Elf Princess

“Oh, crap! I fold you I am a princess, right?” my girlfriend, Mitzy, asked and squeezed my arm.

I grabbed her pale little wrist. "You know normal couples save role play for the bedroom or Halloween, but I guess I'm down for it."

"I'm serious, Jason."

"That's Prince Jason to you!" I said, raising my hand. I didn't get to look at her expression since I was driving, but I'm sure she was smiling.

"Jason."

"Mitzy...oh I mean Princess Mitzy. Eh. Did I do good?" I asked in my best sophisticated accent.

Mitzy sighed and sat back in her seat. I thought I was being charming, but I guess she didn't see it that way. I wasn't given much time to think about her reaction as we had arrived at her parents place. The dirt road with forest all around us broke into a giant courtyard. The grass was cut like a putting green and the shrubbery was designed to look like giant green woodland creatures. I'm still a little miffed they snubbed squirrels from the line up, but nonetheless it was impressive to say the least.

I drove up to the giant mansion that was made of white marble. It towered over the grounds, much like a castle. I knew she said her family lived out in the country, but I didn't expect her parents to be so wealthy. I thought it was more of a live on the land or farm type situation, instead of being so filthy rich they live far away to keep the poors out. To greet us was a tall elf wearing a tailored suit. He even opened the door for Mitzy and everything.

"Princess Mitzy," the well dressed elf said, helping her out of the car.

"Reggie, how are you?" Mitzy said, giving him a hug.

"Better than ever. When we heard you were coming home, we were all ecstatic. Although the king is a little nervous about the man you are bringing home.”

"King?" I asked, hoping I misheard.

"Yes. King Wurlin..." Reggie said and turned to Mitzy. "Princess Mitzy. Did you not tell him you are royalty?"

"I told him on the way here," Mitzy said with a shy grin. I would have been annoyed, but that smile got me every time. That and her pointy ears perked up ever so slightly outside her luscious black hair. It's downright adorable.

Reggie smiled and shook his head. "What are we going to do with you?"

At the top of the stairs in front of the giant wood door stood another elf, wearing a long blue cape and a crown on top of his head. I may have been a simple human, but I knew a King when I saw one.

"Regeval, come bring them up," King Wurlin called to us.

We followed Reggie to the door where her father was waiting with a giant smile on his face. I was sweating the whole time and every step made my heart beat louder. My mind was overheating with questions. How do I address royalty? Was I supposed to wear something different than jeans and a shirt? Am I supposed to be royalty? That last one stuck with me. She was a princess and I was...a regular guy. Didn't royalty expect to marry other royalty? If they were anything like humans, I would assume so. I had been so deep in thought I didn't even realize we were already standing in front of the king.

"...and may I present Jason–"

"Prince," I said, interrupting Reggie.

Reggie gave me a quizzical look and Mitzy was straight up shocked. King Wurlin's face went from tempered to pure joy. His eyes lit up and he stepped forward.

"Prince Jason. Who would have thought my daughter would have found herself a member of another royal family. What line do you come from?"

I should have said nothing, but it was too late. He needed an answer, so I gave him one alright.

"Burger."

"I have never heard of them. You will have to tell me all about your family over dinner."

A different elf ran out from the door behind the King and whispered in his ear. King Wurlin nodded.

"If you would excuse me, I need to handle something. Mitzy, I'm sure you can show this fine man around our home," King Wurlin said and left inside without another word.

Reggie followed him and I was going to follow too, but Mitzy held me up.

"I didn't know you are royalty?" Mitzy asked, watching my face for any signs of deception. Sure I lied to her father, but there was no use lying to her.

"I panicked."

She put her hands on her hips. "Jason."

"What was I supposed to do?"

"Not tell him you are royalty."

"I can't backpedal from this now. You saw the look on his face," I said, doing my best impression of a little puppy dog pout. She wasn't the only one who can play that game.

Mitzy sighed, relenting to my adorableness. "I guess we are just going to have to pretend for now. What was your last name again?”

"Benton. Have I not told you my last name?"

She bonked me on the forehead with her palm. "The one you gave my father. The one I won't know."

"Oh. Heh heh. Burger."

"So your father would be King Allen Burger...wait...you didn't...you didn't name yourself after that restaurant?"

I shrugged. "I said I panicked."

"You're lucky we don't have a Burger King out here or you would be busted, Mister."

"So you're going to help me?"

She stared at me for a little bit. Most people would be holding their breath, waiting for a response that could go either way. Her stare brought that out in most people. I knew her well though. She was going to help me and was just thinking of a plausible way to do it.

"We have till dinner to get your details straight," Mitzy said, walking up the stairs.

"Does that mean I still get the tour?" I said, following her.

"Shorter tour. If you're going to convince my father your royalty, we have a lot of work to do.”

I went up alongside her and danced my fingers across her shoulders. Her eyes rolled back into her head and relaxed her muscles.

"Do I get a tour of anything else while I'm here?" I asked.

"Nope. I need all your blood in your head and not your other head."

"I'm confused, which one needs all the blood?"

She lowered her hand and flicked me right on the tip of my penis. I toppled to the floor, holding my groin in hopes that would somehow stop my suffering. Her fingers may have been dainty, but it felt like I got stung by a bee. So much for thinking my jeans would protect me.

"You still confused?"

"Nope." I barely squeaked out.

"Good. Now come on then. There is a lot to cover here."

***

Mitzy showed me around her family's entire mansion and it was quite the place. There was a room for everything and they were all pretty big. Fancy chandeliers hung in the larger rooms with vaulted roofs and the lower roof areas settled with candle light on walls. Everything seemed like something from the Victorian area, but I think anything that looks both fancy and old is Victorian. Once we had seen everything, she got to work on coaching me through being a member of royalty.

"How do you address the king?" Mitzy asked.

"Hello?”

"It's Your Majesty.”

"I keep forgetting that. Why is everything so formal and fancy?"

"Probably to keep commoners like you out," Mitzy teased.

"You know, that hurts. First the dick flick, now the personal attacks. I'm starting to think you don't like me," I said, giving her a flash of my winning smile.

"You're a tough prince. I think you can take it," she said, winking at me. "So how do you address my father?"

"Hello, sir."

"Your Majesty."

I face palmed myself. "Argh. I'll get it."

"You better, because dinner will be starting soon," Mitzy said, gesturing to the doorway. Reggie's steps echoed down the hall and into my ears before I saw him. He stopped at the doorway and readjusted his tie.

"The king requests your presence at the dinner table."

"We will be right there," Mitzy said and Reggie nodded before leaving us. She turned to me and grabbed my shoulders. "You will do fine. Besides the few things I taught you, just be yourself. He'll love you.”

"You think so?"

"Fifty fifty," she said and walked away.

"Hey! Hold up. Only fifty fifty? How can I boost that up?" Mitzy!" I followed her and she kept ignoring me. I knew she had a devious little grin on her face. She sure wanted me to sweat this one.

We got to the grand dining hall and it was lit up brighter than when I saw it during the tour. Three chandeliers hung from above and candles along the walls kept darkness at bay. A classic large oak table sat in the middle of the room with a fine red tablecloth across the middle. At the head of the table was King Wurlin and at his side was his queen. Mitzy had told me her name on more than one occasion, but it left my brain once we approached them.

"Please sit," King Wurlin said, gesturing to the two seats to his left.

I was going to sit on the far chair, but Mitzy guided me toward her father. Dang her and her graceful elvish feet. Once my butt hit the seat, her mother took it as a cue to say something.

"Mitzy, are you going to introduce me to your friend?" the queen asked.

"Mother, this is my boyfriend Jason–”

"Prince Jason," her father quickly corrected.

Mitzy gave her father the side eye before continuing. "...and Jason, this is my mother, Queen Marsawne."

"It is a pleasure to meet you," Queen Marsawne said.

