Having arrived at the camp, the sun rising from the horizon, Norbert looked around, seeing most people sleeping and getting up. Trotting into the mess tent, stomach grumbling for food, Norbert looked around; the tables were primarily empty. Heading towards the buffet, choosing things based by smell only, Norbert piled his plate high, sat at the scout table at the first seat, and started eating.
Finishing one plate Norbert stood up again, filling his second plate with his usual amount of food. Sitting back down on the table, Obsius joining into the meal, Norbert looked at the people coming through the tent, looking like they had just woken up bleary-eyed and zombie heading to get some food. All are pouring cups of hot liquid into their cups; they shuffled to their respective tables and sat down, all eating silently.
Looking around at the group, not having everyone looking completely wrecked, especially as most of these people didn't have nightly duties, Norbert whispered to Dobert, "What happened to you all last night?"
"As it's one of the last days, we decided to do an unofficial celebration, and let's say one thing led to another," Dobert replied before closing his and eating his meal silently. Looking and seeing everyone like that who had entered, Norbert couldn't imagine what they had done the night before.
Remembering the time he was at the village, the rounds being consumed, Norbert smiled at it and remembered the next day, when everyone was completely wasted and unable to walk properly. Looking at the people around him, Norbert was surprised to see them this active so early in the morning. As more people entered the tent, some worse for wear than others, Norbert looked at the last group to arrive, the tent now bustling with people.
As Dousan, Martitia, and the others received their food and sat at their respective tables, Norbert looked over at her, just sitting down and eating. Hearing the people around him cringe at the sounds of utensils hitting plates, Norbert closed his mouth, took a sip of his drink, and stared at the wall opposite him, waiting in silence while he sat and thought about what happened last night.
As Norbert sat there drinking, he remembered his own "celebration", the divine one. Norbert shuddered at the memory of what his body did after he ingested the liquid. As he thought about all the times he had, they seemed to be getting more manageable and more accessible, though the last one wasn't a double dose and only a single one. He was thinking back on her words, trying to find a clue about what he had drunk. Remembering about having enough for the journey, Norbert wracked his brain, the memory being overcome by the drink.
As Norbert sat there, in his world, not realising Martitia was standing over him, a hand on his shoulder, Norbert jumped in his seat, looking around at what had happened. Feeling the hand on his shoulder, Norbert slowly turned his head, looking up at Martitia standing behind him. Indicating to the tent's exit, she walked off, Norbert climbing out of his seat, putting his backpack on and taking Obsius in his arms.
Outside, Norbert headed towards Martitia, standing by herself with the sun shining through her hair, looking up at the sky. Standing beside her, Norbert also looked up, trying to spot what she saw; all he saw was an empty sky with nothing else.
Turning his head Norbert looked down at Martitia, waiting for her to say something. Looking back, she smiled up at him. "At least someone is bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, and I even have a surprise for you, but first, report."
Norbert swallowed, thinking if he should recount what he saw in that white room; deciding not to include it but everything else, Norbert began his tale, "Finding the nest, as you said, the area around it was empty from the fire breathing bugs, others were in the vicinity but none of them active. I looked down their nest entrance but did not go in due to being unable to see anything and get back out. After that, a bizarre thing occurred." Norbert said, breathing in before continuing, "I was running to the next place to see if anything else was awake when these motes of light followed me. After I touched one, the world went light before I fainted, waking up with it nearly being daytime and vomit somewhere." Norbert finished, looking down at her, waiting to hear her verdict.
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Nodding in confirmation, "That was definitely strange, and good job confirming they aren't active at night. Today is payday, and you also have the day off." Martitia said, reaching into her pouch and pulling out bronze coins. "Here are the thirty-nine bronze you have earned; good job." She said, Norbert, receiving them as they rattled into his coin pouch.
"Now be off with you, have time to recuperate from last night. Tomorrow night is planned for when we strike; and yes, you will also be there. So relax while you can." She finished before walking away and heading back inside the tent. Norbert heard groans escape from it as the light from outside entered.
Chuckling to himself, Norbert felt the weight of the coins in his pouch, remembering how light it was before. Moving to the town, Norbert remembered the gloves he had ordered before. Walking off with all the time in the world, Norbert headed towards the tailor.
Opening the door and hearing the bell chime once again, Norbert headed to the same lady he had talked to before. Placing the remaining coins on the table, his once full pouch now felt empty again. With the five piles they made of five, the woman looked over it before swiping again. She went into the back room, where Norbert could not see her.
Waiting, Norbert looked around the rest of the shop, seeing all the leather garments on display. As he looked closer, Norbert noticed its designs were not aesthetic. Seeing the colour of white dyes had markings within that Norbert could barely see. Moving it to his face, Norbert stared; only after examining it for several moments did Norbert realise what he was looking at, for they were magic circles.
All of the markings blended together making the garment white in its pattern, all coming together to make an aesthetic choice of clothing. Norbert looked to the next one, now able to see that all the clothes had similar markings.
Norbert heard a cough behind him, Wondering what gloves he would be getting, not knowing what these gloves could do. Spinning around, Norbert returned to the counter, the woman again staring at him.
At the counter, Norbert looked down, seeing the gloves sitting there. Inspecting them closely, they were the same colour as his current leather gear, wondering how she could dye them so well. Looking deeper, Norbert saw no specific pattern like the others he had seen.
Placing one glove over his hand and then the other, Norbert looked down, the gloves blending seamlessly with his jacket arms, completely covering his skin.
Trying to make his hands glow, Norbert saw nothing, needing to confirm it by holding the glove slightly up, seeing the light shining in. Happy with the improvement, Norbert bowed towards the woman and said his thanks, leaving the store with the dinging of the bell.
Happy that his purchase was met and hoping he wasn't ripped off, Norbert looked around the town, wondering what else he could do with his day. Walking around, Norbert looked at the houses, like in Flare-dew, wondering if this was the standard.
Norbert just followed his nose until he reached the hill again; looking upwards, Norbert saw the gate sitting there, not active at all. Norbert slowly climbed up the hill, standing as he had just walked out of the gate and looked down at the town.
Even though something imminent was on their border, they still walked around without a care, just going about their days knowing someone would deal with it. Sitting on the hill, Norbert just looked at the town below, instinctively flexing his gloves, feeling them stretch over his fingers.
As Norbert just sat and stared, a crowd formed around him; the kids he saw the other day playing had come on the hill, whispering to each other. Able to hear their comments about a stranger on their hill, Norbert just smiled, closing his eyes as he felt the wind on his face.
After some time, the whispering died to nothing; Norbert only heard the rustling and crunching of grass underfoot. Cracking an eye open, Norbert saw a sea of kids around him, one almost about to touch him.
He was looking right at the kid when their eyes locked; instantly, the kid hit him. "Your IT!" the kid shouted before they dispersed, running in all directions.
Laughing, Norbert stood up, having time to test out what this new elixir could do and entertain some kids along the way. Who knows what doing a good deed would reward someone with?