Chapter 6 - Meet Again

"I think this belongs to you. You left it hanging on the saddle of my horse back at the encampment."

A familiar sight graced my eyes as Severa set down my black backpack at the foot of the bed. I'm still not exactly sure how it came into this world with me, but I won't question why. I scrambled to my bag, wincing as the spot where I'd been unceremoniously stabbed left a pang of pain.

"Don't overdo it, buddy. Or Maribelle'll have my head for not keeping a proper eye on you." Severa commented from the side as she perused through the books on the shelves. Now that I think about it, the game itself didn't really lend Severa to be that much of a reader. Then again, these were real people in front of me. Confining them to character quirks or traits, especially with the limited information you got, doesn't seem like such a great idea. Besides, who doesn't love a good book every now and then?

"Yea, I'll uh. Stay safe." God, that felt so awkward. Severa scoffed as she sat on the stool Cynthia comically knocked over moments before. Turning my attention back to my bag, I dug through its contents. I only checked it for foodstuffs back when I woke up in that god-forsaken forest. Turning the bag upside down, I dumped the contents as a bunch of items came spilling out.

Severa commented, "I did you a little favor and tossed out some of the food you had laying in your bag. Unless you like crap that goes bad. In which case, sorry but not sorry. Though, you've got some weird crap in there."

I chuckled as I looked at the items currently sitting right on my bed. The portable battery for my phone. The safety manual that ate the arrow for me. I silently thanked Naga in my head. Hope that as a Catholic that isn't considered heresy. Do as the Romans do or so they say. Besides, I'm pretty sure my concept of God doesn't exist here in Ylisse… I think.

Let's not get into that.

Two small cases emblazoned with a mixture of red and blue. As well as my D&D Dungeon Master's Guide and Player's Handbook. That's right. I was supposed to be heading off to a session after work with the boys. Guess that ain't happening anymore. I opened one of the cases and rolled one of the dice in my hand. Fuck, I just really hope this is one of those cases where time is frozen where I live or something. The thought of me going missing back in Jersey is… upsetting to say the least. I know for a fact my friends and family would be doing their damn best to try and find me too.

I shook my head to rid myself of any negative thoughts. Now wasn't the greatest time to dwell on that. The only remaining items was an extra set of clothes, my wallet and keys, as well as a few granola bars Severa didn't think to throw away. Probably didn't think it was food. Oh, and a pair of earbuds, plus a selfie stick. That one belonged to my mom.

"You still moping?" I heard another turn of a page as Severa spoke up.

"What? I was not moping. I was thinking." I answered.

Severa shrugged. "Says the guy who was crying a few minutes ago."

"Are you always this much of an ass?" I grumbled as I put my things back together and in my bag.

"Only to people who deserve it." Another quick turn of a page as she answered with a frown.

Perhaps in any other situation, I would have embraced Severa's abrasiveness. 'Wow, one of my favorite characters is doing their totally lovable character trait,' except to me! Like meeting Vader over in Disneyland and having him play the part of the villain while you get to be the Jedi.

Except that was acting. This scene playing out in front of me right now? Not acting. She's pissed and I have no friggin' clue why. So I'll do this the easy way. I can always just ask.

"Alright, what the hell is your problem here? Care to explain why you're attacking me when it hasn't even been five minutes since you stepped into the room?"

I didn't say it had to be kind.

Severa closed her book with a loud thump. "If it isn't obvious, then I guess you're more stupid than I gave you credit for."

I rolled my eyes at this illogical attempt to deflect the topic. This was affecting me, so I'd like it kindly if you played along!

"Enlighten me then! What did I do wrong!"

"You tried to sacrifice yourself, that's what's wrong!" Her head snapped up as she slammed her book on the bedside table, with enough force to leave a crack on the wooden top. I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out.

Severa sat down with a huff, massaging her temples with her right hand as the two of us tried to gather our thoughts.

I ended up breaking the silence. "I-I don't get it. Shouldn't you be happy that your brother made it out alright?"

