Robert may be brooding over his lot in life but the others are more excited. Like Arthur. The mounted team is nothing but tiny dots in the distance but he watches their approach with anticipation, his body making disturbingly loud popping sounds as he limbers up.

Well, Arthur’s the only who seems excited. The rest are trying to keep their nerves off their faces except for Orphelia, who seems ambivalent as she continues talking with Geneva, and Alana, who is watching their approach with a stern frown. Cloud moves away from us after winking at me, playing her role as a guide and distancing herself from the coming confrontation.

I break the tense atmosphere as I lay down on my side, head propped up by a hand as the little cutie snuggles into my chest. Hard to remain serious and stoic when the leader is so relaxed. Alana’s frown melts as she shakes her head.

That’s how the mounted team finds us. They slow down once they’re close enough for everyone to make out their dark robes, the furious gallop easing into a slow walk as they approach. The lack of a miniature cavalry charge speaks well as to their intentions but Alana’s hand still lands on the hilt of her sword as they come to a stop.

The one in the lead is a man in his early twenties, on the older side for an initiate. He has what I want to call an ‘older brother’ vibe. The three boys and petite girl that make up his team are watching him and he looks comfortable in his position of leadership, but his hunched over figure and easy smile are the opposite of oppressive authority.

“Lo there,” he calls with a casual wave of his hand.

Alana opens her mouth to respond to the greeting but Mr. My-Talent-Makes-Me-Better-Than-You beats her to it. Robert takes a step forward, drawing the other group’s attention to him, as he replies, “Greetings.”

“Thought I recognized you.”

“Yes, we are the team you abandoned previously.” He’s admirably keeping the scorn off his face but his voice is full of grievances. Can’t say I blame him. Sure, this team had no obligation to help him, none at all, but no one likes being turned away in their hour of need.

But seriously, who does this idiot think he is? You’re not in charge. You’re not even in charge of your own team. Why are you talking right now? I think Alana hasn’t interrupted out of shock for his audacity. Weren’t you saying something about not picking fights? Are you angling for an apology? He certainly looks like it with those tense shoulders and raised chin. I sure as saints wouldn’t give him one. Would probably punch the idiot to knock him down a peg or two.

“Ah, hope you’re not sour about that,” the leader says in a casual tone that also says that he doesn’t care either way. “Supplies limit a campaign, am I right? Besides, looks like you made it out okay. Even got your injuries seen to. Good for you.”

“You—”

“Robert, enough.” Alana finally intervenes. A subdued glare sends him back and she faces the leader. “Normally, I would be courteous but it is early, I haven’t had a good rest in two days, and I want out of this wasteland. What do you want?”

“I can appreciate getting to the point.” He shifts in his saddle. “Are those a bunch of those weasels in those blankets?”

“That’s none of your concern.”

“That’s a yes then. No need to be nervous.”

“I’m not nervous. I’m telling you they’re not your concern because if you try to touch our points, I will break your hands for the attempted theft, take your horses and your points, and leave you to fail the test.”

The threat is delivered with cold finality. She’s not trying to intimidate him. She is simply stating what will happen if he makes a stupid decision, declaring it with the same surety as someone declaring that the sun rises in the morning and taxes will be collected. Sends shivers down my spine. Now I want him to do something stupid to see if she will really do it.

Too bad the mounted leader isn’t a fool. He raises his hands in a gesture of peace. “Alright, now you’re making me nervous. I just had a few questions.” His eyes briefly move to Robert. “Have you guys teamed up?”

Alana pauses. “They’re traveling with us.”

“So, you’re not comrades in arms, bound in blood and whatnot?”

“No.”

“Do they have any claim to any of those weasels?”

“None.” Orphelia is carrying the five weasels for her team and her eyes narrow as the leader’s gaze turns to her. “Get to the point, we have a lot more walking ahead of us.”

“One more question. Have they made an offer to buy any points off you?”

“No.” Alana is trying hard to keep things civil but her impatience is leaking into her tone. I’m getting bored of the interrogation myself but I’m interested in where this is leading.

“Excellent. I would like to make you an offer. We will give each of you fifty gold crowns to stand aside and do absolutely nothing while I steal their points. I promise not to aggress any member of your team or make a move for your points. Swear to the saints.”

“What?!” Robert barks. “Why are you targeting us?”

“I also want to know what’s going on,” Alana says. “This seems extreme for five corpses.”

“Not about the corpses, Lady James.” He sighs and scratches behind his ear. “To be honest, I’d rather not. Short story? My master knows his master and they don’t get along very well. The old man asked me to make things as difficult as possible for Robert Quintana and whatever team he assembled. I was kind of promised something great if they fail the test. To be honest, I feel shitty about it. Thought the test was going to do the job for me but apparently, they’ve got the saints’ luck. Actually found a non-hostile team with a healer and an excess of points. Sigh.”

