I woke up to the ear-piercing screech of the bird.

"Damn you bird! Jokes on you because I'm going back to Whitebridge probably for a while today so ha!", I said, yelling out of the window.

Stupid bird. Well, I should get Dob and Lob up since it takes pretty much the whole day to travel between Whitebridge and Blackbridge. I also have to say goodbye to Pepper again. Hopefully, she'll be alright while I'm gone. She should be fine though since Scott Crawford has been taken down.

Rapping on Dob and Lobs' door I waited as they got ready quickly and opened the door.

"Hey, guys! Good morning!"

Dob and Lob gave me a thumbs up.

"Guess what guys?"

They both shrugged.

"We're going back to Whitebridge today!"

Dob and Lob gave me a middle thumbs up.

"Yeah I know it's a little bittersweet but I promise we'll be back. And it means that we'll hopefully finish the mission for the Guild soon!"

Knowing that we'd be back and excited that we were close to completing our mission they both gave me a thumbs up accompanied by two wide grins.

"Yeah, I know! It's great news! Since it'll take us a while to get back though we should leave right after breakfast. We also have to say goodbye to Pepper."

Upon hearing this, they frowned slightly.

"Yeah I know it's a bummer but Pepper will understand."

So done explaining what we were doing today I started walking out to the main area and Dob and Lob followed behind me as expected. Pepper was in her usual place looking a bit bored but still smiling. Pepper smiled even wider when she saw us walk out.

Darn I'm not looking forward to telling her we're leaving but it's only for a bit. I mean we'll be back, it's not like we're going forever.

"Hey Pepper! Good morning!"

"Hello Jameson, Dob, and Lob! Good morning to you guys too!"

Dob and Lob gave her a big thumbs up and grinned.

"So Pepper."

"Yes, Jameson?"

"I have to let you know that we'll be leaving for a while."

"Oh", said Pepper, a downcast expression appearing on her face.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"We'll be back though. Don't worry. And with Scott taken care of you shouldn't have anything to worry about."

"Yeah, I guess. I'll miss you guys though."

"We'll miss you too. We've gotta head out early though because our destination is a bit of a ways away so we're just gonna have breakfast and then set out. Don't worry about keeping the same rooms for us we'll be taking everything with us since we'll likely be away for more than a few days."

"Okay good. Don't you dare forget to come back!"

"Don't worry we won't", I said smiling.

"Okay good. I'll get breakfast for you guys then."

So we sat down at a table to wait for our breakfast to arrive.

Well, that went pretty well. It certainly could've gone worse.

A few minutes later Pepper brought breakfast over to our table and sat down with us.

"I figured I could have breakfast with you guys since you'll be leaving for a bit. I haven't eaten yet anyway."

I grinned widely at Pepper and Dob and Lob followed.

"The pleasure is ours. It's great to have you here."

The following breakfast was the best one I'd had yet. Dob, Lob, Pepper, and I chatted away while eating our delicious granola. After we'd eaten we said goodbye to Pepper once more before walking out the door of the Fierce Boar inn and starting our trek back to Whitebridge.

We got there right as the sun was dipping below the horizon.

I guess our breakfast was longer than I thought. Well, it was worth it. That talk with Dob, Lob, and Pepper was great. It does mean that I'll have to meet with Scorpion tomorrow though.

Having decided on what to do I led us to the Big Keg inn. Opening the door I was a bit shocked by how packed it was.

I guess I got a bit used to the Fierce Boar inn. It's interesting how much more crowded the Big Keg inn is compared to Peppers. I guess they both have their pros and cons. Stella's has more people and is more lively and Pepper's has fewer people and is more mellow.

I walked over to the counter where Stella stood.

"Hello, Stella!"

"Welcome back James, Dob, and Lob. It's been a while."

"Yeah, it has. I don't suppose you have our previous room available?"

"Yeah, I might've kept it open for you guys."

"Really? Thanks so much, Stella! That means a lot to me and I'm sure to Dob and Lob as well."

Dob and Lob gave Stella a thumbs up, affirming my statement.

"Well I'm glad you guys appreciate it", said Stella with a grin.

"Of course we do! Anyway sorry to cut this conversation short but we're really tired from the trip back so we're gonna go rest."

"Ah of course. We can finish catching up some other time. Here are your keys."

"Thanks!"

"Oh and James?"

"Yes?"

"Don't bother to give me the keys the next time you go on an outing you guys can just keep them."

"Great thanks again, Stella!"

"No problem! You guys enjoy your rest."

"We shall! After a quick meal if you don't mind?"

I completely blanked on dinner. Wow. I guess that goes to show how tired I am.

So we wolfed down our dinner and then headed back to our room.

I should get Dob and Lob their own room here. They already have their own at the Fierce Boar inn so it only makes sense to have one here as well.

And with that thought, I drifted off to sleep. The next morning I awoke to Dob and Lob shaking me while smiling mischievously.

"Aw, you guys. Ha. I guess I deserve that for waking you guys up although that was a necessity on my part."

I changed my clothes, not having taken them off last night, and after that, I made sure Dob and Lob were also ready and then we headed down to have some breakfast. It was good but I missed Pepper's granola.

You win some you lose some. Either way, it's good to be back.

After having breakfast I had to dodge some questions from Stella about where we'd been and what we'd been doing so I was as vague as I could be.

"Oh, we went to Blackbridge and looked around."

"Oh. Well, there's been some unrest regarding Blackbridge around here recently. You shouldn't mention that to anyone lest you have people saying you're a spy although I doubt that would happen if you looked like yourself due to your reputation this disguise you have doesn't have any reputation so be careful."

Huh so the ABB has been a bit busy. I should get more info from Scorpion about the ABB if I can when I ask if I can go up in rank.