Convoy of Sentinels

Heeding Thalia's words, I stay silent when we approach the extensive camp. Quickly, I examine the surroundings. The compound is in a large clearing with four large tents that can fit six people comfortably on the right and to the left, I see three unhorsed carriages, one filled with crates and the others empty. Also on the left is a makeshift stable with eight horses minding their business. In the middle, there's a large campfire surrounded by a few people with long ears. Scattered all around the camp are nearly two dozen elves. All of which were staring at the new arrivals. Murmurs fill the campsite, as thalia asks the nearest elf, "Where is sentinel Feyrith?" The Male elf points to one of the tents. Without saying anything more, Thalia walked in that direction and gestures for me to follow. Standing in front of the tent, she breathes in shakily and exhales the same way. I worry for her, "You okay?"

She doesn't turn to me but nods, "I'm fine. It's just bringing an outsider into a sentinel camp isn't exactly allowed. I'm just preparing myself..." I give her a worried look. Did I just walk into the hornet's nest?

"Should I prepare myself as well?" I laugh awkwardly.

She gives me a small smile, "You should be fine. hopefully," With those words, she opens the flap for the tent, and I follow closely behind her. Walking into the spacious tent, I see a middle-aged man hunched over a map on a table. He hears us enter and stands at his full height. Nearly a full head taller than me, I have to look up to meet the gaze of the man with a complete set of armor and sword attached to his hip.

"Sentinel Feyrith, sir," Thalia stands up straight with a fist over her heart. A salute, I would guess.

Feyrith returns the gesture, "Ranger Vana, I see you've come back with a guest," He says sternly, then glares at me.

I stay silent. "Yes, he claims to be a traveler who got his belongings stolen by bandits," Thalia says, still holding her salute. I see a bead of sweat flow down her head. "And what's your name, traveler?" he questions sternly.

"Aesar, Aesar Thesin, sir," I state. I don't want to be on this guy's bad side, so I'll play it safe for now.

"Hmm, At least you have manners. What do you want?" He asks plainly.

"I just want to accompany this convoy on its way to the city," I answer. He moves from his place from behind the table and moves a bit closer to me, appraising me with his jade eyes. He then looks at thalia, "Have you found anything on the magic anomaly?"

"No sir, I...haven't found anything", She hesitantly answers.

He nods silently and returns to behind the table. "we've received orders to return to the city as soon as possible. Nothing serious is happening, it's just that the higher-ups decided to replace our division with one more equipped for the situation. And you, Aesar, as long as you don't cause trouble, you're allowed to join us. We leave at first light tomorrow morning. Pack your things and get ready. And Ranger, Find your guest a place to sleep for the night. You have your orders, dismissed," He salutes.

"Sir!" Thalia salutes again and leaves the tent as I follow right behind her.

"that was something...That man's presence flares my instincts," I remark. That entire time you could almost see the tension in the air. I'll try and stay out of his way for now. I look at Thalia who uses her hand to wipe the sweat off her brow, "Speaking of...I was a little too shaken up to Acknowledge at the time, but your instincts are impeccable. How did you know to dodge that bolt and sense I was there tailing you?"

"I...Don't really know. It just felt like something in the back of my mind was telling me what to do", It's truly a weird feeling, but pay little attention to it, Just thankful for whatever it was. I look around the camp and see that a majority of the elves present are back to doing whatever it was before we arrived, while only a few showed disinterested eyes.

While looking around the camp, I speak, "I'm sure they're a few preparations you all need to do, so unless you need me for, something I'll find a nice tree to sit under"

I wait for a response, but after a few seconds of silence I look towards Thalia, seeing her in deep thought. Weird, though I pay no attention to it as I make my way towards a tree I've been eyeing. Near the outskirts of the camp and away from most everyone.

Sitting down and leaning back, I relax my tense muscles. That sentinel Feyrith really gives off an intimidating aura that no one else in the camp gives, I understand why he's in charge of this little group. Adjusting my cloak I make it so it covers most of my body to protect against the biting cold air and close my eyes. I haven't been tired until now and I really took it for granted. I huddle to my knees to keep warm and steady my breathing, and soon enough, an endless void encompasses my consciousness, leading me to a dreamless sleep.

[|Perspective: Thalia Vana|]

His words put me into deep thought. It's not unlike what other soldiers and adventurers say, A small voice in the back of the mind but...I'm still not satisfied. I want to know what type of life he's lived until this point to have such impeccable instincts. "Hey, do you..?" I start to ask. but he's not there. Looking around. I see that he's sitting under a tree on the outskirts. It looks like he's sleeping...debating on to bother him or not I decide on the latter. Many things need packing up if we're leaving at dawn. So, heading to my tent, I pack what few belongings I have and help around camp, tearing down and loading up any supplies we brought with us.

