World of Fantasies - Part 3

Part 3: Playing the bait

Another day had passed since the knights Erik and Albert, along with the boy-believed-to-be-girl Princess Adrian, her hand maid and secret witch Della, and the bear-hound Sergey had all escaped from the bandits who’d held them captive. Since then they’d all been traveling, each day bringing them closer and closer to Taltheria where Princess Adrian was to be wedded to the prince of the land. Today however found them all on the outskirts of a town.

Looking from the top of a hill where the road had led them, Albert looked out towards the small village and said “I think this is High Growth Village, if I’m not mistaken.”

“High Growth?” Adrian asked while sitting atop Sergey as a mount. “How did it ever gain such a name?”

“That’ll be because this town has the best vegetable trade you’ll ever find in all the kingdoms, you majesty.” Albert went on. “I’m sure you’d had a good vegetable stew or nice stuffed peppers before, Princess?” When she nodded he said “Well you can thank this little town for giving you the best peppers you’ve ever tasted in your entire life.”

Erik was licking his lips and rubbing his hands together as they spoke before saying “This talk is making me anxious to try some of their famous roasted cabbage and corn bits. I say we find a place to rest here for the night.”

Albert sighed and said “That’s just like you boy: you think with everything else but you mind.”

“I am not so sure we should stay.” Adrian said, looking a little concerned at the town. “We’ve lost a day because of those bandits and we shouldn’t delay any further.”

“That may be true, princess,” Della began “but we’re going to run out of food soon unless we resupply ourselves.”

“Plus it’d be nice to actually spend a night in a bed, instead of out in the woods.” Erik added.

Adrian still wasn’t sure and looked to the bear-hound she rode, asking “What do you think, Sergey?” He gave a little bark and his tail began to wag as he looked down at the town, making her say “I guess that’s a yes from you too.” Adrian sighed as she stood straight and, with a more regal composure, said “Very well. Let us adjourn here for the night before continuing our rigorous journey.”

She and Della took the lead while Erik made a silent obnoxious mimicry of Adrian behind her back. A hard jab from Albert’s shoulder made him stop.

It wasn’t long before they’d all came into the town, a bit surprised to see not many people were present. The few they’d seen were taking baskets of food back to their homes or busy repairing fences and buildings that looked badly damaged. Erik took note of how some of the people who saw them either shied away or immediately turned and walked away without a seconds notice.

Leaning towards Albert Erik whispered “Something’s up here.”

Albert nodded before they all reached what seemed like the center of town, given it was a circular area between the buildings. As they looked they could see this part of the village was practically empty, no one in sight. Della then pointed to something off to the distance to the right of where they stood, making the others look.

A large pole was erected just outside the town, where the border of the nearby forest was. Erik had to shield the top of his eyes from the sunlight to see better, making a mental note in his head how it was between where the forest and town met.

“Some kind of pole, indicating the border of the forest?” Erik guessed. “Maybe just so people don’t wander too far in and get eaten by wolves of something.”

“I think these people have lived long enough to know not to wonder into the woods.” Della said. “Besides, why a pole and not a fence of some kind?”

As they wondered Adrian looked and said “Uh….do you suppose we should ask them?”

Everyone looked to see as, from the alleyways and streets leading into the center of town, a large mob of people quietly began advancing towards them. All were armed, some with actual weapons like swords and axes, other with things like carving knives and pitchforks. Men and women alike were among the mob, all looking almost desperate in their faces as they surrounded the group.

Albert and Erik drew their swords, the former saying “Stay behind us, princess.”

Adrian dropped off of Sergey so that he would stand at her protection. She stood in the middle as all four took point to protector her, standing side-by-side.

Erik spoke up as the crowd stopped and said “We’re just travelers, looking for a place to spend the night. We mean no harm, but if you try to fight us…..well I’m just warning you now, you won’t win.”

