Kinda late...hehe. In my defense, I was studying for tests. I practically wrote this thing while half-asleep in late nights. So...yeah. Also, Eclissy...thank God. Someone actually enjoys this thing. I hope this thing lives up to your expectations. Also, I checked it over and yeah...I rephrased it. I think I actually got it right this time.

Well, I still don't own DF so just read what I do own. Which is this story.

Chapter Two: Gorillaphants and Panic Attacks

Finding the everblooms wasn't what made me regret my decision to do the mission. In fact, everblooms were such a common reagent, I swear on my life that I can find an everbloom blindfolded and with one hand tied behind my back. Seriously. The smells on those things were a dead giveaway. I found a whole bunch of them after like...three minutes in the forest. I had already added in the amount I needed to the Fedalaim when I heard a noise.

A growl.

A LOUD growl.

I stop, hesitating for a few seconds and trying to figure out what could possibly make a sound THAT loud. The only thing I could think of was...

A dragon.

My heart practically skipped a beat. It couldn't possibly be a dragon... Only a full-grown dragon could make that kind of sound. And, according to my copy of 'Dragons and Their Habits' (copyrights to Lei Dragonlord) fully grown dragons weren't the type to stray off into THESE territories... usually, they aimed for small villages or maybe even small towns. Not fully-fortified Keeps...It couldn't possibly be a dragon...

Or could it?

Honestly speaking, my knowledge of Oaklore's monster population began and ended with gorillaphants. Sneevils were a given ANYWHERE. For all I knew, dragons roamed frequently around these parts. My mouth went dry and my pulse seemed to quicken.

Breathe in...breathe out...

If it was a dragon, I tell myself, it would've attacked by now. If there was one fact about dragons that I was willing to bet my life on, it was the fact that dragons were impatient as hell. They hated waiting with the fiery passion of Fiamme's ragefests. If there were no dragons around, this place would remain as...I dunno...relatively peaceful as it was when I first came in (I say relatively because I had to kill a few sneevils before I could reach my everblooms). If there were...

Well...I'm pretty sure that I could spare a few years to haunt my mother after I die. And since this monster could possibly be a dragon, I could choose from a lot of ways to die. I could die from a dragon's claw attacks, or severe burns, or a dragon eating me or a heart attack. Maybe even all of them at once.

I strained my ears, trying to catch any further sound of what could possibly be a giant, fire-breathing dragon.

Nothing. Just the sound of the breeze.

I breathe a sigh of relief.

No dragons. Thank every single one of the Elemental Lords for this...

Then a quake ran through the forest, catching me off guard and knocking me out of balance. The very earth rumbled, shaking under my feet as I try to stand, holding onto a tree for support. What on earth...?

As quickly as it came, the earthquake stopped.

What the hell just...?

Okay. I get it. Mother Nature, or maybe the Elemental Avatars or maybe even Fate, hates my guts.

As if to confirm my suspicions, an enormous gust of wind knocked me flat on my back, the fierce gale sounding like the beating of wings...or maybe just my overactive imagination.

"Damn you Fate."

I say the words before I even realize that I did. I manage to pull myself into a sitting position, one hand cradling my potion satchel and the other hand just cradling my now throbbing head.

My head hurts...

Almost automatically, I rummage through my potion satchel for Health Potion, finding a vial of the deep red liquid almost immediately. I yank off the cork and drink the whole thing down in one go. The familiar solution soothes my head and leaves behind a rather distinct aftertaste. Maybe drinking one whole bottle is a little overkill but hey, I can always make some more. Besides, drinking more than the needed Health Potion isn't dangerous. In fact, some of the Potionmakers actively drink Health Potions out of battle, just because the taste has...kick. It's not as if that stuff's addictive...it just tastes good...

As I place the vial back in my satchel, I hear the distinctive sound of broken glass.

I immediately panic.

Oh crap oh crap. Oh...wait...not crap.

About half of my potions have smashed apart but none of the really important ones. The antidotes are all fully accounted for, as are my bottles of Anti-Burn, Fire-Dousing Draught and Light Emitting Solution. Though I really wish I could say the same for my mana potions...At least four of my Mana Potions got smashed and it looks like three of Health Potions got broken...

