“Oh. Not quite as bad as I thought.” Pylia still seemed tense. “But... If this was anyone else, I’d dismiss it as just a Dream. But... With all this weird stuff happening around you, maybe... But there’s no way...” Pylia kept trying to say something but seemed to be denying it herself. She just sighed and laid her hands down onto the table. “Well it’s too early to say. But obviously I hope you don’t need to slay some dragon to return to your home. If you’re to be the Arisen and the dragon has returned, well these two things will certainly be related.”

Sylvia raised an eyebrow at Pylia's words. The fact that she was still tense was a little worrying. After she made her latest comment, Sylvia agreed, "I hope that's not the case either. Sure, I could hold my own in a fight, but...I don't think I can slay a dragon with punches and kicks," The thought of her being able to do so almost made Sylvia laugh, it was so ridiculous. A small chuckle did escape as she made her last statement though.

She suggested, "Maybe I don't have to slay anything. Some of the stories I read about the Arisen didn't need them slaying a big monster to become an Arisen. Orchid was an Arisen because she became a powerful warlord through crafting, and the star-crossed lovers just had to figure out a way to be with each other. The one about the Zombie Apocalypse didn't have them slaying all of the undead, they just figured out an effective way to be able to defend themselves. Right?"

She continued, "Well, either way. I was thinking of heading to Gransys and asking Duke Erod more about the Arisen. Considering that he got the title before sealing the dragon away, maybe he'd have some sort of clue or know something about this whole mess,"

"Bah! The Duke would rather sit on his crown than admit that the dragon has returned. And speaking of which... I would be cautious if you do. Dragons... No one has seen one since the Duke had slain the Ebon Dragon all those years ago. The dragon itself isn't the only problem. Monsters have been known to rally around the beast when he arrives, for champions to rise out from the rabble to lead the monsters. Armies powerful enough to take over nations. If the dragon has indeed arrived, than a lot of people would be looking towards the Duke, the most recent dragon slayer, for leadership. That is to say..." Pylia sighed and laid her head down onto the table. "Bunch of politics. No nation would want to admit that they're not prepared to deal with a dragon and his army while they're still scrambling around their own borders, and certainly the king of Corbmac, that's the country we're in by the way, would also want to admit letting Duke be responsible for the slaying of another dragon. All the while you'll get tossed into this mess when you just want to find your way back home... You have my sympathies."

Sylvia blinked in surprise at Pylia's answer. As Pylia explained about the possibility of what might happen if it does turn out the dragon is back, Sylvia paled in complexion. She could feel her stomach just drop in dread and fear. She stuttered "Well...Uh...Oh no..."

She then cleared her throat and she tried to reason, trying to calm down her own nerves and reassure Pylia, "Ma-Maybe the dream I had was just that: A Dream. I mean, my world usually just dismisses dreams as something that the subconscious is trying to tell us about our own personal issues. Plus, we don't really have any other evidence to say that the dragon is back right now. I can just ask the Duke about his adventures, and he'd probably be proud enough to recount his glory days, right?"

“Hah! I don’t know about the world you came from, but you can’t exactly just waltz right into the dukes court and ask him to read you his story. The guard would turn you at the door unless you have some urgent business or carry some influence.” Pylia sat up and looked at you while resting her chin on her hands. “For now I think you should start small. Find a place to establish yourself. Gransys is... Not the worse place to stay. Busy enough to not be a wretched city. Do some work, some research, and I’m sure you’ll find what you’re looking for.”

Sylvia had to admit, Pylia wasn't wrong. If this place was run by more medieval standards, then a girl who came from nothing like her wouldn't have a chance to see the Duke right now. She answered Pylia's suggestion, "Sounds like a better plan," She then commented "Speaking of heading to Gransys, Dirk told me what to expect on the way there. Since a group of traders just came in, I was thinking of traveling with them if they're heading back to Gransys, for safety in numbers,"

"I thought about that already, unfortunately it seems like these traders are planning to head south instead of north towards Gransys. Word is however is that one of the military outposts is looking for mercenaries to escort a caravan to Gransys. If we get there by tomorrow, maybe we could sigh up for the job. We'll have numbers, some payment, and heading in the right direction."

Sylvia felt somewhat disappointed when she heard about the traders. But still she was glad to hear about the mercenary job at one of the military camps. She answered "That sounds like a great opportunity!" She then asked "It's at the first military camp, right?"

"Yeah, the one at the end of Sea Breeze Trail. That's the road out from Cassari that leads to Gransys." Pylia pointed towards where the town gate was at. "It's a shorter walk than when we had to run through the forest from my old house, I'd say we could get there in about two hours at a good pace without any distractions." Counting on her hand Pylia rattled off a few things. "The only threat would be goblins and wolves, and they won't be around too much during the day. This part of Gransys doesn't have much trade going on despite being a sea route due to how the duke manages his taxes. If you want, I think there might also be some herbs around the trail that I could work into some basic healing potions. They won't be too powerful but they keep well and they could help us on our trip. And finally if you really want you we could stop by the beach as well. Plenty of things wash up there. Maybe we'll find something good?"

