Goblin Defender
This one is still mostly slice of life
Micky Carre
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locations is entirely coincidental.
Copyright
©
2023 by Micky Carre
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review.
Check out these groups on Facebook for more recommendations:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/dukesofharem
https://www.facebook.com/groups/haremlit
https://www.facebook.com/haremlitbooks
https://www.facebook.com/groups/pulpfantasy
Also don't forget to check out my Patreon, where you can read these books well ahead of time, as I write them!
Thanks for reading!
Sometimes, when I stared at Eldrick’s shield, I wondered what was wrong with it. If it had any secret quirks or “hidden features.” If there were any hidden powers that wouldn’t make themselves known until the first time I tried to use it in combat. I imagined slipping my arm through the loops on the rear of the shield and then the damn thing started talking to me in a crazed voice, telling me to eat gravel or something equally nuts.
Fortunately, that didn’t happen. In fact, the first time I held it, very little happened.
The shield itself was quite beautiful. It was a kite shield, made from an unknown metal. It was as light as aluminum, but hard as steel. Perhaps even harder. Elven in design, intricate carvings of vines and leaves ran around the silver border of the shield, with flowers spreading from the bottom point. The inner section of the shield, interestingly enough, was lacquered in a black so dark it seemed to drink in the light. It was so dark that it was uncomfortable to even look at.
It was light on my arm, and fit as if it were made for me. I found that strange considering its age and that my arms were almost certainly larger than Eldrick’s had been. It took me a moment to realize that the straps sized themselves to the wielder.
I stood there in my room in the temple, shield on my left forearm. While it was an immensely powerful magical artifact, I found myself…. Well, disappointed was the wrong word, but it was close. I used my magical tendrils to feel around the shield. Nothing. In fact, when I tried to use any magic on the shield it almost seemed to drink it in and absorb it. Strange. I had expected it to have its own powers, though I didn’t know what. It seemed to be just a lightweight shield.
Whatever its powers were, I had to figure them out, and fast. Vogrim was amassing an army with the intention of swarming us. At the earliest, I had two months. With a bit of luck, I would have three.
“He did what?” Anna asked from behind me.
“Not that I’m surprised,” Cirro said.
I turned and saw my wives lounging in chairs, chatting and enjoying a light breakfast. They were all so beautiful in different ways, from
Lossia’s voluptuous curves and purple hair to Anna’s slender body and dark blue braid. Green skin or not, they were the most beautiful women ever, and I was the luckiest guy in the world.
Thilli looked at me and smiled as she continued telling the story. “Yeah, you heard me,” she said with a slight laugh. “Nerras and I ran out of the burrow on Andrew’s command. With each step, I feared that thing was going to spew acid all over my back. After killing Andrew first, of course.”
“Of course,” I said, removing the shield from my arm.
“But it didn’t,” Thilli said. “We ran out of the burrow and a few seconds later Andrew exited as well. He had that wild look in his eyes that I’ve come to recognize as a sign that he’s going to do something stupid. Or in this case, stupid but heroic.”
Anna laughed. “That sounds like the Andrew I know.” She gave me a smile filled with love.
“Fortunately, the plague beast couldn’t walk very quickly,” Thilli said. “It was strange, like a spike-covered frog but as tall as a minotaur. And with teeth. Oh, by the gods, its teeth were terrible. Sharp, and yellow, and just horrible. Anyways, Andrew climbs on top of the stones at the mouth of the entrance. The plague beast finally came out, and it immediately spat a wad of green…stuff right at us.”
Lossia wrinkled her nose. “That’s disgusting.”
Thilli grinned. “Disgusting is the right word for it. I managed to deflect it using magic, and then this genius,” she pointed at me, “leaps onto its back, completely ignoring all the spikes.”
Lossia, Anna, and Cirro winced at the same time. Three sets of eyes turned to me, looking at me as if I had lost my mind.
I shrugged. “I saw it attack Thilli and had to do something.”
“You should have seen him,” Thilli said, leaning forwards. “His armor protected most of him, but the spikes tore through his legs. He ignored it and sawed through half of the plague beast’s neck with his sword. In fact, he was so focused on killing that monster that he forgot to even summon the fire from his sword. I was so afraid Andrew was going to die that I couldn’t focus. I kept trying to attack the plague beast with fire, but it barely worked. Andrew did the job, though. It crawled over to him as it died, trying to take him with it.”
“You cut its neck half off while lying on its back?” Anna asked. “I’m just trying to picture this in my head.”
“It was every bit as ridiculous as you would think,” Thilli said. “It wasn’t fully dead at that time, although it was close. Andrew used magic to pull water out of the plague beast. It shriveled and dried up right in front of us. It tried to spit poison at him but that dried up as well, right in its throat.” She shrugged. “And then it died.”
“And then Andrew was poisoned,” Lossia said, her eyes going down to my legs.
I smiled and tried not to think about it. It wasn’t a pleasant memory.
“We all thought he was dead,” Thilli said, wiping a sudden tear from her eye. Her voice quivered slightly as she spoke, but she looked at me and smiled. “He refused to die, though. He tried to heal himself and failed, then Ulenor and I tried to heal him and failed. It took Zozella herself to finally get it done right.”
Cirro whistled loudly. “Healed by a goddess. You really seem to have gained her favor, Andrew.”
“I owe her everything,” I said, remembering how she not only healed me, but helped to give me this amazing life.
“Whatever she wants in return, you had better do it,” Cirro said with a laugh. “Oh, wait. I have a feeling I know what she wants.”
I looked at her and raised an eyebrow. They all laughed, as they also knew.
Zozella wanted me to save her people, nothing more, nothing less. That included defeating a thousand-year-old minotaur sorcerer as well as helping the goblins to repopulate and grow stronger. At least the latter was fun.
“Speaking of that,” Thilli said. “He needs to get to work. We talked about his numbers, and about how many women he needs to breed with in order to create a new generation. I’m afraid he’s quite far behind where he needs to be.”
“How many does he need to mate with?” Lossia asked.
“As close to a thousand as possible,” Thilli said. “He should be around two hundred now.” She turned to me and smiled. “We’ll all help how we can, but I’m afraid it’s going to be a lot of work.”
“I’m fine with doing it,” I said, slowly walking closer to them. “It’s just a matter of timing. In a week, I’m leaving for Holmar with Cirro, Ulenor, and Nerras. There’s no way I can impregnate eight hundred women in a week.”
