Serys rode for what seemed like hours. She loved riding by the country side; the vast swaths of open green land interrupted only by tiny homes and the various herds of animals that the farmers who lived there tended to.
Feeling the cool wind blow past her, Serys felt a sense of calm. When she went on her royal visits to these lands, everything was strictly coordinated and arranged. Having the freedom to see anything she liked was a nice change of pace.
As she rode ahead, she thought she could see a stranger on the side of the road. As she got closer, she became startled by what she saw. A man whose body appeared to be...decomposing? He was missing one eye, his skin was grey and pallid, and blood dripped from his fingernails.
"Turn back now, or you will join our ranks." the man said in a threatening tone.
Serys turned her head for a minute and when she looked back, the man was gone. "Jitters Serys, steel yourself." she told herself.
With that, Serys decided to ride faster
----
A few hours later, Serys reached an inn. Given that it was about to be nightfall, Serys decided it would be a good time to rest. She tied Naple to a post and went inside. She went up to the innkeeper and pulled out two gold coins. "One night, please" Serys asked.
The innkeeper pulled out a key and pointed to a room upstairs. As Serys started to walk up the stairs, she was stopped by a man wearing religious robes.
"Hello my young dear, it would be unwise to spend the night alone in a place like this. My name is Malthus and I can provide all the companionship you will need."
"No thank you"
Serys had been hit on by older men before, and while she had no interest in doing anything with a man old enough to be her father, she did not want to create a big issue. She started walking up the stairs again before Malthus grabbed her arm forcefully.
"You seem to be under the impression that I was asking." Malthus angrily shouted. "Now come with me-"
Reacting entirely on impulse, Serys pulled out her knife and held it to his throat. "If you touch me again, you will lose your hand and more."
Malthus backed off. "Don't think this is the last we'll see of each other. Next time around, things will be much less pleasant."
Serys made her way up to her room and locked the door. She changed into a night robe and sat on her bed. When she was sure she was alone, she reached under her robe and started gently moving her fingers over her vagina. Serys had shared her bed with men before, but sometimes all she needed was herself. Starting slowly and moving quicker and quicker, Serys felt herself getting more and more excited. Working herself into a sweat, she continued her frenzied pace until she let out a loud moan which she moved to quickly stifle. She looked at herself in the mirror. Serys knew she was a desirable young woman but at this point, she had no desire to be betrothed to anyone.
Serys washed her hands, laid on her bed and prepared to sleep. What seemed like only a few minutes passed before Serys felt there was something off. When she came to, she was horrified to see two men similar to the one she encountered on the road earlier that day.
"It is not too late, save yourself" said a man whose jaw was just barely attached to his face.
"If you proceed, you will know nothing but anguish and terror" said the other man, who had blood pouring out of his eyesockets.
"Bravery, cowardice, it makes no difference. All those who travel to Blenshire end up the same way: worm meal."
The jawless man attempted to reach for her face...
Serys woke up in a panic. She looked around and saw nothing. She had no idea what to make of these apparitions but she determined she was not a coward.
-----
Getting ready the next morning, Serys walked down the stairs when she was approached by the innkeeper. "Someone left this for you." he said. Serys saw a scimitar resting against a table. She picked it up and felt the sword's handle. Ever since she was given a wooden sword as a child, Serys had always dreamed of having a sword of her own. Pressing her finger against the cold steel of the blade, Serys felt excitement unlike any other in her life. She also found a note attached to it.
"To Serys, be prepared for what is to come."
Serys sheathed the blade and walked outside to see an unwelcome surprise: Ser Patwin and two guards with him.
"How did you find me????" Serys asked incredulously.
"I overheard you in the library." Patwin responded. "From there, it was easy to track your steps."
"I presume you're here to escort me home."
"No...I'm here to join you on the way to Blenshire. No man or woman should ever go there alone."
Serys hesitated, but then relented. Patwin would not take no for an answer, and she trusted him more than anyone else.
"Well let's get going" Serys said. With that, Serys, Patwin, and the guards rode off.