"The pleasure is all mine. And thank you again for inviting me,” I said.

"We are glad you could be here. Usually Mitzy never brings anyone with her to family dinners, so you must be special," King Wurlin said.

"Father!" Mitzy said. She blushed ever so slightly, but her embarrassment was my relief. At least for a moment.

"Oh, come on. It's not like you brought a commoner to dinner. This man is of great status."

I gulped so loud I thought it echoed in the room. Instead it was masked by the trays of food coming in from his servants. They presented each of us with a prepared plate of fish, along with strawberries and blackberries. My mouth savored just looking at it. If the fork was in my hand, I totally would have started digging in, if for nothing else to keep my mouth full so her father couldn't grill me with questions. They put the plates in front of us, but not the forks. One of the elves cut a piece of the fish and ate it off my plate. I wanted to punch him so bad, but then I remembered food testers were a thing.

"How does it taste?" King Wurlin asked.

"It tastes fine my…" the elf started before choking. His mouth was foaming and the other servants rushed him away. The servants that didn't help the choking elf swiftly took the plates away and ran off. I watched this all unfold and yet the only one distraught was Mitzy and I.

"Um...did he just…" I asked.

"He was poisoned. I had a feeling our former cook would poison the food, but I had to make sure,” King Wurlin said.

"What's going on? Are you in danger?" Mitzy asked in a high pitched voice.

"Not anymore. That cook disagreed with how your father has been running the kingdom and one of our servants told us she was planning on killing us. We didn't want to get too hasty, so we set a trap and she clearly took the bait," Queen Marsawne said.

"Is your servant going to be alright?" I asked.

"Yes. That is why I had to leave you two so suddenly after you arrived. Our plan needed to go in motion and I swapped the poison she was going to use. He will be sick for a few days, but will live," King Wurlin explained.

King Wurlin's words gave me some comfort that I wasn't almost poisoned by some nefarious elf. That didn't subside my gurgling belly though.

"I'm so sorry. We are terrible hosts. We don't have any food prepared," Queen Marsawne said.

That was when I had a great idea that would not only save my stomach from hunger, but also sell my royalty story.

"How about we have some of my father's fine cuisine?" I offered. Mitzy gave me a disapproving look, but she didn't know what I was planning.

"That is a wonderful idea! I would be honored to see what your family's servants make," King Wurlin said.

"If you would excuse me for a moment," I said. I got up and walked away from the table to get some privacy. I pulled out my phone and dialed the first number I saw.

"Burger King, how may I take your order? a voice said over the phone.

"Kennedy, it's me, Jason."

"Hey Jason. Aren't you supposed to be on your date right now?"

"I am. I'm at her parents' place, but we are in need of some food."

"Well you called the right place. What do you need?"

"I'll take the chicken fries. Mitzy will have the garden salad and the parents will have the veggie burger."

"Do you want any fries with that?"

"Yeah. And whatever you have for soda."

"Are you eating in or picking up?"

"That's the thing...I need you to drive it to me."

"This isn't a Dominos."

"I know."

"Then you know my answer."

I looked over my shoulder to make sure Mitzy's family wasn't listening in to my conversation. "You owe me, Kennedy. Come on."

All I could hear on the other end was beeps and meat being seared on the grill. He was thinking it over, but I knew it was still a big ask.

"Okay I'll do it."

"Yes!" I said, doing a little fist pump.

"But you will owe me one."

"Deal. It is at 500 Oakdale Drive, County Road 40."

"Woah, that's out of town. Not sure I will find it."

"Trust me, you can't miss it."

***

Thankfully, King Wurlin had to deal with another pressing matter, so all I had to do was be a good boyfriend and listen to Mitzy and her mother catch up. They asked me no questions and I liked it that way. By the time King Wurlin came back I was saved by my phone.

"I'm here. Dude, since when was your girlfriend rich?" Kennedy said.

"Hey that is another thing...you need to pretend to be my servant."

"Not cool man."

"It's not even hard. You work for my dad, King Burger."

I could hear his laughter as he made his way inside the mansion. "You can't be serious? I don't know if you're a genius or an insane person."

"Maybe both. I can hear you."

"And I can see you,” Kennedy said and ended the call. He walked to me holding four brown bags, wearing his black uniform. I took the bags from him and gave them to Mitzy.

"What's the damage?" I asked.

"Fifty bucks should be enough," Kennedy said with a maniacal grin.

I took out my wallet and paid him, but I wasn't able to avoid King Wurlin's questions.

"Why are you paying your servant?" King Wurlin asked.

"He is almost out of gas and he left my father's card at the castle. Got to make sure he gets back alright," I said and gave Kennedy the last of my cash.

"Thanks man. I'll see you later," Kennedy said, counting his extortion money.

He left and we all finally got to the poison-free meal we were all supposed to have. I pulled out a fry from my bag and ate it. The salty goodness tasted better than that fish would have anyways. King Wurlin and Queen Marsawne both pulled out their burgers and looked upon it with suspicion.

"Don't worry. I got you two the vegetarian option. No meat in it at all.”

Queen Marsawne sniffed it, shrugged, and then dug in. Her smile was all I needed to see to know my man hooked us up with the good stuff and not the bottom of the bag lettuce.

"This is quite good. Your cooks are quite talented."

"Why does it say Burger King, instead of King Burger?" King Wurlin asked, examining the bag.

"What you're eating now is called a burger. Named after my father. He liked the idea of being king of all burgers, so he just changed the order on all the packaging," I said, munching on another chicken fry.

"Are all your meals served like this?"

"Not all of them. Just when we eat out, like today."

"Your father must be quite successful. How have I never heard of him?"

"He runs in different circles. There are a lot of kings you don't know about," Mitzy said, coming in for the save.

"Well, I would sure like to thank him for the food.”

And as if he commanded it, my phone rang. I must have turned on my ringtone, which blared 'Your dad is calling on your cellular device.' I wanted to smash it, but King Wurlin looked at me with glee.

"Look at that. What splendid timing! Could you put him on speaker please?" King Wurlin asked.

Who was I to say no to my girlfriend's father, let alone the King of the Elves. I answered it and my dad started talking right away.

"Hey Buckroo, just calling to check in and...wait...you answered?" my dad said.

"Yep. Dad, you're on speakerphone. I'm with Mitzy's family right now."

"Excellent! Hello Mr. And Mrs. Carthrone."

"Hey Dad, I forgot to tell you. They are actually royalty. Like King and Queen."

"Wow! Well slap me sideways. I should've known. Your daughter is so well mannered, it makes sense."

"Thank you, King Burger, for your kind words, not to mention your delicious food," King Wurlin said.

"Food?"

"Oh yes, your burgers are delicious," Queen Marsawne said and took another bite.

"I never made any burgers. Jason, did you raid the kitchen?"

"Nope. I–”

"Hey Honey! Did you give Jason some burgers?" my dad shouted to my mom, who must have been in a different room than him.

"No I didn't. Are you interrupting his date?" my mom responded, albeit it was hard to hear on the phone.

"He answered the phone. Her parents are on speakerphone."

"I want to talk with them! I'll be right down."

I could hear her feet storm down the stairs at my parents place before she ran into the table their phone must have been on. It let out a scratching sound that was not too pleasing.

"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Carthrone! How are you doing this evening?" my mom asked.

"We are doing well,” Queen Marsawne responded.

"How is my boy behaving? Not getting too handsy with your daughter I hope."

I wanted to die at that moment. Mitzy's parents both looked at me and all I could do was smile. What else was I going to do? Tell them what else we do?

"No..." Queen Marsawne said, but was definitely thinking what else we could have gotten up to within their mansion. We did have plenty of time, but had to waste it getting prepared for tonight.

"That's good. Oh Jason honey, can you stop by the house today and take out the trash? Your dad pulled his back again."

