A Strong Foe

(The Mysterious man flipped back after clashing swords with Lucan as he slowly started to pace back and forth.)
Lucan: "Who are you? What are you doing out here?"
???: " The Named Rylos Silken, and I'm out here looking for a bit of fun."
Lucan: "Your idea of fun is attacking random people you don't even know"
Rylos: "Yeah it is." (Rylos dashed at Lucan as they started to clash with slash after slash as Lucan was struggling to keep up with his sword prowess.)

Rylos: "You're not quite as fun as I thought you would be, I would expect a man of your size and with a sword that marks him as a master swordsman to be better."
Lucan: "You're getting far too cocky." (Lucan pushed one of the mans attacks to the side and quickly stepped twice to close the distance as he was now about to slash them an in the face before the man produced another sword of the same length as the other and blocked it, retreating.)

Rylos: "That's more like it! Keep fighting like this and I'll enjoy myself!" (The man was suddenly in front of Lucan as he attempted to slash at the man and he grasped the sword between his two and sent it flying in the air as it landed in the ground 5 feet away with Lucan getting angry.)
Rylos: "Guess I spoke too soon."
Isolde: "Allow me to step in!" (Isolde suddenly exploded forward as her and Rylos started to exchange blows back and forth as they were both showing immense sword prowess until Rylos played dirty and used one of his swords to pin her cloak to the ground about to swing the other down and slash her before Lucan dove forward grabbing her and rolling out of the way standing up with her in his arms.)
Lucan: "Are you alright Isolde?"
Isolde: "I- Uh- Yeah." (Isolde blushed as she pushed away from Lucan and regrouped with the others as Lucan looked at Rylos and tightened his gauntlets on his hands before slowly walking towards him.)

Rylos: "Bold of you to not fetch your weapon and assume your mere fists are enough."
Lucan: "We shall see." (Rylos dashed at Lucan as Lucan went on the defense and blocked the slashes with his gauntlets before dropping to the ground and going for an upward slash as Lucan stomped on his hand the blade is in and punched him square in the face causing him to stagger back as he drops the sword.)
Liora: "You should keep your guard up!" (Liora dashed at him and started to slash with her claws as he danced around them holding his nose with one of his arms as he blocked incoming attacks with his other sword as then went on the offense and started to overwhelm Liora before gripping the sword with two hands and bearing down on her before he was about to do a double hand slash to severe her in half as Lucan grabbed her and took the slash before rolling and jumping him and setting her down.)
Lucan: "Are you alright Liora?"
Liora: "Thanks to you I am!"

(Lucan stared at the man as he then started to march towards him with his hands up as Rylos picked his other blade up and started to spin in a circular motion towards Lucan at alarming speeds.)
Rylos: "HIDDEN SWORD TECHNIQUE: DEATH SAW!" (Rylos clashed with Lucan as he started to slowly chip at his armor and do damage to Lucan's overall body before Lucan let out a deep breath and grabbed both blades stopping him in his place as he started to swing him around slamming him against the ground and nearby rocks before throwing him away.)
Rylos: "You sure are a strong one; I out match you in skill but I don't come close in strength."
Lucan: "Thanks for the compliment, not sure you're supposed to do that in the middle of battle."
Rylos: "I'm just keeping it lively. Don't want to go and spoil the mood."

(Rylos Slowly got up as he spit out two bloody teeth as he stretched his back and neck popping them as he slowly walked towards Lucan and started to circle him before he then dashed in at multiple angles and Lucan didn't understand before he was getting punched from every angle.)
Elara: "We have to help him, lets go ladies!"
Isolde: "Alright!"
Liora: "Copy!"
Astrid: "If I have too."
Riona: "...." (The Five then charge in as they begin to attack the clones and destroying them, Elara used a barrage of arrows to destroy three as Isolde slashed through two and Astrid was hitting rapid thrusts with her rapier and Liora was killing them with feral like movements as Riona buffed them all with magic and used it to support them till only Rylos remained.)
Rylos: "Didn't expect you five to do anything, guess I'll have to kill you before him then."

(Rylos quickly dashed towards them as he quickly slashed at Isolde and Elara sending them flying as Liora leaped to catch Elara and Astrid caught Isolde. Riona attempted to fend him off with magic before he was right upon her and her hood fell down to show her terrified expression as she braced for and accepted her fate. She slowly opened her eyes as nothing happened and saw a massive figure in front of her as Lucan was holding his sword and spit out blood.)
Lucan: "I believe this is between us."
Rylos: "You really are persistent."
Lucan: "You know for someone whos just doing this for fun, you're not really scared of dying."
Rylos: "Because I won't die today-" (Lucan punched Rylos in the gut so hard that all the air was knocked out of him and he spit blood from his mouth as Lucan charged with his shoulder slamming him into a tree where he then punches is head through it and grabs the tree and swinging it straight into Rylos head as he goes flying into a nearby boulder causing it to explode.)

