Once the horses were settled outside, everyone took a seat at the large round table inside the first floor of the large house.

Jon noticed that, unlike the farms, there weren’t a ton of rooms and walls. There were only the four outer walls, and everything inside had been set up around each other. There was certainly a lot more open space to have more furniture in smaller surroundings. He couldn’t help but be reminded of the insides of Graves’ home back in the Apratha Townsend.

Jon and his friends were then all served small servings of food by the couple. So small, Jon was glad he wasn’t particularly hungry. He was still extremely grateful for it. Looking at the other’s plates, he couldn’t help notice that the food was divided evenly between everyone, made more noticeable by its smaller serving size.

“Sorry about that!” Helia said, taking her seat next to Stewart after she placed the last plate in front of Hector. “We had made just enough for two!”

“Then why did you divide it?” Hector asked. “You could have just eaten it yourselves and not wasted it on us.”

“Nonsense!” Stewart said. “You’re our guest!”

He saw the sour turn on Hector’s face.

“I mean… we’re guests of yours, apparently!” Stewart continued, straining not to lose his smile. “And we couldn’t bear to eat in front of you guys. You all must be weary from your travels!”

“No, I just wanna know why you’re inside of my house,” Hector reiterated under his breath.

“...It’s a funny story,” Stewart started. “One of great-”

“I can’t promise that this guy isn’t gonna burn the house down listening to you spout nonsense,” Tallow interrupted while motioning to Hector, “so, let’s try making the story less funny.”

“I’m not gonna-” Tallow shushed Hector before he could say any more.

“...Me, and my fiance, Helia,” Stewart began,” we’re on a journey.”

“Where?” Hector demanded.

“The mountains east!” Stewart slammed the table in glee as he expounded quickly. “Into the uncharted land!”

“It’s not uncharted,” Mercy started to explain, “I live-”

“Why would you be going there?” Hector interrupted.“You’re civilians!”

“Civilians of the great…” Helia handed Steward a rolled-up piece of parchment, which he unscrolled opened up to read off of.

“The great… Mansa Stonetooth!”

“Mansa stone-” Mercy had reached up to grab the scroll, but Hector had snatched it out of Stewart’s hands.

“I herby humbly ask for…” A grumpy Mercy ripped the parchment out of Hector’s hands stood up, opening it fully. Hector was too dumbfounded by the gesture to react angrily.

Not that it mattered, she was already reading as Mallory came by her side and skimmed through it as well.

“...Looks legit,” Mallory said out loud.

“It does,” Mercy said. “This is…”

She closed the parchment. “You’re a carpenter?”

“Yes!” Stewart nodded. “I-”

Helia cleared her throat, getting Stewart’s attention.

“...Uh… we…” Stewart amended, “have been summoned to the great mountains east to make a house for the gods!”

“...You know Manas Stonetooth?” Mallory asked Mercy.

“Not personally…” Mercy responded. “He’s from one of the other clans. I know of him, and I know that he is a bit…”

She bobbed her head side to side in thought. “Extravagant. But…”

“I know that guy!” Tallow snapped her hands in thought. “Their part of the Stone Collector tribe! But they all fight with sticks and stones, right? What are they gonna do with a…”

She observed Stewart and Helia. “Architect and an interior decorator?”

“We share the duties,” Helia explained. “But yes. We do.”

“And therein lies the challenge!” Stewart said with a grin. “We’re going to a culture new and full of possibility! To stretch the-”

“Yeah, yeah,” Tallow waved them away. “I gotcha.”

“They didn’t send an escort?” Hector asked, looking at Mercy.

“...It’s part of the challenge, probably,” Mercy said. “A sick sense of humor. But…”

She shrugged. “If they show the parchment, then they’ll be allowed past the border.”

“Enough of this serious stuff!” Stewart exclaimed. “Why don’t we introduce ourselves?”

“My name’s Mallory,” Mallory started.

“Hi, I’m Jon,” Jon said.

“Hi, Jon!” Helia began. “Nice to meet you-”

“Why didn’t you hire any bodyguards,” Hector asked, interrupting Tallow before she could introduce herself.

“Rude,” Tallow remarked, crossing her arms but not saying anything more.

“Cause we can’t afford any!” Stewart exclaimed. “Right honey?”

“Right!” Helia responded in delight.

