White River Crossing

     On the edge of his vision, he saw a bright glimmer. Could that be the city? But why was the light swirling and fading?

     He lifted his legs as if they were made of stone. With how bruised they were from Zombom’s barrage of magical blasts they might as well have been.

      “Next time,” the words came out as a wheeze, “I’m bringing more healing potions.” Perhaps that collision with the cave wall shattered more than his spare sword.

     He stumbled a few steps, barely catching himself in time. A pounding headache had set in, making it hard to focus on anything else.

     Perhaps he was overconfident. Perhaps fighting Zombom with so few previsions wasn’t such… a good… idea…

     ~x~

     “You got everything you need, Mipsy? Blast potions? Healing potions? A spare pair of—”

     “Dad!” a flush rose to the blue Acara’s cheeks. She was sporting a light, red robe and a travel pack with at least twenty pockets. All of them were practically bursting at the seams with supplies. “I’m adventuring just outside the city—I’ll be okay.”

     Her father, a burly yellow Yurble who had a knack for looking like a traveling salesperson, took a nervous glance over all of his shop’s stock. He already packed extra snacks for her in case a plains Aisha stole them. Or even a road bandit—never mind that such things were rare these days.

     “But what if—”

     “Darren.” A short, stocky, starry Acara stood beside him, arms crossed, wearing a silver battle robe with an ornate wand at her waist. “We’ve talked about this.”

     “Amelia...” he spared her a withering look. “It was a different time. There are so many more dangers now than there used to be and—”

     “Mipsy’s been trained to face them all”—she looked over her shoulder—“Haven’t you, Mipsy?”

     The Acara leapt into the air fist first. “Heck yeah, I have!”

     Ever since Mipsy was young, her mother regaled her with tales of daring adventure. Long before Amelia settled down at their family shop, she was known as “Amazing Amelia.” A farmgirl who taught herself magic and used it to defend anyone in need. There was even a plaque in her honor at the city hall: Amazing Amelia, Hometown Hero. Now that Mipsy was older, her mother was a city watchwoman.

     “When I grow up,” young Mipsy would say, “I’m going to be just like you.”

     And her mother, while tucking her daughter into bed, would whisper, “I can’t wait to see you shine, my starlight.”

     It took another round of convincing for Mipsy to finally make her way out of the house before stepping foot onto the Northern Marches. There was a light summer’s breeze, not a cloud in the sky.

      Just ahead, a single plains Lupe hunched down in the grass, teeth bared.

     Mipsy gripped her wand. Magical sparks shot out from the tip like starbursts. The monster leapt forward, claws extended. She sidestepped its advance, as she had been taught to do, careful to avoid a direct attack. “A mage,” her mother often said, “carries great power, but at a cost. To wield this power, they must not be burdened by heavy armor, lest it stall the spell.” Speed was of the essence. A light spring to the feet, a twirl or a skid. Such was the battle dance of magic and might.

     “Demolish!” shouted Mipsy, as a beam of blue magic thrust from her wand like a battering ram. The Lupe, caught unaware, was hit point blank and sent hurtling into the distance. It bounced a few times before lying on the ground motionless.

     With a sigh of relief, the Acara straightened up her pack—it had nearly slipped off from the battle—and continued along. After a few minutes of travel, there was a monstrous silhouette in the distance. A Plains Lupe again, but this one was acting strange. It was dragging something. Cloth? Maybe it had attacked a merchant wagon and stolen some goods?

     But what if she could save those goods from the pilfering beast?

     ‘Oh, thank you, Mipsy!’ the merchant in her head said while bestowing her with a golden sash. And just behind them was her dad, a single tear in his eye.

     ‘You’re a true hometown hero—just like your mother!’ he cried while his wife comforted him. ‘Go on now! Adventure to your heart’s content!’

     How badly she wanted that praise, that encouragement. To know that she was making her mark on the world—doing good like her mom did!

     As she approached, the Lupe let go of its prize with a dangerous growl. Two long, floppy ears slapped the ground and with it, the face of an unconscious white Blumaroo, a fellow maybe five years older than she. The Lupe had been dragging him by the collar and left obvious bite marks in the fabric… thankfully, the slightest rise of his chest showed that he was still alive. For now.