Lucan: "Are you guys alright?"
Liora: "I think you should be worrying about yourself Lucan."
Lucan: "I'm alright, just a bit banged up."
Astrid: "Lucan watch out!" (Lucan turned to see Rylos 10 inches from his face as he stabs his sword through his gut and Lucan spits out blood as Rylos cackles with an evil laugh.)
Rylos: "You should of listened and worried about yourself, I can't stand your type you know the heroic type that wants to protect everyone. If you were out for yourself and no one but yourself then you would live today, but no you decided to be a hero and die-" (Rylos stopped when his hand suddenly got gripped by Lucan as he raised his head and looked him in the eyes as Rylos attempted to pull the sword out but couldn't.)
Lucan: "I'm not anything you say, I'm just a regular guy. I'm nothing but a commoner that has nothing to his name and no place, so be it if I die because no one will miss me just like no one will miss you." (Lucan reached back as he grinned and grabbed his sword and quickly plunged it into Rylos's heart as Rylos had a shocked expression on his face as Lucan lets go of his hand and he staggers backwards and falls to the ground dead.)

Lucan: "Lets get what we came for and get out of here."
Liora: "Shouldn't you rest before we do anything?"
Lucan: "No, lets get out of here as soon as possible." (Lucan pulled his dagger out and quickly skinned the best as he rolled it into a bundle and attached it to his lower back as he walked over to the girls and noticed the two still unconscious from being severely attacked as he bent down and picked them up.)
Lucan: "Can you three keep up?"
Liora: "Of course, but we can help you."
Lucan: "I am fine, doing my job I was hired to do."
(Lucan quickly dashed towards the direction that the town is in as he was quickly covering distance with his long legs as Liora was jumping through the trees like an animal and Riona was sprinting not too far behind Lucan as he quickly realized that Astrid was falling behind as he pivoted and doubled back putting her on his back as he switched the two to his arms and started to sprint again.)

Astrid: "Put me down, I can run on my own."
Lucan: "You're too slow, we need to get them medical attention quickly."
Astrid: "We can't cover days of travel this quickly so why are you going so fast."
Lucan: "We will. Riona, Liora come here." (He quickly stopped as astrid held on to him nearly falling off as the other two arrived as they were already breathing heavy.)
Lucan: "I'm going to carry everyone, can you buff my speed Riona?"
Riona: ".... Yes."
Liora: "Why would you carry us?"
Lucan: "I'm not even using a fraction of my speed and you guys will fall behind if I do, Liora you get on my back with Astrid." (Liora listened as they were now both hanging around his neck as he bent over and scooped Riona onto his shoulders as she wobbled as he stood up.)
Lucan: "Do it."

(Riona waved her wand as a sigil appeared in the air and a blue aura appeared around Lucan as his leg muscles doubled and he quickly dashed forward running at incredible speeds as the 3 struggled to hold on as he quickly burst through the trees and landed on the path as the 3 were amazed at his speed when Liora noticed the gate coming into sight.)
Liora: "Wow! We're almost there."
Lucan: "Everyone hold on." (Lucan bounded through the open gate as he took a sharp turn and headed to Verdant Hearth's guild hall as he quickly approached it in just a minute of taking turns and running as he skirts to a stop and lets the 3 down.)
Lucan: "Take these 3 in, I am going to wait out here; it tends to get crowded in there."
Liora: "Alright." (Liora and Riona grabbed Elara and Isolde's arms around their shoulders as they carried them in to get healing as Lucan plopped down on the ground with Astrid standing next to him as he breathes heavy.)

Astrid: "You know we could of rested, you didn't have to do all of that and rush us."
Lucan: "I did, that wasn't a coincidence; He was after me."
Astrid: "What do you mean?" (Astrid stepped in front of him looking at him before the door opened and the four came out with Elara and Isolde looking better as Lucan quickly stood up and grabbed the pelt handing it to Elara.)
Lucan: "Here, don't bother paying me as I am resigning from the party; sorry I just can't be in it. Give Astrid my share of the pay."
Elara: "Why quit now when you just saved our lives? You're all banged up why didn't you get medical attention?"
Lucan: "That attack was targeted because of me and I won't let innocent people get pulled into my issues, I appreciate the offer but I will be going solo from now on. Come on Astrid lets get you home." (Lucan turned around as he walked away leaving the women in disbelief as he quickly disappeared with Astrid sprinting to catch up.)

