The next morning was rather painful, seeing uncle Fredger try to calm his traumatized niece. She repeatedly asked for her halberd in her hysterical cries, but no one knew where it was. Everyone had an inkling of what she wanted to do with it though.

"Cold… and slimy… they're touching me, I still feel them!" She screams, tears leaking from her puffy, red eyes. Her voice is hoarse from all the crying and screeching. Zeph and Nina don't seem to have gotten a wink of sleep, probably from her night terrors under their roof.

Alfyn stands nearby in the room. He had insisted that he go see Fiona early in the morning. He'd gotten up before the crack of dawn to go to the watering hole and fill the wash basin. After his guests were awake, he told them where he'd be and where to find his washing rack to get the blood out of their clothes a bit. He promised them breakfast and a nice bath later in the day after he returned. He didn't exactly feel uncomfortable standing there. There was no where else he was as needed as here right now.

Alfyn steps forward, looking rather torn over the whole situation, "Fiona…"

"Nina, why don't you go out and play? Lily should be waiting for you…" Zeph looks to the little girl.

"Mm…" Nina rubs her eyes and walks out of the house with a slight totter.

"Cut it off, cut it off!" The girl thrashes against her uncle trying to calm her down. Her hands are clenched tight and her breath is quickened, having in her chest. Her wild eyes flit from one place to the next, as though expecting something horrific to come for her.

"Darling, it's over, the thing is dead!" Fredger's brow creases with worry as he grasps her shoulders, "It can't hurt you anymore!"

"I still feel … it's inside me still!" She shrieks and bawls, nails digging into her uncle's arms, "Oh gods WHY?!"

"We might have to sedate her..." Zeph murmurs.

Fredger nods sadly. With a single prick of slumberthorn, the girl slowly eases into listlessness. She fitfully whispers apologies and rues as her eyes close and her struggles stop. Fredger sighs as he lays her back down in bed gently.

"... That won't stop the nightmares though..." Alfyn looks over the sleeping girl, "Damn those froggen..."

"Ulinor is right that they are bolder now. The last time they ever organized to raid the village was when I was but a whelp after all," Fredger runs a hand through his graying hair, "Gods, why did this have to befall her... I knew I should never have let her try to follow in my brother's steps of being the village watch guard..."

"Just take her home, Fred," Zeph nods slightly, "Let her rest and call us when she wakes up ok?"

"Thank you both. Alfyn," Fredger looks to the apothecary, "Zeph tells me you were the one that found her. Thank the gods you did."

"Ehe...Shucks," Alfyn gives a weak smile, "I just wish I got there faster... when I saw her, the froggen were already dead."

Fredger nods as he lightly brushes the sleeping girl's bangs, "I extend my thanks to those who slaughtered those beasts. Would that I could find their accursed nest and finish them all off...!"

"Now, now, Fred, you focus on makin' sure she's comfortable," Alfyn pats his shoulder, "And we should probably tell the mayor about this... don't want anyone else gettin' in trouble at this rate..."

"I'll make sure she's well in bed and I'll go talk to Henry about it..." Fredger sighs as he goes to collect a swaddled Fiona in his arms, "Thanks again to you both."

Alfyn stays in the room when Fredger takes Fiona back to his own house, waving a bit to the man as he departs. He then looks to the sleep-deprived Zeph, who sits down heavily on the unmade bed.

"Ya look like hell, Zeph."

The other apothecary lets out a weak laugh, "I sure feel like hell, Alf... But I can't blame her. It was a hell of a thing t' happen... If... If anything like that happened to Nina, I'd..."

"Hey, don't go there, Zeph," Alfyn says with the slightest of warning tone, "No way that's gonna happen with ya around, so don't get upset over nothin.'"

Zeph sighs heavily, "Her mind ain't put together no more. It's all scattered now..."

"Yeah. But if she's alive, she'll heal maybe..."

It always bothered Alfyn how hard and different it was to heal a heart in comparison to the body. With illness, you could cure it away with the proper tincture. But people's minds were just different. No remedy ingested made you forget your sorrows forever. He knew drink was often thought to be that answer. But he knew from experience it wasn't.

So, he got into the habit of looking to the bright side and sharing that. People tend to smile more if you did, and he was luckily optimistic by nature. Otherwise, he'd have to fake it. For now, curing the body was all he could do. But so long as they were alive, he hoped that the heart would heal with time too.