     In that moment, she froze. If she didn’t act soon, he could perish, but—

     “Yeek!”

     A split-second dodge saved her from a critical hit to the chest, but now there was pain emanating from her arm. There wasn’t time to process that, though, not when there was a Neopian to save.

     This Lupe looked scraggly, larger, and nastier than the foe she had vanquished before, not to mention its green coat. Its eyes greedily devoured the Blumaroo as if a prized meat. When it made a dash to bite down, Mipsy let out a guttural shout.

     Magical sparks barraged the Lupe, knocking it back mere inches away from its prey. Now its posture changed. It swiped forward, clipping Mipsy’s bag. A turquoise potion tumbled out and shattered, spilling its contents to the ground.

     Cursing under her breath, she took a few steps back, unclipping the bag in the process, and tossed it aside.

     “Alright. You asked for—eek!” The Lupe missed by mere inches. “Demolish!”

     Wham! The blast hit the Lupe square in the jaw, knocking out one of its smaller teeth. It rolled over once before bouncing back to its feet.

     Hooooowl!

     An ear-piercing cry came from the beast. Mipsy took a step towards the Blumaroo, ready to defend him… when the Lupe spun around and ran off across the grassy plains, into the dark depths of the forest beyond.

     Even after it had gone, her heart hammered into her ears like a crashing wave.

     Adrenaline falling, the pain set in. And Mortogs was her arm throbbing. She dug into her bag and chugged a potion before looking back at the Neopian. If only the Lupe hadn’t destroyed that one potion. With how expensive they were—and the fact that she was going solo—it was the only revival potion she had on hand… maybe if she could wake him up, a healing potion would do?

     She gave him a few solid shoves, even shouted into his ears, but he did not budge. Looking back at the forest… and at the possibility of reinforcements, she sighed. Maybe a merchant wagon would find them half-way and help.

     At first, Mipsy tried to lift him, but he proved too heavy. Even without the light armor he wore, the Blumaroo was more than she could possibly hold on piggyback. Next to him was a battered sword, one that looked almost antique. She sheathed it at his side for safe keeping.

     “Sorry about this, guy…” she muttered, before dragging him by the arms. She huffed and puffed with each step, having to lay him down more than once and start again.

     Part-way back, she abandoned the backpack, but not before taking a few of the potions in her robe pockets and drinking one for good measure. When Mipsy arrived in the city, she let out a cry for help. Within moments, merchants that she had known since she was little rushed to her aid and placed the injured fellow on a cart. As soon as she saw that he was in good hands, her legs gave way to exhaustion, as did everything else. The next thing she remembered was her mother’s arms. If her father was there, she could not remember it, only the feel of the bed beneath her when she reached its warm embrace.

     Whether a few hours passed or a day, she did not know, but as she awoke, there was but one thought on her mind: the Blumaroo.

     She hopped out of bed with a start and dashed into the living room, nearly colliding with her father in the process.

     “Are you okay?”

     “Is he okay?”

     They said it simultaneously. He rubbed his temples, the creases of worry evident in his face.

     “You first,” he asserted.

     “I’m good.” It hardly mattered how much she ached. That would go away, in time. “But is he okay? The Blumaroo I found?”

     Knowing full well how stubborn his daughter was, he grunted before ushering her forward. “See for yourself.”

     Mipsy dashed around him and found the Blumaroo sitting up on their couch, a large bandage wrapped around his head, neck, and right arm. He was sipping on a spoonful of chicken broth and wearing one of her father’s tunics. It swum on him, making him look like an oversized marrow. Beside him was her backpack, likely carried back by one of the townsfolk. It looked noticeably lighter.

     “You’re okay!” Mipsy chirped, a sudden swell of energy in her otherwise tired body.

     He swallowed the broth and put down the spoon. “Thanks to you.”

     “Is that all you have to say?” questioned her father, his arms crossed. “My daughter dragged you almost two miles back into town by herself, you know.”

     After letting out a gruff breath, the Blumaroo’s turned his focus towards Mipsy instead of her father. “Thank you again... uh…”

      “Mipsy.” A blush rose to the Acara’s cheek.

