BONDS

  Claire jogs to the fence, and jumps into the enclosed warg run area. As she enters the warg house, the other hears her squeal. A worried Tanner rushes to her, only to stop as Claire comes out of the warg house holding a small puppy. The wounded warg redoubles her efforts to get to the kennel. Claire jumps over the kennel fence and runs to the warg mother, holding the pup out to her. As the warg nuzzles the pup, it wags its tail before dying.

  New quest: KILL or KEEP, Accept YES or NO

  Tanner accepts the quest, then says to the others, “Finish checking the village two person teams, Then regroup at our recovery spot guys, we have a decision to make.”

  The decuplet joins back up at the spot where Connie, Jax, and the meditating trio sit, joined by Bree and Rhys.

  “Well done,” Rhys says. “No need to be careful around me, I am settled. I do not want to talk about it yet, but I will get there.”

  Bree says, “Let’s look over the new quest. You have two options, first Kill the pup, check on what you get when you focus on KILL.”

  Jackson, the first to speak after looking over the kill option, says, “Kill it. One level for all of us with such an easy kill.” Dylan and Mick nod their heads in agreement.

  Mick says, “Seems like a straightforward choice.”

  The girls all stay silent but look very unhappy. Tanner and Claire gaze into each other's eyes in silent communication, finished the couple turn and ask. “Why? Why such a large reward for such an easy kill.”

  Bree and Rhys smile, Bree steps forward, speaking, “Your group reactions are perfect for lesson time. The men’s decision, reflect the decision of many parties before you. An easy level up. Not a wrong decision, mind you, it will make you all stronger.” To get Rhys involved more, Bree places her hand on Rhys’s shoulder.

  Rhys, taking the hint, asks the girls, “You don’t want to kill the pup? Why?”

  Milly says, “Its cute.”

  Connie laughs and says, “I was going with cuddly.” The other girls all nod in agreement.

  With a grin, Rhys tells the two, “Emotional decisions are valid reasons for some things, but not all things. This is one of those ones you need as much information as you can get.” Rhys turns to Claire and Tanner, “Now, you two, tell me your thought process please.”

  Tanner nods at Claire, to take the lead to speaking for them. Claire takes a moment to gather her thoughts, then says, “The risk verses, the reward, are way off. One whole level is just too much. So what are the advantages of keeping the puppy?”

  Bree says to the group, “Look at the keep option.”

  ”Milly asks, “What is a bond?”

  “This is not something covered in the first year, next year you will have a short introductory class on bonds. You can take more in depth classes if you chose to go that route in your builds. A bond is a companion, that grows with you, it fights by your side.”

  Tanner asks, “Does the bond take a party spot?”

  Bree, shaking her, says, “No, the bond is listed in the party as a companion, but does not take a party spot. Think of it as a spell or power that you use.”

  Mick asks, “What are the advantages of a bond?”

  ”You always have someone to watch your back. They also grow in power alongside their companion. The disadvantage is you have to raise them. Ensure that you feed, water, and keep your bond happy and train with them. Or the bond will fail. Much like the practice and learning you exert to develop yourself. They also take a handful of Essence from your total, so a slight slow down on leveling.”

  With a thoughtful expression, Claire suggests, “This could be advantageous for everyone of us to have a bond. It's not for me at this time, I'll pass.”

  Tanner, also looking thoughtful, says, “That let’s me out for now, I have too many things going on to devote the time needed. But we do need a method to slow down and catch everything up. This might be the answer.”

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  Mick asks, “How do they progress? You said they will develop along side of us?”

  “That is correct, they do. They often take the traits and powers of their bondmates.”

  “So it could fight along side of me as a front line?”

  “If they are suited for it, yes.”

  “Well I pass too, wargs tend to be agile, not strong, I would prefer a sturdy bond.”

  Bree smiles and nods in approval to Mick, “Well thought out, Mick.”

  Jackson sighs in disappointment, saying, “It would be so cool to have a psi bond but, I don’t see a warg filling that role.”

  “Hey Jackson have you used your talent on the warg?” Claire asks.

  With a dumbfounded look, Jackson says, “No, I didn’t think to.” The rest all laugh at the look on Jackson's face.

  Connie chuckling says, “This may be a good time, to try before we make any permanent decisions.”

  Jackson's eyes give a slight white glow as he looks over the warg and the party. “The puppy is a good fit with us, hold on something odd is happening. I, there are lines connected to the puppy and everyone else. This is really interesting. I never knew I could do this. I can see the best pairing, it is not well suited for most of us. Milly it would make a brilliant partner for you. It will be a better fit with Connie or Iris, I can see it becoming a defender for either of you.”

