Kaleb addressed the camp that had been set up just off the road. “The coin has gone.”

“One o’ them soldiers would’a pocketed it.” Flencer slurped his stew, seemingly uncaring to the predicament. “Two days away now, we can’t go back.”

Kaleb scratched his chin. “We need a map too.”

“Whadaya mean?” Flencer set his stew down and looked up at him. “Don’t ya know the way?”

“To the Elves? I thought you would.”

“No I bloody don’t, I was led there with the tip of me nose betwixt an Elf’s fingers, ain’t no map will show you the way there, what kinda bloody Paladin are you?”

Kaleb placed his hands on his hips, “I thought it’d be sign-posted.” he looked over at Morgan who was holding the shield while Iridia struck it with her spear, it kept yelling ow and demanding they stop at once. “Perhaps the shield knows–Morgan!”

Iridia and Morgan lowered their equipment and stood still.

“Fetch me the shield, I’d like a word with it.”

Morgan skipped over, still, he had a little gate from his injuries. He held up the shield in front of his face toward Kaleb.

“Hello, Stringing Forman the bard.”

“It’s Stringlius Forgowen you lump of coal.”

“I’d ask you not to speak in such unkind terms, shieldy boy.” Kaleb chuckled.

“Or what? You’ll bash me in the face?” The shield hummed with great intensity.

Kaleb stuck out his bottom lip and hummed. “Do you know the way to the Elves?”

“The Elves? Of course I do, I have travelled the width and breadth of these lands.”

“Perfect, if I fetch a map, you can guide us, yes?”

Flencer had joined them in the little circle, listening intently to the shield.

The hammer of Zale, which was resting against the wagon buzzed, “didn’t think to ask me?”

Kaleb glanced back and shook his head, You said you wouldn’t be caught dead, I quote ‘prancing about like a fairy in those Elven groves of debauchery…’”

“I still might know the way.”

“Do you?”

“No.”

Kaleb rolled his eyes and brought his attention back to the shield. “Sorry for the interruption there, so a map.”

“A map won’t help.”

Kaleb’s face dropped. “What do you mean?”

“The way is ever-changing, you can’t just follow a road and poof you’re there, silly man.” The shield glowed a dim blue and chuckled, perhaps enjoying a little vengeance in its own pathetic way.

Iridia raised a brow. “You’re telling me we set out on the road East with no true direction?”

“East, that was the direction,” Kaleb stroked his beard. “So, how do we get to the Elves then, Mr. Bard.”

“I shan’t tell you.”

Kaleb punched the shield and caused Morgan to step back.

“Ow.”

“Tell me.”

“I shan’t, You’re a fat pig and I hate you.”

Kaleb fetched his hammer. “Right, let’s see how well this shield has been made.”

“Wait, wait.” Iridia held her hands up. “Surely there must be another way, may I have a word?”

“Be my guest.” Kaleb raised his hand open palm and stepped back to watch Iridia work.

Iridia stepped before the shield and smiled her sweetest smile, “Mr Forgowen–great bard of the dragonslayers–singer of magnif–”

“Sycophantic gestures to try and win my favour are insulting, like the idea of such a petulant child becoming a Paladin in the first place, you have girly arms and your face is flat.” The shield glowed blue once more.

Iridia cleared her throat and she considered the hammer technique, “Fair point,” she said with a nod of the head and a strain in her voice; “You want to be freed of the shield, yes?”

“More than anything.”

“If you show us the way, I will ensure you’re freed from the shield right away.”

The shield hummed but before it could reply, Iridia was yanked away by Kaleb. “Your offer is foolish.”

“Why?” Iridia shook her head and glanced back at the shield.

“You would need the gold of a thousand merchants that deal in golden trinkets for golden palaces in the deserts of unending gold, you would need ingredients that would have you travel to corners of the world not meant to be explored, releasing a soul is not something you can promise.”

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Iridia flashed a grin. “Who said I would follow through, the means justify the end right?”

Kaleb gripped her by the shoulders tightly. “You still have a lot to learn Paladin, your promise becomes an oath, if you mean to lie then you invite corruption, do you not remember the power of truth, have you forgotten so soon?”

Iridia was stunned for a moment, here she was, ready to trick a soul into doing her bidding, ready to corrupt the vein that connects her to the divine heart and she didn’t even realise it. “I’m sorry…”

“You will be, neophyte, perhaps you should take yourself down from the shelf you sit upon, lest someone does it for you.” Kaleb pushed Iridia back and stood up straight after addressing her. He walked before the shield and nodded to the shield. “My apologies, Mr Bard, my neophyte speaks out of turn, we cannot promise such a thing.”

The shield hummed a deep purple, sadness rolled over his voice. “Of course she does, she’s a lying Paladin, Paladins are liars and cheats.”

Iridia stepped forward, “Listen here, bard.” She jabbed it with her spear.

“Ow.”

“I might not be brilliant like you, but I’m not the one trapped in the shield.”

“Hmph.”

“You were done wrong,” her voice softened, “Kaleb is right, I can’t promise to free you after this, but I can promise something else.”

“What’s that?”

“I promise that I will make it my quest to free you, that as long as you serve as my shield and this party's guide, I will make it a duty of mine to free you for what you did for us.”

The shield remained silent.

