---------------------------------------

As Riou reached the tavern’s mess hall, he noticed that most of his party was already outside.

Bronach and Herger were preparing to leave as well. There wasn’t much time to spare, so he went for the counter near the kitchen.

“I will be taking this for the trip” exclaimed the boy grabbing two hefty slices of overcooked meat. It was a bit cold but seemed good enough to consume on the go.

The man nodded and waved him goodbye. Riou went towards the exit biting one of the slices a few times and then wrapped the rest in a cloth for later ‘It’s cold, but it’s not too bad… not good either, but it’s better than nothing’

Outside, the sun was quickly rising on the horizon. But something else caught his attention, everyone was standing around looking at another group that had arrived. His party was a bit too silent and still.

About 25 men and women mounted horses in a semi-circle near the caravan, preventing it from moving.

Herger and Bronach were moving at a fast pace towards the new group that arrived. Herger’s Mercenaries were quiet, but clearly on edge, their hands were close to their sword.

The riders were all very distinct when it came to clothing, looking at them Riou immediately related them to thugs he saw in Allard, their unkempt and unhealthy appearance and the strange leather strap tied to their arms.

There were many and their expressions showed signs of malice and ill intent. They were certainly up to no good there.

As Bronach and Herger finally reached the center of his caravan group, the merchant’s angered voice could be heard “What is the meaning of this?”

“Are you the owner of this caravan?” A strong woman’s voice came from the middle of the thugs, she moved towards him on top of her horse.

Her hair was black and braided from the front to the back with a very short length. Her skin was toned by the sun and her clothes seemed a little better than the average garments of the other thugs. A sword could be seen sheathed on her belt, the horse had many large bags and a couple of small daggers strapped to the saddle.

“Yes, I am. Who are you? What do you want?” questioned the Merchant beside Herger who watched the woman’s every move.

“You see, we have no problem with your caravan… but it came to our attention that someone we are looking for might be traveling with you, so we came all the way from Brigantium to check it out.” said the woman with a certain air of superiority looking at the Mercenary group.

“And who would that be?” Asked the Merchant already knowing the answer.

Riou briefly looked around and couldn’t see the rogue nor Elias’ group.

The woman jumped down from her horse and with a few steps she walked past Herger and Bronach while looking around.

“A thief…” she said pausing for a moment “You see, we are also running a business here. Someone stole from us and we are looking for payment, wouldn’t you do the same in our place?”

questioned the woman turning around to face them once again. “We are merchants ourselves, we accept coin, merchandise, work, and in the lack of any of these items, blood.” smiled the woman.

With a heavy heart Bronach asked “Does this thief have a name?”

“Victoria… Viki to her close ones.” said the smiling woman.

Bronach clearly expected such an answer “How much is the debt, if you don’t mind me asking?”

The woman shook her head “Not at all, it would be about 4000 coins.”

The merchant and the mercenary leader opened their eyes wide in surprise, that was a hefty sum.

“Now that we have established what we are looking for, would you be so kind and deliver the thief to us?” Asked the woman in a much more serious tone.

Bronach looked at Herger. The Mercenary leader glanced at the mounted group as if analyzing their chances. With a serious look he just shook his head very briefly to the merchant.

Bronach took a deep breath and turned around. He walked a couple steps with his hand scratching his head. He stopped and stroked his beard “Where is she?” he asked the mercenaries, which looked to the last carriage.

Suddenly Viki jumped out of the carriage and walked towards Bronach. Elias and his group came right after her from inside the carriage as well.

The woman smiled once again seeing the thief, she quickly looked at her group and signaled with a nod. The thugs began to move closer, ready to get her.

Viki smiled at Bronach and gave him a little nod, she knew he had no choice. The enemy were in greater numbers and had the advantage of being on horses.

The rogue quickly turned towards the smiling woman “You know Bonnie, 4000 is a bit overpriced. That medicine is barely worthed 50 coins and your group wanted to charge 500 for it.” said Viki looking at her.

The woman looked seriously at the rogue “It was our market price… nobody was forcing you to buy it. But then you went behind our back and stole it. It's only natural that the price went up slightly after that”

“Slightly? It’s eight times higher!” exclaimed the rogue.

