Since I was already awake, I decided to head to the dining hall, time frame was around 5:30am. I had Emily cook up breakfast, Iliana and Maggie entered together around the time that Emily brought my breakfast in.

“Hi Emily.” Iliana and Maggie greeted Emily.

Iliana then turned her attention to me. “Oh, I see you are not waiting for the rest of us. Seriously?” She said shaking her head, no smile, no fondness, no playfulness in her voice, neither in her countenance. She sat in the seat to my right, Maggie sat in front of me.

“Hey Maggie, listen, I have been thinking about what you said yesterday. I’m sorry I made you feel alone. I know how painful that could be.” I knew what loneliness felt like, and I endured its grasp, it couldn’t crush me, I had hatred. Maggie couldn’t hate a soul, whenever there was a spider, a centipede, an ant, Maggie would rather it be let out than put it out of its misery.

Maggie only had Iliana, and me in this world. I cannot say I am resolved to be someone who can comfort the both of them, but I will not let this world break them.

“Iliana told me that I left you alone, like everyone else. Or something like that. Did I truly…, make you feel abandoned? I never knew how, to get back to you. To just text you after 5 years, to just randomly call.” Maggie was looking down; I pushed my food and drink towards her and told Emily to cook up 2 more meals. She had been setting my plate and drink down.

“You did nothing wrong, quit guilt tripping yourself. I went through what I went through out of my own fruition.” Iliana sat twiddling her thumb, her face emotionless.

I took a deep breath, “Emily used to work at a restaurant.” I couldn’t think of anything else to say.

“…, Ju-Julie said you called her Jewelry? How in the world did you mess up her name that badly, also, you said Emily not Em. Also, also, what is she doing in your bedroom all the time?” Maggie said after a few seconds of looking at Iliana who had not shifted from twiddling her thumbs.

“I think that we ought to start discussing our battle plans, things like formation, what we want to specialize in, and what protocols should be if we need to retreat. It’s time we focus on actually getting some battle strategy in.” I said hoping to stir up Iliana but other than the stillness of her thumbs, she still seemed 100 miles away.

I felt it then, the pain of that cold alertness. If Iliana wanted to separate from us, I cannot allow it unless Maggie left me as well. I didn’t want either of them alone, or alone with me. The two of them can hold each other up, encourage and guide one another, I have no hope in such endeavors.

“Iliana, if you have something to say, say it. I know you wanted to separate yourself from me. If so, I can offer some tips after hearing about what you, and Maggie want to specialize in. I am not battle experienced, but I’ve played my fair share of games, and read an equal amount of novels.” Iliana slowly looked at me, her face said she had something to say, but was scared to say it.

“Bona, ca-can you please stand up and face me.” At Iliana’s request, I nodded and stood, pushing the chair back, and turned my body towards her, she did the same.

Iliana took a small step closer to me and slid her hands underneath my arms, slowly wrapping them around me. She rested her head in my chest, I stood there looking down at the top of her head.

“Hug me back, doofus.”

“Iliana, I…” What did I want to say? Why couldn’t I wrap my arms around her and pull her closer to me? After a few seconds of pondering, Iliana must have given up on my response.

“Mmm, I love how your whole body vibrates when you speak.” She slowly released me, and stepped back, head bowed the whole time. Then positioned her chair and sat, I followed suit.

When is Knight Freya going to get here, I seriously just want to get out there and start training.

“I don’t hate you, but Bona, whatever you do, please stop breaking our hearts. I don’t want to be alone either, not in this world where it is only us. Well, I know we have Mr. Mirth, and Knight Freya, but I want you, and Maggie.” Iliana took a deep breath. “You seem clueless as to when we need you, and how. Maggie says you’ll learn, you always picked up on things quickly.” She looked up at her older sister, the two of them shared a smile. Their smile sparked a sadness inside of me I could not understand.

“Are you two sure about that, about me. Can we keep playing house? You know I will make choices you cannot understand, choices that may hurt you. I don’t want to break your hearts, I swear it, but I agree that I don’t understand how.”

My chest was under immense pressure, my emotions welling up. I felt guilty, foolish, lost, and…, not alone, but sadness echoed its song as well. Could I do it, could I be careful enough in my actions to not hurt these two. Does it matter? Won’t they leave me anyways?

“Hey, maybe one day you could tell us all about it, Bona.” Maggie said with her radiant smile as she pushed her curly hair out of her eyes. I don’t know if it’s the mana giving her eyes a glow, but it is breathtaking seeing her green eyes emanating from under her curly brunette hair.

Maggie continued, “At least I want to know, could you one day tell me all about how you see our past, about how I hurt you?” Her smile faded into remorse.

“Hey! I want to know too. And I want to apologize for it, over and over.”

Knight Freya, come already, jeez. These two don’t know when to quit with the lovey dovey stunt. And I don’t know how much more I can take before I break.

“I-I think I was wrong. About the value of life, maybe not all life is cheap. Your lives have value. They are priceless to me, and I know they are priceless to your father and mother, to your brothers and sisters, to your church, and I bet they’re going to be priceless to the people we are going to meet here.” I said while staring at a spot on the table, aglow by the dancing candlelight, in the slightly chilly, early morning atmosphere of this overly large dining hall.

