"CHEERS!" Emet laughed as the trio raised their glasses. They sat on deck, their ship set out to find the Silk Road. With treasure beneath their feet, the group was much more relaxed. "Do I know how to find gold, or do I know how to find gold!"

"Man, the guys back home will be jealous!" JD grinned. "I won't have to worry about my future anymore!"

"What do you mean?" Emet snorted.

"Well, we've got gold to spare! Just one of those things could let me marry any girl in town. I could go into trade or something that doesn't have manual labor. You know, something respectable." JD looked down at his drink embarrassed. "To be honest, I thought I was going to die when you guys first brought me along. Now I'm glad you did, it's really been quite an adventure." Emet rolled her eyes at this. Why was he so complacent, the adventure had just started! It was just like the wimp to want to bow out already. "What about you Rhodri? What do you want to do with the treasure?" He watched his friend jump up onto the table.

"I'm glad you asked! I've been running the numbers, and I have just enough buy a town. How does Mayor Rhodri sound to you?" Rhodri relished his drink and laughed. "Of course, I'll need to have a last name to be considered a noble, but that would cost extra. If we can't find anything else on the way I may just skip it. Names are really expensive, it's stupid." Rhodri plopped back down into his seat. "Besides, with the money I got, people will call me whatever I want just to get a piece of it."

"Why would you want to buy a town? That's just stupid." Emet huffed. Her mood was quickly becoming dour. Buying a town insinuated that Rhodri would actually stay in one place long enough to own it. Which was just silly since he'd be busy adventuring around and fighting monsters. A number of things could happen to his investment while he was a way.

"Oh, yeah? Well what about you then?" Rhodri objected.

"Well, I'll need a bigger boat." Emet rationalized. "Some real armor, a full crew, more supplies; adventure stuff."

"Captain, dear Captain," Rhodri said sagely, "this is the difference between you and I. You are thinking short term, I've been planning long term and soon that term will come to an end. While you are risking your hind for more treasure and going around in circles, I'll be fat and happy in my 'stupid' town."

Emet had never considered that Rhodri would have plans beyond their adventure. It was a childish, but she had just assumed that he would always be there. She had no doubt that they would manage to get more money on their way to China, and once he had that money, he would probably leave just like JD.

+ o +

Harv found himself sitting across a booth from Finn at his favorite pub. His gaze was fixed on the chatty blond, who was breezing through multiple topics at once. He wasn't sure how, but he was certain Finn had somehow convinced him to come here with that special way of his. The memory was still fresh in his mind like an open wound.

"Hey Harv," Finn called as he ran out into the field, "rest your plow, I got you off the hook today!" Harv did indeed drop the plow, but more so out of shock. "Why do you look so upset? You should be happy." To be honest, Harv had intended to bury himself in his work until he dropped. He couldn't commit a national crime if he was too tired to hold a conversation.

"I'm just surprised is all." Harv laughed awkwardly.

"Well don't just stand there, go ahead and get ready. We'll have a night on the town just the two of us. You deserve a chance to relax." Though smiling, the bard rocked back and forth on his feet. "You do want to come, don't you?"

"Of course, just give me a minute." Harv dusted himself off and went inside to find a clean change of clothes. He hadn't been this nervous to be around Finn in years.

"-it's funny though, Emet found a way to do something I had only dreamed of." Finn shook his head. "I wasn't brave enough to run away like she did. I couldn't even leave the house by myself."

"It wasn't brave, it was stupid." Harv argued. "Even if she has my brother with her, there are all sorts of dangers a defenseless girl could get into."

"Emet's not- nevermind." The soldier never did understand that there was only one Emet in Cailburry. "You like me, don't you?" It was probably the hundredth time he had asked since they got together.

"Of course." Harv smiled in spite of himself.

"…You still look tense." Finn sighed. "Are you sure you don't want to talk about it?"

"There's nothing to talk about." Harv dismissed.

"Well then let me buy you a drink."

"Finn, no, you don't have to do that."

"Please it's the least I can do." Finn signaled a maiden to bring them two ales. "You've saved my life, so I'm saving your mental health."

"Fine, fine; but just one." An upbeat melody flooded the room as an inexperienced mandolin-player tried to entertain the guests. Finn snorted in disapproval causing the warrior to chuckle.

"What, I didn't say anything." Finn defended.

"You didn't have to; it was written all over your face." Harv took another drink. "You know you want to teach that kid a lesson."

