Cassidy hadn’t missed the implication ‘Don’t go anywhere else,’ but the promise of a clean source of water was bigger than any worry she might have. She walked past the knights, noticing the quality of their armor. They all wore studded jerkins similar to her own. It looked like they didn’t have the funds Norcross afforded his knights. It fit in with what Paxon claimed. The rangers were the real clout in Alipheo.

She reached the forest and brushed right past the trees, her boots didn't even crackle in the leaves. Alera sounded like she was crashing through as she fell against a tree and kicked up some sticks. Her dogs, as always, moved silently to either side. While it didn’t take Cassidy half an hour to make it to the creek at her pace, Alera had some catching up to do.

By the time Alera got there, Cassidy lay stretched out in the water as it gently flowed past. She let it take her slowly away from the bank. There were all these worries and concerns: needing to wait all day for the knights, getting the blood out of her armor, oiling it so it wouldn’t crack, and other daily necessities. For the moment she let all of it go. Letting it drift away like so many of the leaves running by. She breathed in and filled her lungs with the fresh undergrowth, the clean air and cleansing water, all underlined by the rich earth. She held it in and let it permeate her lungs as she slowly drifted and, like the gentle breeze, she let it slowly trickle out of her. Her body sinking beneath the water as she did. Her eyes remained open to watch the waves of light dance across the surface from underneath. She waited there, breathless, as the world around her soaked in and cleaned out all the nasty tension from their travel.

She stayed until her lungs were screaming and she burst to the surface, gasping for air. Alera had waited on the bank, but Cassidy could now see her removing her outer clothes to enter the water too. Feeling life again in her limbs, Cassidy swam back to the shallows and sat, anchored in the sand, as Alera joined her.

The woman spoke up gently. “It’ll take the knights all day to ride there and back.”

Cassidy agreed. “They’ll move faster than us on horseback but it’ll take a while to examine the scene.”

Alera was silent as she took out a cloth and began wiping it through Cassidy’s hair, pulling at the blood matted strands. “They’ll be anxious to get back and find us after seeing it all.”

Cassidy began rubbing her arms and neck, trying to scrub away the remaining blood. “That’s a good enough excuse for us to take it easy before we enter the city then; wait so we don’t piss off the law enforcement.”

“Is that what the knights are then?” Alera asked. “Law enforcement?”

“I don’t know.” Cassidy sighed. “I’m just guessing at all of this.”

Alera fell silent before she began humming as she pulled at the blood clotted tangles in Cassidy’s hair.

Cassidy felt the air still around them and a warmth spread throughout her chest. “What are you doing?” She asked leaning back to look at Alera.

“Its my Song of Peace. I got the Skill during one of my late-night sentry duties.”

“Oh.” Cassidy sat back up. It’d been a long time since she’d felt like this, peaceful. Even her meditations only brought stillness, calm. “It’s nice.”

Alera went back to humming. She almost had Cassidy’s hair clean.

Once everyone agreed Cassidy was no longer bloody, they set their clothes out to dry and changed into back ups. Cassidy went to work on her armor and turned to see Alera had the kettle over the fire. “You’re making tea?”

Alera nodded her head and resumed humming.

“Let me know when it boils. I can’t imagine what you would do to my tea leaves if I actually let you steep them.” The humming stopped.

Peaceful moment over, Alera turned to glare at Cassidy. “Or, you can show me so I can make the tea.”

“You hate tea.”

“Maybe.” She looked away. “But it's one of the small things I can do to help out.”

Cassidy sighed. It was true, but she never wanted to relinquish control of the tea to anyone else. She’d have to think this over. Tea was very precious after all.

The knights arrived to the pungent scent of black tea and Cassidy showing Alera how to oil the armor. It had been a compromise. The knights had already dismounted and began hobbling their horses as the leader made her way toward Cassidy and Alera.

Cassidy looked for the sun but it was hard to find in these trees; it must be later than they realized for the knights to have returned. Cassidy paused before greeting them. They hadn’t bothered with introductions before.

The knight looked down at her for a moment, Cassidy waited with apprehension, but all the knight did was step forward and offer her hand. “I’m Narissa Camielle.”

Cassidy got to her feet to meet her, wiping the oil from her hand. “I’m Cassidy and this is Alera.” She felt it was better not to share last names at the moment. It seemed to let on they weren’t from this world, or so she picked up from Bertold. The knight met her grasp firmly and Cassidy had the distinct impression she was in trouble.

“That was an awful lot of carnage for two Tier 1’s.” Narissa said expressionless.

For a brief second, Cassidy flashed back to Norcross. Was that a criterion to lead knights? Mastering the lack of expression? Then Narissa’s words caught up to her and she tried not to flinch. Hiding last names was useless when they’re at the center of so much mayhem. “One of us has an incapacitating Skill. It saved our lives.”

“And cost them theirs.” Narissa said looking bored as she scanned the area. “You don’t have to give any accounting to me, but once we hit the city you’ll need to speak with the Marshall.” She looked back at her knights. “We’ll camp here for the night.”

