Breaths short and shallow like a puddle. The gurgling inside his head torments him as he squirms in the red sheets. The naked French blonde by his side wakes up.

She whispers into his ear. "C'est bon, William. C'est bon." (It's okay)

He opens his eyes with wavering white pupils. Her delicate hands wipe the cold sweat off his face before cupping his square jawline. 

"I'm-I'm sorry, Julia," he stutters out.

Her thumbs trace circles on his cheeks. "Don't be ashamed." Her soft touch through his short brown hair drives the darkness away.

"Did I say anything in my sleep?"

She shakes her head. "I was asleep from that great last night. Well, one of many you gave me."

With the back of his hand, he finds her silky blonde hair. He curls a few strands between his fingers to calm himself. Despite not seeing her eyes, her sky-blues radiate additional comfort for him.

She plants a kiss on his lips before resting on his chest. "Consider this free since you already paid. Anything more will cost you extra," she says with a wink in her voice.

He stretches his hand out and feels the soft purse bug on his nightstand. He brings it over to her. "How much for sleeping on your masterpiece of a body?"

"Ooo, la la. I like it when you talk like that."

The prostitute takes some gold coins out and jingles them in her hands so he can hear it.

"This will be for the first thing and for more of our bodies between the sheets later."

He hears the coins tinkle upon hitting each other in her bag. From the sound, he launches his attack. With a quick grab of her wide hips, he flips her onto her back. She laughs from excitement as he nears her face.

"That laugh is like melted chocolat that I want to taste with my tongue."

She kisses him on the lips. "William Bennett, your silver langue (tongue) might be the death of me."

Upon locking lips, he gently invades her mouth with his tongue. His fingers along with his lips trace down her supple body that is trembling with anticipation......An exchange of heavy grunts ends their session with glistening bodies. He rests his head on her chest while peppering it with kisses.

She stokes through his hair. "Oh, merde. I was close to dying that time."

"Don't go. Let this devil sleep on this angelic body," he exhales.

Her special touch lulls him to a light snoring. She wraps her arms around his head to keep him there.

"Bumva (Boom-va)," William utters from his sleep.

Julia smirks. I guess someone else has your coeur (heart), you devious bard. Good for you.....

William stirs up without feeling Julia next to him. His ears perk up from hearing her put on her clothes.

"Bonjour!" she greets him with a smile in her voice.

"As-tu bien dormi?" (Did you sleep well?)

"Oui. And you?"

He takes his time getting out of bed. "Better because of you. Would you like to meet up tonight?"

"And almost die again?" She smirks. "I accept for another week of that."

He flashes a wide smile. "Parfait (Perfect). Before you leave, can you help me figure out what to wear?"

He hears her footsteps approach the drawers. Open. Shuffle. Close.  

Her hand rejoins him before leading his hand to the fabrics. She tells him about the skinny black pants with a dark blue shirt. Along with his gray guild jacket.

His fingers stay on the emblem of the red lion. The corners of his lips are pulled down from the meaning behind it.

Julia kisses both cheeks repeatedly which makes him smile. "I'm looking forward to tonight and the rest to come."

"As do I."

Her hands linger before making their way to the doorknob. "Oh, you did say something in your sleep. Who's Bumva?"

"One of my lovers."

"Many lovers," she corrects with a laugh.

"No shame in that.......It's been a while since I talked with her."

"Where is she?"

"Fighting the undead in Fran. It's far away from her," he assures.

Julia swallows her fear. She grips the doorknob but doesn't turn it. "Do you worry about her?"

"The undead should worry about her," he chuckles lightly.

"I hope you two meet again. I will knock when it's time," before closing the door behind her.

After taking a bath and making his bed, he throws on his outfit. He finds his mandolin and tunes it using his sensation of touch and hearing to get it just right.

When will the nightmares end? It's been years since that....Don't bring it up. It's time to put on a show. I hope you're listening, old friend.

He exits his room while playing a tune and stops in his tracks. Someone from his guild is in his way.

"Will!" the dwarven woman with braided autumn-brown hair exclaims while hugging his waist.

"Hastrabena, what's going on?"

The waist high woman takes his fingers to feel something on her left hand. A beaming smile graces his face.

"You got engaged? Congratulations!"

"Thank you! He's a dwarf just like me, but a lot better than my ex...before I met you of course. You made me forget all about him."

