Chapter 20: CH20 Bondage

Olk went back with a group from the warband who was carrying loot from the raid back to the tribe's caravan. They had gathered several iron weapons and iron tools. There were also wagon axles in the side building that seemed like it was a stable in a state of repair. Two men carried a single axle each. This was a big find as repairing the caravan was difficult. They always had a shortage of parts. The last thing that he had was a drawing on a piece of paper. It looked like a wheel that was attached to an axle in a strange manner. He was going to deliver it to one of the tribe's craftsmen to see what they could make of it.

The chief was waiting for the report. He called a craftsman who inspected the drawing for a while and then his eyes went wide. "Who made this schematic?" the middle aged man said loudly while waving the piece of paper in the air.

"That is not something that I can tell you." Olk said.

"You must know who did this. Why is it important?" The chief asked.

"It is just a piece of paper. It does not look like a very important piece of paper. I figured the boy was just doodling. I doubt the slime or the bird made this." Olk said. "Why would it be important?"

The craftsman looked at the chief. "I think this is a way to make better wagons." He pointed at the strange bands that were between the wheel and the axel.

The chief paled and said regretfully, "The warband tied him up and dumped him outside of town. He is probably long gone by now."

The craftsman snorted and complained "We are more and more like bandits the longer we spend out in the wastes," and stormed off.

Sighing, the chief looked at Olk, "We did what we had to. In these lawless lands strength is the only rule. I don't like it either but we can't take prisoners. Even the things we got without securing the dungeon made this worth sending out a warband. Speaking of which, how is the water problem? Has it stopped yet?"

Olk shook his head, "No I don't think it will or it would have already. I'm not sure what magic they used but the only way into the rift is under water now."

"Ugh, that is not great but can a good swimmer get to it? This might not be a total loss." The chief said dejectedly.

"I think so but it is going to be really dangerous to swim down there and activate the rift. It really narrows down the possible people who can use it to those with a good skill level in swimming." Olk said, placing his hand on his chin.

***

Merumeru's plan worked perfectly. The water kept coming out of the pipes that she created in various places on the basement level. The slime girl stuck around long enough to snatch a few things that were important. Obviously the pipes were her first priority. The second priority was the talking black thing that showed images. Alex usually kept that with him so she knew it was important. Taking a final look at the muscle men scurrying around like ants, she hopped into a sewer hole and rode the water back to the river like a slide.

Alex was sitting on the ground, looking around, when Merumeru saw him from a spot in the water. Fufi and him were bound in ropes and seemed to be doing some kind of squirming dance. It looked like they were having fun so she just decided to be quiet and watch for now.

"No matter how much we poke and pull at the knots they are not coming loose." Alex complained.

"I bet whoever tied us up has a skill in rope use or something similar that is why." Fufi said with a sigh. Her pecking at the ropes had little to no effect.

Alex had a crazy idea, "Fufi, can you get the card from my pocket?" Her long slender neck was able to fit through the net. It was the rest of her body that was the problem. She picked the card out with her beak and placed it in Alex's hands.

"What are you going to do with that?" Fufi asked.

"Well, you did say to try out the animate doll spell. The first step is to get our team of clockwork dolls." Contorting a bit, he got to his feet and tossed the card to the ground as best he could with his hands bound behind his back. The cart appeared on the ground near the water. Alex decided it was time to test out how close to the actual dance moves that were required to cast his first spell. Any hand movements were out but he could still twirl and triple step. He did his best and after a while his three dolls got up on their own and joined his little dance.

"Look at you Alex! You can use magic now!" Fufi cheered him on.

"Yeah, I can't believe it. I thought I was just imagining it." Alex said. "But I can't get them to move right."

"Try visualizing what they should be doing." Fufi suggested. "It is either that or you have to tell them what to do. Considering you have to keep dancing for the spell to continue I bet it is the former."

"Okay, I'll give it a shot." He said and started to visualize the steps that the animated dolls were supposed to be taking. They spun and posed as he imagined them doing. It was quite cute. Now that the dolls were moving, Alex realized he hadn't quite thought this through all the way. Edelweiss wielded a flail. Rose used a water gun. Lily shoots arrows with her bow. None of his dolls used a knife or a sword.

"Hmm, I'm not sure how to cut the ropes. None of them use edged weapons." Alex confessed.

"Can Lily shoot one of the knots on the net?" Fufi suggested.

"I guess it's worth a try. If it doesn't work we'll figure out another way to get free." Alex asked.

Alex pictured Lily firing an arrow at one of the knots of the net Fufi was trapped in. She drew an arrow from her quiver just like when she was defending the tower. Alex thought it was cool that she was able to move without being mounted to a gear shaft. The little doll fired the toothpick sized arrow and it struck the knot he was visualizing.

