image [https://imgur.com/Un7MHKy.png]

Luka awoke with his head pounding. He had no idea why he had drank so much last night. Something about being around Samantha made him loosen up in a way he hadn’t in… he didn’t know how long. He smiled, in spite of how terrible his body felt. He had never had a child, only relatives. But perhaps this was what it was like. He rubbed his palms against his eyes. What was THAT thought? He got up and splashed cold water against his face, and then checked the wrappings on the book. The same as last night, good. He equipped his sword, still looking distrustfully at the cursed object. There was truth to what Samantha said, but he would much rather have left this thing in the Dungeon, but what was done was done.

A bit later, feeling more himself, he clomped down the stairs. He noted with surprise that Samantha was already up, drinking tea and looking very thoughtful. She had dark bags under her eyes, but beamed at him with a radiant smile as soon as he came into view. “Oh Luka! Good morning!” He nodded to her, and sat down, motioning to the bartender for a drink and some food.

“Well Samantha. Time to get you that last level, and then you can head out to the Gathering spot for the new Chosen. I think you will do just fine in the Contest.” He was proud of her, and looked forward to hearing of her exploits. Samantha looked at him thoughtfully. “Luka, can’t you come with me? What’s keeping you here? We can level up as we go!”

Luka slowly shook his head. “I know we’ve talked about this, but the more I think about it the more I realize I cannot. I need to be here for the new Chosen.” Samantha furrowed her brow. “But didn’t you say they come every decade?” Luka nodded. Samantha kept staring at him. “So… don’t you have a few years to kill?” Luka went to answer, then paused. Something about this didn’t seem right.

He rubbed at his brow, his headache pounding. “I… no. The Chosen will come soon, and I have to be here.” As he said this his headache retreated a bit. “Sorry Samantha.” She frowned at him, moving her hands under the table. What was she doing? It was as if she was fiddling with something. Her eyebrows went up. “Aha. Okay. Luka, why don’t you think about that again? Do you HAVE to wait here for a Chosen, when they come every DECADE?” Luka opened his mouth, and then his eyes widened. The headache was gone. And… she was right. Of course he could leave. What would he even do in this town for the next ten years??

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Samantha leaned in, her face more intense than he had seen previously. “How many Chosen did you say you’ve helped, Luka? As a Greeter?” Luka’s head was spinning. “Over thirty…” Her voice was coming as if from very very far away. “And you aren’t yet forty, right?” He saw where she was going with this, and small black dots floated in front of his eyes. “I… what…”

He felt a cool hand on his arm, and he looked up. He felt like he was going to cry, was he still asleep? Her eyes were so calm, so collected. He suddenly felt small, and she was so large. “Luka. You’ve been manipulated. Something has been keeping you here, using you.” He could only stare back into her eyes. He felt like he was breaking apart, and only her hand was keeping him together. “Luka. Come with me. Let’s find out what’s been happening, together.”

A heavy ceramic plate was gently placed in front of him, the clatter loud and overwhelming, heaped high with freshly scrambled eggs, slices of crisped meat, steamed greens, salted and slow cooked beans, and thick slices of buttered and toasted white bread. A hot mug of honey sweetened tea was placed down as well, and the young serving girl smiled at him. His tongue was dry. He looked at her, and it was as if he had never seen her before, and also as if he had known her for hundreds of years. She said something and left them.

He slowly turned his attention back to Samantha. “Please. Please help me, Samantha.” She placed her other hand on his arm as well, and it was as if she held him in her hands.

“Of course, Luka. Anything for you.” Gratitude filled him, and he realized tears were sliding down his face.

“Eat Luka. I’ll tell you what we’re going to do.” He began to eat, the food tasteless. He was totally lost, and Samantha seemed so sure. He could trust her to take care of this. A ridiculous thought, but he knew it to be true.

“We are going to make our way to the Competition. I’ll keep leveling, and we will both act like everything is fine. But we are going to stop in towns and visit libraries and find out who did this to you. Why any of this is happening, okay?” He nodded.

He looked up, and her eyes were staring into his. He was falling into them, being swallowed by them. A surge of intense fear filled him, suddenly, and then it was gone.

A gentle smile filled her face, full of understanding and care, and he smiled back, in spite of everything.