World of Fantasies - Part 2

Part 2: If you can beat them…

“How dare you!” Adrian yelled at Erik, trying to get her clothes back on. (And yes I’m still referring Adrian as her)

“M-Me?” Erik backed out of the tent before tripping over one of the logs. He fell back but landed fine enough to look up and say “Y-you! You’re not the princess!” He got to his feet and drew his sword before saying “Imposter! What did you do with her?”

By the time Adrian poked her head out, her dress only held up around her chest because she was holding it, she could see the sword in his hands. “It’s….it’s not what you think, Sir Erik.” She held one hand and said “Let me just explain…”

“Explain what?” he cut her off. “That you’re some spy or usurper trying to take the throne or something? And to think I actually had an attraction for you, before I found out about that hidden sword between your legs.”

Adrian looked a little surprised by that remark but then both Albert and Della returned, seeing what was happening.

“We heard shouting.” Albert said. “What the blazes is going on?”

Erik was the first to speak, saying “I was trying to find out where you both went and then I found this….freak of a boy inside the tent.” He pointed his sword towards Adrian. “I’ve seen it. It’s not the princess, he’s an imposter!”

Della, seeing the look on Adrian’s face to confirm it was true, walked next to Erik and said “No, Erik. You don’t understand!” she put her hand on his that was holding the sword, making him look to her. “This IS the princess. Just…..well….it’s hard to say.”

“Hard to say?” Erik asked. “What? How can that be the princess? That’s a boy!”

“I know.” She said with a little grimace to her expression.

Erik saw this and looked back between both Della and Adrian. A moment later he tried to say “W-wait….you….You knew about this?” he asked Della. “You knew she was a he?”

Even Albert was surprised when Della nodded her head and gave a small “By the beard of the High God…. You mean this whole time the princess was….a prince?”

Della didn’t answer, which was answer enough. As both Albert and Erik looked at each other, astounded by this revelation, they could hear Adrian crying. They looked and saw the tears in her eyes, a sign of how horrible an incident this was becoming. Della would see to that.

She walked over to Adrian and said “Let’s get you dressed, my lady.” She escorted her back inside before saying to the men “Give us a moment.”

While both were waiting Erik put his sword back in its sheath before asking Albert “Did you have an idea about this?”

“Not an inkling, lad. To be honest it never even crossed my mind that she might be…well…not a princess.”

Erik nodded a little before asking “Hey, wait a moment. Where DID you and Della wander off to?”

Albert was taking back by the question to the point of stumbling over his words. “Well I, uh, it’s…well, it’s a funny thing. You see….well we were just looking for a cozy spot to relax and…pick flowers and, uh…”

He was saved when Della and Adrian remerged from the tent, taking the attention back to them and off him. Adrian was now wearing a dark blue robe over what was clearly nothing underneath; or at the very least a corset and pantaloons.

“I don’t see why you’re still dressed like that.” Erik said to Adrian. “The secret’s out.”

“That doesn’t mean I’m not a princess anymore.” She said with a matter-of-fact tone.

“Well technically it does. You see…” Erik began to say before Albert put a hand on his shoulder.

“Let it go, lad.” He looked back to both Della and Adrian and asked “I think what we all need is a little closure on this whole thing. If you ladies wouldn’t mind.”

Della indicated for them to sit which everyone did. As Erik sat he muttered “But she’s not a lady.” Before Albert gave him a hard tap to the back of the head to keep him quiet. On each side of the fire sat the two duos, Albert and Erik on one while Della and Adrian were at the other. With everyone settled Della was the one to explain everything.

“You see while Adrian was born a boy. A boy, when the King and Queen knew that what the kingdom needed was a princess. You both know it yourselves. In all the other kingdoms there are nothing but princes. How do you think it would’ve been for Etheria to have yet another prince, which meant no means of joining the land together?”

Erik looked as if he was about to point something out but Albert, thinking it would be something smart-assed, elbowed him to keep him quiet. After that he nodded to let Della continue.

“So the Queen decided to raise Adrian as a princess instead. That way, once SHE was of age, she could marry and bring one or two of the kingdoms together.” Looking to the princess she sighed and said “Only the King, Queen and myself knew the truth. And when our King passed away I was responsible for raising her as best I could with the Queen so busy with other matters.”

