Our Month:Cupid's Promise

Cupids Witch Trials (II)

The horse charged forward, its hooves pounding against the cobblestone as the group scattered out of its path. Ileana, frozen in place, stood in its direct line. Just as the massive stable reared closer, a cloaked figure leaped off a tall white horse, grabbing Ileana and pulling her to safety.

The crowd erupted into cheers as the figure's hood fell back, revealing a striking young man with curly black hair and soft brown eyes. He wore a pristine white tunic trimmed with deep crimson, and an ornate brooch glinted on his chest, which was a symbol of royalty.

"The duke of the North..." Ileana whispered in a dreamy tone, her eyes locked onto his as if she were caught in them.

Omniya groaned audibly, breaking the moment. "The villainess! Ileana the villainess!" she muttered harshly under her breath, and then smacking her back.

The duke who was smitten, gazed down at Ileana with a soft smile. "Are you hurt, my lady? You don't seem to be from around here."

Althea then sensed danger and quickly stepped forward, interjecting. "She's fine. Thank you for your help Your Grace. We'll be on our way now!"

But the duke wasn't having it. "Nonsense! It's dangerous here. Please, allow me to escort you." He reached for Ileana's hand, who didn't resist.

"Absolutely! LONG LIVE THE GLORIOUS SUN MOON MONARCHY!" Ileana shouted, her voice ringing with enthusiasm. The duke flinched before offering a nervous laugh, confusion evident across his face.

Omniya sighed in defeat. "Great. Now we've got royalty involved. This is exactly how people get poisoned in these stories."

As the duke led Ileana away, Althea shot the rest of the group a defeated look before reluctantly following. "I'm going too. Someone needs to keep her from doing something stupid."

The remaining group exchanged uneasy glances.

"Well, that's one way to split the party," Anzu muttered.

"Now what?" Dash asked as he glanced at Enes, who avoided his gaze and nervously adjusted his medieval attire.

"We split up and regroup later. Everyone, try not to draw attention to yourselves and try not to die," Zuru said firmly.

The group scattered, each heading in different directions to explore this strange world.

~~*~~

The village was alive and busy, which led everyone to find themselves drawn to something different. Kari and Zuru couldn't contain their excitement as they marveled at the gleaming swords and dragon armor displayed by blacksmiths. Their chatter was filled with constant fanboying, and comparing every piece as if they were seasoned experts. After they took in all of the armor and weapons, they began planning a grand plan to slay the infamous dragon they overheard villagers talking about. However, their excitement was quickly cut short when a passing knight overheard them. He sternly scolded them for their reckless speech, warning that dragon slaying was no task for amateurs and accusing them of disrespecting the art of knighthood. Sheepishly, Kari and Zuru exchanged guilty glances before muttering apologies, though Zuru couldn't help but whisper about how they could totally take the dragon if given the chance and completely forgetting about telling the others not to stick out.

Meanwhile, Dash and Enes wandered through the food stalls, sampling roasted meats, candied fruits, and savory pastries. Dash's jokes kept Enes laughing, and he blushed every time he teased him. (BURN BURN TWINKS BURN BURN)

Jay on the other hand had somehow ended up in a rowdy pub. Cheers erupted from the crowd as he wiped his mouth with a grin since he just won an eating contest against a burly local who looked like he was about to cry. Coins clinked as wagers were settled, and Jay basked in the applause.

In the shopping area, Hayden admired the finely woven tunics and cloaks displayed at a clothing stall, a firm hand suddenly gripped his wrist. He turned, only to be met with the gaze of a buff women bartender. Without a word, she yanked him toward her tavern and shoved a rag into his hand, pointing at the mountain of dirty dishes stacked in the sink. "You work, or else," she ordered, arms crossed. Hayden just stared at the woman, and instead of complying he swiftly disarmed her with precise movements and countering her aggression with skill. The tavern patrons gasped as the two engaged in a rapid exchange of blows, chairs and tables scraped across the wooden floor in the commotion. Just as the tension escalated, a ragged homeless man burst through the doors, and screamed, "DANCE BATTLE!" The entire tavern erupted into cheers, and before Hayden could process what was happening, a medieval boom box was hauled onto the counter. The bartender cracked her knuckles, stepping onto the now somehow cleared floor with a sly grin. Hayden sighed slowly. As the beat dropped, he moved with precision and started to do sharp footwork with quick spins. The crowd hollered and cheered, stomping their feet to the rhythm. After a while, the bartender's attempts to outdo him fell short. With a final flourish, Hayden landed a perfect finishing move with his arms outstretched. The room fell silent before erupting into wild applause. The bartender defeatingly huffed but gave a nod of respect. Hayden dusted off his sleeves, turned toward the crowd, and muttered under his breath, "Why does this always happen to me?"