This is what having a toddler must be like, Daniel thought.

Cinder had been persistent in his questions.

He had thankfully been able to tell the dragon what the names of the trees were, but he soon realized how much he didn’t really know about the surrounding forest.

The forest was apparently full of plants he had never noticed before, and they were all brought to his immediate attention.

This had slowed the trip considerably, but was worth it, as the dragon was enjoying learning about the world around them.

Not wanting to dismiss any of the dragon’s questions, when faced with a plant or shrub he had no knowledge of, Daniel would sit down with Cinder and go over its features and try to understand it together.

Cinder had gotten bored with the greenery and soon was bringing him small animals to identify.

The dragon’s claws were surprisingly dexterous and tiny cupped hands would hold out voles, birds, and even one particularly angry squirrel.

Remembering his previous journey through the forest, he marveled at how different it now seemed.

Part of it was having a companion and a new level of strength and power, but a little self-reflection had told him the truth.

Humans feared the dark, or more accurately, what wrapped itself in darkness.

Every shadow in the forest had the possibility of a hidden predator, hungry and red in tooth and claw.

And now, while the trees and plants might conceal some hidden danger, he would see it coming.

It made the value of his Mask of the Paladin worth more than anything else he owned, even his ring.

The heavy sound of movement pulled him from his thoughts.

Turning, he spotted a full-sized brown bear standing on its back legs and swiping its giant paws at Cinder, who hovered just out of reach.

“Squirrel!” the dragon said proudly.

Cinder could fly pretty well, but the act tired him out quickly. So, he only flew for short bursts before returning to the ground.

Wisely deciding not to land near the half-ton creature, Cinder landed on a nearby tree branch and stared down at the beast.

“Angry,” the dragon observed as the bear roared its displeasure.

Daniel ran towards the bear, trying to get its attention. But it ignored him and slammed its bulk against the base of the tree.

Cinder watched as the monstrous creature climbed the tree faster than seemingly possible for a beast of its size.

The dragon had not expected it to reach him so fast, and panicked, racing along the branch.

Daniel concentrated and fired his Flamebolt spell at tier one, just above the creature’s head.

The fire impacted the tree above the bear, sending it reversing its course down toward the ground.

Once again with solid footing, it took off at a speed that could rival a horse’s gallop, and soon disappeared into the surrounding woods.

Reaching the tree, Daniel could feel the flames that fed on the living wood, even now threatening to travel up the dry bark.

With a minor effort of will, the fire disappeared, and he turned his attention to his companion.

“Monster?”

“No, it wasn’t a monster. It was a bear. A big one too.”

Daniel thought back to his encounter with the bear at the farm. The bear had been the scariest and most destructive thing he had ever seen. But that seemed like another life now.

“Bears can be dangerous, but not to us. Also, its home is here in the forest. If it were near where people lived, it would be a problem. But out here, it just lives its…beary life.”

“Eat?”

Daniel smiled beneath his mask; the dragon was constantly hungry. For a moment, he wondered if he should have taken down the bear, but dismissed the idea.

“Bears don’t taste very good,” he explained.

The dragon accepted his logic and flew down towards him, landing on his shoulder and quickly wrapping himself around his neck.

“Cookie?”

Nodding, Daniel summoned a gold coin to his hand and held it to the dragon.

“Thank. You,” the dragon said, as he devoured the coin.

He might have expensive taste, but no one could say his dragon didn’t have good manners.

Having once again lost his sense of direction, he summoned the kobold’s map.

The map showed a much wider area now, and after taking a few experimental steps, he found the correct direction and resumed their journey.

***

Stolen story; please report.

With his mask on, Daniel had considered going to Barda to visit the Temple of Honus there, but in the end, he had decided against it.

As disgusting as his armor now was, it was still easily identifiable as Barda guard armor.

They had made it just past the town and after a few days of nice weather; the sky had opened up.

The forest did a decent job of reducing the torrent of rain that was coming down, but in the end, Daniel summoned his cloak.

It really was comfortable, he thought.

The cloak’s excellent craftsmanship and weighted ends kept it in place as he moved.

Exceptional indeed, he thought.

Bringing up his System screen, he confirmed his theory.

Unbound Items:

Cloak of Diffusion

Of course it was enchanted. And after opening his second mana-gate, he had a way to tell if an item was magical.

Summoning his bar mace to his hand, he watched as another entry appeared under Unbound Items.

Truth

That was interesting. A named weapon, and with a name like Truth, it seemed tailormade for a paladin.

Now, he just needed access to a ritual circle to bind them. Well, one of them, he amended. He would need to open a third mana-gate before he could bind both.

“Plud did say these would help me on my path. It looks like he wasn’t kidding.”

“Like. Plud. Like. Ratface,” the dragon said.

Cinder had wanted nothing to do with the rain and had returned to his soul space.

Deciding it was a suitable time to exit the forest and start using the road, he began making his way west.

“I know. And we’re going to find them one day,” he explained.

Now for the conversation he’d been dreading.

“Cinder, it’s time for you to stay in our soul space for a while.”

“Sad.”

It broke his heart to hear the little dragon’s disappointed voice.

“I know. But you’ll always have me, and hopefully soon you’ll have even more friends when we join the Guild. Scofrey is only about twenty miles from here, and with a little luck, we can catch a ride in a merchant’s wagon.”

While he hadn’t tested it yet, he needed to see if he could communicate with Cinder telepathically, otherwise people would assume he was insane.

