The sound of clashing blades echoed into the sky, blurs of red and white clashed with purple and black. Even the morning sun's shadows couldn't match their speed. The pair moved like dancers, perfectly in sync with each other as they also seemed to mirror each other's movement. Sparks flew each time their blades met.

  With each clash, Maryan looked for an opening in Lyn's guard. A sudden lunging strike, Maryan rushed forward, only to watch as Lyn sidestepped the attack, grabbing her wrist. Lyn swung Maryan off the ground and into the air before slamming her back into the ground.

  A grin grew on Lyn, but that grin didn't last long. Marayn twisted her body and like a snake, wrapped her legs around Lyn and slammed her into the ground, reversing the situation. Lying in the grass, obsidian black looked into metallic purple and lush green eyes. Breaking eye contact, they rolled away and got back to their feet. Maryan was relentless, not giving her opponent a chance to prepare as she went for a high kick, only to watch as Lyn ducked and tried to sweep out her other leg.

  Leaping over her scarlet-haired opponent, the moment her feet landed back on the ground, she rushed back into the fight. The redhead slashed at her rival, only to watch her duck underneath the strike as an open palm slammed into her stomach, sending her back.

  Taking a moment to catch their breath, sweat dripped down their faces. Once a single drop fell to the ground, they launched themselves at one another once again.

  Blades and limbs turned to colorful blurs as the two continued to assault each other.

  Two blue-eyed observers continued to watch the fight. "You know Roy, it's a good thing you're so easy-going. I don't think Lyn could remain sane if she had to worry about Red being off with Igneel and being sleep deprived at the same time."

  With a confused look, Roy turned away from the display of combat and to his father. But his look on Achilles didn't last as a painful groan brought their attention back to the battle taking place in their yard.

  Maryan stood proud on her feet, her blades still at the ready as her heterochromatic eyes remained locked on the scarlet-haired opponent. A tired groan escaped from her as in a single motion she leaped from her back and onto her feet. "Come on, Lyn, let's call it a break. We've been at this for most of the day."

  "No, I can still go one more round." Rolling her shoulder, she retook her guard. "I've been feeling stiff for a few days now, so I would use the workout."

  The pair was calm while Lyn regained her footing.

  But rather than continue, Maryan returned her blades to their sheaths. "Lyn, are you doing this just to prevent yourself from thinking about Red?"

  Still, Lyn didn't lower her guard; her eyes remained locked with Maryan's. Neither one moved. Lyn waited for Maryan to retake her guard, but to no avail.

  "Can you really blame me? It's the first time he's out in the world and without me on top of it."

  Her hands fell to her side, just as Maryan's returned to grasp her blades. "Heha, well then, guess I'd better do what I can to help relieve the situation."

  A smile grew on them both and once again they charged each other. Achilles and Roy watched as the sound of clashing blades continued once again.

  Once this exercise began again, one thought managed to maintain a hold on Lyn, even with her concentrated on Maryan. 'I wonder how Red's doing? I hope he's having fun.'

  —

  Sitting beneath the sun's warmth, a yawn escaped with the turn of a page, matched the strokes of a cloth as Igneel cleaned his blade. The calm river moved by them, reflecting the sunlight as if small glittering diamonds were floating along the surface. With each turn of the page, the story continued to bring him deeper into its pages.

  "Red, are you sure there isn't something else you should be doing other than reading?" Tearing his eyes away, Red looked up from his book, confused. Watching as his grandfather cleaned his red-bladed sword, it hit him.

  Leaping up from his spot, Igneel watched as Red left a trail of smoke as he ran from the river and back to their campsite. He couldn't help but chuckle, giving his blade a clean shine.

  Leaving Igneel's sight for only a few moments, it didn't take long for Red to reappear. Running over the grass, wearing his small chestplate and vambraces with Breaker at his back. "And what do you think you're doing?"

  "You said there was something else I could be doing, so let's go."

  "Let's go, what?" Igneel had a coy tone in his voice.

  "You know, teach me more, I told Mom I'd work the hardest and I wanna get better."

  Getting off the log, setting his rang and polish to the side. He pointed his blade at Red, with a massive grin, reached him and pulled his blade out of its sheath. A simple half grin as he stared his grandson down

  "Well, let's see how you handle this."

  Igneel wasted no time and with a single step, he closed the distance between them as his blade slammed into Breaker, sending Red sliding back.

