With great focus, Elara listened to Kael as he passed on the information they had given him. With a voice that exuded authority, he effortlessly commanded the attention of all the adventurers who had gathered. While he spoke of the crystallized flesh and its peculiar properties, she carefully watched the varying reactions of those around her. There are nods of understanding and murmurs among the teammates. As Kael continued, she carefully observed the groups Kael had mentioned, noting their distinct characteristics. She saw Gorvach and his crew first, and then checked out the other groups sitting nearby.
She noticed the two individuals who stood apart from the groups, and their solitary presence caught her interest. They must be the two who came alone. A man with jet-black hair that fell over his eyes was the first one. A shadowy stubble along his jaw enhanced his face. The amalgamation of leather and plate in his armor exuded an aura that was both mysterious and formidable. She struggled to pinpoint the exact materials used in his armor, making a mental note to educate herself on armor composition. Her eyes then caught sight of a sword at his side, its hilt adorned with mysterious symbols that she had never seen before.
As she observed the second individual, she estimated he was around the same age as her, or maybe even a bit younger. His tan skin and dark brown hair, complete with a long braid on his right side, added to his distinct look. The braid extended below his chin, while the rest of his hair was neatly cropped above his ears. Her attention was captivated by his attire—a dark brown leather coat that reached mid-thigh, giving him a stylish and confident aura. Adding a delightful contrast to his attire, a vivid yellow undershirt hid beneath the coat, creating a striking pop of color. Slung over his shoulder, a bow, which had an unusual design that she couldn’t help but study. Completing the image of a seasoned archer, a quiver of arrows hung confidently at his side. As she studied the young man’s attire, she noticed the intricate embroidery on his sleeves, making her curious about the significance of his clothing. His clothing hinted at a level of wealth or status that distinguished him from the other adventurers.
The gathering faded into the background until Kael’s voice filled the air, demanding everyone’s attention, including Elara’s. Calling out his name, he pointed at the young man she had been watching. “Gilvanis,” Kael called out, his voice reaching across the encampment, “you’re joining the three-man team.”
Following Kael’s lead, she focused her gaze on the three-man team. She took a moment to study them more closely. Two women and a man made up the group, all of them looking older than Elara herself. The man held a white staff in his hand, its presence hinting at his role within the team. Much to her surprise, Gilvanis approached the group without a single complaint or moment of hesitation. With a friendly smile, he introduced himself to them, casually sharing only his first name. Their acknowledgment of him was distant, their nods lacking warmth as their voices carried a touch of cool curiosity.
The lone man in the group stepped forward, his hand outstretched towards Gilvanis. “I’m Krill,” he said, his voice carrying a comforting and inviting tone. "I'm the sole healer of this dungeon expedition."
Intrigued, she focused her inspect skill on Krill. The words Healer [Level: ??] materialized right before her eyes. She redirected her attention towards the two women accompanying Krill and once again activated her inspect ability. The words Warrior [Level: ??] appeared out of nowhere before her, indicating their class but keeping their levels concealed. Subsequently, she shifted her focus to Gilvanis, utilizing her skill on him too. Similar to the rest, his class and level remained unknown, with only Warrior [Level: ??] appearing in her sight.
Her gaze trailed Kael as he proceeded with his announcements, his dominant voice slicing through the hushed conversations of the crowd. “Rhygar, you will be part of the team of four without a rookie,” Kael ordered, his tone leaving no room for disagreement.
One of the four team members stepped forward, his face displaying a deep frown. With tightly knitted brows, his eyes revealed a frustration that was barely contained. He started to voice his protest, but it was immediately suppressed. Grasping his arm tightly, one of his teammates, a tall figure with a stern face, forcefully pulled him back into place. Her gaze remained fixed on the scene, recognizing the undeniable tension that existed between Rhygar and the four-man team. Despite his obvious displeasure, Rhygar moved closer to the group. He seemed hesitant and out of place, like an ill-fitting puzzle piece. Conversely, the four-man team appeared to adopt a collective attitude of indifference. Rhygar was hardly acknowledged by them, as their faces remained stoically silent, making slight movements to create space but clearly showing no welcome. The almost tangible animosity between them was a combination of unvoiced complaints and grudging acceptance. Despite the facade of agreement, there was an undercurrent of dissatisfaction that permeated the air. The groups maintained a cautious distance from each other, as if they were afraid of igniting further disagreements.
