‘What a sunny day,’ Kenneth thought, looking up and spotting the bright, warm glimpses past the branches and foliage of the surrounding forest.

The journey felt exceedingly drawn out as they had travelled for a good long while now and seemed no closer to even reaching only their first stop toward the capital.

Even the hardened veterans who must have made even longer trips all shared the same expression of boredom, one that was momentarily lifted when a wild animal now and again came into sight.

From where he sat, it almost felt like watching a nature documentary as one of the men would go prowling, becoming silent, some alerting the other of the animals present, and others simply veering off from the caravan alone as they momentarily began to stalk the beasts.

Almost every single one looked alien to Kenneth, yet even so, he could spot telltale traits belonging to either a herbivore or carnivore as he often thought to himself while watching, ‘Will you get it this time.’

Most times, the answer would be the same: no.

Before they could get within range, the animal would be spooked and run off with speed most Aki couldn’t match, and those that did chase the animal would return looking frustrated and disappointed, a sentiment shared by most who’d watched.

However, it didn’t seem like it was about the meal; while the provisions from “Tower’s Shade” were far from the quality of Hali’s cooking, it was decent in truth; it seemed it was only about…

“…Bored…” Jago said, sitting at the edge while scratching at the wood with his claw.

Tragna looked his way, his eyes lingering on Jago’s finger as he suddenly pushed him off, drawing a few chuckles from the men.

He let out a sigh of annoyance, “Don’t damage the merchant's things; it’s just going to come out of our coins.”

“Yes, such a shame you can only buy one fewer mug of floor juice,” Rafk boredly mused as Jago climbed back up.

Tragna looked offended as he defended, “I don’t just drink my coins away!”

“Oh, I forgot no high-priced whores for you either, only the common filth like the rest of us,” Rafk replied with a sly smile.

“I do not only spend my coins on drinking and whoring,” Tragna scoffed.

Rafk raised a slightly bored eyebrow, “Then what do you spend your coins on? You’re always broke.”

“None of your bu--”

“…Heka…” Jago interrupted, lying down on his side with his arm propped up under his head.

“Erg…” Tragna froze in surprise.

Growing intrigued ever so slightly, Rafk prodded for information, “I didn’t know you were devout, to Heka no less. Now, why would you be using your hard-earned coins there?”

As Tragna’s ear began to twitch, he replied, “Yu-you know, that church in “Underfoot” can always use more coins.”

“Really? The church in “Underfoot” run by the “Earthchild” is where you waste your coins,” Rafk said with a tone of suspicion as few ears turned in their direction.

Tragna met Rafk’s eyes, “I simply prefer to be hornes--”

“…Woman…” Jago once again interutppted.

Scowling, Tragna quickly turned to Jago, “Have you been following and spying on me!”

Jago picked a piece of meat from between his teeth and then ate it, “…Yes…”

“Hmm… a woman, Rafk mused with rising intrigue. “You haven’t shared that you can have a good time at the churches instead of the brothels.”

“Shut your mouth! Tragna snapped, his voice filled with emotion, “It is nothing like that; I haven’t done anything with her.”

“You mean to say you give your coins as a donation to the church of Heka only so you can see a nun, Rafk said with a laugh. “If so, she might be the cleverest and most high-priced whore in the capital!”

Suddenly, Tragna struck Rafk in his face with a balled fist, almost knocking him off the wagon as his nose began to bleed.

“ARG… Somehow, I can tell I went too far and made you angry, Rafk admitted while holding his nose. “Damn… that stings. Guess I’m paying for floor juice when we come back.”

“Sounds about fair, Tragna replied, “Certainly don’t want you to spend time with any high-priced whores.”

“…Ha…” Jago added.

“Want me to take a look?” Kenneth asked.

Rafk scooted across the wagon over to Kenneth, leaving a trail of blood

“So, was that a normal conversation between you three?” Kenneth asked while inspecting the damage.

“Not normal, but not rare either. Rafk replied. “On these journeys, when you aren’t fighting the wild beasts or heretics, boredom sets in. It helps to tell stories about former battles, times at the brothels and such, but with the abruptness of this trip, even though it’s shorter, none of us have had time to do anything worth sharing.”

“But it's a lot more coins for us,” Tragna added.