Bonnie smiled once again mocking her “You knew you would have to pay up eventually, nobody steals from the boss and goes unpunished. If you don’t have the coin, you will come up with the equivalent in goods, work or… Well, I’m sure the boys wouldn’t mind someone like you to pass the time, I know I would,” she licked her lips looking at the rogue in front of her.

Riou was just observing and listening to the interaction, he pulled the food he stored and used the time to nibble on it.

“Enough!” said Elias, walking confidently and joining Herger and Bronach at the center of the discussion. The rest of the Dracar Hunters stayed behind, clearly not so confident and much less eager to participate in such discussions.

“If all it takes to settle this is 4000 coins, I will gladly pay.” said the noble’s son confidently in front of Bonnie.

Bronach brought his palm to his face while Herger sighed deeply looking into the sky. Bonnie, finding it extremely funny, began to look at the young man from head to toe “I don’t see 4000 coins with you, are you hiding it somewhere?”

“Don’t be stupid.” said the young noble turning towards the merchant. “Please master Bronach, pay the woman so we can be on our way. Once we return home I will ask father to repay you.” Bonnie laughed out loud. Bronach looked at Elias and shook his head, he pulled the boy near him and whispered “We don’t have that coin boy and these folks are not the kind that accept collection on a later date either. Be silent for your own good!”

Bonnie looked at her group and shouted “We have a noble’s son here boys, should we take him as well?” the thugs smirked and laughed maliciously, the situation was clearly aggravating.

Riou had finished his breakfast at that point and put his bag down. ‘Elias is definitely complicating things’

Elias got away from Bronach and looked once again at the thug leader “What do you say? Let us go and when I’m back to Brigantium I will personally pay you 5000 coins”

Bonnie looked at him sideways and glanced at Viki’s face before walking towards the young noble with a big smile.

Noticing the noble would start to run his mouth again, she quickly kicked him in the stomach.

“Shut up!” shouted the thug’s leader, clearly the fun and games were over and everyone’s hand suddenly went for their weapons.

‘Damn, I guess I have no choice now, time to earn my coat i guess’

Having an idea, Riou quickly looked down on the ground, searching for small rocks and stones while nobody paid attention to him.

Bonnie continued “We tried to play nice, right boys? But since you want to negotiate so badly. I think we can make a counter proposal. How about we take the thief and this noble here? And then maybe nobody dies” said loudly the woman looking around.

Everyone kept silent.

“Nothing?” she asked “How about we fight then? Here and now and the victor keeps all, the caravan, the girl and the noble... given that they survive of course.” Bonnie smiled while the thugs laughed, they were all starting to get restless and eager to attack.

A loud voice cut down the moment “I have a counter proposal!”

The focus suddenly shifted to the boy that was walking towards the center, approaching them from the side with something in his hand.

3 of the thugs immediately widened their eyes when they saw Riou approaching, they began to shout clearly afraid “That’s him Bonnie! That’s the boy we told you about!”

“Shut up!”

“The blue eyed demon!” said the other one. ”Knives can’t cut him Bonnie!”

“I said, shut up!” Bonnie glanced at them with contempt. From all her thugs there, those three were the worst, the lowest rank of the gang. Nothing but drunkards and mushroom addicts.

Looking back to the boy she continued.

“Is that so? Let me hear it boy. What do you propose?” said Bonnie clearly entertained.

Riou smiled and stepped in front of Bronach and Herger, both looked very concerned at him.

“How about this, you turn around and we forget this ever happened? We go, you go, everyone stays safe and sound.” said Riou glancing at Herger and pointing to Elias on the ground, still trying to recover from the damage. The mercenary quickly understood the hint and grabbed the young noble, pulling him to the back.

Viki watched Riou closely, she couldn’t believe how calm he was despite that bold statement, she couldn’t understand why he would want to anger her at this moment..

The woman shook her head unable to understand that statement. Looking behind and laughing at her men, she continued “In case you haven’t noticed, we have the upper hand here. Why would we leave without getting what we came for?”

The enemy was laughing while Riou’s party looked at him with strange expressions, concerned about what he would say next.

“I see, so you think that’s not a good deal...” said the boy clearly thinking heavily about the proposition.

Bonnie smiled once again “Do you have a better one perhaps?” she said jokingly, mocking the boy.

