"Any master of battle should always
take stock of his friends as well as his enemies.
Knowing both can, in time, be profitable."

The light of morning dawned cool and misty and it wasn't long after that the residents of New Tristram rose and began their daily rounds of patrol and keeping each other fed, alive and in good spirits. Jack was confident that now that the Skeleton King was put back in the ground, and the evil creatures in his manor and dungeons dispelled, the town's dire situation would greatly improve. Since the Khazra infested fields had been mostly cleared of the beasts and wayward demons, they would probably be able to go back to farming soon. Captain Rumford would have likely welcomed the return to normalcy.

Had he survived.

He had been killed when Maghda and her cultists invaded New Tristram to get to Leah and Deckard Cain. Jack had found his cold corpse on the bridge outside the main gates. At least, it appeared that the poor man had not suffered long. Jack felt guilty that he had not been here to save him and the other militiamen that had been killed.

Even still, the Demon Hunter was pleased, that in spite of his glaring failure to Deckard Cain and Captain Rumford, he had done New Tristram a service and made the lives of its residents better. After they paid their respects to the old Horadrim, he and his new collection of companions would continue on to find what lay in wait for them in Caldeum.

Jack watched from his hilltop perch overlooking the town. Haedrig was awake already and packing up his caravan of forge equipment, being assisted by the Templar Kormac who had few possessions. Tyrael soon emerged from Deckard Cain's home and joined them. Leah had offered the Demon Hunter space to rest in her Uncle's house as well, since he did not need it anymore, but Jack had been too guilty over the old man's wrongful death to take her up on the offer.

The Hunter had spent the night outside, preferring to awaken cold and stiff, as he knew Deckard Cain had been in death. It seemed wrong that he should be warm and safe in the man's own house when the legendary Horadrim would never feel such comforts again. Perhaps he would in the afterlife, but at the very least, Jack had endured a cold night out as penance for being too slow.

He would kill that witch.

He waited until he saw Leah emerge from the Slaughtered Calf Inn, bearing the possessions she had chosen to take with her, before he left his spot and reentered the town. He supposed he ought to at least look in and see if Lyndon had stayed, though Jack honestly didn't expect their resident troublemaker to still be around. He assumed Lyndon had run off sometime in the night. Though, Jack had been awake for hours now and had yet to see anyone leave or enter the town. Perhaps the scoundrel was still here? Somehow he didn't think Lyndon would be an early riser.

Nodding a 'good morning' at his new friends and doing his best to return Leah's strained smile, he continued past them into the Inn. He reached the thief's room upstairs and knocked firmly.

"Lyndon. Its time to leave." Jack said against the door. There was silence.

"Lyndon?" He knocked again and waited for several long minutes. He listened carefully but couldn't hear any signs of life from inside.

Gone then. No matter. Jack turned to leave, they needed to stop at Cain's grave before they caught the caravan to the sea.

Then there was a soft, whiny mumble from the other side of the door. "Five more minutes."

He was here then. All well and good, but he was still in bed.

"NOW Lyndon. We've a caravan and a boat to catch." The Demon Hunter growled, banging on the door in irritation. "If you want to keep earning gold then get out here, we are leaving now!"

"Alright, alright!" The scoundrel shouted from the other side of the door, then there was some shuffling noises and a few thumps. Jack felt himself bristling with impatience.

"Hurry up!" He snapped, temper getting the better of him. The nerve of him, sleeping in when he had specifically told him to be ready at dawn!

"Alright!" Lyndon stumbled out of the room, nearly crashing into him. He reeked of sex and alcohol. His eyes were red and his overall appearance, usually immaculately groomed, was greatly disheveled. He was trying with moderate success to finish putting on his pants and shirt whilst hauling his bag.

"Alright, just... stop shouting, I'm either still drunk or the black dog hasn't bitten me yet." Lyndon said miserably, getting his clothes in order and closing the door quickly. Jack just barely glimpsed two girls sprawled naked on the bed, fast asleep with multiple empty alcohol bottles strewn about the room.

That Lyndon could indulge himself to such a degree in a small, lonely, besieged town like New Tristram, Jack found almost beyond belief.

Jack sighed, feeling deeply put upon. "Come on then." He said softly.