“It can make a man desperate and make you pry when you know you shouldn’t. Rafk said, “And as you can see, it doesn’t always take a turn for the better.”

“That’s putting it lightly, Kenneth said, sticking his hand down his bag and pulling out a small bandage, which he ripped in two and rolled, then shoved them up Rafk’s nostrils t. “Well, at least you seem to be decent friends; your nose isn’t broken, and the bleeding will eventually subside.”

“Shame the other healer died, Rafk sighed, his voice growing higher. “It's so annoying to wait.”

“Don’t pry into others' affairs, and you could have avoided it,” Tragna said.

Rafk turned to Tragna, “Don’t pout. I already said I would buy the floor juice when we get back.”

“I am going to hold you to it,” Rafk replied.

After those little dramatics, everything more or less returned to the boring normality.

“…bard..” Jago sighed.

“You said it,” Tragna agreed.

Rafk peered out into the forest, “ Never thought I would miss that loud, cowardly fool.”

“You mean Apsi?” Kenneth asked.

All three glanced his way, Rafk being the first to respond, “That was his name, wasn’t it.”

“Now that I think about it, I don’t understand why he was travelling with this caravan; it seems like a pretty bad idea if you ask me, Kenneth said. “Don’t tell me he’s some kind of hidden master swordsman who only plays music on the side.”

“Him a master swordsman!” Tragna, along with the two others, laughed.

“Do you all remember how scared he looked when he went off to take a piss and then came running back nude, being chased by a Howolo!” Rafk laughed.

“I’m assuming you sellswords took care of that big scary, Howolo,” Kenneth interjected.

With a smile across his face and while his tail wagged from side to side, Jago held up two of his fingers and brought them close together, “…small...”

“Which one? The Howolo or his spear!” Tragna laughed.

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Kenneth listened to them and saw it wasn’t just those three who thought bemusedly about the memory, “So he’s a clown you can all laugh at instead of being bored.”

As their laughter died down, Rafk, with a slight giggle, responded, “Don’t dismiss him as something so simple; he may be loud, cowardly, and a fool, but the man can hold a tune and remembers more songs than anyone here.

“All I can remember are parts to “The Maiden’s Soft Fur, March To The Flatlands, and The Chosen Champion.”

“Urg…! I haven't thought of that song in a long while. Why did you have to remind me?” Tragna complained.

“Still mad at “The Bloody Blade” I see,” Rafk sighed.

“I still don’t know why you aren’t! Tragna exclaimed. “That disgrace fought so hard in the arena, but once it was time for him to claim the title of “Champion,” he vanished. If I ever lay my eyes on him, I’m going to cut him down myself.”

“So that’s how you become a “Champion.” You fight for it?” Kenneth questioned.

“It’s a bit more than that, Rafk clarified. “If you dream of becoming a “Champion,” you have to face the most gruelling and dangerous challenges in the arena where you’ll be pushed to your utter limit and either die or survive to become the next “Champion.”

“And mean face over there used to cheer the loudest for “The Bloody Blade.” Even louder than a lot of the women.”

Growling, Tragna held up his clenched fist.

“…Sing…” Jago suddenly interjected.

Laughing a bit nervously and gauging if he was going to be hit ot not, Rafk said, “Anything to pass the time.”

“Maiden’s fur, soft and tender, in her sweet embrace, stroke her tail...”

“Feel the anger rising, march toward the faded field of battle. Protect our home and claim your vengeance for the blood that’s spilt.”

As he finished, Jago snorted in laughter, and Tragna seemed to forget his anger as he joined in. Even Kenneth found it hard to contain a chuckle after having heard Rafk sing in his high-pitched voice.

“If any one of you can do it, better be my guest,” Rafk said in an annoyed, high-pitched tone of voice, which only made everyone laugh even harder.

But as it was going on, Jago leaned down and knocked on the door to the wagon.

The one who answered looked around for a bit with a bored expression, one that somewhat slightly changed to confusion as he saw a fair few with slight smiles before noticing Jago.

“…Uba…” he said.

Uba looked up, squinting his eyes to shield them from the light, “what do you want, Jago?”

“…Music…” he answered.

Uba just looked up at Jago in annoyance, “I’m not singing for you or whatever you want.”