“I’d like to watch you try,” Cirro said quietly. She winked at me.
“I’ve been praying about it,” Thilli said. “Fortunately, being so close to you means Zozella has more time for my prayers. I believe she will help you.”
Oh, great. I had received several blessings from her in the recent past. The first one seemed to be made of pure viagra, while the second one was basically a mild steroid cycle. I was curious what else the goddess had up her divine sleeve.
“I also talked with Ulenor about it,” I said. “When I went to York, he made me a potion that helped quite a bit.”
Cirro nodded and smiled as if it were settled. “So, you’re good then? Just let me know if you need any help. Especially with any of those women calling themselves Zozella’s Daughters.” She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.
“Oh, stop,” Lossia said with a laugh. She leaned her head on Cirro’s shoulder, then turned to me. “She makes a good point, though. Let us know if you need any help.”
“We’re all just here to help you succeed, Andrew,” Anna said as she reached down and grabbed onto Lossia’s bottom.
“You three are nearly as bad as Andrew,” Thilli said.
“I can assure you I’m much worse,” Cirro said with another wink.
I laughed and walked over to them. Group hugs were always a bit awkward, but I didn’t care. I wrapped my arms around Cirro, Anna,
and Lossia and squeezed them tightly, just enjoying the feeling of them pressed against me.
“I love you all so much,” I said quietly.
“You can show some of that love by helping us with the house,” Lossia said. “I know you have a lot to do today, but if you can make it there tomorrow that would be great. Some of the timbers have been delivered and we need to start installing them.”
With all that had happened over the past week, I had nearly forgotten about my house. “I can’t wait to see it,” I said. It was going to be a beautiful place. “Oh, and I want Nerras to be our neighbor.”
Cirro blinked and looked up at me. “Nerras? The guy you’re traveling with, right? The soldier?”
I nodded. “He needs room for himself and his two partners. And, fingers crossed, some children in the future.”
“He’s saved our lives on more than one occasion,” Thilli explained. “He’s a good man. A bit unsettling at times, but the exact kind we need to defeat Vogrim.”
“I’ll talk to the mayor later about giving him a plot of land,” I said. “At least we know he’ll be able to afford it now.”
“Why is that?” Anna asked. The other women all looked at me with interest.
I went back to my wardrobe and fetched my belt pouch, or coin purse, or whatever the hell they called the things. It clinked loudly
as I bounced it in my hand a few times. My wives eyed me curiously as I walked back to them, purse in hand.
“Here,” I said as I tossed it to Cirro.
She caught it, then raised an eyebrow at me. With a flick of her fingers, she pulled the drawstring open, revealing that it was filled with not only gold coins, but several shining gemstones.
Cirro gasped loudly. “Andrew! This is a fortune!”
“I don’t know if this makes us rich or not, but it’s a good start,” I said. “I’m just glad I have enough to take care of you all.” I turned to Lossia. “Including you. I’d rather use my money to provide for you than have you delve into your family fortune.”
“I understand,” she said, smiling sweetly. She watched as Cirro counted out the money onto a nearby table. “That is a lotof money, Andrew. All five of us can live comfortably on that for several years.”
“Good,” I said. “I plan on giving some to the mayor later today. The rest will be invested, somehow. I don’t really have any skills that will earn me a living in your world, except for perhaps my ability to kill monsters.” I smiled and turned to Thilli. “Perhaps we can get started on that vineyard.”
Lossia’s face lit up when she heard that. “Oh, I would love a vineyard!” she said, clapping her hands and bouncing on her toes. “I can talk to my father about it. He’ll have some cuttings sent up here.”
“Cuttings?” I asked.
Thilli took over and explained. “You don’t grow grape vines from a seed. Instead, you use a cutting from an existing vine. If you’re
serious about buying some land for a vineyard, then I’ll talk to my father about getting some cuttings from his vines.”
“Sounds like a plan,” I said, sitting down on a nearby chair. I took a moment to look at all my wives, drinking in their beauty. “We’re going to have a great life together, you know that?”
Lossia blushed and smiled. Anna put her hands on her hips and smirked at me.” Well, I should hope so,” she said.
I laughed at her comment. “I was just thinking about how things are coming together so nicely. The city is getting stronger, our house is being built, and now we have a small pile of money to prop us up. Once all this is done, life is going to be good.”
“Cooking dinner for all of you in my own kitchen,” Thilli said with a soft smile. “Sipping on wine from our own vineyard.”
“That does sound amazing,” Cirro said. “I can help tend to the garden.”
“I’m just grateful we all have each other,” Lossia added.
“And soon, we’ll have some little ones,” Anna said, reaching out and placing a hand on Cirro’s stomach. Her smile took in Thilli as well.
A knock came at the door, interrupting our daydream of a perfect life.
“Come in,” I called out.
The door opened and Prazzi walked in. She smiled at the women, but walked straight for me with something in her hands.
“This is for you,” she said, handing it to me. “Ulenor just sent it here and wanted it in your hands as soon as possible.”
I looked down at what she had handed me. It was a small glass vial, the type I was used to seeing in his study, filled with a pale red fluid. Along with the vial, he had sent a note.
Prazzi bobbed a slight curtsy then left the room. I held the note up and read it.
Andrew,
Drink thisimmediately. It willtake a few hours for it to take effect, anditwilllastforaweek.Thankmelater .
Ulenor
I grinned as I read the note again.
“What is it?” Anna asked.
“Pure happiness,” I said as I unstoppered the drink.
“Okay, hold on,” Lossia said. “You said tacos were pure happiness. Then apparently you told Thilli that something called ‘sushi’ was pure happiness. I think you need to make up your mind.” She spoke the words in a stern voice, but struggled not to laugh.
I downed the potion in a single gulp. The flavor reminded me of a cherry energy drink. Whatever Ulenor did to flavor these things, they were fantastic.
“It’s for tonight,” I said, shoving the cork stopper back in place. I set the empty vial and the slip of paper on the nearest table.
“Tonight?” Lossia asked.
“Tonight,” I said with a smile.
“Oohhhhhh,” they all said at the same time.
“I hope it works well,” Thilli said. “You’re going to need it to get this done. I still don’t know how we’re going to get that many women in here.”
“I imagine you’ll do just fine,” I said. “I can continue once we arrive at Holmar as well. Gotta spread the love around, not just keep it here.” That comment earned me four flat looks.
“Not to put a damper on the mood or anything, but what about the impending attack?” Thilli asked. “Have you given more thought to that?”
