The following morning Foley wakes up early. But to his surprise Alina and Kilian are already up, eating breakfast, whilst Baldric and Ennius are still asleep. Especially Ennius likes to stay up late and sleep in the mornings.

  Guys, a friend of mine says he can get me some smoke bombs near here, I'll be back before the morning is over, then we can move to Halipawa.

  Mind if we go along? We got nothing better to do anyway, ships don't sail this early.

  Sure, I can introduce you to my friends.

  They make their way to Zad's house. Zad is already prepared, along with his younger brother.

  Hello Zad, these are my friends Alina and Kilian. We're traveling together to find Kilians brother.

  Nice to meet you guys. I'm Zad, and this is my little brother Zerach.

  I'm not little! Zerach says clearly annoyed.

  Nice to meet you two, so where are we going?

  We're headed just south of here, there's another market at the ports where many merchants sell their wares. A friend of mine stays there, Amaru. Let's get going.

  Zerach looks at Foley's twin daggers and bow with his large eyes.

  Wow cool daggers sir, what are those?

  They're twin scorpio desert stalkers, they enhance your strength.

  Cool, I wish I had those.

  Well if you work hard you can save up money to buy a set for yourself, that's what I did, Foley says.

  What type of job do you do then? Zerach inquires.

  I'm uhh.. an adventurer.

  Zad looks at Foley and signs with a flat hand toward his neck, shaking it.

  I mean, I work as a uhh.. fisherman.

  Zad nods.

  Is it fun to work on the ships?

  Yes I suppose it is.. catching fish, sailing the seas. Plus you get to eat the freshest fish.

  Have you ever caught a kraken?

  I don't think I have, those are quite large and dangerous aren't they? I've never even seen one.

  What do you want to be when you grow up Zerach? Alina asks.

  I want to be a soldier like my dad! Protecting the people of Sanora! Dad will teach me how to fight, right Zad?

  Yes I'm sure he will the next time he returns.

  After a short walk and some more carefully made up stories about Foley's life as a fisherman they make it to the crossing.

  Zad introduces them to his friend, Amaru.

  This here is my friend Amaru.

  His fancy clothes immediately stick out. Alina recognises this attire.

  You're from the Hiatum republic aren't you? She asks.

  Yes indeed I am.

  What brings you all the way to the deserts of Sanora? Kilian asks.

  The Hiatum republic and Arcana empire recently became allied, exchanging their magical knowledge for our craftsmanship. So I decided to take the first boat I could to Sanora harbour, and ever since I've just been traveling around and selling my famous smoke bombs.

  Ah I see, so it's a commercial endeavor.

  I suppose you could call it that.

  I'd like to buy some of those myself, how much do they cost? Foley asks.

  1 gold piece per bomb. They're very effective. Here, take a look at them.

  Amaru hands him a smoke bomb, it's a small glass ball filled with smoke.

  Can I see? Zerach asks.

  Foley hands him the smoke bomb.

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  Zerach attempts to throw it in the air and catch it but he fails and the bomb shatters on the ground.

  The area fills with thick white smoke. Foley can't see anything, not even Amaru anymore, who should be no more than 3 paces in front of him.

  Sorry! Zerach says.

  As you can see by this demonstration here, they are quite effective, Amaru says, laughing.

  Yes there's no doubt about that.

  After about 15 seconds the thick smoke clears and they can finally see again.

  That's a cool looking spear mister. Can you show me how you use it?

  What do you say Zad, are you up for a friendly skirmish?

  If you are okay with getting defeated?

  Hahaha, confident today are we?

  Foley you will be the judge. Alright then.

  The rules are simple, the first one of us to have the other in a lethal position wins. Let's go!

  Go Zad! You can do this! Zerach cheers from the side.

  Amaru engages fist, thrusting his spear forward and using it's range to his advantage, but Zad quickly dodges to the side and backwards to dodge the incoming attacks.

  Then he rolls forward right as he thrusts, attempting to counterattack. He strikes forward to Amaru's thigh, but he swings his spear and blocks the attack with such force that Zad loses his grip and one of his daggers falls in the distance.

  No Zad! Zerach yells, upset at his brother's failed move.

  Zad prepares to jump to the dagger and Amaru prepares to intercept him with a spear thrust, but at the last moment Zad jumps forward and places his dagger on Amaru's chest.

