“Bryn!”

Jumping to her feet, Lucinda wrapped the dark-haired woman in a side-on hug, while taking some care to not spill the drinks she held.

“Lucinda,” Bryn replied smilingly. “Fancy meeting you here.”

Lucinda hastily returned to her seat to clear away her book and move her staff out of the way, allowing Bryn to sit down just around the corner of the square table, and then push one of the two mugs across the wooden surface in Lucinda’s direction.

“You’re looking surprisingly… buoyant.”

“Things have been hard after Malart…” she admitted, responding somewhat glumly to the obvious pause in the other woman’s words. Her mood then improved as she donned a fresh smile. “But today has been a great day!”

“Mmm,” Bryn replied around a playful smile of her own. “I can see that. Would that nice girl I delivered my note to have something to do with that?”

Lucinda’s cheeks flushed lightly. “… How did you know I was here? And that I was with Varmia?”

“So that’s her name?” Bryn held Lucinda’s gaze briefly before continuing. “How about I agree to tell you if you agree to drink with me?”

“I thought I’d already agreed by being here like you asked?”

As Bryn revealed she had no intention of responding to the question with anything other than more intense smiling, Lucinda decided to accept more formally by taking a sip of her provided drink. She was not surprised by the sweet flavours she found within, for the familiar aroma had already given away most everything about it.

“As good as I remember,” she said. “Thanks!”

“Then you’ll also remember there’s plenty more where that came from.”

“Your purse is still as large?”

Bryn laughed loudly, halting an attempt at drinking from her own mug. “That again, huh?”

“Sorry… I thought it was only fair after the greeting you chose.”

“Well, you’re not wrong, but then neither was my compliment.”

All too aware of the redness on her cheeks, Lucinda hastily took another sip of her drink. Part of her had believed things might be different compared to last time, yet Bryn had already begun proving her wrong. It didn’t help that while the woman’s past shoulder-length hair, pale brown eyes, pretty face, and athletic armour-clad body, were exactly as she recalled, the overall result they formed was suddenly far easier to appreciate.

“You met Lady Oppipillly?” Bryn asked.

“Kind of. We didn’t speak much. You know her?”

“You could say that. She was in my father’s group a long time ago. They might even have been lovers, though she’s never admitted to it.”

“Your father was an adventurer?”

“He was! A famous one at that. My mother – and maybe Oppipilly – were far from the only women he bedded, that’s for sure.”

“I didn’t realise that was what being a famous adventurer was all about.”

“For men, you bet it is.” Bryn’s smile widened as she locked eyes with Lucinda. “Us girls are a bit more choosy though, don’t you think?”

“Ah… I guess so.” Lucinda hastily busied herself with her drink as her cheeks flushed brighter. A slow, calming sip later, she said, “She told you I was here?”

“You remember what I said when we parted ways? Something about hunting you down?”

The memory of that conversation appeared in Lucinda’s mind without difficulty, but brought with it another, slightly earlier memory. One of a far more intimate nature.

“Well, I meant it,” Bryn continued. “But I was planning on cheating from the get-go. I sent her a letter asking her to keep an eye out for you. So, yes, she told me you were here.”

“It must be handy knowing the guild master.”

Bryn laughed. “She’s ignored more than one of my letters.”

“What about Varmia?”

“Well, story time: It’s been quite a while since I last came to Basarl, so after arriving yesterday morning, I left my party behind and went exploring. But, my exploring got sort of sidetracked not long after it started, when I stumbled upon this cute girl in a pretty dress.”

“You stalked her?”

“Hey, I didn’t say that! I just… took an interest in her. Wanted to see if she was with anyone; save myself some trouble before I started… chatting with her.”

“Chatting? Or do you mean getting her tipsy and then kissing her?”

The mug Bryn had been about to drink from slammed back onto the table as she burst out into laughter. “How did I ever think you were shy?” She shook her head ruefully. “It does usually start with chatting though.”

The pointed look Bryn sent Lucinda’s way was obvious in its underlying meaning.

“So, a bit of observing later I realised she was alone, and that she wasn’t exactly thrilled at being there. At first, I thought it was nerves from being out on her own, but after watching her a bit more…”

“That sounds like stalking to me.”

