The morning light danced through the windows of Reaper’s Paradise, lighting up the empty tavern. Reilyn was looking through a stack of books on one of the tables, packing a couple into his satchel and neatly piling the rest up. He tied his satchel around his waist and adjusted his cloak. Felix was sitting on the table, next to the books, watching him intently. 

Linda walked up beside the Eyll. “Catch!” She tossed him an apple. Reilyn caught it, taking a bite and chewing slowly. Linda frowned, “You’re quieter than usual today.” She crossed her arms. 

“Just tired, perhaps.” Reilyn tried to force a smile, he quickly gave up and sighed. Linda raised an eyebrow, he knew she wouldn’t let him get away with a non answer. “Nee. And I talked to a strange traveller last night. I’m not sure what to think of it.” 

The redhead leaned against the table as Reilyn fumbled with his tunic, adjusting it. “I’m listening.” 

Reilyn took a moment to collect his thoughts, and then opened his mouth to speak but it was cut off by a loud knock on the tavern entrance. The both of them turned towards the sound, Linda sighed and walked over to open the door, letting Garrin, Emyr, Jac, Nia, Catrin, Daffyd, and Tomos in. 

“We’re all ready!” Jac walked up to Reilyn and smiled. Reilyn nodded, clipping his satchel closed. He adjusted his sword and turned to look at Linda. 

Rena ran down the stairs, her footfalls loud, catching Reilyn’s attention. “Wait!” She called, rushing to Reilyn and throwing her arms around him. 

Reilyn yelped, a grin crossed his lips and he returned the hug. “I didn’t expect you to be up.” Linda chuckled from the side, watching them. 

Reilyn pulled back, looking at the table where Felix was curled up. He raised his casting hand over the undead squirrel, “Inynt anamqu ku mwoae pwymel.” |Look as you once were.| He took a deep breath and held his focus. Felix’s fur turned a little brighter, his tail seemed to heal its permanent wound. He looked just as he did before he was killed. Reilyn smirked, “It seems I can do some Let’Hal magic after all.” Rena and Linda stood in awe around the table. Garrin walked over and whistled. 

“Watch over Linda’da and Rena’bo, Felix.” Reilyn scratched behind the rodent’s ears. Felix hopped in a circle, and then over to Rena, climbing onto her shoulder. The young girl giggled and petted the squirrel. 

Linda put her hand on Reilyn’s shoulder, “Be safe. Or…at least, not completely impulsive.” She chuckled. 

“No promises.” Reilyn laughed, gently pushing her hand off him, “But, I won’t get myself killed.” The Eyll turned to his team, looking between them all, from cheerful Jac, boastful Emyr, reserved Catrin, anxious Daffyd, rude Nia and obnoxious Garrin. They filed outside, Reilyn followed them, stepping into the daylight. Linda and Rena walked out to see him off. 

As the group made their way out of Pembroke, Reilyn heard a familiar voice. “Wait, mister!” He turned to see a young boy nervously approach him, the boy looked back at a woman who Reilyn remembered as the boy’s mother. She nodded at her son and motioned her hands towards Reilyn, encouraging the boy. He nodded firmly and turned back to Reilyn, “Take this!” He handed the Eyll a fresh loaf of bread, wrapped in a blanket. 

Reilyn crouched down and gratefully accepted the gift, “Thank you.” He smiled at the boy. 

“Good luck!” The boy curled his hand into a fist and raised it before running back to his mother. Reilyn gave the woman a polite nod and continued with his team out of Pembroke. The job awaited them. 

—

A few hours had passed. The group trudged along the road to Narber. Emyr stepped briskly up to Garrin, “So, boss, what do you think’s gonna go down when we get there?”

Garrin crossed his arms, “Well. Our guy’s a magic user and probably has a few too many lackeys, so-”

“Garrin’s the boss?” Jac cut Garrin off, stepping up ahead, joining Reilyn, Garrin and Emyr. From between the Eyll and the giant redhead he piped up again. “I thought we were following Reilyn.” 

