I wasn’t completely sure of my feelings at that time. Some combination of fear, confusion, and somehow familiarity. As if I had heard or even participated in similar conversations several times in the past.

“I have you at wand point and you’re focused on some dusty alchemy set?!”

“Hey!” Volk pointed a finger at her with gritted teeth. “I’ll have you know I had several projects planned with that! I’ve picked up the proper reagents I need to finish several experiments and planned to do so upon my return.”

The mysterious mage gave him a glare and deadpanned. “I sold it the first chance I got.”

“Of COURSE you did.” Was this how Stephanie and I sounded when we argued? Or even Friia and I? I began feeling as though I should apologize to both of them. Before I could finish processing that feeling or ask Volk how he knew the seething woman in front of us she turned her wand on me.

“And who is this? Another degenerate you picked up in the gutter somewhere? You must be getting desperate if you’re starting to keep fodder around.”

Volk put an arm in front of me as he stepped closer to her. “Hey! Leave my employer out of this!”

At that her expression went from rage to pure confusion. “...employer?”

Flashing a smarmy grin he nodded happily. “Legal employer. Mercenary gig out to the front lines. You of all people should know that even I like to play it straight sometimes.”

Her confusion seemed to grow with every word that fell from his lips. I’d have found it funny if she weren’t threatening me. Slowly, she turned to regard me with an expression of shock. “And…you are?”

I nervously reached into my satchel and pulled out my guild card to show her. “D-Daniel Neano. Traveling Merchant Second Class, at your service.”

“Second cla-” She shook her head in disbelief. “You do realize who that is, right?” She pointed at Volk. “And how did you get signed on by a second class merchant?! They’re damn near at the top of the ladder for the Merchant’s Guild!” She scoffed. “And here I thought they had standards.”

I felt my eye twinge a bit at that. Now, I didn’t know their relationship at the time, but I saw that as a dig at both of us. “We do.” She turned to me as I cleared my throat. “He’s skilled, cunning, and insightful. A capable negotiator, combatant, and scout. Knowledgeable about the world and unafraid to confront danger either with me or on my behalf. He’s a more competent bodyguard than most I’ve had in the past.”

She regarded me strangely for a moment as if searching for something. “And the violent, kleptomaniac, or downright mad side of him?”

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“My assistant finds it aggravating and I find it entertaining.”

The woman sighed, shaking her head and lowering her wand as Volk laughed. “Great. Just great. I finally find you months after you steal my book and vanish, and instead of making it easy to blast you I find you’ve gained legal employment to a madman. Worse yet, a madman that finds you useful.”

“Oi, I am not a madman!”

“I find myself wondering that sometimes.” I perked up at the sound of Friia stirring in the back of the wagon and turned to see her glaring at us with bleary eyes. “You worry me and Stephanie half to death, you throw yourself into danger if you think there’s profit involved, and you expect me to sit back and let you. I think ‘madman’ is the most polite thing she could call you in this situation.”

Friia was regarded with a much softer expression than I had been. “You must be the apprentice. Not overly fond of Volk and his ridiculousness, are you?”

Friia scoffed. “That would probably be the nicest way to put it.”

“Agreed. It’s rather grating for those who aren’t of a similar mindset.” She cast a sidelong glare at me with that line before offering Friia a small bow. “I am Altecia. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, miss…?”

The newly identified Altecia received a curtsy in return. “Friia Bowren, apprentice. At your service. If I may ask, what has my master done to draw your ire? I’m sure whatever he did can be resolved without violence.” At times I feel as though she has no faith in me as a person, and that hurts a little.

“In truth, your master did nothing. Your companion, however, stole something important of mine. In most circumstances someone like him could be taken care of with little to no repercussions, but since he’s been hired it leaves a snag in my idea to lightly fry him and drag him hogtied back into town.”

Volk shivered. “Now that’s no way to treat old friends, Alty. I’d never do that to you!”

Altecia glared at him while her drake hissed softly. “Nor would you be able to. And don’t call me that. I have a title and I expect you to use it. It’s the least you could do since I’ve let you keep standing.”

He tittered as he tossed her the book, startling her as she gave him a wary look of confusion. “Or I could return that and we call it even. Since the ever-so-important headmistress can’t normally leave academy grounds, the book doesn’t get new information. As I was planning to leave anyway I decided to bring it with me and get you some information myself. You know, to preemptively apologize for the next time I irritate you enough to start slinging spells at me.”

Altecia continued to stare for a moment before she opened the book and started flipping through it. With each turn of the page her look of surprise grew. “You…” A soft bout of laughter escaped her. “You really are the most ridiculous person I know, Volk.”

Now that the situation seemed diffused, I felt I was finally able to ask some questions. “So I take it the two of you are friends?”

“Yes!” “Unfortunately.”

If nothing else I was appreciative of her honesty. “And when he said academy, did he mean the Mage Guild’s institution in Faldis? The prestigious place of learning that most every great mage in the last hundred or so years has studied at?”

She nodded and gave me a smile for the first time since our introduction. “Yes. I am the headmistress, Altecia Meldana. I would like to apologize for my words earlier. I tend to assume the worst when Volk is involved.”

I gave a warm smile of my own. “Apology accepted. I can’t really fault you for that either, considering I met him after he instigated a tavern brawl.”

“He instigated a WHAT?”

“That wasn’t very nice of you Daniel.”

I laughed at Volk’s little pout. “Call it preemptive revenge. Friia’s telling Stephanie about the map and gold I took because of you after all.”

While Volk grumbled Altecia perked up. “Wait, Stephanie? As in the hero?”

Friia nodded happily as I sighed. “The same. Our Daniel here is her long time friend and constant source of worry. Have you met her?”

“I have. She never mentioned your name, but she told me plenty about a friend of hers with a knack for getting into trouble. Is it true you enjoy throwing yourself into death traps for pebbles?”

“Damn it Steph, it was an ANGEL STONE for a PRIEST! Next time we see her she’s getting a long lecture about EXAGGERATING TO OTHERS-” I’m a tad embarrassed to admit that my little tirade carried on for a while after that. I think Friia found kinship in Altecia as Volk started to join in on my complaints, though I was shouting too loudly to hear much of it.