By the time we're done, the sun has long since gone down, and the only thing remaining is the large fire where mostly everyone is, including sentinel Feyrith. I look around and see that Aesar is still sitting under the tree, but it seems he'd woken up some time ago. I head towards Feyrith, who had changed into a far more comfortable leather armor. "Sir," I say formally.

"Thalia," He acknowledges, "No need to be so rigid here. it is our last night in this forest after all."

I'm at a loss. Sentinel Feyrith, telling us to not be so rigid? Looking around, I see my fellow elves all have happy and drunken faces. I look at the sentinel questioningly. He sighs and explains, "There's a difference between elves born in the city and those born in the forest. Those born in the forest, like you, don't mind living in it for the rest of their lives, but those born in the city like us are less impure and get homesick pretty easily. Two years away from home takes a toll on you. Everyone is just excited to get home and relax with their families." As soon as he said that last word, he immediately put on an apologetic face, "Ah, My apologies..." His words trailed off.

His words didn't bother me, nor was it the fact he said them in front of everyone. It was that he segregated me from the others in saying that I was born in the forest. It shouldn't matter, in fact, it should be something I pride myself on, but being surrounded by people who constantly pointed it out turned that pride to shame. "I'll excuse myself," I say, saluting. He nods. Without really thinking, I make my way toward Aesar, who has been watching the whole scene take place. As there's enough space, I sit next to him with a little distance between us, Neither of us speaking. After a few minutes of silence, I grow a little flustered and attempt to break the deafening nothingness, "So, What do you plan to do once we reach the city?"

He thinks for a few, uncomfortably long, seconds before saying, "I'll try and find a way to make some money and...hmmm. Is there a place I can learn about stuff? Like a...Library or something?"

This gets me thinking, and almost immediately, I find an answer. "Have you thought of the adventurers association? They're an international business that recruits aspiring adventurers to carry out tasks that guards and soldiers can't do. Some menial and others not so much. Members have access and discounts to facilities all over the city, including an exclusive library and discounts at most taverns and inns."

This got his attention as he glared straight at me with his golden eyes, "Oh?, Can you tell me a bit more about them?", He asks. It seems I've unlocked something in him as he has a certain sparkle in his eyes despite the low lighting. I continue, "Well uh, They're quite flexible charging a reasonable fee every two months of just two silvers and fifty coppers, with the first two months free if you can pass a small test. The test itself is simple, you just have to prove that you are somewhat proficient with a weapon and have some basic knowledge on how to live in the wilderness and treat wounds. Including all the benefits, they give new recruits a welcome gift in the form of a few silvers, some healing elixirs, and a decent-grade weapon made by a reputable steel smith. As I've said, every morning new commissions are made available and they vary from collecting materials and ingredients to killing powerful beasts and monsters. There's a ranking system in place that prevents new adventurers from taking on commissions too difficult for their skill level. The higher your ranking the more dangerous and well-paying commissions are available to you. Are you getting everything?", I ask, worried I might've overloaded his brain with all my speaking.

Contrary to my assumption, he nods then asks, "you've said to apply I have to show I'm proficient with a weapon? Well uh...", He scratches his head. "I've never really...held a weapon before"

I look at him a little more shocked than I should've been. The way he acts and speaks makes him seem older than he looks. So I just assumed he knew how to handle a weapon. Well... it's not like the association requires mastery in a weapon...and there is another way to join. hmmm...I look at him seriously, and he notices, giving me his full attention, "They're many other ways to make money, and an adventurer's life isn't always stable, are you sure you want to join?"

He smiled, "Well, it seems like the best option, right? Besides, how hard is it to learn how to use a weapon" He isn't wrong. There are easy weapons to master and hard weapons. "Then, do you want me to refer you to the association while I...help train you?"

Ack, what am I saying? I barely know this person, why am I trying to help him so much? But it just feels like the right thing to do, right? And something tells me this might not be as bad as I think. "Huh? are you sure? Don't you have duties as a ranger?", He asks. I reply back with, "Well once we get back to the city, I can request an extended break, and, considering how long we've been out here, they can't really refuse unless an emergency happens, so yea I'm sure."

"Well, I'm unsure of why you'd want to help me, but...only a fool would refuse an offer like that", He chuckles, "Sure, I accept your offer" He leans back against the tree. I slowly stand up and say, "In the morning, we'll be on a two-day trek back to the city, so I suggest you get some sleep" I yawn, tired of today's events. He nods, "See you in the morning then, have a good rest."

"You too," I reply. I walk back towards the fire where a majority of my peers are already asleep while a few stand watch. I ask to replace one of the Nightwatch, and he gratefully resigns, finding a comfortable spot to sleep. I should follow my own advice and visit the realm of dreams, but my heart is beating a bit too fast to sleep comfortably...