"A-alright then, great!" Ezra replied, sounding equally taken aback and relieved.
"I only have one question," Rion said.
"What is it?"
"Like you said, this Magna Wyvern is a fearsome enemy right. Are you sure I'll be enough?"
Ezra furrowed his brow, then shook his head. "No, we'll likely need one more—preferably someone who can disorient the thing, like a bard."
"Still though, will two people really be enough?"
Ezra turned to him and smiled. "Don't you mean three?"
Rion looked back at the hammer hanging from his waist. "I thought you were a miner like the rest of your village."
Ezra smirked. "That's what I was supposed to be—what my mother wanted me to be. But I had other plans. I know what you're thinking: even three seems risky. But trust me, I'm strong. Very strong. I just need a little help."
Rion studied Ezra's face. There was no trace of ego or recklessness whatsoever—he was being genuine. Rion slumped back in his chair, grinning. "Whatever you say, boss." He pointed down. "No offense, but that hammer doesn't seem all that big. How are you gonna harm the Wyvern with it?"
Ezra gripped the hilt of his weapon. "Oh, don't worry—you'll have plenty of time to see what I can do on the road."
"Ah, you did say it was a hassle to reach."
Ezra noded. "Yeah, its not that far but plenty of creatures get in the way." He pointed to the scratches and scrapes along his face.
So he took that journey alone and only came out with a few scrapes… impressive. Rion thought.
"I'm so lucky you found my request though. I put it up on the tablets and on the board, but it seems things get easily overshadowed here." He said tearing up again.
Rion immediately thought back to the "bored" request. That idiot could've led to an entire village's downfall if Rion hadn't ripped it off and seen Ezra's.
Eventually, Ezra called over a waitress, who seemed relieved that he was finally ordering something. For the next few hours, the two ate and talked while waiting for the needed third member, Rion even told Ezra about his memory loss.
Eventually, Ezra let out a sigh. "Let's take a break. It's exhausting sitting here all day."
"Is that really all right?" Rion asked.
Ezra nodded. "Yeah. I planned on leaving tomorrow anyway. Doesn't change much."
With that in mind, Rion nodded, and the two got up. Rion followed Ezra over to the request board, where Ezra pulled out a pen and wrote on his request: Back in an hour. As Ezra went to walk away however Rion grabbed him by the arm.
"You're not busy, right?"
Ezra shook his head. "Uh no. Why?"
Rion smiled as he turned to the cluttered board. "I have a plan…"
-----
The next two hours consisted of Ezra and Rion running around doing all sorts of ridiculous quests—catching chickens, doing laundry, shopping, carrying crates, Rion finding the guy who was bored and punching him in the face, delivering letters—you name it.
By the time they were done, they were collapsed at their original table, breathing heavily. Rion's hunch that people would appreciate them clearing off some of the junk requests from the quest board was one thousand percent correct. People crowded around them, cheered, and paid for their drinks…
However, his plan failed, it still wasn't enough to convince someone to help.
Rion took a sip of his paid for drink then sighed, "I'm sorry, Ezra. All that work for nothing."
Ezra just laughed. "Not for nothing. We got a little money, some guild credit, and above all, I had fun." he exhaled. "I love being an adventurer."
Rion smiled. "Me too, man."
"AS DO I!"
Suddenly, something slammed down on the table, jolting Rion and Ezra upright. As they turned to the figure, Rion was ready to yell until he paused. In front of them stood a girl with auburn hair, a white coat, and brown traveling pants, not to mention the harp in her hands.
"You're that Harp Girl I saw by the stairs!" Rion exclaimed.
"I'm not Harp Girl, My name is Maria!"
(And thus, Rion's adventure continues…)