It had been four days since Arthur's fight with Gregor, four days where everything slowed into a routine that kept him alive and gave him time to think about what came next. He and Myrna had moved the camp a short distance downstream to put space between themselves and the old clearing; each day Arthur went back to check on his brother. He carried water to him, forced him to drink, gave him bread, and made sure he didn't die tied to the tree. He thought about letting him go but every time the thought formed he imagined Gregor stumbling home and warning their father, which would ruin any chance Arthur had of reaching Mira. So he decided that when the time came to leave he would knock Gregor out, untie him, and leave him to wake up on his own.
During those days Arthur recovered slowly, with Myrna taking on most of the work that kept them fed and kept his wounds clean. On the second day he could stand but not for long, on the third he moved without her holding him, and on the fourth he managed to track and kill a hare by the river which finally gave him the last push he needed to raise his cooking to ten. The system rewarded him with the alone in the wild completed quest, but he ignored the notifications for now.
Gregor's sword had also become his. The first time Arthur swung it he knew the difference between holding a proper weapon and a stick. It wasn't masterwork steel but it was a real blade, and when he trained with it briefly he felt his movements come easier, like the sword itself belonged in his hand, he had to wonder if all Daynes felt like that. That gave him confidence, enough to believe that when the time came to face his father and the Tanners, he might not be completely powerless.
On the fourth night Arthur sat on the log by the fire with the sword across his lap while Myrna cooked what little they had managed to gather. He watched the flames but his mind wasn't on them, it was on the rewards that still waited for him. The quest was finished, the system had given him options, and he was debating whether to use them now or wait until he needed them most. With the history of the system it was going to be 50/50 whether he got fucked over or not, and even when he does win there was a 50/50 he would get fucked over by that win.
Myrna glanced at him from where she crouched over the pot and said quietly, "You've been staring off for a while. What's on your mind?"
Arthur shifted the sword on his lap, staring at the edge as if it might give him answers. Finally, he spoke. "I'm worried about tomorrow. If things go wrong, I could end up executed, or worse, sent to the Wall to rot away. And if that happens, Mira's stuck. She'll have to live a life of misery with someone she doesn't love, and it'll be because I wasn't strong enough to stop it."
Myrna lowered her eyes, stirring the pot in silence for a moment. She didn't know what to say. The truth was she was worried too—every possible outcome looked dangerous. Part of her wanted to beg him not to go, to stay hidden and safe. But another part, the one that grew up hearing tales of knights and maidens, wanted him to try. It was foolish, she knew that, but there was a spark in her that couldn't help hoping this story might turn out like those, with the maiden saved and the knight triumphant.
After a pause, she gave him a small smile. "I believe it will be okay."
Arthur let out a quiet laugh and shook his head. "I appreciate that," he said, and for the first time all evening there was a bit of warmth in his voice. He leaned back on the log and took a deep breath, his mind finally settling on what had been gnawing at him since the quest had ended. "Alright," he muttered, to himself. "Let's see what these rewards really are."
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QUEST: ALONE IN THE WILD
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Description:
You've walked away from your home, your family, and the only shelter you've ever known.
The forest will keep you alive or kill you. Whether you walk out stronger or never walk out at all is up to you.
Objectives:
– Survive in the wild
– Hunt and kill an animal
– Raise [Cooking] to 10/100
– Raise [Carpentry] to (Apprentice)
– Raise [Swordsmanship] to 20/100
– Build a replacement cart
Bonus Objectives:
– Spend seven nights outside without returning home
– Kill a predator beast with your own hands
– Raise one new skill to (Apprentice) through necessity
Rewards:
– +1 to all stats
– +2 Otherworld Tokens
– Character Template
– Random Sub Skill
– 100 XP
Failure:
– Death
– Banishment from Harrowfield
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First, he inquired about the one that confused him the most. 'What's the character template?'
The answer came immediately.
[There are many extraordinary individuals in the universe. Character Template allows you to summon their spirit and take an aspect of it for yourself.]