"Don't you have your servant to do it?" King Wurlin asked.

"Servants? That's what my son is for. Although if you're offering I wouldn't say no."

"Okay Mom, food is getting cold. Love you. Bye," I said and hung up. My hope was they wouldn't connect the dots.

"So you aren't a prince?" King Wurlin asked, but he knew the answer. Way to go, Mom.

I sighed. "No. I'm not."

"What is this Mitzy? Bringing some commoner home and passing him off as your boyfriend. Are you trying to embarrass us?"

"He is my boyfriend!" Mitzy said, pushing her mostly finished plate away.

"But why a commoner? I could have seen if he was an elf, but...”

"What? He isn't good enough for me if he is just a simple man?"

"Yes. You deserve the best–"

"And he is the best. I have dated a lot of men and none of them come close to him. He is kind, thoughtful, and cares about me. All royal men ever care about is continuing their lineage."

"That–"

"I'm not done! Jason cared so much about making a good impression today he lied about being a royal so he could get your approval. He even paid for your meal today. If you ask me, if he is not the best, no one is.”

Her father's mouth was stuck ajar. Heck, so was mine. I knew Mitzy was a keeper, but how she went to bat for me with her parents made me want to marry her right then and there. She sat back down and faced me, taking my hand.

"Jason, I love you with all my heart. My parents may not accept you, but I do. There is no one I would rather spend the rest of my life with," she said and a single tear ran from her eye.

I wiped the tear from her eye and our eyes locked. She said more than she had to, but it gave me the courage to say what I should have a long time ago. I kicked my chair away and went on one knee.

"Mitzy Carthrone, you make me the happiest man on this planet. Your smile never fails to brighten my day. Your touch never fails to warm my heart. And your acts of kindness never fail to show me yours. Ever since I met you in that grocery story on aisle five, I knew you were special. Little did I know at that time, you were the woman I was always looking for,” I professed and pulled out a gold band from my back pocket. "Will you marry me?”

"Of course I will marry you," she said and kneeled down next to me. She ignored the ring and laid such a passionate kiss on me I thought my heart was going to explode out of my chest. Her lips tasted like tomatoes, but that didn't bother me. She said yes and that was all that mattered. Mitzy broke away, trying to catch her breath.

"Ahem," King Wurlin said.

We both looked at him and he had a neutral expression on his face. I wasn't sure if he was upset or not, but it's not like I cared anymore. If he couldn't handle this, it was going to be on him.

"I would like to apologize...to both of you. I didn't realize your relationship was this far along…"

"I accept your apology...Pops,” I said.

"Don't call me that," he said, squinting at me.

"You like it though."

"I don't."

"Oh, he does. Deep down,” Queen Marsawne said with a smile.

"Mitzy gives that same look," I said and Queen Marsawne nodded in agreement.

"I do not," Mitzy protested, holding her hand to her chest.

"Oh that's right, I confuse it with that other look."

"What other look?"

I leaned in closer to her ear and whispered, "How about I show you after dinner?"

A sinister smile stretched across her face. "Well I'm done with dinner. We are going to go upstairs and chat."

She took me by the hand and I wasn't one to argue.

"Have a goodnight, Your Majesties," I said and waved.

"Remember you are still a guest here. No funny business in my house," King Wurlin said and was swiftly answered with a whack in the back of the head from the Queen.

She dragged me away from the dining hall and we made our way to the stairs.

"I haven't shown you my room, have I?" Mitzy asked.

"You have not."

"I have one request though when we get up there."

"Anything."

"Can you do that thing you like to do with my ear?"

"I thought you didn't like that."

"No, not that thing, the other one."

"I knew you liked it when I nibbled on your ear!" I said, not realizing how loud I got.

"Shhh. Not so loud," she said, covering my mouth and looking around.

I brushed her hair away, revealing her pointy ear. "Sorry about that. Let me make it up to you."

I bit ever so gently on the top portion of her pointy ear. She shuttered and let out a gasp before guiding my head away.

"Not here.”

"You're right. Too many prying eyes. Lead the way, My Queen."

I took her hand and she led me to her room, where we proceeded to have a magical night together. Then nine months later, you popped out. And that is the story of how you were conceived. Now how do I shut off this recorder? click Damn, not that one. How about this?

***

Love Potion

"May I ask why you think my love potion will save your marriage?" the witch asked, walking behind the counter to face a wall of shelves with different color jars.

"Because I see no other way to get past what happened," Timothy said, looking down at the counter.

The witch bent down and dragged a stool across the floor. The screech of the wood lasted only a few moments, stopping it under the tallest section of the shelves. "And what happened my dear boy?"

"She...cheated on me."

The witch was unfazed by his admission and climbed up onto the stool with the grace of a cat. She scanned the shelves, touching each jar with her boney finger. Half of the jars had labels, while the unlabeled ones had different colored fluorescent liquids. Nonetheless, her finger pointed to each one down the row.

"I cannot undo what has already been done," the witch said, focusing on the jars.

"I'm not asking you to. I just need a fresh start. A new set of eyes. That way everything can go back to the way it was."

The witch grabbed a jar containing a pink liquid off the shelf and turned to him. "You think this will really do that for you? That you drink this and your wife will magically love you again?”

"At least I will love her again."

The witch climbed down the stool and placed the jar on the counter. She stared into his sullen face. The pain and desperation oozed from his entire being. The weary traveler was no foreign sight to her, but his eyes were. A dull blue, faded not from nature, but from his dying soul. 

"A love potion can't make a person love someone who they still love.”

"You don't understand. I don't love her."

"You wouldn't be here if you didn't love her anymore. Your problem isn't your lack of love, it is your broken heart."

Timothy turned away, unable to make eye contact with her. 

"I don't make potions for a broken heart. Nothing of magical nature can cure that," the witch admitted.

"So there is no fix?"

"I never said that."

Timothy turned to face her. "Then what, if not a potion or a spell?"

"Forgiveness.”

"I'm supposed to forgive her? For what she did to me!" he said, stressing the last word.

"Yes. Forgive her betrayal. Only then will you find peace."

"I'm not looking for peace, I'm looking to restart my marriage. To show her I love her!”

"What better love than to forgive? Like I said earlier, you can't undo what has already been done. It is time to move on. Whether that is with her or without her is your choice, but forgiveness is always the right choice."

"How do I forgive her? I have been unable to even look at her without disgust."

"It starts in the heart and it takes time. A torn muscle isn't healed in a day and neither will this," the witch said, taking the potion off the countertop.

"That isn't an answer."

"What? You want a step by step guide? It doesn't work that way. It's up to you to heal yourself. I offered you the remedy. I can't make you take it.”

Timothy pondered her words. He wanted to forget his wife ever cheated on him. That they were both happily married and their children never witnessed their argument. It was the past, but it did not have to define the future. 

"Thank you, Ma'am for sharing your remedy. I will try it, but I have one last question?"

The witch sat down on the stool. "Alright?"

"If I am able to forgive her, will I forget what she did to me?"

"If you truly forgive her, the memory will be a constant reminder of your strength and love, not of your misery. I'm sure that will give you more comfort than a lost memory."

Timothy nodded and gave her a weak smile before he left the witch's store. The door squeaked and slapped shut against the frame, leaving the witch all alone.

The witch smiled to herself and spun the potion in her hand. "You did it again, Grechen. You lost another sale because you had to have a heart." The pink liquid inside the jar glowed bright and expanded to the top of the lid. "Worth it every time.”

Twin Cities

"What is the count at now?" Benny asked, adjusting his top hat.

The other men and one woman said nothing, sitting around the circular oak table. They all stared at Hitchcock, the resident communication leader for the City of Aloran. Hitchcock took a deep breath before pressing the button on his radio.

"City of Bloran. This is City of Aloran. What is your current count?" Hitchcock said and held his breath. 

