After following Carrollton for a while we approached a rather large tent. It was spread out from the rest and you could tell through the tent cloth it was lit and people were chatting inside.
“We’re here,” he said as he went to lift the tent flap. “Guy’s I’m back, and I brought some people back with me.”
After a few gestures of him telling us to follow him in, we finally gave in and went inside the tent.
“It’s about time.” A man said, his voice sharp and commanding. He was a rather tall man, and anyone could tell behind the tunic he was wearing he was in shape as well. His dirty blond hair was slicked back and a visible scar ran down his cheek. His eyes never left Melian and I as he continued speaking, “And who are these two?”
Before Carrollton could speak for me, I said, “My name is Walker.” My voice didn't falter and it ran clear through the tent. Even the other three people in here that I hadn’t paid any attention to looked at us more intently.
I nodded my head to where Melian was standing, “And this is Melian, she’s a healer.”
The man seemed visibly shocked at my last words, “Well, first let me introduce myself as well. My name is Richard,” He stuck out his hand for a handshake, and I accepted the gesture reciprocating the shake.
“What can we do for you, Walker?” He continued.
“Carrollton here told me you guys were in need of a healer. Where are willing to assist you in that if you allow us a place to stay. We can also travel with you people and provide extra strength for the upcoming challenges will most likely face.”
“I take it you two are heading to Ara as well then?”
“Yes.”
The man leaned against a wooden table, “I’m, of course, all for it, but I’ll need to see the extent of her healing ability and what you yourself have to offer, Walker.”
“Fair enough.”
At my words, he said, “Lizzy, come here.”
A woman probably in her early twenties made her way in front of us. She had on a white long sleeve and some baggy pants, obviously pajama clothes. Her black hair was tied into a ponytail and it swayed as she walked, “Yes, Richard?”
“Show miss Melian your arm.”
Listening, she lifted up her sleeve. An area around her elbow was wrapped in cloth, obviously trying to cover a serious wound. Taking off the cloth it revealed to everyone a deep cut on the verge of infection.
“She got this fighting some mana beasts earlier today. It’s the reason I sent Carrollton out for medical aid.” Richard said, his face sour as he looked at his party member's wound.
“Come here girl,” Melian called as she conjured a ball of light at the tip of her fingers.
When the girl approached her, Melian trailed the light along the cut and everyone in the room could see it visibly start to heal and it only took a few seconds.
“I-i can’t believe it!” Lizzy yelled, “It doesn't hurt anymore.”
Melian laughed, “Have you never met a healer, child?”
The girl's face turned red, “No. And I’m not a child!”
Melian just continued to giggle and patted her on the head.
“Impressive.” A man said, one that I had not observed yet. He was a big man, and by his stomach, one could tell he liked his beer by the barrel. Despite this, his baggy tunic couldn't hide his muscular arms, and looking at the huge battle hammer that laid lazily beside him, I assumed he was the team's tank.
The man noticed my gaze and smiled “The names Chark. It’s nice to meet you Walker and Melian.”
After Chark introduced himself, he nudged the last and final person Melian and I didn’t know the name of. “Oh, don’t be a stick l in the mud, introduce yourself.”
The woman he nudged had an indifferent look on her face as she finally spoke, “My name is Hannah.”
That was all we got from the woman, as she stood there with her arms crossed.
Finally, Richard spoke once more, “Now that that's been settled and everyone here is somewhat acquainted, may I know the extent of your healing miss Melian?”
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“I can heal cuts like that just fine, bones too. There are things that are beyond my limits, of course, but yeah.”
Richard nodded, “I understand.” he turned to me, “Walker, may I know what you can do?”
I stood there for a second, in my own thoughts. As soon as he had mentioned, I basically had to prove my worth to travel with them, I knew what I was going to do.
I didn’t want to, but I had no other choice it seemed. The survival rate was too low to continue the journey alone. Besides, it’s not like they can gauge the entirety of my strength with just me showing them this.
I raised my hand and channeled mana throughout my body. Frost began layering my arm and hand, eventually creating multiple shards and spears of Ice all around me.
Looking around I could see the entire tent shocked at the showcase of power.
I turned my eyes back to Richard, “I am a martial mage with a higher element, I’m sure I can be of use.”
Behind his shocked expression, I could tell Richard was impressed. Even Hannah, who looked like she had a stick up her ass showed some signs of acknowledgment.
“Alright, Alright. That's enough, I trust your strength.” Richard said.
I released my mana at all the ice around me dissipated.
