Ether was in the booth eating when we got out.

I sat down beside her and took a portion. "It smells delicious. And it’s still warm?” I looked around. "This wasn’t cooked here?”

“Mom got up early and cooked it with Aelin.” Justia announced from the front.

I almost choked. "Aelin cooked this?”

“Hey!” Aelin appeared from behind me and smacked the back of my head. "I wasn’t just a waitress, you know.”

I flinched. It didn't hurt, but it did surprise me.

“I’m mainly surprised you got up early enough to do this.” I smiled at her. "Thanks.”

I heard the screen open and Aelin ducked back into the hall. A moment later I heard the bathroom door shut.

“What’s that about?” Ether leaned over to whisper in my ear.

I swallowed the food in my mouth. "Aelin is talking with Fray.”

“Alone?!” Ether pushed against me. "Scoot!”

I scooted out of the booth and swapped over to the other seat to finish my meal. I watched Ether slide out of the booth and go into the bathroom. I had found it strange that there wasn’t a lock on the bathroom door. I wasn’t sure if it was an oversight or intentional. Either way, I had to be extra mindful so I didn’t walk in on one of the women.

They hadn’t come out by the time I finished eating, so I made my way to the front.

“What’s the plan for today?”

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Rix looked up at me and shrugged.

“Aelin wants Fray to hit level two today.” Justia yawned. "I’m not sure if that’s possible, but we have to at least try, I guess.”

“You don’t sound too enthused.” I saw the Temple coming into view, it wouldn’t be long before we were there.

“I’m just tired.” She stifled another yawn.

I raised an eyebrow. We’d been getting up this early and staying up way later during the past week. “That’s all?”

The brunette Healer cast a glance at Rix.

Rix shifted in the seat so she could look at the driver. "You are off.” She looked at me, then back to Justia. "And not about being home or your favorite blonde.” That got a small smirk to turn the edge of Justia’s lips. "What’s wrong?”

Justia started to talk a few times, but never got words out until we reached a parking space at the very back of the Temple parking lot.

“I don’t feel like I’m doing anything to help the group.” She finally admitted. "I’m supposed to heal, but that leaves me with a lot of downtime.” She shook her head. "My Power is at eight, which should be my subclass, but I don’t know how comfortable I feel using a weapon.”

I tried to think about what to say. Justia’s main three stats were Recovery, then Power, then Speed. It would take a lot of work to improve her Defense or Aura and turn her into a passive class.

“Do you want to be an Adventurer?’’ Rix broke the silence.

“Yes.” Justia didn’t have to think about it.

“Adventurers fight monsters.” The golden woman’s voice was sharp, but also soothing. “You could focus on only Recovery and Aura, but what happens when you run out of mana?” Rix shook her head. "What happens if you get separated from the rest of us like what happened to me?” She looked at me, then back to Justia. "I’m not saying you should fight all the time, but I am saying that you need to be able to defend yourself.” She leaned forward and took the Healers hands. "One swing today, that’s all. One swing. Focus on that instead of the past.”

Rix got up and patted me on the shoulder, then got out of the RV.

“Are you going to be okay?” I put my hand on Justia’s shoulder.

“I think I can be.” She looked out the window to where Rix was walking towards the Temple. "I think I will be.”

Justia got up and headed for the door. I thought about waiting for the others, but I only thought about that for a moment and hurried to follow after the Healer.

“Ladies!” I shouted from the door. "It’s time to go!”