Ted the tubby

The Uncovered

"Sylvia stop this." The woods were quiet. Ted's breathless voice was the only sound. Sylvia turned around slowly. Her dead eyes glared at Ted. "You saw that man kill my friend. He must be punished. Knights are all the same, mindless killers. Only you are different." Ted frowned. "I wasn't. You're different. You're, you're... bloodthirsty and it's scaring me."

Sylvia whipped around. Her red wings draped around her like a cloak. "Ted don't be afraid. This is who I truly am. I won't hurt you. I'm powerful Ted. What you are afraid of is raw power." Ted chewed his lip as he spoke. "Henry, he's not a villain. I think he trying to help Jessica somehow, but I'm confused. I need to talk to him." Sylvia's eyes widened. "You want to leave me?" She growled. Ted backed away. "No, no I got to-" Sylvia grabbed Ted's arm and pulled him close to her."Kiss me Ted."

"Er- what?" Sylvia's dark eyes seemed to draw Ted's blue ones in. "Kiss me. You want too. You love me." "I don't- well I mean- I um" Sylvia's perfect red lips stopped Ted's stammering. She dove into the kiss, full of power and passion. Ted's eyes wanted to close. He wanted to melt into Sylvia. He wanted to enjoy his first kiss.

But he couldn't.

"No Sylvia." Ted pulled away, taking with him the warmth that was left in his body. "I can't do this Sylvia. I- I don't love you. Not like this. I just wanted to help you, I just wanted to do my quest. You know that but this isn't you. Where's the maiden I know? " Sylvia's expression darkened. "Ted. Oh Ted my sweet." Sylvia shifted into a darkness even deeper than rage. Ted couldn't explain it, but he saw it in her eyes. "Do you know why Henry tried to kill me?" Sylvia circled Ted like a beast with its paralyzed prey. "He's trying to save Jessica- from me. She cannot love Henry because she has to love Sir Bryan the Brave, just how I have to love you. Magic always has a cost. It's not for free. When my mother died, when Jessica killed her spirit, I took over. Ancient laws prevent witches from killing maidens, or I would've burned her where she stood. Instead I trapped her. But this time and every time the damsels are rescued. And they found love, a result of the entrapment spell. I was angry. When the knight came to rescue dear Jessica I tried to kill him. I leapt into the tower and was trapped by my own spell. There was no knight to save me... until you came. I gave you the courage spells so you could be more of a knight than a coward. It made me so so tired, but I was free. My spell hasn't changed you Ted. It's wrapped you in lies. You are still a pathetic, worthless, apprentice. I will find Henry on my own. "

Sylvia turned to leave, her long hair tickled Ted's face. Ted grabbed her arm. Her skin held cold, like marble and she hissed like a snake. "Don't leave, I-I didn't." "Ted." Sylvia grabbed his arm and pulled him close to her face. "Don't ever touch me again." She flung his arm away from her and rose into the sky like a hawk.

Ted watched Sylvia leave into the night sky. He opened his mouth to yell at her, but he closed it. "I should've known." Ted said gently. "I could've never been that brave."

Ted went to Thursday's shed and led Barrus into the woods. Lewis was nowhere to be seen, but Ted was beyond caring. His heart was in his shoes. Sylvia had fabricated all of it. Every single brave thing he did was fake. Barrus moved slowly as if not to jolt Ted on his back. Ted twisted the horse's white fur into tiny tornadoes, slumped down to Barrus' neck. Fireflies winked from the forrest. Ted whispered to himself. "I must warn Henry. Then I must get Sir Bryan the Brave to help. Yes. Him and Jessie the Brave. But which way?" Ted felt his eyes start to close. "Luck must be in our favor tonight. Luck. It's a better name for a horse don't you think? What kind.. of a name.. is.. Barrus.." Ted's head fell to Barrus but the hooves kept walking along the dirt path, scattering the fireflies in all directions.