William continues to strum his instrument as they traverse through the winding path. Dead flowers lie on one side with beautiful blue irises on the other. "I forgot to ask. Did you have any final stops before we left?"

"I took care of all my affairs before I headed to the king and queen."

"That's good. Do you have a special woman waiting for you?"

"I used to."

The bard picks up the bass in his voice. "Oh. Did some-"

"We broke up," Garth quickly clarifies.

"I'm sorry about that. Maybe you two will make up once you get back."

The knight doesn't smile from the optimism. "Not likely, especially since it ended in a fight."

"What was the argument about? You can-"

"Drop it", the knight demands.

Silence sits between them as they pass by a babbling brook with white river lilies on each side of it. The bard sniffs in the pleasant air as he plays notes in harmony with the brook.

The knight's eyebrows rise. "You are full of surprises, Mr. Bennett."

"Call me William or Will. Let me know when you want to take a break."

"Of course."

Garth then sees the bard hopping off the horse to walk alongside him. His eyes widen as Will's brown hiking boots don't stray away from the horse. 

"It's good that I don't have to worry about you."

"That's what my partners say until we get into trouble," Will chuckles.

"I pray that doesn't happen."

He flashes a sly grin in his direction. "No promises."

"We don't have time for distractions, William! We need to be serious," Garth's voice rises with anger.

"I'm on the same page as you," he pushes back. The bard hops over a boulder to land on some soft grass.  "Can you tell me more about the people we might fight?"

He tells William about Helia, Anzan, Uruk, and several others ranging in different skillsets.

The bard thinks over the high caliber of opponents. "At least we know that reducing the Queen's henchmen will weaken her strength."

The knight grips his reins with the question on his mind. "But how will you feel when fighting Drago?"

The bard stops in his tracks as he asks himself the same question. Although his friend died, he was brought back to life. Would "life" be the right word without free will to live it?

He fights against the lump in his throat. "I will bring him to rest."

Garth sadly grins that William will be loyal to the mission. They near the mountain range and go on a paved path through it.

Will's ears perk up. "We know you're there!" he points to the right of them.

Garth is surprised to see a black bushy bearded man in fur clothing come out from the rocks with a knife in his hands. His partner, a brunette with a ponytail, comes out as well with a sword.

The knight brings out his claymore. Usually, a two-handed weapon but he only holds it in one.

"Just-Just give us what you have and you will live!" the male thief stammers out with surprise that they were found so easily. His instincts warn him to stand down.

His partner's jaw drops as the blind bard walks towards her companion. 

"Stay-Stay back!" the male threatens.

He puts his knapsack on the ground. "There's no need for anyone to die today. If we give you some food, will you let us pass?"

The thieves are stunned by his proposal.

"Trust me, you don't want to deal with Garth." He takes out some fresh sliced bread, cured ham, spiced nuts, and chocolates with wrapping around each piece. He leaves it on the ground while taking his knapsack. "Is this sufficient for you and your friend?"

The thieves look at each other to make their decision. "This-This is sufficient, sir. Go on ahead."

His companion doesn't even argue with him as she walks over to help him gather the food. Garth keeps his sword drawn as he and the bard commence. Will continues to play on his instrument without a worry in the world. The knight sheathes his sword after they clear the range.

He's silently impressed that the bard's persuasion worked. "How did you-"

Will raises a finger as a teacher would. "Words are another form of weapon that you can wield against others."

The relaxing tune of nature shifts to a slow romantic melody as William thinks of Bumva. A wide smile is glued to his face while his companion exhales from the side of his mouth.

He grips the reins while his left eye twitches. "Can you stop playing that?!...I'm so sorry about that."

William thinks that it's reminding Garth of his breakup. "I apologize. I'm going to play a different tune.....Just ask nicely next time."

Out from his mandolin, a gentle melody is played. The notes settle Garth's heart like a calm wave passing through. The smile on the bard's face reminds him of how he felt towards his fiancee. His heart would bounce with joy from her presence. His mind shakes off that thought to focus on something else.

"William, I noticed the kinds of lovers that you had back there. Is there a woman that catches your heart like no other?"