I wonder what was taking Emily so long.

“Hey, Em!” She walked in from the slightly opened dining hall doors, our food on a wooden cart.

“Sorry, Warrior Bona, I couldn’t interrupt such a heartwarming moment.”

“Yuck, don’t give me that sappy stuff…. And thank you, for the food.” I looked at the two girls, their faces were red as ripe big beef tomatoes, they looked like they were trying their darndest to hide a smile, but it broke through in waves. Maggie looked at me, eyes darting away the instant they landed on mine, turning their focus on Emily who was busy setting out the food and drinks to me and Iliana.

“Oh, Bona called you Emily just a little bit ago instead of Em.” Maggie excitedly said.

Emily gasped, “Truly! Does that mean I matter to you too?” She had a large smile, if I captured the moment with a camera and pasted it on a magazine cover, it would not have been out of place. If the magazine was about beautiful women in maid outfits.

“Em, your less than a blade of grass to me. Go take a nap.” I said with a straight face.

“Oh, I see. I’m sorry to impose Warrior Bona. Well, if you need me, I’ll be outside the doors.” She headed out pushing the wooden cart.

“Wait, Emily, he didn’t mean that.” Iliana said glaring at me and pinching my arm.

“Yes, Warrior Iliana, thank you.” Emily said quickly and bowed her head. She stepped out the door and closed it.

“Seriously Bona? Way to ruin the happy mood, I swear you need to learn to control yourself.” Maggie said, contemplating something.

“What? Why is everyone so hostile? It was a joke, Em means slightly more to me than a lowly blade of grass.” I said looking at them with furrowed brows and rubbing the red mark on my right arm.

“That was you joking…?” Iliana shook her head in disapproval. “Make sure to apologize to her. She’s a good person, and worth keeping around. Ugh, I swear we ought to just leave you till you beg for us to hang with ya.” Iliana picked up the utensils placed next to her plate and started picking away at the meal Emily made.

I was reminded of the few days that Iliana did avoid me after our conversation on the field. I hardly saw her around, except for that one time in the dining hall when she was reading. I realize now that she never once looked my way from the moment I entered, to the moment she walked out back then. What was on her mind?

I picked up my plate, slid the plate I gave Maggie a little bit ago in front of me, and gave her the fresher plate. I started eating my slightly cold meal and Knight Freya walked in soon after, she decided to wait for us to finish.

“I shall give you my proper greetings now. Good morning to you Warrior Iliana, Warrior Maggie, and to you sir Warrior.” Freya said with a bow to each of us. She was wearing an outfit similar to when I first saw her.

“Knight Freya, you aren’t wearing your armor today?” Iliana asked. “Oh, and good morning.”

“Morning.” I greeted the knight effortlessly.

“You look fine without the armor Knight Freya. And good morning to you. Thank you for visiting me.” Maggie smiled at the knight who has not made eye contact with me.

“Thank you, Warrior Maggie, I do find it much easier to train without the armor, but I have been told many times by fellow knights, and the king that training in armor is best. ‘Your armor should be a piece of you, in which combat in a suit of armor will not differ from combat training.’” Knight Freya shook her head and gave a smile that said she didn’t truly believe that. “It matters not to this knight if I adorn armor in training or not. I do not find it impeding on my prowess.”

“Cool, listen, can we stop with the Warrior title? We haven’t been given any such titles by any authority yet. Not the king, not you, so title seems unnecessary.” I stated.

“Warrior Maggie, warrior Iliana, would you prefer I dropped the title.” Freya glared at me before turning to the girls and asking them.

“Yeah, Bona is right, King…, uh, Argus has not given us the title of Warrior yet, and frankly I don’t think I deserve it.” Iliana said, unsure of the king’s name.

“Wow Iliana, I thought I held the title of bad name memory. The king’s name was Astra, the Latin slang for star. Astrum is how you officially pronounce star in Latin, but Astra is used in a famous quote by John Steinbeck, ‘Ad astra per alia porci.’” I corrected Iliana.

“Wait, Latin, that language exists here? I never looked into the language, so it never occurred to me the king, or the kingdom’s name were Latin.” Iliana questioned.

“Yes, I’m surprised you knew the meaning behind those words. Latin is said to be the first language. Language of the Gods, the two gods mentioned in how this world came to be is said to speak Latin.” Freya explained, and then thought about what I said.

“Hmm, the wings of a porci. Porci is an animal we have on this world, but I wonder what they would look like with wings. Do explain, what do your porci look like.” Knight Freya asked while looking at Iliana. I thought it was childish, avoiding eye contacting with someone you hated, of course I learned some information later that helped me understand what she was doing. I decided to reply, guessing Iliana did not know what porci meant.

“Well, porci in our world refers to a pig, to the stars on the wings of a pig. So, I guess you can say a porci looks like…, Iliana.” I said pointing a thumb in her direction. She punched me, and then started laughing, and Maggie joined in. Knight Freya shook her head and crossed her arms, furrowing her brows at why they were laughing at my joke/insult.

“That…, that was a good set up. Wow, you got me good, Doofus.” Iliana’s face was red from the laughter.