Bryn smiled but continued without pause. “… I realised she was uncomfortable in that way only certain people are. In other words, a Druid. From there it was easy to piece together. Which is why I approached her when I saw her later that day and gave her the note.”

“And flirted with her outrageously?”

“She said that did she? I suppose that might have happened too.” There was no hint of embarrassment on Bryn’s face as she made her admission. “Sometimes I just can’t help myself. Cute girls are a real weakness of mine. My only one, really.” Shooting an unmissable wink in Lucinda’s direction, Bryn abruptly stood. “I’ll get us another round.”

Suddenly alone at her table once more, Lucinda began trying to calm herself down with several slow breaths. That she was more amenable to Bryn’s interest than ever before was impossible to deny; yet, allowing anything of that nature to happen so soon after her time with Varmia was not something she felt particularly comfortable with.

“Here we are,” Bryn announced, plonking a fresh mug down on the table in front of Lucinda.

“Thanks.”

“I like what you’ve done with your hair by the way,” the Archer woman announced as she retook her seat. “Something you picked up in your travels?”

“Oh. Yes.” Lucinda idly caressed the small bun her concealed dagger was poking through. “It was a lot fancier yesterday, but… umm, it ended up like this today.”

“I see.” Bryn smirked knowingly as she sipped at her drink. “And the earrings? They’re lovely too.”

Lucinda’s embarrassment at possibly having revealed too much evaporated as a grin took over. “You don’t miss anything.”

“Well, Archers don’t get any fancy magic abilities, but we have to be good at something still. Plus, it’s a bit hard to shoot things you can’t see.”

A giggled burst forth from Lucinda’s lips. “I guess so.”

“So, as much as I’d love to chat with you all afternoon and beyond. It’s probably time we moved onto the offer I made.”

“Ah, okay… I’ve been thinking about it a lot…”

A desire to trail off and leave Bryn hanging proved too much for Lucinda to resist. She adopted a serious expression as her eyes fixated on a random point on the wall opposite her. Then she helped herself to a sip of her drink, resumed her imaginary pondering once again, and then moved to take another sip.

Bryn’s hands landed upon the mug Lucinda had been intending to lift to her lips. “You’re going to say, yes,” the Archer said around an amused smile.

“Am I?”

Releasing her grip, Bryn sat back and cocked one eyebrow. Her expression was one of utter confidence.

“Okay… Maybe you’re right,” Lucinda admitted at last, barely managing to suppress more giggles as she did. “I would like to join your group, if you’ll have me.”

Despite her claim of already knowing Lucinda’s answer, a brilliant smile spread across Bryn’s face as the acceptance was vocalised.

“You won’t regret this,” she said. “We’ll have to go through some introductory things, but once that’s dealt with we’ll be able to enjoy ourselves properly! You’re going to love it!”

“Ah, I do have questions…”

“Don’t worry about that now,” Bryn interrupted. “I’ll introduce you to the party first. Then after that, I’d much rather hear about what you’ve been up to over more drinks. Questions and that can wait until tomorrow, okay?”

“Umm, sure. That sounds fine.”

“Great!” Bryn rose to her feet sharply. Lucinda was part way to following before she was interrupted. “I’ll bring them over. They’re both nice, I’m sure you’ll like them.”

Lucinda just managed to nod a reply before the Archer woman departed. A faint tinge of nerves made itself known in her stomach as she considered both what she had agreed to, and what the rest of Bryn’s group might be like; however, barely a handful of seconds later two men appeared at the table.

“Take a seat and introduce yourselves, guys,” Bryn said as she sat back down in the same spot as before.

A brief once over of both men triggered some recognition in Lucinda; the stocky bald man especially. However, it was the blonde-haired man that spoke first.

“Lucinda, an absolute pleasure to meet you. I am Etmer, the most dashing Paladin of Jalavot found hereabouts.”

Lucinda took and shook the hand that the man offered. She was not sure whether to take his boast at face value; his smile seemed to imply some hint of humour, but his obvious good looks lent some weight to his words. Smiling into his handsome face, she was somewhat surprised when the piercing blue eyes that met hers did not send a jolt of electricity through as she might have expected.

He’s just like the Paladins in the stories! But is he as charming?

“It’s nice to meet you,” she replied somewhat distractedly.

