Chapter 16

The party lay hidden behind a rock in the darkness of the early morning, a good distance from the makeshift encampment of their target. The kobolds had established a hold of the nearby cave network and set watchmen at the entrances. Small bands of these armed lizards had clustered together around a few campfires. The smell of something roasting wafted through the air, reaching the party downwind.

"Remember strategy?" Sverre asked everyone quietly.

Tomas and Celine nodded in unison, like it was routine. Lycia hesitated for a moment before nodding as well.

Krarshe wasn't certain what his role in all of this was. He'd basically been told to just attack from a distance, aiming for those far from Tomas and Sverre, the party's melee combatants. Given such vague instructions, he was nervous about ruining the party's cohesion, but he didn't want to be the only one who admitted to not understanding. In the end, his fear of sounding like an idiot prevailed; he nodded silently with false confidence.

"Celine, bless. Fortitude."

Celine pressed her palms together and closed her eyes. "Blessed Teva, I beseech thee, grant us strength, vitality, and endurance. See their blades fail, their strikes err, while our steel find its mark. In Teva's name, we go forth..."

As she spoke, Krarshe could feel a sensation throughout his body. Invigorated, like he had limitless energy.

"Good. On signal, we go. Tomas, you know what do."

Tomas gave a smile as he pulled out a pair of daggers and took off into the trees around the encampment, disappearing into the foliage without a sound.

"Krarshe, Lycia, attack from here. And ensure Celine safe."

"You can count on us," Lycia said. "We won't let them interrupt the blessing."

Must be nice to have an easy job... Krarshe thought as he watched Celine continue her prayer.

Sverre pulled his greatsword from his back. "I go, Uhrdr's might guide me." The muscles on his tattooed arms bulged as he gripped the sword's handle. He nodded to Lycia.

"Hias tsinchan!"

An explosion of fire erupted in the middle of the encampment. The cries of panic from the kobolds soon followed. The attack had begun.

With a great roar, Sverre leapt over the rock and charged into the fray. The suddenness of his assault caught the enemy by surprise as he began to swing his massive sword, a single stroke hewing each foe. Sometimes two at once. His huge silhouette looked like a giant swatting at halflings.

In the light of the flames, Krarshe could see Tomas seemingly appearing from nowhere, making a quick, fatal strike, before again disappearing into the darkness.

A pack of kobolds emerged from the cave entrance. And, with a few words from Lycia, were quickly incinerated in a column of flames.

Krarshe watched the scene. The group's cohesion was surprising, despite this being their first quest together. No doubt Sverre's leadership was a big contributor. Yet, as great as it was to watch, he felt oddly out of place. There didn't seem to be any use for him, as if adding anything would just disrupt things. Just as he'd feared.

Another swarm of kobolds emerged from one of the smaller side caves, weapons in hand.

Determined to find some way to contribute, he held up his hand. "Ze'anarun zerais!"

A bolt of lightning streaked through the air and struck the mouth of the cave, just as intended. What wasn't intended, however, was the resulting explosion that sent kobolds flying, along with half of the hillside.

Everyone, friend and foe alike, froze, watching as stone and boulder rained down around them.

Huh. Wasn't expecting-

"Krarshe!" Lycia shouted.

"Curses!" Celine said. She hurriedly started her prayer again.

"Uh... Did I do something wrong?"

That's when he saw the kobolds change trajectory. No longer rushing to the frontline, but instead charging at him, Lycia, and Celine.

Sverre tried his best to draw their attention to him again, but it was clear who the new target was: the mages, the ones who had wreaked the most havoc.

"Krun!" He started firing off spells as the horde pursued them.

"Come on! We have to run!" Lycia shouted, pulling Celine by the arm.

Celine looked back at Sverre. He seemed to be waving his sword in the air. The message was clear.

Retreat.

She and Lycia fled deeper into the forest. Krarshe watched Sverre taking off away from the cave in a different direction, a handful of kobolds in pursuit. Tomas was still nowhere to be seen.

He started to follow the two girls before stopping. He turned back to the horde. "Sem kranruenza mrom." He raised his hand toward the kobolds. "Mazu gra!"

A huge sphere of water appeared before him before launching itself into the horde. The sphere burst, washing the kobolds every which way, turning the whole encampment into a sloshy mire.

With that, he followed the rest of his party into the safety of the dark woods.

