Ingrid, astride a mighty destrier with a coat as white as the northern glaciers, followed along behind the rest of the Hrafnsteinn refugees. They marched proudly at the tail end of the procession, their armor gleaming in the afternoon sunlight and their shields strapped to their backs. She watched as the forest scenery passed by, taking in the beauty of the green and gold landscape around her.
She had been on the move for weeks now, and she was starting to feel restless. The thrill of the journey had faded, and she was ready to settle down in her new home.
Ebonheim.
The place where Bjorn, Thorsten, and the others had made their homes, leaving behind their old lives to start a new one. The thought of reuniting with her old comrades filled her with a sense of excitement and anticipation. More than seven years now...she had missed them dearly, and she looked forward to the stories they had to tell and the adventures they would share.
She urged her mount forward, riding side-by-side with the soldier at the end of the formation. He nodded to her in greeting as she pulled up beside him.
"Tired of staring at the back of the caravan?" he asked with a friendly smile.
"Aye," she replied, returning the smile with a wry one of her own. "The monotony of this march is wearing me thin."
The soldier chuckled, shaking his head in commiseration. "I know the feeling. If I have to eat one more bowl of dried rations and stale bread, I'll go insane. My wife cooks the most incredible dishes, you know? But she said 'No lavish dishes while traveling.' So, the first thing I'm gonna do when I reach Ebonheim is to throw this armor off, get cleaned up, and then beg her to cook something for me."
"She's part of the caravan as well?"
"Yes, ma'am. Along with our son, Ragnar. I promised her that we would settle down and start a proper family. It was part of the reason why I left Hrafnsteinn in the first place."
"Is that so?" Ingrid quirked a brow in intrigue. "Your son is a brave little soul, following you on such an arduous journey. I wish I could meet him."
"Well, he's only four winters old," the soldier chuckled. "But he's got a warrior's spirit in him, for sure. Can't wait to see what he'll grow up to be. With any luck, he'll be a great leader, just like you."
Ingrid smirked, a hint of pride in her tone. "Flattery will get you far, soldier. Would you say that once more in the presence of Bjorn once we get to the village?"
The soldier grinned sheepishly and scratched his nose. "Err, in front of an honored Hersir like him? I'll pass. He'll probably cuff me on the ear for being insolent, and rightly so!"
Ingrid's shoulders shook as she held back laughter. She reached over and patted the man on the shoulder. "I'd suggest you be a tad more prudent in the future. My accomplishments as a leader fail in comparison to Bjorn's. He is an esteemed hero of Hrafnsteinn, and as a former Hersir, he is my superior and instructor in many ways. His approval is hard-earned, but once you have it, you will do well under his command."
The soldier straightened up and nodded resolutely. "I understand, ma'am. I shall heed your advice. Thank you for sharing your wisdom."
The man turned and snapped a brisk salute. Ingrid returned it in kind, before motioning for him to return to his post.
As the soldier trotted ahead, Ingrid brought her horse to a halt and glanced back down the line of people stretching out behind her. The rest of her people kept pace with the caravan ahead. She could see the rows of wagons carrying food supplies, tools, and other materials. The men and women walked alongside the wagons, their weapons and packs slung over their shoulders. A few of the children rode on the backs of the horses, while others clung to their parents as they trudged on foot.
The sight of her people, their faces hardened with determination and resolve, sent a swell of pride and satisfaction through her. She had led these people out of Hrafnsteinn, and now they had a new home waiting for them at the end of the road. The thought of rebuilding their lives, free from the tyranny of Nidur, was a welcome one.
She resumed her ride, passing by the long train of travelers and cargo. The steady rhythm of footsteps, the creaking of wheels, and the snorting of horses echoed through the woods, drowning out the distant calls of birds and insects.
Beside her, a fledgling warrior, probably not more than fifteen winters, trotted up beside her and looked around with wide-eyed wonder. "I still can't believe how incredible this place is," he remarked, his eyes roaming over the massive trees that towered over them and the dense foliage that blanketed the ground. "It's like we've ventured into an elder's tale!"