"I'll take the rest of the day, Zeph. Ya can get some shut-eye."

"I'll just..." Zeph yawns deeply, "Take a quick nap..."

"Hehe, take as long as ya need."

"I can't jus' leave the town to you, Alf..." Zeph's voice drawls as he begins to drift off, "Ya goof..."

Alfyn chuckles and walks on back to his house. Along the way, he makes sure to drop by Melody's place to check on her grandpa, as well as his other patients. When he finally gets back to his house, he sees Therion standing outside, leaned against the wall. He grins and waves as he approaches. The thief is without his scarf and cloak at the moment.

"Ya waited outside the whole time?"

"It wasn't for you," Therion sighs, "Just keeping an eye for frogs."

"Hehe, well 'preciate it."

"You were gone a while. I was about to send the search party for you," Therion looks up at the sky reaching high noon.

"Ah yeah, sorry about that. I had t' go check up on my other patients. Zeph's all tuckered out from Fiona."

"... You really are too nice..." Therion mumbles under his breath.

"Whazzat?" Alfyn blinks.

"... Nothing," The thief pulls off the wall and walks back inside the house. Alfyn follows obliviously.

Inside, Primrose is reading one of Alfyn's books with Sadiq, it seems.

"Mugwort, used like pomegranate..." Sadiq mumbles like a child learning their letters as he points at the book's pages.

"Ah, Alfyn. Welcome back," Primrose looks to him, "How was the girl?"

"She's sleeping now," Alfyn sighs, "Whole experience did a real number on her..."

"Yes, that poor thing..." Primrose scowls slightly, "I'd never heard of the frogmen being so... disgusting."

"Well, they're animals," Therion walks over to the window looking out to the herb garden, "They seem to be acting up a lot now. Might be an off-mating season."

Primrose makes a slight face. Alfyn moves to change the conversation topic.

"So, y'all washed up your clothes?"

"Yes. His is still drying," Primrose points at the thief.

"Alright, I'll just fix us up some breakfast then!"

He goes and opens the cabinet, pulling out a big black cauldron. Heaving it a bit awkwardly, he goes to exit.

"Just gotta fill this with water!"

"Alfyn, don't hurt yourself carrying that...!"

At Prim's gesture, Sadiq goes and hefts up the other end of the black kitchenware.

"Oh, thanks, Sadiq!" Alfyn grins, "We'll be back from the watering hole in a sec!"

"Be careful, you two..." Prim smiles softly as she watches them go from the window. She then returns the book to the pile in the corner of the house. Things are still rather quiet between her and the thief. It takes a few moments before she breaks the ice.

"... Thanks."

"What for."

"For what you said last night at the apothecary's. It..." Primrose curls a stray lock of hair behind her ear, "It helped. A lot."

"... It was the truth," He shrugs, still looking out and away, "If you hadn't run off, we never would've found her."

"... Where are you going after this."

He wipes his nose a bit and snorts, "Probably not where you're going."

"Hm."

"You should get a change of clothes if you're serious about going north. That garb won't cut it if you're looking to survive in the Frostlands."

"I don't mind the cold so much."

"Says the one sneezing and coughing their bottoms off from that fever."

She scoffs, "You were no better."

"Well, I'm not the one going up to the Frostlands."

"Then pray tell where a thief like you is headed."

He had no real answer. His initial idea was just north, to the Woodlands. But now, on the issue of information, perhaps the Flatlands was a better option. Atlasdam, the cradle of eggheads, might be promising. But he didn't feel the need to share that.

"Somewhere to get answers."

"... It's got to do with that chain you carry around, doesn't it?" She stretches lightly to test her healing leg, "How's your arm by the way?"

Therion grunts. The swelling had gone down. Alfyn said he'd need to change the wrappings again later today and make sure the pus doesn't regather. He could at least use the arm without the stinging now, but it still remained irksome. The bandages hide his bangle from sight, but it still looked conspicuous.

"About as good as your leg."

"... Maybe you can use that ointment Yusufa gave you."

"Maybe."

Another lapse of silence.

"...That was some pretty freaking weird magic you use."

"It's just shadow attribute magic," She says offhandedly as she seems to check her nails. They no longer have the glossiness to show her reflection, having worn off the polish applied what seemed ages ago.

