"... get a snack. This is great, just eating, relaxing, and, of course, hot sex!"
Andy found himself agreeing, and the two of them happily searched for their next meal.
However, just as they were about to switch decks, Andy almost bumped into a familiar face: Morgan.
"Ah, the fine knight and of course, the prince, sticking together still." She said. "I saw your performance in the pit earlier. Quite remarkable sword skills, don't you think?", she addressed Andy.
"Uh yeah, it was alright for my first time with a sword, I guess.", he shrugged, still a bit nervous after meeting that woman. He couldn't really place his finger on it, but she was... strange. Causing a shiver to run down his spine kind of strange.
For some reason, his answer seemed to annoy Morgan. "Awww. It was 'alright'? Gods, this is so *boring*" She said.
"Don't you care more about that you just handled a sword for the first time and displayed half a lifetime of skill with it? That you probably couldn't even *lift* it some days ago? No? Of course not. He doesn't want everyone to panik, after all. Wants to make things... easy for everyone."
She seemed almost angry now, though probably not at Andy and Holland, but at 'him'.
"Who... is 'he'?", Holland asked the question that was hanging in the room, but Morgan waved it away with her slender hand.
"That's not important right now. Besides, you already met him, twice, I believe."
She seemed like she had an idea and an downright evil smile crept on her face now.
"But I think, I know a way to make things... less boring. More interesting. One of you...", she wiggled her index finger between the two men, finally settling on Andy, "Should go through the world with more open eyes. Less believing. More seeing, more experiencing."
Her gaze was now fixed on Andy, and he could swear her eyes turned bright violet for a few moments.
"You shall not wander along your path blind. Open your eyes and see the world, see the changes, see the wonder."
With that, Morgan turned around abruptly and began to walk away.
"I'll leave you boys to it. You will have much to... discuss."
Andy was confused. That was downright creepy. And what she said didn't really make sense. Although... now that she mentioned it... it was kind of strange how well he could handle the sword with no training at all. That was beyond every natural talent.
And speaking of natural. He had looked in the mirror before he embarked on the journey. What he saw now, when he looked down his broad chest and bulging trapezius, was undeniably unnatural. Andy felt panic raising up in him. What *was* going on? Was this some kind of weird science experiment? Steroids in the food?
Andy thought about their encounter with Allan, the guy with the "dragon" experience, with the strange scaly spots on his arms. Or could it be... real magic? Andy felt himself instinctively grabbing the cross necklace he wore.
That couldn't be. Magic wasn't real. But what *was* going on here?