“I must say,” Etmer continued, “I am dismayed that Bryn made no mention of your staggering beauty…”

“Etmer…” Bryn said in a near growl.

Seeing and hearing the obvious annoyance of the Archer woman, Lucinda couldn’t help but make things worse.

“Thank you,” she replied to the Paladin’s compliment. “That means a lot coming from someone so… dashing.”

The narrowing of Bryn’s eyes and the hint of a smile that came with it proved to be a rewarding sight. However, as her hand was once again picked up by the handsome blonde man and subsequently brought to his lips, it was Lucinda’s turn to be dismayed.

“Do not mention it, my dear,” Etmer said as he released the hand he held. “I see a long and productive partnership awaiting us ahead. One filled with…”

“Thank you, Etmer,” Bryn interrupted. “What have I said about trying to woo new members?”

“That only you’re allowed to do it?” the bald man replied, before flashing a smile at Lucinda and holding out one hand. “Name’s Trime. A plain old Rogue and nothing more.”

Lucinda was forced to agree with the leather-wearing man’s statement. Other than the shiny baldness atop his head, there was little else to be said about his physical features. He really was plain, and also surprisingly old when compared to the other two members.

“Nice to meet you,” she replied as she shook his hand. “Is that really true?” she continued in a hushed voice, while shooting a sidelong glance at Bryn.

“Seems that way at times,” the Rogue replied in his gravelly voice. “‘Course, it might just be her habit of trying to recruit attractive young lasses such as yourself.”

“If that was true,” Bryn said, “I wouldn’t have ended up with either of you!”

“I did say, trying.”

Covering her mouth as she giggled at the short exchange, Lucinda was already feeling relieved. Her fears as to how the meeting might have played out suddenly seemed foolhardy at best.

“We got an initiation mission planned for her?” Trime asked.

“Nothing too onerous I pray,” Etmer said. “To put such a beauty in danger would be…”

“Etmer…” Bryn interrupted warningly. “She is not a delicate flower, and don’t even think of trying to treat her like one.”

“I was…”

“I appreciate the thought,” Lucinda interrupted, offering the Paladin a friendly smile. “But I can fight.”

“…Of course,” Etmer replied. “Please accept my apologies. However, I hope you will not hold it against me if I do everything within my power to prevent harm from coming to you?”

“I think I can live with that.”

“That’s lucky,” Trime said. “We pretty much only bring him along for that anyway.”

“Now that’s true,” Bryn agreed. “Well, there’ll be plenty more time for everyone to get to know each other starting tomorrow. If you two could excuse us, we have more girl talk to attend to. Right, Lucinda?”

Girl talk, she says? I wonder about that…

“Umm, sure,” Lucinda replied.

“Alas, Etmer,” Trime said as he climbed to his feet, slapping one meaty hand on the Paladin’s shoulder. “We’ve been bloody well disowned again. Maybe it’s time for that mutiny after all?”

“I fear you may have the right of it, friend,” the tall, blonde-haired man replied. “When would suit you best?”

Lucinda struggled to hold in laughter as Bryn’s expression turned stormy.

“Tomorrow?” Trime replied as he steered his partner in potential crime away from the table.

“Apologies, but I have a date with a delightful young woman scheduled already. Mayhaps the day after?”

As the two men’s continuing conversation dwindled out of earshot, Lucinda’s laughter finally burst forth. It persisted for long enough that she found only amusement awaiting her in Bryn’s expression when she had finally recovered.

“They do seem nice,” Lucinda said.

“Just watch out for Etmer, he’ll keep trying to worm his way into your bed now that you’ve encouraged him.”

Bryn’s words were faintly admonishing despite the smile she held.

“I was only being friendly,” Lucinda teased. “But he is quite handsome.”

“So that’s it, huh? Even though you can bet he’ll discard you the very next day when he spots a new skirt to chase?”

Lucinda giggled at the image evoked by the Archer’s words. “Okay… Maybe not. It’s weird though. I’d always hoped I’d be swept off my feet by someone like him. An incredibly handsome Paladin with shining blonde hair and bulging muscles…”

“Bulging might be going a bit far, but otherwise, yes. A nice smile too, according to some.”

“…It just doesn’t seem quite so… tempting, any more.”

