Morning came, and with it, the first frost of the Fall season. The boys were all huddled close to me for warmth, and even Elizabet had scooted her sleeping bag closer to share whatever warmth was available. Apparently, I was the only person who was actually too warm to be comfortable.
I sighed softly, and wiggled out of my bag. Tossing my shirt on, I went outside to set the fire up again, only to find Blainaut already working on it.
“Good morning, Blainaut. Thank you for getting the fire going. I’m sure the kids and Elizabet will appreciate it.” I yawned and stretched.
“Morning, Ivor. And yes. I’m sure they will. What of you? Are you going to wow us with any more amazing feats today?” He smiled at me warmly.
I snorted. “Not unless you count walking to the next crossroads an astounding feat. I sincerely hope I don’t have to do any more intense magic again for a while. Hell, I’ve not been this slim in almost fifteen years. For most of my life, I’ve been fat. Well, large in general, but you get the idea. I’m not used to looking and feeling like this. Part of me wants to gorge myself on as many sweets, fatty foods, or anything that’ll pack on the pounds that I can, just so I can keep casting and learning. I know that isn’t healthy in any capacity, but there it is.” I sighed and reached into my Bag, pulling out a handful of dried meat, slowly munching on it.
Blainaut nodded, the smoke from the campfire swirling around the two of us, carrying the strong scent of hickory. I noted that I still had a bundle of wood left. Sighing, I Duplicated it several times, shoving the wood into my Bag. I had to make sure we would be able to keep warm until we reached the territory of the Lizardfolk.
“Blainaut? Do you think there will be any more issues on our way to the next town or crossroads, or whatever it is we have next? I mean, I hope all we have to worry about is getting food on the way.” I looked at the pale man, seeing the way time had begun to work its way onto his face.
“I don’t think so. If, as you say, Amos is a spellcaster, I doubt he would be following us. His first order of business would likely be to rebuild his little empire back in Gnok. I know you don’t like that, but that’s the way of things.” He sighed heavily.
I nodded. That certainly seemed the most logical course for Amos to take. Looking out on the horizon, I still didn’t see any people on the road. Likely due to the weather, I supposed. I knew that I didn’t have much hope of eliminating slavery for good in this world, but I knew that I could make a difference to some of it’s people, at least. That thought kept me going; kept me trying. I looked up at the top of the tent to see the crow, her blue-black feathers catching the morning’s light just so, making her shine majestically. I smiled, and peeked into my tent, seeing the boys in a heap, curled up at the edge of the sleeping bag, against Elizabet’s back. I cleared my throat, hoping to catch someone’s attention.
Elizabet roused first, looking around bewildered. “Where am I? What’s going on? Why am I warm?” She saw me at the doorway to the tent, and visibly relaxed.
“Good morning, Elizabet. I trust you slept well?” I smiled at the young woman, hoping to convey kindness.
She nodded, then yawned, stretching. I caught sight of her nearly nude form, and hastily turned my head. “I slept okay, I think. Why are you turned away? Is there something over there?” She sat up, the sleeping bag falling away from her upper body.
I reddened and sat down, facing the open flap. I turned my head enough to let my voice carry into the tent. “Nothing is wrong. I’m just trying to respect your privacy while you dress.”
Her soft laughter reached my ears, causing the skin on the back of my neck to twitch. “Oh really? Respect my privacy? Is that how things are done in your world? You never look upon a woman you desire?”
I heard her footsteps approach me from behind, and saw Blainaut trying to hide his laughter. I shot him a withering glare until I felt her arms rest on my shoulders from behind. I stiffened, my eyes wide, trying hard to stay still. She leaned forward, and I could hear her soft breath in my ear, and feel the swell of her breasts brush my back. I swallowed audibly.
Her voice was soft and slightly husky in my ear “A woman who has every desire to wring as much from you as possible?”
“Wring what, exactly?” My voice came out as a soft croak, tension evident in every syllable.
She leaned heavily onto me, pressing as much of her body to me as possible, her lips tickling my ear as she said “Knowledge, and anything else I might be so lucky to get from you.” I felt her fingertips brush against my back as she whispered my name in my ear. “Ivor…”
I cleared my throat, trying to keep my breathing even. “Elizabet. I think you should put some clothes on. We have a long way to walk today. I’d like to see the next crossroads by nightfall. Hopefully we can make the trip as quickly as we can.”
Her quiet laughter reverberated in my head. “A long walk, indeed.” She sighed softly. “I suppose I should dress, then. Are you sure you won’t assist me?” She stood, and removed her weight from me.
If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
“I’m sure, Elizabet. Once you’ve dressed, we can pack up and be on our way.” I struggled to keep my racing heartbeat under control and my voice steady.
“Very well, Ivor. I shall do as you say.” I heard her footsteps recede, and then the rustle of clothing. I began to calm down as Blainaut struggled to keep his mirth contained.
Elizabet walked out of the tent a moment later, tossing her long auburn hair in the morning air. “Oh, it feels so good to be out of those sewers. Wouldn’t you agree, Ivor?” She began running her fingers through her hair, trying to remove any stray knots she could find.
