Aulfrick just about finished the final touches on his travel pack. “Ok, so remember. No over exerting yourself. You’re only as strong as a regular human right now and your body won’t let you do anything beyond that till you’re fully healed.” He gave her another quick once over. I’m heading to the dock to do these last trades; we should have enough cash to last us a while now. I’ll book our passage and be back right after.”
“I’ll be fine.” Isabella fed up of the constant fussing he was doing. “We’ve been making a show of being normal and most of the village knows you are heading to the dock. If you don’t go or suddenly show up before the normal three days it takes to get there and back then questions will be asked.”
“Fine, but no hunting.” His gaze was firm; the tone of his voice hard. “I mean it. Leave the traps as they are. No going into the forest or anything that will put you slightly at risk. And no I don’t care if you can handle yourself.”
“O, fine…” Isabella relented rolling her eyes. “I’ll just stay in the village being bored.” She was practically pushing him out the door. “Goodbye I love you.”
It had only been a few hours and Isabella already felt restless. She thought about going for a hike but figured she should listen to Aulfrick for once. He could be so bossy at times.
“Let’s go visit Catherin’s store; I could use a cup of coffee.” Mault, jumped from the cabinet across the room choosing to glide the last few feet before landing on her shoulder. The little thing was agile and could just about keep up with her in short bursts. Well not at the current moment; she was just a normal human right now. It felt… Odd.
The new boots Aulfrick had made her fit perfectly. They were the most comfortable pair she had ever put on. They were thigh high and matched all her shorts and skirts. Thinking back on it, she always made scantily clad battling beauties in every video game she played. She loved hunting for the most revealing collections of outfits she could find. Something she was too self-conscious to wear in real life. Aulfrick kept telling her she had the figure for it but she never felt she was quite there. Now, however, her own body would put most game avatars to shame. Her toned physique boasted more muscle and definition than ever before, yet still retained its feminine allure. And now she started developing a taste for showing it off.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
The comforting aroma of the freshly brewed coffee mingled with the gentle rustle of leaves overhead. Catherin’s store was a quaint little place built partially into one of the giant ancient oaks near the edge of the village. Isabella lay back in one of the few Adirondack chairs outside basking in the warmth of the afternoon sun. “MMmmm”, the sound was involuntary as she took a sip. “Thanks Cait, It’s absolutely delicious.” Maybe we should stay here another year she thought. “I love the wind chimes, when did you put those up?”
She made a lot of friends over the year they’d been here; she’d miss this place. Isabella turned her head as a flash of movement in the trees caught her attention on the way back to their cottage. Is that Jack?
“Jack! Is that you?” She hadn’t been able to wish him goodbye when they left the dock. He looked so different now, his face a bit rougher; more hardened. It looked like he had been in a battle against several cats, not small ones either; judging by the scars on his hands and face.
“Hello Miss Isabella”, he walk to her was neither hurried nor slow. “It’s been a long time. The corners of his lips curved upwards slightly.
“I’ll say, how’ve you been.” Isabella did her best to maintain eye contact in case he felt self-conscious about his scars. While she was curious she didn’t want to make him feel uncomfortable.
“I just got back from a trip Aulfrick sent me on.” Jack noted the confusion on Isabella’s face. “Speaking off, where is the tall fellow? I met many new friends thanks to him; told them all about him.” She was even more beautiful than he remembered; it’s a shame he would have to share with the rest of the boys. If only his first plan to get rid of Aulfrick had worked, they’d be happy together by now. “Speaking off my friends, come say hello.”
Several armed and rough looking men emerged from hidden spots in the forest completely surrounding Isabella. As the strangers approached, a knot of unease tightened in her stomach, sending a shiver down her spine. Her heart began to race, each beat echoing in her ears like a warning drum. Every step they took, each individual movement sending a wave of apprehension through her body. She felt a cold sweat break out on her forehead, her palms clammy with anxiety. Her instincts screamed at her to flee, but she stood frozen in place, her eyes darting nervously between the advancing figures.
“Where’s Aulfrick?” Jack breaking her out of her stupor, “Tell me and I promise we’ll be gentle.” He raised his hands signaling the rest to halt in position.
“What’s going on Jack? Who are all these people? What happened?” Isabella's voice quivered with fear as she addressed Jack, her words stumbling over each other in a rush to escape her trembling lips. Her eyes, wide with terror, darted between the strangers and the familiar face. Each syllable hung in the air, heavy with the weight of her mounting apprehension. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, the frantic rhythm matching the panic that surged through her veins. Despite her efforts to maintain composure, her voice cracked, betraying the fear that threatened to overwhelm her.
“They’re my new friends; expensive ones normally. Jack voice a lot less cheerful as he struggled to keep the anger out of it. “What happened Miss Isabella is that your dear Aulfrick managed to get the better of me that last night I saw you. He knocked me out and dumped me in the cargo hold of the Red Octopus. The captain took me for a stowaway, almost threw me overboard when they found me half a day later. Thankfully they needed another hand and I promised to work for her till they got back to the island." Jack clearing his throat once again, “Tell me.” raising his voice, “Where’s Aulfrick?”