     Darren scowled. “Just so you know, young man, your actions cost us a revival potion and seven—”

     Amelia stood between them.

     “What Darren means to say is that he’s glad you’re both okay.”

     “I was getting to that part, honey,” the Yurble said. “But I need this boy to know that he put our daughter in danger and lost us good merchandise.”

     The Blumaroo’s brows furrowed. “That was not my intent, sir. And I’ll earn back what was lost, just give me time.”

     “You had better.” He pointed to Mipsy. “She’s a hero, you know; without her, you’d be Lupe chow.”

     Mipsy blinked a few times before rubbing a finger against her ear. Did she hear right? A hero?

     “I know.” The Blumaroo went to stand and stumbled back onto the couch. He looked irritated, but had little energy to do anything about it. “And as Sir Reynold’s youngest son, I need to be a hero, too.”

     “Sir Reynold?” Amelia, who had since opened a closet with spare linens, stopped in place. “Wasn’t he one of the royal knights?”

     The Blumaroo hesitated. “… He was, yes.”

     News of Ramtor’s rampage reached much of Meridell, especially large port cities like this one. Amelia handed an extra pillow to the Blumaroo, which he propped under his arm. There was so much sadness in the older mage’s eyes. “Then you must be…”

     “My name is Rohane.”

     ~X~

     The sullen Blumaroo stayed at their home for another week, resting most of the time on Amelia’s orders. When she saw him practicing his swordsmanship, she gave him a good lecture—especially after he winced in pain.

      “Healing potions may help you feel better, Rohane, but they won’t fix all of your problems—at least, not the ones you’ll find at a shop like this.” Although he protested, she insisted on helping to bandage his neck and head. “Hold still so that I can fasten these properly.”

     He looked bashful, almost embarrassed by the ordeal, but listened to what she had to say.

     “Every adventurer makes mistakes,” Amelia continued, then laughed to herself as if recalling a distant, secret memory. “Skarl knows I’ve made my fair share.”

     “I can’t make mistakes,” the Blumaroo replied, wincing as she tightened the bandage. “Not when I’m traveling alone.”

     “But what if you didn’t have to?”

     Three sets of eyes flicked towards the blue Acara. Feeling the attention, she shrunk back a bit.

     “I-I mean, what if I went with you? We could keep each other safe.”

     Both of her parents spoke over each other, one with enthusiasm, the other with condemnation.

     “Absolutely not!”

     “A team! I think that’s—”

     “Terrible idea! He’s—”

     “Defeated Zombom by himself—”

     “Put her in danger—”

     “Grow stronger together!”

     The two adults had since turned towards each other. Darren’s fur stood on end while Amelia’s ears were rigid like antennae.

     Mipsy’s eyes were sparkling. “Please, dad? I’m an adult—ready to go out and see the world. You can’t hold onto me forever.”

     Darren stamped his foot. “I’m not about to have you run off with some danger-seeking son of a dead knight!”

     Amelia and Mipsy both gasped.

     “Stop.” Rohane was standing now, his linens all neatly folded onto the couch. He had since donned his light armor and had his antique sword at his waist. “Let me speak.” His teeth were gritted. When her father looked ready to protest, he added, “please.” No one spoke over him, so he continued. “I will repay my debt to you, then continue on, alone.” Mipsy opened her mouth to speak, but when he shook his head, she deflated. “Give me some time to gather up monster parts to sell and we’ll be even. Then you’ll never need to see me again.”

     Amelia grimaced as her gaze traveled to his bandages. “Don’t push yourself too quickly, Rohane. You can—”

     “I’ve overstayed my welcome as it is, but thank you for your hospitality, Amelia.” He bowed stiffly, then took his pack and walked towards the door. Meanwhile, tears lined Mipsy’s cheeks.

     After the door was shut, Darren wore a triumphant grin. “Looks like the boy has some sense in him after all.”

     There were a few seconds of tense silence. Mipsy’s entire body shook. Seeing her, as well as his wife’s scowl of disapproval, he bit at his lip and dialed back his gloating. He reached out for Mipsy’s hand, but she jerked it away.

