Chaos erupted. Just as Sylvia suspescted, they knew to come up and try to take the barrel, but what she didn't expect was that the hobgoblin would be successful and evade her staff while he was at it. When the ogre threw the javelin, even she knew it would have been dangerous for anyone else, so the fact that Buddy was able to withstand it was impressive. As Pylia said that they needed to kill the shaman goblin, Sylvia nodded in agreement. She answered Pylia's order, calling back with an "Okay!"

She immediately headed over to the barrel. She took in a deep breath. She knew that her attempt to move the barrel was a failure, and she was silently hoping, praying even, that she would be able to throw the barrel. After making that silent prayer, she moved to throw the barrel at the ogre and shaman goblin.

Within the madness of battle, it was bedlam to grab that oil barrel. Whoever manages to grab it would have a distinctive advantage over the other party in the form of a weapon of mass destruction. Before the party had it, but then that hobgoblin took it away. When he went down, it was a free for all. And you were the first one to grab it. The other goblins, seeing you leave to go get it, swung their swords at you. However your swift saytr-like movements allowed you to easily avoid their quick slices like a leaf in the wind. When you reached the barrel it was heavy, at least fifty pounds. Normally not too much for you to carry, however in these stressful conditions it was a heavy burden indeed. But a burden you would bare as you hefted the barrel and hurled it towards the ogre.

But it didn't explode. The barrel landed against the rocks, but neither the alchemist fire nor the barrel would break and cause that fiery explosion you were looking for. The goblin shaman was mocking you for your foolishness as he commanded the ogre to go grab the barrel. Buddy saw this and would try his best to get to the barrel, however the goblins stood in his path. Small as they were, they were preventing him from moving forward. He hacked and stabbed his urgrosh at the goblins, however they were able to stay fast, dodging and deflecting even his considerable strength. Things had just gotten bad to worse.

"Don't worry boss! Shortfang show you PUN-PUN POWER!" Shortfang got out from the rock he was using as cover, allowing the kobold the high ground for once. Standing tall over his enemies he squinted down to the barrel near the ogre. The sunlight shone brightly in this canyon making it almost impossible for his sensitive kobold eyes to see. But he didn't need a clear shot; just a target. "PEW PEW PEW!" Shortfang shouted at the top of his lungs. It would've seemed childishly comical where it not for the fact that as he said those words and aimed his crossbow simulating the recoil of his bow snapping, three magical blue darts flew out from his weapon. Two struck a goblin next to Buddy, killing him instantly. The last bolt flew right past the goblins and struck the alchemist fire, shattering the clay jug and setting the barrel aflame. Unlike before you at the front rows seat of seeing the oil barrel practically glow from the heat before expanding and exploding in a huge ball of fire, one big enough to even cause you an uncomfortable amount of pain from the heat.

Just as fast as it came the flames were gone, and the goblin shaman was reduced to a crispy slag on the ground. The ogre on the otherhand, while severely burnt, was still standing. He roared in fury as the goblins, who were now in a panic, continued to fight furiously in confusion and in a last-ditch effort to kill the party. Two of the goblins went after Shortfang, seeing him now as the biggest threat. They hacked at his body with their swords, one slicing right across his eye while another sliced his chest. This just earned a cocky laugh from the kobold. "SHORTFANG SHOW YOU DRAGON MIGHT! BE GLAD YOU DIE FOR SHORTFANG EPIC!"

The other goblins continued to focus on you and Pylia. Right after you managed to toss the barrel and it exploded, one of the goblins managed to slice their blade down your back and drawing a considerable amount of blood. Another tried the same however now back in action you were able to knock their blade aside and got ready to fight back. But from the corner of your eye you saw the ogre draw another javelin from his smoking and burnt pack and hurl it right at you. Time seemed to slow down as you saw that spear fly towards your face. It was within that moment you remembered Buddy's lesson with you about arrow interception. For example to others when they saw Buddy knock the javelin out from the air, they might've thought his blade struck the javelin head on. But that was not the case.