  Zadkiel wins! Foley yells.

  Yaaay! Zerach runs over to hug his brother.

  Alright, you got me. I didn't think you'd go for the attack after losing a dagger. Nice work closing the distance. Amaru says.

  It's difficult fighting a spear with its extra range, but my agility allows me to outmanoeuvre your movements. That disarming move was skilled on your side!

  Next you should battle Foley, Zerach says enthusiastically.

  What do you say Foley, are you prepared to lose?

  Foley attaches some cloth to the tips of his arrows. I only know victory!

  Alright then. Amaru will be the judge.

  They take their positions, roughly 15 paces removed from each other.

  Ready, go!

  Foley quickly fires several arrows with his shortbow, although Zad is very agile as he draws closer he fails to dodge two of them and they strike his abdomen.

  Keep going Amaru says, you would be weakened but not unable to fight.

  Then he rolls closer for an attack, however Foley simply walks back whilst continuing to fire his arrows. Another strikes Zad's left arm. He drops his dagger as if he is unable to use that arm. This isn't going to work, there's no way to close the distance on Foley. Zad throws a smoke bomb at Foley's feet and he is covered in smoke. When the smoke clears Zad has his dagger on Foley's back.

  Zadkiel wins! Amaru yells.

  My brother is the strongest! Zerach cheers.

  That's bullshit, we didn't agree to using smoke bombs. I would've won easily.

  It's just a friendly skirmish, don't be upset about it Foley, Kilian says.

  Zad shakes his hand, Foley returns to shake his hand with some reluctance.

  Me next, I want to fight the man with the sword, Zerach says.

  Are you sure about that? Zad says.

  It's alright, Kilian replies, and he winks at Zad.

  Okay then if you're sure about it.

  Kilian keeps his sword sheeted to fight without causing harm.

  They take their positions.

  Zerach charges at Kilian who swings in Zerachs direction. Despite being so small, Zerach is quite agile and actually manages to dodge the first strikes.

  Then he rolls to the side to flank Kilian, but in his speed he loses his balance and falls, scathing his knees, Kilian strikes at his previous position, as if he had successfully dodged the blow.

  Keep going, Zerach! Zad yells from the sides.

  Despite the pain Zerach stands up and jumps forward to place his dagger near Kilians chest.

  Okay, you got me now! Kilian admits defeat.

  Zerach wins! Amaru yells.

  Good job Zerach! You did it!

  Foley and Alina clap for him.

  Then Alina walks over and casts a minor healing spell to heal his scratched knees.

  Thank you miss!

  No worries.

  Did you see Zad? I managed to dodge his sword strike!

  Yes I did, you did very well! I'm proud of you, Zad says, and he rubs his brother's hair.

  So where are you guys going next? Amaru asks Kilian.

  We're supposed to be heading to Halipawa island today.

  Ships don't sail there often from here, we're just a small port. I think it's another 2 weeks before the ferry stops over here, Zad says.

  Aw that's a bummer, I don't look forward to waiting so long.

  I don't want to stay here for another 2 weeks. I can barely sleep in these hard beds and there's no other rooms available. Let's at least go someplace else. Alina says, frustrated.

  You could just rent a small fisherman's boat and sail there, Amaru says. I know how to sail, I'd love to help out. I wouldn't mind a change of scenery myself either.

  Yes let's do that, how long will it take to sail there? Alina asks.

  About a day maybe with favourable winds, Zad replies.

  Okay well, then it's settled, we'll sail there.

  By the way Zad asked if he could come along with us, he thinks it will be good for his training.

  Anyone is welcome to travel with us, Kilian says, and he places his hand on Zad's shoulder.

  Can I come too? Zerach asks.

  I'm sorry Zerach but we're going to travel quite far, you're too young. And someone has to watch the house with mom right?

  I want to go with you guys! I'm pretty big too. You saw how I fought Kilian earlier!

  No Zerach, sorry. I'll bring you some nice daggers when I return alright? As long as you behave over here and don't cause any trouble. I'll promise to take you on a trip somewhere after I return to make up for it.

  Tears form in Zerach's eyes but he remains strong and withholds from crying. Only kids cry, men don't.

  It's unfair! Then he runs off to his house.

  Zad follows him to take his savings and say goodbye to his mother.