Ingrid smiled, amused by the boy's enthusiasm. "Yes, it is quite something, isn't it? Roderick said that this forest is known as the Eldergrove, and that its history is steeped in myth and legend. Spirits and creatures from ancient times supposedly still roam these lands, and one must be careful not to attract their ire."
The boy shivered in awe. "Do you think we'll see any of them? The spirits, I mean. Not the creatures."
Ingrid chuckled. "I doubt it. Roderick said that as long as we follow the road and don't stray from the path, we should be fine."
She studied the lad's face, noticing the gleam in his eyes and the nervous tension in his muscles. She couldn't help but be reminded of her younger self, who had been similarly excited by the prospect of exploring a new and mysterious place.
The boy noticed her scrutiny and shifted uncomfortably, averting his gaze. "I'm sorry, miss, I didn't mean to disturb you. I just couldn't help but be fascinated by this place, that's all."
She smiled gently at him. "It's alright. I understand. When I was your age, I was the same. Always curious and always wanting to discover new things. I still am, but not as much as when I was younger. Experience has a way of tempering one's appetite for adventure, I suppose."
The boy nodded eagerly, his attention once again focused on the road ahead.
Ingrid allowed herself to relax and enjoy the ride, listening to the steady rhythm of the horse's hooves and the rustling of the leaves in the wind. She glanced back at her retinue and saw the warriors engaged in friendly banter, their voices rising in a cheerful chorus. The prospect of their long journey ending soon seemed to have lifted their spirits, and Ingrid found herself smiling as she imagined the celebrations that awaited them.
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Commander Lorne Miradan, leader of the Silverguard Company, rode at the vanguard of the caravan. He had been on many excursions in his career, but none had been quite as peculiar as this one. He had been hesitant to accept this contract, as the Silverguard Company had never undertaken a job of this scale before. However, Roderick had made a convincing case for him to reconsider. The pay was generous, but more importantly, it represented a fresh start for the company, an opportunity to regain its former glory.
He glanced back at his troops, his gaze lingering on the emblem of the silver shield emblazoned with a white star that adorned their armor. He had always taken pride in the company's reputation as a band of honorable mercenaries, but recent events had tarnished its reputation.
Yet, here they were, with a new contract in hand and a new mission to fulfill.
Lorne leaned back in his saddle and inhaled deeply, allowing the scent of the forest air to fill his lungs.
Despite his earlier reservations, he couldn't deny the appeal of the serene environment they were traveling through. For all the tales and warnings he'd heard about the dangers of the Eldergrove, he hadn't encountered anything remotely threatening yet.
Still, he knew better than to let his guard down. He guided his horse to the side of the road, gesturing for the Silverguard Company to continue without him as he lingered on the edge, his eyes scanning the dense foliage for any signs of movement.
"Commander, are you sensing anything odd in the woods?"
Kaela, his second-in-command, sat atop her black mare and tilted her head, her hawk-like eyes scrutinizing him carefully. Her dark hair was tied back in a low ponytail, and her lips were pressed in a thin line.
Lorne shook his head. "Nothing unusual."
Urien, a burly man with a bushy beard, snorted and adjusted his position in his saddle. "Relax. It's just as Roderick said. The road is clear, and the creatures of the forest are too scared to approach such a large group."
Kaela narrowed her eyes, her gaze flickering to the surrounding trees. "I don't know. There's something about this place that makes me uneasy. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it feels as if the very trees are watching us."
Lorne nodded but maintained his vigilance, his hand resting on the pommel of his sword. "One can never be too careful. These lands are unfamiliar to us. You can never be too sure."
Deneve, the youngest of the group, giggled and nudged her mount closer to Kaela. "Are you telling us that you believe the trees can come alive and attack us, Kaela?"
Kaela fixed her with a stern glare. "I'm not saying that, but we should be vigilant. The Silverguard has dealt with all kinds of bizarre creatures over the years. Who's to say that this forest is not hiding something similar?"
