"We should get going then." Kelale said to everyone. She turned to the small group who would be joining her and Zemica and introduced herself. "Hello, my name is Kelale. Its a pleasure to meet all of you."

Aldran nodded, and climbed onto a wagon.

"Alright, pick a wagon and climb on when everyone's ready."

"Nice to meet you too Kelale." Chakra said, before leaping onto a wagon himself. He was already excited about the journey.
This is way better than walking alone! He thought cheerfully.

Zemica helped Kelale onto one of the caravan wagons and had her sit down. He climbed up and sat down next to her, making sure that they both were comfortable and not in any position to fall off the wagon and be trampled by beasts of burden.

"There... This beat walking, doesn't it Kelale?" Zemica said to her. "Are you comfortable?"

Aldous climbed on to a wagon and sat opposite to Chakra. Perfect! Paid travel, exactly what I was looking for. And some new people to meet, for bonus.

He pulled out a blade and started to spin it on one finger, watching the sunlight flash off it and reflect all around them.

"It certainly does." Kelale said to Zemica. "And yes, I'm fine. It'll be nice to not have to walk for a while. We'll also have some company."

Kelale cleared her throat and spoke to the new arrivals. "So.. Anyone care to introduce themselves?"

"Oh! my bad." Chakra had forgotten completely.
"My names Chakra Amura." He said, waving from the wagon he was on.

"My name is Zemica... My surname is not important for the moment, so my given name will have to do." Zemica told their new traveling companions. Gerik crawled out of his bag, and climbed upon Zemica's shoulder. "This is my furry friend, Gerik. Say hello, Gerik."

Gerik gave a slight noncommittal nod and went about grooming his whiskers, rubbing his white paws against his tan face.

Raisen sat down beside Aldous, who was spinning his blade carefully, "Where did you learn to do that?" Raisen wanted to learn as much as he could before this journey was done.

Aldous abruptly stopped spinning the blade. "It's just a habit. Comes from boredom." He said. He placed his fingers in each of the holes and held it for a second, then put it back in the leather slip on his side. I really should stop; spinning razor blades like nothing. It would be just my luck to hurt somebody with it.

"I'm Aldous." He said, meaning it for everyone since the introductions were going around.

"Raisen" He shook the man's hand, "You handle those blades very well, you've had training?"

"Not formally. I've been doing mercenary work for," He paused to think. ". . .thirteen years? I've had plenty of time to practice. How about you, any training?"

"I used to work for some, less than respectable people, that's where I received my training, now I'm freelance." He lit a pipe relaxing, "I've been doing this since....hmmm maybe 14 years old. It is hard to remember."

"It's good to meet you all." Zemica said from one wagon to the next. "I'd be careful whilst spinning those weapons of yours. One might accidentally fly off of your finger and hurt yourself, or someone else."

Gerik climbed onto Zemica's shoulders and laid down, his long body gone limp around his master's neck. Comfortably sleeping, he made soft snoring noises during his daytime nap.

"Adorable little creature." Zemica commented. "Anyway, I've only been a wanderer for eight years, myself. I'm actually hoping to have the chance to return home soon. That is, if luck is with me."

"What is that little white thing anyway?" Chakra asked, referring to Gerik. He was a little wary of anything that looked like a rodent.

"He's Zemica's adorable companion." Kelale said to Chakra. "Don't worry though. He's very sweet and kind.. just like his master."

"He's a ferret." Zemica explained. "They're related to badgers and weasels, not rodents. He's almost like a child to me... He can even be as obnoxious as a child at time."

Zemica was flattered by Kelale's comment, and gave her a little wink.

"According to the trader I purchased him from, Gerik is a giant ferret. If he was telling the truth, he'll keep growing to potentially become as large as a person. Of course, he probably won't be happy that he won't be able sleep on my neck when he's that large."

"Well hey, as long as I don't wake up with him on my face. I've had bad experiences in the past." Chakra laughed, relaxing again on the wagon. He yawned a little, tired from walking.

"Don't worry, I'll be sure to keep him away from your face." Zemica assured Chakra, laughing as well. He then yawned a few moments after Chakra had yawned. "I must say, that is annoying when that happens."

