Feyre

  I sit down on a bench as Pavolia starts getting different herbs and tonics that I assumed were potions. "Miss Pavolia? You are some form or another of Fire Specialist Mage. Am I correct?" I didn't actually need her confirmation, as the system did it for me.

  [System]

  [Successfully Identified [Pyromancer] [Siavyllin] Pavolia Medeis]

  I glanced at the notification, before looking at her closely. Her hair swung as she turned and I saw her very pointy ears that were previously covered by her hair. After a little while, and re-reading the notification, I realised that she was some sort of Elf equivalent in this world as well. Siavyllin was quite a beautiful replacement for Elf, I guessed. I didn't listen to her reply though and started acting like I was talking to myself. "I guess Mister Karrlund is some form of Knight..."

  [System]

  [Successfully Identified [Guardian] [Hythangir] Karrlund Formynder]

  [System]

  [Successfully Identified [Advanced Rogue] [Druatari] Emrik Hasstione]

  "Perhaps Mister Emrik would be an Assassin... Very well rounded team composition, a stealth specialist, a damage tanker, and a damage dealer..." I looked up. "You worked quite fluidly, not getting in each other's way. It was impressive to watch. I only saw similar cohesion in the guard teams that had all been in the same training from the beginning." I smiled at her slight look of shock, obviously my knowledge was slightly surprising at the very least. They probably thought I wasn't a combatant, at the very least. My ripped dress being so high quality fabric probably didn't help me dissuade that assumption.

  "Mister Tyrril... He's a Merchant then? Not a Noble?" I lean my head to the side

  [System]

  [Successfully Identified [Master Merchant] [Hythangir] Tyrril Mercate]

  [System]

  [New Skill Unlocked!]

  [Skill: [Identify] Now available to equip into Active Skill Slot]

  Pavolia nodded and smiled. "Perceptive. Okay I'm going to apply some medicinal herbs and a Potion of increased regeneration on three. One... Two..." She applied it before counting. "Three!" She grins at me as I flinch after it is already done. I smile and move to get up but she shakes her head and gently pushes me back onto the bench. "Stay." I comply and just sit as she busies herself again.

  She was quite pretty, past me would have been envious. I was no longer past me though and, in my very bias opinion, I was almost unchallenged in the looks department. I leant back against the wall and sighed. Pavolia looked over and smiled slightly apologetically. "I'm sorry, this must be so weird for you... Do you wish to talk about anything?" I shook my head slightly before deciding that actually, this could be a good source of information plus trust building exercise.

  "I... I kind of miss joking with the team. I pretended to dislike their teasing but... Now they're gone." Not a lie, I did, but I didn't tell her that they were from another world. "I was... terrified when I fought the Greater Wolf... I panicked so much and only through... sacrifice... did I win in the end." Also not a lie, after all I did sacrifice my arm. "I feel terrible." True again! I had only eaten the ration bars in the last few days so I felt terrible... physically. Of course Pavolia didn't know any of this and decided that what I needed was a hug.

  To be honest, I agreed with her thoughts. I did need a hug, just not for the reasons she thought. "It's all going to be okay... You're safe now. Tyrril is a nice man. He would let you stay with us." She pulled me closer as she reassured me and I decided to rest my head on her shoulder. This was mostly just an act, but what is acting but twisting and dramatising reality? It was fulfilling for me to cry, as I hadn't really had the time or ability to do it since my death.

  "Thank you..." My voice was hoarse, didn't need to act for that. Pavolia pulled away and smiled reassuringly at me. She was so kind that I almost felt bad for deceiving her. Alas, it was far too late to come clean now so I smiled back and wiped the tears away, feigning getting better. The movement felt natural and practised. I basically never cried in my past life so I don't know why that would be.

  A couple thoughts struck me at that moment. What if I took someone's body? Did I cut someone's life short? What if- No. I can't think about this right now. I didn't choose this, not my fault. I sighed and got up. Pavolia looked at me but didn't stop me this time so I walked straight out of the tent.