“Alright, Sir Warrior, my knight should be there by now, if you will excuse yourself to the field while I speak to Iliana, and Maggie alone, that would be appreciated. Knight Victor will train with you for a bit.” Freya was glaring at me while giving me my orders.

“Cool, see you guys in a bit.” I waved at Maggie and Iliana, walked past Freya, and headed towards the field. The three assistants at the left of the door were talking to each other, when I walked out Julie and Iliana’s assistant looked at Emily and started gossiping.

“Emily, I’m heading out, you can attend to your regular duties.”

“Yes, Warrior Bona, may God’s mana guide you.” Emily started walking to the left as I went right.

Later, I found out from Freya that Iliana had been going into Capella during the last 4 days. Iliana had convinced Maggie to wait till training day to decide about whether to separate from me or continue together. She asked Knight Freya if separation was possible and she quickly agreed to get her and Maggie away from me, even going as far as offering her home to them, Iliana denied not wanting to impose.

Iliana had been training with Knight Freya in Capella and toured the city. She originally had trouble entering as she was not registered as a citizen of Astrum, but after convincing the guards to call upon Knight Freya, they were advised of Iliana’s status.

It seemed that I was sent to the field to train with a knight that was under her, and if Iliana and Maggie had decided to go with the separation, then Knight Freya would have taken the two of them to Capella, found a lounging for them, and trained them in the city.

After learning that, I understood that she was surprised at our relationship at the table, and that she was already distancing herself from me. Of course, at the time I didn’t understand how those two have come to good terms with me either. But from Knight Freya’s point of view, I must be the scummiest of scums, so why would two good girls group with me?

The conversation in the dining hall went along these lines…

“Iliana, you two seemed to be on good terms. Have you decided against separating from him?” Freya asked Iliana, a concerned look on her face.

“Yeah, I want to give him another chance. I know what you saw that day might go against everything you believe about being a soldier, but Bona’s mind works differently. Maggie explained that the situation wasn’t a dire one, therefore, Bona did not lose himself with worry.” She looked at Maggie with a smile and nodded.

“Bona asked about the forest, right? Well, I wondered about it while laying in bed, dealing with the discomfort of my mana abuse, but is the forest to the South of us?” Maggie asked.

“Yes, we actually border Terrarum.” Freya looked as if she was concentrating on something. “It is important that a soldier does not lose his ability to think in stressful situations. War…, Maggie, you have absolute faith that Bona will not let you die?”

“He cannot control fate. But I know if he can, he will drop everything to help. Also, thank you for finally saying his name, believe me he is a good man..., There was a time in our world where teens from our church went on a hike and we saw a bear. Bears in our world are large beast that attack and sometimes eats its prey alive, like monsters, but they weren’t actively hostile to us. Sometimes they are famished enough to attack a person, usually they avoided us.

“Bona, heard the bear stomping on some twigs, told all of us to stop, and looked in the direction of the sound. The trees weren’t thick, and the bear was easy to spot, at the time, we were all exhausted climbing the mountain and was not speaking all that much. The bear must have been curious about the footsteps on his mountain.

“Bona said to my dad, our leader, ‘round everyone up, start heading up or down, preferably down if safe. I’ll stay at the back and hold the bear off if I have to, but you make sure everyone is safe.’ So, we started walking down the mountain, being careful not to trip and fall, the bear, looks at us curiously, Bona starts yelling at the bear while my father stood between us, Bona, and the bear.

“We heard stomping, the bear was charging us, Bona ran diagonally, to our left up the mountain towards the charging bear and yelled ‘go, down should be safe, I’ll occupy the bear’s time with my meaty body.’ He ran towards the charging bear, waving his hands, we all started scrambling down the mountain, my dad told us all to go, handed me his phone, and keys, and ran back to help Bona. Now, Knight Freya, if a wild beast that is out to eat your flesh while you still breathed, a beast large as a horse charged you, would you use yourself as bait to save your men?” Maggie finishes the story, took a sip of her drink, and waited for Freya’s reply.

“A man can change, is he still capable of such sacrifice. And yes, I would fend off evil, even at the cost of my own life to offer my men an escape, a chance to live…. What happened to the bear?”

“True, but Aggie seems to think our rambunctious Bona hasn’t changed one bit. I have yet to see that myself, but ultimately the decision to separate from him was Aggie’s choice. The bear ended up stopping its charge, turned tail and ran away. I guess it got spooked, honestly, it was stupid of Bona to run towards it, though it would buy us more time if it started… eating him. I am just glad it worked out, we ended up all going home afterwards. And the keys Aggie mentioned was for a car, not some door to a room to hide in. Cars are basically fast-moving horseless carriages.” Iliana said, Freya nodded and thought about her reply.

“Who you fight with will be important, the stronger the bond in a squad, the better you can concentrate your will onto the mana. Iliana, I ask one last time, will you separate from Warrior Bona.” Freya looked at Iliana.

“No. We will train and fight alongside him. Hopefully, we can revive the kind man he once was. If not, maybe Mr. Mirth can. He seems to believe Bona to be a good man as well. The few visits I had to his orphanage in the city proves to me that Mirth has a love for people, and he says that he sees that in Bona, a love for people.”

