User blog:Gnomehunter/Day 13:

Write a story with a Gazer, Roper, Dwarf or Elf-type monster

This prompt, (#21, and it's partner #20 on my prompt page) are an abitrary collection of monsters that are the only member of their type, or the few that have only 2 monsters in the type, after making challenges for all the types of monsters that had 3 or more members. The way they're grouped together is arbitrary, there's about 10 monsters between the two (days 20 and 21), so just pick whichever 2 you like the most.

The Princess in the Tower

'''Blair sat in the meeting room, dressed in her usual royal attire, a white dress that went down to the floor, tight shoes, gloves, and a small crown. Listening with dread as her father spoke with Sir Patrick, the suitor who had succeeded in all the trials her father set for determining who would have her hand in marriage. She had attempted at some point to object to her father’s decisions. But when asked who she believed would make the best choice for her husband, she attempted, and failed, to answer “Justin”, the stablehand that her family had taken in and employed since he was her age. Justin, who was far more worthy of her love than any of the men who’d come to court her for the purpose of taking her father’s position as ruler of the kingdom. So now she sat in silence, wondering if there was even a single thing she could do. “Sir Patrick”, her father said Jovially, “I’d like to congratulate you on your success. I can see you have all the makings of a fine king, and husband to my daughter Blair, and I wish you both the happiest  of days”.'''

'''“Thank you sir”. I look forward to a life by her side”. Blair tried not to make a face. Sir Patrick seemed nice. But he couldn’t possibly know as much about her as Justin could. '''

'''“In the name of the Chief God! Who are you!” Blair was startled by her father’s sudden surprise, and she looked to him to see he was staring behind her. A face loomed over her from behind. '''

'''“Hello dear”, the woman said, her frightening, red eyes glimmering. “Why, I’m a scary monster who’s here to kidnap your beloved princess. I’m going to take her far away, lock her in a tower and make you rescue her.” '''

“Sir,” Patrick asked, looking at her father, “is this…” 

'''“This was not part of my plans to test you! That monster is acting on her own nefarious purposes and must not be allowed to escape!” Patrick stood and rushed towards the monster. He raised his spear, ready to strike. But he stopped when he saw Blair rooted in her chair, her eyes filled with terror as she stared at Patrick. The monster’s standing right behind her, Patrick thought. I could risk hitting the princess!” He stood there, holding his position, trying to keep the monster’s attention. The guards rushed in from behind, ready to skewer her, but she waved her hand casually, and a mass of slimy tentacles emerged from the ground, writhing and reaching for the guards. The guards were trapped, attempting to fend them off, while Patrick found himself surrounded by a second cluster, moving close enough that he had to devote his attention to fending them off, but couldn’t make enough headway to get closer to the monster. '''

'''“Now, before I depart, it seems only fair that I give you a chance to rescue the girl. I will be traveling past the Dunmor swamps, into the highlands and located in the High Forest. When you near the forest, you will see a great stone tower rising out of the center. That is where you will find her. If you can make it there, and if you can climb the tower”. With her instructions finished, a pool of black energy appeared on the floor below where she and Blair were, and they sank into the pool, vanishing from sight. Patrick and the guards all managed to free themselves from the tentacles’ attentions, but the princess had vanished. '''

'''“Your Majesty”, Sir Patrick said, kneeling before him, “I give my most sincere apology for failing to protect the princess. But I will set out at once to rescue her”. '''

'''“Please do, Sir Patrick. We don’t know how much time there is to save her from that horrible monster”. '''

---

'''Blair emerged from the pool she had been taken through, still sitting in the chair. She stood up, looked around the small room, and ran to the corner. The monster did not appear. '''

'''“Where are you?” She called. “Come out and tell me what you plan to do!” '''

'''“I’m right here, dear. I didn’t want to scare you”. The monster poked her head out of a hole in the wall, high above Blair’s head. '''

'''“Don’t want to scare me? You kidnapped me!” '''

“Yes, well-I don’t wish to harm you”.

“How can I believe that?” 

'''“I suppose you’ll have to wait and see. But tell me, are you anxious for Sir Patrick to rescue you? So you can marry him?”'''

