared." he said, his head doing a double take as he was suddenly incredibly honest

"I'm scared ya won't be thar when I wake up, and I actually find ya dead...I'm nay sure I could live with me'self, but aye, I should rest too." he said taking a deep breath and nodding before grinning again.

"With that in mind, I could show ya around town, the local ruins, they be safe mind ya, show ya the fields, what ever ya want to do, or sleep, I wouldn't mind that, heck, even show ya the story hall if ya wanted." he says sleepily, dropping his front of not being tired. He was, but he was also happy. Head resting in his hand, but still smile, looking incredibly tried. He didn't really look hurt, in fact, he was healing surprisingly quick from his injuries, even the bruising on his chest was already fading.

Missendria smirked.
"And if I promises not to run away, would you sleep, Farm boy?" She teased. Truthfully, she wasn't sure how much energy she'd have for anything.

Godfrey nodded "Aye...that works, ya should join me though, 'eard napping is better with anoth'ar, and we also get second breakfast." he said excitedly, standing up and going to head up, way to tired to notice if she followed or not before falling into a bed. He wasn't sure wish, and falling asleep like a light, click, out, zzzzzz.

Missendria had followed,  smiling as she did.
"Don't worry, Farm boy," she said,  smiling and speaking to herself. "I promised to stay. "

She walked slowly and tiredly into the room, smirking once she heard the gentle snores of Godfrey. She made her way over and sat at the edge of his bed, just watching him sleep.

Then after a time she leaned over him and gently kissed the top of his head, whispering, "Sweet dreams,, Farm boy."

Then she sat there beside him on the bed and must've fallen asleep, peaceful, tired and where she ought to be in the moment.

He did sleep, he slept hard, he didn't even awaken when he kissed. His brain screamed at him too, even Yalthnea who was watching holding her Godfrey and Missendria body pillows in glee was screaming at him to wake up, to no avail.

Once he did,  it was to the sounds of SECOND BREAKFAST, in his opinion, the greatest meal time in the WORLD. Like, pie, cake, baked goods, meats, Second breakfast even had chicken and waffles. He awoke with Missendria right there, eyes wide, he slowly sat up. He stared, she was so beautiful...he wanted to get to know her better, sure, he may have incredible ambitions dream of having 5 fat princess wives, but that didn't mean he wasn't going to love and make sure each and every single one was the right choice.

Was it true he liked her? Yes, but he wanted to make sure he loved her, 100% sure, he was mostly confident, and he wanted to make sure she felt the same way. One day though, one day. He grinned as he went to brush some hair out of her eyes. Going in to kiss her, maybe she wouldn't notice, hopefully.

After word, standing and going to shake her shoulder gently.

"Hey sleepy head, its time for second breakfast!" he said softly, but also so excitedly that he may as well been a little kid before making sure she was awake and poking his head out.

"We'll be down stairs in a sec Ma!" he says before turning back "Oh! Feeling much better I do! Thinkin show ya to the story halls! Great place to relax!" he says excitedly, completely invigorated by his nap and second breakfast, mostly second breakfast,  second breakfast reminded him most of home somedays.

Missendria woke up with a start, almost forgetting where she was for a moment before she sighed and recalled it with clarity,  or as much clarity as her foggy brain would allow. She smiled at his enthused form and shook her head.

"Guess we're eating again. " she couldn't complain. The food was great and she had to make up for those days she had been starved. She rose,  adjusting her dress  so it was more modest before she followed Godfrey down to the table.  And she ate more than she thought she would too. Everything was just so delicious.

Godfrey also ate, it was his favorite meal. He leaned back, rubbing his stomach, glancing over, mentally cheering. YES! He couldn't imagine what a week or two week would do to her. He blushed slightly before stretching. His mother having eaten her fill again, looking more bloated then before. Patting her self, sending some jiggles as she got up with a huff.

"Hope you two are enjoying yar selves! Just going to get back to work, rem'bar lunch in the next couple of hours! Nay afraid to have snacks if ya get hungry." she said, walking off like she wasn't stuffed like a turkey. The fire giant nodded, grunting as he patted Godfrey on the shoulder then Missendria, and then leaving to work. Leaving the two there, it seems work was quite common around here.

Godfrey stretched "What ya thinking? Ready to see the halls? Me thinks ya will like it." he says chuckling grabbing a sugar covered bread ball or two, taking a bunch to put in a bag, just in case Missendria got hungry. She probably wouldn't, but she might! He stood up going to offer her a hand with a grin.

"Nay worries! The halls 'ave lots of seats and stories to share! Filled with carvings and such! Vary per'tty!" he assures her chuckling merrily, he felt like home, and he loved it.

She probably ate more than she ought to, but she didn't care. She was relaxing in the after glow of good eating when Godfrey offered his hand. She smiled and accepted it, rising.

"Go ahead,  Farm boy. Show me the story halls."

He grinned, he was almost as excited about this as he was about second breakfast! He took her hand gently, leading her outside the farm house, through fields where woman and man were seen both tilling the fields, carrying pails of milk, hauling stones to be chipped into blocks. The crops whistled as the wind blew through them, like a dance of sorts. The crops unusually big too. tomatoes big as peoples heads, the wheat standing like tiny tree's, like a forest of it. Gourds half the size of a person, like boulders, the grounds soft and spongy beneath the feet. There was paths in the field, cobbled area's of some shiny white stone to lead them through.

Then in the town proper they were. The roofs of mossy thatch and busy the town was. Black smiths pounding out iron armaments with big beards, the tavern full of old folk chatting about days past. Guards more heavily armored then one ought to be in a rural place walking the area merrily. Despite the cheer and vast amount of food, everyone seemed quite busy, even put to task, if they weren't training in beating each other in sticks, they were being sent to carry things. Young folk cooking, sewing or hauling. Wrestling pits in the mud where people cheered and teachers yelled at students to do better.

Despite the business, people came up to say hello, chatting or nodding, making small talk and offering snacks, looking over Missendria with the wariness that she was not from here, but were nice enough if not suspicious with a healthy dose of caution. From the town proper was into a deep wood, the tree's unusually twisted and thick, thicker then some buildings, short and squat, as their size was by width compared to height. The leaves a beautiful hue of firey red, in the light, it looked like the leaves were on fire from the heat waves! Glowing eyes and animals could be seen from the woods.

They were big, A deer taller then a human galloping away,  she may have spotted a bear in the distance that literally knocked over one of the thick tree's using it as a scratching post and bed, the bear giant sized in its black fur coating. Sometimes a cloak could be seen, or some hunter, the same color of the red leaves.

Further in the woods, a ruin they came across, a stone building that must of been great in its time now fallen, statues broken and over grown with life. Godfrey smiled the entire way before nudging his head forwards into a stone over pass that lead into the ruin, that led into a broken hall, it would be dark with out the rays of light. There once was carvings here, but long faded by the wear and tear of time. Further in and down some stairs came into a dark room. Godfrey held a hand up.

"One moment! Ya will like this, me swears!" he says chuckling, as he lets go of her hand, disappearing into the dark, sparks fly from something as the room is suddenly lit in a spark of torches. Carvings and weavings of intense detail all around this globe of a room, each one telling a different story, so life like they seemed to be moving if she let her eyes rest. Telling tales of great battles, of magical wonders, of figures large and small, doing great deeds or terrible evil played all about. There was so many that the carving seemed to switch places, in one moment a carving was in front, a blink, and it was gone replaced with another new tale not seen. The floor was much the same except the middle of the room which was a flat, clear, polished stone which Godfrey nudged his head to lead her too before making a motion about the place.

"Welcome to the story room...a place of tales and wonder, many times the names lost, but I spent much of me child hood in these halls...so many tales to learn here, one could spend a life time." he says laughing merrily as he sat down. The middle of the room suspected to be hard, would actually be gentle and soft   when upon it, like some sort of spongy material that only looked like hardened stone, making it comfortable to sit on. Which Godfrey was already doing as he viewed the room before looking back to see Missendria's reaction.

