While slowly walking towards the first ring of Terathil Anarion’s heart was beating out of his chest. His palms were sweaty, he was still hungover from the previous night. His stomach felt funny as if butterflies were fluttering around inside. This was the first time, he would ask a woman out on a date. In his mind Tycondris had the right idea, he told her the night of the summer fair he would think about how he felt, he needed to confirm it one way or another.

While the answer was obvious to some. In Anarion’s mind, there was a deep-seated worry. It was not until recently, that he started letting people into his life. The irrational fear of abandonment weighed heavily on his mind. Growing up without a proper family scarred him. The only family he had did not even send him a letter for eight years while he was growing up let alone visit.

He could not be true to himself, or his feeling because of his fears. Especially if he confirmed he cares for Amma in such a way, he thought she would eventually leave him. Despite being the most gifted third-class swordsman, he had self-confidence issues due to the circumstances of his life.

Anarion reached the first ring. He gulped. “Oh shit, I never thought of where we would go on a date,” he mumbled to himself. Anarion’s movements were stiff and robotic. His face carried a terrified expression on it. In the back of his mind, he was saying “Fuck, shit.”

Finally, he arrived at the Shadowsbane complex. It was a gated community with eight different households. The main house was the size of Bwoire’s mansion. It was made out of the same material as all the other households, the brick was painted beige. Two guards stood outside the gate. Both men were incredibly large. They were mostly there to keep the riff-raff out.

“Stop, what business do you have here?” asked the tallest one. “Anarion Ragnor here to see Amma, we are in the same Swordsman Unit.” The other guard picked up a clipboard that was posted to the gate. “Ragnor, let me see,” he said. His name was indeed on the list. “You have entry clearance.” Anarion scratched the back of his head “Th..thanks.” he said nervously.

The piece of paper had a description of the house as well. No doubt the biggest house belonged to Amma. Anarion choked back his fears and knocked on the door. A woman answered the door. She looked to be in her early forties. She had long blonde hair and blue eyes. She had a white dress on, which accentuated her curves. She looked like an older version of Amma. “Yes, how can I help you?” she asked in a polite tone.

“Anarion, here to speak with Amma.” The woman’s eyes lit up. “So you’re Anarion, Amma didn’t tell me how handsome you are. I’ll bring her out in just a moment. Would you prefer to wait inside?” Anarion stuttered. “Thank you, but no thank you. I won’t be here long.” She smiled at Anarion, “I’ll bring her here in a jiffy.” She closed the door.

Two minutes passed in a flash. Amma opened the door. She was wearing her Swordsman garb. “Anarion, what brings you here?” she asked nervously. Her face was slightly red. “Can we talk?” he asked nervously. She nodded her head and closed the door behind her. “We have a garden at my uncles. He’s out of the city right now, we can talk there if you want?”

Anarion said nervously “Sure.” They both walked towards the eastern end of the compound. Outside was a garden with a patio set. Anarion and Amma sat down. Anarion cleared his throat. “Do you still feel the way you felt at the summer fair?” he asked. Amma’s face turned completely red. She said “Yes, I do.” in a very nervous tone.

Anarion gently sighed. “I told you back then I would think about it. However, I have not had much time to think about things, with the war and all. I honestly still don’t know how I feel.” Amma lowered her gaze. “However, I think there could be something there. So, I have an idea.” Anarion gulped.

“Go out on a date with me. We won’t have any assignments until next year, it will give me plenty of time to think things through.” Amma lifted her gaze, her eyes widened up. “You are asking me out on a date then?” she asked nervously. Anarion nodded his head. “Yes, please go out on a date with me.” Amma practically yelled, “Yes, I will go out on a date with you!”

Both of their faces were considerably red. “I have not thought of a time, day, or a place.” Amma suggested “Back in Holsten when everyone abandoned us, that was sort of like a forced date. However since you asked me, I think I would like to go to another festival, though this time as a proper date.” said Amma.

Anarion looked at Amma. “Is there a festival going on right now.” She smiled “There is a year-long festival in the tenth ring. The theme changes with the season.” Anarion asked. “When do you want to go?”

Amma thought for a moment. “We just returned to the city yesterday. How about three days from now in the evening?” Anarion said, “That sounds good to me.” He felt like he was going to throw up, he wasn’t sure if it was from the hangover of from how nervous he felt right now. “What time should I come to pick you up?” he asked. Amma quickly replied, “Seven in the evening works for me.”

Anarion stood up. “It’s a date then.” Amma smiled. “I’ll see you in a few days.” Anarion was about to leave, however, he forgot to say one more thing. “Whatever you do, don’t go to Bwoire’s house,” he said with a horrified look on his face. Amma laughed “Thanks for the warning.” Anarion left the compound.

