The next morning the party gathered in Regina’s and Eric’s room to plan out their next steps.

“You sure we can’t stay longer,” moaned Eric, not wanting to get out of bed.

“You’re welcome to stay,” popped off Regina. “But we need to head to the next town. The faster we can make this circuit the less chance of anyone hearing that we’re coming.”

“Which means less chance of an ambush,” added Ramiro.

Alexis held up some papers, “Looks like we should head to La’gobell next.”

“Isn’t Sarnthorn closer?” asked Regina.

“Yes, but then we’d have to back track to visit La’gobell later. It’s quicker to go there next then Sarnthorn, Ninrath, and then Glan’rhun. Also, La’gobell is the place we own the most property in besides the capitol.”

That last statement caught Regina’s ear. “Why did Nam have a bunch of property in a remote town?”

“That’s what I want to know. Maybe because it was a small enough place that he could do what he wanted without anyone knowing?”

“Sounds like reason enough for me,” said Ramiro. “Lets go eat and then grab our horses.”

“Should we check in with the guards to see if they need anything else before we go?” asked Mira.

“Yeah, we did just drop a dead body and 3 prisoners in their lap last night,” said Eric.

“With instructions on who at the capitol to send a message to. It’s their problem now,” answered Ramiro as he exited the room.

⚶

After breakfast the party quickly mounted up and headed out of town. Today’s ride shouldn’t involve any forests, but rather a nice ride through the plains.

As was becoming typical, Eric road in front on the lookout for tracks. Behind him was Alexis and a good forty feet behind her was Regina and Mira. Ramiro took up the rear guard spot. Around midmorning Eric waved Alexis up to him and started pointing out various things that he was seeing.

“See that moss on the tree there? It can be used for wound care or could be brewed into a healing tincture. And those tracks there, were left by a wolf.”

Eric continued rattling away and Alexis let him. It was a nice day and she realized he just wanted someone to talk to, so she let him go on for a bit and just enjoyed her ride and learning new things. Eventually they came across tracks that she actually recognized so she pointed, “Those are deer tracks!”

Eric looked to where she was pointing and nodded, “They are. Good job. Look at that bit of ground over there. Looks like a couple of deer were playing around.”

“If he’s bothering you Alexis, just tell him to shut-up,” hollered Regina from behind them.

Alexis looked over her should and yelled back, “I would have if he was.” As she turned back to Eric she saw several emotions flash across his face and for a moment she thought he was going to start yelling, too. But the moment passed and he didn’t say anything. Alexis quickly looked for something else to talk about to help move past the awkwardness. Seeing a bird hoping in the field next to them. “What kind of bird is that. And what is it doing?”

“Looks like a grouse and it seems to be fighting with a snake. It’s probably trying to steal the grouse’s eggs.”

“Oh, cool. Go bird go!” Alexis said with a laugh. She thought she’d saved the conversation until she heard Regina’s voice again. She had ridden up next to them.

“Come on Alexis, I’m here to save you from death by boredom,” Regina said with a fake laugh.

Alexis knew there was no preventing a fight now but she didn’t want to spend hours riding listening to them. Looking over at Regina she replied, “I’m good mom. Thanks.” Looking back to Eric, “Should we ride over and save the bird and it’s eggs?” As she asked she knew it was a lost cause.

Eric was staring daggers at Regina. But he calmly replied, “Alexis, go on back with your mom. She’s going to continue to interrupt us until you do. She can’t stand it when I’m not miserable.”

“What’s that suppose to mean?” snapped Regina.

Again, in a calm voice Eric replied, “It means exactly what I said. Alexis and I were not bothering you. But you’re so hateful you couldn’t stand to see me enjoying myself so you had to come and ruin it.”

“What is this? You pretending that you don’t have anger issues now. Putting on a show because the others are here. Trying to make it seem like it’s all my fault‽”

Looking around as if he had an audience Eric asked “Anyone see me angry at any point today? Did anyone see me do anything to indicate I was losing my temper today?” After a moment of no one answering Eric looked back at Regina, “You’re making this seem like it’s your fault all on your own, because it is. Just answer me this, why? Why did you have to interrupt us? Alexis and I were having a good conversation and you just had to ruin it for me.”

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“For you?” Regina snapped back. “So you admit that the conversation was all about you and had nothing to do with Alexis. You just wanted to torture someone.”

“Nice deflection but you still didn’t answer the question. Why did it Alexis and I talking peacefully bother you so much?”

“Always with the why! Why this and why that!” Regina said as she tried to ride her horse past but Eric moved his horse in front of her, cutting her off.

“Oh look, you started a fight and now want to run away. How about you answer the question you keep avoiding. Tell us all why you couldn’t leave me alone this morning.”

“I don’t have to tell you anything,” yelled Regina as she again tried to ride away.

This time Eric reached out and grabbed the bridle of Regina’s horse. “Tell me why, first.”

At this point Alexis started moving her horse back closer to Mira and Ramiro. As she got closer she whispered to Mira, “Get ready to heal him.”

“Let go of my horse!” screamed Regina.

“Not until you answer the question. Why did you have ruin our day. Why do you have to ruin everything? Tell us. We’re all waiting. Why Regina?”

“Just because you ask a question doesn’t mean others have to answer it. Deal with it.” Regina hissed as she climbed off her horse and started walking away.

