Chapter 3

It took three full hours of brisk walking through the forest to get to a proper road, where Alise announced it would be another three-hour hike to reach Lylean. By the time they arrived at the outskirts, Titus’s feet were killing him, and he thought he had blisters on top of blisters from where his boots rubbed.

Alise pulled him off the road as they passed the first few houses and all but pushed him to the ground. “Here, she said, pulling a small bottle out of a pocket in her pack and putting it in his hand. “Kick your boots off and drink this.” Titus’s feet were suffering so much that he didn’t question what she gave him and downed the bottle’s contents. Impatient, Alise yanked his boots off for him as the pain faded. Even though he had seen plenty of magic living with the pig-girl, watching the blisters on his feet and ankles heal over the next few seconds still amazed him.

“Why didn’t you tell me you didn’t have any socks?” she asked, glaring at him while digging out a roll of linen from another pocket. “You need something to protect your feet on long hikes like this.”

“Will you take pity on me if I say that in my old life, I did exactly zero hiking beyond the age of fourteen?” he said as she began wrapping his feet. A noise to his right caught his attention as one of the six-legged, furry, hippopotamus-looking creatures this world used as livestock came over to check them out.

“We’ve walked everywhere since you arrived,” she said, casting a quick cleansing rune on his boots to remove the fluid from burst blisters inside. “I would have thought you learned by now you need socks to protect you from the rough leather.”

“Well, most of our socks are a little small and frilly for my feet.”

Alise glanced down at her own feet and the frilled socks poking up over the edge of her leather slippers. “I didn’t give you any socks, did I?”

“Nope.”

The pig-girl sighed. “Sorry I got annoyed with you. It didn’t occur to me that you didn’t have any. We’ll fix that while we’re here and maybe get you some proper fitting clothes, too.”

“Why exactly are you annoyed with me?” he asked while pulling his boots on over the bandages.

“Because you were being dumb. You’ve been in pain for hours, and I’ve been waiting for you to ask for a rest, a healing potion, anything! But instead, you kept trudging along, suffering. Why?”

“I didn’t want to bother you or let you think I was weak.”

“In other words, you were being dumb.” She leaned over and kissed him lightly on the lips. “I told you I love you, and it hurts me to see you in pain. Remember that.”

“Then why didn’t you ask what was hurting me hours ago when you noticed?”

“Men get weird about showing any weakness, and I didn’t want to insult you by accident. I won’t let this happen again.”

“I appreciate it. Just ... if I’m being dumb, don’t call me out in public, please? Drag me off somewhere and talk to me in private.”

“Why would I do such a thing in public?” she asked, genuinely confused.

Titus stood, then held out a hand to help Alise to her feet. “It’s just something a few of my bosses did back on Earth, and I absolutely hated it. I understand you are nothing like any of my old bosses and probably would never have done anything like that anyway, but I felt I needed to say it.”

“We will likely have more important things to worry about in town, but I promise I won’t point out if you’re doing something dumb. At least not intentionally.”

“Well ... Okay ... I don’t know Calar’s or Lylean’s customs or culture, so stop me if I’m about to make a complete ass of myself. It’s more of the being publicly degraded that I have an issue with.”

“Oh. Goddess, no. I would never do anything like that. But I will stop you before you put your foot in your mouth.”

“Interesting how some phrases exist no matter which world you are in,” he chuckled.

Lylean wasn’t a large town by modern standards. Titus’s mom and dad lived in a town of about 3500 back in Ohio, and Lylean was probably around a quarter that size. The architecture matched what he thought of as ‘medieval’ based on movies, except everything felt, understandably, more real. These weren’t props on a movie set but people’s homes and businesses. Lylean’s population was about half human and half beastman, with the occasional dwarf and harpy scattered among them. Harpies, at least the flying ones, preferred to be categorized separately from regular beastman. Titus hoped to see an elf, but Alise didn’t think any lived in town, and none appeared to be passing through.

The main thoroughfare was lined with shops and booths where hawkers tried to entice people to look at their wares, be they crafts, jewelry, or various foods. Most of the produce he saw looked like the crops from Earth and matched the root veggies and gourds he would expect to see at a farmer’s market in early fall.

Alise and Titus caused quite a stir as they entered the main part of town. Alise seemed caught off guard by the commotion and whispered to him that she didn’t get this kind of attention when she came by herself. Titus reminded her of telling him she usually used magic to go mostly unnoticed but couldn’t because he was with her.

A few women seemed to take extra notice of Titus as they passed, with some even stepping out into the street to eye him up.

The pig-girl steered him into a shop and spun to face him as soon as the door closed behind them.