"There..... is one, but she's combatting the undead as we speak."

"Oh. If she's out there, then she must be strong. I hope you two meet again."

"Appreciated."

"So, if this woman caught your heart, why do you sleep around?"

"I'm not ready to settle down until I have had more big adventures."

"Does she know that?"

William's boots halt. His white pupils glare at his general direction. "Out with it."

"Are you playing with her feelings?"

"I am not. Our discussion showed we wanted different things. I told her that if she finds a man who's ready that she should marry him. I didn't lead her on."

"So she expressed her love for you and you broke her heart," Garth callously guesses.

The bard's eyebrows pull down and narrow. "I guess your attitude is why your woman left you."

The knight squeezes his eyes shut from the remark. "At least I don't juggle hearts and toss out--"

Thud! 

Garth scrambles up from being yanked off his horse.

Will's shoulders heave up and down. "You think I'm a manipulator who breaks hearts with false promises. I am nothing like that! I fall in love with their warm personalities. To deny their beauty would be a crime against my heart."

Garth adjusts his helmet. "Don't be absurd. Hearing their voices would tell you who's attractive."

The bard crosses his arms. "I don't care the species of the woman as long as we both have fun. I'm honest with each one of them."

Although Garth doesn't respond, Will can feel judgment directed at him. He shakes it off by smirking with a raised eyebrow. "Maybe the Skeleton Queen can be persuaded without dropping my pants. If it comes down to it, I might do it."

"You disgusting pervert!" Garth exclaims with disgust.

"I've been called worse-"

"SOMEONE HELP ME!"

The Irish woman's scream makes them jump. Garth hops onto his horse as Will runs besides him. Will strums notes as they run up a hill. His white pupils shake as the notes paint the imagery for him.

Garth sees a red-haired woman with a cloth covering the right side of her face in the valley. The red cap tied around her head bounces as she sprints for her life. Her exposed hazel eye screams for help. Her hands raise the ends of her emerald dress as her bare feet rush forward. Behind her is a skeleton and three pale green zombies with dirtied pants and torn shirts.

Despite having no skin nor organs, the skeleton isn't thrown off balance as it runs. Its soulless gaze fixated on the Irish lass. The zombie with the half-exposed brain pounds his feet against the ground to get ahead of the others.

"Save the woman!" Garth commands.

Will strums his mandolin with intensity.

"Increase my ally's strength,
May the battle be short length!
May my reflexes be like a hummingbird,
The undead will not get the last word!"

Garth's body swells up against his armor as he pulls out his silver claymore. His weapon glows red from the magical enhancement. Will's heart rate and reflexes elevate as his feet barely touch the ground. He whisks the woman away in his arms while escaping two of the zombies that chase after them. The remainder decides to attack the knight.

The skeleton lashes out at the knight with a blank expression. Garth slices his sword upwards. The skeleton's left shoulder breaks off from the impact as the knight passes it. The undead being emits a brief sound as if coming from the throat.

The mighty knight jumps off his horse to cleave the running corpse in half. The rotting smell gets worse as the intestines drop on the grassy knoll.

Garth turns his head to find the skeleton charging towards him. He thrusts his sword through the ribcage and drags it upwards through the skull. The bones rattle as they hit the ground. Hearing the loud groans of the undead has him jump back on his horse.

The last two zombies are within several feet of the nimble bard and the woman. The lass clings onto him for dear life as he jumps over the babbling brook.

"I won't let them hurt you! Keep running!"

He puts her behind him and draws out the silver short sword. He grips the hilt as the voices from his nightmare return. The corrupting odor tries to stifle his nose. Using his hearing, he swings his sword to the right. The sword tears through the rotted waist of the first zombie. The legs and torso fall with a thud to the ground. 

"Watch out!" the woman yells.

The fallen zombie pushes its hands against the ground and leaps at the bard! Will goes to swing the sword, but the living corpse slaps it away. The head drops down to his neck with a bared mouth.....

The woman's revealed eye shoots open as the bard moved his arm to protect his neck. Pain shoots across the bard's face as he knocks it off....

