The morning sun barely pierced through a veil of thin clouds, painting the sky in soft hues of pink and gold. The narrow cobbled road leading out of the city was still covered in dew, chilling the soles of the travelers. By the city gates, where the adventurers had gathered, a silence reigned, broken only by the distant shouts of merchants and the clinking of weapons on the market.
Kano stood slightly aside, carrying a heavy backpack over his shoulders, pressing down on him like a stone slab. He had decided not to argue, not to take initiative—only to observe. After yesterday's conversation with Lenor, he understood.
"Here, he's still just a beginner, so it's better not to make any unnecessary moves."
Terron, a tall and burly warrior who had taken it upon himself to lead the group, stood with his hands on his hips, arrogantly surveying each person present. His sword, fastened to his back, gleamed in the sun, symbolizing his confidence in his own strength.
— "Alright, listen up," Terron's voice was sharp, carrying a commanding tone. "We leave on a strict path, no delays, no chatter. No need to play at friendship, we've got a job, and we're going to do it. Got it?"
Kano didn't respond. He noticed Rungard, a dwarf with a short red beard, subtly rolling his eyes, though he remained silent. Helbrik, the quiet, blonde warrior with a spear, didn't react at all, calmly watching the road ahead. He was one of those who acted more than spoke.
— "And what happens if someone 'suddenly' falls behind?" asked Lianel, the elven archer standing nearby, delicately pressing her hand to her bow. A mischievous glint sparkled in her eyes.
— "They stay behind," Terron didn't even glance in her direction.
Lianel pretended to sigh in disappointment.
— "Oh, how cruel... And what if it's someone sweet and weak? Will you abandon them too?"
Terron grimaced.
— "I don't carry weaklings on my shoulders. If someone can't keep up, they stay behind."
The elven woman nodded and turned her attention to Kano, who had been silently watching the whole exchange. She smiled.
— "Well, changed your mind?" Her voice was almost friendly, but there was an underlying hint.
Kano felt a protest stirring within him, but he only shrugged.
— "We'll see."
Sheila, the dark-haired assassin in tight black clothes, remained silent, seemingly not even listening. She bent down to tie the straps on her daggers, and only briefly glanced at Terron with mild contempt.
— "If we're done with the chit-chat, let's go," she said coldly.
Terron gritted his teeth but didn't argue.
— "Forward."
The city gates opened, and the group moved forward. Kano felt a new weight settling on his back— the burden of this journey, this task, and the role he was supposed to play in all of it.
Meanwhile, an unusual silence hung over the guild. Normally, it was a bustling place at this hour, but now, the adventurers sitting at the tables were watching the entrance warily. The doors swung open, and a man in a traveler's cloak, clearly marked by the signs of a long journey, stepped inside. His boots were covered in dust, and his face wore a heavy, serious expression.
Lenor, standing by the counter with Naira, cast a sharp, assessing glance at the newcomer. The messenger stepped forward, and without looking around, he pulled a sealed letter from beneath his cloak.
— "Lenor Vilerian?" His voice was dry, emotionless.
— "Yes," Lenor accepted the letter and slowly broke the seal. His eyes skimmed the lines, and he barely hid a grimace.
— "What is it?" Naira asked quietly, leaning closer.
Lenor inhaled, placing the letter on the counter, and rubbed his forehead.
— "King Kairion... is dead."
A heavy silence fell over the hall. Even those who didn't know the details understood— something serious had happened.
But at that very moment, the silence was shattered by a sharp sound. Something struck the floor nearby. Lenor quickly looked up and saw an unconscious mage girl lying near one of the tables. She was still a newcomer to the guild, her face pale, and her lips trembling.
Lenor immediately signaled Naira with a subtle motion of his hand to take care of her.
— "Oh, these drunks, can't even stay on their feet by morning," he said loudly, to divert attention. Then he shifted his gaze back to the messenger and nodded toward the bar.
— "Our condolences. Long live the new king. Bartender, feed our guest and pour him some good wine."
The messenger silently bowed and made his way to the bar, while Lenor sharply turned to the other administrator.
— "Why is there such a mess here?" His voice was cold, commanding. "To my office. We have important matters to discuss."
He turned and quickly ascended the stairs, while Naira effortlessly lifted the unconscious girl with one hand, as though she were a feather, and with the other managed to swipe away a few tumblers that had shaken from the sudden movement. She cast a quick glance at Lenor, receiving a barely noticeable nod from him, and moved forward. Two long steps, and she was gone into the dark passage between the walls, carrying the girl like a trophy, drawing no unnecessary attention. At that moment, no one even suspected that something important had just occurred right in front of them.
The stone path wound its way upward, cutting through the thick mist that slid between the trees, casting strange, shifting shadows. The sun had already reached its zenith, but here, in the highlands, the air remained cool. The group walked in silence, each absorbed in their own thoughts, with only the heavy breathing and the creaking of armor breaking the quiet.
Terron, walking ahead, suddenly raised his hand.
— "We rest here," he said curtly, not waiting for agreement.
Kano sighed with relief and dropped his enormous backpack, which had long begun to weigh heavily on his shoulders. Helbrik silently unfolded the map, scanning the terrain, while Lianel removed her hood, letting the wind blow through her silver hair, and Sheila disappeared into the shadow of the trees.
— "I'll scout the perimeter," the assassin said, already blending into the undergrowth.
— "No need," Terron dismissed her with a wave, sitting on a stone. "I know these lands."
Sheila ignored him and went anyway.
Kano unrolled his travel set, beginning to lay out the ingredients. He glanced at what he had—grains resembling rice, but firmer, a handful of dried herbs he couldn't even recognize, and a chunk of meat of unknown origin.
— "This... is going to be tough," he muttered.
Lianel, who was stretching her shoulders, glanced at him and tilted her head in curiosity.
— "You know what you're doing?" Her voice carried a hint of restrained laughter.
Kano scowled, tossing the meat into the pot, pouring in some water, and starting to stir.
— "I've tasted the finest dishes in my life," he said confidently. "Surely, I can make something like that?"
Minutes passed. The meat... fell apart. Now this substance mixed with the herbs, turning into something bitter and disgusting. Kano froze, staring at the result of his culinary "masterpiece."
Lianel couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing.
— "This is poison, not food!" she exclaimed, covering her mouth with her hand.
Even Helbrik, who always remained silent, looked at the pot with clear doubt.
Sheila returned just at that moment, skeptically surveying the scene.
— "Move aside, boy," she snapped, pushing Kano aside. "You're going to kill us all! Did you throw in the herbs from the parasites lying around?"
— "Hey! Where did you—" Kano started to protest, but her gaze silenced him.
The girls quickly took charge of the process. They expertly sliced the ingredients, carefully mixed the spices, and within twenty minutes, the air was filled with the delightful aroma of porridge with stewed meat.
Kano sighed and crossed his arms.
— "Well, I could've cooked it again myself..."
— "Oh, don't grumble," Lianel winked at him. "By the way, you'll be on watch tonight when it's our turn. A little reward for the ruined dinner."
Kano felt his shoulders slump. He wanted to argue but changed his mind.
— "Alright..." he muttered.
At that moment, Terron and Helbrik returned from their hunting, but their hands were empty.
— "Nothing. No game," Helbrik said grimly.
It was... strange. In places like this, there was always small game. Kano found it odd.
He couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right...
As Kano's group headed into the mountains, a completely different storm was raging in the guild.