“Hold on a minute, Pri. I appreciate the help, and I will go with you to find this amulet. But… I mean.. why are you helping me? You escaped captivity in the castle… you made it out! Why on earth would you want to go back?”
Pri looked at the ground, wringing her hands. Her blonde hair cascaded down and covered her face. I couldn’t help but admire her figure as I watched her silently considering the answer to my question.
Damnit. I’m supposed to be on a Hero’s Journey. Why can’t I let go of this strange attraction?
“You are here for a reason Joseph. You were sent here to be a Hero. That can mean only one thing.”
She looked up at me, her blue eyes piercing me. I felt my soul was bare before her.
“You and I were meant to cross paths. I know not if we will continue together after this, but I can help you gain access to the amulet. The vile Rathgar has stolen much from my people, and if we can reclaim such an artifact it will bring me great relief.
And…” I saw her resolve flicker and begin to fade, her eyes begin to water.
“Your sister,” I finished her thought for her. “We might learn news of her if we get the amulet.”
She nodded.
We sat in silence, lost in thoughts of the journey ahead.
I noticed in the distance, above the treeline, the sun had begun to set. The sky was turning a beautiful crimson as the light of day faded to night.
“It’s beautiful here,” I said.
Pri followed my gaze but made no comment if the sunset moved her or not. She rose to her feet, dusting her hands off on the skirts of her dress.
“We will need to make camp here. Come, help me gather wood to make a fire.”
“Ye’s ma’am!” I replied with a salute as I got to my feet.
Pri looked up at me, confused. “Mah- ahm?”
I laughed.
“It’s an expression…like.. something you say to your elders or someone who is above you. Someone who is leading.”
For a moment I thought she was angry but then she slowly cracked a smile.
“Mah-ahm. Yes. I am your mah-ahm Joseph. You obey. Now come, I need those big arms to gather wood.”
I smiled back.
“Sure thing.
Big arms? A few hours ago I had the arms of a third grader and no girl at the office would even look at me. Now a sexy elf was my mah-ahm… whatever that meant.
***
Even with my new Schwarzenegger-esque body, gathering wood had been tiring. I noticed a new bar appear on my field of vision, it was yellow and read:
Stamina: 10/100
It had begun to flash, giving me a mild dizzying effect as it continually blinked in my peripheral vision. I mentally asked Help what it was and if I could turn it off. The answer was swift:
The Stamina bar represents your body’s ability to do non-combat tasks such as gathering / cooking / walking and much more!
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
When your stamina reaches a critically low level you will pass out where you stand and may wake up in a very compromising position! It is advisable that you rest or sleep naturally to avoid such dangers.
Pri yawned loudly and I blinked, startled. It was an incongruous loud sound for her petite feminine form. I stifled a chuckle and she shot me a glare.
I threw up my hands. “No offense ma’am, I’m tired too. It’s been a long and absolutely insane day.”
This seemed to placate the maiden who went back to staring into the fire. I noticed her head nodding, her eyes drooping.
We had no bedding to speak of and I looked around us in vain for any sort of comfort, something on which to lay. All there was was grass.
I sighed.
I missed my bed. I missed my earplugs and face mask and my white noise machine. I hadn’t been camping since I was 10.
What the hell was I doing here anyways? I was no Hero!
I looked up at the sky as if for an answer, but all I saw was blackness and stars. I was lost for a moment in the beauty of it all, forgetting my complaints.
Was the sky back on Earth like this? It couldn’t be. Or was it just that I had never bothered to look up… so busy looking down or straight ahead…
“It’s cold,” Pri said, her voice shaky.
I turned to see her. She was clutching the sides of her damp dress. She was as close to the fire as she could safely be and still she was shivering. I too felt the sting of the cold wind, the temperature was dropping by the second.
I felt my heart rate quicken as she looked at me. I knew what a real man would do. Go to her! Take her in his arms, hold her close! Take the shirt off his back and give it to her!
But dammit! That wasn’t me.
I am a coward.
When was the last time I’d been on a date? Heck, even had coffee with a woman? Years!
I gulped.
“I um.. I…”
Pri laughed at me, sensing my nervousness.
“You know Joseph, for a big strong hero you sure act like a young pup.”
You have no idea lady…
She got up, walked over to me, and sat beside me so that our sides touched.
“We need to stay close....” She said it slowly.
Close! She wants to be close to me. It’s a sign… a signal…
My heart was pounding in my ears. This was the moment you saw in every manga, in every story, where the Hero and the damsel give themselves over to each other in the heat of the moment!
Be brave Joseph! Be brave! You can do it… kiss her…
I turned to her then. Our gaze met. Her blue eyes searched mine and I felt electricity between us sparkle. I grasped her shoulder and heard her sigh. I leaned in, my lips seeking hers, and…
*SMACK*
Her hand was swift and her aim true.
She slapped me!
I yelped: “Ow! What the hell!?”
I brought my hand to my cheek where already a stinging pain was spreading, throbbing.
She was damn strong!
“You dimwit!” Pri shouted.
“That really hurt!” I whined in response.
It did! My face was going to be purple tomorrow!
She shook her head in exasperation.
“Let me take a look.”
She pushed back my hair with soft delicate fingers and traced the bruise that was forming on my cheek. I saw her smirk and then try to hide her growing amusement, her anger meltin away.
“You’ll be fine.” She patted the skin gently and I winced.
She only chuckled.
“But you should think before you act, Hero-Joseph. I am a princess and I am your elder. Your mah-ahm. Not some lady of the night for you to save and bed as you wish!”
“Understood?” She asked firmly.
I nodded, feeling much like a child who has been told off by a firm parent and then consoled. Emotionally whiplashed but put in my place.
“Now,” She said, her hand on my shoulder, “Let’s get some sleep.”
Sleep? After that!
But despite my worries we lay down side by side, our bodies huddled close (though not too close) and were both soon fast asleep.