Arthur frowned. That explanation didn't make much sense to him, but sitting here waiting wasn't going to make it any clearer. He decided to just take the risk. "Fine. Use it."
The air before his eyes shimmered, the system spinning a wheel filled with names he didn't recognize, though a few of them had the names of houses he'd heard of in this world such as Lannister and Stark.
Ping.
[Congratulations. You have acquired the Character Template: Leonardo da Vinci.]
A flood of information poured into Arthur's head. A list appeared.
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LEONARDO DA VINCI – TEMPLATE
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Available Traits and Skills: (Pick 1)
– Polymath's Insight
– Inventive Genius
– Master Anatomist
– Mechanical Engineer
– Painter's Eye
– Military Architect
– Visionary Thinker
– Sculptor's Precision
– Observational Memory
– Anatomical Draftsmanship
– Mechanical Draftsmanship
– Theoretical Flight
– Artistic Charisma
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Arthur stared at the list, eyes widening. "What the hell..." he whispered under his breath. Polymath? Anatomist? Draftsmanship? They looked like gibberish, strange marks that meant nothing to a farm boy. He ran his eyes down the list again, searching for something he actually understood.
"Painter... artistic... sculptor... memory," he muttered under his breath. Those at least made some kind of sense. But the rest? "Damn it. I got some kind of painter or... something useless." His jaw clenched. Of all the things the system could have given him, it had to be this?
He kept reading, hoping something would click. His eyes stopped on one word—military. That one he recognized, though he didn't fully understand it. "Military... that sounds like martial," he thought. He knew martial meant fighting, warriors, swords and spears. Maybe it was close to that. Architect, though—that one was harder. But he thought he'd heard it once or twice in the village, when men spoke of builders who drew plans for castles and towers. "They built stuff," he muttered. It wasn't much to go on, and the more he thought, the less sense it made.
In the end, it was too much. His head throbbed, his body ached, and the words just made him feel like a fool. He gritted his teeth. "Screw it. I'll pick at random."
His finger flicked mentally toward one of the glowing names. Inventive Genius.
Ping.
[Inventive Genius: You gain the instinctive ability to imagine, design, and improve tools, weapons, structures, and mechanisms far beyond the understanding of your time. Your mind naturally sees flaws and solutions. You will feel a compulsion to tinker, adapt, and create. While your resources may limit you, your ideas will not. Every item you hold, every structure you see, will whisper possibilities of how to make it better.]
Arthur blinked at the words, his mouth falling open a little. "So... I can make things better?"
The system stayed silent, but the description burned in his mind.
He frowned. He wasn't sure whether to feel cheated or lucky. Would this help him save Mira? Would this help him fight? Or was it just another trick to waste his time? Whatever, he still had the other rewards he needed to get through. Arthur clenched his jaw and activated the first Otherworld Token.
The familiar hum filled his head, followed by the flicker of a wheel that spun before his eyes. Dozens of traits and skills appeared in flashes, sliding past too quickly for him to read. The wheel slowed, the symbols blurring into words. Iron Stomach... Sharp Nose... Sturdy Bones... Precise Hands...
It ticked past another, Luckless, and Arthur almost shouted at the thing to keep moving. His heart jumped when it jerked, then landed.
Ping.
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[TRAIT GAINED]
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Dexterous (Uncommon)
Your hands and fingers are exceptionally nimble. Tasks requiring precision, balance, and control are performed with greater ease. You are less likely to fumble, and you can learn skills involving fine motor work—such as swordplay, crafting, or stealth—with increased speed and efficiency.
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[Clumsy Fingers trait has been nullified.]
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Arthur blinked at the message, then flexed his hands. His fingers moved quick and sure, no hesitation, no clumsiness, no delay. He actually laughed out loud, his voice cracking from the sudden relief. He shot half to his feet before pain tore through his ribs and dropped him back down. "Wooo—ah, fuck," he hissed, clutching his side. Even in pain, he couldn't wipe the grin off his face.
Finally. Finally he'd gotten rid of that damn trait.