     He then bent down to be at her eye level and lowered his voice. “I’m sorry to have upset you, sweetie…”

     Mipsy sniffled and turned away.

     “How about going out to the Northern Marches again? Would that make you happy? You’ll get to go on an adventure?”

     The Acara wiped her face and took a few steps towards her own adventuring pack as her mother gave her a big hug. She returned the gesture, then silently stuffed a few more healing potions into the bag before tugging the back onto her back.

     “You’re not going with him, are you?” There was hesitation in her father’s voice. “Because—"

     Finally, she spoke up.

     “No. He wants to travel alone.” She shifted the bag on her back. “But I’m going to help pay back his debts.”

      This caught her father off guard. “You don’t have to—”

     “I want to. And I want to get stronger doing so.”

     “And I’ll help, too,” her mother added, giving her neck a little crack. “I could use the practice.”

     Mipsy pondered this for a second. “Actually, mom, I want to fight alone.”

     She smiled. “I figured. Which is why I’d be in the White River Floodplains.”

     Seeing this go down, her father’s ears bent back. “I’m sorry for what I did, Mipsy. I just… I just want you to be safe.”

     Mipsy took her wand from its holster, an enchanted elm branch with a notch at the top, and gripped it tight. “When I’m stronger, then I’ll be able to keep everyone safe.”

     ~x~

     It took three days of non-stop training, but after blasting monsters left and right, she finally felt ready to face even stronger beasts in the white river floodplains. They posed a greater challenge, but with a steady breath and quick wit, she was able to out maneuver whatever came her way. This was not to say she wasn’t injured. More than once, she had to guzzle a few healing potions to recover stamina, and by the time she dragged herself home, she scarcely had the energy to eat. But her father had a large meal and a hug waiting. The first night, her spaghetti was shaped into the words “I’m sorry” with a frowny face beside it. This, at least, got her to chuckle.

     When she finally had enough for the potions, she marched into her home with pride. But as she entered the kitchen, a bag full of Neopoints sat on the table. Her father sat beside it, aimlessly poking at a plateful of food with a fork.

     Before Mipsy could ask, Darren said, “He’s gone. Rohane handed me the coins without a word and left about an hour ago.”

     “What?” Mipsy gasped. “He… he was faster than both of us combined?”

     The Yurble grew quiet. “Yes, even with the added cost of an inn.”

     Bouncing the bag in her hands, Mipsy took a sidestep towards the door. “I-I need to give him this, at least—so he won’t be without Neopoints for his journey.”

     Darren rose his hand. “Wait, Mip—”

     “I’ll be back!” her shout came half-way through the closed door.

     When he went to stand, Amelia placed a hand on his shoulder. “Let her go, my love. She’s grown stronger. Let her at least say good-bye to him.”

     With a light sigh, he acquiesced. “Okay, honey. I’ll trust our little mage…”

     Not more than ten minutes later, a loud bell rung in the square: the watchmen’s alert.

     Amelia’s ear stalks shot up with alarm. The parents traded a nervous look before the mage rushed out into the streets.

     “Pack of dire Lupes in the floodplains!” declared a Kiko with leather armor, “led by a large forest Lupe!”

     The Aisha’s blood went cold. That was where Mipsy and Rohane would be. And based on the ashen white face of her yellow Yurble husband, he realized this, too.

     Without a second to spare, Amelia sprinted through the city and out the gate before it could be closed. “I’ll protect her, I swear it!”

     ~x~

     Despite all of her training, running for minutes on end was taking a toll on Mipsy. She was panting now, wiping her brow as beads of sweat caked her face. No matter what, she was going to meet up with Rohane. To tell her how sorry she was, to give him back the Neopoints she and her mother earned to help him along his way. And in the back of her mind, although it was a selfish thought… she hoped that he would change his mind.

     Maybe now that she was stronger, they could be a team. Could travel to different lands and meet Neopians from around the world…

     But no, no, she chided herself. He doesn’t want to be in a team. He wants to fight his battles alone. And judging by how quickly he raised that money, he had the skills to back it up.

