The nymphs pouted up at Mason, half emerged from the water, big green eyes blinking in disappointment. He would have been lying if he said he wasn't tempted.

No. Blake needs me. He blinked and clenched a hand. Haley is lost. I have to go.

Mason wiped the water as best he could, then dressed in magically dry, warm clothes. He grinned back at the nymphs, who remained in the pool, smiling now as he walked away.

“Return to us soon, druid,” Thea called. “My sister will not admit it, but already she longs for your touch again.”

Calypsa frowned, then dove into the water. Mason turned, and grabbed the tree.

Haley was pretty damn close to a perfect woman. But these nymphs were a walking fantasy come to life, and he needed to get far, far away. Ideally into a very cold shower.

The world vanished, then reappeared. He emerged into the mist, the huge, Great Tree looming large beside him. He saw Haley instantly, her hands out as if totally blind, wandering aimlessly in the fog that now began to recede.

“It’s getting thinner!” she shouted in relief. “Mason? Where are you? I think I can see the woods!”

“Hi.”

Mason stepped out in front of her and fought the laugh when she damn near collapsed in panic. Her eyes focused and found him, and she literally ran straight into his arms, burying her face in his neck.

“I thought you’d…I don’t know what I thought. But I was lost. Trapped. For hours.”

“Sorry about that," he tried not to flush with a little embarrassment, "but I’m here now. There’s nothing to worry about. You can’t see it, but there’s actually a giant tree right over there.”

He pointed, and Haley looked at him as if were a madman.

“Nevermind. Ready to go?”

“I’ve never been more ready. Get me out of here.” He took her by the hand and led her back to the trees, and as they stopped for a moment at the edge, Haley looked him from head to toe as if confused. “You look different. I don’t know…taller. You look like you’ve slept for a week, and stopped hunching, or something.”

Mason shrugged, though he suspected she was right. He felt rather well rested, despite his many…exertions.

“Then I’d best use some energy. Hop on. We’ve got miles to make.” He thought of Blake and smiled. What was that poem he liked? The pompous bastard always had a poem or a historical quote for every situation. Sometimes they rubbed off. He turned to the woods and muttered. “The woods look lovely, dark and deep. But I’ve got promises to keep. And miles to go before I sleep.”

“What’s that?” Haley was climbing onto his back and gave him a curious expression. He grinned, fingering the nymph’s charm around his neck.

“Just something my brother would say.”

* * *

Mason carried Haley almost effortless for about an hour, feeling like she weighed little more than a backpack. Finally he stopped and out of curiosity more than anything, he pulled up his character sheet.

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

Mason Nimitz

Level: 11

Primary Class: Ranger

Secondary Class: Druid

Strength:11

Dexterity:16

Vitality:16

Intellect:6

Will:9

Presence:3

Luck: 4

Titles: Killer, Early Lead, Soloist, Crazy like a Fox, Burnt the Boats, Patron, Progenitor, Hit the Ground Running, Masochist, Quench the Unquenchable

Powers: Power Shot, Crippling Strike (upgraded), Regeneration, Predator’s Strike, *Nature Affinity, Ranger’s Claw, Endless Quiver (upgraded), Trapmaking, Aspect of the Cheetah

Yeah. His stats were improved. Holy shit. Was it temporary? It didn’t feel temporary. Had to be the nymphs, their food or water or all that delicious, delicious sex. Just the thought of it put a smile on Mason’s face and made him sigh. Today was a good day. At least so far. He summoned his sword and took a few testing swings. It was lighter, too.

“Everything alright?” Haley said over his shoulder, and Mason nodded.

“Just checking something.”

He vanished the sword and kept his pace.

According to Kiaan, he should already be close. He’d half circled the mountain now, and past a few larger hills on rocky ground, several streams and ponds. This ‘Nassau’ was supposed to be next, and Mason sobered at the knowledge he’d have to kill people soon. Dealing with gnolls, mutant wolves, and men who had it coming were one thing. But he suspected not everyone in this town deserved to die. Some would be there against their will, or because they were afraid, or had nowhere else to go. But if they fought back, that was that. They’d taken his brother. They had Blake. So woe to Nassau.

In less than an hour, Mason had moved upwards into another series of hills, and slowed down his pace. He was close now, he could feel it, and he watched and listened all around him for traps, or raiders.

But he found nothing. No sign of human life at all. Something about this bothered him, because he knew if it was him he wouldn’t leave so much ground without scouts or alarms. But he supposed it wasn’t him. It was a bunch of murderous raiders who’d decided the best thing to do in the robo apocalypse was murder and kidnap everyone in sight. They were, in other words, idiots.

Finally he arrived at the river, and in the distance between a cluster of trees, he saw the outline of a large, grey wall.

Mason frowned, unsatisfied with what he’d decided to do with Haley. But he didn’t see much choice. He let her off his back, then she gave him his bow. He said nothing as he met her eyes.

“Oh don’t make me,” she said with a whine, clearly understanding he meant to send her into the town. “I’ll climb a tree, like usual! Or I can just stay with you. I’m a civilian, they can’t hurt me.” She pouted slightly.

“Exactly. But monsters can,” Mason explained. “And God knows what might attack you if you weren’t with me. I’d rather not have to worry. This way I can move and do whatever I need to. You’ll be safe in there while I deal with the players.”

Haley sighed, but obviously agreed. She took out some food and water and some of the vines from her bag. “Here,” she said, looking down as she tied the vine around his waist.

Then she glanced at him and bit her lip, and Mason smiled before wrapping his arms around her. She kissed him fiercely, then passionately, until he pulled back for a breath. “How long will it take?” she asked.

Mason shrugged. “Not long. I’ll watch them a few days. The killing will go another few. Then it’ll be done.”

Haley ran a finger down his chest and quirked her head to the side. “We could…get one in before you get started…since they don’t know we’re here…”

“Tempting.” Mason grinned without a hint of a lie. But he took a breath. Enough delays. “Save it up,” he said. “In a week I’ll leave you a sex mangled mess. I promise.” She made a satisfying little groan at the thought, and Mason gave her ass a slap as he gently pushed her away.

“Do I need to come up with a story for you?” he said. “Or can you come up with something on your own?”

“Maybe I tell them I need a new big, strong man, who doesn’t leave me in the woods!” she said in English, thick with her French accent. Mason grinned and watched her walk away with a dramatic, and rather sassy sway of her hips.

“Find my brother,” he called. “Tell him I’m coming.”

“I will,” she called back, then vanished from sight into the woods.

Mason waited in slight confusion as he heard her move off course, then splash into the river. He almost moved to see what was wrong before she marched back towards the town, calling up to some kind of guard. Whatever her plan was, he trusted her, and turned away. He moved further into the trees, and put away his concern for her, and for his humanity.

There was no room for either where he was going.