“I must say, I wasn't expecting that, Walker.” Richard laughed, as he rubbed the back of his head. “I think I got the wrong impression of you earlier.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, you're quite small in stature, so I just assumed…”
“It's fine.” I cut him off.
Everyone else in the room seemed to find what he was getting at funny, and began laughing.
“Anyways, I’m glad you two are on the team for however long you decide to stay. Chark get out the drinks, a toast seems necessary.”
Following orders, Chark reached for two wine bottles and a wooden box of mugs. Filling them each up with wine, he handed them out.
“To new bonds and new horizons,” Richard called as he held up his mug.
Everyone did the same and raised their mugs, clashing theirs with Richards.
“To new bonds and new horizons!” We all said in unison.
I had heard about things like this from time to time. Adventurers doing things like this with new members of their party as a sign of trust. Although I doubt Richard fully trusted us, I figured it was to show respect.
During the mists of our toast, my eyes met with Melian’s. Although she was smiling, it wasn't hard to tell behind her narrow eyes she was thinking about something.
I had never told her I was capable of using ice magic, and maybe she’s dialed back on trusting me a bit after the showing today.
I couldn't blame her if she did, as I would do the same. After all, she, or no one here, has ever seen my face.
As Melian mingled with the other members getting to know them, and stood quiet. Richard also seemed to be doing the same as he sat and sipped his wine.
Don’t get me wrong, I was never a socially awkward weirdo, I just preferred to stay quiet. It was easier that way.
Why get to know people that could lose their lives today or tomorrow? I took a sip of the bitter grape wine, Maybe I should relax on the dark thoughts.
I looked over at Richard, Why not? I could definitely get some useful information.
“So, Richard, since you know what somewhat capable, do you mind telling me a bit about your own strengths?”
He set his mug on the wooden table he was sitting at. “I’m a martial mage, like yourself, I possess the earth element, though. Mostly skilled in offense.”
“Offense huh, that's interesting considering earth is known as one of the best elements defensively.”
He laughed, “Yeah, I get that a lot.”
“So now that Melian and I are a part of the team and all, I was wondering on when you were planning on heading out of this place,” I asked.
He kicked his legs up, “Well before I was planning on giving Lizzy some rest as we looked for a doctor and head out in a week or so, but looking at the party now, we seem ready. I’ll tell you now, but I'll break the news to them first thing in the morning.” He took another sip of his wine, “We’ll be heading out at the noon outing bell tomorrow.”
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“Rise and shine, sleepy head!” Lizzy yelled throughout the tent.
Whether she was more energetic because her arm heal or was just normally like this, I couldn’t know.
“I’m up, I’m up. Settle down, Lizzy.” Chark called as he rolled out of his sleeping bag. His sleeping bag was rather large, I seemed as if he had to stitch two of them together so he could fit.
Everyone else was already up and eating breakfast. A loaf of steaming bread and hot oats was always welcome to me.
As Chark began getting himself together Richard began speaking to the party.
“Most of you know I was planning on heading out in a week or so, but now that we’ve found two new members, one being a healer, and one a martial mage, I believe we can now speed up the departure. This may come as a shock to some of you, but I plan we move out the noon bell.” He pulled out a list of supplies, “Until then, we’ll need these things to secure the rest of our travels to Ara. As you all know, from here on out there is no stopping points, only vicious beasts and we need to be prepared.”
At his words, the rest of the party didn’t let out any rebuttals, which was surprising to me. It seemed that they all trusted Richards's judgment and calls, which would be good for us in the long run.
After his explanation of the supplies we needed, he sent almost every party member on an errand to retrieve stuff.
“Meet back at the tent by an hour 'til noon. We’ll then pack up and head out.”
As everyone expect Melian and I left to do what they were asked, Richard called us to the side.
He had a paper with some sort of symbols on it, laid out on the table. “While they're doing that, I'm going to need your guy’s help to find out where to put you in the formation.” Richard turned to me, “I don’t know why, but I feel as if you have just as much experience as I, and can help me figure this out, Walker.”
He was right. I did have experience in the field he was referring too. I had always been good at putting people where they'd be strongest and most useful. The habit of being in war for so long in my past life.
“Good guess,” I responded, “Let me see what you have already.”
Time flew by and Richard and I managed to get the formation down pat. Everyone also arrived back with the goods they were told to retrieve, and all seven of us began making our way it the gate.
From the distance, I could hear the bell of the noon outing ring throughout the outpost.
Here we go.