  The weight of the strike reverberated through the sword and up his arms; his body shook. The impact nearly knocked him off his feet. Red was standing on a single foot, wobbling on one leg before slamming it down and regaining his balance.

  "Grandpa!" Red pouted. "That was too rough."

  Igneel let loose a deep laugher that echoed from his belly, only serving to earn a glare from his grandson. "Come on, what do you think every opponent you'd face would just let you attack them for free like those slimes? You need to learn how to hit properly and, more importantly, know how to take a hit. Now let me have it."

  With a groan, Red just glared at him.

  "Don't look at me like that. Now plant your feet, grit your teeth, and hit back." Without a second thought, Red rushed in. The echo of two blades colliding spread across the area. Looking up to meet his grandfather's gaze, the man didn't even budge from his spot. No matter how hard Red pushed, Igneel's hand barely moved as he matched the boy's strength with little effort.

  "Come on, put some force into those swings. I can barely feel anything." In a moment, Igneel pushed back, forcing Red back, causing him to stumble as another clash was incited by the boy's grandfather, and another shaking wave spread from Breaker and throughout his body.

  'You want force? Fine! I'll give you force!' With a panting roar, he rushed back to his grandfather. Red's swings became wild, but were still easy for his grandfather to block; the man's arm barely moved an inch.

  Rarely did Igneel ever strike back; he simply blocked and countered every move Red made.

  For what felt like an hour, Red kept swinging, but each strike became slower as his breathing became deeper. Raising his sword above his head, only for the sudden weight shift to cause him to fall backwards and onto the ground.

  The boy was winded, looking to Igneel, his arms felt like a weird mix of jelly and heavy. "That's more like it, Red. Give me another just like that."

  "But Grandpa, my arms hurt."

  Another laugh followed before he lowered himself down to Red's level. "Tell me, how do they hurt?"

  "Well, it's kinda hard to say." Igneel didn't speak; he just listened to Red talk. "It doesn't hurt like when I stub my toe or get a paper cut, it feels... I don't know, like when I run around with Hector and the others."

  "Well, that's a good type of pain."

  "A good type of pain? Pain can be good?"

  "That pain is a sign you're working hard, and the more you work through that pain, the stronger you're going to grow."

  "So then how do I get stronger?"

  As Igneel stood up, Red followed suit. "You run until you feel like you can't run anymore, you practice with a sword until you feel like your arms are about to fall off and you swing one more time, you rest long enough and eat right so your body can recover, and most importantly, you have fun."

  He was quick to follow. "So show me how to grow properly."

  The old man smiled and started to walk along the river's edge. "If you're so eager, then follow me."

  Not even waiting a second, Igneel took off jogging, leaning Red to watch as he put distance between them. "Come on, if you can't keep up, I'll toss ya in the river!"

  Hearing his grandfather laugh, Red panicked, scrambling back to his feet, he took off running. "Grandpa, wait up!"

  He took off running, trying to close the gap between him. After each step, little by little, he grew closer to his grandfather as they ran. The heat of the sun started to become less intense the further they ran, and it started to slowly fall out of the sky.

  But after a while, the river started to widen, giving way to a lake. Igneel looked out into the sparkling water of the late afternoon sun. The only thing that disturbed the sight was a gasping Red as he arrived at Igneel's side and took a seat.

  He didn't waste a second, grabbing his canteen and taking off the lid. Red was practically chugging down water. 'I don't think water has ever tasted this good before.'

  His legs felt just as sore as his arms; they felt like jelly with each step he took. His heartbeat was rapid, but after taking a seat, he felt it start to calm. "You're mean, Grandpa."

  He just laughed at the comment as he sat down. "You said you wanted to be like your mother, right?"

  "Yeah."

  "Then here's some elderly advice. It's important to work hard and push yourself, but it's just as important to rest and have fun." His hand left Red's head as he got back onto his feet. "If you feel up for it, I can give you another lesson."

  With an energetic nod and the tenderness of his legs gone. Red was quick to follow, with a smile, he drew Breaker from its sheath. "I'm always ready!"

  Sending back an equally ready smile, Igneel let Red make the first strike as the sound of blades meeting each other echoed once again.

  —

  That day, the two of them just enjoyed themselves from training on the grass to swimming in the lake until the sun started to disappear from under the horizon.

