Tafel swallowed and approached the empress who was kneeling on the ground, her cheek pressed flat to the earth. She was lifting a bushs leaves with her gloved hand and squinting into the darkness underneath. Her armor was stained with brown streaks, and her hair was filled with leaves and grass. A few bugs crawled down her back, but she didnt notice underneath her armor. A hoarse voice ca out of Marys mouth, Mary Junior?
Tafel cleared her throat and took a step closer to the empress. Mary?
Mary stiffened and shot to her feet. She turned around and glared at Tafel, but her expression softened after realizing who it was. Marys gaze road down, and her eyes lit up. Mary Junior! In a flash, she was standing in front of Tafel, her hands grabbing onto the turtlesnake in the demons arms. I was looking all over for you.
The turtlesnake let out a pathetic wl and looked at Tafel with wide, wet eyes. Tafel looked away and let go of the poor creatures shell, leaving her in Marys hands. The demons gaze traveled down Marys body, and she frowned at the stains covering her armor. How long were you looking for her?
Since last night, Mary said, the noonti sun highlighting the brown smudges on her cheeks. Where did you find her?
Tafel scratched her reddening neck. She wandered into my room while I was sleeping, she said, unable to et Marys expectant gaze. And she was just there when I woke up.
Mary bead and tucked Mary Junior underneath her arm. Im glad you found her.
Yeah, too, Tafel said. Hey. Um, you just want a sword from Grimmy, right? Thats why youre raisingshe gestured towards the turtlesnakeher?
Mary nodded. Thats right. Why?
I happen to know a race of little people that are really good at making weapons, Tafel said. Like, really, really good weapons. I can introduce you to them if youd like. I might have to bully a few of them since theyre a little arrogant, but that shouldnt be a problem since Im Vurs wife and he happens to be their king.
Mary tilted her head. Vurs the king of little people?
Tafels expression darkened. You saw how easily he beca the great leader of those sheepn, right? Its the sa thing.
If I get a sword from the little people, wouldnt that be similar to owing Vur a favor? Mary asked and pouted. I dont want to owe Vur. I dont like him.
Just think of it as owing a favor, Tafel said. Whats Vurs is mine, and whats mine is Vurs.
Then isnt the favor that I owe you also owed to Vur?
Tafel furrowed her brow. I phrased that wrong. But dont feel like you owe Vur, she said. You can obtain the weapon in normal, weapon-obtainy ways like, um, slaying a beast thats bothering them or sothing. The point is, you arent getting a weapon for free.
Oh, Mary said. She nodded. That sounds good. When can we start?
Vurs gone off to stop a purple dragon from eating his sheep people, but when he gets back, we can go, Tafel said. Well have to fly since its a bit difficult to teleport over an ocean. Ill have to get my ntor to help set up a teleportation array between our continents for easier travel.
And Ill be able to run away with Mary Junior? Mary asked, looking down at the turtlesnake tucked near her armpit that was hiding in its shell. If I stay away from this continent, then that black dragon wont be able to find . Then, when Mary Junior is grown enough to fight back, I can co back.
Tafel stared at the turtle shell. I think itll be thousands of years before she grows old enough to escape from Grimmys clutches.
Mary bit her lower lip. But I have to try. This is the first ti Ive ever had to take care of sothing. I have to raise her well.
Tafel sighed. Instead of waiting for Mary Junior to grow up, why dont you just focus on becoming strong enough to defend her from Grimmy yourself? I think thats a slightly less unrealistic goal you can aim for.
Defeat the black dragon, Mary murmured. Her face hardened, and she nodded. If I get a good enough sword, I can do it. Can the little people really make sothing that strong?
Im sure they might be able to, Tafel said and pursed her lips. And dont call them little people to their faces. Theyre called dwarves, and they really dont like being reminded of their height. Tafel sighed and reached into a portal, taking out a flask of water. Vur calls them midgets, and they find that really offensive, but hes their king, so theres nothing they can do. She shrugged and placed the flask to her lips.
Mary furrowed her brow and tapped on Mary Juniors shell while staring up at the sky. She lowered her head and t Tafels gaze. When it cos ti to defeat the black dragon, will you help ?
Tafel choked, water bursting out the corners of her mouth. She coughed and spluttered, lowering her hand with the flask. Her hand thumped her chest a few tis, and she straightened her back, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. She raised one eyebrow. Pardon? Can you repeat that?
Im going to fight the black dragon for Mary Juniors sake, Mary said. Will you help when the ti cos?
Um, how long do you think itll be until youre ready? Tafel asked. You do realize youre talking about defeating a dragon, right? I an, its possible to kill a dragon, but this dragon isnt just any dragon. Hes like the evilest, slyest, trickiest dragon youll ever deal with.
Mary stared at Tafel. If I had my sword, I could kill a dragon, she said. It might be tough, and I might die in the process, but its simple. All my sword has to do is stab their heart. If you give a strong enough sword, Ill challenge that black dragon right now.
Tafel groaned. Didnt you lose to him already? When you tried to get that devil that he kidnapped?
No, Mary said. I lost his woman. I didnt fight him yet.
If you cant even beat Auntie, youre not going to be able to beat Grimmy, Tafel said. Promise that you wont challenge Grimmy until I think youre ready; otherwise, I wont help you get a sword from the dwarves.
Mary pursed her lips. Fine. But when you think Im ready, are you going to help ?
I, I guess? Tafel asked, her voice rising in pitch. Just dont tell Vur, okay?
Mary nodded. Itll be our secret. She glanced down at Mary Junior. She cant speak, so its okay. Vur wont find out.
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