Erik gave a small nod and said “I see now. And I suppose the Queen threatened your life if you told anyone?”

Della was about to say something before Adrian stood and said “Della would never betray me. She’s been my friend all my life and she’s a loyal servant to the crown!”

While Erik and Albert were surprised by her defense, Della stood to calm her down. “Peace, my lady.” Once she managed to get Adrian to sit she did the same before saying “It is true. I think of the Princess almost like my own daughter. And I would give my life if it meant to keep her safe.”

Albert felt a little discomfort in thinking if that day ever came. While she would give her life for the Princess, Albert would be the one to lay down his life for her, meaning there would need to be one before the other.

Albert tried to take his mind off this by asking “But if you intend to be married, your highness, how are you going to explain this to the Prince of Taltheria?”

Adrian blushed a little and began to say “Well…..you see the thing about the Prince is….?”

Erik suddenly groaned and said “Oh lord. He knows, doesn’t he?” A confirming look from the Princess made him slap his hand to his forehead and rub it hard. “And just when you think it couldn’t be more insane…”

Albert cleared his throat a little from the awkward revelation and said “I didn’t know the Prince was….well into that sort of thing.”

“Not something his father would want anyone else to know either.” Della added. “That was part of the secret arrangement made with the Queen and the Prince while she was making others with the King. Basically, in the end, everyone gets what they want.” She looked to Adrian and commented “Well….almost everyone.”

Erik stood up and paced a little while saying “I…I just can’t believe this. So Albert and I have been tied up in some secret marriage to a cross dresser and a poof of a Prince? All just to bring two kingdoms together?” He stopped and looked between all of them. “Am I the only one who thinks this is all utterly ridiculous?”

Adrian stood and said “You have been charged with a duty to your Queen and Country, Sir Erik. No matter how unbelievable it is, you have your orders to see it accomplished.”

He pointed a definite finger at her and said “Now hang on. My job was to escort a Princess. Not some sissy boy who plays at one.”

“She may not be a girl” Della said, standing. “but she is still a Princess! And whether you chose to agree with that fact is beside the point. You are both knights of Etheria, and this is for the good of Etheria herself.”

Erik looked to his friend and asked “Albert, help me here. Even you have to admit this is too much for us.”

Albert had his eyes closed for some time. His arms were crossed, obviously showing he was debating the matter in his head while the others were explaining and talking among themselves. Even after Erik asked Albert was thinking for a moment longer. When he finally opened his eyes he looked straight ahead, towards Della and Adrian.

“Sorry, lad, but it’s true: we’ve been given a task. And despite the details we’re supposed to see the Princess safely to Taltheria, so that’s what we’re going to do.”

Erik was astounded by what he’d just heard. And now, looking between all three of them. It was clear he was defeated. As much as he wanted to fight he knew, even in a real battle, when you’re outnumber you either fight to the last or surrender. And that usually depended on your loyalty. Erik was still a knight which meant, in the end, he did have his duty.

A defeating sigh escaped his lips before he said “Alright. Fine. You all win. We’ll take ‘her majesty’ in the morning.”

Everyone either nodded or at least gave a silent agreement to Erik’s decision. Albert stood and gave him a pat on the back before saying he would take the watch for the night in case of bandits. Erik said he would do it, as a way of trying to take his mind off things, before Albert agreed.

Erik watched as everyone went back to sleep, Adrian giving him one final glance before entering her tent. After he was alone he went to the fire and stared at it. He started thinking on how crazy this all seemed and how much he considered leaving everyone behind to head back to the capital. But then the words of his father had been ringing in his head.

Remember, my son, there is honor and there is duty. When you become a knight you will have to abide by both. But sometimes one may need to be sacrificed for the other.

All of the hard thinking Erik went through the previous night had made him pass out. He wound up leaning against a tree with his head tilted back. This left his mouth hanging open which made him snore.

When he finally woke Erik had felt something tap on his shoulder, he being a bit startled as he woke. He blurted a little “She consented, I swear!” before seeing what was looking him in the face.

An arrow was pointed right at his face. The one holding it seemed a bandit, given his dark dressed clothing. Erik had his hand on his sword before two more bandits appeared, both with crossbows aimed at him. He was about to call for help but looking behind the bandits he could see they weren’t the only ones.