Wait.

The Fedalaim Potion. Where is it?!

Suppressing a rising scream, I scrabble around the bushes, looking for the chest. Oh damn it all...and I just finished transferring the everblooms, making the potion volatile and explosive...If that thing sets off...

Oaklore goes BOOM!

Oh. Wait. There it is.

The potion is safe, I knew that from instinct. The pale orange liquid bubbled and fizzed in its container but that was still pretty safe to what could have been. Before I went out to pick the everblooms, I paid Maya a quick visit, both for old times' sake and to check out the qualities of Fedalaim Potion. According to the library's copy of 'The Advanced Guide to Alchemy (limited edition, paperback), Fedalaim potion was simple to make but very dangerous to handle. For example, if you opened a bottle of the stuff too fast, the stuff tended to blow up since (it reacts really quickly)...or at least when it was fully completed (a.k.a: with the everblooms). And if you shook it around too much, you better not expect to go to your funeral with all of your body parts in tow.

There were also a few signs to note if the stuff was going to explode. If it was bubbling and orange, it was still fairly safe. If it was starting to turn yellow-ish in color...well, try not to touch it. If it was turning green...

Well, you might as well have a sign saying 'DEAD MEAT' strapped to your chest.

Orange. It was still okay though it DOES look like it's on the verge of turning yellow. It should be fine, as long as I don't touch it. Besides, I've already finished adding the necessary amount of everblooms so I won't need to mess with it. And I even finished sealing it too so no need to worry, right?

Right?

...yeah. Fate hates me.

Just as I bend over to close the chest with the Fedalaim, a shriek ran through the forest. I pause, one hand hovering over the lid of the chest. Then my instincts kick in. The potion was still on the verge of turning yellow so it's not safe to handle yet. I draw my dagger, though the small blade probably wouldn't be of too much help if it was a full blown monster attack, and held it into position. Then I strain my ears and listen.

A loud 'thump!' echoes off from the bushes to my left. Following the sound, and hoping that it was just a false alarm, I crash through the bushes, dagger held at the ready.

Instead of seeing something more...expected like a screaming woman or maybe a monster, I see a small red creature, one I instantly recognize.

Large ears? Check. Stubby limbs? Check. Tail? Check.

It's a moglin, a cute little creature with amazing healing powers. This one was small and red, and was holding a staff that looked like a twig. It seemed to have a bruised head and was looking at me like I was its only hope for survival.

Maybe it fell out of a tree or something.

Still, the relief I felt was palpable. So it WASN'T a monster that could tear me apart in minutes. Thank Lords.

And again, Fate hates me.

A roar sounds through the forest once again. I look up from the moglin, expecting to see something minor like a sneevil or maybe, if I was unlucky, a seedspitter.

What I did not expect to see, at least after seeing the moglin, was a woman in full length robes, cowering as a gorillaphant bared its tusks at her, preparing to charge.

I KNEW that this was a bad idea.

As soon as that thought passed through my head, I fully comprehended just how dangerous this situation had become. Panic flooded through my veins and my breathing hastened. I think I might have frozen in place for a few seconds. All I could feel at that moment was pure, pure panic. The overwhelming terror that filled me just as that gorillaphant raised its head in a mighty roar was enough to turn me into a quivering little girl, scared out of her wits by a giant monster.

Presently, the moglin recovered a little. He looks curiously at me then asks: "Miss? Are you alwight?"

I did the first thing I thought of doing ever since I saw the gorillaphant.

Scream.

I am such an idiot.

In the very short time I had been with that gorillaphant, I made three very big mistakes.

Big mistake number one: Scream. It only attracted the gorillaphant's attention though on the plus side, it helped the lady get away from its line of sight (gorillaphants are pretty nearsighted).

Big mistake number two: Instead of at least TRYING to ward it off with my knife or maybe throw the damn thing at it as a half-assed attempt at survival, I did one very stupid combat move. Which was to kick the moglin at it.

Not only am I an idiot, I am also a huge jerk. In my defense, I was panicking my ass off back there.

What was big mistake number three? Ah well, we'll get to that. Eventually.