“I have,” I said. “And it’s just like I said before. It’ll take them months to arrive in Gillamoor. Whatever they’re doing, we’ll be ready for it. Although if I play my hand right, Vogrim will be dead before the army even heads down here.”
Lossia stood up and smoothed her dress over her hips. “It’s really good to have you back, Andrew,” she said. “Cirro and I need to get going. Our house isn’t going to build itself.”
“Yeah, I need to get to the kids,” Anna said, popping another grape in her mouth.
We all had things to do. I looked over at my wardrobe, at the jackets and cloaks hanging, and wondered what color jacket I’d be in today. Probably the subdued gray one, since I would be going to see the soldiers in a few minutes.
“I know you have a busy day planned,” Thilli said as she walked up to me. She reached out and took my hand in hers. “Let me take care of it. I need to learn more about that sort of thing anyway; someone has to run this show while you’re having fun in Holmar.” She gave me a grin that was good enough for Cirro.
“At least that makes my wardrobe decisions easier,” I said with a chuckle.
Using her grip on my hand, Thilli pulled me to her, then stretched onto her toes and kissed me. “I’m going to miss you today,” she whispered.
I smiled and wrapped both arms around her. My sweet Thilli. She was such a wonderful partner.
“Is this a solo party or can anyone play?” Anna asked, standing right next to us.
I laughed and reached out for her, lifting her off the ground as I hugged her. After a kiss, I set her back on the floor.
“I wish we could just spend all day here, together,” she said. “I hate that as soon as you two get back, you have to go right to work.” She reached out and grabbed Thilli’s hand as well. Thilli held her gaze,
but color stained her cheeks. “I missed you, Thilli. I don’t think I’ve told you that since you returned.”
Anna pulled Thilli into a tight embrace, the kind I expected to see lovers use. She brushed the back of Thilli’s hair and sighed happily while holding the beautiful woman.
“I hope you thought about me while you were away,” Anna said, a hint of a mischievous light in her eyes.
“I did, actually,” Thilli said, her voice quiet.
“She mostly thought about me, though,” I said, stepping in to save Thilli any embarrassment or discomfort. She wasn’t entirely sure how she felt about Anna yet, and I didn’t want her to be put off by Anna’s forwardness.
Anna laughed as she released Thilli’s hand. “Who would waste their time thinking about you?”
“You, I’ll bet,” I said, and I stepped in and grabbed her. I slipped one arm around her lower back and grabbed her hand with mine and spun her around, as if I actually knew how to dance. She smiled and laughed when I finally set her down.
“Oh, Andrew,” she said, smiling as she leaned against my chest. “You truly are a horrible dancer.”
“I know,” I said with a grin. “You’ll have to learn to deal with it.”
“Okay, okay,” Anna said. “We’ll all stay here for another hour if we don’t break things off. Love you, see you at lunch,” she said, and stretched up onto her toes to kiss me.
It was like a conga line of beautiful women in front of me. I kissed Anna, then Thilli was there. I hugged her tightly and kissed her, and she was replaced by Cirro. She told me she was excited to spend some time with me in Holmar, and we kissed. That left Lossia, who just held me tightly for a while.
“I really missed you,” she said against my chest.
“I missed you, too,” I said, squeezing her and kissing the top of her purple-haired head.
“I wish I had some time to be with you right now,” she said, sounding uncharacteristically forward. “I really want you inside me.”
“Soon,” I told her. She looked up at me and I kissed her again.
“Hurry up, before I jump in there and join you guys,” Cirro called out.
“Alright,” I said, kissing Lossia one last time. “I love you two.”
“Bye Andrew,” Cirro said, giving me her sweetest smile as she turned and walked out of the room. She swung her hips as she walked. The pregnancy had definitely put a few extra pounds on her, and it looked like they had all gone to her bottom. She was Lossia’s equal in that aspect, now.
Once they had all left, I finally went over to my wardrobe and selected a dark gray jacket. For whatever reason, Trina seemed to make most of my jackets and cloaks in that color, often with silver and black embroidery around the edges. It was as if she was choosing my house colors for me. I didn’t mind; I had no eye for
that sort of thing, and she was creating quite a nice looking wardrobe for me.
Once I shrugged into the jacket, I buckled my sword belt over it. I certainly didn’t need it within the confines of the city walls, but I had grown to enjoy wearing it. The goblin people saw me as a hero, so I wanted to look the part. My dark gray cloak covered everything and completed the look.
I left my room and walked towards the doors, but stopped halfway there. After turning on my heel, I went straight to Zozella’s statue. The beautiful goddess was a familiar sight to me, now, although I never entirely got used to her voice in my head.
“Good morning,” I said to her. As usual, I sucked at praying. I don’t think she minded too much. Actions seemed to matter more than words to her.
“Good morning, Andrew,” her voice boomed in my mind. The face of her statue looked down at me and smiled. She reached one of her hands down and I took it and kissed the back of her fingers, then knelt before her.
“Okay, so I’m going to get right to it,” I said. “We’ve done the math, and if I’m going to truly help repopulate, then I need to do a lot more. For me to father enough children to create a generation that’s immune to Vogrim’s poison…. Well, it’s not going to be easy.”
“What exactly are you asking, Andrew?”
I took a deep breath. “I need more of that blessing you gave me. You know, the one that helps me, uh, mate with the goblin women
multiple times per day. I need that, but like two or three times as strong.”
Her laugh was musical, and she placed her hands on her hips. “Enjoying my girls that much, are you?”
“I’ll be honest with you,” I said. “I need to mate with so many women that I probably won’t enjoy it any longer. I just need the physical ability to do so. As much as I can. I really want to help, and I know my genes will make your people taller and stronger, but in order to actually have any sort of effect, I need to sleep with at least a thousand women. I don’t know if that can even happen, especially in a week’s time, but I’ll try my best.”
Zozella’s faint laughter chimed in my head. “It is done, Andrew. When they come tonight, you will be ready. You might find this blessing to be nearly a curse when the week is done, though.”
“Trust me, I understand,” I said, standing up. “Oh, and I’m not sure if you care about this sort of thing, but I’m giving money to the mayor today to put back into the education budget. I’m trying really hard to do the right thing, here.”
“I do care, Andrew,” she said. “I care about everything that affects my people. When you strengthen the city against attacks, I care. When you help the children, I care. Don’t ever worry that your efforts will go unnoticed. I see almost everything, Andrew.”
