Wuulph, upon his return to the lands of the human kingdom, had made a choice, and by that I mean he didn't stall on his way up to the castle in order to meet with the king. After all, he must know where he will be deployed in this war, unfortunately he isn't the only one waiting so he's gotta sit in the halls for a while. What, you think he's actually impressive? He's still pretty young, even I was only about average back when I was, so Wuulph got to sit there for a while, watching other humans go into and out of the throne room, usually not lasting more than ten minutes per group of four.
Luckily this meant it took no longer than one hour for him to be called with three others, he only knew one of them personally.
Kaature(Cat-your), a huntress. She had good aim and decent trapping skills. Her body was slender, covered in faded clothes with leather straps covering her vitals, her shoulders, and her knees.
As the two gave each other a nod, Wuulph looked over to the others going with him. A guy with a larger stomach and well worked hands with a sword hanging loosely from his waist, his shoes having a light dusting of some white powder, although his clothes looked freshly cleaned. And a girl, wearing polished armor with a wide shield, an emblem across her chest looking to be a rose with a thorny stem that circled the rest of her plated armor.
The rose was a symbol belonging to one of the churches, praising the god of commitment Rah'veihly(Ra-Vay-Lee). It was usually the church that was used for contracts and marriage, though their combat force was nothing to scoff at.
Oh what? You thought because of how magic works gods wouldn't be around? No, they do, and faith type magic users can be horrifying since their mana is linked to another being.
This land may be different to the one you know, but much like how I see it through the reflective surfaces, mostly mirrors, in my stupid bloody abyss, it is a reflection of another world, it's just a bit different. Similar events will and have likely arisen in most others, like war and magic, even some of the gods.
The only thing that I know is fairly consistent between the worlds is races, there's always at least one, and they all affect their worlds differently. But enough about that, back to the prick Wuulph right? After all, he's the current main character, and maybe by retracing these steps I can finally get out of here...
Of course, having someone familiar and someone heavily armed kneeling with him in front of the king had helped Wuulph's confidence.
The other guy, the swordsman, was probably competent as well but it would be hard for Wuulph to tell until they were in battle. But for now the king was telling them their duties.
The king began speaking, "Thank you all for coming here, I understand it is likely a bit distressing to be going to fight the others, after all even I have made friends I'm quite fond of from all the races. But this is war now, and losing is a risk we cannot take. So all of you, though you are young, are being sent on an important mission.
My scouts have found that the elves have come into possession of a raw core, we do not yet know what they are doing with it and my forces are spread thin to keep us informed. So, I'd like you all to head out to the elven kingdom, find the core, and bring it back to us. Of course, I am not sending you in blind, I believe you are aware of where it was put, Kierra(Key-Air-Ah)."
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The paladin girl rose her head, speaking with a confidence that seemed to overtake her voice, making it sound slightly deeper and more firm with her words, "Yes, my king. Rah'veihly had sent me a message in my rest, leading me to find a map for the tower containing the core."
The king nodded along, hearing her confirm what he was told, "Good, then I wish you luck, may you come back alive and with stories of your time in the elven land."
With that, the party had left the throne room and the castle. Stepping through the iron gates so they may go prepare, they would want to leave soon but they still needed introductions.
Wuulph spoke up first, "I'm Wuulph Ireme, I am a witch proficient in material enhancement but I have some knowledge in protective magic. I shall do my best to support you all with my spells."
Next to speak was the huntress, "Kaature Vild, I am an archer, though I've mostly hunted beasts up to this point I do know the basic magic to aim my arrows."
Then, the paladin, "Kierra, I worship Rah'veihly and specialise in stealth, I can keep us obscured from the elves till we reach the tower."
And finally, the swordsman, "Harvit Jurvey, I have pretty much only fought off wolves but I will try to help fight as best I can."
With that, they all shook hands, and went off to get their rations, camping gear, and to tell their people where they were going before heading off into enemy territory. Being wished luck by any and all who they talked to.
Since they were heading out for an undetermined amount of time, the group went to their own homes to tell their families where it was they were headed, Wuulph had gone back to his home, pushing a silver key into the door and twisting it with a Krchnk.
As he stepped onto the smooth, cold, stone floor he got to see his father, a more muscular dirt-covered man. Wuulph’s family was one of mostly farmers, tilling fields and growing herbs, the most deviation they had was a few members fancying themselves as alchemists, though Wuulph had dedicated himself to studying he did help around the fields. His father was the one to start their conversation, “Hello Wuulph, how went the king’s summons.”
“Well dad, looks like I’m gonna be out in the woods for a while. I got tasked with some reconnaissance as well as retrieval from the elves. So, I came around to say farewell and pack anything vital. Where is Vithalii(Vit-ah-lee) and Nyvah(Nee-vah) by the way? I should say goodbye to my sisters as well.” Wuulph spoke with a professional stiffness, as much as he was feeling a bit sad to have to leave and did not want to give any promises that he would return alive that he was not sure he could keep.
He tried to at least manage through saying goodbye to the people that took care of him. “They’re currently out and about with friends, I don’t think you’ll be able to say goodbye to them but I’ll be sure to pass along the message. You should probably get headin’ out to yer group before we try to keep you here.”
Wuulph gave his father a solemn nod, turning around and going back towards the door. Quickly grabbing a small leatherbound book on his way, his notebook that he kept to take notes on things he’d see while out as well as to write down bits so he doesn’t forget. Most of the older pages in it were filled with doodles and with handwriting so messy he was not sure if he could even understand it now.
Wuulph reached the northern gate, the closest exit from the capital of the kingdom to the elves’ territory, where he could see his old friend Kaature already waiting, with the others arriving close behind him, Kierra pulled out a map, keeping it held close to her so the rest of them could not read it, and the paladin started leading the group out towards their goal.