He slowly walked back to the tavern, as he was sure Falcon and Tycondris were waiting for him. By the time he returned to the tavern it was late into the afternoon. They were still at the tavern. Anarion sat down next to Falcon. They both looked at him expectantly. “Three days from now at seven in the evening,” he said.

Falcon and Tycondris cheered. Anarion continued to feel nervous in the pit of his stomach. “You look like you are about to throw up,” said Falcon. Anarion said, “Honestly, I’m surprised I have not already, I’ve been hungover all day.” Tycondris looked at him carefully. “No, I don’t think that is from the hangover.”

Anarion’s forehead hit the table. Falcon and Tycondris laughed. Falcon said “You should have some clothes made. You don’t have to stay in swordsman garb all the time, only when you are on duty.” Anarion rolled his head towards Falcon “I don’t even know where to have clothes made.”

Tycondris laughed “Don’t worry Anarion. I know a place, you can even have clothes made for your date with Amma.” Anarion lifted his head and asked. “Can you take me there in the morning?” Tycondris nodded. “I have not officially begun my duty, so sure I can take you.” The barmaid came around, it was Veronica from the previous night.

Everyone ordered a few pints of beer that evening before calling it quits. Anarion did not want to be hungover again. That evening he slept in his new house for the first time. He laid on the floor, using one Ghee for a pillow, the other Ghees for blankets.

He tried to sleep, but he was too nervous. He just laid there on the ground, alone with his thoughts. In the back of his mind, his irrational fear caused him to worry that everyone would leave him someday, that the people he had come to know as friends would desert him as Aenos deserted him in that academy for all those years.

Eventually, he fell asleep. That night he dreamed that everyone was in a tavern. Bwoire on the other hand continued walking into the tavern naked with a series of naked women. Anarion eventually woke up and considered it a nightmare. He didn’t mind the naked women part, the part with Bwoire made him want to stick his head through a window and impale himself upon a broken shard.

Anarion eventually fell asleep again. The sun came up in Terathil, there was a pounding at his door quite early in the morning. Anarion slowly got up and walked to the door. It was Tycondris, as promised. “Sleep well kid?” he asked. In his hand he had a bag of bagels from the bakery down the street, he pointed the bag at Anarion, he grabbed one.”

He had no food in the house because there was no means of storing food yet. Anarion walked with Tycondris to the ninth ring while slowly eating his bagel. They stopped at the eastern end of the ninth ring in front of a small shop. Tycondris walked in, Anarion following behind him. A middle-aged woman with black curly hair sat on a chair. Through a door on the other side of the shop were sewing instruments.

In the shop portion, there was an array of fabrics and yarns. “Tycondris, is that you?” she asked. Tycondris laughed “It’s been a while, Lela. How is business?” Lela said, “Things can be slow, but otherwise pretty good.” He pushed Anarion to the front. Lela took a look at Anarion, she was quite impressed.

“Is this handsome young man your friend?” she asked. “Yes, he is. We fought in the Bronze Arena together. I’ll tell you the full story sometime. He’s a Swordsman and needs some clothing made.” She stood up. “He’s so damn tall. I bet the ladies love you.” Tycondris laughed “Part of the reason he is here, aside from needing his official garb made, he has a date in two and a half days.”

Lela looked impressed. “Lucky man, she’s got to be smoking hot to be in your league.” Anarion’s face turned slightly red. “A shy boy,” she said. Lela pulled a tape measure out of her pocket. She started measuring Anarion, seeing as how she was only five foot three she needed a step ladder.

“Okay, take off your pants,” she said casually. Tycondris cleared his throat. “You don’t need to measure that for clothing Lela.” She snapped her fingers. “You’re no fun.” Tycondris laughed. Anarion laughed nervously. “I’m guessing you want official garb, every day, and something for a date. Do you want me to pick the fabric?”

Anarion said, “Yes, please.” Lela said “He’s so well mannered. If your date doesn’t work out, come and see me. I may be older, but I have experience.” Anarion glared at Tycondris. Obviously, he knew that this seamstress was perverted. Tycondris asked, “When can he come to pick up his clothes?” Lela said, “I’ll make sure to have the essentials prepared before his date, the rest could take a week or two.”

Anarion said. “Thank you, I’ll come to pick them up before. How much do I owe you?’ Lela guessed the amount of material it would take. “We’ll call it five silver even.” Anarion handed her the silver, then left the store with Tycondris. They returned to the tavern to have a proper meal and a few pints. Anarion was mentally preparing himself. Tycondris gave him some advice from his younger years. One piece of advice resonated with him. “Treat it as a battle. I’ve seen you fight, you are full of confidence in a fight. Imagine Amma as a difficult foe, you might not be so nervous.” Anarion took the advice to heart. Before he knew it, the day of the date arrived.