28

You’re led to your room by a girl with very big breasts wearing only a cloth around her loins. From constantly stealing glances at her bosoms along the way through the bowels of the Big Bight, you are unprepared for the exact state of your lodgings. You’re to sleep in what is little more than a wooden box in the corner of the hay loft, with light coming in from a tiny barred window in the corner.

“You’ll be warm,” the girl says, turning to face you, “well fed, and I’ll wake you in the mornings. What more do you want?”

You tear your eyes from her chest and smile meekly at her. She has a point.

“What’s your name?” you ask.

“Elyah.” she answers. “My sister says it’s a joke name.”

“Why?”

“When you meet her tomorrow, ask her.” she giggles, causing a mesmerising show of ripples on her generous breasts, and only after you’ve had an eyeful, she turns to leave.

From the other side of the loft she calls back some parting instructions: “Whatever you do, be in the front room by vespers. And don’t bring anyone to your bed until you’ve killed a beast for my uncle. He’ll know if you’re hasty.”

You try the bed, and are surprised to find it very comfortable. The goblin mentioned you having predecessors. If they all slept here the bed would have to stay welcoming several times over.

You peer out of the window, and see an empty yard enclosed between four buildings. If you stand on your toes your eyes are at ground level.

Lying down on the bed, you wonder what on earth you’ve dropped yourself into, and shut your eyes. A little oblivion won’t hurt.