The Splendor Seekers have cheated death once more, and made staggering progress in their pursuits. But journeys only worsen as they go forward, and this newly bestowed title proves it. Will they survive once more to overcome this hurdle and put an end to the scourge of the desert? And grow their titles?

Till victory comes shall we convene once more…

“More coming in!” Ikari yelled out, releasing an arrow from her bow.

Kayd dropped the scrap of paper, sheathing his blade and checking his sand coated robe. A few dead bandits vanished in front of him.

Hope that cleaner handles sand as well

Ishmael relayed orders to Ikari as she fired arrows at the pursuing horsemen, being the fifth ambush of the hour as they followed what the bandit back at the camp said.

Quellin and Mono watched the sides and rear in case of any boarders, taking a few out while Ikari handled the rest.

Next to Kayd was Lia, her eyes wide with a mixture of terror and sadness while in a fetal position.

“I lost count on how many raiding parties we had to fight against, luckily though they’re inexperienced green idiots. Likely from the lowest ranks of this bandit’s army.” Ishmael walked to the center of the platform, a serious expression hid the discontent for the neverending attacks, taking deep breaths as the last of the raiding party was killed.

Pip continued moving on, unhindered by everything that happened.

“I gave a simple order, the area was not fully secure and nobody should leave. And you couldn’t follow such a simple order. You’re lucky we managed to survive long enough to find you, if they had taken you to that other camp every single person on this damn thing would become food for the sand.” Ishmael ripped into Lia relentlessly, berating her for a full minute with a disappointed but enraged tone.

Kayd wanted to say something, but her trade managed to make him afraid.

One of the rare times she’s genuinely mad, best to stay quiet to not get chewed out.

He watched helplessly as Ishmael ripped into Lia even further, she couldn’t say anything but just cry and curl up into a ball on the floor.

“What can you even say in your defense? This has been an ongoing issue since day 1 and you haven’t changed it in the slightest. Now look where that got us-”

“Captain, enough!” Ikari interrupted the chastising, steps in front of Ishmael with an annoyed look.

“We came out of quite possibly the closest time we were to death, and you wanna spend that berating someone?! Besides this should also be on you since you didn’t even specify if the area was safe!” A face of disappointment replaced her scowl.

“We gave her many warnings beforehand and there was no improvement in her reckless behavior. Granted this one was my fault, but the many occurrences in the past were due to her failure to understand basic knowledge of being in unknown areas. I’m trying to discipline her and get it through her head of her mistake that nearly got us killed.” The argument rapidly escalated into an argument.

“Still, just yelling at her especially when she’s down on the ground and nothing else isn’t gonna help anyone or improve anything!” She paused, pointing her hand to the curled up Lia.

“At least she did all of this to try to help, not to mention anyone could have considered that patch of desert to be safe, especially when we wiped out the nearest bandit camp there!”

Mono watched on from the distance with a look of self loathing on himself, silently cursing himself for what he unintentionally caused.

Lia remained curled in a ball, frozen, whimpering, afraid. Even from a distance Kayd felt her pain both physically and emotionally.

“Discourse within our team, this will only solidify hate and breed discontent between teammates. I have seen such squabbles and interferences, but rarely against authority figures of a unit.” Quellin commented with his arms crossed and that same unemotional voice.

“And right after we got out of a near death situation. So you won’t try de-escalating?” Kayd asked.

“If it is a simple act of chewing out a subordinate for failure to maintain discipline, interference is not allowed.” He replied.

“So no chance to act then…” The two continued watching, seeing the three waste energy to argue with neither side winning.

It persisted until the two stopped and looked at Kayd.

“Kayd, as team vanguard. Help settle this unneeded debate, I trust your intuition isn’t blinded like Ikari’s on how to handle this.” Ikari was taken aback by the response. Her gaze and unhidden irritation startled him for a moment.

Gods, why me? I can’t abstain nor agree with both…Well, we just need the blunt truth.

Kayd cleared his throat and prepared himself for what he had to say, a moment of worry before his mouth moved.

“Both of you have good points but, we can’t beat extreme obedience into a healer, especially one that can’t fight and cowers when things go south, it’s simply not what healers are trained to undergo.” Ikari smirked.

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“But we also need to instill some control over her, she both follows orders to a T but goes recklessly into danger for her curiosity. Doesn’t matter if she’s a healer and out of combat, she needs to be just as disciplined and strong as all of us.” A moment of silence followed, broken by the clap of Quellin’s hands.

“A compromise perhaps,” Quellin interjected with clasped hands.

He eyed Lia who now slowly got up, crossing her legs on the floor while looking down with blood dripping from her nose.

“I observed similar instances of recklessness as Kayd suggests. He is also right that a healer, who is typically away from the frontlines, should not undergo the similar brutal regime of normal foot soldiers such as me. I can train her to hold some discipline to ensure this matter does not occur again.” His explanation was enough to stop the argument in its tracks.

They eyed each other without a word before nodding.