The sun was beginning to rise by the time they had lost their pursuers and reassembled.

"Ha... That was... going well... for a bit there..." Tomas managed to get out between heavy breaths.

Krarshe's heart sank. He knew it was his fault. "S-sorry..." Krarshe croaked.

"No no. It okay." Sverre rested a heavy hand on Krarshe's shoulder. "Just too much enthusiastic. Too grandiose."

"Yeah. I wasn't expecting that," Tomas said. "You nearly blew the entire mountainside away!"

"And that wasn't even the full extent of it..." Lycia muttered.

"Teva's mercy, you're joking."

"You should have seen the first spell he cast, Celine, back when he was trying to convince my mother to train him..."

"Wait, seriously?!" Tomas started to laugh. "We have a veritable GOD in our party!"

"Aikasi, god of thunder boom!"

In spite of their jovial attitudes, it felt like they were ridiculing him. As if to say he had no control. Krarshe remained silent.

"First fight, good fighting," Sverre said. "Fight well together. More time be more good."

"I agree," Celine said. "While only a single quest, this one was more challenging than most. To have this level of success on it speaks to the caliber of the whole party."

"Agreed," said Lycia.

"Must be careful of spell. Some get more attention, dangerous for rear guard," Sverre explained.

"Right..." And there it was. He knew they were thinking that. Thinking that he ruined the mission.

"So now what? Can't imagine a second attack on those kobolds will work in our favor," Tomas said.

"Report back at guild. Maybe kobolds quiet now. Guild will decide."

"We should get some rest first," Celine said. "We've been up all night, after all. And it's quite far to Remonnet."

Tomas nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I might pass out before we get there. And no one wants to watch me carried like a toddler by you."

Sverre laughed. "Small child? No. I drag, like hunter drag deer."

"These clothes are new though! You'd ruin them!" Tomas joked.

"U-umm... W-we could... stop at my home village."

Everyone turned toward Lycia.

"It's not far, and it'd be better than camping," she added. "I'm sure we could fit us all between my home and Marcel's- the headman's house."

Without a moment's hesitation, the party agreed. "I'd love not to sleep on the ground!" Tomas said.

"Yes, a warm hearth would be a blessing compared to a campfire."

"And good food? Better than dry meat?"

Lycia smiled. "Of course. Shall we then?"

"Lead the way!" Tomas shouted exuberantly. "A bed, a bed, a nice soft bed!" he sang.

Krarshe stood still and watched them. A sudden impulse to not follow them surged within him, but it disappeared as quickly as it came. He knew he couldn't leave Lycia's side. He'd sworn to her mother. Regardless of how out of place he felt, how much it seemed he just made things worse for Tomas, Celine, and Sverre, he realized watching over Lycia took precedence.

Still, the feeling of being left behind gnawed at him. Like he'd lost his place next to her. He struggled to push the possibility that she preferred them from his mind.

With a resigned sigh, he followed behind them. He knew he'd have to wrestle with these thoughts on his own.

* * *

Krarshe sat, watching Tomas, Celine, and Lycia playing with the children of Valenfort. What they were playing was beyond him, as most things children did were. He could never make sense of their games, so different from those he played when he was young.

The group had decided to stay the whole day and leave in the morning, rather than forcing themselves to rest quickly. As such, once they'd gotten a bit of sleep and eaten, they'd taken it upon themselves to relax and enjoy the day, which apparently included playtime.

One group of children was with Tomas. They seemed to be fighting him whilst he made big, exaggerated gestures and swipes at the children. Occasionally, he'd grab one and flip them over before placing them gently on the ground, much to the child's delight.

Lycia and Celine had the attention of another group of children. They seemed to be playing with some foliage, but it wasn't clear what the goal or purpose was. Attire or accessories of some sort?

Alongside Krarshe were Sverre and Marcel. The two had joined him in leaning against the wooden fence and watching the antics of the children.

"Good to see, fun with children."

"Indeed. They don't get many visitors, so they're particularly excited," Marcel explained.

"They're good with them," Krarshe commented absentmindedly.

"You should tell," Sverre said. "Tomas and Celine happy to hear."

Krarshe looked at him, then turned his eyes to the ground. "Maybe..."

Marcel laughed. "Still shy as ever, eh Karshe?" He clapped him on the back.

