"Will, it's about time to go," Albert called in, banging a fist on Will's door three times. Will's head spun as he sat up too fast, putting a hand on the bed steadying himself. His mouth was left with a bad taste from the previous night of drinking. He put on his clothes from the day before, found the bread in his pack, and tore off another piece to try to settle his stomach. He put his cloak on and fastened his sword to his hip then unlocked the door and headed to the common room carrying his pack over one shoulder.

Upon entering the room he saw Albert and Herm talking at the bar. "Am I the last one?" Will asked Albert.

He chuckled, "Yes you are, but you were the last awake too as I hear it. Let's see how the others are doing, huh?" Albert led Will out the door where they met the rest of their group.

There were two wagons each pulled by two horses. Leanna sat on top of the rear wagon with a bow and quiver resting next to her. The lead wagon seat was empty, Will assumed for Albert. John, Wesley, and Adrian each had their own horses. Will noticed Harold struggling to load a small barrel of ale into the lead wagon with Debbie offering suggestions.

Will noticed a group of people around the back of the rear wagon chatting with Adrian. An older man and woman stood, while the young woman from last night was sitting inside. Will asked Albert in a hushed tone, "Who are those three?"

"Those two are our gracious financiers of this wondrous trip," he said pointing at the standing couple. "That is Christian and Marjorie Wells. They are one of the wealthiest families in Sare Vindus and part of the Dremshen Merchant's Guild. Christian often hires us to take him to Rivelan where The Guild is located. This time, however, they hired us to take them to Trenchon to attend the Marquess' party. In the wagon is their daughter, Isadora. Would you like an introduction?"

"No!" Will replied a little too quickly. "That won't be necessary."

Albert gave him a curious glance and shrugged. "So be it. Let's get moving, you'll be sitting in the back of my wagon with Harold."

They rode for a few hours until the sun was high. While traveling, Will chatted with Harold picking up a few tricks for cooking. Will also listened to Adrian flirt with Leanna, admiring how clever the man was with his words. The road to Sare Vindus was fairly empty, only passing a few travelers on their way. The King's road followed along the Amarin River to its east. Trees lined that side while to the west there were rolling hills.

Albert whistled for a stop, and Will helped Harold out of the wagon. Harold walked to the grass to the east by the trees and started kicking some rocks around to make room for a cookfire. He motioned for Will to come over. "Head over into the forest and get a bundle of wood around this size," he told him, holding his finger to his thumb making a circle the size of a silver coin.

Will quickly returned with the sticks in hand. Harold took them and arranged them carefully. He snapped his fingers starting a small fire on the dry sticks that quickly built into a good size. He sent Will back in to get some larger logs to sustain the fire. Will returned to see Harold stirring a large pot. Harold took some logs from Will and added them to the fire, igniting them instantly with firecraft.

Harold dismissed Will so he wandered toward the river. Spotting Isadora at the water he stopped. She wore a finely made dress of deep blue. He saw her looking over the river with her arms outstretched with her brow furrowed, concentrating. She slowly raised her hands and the water answered. A stream parted from its current path rising slowly above the river. She wrapped it on itself, forming a large circle of spinning water. She raised it higher, reaching as high as her head before collapsing back into the river. She lowered her arms and spun around looking upset. She spotted Will and again her face turned red.

"Do you enjoy sneaking up on defenseless women?" she accused.

"I'd hardly call you defenseless," he replied, glancing at the water. "That was amazing by the way. Do you go to the University?"

Lifting her chin, she answered, "I'm starting this year." There was an awkward pause as if she were expecting him to respond. She continued, "I'm Isadora Wells by the way."

"William Divus, but you can call me Will," he said, changing his tone to try to imitate Adrian's. "I'm planning to join this year as well."

"What's your affinity?"

"Um, Metal I guess," he answered shrugging.

"You guess? You either have an affinity to magic or you don't. There is no guessing. The better you understand your source, the stronger the magic. If you don't know what you want to work with, you won't pick it up as quickly. I'd suggest you be certain of your study by the time we reach Sare Vindus. The University likes certainties."

"Can I not choose multiple?" he asked. "There are many people with strength in multiple sources."

She laughed. It was a beautiful sound, bringing a smile to his lips. Light and genuine. "I wouldn't say there are many. Start with one, at least that's what my tutor tells me." She passed him with a smile that shone in her eyes as well. Will was left there smiling at her back as she walked away.

After Isadora was gone, Will shut his eyes and concentrated. He felt the breeze come off the river, cool and controlled. He heard the leaves dancing to the rhythm the air commanded. He opened his eyes and saw the river joining the song with the flow moving left then right as the direction of the wind changed. Will lifted a hand wanting to join the symphony, feeling the wind encouraging him to join. The wind swirled around him, causing his clothes to ripple. He took a deep breath and calmed himself. The wind died down and everything became still around him. He looked at his hand and saw a ball of moving air, swirling at rapid speed. He willed it to move out toward the river and it listened. As it rested above the water, waves shot out from all directions around it. He took another deep breath and set his hand down to his side. The ball of swirling wind disappeared, and the world around him returned to normal. He decided he would start with metal at the University, but air would always be his true affinity.