'''“Well”, Blair went silent as she thought about where else she could be. “No. I don’t care for Sir Patrick. He’s, I don’t know anything about him except for what I’ve been able to glean from speaking with him”.'''

“And is there anyone else you’d rather be with?”

'''“I wouldn’t tell you such a thing”. '''

'''“That’s fine. I won’t make you. But suppose there was. What if he followed Sir Patrick? And what if he ended up rescuing you? Then you could spend all the time you wished with that person”.'''

'''“I guess. But then wouldn’t father send others after us?”'''

'''“Not if he believed you were gone and unable to be saved. I have an offer to make, but you’ll have to think about it”.'''

---

'''Justin was trying his hardest to get some rest. But there was too much going on in his head. His hard day’s work was compounded by the stress of discovering that Blair had been kidnapped by a monster, and taken to a high tower far away from the castle. Nobody had bothered to tell him, he’d had to learn from asking some of the other castle servants. He tossed fitfully, thinking about Blair, when a bit of movement caught his attention. He sat up, and saw a tall woman appear in the doorway. She had short blue hair and a revealing outfit, but most noticeable were the horns, wings and tail attached to her body. '''

'''“Good evening”, she said. “Would you be Justin? The boy that Princess Blair spoke about?” '''

'''“How do you know our names? Who are you?”'''

'''“I am Wilmarina, and I am the very same monster who took Blair from the castle today. But no matter how much you may believe otherwise, I have no intention of harming Blair. She and I have had a talk about her future, specifically with regard to marriage. It seems as though she’s  much more interested in you than that Sir Patrick who’s already left to save her.”'''

“Blair told you that?” 

'''“I can promise that. But now Sir Patrick is on his way to bring her home, and well, all my efforts to slow him are providing only temporary delay. He is sure to get there”.'''

“And why are you telling me that?”

“Well, do you love Blair?”

'''“Love”, he paused, looking away from the visitor. “Yes, I do love her”. '''

“Unconditionally?”

“Of course!”

“And what if she was changed into a form that altered the way she behaved, maybe in such a way that made her almost unrecognizable?” 

'''“That’s an oddly specific question. But yes. I would still love Blair”. '''

'''“Well then. Suppose Sir Patrick arrived to save Blair, only to find her an entirely different person than when she was taken. What if he and everyone else found that version of Blair to be unrecognizable, undesirable, and believed her to be lost? They would stop searching for her. Then you could have Blair all to yourself, and be free of any other attempts to take her from you? How would you like that?”'''

“Gosh, if I could be with Blair, then I don’t think I’d need anything else.”

'''“Well, then you should think about leaving soon. Sir Patrick is already half a day ahead of you, and you’ll have to leave during the night, so no one sees you. And of course, you’ll never be able to return to this castle”. '''

“There isn’t anything left here that matters to me.”

'''“Well then, it seems like you’ve already made up your mind. Do you have anything to take with you?”'''

'''“I can bring some food. I can find more on the road. I can bring something to sleep with. I can make shelter. I have a sword”. He walked over to his training sword in the corner. She inspected it. '''

'''“Hmm. This is a small blade. May I offer you a stronger alternative?” She produced a longer sword with a faint glow. “This is a sword made of demon realm silver. It will be much more durable and effective, especially if you have to fight monsters. It wounds a person’s spirit energy, removing their strength without injuring them”.'''

'''“How is it more effective than mine?” “Because it’s more durable, it can stand up to monsters’ attacks better than yours. I won’t make you take this sword. But it will do better than yours”.'''

'''Justin hesitantly took the sword she offered him. When he was done with preparations, he stepped out of his room, and snuck towards the gate, and beyond into the road that led away from the castle. “Good luck dear. I can’t promise you’ll have it easy getting to the tower, but I can promise one thing. If you find Blair in a different form, then it will be because I gave her the choice and she took it of her own free will”.'''

---

'''Blair awoke on this particular day to see her (captor? Caretaker?) kneeling on her bed with her knees placed behind Blair’s head, leaning over and watching her as she slept. “Ah! Wilmarina, what are you doing?” '''

'''“Nothing in particular, dear. I was just noticing how peaceful you looked while sleeping. Do you know how lovely you are? She brushed Blair’s long black hair out of her face, running her hands down the young woman’s head and rubbing her shoulders. Blair caught herself gazing into the monster woman’s eyes, before snapping to attention. She sat up. '''

'''“Well, I’d better get up. I have a pretty busy day ahead”. She still managed to smile at her own joke. '''

“Are you planning on looking for food in the forest again?”