Things became distinctly uncomfortable after that. The knights set up their own separate camp a few yards away, notably blocking Cassidy and Alera’s access to the trail. The air seemed to be getting chilly. Maybe it was becoming fall?

Cassidy sat back up from trying to lean around Alera to look over the knights’ encampment, again. They really were very organized. Everyone sat equally spaced from the campfire and their blankets were splayed out in a star. Some kind of meat was roasting on their spit. She looked back to her own tea; She could have taught Alera to make dinner instead. But Cassidy did not regret this choice. She looked over again. It looked like the knights were setting up a sentry, so close to the city…. And facing toward Cassidy and Alera’s camp. What were the knights expecting them to do? Murder everybody in their sleep?

Alera’s nose seemed to be twitching at the smell of the knight's dinner, so Cassidy pulled out some sandwiches she got from this little shop in Eroboeum, the Northern City. They both dug in and Cassidy started to realize how ravenous she was; this morning had been too stressful for her to even think about eating. She sat back after devouring the whole thing, sighed, and took another sip of her tea. It swirled around her mouth before she swallowing. Cassidy really felt bad for Alera. Everyone should get to enjoy tea. They exchanged glances. Neither one wanted to talk so close to the knights so they reached a mutual agreement over the silence and turned in for the night, letting the knight’s hold watch duty.

Cassidy lay back, trying to find any stars shining between the leaves as Koda and Sugarbear settled themselves around her. They’d had their own fun that day and had yet to dry out from romping through the creek and chasing floating sticks. She shifted uncomfortably. The water from their fur made her feel… sticky. She closed her eyes to block it out, but just kept picturing her knife against someone’s throat. The person always changed, but the blood never did.

She opened her eyes with a heavy breath. She couldn't keep doing this. It was impossible. But how else was she going to survive? Apprentice as an Alchemist? It wasn't even one of her main Skill Sets and she was probably too old anyway. What happened to hunting back hoome? Why couldn't this be just like that? Why'd it have to be--she was sticky, covered in blood--why'd it have to get this complicated? She tried to push it all back and refocus. The peace from Alera’s song was hovering in the air, she latched on, and it seeped the tension away.

To distract herself she pulled up her Attributes sheet.

Strength

8.3

Resilience

13.7

Reflexes

10.1

Speed

12.6

Perception

9.9

Stillness

12.0

Willpower

9.9

Intelligence

9.0

There was her breakthrough in Reflexes. She still had plenty of other bottlenecks to push through though, but she was so close to Tier 2. Just a few more points in Resilience, Reflexes, Speed, and Stillness and she’d be there. She’d already broken through the bottlenecks, but maybe it would be better to use credits rather than wait on the natural growth…Expensive though.

She kept reading.

The biggest mystery turned out to be her Intelligence. She could already imagine the jokes. It was hard to keep from making fun of yourself when no one else was around to do it and Alera wouldn’t dare.

The Attribute had risen one whole point since they’d left the house. Taking out those bandits certainly hadn’t done it. Her first battle had never affected it, so why should it start now?

She let her mind wander.

The dogs… When she’d gone to Soothe them during the battle. She’d touched something, messed with mana? Whatever that nonexistent material was, and it had created an entirely new skill. She’d designed it herself, with her own intentions rather than just letting this world gift her one at random. That sounded like something that could raise Intelligence. Could she do it again? She’d need to talk with Alera; maybe they could figure out something together.

She spent the night there, until her thoughts wandered into stillness, thinking of how she should grow her Attributes. Should she focus on Bottlenecks or reaching the next Tier? Could she intentionally create her own Skills? What should she focus on? It was only as she hazily drifted off, she remembered she never checked her dogs. And realized, did they have Skills?

Cassidy had a gentle wake up the next morning. Alera’s Song of Peace really hung around and permeated the surroundings. Cassidy hadn’t felt so rested in—well, since ever. Before this world at least. Which was funny, considering she seemed to be in trouble with the law.

The knights had all packed up as she slept in and Alera had taken the initiative to make some tea. Cassidy’s nose curled up when the woman offered her a cup. This was betrayal. But as she took a sip, she had to admit the woman didn’t butcher it at least. Narissa was standing to the side, waiting on them. Cassidy could imagine her tapping her foot in impatience but the knight was as still as a rock. Must go with the whole ‘expressionless’ thing.

Out of kindness to the waiting knights, Cassidy downed her cup and rolled up her blanket in record time. Alera followed suit. They were both used to packing up quickly to hit the road and it didn’t take them long to meet up with Narissa, ready to go. Cassidy decided she’d forgive Alera for using her tea kettle as they waited for the woman to stop eyeing them up and down. “You-“ She pointed to Cassidy. “Will go with Kieran.” Then turning to Alera. “You’ll ride with me.”

The prospect of riding double was not very exciting. Saddles were made for one. Cassidy was still figuring out where she’d fit as a man gestured her over. He had the same warm and friendly smile as Paxon. Cassidy frowned. She should try not to be a jerk. It wasn’t friendly people’s fault this world was terrible. Glancing above his head she saw a Tier 3 in red. Kicking herself for not checking last night she skimmed the rest and found Tier 3s all around but for Narissa, who had a big, scary Tier 5. Like Norcross and Shakira.