The gorillaphant roars a second time, the sound punching holes in my eardrums. Then it charges.

This time, I was a bit, just a tiny little bit, more ready for it.

Readying my dagger, I run over to the bushes, just barely avoiding its maddened rush and at the same time, avoiding death from falling off a cliff. Adrenaline kicked in, making my senses sharper. The gorillaphant charges again and this time, I manage to roll on one side, avoiding its fist. Following instinct more than anything, I swipe at it with my dagger, the knife leaving a scratch in its flesh. Blood trickled from the wound but I immediately knew that it wasn't enough. I only made the gorillaphant angrier. I could see it in its eyes.

And I could also see it its fists.

This time, when it raised both fists to pound me into the ground, I wasn't able to react quickly enough.

The only thing I managed to do was to raise my dagger at its right fist as it brought them down for another earth-shattering blow.

Pain.

It roared in pain as my dagger stuck firmly in its fist, blood spurting from the wound. The knife stuck there pretty good, getting in hilt deep. Me? I practically collapsed, the force of its blows practically breaking my wrists and probably leaving cracks in my skull. The pain from my wrists alone was enough to make me wanna keel over. Adrenaline kept me awake. I stumble backwards, trying desperately to get myself away from the monster. My head throbbing and my wrists near broken; I was totally defenceless against it. Oh my gosh...I'm gonna die.

Both pain and the idea of dying this young made my eyes water. I'm only eighteen. I could've been a Royal Alchemist. I could've been the greatest of them all. I wish that mam didn't put me up to this. I wish that pap didn't let her put me up to this. I wish that...I wish that...

I wish that my mama was here.

She could've handled this. She could kill this thing where it stands, even if she retired years ago. If she went here by herself, she could've killed this thing no problem. I wish that papa didn't let me go by myself...

And I wish that he was here.

In each and every single one of my trips to gather reagent, barring this one, he was always there to help me out. Always. I depended on him. He was a hero in both senses of the word. He could kill this thing. He really could. Or at least he and his fireballs could.

The tears spill over my cheeks now and I hastily wipe them off. Any second now, the gorillaphant was going to rise and finish me off. A dagger in its fist wasn't enough to keep it down. Uselessly, I rummage through my potion satchel in search of something, anything to use as a weapon.

I found nothing but shards of broken bottles and potions meant for healing.

I think that was when I fully cracked.

The gorillaphant was starting to get up again, its initial panic from my dagger fading. It was probably seeing red by then, I could see it in its eyes. It was freaking furious with me and the pain I inflicted on it.

A little piece of me died from a heart attack.

I blubber, tears now falling freely down my cheeks. "Please...please...no..."

It ignored me, roaring again as it began its new charge, wincing each time its right fist slammed against the ground, driving my dagger just a little deeper each time. My dagger slowed it down but it wouldn't be enough.

"...Please...go away..." I plead, my throat becoming dangerously tight. I was gonna die. I don't wanna die. "I don't wanna die yet...please...please just go away..."

By now, it was only a few feet away from me. It ignored my cries and lowered its head. Its tusks seemed as sharp as ice picks.

"Please...just...GO AWAY!" I scream the last part out, throwing my arms up in a futile attempt to ward off its future attack.

What I didn't realize was that the glass shards from my potion bottles stuck to my gloves.

When I threw my arms out, the shards flew from my gloved hands and struck the gorillaphant. Normally, it wouldn't have been enough to stop a full grown gorillaphant attack.

But, for once in my annoying life, Fate decided to give me a hand.

The shards struck it in the eyes.

Now it was REALLY seeing red.

It stumbles backwards, bringing its fists to its eyes to try and take out the glassy shards. But its fingers were far too large for the task and he only drove the shards in deeper. It cries out, this time in pain, as it stumbles back.

And this was where big mistake number three came into being.

Due to the...exciting events, I had forgotten a few important facts. Like the fact that I accidentally led the beast into the clearing where I found the everblooms, a seemingly unimportant fact but it was always good to know your surroundings. Another, more important, thing was that I forgot to close the chest with Fedalaim potion.

...yeah, I think that what happens next is fairly obvious.

As it stumbles backwards, its large rump lands right on top of the open chest and it bellows in agony.