"There you go again accusing me of making these faces." Finn pouted. "And I don't want to teach him, I want to cream him. That green-horn doesn't know the first thing about entertaining people. It isn't enough to be talented musician, you have to act and sell your skills. That kid's just going through the motions, and just killing that piece-"

"It won't break my heart if you go over there." Harv interrupted.

"Bless your face, I'll be right back."

And so, one drink became two, then three; until Harv had become completely disoriented about his surroundings. Problems, he didn't have those. He was just sitting in some room watching Finn dance. He wasn't sure what the words were, but he was positive Finn was some type of beautiful. The way he moved, his smile, his very being seemed to light up the room. He was pretty sure this was his opinion and not the ale's.

"Come on Harv," Finn snickered, "you've done nothing but sit there since we got here." Finn was such a light weight; half a pint and he was already a tipsy disaster waiting to happened. Finn tugged on his arm, and he stood. Through no conscious decision of his own, he was dancing with Finn; as well as a couple other people, but he paid them no mind. Finn was much more entrancing up close with his large purple eyes and soft hair. The warrior leaned close, but was deterred by the blond. "H-Harv there are people, people watching."

"What people?" Harv slurred. He just wanted to finally let go of his mind. Was that so wrong? It caused him nothing but trouble, and this was nice. His hands were entwined with the other's and his lips were trying to lay claim on Finn's neck.

"Woah there," Finn said loudly so others would hear, "you've had one too many drinks tonight. Let's get you home before you cause any trouble." Trouble, what trouble? How was getting close to someone you cared for trouble? Finn lead him out of the bar and into the cool night air. But it didn't do him any good.

+ o +

"This is Armenia?" Emet sighed at the Turkish landscape. It was dark, the wee hours of the morning, yet they could tell by rocky mountain landscape before them that they were nowhere near France.

"Yep." Rhodri said, deadpanned.

"We went the wrong way again, didn't we?"

"Yep." At this point, with treasure in their ship and multiple recurrences, there was no reason to get mad. Quite frankly, it would be faster to continue down the coast line as they had been.

"There's a valley, a big one, on the other side of these rocks. It probably has a town in it." Emet stated.

"Then let's go."

"Wait." Emet held up her hand. The two turned to see JD laden with their bags. He panted, exhausted from the trek up from the beach. "Now we can go."

"Aw man, all the way through there?" JD whined. Emet glared at him. "Well, it's not that big of a deal, I just-"

"Then quit complaining and follow us." Emet ordered. They began their steep hike down the rocky slope, all the while JD was at war with himself. He should say something; after all it wasn't fair that he had to carry all the bags.

"Umm-" A hideous roar cut him off before he had a chance to speak. A gigantic worm-like beast emerged from a crevice; its translucent skin shimmered dully in the cloudy sunlight. With a flap of its mighty, scaled wings, it hopped over the rocks and on equal ground with its prey.

"Leave this push-over me!" Emet declared, drawing her sword. The beast lunged, to try to snap her up in its rows of sharp teeth. Emet used this to her advantage and launched herself into the air using its head as a step stool. She sliced one of the wings in half effortlessly. "Not so tough, are you!?" She cackled as the beast roared in pain. It then proceeded to writhe on the ground, breaking the terrain around it. Still, Emet hung on, using her sword as an anchor. She stabbed it repeatedly; amazed at how easy it was compared to the golem she had fought earlier. Soon the large insect stopped moving altogether. "Another sweet victory!" She declared.

"Emet, the monster!" JD declared. Emet looked down to see her kill rapidly decaying. Steam billowed as the fatty flesh shriveled. She hopped off it immediately, shocked by the heat it imitated.

"Is it supposed to do that?" Emet asked.

"I have no clue." Rhodri shook his head. "Let's go before another shows up."

+ o +

Finn was a giggling mess. Granted, he still had a hold on reality, but Harv was acting so strangely. He had never seen the warrior so serious in his life.

"You're walking too fast, slow down." Finn said. Harv mumbled something, but he couldn't hear what it was too well. "What was that?"

"We're here." Harv said clearly.

"Umm, Harv," Finn snickered, "this is the barn. The house is still over there." Harv grabbed Finn's hand and dragged him into the barn. "Harv!? The house is outside, out over there." He pointed at the closed door.

"Do you remember it?" Harv slurred. Finn gave a noise that was a mixture between a snort and a gurgle.

