(Chapter I.IV) Find Out What Happened

“So… how did you end up stuck under a tree in the middle of the woods?” you ask the whore, who looks a little dazed from the rough fucking you just gave her.

“Um… I believe I was captured,” she says.

“Captured? By whom?” you ask, concerned.

“A Maiden Thief,” the whore says. “The kind of person you don’t want to run into late at night, when you’re alone and looking for customers.”

“Was he a nobleman? A merchant?” you wonder, asking about the common possibilities.

“No, a rogue skulking about in the night. Dark clothes, beyond the law, you know the type,” she says.

“But how would you know that he’s a Maiden Thief?” you ask. “And what even is a Maiden Thief?”

“That’s what he called himself,” she says. “One of the Maiden Thieves, people who thieve maidens.”

“I see. But that still doesn’t explain how you ended up stuck beneath a tree branch, does it?”

“Well, the guy said he got tired of carrying me around, and was just going to take a nap, and so he trapped me beneath the tree.”

“That’s a mighty strong Maiden Thief,” you say, thinking back to how much effort it took you to lift that branch.

“Yes, I would guess that if the two of you fought, it would be a close fight.”

“Bullcrap. I’m sure I would win handily.”

With that, you thank the foolish whore for her time, and head out into the woods again.

Hours later, you are standing in the clearing once more. The Maiden Thief is standing there with his hands on his hips. There is yet another young maiden trapped under the tree branch, who gives you pleading eyes.

“I’ve been expecting you,” he says, flexing his muscles. “What are you going to do, fight me?”