Everyone was resting on a small hillside; a cool breeze rustled the vibrant green grass and Ross stretched out, falling back onto the soft greenery and popping his joints relaxing fully. The river they had been following for the better part of five weeks had reached its end and its mouth now opened out into a larger body of water that was the River Malin. Large barges and merchant ships could be seen busying themselves as thrifty brokers traded wares across the vessels. Sails were hoisted as boats prepared to traverse the river to the furthest points on the continent it could allow, every surface and bough labored with full packages and crates where traders would return before the next Turn of the Clock their goods swapped for foreign objects and items destined to earn them riches on market stalls.

In the distance the city that Yerin identified as Jandrir was the largest hub of activity on the river, and in the shadow of the nearby mountains that dominated the horizon they could clearly make out revelry in the streets and the bustle of the docks.

The Crew had decided to stop in the small village nearby where their delivery quest could be handed over in exchange for pay. That and after the bad omen that was his dream Wiesse wanted to use this opportunity to get some extra money and buy a sword for protection. Not wanting to risk the Guild Hall in Jandrir where he could be recognized for his bounty, they agreed to spend the day in this small village first so he could do any odd job the Guild Hall offered.

“Does not one of you want to help, seriously?” Wiesse was struggling to hold two giant rats, one under each arm as he hefted them past where the others were resting.

“Would probably help if you killed them first Wiesse” Ross advised, watching his friend struggle against the rodents that nibbled at his coat, though he made no movements to help out

“No shit dickhead, If I had something to kill them with I wouldn’t be doing these crappy jobs to get the money for a sword would I” Wiesse retorted, taking a while to get the sentence out while he fought with the scratching animals.

Lichter lifted his head and chuckled “Did you never stop to ask why these people wanted a couple of giant rats?”

“Well all the gods damned jobs are some type of collect and deliver shit, I don’t care what they’re going to do with it.”

“I would gladly help you friend, but I’ve just finished applying my oil” Troit cut in and everyone turned to look. There was a moments silence when the only noise was that of the giant rats ongoing battle.

The long-haired barbarian had been crushing lavender in the small pestle and mortar he carried when they all sat down and had since blended it with oil that he had applied to his now glistening muscles.

“What…. Why?” Felicity asked and she looked over to the others to see if this was normal behavious, their lack of bafflement seemed to answer her question.

“Hey, he has to keep his skin good somehow y’know” Yerin said, he had glanced a look before laying back down smirking.

“So, you let him buy more oil but you won’t spare a little change so I can have a sword!” Wiesse shouted and one of the rats used the moments anger as an opportunity to scuffle out the deadlock the former actor had it in and scamper away. “NO!” Wiesse lamented and chased after it, the remaining rat safely held with both hands above his head as though he was about to lob it at the escapee “Do you have any idea how long it took me to catch that damn thing!” could be heard as he chased it into the tree line again.

Ross, Yerin and Lichter laughed heavily as their friend left and Felicity stared at them all in turn “So how come you didn’t let him buy a sword with the earnings we got?” she asked Yerin

The small set man raised an eyebrow “Are you saying that watching Wiesse try and wrestle a couple of giant rats wasn’t fucking hilarious?”

Felicity’s smile betrayed the truth and she allowed a small laugh “You guys are cold. But seriously, how comes you won’t just give him one of your daggers?”

Yerin sat up and lent on his knees, his look had changed to a resigned seriousness but he tried to smile “Trust me” he said “if we really got down to it and Troit or Lichter can’t murder our way out of trouble. Then you’re going to want me to be the one that’s armed”

“Yea, that is if he hasn’t run and hid from the fight before then, or sold us out for his freedom” Ross threw in, he was comfortably sunning himself and wasn’t paying much attention but he gave Lichter a thumbs up when he heard the Kkyrunnig chuckling.

