*Hey everyone! Sorry for this chapter being a tad late. The reason why is because of a bug going around, which in turn got my parents and me sick for a good amount of time... but good news is I am feeling much better and me and my fiance were able to get the chapter done finally and that we all hope you enjoy, and hope to see you all in the next one!*

Tales and legends, passed down for many generations, spinning the tales of heros rising and the villains falling to their demise, the same is very much the same for the ages of old to new for heroes and adventures come to the call of danger, evil slowly forms in many forms of those who do harm to those who never deserved the fate that it will bring, towns rise and towns fall, cities are built and cities shall crumble under the harshest of conditions, steel is forged and the steel shall break and weaken but what shall never weaken is the fire in the soul of many, not just of the heroes and adventures but that of those who stand up for what is right in the world, to stand up against the evil plaguing the lands that they call home. The journey of many will always come to an end, but to others it will never end for there is a journey to many for they choose what they define as a journey and follow their hearts, many want to explore while many want to hunt and for others it's to settle down so very far in exotic lands, that is what a journey is and you shall see more soon.

Where we last left off Talia and Fritz were making their way towards the town of Easthaven, neither really knew why it was called that or even why it was written in big letters but neither never did care why but wanted to see what the town could hold, neither did either of them know it was one of the many capitals of the world or in this case, the country they lived on. Though first a small geography lesson, the country they inhabit is known as Ocrue named from the goddess of wind in the dwarven culture for she helped them sail to the new world they live in, they thanked her many times and even gave tribute to her as thanks such as gold, flowers and small gifts for there was even songs and tales about the old gods but for many they had never left, only watching from their home domains and protecting those who needed guidance. Now we shall follow the two on their journey, Talia and Fritz continued to walk down the dirt roads from the mountains while Fritz let a soft sigh escape from his lips following his older sister Talia, trying to keep up but with the extra weight in his bag was weighing him down heavily for how much the emerald in his bag weighed "Wait up! I got a big emerald in my bag and little legs!" He called to Talia, making her giggle softly soon stopping and waiting for him to get towards her.

"Sorry, Fritz guess that gem was more of a burden then a great idea to snag." Talia admitted, while Fritz just shook his head "Nonsense, this thing right here is going to get us set for a long while anyone would love to buy something like this, it's a once in a lifetime like find!" He cheered with joy in voice, making Talia smile softly and roll her eyes "Be that as it may, we are still about ten miles away from the town. How are we going to keep going with that extra weight?" Talia had asked, wanting to know the answer to the problem at hand for when Fritz was going to speak, however that was until a familiar noise of horses and a carriage being pulled could be heard. The two turned around to find a carriage being pulled by two large horses, for Fritz it was an interesting sight but to Talia it was a welcomed sight for she remembered who had drove the carriage for he helped her before, getting her to golden leaf days ago when the elderly man slowly stopped the carriage "Woah… Well, well… if it isn't the explorer youngin." The man had spoke, feeling a gentle smile starting to form as Talia giggled softly "It's so good to see you again mister!" She called to the elderly man.

Fritz was starting to become confused about what was going on, Talia soon pulled the elderly man into a hug with a giggle "It's really good to see you again, sir." She had said making the man give a very soft chuckle "And it's very good to see you as well, youngin." He softly spoke, turning towards Fritz with a gentle yet warm smile "Who is this other youngin, an explorin youngin like yourself little lassy?" He spoke for Talia nodded with a warm smile forming upon her face. "Mhmm, this is my little brother Fritz. Well, we're not really related but I still see him as my little brother, I found him in Goldenleaf." She explained to him while Fritz slowly waved, Jack still snoring softly under what remained of his hat as Talia made a mental note to either get his hat fixed, or to throw it out when the reached the next city. The elderly man gave a soft chuckle "Well, I am glad to hear that. I guess you two youngins are heading towards Easthaven?" He had asked, the two nodding when a warm smile was created "Well then, hop on up youngins. It's a bit of a long path and you two look very tired, especially you youngin." He had said, pointing towards Fritz who was going to protest but Talia just smiled and took the bag off Fritz's back.

