As he had expected given their first meeting, Rohl had been mostly correct with his belief on how this trial would go, but instead of directly hating the experience, he had mostly just disliked it.

However, that was most likely due to it being hard to hate an experience where all he had done was essentially walk in silence for a few hours.

Throughout the entire experience so far, he and the elf had exchanged no words to each other, not when they were traversing the streets of Elmon, exiting the city or even as the elf picked their route for the journey. Rohl doubted she had even so much as glanced to the side to ensure he was still following.

It was an experience that filled Rohl with a definite sense of déjà vu, especially as he was once again forced to find his own entertainment by enjoying the views of the countryside. Sightseeing had helped for a while, watching the grand fortress city of Elmon slowly fade await into the background had definitely been enjoyable, as had looking over vast expanses of fields as they crossed over the hilly landscape.

But there was only so much sightseeing he could take, especially as the forests that littered the countryside mostly put him on edge rather than installed a sense of peace.

Shiresbridge Forest had definitely made me forget just how dangerous the woods can be. I’d probably have died in that ambush if it wasn’t for my patron. I am eternally grateful; I don’t know how I can repay them apart from killing that beast and serving faithfully. I don’t know, should I start praying to her, I suppose as her blessed, I probably should do.

The duties of a blessed weren’t exactly clear and he didn’t exactly have the time to track one down and ask for advice. The fact that Shrewsborough had two before his own ascension had likely been a small miracle by itself.

I guess I’ll just try and make her proud, that and try to learn more about her. Euterpe, the Goddess of Music.

With that line of thought having reached his end and Rohl having no desire to return to sightseeing, he did the only thing he could do to amuse himself, attempt to speak to his new companion.

“So, what ranking are you?”

“Intermediate.”

“Oh, impressive, have you been adventuring very long?”

“No.”

“Where are you from?”

“Not here.”

“When will we reach Bureihal forest.”

“Tomorrow morning if you shut up and focus on walking.”

If her one-sentence answers and annoyed tone weren’t clue enough, her final answer definitely was. And with it came the end to Rohl’s hope of passing the time by attempting to get to know a little about his new companion.

I don’t know what I expected, still, it would have been nice to know something about who I'm going to be fighting with. She must be somewhat decent otherwise the guild wouldn’t have let her do the trial. Maybe I can try and come up with a plan for the contract, might make her less hostile if I’m useful, not that I owe her anything.

Rohl still had plenty of time to kill before they reached Bureihal forest or made camp for that matter and so with nothing else to do, he simply put his mind towards creating some kind of battle plan.

Something which took far less time than Rohl had hoped, the task ahead of him was rather simple when he thought about it. All they had to do was approach each tree, activate his blessing, stand back and then stab or shoot whatever being emerged. As long as they took their time, took it tree by tree, there really wasn’t much more to it.

It would be a rather easy venture and one likely injury-free if Ell used the bow she had slung across her back. And whilst Rohl was somewhat glad for the large number of coins this quest would surely bring, he couldn’t help but be somewhat disappointed by its ease.

Not exactly great practice.

With his planning over and a small simmer of disappointment brewing within him, Rohl's mind once again returned to the path ahead of him and the darkening sky above.

My feet hurt. The legends definitely don’t mention this part, the hero's journey is ninety- nine percent walking, one percent monster slaying.

It was a rather depressing realisation and one Rohl, fortunately, didn’t have to dwell on as his companion suddenly stopped walking and quickly glanced over their surroundings with a keen eye.

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“We're almost there, we’ll make camp here, surely even you know how dangerous the woods can be at night.”

Was there any need?

Despite the mocking in her words, Rohl kept quiet and simply moved off to one side. The elf may have taken lead, but he was at least going to try and grab the flattest ground available. And with the best camping spot secured, Rohl quickly claimed it with his sleeping bag before putting together a small fire.

The rations the elf had provided wouldn’t need cooking, but the fire would hopefully fight off the chill and dissuade any monsters from approaching. Rangers should have kept this area clean of most monsters but given his most recent experiences on Offa’s roads, Rohl wasn’t quite so confident in their ability to safeguard all of Offa’s routes.

“Get up.”

“Uhhh, why?”

“Because I don’t even have to fight you to know how pathetic your skills are. If you die the mission after your trial, it'll look bad on me. So, get up and I’ll train you.”

It was a rather interesting and unexpected offer, but Rohl couldn’t deny the truth of her words. His swordsmanship was severely lacking.

He needed all the help he could get and so after taking a moment to ready himself, Rohl stood up and moved to stand across from the braced elf who was twizzling the end of her own sword with her fingers.