"Remember this well: a projectile's most dangerous location is directly in front of it. All their power is focused onto a single point. This is their greatest strength, but also their greatest weakness. With all of their power focused on that point, everywhere else is weak. To foil their attacks, you must deflect at an angle, strike them where they are weak. Hit from the sides, from behind, anywhere but where they are strongest. Defeat their force with your finesse."

Extending your hand out as the javelin flew faster and faster towards you, it would look like it was going to pierce your right through your arm. Indeed when you touched the javelin, you could feel it pulling against your skin, threatening to tear your flesh right off your fingertips. But you remember Buddy's lesson and don't let the pain stop you. You weren't hurt; you were just scared. And that was alright. Because that fear meant that you wanted to live, and that fear is what will allow you to survive. With barely a tap, you push your hand against the javelin a bit more. Further, again and again, until you've practically swung around with the javelin lightly in your hand. Scanning the battlefield you reacted before you could think as your then redirected that ogre's powerful javelin right into the goblin Pylia was fighting, just as she parried his blade. The massive spear impaled the goblin to the ground, much to the shock and surprise of yourself, Pylia, and the goblins around you. They couldn't believe what you just did.

Alas, there was no time to celebrate. Pylia smiled at you and charged towards the goblin who was gawking at the sight of his dead ally. Pylia herself had an awesome blow of her own as she slammed her warclub right into the jaw of the goblin, sending him flying through the air pass you, down the ravine where the ogre was approaching. "Look alive Sylvia! That ogre is coming for you!" Commanding her silver sword to attack, the blade sliced into the ogre's shoulder and gave him a nasty cut along the burns on his body. Syfr was also helping, cawing and flying in front of the ogre's face to keep him distracted and allowing his ally's attacks to find purchase on the ogre. "We got this Sylvia! Let's end this!"

Everything happened so quickly, and it was all so chaotic that Sylvia could barely keep up. At first there was disappointment and dread at the fact that the barrel didn't explode on contact. The goblin shaman was laughing at her! Then, Shortfang caused the explosion with...magic?!

Then there was pain in her back. It was from the goblin. Thankfully that didn't distract her from the fact that the ogre threw a javelin at her! Time seemed to slow down and she recalled Buddy's lesson. Before she even knew it, she had caught the javelin and redirected it at the goblin Pylia was fighting. When she realized what she did, her mouth opened in a gape and she couldn't help but laugh a bit, from the shock and from the amazement. She couldn't believe she actually did that!!!

She snapped out of that stupor when Pylia called her attention to the ogre. She answered "Right! But first things first!" She then directed a quarterstaff and a kick to the goblin next to her, so that he wouldn't get to strike her again.

You staff cracked the goblin across the face, causing him to lower his guard enough to let you kick him in the ribs and down the hill, where he broke his neck during the tumble. Buddy looked at the ogre and pointed at him, running off the cliff to attack the ogre from above. The combination of Buddy’s weight as he brought the blade down onto the shoulder of the ogre allowed him to cleave a giant gash right through the beast’s shoulder to hip, causing a torrent of blood to splash onto Buddy. However the ogre, despite being so brutally maimed, was still very much alive. Buddy tried to get a stab at him and finish the monster off, however the ogre intercepted the attack with his great club and tried to smash Buddy. But the robot wasn’t going down that easily, catching the blow with the steel head of his weapon and getting into a weaponlock with the ogre.

Meanwhile Shortfang spat out some blood as he snarled and drew his shortsword. “Come on! Shortfang take you on! RAAAAAWR!” He stabbed one goblin through the leg, then used his crossbow to block the goblin’s retaliatory slash. Another managed to get a slice into Shortfang’s leg but he remained steady. “Shortfang not like other kobolds! SHORTFANG MIGHTIEST WARRIOR! KOBOLD HERO!” The little guy continued to roar and shout as he fought off the goblins.

Pylia ran up next to you, giving you a thumbs up. “Good job, let’s finish this battle!” Summoning forth a ball of fire into her hand she tossed it right into the ogre’s face, scorching his already burnt body even further as her blade sliced through the back of the ogre, causing him to fall onto his knees. “He’s almost done for! Let’s finish this Sylvia!”