"Ah!" Krarshe stood as he noticed Giggles approaching the two girls and children. How he kept escaping from his pen, Krarshe couldn't figure out. Regardless, he always got nervous when the goat was around.

As he was about to warn Lycia about the approaching menace, she called it over to her. Giggles cheerfully pranced over and lovingly brushed up against her. Celine and the children joined in, petting the goat as it bleated gleefully.

Krarshe sat back down. "Figures..."

"Hmm?"

"Nothing, Marcel."

"Let me guess... Giggles."

Krarshe just glared at him.

"What 'giggles'?" Sverre asked.

"It's nothing-"

"Karshe here's afraid of that goat," Marcel said with a nod toward Giggles.

"Scared of GOAT?"

"It's dangerous," Krarshe said, interrupting Sverre's laughter.

"Like chicken in morning?"

Krarshe turned to face Sverre. "You don't understand. The animals here are all vicious! They'll attack you without a moment's notice!"

He glowered as Sverre and Marcel clutched their sides in laughter. They'd seen evidence of it that morning when the whole flock of chickens descended upon him. It happened any time he was asked to help feed them. But, despite witnessing it themselves, they all refused to believe the chickens were out for blood.

Eventually, the two men settled down and the trio resumed watching the children. Giggles quickly became the centerpiece of their play. How calm and affectionate it was with them was so far removed from how Krarshe had been treated every time; he couldn't help but be a bit jealous. Would be nice to not be chased every time he and the goat crossed paths.

"Children are good. Good energy. And fun."

"Oh? Spoken like a man who knows. So, got any? A Gaer like you is quite far from home, it must be hard."

"Any?"

"Children," Marcel clarified.

"No. No children. Not yet," he said, smiling. "One day. You two have children?"

Krarshe hadn't expected the question. Was this normal conversation? "No."

"Ah. I should... I just remembered something I need to get done before the sun sets. Sorry to leave so soon," Marcel said, pushing off against the fence. "Hope you all enjoy your stay in my quiet little village." He gave a strangely empty smile and left.

"Hmm. Say wrong thing?"

"... You noticed too?"

Sverre nodded. "Not seem happy by question."

"Well, he does have a son, I know. Though they're not speaking with each other."

"Why not speak?"

"Something about cheating years ago, or something. I didn't really understand what the issue was." Krarshe tried to recall what Marcel had told him, but it was all a jumble in his head. "His wife was angry with him for loving another person or something along those lines, maybe?"

Sverre frowned, possibly the first time Krarshe had ever seen one on his face. "Not right. Family should be together. Parent and child."

"Agreed. Where I'm from, children are seen as a blessing for the whole clan. Children being separated from their parents is... unthinkable..."

The words caught in Krarshe's throat. It'd only been a few years, but remembering how he left home, the fight he had with his do'a. He shook his head to dismiss the thought. That and this were unrelated.

"Yes, that right thinking. At home, parent and child, very close. Mother and I still much love. When home, talk for hours about journey." He thought for a moment. "Should help. Get him with son."

"Like, get them talking?"

"Mmm. Let us stay, very kind. Should help, as recompense."

Krarshe studied the swordsman's face. Even though he couldn't see it, somewhere under that beard was a smile. Sverre seemed genuine. "I... I agree. Let's do it."

"Ha! Good. Next time visit, eh?"

He nodded. He wasn't sure what the plan was, but Sverre probably had an idea. Hopefully. Not wanting to press further, he changed topics. "So you're close? You and your mother?"

Sverre nodded. "Much close. Love very much. Many time around fire, exchange story and sew. Or cook together. And always remember how taught to skin deer. Yes, much close."

Krarshe reminisced fondly of the times he'd spent with his own fusu'a. He remembered he had to bring her a dress when he saw her again. "What about your do-, your father?"

"He warrior. Off fighting, rarely see. But little brother, close too."

"You have a sibling?"

"Yes. Little Skuti. Though, not so little now!" he said with a chuckle.

"Must be nice to have a sibling..."

"Yes! Skuti soon be man. End of year, I go home to train him, as tradition." Sverre smiled. "He young, ambitious, eager. Remind me of you."

"M-me?"

Sverre nodded. "Fighter long time. See your strength. Your wanting to be strong. Brave. Protect people. It clear to my eyes, your heart good. As good as any in my twenty year as adventurer."

Krarshe's face flushed. "Y-you don't know me. We've barely just met."