"Nerves," Urien explained, brushing her concern aside. "You're just worried because you haven't had a break in weeks."
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"You've done nothing but take breaks ever since we entered the vale, Urien," Deneve quipped, grinning at the older man.
"All part of my strategy to stay relaxed and focused," Urien shot back with a wink. "If I can outlast the rest of you in terms of staying alert, then I can preserve my energy for the real battle."
"Right, and all that ale you've been consuming has nothing to do with it, eh?" Lorne interjected with a chuckle. "Come to think of it, that ale you brought with us from the last city we passed through seems to have mysteriously disappeared in the past couple of days."
"Vanished, I say! Poof, gone in a blink!" Urien exclaimed in mock outrage, raising his hands in the air. "A crime, I tell you, and it must be investigated!"
Deneve and Kaela exchanged an exasperated glance, before they both burst out laughing. Urien's antics never failed to amuse them, and his ability to defuse tense situations was often instrumental in keeping the company cohesive during prolonged periods of deployment.
Lorne let out a deep, weary sigh. "We'll find out where the ale went soon enough, Urien, have no doubt. And when that time comes, you'll owe me a drink."
A cheeky grin formed on the larger man's face. "A round on me at our first tavern, sir? I wouldn't have it any other way."
Lorne gave Urien a disapproving stare before glancing back at the Silverguards marching behind them. "See to the rearguard, Urien. Ensure that they remain vigilant. Deneve, report to the scouts. I want a status update, and make sure that you inform me of any changes in the terrain."
"Understood," the duo chorused. Deneve nodded before kicking her mount into a gallop, dashing back into the line of Silverguards and disappearing among them.
Urien glanced at Kaela. "Take care of yourself, Kaela. Try not to let Lorne's intensity rub off on you too much, alright?"
Kaela rolled her eyes. "I'll try. Now, off with you. Time to earn your keep, oaf."
Urien gave a loud, theatrical sigh before wheeling his mount around and joining the Silverguards.
Lorne's features softened for a moment as he watched the exchange, a tiny smile appearing on his normally stoic visage.
Kaela turned to him, a look of amusement dancing across her sharp features. "That man has an uncanny way of annoying people, but also getting them to relax. I have no idea how he does it."
Lorne shrugged. "Just Urien being Urien, I suppose. He has a knack for drawing people's attention when necessary. I can count on him to do his duty, and that's good enough for me. Now, come, we shouldn't fall too far behind."
Kaela sighed but nodded in understanding. "Aye, commander. We shall lead the way."
With a nudge of her heels, Kaela prodded her horse into motion, guiding the group forward once more.
Lorne waited for a moment longer, glancing back at the treeline before he steered his horse to follow. He trusted the experience of his scouts to warn him of any dangers lurking in the shadows, and his own senses to sense anything out of the ordinary.
For now, he would do his duty, as he had sworn to do, and protect the caravan with his life.
----------------------------------------
Evelyne glanced back at the caravan and squinted into the distance. She could just barely make out the figures of the Silverguard Company as they trotted along the edges of the forest. Their red cloaks and silver armor provided a stark contrast to the verdant landscape, and their presence reassured her. They had faced a few minor altercations with bandits and monsters along the way, and she shuddered to think of what might have happened if they had been on their own.
She turned her attention back to her own group and sighed. The Artisans had been traveling for a few weeks now, and she could sense the weariness and fatigue creeping into their bones. The Eldergrove was beautiful, but its terrain was unforgiving, and they had to contend with rocky paths, steep inclines, and muddy trails.
The weather wasn't ideal either, with intermittent bouts of rain and thunderstorms that soaked their clothes and left them chilled to the bone. It was far from the life of luxury that they had grown accustomed to while working in the city of Valétour.
However, Evelyne knew that they couldn't complain. They had chosen to accompany Roderick on this journey, and they all understood the risks and challenges that they would face along the way.
