Elara walked alongside Esme, feeling the reassuring weight of her arm encircling her shoulders as they approached the group gathered near the wolf corpses. The air was thick with the metallic scent of blood and the lingering tension of battle. Tirn stood beside them, his twin axes now at his sides, his attention focused on scout Selly, who crouched in front of one of the wolves' gaping maws.

She held a slender dagger in her hand, its blade catching the dim light. With precise and practiced movements, she carefully pried something from the wolf's mouth, her brow furrowed in concentration. Elara watched, intrigued and slightly unsettled by the meticulous process. Once Selly successfully extracted the object, she realized it was a tooth, sharp and gleaming. Selly placed the tooth in a small, worn satchel at her side before moving on to the next wolf.

As she continued her work, Tirn crouched down beside her, offering a steady hand to hold the wolf's head. His movements were gentle, a stark contrast to the ferocity he had displayed earlier in combat. Selly looked up at him, her eyes meeting his for a brief moment. She didn't say anything, just gave a slight nod before returning to her meticulous task.

Elara turned her gaze to the other wolf corpse, where Gilvanis was now engaged in a similar endeavor. He was crouched low, his fingers working deftly as he used a small, sharp knife to carefully cut away at the wolf's paws. With each precise slice, he removed a claw, placing them in a neat pile beside him. The claws gleamed darkly in the fading light, their pointed tips a testament to the deadliness of the creatures.

It was clear he had done this many times before, his fingers steady and certain as he harvested the claws. As he finished removing the last one, he stood up, dusting off his hands on his pants. He gathered his loot, carefully placing them in a sturdy pouch at his belt. Elara was fascinated by the process, wondering what the teeth and claws would be used for.

Esme, spotting her curiosity, leaned in close and whispered, "Those teeth and claws can be used for various purposes, like making weapons or for alchemy. It's always wise to gather resources when you can. The Adventuring Guild also buys pretty much anything."

Elara nodded, absorbing the information. She realized that there was still so much she had to learn about this world and the ways of the adventurers. She made a mental note to pay closer attention to the actions of her companions, to learn from their expertise and experience.

Her attention shifted to the rest of the group as she spotted Kael standing before Josephine and Arthur, his hands gesturing as he spoke. Though they were too far away for her to make out the words, it was clear that Kael was explaining something to the siblings. Isolde stood nearby, her posture alert and watchful.

Elara's eyes then sought out Krill and Velma, the healer, and his companion. She found them a short distance away from the main group, their attention focused on the surrounding area. They seemed to search for something, perhaps a way forward. Elara felt a twinge of disappointment as she realized she had missed the opportunity to witness Krill's healing abilities firsthand when he had tended to Arthur's injury after the battle.

Esme wordlessly pressed her closer to her side before making her way toward Velma and Krill. Elara, forced to follow, did so, her steps falling in line with Esme's. As they walked, she could hear the sound of Ignatius's robes and staff behind her, the soft rustling and tapping a comforting presence. She also heard Tirn standing up and following, his footsteps heavy and sure.

"We'll also start looking for a way forward," Esme said, her voice low but clear in the stillness of the cavern. "But keep an eye and ear out for any other creatures. We don't want to be caught off guard."

Elara nodded. Her senses heightened as she scanned the shadows around them. They seemed to press in from all sides, broken only by the flickering light of Ignatius's flames. As they drew closer to Velma and Krill, she could see that they were standing in front of an opening in the cavern's wall, their hands running over the edges as if searching for something.

"Find anything?" Esme asked as they approached, her voice echoing slightly in the confined space.

Velma turned to face them, her expression thoughtful. "There is a passage leading off from this chamber," she said, gesturing to the wall behind her.

Krill had his brows furrowed. "We'll have to be careful," he said, his voice grave. "There are a lot of spiderwebs around the entrance."

Velma's eyes narrowed as she peered into the dark passage. "If there was anything in there, it didn't come out during the commotion of the fight," she said, her voice low and cautious. "We'll have to wait and send Selly ahead to scout it out."

As if on cue, Kael and his team joined them, the rest of the group following close behind. Kael turned to Selly, his expression serious. "Are you up for it, Selly?" he asked, his tone leaving no room for doubt in her abilities.

Selly nodded, her hand resting on the hilt of her dagger. "I am," she said, her voice steady and confident. She stepped forward, her lamp held at her side, its soft light casting a warm glow on her face. "Give me ten minutes before coming in after me should I not be back," she instructed, her gaze sweeping over the group. Then, without another word, she disappeared into the tunnel, the darkness swallowing her form.

As she vanished from sight, the group split up again, each member finding their own spot to rest. Elara's gaze drifted to Ignatius, who had settled himself on the ground, his eyes closed in meditation. Tirn stood behind him, a silent sentinel watching over his companion.

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Esme's hand on Elara's shoulder drew her attention, and she allowed herself to be led to a spot behind Ignatius and Tirn. Esme sat down on a nearby rock, pulling Elara to sit beside her. She let herself be guided, her body sinking onto the hard surface of the stone. She could feel the warmth of Esme's body next to her, a comforting presence in the chill of the cavern.

Esme turned to her, "do you have questions about the fight or anything else you've observed?" she asked, her voice low and gentle.

Elara pondered the question for a moment, her mind racing with a myriad of thoughts. She thought back to the battle, to the way each member of the group had worked together, their movements coordinated and precise. She thought of the way Selly and Gilvanis had harvested the teeth and claws from the wolf corpses.

