The young Shield Hero was a quick study.  It stemmed from his awe and interest at things that he had never imagined possible in his life.  This whole world was technically that but he had always been an inquisitive person.  Unlike his younger brother, Fer had not been able to spend his days behind a book.  If he had been given the opportunity to accompany Auriel while visiting the great library, he would have been in heaven.  Knowledge was something that drew him.  Thus, he was more than willing to learn anything that not only would scratch that itch but could also help him learn to be more useful. 

Certain examples or references that Cole gave were  lost on him but what he could grasp was committed to memory. A few nods and okays let the other lad know that he had his full attention. The young shield was especially interested in the leveling and enhancing mentions.  He was not dumb.  He knew that they were getting stronger.  You could almost feel it.  Having a numerical representation however, made it the more real. 

Like his companion, Fer was itching to see how they both stacked against the monsters of the waves.  This was double edged wish however.  What if the monsters that they were to fight were so far out of their league that the effort would be herculean.  Based on the fighting prowess he had seen from Rayla and Marcino, it was not hard to imagine that the two heroes still needed quite a bit to learn. 
The shield grunted at Cole’s probably very accurate appraisal of their mercenary tag along. [color=0054a6] “You are probably very right there buddy.  Marcino is after all a mercenary.  His loyalty is probably depended on the amount of gold given to him.  While I don’t think he is a man without scruples, I do think that his loyalty should be taken with a grain of salt.”[/color]  Fer shrugged.  [color=0054a6]“I think it is best to keep our full trust only to each other and our winged companion.”[/color]

He looked around again.  [color=0054a6]“Speaking of which, where is she?  I am sure that her assistance in the subduing of Rayla should be recognized.”[/color]  His attention was brought back to his companion as Cole tried to pep him up.  A chuckle escaped the young shield.  

[color=0054a6]“Don’t worry Cole, I am not going to go and cry myself into a slump in a corner somewhere.  Knowing my shortcomings is important for me to grow.  I just don’t know how to do that efficiently and in my eyes, I am not doing it quickly.” [/color] He patted his friend on the shoulder.  [color=0054a6]“Don’t worry. I will willingly be your shield and this country’s or world or whatever.  I was given this.”[/color]  He raised his arm where the jewled bracer sat, [color=0054a6]“for some reason. I just hope whoever made the choice had a good reason.”[/color]

That reason seemed even more vague when Cole told him about the previous wearer of the Shield.  [color=0054a6]“Well, I guess it does not help to dwell on the troubles of the past.  For whatever reason, I am the wielder of the Shield now.  No reason wondering what was wrong with the old wearer and no reason wondering if there may be something faulty with me.  I think our goal is pretty simple actually. Fight the waves and survive.”[/color]

The two heroes were interrupted by another example of the strange fantasy world they had been summoned to.  The man in silver armor was straight from the drawings of the books his younger brother like to read.  Fer nodded his readiness and followed beside Cole.  He felt he needed to show his friend that he would stand beside him and in doing so, ease the pressure that the Sword probably felt as being the defacto leader.  At least, that was probably what the small folk and the King wanted.  The look of the knight was not lost on Fer.  Just what the hell had happened in the past for the people to have such contempt, distrust, and dislike of him merely for being the wielder of the Shield? This was a mystery that he felt he needed to solve.