The winds puffed across the dry plains, swaying weeds and grass. It tugged at Orion’s clothes and at the figure’s cloak. The two parties were fifty metres apart, and the figure seemed disinterested in circling him and walking past.

Hoping for reason to avail, Orion tried again. “Please, let’s not devolve to violence like monsters,” His body ached, and he doubted his ability to carry Flynn to Visgamar after a fight unless he got lucky.

The figure was now thirty metres away and edging closer. They were near enough for Orion to peek through the cowl. “You’re a woman,” he exclaimed. “It’s dangerous on the road if bandits catch you. Since we’re heading the same way, why don’t we group up for safety?”

“I’m about to mow down two bandits right now,” she answered, her tone grave.

Considering their combat clothes and their bloody and ragged appearance, Orion knew it wasn’t much of a stretch to assume them bandits. But still, he had been carrying Flynn, who was severely injured, meaning they obviously weren’t going to rob anyone anytime soon. So what kind of conceited bitch was she to execute them for such a fanciful assumption.

“We’re not bandits,” Orion said, before bitterly laughing. “We’re Seekers come from a hunt,”

“Seekers?” she said surprised. “Like monster hunter Seekers?”

“The very same,” he answered. While keeping his eye on her, he opened Flynn’s bag and pulled out the Rockskin’s head.

“Oh,” she said disappointed. Orion didn’t know whether she was disappointed with their kill, or over the fact she couldn’t slaughter them over a false assumption. She awkwardly stood in silence, lacking the words to explain her thoughts.

“Are of you of Fexa’s faith?” he repeated, guessing she was a religious fanatic.

“Yeah,” she mumbled. She walked forwards as she said, “Since you’re Seekers, do you know how I can become one?”

“Yep. We’re heading to the Seeker’s building right now if you want to join,”

She nodded as she stepped in front of him. He sheathed his shortsword while maintaining sight, before realising he’d be defenceless next to a crazy person if he picked up Flynn again. Contrarily, she was nonchalant at his presence as she stood with her back to Orion, inspecting Flynn.

“Did you do this?” she asked while picking at the bandages.

“Yeah,” he answered while creeping to Flynn, tense over her calmness.

She chuckled and ripped them off. “You’re terrible. He would’ve died in a few hours, regardless of your intentions,”

Opening her backpack, she took out a flask and a small knife. She cleaned away the pus that had bloomed under the bandages and spread concentrated alcohol over the wound that covered half of Flynn’s abs. He gasped but didn’t wake. Then, she held the knife over his stomach. Orion crouched around the other side and watched her method. He hadn’t considered the pus build-up due to the tension at Marshall’s Keep, and the alcohol they had bought had been weak.

Head-level with her, he glanced at her. She had glowing tanned skin and black eyes. She had caramel-brown hair and creamy-pink lips. Her maroon cloak hid the rest of her figure but Orion could tell she was pretty. She caught his stare, but he didn’t look away. Instead, he tried to figure her intentions, after all, he doubted she was as volatile as she seemed. Or at least he hoped.

He only looked away when he realised the knife was magically reddening. Without hesitation, she pressed the knife against the wound, causing Flynn to scream.

“Hold him down,” she said, clearly comfortable commanding a stranger.

Over the following minutes, Flynn’s screams sounded across the plains as she cauterised his wound, only stopping once it was closed off and bandaged. By this time, he had fainted again.

“Alright, let’s go,” she said as she flung Flynn over her back and started walking. Her strength shocked Orion but he kept quiet, not wanting to provoke a reaction.

The trio walked through Visgamar’s gates and headed towards the Seeker’s building.

Over the hours, Orion learnt her name was Kora, and that she was from a village west of Marshall’s Keep. She had dreamed of being a Seeker, and now that she was 20, she decided to risk her life and entertain her fantasy. To his own surprise, Orion actually believed it considering how reckless, naïve, and temperamental she was.

Flynn had woken an hour from Visgamar and had ended the trek on his own two feet after seven hours on Kora’s back. He profusely thanked the two and had remained level-headed for the rest of the journey, somewhat because his fling with death had shrivelled his craving but more so because Orion had dumped his nuts in the swamp.

“Oh, Whytie. Another friend, aren’t you a magnet,” Maya said as she scrutinised the Rockskin head.

“And a quick shot, apparently. This is the real deal; here’s your reward,” she said as she gave out five gold coins to Flynn and five to Orion.

“Put three in my account,” Orion said.

Maya nodded, then winked. “Don’t worry, I thought of a naughty reward for your next contract,”

Flynn ignored them, and gave two of his gold coins to Kora, who giggled over Maya’s teasing. “Your help is worth more, but I hope you’ll accept this,”

She smiled in response, before asking Maya how to become a Seeker.

A few minutes later, the three Seekers stood outside on Hexham’s road.

“Remember, The Honeyed Spitroast tomorrow night. My treat,” Flynn said, before leaving.

Kora waved at Orion and disappeared down the road, saying she wanted to look around the city. While he could have helped her, it was almost night and his limbs felt like lead hammers, crude and heavy, but more importantly, he felt uneasy about how easy she seemed around him. He headed to The Little Sip, the cheapest inn in Visgamar, and paid five coppers for a night and food. He washed his filthy clothes, bathed, ate, and slept like a baby.

The next day, he woke late to the sounds of grunting in the opposite room and a foul smell from the streets. He looked through the window and saw the sun was high in sky, the fog over Visgamar a paper-thin mist. The duo in the next room, maybe trio, came to a climax so he got to dress in relative quiet.

Picking up his items, he left his bare little room and entered the bustle of the city. He bought elbow-pads, knee-pads, and a large med-kit from the market for 8 silvers. Then, he ate a hearty lunch, and spent the rest of the afternoon wandering the city. When the sky darkened, he arrived at The Honeyed Spitroast and waited by a table. The inn was much larger than The Little Sip, and there were burly bouncers guarding the entrances. Orion figured it was an inevitability with larger, grander establishments.

In the middle of the hall spun a large boar, its skin golden-brown with a honeyed lustre. Orion could smell oregano, tomato, marcona almonds, chilli powder, cinnamon, walnuts, and roast pork wafting around him. It was while he was tuning into the orchestra in his nose that someone sat beside him.

He looked over and saw Kora beaming at him. She wore her maroon cloak except over her head, and while she attracted a few glances, her simple type of beauty wasn’t enough for anyone to make a fuss about. He put on a smile and made small talk with her, asking about her tour of Visgamar. Half an hour passed and the two of them went to the counter, asking for Flynn’s room number.

The owner swiftly directed them before rushing around the inn again. Outside Flynn’s door, they knocked and shouted. Kora then pushed Orion aside and turned the knob, opening the door. She stepped away and let Orion see.

Inside, Flynn sat on the floorboards with his head collapsed over the bed. His hands were by his sides and there was Gajoi powder brushed on his clothes, but none on his face. There was a small pool of blood and saliva beside him, trailing from his nose and mouth. While Orion stood with his throat in his stomach, Kora put her fingers around Flynn’s wrist, then his neck. She shook her head a moment later.