"Sandle, if I hear you counting those coins one more time, I am going to gut you," hissed Poet.

Mordekai sighed and rubbed his temples. Poet had been extremely irritable and unfriendly towards the rest of the group for almost three days, and although the Thief was almost always dampening everyone's spirits with his cynicism, his hostility was becoming almost unbearable. "Look, Poet, we're almost at Prontera. Just let Sandle wallow in his greed until we get there."

Sandle smirked at Poet. "Yeah. Let me wallow in my greed." The merchant jingled his coin purse and hummed a merry tune, a bounce in his step despite the heavy cart he was pulling. This drew a wince from Mordekai, who knew that most of the money in that purse had until recently belonged to him and Poet.

The Thief scowled, rounding on Mordekai. "I am going to stab all of you," he declared.

Kalmia gasped, wrapping her arms protectively around herself. "Just because Sandle took all your money doesn't mean you should stab me!" The pink-haired Acolyte gave Poet a look that might have looked stern coming from an older or more intimidating woman, but on her it just seemed kind of annoyed. "Violence never solves anything."

Sandle chimed in again. "It solved the hell out of that Kobold ambush that one time."

"Youre just happy because you got to see Mordekai cut a monster's head off," retorted the Acolyte.

"Yeah. That was awesome." Sandle plunked down his cart and mimed swinging a huge sword with both hands, grinning like a child.

Mordekai ran his hands through his hair in exasperation, causing his jet-black locks to flutter madly in the breeze. Though he was technically just the Swordman of the party, he often felt compelled to act as guide, nanny, conscience, and voice of reason. This was primarily because Kalmia seemed as innocent as a child, while Sandle cared only for money and Poet appeared to care for absolutely nothing.

Poet pointed at Sandle, his eyes narrowing. "You blackmailed me. I'm going to have my revenge."

Feeling his frustration threaten to swallow up his better judgement, Mordekai cut in. "Look, Poet, I'm sure you're going to kill us all in many exotic ways, but right now I just want to make sure you're going to do it after we get to Prontera. Until then, please stop with the death threats. And Sandle, please, please stop provoking him."

Sandle just made a face. "Not my fault he ate some bad mushrooms and then declared his love for you."

The Swordman felt his face grow hot. Poet hadn't declared his love for anyone, but he had eaten some raw mushrooms and then licked Mordekai's face while Sandle took blackmail photos.

"Oh, that's it." Poet drew back his fist and let fly.

Quick as a flash, Sandle ducked aside and kicked out the Thief's ankle, sending him to the ground with a thud. "You'll have to do better than that. I've dealt with a lot of crooked people."

"ENOUGH!" bellowed Mordekai, his anger suddenly flaring. In the instant of silence that followed, he felt a pang of remorse at the shocked expression Kalmia directed at him. "I am only going to say this once more. We are almost at Prontera. When we get there, you two can kill each other. Until then, be quiet or I will knock you out."

The Swordman's guilt amplified when he saw the disbelief in the faces of his comrades. He had always been respectful, patient, and rational with them, and to hear such anger from him had clearly startled them. Even Poet, normally surly and always ready to trade barbs, just sat on the ground and stared.

Mordekai hesitated. "I... look, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped like that. I apologize."

Sandle took hold of his cart and kept trundling down the road. Kalmia resumed strolling along, although with a troubled expression darkening her innocent features. Poet got to his feet and said nothing, simply walking ahead and ignoring everyone else.

For a moment the Swordman felt relieved. Then it occurred to him that, having seen his strength and aggression in combat, his companions were most likely frightened by his anger. The realization made the kind-hearted warrior feel absolutely terrible.

Although the journey to Prontera didn't take very long after that point, to Mordekai, the silence seemed even more interminable than the constant bickering. He was used to hearing pointless infighting, but this was the first time he had intimidated his companions into silence, and it was an awful feeling.

"We're here," said Sandle. It was a redundant statement, since the group was standing immediately in front of the city gates, but it served to break the silence.

"Finally," growled Poet, peering up at the huge, solid-stone wall that surrounded the city. "Now I can spend what little money I have left on a stiff drink and a warm bed. I'll be at the inn."

Sandle opened his mouth to make a snide comment, but his gaze slid over to Mordekai, and he said nothing. This somehow made the Swordman feel even more upset than his mockery would have.

The worst rebuke for his indiscretion, however, came from Kalmia. She walked resolutely past Mordekai, her arms folded, before hesitating at the gate. Spinning to face him, the Acolyte blurted, "I thought you were supposed to be the patient one!"

Then, seeing the warrior's stricken expression, she clapped her hands over her mouth and burst into tears.

Poet shook his head in amazement. "To hell with this noise. I'm gone." And, true to his word, he slipped off into the city.

Sandle glanced uncomfortably at Kalmia. "Well, I should see if I can find a buyer for that Smokie egg." With a quick wave and the creaking of cart wheels, he, too, disappeared into the gate, leaving Mordekai with Kalmia.

The Swordman fidgeted for a moment, then sighed and reached out for his friend. He hugged Kalmia as she bawled, quietly telling her that he was sorry he had yelled, and gently reassured her until she had calmed somewhat. Then, when the Acolyte wiped her eyes and left for the inn, Mordekai simply stood and silently cursed in frustration - both because he had caused so much trouble, and because he, unlike Kalmia, could not simply burst into tears and then feel better after a little while.

AN: Don't worry! This story is NOT dead, and more is soon to follow. Apologies on such a short chapter this time around--I just moved and I've been busy. insert more lame excuses here Anyhoo, R&R if you please )