(They kept walking as Astrid eventually caught up and was walking beside him as she was looking at him and he was ignoring her.)
Astrid: "You know I was just starting to like you, you weren't so annoying and then you go and do this."
Lucan: "I don't care."
Astrid: "Why not start your own party?"
Lucan: "No one would join a talentless leader that will just lead them to their deaths."
Astrid: "Why don't you just get a grimoire then?"
(Lucan stopped for a second and looked at Astrid confused.)
Lucan: "You can get one, I thought people were born with them."
Astrid: "No stupid, you see that tower over; for a fee they will allow you to step in and your grimoire will choose you and bond with you, and you start with a few basic spells. Lets go do it before you take me back."

(Lucan followed Astrid as they approached the tower and two guards slowly opened the doors as they walked in and looked around at all the books lining the walls from floor to ceiling as they get up to an old man sitting at a desk.)
Astrid: "He would like to find his magic type and do the grimoire ceremony."
Wizard: "That would be 50 gold piece lad."
Lucan: "That's steep-"
Astrid: "Just do it so we can keep adventur- I mean just do it you idiot." (Lucan reluctantly dug 50 gold pieces out of his pocket as he dropped them in the hand of the old wizard and the man stood up and suddenly started to float in the air as he raised his staff and the air became thick and he began chanting something.)

Wizard: "Divine Gods of Magic and Spirits of the world heed my call and come forth, guide this young man to his truth and destiny as you become his companion and allow him your grace of magic, come forth and show him the truth!" (As the man chanted, all the books started to rumble and shake as they suddenly all started to float as Lucan was amazed at the visual until all the books quickly snapped back into the shelves and the aura of the room changed as it became impossible to breath and cold. A Book slowly floating down to Lucan as he raised his hands to accept an entirely black grimoire with an ominous black and purple aura around it as both the Wizard and Astrid were terrified and amazed.)

Lucan: "What is with everyone's reaction, is this a bad thing?"
Astrid: "Lucan.... That Grimoire is very dangerous. You need to unbind with it-" (Astrid suddenly stopped talking as time paused with no sound or movement, only Lucan could move as he looked around until he heard a voice.)
???: "Name yourself Mortal, I wish to know my new Masters name." (Lucan looked unamused as he had a blank expression and quickly threw the grimoire.)
Lucan: "I don't want it anymore."
???: "Hey! That's rude and not how it works you ungrateful brat, I am The Goddess Nyxia Vespera and I am willing to call you master and you say you don't want my power?"
Lucan: "I'm kind of tired of being controlled by Divine beings."
Nyxia: "Well..... I actually have no control over you, the inscription on the grimoire says I must serve you in anyway you ask." (Lucan stopped and turned back in confusion.)
Lucan: "Why.....?"
Nyxia: "You know I may have tried to destroy the world, and I was penalized and this was my punishment." (Nyxia let off an innocent laugh trying to come off as such as she landed on the ground and was in front of Lucan.)
Lucan: "I'm stuck with you aren't I?"
Nyxia: "Pretty much, so what's your first command Master?" (Nyxia looked at Lucan with big eyes as he rolled his eyes and grabbed the grimoire off the floor as he proceeded to walk out.)
Lucan: "Unfreeze them, I assume they can see you that's why you froze time in the first place; but you won't be able to hide forever."
Nyxia: "As you wish." (Nyxia seemed sad with such a boring command as she reluctantly let go of the spell.)

Astrid: "Who the hell is this?"
Lucan: "Don't ask, just go with it."
Nyxia: "Lucan may I ask something?"
Lucan: "Go ahead."
Nyxia: "Is that The Voice of the Sundered Grove Xylos on your hip?"
Xylos: "Nyxia?!? How the hell did you return you skank!"
Nyxia: "EXCUSE ME? WHO ARE YOU CALLING A SKANK YOU MONGOLOID DULL BLADE."
Xylos: "Calling me Dull!?! Lucan Kill this Bitch."
Nyxia: "I should of killed you when I had the chance, you were always a loser you bastard."
Lucan: "Enough both of you." (Lucan was starting to get a headache as they approached Astrid's home as he was already over all of it.)