  As for Red, his body and mind were drained for the day. He wasn't even able to make it back to camp before falling asleep, leaving Igneel to carry him the rest of the way back.

  The next few days were very much the same. Swing a sword until his arms grew sore, running by the river until his legs grew weak.

  Venturing into the woods with his grandfather to forage for food and more often than not, getting directed by slimes, using them at opportunities to keep improving, leaving Igneel to collect ingredients for their night's meals. He devoured meals in mere moments, causing his grandfather to wonder if he even bothered to taste it.

  Letting his body and mind rest with either sleep or reading one of the heroic tales he had packed.

  The boy even tried to sneak off on his own to explore the woods, only to be caught and carried around like a sack of potatoes by his grandfather.

  Each day, he woke up late, locked in the dreamworld until the sun had already passed the horizon. Each night, he fell asleep early, long before the first star of the night could shine. Falling into the sleeping void so his body could rest, his mind returned to the land of dreams.

  They were rough but fun days with each day bearing the fruits of his efforts; no matter how small the gain, it was a victory in his eyes. Over time, it became easier for him to adjust to Breaker's weight.

  It was hard, but fun.

  But one day, late into the night, crimson eyes opened up to meet the dark of the tent and his ears were greeted by the sound of Igneel snoring.

  Lying still, staring at the tent's roof, a single thought, a single feeling spread across his mind.

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  'I need to pee.'

  Stuck between the tired warmth of his blanket that enticed him to go back to sleep and the need to relieve that command, the command won in the end.

  Slipping on his shoes, Red made his way outside, into the cool out late-night atmosphere no and emptied the tank by the tree their tent was under.

  "Ah... Much better." A yawn escaped as he returned, only to be greeted by the sound of his grandfather snoring. And it wasn't just a light snore, with each breath the old man took it was like their tent was shaking in a heavy storm. "Looks like I won't be getting back to sleep. How does Grandma sleep through that?"

  The inside of the tent was even louder than it was outside. 'How is that even possible?'

  Lying down under the warmth of the blanket, with his eyes falling closed, he tried to drift off to sleep.

  Key word tried.

  Rolling from side to side, smothering his head, and even going under his blanket. Nothing was able to dampen the sound that prevented Red from falling asleep.

  Even shaking Igneel's shoulder did little to wake him and even less to quiet the man

  "No wonder Grandpa makes me go to bed early. I can't sleep like this." Sitting up once again with a tired groan, he clipped Breaker back onto his back as he was returned to the night sky. "There are so many stars, I wish Hector Ash and Arthur could see this. I wonder if they're watching the sky right now?"

  While his eyes kept their gaze on the shining heaven above him, the moon and stars started to slowly get drowned out by the light of the sun as it started to peer over the horizon. The shifting grass back on earth almost went ignored.

  Slowly, Red's crimson gaze left the sky and into the grass where a new hidden light snuck around. His hand rose to grab Breaker, watching as whatever was approaching got closer.

  The closer it got, the light became just as visible, and Breaker's blade peered out from its scabbard.

  A mass of orange scales and light appeared from the brush as they locked eyes

  "A Flame Lizard?" Sitting up, he took a step towards the lizard, then took a step back as a small ember was expelled in his direction. "Wait, you're the same lizard that bit me!"

  Whether it was confirmation of the claim or just because Red cried out, the lizard took off towards the woods. Its flaming tail gave its location away. "Hey, where do you think you're going? Get back here!"

  He paused just outside the treeline's shadow. 'If Grandpa wasn't scared of that bear, I shouldn't be afraid of the dark.'

  Without any further thought, he took off after it, running into the woods with dawn's light on his back.

  "Hey, get back here!" His voice echoed in the woods as he followed the flame. Running past tree branches and brush, the further he went into the forest the trees. With each step, he grew closer to the lizard as the distance shrank.

  With one final push, he lunged forward with his arm stretched out, rolling across the forest floor until he came to a stop. With his back on the grass, he watched a flame dangle in front of him. His face quickly broke at the sight as he sat up in his hands was the very lizard.

  "Gotta ya!" Waving his finger in front of the Flame Lizard, it went for a bite. But Red was quicker and all it bit was air.

  "You wouldn't catch me off guard like that again." His laughter echoed through the woods. Only for him to be silenced as a loud hoot startled him

  For a lizard, it didn't take too kindly to being taunted, letting loose another small ember, but the creature was oddly calm as Red adjusted his hold.