Adrian, in her mind, was thanking Erik for sticking to their story of not exposing them for who they truly where, due to the secrecy of the mission at hand. Still she watched as the people just stood still, their weapons pointed at the group but none making a move. Maybe it was Erik’s threat, Albert’s size, Della’s hands starting to exhibited flames or even Sergey growling at them and looking ready to feast down on the first person to make a move.

Suddenly a man emerged from the crowd of people, stepping out so everyone in the group could see him. He was elderly but seemed an important figure given how the people parted for him. He looked over the five in the group before him before stepping a little closer.

“Please…help us.” He said, making every one of the people calm and draw their weapons away.

As the five looked oddly at this, dropping their own weapons as well, Erik said “Well that went five different ways better than I feared.”

The group was brought into a meeting hall-like building where everyone from the town assembled to hear as their mayor, the elderly man from before, speak with them. The people sat in large stands to the side of an open hall of the building leading to the front where a table and chairs were. Another table was in front of it where the group was assembled, Sergey sitting on the floor next to it. The mayor sat with only one other man, his adviser by the fact he sat to his right, and waited until everyone was quiet before speaking.

“We apologize for our behavior upon your arrival.” The mayor began. “But we have been desperate for weeks that we’ve begun to lose ourselves in the process…..kidnapping travelers in order to save our own daughters.”

Della spoke up and said “Please, just tell us what troubles you so we can help.”

Erik, who was drinking a bowl of vegetable stew brought to him earlier, said “And hopefully they’ll be some more of this stew as a reward.”

Albert elbowed him again before Erik reluctantly put the bowl on the floor. What he didn’t see was Sergey sneak his way over and finish off what was left while the mayor continued on.

“It started only two weeks ago.” He began. “One night something attacked our village. It happened so fast that we didn’t know what was happening until it was too late. Some of the men were killed in the process, and we discovered one of our daughters was stolen as well.” When Albert asked how old the mayor said “She’d just recently turned eighteen.” He then went on with “We’d sent men out to find her but only one returned, telling how he was spared to warn the rest of us while his fellows were killed during the search. We’d even tried sending word to the capital, but our couriers were stopped and sent back to the village as further warning.”

“Just who or what is responsible for all of this?” Adrian asked.

“A bugbear!” the adviser said, making some of the people mumble or give little screams of worry. “One of those horrible monsters that’s been hiding away somewhere deep in the forest for years. We never even knew it existed until it attacked us.”

Erik leaned Albert in and asked “Bugbear? Isn’t that some breed of troll?”

“More of a hobgoblin. But they’re big bastards and tough to handle. No wonder those men didn’t stand a chance.”

Della spoke up, getting everyone’s attention again, when asking “What did this bugbear want?”

The mayor and his adviser looked upset before the former answered “We found out when he attacked us a second time. He wanted to make sure we were aware it was him this time. He stood in front of the village, with another of our daughters strung over his shoulder like some claimed prize. He told us he wanted us to give him one of our daughters once every few days. He made it clear when after putting his sword near that pole we had to erect at the border. The night the sword appears, we must take one of our daughters and offer her to the bugbear to keep him from destroying our village.”

Della asked “What does he do with them?”

“We do not know.” The adviser now said. “But we’ve already lost four of our daughters to this monster. The only other persons we gave him were a young girl from the nearby village and a girl who’d been passing by.”

“That’s monstrous!” Adrian said, standing and slamming her hand on the table.

“We were desperate!” he retorted. “We didn’t want to see our girls being given up like sheep to this thing. We’ve been trying to figure a way of stopping him, but the monster is too strong.”

“And we’ve no idea if our daughters are alive or not.” The mayor said. “If they are we’d have no idea where he’s taken them. And if we fail to kill him again, what’s to stop him from actually killing them out of spite?”

Adrian sat down and back in her chair, Della adding to her assumption of “No wonder they were so desperate. What they say is true, princess.”

Erik and Albert overheard this too before the later asked “So what is it you expect us to do?”