“Mmm, would that be a recent change? A sudden realisation that there are other pleasures to be found in life?”

The intense stare that joined Bryn’s words only served to inflame Lucinda’s cheeks further.

Should I tell her? Let her know what drinking with her led to…? Ah, would I still have said yes to Varm otherwise?

“I think it might have been recent…”

“So, why don’t we trade stories and I’ll see if I can help you puzzle out what caused it? Over more drinks, of course.”

A small wave of butterflies appeared in Lucinda’s stomach, but she still smiled at the suggestion.

“Did you win anything at the guild award ceremony?”

Bryn grinned and stood up from her seat. “Be right back.”

Despite the many exciting experiences Lucinda had lived through in recent weeks, her conversation partner soon revealed that, in terms of frequency, she still had her beat. Lucinda almost had trouble believing just how many missions Bryn and her group had undertaken since their last meeting, especially with the trip to and from Oradas having taken up several days. But with how engaging the Archer’s storytelling was, it simply made for a more entertaining evening. Of course, Lucinda herself had some interesting tales to share too.

“A dragon?” Bryn asked sceptically. “As in, a big scaly beast with wings and a tail that likes to eat people?”

“Yep,” Lucinda replied, her pleased grin exceptionally wide.

“You met one?”

“Yep.”

“…You know all my stories are real, right?”

“I never doubted it. And mine is too!”

A frown lingered on Bryn’s face as she peered suspiciously into Lucinda’s eyes. As the seconds passed by, Lucinda grew worried as the doubt remained. Admitting to the gift that could easily demonstrate the truth behind her words was the obvious choice, but with her class still unrevealed, was not an easy decision to make.

“I… have proof.”

“Uh-huh…”

“I do!” Lucinda exclaimed. “I…” Glancing about the tavern to see how private their conversation truly was, she then leaned forwards and whispered into Bryn’s ear. “He gave me a dragonling shapeshift.”

“Gave you…?” Bryn’s disbelief had diminished somewhat, leaving ample confusion in its place. “That’s not how Druids usually…?”

“Umm, no, not really. I think it’s special somehow.”

I really need to tell her… Soon…

“So… You’ll demonstrate that for me later? Mmm, I did say we’d keep questions and stuff until tomorrow, but you are staying here tonight, right? No… attachments demanding you be elsewhere?”

“Oh, no… I’ll be staying.”

Bryn’s expression shifted to a straightforward smile. “Great. That never really works out for adventurers. It’s either flings, or if you’re really lucky…” Bryn’s smile grew noticeably. “Someone you’re travelling with.”

“…Doesn’t that, umm, cause problems sometimes?”

“I suppose it can. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth trying!”

The gentle reprieve Lucinda’s cheeks had been enjoying ended abruptly as more heat blossomed into view.

“But, hey,” Bryn continued, “putting my endless flirtations aside for a sec. I’m not trying to pressure you. You hear rumours from time to time of groups that force new members to… please their more powerful peers. We are not like that. Okay?”

“I didn’t think otherwise,” Lucinda replied, her smile warm. It faltered as she considered the troubling titbit further. “But… do groups really do that?”

“I don’t know of any outside rumours. I can believe it though; it makes a sick sort of sense. Signing up with a powerful group can really boost your own strength if they make it a priority. But it has to be worth it for them, and that’s one way to make it that way. Best to hope it’s consensual if it does really exist.”

“Ah, yeah…”

“So that’s enough of that!” Bryn announced sharply. “What other stories do you have for me? Oh, you’ll show me that ‘gift’ in one of the bunks later?” The request would have been fairly innocuous if not for the sudden wink that followed. “You won’t have to worry about privacy. The heavy curtains are quite effective at keeping out prying eyes… and keeping in noises.”

She just doesn’t stop… Ah, do I actually want her to?

“Aren’t you worried you might be too drunk by then?”

Bryn laughed loudly. “Aren’t you? You might have some poison resistance, but I’ve been drinking like this since before I even got my class! Maybe some food wouldn’t hurt though, you hungry?”

“Yes… But I can pa…”

“Nope, not today,” Bryn’s hand caught Lucinda’s arm before it could dive into her pack in search of any coin. “It’s all my treat. I insist.”

