The day was slowly coming to a close with the setting sun in the distance, while a tint of warm orange painted the bleak walls of the slum buildings. Many residents that came across the somewhat strange collection of party members either raised their eyebrows or avoided eye contact altogether.

A knight, a noblewoman, a drunk elf and a child. Not exactly the most common of groups, but it was certainly uncommon for people like them to be waltzing in the middle of the slums.

“Have you been living around here for a long time, Sir Reinhardt?”

“Well… it has been almost four years already.” He adjusted Elaine on his arm. “It didn’t used to be like this, but the city started to grow more after the death angel threat subsided.”

Death angels, on the outside they make look like heaven’s sent, white complexion, sometimes winged, but that is where the similarities to divine beings end, sizable monstrosities capable of unimaginable destruction and seemingly an endless hunger for living flesh. They were a constant menace throughout the continent of Arcadia for years until suddenly dropping in numbers and after some time, even seeing a death angel was nothing short of a miracle. Despite their danger, death angels still offered some rare materials, their skin, feathers and insides could be used for equipment and potions.

“Death angels… I have never seen one outside of books.”

Priscilla was lost in thought.

“They are… scary.” Rionara squeezed her own wrists as the mere memory of seeing a flying death angel would make her skin tingle with fear. “I vaguely remember seeing one in Londria… it managed to destroy a tower with little effort.”

“Just how much have you seen in your life, Rio?” Reinhardt was genuinely impressed, if not a little concerned for her well-being. “I fought in the frontlines in the great war alongside my father before but I can scarcely imagine what you have seen in the frost kingdom.”

She looked towards the ground as they walked, seemingly a bit shy.

“I can’t help but look at you with different eyes.” Priscilla stated. “Someone so young as you having lived terrifying experiences and yet, here you are. Standing strong.”

“It’s not like that…” Rionara muttered. “If not for Rein, I…” She shook her head and looked Priscilla in the eyes. “I just don’t want to let them down.”

She smiled and patted her head softly in return.

“You’re a good kid Rio.”

They kept walking through the maze like slum streets until they reached the same old hut that had smoke coming out of its chimney.

“Here we are.” Reinhardt stopped by the twig door but before he could open it, a rugged looking man came from inside the hut holding a dagger in his right hand. He was wearing nothing but a hemp cloth attached with a string to cover his genitals, the left side of his face was swollen from an apparent injury. He bumped into Reinhardt who took a step back to get out of the way.

“Oi, brat get out of my way.”

Priscilla recoiled her head as the terrible waff of stink and alcohol hit her nose. The man clearly had missed a few baths and possibly even urinated on himself from the strong odor.

“I’m sorry sir.”

He took another step back but at that point the man narrowed his eyes, looking at him then Elaine who was in his arms.

“Wait a bloody minute… I know who you are!” He clenched his fingers around the dagger he was holding. “You did me in yesterday!”

“Sir, please calm down-”

“Piss with your ‘calm down’! I’ll show you to calm down!”

It happened in a matter of seconds, Priscilla was halfway through drawing her broadsword, Rionara had her hand on the handle of her weapon, but in Reinhardt’s eyes time seemed much slower thanks to his extensive training. The man wasn’t going for him but instead was aiming to stab Elaine who couldn’t defend herself.

Within those few seconds, Reinhardt pulled Elaine back and punched the side of the man’s wrist which made him drop the weapon before giving him a full backhand slap, following up with an open hand palm strike to the middle of his face which almost made him do a flip as he was knocked down on his back, unconscious.

“Gah-”

He gasped before his limbs sprawled on the ground. Reinhardt adjusted Elaine on his arm and turned to Priscilla and Rionara who had her broadsword and dagger halfway drawn.

“I’m sorry you had to see that.”

“No it’s fine…” The spell fencer sheathed her blade and looked at him with a genuine surprised expression on her face. “I didn’t know sir Reinhardt was well versed in martial arts.”

“It’s a necessity in the frontlines.” He said while walking over the unconscious man. “Come on, let’s head inside before this man gets up.”

Priscilla followed his steps while Rionara carefully went around the man, avoiding touching his body. They entered the hut and were greeted by Geralt, who was about to begin hammering until he noticed the customers and put his tool down on the anvil.

“To what I owe your visit again?” He seemed disinterested but greeted them nonetheless, however he glanced past Reinhardt seeing one face he didn’t recognize. “Ah lady, might need you to wait outside-”

“I’m with them.” Priscilla answered before stepping forward with the slip of paper in between her index and middle finger. “Here, I was told to show you this in case I wanted your ‘finer’ wares.”

He took the slip and opened, at first raising a suspicious eyebrow and glancing briefly at her.

“So you know him huh.” He pocketed the piece of paper and walked past them. “Come, follow me.”

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

After having everyone exit the hut he closed the twig door and placed his open palm on the side of the building, for Reinhardt, it seemed a bit strange but nothing caught his attention. On the other hand, both Priscilla and Rionara noticed the subtle chant the man casted as a thin veil of mana covered the whole hut.

‘Is that a delayed spell? I have never seen it before.’ The spell fencer thought before inquiring. “Sir Geralt, what is this spell?”

“It’s to keep thieves away.”

He finished the incantation and turned to lead the way. Krieg and Priscilla shared glances before deciding to follow the blacksmith. It was a few minutes of walking, by the time they reached their destination it was already dusk.

‘Huh? We are…’

Rionara looked at the building they stopped by and it was the inn they stayed at last night.

“Wait… why are we here?” Reinhardt questioned. “I thought you-”

“All in due time.” Geralt interrupted him before entering the building himself. “Ivan, I have new clients.”

