"What do you mean Quina's missing!?" Keo yelled at Adaro who informed her the second she awoke from a days rest. She brought her hands up to grip at her hair, concern overwhelming her. "I go to sleep for five seconds..."

"You were out for an entire day actually, Arisen." Dae corrected her with a smile.

"Don't help." Keo shot to the pawn, her worry for the girl she'd grown up with clearly making her lash out. "Why the hell would she go to a place called Witchwood? Surely she knows that's got bad idea written all over it? It's not called frikken' Happywood." The Arisen paced as she ranted. Adaro had left her with the request to see to her safe return. Naturally she'd agreed to it as Quina was one of her closest friends but she was beginning to think she should have stayed in bed when the dragon attacked. "Flipping Witchwood. Maker Quina.. You don't half get yourself into trouble."

"The Witchwood sounds like an ominous place, Arisen." Dae sighed, uneasy to venture to such a forest. "Best prepare well."

Keo let out a groan and rolled her shoulder as it had started to seize up, her entire body ached from her dealings with the ogre trio yet still she tugged on her boots. Tiredly she gathered her things together, setting them out on the bed until she'd gathered enough energy to put on the chest guard that was staring her in the face. How she hated the buckles and ties. "Best get started.." She went to collect her daggers from the side table as she'd easily attached her belt but Dae was quick to snatch them. "Oh, thanks. That's very helpful." She smiled yet he didn't hand her them.

"No." Dae frowned, staring down at her with a stern expression. He could see how tired she was, she was still exhausted. He knew she was concerned for Quina but she was in no state to go anywhere. She could barely put on her travelling gear let alone hold a weapon.

"Very funny." Keo smiled and held out her hands for the blades. "C'mon, Dae. Quina needs our assistance. Give them back." Dae shook his head and took a step away from the girl to which she responded by taking a step towards him. "..Dae, don't make me do the dickish thing and order you to give me my daggers back. Quina's missing."

The brunette frowned and narrowed his eyes at the Arisen, taking in her appearance. He could see bruises that had formed from where the ogres had gripped onto her, he could see that breathing hurt her. She was in no shape to go for a jog let alone traipse into a place named Witchwood. "No. If you want them... You'll have to catch me." With his piece said, he turned and ran from her home, running up the hill to where the chiefs hut stood. If she could actually catch him with her injuries then he'd let her go after the healer but if not then he'd have to force her into resting.

"Dae!" Keo yelled after him. Admittedly she was shocked at his behaviour, she knew he could get cheeky but that was a downright tantrum and disobedience. Could pawns even resist orders? "Oh for fuck sake!" The Arisen let out a huff, something she did a lot of lately and gave chase to the boy. The hill winded her a bit and breathing was painful due to the ever constant stinging around her ribs and stomach but she caught up to him at the steps."There's no way out of there." She tried to reason as Dae cornered himself on the stairs to the hut. "Just give me the daggers, okay?"

"Rest for another day and I'll return them." Dae argued back as he backed himself up against the walling. For a split second he felt himself nearly topple over the edge but he was quick to grip onto the wall, managing to secure himself. He had however caught a glance at a ledge he could safely land on if he were to jump over. "That's my offer."

Keo scrunched her nose up at him, "I don't think you're in a position to make demands. You're my pawn. If you won't give them back when I ask nicely then fine.. You've left me no other option. Dae.. I order you to hand me back my daggers!"

Dae glared at the girl, his hand twitching as he fought the urge to obey her command. Using her power as the Arisen was smart but his worry for her outweighed his need to listen to her. Apparently travelling with her, he could feel certain things over time. He'd acquired the need to protect her and not just because he was her main pawn. "Come get them." He smirked down at her as she tried to make a quick grab for the weapons. The second she'd made a move towards him though he was swift to turn and vault himself over the wall, falling down onto the ledge that jutted out over the water. He looked up to catch Keo gaping down at him and he edged his way around the ledge until he could see the sand below him where he simply slid himself down the rocks. It was his duty to protect her, even if it meant protecting her from herself.