Back at the camp, the group ate salted pork stew with vegetable stock and some hard biscuits that they brought from Trenchon. Harold sent him back to the river to wash the pot and bowls. The group packed quickly, eager to be back on the road and gain some ground before camping for the night.

The wheels of the wagon creaked as they turned. The horse's hooves hitting cobblestone kept a steady rhythm. Each hill and set of trees along the river looked the same as the last, leaving Will feeling like they were never going further. The only thing he noticed that was different was the sun which began to touch the tops of hills to the west.

Will leaned back, resting his head on the wagon floor. He let out a yawn, then asked Harold, "Is it always this boring?"

Harold let out a hearty laugh. One that originates in your stomach and rumbles out of you. He replied sympathetically, "I'm afraid this bit keeps repeating every mile or so. Don't take it for granted though. The weather is nice, and there is a talented musician with us. Trust me, it could be much worse than this."

Will perked up when he heard the whistle to stop and make camp. He sat up excitedly, thinking of his next meeting with Isadora. Throughout the afternoon he fantasized about conversations with her, thinking of the perfect things to say. He was much wittier in his head, always knowing the perfect response.

Once stopped, Harold sent Will out again to collect the wood. Soon after the fire was started, the food was ready to be served. The group gathered around the fire to eat, breaking off into small conversations. Will caught himself staring at Isadora, quickly looking away. He glanced at her multiple times throughout dinner, catching her looking at him a few times.

Adrian finished his meal first, pulling his lute out of its wooden case. The lute looked like it was crafted by a Dominus with wood, worth a fortune. While they finished eating, he warmed up his fingers, strumming the lute. Going through his chords, Adrian filled the circle with pleasant music. Before Adrian started his first song, Will was nudged.

Looking at Harold, Will pleaded, "Can I wait until after the first song?"

"If you don't go now, you never will. Adrian here will pull you in like land to a man lost at sea," Harold explained.

Defeated, Will gathered the bowls placing them in the pot, and headed toward the river with his shoulders slumped. Walking deeper into the woods, his mind went back to Isadora. He remembered how she pulled the water out of the river, controlling such a large amount. She would have been working with water for a while to perform such a feat.

He finished washing the dishes, heading back to the camp. As he got closer, he was saddened not to hear any music. Adrian must have already finished. He exited the forest immediately realizing that something was wrong. Marjorie and Isadora were in their wagon, looking out terrified. Christian Wells had a sword drawn, his face matching his family's terror. Harold and Debbie cowered in the back of the other wagon. Wesley was standing in front of the Well's wagon with blood trickling down his sword arm. His stance seemed off like he wasn't quite focussed anymore. He must have lost a lot of blood. John and Albert stood with swords drawn standing in front of Adrian and Leanna who were on the ground. Will noticed Adrian holding Leanna's shoulder, where a large cut was shown. Blood covered his hands and he failed to keep more from spilling out of Leanna's wound.

Two men were circling John, noticing him as the experienced swordsman leaving one man with Albert. Two other men were surrounding Wesley, waiting for an opening as his moves became more sluggish. He wouldn't last much longer. Realizing Wesley's danger, Will moved towards him to help.

Will dropped the pot holding the bowls and pulled out his sword, quickly closing the distance to Wesley and the two men. The group, having heard him, briefly turned to see him. The larger of the two turned to Will, seeing him as the bigger threat than the wounded man. Will approached casually, twirling the sword once in his hand. The man stood a head taller than Will, peering down at Will with a crooked nose that had been broken too many times to fix. The bent-nosed man smiled, enjoying the thrill of fighting. The large man raised his sword high, confusing a strong blow for skill. Will had never seen a larger opening. The man was dead in an instant with a jab through the chest. Before bent-nose knew he was dead, Will was on the next man. Stabbing through the man's back, Will realized had the same effect. Seeing no need to protect himself anymore, Wesley faltered and fell to one knee. He coughed and Will noticed blood came out.

Will's heart raced, fearing it might jump out of his chest. Blood dripped down his sword, running through the decorative lines cut in it. He heard John groan, seeing one of the men cut his back causing him to fall forward.

"Stop! Let them go!" Will yelled.

The three turned to him, one angrily saying to another, "Lori and Glenn are dead."

"Take the Wells and run Will!" Albert pleaded, running to help John.

