Chapter 51 The Goblin Makes a Lady Feel Better

"What ails you elf?"
Lady Sylvia didn't know why she had ventured back to the magic kingdom. She had wandered to the dark elf's home because it was the only road in that kingdom familiar to her. She hadn't planned to stop there. With the elf moaning as he did, it just didn't seem proper to move on without seeing if he needed her aid. Besides, she had felt significantly better when he had stopped by her home. Perhaps it was time to return that favor.
"I ache with your suffering. Your lost child still pains you."

Sylvia felt her stomache lurch. She hadn't been thinking of the baby who died before she could bear it. To hear it mentioned brought forth the pain. Then again it could simply be that bad food she had eated while mourning the loss.

"I can take your mind off the pain."
"That would be kind."

With that the Goblin the Dark Elf took her hand in his. It startled her a moment. Then she realized he only meant to dance with her. As a lady this did not seem odd...though perhaps it should have as there was a lack of music.

Sylvia felt a smile form on her face. It was nice to dance. It was such a non-mourning thing to do. Somehow it felt better than the party. The party with the hostess who thought she may be expecing a baby. Sylvia's face crumpled again.
"I see the dance is not enough. Come with me. I will make you feel better."
Sylvia followed him inside.
"I will go wash up, I won't be long."
Sylvia sat upon a bench, wondering why she had followed him in here. He had made her feel better for a moment. Perhaps he is simply kind.

These thoughts only brought her back to that little pain in her heart.

She moaned. The dark elf must have heard her, for he called to her.

"Come upstairs Sylvia." Still lost in thoughts of her baby, Sylvia obeyed.

"In here. Let me make you feel better."

She followed his voice to a little wash room. Before this elf who said he wanted to make her feel better, away from her husband who only wanted her to be better, Sylvia broke into tears. She hadn't meant to. In fact, she felt her heart had been healed. She just had these painful moments now and then.

She began to feel embarassed, crying before this elf. Goblin raised the back of his dark hand to her cheek, wiping away her tears.

At this unfamiliar touch Sylvia grabbed his wrist to stop him. At the same time, it touched something inside her. Her pirate of a husband didn't dry her tears. He didn't seem to know what to do with her. She only hoped he truly didn't blame her for not being able to carry his child.

"What I would like to do with your pain..." Again, Sylvia was touched. She couldn't help it. She had mourned alone, her husband avoiding her in her weakest moments. She had needed the sympathy.

"You'd do that for me?"

Then the Goblin grabbed her waist firmly, pulling her to him.

Startled again, she didn't return his embrace right away. Then she gave into it. She wasn't sure herself if it was to avoid losing her balance or if she desperately needed to be held.

Goblin seemed to take her dainty arms around him to mean something else. He kissed Sylvia. She found herself responding. Perhaps it was out of habit. No man aside from her husband had ever kissed her. It did not occur to her at first that she should try to stop him. By the time it had, he was done kissing her. She was surprised and a little breathless.

Goblin reached around her and grabbed her backside firmly in her hand. She jumped with surprise. Did he laugh as she squealed?

"I will make you feel better Sylvia."

He began to rustle with her skirts. What was he doing? He touched her where her husband didn't touch her with his hand. Could the elf possibly think she had a physical pain there? A pain he could heal? She meant to tell him it was only her heart that hurt, then gasped. Sylvia's breath came faster. She couldn't speak at all. She felt her face grow hot. She began to cry out.

Not only could she not speak, she couldn't move. It took all her effort to remain standing. She cried out again and again, she could not help herself.

She felt the Goblin's breath on her breasts and his hand in places she hadn't known she had. Her own breath came and weant quickly as she cried out again and again. Something then happened, though she didn't know what. For a moment she couldn't breathe. She felt...she didn't know what, different. Another cry escaped her lips, then a moan. She shivered and nearly fell. The goblin caught her and picked her up. Sylvia clung to goblin, feeling weak and sleepy.

Chapter 50 The Spy

"I was so worried about my wee wife I followed her to your kingdom. Once I saw she came to no harm I made my way here. I thank you again for having me." "I see."
There was a moment of silence as everyone ate. Then the tribal man continued.
"You can see my wife carries my child. I do not worry. She is strong woman. Maybe you see Egyptian cat woman, name Bast. Egyptian's call her Goddess. She in hut."

After his meal Lord Sven decided to see about this cat woman.
"I am Bast. You seek protection for your wife?"

Sven was in awe. Then he realized she must have heard the dinner conversation. Still, if the Egyptians called her a Goddess, perhaps she is wise.

"My wife, she has not been around many people. She is sweet and innocent." "And you mean to keep her that way? I am Goddess of Protection and Entertainment. Your wife needs protection from you, which I shall give her by speaking with you."
"Me? I love my wife. I would do her no harm."
"Than do not coddle her so. Let her make friends. She may come to harm, she may not. If you keep trying so hard to prevent her all harm, you will be the cause of it."
"Just what are you trying to get at?"