He steadied his breathing and forced himself to calm down.
He went straight to the second token.
The wheel spun again, but slower this time, as if it were toying with him. Each option lingered just long enough for him to catch the words. Animal Tongue... Stone Skin... Gift... Bloodless... Hunter's Instinct... His chest tightened as it clattered from one to the next, before it came to a sharp stop.
Ping.
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[SKILL GAINED]
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Gift (Epic)
You may transfer one of your traits or skills to another individual. The recipient will receive a weaker version, but the skill or trait will be permanently removed from you. No duplication is possible.
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Arthur frowned at the explanation. His first instinct was to curse—the system wanted him to give up hard-earned progress—but then he thought of Mira. He pictured her with a blade, standing on her own instead of waiting for him to save her. "Alright," he muttered under his breath, "Nott bad at all. Could keep her safe."
He had one reward left. The sub skill. He triggered it.
Stamina Surge... Endurance... Recovery... The word slowed in front of him, hovered, then locked.
Ping.
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[SUB SKILL GAINED]
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Recovery (Conditioning)
Your body heals at a faster rate after injury, exertion, or training. Pain, fatigue, and damage will linger for less time, allowing quicker return to peak condition.
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Arthur stared, then slowly buried his face in his hands. "You've got to be kidding me..." The words came out muffled. He shook his head, half laughing, half groaning. "I could've had this days ago. Bloody useless system."
Arthur let out a long sigh and leaned forward, rubbing a hand across his face. As much as he wanted to curse the system again, he knew the truth, it wasn't at fault this time. It was his. He could have used the rewards earlier, but he had held back, waiting, always second-guessing. That hesitation had cost him days of pain and strain, and now he had no one to blame but himself.
He pushed himself up from the log with a grunt and shuffled over to the spot where he had laid out the old leathers for sleep. Lowering himself onto them, he exhaled slowly as the pressure lifted from his ribs. For days now he had forced himself to rest, hoping his body would mend enough to let him move when the time came. At least now, with this Recovery sub-skill, he had a chance to gain back more strength before tomorrow.
Arthur stretched out and closed his eyes, letting the fire's crackle fade into the background. He tried to focus on his breathing, and let his thoughts drift away. For a few moments, he managed it. His body sank deeper into the worn leather beneath him.
But then he heard someone call him.
"Arthur."
Arthur's eyes snapped open, his body jerking upright as if a bolt of lightning had shot through him, his heart hammering against his bruised ribs so hard he felt the ache ripple through his chest. His breath caught, as he stared at Myrna standing bare before the firelight, her naked form fully exposed. His gaze, despite the shock freezing his limbs, moved over her body, tracing every detail with an intensity he couldn't stop. Her skin was pale, stretched over a frame that carried soft, rounded flesh, her belly curving outward slightly, its surface smooth except for a faint line of fine hair trailing from her navel downward.
Her hips were wide, the flesh there thick and soft, folding slightly where her thighs pressed together, and between them was a thick, dark brown patch of hair, covering the groin entirely. Her breasts hung heavy, their weight pulling them downward, each one large and rounded with dark, wide nipples that protruded prominently, the areolas spreading out in uneven circles. Her brown hair was tied into two loose pigtails, the ends fraying and curling slightly, strands sticking to her neck where sweat had begun to form.
Her face was a deep, burning red, the flush spreading from her cheeks across her forehead, down her neck, and even to the tops of her shoulders. Her lips trembled, pressed tightly together as if to hold back a sob, and her eyes were wide, glistening with unshed tears, the skin around them creased with tension. Her brows were drawn together, creating shallow furrows above her nose, and her jaw quivered faintly, betraying the effort it took to stand there.
"Myrna, what are you doing?" Arthur asked, though his voice trembled slightly as he did.
She shifted her weight, one foot scuffing the dirt, her toes curling into the earth as her hands twitched, unsure whether to cover herself or stay still. "You're leaving soon, Arthur. Tomorrow, or the day after... and I might never see you again." Her eyes fell to the ground, and her shoulders slumped forward, her arms crossing slightly as if to shield herself. A single tear rolled down her cheek, catching the firelight before it dripped off her chin. "I don't want you to go... Not without you knowing how I feel."