Her head remained low as slow and rhythmic breaths left her mouth. "What, do you expect me to be happy that Owain made it out fine because you almost went and got yourself killed?" The dread didn't fade as Severa seemed to fret over me. It oozed into my heart, as small bouts of guilt began to drown me from within.

"Imagine if I didn't find you. Or if that spear managed to find its way to your heart. You would have died and that would have been on me. Which also means my plan was inherently flawed."

She stood up abruptly with her back turned, her boots making audible footsteps as she paced around the room. "I should have secured the escape route before going after the sorcerers. I was so caught up in catching their backline, I didn't think to see that our way out was compromised. Gawds, there were so many things I could have done, but the fact that you got injured means my plan failed."

She looked up and I was frightened to see that her expression pulled a one-eighty from before. Gone was the livid glare, instead replaced with a hardened gaze.

"So sorry for not being elated at the idea that a civilian of all people nearly died to ensure Owain's survival."

I felt myself staring. There wasn't much to say. An apology lay on the tip of my tongue, but nothing came out. Out of politeness, and hoping to avoid more of a backlash, I waited until Severa caught her thoughts in order.

Severa, who decided to take the book she slammed on the table back to its shelf, kept the silence going. I sighed, feeling the guilt well up inside me, and shifted my legs over the side of the bed to rest my feet on the wooden floor.

"You doing alright?" I managed to say, breaking the tension in the room.

Severa chose to lean on the side of the bookshelf, arms crossed as her lips formed an unreadable expression. She took a moment to brush one of her twintails behind her shoulder, letting out a hefty sigh in the meanwhile.

"What made you do it?" She asked.

I blinked awkwardly. "You mean helping Owain? I dunno, it felt like the right thing to do."

I raised an eyebrow, wondering where Severa was going with this and she rolled her eyes in response. "And what made you think staying behind was the right option?"

We both stared at each other quietly, surrounded by the crackling of the embers from the fireplace. She looked at me steadily as I tried to think of an appropriate answer.

"I mean, why risk everyone else's livelihoods for my sake." I said carefully, thinking for a moment, "Look, it's not like I wanted to be stabbed in the leg, but we had no idea if there were any other obstacles along the route. So I figured that if I'd try to continue on with them, defending me would be a liability."

With a cheerless laugh, Severa shook her head. "It's more than that. You barely even know us. Even in that other world of yours, could you even say we were more than acquaintances?"

Now I was just confused. Where the hell was she going with this? Saying we were anything more than acquaintances would be a lie though. Not that it's stopped me before.

I continued, "No, we weren't."

"And you don't think that's the least bit weird? Willingly letting yourself stay behind to ensure everyone else's survival. For mere acquaintances, nonetheless? You don't strike me as the hero type either, no offense." Severa replied, choosing to slightly push herself off the bookshelf as she walked to my position.

I shrugged noncommittally, confusion replacing the guilt in my heart. "I'm afraid I don't follow. Again, you're acting like I was trying to get myself killed out there!"

Severa stopped about a feet or two in front of me, arms still crossed and staring at me down from above. "Your life or Owain's. In your opinion, what's worth more?"

Was this a trick question? I think the answer was pretty obvious if you asked me. One of the best fighters the Shepherds had and a guy who's only experience in fighting was basic MMA sparring? Why wouldn't it be Owain?

I voiced out my thoughts, "I dunno, when you compare the life of one of your more able soldiers and a random like me, I think it's a pretty easy choice to make."

Making a clicking sound with her tongue, Severa kicked the chair to her left, sending it tumbling to the ground. It just isn't that chair's lucky day.

"And that's exactly my point! What makes your life any less important than Owain's! Just because you can't fight!?"

I raised an eyebrow. I didn't expect this. It's not as though I were well acquainted with Severa in a personal manner like she said before, so seeing this large of a reaction towards my well-being felt out of place. Besides, I'm out to survive like any other person caught up in this war.

"I-I mean," the definition of a tactician flashed in my head. "Isn't that kinda your job as a tactician? Determine people's worth and all that? Or what, are you going to say the worth of my life is akin to the Exalt's."

Severa stared at me for several seconds, as a myriad of expressions crossed her face. Shock, anger, sorrow, before ending in the same glare she's been throwing out ever since I met her.