"Not a lotta that kind of magic still floating around," Therion now looks at her from the corner of his eye, "'Heard it's got something to do with blood."

"...Maybe," Prim blinks slowly before looking to catch the thief's gaze, "What about you and that bangle? It's not the most common method of punishment anymore. What antiquated warlord did you fail to rob?"

He makes a 'tsk' sound and looks away. His unchained hand unconsciously goes to pull at the bangle clasped under those wrappings. Damn that Heathcoate...

They fall into another silent spell. At last, after what felt like an awkward eternity, Alfyn and Sadiq return with the cauldron of water. The apothecary gets to working on the fire in the fireplace before hanging the large vessel over it to boil. Into it, he adds a pinch of this, a lump of that, and a dash of something. Soon, as the mix boils, it smells absolutely medicinal in the house.

"... Hey, you really know what you're doing?" Therion goes to look at the other man cooking, "Don't just add whatever grass you want in there...!"

"Don't worry, I eat these oats all the time! Nearly every day! Super healthy!" He grins to the nervous looking thief.

Maybe they did something to his brain.

Therion looks over some of the ingredients by the pot, "... there's barely any oats. These're all herbs."

"Oh, yeah I substitute a good portion of the oats for some good ol' essence roots and leaves! It'll keep your energy up and you can use less grain!" Alfyn pulls out a spoonful of the bubbling concoction, "Here, try it!"

Therion looks highly skeptical at the greenish brown liquid. It smells earthy and like dried medicine. He makes the mistake of making eye contact with the sparkly-eyed Alfyn behind the spoon. With a sigh of resignation, he takes a slurp from the spoon.

It is soupy and barely has any solids. It gave him energy alright. He felt like he had all the energy needed to hurl that entire vat of nasty juice out the door down the road. His face notably screws up and he quickly retreats back to his window.

"Ahaha, ya don't like it?"

Therion does not respond, too busy trying to get the taste out of his mouth and repress gagging and vomiting. Sadiq is next to taste. Primrose watches from where she sits. She can smell that stuff and does not approach just yet. Sadiq gulps it down with a big grin, which Alfyn returns. He then offers some to Prim.

"Prim, want to try?"

"No thank you, Alfyn," She gives a small smile, "It smells unique."

"Ahaha, yeah it was something my dad made for me when I was real little. Hehe," His cheerfulness noticeably drops when he says that, "It'll really kick ya in the gut."

"How is this going to help with the healing?" Therion looks to the apothecary, mildly annoyed still at the taste.

"Ehh! This has the essence of grape in it! That's one o' the best remedies there is for cuts and wounds! Can't ya taste the bitterness?"

Ah, yes. Of the important and diverse body of flora across Orsterra, there are the grape, the plum, the nut, the pomegranate, and the olive which form the pentagram of life. Grapes, not like the ones used for wine making, hold a soothing property that helps with recuperation. Plums are key components of any revitalization elixir, restoring energy and the soul. Nuts were items of fortitude that held powerful, enhancing qualities. Pomegranates were fruits of invigoration and frenzy, able to inspire strength out of even the weary. Olives are often sold at high prices for their amazing ability to allegedly bring people out of comas or even near death.

They are all expensive, rare and high-end products in the world of medicines. Essence is usually a powder or refined oil from the source fruit that holds a small, concentrated amount of its properties. It often costs just as much, if not more than the basic item. Some can extract minor essence from the plant, if not the fruit itself. It is less potent to chew a grape leaf than eat the real fruit, but times are so lean that even those leaves would be pricey.

"How did you get your hands on that essence?" Therion looks quizzically to the apothecary finishing his brew, "That stuff isn't cheap."

"It was just my luck I managed t' grow a sprout!" Alfyn gives a 'ok' sign with his hand, "I use the leaves, since it ain't got full fruits yet. But it does the job!"

After a few more minutes of tending to the gruel, Alfyn seems satisfied after a final taste, "Mm! Come n' get it, you guys!"

He hands them each a small wooden bowl filled to the brim and a wooden spoon. Therion sighs and begins to eat. After having finished adding everything, the nutty apothecary actually succeeded in managing to tamp down the scent to boost its edibility. Primrose eats slowly, taking care to blow on each steaming bite. Sadiq slurps his up noisily.

"So? Whaddya think?" Alfyn grins after they're about done.

