Together, the four of us meandered through the wealthy district which surrounded Castle Halwyn. At first, I could feel this cold presence at my back, but when I looked behind me I could only see the castle. I tried to pay it little mind, but the feeling never left. There weren’t many people wandering the streets, as the buildings closest to the castle were obviously owned by rich folk. We did have a few meetings as we traveled however, one of which had some young nobles’ hand getting a little touchy on my rear. How unfortunate for him that I wasn’t having that and I turned down his advances. Forcefully. As he cradled his hand with an aghast look upon his face I told him in my most pleasant voice that if he ever touched me again, he’d be shitting out teeth for the rest of his life.

The man then excused himself and we parted ways amicably with the bunch of us laughing at the whole affair.

But as we made our way into the more common district the people kept their eyes on us at all times, but generally avoided us. Not because we weren’t pretty enough, cause I know we were rockin these dresses. No, if I had to guess, I believe it was because most of them were shy, or just didn’t want to be involved with noble women. Honestly, I couldn’t even begin to count the curious glances that looked our way for merely a second before they pretended to be interested in something else. At one point group of rough-looking young men approached us with clear intentions, but backed off when Snake and I began cracking our knuckles as we moved towards them. Its common sense that you don’t fuck with a group of drag-queens. Not that we were drag-queens or anything, as this was only a one time thing.

Though watching Rambles touch his dress reverently as we walked, I doubted it’d be his last time. Not me though, dresses aren’t my style. I’m a t-shirt and jeans man through and through.

“Here it is.” Ribs spoke as he stopped before a large wooden establishment with a sign hanging from the front, carved in the shape of a mug. “Burson’s Brew Barn.”

“I like the name.” I stated as we walked in the front door. An expansive sitting room greeted us, complete with a bar, stools, and a bunch of tables and scattered chairs. Only a small amount of people were seated within. None paid us any mind as we entered.

“Thanks, I helped him think up the name for it.” Ribs beamed with pride.

“Hey I know this place.” Rambles started as his eyes darted about. “Good place, comfortable beds, shit ale though. Guess ya can’t have everything good.”

“Hey Burson!” Ribs called out, causing the few patrons inside to look towards us, clearly confused that the clothes didn’t match the voice.

“Rickston?” Gasped a portly man behind the bar counter. His short hair flopping about as he rushed over to us as we approached the bar. “Goddess, what in the hells happened to you in that dungeon? Yer practically a woman!”

“Its a long story Burson. One I’d be happy to tell over a round of ale and soup for my friends and I. But first, I need a favor. Can you go get us some regular clothes and a room?”

“Can do my friend. Can do indeed!”

—————

Princess Kaithlyn Halwyn’s leather boots clacked against stone as she strode down the castle halls wearing her green riding chaps and loose white blouse. Her once free-flowing golden hair had been tied up into a ponytail. She had wasted no time after freeing herself from the binds that the Hero, Harold Lisbe, had left her bound in. The dagger he had left her was belted firmly at her hip. She didn’t know why, but she constantly felt the need to have her hand near the blade. Without ceremony, she opened the door to the throne room.

“Hello father.” She greeted as she entered the throne room where her father was currently in a discussion with the priest that had tested the Hero the other day. At one time, she had regarded the man with respect. Today however, she felt nothing but hatred.

“Ah, Kaithlyn, good timing.” Her father turned to her and gave her a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek which she returned. “Dark news my dear. The prisoners have escaped the dungeon.” Kaithlyn wanted to laugh loudly, but acted surprised.

“How dreadful!” She gasped, bringing a hand to her mouth in and act of false surprise.

“Indeed, such an occurrence is unprecedented.” The Priest spoke in his annoying voice. “But worry not Princess, they shall be found and executed for their crimes.”

Kaithlyn nodded, but said nothing. Desperately she felt the need to reach out and break the sniveling rat’s neck. Though she cared little for the others, she would not let anyone hurt the Hero. Her beautiful, radiant hero.

“Since when have you carried a dagger my dear?” The King asked, snapping her from daydreaming of her beloved.

“Oh, this old thing?” She caressed the weapon with a smile. “The guards seemed quite nervous. I assumed that something had happened and felt it prudent that I procure some protection.” Her father smiled at her,

“It is good that you’re thinking of your own safety my dear. But you don’t have to worry, we are completely safe within these walls. Though the fiends are likely long gone by now, I sent men to interview the outer wall’s gate guards. They will find the three escaped prisoners.”

She almost snorted in derision when her father said they were safe. If four men breaking into her room was safe, she pondered what unsafe would be. “Wait…three prisoners?”

“The false Hero, a thief, and a traitor.” He explained with a sigh. “I don’t know how so few managed to escape. But when they’re caught they will all be questioned intensely before being sent to the headsman’s block. This shall never happen again.”

Kaithlyn gave a relieved smile, “Of course father. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be in the gardens.” She hugged her father tightly and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before making her way out of the room. Of course, she had no desire to meander through the blooming flowers like she had said. No, her beloved was in danger and she would save him.

“No matter who threatens him.” She whispered to herself as she gripped the dagger at her side. But before she could keep her hero safe, she would need to find him. Her father would have all the guards in the city on the lookout with descriptions of the escapees. If her beloved hadn’t made it out of the city by now, he’d be found for sure. Fortunately for her, she knew of their disguises. The race to save her beloved was on.

