Interlude

“Is he asleep?” Riakon said, his deep voice barely capable of whispering.

“Yeah, he’s out, cacaw.”

“Did you see him hesitate today with the spiders?”

“Yeah, I flew past him because he was just standing there like a deer in torchlight, cacaw.”

“That’s a dangerous thing out here in the Wilds. Do you think he has what it takes?”

Errrkkkk thought for a moment resting his head on his talon. “If Master Rolen sent him then he must have the potential, cacaw. Even if he isn’t ready now, I’m willing to bet he will be some day, cacaw.”

“Let’s just hope he doesn’t freeze up again. That could have been much worse.”

“We will keep an eye on him. He might just need some real combat experience, cacaw”

“Training is one thing, but there is little that can prepare you for contact with a real enemy.”

“Things went pretty well with the spiders. Those fire spells came in handy once he got them going, cacaw.”

“It feels like he’s not quite at our level. His powers seem a bit behind.”

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“He saw some real life or death combat today, there isn’t anything better for growing your power than facing real danger. He needed to be tested, cacaw.”

“I couldn’t agree more brother.”

“What do you think about his story, cacaw?”

“I don’t know just yet. You would think Master Rolen would tell us.”

“Yeah, unless he really was keeping his family a secret. He never did bring up his family or his life before the temple really…cacaw”

“I would bet there is a lot we don’t know about Master Rolen.”

“I’m thinking the same thing, cacaw.”

“The boy is worth keeping around, as much of a liability as he almost was, I don’t know if we could have managed all of those spiders without him.”

“Maybe not you, I could have just flown away, cacaw.” His face breaking into a smug expression

“All the more reason to keep the boy around then!”

“What do you make of this cave contract, cacaw?”

“Seems odd that locals are going missing. Foreigners, sure, but locals should know to avoid the place if it’s known to be dangerous.”

“Something must have changed then, cacaw.”

“I’m betting something new has moved in”

“Or someone, cacaw.”

“That is a great point brother.”

“I just hope they’re strong, cacaw! I didn’t come out here to knock off weaklings, cacaw.”

“If they are strong that means the contracts will pay well and some gold in our pockets before we get to a town would be a welcomed sight.”

“Cacaw.”

“I am going to get some sleep brother, you finish up the watch then wake me. We’ll let the boy take the last watch. He needs the rest.”

“Cacaw.”