Beads of sweat on his forehead were illuminated by the sole candle in the middle of the table. Everyone was quiet, waiting to hear if what they had done was enough. The silence went on for a minute, but to Benny it might as well have been an eternity.

"City of Aloran to City of Bloran. We have...76,120 accounted for," the radio announced in a somber tone.

The people around the table put their heads down with a choir of sighs. Hitchcock gripped his radio tighter before he turned it off. Benny walked around to the woman and put his hand on her shoulder. The red dress felt smooth in his hand, but did not bring him any comfort.

"Elizabeth. You don't have to be here for this," Benny said.

She put her hand on his and looked up to him. "I need to see this through."

Benny nodded. "Alright everyone. You heard the count. Twenty more people need to go."

"Do we have to? I have seen enough death for one day," a bald man with huge biceps said.

"You know the rules, Kenneth. Without equal numbers, the curse will return on both our cities.”

Kenneth was the first to get up, hoisting his comically sized mallet over his bare shoulder. The mallet head was stained with blood from the others that had come before. Following him was a slender man in a tight yellow leotard. His blonde hair swayed with youthful energy, but his body was sluggish. 

"Guys, perk up now. You can't go out there like that,” Benny said.

Kenneth ignored him, while the younger man put on the biggest fake smile he could. The rest at the table got up and followed the other two out of the room. Roars from outside funneled into the room when the door opened. Hitchcock got up and turned to Benny.

"When you're done, let me know. I don't want to watch the show," Hitchcock said.

"I don't blame you. Have a good night."

Hitchcock nodded and left out the door. This time a voice could be heard for a brief moment over a loudspeaker before the door closed in the dark room. Elizabeth got up from her seat and adjusted Benny's flashy uniform that made him look like the nutcracker. She stared into his weary eyes, both knowing what came next.

"You are the bravest man I know, Benny."

"I wish there was another way."

"I do too," she said, laying a gentle kiss on his cheek. "The show must go on."

Benny sighed and rolled his head around causing his neck to crack. He walked up to the door with her, holding her hand. Taking a few deep breaths he looked back to Elizabeth, who had her eyes shut tight for a moment before opening them. They both gave each other an acknowledging glance and pushed open the door.

The roars of the crowd and bright lights blasted them as they skipped across the wood stage. People cheered and clapped, with more vigor as they made their way center stage to where their soon to be victims hung by their wrists from gallows.

"We are back!" Benny announced to the crowd, which followed with cheers. 

He could not see where the crowd ended, but their response suggested that no one had left during the intermission. It brought him great pain that people wanted to watch such cruelty, but he had no time to dwell on it. He had a show to do. 

"Sorry we kept you waiting. This one can get a little handsy," he said, pretending to pinch her butt. Without missing a beat she slapped him across the face, sending the crowd into laughter. 

"Hey, save some for our guests, Sweety," Benny said with a smirk.

She reached across his waist and drew the saber that was on his belt. Elizabeth put the blade under his chin, causing him to freeze. The crowd got silent, excited to watch the drama unfold.

"Who are you calling, Sweety?" Elizabeth asked.

"Come on, darling. You could hurt someone with that," Benny said, backing up toward the hanging men. Elizabeth kept the blade close to him, not willing to let him go.

"Isn't that the intention?"

"Sure, but not me I hope," he said with his hands in the air. 

"Depends, are you going to touch me again?"

"I was hoping to do more than that," he said with a wink.

Elizabeth took a wide swing at his head, giving him plenty of time to duck out of the way. The blade instead slashed open the man behind him spilling his guts all over the stage. His cries of pain were muffled by the roar from the crowd. Benny moved to his left, lining up another helpless victim to his back.

"Okay, I get it. It's that time of the month. You're sensitive," Benny said.

Elizabeth yelled and charged him. He sidestep her stab with ease, allowing the man behind him to get stabbed through the heart. She tried to pull it out, but it was stuck for some reason. Elizabeth put her foot up on him to push away, but the blade was not going nowhere.

"You need help with that?" Benny said, leaning against another helpless man down the row. 

The crowd laughed and Elizabeth still struggled to get the blade out of the man. Kenneth walked over while the young man in the yellow leotard walked across the top bar that suspended the helpless men.

"Excuse me, ma'am. I think I can help you with that,” Kenneth said, walking toward her and lifting his mallet.

Elizabeth stepped aside and Kenneth rocked his massive mallet back and forth by his legs. The crowd grew quiet in anticipation. After the seventh time, he lifted the mallet and swung it into the hilt of the sword. Benny pushed off the man he was leaning against and the blade flew like a hot knife through butter into the bodies down the line. The man Benny pushed narrowly dodged the blade, but the others were not so lucky. Going all the way to the end, the one blade killed seventeen men. The crowd cheered from the impressive feat of strength to which Kenneth hesitated a little bit before getting back into character. Kenneth flexed his muscles and tossed his mallet on the ground.

"I was not expecting that. I guess hitting the gym has its benefits," Benny said.

Elizabeth leaned against Kenneth, lifting one foot in the air. "Why thank you, Strong Man...my hero!"

"Your hero?" Benny said.

"Why yes. I didn't see you help.”

"You were trying to stab me," Benny flailing his hands. 

Elizabeth squeezed Kenneth's arm. "He has such strong muscles. I can't say the same about you."

The crowd jeered, awaiting Benny's retort.

"Oh, you want a strong man. I'll show you a strong man," Benny said, charging up to Kenneth. Kenneth broke away from Elizabeth and went to square off with Benny. Kenneth stood only a few inches taller, but the difference in muscle mass was obvious. "I challenge you to a duel.”

Kenneth gave him a bellowing belly laugh. "You are so small. It will hardly be fair."

"We'll see about that," Benny said, extending his hand out to the side. From above, the man in the yellow leotard dropped the saber into his hand. Kenneth went over to pick up his mallet. They both circled each other. To the crowd, it was two gladiators trying to find an opening for attack. To them, it was timing their choreography. Kenneth was the first to charge, swinging his mallet. 

Benny dodged his exaggerated swings and followed up with a few of his own, both flawless in their dangerous dance. Elizabeth stood next to the last man hanging, who was still rocking back and forth from being pushed out of the way.

"Sooo...how's it hanging?" Elizabeth asked, getting a few laughs from the crowd.

The hanging man cried next to her, still shook by his near death experience. The battle continued on center stage, while the man in the yellow leotard did an acrobatic routine that would impress even the harshest critic. People were cheering and enjoying themselves, but the show could not go on forever. Benny had Kenneth backpedaling toward the last hanging man. Kenneth gave Benny the cue and he went for a stab. Falling to the floor, Kenneth avoided the blade by mere inches.

The blade went through the last man and caused him to scream in pain. He glanced over to Elizabeth who was hiding her pain behind a well rehearsed smile. Benny pulled the blade out and the blood poured over Kenneth. Kenneth put his hands up, trying to block the stream of blood.

"I give up! I surrender!" Kenneth yelled in a high pitched voice.

Benny turned to face the audience and lifted his bloody saber. The crowd cheered and Elizabeth rushed to embrace him. They let the crowd calm down before they wrapped up their performance.

"Am I strong enough for you now?" Benny asked Elizabeth.

"Too early to tell. I think we will need to take this somewhere private." Elizabeth slapped him on the butt, causing him to jump.

Benny raised his eyebrows and gave the audience a big smile. "Well you heard the lady. Scram. All of you! I have a rendezvous with this fetching creature.”

The crowd clapped as the two made their way off stage. He wrapped his arm around her and held her close. Once they entered the safety of the room, she collapsed in his arms. Her tears and moans were muffled in his chest. He held her up, letting a single tear leave his eye in solidarity. It was another successful performance. Benny patted her on the back.

"Let it out. Let it out."