“I warned you about the women here being after your body,” she said, nodding toward the two women standing outside the door they just came through. Titus looked through the door’s window and saw a dog-girl in a slate-gray dress smiling and waving as a human girl wearing green ducked out of sight, her face red with embarrassment.

Titus hesitantly returned the wave before giving Alise an uncertain smile. “Honestly, this feels very weird to me. I’ve never been wanted for my body in my life. But my mind hasn’t changed. You will still be my first in this world.”

“With your body, that’s a surprise,” came a voice from further in. Titus looked around to see that Alise had pulled him into the herbalist’s shop. The shopkeeper leaned forward with his elbows on the back counter, resting his chin in his hands. From the look in his eyes as they scanned Titus, he guessed the man would be just as likely to invite him into bed as the women following them.

“Haim,” Alise admonished, shooting the man a look that said he was treading dangerous waters. “This is Titus. He’s been living with me for the past few months.”

“I heard. You get him first. But once you two have gotten to know each other a little better, I wouldn’t mind taking a little bit of your time,” said Haim with a suggestive wiggle of his hips.

“I appreciate the offer, but I’m only interested in women,” said Titus, trying his best to not get flustered. He had zero intention of taking Haim up on his offer, but despite having numerous gay friends over the years, not one had ever hit on him.

“I can understand the attraction,” said the shopkeeper with a knowing glance at Alise. “That’s why I keep my options open.”

Alise looked up at Titus, a slight flush of embarrassment tinting her cheeks. “Hybrid women have mating seasons. Although we can get pregnant anytime, like humans, there is about a week each year when the urge to mate becomes so intense it’s undeniable. In the past, Haim has helped me during my mating seasons.”

“My clothes look good on you,” said Haim. “But I imagine she won’t need my help anymore with you around. That probably works out for the best.” He leaned across the counter toward Alise. “The mayor’s son was giving me eyes the other day,” he said in a conspiratorial whisper.

“Be careful,” Alise scowled, “he comes from bad blood.”

“I know, but he only has the one son. Wouldn’t it be justice to see his bloodline die because his son prefers men and never produces an heir?” Haim cackled. Despite trying to look serious, an evil grin tugged at the sides of Alise mouth.

“Much as I hate to even consider this,” said Titus, “you aren’t off the hook for helping her yet.”

Haim stared at him. “What?”

“I plan on exploring this world once I’ve learned enough magic. She’ll still need help while I’m gone.”

“‘While’? Not ‘After’?”

Titus’s expression softened as he looked at her. “I’m afraid to admit that Alise seems to have stolen my heart. I plan on coming back.”

Haim looked like he was about to burst with happiness and let out a very ladylike squeal as he scrambled around the side of the counter and wrapped the pig-girl in his arms, spinning her around the shop. “I’M SO HAPPY FOR YOU!” he shouted as she tried valiantly to escape the man’s clutches. “You, deserve this more then any woman in town,” Haim said, setting her down. As Alise tried to stand up straight from the spinning Haim’s eyes popped open and he stared at Titus. “‘Exploring this world’?” He looked at the pig-girl, “Alise, did you just bring the next Hero into my shop?”

“No,” Titus said sharply as Alise shook her head. “There was a mistake and I was taken from my world instead of the intended Hero. Instead of wasting their effort, they put me in a Hero’s body and sent me here.”

“So you are the Hero.”

“No. Goddess Saili is searching for the true Hero as we speak. My heart had stopped back on my world, so I’m more of a charity case.”

“But he still has a Hero’s body with all its benefits,” said Alise. “We haven’t made love, but we’ve come close enough I can confirm that much.”

Haim shot a hopeful look at Titus. “You’re sure you’re only into women?”

“Yes. Very much so.”

“Damn. I suppose that explains how I acted when you walked in. I’m not usually that forward.”

“We did come here for business...” said Alise.

“I know, I know, but really quick, umm...” Haim leaned down and whispered in the pig-girl’s ear.

Alise leaned away and looked him in the eye. “You would have to ask him.”

Titus’s gaze shifted between the two as Haim’s face turned bright red. “Ask me what?”

“If I would ... share, some of the Hero’s power,” she replied

Titus took a moment to process what she had just said and cringed.

“That look says enough. Sorry I asked,” said Haim.

“No ... I get it. Just ... how do I explain this. If she wanted to do that with another woman, that would be pretty damn sexy, in my opinion, and I would probably want to watch. But with a guy ... that just feels weird. I’m going to leave this up to you, Alise. I just don’t want to know about it if you do.”

Haim seemed to be studying Titus’s face carefully before he spoke. “You know ... I can respect that and appreciate you being so considerate towards a man of my inclination. Now. Talk of pleasure out of the way. What do you have for me today, Alise?”

