It is nighttime and all is quiet in Archolia.
Percival is in bed dreaming of what married life will be like. He is tired of living alone and is ready for a companion to asset his life.
The next morning, Percival is awakened by lively music. He walks out of his door to discover Troubadour Amelia playing her lute. He also spots Sir Ivan dancing and enjoying her music.
Percival sees this as a fine time to chat with Ivan and improve their relationship. He has yet to ask him to be his best man.
Ivan seems to be disinterested and distracted by all that is happening in the market.
“How fair thee Knight Captain?”
“All is well. I came by to see if you have finally gotten any weapons in?”
Ivan continues, “You see, I am looking to upgrade my sword to a sharper more rust resistant blade.”
“I must confess, it will take me a lot longer to secure the sword that you are looking for. You see, with no blacksmith in town, it is almost impossible to get my hands on one.”
“No worries, I will go to the village to see if I can get one there,” Ivan says.
“If you give me more time to raise enough money, I could purchase one for you at the village for a cheaper price.”
“I like to save money. I guess I could wait.”
“Good, good,” Percival answers.
Percival still does not feel that now is the time to ask Ivan to be his best man. Ivan still speaks to him in a very formal business like manner. They have not yet crossed over into friendship territory.
Ivan excuses himself and Percival moves on to making sales.
He sells a few items but still has not secured very much money.
Meanwhile, Ivan busies himself with his duties. He engages in a duel with a visiting swordsman for practice and training purposes.
He then takes to the forest for a round of hunting. Today is his turn to feed the pit beast. Before he can feed the beast, he needs fresh meat.
Ivan is successful in hunting down a wild boar. He chops off enough meat for the beast and himself.
At the same time, Percival has his own duties to fulfill. He must make a trade with the territory of Crafthole for wood to fulfill an order from a local carpenter.
Percival takes a trip to docks to inspect the ship and place items for trade in the cargo hold.
Meanwhile, Ivan approaches the pit. Before he gets there, he can smell the rotten flesh and hear the deep growl of the hungry beast.
As Ivan gets close to the plank, his memory flashes back to the execution of the evil Witch Tregereth. He can still see the look on her face as she was falling into the waiting mouth of the beast after a long drawn out battle with it. The memory alone sends a shiver down his spine.
Especially because he realizes that one false move and he and the evil witch will share the same fate. He steps up on the plank with the meat, praying that the beast does not unexpectantly charge out of the pit in an attempt to go after the meat.
Ivan tosses the chuck of boar high in the air. In a whoosh of awkward gracefulness…
…the beats rises out of the pit and catches the meat mid air.
Ivan will never get used to how quickly the beast can move. He realizes that the beast could grab him anytime it wanted to.
For now, the beast is satisfied with the boar meat and lowers itself back into the pit.
Percival boards the ship with a small crew and sets off for Crafthold.
The cargo hold is loaded down with mushrooms and cheese. Percival hopes that the Crafthold merchant considers it enough to warrant a trade.
A few hours later, the ship returns to the dock.
Percival’s trade was successful. He has enough wood to satisfy his client.
Percival meets up with his client and makes the trade. He is 60 simoles richer for his effort.