Sylvia watched as Buddy struck the ogre, almost like he did to the zombie counterpart. Then he was in a weaponlock with the ogre. She noticed that Shortfang was still fighting the two goblins out of the corner of her eye. Then Pylia ran up next to her. She smiled at the thumbs up and she answered Pylia’s information, “Leave the big guy to me!” She then decided to go down the slope similar to the satyr in the memory. However, before she reached the end of the slope, she jumps up, and shouts as she tries to strike the ogre with her staff right before she lands on the ground.

As you charge down the hill Buddy glances over at you before twisting his axe in his hand, torquing the ogre's great club sharply downward. He resisted against the attempt at a disarm, but this was simply a distraction as you leap into the air and smashed your staff right into it's skull. Your staff cracked from the sheer force of the blow that shattered the ogre's skull in twain, causing the giant to finally fall. Stepping back from the carnage Buddy nodded at you before climbing up the hill to assist Shortfang. He chopped his blade down onto the goblin's shield, trying to follow it with a stab from the spear end of his urgrosh however the goblin was more nimble than that. But Shortfang was even swifter.

In that moment where the goblin hopped back, Shortfang lunged out and impaled his shortsword right through the goblin's throat. With a vicious twist he decapitated the goblin, grabbing the monster's scimitar out for his hand as Shortfang twisted on his heel and sliced the sword right through the neck of the last goblin. It wasn't a full decapitation, but it sliced right through his throat and caused the final enemy to fall. Shortfang stood tall, pulling his shortsword out from the goblin before cleaning the blade off. Pylia huffed as her magic began to fade, her silver sword vanishing as well as the magical influence fading from herself and her allies. "Whew... I think that's all of them. We did it!"

Sylvia also panted after she smashed her staff into the ogre's head, trying to catch her breath and calm down from her adrenaline rush. She looked around at the carnage they left behind, and she nodded in agreement quietly, "We did it...!" She felt joy that they made it through the battle. All of them were...okay for the most part. Shortfang definitely needs healing the most out of all of them. She then addressed all of her friends once more, "Nice job everyone! Let's head back to Andras and Ferric. I don't think it would be a good idea to linger for too long,"

As she led the way back, she thought about the battles so far. It was so strange and surreal...how she was getting used to fighting monsters like they were nothing now, and she was pulling off moves and techniques only seen in martial arts movies. Come to think of it, most people back home would run away from monsters like the harpies and goblins...wouldn't they? The fact that she had taken a lot of goblin and harpy lives somewhat bothered her, but she tries not to think about it as she leads the way back.

Everyone took a breather as they gathered up their equipment and headed back to the others. Once there, they'd spot two dead goblins off the side of the road as Ferric waved them over. "Hey! You're alive! Great, that's great. When we found these two coming at us, we feared the worse. Fortunately me and Andras managed to take them down before they could spook the mules." Indeed, there was a bolt sticking out of each of the goblins. Seemed that they managed to kill them each with one shot. Shortfang and Pylia got back into Ferric's wagon while Buddy went back to pulling the cart. Once they came across the gruesome battlefield, Ferric took a sharp breath. "Damn. You all managed to take on this many? That's some heroic feat I gotta tell you! I mean sure, most people don't really consider goblins all that threatening, but that ogre over there alone is worth a tale, and these creatures seem to be well armed. Speaking of which, Andras, why don't we clean up this battlefield a bit? You'll need the extra coin, and we may as well make use of what's here."

Ferric and Andras would stop their vehiciles to loot the bodies. Buddy would assist them, mainly by piling the corpses off to the side to be burned. Andrews and Elena would take care of Shortfang's injuries, who regaled them of their epic battle. With a lot of embellishment; he made the goblins seem much more fearsome instead of telling them that they essentially took out half of them with that fire bomb. Meanwhile, Pylia turned to you. "How are you holding up? Turn around, you're still bleeding. I can patch that up, and mend your outfit."

