Stopping just outside a house in the suburbs of Gildale, Eldin looked back at Lumina unsure of what they were supposed to do. The information on the hunting request wasn’t very specific, not to mention sightings of where the beast had been was not included as well. They needed to ask around.

  Not receiving any form of support from his friend and not wanting to look like an amateur to Stephen, Eldin knocked on the door of the first farmhouse they came across. “Hello? We’re from the Gildale Adventurer’s Guild regarding the request of hunting a beast that’s been terrorizing the farmlands recently.”After receiving no response, Eldin knocked again repeating his last statement.

  “Doesn’t seem like anyone is home.” Stephen remarked as he looked for another house to visit.

  While Eldin tried again to get someone to answer the door, Lumina focused her hearing trying to see if there was anyone home. Almost immediately she could hear a rhythmic thud accompanied with heavy breathing. A slight giggle followed by a moan forced her to take a step back. “You’re right. There’s no one home.” She lied to him just wanting to get out of earshot of the house.

  Looking back between Lumina then the house, Eldin shrugged then proceeded walking to the next house off in the distance. He couldn’t help but notice that his friend’s face was overly blushed. “You feeling ok? Are you drinking enough water?” He asked. Assuming that Lumina was suffering minor effects from the heat even though it was a clam spring day.

  “I’m fine. Don’t worry about it.” Lumina replied. There were times she wished her hearing wasn’t so strong. Today was definitely one of those days. “Let’s keep looking for locals to ask about this creature.”

  As they made their way to the next house, Stephen took the time to talk to his newfound interest, “Sorry if I am coming off as too nosey, but I have never met a Fereece so freely and boldly travelling in the open before.”

  “Is it really that strange?” Lumina replied, noting that she had yet to see any other Fereece without a collar.

  “Unique for sure. But the way you carry yourself, that type of confidence isn’t something you are born with.” Stephen added.

  Lumina smiled at the compliment, “My master has been training me since I was six.”

  Stephen looked confused, “Master? I thought you didn’t have a master.”

  Lumina finally realized that she had yet to break the habit of referring to Milli as master. “Sorry. That’s what I used to call my teacher and foster mother.”

  “Must have been some women then.” Stephen commented.

  “Milli is incredible. I’ve never seen anyone stronger than her.” Lumina said with pride thinking about all the stories she had heard over the years.

  Stephen paused his step and stared. Milli? You don’t mean the walking quake right?”

  “You mean my mother?” Eldin added in after catching wind of the conversation.

  Staring at Lumina, then to Eldin. Stephen was currently connecting the pieces. “Fereece wearing a dress, and a young elementalist. The dress…” He muttered to himself as it finally dawned on him. “Wait. If your mother is that legendary hero, then that would mean. Wait a minute!” He shouted aloud. “You both are the children of Lucina and Milli?”

  “Yes?” Eldin replied with a hint of caution at the sudden outburst from the usually collected knight.

  “You know my mom?” Lumina said excitedly hoping to hear more about her late mother.

  “I don’t know them personally, but my father had worked with them on a few occasions back when he was fighting in the war.” Stephen replied. He had grown up hearing the tales of his father’s travels. In particular, the times he worked with the legendary heroes before their final battle with the monster Genesis. The Walking Quake, the Scion of Lumaasias, the Primordial Tactician, and the Fatal Flurry. Each one of them comparable in power to the forces of nature. Though he doubted that last rumor, assuming like many legends, it was probably exaggerated.

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  “This truly must be fate.” Lumina heard Stephen mutter as the knight stared at them dumbfounded. “What are the chances that I would be travelling with the children of the very heroes my father travelled with.”

  “I can’t let a chance like this pass up. I want her even more!” he thought.

  Eldin could tell that the knight had a lot of thoughts going through his head, but he was more offput by the reaction Stephen was displaying. Eldin always knew his parents were famous, but to garner such a reaction from a noble. They truly were more than he had thought.