Riou nodded “I do… how about, you and your thugs leave, forget all about this even and even Viki’s debt”

Bonnie looked back to the group with a face that couldn’t believe her ears, they began to laugh even louder… except 3 of them that began to slowly back up, taking even more distance from the group.

Bronach looked at Riou and whispered concerned “What are you doing boy? Are you crazy?” Riou just lifted his hand towards Bronach to stop him, his eyes never left Bonnie.

The merchant noticed that the boy was serious, he had some kind of plan, but the merchant couldn’t get it yet.

Bonnie quickly turned back to Riou, finding him very funny. “I don’t think we like those options”

“Is that your last word? Don’t blame me afterwards”

She pulled her sword from her belt “What do you think?” she pointed it to Riou. “I don’t think you know how to negotiate, no one would take that deal either.” she said laughing and making fun of him.

Riou shook his head by her remark, clearly disappointed with her response.

“I don’t know, I’d say it was a pretty good trade if you ask me…” he took 5 small stones from a pile he had on his left hand and put them on his right palm.

“What is that? Stones?” said the leader of the thugs, without believing her eyes, she was clearly expecting some kind of expensive item.

“Can you believe an idiot like this exists? He is even dumber than Vinnie!” she said to her men before turning back to Riou

“What are you gonna do with those petty stones, boy? Throw them at us?” she continued laughing at the boy.

Riou calmly smiled at the entertained thug leader.

“Perhaps I was not clear enough. Let me help you to understand it better”

“Pfffft hahahaha! This boy is out of his mind”

Let me know if you change your mind…” the moment he finished his sentence the stones began to float on top of his hand, up and down and from side to side.

Bonnie looked mildly impressed by the magic display “Ho, so what? You are a mage’s apprentice? What’s next you will set them on fire and make a dracar appear out of your ass!?” said the thug’s leader mocking the boy once again.

Without another word from the boy, the 5 stones on his hand completely disappeared without trace.

Bonnie was slightly surprised by it.

But nothing else seemed to have happened and she immediately smiled once again, opening her arms “Was that it? Good trick master mage! But I haven't seen the Dracar yet” the mocking tone continued.

A moment later, 5 distinct sounds followed from behind her. Something heavy hit the ground.

Looking back she saw 5 of her thugs laying down beside their horses. With a quick glance she saw them with open holes in their heads, through and through right between the eyes. The targets were randomly chosen amongst the thugs group.

Riou widened his eyes in surprise but quickly suppressed himself to look unphased by it.

The thugs looked at each other unable to understand what had happened and looked back to Bonnie waiting for an answer.

Bonnie quickly turned back towards Riou, she was more than surprised, clearly trying to make sense of it, after all, she had never seen or heard of a spell like that before. The boy spoke no words, no chants, no gestures, nothing.

Never in her wildest imagination had she thought that such a small boy would be capable of a thing like that.

Before she could regain her wits, Riou was ready with 5 more stones floating on his right hand.

“I just wanted to knock them down… that was way too powerful! Need to put less power into it.”

Viki and the others looked astonished at the bodies in the ground as well. The rogue quickly turned towards Riou, fixed at his necklace with a spark on her eyes ‘So that’s the power of the necklace! No wonder he was so cautious’

Riou was the first to break the silence “Is it still not a good deal?” questioned Riou to the confused thug leader. Before she could reply however, the stones vanished once again. Bonnie this time quickly tried to follow then with her eyes, but they were too fast.

And as she looked behind once again she was just able to see another 5 of her thugs falling off their horses.

She looked back desperately quickly addressing the boy “Stop it! Enough!” she said after losing almost half of her thugs.

Bonnie knew it was pointless to do anything against such a power. It was late, but she finally realized what the boy meant with that deal.

It was not negotiation, it was a threat. She cursed her tongue and regretted not attacking right off the bat as they had the chance.

Riou looked towards Bronach who was in a mix of confusion and awe, he couldn’t believe the boy was a mage.

“I think I’m getting better at making deals.” said Riou, the Merchant looked at him with a large grin in his face “Your arguments were very convincing”

With their numbers greatly reduced, the thug leader stepped back. Noticing the movement, Riou continued “So, do we have a deal?” said the boy looking seriously at the woman with a few more stones floating on his hand.

