Unexpected pleasantries (Clarissa POV)

It’s a couple of days into the journey, and Clarissa doesn’t know what to think. When she was sent to collect this prophesied mage, she expected a gangly kid with some enslaved girls, or a smug jerk waving his power around.

Instead, she found Josh.

He seems kind, pleasant and likable. He was in shape and handsome. He was surrounded by beautiful women, who he treated like family, and who all loved him. Even more surprising, they developed relationships among themselves, and all got along!

Clarissa had studied the prophecies. She had been trained for years as a daughter of the forge to become a weapon the Golden Magus could use to break the demon lord and restore the world. She even understood that she would be expected to be a part of his little harem. She had figured that it was something she would endure for the good of the world.

But now, seeing his ‘family’, she found herself wondering if it would be so bad. He had shown interest in her, but had been completely respectful. Not that he was lacking relief, based on noises from his tent at night.

And then there was the girls. They made her feel welcome immediately. They were all so different, too. The quiet selkie, Yura, would discuss prophecy with Clarissa in measured tones. Sadie, the djinn, pestered her for dwarven songs to sing. Clarissa spent a surprising hour talking to the former demon Kali. She knew her by reputation, of course, but the story of how Josh ‘redeemed’ her was incredible! And the love in her strange gold and blue eyes during the story...Clarissa’s respect for the young mage rose with every story she heard. Rescuing the goblin, Lynn. The redemption of Kali. The nearly fatal fight against the crystal warrior. The duel in the throne room.

Clarissa lay in her tent at night, hearing muffled sounds from his tent, and wondering if she should ask about joining.

In the morning, she would see everyone smiling, simply happy in each others presence. Clarissa was not lonely, or depressed, but she definitely had never seen a group of people so obviously pleased to be together.

The next day would find them at the throne of the queen they were to meet. After that it was merely a week to the mountain throne. Clarissa resolved to talk to Josh before they got there.