Blake had marched down the road for about half a day before the woods broke to an open plain, in the distance he could make out the sight of a white structure and guessed it was Wynberg, the road made its way down a shallow valley of hills before rearing back up from what he could see, and he smiled at the view, it reminded him of some fairytale his mother would read him but this was the world he lived in, and his feet started moving on their own. His path was quiet as the day rolled, the pleasant breeze that cut under his hair, and through his armor was nice and soothing, his feet were starting to ache a bit in their new boots, but he felt an eager excitement as the sun fell in the horizon, tomorrow he would get to Wynberg and his hopes to truly do the works he was tasked with were closer than before.

However, he slowed as he noticed the smell of a fire and cooking meats and spotted a group of three setting up a camp by the road, one was a tall man dressed in light leather and hides carrying a massive axe on his back, his red hair was cut short and hung a bit over his face. Blake could see scars on his exposed skin, and he was built like a brick shit house, but his demeanor suggested he was a gentle giant.

Beside him was a woman dressed in robes of black and silver, and she had a staff in hand, her hair was a pale blonde and braided back into a long braid that reached down to the swell of her back, her manner of interaction with the giant man shows she was telling him what to do.

Lastly was a woman sitting by the fire working on cooking some food, she was dressed in robes too but hers were a shade of pale blue and yellow, and she had a hat beside her that was too much like a witch’s hat, along with a staff the spiraled up at the top end of it with a blue gemstone in the middle. Her black hair was cut short to just at her jawline and rose up as it moved to the back of her head. Her eyes were a sharp blue that seemed cold, but they snapped to Blake as he came close, making her raise up and grab her staff. “Company!” she said making the other two turn around. as she rose Blake couldn't help but feel like he had seen her somewhere but dismissed the notion for now.

The woman in black lowered her staff head to him and the giant reached behind and gripped his axe, Blake didn’t move just raised his hands slowly. “Sorry, I am just a traveler, I smelled your cooking and came to take a look, I mean you no harm.”

“A lone traveler on this road, he must be from Yari’s Yard.” the woman in the black and silver robes said.

“But he is not equipped like their hunters.” the giant added, as he freed his axe and brought it forward. “Claira, what do we do?”

“We ask questions, Block, and we figure it out, I’ll tell you if you need to fight him.” the woman in the blue robes said. “Jessica, please prepare that spell.” she shifted a bit into a stance that would allow her to leap back and away from Blake. “What is your name traveler?”

“I am Blake Winters, I am not from Yari’s Yard, I was just passing through there, I came from Greenwood, I am traveling to Wynberg to be an adventurer.” Blake said quickly trying to feed them enough information to get them to calm down a bit.

The giant and the woman in black looked at the one called Claira, while she seemed to scrutinize Blake closely before she spoke. “Why Wynberg, you could have been an adventurer in Greenwood and made more money” she asked, as the gemstone in her staff slightly glowed.

“I was kicked out, they didn’t like my personal opinion of a sensitive subject, so I came here, I also have a letter of introduction for the guild master from the chief of Yari’s Yard.” Blake said back with as much self-made belief in his lie.

Claira watched him for a bit longer. “Did you see a troll on your way there or here?” she asked.

Blake scratched his stubble, “Yeah, killed it about two or three days ago, time got a bit screwy, but yeah saw, fought, and killed.” he said with a bit of a laugh.

His statement made all three of them shudder at the idea that he had fought the troll, but Claira regained her composure first, “What? How? What class are you? What is your power rank?” she asked quickly as she raised her staff a bit higher than before.

Blake noticed the shift as each of them shuffled on their feet, they may try to fight him, and he needed to get them to calm down. “Ummm, cut it in half, my class is a Paladin, and I don’t know my power rank, I was protecting some villagers from Yari’s Yard when it showed up and attacked, nearly died killing it.” he said while backing away a bit, smiling in as friendly a manner he could.

“Wait, did you say Paladin?” the woman in black asked, making her two colleagues look at her for a second.

“Umm, yeah, I am a Paladin of Jaud, Jal, and Geie.” Blake said quickly.

“Jessica, what is a paladin? It sounds like you know what it is?” Claira said without taking her eyes off Blake.

“The way the oracle spoke of it made it seem like they are knights sworn to the service of the gods, they are holy champions of the gods blessed to overcome any challenge.” she said as she settled her staff and smiled at Blake, “Sorry for the suspicion, it is dangerous on the road sometimes, I am Jessica, priestess of Geie, Please to meet The Paladin of her word.” she said with a light bow.

