Days. Months. The passage of time was nonexistent atop these mountains of endless winter. It may have been decades since he's arrived here, trapped as he was without anywhere but his little cave. He tried getting down the steep slopes of the mountain, and find a civilization that he longed for. Has he tried? Every day, for days uncounted. And yet, he would always found himself atop one of the several mountain ranges that inhabit this place.

Man, Baji really missed the convenience of takeout, and hamburgers, and beer.

Women.

What he needed was a hot shower, preferably a modern one, with soap and shampoo. And a massage. A spa would be very nice right about now.

Baji sighed. Dreaming was the only thing keeping him sane in this world of snow and ice.

"I've finally found you."

Baji screamed. A high pitched girlish scream.

The strange beautiful woman flinched, while the men and women armed and armored to the hilt, unsheathed their swords and shields instantly. Perhaps it was Baji's frightened expression, or the woman obviously leading her men, but they didn't attack him.

Whatever danger Baji sensed from them was minimal, now.

Which was a good sign?

Baji, on the other hand, looked ready to bolt. Who were they? Why do they look like they're about to get ready for a renaissance festival? And swords, really?

The beautiful woman was the only one without armor, wearing a rich velvet dress and leather boots. Her silky golden blond hair was tied in a tail behind her, and eyes as gold as her hair. With a touch of olive to her healthy skin, she must have spent quite some time out in the sun.

"I... apologize for startling you." The strange woman spoke slowly, registering her blunder. "I should have notified you of our coming. Please, accept our apologies."

Baji stared.

"Can he even understand you, princess?" The knight to her right stared at him as if fixated on a particularly ugly bug. "I had no idea the legendary Mountain God was about as skittish as a kicked puppy."

"Quite, Remy," To the princess' left, a woman glared at the man. "Let the man gain his bearings."

The princess took a step forward, perhaps to initiate a conversation a bit closer than farther apart. Whatever protests the knights might have had, died, when Baji took a step back.

It was odd to see the complicated expression on the princess' face, as if unused to the idea of anyone, particularly a man, looked about ready to bolt.

"I'm Amelia, the princess of Hunaoi kingdom," The princess said. "O Lordos, I have come a long way to meet the Mountain God. Will you please at least accept my offering?"

Baji didn't run but, he did stare. A lot.

Amelia snapped her fingers, and servants in rich red uniforms arrived, bringing tables and plates and... food. Roasted chicken, pig, salads and ripe oranges and apples and the list went on and on. Where it all came from, without his senses going off was nervewracking.

How in the world did they bring all this to the top of the mountain? Actually, how were they even breathing? The air was practically unbreathable for normal folks considering the elevation.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Still, food. Baji drooled.

The servants started setting up dinner plates and all manner of food in front of him.

"Please, go right ahead. This is all yours for the taking." Amelia sent him a soft smile, as she gestured to the table. 

A moment passed, then another. But Baji, inch by inch, made his way toward the table. The servants have long gone to stand behind the soldiers in patience.

Baji took a moment to plop a ripe piece of sliced mango into his mouth. He groaned in pleasure. And it didn't take him long to eat more.

"Gods Above!" One of the soldiers swore, fascinated. They all stared, even the servants. The princess now sat opposite of him, on a chair somehow produced from... somewhere. She watched him with wonder mixed with disgust and awkwardness.

Baji didn't mind. He only cared about what was on the plates. How long has it been since he had eaten anything that was cooked? Animal and monster meat was good, but Baji had trouble digesting the raw meat for a long time. Of course, Baji made sure to eat his vegetables, too. The last thing he wanted was scurvy, thank you very much.

The whole roasted pig was consumed, slowly, but surely. Then, the variety of pies of meat and fruits, and a whole cake were gone in fifteen minutes.

Baji didn't stop, he couldn't. It was a dream. All of this was but a deluded mind of a man who's gone too long without social interaction and proper meals. He's finally cracked it. How else would these people come out of nowhere, offer him food, with the most beautiful woman he's ever seen?

He was too hungry to care, and the sweet-smelling savory meal in front of him was too delicious. So, he ate and ate.

The princess kept coughing, though he had no idea why. Baji glanced at her, concerned. Then, he took a leg of roasted venison and tossed it to her.

Perhaps caught off guard, Amelia froze. The meaty leg smacked to her face, and it slowly slid down her face and fell onto her lap.

The soldiers froze, brought on from indecision and fear of reprisal from their princess, but Amelia did nothing. Just... stared.

Baji mimed eating, then pointed at her throat. He couldn't speak and was afraid he might have lost his voice box permanently from the decades of confinement.

One of the servants handed her a handkerchief. Amelia slowly wiped out the sauces and slowly ate the meat. Whatever. Let her do what she wants, it's her food. She probably had lunch before she got here, or something.

"If we can discuss something, O Lordos of Mountains?" Baji stared, wiping the shaggy hair from his eyes. They get so tangled up. Honestly, he really should have cut his hair sooner. "There's a war coming to my country, O Lordos. A war that might just destroy my country, annexed into our most hated enemies."

Baji started licking the plate of the sauces, but he still paid attention.

"If I did that in front of royalty, I think hanging would be the best way to go." One of the soldiers muttered. "Are we sure he's got the blood of the gods in him?"

The princess didn't seem to hear it, but Baji did. What in the world were they talking about? Blood of the Gods? Are they hyper-religious, on top of living in a primitive civilization? Still, the food was good, though.

"We've come to ask for your help, in defending our country against the forces of our enemies," Amelia's eyes glistened with determination, even a hint of desperation. "Whatever is within my power, I shall give you whatever you want."

A war. Baji didn't like wars. If their civilization was anything, rape and pillage was something that occurred in every war, regardless of eras. And while there's still the Geneva Convention on the proper conducts of war, having a nuke has a bigger impact of not going to war.

Regardless, Baji could not say no. If he could prevent some deaths and help with the war, maybe he could make a difference. These people have the resources and strength, and while Baji doubted he had the strength to help her, he could at least try.

"Will you help me?"

Baji made sure the fur was wrapped tightly around him before he got to his feet. And then, he extended his fist toward her.

Amelia stared. The soldiers, tense, skittish, stared. Baji stared but didn't move aside his fist.

Maybe something must have registered because Amelia extended her own fist. She gently bumped against his own.

Baji grinned, then nodded.