Chapter 8: Reunion

“One second.” I murmured to Fay and followed after Jess, who was being led away by the male twin.

“Jess!” I called. She turned.

“What?” she asked coldly.

“What’s your problem? I thought we were becoming friends, and then you just freak out and act like you hate me.” I said in total confusion. Jess glanced at the male twin.

“Could you give us a minute?” she asked calmly. He nodded curtly and left.

“I care about you, Seb. I don’t want to see you getting hurt, and the road from here to Lightcairn is treacherous. I don’t want you to go without me, but you’re so fucking eager to help out Princess Big-Tits over there.” Jess crossed her arms. I touched Jess’s arm, and she gave me an impossibly gentle look.

“I care about you, too.” I whispered, completely confused as to how Jess had developed feelings for me of all people. Jess stepped forwards and hugged me tightly. I hugged the half-elf back.

“Stay.” Jess whispered, her lips directly by my ear.

“Or you could come with me.” I suggested.

“I’ve spent so long looking for this village. What if next time I’m denied?” Jess asked and I understood her hesitation.

“Fay needs my help. And I’m not helping her because she’s got a great rack, I’d help her if she was flat-chested, or if she was a dude. She needs help, and I wanna help.” I shrugged. Jess touched my cheek gently.

“Surely she can wait a few weeks.” Jess appealed.

“What if her father returns to the First Realm?” I pointed out. Jess sighed.

“I’ll come with you, Sebastian. I don’t want to lose you, and the village isn’t going anywhere.” Jess murmured. Taking initiative, I leaned in and kissed Jess impulsively. I pulled back when Jess didn’t respond, and found her gazing at me with quiet surprise. Then she leaned in and kissed me. I groaned as Jess’ full lips pressed firmly to mine, and I kissed back eagerly.

“S-Seb.” she gasped. I slid an arm around her neck and pulled her closer to me for a kiss. Her being taller than me made it a little awkward, but Jess responded enthusiastically, and the kiss blazed with passion.

“That was amazing.” I grinned at her when our lips broke apart.

“Yes, it was.” Jess agreed, blushing faintly. I heard footsteps, and turned to see Fay, arms folded under her huge tits.

“Sebastian? We going or what?” she asked, her sweet voice unusually bitter.

“Yes, we are.” Jess said. Fay huffed lightly.

After a quick apology to Haemir, Jess joined me and Fay outside the gate, and the three of us walked down the road.

“I’m so tired of walking.” Fay mumbled.

“Get used to it.” I chuckled.

“At least you’re more sensibly dressed this time around.” Jess noted. Fay shrugged.

“Still hurts my feet.” she sighed.

———

Hours later, I gave each of the girls a sandwich that I’d spawned with. Jess ate hers gratefully, while Fay squinted at it.

“It’s not a banquet, but it’s good.” I told her. She blushed lightly.

“I know you don’t have a banquet or anything.” she said hurriedly.

“Do you hear that?” Jess asked, reaching for her short-sword. I reached for my new elven sword, and heard what Jess had meant. The sounds of someone walking through the shrubbery. We weren’t too near a village, I didn’t think. Admittedly, my map was still empty. Fay hid partly behind me. To my surprise, a familiar face walked out of the trees.

“Whoa! Stop.” I told Jess, who’d raised her sword to attack.

“Samuel?” Alia asked. She was the knight who’d questioned me about Zahreem before I’d arrived at that small town I’d met Jess in. She no longer wore her armor or bore any equipment however. She looked a little bruised, and wore a simple cotton shirt and pants, highlighting her fit athletic frame, and her perky small breasts.

“It’s Sebastian. I thought Zahreem killed you.” I smiled. The silvery blond haired knight gave me a weary smile.

“He tried damn hard. I did die, actually, but I had a Talisman of Resurrection.” Alia told me.

“Where’d you find that?” Jess asked with interest.

“Who are you?” Alia asked.

“Oh. Alia, this is Jessiriani Liaklyn. Jess for short. And this is Princess Faylen Dajeon.” I introduced the knight to my elvish companions.

“Pleasure. And to answer your question, Lady Liakalyn, I found it in an ogre’s treasure hoard.” Alia inclined her head at both of my companions.

“Interesting. You’re a knight, right? Seb told me about you.” Jess explained.

“Yes, I am a knight. But I died, and all my armor and weapons were lost.” Alia sighed. It occurred to me that the Talisman of Resurrection was something that allowed NPCs to respawn. Wait. Would I respawn, or would it be game over for me?

“That’s horrible.” Fay said sympathetically. Alia nodded.

“Where are you headed?” the knight asked me.

“Lightcairn. Jess and I are escorting Fay to her father, who’s on business in the capital.” I explained. Alia gave a curt nod.

“Do you mind if I accompany you as far as Ironford?” Alia asked.

“Ironford?” I questioned.

“It’s one of the two towns we’re going to encounter on our journey to Lightcairn.” Jess told me.

“I don’t see why not.” I told Alia. She gave a relieved smile.

“Thank you, blade mage.” she bowed. Jess examined the sky.

“Perhaps we should camp here. It’s a nice clearing, and the sunlight is waning.” she told our little group. Everyone agreed, especially Fay, and we put out sleeping rolls. We only had three, so I volunteered to sleep on the ground, letting Alia use mine.

I laid down and tried to get comfortable, but it was a long time until I fell asleep.