(They arrived at the gates of the manor as they were allowed in as they are escorted to the office once again when the door was open and they were allowed in they were greeted with Astrid's father and Leopold as Astrid quickly ran up and hugged her father.)
Astrid: "Father! I love adventuring and I don't want to stop; may I please keep doing it?"
Lord Graves: "I guess that would depend on whether or not Mr. Vance would allow you to join his party as a full time member."
Leopold: "You look quite hurt Lucan, and your armor is quite damaged are you alright? Did you run into any issues."
Lucan: "We did, we were attacked by a man and he was a very dangerous and powerful foe."
Lord Graves: "My word! Dear Astrid are you ok?"
Astrid: "Yes father, to tell the truth me and the other girls in the party did very little; Lucan took the main fight and also was the one to kill the man." (Lord Graves quickly stepped over to Lucan as he grabbed his hand and profusely started to shake it as he was extremely grateful.)
Lord Graves: "Thank you Mr. Vance, I cannot express my joy enough for my daughters safety and happiness."
Astrid: "Lucan, would you please form a party; we would make a great team and you even got Nyxia now!"
Lucan: "I'm not sure Astrid, I don't want to put anyone in harms way."
Lord Graves: "As much as I want my Astrid to stay here forever, I please ask you to do this for her Lucan; I'll pay any price for this to happen."
Lucan: "I am not quite the leader type."
Nyxia: "It would be fun Lucan, allow us to accompany you on your quests." (Leopold quickly drew his blade as Nyxia suddenly appeared and she quickly stood behind Lucan as he put his hands up.)

Lucan: "Woah, she's with me no need to get defensive Leopold."
Leopold: "She's got an Ominous Aura."
Lucan: "She can't hurt a fly without my say so, so no need to fret." (Lucan pondered this for a few minutes as he finally decided on what he would do as he quickly stood up from his seated position.)
Lucan: "I will form a party and Astrid is welcome to join me; as for my journey, we will be leaving the capitol to venture further into the country and to the other capitols." (Lucan was starting to become lightheaded as his vision became blurry and he started to sway back and forth before falling to the ground unconscious before he hit.)

(Lucan slowly stirred awake as his entire body was throbbing and he slowly opened his eyes as he sat up and grabbed his side where he now had bandages as he winced in pain from touching it as he went to put his hand on the bed to as he had it on the other side he hit something as he was confused and he gave it a firm grab as the object moved and he quickly scrambled and fell out of the bed.)
Nyxia: "Oooh Lucan, I didn't know you were like that, get to know a girl before advancing like that."
Lucan: "WHY ARE YOU IN MY BED?"
Nyxia: "Where else do you expect me to sleep, On the floor? That's not very gentleman like."
Lucan: "First off, I didn't get a choice as I don't even remember what happened. Second off This Manor is huge, there has to be dozens of rooms."
Nyxia: "I didn't feel like going to another one, I didn't think you'd mind."
Lucan: "Maybe I do mind Nyxia, I don't really know you that well.
Nyxia: "Fine, Next time I'll sleep on the cold and hard floor hmph." (Nyxia turned away as she was angry, Lucan was still confused as he looked around and finally realized he was on the floor before realizing he was in his underwear.)

Lucan: "WHERE ARE MY CLOTHES?"
Nyxia: "They were covered in blood and tattered, so I undressed you when putting you in bed."
Lucan: "Ok, I appreciate it; is there anything I can put on?"
Nyxia: "Here." (She tossed him a shirt and pants as he got up and he put the pants on, they were tight as was the shirt when he put it on but he didn't complain as he kind of felt bad for the way he acted now.)
Lucan: "Thanks." (The Two walked out of the room as Lucan grabbed his pack and had his sword on his hip as they attempted to sneak out before they were caught.)
Astrid: "Where are you two going?"
Lucan: "We were just heading out, we were going to come pick you up tomorrow to leave."
Astrid: "Well, as much as I don't believe you; why don't we just leave now." (Astrid had a bag slung over her shoulder as Lucan grinned and they all quickly snuck out and disappeared back into the town as Lucan stopped by Volker to get temporary armor and for him to fix his other armor.)
Volker: "Yeah I can do that for you lad, come back whenever and you'll have it; take these as loners for now."
Lucan: "Thanks Volker, and one last question; How much for the wagon and horse outside?" (Volker smirked as he leaned on the wall behind the counter.)
Volker: "20 Gold-" (Lucan tossed him the gold pieces as him and the two dashed out of the shop and Lucan quickly got the Horse ready to pull the wagon as he then jumped into the drivers seat and took off eventually making it out of the gate and for the next capitol as Astrid looked at the Capitol with somewhat sad eyes as they brightened and she smiled thinking of the adventures to come.)

