Xando

Edited by Connie Ann

Thorald Deighton swung his sword at some invisible enemies that only existed in his mind while he ran on the forest path over the hill towards the village. As Celeste and Merry strolled along the road they heard a sound in the forest that attracted their attention.

"Lady, my hearing isn't what it used to be, but I do believe I hear something thrashing in the forest off in that direction."

The knight wearing a black full-plate points to the right side of the road.

"Does either of us hear it properly or should I give in to my need and overcome my vanity to acquire hearing spells?"

"You hear well and so do I. Actually you heard something Merry, sounds like a body running around slashing at branches or even the air."

The witch stroked her brown hair away from her ear and turned it towards the noise.

"Sadly, I've no time to investigate, as I've been called to attend a celebration. I've to hurry to be on time."

Celeste smiles and corrects her white dress.

"Luckily I'm dressed appropriately already! I'll be back in a day or ten, have fun my dear friend!"

She looked up at the sky with her green eyes and mounted the broom. Celeste smiled and looked down at Merry. She held her white pointy hat with one hand just in time before a breeze caught it.

"Please say au revoir to Wolfy and kiss him for me!"

The witch flew away over the forest. For a change Merry didn't sing, he stepped out of the shadows where he'd been blissfully asleep most of the time.

"Perhaps this person would feel better when coming in to the camp? Though I'm not quite certain about that."

With a grin, he flicked the visor back over his face and looked into the direction of the sounds seemingly moving away. Thorald put away his sword.

"I'm no enemy and my name is Thorald Deighton. I fight against the evil to protect the good. Those creatures take the creators of life for granted and I apologize for scaring you my fellow fighter. Our play time is limited and every action or choice that we make gives a different end result in the game of life. This affects everybody in the world. If you want to change anything, you have to start with yourself first before you can change the situation for someone else. The world has become a gloomy and dangerous place. I need to get my equipment repaired and I haven't eaten since I left Dullham."

Merry stood firm without his escort and held his sword steady.

He was still amazed by the sudden departure of Celeste and the manner of her sortie.

"Sir, in the forest you need to simply make your desire known and the forest shall provide. Here Sir, have a turkey leg and a skin of wine to stave off your starvation."

Merry hands the stranger the turkey and wine skin that has magically appeared in this hands.

"I trust that will satisfy you, at least for the moment. Now why do you thrash around in the forest so much?"

"Thank you very much for the tasty turkey Sir Merry. Sorry but I must pass the wine to stay alert. There are a lot of thieves and killers in these woods. My quest is to find the missing smith here in Xando. He was supposed to be in the smithy and I need his help. I desire and wish for some female escorts to play with but they are very hard to find anywhere. This forest camp has many people that seem to be friendly and are beautiful. Maybe someone is free for me?"

The black knight arches an eyebrow.

"A quest a quest, he is on a quest

And here he appears with a strange request

See his armor see his sword

One can believe his every word

Fun he wants and fun he seeks

Danger he shuns but also shall meet

Food and drink is shared with him

Wine he declines and only eats meat

Merry sturdy, Merry strong

Standing with companion

Where they both belong

Hand me the wine give

It is tasty not strong"

Merry takes the wine and pours some down his throat, stoppering the skin and handing it back.

"I play with my sword and keep my word

I met a black knight in the darkest night

I hope to find the right one before I'm gone

His name is Merry and all I want is to be merry

I rather face danger than let anyone face my anger

I'm really more of a lover than a killer

The knight is sweet but only girls make my heart beat

I'm grateful and his song made me cheerful

Life is a miracle and all in it is incredible

I need to be sane to be able to remain

I drink only the wine from a woman divine

In this song I've a place where I belong

You are a friend but the quest might not end"

Thorald walks past the knight and through the large tent opening to the coffee shop.

"Do you know where the smith that is supposed to repair my weapon and armor is or why he isn't in the smithy?"

A blond, blue eyed, muscular shopkeeper wearing a tight dark blue suit shakes her head and says:

"Hey. It's great to see you!"

"Thank you very much my pretty lady. There are a lot of tails to chase and choose from here. Are any of them free for me?"

A Goddess with black hair, brown eyes and minimal black dress dances a seducing dance.

"Oh my Goddess! You move your body in a very smooth and sensual way. I'm surrounded by hot sexy Vixens. I give up and surrender myself to them."

"Mortal are you barking up the wrong Goddess?"

"I worship the sex Goddess and she cannot get enough attention and nothing is wrong or ugly in the darkness."

"Yeah, but that particular Goddess isn't into dudes, Thorald, so personal boundaries. Also I might be feeling a tad possessive, which is new."

"I respect lesbians and I love their ways and there are plenty of chicks for everybody here so I am not offended. Being obsessed by something that you love leads to possession but sharing the fun doubles it."

"Well, our ways are strange and magical. Yes, we are a wondrous people."

"While it's good you're not offended, I was kind of more worried about you offending her."

"I would never ever want to harm anybody, especially not a female. They deserve love, care and to treated right by everybody."

"Patriarchal chivalry still smells patriarchal. Now if instead of 'they' you said 'everyone' and if by 'treated right' you meant 'respected', you might start to be onto something. Also, a female is totally not dehumanizing in any way. Not at all. I mean, except in making on feel like an animal. But outside of that it's okay."

"I'm no Patriarch and my name is Thorald Deighton. I fight against the evil to protect the good. Too many take you for granted and I apologize for that my Goddess. Nothing matters in the eternity but I guess that nobody wants or needs me anywhere. I guess it is my destiny to walk alone and always be unsatisfied."

Thorald Deighton leaves the large tent and walks back to enter the Aching Spear Tavern in Dullham.