“Noted,” I said. “Well, I need to get to work. I’ll talk to you later.”
She held her hand out again, I assumed for me to kiss or something. For whatever reason, without thinking, I high-fived her.
“Uh, sorry,” I said. “Anyways, gotta run.” I hurried away before she could ask me what the hell I was doing.
Walking with my sword belt took some getting used to, but by now it was second nature. I kept my left hand on my sword hilt so the scabbard wouldn’t smack my legs with each step, or whip out and strike a passerby.
People didn’t immediately cheer me on sight like they did after the Battle of Gillamoor, but I definitely received more than a few warm greetings—to include a few sultry-eyed women that clearly wanted to share my bed. I was finally starting to get used to all of this.
I didn’t really see short green people with pointy ears anymore. Instead, I saw a beautiful people with an incredibly rich culture, a population of compassionate people that truly wanted a better future for themselves and for their children. I saw the kind of people I wanted to spend the rest of my life around. The kind of people I wanted my children growing up around. Wonderful people.
My people.
After a few minutes, I found myself standing in front of the mayor’s house. I stepped up to his door and rapped my knuckles against the wood a few times, then waited patiently while humming an old Metallica song to myself.
“One moment!” the mayor’s voice called out. A few minutes later, he pulled the door open. His face brightened upon seeing me. “Andrew! Welcome back, my boy!” He reached out and took my hand, pumping it up and down enthusiastically. “Come inside, please. I’ll wager you have all sorts of things to talk to me about.”
“I do, actually,” I said. “And probably less stressful than the last time we talked.” Last time, I had told him I intended to start trading with the elves, their enemies for countless centuries.
“I have something for you,” Mayor Beezle said, rummaging around his kitchen. “My dear? Where did you put that new bottle that I brought home yesterday?”
“Above the sink!” a woman’s voice replied.
“Right, right,” the mayor said, stretching up to rummage through the cabinets.
As I sank into an overstuffed chair, he hurried towards me with two silver cups and a clay bottle in hand. He set them on the nearest table, then pulled the cork from the bottle.
“This is the most incredible drink,” he explained. “One of our farmers to the south of the city made it. He fermented white grapes with honey. Honey! Imagine that! Anyways, he said it took a long time for the fermentation to finish. Six or seven months, to be exact. But the result is just incredible.”
He handed me a cup filled halfway with the golden liquid and I smiled. So, some farmer had started making mead, it seemed. I had enjoyed a few glasses during my years, but it always seemed more of a novelty than anything else.
I took a sip and my eyebrows raised on their own accord. “Oh, wow,” I said. “This is great.”
“Isn’t it?” the mayor asked, drinking more of his. “It’s dry, but not too dry. That tiny hint of sweetness really sets it off.”
“Yeah, I could drink plenty of this,” I said, having another sip.
“Oh, be careful with it,” Mayor Beezle said. “It’s strong. It’ll sneak up on you and then you suddenly can’t walk straight.”
“And you said a local farmer made this?” I asked. The mayor nodded. “Do you know how much he made?”
“A few dozen clay bottles,” he replied. “Gathering that much honey is difficult, he said.”
“Understandable,” I replied, but the gears in my mind were already turning. If I planted a field of wildflowers next to our vineyard, we could hire a beekeeper or two. With enough honey, we could make something like this and sell it to the elves. I still didn’t like or trust the elves, but I was beginning to see them as a potential source of income for my future.
“So, what did you come here to talk with me about?” Mayor Beezle asked, setting his cup down. “More?”
I started to tell him no, but decided to go ahead. “Oh, why not,” I said, feeling the need to unwind a bit after such a harsh journey. “I almost died a week ago, after all. Let me have another cup.”
“Almost died?” he asked, his eyebrows climbing his forehead. “Oh, you’ll have to tell me that story. He poured another measure in both of our cups and we sat back for a moment, each enjoying the golden liquid.
“Okay, so where to start?” I asked myself. “Let’s start with the moat.”
“The moat?” the mayor asked. “I assume it’s to your liking, as you are the one that told us how to build it.”
“Oh, it’s wonderful,” I said. “Absolutely wonderful. However, as I was riding into the city, something occurred to me. Part of the purpose of a moat is to direct potential enemies to a certain area. We want any attackers to come through our south gate, as that’s where most of our archers are located.”
“Okay, I’m following,” Mayor Beezle said, taking another sip of his mead.
“Well, the moat is the same width the entire way around the city,” I said. “If anyone wanted to try to cross the moat, or maybe dump some dirt in it, they could do it along the northern wall where there is no gatehouse, no ballistae.”
The mayor frowned. “I see what you’re getting at. We need to ensure any potential attackers have no choice but to go to the southern gate.”
“Exactly,” I said. “Which is why you should have some workers triple the width of the moat along the northern side of the city. Eastern and western sides, too. Make it so there really is no choice but to go to the southern wall.”
The mayor nodded slowly. “I can see it in my mind. Who would try to cross a lake when there is a stream nearby? This is wise, Andrew, very wise indeed.”
“Thanks,” I said, digging around at my belt pouch. I pulled my coin purse open and grabbed a handful of golden coins and a few gems. After leaning forwards, I slapped them onto the table.
The mayor’s eyes widened at the sight of such wealth. “Andrew, what is this? This is an incredible sum of money.”
“We found some when we went to the Drowned Lands.” The mayor’s hand suddenly recoiled from the coins and I laughed. “Don’t worry, there’s nothing on the coins. They’re completely safe. I wanted this money to go into a few places. First, I know I’m kind of expensive to host, especially with all these trips. I need a wagon, horses, food, and more. I want you to give a bit to the local healers, and have them go through the population, knock on every door, and make sure everyone is healthy. Whatever is left, put it into the schools.”
Mayor Beezle stared at the small pile of gold coins and red jewels for a moment before nodding. “As you wish,” he said. “Would you mind if I used a bit to pay for this work we’re doing on the city? The moat, for example?”
“Oh, of course,” I said. “Spread the wealth, please. I want this money to benefit as many people as possible. Oh, I had another idea as well. Once the moat is expanded, let’s try to get some fish in there.”
The mayor stared at me for a moment. “Fish?”
“Yeah, fish,” I said. “If you have a body of water that large, you might as well make it work for you. Filling it with fish would help supply the city with food. As the population grows, it’ll be a big help. We’ll just have to ensure trash is never dumped into the moat.”
