"We need horses, or a carriage to get back." Phil spoke. He was gazing down towards the local houses that were littered around the open fields.
"We don't need a horse." Coco spoke. "I can take its place. Please, just get a lovely carriage for a young mistress and a harness."
"You?" I was confused.
"Yes, I am a Blood War Horse young mistress. I will not tolerate seeing you dirty your feet."
"Blood War Horse?" I felt oblivious, not knowing the monster, legends, and culture of this world. Even though I was steadily learning, there were still too many things to learn.
"You're serious?" Phil's eyes were so round I thought it was going to pop out.
"I am the finest of my kind." Coco proudly stood with her head held up high. She shifted from her human form and into a ten feet tall large Red Mare. Her eyes burned red like fire, and thick muscles rippled on her. Even her sweat dripped like blood. She was considered a Queen horse of her kind. Everything about her screamed royalty. Her silky hair blew back like blazing fire, and her black hoof sparked off electricity.
"That would do it." Phil brought himself back to reality. "You seriously have a wide variety of monster friends, Berry."
"Woah," Don stared with gaping jaws. "From dragons to bloody red horses. What next?"
"Don't ask." Phil replied, cutting him off. "I'll go negotiate with the farmers over there. If you don't mind, Miss Coco, please come with me."
Coco whinnied and then trotted next to Phil. Phil and Coco disappeared into the night and left us behind.
"Is he your boyfriend?" Don asked quizzically. His fox mask that was on his head slipped a bit down, and he pushed it back into place.
"B-b-boyfriend?" I stuttered. "What preposterous nonsense are you spewing?"
"I guess I was wrong." Don sat down and relaxed. "He's like a mother hen watching over his chick. Did you do something wrong?"
"Well....um..." How do I even begin?
"Young mistress is a gallant dragon that brings terror to the world. No man or monster compares to her strength and majestic air." Moca spoke proudly on my behalf.
"No. No. I'm just a regular human that's been changed." I cringed at Moca's statement.
"Young Mistress," Tart came over with wide adorable eyes.
"Yes."
"Will you marry me?" Tart brought over a bouquet of wildflowers. Stupefied, I just stared.
"Wow, moving in so quickly." Don laughed out loud. "He means business."
"I will never hand you over to the half-elf nor this human. Instead, I will protect you." Tart boldly stated.
"Tart, what are you doing bothering the young mistress?" Moca crossed his arm and stared at Tart with disapproval.
"Proposing. Can't you see that?"
"You are not qualified."
"Yes, I am." He fumed. "I am strong, wise, and I love young mistress."
"Then serve her well instead of spouting out nonsense."
"Pft. You just don't understand true love."
This was getting a little too crazy. I spoke. "Tart."
"Yes, young mistress?"
"You are too young, and I don't want to restrict your love interests. One day you will find someone who you will truly love."
"But young mistress. I love you."
"I do not plan to get married anytime soon Tart, nor do I share the same type of love that you are looking for."
"B-b-but."
Ugh. Those cute adorable eyes are going to be the death of me. "Tart. Please, not now. I wish you respect my wishes."
"Yes, young mistress." Tart was defeated at the answer that I gave him. He was like a whipped dog that lost its master. Honestly, I could not see Tart anymore than a young brother that I never had.
"Don't fret young mistress. He'll be back on his feet in a couple of hours and probably try again in the future."
"That's a bit...." I sighed. I gave up. That will be another time and day that I will deal with later. Instead, I should be focused on what I needed to do now.
"Phil and Coco are back." Don spoke, breaking my concentration.
Off in the distance, Coco was pulling a rickety old wagon. She brought it over, grumbling and peeved.
"Look, I tried, okay? These people don't have expensive carriages that you are looking for. This is the best that I came up with. Be happy that your young mistress is not going to have bruised feet." Phil was arguing with Coco and Coco replied with a neigh that sounded disgruntled. "How do you deal with her?" He spoke peeved.
I shrugged.
"Well come on. Everyone gets in. It's going to take until the sun rises."
"Not bad." Dion was the first one to get on. Followed by Tart, then me, and finally, Moca.
"I am truly sorry, young mistress for you to ride in such a rickety wagon." Moca spoke and bowed in disapproval. Coco neighed with agreement to Moca's statement.
"It's alright. I don't mind at all. Seriously, I'm fine with this."
"Young mistress, you can lay on me." Tart was back to his cheerful attitude. "I'll be your pillow." The moment he finished speaking, he turned into a jet black wolf with gold tribal markings. Goldeyes stared menacingly back at me, and he wagged his tail happily. He wrapped himself around me and sat down.
"I-"
"Please, young mistress, this time, Tart is being considerate to your back." Moca spoke. He gently nodded, allowing me to lean back and snuggle up against Tart's warm fur.
Running my hands through the fur, I was awed at how soft the fur was. "You have such wonderful fur." He reminded me of my dog that I once had. Tart acted excitedly like him: lovable and kind.
Tart barked, thanking me.
"Do you mind?" Don curiously reached over, wondering how it would feel.
Tart turned his gaze towards Don and barked, allowing him he could.
"Wow. Your right." Don turned around and leaned against Tart.
"Young mistress, do not worry. We will watch over you."
I was getting tired from the long flight and slowly closed my eyes.
#####
Awooooooo! Tart howled and growled. He got up, waking me out of my sleep.
"W-w-what's going on?" I was jolted awake, confused.
"Goblins!" Phil yelled. "They are goblin scouting parties. What the hell are they doing so far out here?"
Coco burst into a run. The wagon squeaked and shook.
"Those are goblins?" Don leaned over, looking towards the goblin that was riding on warthogs. Their greenish-brown skin, ugly contorted faces that sneer back at them chortle a yell that sounds like a grunt.
"It's the elite scout one at it too." Phil spoke with worry. He pulled out an elegant bow and a feathered arrow. Pulling back the strings, he fired. A streak of light followed after, and the arrow hit squarely on the warthog's head.
"Squeal!" The warthog fell forward dead, trampling the goblin on the back.
"Guak! Guak! Gueeeeeeek!" One of the goblins yelled, and the large group of goblins pulled out their swords and bows. The warthog increased their pace and charged forward.
"Tart! Go and destroy them!" Moca called out. He pulled out a silver fencing sword. Tart jumped out of the cart, and Moca jumped onto his back at the same time. They bolted towards the goblins with fearsome speed.
Thunk! An arrow whizzed past Don's head and embedded itself into the wagon. Phil plucked off the arrow and fired back. The arrow lodge deep into the goblins head.
"Keep your head down!" Phil fired arrow after arrow. Some missed, while the majority hit perfectly on their body or head.
Moca stabbed and jabbed in quick succession at the goblins, while Tart tore off their limbs and throat. Each time an arrow fired at either the wagon or Tart, Phil responded back and shot.
"Are we going to be alright?" Don nervously spoke. He had a small dagger in his hands.