It was late next evening when they finally arrived. She stepped out of the cramped space and stretched her legs. Despite frequent stops, every little bump in the at times, not quite up to standard roads had left her body sore and hurting. From the cramped city, the scenery had changed into a wilder, and more empty landscape. And not an ounce of snow to be seen. Behind her, a ruckus continued as Tilia was loudly protesting.

“Where’s my snow!?” This isn’t at all what I was hoping for!?”

“…”

“What do you mean snow is only in winter!? I want it right now!”

“Zip it Tili… Alright, we’ll continue on foot from here, it’s only a short…”

A loud explosion caused the horses nearly to run off with the carriage. Some ways up the side of the valley, an explosion sent a small rockslide crashing down to the valley floor.

“Looks like he’s busy as always.” Carys, who had caught the horses mumbled, and kept them steady while Rein took their belongings off the carriage.

“Let’s go find him…” Tilia, who still seemed disappointed, had brightened up considerably as her favorite thing had just left a crater in the rocks.

A small dirt path led up towards a big house on top of a small mound in the valley. It looked so out of place that she was left wondering whether someone had made the hill with rocks and earth by shovel, or if the person they were meeting had somehow shaped the ground with some other interesting means.

Up ahead, a tall, coat-wearing man with a well-kept beard appeared out the front door of the house. In a flash, he seemed to close the distance to them, running at incredible speed down the less than entirely flat road. Up close, it was apparently his clothes were dirty, covered in axel grease, and what had to been smeared on his clothes, he seemed to have added to his hair.

“Hahaha! Did you see that Tilia!? I finally did it! I replicated your clay-like explosive! Oh yeah! Who’s the best huh!?”

“Um… Is… He for real?” She asked Carys who already had her face buried in her hand.

“Yes. Yes, he is…”

“Nah, it had too much flames, and waaayyy too little actual… Oomph? Better luck next time old-timer!” Tilia flashed the man a smug smile, which caused him no end of irritation.

“Wait. You there! Who are you!?” Before she could blink, he had almost pushed his face into her own. She soon felt his hands pinching her cheeks and touching her hair.

On reflex, she delivered a clenched fist to his abdomen, which caused him to stagger back, heaving for breath. Realizing her mistake, she was about to apologize.

“Ohh… Feisty! Measured in response… Just the right kind of savagery… You, I like you! What’s your name child?”

“Alright… Back up Varsylos…” Carys stepped in between them, her right arm held as if shielding her. “This is Ferran… She’s new to our group… Ferran this is Varsylos…”

“- The genious, master craftsman, winner of many trophies for the benefit of the Empire, purveyor of the finest of arts, a buyer, a seller extraordinaire…” he bowed deeply.

“And just a little bit crazy.” Tilia whispered to her with a snicker.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you! Now let’s not just stand out here, come inside! I’ve had your rooms prepared, and the little thing I need help with, we’ll discuss it over some warm food and beer!”