“Nope, nope, I refuse.” Enderian says.

Ameliah frowns. “Why not? What do you have to lose?” She asks, dissatisfied.

Enderian grits his teeth. “I wasn’t meant to carry bags, Ameliah. I'm sorry. But there's an arrogance within me that I can't ignore.” He says, hoping to pass through this ordeal.

Ameliah puts her hands on her hips, before pointing at Enderian. “And how exactly, did you get so– Actually, scratch that, we can talk it over during dinner.” She says.

Enderian's eyes widen, before a blush forms on his cheeks. He gives a bitter smile. “Yes, dinner.” He says.

“For now, we have to choose a job. And our options are bag-carrying, with the safety of other adventurers, or we have to do ingredient picking, risking our fragile bodies to the elements.” She says, her eyes widening and blushing, at a passing dream.

Enderian frowns. “And the beasts of the forest?” He says.

Ameliah nods her head. “Yes, to the beasts of the forest. Would you dare risk it?” She says, giving Enderian a teasing look.

Enderian shakes his head and smiles bitterly. “Maybe the beasts of the forest are nice?” He says with a chuckle.

Ameliah smiles. “Yes, indeed. Ingredient picking it is. First, let’s get you a weapon. I already have my trusty axe, Betsy, but you should have one just in case.” She says, checking a few things off her list.

Enderian tilts his head. “And some biscuits for the road?” He asks.

Ameliah pats Enderian on the head. “Yes, dear, biscuits for the road.” She says.

Enderian smiles.

Stolen novel; please report.

…

…

Ameliah places the dagger into Enderian’s hands and shakes her head bitterly. “Sorry, it was all I could afford.” She says, feeling somewhat shameful.

Enderian looks at the dagger in his hands, staring blankly. “What am I going to do with this? It’s only four inches!” He says, dissatisfied.

Ameliah shakes her head. “The size doesn’t matter. Its what you can do with it. Have you ever been in a fight?” She asks, a little worried.

Enderian tries to recall, before shaking his head. “I’ve never been in a fight.” He says.

Ameliah pats Enderian on the shoulder, feeling some pity. “Don’t worry, just let instincts happen. You’ll know what to do.” She says, trying to offer comfort.

Enderian lets out a sigh. “Thank you.” He says.

Ameliah smiles. “We got our biscuits and our dagger. Its time to conquer the world!” She yells out, marching forward.

Enderian follows, a smile on his face.

…

…

Enderian walks into the opening, small patches of flowers everywhere. Pink and blue, scattered, hoping to be ignored.

Enderian picks a flower and plucks its petals, soft velvet on his hands.

Enderian shakes his head. “They’re everywhere he says.” Somewhat in disbelief.

Ameliah nods her head. “And each one is worth five silver. We’re lucky we found this patch of them. It seems relatively untouched.” She says.

Enderian picks another. “Its free real estate.” He says with a smile.

“What was that, dear?” Ameliah calls out, beginning to work. Pluck a blue one, pluck a pink one, pluck a blue one, pluck a pink one.

“I mean, what are they called?” Enderian asks.

“The pink one, Petal Suckle, the blue one, Goodblue Babies. For health potions and mana potions.” Ameliah begins to educate.

Enderian holds the petals up to his nose. “They smell great.” He says, feeling somewhat satisfied.

When suddenly—

Enderian senses a reaction from the forest.

A blur sweeps in and pounces on Ameliah.

Immediately, a wolf was on top of her.

Ameliah looks up at those stained fangs and her eyes widen. “Enderiaaaaan!!!” She screams.

The wolf smirks and was just about to take a bite, his mouth salivating, when it feels a pressure on his neck.

Enderian had grabbed the wolf by the neck and began to choke it.

Enraged, the wolf’s beastly strength lashes out, trying to shake Enderian off.

Enderian wraps his legs around the wolf’s stomach and holds on for dear life.

Ameliah, frightened and shocked, stands up. She pulls out her trusty axe. “Meet my sweet Betsy, beast!” She calls out before swinging, her axe plummeting into the wolf’s stomach.

“Awooo!” The wolf cries, and tries to struggle free, but Enderian would not let it go.

Ameliah lets out ragged breaths. “And round two! Sweeeeet Betsy!” She calls out, before *whump*, another axe strike made contact.

Blood begins to splatter everywhere, on Enderian’s clothes, on Ameliah's clothes.

The wolf’s struggled waned, and eventually, it fell to the ground without energy.

Enderian wipes the sweat from his brow and stands up. “Damn.” He says.

Ameliah looks to Enderian and her brows furrow, she puts her hand at her side and points. “A wrestling match? Your first instinct was a wrestling match?” She asks, not sure if she should be disappointed.

Enderian lets out some heavy breaths and wipes his sweaty face with his shirt. “My body moved first?” He says with a bitter smile.

Ameliah lets her shoulders slump. “Come on, let’s pick the place dry, before its friends come after us.” She says, getting back to work.

Enderian smiles and exhales a breath. He looks at the bloodied wolf on the ground. His eyebrow raises. “Hey, can we eat this thing?” He asks.