Jago rolled his eyes and pointed inside the wagon, “…box…”

“Eh… Uba sounded, rubbing his eyes and speaking to the ones inside the wagon. “Is anyone sitting on a box? Jago wants one.”

There was a bit of shuffling as something passed between everyone until it reached Uba. “This was what you wanted. Well, good riddance now there is more space for the rest of us.”

Jago reached down and snatched the small box with two of his claws, holding it by the string. He sat cross-legged with the box in his lab while tucking at one of the iron strings, producing a single note that echoed from inside the hollow box.

Kenneth recognised it as one of the instruments Apsi had been carrying when setting up for the party.

With slow movements that seemed methodical, Jago played; however, the actual music produced was disjointed and lacking in any kind of rhythm, “…Maiden…”

“No, I ain’t listening to that until the light leaves us!” Tragna said quickly, snatching the instrument from Jago.

Rafk looked at Tragna with a half-raised eyebrow, “Is it your turn now?”

“Yes, play!” One of the men called out.

“Sing “Tavern Light.”

“No! Sing “Fall Of The Father!”

The number of voices grew, and Tragna just sat there looking annoyed and regretful, wishing he’d never taken the instrument; however, the moment someone requested “The Union Of Gods,” he just threw it up in the air.

It travelled in an arc right over Kenneth’s head, who quickly caught it.

“You shouldn’t be so careless with others things,” Kenneth said.

“I couldn’t care less about that thing,” Tragna replied.

“Are you going to try your hand at it?” Rafk asked.

Kenneth paused for a moment and placed his bag beside him as he pulled on one of the strings. It felt a bit lax but not too loose.

‘What would I even play? He wondered while plucking at the strings. ‘They weren’t really big on singing back at the outpost, and I doubt “Hallelujah” will really lift their spirits.’

Suddenly, he hit a familiar note and, almost by reflex, tugged a few more strings, producing a disjointed and complete mess of a melody. However, the muscle memory itself resonated with him, of a rhythm and song he hadn’t heard since his… since his childhood.

Slowly, Kenneth began playing the instrument, testing each string to see which note they produced. At first, he was very hesitant and found the design confusing and impractical, and add on to the fact that he hadn’t even touched a real guitar for well over a decade…

But now that he remembered that song, he wasn’t going to forget it so easily again.

Even with his very rusty skills and the confusing and impractical instrument, Kenneth played the melody in his mind or at least as close to it as possible while meekly singing.

“Come on, come on, come one and all, it’s time to answer adventures call.

Travel to the ends of the world, and you’ll find a mountain shining with gold inside, but beware of a terrible beast that sleeps on top of the glistening heap.

Keep your head high, don’t lose your nerve, and the golden haul will truly be earned.

The journey begins with a step outside, so don’t just lie in your bed and hide.

Wandering the forest is calming indeed, but be careful of the lurking beasts.

Dire Wolf pack has surrounded you now, but don’t just cower and hide; you must…

Fight, fight, show your might, drive your blade deep inside.

Fight, fight, show your might, drive your blade deep inside.

Killing the leader, you show them you’re not weaker as the others grow meeker.

Arriving at the mountainous reach, scaling the rocks is no easy feat.

The path you must travel is narrow and small, but you squeeze through it with no problem at all.

Bellowing roars can be heard from afar, and come closer, you see what they are.

A Cyclops mighty and tall with a person in its thrall.

Taking your chance, you get up close to its giant feet and…

Fight, fight, show your might, drive your blade deep inside.”

As he reached the chorus, Kenneth began to notice it wasn’t just him singing; the others were singing as well.

“Fight, fight, show your might, drive your blade deep inside.

Bellowing in pain, the cyclops let go, and the guy falls to the ground below, agreeing this beast is not worth the strife; both of you hightail it away from that fight.

A treacherous journey this has proven to be, but a glimpse of the shining gold renews your energy.

On top, standing strong, a dragon, the mightiest beast of all.

It opens its maw and blasts fire straight from its core…

Fight, fight, don’t be dead, raise your shield, fight through its breath, trust your friend, trust your might, never give up the fight.

The moment the chance arises, your friend attacks from the side and takes the dragon’s eye.

Bellowing, the beast raises its head as your companion clings on to avoid death, but with the beast’s throat exposed, you…

Fight, fight, show your might, drive your blade deep inside.

Fight, fight, show your might, drive your blade deep inside.