"Those are some interesting weapons you have there... I'm sorry. I don't think you've yet told us your name..." Zemica said to the man spinning the blades. "If you don't mind, could you tell us?"

Aldran looked around.

"Everyone ready? Good."

He motioned for the wagon drivers to get moving, and the caravan began it's trek down the roads. Soon, they had left the city.

Chakra lazily watched the clouds go by, the gentle rocking of the wagons made him feel at peace.
"I could get used to travelling like this." He said, a content smile on his face.

Zemica leaned slightly against Kelale as the Caravan wagons rolled along the road. It would be a while, but it would be faster and easier than walking.

Kelale looked at the scenery as the group continued down the road in the caravan. She saw different varieties of trees and flowers. Every now and then she'd see a wanderer going to another village or a farmer leading his cattle to the nearest lake.

She yawned then felt Zemica lean up against her. "Its so calm and peaceful. I wish that it was always like this."

Absently, he scratched his head leaning on one hand. The wheel directly under him hit a rock, causing him to lurch forward and lose his hold. His chest hit the rail and his hands fell dangerously close to the spokes. He cursed under his breath while he reached behind him for the rail. Quickly getting hold, he pulled himself back and set farther away from the rail. He let out a slow breath then laughed, embarrassed. "Great country, rough roads."

The wagon travelled through rugged paths and as Raisen smoked his pipe, the random jarring caused it to fall between the wheel and the earth, crushing it. He cursed loudly and spun around to all looking him, "My apologies," he said, "An heirloom I had become quite fond of."

It wasn't his heirloom, but that was just details they didn't need to know. Hurrying he changed the subject, he looked at the strangers, the man and woman he assumed were traveling together, "So you look like you've had a few adventures, how about a tale? I'm a bard on the side, you see, to make ends meet when mercenary jobs are low, and there's nothing more I like than picking up a few stories to share on my travels, can't make them all up right?"

"We've not been traveling together, long." Zemica said to Raisen. "In fact, we've only just met two days ago. However we have survived a battle together, and made a promise to each other. A promise that we both intend to keep..."

Not to mention the fact that we seem to be infatuated with each other... Zemica thought to himself.

Kelale stood up and made her way next to Aldous, almost falling off of the wagon as she did. "Are you ok? If you need any healing I'll be happy to help you. I'm sorry, I completely forgot to tell you that I'm a healer."

Kelale laughed nervously. Everyone seemed to react differently when Kelale told them that she was a healer. Any form of magic seemed to scare most people.

"That's alright, Kelale..." Zemica said to her. "Magic never came up, so you've not had a chance to tell them."

With a quick up-and-down glance, Zemica checked to see if Aldous was unhurt.

"He looks fine to me, anyway. I think he'll be alright." He said somewhat flatly. "But while we're on the subject of magic, I might as well say something... I myself am a trained pyromancer, a fire-magic user. I feel you should know this, in case we encounter any... trouble along the way."

"Yes, I'm fine." Aldous assured Kelale. He heard Zemica's confession, then spoke up. "Well, I should say that I've a gift of speed. I can move far quicker than anyone else I've ever heard of, and I usually fight very close to my target." He looked at Zemica and added, "No throwing fireballs the same person as I'm working on."

"Ha!" Zemica forced a laugh. "The hurling of fireballs is one of the most base uses of my skill. But, I will be sure to avoid using it against any of you... unless the situation would call for such a thing."

Zemica cocked an eyebrow, casting a glance that said, 'Of course, that won't happen. Right?' to his newly-met allies.

"Speed you say?" Zemica continued. "While I doubt that is a magical ability, and more like an inborn gift, it is still nonetheless useful."

"Hmh. More than useful." Aldous said under his breath, turning his gaze to the road in front of them. Don't talk down to me. I'd like to see someone try and attack, show you how "useful" I can be.

Kelale looked at Aldous then back to Zemica. She could feel them beginning to get annoyed with one another so she decided to take control of the conversation.

She laughed nervously while she tried to think of something the group could discuss. "So.. Umm .. Does anyone know any good tales? Perhaps ones that do not end in slaughter and mayhem."

"Ooh! I do.. I think." Chakra said, waking up from his nap. "It's about fairies and such, my Dad always told it to the nieghbour kids." He smiled at the memory.
I wonder how the old guy is doing back home..