After my drink at the bar, I found myself in the forest. I awoke to a throbbing headache and blurred vision. But, I recovered and cleared the dust from my mind. I checked my surroundings and found where I was. I was in the forest, not sure which one. I still had my Knight's pack with me. It really didn't matter, I could use my dream power to get back. All I would have to do is concentrate and wind up back in the guildhall.
Well, I tried to anyways. I got hit with another huge headache when I tried dreaming back. My mind wasn't clear enough for it.
I knew I needed to rest in order to clear my mind. I couldn't do it in the forest. Too many wild animals and angry orcs around. I had to find some sort of shelter to rest in. I searched the landscape from any sign of anything other than trees. I saw some smoke forming to my south. Signs of a village? Or maybe a big fire? Well, better than nothing I guess. I heard an animal roar to my north. That's when I really got moving.
As I walked toward the smoke, I began to reflect. There was only one thing on my mind. Kushana. I remembered a memory I had of her. It stuck out in my mind.
It was in the den, the Knights' den. The fireplace was burning with fresh logs, and the racks were full of equipment. Kushana was sitting across from me.
"Kushana, we've come a long way from the manor, havent we?" I said. I wasn't sure why I had said that. I couldn't remember anything before this.
Kushana giggled. "Yeah, back then, you were higher up than me. Look at it now."
It was true, she was a real Knight. I was still in my apprentice stages.
"I still don't know how you managed it. You just found the best spots before me. I was stuck with the second course."
Kushana nodded. "Doesn't matter. You'll be up with me very soon. I'm sure of it."
I took a deep breath as I prepared to say something. At least that's how I remembered it. "But really...I want to ask you something."
Kushana looked curious. "What?"
"I want to ask for your hand in marriage."
Before I knew what happened, I was responded with not words, but a slap across my face. I fell backwards, not knowing what had happened.
Kushana looked very mad. "You want to marry me?" Kushana laughed evilly. The den seemed dimmer. "After you refused me in the manor? Your not even a real Knight! Just some low ranked person who couldn't cut it. I feel no regret when I say...no."
I snapped back into reality. Something told me that never happened, but how could I deny my memories? I would think I would remember something like that. Maybe I my drunken state had uncovered that bad memory, something I wanted to bury in my heart? I didn't know, but I felt terrible about it. To that, Kushana never cared about me at all.
If it happened, after it did, Kushana must have acted really nice. While I thought to myself, I missed a snare lying on the ground. My foot stepped into it, and I quickly flew up, hanging upside down.
"Oh great," I thought. "This is just getting better and better." I shouted for help, but I doubted anyone would hear me in the forest. And no one did. So, with little options, I went to sleep.
I awoke later. Not sure how much later. Something was poking me. I slowly opened my eyes, and saw the face of a bear! I swallowed a scream that I was about to release. I stayed as still as possible. The bear looked at me for a few more seconds, and then turned to leave. But, then it happened. I felt pressure building up in my chest. And I burped.
The bear didn't like that very much. It turned right around and rushed towards me. I was defenseless against him. I prepared myself against the hard slashes from the bear. Then, I heard the hoof beats of a horse. It sounded far, but quickly got closer.
The bear rushed at me...
The horse came closer...
And I prayed, a lot...
Figures, a bear and a wild horse are going to kill me. Might as well, not too much reason to go on. Better and better. I closed my eyes shut.
