I’ll Have to Carry You

 

Everyone knows the story.

 

When a new demon lord took over; the monster world changed. 

 

While there were still plenty of fangs, claws, dark magic, and humans were still the primary prey, it was much different now.

 

Instead of worrying about getting eviscerated by a hellhound and remain alive while she chews on your small intestine, you can now expect for an intense gang raping instead.

 

Instead of having your head mounted on a pike bu savage orcs, you instead got mounted by them.

 

Instead of being tortured viciously and enslaved by dark elves….well, you still got enslaved, and while there was torture it was really more along the lines of sexual torture to make you into a sub.

 

The new demon lord turned the monsters into lustful succubus that now preyed on men. 

 

It meant for many adventurers, they no longer had to worry about dying, because the worse that could happen is some very intense spooking and being forcibly married

 

Of course that took away the danger of adventuring, because the threat of death is what made it worthwhile. It lead to stories and legends being told and written. Glory to the adventurer, and it showed the strength and resilience of them.

 

It’s hard to boast about your adventurers when your adventurer ended with someone getting bested by an Amazon and now you’re her prize.

 

So adventuring declined with that 

 

However, a while ago, portals started opening up in the world. These portals were explored by soldiers who discovered that in this world, the monsters were unchanged. They were the typical brutes and savages that killed humans, and were male and female.

 

While scientists and mages tried to figure out what this was, this led to a resurgence in adventuring, as one could slay monsters and they were chalked full of treasures and resources. All people had to do was enter them, and survive

 

Adventurer guilds were back in action and people were excited. So many more young men and women signed up. 

 

Of course it is dangerous, as not everyone was expected to return. However, throw in a few mamano, and things get easier.

 

Mamano finally had a chance to let loose, as these monsters who dared threaten humans or their mates met brutal ends. It also reminded humans just how dangerous mamano can be. 

 

But this is where we meet Arthur. Arthur is a mage, a good mage. He mastered many spells, both offensive, defensive, and healing. He knew how to cast fire, ice, wind, earth, lighting. He could heal people from even their most devastating wounds. He could also put up barriers that can protect you spiritually, and physically. 

 

Arthur was very gifted. He wanted to put his talents to good use. Now there’s always a need for a mage, whether it be for farming, security, or a healer. But he wanted to do something else. 

 

Be an adventurer. 

 

He wanted to go through the portals and find artifacts. But not just any artifacts, magical artifacts. The portals had rare artifacts that were known for their magical properties, they could enhance someone’s magical abilities, and they could be studied to see what other secrets the had. They were also worth a lot of money.

 

Arthur knew finding one of those artifacts would yield him great success and wealth, he would be set for life. Was he greedy? Yes, a little, but he had a reason for it. He wanted enough money to relax, buy a home, start a family, and be a teacher. Having a nest egg would ensure he could get it all in one fell swoop, and he would be set for life. 

 

“I don’t like this,” his mother murmured as he packed his bags. “It’s dangerous in those portals.”

 

“I know, but this will be a great opportunity,” Arthur said.

 

“Your mother is worried,” his father said. “You are a brilliant boy, why don’t you be an apprentice for awhile, you could be a teacher, then help the next generation of mages.”

 

“Because, you don’t get experience by learning, you get it by doing things,” Arthur said. “And this job, if successful, will set me up, I’ll be able to support you, and my family.”

 

“But you don’t have a wife yet!” his mother balked.

“I will soon,” Arthur smiled. 

 

Arthur knew going into the portal was risky as a mage, a mage may be powerful, but one can easily find themselves overwhelmed if not careful. Mages aren’t skilled in hand to hand combat, and all it takes is someone to dodge enough spells to close the gap.

 

He knew he needed someone to keep the creatures off of him while he casted the spell. A fighter or a barbarian. 

 

And he knew the best are mamano.

 

Arthur figured he would end up with a mamano eventually, it was just natural. He’s a lean mage, a virgin, who will constantly need someone to watch his back. Prime material for a mamano.

 

As he walked to the guild, he was pondering which mamano he would like. A dark elf was out of the question. Yes they are skilled fighters, but they have a tendency to be very dominant and controlling, and don’t take no for an answer. While most mamano don’t like that term, dark elves make sure you receive additional punishment for insubordination.

 

A hellhound could be a good choice, very defensive, and they are very resilient. But the problem is they have a habit of bringing along their pack, and then you end up having a harem. Sounds good at first, until they go into heat. 

 

A minotaur could be good, strong cow women who lack the brains, but make up for it with their brawn. But brains are equally important, and they could be more of a liability if they don’t pay attention.

 

“Plenty of time to choose,” he thought as he traveled down the road with his staff. 

 

When he arrived at the guild he went up to the desk where the receptionist was sorting papers. The woman had long black hair and glasses. She looked at him and smiled. “Here for the portals?”

 

“Yes I am!” 

 

“Excellent, can I have your name?”

 

“Arthur Potter.”

 

“Excellent, and what is your status?”

 

“Mage.”

 

“Are you a part of a party?”

“No.”

 

The womans’ face fell. “Oh dear…well sir, the rules state that no solo adventurers are allowed.”

 

“I know, I was wondering if you could point me to where I could find someone who could join me.”

 

She sucks on her teeth as she looks through her records book. “Hmmm, I’m sorry, everyone is taken, you could join a group….but….damn a lot have mages already….well….” She drums her fingers on the desk. “Well….are you fine working with a mamano?”

 

“Of course!”

 

She glances at Arthur, a little suspicious of his demeanor. “Ok…well…I have someone…but you’ll have to ask them yourself.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Because she doesn’t like being randomly assigned, you’ll have to convince them to go with you.”

 

“What are they?”

 

She closes her book. “A chimaera.”

 

A chimera? Arthur’s smile grows on his face. A perfect partner and future wife! Combining the fierceness of a lion, nobility of a dragon, stealth of a snake, and the friendliness of a goat, she would be perfect.  “What’s her name and where can I find her?”

 

“Her name is Gael…and you can find her in the back,” she motions towards the back of the guild. 

 

Arthur turned around and set off to the chimaera, and hopefully, his future partner and wife. Surprisingly the guild was empty, aside from a few humans and dwarves. 

 

“They must be all out adventuring,” he thought. 

 

He approached the back and a tall figure clouded in a cloak. “Are you Gael?”

 

The woman looked at him, she had heterochromia, as her left eye was blood red and the other was blue.  In a low, husky voice, she growled. “Buy me a meal, then we talk.”

 

Arthur was stunned. “What?”

 

The woman turned away. 

 

Arthur gulped. “Well..what do you want?”

 

Arthur has some money that his mom gave him, it would be foolish not to. 

 

She looked him up and down. “Something with meat.”

 

“That doesn’t really help,” Arthur chuckled. 

 

She narrows her eyes. She doesn’t like that answer. 

 

“Right…uh…beef stew?” 

 

She nods and Arthur goes to the bar to order her, and maybe himself something. Arthur ordered some beef stew, and he ordered for himself  some eggs with bacon. It’s past breakfast but hey, he was hungry and he earned this. He looks back at the woman. With the cloak on Arthur can’t tell if she’s a chimera, it’s too big. She’s just as tall as one that’s for sure. 

 

“Order up,” the waitress puts the food on the bar, and Arthur takes it back to the booth. 