Lyndon grasped his shoulder suddenly to get his balance, causing every muscle in Jack's body to tighten reflexively, flooding him with adrenaline. Angry again at the liberties the man took with him and his lack of caring for the personal space of others, Jack reigned in the urge to snap at him. He forced himself to calm and allowed the contact, all the better if it got them outside faster.

Lyndon was wobbly and disoriented from lack of sleep and too much alcohol, but he was more or less ready to go. They went downstairs (with some difficulty) and Lyndon tossed a bag of money at Bron behind the bar who waved cheerfully at them. Then finally, finally they were outside.

The thief squinted and winced, covering his eyes with his free hand. "Gods, wretched sun." He muttered, blinking in the golden light of morning.

Jack was beginning to have second thoughts. Bringing the scoundrel along may not have been the best idea. Perhaps he should have listened to Kormac. He knew that Lyndon was not an evil man, but he was irresponsible and, so far, unreliable. His lackadaisical attitude about the very real danger they would likely be in could get them all killed.

And yet...

The Demon Hunter had seen him carefully packing and mailing away gold he had earned. He had another reason for wanting it aside from funding his petty vices, Jack was just not sure what that reason was yet. Lyndon needed gold and Jack needed a skilled arbalist at his side for backup, and Lyndon had proven himself to be, if nothing else, a talented and resourceful fighter with more than one trick up his sleeve.

Jack wanted to give him a chance.

Lyndon was currently trying to walk without looking and holding onto Jack's arm like some wayward child. If Lyndon didn't die out in the wilderness, then surely Jack would lose his temper and kill him first.

"Must you hang on me?" Jack asked irritably.

"I don't want to look but I also don't want to trip." Lyndon said sullenly.

Jack breathed hard through his nose, but marched on to catch up with the rest of the group that was making their way up the hill overlooking the town, dragging the thief behind him. Haedrig was saying his last goodbyes to his wife and would join them at the caravan after.

"Tell me you're not actually bringing that scoundrel? I had assumed we would be parting ways." Kormac said sourly. Jack merely shrugged at him by way of explanation. He really didn't have a good explanation. He did not miss Tyrael's amused smile. Leah seemed rather indifferent. Jack could understand, she was still upset about her uncle's death.

"No, it appears we are to remain close friends old Kormac." Lyndon said with false cheer. "Please, kindly lower the 'pack beast in heat' bellow you refer to as your voice." He complained. "I have a terrible headache coming on."

"It serves you right you heathen, a headache is the very least of the just punishment you deserve for all the sinning you do!" Kormac exclaimed.

"Steaming Hells, you're loud." Lyndon groaned, massaging his eyes. "I was almost killed yesterday by a fat, nasty demon who called himself 'The Butcher' in a room that was more like a roasting oven than a dungeon. I deserved a little celebration."

"How dare you even suggest-" Kormac growled.

"Enough, show some respect." Jack snapped as they reached where Cain's ashes were stored, letting Leah have a last goodbye. They'd only known the thief for the better part of two days and already there had been more arguments between him and the Templar than Jack could count. He was already beyond tired of their frequent bickering.

"I'm sorry Leah." Kormac said sheepishly, hanging his head "I shouldn't have lost my temper, it was disrespectful of me."

Leah smiled sadly and waved it off, already used to their many disagreements.

"I'm sorry too." Lyndon said quickly, then muttered, "I didn't lose my temper though."

Jack quickly gave him a firm elbow to the ribs.

"Owww!" He rubbed the spot vigorously, looking at Jack as if he had just spat on him.

"Don't act like a child!" Jack hissed at him. Lyndon narrowed his dark eyes, then looked away to stare holes in the ground wearing a petulant frown.

The stone where the urn was placed had a lovely view of the town. It was fitting that the Horadrim would be buried here, where so many events in his life had begun. It was only right that his many adventures ended here.

Leah placed a handful of wildflowers in front of the urn, her eyes shining with tears. "I'll miss you uncle." She murmured, choking up all over again. Tyrael was silent, but placed a gentle hand upon her shoulder. Lyndon kept his eyes on the ground and Kormac bowed his head in quiet prayer.

Jack remained silent as well, all too familiar with the ritual of saying goodbye to loved ones. He had done it too many times in his life. This time was no different, again he had failed someone when he should have been able to protect them. He closed his eyes against the glowing burn he knew had flared within him, not wanting anyone to notice how he steeped in his rage. The weight of failure was heavy on his shoulders.