Nyxia: "Where are we heading too from here?"
Lucan: "I'm glad you asked Nyx, we are heading to the Heartlands of Aethel; we will spend some time in that region and take up some quests at their adventurers guild." (Nyxia was kind of shocked as Lucan gave her a nickname but welcomed it with a smile.)
Astrid: "I've never been out of the Whispering Woods region, what is it like in the heartlands?"
Lucan: "To be honest, I haven't been there myself; but we will find out together. No matter we will have fun and complete any quest we take."
Astrid: "Right, we are new adventurers after all, we have to climb the ranks."

(Lucan drove the wagon as Astrid and Nyxia were playing cards on top of an empty crate in the back, having traveled for a while Lucan began to wince in pain from his wounds that he still held and he decided that they had traveled far enough and pulled off the road and found a area off the path near a small creek as he stopped and hopped off undoing the horse and tying it to a tree as he stretched and the girls got out and joined him.)
Lucan: "We'll camp here for tonight, I hate to stop so soon but my wounds are not going to allow me to go for much longer."
Astrid: "Its fine with me, whatever you think."
Nyxia: "Do not push yourself Master, we will wait for you no matter what."
Lucan: "Nyx you have to stop with the Master, just call me Lucan."
Nyxia: "If you insist."
Lucan: "Well I am going to hunt us a deer for some food, can you guys get camp set up?" (Lucan grabbed his bow and quiver from the wagon as he fastened the quiver to his waste as he started to walk off, Astrid stepped in front of him and planted a hand on his chest to stop him.)
Astrid: "Shouldn't you be resting? We don't want your stupid self Croaking on the first night of us as an official party."

Lucan: "I am fine to hunt a deer, I am not doing anything other then shooting it and carrying it back." (Lucan walked around Astrid as he disappeared into the woods leaving Astrid and Nyxia together as they start to unload the camping gear from the wagon and begin to set it up along with a fire pit.)
Nyxia: "So Astrid, why are you so rude to Lucan? Didn't he risk his life to protect you and that other party." (Astrid's back stiffened as she burned her finger after she got distracted by this question while making a fire before successfully lighting it and then answering.)
Astrid: "I'm not rude am I?"
Nyxia: "You are quite rude, you treat him like a servant and even berate him quite often."
Astrid: "I guess that's just what I am use too, I've never really had an equal."
Nyxia: "If you ever wish to find a husband and settle down, you'd be smart to fix your way you look at men." (Astrid blushed as Nyxia laughed and Astrid walked to the wagon to grab something as she stopped and began to ponder what Nyxia said before they heard noise from the trees rustling as Astrid upped her guard before realizing that it was Lucan returning with meat and a pelt from his little hunting excursion.)

Lucan: "I got dinner, I appreciate you guys setting up camp." (Astrid walked up as she grabbed the sack of the meat from Lucan and dropped it next to the fire as she turned back to him and took a deep breath.)
Astrid: "Thank you Lucan." (Lucan looked shocked to hear this as he quickly walked up and patted her on the head softly as her cheeks became red.)
Lucan: "No problem, its my job as your leader." (Lucan quickly cooked all the meat as they all sat down to eat and the two enjoyed it as Lucan grabbed his bed roll and Astrid expected him to walk into the woods to set it up before becoming shocked that he rolled it out right next to the fire perpendicular to both of their bedrolls.)
Astrid: "You're gonna sleep in camp with us? What changed?"
Lucan: "Well I already shared a bed with Nyxia against my will and Its not like I am going to be trying to catch a peak on either of you, I will leave if you wish."
Astrid: "No that's alright. Wait- you two shared a bed?"
Nyxia: "Yes and he grabbed my butt, he's very handsy." (Astrid blushed as she heard this as Lucan put his face in his palm.)

Lucan: "It was an accident and yes we did because I was unconscious and she decided to join me in bed."
Astrid: "I see, well that explains it then."
Lucan: "Well its getting late, I'm going to hit the hay." (Lucan went under his bed roll as he instantly started to snore.)
Astrid: "Woah, he fell asleep instantly."
Nyxia: "It's quite impressive actually." (The two then did the same as they slowly drifted off to sleep trying to ignore his snoring before they finally fell asleep.)

