The four of them had finally made camp. Neva relaxed against her bedroll. Her long wooden pipe puffed smoke into the air. Marcelle and Ada sat across from each other. The small campfire divided them. Their two mood's could not be more different. Marcelle black hair hung limply obscuring most of her face. Yet between the long black strands, anger and frustration wormed its way over her face constantly. On the other hand, Ada was in a great mood. A slight smile kept tugging at her lips as she rolled out a bedroll next to Fritz's.

Marcelle, had pulled out a small table along with pestle and mortar out of her bag of holding. A pot for boiling and a magical burner appeared next. Pulling a large bundle of green herbs out of her bag of holding, Marcelle poured in a batch of fresh water and started boiling the herbs.

Fritz stood around awkwardly. Suddenly he clapped his hands together, gathering everyone's attention.

"Alright, everyone. I'd like to formally celebrate the founding of our new party."

"No. Absolutely not." Neva huffed grumpily.

"What?! Come on!" Ada protested. "We should at least celebrate! It's standard adventuring behavior!"

"No oaths of loyalty. Absolutely no blood oaths. No talking of dreams and desires." Neva said. "Don't want to go through it again." Ada growled at the older wolfkin. Fritz coughed awkwardly.

"I was thinking more along the lines of proper introductions. Maybe some food and drink to break the ice. I know some of you don't want to be here." Marcelle snorted at Fritz, before muttering a barely perceptible string of curses. "But, I am thank all the same. I know it is difficult to come along on such a short notice, leaving everything behind. For that, I am thankful. So let me start with a proper introduction."

Looking around at his audience. Ada was the only one looking at him. Drawing himself up, continued on.

"My name is Fritz, former chemical weapons researcher at EvaMaxx. My primary experience is with next generation chemical warfare." Marcelle's eyebrow quirked up, as she stared at him through the mass of her black hair. "I'm not proud of the work I accomplished at EvaMaxx. But who am I to deny a chance to do the right thing? I am going to Fehrenn, at the Goddess Freyes command. I am thankful, for all who would help me."

Fritz looked around to the others. Ada jumped up next to him. Her arm wrapped around his shoulder.

"My name is Ada! I'm gonna be the greatest warrior the world has ever known!" Neva groaned as if she had been punched in the gut. "What?!" Ada growled out towards Neva. "I'm serious too! Once I get an enchanted sword, I'm gonna kill a dragon!" Marcelle screeched like a banshee.

"I'm surrounded by idiots! Ada, and this fake human alchemist?! Chemical weapons researcher? What does that even mean? It sounds like a failed alchemist who can only produce poisonous gas! The gods hate me! I just know it! Jorgen please! Save me!" Fritz cleared his throat, before speaking.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"Alchemy doesn't exist where I'm from. But you are mostly correct. Lethal gas is what chemical warfare is known for, but that isn't everything. Non lethal chemical deterrents are always in demand. Truth serums, and combat drugs are always another popular option."

"Combat drugs?" Neva asked.

"Stimulants, steroids, and transformative drugs designed to make the next generation of soldiers. I've worked on it all, to varying successes." Marcelle's eyes narrowed at Fritz. Her purple eyes stared mercilessly at Fritz. "But enough about me. Neva your next."

"You know me. I need no introduction." Neva responded blandly.

"I see...." Fritz responded. "Marcelle. You're next."

"I hate you." Marcelle seethed. Ada frowned at Marcelle. "You've ruined my life. I don't see why I should. Zola told me about you. Your power is stupid, useless, and moronic. Freye's champions are warriors, but you are not." Fritz let out a sigh.

"So, Marcelle, you're an alchemist?"

"The greatest the world shall ever know." Marcelle hissed out. "One day."

"Alright, well if you ever need any ingredients let me know I'll gladly create them for you."

"Conjured material cannot be used in alchemy. It eventually degrades during the mana extraction process. Clearly you are stupid, incompetent and incapable of thought." Marcelle spat out.

"Throw me some of that herb." Fritz commanded. The lamia reached into her bag of holding, before removing a bundle of green herbs. Marcelle, aiming for Fritz's face, threw it with her full strength. The bundle hit Fritz in the face, before he caught it. Ada growled at Marcelle. Ignoring the smug smile on the lamia's face, Fritz created an identical bundle.

"Try using that. It will hold. Trust me." He said while gently tossing it towards her. "Now, in the meantime, let's celebrate." Fritz said with a forced smile. "What do you girls like?"

"Firewater. Hard to get this far into the boonies." Neva said. Fritz conjured and threw her a bottle of scotch.

"Most expensive, I've ever had. Aged for seventy years. Courtesy of my very own murderer. He always had a bottle hidden in his desk." Neva uncorked the liquor before taking a large gulp.

"Smooth." Neva said simply.

"Uh, Neva, that's pretty strong. You should be careful."

"Don't tell me what to do, boy." She said before she started chugging the bottle.

"Alright, then...." Fritz replied awkwardly.

"Meat!" Ada said enthusiastically. Moving to the campfire, Fritz created a cast iron pan before placing it in the fire.

"This is the best I've ever had." Fritz conjured Ada, a heavily marbled piece of steak. "It costs more than I made in a week. Cook it however, you like." Ada immediately started scarfing the raw meat down. Fritz blinked in confusion for a minute, before turning towards Marcelle trying to ignore the blonde wolfkin.

"Anything you want, Marcelle?" Fritz asked. Marcelle ignored him, focusing on her work.

"Alright, then." Fritz conjured a bottle of wine, and an assortment of cheeses. He gingerly placed the items down next to the working lamia before backing away.

"More!" Neva and Ada said simultaneously to the human dispenser of food. Somehow, they snuck up behind him. Their hands clasped around his shoulder, pulling him away from Marcelle, as they demanded more food and drink. Marcelle kept muttering under her breath. She threw the conjured bundle of herbs into her pot. Her intense purple eyes waited for the conjured material to break apart, yet no matter how high she turned her magical burner the material behaved normally. There, in the middle of the forest, inspiration struck the lamia. Her purple eyes narrowed on the human.