In one of the most bustling part of a main city of the Trinity Kingdom, the Grand Gathering, an expedition is almost at the state of departure. The Grand Gathering is a place where people would meet and prepare before they could start on their journey. The place is filled with variety of stores which are selling their own types of products ranging from medicine and magic scrolls to weapons and armors. Apparels and inventories are not only the thing they sell but also transportations like horses and carriages.
The Grand Gathering is busy as usual but there is a gathering of an expeditionary force that was formed by the kingdom’s research guild that is on their last inspection of supplies and members before they leave to their mission. The core members are a part of an army under a reputable band of nobles who are not only well respected but also strong individuals. But the harsh requirement of having great fortitude and strength to handle the cold could only procure a small number of members outside the circle of the core members. For these prerequisites are essentials when travelling to the northern outskirts of the empire where the altitude is barely habitable by an average human and with temperatures that could easily turn water to ice in a tiny amount of time.
Within a room of an inn built with beautifully polished marble and dark pine wood, away from the crowded noise outside, a noble who is leading the expedition together with a soldier is having a rest... or not.
A deafening sound of a shattered glass coupled with the quiet atmosphere spilled a blood red which is wine. The noble that was supposed to rest is standing unevenly away from his chair with his fist dyed pink from prolonged anger and a forceful clench. In front of him is his right-handed man whose tall enough that can overshadow the noble. If it were other person other than him, the right-handed man, they would feel that the anger is directed towards them but for him it is different because he understands that the emotion wasn't aimed at him.
To be honest, this is better than what I used to have. He thought.
The noble, an old fogey who looked a little bit fat, started rambling about. "I feel like I've stepped on a big shit hole right now... There are too few of an armed personnels in the expedition right now. With a lower fighting power than the amount needed to at least combat an ambush of demonic creatures, it is hard to protect these baggages with no strength to fight, these researchers and priests, thus, double the trouble. I'd expect less from the guild anyway to bring the amount specified in my request."
The soldier advised him, "Since the request is attached with a very strict requirement, these results were very much expected. Sir, I advise to depart sharply before the dark blankets us. Only a few minutes left on the clock before the target departure."
The noble looked up to him, sighed, and dropped into his chair with complete stress. The whole expedition would be lucky if we only encountered just a tiny amount of attacks before heading out home. Even with the help of the priests' weakening magic to the beasts, it is still useless without people who are trained for combat. The noble currently is doubting the success of the expedition with just a small military force. "Tro-...troublesome. This has become a troublesome ordeal". Several thoughts ran through his head and finally accepted an at least viable solution.
Having resolved himself and other problems, he stood up from his seat and fixed his messed-up face from the long grumbling, took his cloak from the hanger, and proceeds to go outside to begin the last check before the departure. "Sadon, let's head out."
Sadon, his right-handed man, nods. The noble headed out first, came Sadon second while picking up his longsword from the racket at the side of the doorway of the room.
Arriving at the lobby, several eyes fell unto the noble that is filled with both expressions of excitement and worry. These people are the soldiers under the noble who were veterans and could match up toe to toe with the kingdom's elite soldiers, and him bringing them means that their master was tasked with a dangerous mission. Since it is a dangerous one, having the leader to be trusted by at least half of the expedition force would reduce the strain in the head of the one who will be leading.
The noble stopped in the middle of the lobby, facing towards his people, and announced with excitement.
"Attention to all of my men"
Though casually said, all the soldiers stand salute. The noble sighed in defeat and continued.
"Today's another the day that all of you will be thrown into the battlefield with me. Last time was the witch hunt and now, this expedition. Though it is different from the usual battlefield, this will be a cake walk."
"Just baby sit?" One of his men asked. "Yes, just baby sitting researchers," He answered. The whole lobby starts to get noisy, chattering away as they heard 'baby sitting' as part of their mission in the expedition. They all know that this is not just a simple baby sitting mission. From the equipment they are going to wear and the weapon that are going to be used, the whole expedition will be a dangerous one.
As the noise died down, the noble resolutely declared, "Nobody will die, I will be participating as well." Which in turn made a lot of relieving sighs from his men.
"Let's go." The noble said. ""HUUUAAAH!"" His soldier roared, promptly scared the receptionists of the inn and some bystanders from the outside while the noble let out a breathe with his eyes twitching from the cry.
Because of the sudden exit of a large group from an inn, several eyes fell onto them as the observers wondered what their origin of their identities but suddenly stopped and continue their own business as they saw the one leading them. But their curiosity never wavered as they kept on thinking which noble is leading the brawny men. The noble's group never cared what the public eye sees and think as they continue walking towards the stable of the Grand Gathering.
It is a common occurence to see a high-profile looking people gathered about in a busy place like the Grand Gathering. But upon seeing a noble together with his gang exiting a place usually a noble rarely visits, they just can't avoid eyeing them.