“Of course, of course,” he replied. “You know we’re a clean lot. I’ll talk to the colonel about this. I’m sure he’ll see the wisdom in enlarging the moat.” He leaned forward in his chair. “So tell me, how was the Drowned Lands?”
“Horrible,” I said with a chuckle. “I have never in my life seen any place as vile and disgusting as that, and I grew up in Florida so that’s saying a lot. Creatures followed us around, spewing poison vomit at us, trying to kill us.”
Mayor Beezle shivered. “That sounds wretched indeed. But it’s done? You have what you went for?”
I nodded. “Yeah, we killed the plague beast and I got the shield. We’re getting closer to fighting Vogrim himself. I just need Eldrick’s sword, and I’ll be set.” I took a deep breath. ”Also you should know, Vogrim is amassing an army to attack us.”
“I know,” Mayor Beezle said, his eyebrows knitting. “Colonel Chuleel told me yesterday, said a scout nearly ran his horse to death coming to the city so quickly.”
“We’re going to be okay,” I told him. “That’s why I’ve been improving the city’s defenses and training the soldiers. I don’t see a battle taking a long time, but if I may make a suggestion, I would suggest stockpiling any and all food you can, just to be safe. They’ll attack during winter, so it will be cold, and….” I trailed off as something occurred to me. “It gets cold here during winter time, right?”
“Well, of course,” the mayor said. “Cold enough to snow and freeze the stream solid, and….” He trailed off as he came to the same conclusion.
“If the moat freezes, enemy soldiers can cross it,” I said, giving voice to our thoughts. “We’ll need to find any goblins, men or women, that are strong with fire magic. Train them, get them as skilled as possible.” I dug through my coin purse and slapped two more gold coins onto the table. “Use that to pay them. We’ll need them
Another random document with no related content on Scribd:
rostro y meneos del cuerpo me enbiaua mensajeros de su pena. Pero yo disimulaua pensando que cansandola se acabaria su pasion: y ello no era ansi, pero cada dia creçia mas; yo reçebia grandissima pena en verme puesto en tanto peligro, y pensaua de cada dia cómo se podria remediar, y creyendo que sola el ausencia seria el remedio[581] , doliame apartarme de la compañia de mi amigo Arnao. Por lo qual muchas vezes llorando amargamente maldezia mi ventura y a Sathanas pues a tanto mal auia dado ocasion; y estando pensando cómo me despediria, como fue acabada la feria acordó Arnao que nos boluiessemos a Paris, y ansi mandó a toda furia aparejar; y estando todo lo neçesario a punto dixome que partiesse yo con su dueña, que él queria quedar a negoçiar çierto contrato que le faltaua, y que le fuessemos aguardando por el camino, que a la segunda xornada nos alcançaria. Dios sabe quánta pena me dio oyr aquel mandado, y me pessaua no auer huydo antes, pensando que fuesse vrdimbre de Sathanas para traerme por fuerça a la ocasion de ofender; y por el contrario fue muy contenta Beatriz, pensando que
se le aparejaua la oportunidad forçosa que yo no podria huyr; y ansi disponiendonos Arnao todo lo neçesario, tomando la mañana començamos nuestro camino; yua Beatriz muy alegre y regocijada lleuandome en su conuersaçion. Deziame[582] muchos donayres y gentilezas que el amor le enseñaua, debajo de los quales queria que yo entendiesse lo que tenia en su voluntad, no se atreuiendo a descubrirse del todo hasta verse en lugar oportuno que no la corriesse peligro de afrenta, porque le pareçia a ella que yo no respondia a su intinçion[583] como ella quisiera. Avnque algunas vezes juzgaua mi couardia ser por que temia descubrir mi trayçion, y ansi ella se desemboluia algunas vezes demasiadamente por me hazer perder el temor, y sufriasse pensando que aquella noche no se podria escusar sin que a ojos çerrados se effectuasse la prueba de nuestra voluntad; y ansi aquella xornada se cumplió con llegar ya casi a la noche a vna villa buena que se llama Bruxelas, que es en el mesmo ducado de Brauante. Donde llegados mandé que los moços diessen buen recado a las caualgaduras, y al huesped preuine que tuuiesse bien de cenar; y pareçiome çiertamente estar acorralado y
que en ninguna manera podia huyr aquella oportunidad y ocasion, porque çierto senti de la dama que estaua determinada de me acometer, de lo qual yo demandé socorro a Dios; y como fue aparejada la çena venimos a çenar, lo qual se hizo con mucho regoçijo, abundancia y plazer, y como fue acabada la çena quedamos sobre la tabla hablando con el huesped y huespeda su muger en diuersas cosas que se ofreçieron de nuestra conuersaçion; y como fue passada alguna pieza[584] de la noche dixe al huesped por manera de cumplimiento: Señor gran merçed reçebiré, que porque esta Señora que comigo traygo es muger de vn grande amigo mio que me la fió, duerma con vuestra muger, que yo dormiré con vos. Beatriz mostró reçebir esto con gran pena, pero calló esforçandose por[585] la disimular; y el huesped respondió: Señor, en esta tierra no osamos fiar nuestras mugeres de ninguna otra persona mas que de nosotros, quanto quiera que venga en habito de muger; porque en esta tierra suçedió vn admirable caso en el qual vn hijo del señor deste ducado de Brauante en habito de muger gozó de la hija del Rey de Ingalaterra y la truxo por suya
aqui; y como Beatriz vió que se le aparejaua bien su negoçio, avnque se le dilatasse algo, inportunó al huesped le contasse aquella historia como aconteçió. Lo qual no me pessó a mi pensando si en el entretanto pudiesse amaneçer; y importunado el huesped ansi començó: Sabreis, señores, que en este ducado de Brauante fue en un tiempo vn bienaventurado señor, el qual tubo vna virtuosa y agraviada dueña por muger. Los quales siendo algun tiempo casados y conformes en amor y voluntad sin auer generacion, y despues en oraciones y ruegos que hizieron a Dios suçedió que vino la buena dueña a se empreñar y de vn parto pario dos hijos, el vno varon y el otro hembra, los quales ambos en hermosura no tenian en el mundo par; y ansi fueron los niños criados de sus padres con tanto regalo como era el amor que los tenian; y como fueron de vn parto fueron los más semejantes que nunca criaturas fueron[586]; en tanta manera que no auia hombre en el mundo que pudiesse poner differençia entre ellos: ni los mesmos padres lo sabian diçernir; mas en todo el tiempo se engañaron mientra los criauan, que por solas las amas los venian