Then it happens.

Be careful in handling it though. It's ridiculously volatile.

The potion bottle cracks under the huge weight of the gorillaphant and the potion splashes all over its hairy rear. As mother said earlier, the potion was mildly corrosive and burnt the monster's flesh, making it scream. Then, he does the VERY suicidal. He stumbled forwards, fully exposing the potion to the open air before it fell over again.

The potion was exposed for a very short time but it was already reacting, the liquid beginning to glow green in the afternoon light.

I, dazed and hurt as I am, already know what could happen. I try to stand but my head throbs as soon as I do. But still, I stand and try to inch away from the gorillaphant, praying that the book was only exaggerating about the explosive properties of Fedalaim.

At that very moment, Fate gave me the finger.

I only manage to go three inches when the potion went BANG!

The explosion tore the monster apart in an explosion of flame, sending out shockwaves on explosive energy outwards. The forest is singed in the process but the gorillaphant's body took the brunt of the explosion.

However, this didn't stop Fate from giving me the finger again.

The blast is strong enough knock off of my feet and with me, already unbalanced due to my possibly cracked skull, it does a little better. I went flying.

Literally.

For a few seconds, I am rendered completely airborne, the blast ringing in my ears and practically making me go deaf. Then, as all flightless humans are apt to do, I fall.

Right over the edge of the cliff.

In retrospect, it was my potion satchel that saved my life.

As I fell off the cliff, my potion satchel, my WONDERFUL potion satchel, strap caught on a jutting tree root (or was it a branch?). It held, the dragonscale bag holding my weight better than my arms could. The tree root (and/or branch) was strong enough to hold me. The bag cut into my armpit but during that moment, I didn't care at all. I was alive.

And I wanted to stay that way.

I raised my arms and tried to grip the tree branch. My wrists ached in protest. They probably DID break earlier. Trying to ignore the pain, I attempt to pull myself up. My wrists practically screamed in protest. Great. I manage to survive a gorillaphant attack and I still die because of the darn thing.

No I won't. I will live. I refuse to die just yet.

I try to call out, maybe call for one of the knights, but my throat was still tight. All I manage is a squeak.

Then a hand closes over my own, soft and warm but strong all the same. I look up.

It was the woman from earlier. Stretching out over the cliff side, the robed woman held my hand tight, one hand holding her steady. The moglin from earlier was there too, at her side and holding his staff towards me. Light glowed from the top of his staff, filling me with its warmth. Healing magic. My headache dulled to a weak throb and my wrists stopped aching. Then, the woman began to pull me up with surprising strength. She spoke, her voice as clear as crystalline bells.

"Come on, Greta. You can do this."

How did she...?

No time for that now. I need to get up. I try to pull myself up but my wrists begin to burn again. The moglin probably used a slower version of the usual moglin healing spell. I might've gotten angry with him/her for that but I immediately realize that if my wrists really WERE broken, there was a chance that they would heal together all wrong. But that fact didn't help me now, with my wrists aching too much for me to focus on getting a good grip. But still, I hold on, still trying to pull myself up even though my wrists still ached and ached with each try, even though I felt like something was going to give and that something was going to be me.

The air seems to change and the woman seemed to smile from behind the shadow of her hood.

Then, I hear it again. The sound from earlier. Gusts of wind like the beating of wings sound through the clearing again, wind blowing hair into my eyes. My dangling feet suddenly felt something solid, something that felt like...stone. The sound of blowing gusts grow louder and louder and the solid thing beneath my feet lifts me up higher until I am level with the cliff face. The woman smiles at me from her hood, still holding one of my hands. Raising her other hand, she gestures at me to come closer. Shakily, I walk forward. The strange solid thing beneath my feet is uneven and, in some places, kinda fleshy. Still, it saved my life and I'm grateful for that.

As soon as I reach the cliff, the woman pulls me towards her. Then the sound of the strange winds beat on again and this time, I can see what made the sound.

A dragon.

A fully grown dragon with dark red scales and scary, slitted yellow eyes. A crest of horns curved around its skull, it seemed to look contemptuously at me. 'What are YOU looking at, puny human?' it seemed to say.

