Will shoots up from his chair. The wine bottle almost spills onto the table, but Garth catches it. The knight just revealed a horrible truth: his father was there the day the Skeleton Queen got married.

"I-I had no idea. Why didn't you bring that up back then?" the bard asks with curious intention.

"Because they would have never allowed me to go on a quest for vengeance. I asked multiple times for me to attend with the other groups, but they refused. Now that that vile monster is stronger, they finally accepted," he grips his knees out of pent-up frustration. "I now have a chance to make things right for my family."

"I understand that feeling and I won't stop you. I will support you every step of the way," Will assures him with rousing confidence.

The warrior smiles at him. "I know I can count on you. It feels good to let someone in on the truth."

"It is. Thanks for listening to my problem. What was his name?"

"Arthur."

"A toast to avenging your father," Will takes a sip before passing the wine over.

Garth takes a swig of it and exhales. "This has aged nicely. Good night, William."

"Which room are you in?"

"10."

"I got 3. Lead me up the stairs, please."

He offers his arm and Garth leads him up the stairs to his room number. Will feels around for the keyhole and finds it.

"It has a small bed on the right with a pillow and a writing desk on the opposite side," Garth informs.

"Thanks. See you in the morning."

Garth leaves for his room. He takes off his entire set of armor, only leaving his tan undershirt and pants. He slides a knife under his pillow as a precaution.

Salt will keep the undead away, but not the living, he thinks.

He looks out the window to inspect the outside. Branches of trees dance to the wind. Leaves scatter around in the air as a full moon appears overhead. The salt circle around the inn remains stable due to the heaviness of it. His eyes widen.

A bird of darkness flutters on the outside of the circle with menacing azul eyes fixed upon him. He glares back to avoid showing fear to the reported companion of the Queen.

It lets out a shrill cry as a message. We are watching you.

The raven flies off into the night sky. He goes to his bed and lays down. Instead of sleeping, he imagines the eventual fight between him and the Skeleton Queen. A simulation of every advantage and obstacle taken into acc-

Creaking.

The floorboards outside make noise as someone sneaks around. Light, yet noticeable. He takes out a knife and moves part of it under the door. The reflection gives him peace as it's just Gwenyth heading up the stairs with some soda bread.

He goes back to bed and thinks about Beth. Her blonde, wavy hair that flew beautifully in the wind. Her lean body dancing against his at parties. Her fair skin that he would kiss. Her emerald eyes that would sparkle with joy. The argument he had with her.

Anger has him grip the hilt of his knife, but he will use every ounce of it to avenge his father.....

William tosses and turns in bed from the fight he had with the zombie. If he didn't move his arm in time, it would have been over for him. He's thankful to the gods that he was able to speak with most of his loved ones before leaving the city. Still, he wishes Bumva could be right here with him.

You better not die out there.

He thinks about the zombie that tried to speak with him. Saber? Safbur? Ml? Ot? What was it trying to tell me?

He goes to leave the room for some fresh air. The sound of footsteps has him slowly open the door.

"Gwenyth?" he whispers.

"Sorry. Did I wake ya up?"

"No. I couldn't sleep anyway."

"Will ya serenade me?" she whispers into his right ear.

"I don't want to be alone either," he whispers back while taking his instrument.

She leads him to her room which is on the opposite end across from Garth's room. They sit on the violet bedsheets.

The bard tunes his mandolin to fit the romantic mood. Through his tuning, he finds out there's a small bookcase on the left side and a large tub of water in the right corner.

"In order to serenade you, tell me about yourself."

"I have a hazel eye, fair skin, red curly hair, and the right side of my face is covered," her voice drops towards the end.

"Why is that?" he gently asks.

"I-I can't say. Just don't touch it."

"I understand. You are still beautiful to me," while he tunes his instrument.

Those words make her heart pound louder than a drum. She can't contain it anymore. The emotional and mental torment comes out as she buries her face into his shirt.