He rested a large hand on Krarshe's shoulder. "I know well. Patience. No need force self. Power come with strength in time."

"..." Krarshe clenched his teeth.

"It okay to make mistake. Mistake how learn. No harm today."

The words ate at his resolve. He was confident they looked at him disapprovingly after the kobold incident early that morning, but Sverre was slowly chipping away at that certainty.

"In time, you too find place in battle. Trust take time, built slowly like muscle. Soon, you protect our back."

He bit his lip. The words struck him hard, nearly bringing him to his knees. "Do-"

"Oof! Man, they have unlimited energy, I tell you," Tomas said, plopping down against the fence. "Oh, sorry, was I interrupting something?"

"No. Nothing at all," Sverre said. "Just talk between men."

"Oh? That sounds fun! Fill me in!"

"I... was just about to... say... Sverre's sword work was smooth. I was envious."

"HA! Yes! Gaer sword, best sword in world!"

"Mmm... It's definitely fluid, but the world's awfully big," Tomas said. "I do agree, though. The way he swings that giant hunk of metal around is impressive."

"If want to learn sword from Gaer, get strong! Only strong wield Gaer sword well. Then, you fight like sword god!"

"Like Uhrdr?" Krarshe asked.

"Hmm? Uhrdr not use sword. Uhrdr use hammer!"

Krarshe blinked a few times. "What?"

"Uhrdr, god of fighting small creature, use war hammer."

"The god of..."

"Not to be confuse with Ihrdr, goddess of fighting enemy smaller than you. She wield sword," he said matter-of-factly.

"Uhh..."

"Celine said it when we met, didn't she? They have a million gods, and it's not worth trying to remember them all," Tomas said.

"What's this about me?"

Celine and Lycia walked over. One of the adults was leading Giggles back to his pen and the children had all run off home, flowers and foliage decorating their hair and clothes. The two young women were no different, with circlets of flowers on their heads.

"Nothing, just telling Karshe to not worry about those Gaeric gods. Said you had warned him."

"Oh. Yes, don't think too hard on it. I honestly don't even know how he remembers them... And so specific. Why is there a different god for streams with rocky bottoms and for streams with sandy beds? So silly."

"Not silly! Gods all have own personality and strength! Like people!" Sverre retorted, beating his chest proudly.

"Right, right. I know they mean a lot to you, but don't you find it odd?"

"Celine just envious she only have few gods. More gods, more powerful!" he said with a big grin.

Celine just chuckled to herself and relented. "... Sure. If that makes you happy."

"It does!" Sverre let out a mighty laugh.

"Do your people have a god of being hungry? Feel like I'd be worshiping them right now," Tomas said.

"We do! Name is-"

Tomas held up his hands, stopping the giant man. "I was kind of joking, actually! How about we get some food?"

"... Yes, food! Ravenous I am!"

"Same," Lycia said. "There's a tavern this way."

Lycia led the group along the dirt road that traversed through the center of the village, heading to the only eating establishment in Valenfort.

"You know, I'm surprised this village is here," Tomas commented as they walked.

"And it's so peaceful, too," Celine added.

"You're not the only ones shocked," said Lycia. "Just about everyone is... Except Krarshe."

"Imperturbable, Krarshe?" Sverre said, looking down at the young elf.

"Huh? Oh, n-no. I just didn't realize it was a dangerous forest."

"Wha-?! I thought everyone knew that! I don't know if I can believe that," Tomas said.

"He actually slept in the woods for the first few days when he arrived here," Lycia explained.

Celine and Tomas both looked at Krarshe, dumbfounded. Sverre raised an eyebrow inquisitively.

"How'd you survive out there?!" Tomas exclaimed. "People have gone missing after even a short while!"

"My parents used to scare us with tales of nights in Vale to get us to behave. That and the Deepmother..." Celine shuddered.

"I honestly figured he'd had some warding spell active, or a barrier erected. I was honestly horrified when he said he hadn't..."

Krarshe felt his face redden with embarrassment as they continued to pepper him with questions. Being the center of attention was never fun. Especially when it was clear he was being treated as some eccentric.

Ignoring the questions, he diverted the topic. "To your point earlier, Lycia's mother erected a barrier around the whole village. That's why we're safe here."

"Around the whole village?!"

Tomas shouted so loudly that passersby took notice. A swift elbow from Celine got the message across and he calmed down.