“Ah, Geralt!” The innkeeper’s daughter, Mika, greeted the blacksmith with a warm smile. “My father is upstairs at the moment, do you need me to-”

“I appreciate the offer Mika, but I’ll be fine. I’ll take them there myself.”

“Ah.” The disappointment was rather obvious but she quickly recovered and smiled again. “Very well, take your time.”

Other patrons ignored the group as the blacksmith went around the counter where usually the innkeeper would be, Reinhardt wanted to take Elaine to their room but the moment he stepped to the side of the counter he noticed Geralt opening some sort of hatch that led to a basement of some kind.

“Here, follow me before anyone makes a fuss about it.”

He climbed down and Priscilla didn’t hesitate to do the same. That left Rionara, Elaine and Reinhardt by the hatch which prompted the paladin to ask.

“Are you okay to go down there, Rio?”

It was obvious she was clutching her hands from fear but nevertheless she nodded.

“Y-yes.”

“Okay, I’ll go first alright?”

“Mhm.”

He placed his left foot by the entrance before crouching and reaching for the ladder, slowly and steadily he made his way down while still holding Elaine firmly on his arm. Seeing how he effortlessly climbed the ladder despite having to hold on another person made her confident she wouldn’t slip and fall.

She took a deep breath and did the same motions as him, she was able to reach the ladder and climb down into the darkness below. Though about half the way she closed her eyes and kept moving her foot one at a time before eventually hitting the stone floor.

“You did it, Rio.”

Once she opened her eyes she noticed the interior of the basement was low lit, inside, the familiar smell of dust and stagnant air filled the room as Geralt’s footsteps vanished into the darkness.

“Give me a moment.” After a few seconds had passed, lights suddenly appeared on each corner next to the ceiling, through an innovative spell cast on a metal carved support that looked like a round dish, the light remained illuminating the room. “Here we go.”

Rionara’s reaction was to close her eyes from the sudden bright light, but eventually she got used to it, blinking a few times before being able to look without straining her vision.

“Woah…”

Priscilla was in awe, though through the girl’s vision it was nothing more than an assortment of random items that emanated a strange glow. There were bags, satchels, swords, daggers, bows and armor, just about anything an adventurer would need. Geralt sat down on a simple creaky wooden chair that was behind a large wooden table in the middle of the room which had most of the armor and bags while the weapons were hung against the walls with racks.

Directly behind him was another table but that one was made out of granite and had a round metal apparatus that wasn’t totally visible from where they stood.

“All the items I currently have here are enchanted. If you need something custom made I can do that as well for the right price.”

Enchanted items, the core of any adventuring party that wishes to take on the challenges of their craft. Their efficiency varies with the item they are bound to as well as its potency given from the enchanter themselves, but all in all it serves the same purpose, to keep the wielder alive.

“Then, how much would it be for three backpacks with heat retention? Oh and while you’re at it, a gambeson with physical resistance for small Rio here.”

Reinhardt stepped forward at that point, his voice a mix of intrigue and annoyance.

“Dame Priscilla with all due respect, you are not considering bringing Rio with us… are you?”

“And have her do what outside the dungeon?” She looked over her shoulder at him. “Sir Reinhardt, from what I understand, she has nowhere else to go other than stay with you. I much rather have her accompany us than leave a little girl to fend off by herself.”

He lowered his head, he had no counter arguments to that.

“In that case it’ll be three hundred gold coins total. Two hundred from the bags and an extra hundred for the gambeson.”

Geralt took a piece of paper from his pocket and was about to write something using a piece of charcoal that was on the table before Priscilla raised her right hand.

“No need for a letter of payment, I’ll pay upfront.”

“Are you certain?”

“Yes, otherwise Hector wouldn’t have recommended you for this job.” She chuckled a bit. “He may be a bit strange at times but ultimately, he’s quite reliable with his connections.”

She took the heavy coin pouch from her hip and placed it on top of the table. Geralt began taking out its content to count everything, meanwhile Rionara and Reinhardt were taking a look around the ‘shop’, browsing the weapons that were hung on the racks.

“I don’t see much difference from a normal arming sword.”

He said while inspecting a shortsword.

“I feel like I’ve seen this before.” Rionara mentioned as her fingers traced on the flat part of the blade of a longsword. “Though I can’t seem to remember from where…”

“I’m sure you’ll remember in due time.”

He gently patted her head.

“Rein.” She held his index and pinky finger with her small hands. “I thought about what Pris just said and… I think I want to come with you all.”

He knelt beside her and her eyes locked with his.

“Will you be alright with us?” We don’t know how bad this journey will be, how long it’ll take, not even if we’ll come back, do you still want to come with us?”

She clenched her hands and nodded firmly to him. Her azure eyes were determined

“I don’t want to be a burden to anyone anymore.”

“It’s all here.” Geralt had finished counting and stood up. “I’ll have it ready first thing in the morning.” He then turned to Reinhardt. “Seeing how you two are together, I’ll make sure you get your helmet back as well.”

The paladin bowed slightly.

“Thank you.”

The blacksmith then turned to Rionara.

“I need to get your measurements so I can make your armor.”

“Huh?”

Priscilla chuckled before gently pushing her back towards Geralt.

“He needs to know your size to make the armor.

“A-ah I see.”

She went to him and while she was getting measured, Priscilla walked to Reinhardt.

“I’m sorry.”

The apology surprised him at first but he kept his usual serious face.

“For?”

“Bringing Rio with us. I just feel… responsible for her. After what happened inside the dungeon. I fear if we let her by herself something bad might happen to her.”

“You aren’t wrong, I just didn’t see the reasoning at first.” He looked at the girl staring at Geralt using a measuring tape and jotting down numbers with a piece of charcoal on a piece of paper. “Seeing her like this even made me forget that she also carries a heavy burden on her shoulders.”

“Don’t we all…”