The look on Rodrick’s face told Arwin that he more than just liked the armor, but the former paladin settled for giving him a firm nod and wiping the embarrassment from his features.
“I’ll put it to good use. Thank you.”
“I expect that you will,” Arwin said with a nod.
“And, speaking of putting it to use, I do think we should take a look at the forest,” Rodrick said. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, a pensive frown crossing his features. “We don’t know what caused it to be so much colder than it should have been today, but any changing variables are bad news when it’s this close to executing a plan.”
“I’ll go with you,” Reya said. “If only because it gives me something to do other than freeze.”
“I can as well, if you need a third body,” Olive offered. “If I don’t, I might end up staying in bed all day.”
“Three is a good number. We aren’t going to be doing any fighting if we can avoid it, but a bigger group will make it safer nonetheless. No time to waste, then. Let’s go.”
Olive unrolled herself and shuddered at the cold before nodding. “Lead the way.”
They hurried out of the tavern, moving at a brisk pace in an attempt to keep the cold at bay. Lillia pushed the door shut behind them with a shadow before any more of the chill could seep into the common room.
The letters, as if spurred by his words, changed.
Would you like to up the Challenge?
That was it. No items. Just another line of words shimmering in the air. Arwin’s brow furrowed as a sinking pit formed in his stomach. He was barely even thinking about the Challenge itself.
The Challenge – and its rewards – were useful, but this was an entirely different matter. There was no more denying it. The Mesh was talking directly to him.