"Good job Lily!" Alex praised the doll.

Fufi poked at the arrow with her beak trying to see if it would get that part of the net undone.

"That didn't work. The arrows are too small." She said sadly.

Alex tried to think of other ways to cut the ropes.

"Well I guess I could empower Lily. It only works for a little while but that might be enough." Alex pondered aloud.

"Alex, what are you planning on doing?" Fufi asked nervously.

"I haven't tried this with Lily yet but it might make her shots better." He explained.

"You mean to make the arrow stronger?" Fufi asked.

"No, I'd like to make her more powerful." Alex clarified.

"Oh, okay," Fufi said, confused.

You are reading story Magical Girl? I’m not sure about this. at novel35.com

Alex activated his empower doll feat. "Okay, I'm ready." Lily started to glow a pink light.

She fired another arrow at the net holding Fufi. A white helix light trailed behind as it struck the net. When it hit a pink heart shaped expanded from the spot blowing a good chunk of that portion of the net away. Fufi jumped into the air and tried to flap her wings in shock. This caused the net to fray further. She used her beak to unravel a portion of the rope big enough to create a hole she could squeeze out of.

"Wow, I didn't think you could do that Lily," Alex said.

"I don't know about this. That almost hit me." Fufi said, shaking her head.

"Well, at least you are free." Alex smirked at the flamingo.

"I think we need to get out of here before someone comes." Fufi said and flew into the sky to see if any threats were around.

Now Alex was in a weird position. He couldn't stop dancing or the spell would end. Ideally, he would have liked to hold still and give Lily an easy shot right between his hands where the rope was. He knew she could miss. He had seen it before. The question was: did he trust his doll enough to make the shot and not hit him with an empowered shot by accident?

"Alex, what is wrong?" Fufi asked.

"I'm having trouble getting the timing down." Alex admitted.

"I think I can help. I've been watching your dance. Try to strike a cute pose right at the the same time Lily fires her shot." Fufi offered.

Alex concentrated on the moment that the arrow was going to leave the doll's fingers.

"Now!" Fufi shouted.

Alex held the pose and the arrow left the doll's bow. It flew through the air and struck true. A heart exploded between his bound hands, freeing him.

"Whoa!" Alex exclaimed. He was so shocked that it actually worked that he stopped dancing. The dolls fell to the ground like they had their strings cut.

"What happened?" Alex asked.

"I think you got distracted and lost the spell." Fufi replied.

Alex shook his hands and wrists a few times, happy to be free again. Shortly after there was a loud splash and a little slime girl jumped out from the water towards them. "Meru ruu meeee!" Merumeru said while she clapped excitedly. She seemed to enjoy the little performance.

"How long were you watching?" Alex asked.

"That is not important Alex. She liked your dancing, that is what matters." Fufi explained.

"Merumeru could have just dissolved the ropes." Alex grumbled.

The slime girl nodded, agreeing with Alex.

"Alex, we should probably get out of here." Fufi pointed out.

"Yeah, I agree. We should get as far away from those bandits as possible but where should we go?" Alex contemplated.

"We should find someplace safe for now. There is an aspen grove not far from here. Perhaps we can go there and hide out for a while." Fufi suggested pointing a wing at a hill off in the distance.

Alex looked to his side and saw his three dolls lying on the ground. "You girls did good today. Lets get you back into the cart with your friends." After placing the dolls in their spots, he wound up the cart and set off in the direction Fufi suggested. It still baffled Alex that he could even turn a spring that had enough force to turn the wheels of this large cart.

Merumeru hopped up into the cart and cleared a space. She put a hand out and a large pile of metal pipes popped into existence. His phone was on top of them.

"Wow, you are full of surprises Merumeru." Alex grinned at the little slime girl.

"Meru!" The slime girl smiled and giggled.

"So, how did you get all these pipes? I thought they were in the basement." Alex asked.

"Ru me me Meeee." Merumeru explained.

"You're amazing. Thanks for not letting those thugs keep this stuff." Alex praised the little girl. He wasn't quite sure what she said though.

"See, I told you Merumeru knew where to meet us in an emergency." Fufi stated smugly.

"I guess I owe her one." Alex laughed as he pulled the cart along.

"I wonder what else she is capable of?" Alex pondered.

"I guess we'll find out. Our little girl is full of surprises" Fufi chimed.

A couple hours later they made it up the hill and approached the copse of trees. "This place looks nice." Alex said. He always felt at home in the forest.

 

You can find story with these keywords: Magical Girl? I’m not sure about this., Read Magical Girl? I’m not sure about this., Magical Girl? I’m not sure about this. novel, Magical Girl? I’m not sure about this. book, Magical Girl? I’m not sure about this. story, Magical Girl? I’m not sure about this. full, Magical Girl? I’m not sure about this. Latest Chapter