“Jessica, you can’t trust people just because they say something. How do we know that he is this Paladin thing you speak of” Claira said quickly.

“The Paladin is the only fighter class able to use holy and light magic aside from the hero, Can you please show us your magic to prove your identity.” Jessica said while relaxing a bit more.

“Umm, sure,” Blake said before raising his hand to his right. “Solar Forge” he said, as the light around them was pulled a bit, and a sword about the size of Blake manifested beside him. “I said before I mean you no harm, and I trust that you have a reason to ask about the troll, I am willing to part with a portion of any reward as a show of goodwill.”

Claira and Block seemed to calm down too and looked at his magic for a few seconds.

Then Claira finally spoke. “Well if you are looking to share our campfire you can join us, but we have no tent for you and we don’t plan to share our food.” as she laid her staff back down and pulled the partly singed meat off the grill.

“Wait what about the troll?” Block asked a bit dejected.

“It looks like someone beat us to the kill, we are going home tomorrow, now come on and finish pitching the tent.” Jessica said while gently turning the man back around.

Blake dismissed his spell and walked up to the fire, as he unslung his shield and sat down after getting the pack off his back. “Sorry about the troll, but I will give you guys a part of the reward.” He said as he shifted a bit to sit comfortably.

Claira looked up to him, “We don’t need your pity, we will manage.” She said back with clear annoyance.

“Not pity, just sympathy, you are adventurers too, I would be mad if someone did my mission before me, I would like us to be friends, so I am splitting the reward.” Blake said as he rummaged in his pack for the food Jackie had packed him, and found a package marked as dinner night one. “Besides, I killed it by chance, if that last attack didn’t land, I would have died for sure, and you three would have arrived at a destroyed village. I fought for their sake over money, call it naive or foolish or noble or whatever you want, but I am not in need of funds for now.”

Claira sucked her teeth, “So you are saying you are better off than us before even being an adventurer, a bit rude and arrogant don’t you think.” She said as she set some more cuts of meat over the fire.

Blake shook his head, “No, not trying to be rude, just aware of my current funds and I know that after a month or so I will need to work hard. I had no plans on living the easy life, as the gods have already given me my first task.” Blake said as he opened the package to an assortment of five skewers, that he planted by the fire. “I will not even be keeping much of my part of the reward as I had told the chief of Yari’s yard I would send money to help them for the coming winter.”

“So you are a fool.” Claira said back.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

“I think it's noble, he is a champion of the gods and is devoted enough to live in simplicity.” Jessica said out from behind Claira. “Don’t mind her mister paladin, she is an ice mage and doesn’t like to share her money.”

“Yeah, not the reason, but I don’t need much just food really, I can sleep about anywhere I want.” Blake said back with a laugh getting a confused look from the priestess, “Also you can call me Blake, I don’t think it would be wrong as I have a feeling we are going to be friends.”

Claira narrowed her eyes at Blake, “So, you have a reason to send money to Yari’s Yard, what is it?” she asked pointedly.

But Blake waved her off, “I don’t think you want to be my friend and I am not going to tell you anything until you are.” he said while looking back down to his food, then reached into his pack and got out a small package and sprinkled the salt inside over his skewers. “Besides, you said it yourself it is a foolish thing to do, so that is how it will remain with you.”

Block turned around after checking over the tent again and sat down next to Blake, even in a seat the man was a head taller than Blake’s six feet, but he watched Blake closely like he was checking something, until finally smiling as the tension reached a boiling point, “Yeah, I like you, you are good person, but Jessica and Claira are mine, and I don’t share.” he said before getting hit on the head by two separate staves, which got Blake to laugh.

“Shut up Block.” Claira said with the hellish fury only a woman can bear.

“Well, it is not like that, we are just friends, and he has grown attached to us.” Jessica added sheepishly.

Blake took a second to calm down, “It is ok Block I have no plans to steal them from you, you three seem like good friends and I am glad to see that.” Blake said as he switched the side that the skewers were to the fire, “Besides, I feel like you are a great guy too, so I’ll trust you to protect them when I can’t help ok”

Block looked at him for a second before smiling wide and slapping Blake’s back, “Ha, I knew I liked you, you are a nice guy, too many try to get them but are all too scared to talk when I look at them.” The man said with a hearty laugh.

Blake glanced back to the two women, his eyes actually taking in more information, and they were both beauties in their own right, but Blake’s mind didn’t find much for it to attach to, his drive was controlled by familiarity over physical appearance. “Yeah, i can see why you would have your hands full.” Blake said after a second getting a blush from both women as they turned a bit away.