(Some time later, Astrid awoke to Lucan sitting at the fire poking the fire with a stick confused since it was still night time out as she got up with her blanket wrapped around her and sat next to him.)
Astrid: "Why are you awake so early Lucan?"
Lucan: "Couldn't sleep." (Astrid yawned as she rubbed her eye and noticed the Serious expression on Lucan's face.)
Astrid: "Is something the matter?"
Lucan: "Nothing you need to concern yourself, its my problem."
Astrid: "Well, I am your party member and my role is to support you as that and as a friend as well." (Lucan looked at Astrid and laughed a little.)
Lucan: "What happened to the girl that was always rude to me and treated me like a servant?" (Astrid's face got red from being flustered and angry.)
Astrid: "Well Fine, if you want to be that way-"
Lucan: "I'm just joking with you, I appreciate it Astrid. If you insist on knowing why I can't sleep, well sometimes I have dreams or I guess memories of my mother and father being murdered; it really haunts me because I felt useless even if I was just a kid I should of tried something. I just watched my parents brutally die and I ran away." (Astrid was quiet for a time before she finally opened her mouth to speak.)

Astrid: "I'm sorry that happens to you Lucan..... I too lost my mother, she was ill and my father was never around, I hated him for it; later I find out he was endlessly searching for a cure for her disease and I only felt terrible for my hatred towards him. I can't relate to watching your own parents be brutally murdered in front of you, but to have such a bond with someone and to lose them is all too familiar." (Astrid moved closer to Lucan and was sitting on her knees right beside him.)
Lucan: "I wasn't fully truthful; I get them pretty much every night, my parents dying and my village dying haunt me and I think about it all the time. If I would of just done something to help them all then maybe I wouldn't hurt so much, I was hesitant to drag you guys and anyone else into the vortex of pain and despair I cause around me; I don't think I am worthy of such great companions for someone who is such a failure." (Lucan was visibly tearing up as Astrid grabbed his hand in hers.)
Astrid: "I believe you will be a great leader; I was very rude to you before but I am truly grateful for you protecting me on that last quest and I believe those other guys were too. Lucan you don't cause pain and despair, some people are followed by it but that just means you need to overcome and defeat it come out on top as the victor in the battle between light and darkness. You doubt yourself very much, sure you may not be adept in magic or swordsmanship but you got a big heart and that counts for way more then any skill." (Lucan was crying as Astrid gently grabbed his head and held it against her shoulder and chest in a hug as Lucan slowly began to stop crying as Astrid was slightly blushing from the experience as Lucan then gave her a hug and then pulled back.)

Lucan: "Thank you Astrid, for believing in me despite barely knowing who I am and myself not even doing so. I don't regret creating this party and I don't regret asking you to join; I'd be lost without you." (Astrid blushed hard and became flustered as she pushed Lucan softly.)
Astrid: "You're right you would probably be dead; go and get to sleep we got a lot of traveling to do." (Lucan got up and returned to his bed roll as Astrid sat there in her thoughts for a while as her heart was beating fast and her face was extremely red before she shook it off and returned to her bed roll and slowly drifted back to sleep with a slight smile on her face.)

(The next morning, the three were traveling as Astrid decided to sit in the seat with Lucan as Nyxia was leaning forward from the back behind them, they were talking casually and pointing different things out as they saw a decently large village coming into view.)
Lucan: "Look! Our first village, we've been traveling for enough today; would you guys like too stop and get some rooms at an Inn? I still got some gold left."
Nyxia: "That would be amazing, sleeping on the ground is becoming unsavory."
Astrid: "Sure, that sounds like a plan!" (Lucan pulled over in the village as paid a stable keep a fee to store the horse and wagon as the three walked down the main path of the village.)
Nyxia: "We should get a drink before we head to an inn! There is a tavern up there on the right."
Lucan: "Sounds like a plan, are you ok with that Astrid?"
Astrid: "Of course." (Astrid was slightly nervous as she had never drank before. Lucan was walking when he suddenly felt a tug at the area where he kept his coin pouch and he quickly reached back and grabbed an arm as he dragged the attempted thief and they were dangling in the air.)

???: "LET ME GO YOU BIG OAF! THAT HURTS!"
Lucan: "Maybe you shouldn't of tried to steal my coin pouch then, you thought I was an easy target because I'm big and you thought I was slow."
???: "Heh, you do look kind of stupid."
Lucan: "That's not what I meant and you know that, guess I'll just drag you to the nearest Knight then." (Lucan began to walk as he held onto their arm as they were trying to loosen themselves.)
???: "We can talk about this; I apologize for trying to steal from you just don't turn me in."
Lucan: "Why should I trust you? You will probably try to steal from me again or just run off if I put you down."
???: "If I tell you my name will you trust me? You don't seem as bad as the job detailed you as." (Lucan looked confused as he reluctantly nodded to her.)
???: "My Name is Reya Griffe, I wasn't after your coin pouch; I was after your sword. Lucan Vance you have a hefty bounty on your head for that sword."
Lucan: "I see, well I appreciate the warning." (Lucan put her down.)
Reya: "That's it? You're not mad?"
Lucan: "Well no, you apologized and even warned me about danger; I truly appreciate that, you're a good person." (Lucan smiled at her as she was in disbelief at how stupid yet nice he was.)