Albert had a sword pointed at his throat while other bandits were busy rifling through his tent, one taking his battle-axe. Della and Adrian were already tied and gagged while bandits holding them while others were pulling down their tent after taking everything inside.

One of the bandits near Erik indicated for him to stand before another bandit, the leader of the group, walked over to him. The man wore a leather hat that covered his red hair, a few strands sticking out from the front. His beaked nose sniffled before he spit, the wad hitting near Erik’s foot.

He smirked and said “Well a good morning, little sunshine. Hope you and your friends enjoyed their nap. ‘Cause by the end of the day you’ll be taking a longer one. Much longer.” He and some of the others chuckled at this before he bent down and took both of Erik’s sword, commenting. “Very nice.” After that he looked to everyone and ordered “Cover them up. And take the horses. We could use a few more.”

One bandit began putting Erik’s hands behind his back and gagging him before tying him up. They did the same to Albert and the others, but Erik was watching as both Della and Adrian were being tied up.

The strands of rope around Della’s chest went above and below her breasts, making them jut out a little. They’d tried with Adrian but given her flat chest it looked more awkward. By the time the bandits were tying his ankles together Erik could see as they’d tied rope around the girls knees before moving down to their ankles. Once they were tied up the bandits put black bags over their heads to bind them.

The beaked nose man walked up to Adrian and said “Hope you don’t mind the bumpy ride.” Before giving a light spank to her.

Adrian blushed, more out of embarrassment than anything else, while Erik only thought how sorry that guy would be if he knew. Then everything went black and for the next hour Erik was slung onto a horse for the ride.

After the ride Erik felt himself being hoisted up and off the horse before being dropped on his ass. He leaned back and found he was near a tree, just by the time he heard the others being dropped. Someone said “Make the big one sit himself.” making Erik think they meant Albert given his size.

When the hoods were finally taken off everyone looked around as to where they were, obviously somewhere deep in the forest given how there was no sign of the road. They were in an encampment for the rest of these bandits, an off-hand count of all of them equaling up to thirty at least. Some tents were set up among and, Della pointing it out, they were near a cave where sentries were placed.

The group’s attention went towards the man who came walking towards the, a rather handsome dark-haired man with a goatee around his lips and light armor on his body.

He stopped in front of them, some of the others who’d captured the group including the beaked nose man standing nearby, before saying “Well, what a catch we have here. Two fair maidens and their knights in shining armor. Minus the armor of course.” Some bandits laughed before he looked to the beaked nose bandit and asked “Well, Walter, where did you find this lot?”

“Near the road.” Walter began to explain. “Guess their watcher for the night didn’t keep to his duty.”

Albert, Della and Adrian all looked to Erik who gave an awkward laugh and a shrug despite the gag and bonds around him. Seeing this the leader laughed along with some of the other bandits.

“I’ll bet that’s a little upsetting, boy.” He kneeled down in front of him and removed Erik’s gag before asking “So what are you all doing in this forest anyways? Out for a little double-date are you?”

Erik was a bit repulsed, the idea of him being on a date with Adrian, before lying with “We’re just trying to reach the next kingdom for some work. That’s all.”

The leader gave a skeptical look before having Walter hand him on of Erik’s sword and saying “Looking for work with a sword like this?” he examined it and said “Very nice craftsmanship. They don’t have many of these except in the royal forces.” Erik curled his mouth, showing he wasn’t talking anymore, before the leader said “So that’s how you want to play it, fine then. No matter. We’ll find other ways. Besides, it gives us more time with your lady friends.” He walked over and kneeled between Della and Adrian before removing the former’s gag. “Hope you don’t mind me saying so miss, but you and your…..daughter?” he indicated Adrian. “Are quiet the lovely pair. A shame she didn’t inherit your chest though.”

While Adrian blushed yet again at his statement the bandit began to grope Della’s bouncing breasts, she biting her lip and looking away. Albert tried to break free from his bonds and attack by some of the bandits held him down as he tried saying something that was muffled by his gag.

Seeing this the leader said “Sorry, my good man. But I’m the one with the free hands, so I intend to use them.”