 

He slides her the beef stew and starts eating his eggs and bacon. He spots a black dragon claw pick up the spoon, and the shiny golden  fur from a lion’s paw rest next to the bowl. 

 

Arthur hid his excitement. “She is a chimaera.”

 

He clears his throat. “So, I take it you are Gael?”

 

“What does it mean to you?” Gael asks as she eats her stew. 

 

“Well, my name is Arthur, and I am looking to go through the portals.”

 

“What’s the job?” 

 

Arthur is a little stunned. She didn’t even ask anything about him. “Well…don’t you want to know what I am?”

 

“I’m gonna be carrying you anyways,” she sniffed the air. “And you are a mage, right?”

 

Arthur’s jaw dropped. How did she know?

 

She takes another bite of her stew. “Mages tend to smell funny, like cinnamon must be all the magic.”

 

“Well…yes, I am a mage…”

 

“So what’s the job?”

 

Arthur clears his throat. “Now listen, I am a mage but I am capable of defending myself…”

 

“What’s the job?”

 

She’s so blunt. Arthur can’t even get a word off. “Well, will admit, you are being rude, and…”

 

“Go find someone else then.”

 

“What?” Does this chimera even care about the job? She’s so blunt! Arthur took a bite out of his bacon and asked calmly. “Can I speak to the goat? Or the dragon?”

 

The chimera takes off her hood, revealing nice round ears and red hair, with two black horns. “Lion’s in charge, and that’s all who’s here.”

 

The lion? Arthur avoided rolling his eyes. The lions are always brutes and belligerent. They tended to take control, but other personalities would come out depending on the situation. Arthur knew he made a mistake, but he can salvage this. He needs a partner, or else he won’t be able to do the job. “Ok…ok…can…can we start over then?”

 

She leaned back in her booth. “Fine, now, answer the question: What’s the job?”

 

“Our quest,” Arthur said, pulling out a map. “Is to get a grimoire.”

 

Gael drums her fingers against the wood. “A grimoire?”

 

“Yes!”

 

“What makes it special?”

 

“Well, it contains dark magic, and is guarded by goblins, the thing is, goblins are dumb, but they are trying to crack its secrets, and there’s concern that if they crack it’s secrets, we could see more goblin mages, magically enhanced goblins, and all sorts of nightmares, they could even make hobgoblins!”

 

“How?”

 

“With magic, they could accelerate their bodies’ evolution to make them stronger and faster!”

 

Gael scratches her chin. Now she’s intrigued. “Well then, we destroy it?”

 

“Um, no…you see the person who wants to buy it is…well….they collect magical books….”

 

Gael smiled. “So instead of destroying it, someone will pay top dollar? Even though they’ll pay you to destroy something like that?”

 

“We’ll get more if it’s brought back intact.”

 

Gael nodded. “How much?”

 

Arthur grinned.  “I kid you not, they will give us a wagon full of riches!”

 

Gael frowned. “All for a grimoire?”

 

“It’s no easy task,” Arthur pulled out a map. “It’s deep in goblin territory, but, I think I know where it’s at.”

 

“Think?” Gael sounded agitated. 

 

“Well, I think I’ve narrowed it down…”

 

She growled. “Listen here, do not underestimate goblins, have you actually been in the portal?”

 

“Well…no….”

 

“Well understand this, they aren’t like the goblins here, those savages will cut your tendons, and the last thing you’ll feel is dozens of blades ripping through your flesh, in a slow, agonizing death.”

 

Arthur gulped. “Well…I know what I’m getting into…and that’s why I want you to join me on this quest.”

 

Gael studied the map intensely, then clicked her tongue. “Just the two of us.”

 

“Yes, I know some very powerful spells, and with your strength and knowledge of the terrain, I assume you’ve done this many times?”

 

“50 to be exact,”

 

“50?!?!”

 

“Yep, so I’ve seen all sorts of nightmares.”

 

“Well, that’s perfect!”

 

She smiled. “70%.”

 

“I beg your pardon?”

 

“If I go with you on this, I need 70% of the loot.”

 

“Now hold on, I have the map! I have the quest! I’m the mage!”

 

Gael flexed a powerful bicep that was thicker than the side of beef. “And I have the experience, and chances are I’ll be having to carry your ass through this mission.”

 

Arthur couldn’t believe it, she was negotiating, and she was underestimating him. “Now you listen, I may be a mage, but I have many spells, and vast knowledge of how to use it, you are vastly underestimating me.”

 

Gael smiled. “Oh really?”

 

“Yes!”

 

She scoffed. “Tell you what, let’s make a deal, I do the job, but if I have to carry you the entire time, I get my 70%, if you do the equal work and show me that you do the equal work, 50/50.”

 

Gael outstretched her massive paw. “Deal?”

 

Arthur smiled, he shook her paw tightly, or as tight as he could. “Deal.”

 

Gael felt him feebly try to squeeze her paw. She tightened her grip, and heard him whimper under his breath. 

 

He smiled painfully. “Hey, don’t try to cripple me.”

 

She released him. “We leave in two hours.”

 

“So soon? I have supplies but I thought you would need…”

 

“I got my sword, and my supplies.”

 

“Got enough food and water?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Ok, then why two hours.”

 

“To let our food digest,” she said. “And do some last minute preparations.”

“Oh…ok, so more supplies?”

 

“Of course. First, do you have a weapon?”

 

“Yeah,” he held up his mage staff.

 

“No, I mean like a knife or a club.”

 

“No, why would I need those?”

 

Gael looks at him with disbelief. “You cannot just rely on magic.”

 

“That’s my speciality, I focus on magic, you do the brawling.”

 

Gael rolls her eyes. “You must really want me to get 70% of that loot.”

 

“Hey! I do the ranged stuff, if the goblins get too close it’s your job to deal with them!”

 

“But if I miss a few, I need you to be able to defend yourself,” she huffed. “I don’t like lugging dead bodies.”

 

Arthur threw up his hands. “Fine, we can get me a weapon.”

 

“Good, I know a place.”

 

******

Arthur felt weird carrying an additional weapon. He….well more like she had chosen for him, a basic flang mace. The flangs on it could break bone and dent armor. He originally wanted to get a spiked mace, but Gael shut that down, she was more afraid he would end up pricking himself with the weapon. He picked out a small dagger too, just in case. Gael approved of that purchase, saying that he might have a better chance of living if he slept with that on his chest. 

 

Arthur did not care for her beratements. They are supposed to be a team, and he has the map and the job!

 

Gael was busy gathering extra supplied, including water, food, and fire starting equipment. 

 

“Can’t you breathe fire?” he joked.

 

She looked at him. “That costs energy, and I save that for the enemy.”

 

Not even a joke from her. She must be really great at parties.

 

Arthur looked at the supplies. “Will we need all this?”

She slung her pack over her shoulders. “First rule about adventuring, a 10 minute adventure will take a week, a 30 minute a month, and a week long adventure will take a year.”

 

“That’s…that’s impossible,” Arthur stammered. 

 

Gael shook her head. “An adventure never takes a short time, lot of rookies go in expecting little resistance, they end up running out of food in a couple days.”

 

“Can’t they forage?”

 

She chuckled. “Sure, you could, a lot of them though don’t even bring a bow, and it’s hard as shit to hunt with a sword, and a lot don’t even know how to make snares or traps.”