"Wow, that's incredible," he said calmly.

"Oh, no, no. It's not-"

"Her mother is really amazing," Krarshe said. "It's why I knew I had to seek out her tutelage." He paused for a second before adding, "And no doubt Lycia will be at her level soon enough."

"Can you erect such a huge barrier?" Celine asked her.

Lycia shook her head. "N-no, I- I'm not that good. My mother is far better..."

"No doubt you too be strong, one day," Sverre said to the already blushing girl.

"Yeah, I know you'll get there too," Tomas said.

Celine nodded in agreement.

Lycia's face was a bright crimson. "O-oh, look! W-we're here! C-come, let's g-go inside." She fled into the tavern.

Tomas looked back at Krarshe with a smile. "Nice one."

Huh? What's that mean? Krarshe wondered. His goal was to change the subject, but it resulted in Lycia's embarrassment. While seeing her flustered gave him an unusual, fluttering feeling in his chest, it wasn't his intention to upset her.

The tavern was as he'd remembered it: quiet but still active. Even if the whole village had come, it would still feel intimate, cozy. For that, he was thankful.

"Quite the crowd ya brought me!" Esther said to Lycia as the party entered. "Take any place that's open!" she said as she went into the kitchen.

They all sat down at one of the tables by the entrance. Krarshe still couldn't get over the feeling of being wedged between Lycia and Sverre. Being next to Lycia made him happy but having the Gaer looming over him, constantly elbowing him in the shoulder as he ate, wore on his patience. And how they always ended up in this same seating arrangement was beyond him. It was like they'd planned it without telling him.

"This is quaint," Celine said as she looked around at the simple decor.

Tomas coughed.

"N-not that quaint's bad!" she added. "I like quaint! I'd consider- no, I'd like to live in a village like this!"

"It's fine," Lycia said. "I didn't take offense to it."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disrespect the place you grew up! Really!"

"Again, it's fine. The village IS quaint. It's why I, and my mother, both love it. And, this isn't where I grew up, so don't worry about it."

"You didn't?"

Esther's son came over to the table to take their drink and food requests, pausing the conversation for a moment. While Sverre put in his multiple requests, they continued.

"So, you didn't grow up here?" Tomas asked, repeating Katia's question.

Lycia shook her head. "We lived in another village, decades ago. We moved here, after... After something happened."

"Something?" Celine and Tomas asked in unison.

Krarshe kicked Tomas' shin. His head shaking got the message across to Tomas, luckily. He saw Celine twitch a bit as she glanced at Tomas, who gave her the slightest head shake.

"W-well, where are you from then?" she asked.

"Oh, it's... well, not around anymore, so it doesn't really matter, does it? Oh, that was fast. Thanks," Lycia said, taking the mug from the young busboy.

The two grimaced a bit at their folly. "I... I like your braid," Celine once again tried to steer the conversation in a more pleasant direction.

"Hmm?" Lycia asked, mug to her lips. "Oh. Yeah, my mother does it for me, actually. Honestly, it's getting a bit ragged, in spite of my efforts to keep it taut."

"I could redo it for you, if you'd like. I'm pretty good at braiding hair," she said, gesturing to her singular braid.

"Oh, no. Sorry, Celine, I only like my mother doing this one. Kind of a tradition."

"What do you mean by 'this one'?" Tomas asked.

"I used to have another braid. Same thing, just the other side," Lycia explained as she held up the straight hair on the left side of her face. "My dadd- My father used to do it."

Krarshe saw where this was heading. He tried to kick Tomas in the leg again, but couldn't find it.

"Aww, that's sweet."

"I remember sitting there as a child, both my parents braiding each side. I never liked to sit still though. I remember one time trying to explain... Oh, what was it...? Nevermind. I was trying to explain SOMETHING to them. My mother's side was still perfect, but my father's... Well, he had to do it again."

"Sound like father. Good warrior, not good intricate tasking."

Lycia laughed. "Mine wasn't a fighter. At all, really. Sometimes he'd need my mother's help dealing with spiders..."

"Yep, certainly not a warrior," Tomas joked.

Lycia smiled. "Yeah, he was more of a joker. Kind of similar to Marcel in that regard, actually. Always quick to act the fool, just to make you smile."

"Was joker? What he now?"

Lycia's smile faded as her gaze drifted down to the table. "He's... not here... anymore..."

