The next morning, after breakfast, Gary paid the innkeeper and went with Ash to purchase supplies for the rest of their journey. Ash's pack was heavy once more. Once out of the city, Gary, who was in the lead, slowed his pace for Ash to catch up.
"Ash, can I ask you something?"
"Uh... yeah."
"Are you... normal?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I think Dolly was disappointed with you last night."
Ash's pride and dignity was at stake here. He had to say something.
"The king made me promise to behave myself. Isn't there a law against it when you're not married?"
"Everywhere except Viridian."
"Now you tell me."
Gary jabbed him in the ribs with his elbow. "Idiot!" he said with a grin wider than Ash imagined Gary was capable of.
Gary continued walking alongside Ash instead of ahead of him. Ash couldn't believe it. Two days ago Gary would've been happy to see him dead. Now he was treating him like they were best mates.
♦
It took them most of the day to reach the edge of the Viridian Forest. They met a trader convoy heading south and overtook a traveller going north. They exchanged the customary pleasantries and asked each other for news. There was a rumour that Princess Misty had fallen ill, which the palace would neither confirm nor deny.
By late afternoon, heavy clouds had formed. Severe weather was unusual in the Viridian Valley, being protected by mountain ranges on both sides. However, northerly and southerly winds brought moisture from the sea, so it rained regularly and made the Valley lush with vegetation, hence its name. The climatic benefits of the approaching rain, however, were the last thing on Ash's and Gary's minds as they struggled to reach the cover of the forest before the downpour. Huffing and puffing, they felt the first drops on their faces and livened their pace even further. By the time they reached the first trees, their hair was wet, their legs exhausted, and their spirits exhilarated.
"We'll have to find better protection," said Gary. "Once the leaves get saturated, they'll be dripping all over us."
After catching their breath, they moved further into the forest. It was dark, dank and dismal. Ash felt a little frightened.
"We'll have to set up camp without a fire tonight," said Gary. "Nothing burns in here at the best of times."
"What do we do about monsters?"
"We don't bother them and they don't bother us—ususally. We better find somewhere before it gets pitch black."
Soon they came across a tree with a hollow trunk.
"How about in there?" said Ash.
"Looks good so long as it's vacant."
The thought of it being occupied already was unsettling for Ash. Gary approached it first. It was too dark to see inside. He stepped in cautiously and Ash followed.
Sparks spattered from the back of the hollow. Gary stopped and held Ash back with his hand.
"Piii...!" came a sound. A longer display of sparks illuminated the hollow, and Ash and Gary could clearly see a small monster curled up and shivering. Gary made a hasty exit, but Ash remained rooted, curious at what he saw.
"It's one of those yellow things," said Gary. "I've heard they can be dangerous."
Ash stood still. Something about the shape of the little monster appealed to him. He could even say it looked cute.
"Come on, Ash. We'll find somewhere else."
"Wait, Gary. I think it's hurt."
"All the more reason to leave it alone."
But Ash stayed put. He crouched and reached out his hand gingerly.
"Hey, little pal," Ash said in a slow and caring tone, "something wrong?"
"Piii...!" it replied with another warning flash. This time Ash saw it's leg. It had been bleeding.
"Aw, little pal, you're hurt," Ash said gently and reached out a little further.
"Pi?"
It tried to back away, but hit the wall of the hollow.
"Ash, listen to me," said Gary. "Those things can kill."
"Ssh Gary, you'll scare it," whispered Ash. "Come on, little pal, I won't hurt you."
Ash touched the creature's body and stroked it ever so slightly, recalling the way Dolly stroked his face the night before.
"Pi?" it said again, tightening up.
Ash continued stroking, increasing the pressure each time until the monster was used to his touch and relaxed.
"Now what do we do about your leg?"
Ash slowly took off his backpack. "Gary," he asked without altering his tone, "can you get me the pain salve? Slowly—don't frighten it."
By now Gary gave up trying to convince Ash to leave so he decided he might as well help. He grabbed the bag and fished out a small jar of ointment from a side pocket.
"Here."
Ash took it and opened it. He put a small amount on his right index finger. With his left hand, he put the jar down and started stroking the monster again.
"I've got something to make you feel better."
He tried to feel closer to the sore leg.
"Pi!" snapped the monster and spat sparks. Ash withdrew his hand, but did not otherwise react to the pain.
"Little pal," he said, refusing to give up, "I'm going to help you."
He stroked the monster's back, and, trying to gauge the position of the sore leg in the dark, brushed the area near the wound with ointment.
The monster yelped. A yellow flash arced from its cheeks towards Ash's head. His hat burst into flame.
Ash stood still, not wishing to panic the little creature any further. He slowly took off his hat and passed it back to Gary, who smothered the flame and threw it away.
"Ash, it's gone far enough. Let's go."
"Piikaa," said the monster. It's tone indicated that it was at ease.
"See, didn't I say I'd help?" said Ash. He reached out and very gently applied more painkiller to the wound.
The little monster paused for a moment and inched a little closer to Ash.
"That's better, isn't it? Now you won't mind us staying here with you tonight, will you?"
"Pii... ka..." it said.
Ash sat down slowly. He leant back against the wooden wall. To his surprise, he felt the monster nestle itself against his leg.
"Gary, can you please put the salve away?" He picked up the jar and handed it to him. "You can come in now."
Gary did so and sat down. "So you're a tamer now. What other hidden talents do you have?"
"I wonder what they're called?"
"Don't know, Ash. Hey, we might as well eat and get to sleep."
Ash didn't want to move and disturb the monster, who had started to doze. It must have been there for hours, unable to sleep from the pain.
Gary took out some food and water and they had dinner. At the smell of food, the little monster stirred.
"I bet you're hungry," said Ash and offered it some bread. "Hope you like this."
Like it or not, it guzzled it up and prodded Ash for more.
"Can we spare any more?" Ash asked.
"So long as it comes out of your rations."
Gary passed Ash another piece of bread. Ash shared it with his "little pal". It ate less greedily this time, and when it was finished, it curled itsel up next to Ash and fell asleep.
Outside, the downpour continued. As Gary predicted, the canopy started dripping. Soon the forest floor would be soaked. The light outside the hollow dimmed and faded. Ash didn't remember when he fell asleep, but sleep came, long and peaceful.