a conocer; y ansi acordaron de los llamar de vn nombre por ser tan semejantes en el aspecto, rostro, cuerpo, ayre y dispusiçion. Llamaron al varon Julio y a la hija Julieta. Fueron estremadamente amados de los padres por ser tan lindos y tan deseados y no tener más; y ansi yendo ya creçiendo en edad razonable, conoçiendo ya ellos mesmos su similitud vsauan para su pasatiempo de donayres y graçiosos exerçiçios por dar plazer a sus padres; y ansi muchas vezes se mudaban los vestidos tomando Julio el habito de Julieta; y Julieta el de Julio; y representandose ante sus padres con vn donayre gracioso reçebian[587] plazer como con tanta gracia se sentian vurlados por sus amados hijos; y ansi Julieta en el habito que mas le plazia se yua muchas vezes a solazar, agora por la çiudad, agora por el mar; tomando la compañia que más le plazia; y vn dia entre otros salio de su aposento atauiada de los vestidos de su hermano Julio a toda gallardia y con su espada ceñida: y passando por la sala tomó dos escuderos que alli halló y lançose por el mar en vn vergantin que para su solaz estaua a la contina aparejado, y suçedió que esforçandose el viento a su pesar
fueron lleuados por el mar adelante sin poder resistir; y como a los que Dios quiere guardar ningun peligro les daña, avnque con gran temor y tristeza fueron llegados vna pieza de la noche a la costa de Ingalaterra y lançados por un seguro puerto sin saber donde estauan; y como sintieron la bonança y el seguro del puerto aunque no conoçian la tierra, llegandose lo más que pudieron a la ribera determinaron esperar alli el dia; y ansi, como Julieta venia triste y desgraçiada y desuelada por causa de la desusada tempestad se echó luego debajo del tapete a dormir, y lo mesmo hizieron por la plaza del vergantin los escuderos, y fue tan grande y de tanta grauedad su sueño que siendo venida gran pieza del dia avn no despertaron; y suçedió aquella mañana salir la infanta Melisa hija del rey de Ingalaterra a caza con sus monteros por la ribera del mar, y como mirando acaso vio dentro del agua el vergantin ricamente entoldado y que no pareçia persona que viniesse en él, mandó que saltassen de su gente y viessen quién venia alli, y luego fue auisada por los que dentro saltaron que en la plaza del vergantin estauan dos escuderos dormiendo, y que dentro en el
tapete estaua el mas lindo y agraçiado mançebo de edad de catorce años que en el mundo se podia hallar. Y cobdiçiosa la infanta de lo ver mandó echar la puerta en tierra y apeandose de su palafren saltó dentro del vergantin, y como vio a Julieta dormida[588] con su espada çeñida juzgóla por varon y ansi como la vio tan linda y tan hermosa en tan conueniente edad fue luego enamorada della[589] , y aguardando a que despertasse, por no la enojar, estuuo por gran pieza contemplando su belleza y hermosura; y como despertó la saludó con gran dulçura preguntandola por su estado y viaje. Julieta le dixo ser un cauallero andante que la fortuna del mar le auia echado alli, y que se tenia por bien açertado y venturoso si la pudiesse[590] en algo servir. Melisa ofreçiendosele mucho para su consuelo la rogó saliesse a tierra combidandola a la caça, diçiendo que por aquellas partes la auia mucha y muy buena de diuersos animales; y ansi como reconoçio Julieta el valor de la dama, y por verse en su tierra, holgó de la complazer, y ansi le fue dado vn muy hermoso palafren, en el qual caualgando Julieta, y Melisa en el suyo, se metieron con su compañia por la
gran espesura de la montaña a vuscar venados[591]; y como no se podia sufrir la infanta Melisa por la herida de su llaga que la atormentaua sin poderla sufrir, procuró quanto pudo alongarse de su gente y monteros por probar su ventura, y quando con Julieta se vió sola entre vnos muy cerrados matorrales la inportunó se apeasen a beber y a solazar junto a vna muy graçiosa fuente que corria alli, y quando fueron apeadas las dos graciosas damas començó Melisa a hablar a Julieta con gran piedad; y avnque con mucha verguença y empacho le fue descubriendo poco a poco su herida, y teniendo los ojos lançados en el suelo, sospirando de lo intimo del coraçon, yendosele vn color y veniendosele[592] otro le muestra perdersele la vida si no la socorre; y ansi como ya tiene por el gran fuego que la abrasa descubierta la mayor parte de su dolor, queriendose aprouechar de la oportunidad se arriscó a tanto que abraçando a Julieta la besó[593] en la boca con mucho dulçor y suauidad; yendo pues el huesped muy puesto en el proçeso de su historia estaua Beatriz toda tresladada en él pareçiendole que todo aquel cuento era profeçia de lo que a ella le auia de suçeder; y
ansi como el huesped aqui llegó, Beatriz con vn gran sospiro me miró con ojos de piedad y el huesped proçedio sin echarlo de ver, diziendo: Pues como Julieta por el suçeso tiene entendido que Melisa la tiene por varon, y viendo que a su passion no la puede dar remedio, estando confusa y pensosa[594] qué camino tomaria, acordó ser muy mejor descubrirle ser muger como ella, antes que ser tomada por cauallero neçio y cobarde para semejantes casos de amor, y dixo la verdad; porque çierto era cosa de hombre apocado[595] reusar vna dama de tanta gentileza que se ofreçe con tanta dulçura y buena oportunidad; y asi con vn gentil y agraçiado modo la auisa ser donzella como ella, contandola toda su ventura y viaje, padres y naturaleza. Pero como ya la saeta de amor auia hecho en ella su cruel effecto, estaua ya tan enseñoreado en su coraçon el fuego que la abrasaua que le vino tarde el socorro y auiso que de su naturaleza le dio Julieta, y por esta causa no le pareçió menos hermoso el rostro de su amada, mas antes a más amarla se ençiende, y entre si pensaua su gran dolor por estar desesperada de remedio, y ansi reuentando toda en lagrimas vañada, por