Striker's Promise

The dew of the early morning swept across the field, sparkling from the moonlight. Evan dug his feet into the soft ground, lifting his sword at the ready. His opponent was stoic, unconcerned with Evan’s sword.

“Take this!” Evan yelled, charging his opponent. He swung his sword down on his opponent, tearing it apart. Straw fell to the floor and the pumpkin for a head cracked open upon hitting the dirt below. Evan picked up the pumpkin head halves, trying to put it back together.

“I didn’t even get to practice my stabs yet,” Evan said to the pumpkin.

“Evan! Food!” His father called from a small cottage nearby.

Evan left the defeated pumpkin and jogged back to the cottage. He did not make it two feet inside before his father stopped him.

“Take off your boots. And no swords at the table.”

“Yes, Father.”

Evan took off his boots and leaned his sword against the wall, next to the door. He followed the sound of boiling soup into the kitchen. His father was stirring from a large black cauldron that had a fire ablaze underneath it.

“Smells good. What are you making?”

“An old recipe your mother used to make me. It will keep you strong.”

Evan sat down at the small table. “Good. I will need it if I am going to take down that evil sorceress, Calesso.”

“Son, can you please stop talking like that?” his father asked, bringing over a bowl of soup.

“Why? She has laid waste to the kingdom. Just last week a group of knights were slain by her. Someone needs to teach her a lesson.”

“I don’t want you fighting. Especially not for the king.”

“King Ulitch is the only one trying to stop this foul witch. That bitch needs to be put down like the mangy dog she is.”

“That is enough Evan!” his father said, slamming his own bowl on the table.

Evan stopped and took a sip of soup. “I signed up to be a knight.”

“What?” his father’s face turned to concern.

“King Ulitch himself walked by just as I signed up. He actually shook my hand. Like I was his equal.”

His father shook his head. “Son. Why did you do that?”

“Because it was the right thing to do. Calesso must be stopped and the King believes in me.”

“Calesso isn’t the problem, King Ulitch is.”

“How can you say that?”

“Because I know her.”

The kitchen was silent, except for the bubbling soup.

“So you're a traitor to the kingdom.”

“So are you.”

“If I don’t turn you in I am,” Evan said, pushing away from the table.

“No, you are by blood.”

Evan walked back to the door, grabbing his sword. “The king will forgive me. Might even forgive you if you tell him what he needs to know.”

“Like that you are her son.”

Evan stopped dead in his tracks and turned around. “I’m what?”

“I should have told you this a long time ago. I just didn’t want it to get out by accident.”

“I’m Calesso’s son,” Evan said to himself.

“Please sit.”

Evan put the sword back down and came over to the table again. Each step he grew more and more weak. His stomach turned and his head spun.

“When your mother and I first met, I was a knight for King Titus. I was sent on a mission to procure a potion that would heal him of his illness. There were rumors that a herbalist in the forest had such a cure. I searched for a week before I decided to go back. On my way back I found a little cottage near an open field. It was the only place I had found during my journey and lucky for me it was the place. Calesso was so kind and willing to help after I explained what was happening. She didn’t even charge for the cure,” his father said.

“I guess time changes people.” Evan scoffed.

His father ignored Evan’s cutting comment. “The problem was she didn’t have enough when I arrived. She told me to take the one bottle she had and more would be ready when I returned. This went on for over a month and each time it got harder to leave her. The king eventually got better, yet I continued going back to her. I had fallen for her and she for me.”

“So why did she turn against the kingdom?”

“After one of our more memorable visits, I grabbed the vial she had on the table and left. What I didn’t realize was that it was not the right one. By the time I made it back and gave it to the king, it was too late. Calesso arrived just as he took it and tried to stop the effects, but his death was unstoppable. I was going to admit to my mistake, but Calesso wouldn’t let me and became the villain the new king needed. To protect me.”

“She plagued the kingdom so you wouldn’t get in trouble for King Titus’s death? And you went along with it?”

“I wasn’t going to at first. But when I found out she was pregnant and she had already done what she did, there was no other choice. One of us had to be able to take care of you. Give you a life not on the run.”

Evan put his hands over his eyes. “My mother is a witch.”

“Sorceress.”

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“Never found a good time. I was afraid you would try to stick up for her and risk the wrath of the king.”

“I must see her.”

“Now is not a good time.”

“Why?”

His father scratched the back of his head. “Well...she is pregnant again.”

“You still see her?”

“Nothing can keep me away from her. Not for long anyways.”

“Then how is she killing all those knights if she is pregnant?”

“There is a reason there are no survivors.”

Evan let his father’s words sink in before the realization hit him in the face. “You? The man who refuses to spar with me. Killed six knights by yourself?”

“Your mother was in danger. I had no other choice. And that is exactly why I didn’t want you to join.”

“This is going to be a problem then.”

“Why?”

“I head out at dawn tomorrow. To the Far Reach Forest. They think she is hiding there.”

“She’s not there. But now that you work for the king you must go.”

“Where is she?”

“When you come back, I will make sure you get to see her. Maybe even your new sister too.”

“You promise?”

“Promise.”

***

Evan kneeled on the bright red carpet before the King, his armor still stained with goblin’s blood.

“My King, you hailed for me.”

“Yes, Sir Evan Striker. I heard you had returned from your quest to find Calesso to no avail,” King Ulitch said.

“My King, we searched for weeks and we only found an outpost of goblins. We tried to befriend them to find her whereabouts, but alas they left us no choice.”

King Ulitch waved away his two servants next to his throne. They left from the chambers and King Ulitch approached Evan.

“That is of no consequence. If they weren’t going to turn on Calesso, they were better off dead anyways. Could you point out on a map where you traveled?”

“Yes, My King.”

“You can stand up. And drop the formalities. Call me David.”

He stood up and smiled. “Yes...David.”

“Evan I heard you fought gallantly in the forest. Much like your father used to when he served under my father.”

“I was just trying to best serve you.”

“And humble like him too. You know, when I was growing up, your father and mine were best of friends. They would drink and jest with one another. Never in public, but behind these walls you could never ask for a more loyal friend than him. When I heard that you were going to join my army, all I could think of was how happy my father was having a close friend. Now, I know we don’t know each other, but I hope that we could become friends like that one day.”

“I would be honored as well.”

“Excellent. You must be tired from your travels. Feel free to stay at my castle and get cleaned up. Tomorrow you can speak with the cartographer.”

“Actually David, I was hoping to see my father again. It has been awhile and I do miss him.”

“I completely understand. If my father was around I would want to see him too.”

“Is there anything else you need from me before I go?”

“Yes. There was a question that kept gnawing at me lately. Do you happen to know why your father quit his service from the kingdom?”

“He never said. I never even knew he was a knight, until after I joined.”

“Hmm. When you see him, please ask him. When my father died, he was the only one who left the service. At the time I didn’t think much of it, but as I have gotten older I wish I knew the answer.”

“I’ll ask him.”

“Good. Until we meet again.” King Ulitch dipped his head slightly.

Evan bowed and left his throne room. He thought it was strange that King Ulitch wanted to know more about his father, but he put that thought away. Instead, he dwelled on the promise his father made. To see his mother. His horse carried him away from the castle, past the village and into the forest. He traveled for an hour before he arrived home. The moon was rising in the sky and the fresh smell of stew escaped the cottage. He disembarked his horse and went inside, eager to see his father. Evan entered and looked into the kitchen to see his father manning the cauldron and three bowls set on the table.

“Father.”

His father turned around and let go of the ladle. “Son!”

His father ran to him and hugged him tight. Evan patted him on the back.

“You smell like goblin,” his father said.

“I haven’t had time to clean up.”

“You better. Food will be ready soon.”

“Are we expecting someone?” Evan asked, motioning toward the bowls.

“You get cleaned up. Don’t want your mother seeing you for the first time in goblin blood.”

“Too late,” Calesso said, coming out from the doorway that led into the kitchen.

