Somewhere on the edge of the Trickling Woods, a hooded figure observed the bustling view of a hundred adventurers setting up camp, while several carriages and their respective coaches and horses turned around and left, albeit one ought to be doubting if such vehicles could even make the trip back given their state.

With a quick glance, the figure surmised only the bare minimum would remain, probably in case they were to need more supplies during their time exploring the forest, in search of their prey; a goblin colony. Or so they say. The figure couldn’t but wonder how many of those around her would actually survive. For these weren’t just any adventurers, but the bottom line of such a category. It was clear to see, given their shabby armor, or lack of it, aside from the fact that she could count in one hand the amount of sharp swords she’d seen…

Or hands able to wield them.

Curiously enough, it was in the middle of such a thought that her deep-blue eyes caught one such hand. The man had a greatsword strapped on his back, was quite well-built and clearly not local; his features told her so… in addition to how he was at least a head taller than everybody else. Of his armor, which for the most part was ordinary but functional, one piece was of note: his right shoulder pad, shaped like a lion’s head. It seemed just ornamental at first glance, yet it could not fool her senses and experience; she couldn’t possibly know its properties, but it was clearly an artefact of some power.

The man was walking from here to there, striking brief conversations with other adventurers who seemed to know him already, probably from previous, improvised camps they had made along the way, she guessed. Despite their acquaintance, however, their reactions were quite varied; some were openly friendly, patting the man in the back, a wide smile on their faces; Others, not so much. They would often keep their distance, staring at him while standing sideways, arms crossed, and sometimes they would even leave the place as if they had some sudden duty to attend to. The man, however, treated them all equally, as if he were talking to a brother or sister he hadn’t seen in a long time.

It puzzled her, for some reason. And maybe because such behaviour had completely absorbed her attention, she took some time to realize the man wasn’t the only one walking from group to group; on a closer look, many adventurers were darting like busy bees, their quest one she was unaware of.

“Hey!” A male voice called, and when she turned to it, she confirmed the man was one of many she’d seen since they had departed from Bluefalls. She didn’t know his name though, and his face had nothing of note her memory could hold on to. “Have you found group yet?”

It took her a few breaths to shake her head, innerly confused by his question.

“That’s great then! Want to join us?” He pointed to one tree about twenty steps away, where three other adventurers were talking among themselves, feigning disinterest in this seemingly act of recruitment. “You use a shield, right?” He gestured towards her back, where she had indeed strapped such a tool. “We do lack someone to take the heat, if you get me.”

Of course she understood. She understood quite well; all they wanted was someone to take the risk while they could stand in the back, ready to run away. One glance was all she needed to read his intentions.

“Go away.” She told him, high enough for everyone to listen, dismissing him with a wave.

“What…?”

She looked the man in the eye. “Scram!”

The man’s features contorted, clearly not amused at her attitude, but what truly seemed to fuel his anger was how everyone around them were turning their heads in their direction. “Who the fuck do you think you are? So high up on your horse?” His gaze went from her feet to her face, and she knew he’d get no answers from just that, for her cloak should be hiding most of her attire. “Be grateful I took the time to approach a loner like you!” Yet the lack of knowledge didn’t deter him, his finger soon attempting to push her on the shoulder, to which she just took half-a-step back to avoid it.

“I won’t repeat myself.” Were her words, full of a distinct coldness only known to those who have been under a blade once.

The man’s eyes looked around, and a few chuckles were heard from among their unexpected audience.

“Are you going to let some nobody talk to you like that?!” Said another voice, coming from one of the few in the group he’d pointed at previously, before adding in a too loud whisper, “coward.”

The word had an impact on the man, his eyes once again darting from face to face, then his hand twitched, hesitating, before reaching for the pommel protruding from his left hip… yet never touched it. A hand, cladded in armor, took hold of his wrist all too suddenly, an iron grip that soon became so tight it drew a tortured cry from his lungs, his knees giving in and meeting the ground.

“Careful.” She said, almost in a whisper. “Once out, it could take your life.”

The man nodded, and only once she noted all his hostility had faded did she ease her hold.

“Tch. If you don’t want to, just say so!” The man spat, then walked away, his steps barely hiding his haste.

She sighed, then pulled her hood down, thinking of seeking a less crowded place, for she didn’t need to look around to know all eyes were on her at the moment. She had managed to avoid such gazes until now by remaining by the sidelines, not interacting much with anybody, yet she didn’t expect to be so suddenly boarded by some unknown adventurer, much less to almost start a fight.