At the departure area, two of the noble's men were stationed, and where in-charged of the last stage. They are tired from the day-full of inspections and quality checks for their journey. Slaves were hired to handle the heavy labour of loading cargoes into the wagons and carriages. The slaves are cheap and easily replaced once they are not satisfied with the result, as such, the slaves are working their hardest even at the cost of getting their bodies die down for a meager reward. Being replaced means death sentence to them.
One of the people in-charge, Harold, is supervising the slaves, managing their workload throughout the whole day while keeping in check on the overall progress before they leave. With a few list of things to do are left, he was glad that they could finally finish the shit that they are doing and take a rest. But after indulging in his dream of his vacation, he noticed that the slaves are having a serious trouble right now.
Three children, slave children, carrying a sack that is double their size that is filled with potatoes. One of the children dropped down, exhausted, with its mouth open, barely catches its breath. The other two were in lost as they tried to collect their thoughts and but cannot do so due to panic, fear in both being scolded and abandoning their family.
Slaves are still predominant in this era, which is caused by the total war between demons and all other races. Their homes being burnt down, their livelihood destroyed, losing their family. Some are in debt and sold their children to slavery, some were caught by the rise of banditry and get sold to another. The aftermath caused one of the terrible and chaotic future that is today.
And Harold, having experienced the war itself and what it is having to feel of losing their loved ones, went out to the troubled trio and tried to helped them. He also understands that asking for help, as a slave, gets you in big trouble, and their past jobs must've been terrible altogether. With bag of bread and pouches of water, he headed towards them.
From the thee children's perspective, seeing the supervisor coming for them alerted their mind and forced the fallen one to stand up, supporting both of his shoulder, while carrying the huge sack of potatoes. Despite their struggle in both carrying the baggage and supporting their friend, they clenched their teeth and continue their way to load the sack into the package. Tears and breaths wasted with each second pass as they blow their energy to finish what they have been tasked to do.
A sound of footsteps creeps closer, their state of mind racing while not having to gaze away towards their goal.
It gets louder...
*BANG* The sack fell down together with the children...
...tired...
...exhausted...
... ....
... and hopeless...
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
They just waited for their due punishment as they collapsed in front of the carriage.
Harold was baffled, surprised, and scared on the state of the children. He hurriedly went to their spot, moved the baggage away from the children. Having difficulty, he called out to the other slaves to stop what they are doing and assist him. Since the supervisor ordered them so, they stopped immediately and hurried to his way. He let the children lie with their back facing the ground.
"You there!, bring me some water!"
"Bring me potions from those crates!"
"What?! The crates are locked and keys are with the other guy? Shit!"
In the middle of the panic, he saw the group of researchers heading their way as they too notice the big group of slaves in one spot, curious of the situation that is happening. One of the researcher, with a backpack and a weird long item on his back, like a pole, but wrapped tightly in a cloth, kneeled immediately and assessed the children's well being, and Harold, was quite intrigued and he sense that the researcher knows what to do and prepares himself to assist him.
While waiting for whatever the researcher wants, he ordered half of the idled slaves who are not tired to continue what they are doing. And if so tired, grab something to eat at his table and then rest for a while before continue working.
"Hurry! Continue!"
The slaves continued about their work but changed their view towards other masters. Even though he has shouted to make them continue working, he is also considerate towards a disposables like them.
Disregarding the other slaves, the researcher then asked what had happened to the children before they collapsed. Harold gave a brief sentences, to which the researcher was a little happy to what he did and his immediate response. This made an outward expression that Harold, while observing the researcher, noticed a faint smile on his face but turned plain right after and began doing something to the children.
"Three water cups with water on them, I don't care how much is in it as long as there is water"
With the cups of water still besides him when he was trying to help the children before they collapsed, Harold handed the said cups to the researcher. The researcher, however, pulls out a satchel behind his back and searches the item he requires to treat them. An expensive looking vial was pulled out, removed the cap, and pour a tiny drop into each of the cups.
"This is a healing potion, don't worry."
Harold, and the other researchers had their eyes blew up from surprise, not because he used the potion's content and dilute to the water to heal them in-expensively but because of the color of the potion. Normally, the potion to cure wounds, exhaustion, or any kinds of illnesses would have a green color. Though it could also represent poison but if it was, the water would easily evaporate since poison in a potion normally is created through magic. But the content was red in color, a rare or almost non-existent color for a cure or healing potion.
They eventually ignored it as they helped the children drink the cure-diluted water.
The crisis eventually wittled down. Harold then let the children rest to recover themselves. He faced towards the helper and gave thanks for his help.
"Thank you, and if I remember your name was..."
While Harold was trying hard to remember the name, the researcher just gave his name. "Riyo, Rama Riyo, a librarian" Riyo extended one of his hands to perform a handshake with him. Harold also accepted the greeting by receivnig his hand. "Harold, one of Julius Vulma's and the supply manager of the expedition."
