Norbert woke up under covers looking up, Norbert saw the wooden rafters above staring at the underside of a roof he was sure he had run on top of the day before. Finally able to properly see the room he slept in at night, snuggling and curling within the blankets, Norbert slowly untangled himself, getting out of bed and began getting dressed for the day.
Once dressed, Norbert looked out the window, seeing people walking around in the morning; looking around, Norbert saw the sun above the horizon, realising he was late for his day shift. Norbert went and picked up his bag. Walking out the door and opening it, Norbert looked down. There looking up at him was a note; trying to read it, Norbert could not understand a word it said, being in the everyday language here.
Picking it up with trepidation and fear rolling in his stomach at what it could utter, Norbert confirmed that everything had been picked up as he closed the door behind himself. Holding the key and Obsius on his shoulder, Norbert walked down the stairs, placing his bag at the bar again.
The bartender from the other night was gone, now a woman standing in his place, smiling and walking towards her Norbert asked, "Can you read this to me?" holding the piece of paper out, she took it, scanning it over before stating, "Says the operation begins tonight, you have an extra day to sleep and unwind. Meet up before sunset."
Finishing it off, she placed the paper back on the table, happy that he wasn't late. Norbert nodded his thanks and began to head off. "Wait!" the woman exclaimed.
Turning around at the door, Norbert looked at the empty pub, so different from the night before. Opening her mouth, she said, "Your breakfast is coming."
Norbert smiled at the woman as she bumbled away off to the side. Sitting back down, Norbert remembered his key needed to return, placing it on the table and waiting. After several minutes, Norbert whistled to himself, and a plate was placed in front of him.
Looking down, Norbert saw nothing familiar from his previous meals in the town. What he assumed were eggs and something else sitting there. Shrugging his shoulders, Norbert ate silently, wondering what he would do for the rest of the day.
Finishing his meal, Norbert left with his backpack, Obsius sitting on his head as Norbert scanned around, wondering what he would do for the rest of the day. Walking around the town, Norbert waved at the kids he saw around the place, waving them off when they wanted to play, saying he was tired from the other day.
Walking around, Norbert found himself once more at the gate. Taking his backpack off, Obsius flew into the air and out of sight; Norbert just sat down on the hill, resting his back on the gate and closed his eyes, waiting for the time to pass.
***
Feeling something land on his head Norbert opened his eyes, looking around himself. Seeing the once bright sky now had a red hue, Norbert stood up and looked around the gate, seeing the sun begin to set.
Picking up his pack, Norbert thanked Obsius before taking off towards the camp; knowing his way there even in the half-dark, Norbert sprinted across, Obsius already flying ahead of him, having taken off once Norbert was moving.
At the camp, Norbert looked around, people inspecting their weapons and armour, going over their bags one more time. Norbert looked around, knowing what was already within his as he looked for the other scouts.
Finding them in a group off to the side, Norbert waited with them, not partaking in the idle chatter as his stomach twisted from nerves. Not ready for what would happen tonight. As Norbert waited, the sun just touching the horizon, Norbert heard Dousan shout, "Ok, everyone, looks like we are all here. Now is crunch time. The general plan is for a quarter of the people to go through the tunnel found within the forest. Half of us will be going into the tunnel nest entrance found across the river." He said all other sounds stopped as they looked towards him. "The rest of you will divide into three groups, one at the town and the other two at both entrances, to ensure nothing comes out."
Standing forward and pointing to the tent Norbert saw had supplies, Dousan continued, "You will all grab the same supplies; the excursion will last three days; after that time, it is expected for us all to regroup and have a new strategy if it has not been cleared out by then. Your leaders will organise into each group. Everyone, I will see you all on the other side for a round on me" Receiving cheers from everyone, he stepped off to the side, talking to the group he usually was with.
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Looking around the group, Norbert turned to Martitia, who said, "The three main groups will be for the tunnel. I …" Norbert only focused on his name being called out, not paying attention to the others and the groans he heard. "For the main entrance will be Norbert …" Norbert jolted his head up; after hearing his name, he started walking off to the side, trying to memorise the faces with the names altogether. Whispering to himself, Norbert looked around at the names "Flanch with the long hair, Nessie the smallest, and Dobert, who is Dobert." Norbert looked around at the team he was with, seeing the once ten scouts now branched off between them.
