The group exited the city and started to follow the stone path that led to Silesia. As they trod along the uneven trail, Lina spoke up.

"Now that we've got some free time, how about we get to know each other better?" Lisa suggested.

"And how would we do that," Derik asked. "Are we going to take turns giving our life stories?"

"Why not?" Montag asked. "We'll be staying with each other for a while."

"True enough," Derik said. "Not like there is much else to do. Brace yourselves. Picture New Baden again, overflowing with monsters. Are you picturing it?"

Montag and Lina nodded their heads.

"Now think about the town square, there is one man in the square onset on all sides by beasts and monsters. Yep, that's me. You're probably wondering how I ended up in this situation..."

Derik went on to explain his perspective of the battle. Forging a story about how he bravely went back to save the citizens.

"And so I went from being forced into the guard, to here," Derik concluded his story.

Montag let out a hearty bellow, "Ah Derik, you are a good man."

Derik responded, "I don't know if I'm the good or the bad. The only thing I know for certain is that I'm not the ugly."

Montag then explained, "I volunteered for the military as soon as I came of age. There is no greater calling than serving one's country. I eventually got posted to New Baden and became the captain from there."

"I admire your courage," Lina said.

"You pay us a king's ransom to get us to join, and you still have money left over. Where do you get all this money? What's your story?" Derik asked.

"Don't worry yourself; I have riches to spare. I may not look it, but I am of noble descent. I left my home carrying this bow. It is an artifact passed down through my family line, and I have used it to travel the lands as a mercenary. Understand that I have more than enough to give you a life of luxury if you choose to continue following me," Lina responded.

"I guess everyone has got a different calling," Derik replied. "Personally, I wouldn't mind that life of luxury one bit."

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

As the group continued to walk, it began to get darker. The group decided to rest for the night.

"I guess we will have to sleep on the ground for now," Derik mentioned. The party moved off the road and walked out into the green field of grass.

"Good night," Lisa said. She went out like a light.

"She went out instantaneously," Derik remarked. "I wouldn't think someone from high society would be able to sleep so easily in literal dirt."

Derik began to lay out his bag as a pillow to sleep on before Montag, then pulled him off to the side.

"Here, Derik," Montag said, "I want you to take this."

He pulled a leather sheath with shining silver fittings from underneath his cloak and handed it to Derik.

"I give this arming sword to you in lieu of other rewards for your heroic acts during the defense of New Baden. It was the weapon I received to signify my promotion to captain, and now it serves you."

Derik nodded his head and fastened the scabbard to his belt.

"Are you sure about this?" Derik asked.

"A man such as myself never regrets their choices Derik." Montag took an abnormally long pause after the statement gazing off into the distance. He continued to speak, "I suspect you will need the weapon more than me. The handle of your halberd might have been damaged from your earlier encounter."

"Thanks."

"I shall watch the camp," Montag stated.

"By yourself?"

"It's fine. I am used to it. As I said, I used to be a guard like you before I became captain and a skilled one at that." Montag reassured Derik.

Derik shrugged his shoulders and laid his belongings on the cool grass. He was about to go to sleep when he noticed something in the dim light of the campfire. He walked over to Lina, who still lay sound asleep. He saw an ornate jeweled necklace attached to her neck that he didn't notice before. As he inspected it closer, Lina's eyes snapped open. Derik stumbled backward.

"If you are so curious," she said, "you could have just asked."

Derik regained his footing and cautiously asked, "In that case, what is it, and why are you wearing it while you sleep?"

She held up the necklace and opened it up. It was a locket. "This is a reminder of my parents."

"Oh, neat."

Derik examined the locket. It contained a glass panel that held in two locks of hair.

Lina went back to sleep. Derik lay down on his makeshift pillow.

"Forget about sleeping with jewelry," he thought, "who keeps the hair of a loved one on their person?"

He shuffled around a few times before finding an appropriate position to fall asleep.

The next day the group rose early in the morning, returning to their journey towards Silesia. They arrived without incident. A guard at the gate saw them and waved them over. The guard pulled out some papers and examined them.

"You from New Baden?" he questioned.

"Yes, we just left," said Lina.

The guard jotted down something and quickly ushered them in. Maybe it was the state of their garbs or the fact that he recognized Montag, but he let them through without further questioning.