The group decide to rob a caravan. The Thieves Guild provides you with some information on possible targets...  A caravan carrying precious jewels and 1000 Gold! The trio manage to defeat the caravan guards and take everything of value.

Back at the castle...

Before Ikku can look at the mercenary contracts, Arlo asks if he can speak with him in private. He nod and go someplace where you can be alone.

"I'm sorry, Captain…but I feel like you haven’t been making the best decisions lately," he says.

Ikku said, "What do you mean?"

"I mean, I don't know what our mercenary unit is becoming," Arlo says with a sigh. "I'm not happy with the current state of leadership. In the past, you've always served us well…but recently, I think you've been making a lot of mistakes."

Ikku said, "I'm sorry you feel that way."

"Me too," says Arlo. He's about to walk away, but then he stops. "If things don't improve…I'll probably leave. The only thing keeping me here right now is Anne."

He thinks for a few moments. "Taking lower-risk contracts that have decent pay. Don't send us on any reckless missions…or if you do, make sure they're for the good of the people. Most importantly, start listening to my input more. Anne is all about seeking adventure and wants to take high-risk, high-paying contracts, but if something were to happen to her…" Arlo goes quiet. "Let's just say I wouldn't take it well."

He walks away, and Ikku go back over to look at the mercenary contracts.

Arlo and Anne both approach Ikku. Arlo tries to speak, but Anne cuts him off.

"Hey…I know we have some funds in the treasury. I was hoping I could get a new sword…maybe even a few more throwing daggers."

Arlo shakes his head. "Forget that…I need new armor. This one is starting to rust. There's nothing wrong with your sword."

Anne narrows her eyes at him. "I have a chip on my sword right here!"

Arlo examines it. "I don't see any chip…"

"Why don't you look a bit closer?" Anne says mischievously.

Arlo doesn't fall for it and backs away.

Later, Ikku bought armor and sword for Arlo and Anne.

Anne goes back to training Vera, while Ikku and Arlo watch.

Vera is still on the ground and looks exhausted.

"Get up," says Anne.

"Do you think I could have some water or something?" Vera replies.

Anne sighs. "After we finish this sparring practice, sure."

"Exactly how long is this sparring practice going to take? I feel like we've been doing it all morning," says Vera.

Anne narrows her eyes. "You want to be a mercenary, right?"

Vera nods. "Of course…I just feel like my body can't handle much more of this."

Anne looks stone-faced. "You can. Now get up."

Vera starts getting up. Her progress is rather slow. Anne kicks her.

"Hey…I'm trying, okay? No need to hit me while I’m down," Vera complains.

Anne and Vera resume sparring. Anne starts attacking Vera with some vicious strikes. Vera blocks a few, but after a while, she gets clumsy and several get through.

Even though getting hit with the wooden sword probably hurts, it seems Vera has decided it's better than exhausting herself any further. She's not moving much and only blocks about half of the attacks.

Anne is starting to get angry. "What are you doing? I could have killed you five times over by now."

Vera tries a little harder, but her exhaustion is very apparent. She takes a deep breath. "Couldn't I just rest for a few minutes…just to catch my breath?"

"You think the enemy will let you catch your breath?"

When Vera doesn't respond, Anne walks over to the swords. She grabs two blunt swords and throws one at her.

They resume sparring. Vera gets hit several times, and it looks like she's in a lot of pain. She falls to one knee.

Anne goes in to slice her throat, but rather than blocking, Vera just takes it. Since the blade is blunt, it only makes a small scratch.

"What the hell was that?" asks Anne.

Vera shrugs. "I don't have any energy left."

Anne walks back to the set of arms and grabs another sword…one that's sharpened.

Arlo seems concerned. "Anne…what are you doing?"

Anne gets upset. "Shut up, Arlo!"

She walks over to Vera, who's still on the ground with one knee facing forward.

"Get up, Vera," Anne commands.

Vera slowly gets up and frowns at Anne. "How much more of this?"

"We're almost done…"

"You said that three hours ago."

"All right…as soon as you hit me with a clean strike, you’re done."