Bonnie reluctantly nodded.

She looked at Viki with anger.

Riou noticing the animosity quickly added “I’d forget about that if I were you, or did you not accept our deal?” Said the boy calmly.

“No, I do… we have a deal” Bonnie clearly forced to comply slowly nodded and mounted her horse.

“Let’s go!” she said kicking the horse and quickly riding back to Brigantium together with the remaining thugs. They were going fast and clearly dissatisfied.

Riou watched as they left releasing the stones that fell to the ground. A heavy hand smacked his back.

“Boy! What was that? I knew something was off, but a mage?” inquired the mercenary leader not believing his eyes with a joyous tone. “I apologize, I completely misread you as a greenhorn.”

Said Herger excitedly and finally turned to Bronach “You hired this one for a bargain old man, he could have charged 10 times higher!”

Bronach nodded, relieved that the threat had gone “Hah! This boy is full of surprises!”

Riou smiled at them as he noticed another person approaching him from behind. He quickly turned just to be suddenly hugged. He felt smooth skin, a sweet scent of lilies and two very soft breasts pressed against him, very close to his face.

A whisper followed the hug right to his ear “Thank you.” Viki said open heartedly with a smile.

Riou was caught by surprise and sighed at himself. It seemed that he had a soft spot for someone in need. He patted her in the back awkwardly.

Grinning and looking seductively at him, she continued to hold him and whispered to his ear in a lustful tone “What would you want me to do to compensate you?”

The boy quickly leaned back and looked suspiciously at her “You? I would not dare to ask for anything, I’m certain you’d rob me blind at the first opportunity.” he said with a wry smile.

Viki laughed “What if I promised you, it would be worth it” she said looking at him and then glancing at his necklace once again.

Riou shook his head smiling “A simple thank you is more than enough” he said as he distanced a bit more from her.

Viki was clearly smiling despite shaking her head and pouting at him.

The tension on everyone else finally dispersed with Herger breaking the silence “Wake up you lazy bunch! We still have a road to take and we lost too much time already! Pack up, we are moving!”

Herger turned to Riou once again “Hey boy, the thugs left their horses behind, do you want one?” said Herger clearly promoting the boy to a full fledged mercenary. Riou thought about it for a moment. He then glanced at the Dracar Hunters, especially Elias who seemed awfully quiet, sat down near the carriage with a hand on his stomach surrounded by his group.

“I’m not very fond of riding… I’d rather continue inside the carriage, but you can give the horses to the others, it would be good to have some more room in there” he said pointing to Elias' group.

Herger grinned “Sure, I will keep one for you anyway, just in case you change your mind” said the mercenary leader.

“Hey Greenhorns, it’s your lucky day! You will ride with us now, prepare the extra horses!” Shouted once again the mercenary leader to the surprise of the Dracar Hunters.

Riou smiled at the scene. Elias was still a complete fool, but Riou could not help but sympathize with him at some level. Many times in his youth, he fantasized about the life of an adventurer, dreams of excitement and a new world to explore. But now that it actually happened, he came to realize that the reality of it was far from what he dreamt of.

--------------------------

A sinister presence comes into a dark room, the light flickers. The yellow knight was sitting down on his desk, expecting a visitor.

“My Lord Roderick” said Albert, the knight’s personal servant as he entered the room.

The knight waited eagerly for the next words.

“It has arrived my lord.” continued Albert approaching the knight and delivering a vial tightly sealed with wax, cork and many cloths with runes written all over them.

The knight carefully took it in his hands “Such a high price for such a small recipient.”

“Shall we give the order to proceed my lord?” questioned Albert.

“Not right away… the king is too cautious around me or my men and we need someone to blame. We will act as soon as Bhalrom returns. We will take him out of the board altogether with the king and queen. Send the word to prepare, we will act soon” answered the knight without taking his eyes off the vial.

The knight gave the vial back to the servant “Now go, you know what to do.”

----------------------------- A couple weeks down the road

After a few weeks on the road, the caravan had finally arrived at the first Northern city without any other incident.

The merchant spent a whole day negotiating, selling and buying goods in the town and as the night approached they sought refuge in the biggest city inn.

