Stas Bushuev - Ahead of the Game

"Why are you running around here as naked as the day you were born?" she asked, her eyes darting between his crotch and his face.

"Heracles and the others are initiating me into the Greek Warrior Society. They told me I have to do this. He also told me I have to complete two tasks to join," Jeff told her.

"You might have thought to ask him if you have to remain nude during these tasks," Leandra told him, laughing at the blush that began at his toes and crept upwards until it covered all of him.

"I never thought of that," he told her, rushing to find Heracles, completely forgetting his reason for talking to Leandra in his haste. After asking around, he found Heracles about to leave the tiny village.

"I forgot to ask, do I have to go like this until I complete my tasks?" Jeff asked him.

"No, you may wear clothing to complete your tasks," Heracles told him, laughing heartily at Jeff’s disconcertment. With a grimace, Jeff ran back to his hut, wanting to get clothed as quickly as possible. Once he had completed dressing, Jeff hurried back to Leandra’s hovel. Knocking quietly, Jeff waited for the buxom redhead to open the door. When Leandra opened the door, Jeff stepped inside, wanting to get the first task completed.

"Well, is this better?" he asked her, his joy withering in the face of her disappointment.

"Not really, I enjoyed it when you weren’t wearing any clothes," she told him, smiling wryly at the memory.

"I need your help," he told her, wanting to change the subject.

"Sure, what do you need?" she asked.

"I need to find out how to contact Apollo," he replied.

"What can I do for you?" came a voice from behind him. Startled, Jeff whirled around to find the sun god standing there.

"Damn, I wish you wouldn’t do that," Jeff told him, his smile taking the sting out of his comment. About to say more, Jeff was surprised when Apollo grasped his hand and shook it.

"As powerful as you’ve grown, I’m always happy to help you. For a mortal, you have shown surprising strength and cunning. I want to see you win but defeating… oops I almost said too much, but as I was saying, I would like to see you win the game. Now, to the reason why you were wanting to contact me: yes, you may use Pegasus. To be honest, he actually seems to like you. I haven’t seen him respond to anyone the way he does with you. I’ve already told him where you are going and he is waiting outside by the princess' hut. Good luck, young Jeff. I will be watching over you," Apollo told the teen. Then, without further ado, the sun god vanished into thin air.

"I hate it when he does that. I always get cold chills up and down my spine when he disappears right in front of me," Jeff muttered, in awe of the power of the god.

"He always does that. I think he likes unnerving mortals. Before you go, I have one hint for you: lay down your sword before attempting to find a unicorn," Leandra told him. With those words echoing in his ears, Jeff thanked his former teacher before heading back to Diana’s hut to rejoin Pegasus and Cassandra.

When Pegasus began descending toward a large forest, Jeff sensed they were getting close to their quarry. Looking around, Jeff couldn’t see any signs of unicorns, but, with a wry smile, he realized he wouldn’t know what to look for anyway. As he began preparing for the jolt that always accompanied Pegasus' landings, Jeff saw a flash of gold several feet away from them. Positive that it would be the unicorn they were searching for, Jeff finally relaxed, his confidence growing.

"Did you see that?" Cassandra whispered in his ear, her breath tickling his ear.

"Yeah, I think we may have found what we’re looking for," he replied, feeling his groin tighten at the sound of her sultry voice. Turning to Cassandra, Jeff pointed out a clearing in the forest, figuring that would be an ideal place to land. Touching down lightly, the adventurers looked around, hoping for sight of a unicorn. Spotting none, Jeff decided to follow Leandra’s advice. With a dramatic flourish, Jeff laid his sword at Pegasus' feet, hoping any of the horned beasts would see he meant them no harm.

"Okay, now I need you to find a unicorn," Jeff told his attractive companion. With a lilting laugh, Cassandra headed into the trees, wanting to please the teen. The girl hadn’t been gone long when Jeff heard her call, her voice urgent. Running toward the sound of her voice, Jeff drew up short when he saw Cassandra sitting on the ground, her feet tucked under her, and a white unicorn lying beside her, it’s massive head lying on her lap.

"I think it’s hurt. When I saw it, I thought he was going to try to run, but it could only limp," Cassandra told him, her eyes filled with concern for the animal.

"Okay, be ready to move. I’m going to try to get close so I can see what’s wrong," Jeff told her, easing nearer to the incongruous pair. Getting closer, Jeff wondered what he would be able to do, even if he were able to find what was wrong with the beast. When he finally reached their side, the teen noticed a rock stuck in the golden hoof stretched out from the horned horse. Immediately recognizing the problem, Jeff slowly bent down and gently plucked the jagged stone from the tender underfoot of the unicorn.

"There, is that better boy?" Jeff asked the suffering animal, his kindness apparent in his gentle treatment.

"Yes, that is much better. I am Jacques. You must be the promised warrior we’ve been hearing about," came the reply, startling the teen.

"You… You can talk!" exclaimed the young man, not quite believing his ears.

"But of course. Are you so surprised?" asked the unicorn, his eyes twinkling merrily. Jeff was surprised when it seemed as if the horned beast was actually trying not to laugh at him. Getting to his feet, Jeff felt a bit ashamed at his presumption that only humans could talk.

"I’m sorry, I just haven’t seen a unicorn before," Jeff replied.

"You wouldn’t have seen me, but I had heard of your coming and I had to see if the stories of your kind heart were true. I don’t normally get close to humans, but you have intrigued me," Jacques told him. Surprised, the young man was speechless momentarily before remembering why he had come.

"I have a favor to ask of you," Jeff told the creature, telling him of the task he was to complete.

"You’re supposed to get one of our horns without hurting us. Is that correct?" Jacques asked, his eyes twinkling merrily.

"How did…" began Jeff.

"How did I know? I told you we had heard of your coming," replied the animal.

"Yeah, that’s why I’m here, but I still don’t know how to get a horn without hurting you. And to be honest, if it comes down to it, I don’t need to be in the warrior’s society if I have to harm you," Jeff told him, his compassion for the beast evident.

"I’m happy to say there is a way to complete your task without hurting any of my brethren. There is a graveyard for unicorns that are no longer with us. However, you have to pass the test before you can enter," Jacques replied.

"What is it with this place? Every time I turn around there’s another test," Jeff replied, laughing at his situation.

"Follow me; I will take you to the entrance. But, before entering, you will have to answer a simple question," Jacques told him, scampering to his feet. Taking off at a trot, Jeff and Cassandra had to jog to keep up with the faster unicorn. Reaching another opening in the trees, Jeff could see the bones from thousands of the horned beasts, their golden horns and hooves dotting the ground. Remembering Jacques' warning, Jeff waited patiently as Jacques stopped in front of them, turning around to face the couple.

"Are you ready to answer my simple riddle?" Jacques asked. When Jeff nodded, the unicorn began the ageless ritual required for humans to gain entry to their burial grounds.