As the campfire burned stories of our pasts were shared.

Muller, was from the village close by, trained by the local arms master, he decided to become an adventurer in order to grow and return a knight.

The expedition had been his mentor's idea.

One that he wasn't thrilled over.

But now, as he cleaned Wrathbringer, with a cloth gently and passionately,

He was filled with the thrill of what adventures bring.

Of glory

Of treasures

Of growth

Quinn had lived her whole life in the big city.

When her parents decided to sell the inn they ran and she loved; she struck off into the questing world to one day make "bundles of gold" or so she said, and buy back her family inn.

Ernest was half intelligible, and hoping to die.

He actually said that

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

From what I could understand from his grumblings, he'd lived a long enough life and wished to die a glorious death.

So that one day he may be reborn as a Summoning to a future Warlock.

Grumbling to himself, he said,

I can't wait for my next life.

The rest of the party nodded because we had nothing else to say…

Over the fire, we cooked up pieces of troloc, scraps of herbs, and whatever else we had packed between the four of us.

Surprisingly, my cooking mastery was the highest among the party.

So, I was appointed chef.

As I presented what looked to be a decent meal, my nerves shot.

Not even against an Elite camp did my anxiety race as it did now.

Yet, no one received any poisoning or debuffs and we were "well fed" by the end of the meal.

Just as I was about to ask if they would like to take turns sleeping, a rumbling of voices echoed from one of the middle passageways.

Be alert.

It might not be allies.

I shouted.

Preparing ourselves for a battle, we looked all the part a party of experienced companions and not a band of rag-tag lackeys.

Scrambling, a pair of disheveled and beaten men fumbled their way into the opening of the chamber.

Allies.

But all was not well.

"Don't drop your guard, they are running from something.."

Before I could glance over to make sure my orders were obeyed,

A giant shock of energy pummeled my chest with a force that left me stunned.

The next moment I was sent flying and crashing against a spire of stone.

God damn…that must have crit…

I muttered as I lost consciousness…