1.25

Sharampf spent the next three days repairing her mechanical arm, only coming out of her room to eat. However, she was unable to get everything she needed at Misty Swamps, and so still had a lot to go.

She did add a small flamethrower ability.

Thoughts of Bodwyn would occasionally surface, but she would quickly push that back down.

During the down time, Fenrick often wandered around Misty Swamps. At times, Tad would accompany him.

Fenrick played the ogre scenario a thousand times through his head, and it had come down to stupidity. They simply weren’t ready to take on an ogre, even with Kamaya. What if one of them died, or all of them? They needed to train.

Bodwyn often found himself near one of the ponds, and he liked that he was mainly alone.

His thoughts turned inward, and he searched deep within himself. He hoped to find the source of power that granted him that explosive, radiant attack.

“There’s not much point trying to dig for something that doesn’t exist. I gave you that power. Without me, you are nothing!” The words taunted him endlessly and Bodwyn grew to believe the voice.

Bodwyn found himself sometimes thinking of Sharampf, but he would quickly quash the thoughts.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

On the evening of the third day, the group finally found themselves together again sin Kamaya had left.

“Where do we want to go?” asked Fenrick. He was enjoying a meal of swamp rat stew. It was a little on the chewy side, but the taste more than made up for it.

“We’re going back to Cobbleson aren’t we?” asked Sharampf. “At least, that’s where I’d like to go.”

“With Hank taken care of, is there much more to do there?” asked Bodwyn.

Having heard Misty Swamp was known for its fish, he had opted for a bowl of fish that melted in his mouth. It was somehow both salty and sweet.

“Why do you want to go back to Cobbleson?” Fenrick asked. He himself was undecided.

“I just feel like there’s some kind of unfinished business there, Sharampf replied.

“And why don’t you?” Fenrick asked.

“Well, I just think we can’t really progress our new life of adventuring and questing if we go back to a small town like Cobbleson. Nobody’s gotten famous for helping such a small place. We should be looking forward, not back.”

“Everyone has to start somewhere. A small town is the perfect place to start.”

“I get it, but we’re already kinda local heroes to Cobbleson aren’t we? We sorted Hank and the bandits and stopped the automaton. Just how much can happen at a small town?” Bodwyn rapped his fingers on the table.

“Pretty crazy start for a small town,” said Sharampf.

“Let’s put it down to chance,” said Bodwyn.

“How?” Sharampf asked.

Bodwyn flipped two mugs upside down on the table. He then pulled out a silver coin and placed it between the two mugs and smiled.

“I’ll put the coin under a mug and shuffle. Someone gets to choose, if they get the coin, they decide.” Bodwyn shuffled like a pro and presented the mugs.

“You can choose if you like,” said Fenrick.

“Thanks.” Sharampf smiled and pointed at one of the mugs. The coin was revealed. “Cobbleson it is.”

The group ate and laughed before calling it an early night.