He crouches down to her voice. "Well, I'm glad that you're happy. You deserve every ounce of it."

He wishes he can see her auburn eyes sparkle with happiness, but her bubbly voice is good enough.

"Thanks! The wedding will be in a few weeks. Do you want to come?"

He tilts his head. "Does....he know about what we had?"

"That will stay between us. I will never forget that night," she whispers before kissing his cheek.

His mind revisits that night after their mission. Him lifting her petite body while locking lips in the hot springs. Her breaths got shorter and shorter.....

He shakes his head and stands back up. "I will just wish you well. Have a fun and healthy marriage."

"Speaking of weddings, when will you tie the knot?"

He strums his mandolin. "I want to do more adventures before I settle down with a good woman."

"Would you like it to be Bumva?"

The bard blinks multiple times with a goofy grin on his face before recollecting himself.

She points a finger at him. "Ah-ha! I made you speechless!"

"I like that he's bringing out your confident side."

"I owe that to you. I'm going to show the rest of the girls!" She runs off with a bounce in her steps.

The smiling bard plays a gentle tune on his mandolin. He sings while walking:

"Listen, people everywhere

Love is in the air.

May Cupid's arrow never miss,

So you can get a true love's kiss.

Make plenty of babies, my darling couple

Stretch beforehand to become supple.

Cave to your carnal desire,

Turn it ablaze with fire else you're a liar

Like wind blowing through your hair,

Love is in the air!"

Clapping from his guild members greets his golden voice.

He bows to show his gratitude. "Thank you, ladies and gentlemen! I will play some more after breakfast."

"You definitely earned it with Julia!" yells an emerald orc with dreadlocks that went past his hazel eyes. The barrel-chested warrior takes a long swig of ale.

"She was one of the best I might say, Yarlg," Will replies with a devilish smile.

"So wait. Who's in your list of the best women?" a black garbed rogue from Chin asks. He adjusts the black bangs away from his mud-brown eyes.

Will wags his finger. "A gentleman never kisses and tells, Yang. Shame on you."

The bard walks up to the line where a blond male elf is waiting for him.

"Morning, Will!" the lapis lazuli eyed elf chirps.

"Morning, Elajor."

"Guess what I made today for breakfast. I bet this time that I will stump you."

The elf has a plate ready to test his senses. William takes in a deep whiff and does a gentle touch.

"Blueberries....but placed inside....crepes? And potatoes roasted with garlic and red pepper."

"Damn it. I thought you were going to say pancakes."

"Aren't crepes just a delicate pancake?"

"You take that back!" the elf laughs. He needed a laugh since the ingredients for batter got more expensive. The guild had paid him well until the events of the necromancer. His solution for the time being was to make crepes so everyone else in the guild can eat. 

His stomach growls out loud. He couldn't fool William's ears as he feels for a plate to split some food with the chef. Elajor holds back tears as the bard walks away.

He makes an open spot for a drink in front of the empty seat next to him. The extra beverage of mead remains untouched for his late friend.

A summer blonde dwarf with orange irises shouts across to William. "How are you able to put that away?"

"By sleeping with tons of women, Sindedrid," Yarlg interjects.

The table erupts in laughter with Will laughing along. "I also workout with Yarlg and Yang. Oh, has there been anything from Bumva?"

"According to what she wrote, she should be here within a few days. It's a good thing that Phineas is with her," Sindedrid replies while eating an apple slice.

"You miss her?" Yang says with emphasis.

Will places his hands behind his head. "I just want to hear how she fought the undead."

"Sounds like you miss her, Will," Yarlg correctly assumes.

"So, any new missions today?" he deflects.

The table becomes silent from that question, like he killed the conversation in front of them.

The shaking of a cup doesn't escape his ears. "I heard another person from our guild will face her," the dwarf whispers while holding onto her drink with both hands.

He gets up to place a hand on her shoulder and holds her trembling hands.

"They will not send you, Sindy. You have a family to look after."

She lightly laughs. "You know just what to say."

"Deep breaths." He inhales and exhales. She follows his rhythm and her body shudders. Eventually, she calms down enough for him to let go.

"Are you trying to be my second husband?" she jokes.

The bard shrugs his shoulders. "You're too good for me."