"Come on Fritz, you're starting to get really tired plus he's offering us to bring us to the next town." Talia admitted, climbing up onto the carriage while Fritz felt a sigh escape his lips and climbed into the back while the elderly man softly cracked the reins for the horse started to gallop softly down the dirt roads. While Talia was sitting up front of the carriage, Fritz was sitting in the back while an elderly like woman was looking through a small chest, she was wearing a light brown dress and had long light black hair that mixed well with her gray for it ran down like a waterfall upon her back, having light tannish skin when Fritz softly spoke, by gently clearing his throat "U-Uh… E-Excuse me… Miss?" He softly spoke, when the woman slowly stood up turning around with a gentle smile upon her face as she looked to be no older than in her forties as this surprised him when she spoke in yet an elderly tone "Yes? How may I help you little one?" She asked in a soft, yet grandmotherly tone.

Fritz couldn't really believe his eyes but slowly spoke up "I-I… uh, was just wondering… H-How long have you and your husband been married?" Fritz asked as the lady smiled softly at this "About nearly… forty five to going on forty six years now, we met close to around your age young one… so many ages ago." She had spoken, slowly sitting down in a rocking chair not far from Fritz with a ball of what looked to be yarn with crochet needles for Fritz softly smiled at this while she continued "We were about as old as your sister out there, we used to hang out by the old bakery and the lake of our home town joking, playing games and just well… whatever our minds could think of back then. We even started to adventuring around the same time, we used to go around on foot till he purchased our carriage and started our family a couple years later." She softly spoke, rocking back and forth in her seat starting her small activity while Fritz softly spoke up.

"That's really beautiful, so where are your children now?" He asked, curious where their family had gone when the woman slowly stopped for a second thinking to herself, when she turned to Fritz with a gentle smile "There all over really, some even on different continents. From what I can remember a couple of ours are in Easthaven, with even our grandchildren, from what I can remember one is a soldier in the royal guard and the other owns a blacksmithing shop that makes all kinds of weapons and armor, things you two could need or use on your journeys." She spoke, getting a gentle giggle from it for Fritz could only smile but started to think back to what had happened nearly two days ago back at Gryphon falls and gave a curt nod. "I hear you, which I think is pretty neat really we just came from Gryphon falls ourselves, does any of your children live there?" Fritz asked curiously, as the woman gently smiled upon him "Actually we do, one of our youngest daughter's lives there, with her husband… poor dear lost his arm in a dungeon years ago." She explained for this raised a good question towards the woman.

"Really now? Does she happen to be an alchemist?" Fritz asked for the woman quickly nodded with a giggle "Mhmm, she is. She went there to study gryphons and their habits, she then began to help heal gryphons, soon enough she became the town's doctor and alchemist and that is where she found her husband. I'm guessing you two met her in town?" She asked for Fritz slowly nodded, feeling embarrassed of what happened back there in the dungeon "Y-Yeah, you could say that… I-It's kind of really embarrassing because of an incident in the dungeon, that not many know of… I was kind of well… shaven." He had spoke, petting Jake's little head who snored very softly in his lap for the woman could only giggle. "Oh my, you should be really consider yourself lucky then young one. My son-in-law wasn't so very lucky, but he still finds reasons to smile." The woman had admitted, giving only a gentle smile knowing for the love he felt for their daughter while Fritz chuckled a little placing a hand upon his hair, slowly running his fingers through it "I don't blame you for saying that, even Talia said I was lucky and that it didn't slice my head off or something… she would never forgive herself for letting that happen." He admitted, smiling a little for his older sister would always care for him even in the most dangerous of times.

The elderly woman could only feel a gentle smile adorning her face, seeing the true love of family before her as she knew this same kind of feeling before when she and her husband first started their family when they felt the carriage slowly coming to a stop, Talia opening the carriage's flaps "Fritz! Were in the city and it's beautiful!" She called for Fritz to quickly sit up with Jack in his arms, thanking the elderly woman for talking with him with a smile starting to adorn her face "You're very welcome, young one. Please do try to keep in contact when you can." She spoke gently pulling him into a hug, for he hugged her back feeling her arm moving a little and letting him go letting the two leave when he jumped out the back meeting up with Talia when he gasped seeing the large city before him. Easthaven was a very large city, growing prosperously for it was made of five districts with towering buildings that pierced the very sky high above and the towers that could see miles, and miles across the lands for the city shined softly in the sun as the city began to grow for nearly over two hundred years growing to be one of the major capitals of the land, others being built as they speak.