I nodded and stood, turning to check on the boys, who were just beginning to stir. “It sure is, Elizabet. It sure is. Looks like I must teach you how to stuff your sleeping bag. Boys? If you would please put our sleeping bags away once you get dressed? Thank you.” Once the boys had done so, they left the tent, and placed the sleeping bags next to my chair. “Elizabet? Please come here.” I walked back into the tent, and waited on the young woman.
She smirked and strolled back into the tent, hands clasped behind her. “Yes, Ivor?” She bounced slightly on the balls of her feet, causing amazing things to happen to her body.
“Stay put.” I commanded her. She continued to bounce, but didn’t move, otherwise. I walked over and fastened the tent shut.
Her breathing quickened as I returned. “Why can’t I move, Ivor? What’s going on? What spell did you cast?”
I stood in front of her, my eyes boring into hers. “Stop bouncing.” She halted, her pupils going wide. “Stand on one foot.” She complied, fear becoming evident on her face. “Stand normally, as relaxed as you can be.” She hugged her arms to her midsection, and sniffled, looking down and away.
I sighed and took a step back. “Now, let me explain. Please look at me.” When she didn’t immediately turn her head, she froze.
“Why didn’t I look at you? Everything else you’ve said, I’ve done immediately. What’s going on, Ivor?” She did turn to look at me, then, her eyes wet with tears.
Now it was my turn to look away. “It’s the ring, Elizabet. The gold and ruby ring I put on you in the sewer? It’s a slave ring. I wear the only Master ring in existence. When I will it, you will do exactly as I say. I’ve not used it until now. I didn’t want to embarrass you in front of the children or Blainaut.” At her questioning look, I continued. “I detest slavery, yes. This ring, and its siblings were crafted to help safeguard me. Whoever wears them cannot harm me in any way, shape or form. You won’t be able to even attempt to scream for help if we pass people. That would bring undue attention to me, and ultimately harm me. Out of respect for you, I’ve not used the ring until now. However, I felt it was necessary to show you what I am capable of.” I sighed heavily. “I don’t like it. Not one bit, Elizabet. Please understand that. I hate having power. I hate having to use it, and I hate having to use it on people I’d like to be able to trust and to actually like. It makes me feel like a hypocrite.”
“A hypocrite? How? Don’t the powerful rule the world? You could rule the world, Ivor. Isn’t that exciting?” She uncrossed her arms, becoming animated.
“Exciting? No. No, it’s terrifying to me, Elizabet. I want nothing more than a life of peace and comfort. Most of my life thus far has simply been one of struggle and hardship. I want to rest. Here, however, it seems I have a task. It’s no accident that I happened to appear in that forest at that moment. No accident that I happened upon three young, scared little boys that wanted nothing more than to be free.” I sniffled, remembering their fear. “No, I was brought here for a reason, Elizabet. I think it has much to do with that crow outside, and much to do with who I am as a person. I don’t like it, and I don’t want it. I also don’t have a way back to my world, as depressing as it was for me.” I took a stabilizing breath and looked her in the eye. “But this is where I am. This is what I’m doing, and I’m not going to let anything stand in my way.” I stepped forward and gently placed a hand on her cheek. “Not even an absolutely gorgeous woman such as yourself, Elizabet.” Smiling, I wiped the tear from her cheek. “I will teach you all I can, however. I never want to feel like I need to use the ring again.” I let my hand drop, and gently took her warm hands in mine. “I want to trust you, Elizabet. Show me I can trust you, and I’ll take the ring off, and we can let whatever happens happen. Okay?” I smiled. “I swear to you, I’ll never force myself on you, nor will I, ah, touch you without your express desire.”
She sniffled and wiped another tear from her cheek. “Okay, Ivor. I believe you.” Smiling, she said “I still got to hold your hand, though.” She laughed, and I laughed with her.
“Now. Let me show you how to put away your sleeping bag. You’ll need to do this every morning. And I’ll show you how to take down and put up the tent.” I let her hand go, and got to work.
A few minutes later, we both emerged from the tent, seeing the sun had come up almost fully above the horizon. We all took down our tents, folded our chairs, and got ourselves ready for the day’s journey, the crow choosing to perch upon my shoulder.
Once we set ourselves on our way, I kept looking around for stray bits of wood I could use to fashion into a cart. It took most of the day, but I had finally gotten enough wood I could use to make a simple four-wheeled cart out of. I had the knife blade I could duplicate and turn into banding for the wheels, and to make simple bearings out of, and the two other adults could take turns pushing or pulling the cart. I had begun to design it in my head a couple of days ago, thankfully.
As the sun set, we all headed off toward the tree line to find a decent spot to bed down for the evening. We all set about to forage for firewood and for edible greens, mushrooms and late-season berries. We managed to collect a fair amount, and returned to our campsite after an hour or so of looking.
As the weather had trended towards warm that day, it wasn’t terribly cool in the evening. We decided to forego the fire, in favor of the light of the twin moons. I Duplicated everything we had foraged thrice over, and dropped it into an emptied storage bag, and then into the Bag of Holding.
Later that night, I lay on the ground, Elizabet and the boys nearby, Blainaut in his chair, each chatting amiably with the others, and looked up at the night sky.
There was absolutely nothing familiar above me. I could find no constellations that I knew, no galactic arm arcing above my head, and no familiar planets. I was utterly alone and lost in a new world, in over my head, and homesick for a place that bore little love for me. I couldn’t help but to cry softly as I watched the night sky slowly revolve above me.