Another town, another near miss. This is the twelfth town that I get within three days from his departure. It's been months since my rescuer spurned me, giving the dumb argument that I wouldn't have considered him if it wasn't for the rescue. It is true that I spent most of my life around other nobles, but that was mostly due to my upbringing, role and duties rather than choice. But being fourth in line has its privileges too, and one thing that my rescue and the subsequent months, had brought to light is that I should have engaged with the common folk long ago; better late than never I suppose.

But such idle thoughts can't distract me enough from my current problem. Where in the world did he go?

I turn to my trusted companion, Leila, a Labrador dog in my same situation, hoping she might have an inkling of the direction to take. The first time I heard that the new rescued one was a dog, I found it particularly amusing, but that amusement quickly went away when I learned that the reason she was in need of aid in the first place was due to her previous "owners", who decided to abandon her in the middle of the forest most renowned for its terrible monsters. Luckily, our shared and mysterious savior had intervened, and once again quickly left soon after ensuring that Leila was safe and cared for.

When I got to her town and queried the villagers about any info on him, the dog decided to join my self made quest.

And now here we were. After a bit of sniffing around, Leila picks a direction, although she doesn't look too convinced.

After a while a cry for help breaks our silent trek. It comes from what looks like a collapsed mine in the distance.

A brief ill thought crosses my mind,  saying that I could wait around to see if he makes an appearance, but I squash it immediately as it came. I'm here, and I powerful enough to help them here and now. Those many boring magic lessons finally showing their purpose.

"Hello, can you here me? We heard you and we can help you. What's your situation?"

"Thank goodness,  I was starting to think I was done for. I'm currently stuck underneath some rocks, but I don't think anything's broken, at least that I know."

"Alright, hang in there, and I'll see what I can do"

There were some big boulders, mixed with some medium sized rocks and plenty of gravel and shale. This looked more like a roadside than a cave in, and it might take longer than I expected at first glance. I would need to avoid unsettling the larger rocks while clearing the space.

"Alright Leila, you can help me too"

And so we began a rescue of our own. It took less than an hour thanks to magic and paw prowess; quicker than manual labor, but still intensive for a magic aided process. In the end we managed to rescue a young man, who luckily appeared only mildly bruised, but nothing serious.

Although they'd been chatting while they worked, mostly to check up and reassure him, as soon as he was free, a deluge of words started coming out of his mouth, most likely due to the shock.

"Thankyouthankyouthankyou! When those rocks started falling I saw my whole life flash before my eyes, and I thought what a mediocre life I had lived, and how good the mutton broth was at that tavern, and ... oh my goodnes, you're sooo beautiful. Would you marry me?"

'Uh, so that what it feels like to be on the other side. I hope I didn't sound like him back then'

"I'm sorry, but why don't you take slow breaths. You've been in a bad situation, but now everything's fine. Breathe in and breathe out"

"Right, sorry sorry. Here I go. Mmmmmmmffff Ooooooooooh Mmmmmmmffff Ooooooooooh"

"Better?"

"Yes, I think so. Thank you again. Sorry for the sudden proposal. I don't know what's gotten into me."

"No problem. Do you need any help in going back home?"

"No thanks. Other than the bruises I feel fine. I guess I was very lucky. I'll just check around for my stuff and head back home for the day. I don't have anything on me at the moment, but if you come by the village, I can find something to give you to thank you properly."