The mayor looked to all in the group when as he explained “We have no skilled warriors among our people, and certainly no witches either. And there is the fact you have such a powerful beast at your command.” He indicated Sergey just as the bear-hound looked up and burped a little after the finished stew. “We beg for your help. If you return our daughters, we shall forever be grateful of your deeds. Please, will you help?”

Everyone in the group was quiet before huddling together. They whispered among each other, the mayor, his adviser and the rest of the people leaning towards them to try and hear. Sergey often poked his head between the group and looking out to see how the people were watching with still breathing in anticipation.

Finally they all broke from the huddle and Erik stood saying “We accept.” There was a moment of relief from everyone as he continued with “But if it’s going to work, we’ll need your cooperation. From all of you.”

“Of course.” The mayor said. “Whatever you require.”

Just then someone busted into the meeting hall. The doors swung open and all looked at one of the villagers, who was outside the entire time, came running in with a panicked look on his face. Once he reached far enough for the mayor to see him he spoke.

“Sir….the bugbear….he’s left his sword again.”

The group stood with the villagers outside to see it was true, the sword was implanted in the ground next to the sacrificial pole near the forest border. It was larger than any sword Erik or Albert would’ve been able to hold, meaning the bugbear was as large as they feared. While the group examined it, even Sergey sniffing it before growling, the mayor and his people were standing far away from it and cowering while Adrian tried to calm them, especially the children.

“Lot bigger than I thought.” Albert whispered to Erik so the villagers wouldn’t hear. Erik nodded before he asked “I assume you have another brilliant plan?”

“I do….but you might not like it.” Erik said.

The knight shook his head and said “Why did I have that bad feeling you were going to say that?”

Erik turned and called for both Della and the Mayor to join them, Adrian still trying to calm the children as they spoke, before the four adults were together. Erik looked to the three and said “We’re going to need someone to act as bait. Otherwise the bugbear will get suspicious if there’s no sacrifice for him.”

“But who?” the mayor asked.

Della perked up and raised her hand a little, giving a bold “I volunteer. I will not let another young girl be used to appease this beast.”

The mayor gave an awkward chuckle before saying “I am sorry, ma’am, but you’re too old. The bugbear only wants young women for his needs.”

Della gave a little annoyed look, on the ground he thought she didn’t look young enough before Albert asked “We’re not about to use one of the village girls, are we?”

“After the promise we made? Of course not.” Erik said, giving a reassuring look to the mayor in the process.

Both lovers looked at each other before looking back to the young knight and asking “Then who?”

As night approached, Adrian was secured to the pole by Erik and Albert. Her hands were tied behind her back, the rope connecting between her hands and the pole, while her feet were tied against the pole beneath her. Still wearing her traveling dress Adrian looked annoyed at Erik the most since this seemed a little too provocative at first.

“Let me remind you, Sir Erik,” she said as she was still being tied “if anything happens to me you will face the wrath of my mother and all the kingdoms combined.”

“And if it does I’ll just have to deal with you for the rest of the trip.” he said as he finished and stood to look her in the eye. “Either way, I’m not getting anything out of this. Just stick to the plan and keep acting as you always do.”

“And how is that?”

“Well….like you think you’re actually a girl.” He shrugged before running off back into the town.

She growled and almost said something as he ran off before Albert said “Let him be, princess. You may not like me saying this, but Erik did have a point that you were the only choice.”

She sighed and said “I know, Albert. And to be honest, I’m glad it is me. I cannot stand by while my people suffer.” Suddenly Sergey came around and sniffed her, his nose poking between her legs. She jumped and said “Sergey!? What are you doing?”

“He’s getting your scent, my lady.” Albert explained. “You’ll see.”

When he stopped Sergey looked back towards the woods and growled. Albert looked as well and knew what it meant. He gave a quick “Good luck” to Adrian before he ordered Sergey to follow him back into the town. They regrouped behind one of the buildings where Della and the Mayor waited. All throughout the town everyone was trying to stay out of sight while also watching as Adrian was about to be sacrificed.

