Fer’s mouth almost hanged open at the bluntness of Cole’s flattery towards the girl. In his culture and time, flattery was something covert, something to hint at but never truly say. It was a game of cat and mouse that the players never really won. The young hero clamped his mouth shut a bit harder than he thought. He examined his feelings at a slight twinge in his stomach. Was it jealousy? He shook his head as if the motion would rid him of this emotion. He felt ashamed of it. Neither in the party had known the other very long but he could feel the seeds of friendship and comradely starting to build. He swallowed and it left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Cole was right in pointing out the physical beauty of the holy warrior. Only a fool would try to argue that. But Auriel was more than just a pretty face. There was something in the way she treated people, the way she cared and even her loyalty to people she did not even know. This is what was most attractive to him. However, he would be selfish and wrong to think about her in a possessive manner. She was not his. He cleared his throat. 

Following the older man’s advice on location, the young Shield Hero, started to unpack. He had not bought much in the store but the owner had suggested strongly that he should have a bedroll and other adventuring items in a backpack he had purchased. He was thankful for the other man’s willingness to make him spend money. At least, the stuff he had purchased was in good condition and seemed to be appropriate.
 
They made a fire and ate some rations from their respective sacks. Fer was willing to share his story with them regarding his time in the rebel guerrilla and the reason he needed to go back. When the moon was high in the sky and it was finally time to turn in. The young hero looked at both of his companions. He did not know them, but he knew that would have to develop some sort of relationship with them. He laid down on his travel roll and was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable it was despite its look. Just before his eyes closed he wondered if this was all a dream and he would wake up to a much harsher reality…..

2 days Later:
Fer thanked the fur merchant as he slipped the coins into his belt pouch. Cole had pointed out that the King had been generous, perhaps too much so, and they probably did not need to sell their loot dropped by the monsters they killed. The young hero agreed with the sword but he somehow felt that by selling their loot it benefited the merchants who bought the items that would otherwise require expenditure of time and resources. The interactions also helped Fer get acquainted with not only the merchants but the lay out of the city as not every merchant was centrally located in the market district. 

Cole and he had been training hard under the tutelage of Marcino who had taken Fer’s request to hold nothing back very much to heart. He smiled as he walked back to the tavern where they had first met Marcino and had now become their meeting spot after practice. While they were mainly together. The three of them would separate ever now and then and seek their own endeavors. 

According to Cole, them reaching level 9 was not as great an accomplishment as Fer had thought. Knowing nothing of stats and skills, the young hero had felt that was a good number.  While it is true that even Marcino pointed out they were still much to weak to try any real challenge. The past two days had helped the trio of would be saviors smooth out their roles in the party. The damage came from Cole and Auriel while he would support them and cover their backs so they could concentrate. They had killed wolves and lesser monsters. 

He reached the tavern door and stepped inside. The place was as lively as ever and the clientele as rough as ever. He nodded to a few people as he passed and one of the ruffians nodded in the direction of their table. Fer followed the man’s gaze and he noticed that a black dressed figure was talking to Cole who had a slight look of surprise. He made his way towards the table trying to judge as much as he could of the standing person. Their posture was easy and relaxed as if confident on their abilities and not at all concerned about the local environment.

Before reaching the table Fer called out to Cole. [color=0054a6]“Hey, everything alright?”[/color] He said as he moved over to stand next to Cole and finally catching a glimpse of the delicate features that could only belong to a female. However, the look in her eyes told him that she was anything but delicate.