"It was good, Alfyn," Primrose hands him back her bowl.

"Bleh," Therion hands his back, "Amazing I could eat it."

"Ya don't strike me as a picky eater, Therion," Alfyn chuckles as he receives it.

Therion makes a slight face at the comment, "I'll have you know I have great taste."

"Don't listen to him, Alfyn. Thieves have indiscriminate tastes," Prim teases.

Therion nearly pops a vessel when she outs him as a thief. But to his surprise and slight relief, Alfyn laughs it off.

"Hehe, Therion strikes me as a guy who'll eat a lot, is all!"

He gives the thief a hearty slap on the back before going to wash the emptied bowls. Therion gives Primrose a slight look of annoyance on the side. She shrugs back at him with a slight smirk.

"Alright! After this, we'll all go take a bath an' then I'll clean those wounds of yours!"

"What kinda bath are we talking about here?" Therion glances to the apothecary, "No way this hamlet has a bath house."

"Oh it's just the crystal lake. It's where the clear brook empties into!" Alfyn babbles a bit, "You'll see! It's so great an' clear there! You could practically drink the water outta it!"

Maybe it's this water, Therion pauses in thought for a moment. Some happy juice turned this guy into the sappy idiot he is.

"So we'll all be bathing together! Oh, uh, unless Prim wants t' go first. Cuz, uh, she's a lady…"

"Thank you, Alfyn," Prim smiles a little and sighs. She had bathed with customs before. Unlike in the bed, she never could enjoy that for some reason.

"And then I'll check on your wounds again after," Alfyn nods, "So, let's go!"

The four of them walk off with Alfyn leading. Near the town, along the bend of the river, is a small lake. The water is very clear here, indicating little presence of life forms living in it. As a good portion of it is rather deep, a small rope line floats to show the bathing area, anchored by trees lining the bank. Alfyn goes to take the boys around and show them the scenery while Primrose undresses and bathes.

Therion picks a branch off a low hanging tree and swings it around a little, "And there aren't any frogs here?"

"Well, there normally aren't. But with the current state o' things, it's always good to be prepared!" Alfyn pats the side of his bag, where an old axe is strapped under, "Not just for cuttin' plants!"

"Can you actually use that," Therion side-eyes the weapon. It looks old and worn from repeated use. He didn't doubt the apothecary's ridiculous strength to use it, really. He doubted his guts.

"Well, yeah! It's the best way sometimes to cut the head off a snake you know? And then ya can harvest the fangs fer antivenom!" Alfyn grins, "And it does well 'nuff against froggen."

"Frogs? Froggie?" Sadiq prods and pokes around under rocks and by the grasses, probably looking for his next meal.

"Speakin' of snakes, they're the ones you really gotta have an eye out for! Vipers an' water snakes t' be exact. Nasty, an' they can strike like lightning! By the whiskers of Bifelgan, I can't tell ya how many snakebites me an' Zeph have treated!"

"Just move faster than the snake," Therion quips dryly. He meant it as a joke.

"We can't all be that fast!" Alfyn laughs.

"Wait, so was it actually a good idea to bathe here," Therion pauses, "The snakes aren't acting up too, are they?"

"Er... well, more along the path to the caves of Rhiyo. But that's why we don't let people go there much anymore unless there's a big group. Shame too, since a lotta nice herbs and flowers grow there."

"Don't risk your life for a couple of weeds," Therion now keeps his eye to the grasses for any slithering bodies.

"Hehe, you worried about me, Theri?"

Therion stops dead in his tracks, "What did you just call me?"

"Uh, Theri. It's got a nice ring to it, y'know? You're Theri, Primrose is Prim, and this is Sadi!" Alfyn points to Sadiq with a grin, "And you can call me Alf! We're all buds!"

"Don't call me that," Therion rolls his eyes. There's only so much of this positive attitude he can handle, "Just Therion. Ok?"

"Ok, ok, Theri...on."

The thief rolls his eyes. Something like a tail catches his eye among the grass; a long and scaly one wiggling around. He gestures for the other two to be quiet as he draws his dagger and slowly creeps over to the taller reeds.

There is a quick movement when he pries at some tall blades of grass with the tip of his weapon. A flash of something reddish slashes at him like a whip and lunges for his neck from the revealed grass. Alfyn, seeing it too late, calls out.