Sylvia was a little worried when she saw the two dead goblin bodies. Thankfully, Andras, Ferric, and the children were alright. She sighed in relief and she answered Ferric, "I'm glad it was just those two. We should get going before any more could come," She clambered back into the wagon and sighed as the group continued. When Ferric saw and asked his question, she answered "We did. It was thanks to your statement about the barrels that we were able to handle them,"

She waited with the others as Ferric and Andras looted the battlefield. As she waited she noticed that Shortfang was telling the tale of their battle with a lot of embellishment. When Pylia told her to turn around so she could mend her clothes and wounds, Sylvia did so. She answered her friend, "Weirdly enough, I'm holding up alright. Just tired from using up my ki," She then told Pylia, "It's also kinda...weird and surreal that I'm getting used to fighting monsters like this,"

She then asked "How about you?"

Pylia was quiet as she applied her medicine onto your back. Cold and stingy, just like before. Once she applied those she wrapped the bandages around your wound before mending your clothes with magic. "That's... How life is out here. I'm guessing where you're from, this isn't usual for you?" Pylia asked with concern. Once she finished mending your clothes Pylia sat back at her spot. "We live in a world of monsters and magic. For us, it's a simple reality that anytime we leave our homes, we may be beset by things that want to hurt us. That's why most choose to live simple lives inside of their homes. Or to just stay away from the outside world altogether." Pylia looked back towards Ferric and Andras picking through the bodies. "Others make a living in that chaotic world though. Whether they meant to or not, they too are a part of this system, this natural habitat. I'm sure from an outside perspective this must be crazy for you. But that's just life for us. Are you... Are you okay with that?" Pylia looked very concerned now. "I'd understand if it bothers you. It's never easy it's just... Life. Something you have to accept."

Sylvia shook her head at Pylia's first question and she answered her, "Nope. This kinda thing is only common in games and stories. Real life back home is much calmer. The only monsters we really had to worry about are people with ill intentions. And even then, people just call the police--er, guards," Once Pylia finished applying the medicine and mending her clothes, Sylvia thanked her and turned to face her. She listened to what Pylia had to say about the world, and after she asked, she nodded,

"I'll be okay. This is definitely out of my comfort zone, but I'll be okay," She then continued, "The only thing that really bothers me, is the fact that I felt...great about taking out those goblins, while we were fighting them..." She added, "I shouldn't feel great about taking lives. I'm glad we made it through, but still, getting desensitized and apathetic might prove dangerous here, just as it's dangerous back home,"

"Indeed." Pylia says simply. It seemed like Ferric and Andras were about finished up. Before they came over, Pylia put a reassuring hand on your shoulder. "If... If it makes you feel any better, as you might've read about the story of Orchid, everyone is capable of good. And so... Those who do evil... Must face the consequences of their actions. Don't let it worry you." The way Pylia said this, it seemed more like she was trying to assure herself. Either way, with the path cleared the party continued forward. By now Shortfang's wounds were patched up and he just needed time to rest, allowing Syfr to do most of the scouting. Aside from a few stray wolves which wisely avoided the carts, there wasn't much else except a long road ahead. Thanks to the chains on the wheels, the vehicles had little problem traversing the rough and muddy terrain, and by the time night began to fall the party were finally out of the mountains, though they were still quite a bit away from Gransys itself.

"I reckon that we're about five leagues away from the capital now. I think we might be able to make it if we march through the night, but we may face threats if we do. If we set up camp, we can make it nice and fortified, though no less dangerous." Shortfang chimed in as his wounds were no longer painful. "No house near. Lotta empty field. Couple ruins, maybe they nice place stay?" Ferric nodded. "Aye, I was thinking if we were to make camp, it'll be by one of the stone ruins, provide a bit of shelter that way. What do the rest of you think?" Pylia shifted around uncomfortably. "The undead are out and about at night. Not to mention sometimes goblins travel under the cover of night knowing that their innate darkvision puts them at an advantage over those who lack it. That being said, we're too big a group to try and hide. We should keep on going, and keep our lanterns and torches lit too while we're at it." It was Elena who spoke up for her family, holding Andrews at her side. "We thought the same when we went through that storm and... As much as we believe in you, we shouldn't take any more risks than necessary. If we can keep the mules safe and find somewhere for us to sleep too, we should do that. I'm willing to help watch out for danger so everyone could get some sleep."