Easthaven, a beacon for those who wanted a better life, travelers would say far and wide to those who wanted a fresh start or even a new home to start a family for which this was true… to an extent, for sadly of those who didn't have a large amount of money were forced to live in slum like conditions scraping by for what they can make and find, trying to move to a new place for an even better start like Gryphon Falls or even Blackpool. But for those who had wealth to their name or even had a name of a noble would always receive the best kind of treatment that in the minds of a noble "We do deserve." They would call, but that call would always either come to a call of either danger of assassination or even threats to their very life, but even times of thieves to steal the money they either earned or didn't even deserve but I am getting ahead of myself for they would always learn their lessons with ease… or even with difficulty, and a blade close by to their throat.

Talia and Fritz were in awe of the grand city before them for the elderly man and woman gently smiled towards them "Beautiful is it not? Come, were nearly there we can drop you two off by the gates." The elderly man invited for they quickly nodded, climbing back into the carriage getting carried down the dirt roads, over a stone bridge with a vast river underneath the carriage rocking under the condition of the roads slowly coming to a stop in front of the vastly large gates before them in which Talia and Fritz climbed out of the carriage, thanking the two for the ride to the gates of the vast city before them. The two could only smile, wishing them very good luck towards whatever goals they had riding away deep into the city, looking for the family they care deeply for searching for where they are leaving our two heros alone by the gates staring into the city with closer inspection seeing the age of the large city, the stone pathway of the town starting to slowly crack with age, the buildings slowly chipping and cracking but still looked fairly new to many for fresh flowers were adorning the paths with trees high above their heads for which Talia slowly felt a smile adorn her face "This town is really beautiful! I've never seen towers so high!" She admitted, looking around while Fritz chuckled lugging the large emerald in his jacket over his shoulder, thanking that they reached the city before his shoulders and arms gave out for carrying the watermelon sized gem.

"I've seen places like this before, except more of shanty towns really, i've been to many areas and hopped aboard many ships from countries… but it feels like I never really leave this country, only to the one west of here… Anyway, let's go find this gem a home and get some coins in our pockets." He declared Talia following in tow with a giggle escaping her lips, watching her little brother lug the gem around like a muscle man 'I think it's cute really that he's carrying that gem, like those traveling caravans that I saw sometimes, with the big guards they hired.' She blushed at that thought, quickly shaking it off for she looked around the many shops and homes adorning the very streets she walked with her younger brother who seemed to be doing a little better, after resting for a little while in which they slowly stopped in front of a large shop that had a sign with a large ring upon it that shined softly with a smile the two stepped inside to find that it was a vast jewelry shop, rings, necklaces and many other kinds of jewelry was on display for a good amount was highly exotic to their eye. Talia began to look over the variety that was on display, thinking that many were beautiful, even if they were from a dungeon they looked to be finely crafted by delicate hands for she had never seen craftsmanship of this quality in her life wanting to pick one up to examine it closer, she was abruptly stopped when someone slapped her hand "No miss, no touching the jewelry unless you are thinking of purchasing." The person had spoke, for the two turned to find that it was a clerk waiting for a reason for them being there in which Fritz smiled towards the man.

"Oh, um, excuse me, sir. I, uh… have a gemstone I'd like to sell and your store looks like a fitting place for doing this." Fritz said as the man sigh, subtly rolling his eyes due to the fact that so many people try to make a quick buck of a cheap gem but decided to play along "Very well meet me over here and we'll see what you have." The clerk said as he walked over to a examination section of the counter and waited for Fritz to follow. Fritz smiled and nodded as he waddled over to the counter with the gem but saw it was a bit high "Talia, do you mind helping me lift it up, I can't quite reach." Fritz asked, turning his head to Talia. She giggled with a gentle smile, nodding for she helped Fritz lift the large gem inside his jacket upon the table, nearly giving off a soft thump underneath the large size and weight of the gem in which the clerk wasn't sure what was happening when his jaw nearly hit the table seeing the size of the gem before him, for Fritz gave a smile towards the man with Talia "As you can see, I'd like to sell my emerald that I found, hence why I brought it here, you are a quality purveyor of fine gemstones." Fritz said, sitting down in front of the clerk in which Talia smiled softly "I should leave you two to this." She had spoken, walking out of the store for the clerk was examining the gem closely with a loop over his eye seeing if there was any kind of damage or scratches "No external damage… possible inclusions on the inside, near the middle to multiple points… but no true definition on so… Hmm, you're looking at around… five hundred gold, but if there isn't any inclusions you and your friend could be looking at around two thousand gold." He explained in which Fritz slowly sat back, his mind nearly shattered in which another clerk walked over "Let me take a look at this." He explained, pulling a more powerful loop from the table's drawer.