 

“Do you?”

 

“Of course, now put your pack on,” she turned on her heel. “We have an adventure to go on.”

 

Arthur slung his pack on, he didn’t want to argue with how he had to carry supplies. It made sense, he had to carry his fair share, he also wanted to avoid another lecture. 

 

They made their way to a large stone fortress, it was guarded heavily by amazons, valkyries, and knights. Guard towers blackened the sky as crossbowmen, archers, and ballistas were focused on the doors. The head knight stood in front of them. 

 

“Names?” he asked. 

 

“Arthur Potter,” Arthur stated.

 

“Gael Blecher,” Gael stated.

 

The knight looked at the paper. “You are clear to enter.”

 

They stepped aside and Arthur and Gael walked past them. 

 

“They don’t mess around with security,” Arthur whistled. 

 

“You don’t want what’s in there coming out,” Gael said.

 

“Can they even leave?”

 

“We don’t know and we don’t want to take that chance.”

 

The two of them made their way to the gate, revealing more soldiers. They walked past them. Arthur was impressed to see both mamano and human standing side by side. He leaned over to Gael and whispered. “So you think everyone here is a couple?”

He thought he spotted a smile crack out of the corner of her mouth.

 

“Just saying, the ratio here would make sense,” Arthur chuckled. 

 

They arrived at a sky blue portal that shimmered like the ocean in the sunlight. Arthur felt a tingle go up his body. It felt like the wind from an icy mountain top was blowing up his spine.

 

Gael sensed his shivers. “Relax, that’ s a normal feeling.”

 

Arthur shuddered. “What is it?”

 

“The portal, for first timers like you, it’ll feel like a bad hangover.”

 

“What?”

 

She chuckled under her breath. “Just relax.”

 

The two of them got closer and closer to the portal. While Gael was just fine, Arthur on the other hand felt a pins and needles sensation creeping up his legs and throbbing in his fingers. He gritted his teeth as he got closer to the portal. 

 

He looked up at her as they were mere inchest from the glowing light. “Hold my hand?”

 

Gael smiled and put a paw on his shoulder. Suddenly, she shoved him powerfully into the portal, where he disappeared. “No.”

 

*****

 

Arthur felt like his entire body was being zapped by lightning. His skin crawled as he felt bright lights pass his eyes. He felt like he was dead, as his mother always told him to avoid the light at the end of the tunnel. He couldn’t breath, as the world around him was nothing but lights and space. Finally, cold air entered his lungs, he could smell pine trees, and he found his hands and feet connecting to dirt. He gasped as opened his eyes, daylight blinding them. He gagged, heaving. 

 

“Definitely your first time,” Gael said behind him calmly.

 

Arthur whirled around with anger. “You…you….”

 

Suddenly his stomach turned, bile rushed up his throat. He heaved over, sending his lunch onto the ground. 

Gael didn’t wince, but she looked disgusted. “Ugh, I remember when I did that.”

 

Arthur wiped his mouth. “That’s normal?”

 

“Of course it is, your body’s not used to that kind of travel.”

 

“When will I get used to it?”

 

Gael shrugged. “It depends, two, three, 10 times, it all varies.”

 

Arthur got to his feet, his knees feeling weak. “So, this is the forbidden world?”

 

Gael chuckled.”Yep, except mamano call it the savage land.”

 

“I see, do all portals come out here?”

 

“Depending on where you go, each portal in our world leads top a different part of the land. Let’s see that map.”

 

Arthur fished around in his bag and brought out the map. “Ok, so here’s the portal, our first area to check out is…..” his finger followed the map. “So where we are…the first place where the grimoire could be is this little outpost.”

 

“Outpost?” Gael looked closer at it. “That’s a goblin fort, not an outpost.”

 

“What’s the difference?”

 

“A fort has a torture dungeon.”

 

Arthur shudders, Gael picks up on his anxiety. “Remember, the monsters here are actual monsters, they will kill you.”

 

“I know,” Arthur replied.

 

“I’m serious.”

 

Arthur looked at her annoyed. “Hey, I know what to expect, I’m not a child!”

 

“Experience determines maturity, and in my eyes, you are a child.”

 

Arthur huffed. “Look, let’s check out the fort, we can bicker later.”

 

The two start their journey towards the fort. They keep quiet as they make their way to the fort. Gael sticks close to his side the entire time they went through the forest. Finally, they made it to a clearing where they saw a wooden fort with goblin sentries manning the top. 

 

Gael observes the fort. “Ok….so you are sure the grimoire is in this fort?”

“This is one of the potential locations,” Arthur replied. 

 

“So there’s a chance it’s not in there?”

 

“I know I told you about that.”

 

Gael sighed. “Ok, so that fortress might have a platoon of goblins guarding it, but we need to approach this carefully.” 

 

Arthur smirked and stood up. “I got this.”

 

“What are you-?”

 

The air then crackled, the light of the sun formed above the sun. The goblin sentries looked up, wondering if a storm was coming. Suddenly, the air erupted into a massive explosion, bearing down on the fort. The walls were vaporized in the fiery explosion, bodies were flung and torn apart. 

 

Arhtur smiled, explosion spells. Good at cracking fortresses. It might be overkill on a wooden fort, but in this case, they are on a mission. It’s easier to loot the dead than the living. He looked at her confidently. “Now we can just waltz right in…”

 

Gael grabbed him by the shirt and yanked him up. “What the hell was that?!?!”

 

Arthur huffed. “I made our job easier.”

 

“You might as well just raised the alarm!” she said gesturing. “Any goblin within our area and beyond is gonna see this! And then we’ll have to fight a company rather than a platoon!”

 

Arthur winced. She had a point, but he wasn’t going to let her know that. “We’ll search quick.”

 

“What if it’s destroyed?” 

 

“It won’t be, that grimoire isn’t just a typical book, they would keep it well guarded and protected.”

 

Gael growled. “We better find it in here.”

 

Arthur rolled his eyes. “If it’s there.”

 

Gael grimaced. She had forgotten about that. “Just hurry.”

 

The two scoured the ruined fort. Thankfully they faced no resistance, but their senses were assaulted by burned wood and roasted flesh and muscle. Arthur gagged a little, not used to the stench. Gael remained unphased, she had smelt her fair share of burned flesh. 

 

“So where in the fort would they keep it?” Arthur asked. 

 

Gael scratched her chin. “Normally there’s always some underground layer to the fort, it acts as an armory, prisoner storage, rations, etc.”

 

Sure enough, they found a trap door that led down to the underground part of the fort. Lanterns dimly lit the hall. They made their way down, Arthur stuck close Gael. The hallway made him uneasy, the grimy walls felt like they were closing in on him. Spoiled blood and death made his stomach churn. 

 

Gael sensed his queasiness. “Keep your eyes forward.”

 

They passed a cell. Arthur tried to peer in but Gael shielded him. “There’s a reason why these monsters are different than us.”

 

They continued walking forward before seeing a large wooden door. It had a massive lock on it. 

 

“This must be it,” Arthur remarked. “I sense no magical charm on the door, so it should be easy to get in.”

 

Gael stepped forward and delivered a powerful kick to the door, sending it flying back. Arthur’s heart raced. Yes she’s a little mean, but that meant she had powerful thighs. “Good job.”