“I’m telling you, never in my life I had such an easy trip like this one… aside from some problems after leaving Brigantium, nothing happened. No signs of wild beasts nor those damn green monsters” said Bronach with a mug in his hand to another merchant that was coming from the north towards Allard.

“That’s unheard off, my caravan lost a couple of men on the way here from Gufa. The wargs were vicious during the night, be careful on your way to Thanes, they are very active these days of summer” advised the merchant.

The inn’s hall was full of people, merchants, warriors, mercenaries, soldiers and townsfolk. Very lively as there were some cord instruments played by musicians to set the ambience.

From the entrance, 3 women walked in and immediately gathered the attention of those nearby. They were looking around with interest, clearly searching for someone.

All three stopped as soon as they locked their gaze on the back of a boy with brown messy hair that was sitting on a chair by the counter, beside a few young nobles.

The 3 strided towards the boy with clear intent.

Feeling uneasy, as if piercing eyes stabbed him from behind, Riou turned around. And to his surprise, he sees Therese, Leona and Eileen walking very quickly in his direction.

“Pffffft” he spat the drink in surprise.

Therese and Leona looked exactly as he first met them, while Eileen had clearly seen better days.

Her pristine training gear and leather armor was no more, she was now wearing another armor on top of her old ones, very similar to the one Leona was wearing, clearly punished and torn.

Riou, at first glance could tell that Eileen had been through a lot. But despite the dirt and battered armor, she continued to move with uncanny grace and elegance.

Noticing Riou's surprise, the group around him turned as well.

A woman with azure eyes was the first to speak as the three stopped in front of the boy.

“Do you know them Riou?” she said quickly leaning towards the boy’s shoulder, putting a hand around him while talking very closely to his ear, her eyes fixed on the three women that approached him.

Her eyes locked with Eileen’s immediately, the rogue smiled.

Leona and Therese turned their heads towards Eileen at the same time, with the same surprised expression. The princess on the other hand, didn’t move a muscle.

Riou nodded acknowledging the question without looking away from the three “So… I guess the swords weren’t good enough?” Said the boy with a wry smile on his face, looking at Eileen not understanding what she was doing there.

The people around them just watched the conversation silently, but with much curiosity.

Therese laid a hand on the sword attached to her belt “I told you that I have searched a long time for the material to craft swords like this. Our parting terms were not the best and you did not fulfill your promise… so I’d say no, these swords are not what we agreed upon, and you can have them back if you will.”

Said the Lioness with asperity to her tone.

Riou looked at Therese. But despite what tone, she seemed calmer than he’d expected her to be in those circumstances.

Something was amiss in all that situation.

“Will you introduce us.” said Eileen politely before he could say anything else.

The princess was still looking at the woman that was beside Riou, she was awfully close to him with an unusual interest.

Taking action once again, the woman barged in “I’m Viki, these bunch here are the notorious Dracar Hunters.” she said eagerly while pointing to the group sitting with them.

While pointing and showing them, she leaned even more towards the boy, stretching her arm around him, making no attempt to avoid touching him. In fact, she made sure to do so as much as she could while watching the reaction from the blond girl.

Riou was clearly bothered by her presence pushing him and was moving away from her whenever he could. But Viki didn’t let him get too far away.

The rogue then addressed her “Pleased to meet you.” she said very politely and in a joyous tone.

Eileen just smiled and nodded greeting her as well. The girls in the Dracar Hunter’s group looked at each other with widened eyes.

Viki was glancing at Riou waiting for him to continue since the blonde clearly wouldn’t do it herself.

Riou sighed, “This is Eileen, Therese and Leona” he stood up getting away from Viki that was completely out of line and clingy that moment. “Let’s get a table, I imagine this is not a coincidence we met here, right?”

“No, it’s definitely not,” said Therese waiting for him to show the way to another table.

------------------------ Eileen Perspective

‘It’s him!’ thought the princess as she saw the back of a boy with messy brown hair and cheap commoner clothes sitting on a chair in a counter. By the speed of Therese and Leona’s steps she knew they too were certain of it.

Didn’t take long for him to turn in their direction, as if predicting they were there.

A sense of accomplishment struck her, she was glad to finally have found him after so long.

But before they could exchange words someone barged in from his side.