“Your teacher? I don’t recognize you.”

“I’m sure you don’t. The future Harvest Hero doesn’t have time to think of his lesser, I imagine.”

“Why are we standing here listening to his drivel?” Sebas says. “He’s a bandit here to rob us, pure and simple. Unfortunately, he’s chosen poor targets.” He scoffed. “What kind of fools ride up on a superior fighting force and announces their hostile intentions? I should execute you here and spare you the pain of living with such a deficit of intellect.”

“Did we? Lady James never said you were allied. You are simply two teams traveling together.” His eyes move to me. Hmm. He’s not as simple as he seems. “How about it, Lady Tome?”

“Do you think she would abandon allies for a mere pittance—”

“Haha, sure thing!”

Sebas and the rest of his team turn to me in shock. I roll to my feet, scooping up the cutie while bearing their attention with a smirk. “What? He said it, didn’t he? We’re not allies. I’ve no obligation to defend you.”

“You…you…”

“Okay. How about this. Arthur? You want to fight these clowns or pocket an easy fifty crowns?”

“The gold, captain! Bwahaha!”

“William? How bout it? Do you, personally, want to fight these fearsome brigands for your new friends?” I stress the word personally. He clears his throat and takes a large step away from Lanston. Have to give the other boy credit, he simply sighs in exasperation but doesn’t blame William for the decision.

“Marthe?”

“If this has nothing to do with us, can we get moving? I have things to do.”

Saints. I know who my teammates are but Robert and his compatriots seem utterly confused by the callous disregard. Except Orphelia. She is simply watching the mounted team with a calculating gaze.

“Alana?” Robert asks, giving her an imploring look. Since when the hell are they that close?

She looks between him and the other team’s leader, who flashes her a tired smile. Then she sighs and removes her hand from her sword.

“I once told you that chivalry is not a pass to stick your nose into everyone’s problems. I don’t know what grudge this man bears toward you but it certainly has nothing to do with my team. We made no agreements to escort you from the Sanctuary and you are not helpless children. Settle whatever this is between yourselves.”

“Or offer us more gold,” I say.

Robert turns to me, expression twisted in righteous fury. “You are a truly disgusting woman.”

Luckily, Sebas has more sense than this idiot. “A hundred crowns!”

“Ah, damn it,” the mounted leader says. “Two hundred.”

“Three!”

“You’re not going to win a bidding war with a noble,” one of the mounted leader’s teammates offers. “At least, not with gold.”

“I agree with your boy there,” I say. “You better offer me something spectacular.”

“Er, alright.” He motions me to come near. Completely unthreatened by the thought of walking into the midst of five possibly hostile initiates, I do so, stopping beside his horse with a raised brow. This better be good. Staring up at him is starting to get on my nerves.

“What if I told you I could get you a night with the most famous courtesan in all of Harvest? This isn’t something that can be bought with gold.”

“You’re bribing me with sex?” I ask incredulously.

“Clearly, you’ve never been to a high-end brothel. It’s more than sex. It’s an experience. One that has compromised the judgment of kings and sundered nations. I promise you, you won’t be disappointed.”

I stare at him. I’m highly doubtful this woman is as amazing as he claims, at least to me, but I am impressed at his daring. Really, I find the whole situation amusing, which makes me partial toward this ballsy stranger.

“Deal, but it can’t be anytime soon. I have things to do.” And a future saint to seduce before being distracted by another prize, if this courtesan is as amazing as he thinks she is.

“Great. That works for me. It would take some time to arrange anyway.”

“Oh, and I still want the gold.”

He groans. “Seriously?”

“What kind of leader do you think I am, taking all the rewards for myself? Otherwise, I can simply take the offer of the royal fool and make good on my teammate’s threat.”

“Saints’ blessed asses. Alright, fine. You’re kind of brutal.”

“Blame my wife.”

I step away from him and walk toward the others with a grin. Several gazes watch me with growing apprehension as I intentionally draw out the moment.

“We’ve settled on fifty gold crowns and a favor.”

“Bitch!” Sebas snaps.

I have an urge to break his jaw but hold back. “I’m going to let that slide as I think someone might take exception to me injuring one of you before you fight for your futures.” I glance at Alana. “William, Arthur, back of the blankets. Geo, the front if you would. Let’s get moving.”

Sebas stares hatefully as my team lifts our treasure heap. His eyes glow and for a moment, I think he’s going to do something stupid, but Robert stops him with a hand on his shoulder.

“Enough. We cannot force others to do what we think is right. As Alana said, we are not helpless.” He turns to look at the mounted team. “If they want to face us in combat, then we will gladly meet them.”

“Want is a strong word,” the leader says with another sigh.

Not that it’s my problem anymore. Our position made clear, my team walks away from the confrontation. At least for a few minutes. Then I call them to a stop and turn to watch.

As if I’d miss something so entertaining.