I had lost the ability to talk or move, Juniper jumped up as the world turned to black.

  * * *

  Lis was floating in front of me in a dark void. We were both illuminated by a faint glow from our own bodies.

  "The hell is this?"

  Screw professionalism, what was this high priestess mumbo jumbo bullshit.

  "We just realised the pack Layla left on display is not her's, but a similar one borrowed from a friend. Stuffed with her friend's bedding to look full. Did you teach her that trick?"

  I took moment to process what Lis had just said.

  "So I guess she's heading my way?"

  "Yes, she left shortly after breakfast. I think she may have joined up with the two lads I sent to escort Juniper back. Where are you now?"

  "Still in the nearest town to you. Thanks for sending someone for Juniper, I was going to walk her part way whether she liked it or not. Guess I should get running."

  "Not quite...

  I've thought things over. Layla doesn't have many friends, even within this clan. I've seen her struggle to make new ones, whenever the clan have moved to a new area, near people.

  Regardless of what I think of you, you've helped her immensely... And you saved my clan."

  She sighed, a big sigh from deep within. Even in an airless mindscape void, I could feel it.

  "You keep her safe I suppose...

  You may continue to quest with my daughter for now. However, she is to be your friend..."

  I felt the same paralysis wash over me as Lis floats closer, hand reaching for my groin.

  "Nothing more!" She hissed giving me a light backhand slap to my privates.

  * * *

  I snapped back into the room. Juniper had managed to catch me and had got me partially onto the bed.

  "Aaa Fuck! My bits are freezing cold! Bitch!"

  I clutched my junk as I rolled onto my side.

  "Let me help! Move your hands!"

  Juniper fought my hands away and applied some magic. She then grabbed my legs and lifted them before dragging me around. I managed to grab at the mattress then pulled myself further onto the bed so I didn't fall off. She threw my legs down, took her bottoms off before tugging mine off. She climbed onto me.

  "Move your hands! I'm going to help warm your nuts up!"

  Kneeing my legs apart while wrestling with my arms, I allowed her to win. She adjusted my parts and slowly lowers her thigh between my legs. She threw the cover over us, smiling and relaxed onto my chest.

  "Hmmm I don't remember reading about this in any book on healing."

  "It's working though... I can tell... what did Lis say?"

  "Layla is on the way. Snuck away this morning. Apparently I'm allowed to be Layla's friend."

  "But no more. Right..."

  "I might have to go back and kill her, you can't go round freezing guys bits— She has to be stopped!"

  "Mm, how long do you think we have... because I'm very sure your bits are alright now..."

  "Well it takes 4-5 hours to walk here... it's not even noon yet is it? The innkeeper hasn't knocked..."

  . . .

  We may have lost track of time. Someone knocked on the door, figuring it's the innkeeper, "Hey... Sorry, we'll pack up and be out in a few minutes, sorry!"

  "Mr Harvey, Miss Juniper? The innkeeper says he forgot about you, he needs you out as soon as, to clean the room. I'll be at the bar OK? Oh and Thomas and Luis are here to walk Juniper back."

  "Layla!? Oh wait, hold on a second!" I turned to Juniper. "I'm starving, you want anything, she can order for us?"

  "Woah, you're not embarrassed... Actually I'm famished too. A bowl of their stew and some bread." Juniper said.

  "Drink?"

  "Just water."

  "Yo Layla! Could you order us two bowls of stew..."

  . . .

  We both checked for anything left behind. Ready to leave, Juniper reached for the door handle.

  "Can I say thank you one more time." She stopped to looks at me. "I thought I was never going to see my new friends again. I have you to thank for not spending the past 30 something hours wallowing in misery. Not to mention I'd be god knows where, not here, if I weren't with you. Layla caught up with me and... too much to thank you for..."

  "You're welcome."

  Her smile hurt me to look at. She was leaving my life soon. Whatever rationales we'd come up with, and I'd agreed to, in that moment, I couldn't help but love her.

  . . .

  We'd mostly ate lunch in silence, there was a tension in the air that Juniper was trying to dispel with small talk. Maybe it's the naivety Juniper had mentioned, but I hadn't a clue what I was meant to be embarrassed or awkward about.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  The two lads sent to escort her back, slid themselves to one end of the table and chatted amongst themselves.

  "Are you two getting married?" Layla's question burst a short awkward silence, causing Juniper to choke on some bread.

  "No... She rejected me. It was just a fling; we bonded because of the attack, but alas, not meant to be." I said patting and rubbing Juniper's back.

  Huh? Juniper was giving me the strangest look.

  "You rejected Mr Harvey, why Miss Juniper?"

  Oh... did I just make her the bad guy?

  "Umm, well Layla... It's like Harvey said. We bonded because of the shared trauma of that attack. We spent time together, it was fun, but... Now we're going our separate ways— But we're still going to be friends. Right?"

  "Yeah, Layla don't stress, I'm not hurting. Me and Juniper are friends."

  "Friends that have sex?" Layla said with her head tilted to one side.

  Juniper put her hand over her mouth, swallowed carefully. I answered Layla.

  "Not after today— I think..." I looked at Juniper, who nodded. "Yeah, we're just ordinary friends now, no more sex, however good it was, however much she begs— No more!" I got a shove from Juniper.

  While Juniper saw the funny side, Layla seemed sad, seeing me look at her, she forced a smile.

  . . .

  The night we needed to camp was thankfully not too cold. I nonetheless setup a shelter facing away from the wind, with a long fire, set in a split log, along the front. I got Layla to help build a low fence, packed with wet moss so it wouldn't catch, behind the fire. The reflector worked great, the shelter was toasty.

  I was fine with Layla sleeping so close to me in the small shelter, until...

  "What did you like about Miss Juniper?"