Emyr looked between Reilyn and Garrin, both of whom were glaring at each other. “I…which one of you is the boss?”

“I am.” Garrin and Reilyn said in unison, both turning to Emyr. 

Jac laughed, “Oh no.” From behind him, Nia, Catrin and Daffyd all shook their heads and sighed. 

“W-well, Reilyn did make Garrin cry.” Daffyd muttered. Nia snorted.

“We were all pretty drunk, couldn’t have been hard.” She shrugged.

Garrin scowled, his face reddening, “Enough!” 

“Isn’t that my call?” Reilyn snapped. 

Jac and Emyr stepped back with Nia, Catrin and Daffyd. Jac whistled and Emyr fumbled with his helm, leaning towards Catrin. “It’s uh, nice and sunny out.” He tried to be casual. 

“What experience do you have leading a group of soldiers?” Garrin huffed, clamping a hand on his hip and leaning down to meet Reilyn’s eyes. 

Reilyn shrugged, “I’ve put up with enough of your shit to figure it out. Besides,” he grinned a crooked grin. “You’re the one who said you need me.” 

Garrin’s face turned redder, “I’m beginning to regret it.” He sneered and walked further ahead.

—

A few hours passed and the two men hadn’t ceased their bickering. 

“At least I’m not a drunkard!” 

“You run head first, and brainless, into danger!” 

“Brainless?” Reilyn laughed, crossing his arms. “I’m a lot smarter than you.”

Garrin tapped the side of his head, shifting his red curls. “There are different kinds of smarts. And multiple you lack in.” 

“Big words from a man who carries a dictionary to understand his own mother tongue.” Reilyn grumbled.

From behind the two men, Jac whispered to Daffyd. “Wanna bet quid on when they’ll kiss and make up?” Daffyd sighed and shook his head.

Emyr leaned towards Jac, “Two quid says a few hours.” 

“A day.” Jac shook Emyr’s hand.

Reilyn began walking slower, observing his surroundings. His expression shifted, he could hear something coming. Garrin mumbled something, but Reilyn ignored it and focused on the sounds coming from the distance. 

“Tired already?” Garrin chuckled, putting his hands on his hips. “Need your boss to carry you?” 

“Taysil.” |Shut up.| Reilyn rolled his eyes. “I hear something ahead.” The rest of the group stopped, quieted, and stared at the Eyll. After a moment, Reilyn’s eyes widened. “Get your weapons ready! They’re coming towards us!” 

At his command, everyone pulled out their weapons and positioned themselves. Reilyn readied a fire spell in his casting hand, and grabbed the hilt of his talwaar with his left. A group of men and women burst from the trees beside them and onto the road ahead. Swords, lances, halberds and axes in front, and behind there were a couple archers and a caster. 

“These look like ‘em!” An axe wielder grinned. The man had pale blond hair and grey eyes. 

“Hard to miss one of those.” Another stranger motioned to Reilyn. She was a short, brunette woman. Her allies chuckled at her remark. Reilyn figured they must be sellswords. 

Catrin gripped her lance and ran out in front, “So, he knows we’re coming.” She bit down on her lip. Nia cursed from behind and pulled her bowstring back. 

Reilyn and Garrin glared at each other. “Are you sure you don’t wanna sit this one out?” Garrin smirked down at the Eyll. “I don’t have a crate for you to stand on. Might be hard for you to hit them.” 

“Was about to ask you the same thing.” Reilyn sneered up at Garrin, “Are you sure you didn’t get a concussion from walking into a door frame?”

The enemies looked between the two men. “Heh, they’re already fighting each other.” A stout, black haired man laughed. 

“Sorry.” Garrin shrugged at the ambush.

“You came at a bad time.” Reilyn finished.

The two of them rushed forward, the rest of the group behind them, to attack the enemy.