“The man of the hour,” Fez said. “Seriously, with your height and your non-trash look now, of all the people that you’d fall fancy for, it would the Burnt Woman herself.”

He rubbed his swollen cheeks.

“I just did. What’s wrong with that?”

“Nolan, I thought you were normal, but are you really that into women who have problems with their bodies and have the tendency to kick your ass so hard?”

“No, I don’t have strange fetishes. I just love the look on her eyes,” Nolan said.

“Yup, you have strange fetishes, oh man, poor Alcina going to have her heart broken,” Fez said.

“Bullshit,” Nolan said. “You’d think that such a cheery girl would fall in love with me? I acted so pathetically and got her almost killed while working on the tavern.”

“Whatever you say, my sick friend,” he patted Nolan’s back. “Still, you got to be kidding when you suddenly asked the most bullied, spat at, disgusted, untrusting woman, of the City of Oasis to accept that you are courting her. You were asking for a beating, not to mention that you had that look on your eyes. She doesn’t think you are that sincere and that you’re probably some sick fuck.”

He understood that. He nodded his head and continued rubbing his cheek. Fez turned towards his bed and placed his sword on his thighs.

“Though I got to say that you sure are lively. But, Ciara of a former noble house is a strong woman, and if she didn’t have that burnt skin, many people would try to woo her. She’s good enough to beat that maiden who was supposed to be the next incarnation of the war maiden. If Sir Gil is right...then. Never mind me, so what are you to do now, you romantic piece of shit?”

“I’ll try,” he clicked his tongue. “Call it weird, but I like determined woman who never backs down. Not to mention her eyes are just the best.”

“Well, you at least sound nice when you say that,” Fez said, his face became stern like a stone. “Do not forget your duties, my friend. We are the guardsman of Throes, and we are protectors, killers of monsters, and we hold the line so that people out there can rest easy.”

“You know, we really do sound so hardened.”

“Because we are, and we are vagrants that are lost in this world. We came here to find purpose and those are lost occasionally finds themselves wanting to protect this damn city with all of their life. You felt that too, right?”

“I did,” he said. “This city has great people and bastards like you who are rough but aren’t complete bastards. Two years ago, I would have complained about the situation, and how I felt like I was being wronged, but that was all my fault. I did nothing. I cried for nothing and acted as the world owed me. I was thrown in this place and what did was shameless.”

“Oh fuck,” Fez said. “I think I’m going to cry and vomit at the same time.”

“Shut up, man. I am being serious here.”

“Fez, shut up, okay?” Ton entered the quarters said. “This guy was a mute, and now he’s talking like he’d beat your ass. Let the man talk, okay?” he bumped his fist at Nolan. “Nolan, you look good, my man. Heard you want to bang the cursed woman? For that, I respect you with all my heart. A man shall not be picky when it comes to choosing their woman.”

“Why am I friends with these weirdoes?” Fez said with a huff.

“That’s because you are as weird as we are. What a weird bastard, hanging out with the fools of Oasis City.”

“Fuck off, Ton,” he said. “So, how did the trek to the outer lands go?”

“Terrible,” Ton said. “The settlers were killed. The Fraternity of Adventurers got wiped out. Half of them are missing. No one wants to enter the outer lands now.”

Nolan held his breath. Fez turned towards Ton with his arms folded.

“Do you think we’ll get conscripted to fight there?” Fez asked.

“No,” Ton said, “The Oasis is packed with dangers, and with how things are, and that prophet said about the darker days. I don’t think they’ll be sending us to the ends of the world. So, I shall keep my words, my friend, Nolan, you should not hold that raging heart of yours. If you have fallen in love with that woman, then go for it. If you win that woman’s heart, then I shall personally beat you up, and make sure that dick of yours can’t be used.”

“What the fuck?”

“Give it up, Nolan,” Fez said. “We have a tradition here, and those who don’t uphold the traditions get their dicks crushed. A guardsman of throes never fails in getting the woman she loves, and those who fail are forced to be celibates.”

“I should have run away from this city,” Nolan said while trembling.

“Don’t worry, man. If your words are true along with your heart, then it wouldn’t matter. You’ll get her love. Might take long to defrost that ice queen.”

“But I will be here for you, my friend,” Fez said. His words didn’t have the mocking this time.

Ton nodded. “I will be here, as your brothers-in-arms, who could you rely on other than us? Who would accept the weakest other than us?”

Nolan looked at them with widened eyes.

“Who the fuck replaced my friends with such a bunch of creeps?” Nolan pointed. “Give them back! I don’t want you guys!”

Fez and Ton turned to look at each other. Their confusion turning into a burst of loud laughter that resounded around the area. Nolan gathered air and laughed along with the two.

“Fucking hell, let’s go have a drink, Ton.”

“You two are going to pay for it.”

“I know, I know,” Nolan said. “You two only befriended me because I worked in that tavern once, you cheap fucks were so easily friended because of two mugs of beer? You guys are idiots.”

“But you are friends with these idiots,” Fez said with a wide grin.