"If someone has to go, it will be me before any of you," Yarlg growls while gripping the hilt of his broadsword.

"Same here," Yang adds.

"None of us will go. I promise you that. My parents are doing well, but they can only cut the crop prices so low......Either way, we will take care of each other. We will be fine," Will declares with rising confidence.

The others are relieved by his words until their hearts drop. The delivery man in a royal purple outfit walks in with guards. On his chest is a patch of a lion adorned with a crown. Last time he was here, Drago never came back.

"William Bennett?" the man asks while looking around.

Yang yanks Will under the table while covering his mouth. Yarlg quickly stands in front to cover them with his large square body.

"He's not here. What is it about?" Sindy bluffs.

"I have an urgent message from the king and queen in regard to him. Do you know where he is?"

"No idea. He could be at the brothel three streets down from us," the orc asserts.

"I already checked there because of his reputation. I also checked his parents' plantation."

"He could be at The Flagon."

The mailman raises an eyebrow. "Five miles away?"

Sindy extends her child-sized hands. "May I hold the letter? I will read it to him when he comes back."

"I can't do that. I am on a timetable because of her. He needs to come with me at once. If he doesn't, he will be thrown in jail."

The orc slams his hand against the table. "Jail?!" He stops himself from drawing his sword.

"He has done several deeds for this city. What crime has he committed?!" Sindy glares her fiery orange eyes at him.

"Refusal to comply by the orders of the kingdom. If he runs away and someone harbors him, he and his accomplices will be jailed as well."

Will pulls Yang's hand away from his mouth. The rogue grips his hand, refusing to let him face that monster. The bard signs "distraction" to him. Brown eyes look down as he throws darts at several lit candle holders. The holders fall on the carpets nearby and catch fire.

The royal mailman and guards are alarmed by this as Elajor tries to put it out.

Sindy runs over to stomp it out with her tiny boots. "Must have been the wind!"

Yang runs out and throws a small water bomb to douse the fire. Yarlg and Sindy think Yang is giving Will a chance to run.

"Hello, there. I'm William Bennett. Who are you?"

Their hearts sink to their stomachs from his voice. The mailman looks at his white pupils to confirm his identity.

"Mr. Bennett, we need to take you to the king and queen at once."

"What is it about?"

The mailman whispers it to him.

"I understand. Would I be leaving right away or would I be able to make some final arrangements?"

"You'll be able to do some things, but you must leave the kingdom today."

William puts his mandolin behind him and offers his arm. The royal servant takes it and walks alongside him. Sindy chokes back on her tears as Yang and Yarlg hold her hands. It's too soon to bury another family member.

----

The king and queen of Engla are on their thrones awaiting William Bennett. So is Garth the Gallant with heavy armor with a claymore on his back and a green shield attached to his left arm. The engraved symbol of a red wine bottle graces his shield. 

A strikingly handsome 6'2 man with golden-brown eyes that matched his coif hairstyle. A trimmed mustache rests on his rosy lips. He taps his arm sleeves repeatedly. He has already given up a lot to get to this point and won't let that go to waste.

"It won't be too long, Garth," the king assures.

The knight stops his action and kneels. "I apologize for my behavior, Your Majesties," his honey-laden voice carries over to them.

"It's a difficult time for everyone. Please, rise," the queen tells him.

The knight gets up. The doors behind him open and he turns around. He sees his accomplice walking by himself towards them. Garth looks at him with intent. A man of 5'10 who's concealing sorrow separate from the terrible task assigned to him. 

Will stops in a proper place between him and the nobles. The knight tilts his head as he wonders how he did that because of his condition. He puts that in the back of his mind as he approaches him. The bard bows before the king and queen.

"Pleasure to be in your presence again, Your Majesties. You must be Garth the Gallant from House of Vinum," the bard states while "looking" in his direction.

His footsteps stick to where they are. "How did you know that?"

Will taps his ears. "The way you walked gave away heavy armor along with your claymore. Also, the mailman told me a little about you."

The knight raises his eyebrows in amusement. "And you're William Bennett. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"You as well."

"Now that the introductions are out of the way, let's begin the overview. How much do you know about the Skeleton Queen, Mr. Bennett?" the king asks.

"Rumors here and there. What I do know is that she's the necromancer responsible for Drago's death along with other heroes from the other kingdoms."

