Maverick followed Jonah back to the caravan. Annika was mumbling out loud about how the town was full of bumpkins and uneducated children. She walked over to the caravan and pulled out a strap hose that caused a flat board to lower like a miniature drawbridge. Sliding a barrel out from beneath the lowering plank created a makeshift table. Two similar actions resulted in a long bench on either side allowing for the group to take a seat.

  "Humph, never heard of magic? Never! Have you not opened your eyes? I can count at least 3 uses of it before we make it past the corner street of the town that you came from." -Annika

  While she spoke we walked over and checked on the horses pulling the wagon. She was visually animated as she pulled at her unblemished white hair. She continued her rant as she walked out of hearing range and checked around the cargo for any issues or loose items.

  Jonah walked up holding two mugs frothy with a sweet aroma. He set them down with a clank, onto the table. Looking at Maverick, he spoke.

  "She's always in high spirits. Sit, we will be off in a moment but need time to make sure we have not lost anything in the pursuit out of the woods."

  Maverick nodded and sat as he thought about what transpired. He had killed not one but three beast. They were not exactly human, but were similar enough he did not know what to think about his actions. It felt automatic. Death was rushing towards him and he reacted. Now three bodies lay still in the grass several yards away. They were breathing and alive moments ago.

  He could still feel the now removed blood running down his arms. A weight on his chest from the lives tightened. Maverick's heart still raced with the adrenaline It was the feeling of impending punishment.

  A memory flashed in his mind from home. He had back talked his mother and she sent him to his room. The weight on his chest now was akin to the footsteps of his father coming down the hall. It was the impending lesson to be learned from performing an act that went against the expected.

  A clinking sound caught his attention as Jonah placed one of the mugs in front of him. And lifted his cup to clink them together.

  "Here is to a successful fight, and a little earned for the effort!" said Jonah.

  "A little earned?" Maverick scratched his head, puzzled.

  Jonah laughed. He explained how the town guard pays a silver a head to kill the beast in the woods. Every little bit helps the numbers that threaten the city. It was not enough to put the peoples lives at risk but also enough to encourage those who did venture out to also take care of the danger if they were able.

  "You've never killed before, have you?" Jonah

  Mavericks eyes went wide for a moment at the remark. Scratching his head he looked at Jonah who's jovial face was a bit stern. Annika sat beside Maverick as Jonah continued.

  "Maverick, I could tell from the shock your displaying that you have not ever drawn blood before. Adding in the mention of magic being new to you I take it that you are somewhat out of place right now." Jonah

  Annika also joined the conversation "Yeah. Who doesn’t know about magic? Are you from a backwater or lived on a farm?"

  She doubted the second remark as she touched his sleeve and examined his odd clothing. Noticing the high quality stitching. Holding her robe end out to compare she added in a high pitch whistle.

  "Your clothes speak of wealth yet your words sound like that of a bumpkin." Annika

  Maverick lightly shook her hand off his sleeve and lowered his hand from the back of his head. Grabbing the drink Maverick took a gulp, his face contorting as the thick, aged juice hit his tongue, prompting an immediate cough and sputter.

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  Jonah's stern face returned to a grin as he stepped around the table and clapped Mavericks back.

  "I take that as a yes. For someone who has never killed you show promise. Annika how about we help the lad out for helping us. Give him a little recompense for his troubles." Jonah

  Annika looked at Maverick and to Jonah.

  "Sure, I'll explain magic to our young friend, and you teach him to fight? What are we, settling debts now?" Annika

  Jonah responded back after taking a swig. "Annika, you're always on about taking an apprentice. Why not give it a proper go? Show him a thing or two; you remember how you started."

  At hearing this Annika bowed her head and stared at the frothy drink. The atmosphere dialed down a notch.

  Maverick noticing the change sat his mug down and offered his hands.

  "Oh, no I didn’t mean to cause you any trouble. Its just that I am a bit lost. I am trying to find Bernie. We were just practicing some stuff with marbles this morning and somehow now I am here. Where ever here is." Maverick said

  "A lost boy looking for magic, I see. How Adventurous." Annika said while still staring in contemplation.

  Jonah clinked his mug back onto the table and loudly hurrahed. "Adventurous indeed!"

