The rest of the day was spent making plans. Fera was too happy to sleep, and Grayson didn't really need it. The first order of business was the day of their wedding. That led down some interesting tangents with Grayson's teachers both telling him that there was nothing they could practically teach him in his chosen fields of study. Grayson was feeling antsy about other parties like the one that had attacked the nameless village that he'd reached first, and wanted to check for any more.

  The next order of business was to choose a day that gave them time to prepare, but also didn't interfere too much with their departure from Gravistone. Grayson's haste suited Fera, who wanted an earlier wedding that she joked would keep Grayson from leaving her for someone prettier. The pair decided to hold the ceremony on the sixth day of the next week, giving them five days for preparations. They ended up in the High Priest's office in the early afternoon to ask him for permission to use the temple for the ceremony.

  "Of course you can," Brettin laughed. "A valued Crusader and a new Herald? And such energetic youths no less? Certainly, there's no reason not to hold the ceremony as early as possible."

  Grayson shuffled his feet a little at the insinuation. He was planning to talk to Mertaba later about leaving next week, but they hadn't actually told anyone why they were planning on rushing so much. After he explained his reasons to Fera, she'd been all for it. She'd joked about him leaving her, but he could see the far away look in her eyes when she said it. He guessed she'd been thinking about other parties of wagons crossing the border. It also didn't help that nobody realized that there was one hell of an age gap.

  "Well, sir. There's a reason that we wanted to hurry so much," Grayson started, but Brettin cut him off.

  "There's a reason I'm so accommodating, Grayson. Our Lady told me why the pair of you want to hurry out into the world. We're already equipping several of our Crusaders to search for any other bands, as are the knights. We started doing so as soon as you came back with the news of what happened in that village. None of us disagree with your sentiment to get out there and prevent any of our empire's people from being kidnapped. We didn't expect you to be ready to go so quickly, yourself." He sighed.

  "It appears you still don't really understand us, Grayson. The Crusaders of Perimis are here to protect the innocent from the wicked. We weren't prepared for the attacks last week. Today, we're preparing to go and either prevent more attacks, or hunt down the fleeing bandits with our captured citizens. We must reach them before they cross the mountains. While we didn't expect you to be ready for this, the fact that you are means you will be joining that hunt. Most of the Crusaders were planning to leave on Fifth day this week." He had been scanning over some of the notes on his desk, but now looked Grayson in the eyes.

  "It will be dangerous. It will be hard. We will lose people. But it must be done. Allowing a young man his wedding day before he goes to risk his life is the least we can do. The ceremony can be held on Seventh day. Leave the planning of the ceremony to Fera. Focus on your preparations to leave. Speak to Mertaba about what you need." The older-looking man's eyes softened.

  "Grayson, I'm happy you found your way to our world. You saved a good girl, not to mention dozens of others. You'll save more before the end of the year, I have no doubt." He turned to Fera. "And you, look after him. The church will cover the cost of the wedding. Don't go too far."

  Fera stiffened as Brettin said that. Grayson looked at her but didn't say anything. Instead, the pair bowed in thanks to the old man, then left the office. Behind the closed door, Fera raised a fist in victory. She was vibrating with the effort not to cry out. Grayson started to laugh, but she shushed him.

  "This is great," she whispered, "We get to have our wedding in the main hall! We get our pick of music, food, and decoration! Normally you have to pay tons for that!"

  "Don't go too far," admonished Grayson quietly. "It's an extremely important day, but let's not get everyone to hate us by going overboard."

  Fera pouted a little, but a hug from Grayson helped her accept his logic. A few moments later, they were holding hands as they walked down the hall. They reached the point where they would have to split up to keep up with their plans for the day and paused.

  "We'll be-" Grayson started, before Fera hugged him tightly, then kissed him. He returned both, the pair staying stuck together for what felt like several minutes.

  "I'll see you later," Fera said, looking into Grayson's eyes. He swallowed then nodded.

  "I love you." Fera's normally energetic smile softened into one of pure affection when she heard those words.

  "I love you too," she whispered back.

  They split up, Grayson heading to Mertaba's office while Fera went to talk to the temple staff. They were intending to just inform the staff of the impending ceremony, but Fera had more to think about now. Grayson reached the office and knocked on the door.

  "Come in, Grayson," came the call from inside. Grayson stepped in, then closed the door behind him. In the office, Mertaba was sitting behind his desk. Grayson stepped forwards and gave a salute. Mertaba returned the salute, then gestured for Grayson to sit down.

  "How did you know it was me, sir?" asked Grayson. Mertaba snorted.

  "I'm not so foolish that I wouldn't keep an eye on our newest recruits, though normally they cause trouble. Congratulations on your impending wedding by the way." Mertaba stood up, picking up a glass decanter standing on a small table Grayson hadn't noticed and bringing it over to the table, pouring a glass for each of them. Grayson accepted the glass hesitantly.

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  "To your wedding. May it's joys follow you til death." Grayson raised his eyebrows at the toast, but raised his glass and drank.