  "Let's get back to the tent, last thing I want is Grandpa to yell at me... Wait, you can help me start the campfire. What do you think of that?" With a tilt of its head, the lizard just stared at him as if it were confused.

  "Think about it. I get to make Grandpa proud by helping get breakfast ready and you get to burn something, it's a win win right? Now I just have to get back."

  Trying to retrace his steps, the shadows grew longer with the rising sun, the forest started to come alive with hoots from owls and the early chirps from birds as they woke up.

  With each following step, the noise slowly grew with the sun. Reaching into his bag, Red pulled out his compass and started to line up the needle so it was in alignment with the north symbol.

  "Hmm... When we set up the tent, I didn't get to see the sunset, but I did get to see the sunrise. So that means I have to go east."

  With a direction in mind, he kept walking, using the flame from the lizard to keep a light on the compass.

  'This is so much fun, is this what it feels like to go on an adventure all on your own?' An oblivious, goofy smile that didn't seem to care about the situation appeared as he kept walking.

  'A lot of stories have moments where the hero encounters someone while they are traveling alone in the woods and saves them from a monster. Wait... Hey, do you think I could run into someone like that?" Jerking the Flame Lizard in front of him, the small creature could only tilt its head, unable to even understand what was going on.

  But as Red continued, with each footstep, a new noise started to form and caused everything to slowly become silent.

  Even the Flame Lizard became uneasy as it started to violently squirm, breaking free from Red's grasp, it hit the floor and took off running.

  As confusion washed over him as the flame disappeared into the forest and a nearby bush started to shake.

  "Huh?"

  And a three-toed green foot stepped out.

  —-

  Snoring continued to echo each time his mouth opened until a deep breath followed by a yawn led to Igneel sitting up. "Morning Red, I... I'll wake you up when breakfast is ready, so just—

  Looking to his side, his voice was caught in his throat at the sight of the empty spot.

  "Red?"

  The absence of his grandson's sleeping form. Igneel shot up, grabbing his blade, he made his way out of the tent, scanning the area, trying to locate him outside. He didn't even bother to put on a shirt or shoes as he started scanning the slowly lit area.

  "HHEELLPP!"

  That was until the sudden cry made his neck snap to the woods.

  "Red!" And he took off running, taking his blade out and leaving its sheath at their campsite.

  —

  Another three-toed foot stepped out from the bush as a body that stood only a few inches taller than him, with a small horn on top of its pale green, bulbous head. Its orange eyes almost seemed to glow in the still dark morning.

  "Wha... wha.. is that a goblin?" Each word that escaped shook as the creature's beady eyes locked onto him. Its cracked lips curled back, showing off its yellow-stained, chipped teeth as crackling laughter came from it. Lunging from its spot, it swung its arm. Red stepped back, and his hand rose to grab Breaker's handle, watching as its fumble-covered nail drove into the dirt.

  'Grandpa wasn't scared when we found that Berserk Bear, so I won't be afraid of a goblin!'

  Shaking his head, he readied himself as he freed his blade and slashed at the goblin's back. Leaving a bloody streak on its back, a pain-filled cry escaped from it.

  "You're just a goblin, I can take one of you." There was a slight confident tone in his voice. Quickly, he leaped back as the goblin pulled its claw from the dirt and swiped at him. The blow wasn't even close to connecting as Red grinned and kept his sword pointed at the monster.

  But rather than attack again, for some reason, the goblin looked like it was throwing a fit. Stomping its foot on the ground, flailing its arms, it even started snarling and shouting out into the forest. New cackling grew, and orange orbs appeared from the shadows. Slowly, one by one, a small group made itself known as they looked at Red.

  "Ah, well, would you look at the time... I should be back before my Grandpa wakes up, so..."

  Outnumbered four to one, he slowly backed off, watching as the small group now kept their gaze on him, only to turn tail and run.

  The sound of panicked footsteps and gasping breaths filled the woods, his voice silenced the chirps and hoots that filled the forest. He cried out for help as the goblins gave chase, cackling the whole way.

  'My heart's racing, my hands are sweating, those stories never talked about feeling like this! I gotta get back to Grandpa!'

  "Someone! Anyone! Help!"

  With each step, some distance was formed, but whether it was the dark of the morning light or out of sheer fact, he wasn't watching where he was stepping as he ran.