 

Gael motioned for him to go into the room. Arthur went in, he saw plenty of weapons, supplies, and some potions, but no grimoire. “It’s not here.”

 

“Damn,” Gael growled. 

 

“Should we take some stuff?”

 

“Do we need it?”

 

Arthur looked at the items. “Well, maybe we could take the food, and a couple potions.”

 

“Then take what we need, not what you want.”

 

Arthur snagged some dried meat and took a couple healing potions. “Anything you want?”

 

Gael looked around and shook her head no. “Let’s go.”

 

The two of them quickly ran through the hallway and scurried to the top. Thankfully the only thing they saw was the smoldering runes of the fort. 

 

“Move to the treeline,” she growled. “Now!”

 

The two of them darted out of the fort back into the concealment of the bushy trees. Arthur looked over his shoulder, no sign of any enemies. \

 

“There’s no one here,” he thought. “They gotta be miles away-”

 

Gael shoved him into a bush and covered him. Arthur opened his mouth to berate her when she clamped her dragon hand over his mouth. She mimed him to be quiet and looked ahead. Twigs snapped as large feet smushed the brush. Through the gaps of light in the tree, Arthur could make out the ugly, boar-looking faces and green skin. He felt fear crawl up his spine. 

 

Orcs. 

‘

Of course there were orcs in his world, but they were little piggies that just wanted a good loving, maybe group loving. But these orcs weren’t that. They were green skinned giants that enjoyed killing and pillaging, and if you were a female adventurer caught alive, Chief God help them. He spotted something moving in between their legs. Goblins, and Hobgoblins, their larger brethren. 

 

Goblins and hobgoblins working together made sense, but with orcs?

 

“Fort’s ahead,” a goblin wearing chainmail and a chief’s hat said. 

 

“Better be somethin’ there,” an orc growled. “I’s hungry.”

 

Arthur shivered, he retreated into the comfort of Gael, but she kept an eye on the group. They were more focused on the fort, not their surroundings. While they had the numbers, they could easily be disorganized. They theoretically could be ambushed, but if there was one group, there was another nearby.

 

The war party passed, and Gael kept Arthur close for an additional 20 minutes. She then looked down at Arthur. “Move quietly.”

 

******

Arthur and Gael made their way silently through the forest, crawling close to the ground. Every time they heard noise, whether it be a branch snapping, or what sounded like orcs and goblins bickering, Gael made him stay put and wait. 

 

It took them until nightfall before they were able to stand up and actually walk out of there. They walked another hour before finding a decent place to settle down for the night. 

 

Arthur’s body ached. “Paranoid much?”

 

He had been silent all of the trek, and the good thing was it gave him time to think about what he needed to say. 

 

Gael shot a look at him. “Who’s the one with the most experience here?”

 

Arthur huffed. “You could have taken them.”

 

“If I took them on, it would have led to more trouble,” she barked. “We would have been overwhelmed, and chances are they would be sucking the marrow out of your bones, while skinning me to make a nice scabbard for their swords!”

 

Arthur pouted, then shivered “It’s cold out, let’s make a fire.”

 

“No,” Gael growled. 

 

“Why?”

 

“Because they are still looking for us, and a fire is a perfect invite for goblins to slit our throats while we are asleep!”

 

Arthur groaned. “But it’s cold.”

 

“It’s not that cold.”

 

Arthur shook his head. “You know for a chimera you really are a brute.”

 

Gael started at him. She then rolled over to go to sleep. Ignoring him. 

 

Arthur sighed and rolled over, holding his body. He still felt a little cold. He looked over his shoulder. “Want to cuddle?”

 

“No,” Gael replied. 

 

Arthur closed his eyes and muttered. “Worth a shot.”

 

*****

Arthur woke up the next morning, he rolled over to see Gael already up, chewing on dried meat. Without even looking at him, she tossed him a stick of beef. “Eat, we gotta get moving.”

 

Arthur sighed and started eating. “Can’t we at least rest for a bit?”

 

“We got rest already,” Gael replied bluntly. 

 

“I mean we don’t have to keep moving, we can stretch our legs for a second or two,” Arthur chewed on the dry jerky. 

 

Gael grumbled and looked at the sky. “Let me see the map.”

 

Arthur pulled out the map and passed it to her. “Got any idea where we are?”

 

She looked over the map and at the surrounding area, humming to herself. “It looks like we are about a days walk from the next location.”

“A day’s walk?”  Arthur gawked. 

 

“We should reach it by nightfall if we get moving in about an hour,” Gael ripped off a big piece of jerky. “So you’ll get your rest.”

 

Arthur sighed. “Gee, that’s wonderful.”

 

Gael spent the hour eating and sharpening her sword, while Arthur read his own spell book to freshen up on spells. “Hmmm.”

 

“What?”

 

“If I cast flight, it could cut our time down.”

 

“You know flight magic?”

 

“Yes, it’s pretty easy.”

 

Gael pursed her lips. “That could help….but lets save it for when we get to the mountains.”

 

“Mountains?”

 

“Yes there’s a mountain pass we have to cross before we get there, best save your mana.”

 

Arthur was stunned, this was the first time she didn’t try to put him down. “Thanks!”

 

She nodded and went back to sharpening her sword. 

 

Arthur clicked his tongue. “May I ask you a question?”

 

“Depends.”

 

Arthur sighed. “There’s nothing wrong with sharing.”

 

“Fine, but I get to ask you a question after this.”

 

“Deal.”

 

Gael sat back, awaiting her question. 

 

“Chimera are supposed to have four personalities, a dragon, lion, goat, and snake. And, I only seem to get the lion from you. So, where are the others?”

 

Gael stared blankly at him. “I don’t have them.”

 

“What?” Arthur wasn’t expecting that response. 

 

“They never developed,” she said. “Guess it was how I was born.”

 

“But…that’s impossible, you have the parts, but not the personalities?”

 

“And?”

 

“Well…it’s unusual is all.”

 

Gael sits in silence. Chimera always felt like outcasts due to their multiple personalities, but her only having one, she was the blackest of all the sheep. Her mother raised her right, and loved her. But others avoided her, and when she sought solace among her fellow chimera, they shunned her. She didn’t know where they were. Maybe they were locked away, maybe they didn’t exist. All she knew is that she had the personality of a lion, and that’s all. 

 

Arthur bites his lip. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.”

 

“It’s fine,” Gael replied grimly. “Just….rest up, we leave soon.”

 

*****

The two of them walked through the woods towards the next target. The place was a fortress built around and within a cave. The goblins were clever doing that. 

 

“So this place, will it have the grimoire?” Gael asked.

 

Arthur sucked on his teeth. “Maybe.”

 

Gael rolled her eyes. “Regardless, I need you to stick close to me, when you cast flight to get us over the mountains, you’ll be drained of mana for a while.”

 

“I have a lot in reserve,” Arthur torted.

 

Gael grumbled. “It’s a precaution.”

 

As they walked, something bothered Gael. Yes, finding grimoire’s and magical items were very profitable, but normally if you knew the location of the item, why send people to get it for you? Yes, the trek might be dangerous, and yes not everyone is physically able to, so it makes sense to send someone else. But an entire wagon of treasure for a grimoire? And the locations so far seemed to be fortresses. She chewed her lip. Something felt off, but she couldn’t figure out what.

