"Can I help?"

"You know how to cook, miss Delilah?"

Delilah smiled with a nod, exploring the kitchen as she tried to familiarise herself.

"I do, I love it. My.. mother taught me" She caught herself, hesitating while trying to settle on the correct descriptor for Nadia.

Gadrin nodded enthusiastically as he passed some loaves of bread for her to cut.

"Mavrik taught me a lot of what I know for cooking, until I surpassed him" he chuffed.

"Ah, so that's in my future? The student will become the teacher?" She grinned with a giggle as Gadrin leaned closer to her with a wide grin.

"If you ask me, I bet you could already take 'im in a fight!"

Delilah covered her mouth, trying to contain the spluttering laughter, thinking back to their training session a few days ago. She shook her head finishing up with the bread as she plated up the table for the three.

Hesitating for a moment.

"I'm going to miss you, Gadrin"

Gadrin wrapped her in a hug, she quickly embraced the shorter man in return. Realising now that Gadrin was her first friend excluding Mavrik and Nadia.

"I'll miss you too, but don't fret. You know where to find me, I'm not going anywhere" He tried to lighten the mood.

She laughed, knowing the weight of his statement. If the dwarf had it his way, which he likely would, he would never be leaving Mavrik's home.

"There's that lovely smile" he tapped her on the nose, gesturing her to sit at the table.

"Ah, the former master has arisen" Delilah almost spat out her food at Gadrin's boisterous greeting.

Mavrik raised an eyebrow at the two wearily, deciding not to dignify him with a response as he sat beside Delilah.

"Sweet miss Delilah helped with breakfast this morning" Gadrin beamed.

'Sweet Delilah' Her head spun as the feminine voice echoed in her head, causing her to tense as the visitor in her dreams rushed back to her.

"Delilah?" Mavrik questioned.

She shook her head "I-I just bit my tongue, sorry" sensing her lie didn't convince him as he furrowed his eyebrows, but he didn't push.

Gadrin completely unaware continued his rambling, by now he had began speaking about the steel he used for Delilah's weapons.

"-I used a lighter material for the hilt, and used similar techniques we use for our dwarven weapons, so they hopefully shouldn't be too bulky for you".

"I'm sure they'll be perfect" she assured.

By the time the group had finished and cleaned up, it was time to set out. Delilah twirled for Gadrin once the last clasp of the brigandine was done, her new weapons fastened on her hip.

He clapped in delight "How is it? Not too heavy?"

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

"It's not" Delilah assured, slightly surprised by the deceiving light weight of the rigid vest. Short sword hanging sheathed on her left hip, light cross bow slung over her cloaked shoulder.

"Your skills are incredible" she praised warmly, making the dwarf blush and swell with pride as he took her hands in his.

"Promise me you'll take care of yourself, miss Delilah" He sent a dry look to Mavrik. "If you ever get tired of him, you're welcome to stay here any time".

"It's my house." Mavrik huffed.

Gadrin waved him off, "right, you two best be off." Offering one final hug to Delilah, adjusting her cloak around her shoulders fondly, before giving a firm hand shake to Mavrik.

"I don't think it's your house anymore." She observed as they reached the horses, wrapping her arms around Maple's large nose.

"He can have it, when he slays a vampire."

Delilah blinked as Mavrik swung himself onto Glenn, so casual after sharing what it was that plagued the town.

"You killed a vampire??" She practically yelled.

"Several really."

She stared at the man as if had grown three heads, she didn't know what was more unnerving, the fact he had killed vampires, or his relaxed attitude about it.

Fiddling with the reins of Maple's tack as they started forward, leaving the town back the way they cam to re-join the main road.

"I don't know much about you" Delilah fished carefully.

"What do you want to know?"

Emboldened by not being blatantly shut down, she thought for a moment. Really, she had thousands of questions, how many monsters had he slain? What was the large sword wrapped on his back that he never used? How many monsters had he slain? Knowing those ones were likely sore spots for the guarded man.

"Why monster hunting?"

"Why not?"

She stared at him, knowing she'd walked right into this one, searching his obscured face, hoping he'd take another stab at her question.

He sighed "not everyone can defend themselves, evil runs rampant and unchecked if no one steps up. I could. So I did" his response careful, scripted.

Delilah chewed the inside of her lip, still not satisfied with the answer.

Mavrik shifted uncomfortably in his saddle as they rode on.

"Kippers."

"What?"

"My favourite food, and Haddock."

Delilah stared at him, processing his words, wondering if he was pulling her leg. Until she recovered, face alighting in an easy going smile.

"That's fish right? I've never tried them. We'll have to change that" Delilah laughed, waiting to see if he would continue the conversation, but he stayed silent.

"Mines strawberries, thanks for asking" Poking out her tongue.

"I think I know enough about you, somehow you manage to wear your emotions on your skin" he countered.

"Well, I see how it is" folding her arms across her chest with an exaggerated huff, turning her cheek away from him.

"Delilah?"

Mavrik chuckled lightly at her antics, as she continued to ignore him, shaking his head. The pair continued, turning onto the main paved road. A sign post providing a few names of the upcoming towns.

"I saw Lira" Delilah relented after a short time, unable to ignore the information gnawing at her any longer now that they were alone. Her companion stayed silent, waiting for her to continue.

"It's still a bit hazy, but she seemed like she was trying to warn me? And told me to call on her when I was ready?" She frowned, rubbing her temples.

"Do you remember what I told you about Thordin and Lira?" He seemed to be choosing each word with carefully, she nodded.

"They visit me as well."

Now Delilah stayed silent, waiting for him to form his thoughts.

"The night before we met, Lira came to me. She told me I would find you."

Her eyes widened, "She told you about me? That's why you helped me with Nadia?" Panic and hurt beginning to gather as her thoughts raced. Was all this just because he was told to?

He shook his head "No. Lira told me I would find someone with golden eyes who was lost." She felt his gaze burning into her through the visor of his helmet "I couldn't see your eyes under your hood when we first met, Delilah."

She nodded slowly, heart beat ceasing its thundering as his words sunk in.

"So when did you realise I was who Lira was talking about?" Mavrik had turned his gaze back to the road ahead.

"I had a feeling when you could channel your magic through her holy symbol."

Her eyes travelled to the lantern, when he'd entrusted it to her Mavrik had explained that magic users often channelled their power through a patron or god that they followed. Despite not following Thordin and Lira, she had been able to use the lantern as a conduit.

"I don't know if I want to follow them, or any god for that matter."

"The choice is yours, Delilah. I will still still teach you magic, and Lira has given you her blessing what ever you decide."

"Her blessing?"

"You're able to use the lantern for more than just channelling your magic, you called upon divine energy with it's aid when we fought the hag." he elaborated, "that's when I became certain".

"Are you able to use magic?"

He shook his head, "not like that."