“About a pack and a half of herbs and flowers and four healing potions,” she said, putting her pack up on the counter and shooting a look at Titus, who quickly looked away and began whistling some nameless tune since his feet were the reason they didn’t have five.

Haim opened up the bundle Alise handed him and peeked inside. “You have more of these?” He asked.

“Lots,” she replied, pulling out more of the flowers. She had tied each bundle with a specific knot to tell their contents apart.

“You’re in luck this week. The tailor is paying good money for these flowers because he ran out of dye. And I’m out of healing potions, so I’ll need these herbs to make more,” said Haim as Titus and Alise continued unloading their packs.

Alise frowned at the coins on the counter. “This isn’t what we agreed upon.”

“No, it isn’t,” Haim replied, unperturbed by the hinted accusation. “Titus, did you help gather these?”

“Yes.”

“Then this just for you,” he said, taking Titus’s hand and dropping some silver coins into it. “It’s probably best to let Alise handle the money, but tonight, you should take her to the little restaurant across from the inn. Tell them I sent you, and they’ll treat you good there.”

“It’s also the only place in Lylean besides the Adventurer’s Guild that will serve me,” muttered Alise. “The inn will rent me a room but don’t want me seen in their dining area.”

“How many restaurants are there in a town this size?”

“With the inn, only four, but one is in the Adventurer’s Guild building and serves more ale and snacks than actual meals. Their food is good, but the place can get a little rowdy. The other restaurant only serves the rich. It’s owned by a friend of Mayor Hordal, and you either need to have money and fame or be a friend of the mayor to eat there,” said Haim. “Despite being a business owner, as a man who enjoys other men, as well as women, I am not welcome there.”

“Not rich enough?”

“As the only other person besides Alise who can make healing potions, I am fairly well-off. But Hordal sees me like the inn sees Alise.”

“But because you are the only one making the healing potions, he can’t take direct action against you,” Titus surmised.

“You’ve got a smart one here, Alise.”

“If you think that’s impressive. You should see how fast he’s learning magic. Speaking of which, Any new books? I give Titus a few more months before he’s gone through everything I have.”

Haim shook his head. “Nope, sorry. I haven’t run across any merchants or adventurers willing to give theirs up.”

“Do you need more money?”

“Putting more coin into your grimoire fund is always a good idea. Unfortunately, the issue hasn’t been price, but willingness to sell.” He turned to Titus, “Are you really going through her tomes that fast?”

“I guess so?”

The shopkeeper shrugged. “You are at least partially the Hero, so I guess that’s understandable.”

“I think it has more to do with my incentive,” Titus chuckled.

“Titus!” Alise hissed.

Haim’s eyes lit up and flicked to Alise before he leaned forward resting his chin on his hands again. “Do tell. What is this incentive?”

“When we first came in, I said she would be my first.”

“You did say ‘first in this world,’ didn’t you? I should have picked up on that sooner. That explains how you two haven’t slept together despite having eyes only for each other.”

“Yet,” said Titus and Alise in unison.

Haim threw his head back and laughed long and hard. “I have never heard so much frustration in a single word before,” he said, wiping the tears from his eyes. “But I can see how that would drive you to learn as fast as you can.” Something outside caught the man’s attention, and his face fell. “Uh oh. It looks like you may have overstayed your welcome. I wondered how not a single customer had bothered us for so long.”

Alise looked out the front window and swore under her breath. “It’s the mayor and his goons.”

“How do we want to do this? Intimidation or diplomacy?” asked Titus. “I’m no first-timer when it comes to standing up to bullies.”

“Intimidation?” asked Haim. “Do you even know enough magic to intimidate anyone?”

“I don’t know,” said Alise, waving off Haim’s question. “I doubt diplomacy will work the moment he sets eyes on me. But I don’t think we have much to intimidate with that won’t reduce half the town to cinders.”

“Let me try,” said Titus as he mentally ticked off his list of newly learned spells. “If my idea doesn’t work, then ashes it is.”

“Please be joking.”

“I am, but if things start going bad, I should be able to stall long enough for you to launch a fireball into the air. That should make them back down.”

“I don’t like this. If we make him mad, he will make our lives more difficult,” said Alise.

“And if we don’t stand up to him, he will continue to make our lives more difficult,” Titus countered. “Damned if we do, damned if we don’t. At least standing up to him means Hordal might think twice about bothering us in the future.”

Alise took a deep breath. “Okay, what’s your plan?”

“Just stay out of sight and keep your ears open. If things get messy, toss a fireball in the air and run. If we get separated, I’ll meet you out on the road we came in on.”

Titus opened the door to Haim’s shop and looked around, surprised. “Can I help you?”

Alise and Haim pointed out the mayor to him before he came out, but it wasn’t the mayor who stepped forward and demanded, “Send out the witch!”