Arthur's mouth opened, then snapped shut, his mind scrambling for words as he pushed himself to his feet, wincing as his ribs screamed in protest. "Myrna, no. You don't have to do this. You'll find someone—someone better, someone who deserves you. You shouldn't waste your maidenhood on me."
Her face crumpled, her lips parting in a small, pained gasp, and she wrapped her arms tighter around herself, her fingers digging into her own skin as if to hold herself together. "I know I'm not pretty. I know you might find me... disgusting. But you can close your eyes if you want. I just—I just needed to—" she couldn't finish the rest as her throat closed up on her.
Her words slammed into Arthur, hitting him harder than any blow he'd taken in the fight with Gregor, and he saw the way her shoulders hunched. He realized in that moment what turning her away would do—how it would shatter something in her, something fragile she'd barely mustered the courage to show him. His chest tightened, and without another thought, he stepped forward, his hands reaching for her arms, pulling her gently into him. Her skin was warm, soft under his calloused fingers; he felt her tense, her body rigid with nerves.
"You are beautiful," he said with no trace of hesitation. He tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his eyes, and pressed his lips to hers.
Myrna stiffened, her lips unmoving at first, caught off guard by the contact. Her breath hitched and her hands hovered at her sides. But as Arthur's hands slid to her shoulders, she began to soften. Her lips parted slightly, moving awkwardly against his, growing surer with each passing second. Her body leaned into him, her arms slowly wrapping around his back, fingers clutching at his tunic as if anchoring herself. The kiss deepened, her earlier fear melting into warmth.
Arthur's hands moved to her waist, his fingers resting against the soft curve of her hips. He stepped back, still kissing her, and eased her down onto the pile of worn leathers where he'd been resting. The fire's glow danced across her skin as he laid her down, her pigtails spreading out across the hide.
Arthur's hands trembled slightly as he pulled his shirt over his head, the rough fabric catching on his shoulders before he tossed it aside, revealing his lean frame, marked with fading bruises and the faint scars of his fight with Gregor. His chest rose and fell quickly, the firelight casting shadows over the taut lines of his muscles,. Myrna's eyes followed him, her hands reaching out hesitantly, her fingers brushing against his chest, tracing the ridges of his ribs. She moved closer, her palms pressing against his shoulders, feeling the tension in his muscles as he exhaled sharply.
He leaned in, kissing her again, and she moaned softly, the sound muffled against his mouth. His kisses trailed downward, brushing along her jaw, then to her neck, where he pressed his lips against the soft skin just below her ear. His hands moved to her breasts, fingers spreading over them, his thumbs brushing across her large, dark nipples, which hardened under his touch. Myrna's moans grew louder, her body arching slightly as she pressed herself closer, her hands gripping his arms for support.
She could feel his hardness pressing into her stomach through his trousers, her breath catching as excitement stirred in her core, her thighs pressing together instinctively. She pulled back slightly, her face flushed, her eyes wide and searching his. "Can we... can we do it now?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, trembling with nerves and anticipation.
Arthur paused, his eyes locked on hers, and gave a small nod. He shifted back, his hands moving to his trousers. He slid them down, freeing his cock, which stood erect, the skin taut and flushed with arousal. Myrna's eyes widened, her breath hitching as she stared, her lips parting slightly.
"Can I... see it?" she asked, shyly,. Arthur leaned back on his heels, and nodded again. Myrna leaned forward, her pigtails swaying as she moved, her eyes fixed on him, studying the length and shape of him, her curiosity outweighing her nervousness. "Is it okay if I touch it?" she asked, her cheeks burning red.
He nodded, his throat bobbing as he swallowed hard. Her hand reached out, tentative at first, her fingers brushing against the shaft. She wrapped her hand around it, and began to stroke slowly. Arthur let out a groan, his head tilting back slightly, his hands gripping the leathers beneath him as he savored the sensation, his body tensing with each pass of her hand.