And so, her first step went left, as she tried to discern the best way to act in the days to come, yet her second step never took place. Looking up, a tall man was standing in her way, a man she recognized as the one she’d been observing before, hands on his hips and a grin on his face.

“Got a moment?” He asked, and around them a new wave of muttering began.

“He’s almost two heads taller!”

“That’s so unfair, poor woman.”

“Get her, dude!”

“What do you want?” She replied, meeting his eyes of a color much like her own, albeit if she had to compare, she’d say his were of a lighter shade, like a clear sky.

The man gave her a brief nod, along with an almost unperceivable wince. “I was wondering if you’ve joined a party yet.” He glanced, briefly, in the direction the previous man disappeared to. “But I think I know the answer to that one.”

“If you know, then leave me be. I’m not joining anyone.” She stated, a wave of her hand adding meaning to her claim.

Another nod from the man, then a whisper, “Are you new?”

That seemed to startle her. “What?”

The man smiled, understanding, stretching a white scar on his jaw. “It’s quite normal for adventurers to form parties during large quests like these.”

“I-I knew that. Of course.” The woman pulled at her hood. “I just don’t need it.”

The man shrugged, which given his wide shoulders, made it even more notorious. “I’ve heard that one before, but never from the same person. Most of them learn their lesson, while others...” He let the idea hang in the air for a brief breath, before pointing with a thumb to his left. “In any case, now you’ll have to watch for goblins and one vengeful idiot.” Another smile, this one more inviting. “One would think you could use an extra set of eyes, just in case.”

The woman shook her head. “Why should I trust you?” She voiced, then attempted to walk past him. “I don’t need your help.”

The man made no attempt to stop her. “It’s also an order.” He said, and that did indeed halt her steps. “From the one leading this whole circus. All adventurers are to join in groups of five.”

She turned around. “Why didn’t you start from there?!”

He shrugged again. “It’s common practice.”

The woman sighed. It was a long sigh, full of exasperation. Upon hearing it, however, the man just took a step closer and extended one hand. “I’m Atreus. And you?”

It took a long glance for the woman to answer, “... Tarin.”

Atreus nodded, and if he thought something about her name, he didn’t show it. “So, feeling like joining us now?”

“Us?” She caught on.

“My partner and I.”

Tarin urged him with a quick nod, head cocked to one side. “Call them.”

Atreus accepted with a smile, understanding, then with the help of a hand, shouted, “Darmia!”

It took only a few breaths for a figure with dark-blue hair, and a bow hung across her chest, to appear among the adventurers on the edge of the forest, and after a few graceful steps, a pair of gray eyes came to stare at Tarin with a glinting interest. “You’ve convinced her?” The newcomer asked as her attention darted from one to the other.

“I’m on it.” He replied, then pointed a thumb at his right. “This is my partner.”

Darmia gave her a quick nod of recognition. “A pleasu…”

“Show me your hands.”

“Uh?” Darmia’s mouth twitched.

“Show me your hands.” The woman by the name of Tarin repeated.

Before Darmia’s inquiring glance, Atreus gave her a nod and a light shrug, which made her realize they may have stumbled upon a weird one. Then again, freelance adventurers were all a bit peculiar, which was why she didn’t refuse and did as requested, palm up, for the cloaked woman to examine. Darmia didn’t know what she was looking for, but after a few breaths, she seemed to approve.

“Thanks.” She said, then took a step back. “Since it’s an order, I shall be joining you. You said we are to group as five. I take it you haven’t found yet the last two members we need?”

Darmia and Atreus exchanged a quick glance. “Before that.” She spoke, “As you can see, I’m an archer, and I’ll be supporting you from the back, while Atreus will be at the front, drawing attention. I take it that’s also your role?”

It took an instant for her to answer, “...That’s right.”

“Are you fine with hanging near me? Atreus can get a bit crazy out there, so if they for some reason flank us… “

“Don’t worry, I’ll adapt to the circumstances.”

Darmia exchanged looks with Atreus, as if uncertain, to which the man just extended one of his big hands. “I look forward to see what you are capable of.”

The woman by the name of Tarin shook it, but for some reason, right after taking hold of his hand, Atreus fell on one knee while screaming at the top of his lungs, as if in pain, startling her and drawing the attention of all of those around them once again. If it weren’t because of the brief wink he sent her way right after, she would have kneeled with him to ask what was wrong.

For some reason she was supposed to play along, but in her puzzlement all she managed to do was to release his hand, which he soon gripped and shook, as if trying to get rid of the pain. “Damn, you are strong!” He shouted. “Alright, I’ll join you, not the other way around!”