Stepping into Godfrey's home village was like stepping into another world. There was something untouched about the place, from the large people to the large animals. But it was in no means unwelcoming, even so- Missendria knew eyes were upon them... her in particular. It must've been more than obvious she was an outsider as she smiled and continued to follow at Godfrey's side.

Missendria was surprised when he lead her to a ruined old building, that  despite its current condition, held a grandness to it that evoked respect. She followed him into the ruins, careful not to bump her head as her eyes took in the crumbling building before Godfrey stopped her suddenly and told her to wait.

She smirked and simply waited, "I'm all yours, Godfrey. " What else had he expected her to do? When the lights came on she jumped , not having expected the torches to suddenly come to life. And there was movement and color as carvings and tapestries seemed to come to life all around them.

And she was simply in awe of it all the tapestries so massive- in story and scale, that she had to crane her neck to look upon even one of them.  And just being in their presence felt empowering,  magical... she found herself unable to look away.. a hand moving to touch a brilliant tapestry that held a colorful and guided weaving of dancing lovers.. but she paused her fingers just a breath away. It.  Felt almost wrong for her to touch them.

Her eyes were so wide and shining, almost child like as she began to walk, taking steps towards another grand tapestry  this one featuring a man with 3 heads and a dog headed dragon.

What a place to have grown up. No wonder farm boy was such a Dreamer. She had never smiled so big in all of her life. It nearly hurt to smile so much as she laughed and shook her head, peering over her shoulder at Godfrey.

"Farm boy.. this place is impressive. No wonder you were so eager to come here."

She turned her gaze back towards the stories, stepping towards a carving recessed into a wall, large and towering with a stream full of winged people curling up a steep and pointed mountain, age having since worn away and paint that may have accented its story. It was still beautiful none the less.

Godfrey grinned, nodding as he looked about

"Aye...spent much of my life here, in these halls, sometimes nights if I got a chance to sneak away before me ma and pa found out." he said chuckling, looking about himself, hugging his legs, funny how he did the exact same thing year after year, and never changed.

"According to the priestesses, a queen used to live here, before Serendity was a kingdom...a vast empire, thar was many children and champions back in that day, life was peaceful." he said, like telling a story.

"But, the children had a flaw, yes, vast they are in powers and in growth, thar champions strong, tougher then iron, however...thar powers come from giving." he said with a frown.

"Humans...humans want more, some gave in to gluttony, no longer sharing thar bounty, taking all for themselves, no longer children, but demons." he said, standing to a part of the wall, where the terrible story took place. Showing images of these children, heads taller then the average person, growing fatter and fatter with bounty, their powers growing with it, despite this, they gave back to the people, the land and their people growing with them. Some though, turned to taking, all for themselves. A warped, giant that consisted of a maw was seen, devouring an entire village, like some warped human, and instead of some grand warrior by their side as a champion. There was a champion of plague, inflicting others, weakening them, taking their strength for themselves, empowering not just them, but the demons.

He frowned "A great war took place within, fighting against those who fell, becoming our own undoing..." he said walking over to a scene of a grand fight, the nothing ness, a barren patch, carving of destruction save for a single, growing, sprout.

He watched for a moment "It has been...vary long time since a champion or a child has been around, me town only thought it legend...the champions job was to protect the child, just like the child was to protect her champion. One day, I will have said children to guard...I never thought that stories would become lessons." he said chuckling before looking back.

"Thar be more too! The throne room is beyond these halls a little way inside, it still has some enchantment if ya sit on it, I call it the 'dream throne', is vary per'tty! Just like you." he said grinning as he walked up to her.

"One day, I too will have a place like this, of stories, a castle even, a time of peace, much like before this fall...and I want ya to join me, as I think ya would like peace too." he said as he grinned at an image of castle and vast lands as he went to stand beside her before smiling back at her brightly.

"A place whar all I love is with me, and never apart again." he said laughing as he looked back, feeling reinvigorated, to see such awe inspiring tales...it was funny he had such responsibility now, yet also felt so free, he had no doubt that he would succeed, that he wouldn't fail. That he would be successful, he would have a home, a vast family, a place that will not only remember him, possibly forever, but place where his children and those he loves will soar even higher then he did. That, in a sense, was a hero, something he always wanted to be.

Missendria's heart soared along with his. It was hard not to, his enthusiasm was contagious. But inspite of all the magic and might, doubt stirred wickedly in her gut, causing her own pure happiness in that moment to waver.

Godfrey wanted and yearned for so much in this world yet here he was professing his desires to have her with him, to travel along on this journey... yet she could only see herself as the dark shadow that plagued his path.

She had to look away. Blinking back.. were those tears? No, ... surely it was just dust in her eyes. And as she took a step back she could see just how Godfrey glowed, shining with will and purpose.

She didn't belong here... so close to such a pure thing. Sge hung back, trying to keep her smile about her but so many emotions were threatening to bubble up from within,and despite the smile and mask she wore to hide it, her eyes always gave her away.

Godfrey was indeed soaring, high and free. He smiled looking about the room before turning back, and his smile fading, why was she crying? Was everything alright, he went over, going to hug her, his face concerned.

"I'm nay sure wot is wrong, but I'm 'ere, and it looked like ya needed a hug." he said, and his face was contorted in confusion. Why was she crying? Was it something he said, was it because she was afraid of something, was it because of these debt collectors? How much they hounded her, was it something else? He didn't know, he could only assume. He felt bad though, was she holding this in? He hoped not, he understood that pain, in fact, it took a dreaming resurrected dragon, a good friend of his, to tell him that. He wasn't sure if he could do the same for her, he was not a dream dragon that once was a sea dragon...he didn't know what was inside, just the outside.

He frowned, he didn't even know how to help, only to offer comfort, and offer comfort he would, it was the best he could do for now.

Inspite of actually needing the hug, her defensive instincts against advancing emotions kicked in, and she put her arms up, bracing herself against his chest as if to push away. But she caught herself, his arms still around her as she tried to blink back the damn tears as she shook her head, smiling sadly.

"It's stupid isn't it? To cry at such a wonderful thing,"she debated pulling away from his arms but she didn't want to hurt him. And there was comfort there,  a strength, a welcoming warmth. How long had it been since she'd be held in a man's arms, been close and called someone a lover?

It was crystal clear how Godfrey felt for her.. but how did she feel about him? And could she even let herself open up to feel that way? It was always safer to be guarded, to always keep herself at arms length.. to remain alone.

But alone was lonely. Alone she would have died.  Alone she would never had fallen into such despair.

Would keep the hug, squeezing tighter as she spoke. His frown increasing before he spoke.

"Nay, its nay stupid...I think ya hurt, ye hurt a lot, there is no shame in crying when in great pain, nor in taking comfort with a friend." he said gently, keeping the hug. Her pain hurt him, and he had no idea what ailed her. He patted her back with the hug, offering all he could. Be it words, physical touch, and companionship.

He kept the hug, tight and gentle, beginning to rock back and forth, humming softly, like trying to ease a newborn.

Missendria kept her eyes down to avoid his gaze before drawing in a deep breath as she brushed away at her tears with a few fingers. She hated that she felt so vulnerable, that she looked so weak.

"Well.." she went on, sounding forcefully chipper. "I shouldn't just sit around all day crying ."
Because honestly she could. And she didn't want to. She didn't want to wallow in the memories.

What she wanted to do...
Was to forget .


But how?


She peered up at Godfrey.

"What else you got to show me, Farm boy?" She asked, her eyes a bit warmer and her smirk, a bit more real.

Godfrey kept humming, not seeming to mind (Getting hugs! Meaning, she's skinny and kind of bony, but still a hug!), brows still furrowed in concern before he raised a brow.