"That's not-!" She bit her lip in the middle of her statement, her thoughts veiled behind her eyes. "I'm just… I'm just trying to keep everyone alive! Because it's what my father would have done if he were still the tactician of this army!"

With an irritated click of the tongue, Severa stuck her finger at my chest. It was only until now that I realized my chest was still bare in the aftermath of my discussion with Cynthia. Gods, we're having a serious discussion and here I am, about to blush like a teenaged schoolgirl.

"And you! You said it yourself, didn't you? You're good with numbers and the like. Who's to say we don't need people like you in the army? Did you think fighting ability is all we needed to fight off the Risen?"

I raised both of my hands questioningly, trying to inch myself away as Severa was dangerously close for my own comfort. "Well, in the grand scheme, I'm sure it would matter-,"

The finger pointed at my chest now formed an open palm and I couldn't help but let out a grunt as I felt myself forcefully pushed back on the bed. D-did she really just do that?!

"Zip it! That was a rhetorical question! The adult is talking here!" She narrowed her eyes at me as she moved to speak again.

"I'm 26! I'm pretty sure I'm older than you are!" I don't care how young I look because of my Asian, er… Chon'sin genes; (I should really get used to thinking and saying that in case it ever comes up), but I would bet the ten gold I have on my person that I'm the adult in this situation!

"Yea well, I don't car-, wait. You're 26? Gawd, you're five years older than I am." Severa paused, noticing that I'd been successfully distracting her. "You're such a pain! Point is, you or anyone else for that matter, don't get to say your life is worth any less than anyone else in my army."

I pushed myself back into a seating position while looking at her straight in the eyes. "Alright, alright! I get it!"

Her pointed stare seemed to think otherwise. "Do you? If I seem to recall, that was the second instance you tried to be the hero, the first being the incident in the village."

I had nothing to say to that really. She got me there.

The two of us stopped to focus, realizing just how ridiculous of a situation the two of us were in.

She turned to me with her expression cleared, snapping at me with a familiar grunt.

"Just promise me one thing. Next time you pull a stunt like that, make sure it's because you have no other option. Being alive means you can do a hell of a lot more for the living instead of dying to save them once. I… I know that far too well."

Rubbing the back of my head sheepishly, I replied, "Yea, you got it. And uh, sorry for getting snippity at you earlier?"

She scoffed. "I doubt you get it, but I'll take what I can get I suppose."

The sound of footsteps and muted discussion heading to our position interrupted our conversation momentarily as Severa glanced out the door. "Guess they're finally here."

I watched Severa stride away with a roll of the eyes as she began to leave. "There better not be a third time. This isn't the first time I've had to deal with someone's hero antics."

A third time? That would imply…

Her hand stopped momentarily on the frame before she turned to me one last time, a devious grin present on her face.

"Oh, and by the way. If it wasn't clear enough. Welcome to the army. And no, you don't really get much of a choice here. We'll talk later." She waved good-bye nonchalantly as she disappeared into the hallway.

I knew it. Shit, I did consider the option of joining the army, but I wasn't expecting to be forcefully conscripted into it! Does this mean I should expect to be sent to the frontlines?

Thinking on it now, I just realized how much Severa chose to leave open. She barely touched on Morgan and her father's circumstances. And the same could be said on my supposed relation to the Outrealms.

Maybe she chose to be considerate considering my condition, I mused. Then again, it's still strange how she didn't have any other questions. Is that why she said we'll be talking later? And judging by Cynthia's reactions, she hadn't gone around and told everyone else yet. A sign of trust? Or maybe it was a veiled threat? 'Join the army, or else!'

A calm and measured clear of a throat snapped me out of my thoughts. "Woah! Sorry, yes! How do I help you!" Shit, I kinda fudged that up. My cheeks began to heat up as I hastily bowed my head to hide my flush.

"Are you sure the patient still isn't delirious, Cynthia dear?"