"She is your wife, not your prisoner."
"I do not keep her prisoner! Why just today she wanted to go visiting on her own, and that is what she is doing."
"And you followed her. You are not a bad man. You have been a very loving husband to her. She needs you to comfort her for hardships, not keep her from them."
Bast turned away. Sven walked outside the hut.

He sat on the ground, his eyes cast toward the sea.

He had not thought of things in quite the way Bast said.

Sven followed the leaving guests to the road.

He didn't think his sweet Brooke thought of him as her prison keeper. He didn't want her to begin to. Yet he did not want to neglect her. He felt a neglectful husband could cause his wife harm.

Sven sighed. It will likely take me a lifetime to strike the balance! Perhaps my Lady Brooke will show me the way.

Chapter 49 Lady Brooke's Adventure

Lord Brooke made a vist to the Tribal Lands alone. Her viking husband was busy and she told him she would go visiting. She just neglected to tell him where she was going. No need to worry him. God bless him, the man worried enough!
Brooke had delighted in Grunwald rising to a kingdom once again. She enjoyed meeting new people. However, she was not used to it. She couldn't remember a living being before Sven, and she had been a grown woman when she met him. Stranded on a tiny island, he told it was most likely her family left her there to protect her from the plague. Whoever brought her there either didn't survive or didn't make it there. There were plenty of provisions and comforts for a lady, but the building structure hadn't been meant to last for generations. It was starting to fall apart when Sven found her. If there had been a ship, it was long gone. Who knew what would have happened if he had not found her? She had loved him at once...
Brooke found the Tribal Lands a little homely. Clearly by the way she looked she was not from this land. But it did remind her of the only home she could remember. Only this place is bigger...and has people. Brooke could see a woman in a nearby settlement. She swallowed her shyness and approached. "Good day. I am Lady Brooke of Grunwald."
"I am Cloud Skin Yetti. Won't you stay and visit?"
It was just the invitation she was hoping to hear. Brooke smiled and nodded.
"We are just finishing a meal. I can make you more."
"Oh no, there is no need for that. Thank you for your kindness."
"Then please, enjoy our lands. I must attend to my husband."

Brooke wondered if this woman was a peasant. It was hard to tell. Perhaps the culture was simply different. Of course she was too polite to ask.
She was delighted with the offer to wander about as she wished. Sometimes it was nice not being waited on.
She saw a horse nearby. She crept closer, hoping not to startle it.

Brooke was the one who was startled.

She had never seen a horse like this before. Could it even be called a horse? Was it...a centaur?

Then she spied something truly frightening. A wolf...standing on hind legs, like a person. She watched these 2 beings carefully, from a distance. They didn't seem dangerous, but she wasn't brave enough to approach them.

By the time sun was setting she had seen a third strange being.

A pink elephant had come to a hot spring on the Yetti land. Pink elephant! And in a dress no less? Brooke couldn't remember drinking, but was certain she must have been, and far too much. She decided it was past time to go home.

Chapter 48 Challenge 1 Some Like it Hot

"Dear Lord, whatever this day may bring, Thy Will be done. Amen."

By the end of the day, Old Joseph would find comfort that he had made this simple prayer to start his day. The first challenge for Ebony's hand would be today, but had not yet been announced.

Some of the menfolk took the time to get to know one another. Thomas ventured out to the road to look out at the land. He noticed that Buddha had done the same...or maybe he followed him.
There was something that struck Thomas about Buddha. He seemed almost a younger version of himself, with some significant differences. Thomas didn't think he'd ever worn such a sneer upon his own face.

Thomas had never gone about wearing nothing but a loin cloth.

Mostly, Thomas didn't see himself as a butt scratcher. The rest of the day was not as serene. That afternoon there were a terrible fire. The men rushed to the fire.

The butler did little to assist he was in such a panic. The fire spread as the men gathered round.

The maid showed up but was also of little help. At last the fire was out, no death toll this time. Cupid, Old Joseph and Allen each played a part in putting the fire out.

Thomas went into the other room and tried to calm himself.

It is no wonder Lord Gabon died in a fire. What primitive people! They cook with little more than a cooking fire. Have they no metal? No metal with which to make a safer place to cook?

"Dear God, I will do my best if you find this woman should be mine. If it is to be so, please strengthen my heart and spirit that I may do well by this woman in this land so different than my own. Amen."

Soon after this prayer, Lady Ebony announced the first challenge.

"I see that all of you are present. I am glad that none of you have died during the fire nor left last night. I trust that the man among you who is to be my husband will do right by this child I carry."

"Due to today's events and Lord Gabon Bushman's passing, the first challenge will be a study of fire prevention. The man who is the least dedicated to this study will be sent home, as one man will be sent home with the completion of each challenge. This is gravely important to me. It would break my heart to lose another husband in this way." Lady Ebony swiftly took a book and began to study it. The men followed her example.

The men were very tired. The fire had been a lot for all of them. Only Old Joseph gave the book a thorough study.

Lady Ebony chose a man to send home.

"You studied very little. I think you are still too upset by the fire. While I understand, I need a husband who can protect us in this way. Thank you for coming. Goodbye Thomas." "You are a true lady. God bless you."

Inside Thomas was relieved. He was thankful he could return to his Sanctuary.