There were 3 wagons as part of the Merchant's caravan going from the Royal Capital to the small town of Ryoma. Stormy was in the middle wagon alongside the Merchant. The other seven adventurers were split up between the other two wagons, four in the front wagon and three in the rear wagon.

: "I recognize many of the adventurers today, but it's refreshing to see a new face like yours. How often do you take escort quests like this?"; he said with a smile.

: "This is my first escort quest. I really wonder why the others are so mean. Is being a White Mage really that bad?"

: "I traveled with a White Mage once about ten or so years ago, and I was ever so grateful for her skills. One of the spells she cast was a real life saver. We encountered some zombies and skeletons led by a Lich. The rest of the adventurers with us fought them alright, but were having trouble with the Lich. One of the other merchants and two of the adventurers were stricken with some sort of energy drain or status thing, I can't remember specifically. I just know that the two wizards couldn't do much about it and recommended we just leave them behind, but the White Mage refused. She cast some sort of cleanse spell and removed all status conditions, then healed them back to normal. She then cast some sort of buff that prevented those kinds of spells from taking effect. I was a young man back then and I was amazed at her skills. I'm sorry the others don't seem to respect your skills, but I definitely do. So once again, thank you."

: Her lips curl into a small smile; "I just want to be helpful, that's all."

: "What was it like growing up? Did people in your hometown treat you okay?"

: Her smile fades; "I....can't remember anything before this morning. I'm sorry."; she turns her head to the left side, looking out towards the trees on the left.

: Realizing his question hit a sore spot, he works to change the subject; "Not to worry, I have no doubt you'll do great!" His eyes follow the direction she's gazing at; "Do you see something?"

: "I'm not sure...I thought I saw movement in the trees, but I could be wrong."; she said focusing her gaze on the trees.

A group of approximately 20 wolves emerge from the forest and runs towards the caravan. Adventurers in the other two wagons begin shouting instructions and orders to engage. Stormy puts both of her hands forward and begins reciting an incantation for one of her spells. By the time her spell is cast, the first of the wolves is hit with an arrow and a firebolt from two of the adventurers.

Stormy's spell causes the other adventurers from both wagons to glow white for a brief moment, followed by comments from some of them.

: "Wow! I can move better...and feel lighter on my feet!"; he said as he began engaging the wolves.

: "That spell did way more damage than usual...strange, but a nice boon!"

The adventurers made quick work of the wolves and a minute or two later, they were all dispatched.

: "That worked out nicely...but do you hear that sound? What is that?"; she said pointing to the four large beasts emerging from the trees and making their way toward the center wagon, ignoring the attacks from the adventurers.

: Beginning to cast another spell, a white bolt of light emerges from her hands and moves towards the incoming beasts. She kills one of them and damages the other three. "One down, three more to go."; she says as she begins casting another spell.

: "Why are they going after her? Let's get them!"

: "If they're not attacking us, it'll just make it easier to kill them. Quickly, take them down."

Stormy's spell causes a small white shield to cover both her and the Merchant just before the 3 remaining beasts can take their first strike at them. The beasts attacks go through the white shield and create a gash on Stormy and the Merchants' arms, but quickly heals seconds later.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

: "It's a regeneration spell. I can keep this going long enough for the rest of you to get them."; she says before returning her focus on keeping the regeneration spell going.

: "Hmm...White Mages are useless. We should just let you die."

: "I would prefer you don't do that. When we get near Ryoma, we'll need her."; he rebutted.

: "We can handle anything out there...we don't need her. All she's doing is making extra work for us.

A few minutes later, the three remaining beasts are dispatched and Stormy cancels her spell. She begins casting a different spell that refreshes all the adventurers.

: "Is everyone all set and healed up?"; she said ignoring the rotten attitudes of the other adventurers.

: "We're fine...they were more focused on you anyways."

: "Thank you, Stormy! Your assistance was greatly appreciated."; he said smiling.

The other adventurers grabbed the materials and magic stones from all of the animals and beasts...sharing among themselves and not leaving any for Stormy.

: "Where is Stormy's share?"

: "She only took down one, so she gets just this."; he said tossing one magic crystal at her. "If she were truly useful, she'd get a fare cut like everyone else. However, this is how it is for White Mages...little if any kills, so little to no reward. It makes sense to us. Why give her an unfair share of what she did not earn?"

: "Perhaps your values are...skewed...by your apparent bias."

: "If you feel that way so strongly, perhaps you should let her protect you instead of us. We'll sit out the next one and see if you still feel that way about her 'usefullness'"

: "It's okay...don't worry about it...I'm fine. I appreciate the gesture, though."; she said resisting the urge to argue further and just wanting to get things moving along.

: "Let's just get this caravan moving, then."; he said as everyone returned to their assigned wagons. When it was just Stormy left, he smiled. "I'll make sure you're properly rewarded when we arrive, and I'll put in a good word with the Adventurers Guild about you. I'm very impressed with you."

: Smiling slightly; "Thank you." She takes her seat in the middle wagon again and resumes keeping a lookout for more hostiles.

The rest of the day went without any further encounters, so the caravan stopped to make camp for the night. As they began to set up camp, the merchant spoke.

: "At this pace, we should arrive in Ryoma tomorrow night. We're making good time."

: "So what's the deal with this supposed area of undead we'll be coming across tomorrow? Will we really need her?"; he asked still being dismissive of Stormy.

: "About half way between here and Ryoma there's an old ruin about a kilometer off the road on the right. Sometimes a Lich brings a few dozen zombies, skeletons, and wights out as the caravan approaches. Not always, but sometimes. The last time I made this trip, the adventurers struggled and I ended up losing some of my merchandise. I asked the Adventurers Guild to make sure they sent someone who can deal with it and I offered extra pay if they did."; he said motioning to Stormy. "It seems they took me seriously and assigned Stormy."

: "Hmph! I think we can do just fine without her. All the enemies seem to just run right for her anyways. She seems to be cursed, so I don't know why you like her so much....unless she's your 'type'."

: Putting a look of disgust on her face; "Ugh!" She then turns her attention back to the merchant. "Tell me about this Lich."

They discuss the information on Liches and other undead they could expect over dinner and right up until it's time to get some sleep.

: "I'll take first watch, then you, then..."; he assigns the watch rotation to everyone except Stormy.

Stormy and the merchant frown, but otherwise ignore it and head off to their respective bedrolls to try to get some sleep. In the morning, everyone is woken up except Stormy.

: Noticing Stormy is still asleep, he goes over to her bedroll; "Good morning, Stormy. Breakfast is ready and is being served."

: Rubbing her eyes as she slowly gets up; "Mmm...okay, thank you." She begins heading towards the campfire where the food is being served.

: "Oh, sorry...the food is all gone. There's none left."; he said smirking.

: Frowning in response, he gives his bowl to Stormy; "Here you go. I've got more, so don't worry."; he said with a smile.

: "Thank you."; trying not to let their harassment get to her.

: "Waste of food if you ask me. 'Ye who does not work, neither shall she eat!' is what I say."; he said furrowing his brows as he stares at her accusingly.

: "I can do what I wish with my food, just as you can do what you wish with yours."; he said pulling some more food out from a pack on his wagon.

: "Why does she get the good stuff, she doesn't do anything? She's just dead weight. We're better off without her."

: "This is from my personal stash! It's not for you to dictate who it does and does not go to. Let's just finish up and get the caravan packed and back on the road."; he said resuming his breakfast with Stormy.

Stormy is not liking where the conversation is going, but she feels better knowing that the Merchant is on her side...even if everyone else is against her. She's already feeling just like she did after the summoning yesterday...mostly everyone against her.