“A-Arthur? What are you doing here?”

The young elf looked quite flustered as Arthur saw her as she opened the curtains.

“Hello… Lyra was it?”

“Yes, that is my name.”

“Well I was bathing because I was covered in sweat from training today. Also I figured everyone else would be eating dinner right now.”

“I needed to have a bit of time by myself before I had anything to eat. Bathing helps me clear my mind.”

“I did notice some steam rising, were you using fire magic to warm the water you were using?”

“Yes I was.” Lyra looked away slightly embarrassed. “What skills were you training today?” Lyra tried to change the topic.

“I was training with a longsword with Hambel, I made good progress thanks to him.”

“I also heard from Cassia that she has been teaching you a bit of magic.”

“She has but most of my discoveries were made on my own. But she was a great help with introducing me to how magic works.”

“I suppose that saves me the trouble of finding you a teacher if she is as good as you say.”

An awkward silence filled the end of the tunnel until Arthur spoke up.

“So should we go get something to eat because I am quite hungry.”

“Alright, perhaps we could walk back together.”

On the way to the dining hall Arthur had a few questions for Lyra.

“I have a question for you.”

“W-what about?”

“It's about magic. Are there other types of magic aside from water, fire, earth, and air?”

“Oh that.” Lyra sighed in relief. “There are a few types but they are far harder to learn and use due to them not having a real physical aspect like the 4 basic elements. There are 8 more types of known magic that are available to spell casters like us. Alteration that affects the world physically and magically, It is most well known for magic barriers. Illusion that affects how people view the world. Restoration is mostly known for healing magic. There is Conjuration that is known for summoning creatures to fight for the caster. Enchanting is just applying magic to an object permanently unless removed. Alchemy is the process of combining magic and non magical substances together to create something new. And Golemancy that is technically both enchanting and alchemy to create constructs, golems are the most common example.”

“That was a mouthful.” Arthur slightly chuckled.

“W-well you asked me to tell you.”

“I didn’t think it would be so complex. I guess I should be thankful you were willing to tell me all that.”

“Anyone could learn that from a book. I just saved you a few silver coins.”

“Well when I get the chance I will pay you back for those few silver you just saved me.”

“All I did was tell you how people categorize magic, in reality it's not quite like that. They don’t technically exist, it's just a way to make magic easier for people to learn.”

“It allows people to focus on certain aspects and makes teaching others far easier.”

“That is pretty much it.”

“What type of magic do you specialize in?” Arthur asked.

“Aside from Geomancy which is my primary element I would have to say Alteration magic. When you can protect yourself from physical and magical harm you are able to worry far less about yourself and more on what is happening in front of you.”

“Is there any place outside where I could find a teacher who could teach me more?”

“If you want to find a reliable teacher your best bet is the mages guild. They tend to have outposts in most major towns and cities. There are also several other magic related services that they have but it would be better to speak with someone who works there. They could likely explain it better than I could.”

“Would it be possible for someone like me to find a job with the mages guild?”

“Oh right, I forgot you don’t have a proper way to sustain yourself. The mages guild does recruit often. But unless you want a stable career as a bureaucrat or a teacher I would recommend almost any other guild, such as one of the various craftsmen guilds or if you want to be a mercenary the mercenaries guild.”

“Well I don’t know much about any trades and I don’t want to teach or do paperwork, so the mercenaries guild might be the best choice for now.”

Stolen novel; please report.

“Not the worst choice, but there are requirements to be a part of the mercenaries guild. They will still accept you even if you don’t meet them but you will be required to have a certain level of skill. Unfortunately I don’t know the specifics as I am not a member.”

“You have given me more than enough information for the time being. Over the course of the next week I am sure that my combat and magical skills will improve enough for me to join the mercenaries guild and earn enough to support myself.”

“Speaking of next week, we should expect reinforcements to be here by about the end of it. Then we will start securing the fortress.”

“Best hope all things go well.”

“Yes and I wanted to ask if you would like to join us.”

Arthur paused as Lyra continued.

“You will be well compensated and I think it would be a good opportunity for you to level up a bit, if I recall correctly you are still only level 2. I wouldn’t expect the mercenaries guild to let you in at such a level.”

Arthur took a moment to think about his answer.

“Alright, I will join you on your expedition. And is it alright if I ask for a magic item that can cast that translation spell for me?”

