Puppet Prince CH 2

I trailed my fingers across a bush as Koro and I walked through the forest. The air was dry, the light streamed through the trees giving a pleasant dopple-effect to the ground, and the monsters today seemed very mild mannered.1

"Heads up, James" Koro yelled. A couple giant toads had decided that we looked like yummy treats and blocked the way.2

"Eugh! I hate these things!"3

"Buck it up, James, they're coming in for the attack! Get your cornet ready!"4

I took the horn from its holster at my belt and readied to battle. The toads hopped forward while I just froze.5

"James, do you not remember how to fight" Koro asked, voice on edge. "Just go forward, stand next to one, and bash them with your cornet! Don't worry, it's durable, it'll withstand the punishment!"6

I stepped forward tentatively, and coughed before raising my horn high and bashing it down on one of the toads' head, knocking it out so bad that stars could be seen in its eyes.7

"That's the way you do it, James!" Koro floated down by me and trickled some powder, healing me after the remaining toad gave me a rather nasty tounge-lashing. I pulled my cornet in both hands over my head and then down low and from the side in a vicious blow that hit the toad under its chin, causing it to flip backward and stop moving.8

"Eugh. Toads are so disgusting" I said, shaking my head before putting the cornet back in its holster. "How do you keep such a cool head, Koro?"9

"It's easy if you pretend they're not disgusting" Koro said simply, floating on ahead. "Come on! I think I see a good patch of ore up ahead."10

And so I followed Koro through a bramble patch and two bushes of wild roses. I was unamused.11

"You know, just because YOU can fly, doesn't mean that I can, Koro. Can we find a nicer way next time?"12

"ok ok, I guess I should have looked down. You caught me."13

And finally I got to the patch he'd been talking about.14

"WOW Koro, this is the richest vein I've seen in a while, this will be a great help for Grandma!" I said, already on my hands and digging. Koro didn't respond. "Koro? Is everything alright" I asked, eyes on my work. I heard a wimper, and looked up. Staring us directly in the face was a dragon. A baby, but still no less than the size of a small hut.15

"Who's in my forest, meow" asked a high-pitched voice from behind the dragon. From its left side came out a short woman with long, cats' ears and very flamboyant, pink clothing. "You're gonna get it now, mew! Draggy, get 'em!"16

And just before the dragon leapt at me, out of nowhere came a hurtling form that was so blurry I couldn't tell what it was came and knocked the dragon over its head. The gorgeous hunk of man that landed from the jump was just taller than me, with brilliant brown hair and amazingly blue eyes.17

"Koro" I whispered, exclaiming.18

"Die beast" my prince yelled before jumping again, this time bringing his sword out and chopping the dragon's head in half with a single swipe.19

"Woah," I said, blown away.20

"Woah, Miao! We better get out of here" the witch yelled, a trio of short cat-men running after her.21

And I... I fainted.