“We apologise for being late,” a man said. He had a heavily scarred face. He was followed by four others, a pair of men and women, each who wore a similar outfit to him, thin clothing which seemed to bulge slightly.

“It’s alright,” Adam replied, sighing with relief. He was certain he had never met them before, and that he had never offended them.

“Rick,” the scarred man said. His hair was trimmed neatly, and he was freshly shaven. At his side was a battleaxe, and he carried a shield which was strapped to his back.

“Adam.” Adam shook the man’s hand, feeling how rough it was.

The man introduced his four companions, who all seemed to carry similar weapons. John, who carried a pair of daggers, and a bow. Ivy also carried a bow in hand, though Adam couldn’t spot anything else since she was wrapped up in her dark cloak, and she was hunched over to make herself seem smaller.

Greg was heavily tattooed, and Charley had red hair which had been dyed from a mixture of earth. They wielded the same weapons as their leader, a spear, javelins, and an axe. They also carried with them shields on their back.

Adam noted they were each in their late twenties or so, but within their eyes was a lived experience of those who were older.

“I see we’ve many great warriors in our presence,” Rick said, noting the amulets and symbols of the various faiths and Orders. “We’re just simple folk, farmers. We don’t have magics or great weapons, but we work hard.”

“I’d assume so,” Adam replied. “Farmers are hard working folk, so I for one am glad to have you with us. Plus, I’m pretty sure I haven’t annoyed you, so that’s a bonus to me.”

Rick noted the ears, but didn’t say anything about them. Adam was an adventurer who worked for the Guild, so the Guild must have had some faith in him.

Paul cleared his throat as he approached the scene, looking at the five groups. The farmers were part of the original group, and the two other Iron Rank parties had been found recently. He had his eye on other parties, but they had refused the task, finding other quests which had been far more favourable.

The Vice Master’s eyes caught Adam’s, and the pair shared a look.

‘Are you kidding me?’ Adam’s eyes said.

‘I know,’ Paul replied to Adam’s gaze. He hoped that Adam would behave since he was technically the second highest ranking leader there, above the pair of parties who hated him.

Adam slowly nodded his head, trying to reassure Paul.

“You will need to create an outpost towards the south west of Red Oak, I would suggest near or atop a hill,” Paul said. “You should remain there for a month, and deal with any creatures you may come across, Outbreak or otherwise.”

“Oliver, the White Ghosts, are in charge, and hold the highest rank. Adam, and Fate’s Golden, will take the role of the second leaders, just in case.”

There was an exasperated sigh from the expected individuals, but Paul shot them a glare, quietening them down.

“You mentioned equipment from the Guild?” Adam asked.

“We have prepared a wagon for you outside. I expect that you’ll all be leaving around noon, so you may check over what the Guild has provided you, and if you have need of anything else, ask freely.”

The group didn’t need to ask any more questions about the situation, they still had the pamphlets, as well as the ability to think about what would be an issue in a quest like this.

A pair of mules waited for them outside, with a large wagon attached to them. The wagon was full of supplies, as promised by the guild. A myriad of weapons, from bows to pikes, some shovels, barrels of food for them, and for the mules, as well as equipment to make plenty of tents too.

Zeus waited with the mules, with a small cart attached to him. It was full of spare ammunitions, though the giant elk also carried his own packs.

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Jeremy and Remy brought their wooden backpacks, which could easily carry an adult man if they needed to, though their packs were currently empty.

The groups checked the equipment quickly, noting that at least half a month’s worth of food had been prepared for them, though they were no doubt expected to carry some rations for themselves, as well as to eat whatever they slew during the Outbreak.

It was fortunate they had brought Priests along, due to their ability to cast a spell which could assist with food and water, though it was a powerful spell which may be used to assist them in other ways.

The group of farmers checked over the weapons, noting the longer weapons which could be useful to them. Rick was already thinking about the positions his group could take, with Charley and himself up front with their shields, while Greg used the pike to fend off any enemies, and Ivy and John behind him with their bows.

Rick looked to the other parties, already convinced that they would not truly work together. If they did, then perhaps there would be very little chance of death this quest, but he understood that it was but a dream.

“I think everything looks good,” Adam said, glancing at his party.