Crunch.

Will's ears aren't deceiving him. His pupils shake as the zombie with the exposed brain stomped his comrade's head. Brain matter and blue blood explodes out. Questions race through his head as his hands feel around for the silver sword.

"To ya left and up!" the woman yells.

He feels the hilt while hearing the zombie's groans. It doesn't move the whole time. Not even from stopping him. Will points the blade at him with adrenaline rushing through his veins.

The zombie groans as worms hang out of its mouth. Its dead white eyes intensely staring at the bard. The tip of its tongue touches the ridge behind what's left of its upper teeth. Air exhales from its mouth.

"S-S-S-SSaaybur"

Will's heart drops as the zombie just spoke. The reported rumors said they are uncapable of that. The redhead is also shocked to hear it try to talk

"S-Saber?" Will guesses.

"Saaf-mlodeee..."

Running footsteps

"Wait!"

The undead being who could speak is ended by a vertical swing of Garth's claymore. The corpse falls into chunks as his horse neighs wildly.

"Are you alright, William?" the knight asks while wiping his sword.

"I'm-I'm okay. Miss, are you alright?"

"A-Aye. Wait, dat thing bit ya" the woman replies while holding his right arm.

The knight pulls out a vial from his travel bag with House Vinum's red bottle symbol on it. The woman rolls down his sleeve and sighs in relief that the underlying chainmail was protecting it from going too deep.

The knight also exhales. "Still, an infection may occur. Better to be safe." He pours the sacred water down his right arm.

The bard winces from the sting before the pain melts away.

"Miss, are you alright? Did they scratch your face?" Garth asks.

Her exposed eye looks down. Shame filling it up. "They didn't. This happened before them."

"Would you like some water?"

She shakes her head no. Garth escorts the woman away from the atrocious scene of blood and guts with William following behind.

"What happened here?"

"The zombie you killed took care of that one."

The knight jerks back to him. The metal armor clinks from his confusion.

"I know. It also tried to say something," Will continues.

"A zombie spoke to you?"

"He tried," the woman pipes up.

Will thinks over if the Skeleton Queen's magic is getting erratic with that talking zombie who helped him.

"Miss, what's your name?"

"I-It's Gwenyth Agnew, sir knight," she curtsies to him.

"A beautiful name to complement your accent," the bard flirts.

The left side of her face turns beet red while Garth rubs his temples. "Really? At this time?"

"I can't deny beauty when I hear it."

Gwenyth shuffles her feet from that direct compliment.

"Ms. Agnew, where did they chase you from?"

Her face contorts to an expression of horror. Her breaths short and erratic as her heart wants to leap out and run. William hears her breaths and holds her hands.

"You're safe, Gwenyth. We won't let them hurt you. Look into my dazzling white pupils."

The Irish lass takes in his face. She takes in his condition and wonders how he's able to fight and run with proficiency. His touch along with the warm smile sends her heart racing in a different manner.

"Deep breaths." He inhales and exhales to set a rhythm for her to follow. She joins in. He then holds his breath for a long time and she does as well. He squints his eyes at her which makes her release the air in laughter.

"What was dat all about?"

"Twofold. To make you smile and I got to hear you laugh. Is your home nearby?"

"It is. What are your names?"

"I'm Garth the Gallant from House Vinum and this is William Bennett. Here, your feet must be tired."

He offers his hand and helps her sit on the back of the horse. Will walks alongside them while strumming his mandolin. She points the way towards her home.

"Wait. Those things came from de lake near me home. Will dere be more of dem?", while she's clutching the knight's waist. He can feel her body trembling against his armor.

"Ms. Agnew, we will take care of any threat that tries to harm you. We're fortunate that we came your way."

"As am I, Garth," before planting a kiss on his cheek. Will smirks from hearing it. Garth, however, doesn't express a single reaction to it. Not even a blush.

"I do apologize. I am taken, milady."

"Oh. I'm sorry," the corners of her mouth slide down. William raises his eyebrows as that wasn't the truth. He shakes it off.

"What about ya, William?"

