Fate’s Golden had spent an eventful month within the outpost, a greater month than most thanks to Adam’s magical abilities. The daily baths and the variety of food on offer was something very few could dare to enjoy. Even the nobles of Aldland could scarcely enjoy such luxuries on the road.

“Alright, we’ll leave the outpost here, just in case something happens on the way back, like last time,” Adam said as the group quickly prepared their things. Adam glanced aside to his cart, which had been kept to one side, out of the way. It had been slowly emptied as the month passed, but then also filled with each wave of beasts. Yet, so much of their loot had to be left behind, for they did not have enough space for the large number of items.

“Nirot, come here,” Adam called, before holding out Strong Shield to the woman. “I’ll feel more comfortable knowing that the dependable Nirot was holding onto this shield for me.”

“It would be best in your hands,” the young Iyrman replied, though her fingers twitched with excitement.

“Do you see this, Jurot? She thinks just because she can solo a giant python she can dare to refuse my orders.” Adam shook his head. “This is what happens when kids get too cocky.”

“I am not a kid,” Nirot replied.

“Right, right,” Adam replied, flashing her a smile, still holding out Strong Shield. “Jurot and I have both made a story for this gift which Turot had given to me…”

Nirot reached out for the magical shield, feeling how it tingled against her fingers. The shield once belonged to her grandfather, and though many knew him as Mad Dog, he had also held the epithet of Bloody Jarot. She thought of the stories it held, and how she was going to add to it, she hoped.

Unfortunately for her, the walls of Red Oak greeted the party a few days later, the large walls hugging the town with its protection.

The guards eyed up the visitors, the purple armour, the mass of wolves, which seemed vaguely familiar to them.

“Good afternoon,” a guard called, holding out their hand for them to stop. They eyed up the cart, which must have been full of goods from the rebellious South Aldland. “Fine trading, I hope?”

“I wish,” Adam replied. “Trading would have been less dangerous.”

“Trading’s dangerous business, what with bandits, all manner of beasts, and the outbreaks and such,” the guard said. “What do you trade in?”

“We typically trade in magical items, but those are being auctioned here at the moment, a special privilege for the town which is so close to the Iyr,” Adam replied.

The guard slowly nodded their head, having little clue as to what Adam was talking about. “What’s in the cart?”

“Bits and pieces of different creatures from the outbreak.”

“Oh? Which creatures?”

“Birdcats, duabears, firewolves, fireboars, giant pythons, a bit of tyrantboar,” Adam replied.

The guards whistled. “Hadn’t realised the south was so dangerous. Must be because of the Traitor Duke.”

“I can’t say anything about the south, but we slew these guys around the west.”

“You slew a tyrantboar?”

“No, I didn’t,” Adam replied, smiling awkwardly through his helmet. “Actually, my cousin here, Nirot, came face to face with a giant python and defeated it by herself.”

“I’m sure she-,” the guard began before noting Adam was pointing to an Iyrman, whose grin was as wicked as any demon.

“We were tasked with defending the west,” Jurot said. “We have completed our task.”

“Ah, so you were one of those dealing with the outbreak?” the other guard asked. “Ah, what was the name of your group?”

“Fate’s Golden.”

“Yes, that’s right,” the guard replied, nodding her head slowly. “We were told to expect you about this time.”

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“Oh yes, that’s right,” the first guard said, also nodding her head. “Apologies.”

“No problem at all,” Adam said, motioning to Jurot, who revealed the plaque.

The group stepped into Red Oak, the noise of the town filling their ears. They made their way towards the Adventurer’s Guild to complete their quest. The guild was lively, filled with adventurers who were drinking and eating after a day’s adventuring. Adam glanced around, finding a few familiar faces he had seen earlier in the year.

“Jurot, why don’t you let the guild know we’re done?” Adam asked.

“Okay,” Jurot replied, stepping forward to speak with the receptionist, while the others situated themselves within the guild.

Paul waited until Adam finished his bath in order to meet with the group. He shook their forearms one by one, and Adam noted the man’s forehead was permanently creased in worry.

“Tough month?”

“No,” Paul admitted. “It was too easy.”

“Was it?”

“The outbreak was easy to deal with, meaning we might have other matters we will need to look into,” Paul stated, letting out a sigh. “However, you all did good work, Fate’s Golden.”

“I’m sure there’s a fine reward waiting for us?”

“Three thousand gold,” Paul said. “You may also keep all the items you procured.”

“I thought we would get a larger split of the loot,” Adam said.

“If you want everything to be split evenly, you might not be able to keep the tyrantboar tusks you earned.”

