Frustrated by his efforts to find his way out of the forest, Thraseus realizes he's been going in circles.
"Damn me for a fool! I have walked around long enough to be behind myself. Wait, this is the exact same place I've been before...."
A soft whisper of a voice spoke out from the maze of trees and underbrush towards the warrior.
"You are not lost mortal. You are where we need you to be...."
Drawing his sword, Thaseus readied for an ambush and then called back to the voice.
"Who are you and what do you want? What little gold and silver I have is not worth your heads for that will be the cost of trying to rob me! Wait, did you call me mortal?"
The voice tittered like that of a giddy child and in a giggle answered him.
"Yes, I called you 'mortal'. Does that offend you?"
His eyes narrowed as the stared through his helmet and lowered his shield slightly.
"No it does not. My not being able to walk out of these woods of my own will makes more sense now that I know that an immortal is at the cause. You also said, 'I am where we need me to be.' Who is 'we' and what do you all want?"
This time the giggling came from all around the open area under the canopy of trees where Thraseus stood. The sound echoed within his helmet and made the skin of his shaved head wrinkle. Whatever was out in the woods surrounding him had numbers to press any demand they might make. He had slain many a man whether in single combat or amid the chaos of the battlefield. This situation wasn't much different. He would either live or die depending on the outcome of the next few moments.
Stepping out from the trees was a creature that defied Thraseus' ability to describe. Whatever the creature was its countenance was quite pleasant to his eyes. As the creature moved forward, its appearance became more human-like and when it stopped mere feet away from him it had taken the form of the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen!
With lowered arms, the now 'woman' turned her palms outward to show she meant no harm.
"I am as are my 'sisters'. We...are nymphs. You have wandered into our home and we wish to know you as you are."
With those words, dozens of creatures stepped from their hiding places all transforming into beautiful young women! Lowering his sword and shield, Thraseus looked about at the others and then towards the nymph before him whose bright shining eyes waited expectantly for his answer.
"So...shall I 'know' you first or are they coming at me all at once?"
ROTFL!!
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