consolar algo su pena dezia palabras que mouian a Julieta a gran lastima y piedad. Maldezia su mal hado y ventura, pues qualquiera otro amor santo o deshonesto podria tener alguguna esperança de buen fin, y este no tiene sino sospiros y llorar con inmensa fatiga. Dezia llorando: si te pareçia, amor, que por estar yo libre de tu saeta estaua muy vfana, y querias con algun martirio subjetarme a tu vandera y señorio, bastara que fuera por la comun manera de penar, que es la dama por varon: porque entonçes yo empleara mi coraçon por te seruir. Pero hasme herido de llaga muy contra natural, pues nunca vna dama de otra se enamoró: ni entre los animales ay qué pueda esperar vna henbra de otra en este caso de amor. Esto parece, amor, que has hecho porque en mi penar sea a todos manifiesto tu imperio. Porque avnque Semiramis se enamoró de su hijo y Mirrha de su padre y Pasiphe del toro, ninguno destos amores es tan loco como el mio: pues avn se sufriera si tuuiera alguna esperança de effetuarse mi deshonestidad y deseo. Pero para mi locura ¿no habría Dedalo que injeniasse dar algun remedio contra lo que naturaleza tan firmemente apartó? Con estas
lamentaçiones se aflige la gentil dama mesando sus dorados cabellos y amortiguando su bello rostro, vuscando vengança de sí mesma por auer enprendido empresa sin esperança de algun fin; y Julieta lo mejor que podia se la consolaua auiendo gran piedad de su cuyta y lagrimas que afligian su belleza. Ya se llegaua la noche y se ponia el sol, y como las damas no ayan vsado dormir en la montaña ruega Melisa a Julieta se vaya con ella á su çiudad que estaua çerca: lo qual Julieta açetó por su consolaçion, y ansi se fueron juntas a la çiudad y entraron en el gran palaçio, donde muchas damas y caualleros la salieron a reçebir; y considerando Melisa que ningun prouecho reçibe en[596] tener a su Julieta en habito de varon la vistio de muy ricos briales suyos. Porque gran yerro fuera no reçibiendo prouecho auenturarse al peligro de infamia que de alli se pudiera seguir; y tanbien lo hizo, porque como en el vestido de varon la dañó quiere ver si en el de muger se puede remediar y curar su dolencia, y ansi recogiendose anbas en su retrete lo mas presto que pudo la vistio muy ricos requamados y joyeles con que ella se solia adornar, y ansi la sacó a su padre a la gran
sala diziendo ser hija del duque de Brauante; que la fortuna del mar la auia traydo alli saliendose por él a solazar; y ansi el Rey encomendó mucho a su hija Melisa la festejasse por la consolar y luego se despacharon mensajeros para auisar al duque su padre; los duques fueron muy consolados por auer[597] estado en gran cuyta por la perdida de su hija Julieta, y enbiaron a dezir al Rey que en todo hiziesse a su voluntad. Aquella noche fue Julieta muy festejada de damas y caualleros con vn solene serao, donde Julieta dançó a contento de Melisa[598] , damas y caualleros, que todos la juzgauan por dama de gran gallardia, hermosura y valor, y sobre todas contentó a la infanta Melisa; y siendo llegada la hora de la çena fueron seruidos con gran solenidad de manjar, musica y aparato; la qual acabada, Melisa combidó a Julieta a dormir; y recogidas en su camara se acostaron juntas en vna cama, pero con gran diferencia en el reposo de la noche. Porque Julieta duerme y Melisa sospira con el deseo que tiene de satisfazer su apetito, y si acaso vn momento la vençe el sueño es breue y con turbadas ymaginaciones, y luego sueña
que el çielo la ha conçedido que Julieta sea buelta varon; y como aconteçe a algun enfermo si de vna gran calentura cobdiçioso de agua se ha dormido con gran sed, en aquel poquito de sueño se le pareçen quantas fuentes en su vida vido, ansi estando el spiritu de Melisa deseoso pareçiale que via lo que sueña; y ansi despertando no se confia hasta que tienta con la mano y ve ser vanidad su sueño, y con esta passion comiença la desdichada a hazer votos de romeria a todas las partes que ay[599] deuoçion porque el çielo huuiesse della piedad. Pero en vano se aflige, que poco le aprouechan sus promesas y oraçiones por semejantes fines; y ansi pasó en esta congojosa contienda algunos dias hasta que Julieta la importuna[600] que quiere boluer para sus padres, prometiendola que tomando dellos liçençia[601] boluera a la visitar lo más breue que ella pueda. Lo qual por no la desgraçiar se lo conçedió la infanta, avnque con gran dificultad y pasion, confiando que Julieta cunplirá la[602] palabra que le da de boluer. Pues como fue aparejado todo lo neçesario para la partida la mesma Melisa le entoldó el vergantin de sus
colores y deuisas lo mas ricamente que pudo, y a ella[603] dio muchas donas de joyas y briales[604] de gran estima y valor; y como Julieta se despidió del Rey y Reina la aconpañó Melisa hasta el mar. La qual como alli fueron llegadas, llorando muy amargamente la abraça y bessa suplicandola con gran cuyta buelua si la desea que viua, y ansi Julieta haziendola nueuas juras y promesas se lançó en el vergantin; y leuantadas velas y continuando sus remos se cometio al mar, el qual en prospero y breue tiempo se passó. Quedaua Melisa a la orilla del mar puestos los ojos y el alma en las velas del nauio hasta que de vista se le perdieron, y muy triste y sospirando se boluio a su palaçio. Como Julieta llegó a sus riberas los padres la salieron a reçebir con grande alegria como si de muerta resuçitara, haziendose muchas fiestas y alegrias en toda su tierra. Muchas vezes contaua a sus padres la tenpestad y peligro en que en el mar se vio conmouiendolos a muchas lagrimas; y otras vezes les encareçia el buen tratamiento que de la infanta Melisa auia reçebido: su grande hermosura, graçia, donayre y gran valor, dando a entender ser digna entre
todas las donzellas del mundo a ser amada y seruida del cauallero de más alteza y valor; y como Julio la oya tantos loores de la infanta ençendió su coraçon a emprender el seruiçio de dama de tan alta guisa. Dezia en su pecho: ¿en qué me podía yo mejor emplear que estar en su acatamiento todos los dias de mi vida, avnque yo no merezca colocarme en su coraçon? Pero a lo menos gloriarme he auer emprendido cosa que me haga entre caualleros de valor afamar; y ansi con esta intinçion muchas vezes estando solo con su hermana Julieta la importunaua le contasse muy por estenso y particular todo lo que auia passado con Melisa; y por le complazer le conto, cómo dormiendo ella en el vergantin aquella mañana que a Londres llegó la salteó la infanta Melisa; y cómo teniendola por varon por lleuar el vestido y espada ceñida se enamoró della, y tanto que junto a vna[605] fuente la abraçó y bessó dulçemente demandandola sus amores, y cómo le fue forçado descubrirle ser muger, por lo qual no podia satisfazer a su deseo, y cómo no se satisfizo hasta que la tuuo consigo en su cama muchas noches; y la pena y lagrimas con que della se