  "Hm? Well it was an intense attraction because of the situation we were in, thinking about, I don't know much about her."

  "But you did like her, right Mr Harvey?"

  "Yeah... What little I knew of her, she was mature, kind and a great listener."

  "You got along with Evelyn too, she was more mature... If I was more mature, would you like me... More than a friend?"

  Dammit, was Layla going to make a move soon like Roxie had done?

  "It's late and we have a long way to walk tomorrow—"

  "I know I act cutesy! I don't even know why anymore. But Harvey I—"

  "Please! Layla, please don't. You're like a... little sister, niece or something. Or maybe just a good friend that's younger. I can't think right now... I love you— As A Friend. Let's get some sleep. Goodnight Layla."

  "We're both sixteen—"

  "Goodnight Layla."

  I heard sniffing but did nothing. I remained still, looking at the firelight dancing on the ceiling of the shelter.

  "Goodnight Mr Harvey." Her voice trembled.

  She's sobbed for a while, the days walking thankfully made her fall asleep after a few minutes. I hadn't meant to be so harsh, I was annoyed at my own pain, and racing mind. Could I have said something different to Juniper? Was she right? Was it love or lust or what?

  The next day Layla acted as though nothing had happened.

  * * *

  Back at the guild hall, my story completed, Isabelle was silent. Since hearing about Juniper (a very edited version), she just seemed... disappointed. Probably worse if I'd included anything at all about what Layla had tried to talk to me about.

  "Bro I think this knife would suit me better." Audovald hands me back the hunting knife, but jokingly struggled to let go of it. I'd told them I'd spent all my money on the new gear and was now broke.

  Isabelle mumbled about the reward coming in, then dished out Layla and my share. The group before us through the dungeon had caused even more trouble, draining funds from the local guild with the many crystal's they'd got. So we'd been given as much as they could, and the amount owed was arranged to be paid out by our local guild later.

  "It's still pretty cold, let's gather supplies, upgrade our gear and we'll meet here in a couple days OK." Stated Isabelle, seeming keen to get away from me.

  Jeez, what stick got up her arse? "Cool, I'm off to get a haircut, and hopefully Garland and sons still have that capsarii helmet."

  "Yo I'm coming with you Harvey, I'm pretty shaggy after winter too." Said Audo.

  "I need a haircut too, and can I help pick a style for you Mr Harvey?" Layla joined in.

  "I need a trim, plus if I don't come, Audo will get a mohawk." Uttered Isabelle.

  . . .

  The hairdressers was an experience. It was the one I went to after first drinking the potion, the day before walking into the adventurers guild and finding this party. The hairdresser had got a little too excited by me saying I trusted them, and wanted something youthful. I remembered over ten minutes of massaging my head, umming and erring before I threatened to leave, prompting a decision.

  She was not so happy when I was followed in by Layla and Isabelle, who proceeded to bicker about what style I should get.

  I left looking like I was a member of a bard group I'd seen posters of. At least Isabelle had somewhat cheered up.

  Audo did manage to get something close to a mohawk— A very wide mohawk. Shaved sides, spiky on top, tapering to a point at the back.

  . . .

  Old man Garland had fallen over again. Taking him out back to heal, also gave me a chance to fence my loot.

  I hid under a glove, a high level ring that boosted bartering skill, thank you Valdis.

  Strangely it made me stammer and choke, then as if it had a mind of its own, it stopped working as I explained my idea regarding Evelyn and the snake staff/wearable wand item...

  So... I should've listened to the ring. I'd given the old man everything he needed to drive the price down. I mentally apologised to the ring, it started working again, helping to guide my words and actions such that I got good prices for the rest of the items sold and bought.

  I was now a fully kitted out field medic. Usually with a shield, I'd opted for the armoured left arm instead, I could turn that side to enemies while treating my party. My healer's satchel was upgraded to a tougher, metal wire framed, padded capsa (field medic bag).

  Traditionally equipped with a slingshot or light crossbow, to provide mid range offensive support, I'd opted for something I'm more familiar with, a bandelier of throwing knives.

  The blacksmith in town got a lot of work from us. I ended up offering to assist, I knew how to use a grindstone at least.

  Isabelle had two fantastic, rehandled and cleaned Eneps. Layla got whole new upgraded gauntlets. Both items had been further upgraded by the blacksmith at my behest and by my coin. Layla wouldn't realise the lining was a lux option, not the basic she'd paid for, not having seen either. Isabelle was trickier.

  "Such beautiful, exotic blades! I got a little carried away since it's my first time working on these kinds of blades but don't worry, it's on me, it was my pleasure!" The blacksmith exclaimed, his acting passable.

  Thanks to bribery, the two swords had everything done to them, short of melting them down, remaking, or replacing them completely. Now min. Lv17. Once sharpened it was revealed they had a dismemberment crit boost and higher chance of causing bleeding.

  The second hand throwing knives and Audovald's pre-loved new axe, got spruced up too.

  Something that had always irked me finally got fixed. Isabelle had owned a tough padded leather cap, but needed to be reminded to wear it. She now had a helmet with a silver ponytail that she seemed much happier to wear.

  Layla, being crafty, had taken what little she'd already been given, plus money she'd saved up, and upgraded her armour over winter. She incorporated metal lamellar under the cat fur inspired fabric.

  Layla had greatly assisted Isabelle, so the wolf hides were made into wearables within the couple days.

  Audo ended up with both wolves heads, one on each shoulder. Combined with a more fierce upgraded helmet, he looked very badass. Matching upper chest, small cape and loin cloth setup while Isabelle went for a light poncho. Both siblings had wolf hide forearm and shin/calf covers.

  Looking at Audovald I wondered if I should send him to meet Roxie...

  Time for a quest!