"Oh, he is taken by many a lover," the knight jumps in.

"My heart is big enough to love. A blessing....and a curse."

Gwenyth can't help but laugh from the shift in his words.

"If you have any requests, let me know. I have a collection ranging from lullabies to rom-I mean party songs."

"Surprise me."

He plays a lively tune that brings her back to a good memory. Tears stream down her face as she can't have that again. William hears the tears hit the blades of grass and changes the tune to gentle music.

"I'm sorry, Gwenyth."

"It-It's okay. Twas a good memory dat came up, but...."

Her body squirms as she doesn't want to finish that sentence.

"It's okay. We will give you more good memories before we leave."

"Don't sleep with her," the knight orders. This makes the Irish lass blush redder than a tomato.

"Oh, feck off."

She smiles at the bard. "I didn't know ya knew some Celtic phrases."

"I'm a well-traveled man. I've accompanied my fellow guild members on many different missions. I got a wee sister trapped in a dwarf's body who can jab you in the ribs with a spear."

A laugh escapes her mouth as she imagines the picture he painted.

"Is ceol do mo chluasa do gaire," Will said in the language of Iril. ("Your laughter is music to my ears.")

Her heart thuds against her chest as she turns her face.

"What did you just say to her?" Garth asks in confusion.

"Nothing harmful," the bard keeps playing the tune. They arrive at a singular wooden and stone inn that has a lake being touched by the pink and orange streaks of light. What Garth sees makes him stop his horse. Will's notes report back to him. The trio covers their noses from the stench of what's ahead.

The surface of the murky lake is littered with the rotten bodies of fish. Garth jumps off and gives the reins to Will. He takes out a scarf to cover his nose and mouth along with his knapsack. His eyes sting from the overwhelming odor, but he doesn't blink as he gets closer.

His feet touch something which he kicks up. He catches by the hilt a knife that was on the ground. He suspects Gwenyth dropped it during her run. He puts it away while keeping his eyes on the water.

He takes out a large jar that has the symbol of a crowned lion for the clear liquid inside. He pours out the contents into the lake. He draws his claymore out for whatever may come out of the lake. He waits patiently, utilizing every sense for a fatal strike.

The murky lake bubbles as the sacred water purifies the diseases left by the Skeleton Queen's magic. He scans for any movement as the fish disintegrate into nothing.

William strums his instrument louder and louder. Gwenyth's green dress flows from the magic coming out.

"Reveal any nearby threats so they may be dealt with,
May they be killed by this song of a wordsmith.
Let my notes fly out like scythes,
Keep safe our living lives!"

Different musical notes fly out to search around the area. They pass over the inn, lake, and the surrounding forest. The notes then report back to their master.

"It's safe!" he declares.

"That's good. Let's rest for now."

Gwenyth gets off the horse. Will offers his arm and she takes it. She leads him towards the place she calls home. The Donkey's Years sign wavers from the breeze.  She clings tightly to his arm.

"You can do it. Open the door."

She opens the door as Garth takes out a separate jar. He runs as he pours heavy salt in a circle around the inn to provide them protection through the night. Once done, he ties his horse to the post on the ground before retrieving his gear.

He enters the building to find large wooden crates occupying the bar area. Will is sitting down on a chair at the only table in the room with Gwenyth lighting several candles in the middle.

"Welcome to my bar and home. Would either of ya like some wine or anything?"

"No thank you," the knight replies.

"Only if you're having some," the bard requests.

"I will be right back." She returns with a bottle of red wine. "Sorry. The glasses were manky," while she hands the bottle with care to the blind mage.

Will pops the cork and lets it waterfall into his mouth. His taste buds tell him it's a savory and bold red wine. He swishes it around his mouth before swallowing it. "A Cabernet Sauvignon?"

Her revealed eyebrow raises. "Yes! How ya know?"

"My music teacher, Claude, taught me how to taste wines and identify their flavors."

He offers the bottle to her, and she takes a swig out of it. Neither Garth nor Will judge the action. Today was a lot for her. 

She stops and wipes her mouth. "Sorry, almost emptied it out."