Uncertain of his future, Norbert headed off with the rest of them in silence towards the tent of supplies. Looking around and being given his, Norbert took the bundle, stepping to the side before inspecting what he was given.
In his hands was some food; opening the packaging up, Norbert saw there was bread and biscuits inside; judging by the size they texture, these were not for taste, only to allow the hunger to be decreased for some time, the water skin holding liquid, Norbert assumed water. Putting it in his backpack, Norbert ensured it wouldn't rustle around. Looking further at his pile, Norbert saw some trusty rope. Thankful for it being there, Norbert went through his head the knots he had memorised weeks ago.
Testing the knots and confirming he could still do them, he placed it to the side, wanting to organise it better. Looking further, Norbert saw some sticks with magic symbols on them. Not recognising what they were, Norbert just stuffed them in his backpack immediately, knowing he could not use them at all.
Looking around, Norbert saw that everyone else had similar items, hoping they might have something for the light within it or given them. Norbert looked around as everyone packed their things.
With a call to move out, everyone headed in their appropriate directions. Norbert took off in a jog to the side, down the first hill knowing the path he would need to take. One after another, Norbert looked behind himself, an entourage appearing, knowing they all followed him.
The gossip that he found the nest must have spread across the group some time as Norbert just continued up ahead. Occasionally looking behind himself to make sure the twenty or so people could catch up.
Slower than average, Norbert made it to the slope, looking down at the river; the sun now had gone below the horizon, and night had come to the world. Standing on the last hill, Norbert looked at the river, not wanting to get wet again.
As the rest of the group made their way towards him, all fanning out and looking at the river, Dousan called for someone called Range, sure it was the class to come out. Walking forwards, Norbert saw someone in light blue robes, not wearing the leather as usual, and a coat made of the same fabric going down to their legs.
In their hand was a wooden plane staff, looking like a tree branch. Walking forward, Norbert saw them go to the river bed just as the water touched their feet. Saying some words, Norbert saw the light appear on top of the river, another circle of sorts. As the spell continued, Norbert saw the river suddenly freeze over; with it finishing, Norbert saw it was solid ice, able to take the party across.
The group made their way forward and, one by one, across the river, Norbert happy that he wouldn't get wet at least this time. Following was also the group to watch over the entrance afterwards; the last to leave the shore was the mage, lightly stepping over; with each step, Norbert saw a spell form beneath themselves, creating icy patches for them to jump across.
Now on the other side, Norbert slowly crawled up, knowing that he would be one with perception enhanced, not knowing if the non-scouts had a similar one but doubted. The other scouts follow, all looking together at the other side. Norbert poked his head up, confirming it was the same as the last time he looked.
The colourful bugs once more teamed around in small groups; if their current group split up, they should be able to make theirs to the nest entrance with no issues. Dobert waved for the others to follow Norbert made his way across, everyone now silent as they made their way to the nest.
Able to avoid confrontation, they climbed up until Norbert looked down the hole again, only seeing black after the first few meters down. Looking around, Norbert saw some people take their ropes out and begin tying them together, as well as a stick.
Holding it, Norbert saw the end light up; holding it over the edge, Norbert could now finally see the bottom with it being held directly above.
Looking down, Norbert saw the earth below, looking like a five-meter drop, the walls like a hole having a sheer drop. Norbert looked down, seeing it open up below them after that, seeing no movement.
Pulling his head back up, Norbert saw the ropes being combined and placed on solid earth, tied around a rock now jutting out. Throwing it over, Norbert looked around as Dousan stepped forward, placing a hand on his back.
"As you found it, you get to go down first." With a smile, Norbert looked horrified before taking a gulp and nodding.
Reaching into his pack and pulling out a light stick, "Can you light this one up and drop it down when I land?"
"Of course, mate, I'm not a dullard", Dousan whispered. With nothing else to do, Norbert grabbed the rope, twisting it around his foot to slow him down as he dropped himself into the nest.