Glenn longed to pull his helmet off and simply enjoy the breeze, but given he was officially on a Town Quest, he remained on duty. He couldn’t risk removing his helmet, and it would prove awkward if he happened across someone from Wolfpine on their way back. Word would get back to Coleman.

So Glenn walked in full armor despite his desire to enjoy the walk and breeze, and even that was pleasant. He was half-tempted to wander off the Safe Road and look for trouble, yet killing random Monsters had not been in the Mayor’s orders, and unlike Scott, Glenn still feared annoying the Gods ... and Kya in particular. After all, when he set off to rescue an Adventurer, he actually heard Her voice. In his head.

Kya was watching him. He wouldn’t shame Kya or fail his duties. He’d complete his first Town Guard Quest as a Town Guard of Wolfpine should, with no detours and no half measures. It wasn’t just that he feared the wrath of the gods. His own pride demanded he do his new job well.

Glenn passed several Adventurers on the road throughout the day, and all gawked openly at the sight of a Town Guard walking the Safe Road. One man actually waved, but the rest slunk past as quietly as they could. Glenn made no efforts to reassure them. That wasn’t his job.

A little past midday, with another six hours of walk ahead, Glenn paused and stopped for lunch. Walking the Safe Road was easy going, and he had no fears about reaching the exit to Evolan before sunset, after which it would grow very dark. That was when he realized he’d forgotten to pack torches.

Devilspit. Why did he always forget torches? Becka always remembered the torches.

Still, if the clouds cleared off, he’d have a moon tonight, and if he didn’t, well ... he’d simply sleep within the soft blue light of a Safe Stone. That would provide a small amount of illumination, which would let him see if anything approached. Would he be sleeping in his armor?

Given he couldn’t easily take it off or put it on himself, he now suspected he would, which would be uncomfortable. He began to understand, just a bit better, why Scott had passed on this Quest. A soft bed with silk sheets was considerably more comfortable than a bedroll on a road in full armor.

Yet Glenn didn’t feel like he’d been tricked. He was still grateful for this opportunity, and he didn’t doubt Scott’s reasons for giving him this Quest. His partner really had been doing him a favor.

Around midday, he found a quiet, shaded spot off the Safe Road and sat down to eat his lunch. While he didn’t want to risk removing his helmet, he did flip up his visor, which allowed him to eat and drink. The feel of the wind on his face and the gentle sounds of Grassea soothed him in a way he’d all but forgotten. Once he finished his lunch and half a canteen, he rose and set off again.

He kept to a stroll, enjoying the feeling of wandering Grassea once again. He’d rarely felt this content since the Gods first chose him to spend half his life in Wolfpine. His fate no longer felt so raw as it had months ago. This new life wasn’t perfect, but there were far worse fates in Balarel.

And then, of course, Zack appeared.

Glenn just sighed. “How long have you been following me?”

“Do the math, Redwood.”

“You’ve Level 6,” Glenn said. “So six minutes. I should have been paying better attention.”

“I’m stealthy, my friend, and it’s not like you can see a lot out of those eyeholes. Now, since we’re both here and you have time on your hands, how would you feel about a detour?”

“No detours,” Glenn said.

“It’s just off the Safe Road. Scarcely a trip. Follow me and you’ll be a hero.”

“No detours,” Glenn repeated, and shook his head. “Gods, Zack, you’re going to get me salted.”

“You’d make a better pepper, actually,” Zack said, smirking. “Fine. I’m off to gain fame and glory alone. Just remember, when the accolades pour in from across Wolfpine and the ladies shout my name, I asked you to join me on my Quest. Don’t burden me with your regrets.”

“So go Quest before I arrest you for ... loitering.”

Zack laughed. “You’d have to catch me first.”

Zack whistled cheerily as he veered off the Safe Road to the west, headed into the Deepscorn Woods. What was Zack doing out here, and why would he need Glenn’s help? Glenn found himself impossibly curious, which was why Zack had offered. And, of course, not told him any details.

What Zack was up to was going to bother him for hours. It might bother him all night. Glenn wanted to curse his old friend, but his curiosity was his own problem.

For now, he would focus on catching a tribbit for dinner. He hadn’t had tribbit for months. The animals were delectable when properly cooked, and while some did consider them adorable, they were also as dumb as a bag of rocks.

Glenn only felt a little bad about the idea of killing a tribbit to skin and cook. There were countless other tribbits out there to take its place, after all, and Gloamwolves devoured dozens of the dopey, furry critters every day. They weren’t even worth experience, just like chickens, cows, pigs, and other domestic animals, so Adventurers had no reason to hunt them other than food.

He reached the end of the Safe Road about an hour before sunset, with just enough time left to hunt. Ahead of him, the impassible cliffs that bordered all of Grassea towered, with an obvious split ahead through which the Safe Road traveled. Beyond was Evolan, a zone he’d never seen.

Evolan was for Adventurers of Levels 8 to 16 or those with special permissions to Level there, like Junior Blazers. Glenn could easily tackle Monsters in Evolan, given his Level, Gear, and Skill, yet he had no orders to travel to another zone. He didn’t even dare test to see if Kya would stop him for fear she wouldn’t ... and simply turn him to salt.

Yet Becka was Leveling in Evolan. She might be just on the other side of this pass. Glenn stared down the pass toward the zone he’d never see for a moment, then turned away. Becka would be back in a few years. When she arrived, she’d tell him all about the zone and all her adventures.

That was a boon worth waiting for. For now, it was time to hunt for dinner.

Fortunately, he found not one, but two tribbits before the hour was out. One strike of his [Bronze Training Sword] painlessly ended both of their short and furry lives. He was older now, and one tribbit might not fill him up. He returned to the Safe Road just as the sun was setting, having gathered firewood in his travels, and had a fire going soon.

He skinned the first tribbit and spit it, then placed it over the fire. He slowly turned it on the spit as he skinned the second, pleased that his armor, despite its bulk, offered no discomfort. He half-wondered what an Adventurer would think if they happened across him now, a Town Guard in full armor sitting by the side of the road roasting tribbits. He wondered if anyone would believe their tale.

Glenn had no walls around him, yet he couldn’t eat through a helmet. So he lifted his visor again ... Kya couldn’t begrudge him that ... and had dinner. He did end up eating both tribbits, which made him glad he’d hunted well, and finished off all but half of his canteens.

It was well past dark now, and while Glenn wasn’t tired, there was nothing to do. He hadn’t even brought a book. He should have brought a book. Yet he had no books or torches, and he was fed and where he needed to be. So after one last check to ensure his campfire was simply smoldering and well-contained, he rolled out his bedroll, produced his pillow, and did his best to sleep in full armor.

Unfortunately, despite the impossible lightness and snug fit of [God Armor], sleeping in it proved more difficult and uncomfortable than he’d thought. Even his cushy bedroll and pillow provided no relief. At this rate, he might be up half the night trying to find a comfortable sleeping position.

Cursed Scott.