Calesso’s green and black hair coursed down her fitting black dress. Her face ghostly white and her lips crimson. She walked over to them, her dress making her seem like she floated instead. “You look so much more handsome in person.”

“Mother?”

“Yes dear. It’s me.”

Evan was frozen, his emotions swirling. He thought about what it would be like to see her for the first time during his travels, but his wildest imagination did not prepare him. Calesso wrapped her arms around him and he knew in that moment it was his mother. So full of warmth that it transcended the physical. Her love pierced his heart like only a mother’s love could. He held her for a few moments before letting go.

“So Evan, why do you have goblin’s blood on your armor?” Calesso asked, wiping the blood from her hand back on his shirt.

“That is a long story.”

“Tonight you have my undivided attention. Your father has generously offered to make food and take care of little Erin while we catch up.”

“Erin?”

“I said your little sister might be around by the time you came back. Congrats. You’re a big brother,” his father said.

“Can I see her?” Evan asked.

“Later. Your mother just put her to sleep. Don’t want to wake her,” his father said.

Evan’s father had only finished his sentence before the door was knocked down. Knights with swords drawn came pouring in followed by King Ulitch. Evan’s father moved Calesso and Evan behind him.

“Evan. You know after our conversation I had a thought. Why would your father, Sir Striker, leave the service after his best friend was killed? Not even wanting to seek revenge. The only thing I could think of was guilt. And he had a child, yet I never knew the mother. So a crazy thought came to mind. What if Calesso and Sir Striker were lovers? But now, it doesn’t seem so crazy, does it?

“King Ulitch, your father’s death was a mistake. It was my fault he died. Not Calesso’s. Not my son’s,” Evan’s father said.

“It is far too late for apologies.”

Evan’s father drew Evan’s sword from his scabbard and swung at the nearest knight. “Run! I’ll hold them off!”

Calesso pulled Evan away and into the other room where little Erin was still sleeping peacefully in her bed. Calesso kicked the door closed and sat on the bed next to Erin.

“Take Erin,” Calesso said.

Evan picked Erin up in his arms, her little body so fragile and tired.

“I can’t stay here. I need to help father.”

“He knows what he is doing. We need to get out of here,” Calesso said, moving her hands in a pattern on top of the bed. She ended with a punch and the entire bed glowed like an emerald in the sun. Calesso grabbed Evan by the collar and he fell on the bed, cradling Erin safely in his arms. Calesso tucked Evan's dangling legs onto the bed and chanted something he could not hear. In an instant the door crashed open and the three were gone. Nothing left but a scorched bed sheet to prove they were ever there.

***

Evan’s eyes opened to a blue sky above and a smoldering fire next to him. He sat up to get his bearings. Small destroyed wooden homes were scattered throughout the plain, some still on fire. Arrows were stuck in the ground, splintered wood scattered about. Evan had been here before. This was the goblin’s outpost in the Far Reach Forest. But where were the bodies? Evan looked down at his lap. Erin was gone.

“Erin!”

“Over here darling,” Calesso called from one of the larger, partially torn down cobblestone houses.

Evan went over to her. Inside, a small fire was brewing and Erin was sleeping in Calesso’s arms. A pile of dead goblins were in the corner, hacked to pieces. Evan remembered killing the goblins, maybe slashing a few in half, but the severed limbs in the corner looked excessive.

“How did we get here?” Evan asked.

“Here? I am not entirely sure. I was aiming for a warm place, but sometimes magic has a mind of it’s own.”

Evan felt dizzy, bracing himself against the wall. “Magic?”

“I can see you are not used to traveling like this. Your father never had the stomach for it either.”

“Father. We have to go back. I have to help him,” Evan said before placing both his hands on the wall, focusing on standing upright.

“You are in no condition to go anywhere. Just lay down by the fire. You will feel better.”

Evan crawled down to the ground, curling up next to the fire. His body relaxed and felt less dizzy. He took in the warmth of the fire, looking up at his mother rocking Erin in her arms.

“Mother...do you think father is alright?”

“I know he is.”

“How can you be so sure? He was outnumbered.”

“The king would never risk killing him. He is too valuable.”

“To the king? How?”

“He knows I will come for him.”

“Lure you into a trap.”

“Precisely.”

“Then what do you plan on doing?”

“Right now, my plan is making sure you two are alright.”

Erin woke up from her nap. Her little blue eyes blinked at her mother and yawned.

“Evan, can you hold her? I will make us some food.”

Evan sat up and took Erin from her. Erin’s eyes got big, staring at Evan, unsure who he was. He rocked her back and forth, smiling at her. Meanwhile, Calesso grabbed a severed goblin arm from the pile and stuck it over the fire. The aroma smelt sweet, unlike what they smelt like when he slaughtered them up. Calesso dug her fingernail into the skin and dragged it along the entire goblin arm, creating a groove. The goblin arm turned black, except inside the groove, where a green paste bubbled.

“Alright Erin, time to eat,” Calesso said, moving the goblin arm toward Erin’s face.

“Are you sure that is good to eat?” Evan asked.

“Goblin paste is actually really good for newborns. The problem is finding goblins.”

Calesso scooped the paste out with three fingers and the paste sizzled upon touching her hands. She kneeled down and put her fingers up to Erin’s mouth. Erin moved her head away.

“Oh, you need to see mommy eat it.” Calesso ate the paste, making sure Erin was watching, “Mmmhh. Good.”

Erin clapped her hands together awkwardly. Calesso scooped up another three fingers full and Erin ate it. She did this a few more times before Erin didn’t want anymore. Calesso then offered the arm to Evan. Evan looked at it like she was offering him maggots.

“Just like your father. Never liked trying new things.”

“I like trying new things...just not sure about eating goblin puss.”

“You really are your father’s son. Lucky for me, I know how to get you to eat it,” she said, scooping up a handful and covering her hand over his mouth. “This hand doesn’t move until you swallow it.”

Evan’s cheeks were full with the mushy paste. He looked at his mother, smiling warmly at him while Erin’s baby laughter filled the room. Evan relented and swallowed it in one gulp like it was water.

“Wasn’t that bad, was it?” Calesso said.

“No. It wasn’t.”

“New favorite food?”

“I wouldn’t say that.”

“Fair enough,” she said and scooped up Erin from Evan.

Evan watched Calesso tickle Erin’s nose with her finger. “So Mother, what compelled you to have another child after all these years?”

Calesso blushed. “Honestly, Erin was an accident. I ran out of potions that would stop me from getting pregnant and I hadn’t seen him at that point in over a month. Your mother has needs you know.”

“Okay, I get it. No need to say more.”

“But once I got pregnant again, it really put everything in perspective for me. I should have stayed with you and your father. I was so afraid to lose you, I never got to be with you. And I don’t want to repeat that with Erin.”

Evan grabbed his mother’s hand and rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb. “What matters is that you are with me now. I know father would have wanted that.”

Calesso smiled and leaned her head against his. “Don’t worry. We are going to get your father back. This family has been separated long enough.”

***

“We only have one more Goblin head,” Evan said, picking up the last one in the corner of the room by the few strands of hair left.

“Then we will need to make it count,” Calesso said.

Evan handed her the goblin head and she dropped it straight down on the fire. Once it was consumed by the fire, it rose above the flames and glowed white hot. It looked like an orb of light instead of the grotesque green head it was earlier.

“Show me the King,” she said to the floating orb.

The orb changed to show King Ulitch in a dark dungeon lit only by a few flame torches. He was punching a man who was suspended by chains. The groans of the man and shaking of his shackles echoed out of the orb. Calesso gritted her teeth, watching her husband being beat by King Ulitch. Evan was equally tense, squeezing his empty scabbard.

“It has been a week. How much longer do you think you will be able to last here?” King Ulitch said.

“This is the punishment I deserve. Not my family.”

