I woke with a wide grin on my face and a blush that crept onto my cheeks. I couldn’t help but think of the night before and the things that Ariel and I did in this bed. I turned over to see one more glimpse of Ariel but to my surprise the bed was empty. I had a jolt to my heart as I looked around and there was no evidence of her to be found except a note on the pillow. I hurriedly grabbed the note and read while feeling the anxious beat of my heart. 

“Samuel, thank you for the night, it was amazing, and I hope the best for you in your future adventures. Think of me fondly and always stay true to yourself.” 

I read the note aloud not believing this is all I have left of beautiful Ariel. I breathed in the scent that was left from the pillow with a longing feeling in my stomach. 

“Ah well, no use getting all caught up in a woman that won’t even stick around the next day.” I said trying to convince my heart to move on from this experience. 

I grabbed all my clothes and made myself presentable as I had no time for a bath before heading out. I had this sinking feeling I was going to be scolded by the old wizard as I never came home last time, but hopefully he will understand once I tell him the story of what happened. 

I quickly looked out the window and saw the sunlight creeping over the horizon, it appeared to be only about midmorning which meant I was definitely late for my magic lessons with the old wizard. I rushed down the stairs and ran by James who tried to say good morning, but I couldn’t stop to say anything worrying about what the old wizard will make me do as punishment today. 

As I pushed past the door and ran down the steps outside the tavern I ran right into the one person I wished I didn’t. 

“Drew, my bad I didn't see you there. I will make it up to you sometime tonight or tomorrow with a drink.” I hurriedly replied while breathing heavy and trying to scoot past the old guard. 

“Whoa boy, why the rush.” Drew said with a smirk. “Where is the missus you were with last night? She sure was a beauty wasn’t she boy?”

I froze when Drew mentioned Ariel and I couldn’t help but frown a bit in the memory of the amazing woman. I quickly tried to hide the frown in hopes that Drew didn’t see but when I looked at him, I knew that he knew what happened. 

“Ah, well you win some and you lose some. No need to worry about it lad. Plenty of adventurers in the woods you know.” Drew said with a bit of a sad smile and his eyes sort of glazed over as if remembering something of the past. 

“Well, why are you in such a rush now boy? Want to go train, I don’t have to start my shift until midday.” Drew said in a softer manner then he usually does. I don't know why but it made me a bit angry. 

“I have to be off to grandfather but thanks for the offer Drew.” I said with anger creeping in my voice. 

“No need to be upset with me boy, well anyways off with you. I will see you later tonight maybe.” Drew said as he walked past and headed into Hangman’s Tavern. 

I stood there for a moment, feeling a little guilty about my exchange with Drew but I knew the old guard wouldn't take it personally. I did a quick turn from the tavern and rushed back home to the outskirts of the town, near Misty Forest a nice and quite large forest that goes up next to the mountain range of White Rock. I don’t really know what’s past the mountain range as no one really travels that way, but I did hear there is a massive ocean with no land in sight. It might be nice to see that one day and travel across. 

I rushed past the crown at the market as there wasn’t a need to stop as I couldn't afford much anyway, the old wizard hardly gave me an allowance as I was meant to train not go around acting like a noble buying things I don’t need. I agreed with the old wizard as I saw how greedy people are just to buy items that have no place making you a better person than someone else. It was a sight that made me nauseated so I picked up my pace to get from the market to the town gates. 

“Hey there Samuel, surprised to see you so early in the morning especially leaving town. I didn’t see you come this morning.” A young guard by the name of Brad said to me as I approached the gate. I stopped short of the gate answer back. 

“I actually stayed the night in the tavern and I am rushing back to lessons with grandfather, I am a bit late, so I will see you later Brad.” I said while picking up the pace to leave before Brad talks my ear off. 

“Oh, okay then, well let’s chat another time then Samuel. Have a good day.” Brad said before turning to a merchant that was trying to enter the town. 

Before I got too far away, I quickly turned around to ask Brad something I knew I shouldn’t as I should just let it go and move on with my life, but of course I couldn't help myself. I just had to know more about this woman who made me feel something besides the darkness that threatens to overwhelm me every day. 

“Hey Brad, did you see a beautiful woman, around five foot four with lovely pale blonde hair, a cute nose and gorgeous hazel eyes. She might have passed by either last night or early this morning.” I said with a hopeful expression on my face just wanting to hear more about this mysterious woman. 

Brad turned to me after speaking with the merchant who hurriedly walked away, most likely glad to not have to talk with Brad more than he had to. I swear that man talked more than any teenage girl I have ever met. Brad just loved to gossip about everything which normally I didn’t enjoy but today it might be different if he could help me with my request. 

“A beautiful blonde woman you say, hmmm let me think, ah yes, there was one this morning right when I started my shift. She seemed to be in a rush to leave here. Why do you ask?” Brad asked with a curious glance at me while still keeping watch at the gate house. 

“Well you see I met that woman last night and um...had some interaction with her and didn’t get a chance to talk with her this morning.” I said while blushing and trying to look everywhere except for Brads face which was now sporting a huge smile on this stupid face. 

“Interaction huh? Well Samuel I didn’t know you had it in you, good for you brother. Let’s see, she didn’t say much just that she was heading home to her village or something to the east of here. She didn’t say what it was called just that it was known for some tomb or what not when I asked. Don’t know if that helps.” Brad said while scratching the back of his neck. He smiled as I digested the information and turned back to his job at hand. I quickly remembered why I was at the gate house and rushed home. 

“Shit.” I muttered under my breath as I neared the house. I saw smoke rising from the chimney which meant that old wizard was definitely up and about. Probably pacing thinking of ways to torture me for being late. I slowly walked my way to the house in hopes that just maybe I could sneak in and just pretend I was sleeping in. As I crept closer to the house, I heard the old wizard muttering to himself in the kitchen. I bent down and crawled past the window over to my bedroom window. I started to lift the window open when that is when I noticed something was off. I didn’t hear muttering anymore. 

“Where the fuck have you been boy?” The old wizard was shouting at me from behind. I quickly stood up and faced the old wizard with a hardened look on my face. 

“This is not good.” I thought to myself. “I don’t have a way of escaping this old bastard.” 

I tried to quickly make an escape from the old wizard and run as fast as I could. I ran about ten yards out and headed towards the woods to hopefully let this old wizard cool his head as he was definitely pissed. 

“You think you can escape me boy, let’s see if you can escape this.” The old wizard yelled then I heard it. The crackle and pop of electricity. The next thing I know I was blacking out while the ground started rushing to my face.