  Pavolia

  As the woman left I sighed. I knew how hard it was to lose people you would consider friends but she had held herself together so well and when I saw he beginning to break down I just stepped in and hugged on instinct. I just hoped I didn't make it awkward. I busied myself about, sorting some messes left by previous patients in the other guards that Tyrril hired.

  I didn't particularly like the other guards and made a quick prayer to the system, hoping that they would be smart when it came to the woman. Who I only just realised I didn't know the name of. Damn it all! How am I meant to build a relationship and make her feel safe if I don't even ask her her name before letting her cry into my shoulder!? She looked like a Hythangir but looks could always be deceiving. I knew all too well that looks could be deceiving, after all I looked the youngest but was the oldest by at least a couple hundred years in the group.

  I finished up in the tent and went to the entrance, eyeing the workstation before pushing my way through the thick curtain-like door. As soon as I left I saw the woman surrounded by the other guards that Tyrril had hired. Karrlund was nearby, his hand on his axe and I instantly went over. "What's going on here!?"

  The other guards looked over and seemingly calmed down a bit after seeing Emrik and Karrlund also ready to fight. They were scared, obviously, we were a well renowned Steel ranked party while they weren't even Bronze yet. Our stats each had the possibility of being more than all of theirs combined, since none of them were above level 7. I glared at them until the supposed leader spoke up.

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  "We was jus' askin' a few questions is all. Ain' we boys?" The group all nodded, and as I looked to Karrlund, he frowned immensely. Lies. I lit a small fire on my finger and asked again. "Is that so? So what was going on then?" No one made a move to reply. I'd almost decided to just get rid of them all at that point.

  "They were asking very personal questions about me and my uh... needs..." The woman worded it politely but I knew these men were definitely doing a lot more than just asking about innocent needs such as food and water... I growled and the entire group scattered in all directions, some even shouted about the woman in front of me being a shape changer. Idiots, a shape changer would never have stuck around with the three of us here.

  The woman turned to me and smiled, slightly pained. "Thank you Pavolia." She paused. "Oh! I just remembered I didn't tell you my name! I am Feyre Agrifiti... at your service." She curtsies slightly with her ripped dress and before I can tell her not to Karrlund walks over. He seems annoyed but hides it remarkably well when he looks at Feyre warmly.

  "I'm sure we all introduced ourselves earlier but lets get some formalities out of the way, I'm Karrlund Formynder, a currently banner-less knight and the nominated leader of the guards. This is Emrik Hasstione, he's the son of a Baron near these parts. This is Pavolia Medeis, pyromancer extraordinaire as I'm sure you are aware from the run in with the wolves." He smiled at Feyre before looking to me. "I hate to bother you again, but do you reckon you could lend Miss Agrifiti here some proper clothes to wear while you fix her dress? It's a good fabric but it is also... well that." He nodded to the tattered hem and rips in the bodice. I could definitely fix it, probably enchant it too.

  I nodded to him and then gestured for Feyre to follow again. "I'll get you something comfortable m'kay?" I wandered off towards my tent and Emrik and Karrlund broke into hushed conversation as we rounded the corner together. I smiled and led her in before sorting through the potential clothes to give her while she undressed.

  Emrik

  "Emrik... watch the other guards. That was a lot of men for just a few 'simple questions' and I don't know how safe Miss Agrifiti will be by herself." Karrlund seemed worried for Miss Agrifiti, and I was slightly worried for her too. The other guards were making up conspiracies on the spot and one had even drawn his sword by the time Pavolia arrived. Of course he wouldn't have been able to use it before me and Karrlund acted but the threat was still there and I imagined the poor woman who'd probably already lost quite a lot didn't need the threats of uncouth thugs like them to make her time any worse.

  I nodded and stepped back, activating [Advanced Stealth] and melding into the shadows. I didn't technically need to activate it like this, but I quite liked looking badass, so I carried on. I wanted to go see Pavolia but was scared I'd interrupt the girls and get hit or something, so instead I went to go spy on the other guards who were all sat around the campfires.

