Alm and his group stepped out from the shrine back into the main area of the small cave turned hideout. Everyone that promoted still looked over their new attire and weapons. "She can do anything she feels like it seems." commented Tobin plucking idly at the bowstring. "Mother Mila is a benevolent being. She only wishes to do what she can for her children." Silque responded with a smile.

"So, how about we break in our new selves on these bandits?" Gray suggested with a smirk.

A bandit over heard before trying to run away, but he was already in sight. "W-Wait, you must be insane! We don't plan to-" he pleaded, but an arrow was already through his shoulder.

Tobin chuckled. "Feels natural to use this thing."

They soon emerge from the cave and stretch a bit. Alm looks to the sky and notices it's getting dark, it's around sunset he guesses. "Guess we can head back to the village and rest before we really begin." Kliff mumbles mostly just wanting to sleep on a bed at least one more time. "Not a bad idea I'll admit." Lukas chimed with a smile. The leader nodded and headed back with them.

Alm looked over the note again as Faye sat next to him. "Here you are Alm," she started, "I was wondering where you were." "Hello Faye," he returned putting the note away again, "What brings you here? Are you doing alright?"

Faye smiles brightly. "Just fine now. Your face always brightens my day!"

Alm couldn't help but smile too with a chuckle. "Glad it's not a low point then."

"Shall I go and slay more enemies for you?" She just readied her staff looking determined.

"Slaying them...for me?" He scratched his head a bit. "Surely you should be doing it for a better reason..."

Faye looked a little surprised. "If that's what you want, then I'll do it!" She held one of his hands firmly with both of her's. "I'll fight for any cause as long as you'll watch me."

"Uhh...sure, fight for our village. Show them how strong we can be. Just be careful."

"Certainly!" With that, she went back to her bed.

"Sheesh, I admire her determination, but that kind of weirds me out..." With a yawn Alm headed to bed himself.

The mercenary walks along a stone wall before tapping a fist at it. "I swear I heard something in there," he comments with a hand to his chin, "Could hold out here, maybe that group will show up." After pondering for another moment, he went back into hiding in case bandits walk by again. "Surely they will show up here."

Alm's group stands at the base of a hill to rest a moment while Lukas scopes around some. "Alm, up there." he calls pointing to the top. Where he pointed, stood a mercenary with a familiar attire to Alm. "He looks like a Zofian soldier. Could he be from Desaix's unit?" he pondered.

Lukas nodded. "He is. We're nearing the Southern Outpost, so there's bound to be some of his men." Lukas then looked over to the brigands. "Seems he has hired help for extra hands. This could prove a tricky fight."

Alm took a breath and clenched a fist near his chest. "I'm ready."

The rest of his group got ready to fight as well with a nod. Thus begins this bout with more brigands.

Alm gestured for a careful advance for now. He led them as they slowly made their way around. "Oh, one more thing Alm," Lukas started, "That mercenary has a leather shield. So it may be hard to take him down, however we could take it for ourselves if we manage to defeat him." Alm nodded as they continued their advance while noticing the enemy was doing the same. Once in range, Alm called out to attack! He took the initiative towards the nearest one, weakening him decently. Gray attacked a nearby one, Tobin shot at a third, and Kliff finished off the one Alm attacked. Then, one went after Gray as he was the closest he could find. The two injured ones retreated as the rest continued to make their way to the small group. During all this, the mercenary was making his own way down the hill.

Tobin stepped over to Kliff with a grin. "Hey Kliff!" he greeted. "What do you want Tobin? Haven't I said don't talk to me unless you need something?" the pink haired ally snapped back.

"Yeesh, what's got your cape in a twist?" Tobin jumped back a little. "You've been more uptight lately. Something wrong?"

"Nope. Just your imagination." Kliff rolled his eyes some. "Now how about getting back to the task at hand, which is fighting for Alm, and leaving me alone?" With that he walked off some.

"Kliff, come on. Would you just..." Tobin sighed some. "He's so hard to read sometimes...but we are in the middle of a battle."

"Hey Tobe, how goes?" Gray asked cheerfully.

Tobin sighs. "Going great, I guess..."

Gray seemed confused. "Yeesh, could you sound a little less cheerful?"

"I dunno, you tell me." Another sigh. "Why did you have to..."

"Why did I have to what?"

"Ugh, nevermind. Don't worry about it." Now it was Tobin's turn to leave. "The heck did I do Kliff?"

Gray looked on in his confusion. "What did I even do?!"

While these two chats happened, the battle had progressed some. A couple more brigands were down and the mercenary was still on his way. Alm chased after the two retreating while the others finished off the rest of the brigands. The mercenary, however, finally made it to the base of the hill and began towards the group.

Everyone did what they could to defeat him, but Tobin had to retreat for now due to the mercenary having a surge of strength. In the end, he was taken down and his leather shield put in the convoy. "The valley is clear. That was a close fight." Alm commented panting a little. "That was nicely done otherwise. Southern Outpost is not far from here. Its under Deliverance control." Lukas added.

Alm looked to their archer being healed by Faye. "How are ya holdin' up Tobin?"

"Well, that hurt, but I'm fine for the most part." he answered through the pain that still resided.

Lukas nodded and continued what he was saying. "Once we reach it, we will have our comrades, which should make our journey easier."

"I can't wait to meet them!"

Suddenly, a soldier runs up to them out of breath. "S-Sir Lukas..." he panted, "I'm glad to see you safe."

Lukas looked concerned. "You were stationed at the outpost, what's wrong?"

"Forgive me, but after you had left, the tides turned on us which forced us to abandon it. Lady Clair is a captive by Desaix's men..."

"Clair?! Gods, we should rescue her at once! I should have left her in more experienced hands."

Alm got his determined look. "I agree. We should head there as soon as we can. So don't blame yourself Lukas."

Tobin chuckled. "Great idea A-" The realized what was jist said. "Wait, no! You want us to take back a fortress from trained soldiers?!"

"We can find a way Tobin, else our adventure is already over. So, will we fight on as soldiers or just be simple villagers?"

Gray smiled with a thumbs up. "Good speech Alm. What do we have to lose?" he inquired with a laugh.

"Everything?"

"Tobes, listen. Think about this. We're saving a damsel in distress." Gray wiggled his eyebrows some to imply his point. "Get it?"

Tobin sighed. "Coming from the guy who laughs about fighting for gold?" This convo went on with everyone else tuning out.

Lukas nodded to Alm. "I don't know what else to say but thank you. You're brave to do this. The Deliverance is lucky to have you Alm."

Alm nodded. "Same to you Lukas."

"Some of the blame may be on Sir Clive for sending me to Ram Village, but tread soft with him regardless. Lady Clair happens to be his sister."

"Ah, got it. Let's set up camp for noe and go for the outpost later."

Tobin sighed in relief. "Sounds good to me."

"They need to get here soon. No telling what they plan to do with what or whoever I heard..."

Chapter 3 finally comes out! Sorry for the wait, been dealing with a block among other things. Stay tuned for a chapter 4 regardless of how long it takes!