I have no pants, rn

Here she comes

My saving grace

Burn the car and save the plates

She's arrived, my saving grace

The Lumineers

The heat of the fire threatened to burn me alive by the proximity, so i had to lower myself enough to be able to get through the hole.

Still, i think i lost some hair in the process. I was literally passing through fire.

The smell of food, quite varied, was the first thing i noticed the moment i touched my feet in that place. Cheerful music echoed among the wooden benches, which appeared to be picnic tables. People and creatures of all races, all wearing formal clothes, incredible dresses that shone in the moonlight overhead and suits that mingled with the night, they walked back and forth, carrying weapons, shields, papers…

— The castle of Bami Proud-brace!? Oh, you guys are in BIG trouble… — Warned Simon.

I put my hands on my hips.

— Whatever, i've been through worse. Who is this Bami Proud… Brack?

Simon motioned for us to follow him.

— So… If we stop here it's because of what's going in the head of us. — Said Lynch, approaching me. — I was thinking reeeeeeealy hard about unicorns.

— Yeah, and i was thinking really hard of what the fuck, it's going on.

And what the fuck it's going on? I dealt with the strangeness with Pogo on the island almost every day. But this is another level.

— I think, you should enjoy the moment. — Said Lynch, putting his arms around my shoulder and walking like we've been friends for a long time. — The more you spend looking for answers…

— ...More lost i get?

She patted me on the back, smiling.

— Try to see the world from different angles!

We ended up at a table in the center of the commotion. Yellow lamps attached to a cable connected to a farmhouse, where what appeared to be waiters coming and going without stopping. Simon gestured to a young woman, wearing a black social vest and the same nodded and hurried away.

— Like what, stand upside down and see what happens? — I asked.

— I CAN HELP WITH THAT!

When i was already getting up to see the world from another angle, some rolled sheets of paper, a compass and other exploration equipment, accompanied with a tray of very oily French Fries arrived at the table. That, was a strange request.

— Be careful with the fries, the guys in this challenge, incredible as may seem, they take hygiene seriously around here. — Said Simon, taking a paper and unfolding it on the table, revealing what appeared to be a map of some castle. It seemed quite where a Dracula lives.

It also gave me a nudge that the Tenidotrs, my mother's family, lived in a similar place. Big gray tower. Scary. Responsibles for The Cabrycg being what it is today.

I would have a chill, but that, would mean weakness.

— Ok… What's the play here? — I asked, looking at the papers closely. The fine calligraphy explained the floors, rooms, secret entrances and even what that place was made of (bricks. And… People?).

— The name, of this challenge, it's The Ever Party Of Bami Proud-Brace. Of the infinite challenges that the camp can create, this is the most dangerous of all. Bami is a Thiefling owner of the castle where this event takes place, known for the numerous challenges he created and also for her fetish for normal clothes, which explains the cloth of the people around. — Simon looked at us carefully. — Well, if it is too much, for you to take, we can always…

— Oh man, believe me when I say i've seen some shit. — I said, putting a portion of french fries in my mouth.

— And what exactly, are these challenges? — Asked Lynch. I started to think she was getting worried, until her eyes widened with excitement. — Dance competition!? Please tell me there is a dance competition…

Simon started to open his mouth to answer, when suddenly a feminine voice started to come from the nearby speakers, and people started to get up in agitation, shouting orders and hurrying.

''WHAAAAAAAAAAT'S UP EVERYONE!!! Aris it's here to announce the 1.000.000.000.000.000.01th expedition to the CASTLE OF THE BAMI PROUD-BRACE!!!! EXACTLY WHAT YOU HEARD, 1.000.000.000.000.00001TH!!!!! WHAAAAAAAAAAAT??? THAT'S CRAZY DUDEEEEEEEEEE!!! EVEN I AND THE READER DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS NUMBER IS MAN!!! Anyway, be sure to visit the shops and the stores…''

— Oh, shit! We're late! — Exclaimed Simon, pulling everything back in the backpack and throwing it at me.

— VERY LATE!!! — Shouted Jiah, pointing to the castle. At least three HUGE dragons, were at the top of each other, flaring upwards. I don't know if it was the heat it was doing in the place, but i think i could feel it from here.

— WHEN WE GET THERE WHAT SHOULD WE DO!? — I asked shouting, to be heard in the crowd, for Simon.

— YOU WILL KNOW WHEN YOU GET THERE! QUICK, GET A HORSE FROM THE STABLES!