After they exchanged handshakes and greetings, Harold stroke a conversation to Riyo. "And you are a librarian? That potion must've been expensive to acquire, and was just used for these kinds of things. I'll replace it with our potions when we begin our journey."
Riyo just waved his hands in denial and declined the offer. "Those are just extra potions that I got from my friend. True, they are expensive when he got them, but it'll just collect dust until it gets used. Better be used now, my backpacks all too tight from my books, and since you guys have potions anyway I can use that instead during the journey."
"Right!" Harold smiled even after his offer got declined. He still hasn't questioned the wrapped item behind his back and ignored it but he keep a note into his head on that item.
The other guy, Ried, who is also in-charge, is waiting on the opposite side of the depature area of the Grand Gathering on the arriving priests that will be participating the expedition. It is a huge entrance that could fit a huge object like a carriage or a wagon. He has been sitting in wait for at least twenty minutes already and will still be waiting until their master has ordered to sortie out.
Just a few moments later, he noticed a carriage that is arriving at the distance. Decorated in mostly silver, the wooden carriage is standing out, and is giving a vibe of purity and elegance, paired with two white horses and a white knight as a chaperon. It stood out like a sore thumb on the street, but because wagons that are part of the church are common sight in the city especially in one of the busiest place that is the Grand Gathering.
The carriage stopped in front of Ried by the sidewalk. Chaperon dropped down, opened the door. What greeted him was not three priests but three beautiful priestesses. All adorned by these white robes and golden jewelries. They have their staves endowed by the blessings of their god, embraced with charms in gold. They also have daggers sheathed on their waist, good for buying time when in pinched in close combat.
All three priestesses have exited, waved to the chaperon, and he rode back to the carriage and drove off into the distance.
"You must be Sir Ried, we have arrived." All of them gave a slight nod during their greetings.
Ried, welcomed the three of them. "Thank you for arriving on time, we are about to depart. I would like you to follow me." He only needed to give out these few sentences and started heading towards the departure area.
"Lord Julius, the priestesses have arrived." Arriving at the place, Julius, the noble who was at the inn before, glanced at the three priestesses and made a smile. His eyes scanned their gear and their appearance, especially their bountiful mounds, and called to his other men to start finalizing. The three maidens however didn't mind as if they knew the noble.
"All supplies loaded and other cargoes, we are all good here." Harold reported to Julius.
After gathering the reports from all other people, Julius began to distribute the people into what carriage they should be riding. With the six carriages they have, the cargoes will be in the two in the middle while the rest will be distributed on the other carriages except the first one which is meant for him. Two people from his side will be assigned to each carriages except the hired adventurer's carriages and the cargoes. They will be just guarding them.
"And... who are these children?" Julius was approached by Harold and Riyo, with three children following them. Children with metal braces on their feet, signifying their status as a slave. He glared at Harold but didn't react back, he also noticed the librarian following him.
Harold spoke, "I would like to bring these children with us, and-"
Julius with arms crossed, he cut off Harold's sentences and said, "So, you're going to adopt another war orphan slaves. You do know that it is illegal and will get you detained once found out?"
Harold, lowering his head, pleaded his master to consider bring a blind eye to his selfishness. The children were scared by Julius voice becoming louder and attached to Harold like little children they are holding their parents, hiding from a dangerous thing.
*sigh* Julius could only look with pity on these children, and still considering what to do with the situation.
"For the time being, we can just let them ride with us." He accepted. Harold smiled as he accepted his master's generousity. But there is still one thing he needed to ask.
"Can he also join us?" Another question brought up to Julius. Julius, however, furrowed his brows as he gets shot down by a second question after answering the other one. "Why?" Ryo was nervous from the cold voice of Julius as Harold tries to ask to let him join with him.
"He has some knowledge that I currently require immediately and may take long. Learning about through while travelling will help me when we reach the area, and also, having me explain to you and everybody else what I learned will help the researcher as he is shy."
"Ryo's home town lies within the Northern Region and him providing geographical information, and flora and fauna, would help us investigate faster." Harold explained further.
Julius nodded, "That's a very good one. I never expected to recruit a researcher that has knowledge in that region. We are lax in acquiring knowledgeable people on demonic creatures and somehow got a valuable person. Fine, he can be with you. Also..." he looked towards Ryo, "You've got to change this shyness of yours, it may impede your ability to share ideas."
"Thank you" Ryo thanked Julius, and Harold thanked as well.
"Well, move on, it is almost six in the evening."
The noble, afterwards, called everybody and have them on board the carriages and begin moving.
As Ryo and his company were climbing the 2nd carriage, the 3 priestesses behind them halted in their boarding the carriage. Their charms were shaking vigorously but for a short time and stopped after the gang in front boarded. One of the priestess, whose staff is reacting, gaze towards the carriage. Her expression changed only for a brief moment but disregard it afterwards, and continued climbing the carriage.
After all of them have finished boarding, Julius in the lead carriage made a signal. "Let's move!"
Hence, they started their journey.