The other woman’s expression left no room for argument, but plenty for a thankful smile. “…Food would be good.”

“I love her,” Lucinda said, eyeing the rapidly dwindling honey-flavoured mead within her mug. “Even though it’s been tough at times.”

“I think I can guess why,” Bryn replied. “But I bet you don’t regret choosing her?”

“No! Not at all! She’s wonderful. Beautiful, fun, great for cuddling… She always knows what’s on my mind too.”

“You’re making me jealous.” Bryn grinned as she downed the last of her drink. “Shame you didn’t invite her in.”

“Mmm, I didn’t think she’d be welcome here… She’s still a bit wild in some ways. It took several days just to get her to stop pooping indoors!”

The older woman burst out into laughter. “Well, I’m glad you got there in the end. Really glad, in fact. Having her scout for us will be invaluable. Having her not leaving bird poop everywhere, even better.”

“She’ll be happy to help. Even if I have a hard time sending her into danger…”

“Don’t worry about that! She’ll be treated like a full member. I promise.”

“Thanks, Bryn. That really means a lot to me.”

“I thought it might.” Bryn winked playfully. “So how about a last round before we call it a day?”

“Sure! Fill her up!” Lucinda fell into a fit of giggles as she held her empty mug aloft.

“I’ll have to leave that to Etmer if that’s really what you want,” Bryn said, making Lucinda’s giggling fit worse still.

“Not Trime?”

“You want both!? I had no idea you were like that, Lucinda!”

Lucinda’s giggling grew ever louder.

“There was me thinking you were this, mostly, prim and proper ex-Cleric – if a decidedly cute one at that. But now I see how wrong I was…”

“Really?” Lucinda managed between giggles.

“Yes! Now I’m thinking you’d be better off sleeping on the floor of the men’s dorm… Naked!”

Lucinda’s face flushed bright red at the idea, but her giggling only became more intense than ever. Doubling over onto the table, she buried her head into one arm as she tried to muffle her volume; heedless of the mug she knocked over in the process.

With the help of a small, but firm hand patting her back, Lucinda gradually recovered from the intense ordeal. Sitting up in her seat again, she wiped away the tears her mirth had produced and smiled brightly at Bryn.

“I think I made the right choice already,” she said.

“Don’t speak too soon now. I might turn out to be a real slave driver.”

“Mmm… At least you’d be a pretty slave driver!”

“What? Not even a ‘kind of’? Maybe we should skip that last round…”

“I can take it! It may not look like it, but I can! Oh…” A new spurt of giggles escaped Lucinda’s lips. “That’s what my mentor said when…”

“Woah-ho!” Bryn interrupted, pushing Lucinda’s giggling up a notch. “Okay, you are way past tipsy… I’ll get you a water, and you better stay right there until I get back!”

“Aww, but leader…!”

“No buts! And it’s ‘Boss’ not ‘Leader.’ Don’t you forget it!”

Lucinda giggled again. “Yes, Boss!”

The woman’s dorm within the guild was a reasonably sized room that contained a large number of double bunk beds, each with a matching curtain, and a comfortable amount of space between them and their neighbours. In the far corner from the door, tucked behind a three-quarter height wall, a series of wash basins were also available for use. The only other feature the dorm possessed was a strange wobbly quality, though Lucinda was fairly sure it wasn’t normally like that.

“I think Waffles was right…” Lucinda said as Bryn helped her to an empty bunk. “Getting drunk can be fun… And one day I won’t be able to…”

“A small price to pay for amazing magical powers?”

“Yes! Like Yalia… Boom!” Their unsteady journey halted as a fit of fresh giggles struck Lucinda.

“So much for that poison resistance…” Bryn muttered. “Come on, let me help you into bed. I bet you’ll need a hand with that armour too.”

“I can manage!” A few clumsy attempts at undoing even the simple straps on her chest armour proved how wrong Lucinda’s claim was. A realisation that brought ever more giggling with it. “…This is your fault!”

“It is,” Bryn agreed with an amused smile. “But at least I know your limits for next time. Hold still and I’ll help.”

“Yes, Boss…”

Bryn sighed quietly as she began undoing Lucinda’s straps. “That was only a joke you know. My name would be better.”

Biting her lip, Lucinda asked, “…you mean you’re not going to make me please you?” She managed barely a second of feigned disappointment before more giggling took over.