Kael’s gaze lingered briefly on them, but he remained silent. Instead, he proceeded to elaborate on how the groups would be divided for entering the dungeon. “We will be divided into two groups, each entering the dungeon at different times,” he announced, his voice echoing through the room. "The first will consist of the Blackwood group." He then pointed to the healer group and lastly to Esme's group. "As a reward for contributing information about the dungeon, Esme's group will also be part of the first wave," Kael added.
“Each group will be comprised of ten individuals, with myself and Kael included in the first team,” Isolde chimed in.
As Elara pondered, a question arose in her mind—where were the other two individuals Kael had spoken of? According to him, there were a total of twenty-four individuals. Her eyes darted from one corner of the encampment to another, seeking the missing members. Her attention was drawn to a tent located behind Kael, its fabric providing a glimpse of someone within. Right on cue, the tent flap rustled and was yanked open, unveiling two figures making their way into the open. The first person to step out had shoulder-length light grey hair, cascading around her face in deliberate softness, with side bangs framing her features. Despite the serene calm that enveloped her, her eyes, a captivating shade of grey, there was a gravity to her expression, one that seemed out of place on her youthful face. Trailing closely behind her was a young man who seemed to have recently transitioned from adolescence to adulthood. His hair, a shade of light grey mirroring the girl’s, was trimmed a bit shorter, with unruly strands cascading over his forehead, lending him a slightly unkempt appearance. His eyes, like the girl’s, were a striking shade of grey.
Elara’s sharp eyes were quick enough to catch a revealing glimpse of the interior as the tent flap remained open for a brief moment. Two figures inside the tent were noticeably different from the emerging youth. They bowed deeply, their bodies bending at a precise 90-degree angle, paying homage to the two who had just exited. The gesture unmistakably demonstrated profound respect, or possibly deference, clearly indicating their subordinate status. It clicked for her as she connected the dots. The formal bowing of the servants affirmed the high standing of these two young people, who must be the master and miss of the Blackwood family. The scene was telling as the two servants, heads bowed, stayed behind, indicating they weren’t going into the dungeon with the siblings. She couldn’t help but wonder if slavery was prevalent in this land, a thought that deeply disturbed her. The notion of individuals being owned and controlled sent a shiver down her spine, making her feel a deep sense of unease. Elara, who cherished freedom and autonomy above all else, found the existence of such a cruel system deeply unsettling. Questions about the local customs and societal structures flooded her mind, conjuring a troubling image of a community plagued by oppression and exploitation. However, she swiftly adjusted her initial judgment, realizing that her knowledge of this land’s traditions and social norms was limited as an outsider. She contemplated the idea that the servants were just performing their duties, following a longstanding structure of honor and faithfulness. In many cultures, these relationships were not forced, but rather formed through mutual consent and longstanding tradition. Instead of forced submission, the deep bows of the servants reflected their genuine reverence and voluntary subservience.
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She contemplated on service and obligation. Some people choose to serve others out of respect, familial obligation, or even affection. She was aware of this. It is possible that the servants of the Blackwood family had similar motivations. They may have felt a sense of pride in their roles, seeing their service as a valuable contribution to a larger purpose. With these thoughts swirling in her mind, she made a firm decision to maintain an open perspective. She would withhold her judgments until she gained a deeper understanding of the local customs, immersing herself in the cultural nuances and unraveling the complexities of the relationships she was witnessing. Appearances were often misleading, and the true nature of a situation could only be uncovered by digging deeper. Filled with a mixture of curiosity and wariness, she was determined to delve deeper into the intricate social dynamics of this unfamiliar territory.
The arrival of the two newcomers didn’t seem to faze the other adventurers around her. They only gave them a brief look before going back to their own preparations. Judging by the seasoned adventurers’ lack of surprise, it seemed that the presence of the Blackwood siblings was nothing out of the ordinary. There was no doubt that these adventurers were comfortable with their status and had no desire to modify their behavior or display deference. There was no formal acknowledgment as they arrived; instead, everyone seamlessly continued their tasks with practiced efficiency - packing supplies, sharpening weapons, and engaging in discussions. This indifference hinted at a few possibilities. It’s possible that noble family regularly take part in these expeditions, making them a common presence among adventurers. Alternatively, it could imply that cultural norms didn’t demand explicit demonstrations of subservience or preferential treatment despite their status.