I looked up to see a familiar sight in the form of Cynthia accompanied by someone else I hadn't exactly recognized. Beautiful skin, rose-colored sharp eyes, and immaculate blond hair pulled back in a ponytail that was obviously well cared for. The only character I remembered offhand with a ponytail was Anna, and this was no redhead. A coiled staff, with a green gem adorning its top was present in her right hand.

"No, I'm not! Just uh. Surprised. And you are?" I prayed the flush was gone from my cheeks. Looking down, I realized I was still shirtless. "Oh, sorry about that! G-give me a moment!"

Grabbing the shirt from my bag, I hastily put it on and forced a polite smile on my face. Oh god, I'd been talking to Severa like that the entire time. Ugh, I don't know if I should feel happy or embarrassed that Severa thought nothing of it.

"Are you done exploring whatever's left of your mental state, Sir Chris?" The woman grabbed my attention, as she sat down on the stool with a measured amount of elegance.

"Y-yea. Sorry about that."

The woman snapped her finger as Cynthia moved to grab one of the wash basins at the side of the room. After Cynthia set it on the bedside table, the woman moved to dip her hands into the water, taking care to rub them before drying it off with an accompanying towel.

I felt a strange relief knowing they followed some form of sanitization here in Ylisse. Though, that's the hospital worker in me speaking.

The woman introduced herself with pristine confidence. "To answer your question, you may call me Lady Maribelle."

My eyes nearly bugged out of their sockets. Maribelle? Maribelle!? She looked nothing at all compared to the portrait in-game. Granted, she was much older considering the timeline, but still! Where was the umbrella? The drills? The makeup! The drills?!

And her clothes! Now that I've taken a good look, they seemed relatively simple. A blue and white gown tapered with an apron of sorts at the front. The gap between the level of elegance she held and the manner of clothing was mind-boggling to say the least.

"Hello~! Earth to Chris? You're staring at us again." Cynthia gave me a quick shake on the shoulder as she spoke from my side.

"Y-you know, talking with Severa might have left me a bit woozy, now that I think about it."

Cynthia gently patted me on the back as she nodded to my words. "I can't say I don't blame you," She raised a finger and put on an exaggerated frown, "Gawds, Cynthia! Stop with the hero act! Last thing we need is you teaching our recruits how to pose before they can hold a weapon!"

Maribelle slapped Cynthia's left shoulder, chiding her for her silly, yet hilarious rendition of Severa's actions. "What have we said about the value of proper language?"

Cynthia groaned. "Unrefined language shows a lack of concern for how one comes across to others. I know. You've only said that to Brady, like a bajillion times Auntie."

"Correct, though I would appreciate it if you did not take that tone with me. As for you-," Maribelle turned to me, "Try not to encourage the poor girl, she's impressionable enough as it is. Now, raise the sleeve of your pants. I'll need to take a more proper look at your injury."

I nodded, heeding her words with no objection.

Maribelle scrunched her nose up in disgust. "Whoever handled this did a rather poor job at healing your wound, my dear."

I didn't really get how magic worked to begin with, so the idea that this was a poor job was surprising to me. Back when Morgan healed me up, it stopped the blood and closed the wound. Was there supposed to be something else past that?

"Could you explain why? I used to work in a medical ward, but we didn't have healers laying around. None of the magical sort, at least."

She looked unsurprised, shaping her lips in a small smile as she straightened her posture. "I suppose the lowborn would not have access to certain facilities, though I mean no offense. Simply put, healing magic works by accelerating the natural regenerative properties our body contains."

She stopped her explanation momentarily as a green glow began to emit from her staff. A wash of green light hovered around my injury, as a sharp pain began to form under my skin. What the hell? This isn't how it felt when Brady healed me at all!

Maribelle continued. "This is why most fatal injuries or any loss of limbs are beyond the scope of what a cleric's healing is capable of. With an injury of this magnitude however, there are steps that must be taken to ensure an adequate healing process."

Maribelle looked at my injury for a long moment, thoughts stirring in her eyes. To my side, Cynthia grasped my hand and began to squeeze. Cynthia winced, "Sorry, this is where it'll get a bit… ," She didn't finish that thought. A bit what?! You're scaring me here!

I bit my lip in that instant as I felt the inside of my leg churning about. I stifled an incoming scream, as beads of sweat began to form from the stress of the situation.