"Well, if ye wanted too ya could, I would sit with ye, maybe 'ave a picnic in the woods, maybe of the larger fawns come take a nap on ya." he said, which sounded nice ,but they were really, really heavy, many a child has been pinned under a giant fawn that wanted cuddles. Depending on season, it could be an epidemic of children trapped underneath deer, stressful, yet also hilarious, time for all.

Glanced down, but like, only slightly with a grin "Well, I can show ya a throne room, a little decrepit, but I think its cool." he says with a chuckle, going to gently lead her out of the story room, once again down a hall, into a vast room, faded tapestries on the wall, despite time, have yet to rot. The chambers led to other rooms, but stone had collapsed, blocking such passages. The floor was polished stone, cracked by time. There may have been a table in the middle, but it was gone now, either moved or rotted away, the marking still clear on the floor. Cracks in the ceiling showed light on a massive throne, like built for some sort of half giant, if Missendria would sit on it, she would find that it was at least twice her width, with a height of at least 7 feet, next two it were two smaller thrones, each still significantly wider then her except for the one on the right. The big throne was made of stone and dazzled in various large gems. The one on the left, which was a smaller one, was of polished stone that seemed to be removable, like a mini version of the large throne. The one on the right was of a dark red stone, built for an average sized person where pelts once sat, rotten scraps of fur about it. Godfrey smiled as he made a ta-da motion with his free hand.

"Behold! The throne of our last queen! Eight foot tall she was, her daughter sat to her left, her daughter founded the town, her husband, the last know champion sat to the right." he says making motions with a grin, part of it was hopeful though, he wanted to cheer her up, and at least lunch was coming, good food in the belly always comforted, oh shoot, snacks." his brows went up reaching for a bag and handing out "Uh, I brought snacks! Just in case ya got hungry." he said with a grin, and looked quite serious despite the fact she already two meals, and with promises of lunch around the corner as well.

He grinned,

"Aye, last chamber...we nay touched the others, nay want to find out if it be haunted or not, but I can say the large throne is enchanted, at least to rumors, allows ya to see into the past, or into another zone of night, 'eard its per'tty, if ya want to give it a try." he says quickly as he makes a motion. He had no clue if it was or not, he tried it before, but it didn't work, however, all his sources were from the young woman in town who said it so.

It didn't matter if it did or not, as long as it served to help cheer Missendria, cause she could use some cheering up, plenty of cheering up to be had around here though! He certainly needed it as much as she did.

Missendria was glad for the reprieve from the close proximity of Godfrey. It wasn't that she didn't appreciate being held but.. she wasn't sure she was ready to get close to anyone.  Friend or otherwise. She had been alone for so long, only having acquaintances at a distance,  nothing close. Well.. except Jack, but he was a street tough cat that somehow accepted her. He was, despite just being a cat, the only one she had ever cared for in any true regard. And perhaps.. ever.  Fear was a stunting son of a bitch, and old habits died hard. She swore off love, swore off being foolish.

But then there was Farm boy. She smirked. He was rather foolish. But he deserved to seek the world be wanted. She couldn't wrap her head around how or why he truly wanted her to be there. He probably felt sorry for her and she didn't just want pity hand outs. And so he thought she was pretty.. most men did, it didn't mean she'd fall for them and follow them to the ends of the earth....


But then most men didn't take their 'dates ' to a throne and tell them to sit on it.


Missendria arched an eyebrows. Then she glanced at the chairs.

"I think you're asking the wrong girl to sit on a throne, " she said, smirking. "Wouldn't it be wrong of me to sit on the throne of another?" She was jesting with him, but part of her didn't feel she ought to do it, that it would somehow stain the chair and tarnish the memory. Another part of her was just thinking how fun it would be. The thrones were pretty cool. And who wouldn't want to spend atleast 5 minutes pretending to be royalty?

Would smile looking about the place, he never thought he would bring Missendria here, heck, he never thought he would see her almost dead. Out of all the things in the world he's seen though, she was by far one of the kindest...scared though, he felt bad she was so scared, he understood fear though, he faced a lot of it, and she cared, she cared a lot. Not a lot of people cared, she did.

He turned over as she spoke grinning with a laugh

"Nay! I think I'm asking the right one!" he said chuckling as he made a motion before laughing harder.

"The throne is a throne, it belongs to nay but those who rule, and no longer anyone ruling here, if the queen was still alive, aye, sure, but this is just a ruin...a speck of history, a speck of time, beside, yar the most royal thing thats been in this room since...forever!" he said chuckling. It was true, she wasn't a princess...yet, one day maybe. He had already given up finding his fattened princess (according to his experiences, there were none). However, making one, thats a different story. He grinned broadly, and she was princess like, she cared, she was kind, she was pretty...well, she wasn't fat, but we'll get there. Smart, thoughtful, talented, skilled in things that he wasn't. Heck, to him, she was amazing, he saw literal princesses (apparently) that had morals so corrupted, that a thief was better than them, said thief that stood before him had better morals them some knights.

He stared at her staring for a minute "Besides, why can't ye be a royal? Sticking with me, which I know ya are cause I'm sticking with you, and ya will be a princess in no time." he said laughing, but the glint in his eye showed that it was his ever intention to drag her to the crazy place he was going.

Cause one day, he would be able to see her smile every day, one day he would have Lusca as a friend with him, he would have his fattened wives, his many children, his people to protect, a city of peace where no crime, of actual peace, where all gathered, he would go down in history and his children's success would sore above his. He would make it happen, cause thats what he dreamed, and he swore to make his dreams happen.

Missendria smiled inspite of herself and gave a roll of her eyes.
"Farm boy, you must have gotten more delusional since the last time we met. " Her. Royalty? But she eyed the throne just the same, approaching it slowly as a hand caressed the dust covered, ornately carved arm rests.

shook his head, hands behind his back, laughing again.

"Nay nay, mayhaps more sure of me self, but not delusional, delusional would be going without second breakfast." he said chuckling.

The throne was old, the dust thin, seeming old, maybe old as time? Godfrey went towards the other arm rest and made a motion.

"Oh queen, will you not take a seat upon the throne?" he said in a mock butler voice as he made  a motion towards the throne.

"I assure you, it is hard as stone, just as ya like it." he said snickering despite his act.

She arched an eye brow. It seemed she was doing a lot of that lately.

"Now I'm a Queen?" she pressed, laughter in her eyes. Her fingers hesitated over the dusty wood, where she had already left smears of thumbprints.  It somehow didn't seem right to sit , if a woman of great importance and power once did. But Farm boy was really trying to lay on the charm. Really trying to lift her spirits. Truly trying to save her.

So she simply turned so that she would be at the perfect angle to shove his ass and have Godfrey fall into the seat of the throne, smiling and ready to crack a joke about maybe he should be Queen.

He grinned wider, it helped hide the smirk and oncoming laughter as he nodded.

"Aye, of the whole land I suppose...mostly consists of this wee little room, but aye." he says, while watching her turn, still smiling, he did glance at the angle. O ho, the tides were turning! But was she brave enough?

He laughed.

"Thy queen, ye would not dare make me sit on the throne would you? I think I laugh too much for such serious business." he says while laughing, he was ready for the shove of a life time.

She smirked, turning from him and began to waltz away, only to turn suddenly, hoping to catch him off guard as and gave him a playful shove towards the throne.

Would still be grinning, but he would play the game. Pretending to be caught off guard by looking around, he could look at her rear, but it was small, but shap-he was shoved. He moved with it, taking a seat and going to grab her arm, dragging her with, spinning her about, and sitting her on his lap if successful before laughing.

"Well, guess ya got a cushion for the throne now me queen." he says chuckling some more, eyes mischievous, two can play at the game, at least the throne was roomy.

