Is it wrong to fleece adventurers at the item shop?

By now the trip to the fairground is getting familiar, despite it being only the third time that I make the whole trip. A lesson from one of the teachers from the academy comes to mind in that regard. They used to say, that if you really want to get to know a place, you have to get to know it with your feet. I'm starting to see what they meant.

The trio of adventurers accompanying me today seems familiar with the path as well. In hindsight I really shouldn't be surprised. They probably have attended one or another festival on this very ground during their time in Clear Brook already after all. No, it really would be more of a surprise if they hadn't.

The three don't dally around either as we reach our destination. Rafal and Lotar take up position where we drop off our luggage, what little there is anyway. There the bard starts tuning his lute right away while the warrior starts playing a simple rhythm on the drum. Finally, Rafal joins in with the lute.

I listen to them for a moment.

Eventually Feliks speaks up, pulling my attention away from the musicians.

“It would be even better if we had someone playing a fiddle or possible some pipes to join in, but I guess we can make do like this. Anyway, Rafal got you started on dodging last night, didn't he? With those dancing lights of his, right?”

Indeed he did. That was only getting me started though? Should I be worried? Pushing away these thoughts I nod anyway.

“He did. Are we going to pick up there? Will we be doing more dodging?”

It seems my guess is not wrong, as the young monk is quick to confirm it with a wide grin.

“It is a good warm up. In addition I want to make sure that you will be able to take a fall. During the actual dance, in the heat of the moment, you might stumble as well after all. It is no use worrying about not stumbling either. It is always better to go with the flow and stay in motion, even if it means a tumble in the grass.”

I walk away a fair distance, before he continues.

“Today you will be dodging something a little more substantial than some phantasmal lights though. Just remember to always keep moving. Never stop. Never look back. Always keep your eyes pointed where you want to go.”

As he finishes his talk, he closes his eyes for a moment, while clasping his hands together. After taking a deep breath he stomps the ground once.

My eyes go wide then and there as I can actually feel the ground shake while he seems to grow taller and more massive. Then he starts moving and as the ground shakes a little with every one of his steps, he really looks a little like a charging bull.

I'm not sure what exactly he is doing, but it certainly is impressive. In all likelihood it is some class related skill. What it is for sure though, is intimidating.

I in turn take his advice to heart and get moving as well. Always look where I'm going! Never stop moving! It is easier said than done, when you heart beats crazy fast. Somehow this is a lot more exciting than last night's training.

I run at the monk as he charges at me, although my knees feel a little shaky. At the last moment I take a step to the side and we pass each other. Well, it was at the last moment for me. The young monk probably could still have reacted and adjusted his course without too much trouble. He didn't though.

Probably because he is mimicking a charging bull right now. It is the only explanation I can come up with. And anyway, I don't have any time to waste on thoughts like those.

My instincts initially tell me to stop and turn. I decide not to listen to them though. Instead I follow my dance partners advice. Instead of stopping to turn I go into a circle, not quite as tight as I could make it, to retain my momentum.

As I come around I can tell that Feliks must have done something similar, as he is only now coming to face me again.

In the end I don't get any time to catch my breath, as he stomps once more and initiates his next charge. Again I match his movement best I can.

And this is how it goes for a little while, until I eventually but inevitably miss a step and stumble. As the adventurer suggested I don't fight to try and keep my balance. Instead I go for a low roll in the hopes of getting back on my feet at the end.

So much for my intentions. Of course I end up with a mouth full of grass instead. At least Feliks aborts his latest charge, as I struggle to get back on my feet.

He comes over and helps me up.

“Good instincts. We might still have to work on the execution a little though. How about we have a little break?”

I have no objections since I'm rather out of breath due to this little warm up. Gods and goddesses, if this is just the warm up, what will the rest of the night be like? I probably should be worried by the implications. Instead I'm a little excited for some reason.

We start by having some wine, and while Feliks and I drop into the grass to rest a little the two others get up to move their legs instead. Understandably, as they have been sitting, playing their respective instruments up until now.

Afterwards Feliks trades places with Lotar. The bard takes over the drum while the warrior apparently is my next training partner.

He seems to be able to guess the question most prominent on my mind.

“We will get started with something easy. Have you ever done any leapfrogging as a child?”

I can't really say I have and somehow I start to feel like I might have missed out in my childhood. In the end I simply shake my head.

He just grins and pats my back as he leads me away from the others who resume playing a catchy little tune that somehow matches my heartbeat.

No, it is the other way around! For some reason my heartbeat readily matches the tune! This has to be some magic! I don't get to think any more on it though.

“Alright. This is far enough. We will start you off simple. I'll stand here, bent over, and you run straight at me from the rear. Then you place your hands on my back and push off to jump over me. Then you do the same from the front.”

It doesn't sound too hard. No, it does in fact sound like a children's game. And somehow I manage not to fumble and eat any more grass. A good thing too, as I somehow doubt grass would go well with the wine Maryla provided for us.

After a few repetitions he decides to spice things up a little though. Instead of standing still he is moving now as well. Like Feliks before he is coming straight at me and he only assumes the position for the jump at the last moment.

The first time we crash spectacularly and we all have a good laugh. We quickly resume the workout though. And eventually, guided by the rhythm of the music, I manage to time the jump perfectly.

It is a good thing too, as I'm not sure how many more crashes I could have taken. Running into the warrior felt like running into a boulder. Which is not a pleasant experience overall.

This isn't where we stop though. Not by a long shot. After the leapfrogging the trio has me do cartwheels as well as rolls and eventually more challenging handsprings.

I end up in the grass plenty more times as the night proceeds. The enchantments of my dress get a real workout tonight. Without them it might even have been a total loss by the time we take a second break to have a little more wine and the sandwiches.

After the snacks we all have one of my potions as well, to renew our vigor.

It seems it is time for another change of dance partners. It is once more Feliks who accompanies me this time.

“Very well, you have worked your way up through the basic exercises. Now it is time to get creative once more! We will do a variation of the handspring now. Instead of doing it on the ground you will place your hands on my shoulders instead though and I will straighten up as you do, to give you a little additional push.”

He gives me a moment to process the instructions before assuming a position similar to the leapfrogging one.

“I'll stay stationary at first. Later on I'll be moving though. That probably is the closest we can get to practicing the jump without an actual bull.”

He flashes me a mischievous grin.

“And for the grand finale I'll invigorate myself like I did in the beginning. Now come on, this will be fun!”

I in turn can't help but swallow hard.