"Tired, ma chère amie?" Dimitri inquired, his gentle voice carrying to her ears over the sound of their carriage rattling over the bumpy road.
"Not at all. I'm invigorated, in fact," she lied.
Dimitri cocked a brow, and he gave her a wry smile. "Is that so? Perhaps you can use your boundless energy to fuel the carriage for a little while, oui? I find myself in dire need of a rest."
Evelyne chuckled and reached out to pat his shoulder. He had been pushing himself relentlessly in order to keep the magitech engine operating smoothly throughout the entire trip, and he deserved a break.
"I'm glad to take the wheel," she replied, shifting her weight to the right to slide onto his seat. "Rest for a while, mon cher ami. I'll wake you if anything happens."
Dimitri smiled gratefully and leaned back, closing his eyes. Within moments, he had fallen asleep, snoring softly.
Their augmented carriage hummed and rattled as intricate rune-engraved wheels carried the sizable wooden construct effortlessly across the uneven terrain. No mere beast of burden pulled this marvel, but rather, the vehicle was propelled by the harmonious melding of aether and artifice.
A large, crystalline mana engine was affixed to the vehicle's undercarriage. Wires and tubes connected the engine to a series of pneumatic pistons, hydraulic cylinders, and other complex components, which drove the wheels and facilitated the operation of a variety of other systems. Rhythmic clicks and whirr of gears echoed in the interior as the machine purred along. Steam wafted gently from ornate vents, and the soft glow of magi-crystals illuminated the cab, bathing the occupants in a warm, blue light.
Evelyne's deft hands guided the vehicle skillfully, maneuvering around the occasional tree or rock that lay across the road. The enchanted steering levers were designed with a magitech interface, allowing her to navigate with ease. She kept one eye on the view ahead, and the other on the gauges and readouts on the control console.
In front of her, one of the few Aetherframes that they had managed to bring with them strode confidently ahead, its heavy steps thumping against the earth. Standing over three meters tall, it bore semblance to a knight, with its plated armor and a helm bearing a single glowing eye. Aether sparks danced along its body, indicating the mana flowing through the armor, powering its movements and various armaments.
A testament to Les Artisanats d'Éclair craftmanship.
"Léandre," she'd named him, after an ancestor whose tales of valor inspired her as a child.
"Ah, Mademoiselle Blaise," the current pilot of Léandre, Viviane De Fleur, greeted her in a thick, playful tone chirped through the Aetherframe's speaker. "What a pleasant surprise to see you driving. Is Dimitri finally taking a break?"
"Indeed, I insisted," Evelyne replied. She briefly took her eyes off the road to flash the other Artificer a polite smile. "He's been working hard, and I figured he deserves the respite."
The Aetherframe nodded. "Oui, he certainly has been putting in more effort than the others. I honestly do not understand how he does it."
Evelyne chuckled. "That is something you can ask him yourself. I'm sure he'd be happy to teach you his methods, especially if they can help you improve your efficiency as an Artificer."
Viviane clicked her tongue. "Oh, non non, I'm perfectly satisfied with the results I'm already getting, thank you. Why waste my time learning a more efficient method when I can get by just fine the way I am?"
Evelyne stifled a laugh. She expected nothing less from Viviane. The young Aetherframe engineer tended to prioritize personal interest over efficiency, and her laissez-faire attitude towards work was one of the reasons why she and Evelyne often clashed.
Despite their differences, Evelyne couldn't fault Viviane for her performance. She was one of the most skilled and hard-working Artificers in their group, and her designs often yielded excellent results. Still, the constant jabs and verbal sparring matches between the two women continued to spark a competitive spirit in both of them, pushing each other to new heights.
As if sensing her thoughts, Viviane chuckled, the Aetherframe's vocalization apparatus giving the sound an artificial ring. "Mademoiselle, you have nothing to fear. Léandre is in the safest hands possible. You've no doubt heard about my exploits in the latest Aetherframe competition, oui?"
