>>6114203You nod towards Cuthbert, who grabs a shocked and pale Elric under one arm, and falls in line with you and your group. Boy in hand, you and your party begin making your way back to Alvin’s ship. None of the crowd from the brothel seek to stop you. In fact, many of them look to get as far away from you as possible, and more than one lets loose the contents of their stomach. With the rush of battle wearing off, you yourself are also starting to feel a bit woozy. As you near toppling over, Adeline lends you a shoulder to lean on the rest of the way back to your destination. You somehow manage to avoid blacking out, but scarcely remember the trip back. The next thing you know, you’re back at the ‘Morfisian Rose’, with Alvin staring at you in utter shock.
“Again?!” He cries out.
Night falls, and the next several hours are spent on the deck with Alvin fussing over you with a healing stave, mending the wounds you took. The others fill him in on the battle, while Elric retches over the bow of the ship, having now sobered up. While you feel sore in a million places, you eventually manage to regain something of your strength back, which includes newfound ire for the young lord of Boramus.
“Are you doing okay, boss?” May asks concerned. She holds a large bottle of Morfisian wine in her hands that you recall having seen back at the brothel. You don’t know when she stole it nor do you care. You grab it and begin drinking from the mouth.
“T-Tristain!” Elric cries out, running over to your side. “Forgive me, my dear friend! It is because of my foolishness that you were hurt so badly!”
>“No shit. What the hell were you thinking going off with that guy? They were going to rob you and leave you naked in the streets.”Elric winces. “You’re right. I was a fool to think I could trust Nestor and his cronies. I-I just…” The boy’s eyes begin to grow wet with tears, and he is unable to finish his thought. He looks away, covering his face with shame.
“Lord Elric.” Cuthbert says, joining in on the conversation. “Perhaps it would be best that we leave for Fodlan immediately. This experience has proven that we may be…beyond our depth here.” He says, diplomatically.
“No!” Elric retorts back suddenly. “I can’t go back!”
>“You sure as hell are. I’m not your babysitter, Elric. The only reason I saved you was because Bronte would be all over my ass if she found out I left you to get robbed by pimps in the middle of the desert. Go back and forget this foolishness. You obviously are not cut out for this contest.”“No…I’m not.” Elric says solemnly. “But…you are! Please, Lord Tristain, my dearest friend, I beg of thee! Allow me to accompany you on your journey! I will give up my pursuit of Princess Yulia, and dedicate myself solely to your cause!”
>“Are you mad?! Why would I agree to that? Furthermore, why would you even want to stay in this place?!” 