 

For now, they would continue, and she would keep the mage close.

 

“Mage, I have question,” she asked.

 

“It’s about time you asked yours,” chuckled Arthur.

 

Gael rolled her eyes. “Have you ever used your magic in combat?”

 

“Just in training,” Arthur replied. “Never had the chance to use it on anything else.”

 

“So, you blowing up the fortress…”

 

“It was exhilarating!”

 

She looked at him in disbelief. It’s easy to say that when you haven’t gotten your hands dirty. It’s always safer from a distance. 

 

They approached the mountains, Gael looked down at Arthur. “You are positive you’ll be able to make us fly?”

 

“I can, I learned a spell, and I was able to lift up a wagon for at least….45 minutes.”

 

Gael gulped. “Will we be able to get over the mountain?”

 

“Yep! We’ll go fast.”

 

“How fast?”

“Like a dragon!”

 

Gael gripped her stomach. Arthur chuckled. “You nervous.”

 

“I don’t fly,” she hissed.

 

“Aren’t you part dragon?”

 

“I don’t have wings!”

 

“Do you want me to hold your hand?”

 

Gael looked flustered. “Yes.”

 

Arthur was joking, but he wasn’t going to give up an opportunity to hand hold. He held out his hand, and her dragon clawed hand held his. 

 

“Now close your eyes,” Arthur requested.

 

“Why?”

 

“Well, I don’t need you panicking when we start flying.”

 

Gael closed her eyes tightly. Arthur smiled and waved his staff. The two of them started levitating. Arthur felt her grip tighten around his hand. He glanced at her, she trembled, squeezing his hand so tight she was nearly breaking his bones. 

 

“Keep in mind I need this hand,” Arthur joked. 

 

“Shut up,” Gael whimpered. 

 

The two floated above the mountains, braving the bitter cold. That’s one thing no one thinks of, is the higher you go, the colder you get. And going over mountains means extra cold. Luckily they just needed to go high enough to slip through a gap in the mountains. Arthur had used this spell a couple of times, not counting training. He had been able to go as high as a small hill, but he didn’t want to tell her that he hadn’t gone over a mountain yet. The two of them floated higher, as they floated higher, Gael gripped his hand tighter. Arthur gritted his teeth, masking the pain. He scanned the mountains before finding a gap. He quickly moved them through it. The pain was one thing, but he could feel his mana draining. Fighting the cold and pain he got through the rough gap.

 

“Are we still flying?” Gael whimpered. 

 

“Do you feel the ground yet?”

 

“No.”

 

“There’s your answer.”

 

He flew through a tight gap in the mountain, and they made it. It was still cloudy and hard to see through, he couldn’t land just yet. He floated a little longer, before spotting a great place to settle down. 

 

He gently set the two of them down. Gael dropped to the ground gasping and panting, her whole body trembling. She looked at him, and rasped. “Don’t…..ever…do…that…..”

 

But before she could finish, Arthur keeled over and vomited. She looked him with disgust and shock. 

 

Arthur wiped his mouth. “Sorry…that spell makes me a little nauseous.”

 

******

After resting for awhile, the two of them made their way through the mountains before stumbling on the fortress. There were large stone towers, with a wall leading to an iron gate. Gael glared at Arthur. “Now, do not blow this up.”

 

“I got it,” Arthur replied. “So what do we do?”

 

Gael scanned the fortress. Despite the distance, she could see the shapes of goblins, hobgoblins, and even orcs guardian the fortress. 

 

“There’s a lot of guards,” she said. “Orcs too, that’ll be a challenge.”

 

“Well, maybe I could cast down a lighting spell,” Arthur suggested.

 

Gael shook her head. “No, that wouldn’t work.”

 

“What if I casted multiple lighting spells?”

 

“No.”

 

Arthur pouted. “Well, what do you suggest.”

 

Gael bit her lip. “We need to get in there, but I don’t know the layout….” she looked at him and smiled. “Do you know any invisibility spells?”

 

“Yes I do.”

 

Gael formulated a plan. “Now, you need to listen….I have plan…but you need to stick by my side.”

 

*****

A fortress needs supplies, that’s a fact. Without them, soldiers starve, and become weak, and it makes the fortress vulnerable. A wagon train pulled by wargs made their way to the fortress, chalked full of food, and weapons. 

 

The guards naturally opened the gate to let it in, and the supplies got in, as well as two unwelcome guests.

 

Arthur knew how to cast invisibility. However, invisibility is yet again another spell that drains mana. It’s takes focus to remain invisible. It’s why many mages prefer to enchant items that will make them invisible, like rings or cloaks, then they can save their mana. 

 

Arthur didn’t have that. 

 

The two of them snuck in silently and made their way inside the fortress. Thankfully the guards left a lot of doors open, due to their stupidity and overconfidence that no one would ever enter their fortress. 

 

Once they slipped past the door and saw no guards, Arthur turned off the spell. Arthur exhaled, sweat dripping down his face. 

 

“Are you ok?” Gael asked. 

 

“Yes,” he panted. “That spell takes a lot out of me.”

 

“Just focus,” Gael said. “We gotta find the grimoire, and stick close to me.”

 

Arthur rolled his eyes. He hates how she treats him like a child. He’s a mage, a powerful one!

 

The two made their way through the torch lit hallway. It was quiet, for Arthur it was perfect, but for Gael, it made her uneasy. This felt too easy, there should be at least one guard. As they made their way through the hallway, they came to another door. They opened it, and it lead to a cave. 

 

“Of course,” she whispered to Arthur. “They have a tunnel inside the mountain.”

 

“What does it mean?” Arthur asked. 

 

“It means we don’t have to go through the front, but stick close to me.”

 

“Why do you keep saying that?”

Gael glared at him. “The goblins like to set traps, and the shadows of the cave are a good place to hide them, so stick with me, and don’t wander off!”

 

Arthur rolled his eyes. 

 

The two went through the dimly lit cavern. Gael scanned the walls. She could smell goblins, but their scents were faint, nothing strong. That was good. The two kept moving when they came to an open room. There were three treasure chests sitting there, no guards. 

 

“A treasure room!” Arthur exclaimed. “It must be here! If not, gold!” 

 

He rushed towards them. Gael stood there, her eyes fixed on the chests. It’s not unusual to have these staches, but this wasn’t like goblins. It was too organized, goblins and orcs are sloppy. She sniffed the air, she knew what chests smelled like, even old chests. They smelled rotten due to their conditions in the cave, moldy even. But something was off, yes, it smelled of mold, a pungent smell. But, she had smelled many stenches before, many moldy scents. This smelled…off….like it wasn’t natural. A natural smell is so ripe it makes you cringe, this smelled like something you threw on like a cologne, to hide something. The more she focused on it, the more the hair on the back of her neck stood up. Her eyes went wide as dread climbed into her mind.  

 

“GET BACK!” she roared.

 

Arthur craned his neck when suddenly he felt something wet and sticky wrap around his legs. His legs were yanked out from under him. He looked in horror as the chests grew large teeth, limbs sprouted from them as they rose up like the undead, gnashing and biting at him. Arthur screamed as he was pulled towards a mouth of razor sharp teeth from a mimic. 