She was on his lap , bracing her body against his before they would have smacked their heads together. . Her heart skipped a beat, now racing inside her chest.They would be so close her long hair would be tickling against him and it took her a brief moment to realize this as she was perched on his lap. And for a moment her words were lost to her. Her eyes fluttered as she recovered.

"Farm boy, I'm impressed. Did all your heroism train you how to sweep a lady off her feet?"

Godfrey would be laughing, got her good he did, he was grinning before he noticed the hair, she had such pretty hair. An arm would wrap around her middle to secure her (totally not because he wants to rub/squish/feel her middle...nope), and put his head gently against her shoulder, chuckling at the tickling hair.

He laughed some more "Part of being a hero is wooing the per'tty maiden." he says, not wanting to tell her that he was forced to be a witches puppet for a day or two before breaking free. That, was, vile, he had learnt a lot, HOWEVER, she was ugly, thin, and badgered him constantly about manners and wooing the main actress for her ridiculous play. Thats a story for another time, as right now, he was totally just going with the flow as he pulled her closer gently, still  chuckling, and hiding his face, cause he was blushing, and totally unsure of how to undo the situation as nervousness over came him, hiding his face lest she see it. Would ruin the entire game to see that she, had in fact, played him.

Godfrey wasn't the only one whose face was flush. This close she could smell his scent, that masculine musk of muscle and sweat. And to feel his strong arms around her made her a little dizzy.  But it didn't hide the fact that Godfrey wasn't looking at her, eyes averting their gaze. She couldn't help herself but smile.

"Oh is that what this is?" She teased, a hand moving to brush his own blonde hair from his hidden eyes. "Are you trying to woo me, Farm boy?"

By, Yalthnea's, curly, locks. Godfrey's brain was quickly sparking with what to do, cause he really didn't know, two many sides of his head were speaking at once. Her hand was also moving his hair out of the way, DECISIONS NEEDED TO BE MADE!

He took a quick breath, oh she smelled wonderful-FOCUS! He looked up, red as a tomato, it was time to fight, speak your mind!

He grinned, obviously not having a clue on what to do next and possibly short circuiting.

"Mayhaps I be trying this wooing thing and giving a shot at making ye me princess, not vary successful thus far, haven't even fattened ya up yet." he said with a grin, but sounded so unsure, like he wasn't sure, meaning, from what his father said in giving him lines, it would work. Meaning she was from the vil-

His mind froze, she wasn't from the village, SHE WASN'T FROM THE VILLAGE! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

His mind quickly broke down into flames as he blushed harder, wait, he can recover this, use your words! He went to speak, maybe he could fix this!

"Gardl sgjer." he said before he quickly shut up, his mouth stopped working, HIS MOUTH STOPPED WORKING! Ok, ok, lets not panic yet, lets not panic yet, LETS NOT PANIC YET.

Godfrey clearly looked panicked, unsure, and his confidence quickly wavering to nervousness. He was trained in saving the maiden and all that, but he forgot the important step of trying to WOO said maiden in his training, he never actually got this step yet in all of these years, and he already felt like he stepped into the dragons den.

Despite his brain being on fire. He still kept his smile, and intense blush going.

Oh.. oh she couldn't help herself. It was too much.. just too much to take in as she tossed her head back and laughed a full, belly laugh. And inspite of herself,  she couldn't stop. Of all the precious things and wonderful things he has done...

Oh hell. She owed him at least this.

"Oh.. oh, Godfrey. Please don't take this the wrong way but you're just so.. so..." and she shook her head.

Screw it. And grabbed him by the from of his shirt to pull him in to a kiss. And it wasn't brief nor soft,  but a hot pressed warmth of need. a million colors exploded behind closed eyes and her heart was nearly flying clean out of her chest.

She wasn't sure when this journey started how she ought to feel about him, nor what she ought to do about him, but hell- the stuttering man who saved her life and sat on her throne at least deserved a kiss.

Godfrey stared as she laughed. Was that a good thing? A bad thing? He couldn't say anything but garbling potato flies with how flustered he was. He could only watch, in a decent level of confusion and horror before he was suddenly kissed and everything was on fire.

He never kissed another girl before so this, was, crazy. It felt like time stopped, something exploding inside of him. Cheering and parading in his head, it was utter madness. He pulled her in close, and just stayed there, like time froze.

Nothing else mattered but this moment, just for this short amount of time. He was sure about his heart though, at least for this moment, he liked her, he loved her, he wanted her, and at this moment, she, wanted him.

Of course, he didn't know what to do but kiss back in a brain addled sense of shock, even his most perverted side of him was frothing in shock. He was just going with it at this point, if he thought too hard he probably would pass out, cry and run away.

When their lips finally parted from the kiss, she smiled, a genuinely and slightly coy little smile,  as her cheeks kept to a heated pink and her eyes danced with stars. Her two sizes too big dress hung lower now, exposing more of her chest, which was also graced with a pink blush.  In fact, her robes looked a little loose and disheveled. But she didn't bother to fix it as a sleeve fell down to expose one shoulder as she lifted a hand to cup his cheek.

"You okay there, Farm boy?" She asked,  breathily,  playfully.

He backed away when she did, grinning back stupidly, if there was a thought going on in there, it was banished. He looked down, sadly, his brain was currently in control of the more desirous part, which stared for a moment before looking back up.

He nodded with a grin as his brain imagined perverted fantasies.

"Aye, alright I am city girl..." he said going to fix said dress on the shoulder, scandalous as it was, it was also SO hot, like, what would she be like in a month? Or two? Or if she jumps from 4 meals to 5? He allowed his fingers to brush over her shoulder as he slowly fixed it with a nod.

"Well, uh, did I tell ya are beautiful?" he said as a follow up eyes dancing about before looking back to meet hers. Still grinning stupidly

Missendria chuckled.
"And a queen... and a beautiful girl.." she added with a smirk. "You know.. you're a very.. tiresome man," She went on with a sigh, blushing a little when he fixed her dress.  But she smiled at him, adjusting herself on his lap some and the sleeve fell off to expose her soft white skin again, while some of her blonde hair fell like a veil over one eye.

Oh, My, Yalthnea. This was getting all to sexy for poor Godfrey, he gulped eyes wide, suddenly standing with her, carrying her like a cradle, grinning stupidly, but if he kept sitting then she may have discovered, uh, things. ANYWAY!

He started to walk out chuckle, glancing at the shoulder.

"We need to get ya fitting in that dress, lunch should do the trick, anyone ever tell ya that yar very tiresome? Making me chase ya?" he asked as he slowly walked out, just focus on the door Godfrey, FOCUS! Remember, ring first, should get one, but ring first! Or protection, protection from, uh, things!

He blushed even harder as he fought his own mind.

And then she was being whisked away, held in Godfrey's arms. Instinctively,  her own arms wrapped around his neck as he held her like a bride and she smirked.  She was by no means a petite woman, she being nearly as tall as he and although she lost much weight from her torment, her bone structure couldn't be remedied from weight loss alone. She still had hips and a naturally large chest that threatened to press open the dress as he carried her.

She chuckled at his words.
"You know.. nobody told you to come after me.."

Godfrey fought hard to not look down, mostly cause of her tits, it wouldn't be right, even if she was considered some what small around here, she was still shapely and by no means would a man of his honor ever look...while she was looking at him.

She also didn't seem as heavy, probably cause of all his heroics, she was getting easier to carry by the day it seems. He kept going, chuckling "True, nay anyone...but I wouldn't be me with out ya, sometimes think wot would I do if I found ya too late...I don't think I would be right, I don't think I would of fought as hard...so I guess I told myself to find ya." he said grinning, glancing down and looking up, face only Godfrey, eyes to the doors.

They would pass through the story area, and out back into the forest, seems he was getting quicker too, or moving faster cause he was already anxious, either or.

At his words she hugged into him tightly, burying her face into his chest.
"Thank you for finding me," She Whispered softly, sighing against his chest. "I.. would be lost without you."