“Huh? Oh right, I forgot you don’t speak Eevin. Well I could bring it up but your reward would depend mostly on your contributions to the expedition. If you do well enough I can arrange it. If not you could at a later date commission one from the mages guild.”

“That's not a half-bad backup plan. Thank you Lyra.”

Soon the two arrived at the dining hall and took seats with their respective friend groups.

“I saved you a seat.” Cassia smiled as she saw Arthur approach.

“Oh, you finally returned, lad.” Hambel smiled at Arthurs arrival. “Not sure why she made you bathe first, neither one of us smelt that bad.” As if to prove that he did not smell Hambel lifted his arm exposing his armpits.

“Hambel! Have some decency!” Cassia shouted as she attempted to force Hambels arm down.

“Hambel, please put your arm down. You do in fact stink very bad.” Arthur interjected.

“See, I am not the only one who thinks you stink.”

“Ah, you're no fun Arthur.”

Arthur took a seat next to Cassia on the opposite side of Hambel, this did not go unnoticed by Cassia. “So what do we have to eat today?”

“Well we have a stew with potatoes, some beef, and some carrots. It along with the bowls are next to the campfire just over there.” The campfire Cassia pointed to being several meters away.

“Alright.” Arthur stood up from the table. “Do you want me to pick you up another bowl for you?”

“No, I still haven't finished my first one.” Cassia waved Arthur off.

“Could you get me one more lad.” Hambel spoke up. “I’m halfway done with this one and you could save me a trip.”

“Sure, but only if you promise to keep your arms down so we don’t need to smell you.”

“Eh, no promises.”

“No promise equals no stew.” Arthur knew how to bargain.

“Fine, fine. No more smelly armpits from me, I promise.”

Arthur chuckled to himself at his friend's behavior. ‘He must really want that stew.’

At the pot of stew Arthur took two bowls that he filled up to about three quarters of the way to top. Upon returning to the table he handed Hambel his bowl just as he was about to finish, Arthur then took his seat next to Cassia again and began eating his stew.

The stew was very well made especially for someone who doesn’t have very much to reference it to like Arthur. There was just the right amount of potatoes, beef and carrots that made it the best meal Arthur had eaten so far.

‘Mmm. Whoever made this is quite good. I should ask them for the recipe some time.’

“Cassia, who made this stew?”

“I think it was Theodosius who made it today. Why do you ask?”

“I was going to ask him for the recipe.”

“I don’t think he will. He comes from a line of well known cooks and it is more than likely a family recipe. He might teach you something about cooking though if you ask.”

“Just not any recipes.”

“That is correct. I would help him out with cleaning the dishes, he might be more willing to give you a lesson that way.”

“Where does he clean the dishes?”

“See that tent over there.” Cassia pointed to a nearby tent. “That is where all the food related activities are done, aside from eating of course.”

“Thank you.”

*********

About 15 minutes later after everyone had finished eating Arthur made his way towards the tent Cassia directed him towards to meet Theodosius.

Arthur peeked through the tent flap and saw a young man about his age. The young man was seated on a stool and in front of him was a basin of water that he used to clean bowls.

“Do you need something?” The young man asked without looking up from his task.

“No. I was going to ask if you needed any help.” Arthur replied.

“Sure, I could use a bit of help. There is another basin and a stool to my left and a barrel of water to fill it with behind me.”

Arthur picked up the basin and stool and carried them over, placing them next to the young mans before picking up the barrel and bringing it over. Arthur popped open the lid and poured some water into the basin.

As Arthur sat down to begin washing some bowls the young man beside him handed him a cloth and some soap to wash the bowls with.

“So what's your name?” The young man asked.

“Arthur, and yours?”

“Theodosius, but you can call me Theo. Everyone finds that far easier to remember.”

The next several minutes were quiet as the two men washed and cleaned the bowls used in the evening's dinner.

When they had finally finished Theo turned to Arthur and asked- “So Arthur, why did you come here to help me. No one ever tries to help me.”

“I wanted to ask for some lessons on cooking.”

“That's it?” Theo looked quite puzzled. “You didn’t want to ask me about anything else Like my family's secret recipes?”

“No, I don't think I would be able to convince you to tell me even if I wanted you to.”

“Wait, why then would you want to learn about cooking.”

“When I leave this place I can’t guarantee that I will always have cooked food with me. I would like to be prepared just in case I need to. Also I wouldn’t need to rely on someone else to cook my meals for me.”

“Well you certainly are a unique case then Arthur, most do not share your foresight.”