Everyone was quite as a moment later the bugbear finally emerged from the forest, Adrian trying her best not to look scared in his presence. The beast stood ten feet tall and was hairy as could be. It had thin hair all over its skin but around the face was where longer strands were. It had a fully grown beard of darker hair that grew on the top of its head as well. Two pointed ears stuck to the side like a dogs from his head and helped to give off the troll-like appearance he had. He wore pieces of armor, a shoulder guard mixed with leather loincloth strung over most of his body but exposing his left arm. On his back was large wooden shield that looked like it was carved straight from a log. And on the belt it had was the empty scabbard of the sword he’s planted earlier.

The bugbear retrieved its sword first, putting back its sheath. He then leaned towards Adrian and sniffed her, his nose coming so close to her face she looked away. The bugbear’s lips curved to a smile as his tongue suddenly came out and licked the front of Adrian’s body. Albert and Della tensed at this, Erik putting his arm in front of them to stop them doing anything stupid, as they watched his tongue moved down Adrian’s left leg before stopping.

He gave a little hum before saying “How delicious you are, my dear.” He examined her closer before putting one of his large paws on her chest, Adrian flinching away from his touch. “Not much growing here, is there?” He took his hand away, Adrian holding back from cursing or spitting at him for that comment, before he asked “And what of your parents, little one? Are they not going to fight for you like some of the others have?”

Adrian, acting the part as best she could, looked to the bugbear and said “My family is saddened, but at least they know their daughter will die for the good of her people.”

The bugbear gave a low laugh as he cut her bonds with one claw before saying “Brave but idiot girl. Who ever said anything about killing you?”

Before Adrian knew it the bugbear grabbed her ankles and hoisted her over his right shoulder. With his grip still around her legs the bugbear carried Adrian off into the woods, slowly disappearing into the darkness. Erik and the others slowly emerged from hiding and watched until they were both gone.

“So far so good.” Erik commented before Della grabbed his collar.

“You had better pray to the gods she comes out of this unharmed, Erik.” She threatened before Albert pulled her off him.

The mayor came up to them and asked “What will you do now?”

“We wait.” Erik said. “Long enough for them to get some distance, which will make the bugbear think he’s not being followed.”

The mayor looked confused and asked “But what if he gets too far for you to follow?”

“He won’t. Not as long as we have him.” He pointed at Sergey who barked when indicated.

“How do you mean?” the mayor asked before Erik indicated for Della to show him what he’d meant.

In response Della held out in her hand a pair of pink panties, the Mayor guessing they were Adrian’s. He blushed a little before Erik took them and put them to Sergey’s nose, the bear-hound sniffing long enough until he sniffed the ground and began following the scent.

With that Erik and the others looked back to the mayor and villagers before saying “We’ll be back. And one way or another, we will bring your daughter’s home.”

As the trio followed behind the bear-hound, he still sniffing to follow the trail, the mayor and his people silently watched and prayed that they would succeed.

While she’d lost track of time Adrian had been carried by the bugbear for almost an entire hour, and there was no real sign of where they were going. All Adrian could make out while still slung over the beast’s shoulder was that it was defiantly somewhere within the forest. However in the back of her mind Adrian hoped whatever the bugbear would want of her didn’t involve exposing her secret.

Finally they’d come to a clearing where Adrian looked to see, to her surprise, a large house. It stood out so much from the rest of the area, almost like a small mansion of sorts. It looked run down and abandoned, making Adrian wonder how and why the bugbear had chosen this place for a home. When they entered into the house it was actually far cleaner on the inside, so well kept in shape that it was an amazing contrast to how it was outside.

The bugbear dropped Adrian in front of him once the door was closed behind them, the princess looking to see who had greeted them: the girls who’d been offered to the bugbear. Adrian could tell which were the ones from the village, given they were all human, and the two who were stolen before, given they were an elf and a lizard girl. All of them were wearing sexy fetish wear, clothing that exposed almost all of their bodies and barley covered their nipples and womanhood. They even had high heel shoes or boots that looked strapped to their legs.

