continued - 7/7

This time, she laughed more freely and the other three took that moment to rejoin the conversation. The private moment having run its course, Joe took the time to reinforce their failure to handle the pain and what would have likely happened in a real world situation. Garnedell started the next round by asking to try one more time as he wanted to see if he could take the strike but maintain his defense, so Joe accepted his request and began a quick mock battle. Joe used the stick and Garnedell defended himself with his staff. Joe spent most of his strikes against Garnedell's staff but began to aim past it, teaching Garnedell to respond defensively and appropriately. After a few moments, Joe suddenly increased his speed and landed a strike on Garnedell's thigh once again before immediately sending another strike for Garnedell's throat. The strike did surprise him, but Garnedell was able to dance back and bring up his staff in front of him, even though he limped a few strides to get himself back into position.

Joe praised Garnedell's work, smiling while doing so, and soon the other three asked for similar training. This took the next half an hour or so before Joe was able to begin their normal training sessions once again, inviting Gwenvair to take on a goblin. This time, Gwenvair pushed through her fear and did well. She failed several blocks but Joe stepped in each time and soon Gwenvair became very comfortable in the fight knowing Joe had her well protected.

Their day back on track, he had all four rotate out through one another between the two groups so that they learned to fight with everyone in pairs. Their day didn't last longer than normal as Joe reached level thirty still well before noon and was able to call the day to an end before heading out.

This time, Gwenvair stayed with them for the meal at the nearest guildhall and even joining them at the bath hall, spending the time with Kilniara where the two spoke together in whispers interjected with a generous amount of giggling and glances at him and the boys. Joe smiled, grateful that Kilniara had found a friend, even if it would likely end when they moved on.

Joe enjoyed his time in the baths, allowing the boys their time to chat while he looked at what his gains for the day were. It was a rather average job focused more on the physical, as he expected and it didn't really give him much in the way of things but it was still another job. He had hoped that there would have been something a bit useful as the job was called explorer. And while the skills were interesting, they didn't really give him anything that was useful and actually even were a bit insulting.