Elara watched as the woman settled onto the straw beside them, her green dress pooling around her. She introduced herself, her voice soft but clear. "My name is Brenda. I'm the daughter of the local smith."

Esme's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You have a smith here?" she asked, her tone incredulous. Brenda nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Yes, though he is low level. But it's enough to care for the farm supplies and any maintenance that needs to be done."

Esme leaned forward, her interest piqued. "I wonder if we could meet your father. I have some dents in my armor I would love to get taken care of."

Brenda's smile faltered slightly, and she hesitated before responding. "I will ask, but I can make no promises."

Elara noticed the shift in Brenda's demeanor, the way her eyes darted away for a moment. There was something she wasn't saying. Brenda quickly changed the subject, her gaze settling on Esme once more. "Is it true that you are here to take care of the dungeon?"

Esme nodded, her expression serious. "Yes, that's why we're here."

Ignatius, who had been listening intently, spoke up. "Brenda, was it felt in the village when the dungeon appeared? It was very quiet when we entered."

Brenda's eyes dropped to her lap, and she fidgeted with the fabric of her dress. "We noticed the dungeon appearing three months ago," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "The hunters in the village noticed an increase in activity from the wildlife, and an increase in aggression."

Elara leaned in. She could sense the unease radiating from the woman.

"Where before the wolves would have run away, they now fight until the bitter end," Brenda continued, her voice trembling slightly. "We've already lost a few hunters to the aggressive beasts."

Esme's brow furrowed, concern etched into her features. "That's terrible," she murmured, her voice filled with sympathy. Brenda nodded, her eyes still downcast. "Currently, only small groups are allowed to leave the village. It has been difficult."

Elara felt a pang of empathy for the villagers, familiar with the feeling of not being able to leave.

She watched as Esme leaned forward, her eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Brenda, it would make sense for why we didn't meet anyone outside the village walls. But why is it quiet inside as well? Have beasts entered or targeted the village?"

Brenda's eyes widened, and she quickly shook her head. "No, no monster has entered the village nor targeted it." She hesitated, her fingers twisting the fabric of her dress. "It's just that... you are not the first group of adventurers to have arrived here. And the people are nervous."

The group perked up at that, their attention fully focused on Brenda. Elara could see the gears turning in their heads, the unspoken questions hanging in the air.

"What do you mean, we're not the first group?" Esme asked, her voice low and serious.

Brenda swallowed hard, her gaze darting between the adventurers. "Two days ago, another group came through. They were confident, just like you. They said they were going to take care of the dungeon to make things safe again. They asked to be housed and fed as repayment for taking care of the dungeon."

Elara watched as Ignatius and Esme frowned, their expressions darkening at Brenda's revelation. The news of another group of adventurers already in the village seemed to sit poorly with them.

"Are they still in the village?" Elara asked. "And where are they staying?"

Brenda's gaze dropped to her lap. "They're residing in the village chief's residence," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Elara noticed the upset look on Brenda's face at the mention of the adventurers' accommodations. Esme, having picked up on the same cue, leaned forward, her eyes narrowed.

"It's very generous for the head of the village to open his home to armed strangers," Esme said, a hint of sarcasm lacing her words. She didn't seem to care whether Brenda understood the implication behind her statement, but the woman's worried expression suggested she did.

Ignatius continued, his voice low and serious. "Is that what you wanted to talk with us about? Why you decided to keep us company?" He paused, his gaze boring into Brenda's. "What is it that you want?"

Brenda's posture stiffened, her breath catching before she spoke. "I... I don't trust them," she confessed, her voice wavering. "They've been imposing, draining our resources unfairly. And the village chief, he's been acquiescing to their every demand."

Elara felt a sense of unease settle in her stomach at Brenda's words. The situation in the village seemed more complex than they had initially thought.

"Have they made any progress with the dungeon? Have they left to check it out?" Esme asked, her brow furrowed in concern.

Brenda shook her head. "Not that we know of. They've been spending most of their time in the village, enjoying the hospitality of the chief's house."

Ignatius leaned back, his expression pensive. "That does seem troublesome. But what do you want from us, Brenda? Why bring this to our attention?"

Brenda's gaze met Ignatius's, her eyes filled with a mixture of desperation and hope. "The village is willing to pay you to take the adventurers with you to the dungeon," she said, her voice steady despite the tension in the room.

Elara's eyebrows shot up in surprise at Brenda's words. It was clear that the village was at their wit's end with these adventurers, if they were willing to pay another group to get rid of them.

Brenda continued, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. "Near the dungeon, the Blackwood family has created an expedition camp. But this team doesn't seem to want to stay there. Instead, they've been a nuisance here in the village. We had other teams stay a night and then leave. But not them."

Esme considered Brenda's words for a moment, her expression thoughtful. "Do you know their team number or any other descriptor that would help us identify them by description alone?" she asked, her tone businesslike.

Brenda shook her head, a hint of unease creeping into her voice. "No, I've kept my distance. There are rumors of them not being very gentlemanly with the daughters of the village head. The girls are currently staying at other people's homes to avoid them."

