The Susignus had ambled away after Lark caressed her snout, murmuring soothing words and sending the beast away with a gentle pat. The Captain chose to leave the valley in the opposite direction, knowing the rest of the herd would be devouring what remained of Lark’s horse on the other side of the river.

Lark was quiet. He knew the chances of the female being entertaining company tonight as they ate roast meat and drank mead were diminishing by the second. Fallston looked back in concern as she trailed behind him, using the staff to amble up the side of the gorge and over the massive boulders. The ongoing action that seemed to unfold around her was perplexing even to the Captain, a decorated Soldier that had seen many inexplicable things. Still, he had the option to leave her to fate in the wilderness… or he looked back. Was that a tear?

Lark lay by the fire, her eyelids drooping from the strong mead she was poured by the Captain. He had left the fire and gone some distance into the trees. She suspected he was checking for danger or taking a dump. That was an interesting thought. What would a Centaur shit even look like? Did he digest food through his man’s torso and then the horse’s body? Seriously, she wanted to find out but didn’t think she could ever bring that conversation up naturally.

Her eyes drifted, the sound of the crackling fire and the warmth of the mead spreading from her lips to her toes.

“Shepherd- Level 1

Skill- domestic animal handler

Skill- Wild animal instinct.”

Whaaaaat the hell was that? Lark shot up in a panic, kicking the precious mead into the fire, making the flames spit and hiss.

“What’s going on?”

The Captain rushed over, reaching for a dagger at his side and scanning the darkness with eyes that blazed a leafy green.

“A voice just spoke to me!”

“Who? Where are they? Did you see them?”

“I… don’t know!” Lark tried to keep the panic from her voice as she looked into the edges of the forest. The camp that had felt so secure now seemed ominous and deadly in the dark.

“What did they say?” Growled the Captain as bow arm raised, an arrow notched to the string.

“Ummm, it was something about a Shepherd levelling and an animal skill. I’m sorry, I was pretty much asleep, the voice was so clear like it was speaking in my ear, but I don’t understand the words.”

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“Oh, well, that changes things.” Fallston lowered his arm and sheathed his dagger.

“Congratulations, although it’s not what I expected.”

“What isn’t?” Lark gaped, feeling like a cruel prank was being done to her, and she couldn’t figure out how to stop it. Was she being hazed? Did that happen in Middle Earth or wherever the hell she was?

“Do you know what a Shepherd is?”

“Well, of course! Shepherds take care of sheep.”

“So, you have your answer then!” Exclaimed Fallston. “You are a Shepherd, and maybe those giant killing Susignus can be your sheep. As long as you aren’t riding a horse, they seem to like you.”

“Ok, Seabiscuit, I’m not following.”

“Sea…what? Well, that voice in your head is granting you gifts. It is a fact that every child of Eddas knows. Religious zealots believe it is the voice of the lost Gods, many of my people believe it is the voice of the moon God Tide, but most believe that ‘the voice is an echo from when magic was within all of us, strong and eager, called to and caressed like a lover. The non-believers call it ‘The Weave,’ an unknown magical force that connects the past, the present and the future.”

“A lover? Seriously, what is with you!” Lark rolled her eyes, desperately fighting against a fit of giggles tinged with hysteria.

“Ok, so just to summarize this night, ‘The Weave’ has made me a Shepherd, which seems completely lame, not to mention I am a girl, so shouldn’t I be a Shepherdess? Semantics, I suppose, but I have magic which doesn’t make sense and no flock. Am I assuming correctly that so far, I am not doing very well at my job?”

“Correct.” Stated the Captain. “It is not a job commonly sought after, similar to farming or shopkeeper or innkeeper; it is a job with little notoriety and glory; it seems the Gods or the Weave, whatever you choose to wager on, has chosen correctly.”

“Wow, even though I’m not sure you were trying to insult me there, you must know you weren’t successful.”

“Fine! You go and pout, but I must stay on watch. These woods can be dangerous, even with my senses and skills activated. You get some sleep. You will have a long walk tomorrow without your horse.”

“Thanks for bringing that up. You have to know it was your fault that I was attacked, you should have noticed those beasts in the area, you should have sensed them and not left me. Just like the Goblins, you left me and I nearly died. It is only by pure luck and maybe the right dodge or duck that I’ve made it through the day alive.”

“Well little human, it seems that you are alive and have levelled after only two days in my delightful company. Aren’t you lucky?” The Captain grinned a wolfish smile, flashing all his teeth and laughing that long laugh that ended in a horses whinny.

“You are despicable!” Lark spat the words and the fire roared in answer. Was that her imagination or had it grown larger?

“Yes, well my little daisy, you only have one more day to enjoy in my presence. How many levels would you like to go up? I’ll gage our adventures from there.”

“You wouldn’t!”

“I would! Is there anything else you’d like to say before I take my leave of you?”

“Yes actually!” Lark thought with laughter bubbling up in her throat as her eyes flashed in anger and amusement. “Tell me Captain, how does a Centaur take a shit?”