"Theri-"

A sudden gust blows past him from the sheer force of movement the old man makes beside him with the polearm. The point spears the snake-like head just short of Therion's neck. The width of the shaft tears and pulverizes the neck of the creature, severing its head from the serpentine body. The thief jumps back, a bit of reptilian blood having squirted onto the bottom of his chin. Tensed, he lowers his eyes to see the small bisected thing laying in the grass.

It was not quite fully a snake. The remains of the head certainly showed the fangs and a long neck. But the neck expands at the lower body, into a balloon like torso with small, vestigial arms, the legs of a frog, and an odd tail resembling a tadpole's flipper. Its color is not wholly green like the usual frogmen, but yellowish. The lower body twists grotesquely still despite being decapitated until a few moments pass, and it stills.

"What... is that?"

Sadiq scratches his head, like he has no idea of what he had just done, "Not frog?"

"Never seen this before..." Alfyn bends down to look at it, "It has fangs like a snake!"

"The hell... did some crazy frogs freaking mate with the snakes?!" Therion's face shows slight horror and disgust at the thought.

Sadiq cautiously uses his spear to pry around the reeds. He gives a slightly excited hoot, "Eggs!"

Alfyn and Therion look over. Where the thing had sprung from was a small wet hole the reeds concealed. In the hole is a small pool of water filled with what look like large frog eggs. They seem ready to burst, with large, serpentine tadpoles wriggling inside the translucent jelly-like casing. Some that had hatched already seem to be eating their unhatched siblings.

"Whoa! A nest of these things!"

Therion quickly stabs his sword into the brood nest, eliciting a slight yelp of surprise from Alfyn as translucent frog egg goo goes flying. The premature forms wriggle to try and escape, a futile attempt as Therion mercilessly hacks apart the young.

"W-Wow, Therion..." Alfyn stares a bit at the massacre, "Didja really have to...?"

"You do that to every monster nest you find. 'Else you'll grow to regret it," Therion flicks his sword to get some of the residue off, "And these things... are real trouble if they really are spawn from the snakes and frogs."

"Yeah, I've never seen 'em round here before... monsters are really... becomin' something."

"We should get that flashy woman out of the water."

"There you are!"

They turn heads to see Primrose crouched among the grasses, a rather annoyed look on her face. She is keeping most of her body hidden but it becomes painfully obvious that she is nude.

"Which one of you stole my clothes?!" She hisses, eyes already on Therion.

"W-what the-! Pri-Prim, y-yer-"

"Must be the frog snake things."

"What are you talking about..." Primrose's voice trails a bit as she thinks back to last night, "... Those damned lecherous..."

"Let's just wash up and get the hell out of here..." Therion sighs.

"Wait, what about my clothes?!"

"Go buy new ones. You're going up to the Frostlands, so you might as well," Therion shrugs.

"Aw, c'mon, Therion," Alfyn clamps a hand on the thief's shoulder, "We'll get those clothes back and bathe lickety split!"

"Lick each other clean?!" Sadiq perks up.

"Wat- No, no Sadi, bathe!" Alfyn bursts out laughing, "Prim, we'll find yer clothes. So ya can wait in the water 'stead of the grass 'til we get 'em."

The dancer sighs, "Thank you, Alfyn..."

"C'mon Therion! Sadi!" Alfyn grins into the glowering face of the thief as he drags him along by the neck into the grasses.

"Why can't she go find her own clothes!?"

"I don't think it's a good idea for her to run around naked, Therion," Alfyn chuckles, "Didja want that?"

"What- NO!" Therion quickly objects and pulls from Alfyn, clearly offended, "What the hells-"

"Alright, alright, I was just joking!" Alfyn heartily chuckles at the overreaction.

Therion grumbles before looking to the old man, who is staring off, "... see anything, Sadiq?"

The old man puts a finger to his lips and cups his ear, as though straining to hear something. The thief and apothecary pause. Alfyn mimics him. Therion just stands and listens in the ensuing quiet.

There is a rustle in the grass... but it's a bit too material to be just grass. Something is moving in it? There is a noise like a hiss. A snake creature. Therion draws his knife.

There is a sudden eruption of sound that interrupts their moment of listening; a loud croak. It came from the direction where they had seen the nest. Without a further moment wasted, they move quickly, back to where the dead snake thing is.

