The smoke from the pig pen hung in the air, choking the yard with the stench of charred hay and singed flesh. Buckets sloshed as men ran back and forth, yelling orders. "More water, damn you!" one of the blacksmith's apprentices shouted, heaving a slopping pail toward the fence. "The sow's still in there!"
Gormon stormed through the mess, kicking over an empty bucket that clattered across the dirt. His face was purple with rage, veins bulging in his neck like twisted ropes. "Which one of you piss-brained fools started this?" he roared, grabbing the nearest man—a skinny farmer named Harlan—by the collar and yanking him close. "Was it you? Dropped your pipe while you were sneaking a piss?"
Harlan's eyes bulged, hands flapping uselessly. "N-no, Gormon! I swear by the Seven, I was over by the tables the whole time! Ask your Garlan—he saw me!"
Garlan, knee-deep in mud near the pen gate, looked up with a scowl. "Pa, let him go. It ain't him. Probably some drunk bastard knocked over a lantern. We gotta get these pigs out before they roast!"
Darry Tanner shoved his way through the crowd, his heavy gut pushing folks aside like a plow through soil. "This your idea of hospitality, Gormon? Burning down your own damn farm on my boy's wedding day?" He jabbed a thick finger at the smoldering pen. "If my kin get hurt putting this out, I'll have your hide!"
Gormon whirled on him, eyes blazing. "You accusing me, Tanner? You think I'd set fire to my own pigs just to spite you? I've half a mind to shove your fat arse in there and let you burn with 'em!"
Brant tanner, stepped up beside his father, cracking his knuckles. "Watch your mouth, old man. This reeks of sabotage. Maybe you changed your mind about the marriage and decided to ruin the day."
Ulric snorted from the back, wiping soot from his face. "Wouldn't put it past him."
Before Gormon could snap back, a scream cut through the farm like a knife. "She's gone! Mira's gone!"
Everyone froze. Elyse came barreling down the farmhouse steps, her skirts hiked up to her knees, face twisted in panic. She nearly tripped on the last step, catching herself on the railing. "She's not in her room! The door was unlocked, Mira's gone!"
The yard went dead silent for a heartbeat, then erupted. Whispers turned to shouts. "Gone? How?" "Someone took her?" "Check the stables!"
Gormon shoved past Darry like he wasn't even there, his boots pounding up the steps. "Out of my way!" he bellowed, slamming the door open so hard it banged against the wall. He stormed up the stairs, each step creaking under his weight. "Mira! Where are you, girl?"
He kicked her door wide, the wood splintering at the frame. The room was empty—bed unmade, dress gone, basin tipped over on the floor. "Mira!" he roared again, flipping the mattress off the frame with one hand. It thudded against the wall, sending dust flying. He tore open the small chest at the foot of the bed, scattering clothes and trinkets. "You little! where are you?!"
Nothing. No sign. He punched the wall, knuckles splitting against the wood, blood smearing the plank. "Damn you!"
He barreled back downstairs, face thunderous, and burst out the door. Elyse was still there, wringing her hands, tears streaking her face. "She's gone, Gormon. Our girl's gone."
Gormon's eyes snapped to the stables. He sprinted across the yard, kicking up dirt, and flung the doors open. Straw scattered as he stormed in, scanning the stalls. One was empty—the brown mare, saddle missing, bridle gone. "Thief!" he snarled, slamming his fist into a post. The wood cracked under the blow. "She's taken the horse too!"
By now, the crowd had gathered behind him, murmuring growing louder. Darry pushed to the front, red-faced and sweating. "This your doing, Gormon? You set that fire to cover your tracks? Hiding your girl so she don't have to wed my boy?"
Gormon whirled on him. "You shut your mouth, Tanner, or I'll shut it for you. You think I'd burn my own pen and steal my own horse? This is sabotage—someone's taken her or she's run away by herself!"
Brant cracked his knuckles again, stepping up. "Then who? That coward brother of hers? Arthur? He wouldn't have the balls."
Ulric laughed bitterly. "Unless he's got friends. Maybe he paid some sellsword to snatch her."
The headman, Farlan, cleared his throat from the back of the crowd. "This is getting out of hand. Gormon, you need to report this to the lord's men. Kidnapping's a crime, could be bandits or worse."
Gormon spat on the ground. "The lord's men? They'll take days to show, if they bother at all. No, this is family business. We'll handle it ourselves."
Elyse clutched at his arm, voice breaking. "But how? She's gone, we don't even know where!"