My heart practically stopped again. Then I realize something. Its horns...they were what I stepped on earlier when I was hanging off the edge of the cliff. The dragon...saved me.

THE DRAGON SAVED ME?!

Wonder of wonders. This has got to be the weirdest day I have ever experienced.

The woman must've recognized the look on my face. She smiles again, this time gesturing at the dragon. "You must forgive my old friend's bad manners. And mine. Good day Greta. I am the Priestess, Celestia and this is Twilly, the moglin who healed you."

Vigorously, I shake my head. "G-good day milady! I-I am sorry if I didn't recognize you earlier...I was rather..." my breath catches in my throat as I remember the spine-tingling terror I felt when I first saw the gorillaphant. "...afraid." I manage weakly.

She only shakes her head. "It's alright. I wouldn't have expected you to recognize me. After all, the last time we met was when you were only seven years old. And you would've been insane not to be, in your situation. No...There is nothing to forgive."

I remember that meeting. I was only seven years old and my mother brought me to Sunbreeze Grove so I could learn the recipe for dragon chow. We were only there for about thirty minutes but I still remember how the Lady acted so warmly to me. Even gave me tea, though I didn't care for tea, and cookies. I look a bit closer. Lady Celestia hasn't aged a day.

"But still...I acted like...I was a total coward there..." Why did I say that? I wanted to say thank you. Why on Lore did I...?

She shakes her head again. "It wasn't you." she says firmly. "You've never been prepared for this kind of situation. You still tried to fight and that's what truly matters. "

I choke, just slightly. This was THE Lady Celestia, the woman who, if I remember correctly, trained the near legendary Artix Von Krieger. She's like...one of the greatest trainer of heroes alive. She's trained some of the greatest Dragonlords ever. She even trained one of the greatest heroes Lore has to offer (namely, Artix Von Krieger) ...and she's giving me a pep talk? This really is a weird day.

But in a strange, roundabout way, it was wonderful too.

"Either way...I thank you for your service to me." I lift one eyebrow at that and she elaborates. "By slaying that gorillaphant, you have done me a great service, both saving my life and Twilly's. I thank you for that."

"Er..." I'm not sure how to respond to that. "It was my pleasure, Lady Celestia."

She smiles at me again. Then she hesistates. "May I ask you one question?" I nod, unsure of what she wants to know. "Are you planning on registering?"

I shake my head. Registration was a huge step in a person's life in becoming a hero. It got you a Level Tattoo thingy and added you to the great census of heroes. It also provided access to more powerful weaponry...well, as long as you had the experience for it. Registering also provides training which is probably why she's asking.

"Ah...no, my lady. I'm not planning on becoming a hero."

She tilts her head slightly, as if contemplating my next move. "You should think about it, Greta. I see great things in your destiny. And getting the proper training for it would help you along the way."

"Yeah!" For the first time since this conversation began, Twilly pipes up, looking quite excited. The bruise on his head looks much lighter now so I guess he healed himself up or something. "And then you're gonna get the Black-oof!"

...was it just me or did Lady C just kick him in the tail?

She only smiles, a smaller smile but still a warm one. "Well...we must be going now. Good luck, Greta." Then she picks up something resting by the bushes. A black trimmed gold something. It's a chest, about the same size as the one the Fedalaim was in, black trimmed with gold. An outline of a dragon head marked the lock. Then I notice something else. The Lady's robe was singed in places and the same was the case with Twilly's fur.

"Er...I'm sorry for burning your robe, Lady. And for...burning you, Twilly." She only laughs, the sound like wind-chimes swaying in the breeze.

"No need to worry." she grins. "I was planning on selling this to charity anyways. I'm sure the people wouldn't mind little burns like these. And Twilly's a quick healer. He can take it."

Twilly bobs his head in agreement.

Selling the robe to charity? I'm not sure if she's kidding me with that. "Well...so long then, Lady Celestia."

She begins walking off, going towards a path that I've never traveled on before. Then she stops for a second and turns back. But this time, she's not looking at me, she's looking straight up.

I turn, following her gaze.

...I can't believe it. I actually forgot about the dragon.