“The first lesson is to draw your sword you fuckwit.”

Rohl wasn’t exactly a stranger to derogatory-based humour, but Rohl could honestly not tell if she truly believed he was a fuckwit. Still, he had put up with Tarquin for years, he could handle this and so with little more than a tired glare, Rohl drew his sword.

“Go on then teach me, let’s see if you can back your words.” Compared to what his companion had been saying, Rohl’s reply was nothing, but despite that, he couldn’t help but feel he had made a mistake in saying them.

“We’ll start with some incredibly simple blocking and parrying, now I'll strike, and you deflect. Understand?”

Before Rohl had even the chance to verbalise his agreement, the elf had already begun to close the distance between them, leaving Rohl scrambling as he rushed to place his sword between them.

If it had been a serious fight, the sudden blow could have surely cost Rohl his life, but instead, Ell’s blade simply clashed harshly into his.

“Predict where I'm striking, I’ll go extra slow for you.”

True to her word, the elf did go slow, allowing Rohl to manoeuvre his blade into whichever path Ell chose. It was hardly advanced training, but it was definitely a start and Rohl could see why Ell was leading with it. He needed to learn the basics and where better to start than reading your opponent's moves and learning the best angles to deflect, parry or counter your opponent's strikes.

As much as Rohl was annoyed with the elf, he couldn’t deny her talent or the fact she had been true to her words in teaching him the basics of swordsmanship. A short lesson would hardly make him a decent fighter, but it was what Rohl needed.

“You’ve seen me strike, now, try and hit me. Who knows maybe you do have some small amount of talent hidden really deep down.”

“Uh-huh.” Rohl only gave a lacklustre reply to Ell’s words, but still, he moved into position and readied himself to attack.

In what Rohl believed to be a quick well-aimed strike, he thrust his sword towards the elf, only for her to easily slap away his attack with a lazy swipe of her sword.

“You warming up? That was pathetic.”

With a little more power in his attack, Rohl thrust his sword towards the elf once again, this time with his sword aimed at a slashing angle. And just as Rohl expected, his trainer easily parried it with her blade before smacking his arm with the flat end of her sword.

Ow.

“If I didn’t make it clear, you are meant to hit me.”

“Thank you.” After giving the elf how own sarcastic reply, Rohl struck again, he aimed his blade and put as much force into the strike as he could. But instead of countering or parrying, his teacher simply stepped to the side and allowed Rohl’s power to carry him forward and into her outstretched leg.

With a grunt of pain, Rohl smashed into the ground, landing roughly on his arm as he did so.

“This is… fucking… elf,” Rohl hadn’t actually been sure what he had intended to say, it was most likely an insult but all he had managed was a few mumbled words and an annoyed tone.

“Something to say, a grovel or whimper perhaps.”

Despite the pain the elf had put him through, Rohl made sure to remain quiet and simply carry on, he couldn’t give the elf the satisfaction of hearing him complain. Instead, he simply picked up his sword and continued attacking. No matter how many times she countered, struck him, or sent him careening into the dirt, Rohl carried on until finally, the sky became too dark for his lessons to continue.

Not that the darkening sky prevented his companion from ending the lesson with one last strike and counter that once again sent him careening onto the harsh ground below.

To only add insult to injury, the elf lent her sword against his neck and pressed her foot onto his chest “Your swordsmanship is pathetic, but there is one thing you’ve mastered, taking a hit. If you can, try and get some rest, we will be getting up early tomorrow. The sooner this is over, the better.

I'm really starting to hate her.

With her demands over, Rohl’s supposed mentor finally released him from her pinning stance before turning and leaving him still collapsed on the ground.

I am in so much pain.

Even with the blade no longer at his neck, Rohl didn’t move from his position, he was far too bruised and exhausted for that.

I’m going to need a minute or five.

After taking a few deserved minutes to calm his ragged breathing and regain his strength, Rohl finally pushed himself to his feet. Only to once again let out an annoyed sigh.

I don’t remember the Heroic Adventurers of Cator ever having such annoying companions.

As tempted as Rohl was to get his own back at the elf for taking his much comfier camping spot, he simply didn’t have the energy for it, nor the desire to get beaten once again. So instead, he simply gave the elf a small glare before attempting to settle himself down upon the bumpy ground below.

Thankfully, his rather exhausted state made finding sleep upon the harsh ground much easier than it should have been, as barely a minute after laying his head down to rest, Rohl found himself being lured into Morpheus’ realm.