“I know what you mean Illy. Bona used to be so good with strangers. He was the embodiment of a stranger is a friend you haven’t met yet. I find it difficult that Mr. Mirth can conclude that from Bona’s hostility towards him.” Maggie smiled at the deductive abilities of the Reverend.

“Okay. Your decisions have been made. I will try to get along with the rat of a man. And I have been granted permission by Warren and Reverend Mirth to turn that storage room into an armory. Let’s head out to the field, advise Bona, and get an idea for what weapons to bring tomorrow.”

“Right, let’s go.” Iliana stood up.

“Um hmm, let’s go see that rat of a man.” Maggie said with a smile and stood as well.

The three left the room, advised the assistants they will be leaving the palace and headed towards the field.

I learned a lot about fighting with a sword from Knight Victor. It was easy to pick up, the difference in fighting with your body and with a sword was rather small.

“Think of the sword as an extension of yourself. Fight with the body, not the sword.” Knight Victor advised me. “Now, the first few weeks of sword fighting is tiring, the impact of sword on sword is hard on the arms, but in time you will be used to it. And you will be able to last longer in a fight.”

He was surprised when I held out for over a dozen of his hard strikes. He wanted me to feel the shock fatigue from blocking the impacts of his wooden sword, but I didn’t feel any fatigue. I advised him what I did back in my world, that as a mechanic, I had to hammer metal that had been rusted together apart. In other words, I performed the work of a blacksmith, hammering metal to bend to my will.

While he was walking me through the basics of stances and swings, the three missing members walked onto the field.

“Hiya, Busy Bee, Little Goose, Knight Freya. Took you three long enough.” I waved at the group making its way over.

“Hello Knight Victor. Bona…, I apologize for holding these two up. I have a question for all of you to answer together.” I nodded. “I’ve been given permission to turn the storage room into an armory for you three. Which weapons do you prefer? On our walk over, I have learned that our weapons are similar to what your world had back during a time called the Medieval times. Things as spears, pikes, swords, bows, and shields.” Freya looked me in the eyes, a tinge of uncomfortable obviously visible.

“Uh-huh. I prefer to use martial arts, but sword fighting seems simple, I say stock up on daggers, swords, and archery equipment. What kind of bows does this world have?” Maggie, Iliana, and Knight Freya looked at me curiously.

“Explain that last question, please” Freya inquired.

“Huh, I guess your not an archer, or this world’s bows are simple in nature. In my world there are different kind of bows, now I don’t expect this world to have a mechanical, or compound bow, but recurve, longbow, primitive, or even the rare reflex deflex longbow, are those available?”

“Oh, I don’t know. I did little training in archery, I cannot say with certainty in which is which, or if my world offers such choices in bows.” Freya replied earnestly and apologetically.

“Alright, that’s fine, do you know a bow maker?”

“Well, I know a blacksmith who is proficient in everything under the sun. He used to be an adventurer till he married. I can introduce you all to him, he can conjure any plans you bring him. And he is a charming man, I believe you all will get along.” Freya had a smile of excitement has if she was speaking about someone she thinks fondly of.

“Sounds good. Now, can we get this training going, things have been pacing along too slowly here. I understand Maggie needed rest, but is it possible to train more than once a week with you?” I asked, expecting to see a disgusted face. Instead, Knight Freya smiled at me, though forced, and nodded.

“Bona, Iliana, Maggie, we can train everyday if you’d like. I have acquired a home you can lounge in within the city for a month. Stay within Capella, and train there with us.” She pointed towards Victor and herself. “When the month is over, Alvin, the blacksmith I mentioned, may have some of your armors, and weapons ready. In that way, your armory here at the palace can be stocked with weapons and armor of your choosing or design.” Maggie and Iliana looked at her with excitement, I stood there without changing my expression.

“Oooo, I can’t wait to go back into the city, thank you Knight Freya.” Iliana said.

“Wait, back into the city? You’ve been there before.” I asked.

“Yeah, last four days I’ve been going there, I visited a bookstore, the orphanage where Mr. Mirth lived, some bakeries, and clothing shops. Freya gave me some money and I went on a little spending spree.” Iliana excitedly explained to me.

“Huh. Well, I feel left out.” I said dropping my head. Iliana walked over to me and placed a hand on my shoulder.

“It’s what you get for not being a good boy, Doofus. Now accept Knight Freya’s offer and let us get some training in.”

“Wait, Bona, you never did answer me, what exactly is Emily doing in your room? Illy says she saw Emily going in sometimes, and when she went back into her room, Emily still wasn’t standing by your door. You aren’t…, well you know.” Maggie asked me with a concerned look on her face. Freya took a second to figure out what Maggie was asking, and her face went into a shocked expression. Iliana stood there kicking her feet in the dirt.

I looked over at Victor, he looked away and started swinging his sword.

“I see…, you all believe I’m using her for something inappropriate. Ha. I’d rather leave it at that, but I don’t want Iliana’s, or Maggie’s heart to break.” I said smugly. “The employees here are overworked, given little rest. I have Emily resting in my room, in my bed, while I sit at my desk. Iliana, can I borrow some books, so I’m not just sitting and staring at Emily carving her face into my wall. And if these two want it, I will be glad to stay within Capella with them.” I said with a crooked smile.