Leah's pain pierced his very soul. If he could spend the rest of his life making it up to her, it would never be enough to heal the wound. He knew this. The scars upon his own heart ached daily. They would never heal.

Lyndon spoke up suddenly, breaking the silence. Either out of guilt for his poor behavior or genuinely wanting to make Leah feel better, Jack did not know.

"Uhm, Leah..." Lyndon began, Jack braced himself for something inappropriate to come out of the thief's mouth and waited. "Don't you have a glass vial pendant? Why don't you take some of his ashes with you? Then he'll always be close to you." He suggested gently.

Jack was surprised at the thoughtfulness of the statement. Kormac did not speak, apparently stunned silent. He probably didn't think there was a single good bone in the scoundrel's body. The Templar merely gaped at him in shock.

Leah wiped her tears away with the heel of her palm. "How did you know I had that?" She asked a little suspiciously.

"Er, does it matter?" He grinned weakly, then awkwardly looked away. Jack narrowed his eyes at him. The scoundrel had obviously been snooping in the poor girl's things.

"I suppose not." She said with a light laugh. "I... I didn't think of that. I think I will take some of him with me. Thank you Lyndon." She said sincerely, smiling at him

He smiled cheerfully back at her as if to say. See? I'm not so bad!

Indeed. There was more to the scoundrel than met the eye.

Lyndon was looking a bit green at the rocking motion of the caravan which was rather worrisome. Jack had no desire for the man to be sick on him. They were sitting together in the cart furthest to the back with their possessions, while Tyrael, Kormac and Leah conversed amiably one cart ahead. Haedrig reclined quietly, smoking a pipe, but smiled every so often at something one of them said. Jack hoped the blacksmith would heal with time.

The scoundrel groaned in misery and hid his face from the sun against the hunter's shoulder, eyes closed, obviously trying to fall back asleep despite his discomfort. Jack was more than a little uncomfortable at this. He was not used to someone who was so... physical... and uncaring of the personal space of others. Most people would not even approach a Demon Hunter, let alone attempt to sleep on one. The unfamiliar contact set his nerves on edge, benign as it was. Nevertheless, Jack let him be. He much preferred the quiet to the man's incessant complaining.

Jack thought about what the scoundrel had said to Leah earlier. It had really lifted her spirits. He watched her smile and laugh, listening to stories from Tyreal and Kormac. He watched her hand go to her chest and he could see the chain of the pendant sparkling in the light.

"That was very thoughtful of you." Jack said quietly to the thief, after a time.

"Hm? What?" Lyndon mumbled, shifting his head.

"What you said to Leah."

"Ah, yes, yes. I have a heart of gold and I'm almost as wonderful as the prophet, et cetera and so on. Can't we chat later? I might have to revisit my dinner..." Lyndon whined pitifully.

"Fine then." Jack replied. "But I expect you to return anything you took while pawing through Leah's things or I'll hurl you from this cart." He threatened.

"Very grown up of you." Lyndon said and sat up again slowly. "I didn't take anything. I wouldn't steal from someone who was grieving." Lyndon said quickly, putting his hand back over his eyes and wincing. "I was just looking, cross my heart."

The hunter knew he was telling the truth. He could smell a lie a mile away. He sighed softly."Try to respect other people's privacy next time." He lectured.

He was rewarded with a soft grunt in reply.

After a few minutes, Lyndon rested his head on the demon hunter's shoulder again, closing his eyes. Jack didn't have the heart to disturb him.

Jack was quiet and thoughtful for a few minutes as the cart rolled over the packed ground. He looked out over the landscape, thinking about Caldeum and what they might face there. The Lord of Lies, hm? He would kill him like he had all the demons that had come before him. A demon Lord was still a demon. They were all the same.

Lyndon shifted suddenly and reached into the pocket of his well worn coat and pulled out a rather familiar looking purse of coins.

"I didn't steal from Leah... but his however, is yours." Lyndon said with a wolfish grin.

"You rotten little thief!" Jack hissed, snatching it back, shoving the scoundrel away from him.

Lyndon laughed and laughed and laughed.

Notes: Quote taken from the Diablo 1 game manual.