  Jonah stood up and walked over to some straps and gave them a tug as he followed them down the wagon making sure nothing had shifted. Annika broke from her thoughts and like wise performed the same check on her side of the table. With confidence they made their way around the wagon leaving Maverick to himself at the table.

  Maverick had a moment for his mind to wonder about magic and fighting. Finding himself in the conversation he felt lost. This morning he was home and now.. Now he was not sure where home was. He closed his eyes and thought about the trial and arriving here. As he kept his eyes closed he thought about what he needed to do next. As this thought flashed through his mind a window in his system interface changed from blinking to a picture of an outline of a bust. It was next to the icon he now understood represented his inventory. Focusing the new tab slid down. It was labeled as Skill List.

  He saw a web like structure that Centered around the Tolley he was given by Bernie. Titled above the star filled marble was the label "The Expanse". Stemming out from the Tolley was a constellation of sorts. He saw nine silhouettes that with spacing and faint lines between them. They held spots for their respective labels to exist while not giving away their nature. Next to the Tolley was a familiar purple coin. The line connecting it to the center marble was bright.

  While focusing on the connection the word or thought, 'Complete 100%' was understood. He didn’t hear the words but as he observed the line it again repeated in his mind. A mechanical voice succinctly mentioning the fact of the connection to him. Looking to the Blessing of Luck marble, Maverick again heard the voice

  "Blessing of Luck skill master class." - System

  Before he could focus more on the new tab the sounds of Annika and Jonah approaching grew. Maverick dismissed the screens as they re joined him at the table.

  Jonah spoke first.

  "Maverick you look new to this way of life. My friend here thinks you’re a country bumkin. But you have some spunk to ya, taking on those Knoll like that. Can I make a small offer you yuh." Jonah

  Annika took a pouch from her side and started to undo the lace around it.

  "I'd can concede something of a token as well for you stepping in. Not much but enough to repay the help." Annika

  Maverick looked to both of them not knowing where the conversation was going. Yet he nodded for them to continue.

  "How about I teach you a thing or two about the sword while Annika gives you a small glimpse into the basics of magic. You know, things you should already know." Jonah

  As Jonah finished talking Maverick heard Annika recite a oddly familiar chant. Looking over she had a pouch laying across a silver and bronze lace that was layer out in a circle. It was similar how Bernie had done time after time from within the shop.

  "These blessings are my own, a fit of character is seen as it is shown. This day I present my soul to my audience before me. My Comrades at arms" Annika

  He noticed that the words were altered but the effect was new. A flash of light shown from the bag. Annika reached in and pulled out a marble that smoldered. Actual smoke came off the marble. A controlled plume of ember raced within the marble and danced from edge to edges, zipping in and out of smoke.

  Annika focused as she held the marble. Showing it to Maverick she spoke.

  "This is the Blessing of Firebolt. The ability I used earlier came from my soul."

  As she spoke another ember of fire joined the first within the marble. She focused even more and another joined it. She completed this over and over as her forehead perspired. Stopping she let go of the marble and it flung itself back into the bag and the light emitting from the bag ended.

  At the same time the lace threaded itself back into the end of the pouch, tying itself up. In that moment the parcel sunk through the table like a ghost and rejoined Annika's Side.

  Mavericks eyes, like his mouth were left agape. Jonah's gleamed as he enjoyed the facet of Mavericks jaw hitting the table in shock.

  "I'll take it that this was your first time seeing a soul as well. Hmm, where to start?" Annika

  Jonah ran his hands through his hair as well. "Maverick you have a soul don’t you?"

  Jonah moved to have Maverick stand up next to the table. "You may not be able to see anyone else's unless they allow you to surely you have wondered what that was attached to you right?"

  Both Jonah and Annika now looked for a response from him. Staring intently Maverick didn’t know what to do. He looked to Annika's pouch at her waist and then Jonah's. He was able to see them just fine. He didn’t mention it but instead reached into his own.

  Pulling out a marble.. "I don't know if I understand this or not but if you can explain it I'll listen." Maverick

  This time it was Jonah and Annika that were baffled. He had skipped a vital step in the process. Without a chant he was able to display a portion of his soul.

  Annika and Jonah looked at Maverick and then to each other.

  "Well, Annika you were looking for someone special right?" Jonah

  Annika stared at Maverick as she nodded. "That’s special alright".

  Maverick looked at the Blessing in his hands and the system spoke.

  "Blessing of Tigers Eye has been Awaken." System