He adjusts his mandolin behind him and holds her. He can feel she's been carrying these emotions for a long time. He rubs her back and feels the red curls in her hair.

"Let it out. Let it out."

Minutes of crying later, he hears her sniffle. Her covering is damp from all the tears that came out.

"I'm sorry."

Will finds her hands. "Don't apologize. Tell me when you're ready. I won't judge you."

He gives her a moment to speak. He hears a long exhale.

"While de inn was going downhill, a handsome man gave me some company. He showered me with de most beautiful of flowers until.....he told me he was married."

Will squeezes her hand to give her some strength. 

"I was upset, but I wanted ta be with him. I told him ta choose me or his wife. He said he would let me know de next day. That day, his wife came up ta me with oven mitts and a pot..."

William embraces Gwenyth with all that he has. The imagery in his head makes him hate the couple for what they did to her. She feels his body trembling with anger for her.

"Dere's something else ya should know. I'm a merrow."

His hand is taken to feel her red cap. He pieces together what he knows about that creature. In Engla, they are called mermaids.

"For me kind, our beauty is everything. Because of what she did, I can never be accepted by any man. I was going ta use a knife today ta end dat misery. No one wants ta kiss an ugly merrow."

"To me, you are the most beautiful merrow and I want to kiss you," Will tells her without hesitation.

Her uncovered eye widens with a dropped jaw. His face nears her. His right hand slowly reaches to touch her face. He slowly explores her face and feels the covering.

"May I feel the rest of your face, Gwenyth?"

She decides to be vulnerable in which feels like a long time. She takes off the covering. He uses the back of his hand to feel the right side of her face. Scars from that side of the forehead down to her sullen eye. The scarring doesn't stop until the area above her breast.

She shudders as his gentle touch continues. Her eyes close in fear that he will reject her. She then feels his hands cupping her face.

"Still the most beautiful merrow that I've ever touched. Let me serenade you."

Happy tears crawl down her face. "Call me Gwen."

"I will."

He rests his head on her lap as he plays on the mandolin. The merrow removes her gloves and strokes his hair. He feels the webbing between her fingers and smiles. The sensation is softer than a peeled egg. He clears his throat.

"Oh, wonderful Gwen whose voice flows like water,
Your laugh and curly hair makes you hotter.
I see the beauty inside of you,
so don't be blue because you made me grew."

He hears a short snicker from the innuendo. He continues as she brushes through his hair.

"Those hazel eyes contain all of the gold,
I want to covet that treasure if I be bold.
Fair skinned merrow, listen to me,
Your voice bends me with glee.

To kiss your lips would be the first blessing,
The second would be us undressing.
I don't want to be left guessing,
So give me that blessing.

Gwen, you are beautiful in my senses,
Let our night be filled with lowered defenses."

He holds the final note as she strokes his face.

"Thank you."

"Fáilte (You're welcome)," he softly whispers.

"Are ya ready ta settle down and get married?"

"I'm not. Why?"

"If ya take off me cap, I would be ya wife. At least I tried," she smirks with her voice.

"How about this? I heal your face of this affliction after we're done so you can find love again."

She raises him up to her eye level. "You can do dat?"

"I can or else I'm not worthy of being a mage. You deserve happiness."

"Unreal. Let's not be alone tonight."

He leaves soft pecks all over her face before locking lips with her. Her arms wrap around the back of his head. Her dress buttons come loose from his nimble fingers. She throws it behind her on the bed as he feels the softest parts of her flesh. He traces his fingers along her naked body and legs.....

Later on, Gwen leads him by the wrist and enters the tub of water. She drops her red cap near the tub. Her legs are instantly replaced as the water displaces. The bard feels something scaly playfully brushing his face. He laughs from the tickling.

"Come in, bard," Gwen pulls him with her green tail.

His bare feet enter the tub. "Help me navigate every part of you."

Their moans of pleasure travel down to Garth's room. Throughout the night, he wraps the pillow around his head to keep the noise out. He grips the ends of the pillow from the bard not keeping his pants up.