Keo winced and gripped onto the wall, taking a moment for a breather. She knew fine well the ogres had screwed up her body to the point inhaling was painful but the monsters out there wouldn't wait for her to get better. They'd just attack Quina. She couldn't allow that. Leon hadn't been an ogre but he'd definitely helped her be able to take a beating so like when she was younger, she forced herself back to her feet and jogged down the hill, heading for the beach. She spotted Dae trying to sneak past her as she scanned the shore, when he caught sight of her he dashed off along the beach to which she was quick to sprint after."Give them back, Dae! Maker I will chase you to the ends of this blasted town." As painful as it was she forced her legs to move faster and in one desperate leap she tackled him into the sand. "Hand 'em over, pretty boy!"

Dae grunted when she used her full strength to try and pin him but he was resistant and managed to forcefully remove her hands from his shoulders. "No! You're hurt! I will not allow you to leave this town until you're healthy!" He protested stubbornly.

"You don't get a choice! I'm the Arisen not you! I say I'm fine so give me them this instant!" She yelled back as she tried to get to the sheathed daggers around his hips though he was keeping her hands at bay by gripping onto her wrists. "For all that's holy, Dae, give me them!"

He struggled against her until he felt her weakening in her fight for the daggers and anger was quick to flare up within him. "I can keep this up for eternity, can you!?" Dae yelled down at her as he rolled them over so he was sat atop her instead, using his body weight to pin her to the sand. In one move he had her completely stuck with her hands pinned at either side of her head. He knew she said to never be in this position again but it was hardly like the last time. This was actually for her benefit. "You aren't indestructible, Arisen. You must give your body time to heal itself before you take up another quest." He tried to reason though by the weak struggling against him he figured he had to give her another speech. "You've been use to duties within these walls, you haven't faced full fledged monsters before so your body won't be use to the strain. Your willpower is admirable but you can't force yourself, it will kill you and that I cannot allow! I know you're worried for your friend and we will get her back, I promise, but stop fighting me. Arisen, listen to me!" His shout had ceased her actions mid struggle and now she was simply staring up at him with doe eyes, shocked that he'd yelled at her. "Battles is what I know. It's all I've done and all I've ever known so heed my advice, please. You'll only hurt yourself if you continue in your condition." Her body went limp under him as she stared up at him, he could see her wanting to argue back but she never opened her mouth, simply dropped her head back. "I know you want to help her but... Do you want her to see you like this? You cherish her greatly, don't you? Just as you do your village.. What ould she do if she saw you in this state?"

Keo turned her head away from Dae, gaze focusing on the sea and the horizon. She couldn't look at him out of embarrassment. Of course she hadn't been in the right mindset. Quina had vanished. Sense had abandoned her the second she heard about where she'd went. All she knew she had to do was go after her but when an emotionless husk had to be the one to tell her reason she'd truly sunk low. "...If I can't save Quina like this.. How can I save Gransys from a dragon?" Her voice came out so feeble it almost made Dae want to hug her to him. In one moment she'd returned to being the little girl who doubted herself again. Though he found no need for her to have those doubts.

Dae furrowed his brows in thought before he smiled and softened his gaze, she was pouting and everything. He released one of her wrists and grasped her chin to turn her head to face him. "In time. We're in no rush to meet the dragon, we don't need to hasten the end fight. He's extended the invitation to you to meet him or run which means he knows you'll need to strengthen yourself. He has the capability to destroy all of Gransys yet he's sleeping in some mountain. He's waiting for you to be ready as right now.. You aren't and he knows you aren't." She frowned up at him and averted her gaze at his words, at least thinking it all over. "But you will be ready. It will just take time." He assured her. "You will be able to face the dragon and I will be right there at your side."

"Keo?" Came the familiar voice that made butterflies erupt within the girls stomach. Keo looked up to see Valmiro staring down at the two with a raised eyebrow. Valmiro gave Dae the once over before crouching down to properly see the blonde. "Are you alright? I saw the commotion from the docks."

"He stole my daggers." Keo blushed, instantly finding the strength to shove Dae off of her. "Did you hear Quina's missing?" She asked as she scrambled to her feet. Mentally she kicked herself for letting him see her like that. She wasn't sure why but it felt like he'd just caught her cheating on him. That couldn't happen mind you because for one they weren't together and Dae was of the Pawn legion. Hence her confusion.