"Let us see…" He spoke, looking through the very gem as Fritz could see something sparking through the loop indicating something was up with the loop that made him look at the two oddly, for the man nearly had the loop fall from his eye quickly pulling the other clerk away and whispering to him, the two continued to whisper till they turned back to Fritz "This sir… is definitely worth two thousand gold." He spoke, for which Fritz's little mind had imploded slowly getting up from his seat and holding up a finger, quickly composing himself before he did anything "May I please have that gold now?" He asked, for the two clerks nodded quickly opening a small sack placing gold ingots inside that were no bigger than a small brick. The two handed him the small sack which he thanked them for it, slinging it over his shoulder in which he then screamed while running out the door "TALIA!" He screeched running down the vast stone streets of the city. Over with Talia she walked down the many roads of the large city, walking around a large fountain in the middle of the town square looking it over to find it was a couple of baby angels, surrounding a woman who was sitting upon the rocks wearing that of a robe that could blow softly in the wind, for the angels poured basins of water into the fountain in which Talia looked upon the plaque inscribed of who this very woman was 'Danja, Goddess of the Sea… may her bountiful woles of life bringing water bring new life to many…' Talia read in her mind. She smiled softly looking back at the fountain till she heard someone screaming her name, turning towards the voice to find that it was Fritz holding a large sack over his shoulder quickly running in front of her panting with a large smile upon his face.

"Talia! Talia! You won't believe how much I got for that emerald!" He nearly shouted, for which Talia placed her hand over his mouth with a soft, caring smile "Fritz, calm down… breath and tell me what's up alright?" She asked in which he did breathing in and out and spoke softly "I got two thousand gold for that emerald, we have plenty of gold to keep us going for a while." He squeaked happily in which Talia gasped, hugging Fritz happily and swinging him around with joy "Fritz! That's wonderful news!" She squealed with joy making Fritz chuckle happily, hugging her back "I'm glad to hear." He chuckled in which she set Fritz back down wondering. "So… What do you want to do now? Get something to eat? I could go for a bite to eat right now." He admitted, for his stomach growled a little loudly, making Talia giggle in which she nodded. "I think that would be best, i'm starting to get really hungry as well. Come on, let's go find a nice restaurant to eat at." She admitted, starting to feel her stomach softly growl for food also, walking down the streets of the vast city.

About Two Hours Later…

The two stepped down from a vast, yet fancy restaurant in which Talia giggled "Well, that may have tapped into our gold a good amount but I have to say it was very much worth it." She smiled happily, in which Fritz nodded shrugging a little adjusting his backpack a little with the sack tightly tucked inside stepping down the stone steps "I agree, it may have cost us nearly five hundred gold, but it was so very much worth it." Fritz admitted, not really caring at this point for they walked along the stone paths, many passing by them by either carriage or horse, hearing the soft clicks of their hooves to the thumps and clacking of metal of the guards armor but something also echoed through the town, something that many heard but simply ignored for it was simple noises to them but to Talia and Fritz it was something more. The two began to follow the sounds of the echoing noise hearing what sounded like metal being pounded by hammer, for that rhythm drew them towards it nearly as if it was a sirens chant drawing them closer and closer to the noises, to find that it was echoing from that of a blacksmithing shop, that was fairly open with much smoke breathing out from inside. The two looked towards the place, wondering what kind of wares the place did offer walking into the blacksmithing shop finding far in the back was a forge, that was being operated by a lone man that was fairly well built, drenched in sweat wearing a long sleeved shirt that was rolled up tightly upon his arms, leather gloves adorning his hands with a blacksmithing apron to prevent burns, dark brown pants with leather boots with short coffee brown hair, slamming his hammer down hard upon the metal, slowly shaping it into that of an axe blade.