“Do you know them Riou?” said a woman with azure eyes, awfully close and clinging to him while wearing very revealing clothing.

Eileen felt something boiling up within her, immediately, she disliked that girl.

“Could you introduce us?” said Eileen to Riou controlling herself not to show any of the animosity she was feeling towards the stranger. She needed to know who that was and why was she so close to him.

“I’m Viki, these bunch here are the notorious Dracar Hunters.” said the woman clearly rubbing her exposed chest area at Riou`s shoulder, deliberately leaning towards him and touching him without any regard.

“Pleased to meet you.” She said very politely and in a joyous tone that Eileen couldn’t stand, instantly, the princess hated that woman’s guts.

But the princess in all her grace and elegance just smiled, subduing the urge to kick that woman away.

Eileen didn’t even notice, but her attention was all consumed by that woman. Such was her animosity towards her that she didn’t even notice the looks of surprise she was receiving from Therese and Leona.

“This is Eileen, Therese and Leona.” said Riou standing up “Let’s get a table, I imagine this is not a coincidence, right?”

Eileen glanced one last time at Viki and nodded at him, politely, giving her and the group her goodbye. As they left the counter the princess smiled as she couldn’t help or avoid a strange sense of relief as he left the side of that clingy woman.

----------------

“Do you know who they were?” Elias questioned the group, they all shook their heads.

“All I know is that the younger blonde girl is gorgeous.” said Isabel looking at Doris.

“The three were beautiful! Did you see their armor and weapons? They must be real adventurers.” said Mark looking at them. “How come they know him?”

“I don’t know, maybe they worked on some job together, like us, we now know him as well. I told you, this trip will be good for our reputation.” replied Elias.

“Well, you didn’t like him at first Elias, it was only after he saved you from the thugs that you began to treat him better.” said Doris, mocking her friend.

“An honest mistake… I thought he was just a commoner’s kid”

They continued talking while Viki watched Riou and the three from afar.

------------------------ At the table

As they moved to the table, Riou requested the tavern owner to get them food and drinks.

“So, what happened to you Eileen? Why are you here?.” said Riou, very curious as to why she was so battered.

Leona smiled but kept quiet.

Riou, noticing the wolf's reaction, looked at Therese as well.

“Her father allowed her to come. She is now studying under me while we travel. Her aspect is a consequence of her training.”

Riou was surprised “Wow, so you are her new master? That’s great! Right Eileen?”

“We followed your trail and used the opportunity to train Eileen in the process” answered Therese nonchalantly.

“She started slow, but now she is in charge of taking care of every beast, monster or bandit we find along the way.” added Leona smiling.

Riou was surprised “Seems like she fought nonstop… We on the other hand found nothing on the way here, not a single beast or monster, just a few thugs” said Riou.

“Beasts and monsters have a very keen instinct. If someone like you is not hiding your presence, the majority of them will flee at the moment they sense the danger” said Therese plainly to Riou’s confusion.

“And if you travel in small numbers with your presence hidden, they will show up very frequently” added Leona.

‘Someone like me? Presence’ Riou was still trying to understand Therese’s comment.

The food arrived on the table was a plate with many pieces of boar meat. A full boar chopped in pieces and some stinky cheese and bread on the side.

Riou remembered the custom Syldis had taught him and waited for Therese as a signal of respect.

While waiting he asked. “About the swords. You could have melted these two and made whatever weapon you wanted” said the boy.

Therese sighed and put the sword on the table.

“When I met Eileen and Syldis, right after you left. I got these swords from here and something bothered me. I didn’t understand it at the time” said Therese looking at the sword.

Riou wasn’t understanding where she was going with that.

“There was this boy that appeared out of nowhere and suddenly, this rare metal appeared in Allard.”

Therese changed her focus to Riou. “Then we talked with Eileen, she told us a good lot about you and more questions began to rise.”

Riou looked at Eileen, but she remained quiet.

It was no secret, but by the way Therese put it. It looked like the princess spoke a lot about him while traveling with Therese.

“So I came to a conclusion that you simply don’t see value in these swords,” she said pointing to them on top of the table. “Which can only mean one thing.”

“Which would be?” he asked.