Stared harder as he was hugged, my gosh, if she was this sexy now, he didn't want to know how he was going to resist her charms later on. This was already challenging enough as it was.


He glanced down, squeezing slightly with a grin. "Its ok, I would be lost with out ya too, and I would do it again any day." he said grinning broadly, already nearing out of the forest.

"Well, want me to carry ya all the way back? Feed ya a treat one by one like the queen ye are, or ya wanna walk back?" he asked stopping just before exiting the forest. Cause she wanted to go like this, he could use the treat bag to hide the *cough* inmodest bits, besides bonus food in her tummy. Or walk back and she'll likely fix it her self. Both good options for his addled brain.

Her eyes danced.
"Carrying me, of course!" She went on with a laugh.  "As your Queen you should have to carry me everywhere!"

Godfrey mentally cheered some more, deftly taking the bag of treats he took for just such a moment (Smart Godfrey, good thinking), putting it on Missendria to hide such inmodesty that he could see. Now he can walk through town AND feed her treats, bonus points right there.

He grinned "As ya decree my queen!" he says before taking off


However, this was harder to juggle then he thought, carrying Missendria and feeding her donut balls in brown sugar. He was able to do it, but it was an interesting mix of juggling Missendria all the way home, where the shouts of lunch could be heard. Where he promptly carried her inside and sat her on a seat with a huff, beginning to break sweat from his hurt arm (he totally forgot a bout that) before taking a seat near hers with a grin "And lunch is served!" he said grinning, seemingly round three of endless amounts of food and dessert.

Which served Godfrey just right, that was tiring, he would need more practice for sure, lots more.

It was hard to eat while being carried, the feat itself was strange and also she was laughing throughout it, having lost a treat or two along the way. She blushed and hid her face a little as they walked through town, telling Godfrey he probably ought to set her down.  But then they were back in his home, surrounded once again by food. She still couldn't believe people could eat this much! Even still, she was ready for the lunch meal and turned to Godfrey with a smirk.

But then she noted the way he fussed over his arm and frowned.
"Are you okay?" Through all the excitement, she had forgotten Godfrey had been quite severely injured. "You didn't hurt yourself further by carrying me, did you?"

Would nod with a reassuring smile.

"Its all fine! Just a wee bit sore still." he said as he was served a heaping plate  before glancing over smiling again as he took a bite, seems lunch was gigantic bowls of stew, three different kinds.

He chuckled "Nay nay, wouldn't hurt myself like that." he said, though, he almost got close, his arm hurt, however, his heart was fluttering a bit too much to care right now, in fact, he was still feeling mischievous.

"I feel so good, that I bet ya can't get through two bowls of stew." he said going to take another bite with a fiendish smile, now, there was strategy here. Just from 2 meals previously, she's probably still fullish, so one bowl would put her back, however two bowls, two bowls would push the limit, which in turn gives him another chance to carry her AND, rub the belly. He was a mastermind.

His eyes gleamed with the challenged, waiting to see if she would take the bait, grinning mischievously still.

Missendria rolled her eyes.
"Never mind my concern. You're clearly the same Godfrey."

She shook her head at his challenge.
"I'm not sure about two helpings,: she went on, peering at the options before her.  "But I'll have to try some of each. The food smells amazing."

Godfrey nodded, his ruse was seen through, before laughing "Indeed! Help yar self! I'm not even sure whats in the others." he said chuckling, his mom beginning to talk again like any other meal with questions about the village and how Missendria liked it, lunch ending much the same with everyone getting back to work, Godfrey's mom looking stuffed to the gills and cleaning up before it was just the two of them again save for the sounds of Godfreys mom preparing for dinner in the kitchen and snacking...despite just having lunch.


Godfrey leaned back "Well, nap time?" he asked Missendria with a grin, rubbing his stomach, stew always made it feel warm and toasty and good for naps. Well, his mom's and his own stew, everyone's kind of sucked to be honest. He chuckled at the thought, at his own place, no more horrid stew for sure.

Missendria didn't want to admitt she was tired, but she couldn't help but consider there were other reasons he wanted her alone in their room. She couldn't help herself but smirk.
"I suppose you deserve some rest after carrying me for so long," She went on nonchalantly , peering down innocently at her fingernails as she waited for Godfrey to take the lead.

Would grin, standing up slowly, going to pick her up again, keeping to her wishes of carrying her. Which he does, leaning more on his better arm upstairs, grinning as they enter, putting her gently on the bed, putting his knee on the bed like he may join her annnnnnnnd he  nods, yawns and goes to collapse on his own bed. Seems he was serious about napping.

Meanwhile, Godfrey's mind needed a break, it was steamed from previously, he wasn't sure he could take any more arousal or any sort, like what does one do after getting kissed? What was the next step! Its ok, he'll sleep on it, he was sure he would find the answer some time, she was probably exhausted too, besides, what could she possibly do next? Climb into bed with him? HA! HAHAHAHA! Only in dreams maybe, right nap time, zzzzzzz.

She let out a yelp and a laugh as she threw her arms around his neck.
"G-Godfrey! You.. you don't have to keep carrying me!" Her face was red. What would his mother think? She didn't even try to look back towards the kitchen as she was whisked away and placed carefully onto her own bed. She smirked up at him, moving a hand as if to...

And he was gone.  Her brows shot up as she turned to lay on her side, peering over at him on his own bed. It.. seemed as of he was fidgeting , restless and she smirked as she simply just stared at him.

Silly Farm boy. She supposed it was wisest to start a relationship slowly. Her last one.. perhaps she had been too eager for love.

Unlike him, Missendria was too restless to sleep and after confirming the other was asleep, she slipped out of the bed and out of the room to get herself some fresh air. She wouldn't go far, just a brief walk through Godfrey's parents farm, keeping close enough She could see the home still in view but enjoying just being alone and in the quiet of a field. There was nothing like this in the city. And she began to lose track of time,  especially when she ended up drifting off to sleep as she sat beneath a large willow tree, a cool breeze caressing her face.

Godfrey woke with a gasp, dreaming the same dream as before, a large vast city, his people numerous...happy. He shook it off as he sat up, covered in a film of cold sweat. He looked about, glancing over to the empty bed, city girl was gone. He slowly stood up, stretching, changing into another set of clothes before going to move down stairs. His dad was resting, whittling away at some wood. His mother in the end parts of cooking yet another massive supper...yet no sight of city girl.


He kept looking about sleepily before waving at his dad and walking towards the kitchen.

"Oy mum, ya know whar Missendria went?" he asked as his mom was quite litterally juggling dishes, ingredients...was that a knife?

His mom, doing her juggling act as she put things down looked over with a grin "Oh, she went outside pumpkin, probably needed some after that little bit o' spice ya put on her." his mother said, fanning her self with a dreamy sigh "Just like yar father." she said giggling again before looking at the oven and squeaking "Me pot roast!" she said as she got back to cooking.

Godfrey's eyes went wide, going for the door, she didn't run did she? Please say no, he exited, looking about, hands on his head as he looked about before pacing and taking a couple of deep breaths before closing his eyes, wait, he knew how to track, and it would be easy. Need to look for small, light foot prints, bigger then a childs, yet missing the heavy step of his people, not boots either. He began to prowl for tracks, eventually spotting some, making his way through the jungle of the field. Slowly and surely up a hill, out of the wheat, near a willow tree. He looked up, smiling in relief, hand over his heart before frowning. It was her choice if she did choose to run, yet he cared so much...never the less he was glad. He slowly started to make his way up, looking about with a grin, what a pleasant view. Hoping she was still sleeping he tip-toed up to sit beside her grinning, what a great place to nap. He was careful to not touch her besides smile at her sleeping face and look about. Taking great pleasure in being close, the smile turning sad, one day, he may be unable to sit with her like this, or ever again...he hoped that would never come to happen.