Valmiro stood as she did, flashing Dae a look which the pawn caught. He nodded slowly and crossed his arms, concern etching across his features. "I did. She went off to the Witchwood to find out how to heal your wound I believe. I would have stopped her myself but she was gone before I awoke. Adaro's been worried sick though.."

Keo sighed and lifted her hand to pick at the skin on her lower lip. It was a terrible habit that she subconsciously did when feeling nervous or anxious. Her eyes darted to the pathway that lead to the main gates and she debated making a run for it before Dae got up but she knew what a terrible and rash thought that was. "You can't heal what isn't there.." Keo mumbled to the air.

Dae pushed himself to his feet and took his spot by the Arisen's side, eyeing up Valmiro who'd placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don't be like that, cos. You'll get your heart back. You've always been a strong one."

Keo shifted her gaze to Valmiro and smiled weakly, "Lately I'm beginning to doubt that.."

"Are you staying in the village long?" Valmiro asked suddenly, catching the archer off guard at the sudden topic change.

Keo looked up at Dae for the answer but he just nodded for her to decide on her own. "Well.." She would have said she was leaving right away to find Quina but the look Dae had on his face made her rethink it. He was giving her an expectant look. "..I'll need to heal up from my last quest." She admitted, head dropping with a heavy sigh. "Once I'm better though I'll be tracking down Quina."

"You're injured!?" Valmiro gasped, fretting instantly. His shock had earned him a scoff from the pawn at his childhood friends side which made him frown and glare at the man. "What?"

Dae placed an arm around Keo so he could guide her back to her home and hopefully the safety of her bed sheets. "Your observational skills are a bit off is all. She's obviously exhausted. Excuse us."

Keo dug her heels into the sand and cast a small glare up at Dae instantly. "I'd rather sit and watch the sea if it's all the same. And be nice." Dae tsked and released the girl, arms crossing across his chest huffily. He gave her a moody nod before glaring off to the side like he was awaiting an ambush. Keo shook her head and looked back to Valmiro. "Don't mind him. I've just got a few bruises which are under my clothes so there's no way you'd be able to see them. He only knows because he was there when I got them."

"What happened?" Valmiro asked, unsure whether he wanted to know. Still he voiced his curiosity. He gestured Keo to sit down in the sand and when she did he took up a seat beside her, listening to the tale of the three ogres. He couldn't help but feel a little jealous. He'd longed to travel the world and they'd often spoke of doing so together. Now she was off having adventures of her own and he was stuck within Cassardis, worrying for her safety and wondering about the world. "Wow. Sounds dangerous...Three ogres, eh?.. To think the world is home to such creatures. T'is folly."

"They don't even eat fish. Got that assumption wrong. That's not the best part though.. I fought a Hydra! Can you believe it, Miro? A Hydra. Then I had to escort the head through the canyons to Gran Soren where I was attacked by all sorts of things. Harpies, wolves, bandits and goblins. All trying to get at the thing. It was ridiculous!" Keo laughed lightly, "I don't advise riding harpies, by the way. It doesn't end well."

Valmiro listened to her go, simply watching her relive her journey to the Capitol. What he had noticed was the ever growing smile that made a home on her lips when speaking of the dangers on the road. It was no wrong assumption to think this girl was made for adventuring. She was still breathing after all of her encounters, that had to count for something. "And what of the Capitol? What's that like?"

"Oh it's just as we dreamt! It's so huge and the houses are just as big as the chapel, if not bigger!" Keo grinned excitedly. "There's so many people too. All different. There's ladies and messengers, peasants and nobles, stall merchants and merchants with shops of their own.. It's all so overwhelming actually to think such a busy place is just beyond the walls." She mused, turning her gaze back to Valmiro. "I wish we'd gone there together."

"I wish that too. It's been terribly dull without you, cos." Valmiro smiled charmingly, gaze soon locking onto her eyes. It use to be that she'd turn away every time he looked at her but her adventures had seemed to also boost her confidence, among other things. So they remained staring into each others eyes, unable to turn away.

