Within a couple of hours, Fritz's lingering sense of danger jolted him awake. His groggy mind searched the surrounding area for any threats. The sun was still out. Light filtered through the canopy above him. Judging by the amount of light, heat, and color of the forest, Fritz reasoned it was sometime near noon.

Ada was already up. Her cold gray eyes watched him like a hawk as he stood up and stretched. Fritz offered her a tired smile as he stretched his sore muscles and rubbed his tired eyes. Looking down at his pants and boots, he was surprised they were still on. Fritz moved over towards Ada.

"Need me to change the bandage?" He offered.

"No. We should get moving. We shouldn't waste any more time." Ada replied. Fritz nodded, as he moved closer to the wolfkin. Her tail moved slowly behind her as she moved her arm around his shoulder. "Sorry, about earlier." Ada apologized as they began their three-legged race to town.

"It's fine. I woke up with my clothes on. Couldn't be happier." Fritz said. He felt Ada's grip tense against his shoulder. The tall beastkin woman pushed his shoulder down as her fingers dug into him. Fritz winced in pain. "I'm sorry too. I shouldn't tease someone who's helping me get out of this forest." The pressure of her intense grip remained. "Who's also honorable and kind to help a lost stranger navigate these treacherous woods. Truly, you are a brave and honorable warrior." Ada seemed to perk up a bit, loosening her hold of him.

"I had to confirm." Ada responded cooly.

"I don't see why it's such a big deal honestly. It feels natural to me. It's like breathing, even if the results aren't guaranteed."

"Men can't wield magic. No man can. Whatever you are, you're an anomaly."

"What about your kind? Beastkin, right?" Ada nodded slightly. "What about elves?" Fritz queried.

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"No, no male can. Regardless of their race." Fritz seemed to falter in his steps for a moment.

"Wait, can women do magic at least?"

"Of course. Who would heal our warriors? Who would water our crops in a drought? Who would help warriors slay monsters?" Ada responded bluntly.

"Ahh. Hmmm. I-." Fritz tried to start several sentences. Failing that, he started chewing on his bottom lip. "This isn't like a blasphemy thing, is it? It's not against some religion to wield magic as a man?"

"Blasphemy? No!"

"I won't be magically lobotomized by a coven of witches?"

"No! You should be entirely incapable of it!" Ada huffed. "Really? What's so hard to understand? Men can't do magic. Only women can."

"Everything?" Fritz queried. "I-I-."

"Well?" Ada asked with a smug look on her face. Fritz let his mind wander as he tried to piece together the world he was in. Questions floated through his mind, yet he was hesitant to ask. Should he risk coming off as an outsider by asking questions? Or should he simply discover the world one step at a time. Settling on a simple innocent question, Fritz spoke up.

"What about you, can you wield magic?" He asked.

"No. I always wanted to like Neva, but I never could."

"My condolences," Fritz replied.

"I'm strong enough, I don't need it. My blade shall carve my glory. I don't need any fireballs or bolts of lightning." Ada paused for a moment before continuing "Besides, warriors are the best anyways. Grognard never needed sorcery to beat councils of necromancers, and neither will I. Magic is a crutch for the weak. Though, healing magic would be nice."

"It certainly would help right now." Fritz looked down towards her injured leg.

"A proper healer is necessary for any adventuring party. That's why they'll be the first I recruit once I set out on my own."

"Planning on exploring the world? Finding treasure, and forgotten relics?"

"Of course!" Ada responded. A confident smile spread across her lips. "There's no way, I'm dying in Falken!"

The two hiked on. Ada's tall frame was almost a perfect match for Fritz sparring him the pain of bending down. The sounds of the forest at night kept Fritz on edge. Ada was calm and focused as she walked with Fritz back to town. Her bandage was cleaned and exchanged for a fresh new one. The wound would need time to properly heal later. Ada bore her pain remarkably well. Fritz often felt her immense strength latching onto him as she moved forward with him. After two more days of travel the two finally reached the outskirts of Beastkin civilization.