Titus continued to look surprised. “Witch? There is no witch here. If you are looking for a mage, I am merely a beginner, but I may be able to help if you need assistance.”

“Not you, the swine!”

Taking on an air of indignation, Titus snapped, “You will not address my teacher as ‘swine.’ And she is not a witch. She is a mage, just like me.”

“Beastmen and beastwomen cannot cast spells,” said Mayor Hordal, finally speaking up. “She probably made a pact with a demon to use magic. Stand aside so we can remove her from our town.”

“No,” said Titus. “Beastmen and beastwomen can cast spells. Alise is plain evidence of this. And the most likely reason is that the ability is extremely rare, not some deal with a demon. If she were somehow associated with a demon, I’m sure Goddess Saili would have warned me.”

The mayor rolled his eyes. “As if the Goddess would speak to some no-name apprentice.”

Titus tried to look genuinely confused. “I was told meeting Saili was a fairly common occurrence with people from my world.”

The expressions of Hordal and those around him immediately became guarded. “Are you claiming to be the Hero?”

“No, I wish I was, but I am not the Hero. The Goddess accidentally took me in place of the intended Hero. Since I was dying in my world, she gave me the Hero’s body and sent me here. Goddess Saili is currently searching for the true Hero. But, she did give me permission to assist in some of...” he flashed a smile at the gaggle of women standing off to the side, two of which were the human and dog-girl who nearly followed him into Haim’s, “ ... the Hero’s more pleasurable duties.”

A few of the girls swooned, followed by a cacophony of titters and giggles. Titus loved this new power he had over women, but at the same time, it felt very, very weird.

One of the mayor’s cronies whispered in his ear, to which the man gave an affirmative grunt. “I will have my servants prepare a room for you at my house. It is not seemingly for a man such as you to be keeping company with a hermit living out in the woods.”

“Ah, then you have a mage capable of training me?”

“No, but I’m sure we can find a more capable mage among the guild’s adventurers.”

“I see. Then send a messenger when you have done so. I shall interview them and see if they are any better than Alise,” Titus produced a ball of flame a little larger than his fist and appeared to hold it in his hand without getting burnt, “but I sincerely doubt it.

“I understand it normally takes a year of study to produce a simple flame with magic,” he said, making the ball dance and flow between his hands. “Now, consider I have only been in this world a few months and can already do this.” The ball floated over to his other hand as he created a second and third, which soon joined it. As each ball of flame reached the others, Titus made a wave motion with his fingers as the balls slowly spun in his hand. He remembered a similar effect from an old movie, but with crystal spheres, had entranced him when he was younger. Holding spinning balls of flame was no less impressive but so much cooler since he was doing it, not some actor. Titus formed a fourth and placed it atop the other three, then formed a fifth and let it float above his free hand. “And because I’m not the true Hero, I had to learn your language before I could even begin studying magic. You won’t find a teacher like her just hanging around at the Adventurer’s Guild.”

“Impressive looking, almost-Hero, but juggling illusions takes no real talent.”

“Illusions? These are made of magical flame. Do I need to burn you to prove it?” asked Titus as the lone ball floated forward. “Actually, if these were illusions, that should make you more worried about my capabilities. In my world, light is much more difficult to bend and shape than fire.”

“Enough tricks,” said Hordal. “True Hero or almost-Hero, you don’t belong in the woods living with a pig. Men, escort him to my house and hold him there.”

“I’m rather fond of that ‘pig’,” muttered Titus as each of the balls zipped forward to block the paths of the mayor’s men. Two of them found out the hard way that they were indeed made of fire as they clutched seared fingers.

Titus held out his hand with palm toward the mayor. A magic circle filled with runes he had spoken under his breath floated in front of it.

“Fus!”

The mayor and his men stepped back.

“Ro!”

Titus nearly laughed as all of them flinched.

He activated the spell.

“DA!”

The pressure wave from the amplified shout extinguished the balls of flame, but not before making them lunge forward and splash harmlessly against the men. Hordal and those around him stumbled backwards and clapped their hands over their ears. A few of them cried out in obvious pain, and one pulled his hand away from his ear to reveal a red mark on his palm.

Titus figured their ears would be ringing for a little while yet and turned to address the gathered crowd. A few stepped back when he faced them, but luckily, the amplification spell was very directional, and nobody else heard anything more than a louder-than-normal shout.

“First,” he called out, “no more talk of my teacher being a witch or having dealt with demons. Her magic is merely a rarity among hybrids, nothing more, and she should be treated accordingly. Second, if Mayor Hordal tries to imprison me or take me away from my studies with Alise, if I need to, I will reduce this town to cinders trying to escape. Make sure he understands that once he can hear again.”