He groped her a little more before Della said “I know who you are.” He stopped and looked up as she said “I’ve heard about you. You’re Derek, the Wolf’s Bastard.” You’ve been stealing from people in Etheria for years.”

Derek chuckled a little before saying “Glad my reputation precedes me. I’ll bet you ladies talk all the time about what we do with our female prisoners.” He smirked while the others all laughed or nudged each other, knowing what he meant. Seeing the worried faces on the prisoners, Derek stood and said “Take the two men into the cave. Throw them in with the beasts Put the ladies in my tent. I’ll see to them later.”

The bonds around Albert and Erik’s ankles were cut to make it easier to move them into the cave. Meanwhile both of them struggled as Della and Adrian were hoisted over two of the bandit’s shoulders and carried off, the bandit taking time to grab at their asses as they carried them off.

Erik looked towards Derek,who gave a little wink while Erik was cursing him in his mind. There was nothing else he could do as he and Albert were forced into the cave.

Erik and Albert were tossed into a small pen with jagged gates inside the cave. The cave was lit with a number of torches on the wall. The pen had enough hay to cover the bottom of the cave floor they were laid on. Both of them looked and saw that they were in the middle of a large room with cages, all filled with different animals. There wolves, foxes, a bear, a giant spider, and even a Cerberus, indicated by its three heads that were all barking.

But then Erik pointed out something else, something Albert had to confirm for him. It looked like an oversized wolf at first, given its head, but its fur and claws were heavier and its tail was not as long as a wolf’s. It had brown fur that was sleek like a dogs yet its claws were almost bear-like.

“That’s a bear-hound.” Albert said. “Rare beast to find in these parts. Must’ve kept it for a trophy.”

“Poor thing.” Erik said, seeing as the bear-hound wasn’t as active as the other animals. He looked around and said “We need to figure a way out of here.”

“That’s a good attitude, mate.” Albert began. “But we’ve still got the problem of no weapons and about 3o men between us and freedom.”

“What about the girls?” Erik asked. “Or rather girl and…..half girl?”

Albert rolled his eyes before saying “Don’t worry about them, Erik. Della may seem helpless, but she’s got a few tricks up her sleeve.”

“What? Is she going to dust them to death? She’s a maid!”

Albert shook his head before saying “Never mind that. Let’s just worry about ourselves right now. So, any ideas?”

Erik took a moment and looked around, licking his lips as he was trying to form a plan. He looked all over the place, considering between the animals, the fact they were tied up, some rocks around the area and so on.

“I think I have a plan.” He finally said. “But you’re going to have to play along.”

“Alright then.” Albert said, a little confusion in his voice. “What do we do?”

“First…..we wait until someone comes along to check on us.” He looked back to Albert giving him a face that said ‘are you serious?’ making him say “Yeah, I’m trying to make it up as a go really.”

Adrian and Della was sitting at the foot of Derek’s bed in his large tent. They’d been sitting for a few hours, it being dark around this time. His tent was filled with a number of fine looking furniture and riches that he and his men likely stole over the years. At one post that held the tent up there was even a mounted deer head. The bed itself was large and covered with fur sheets, like one you’d fine in the house of a lord.

Della still had her gag off and, looking to Princess Adrian, said “Stay strong, Princess. We’ll be alright.”

“Of course you both will.” Derek said as he and Walter entered the tent. Both girls looked at them as they entered before Derek said “You know, it’s been some time since we’ve had a lady or two in the camp. Last ones were….how long ago, Walter?”

“About six months, sir.” Walter said while looking hungrily towards Adrian.

While Adrian leaned back a little, a very worried look in her eyes, Derek continued with “See? A long time. So it’s only fair that, after I’m done with both of you, I’ll throw you to the boys.”

He walked towards Della first as she said “You’re nothing but a disgusting pig of a thief.”

He only chuckled as he pushed her down before removing his belt with her daggers and saying “Good, I like it when they talk dirty.”

Derek was over Della and, given that she couldn’t do anything with her hands tied behind her back, meant it was easy for him to take advantage of her. He started kissing her neck, making her turn her head and look towards Adrian who was watching with fear.