"That is correct," the queen expresses with sadness in her voice.

"I do apologize for what happened to him," the knight looks down in shame.

"A great drinking buddy and friend. We've been on a lot of missions," he expresses with clenched fists. He relaxes his hands to focus on a question that's nibbling on his mind. "Wait. Who is the Skeleton Queen?"

"What do you mean, Mr. Bennett?"

"Like who she was before she came to power. Anything about her kingdom?"

"From what the mages from my house gleaned; she was a ruler of Albarino in Span that was barely on the map. She was striking a trade deal with a noble through marriage to gain influence. It....wasn't enough for her. She killed him on their wedding day," Garth informs.

The bard's eyes widen in horror. His gut tells him there's more disturbing things to come.

"After she was done, she commanded her people to hold his partners hostage. Her people were too distraught to listen to her. Before she could be struck down, she ran and pulled a book with an embedded knife. She recited a spell before slicing her throat. The transformation gave her the power needed to kill every man, woman, and child who disobeyed her."

Will swallows his breakfast that was coming back up. 

"She then used the book of necromancy to bring her people back under her full control. And that's how we got to this point," Garth finishes.

The bard processes everything that was told to him. Something nags him. "If she's capable of defeating top tier warriors, why can't she leave the castle? I never once heard of her leaving it."

"We believe she's trying to gain a larger army to grant her that capability. It will be the end of the world at that point unless you two stop her. You have four days from today to complete the mission."

"Four days? Why is that?"

"If we fail, Engla and the other kingdoms will send their whole armies to confront her," Garth answers.

A chill runs down Will's spine. He imagines the mass amounts of lives that would be lost if the Queen got ahold of his magic. His parents, guild members, and lovers dying by his manipulated hands.

He buries the weight of it all. "What kind of weapons can we use against the undead she has?"

"Silver and water blessed by the clerics. I made sure that we both have plenty for projectiles and other measures," Garth answers confidently.

One of the guards walks to Will and puts a sheathed sword in his hands. He draws out the weapon and touches it. A silver short sword.

"Magic can also affect them, Mr. Bennett," the king adds.

The bard internally breathes a sigh of relief that he doesn't have to get too close to fight them. He sheathes his weapon.

"We will also provide provisions for you and Garth. He was given a list of heroes that monster had vanquished and will inform you along the way. Finish your arrangements and leave today," the king commands.

"We won't let you down, Your Majesty. My beautiful queen of Engla, I promise you will be smiling once it's done."

The queen smirks from his almost flirtatious tone. The duo is given food packed to the brim of their knapsacks along with gear, medicine, and money before getting escorted outside the castle. The guards continue to follow to ensure the bard won't run off.

"Where's the first stop?" the knight asks.

"A brothel."

The knight stops in his tracks. He narrows his eyes and is about to yell at him, but the bard raises a hand.

"It's to see if an old friend is there. He taught me how to play the mandolin like a maestro."

Garth simmers down. "So be it."

They arrive there with Will walking inside with a guard. Garth stays outside as he ignores the sounds coming out of that wretched place.

The owner, a middle-aged woman with smokey eyes, recognizes him. She steps around her desk, careful not to step on her long purple dress that hugged her small waist. Her teasing cleavage is kept in place with fishnet stockings.

Her eggplant-colored lips meet his cheek. "Welcome back, Will!"

He returns a kiss back. "Hello, Madame Cara. Is Claude here by any chance?"

She checks the list on the wooden stand. "Hmm. He's not here. I can leave a message if you like. What's going on?"

"I'm recruited to fight the Skeleton Queen," he whispers.

Cara's face turns white as a ghost. She runs over and embraces the bard tightly. "I'm so sorry," her voice quivers.

He hugs her back. "I will come back alive, Madame."

His confidence helps her let go. She grabs some paper and a quill. "I'm ready."

"Tell Claude what I just said and that I thank him for everything he taught me. From music to women. I owe him everything that makes me the man I am today."

She writes his words down. "Anything else?"

"Oh, right. Tell him to stay out of trouble."

She laughs. "I just added that in. Be safe, William Bennett."

"You too. Oh, let Julia know as well and that I'm sorry about tonight," before strumming his mandolin on the way out.

Madame Cara hopes this won't be the last time she hears his music. She clutches her heart for the young man to come back alive and well.