“Sorry about him,” the other teenage girl said, pointing at Ben. “He’s a… means well.” Extending her hand, she introduced herself. “I’m Mary, Novice Mage. You’ve already met Ben, our swordsman; that’s Carol, our healer, and that’s Arthur, a talented spearman,” she said, glancing towards their healer and spearman as she shook Jack’s hand.

  At least she’s got some manners, Jack thought, appreciating the formal handshake. “I’m Jack. Your young friend is partially right.” He smiled at Ben. “I just took up archery, so I have no experience. This is my first day of training with a bow.” He’d decided to keep it vague and not confirm he had the archery class. “I haven’t even fired this bow yet; I bought it this morning.”

  Mary deflated. “We’re sorry to bother you. We were looking for a ranged specialist to join the team, but I’m sure you’ll want some practice before you join a group.”

  Jack nodded. She’s assuming I’m a Novice Archer. He’d read that most adventurers practised solo for at least a few weeks before even considering teaming up. It made sense to become accustomed to one’s dangerous skills before engaging in group fights where you could shoot someone in the back.

  “We’ll let you go on your way,” Mary said with a smile. “If you’re looking for a group in a few weeks, you can find us at the Adventurers Guild most days.” Then she turned to walk away.

  “Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind,” Jack replied. “Oh, you wouldn’t know a good place nearby where I can practise?”

  Mary turned back. “Plenty of novices practise in a clearing about half a mile that way,” she said, pointing towards the forest. Pausing to look at her friends, she continued, “We’re heading that way now. We can show you.”

  Jack smiled. “That’ll be great. I’d rather not get lost and stumble into a goblin horde on my first day out.”

  Everyone except Ben chuckled. The young swordsman’s expression stayed earnest as he replied, “That’s not likely. There aren’t many goblins left this close to the city. Too many newbies huntin’ ‘em for silver.”

  Jack already knew as much, but he nodded anyway. With so many fresh adventurers crowding the city, the nearby forests had been stripped clean of goblins. Still, hidden dungeons always spat out a few stragglers; goblins and worse. The threat could never be eradicated.

  As they walked, they made small talk. The small party of adventurers was on their way to hunt goblins deeper in the forest.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “How many goblins have you killed?” Jack asked.

  “I’ve personally slain three of the evil monsters,” Ben replied, slicing the air with his sword as if reenacting one of the goblin culls.

  Jack acted impressed and glanced towards the others.

  Mary clarified their kill count. “As a team, we’ve dealt with five goblins. Ben landed the final blow on three of them, and one of those was caught in brambles.” She looked at Ben. “They were all team kills.”

  “Yeah, yeah, whatever,” Ben replied. Then he asked Jack, “Why’s your bow covered in blood?”

  That kid has no subtlety, Jack thought before responding, “No idea. It was like this when I bought it. I got a really good deal.”

  “I wish I could find a good blood-covered sword,” Ben said. “All the good stuff is too expensive. How are we supposed to pay 3 gold for a sword when we only get 3 silvers for a goblin?” In annoyance, he kicked the head off a flower.

  Jack glanced at the teenager’s old sword. The handle was weathered, the blade had a few chips, and it looked like it wasn’t being kept sharp. There was even a hint of rust below the handle. Despite it’s flaws, it was an adequate sword for a Novice Swordsman, if it were maintained. He shook his head in disappointment. “If you put some time into repairing your weapon,” he advised, pointing to the sword Ben was using to cut the heads off of flowers, “it would last you until you became an Apprentice Swordsman.”

  Carol chuckled. “We’ve been telling him that for weeks, but Ben here insists he has to have a new sword.” She shook her head. “He’s an idiot.”

  Jack couldn’t help but nod in agreement. He is an idiot, he mused, glancing at Ben, who didn’t seem to mind being called an idiot. “Have you ever sharpened it with a whetstone? It would improve the blade’s cutting power.” He’d read about weapon maintenance in his past life and had spent many hours sharpening his own dagger. That reminds me, I should buy a whetstone. He gripped the hilt of his dagger as he spoke; it felt comforting.

  Ben shook his head. “I’m a swordsman, not a bloody blacksmith or a… what’s them people who work for posh knights called?”

  “You mean squires?” Mary asked.

  “Yeah, them,” Ben scoffed. “I’m not one of them.”

  “Well, it’s your loss if you fight with a blunt tool,” Jack replied with a chuckle. What a fool. Maybe a powerful noble with the knight class can get away with that attitude, but a commoner with no coin… He’d be damn lucky to be taken on as a knight’s squire; he’d be trained well. He shook his head at how dumb the boy was. I’m not sure if I want to be in a group with him, even if it might mean faster levelling.

  As he contemplated the teenage swordsman’s idiocy and recalled the old saying, ‘Bad workmen will never find a good tool’. Mary announced that they had arrived at their destination.

  “This is where plenty of novices practise,” Mary said, sweeping her hand to reveal a well-worn clearing in the forest. It resembled the aftermath of a small war; deep craters marred the forest floor, and dozens of trees lay felled, burned to ash, or chopped into splinters. “Just be careful not to stand too close to anyone reckless,” she warned, glancing at Ben.

  Jack had promised his mother that he would find a location where he wouldn’t hurt anyone. Yet, looking at the damaged clearing, he was more worried that he’d be the one hurt. “Thanks for guiding me here,” he said, smiling at Mary. “And good luck with your goblin hunt.”

  They parted ways.