Part 4

As they arrived at Kelthor, the 3rd moon had just gotten to the middle of the sky.

"Are you guys hungry?" Asked Jasko. "My dad loves having you guys over for dinner."

"I could eat" replied Korlok, with a little bit of drool dripping from the corner of his mouth.

"When can't you eat?" Said Wendelyn with a smirk.

"Fair enough."

As they entered the city, they passed by the city guards Arik and Banno. Everyone liked Arik, because he was nice to everyone. Not many liked Banno. He didn't talk much, but when he did, it was to tell someone that he knew they were up to no good. He also had a bad habit of wandering off to kill things, which irritated Arik. Jasko and Wendelyn generally avoided eye contact with Banno, but Korlok was one of the few people that got along with him. Maybe because they both had a tendency to tell inappropriate jokes. Or the fact that they were both naturally good at being a little bit of a jerk, with little or no effort. Or possibly because they both towered over pretty much anyone around them. Probably all of the above.

As they made their way to Jak's house, Jasko spotted a familiar face near the town square. It was Gaeene, the second friend he met the same season he met Korlok. She was small, and could get through the crowd of people with ease, but she was powerful. Even back in school when they were only 6 seasons old and didn't have an emblem yet, she was the bravest and boldest person he knew. They were friends all through school, but they became good friends in training. Gaeene and Korlok did not get along very well as children, but warmed up to each other while fighting together in 1 skill outposts. They had heard she was already working on her epic quests. And of course she was. She was always a little stronger and faster than others. But she was also a little crazy, and maybe a little dangerous. But they'd all be lying if they said that wasn't part of why they liked her.

"Gaeene!!" Jasko yelled across the city.

"What's up, Orc lovers?" Gaeene yelled back.

As she got closer, they could see the flames of her emblem across the top of her shoulders. Her original emble was a small flame in the center of her upper back, and allowed her to shoot quick little bolts of fire. Her 2nd skill was ensnare, which drastically slowed a monster's movement speed, and wrapped an entangling vine around the flames of her emblem. They hadn't seen her since she only had 2 skills, but they could see dark icicles hanging from the vine, and already knew she had gotten her hailstorm skill, which was a high damage over time skill, that lasted much longer than any other damage over time spells that any Protector can get before choosing a path.

"We're heading to my dad's for dinner. Care to join us?" Asked Jasko.

"Why, because your dad likes me so much? I'll pass, plus, I already ate. Where are you guys coming from?" Gaeene asked, seeming genuinely interested.

"We were at Kalen's Castle, for what felt like forever! But we did all get our 3rd skill, so we're gonna head to the Cave and get our solo epic quests." Answered Korlok.

"Well, let's meet up later, maybe I'll join you. I've been a bit bored lately. Jasko, don't tell your dad I said hi." She said as she ran off back towards the town square.

"Why is she like that?" Muttered Korlok under his breath.

"You mean adorable?" Asked Wendelyn.

"Yeah. Wait, I mean no. Whatever, let's go eat, I'm starving."