'''“That’s what I’d like to do. There shouldn’t be any problem as long as you’re there to keep monsters away, right?”'''

'''“That’s correct. I don’t see any reason why you have to be stuck in here all day. But Blair, please don’t forget that this is temporary. Sir Patrick is making progress toward your location every day. I’ve sent monsters and other obstacles in his way, but he’s not going to give up”. “I know”. Blair answered sadly. “And what about Justin?”'''

'''“I admire his tenacity. He’s managed to keep close to Patrick, maybe a few hours behind. '''

'''Blair wandered through the forest, picking up nuts, herbs and mushrooms, as Wilmarina had demonstrated to her, in order to make a proper meal. The sunlight filtered through the leaves of the trees, and she inhaled deeply, grateful for the chance to be out in the fresh air. She sat down at the base of a tree, laying down in its shade. “Are you tired? Shall we go back?” Wilmarina asked.'''

'''“I think I’ve had enough foraging for the day. I just want to spend a little more time out here”. After a while, she had a question. “Is there no other option for transformation?” '''

'''“Well, I could turn you into a succubus easily enough. You could accumulate demonic energy from fruit and other plants, I could provide them. But this change is immediate and guaranteed to ensure you are forgotten”.'''

'''“Forgotten...Father. What will he think if he believes I’m dead and lost forever?”'''

'''“I’m afraid I can’t give you any anwer in that matter”. Wilmarina sat down next to Blair, spreading her wing and putting a hand on her shoulder. '''

---

'''Sir Patrick had been reported arriving in the forest. Blair was unable to leave the tower, for fear of encountering him. The tower had its own defenses and challenges, but it would not be long before he breached them.'''

'''“Wilmarina, is Justin near?” Blair asked, in a panic after hearing how close Patrick was. '''

'''“He has all but caught up with Sir Parick and has managed to follow him. Justin has done a wonderful job, and I think he’ll stand a very good chance of making it here. '''

'''“Then”, Blair went silent. “I’ve decided. I will make the change. I want to be with Justin. No matter what else happens”.'''

'''“There will just be one more obstacle for Justin. He’ll have to face Sir Patrick”. Wilmarina said. '''

“Will you make sure Justin finds me?”

'''“I’ll do my best. He has already been made aware that you will have a different form. I assured him that it would be the result of your decision. But if you’re ready…” Wilmarina produced a small slimy creature, struggling to break free from her hand as it sensed a suitable human host. '''

And, will it hurt?” Blair asked, a little unnerved by the creature’s behavior.

'''“The exact opposite. It will be intense for someone in your position, but I can assure you that the utmost pleasure awaits you, from the transformation, and after you reunite with Justin”. She held out her clenched fist. “Now my dear Blair, it is not too late to change your mind. If you wish to proceed, come over here and open my hand. I want you to make this decision for yourself”. Blair stepped forward, and after a pause, took Wilmarina’s hand. She opened it, revealing a slimy egg. Tentacles reached out and grabbed Blair, as the thing took hold of her. Blair fell to the ground, crying out at the sudden sensations that were inundating her mind and body. '''

---

'''Sir Patrick had fought monsters of all sizes and strengths. Navigated swamps and mountainous terrain. Made his way through a forest and now, avoiding the final set of traps, he reached the top of the stairs, opening the door where he was sure the princess was waiting. As he stepped in, he took in the sight of the lovely young woman, long black hair falling past her shoulders '''

'''“Princess! You are safe now!” But when she turned, he saw there was something terribly wrong. Her face was slack and unfocused, she uttered a frightening groan and lurched to her feet, staggering towards him. “Princess, what did that monster-” he cut off as her dress took on the appearance of a mass of slime, tentacles reaching out for him from her dress. He cried out in horror. “She’s a monster! No, I was too late!” Sir Patrick cursed, noticing that the monster’s advances had been halted, as if she was stopped by some barrier. He poked the air in front of him with his spear. There was an invisible force that repelled it back. “I don’t know what transpired here. But I won’t let the princess’s name be tarnished by this horrible creature. I will slay it, and may her sweet soul rest”. Sir Patrick said a word of prayer, and began thrusting at the barrier. It wouldn’t budge at first, but he found that his spear was beginning to reach her. He was preparing to make another push, when he heard a noise from the stairs. '''

