Sleeping Next to the Pirate King

Maldonius clicked his tongue in annoyance as Serafina and Armon returned to their animal forms once more. Their eyes didn't leave the dragon for a second as I got accustomed to losing my sense of touch.

I picked up my saber and slashed my right arm slightly. Due to losing my sense of touch, I didn't feel any pain. I smiled and smirked at a disturbed Maldonius. He scratched his head as he sighed and said.

"Yeah, yeah. You managed to turn your physical punishment into a benefit. Good for fucking you. Why don't we stop wasting time and actually get to the riddles that you need to solve in order to pass on to the next level."

The way Maldonius said, "pass on", brought a shiver down my back. He made it seem like something you would say to someone who is on their deathbed. I sighed as irritation filled me. I wanted to go back to my crew and continue our expedition to the Bermuda Triangle. I glared at a humming Maldonius. If it weren't for this bored old bitch, then I would be throwing up as if I had morning sickness on the ship again.

"Am I supposed to look for the next two riddles, or will they find me?"

Maldonius nodded as he said.

"The two riddles are hidden in two particular plants in this greenhouse. To be honest, this room is my favorite in the entire ziggurat."

I looked at him with contempt. He sounded like an old man who does his gardening during Sundays. Maldonius chuckled. We had gotten used to each other's expressions by this point in time.

I stood up and pushed away the dirt which marred my goddess-like robe. I turned to see a dark spot on the back which was shaped like my ass. Great, due to the dress being white I looked like I shat my pants. I sighed deeply as embarrassment and shame filled me.

God damn it!

Why am I focusing on such a trivial matter when the lives of my crew members are at stake! I looked up to see the dome of the greenhouse shine. A second later large digits adorned the dome. The digits of, "2:00" shone under the moonlight. I turned to see Maldonius shrugging.

"My dear, if I don't put up a time limit, we'll be here forever. I am immortal my dear, but no one wants to spend hundreds of years stuck in a greenhouse. Oh, wait a second. By that time, you would be nothing but a couple of bones, how insensitive of me to say."

Despite the statement not being offensive, I felt extremely offended. I sighed. This dragon, man, geezer thing in front of me is quite the prissy little bitch. Jesus Christ, why are worthless people like him given immortal lives.

"By the way lizard-"

"Dragon."

I looked at Maldonius's surprisingly furious expression. I scoffed.

Oh?

He hates being compared to his close relative?

"Anyways, lizard dude."

"I will not repeat myself twice human, address me as dragon. And if that bothers you address me by my human name of Maldonius."

The riddle which I had failed and resulted in me coming here mentioned violets and roses. Those two plants must be the ones to hold the riddles. My eyes then scanned the plethora of plants which faced me. During middle school I read a book about flowers once for a school project. I felt the knowledge slowly trickle into my mind.

Peonies, tulips, chrysanthemums, and carnivorous plants faced me. I continued to trudge through the plants. A female voice filled my head.

"Miss Mila, watch your step. Your feet are bleeding as they are being scratched by the thorns."

I looked down to see that indeed the soles of my feet were bleeding. But due to losing my sense of touch I felt no pain. I frowned. Despite the momentary relief of not feeling pain this was quite troublesome in its own way. Infections can occur as a result of open wounds after all. I used the saber in my hand and cut from the hem of my long robe. I then quickly covered my bleeding feet with strips of fabric. I then quickly sprung up and looked for the roses and violets.

A minute later a bush of roses sat neatly next to a bush of violets. The flowers shone with their pure beauty despite the jagged thorns which adorned their stems. I walked over and looked up to see the timer stop. I smiled and breathed out in relief.

At least I got something right in this fucked up building of riddles. I felt myself internally screamed as I remembered the fact that my life was filled with riddles that I can't even solve yet here I am. One of the riddles being why I was such a mess of a person who procrastinates at the most crucial of times. It must be due to the fact that the author of this story is the same way. Her procrastination should be labeled as a disease by doctors.

God bless your souls.

"I'm sorry my dear, but could you stop roasting the author and focus on saving your ass?"

I nodded at Maldonius and what he said. For once the man was quite mature in what he said.

I looked into the rose and violets bushes. Inside of each of them was a golden letter. My fingers hummed in anticipation as I clasped each of them.

I hope that the riddles would be manageable.

............................