Elara felt a wave of disgust wash over her at Brenda's revelation. It was clear that this group was not only a nuisance but a potential threat to the safety of the villagers.

Esme hummed at Brenda's words, her expression darkening. It was clear that she was not pleased with what she was hearing. Elara could practically see the gears turning in Esme's head as she processed the information and considered their options.

After a moment, Esme spoke, her voice steady and calm. "We'll take a look at who it is first," she said, her gaze meeting Brenda's. "It's possible that it's a team we know."

Brenda nodded, her expression hopeful. But Esme held up a hand, her tone turning serious. "But I can make no promises," she warned. "It's not unusual for a team to decide not to stay in the expedition camp. There's always a chance of trouble with so many people in one place."

Elara nodded in agreement, understanding the potential for conflict when multiple adventuring teams were in close proximity. But something about the situation still didn't sit right with her.

Esme continued, her gaze shifting to Ignatius and Tirn. "However, the fact that they've stayed here for two days is unusual. I would expect them to at least visit the camp daily to see if the entrance to the dungeon was opened. Or at the very least, make their presence known, to be picked by the representative of the Blackwood family to gain entry early."

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Ignatius nodded, his expression pensive. "It does seem odd," he agreed. "Especially if they're causing trouble in the village. It's not a good look for the Adventuring Guild."

Elara could see the concern etched onto Brenda's face, the weight of the situation clearly weighing on her. She wanted to offer some words of comfort, but she wasn't sure what to say.

Esme turned back to Brenda, her voice softening slightly. "We'll look into it," she promised. "But I can't guarantee anything. We have our own interest to focus on as well."

Brenda nodded, a flicker of hope in her eyes. "I understand," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "But please, if there's anything you can do to help, the village would be grateful."

Elara felt a pang of sympathy for Brenda and the villagers. They were caught in a difficult situation, and it was clear that they were desperate for any help they could get.

As Brenda stood up, her green dress swaying with her movement, she bid the group goodnight and left the barn. Esme took the basket Brenda had brought and began distributing the food inside. She pulled out four loaves of bread, some cheese, dried meat, and a handful of blue and red berries.

Elara's eyes widened with interest as she watched Esme divide the food. She wondered what the bread, cheese, and berries would taste like, her curiosity piqued by the unfamiliar fare. Esme made an appreciative hum as she surveyed the spread, seemingly satisfied with the offerings.

When it came to taking her portion, Elara hesitated. She knew she didn't need to eat, thanks to the fasting pill she had taken. Not wanting to waste food that could be better used by her companions, she took only a small corner of bread and a meager helping of cheese, meat, and berries.

Esme noticed Elara's pitiful portion and gave her a sad smile. Elara felt a twinge of embarrassment, feeling the need to defend her choice. But before she could say anything, Tirn held out his portion of berries towards her, still without making eye contact.

"They're sweet," he said gruffly, his voice low and quiet.

Elara was touched by Tirn's gesture, a warmth spreading through her chest at his unexpected kindness. She thanked him and took the berries. The bread was a bit hard, but the cheese and dried meat were delicious. And just as Tirn had said, the unknown berries were indeed sweet. Tirn took the bread, cheese, and meat that Elara had left behind, adding it to his own portion. She felt a sense of gratitude towards her companions, them not making a fuss and accepting her decision.

Ignatius ate his portion of the meal without complaint, his focus seemingly on the food in front of him. Between bites, he glanced up at the group, his gaze settling on Esme. "Are you sure we should get involved in this?" he asked, his voice neutral, void of emotion. "It wouldn't be wise to foster animosity with another group that will probably enter the dungeon alongside us."

Esme remained silent for a moment, chewing her food thoughtfully. Elara could see the gears turning in her head as she considered his words. After a few more bites, Esme finally spoke, her voice firm and resolute. "I don't like it when other teams exploit civilians for their own gain," she said, her eyes narrowing. "They give us Adventurers a bad reputation." Elara nodded in agreement, understanding Esme's perspective.

Esme continued, her tone becoming more strategic. "Helping the village will also put us in better standing with them. I want access to the smith they have here." A smirk played on her lips as she added, "And getting the team to leave doesn't sound too difficult. I already have a few ideas."

Ignatius let out a sigh, resigned to Esme's decision. He didn't argue against it, instead focusing on finishing his meal. Elara got the sense that he trusted Esme's judgment, even if he had his reservations about getting involved.

As the group continued to eat in silence, her mind wandered to the other team of Adventurers. She wondered what kind of people they were and why they had chosen to stay in the village rather than the expedition camp. She also couldn't help but feel a sense of unease at the thought of confronting them, knowing that it could potentially lead to conflict.

But Elara trusted Esme and the rest of the team. They had proven themselves to be capable and level-headed. Whatever plan Esme had in mind, she was confident that it would be in the best interest of both the village and the team.

She turned to her companions, her brow furrowed in thought. "You mentioned team numbers," she said, her voice hesitant. "Does this team have a number?"

To her surprise, it was Tirn who answered. "84," he grunted, his gaze still focused on his food. Elara's eyebrows shot up in surprise. She hadn't expected Tirn to be the one to respond, given his usual taciturn nature. But his answer only raised more questions in her mind.