Damn you, bard! When will they finish?!

Water spills onto the floor as their bodies finally give way. William rests his head on Gwen's shoulder.

"Aye. Dat was dead on," Gwen smiles with a heavy breath.

"Aye," William utters.

"Let's make sure ya don't get pruney."

After cleaning up, she wears the red cap again to bring her human legs back. Their bodies nestle into each other under the covers.

Will sits up. "Let me get my mand-"

She pulls him to her. "Wait til de mornin'", while resting her head on his toned chest. The fatigue lulls them to sleep. Garth is thankful not to hear any more noises.

Will squirms about as the zombie's voice joins the recurring nightmare. Gwenyth hums a lullaby which eventually calms him. She strokes his face with soft fingers before planting one more kiss on his lips.

The bard kisses back and flips her over for one more session that has him collapse on her breast. She laughs while keeping him close to her heart.

"Bumva," his lips utter. Gwen thinks it's cute that he has someone he dreams about, even if it's not her. She falls asleep with peace that her future will be better.

---

Her soft touch stirs him up. "Mornin', William."

"Mornin'. I have the spell in mind."

She takes his hand to feel the mandolin which he takes. He tunes his mandolin to a gentle pitch.

"The magic of a bard shall not be in vain,
Rid this merrow of her pain.
May her husband find her worthy of beauty,
that he will value her more than rubies."

The magical notes touch her face. She takes out a handheld mirror and a gasp leaves her mouth. Her right eye is healed over to match her left eye. The burn scars gradually vanish as new skin forms. The only thing left is residual scarring on the right side of her face.

"Your spell. There's only scarring on me right side, but it's healed over."

He brushes her face and it's less rough. "I'm sorry. I wish the mag-"

She gives him a peck on the cheek. "Thank ya. I see de beauty ya see in me."

He smiles from ear to ear. "Your husband will be so lucky to have you. May you be happy with him."

"Den I should leave dis bed before we continue."

"Right."

They get out of bed and get dressed. He then starts laughing.

"What?" she asks with an amused smile.

"Poor Garth. I will make it up to him."

She laughs from the realization.

"Are you ready to start your life?"

She embraces him from behind. "I am thanks to ya."

Garth waits outside with his equipment on the horse. He rubs the bags under his eyes. He sees the bard and Gwenyth coming out. He bites his tongue as she comes out with no covering on her face. He notices a slight burn mark on her face. "Ms. Agnew, are you alright?"

"Aye. Will healed me of a previous burn and I'm more secure in me self. I'm gonna hunt for a husband when I reach de city."

The knight looks with suspicion as that wasn't the only thing they did.

William feels the tension directed at him. "Sorry. It just happened."

Garth slowly exhales from the side of his mouth. He hands her a purse full of coins to start her new life. "Let's get going, Ms."

He helps her onto his horse and the duo walk alongside her. Will's music scans the area as they walk on the path through where only a few sun rays pierce through the forest. 

"Will, I have a question. Since your magic is strong, why can't ya sing a spell da be done with dat monster right now?" Gwen asks.

"I have to be within close range as the notes will describe her to me. That mental picture along with sounds help me see my foe for the spell to properly work."

"Oh. Can ya use magic ta cure yaself? Ta no longer be blind?"

"There is healing magic, but I wouldn't change it for the world. I wouldn't be a good judge of character without it," he says without any shame behind it.

Gwen smiles from his optimism as they make it through the forest unscathed. However, she's hesitant to step into the town where her ex-lover might still live. She feels a tug on her wrist.

A dazzling smile by the bard reassures her. "If he comes across us, I will play a spell he will never forget."

Garth picks up on that and thinks that the man left that burn mark on her face. "I will jab my hilt into that pitiful excuse of a man and have him sent to jail."

With a warm smile, she takes a step inside the sea town. Their noses sniff out the spicy paprika, sweet cinnamon, and savory garlic from the market. The townspeople look at the new strangers and recognize some of them.