Adrian fared no better when she saw Walter coming towards her, licking his lips and saying “The boss said I get to have you first, little one. On account of me bringing you back.” He grabbed her ankles and pulled her off the bed, Adrian hitting the floor on her ass first before falling on her back. “I always like the young ones.”

Adrian was crying underneath the gag around her mouth as Walter began feeling up her legs. He lifted them up and licked around her ankles, making her close her eyes and try kicking at him. It didn’t work. He dropped her legs and was on top of them, he reaching up for her robe and pulling it open enough to see her flat chest. Apparently Walter didn’t care she was flat chested as he started feeling her nipples anyway.

Derek was still kissing Della’s neck as his hands began feeling her breasts underneath her outfit. She bit her lip while trying to get her hands free. She knew she needed to act but feared what to do even if she dealt with both Derek and Walter. There were still thirty men to deal with outside.

One of his hands went down to her skirt and began to feel up her thigh. Once it reached her panties Derek’s fingers began to feel against her warm womanhood underneath. That was it, she needed to act regardless. His hands came back up and pulled her shirt of her dress up so he could see her breasts, which he soon began suckling and groping as hard as he could. Della wished she could cross her legs at how hot and bothered she felt, despite being violated like this.

Walter was kissing Adrian’s neck as well, he hands pinching her nipples. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she felt violated. But then she felt one hand sliding down to reach for her private area. Despite what he was doing to her Adrian began to panic, thinking what they would do once they knew. If not the fact they didn’t know who she was the fact that they’d find out she was a boy would certainly lead to something dire.

His hand came to the rim of her panties and….

A sudden roar from outside caught everyone’s attention. Something happened and Derek and Walter stopped what they were doing once they heard what sounded like men fighting and screaming. Derek got to his feet and picked up his weapons before rushing towards the tent’s exit.

“Stay here and keep an eye on them!” he called to Walter as he left.

As Della sat up she wondered what was going on, but now knew this was the perfect chance to act.

Some time had passed when one of the bandits had come to check on Erik and Albert. He had a torch in his hand and could see both of them still in the pen, though both weren’t moving with their faces down on the hay.

He called for them to wake up but neither moved. The animals were acting restless which made the bandit think something must’ve happened. He unlocked the pen and shook them, neither moving. He shook Erik first before moving to Albert, thinking the bigger one would be harder to wake. When he finally managed to push Albert over he was looking at him with a smirk on his face.

“Nighty, night.” He said before the bandit took a blow to the back of the head hard enough to knock him out.

Erik had waited until the bandit wasn’t looking to reveal a rock that he’d hidden under the hay. Once it moment was right he smacked the bandit in the head, killing him. Once he was down the animals started to make sounds which both Erik and Albert knew would attached someone else.

“Hurry, lad.” Albert said, seeing him reach for the bandit’s dagger around his belt.

Erik managed to slip it off and, trying his best with his hands bound, dealt with cutting his bonds. They could hear someone coming and Erik tried to hurry. By the time he was able to cut his bonds another bandit arrived, a sword in hand and seeing what had been done.

Erik dropped the knight near Albert before getting up and charging at the bandit. He managed to avoid being hit by his sword before grabbing his wrists and pushing him back against one of the cages. The animals were making more of an uproar at the two fought, the bandit kicking Erik away and trying to swing at him with his sword.

As they fought Albert managed to get the dagger but was having trouble using it, given how big his hands were and how tight they were bound together. Seeing Erik take a punch to the face he called “You’re doing great, lad! Keep it up.”

Erik rolled his eyes before being forced against another cage, this one with the giant spider inside. As they both struggled it reached out with its legs around Erik’s shoulder. He could tell it was trying to pull him in and eat him, making him use his straight to push the bandit back against the cage with the bear-hound. When he came close enough he bandit managed to get the upper hand and force Erik to the ground. He was trying to stab him with the sword but Erik, acting quickly kick him back until he hit the cage again. Before the bandit could act the bear-hound had reached out with its paw and sliced it across the bandit’s throat, killing him then and there.

Erik, surprised by this, looked at the bear-hound and said “Uh….thanks.”

By this time Albert was freed and regrouped with him, saying “Good fight, boy. Good fight.” Erik rolled his eyes again before he continued with “Now what’s the plan?”