"I have indeed," Evelyne replied. "Congratulations on being the runner-up in the agility course race. Your scores were truly impressive, even if I don't quite understand the purpose of such races. I much prefer the practical tests that measure a construct's performance in an actual combat or exploration scenario."
"Well, that is to be expected from the renowned mademoiselle of Les Artisanats d'Éclair." There was a hint of sarcasm in the Aetherframe's tone as it mimicked an exaggerated bow. "You are the grand prix champion, after all."
Evelyne found her fingers tightening around the steering levers as she fought to contain her irritation. She hated the superiority complex that many of the Artisans at Éclair possessed, and she despised how this attitude was often attributed to her as well.
"I've no desire to compare accomplishments and failures," she stated curtly. "I am not that sort of person, nor have I ever been. I can only be myself, and I expect the same from everyone around me."
A sigh came from the Aetherframe's speakers. "It was a joke, Evelyne. A joke. Honestly, you do take yourself too seriously. Loosen up a bit, as they say. I'm sure it would do wonders for your mood."
Evelyne shook her head, sighing as she steered the vehicle around another bend in the road. "There's nothing wrong with my mood," she countered. "I'm simply focused on ensuring the success of this expedition. Once we've settled in Ebonheim, then I can afford to 'loosen up' and enjoy myself."
"If you say so," the Aetherframe replied, sounding unconvinced. "I'm not sure how you can be so optimistic about Ebonheim, though. It's just a tiny village, from what I've heard. How could such a backwater hamlet offer any real opportunities for us? I know you're desperate, Evelyne, but surely there are better places to relocate than a literal backwoods."
Evelyne resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She'd lost count of how many times she had to explain this to others. To the uninitiated, Ebonheim might seem like an obscure village of no consequence, but the truth was far more remarkable. Roderick is not one to exaggerate, and she was inclined to believe the reports he sent. The village showed promise, and it was only a matter of time before it became the center of a thriving region.
"I've already discussed this with you, Vivi," she began, struggling to keep the annoyance from showing in her voice. "Ebonheim is far more than what it seems. Roderick has assured me that this is where the future of our group lies. He is a man of vision, and he has never led me astray before. If he says that Ebonheim is where we will find prosperity, then that is where we will go."
The Aetherframe let out a mechanical huff, a puff of steam escaping from its vents. "Yes, yes, I know all about the illustrious Monsieur Roderick. He's the whole reason we're out here in the first place, traveling through the middle of nowhere like a bunch of nomads. I suppose I should be grateful that at least the Silverguard Company is accompanying us, or else we might have gotten eaten by some monster by now. We have three combat-ready Aetherframes, but we're hardly equipped for defense."
Evelyne ignored the jab at Roderick. She didn't expect the other Artificers to trust in him as blindly as she did, but they had to at least respect her decision as the de facto leader of their group.
"Have faith, Vivi. We may be heading towards an unfamiliar place, but there is great potential here. Trust in Roderick's judgment, as I do. He believes that Ebonheim can be the salvation of our Artisan company, and I am willing to stake everything on that belief. Are you?"
There was silence for a moment, and Evelyne wondered if her words had finally struck a chord with the haughty Aetherframe engineer. Then, she heard the mechanical whirring of gears as the construct's head swiveled to regard her.
"Alright," the Aetherframe conceded, "I'll admit that I'm intrigued. We'll see if Ebonheim lives up to your expectations, or whether we'll be disappointed again. I just hope that your faith in this venture is well-founded, Evelyne."
Evelyne released her grip on the steering levers and gave a slight nod of acknowledgment. "I am as confident as I can be, Vivi. In any case, your time for walking the Aetherframe is up. Go and return to its dock, and give Léandre some rest too."
"Fine, fine, I'm going," the Aetherframe replied, the mechanical whirring of its limbs echoing as it began to turn. "Don't crash into a tree or anything while I'm gone, alright?"
"Your concern is touching, but unnecessary."
"Oh seigneur, that's what they all say, right before the catastrophe strikes."