Fight, fight, show your might, drive your blade deep inside, kill it with just one strike and claim your prize.”

Through it all, Kenneth hadn’t noticed the men resting inside the wagon had come out, and even as the song was finished, he could still hear a lot singing the chorus over and over again.

“Is there room for one more?” Solk asked as he climbed on top of the wagon.

Tragna and Rafk quickly made themselves scarce and jumped off.

Jago, on the other hand, just looked at Solk, keeping eye contact as he rolled off the wagon and landed on the ground with an “…aww…”

“You never said you were a bard,” Solk said.

Kenneth didn't answer him; instead, he remained silent, letting the guilt and shame wash over him.

“Grown mute, I see, Solk said. “All of my men know to answer me when I speak, but you have never been one to do so nor follow orders.”

“I’m sorry,” Kenneth meekly said.

Solk looked at Kenneth for a moment before turning his sight forward on the road ahead, “I know what you are apologizing for, but that wasn’t what I was referring to. It was when we first met, and you defied Commander Ulric’s orders.”

Kenneth lifted his head in slight confusion.

“Do not misunderstand; my anger has not subsided in the slightest, and I will never forget what your actions led to… but nor can I ever forget what you did for me and my son. You saved him when I thought his end was certain.”

“I see,” Kenneth replied, uncertain of how to respond.

“Don’t be that glum, Solk said. “Why don’t you sing that song again? How did it go? Fight, Fight, draw your might from deep inside…”

Kenneth looked down at the instrument in his lap for a second before placing it off to the side, “I need to ask you something. How bad is Kolu’s wound? I never got a chance to check.”

“It stopped bleeding long ago, but that's no reason to celebrate, Solk sighed. “His fur is thick enough it can’t be seen, but if it remains even after I get him to a healer, his life at the capital if it’s ever discovered… I honestly don’t want to even think about it.”

“I am truly sorry, Kenneth once again apologized. “If I had known… if I had listened to you...”

“The past is a treacherous thing; no matter how much you wish it, you can’t change what has happened no matter how much you regret doing or not doing something,” Solk shared.

“Yeah, I know,” Kenneth sighed.

“But if you wish to lessen the clear turmoil within you, then I’ll allow you to rectify your mistake,” Solk offered.

Feeling an inkling of relief, Kenneth turned to Solk, “Do you mean it?”

“The fewer who know of this, the better. I certainly don’t need rumours spreading from the mouths of healers, Solk explained as he looked at Kenneth with a serious expression across his face. “While there are many things I can not trust you with any more, I’m certain my son’s health is one of them.”

“I promise to do anything in my power to help,” Kenneth said.

Solks posture relaxed slightly, “of that, I have no doubt.”

“…under…!” A voice suddenly called out, reaching Kenneth’s and Solk’s ears over the singing.

Both calmly turned to see Jago pointing to the rear wagon.

“Yes, what is it?” Solk asked.

“…under…” Jago said again

Solk’s expression grew more complex as he tried to decipher Jago's meaning, “If you’ve discovered damage to the underside of the wagon, let Voluka know.”

Jago kept pointing, “…under…”

Solk let out a sigh and turned to Rafk and Tragna, as his expression grew ever so slightly annoyed, “Your friend is saying “under” and pointing to the rear wagon. Mind telling me what he’s trying to say.”

Tragna went in between the gap of the front and middle wagon, emerging on the other side. He looked to where he was pointing and kneeled down, exclaiming, “What in the--“

“What?! Is the damage so severe?” Solk questioned, climbing down to see for himself.

However, just as his feet touched the ground, Tragna responded, “No, it’s not damaged, it would seem we have—“

Suddenly, an arrow came out of nowhere, piercing his shoulder and affixing him to the wagon.

The singing abruptly stopped as Solk quickly hollered, lightning-quick reflexes, “HERETICS!!!”

Before the last syllable had even left Solk’s mouth, Kenneth had already grabbed his bag and jumped off the wagon. He quickly rushed over to Tragna, catching an arrow in his throat, a lethal blow meant for him.

Kenneth grabbed his neck and stumbled to the ground, trying to catch his breath, but out of the corner of his eye, he quickly noticed a figure. His eyes snapped to it and suddenly widened in shock as he coughed, “No-Nokstella.”