*Inside Towen city*

"Alright, what to buy next.. Ahh i still can't believe how little time we have left. Those guys, i'm literally caring more about them, than they do for their own lives." Rogu sighed.. "It's going to be late, and i still havent gotten everything we need." Maybe i shouldnt care that much.. maybe they are right. I mean, it isn't the first time we have undertaken such a quest... But that forest.

"Rogu, have you gotten everything we need ?" Zarth shouted out loud to him.

"I'm trying, and you aren't helping.. The least you could do is find some antioxidant, and a flash or stun spell scroll." I couldnt help but sigh again, as i remember our circumstances. just why did i agree to that.

*A few hours prior*

"Ok, since Rogu is the most knowledgeable, we will let him take care of the supplies, while we search for a temporary member... Rogu, are you sure we need a healer ? Those guys always ask for a lot.. And the mission says 3 gold to the whole team... We will have to register him as ours, so less money for us." Rachel said, clearly not wanting to share her money with outsiders.

"You said that the other teams also don't have one, right ?" Rogu said, something which was answered with a quiet yes. "Well then, if you don't want us to die, you better find one fast."

"We didn't need one when we went through last time. So why now ?" Rachel asked, hopeful to avoid the situation.

"Last time we were careful not to attract a lot monsters, and we played with them. Now we are going to be walking signs, writing 'COME HERE, EASY TO SPOT TARGETS'. 2 more teams aint gonna solve the problem if we are injured.. in fact that, will most probably drag us down. One injured, equals to one more person to take care of, and one less to help us." Rogu explained with impatience on his face.

*Present time*

"I never expected them to find a priest so fast... I mean finding a priest isn't hard, but someone willing to go to that forest, without asking for an unreasonable price... pretty much impossible." Rogu once again sighed.

"Hah, I guess you're wondering how we did it." Rachel said, hitting the nail on the spot.

"I guess, I am a bit curious" I said, clearly wanting to know the answer. I mean even if I tried I wouldn't be able to convince any healer to go to that place with us.. Healers are highly sought after, and so many of them stay without a team, just waiting for someone to invite them, and then they ask for a price, most times reasonable.. this way of thinking is dangerous, since you don't know the other team, but all of them have trump cards, and basically no one wants to be blacklisted by them, so everyone is sensible. And truthfully the gains outweight the disadvantages.

"You see, I had a friend back then who owned me a big favor.. and he agreed to come with us for practically free." Rachel exclaimed, clearly proud of her achievement.

"I guess I don't want to know how big if a favor he owned you, to sell his services for free.." I just couldn't believe how lucky those guys were..

"Well we did promise a small amount, so it isn't for free, and besides,we did our job, so hurry up and do yours, and no asking for help." She said with a mocking laugh.

I don't think they understand how serious the situation is, but I guess you can't blame them... when they are FRIKING mentally retarded. But it isn't like I can't manage on my own... it's just.. unfair. I never thought they would be left of so easily.. I even assigned them the hard part... they stood lucky this time.

*A few hours later, late at afternoon*

"Leader-Boss" Rogu and Zarth both exclaimed.

"What!" Was Rachel's only answer.

"Why do you hate us..." they both said in one voice.

"Eh, what do you mean ?" Acting like she didn't understand.

"That priest is a kid... Literally" I yelled to her, failing to see, how such a kid can be of any help to us.

"And you !! Werent you two together ? Why are you surprised, and why did you let her do everything she wanted ?" I shouted to Zarth.

"I have no excuses.. except for the fact that she said to leave it all to her, and that i could go and have some fun... So i did." Zarth exclaimed, feeling innocent. Of course that didn't work with me, or would, with anyone for that matter.

"Thats not even an excuse !" I shouted for the umpteenth time.

And we dont have enough time to find someone else now.. Or maybe if we pay an exorbitant amount of money, maybe just then we can find someone.. Or maybe the other teams hire someone, and we wont have to get one... Oh what the heck am I thinking.

"Relax. Dont judge by his outer appearance. He is really good at his healing stuff, and I can vouch that for him." Rachel defended herself and the priest.

But i couldn't let up. "So what is his age ?" I once again questioned her with irritation visible on my face.

"Or by his age" Rachel quicly added.

And feeling my anger, she understood that if this went on, she would lose, so she was going to have to step up the game, if she didn't want to. "Oh Rogu please just for this one, trust me on it." And she hoped that this did the trick. Besides she felt she wasn't wrong. She was one of the few persons that truly knew his healing abilities, but his appearance, and age left room for doubt.. Heck even she didn't believe in him, when she first met him.

"Sometimes i forget who is the leader.. Rogu-Rachel... You guys are doing just like a married couple fighting."

And after this coment from Zarth there was silence, for a minute or two. "Ahh, I can only hardly believe you..."

"Ermm, can i have a say in this ? I believe i wasn't introduced properly. I am Michael, 15 years old and a natural born prodigy in the field of healing." Michael said.

And i instinctively answered. " If so, then why did you decide to come with us. A prodigy of your caliber, should also be tightly kept on an Familia, or an Organisation... or somewhere.. And you are telling me they let you leave with us, to such a dangerous place ? And with 'strangers' not to boot." Too suspicious.

"I am under no contrl of anyone. My existence is wanted by many, and many don't want others to have me. And so i am in a neutral state, belonging to no one, or anything... Of course there is also constant arguing AND fighting, about who will acquire me. Because of the many factions that want me, no one can take me easily.. Of course that didn't mean that at the beginning everything was the same. At first, I was under constant surveillance, and it was Rachel, who helped me fight for my freedom. No one wanted someone else to have me, and if it meant me dying, that was also acceptable. Of course time by time they do come and check me, but its mostly the factions watching each other out." Michael said, clearing up some of my confusion.

"Well, that was enlightening.. even so i wont believe you without any proof.. Show us your healing capabilities !" I said, taking a small knife and making a HUGE self-inflicted wound on my arm.. that proved that i more or less believed on his abilities. Now i just wanted to see them... and he should hurry up, cause I'm losing consciousness... and darn it hurted more than i thought it would.. yea I'm stupid..

"Kyaa" A scream was heard, most likely from Rachel.. i guess she didn't expect that, did she ?"

"*chanting a minor healing spell* HEAL" Michael said, and saved my life, as i watched my huge cut, slowly closing up, and my blood revitalising.

I guess i have no other choice than to believe him... No minor healing spell should have such an effect.. And that proves his abilities...

So i guess we should be more or less ready for tomorrow..

"Guys, we seriously have to go to sleep early, meet up with those guys as soon as possible, and immediately start our journey.. " I said for everyone to hear, myself not being an exception.. All this argument, really drew my energy... and that last action was the nail on the coffin.