“Wrong. Your family is just as guilty in this. But I only want Calesso. If you tell me where she is, I will spare your son.”

Evan’s father spit at King Ulitch. King Ulitch wiped his face.

“If you won’t give up Calesso. And she apparently won’t come for you. I don’t see the point in keeping you around.” King Ulitch drew his sword.

Calesso frantically drew in the dirt with her fingers. Evan went over to grab Erin, who was sleeping soundly.

“Stay with Erin. I will get your father,” Calesso said.

“But we need to stick together.”

Calesso stopped drawing and faced Evan. “You need to take care of Erin. I can’t protect her over there. Promise me you will keep her safe.”

“But–”

“Promise me!”

“I will. I promise.”

She kissed him on the forehead and punched the ground. Dirt kicked up and put out the fire. The floating orb turned to dust, sprinkling over the smoldering fire. Evan stood holding Erin, shielding her from the dust. He waited for his mother to return at that very spot, but every passing moment felt longer and longer. The sun started to set and he knew he had to get the fire going again. He placed Erin in a little makeshift crib his mother made out of bones and one of his undershirts, while he searched for more firewood. Not wanting to travel far, he collected pieces from other destroyed houses in the outpost when he heard the snapping of sticks in the forest.

Evan looked over to where the sound came from, but saw nothing. He continued collecting wood when he heard the croaking of goblins. Spinning around with his arms full, three goblins charged him, with swords waving in the air. Evan threw the pile of sticks at the first goblin and reached to his empty scabbard. He grabbed air and looked down, realizing he wasn’t armed. Evan backpedaled as the other two goblins slashed at him, until he tripped over a rock jutting out of the ground. The two goblins put their swords to his neck, while the first goblin approached them and spoke.

“What did you do to this village? What did you do to our brothers and sisters?” the goblin asked.

Evan said nothing. It was better than telling them he slaughtered and ate their people. Before the goblin spoke again, Erin started crying. The goblins looked up toward the sound and breathed in deep.

“Mmmhh. I smell a small human. What a delicacy,” the first goblin said and started walking toward Erin’s cries.

Evan looked to his right and saw a stone the size of his fist. He slapped the swords away and rolled to grab the stone. The nearest goblin stabbed at Evan, but he deflected it with the stone. Evan got to his feet and followed up with a strike to the goblin’s head, knocking it to the floor. The other goblin stabbed at him and Evan narrowly evaded it. Evan threw the stone at that goblin. The goblin felt the wind from the stone passing its head before Evan charged head first, tackling the goblin to the ground. Evan wrestled with the goblin over the sword, while the other goblin had gotten up and tried to stab Evan in the back. He rolled over, lifting the sword in the air and both goblins impaled each other. Evan pushed off the ground and ran to Erin. The goblin was inside the home, standing over Erin, taking in the little human’s scent.

“I am eating well tonight,” the goblin said over Erin’s cries and raised its sword.

Evan dashed inside and pushed the goblin into the cobblestone wall, the sword flying in the corner of the room. He mounted the goblin and began punching it until green blood came oozing out of its eyes. Evan stopped out of exhaustion and rose to his feet, wiping off the green blood on his trousers. Erin was still crying.

“It’s okay. I’m here,” Evan said, picking up Erin and rocking her.

She started to calm down in his arms and he walked outside to get away from the goblin he smashed. Outside was a worse sight, however. A large group of goblins were coming out of the treeline, twenty strong.

“Human!” one of the goblins yelled, pointing at him.

Evan ran away, into the other side of the forest. The sound of angry goblins chased him through the forest, but with each step their voices became muffled by the trees. He kept going until he did not hear their voices again and the foliage was getting denser. Covering Erin the best he could, he pushed through the brush until he arrived at a dirt path that led to a small cottage, much like his father’s. The light from the cottage beckoned him, as nighttime was almost upon them. He made his way up to it and knocked on the door. After he did that, a thought blew through his head. What if it was another goblin house? He backed away from the door and it opened. Inside was a large woman with long brown hair.

“Who goes there?” the woman said.

“My name is Sir–” Evan said.

“You have a baby! Get in quick. Before the goblins smell her.”

Evan went inside and was greeted by a mastiff that walked up next to him. On his left was a kitchen table and on his right was a wood floor with two children sleeping. The woman closed the door and motioned him to sit.

“I’m sorry to barge in here like this,” Evan said.

“It is alright. What were you two doing out there at this time of night?”

“Goblins attacked us. There were too many for me to fight so I took my sister and ran.”

The woman looked down at Erin. “Where is her mother?”

“I...I don’t know,” Evan said.

“When was the last time she was fed?”

“A few hours ago.”

She put her hands out. “Do you mind?”

He gave Erin to her and she cradled her. His arms felt lighter after not holding her anymore.

“I didn’t know anyone lived out here.”

“Not many do. My husband, Hillard and I moved out here quite a few years ago. He trades in special lumber and wanted to be closer to his supply. I wanted to live out in the forest and raise children, so we both got what we wanted.”

“So those are your two?”

“Oh yes. They are the best children I could ever ask for. I miss them as babies though. So tiny and innocent,” she said, pushing her nose close to Erin’s.

Evan started to think about what his mother said to him. To keep Erin safe. He knew he couldn’t take her with him. Erin wouldn’t last more than a few days and this woman knew how to take care of a child. She even wanted another baby.

“I hate to impose, but could you take care of my sister? Only until I find our mother. When I return I will be able to pay you,” Evan asked.

The woman lit up with delight. “I would love to.”

Evan leaned forward and rubbed his finger against Erin’s soft skin. He knew it would be the last time he would see her in a long time. His last thoughts, I’ll come back for you. I promise.

_________________________

If you want to read more of this story, my first novel, Striker's Search, takes place after these events. Buy it here!

Revenge That Isn’t

"Sophie?" King Vantrune said, holding her against the wet soil with his blade at her throat.

"I'm not Sophie you dolt," the woman said, knocking his blade away from her throat. 

She pushed him off of her and stood up. The rays of sun shined through the treetops, highlighting her flawless skin. Her red hair glistened while she shook a few bits of mud out of it and readjusted her dark cloak. Her silver necklace hugged her chest.

"Sophie, it’s me? Henry. Your husband.”

"My name is Lena. Don't you remember me?"

Henry shook his head. "Whatever that witch did to you, we can fix it."

"You can't fix what she did to Sophie."

"Sophie, I know you're in there somewhere. Please you can fight this."

Henry put his hands on her shoulders. Lena responded with a swift kick to the crouch. He grunted and fell to the ground. The mud splashed around him as he made a little crater in the soft ground.

"My name is Lena you prick. Sophie's twin sister."

Henry was still writhing on the ground. "I remember...you always...were a mean one."

"Maybe if you didn't mix us up I wouldn't have to kick you."

Henry caught his breath and his pain started to subside. He got up and brushed himself off.

"I'm sorry. You just look so much like her. It's been hard…"

"I know. I miss her too."

They stood in silence while the birds sang from the trees and the leaves rustled in the wind. His sword still dangled from his hand touching the mud.

"What brings you all the way out here? Aren't you busy ruling the kingdom?" Lena asked.

"I'm looking for her killer. My informant said she would be out here by a cave. You were the first person I saw.”

"I got the same information. From Barnabas at the tavern?"

"The same."

"Then we might as well work together. Seeing as we both want the same thing.”

"Do you know where this cave is supposed to be?"

"Not far. Just past this clearing."

Henry followed her to the cave, along with some bunnies that bounced from bush to bush trying to avoid the open field. Deer stared at them from afar like they were the first people they had ever seen in the forest. Lena stopped at the entrance. Unable to see inside, the opening cut through the side of a hill. Foliage drooped over the top and vines wrapped around the sides. 

"This must be it," Lena said.

"Ladies first."

