Most of the party was seated around the tables outside the inn enjoying their breakfast and prepping for the journey ahead of them. Rhenigan paused to appreciate the excitement of his new found allies before resuming his own breakfast. He enjoyed the momentary quiet he got at his own table, it gave him much needed time to study maps of the area and think through possible scenarios that might occur. It seemed to Rhenigan that even when his party was managing to get along they still managed to be quite rowdy. Even as he would check in Kesh’gar would be in animated explanations of his arcane studies or Moss and Niera would be in another debate over traveling logistics. Still, the general mood seemed to be much lighter than the previous days and Rhenigan thought, maybe, the party was finally beginning to meld together.

As he surveyed the prospects of his team his thoughts were interrupted by the soft footsteps of Hazel approaching the table. She moved so quietly Rhenigan stopped to wonder if her feet were truly touching the floor. It wasn’t until she threw herself into the chair, slamming her mug onto the table, that Rhenigan realized his moment of peace had been far more fleeting than anticipated.

“Good Morning,” Rhenigan spoke, trying his best to salvage what he could of his morning.

Hazel’s response came in the form of an icy glare. Rhenigan couldn’t imagine what he’d done to deserve such a hostile conversation companion. He thought she was perhaps still angry from the previous day’s discussions between her and Niera, but that had little to do with him.

 I should just take my chances outside with the rest of them. As Rhenigan was reaching to pick up his breakfast and leave Hazel to her frustrations he heard Roze’s ponderous boots approaching the table. Good. They seem to get along well. I’ll just leave it to Roze to figure out how to smooth this mess over. Maybe she is the more sensible one. As Rhenigan concluded, Roze reached over his arm taking a biscuit off of his plate. Rhenigan was aptly stunned by her impertinence. Even coming from a family with many siblings, proper table manners were something that every Lightborn understood at a young age.

“I thought it’s rude to just allow yourself into other people’s space without saying something,” Hazel shot out sharply before Rhenigan could manage words. 

“What? It’s a breakfast plate. I thought we were sharing,” Roze responded, seeming genuinely confused.

“Maybe don’t just go around making assumptions then.” 

Rhenigan remained half standing, half sitting and unsure whether he should participate in the argument or if this was still playful banter. The only certainty that existed in the draconian’s mind was his breakfast would definitely have been less frustrating outside with the party.

“It wasn’t an assumption. It was an expectation,” Roze retorted, “The same way I expect people to say something before adjusting sleeping arrangements.”

What the hell is happening? Rhenigan was now thoroughly confused and highly uncomfortable. He had no idea what was occurring between the two adventurers but he wanted more than anything, to be gone from the conversation.

“So you’re mad that I left then? I thought you were mad that I was there in the first place. You need to make up your mind.” 

Roze stared at Hazel for a long moment and Rhenigan decided it would be his best opportunity to collect his things. Before he could make for the exit Roze began to laugh.

“I really have no idea what you’re talking about. The last thing I remember is walking with you back from the tavern and then waking up this morning.”

“Yeah,” Hazel’s smile this time seemed real to Rhenigan. “You are just really clingy when you drink, is all.” 

“We should pack up the rest of breakfast,” Rhenigan interrupted. Both of the women looked shocked that he was still there, as though they forgot he was the first one at the table and they were intruding upon his breakfast. “For the road? We already paid for it so we might as well take it with us and you both can just eat as we ride out of town.”

The trio wrapped the remaining biscuits and smoked meats that Rhenigan had planned to take his time consuming and went to meet with the rest of the party at the cart outside the inn. By this time the group all but fully loaded everything and was ready to depart. Niera always did Rhenigan the kindness of loading his burdensome equipment whenever they had to travel long distances. He planned to thank her when he got into the back of the wagon with them but his attention was immediately taken by the newcomer who was already in the middle of a conversation with Niera, Moss, and Kesh’gar.

“You must be the hireling then?” Rhenigan inquired, mostly thinking to himself out loud.

“Yes. I’m Findle. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I hope I can help this be a smooth journey for you all.”

Rhenigan’s family had occasionally employed the services of servants and assistants but not as frequently as the Seacrest family. He was glad that she would have the aid of a steward once again. It always seemed to elevate her and highlight her strengths to have allies that were supportive behind her, and this party was proving to be far too unpredictable for that. 

Findle was a gnome who appeared a bit older than the average human traveler but still middle aged by the gnome’s standards. His frame was on the smaller side and Rhenigan questioned how efficient he would be as a hireling. Generally, hired help were expected to carry the bulk of an adventurer's supplies, but Findle’s well manicured appearance and easy demeanor did not make Rhenigan believe he was accustomed to life outside the comforts of town. 

“Good morning, Findle. I am Rhenigan.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. We were just discussing the safest route to get to your destination. ‘Safe’ might not be the best word to describe it though. I’ve been trying to explain to your friend that not a single traveler from Wa’haan has returned from the mountain village.”

“Which is precisely why we are here little friend,” Niera interjected. “We will arrive in the village fine and figure out where your traders have been going. I swear on my family’s name.”   