“Oh, I can bring you to the bookstore. Wait, Knight Freya, how will we get money?” Iliana looked at Freya worriedly.

“The king will send you money, a stipend for your military status. Other than that, you can sell weapons, clothing, monster parts, or if you can skin monsters yourself, hides, and any valuable objects. Monsters sometimes have some of the most useful resources. I taught Iliana a little about how money works here. But it seems to be rather similar to your world.” After Freya finished explaining she looked over at the palace direction, Maggie looked back as well.

“Say Bona, what do you mean the employees are overworked?” Maggie asked.

I explained to them what Emily told me about the situation. Terrarum refugees aren’t allowed in the city, many of the maids and butlers working here get little rest, about Warren’s supplement sales, about the families living in the worker’s house. By Maggie’s countenance, it looked like as if I confirmed one of her suspicions, Iliana looked worriedly back towards the palace, and Knight Freya stood with her hand to her chin.

“And you offer rest to Ms. Emily?” Freya asked me.

“Yep, now money, is it paper money, or precious metals?”

“Do you not care about the health of those employed here?” Freya seemed annoyed at my question.

I took a deep breath and looked up at the sky. “There is a good number of employees here, I don’t think any of them are forced to work here. Land is plenteous, I’m sure they can find other housing, other work opportunities. Do I have to worry myself solving the situation here? Apparently what Warren is doing is not seen as criminal.” She nodded slowly and signed exasperatedly at my lack of compassion.

“I assume not. But a man abusing his power for wealth is despicable. I will have a word with him. Now, on the topic of economy. Our money is based on the value of precious metals. Gold, silver, aluminum, copper, zinc, and mercury, respectfully in order from most valuable to least. You can find fiat money, Iliana says that is the official term for paper money in your world, here we call it scribed money, but it is useless. Terrarum, when facing economic crisis, started scribing money out of scrolls and leather as their precious metal reserves depleted. It circulates here in Astrum, but the value is less than a coin of mercury.”

“Interesting, aluminum in our world isn’t found as a metal in it’s natural state. I’m not sure about zinc, or mercury, but I remember hearing stories that hat makers went crazy back in the days because the glues used in the past contained mercury. I suppose the two Gods made things to their independent standards, though they share in a lot.” I know that even in our world, money is based on how much precious metals one nation had in reserve, the value of a dollar was dependent on the value of the nation’s gold reserves.

Because of that, it always seemed weird to me that we don’t just use gold instead of paper, but $100 worth of paper is lighter than 100 ounces of gold even if ounces weren’t much. I wonder what value does zinc, mercury or aluminum have? I suppose when they were founded, the kingdoms just decided to add them to the currency.

“Ah, interesting, two different worlds yet our resources are somewhat shared. Aluminum here is found in metal form, it is collected from the surface as dust then mixed into coins. Mercury and zinc are clustered in rocks, and I have heard no case of them effecting the human body. I can study further into any bad side effects of mercury, though if I find some evidence in it causing madness it may cause a drastic change in our economy.” Freya replied, looking excited about something again, maybe this time its in finding a new subject to research.

“Bona, I think it is my turn to say, I really don’t care about all of this, can we get going.” Maggie said with an impatient look on her face.

“Yeah, Knight Freya, thank you for putting up with me. I don’t know what these two said, but I could really use you in this world. These two especially, could use you.” I pointed at my two comrades. “Well let us gather our things, advise our assistants, and head into the city for some intense training.” I started walking back towards the palace.

“Bona, I have heard of your willingness to sacrifice your life to save those you care for. I cannot stand for your belief that life is cheap, honestly, I don’t even know if you can either from what I heard about your past. But if you can focus your strength on protecting your party of adventurers, I can co-exist with you. But please, if possible, protect my soldiers as well. The three of you will not fight alone, I will have a squad of my men fighting with you.” Freya said as she started walking beside me, followed by Iliana, Maggie, and Victor.

“Warrior Bona, you have picked up on sword skills quickly. I know within a month of training with Knight Freya you can easily best me. I would be happy to know I have your strength backing me up.” Victor said with a bright smile.

“Yeah, screw you. Knight Freya, I won’t be putting my life on the line for people I have no love for. Sorry.”

“Bona!” Maggie yelled and walked to my right side, tip toeing to slap me in the back of the head.

“Ow! Maggie, I was just speaking the dead honest truth. I’m not gonna lie to make everyone feel good and betray their feelings when they get killed by whatever is waiting for us.” I was rubbing the back of my head and stood still looking at a glaring Maggie.

“Listen, Knight Victor, I have been training with Freya for a few days, she finds my skills impressive for never having been in an actual fight. You can count on me to watch your back, and if this doofus tries to abandon you, I’ll toss him at you, and you run leaving the danger to him. You got me?” Iliana had a smile brighter than Victor had, and he stood there looking flustered.

“Yes Ma’am. Th-thank you.” Victor started laughing under his breath. We continued our walk.

“There you go Victor. You have a Warrior pledging to protect you and tossing one of her own comrades to save you from further dangers. Ha, I must send you with them so she can hold true to that.” Knight Freya said walking over to Victor and giving him a slap on the back.

