The Rest

Turning around was a mistake.

The tunnels seem to go on forever. With every mile, the elf's expression grows more and more sour. If looks could kill, you'd probably have died a dozen times by now.

Eventually, she stops.

"Guys, there's no point wandering around aimlessly for hours. We're never going to complete the quest this way. Besides, I'm tired, and I have work in the morning."

"All right. Let's log out. Same time tomorrow?"

"But we need a safe place to rest. Otherwise some wandering mobs might stumble across our characters while we're offline."

The sentences don't make much sense to you, but the others seem to agree. As long as Pivo has no objection, you're fine with it too.

"How are we supposed to find a campsite quickly?"

You point your thumb over your shoulder.

"We ed a small side cavern a few minutes ago."

The halfling girl beams.

"See? Digbeard is actually useful."

The cavern is just large enough for three sleeping mats.

You lean your back against the rock wall. You don't really need a bed, but some rest will help regenerate the HP you lost when the rubble came crashing down on you.

"Standard watch rotation?" Gerald asks.

"Why?" Pivo objects. "There are four of us now."

"No chance," Selena grumbles. "I'm not relying on a low-level NPC to keep my character safe."

She folds her arms defiantly.

And once again, your eyes are drawn automatically to the prominently displayed curves of her chest beneath her robe. You can't help wondering whether she takes it off when she sleeps.

"Okay, then I'll take the middle shift with him," Pivo offers.

It's pitch-black.

For a dwarf, that doesn't mean you can't see. Without any light, everything simply becomes shades of gray. Even so, you can make out Selena's body on her sleeping mat.

Her chest rises and falls with every breath.

To your disappointment, she didn't undress before going to sleep.

Your imagination, however, has no such limitations.

Suddenly, something touches your arm.

"Shit—"

You whip your pickaxe upward, ready to strike.

"Easy. It's just me," Pivo whispers.

"Damn it, you can't just sneak up on me like that."

Of course, you're annoyed with yourself, not with her.

"Hehe. Halfling Nimbleness and maxed-out Stealth. I could sneak up on you even if you were actually keeping watch instead of staring at the elf."

"I'm not."

You're glad she can't see you blushing in the darkness.

"But you do realize she's not the only woman in the party, right?" she teases. "At least I hope you've noticed."

She's so close that you can feel her breath caught in your beard.

Her hand leaves your arm and slowly brushes down across your chest.

You're certain she can feel your heartbeat. It's pounding so hard against your ribs that it feels as though it might break free.