 

Gael leapt into action, slicing off the tentacles with her sword. She glared at the injured mimic, as it howled and spurted blood. The others converged on her, hoping to get a bite. She growled and swung her sword, trying to keep them back. 

 

Arthur backed away, panicking. When he heard a thunk near his hand. He looked down to see an arrow. He craned his neck to see a group of goblins, smiling sinisterly with arrows cocked. 

 

“GAEL!” he screamed. “GOBLINS!!”

 

Gael whirled around to see the group standing there, sinisterly. 

 

“An ambush,” she thought as her skin grew cold. She had been in these before, and they weren’t pretty. She gripped her sword tight, and felt her throat go warm. “GET DOWN!” 

 

Arthur ducked as a large wall of fire shot out of her mouth, scorching the mimics first. The mimics squealed and writhed in the flames. 

 

“Burn in hell you shapeshifters,” she thought. She spat out another fireball towards the goblins. The goblins scattered, but the flames licked some of them, setting their legs and clothes ablaze. 

 

Arthur scrambled to his feet. He looked back at her. “COME ON! WE GOTTA GET OUT OF HERE!”

 

He took off to the cave, looking back to see Gael running after him. 

 

“STAY CLOSE!” she yelled. 

 

Arthur wasn’t going to abandon her, but he had no time to stick close, she would catch up. They had to get out of there. 

 

“Come on!” he yelled.

 

“ARTHUR!” she barked.

 

Suddenly, Arthur felt his foot slip out from underneath him. A sharp stake penetrated his foot, running up to his calf. At first, the pain was brief, the adrenaline then blocked it. Just long enough for him to look down and see his foot punctuated with spikes. 

 

Then the pain kicked in.

 

Arthur howled in pain, bending down to grab his leg. “MY LEG!”

 

Gael gritted her teeth and ran towards him. She scooped him up without hesitation, cringing at the sickening sound of spikes being removed from muscle. 

 

“My leg…my leg…” Arthur repeated. 

 

Goblins dipped their spikes in poison, but were also known for putting their bodily waste on them. It added to the poison and could cause wounds to get infected.

 

Gael grabbed his staff and took off into the caves. She ran through the dimly lit caves, hearing the scurrying of goblins in the shadows. She had been through enough caves to know that there’s always an exit. She had to find a way. She felt Arthur’s body go limp. He wasn’t dead, he was going into shock, for all she knew it could be the pain, or poison. She set him down and searched his bag, he had picked up some antidotes, those might help. The bag felt wet, and her heart sank. He smashed them when he fell down by mistake. The poison could be fast acting, or slow acting, either way  she had to save him. She took out a rope and tied it tightly above his leg. Then pulled out her sword. 

 

“Forgive me,” she whispered.

 

She angled her sword so it would go right between the joints and swung it down hard. It sunk into his flesh, but passed through it like an axe through rotten wood. She was grateful it didn’t get stuck. Arthur gasped sharply, his body jerked, but he lay still. He’s still breathing. She then cauterized the wound with his flames. 

 

Now she could get out.

 

She turned to see a group of goblins scurrying her way. She licked her lips and sent out another breath of fire. The goblins squealed and howled as the fire scorched their flesh. It lit up the cave enough to show her what she was looking for. 

 

A door.

 

And that could lead to an exit. 

 

She made a mad dash for the door, when an orc jumped in front of her, club at the ready. Without hesitation, she slammed into the brute, breaking the door with his body. The orc groaned as he tumbled to the ground. She took one second to step on his neck, which snapped with a crunch. She knew better than to leave a filthy greenskin alive. She looked around, they were still in the cave, but there’s a bright light at the end of the tunnel. She held Arthur tightly and sprinted towards the light. She felt cool air, a great sign. She felt the sunshine on her skin when she exited. She didn’t stop running. She made a mad dash away from the mountains, across the grassy fields. She didn’t look behind her, she didn’t want to waste any time checking to see if she’s being followed. All she knew, is her partner is hurt

 

When she got a considerable distance away from the mountain, she finally looked behind herself. No pests, no orcs, no nothing. Just them. She made her way to a tree line, it would be easier to hide there. She found a good spot in the woods and set him down. Arthur is still unconscious, but breathing. She took out a flint and steel. There were always some exceptions to lighting a fire, and with an injured party member, this is an exception. She gathered some sticks and kindling and sparked a fire. She moved Arthur just close enough to the flame to warm him, but so he wouldn’t get burned. She then sat back and watched over him.

 

When he awoke, she would have a lot to say.

 

*****

Arthur was unconscious for hours, and Gael watched over him. The goblins, hobgoblins, and orcs weren’t following them. Maybe they didn’t want to, or they couldn’t find them, or they were planning something else. One thing is for sure, Gael knew the poison didn’t get to him. His veins would be black as the filth made their way through all parts of his body. She didn’t even sleep, she had to keep him safe. 

 

Finally, she heard him stir. 

“What…what…” he groaned. “What…happened?” Arthur felt like something was off. He had a pain in his upper left leg, and he couldn’t feel his toes. He looked down.

 

Gael half expected him to scream in horror, but he only starred at his stump, whimpering. “My leg…..”

 

Gael huffed. “You see what happens when you don’t stick close to me?”

 

Arthur looked at her in shock. “What…what happened?”

 

“You stepped on a goblin spike trap, went right through your foot. They poison those spikes,” she then tapped her sword. “I had to act fast.”

 

“But….medicine…” he whimpered. “I had it.”

 

“It broke when you fell.”

 

“I..I know healing…”

 

“Listen up!” Gael snapped. “You went comatose on me, and I made a decision! You would have died! And let me tell you something, it’s hard carrying a comatose mage and his staff through caves, and then some! I told you to stay close to me! I told you about the traps! And yet you turned tail and ran! You damn rookie!!! You realize what you just did? You screwed us! I got an injured party member now, we are in hostile territory! And now my job is a hell of a lot harder because most likely we are gonna have to leave, and I DON’T GET PAID! All because a rookie like you didn’t listen and panicked!”

 

Tears filled Arthur’s eyes. Gael sat back, waiting for him to cry or argue. She was surprised when he whimpered. “You’re right.”

 

She blinked, stunned by his words. “What?”

 

“You are right….I…I’m a rookie….” tears streamed down his face. “I…I thought…I knew what…I…I was doing…..and….and….” he threw his head back and bawled. “I should have listened!”

 

Gael was stunned. She expected crying but not like this.

 

“I got us into this!” he sobbed. “I…I just wanted….I just wanted….” he went back to sobbing. “I’m useless!!”

 

Something moved in her heart, something she hadn’t felt before. Something took over in her mind, something new, more noble, comforting, and  said. “Now…don’t be like that…I mean…you are still a mage.”

 

“Who am I kidding?” he sobbed. “I’m over my head, and my parents are gonna disown me!”

 

Her lion personality took over. “What do you mean?”

 

Arthur sobbed uncontrollably. She wasn’t getting a straight answer out of him. Something else was moving inside her. She scooted over to him, needing to coax some information out. She couldn’t believe she was doing this. She put her arm around him and purred. “Calm down, tell me, why would your parents disown you?”

 

The feeling of warm embrace calmed Arthur down a little. He sniffled. “The…the…the quest is a hard one…not….not many people completed it…so…so…in order to do it, you have to put forward collateral…so if you fail…they get a reward out of this…and…I didn’t have any money….so…I put forward my parents farm.”