“Can’t afford any?” Hector blinked in confusion. “How can you not afford any? What do you spend your money on?”

“Not everyone’s a prince with a castle,” Tallow remarked, but Hector shushed her to hear their response.

“Well…” Stewart said, “it’s because we decided to sell everything and set off on this journey. In honor of our future marriage. It’s a way to start over.”

He and Helia grabbed hands. “To a new start.”

“So you spent all of the money you could have used on bodyguards on items the King’s Guard would have provided you anyway had you brought their service,” Hector concluded. “Right.”

“That’s cute,” Mercy remarked. “I mean, stupid, but cute.”

“Then, again…” Hector crossed his arms. “We’re already spread thin. No sense spending time on something as stupid and insignificant as this.”

“Don’t say that,” Mercy replied. “People’s lives are important.”

“Not if they’re gonna be stupid and waste all of their money on stupid ideas.” Hector motioned to the fireplace. “It’s on in the middle of the day! It’s not even that cold!”

“To be fair, Hector,” Mallory stated, “this is pretty easy. They were heading in the right direction.”

“No, your golden friend is right,” Stewart explained. “We ran out of materials quickly. Our food either went rotten or was eaten right away, and we just so happened to find our way out to this cabin.”

“We’ve been surviving on the bits of food being brought to us while we’re here,” Helia added.

“That still doesn’t…” Hector scratched his head. “Whatever. I’m just gonna assume that all of the food was eaten.”

He stood up. “Let’s go guys. We can make the next house by nightfall.”

“Leaving already?” Mallory asked.

“Yeah,” Hector said. “We might be able to make it to the next house by sunset.”

“Oh, well, I would have at least liked to eat,” Mallory said, standing up. “Alright. I guess we should leave the people what little food we have anyway.”

Jon noticed that he was the only one to start eating his food, probably absent-mindedly from watching the entire conversion. The couple hadn’t even started eating their portions yet. He felt a little ashamed and self-conscious.

“We’re on a schedule,” Hector explained. “So we should leave now… if that’s alright with everybody else.”

“Yeah,” Mercy said, standing up. “We should go.”

“You guys have to leave by the time we get back,” Hector said to the couple once Tallow and Jon stood. “Understand?”

“Of course,” Stewart nodded. “We’ll do that.”

“Good,” Hector said. “Make you leave everything back just as-”

“Could we come with you?” Stewart cut in.

“Come…” When Hector understood what was being asked he scowled. “No!”

“Actually…” Mallory patted Hector on the back and they turned away from the table.

“We are going in the same direction,” Mallory whispered, although everyone but the couple could hear them perfectly. “So, we could in fact-”

“No!” Hector said again. “They have to go through the proper channels before they can be helped by us! Like everyone else!”

“Was it the proper channels when we helped out the farm?” Mallory asked.

“I… that’s different!” Hector said while still whispering. “That was an excursion and on the way to finishing-”

“We know that you would have never left that farm if you knew it was under attack,” Mallory said, “Mercy or no Mercy.”

“I…” Hector flushed in embarrassment but held his tone, “that doesn’t mean anything. That was serious. This…”

“Are you just jealous just cause they’re getting married?” Tallow interjected.

“No!” Hector stood up straight, breaking himself away from Mallory’s arm. “That has nothing to do with it! They’re annoying, and-”

“So, you only help people that you like?” Tallow responded. “Is that it? That’s the King’s Guard way?”

“You don’t understand!” Hector said, “we-”

A large thud landed on top of the roof, grabbing everyone’s attention.

“What was that?” Tallow asked.

“It’s our savior!” Helia exclaimed from back at the table.

“Savior?” Hector, mumbling in his confusion, walked outside to see what was happening.

The others followed him outside.

Standing on the ground and brushing the dust off of her shins was Genevieve, a bird-person and King’s Guard mercenary. Jon remembered when she helped he and the others save his farm.

“Genevive?” Hector spoke with shock.

Genevie jumped back in shock and looked up at Hector.

“Hector?” Her look of fear became sudden joy. “Mallory! Jon! You’re all here!”

She ran up to Hector and hugged him. Unlike last time, Hector left her to finish hugging him properly.

“Our savior!” Stewart and Helia ran outside to meet Genevive, who had just finished letting go of a blushing Hector.

She took a brown bag off of her shoulder and placed it on the ground in front of them.