But first, she needed to make a quick stop in her room.

———

I’m a meticulous eater. I like to leave as little a mess as possible when consuming food. Ribs however…well, I can see why they gave him that nickname. While he ate his portion of the soup that his friend had prepared for us, more of the stuff found its way to the floor than his mouth. But that wasn’t even the worst part. No, Ribs was one of those people who would talk with a full mouth, spewing spittle and food every which way as he spoke. What little food he did manage to get into his mouth was reduced even further by his lacking table manners.

I regretted saving him from that dungeon. He belonged there alongside all the other food talkers in the world.

“Sho fen Sherld hfere csame up wif dish phlan!” Ribs swallowed and shoved another fraction of soup into his mouth as he continued the story. Burson nodded along with the tale, slurping up a bowl of the very same soup. I don’t know how he could understand Ribs’ speech, but he managed.

“I’m heading up to my room. Wake me when you bring us some clothes.” I spoke to Burson who nodded in response. After spending part of the night skulking through the castle and all the morning pretending to be a noblewoman, I was drained. I flipped the brass key around my fingers as I ascended the stairs. We were each given a room in the inn, which was very kind of our host. Though, unlike Ribs, I’d try not to make much of a mess.

As I approached the numbered room marked ‘ten’ on the key I stopped in my footsteps. The door was slightly ajar. With a shrug, I pushed it open. I kept my muscles tense, ready to strike at a moments notice. The room was small with only a bed, a window, and a lock box at the foot of the bed. The room was no better than a walk-in closet. But even a small room is better than any dungeon. Sitting atop my bed in normal commoner clothing was Snake. When I entered, he stood and held out his hand to me.

“I go.” He said simply. Guess he decided it was a good time to peace out. I shook his hand.

“Its been fun Snake. Don’t be a stranger.” He chuckled,

“You want to come with? Dangerous here.”

I rubbed my chin. The big man had a point. By now our escape must have been noticed by the castle. But in my mind, running now would only be too obvious. If word was out, the guards would be on high alert and we’d be caught for sure. It’d be far better to lay low for a few days and wait for things to calm down right under their noses.

“Thanks for the offer bud, but I’ll be fine. You should lay low here for a few days. Wait for things to die down, you know?” He shook his head.

“No. Am needed elsewhere. We will meet again, Lahadam’shtar.” He bowed his head formally to me.

“Laha-damn-shitter?”

“Lahadam’shtar. Bonded brother.” Snake laughed. “Is sign of great respect.”

“Ah, I’ve got a word for that too. Homie.”

“Homie.” Snake spoke curiously as if tasting the word. “Goodbye homie. Will meet again.” He said as he strode from my room.

“Peace out homie!” I called after him and he waved his final goodbye.

I watched the big man leave, only to realize that I never knew his real name. Ah well, I’d ask him once we met again. And I was sure we would, a man like him keeps the promises he makes. Feeling weary, I closed and locked my door before plopping myself down onto the bed, only to find it very uncomfortable. I prodded at the mattress with a finger, discovering that it was filled with what I assumed to be straw. I’m no farmer, so it could have been wheat for all I know. Either way, this bed sucked.

“I’d kill for a shower right about now.” I grumbled as I closed my eyes, desperately hoping this was all one really weird dream.

————————

When I opened my eyes I found myself seated at a large, expensive-looking table in the middle of a well-decorated room. But if the table was extravagant, the plates looked even more so. Even more eye-catching than the table and plates were the two women seated before me. Sahrai was smiling very pleasantly, while Fes…lets just say she had stars in her eyes.

“Sup ladies?” I greeted simply.

“Looking good Harold.” Sahrai snickered.

“Thanks, I try my best.” I smoothed out the dress that I was still wearing and fluffed up my hair.

“Ah…” Fes meekly gasped as she stared at me.

“Pervert!” I cried out and pointed an accusing finger at the now wide-eyed Goddess.

“No! I’m not like the Princess!” Fes waved her hands at me with a warding gesture. I didn’t believe her for a second. A person’s eyes almost always give away their true thoughts. And while her stare wasn’t as intense as the Princess’, they still had that same feeling to them.

“So why are we here instead of the foggy place from before?” Sahrai smiled pleasantly,

“Well that ‘foggy place’, as you so eloquently put it, is mainly where we communicate with the people of Asalbatarius.” I gave her a blank stare. “The world you are currently residing in.”

“Oh. Of course. I knew that.” She rolled her eyes,

“We use that spot to make those we speak with feel a sense of unease. It makes them more attentive to what we say most of the time.”

“Ah intimidation tactics, got ya.” Sahrai nodded,

“And you’re here because I distinctly remember someone praying for help and promising a nice dinner in return.” She pointed to a doorway behind where I sat. “Kitchen’s that way. Chop chop.”

“Any requests? I’m a pretty good cook if I do say so myself.”

“Hmmm.” Sahrai trapped her finger upon her chin in thought. “Surprise us.” Fes didn’t say anything, she just stared at me.

With a shrug, I got up from my seat and moved towards the kitchen. From behind me I could hear the sound of a chair scraping backwards against the stone floor, a few hushed harsh words, and whimpering like a dog that had lost it’s bone.