"You've been through a lot today," Will justifies.

"Ms. Agnew, you don't have to worry about any of those creatures coming nearby. The salt will make them backoff. I will give you a jar of it so you can leave safely to our city in Engla."

"Thanks a million, but may I stay close to de water?"

"Why is that?" the bard asks.

"I....feel comfortable around water."

The knight brings out a map and determines where they are. "The next town is not out of our way, since the ferry can take us to the Skeleton Queen."

Her exposed pupil shakes from the mentioned name. She grabs each of their hands. "Don't be like the others!"

The bard and the knight stare at her.

"Did an archer with red fletchings named Drago come here?" Will asks.

She thinks back. "No. But another group came dat was on de same mission. Dey never returned. Why did Engla only send the two of ya?"

"We are a second to last resort before the kingdoms use their armies," Will answers.

She grips their hands even tighter. "After what happened to de last group, no one else came by. They thought dis place was a bad omen."

"I'm sorry about that. Let's consider it a good omen since we crossed paths," Will speaks up. His words manage to crack a small grin through her half-covered face.

"Miss, are you here all by yourself?"

"I am. I paid me staff so I could close up shop afterwards. Would any of ya like some food? I have....bread. De only thing dat wasn't packed up."

"No thank you. I have my rations."

"I will have some," the bard answers.

She leaves the room quickly as something was building up. Her mind revisits the pain of what happened before the undead chased her. But she shuts it down. She returns with flattened pieces of white soda bread.

She taps Will's shoulder who puts his hand out. She gives him the bread and he takes a bite. Crunchy, yet earthy.

"Walnuts?"

"Your tongue is remarkable, William."

"Appreciated. A common compliment from my lovers."

She adjusts the tip of her red cap down to hide her face.

"Can you stop that?" Garth complains.

"I can't."

"If ya need a bed to sleep, dere are rooms up de stairs. Here are your keys." She takes Will's hand and points his index finger in that direction. She gives him the key which has an engraved 3 on it. "I'm going to bed right now."

"Would you like to hear a lullaby?"

"N-No. I'm fine!"

She speeds up the stairs and closes the door behind her. Will enjoys eating the soda bread while Garth thinks about today's events.

"What a day, right?"

"I'm sorry about what I said to you earlier. We are a team and I crossed boundaries. I was wrong," Garth confesses.

"And I'm sorry for what I said about your woman. I shouldn't have assumed that."

He sighs. "Her name was Elizabeth." 

William's body straightens up.

"She's a royal from the House of Sapientia. We were scheduled to be married, but our argument tore the relationship apart. I wanted something to offer her before we wed, but she didn't want that."

The bard stays silent to listen.

"We haven't spoken since that day."

"I'm sorry, Garth. Maybe you can get back with her once we return."

"It's pointless."

"Don't say that. Every couple has moments of weakness, but that means there are moments of strength to draw out of it."

"You are quite the wordsmith," he scoffs.

"There has to be something you can say that shows your love for her. Describe her for me."

"What for?"

"A flirtatious comment that ties in with a woman's hair or eye color will open up the conversation. Try me."

"Beth had green eyes."

"What does your mind come to when you think of green?"

"My shield."

Will snaps his fingers. "Your comforting emeralds make me safer than any shield. Like lush grass in the spring, I would like to sleep in them and cultivate our love."

The knight whistles. "That was pretty good."

"Want to write that down?"

"William, I have a serious question. Based on my research on you, you never took missions that involved bandits or gangs. Have you killed anyone before?"

That question seizes the bard's heart. "I-I have."

William tells him the truth of the nightmares that haunt him to this day.

Garth tries not to slump out of his seat. "You did all that?" he expresses with shock in his voice.

The bard nods in silence. "Would I be going to jail after this? Since I confessed my crimes?"

"Not at all," Garth states without hesitation. "You did the right thing."

"I just wish the nightmares would stop. Hearing their voices..."

Garth places a gentle hand on his shoulder. "I know what that's like. I need to be honest with you."

"What is it?"

"One of the nobles that was killed by the Skeleton Queen was my father. He was friends with the groom."