Erik picked up the sword and handed it to Albert, he taking the first bandits dagger. He looked and saw the bandit who was just killed had a ring of keys, obviously to the other cages. He smirked as he had a plan yet again.

From the cave an entire horde of animals came rushing out and either ran for it or attacked the bandits that had kept them captive for so long. Erik and Albert had followed out last, giving time for the rest of the bandits to try dealing with the animals.

The five wolves who’d been imprisoned ran and leapt at the bandits before they had time to draw weapons. The great bear ran down one before swatting his paws at another. The giant spider leapt up and sank it’s fang into one bandits as another tried to kick it off. He was killed when the Cerberus ran over and chomped its three mouths all over his body.

By the time Derek came out and saw what was happening some of his men were on the run while others were either dead or trying to deal with both the animals and Erik and Albert who were fighting amongst the chaos. He gritted his teeth in anger and moved towards them both before being cut off by the giant spider. Derek didn’t react that badly, he just drew a dagger and sword, Erik’s sword, before changing for the giant arachnid.

Meanwhile, as the fighting went on outside, Della was dealing with her bonds. Since Walter’s attention was on when noises outside he didn’t see as Della’s fingers began to emit an air of cold. It became cold enough that the ropes were turned to pure ice and cracked to pieces. Once her hands were free she carefully undid the ropes around her knees and then her legs, all the while Walter looking more and more worried but the sounds of people dying outside.

“Oh Walter….” She said standing up and getting his attention. By the time he turned her hand was right in his face. “Don’t ever touch my Princess again.”

Before Walter could react she blasted ice from her palm right into his face. He back up as more poured out until his entire body was frozen solid. Given the way his legs were, once he’d completely frozen he fell over and smashed into pieces.

Della quickly untied Adrian before saying “Are you alright, Adrian?”

The Princess took a moment to catch her breath after the gag was off and said “I’m fine. I’m alright.” A tear still falling from her eye. She and Della both looked as they heard another scream from outside before she said “Erik and Albert!”

As both rushed out Della picked up the sword Walter had, it being Erik’s. When they came outside they could see how everything was going. Among the dead bandits were a few wolves and the body of the dead giant spider with Derek’s dagger stuck in its head. A bandit came towards them but Della used a fire spell to burn him alive, after that she took Adrian’s hand and moved her away as they tried to find Erik and Albert.

The two were busy finishing off the last of the bandits that were still alive and not dealing with any animals. Both looked over at the rest of the site, Erik soon spotting both Della and Adrian running towards them.

“Look!” he said, Albert seeing his love safe and sound.

Before the groups could meet each other Della saw something and pushed Adrian out of the way. An arrow had shot and hit Della right in the shoulder, she fell to the ground. Albert stopped and looked in horror before seeing the source: Derek with a crossbow.

Albert roared with anger as he charged for him, Adrian trying to tend to the wounded Della. Derek fired an arrow that hit Albert in the leg, where he was unprotected. He fell in pain before Derek aimed to fire another bolt at his head. Della quickly fired a ball of fire from her hands, Derek ducking out of the way in time but not seeing Erik take the chance and tackle the crossbow from his hands.

As they both struggled Derek said “Why don’t you people just give up and die?”

He pushed Erik off and drew his sword, Erik drawing his. Both wasted no time in fighting while Adrian helped Della over to Albert. Both made sure they were fine before Albert told Della to help him and fast so he could help Erik. Adrian had to pull the arrow out of his leg before Della used her good arm and tried using healing magic on him.

It was taking too long and Erik was starting to lose the fight. Another moment before Derek acted tricking and managed to pull a dagger from his sleeve and stab it into Erik’s right side. He fell to the ground, bleeding, before Erik held his sword at his throat.

As the others protested Derek said “Fine good sword indeed, boy. Now I’m going to kill you with it!”

Adrian looked away, not wanting to see the killing blow, but then, to everyone’s surprise, the bear-hound ran in from the front and leapt at Derek. He could only manage a scream before it sank its jaws into his throat when knocking him off Erik.

The knight backed up as the others rushed over to him, all of them making sure he was fine before seeing the bear-hound finish its kill. It turned towards them and growled, blood still soaking its mouth, before it crept closer and closer to them. While the others stayed still Adrian was the one to take a few steps closer to it, holding her hand out to see what it would do. When it was close enough, instead of biting her hand off the bear-hound let the Princess touch and pet him. It gave a little pant of its breath before Adrian turned to the others.

