Amber's POV:

I had no trouble getting to sleep at first. But shortly after I drifted off on Alex's shoulder, I woke up in the tent. The images of the earlier day still haunted me. How did Alex figure out how to cast a shield spell? Even without mana crystals. I opened the tent and went to check on Alex, mostly because I wasn't able to catch any sleep. He was resting against the bank with his strange pack close to him. He was shivering, because he no longer had the warmth of the fire to sustain heat. I groggily grabbed the blanket from the tent and snuggled up with him. Despite the cold surrounding us, his body heat was soothing as I finally became capable of drifting off into a deep and peaceful sleep.

Alex's POV:

I woke up after a surprisingly peaceful sleep. I was surprised at how well I had slept until I noticed a warmth pressed against my back. Confused, I turned around. I was met face to face by a sleeping fox. Great. Amber is sleeping under the same blanket as me… At least she brought it from the tent.

The warmth of Amber's body next to mind tempted me to drift back to sleep, but I decided it best not to. After all, If we woke up at the same time that might be awkward. I traveled to the same slow-moving area of the river that had formed into a pond. I had saved my spear from yesterday just in case. It took me around half of an hour to catch 4 decently sized fish. I had guessed by yesterday that Amber preferred her fish raw, so I only cooked two. I was prepared to give up my smaller portion of what was cooked if she wanted it cooked.

I light the fire using the steel I had bought in town

She was obviously awoken by the scent of the fish, because within seconds of me having brought it back she was already up and my my side. As expected, she chose the raw fish, which I had already gutted and prepared for her.

The only difference this time was that she waited politely for me to finish cooking before she swallowed hers in a matter of seconds. I finished mine, then I asked about last night. "So… about the whole sleeping arrangement thing…" I said. Amber's face started to glow red beneath the white fur on her muzzle. "I couldn't sleep…" she muttered. I asked "What, can you speak up?" I added a little of a playful tone to my voice. It seemed to put her on edge. "I couldn't sleep." She said a little louder. I didn't mind, really… I was tempted to say out loud, but I didn't want her to think that I was into her. But, I said it anyway. "Well, I didn't mind, really." I replied sheepishly, as my face turned red. Her ears shot upright. "What, what, it was really cold!" I half yelled. She giggled at me. I reached over and flicked her ear. She returned it with a playful shove. She had made sure to have her claws out to deliver that pin-prick feeling that I absolutely hated.

Something rustled nearby. I made eye contact with Amber. The look of happiness had disappeared from her face, and it was quickly replaced by a look of worry. Let's hope this is nothing. I nodded towards the bank next to the tent. Amber got the hint and crawled over to the bank, hiding herself. I reached into my pack and grabbed my knife.

Suddenly, what appeared to be a throwing knife shot out from one from somewhere. My reaction time was my only saving grace, when I ducked and dodged the knife out of pure luck. I whipped around and made eye contact with what appeared to be a wolf. Not only was it a wolf, but it was a wolf 'keidran'.

It held another throwing knife in one hand, and a short sword in it other hand. I was only able to identify it as wolf by what I could see of its face. Luckily, it only seemed like a petty thief. It charged me, or rather, she. She lunged forwards swiftly. I sidestepped and she tumbled to the ground. Before I had the chance to turn around, she slashed out with one of his knifes, cutting through my leg.

I nearly doubled over from the slash, but instead I threw my leg out and impacted her stomach. She was only partially onto his feet, but her progress was quickly reset by the impact.

She threw another one of her knives at me, which I was not quick enough to dodge. The knife slashed my arm, almost making me drop my knife. I brought it forwards and slashed through her robes and into her fur on her arm. She yelped out in pain. She planted one foot behind him and launched at me.

Her body impacted me and we both fell over backwards, her on top of me. I pushed as hard as I could, and threw the thief off of me. That's when an idea came to my head. I grabbed my bag and told her "Just take what I have and go." She held his larger sword and approached me. I held out the bag a few inches from me, one hand rustling through it. "Just give me the whole bag!" She threateningly yelled at me. My plan sprang into action. I drew the pistol that I had taken from the man without the mask when after my parents death. I knew this would be useful one day. I brought the gun down on the thief's head with all of my strength. She fell into an unconscious heap on the ground.

Amber came out from her hiding spot. "Was that really necessary?" She eyed the wolf on the ground. "Well, it was this, or i'd have to kill her. That or she'd kill me." Amber's look softened as if that was the answer she was looking for. I searched her, and came up with 2 convenient mana crystals. Amber took them from my hands and cast the healing spell. We finished searching the wolf, and found 2 hidden daggers, and some gold and silver.

We tied her arms and legs, and then propped her up against the bank, next to the tent. Amber clawed her arm in a not-so-playful way, which caused it to snap awake. She immediately tried to stand up and launch herself at me, only to fall over forwards and immediately land flat on her face. I turned her over and asked "Who are you, and what are you doing here?"

Her reply was not what I had suspected. "You have quite a bounty on your head there sir. Black magic, murder, and freeing a slave. You're a wanted man.- The name is Kayla." I looked over at Amber and she only shrugged in reply. I whispered over to her "What should we do with her?" I only earned another shrug for a reply. I whispered again to Amber. "Where's the nearest trail? We can dump it there." I turned to the thief, and right as I was going to say something he told me "I wouldn't suggest that. After all, I know your whereabouts."

This is getting on my nerves… okay. "Well, then what do you expect us to do with you?" I asked. "Let me travel with you. After all, I don't exactly have anything to go back to."

I put my hand on Amber's shoulder and nodded towards the edge of our campsite. She got the idea and followed me. Once we were out of earshot, I whispered to Amber "Should we let her travel with us? After all, she just tried to kill me." She sighed and gave the reply I didn't want. "It should be fine if Kayla travels with us. I have a plan- we keep her hands tied." As soon as amber said that, someone patted my back. "That won't be needed." Came a familiar voice behind me. Kayla was standing behind me with her arms folded over his chest.

I told her "Fine. But anything suspicious and you're out." Kayla yelled out with joy, maybe a little too enthusiastically, for she earned strange glances from Amber and I.

Keep in mind I may add another character later on, but it all depends. Sorry about the shorter chapters (around 1750 words) its easier and less stressful for me.