Iridia continued. “If I die before you’re freed, I’ll make it the duty of my successor to aid you in your quest, It won’t be easy, and I’ll need you on my arm.”

Kaleb rubbed his forehead but didn’t argue, to take up the mantle of another was better than flat-out promising to do something immediately. “Iridia, understand that if you take up the quest you must put it before your own welfare and comfort.”

Iridia looked at Kaleb and nodded. “You taught me the importance of that, Kaleb.”

He paused, cocking his head to invite her words.

“You live like a peasant.”

Kaleb frowned.

“You gave up your horse for my armour, you were willing to die at the bridge for the quest, I understand it.”

“But you must live it, this quest you take, you must understand, it’s no easy task, if you’re not willing to sacrifice for it your connection to the heart will corrupt.”

Iridia nodded.

Kaleb rolled his eyes, “You have no clue, girl.”

“Maybe that’s for the best.” Iridia turned back to the shield. “Well, do you accept my offer?”

The shield hummed for a few seconds. “You will free me?”

“I will try.”

“No one has offered such to me, very well, I shall be your guide to the Elves.”

Iridia turned to beam at Kaleb, she had achieved success and desired to bask in the glory.

Kaleb was not entirely pleased with the situation. “I think we should have given the hammer a try first.”

“Is that not a corrupting behaviour?” Iridia smirked.

“Hitting an inanimate object? I think not, he feels no pain, I bet he’d hate to be dinted though.”

Iridia folded her arms.

Flencer chortled, “could have threatened him with the bottom of a lake.”

“Torturing a soul for eternity is a wretched thing, Dwarf.” Kaleb snorted at him.

The Dwarf smirked, “Well–”

“Tidy up camp, try not to spread your filthy ideas around my neophyte.”

Flencer grunted and went about tidying.

Iridia looked at Kaleb. “A little harsh, you already told me in the shop it was a bad thing to do.”

Kaleb narrowed his eyes. “Yes, but you are young, I expect him to know better.” He spoke hushed. “I do not know his other ideas, you should be wary of his poison.”

“Can we not trust him?”

“You can only trust the divine heart, Iridia.” He glanced up, Morgan had started to help Flencer and they chatted as they tidied. “His quest may be noble, his heart may be true, but he is a vessel, you must be wary of all.”

“Even Morgan?”

“Everyone has desires, Morgan’s may be closer to home than you think.”

Her eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

“I mean that you should lend your affections to those around you appropriately, lest they are interpreted in such a way that may shatter their heart.”

Iridia glanced at Morgan quickly and went to open her mouth but was interrupted–

“The glue that binds a broken heart is often made from corrupt sources, for it knows your fears and it tells its friends.” Kaleb kissed her on the forehead and sent her away to ponder on his words. He folded his arms and thought deeply himself, realising that he had much to protect her from and much to teach. “Iridia, come back a moment.”

Iridia stopped in her tracks and returned.

“I want to apologise.”

She raised her eyebrows.

“I was rash in thinking I should send you away to another house, you are growing and showing me otherwise.”

Iridia folded her arms and cocked her hip. “Turned a corner?”

“Actually, Flencer’s advice sat with me, about giving you the time.”

“I see, I thought he was all poison.”

Kaleb’s lip quirked. “Even a strumpet can wear nice shoes,” he winked playfully and sent her scampering away once more.

After the camp was tidied and the wagon packed up, The party were making plans on their next course, They agreed that Farlow port was the best waypoint to head to, between them, there were the wilds, sprawling corn and wheat fields and hilly grasslands, or, they could go through Manglewood, the road would be easier but the threats heightened.

“If only we ‘ad a coin to flip,” Flencer smirked.

“Manglewood does have a road through it,” said Kaleb, “the wagon would have no issues.”

Iridia added; “We’d need supplies though, any traders in that wood?”

Flencer shook his head, “Nay, we ‘ave no coin to trade with anyhow, but the woods are considered too dangerous for tradesfolk.”

“W-what’s in Manglewood?” Morgan looked between them all.

“Bandits.” Kaleb gave a Flencer a look.

“Bandits?” Flencer squawked. “Don’t forget Harpies and Treemen.”

“What’s are they?” Iridia blinked.

Kaleb grunted. “Harpies are big birds, very irksome, Treemen are no bother.”

“Ha! That’s what you think, Kaleb.” Flencer jabbed his stubby finger in his direction. “Treemen are an absolute pest, I say we go over the wilds, we can haul the wagon over the humps.”

“The wagon may break, I can’t carry the thing on my bloody back.” Kaleb huffed.

“There will be better hunting in the woods too,” added Flencer.

Iridia brought her arms over her chest, the afternoon breeze was creating a chill in the air and becoming blustery. “Manglewood it is?”

“Very well, we’ll make our way to the tree line using the old road, Farlow port will have what we need, but we to make some coin for our arrival.”

Morgan raised a finger. “I could pick up some odd jobs when we arrive.”

“We all could,” said Kaleb.

The party took up into the wagon, this time Morgan held the reigns and they rumbled away down the road, satisfied they were back on course and were able to make progress, the thought of coin and the long road ahead bubbled in their minds, Farlow port wasn’t quite the Paladin haven Angelspree used to be, and only the Divine knows if it has resisted the infection of the brewing corruption. Manglewood stood tall, dark and in the way of the party, a vicious forest that welcomed no outsider.