With arms crossed, Fritz sat at Ada's tiny kitchen table. In front of him, a defeated Ada sat silently glowering. For a long while, the two said nothing.

Running his hands through his hair, he leaned back sighing heavily. He let his anger and frustrations leave him, as he tried to calm down. "Must be tough dealing with Neva, I can see why you want to leave." Ada grunted in reply.

"Why not sneak out? Surely you could have already. You don't actually need Neva's permission. You're an adult, you can leave on your own. Walk out, and never look back."

"I've tried. Many times. Neva always tracks me down. Last time, I made it three towns over before she caught up. She wrestled me to the ground, and hogtied me like a wild animal in the middle of town. The townsfolk laughed, as she dragged me out. Everyone in Falken was there to watch me return too."

"That is rough.... I can see why you want her permission." Fritz said. Ada's frown deepened as she continued reminiscing.

"She asked me to scout the northern woods, but secretly I double backed to the south. Somehow, she figured it out. I thought I'd have enough of a head start to get away, but I was wrong. She's smarter and craftier than her old age suggests."

"She tracks you down?" Fritz asked. Ada nodded. "Is she some kind of bloodhound?" Ada cracked a slight smile.

"She told me she'd never let me leave until I beat her in single combat."

"She's looking a bit gray. That'll be soon right? Surely, you can just kick her cane away?" Ada let out a giggle. Pushing his luck, Fritz kept going. "Maybe she'll slip a disc? Shall I curse her with lifelong back pain?"

"You can do that?"

"No. No, just kidding. I wouldn't wish that on anyone." Fritz said with a smile.

"I've never beat her. Not in years of trying. I've still got a long way to go. She's way better with the blade, and her fighting experience eclipses mine."

"Hmmmm. Was she an ex soldier?"

"She never talks about her past, but I know she's more than she lets on...."

"When did you last try to beat her? Aside from today."

"Last month. It wasn't close."

Fritz let out a long sigh as he leaned back into his chair, thinking.

"It might be better to run." He said.

"No. She'll hunt us down."

"Think about it."

"I'm not going to. We need to convince her or I need to beat her."

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"If you can't before the Jaegers arrive, I'll be leaving without you." Fritz said.

"Nope." Ada said simply. "You're my ticket out of here. I just know it. I'm coming with you, no matter what."

"I've got a quest, I'm on a time limit." Fritz said.

"We're traveling together, Fritz. We just need to get out of the village." Ada said with confidence.

"I can't wait." Fritz said.

His mind thought back to his options. Looking towards Ada, he felt a rush of magic exit his body. In his outstretched palm he held a small glass hand mirror, clasped in bronze. He looked at himself, and frowned. Were his eyes always this hue? He ran his hand down the stubble of his facial hair. His beard certainly seemed darker and fuller than normal. His face seemed smoother too. He frowned slightly at himself in the mirror.

"Oooh. That's nice. So you can do more than create water and bread." Ada said. Fritz grunted in reply. He turned the mirror around to face Ada.

"I didn't see one in here." Fritz said. Ada looked into the mirror, she inspected her face and preened her hair. Her sun kissed skin stood out against her gray eyes. His eyes trailed down the freckles on her long nose. Her full lips parted slightly as she concentrated. Her beautiful face drew him in, as he studied her features.

"Mirrors are rare out here. They are hard to transport without breaking. Neva has a large one in her home. She probably got it from Zola."

"Makes sense." Fritz replied. "Do you want it? Take it." Ada stopped, and let her pale gray eyes settle intently on Fritz. A measure of uncertainty crossed her face, as she looked for the right words.

Before she could respond, Fritz pushed his initiative. He spared a brief glance to her long tanned fingers. A small golden band appeared in his left hand within an instant. He held it up next to the mirror.

"Jewelry must be rare out here. Twenty four karat gold. Ada, what do you say?" Fritz admired the ring between his fingers. "Quite the piece of work I'd say. Hold out your hand." He said. Ada moved her left hand over the table, as her big gray eyes seemed to wait for Fritz to act. Gently, he placed the mirror down. Holding her hand softly with his right hand he positioned the ring above her ring finger. His eyes met hers, as he moved the ring slowly down her finger.

"It'd be easy for us to resupply. This cost me nothing to make. It was barely a dent in my mana. We could trade golden rings for new clothes. We could trade mirrors for food. We could buy the silence of entire villages. It'd be easy. We could double back through the country, hiding our footprints and scent. We could easily pay for passage, and even buy more protection. We don't have to fight our way to Fehrenn. We can sneak away, Ada. We won't get caught. Trust me."

"Fritz...." Ada said his name quietly to herself, as she looked down at the golden ring. Sensing her waver for a second, he pushed his advantage.

"Please, Ada, let's skip town. Neva will never catch up to us. I can mask our scent. We'd be impossible to track. I can create food and water. Supplies are no trouble. Whatever you need I can probably make it with a little time." Fritz pleaded. He felt her will waver for a moment, yet something pushed back.

"Fritz. You just committed a major crime."

"Uh, What?" Fritz blinked in confusion.

"Conjuring gold and gems is strictly forbidden. What you did was illegal. If a guard caught you, you'd be jailed and executed. Out here, they'd probably just stab you immediately."

"Uh..... I didn't know that. You're not gonna snitch on me are you?"

"That depends." Ada mused for a moment. Inspecting the gold ring, she held her hand out in front of her. "I do like the ring...."

"And?" Fritz asked.

"I might let this slide, if you are patient for three days."

"I see.... That seems fair." Fritz replied with an awkward smile. As the smile lingered on his lips, a stream of curses ran through his mind.

"Of course it is. We're doing this the right way. I'll challenge Neva in two days. Come on, I'm gonna train. There's a lot to do." Ada grabbed his wrist. Her strong arms had Fritz on his feet and out of the door. Hooking her arms through his, Fritz found himself walking through Falken. The flood of internal obscenities did not abate, as his wooden legs mechanically led him forward.