Have a Heart

"Oh. Good luck with that then" Gregory stated. "I'll send food up later"

"Alright," Daniel replied, wondering what he meant by 'good luck'. He would need it in any case, so he didn't wonder too much. He supposed he was already having good luck, with Ellona curled up next to him like this. Carefully he put one arm around her.

Ellona shifted and made a small discontented noise. She wriggled until she was comfortable and made a more pleased grunt.

Daniel tensed a little as she squirmed. He expected her to wake up and ask him what the hell he was doing. When she remained asleep he relaxed.

He wasn't sure what to make of her sometimes. But he did want to help her, to protect her. If nothing else it was his duty, right? He had just been doing a lousy job so far.

Ellona sighed again and murmured Seirra's name lightly.

Daniel rolled his eyes. Of course. He had a long way to go if he was ever going to fill those shoes.

"Idiot" Ellona mumbled. She nuzzled Daniel again.

It felt awkward, being mistaken for someone else. Especially since he was about as far from that someone as he could get. Maybe if they had met before...

There was a sudden boom and quaking below.

Ellona woke with a start, sitting up with a small noise of surprise. "Whawasthat?!" She exclaimed, clutching the blanket to her.

Daniel also sat up, on alert. "I don't know. Sounds like it came from the bottom of the castle."

"Should we... um, go look?" Ellona asked awkwardly, painfully aware of how they had been when she was rudely awakened.

(What was that?)

"Probably. They might need help down there," Daniel answered.

(ye random monster attacking the castle. Probably a dragon.)

Gregory burst through the door before they could move from the bed. "Minotaur!" He exclaimed, fumbling for the keys. "Big Minotaur!"

(They don't have dragons in that region)

(ah)

"Why's it attacking the castle?" asked Daniel, getting up. "Do you know?"

"Biggest thing in the area" Ellona replied. "They do that sometimes."

"Have you fought them before?" asked Daniel. He did not have much experience with minotaurs.

"Yeah. Me and... We just have to double team them." Ellona stated.

"Alright," Daniel replied, nodding. "We're not fighting with the shackles on, are we?"

Finally Gregory found the right key and unlocked the shackles.

"No" Ellona replied.

"Good," Daniel answered, heading for downstairs. "Let's go then."

Ellona paused to put on her boots and grab her sword off the wall. "Hold on, you don't know how to deal with these things."

"I've dealt with one before," Daniel replied. "I'm just getting my sword."

"Probably not as big as we get around here. Trust me" Ellona stated, hurrying after him.

Daniel quickly equipped his sword and armor, following after Ellona.

Ellona dashed down the stair only to skid to a stop at the bottom.

The Minotaur was right down the hall, in all its glory. It was easily eight feet tall, with the torso and arms of a man but the legs, hooves, head and horns of a glorious bull. Dool fell in thick globs from its mouth to its chest and the floor. Its thick penis hung limply between its legs, not even covered by a scrap of fabric.

It let out a strange noise when it saw Ellona and she could immediately guess what had driven the large beast to this area. It took a heavy step toward her and the stairs, and Ellona could see its penis begin to stand.

"Oh shit" She breathed, starting to back up the stairs. "Daniel, we have a problem"