As the sun rose on another day at the makeshift camp, Alea found herself lost in thought, her mind swirling with questions .
The rhythmic clang of metal against stone echoed in the distance as the workers toiled away on the railroad.
Perched atop a nearby boulder, Alea gazed out at the activity below, her brows furrowed.
The events of the previous night weighed heavily on her mind. The desperation in Harlan's voice, the way they rummaged through that library like their lives depended on it.
Alea sighed.
[So, they're looking for something. Very, very high chance it's the thing I have that they're looking for. If I tell Maria or Cara about this... Will they just tell me to give it up?]
That was why Alea had hesitated to do what she wanted to do. She wasn't sure how her teachers would react to the information.
At the same time, she wanted to know more about the situation before she made anything happen.
[It's clear that the point of this whole trip isn't really to build this railroad,] Alea mused internally, her mental voice barely a whisper amidst the sounds of construction. [But, then, what's the point? Why do they want that book?] Alea sighed. [Is there some sort of spell or magic that I haven't gotten to yet?]
Her curiosity was too much to contain.
She was going to read the book further but, first, Alea thought of something.
Hopping off the boulder, Alea got up and began to walk around, looking for something to see.
As Alea wandered through the campsite, her senses on high alert, she discreetly observed the workers and guards, searching for any hint of unusual activity. Something that would fit the puzzle she was building in her mind.
Moving from one group to another, Alea strained to catch fragments of conversation, hoping to glean some insight into Mr. Harlan's true intentions.
Approaching a group of workers huddled around a makeshift table, Alea slowed her pace, feigning interest in the task at hand while straining to eavesdrop on their conversation.
"...Can't believe how hot it's getting out here," remarked one worker, wiping sweat from his brow with the back of his hand.
"Yeah, tell me about it," another chimed in, pausing to take a swig from a water canteen. "Feels like I'm melting."
"Agh, I'm practically on fire!"
... That was it.
They just talked about how hot it was for a couple of minutes.
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Alea rolled her eyes, frustrated.
Moving on, Alea approached another group of workers gathered around a stack of supplies, their voices mingling in animated conversation.
"...And then he says to me, 'You expect me to believe that?'" one worker exclaimed, punctuating his story with a hearty laugh.
His companions chuckled in response, nodding along as the guy continued an anecdote that threatened to knock Alea out on her feet.
Despite her best efforts, Alea gleaned nothing of significance from their banter, the conversation drifting from one lighthearted topic to the next without offering any clues to the mysteries that plagued her thoughts.
Disheartened but undeterred, Alea continued her reconnaissance, her determination unyielding as she searched for any sign of the truth hidden amidst the mundane chatter of ruins-turned-campsite.
[... Gonna be hard to find anything,] Alea thought as she leaned against a tree. [Whatever they're actually here for, they're probably not just going to be talking about it out in the open. What do I do? What do I... Huh?]
Suddenly, Alea's attention was drawn to an unusual sight.
She spotted Mr. Harlan walking back to the ruins from a distant corner of the site, emerging from a section of the forest Alea hadn't explored yet.
Initially, Alea dismissed it as nothing out of the ordinary, perhaps for a moment of solitude or just him taking a piss.
However, a nagging sense of curiosity stirred within her.
[... I guess it couldn't hurt to check if there's something important over there.]
With a sense of cautious determination, Alea decided to follow Mr. Harlan's path, her curiosity overcoming any apprehension she might have felt.
Alone on the dirt path, Alea treaded cautiously, her senses heightened by the eerie silence that enveloped the secluded area.
As she ventured further, a single luxury vehicle came into view, flanked by four guards.
The car stood out amidst the rugged terrain, its sleek exterior a stark contrast to the natural surroundings.
[A limo?] Alea almost laughed. [Out here? Why?]
It was clear, however, just going off the car's pristine condition and appearance so fancy Alea could feel her purse being drained just looking at it, that this was Harlan's car.
Flanking the vehicle were four guards, their imposing figures standing rigidly at attention, though they hadn't noticed her just yet as she moved behind the trees and bushes.
Unlike the guards back at the campsite, these sentinels were adorned in armor that seemed more fitting for a royal procession than a construction site. Ornately decorated plates with intricate patterns and embellishments, gleaming in the sunlight.
Each guard carried themselves with an air of authority, their posture erect and unwavering as they kept a watchful eye on their surroundings.
[Ah... If I move any closer, they'll definitely spot me. I'm not too sure I can just run away again too if their armor is any hint of how strong they are. But... I wanna get a closer look.]
Cautiously, Alea used that same invisibility spell from the previous night, again, it would only last half a minute, but that was all Alea wanted.
As Alea approached the luxury vehicle, her eyes were drawn to a figure seated in the back.
A lady.
The woman exuded an air of authority, her posture poised and regal, despite the rugged surroundings. She had striking features, with sharp, angular lines defining her face. Dark, bored, but penetrating eyes.
Her hair, a cascade of jet-black strands, framed her face elegantly, falling in loose waves around her shoulders. Adorned in a sleek, form-fitting dress, she waited, her eyes roaming the forest lazily.
For a moment, it almost felt like she made eye contact with Alea, but that couldn't be the case.
[Who in the world is she?]
As Alea's gaze lingered on the woman, a mixture of curiosity and apprehension washed over her. There was something about the woman's presence that sent shivers down Alea's spine.
However, just as Alea was about to take another step forward, a sudden blow struck the back of her head.
Before she could react, darkness enveloped her vision, and she crumpled to the ground, consciousness slipping away as the world faded into blackness.