Finally, she spoke, her voice soft and hesitant. "How did you all know what to do?" she asked, her gaze meeting Esme's. "It seemed like everyone had a specific role, like you'd done this a hundred times before."

Esme chuckled, the sound warm and rich in the stillness of the cavern. "We have," she said, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "When you've been adventuring as long as we have, you learn to work together. We know each other's strengths and weaknesses, and we've developed a trust that allows us to fight as a cohesive unit. Even when not fighting the same opponent."

She paused, her expression growing more serious. "But it's not just experience," she continued. "It's also about communication and adaptability. If we were fighting with strangers, it would be much harder. We wouldn't have that same level of trust or understanding. In those situations, we rely even more on clear communication and quick thinking to make sure everyone knows their role and can adapt to the changing circumstances."

Elara nodded, absorbing the information. "And the teeth and claws," she continued, gesturing towards Selly and Gilvanis. "What will they be used for? You said before they could be sold?"

Esme leaned back against the rock, her expression thoughtful. "They can be used for a variety of things," she explained. "Nearly any part of a beast or monster can be used to create weapons, armor, or even sold. As I have mentioned, the Adventuring Guild is always looking for resources like that."

Elara's brow furrowed as she pondered Esme's words. "But why do they buy anything?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

Esme laughed under her breath. "I didn't say it was a good price," she clarified, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "The Adventuring Guild will buy nearly anything, but the price they offer depends on them. You'll rarely be able to haggle with them or suggest a price yourself."

Intrigued, she leaned forward, her elbows resting on her knees. "If they buy so much, what do they do with it all?" she wondered aloud, her gaze fixed on Esme's face.

Esme shrugged, her armor creaking with the movement. "I'm not entirely sure," she admitted, her expression thoughtful. "But I think much of it is sold to other people or organizations."

She paused for a moment, her eyes narrowing as she considered the question further. "I believe most of the things are sold to the Makers’ Guild," she added, her voice growing more certain. "They're always in need of materials."

Her mind latched onto the mention of the Makers' Guild, a term she had not heard before. She felt a twinge of unease, wondering if this was yet another piece of basic knowledge that she lacked. It seemed that every conversation revealed new gaps in her understanding of this world and its workings.

She considered it for a moment, turning it over in her mind. Part of her wanted to remain silent, to avoid drawing attention to her ignorance. But then she remembered Esme's words, her encouragement to ask questions when she needed to. She steeled herself and turned to Esme.

"What is The Makers' Guild, exactly?" she asked, her voice quiet, trying to keep it between them.

As the words left her lips, she watched Esme's face closely, trying to gauge her reaction. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Tirn shifting, his gaze flickering to her for a brief moment before he focused his attention back on Ignatius. Esme paused for a moment, her expression thoughtful. Then she began to speak.

"The Makers' Guild is a group of artisans," she explained, her voice low and steady. "They're the ones who make most of the equipment and supplies that adventurers use. Weapons, armor, potions, you name it."

She shifted, her armor creaking with the movement. "They have workshops and guildhalls in most major cities and towns," she continued. "And they're always looking for new materials to work with. That's why they buy so much from the Adventuring Guild."

Elara nodded, absorbing the information. It made sense; she thought. Adventurers needed equipment, and someone had to make it. The Makers' Guild seemed to fill that role, providing the necessary supplies for those who ventured into dungeons and fought monsters.

"Do they only make things for adventurers?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

Esme shook her head. "No, they make things for nearly anyone who can pay," she said. "But adventurers are some of their biggest customers. We're always in need of new gear, and we're willing to pay for quality."

Esme paused, her brow furrowing as if remembering something. "Actually," she said, her voice taking on a more serious tone, "the biggest customer by far is the Empire. The Makers' Guild supplies most, if not all, of the equipment for the army. They also have a hand in maintaining defenses and the like."

Elara leaned forward, intrigued by this new information. "Really?" she asked, her eyes wide with curiosity. "That sounds like an immense responsibility."

Esme nodded, her expression thoughtful. "It is," she agreed. "But I'm not too sure about the details, and to be honest, I don't have much interest in knowing more."

Elara tilted her head, puzzled by her lack of curiosity. "Why not?" she asked, her voice soft and questioning.

Esme's gaze met hers, her eyes serious. "The less I know about the inner workings of the Empire and its defenses, the better," she said, her voice low and firm. "It's not something I want to get involved in."

Elara considered her words, turning them over in her mind. She could understand the warrior's reluctance to delve too deeply into the affairs of the Empire. It sounded like a powerful entity, and getting entangled in its machinations could be dangerous.

"I suppose that makes sense," she said, her voice thoughtful. "It's probably best to keep a certain distance from such things."

Esme nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Exactly," she said, her tone lighter now. "I prefer to focus on the task at hand, on the dungeon, and the challenges we face here and now."

Elara found herself nodding in agreement. The Empire and its dealings seemed far away, a distant concern compared to the immediate threats they faced in the dungeon.

As if sensing the shift in her thoughts, Esme reached out and placed a hand on Elara's shoulder. "Don't worry too much about it," she said, her voice reassuring. "Just focus on what's in front of us, on staying alive and learning as much as you can."

Elara met Esme's gaze, finding comfort in the warrior's steady presence. She nodded, a small smile of her own forming on her lips. "I will," she promised, her voice filled with determination. "Thank you, Esme."