The party seemed calm by Niera’s declaration and with everything packed, it did not take much longer before the group was able to depart the gates of Wa’haan towards the thick mountain forest. The party took shifts driving the wagon but Rhenigan decided he would steer until the roads became more rugged. The only people in the party who would be used to navigating the forest by that point would be  Moss and Kesh’gar. The group traveled in relative silence. Roze and Hazel seemed like they had resolved their morning spat but having the two of them sitting with Niera made Rhenigan deeply uncomfortable. It occurred to him that he wasn’t the only one feeling the tension as neither Moss, Kesh’gar, or Findle had chosen to speak since the party started for the mountains. 

“So,” Rhenigan almost jumped at the sudden sound of Hazel’s voice, “this seems like an awfully dangerous way to make a living. Are you just really bad at farming?”

“No, well yes, but that’s not why I travel.” Findle began fumbling through his own bags spilling out inks, quills, and parchment. “You see, I am a gnome of many trades. I make a large portion of my money through map making and selling trinkets that I find in my travels.”

“Still seems like there are safer ways to draw maps and find rare goods.” Hazel replied bluntly.

“That’s also true. I believe adventurers like yourself are more willing to pay higher prices for my maps though, and I would need to have maps of remote or unexplored places for them to have any value at all. Plus I can make some additional money toting bags for you all. All things considered, it feels much safer to do this with a group of strong individuals like yourself around.” Findle began to sort his belongings back into his bag. “That’s really enough about me. I’m sure I don’t have anything nearly as interesting to say as the stories you all might have. Please, if you don’t mind, tell me where you come from or about the journey we are on.” 

The party glanced at each other in a collective panic trying to decide where their stories really began. As they recounted how they all came to meet and be recruited into the guild, Findle listened with the utmost intrigue. Rhenigan could feel the nervousness rise as the party got closer to the incident from the sky ferry. It did not take long before the lively storytelling devolved into hopeless bickering between the two factions of the party. Niera still claiming the side of justice and Hazel arguing for compassion and empathy. Once the two had exhausted themselves the veil of silence fell on the group once again, this time broken by Findle. 

“That was some story.” He laughed and retrieved a pipe and a roll from his own bag. “If you don’t mind, I’d love to offer my own two stones on your situation.” 

Niera nodded her approval and Hazel relaxed back into her seat which Findle took as a gesture of consent.

“I couldn’t tell you what’s right or what’s just. I’m not a fierce follower of any of the gods and I don’t study any of their laws to understand absolute truths. What I can say is traveling the way that I have, you must learn to see from other perspectives. Niera, did it never occur to you that your words come off as a direct reflection of how you view the members of your own party? These lofty ideals are difficult for people to uphold so you must imagine the pressure you’re placing on them and the fear of falling short in your eyes. I’ve yet to meet any member of the learned races that acts with absolute judgment all the time. Many of us are just trying to survive and if you are going to deliver justice you should learn the wisdom of forgiveness and mercy. There will surely come a moment where you are going to wish for that same mercy from others.”

“In other words stop being a stuck up bitch.” snapped Hazel. Findle turned on her without a moment’s hesitation.

“However, it seems to me that you are entirely incapable of expressing any of your emotions clearly. This is only going to lead to more tension in your party until you eventually tear it apart. I’m willing to bet this isn’t the first incident you’ve had even with this group due to your inability to communicate. You also need to learn to see from other people’s perspective. You would be able to understand the pressure that Niera is probably feeling. She is about to inherit a responsibility greater than most people will ever bear and that responsibility will land on her at her lowest moment. She doesn’t share the same wisdom that you gained from your life experiences and she never will unless you share them with her.” 

“You’re implying that they’re equally guilty?” Roze shouted. Rhenigan turned around to see her face darken. It was a look that made him nervous for what she would do. “Niera was ready to condemn a man’s entire village to death by giants because some of them were thieves. Hazel simply implied we should at least save them. Are those people not allowed a proper trial? Why do we just abandon them?”

“I’m saying it’s not a question of who is the most guilty.” Findle answered calmly. “I’ve seen strong people not come back from quests like these because of petty bickering. If you don’t learn to hear each other and get over these differences, it will be your end. I don’t know the wisdom in helping a village of thieves succumb to giants, but I do know there is strength in comradery and considering the blatant identity crisis that Kesh is having and the concerning murderous tendencies of Roze and Moss, I think you could use all the strength you can get.”

Rhenigan wasn’t able to see Moss’s reaction but it must have been one of offense as he could hear Kesh’gar whispering to him, “I don’t think you’re a murderer.” Rhenigan thought he would just allow Kesh’gar to handle that situation. 

Findle finished eating his roll and began to reach back in his back for another item. “Besides, if Niera truly felt how she says,” Findle revealed the item to be a small silver flute, “Why would she continue traveling with a known thief?” 

The party stared at each other in a discomforted quiet. The only sound that Rhenigna could hear was the soothing melody of a gnomish children’s song played lovingly on the flute.