The older woman locked eyes with her and smiled. “Definitely not while you’re this drunk, that’s for sure.”

With the help of a mostly steady pair of hands, the several pieces that comprised Lucinda’s armour were soon tucked away in a sturdy box beneath the bottom bunk she had been assigned to. With that done, a gentle nudge towards the soft mattress was all it took for her to collapse onto it with a weary sigh.

“Sleep well, Lucinda,” Bryn said as she drew the curtain around the bed shut.

“Night…” Lucinda mumbled as sleep rushed up to claim her.

The warmth from a pair of slender arms encompassing her waist was a welcome feeling for Lucinda’s waking mind. At least until her wakefulness reached the point where she could determine they could not belong to a certain young Druidess.

Lucinda’s eyes shot open to find a slumbering Archer beside her in the simple guild bunk she had fallen asleep upon. That the older woman wore a loose shirt and some simple underwear, didn’t entirely preclude the starting conclusion the situation seemed to point to.

Ah, crap… Did I… Did we…?

Trying to recall events from the previous night proved troublesome, swiftly leading Lucinda into intense feelings of guilt.

Dammit… I shouldn’t have agreed to those drinks! What kind of person sleeps with two people in one day!?

A few moments more of fretting passed by before Lucinda began carefully extracting herself from the firm grip that held her. She managed to remove one arm before a sudden jolt announced the failure of her stealthy attempts.

“Ugh…” Bryn groaned as she came awake. The position of her arm soon alerted her to the apparent situation. “Ah… Who…? Oh.”

Lucinda froze as Bryn’s eyes locked with hers. It was a particularly awkward moment – at least for her.

“Morning,” Bryn said as she casually retracted her lingering arm. “Slept okay?”

“Ah…!”

Bryn suddenly burst out into laughter, halting Lucinda’s worried complaint in its tracks, while summoning a deep frown in its place.

“It’s not what you think,” Bryn continued as she gained control of her outburst. “You remember what I said about noise? Well, it’s not quite true for the upper bunk of a pair.”

“Okay…?”

“You woke me up with some dreadful moaning, and being such a responsible group leader I had no choice but to help you out with a bit of physical comfort.”

“… I don’t remember anything.”

“Not surprising. I don’t think you actually woke up. But after being forced down a few times, I must have ended up falling asleep here. Sorry.”

“Ah… No, I should be saying that.” Lucinda’s worry fled in an instant, though her guilt remained – if for a different reason. “It’s…”

“Hey,” Bryn interrupted with a warm smile. “Bad dreams are to be expected, a lot of us lost people that day. But this was just one friend helping another. Maybe Marrow should take over for next time though?”

Lucinda’s own smile emerged. “That might be best…” she agreed.

“We better get moving. Otherwise we’ll just be giving the guys another excuse to complain about women and lateness!”

“That would be a shame.”

“Especially as I’d have to then beat some sense into them.” A sudden grin spread across the Archer’s face. “…Last one up buys breakfast!”

Bryn vaulted out of the bed as soon as her words were delivered.

“…What!? Wait!”

“’Bout time you two showed up,” Trime greeted as Lucinda and Bryn approached the table he sat at. “Had a nice lie in did you? The sort that might garner complaints from some of the other less…”

“My friend,” Etmer interrupted. “You do our fair female compatriots a disservice with your insinuations.” He turned a dazzling smile upon Lucinda. “I, for one, completely understand the need for a healthy dose of beauty sleep.”

“Oh, knock it off would you?” Bryn replied grumpily as she sat down. “We stayed up too late drinking and that’s it.”

“Too much drinking…” Lucinda added as she sat beside Bryn. “But I’m looking forward to today all the same!”

Trime shot a smile in Lucinda’s direction. “That’s an attitude I can respect. Forget my crudeness, I was only having a laugh. I do have a bit of a foul mouth though, as you’ll learn soon enough.”

“I hope my delicate ears will survive.”

“Bryn’s just as bad, so probably not.”

“Hey, I resent that,” the woman in question retorted.

“My dear,” Etmer said to Lucinda. “I fear you will be subjected to all manner of vulgarity among these two. Perhaps a nice quiet…”

“Etmer!” Bryn interrupted. “Get us some food. …And stop that.”