“Jeez, don’t I get a say about being tossed into danger to save someone who doesn’t matter to me.” I started shaking my head.

Maggie took a deep breath.

“AHHHHHHHHHH! BONA! SHUT UP!” She stood breathing heavily, she looked even more impatient, from a different reason I presume. “Listen, what your saying is messed up. He was willing to train you, he was willing to ask you for help even though he can whip your but. Why do you sound like you can drive a dagger in his throat yourself and not lose any sleep over it?!”

I held both hands up. “Whoa, Maggie, I would never hurt him unless...”

“And you won’t save him!” She started to speak quieter. “E-even if given the chance. We get it, now quit devaluing his life.” Maggie took off towards the palace, the rest of us stood still staring at her.

“Victum?” I got the knight’s attention.

“Yes, Warrior Bona?” He turned to face me after taking a second to realize I was speaking to him.

“I don’t apologize. Screw you.” I stated queitly so Maggie couldn’t hear me and started walking back towards the palace.

I heard Victor ask Freya, “What exactly does…, screw you mean?”

“I assume it is some taunt from his world.” Freya replied.

“Yeah, it’s kind of a really mean thing to say. I’m sorry Knight Victor.” Iliana chided in.

“Hurry up! Idiot!” Maggie turned around and yelled again. I suppose she was not upset, but really, really annoyed at me. I rushed over to her left side and gave her a funny look.

“What?” She sounded really pissed.

“Why’d you yell for?”

“Because you’re annoying.” She punched me lightly in the arm and signed. “Maybe it was overreacting, but you couldn’t just leave it where it was? Again, we were all having a good time, and you…, Ugh, I just want to yell at you again, I swear.”

“S-Sorry, An-anyways, how you feeling about going to the city?” I wanted to change the subject. Maggie looked at the ground and let out a small sigh.

“I can’t wait to get into the city, to start training.” She slowed to a stop; I matched her speed. “But, when we start fighting…, I’m scared about that.”

“Don’t be.” I signed, putting my hand on her back, and giving her a gentle shove to push her forward. “At least that is what I want to say, but I can’t predict what you’ll have to do, how you’ll do it, or what it would cost. Honestly, I’m scared for you and Iliana as well. But Maggie, you don’t have to bare the burden of caring for Iliana alone. Not only can she care for herself, but she has me too.” Maggie grunted in agreement.

“Hey Maggie, I didn’t…, well saying break your heart is a bit cheesy. I guess it’s best to ask, I didn’t hurt you back there, did I? Making you angry is funny.” I said with a smirk before continuing. “But, in trying to not hurt you, I’d be willing to lie, to say I’d protect someone I have to intention of saving, if it’ll…”

“No, don’t. Bona, it is upsetting hearing you belittle people, but don’t lie. Don’t ever lie.”

She had a sad look in her eyes, as if me lying would be the worst thing I could do. To acknowledge her request I nodded and stuck out my pinkie. “Pinkie swear, I will not lie about protecting people.”

“Good.” She wrapped her pinky around mine, eyes on our hands, a reminiscent smile on her face.

We packed some things in traveling bags that were stored inside the palace. I had a bag with some extra clothing, Iliana had a relatively full bag, Maggie had two overstuffed bags. One of Freya’s knights had a home in Capella, and he was off guarding the Terrarum border for a month. It was a large house with servants, multiple rooms, and a comfy sized living and dining room. Freya’s training grounds was a short walk from the house.

The city was somewhat visible from the palace, it was about a 50-minute walk, or 3 miles. The city was large, Freya says it was home to nearly 68,000 citizens before the fall of Terrarum, and the total is now undetermined. We were coming at it from the South, the entrance was facing Northeast, there were some entrances along the wall, but none had a way to be opened from the outside.

The city’s shape was nonexistent, apparently it has been renovated throughout its 44 years of civilization and no longer resembles a known shape. Based off the wall, the added sections were clearly visible by the lack of wear on the stone slabs. If I had to guess, the city expanded four times.

There were some walls still snaking its way through the city, almost zoning off certain areas, Freya states that the city plans on tearing those down to reuse for further expansion. According to her, they have been saying that for nearly a decade, and now using the refugee crisis to further stall the expansion. For now, the old walls act like an inner city border between different classes or districts.

“I was around when the first Lord founded this city, he wanted to start a trading network selling goods from Terrarum. Originally this city was meant to only house and give lounge to merchants and be a marketplace for other merchants to travel to for buying and selling goods. The original goal may have been lost, but the spirit of trade is still present. Capella may be going through some rough times, but it is still the kingdom’s richest and largest city” Freya explained.

There were 6 guards by the front gate, the walls were surrounded with teepees, and makeshift tents, 4 of the guards were dealing with some of the refugees begging for entrance, Victor had to peel off from our group to assist as it started devolving into a fist fight. It seemed that merchants were fearful to sell their goods outside of the city, and the people out here were suffering from lack of hygiene and supplies. Because of the good nature of the people of Astrum, they donated some goods that were close to expiring to the refugees outside the walls every morning.

