With a firm and unyielding counter attack, the four of them were able to chase off the team of all black horses that had tried to raid their camp. It seemed that they had been just in time because the losses were minimal.

Clarice started to set things to rights, while Shaden and Odogaron discussed what action they would take next.

"This location isn't as safe as I though it would be," Shaden admitted, "That being said, I think we can shift the camp to the lightly wooded area near the fork in the mountain path. Then we can head into the wooded area, and see if there are any dungeon entrances to check out.

"That sounds acceptable to me," Odogaron replied, "What do you think Tiresias?"

"Very feasible, but I think we can rest here for tonight at least, have a good meal and shift the camp in the morning. The possibility of being attacked here twice is very slim.

They were all in agreement with Tiresias so after the camp was cleaned up, Clarice started up a fire. She was directing her phantasmal hand to work in tandem with her, so she was making impressive progress. 

"Do all mercenaries know outdoor cooking?" Tiresias asked her, noticing how adept she was.

"All White Hand mercenaries do," she replied, "We got through a lot of basic training and dungeon survival skills is one of them. We learn how to identify usual fauna that could be used for food and medicine and also how to make water clean to use."

"That's wonderful. No wonder the White Hand's influence is spreading into other Kingdoms," Tiresias said, "Your leader must be a courser with great vision."

Clarice smiled slightly. Tiresias and Odogaron did not know that Shaden was the boss of the White Hand, it was a secret that was hidden very deeply and one she would take to her grave. She didn't mind accepting praises on his behalf though, especially when they were well deserved.

"He is. There is a lot of perks to being a White Hand member; the selection process is rigorous but it's worth it! I would encourage anyone to join."

"How much cut do you get out of the hiring fee?" Odogaron asked. He was getting to the real meat of the matter.

"Eighty percent of the hiring fee and we get to keep ninety percent of the value of whatever treasure we find."

They both seemed surprised at the high percentages.

"It's not bad," Odogaron conceded.

"It's not, I enjoy it. I like helping people," she explained, "And going on adventures outside of my usual reach."

"That sounds good," Tiresias responded, "It's good to have a life of purpose."

Shaden was listening to the conversation with a smile. The White Hand was one of his greatest achievements and he was very proud of it.

The stew that Clarice was cooking up with soon finished. It was served with a hunk of bran bread and they had water, chilled by a well placed ice spell from Shaden. It was a decadent meal given the circumstances.

"I've had worse meals than this at taverns!" Odogaron exclaimed, "I'll put on some weight on this trip."

Clarice laughed gently and thanked them for the compliment.

After dinner the boys cleaned up, and then they all went to their respective tents, with Clarice and Shaden sharing his large and spacious tent together.

They pressed their heads close together and talked in low voices.

"My lord, Isn't it weird to hear them praise the White Hand when people in Dramond act as if it is the scourge?"

Shaden chuckled.

"They aren't really wrong about it being the scourge though are they?" Shaden reasoned, "You know how those old nobles get about anything that seems to shake their seat of power. In their estimation the White Hand came out of nowhere and is not taking up space in the power hierarchy."

"They are criminals, most of them, abusing their power."

"That may be the case but they think they can get away with it because they have a smattering of the blood of kings."

"Even the royals do not act like them, Lumina is a land of a very gentle monarchy and the people are flourishing."

"King Jared is benevolent," Shaden agreed. He knew the entirety of the inside story but he could share it with her. Of course the King wasn't really interested in ruling, he was the God of All ... what use was a paltry kingdom to him, when this was just one of many worlds under his control?

He knew though that too much information would shake the world view of someone like Clarice and it would be harmful for her to know these things. She was a loyal friend to him, as well as one of his lovers. Her wellbeing on all fronts was extremely important to him.

"I have heard great things about him and his sons too," she said, "Oh did you hear the gossip about Prince Nathaniel being put as head over the Southern cities?"

"Yes of course, he moved into an estate in the Luciana Delta with much fanfare. It would be impossible to miss. I heard when the procession of his guards and attendants were passing through Dramond the nobles were out on the streets acting like it was a parade but he ignored them entirely and only engaged with the common folk."

"A well deserved slap in the face," Clarice surmised.

"Indeed, I think it will help develop the south a lot to have a royal here, the fiefdoms will have to be more organized and the Lord must do their jobs and not just through balls and parties."

She nodded and then yawned.

"Alright that is the cue for us to sleep," Shaden noted.

The two of them shared a blanket and were soon fast asleep.

***

In the morning after moving camp, they entered the dungeon and were istantly meet with a triggered trap!

"What the heck is this?!" Clarice exclaimed as she watched in horror as the passage way suddenly filled with water. It was dark and stagnant; filled with debris and rushing at an incredible pace.

"Just run!" Odogaron told her.

Desperately fighting against the current, the four coursers beat a hasty retreat only time would tell if they would make it out...