Finally everyone turned to you to see what your opinion was.

Sylvia nodded to Pylia when she tried to reassure her, and herself. She quietly answered her in contemplation, "Right...I did read Orchid's story..." But knowing that didn't really ease her unease. What if one of the goblins they just killed was another potential Orchid? She snapped herself out of that train of thought, and she told Pylia, "I'm gonna meditate for a bit..." She crossed her legs once more and focused on her breathing and her surroundings once more as the group continued on her way. She had a feeling that they may need their ki back.

After a while of travel, the group finally made it out of the mountains. Now, it was time to discuss plans. Sylvia listened to everyone's opinions contemplatively and she thought about it before they turned to face her. This was another thing she wasn't used to: People looking to her for guidance. She was so used to people ignoring her so it really was somewhat surprising to see people looking for her wanting her opinion.

She answered them, "I think that we definitely need to stop and rest. However, we are not doing it out in the middle of the open field where we can get surrounded. If we are to rest, we should do so in the ruins, where we would have a better fortification. Before we go there, the ruins need to be scouted out. Muriel did warn us that goblins could be resting in the ruins as well. If there are too many foes in the ruins and no other place to stay, then we keep going with our torches and lanterns lit,"

Most of the group agreed. Ferric figured they might still be able to make it to the city if they kept going, but better to recover their strength now than risk tiring themselves out and exposing themselves to considerable danger later. And so the party continued forward for another hour before Shortfang alerted them of the ruins he scouted with Syfr. It looked like an old stone farm house, however it was largely emtpy and dusty. When he had Syfr go inside he was almost attacked by a huge swarm of insects, so Andras cobbled together some tinder and grass to smoke the bugs out. After a few minutes the place was cleared of the insects, for now at least. Pylia would take some time to create another bug incense to keep insects away while the rest set up camp.

The cart and wagon would be left outside once more, and the mules would be allowed to roam a bit, though they were still tied to the wagon. Everyone would be sleeping inside of the ruins itself since it was a roof over their heads, though there wasn't much space for everyone. Since they couldn't be certain about how safe things would be here, they would need to set up watch. It was now that Buddy used that notebook and wrote something important for everyone: "I dont need sleep." Unsurprisingly Buddy did not need to rest. You would know that very well; last night you were up all night with him in your ghost form. Elena volunteered to do a watch, as did Pylia and Shortfang. Syfr himself didn't need sleep either, so he could stay on constant watch and even alert Shortfang if he spots anything. All that was needed was to know if you were going to take a watch or not. If so, you'd be taking the last watch.

Dinner consisted of cold rations, since there wasn't enough wood around to make a fire. Hard bread, cold cheese, and a bit of salted meat. For desert, apples. To commemorate their journey and the fact they were about to make it to Gransys, Ferric offered everyone a mug of his travel beer. Just about everyone had a drink except Andrews, and that was mainly because his father thought he wasn't old enough yet. He still got a sip and immediately regretted it. One was even offered to you. "Ah, it's been too long since I've had a brew." Pylia said fondly as she downed her mug. Shortfang wanted more but Ferric was being stingy. "No fair no fair! Shortfang want more dizzy drink! Shortfang can handle dizzy drink! Hundreds more!" Elena sipped her beer but seemed quite capable of holding her liquor. Andras was the only person that Ferric allowed more than one mug, and he was drunk after his third. "I... I gotta say, if any of ya were a nice young man ya know... I would like yous to be my step-son..." This got a chuckle from Ferric who offered Mica, causing Andras to go red in the face with embarrassment. Fortunately Pylia would distract the awkwardness with a new topic. "Ah, that does remind me, those apples you have, some are crab apples aren't they? For cider?"