Claira’s face was a show of disgust at the attention of Blake, like he was some kind of pervert, while Jessica's was a sheepish one akin to being told she was beautiful by someone handsome or something.

“You think I am pretty…” Jessica asked in a low voice.

“Of course he does, he is a man, Jessica, he would be attracted to a tree if it's shaped right.” Claira added quickly.

“Yes, you are both attractive in your own right, but I am not looking for anything, I am happy the way things are right now for me.” Blake said back quickly, his mind summoning the image of the five women he had effectively sworn to be with back in Yari’s Yard. “besides, I am going to be an adventurer, I don’t think I can keep a good relationship going with the missions and stuff.”

His last statement made the three think over it, then Block spoke. “Yea, adventurers do do it with each other on long missions but no one has a real bond like momma and papa.” he said after a second, rubbing his chin as he thought it over.

Claira shifted a bit in her seat while looking away from Blake, and Jessica hid her face in her hands.

“Well, I am not going to do anything like that while I am traveling, but I am fine with lending body heat on cold nights.” he said, while looking down at the fire, “Besides, I am not driven by those emotions that much.”

“Ha, yeah me too, we had a mission in to forest to east and it was winter, they got so cold they slept in my lap all night.” Block said, only to be hit again by both women.

Blake couldn’t help but laugh at the exchange that followed, as the two were trying to explain that he didn’t need to tell him about that mission or what happen. Only to have the giant man point out that he wasn’t embarrassed, with which they pointed out that they don’t know Blake enough to talk about that, and he simply pointed out that they are sharing a campfire so they are all friends.

Blake calmed down after a second and looked up at the three. “It’s ok, I understand, I once had a hiking trip deep into the mountains and it got so cold I had to cuddle with my late wife before we got married. You have nothing to be ashamed of.” he said with a smile while wiping away a teardrop, “also Block, I get you don’t get it but maybe try to think how you would feel if someone said something embarrassing about you when you don’t want people to know.”

The man thought it over a bit, his face scrunching as his head turned red then he seemed to figure it out and looked to the two women, “I am sorry, I didn’t think about your feelings.”

“It’s fine Block just think things over before you say them.” Jessica said with a sigh.

“You owe me an extra gold piece now, it is a fee for embarrassing me.” Claira said with a flick of her head.

Block looked like a puppy as he stared at the two women, each trying to avoid eye contact, a clear desire not to forgive him in their avoidance, but their resolve falters as each glanced towards the man.

“Fine, you are forgiven Block just try to be more considerate of us.” Jessica said.

“Yeah, I’ll forgive you because if I don’t you will keep bothering me, you giant oaf.” Claira said after a second.

Blake snorted a laugh at the dynamics of this party but reached over and lifted up a skewer and offered it to Block. “Here, a treat for learning something new today, but you have to start thinking before you speak ok?” Blake said before letting the man take it with a nod.

Block took a bite and munched on it for a few seconds then melted into a puppy, “so good, taste like in guild.” he said with a childlike tone, eating a bit more of the skewer and getting the same reaction.

Blake noticed the two women staring at Block for a second then shifted their focus to Blake, their expressions show they wanted some too, So he smiled and offered each a skewer.

Jessica took hers and bit down right away, letting out a loud moan with glee, “oh, you added salt that is good, didn’t think you would have that on you.” she said as she took a second bite.

Claira turned a bit away and took a bite, her effort to not show she liked the food was foiled as she let a moan out before turning back after she had devoured the skewer. “It was ok, I didn’t expect much from you anyway.” she said with a raised chin as she threw the stake into the fire.

Blake took a bite, it was good, but he felt like it was missing something and realized it would be great with a pinch of hot pepper flakes and added the ingredient to his shopping list. “Yeah, it’s not my best but it at least tastes good.” he said wiping his hands after throwing away the stakes of his finished skewers.

“Blake, you cook this good when you travel?” Block asked excitedly, his expression beaming with joy.

“Ummm, yeah when it's safe to cook, I normally eat alone and I can’t light a fire, draws eyes to it you know.” Blake said back with a smile.

Block looked at the two women, an unheard question on his face. And Jessica sighed before turning to Claira. “We do need a fourth to start doing dives and that is where the real money is, and he is clearly skilled plus I trust him.” she said calmly with a gesture towards Blake.

“Yeah, and he can cook so you don’t have to all the time.” Block added quickly.

Claira let out a long groan, before looking at Blake. “I don’t really know if I can trust you but, Block has a good sense for people, so I am fine with you joining for now, but I’ll be watching you.” she said after a second of staring at him.

