After many hours of effort cutting lumber for the upcoming siege, the work day had ended. Josh and the others invited Adam to join them for drinks, but the Druid had to decline. He had something to arrange, and it should probably be done sooner rather than later. The red-eyed man did promise to join them tomorrow night though, which satisfied the group. It wasn't a big deal to him, but they had all been impressed by the young caster who stuck around after spending most of his magic to help out. It was the least they could do, the team had concurred.


-----


As Adam walked through Valheim, he heard part of a conversation. Unfortunately, one of the voices was instantly recognizable, annoying as usual.


“...and supposedly they're really strong, this Second Chance. Have you heard of them?”


The voice came from someone in a crowd of eight or nine people. In front and center of the group was a familiar-looking gnome with a curly mustache who responded, clearly thrilled with being the focus of attention.


“Yeah, I've met them, and Second Rate is a better name for that Bronze Tier trash. My team got assigned an escort mission for them once. Despite managing to sneak them into the city for Gods-knows why reason, the Fighter and vampire Paladin almost attacked me. I scared them off though.” Xavier twirled his mustache for a few seconds, letting this “fact” sink in, before continuing. “The swordsman was vulgar, and the type of idiot who's only good for taking damage. And can you believe it, a vampire Paladin? It's a disgrace to the Gods. Must be some kind of Witch Queen agent, though infiltrating a party of weaklings is hardly tough. Not like me, the genius Druid of [i]Silver Arrow[/i]. I'll become platinum soon en-ugh!”


The gnome’s story was interrupted by him getting tripped by a small vine, carefully risen from a crack in the brick pavement of Valheim. And walking up to the fallen person was Adam Phillips, looking down upon him both figuratively and literally.


“I think a real genius would have sensed that plant, like the half dozen pinwheels four houses east.” There was a hint of humor laced in this statement, unlike the next - that would be pure seriousness, spoken with a tone daring the gnome to try anything. “Listen, you can insult me all you want, but nobody messes with my friends.” Saying this, the red-eyed man took his leave, resuming his walk to his destination.


Adam wasn't the only being there with a red feature now, as the laughter of the crowd caused Xavier's face to blush. And after the gnome made a flimsy excuse and left, he realized he was heading east. Reluctantly he looked at the building the fisherman indicated and was horrified to find six gold and silver flowers by the front door.