“It’s alright.” She said with a smile. “He’s friendly."

As the others relaxed Erik said “Yeah, tell that to him.” He indicated the corpse of Derek. He hissed as he had to pull the knife from his wound before saying “It looks pretty bad, doesn’t it?”

“Not to worry.” Della said before taking the arrow from her shoulder.

It took her a few moments before glimmer of light went from her hand over the wound. In a moment it was healed, as if it had never been there. Erik was surprised by this, as much as when he saw her shoot fire from her hands, before she did the same to his wound. It stung for a moment but then felt fine, he looking to see no mark whatsoever when she was done.

Erik looked at her and said “You….you’re a witch?” Della only responded with a friendly smile and nod before Erik asked “How long before you were going to tell us?” Before she could answer he looked to Albert and said “You knew, didn’t you? You think you could’ve told me he had a witch in our group. That would’ve change all plans to where I didn’t end up getting stabbed.”

“Oh quiet your blubbering, lad.” Albert said, helping in to his feet. “You’re alright nonetheless. And so are the rest of us.” He turned to Della, taking her hands and asked “Are you alright? Did he hurt you or anything?”

“It’s nothing.” She said, hugging him. “I’m fine, Albert. We all are.”

Erik shook his head before finding both his sword that Della had and the one he took off Derek. After that he walked up to the group, including the bear-hound who was with Adrian, and asked “Well this was an interesting evening. Now what do we do? We’ve got no horses and there’s no telling how much equipment we can gather off these men.”

“Not to mention it’ll likely take us all night to find the road again.” Albert pointed out. “At least we can take what we can from this lot and then start heading out now.” He looked to the bear-hound and asked “Now there’s just the question of what to do with you, big fella.”

Adrian hugged his neck and said “Let’s keep him! Come on! He’s proven useful so far. Plus he’s big enough for someone to ride.”

Both Albert and Della gave disapproving looks at first but as both Adrian and the bear-hound gave cutesy sad faces the two of them laughed it off before Albert said “Alright, alright. He can come along.”

Erik, hearing this as he gathered up some gear, said “You do realize that’s another mouth to feed. And from what I understand bear-hounds need a lot to eat.”
“Well so do I, but I’m not asking you to cut my meals for me.” Albert joked. “Not to worry. He’s a hunter first and he can get his own meal, right boy?”

The bear-hound gave a bark as a remark before Della asked “So what are we going to call him?”

Erik asked “What’s wrong with just bear-hound?” before everyone gave him a disapproving look, including the bear-hound.

Adrian perked up and said “I know. We’ll call him Sergey! After my grandfather who was a grand hunter and King.”

The bear-hound barked and wagged his long tail before Albert said “Sergey it is then. Now how about Sergey here helps us sniff out some food for the night.”

As they all walked off, Erik finding the fact they brought an animal along now crazy groaned “This was just supposed to be a simple escort mission…”

By the next morning the group, now with the new addition of Sergey, had managed to exit the forest. Sergey acted as munt for Princess Adrian while the others walked. He had a large sack tied to the end of the saddle they found for him as well. Adrian was now back into her traveling clothes, though she was lucky to find a few newer ones from the stash the bandits had.

As they walked Erik said “Can I just say that this still seems all a little crazy. I mean here we are: two knights, a witch, a cross dressing Princess boy and a bear-hound.”

“Aye.” Albert said with a more eager tone. “Sounds like the start of an adventure story.”

Adrian giggled a little before petting Sergey’s head and saying “Well at least this one will have a better night watcher than some others.” She looked at Erik when she finished.

Erik blurted “Hey, I couldn’t help it if I was still dealing with the fact of you being a sissy!”

“Oh dare you call me that! I am of the royal bloodline of Etheria!”

As the two began to argue and bicker, Albert doing his best to calm them down, Della chuckled to herself before seeing as the sun was rising in the distance.

“I think this is the start of a very interesting adventure.” She commented to herself as they walked on, not knowing what they would come across next on the journey to Taltheria.

Continued in Part 3