"In your case, I could immediately tell the wound was closed up in order to staunch the bleeding. While it may have saved you from an untimely death, it complicated the healing process. Which in turn could have long-term effects on your performance in the future. Mainly, your ability to walk."

So healing was more than just point a rod at an injury and say 'abra kadabra'. Makes sense.

"In essence, I'm fixing the internal damage to your muscle and bone. Ideally, this would have been done before the wound was closed up, but all the pain you're experiencing now is because of the shoddy job your previous healer performed. Not many healers can do something to this degree either. Rearranging and healing something you can't see increases the difficulty a substantial amount, you see."

The pain eventually subsided as the glow dissipated into motes of green particles. I chuckled, leveling an eye at Maribelle who also let out a breath of relief as the operation finished. "I guess I have you to thank for a speedy recovery then."

Maribelle smiled. "Think nothing of it. Tis my duty to help those however I can," she quirked her lips into a half-smirk, "But you're mistaken if you think this will be an easy recovery."

That put a damper on my mood. I glanced from Maribelle to Cynthia, staring down to find my hand still enveloped in Cynthia's. I coughed to grab her attention. "Ahem, ah. I think I'm good now. But I'm not complaining."

Cynthia tilted her head, looking at me quizzically. "What are you talking about-Oh!" She quickly let go. Can't say that I don't already miss the touch. "Sorry about that. It wasn't on purpose."

I giggled before standing up, eager to test how well Maribelle healed up my leg. My leg immediately complained. The pain felt even worse, sending a gnawing ache that forced me to reel backwards right onto the bed.

Maribelle forced a smirk as she saw me struggling. "Like I said, it won't be easy. It seems like you won't be joining some of their soldiers for their daily training anytime soon, though I did expect this to be quite honest."

I failed to suppress a groan at the mention of training. I guess that makes it official. "I am so not looking forward to any future battles."

Both Cynthia and Maribelle gave me an incredulous look. I blinked, confused. Did I say something wrong?

"What gave you that idea? Do you consider us barbarians?" Maribelle scolded me, rolling the last word on her tongue. I stared awkwardly as I sunk deeper into the bed, feeling embarrassed at both of their reactions.

"Yea! You're like, only just a civilian! Well, for now at least!" Cynthia remarked.

I gulped. "I mean, Severa said I didn't really have much of a choice…, so I assumed the worst?" You never know what it is with Severa! Ever since my first day here, she's been threatening me left and right. Can you blame me for thinking otherwise?

Cynthia stifled a chuckle, waving her hand as if to assuage my worries. "Oh, come on. I thought we've been through this already. Severa always makes things sound worse than they are." She turned to Maribelle, "Remember when your son thought Severa was going to send him on a suicide mission? He went ballistic!"

Maribelle winced, turning her head as she massaged her temples. "Please do not remind me of that incident. And as for you, Sir Chris. Do remember that an army is more than just its soldiers. We have stable hands, nurses and the like. There is much to do at home just as there's much to do on the frontline."

Maribelle lifted herself out of her chair, taking care to set the wash basins to their proper location before settling her gaze on me once more. "I'm also led to believe that you're new to Ylisse, am I correct?"

I nodded, wondering where Maribelle was going with this.

"Which means I can assume you don't have a place of residence, right? Nor a proper profession. Severa gave you quite the opportunity, you know. In exchange for being allowed to stay at the barracks, which means access to a room and bath, you're to offer what services you have."

Maribelle stopped to grab what appeared to be a rolled-up parchment of some kind from her side knapsack. "Which reminds me. This is for you. Detailing what you'll be doing for the next week as your leg heals up. Severa told me managing inventory was one of your strong points, so I did you the honor of securing some work to keep you busy. It was Severa who made it official, so you'll have her to thank as well."

She grabbed a towel and rubbed at her hands before grabbing the stave resting at my bedside. "I'll have someone check on you periodically to make sure your injury doesn't flare up again, but you should be fine for the most part. As for me, I have other duties to attend to, so if you'll excuse me."