A different sound fills the clearing, like boulders tumbling down a cliff. The sound practically seems to make my heart start doing jumping jacks. I wasn't sure if I was hearing it or if I was just feeling it. Draconic. That's what the sound is. The language of dragons. I've been told that that's what it feels like. But it wasn't the dragon, I realize as soon as I realize that the dragon hasn't opened his mouth since the start. I turn again. It was the Lady.

The dragon opens his mouth to respond, the deeper growls marking him as a male. Then he nods.

The Lady smiles again. "Thank you, old friend." she finishes in human-tongue.

As the Lady began to turn back, I ask a question I didn't want to ask. "Lady Celestia? If you and that dragon were friends then why didn't you just ride him to wherever you're going?"

She stops, seeming to contemplate her answer. "Well, dragons are destructive creatures and the last time I attempted to do so, Igneous here." she mock-glares at the dragon. "Raided a chicken farm. Besides, if I did, I wouldn't be sure that he wouldn't destroy the forest in his landing. And I wanted to see the sights."

Igneous seems to almost pout. In a dragon-y way.

She shakes her head, looking amused.

"I suppose that makes sense." I nod along and she gives the slightly burnt clearing a passing glance. "Oaklore forest really IS a beautiful place."

"Exactly!" she smiles. Then she stops for a moment. "Would you mind if I asked a favor of you, Greta?"

"What is it, my lady?"

She continues. "I'm out of time, you see and I would like it if you let the Captain Rolith know that I am passing through the shortcut. Would you mind? He is just up ahead in the Keep"

"Not at all, Lady Celestia."

"Thank you." She gives me one last smile then walks away, Twilly trailing after her.

I turn to face the dragon, following an instinct that just might get me killed. The dragon is still there, standing over my head. His stare is almost saying 'Oh looky, a human-pie. Time for lunch then! Who cares about my diet? I want human meat!'

Nevertheless, I tried to swallow my fear, looking at the dragon in its enormous, yellow eyes.

"I just wanted to say...thank you for catching me." I stutter. Silence filled the cliff face for a few seconds. Then, he tilts his head in an unmistakable bow and gives me a sharp stare. If I didn't know any better, I would've thought that he said 'Fine, but don't expect me to do it again.' He flies off, the sound of his wingbeats filling my ears and sending gusts of wind to blow all over the clearing. I lift a hand, barely noticing my actions, and wave goodbye. Sad thing is, today was so crazy that I didn't even realize the strangeness of this situation.

Got attacked by a gorillaphant? Check. Nearly die? Check that one several times. Get my life saved by a DRAGON of all things? Check-eroo. Get pep talked by one of the most famous people ever? Check. Blow up a very important potion? Check.

...ma is gonna murder me...

I know what I must do.

-Two Hours Later-

"Get me another cake will ya~?" I say, in a rather sing-song kind of way, slurring the words just slightly. "And get me another round of root beer while you're at it."

Sir Loin gives me a strange look as he pulls out another gigantic chocolate cake from the oven. "Coming right up." Expertly, he plops down the cake on my table, simultaneously taking my empty plate and all of my empty mugs with his other hand. "Thanks." I giggle.

He gives me another strange look. "Greta...what happened earlier?"

I suppose he had ample reason to be suspicious. I staggered in the mess hall earlier with a huge bandage around my head and bandages around my wrists, courtesy of Sir Junn, holding out a missive from the royal alchemical society and demanding that someone get me a chocolate cake. Super duper size, of course.

I guess that the concussion Sir Junn diagnosed me with affected me more than I thought it would. While Sir Junn treated my injuries, I asked Maya to pass on the message from Lady Celestia, earning me a few surprised looks from the other patients in the infirmary. I suppose that I didn't really look like a person who saved the Lady, though I knew (disbelieving as I am about the experience) that it really did happen. I even had the scars to prove it though according to Sir Junn, my injuries weren't as severe as I thought they were. I didn't have a cracked skull, only one heck of a concussion, and my wrists were only bruised, not broken. He gave me some potions to reduce the pain and wrapped them up for me before he told me that I could go. Only then did I realize just how hungry I was. I rushed off to the mess hall and the rest was just a blur. A delicious blur filled with chocolate cake and root beer (I LIKE root beer, is there a problem with that?).