Too late, the three were already upon him. Will's father taught him how to fight multiple people, but he could never practice only fighting his father. The key is to remain calm and continue moving. Calling out to the metal from the sword, Will calmed and focused with its support. His heart slowed, and he could sense the movement of his opponent's swords. Before the man to his right started to lower the sword, Will slid out of its way. The man misstepped, only catching air where he was expecting the resistance of Will's chest. Will used the extra step the man took to slice the soft tissue of his leg causing the man to fall forward. Will stepped back, forcing the injured man out of the fight while the two others followed. Anger apparent on their faces, they both charged him. Sensing the metal, he noticed the man on the left was swinging wildly, anger guiding him. Will batted the blade away, guiding the man's movement to stumble past him. Will took the offensive to the other man. Feinting left then swung right, connecting. Will had only an instant, sensing the stumbling man's blade behind him. He spun, catching it on his guard. Will punched him with his free hand. Blood flew from the man's nose as he fell back. Will swung down at the man slicing his chest, as he went. He turned back around noticing the other man dead.

Looking around, Will took in the carnage. He drew deeper on metal, steeling himself away from the horrific scene. Four of the bandits were dead. The last one lay on the ground unconscious, blood streaming from his thigh. John was dead as well, and Leanna would die soon if nothing was done. Her pale face had a streak of blood where Adrian touched her cheek. Wesley hobbled over to the injured bandit on the ground and stabbed him through the chest, killing him.

"Grab the barrel of water Harold and bring it to me!", Will shouted. "Isadora, come out too, we need you!"

Will brought the large pot over to where Leanna lay. Taking the jug of water, Harold poured some in. Isadora hurried over, fear still apparent on her face. "Is it over?" she asked.

"Not quite. You need to save Leanna," he replied

"Wh-What? I can't save her. She's lost too much blood," she stammered, looking at the pale-faced Leanna.

"You have to try!" Adrian pleaded.

Unsure, Isadora found herself nodding, slowly crouching beside Leanna and the pot of water. She reached out to the water, and it answered, rising toward the top of the pot before collapsing on itself.

"I can't do it." cried Isadora.

Will rested his hand on her shoulder, reassuring her, "You're the only one that can save her." Truthfully, Will had no idea if Leanna was past saving. He had never seen a healing before, only hearing about it from stories. They say that anyone with an affinity with water can mend cuts and broken bones. The stronger you are, the more you can heal. Not knowing much about the crafting itself or Isadora's ability, Will had no idea if she could do it.

Trying again, Isadora reached out to the water. It rose out of the pot, hovering in the air. The water moved to Leanna's shoulder. Isadora shut her eyes concentrating. The water turned a shade of red. He saw the wound slowly stitching back together, starting from the edges and working its way to the center. Light pink skin replaced where the slash used to be. Once finished, she sat back exhausted. Leanna's breathing became more steady and Adrian sat back, relaxing a little.

"You saved her life," Will praised Isadora. She only looked up with a weak smile, exhausted from the energy it took to heal Leanna.

The next hour was filled with silence, a harsh change to the meal they just shared. Isadora healed Welsey and Albert's wounds as well. Wesley looked like he would fall over at any point. Healing not only took a lot of energy from the healer to perform the task, but it takes a lot out of the injured since their bodies' natural healing is sped up. Despite this, Wesley dug John a small grave using earth-powered strength to assist him. Will and Albert dragged the bodies of the dead bandits off into the woods. Will stared at the last of those. A woman who he originally mistook as a man. Her lifeless eyes staring back at him.

Albert rested a hand on Will's back. "Don't think too much on it, son. They were deserters turned bandits. That's Trenchon's emblem on their cloaks, probably got called up to Whitefang and didn't have the stones to go." Albert spat, disgusted, then turned away back toward the camp. Will lingered a moment longer before seeing his dinner once again. After a short time, he finally turned and followed after Albert, his stomach still upset.

Back at camp, everyone was already off to try to sleep leaving only Wesley and Albert around. The Wells were in their wagon and Harold and Debbie were in the other. Adrian was off to the edge of the camp, stroking Leanna's hair as she slept.

"Why don't you two get some rest. I'll stay up and watch over the camp. We are going to leave early in the morning," Albert told Will and Wesley. Wesley wandered away without any acknowledgment to hearing Albert. Will nodded walking towards an empty corner of their camp.

"Hey Will," Albert said, causing Will to turn around. "Thanks again, you saved all of our lives." He held out his hand, and Will took it. When he pulled his hand back, there was five silver in it. Will began to protest when Albert stopped him, "It's what a bodyguard would make during the trip and a fraction of what you deserve. Please, just take it and know that I'm forever in your debt."

"Thanks, Albert," was all Will could muster in response, putting the coins in his purse. Will found an isolated place off to the corner of their camp. It was untouched by the fight but still didn't help Will from forgetting it. He laid on the cold earth, using firecraft to warm himself. He couldn't shut his eyes, because when he did, the fight started again. He could hear the screams, feel of warm blood that wasn't his, and at the end of it, he could only see those lifeless eyes. Instead of sleeping, Will spent the night watching the tops of the trees sway in the moonlight, finding the movement the only thing to keep him from crying.