"Does the number have any meaning?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity. Esme let out a chuckle, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "No," she said, a grin spreading across her face. "It was the smallest number available."

Elara's brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Esme leaned back, her expression turning more serious. "The team that had the number before either died or disbanded," she explained, her voice matter-of-fact.

Elara felt a chill run down her spine at Esme's words. The thought of a team meeting such a fate was unsettling, to say the least. She couldn't help but wonder what had happened to them.

But Esme seemed unfazed by the implications of her statement. She continued eating her meal, her focus already shifting to their next steps.

Elara glanced at Ignatius and Tirn, trying to gauge their reactions to Esme's revelation. Ignatius seemed deep in thought, his brow furrowed as he chewed his food. Tirn, on the other hand, remained as stoic as ever, his expression giving nothing away.

She watched them in silence some more, the weight of their conversation hanging heavy in the air. After a few minutes of quiet eating, Esme spoke up, her voice firm but not unkind. "Alira, you should get some sleep now," she said, her gaze meeting Elara's. "We'll likely head out at first light, so you should get as much rest as possible."

Elara nodded, recognizing the dismissal in Esme's statement. She moved to prepare for bed, removing her belt and placing her dagger by her side, far enough away to avoid accidentally rolling onto it. Despite the discomfort, she kept her shoes on, just in case. She laid down and closed her eyes, waiting for sleep to take her. But sleep proved elusive. After an hour of laying still, she still couldn't drift off. She kept her eyes closed, trying to will herself to sleep, but her mind refused to quiet. During that hour, she heard her companions shuffling about, each person going through their own nightly routine of maintenance for their armor and weapons.

At the end of the first hour, Tirn's voice broke the silence. "What's the plan?" he asked, his tone gruff but curious.

Esme sighed, the sound heavy with uncertainty. "I don't know," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ignatius spoke up then, his voice tinged with disbelief. "You can't be seriously thinking of taking her with us," he said, his words directed at Esme.

Elara felt a pang of hurt at Ignatius's words, but she remained still, pretending to be asleep. She listened as Esme defended herself, her voice firm and resolute.

"With a fourth member, our chances of entering the dungeon early increases by a lot," Esme argued, her tone leaving no room for debate.

Elara's heart raced at Esme's words. The thought of entering the dungeon with them was both thrilling and terrifying.

"We will not be forced to take an extra person with us if we take her," Esme said, her voice firm and resolute. "They will think of her as an apprentice or something."

Ignatius scoffed, his tone laced with frustration. "Adding another person will only decrease our share of the experience points," he argued.

But Esme wasn't having it. She scoffed right back at him, her voice rising slightly. "This was not a problem when Chris was still alive," she said, her words cutting through the tension in the room.

Elara felt the weight of the silence that followed. She didn't know who Chris was, but it was clear that his memory held a great deal of significance for the group.

After a moment, Ignatius spoke again, his voice quieter now. "That was different," he said, his words heavy with unspoken meaning.

Esme sighed, the fire in her voice extinguished. "I know," she said, her tone softer now. "But we will just not let her join the fights. Meaning she would not get any of the experience points."

Ignatius let out a frustrated huff. "Do you think she would take such a lousy deal?" he asked, his voice dripping with skepticism.

But Esme was undeterred. "She owes us for showing her to the village, as well as paying for the food and accommodation," she said, her voice steady and sure. "We could ask her to do this to pay us back."

Elara's mind raced as she processed Esme's words. She knew she owed the group a great deal, but the thought of entering the dungeon with them was still daunting.

Ignatius' next words caught Elara off guard. "The so-called friend that left Alira in the woods is more than likely there," he said, his voice tinged with bitterness. "That is the only location of interest around here."

Elara felt a twinge of embarrassment at Ignatius's words. Flamebeard is more than likely not there. He must assume some human or another abandoned her here. She felt a wave of relief that they appeared to believe her tale of hailing from the capital. Still, a pang of guilt gnawed at her.

"Good," Esme said, her voice low and menacing. "Then we can beat their ass and leave them in the dungeon with only the cloth on their back and a dagger. See how they like it." Elara felt a surge of gratitude towards Esme as she listened to her words. She knew Esme was a formidable warrior, and the idea of having her on her side was reassuring.

Ignatius let out a low whistle, his tone a mix of admiration and disbelief. "You're not messing around," he said, his words tinged with a hint of amusement.

Esme scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain. "Of course not," she said, her words sharp and biting. "Anyone who would abandon someone like that deserves what's coming to them. Alira did not even badmouth them at all."

Elara felt a lump form in her throat at her words. Having someone stand up for her like that was overwhelming. She wanted to thank Esme, to let her know how much her support meant to her, but she didn't want to give away the fact that she had been listening to their conversation. Instead, she lay still, her mind racing with the possibilities of what lay ahead. She knew that entering the dungeon would be dangerous, but the thought of having Esme and the others by her side made her feel more confident. It would be a good way to explore a dungeon for the first time, with seasoned adventures by her side.