“Yes,” Jurot said, noting the healing potions which were in their own cushioned box. Two for each party, and four for Adam’s since they provided about twice as many bodies as the other parties.

“We won’t go and buy bread today, so that we may enjoy it all the more on our return!” Adam declared.

Jurot nodded. It was Adam’s message to him.

Don’t die, otherwise you won’t get to see Pam.

The entire group began to make their way out of the town, heading southward to follow the road, towards Ever Green, though they’d be stepping off the main road at some point.

White’s Ghost led the way, followed by the harem party, then the wagon, then the punk’s party, the farmers, Zeus, and finally Fate’s Golden.

“Feels like we’re in the army,” Adam said.

“A very small army,” Lucy joked. “Armies can stretch for an entire mile.”

“Yeah.”

The party stopped at least once every other hour for a short while, to allow the mules to rest.

Adam pat Zeus against his back. “You alright?”

‘Yes,’ Zeus replied.

Adam’s eyes fell towards the sky, with Hades, his owl familiar, dropping down on top of Zeus. “Anything interesting?”

Hades did not respond.

“Good.”

“I forgot there was two of them,” the punk said, looking to Adam and Jonn. “What kind of world are we living in where we have to be surrounded by leaf ears.”

The young Wizard, whose name Adam had long forgotten, nodded affirmatively, and the harem and punk parties began to bond together with their mutual dislike of Adam.

‘I can only imagine what they would have done if I was Half Black,’ Adam thought, chuckling.

Jonn remained with Nobby and Brittany, keeping an eye on them. He was tasked with making sure they were fine, whereas Vonda was tasked with making sure Jeremy and Remy were fine. Dunes, the other member of the party who could heal, was a Priest of Lady Arya, Goddess of War, so he was tasked with fighting a good fight if one broke out.

The punk walked off, throwing Adam a dirty look.

“Pay him no mind,” Jaygak said. “He’s too weak to bother with.”

“He’s all bark and no bite, and I know that for certain,” Adam said, looking to Jonn. “You hear that? Don’t mind them, Jonn. We shouldn’t bully some no name kids.” Adam’s eyes fell back on to the harem party. ‘Though, it would be fun to make them do chores around the town for a second month.’

The group continued, and as evening was beginning to approach, they made their way to an outpost for travellers. The road had these outposts spaced roughly ten to fifteen miles apart. They each held about twenty people with ease, with half walls providing some minor protection.

Fate’s Golden and White Ghosts remained outside the walls, allowing the weaker parties to rest within the comfort of the camp, though they would all eat around the camp fire.

“What’s he doing?” the punk whispered.

“Terrible magic,” the young Wizard replied. “He’s a queer one.”

“He’s an Elf.”

Mana: 18 -> 15

Spell: Adam’s Tower

Adam chanted the words and willed forth a tower of magic, one with a bath at ground level, and a bedroom on the floor above.

Lucy nodded towards Adam as he left to bathe, appearing a half hour later once he was thoroughly clean. He had taken off his nightval bear leather for the evening, since it was already quite cool.

“Did he just…” The punk blinked, staring in shock that Adam would spend a Third Gate spell just to bathe.

“Yes,” the Wizard girl replied.

“Elves,” the punk whispered.

“Oliver, Rick,” Adam called. “If you guys and your fellows want to bathe, you can go on ahead once Fate’s Golden is done.”

“A bath?” Rick asked, staring at the tower.

Oliver raised his brows, before looking to his companions. “We’ll take you up on that offer.”

Adam smirked at the two Iron Rank parties. ‘You little bastards! Since you want to start some shit, walk around in your filth all you like.’

The groups set up watches, with Adam’s party taking watches an hour for each person, with Zeus and Hades assisting them, while the other parties needed to take two hour watches for each person.

‘Ten should be the bare minimum, but twenty is nice,’ Adam thought. ‘Two people on watch is more comfortable.’

Adam had taken first watch, from atop the tower, but as he finished and went to wake up Lucy, there was a shout from the camp.

In the distance was a figure, walking in the late evening darkness. It appeared to be a fairly average person, save for something large atop their head.

‘Hmmm,’ Adam thought. ‘Why does that look so familiar?’