Freya advised the guards of our soon to be Warrior status and we entered the city with no hassle. The front court was paved with brick, there was a dried-out fountain in the middle of it. Refugees littered the court, the sides of the path, and the front of the buildings surrounding the court. Freya led us down the path directly across from the gate and took us down a few turns leading to an old wall with a thick wooden door and one guard. The man was not a soldier based off his clothing, and he was reading a leather bond book.

“Knight Freya. Welcome, I see you have Warrior Iliana with you, and…”

“Hello Tor. This is Warrior Maggie, Iliana’s older sister, and their companion, Warrior Bona.” Freya replied to the man with a wide smile.

“I see. Wow, so the king really went and got himself three angels to fight off those pesky demons. I look forward to your legends. I am Victor Inken.” He looked at each of us before unlocking and opening the door.

“Ha, you are two-thirds correct. We have a devil among our ranks.” Freya pointed a thumb at my direction, I looked behind me and yelled at a man sitting against a building behind me.

“You, are you the devil Knight Freya is talking about? Huh?!” The stranger stood up with his hands in the air and walked back slowly before turning and running. Maggie pulled me by the arm as I started to walk after him. Iliana yelled “SORRY!” after the fleeing man.

“Thought so! Knight Freya, the devil fled, not gonna lie, I was shaking in my britches once you pointed him out.” I said wiping a hand across my forehead.

“Ha, this guy is a riot. Don’t go causing trouble for us all, now head into the High Residence Area would ya. I gotta get back to my love story, lovely maiden is about to lose something.” Tor said with a click of the tongue and raising his book. Maggie and Iliana ignored him and started walking towards the door.

Freya led us to our place of lounging, then to her training grounds, after we explored the more refined and clean section of Capella, Freya decided to lead us back out the way we came in, and to Alvin the blacksmith.

We walked into a shop that displayed an old anvil at the front, it was a stone building with 9ft of space between it and the neighboring buildings. When we got through the front door, we were greeted with a ringing bell.

“Alvin, it’s knight Freya.” Freya spoke loudly but not yelling.

The front of the store displayed things crafted from wood, stone, and steel, along with swords, spears, shields, and some armor. By the front desk at the back there was a rack that had some belts and scabbards. Behind the desk was a large opening covered by a black curtain.

“Oh snap. Ahh, I-I’m in the Shower!” Came a Joyful, but deep voice from the back room.

“How many times are you gonna use that excuse Mr. Blacksmith. I brought the king’s three Warriors with me. They are requesting your service.”

“Ah, the first three warriors in ages. One second Freya, I got my hands in a messy situation.” After some weird squelching noises, a big man wearing a leather apron, buckskin shirt with the long sleeves rolled up, and a leather flat cap walked out from behind the curtain.

“Ah ha, Freya you have a band of merry soldiers with you I see. Hello Warriors, Alvin Oak, welcome to my humble little shop. I don’t know what the knight lady said to the lot of you, but please don’t overestimate me. She is the cause of so much of my white hairs.” Alvin said grabbing a patch of his black hair. He reminded me of a lumberjack, a tough but gentle look, muscles bulging from his leather shirt, hands as large as a bear paw, and a fine beard reaching to the middle of his chest.

“Alvin, if you don’t want business, please give me the name of a craftsmen I can wholly trust as much as you and I’d be more than willing to push people away.” Freya said with a taunting smile.

“Now, that aint good. I’d like the free time, but a man without work isn’t really a man. You know, I can always just turn people away if it came to it.” Alvin nodded slowly. “Hmmm. That Settles it. Send them and if I can’t fit them in, I’ll give em the boot.” Alvin kicked the air in front of him.

“Oh, please don’t give us the boot Mr. Alvin.” Iliana started to walk to the counter and stuck out her hand. “I’m Iliana Amana. Pleasure to meet you.”

“Umm. Tell me Ms. Amana, what is a humble blacksmith to do with that hand you aimed towards me. You aren’t threatening me, are you?” Alvin said with a smile.

“Oh, I guess this custom doesn’t exist here. This is called a handshake. You reach your hand out and lock the saddle of your hand with mine and grip the bottom of my hand with four fingers while shaking up and down. I don’t know if you know this, but we three were taken from our world and brought here. So, I’m not sure how to greet people. Normally we just share names and that is that. But since we were about to do business, I wanted to make a good impression. I’m sorry.” Alvin’s eyebrows furrowed at Iliana’s words.

“Taken from your world. My lady, I’m sorry our king allowed that.” There was a genuine look of sadness on his countenance. “Now, a handshake, let’s try it.” With a bright, warm smile, his big hands enveloped Iliana’s small hands, the difference was such that Alvin was near touching his own thumb.

“Th-thank you. Mr. Alvin.”

“Hey, Ms. Amana, if you ever find yourself at a lost about our world, you can come to my shop to talk, okay. Same goes for the two of you. Freya told me about the three warriors the king got to fight for us, she didn’t mention a thing about your situation. But fighting for the people that took you from your world is admirable.” Alvin looked angry for a second, but quickly looked at us with that warm smile.

“Yeah, why? We have plenty of people to talk to. I’m Bona by the way.” I quickly put a hand up and down, a weak attempt at a wave. “Got a lot of stuff I will need help making. Starting off with a baseball cap. Oh, and nice to meet ya.” I walked over to a carved wooden sculpture to my right.

