**SIDE QUEST** Bruce's Date

Should there be more of this kind of chapter? Message me what you think.

The night with Bruce and Yiala had been confined to his small apartment room.

"I'm sorry that we didn't go touring through the city Bruce" Yiana said as two sat across from each other at meager table, a home cooked meal and bottle of wine between them. "Vilory really is a great kingdom. I can hope you understand the desire to avoid alot of rumor and suspicion."

"I understand" He replied easily enough "Especially after returning from what you went through, I can imagine that alot of people will be keeping an eye on you. I would love to have a private tour. We've been single minded with our mission lately, haven't really given time to relax and sight-see. Of course, that helped us get to you all the faster, so it has it's perks."

"yes," she replied meekly "Thanks again, to you and your friends. Not just for the rescue, but for everything. From what I've heard, it was you all that saved my fathers life."

"That's all Fiana actually. The rest of us never would've gotten anywhere without her."

"You sell yourself short, I think" Yiala says as she gently leans her face against her hand "The others look up to you; the twins especially. You have experience and wisdom, and that's something as valuable as any spell or blade."

Bruce smiles at the compliment "I guess I need to start asking for a higher cut of the winnings than."

Yiala laughed gently in response "Absolutely. Speaking of, why do this? Of all the jobs in the world, why a mercenary?"

The smile quickly faded "Ahh, well, I think there's a couple of reasons. The first being that there's not much else that I'm good at, and I feel like it's too late in life to learn. Who's going to take someone like me to be an apprentice tailor?"

"And the other?" Yiala asked patiently

"Well, the other is that I don't have anything tying to me a physical place, so there doesn't seem to be much need for me to stay."

"You don't have a family?"

"Not anymore, no. I lost my wife and daughter years ago. I had been a soldier in a war, and while we were on campaign, they both died of a dreadful illness. Our army had won, and I was excited to be able to come back and see them again, only to find that it'll take a lot longer than I first thought."

Yiala extended her hand across the table, which Bruce grabbed and squeezed. As he did, she spoke gently "Of an ecstatic meeting with those we have loved and lost, and whom we shall still love, and never lose again."

"Ya, something like that. Thanks Yiala. You remind me alot of my daughter, you know. She had such a huge heart, the kindest soul I've ever met. She'd be about your age, I think"

"Well, let's forget about the event in the tower than. You're very much like my father too."

There was a gentle silence in the room, as the hand holding broke off. Yiala opened up first "You know, Bruce, that book you and your friends wanted is pretty vile."

"I wouldn't know, I can't read Elvish."

"Me either" Yiala said, her eyes wandering a little "The pictures though are pretty provocative. Enticing, even"

"Veserae has that affect on people" Bruce responded "I've been subject to her power twice now. You lose any and all inhibitions."

"Ya, I'll believe that..." The orc woman cleared her throat "Maybe that's why I'm feeling so hot right now..."

"Are you saying?"

"I want you Bruce, really badly."