Before Gormon could answer, a shout came from the field edge. "Pa! Pa!"
Everyone turned. Gregor staggered into view, leaning on a tree for support, his face a mess of bruises and dried blood, clothes torn and muddy. He looked like he'd been dragged through hell. Garlan bolted toward him, catching his arm before he collapsed. "Gregor! What in the Seven Hells happened to you?"
Gregor wheezed, clutching his side. "Arthur... it was Arthur. He jumped me in the woods. Knocked me out, tied me up... took my sword. Said he was coming for Mira."
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Elyse's hand flew to her mouth. "Arthur? Our Arthur did this?"
Gormon stormed over, grabbing Gregor's chin and tilting his head to inspect the damage. "You let that runt do this to you? How?"
Gregor winced but met his father's eyes. "He... he's changed, Pa. Faster. Stronger. Caught me off guard with some weird moves—threw me like I weighed nothing. Had help too, that fat girl Myrna. She drugged me after."
Darry's face twisted in fury. "Your boy's behind this? He ruins my daughter, and now he steals yours on her wedding day? I'll have his head!"
Gormon released Gregor's chin and turned to the crowd. "You all heard it. Arthur's taken Mira. He's betrayed his family, his blood. We'll hunt him down and drag him back."
Farlan stepped forward, raising a hand. "Gormon, think. The boy's your son. If you go after him like this, blood might spill. Let the lord handle it."
"The lord doesn't give a rat's arse about us!" Gormon bellowed. "This is our mess. We'll clean it." He looked to Darry. "You with me, Tanner? Our families are bound now, help me get her back."
Darry spat on the ground. "Aye. For Mira, and for settling the score with that runt." He turned to his sons. "Brant, Ulric, get the horses unattached from the carriage. We're riding."
Brant grinned viciously. "About time. I'll break his legs myself."
Ulric nodded, already moving. "And if we find him with Mira... well, no telling what accidents happen in the woods."
Elyse grabbed Gormon's arm, tears streaming. "Don't hurt him, please. He's still our boy. Bring them both home safe."
Gormon shook her off. "Safe? He's ruined us. If he comes quietly, fine. If not..." He let the words hang.
Gregor pushed himself upright, wincing. "Pa, my sword... he took it. But I... I marked it. Wrapped cloth with scented oil in the hilt. For the dog, in case I lost it hunting."
Gormon's eyes lit up. "Smart boy. Garlan, get the hound. We'll track the bastard."
Garlan nodded and bolted for the kennel. The crowd murmured, some excited, others uneasy. "This ain't right," one old woman muttered. "Brother against brother..."
But no one stopped them. Within minutes, the group assembled—Gormon, Darry, Brant, Ulric. The hound strained at its leash, nose to the ground, already sniffing the stolen sword's scent from a scrap of cloth Gregor provided.
"We'll find them," Gormon growled as they mounted up. "And when we do, Arthur's going to wish he'd never crawled back." They kicked their horses into a gallop, thundering out of the yard and into the woods, the hound rushing ahead.
____________________________________
They trotted down the narrow forest path, the mare's hooves crunching softly over fallen leaves and packed earth, the canopy above filtering the midday sun into dappled patterns that danced across their faces. Mira leaned her head against Arthur's back, her arms wrapped securely around his waist, a huge smile spreading across her lips despite the ache in her legs from the ride. She closed her eyes for a moment, inhaling the scent of pine and sweat that clung to him, feeling the rhythm of his breathing under her cheek. This was it—her fantasies come true, the dreams she'd harbored in secret for years. Her brother, the love of her life, whisking her away on horseback, the open road ahead of them, no rules or family to hold them back. They could go anywhere, be anyone, free from their father's shadow. Her heart swelled with a joy so fierce it almost hurt, and she pressed closer, savoring the warmth of him.
"Where do you think we'll go?" she asked softly, speaking into his tunic.
Arthur glanced over his shoulder briefly, the wind tugging at his hair. "Probably King's Landing, or somewhere close to it," he replied. "It's big enough to disappear in, and there's work there. I was thinking... maybe I could find a hedge knight, someone willing to take me on as a squire. Earn my knighthood, make a name for myself."
Mira's eyes widened, her smile faltering as she lifted her head. "A hedge knight? Arthur, that's... that's dangerous. You'd be fighting, risking your life in tourneys or worse. What if you get hurt? Or killed?" Worry creased her brow, her hands tightening on his waist. "You've only just started getting stronger. I don't want to lose you."