Missendria dreams were normal, besides for perhaps Yalthnea, or her smiling visage always in the corner of her eye, waiting, with only one mention of a gift towards the end of her dream. Just enough to push without being annoying, perhaps though, most certainly persistent and haunting in a way.

Missendria awoke with a start,  and reacted much without thinking outside of someone's looming over me! and grabbed the man by the arm to toss him to the ground, she frantically grabbing whatever weapon she could, which so happened to be a blade upon the man, and promptly held it to his neck.

Which.. then made her realize what she had just done as she gasped and dropped the blade.
"Godfrey!?"

Godfrey would be relaxing, looking out, what an enj-

Then he was being thrown by the person he was guarding and his own knife to his throat. He blinked, moving his head to the side as the blade fell, eyes wide, it seems she walk up cautiously

"Woah, lets settle down thar." he said gently, going to get up slowly, hands up "Its just me, not going to hurt ya." he said, same gentle voice. "Its ok." he said again gently.

Must of been a hard wake up call to cause this to happen. After moving gently to his feet, he would move towards her, slowly and gently, mostly so she didn't dive for the knife or panic and hit the tree or something. That, that would not be good.

Missendria sighed, wilting some.
"Gods.. Godfrey," She raked a hand through her hair. "You startled me. You're lucky I didn't hurt you," She went on with a frown.

Nods before chuckling "Aye, at least you would be the per'ttiest thing that stabbed me." which was technically true. After confirming that she wasn't going to stab him. He went over to pick his knife up, laughing some more before looking back at her, his brow going from relief to worry.


"Errr, ya alright?" he asks moving closer "If ya worried about hurting me, its ok, ya didn't hurt me." he said frowning slightly "I'm all good, nay need to worry at all." he said giving a kind smile, but he was worried for her. She seemed to blame herself a lot, what more was she blaming herself for that he didn't know about? Nor did he know how to ease those burdens...the only thing he knew how to do was be a good friend, guess he'll have to keep doing that. Poor lass. He moved closer to pat her back or give her a hug (who doesn't like a hug) if allowed.

He might have not expected what she did next but she hit him- playfully as she laughed, "Prettiest woman to hit you, too. Godfrey.." she shook her head and sighed. "I guess I probably worried you. I didn't mean to fall asleep. I just need sometime to myself."

Godfrey laughed as he backed away from the hit, faking pain, though, its more like it felt light in a way. He did frown slightly, hand behind his head.


"Me bad...scared ya would run away so I came to find ya, and no! Yar fine! Everyone needs time to thar selves, I just woke up me'self." he said, wincing slightly, probably should give her some room.

"Just came ta find ya for dinner...and please tell me if I'm nay giving ya space, just worried about ya." he said before nodding with a grin.

"Glad ya slept well though, peaceful spot up 'ere, thought I would join ya for a second..." he says looking about with a peaceful look before looking back with a grin.

Well, at least he could always be honest AND worried about her.

She smiled at him and had to shake her head. "I swear we just ate," she went on, stretching through a yawn. But she was smirking. He didn't exaggerate about their love for food.

"Perhaps we could have an evening stroll after dinner," She suggested, rising to her feet and dusting the grass and dirt from her dress.

Godfrey smiled back laughing "Aye, if it makes ya feel better, me mum was thinking about bumping up the meals to five per day." he says laughing harder "Nay thought was a good idea, four's a good starting point." he said before grinning with a nod.

"Sure...I know a good spot for a stroll after supper, I'll bring a pie for a snack if ya get hungry." he said  with a thumbs up, offering his hand to be taken with a grin, only half serious. If she did, which he didn't think she would, though, if she did, he would be all for it, like he would get to rub her overstuffed stomach, score. Way more likely would be to leave it as a gift to Yalthnea, he knew of a grove which still had her statue, it was pretty at night so he had no doubt that Miss city girl would like it.

Otherwise, he would lead her back, a massive feast, it seems dinner was the biggest meal. Godfrey's mother gorging herself completely before standing up with a grunt, rubbing her overstuffed stomach, her dress looking like she may pop as she got things cleaned up in a waddling fashion with the help of everyone else. Dinner consisting of breakfast, second breakfast, lunch, and then an entire other set of food, like a feast for 10 compared to 4.

After eating, he would offer to lead her back to the fields, it was about twilight, the sun just out enough to light the sky in a purplish orange, Through the fields he led her to the woods, night sounds and light bugs in full affect, true too his word, he did bring an entire pie. Deeper they went until  they came to a clearing, like a stone ring, at the end was a moss covered statue of Yalthnea and a couple of stone benches still intact. He grinned  as he showed her, it was quite open in this spot, no tree's over head.

"Now, it may not seem like much now, but join me on the bench thar, wait till the sun sets 'ere, turns into a whole new world." he says grinning as he goes to sit, the sky slowly darkening at a visible pace. He looked excited,  beckoning for her to join him, like something was about to happen.

She followed him to dinner but didn't eat as much as the last few meals. She just wasn't as hungry and had a lot on her mind. Godfrey leading her on an after dinner walk was welcomed as she followed beside him, all smiles.

She took a seat beside him as he instructed,  tucking some blonde hair behind her ear as she asked, "What should I expect? Or is this a surprise?"

Godfrey grinned in answer, putting a finger to his lip "Magic." he said simply, as the sky continued to darken until there was just darkness, then the surrounding stones began to glow an aqua blue one by one, until all stones shined, revealing carving similar to the ones in the story hall, the stones also began to hum, or sing in a ways. Some stones sounding like angels, others like mountains themselves were moving, creating an odd, by meshing symphony of sound. The area in the circle no longer pitch black but lit from the moon above, but in a weird way, not in bright moon light, but in a weird bluish light, twinkles of light floated about like stars. Almost like they were in space themselves. Two blue fires started near Yalthnea, the music continuing as a wave of calm seemed to wash over the area and the outside, no other sound besides the music that faded till a background noise, it was like they were in a veil of the night sky.


Henrik kept smiling, watching Missendria with glee, whispering "Per'tty eh?" he would say, staying still as he grinned about. One, he personally thought it was cool, therefore, Missendria would hopefully find it breathtaking. The stories on the stone were different too, this place some ways older then the previous ruins they went too. It was also calming though...something he thought Missendria needed, and if asked, he would simply leave, it seemed she had a lot on her mind...he wasn't sure how to help, but hopefully this would give her a good place to think. No wild animals dared attack here, so it would be safe. He couldn't think of a better, more calming, thinking place then this anyway.

Missendria fought the urge to roll her eyes. Magic. She supposed there could be some here in some way or another. It was a beautifully little alcove for sure, nature and time itself,  a sculptor.

But what did happen was something mesmerizing. Lights seemed to hum and glow, singing almost, not unlike what some might regard as the voice of an angel. It was soft, airy, delicate and sweet- a sound one could weep for.

She noted the glowing carvings in wonder, how they seemed to come to life against the songs. Even the air around them seemed to hum and glow, moving around the pair like a veil of night.

Missendria's eyes sparkled. She had never seen something so beautiful. And during that moment-
She was speechless.

Godfrey watched, more smiling at her then the area, he had been here, countless times even...including trying to get his friend to confess to a girl once (long story short, didn't work out too well). He looked about before looking at the pie, back to her then getting up slowly to put the pie in front of the Yalthnea statue, moving slowly, it would look like he was leaving after images as he moved over, putting the pie down between the fire, kneeling himself, head down in prayer. Figure he would give her time to be in amazement while he gave an offering. Normally the priestesses eat all the offerings given, they in turn growing which helps grow Yalthnea, but there was no priestess out here, yet the offerings went missing...he probably should think harder about it, but that was not the time.

His head lowered as he knelt, eyes closed, like meditating, he didn't clasp his hands, just sat there in silence.