Fritz looked over the vast variety of blades and armor that adorned the walls and shelves, placing his hand upon a iron shield that was finely crafted and smooth to the touch, looking to be just polished nearly compelled to pick the vary shield up turning towards Talia with a smile "Check this out Talia… Talia?" He asked, looking at her to see that she was blushing staring at the man who was continuing to work. Fritz slowly waved his hand in front of her face, chuckling softly seeing his older sister like this when he gave her a gentle shake "Talia, Talia wake up, you're starting to drool." He spoke in which she finally snapped out of her thoughts, quickly wiping her mouth "H-Huh, oh… S-Sorry, what's up?" She asked in which Fritz could only laugh, which in turn made the man stop his work and place the blade into the water turning towards them with a gentle smile "Welcome, how may I help you two today?" He asked in which Fritz answered for them "Just browsing today, seeing what kind of wares you have." Fritz spoke for the man nodded, letting the two wander the shop while Talia kept her sights towards the ground and away from the owner of the shop feeling the familiar warmth still upon her cheeks for she wandered the shop, looking over the many kinds of blades and shields, even strange looking bottles over head hanging high above which had strange looking smoke like substance inside in which one had a large blue eye inside, scanning around the room till it set it's sights upon Talia.

She looked deep into the creature's eye seeing that it looked almost, alone in her words for which she slowly took a hold of the bottle to get a closer look, the bottle itself was oval shaped with a long stem wrapped in cloth with that formed of wings, cork tightly sealing the creature in which there was a small tag tied to the bottle, with only just that of a picture of a sword. This confused Talia, for she tried to figure out why this little creature was inside this very bottle, or even that why the bottle was shaped like this, that was until the blacksmith walked up from behind gently tapping her shoulder, making her yelp in surprise tensing up tightly, making the bottle fly through the air for the eye widened with surprise and became extremely scared until the blacksmith quickly grabbed the bottle "Got ya!" He called, keeping a hold of the item in which he smiled softly "Careful there little lassie, could have broken some merchandise there and gotten yourself hurt." He spoke in a caring, yet gentle tone making Talia blush softly at this trying to softly speak to the man who just simply chuckled and handed the item back to her. Talia had stood there, almost as if she was in a frozen state in which Fritz walked over to Talia as the man walked away to attend to another customer that walked in "Oh mister Blacksmith, you're so strong and handsome~!" Fritz said holding his hands together and pursuing his lips and making kissing sounds, which in turn made Talia blush fairly deeper soon balling her fist and slugging him hard into a rack of armor, knocking a good amount over and onto himself "Okay… I deserved that…" He softly mumbled, rubbing his cheek and trying to ignore the pain of a helmet slamming down hard upon his head.

Talia softly sighed, walking out of the shop for which Fritz followed closely behind for the two decided it was a grand idea to turn in for the night.

The Next Morning…

The sun was slowly peaking over the mountains, staring on upon the vast city in which Talia and Fritz were sitting in the inn's commons area, finishing their breakfast up for Talia soon sat up and walked away from their table as Fritz quickly followed behind, after leaving a few coins for the meals "Talia wait up!" He called but his request fell upon deaf ears for Fritz sighed "Are you still mad at me for yesterday?" He asked her for which she nodded, in which he apologized for his actions for nearly the tenth time to Talia but she wasn't having it "Fritz… you may be my little brother, but what you did was completely uncalled for of what you did… At least you can somewhat talk to people, but I really can't… I have a fear of talking to guys that remind me so much of when I was back in my village… Just…" She tried to speak but sighed "Just forget it…" Talia had said, dropping the conversation in which Fritz felt bad for Talia wanting to make it up to her keeping fairly close to her but not enough to intrude on her personal space, leading to invoking her wrath when something starting to catch their attention and that was of paper like decorations and lanterns being hanged around the town that they couldn't really understand why, that was until someone called to them with a warm greeting, joy lacing their words.

"Happy harvest festival!" They called, for Talia and Fritz smiled softly towards the person giving a gentle wave towards them thanking them for that but they were actually a little confused by their words in which Talia asked "A harvest festival? I haven't been to one since I was younger." She admitted for which Fritz just shrugged "I haven't been to one like… at all really. My family just joined the village in a large feast, that's all really but then again there was dancing as well with music." He spoke, trying to start a conversation with Talia in which she wasn't really wanting to talk to him but soon spoke, trying not to be rude "Interesting… in my village we played games, had feasts, dancing with music and giving gifts while enjoying treats." She spoke, keeping her gaze away from Fritz, showing she was still upset with him. Fritz could tell she didn't want to talk until he had an idea when he stopped for a second, in tow making her slow down and turn towards him "Why don't we join in the festival? I mean, it could be really fun you know? And we could go together… as a family." He admitted, trying to get back on Talia's good side for she began to mull it over when she let a gentle sigh escape her lips "Alright… just don't do anything stupid, alright?" She asked, Fritz softly smiled and nodded reaching into his bag and handing her one of bars of gold.