Arthur smiled, a quiet confidence in his voice as he kept his eyes on the path ahead. "It'll be fine, Mira. I'm different than before. I'm good with a sword now, and I'll only get better. I promise I'll take care of you, make sure you want for nothing. No scraping by, no worrying about the next meal. I'll make us safe."
She hugged him tightly then, her massive breasts pressing firmly into his back, the soft warmth of them molding against him through the thin fabric of her dress and his tunic. The sensation sent a flush through her, but she held on, feeling a sense of reliability in him that hadn't been there before. "I believe you," she whispered to.
After a moment, she loosened her grip slightly, though her hands lingered on his sides. "What about coin? In the meantime, I mean. How much do we even have? I could maybe find a job as a serving girl, or perhaps in someone's kitchens. I think I'm pretty enough for that."
Arthur shook his head firmly. "You're more than pretty enough, Mira—that's why I don't want you working places like that. People will try to take advantage of you. Men especially. I won't let that happen."
"Thank you for worrying about me," dhe said, leaning up to kiss him on the cheek, her lips lingering there for a heartbeat longer than necessary. The simple gesture sent a warmth through her, and she felt him blush under her touch, his skin heating slightly.
He cleared his throat, a faint red creeping up his neck, but he pressed on. "Don't worry about working. I'll make sure everything's fine. We'll get by."
Mira believed him, her faith in him unwavering right now, and as she rested against him again, she felt a heat building in her core, a flush that spread through her body. She was still in her wedding dress, the fine cotton now dirt-streaked and torn at the hem, but here she was, riding off with the man of her dreams. They could live like husband and wife now, free from prying eyes, and the thought made her pulse quicken, her thighs pressing together subtly against the saddle.
She smiled mischievously, "Perhaps it's best that wherever we go, we don't tell people we're siblings."
Arthur glanced back, slight confusion furrowing his brow. "Why not?"
"Word could get back to Father," she explained, her smile widening. "He might come looking. But if we pose as a newly wedded couple, we'd be much better hidden. How many Miras and Arthurs are there in King's Landing? Plenty. But how many are related? Not many. Plus, our father has never been too intelligent."
Arthur chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest and into her. "I guess that makes sense."
Mira had to stop herself from squealing in delight, biting her lip to hold back the sound, her heart racing at the thought of them playing husband and wife in truth.
"But won't it affect your chances of finding a real husband?" Arthur asked, still chuckling. "Or mine of finding a wife?"
Mira smirked, her voice light but laced with something deeper. "You don't need to worry about that. I won't be looking for anyone for a long time."
"Mayhaps I will," Arthur said with another chuckle.
"If a woman does catch your eye," she replied, her tone playful but firm, "we can discuss it then."
Arthur chuckled once more. "Alright."
The horse had slowed to a trot, its flanks heaving, and Arthur glanced at the sky, the sun dipping lower. "I think the horse has rested enough," he said. "I'm going to gallop it now until sunset. I want to get as much distance between us and Harrowfield as possible."
Mira nodded, her arms tightening around him again. "Agreed."
...
The sun dipped low on the horizon, painting the forest in hues of orange and red as Arthur guided the mare off the path into a small clearing shielded by a cluster of oaks, the horse snorted softly as he dismounted, her flanks slick with sweat from the hard ride. Mira slid down after him, her wedding dress rumpled and dirt-streaked, but she moved with a grace that made the exhaustion in her limbs seem distant.
"We'll camp here," Arthur said, tying the reins to a branch. "It's hidden enough, and there's a stream nearby for water." He'd water the horse there after setting up camp.
Mira nodded, rubbing her arms against the growing chill. "I'll gather some dry wood for the fire."
Arthur shook his head. "No need. I've got it." He knelt by a spot in the center of the clearing, clearing away leaves with a sweep of his hand before arranging a small pyramid of twigs and bark. With a quick strike of flint against his dagger, sparks flew, catching the tinder almost immediately. The flames licked upward, crackling to life in seconds, casting warmrh over the camp.
Mira watched, her eyes widening slightly. "That was... fast."
Arthur shrugged, feeding a few larger branches into the growing fire. "Practice." He stood and scanned the treeline, his [Tracker] skill picking up faint rustles in the underbrush. "Hold on. I'll be right back."