Sylvia listened to Pylia as she answered, and listed off the dangers. She raised an eyebrow at the mention of the lack of sea trade because of how the Duke managed taxes. Geez! Was this Duke that bad?

At the mention of the healing potions, she gave a smile and she answered excitedly, "That'd be great! Oh! In the library, I also picked up on a few things, so while we're on the trail, I can make weapons and the commoner's holy water while you make the healing potions!"

At the mention of the beach, Sylvia nodded and answered "Possibly! I wouldn't mind stopping there," She then leaned in and whispered to Pylia, "Dirk also told me as to where his camp is. We can stop there and pick up the stuff he stole and use them on our journey or return them to Cassari,"

"Oho? What a generous thief. Well, considering the hard work you put into capturing him, I think it's only right that you keep what he had stolen. In any case it's still fairly bright out right now. I'd say we have about four or five hours before night. If you want we could go ahead and look for that stuff now, come back to rest. I need some time to make those potions anyways."

Sylvia thought about it for a moment, and she answered "That sounds great to me. I'll go get my backpack," It wouldn't hurt to leave for only a couple of hours. Plus, anything they find that they didn't need they can return to Cassari. After stating that, she hurried to her room, grabbed her backpack (for the supplies they may need), and hurried back down.

In the time Sylvia went to gather her things, Pylia had gathered hers. She didn't have much anything new, still carried her staff and shield, but her backpack seemed a bit lighter than before. "Don't carry too much stuff, we need the space to carry out herbs and whatever other loot we can. Oh, do you still have those berries? They should still be good, keep them on hand in case you get hurt. They can help heal any injuries you might have."

Sylvia mentally checked the weight of her backpack and she thought that she wasn't carrying too much. She did leave the harpoon and books in her room. When Pylia asked about the berries, she nodded and answered "I still have the berries! I think I'm ready to head out,"

"Alright then, let's go!"

There was little fanfare as the two would leave Cassari. The traders were still here busy unloading their cargo and now there was a crowd gathered around buying their goods. Perhaps if you find anything interesting, you could sell it to them. In any case outside of Cassari was much more peaceful during the day, and now that the sun was up you can see much more of it. The you could see just a stone throw away a small hill leading down to a massive beach. The salt in the air was both refreshing yet thick. Far into the distance you could make out what looked like wooden walls, likely that camp you were told about. It was just barely jutting over the trees in between.

"Suppose we should find Dirk's hiding spot and gather supplies from there. Did you want to lead the way or shall I? If you want me to take point, I'll need to know what to look for."

Sylvia headed out of Cassari with Pylia. She could see the ocean and she was surprised to see the first military camp. Honestly, she was surprised that it was closer than she thought. She answered Pylia, "I'll take the lead. We're looking for a large tree growing between two rocks,"

Despite being in unfamiliar territory, you find the rock quite easily thanks to being on one of the hills. And now that you think about it, from a certain position it was easy to see why he choose this spot. The rocks provided ample cover from winds, the tree offered shade from the sun and rain. From a certain angle the whole set up looked like a pair of cock with balls. And the hill itself was a nice vantage point.

As you approached the camp you could hear mutterings and chatter. Pylia motioned for you to lay low as she took cover behind a bush. Looking ahead you could see four small humanoid creatures investigating the camp. Pylia turned to you and whispered. ”Goblins.”

Sylvia could see why Dirk chose the spot, despite the awkward imagery the tree and boulders brought to the forefront of her mind. However, this quiet didn't last long. She could hear the chattering, and at Pylia's direction, Sylvia hid herself. As she watched from her hiding place, she couldn't help but think that Dirk's capture was a blessing in disguise for him. She also wondered how well everything was hidden in the tree.

Sylvia whispered to Pylia "Shoot! Just our luck,"

Pylia put her hand to your lip as you spoke. A goblin turned around as he heard you, but the chatter from his compatriots made him turn back as they started to dig through the area. Seemed like you just barely managed to avoid getting heard. Pylia whispered to you. “I think we can take them with the element of surprise. I don’t know what Dirk had, but I wouldn’t want goblins to get it.”

Sylvia quieted down after Pylia put her hand over her mouth. She watched as the goblin turned to look in their direction, and she couldn't help but hold her breath in anxiety. Thankfully the other goblins got its attention and went back to searching. She nodded in agreement, and she added in a whisper "The stuff he stole should be in the tree. If they go that way then we can attack,"