Dae flicked his attention to the two, his eyebrow quirking upwards at the way they were looking at one another. Before he could stop himself he had slid himself in between them and wiggled a bit, acting like he was only trying to indent his butt into the sand for comfort. What he was actually doing was pushing them apart. "T'is quite the view, Arisen." He stated.

Keo raised a fist to her mouth and giggled, "That it is, Dae." Usually he would have irritated her with his antics but in truth she was thankful. It reminded her of when she first acquired him and he kept getting in the way at the Warrior's Departure. She'd felt an urge to kiss Valmiro before he interrupted and she had no right to do that as when she was better she'd be disappearing once again, leaving him behind to go find Quina.

Valmiro cleared his throat awkwardly at being met by the back of Dae's head and for a split second he felt the urge to toss the pawn into the Brine. He didn't though as he was much too gentle natured for that. Still, he thought on it. "So tell me.." He blushed, turning his gaze back to the ocean where he focused on the waves that lapped at the shore. He'd almost ruined everything before Dae interfered. Part of him didn't want him to but he had been about to kiss her and Dae had just saved him and her from what could have ruined their entire friendship. "How does it feel to be an adventurer? You must meet many interesting characters on the road."

Keo gasped and snapped her attention to Valmiro, leaning over Dae's lap to see him properly. "Definitely! I met a really lovely peddler named Reynard. I think he's gay but he's really nice. He gave me a cloak when I saved him from goblins. Then there's Mercedes. She's so cool! A real example to female warriors everywhere. She's the leader of the Enlistment Corps that were situated at the Encampment. She's really level headed and in control of her tasks. Also Barnaby. He's the keeper of the pawn guild. He walks with a bit of a limp though so I think there's a story there but he's really interesting. He's also a pawn himself."

Valmiro cast a glance at the way she could comfortably sprawl herself over the man she initially couldn't trust but he chuckled none the less at her outburst of excitement. "I knew you secretly liked people."

Keo scrunched her nose up and shook her head, "I'd rather converse with the animals but they were slightly more interesting than I thought they'd be, right Dae?"

Dae looked down at her and smiled, nodding gently. "They were quite interesting yes."

Keo beamed happily then looked to Valmiro, "So what have you been up to?"

Valmiro looked back to the ocean and smiled, feeling as though his feats paled in comparison to hers. "The usual, I'm afraid. Nothing as exciting as battling a Hydra."

"Answering life's mysteries is just as exciting as battling a Hydra, Miro. In fact it's better." Keo nodded sagely. "I find your research and findings to be very interesting in fact. Much more appealing than ogres and goblins."

Valmiro hid his face by acting as though something at the docks caught onto his attention when in fact he was hiding a blush. "Well.. I did notice how the small fish formed shoals and I began to wonder why they did that. So I started to watch and eventually learnt of them. It was quite fascinating but then I wondered why..Hm.. No. No, I don't want to bore you with this." The villagers always saw him as strange for his eccentricities and wonders but Keo had always viewed him differently. Not like the way Quina did. Quina would chide him for being too reckless and then let him talk about his findings but Keo was the one to seem to genuinely listen and enjoy what he was telling her. She'd always encourage him to live as he wanted and continue his enquires. Part of him still thought she was only humouring him however.

"Miro.." Keo, after gathering her effort and strength, grasped onto Dae and rolled herself over him to sit in the gap between the two. Now she could at least see Valmiro fully. "I've already told you not to hold back. Please tell me? I've missed listening to your research. It's always intriguing."

Valmiro laughed at the rolling and the bitch face Dae pulled when he noted they were sat together once again. He shook his head and ran a hand through his hair, debating on telling her or not. Eventually he decided he should. She did look to be telling the truth after all and she did always bright up when he spoke about such things. So he sat talking to her about the way the birds sang to one another in the tree's and how at first he thought they were just chirping for the sake of it but when he watched more closely discovered they were communicating and dancing together. The more Valmiro spoke about his research, the more the Arisen relaxed. Normally Dae would try and get in between them again for he was a human male with desires but that human had accomplished what he could not. He got the Arisen to rest. She leant herself against the boy who happily acted as her pillow, something they must have done before he was even in the picture as they both seemed so accustomed to the routine. In that moment Dae was at a loss on why he was there.