As the weary travelers settled into their campsite for the night, the flickering flames of the fire cast long shadows across their faces, illuminating the seriousness of their discussion. Gathered around the fire, the knights spoke in hushed tones, their words punctuated by the crackle of burning wood and the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze.
Elias, his brow furrowed in thought, addressed the assembled knights with a grave tone. "We need to slow our pace," he began, his voice commanding yet tinged with concern. "There are still several days of travel ahead of us, but it's clear that we cannot continue at our current speed."
Marcus nodded in agreement, his expression mirroring Elias's seriousness. "Agreed. We cannot risk exhausting ourselves or our horses before we reach our destination," he added, his voice firm.
The other knights murmured their assent, their faces etched with determination. They understood the importance of pacing themselves, especially in the wake of the recent tragedy they had encountered.
Elias turned his attention to Grayson, who stood silently beside him, her gaze fixed on the flames dancing before her. "Grayson, I want you to keep a close watch on the boy," he instructed, his voice gentle yet firm. "He may have fainted earlier, but there's something about him that we cannot ignore."
Grayson nodded, her eyes reflecting the flickering light of the fire. "I'll make sure he's safe," she replied, her voice steady despite the weight of responsibility that now rested upon her shoulders.
With the matter settled, Elias turned his focus to the next course of action. "We need to train the boy," he declared, his voice carrying a note of determination. "He may possess mana, but without proper guidance, it could prove to be a danger to himself and others."
The other knights exchanged wary glances, uncertainty clouding their expressions. Training a novice in the ways of combat and magic was no small task, but they understood the necessity of preparing the boy for the challenges that lay ahead.
"We'll need to take it slow," Marcus interjected, his voice measured yet firm. "Start with the basics and work our way up from there."
Elias nodded in agreement, his gaze sweeping over the faces of his comrades. "We'll divide our time between travel and training," he announced, his tone decisive. "Each day, we'll dedicate a portion of our time to honing the boy's skills."
The knights murmured their agreement, their determination evident in the set of their jaws and the fire that burned in their eyes. They knew that their journey would not be an easy one, but they were prepared to face whatever challenges came their way.
As the night wore on and the flames of the fire dwindled to embers, the knights retired to their bedrolls, their minds already turning to the tasks that awaited them on the morrow. For they knew that the path ahead would be fraught with danger and uncertainty, but with each passing day, they grew stronger and more resolute in their quest for justice and redemption.