Blake leaned back and crossed his arms, studying the group, they had done nothing but speak honestly so far, and they are kind as far as he could see, plus he couldn’t see any slave marks, so they are really friends. He considered his options, he could probably do more if he teamed up with them and he could see they are at least well-equipped. “Why would I do that, I feel like there is not much for you to offer back to me?” Blake said finally in a tone that made it clear this is a negotiation.

Claira leaned forward, staring him down. “What do you want?” She asked pointedly, her tone conveyed she understood what this was.

“I have three conditions, one: when in town I get my own room and you do not intrude unless invited in.” he said as he raised his hand with his index finger up, then raised his middle finger, “Second: What I chose to do in my free time is my business, I will, of course, do my best not to involve the party in it.” he raised his ring finger, “Lastly: I will leave if you ever take on or buy a slave, or enslave anyone, no matter the reason.” He locked his eyes on Claira, his gaze hard, “Those are my condition on top of the standard split of rewards and share of the workload.”

There was a long silence with only the crackle of the fire, “I think we can all agree to those terms, the third one is a bit confusing, but we didn’t free Block for no reason.” Claira said as stood up offering Blake a hand, “Welcome to The Raven’s wing. D rank party of Wynberg. I am Claira Ravenary, Ice mage rank forty.” Her words were ok, but Blake saw she was lying about her name, though out of self-protection.

Blake stood up and shook her hand with a smile, “Blake Winters, Paladin, happy to be a part of this team.”

Jessica stepped up, “Jessica Whitewail, Priestess of Geie, rank thirty-three, I’ll be counting on you to help Block out.”

Block stood up and lifted Blake up in a bear hug, “I am Block, I am a Berserker, rank is …” he stopped and looked to Claira.

“Rank thirty-nine.” she said making the man put Blake back down.

Blake rolled his shoulders a bit, then smile at the big man. “I’ll be counting on you to watch my back ok.” Blake reached down into his pack and pulled out a water skin that Hilda had filled the night before at the party. “Now how about a toast before I take the first watch.” He said holding the skin out.

“What’s in it?” Jessica asked.

“Wine made from Wiaanz bees honey, made by the lord of Wynberg.” Blake said and noticed each of them eye the skin with a deep desire, so he uncorked it and offered it to Claira, “Leaders get a first drink.” he smiled as he held it out to her.

Claira took a sip and then a full gulp before handing it to Jessica while wiping her mouth. “Damn, that is good, getting a barrel cost more than we make in a month, and you can’t buy it in bottles anywhere.” She spoke.

Jessica took a small sip and let out a hum at the flavor while handing it to Block. “That is divine, it's so rare to have some as a part of the priesthood, thank you for sharing, Blake.”

Block took two big gulps and capped it off with a sigh before handing it to Blake, “Wow, that is good, better than the beer in the guild, why do we not drink this when we have a party.” he said with a wide smile.

“Because we can’t pay for rooms after if we did.” Claira said back quickly, getting a simple ‘oh’ from the man, who was starting to consider the choice of room and bed over the drink.

Blake took a gulp and noticed Jessica staring, and handing it back to her with a smile. “I have had plenty of it last night you can have the rest.”

Jessica blushed as she took the skin and drank the last of it and smiled as she handed the skin back to Blake. “Thank you, I didn’t think I would enjoy that.”

Blake smiled back “ok, I’ll take the first watch and then I’ll wake someone else up unless you have a rotation.” He said looking a bit at Claira.

“Yeah kick Block awake in about three hours, and then get some rest too.” she said before looking down and pointing at a point near the fire. “Icy forms” She said and summoned a tall pillar that had four clear brakes in this structure. “This will keep time, when the top reaches the first brake, your watch is over. Good night Blake.” she said before picking up her staff and walking over to the tent and crawling inside.

Jessica sighed and walked over to the fire and got some of the food on a plate and walked over to the tent and handed it to Claira. then taking up a plate of her own and giving it to Block before taking some for herself, finally looking to Blake. “Don’t mind her she takes a bit to warm up to people, I think your third condition stumped her.” She said before a short gust of frost hit her from the tent.

Block smiled and ate his food in one go, then lick his lips and looked to Blake, “You start watching, I will wake you up if I need help. And if you need help, you wake me, ok.” The man said before laying down next to the tent with a heavy blanket around him.

Blake smiled a bit then walked over and pulled up his shield before walking out into the darkness, taking up a patrol, his eyes adjusting to the darkness. Eventually finding a nice size rock that protruded out and gave him a good place to overwatch the camp site from. [they are good people, i think i will enjoy my time hanging around them]