A few moments later, Missendria finally noticed Godfrey had moved, and his form seemed to slip through the veil of enchanting lights. Seeing him move through it,  she reached her own cupped hand out and slowly let it move through the shroud of light in wonder. She opened her hand and waved it carefully back and forth in the light as if moving through starlit waters, before she turned to regard Godfrey,  kneeling before the statue of his goddess. She smiled, simply watching and not wanting to interrupt this intimate moment of his prayer.

Godfrey remained for a moment before getting up and moving back, hands clasped as he looked over grinning.

"Thought ya would like it, always thought it was a per'tty place..." he said  looking about the place, there was even a shooting star going through the area, shooting before suddenly winking out.

He stayed quite for a minute before scratching at his nose.

"Um, ya told me ya wanted quite ta think...thought ya would like this area for it, always peaceful 'ere, even in morn's, its a bit noisy in town and all. Thought it might give ya peace and quite." he said after a moment, scratching the back of his head  before grinning at her with a chuckle.

"Nay as per'tty in the morn's though, but certainly quite." he said nodding.

Missendria gave him a grin, watching as he returned beside her. She didn't say anything, and he wouldn't have had much warning other that the sparkle in her eyes before she stole a soft kiss to his cheek.

Godfrey kept talking, then suddenly kissed, stopping before pulling her close, hand around the waist if he succeeds, hand going to rest on her stomach (-fist pump-). Then going to put his head gently on her shoulder, just staring out.

"Your welcome." he said softly, his face blushing massively red. He was not ready for that.

Missendria smiled and hugged him fiercely back in return.

"This place is truly magical, " She told him through the hug. "Thank you for bringing me here "

Godfrey would squeeze back gently, hand squeezing her middle softly.

"Aye...aye it be, glad ya like it." he says staring out

"Much per'ttier when ya share it with another..." he followed up softly, just staring out, he was happy to be here with her, in some ways, it felt even more magical....and he felt happy. He pictured the same thing, accept all of his goals free, lusca saved, a kingdom....he event felt content some what. He wanted this moment to last just a little longer...so he stayed a little longer in the silence

And that's when she kissed him again,  this time on the mouth. A soft hand cupped his cheek as she leaned in needingly.

Godfrey was just chilling, then he was passionately kissed, again, second time in the day now. Thankfully, he didn't have to say words this time. He pulled her in closer. He wasn't sure what really to do? Besides, uh, kiss back of course. He was also touched, eyes wide as he was gently guided too it. He decided he should close his eyes and go with it. His mind beginning to realize that he was, in fact, kissing...again. Started to spiral again into chaos, slower this time, as it was too shocked to react from sudden kiss.

The magic of the place seemed to surge through their kisses, lending in the ambience of such a sweetly shared moment. She kept one hand to cradle his face as she kissed him, before slowly pulling away, eyes hazey with a smolder of stars as the heat still felt from it clung between them .

This was crazy, it was most certainly magical, he also felt eyes, like being watched, on the other, this was blessed ground for Yalthnea, so thats probably why.

As she pulled away he just stared, like, gob'stopped. This was uh, really, really, errr, hot all of a sudden.

"Wow..." is the only thing he could say, staring back, eyes flickering with solid green flecks that moved quickly through his eyes.

Missendria blushed at his reaction.
"That good?" She asked, voice a little husky, her eyes still twinkling from the heat.

Godfrey just stared and nodded slowly, his hand slowly going to brush her cheek and hair out of the way, his brow furrowing slightly, here came the moment of truth that would either break him, or be the best, night, EVER. After a moment of cupping her face with his hand gently he went to speak softly.

"You sure ya wanna be with a guy like me? Ya going to get chunky." he said, his voice a bit deeper, the only reason he resisted going back in was because he wanted to make sure, was this what she really wanted? He wanted it, so badly...but he didn't want this to be a mistake, he wanted to be absolutely sure she wanted to keep kissing a guy who was so different from her...totally not because he had confidence issues with the bombshell...nope.

Even as he said this, he slowly moved closer, he wasn't sure what he would do, but it would most likely kiss, meaning, what else was there right?

She couldn't help herself, inspite of Godfrey's seriousness, she laughed. Shaking her head, she moved her own hand to brush his hair from his face.

"Oh, is that a fact?" She asked, eyes twinkling with mirth.  "You proposing to marry me or something, Farm boy? Keep me chained up in some farm house somewhere raising your children while you're off adventuring?" She knew, at least partly what he really meant, but he was awfully fun to tease.

She knew his line of thinking. Farm boy had to be day dreaming up something big.

Godfrey blinked, why was she laughing, he was serious! She was going to get big, and he was going to be responsible! It was so different compared to his home, how could she laugh.


He nodded seriously "Aye! I-" he stopped talking, eyes going wide, how did she know! He was going to wait about six months to make sure and propose!?

He stared more, shaking his head "Nay, nay chained up, in a castle, nay a farmhouse, nor would I just up and leave ya and me kids." he said looking at her strangely until she implied kids, he didn't even know how that worked, he turned bright red, and running out of words, he didn't even know what to say about that now realizing what she was saying, damn brain frazzle dazzle.

Missendria placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Godfrey... can I ask you something?" She studied his face, her own now going serious. "Was I your first kiss?"

Godfrey glanced to his shoulder, oh by Yalthnea she was touching her shoulder, he looked back, nodding, she was serious, his own face reflecting it, he was ready for anything.

Except that, he felt like he was suddenly punched in the gut, his face went more red, he didn't say anything but maintain eye contact and nod silently before letting out a soft.

"Yes."

Meeting her's, she wasn't his chubby princess, yet, but to him, she certainly was one. He grew more red at the thought, but maintained his composure, one can not falter after all, she was being serious.

She looked at Godfrey,  her innocent Farm boy.  He had so many dreams that drove him. So many ambitions .

And so had she. Her eyes sparkled now with sadness. She was his first.. but she had already lost hers.

"That, I suspected," She told him, her eyes still holding back pain.  "But you were not my first."

And she felt like some terrible godawful whore, her own eyes threatening with tears yet she refused to look away. Before he could even consider this, realistically,  he had to know what was real.

Godfrey watched, his own eyes pained as he saw the sadness and pulled her in for a hug.

"That is ok, I love you anyway." he says, going to kiss her to prove otherwise, which his mind frothed at, so forward!

He did it away, no more did he wish to see such tears, not now, happiness, that is what he wanted, for him and her both. He used his hand much like she did to direct her toward it.

He already been exposed to the world to know how cruel it was, he was based in reality, and he was going to shape it too his will, and it would bend or he would break, and he has yet to break (Though, he had gotten close to breaking himself).

Missendria laughed out a cry, shaking her head with tears.

"But Godfrey.. " she shook her head. "You don't know what I've done... or all my foolish mistakes. How can you accept me knowing I'm so broken?"

Godfrey just smiled,

"Its because I'm broken too, life isn't about being not broken, its about being broken and picking ya self back up, we all make mistakes, I make mistakes, I've made so many mistakes and horrors that I wish I could of done better or never, ever seen."

He said smiling sadly at her "I accept you cause you're the kindest person I've met outside me town, the nicest too me, and that you care, you care so much, why does it matter if your broken? I'm just as broken in some ways, if not more." he says going to hug her again.

She wasn't sure what to say. She wanted to protest. She wanted to scream, but instead she buried her face against Godfrey and cried.

After a long moment did she finally calm herself, face red and blotchy from tears. She wiped them away on her sleeve and sighed, just letting herself melt into his arms as he held her.  But she remained quiet, she needed the quiet. Just this moment to breath.

Godfrey simply let her, he wasn't sure how long she's been alone without rest, but she needed this. He hugged her tight, patted her on the back, staying quite himself as he watched the drops fall like falling stars before hitting the ground the droplets of the droplets floating through the air like star fall.

Sometimes, only in beauty and in peace will the darkness leak out. In terms of healing, there was sometimes no other way then to let it seep out, just like now.