  Stephen had a million questions he wanted to ask, but he also didn’t want to annoy or come off as overbearing. His goal now more than ever, was to get Lumina to fall for him. “We should continue moving. If this creature hunts at night, it would be best to gather as much information as possible before the sun sets.”

  Agreeing with Stephen’s comment, Lumina continued forward joining him as they made their way to the next house.

  If it weren’t for Stephen’s vocal outburst, they would’ve seen that Rita was just as surprised. She had heard stories of Elrin, Lumaasias’ chosen, the Scion, the great teacher. All clerics knew and aspired to be like him. She had heard that he could even raise people from the dead.

  Following after Stephen who was catching back up to Eldin, Rita also had many questions of her own. While not associated with her family’s business the Scarlet Clinic, Elrin had mentored her father in the past. She was curious to know how well Eldin could heal. “Excuse me.” Rita said politely in a quiet voice as Eldin turned his head to look behind while walking forward. “You wouldn’t also happen to know about Elrin would you?”

  “My father?” Eldin replied.

  Now just as stunned as her leader, Rita managed to continue moving forward with the group. ”Elrin. Eldin. How did she not make the connection?”

  “Is he really as amazing people make him out to be?” Rita asked.

  “He really is!” Lumina added in, “Back when Milli almost killed me during my final test. I had multiple broken bones and an impaled shoulder as well as a messed-up elbow. I was good as new after a week.”

  “A week? Injuries like that would take almost a month for me to restore!” Rita couldn’t believe it. She herself was a talented cleric. Having the best teachers since she was a kid, she was the best in her class. The difference was unreal. Was there really that much to restoration magic that she didn't understand?

  Finally reaching the next house, Eldin knocked on the door. He was greeted by a large man wearing a straw hat.

  “What do you want?” The farmer asked in a strong almost gravelly voice.

  “Sorry to bother you sir. But we were wondering if you knew anything about the large creature stealing livestock from the farms here in Gildale.” Eldin asked.

  The man stared at the party then stared long and hard at Lumina before finally responding, “I got nothing to say to you?" He stated.

  Before Eldin could respond, Stephen took a step forward, “Sorry to bother you on such a fine day, but we are here inquiring about the recent incidents involving livestock.”

  “And who are you?” the farmer asked, his tone starting to sound more annoyed.

  “My name is Stephen Kingly, of the Kingly family.”

  The farmer’s eyes lit up, he had no idea that the shiny man before him was from the Kingly family. His gruff exterior immediately changed to be more welcoming and polite. “My apologies. What do I owe the pleasure of having you visit my humble home.”

  Stephen smiled, happy that this man understood what position he was in, “Do you have any information on the creature that is stealing cattle in the night?”

  The farmer’s features slowly devolved into a scowl. “The Jackal. That’s what we call it. None of us are willing to confront the beast. It comes out at night and steals a heifer. You know it’s coming when you hear it howling.” He scratched his head, “I didn’t want to bother your family so I sent the request to that Adventurer’s Guild.”

  “We’ll take care of that monster. Thank you for the information.” Stephen bid the farmer farewell and the group walked away from the house.

  Looking towards the sky, the sun had started its descent. “Looks like it will be a long night.” Stephen commented as he surveyed the area. “This place is far too large for us to be able to cover every area the creature might strike.”

  Eldin had also come to the same conclusion, “What if we split up and each of us take an area near the forest line where the farmlands end?”

  “Wouldn’t that make it easy for the beast to attack us?” Rita replied nervously.

  “Not to fight, but to cover ground. The farmer said that there’s a howl before it starts to take the livestock. We each hide in an area, and when we hear the howl, we’ll signal everyone else with a fire flare in the air.” Eldin ended his idea with a small ember exploding in the air above them.

  Stephen nodded in agreement, “Still, that leaves it to chance whether or not we are in the right spot. These farmlands are quite expansive. Let’s hope we can catch the Jackal tonight.”