  "I dun' like it boss... the free of 'em trus' dis new gal a lo' wiv no reason dunnay?" One of them spoke as I swayed with the shadows. He wasn't the only one voicing his displeasure with Feyre. Apparently a lot of them thought it was a security risk for Tyrril, and thought Tyrril was stupid for not understanding this. I wanted to scoff, I knew Tyrril's enemies and if they wanted him actually dead? Well I wouldn't be able to stop them. It was rumoured that they had an [Adept] specialisation rogue with at two evolutions or above.

  I was about to sneak away when I heard the boss of the group speak. "I fink we shoul' ge' some answers an' I fink I know 'ow. Keep watch for my signal tomorrah aight?" I slipped away and disappeared into the shadows before appearing outside Pavolia's tent. I heard talking but decided they'd probably want to hear this.

  Feyre

  I was chatting to Pavolia as I put on the slightly worn leather boots she'd leant me, they were much more practical than the patterned flats I'd been in before. Before we could get onto a new topic we heard Emrik's voice call out to us. I got up and Pavolia wasn't far behind, looking confused at the interruption.

  "Lord Hasstione? Do you need me or just Miss Pavolia?" I smile politely, giving way for Pavolia to overtake me and go over to Emrik. He looked slightly panicked and leant in close to Pavolia before glancing at me. Pavolia beckoned me over. "Did something happen? You both look ill at ease." I lean my head to the side again. I think I like doing that.

  "I... The other guards are very suspicious of you and sound like they're going to try something. O-Of course we are on your side Lady Agrifiti." Emrik spoke fast, and I didn't fully trust his words. They knew these other guards, and didn't know me basically at all. Of course they'd trust the other guards.

  I gave a small smile and sighed. "It cannot be helped. I shall just stick to myself. When are you due to set off again perchance?" I tried acting like I was suppressing my fear and from the looks on their faces it worked well. Perhaps too well, what if they thought I was scared of being found out instead? Crap. That might have been too much. I nodded and walked away, keeping up the act anyway. I thought it would be far more suspicious if I changed drastically in a short time so carried on until I was alone.

  I sighed and looked at the sky. It was still cloudy, and of course it was just my luck that it started raining now. I pulled my borrowed mantle over myself tightly and went to the tent that I had been told was mine. Just inside I found a rough looking wooden bowl with some bits and pieces of ration and food. I smiled at the sentiment and was glad to get out of the rain. I picked it up and walked to the hay stuffed bag on the ground. It wasn't a bed but it was certainly better than I was used to by now in this world.

  I sat and ate by myself, just humming to myself.

  ???

  I was walking patrol when I heard the humming. It was strange, no song I'd ever heard. At first I thought it could be the slightly raw rabbit I'd partaken in earlier but when it got louder as I got close to the new arrival's tent I realised she was humming it. It had a feeling of warmth and home in it, and I felt a slight amount of pity for the girl. She looked ever so young, not unlike my daughter back home, and it couldn't be her fault that the three brought her here.

  I was half tempted to stay and listen to the equally eerie and harmonious lullaby that she emitted. Unfortunately, I had a patrol to do so I carried on walking. The song stuck with me for a while and I kept thinking back to how scary it must be for her to be all the way out here and constantly under suspicion after such a harrowing experience as one that resulted in all her guards dying and her needing to stand against a whole pack of Wolves.

  I shook my head and let Sir Formynder take over my shift as soon as dark came. I informed him of what I heard so that he didn't get spooked in the night if she was still going before heading back to my shared tent and plopping myself onto my sack of hay. I missed my bed. I missed my wife. I missed my daughter, but I knew this job would make it so I would be able to feed them comfortably for a good few months after.

  I took off the heavy armour that I was wearing for patrol and got into my nightgown and nightcap. I lay back on the sack and closed my eyes before drifting off into a blissful sleep, dreaming of my beautiful wife and sweet, loving daughter.