“That you know how to make or find even better ones than these”

Riou smiled. “Don’t you think you are overestimating me too much? I’m just a small boy after all”

She squinted her eyes at him “It’s a possibility, but the evidence on the contrary is overwhelming. I’m not even certain you are a small boy anymore” replied the Lioness bluntly.

He smirked and leaned back on the chair “Why do you even need better weapons? Aren’t you already considered one of the best fighters there is?”

Leona and Eileen looked down and away. Noticing their reaction Riou swallowed hard.

“There are barriers that skill and technique alone can’t overcome. I need a weapon that can withstand a mighty sword that destroys everything it touches. I need to be able to fight back at equal terms to that, if I ever want a chance to win”

Riou looked at her kind of understanding where she was going at “mighty sword?” he questioned

Therese

“My clan leader, he is a very skillful warrior and was gifted a magical sword that can cut through anything, no one could ever win against him while he holds that weapon”

“How did he get it?” Asked the boy with curiosity.

“One day he showed up with it, he said it was a gift, a reward for his superior skill” Said Therese clearly saddened by the memory.

Riou sighed “Ok, I will be honest with you… I may know a thing or two about how to make even better weapons… Maybe. But I don’t have the materials, nor I know where to find them. And that’s the whole truth.”

Therese smiled at herself. Her senses were right all along about that boy. It was a wise decision to go after him after all.

“Maybe The great magus could help?” asked Eileen, wanting to help Therese.

“He knows a lot about minerals and other stuff, he might be able to help...” Riou paused a moment before continuing “There is another thing that is really bothering me...”

Riou looked down at the food getting cold in front of them.

“Do you guys always take this long to start eating?” He looked at the three, he was clearly hungry and didn’t want to wait anymore.

“I must wait for my master as she is stronger than me.” Replied Leona while Eileen nodded in agreement.

Riou looked at Therese, “So? What are you waiting for?”

“You” replied the lioness bluntly once again, as if it was no secret.

Eileen blinked a couple times and shook her head trying to wrap it around that statement. Even so, the princess seemed very doubtful of that remark.

Despite being more used to the thought that Riou was stronger than she had previously imagined, he couldn’t possibly be stronger than Therese. In Eileen’s mind there was no way that was possible.

And since Even Riou was surprised by that. She felt more at ease.

“How can you be so certain?” he asked. Eileen nodded vehemently, agreeing completely with his question.

“It’s just what my senses told me, also, you are not very good at concealing yourself, especially when angry. The fact that the beasts and monsters of this region were avoiding the caravan is proof enough of that.” said Therese plainly

Riou’s head went down in defeat “Fine, so it’s my fault the food is getting cold.” He said taking a piece and putting it in his plate

“I was just trying to be polite, you know? And please, if you intend to travel with me, could you stop doing that? People that know the customs will expect you to go first. It might pass the wrong idea... they might get angry at me. So can you do that?”

“No.” Therese replied while serving herself followed by Leona and then Eileen.

Riou just sighed ‘I knew these two would be trouble” he sighed.

“So you know why I’m going to Thanes and you wish to come with me so we can make those weapons… correct? I kinda have a contract with the merchant here that I will have to...” before Riou could continue the three nodded in agreement before he could propose any other option.

“We will stay as well, Eileen can use the time to train during the trip” replied Therese.

Riou sighed imagining they would say something like that and thought it would be polite to request permission from Bronach..

After the meal was done Riou went towards Bronach and Herger while the three waited on the table.

“Hey old man, do you mind if we get 3 more for the road? Some friends of mine found me here and want to go to Thanes with me now, but since we had a deal, they would be tagging along, is that ok?” questioned Riou.

“If I don’t have to pay for them, I see no problem with it, what do you say Herger?” said the merchant looking at the mercenary seated near him.

“I don’t see any harm in it either, the boy can surely look after his friends if something happens.” replied unconcerned the mercenary leader.

Riou nodded in agreement and began his way back to the table. In the middle of the way, Viki immediately approached him.

“So, what’s the deal with these beauties?” said Viki pointing to Eileen who clearly noticed the rogue talking to Riou.

Riou smiled “I’d say it’s none of your business, don’t you think?”

Viki squinted her eyes and smiled back, “Don’t be like that, now that I thought we were getting along so well.” she said slithering to his side with a hand in his shoulder as she approached his face.