"Of course, as well here why don't you go get something for the festival? I thought we could both dress up for the festival tonight." He smiled with warmth behind his words in which Talia felt her lips tug a little into a very small, soft smile "Alright… But you better be on your best behavior tonight." She spoke, walking off in which Fritz could only smile feeling that he was getting back on her good side again, walking down the stone path his mind starting to cloud with thoughts 'I really need to make it up to Talia… Maybe I can give her something nice during the festival, but what? I could get her a necklace from that jewelry store we were at yesterday… but there was also that strange bottle in the blacksmithing shop… She had that look in her eye when I saw her with that lantern, maybe I can get her that… She does seem to have a liking to magical based items…' Fritz thought to himself smiling with determination he quickened his pace down towards the blacksmithing shop they had went to yesterday.

With Talia she was inside a tailoring studio looking over many kinds of clothing, letting a sigh escape her lips for she was deep in thought 'Maybe I was a little too harsh towards Fritz… I mean, we both have our problems… I think I made things worse for yelling at him like that, even hurting him in the blacksmith's shop…' She thought feeling her heart growing heavy of her actions in which the owner walked over to Talia, seeing her looking over the dresses the woman smiled happily "Looking for something to wear for the harvest festival?" She asked with her smile in which Talia jumped a bit, not seeing the woman behind her and nodded "Yes I am actually, me and my little brother are going to be attending tonight and I wanted to look nice for the festival." She admitted in which the woman could only do was giggle walking past Talia "Well then darling, you came to the right studio please follow me for my fall dresses, I may have something that shall fit you very well." She called, motioning for Talia to follow her, Talia slowly nodding and following the shop owner deeper into the studio.

Later That Night (around 7:00 PM)...

The vast city came to life with the paper lanterns and lanterns lighting up to the beat of the music, drums, flutes and even string instruments were being plucked softly in a large garden like park, which some could say was almost like a town square surrounded by the roads, for that the sounds of many sharing laughs and good times, some drinking away the night with joy in their hearts and mead in their bellies to warm their blood, in which Fritz was standing around near the vast party wearing a fancy petti coat and dress pants, his hat missing but his hair combed nicely and his boots shined up while Jack was sitting upon his shoulder, for the two were waiting for Talia as in his hands was a gift tightly bound in his grasp, soon stuffing it into his jacket letting a sigh escape his lips. 'I hope Talia is okay… she's been taking a long time to get ready…' He thought to himself when a voice called out to him "Fritz! I'm here, sorry for taking so long!" The voice called, in which he smiled softly hearing Talia's voice soon turning when his heart stopped for a quick second to find Talia wearing that of a light brown cotton gown with that of vines and leaves of oranges and reds lining the skirt reaching near her boots that shined softly in the moonlight and lanterns gaze, her hair was tied up into a ponytail with a brown leaf hair clip holding it together, for she gave a gentle smile towards Fritz. "So… What do you think?" She asked in which Fritz stuttered softly "B-B-Beautiful…" He spoke, trying not upset her in which she giggled softly at his reaction, blushing a little with a gentle smile.

"Awww, thanks Fritz. You look really handsome as well." She giggled, warmth behind her words for which only Fritz could do was blush at her words but felt a soft smile slowly forming upon his lips in which he held his hand out gently towards her "Let's go have some fun… sis." He spoke as Talia gently placed her hand softly into his hand, slowly wrapping her fingers around his hand "I would love that… Fritter." She giggled making him chuckle. The two walked into the park as many were playing different kinds of games and dancing happily to the music, eating treats and having drinking contests, the two didn't really know what to do first but Fritz had an idea bringing Talia to a large wooden tub full of water with apples bobbing softly in the water in which Talia was curious on how to play this game, as Fritz quickly dunked his head inside fishing around for a few seconds before coming up with an apple in his teeth, smiling happily behind the fruit. Talia was shocked for a second of what he was doing when he then took a bite out of the apple, munching happily "Try it, it's really fun." He said in which Talia was worried about this idea, soon letting a sigh escape her lips she kneeled down a little and softly dunked half her head in, but quickly raising it back up with a yellow apple in her mouth for Fritz smiled happily "Nice! That's one of those hard to get one's." Fritz praised Talia making her blush a little but gave a soft giggle, taking a decent sized bite out of hers.