The door creaked open and Maribelle promptly let herself out. Cynthia chose to stay behind, sitting on the chair that met its own fair of troubles within the same day. For your sake, I hope Cynthia doesn't knock you down again.

Glancing around the room, I took a deep breath. Gently in and out. Things were going well for the most part. I was essentially given a room and all I had to do was perform some side jobs. For all the shit Severa has been giving me, I'll admit I was surprised she spoke up for me in that regard.

This meant I was closer to my goal. Survive. I made it to Ylisse, secured lodging and would receive some kind of formal training once my leg heals up. Training that will go a long way in terms of surviving any more Risen encounters.

My thoughts drifted to what Severa had said before. Thinking on it, had I really been so eager to give my life away for the siblings and Owain? Was that really considered abnormal? I clenched my hands repeatedly. Survive, yet be so willing to throw my life for another. That was rather contradicting.

Muddled thoughts began to cloud my mind as I stopped to take another deep breath. In and out. Maybe it's because I was secretly hoping to just wake up back home if it meant dying here. But enough of that. If Cynthia chose to stay behind, then I should at least do the honor of entertaining her.

"So…, what do you like to do in your spare time?" Figured I'd start out simple. Test the waters.

"Books! I love reading books. Especially a good ol' fantasy about heroes and the like!" As Cynthia described her hobby, I couldn't help but think. If I'm in a fantasy world… what constitutes as 'fantasy' for them? I'll have to make sure to check those books out later.

"Do you even have that much spare time, what with the whole war against Grima and all that?" I asked.

Cynthia held a finger to her chin, her brow scrunching as she worked to find an appropriate answer. "Well, today technically is my 'free' day. But even then, there's usually a few errands we need to work around with. I just came back from my patrol yesterday and a few of my friends are off on their own mission and what not."

She wiggled her finger in front of me, excited to see that I was willing to indulge her it seems. "Usually what happens is that we have a set of rotations, one that involves us leaving the capital and one that has us remaining within. I just got done with our business outside, as did Severa and her group. So now I'll be within the city walls for quite some time! Which means catching up on my reading!"

Restless from sitting still, Cynthia ended up standing midway through her little speech, enunciating each of her steps with a fun, little gait before ending in a little spin. Noticing that I'd been staring, she flushed sharply, looking away.

"S-sorry, when I sit still for too long, my body just kinda moves on its own." She mumbled, drawing circles on the wooden floor with her boot.

I held up a hand, nodding my own head as I empathized with her little habit. "No, trust me. I'm the same way. To be honest, if it weren't for this leg of mind, I'd be doing the same thing."

Even when I was working in the hospital, I always took the opportunity to go for a walk when I could. My co-workers had always found it odd that I chose to walk for the majority of my lunch breaks when we were almost always on our feet to begin with. I just really hated the idea of remaining still.

"Ugh, I know right? Even when I'm reading a book, I have to stop to walk for a few seconds every now and then." Cynthia almost seemed to be complaining.

I snapped my finger. "Or to enact a scene from a book." Even as an adult at the ripe age of twenty-six, the number of times I've quoted lines or pretended to wield a weapon still increases to this day.

"Exactly! Kjelle and some of the others always make it out like I'm the crazy one." She complained, folding her arms with a frown.

"All that means is that they haven't read a good enough book." I chimed in.

Cynthia snorted, "Good luck trying to get Kjelle to read." She pinched her nose as a nasally voice eked out her mouth. "Hi, I'm Kjelle. Reading? Why waste time doing that when I could be training."

I belted out in laughter. I was trying my best to entertain Cynthia, but here she was, cheering me up instead.

She shrugged as she plopped right back into the chair, elbows on her knees and her chin cupped by her hands. "Look, I like training as much as the next guy, but there has to be a limit, you know?"

An idea formed in my head. I glanced at my bag and remembered a few particular items that made it here with me.

"Hey Cynthia, you said you love living the life of a hero, right?" I asked.

Cynthia shook her head. "Of course! I do it every day!"

"What if… I gave you the opportunity to live the life of one of those heroes in the books you love?" I inched towards my bag as I began to reach for a certain book.