Riou looked at her hand and then at her face once again, “You are unexpectedly clingy today… I’d told you already, this necklace is worthless, so you can stop with these cheap tricks, it’s not going to work.”

Viki pouted at him, “If it’s worthless why don’t you even let me hold it for a moment, so I can see it’s magic?” she said, reaching for the necklace once again.

“Not going to happen, what if it stops working if I take it off, I can’t risk it” He quickly answered dismissing the conversation and dodging her attempt to grab the necklace. She looked mad at Riou for a moment before glancing over the table, checking if Eileen was still watching them.

“Well…” she said while smiling at Riou, “Maybe someday you will trust me enough to let me handle your… things.” she slithered to his other side while looking at Eileen with the corner of her eyes and a vile smile, she knew the blonde’s eyes were watchful for her every move since their first conversation.

Viki was very entertained, finally leaving and going back to her seat.

Getting back to the table Riou announced that all was set with the caravan.

“Well, we will leave tomorrow morning so I will be going to my room and…” Therese immediately stood up, followed by Leona and Eileen a moment after. Riou observed their action trying to figure out what they were doing.

Therese walked a few steps in front of him, “Are you coming? Show us the way”

Riou found her actions to be very strange, she was clearly up to something, again. He calmed himself and stood up, going towards his room followed by them.

Once they arrived, he opened the door and walked inside, Therese stepped in without reservations and glanced over the room as if measuring it.

She quickly turned back and went to talk to Leona before going back to the main hall.

Riou watched suspiciously. Leona and Eileen were nearby, the wolf immediately stood by the door of his room.

Finding it very strange, he looked at Eileen for an answer, but the princess was as confused as he was.

Few moments later the staff of the tavern showed up with Therese and without notice began to take beds from the next room, pushing them over and clearly intending to put them in Riou's room.

The boy looked without believing it at the Lioness “Do you all intend to sleep here as well?”

Therese nodded while observing the staff taking the beds from the room nearby, “ I can’t take my eyes off you, last time I did you vanished, I’m not taking chances now” she said while watching the staff at work.

“No, no, no,” said Riou, quickly stepping out to block the beds and to talk with her. Leona took the opportunity to slip inside the room and immediately began to make room for the extra beds there.

Noticing that, Riou pointed at her and shook his finger from side to side “No,no, no! Oh, come one now, there’s no need for this.”

“It’s cheaper if we all use the same room, I don’t see a problem with it,” answered Therese as the first bed was coming out of the next room and ready to go into his room.

“It’s not a problem, it’s just…” Riou looked at Eileen as if pleading for help.

Eileen smiled thinking the situation was all too funny before addressing Therese “What Riou means is just that in these lands it’s a good practice that the women and men don’t sleep together in the same room when they are not married. It’s to preserve their honor.”

“But he is a boy, not a man” Said Therese blatantly.

Riou felt a stab in his chest, a great hit at his pride and masculinity.

“Even so, it’s not well seen by others” Added Eileen.

“I didn’t know of such a custom.” answered the Lioness to the princess while pondering “Very well, we will be in the next room then. But you give your word to not disappear? You better not run again… I’m depending on you for that weapon” said Therese honestly and very openly to him.

Riou nodded very seriously “I give you my word. I won’t go anywhere”

Therese nodded satisfied, she ordered the staff members to put the beds back where they belong as they would be taking the room next to his.

He sighed in relief and looked at Eileen “Thanks for the help”

She smiled at him “You learn a thing or two about the Lioness after spending some time with her, it gets easier after a while.” said the princess stopping in front of Riou. “Now that I think of it, it’s been couple weeks since we last spoke, but so much happened since then”

“I bet it has been difficult for you to handle Therese alone. Since I laid eyes on her I knew she would be hard to deal with. But I'm glad you found each other, you look much happier now. Maybe tomorrow we can talk more and...”

Eileen smiled and pointed at Leona inside his room.

Riou looked behind and noticed that Leona had rearranged the table and the chairs. She was clearly waiting for everyone to gather there

Therese entered the room once again. “It’s all settled, now we can properly talk”

Riou looked at Eileen who just smiled, she was already used to Therese’s way. It was late but they clearly didn’t intend to leave him alone anytime soon.