Jack continued with his day, but he kept worrying about Stella. His thoughts shuffled through hundreds of ideas of what he would do in that situation, but none of it felt right. The address she left was for someone named Claire in the kingdom of Cartina. He didn't know anything about it, but Mrs. Nevadere explained that it is quite the distance away. Was she doing this alone? Each day must feel harder and harder. She must be strong. Before he knew it, he was outside the soldiers' camp.

"Is that the last of the equipment you are bringing back there, partner?"

"Mathias! Yup it's the last from the big hunt. 15 blades and 7 chest pieces...so they have you guarding the gate today?" Jack high fives that soldier walking from the small booth with the large smile. Mathias was Jack's only friend amongst the soldiers. He was scruffy and doesn't stand up straight, very soft spoken and really kind. It was easy to see that he was not like the rest of soldiers in town.

"Stop slacking off!" A voice from the guard tower rumbled. Mathias awkwardly grinned after getting scolded. "You there, hurry up and enter with the cargo."

Jack followed the order and headed for the armoury until a tall well-built guard stopped him.

"These better be good smith. I can't have our blades failing us when the beast is charging. I have to be able to run my blade clean through its neck, maybe I should test it on your neck before I take it out to battle." The guard chuckled.

"Maybe you should Stuart," his slimmer friend chimed in.

"That would be a waste, we are the best hunters around these parts, and he wouldn't even be good bait for the beast that we slay," another guard stated, walking up to Jack's face while sizing him up.

"Boras is right. He always has a great point!" The second thin friend was louder this time.

"Of course. We are always sharp. It is just you, Neil. Dull as these blades." Both of them continued their laughing as they walked away. Neil tried to catch their timing with a laugh, but it stopped before he found it.

Jack just kept his awkward smile on his face without saying a word. This is how most of the soldiers in town often treated the townsfolk, but they did fight terrifyingly strong creatures around the area. He just wished they got better at making fun of people. That was a lie.

He wished he could do what they did. Their strength was something Jack never seen in this town. What he would do to be valuable like that. What he would give to be a hero, he thought. What was he even doing? He snapped out of thought and emptied the goods. A soldier signed off on his ledger and he was on his way.

***

Jack continued to the outskirts of the town. A small cabin sat on top the hill, just before the forest of thick trees hiding the horizon. A small creature with large pointy ears and small sharp horns that started just above its eyes, sat on porch rails. It was small in stature, resembling a ferret and a bunny, besides the half black and half white fur on its face, with a symmetrically vertical line dividing the colours. It had mismatched eyes with blue embedded in the white and the orange in the other. Its body was covered in black fur with all appendages dipped in white.

"Hey Tenny! Is Ace around?" Jack asked while bolting up the stairs.

"He is right inside. He just made a stew. How were your deliveries?" Tenny replied while jumping on Jack's shoulder.

"It was really smooth, but umm...I met this outsider girl who is looking for her sister," Jack paused, and his voice changed. "It was pretty sad. Do you think you can do anything about it since you're a Mystical, Tenny?"

"I'm sorry Jack, my magic is really limited. I don't know any creature or spell that can find someone," Tenny replied, staring upwards pondering.

"Oh, I understand. Thanks, I was curious," Jack said. He patted Tenny on the head. "Ace! I am coming in!"

He opened the door to one thing that relaxed his shoulders more than the library. The smell of Ace's cooking filled the small house, starting in the kitchen, flowing in the open room above the one table and four chairs that sat in the corner. He wondered if the smell travelled up the stairs as well.

"Jack! Take a seat and eat before you have to go again. How were your deliveries today?" Ace asked while passing a bowl to the guest taking a seat. Ace looked to be young, probably mid-twenties not really changing much for the years that Jack knew him. He had short black wavy hair, combed to the side that tried to be kept as neat as possible, but a few strands always seemed to rebel. He wore black shorts and slippers and a red short sleeved t-shirt that looked light and comfortable. That was probably the best way to describe him, comfortable, and mostly sporting a big smile on his face. The only things that didn't fit the image was the long necklace with a single black pearl at the end, the white bandage covering his left forearm, and the gigantic moustache that curled off his face.

"It was a really normal besides meeting a girl from outside the village. She looked like royalty. Do you have any books to return to Mrs. Nevadere by the way? She sent these over...I see you are looking at history of Astrona and an older technology book."

"That is really interesting, this village rarely gets visitors, and yea, but I will return them later this evening. Your eyes are as keen as ever. You read these already? You should experience some more things in person. Don't you want to see the world a bit? Once you aren't work—" Ace deep grey eyes seem to be staring at the past. Jack let him gather his thoughts. The tone in his voice shifted. "How is your dad?"

"Yeah, I think I read those last year, I'm not sure who would borrow it after me." Jack looked Ace directly in the eyes and tried to sound as mature as he could. "He is doing well. He asked about you. You can stop blaming yourself. I know most of the townsfolk don't talk to you. They seem like they are afraid, but most are very grateful for all the help you provided after the explosion. It's been 6 years, it's hard to hold a grudge on someone who only showed remorse after 6 years. Besides...he ran back in that house for the painting."

"Yeah, I really appreciate your words. It...it just...it will always be heavy. Not everyone made it out of that night."

"I imagine it is, but I think you are the one scared to put it down."

"Huh, I think you are right." Ace looked over at the Mystical Creature wolfing down the stew. His eyes caught theirs and twisted his head. "Yea...I really think you are right."

"What?" Tenny asked.

"Sorry...I was just thinking...but you are right Jack. Damn, is the door open? Where did all this negativity come from? Gosh, let's enjoy some delicious stew and dream of the future," Ace said before immediately tripping and spilling his bowl on himself.

"Tenny! Give me some of yours!" Ace reached upwards from the ground covered in vegetables.

"No way!"

Jack laughed at his clumsy friend. Why would he be a hero and trade a life like this? He can visit anytime and eat great food. His dad was working hard at home, but it would be nice to carve his own path. His thoughts interrupted by Tenny running in front of him, keeping his bowl out of Ace's reach. Yea, it couldn't get much better than this, could it?