It had been long enough since my mistress's last command that I was able to make a choice for myself. She was still my mistress, but without a constant stream of commands I found that I was able to make choices and assert a little of my own will. I chose to flee the homestead and travel into the nearest town.
It was a quick trip down the mountain and then along a worn road to the town outskirts. I was wearing no more than worn basic garb and had nothing to cover the green splashes staining my face.
I circled the town, looking for a place where i could gain information. Usually rough-looking taverns on the outskirts of towns ran deep with gossip and could point one to certain services. I found such an establishment in an out of the way place boarding a number of farms.
I entered the tavern.
Inside were only a half-dozen men arranged around one table. A serving girl ignored my entry, busying herself with some cleaning duties.
I walked up to the table of men. They all turned to me and evidently saw the stains around my face. Three of them turned away in disgust and the other three laughed raucously.
I stood my ground. Trembling slightly from embarrassment. When the laughter died down I said, 'I clearly need to get rid of these magical stains. Do you know of a mage or warlock in the town that can can do this for me?'
One of the men who laughed stood up from the table and bade me to come outside with him. I followed and we stood in a shady corner away from any prying eyes.
'This is a human kingdom town, lad. Many people here have lost family members in the monster wars. I'm not sure you will find too many here that would accept,' he gestured to my face, 'that. We know what that means in this town.'
I nodded. I was desperate to lift whatever spell had been put on me, but it seemed I was not going to find any help here. Perhaps one of the towns further in the forest could help? The wilding towns where human influence waned and travellers of all species were greeted.
The man surprised me by clasping a hand on his shoulder. It was a supportive gesture.
'You wont find a warlock to help, but there is something that can lift such a thing without that type of magic. It's the three milks of a holstaur. You heard of this?'
I shook my head. 'I believe a holstaur is a harmless kind of monster. A bovine type. Close to a human. But I have never heard of the three milks. Is it magical?'
'The type of magic you need. Them in there don't care much for anyone who consorts with monsters, but I can see it in you that you are in need of help. Pass the farms here and keep going into the wheat fields near the river. There is an outskirt farm not managed by a man, but a holstaur. See that creature and ask it for the three milks to cure your... problem there.'
I could have cried at finally receiving some kindness. I thanked the tavern-goer profusely and set out along the road.
My destination was a massive field of wheat with a barn and a modest house in the middle. It was nearly sundown by the time I reached the dwelling. I knocked on its door, but there came no answer. Hearing some noises I moved to the barn. As I got close, it stepped out.
The holstaur was huge, easily a handspan taller than myself, muscled, with enormous breasts that stood proud and heavy on its chest. Its face was soft and feminine with only a pronounced nose and brow to give it hint of a bovine quality. The only other things to denote it as inhuman were the hooves on its feet and the two tiny horns jutting from its honey-coloured, short-cropped hair.
I wondered to myself what sex it was. holstaurs were famously hard to tell apart in this regard because the males bore large breasts just like the females. I could not work it out just by looking.
It grumbled, obviously unimpressed with my staring.
'Hello,' said I. 'I was told you might be able to help me.'
'Help?' it asked, its voice throaty and a touch masculine.
I could see that it was regarding the stains around my mouth. I gestured to them. 'I was afflicted with these. I need them removed. I am told the three milks of a holastaur can do this.'
The holstaur grunted. 'Who told you this?'
'A man in the tavern back there.'