  Something grabbed his foot, causing him to fall forward, sliding across the grass. Looking back, his eyes went wide at the sight of a slime clinging to his foot. Out of sheer panic, he started kicking it with his free foot as he tried to get up, only for it to grab on.

  Reaching out for Breaker, the moment his hand grabbed the handle, the cackling picked up once again. The goblin group had finally caught up.

  Still trying to get up, only for the slime to pull his feet back into its body every time he tugged against it, until he stopped and raised the blade at the goblins.

  "Stay... Stay Back! I... I'm warning you!"

  His words shook just like he blade he held. When one of them approached, he swung, only to have it catch the blade. Pulling it out of his grasp before tossing it aside.

  Their cackling only grew as they slowly stepped towards him, as if they were purposely trying to taunt him.

  'Why am I so scared? Why wouldn't my body stop shaking?'

  His mind could only repeatedly ask questions he couldn't answer, watching as they grew closer and closer, laughing the whole time at him. Crimson eyes went wide as its jagged hand rose, only to come crashing down. Slamming his eyes shut and bringing his arms to cover himself, he cried out the only word that made sense.

  "MOM!"

  As if they knew what he was screaming, the green quartet started to point and laugh as Red hid his gaze away from them.

  Their cackling laughter was cut short when something rushed past him. It was replaced with a painful scream, followed by something breaking and something splashed against the ground.

  It took a moment for him to lower his arms and his eyes to slowly open to find not only the crushed skull of a goblin but a blur of white.

  Whoever or whatever it was, it was...

  'Fast. Really fast.'

  With each movement was a blur white that chased down the goblins as they tried to run.

  But running was futile.

  Bones were crushed by a single blow. With no trace of a blade of any kind, their bodies were cut apart, leaving only a bloody stain in the ground.

  The last one tried to run back into the forest's darkness, only to be chased down where a loud snap echoed from the shadows.

  But the moment the brush started to shake, Red closed his eyes once and tried to cover himself as best he could as the sound of footsteps on the grass got closer.

  'Why did I run in here alone!? I wish I was back at camp with Grandpa. I wish Mom was here!"

  "You ok?" A soft voice caused him to open his eyes to find a woman with white hair and pointed wolf-like ears that seemed to twitch in each direction, remaining alert to any sound that could be hostile. Lime green eyes seemed to glow as they locked on him. "You're not hurt, are you?"

  "I... I... I..."

  Watching her gaze left his for a moment, her free hand shot down and pierced the slime, crushing its stone, causing it to melt into a formless goo.

  "There, now there are no more big bad monsters."

  With no idea what came over him, Red tackled the woman. Grabbing her in the tight of a hug he could manage, he found himself trying to smother himself against her chest. Soon, another comforting hand started to wipe away a few tears that formed.

  "Hey, there's no need for that. Everything is gonna be fine with me here. Now, how about tellin me what you're doing out here by yourself? Is your family nearby?"

  All he could do was stutter, tripping over his tongue with each word he tried to speak. His gaze was tempted to look past her and into the first, but her hand kept his attention on her.

  "Take it easy, now just calm down and focus on me. How about we start with something simple, like your name."

  "It's... It's Red."

  "That's a different name, you don't meet many people named after a color." Even as she spoke, like radar her ears were constantly moving, scanning the area for any noise that was out of place. "So tell me, Red, what's a kid like you doing out here at this time of night?"

  "I was trying to catch a Flame Lizard."

  "A Flame Lizard, did you catch it?"

  "Yeah, until I lost it when those goblins show—

  Her ears shot to the side, and her eyes quickly followed as her arm came to separate Red from the approaching noise.

  Only to see a panicked, one-armed man with a crimson blade emerge from the forest.

  "Red!"

  "Grandpa!"

  He wasted no time in shooting away from the woman, leaping into Igneel's waiting arm.

  "What the hell were you thinking running off into the woods on your own at night?! Did you want to give me a heart attack? What about your mother? How do you think Lyn would have felt if something happened to you?" Red went from happy to being saved to disappointed, unaware of the approaching footsteps.

  "Here, this is your's right?" The pair turned back to the white haired woman as she held Breaker and Red could only give a disappointed nod. "Well then, let's get it back where it belongs."

  Red could only give a quiet "Thank you" as the sword was returned to its sheath, and a calm hand ran through his hair.

  "Miss... are, are you like the heroes in my books?"