“Alright, fair.” Adam sighed, shrugging his shoulders. “Well, thank you for the gold, and…”

“I will deal with the matter of your advancement soon,” Paul assured.

“Nice.”

Quest Complete: Outbreak

XP Gained: +200

XP: 10 600 -> 10 800

Quest Complete: Steel Rank

XP Gained: +200

XP: 10 800 -> 11 000

‘Nice,’ Adam thought. The last few outbreaks had given him quite a bit of XP, though he had split some of the outbreak awkwardly, between himself and the trio of Iyrmen he typically travelled with, rather than the entire group.

“Adam,” Jurot said.

“Yeah, yeah,” Adam replied, smiling.

“Who are these strange faces?” Pam asked, packing bread to one side.

“I’m not that ugly, am I?” Adam asked from behind his helmet.

“I wouldn’t dare say such a thing, not for a great bronze rank adventurer like yourself,” Pam replied, smiling politely.

Adam elbowed Jurot gently, and nodded. “Why don’t you tell Pam all about our adventures while I go take the bread to the group. Pam, don’t let him undervalue his contributions, especially when he mentions his cousin.”

Pam only tilted her head in response, before Adam ordered the bread, buying extra for the farmers and porters and their families.

“So?” Lucy asked.

“I thought maybe if I was around he might be too shy,” Adam said.

“He might be too shy without your support.”

“Well, we’ll see,” Adam said.

“I can’t believe you just walked out before anything happened.”

“We’ve got to let him fly by himself sometimes.”

“Nirot, you should go in to make sure he’s telling the tale properly,” Lucy said. “Make sure you help him with her.”

“…” Nirot threw a look to Adam.

“Actually, Lucy’s on to something. You need to watch over them since she’ll be your future cousin, potentially.”

Nirot furrowed her brows, glancing between the pair, before she entered the bakery.

“She understands we want them to get together, right?” Adam asked.

“It’s all up to them now,” Lucy replied.

The group ate their bread together, while Adam escorted Nobby to his home, being escorted by Vonda himself, so he didn’t get into trouble.

“Nobby!” Ted shouted, embracing Nobby. He was an older fellow, and was no longer thin, his body having filled with the bread and meat Nobby’s coin had bought for him and his family. Ted then noted the appearance of Adam and Vonda, bowing his head towards them. “Good evening.”

“Good evening, Ted, hope we aren’t a bother,” Adam said.

“No, no bother. Annie, put on the kettle, mister Adam’s here.”

“As much as it pains me to say this, there’s no need for that, not for us anyhow,” Adam said. “I’m just here to make sure Nobby got here alright, and, well, I wanted to check on Anne, if she’s about.”

“Anne, come here,” Ted called.

The tiny Anne appeared, wearing a dark blue dress, and a tiny copper pin in her hair. She was still small, more like a seven year old, rather than being almost ten years old. Her hair had grown out slightly, down to her shoulders.

Adam dropped to a knee, reaching into his pouch, before holding out a gold coin. “Do you know what this is?”

Anne nodded. Adam handed it over to her, hearing a quiet thanks, before the girl quickly shimmied away behind her father’s leg.

“Are you enjoying school?”

The girl slowly nodded her head, but in the way that meant she didn’t want to reply affirmatively but was told to do so.

“Don’t enjoy it too much, since the fort should be done soon, and then you can all move there,” Adam said, his eyes meeting Ted’s. “I hope you’re all willing to move when the time comes.”

“I’ll be sure to give it a thought.”

Adam bowed his head. “I hope you all have a wonderful evening. Nobby, make sure you tell them about all that you’ve done, and give out the gifts properly.”

“Yes, mister boss,” Nobby replied.

“Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude. Sir Vonda, this is Ted, Nobby’s father. Ted, this is Sir Vonda, of Life’s Rose.”

“Ah!” Ted blinked, the shock filling his body. “Didn’t mean no respect, my lady.” The man bowed his head, bending at the knees slightly.

“No, it’s alright,” Vonda replied, bowing her head slightly in reply. “Adam and I would love to stay, but we must head to the temple to pay our respects.”

“Right…” Adam replied, seeing how smoothly Vonda tried to slip away.

Ted stumbled over his words, before bowing his head again. “Of course, of course, wouldn’t want to let the gods wait. Many blessings to you.”

“May the Good Mother bless you.”

Adam and Vonda made their way out, a shocked Ted watching over their backs. Ted threw a look to Nobby, wondering if the boy had ever stated that they were travelling with a Priest of Life, and not just any Priest of Life, but a member of Life’s Rose!

‘The gods are truly shining on our family!’