It was about damn time.

Donavan didn't need Jules's squealing to confirm this was the man he'd been looking for. But she did anyway. A noise so high-pitched and girlish that it caused several people to look over at her in concern. Which led to her blushing and looking down to poke her index fingers together.

Desna squinted her eyes, peering across the square at the newcomer. She let out a long sigh of exasperation. It seemed this wasn't her first time dealing with him.

"And what exactly do you intend to do? Singlehandedly take on a goblin horde capable of battling a whole garrison of armed soldiers?" The Dwarf ran her gaze up and down the young man, her expression incredulous. "And you intend to do that with a... shovel?"

The young man glanced down at his trustworthy weapon and tightened his grip on it.

"Actually, it's a spade." He called back. "And yes, if I have to."

Hot damn, Donavan couldn't help but crack a little smile.

"You would be marching straight to your death." Desna bit back, "The chill alone would get you before the goblins ever did. Come off this foolishness before you end up dead and alone in some snowbank."

Donavan raised his hand and projected his voice.

"I'll go too."

The crowd turned to look at Donavan. He realized now that he was amongst the taller people in the square. He met their confused gazes with a practiced smile.

"And who in the hells are you," Desna said glaring down a him from the stage.

"Don of Navan, traveling monk. I happened across your village earlier in the attack, I did my best to help out where I could."

"I can vouch for him!" Caspiera jumped in. "He saved my life."

Caspiera's intervention killed whatever Desna was going to say next. Donavan used the moment to make his way over to the young man, the crowd parting to let him through.

The young man also looked a bit confused, but more than that he looked thankful. If Donavan was one of the taller people around, then this man was amongst the tallest. He had two or three inches on Donavan's six feet and some change. He had a strong jawline, but it was more boyish than oppressively masculine. Thick brows and long eyelashes framed his honey-brown eyes in a way that would cause women to swoon at his gaze. Despite his height, he avoided the gangly look with broad shoulders and lean muscle. He didn't have the fibrous density an older, more experienced man would, but he was plenty athletic.

No doubt about it. This was a Grade A pretty boy. He'd fit perfectly amongst the members of any superstar boyband back home.

"Call me Don," Donavan said outstretching a hand. Wait, did they do handshakes here?

Fortunately, The man reached out and clasped his hand in return.

"Wynn. Wynn Ernheart." The man said, an easy charming smile coming to his face.

Donavan's expression blanked.

"Wynn Earnheart... your name is Wynn Ernheart," Donavan repeated, emphasizing a select few syllables.

Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

"Uh... Yeah, is that ok?" He said.

Fuck no

"Yeah, it's fine," Donavan grumbled. "Just wanted to be sure I was pronouncing it correctly."

"Does anyone else feel the need to throw their lives away and join these two noble saviors on their suicide mission?" Desna called out to the rest of the crowd. Voice dripping with condescension

"Ooh me! Me, me, me, I will!"

Donavan didn't need to look to know Jules was probably jumping up and down with her hand up. Moments after she pushed threw the crowd and joined their little offshoot group.

"Hey, I know you," Wynn said arching an eyebrow. "You're the girl from earlier, at the mill."

"You-you remember me?" Jules asked, ears twitching.

"Of course, how could I forget you."

She squealed again.

Donavan had to use all his willpower to resist letting his eyes roll right out of his head. Wynn went ahead and introduced himself to Jules and vice versa.

"Anyone else?" Desna said, frustration lacing her tone.

silence filled one moment to the next and no others came forth.

"Fine then." The dwarf said throwing her hands up in exasperation "Do whatever you will. Who am I to stand between fools and their foolishness. I will have no part in this."

With that, she turned and gestured everyone off the stage. Orders filled the air for people to disperse and go about the village seeing what needed to be done. In the wake of people wandering away from the square, Caspiera marched up to three of them.

"Was this who you were looking for?" She said, stopping before Donavan and glancing at Wynn.

"I sure hope so."

"You were looking for me?"

"Later." Donavan waved him off. "Was there something you needed Caspiera?"

Caspiera pursed her lips and looked from Donavan to Wynn, and finally Jules.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" She asked.

"Somebody has to do something," Wynn said, fierce confidence in his voice.

"If Wynn is there everything will be OK," Jules said with a gleaming smile.

"Eh, why not," Donavan shrugged.

Caspiera looked doubtful.

"Well, I know you can handle yourself." She said looking at Donavan. "If you're going then I will allow myself some faith. And where faith won't do, Steel will. Come to the barracks in a little bit and I'll get you some provisions for your journey."

"Desna won't mind?" Wynn asked.

"Desna doesn't need to know. I know many of my men are angry that she refuses to commit resources to get our people back. I'm sure they'll be happy to break out some old gear for you. I have to go but come see me before you leave, I may have something that can help "

Caspiera walked away and called out to her guard. leaving the three of them standing alone in the square. An awkward silence hung in the air between them.

"So..." Wynn said. "Why did you volunteer to go with me?"

Donavan looked at the young man and furrowed his brow. What was the best way to go about this? Did he just put it all out there?

Fuck it, here goes nothing.

"I-uh, I am on a quest you see."

"A quest?" Wynn said a bit mystified.

"Yes, I'm looking for the..." Donavan couldn't help but sigh for the words about to come out of his mouth. "...The chosen one."

Wynn and Jules both stared at him. He half-expected them to burst out laughing, or at least look confused. But instead, they both had an air of seriousness and awe about them. They're expressions begging him to continue.

"I come from a monastery deep in the mountains," Donavan continued. Could this day get more ridiculous? "In our records, we have ancient scrolls that warn us of a great evil that will scour the lands. It is said this evil will be heralded by warning signs. And unfortunately, those signs have begun to appear."

Donavan quietly prayed they wouldn't ask him what exactly these signs were.

"But the scrolls also foretell of a man who has the power to strike down this great evil. So I journeyed out to see If I could find this man and prepare him for the battle to come." Donavan finished, trying not to hold his breath. Were they really gonna buy any of this shit?

Wynn nodded solemn expression on his face. "I'm sorry, but I don't think I'm who you're looking for. I'm just a nobody. There isn't anything special about me. I'm a farm boy who came out here looking to get away, and try and see some of the world like my mother."

Oh yeah, that doesn't sound like a chosen one at all. Never heard of a chosen one like that, nope, not even once.

"It's possible, I'm wrong." Donavan lied. "But only time will tell, and so I intend to stick by your side until I can confirm you are who I seek."

As if your obvious ass name and pink-haired fan-girl weren't confirmation enough.

"How will you know?" Wynn asked.

"I'll know," Donavan said in a way he felt was appropriately enigmatic. "In the meantime let's get out of the street, no need to stand here and catch a cold."

The three of them began walking their way out of the square. Before they crossed out onto the main street, Donavan stopped. Heat bloomed on the back of his neck. That feeling of hidden eyes somewhere boring into him. He was being watched.

He glanced over his shoulder, scanning the log cabin buildings and snow-dusted pathways. Nothing out of the ordinary.

He shrugged. Probably Erwin just checking in on him.