Kieran grabbed her attention. “I can help you mount up.” A soft glow to his eyes.

Cassidy’s suspicions grew. She’d learned to never trust something soft in this world. Alera was a prime example. The woman had tried to magically manipulate her! “Sure, where do I-“ she gestured in confusion. “Go?”

He just turned around and patted the horses back, right behind the saddle. “You’ll have to ride rump I suppose. Sorry, it won’t be the most comfortable ride. But if we head out now, we should reach the city in time for you to give your report before finding an inn.”

She made noncommittal noises as she eyed the horse. Any excitement on its part and she’d go flying. “It’s ok with dogs, right? Because mine will be running all over the place.”

He just laughed and smiled back at her. “It’ll be fine. Knights’ horses are used to all sorts of craziness happening around them.”

“Well alright then.” She said, no less mollified. Another glance showed Alera already up behind Narissa. She hoped her friend’s Resilience was up for a ride like this because it would not be easy.

Kieran asked, “Ready?” She turned back; he half knelt in the grass with his hands out to boost her up.

“Ready.” She said. The team effort managed to get her in place. Then it occurred to her she had no idea how Kieran would get in the saddle without kicking her off. She was about to speak, when he just popped off the ground, one knee bent under him as he slid into his seat and into the stirrups.

As if anticipating her questions, he leaned back with a grin. “My Riding Skill is very high.”

“Ah…” Was all she managed to get out.

The ride to city was hard. She wouldn’t be surprised if her Resilience had gone up a couple degrees. It was a full day of hard leather digging into her hips and abdomen and a horse pounding at the ground beneath her seat, shaking from side to side. She had to grip with her thighs the whole way. Alera must be in hell. However, Kieran was right. They made it back well before dark and Narissa ushered them through some sort of barracks to wait outside an office as the knight went inside to report.

Alera was gripping Cassidy's hand in fear. Neither one of them knew what was going to happen, so Cassidy did the only thing she could. She practiced her breathing to try to calm down and in the hopes of finding some stillness inside. She was making headway when Narissa came out.

“Gregerly has asked to see you.” Her eyes were sharp, like she was looking for some sign of… anything.

Cassidy glanced at her dogs. Narissa walked over. “I’ll watch them.” Cassidy pursed her lips but was out of better options. The office looked too small to take them with her.

Cassidy stood up and Alera followed. They lingered briefly in the door as their eyes adjusted to a gloomy lit room.

A heavy set man with black, short cropped hair was sitting behind a busy desk to regard them even as the draft from the door shuffled a few papers.. “You can come in.” He said, lightly.

Alera blushed, but Cassidy was still wary. She let Alera have the only other seat and stood off to the side, close to the exit.

As Narissa shut the door, Cassidy became all too aware of the room’s musty smell. Gregerly looked down at some papers he had been writing on. “Well, at least I can say you’re not thieves.”

“What?!” Alera said, startled.

He looked up in amusement. “You didn’t steal anything from the bandits. Some people believe stolen goods are free for the taking but then we don’t have anything to make reparations for the victims…It’s a whole mess. We’ll send some rangers to find where they’ve been holing up to get the rest of the stash, or anything else worth selling.”

Cassidy just nodded as Alera calmed down.

He tilted his head as if to look at them more thoroughly and Cassidy met his gaze, Alera just started to fidget. Alera never did well under Cassidy’s stare downs. She was crumpling under Gregerly’s.

“So, you two managed to take out a whole gang of bandits just by—What exactly?” He gestured in the air.

Cassidy responded evenly, just like she did to Narissa. “We incapacitated them.”

“How?”

Alera’s face was turning bright red but Cassidy didn’t look away. “A Skill.”

“Naturally.” He quirked a smile as she dodged the topic. Skills were supposed to be sensitive anyway. He had no right to demand what it was. At least, not when it came to a case as cut and dry as this.

“Well I suppose I should be thanking you then. You saved my knights a day of hunting them down throughout the woods and its always so easy to miss a few that way.”

Something was bothering Cassidy. Her ‘get out of jail free card’ skimming right over her head. “How did you know?”

“Hmm?” He said, looking back up at her.

She repeated herself. “How did you know we hadn’t stolen anything?”

“We’ll just call it a Skill.” He replied, smiling.

She snorted.

He looked them over again before shaking his head and gesturing toward the door. “Narissa will see you out and I’m sure recommend a good inn.”

As they opened the door to escape his tiny room, he leaned over to shout at Narissa. “After you send them off, call Mellion.”

Sure enough, it took awhile but a few hours later Mellion stepped through his door. She waved her hand across her face. “You can’t do anything to air this place out? It’ll end up scaring off the recruits.”

“There’s no need to be mean.” He replied, as he ran his eyes over a report. “Besides, I have good news for you.”

“Oh?” She raised her eyebrows.

“Two Initiates just came to town and one of them’s a ranger.”

That got a grin from her.