Eric let go of Regina’s mount and nudged his own horse and pulled ahead again. “Whole new world, months of training and you still haven’t grown up. Still want to start fights and then leave without being held accountable.”

“If I’m so terrible why don’t you just leave? I’ve told you I don’t love you! Just leave! We don’t need you!” Regina screamed after him.

Eric stopped his horse blocking Regina’s path and made eye contact with her, “Are you sure?”

Regina hesitated at his tone for a fraction of a second before her anger pusher her forward. “Of course I’m sure. I don’t need you.” As Regina went around Eric, he turned and road back toward Ramiro. They moved off to the side and spoke for a couple minutes and then Eric road off back the way they had come.

Alexis and Mira both nudged their horses over near Ramiro with Mira asking, “Where is he going?”

Ramiro quietly answered, “He said he needed some time alone. That he’d catch up eventually.”

Regina huffed as she climbed back onto her horse and continued the journey to La’gobell. The rest looked at one another before falling in with her. The rest of the ride was yet another uncomfortable silence. They arrived at La’gobell around mid-afternoon.

⚶

Eric road back toward Arimel and cut through a field when he saw the road leading off to Sarnthorn. He could probably make it to the town before night fall but part of him really didn’t want to. Instead he just continued to ride at a leisurely pace until he spotted a fair sized pond off to the side of the road a ways. Not seeing any homes nearby he figured no one would complain if he did some fishing. He found a spot near the pond to set up camp. He removed his horse’s saddle and brushed it down as it drank from pond. “Sorry I haven’t talked to you much Pomers,” Eric said as he took care of the gray. “Maybe over the next few days you and I can become better acquainted.”

Once the horse was situated, Eric climbed one of the trees growing next to the water and cut a couple branches that he could use as a pole. Then he retrieved some string and hooks that he’d bought specifically for this purpose. The afternoon was spent fishing and as sunset neared, Eric had a skillet set up over his camp fire with fish frying.

Eric was eating his second plate with more frying when he heard someone calling from the road, “Ho there at the camp fire. Are you open to company?”

With the fire being between him and the newcomer, Eric couldn’t see him. He used setting his plate down to hide that he pulled his hunting knife, and stood to welcome his guest, “Of course. I don’t have much but I can share a bit of fried fish if you’re interested.” As he walked past the fire, he was able to see a high elf man approaching. If the man’s clothing wasn’t a give away his horses tack made it clear this man was not poor.

“Thank you for your generosity. I’m Soi Joon.”

“Nice to meet you, sir. I’m Eric.”

“Eric? Never met a wood elf with a human name before.”

Eric smiled, “Yeah, that’s what happens when you’re raised in human cities, I suppose. But I’m here now, trying to make up for lost time.”

“Sounds good. But why here specifically. A pond out in the middle of the plains?”

“Was on my way to Sarnthorn but saw this pond and thought to myself, ‘I bet there are some delicious fish in there.’ And you know what? I was right.” Eric said as he pulled another plate and fork from his pack. Putting the fried fish on the he passed it over to Joon. “Here ya go, have seat where ever you’d like and eat up.”

Joon did as told and quickly ate the fish while he watched Eric fry more. “How many fish did you catch?”

“Only three, but one of them was pretty good size,” Eric answered. “So what are you doing this far out at night?”

“I’m actually heading to Sarnthorn as well. Normally I’d go earlier in the day but I ran into some delays. I was going to just ride into the night but I smelled the fish you had cooking and couldn’t resist.”

“Wouldn’t the gates be closed if you road in after dark?”

“Of course. But the guards know me. They would fuss at me a bit while letting me in,” Joon said with a laugh.

“Ahh, that’s cool. Well, if you want to continue your trip tonight I don’t mind. Or you’re welcome to stay. I don’t know that I’ll be good company. Sort of dealing with some things right now.”

Joon smiled, “I’m not a betting man, but if I were I’d guess it has something to do with a woman.”

Eric tapped his nose, “Right on the nose. How’d you guess.”

“It’s just something about men and women. Doesn’t matter if you’re elf, human, or dwarf, women drive men to want to run away to nature. Hell, I bet it even happens with orcs, gnomes, and beastkin, too,” Joon laughed as he stood went to his horse and proceeded feed and water it, remove the saddle and hobble it. As he worked he spoke, “Well, knowing that’s the situation I can’t in good conscience leave you here alone.” Once he was done he went to where he had set his saddlebags and pulled out two bottles. Returning to the fire he passed one to Eric who passed him his plate with more fish on it.

Joon removed the cork and raised his bottle, “To hiding from women!”

Eric toasted and took a swig. He had expected a whiskey or tequila burn but instead he was greeted with a sweet smoothness. “What is this?” he asked in surprise.

“I’m sorry, do you not like it?” asked Joon.

“No, I love it. What is it?”

“It’s a honey mead,” Joon answered with confusion evident in his voice. “You’ve never had mead?”

Eric shook his head no while trying to come up with a reason. Joon saved him the effort when, with a pitying look he said, “You really did grow up with humans. Probably drank ale and wine all of your life. You know what this calls for then?” Before Eric could answer, “A toast! To Eric finally getting his first taste of Elven mead!”

Eric laughed and took another swig. The two continued talk as they ate fish and drank mead until they ran out of both. It was the best night Eric had had in recent memory and he loved it.