Afterwards they all met again to show the spoils. In the chests Flynn had managed to find some coins and a couple more books while Samantha and Erin had also found some scroll. Edos reported that up ahead as a natural cavern that had a clean brook and seemed ideal for camping so they set out in that direction.

"Flynn feels better now that he had found some treasure," the now cheerful madder reported, "That Giant can't fit through this tunnel so I can sleep well."

"Indeed, we are far away from both the necromancer and the giant," Edos said to them, once they reached the spot he had mentioned, "We can camp here for a few hours and then continue on."

They worked to set up the tents and Samantha started up a fire to cook them a hot meal. Erin was by her side assisting her, while Flynn and Edos were letting the hounds run around freely to let off some steam.

"So I guess I can tell you about my past now," Erin told her, "Since we have some time."

"Yes, I am very eager to hear but don't feel pressured to give in to my nosiness, just tell me whatever you are comfortable with."

"Ah, don't worry. I wouldn't have volunteered If I wasn't comfortable," he assured her, "I was born in one of the dungeons in the Light Kingdom and found by their army. In the Light Kingdom you have to get a permit to enter the dungeons and the mandate is that all foundlings like myself get sent to the national schools."

"Oh wow I am not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing, but I guess you are the best person to tell me," she said to him.

"It's mixed. Some schools are good and some aren't, it depends on who is running them. Mine was near to the capital and so it was run very well just out of fear that the King or one of his courtiers would drop by and cause trouble for the staff," Erin explained, "We get training in magic, fighting and all the other things. We all have a family name that starts with Light and then an added bit depending on the region you are in. I wanted to explore the world more, so when a Nevith ship started offering passenger fares between the continents I was probably one of the first to sign up."

"Oh wow, you're very brave!"

"Maybe, I don't know..." he blushed faintly, “Or reckless. It used up all my savings from my then job as a housekeeper.”

"How was that journey?" she asked him.

"Surprisingly it was very smooth... Although the seas are rough, the Nevith have very powerful elemental magic that keeps the trip calm as if you are in very shallow water all the time," Erin told her, "It explains why they charge such high fees but yet the ships are never empty."

"I have seen the huge vessels and thought to myself that coursers shouldn't be on water," she commented, "But I supposed clans like the Nevith prove me wrong."

"Ubenize in general are a sea-fairing breed of courser," Erin reported, “The biggest families are the Nevith, Kassith and the Hanith families. Most of the ships you see in international ports fly those flags. The Neviths are the royal family of Uben and are incredibly wealthy!"

"You know a lot but then, you are well travelled in comparison to me. I have lived my whole life in the south of Lumia," Samantha admitted.

"There is nothing wrong with that either," Erin said, "I'm trying to settle here now myself."

"What made you sign up with us?" she asked.

"I saw the flyer on the board in Windrise. I had literally just landed and wondered what my next step should be. It seemed like something I could try out. After all, it would get me access to the dungeons which before I couldn't. Getting a permit to go into the dungeons in the Light Kingdom is difficult for a commoner, especially one like me who wasn't officially adopted by anyone."

"The Light Kingdom lost a fantastic courser through classism," Samantha noted, "But I guess they will never know."

Erin smiled and was a little proud.

"Or do they know?" Samantha asked.

"I was the top in the Mage's Guild placement exam," Erin told her, "I definitely got offers from some noble families to join their guard and such but I didn't want to be tied down like that. Those sorts of positions are more slavery than a normal employment contract. You have to agree to work there for over ten years or more. The Wolf Thorn is only a two year bond and the benefits are much more in my opinion."

"Wow, I think you made the right decision for yourself," Samantha commented, "We're happy to have you."

"Very happy to be here," Erin replied.

They finished up the meal and then called the other two coursers over.

Dinner was a happy and joyful affair, for a while Erin almost forgot they were in a dungeon.

***

The next day they continued on and instantly ran into trouble.

The hounds had been drawn in by a strange pile of rotting bones and before Edos could command them to leave it alone it seemed that they had tripped some mechanism that summoned a giant flaming skull.

For Flynn, Samantha and Edos it was a feeling of deja vu.

"Not this bastard again!" Samantha cried, but she instantly armed herself with her bow at the ready.

"It's met its match this time! Flynn is meaner and stronger!" Flynn announced.

Erin was speechless but not terrified.

"Erin you're with me, you flank it from the back while I attack the front and handle most of the aggression," Edos commanded.

"Yes general!" he responded and he sprung into action, picking up a burst of speed and positioning himself behind the large skull. 

Erin vaguely wondered if this had anything to do with the necromancer but he figured they would figure that out after the fight...