'''“Don’t you dare take Blair from me!” Justin had been waiting at the entrance, afraid to follow Sir Patrick in such close quarters. When he was sure he could make it safely, he passed the dismantled traps and climbed to the top of the stairs. He stared at Blair, taking in her new form. He swallowed his momentary revulsion. I told Wilmarina, and I told Blair, long ago. She’s too important to me. I won’t lose her even if she’s changed! He rushed in, and Sir Patrick turned, managing to stop his attack. '''

'''“Who are you and what are you doing in this tower! Saving the princess is my job!”'''

“What kind of job were you doing, trying to cut her down?”

'''“The princess is no longer with us! Only this cruel imitation of her form. Oh, but I know who you are. You’re the stablehand who had a fancy for the princess. What delusions, caring for her when this is what she’s become. I know what I’ll tell the king. The princess, tragically changed into a hideous abomination, the stablehand, on a mad quest to save her, felled beside her. You won’t be missed!” He drew his spear, preparing to strike Blair. They faced each other for battle, quick jabs from Sir Patrick met with heavy swings from Justin. Justin tried to outsmart Sir Patrick, but his fighting was faster. As Justin felt himself pressed near the wall, he recalled his training against the more powerful monsters he’d faced on his travels. Ducking to avoid Sir Patick’s strike, he rolled underfoot and rose up behind his opponent. Stealing his nerves, he plunged his heavy blade right into Sir Patrick’s back. The man cried out, believing himself to be in pain, but it changed into a groan when he fell to his knees and slumped over, drained of energy. Justin stood, checking to see how Sir Patrick was. “How did you manage such skill?” he asked weakly.'''

'''“Years of practice, and a hasty training on the road”. Wilmarina appeared, using a bit of power to make the man fall into unconsciousness. Then she dragged him into a portal, and when she reappeared, he was gone. “What did you do with him?” Justin asked. '''

'''“I simply relocated him. He can’t hear anything about our plans. When he awakens, he will find himself much more tired, with nothing but the memories of being defeated and losing Blair. He’ll be perfectly safe where he is, I still need him to bring the news to the king. And now that you’ve demonstrated such dedication to your quest, I think it’s time you met your princess”. She giggled when Justin looked nervous. Then waved her hand, and the barrier was gone, allowing Blair to advance towards him. Wilmarina left, thinking it better to give them some privacy. '''

'''As soon as Blair realized she was unrestrained and alone with Justin, she rushed toward him, jumping and pinning him to the ground. Her tentacles coiled around his limbs, she engulfed him in her lower body and she captured his lips in a hungry kiss. She craved him desperately, and he met her kiss, first timidly, then more assuredly. But they broke it, briefly. '''

'''“Blair. Do you remember who I am?”'''

'''“Justin. Justin! Justin, I love you so much! I need you. You came for me and now I don’t want anything but!” She managed to say as she disrobed him. '''

'''“Can we get in some place more comfortable?” Blair smiled, as she picked him up and laid him on the bed. And proceeded to their first night as a couple. '''

---

'''On Wilmarina’s instruction, they had left the tower the following day, navigating the forest and exiting on the opposite side of their former kingdom. They traveled through many towns, managing to find a route that took them through monster friendly territory. Blair had not lost all of herself, and enjoyed the scenic tour with Justin. A cut through the tentacle forest, where they were welcomed without trouble, and now they were entering the gates of Lescatie, where a roper queen had taken the throne, turning the palace into a daily attraction for monster couples. “This is it, Blair. Here’s where we can find a home, we can live together in peace. Maybe we can even meet the queen.” Blair leaned close, taking hold of Justin’s hand, meshing in her slimy embrace, as they entered the city.'''

Ok, so I didn't have any proper justification for why Blair is made a roper over other monsters. I just wanted to write a story with a roper.