All were on their knees and bowing when the bugbear had returned and all said in unison “Welcome home, Master.”

The bugbear set his weapon and shield down before pushing Adrian forward, just as she’d gotten to her feet. “Here’s another to add to the group.” He said to the girls. “Take her to the quarters and have her dressed and ready. I want her serving me dinner by the time it’s ready.”

All bowed again before the bugbear walked off into the house, Adrian figured to his quarters.

When he was gone the girls all looked at Adrian, a blonde haired girl asking “Who are you? You’re obviously not from the village, right?”

She looked to all of them an answered “No, I’m not.”

“See? I told you.” The elf said to the lizard girl. “Those damn village people are going to sell out the entire kingdom before the month is out.”

“Wait, wait. You don’t understand.” Adrian said. “I’m here to help. Trust me.”

Before any of them could ask any more the oldest of the group, a redheaded girl, said “Look, we’ll talk about this later. Right now we need to get dinner ready.” She looked to Adrian and said “And you need to get yourself ready.” She indicated for another girl, the elf, to come forward and said “Take her to get dressed.”

The elf girl took Adrian’s hand and led her to a room far in the back of the house. Meanwhile the other girls scurried off to either make dinner or help set the table for their master. The room was an assortment of beds all collected together on each side, squeezed together to allow for enough room for all the girls. The elf girl brought Adrian to the back were a large wardrobe sat near the window and opened it to reveal more outfits, one of which Adrian would have to pick.

She squirmed a little at the idea of wearing such an exposing outfit before looking to the elf girl and asking “Do you mind if I…well…?”

The elf girl realized she was asking for privacy when she dressed and said “Of course.” Before walking to the front of the room with her back to Adrian.

Adrian undressed before asking “So what exactly does the bugbear do with you all?”
The elf girl called back to answer “Well he does make us his servants. We do all the cleaning and cooking. And then he makes us wear….these outfits.”

“Is that all?” Adrian asked as she was fully naked now and making sure the elf wasn’t looking with her manhood exposed.

As the princess in disguise quickly threw on what she could before the girl could notice, she went on with “And he makes us sleep altogether. We have to share the beds and there’s only so much room. We all have to huddle together.”

“But he doesn’t….well….violate you at all?”

“He only touches us whenever he wants……at least for now.” The elf girl answered somberly. There was a moment of silence that followed before the girl asked “Are you ready yet?”

She looked back to see as Adrian walked forward, now dressed like the other girls. She had a long loincloth-like dress on that thankfully covered her private area well enough to keep the disguise of a woman. Around her neck was a choker that the front of the dress attached to, exposing her entire back. The heels she wore had straps that went all the way up to her knee and kept them secure on her feet.

The elf girl sighed before Adrian said “Don’t worry. We’re getting out of here. All of us.” When she asked how Adrian winked at the elf girl and said “Trust me. I have backup on the way.”

A large ringing sound went out, making the elf girl jump before explaining to Adrian “That means dinner’s ready.”

With that the two went down to the dining room where the girls were setting up the dinner ready for the bugbear. The room had a large table that could sit at least a dozen people, yet only one chair was set for the bugbear. The other girls were already playing one dish prepared after another, from steak to fried vegetables to cooked rabbit and even a barrel of wine was rolled over and left to stand near the chair. One girl came over and handed Adrian a large knife and fork, big enough for the bugbear, and indicated for her to set it on the table with everything else.

All the girls, including Adrian, stood in a line at the table and waited until the bugbear entered. They all gave a unison “We hope you enjoy, Master” while the bugbear grumbled as he stomped over to his seat. He wasted no time in gorging himself on one dish after the other, half the time eating with his hands and tear at the meat with his teeth. At times he’d snap his finger before one of the girls would run over with a towel he’d use to clean his mouth. He’d indicate he was done by making the girls turn and slapping their butts before they walked back to the line.