"No-othing." I almost sing. Why am I acting like a drunk? Root beer isn't alcoholic. But it's almost like I can't control myself. Maybe it's all that sugar in my system. "Just a gorillaphant attack."

He raises an eyebrow at this, an impressive feat considering that he has a bull's head (don't ask about it. He's sensitive) "I know about the gorillaphant attack. What I DON'T know is what happened to make you a sugar seeking maniac."

I burp. He groans and I giggle again. "Pickles." I chirp.

He shakes his head then sits down to face me. "Elsa Margrete Eiram." he intones slowly, enunciating each syllable of my full name as clearly as he could. It makes me look up. He knows my weakness... "What did you do to offend your mother this time?"

I blink. "How did you-" I hiccup and he wordlessly hands me a glass of water which I down in seconds. "How did you know that?"

He laughs. "Greta, we practically grew up together. I know your guilty look. Heck, you used to do stuff like this all the time, whenever you upset your parents in some way. Only...with more breaking into your piggy bank and running off to the nearest candy shop and less missives for free meals."

I pout. Almost. Then I sigh. "You know me all too well." I admit. "Mama sent me out to finish a potion for her and I kinda..."

"Kinda what?"

"I kinda blew the thing up."

He laughs. "Everyone makes mistakes, Greta. You shouldn't go on eating everything in my mess hall just because you made a few mistakes."

I raise an eyebrow at this. "I don't think that blowing up a highly volatile potion and risking the safety of Oaklore Keep can count as just 'a few mistakes'."

He throws his head back with a grin. "Highly volatile? That is still just a mistake. And you didn't risk the safety of Oaklore, we've been through worse than a few explosive potions. I mean...were you here when Sir Kuss decided to dye everyone's hair pink?"

I smother a giggle. "No. But I can totally see him doing it." It's true. When I was a kid, he once dyed my hair green. It took me weeks to get all of that dye outta my hair...

"Well, he screwed up the solution and nearly got everyone to shampoo acid. Everyone, even I, got angry at him, yelled at him for few minutes then raged at him for a solid three hours. But we forgave him. I think that'll happen with your mama too." he nods towards the door. "You should go now. You've already made them wait. They'll forgive you."

I sigh. "...I hope so." I nod slowly. Then I gesture at my untouched chocolate cake. "Does that mean that I can't have this cake then?"

He stares at me. "Why on Lore would you decline one of my famous cakes?"

I shrug. "If I go now, I wouldn't have enough time to finish this whole thing."

"Which is why I'll wrap it up for you to go." he nods firmly. I stare a little. He NEVER wraps up anything to go, not even for Captain Rolith. Not even for my ma.

"Is this covered by the missive or something?" I ask, looking more than a little surprised.

He shakes his head. "The cakes are covered by the missive. This-" he gestures to the box, smiling warmly (a feat with his bull head). "-Is a favor for a friend."

I have to smile.

AN:

...well she certainly used that missive well. She ate and drank for a solid three hours XD.

Well...what did'ya think? Did I do okay? Did I make something so horrible, someone puked while reading this? Did I characterize the characters properly (...Lady C is challenging me...)? Does Greta seem like a realistic character? Was my weird inclusion of leveling up, registering heroes and some of the elements in the actual gaming okay? Tell me. Constructively.

BTW, Greta's not exactly a coward. She's just not prepared for a battle. It's kinda like...a scientist who happily makes explosives alone and unsupervised suddenly getting thrown into a cage match with a tiger. She'd happily make explosives even without any help but she's not ready for battles. Did I manage to portray that yet? Does her fear seem...real? If not, give me advice on how I can improve that. Was the sort-of action okay? Tell me.

Also, I wasn't actually planning on writing out that last part (the part with Sir Loin in the mess hall) but it kinda just...spat itself out. Was it okay? Also, small note. Greta and her mother used to live pretty close to Oaklore so Greta and the knights are old friends (another note, they were already in their teens by the time she was seven, which was when her family moved to Swordhaven). I was actually planning to make this a little longer but school got in the way sooo...yeah. Blame school. And by extension, Ebilcorp.

Also, does anyone have a suggestion for a title?