It was getting dark when we reached Harror.
Trent took over driving as soon as we could see the city. I was busy thinking about what Ether had said for the remainder of our journey. It was a lot to think about, which meant that I was going to have to be very selective about choosing our sixth member.
Trent rolled down the window of the RV and smiled at the guard. "Good evening! I’m here on All-Temple business.” He held out his left hand so that the guard could scan it.
It wasn’t the first time I’d seen a Grim, but it unsettled me all the same. They looked almost like skeletones, if skeletons had bones for skin. Their exoskeleton covered their whole body in a bone like surface, even their eyes were creepy with what looked like two glowing orbs instead of eyes. The guard was wearing regular metal armor with the insignia of a cross on his shoulder, though it was probably more for show than it was for protection. He grunted as he scanned the crystal band then ducked inside his station and looked at the screen. Once he confirmed who Trent was he popped his head back out. "How many are with you?”
“I have five level two first years.”
“Level two first years? They’re already throwing kids in the dungeon?”
Trent laughed. "I told them I’d take them on a field trip if they could get to level two before I left. They practically lived in the dungeon for the last few days.”
“You mean you locked us in the dungeon for the last few days." I muttered under my breath.
If Trent heard me, which I’m sure he did, he didn’t respond.
“I’m still going to have to come inside and log the vehicle.” The guard looked into the city. "Just waiting on a Knight.”
“No problem!” Trent turned off the engine. "Might as well get out and stretch our legs while we wait.” He looked at all of us. "Alright, we’ve gotta get out, so stay close to the RV and…” He scowled. "Aelin, why did you take your boots off?”
“I’ve been wearing them for almost a week." Aelin whined as she began putting them back on. “I needed to let my feet breathe.”
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“They can breathe tonight in bed.” He looked at each of us. "Outside of a city, even this close to one, you need to be ready to fight at a moment's notice. They may not look like monsters out here, but they’re just as dangerous.” He counted us. "Will someone get Justia up and tell her we’re here? I’m going to see which Knight they sent.”
“Another one of your students?” I saw what almost looked like excitement on his face.
“No." He shook his head. "Warder’s level is in the upper forties, so I’m getting old, but I’m not that old yet.” He smiled. "It’s always fun to see how far the younger generation has come though.”
Ether was the first one behind him, and then Aelin hopped in front of me. I grabbed her collar. "You were just complaining about not getting alone time with Justia, now you have a chance and you’re bailing?”
Aelin looked away from me. "Waking her up isn’t alone time. It’s a way to make her hate me.”
“Ugh.” I looked at Rix. "Go ahead, I’ll be out there in a second.”
I dragged the blonde woman over to the bunk beds.
“Justia!” I shook her green shoulder with my right hand. "We’ve got to get out of the RV for inspection!”
Justia rolled over and flailed her arm out. Her open hand stopped an inch away from my face like some invisible force was holding it. We both stared at it for a second before she retracted it.
“Where are we?” She still looked a little asleep.
“Harror." I looked at Aelin and moved behind the blonde. "We’re at the gate and have to get out for inspection. Aelin is going to wait with you until you’re ready to come out, but don’t wait too long.”
I turned and walked out of the RV, without looking to see what the women were doing.
Trent was at the front of the RV talking to the guard. Now that they’d had a chance to talk, the guard seemed a lot more friendly. Ether and Rix were both near the back. I assumed Rix had gone back there and Ether had followed so she wouldn’t be alone.
“They good?” Ether looked at me when I moved in their direction.
“They’re alone.” I nodded. "Justia wasn’t happy about waking up, but she’s awake now.”
I looked over at Rix and opened my mouth, but saw Ether shake her head and closed it. I was just wanting to check on her because I could tell that she was shaken, but it seemed that now wasn’t the right time.
“Paul Mite!” Trent bellowed. "You’re a Knight? Tell me I’m not that old!”
I turned around and saw Justia at the door of the RV, she looked scared and was staring at the man walking towards us. I was shocked because I recognized him. He had been the party leader of the last party that I’d worked for before becoming an Adventurer myself.