Cynthia paused, gazing at me inquisitively. "Go on…"

"You ever hear of an elf?"

Her gaze shifted from me to the book. "No. Never heard of that."

"How about a kobold? A rusalka? Hell, maybe even a dhampir?"

She closed her eyes, deep in thought. "No. Nope! Oh!" She lifted her chin off her hands to give me an impromptu clap. "I know that last one! It's another word for vampire or something! I read it in one of my books!"

Her eyes lit up, excitement crawling its way onto her expression. I've definitely caught her attention in full force now.

"Alright, so imagine a play. You know how they have their script. And the directors give them instructions on how to act, yadda yadda. You've seen one I presume, right?" Given her mother's own nature when it comes to romantic works, there'd have to be some kind of stage play they've watched together.

"Yea, I kinda get how they work. What about it?" She leaned in forward, ready to hear more.

"Now imagine that but directed in real time. With you and your friends as the actors. Battling it out against the forces of evil. That's what this is." I whipped out my Dungeons and Dragons book to a page featuring one of said creatures.

I continued. "It's a fun social game! Where you can choose to be whomever you want to be. Ever wanted to live the life of a magic-wielder, but felt yourself incapable of doing so in real life? Worry not, because Dungeons and….,"

I chose not to finish my thought, realizing what world I'm currently in. I looked at the cover of the book which was promptly hidden from Cynthia, given that I was showing her an open page. With how dragons are revered here, given Tiki and Naga… the idea of hunting down dragons seems a bit like heresy?

Cynthia huffed, wondering exactly why I'd stopped. "Dungeons and what! Don't leave me hanging, this all sounds. So. Freaking. Awesome!"

Ah, right. Uh. D. Something that starts with the letter D.

"I-it's called Dungeons and Daemons! Yea, dungeons and daemons! A game where you roleplay and delve into ruins guarded by dark daemons of yore and bring back their treasure!"

She cleared her throat loudly, tapping her feet constantly against the floor. "So you mean to say you have a game. Where we can pose all we want. Pretend to be who we want. And fight against the forces of evil in a battle of wits and brawn!"

I shrugged, "Yea that's one way to put it."

Cynthia moved to grab my hand and shook it up and down. Christ, if it weren't for the fact my arm was already healed, I swear she'd tear it right off.

"I am so in! How many people can play!?"

I laughed as I managed to wrestle myself away from Cynthia's hold. "Anywhere from two to five. Technically, we can have more than that, but then it ends up really cramped. Trust me on that. I was going to tell you to ask Owain and anyone else who was interested anyway."

"Are you kidding me? I'll do it right now!" Without even waiting for a response, Cynthia bolted away, yelling as she bumped into the chair, sending it flying to ground yet again. Sorry chair. Not once, not twice, but three times you've been hit, thrown, and abused.

Either way, I now have a reason to be here. Now alone to myself, I worked up the resolve to open up the parchment Maribelle bestowed upon me. There wasn't much written here, but the content itself was relatively simple.

Sir Chris,

You are tasked to handle the inquiries and requests for the provisions and items needed

for the parties venturing out outside the castle walls.

More information about your duties will be provided when you show up on the requested date.

I've ensured the duties at the very least, will be light in nature of your injury.

Don't make me regret this.

Signed,

Severa

I snickered, wondering if Severa had someone like Frederick behind her back as she wrote this. The first part seemed much too formal for her, and it looks as though she gave up with that last statement at the end.

Don't make her regret this, she says.

Well. I'll just have to do my best.

My eyes drifted to the first line of the parchment. 'Sir Chris', huh. I guess Owain made it stick.

Well, it's been quite some time since I uploaded a chapter, but I promise this story isn't dead. I won't make a promise like I did last time, especially since I failed to keep it. But now that I have a lot more time to be working on these chapters. One of my campaigns for pathfinder finished so I have a lot more free time so to speak.

Anyways, same as before. Feel free to leave a review. I wondered whether or not I should introduce the concept of dnd to this universe, but I ended up doing so. And now we have a bit of insight on to the kind of ideologies Severa adopted from her father, before he went all haywire.