Vera nods. "All right."

Anne is wielding dual swords now, one blunt and one sharpened. Vera moves forward and attacks Anne. Anne blocks it with the dull blade and slashes her arm with the other. There's blood, but it isn't too bad. It looks like Anne was holding back, but Vera doesn't seem to have noticed that.

"Are you trying to kill me?" asks Vera.

"Come on…one clean hit and you’re done," says Anne.

Anne goes to attack Vera with the sharpened sword, and Vera clumsily tries to block it; it ends up striking her hand, causing her to drop her sword.

Vera writhes in pain.

"Pick up the sword," Anne commands.

Vera shakes her head. "My hand…I can't."

"Pick up the sword, Vera."

Vera shakes her head. "I think I’m done for today."

Anne is quiet for several seconds. She drops the blunt blade. She holds the sharpened sword tightly with both hands.

"Your training isn't done…now pick up the blade."

Vera shakes her head. Anne slashes at Vera, making a wound across her shoulder to her chest. It isn't deep, but it looks painful. Vera falls back to the ground.

Arlo gets upset. "I've had enough of this…"

He starts walking over to Vera and Anne.

Arlo goes to help Vera up. Anne quickly pushes him back. "Stay out of this, Arlo."

"You’re going to kill her if you continue like this." He moves closer to Vera.

Anne points the sword at Arlo's neck. "I said step back, Arlo."

Arlo looks at Anne incredulously. "Are you going to strike me down? Do you really expect me to believe that?"

Anne hesitates for a few seconds. Arlo nods. "That's what I thought."

He begins to help Vera up again.

Suddenly, Anne slashes at Arlo. Arlo jumps back, narrowly avoiding the blow. He looks at Anne with complete surprise. "You nearly chopped off my head."

Anne looks at him with cold eyes. "The key word there is 'nearly.' But I swear, Arlo…if you go to help Vera again, I won't miss next time."

Arlo steps back a few paces, unsure what to do.

Vera slowly gets up, barely able to hold her sword.

Anne strikes her again, making a cut across her leg, then quickly follows with another blow, hitting her side.

Vera tries to say something, but Anne hits her in the face with the handle of her sword. Her nose begins to bleed.

Vera is starting to get angry. Anne goes in for another strike, this time aimed at Vera's left shoulder.

Vera suddenly lifts up her sword and blocks the blow. She shoves Anne back, then she charges forward and swings at Anne's head in a fit of rage…

Anne tries to move her head back, but she isn't as quick as she needs to be. The blade cuts her neck. Luckily, the wound isn't very deep, but Anne is bleeding.

Vera's rage suddenly disappears, and her exhaustion returns.

Anne holds her neck, trying to stop the bleeding. Vera looks at her and suddenly becomes horrified. "I'm…I'm so sorry…I didn't mean to."

Anne smiles. "Good job. You can rest now. We'll resume tomorrow."

Anne walks away before Vera can say anything. Arlo walks up, unsure who to help. Anne turns her back on him, so he moves over to Vera and helps walk her back to her room. She mumbles something, but Arlo pats her on the back and says something comforting that seems to calm her down.

Once Vera and Arlo have left, Anne falls to the ground. Ikku quickly call for a healer and run over to her. A healer comes to examine Anne's wound. He manages to stop the bleeding by applying a bandage.

The healer finishes and starts to walk away. Anne thanks the healer and stands there, looking at the sword in her hand. It's covered in Vera's blood.

Ikku said, "She almost killed you. An inch closer, and you'd be dead right now."

Anne nods slowly. "I know…but it was worth it. She knows she can push past her limits now."

Ikku look at Anne for a long time. "I'm not telling you what to do…so think of this as more advice than an order." He steps a bit closer. "You've made your point…taught the lesson you wanted to teach, but from now on, I suggest you proceed a bit more carefully. She's no good to us dead…and neither are you. Go easier on her…or at least, do so until you both recover."

Anne nods. "I agree." She looks over at you. "At least until she recovers."

Anne walks away and yells at one of the servants to bring her some wine.