Myrna leaned closer, her face inches from him now, and she inhaled deeply, her nose twitching as she took in his scent, it was musky, a smell that drew her in, her eyes half-closing as she breathed it in again. Enamored, she darted her tongue out, licking the tip, tasting the faint saltiness there. Arthur groaned louder, his hips twitching involuntarily, his hands clenching tighter. Encouraged, she licked again, her tongue moving in slow strokes, exploring the sensitive head. Her lips parted further, and she took him into her mouth, her tongue pressing against him as she adjusted to the feeling.
She began to suck, her lips sliding along his length, her hand still stroking the base as she found a rhythm, her inexperience giving way to instinct. Arthur's breathing grew ragged, his groans deeper, his hands moving to her shoulders, fingers digging in as he fought to stay still. Her mouth worked faster, her lips tight around him, her tongue swirling, and soon his body tensed, a low moan escaping as he spilled into her mouth, the warm rush catching her by surprise. She pulled back slightly, swallowing instinctively, her eyes wide as she looked up at him, her lips glistening.
Arthur panted, his chest heaving as he stared at her, bewildered. "Where... where did that come from?" he asked.
Myrna's face flushed a deep red, her eyes dropping to the ground as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. "I don't know," she mumbled. "It just... smelled nice."
She then blushed again as she looked at him "Can you keep going, Arthur? I want to feel you, please, I need you inside me."
Arthur's gaze held hers, his heart pounding against his ribs, and he nodded slowly, his jaw tightening as he shifted his weight, his hands brushing against the hide of the leathers beneath him to steady himself, positioning his body above her, his fingers finding her hips. "Yeah, I can," he murmured and he leaned forward, brushing his lips against hers in a fleeting kiss before adjusting his hips, his hands sliding down to her thighs, parting them gently, his fingers pressing into the soft flesh as he opened her to him, feeling the warmth radiating from her skin. His cock, still hard from their earlier encounter, stood erect, the skin slick and veined, and he took it in hand, guiding it carefully to her entrance, the thick brown hair between her legs brushing against the tip as he lined himself up, the heat of her body drawing him in before he even moved.
He thrust forward, his hips moving slowly, the head of his cock pushing past her outer lips with a faint wet squish, sliding into the tight, slick heat of her body, her inner walls stretching to take him in, gripping him firmly as he entered her. Myrna gasped "Ahh yessss..." breaking from her lips, her hands flying to his arms, her fingers digging into his muscle, her nails leaving faint crescent marks as her body tensed beneath him, her eyes squeezing shut for a moment before fluttering open, her breath coming in short bursts as she adjusted to the sensation of him entering her again, the faint sting of her newly lost maidenhood lingering but fading into a deeper fullness that made her chest heave. Arthur paused, his own breath catching in his throat as he felt the tight resistance of her body, the warmth enveloping him completely; he watched her face closely, searching for any sign to stop, but she nodded, her lips trembling "Mmm that feels good," urging him to continue with a small shift of her hips.
He pushed deeper, his cock sliding further, inch by inch, the slick friction accompanied by a faint slurp as her walls stretched around him, gripping him tightly until he bottomed out, his hips pressing flush against hers, the coarse hair at her entrance mingling with his own; the sensation of being fully inside her sending a shudder through his body. His hands gripped her hips to steady himself as he exhaled sharply. "Ohhh," myrna let out, her hands sliding from his arms to his shoulders, her fingers curling into the taut muscle there, holding on as her body rocked slightly with the pressure of him filling her, her inner walls pulsing around him, slick with her arousal and the remnants of his earlier release, creating a wet warmth that enveloped him.
Arthur groaned "Nngh," the tight heat was overwhelming, each small movement sending a jolt through him as he began to move, pulling back slowly with a soft squelch before thrusting in again, his hips finding a rhythm, the slick friction building with every motion, the wet sounds of their bodies joining growing louder.
