His eyes looked over the woman with a small smile cracking his lips as he did. She was young, that much was noticeable but no more than a couple years from himself. She only let them linger on him for a moment but he could see that her eyes were absolutely breathtaking. Trying not to stare awestruck as his new companion however he shook her hand in response with a nod. "A pleasure to meet you Alianor. I am Anders." He released her hand after a moment as she spoke of getting supplies.<br/><br/>"I did not bring a horse with me, depending on the cost of this expedition though I can certainly go purchase one. I do not want to spend too much though if this trip won't cover the expense." he said in a way that seemed more logical than money hungry. Truth be told he was happy to do it, but if he spent too much gold now it meant the job overall would prove unprofitable. Deep down he expected this to pay a decent amount of gold though. His mind roved over reasons why two traveling strangers would need an additional sword, perhaps scholars or messengers for a noble family.<br/><br/>Alianors voice pulled him from his thoughts though, the two were walking towards the store when Galneak had joined them. His voice was gruff, but something he said had upset her. Her face portrayed a bit of guilt as he looked at him again. "I said two hours, be ready." Were the last words he said before he was gone.<br/><br/>Anders could see the visible frustration in Alianors face, and her next words answered the question he felt inside. There was a third, who now due to unknown reasons, was dying. Things were beginning to click in his mind, and he let himself take another appraising look at Alianor. Looking past her beauty he tried to gain any insight to who she was. Deep down he felt she was the key to this mission, but only time would tell.<br/><br/>"I am sorry about your friend, I wish I could offer my expertise with helping to check his wounds, but I am only an adept at first aid." he said with a bit of disappointment. The skill was not something he was very strong at, fate willing him to create wounds instead of close them apparently. Looking over the shelves he looked back over to Alianor with a soft smile. "I will do my best to honor your companion that you are leaving behind. Hopefully they can heal and see you again in the future."<br/><br/>Moving from shelf to shelf, he grabbed a variety of items he didn't have and were well priced. Fire starting kits were more of a necessity, though making fire was not impossible, the easier it was meant more time could be spent in other ways. Small tent, which was mostly made up of reinforced wooden rods and a well oiled leather hide. It could comfortably house one, but should it be necessary two could fit. The final thing was a sleeping mat.<br/><br/>Anders walked up to the small stand the man was behind, peering up to him from a book he looked over Anders with a quizzical eye. "You look familiar... You've been around town long ?" he asked looking over each item. "Usually that'd cost yah about thirty gold pieces, since you got picked." he said looking to Alianor, which was likely his assurance of the fact he was chosen. "I'll let it go for fifteen."<br/><br/>Anders cleared his throat as he spoke, "Thank you for the reduced cost, and no sir I have not. Perhaps you have met my family. I had... quite a few brothers." His voice was a little saddened at the thought, but quickly he flushed the idea from his mind as he pulled the gold from a small pouch on his belt.<br/><br/>With the items wrapped up in a bundle, and tucked under his arm, he took several steps back to Alianor. "I figured I could drop these off with Galneak, I need to have a conversation between the three of us since we will be traveling together." he said, offering her that soft smile of his before opening and moving through the door. She mentioned a wagon, and with Galneak seeing to the items before preparing for leaving, he assumed that was likely the best location to find him.<br/><br/>Though quick, the walk from the general store to the stables was an enjoyable one. Anders was a man who found communicating with  new people hard, so the silence between him and Alianor hung during their walk. His mind roved over topics but none ever got chosen before they reached the large doors to the stables. The entrance was cracked and the sound of items being moved came from the inside.<br/><br/>Anders opened the door and looked first, seeing that Galneak was the culprit, currently moving and strapping items down in the cart. He took a few steps closer and offered the items he purchased to him. "These should suffice for myself. I have rations should I need them, but also can hunt for food." he said before stepping back to the door and closing it behind Alianor.<br/><br/>Galneak looked over the items and gave a single nod. "You will need these for sure, the path to the mountains is only going to get colder when you move from the coast. What's she told you so far ?" he asked, looking to her for a moment before locking eyes with Anders. "And just who are you ? No one in a long time has bested me with a sword." He said, taking up a bit of an annoyed stance as he waited for an answer.<br/><br/>Anders looked between the both of them and felt a heat push into his cheeks. Being on the spot about this was not what he wanted, but he did promise to tell earlier. He cleared his throat before looking at Galneak. "I am Anders. Anders Swordborn... I am sure yo-" his sentence was cut off by Galneak.<br/><br/>"You mean 'THE Swordborn family ? Ronere Swordborn was your father ?" he asked with eyes piercing him. Anders nodded slowly. "Yes sir, did you know him ?" he asked with a bit of curiosity himself now. Most capable fighters and warriors knew of the Swordborn family. Their willingness to help those who needed it and honorable stature were renowned in many places. Also was their downfall, the betrayal from within and the Demonkin onslaught that eradicated the house. Well, all but one it seemed.