I grabbed Lynch by the hand, when he pointed the direction and we both ran to a big wooden cabin with two wooden doors that were open, and there was complete CHAOS inside. Out of the hustle and bustle of the animals in there, people walked back and forth knocking down some employees on the way.

A person on a gray horse almost knocked me over when she came out of the barn with everything. And if i hadn't held on to Lynch, i would have been run over by a dozen more horses. We managed to enter only when the agitation stopped and the employees were recovering.

— Hey, you! Bucket - face! — Lynch shouted at a guy with a metal bucket covering his face. A young tiefling, with horns that covered her ears and a white dress, fiddled with what looked like a briefcase with tools beside him. — We need a horse…

His voice was muffled by the bucket.

— Uhm… Well… I think the only left it's The Daily Terror.

The name reminded me of a legend about Nightmares. Pegasus that had their wings removed, and became a machine of flame destruction. Never seen one in Thunderville, but riding one should be really cool.

— Yeah, that'll do it. — I said.

He said something to the tiefling and she motioned for us to follow her.

I leaned towards Lynch as we walked.

— Have you ever seen a nightmare in your life?

Her face suddenly got darker.

— Yeah… I have these daily. It sucks.

My stomach got cold from touching a delicate subject. Until i forget that person was Lynch. I slapped her on the shoulder.

— Beatrice, you are easily manipulated.

— No, i'm n…!

We got to the farthest corner of the barn. There was no Nightmare behind that hatch. Just a simple brown horse, well take care of by the way. He started to gallop in the same place, happy, when he saw us approaching.

— OOOOOOHH! He's so cute tho… — Said Lynch, scratching his head lightly.

— Thank you very much! I appreciate that!

The horse bowed in a formal fully trained manner, raising his pawn and placing his nose on the ground.

I frowned with my mouth open in shock and looked at the tiefling. She sighed, rolled her eyes and left.

— My emotions are in conflict. — I said.

— HOLY SHIT, YOU TALK!? — Screamed Lynch.

— Indeed, my dear! — His voice reminded me of those 30-year-olds, who hit on Brassara. Which made me dizzy because i hate that kind of people. — He who speaks to you, his name is Randiranddhros! Gentleman, charming and a killer with women…

He winked at Lynch.

— Extremely egocentric too.

I don't know how to describe it. But he made an ''i am extremely offended'' face.

— Ha! Excuse me, who are you again?

— Beatrice Thunderhawk.

— Thunderhawk!? What the heck, is that name?

— HEY, YOU NAME SUCKS TOO!

— OH! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE TO SAY ABOUT MY…

— GUYS!

— WHAT!?

— WHAT!?

— We have something to do! I love you already… — She pointed out to Risdo something. — But everything has it's time and place, stop fighting for another time, let's go!

And with that she went up in Risdo. We faced, him and me, as i walked to the back to climb on him. I had to hold on to Lynch's waist to keep from falling, when Risdo reared up and left with surprising speed out.

I don't know if you will ever feel that, but the weather, as we ran towards the castle, varied from cold, to warm, and from warm to cold again. Snow fell on Risdo's skin, but they feel apart as quickly as they got there.

There weren't many people on the stone road, which i assumed we were running late. Risdo neighed and laughter at the top of his lungs. Lynch looked back to me and started to laugh. And his eyes focused on something behind me.

A dwarf, floating with glitter sticking out of his boots, was trying to hit the speed we were at, carrying a banjo and eyes wide, as if trying to see something. And he only wore boxer briefs.

— Haaaaaaioooooooo!! — Greeted, in a high-pitched voice. — I sing… Sooooooooooonnnnnngggggssssss!!!!!!

— Oh my god best day of my life. — Said Lynch, looking with his open mouth at him.

— What do my sharp ears hear? It's that a Bard!? Oh, but what a joy! Please, sing us a song!

— Riiiiiight awaaaay, my man!

— Am i the only who's not having fun?

He waved the strings and started singing in a cheerful tone.

I have no paaaaaaants,

Yes, i have no paaaaaaants,

i am a free maaaaaan,

BUT!

As a skilled bard,

My duty is to tell the tales,

Aaaaaaaall across Meluilos and Erlee!

Be ever afraid of the BAD DAAAAD!

THE ONE WHO PASSES BY EVERYONE,

IS AFRAID TO LEAVE WHERE THEY ARE,

AND WHO ALSO LEAVES A SHADOW OF,

HIS PAST! AFFECTING THOSE AROUND!

Indeed, i have, no pants, on me right now.

UUUUuuuuuUUUUUU!