They're on the ship heading east. It'll be a 3 day trip. The place is packed and the cabins aren't anything impressive. Kilian decides to lie about the circumstances in his letter to king von Blauwald, neglecting to mention the rats and over reliance on dried food they experience. He writes about the fact that they enjoyed a small break at Halipawa island, and how Alina practiced her magics, and how she is making new friends.

  Mona has barely spoken since she received news that her family was tortured and executed, she hasn't smiled at all since, and she barely eats or drinks. They practically have to force feed her. All she does is lay in bed in her cabin all day and try to sleep. Zad tried to cheer her up with his comedy routine, but all his jokes fell flat. Amaru tried to talk with her and direct her mind towards her future, but that didn't work either. Alina tried to comfort her and even bought her some expensive food and clothes, which also didn't accomplish anything. Occasionally Ennius will play some sad songs for her, which seems to be the only thing she enjoys. All she had said was that if she could do it again, she would've just killed herself so her family wouldn't have had to suffer. But she can't go back in time and the only thing they can focus on now is the future.

  They're walking between the roads of some unimportant towns. The locals always seem happy to have visitors this far inland, and Ennius always draws crowds, especially female ones, with his entertainment, but most of the group is feeling rather down because of Mona. As bad as it may sound, they need a distraction, something to direct their minds attention to, away from the sadness. Sometimes when you face problems you can't solve, distraction is all you have.

  But the distraction they received wasn't one they hoped for. Out of seemingly nowhere, it starts to storm. Heavy winds followed by thunder and later even hail plague them. They spot the abandoned ruins of a large farmers house on the side of the road.

  Let's take shelter in this farmers house, Kilian suggests.

  They light the fireplace as Mona makes her way to the bedrooms to lay down.

  This isn't good, Amaru tells the others. She's clearly deeply depressed. We should try to get some medicine in the next settlement we come across, honestly, I have no idea of what to possibly say that could help someone who lost their entire family because of actions they undertook. It's not the sort of thing anyone prepares you for, this isn't regular grief.

  The rest agree. Besides us she doesn't even have anyone or anything left.

  The storm grows in intensity. A section off the thatch roof is blown off and taken high up into the air.

  We should wait this out.

  Not long afterwards the storm becomes unexpectedly calm. They look through the window and spot a middle aged wizard wearing grey robes with runic symbols. Similar in kind to the ones on Mona's staff. This guy must be from the Arcana forces, we should fight him, there's no way he's up to any good around here.

  Mona, there's a dangerous wizard outside, come help us! They rush outside. Foley opens fire with a hail of arrows in the air, but the wizard summons strong winds and knocks them away before they even get near him. Then he runs forward in an attempt to get up close and personal but another wind blast sends him flying back into a tree. Alina, I need healing! Yeah I can see that, why did you rush in? Clearly that wasn't going to work. She starts casting her healing spell on Foley.

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  Kilian and Baldric try to rush forward next, but a combination of instant rain and frost spells muddy the terrain, slowing them down, then the frost spells freezes Baldric in place, who blocks the remaining attacks so Kilian can be move freely.

  This is difficult, his elemental skills make defensive maneuvers far too easy for him.

  Mona arrives outside. Defend me! She starts chanting a spell to teleport Baldric out of the frozen mud.

  The wizard throws a volley of fireballs in her direction but Alina manages to block it with her defensive light barrier. Right at that moment Amaru throws forward his spear, hoping that he is currently too distracted to anticipate it. However the wizard uses a strong gust of wind to make his body dodge the spell.

  Next he faces the sky and chants some words, he smashes down his staff to the ground and several thunderbolts follow in their direction. Baldric and Amaru use their shields to instinctively protect themselves but the iron conducts electricity and Amaru is instantly electrocuted. Baldrics shield has anti magical properties and its protective gem breaks. Amaru falls over on his back and stops moving.

  Amaru! Say something! He doesn't move. This doesn't look good. But they don't have time to address Amaru's situation with the enemy still close by.

  He starts conjuring up a large tornado filled with flames.

  We have to act fast, put me closer to him, Mona! Killian yells.

  Kilian stands still, Baldric in front of him shielding him and preventing the wizard from seeing what he is doing. Mona teleports him right behind the wizard, then she casts a flurry of arcane bolts in his direction, he dodges them but it's over for him. His back is pierced by Kilian's frost enchanted sword. The frost sets in and freezes his lower legs and hands. He coughs up some blood. Impossible, how could this happen? How could I be defeated by a group of brats? Amaru ties his hands to prevent him from further casting up magic. The weather calms down again.

  Alina rushes to Amaru. This isn't good. I'll have to try and cast my revival spell. She starts reading from a scroll. Amaru's body grows a bright yellow and white aura. Then he slowly opens his eyes. Oh my, everything hurts. She further heals him with healing spells, but Amaru is still not in great condition, however he is alive. We will bring this wizard to the prisons of the next town.

  What were you doing here anyway?

  I was hired to kill or capture a girl named Desdemona, going by her description, she's the arcane mage in your party. She betrayed the Arcana kingdom.

  Well tough luck, you're going to go to jail now. The man starts laughing.

  You won't find peace Desdemona, they put a bounty on your head, you aren't that difficult to find, Essanys is a small place, someone will get you eventually. I suggest you guys turn her in if you don't want to deal with more of this. I'm a powerful mage but I work alone. Most assassins work in groups, you'd be no match for them. She will only cause you trouble. Zad punches the wizard in his face. You better shut up if you know what's good for you!

  He's right though, Mona says. I'm a liability to you guys. I don't want to bring more danger to you than you already draw upon yourselves. Maybe it's best if I leave and you guys can travel without me.

  Don't say that Mona, without you we wouldn't have defeated him, think about it this way, you helped remove another bad guy. Think of all the lives you potentially saved. If he killed us or escaped, he would reign terror on so many more folks, and you helped prevent that, Killian says. We need you, and you're a good person, the world could always use more of those, Zad adds.

  Foley just stares off into the distance, refraining from speaking what's on his mind.