Upon arrival, they see the forms of two river frogmen, but they seem different. Their yellowish skin is slightly reminiscent of snake scales rather than smooth, amphibian sliminess. They see the three come upon them and one gives a low, threatening croak. In its hands is the familiar red garb of the dancer. At its feet is the remains of the nest Therion had destroyed. Their odd reptilian eyes are fixated initially on the nest, but quickly look up to the three with what could palpably be disbelief and anger.

"Uh... I think they're mad, Therion..." Alfyn's hand goes to touch his axe.

"Whatever," Therion readies his sword, "We just need those clothes, right?"

"KERROOO!" The frogs charge.

Therion dodges the tongue whip of one and makes a quick slash at its vocal sac so it can't make any more alerts for nearby friends. The skin feels a bit tougher, so his slash lands with less effect. It swats at him with a meaty hand and he narrowly dodges. He slashes upward and the arm goes flying off. The frog gives a hysterical cry. While distracted with its lost appendage, that made it easy for Therion to make his final attack on the monster, spilling out its guts with a rip to its stomach.

Alfyn is much slower. It is apparent he may not be the most expert fighter, or had little experience. He swings his axe, but the frog side steps the attack. Before he can recover to swing again, the frog moves to kick him. Luckily, Sadiq smashes the creature's leg with the blunt of his spear, then flips it to directly stab the frog in the chest. It gives a loud, gurgling croak, grabbing in vain at the spear shaft. Alfyn finishes it off with a wide swing of the axe to its head.

With the last frog over with, they slowly catch their breath. Primrose's garments meanwhile dropped onto the soggy mess that is the ruined nest when the frogs had charged in rage. Therion picks it out with the tip of his sword.

"Mission accomplished. I think we've earned our bath."

The dancer was a bit less than happy to see that her clothes, which were just cleaned in the morning, had now slimy frog egg all over it. Alfyn offers her his vest as a temporary cover, which she accepts.

"I suppose I'll go rinse this while you boys enjoy your bath."

"Careful of the frog-snakes, Prim!" Alfyn calls out to her as she walks a short distance away.

Sadiq takes a plunge into the water, practically jumping out of his clothes like an old skin. He happily paddles about on his back. Therion would not have thought any Sunlander capable of that proficiency in water movement.

"Hehe, last one in's a rotten grape!" Alfyn quickly undresses and jumps in after the old man with a splash. He had jumped out of his clothes quickly, but Therion was still able to notice something like scars on his back. He decides not to ask.

Therion doesn't bother with the contest, taking his time to unbutton his only shirt. It was a good thing his scarf and poncho were still drying back at Alfyn's house. He takes care to take off his boots, so as not to dislodge the guardian amulet within the wrappings around the shaft. Alfyn stares a bit from the water. He couldn't take his eyes off those scars and knicks on the other's darker skin, or that big bruise on his chest.

"Hey," Therion's curt call jolts him out of his daze, "How'm I supposed to bathe with the wrap on my arm."

"Oh, uh," Alfyn quickly recovers his tongue, "I'll just wash it right now! My satchel's got everythin' I need to patch it back up after cleaning!"

The thief unwraps his arm, wincing slightly when the last folds fall away. The gash seems a bit deflated and greenish now, with all the pus gone. It stings when he lowers himself into the water.

Alfyn wades up to Therion and gently washes the wound of dried blood or leftover pus. His hands, though strong, are gentle enough that they don't irritate the wound further. The cool water runs over the gash with an initial sting, but it feels comfortable after a few washes. The cut felt slightly inflamed, but that feeling is gone now, replaced with a soothing cool.

"Mm... better?" Alfyn looks up to the other.

"... Yeah, thanks."

"That bruise looks pretty fresh," Alfyn points at the other's chest, "I'll treat it later."

Therion just grunts in response. Before he can react, Alfyn suddenly reaches for his face. His hand brushes the other's lopsided bangs out of the way, revealing his scarred eye. He feels his temperature jump a bit as he stumbles back in the water. Alfyn catches his shackled wrist before he goes under. When he regains his footing in the next half second, he pulls his arm away callously.

"What the hells...!"

"Ehe, sorry..." Alfyn chuckles, "I thoughtcha were hidin' another wound."