"Really? You're going to make me go first. You're the one with the sword."

"No, I insist," he said, running her through with his sword. 

She gasped. Her eyes wide open, staring at his smug face. 

"You want to know how I knew you aren't Lena?"

She continued to gasp for air. He leaned in close to smell her. Onions and old person stench leaked from her pores. Wrinkles started to take shape in her face.

"It was the necklace. Lena is allergic to silver. I tried to give her one as a gift one year. Her whole chest turned red like her hair."

Her hair faded to grey along with her skin. His fingers sunk in basically touching her bones against her clothes.

"So, Witch, any last words?"

"I never killed Sophie. I killed Lena," the witch coughed. "But I know who killed Sophie."

"Who?" he asked. The witch smiled and blood snuck out of the corner of her lips. He shook her, rubbing the sword back and forth inside her. "Who!”

She snapped her feeble fingers. "You." 

A high pitched scream echoed from the cave and a light appeared.

"Sophie!" Henry yelled.

Her voice was unmistakable. He ripped the sword out of the witch and ran to the entrance. The light got brighter until he realized it was a flame. It rushed toward Henry, consuming the entire cave. Henry got a few steps into the cave when the fireball was almost upon him. He doved to the ground, facing his back toward it. The fire rushed over him for only a second or two, leaving his cloak steaming from the intense heat. 

He got up and sprinted down the dim cave lit by the few bits of foliage that still burned. 

"Sophie! Sophie!" His desperate calls echoed down the tunnel without an answer. Once he got to the end of the cave, he saw his wife on the floor amongst the grey ash. Her body charred from the intense heat, arms behind her back, melted together like a black wax sculpture.

Henry kneeled by her corpse while tears dripped down his burnt face. Her body crumbled when he tried to touch her with his roasted hands.

"Please...Sophie...forgive me."

Those were his final words before he collapsed next to her. The life faded from his eyes with every blink. Completely transfixed on his wife, he knew his time had come. To be with his wife once again.

Pocket Dimension

"How about a game of chess?" Morty asked.

Liz looked around the tight blue fabric world. Light filtered in enough to remind her of a summer evening. She lounged at the base of the pocket that cradled her like a hammock, poking at the stretchy wall next to her. Her blonde hair covered her lint pillow.

"Naw, I think I'm good."

"You have been saying that for three months. Why won't you play with me?"

"Cause I have other things to do."

Morty looked around to make sure he wasn't missing something. "Like what?"

"Relaxing," she said, closing her eyes and letting out a sigh.

"Don't you want to return to your family? To the real world?"

She shrugged. "Eh."

"Eh? Your family is worried sick. You probably lost your job by now. It won't be long before you are declared dead."

"That's ok."

Morty kicked the stretchy wall next to him and the entire room moved like a bounce house. Liz's whole body went with the flow.

"Oh yeah that's the stuff. Do that again," Liz said.

"If you play chess with me, I will."

"And ruin my vacation? I don't think so."

"Come on Liz. Please?"

"Nope."

Morty leaned against the wall and slumped down next to Liz. "Why don't you want to leave this place? There is literally nothing to do here."

Liz paused for a moment and sat up. "Life is too stressful. Expectations. Deadlines. Run here. Do that. All for what? To put some food on the table? Make my parents proud?"

"I didn't realize life bothered you so much."

"It doesn't. I just wanted a break is all. And I couldn't afford a real vacation, so this was a welcome surprise."

Morty pulled himself up by pinching the wall in his hand. He wobbled to stay upright for a moment.

"Well, you can stay here for as long as you would like."

"Really? And you will stop asking me to play that stupid game?"

"Stupid...game?" he muttered to himself, his eye twitching and mouth starting to foam.

"Morty? Are you ok?"

He shook himself out of his minor mental breakdown and smiled at her.

"Yes. As long as you like. But I will be taking off some of the comforts you have grown used to."

Morty snapped his fingers and nothing happened…to the pocket. Liz hugged her stomach, trying to muffle the loud gurgling sound. At the same time, a toot came from her butt and she pushed her hand firmly against her jeans. Her pants felt heavier and brown liquid leaked out her pant leg.

"What did you d–" she said, followed by a green stream of vomit that splashed against the wall.

"You haven't relieved yourself for three months. Naturally there are some side effects to that. Also…chess isn't a stupid game."

Truce of Flames

"Lord Verdan, please be reasonable?" Princess Regent asked.

Lord Verdan's piece of steak was almost to his lips. The salty gristle called his name, but turned to char in an instant. His fork glowed red with his anger.

"Reasonable? You made a fire station right outside my Kingdom!" Lord Verdan said, pointing his fork, flinging the burnt meat into his cobblestone castle wall. 

"Your fires were getting out of control. I had to protect our forest."

"Those trees could use a good pruning."

"TipTap Forest is a sacred place for my people. Nowhere else can you find such strong and beautiful hardwoods."

"And that fire station is an insult to mine. In my father's time, it would have been a declaration of war."

"You know my intentions."

He cocked his head and raised his eyebrows. "Do I?"

"Come on, Vernny.”

"No!" He pounded the dark oak table, leaving scorch marks in his fist's wake. "You don't get to call me that anymore."

Princess Regent pushed away from the table and got up. Her red and black dress contrasted with her blonde hair. She walked around the table toward him. Her hand ran along the oak table, feeling every imperfection against her soft hand. Lord Verdan got up as well to meet her. Their footsteps echoed in harmony within the chamber until they stopped inches from each other. His eyes flickered like a wood fire roaring from a dose of gasoline. She stared back at him, determined to find the truth.

"Why don't you tell me why you're really mad?"

"Because you don't trust my people."

"You know that's not true."

He scoffed and walked away from her. She followed him, unwilling to let him get away.

"Come on. I'm trying to stop a war here. But we can't do that if you won't be reasonable."

He spun around, stopping her dead in her tracks.

"I am being reasonable. You remove the fire station. It is simple as that."

"But I have no guarantee that you will protect the forest."

"And you won't get one."

"Do you not see the problem?"

"I don't see a problem with that forest burning down. Brought enough pain to my family."

"You weren't the only one who lost a mother that day."

"I didn't just lose my mother that day," he said, unable to look at her anymore. 

"I didn't know you had more family in the forest that day."

"I didn't," he said quietly.

"Then who did you lose that meant so much to you?"

"You."

Her mouth opened like she was going to say something, but nothing came out. She froze there while the crackling of the fire lit lanterns above claimed the brief silence. 

"When our mothers died. You were whisked off to the castle to rule your kingdom and I was left with my father. He was bitter after she died and took it out on me. You were the only light in my life and just like my mother you were taken from me. That forest only reminds me of that day."

She reached her hand out to him. "I never knew. You never wrote.”

"Oh I did. Every night. I found out later my father's manservant would burn them. By the time I took the throne, I figured whatever relationship we had sizzled out."

She put her hands on his shoulders and smiled. "Well a sizzled out fire just needs to be stirred up a bit.”

She grabbed his hand and pulled him past his seat to the balcony. The moon shined like the sun upon the land as people below danced and music rose up to them.

"How about a dance, Vernny?"

He smiled and wrapped his arm around her waist. They swayed back and forth with the music, holding each other like long lost lovers. Nothing was spoken for two songs, but each minute they danced together it was like getting back a year they lost. When the last song stopped, they just looked into each other's eyes, playing a game of chicken on who would speak first.

"I had a wonderful evening," she said.

"As did I. And I was thinking...about that fire station..."

"Consider it gone."

"No. I was hoping it would stay."

"Really?"

"If you don't mind some of my people working there. I'm sure they would appreciate the new job opportunities."

"I would like that."

"And besides. How could I take away your dream job as a ballerina-princess-firefighter? That would be cruel."

She laughed and hugged him tight. "I'm glad I came tonight."

"Me too."