Soon the conversation devolved into a talk about various forms of brews and drinks one could make, with Ferric and Andras boasting their own recipes. Ferric himself knew how to make a sort of spiced honey mead, with a secret ingredient found only in dwarven lands. Andras actually had a barrel of hard apple cider he had managed to save, he planned to sell it directly to the duke's kitchen. It would go for quite a pretty penny, and he was glad he was able to save it. Pylia herself mentioned that she dabbled a bit in brewing, in particular herb-based ales. Shortfang mentioned how his old tribe would make brews out of roots, in particular the rare and exotic ginger. "Hey boss! You drink too yeah? Make dizzy drink wherever you live?"

When Syfr was almost attacked by bugs, Sylvia had a flashback to when she unfurled that old bedroll and a bunch of bugs attacked her and Pylia in Cassari. She shuddered at the memory. Thankfully, Andras was able to smoke out the bugs and allow the group to stay in the house, along with the help of Pylia's incense. When they discussed watches and who would take what watch, she was pleasantly surprised to see Buddy write in the journal to talk to everyone. Sylvia recalled the previous two nights and she answered them, "I won't be staying up for watch. Turns out I have a way to take watch, while I'm asleep," After a moment of silence she adds, "Yes, that is a thing. It's as weird as it sounds. I don't quite understand it either,"

Soon they had dinner and dessert. Sylvia accepted a mug of Ferric's travel beer and drank it along, not downing it but not sipping it, with everyone else in commemoration for reaching Gransys. She couldn't help but smile and laugh at some of the antics between her friends. She listened to the conversation about cider recipes and she noted the fact that Andras wanted to sell a barrel of cider to the duke's kitchen. Maybe she could help him out there if he needed it....

When Pylia mentioned that she dabbled a bit in brewing, Sylvia chuckled and she commented, "Oh man. If adventuring doesn't work for us anymore, we could totally open a restaurant! You could handle the drinks and I could cook the food!"

She then listened as Shortfang mentioned that his old tribe would make brews out of roots, and interestingly, ginger is a rare and exotic root! Huh...It's pretty common back home from what she recalled of her recipes.

When Shortfang asked about the brews back home, she nodded and answered "Oh yeah! We've got a lot of different types of alcohol back home! There's beer, craft beers are the best, not the mass produced stuff..." She then continued "There's also wine, red, white, pink, and sparkling! Ooh! And there's also sake, tequila, vodka, bourbon, gin, rum, brandy...and the list goes on!"

"Hah! A restaurant, yeah suppose so, but we'll need more than just you and me. If I'm serving drinks and you're serving food, maybe we'll have Shortfang here serving customers." Shortfang snorted at this thought. "No way! Shortfang serves nobody! Shortfang free kobold!" He seemed quite ornery, which just got a chuckle from Pylia. Seemed like Ferric was the only one who actually heard what you said about various alcohols, though it helped that he wasn't drunk. Yet. "I've only heard some of those drinks, gin, rum, and brandy. I've never heard about those other drinks though, are they eastern? You look eastern." Andras, who was drifting in and out of sleep, spoke up. "I've heard of sake actually! Thought about making some, made with rice, right? I mean, we've grown rice at our fields, but it seems like it's a different grain than what's made for the rice wine. Oh if only I could get some seeds of those, I'd be rich!"

Then Shortfang tried to sneak a sip out of Ferric's mug, earning himself a playful but solid smack to the head. As the men were merrymaking, it was Elena who quietly sat near you and tried to get your attention. She was a bit red in the face now, but seemed to be doing well. "You... You said you could keep watch in your sleep? Are you an elf?" Elena seemed buzzed, given her slow speech pattern and lack of personal space, but she seemed to be lucid enough to question you about something. "I've never actually met an elf before... Or a kobold really, but there was a lot on my mind before I could really appreciate any of that. I was just thinking... That would be amazing, to be able to sleep but be awake at the same time. I could do so much." Elena was very close to you for some reason, practically touching.