 

The lion took over. “You did what? How?”

 

“They wanted something of equal value so I stole the deed, and I brought it to them…and now…if I go back…they’ll get my parents farm,” Arthur buried his head in his hands. “And my folks will be homeless!!!”

 

She kept her arm around him, allowing him to cry. 

 

“I should have known better,” he sobbed. “I’m…I’m sorry I dragged you into this.”

 

Gael’s heart ached when hearing his sad words. She pulled him closer, and whispered. “Don’t worry. Mistakes happen, that is always expected, but the worse thing you can do now is beat yourself up. I don’t need you falling into that.”

 

Arthur felt a little more at ease. He cuddled closer to her. 

 

Gael’s heart raced. She pulled him in closer and purred. “Now…I’m going to take a nap, you stay close to me, mm’kay?”

 

He looked up at her, confused. “So…we are cuddling?”

 

She giggled. “If you want to call it that, for now, relax, we’ll handle this when I wake up.”

 

She leaned against him and closed her eyes, falling into a sleep. Arthur remained still, feeling more at ease than before. It also helped that she was holding him tighter. It took the stress off of his mind. 

*****

When Gael awoke, Arthur was still next to her, waiting patiently. 

 

“Good morning,” he said.

 

She looked at the sky. It was bright and sunny, with the sun just rising. “I must have been tired.”

 

“Yes,” Arthur sighed. “So how do we get back to the portal?”

 

“We aren’t going to the portal,” Gael said sternly. “We have a job to complete.”

 

“What?” Arthur balked. 

 

“You dragged me here, and I have a reputation to uphold,” Gael said with a smirk. “We are finishing this. Besides, it would be ill of me to let your parents suffer due to your shortsightedness.”

 

Arthur nodded. “Well…you got the experience, I can give you the map and you can drop me off in a safe place….”

 

She gripped him tighter, hissing sensually. “Are you not listening? I said we, that means you and me, I’m not going to do all the heavy lifting.”

 

Arthur looked at his leg. “But…what can I do?”

 

“You have magic, we can use it, but you have to listen to me, and stay close!”

 

“But, I’ll be a liability, I can’t walk.”

 

Gael smiled. “I know just what to do.”

 

*****

Gael walked through the woods, reading the map. The next objective is an old monastery, no doubt the grimoire had to be there. “Comfortable back there?”

 

Arthur was slung onto her back. She had turned him into a backpack, with ropes tied around his waste, and a wooden plank acting as support for his bottom and leg. “I feel a little weird.”

 

“Your butt isn’t chafing, is it?”

 

Arthur blushed. “No, it’s just, weird is all.”

 

“Well…would you rather be in the front, placed between my mounds?”

 

Arthur blushed red. Where did that come from?

 

“But that would be impractical, as you would be at risk , and it would put me at risk .”
 

“Of course,” Arthur replied. 

 

The two of them made their way up to a hill, where they saw the monastery.It had fallen into ruins, as monsters don’t do a good job of preserving things. It once probably housed something holy at once, whatever was in this world. Gael set him down and the two observed the makeshift fortress. Arthur casted a spell called farsight that would allow them to observe the fortress from a safe distance, and they could see very close. They saw orcs, goblins, hobgoblins, and wargs. They saw something, a goblin wearing robes, with bones and feathers. 

 

“What’s that?” asked Arthur. 

 

“That’s a goblin mage,” Gael growled. “And if there’s one, there’s another, and the grimoire should be in there.”

 

“So, what do we do?” Arthur asked. 

 

Gael scanned the fortress, she chewed on her lip. There’s no guard towers, but lots of soldiers, and looking at them, they looked stronger, enhanced. She looked at him. “What environmental spells do you know?”

 

“I know a spell called hurricane, twister, lighting, and….well…I could rain fire.”

 

She looked at the enemies and smiled. “I got an idea.”

 

******

The goblins and orcs sat around, bored. Here they were, overpowered and fierce, and they were on guard duty. Some were just trading punches with each other like dumbasses.

 

Suddenly, the wind started to blow. At first they didn’t mind the breeze, but then it picked up. The goblins started craning their necks to see what was happening. 

 

Suddenly, a bolt of lightning struck an armored orc. His flesh cooked inside the armor, while his surrounding comrades were equally zapped. The wind got stronger, circling above them all. The goblins were tossed around like rag dolls. They panicked, trying to get away, but the wind picked them up. The orcs were dumb, but they were smart enough to know that they need to get out of there and get to shelter. Another bolt of lighting struck their ranks, felling them. The army of goblins, hobgoblins, and orcs was breaking apart, which was perfect for Gael. 

 

Taking the long way, she scurried around the crumbling army, slipping into the back door of the monastery. Most of the guards were outside perishing, though they spotted some. Gael had Arthur cast invisibility on her so they could minimize the resistance. 

 

Everything was going as planned. The two made their way through the decrepit ruins when they came across a room, despite the ruins and moldy smell, they could see there were decrypted spell books, and the goblin mage. His back was turned, Gael smiled. Arthur turned off the spell and Gael crept towards him. 

 

The goblin mage whirled around and zapped them with a lighting spell. Gael flew back, and Arthur tumbled to the ground. 

 

“Thiefs!” he cackled. “And a chimaera….rare.” he licked his lips as he advanced towards her. “Your flesh will taste good when we….AHHHH.”

 

The goblin mage had disregarded Arthur as a threat, seeing his missing leg, what he didn’t count on was the mage to have a club.  Arthur smashed his club into his foot, the goblin howled in pain, giving Gael the space to ram her claws into his stomach. He gagged as she lifted him up. “Where’s the grimoire?”

 

The goblin gasped. “Go…to…hell.”

 

“There!” Arthur said as he pointed to the goblins book bag. 

 

Gael opened it and smirked. She held the book up to Arthur. “Is this it?”

 

Arthur’s face lit up as he saw the ebony book with golden lettering “Yes!” 

 

Gael tossed the dying goblin aside. “Now…burn this place to the ground.” 

 

Arthur smiled. “With pleasure.”

 

*****

The two of left the former monastery burning as Arthur casted fire rain. They made their way through the lands, grimoire in hand. When they returned, the buyers were shocked that the two of them made it back. And with some intimidation from Gael, they handed over the wagon of treasure. 

 

Gael whistled. “This is something.”

 

Gold, diamonds, jewels, everything. This would set someone up for life!

 

“Well, I guess you’ll take 70%,” chuckled Arthur as he leaned against his crutch. 

 

“Why?” Gael asked. 

 

“Because you did have to carry me, so a deals a deal, 30% will be more than enough.”

 

Gael pursed her lips. “I gotta question.”

 

Arthur turned around. 

 

“This was a very dangerous quest, for even someone like me, why did you want to do it?”

 

“Oh, well…” Arthur looked at the ground sheepishly. “Well, I wanted enough money to…well…it’s stupid.”

 

“Dreams are not stupid,” Gael retorted.

 

“Well…I wanted enough money…to raise a family….and still be a dad, maybe open a school, but I wanted to focus all my time on being a dad and spending time with a wife and child.”

 

Those words ignited something in Gael’s heart. Now those personalities were all converging on her. Her eyes fixed on Arthur as he wobbled to get his share. 