Myrna's hands clung to his shoulders, her fingers pressing into his skin as her body moved with his, her hips lifting slightly to meet his thrusts, her moans soft, "Mmm ohhh," escaping her lips in small bursts that matched the pace of his movements, her eyes half-closed as she surrendered to the sensation of him inside her, her breath hitching with each thrust. Her large breasts swayed with each motion, the heavy flesh bouncing more noticeably as Arthur's pace quickened, his hips driving into her with more force, the motion causing her breasts to shift and jiggle, the dark, wide nipples brushing against his chest when he leaned closer, drawing a sharp "Ahh yes" from her lips. Her moans grew louder, more frequent, "Ohhh mmm," her breath coming in gasps as she held onto him, her nails digging into his shoulders, her body trembling beneath him as the rhythm intensified, the wet slap of their bodies meeting filling the air alongside the fire's crackle, the sound mingling with her soft cries.
The pressure built steadily, a tightening coil deep in Arthur's groin, his balls drawing up as he thrust harder, his cock sliding in and out of her slick, tight heat with a squish, the friction sending waves of pleasure through him, each thrust pulling him closer to the edge, his breath growing ragged as he gripped her hips tighter. Myrna's moans turned into cries, "Ahh yes ohhh keep doing it," her body arching beneath him, her hips bucking to meet his, her inner walls clenching tighter around his cock, each pulse drawing him deeper, her slickness coating him as her arousal grew, the wet heat intensifying with every movement. Her voice broke through her moans as she gasped, "Mmm that feels good, Arthur, it's so good, it feels strange, like something's coming, I love you, I love you so much." Her words sent a jolt through him, his thrusts faltering for a moment before he leaned down, kissing her hard, his lips pressing against hers as she moaned into his mouth, "Mmmph ohhh," her hands clutching his shoulders tighter, her nails scraping his skin.
Her legs wrapped around his hips, her heels pressing into his lower back, urging him closer, and Arthur's hands gripped her hips harder, his fingers sinking into the soft flesh as he drove into her, "Nngh by the seven Ughhhhh ayessss," mingling with her cries. Myrna's cries grew sharper, "Ahh yes mmm," her body trembling violently as her orgasm hit, her inner walls spasming around his cock with a wet squelch, her slickness flooding around him as she gasped, a loud "Ohhh yessssssssss," her mouth open, her head tilting back against the leathers, her pigtails tangling further, her breasts heaving with each shuddering breath. "Spill inside me, Arthur, please, I want you to spill inside me, I need it."
Her words pushed Arthur over the edge, his body tensing as his orgasm crashed through him, a loud "Nngh" bursting from his throat, his hips slamming forward one final time, his cock buried deep as it twitched, spilling hot, thick seed in heavy spurts that filled her, the warmth spreading as her walls continued to clench around him, the rhythmic pulses of her orgasm milking him, drawing out every last drop, the wet heat of their combined release mingling inside her, creating a slick, pulsing sensation that enveloped them both.
Their bodies trembled together, locked in the moment, Arthur's arms shaking as he held himself above her, his cock still twitching faintly inside her, Myrna's walls fluttering around him as the aftershocks of their shared climax. Eventually Arthur collapsed on top of her as the second orgasm took much of his strength out of him. Though Myrna was fine with that and held him close with a smile on her face.
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[QUEST COMPLETED]
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A Bloom in the Shade
Description:
Myrna Tiller is a shy, lonely girl who has spent most of her life in the background. Arthur remembered the kindness she's shown and the fondness she's carried for him since childhood. By giving her the attention no one else had, he helped her out of her shell and claimed her heart.
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Objectives Completed:
– Romance Myrna Tiller
– Get her out of her shell
– Claim Myrna Tiller's maidenhood
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Rewards Gained:
– 100 XP
– [Skill: Herbal Insight] (Unique)
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(AN: So Arthur has done it he's completed all the quests in the forest and now he just has to go and rescues Myrna and get the hell out of dodge. Myrna won't be going with him sadly but that doesn't mean he won't see her again. Anyway I hope you enjoyed this.)
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