Hexblade's Charm

Three and then some - The Journey Begins

In the morning, about two hours before sunrise, Hexi rolled out of bed yawning and hit the carpet below with a crash. "Ouch..."

Malyck groaned. "Just one more hour..."

Hexi shook his head like a wet dog, trying to shake off the sleep. "It's adventure time, darling. You still wanna come, or do you wanna sleep in?"

Malyck's eyes shot open. "No way!"

He crawled over the bed and jumped on top of Hexi, who was still sitting on the carpet and groaned in pain once more. "Ouch!"

"Sorry", Malyck said guiltily and gave him a quick kiss. "But we agreed last night. Before we pack, let me try this out."

He kneeled next to Hexi and cleared his throat. His fingers started to glow pink with magic as he drew a complex web of lines in the air, speaking words that sounded arcane and strangely ancient to Hexi, although he did not understand the language. He felt like something was wrapping around his genitals, tightening for a second, then the pressure lessened. The luminous net Malyck had woven appeared for a moment and disappeared just as fast. Malyck grinned.

"How do you feel? I've never done this before, so I wasn't really sure what would happen to you, but it looks right to me!"

"That doesn't sound ominious at all", Hexi grumbled and looked down. "Doesn't hurt at least. Are you happy now?"

"Very." He was practically beaming with joy. Hexi shook his head, amused.

"You're crazy, and it's very cute. Come on, I'll pack some food and clothes for the journey. Who knows how long we'll be gone."

Malyck nodded eagerly. "I'll get my notebooks!"

"Are you really taking an entire library?"

"You might never know when you're going to need just the right bit of ancient knowledge to help you out!"

Hexi couldn't help but laugh. "Alright. Let's go."

Of course, he ended up carrying Malyck's gigantic backpack of notebooks and ink and leaving the much lighter package of food and clothing to his partner. Malyck had put on some light leather armor and bound his leaves back out of his face with a small ribbon. On his back was a shortbow and a quiver of arrows, and on his hip he carried a rapier and two daggers.

"Wow, you're expecting to fight", Hexi commented.

Malyck shot him a bewildered look. "Of course. It's an adventure, and I am prepared. Why are you looking at me like that? Do I look ridiculous?"

"No", Hexi said in all earnesty, "it's actually kinda hot. I do hope that it doesn't come to a fight where we need your help, though."

Malyck shrugged and they made their way through the dark, cool streets. The sky was already lighting up, but the sun had not yet risen when they arrived at the fountain where Mad King Thorn had first captured Magistra Tassi and pulled the Berry Band into his realm. Despite their being early, they were met by a tall, slim figure wrapped in a dark hooded cloak who was leaning against the fountain, seeming almost bored. Malyck was curious to see this person his partner had been so interested in in the past. He watched Hexi from the corner of his eye, who strode forward with a grim expression.

"My, my", the deep, sarcastic voice of the Mad King came from below the hood, and Malyck could see a moustache twirl upwards with an evil grin. "Heximander, have you brought some eye-candy for me to enjoy on our trip? How thoughtful of you."

Malyck watched Hexi's eyes flare red in anger. Curtly, the warlock said: "Malyck, this is Mad King Oswald Thorn. Oswald, Malyck. He will come with us to help. If you so much as touch a leaf on his head, I will kill you myself. Got it?"