“Very well, as long as another incident like this doesn’t happen again. I don’t want us to lose our lives because of a foolish mistake.” Ishmael replied, Ikari spoke as well but her remark was much more quiet.

Kayd and Quellin knelt down next to Lia, checking on her wounds and trying their best to comfort and help her while the rest silently stood by, looking out for another threat. Mono joined in, wrapping his arms around Lia and repeating a myriad of apologies to her.

“Next time, do not let anyone far from our unit, even if it is safe.” Quellin looked at Mono with a piercing gaze.

“Yes sir…”

—---

Time was difficult to process the further they went, the endless field of black simply following the given routes and faint tracks left on the sand.

Kayd finished cleaning the last of their clothing and weapons, almost cementing him as their personal cleaner.

Quellin spoke to Mono and Lia privately for a while as the rest stayed on the opposite end, awaiting their destination. The camp of that bandit leader, the bastard behind these kidnappings and enslavement.

His thoughts returned to what they had done so far, feeling the success and gains from what they had done to save the settlers. Their gratitude, joy of freedom, and being saved put a small smile to his face.

But his moment of reminisce was broken by Ikari walking towards him.

“Thanks for earlier, guess you handled it better than I could have.” She flashed a pained smirk to him, leaning on the wooden railing of the structure.

“Let’s just avoid these conflicts right now, since we’re on a mission and don’t need another problem.”

“Yeah but-” She paused to regain her composure, “Nevermind, you’re right. Just glad you defused it. And we managed to get Lia back before one of us died for real. Thanks.” She stared off blankly at the darkness behind them, putting a hand to her head and returning to silence.

Did what I say actually end it? Or just stall the argument for another time?

He eyed the two, a feeling of worry for the situation.

The feeling was tense rather than relieved or calming, nobody had a clear smile on their face, nor clear minds. Consumed in a sea of their own thoughts.

—---

Anxiety, melancholy, anger, uncertainty. Mixed feelings rushing through Kayd’s mind, constantly reminding himself of their current mission and what they must do.

In the distance, a speck of light made everyone converge together to see it. A spot of yellow and red in a blanket of black.

The rush of excitement felt different, taking longer to build up and no longer putting an immediate smile to his face.

I hope things mellow over quickly with those two, we don’t need internal issues right now…

Behind a nearby rock, Ishmael gave her plan, her tone more serious and straightforward, not hiding the apparent anger from earlier.

“A decently large fort, if what that worthless hunk of flesh said was right, there should be a direct way into the leader’s main stronghold in a tunnel inside.” She explained.

“So no killing this time? Thought that was one of our main objectives?” Ikari crossed her arms. Ishmael sighed.

“Since Lia used up her potions to heal the supposed other settlers she was with, leaving us with a scarcity. No, we need to stay in the shadows as much as possible. Kill if they’re directly blocking us.”

Ikari holstered her bow and took out a knife.

The team moved in the shadow of the night, silent and devoid of any joy or worry on their faces. Lia stayed in the center, patching up her nose and eye from the camp attack. She looked down the entire time while being guided by Mono and Quellin. They stopped near another large rock, with a much better view to see what they’re up against.

Bandits and brigands in heavy armor patrolled the perimeter, while archers perched on top guaranteed a quick end to any that go near. Kayd could imagine how much more were inside.

Encircling it, they found no way in. The defenses were professional and the walls held no weakness to exploit.

“Heading inside looks like a no go. Anything else in mind?” Ikari remarked, looking at Ishmael.

While looking at the heavily guarded fort, the sound of creaking wood and clattering metal could be heard behind them.

“Lia, when were those prisoners you were with, taken away?” They all turned to Lia, eyeing her down waiting for an answer.

“Um, about two or three hours before all of you reached me.” She managed to respond in an awkward and anxious tone.

A faint glim of light emerged in the distance getting brighter and brighter by the second. Followed by the hooves of horses slamming against the sandy ground.

Wagons, all hauling cages covered in lomg cloth while being escorted by a band of horse riders. They moved through the sand at steady speed, looking around with dozens of torches to light up the vicinity.

“That could be our way in.” Ishmael spoke, to her right Ikari drew her bow and prepared to fire.

“What are you doing!? Getting us killed!?” Ishmael stopped her before an arrow could be fired.

“You wanted a safe way in, though we could stop it to quickly get in the wagons and hide.” Ishmael paused for a bit, her eyes glanced at the rock they sat against then looked down at her hatchet.

“An arrow is too suspicious, but yes that could work.” With a firm hit with the butt of her hatchet, Ishmael broke off small chunks of rock, big enough to cause damage but light enough to throw.

Good plan, issue is if anyone can lob it from here.

Ikari grabbed the rock and took a few steps forward, anchoring her legs and positioning her arm to throw as the wagon got closer.

As the lights brightened and the sound of wood wheels drew closer, Ikari threw the rock with all her might.

A few seconds after, something in one of the wagon wheels snapped and caused the wagon to come to a halt.

The entire convoy ceased and many dismounted their steeds to check the problem.

Well i'll be…