The man couldn't believe what was happening.  The entire world had gone medieval.  He just... he just wanted to change the fate of the woman he loved, not the whole world!  He was glad the armored heroes seemed to be playing with him, though, as he was able to duck into a nearby shop for cover.

 

He was a little surprised at the contents, somewhat different from what one would expect for a medieval setting.  "...Soap?  Toothpaste?"

 

"Aye!" said the proprietor, a fat, bearded man.  "Milady Morgan demands proper hygene from her subjects!  Says that 'it's the one thing from that world I grew to like.'  Whatever that means."  He shrugged, and continued speaking in his loud voice.  "I care not.  The wife likes it when I smell sweet, so who am I to question the Ruler of All Things?" 

 

The man chuckled nervously, looking out the window of the store cautiously.

 

"So what brings you into my shop?" the proprietor asked loudly.  "Running from whomever the Queen's Vengeance are chasing?  I don't blame you."

 

"Sssh!" the man said.  

 

But it was far too late for shushing.  The door to the shop opened... and the Harlequin stepped in.  

 

The proprietor bowed.  "Kept him busy for you, milady," he said calmly, the man staring at him in shock. 

 

"Heheheh," she said, staring at the man through her unsettling mask.  "Noted, good shopkeeper.  A small reward shall be sent your way on the morrow." 

 

The proprietor nodded, heading to the back, knowing what Harlequin intended.  The man gulped nervously, staring at her mace.  

 

"W-What are you going to do to me?" the man asked, backing up against the side of the store.

 

Harlequin regarded him curiously.  She removed her mask, revealing the surprisingly lovely, if visibly demented face within.  "What is your name, sirrah?"

 

"Aaron..." the man said.  "Aaron Towers...  Please, I just wanted to revive my wife..."

 

To his surprise, the beautiful jester kissed him.  She then removed her shoulder tunic, tossing it aside, and unbuttoned her top, revealing her ample chest.

 

"What... What are you doing!?" Aaron said.

 

"The Final Kindness," Harlequin said, licking her lips.  She grabbed his hands and brought them up to her breasts with a gasp.  "You're going to die, no question.  But you are entitled to a Final Kindness.  A meal... a lover..." She smirked.  "You're up for summary execution, so a meal's out of the question.  But you can have a lover."  

 

Aaron gulped nervously.  "N-No... I can't..." he said, trying to draw away.

 

Harlequin's eyes narrowed, but she didn't lose her smile.  "Your beloved is dead, your attempt to revive her apparently failed.  You will die soon.  Would you rather die in bliss?  Or in pain?" 

 

Aaron found his eyes drawn to Harlequin's ample chest, despite himself.  He wanted to be faithful, but he couldn't see a way out of this...