     She had to slow down; her legs ached too much. Maybe… maybe it wasn’t meant to be?

     As she caught her breath from atop a hill, she heard a familiar howl. It was the large, green Lupe. And behind it were three red-furred dire Lupes, creatures that she had only heard of from her mother’s tales. They were stalking prey: a single, rusty-armoured Blumaroo.

     Mipsy gripped her wand. “Not on my watch.”

     He skillfully dodged their combined attacks, but spent much of his time avoiding their blows and little time trading them. Thankfully, the monsters were all distracted. Mipsy pointed the wand at her feet.

     “Agility.”

     The world seemed to slow down, even Rohane’s artful parries looked sluggish from her accelerated view. Little jolts of magical light zapped all around her body as took a deep breath and pointed her wand at the ring leader.

     “Decimate!”

     A purple stream of energy poured from her wand, zig-zagging until it hit its target dead-on.

     All three dire Lupes—and Rohane—were surprised, but before the beasts could respond he struck one of them across the face, stunning it. The other three turned their gaze towards the Acara mage; one dire Lupe had drool spilling from its mouth. The drooling beast and the green Lupe dashed towards Mipsy; before the other dire Lupe could join, Rohane tackled it to the ground and elbowed its throat. Spinning the blade downward, he struck a decisive blow. Meanwhile, Mipsy summoned a magical snow flurry that slowed the Lupes’ movement. They fought through the ethereal gale with fervor, snapping and snarling at the mage. As they approached, she rose her wand to the sky and a wall of fire erupted around her. The beasts reeled back.

     Rohane had twice struck the stunned Lupe, finishing it, before rushing over to Mipsy’s aid. The Lupes, now flanked, chose their individual prey: the green Lupe licked its chops before leaping through the fire at Mipsy. Its claws raked her ear, causing her to yelp in pain. In desperation, she shouted a pointblank spell, firing them both back. Rohane raced to her side as the monsters circled them both.

     The swordsman pointed his blade at the closest monster. “Why did you come?” There was an air of frustration in his voice, but also relief. Or at least, it seemed like relief.

     “Because…” Mipsy watched the green Lupe’s every movement. But out of the corner of her eye, she could see the dire Lupe about to pounce on Rohane. “Because I want to fight by your side—Decimate!”

     The exact moment the dire Lupe was struck, Rohane’s blade made contact with the ring leader. They had struck each other’s targets—protected one another from a direct blow.

     When the green Lupe did not rise, the dire Lupe took a step back, sniffed the crisp air, and bounded away.

     Battle done, Mipsy fell to one knee. “I also…” she spoke between heavy breaths, “wanted to give you something.” She pointed up the hill to where the bag of Neopoints was left… and was now being held by her mother.

     Rohane tensed up upon seeing the older mage.

     “Mom, please.” Mipsy rose to her feet and scrunched the soft moss between her toes. “Don’t be mad at him, I chose to help.”

      “I know. You fought together well.” Her voice was kind. “And I saw for myself how much you’ve grown to help your friend.”

     The Blumaroo chuckled, relaxing his guard just a little. “Friend, eh?”

     Mipsy’s face lit up like a ripe tomato. “I… um…”

     “I’d grown so used to training alone that I convinced myself that anyone else would drag me down.” A slight smile passed beneath Rohane’s snout. “But you proved me wrong.”

     “Yeah?” There was a hopeful ring in Mipsy’s words.

     “You’re welcome to join me, if you’d like.” He paused. “If your parents are okay with it, that is.”

     Mipsy glanced back at her mother who gave an open-palmed shrug.

     “I’ll speak with your father. Just make sure to visit when you can… and write letters to let us know you’re okay.”

     A loud gasp of joy squeaked from Mipsy’s mouth.

     “I promise to keep your daughter safe,” Rohane said with a bow.

     And in return, Mipsy elbowed him. “You mean we’ll each each other safe, right?”

     He chuckled nervously. “Right.”

     "Well, I've already got my handy wizard's wand and my robes, and that's all I'll really need for a life of adventure, isn't it?” Mipsy grinned, bounding forward into the unknown. “Let's get going!"

     The End.