Sylvia couldn't help but laugh after Pylia mentioned that Shortfang would be the server, and she added "And Buddy could be the bouncer!" When Ferric asked about where some of the drinks were from, Sylvia wasn't sure how to answer that question, but thankfully, Andras asked his question. She answered Andras, "Yes, sake is made from rice wine! That's definitely an Eastern drink,"

She couldn't help but laugh as Shortfang tried to sneak in another sip and the men were merrymaking. She then noticed that Elena was sitting next to her. She nodded and answered Elena, "I did. I'm not an elf though, I'm human. I just have some...magic that allows me to watch while I sleep," She then listened to Elena as she spoke, and her face flushed red at the fact that Elena was practically very close to her. She cleared her throat and she told Elena gently, "Speaking of sleep...I believe it's time you went to bed. You are definitely buzzed, Elena,"

The young woman pouted. “No way! I’m not even drunk. I’ve only had half a cup.” Elena drank more from her cup as if to prove some sort of point. “Besides, I’m the woman of the house now, and I have responsibilities to do, like drinking and entertaining the guests!” After she said that the mood seemed to have gotten rather dark, at least for Andras. He quietly thanked Ferric for the drink before going to bed while Elena was still rowdy and awake. “You know actually, there is a boy, no, a young man in Gransys I’ve been sweet with. He is kind to me as well. A young apprentice of a stable master, raises horses. Oh I do love horses. He is nearing the end of his apprenticeship and I must claim him before those other hussies dog their talons into his flesh!” Elena seemed quite passionate about this.

“His name is Hektor, a strapping young man, born from the north. His family used to raise horses for the Khanate before they moved south, and he wishes to resume hat business. I’ve always told our father we’d make more money raisin horses and selling them to the duke’s army, but he wants to just keep growing crops. Weather hasn’t been very good for us these past seasons, and I’ve already gone through three blights before as a child, I’ve no interest in going through more in my future.” Suddenly Elena seemed sad as she leaned against you and started crying. She was very emotional.

“Oh... Now that my mother is dead, what is my future? She said she would help me arrange the marriage to Hektor. She would go buy me a dress, speak to his master, and arrange a meeting. I would have shown him my poems and arts, and he would’ve taken me for a ride in the countryside... But now... Now she is gone. And I can’t... I can’t date face my beloved alone, less he think me some craven clinging onto him for stability. And my own father, bless him, he is too lowborn to be negotiating such things...”

It was at this point Pylia came in and helped Elena back to her bedroll as well as off of you. “There there Elena. Don’t worry yourself about those things. I’ll wake you up for your watch. Sleep.” Naturally Elena would refuse, but once in her bedroll she quickly fell asleep. Pylia just sighed as she went back to her place. “Well... That was something. Still thirsty?”

At first Sylvia chuckled at the denial, but when Elena started talking about how she was woman of the house now, she felt her stomach and heart switch places. She could immediately feel the atmosphere around the group lose the merriment, like Elena just blew out a candle.

That's right...Leena. They couldn't save her...

Sylvia listened as Elena kept talking, letting Elena stay where she is as she continued talking. She gives reassuring and gentle pats on the shoulder when Elena started to cry. Sylvia's own heart broke as Elena wept over her mother's death and her own unknown future. Before she could say anything, Pylia came and guided Elena to her bedroll, and the girl fell asleep. Sylvia sighed quietly after that. She answered Pylia offer with a shake of her head, "No, thank you Pylia. I don't think it would be a good idea to drink any more for tonight," She then looked to Pylia with a slight smile and reassured, "Besides, we can always drink more in Gransys,"

“A wonderful idea.” Pylia says with a chuckle as everyone bedded down for the night. Shortfang decided to sleep outside, burrowing underground as it was more comfortable for him. Pylia was on first watch, Elena on second, Shortfang on third, and no one but Buddy on forth, though unbeknownst to them you were quite capable of watching in your sleep. As you frost away, you’d find yourself familiar space next to Buddy. He stood watch over the area next to the door, and joining him was Pylia.

Pylia looked to Buddy and nodded towards him. “Glad to have you on our side Buddy. You watch this side, I’ll patrol around. Let me know if anything happens.” Pylia says before she goes to wander off a bit from the ruined rest area. Buddy then turned towards you. ”It will be a long night. Do you wish to stay here? I’m sure it is possible for you to simply dream if the monotony bores you..”