[center] TIME SKIP [/center]

[hr]

Fer had spent his week in training body and mind.  With the pending onslaught of the Waves that would descend upon them, there was little time to worry about the political repercussions of his actions and words.  There might not be a Melromarc kingdom to hold him in contempt if he did not become strong enough to be of use.  Thanks to his magically enhanced endurance, he was able to train hard and stay up long hours.  Though every now and then while reading a book of spells or magic application, he did doze off.  His once decent armor and clothes showed sign of wear.  The same wear that was seen in Fer’s eyes.  He was driven by a lone thought, survival.  

Every now and then he would meet Cole either on the castle passageways or out in town as his companion and his new entourage made their rounds.  He would greet his friend and even speak to him a little.  The Shield Hero held nothing against his blonde friend and instead was glad to see the good he was doing.  To Fer’s eyes, the Sword Hero brought peace and hope to them.  Even these encounters were brief.  The eyes of the onlookers always turned a darker shade when the Shield Hero was around.  So Fer would move on, trying not to be a shadow that hid Cole’s light. 

Speaking of light, he had not seen much of Auriel.  She was probably doing some secret training in the Monastery.  After all, as the emissary and representative of the Church, it would not do to have her lacking during the waves.  Rivia was a welcome addition but he still missed their winged warrior.  Perhaps he had relied too much on Auriel to bring him inner peace.  Unlike the masses that looked to Cole for such a feeling, Fer felt he could not put that burden on anybody so he carried it himself.

The wolf girl was a huge help in training.  Her skill kept him on his toes.  Unlike the first time they sparred, each consecutive one after that seemed to grow harder to land a blow.  Close quarter combat was her specialty.  More often than not, she killed him a dozen times with claw, or dagger.  It was scary how she went from killing machine to cute puppy girl.  

Reading had been enlightening but it left him with a problem of trying to find somebody to teach him a practical application.  Thankfully, one day when he was mumbling a simple spell, an old demi human lady, she seemed to be a racoon of sorts, had approached him.  After a bit of elderly contempt, she had agreed to help him get a grasp on magic.  

Fer would provide her with small [i][u]“gifts”[/u][/i] like fruit or sweets of what have you.  Grumpy as the racoon lady who just asked him to call her Nan, though the shield hero knew that was not her name, she was a good teacher.  She seemed to have a good grasp on the mechanics of magic.  Lesson after lesson, the young hero felt mentally and physically exhausted.  

Every now and then he would see the Bow Hero from a distance.  Their eyes meeting more than once.  His cold towards her and hers insulting.  There would be no love lost between the two.  Rin was powerful and at the very least, Fer had to acknowledge that.  So, though it took him all the moral strength he could muster, Fer would incline his head ever so slightly and move on.  The Bow hero was bound to fight the waves, the least he could do was not wish her ill. 

Fer had been walking on his way to another study session in the library when he learned that the Spear Hero had returned.  Perhaps the Waves were like magnets, bring all parties involved like a nexus.  Tales of his deeds were easy to collect as the populace needed something to distract themselves before the inevitable fight that was approaching. [color=0054a6] “At least he has not been hiding under a rock.  I wonder if he will get the same earful that Rin gave us?”[/color]  the young hero wondered sarcastically. 

A messenger from the castle found him at the library with a summons to gather.  Fer nodded to the man.  His annoyance was palpable but he knew it was not the messenger’s fault. [color=0054a6] “Here we go again.  Last time I was summoned to a gathering it did not end well.  Let alone a gathering of Heroes.”[/color]

He pushed himself up and made his way back to the castle.  Only time would tell what he was to encounter there.