[center][url=https://fontmeme.com/fallout-new-vegas-font/][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/230112/f7d774d3ec20946c1b1c06b083a1b2cd.png[/img][/url][/center]

[i]We're gonna need good coverage to protect to protect the main three, hmmmmm.[/i]

Half of Zell's mind was occupied with his thoughts.  The other half stayed on alert as he spied the gaps in the trees.  Most of the animal noises he'd heard so far didn't sound like threats.  Nothing big or predatory.

[i]What class is Clive?  Hard to say.[/i]

But then, a lot of predators moved in silence.  And Zell wasn't even sure what kinds of predators this world even had.

[i]Rangers are fast, probably faster than the mages.  They might benefit from more space.[/i]

Zell was startled when Joji broke the silence between them, but he supressed the urge to jump out of his skin, not wanting to look like he was scared out here.  He turned his head up to the larger man, regarding him in the corner of his eye.

“[color=a36209]Why do you think that cube is so important? Do you think there’s something very powerful inside? Or maybe the cube itself is some sort of uber powerful item?[/color]”

Joji sounded anxious himself.  The big guy was a little bothered by the mystery of the item they were delivering.  "Hmmmm... could be any of those things.  I haven't even seen it.  Probably wouldn't give me a clue even I had.  Maybe one of the mages have some instinctive insight or something."  Then he shrugged it off.  "Tee-bee-haeche, I wouldn't mess with the thing.  It belonged to the enemy and, like you said, it's probably important.  Let's just be on guard until it's out of our hands."

“[color=a36209]But I’m wondering if we’re gonna have to ask around for information. Or if whoever we’re giving this cube to would know what’s going on.[/color]”

"Let's hope so, big guy," Zell affirmed.  Then turned his eyes back on the surround.  "Let's hope so."

...

Zell thought it was an eagle.  The thing was huge and coming at them fast.  He bobbed left in a lazy effort to dodge as the bird flew around them, gripping the hilt of his longsword behind his shoulder.  But it stopped upon a tree branch and started showing off it's wingspan.  Zell didn't let go of his sword's hilt, not yet convinced it wasn't going to attack.  That is, until he saw and heard Fenna's reaction.

"Huh," Zell muttered as the woman just [i]beckoned[/i] the thing over... and it actually came over!  Like a god-damn trained dog!  Now he slowly let go of his longsword, rather amazed at the sight before him.  He'd never seen anything like it.  MacKensie started gushing over the thing and Zell mentally smiled, but the smile didn't reach his face as he was still pretty shocked at the sight of this huge bird just [i]chillin[/i] on Fenna's arm.  No amount shock could deny though... It was pretty fucking cool, to say the least.

...

When they stopped for camp on the hill, Zell rubbed his chin as he thought about what to do.  He guessed that a fire would be built in the centre, but not by him.  There were a few rocks and tree stumps in convenient places for seats, but not enough of them, so Zell looked around and saw a fallen tree trunk that would be perfect for three or four of them to sit on.

"Hey James, mind giving me a hand over here?" he asked, waving the wizard over to him.  When James closed in, he explained the plan to each grab an end of the tree trunk and move it into the camp site amongst the other make-shift seats of nature.  He also decided to tell James something else.  "Hey mate.  Some of them soldiers in Hommas had a lot of good things to say about you - talking about how they owe you their lives for the orders you were handing out in the battle.  Very sweet," he grinned at the man, but then decided to be a bit more serious for the next part.  "They also told me that you dragged me across the battlefield to safety while I was unconcious - Kept me out of trouble.  I appreciate you looking out for me, mate.  When your in the shit, I'll be there to return the favour.  Count on it."

He offered his hand to shake on the promise.  Suddenly MacKensie went past them and said, "Two peas in a pod."

Zell quirked an eyebrow as he watched her go.  "What was that about?" he asked, perplexed.