Reya: "So what is this anyway? Are these your wives?"
Lucan: "What? Does it look that way? No they are my party." (Lucan was taken aback by this statement as he looked at Nyxia and Astrid who looked kind of annoyed.)
Astrid: "Maybe try not to act disgusted at that idea next time, its not like we want to be referred to as your wives."
Nyxia: "Yeah, you really know how to break a girls heart." (Lucan scratched his head as he quickly thought of an idea.)
Lucan: "Would you like to join us for a drink?"
Reya: "I guess I could drink; you're far too nice to me as someone who just tried to steal from you."
Lucan: "You seem trustworthy to me and everyone has their reasonings; that's not my business."
(They all walked into the tavern as Lucan sat down with Astrid and Nyxia sitting next to him on one side of the table and Reya on the other as they ordered a round of Ale and began drinking.)

Lucan: "So why do you do what you do?"
Reya: "I thought it was none of your business?"
Lucan: "Its not, doesn't mean I don't want too know though." (Lucan finishes off his third mug of ale as he signals for a fourth as his cheeks were already becoming red as he was already starting to feel it with a slight buzz.)
Reya: "Well its quite a personal matter, I have my reasons. What are your reasons for adventuring?"
Lucan: "Well I wanted to explore and have fun while making money, so what better could there be?"
Reya: "Why do you only have women in your party?" (Lucan polished off the fourth as he signaled for a fifth as the rest of them were still on their 1st.)
Lucan: "Well, this one is Nyxia and she follows me without my choice, and this one is Astrid and she was technically the first member."
Reya: "Are you going to offer me to join? Is this why you asked me to drink with you?"
Lucan: "I wasn't actually, but if you would like to join you could." (Reya stiffened out of embarrassment as she thought about it for a while before giving her answer.)

Reya: "What do I get out of it?" (Lucan slammed the mug on the table after finishing the fifth mug as he was a lot more drunk now.)
Lucan: "Well you would get a split of whatever money we make on quests as well as protection and friends to travel with; I also tend to cook for them whenever we camp on the road."
Reya: "Why would I want your cooking?"
Nyxia: "Oh you would definitely want it, he doesn't look like the type but he's amazing at cooking for some stupid reason. He even makes basic deer meat taste fantastic." (Reya was skeptical as she looked at Astrid.)
Astrid: "Sadly she's telling the truth."
Reya: "I've been traveling by myself for as long as I can think.... But I think I wouldn't mind traveling with you guys."
Lucan: "Sounds like a plan! Welcome to the Party!"
Astrid: "Lucan, stop screaming people are beginning to look."

(The Other Patrons began to become annoyed by Lucan and his party as Lucan looked around and proceeded to start on his sixth mug of ale as he was enjoying himself and got up to go to the bathroom before a big guy slammed his fist on his table and got up and walked over to them.)
Big Guy: "Will you bitches tell your man to shut the hell up before I make him?"
Astrid: "Hey first off he's not our man and second that's not a way you should take to women."
Big Guy: "I'm going to talk to anyone anyway I want too." (The Big Guy bent down and was in Astrid's face as his breath stunk and Astrid turned her head away and he looked her up and down and licked his lips before forcefully turning her head back towards him.)
Big Guy: "It's rude to ignore a man, how about I take you out back and give you a punishment; hehe come on it'll be real fun."
Nyxia: "Get out of here you baboon, she's not interested in you and you're being a creep."
Big Guy: "Who are you her mother? You can get some too gorgeous and your beast friend here."

(The Big Guy reached out to grab Astrid and as he did Nyxia smacked him on the hand quickly with her hand as he snapped back and was now angry as he aggressively grabbed Astrid and Nyxia as Lucan had just returned to find Reya alone.)
Lucan: "Where did Astrid and Nyxia go?"
Reya: "Some big guy just dragged them out of here with bad intentions, I think they are in trouble." (Lucan and Reya hurried outside and heard shouting as they followed it into an alley that lead behind the tavern as Astrid and Nyxia were on the ground fighting the man as he was laughing to himself.)
Astrid: "Get off of us! You're disgusting!"
Nyxia: "This is disgraceful, I do not have my magic and cannot protect myself." (The Man grabbed onto their Clothing and began to tear them away as Nyxia looked away before he suddenly stopped as she looked back and Astrid was in disbelief as the man began to struggle to breath as he started to float in the air as they noticed a hand around the back of his neck.)

