Neidr helped Arrieta dig two graves for the young women. They spent the better part of that day burying them. They kneeled at the graves and offered prayers to the goddess of life for her to take them into her warm embrace. Arrieta has gotten a lot quieter after their deaths. Her excitement and boisterousness has been doused with cold water. Neidr shook his head, he hoped she would get over it. Although he loves the thrill of killing, he knows that he shouldn't kill good people if he can avoid it. It's just sometimes... He looked at the graves... it can't be avoided. Neidr sighed and looked at the sulking Arrieta, he didn't know quite how to cheer her up. He had gotten used to her antics, he didn't like it when they were missing.

"Whatever"[Neidr] He looked over to Arrieta, whose gaze didn't move from the blue gem on her wrist, and said,

"You should start looking for herbs, or else this would be a wasted trip."[Neidr] Arrieta vacantly nodded and got up. She started to walk into the forest and Neidr followed after her, she stopped and said,

"I'd like ta go alone."[Arrieta]

"ok" [Neidr]

Neidr laid down to rest and waited for Arrieta to come back. It was deep into the night by the time she had returned. No one else had come looking for the life-preserving fruit. Neidr stood up and said,

"We ought to camp somewhere else, just in case."[Neidr] Arrieta nodded and the duo made their way south. They stumbled upon a small cave and turned it into a temporary base. The both of them were too tired to set up a watch, so they both fell asleep in the cave. Neidr was having a dream of lazing about staring at the skyline when a sharp pain hit his gut. Saliva flew out of his mouth as his shaking eyes looked up. His vision was filled with a boot and his head slammed backward from the kick. His nose started to bleed as he heard.

"A couple of magicless whelps hiding in a cave, who gave you the guts to come here?"[Initiate] Neidr felt someone grab his hair and pull his face up. He could finally see his aggressors. There were five of them. His hair was being held by a pudgy man with short blonde hair. The one that had kicked him wore a red tunic and had black hair that went down to his shoulders. He couldn't make out the faces of the other three as two stood in the shadows and the last one was...

Neidr saw Arrieta being beaten in his peripheral vision. She didn't fight back, she had a look in her eyes as if this was what she deserved,
'Why the hell is she so fucking dramatic?' Neidr let out a smile and got a fist to the face in return. He spit out some blood and asked,

"What do you want?"[Neidr] The man with blonde hair laughed out loud and said, "What do we want? We want to know where Susan is. We heard her scream nearby. You are the only ones in the area, so tell me where my wife has gone. She's such a troublesome thing, always running away from me."[blond initiate] Neidr let out a loud laugh and was met with a beating. After they beat him where he could barely move, Neidr spat out,

"Why are your questions so violent?"[Neidr] The blond man cursed and said,
"Why? Why he says! My wife screamed from fear, and you're doing fine in this cave. Why shouldn't I be violent? You magicless worthless bastard."[blond] Neidr nodded,

"Makes sense, I have an idea of the direction they went, but I could find them better if I could track them."[Neidr]

"Oh, a little peasant hunter. Well, let me tell you this. If we don't find my wife in two days. I'll kill you and your woman."[blond initiate] The blond initiate seemed to be trying to get a rise out of him. When Neidr didn't react to anything he did, the initiate's frown started to hook lower and lower. The blond initiate sneered and said,

"You think I can't tell a sneaky little bastard when I see him. A couple of peasants with gems on their wrists. I don't know how you stole from my woman, but I'll make you regret it with your very being." [blond]
'So that is why you came in here guns blazing.'

"Looking forward to it."[Neidr] The blond man slammed his foot into Neidr's face. The duo in the back dragged Neidr over to a cave wall and Arrieta's beating finally stopped. His group sat down, and the blond said,
"We'll start looking tomorrow, rest well."[blond]

'Well shit' Neidr couldn't fight one of these guys straight up, let alone five. He still didn't know any spells. As the group began to settle down, Neidr started to plan. Sure, he could use the element of surprise and rush them with a knife, he might even take out one or two, but he would die for sure. Should he wait for some of them to leave? Wait until they fell asleep? Both situations were unlikely. They'll probably keep watch and pretending to be asleep would only drain Neidr, not them.

"Blondie." [Neidr]

"What the fuck did you call me?"[Blond initiate] Neidr rolled his eyes,
"What the hell do you want me to call you?"[Neidr]
"I really will kill you."[blond initiate]
'that's a weird name' Neidr knew better than to say that, too much sass would definitely get him fucked up.

"I believe you, but you won't have to if I find your wife."[Neidr]
"You sound a little unsure."[blond]

"That's because I'll only look for her if I get dinner."[Neidr] The blonde initiate was speechless,

"Do you think you're in the position to make demands?"[blonde]

"I've drawn my line in the sand."[Neidr] The blond put his hand on his head and said,

"Fine, Gerald, feed him."[Blond] Neidr's eyes lit up. This person was really looking for his wife. Seeing this, Neidr screamed,
"I don't want any of your shit! I only eat my wife's food!"[Neidr]