Arthur woke to wood creaking above him. Roof groaned with wind gusts. Faint voices whispered outside. Sunlight slipped through straw cracks. Landed on his face like tiny needles. He groaned. Rolled on rough straw bed. Head heavy. Tongue stuck to mouth. No coffee. Not even water. Damn, this world's going to kill me faster than the wolves.
Sat up. Rubbed eyes. Tunic clung to him. Damp with sweat from yesterday. Body ached. Shoulders stiff like lifting bricks all night. Guess fighting off wolves counts as cardio. Too bad there's no gym shower to fix this mess.
Knock at door. Before answer, creaked open. Marianne stepped inside. Long brown hair tied back. Few strands loose. Framed green eyes. Carried wooden bowl of water. Dress torn and patched. Clung to curves. Neckline low. Skirt slit high. Flash of thigh as she walked. Arthur looked away fast. Seriously, brain. Priorities. Survive first, ogle later.
"Up, Arthur," Marianne said. Voice soft but urgent. "We need you."
Blinked at her. Still half dream. "Need me? For what?"
Faint smile vanished. "Bandits. They hit villages like ours. Thud last night? Scouts, maybe. Can't let them take what little we have."
Before respond, door burst wider. Elise marched in. Sword in hand. Toned arms flexed. Gripped hilt. "I'll fight them!" Voice full of fire.
Arthur studied her second. Looked like she could swing. But stance wide open. Confidence good, but that grip? She's going to throw her shoulder out before she kills anyone.
Behind her, Clara leaned against wall. Usual smirk. Slim legs crossed. Arms folded tight. "With what? Your big mouth?" Said flatly. "We need a plan, not noise."
Arthur rubbed temple. Ah, sibling banter. Even in another world, sisters still roast each other.
Then Sophie peeked from behind Marianne. Clutched dress. Soft curves hidden beneath plain cloth. "What can we do?" Whispered. Voice small.
Arthur exhaled. "I'm no fighter," admitted. "But can make traps. Rope, sticks, maybe log. Set them up. Slow bandits down."
Marianne tilted head. Curiosity in eyes. "Traps? Like what?"
"Simple stuff," Arthur said. Motioned with hands. "Rope tied across path. Stick to trip them. Add log, falls right on them. Works on wolves, works on people too."
Room quiet. Elise frowned. Clara raised eyebrow. Sophie blinked. Marianne's lips curved into slow smile. "You're strange, Arthur," said softly. "But maybe strange what we need. Come. Let's plan."
Turned. Skirt swayed. Showed another glimpse of smooth thigh. Arthur swallowed. Followed her. She's doing that on purpose, right? …No. Focus, idiot. Bandits first, thighs later.
Gathered around rough table in main room. Candle flickered between them. Wax dripping. Air smelled herbs and old bread. Marianne spread worn map. Paper thin. Might tear. Sat close beside Arthur. Leg brushed his under table. Felt her warmth through cloth. Nearly lost train of thought. Don't look down. Don't. Just stare at map. It's a map. Paper. Not boobs.
"Bandits come at night," Marianne said. Pointed to line on map. "Take food. Sometimes worse. Have to stop them before get here."
"I'll guard front!" Elise declared. Sword shook little in grip.
Arthur's lips twitched. She's bold. Brave. And probably going to get herself stabbed if someone doesn't babysit her.
Clara leaned forward. Tapped table. Skirt rode up bit. Revealed pale skin. "Need more than brute force. They're sneaky. Traps might help. But only if use them right."
Sophie fidgeted. Dress hugging her shape. "What if too strong? What if we lose?"
Arthur leaned in. Sketched quick plan with stick in dirt. Rope line. Stick trigger. Log hanging above. Simple, ugly, but work. Girls leaned closer to see. Marianne's arm pressed against his. Jerked back. "Sorry," muttered.
Her laugh soft, teasing. "Clumsy, huh? Don't worry." Eyes sparkled. Like caught something he didn't want show.
Elise smirked. Arms crossed. "Mom's smiling. She likes him already."
Arthur's face heated. Fantastic. Day two, and I'm already the punchline.
Moved outside to build traps. Yard muddy from last night's rain. Arthur helped Marianne carry log. Heavy, awkward. Hand slipped. Brushed her hip. Soft. Warm. Heart kicked. Pulled back fast. "Sorry," blurted.
She only smiled. Voice playful. "Careful." Dress shifted as bent to adjust log. Curves distracting. Arthur nearly dropped his end. Oh, come on. Is she testing me?
Elise grabbed rope coil. Muscles flexed. Tied it around post. "This will hold," said firmly.
Arthur watched her work. She's strong. If she stops yelling long enough to focus, she might actually be scary with that sword.
Clara handed sticks. Fingers brushed his. "Make it work, or we're in trouble," said. Grin tugged at lips.
Arthur chuckled. At least she's honest. Sarcastic, but honest.
Sophie carried bucket of nails. Steps light. "Will these help? I found them," said. Held it out.
"Yeah," Arthur said. Nodded. "Perfect for reinforcement."
Worked together. Set two traps by fence. Arthur tied knots steady and tight. Explained each step. Girls watched closely. Marianne's gaze lingered longer. Lips curved in approval. Handed him hammer. Fingers brushed his. Stayed heartbeat too long. "You're smart," said softly. "Where did you learn all this?"
Arthur's chest tightened. "Place with machines," said. "No bandits. Just noise and people rushing around."
Her hand lingered on shoulder. "Machines, huh? Then keep that brain going. We'll need it tonight." Touch sent tingle through him. What the hell is this? Magic? Or am I just that touch-starved?
Sun climbing when horn blared in distance. Sound carried over trees. Low and sharp.
Elise's sword flashed out. "They're here!"
Clara pressed against fence. Eyes narrowed. "Movement in trees. A lot of them."
Sophie pressed close to Arthur. Clutching his arm. Hand trembling. "What do we do now?"
Marianne stepped forward. Calm holding them all. Dress shifted as moved. Thigh flashing again. "Stay steady. Let traps do work first. Arthur—" Looked at him. Steady green eyes. "You're one of us now. We'll fight together."
Arthur swallowed. Heart hammering. Strange pull in chest grew stronger. Like invisible string tugging him closer to her. Okay. Bandits. Fine. No gym. No coffee. But maybe… maybe I've got something better here.
Gripped hammer tight. Stood with them at fence. Bandits moved in trees. Air thick with tension. For first time since woke in world, Arthur felt like belonged.