Adrian watched with disgust at how he treated them before the bugbear said “Clara, come here.” The redheaded girl from before walked over to his side and bowed before he said “You want to know how your village is doing today?”

She sighed and yes “Yes, Master. You know I and the rest of the girls worry about our family.”

He chuckled with his mouth full before gulping down and saying “We’ll they’re all still alive. Though they are cowards, the lot of them.” He blenched and continued with “See how they brought yet another girl from someplace else and not any of your own people?” he pointed at Adrian. “That foolish grandfather mayor of yours is becoming desperate. With enough time maybe I’ll let you go back to them.” Some of the girls perked with hope before he said “When you’re all old and are no further use to me.” He finished with a laugh, the girls casting their heads down in defeat. Adrian leered at the bugbear, seeing how cruel he was, before he noticed and said “You! New girl. Come over here, now.”

Clara stepped away while Adrian hesitantly walked over to him, looking up and giving a small “Yes…..master?”

He looked down and said “You may not be from the village, but you’ll learn to respect me soon enough.” He held her chin up with one claw and said “I can see that defiant look in your eyes. Some of these other girls had that same look, and let look at them now.” He then examined her and smiled, saying “Such a nice uniform you chose. It fits you so well.”

Suddenly she felt his hand reach back and caress her exposed back. Adrian looked away as his other hand, which he wiped on his own fur to clean it from the bits of food on it, reached over and began feeling her legs. He gave a satisfying hum as he felt up her legs but thankfully didn’t reach her private area. He leaned forward and licked her neck, Adrian shivered at the sensation just like before.

“I’ve never tasted a girl like you before.” He said, his hand reaching down and pinching her butt. “So much softer and yet with a more potent sweetness.” Adrian tried to shy away but the bugbear made her turn so he could look at her but for himself, lifting the skirt of the dress up a little to see. “I think you might be my new favorite.”

Adrian closed her could see the other girls watching hopelessly as another was being sexually tortured like this, but she closed her eyes when his claw smoothly ran up her back before unhooking the choker.  It snapped off and the front of Adrian’s dress fell, she catching it just as her nipples were exposed. The bugbear made her turn while she still held it up and smirked.

“Don’t bother hiding it.” He said. “Not like you got much to hide anyways.” He forcefully pulled the dress down, exposing her chest. He chuckled before looking down, seeing the panties she had on, and then looked with a mix of anger and shock at what he saw: the little bulge between her legs. “What is this!?!” he shouted, standing from his chair and making Adrian fall back. The other girls all cowered as the bugbear lifted Adrian up by the leg, she hanging upside down, before pulling her panties off and seeing her member sticking out. “A boy! I’ve been tricked!” he dropped Adrian to the ground as she looked up to see him grab his sword and say “I’ll cut you for that, you little bastard! And then I’ll go back to that town and chop them all into--”

Before he could finish a large explosion from behind him took the entire wall of the building down. The other girls all screamed while Adrian took the chance, picking her clothes up to cover herself, and rushed over with them. The bugbear looked back to see Della, the one who blew down the door, standing there with an armed trio of Erik, Albert and Sergey.

“The only one who getting chopped today is you!” Albert said before rushing over and attacking him.

The bugbear blocked his axe with his sword before pushing the warrior back. Erik came in and began striking before he too was forced back. Seeing Della charge a spell, the bugbear took his table and threw it towards her, Della ducking before being hit. Sergey took that opening and ran up, tackling the bugbear to the ground and snapping at him.

While they fought Adrian led the girls away, taking them out through the front door to safety. All were glad as ever to be out of the house and felt free to know there were others trying to help them. But then Clara looked at Adrian and was a little dumbfounded.

“You were a boy this whole time?” she asked, the others looking as well.

Adrian gave an awkward look before saying “There’s a good reason for it…..but let me give you a short version.”