Yerin smiled slightly but it was clearly forced, he took in a deep breath of the fresh air. He looked at Felicity who was encouraging him to explain through her expression “Some thirty full turns of the Ahlma Clock back I was part of the army that actually conquered Jandrir over there” He indicated the merchant town with a nod of his head and stood up to stretch out his legs. “I was a long time in that life, it isn’t something I like to remind myself of. Not if I don’t have to” he patted the daggers on his hip and started walking off “Come on Troit, let’s go have a wander, see if we can’t get some locals to hand over their life savings in a competition like old days.”

Felicity watched them walk away, the others didn’t seem to worry too much that Yerin looked upset, but she didn’t want to overstep her mark, travelling was safer with a group and despite her better judgement she actually enjoyed everyone’s company. Lichter caught her expression and waddled over on all fours “What’s wrong?” he asked.

“I’m just worried I upset Yerin is all” she said, and she saw Ross smiling, for all of about two seconds before Lichter planted a massive hand onto her head and rustled her auburn hair reassuringly. Though the sheer size of Lichter made it lethal and she wasn’t entirely sure he wasn’t trying to shake her to death.

“It means you’re one of us now” The Kkyrunnig said.

“He wouldn’t tell you something personal unless he was letting you know you’re welcome here” Ross said, still contently sunning himself. “Now settle down and help us think of ways to mock Wiesse when he gets back”

-

The day was near its end, with the sun setting on the horizon and its dimming light finally encouraged Ross to move from his dozing spot. He had spent the majority of the day laying on the hillside while Lichter had taken Felicity to the rivers edge and she had shown him how to fish while he showed her his significantly messier method. Troit was now cooking up the produce of their fishing (at least Felicity’s catch, no one wanted to eat Lichter’s regurgitated leftovers) over a small fire, blending together some herbs he had managed to buy with their ill-gotten gains. Enticed by the smell Ross came and sat with the group and in his dreary state he missed them all chuckling at him for a long while, right up until Felicity and Yerin burst out laughing.

“Wait. What’s wrong?” Ross asked

“Oh nothing” Felicity said through her merriment.

“Yes nothing” Yerin said, laughing fully with the others as Ross sat on bewildered.

“You’ve cooked almost as much as this Mackerel” Troit said, holding up the crispy fish in front of his beaming face.

Ross swore in panic as he looked at his bright red arms and pawed at his face. Which made everyone laugh further. “Oh no, how bad is it?” he asked, and Felicity spat out the water she was swigging from one of their skiens.

“You are bright red Ross” she said, and everyone nodded along as they laughed at his misfortune.

“Oh my” Lichter said and pointed over to where Wiesse was sulkily walking towards them “Looks like you could be worse off though Ross.”

“What in the name of the Gods happened to you?” Ross asked as Wiesse came up to where the group sat.

Wiesse was still dripping from what looked like wine and his previously immaculate white jacket was now stained a deep purple.

“Boy where do I start” he said and collapsed next to his long-time friend. “So, I did the crappy rat collecting job. I helped an old lady with her garden. I cleared out a horse ranch and then. The last job of the day I help the merchants with some Wine making. All for a small penny”

“Doesn’t sound too bad” Lichter said, licking his lips and scuffling his feet as he thought about wine.

“It really wouldn’t have been. If that is, I didn’t fall into the fucking Vat of grapes that I had just spent an hour grinding up!” Wiesse threw his hands in the air with exasperation and let out a long sigh whilst the others continued to mock his predicament “oh it gets better.” He said and he pulled up the sword that was the hard-earned reward for his labor “this, was literally the only sword I could afford.” And he pulled the weapon from its scabbard to reveal a wooden blade which he plunged into the dirt.

The raucous laughter took a while to die down after that.

“I tell you what” Yerin finally managed to say and he took a bite of his fish before continuing “I’ll make it up to you. In Jandrir, I’ll get the first round of drinks in. There’s a little pub I know right on Wheelbarrow Way. You’ll love it”

“Yea, and if you don’t well you can just sit outside and suck some of the wine out of your coat” Ross said and Wiesse joined the others in the nights revelry.