 

Suddenly Arthur found himself swept off his legs. He looked up bewildered. 

 

“I cannot believe it,” Gael drooled. “You little….handsome man.”

 

“What do you mean?” Arthur asked. 

 

“You still need help, and I still have to carry you,” Gael licked her lips. “You knew my honor wouldn’t allow you to suffer.”

 

“What?” Arthur was confused. She had honor? His eyes went wide. Now It was adding up. 

 

“I’ll have to keep you close by me at all times,” Gael purred, holding him tighter. “Can’t have you getting injured.”

 

Arthur gulped. “Is…is that the goat talking?”

 

She hugged him closer. “Snake….But I’ll give you enough as well.”

 

Arthur gulped. He did get what he wanted, a wife.

 

*****

When Arthur got back to his parents’ land, they were shocked to see him missing a leg, but were happy to see he was alive, and in awe of how much money he got, and now he had a large wife. Arthur gave them a piece of the gold, and he himself purchased a small piece of land, with a large house already constructed on it. 

 

He got moved in, and Gael helped him move in. Then came the night where as a couple, they would sleep in the same bed. 

 

After dinner, Arthur shimmied into his undergarments, while Gael stripped down. 

 

“Do…do you sleep naked?” he asked as he started at her. 

 

Her constant adventuring made her a strong, burly woman, with a toned stomach. Her body was dotted with scars, but she looked attractive. 

 

“I sleep naked when I’m next to my husband,” Gael licked her lips. 

 

He had been with her long enough to know when the goat was talking. He sat on the edge of the bed, sweating. 

 

“Now don’t worry, we…or at least I, will try to be gentle,” Gael walked over to him. 

 

Arthur pursed his lips out, expecting a kiss, when he was hoisted up over her shoulders, where she gorilla pressed him. 

 

“Hey! What are you doing?” he asked. 

 

Gael’s goat personality was taking control. She ripped off his pants, exposing his slowly awakening member. She drooled and took his length into her mouth. Arthur groaned, her powerful mouth sucking his member. He got hard, and she started bench pressing him. Milking him slowly as she lifted him up and down. He gasped, unable to do anything, not minding at all, because less work he had to do. She sucked and slobbered on his member, teasing him, but trying to coax out his cum. 

 

Being a virgin, he was already feeling his balls churning. He groaned as he shot a load down her throat. She pressed him faster, making sure he was not holding out. After enough seed spewed down her throat, she set him down on the bed. 

 

“Oh….oh…” he groaned. That was some blowjob. 

 

Gael then wrapped her arms around him tightly, constricting him like a snake. 

 

“Now….let’s get a little closer,” she purred. 

 

“Wait, I..I just came-ah god!” 

 

Gael slid his length into her wet pussy. Arthur couldn’t move at all, he squirmed and whimpered as she grinded against his hips. Her tight snatch was already overpowering his sensitive member. She kissed him, ramming her tongue down his throat. Arthur was lost in a sense of passion, enjoying her tonguing, and her tight pussy. She grinded on him harder and harder, before her pussy constrained his cock enough to milk out another powerful orgasm. 

 

She released him and Arthur fell to the bed, exhausted. “Need…water…..”

 

“Of course! I need you in tip top shape!”

 

He figured that one was the dragon. She left and brought a pitcher of water. She gave him a glass and she poured him a drink. He kept drinking until he finished the entire pitcher, all while Gael wanted patiently. 

 

“Take your time, I need you in your best shape,” She said as she fingered herself. 

 

When he recovered, he looked to see her spread eagle on the bed. 

 

“Now we do this proper, set the pace, look me in the eye, and kiss me upon orgasm,” She ordered.

 

The dragon personality was more noble, so it was a fan of the traditional sex ways. He scooted over to her and angled himself, pointing his now recovered cock at her dripping snatch.

 

“Remember, go slow,” Gael ordered. “I want this to last.”

 

Arthur gently edged his cock into her pussy. She whined and pulled him to her breast. 

 

“Please give these a bite, or suckle, just a little bit?” she begged.

 

Arthur obliged. He bit her tit as he rocked his hips slowly. Gael moaned as she felt his length spread her walls apart. Her insides welcomed him. She held him close, kissing his forehead, begging for more. Arthur liked the dragon side of her the most, it was refreshing to see the noble side of her, and gentle. Though he wouldn’t tell her that to her face!

 

“Gael, I’m cumming,” he whined.

 

“Cum away,” she purred. 

 

He shot another load into her, a small one, but still effective. 

 

“Was, that good?” he asked, panting.

 

“Of course….” she then flipped him over, spreading his leg and thigh apart. “NOW IT’S MY TURN!” 

 

He was wondering when the lion would come out. She slammed into his hips, grinding deep against his member, taking every inch of his length. 

 

“I *umph* can’t believe I have to *umph* take care of you, I gotta be your body guard *FUCK YEAH* for life!” she groaned. 

 

“I…*Ack!* can…take *oh Chief God* care of…” 

 

She captured his lips, silencing him with a forceful tongue fucking. She pulled away, licking her lips and smiling. “Nice try, you aren’t getting out of this, I’m gonna be on you like flies to honey, keeping you safe, fed, and healthy, and you are gonna be a great little house husband”

 

“And a-” he groaned as he bucked his hips as his final load shot into her. “Father….”

 

Gael stopped and pulled him in for a cuddle session. She held him tight and kissed his cheek. “I love you Arthur.”

 

“I love you to,” he said. 

 

Years later. 

 

Gael emerged from the woods with firewood in her hands, she was glad they lived around so many trees, she didn’t have to travel too far to get dead trees. She couldn’t wait for dinner. Arthur was going to try this new boar recipe. Her stomach growled thinking of it. 

 

BOOM!

 

A portion of the house blew up, sending debris everywhere. She dropped the wood and sprinted towards the destruction. She turned the corner and saw Arthur with his new prosthetic leg covered in soot, with their daughter, Annie.

 

 “I did it daddy! I did an explosion spell!” she squealed. 

 

Arthur chuckled nervously. “Yes, yes you did, but we were trying to make a small one.”

 

“MY KITCHEN!” Gael screamed. “I warned you many times to practice those outside! Annie could have been hurt! Oh my baby!”

 

“Well, she’s fine…but…it was…uh….” Arthur knew she wasn’t going to be in a listening mood. “Say Annie! Let’s practice flight!”

 

“Yaaayyy!”

 

“NOOOO!” Gael sprinted towards them. But the two casted the spell and flew up onto the roof. “GET DOWN THERE NOW!”

 

“We’ll eat at my parents tonight,” Arthur called. 

 

“Yay! Grandma and grandpa!” Annie sang. 

Gael was angry, but couldn’t help but smile. “When I get my hands on you I will snuggle you so much! And you’ll get an extra special hug tonight, dear! That’s a promise!”

 

Arthur chuckled, he had everything he wanted, wife, child, and a house. Whatever she had planned, it would be wonderful. “Looking forward to it dear.”

 

 

This was a commission for anonymous, I hope you all enjoyed it. Chimaera are very underrated and it’s always nice to write a fic about them. I hope you all enjoyed the action, and smut. Remember, if you want to support me, check out my bio and buyme a coffee. You can also message my discord at cowboyweeb_2 if you want to reach out for commissions or just talk. Thank you all for the support!

 

 

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