The bugbear tossed Sergey off him only to be met with a smack to the nose from the butt of Albert’s axe. He growled and grabbed the axe when Albert tried to bring it down on him before pushing Albert away. He took the axe and swung it at both Sergey and Albert, Della shot a bolt of magic that knocked it away before it could hit them. She then attacked with a blast of cold that sent the bugbear on his back before Erik drove his blade into the creature’s arm. This didn’t stop him however, only angering him as he kicked Erik away before charging again.

The battle continued for a few more minutes before, thanks to the cooperative work from the four fighters, were able to blast the bugbear out the front door in a beaten pulp. As they looked they could see the bugbear still alive, weakly trying to get up only to see all the girls he’d taken as slaves, even Adrian, looking down at him with vengeful eyes.

Before he could say or do anything Adrian said “Alright, girls, let’s give our master what he needs.”

The girls all scrambled on the bugbear, knives and other tools from the kitchen they had with them. They stabbed and beat the bugbear to death, Adrian walking over to her friends and giving a satisfied look at what the girls did.

“What that really necessary?” Erik asked.

“No.” she answered. “It was justice. Our justice.”

The following morning had seen the girls all safely brought back to the village. Everyone rejoiced and ran to their daughters and the heroes who’d returned them. Even the mayor ran to Clara, his granddaughter, and hugged her rightly at her safe return.

Adrian, now back in her normal clothes, had received a large thank you from all the girls as well. They came over and treated her like a sister and hugged her. Meanwhile the mayor thanked Erik and the others before permitting them what they needed for their trip. This meant at least a night to spend sleeping in town and taking some of their famous vegetables and recipes with them.

The following morning the group was packed and ready to go, Adrian giving a final wave to the girls while the mayor spoke with Erik and Albert personally.

“You say you’re traveling to Taltheria, yes?” he asked before they nodded their confirmation. “Well whatever you reasons for going, you should stop over in Red Stone village on the way. My brother is the mayor of their and he could give you more help if you need it.”

“Well thank you for the info.” Erik said. “We’ll be sure to drop by and send your regards.”

“And be careful on the road.” The mayor added as they were walking off. “It’s become a little more dangerous over the year. No telling if you’ll run into anymore bugbears or something worse.”

“Don’t worry, my good man.” Albert said. “We’ll be ready for whatever comes out way.”

The mayor nodded before waving by along with all the other villagers. Adrian kept calling back to the girls and saying goodbye to them, all the while Della giving an odd look to how the girls were treating the princess despite knowing she was a boy.

“Uh, princess?” she began. “Are you sure we can trust those girls to keep your secret?”

“Of course.” Adrian answered so highly. “I may not have the same parts as them, but we girls do have to stick up for each other.”

Erik muttered to himself “There are so many ways that doesn’t make sense and yet does….” Albert laughed at this, Della smiling to know her princess had made some friends at the very least, before Erik asked “So how far is it to Red Stone?”

Albert rubbed his chin before saying “A good two days from here. Means more camping out.”

“Aw man.” Erik said. “And here I thought we wouldn’t have to camp anymore. This sucks.”

“Try wearing a degrading outfit and serving a perverted bugbear before saying what truly sucks, Sir Erik.” Adrian retorted to him with a coy smile.

“Oh yeah.” Erik said, a sly smirk starting to grow on his face. “What was that like when he had his tongue all over you? Were you really repulsed or did you secretly like it?” Adrian only huffed an annoyed response before Erik said “Bet if he didn’t find out he’s have made you wearing something tighter too. Bet that have felt nice, right?”

She became so angered she started yelling at him before hopping off Sergey and taking one of her boots off to hit Erik over the head. He started protesting before running away with Sergey laughing a little while Albert and Della sighed, seeing as the two were going to need a lot of time before they were ever going to get along.

At the very least it was a good thing to know that the princess was safe, as was the town of High Growth. All they had to worry now was what adventure awaited them once they reached Red Stone Village.

To Be Continued...