Big Guy: "Plea- Please.... We can talk about this." (The Big Guy struggled to breath as he was beginning to cry and plead for his life as a now fully sober Lucan had anger in his eyes.)
Lucan: "The time for talking is gone, you had an issue with me? Then take it up with me not my party members you sack of shit." (Lucan Snapped the mans neck and tossed his body aside as Astrid and Nyxia looked on with tears in their eyes and Reya was in shock at the brutality of Lucan.)
Lucan: "I am sorry ladies that I was gone, are you guys alright-" (Astrid jumped up and wrapped her arms around Lucan as she began to cry into his shoulder and tightly grabbed onto him as he gently patted the back of her head and looked at Nyxia who's shoulder he rubbed.)
Lucan: "Come on lets go and get you guys some new clothes at the seamstress."
(Lucan attempted to stand up as Astrid still hung around his neck and he had sadness in his eyes as he realized that this was her first impression of the world outside of the capitol and the anger burned deep down as he carried he and Picked up Nyxia taking off his cloak and wrapping it around her as he guided them to the Seamstress's shop and entered.)

Lucan: "Hello Ma'am, these ladies are in need of new clothing; Money is not an issue so please help them get anything they want."
Seamstress: "Oh you poor things look terrified, come on and let me help you! I won't disappoint."
Lucan: "I am going to wait outside." (Lucan placed Astrid down as he turned and went to leave before she grabbed his hand and he stopped.)
Astrid: "Please..... Will you wait in here?" (Lucan looked at Astrid and saw the mixture of sadness and fear in her eyes as he took a deep breath.)
Lucan: "Of course Astrid."

(Lucan leaned against the wall in front of the door as the Seamstress and Reya helped Astrid and Nyxia run around the shop as they began to cheer up slightly from picking new clothing as Lucan disappeared into his thoughts blaming himself for this.)
Lucan (Thinking): "I promised to protect them and I've already failed at my job; some kind of leader I am not even able to keep a simple promise." (Some time had passed as Nyxia walked out in a new Dark Blue dress Embroidered with grey and silver details as Lucan looked up to see her as she walked towards him and he stood up fully.)
Lucan: "You look great Nyxia, blue is definitely your color; I am sad this had to be the circumstance for you getting new clothes but I am glad I was able to do it for you."
Nyxia: "Thank you Lucan, truly I am fine about what happened it is nothing new to me as sad as I was that was for the information that the world has not changed in the 400 years I was sealed away; its still as evil as ever."
Lucan: "It's a tragedy some people in this would are such trash like him."
Nyxia: "I'm not sure how Astrid will be, nearly being taken advantage of as your first interaction in civilization that isn't your home? She will need some time." (Lucan's fists tightened as he got a little angry as Reya walked towards them and stood next to Nyxia as she had her hands clasped together in front of her.)

Reya: "Astrid will be out in a second, don't tell her I said this but she is excited to show you her outfit."
Lucan: "I'm glad she can have any bit of excitement after that incident." (Reya shook her head at Lucan's obliviousness as Astrid then slid the curtains back and came walking out as she was in a White and Red swordsman outfit designed for women with a skirt and armored legs and gauntlets with her hair back and a red headband tied into a bow kept her hair back as she stopped in front of Lucan and looked up as she blushed slightly.)
Astrid: "What do you think Lucan?"
Lucan: "I think you look amazing Astrid, the red really brings out the color in your hair and makes your big brown eyes stand out, its like the outfit was made for you." (Astrid became entirely red as she hid her face from Lucan and then quickly began to smile and grabbed Lucan in a hug before quickly leaving the shop with Nyxia and Reya shaking their heads following her as Lucan smiled that she was happy again before walking up to the desk to pay.)
Lucan: "How Much ma'am?"
Seamstress: "That will be 20 gold for the pair." (Lucan dug into his pouch without even thinking or doubt and grabbed 20 gold pieces as he placed them on the counter and quickly walked out.)
Lucan: "Thanks."

(Lucan walked out of the store as he joined the rest of the Party and headed for an inn where they paid for rooms for two days so they could rest as it had been a stressful day and Lucan made the decision to give everyone a couple days and for them all to get to know Reya as they all went their separate ways to their room, the day slowly faded into night.)