"That's Garth the Gallant! Oh, he's so handsome!"

"Hello, William!" A bar wrench with a brunette ponytail shouts at him.

"Nice to hear you again, Erin!"

"Isn't that Gwenyth? Glad to see she's here."

They drop off Gwen at a hotel named The Flutered Oxen. She pays for her room with the gold and comes back to embrace the duo. "May de gods bless thee."

She tips her red cap at them and bumps into a man who held a small box in his hands.

"Sorry about dat, lass," the Irish man with short, black wavy hair apologizes as he's going to pick the box back up.

She crouches down to help him. "It's fine."

Green meets hazel as time almost slows down between them. Their hearts flutter as they almost forget to breathe.

"Are-Are ya alright?" the man stutters out.

".....Aye."

"My name is Seamus O'Massey and I find ya de most attractive woman in de entire world. May I get to know ya?"

Gwenyth is taken aback from the direct approach, but she doesn't fight it. To her, this lad makes her heart leap with joy that is stronger than the man who hurt her. She knows he sees the scarring but is looking past it.

"My name is Gwenyth Agnew. I would like ta know ya too."

Seamus gives her a dazzling white smile as they stand back up. "Oh, are dey ya bodyguards?"

His eyes look at the duo that is watching them. Will playfully whistles while turning away.

"Good friends dat have ta go. Why?"

"You seem like a treasure worth defendin'."

Her heart thuds loudly. "Are-Are ya married? Please, be honest."

"I'm not. I'm single and I hope you're too."

She smiles. "I am."

"I'm relocating me jewelry shop to dis town since what happened."

"So am I with me bar."

"Bang on! Would ya like ta grab some lunch?"

He offers his arm and she takes it. She gives him back the box that partially opened. She notices stones inside that give off a subtle red sparkle. This makes her think back to William's spell as she hands it to him.

"Thanks, Gwenyth."

"Call me Gwen," before resting her head on his shoulder. She walks away to start her new life.

She looks back with hope to see the duo again. "Thank ya, William Bennett! Thank ya, Garth!"

"You're welcome!" he shouts.

As soon as she's out of sight, the knight punches Will in the shoulder.

"Ow!"

"I told you not to sleep with her."

"I don't believe you said that", he smirks. "Besides, my spell worked."

"Just don't do it again with the next woman we come across."

"I promise you," his voice gives away his serious nature. He brings out his mandolin and strums as they walk to the harbor.

They talk with the ferryman who takes them across the water. Will strums a gentle lullaby so Garth can catch up on his sleep. After making it across, the bard wakes up the knight. Garth yawns and rubs his eyes.

"Slept well?"

"Much better than last night," he jests.

The bard tilts his head quizzically. "Who are you and what did you do with Garth?"

"So I can't crack a little joke?"

"You can. It was unexpected."

Garth leads Will off the boat to continue their journey. They eat along the way and drink water from their canteens. Small breaks were included, but they keep going on the horse. Garth notices the same raven flying above them. Fortunately, they didn't encounter any more of the undead.

William strums his notes that report back to him. His fingers trembled, but he swallows his fear. He mixes that fear with anger as the threat looms in the distance. Garth narrows his eyes and his blood boils at the barren, foggy landscape that holds the malevolent castle. The raven that followed them flies into the white blanket.

2 and a half days before all the kingdoms commence the onslaught against the Skeleton Queen. Garth's horse refuses to take a single step into the lifeless domain. Will and Garth get off and ready their weapons for what's to come.

"If you have to leave, I understand," Garth tells his horse. The horse whinnies in response to his statement.

The bard and the knight walk forward with their hopes yoked on their shoulders. For Garth, his father and Engla. For William Bennett, his loved ones and their futures. He plays to the beat of his heart to bring out more of that feeling. The bravery they need to save everyone.

They enter the fog together and hope to come back out the same way.