He slipped into the shadows, moving quietly despite his lingering aches. His eyes caught the fresh trail of a rabbit and he followed it to a burrow hidden under a bush. With a swift throw of his dagger, he pinned the animal before it could flee. Dressing it was quick work: a clean cut to bleed it, skin peeled back, entrails removed and buried to avoid attracting predators. By the time he returned to camp, the rabbit was spitted and roasting over the flames, the savory scent filling the air.
Mira stared as he turned the spit, her expression a mix of awe and curiosity. "You've changed a lot, Arthur. Starting a fire like that, hunting without even thinking... I barely recognize you."
Arthur smiled faintly, poking at the coals. "I had to get better. I couldn't let you be married off."
Mira tilted her head, a flirtatious glint in her eyes as she shifted closer on the log they'd dragged over for seating. "Why not? It's not like it would've been the end of the world. I'd have survived."
"Because I want you to be happy," Arthur replied, meeting her gaze. "I know how miserable you'd be with the Tanner boy."
Mira's smile softened, but she leaned in a fraction more, her voice dropping to a teasing whisper. "Was there was any other reason?" She shifted closer still, her shoulder brushing his.
Arthur felt his face heat up, a flush creeping up his neck as he cleared his throat. "I... uh, I'm going to go find some herbs," he said quickly, standing up a bit too fast and wincing at the pull in his ribs. "To season the rabbit. Won't be long."
Mira watched him go, a small pout forming on her lips, disappointment flickering in her eyes. "Alright," she called after him, accepting it with a sigh as she turned back to the fire.
Arthur let out a long breath once he was out of sight, leaning against a tree for a moment to steady himself. The air felt cooler away from the camp, and the flush on his face started to fade. "Gods, what was that?" he muttered, shaking his head. He pushed off the trunk and started walking, his mind shifting to the notifications he'd been ignoring. With a mental flick, he pulled them up.
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[QUEST COMPLETED] BROKEN CHAINS
_____________________________
Description: Your sister Mira has been promised to Brent Tanner. The match will bind your family tighter to the Tanners, but at the cost of Mira's happiness. You know what it means if the wedding goes through: misery, cruelty, and a life wasted in their hands. If you want to protect her, you'll have to find a way to stop it.
Objective: – Prevent Mira's marriage to Brent Tanner [Complete]
Bonus Objectives:
Convince your father to break the match [Failed]
Defeat Brent Tanner in a duel [Failed]
Rewards Gained: – +1 Otherworld Token
_____________________________
He also got a new skill notification.
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[SKILL GAINED]
Horse Riding (10/100) (Novice)
You can ride and handle a horse with basic proficiency. Improves balance, control, and endurance while mounted.
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Arthur sighed, the tension in his shoulders easing just a fraction. "Glad that's done," he murmured, leaning against a nearby tree. He'd finally left Harrowfield behind, cut ties with the place that had beaten him down for years. But as the relief settled, a small knot of foreboding twisted in his gut. King's Landing was massive, a hive of schemers and cutthroats, and he worried if he'd even get the chance to squire for a hedge knight. What if no one took him on? What if they ended up starving in some alley? He shook his head, pushing the doubts aside. "Can't think like that now."
His mind went to him the token, as if somehow that could save him such a fate—and who knows maybe it could. "Might as well use it," he decided. With a mental command, the token activated, the familiar wheel spinning in his vision.
He watched as options blurred past before it slowed and clicked into place.
_____________________________
[ITEM GAINED]
[Common]: Two Bottles of Champagne
A pair of sealed glass bottles filled with sparkling wine from a distant world. Effervescent and celebratory, worth coin as well to the right buyer.
Best served chilled.
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Arthur blinked, confusion furrowing his brow. He reached into his inventory mentally and pulled them out, the glass bottles materializing in his hands. The bottles were clear, revealing a pale golden liquid inside, tiny bubbles clinging to the sides. The lids were strange—cork, he realized, a piece of wood wedged tightly into the neck, wrapped with metal to hold it in place.
His [Inventive Genius] trait kicked in almost immediately, breaking it down: the glass was finely blown, smooth and transparent, stronger than anything he'd seen. The cork was compressed tree bark, designed to expand and seal the bottle under pressure. He turned them over, noting the labels script he couldn't read. "Shit... I really need to learn how to read."
He shrugged, the confusion lingering but not enough to dwell on. "Maybe I can sell them to a merchant," he muttered. He wasn't a huge drinker—beyond the watered-down ale he'd had at home, he'd never touched the strong stuff. These looked fancy, though; some lord or trader might pay a copper or two for them.