“Sorry ‘bout that,” Genevie said to them. “I’m still going between missions and-”

“We’re so grateful for you!” Stewart said as he picked up the bag. “We’ll make you lunch!”

The couple brought the bag back to the house.

“Can you explain what’s been going on?” Hector asked her.

“Yeah,” Genevieve said, “but first…”

She met Mallory halfway and they hugged each other.

“Missed ya, girl!” Mallory said.

“Aw, we always see each other again, you silly bugger!” she replied.

“Don’t eat me!” Mallory said in glee.

She slapped him on the arm in jest, then ran up to Jon and hugged him.

“Hi, Jon!” she exclaimed, holding him tight.

Jon hugged her back. He liked her hugs. He had been hugged before, but this hug didn’t feel so loaded with pain and emotion. She was just kind, and Jon needed that feeling again.

“Hi,” he said.

She pulled back and grabbed his face.

“You’ve been in some battles lately,” she said, observing it. “I can see it. Wow… you’ve really been through some stuff.”

“Yeah…” Jon said.

“No worries,” she patted him on the chest, “you’re here now. That’s what counts. Looking like a true mercenary!”

She thumped him on the chest with her fist two extra times, then hopped over to Mercy and Tallow.

“How are you, my love?” she asked, giving Mercy a soft hug.

“Fine,” Mercy said. “I’m glad I got to see you again before I went home.”

When they finished hugging, Genevieve took a good look at Tallow.

“You’re not a hugger, are you?” Genevieve asked her.

“Good call,” Tallow remarked.

“Genevieve,” Hector called out, “please explain!”

“I will,” she responded, “but inside!”

She walked back into the house.

“Ahhhh!!!” Hector had thrown back his head and yelled into the sky.

“...He knows that he doesn’t have to go back in the house,” Tallow said. “He can just wait until she comes back out, or even just leave now.”

“He knows,” Mallory said, “but he’s too worried about the job. He’s gonna go check up on her and make sure everything is going fine.”

He shrugged. ‘I mean, sometimes, he’s elected to ignore things, and let them happen, but I have a feeling that after everything’s that happened, he probably doesn’t just want to let things go without him knowing and-”

Hector walked back inside the house.

“...Yep…” Mallory followed after.

“I’m… gonna wait outside,” Tallow said. “Do some reconnaissance.”

She looked at Mercy. “Wanna join?”

“...I would,” Mercy said, “but I’m curious. If this involves the clans…”

“Right.” Tallow looked at Jon for his answer.

“Curious,” Jon said.

“Alrightie then…” Tallow stretched her arms. “Guess I”m coming back in too. Not cause I’m lonely or anything.”

She walked ahead of them towards the door.

Jon saw Mercy smile, but she didn’t say anymore. She and Jon followed her inside.

In the house, Geneive was helping the couple get organized with the things she brought.

“...You know these people?” Hector asked from behind.

“Yeah,” Genevieve turned around. “They were lost… and I decided to help them.”

“You’re wasting resources on these guys?”

“No!” Genevieve hastily responded. “It all comes from my own money. We’ve been spread thin. The King’s Guard I mean, and I was-”

“Does Lana know?” Hector asked.

“...No…” Genevieve shrugged shamefully, “honestly, she’s been stretched out so thin lately. We all have. And-”

“Damn it-” Hector cursed, “I shouldn’t have wasted time with that stupid tournament!”

“Oh, right!”

Before Hector could continue, Genevie ran up and hugged him again.

“Sorry about everything,” she said. “I can’t imagine the mess. We don’t blame you at all. And besides, I heard Jon did a great job on the other mission! Right?”

Jon nodded. “Yeah.”

“If Jon joins, we’ll have more help!” Genevieve continued. “You just do what you need to do, and we’ll take care of everything else.”

She gave a toothy smile. “That is, I do have a favor to ask.”

She pulled away and lowered her voice. “Could you-”

“No!” Hector said immediately. “They’re a liability! It’s already dangerous, and I don’t have anything to provide for them.”

“Just until the third safe house?” Genevieve asked. “You’re heading in the same direction! And they should be fine from there. I can pick them up once I make it there. I haven’t been able to take them there myself. You’re heading there anyway, right?”

