As the first light of dawn bathed the quaint village of Starch in a warm, golden glow, Ariah and Elias Silver set out on the familiar path towards Dusty's Shop. The air was crisp and still, carrying with it the promise of a new day and the weight of impending adventure. With each step, the siblings felt a sense of anticipation building within them, their hearts quickening with excitement for the journey that lay ahead. The smell of dew-covered grass mixed with the faint scent of fresh bread from nearby homes, creating a comforting yet energizing start to their mission.
As they approached the shop, they were greeted by the sight of the six Starch guards, their stoic expressions illuminated by the soft light of the rising sun. These seasoned warriors, clad in armor adorned with the emblem of their village, stood ready to join Ariah and Elias on their venture to Dockton. With a nod of acknowledgment, the twins exchanged glances, their determination mirrored in each other's eyes as they prepared to embark on their quest to uncover the damages of Dockton, and to possibly save anybody who was left behind.
“Guards!” Ariah said loudly. The six of them acknowledged her presence and got into their cordial greeting stance. Dusty peered through his window, a bright smile spreading across his face. He quickly made his way outside with a basket of assorted goods and wares for the party to bring with them.
Dusty approached the twins, putting a fist to his mouth as he cleared his throat and spoke with as much nobility as possible. “Elias, Ariah! Good morning to you two. I have ensured your guards had eaten their breakfast and I prepared some food and water for you in this basket. I know you are in a hurry, so I'll finish my piece—good luck and make it back safely, please?”
The twins chuckled at this because they were used to Dusty being raw in his speech and demeanor. “Oh, you don’t gotta do all of that, Dusty. We’re not royalty, nor do we want to be treated as such. Hold the fort down for us while we are gone. And as for the food and water, it is much appreciated, my friend.” Elias responded, a light grin following as the sunlight gleamed across his clean-shaven face. Elias had been growing his hair out, now tied into a short ponytail. The twins gave Dusty a group hug, made from love and compassion for the big oaf's attention to caring. After a quick glance between the three, they greeted their guards once again, the exit just behind them.
As Ariah, Elias, and the six Starch Guards made their way towards the exit of the village, a solemn hush fell over the group, punctuated only by the soft crunch of gravel beneath their boots. The path ahead stretched out before them, its once well-trodden surface now bearing the stark absence of any new footsteps or wheel tracks. It was a haunting reminder of the recent events that had befallen Dockton, a village now shrouded in tragedy and uncertainty. As they ventured forth, the weight of their mission hung heavy in the air, each step forward a testament to their determination to uncover the truth and bring justice to those who had suffered at the hands of the raiders. With every passing moment, the path grew more desolate, yet Ariah, Elias, and the guards pressed on, the lightly wooded forest just ahead.
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The journey to Dockton could take half the day on foot, which is why they chose to leave so early. They hoped to return that same night, wielding any answers or hints as to why the orcs had decided to ambush the poor independent town of Dockton.
“I can’t believe I’m going back to this place. If my parents were alive to see and know what had happened, they would be jumping out of their trousers.” Shina's voice was filled with a mix of disbelief and sorrow. Elias placed his hand on her shoulder, showing empathy, knowing all too well the pain of losing parents, and sensing the fear that lingered in the air, for they didn’t know what to expect upon arrival.
“HEY! DID YOU GUYS FORGET SOMETHING, OR SOMEONE?!” A familiar voice echoed from behind.
They all looked back, and in immediate response, the twins spoke in unison as they always did in moments like these, “Fuck, Rokas!”
Rokas sprinted along the path to catch up to the group, stopping with his hands on his knees, panting. “Ya know, I get that I slept in, but come on, did you seriously forget about me?”
Ariah felt a heavy amount of guilt. “Rokas, we are so terribly sorry. Wow, I cannot believe we forgot. It’s just that we are incredibly anxious and have a lot on our minds. I promise you it is nothing against you. I hope you understand. Here, have some water!”
Quickly snatching the ceramic bottle from Ariah’s hand, Rokas emptied it to the last drop. Thankfully, this was just one of the many bottles they had prepared for the trip. Placing the empty bottle into his satchel, Rokas gestured his acceptance of their apology and began walking ahead of the group as they stared at him with happy surprise.
As the group resumed their journey to Dockton, the world around them slowly came to life. The early morning light bathed the landscape in a gentle, golden hue, casting long shadows that danced with the sway of the trees. The path ahead was flanked by dense forests, their tall, ancient trees rustling softly in the morning breeze, whispering secrets of ages past. Birds chirped melodiously, greeting the new day with their songs, while the scent of dew-kissed earth and blooming wildflowers filled the air. The occasional rustle in the underbrush hinted at unseen creatures scurrying about their morning routines. The sound of a nearby brook added a calming cadence to their steps, the water gurgling over smooth stones as it made its way to join larger streams and rivers. Despite the weight of their mission, the natural beauty surrounding them offered a momentary reprieve, a reminder of the world’s enduring serenity even in times of strife.
With the luck of flat roads and paths to follow ahead, the adventure for the party should see them arriving upon sunset, still with enough time to investigate.
Hours passed, and they found themselves in the home stretch of Dockton. Off in the distance, the party could see the remnants of a once-bustling shore town. The sun reflecting off the eye-catching ocean waters past it gave the place an eerie irony, considering its current state.
“To think of the few times we have been here with Dusty, I would have never imagined that the amazing fish dinner we had would be the last time we enjoyed our time here. The orcs will pay…” Elias broke the silence, his voice filled with a quiet determination. The sound of tired footsteps crunching into the unbothered gravel below them was like a clock ticking, each step marking the time coming to an end for the initial walk to the town.