Therion would not have bought that shoddy excuse normally. But he also knew the simpleton it was coming from. So he just scowls and says, "Don't ever do that again."

"Alright, alright, sorry..." Alfyn points at the bangle on his wrist, "Why dontcha take that off?"

"Can't," Therion replies tersely.

"... Ohh," Alfyn smacks a fist in his palm, having a eureka moment, "That's why ya needed a locksmith right?!"

"Forget that," Therion sighs, "Only the Dragonstones will get this thing off at the rate this is going."

"Oh, is it magic or something?"

"... I dunno. Maybe," Therion hadn't heard much but rumors and jeers about the bangle. No doubt the rumors were aggrandized to make it all the more embarrassing for the wearer. Whether it has magical capabilities or not, he had not seen it. But his own lockpicking hadn't worked. Supposedly only one key works for each bangle, making each mechanism unique.

"What is it by the way?"

"Don't mind it. It's just a nuisance," The thief lathers water onto his shoulders and pits. At least this guy didn't know what the thing was. Otherwise, everyone would know he was a fool, given the mouth on him.

"Well... at least ya can still have fun in the water!" Alfyn grins, ignoring the thief's terse reply.

He playfully splashes water on the thief. Therion narrowly avoids most of the droplets. With a slight eye roll, he splashes back on the apothecary. It's not long before the goofy old man joins in on the game and the three splash around like children, with Therion having a straight face on the whole time.

"Having fun?"

Primrose emerges from the reeds, dressed in her wet clothes.

"Ah, Prim!" Alfyn looks up, "How's your leg?"

"Much better, thanks to you, Alfyn," She lowers herself to sit by the water's edge, "I suppose I am grateful this dancer's garb dries quickly."

Alfyn gestures for her to let him see the wound. She obliges. He looks it over with a quizzical expression and lightly presses on the tumid area. Primrose expects to wince. Instead, she feels the inflammation cease, as though his touch is cooling it.

"Hehe, yep, it's makin' a good recovery!" He lets go of her leg.

"... Did you see any more frog freaks around?" Therion submerges himself up to his chin.

"I saw some sneaking about," Prim lightly kicks some droplets absentmindedly, "But I didn't confront them... yet. They were moving towards the ridge there," The dancer points towards a low mountain range downstream.

"Eh... That's where the caves of Rhiyo are..." Alfyn scratches his head a bit.

"Hm... Ah, Alfyn, your back..." Primrose sees those scars now too.

"Eh, ah, oh, ahaha! It's nothing, just old marks...!" The apothecary's laugh is practically void of nervousness, "I got in a bit of trouble as a kid... a lot."

"I see... if you are well enough, I can give you a massage on your back later," Primrose says somewhat suggestively, a bit of mirth in her voice.

"... Well I'm done," Therion hauls himself out of the water before Alfyn can respond, not bothering to dry a bit before donning his shirt and pants.

"Ya both are healin' up real nicely! Are ya hittin' the road soon?" Alfyn climbs out after Therion. Sadiq seems content to float on his back a bit longer.

"Yes, as soon as possible... Come, Sadiq," Primrose calls to the old man. At her command, he climbs out and quickly dresses, albeit a bit disheveled.

"Shucks, it sounds pretty cool, goin' out into Orsterra like that... Betcha've seen a lot, huh!" Alfyn gets to bandaging that arm again, as well as Prim's leg.

"You're a grown man, so go out when you feel like it," Therion says slightly on the side, "Not like you have family keeping you here, right..."

Primrose roughly elbows him right in the bruised area, making him double over slightly.

"Ahaha, it's fine, it's fine!" Alfyn waves the comment away, "My folks're dead... but Zeph and the village are like my own family too. Hehe, they watched me grow up from some rascal until I made something of myself."

"Well, you could definitely take care of yourself, Alfyn. I can see that," Primrose nods slightly, "It wouldn't even be a bad idea if you came with us. We do find ourselves with many scrapes along the road."

"Haha, sounds swell but I dunno..." Alfyn chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck.

Therion growls slightly at Primrose when he recomposes himself. Before he can say anything, there is suddenly a sound from the direction of the town. It's almost like a distant, shrill scream.

"Shit-"

Therion is nearly run over by Alfyn, who positively flies back down the road to Clearbrook. The thief, dancer, and Sadiq run after him. Therion hadn't thought the bumpkin could run so fast.