The dejected look that appeared on the Paladin’s face pushed Lucinda into a quiet stint of giggling; marred ever so slightly by a small amount of guilt.

Rising from the table, Etmer bowed gracefully. “If you’ll excuse me.”

“I did warn you,” Bryn told Lucinda once the blonde-haired man was out of earshot.

“You did,” Lucinda agreed. “I don’t mind. I’m still trying to figure out why it’s not as charming as it should be…”

“Looks like you’ll be getting plenty of time for that,” Trime said. “Poor bloke’s smitten.”

“He’s always smitten with someone,” Bryn replied. “I give it a day tops before the facade falls.”

“The facade?” Lucinda asked curiously.

Trime opened his mouth to respond but was cut short by Bryn’s raised hand.

“Let her see for herself.”

“Fair enough,” Trime said. “How about a wager then? I’ll go for two.”

“You’ve got yourself a deal. Usual amount?”

“Looking forward to it.”

Though Lucinda had no clear understanding of the wager’s purpose, she found plenty of amusement in it regardless. Along with her continually mounting excitement for the day, her mood was firmly in the positive, and only improved further as a sudden topic shift occurred shortly after Etmer’s return with bread and broth.

“What’s this mission then?” Trime asked. “Saving a town from giants? A bloody incursion into monster-infested lands? Maybe a duel with an evil Wizard atop a windy tower?”

“Those sounds like fun,” Lucinda replied. “Can we do all three?”

“It does involve a tower,” Bryn said, taking a moment to meet Lucinda’s smile. “But I’m sure you’ll be amazed to learn it’s not going to be a very dangerous one.”

“Then what evil lurks within this tower?” Etmer asked.

“I’ve been promised it won’t be much trouble to deal with. Other than that I can’t say. We’ll head off after breakfast. Shouldn’t take more than a two hour ride west.”

“Ah… That’s not in Prilemia is it?” Lucinda asked worriedly.

Trime chuckled heartily as he whirled towards Bryn. “Have you gone and recruited another wanted criminal? I thought we’d agreed not to do that after the last time?”

“Preposterous,” Etmer countered in a heavily emphatic tone. “I refuse to believe that even for an instant!”

Crap… Do Shifters count? And I still need to tell her!

“Maybe we should let Lucinda explain herself?” Bryn suggested.

“Oh… Umm… I’d rather not visit there if possible,” Lucinda said. Hastily, she added, “I’m not wanted there! It’s just… complicated.”

“I see.”

Bryn’s searching stare left Lucinda wondering how much she might have inadvertently given away on an entirely new topic.

“So, a fun chat for later I bet. For now though, you’re okay. It’s in Chakog’mar.”

“Ah, okay…”

“If you don’t mind sharing a saddle, we’ll have plenty of time for that and more on the way.”

I’ll have to tell her… I could even run off if she takes it badly.

“That’s okay with me.”

“Would she not fare better upon my trusty steed?” Etmer asked. “He is a mighty beast, perfectly capable of carrying two persons upon his strong back.”

Lucinda had been half expecting another semi-angry response from Bryn, and was instead, quite surprised to see her erupt into laughter.

“So noble of you, Etmer,” Bryn said. “And it is a great idea that needs just one small change: you’ll be taking my horse.”

“Ah… I see,” the Paladin replied in a less than pleased manner. “Quite right, I suppose. My heavily-armoured, well-honed body would undoubtedly provide less comfort on a long journey.”

“That’s very generous of you,” Lucinda offered alongside a smile, her action prompting a similar reaction from the blonde-haired man. “I’ll make sure Bryn treats him well.”

Trime snapped his fingers suddenly. “Bryn, I take it all back! Having someone around that can take care of our horses is a brilliant idea! A master stroke, in fact! We could even save on paying those grubby stable boys!”

“Oh! I could also teach your horse to buck you off on command while I’m at it,” Lucinda replied with an agreeing nod.

As Trime began chuckling at the rebuke, Bryn turned a grin towards Lucinda. “I think you’re going to fit right in.”

Lucinda beamed a smile right back as she agreed almost wholeheartedly with the simple statement.

I’m sure it’ll be fine… Shifter’s aren’t even outlawed anymore!