As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of pink and gold, the sleepy dock town began its nightly transformation once more. Lanterns flickered to life along its streets, casting a soft glow over the harbor.

The familiar sight of the Red Octopus returning to port; a comforting rhythm marking the passage of time for another year.

The Peg and Whistle beckoned with its warm light and lively atmosphere, offering a haven for locals and weary travelers alike. As the tavern door swung open, the dim light from within spilled out onto the weathered dock, casting long shadows across the worn wooden planks. The figure that entered drew immediate attention—a looming silhouette against the fading light.

Whispers rippled through the tavern as patrons turned their heads, their expressions a mix of surprise and intrigue. Some leaned in closer to their companions, exchanging hushed words and pointed glances. Others simply watched from the corners of the room, their eyes following with a wary curiosity.

Despite the stranger's rugged appearance and steely demeanor, there was a sense of recognition in the air—a subtle shift in the atmosphere that hinted at a shared history. It was as though the tavern itself recognized the man, welcoming him back into its fold.

“He’s going to become a fat little chicken if you keep feeding him like that.” Aulfrick teased the little creature sitting on Isabella’s shoulder as it playfully hissed at him. It certainly had human like intelligence.

“You hear that Mault. Aulfrick wants me to put you on a diet.” The little fluffy thing almost looked worried as it nervously put its tiny little toes on Isabella’s face before turning to hiss at Aulfrick more seriously this time.

Isabella had finally managed to find a squirrel-fox befriending it. Now the two were almost inseparable. She kissed its little toes, “don’t worry you’re not getting fat, Aulfrick is just being a jerky-mc-jerkson.” Mault ran back into Isabella’s hood but not before making a show of turning its nose up at Aulfrick and deliberately looking away with a huff.

“You know love, we can’t take him with us when it’s time to leave.” Mault peeked out of Isabella’s hood with surprising speed. “I’m sorry Mault, we can’t…” Mault leapt from Isabella running up to Aulfrick’s pant leg tugging at it with both of its tiny arms. “Look you won’t be happy outside of the forest and don’t give me that look. It doesn’t work coming from Isabella, it’s certainly not going to work coming from you.”

“It so does work coming from me.” Isabella looked almost hurt. “Come on Mault we are leaving jerky here and going on our run.” Mault ran to Isabella jumping back into her hood but not before turning to stick its long little tongue out at Aulfrick.

Aulfrick sighed when he awoke the next morning. Isabella and the random pack of wolves she also befriended would be back in a few hours after the hunt. “Come to think of it, she just befriends everyone.” He started portioning out the sixteen portions of dried meat for the dogs. A portion for the very large murder kitty that would be randomly showing soon for its daily scratches, and finally two portions for them.

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They were going through food like nobody’s business thanks to the zoo that followed her around. That wasn’t even including the village children that were constantly hanging off of her. She certainly had with people and animals alike. Thankfully he taught her how to set up traps as well, it certainly helped save on a lot of time. The only lesson she had any real difficulty with was learning to hunt with just a knife. It wasn’t because of anything technical, she had a mind for learning. It was the getting up and personal part that gave her pause. Unfortunately it was a necessary lesson; something that she’s have to get used to.

Mault used Isabella like a pillow as she lay on the grass outside their cottage. It was a small comfort given that she just lost again to Aulfrick during their daily spar. He said she wouldn’t have any trouble against even experienced martial artists; that was before even accounting for her enhanced strength and speed.

“Ahhhhhhh rawr rawr rawr”, she let out a yell. Frustrated she went deeper into the forest away from the village. Other than Mault she wanted to be alone but that was not be as the pack of fluffy dogs and a large cat soon joined her. Her frustration relented as they all struggled to get her attention for their daily scratches and pats. Once she settled them down, Isabella decided to test her strength; her full strength against one of the ancient giant oaks. “Here goes nothing!”

“And what did we learn?” Aulfrick had Isabella’s right leg on his lap, his hands glowing with the invisible light only he could see.

“That I need a pair of new boots?” Isabella replied with all the smugness she could muster.

“New boots, really.” Aulfrick deliberately poked Isabella toe as in involuntary gasp escaped her mouth. “Do you want to try answering again?” Isabella just stuck her tongue out.

“What am I going to do with you?” Aulfrick felt exasperated letting out another audible sigh. “Do you remember the time when I specifically told you not to use your full strength till your body could handle it? If I recall I gave you an entire very detailed explanation and answered every one of the million questions you asked me.”

“So, I need a pair of new boots…” The corner of Isabella’s lips turned up slightly giving Aulfrick the sweetest smile she possibly could.

“O, don’t even try to change the subject.” He was not going to let this go till he was sure he she learnt her lesson. “I believe you answered, ‘ok love. I understand. No using full strength till my body gets use to it.’”

Isabella looked amused while maintaining the sweetest cutest face she could.

Sighing again. “Not only did you shatter that poor oak tree, you managed to shatter all the bones in your right leg. Your ankle is literally powder. Not to mention the muscles and tendons are a complete mess. Fortunately for you, your skin adapts faster to your new found strength than than the rest of your internals or you’d be a bloody mess.” Aulfrick concentrating a little bit more as tiny bits of the invisible light seeped from his hands into Isabella’s body. “I’m healing you part way, you’ll be able to walk and run as much as a normal human can by morning. I’m going to let your body do its own thing and heal you the rest of the way. Though I’m tempted to just let it pull itself back together on its own just to teach you a lesson.”

Isabella gave him a pleading look but not saying anything.

“Fortunately for you, we are going to be taking the Inquirer’s exam and need to be on the Red Octopus before she leaves in two weeks.” He put her foot down gently bring her a larger than normal portion of food. “Eat. All of it.”

Isabella took the bowl without question; she felt unnaturally hungry.

“Your body will heal and adapt itself to your new strength within six months. You should be able to use your current level of force by then without issue. Though you need to remember you’re still growing in strength and your body will need to adjust itself constantly.” Aulfrick walked over to one of the dried leather skins he was preparing to sell at town. He pulled it out with bits of thread, silk, cotton and other material.

“Normally I’d prefer to do this the old fashioned way. But seeing as I need to head out soon so I can arrange passage at the dock tomorrow morning. Not to mention sell all of these pelts so we have some extra cash.” Aulfrick placed his hand in the air above the gathered items chanting a small set of melodic yet somehow un-ethereal words.

Isabella watched awestruck as the items started to come alive. It was almost like watching a dance; they shaped themselves as he sang to them. Each piece looked like it had a mind of its own as they placed themselves together before finally merging into two identical objects when he stopped.

“You said you needed a pair of new boots.”