Dax awoke before the sun rose, and he dashed to pull himself together. He had big plans to prepare if the woman at Rhys' house was Aura. After a nice hot shower and essential grooming, Dax ate a quick breakfast and went to work in the kitchen preparing his plans. He thought if Aura was back then she would enjoy the restful evening he had planned. There was still another hour until dawn, and he still had plenty to do.

Dax finished his preparations and completed his daily duties around the shelter. He had originally been scheduled to return Regalia in a week, but his boss had sent word that the convoy mission would be delayed for a month. Normally, this would be a huge problem for this village, but Aura's herbal medicine worked for most patients. If Aura or Jalen can make more, the victims may recover faster. He would have to ask Jalen if he wouldn't mind helping out the village. Preferably without letting his jealousy get the better of him.

Dax left the shelter to fetch Jalen, so they could visit Rhys and presumably Aura. He felt himself nearly running to the inn that Jalen had stayed in last night. His excitement was pouring out of part of his body. He questioned why he let Aura affect him so much, but he realized he wasn't in control of who piqued his interest. Dax has had a few relationships before, but none of his exes could handle the travel or long absences his job created. Something told him that even though Aura is peculiar and full of mysteries, his career would never bother her. Dax shook those thoughts from his mind. He needed to focus on helping these villages and getting to know Aura. For all he knew, she may not want that kind of relationship with him. Dax reached the inn and went in to call upon Jalen.

Jalen came to the door groggy and disheveled, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. "What's up, Cap?"

"I thought you would like to go with me to see Rhys and her house guest," Dax said, crossing his arms in disapproval of Jalen's appearance.

"Ah. Yes. Give me five minutes. Okay, Cap?" Jalen yawned, closing the door behind him. Jalen ran into his little bathroom to freshen up. He looked in the mirror and wished his polymorph ring would make him a race that required less grooming. Elves are proud, intelligent, and well-groomed people, which means quite a bit of maintenance. If he was any other race, no one would care about his bedhead. "Pompous human." He muttered as he raced to pull himself together.

Dax stood there thinking about how silly it would look to people passing by that he was sitting here waiting on a stranger. Before long Jalen emerged from his room. Dax ushered the elf out of the building in a hurry. He wanted to know Aura was safe, and the only way to find out is by visiting Rhys. The pair headed off the main roads of the village to the east meadows and pastures where villagers made their homes. The paths seemed endless as they reached the cream-colored cottage.

This was it. Dax and Jalen wait an entire night to find out the mysterious house guest's identity. Dax wasted no time knocking on Rhys' door. He heard shuffling and Rhys laughing beyond the door.

Rhys opened the door. "Oh, joy, the impatient child and brutish elf have returned. Dear, I hope you are ready for some company. " She called out. "Listen, boys, you have half an hour for your visit. She still needs rest." Both men nodded, eagerly. Rhys led the men into her living room to her house guest.

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Dax held his breath. All his nerves rattled his body as they approached the living room in the small cottage. Jalen could feel Dax's nervousness, radiating in the room. They turned another corner into the living room. Dax froze seeing Aura all bandaged up, sitting on the sofa. He saw her gold eyes lock on to him, and the magnetic pull between them returned. Dax wanted to scold Aura for worrying him or hug her because he missed her. Instead of doing anything, he stood there frozen in the moment with Aura.

"Aura!" Jalen squealed, drawing Aura and Dax out of their moment. Jalen hugged his friend gently, giving her a good once-over. He could see her broken ribs and wounds were still serioWhat kind of battle transpired in that forest? A question that he would surely ask later. "You took us. quite the beating, huh?"

"You should see the other guy." Aura whispered. "It's so good to see you Jalen!"

Jalen pulled out of the hug to give her some space. "You will have to give me the details later. I believe the Captain is pouting because you said hello to me first." He hid his mouth from Dax, pointing at him. "You rest today. Tomorrow, we will go for a walk and talk about everything." He gave Aura a wink.

"You will not be going for a walk anytime soon, Aura. Doctor's orders." Rhys interrupted, crossing her arms.

"With all due respect, Ms. Rhys. I am pretty sure Aura will be up and out this evening with the Captain." Jalen gestured to Dax. "You see, I think he prepared something special for this evening."

"You do?" Aura asked, surprised.

"It was supposed to be a surprise," Dax said, defeated. "Yes, I did plan something, but if you need to rest then it can wait." He rubbed his head awkwardly, being shy. Normally, he would be bounding with confidence, but seeing Aura bandaged and injured zapped all of his enthusiasm away.

Rhys started to cut into their conversation to shut down whatever was happening. "Come, Ms. Rhys." Jalen grabbed her wrist and pulled her out of the room. Dax and Aura watched Jalen take Rhys away. Where they were going, Dax and Aura had no idea, but now they had to deal with their situation.

Rhys struggled to pull away from Jalen's grip, saying as many kinds she could think of. He was much stronger than Rhys had thought. "Let's discuss your concerns outside." Jalen decided as he scooped up the little dwarf woman in his arms, escaping as quickly as possible. "Worry not ma'am. I think the Captain has everything under control." He snickered as Rhys tried to punch and kick his face.

"Put. Me. Down," Rhys demanded, and Jalen complied. She looked and realized they were nowhere near her cottage anymore. "Was that necessary, brute?"

"I prefer Mr. Brute, but yes, it was necessary," Jalen replied, sarcastically. "Give them a chance to say how they feel. They weren't going to say much with us there."

"What?" Rhys questioned.

"Don't worry about Ms. Rhys. Tell me about you and your guild." Jalen suggested. Rhys stared at Jalen in disbelief. "Come on. I have heard rumors that your guild started as a bad bet with a giant named Michael."

Rhys was stunned at this man. He was nicely manhandling her. She wondered who would conjure up such a sly talking, brutish wood elf. This man was nothing like what she knew of elves. Why did this elf have to come into her life? She shook her head in disbelief at everything. The only way she could have gotten so far from her cottage is if the elf had used magic. She figured she could take him in a fight, but then she would have to find her way out of the woods on her own. Keeping him around would at least speed up the process, and would save her from explaining to Aura why the elf was broken. She sighed. "The giant's name was Phil, not Michael. The bet didn't start the guild. It made me the guild master. I will continue as long as you start walking. I want to get back to the village now."

"Whatever you say, guild master." Jalen chuckled.

"Ugh," Rhys muttered.

"You are kind of cute when you are annoyed," Jalen said, nudging Rhys.

"I am going to smash you to bits before we make it to the village." Rhys spit at him.

"I look forward to it." Jalen laughed at the fuming, red-headed dwarf. He was going to enjoy this.