The table was silent. The quiet conversations of other patrons encompassed them, like a shield isolating their table from the room.

"O-oh..." Celine murmured, raising a hand to her lips. Her other hand followed it and she mouthed a silent prayer.

"Not warrior, so what happen? If mind not me asking."

"... I..." Lycia was having a hard time getting the words out. "I- I'm sorry, I... just need a minute..." She got up and quickly made her way outside.

"Ly-"

"Lycia!" Celine interrupted Krarshe as she followed her outside.

"Something I say?" Sverre asked innocently, his brow furrowed in the saddest look Krarshe had ever seen on his normally jovial face.

"... It was a dragon," Krarshe said. "According to her mother, at least. It's why her village isn't around anymore either. And she got to witness it all, as a small child."

"Tch! Hungerer find those monsters!" Tomas said, thumping his fist on the table. "I hate those things."

Krarshe silently watched Tomas mutter curses. He didn't know what to say in response, but this was a side of Tomas foreign to him.

"Unfortunate," said Sverre solemnly. "Know many adventurer who die from dragon. Tragic end."

A minute later, Celine returned. The whole table turned to her expectantly.

"She's calming down. Said she'll be back in a moment," she said, taking her seat next to Tomas.

"Did she explain to you?" Tomas asked.

Celine shook her head.

The door opened and Lycia came back in, sniffling and rubbing her eye with her left hand. Her right hand released the ragged braid as she took a deep breath and headed back for the table.

"I'll explain later then," Tomas whispered to Celine.

Lycia sat down next to Krarshe. Her eyes were a bit puffy and red, but no one commented.

There was an awkward silence, everyone taking a drink or fiddling with their mug.

Finally unable to bear it anymore, Krarshe asked, "S-so... How long have the three of you been in a party together?"

The rest of the table, aside from Lycia, relaxed their posture, seemingly relieved by Krarshe's initiative. "I think Sverre joined us a few years ago. Right around when we started adventuring," Celine said.

"Three years, two cycles," Sverre clarified. "You two just fledgling back then. Much needing help."

"I still think we could have handled them..."

"Carrion worm not be taken light of."

Celine agreed. "He's right, Tomas. We weren't equipped to deal with them at the time."

"Were you two saved by Sverre?" asked Krarshe. He glanced over at Lycia. She seemed to be listening, but still not fully present. Or, at least not ready to join in.

"Mmm! Much like you two save us."

"It's just that your sword has a greater reach than my daggers..."

"And that's why I said we weren't equipped. I'm not faulting you."

"I could beat them now..."

"Yes, yes, I'm sure you could. You've gotten stronger," Celine cooed while patting Christopher's fluffy hair.

"You said you were friends from childhood, right?" Krarshe asked, trying to keep the conversation going. Lycia's mood seemed to be improving slowly as his distraction continued. Conversation wasn't a strong point of his, but he could do it if the situation called for it. And this was such a situation.

"Uh-huh. We lived in the same neighborhood, on the border of Feyfaire and South Bank," Celine said, still petting Tomas' head.

"You two seem like such opposites," croaked Lycia.

Her rejoining the discourse brought a smile to the whole table.

"I, too, surprised when first met," Sverre said.

"Well, I kind of needed to be the outgoing one, or she'd never have had any fun!" Tomas exclaimed.

"Oh, Teva's mercy. I had to go along with your antics because you'd get in trouble otherwise! Who do you think it was that had to apologize to those Ironpoles after you tore through their field? Or when you broke that table in Jean's house? Hmm??"

"That table was an accident."

"It was, but then why did I have to apologize for YOU? Because 'a hero doesn't apologize for their accidents', was it?"

"... I was just too embarrassed, okay?"

Celine sighed. "Thus why I had to tag along on your escapades."

"And who was it that called me her 'hero' when I shielded her from that dog? Hmm??" Tomas said as he leaned in toward her, raising an eyebrow.

Katia's face flushed. "P-please. That dog was friendly. Saying you shielded me from it is an exaggeration."

"I mean, I knew it was, but YOU were terrified when it came running towards you."

Lycia let out a giggle.

Sverre laughed as well. "You two, always much fun. Remind me of when I and friend fought pack of wolf!"

Everyone turned to Sverre, astonished.

"Uhh, I don't know if that has the same 'fun' theme..." Celine said.

"But was! Friend bet I not catch wolf tail. Proved wrong!"

