Shorty & the Beast: Part Three (special preview)

Having grown up in Obresh all their lives, the sudden upheaval and turmoil of their home was more a source of anger for Charrick and Poppy than it was anything to cause distress. Their eldest brother Bryok was already making headway on the Western Continent in finding homes for the Obresh refugees to go. Once their parents, Max and Meggie, were safely on their way to be with Bryok, Charrick and Poppy took it upon themselves to lead a resistance against Sanguis Rex and his army. Their father Max had been instrumental in the creation of Obresh and making it the amazing port city that it was, and had been the unofficial leader until Bryok took over. The siblings had all agreed to this, saying it would be better for Bryok to find allies in the Peninsula, while the younger siblings stayed behind to take care of the refugees as well as finding weak points in Sanguis Rex’s army.

This was all useful information that Roslile learned while having one of the biggest and best breakfasts of her life. She had been certain that any Halfling matched an Orc in gullet, but after this meal she wasn’t so certain. She ate to her heart’s content while listening to the Orcs around her discuss important matters they had to deal with that day. Poppy was taking refugees from Gravelmeuse to the secret port which would go to the Peninsula, while Charrick was leading a charge towards the base Roslile had informed them about. Already, Roslile felt she could be good friends with Poppy, who had all the ideal characteristics she had idolized and wanted as a child. She was big, strong, very intelligent, but also there was a beauty to her.

Poppy came to her after breakfast, all through which Kyairil had been shockingly quiet. Although, considering the shared dream the two had experienced, it wasn’t too shocking that he was keeping to himself all morning. After all, both were inches away from giving into temptation. Whether it was the dream, their own pent up needs, or a genuine attraction between both, neither was going to cop to anything.

Anyways, Poppy was asking Roslile for a favor. “I know this could be asking a lot of you, Roslile, considering we have all just met. But Charrick and I think you’d be our best bet to make sure this happens.”

Roslile tilted her chin up, trying to match Poppy’s stance and boy language. “What is it? If I could help again to thank you for taking me with you, I’d love to try.”

Poppy smiled and pointed to the map on the wall. “Our brother Bryok has set up a meeting with Prince Himank, we need someone who can deliver some sensitive information to him. We have valuable information about Gravelmeuse that the Goblins risked their lives to get for us. We need to get this information to King Dhaval right away.”

“Prince Himank...King Dhaval?” She blurted. It was too good too be true. These were the twin sons of Mythri herself! The very person that she and Kyairil were heading towards. “I'll do it!” She blurted immediately.

Poppy looked concerned, brushing it off with a smile and laugh. “Perhaps you should let me finish first before you so readily agree.”

“Sorry,” Roslile chuckled. “Go ahead.”

“It’ll be dangerous. After a certain point you’ll have to go in alone. Recently, part of the Peninsula was recaptured by the Rakshasa royal family. They’ve slowly been making headway, but it’s still a very dangerous place to be. It would be a dead giveaway if any of us were to go in, but someone like you, I don’t think it would seem suspicious. But it is still very, very risky, so I would understand if you didn’t want to go.”

“Think about this,” Kyairil whispered, speaking for the first time all day. “This has nothing to do with us. It would be easier, quicker, if we went directly to Rakshasa Country with all the other refugees. Don’t risk this opportunity because you feel like you need to prove something.”

Roslile opened her mouth to speak then closed it tight. It would be easier, but this way they would also get to meet Prince Himank, maybe even gain his favor, which would make it easier to get into the palace.

“Maybe!” Kyairil argued. “But please think, Roslile.”

She scrunched up her face and nodded. “I still want to do it.”

“That’s fine, but when we’re on the boat I want to make sure you’re prepared to protect yourself,” Poppy replied. “You do know how to use that halberd you’re carrying, right?”