"What are you talking about?"

"This is where we kissed, the first time. It was right here." Harv stared at the floor reliving the memory.

"Harv-"

"I was such a mess back then, I-I dragged you down with me." Harv gripped Finn's hands. "You've given me more than I could ever ask for. But now I want other things Finn. Things I have no right to have, I don't even deserve this. Seriously, what have I done? I tricked you." Harv's flushed face threatened to be stained with tears.

"No." Finn shook his head, still wobbly from the drink. Harv was obviously drunk; he didn't know what he was saying. Finn would just have to coax him back home.

"No, I did. I tricked you. If it wasn't for that spell, you wouldn't even like me. Not like this." Harv swayed a little but held his ground. "I shouldn't even touch you, but I want to." His grip became gentler. "I want to so much."

"Harv you can." Finn sighed. "You're touching me right now. So let's go back to the house alright? You can touch me more if you want, but I can't have you passing out on the floor."

"You really mean that?"

"Of course." Finn sighed with relief, he'd finally be able to get Harv home. However, Harv misinterpreted his answer in his drunken state. The next thing Finn knew, he was pinned up against a wall.

Harv kissed Finn forcefully on the mouth; his own hands clumsily undid his shirt. It fell to the floor, among the piles of hay, in a disheveled heap. Finn managed to pull away.

"Harv!" Finn exclaimed. Hot kisses trailed down his neck, causing the blond to groan. Everything was happening so fast.

"I've wanted this for such a long time." Harv groaned. Finn felt the farmer grind up against him and moaned. Hormones and impaired judgment combined to justify what was going on. Harv said he wanted this, so it was okay. It wasn't like Finn was using him or anything. They were in a relationship, a long going one at that. Most couples became intimate after the first month; it wasn't like any of this was unnatural. Besides, if felt so good to finally have Harv craving him.

Finn eagerly latched onto Harv, hands gliding over the well toned body before him. Soon every article of clothing was gone and the world became a blur. How could any moment be more perfect then this?

+ o +

Harv groaned as he lay on the cold, stone ground. When did he fall asleep? He couldn't even recall what had happened last night after Finn had dragged him to the bar. He sat up abruptly, he was dreaming again under the same blasted blue sky. The wolf could be anywhere. He scrambled to his feet and looked around wildly.

He found the wolf alright, curled up on the ground like a sleepy kitten. It had shrunk back to an ordinary size and barely paid Harv any mind.

"What's with you?" Harv asked, curious and frightened all at the same time. It looked up at him sleepily; he could almost swear the creature smiled at him. Head lolled to the side, the wolf stared at him like the cat that had caught the canary. It had gotten what it wanted. It would only take him until morning to realize just what he had done.

+ o +

"Well it's not China," Rhodri reasoned, "but it's pretty close." They had found the end of the Silk Road in the Turkish country, the opposite end of their destination. "We could save a lot of trouble if we just get the goods here." It was a bustling market place. Residential houses surrounded them along the edge of the valley. None of them could have predicted how large the city was.

"Well, yeah, but where's the adventure in that?" Emet proceeded to mock the idea. "Oh I sail half way across the world to buy stuff. I don't think so."

"We need to think realistically. Everything we were going to get in China is right here; spices, iron, silk. I'll just head over there and get the goods then we can leave." No danger, was good danger. If they got their treasures here, then they could swing back around and drop off their friend. Even though he wasn't complaining, it was obvious to Rhodri that JD was through adventuring. To be honest, he was a little tired too. Maybe they could take a break in Crete for a while, it seemed like a nice enough place.

"Rhodri that's not the point-"

"Don't worry, I'll get some white silk for you." Rhodri teased. "You guys can explore in the meantime."

"Rhodri, listen to me!" Emet raged, but Rhodri had already ran off.

"We can have fun too." JD compromised. Emet fumed quietly to herself and looked at JD.

"Grab the bags; we're going on a little trip." She led him to a darker part of town. The red light district bustled around them as Emet searched for the 'right' crowd. She had to remedy her situation.

"Umm, w-what are we doing here." JD flushed at the sight of so many scantily clad women. Emet said nothing, and breezed past door after door. Finally she came to a group of me betting on various odds. She reached into her pocket for the loaded dice Rhodri had made for her.

"Hey boys, how about a game of sevens? All use my own dice, if that's alright."