He slipped them back into his inventory and cast the thoughts away, focusing on the forest around him.
[Herbal Insight] was an amazing skill—every plant he glanced at, he just knew. A cluster of wild garlic by the stream would add a sharp bite to food; the broad leaves of comfrey could soothe bruises if crushed into a poultice; even the nettles stinging along the path had uses for tea that eased aches.
He gathered a handful of herbs to enhance the rabbit's flavor—wild thyme for earthiness, a few sprigs of rosemary for depth, and some sorrel leaves for a tangy kick. Bundling them in his hand, he headed back to Mira.
When he stepped into the clearing, she had taken over the cooking, turning the spit with a focused expression. "It's nearly ready," she said, glancing up with a smile. "Find what you needed?"
"Yeah," Arthur replied, holding up the herbs. "These should make it taste better." He knelt by the fire and sprinkled them over the roasting meat, the aroma blooming instantly.
Mira inhaled deeply. "Smells amazing already."
Arthur sat back on his heels, satisfied, and began plating the rabbit; slicing the roasted meat with his dagger and dividing it onto two flat stones they'd scavenged as makeshift plates, the herbs he'd gathered adding a savory aroma that made his stomach growl.
Mira settled beside him on a fallen log, closer than necessary, her shoulder brushing his as she leaned in. The firelight danced across her face, highlighting the faint smile that hadn't left her lips since they'd escaped. But as she watched him, her expression shifted, a touch of annoyance flickering in her eyes. She chewed her lip for a moment, then finally decided to cut through the unspoken tension. Her hand shot out, grabbing his shoulder and turning him to face her.
"Arthur!" she said sternly, her voice loud enough to make him flinch.
"Mira...?" Arthur replied, a little worriedly, his eyes widening as he set the dagger down.
She huffed, her annoyance bubbling over. "Don't play the fool with me, Arthur. I know you're not an idiot. You know I'm in love with you—I've loved you for as long as I can remember. So why don't you reciprocate? I thought we had a connection, that we were twins who shared a womb and were meant to share a life together." Her voice cracked slightly, self-consciousness creeping in as she glanced down at herself.
"Do I repulse you? Is that it? Do you prefer skinny girls like Elsie?" She cupped her own massive breasts, lifting them slightly as if to emphasize her point, her cheeks flushing.
Arthur's face softened, his hand reaching out to gently pull hers away. "Mira, no. You're beautiful in every way—more than anyone I've ever known. But... you're my sister. There's no future in what we have. The Faith of the Seven would condemn us, call it an abomination. Society would shun us."
"To the Seven Hells with them," Mira spat, her eyes flashing with defiance. "If the Targaryens can get away with it, then I won't hold back. This is our new life together, Arthur. No one knows us here. We can be whoever we want to be—husband and wife, if that's whay we want."
She leaned forward then, her body pressing against his, the warmth of her curves molding to him as her breath ghosted his ear. "Please, Arthur... I love you so much it hurts..." she whispered, her voice trembling with raw need. "I feel a deep ache inside for you. Please want me... I'll never want any other man the way I want you."
Arthur felt overwhelmed, his heart racing as her words crashed over him like a wave. Her closeness, the intensity in her eyes—it was too much, stirring feelings he'd tried to bury. "Mira, I... I do love you," he admitted, the confession slipping out before he could stop it.
Mira's eyes lit up, and she lunged forward, kissing him aggressively, her lips crashing against his with a hunger that made his head spin. She moaned into his mouth, the sound vibrating through him as her tongue slipped past his lips, exploring his mouth with desperate fervor. Her hands guided his to her large breasts, pressing them over the fabric of her dress, and she moaned louder when he squeezed them instinctively, the soft flesh filling his palms. "Yesss, Arthur," she gasped, arching into his touch, her body trembling. She hiked up her skirt and moved her hands down to try and untie his breeches.
But then Arthur heard it. A distant bark, carried on the wind. His [Sharp Ears] skill picked it up clearly, along with the faint thunder of galloping horses echoing through the trees. Panic surged through him, cutting through the moment like a blade.
He broke the kiss, his hands dropping as he pushed her back gently. "Mira, we have to leave! Now!" he said.
"They're coming!"
(AN: So we have a little bit of Targaryen behaviour with our two peeps, but sadly they were interrupted by his father who is probably going to hang him from a tree. Be funny if this was all a prelude to Brant Tanner becoming the Main Character. Probably won't do that.... Anyway hope you enjoyed this.)
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