Everyone at the table exchanged glances.

"All... right then..." Tomas said. "What about you, Karshe? Any fun stories?"

"M-me?"

"Yeah! You've been awfully quiet."

"I'd be curious too," Lycia said softly. "You... never really talk about yourself."

"I mean... There's just... not a lot to say. I don't really have any fun stories," Krarshe said as he shifted uneasily.

"What about anything you and Ari did? Do anything that got you in trouble with either of your parents?" Tomas pressed.

"Ari?" Lycia asked, giving Krarshe an inquisitive look. "Who's that?"

"No one..."

"Just his lover from back home," Tomas said with a smirk.

Lycia looked at him, taken aback. "O-oh... Really?"

Krarshe's eye twitched as he leered at Tomas, whose smile just grew wider at his ire. "We were friends back home. That's all."

"Booooooooriiiiiiiing," Tomas said, flopping on the table in dramatic fashion. He laid his head face down on the table, arms fully stretched out for a moment. Then, with a sudden turn of his head, he asked, "You said you sought Lycia's mother for training. Why's that?"

"I just... wanted a proper teacher. The academy in Remonnet was..." He hesitated, looking for the right word. His experiences weren't awful, largely thanks to Bri and Tibault, but the professors still rubbed him the wrong way. "It wasn't really, truly, a place of learning, I guess."

"Why a mage though? Why not, say... a rogue?" His eyebrows raised.

"You could say that magic's in my blood, I suppose. Not that I'm opposed to learning something else, but it seemed like an easy first step. Learning how magic was cast here seemed a natural path."

"Huh." Tomas seemed less than satisfied with that answer, but turned to Lycia nonetheless. "What about you? Why a mage?"

"Well... My mother is a mage. Her mother is a mage. It just runs in the family. So I guess same answer: it's in my blood."

"Ugh! There's got to be SOMEONE with an exciting reason here!" Tomas sat up. "Sverre! Swordsman! Why?!"

Are we really doing this? Krarshe wondered.

"Mmm..." He stroked his chin, his fingers lost in the bushy beard. "In blood!" he said with a laugh.

Tomas covered his face with his palms and moaned, dragging his hands down his face and past his jaw.

"I say before. It in family to teach children and sibling sword. Gaer sword, strongest in world. Must pass down. Though, some prefer hammer or axe. Smooth swing of sword, though. Beautiful, like maiden's hair. Not as much as scythe, but few scythemeisters. Swordsman clear choice."

"Why'd you choose to be a cleric?" Lycia asked Celine.

Celine took a sip from her mug and cleared her throat. "After caring for this one for so long," she gestured toward Tomas with a sideways nod, "it just felt natural. The training was surprisingly difficult, but clerics are always desired by parties. And I can stay out of direct combat, since I was never much of a fighter." She took another gulp of her drink. "Plus, someone needed to be there to heal him if he ever got hurt..."

"Aww..." Lycia uttered, smiling at her blushing friend.

The table then sat quiet for a bit, enjoying their drink and coziness of the small tavern.

"Isn't anyone going to ask about why I'm a rogue?!" Tomas stood and blurted out.

The group laughed at his outburst.

"Took you longer than I expected," Celine said with a smile.

"Well, now I don't feel like telling everyone," Tomas said, pouting.

Lycia shrugged. "Okay." She turned to Sverre. "So, about your sword-"

"Agh! Fine! I just thought it'd be amazing and fun to sneak around in the shadows!"

"What innocent answer," Sverre noted. "Much child-like."

"I also don't think you need to yell it for the whole tavern, Tomas," Celine whispered to him.

Tomas noticed all the other patrons looking at him, trying to contain their mirth. He sat back down, his face a bright red.

"Haa, much fun with you, Tomas. Oh! Food here!" Sverre said with far too much excitement. Krarshe suspected he was more hungry than he'd let on.

The group continued to chat, joke, and laugh as they enjoyed their meal on the heels of their somewhat successful quest. Krarshe participated as well, though he kept to himself as best he could. Them pressing him for details of his life wouldn't help anyone.

More than the fun atmosphere, he was just happy Lycia seemed to be in higher spirits. She did seem happier overall in this party. Whether it was due to Tomas' silliness, Sverre's good nature, or Katia's friendliness, he didn't know. But he was happy for her.

Even if he wished it could just be the two of them again.