Darmia shook her head, an amused smile threatening to blossom in her features as she embraced one of his arms and feigned helping him stand up. Tarin met her gaze, to which one gray eye winked at her, then she subtly signalled her to follow with a gesture of her head.

Only once they were out of everyone’s eyes, did Tarin speak again. “What was that?”

“That’s what I want to ask.” Darmia said, her arms crossed. “That was a bit too forced, dear.”

“You think so? I believe I was pretty convincing.”

“Damn, you are so strong!” She mocked, then narrowed her eyes. “Seriously?”

“What would you have shouted to get everyone’s attention?”

“Your scream had already done that.”

Atreus opened his eyes wide for a moment, then conceded with a shrug. “Be that as it may, I do believe I was convincing enough.”

Tarin furrowed her hidden brow. “I still don’t understand.”

Darmia returned her comment with a look of surprise. “You don’t?”

“She is new.” Atreus interjected.

“I’m not new.” Tarin insisted, crossing her arms. “And I don’t like deception.”

“It is not an issue if you are new to this.” Darmia said then, her voice a tad gentler. “It would explain why you were so unnecessarily harsh with that man.” It was unknown if the couple were able to see Tarin’s lifted eyebrow under the hood, but both of them seemed to notice her intrigue. “The life of a freelance adventurer is not as carefree as it may sound. They are constantly being tested, and most of them are alone.”

“You talk as if you weren’t part of them.” Tarin quickly corrected.

Darmia glanced towards the man by her side, looking up, meeting his blue gaze, then took his hand in her own. “Because we are not alone, and most of their troubles are not ours.”

Tarin didn’t know why, but she felt suddenly defenseless before that scene. “I- I see.”

“When you are alone… “Atreus continued. “All you can really do is to appear strong to earn the respect of others. Or at least, to deter some of them from trying to slit your throat while you are sleeping.”

The last words seemed to have an impact on Tarin, disbelief thick in her voice. “Why would they do that? They lack the support of a guild… why… ?”

“Precisely.” Darmia interrupted, her gaze no longer kind, but rather stern. “They try to get what they can, where they can, and some don’t care about how low they may fall.”

They stared at each other for a while, and Atreus had to cough a bit to call their attention. “That’s why a sign of weakness means they won’t be able to sleep well at night.”

“So what?” The woman by the name of Tarin retorted. “Should I have just let him draw his sword? I told him to leave me be.”

Darmia sighed, then shrugged. “We are not trying to find fault in your actions. Just trying to explain why Atreus did what he did. You do understand he naturally looks tougher than most, right?”

Realization seemed to dawn on her then. “So if he were to suffer just like the other, that would mean that man wasn’t weak, but rather I was too strong.”

Darmia tapped her nose twice with a finger. “You may be new, and a bit naive, but you are also smart. I like that.” That remark made Tarin narrow her deep-blue eyes, but under the hood, no one noticed. Darmia nodded towards Atreus. “He thought that small gesture may help the man, even if only a little.” She added a shrug next. “That may not deter him from seeking revenge later, however. As they say, life cures stupidity with the care of a whip.”

“Why would you do that?” Tarin asked then, genuine curiosity in her voice.

“Why not?” The couple looked at each other as Atreus answered with a shrug. “Doesn’t cost us anything, and it may do some good.”

The woman by the name of Tarin fell silent then, and only after a few breaths did she move. She nodded and pulled her hood back, revealing a thick, long dark hair tied in a ponytail, then bowed her head towards them, if only briefly. “In that case, I’m glad our paths crossed today.” She unstrapped her shield, adding meaning to her words as she placed it in front of her with a thud. “I shall do my best to assist you during our time together.” It was a strange shield, Atreus noticed; A silver gleam shined out of it, despite the lack of polishing and the notches here and there, clear sign of heavy use, yet if he had to voice its most noteworthy trait, it’d be the protruding pommel on top, which if he was not mistaken, belonged to a sword. It wasn’t uncommon for swords to be sheathed in a shield, yet this one seemed to be part of it, and he couldn’t quite understand the reason behind such a design.

So serious. Both of them thought, however, as they stared at the woman.

“Something the matter?” She inquired, in front of their gazes and the few breaths of silence that followed.

Darmia nodded, then hit Atreus’s shoulder. “We… are glad too. Right?”

Atreus nodded as well. “Yes, we are. We certainly are.”

“We should probably split up and look for more people, shouldn’t we?” Darmia suggested.

“Good point. We should.” Atreus said as an awkward chuckle escaped him.

We definitely stumbled upon a weird one.