  Iris shakes her head, “I’m a cat person, not into dogs so much.”

  Connie says, “I’ll only accept this if you all agree.”

  Milly smiles and says, “I want something that pairs well with storms.”

  Jax tells her, “He would grow in to your power set.”

  “Still not willing to accept the little guy, I’ve thought of something I really want.”

  Tanner, after a look at his party asks, “So we keep?” Tanner, with agreement from all members, chooses KEEP. Claire reluctantly gives the puppy to Connie.

  With a smile, Connie accepts the bundle of energy. “Now what do I do?”

  “Concentrate on the puppy and ask it to bond.” Bree explains.

  Nodding, Connie looks at the puppy, thinking, ‘Do you want to bond with me?’

  The puppy stills and looks at Connie in startlement.

  With a cock of his head, the puppy gives a sense of awe and curiosity. He seems to ask, ‘Is that you?’

  ‘Yes my name is Connie.’ she thinks at the puppy. Licking her face and snuggling into her shoulder and neck. The puppy gives off a sensation of commitment and a fierce protectiveness.

  The party watches as the puppy accepts Connie as his bond. After a quick snuggle, Connie sets the little guy on his feet. The pup wags his tail, and the color of his fur changes, shifting from black to Connie's own luxurious red with sun kissed highlights. The puppy grows from eight weeks old to approximately twelve weeks old. “He grew and changed color.” A surprised Connie exclaims.

  Bree says, “He will grow fast right now until he catches up with you, then grow at the same pace as you, until he is an adult. Have you named him yet, this is important for his growth.”

  “Let me ask what his name is. He seems really smart, he may already have a name.” Turning to the puppy and picking him up, Connie looks into his eyes and asks, ‘Do you have a Name?’

  The puppy seems to ponder the question, then Connie gets an ‘impression of leaves blowing across the ground and the puppy jumping on them with ferocious intent like he is hunting.’

  Connie, speaking out loud, asks the puppy, “Your Name is LEAF?”

  With a growl, the puppy looks at her in disappointment. With another try, Connie asks, “LEAF JUMPER?” Another growl comes from the puppy, this time in anger. “How about Leaf Hunter?” The puppy gives a happy sounding bark and tail wag. Connie feels compelled to touch Leaf Hunter's head. The puppy pushes into her hand simultaneously. Warmth passes back and forth between the two at their connection, Connie takes her hand away and sees LEAF HUNTER's eye color now matches hers. Where her hand rested is a prefect white-colored circle on his forehead with a black spot in the center. Gold and dark crimson stripes spiral out from the black dot, vanishing into the outer white ring. “I just got a notice our bond is level 3 now.”

  On the way back to finish the fortress, Tanner reflects on the progress his party has made. His placement in the rear allows him to watch his teammates. Connie carries her pup in her arms, giving it the occasional snuggle. Claire jogs alongside, smiling at Connie's antics, scratching the puppy’s head occasionally. Milly and Jackson keep pace on either side, watching for enemies. In the lead, Mick, Karnna, and Lilly keep watch ahead and sets the pace. Iris and Dylan a few steps behind the Titans, jog with a quiet efficiency, also keeping watch to the sides. Proud of his party and their progress so far, Tanner wishes he had studied his memory crystals about Origin Essences more, but is confidant in his friends and their future. With a motion for Jackson to fall back, Tanner questions Jackson more on his new spell. “You said it is called Psionic Void?” Tanner asks.

  Jackson says, “Yes why?”

  “Void is one affinity under Arcane. There is something about it that calls to me. Like I can feel the Essence it uses. Some of Connie’s curses feel that way too.”

  “Sounds like you should send time around other caster classes to see what else you can pick up. Have you tried casting any curses?”

  “No time, experimenting in the middle of a fight seems like a horrible idea.”

  “Good point, when we camp I can cast it and you may get a better feel for it.”

  “Thanks.”

  Jackson moves back to his spot in the formation. A short time later, Mick slows the pace as the stone walls get close. The decuplet gather just outside the clearing still concealed by the forest, watching the walls. After a brief observation, the party concludes no changes to the outside.

  “We need a look inside the fort, let’s go up to the observation point.” Tanner says. The party circles around the fort and continues into the hills. They find that everything has changed on the inside. Two squads of five goblins each guard the two sally ports. Four squads of five goblins, each guard at the main gate. The hobgoblin sub-boss is in the center of the compound, in front of the keep. Alongside what looks like a hobgoblin shaman, ten other goblins heavily armed and armored, along with another squad of five goblins, all better equipped than the rest with a hobgoblin leader. Bree, standing beside Tanner, looks over the fortification, tension clear in her stance and face.