despidio prometiendole con muchas juras de la boluer a visitar; y luego como su hermana Julieta contó a Julio su historia resuçitó en su coraçon vna viua y çierta esperança de la gozar[606] por esta via, teniendo por inposible auerla por otra manera, y ansi industriado por amor tomó auiso, que con el vestido y joyas de su hermana seria por el rostro tomado por ella. En fin, sin mas pensar auenturandose a qualquier suçeso se determinó tentar donde alcançaua su ventura, y ansi un dia demandó a Julieta le diesse el tapete que le dio Melisa para el vergantin con la deuisa, porque se queria salir a solazar; y vestido de vn rico brial que Melisa dio a Julieta, y cogidos los cabellos con vn graçioso garbin, adornado su rostro y cuello de muy estimadas[607] joyas y perlas de gran valor se lançó a manera de solazar por el mar, y quando se vio dentro en él, mandó a los que gouernauan guiassen para Londres, y en breue y con prospero tiempo llegó al puerto, y por las señas reconoçió[608] el lugar donde su señora Melisa cada dia venia por esperar a su hermana Julieta; y como la compañia de la infanta reconoçió la deuisa y orla del tapete que lleuaua el vergantin corrian a
Melisa por demandar las albriçias, y como Melisa le vio, engañada por el rostro, le juzgó por Julieta reçibiendole con la posible alegria: porque çierto se le representó Julio lo que mas amaua su corazon, y ansi luego le aprieta entre sus braços, y mil vezes le bessa en la boca con mucha dulçura, nunca pensando de se satisfazer. Agora pues, podeis vosotros, señores, pensar si fue Julio passado con la misma saeta con que amor hirio a Melisa, y pensad en quánta beatitud estaua su anima quando en este estado se vió. Metiole en vna camara secreta donde estando solos con bessos y abraços muy dulçes se tornó de nueuo á satisfazer, y luego le haze traer vn vestido suyo muy rico a marauilla que le auia labrado para se le dar si viniesse a visitarla, o enbiarsele, y vistiole de nuevo cogiendole los cauellos con una redeçilla de oro: y ansi todo lo demas del vestido, y atauio le dispuso en toda gentileza y hermosura como mas agraçiado la pareçiesse; y la boz que en alguna manera le podia differençiar trabajó Julio por excusarla todo lo que pudo; y luego le llevó a la gran sala, donde estauan sus padres con[609] muchas damas y
caualleros[610] , los quales todos las[611] reçibieron con gran alegria, y todos le mirauan a Julio contentos de su belleza, pensando que fuesse muger, y ansi con senblante amoroso le hazian señas mostrandole desear seruir y agradar Pues siendo ya passada alguna parte de la noche en grandes fiestas y despues de ser acabada la sunptuosa çena y graçioso serao, llevó la infanta Melisa consigo a Julio a dormir, y ansi quedando solos en su camara y despojados de todos sus paños quedaron en vna cama ambos sin compañia ni luz[612] , y como Julio se vió solo y en aquel estado con su señora, y que de su habla no tenia testigo le començó ansi a dezir No os marauilleis, señora mia, si tan presto bueluo a os visitar, avnque bien creo que pensastes nunca mas me ver. Si este dia que por mi buenauentura os vi yo pensara poder de vos gozar con plazer de ambos a dos, yo me tuuiera por el mas bienandante cauallero del mundo residir para siempre en vuestra presençia. Pero por sentir en vos pena y no os poder satisfazer ni bastar a os consolar determiné de me partir de vos, porque gran pena da al muy sediento la fuente que tiene delante si de ella por ninguna via
puede beuer; y podeis, señora, ser muy çierta que no faltaua dolor en mi coraçon; porque menos podia yo estar sin vos vn hora que vos sin mí, porque de la mesma saeta nos hirio amor a ambos a dos; y ansi procuré de me partir de vos con deseo de vuscar remedio que satisfiziesse a nuestra llaga y contento. Por lo qual, señora, vos sabreis que yo tengo vn[613] abuela la muger mas hadada y mas sabia que nunca en el mundo jamas se vió, que la tienen los honbres en nuestra tierra por diosa, o ninfa; tanto es su poder y saber. Haze que el sol, estrellas, çielos y luna la obedezcan como yo os obedezco a vos. En conclusion, en la tierra, ayre y mar haze lo que solo Dios puede hazer. A esta me fue con lagrimas que mouian a gran compasion demandandola piedad, porque çierto sino me remediara façilmente pensara morir; y ella comouida a lastima de su Julieta dixome que demandasse qualquiera don, y yo contandola[614] la causa de mi afliçion la demandé que me conuertiesse varon por solo gozar de vos y os complazer, y ella con aquella liberalidad que a vna nieta tan çercana a la muerte se deuia tener me lleuó a un lago donde ella se baña quando sus artes
quiere exerçitar, y alli començando a inuocar se zapuzó en el lago tres vezes y ruçiandome el rostro con el agua encantada me vi vuelta en varon, y como tal me conoçi quedé muy contento y muy marauillado que criatura tuuiesse tan soberano poder. Agora pues, señora mia, pues por vuestro contento yo impetré este don veysme aqui subjeto a vuestro mandar: hazed de mi lo que os pluguiere, pues yo no vine aqui a otra cosa sino por os seruir y complazer; y ansi acabando Julio de la dezir esto hizo que con su mano toque, y vea y tiente; y como aconteçe a alguno que deseando mucho vna cosa, quanto mas la desea mas desespera de la alcançar, y si despues la halla dubda si la posee, y mirandola y palpandola avn no cree que la tiene, ansi aconteçe a Melisa: que avnque ve, toca y tienta lo que tanto desea no lo cree hasta que lo prueba; y ansi dezia: si este es sueño haga Dios que nunca yo despierte; y ansi se abraçaron con bessos de gran dulçura y amor, y gozandose en gran suauidad con apazibles juegos pasaron la noche hasta que amaneçió. Esta su gloria estubo secreta mas de vn mes, y como entre poderosos no se sufre auer