After a long moment of quiet, she finally spoke.
"I hope I didn't ruin this moment too drastically ," She went on with a soft, forced laugh. "Everything here was so beautiful.."

He shook his head

"Nay, nothin ruined, just getting things off ye eh? Good place for it if ya ask me." he says nodding his head  before chuckling "Everything here is STILL per'tty." he said motioning to the tears like starfall about.

"Crying nay make it ugly...been 'ere to cry a lot in me own times." he said nodding, still hugging her, gotta have that hug in pre'check just in case of tears again, he was ready, and confused how things can suddenly go from happy to upset in moments, meaning, he's seen it happen all of his life and he still found it confusing.

She couldn't help herself but smile. She peered up at him now, and took in how the unique atmosphere had silvery, sparkling shadows dancing all around like a veil.

"Would it be alright if we just.. took this slow?" She asked, growing quiet as her eyes shined with worry. "I.. was hurt.. pretty badly with love before and I.. I don't know how ready I am to make any sort of deep commitment with my heart. I.. hope you understand. "

Godfrey smiled himself at the beauty, giving her time and peace before he started to laugh

"City girl, that was my plan, how ya know? If ya haven't noticed, nay the best at uh, being...romantic and all." he said chuckling as he nods "Aye, was planning to get ta know ya a bit, nor wanted to make any moves ye didn't want, understand completely, gives me time ta fatten ya up anyway." he says nodding, glancing over with a smirk as he looked out.

"Far as I'm aware, got all the time in the world....all the time." he said, patting her on the back and letting go slowly to observer the place, grinning.

"All the time in da world."

That's when she shoved him, aiming to knock him clean over as she laughed.
"And here I thought you were okay with my faults," She went on, smirking as she gestured down her body. "Curves and all."

He was shoved off the bench, doing a roll with a cackle as he spun around to face her grinning stupidly.


"Aye, uh, that be, but won't lie that I'll be forever trying to put meat on yar bones, why ya think I kept asking if ya sure with me likes and all." he said chuckling before nodding.

"But nay worry, yar per'tty....skinny, but vary per'tty." he said chuckling as he got too his feet to sit down beside her

"Besides, ain't going to change how...errr, that be a lie, can't lie about me tastes, but still nay change the fact yar per'tty besides the point." he said looking away, he felt suddenly very awkward for some reason as he began to bumble

Missendria took the time to lay down on her stomach upon the bench and smirked down at Godfrey.
"Well, atleast I know I'd never starve around  you ," She teased. Then she made room when he came to join her,  turning to lay on her back and used his lap as a pillow.

Would allow the head in the lap, resting their himself, a hand idly going through her hair as he looked about.

Otherwise, not doing much though before chuckling.

"Nay think ya ever going to starve, at least I hope not, be a grave issue it be."

he said nodding, chuckling though, starving? That was used for the worst crimes, he wished that upon no one, starving indeed.

Missendria turned to her side. A hand traced up his arm, gently moving over his shoulder then just the tip of his chest before the flat of her hand slid down his arm to find his hand, where she laced fingers with him and gave them a squeeze.  Then she looked back at the veil of twilight and sighed.

"Why would you ever leave this place, Farm boy? It's really nice here."

Godfrey's hand is taking, looking down with a grin before looking up again around the place, squeezing gently back

"Ya know the story hall I showed ya? Every lad and lass 'ere grew up with tales of the outside world being this fantastical amazing place...and it really isn't." he said with a frown "On the other...I've done a lot o' good outside of me town, I met people and did things that would make even god like beings raise a brow, even just slightly that I'm still here...aye, it be a good place. I hope to start another place like this in that town I got...make it just as per'tty if not more."

He said as he looked about "Sure is nice though..." he said looking about with a sigh, at least he had a week or two to spend here, and with a friend none the less.

She gave his hand a gentle squeeze.
"You're such a dreamer."

Slowly she rose from the bench and brushed her hair from her shoulder.
"We should head back. I wouldn't want your parents to worry," She teased.

Squeezed back, helping her rise if she would need it before standing himself with a sigh, but smiling.

"If ya insist, nay think thar worrying about much if ye ask me, vary safe abouts 'ere, mayhaps me mum be thinking we be doing somethin scandalous and is gushing about it at the moment."

He says chuckling, still holding her hand and going to guide her back, he wasn't too worried, and wanted to be close, but also the woods were dangerous at night, and he highly doubt she could handle the wolves, they were big around here.

"Oh?" She asked,  arching an eyebrow. "So we'd be well and safe just to stay out all night together?"

Godfrey chuckled "If ya wanted too, though, I much prefer a bed if ya ask me." he said grinning back, leading her through the darkness, it was familiar here, large glowing eyes watching them in the night, or lighting bugs that gave brief spats of light, they were almost out now into the field, the moon over head.

Missendria wrapped her arms around one of his and smiled.
"Youre assuming we'd be sleeping," She teased.

Was wrapped around as he started into the fields, raising a brow.

"Assuming that we're sleepin? Ya suggesting that I get ta rub yar belly and cuddle?" he asked flushing, as far as he was aware, there was no activity more intimate (as far as his parents let him know) then rubbing a engorged maidens belly and cuddling. He flushed a bright tomato red, it seems he was not aware of the birds and bee's.

As far as he was concerned, that was with a ritual and up to priestesses

Missendria raised a brow.
"So you're a stomach boy?" She teased, sliding her own hand down along her stomach. Although hers was clearly flatter than most women in his village, she had rather full figure and wasn't exactly a stick thin woman like many of the poor.

"And you like to cuddle?" She smirked and nestled in beside him as they talked. "Cuddling I can do."

Godfrey turned more red, he was tricked, wow.

He nestled back with a grin.

"Aye that I am, nay worries, get ya thar, in fact, if ya willing ta try somethin when we get back?."

he said letting go and quickly going to pull her in close, his hand moving around her waist and gently squeezing around her waist "Mayhaps ya will like it, involves food, and put ya out like a light...but moving slow as we are, another time." he says chuckling, nestling in more.

Indeed, for a city girl she was not as thin, and curvy, Godfrey did have plans to thicken her up...by a lot, but patience was key, and besides he never got a chance to do this, ever, and with such a pretty girl...it was like she was a princess, in fact, she was.

Close to home they were, just in the distance.

"You know, Farm boy, its a bit scandalous you want to play with your food," She said, her voice dripping with play. Of course she was jesting and her eyes danced to see if he'd catch it. Some things went over the farm boy's head, and she thought it was adorable. And made it extra fun to tease him.

Godfrey furrowed his brow "Wot? Play with food, no no, it uh...." he says turning bright red "Never mind, I'll explain it later." he says quickly shaking his head "Playing with food is scandalous though, nay waste food." he says nodding, as they approach the front door opening it for her as he stops.

"Folk play with thar food?" he asked curiously, this was a surprise, were people really that dumb to waste food? What couldn't be possible...wasting food...madness.

And that's when she lost it. Unable to stop herself,  she just let the laughter flow. Shaking her head, she finally turned and kissed his cheek.
"Don't ever change,  Farm boy. It's... charming. "

looked over in surprise, looking her over to make sure she's alright before grinning and nodding with a confused look.

"Ya got it thar." he says  before going to head up stairs, his mom and dad were probably awake, his mom probably taking a bath, and his dad probably out talking with the guys about local farming operations to expand affairs.

Eventually getting to the room, entering before nodding with a sigh "Aight, well, best be off to sleeps now, he said, patting her stomach before letting go and yawning "Oh gosh, guess I need to get out so ya can change." he said after some stretching going to head for the door, gotta give a woman privacy ya know (and also think how squishy she'll be later).

Missendria's face twisted in confusion.
"Change into what? This dress is like a robe anyhow. And if it were up to me.. I'd barely sleep in a thing," She told him with a sultry little look as she leaned against the inside of the partially closed door.