“Just Bona?” Alvin had his arms crossed.

“Bona Gallio.”

“What is it you wanted? A baseball cap?”

“Yep. We can talk design later. You still got one more customer to sucker up to.” I nodded my head towards Maggie.

She looked at me with a look that said she wanted to pinch my head off. With a deep sign, she turned to face Alvin and walked up to him with her hand out.

“Mr. Alvin, Maggie Amana. I’m Iliana’s big sis. Thank you for offering your time to us. Ignore Bona, I mean completely forget he exists if you must. He’s still learning to readjust to being a person.” Alvin shook Maggie’s hand, still almost touching his own thumb.

“Ha, what was he before? A jackass. Ha. It is a pleasure to meet you lovely lady. Your hair reminds me a lot of my daughter’s, she seems to hate how it curls. Her mom keeps telling her it will straighten out as she grows, and she just huffs and puffs about it all day long. Believe me, Ms. Amana, this little shop is a safe haven, especially from pouting, adorable children. Just don’t look at all the dangerous objects I got lying around.”

“Yeah, I was wondering about that. Could anyone just walk in and steal, or use any of this to threaten you?”

“Hmm. I suppose so. But I haven’t had any trouble yet. I know I can fight, I used to be an adventurer, but if my wife and daughter happen to be here…. Hmm. How would I display my wares for sell safely? Honestly, I never once thought about it. Ms. Amana, now that the thought has entered my mind, its bound to happen, you know.” Alvin looked at Maggie with a smile that reminded me of a debater that just lost an argument.

“Oh. I’m so sorry.”

“Ahh, I can tell my black beauties turning white already. You know what won my wife over right. It wasn’t this ugly mug.” Alvin pointed at his face. “I suppose I could use glass, build some wooden cases to store them have a glass top, and a metal lock on them. That way the citizens can see the item but cannot touch it.” Alvin began tapping his finger on the counter, a habit I had when losing myself to thought.

“Yeah, till they break the glass.” I said while looking at another sculpture made of a white stone with grey specks.

“Hmm. Perhaps they could, but if I…. Yeah, if I put iron, or wooden dowels, the scum can grab a weapon but cannot remove it from the case. Customers can see the wares, be safe and I won’t have to worry about anyone thieving my things.”

He thought of a quick solution. I smiled realizing Alvin reminded me a lot of a man at my church. One of my favorite people who taught me about woodworking, welding, construction, and even hired me to work on his cars and house even though he had time and experience to do it himself.

“Wow, Alvin, that’s actually a good idea.” Maggie, Iliana, and Freya all turned to look at me, somewhat shocked.

“Bona, did you call Alvin…, Alvin?” Freya asked incredulously.

“Yeah, he did. It’s my name. Why do the three of you look like you saw something unreal? If it is something I made, it’s for sale.” Alvin looked confused, staring at the three shocked patrons in his shop.

“Do…, do you like him?” Iliana asked.

“Jeez.” I said quickly, then turned to Alvin to shrug my shoulders. He looked even more confused.

“Is that a mana spell.” Alvin shrugged his shoulders and looked around.

“Ha, no man, it’s a gesture. A movement with my body to signify something. Though I guess that’s how mana works here, gestures, movements. But in my world, shrugging your shoulders is a way of saying I don’t know, showing indecision, as in, I can’t come up with a way to respond to their idiocy.” Iliana walked up to me.

“I’m not an idiot, Doofus. Tell me, why is it that Alvin is one of the few people whose name you got correct?”

“Iliana? Why haven’t you picked it up yet. Actually, I’m surprise neither you nor Maggie mentioned it. Fre-ya. Haven’t I been saying her name correctly. I just remember some names better than others. That is all, ain’t a special thing about it.” Though in truth, I liked Freya’s love for her soldiers and for Iliana and Maggie, and Alvin reminded me of one of the greatest people in my life. It’s more work thinking of saying someone’s name wrong but keeping it close, than it was to just say their name. I know I started it thinking that if a wrong name was enough to get someone upset, then I didn’t want them in my life, now it was just to annoy people.

Iliana looked at Freya, had a look of realization, smiled, and turned back towards me.

“Yeah, you don’t work based off normal people criteria. No, I know you don’t call people by their names unless you like them. Remember, you told me that way back when. Ha, you use to call me Ilium, then when we started talking and getting close you started calling me Iliana. When I questioned you about it, you told me you only remember the names of people important to you. I was amazed people just dealt with it and hung out with you, but seriously, I’m happy you like Ms. Freya, and Mr. Alvin.” Iliana started tearing up and buried her face in my chest.

“Why is it such a big deal?”

“Because it means there’s still hope.” Maggie smiled at me.

Iliana, pushed herself off me and said, “You haven’t ruined the mood yet.”

We told Alvin we would be back soon and headed back to our lounging. I asked Freya if Emily could move in with us, Maggie and Iliana asked if their maids could as well. Iliana’s maid asked if she could stay at the palace, Iliana allowed it, Julie, and Emily arrived the next day, when we really started training.

I wish I hadn’t invited Emily to a city filled with refugees from a land known for its selfish nature.