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Five.
Five enemies surrounded us, with my team scattered and more shadows creeping among the trees. Things couldn't look worse. And to make matters even worse, they were from the Falhmer clan—our damn neighbors.
Although, thinking about it, the fact that they weren't from the No Road gang was actually a relief. At least these bastards followed rules.
—What the hell do you want? —I spat, tightening my grip on the sword. —This isn't your territory... or do you think you own even the rats in this forest now?
The largest of them—a guy with scars crossing his arms like war maps—smiled lazily.
—Territory, no. But you, Flumir, you're of interest to us.
The air froze in my lungs. They knew my name.
—You see... —said the youngest, stepping out from behind a tree with the calm of someone who doesn't fear death—. We've been tracking a group of deserters. Ex-members of our clan.
But not just ours. There are practitioners from other clans —including yours— acting together, attacking villages, stealing supplies.
Everything points to a larger organization... one we don't fully understand yet.
Our team was secretly sent to investigate. And now that you know about us, we can't just let you walk away.
They claimed to follow rules, but there was nothing diplomatic in their tone.
And if they truly were hunting deserters... why attack first?, I thought.
—If you wanted to stay unnoticed, why attack us? Are you trying to spark a clan conflict? —Darlon snapped without thinking.
—Wait, Darlon. Don't provoke them... —Ylwen murmured, her face tense.
—We were following silently. You ambushed us first... —said the girl we had captured earlier, still closely watched.
—Enough nonsense —I cut in, frowning, raising my voice just enough to sound firm—. Your tone suggests you want to kill us, but think carefully about what you're doing.
And if I may add... we're on the same mission as you.
We've been ordered to investigate this organized group. Our goal is to, if possible, establish contact and offer supplies in exchange for halting their attacks on villages.
If these people are part of the No Road group and they're lying to us... maybe I can get them to drop their guard, I thought, analyzing every movement, every glance.
—Hmm? I see... —said the calm-voiced guy, giving a slight nod—. So your mission is similar... Very well. I propose a temporary alliance.
I'll send a hawk to the clan to inform them of what's happened. Hopefully, we'll have a response in three days and can continue the mission.
You'll come with us. In return, you can also send a hawk, or even a companion. Since you're closer to your clan, you might get a response faster than we do...
—I understand —I said, narrowing my eyes—. But I can't allow just one of us to return.
Even if you are from the Falhmer clan, I still don't trust you.
I'll stay. I'm the team leader. They'll go back to the clan, report what happened... and return with new orders.
As I spoke, I clenched my fist tightly. It wasn't ideal, but at least we'd buy some time.
And if this was a trap... at least we wouldn't all fall for it.
—Hahaha. I like you, kid. I'm Darkel Syphon, Falhmer clan. Leader of the surveillance squad —said the guy, with a crooked smile.
—Flumir Aerufil Valeryon. House of Wind, Valeryon clan. Control team leader —I replied, raising my hand to shake his.
—Excellent, Flumir. Though I already knew who you were. The famous "I'll defeat you all" guy from the clan combat exchange —Darkel said, gripping my hand tightly with a mix of mockery and respect in his eyes.
Ugh. I didn't expect to be recognized for that... what the hell, I thought, grimacing.
—N-no idea what you're talking about... —I muttered, looking away—. Maybe you're confusing me with someone else. I'd never do something like that.
When I looked at my squad, they were all staring at me suspiciously, especially Ylwen, who had that face of "I knew you were dumb, but not this dumb…"
—Alright, forget about that. Go and report what happened here. I'll wait —I said, embarrassed; my face felt like a tomato.
Everyone left, and I stayed with the Falhmer group. A while after they were gone, they sent one of their sentinels to follow my team, and they took me somewhere else. It was a cave nearby where we had been fighting; apparently, we had passed close to them, which is why they were on alert.
The place was filled with blue glowing mold and dripped from the ceiling constantly. I didn't understand how—there were no puddles or streams nearby or above.
Inside, there was a narrow rocky entrance covered with a stone that camouflaged the opening. A guy shorter than me, thin and with dark brown hair, moved the stone skillfully with just a gesture and let us in.
Inside, it was well-furnished. It looked like they'd been there for a while.
—All this stuff inside a cave? Furniture, food... you guys really know how to handle a long-term mission —I said, raising an eyebrow.
—Just a few things to make the mission more comfortable. We've been here a while, and without these comforts, we'd have lost our minds sleeping on this wet ground —Darkel replied.
—You can use that couch over there. Use it however you want. That's where you'll sleep while we wait for orders —said a girl, pointing to the couch.
—And you are...? —I asked, squinting at her.
—That's none of your business. Just don't move from that couch —she said, frowning.
I turned to Darkel and asked:
—Is that girl always in a bad mood?
—Don't mind her. Well... do listen to her about the couch, but not about her attitude. She's just not very social —he replied with a teasing smile.
That ended our little interaction, and time passed. They were preparing an ambush—at least from what I was overhearing—and I approached the girl I had fought earlier, who was now sitting alone near the entrance.
—Hey... about earlier. I saw you a while ago and wanted to apologize —I said gently.
—Don't worry. This is a battlefield, stuff like that happens —she said, glancing sideways at me.
—Ah, I see. So, would you mind coming outside with me? I want to get some fresh air... and ask you a few questions —I said with a slight smile.
—Are you trying to lure me out and kill me? —she said, frowning and speaking with a fierce voice.
—Relax —I said, raising my hands—. I'm not looking for trouble. Honestly, the more people we have working on this, the better. I just want to know what you guys know about the No Road group.
—Do you think you can fool me? Get lost, idiot. Just because you beat me once doesn't mean it'll happen again... —she said, clenching her fists, which began to glow in a light blue sphere.
—Whoa, whoa. Chill, little cat —I said, still with my hands up—. I told you, I'm not here to fight. Besides, it's obvious you're strong. I was surprised at how easily I beat you... it felt like you wanted us to lower our guard.
She gave me a fierce look, like she wanted to punch me until my face was unrecognizable.
—You're lucky I was ordered not to touch you, because your face really makes me want to punch it... —she said.
—Why are you so aggressive? I'm just trying to be nice and get information about those bandits... —I replied, putting on a sad face.
—Huh? Who says I'm aggressive? I'm just watching an idiot we don't even know if we can trust... —she said, crossing her arms.
I walked away from her without replying. I sat on the couch and waited for news from my team or theirs. Hours passed without movement. Everyone seemed to look at me with suspicion... though, honestly, I looked at them the same way.
Just when I was about to lose it, my team returned—with two others. One was a representative from the Falhmer clan, and the other was from the reconnaissance squad that had been locating the No Road gang's hideouts.
—Giber?! You came too? —I asked, standing up in surprise.
—Yeah. And I bring news. It seems the High Master was already aware of the Falhmer clan's presence in Velaryon. The leaders have come to an agreement with the other clans due to the rise of the No Road group, and I brought a plan they instructed me to follow —said Giber, frowning.
—So… the plan. What are they thinking? —asked Darkel.
—We're launching a siege. Several Minor Masters are already in position. You'll head south and wait there—we believe the gang's leader will try to escape through that route, toward Gorgol, where they have one of their bases. The Falhmer clan also has Minor Masters waiting there, ready to start a counterattack in that area and in the three provinces where they have active hideouts.
I nodded, and while Giber's words still echoed in the cave, I looked around. Everyone was mentally preparing. No one needed to say anything: something big was coming.
I realized it was just a matter of hours before facing my first large-scale battle.
Well... at least after the Urvargs.