  "Thank you, sir." Grayson was still hesitant, but cleared his throat and started on the reason for his visit. "I've learned the basics from Herefor and Harren. Both of them have told me that all I really need now is practice in the things they've taught me to learn about more of the edge cases. I intend to get some of that practice this week..." He took a deep breath, "to let me be ready to join the Crusaders hunting for the bandits from the Muric empire."

  Mertaba raised an eyebrow and stared into his eyes.

  "Okay."

  Grayson took a second deep breath and visibly relaxed. Meanwhile, Mertaba continued.

  "I did say I'd been keeping an eye on you. The rate you learn? It's inhuman. As a spellsword, you're probably reaching a level of proficiency close to many experienced swordsmen. With more practice training as a spellsword, you'll be far more formidable than most people have any right to expect to become. The fact that you can achieve that level of proficiency in two weeks?" He shook his head. "If you weren't on our side, it would be terrifying."

  Grayson swallowed and nodded. It was due to his neural network instead of his own natural learning ability. He'd also had very little talent for magic before rebuilding his body. If he hadn't had his advantages, he'd have only a miniscule portion of the capability he had now. The praise belonged to thousands of people back in his home universe. For their sake he accepted it, silently thanking them.

  No need to be so modest, dumbass. It's just us.

  Shup up, Queuecy.

  Over the laughing of his skeleton, Grayson looked up at Mertaba. "Your support helped a lot, sir." Mertaba snorted again.

  "You don't need to butter me up, Grayson. I know what I did. Look, you're ready to go out with the other Crusaders. You were when you got here, but now you actually know how to use your damn sword." He sighed. "And from the impression you gave me and Brettin, there was no way you would want to sit this out anyway. This meeting was only a matter of time, and I knew it would be coming as soon as both your teachers requested permission to have you help with combat practice for their own Crusaders." He held up a sheet from the papers on his desk.

  "You worked hard this last week and I dare say you've gotten yourself a mighty fine reward. Work hard this week and I'll be attending your wedding. In the meantime, do you know what you need for your patrol? You'll be travelling with Fera according to my sources, so you'll need some way to bring her along. What have you considered?"

  Grayson thought for a moment before responding.

  "Carrying her and using any kind of wagon is unviable. It would be easy enough to pull, but extremely uncomfortable for her..." he trailed off as Mertaba started slapping the desk laughing.

  "You... you have to be joking." Mertaba gasped. "You can't seriously be telling me you considered... YOU DID!"

  Grayson's flushed face gave his inner thoughts away as Mertaba doubled over, pounding the table.

  "I didn't think I could afford a pegasus or something like that," muttered Grayson, staring at the floor.

  "It didn't even occur to you to ask, did it?" Mertaba howled. Grayson shook his head.

  "Oh, by Perimis, you poor modest fool. How can you be so smart in so many ways and still such an idiot? At the very least you really didn't have to tell anyone you thought about it!" Mertaba said, slowly beginning to get his breathing under control. "Look, son. We can afford to loan you a pegasus, or the money to purchase one if that suits you more." He watched Grayson's expression and shook his head.

  "Crusaders pay for their own equipment, but everyone has to start somewhere. We're not going to send people out there in regular clothes and unarmed if they have no money. We have enough equipment and money to set every Crusader off with armor, weapons, and transportation. We charge the Crusader the price of the equipment from their rewards. In your case, you have an enchanted sword. I believe you already purchased a mail shirt. Lending you the money for a pegasus is far less than we'd lend normally."

  "Despite already giving me five hundred gold." Grayson muttered.

  "Correct me if I'm wrong but you bought two pieces of jewelry as thanks, paid for a meal for the knights who brought you to the city as thanks, then bought a final piece of jewelry for your proposal. Of all the ways to spend your money, I can think of far worse." Mertaba was chucking now.

  "I did. Who in Perimis's name is telling you this?" Grayson asked.

  "Well, you hit that bullseye." Mertaba continued chuckling.

  "Wait, Perimis?" asked Grayson.

  "I decided to ask if there was anything you'd need to join the Crusaders when they depart. When our Lady mentioned the loaning of a pegasus, I inquired what happened to all that money I gave you. She obliged. You know, as long as you don't continue to spend like this, I think you'll be fine. Surely expensive lunches and jewelry for your fiancée aren't a continued expense?" Mertaba asked.

  "Uh, no, sir..." Grayson said, his face flushed.

  "Then I think we'll be fine. Check the supplies you bought with some of the more experienced Crusaders. Get a list of things you're missing and purchase them, noting the prices and items in this ledger." He slid a small notebook across the table to Grayson. "We will tally this total with what's left in this bag," he passed Grayson a small pouch of gold, "and then you're records will be amended with what you currently owe. Don't overspend and you won't owe much. Overspend and we'll have a conversation with an entirely different tone. Sort the pegasus out soon. The stables in this part of the city will be empty by the end of the week."

  Grayson took the bag and ledger, preparing to leave.

  "And Grayson?" Grayson paused halfway through standing. "She's a kind girl. Keep her comfortable on the ride, and keep her safe." Mertaba said seriously.

  "With everything I have, SIr." Grayson said, bowing his gratitude to the head Crusader. Mertaba nodded and Grayson left to meet up with Fera.