“I am,” Hector admitted, but-”

“I’d do it,” Genevieve said, “but I can’t make that far of a journey. Even now I’m wasting time.”

Hector’s lips tightened, but he didn’t respond.

“This is the part where you’ll tell me to shove it and take care of my own responsibility,” Genevive said.

“...Maybe…” Hector looked away.

Genevie turned to Mallory. “Is this the same guy?”

“Post a couple of traumatic experiences,” Mallory said, “yeah.”

“Hector-”

“But only the safehouse!” Hector said, raising a solitary finger up. “And no more.”

“And then I’ll be able to pick them up from there!” Genevie said. “Thanks!”

She kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll see you later then.”

She walked to the door. “Bye, guys! It was nice to see you again!”

“It’s nice to see you the first time!” Tallow said sarcastically.

“Oh, you’re a snapper, aren’t you?” Genevieve asked. “I wish we could talk more.

She stepped out of the door then kicked off into her flight.

“Damn it!” Hector groaned after she left. “Whatever.”

He turned to the couple, who were waiting patiently in the corner.

“Hurry up!” Hector yelled. “Let’s try to make the second house by nightfall!”

“Alright!” Stewart and Helia jumped in each other’s arms.

“Less jumping, more getting ready!” Hector said. “Please.”

“So,” Tallow said, leaning into Mallory, “if I kiss him on the cheek, I can get him to do anything I want?”

“Man’s been deprived of touch his whole life, leave him alone,” Mallory said. “ You seen his family. And ‘sides, Genevieve’s cool.”

“Sure,” Tallow said.

The two of them left the building.

“...Guess we’re leaving then,” Mercy said to Jon.

Soon everyone was back in the wagon. Stewart and Helia had brought their own wagon, which was stored outside the house as well during their stay. albeit this one was smaller in just about every way.

There was a single horse pulling the cart with seats just for the two of them, and space for the few things they bought.

“We’ll follow along!” Stewart said, waving from behind the big wagon.

Hector sighed. “Don’t die,” he yelled behind.

He started the wagon. The large horses pulled away from the house, the smaller wagon starting to follow behind them.

“Their horse is smaller,” Mallory said to Hector at the front. “So we have to-”

“I know,” Hector said, groaning. “We can’t leave them behind.”

“...as much as I want to,” Hector added. He said it under his breath, yet it was loud enough for everyone to hear.

Jon couldn’t help but take a look back at the couple behind him.

They looked on eagerly as they chatted away to each other.

“...Look at ‘em go,” Tallow remarked. “Like rabbits.”

“Rabbits don’t talk,” Mercy said.

“I wasn’t talking about talking,” Tallow remarked.

Mercy sighed.

“I think it’s kinda cute,” Mercy said. “They’re in love.”

“Is that what you want?” Tallow asked. “To be all smooch-smoochie?”

“...I wanna have a normal life,” Mercy responded.

Tallow snicked. “No, you don’t.”

Mercy gave her a dirty look.

“You wanna be special,” Tallow said. “Or, you don’t wanna be normal. If you were, you wouldn’t have tried to throw a wedding as an overtly political campaign to make everyone get off your back. I mean, you would have just gone back home.”

“Hell, I might have never left…” Mercy leaned back into her seat in thought. “You’re right. Thanks, Tallow.”

“Don’t thank me yet…” Tallow sunk into her own seat lazily. “I never wanna be normal.”

“...You think Jon’s normal?” Mercy asked.

“Normal enough…” Tallow said. “I mean, he can’t be that normal if he’s hanging around us all day.”

“Yeah,” Mercy said. “He-”

There was a large breaking sound, and the wagon immediately stopped.

The couple’s horse, with its reins still in its mouth, dashed away from the group, running into the distance.

Jon turned to the source of the sound behind them to see that the couple’s wagon’s had broken down into several pieces, and they were both sitting on the floor among all the debris.

“What the…” Tallow muttered.

“What the hell?” Hector ran around to the scene.

“What… what happened?” He yelled when he fully saw everything.

“Our horse ran away!” Helia cried out.

“That’s the least of your issues!” Mercy had already jumped down and ran to help the couple.

She and Hector each picked up a person and pulled them out of the mess.

“Oh, well!” Stewart said, brushing himself off. “At least we didn’t get any splinters!”

Jon couldn’t help but think that the couple was maybe not the smartest or most aware people in the world.