𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐀𝐄𝐓𝐇 》 LEO VALDEZ ¹

―nineteen. all that glitters ain't gold

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𝐏𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐓 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐍!
𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐃!
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐉𝐔𝐑𝐘 𝐇𝐀𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄
𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐍 𝐄𝐍𝐃!
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IT TOOK THREE OF THEM TO HOLD THE COACH BACK. Charlie's help would've been nice, but not only was she injured, but completely unbothered, watching the goat try attack with an amused smile on her face. ''Whoa, Coach!'' Jason said. ''Bring it down a few notches.'' Charlie wanted to complain about it, but she was interrupted by another guy running into the room.

He must've been Lit, the old guy's son. He was dressed in pajama pants with a sleeveless T-shirt that said CORNHUSKERS, and he held a sword that looked like it could husk a lot of things besides corn. His ripped arms were covered in scars, and his face, framed by curly dark hair, would've been handsome if not for the countless scars that adorned his face. That's what the others thought anyway, Charlie appreciated the scars quite a lot.

Lit immediately zeroed in on Jason, like he was the biggest threat, and stalked towards him, swinging his sword overhead. ''Hold on!'' Piper stepped forwards, trying for her best calming voice. ''This is just a misunderstanding! Everything's fine.'' Lit stopped in his tracks, but he still looked wary.

It didn't help that Coach was still screaming, ''I'll get them! Don't worry!''

''Coach,'' Jason pleased, ''They may be friendly. Besides, we're trespassing in their house.''

''Thank you!'' Said the old man in the bathrobe. ''Now, who are you, and why are you here?''

''Let's all put our weapons down,'' Piper said. ''Coach, you first.''

Hedge clenched his jaw and is was then that Charlie figured something was up. Coach might've been a bit hot-headed, and her friend Grover might've been a scardey-goat, but normally it was for good reason. They could smell monsters and sense things that not even she could pick up on. ''Just one thwack?''

''No,'' Piper said.

''What about a compromise? I'll kill them first, and if it turns out they were friendly, I'll apologise.''

''No!'' Piper insisted.

''Meh.'' Coach Hedge lowered his club.

Piper gave Lit a friendly sorry-about-that smile. Even with her hair messed up and wearing two-day old clothes, she looked really cute. Charlie wondered if Lit would still think that if he had heard how loud she snores.

Lit huffed and sheathed his sword. ''You speak well, girl — fortunately, for your friends, or I would've run them through.''

''Appreciate it,'' Leo said. ''I try not to get run through before lunchtime on most days.''

The old man in the bathrobe sighed, kicking the teapot that Coach Hedge had smashed. Charlie held her breath, but he didn't seem to realise that a cup was missing. ''Well, since you're here. Please, sit down.''

''Well, I couldn't stand even if I wanted to, but thanks I guess.''

Lit frowned. ''Your majesty—''

''No, no, it's fine, Lit,'' the old man said, waving his hand in dismissal. ''New land, new customs. They may sit in my presence. After all, they've seen me in my nightclothes. No sense observing formalities.'' He did his best to smile, though it looked a little forced. ''Welcome to my humble home. I am Kind Midas.''

''Midas? Impossible,'' said Coach Hedge, ''He died.''

Charlie propped herself up on her elbows. ''Don't be rude, Coach.'' She turned to the King. ''Forgive him, sir, he can be a fool at even the greatest of times. And I wouldn't worry about your clothing choice, you look as magnificent as I'm sure you would in your royal dress, your majesty.'' She nodded her head in a low nod. ''I would bow, but you'll have to excuse me on this occasion.''