Kael’s voice rose above the background noise, demanding attention and bringing the focus back to the current issue. “Attention, first group! Come together!” he called out, signaling the imminent start of their journey into the dungeon. Elara and the others exchanged glances, signaling their mutual understanding to start moving. Blending in with the adventurers gathering around him, they approached Kael.
During their walk, her group crossed paths with Gorvach and his team. Inadvertently, her eyes locked with the bard’s, and she was astonished when he greeted her with yet another smile. The warmth of his expression contrasted starkly with the tense atmosphere surrounding them. Unsure of how to respond, she simply nodded in acknowledgment, her confusion evident in her eyes. His unexpected friendliness left her questioning his motives and the dynamics within his group.
As the adventurers gathered around Kael, he surveyed the group with a critical eye. "Do we have any scouts among us?" he called out, his voice ringing with authority. "Anyone with skills in reconnaissance?"
The larger woman from the three-man team stepped forward, her confident posture making her stand out among the others. “I’ve got scouting experience,” she stated firmly, her voice resonating with conviction. Her actions earned a nod from Kael, his features briefly reflecting his approval.
He turned his attention back to the assembled adventurers, his voice booming as he issued his next directive. “In order to get an idea of what we are working with, I’m requesting that each of you split up into two teams: one focused on ranged combat and the other on mid- to close combat.”
Ignatius placed his hand on Elara’s back, guiding her towards the ranged group with a gentle touch. Following his lead, she moved to stand alongside him and Gilvanis, the talented young archer she had been quietly observing. Krill, the healer from the other group, also joined them, completing the ranged contingent. Taking a quick look at the remaining adventurers, she noticed they were all equipped with weapons suited for close-quarters combat.
Kael's brow furrowed as he surveyed the assembled adventurers. "I have to admit, I was hoping for a better spread," he confessed, his voice tinged with concern. "Given the information about the crystals' explosive potential, more ranged fighters or mages would have been ideal." He paused, his gaze sweeping over the group once more. "We'll make do with what we have."
Kael proceeded with describing the part he and Isolde played in the expedition. “Isolde and I will be on standby,” he declared, his voice firm, “ready to intervene if we judge it to be necessary. Our primary focus will always be on the Blackwood family's safety. However, we're not so heartless as to stand by if someone's life is in danger and we can help it.”
With those words, a surge of adrenaline ran through the group, propelling them forward as they embarked on their path towards the dungeon’s entrance, their anticipation palpable in the air. A wave of shock washed over Elara as she realized how little time they had spent preparing. Less than an hour had passed since their arrival, and now they were making their way directly into the dungeon without any time for rest or strategic thinking. She couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease settle in her stomach as she tried to keep up with the whirlwind pace.
The lack of a detailed battle plan gnawed at her, amplifying her anxiety. There were countless questions and concerns on her mind, but she hadn’t had the opportunity to share them. What were everyone’s specific roles on the team? How would they deal with unexpected dangers? Did they have a backup plan if someone got injured or lost? These thoughts were flying through her head, making her even more nervous. As they walked, she cast a glance at her companions. As they stood together, their determined expressions didn’t reveal if any of them felt the same unease she did. Recognizing that experience and confidence could hide a multitude of fears, she held onto the hope that their combined abilities would make up for her limited knowledge. Even though she was anxious, she mentally prepared for the difficulties that lay ahead, realizing that the time for questioning was behind her and the time for taking action had come.
Engrossed in her thoughts, she hadn’t realized she was trailing behind the rest. Unexpectedly, she sensed a hand she recognized on her back, guiding her forward with care. As she turned, Ignatius greeted her with a reassuring smile. “Don’t overthink it,” he murmured gently, his voice brimming with comprehension. "Nothing is expected of you. Just stay close and keep an eye out."
Elara found solace in his words, expressing her gratitude with a grateful nod.