"Alas, Zelda, we are ready to leave."
The knives floated up, and the net drew taut, lifting off the ground a few feet. Ethan walked ahead. Grace picked up her backpack with ease and started following. Ethan could not help but be impressed that she was one of the strongest humans he had ever seen. Grace was silent as she stared at the net floating behind them. She had collected the two gems and placed them in a pocket on the side of her backpack.
"Ethan, the city is in the opposite direction."
Ethan took her hand as he walked.
"Alas, we will be home sooner than you think."
The village wall was to their right. Ethan walked, navigating the terrain as the net floated behind them. The smell of blood would draw predators to them, and he did not want to waste time-fighting them off. Ethan had long strides, and Grace had to walk to keep up.
Half an hour later, the portal appeared as a welcome site. The portal walls were overgrown with vegetation. Ethan ripped it off and threw it to the side. They walked into the portal and appeared just outside Ghost Flower Village. Walking to the wall in silence. Ethan could see that Grace had something on her mind. He would not push her. He wanted her to be spontaneous and feel like she could talk to him freely.
As the wall approached, Ethan took her around the waist, hugging her close, her face pressed into his chest. They flew over the wall, the net following.
"Alas, Grace, let us not walk in the streets with all this meat."
Grace wanted to say something but fell silent. Ethan flew up in the air, the net following. Ethan felt awkward. Grace and her warm and soft peaches against him. It distracted him to no end. He had had a good look at her face. She was beautiful. How could he only have noticed it now, he thought. They landed behind the inn, and he knocked on the door with his foot. He stared into Grace's blue eyes. The chill wind tugged her short blond hair.
"Alas, let us hunt together again soon. You are highly skilled and a good friend."
Grace nodded. She had tears, and Ethan remembered she might be afraid of heights.
"I will find us more monsters to hunt. This has been fun. I have not had this much fun in a long time."
Ethan held her gently, and he could feel her soft body in his hands. She gazed into his eyes.
"Alas, if you need help with anything, no matter how small or big, do not hesitate to ask."
Grace swallowed loudly, her face turning darker red by the second. The door opened, and Ethan placed her on her feet. It was Penny. She looked at them and winked at Grace.
"Meow, your two little doves have woken asking for you. They are hungry and in a sorry state. Thank you for looking after this little dove and bringing her home unharmed."
Ethan saw that Penny ignored Grace's stare as her cheeks turned red again. Penny looked behind them, and her eyes widened. Her jaw dropped open, and her tail puffed out from shock. Ethan thought her tail looked like a duster.
"Meow, we will manage the meat. Just place it in the kitchen. Go and sit. Dinner will be ready soon. Grace, place your backpack near the door. Shaw will take it to the guild. Have hot chocolate. Melisa will be with you shortly."
Penny pulled the two arrows out of the meat and waved her hands in a pattern. She mumbled words in a language that Ethan had never heard before. Penny's hands had a faint yellow light emanating from them, and the two arrows floated like dirty dishes and ended up in the wash basin, where they were washed.
Ethan stared. No one was at the basin, and the sponges moved independently.
"Meow, go enjoy. I am sure you have seen washing magic before."
Ethan and Grace walked out of the kitchen. As Ethan bent down through the entrance to the main eating area, he saw Wendy and Lucy. They were two pitiful girls. Wendy took her mug, winched, and held her wrist. Lucy looked around with her right eye, her ears moving as she listened to the people eating around them. Both moved to get comfortable and flinched. Wendy made a slight hiss sound.
There was a creaking sound, and Ethan looked down. He was holding the beam that supported this part of the building. The wood complained under his grip, and he inhaled and exhaled slowly. Grace gave him a worried look before she spoke. She took his arm and pressed her breasts into his side. Ethan became aware of her peaches against him and calmed.
"What happened to Wendy and Lucy? They look like they were through a war zone."
Ethan explained their first day of training. Grace sighed and explained her situation. She had been chosen as guild master; her rank was bronze. No one wanted the job, and the king had elected her.
Ethan listened intently, watching the two girls; they hadn't seen them yet. He was aware of her body against his as she moved. She was going to be the death of him as well, he thought. Ethan understood her difficulties; she was not high in the chain of command. Her position gave her certain powers, but her power limited her. He took her hand and walked to the two, chatting away like old friends. The locals in the inn left them alone as Shaw kept an eye on them. Ethan stood beside Wendy as she was excitedly talking about underwear at the tailor shop. Ethan brushed his fingers through her hair.
"Alas, we have returned, my friends."
Wendy looked up at him, and her face lit up. Ethan moved between them as he let Grace's hand go, motioning for her to sit. Ethan touched Lucy's cheek gently; her eye on the left was swollen shut.
"Alas, I will help you tonight; your wounds will be gone tomorrow. It must be painful; they must have pain medication in this realm."
Wendy took Grace's hand, pointing to Melisa to bring mead to the table.
"Hail, Shaw did give us pain and inflammation medicine. It helps, but our injuries were quite severe. He wanted to take us to a hospital at a stage."
Ethan placed his arms around their shoulders as he stared at Grace. The mead came, and they each drank half of their mugs in one go. Grace and Wendy smacked their lips as they sighed, sitting back.
Grace sat forward, her big breasts resting on the table. Three pairs of eyes focused on them. Three steel plate adventurers licked their lips. They looked up. Grace blushed. She babbled, drawing their attention away from her charms.
"Ethan has invited me to become his hunting partner. We will be hunting frequently in the future. I hope that it gets your approval. I am not trying to steal him from you guys."
Wendy and Lucy took her hands, patting them gently.
"Squee, we are delighted that you have joined Ethan. You are our friend, and should Ethan plough you or suck on your magnificent peaches, we will be glad for you."
Grace's jaw dropped. She blushed and looked at Ethan, her face a deep red shade. She finally got the words out.
"Suck my peaches?"
The three looked at her ample breasts. Ethan realised he had a big stupid grin as he saw his reflection in the window. Shaw took wood from his youngest; they would light the fireplace. Ethan focused on Shaw as he took a wand from his jacket and pointed it. A stream of flame burst forth into the dry wood. His youngest clapped her hands, dancing on the spot. She was as happy as any child would be.
Grace did not move as she spoke.
"Shaw is a magus. He is quite strong. He rescued Penny twenty-five years ago from thugs. He is the first brave man in the village to marry a demi-human and have children."
Penny and Melisa, their arms laden with large plates, piqued Ethan's curiosity as the rich scent of meat and garlic wafted towards him. The monster meat, skewered and dripping with butter and garlic, exuded a comforting warmth. The honey bread, fresh from the oven, and the generous block of butter added to the inviting spread.