The two continued to fish for a couple more apples, getting a decent amount and began to munch on them happily till Fritz smelled something sweet through the air for he began to follow the scent after he finished his apples, tossing them into a barrel that was filled halfway with trash Talia quickly following behind him when he stopped in front of a large table filled with many kinds of desserts and treats for all to eat. Fritz and Talia looked it over, feeling their stomachs softly growling for they took a hold of a couple treats taking bites out of them, their eyes slowly going wide in joy for they continued to eat, eating many kinds of treats like strudels, fritters, cookies and baked goods and washing it down with some mead as Fritz was able to get some normal mead this time because of the holiday that was being celebrated with this festival, for the two drank down a few more tankards of the alcohol getting a warm buzz from doing so, but not enough to get them drunk for Fritz had an idea, being the gift he had in hand he wanted to give it to her, but she had other plans gently taking his hand and dragging him to the dance floor soon holding his other hand upon her shoulder, for the two began to dance to the music continuing to play.

The music became a little slower with a more light hearted tone to its sounds, for the strings of their instruments were plucked softer almost to a gentler tone of love, followed with the flutes and drums as Talia and Fritz continued to dance to the music while a woman gently began to sing in opera like tone the words they couldn't really understand but many didn't care for her tone was almost of that of a siren's call, lulling them into a calmer demeanor for many it was the sounds of love. Fritz continued to dance with Talia, she slowly nuzzling close to him as she softly whispered to him "Fritz…? I… I'm really sorry for earlier today… I… I was so angry and I just… I'm just really sorry…" She apologized to Fritz in which he shook his head, holding his sister close "It's alright Talia… I shouldn't have done that yesterday, what I did was very uncalled for and I should be the one sorry…" He explained, reaching into his coat to reveal a gift in his hands "I even got you a gift, to say how sorry I am." Fritz spoke in a gentle tone, for Talia gasped with tears starting to well in her eyes "F-Fritz… Y-You didn't have to…" She tried to speak, but was silenced by Fritz who just simply shook his head with a soft smile. "But I wanted to do so, please… I hope you enjoy your gift, and know that I really am sorry." He spoke, handing Talia the gift in which she slowly unwrapped the fabric to find that it was the bottle she had seen yesterday in the blacksmith's shop, they eye gently looking at her with a calm demeanor.

Talia could feel the tears starting to drip out of her eyes, which she quickly wiped away "Fritz… This is really sweet of you…" She spoke, smiling a very soft, warm smile towards him which he could only do was mirror "You're very welcome Talia." He spoke as Talia kept the item close, soon reaching into a small bag on her side "I-I got you something as well… I-I really hope you like it…" Talia had said, in which Fritz was going to deny the gift she gently shook her head and asked for him to close his eyes, he did in which Talia had wrapped something around his neck and smiled "Okay, you can open your eyes now." She had said, Fritz opening his eyes to find that around his neck was a golden necklace, with that of a familiar looking golden heart in which Fritz looked at the necklace with wide eyes "T-Talia…" He softly spoke for she gave a gentle smile "I hope you like it… I knew you gave up yours in the dungeon for that emerald… so I thought I would get you another one… I knew it meant a lot to you, so I wanted you to have one again." She spoke with her smile, in which Fritz could feel a sting of tears in his eyes with a smile tugging upon his lips for he wiped his eyes and looked up at her, joy and what seemed to be hope in his eyes.

"I… I love it… T-Thank you…" He spoke, pulling her into a hug making her smile grow a little more, holding him in the hug. Family is a very large tie to many, for that they would try to hold onto it, with everything they have… but at times their grip shall falter and they will lose it, but that would be until another drifts towards them with open arms, holding them close and never letting them go and that's the drive for many, even to those who have lost everything the tie of family shall always keep them going and even grounded upon the planes of these lands.

*Hey everyone, also just a small thing we wanted to say is that this chapter is a little shorter than usual, for a couple reasons. One of which was that this chapter is a little more laid back, having the characters doing something that was in a way, a little more relaxed and fun. Another is that since it's fall we both thought a fall festival was a fun idea, to have the characters have a little fun. Anyway we hope you enjoyed the chapter and we hope to see you all in the next chapter.*