Directing his thoughts to the dragon, he tested their connection.

“Cinder, can you hear me?” he sent.

“Sound. Funny,” the dragon responded.

“How does it sound funny? Like it’s far away?”

“One. Voice. Not. Two.”

Daniel considered it.

“So, when I talk, you hear me thinking the words as well as what I say aloud?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know that.”

“Like.”

“You like it when I talk out loud to you?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, when possible, I’ll continue to speak out loud, okay?”

“Thank. You.”

“You’re a good boy,” he told the polite little dragon.

“Cinder. Know.”

Humble too, he thought.

***

Daniel walked along the side of the road and watched as the various carts, carriages, and wagons passed by.

A few had slowed down as if to talk to him, but had then sped away quickly.

It was the mask, of course. There must just be something about a dark-cloaked individual with a mirrored face walking in the rain that bothered people.

He had debated taking off the mask, but being this close to Barda, he didn’t want to take a chance of anyone recognizing him.

After a few hours of walking, he was just about to leave the road and head into the far forest to cook them a meal when a wagon stopped.

He turned, expecting the driver to move on quickly, but he called down to him from the tall seat.

“Not a very pleasant day for a walk. Would you like a ride?” the driver asked.

“Yes, please. And thank you,” he responded.

The driver motioned for him to join him on the wide bench seat, and he gratefully stepped up and sat down.

The wagon was well designed, with its canvas covering extending over their heads.

“Interesting mask,” the driver said conversationally.

Not recognizing the man from his time in Barda, Daniel removed his mask.

He moved it under his cloak like he was placing it into a pocket, then stored it in his ring.

The driver gave him a friendly smile.

“I must admit, I took you for an elf,” he said.

Nodding at the driver’s assumption, he offered his hand.

Taking it and giving him a firm handshake, he returned his attention to the reins.

“I’m actually a paladin of Honos,” quickly adding, “…a new one.”

The driver looked upward for a moment before looking back at him.

“No bolts of lightning striking us down,” he said with a grin.

“So, I guess you’re the real deal. Are you heading to Scofrey to visit the temple?”

“Yes. There and the Guild,” Daniel replied.

“Ah, good to hear! They could use more folks with honor.”

Not sure how to take that statement, Daniel focused on the lands they were passing with interest.

He had never been this far north.

He spotted a few farms, but without his mask, couldn’t make out many details as they were far from the road.

Leaning back against the cushioned seat, he closed his eyes, enjoying the rhythmic feeling of movement as they traveled.

***

Daniel awoke disoriented and barely stopped himself from summoning the mace to his hand.

His mind turned to Cinder.

“How are you buddy?” he sent the dragon.

“Good. Big! Squirrels.”

Daniel frowned in confusion, but the sight of the two draft horses pulling the wagon made him understand.

“Cinder, can you see through my eyes?”

“Yes!” came the excited voice of the dragon.

He’d have to make sure he found interesting things to view when in the city, he thought.

“Those are horses. People use them to travel quickly,” he sent.

Spotting a shape in the distance, Daniel summoned his mask and placed it over his face.

The darkness of early evening faded as his vision sharpened.

There in the distance was the great walled city of Scofrey.

“You’re awake. You must’ve been exhausted, the way you passed out like that,” the driver said.

Realizing he didn’t know the driver’s name, Daniel removed his mask and turned to face him.

“Please forgive my poor manners. You’re right, I was absolutely exhausted. My name is Daniel, Paladin of Honos,” he offered with a nod.

The driver beamed a smile at him.

“It’s no problem at all, and I didn’t want to pry. I’m Horace.”

“It’s very nice to meet you and I would like to once again thank you for the lift.”

The driver waved away the comment.

“If you wouldn’t mind some unsolicited advice…”

Daniel shook his head. “Of course not. Please go ahead.”

“Well, you mentioned you were planning on joining the Adventurers Guild and I got the feeling you’ve never been to Scofrey before.”

Daniel nodded.

“When we get to the city, don’t tell anyone your name, especially the guards.”

Daniel nodded, thinking about his connection with the guards of Barda. It probably was a good idea to go incognito.

“Keep your mask and cloak on, tell them you’re a paladin, then pay the two gold to go in.”

Curious, he looked at the driver for an explanation.

“Scofrey is a big city and a new paladin arriving will eventually reach the ears of the important people. Giving them any extra information will have them investigating to find something to use against you to get you to work for them,” Horace said.

Daniel considered his words.

“Is it really that bad there?” he asked.

Horace shrugged. “Not any worse than any other big city. I can tell you the kingdom representatives are actually decent people, mostly. But it’s the Crafter’s Guild nobles that hold the purse strings.”

“Also, I’d recommend going to the Adventurer’s Guild first if it’s important to you. If you’re accepted, and I get the feeling you will be, they’ll scrub your old identity away and give you a new name.”

Daniel nodded his head as he digested the advice.

He would have just walked up to the gate, given his name, and had his identity known by everyone before he even realized people were plotting against him.

There was that naivete rearing its ugly head up again.

“Thank you for the advice, Horace. I appreciate it.”

Horace grinned at him.

“Think nothing of it. And here…” He handed him five gold pieces.

“Oh no, I couldn’t possibly take your money. If fact, I was planning on giving you money in thanks for the ride.”

“Nonsense. If you paid me, it wouldn’t be a good deed. Besides, I look at it as putting an investment into the future of the city. I can’t think of anyone I would rather have out there battling monsters than a knight of honor and justice.”