  "Me a hero? Hah, that's a good one." With a goofy laugh, she kept a locked gaze with him. "I'm just a simple adventurer. Someone looking for fame, glory, and excitement who just happened to be passing by and heard a cute boy cry out for help. So it was my duty to help the one who needed me. But if you wanna call me a hero, then go ahead, I won't complain."

  "You said you were passing through the area, correct? So what brings a young lady like yourself out here?"

  "My party heard about a dungeon nearby and wanted to go diving. You know, beat up some monsters, get some coin, earn a new story. Things like that."

  'A dungeon, like the ones in my stories?'

  "Then I wish you a safe trip

  The pair watched as a zoophian took her hand back, but just as she was about to leave, Igneel spoke. "Before you go, mind if I ask your name. It would be disrespectful if I didn't thank you properly for saving my grandson."

  'Wait, that's right, I never got her name.'

  "Oh, there's no need but the names Xaio and—

  "There you are, Xaio." Two women appeared from the treeline, a human with curly brown hair and green-scaled draconian with tanned skin. "The hell, you took off running after that scream. What gives?"

  "Sorry, gals. I was just about to head back." Xaio turned back to Red and his grandfather, giving them a toothy grin. "I hope you both have a safe trip back to your campsite, and Red, don't go giving the old man a heart attack by running off again, ok?"

  He couldn't just watch her walk away.

  "Miss. Xaio!" His voice made her stop. "Thank you, next time we meet... I'm gonna help you."

  She only flashed him a simple smile. "Just focus on growing up." After a simple wave, Xaio and her companions left.

  "Xaio, what were you thinking? Helping a bloodeye for all we know, now some kinda curse is gonna fall on us." The human chastised.

  "Oh shut it, Trish, either way I'm not gonna ignore a kid's cry for help, and if there is a curse it's mine to bear. Now let's go. We made plans to hit the dungeon before breakfast."

  As the group left, Red was left alone to face the disappointed glare of his grandfather once again, but this time no words were spoken as he was carried back to their campsite.

  —

  "Of all the stupid, reckless.... what on God's green earth made you think running into the forest by yourself just before the crack of dawn was a good idea?"

  If the forest wasn't awake yet, Igneel's shouting forced it to wake up. But still Red sat on his knees and could only face the ground. "I couldn't get back to sleep, and I saw the Flame Lizard and I thought..."

  "You thought what, that would chase it into the forest? Do you have any idea what could have happened, how hurt you could have gotten?"

  "It's not like I ran off unprepared; I had my sword, and the potions I bought were in this bag I had with me." With nervous hands, he opened up to show off the potions.

  Only to still find Igneel wasn't amused, Red flinched as Igneel spoke again. At first, there was the same anger he had earlier, but this time, he pulled back, and his voice became softer. "Red, if you wanted to catch that lizard, why didn't you come wake me up? I would have gone in with you. Trying to go into the forest on your own during the day is one thing, but at night, even with dawn approaching, it's a dangerous place."

  "I just wanted to show I wasn't afraid. After all, you weren't scared when you fought the Berserk Bear, and Mom or Dad never sounded scared when they told me stories of when they went on adventures. I wanted to be like you guys, but I guess I'm just a coward."

  A tired groan left Igneel as the scowl that marked his face softened. "I'll tell you this, you scared the hell out of me when you weren't here."

  That comment only made him feel worse. "Sorry for being stupid."

  "You're not stupid, you're young, but at this age, there isn't that much of a difference. You know, I have half a mind to take you home right now after the stunt you pulled." A brief, light, singular laugh escaped from him as he took a seat. "However, it's also partly my fault for letting this happen again."

  "Again?"

  "Yeah again. When I took your mother camping the first time, she did the same thing. I should have figured you'd do the same at some point."

  The two sat in silence, watching as the sun was halfway over the horizon.

  "So does this mean we have to go home now?"

  "Normally, yes, but right now I'd rather not let this trip end on a bitter note, so how about we take down the tent and go visit the town. If we leave no,w we should get there before lunch."

  "Are you sure, Grandpa?"

  "Yeah, I'm sure, I'd rather end this trip on a positive note and not after yelling at ya. Besides, I'm getting a little tired of dried meat and mushrooms; we can get a nice bed and meal at a tavern."

  "Ok."

  With a plan made and better moods returning, they started taking their campsite apart as they prepared to march into the nearby town.