Waking up to the smell of breakfast, Rutus sat down near the fire to find Endermon in a slightly agitated state. Seeing them both, Endermon said she had a lead on the treasure, but they had to leave within a few minutes. She instructed them to leave anything that couldn't easily be explained away.
As they packed and made the place look like someone or someones had only been there a short while. They left and continued down the river. They paused to talk to the strange man they saw the first time and continued on.
There was banter, mainly between Rutus and Dresden. Rutus noted Endermon's silence but didn't dwell on it. They had been traveling a while and Rutus's stomach growled. She watched as Endermon started to get the non-perishable stuff, and Dresden said he could catch something more filling, and Rutus said he couldn't catch a cold in a rainstorm.
Getting reluctant permission from Endermon, Rutus and Dresden set off. Getting some string and a small hook from a small pocket she went down to the riverbank and cast her makeshift line. She heard a splash and a curse as she caught a small fish. She caught another one as Dresden was getting up from the water. When they got back to where Endermon was, they had a small lunch of the two fish.
They set off again and a nearly dry Dresden took off his shirt. Endermon was annoyed, but Rutus could get away with staring at his large shoulders and chiseled abs. She wouldn't admit it, but Rutus liked the physicality of Dresden. His attitude, not so much. She was disappointed when he put his shirt back on.
When he started changing into random animals and dropping everything he was carrying, making the girls pick up what he dropped, it began to get annoying. Once Rutus threatened his manhood, he stopped, but did not stop talking.
They stopped at an unremarkable stretch of road. When Endermon disappeared into the trees, Rutus found they were at their new campsite. After the fire was lit, they went to find their individual sleeping areas. Rutus had just found a great spot when Dresden barged in and said he saw it first. They started arguing when Endermon showed up and subtly pointed out the eroded soil and the branches that would undoubtedly be no help at all. Rutus agreed when Endermon suggested she go across the way.
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After getting settled in, she went to the clearing where Endermon was making dinner. Things were fine until Shiloh stuck her head in and said a tree fell on their old campsite. She asked Endermon about it and she said that fairies were much more in tune to nature, or something like that.
After dinner she wanted to ask Endermon about it, but found her leaving with the dishes and Dresden following her. They didn't notice her witness their whole conversation. After the towel snap, Rutus stuck around to ask if it were true and Endermon said no.
Being the only person to treat Rutus like a person, Endermon was the only one she trusted absolutely. So at breakfast the next day, she spoke frankly about what she would do with the treasure. When Dresden made a rude and insensitive comment Endermon stiffened and then said they should gather up stuff for a day's worth of traveling to get to town for supplies.
After a bit Dresden ran off to do whatever. She and Endermon chatted for a while until Endermon told her to get ready for a rescue. They had to save Dresden from a trap.
With Dresden too injured to go back to camp, they made a makeshift one a little bit down the road. When they got set up, Shiloh appeared and helped with dinner. The next day they made it back to their camp and Endermon suggested a sparring session. Both said they wouldn't hold back, and throughout the rest of the day, they released energy and aggressions.
When they were done Rutus had to get the dents out of her armor and stitch together any tears. When dinnertime came, they had a hearty stew. It was a time for friendship, and good food. Even Shiloh joined in.
Later that night they all went to bed content. Rutus dreamed of the adventure yet to come.