Mina knew something was wrong when she saw her best friend march inside the inn, pushing the door open, forcefully. They had sent him to meet the dealer and find out about what he wanted from them, but looking at her friend’s face, she knew something wasn’t right.

His face looked paler than usual and his eyes shone with deep killing intent. He looked like a rogue ready to jump on someone and maybe the people around her noticed that too, as they moved out of his way.

She thought of the last time she had seen him like this. Blood had filled the town back then. It might have been at the fire five years ago, when the royals refused to acknowledge James’ pleads and hopes. They set him outside of the palace on his knees, begging for someone to show mercy. She believed that his knees were frozen as ice and wind bit into them slowly, turning them shades of blue and purple, but he kept his gaze isolated from anything other than stairway in front of him. He kept his hopes up until they shattered before him.

Her memories after that were jumbled. She only remembered bits and pieces and she believed that it might be herself not wanting to remember rather than her ability to.

That was years ago and James was no longer weak. He proudly stood about six feet tall, his muscles were visible, even through his thick clothes and he ranked the highest in their group, almost topping Marcus with his fighting skills. Mina had a moment for herself before walking toward where James settled.

The table he chose was their usual meeting place - not their discussion place, since it was far too public - and he knocked a few times on the old table before taking deep breaths as if he was following her instructions of how-not-to-lose-your-shit.

“Are you okay?” It was a stupid question, but it was question that had to be asked. He nodded his head once, not looking at her. “This isn’t the place to talk, let’s go to the back, the rest are there.”

She tried her best not to set him off, she knew that at these type of situations, it was better to let him talk himself through before letting others speak to him. But now wasn’t the time or place to give anyone space. They had a mission, they barely had any moment to spend carelessly lazing around.

She was proved wrong when they entered the back room behind the bar, kept away for them after making special request with the bar owner and giving him special money - too much money. She found two of the group playing cards while chatting like housewives, one was making tea on one corner and one was sitting idly around. Mina almost stopped her steps and pulled at her hair in frustration .

“Oh, Blue is here!” Ethan called with a smirk while holding tea. He wasn’t aware that it wasn’t the perfect time to tease James and call him by his nickname, but his mistake was proven when the said man walked over to him and gave him a punch in the guts.

James massaged his fist. “That feels so much better.” He left his friend to get back up on his feet alone. Mina saw Ethan scowl at the behaviour of his crew member but didn’t say anything, realizing that James was pissed off.

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Mina sighed, other than the messy attitude of the members, the place itself was a chaos. Stains covered the carpet, clothes and parts of them were thrown left and right and the blue coach, near a table in the middle of the room, was the worst, ripped at the bottom with a missing third seat from the side. They had meant to replace it with a new one but their priorities were all over the place for that.

She stopped herself from going back to their bank book and counting how much profit they made this month.

Mina snapped back to reality when James threw papers on the table. “I spoke to Carl, and this is his deal.” He took a glass of liquid and chugged it all down without wincing.

Daniel, who was sitting beside grumpy James, took the papers away and read them silently. His poker face slightly twitched before turning towards us. “It says we need to pack our things and kill the witch. Bring her head back to Carl, alongside some potions, and we can get our land back.”

There was no change in his tone as he spoke these words. The only change that was a little obvious was his green eyes as they slowly dimmed in color. “The only guarantee we have that Carl wouldn’t get back on his words, if we were able to accomplish this, is the Council’s signature.” James added. The papers were passed around the room.

Anri scoffed. “What a funny joke that is.” the smile on her face was careless as she threw her winning cards. “We only have to kill a sorceress and get back our home.” She flashed her white teeth at Marcus, taking all the spread money she won.

Marcus face wasn’t looking good as he glared at his companion. He looked like he was deciding whether or not to fight for his money back; his love for her seemed to win. “We are talking about the same person right? The one that horrified those sad royal guards.”

Mina agreed, “We can’t let our guard down. This mission would be our end if we don’t make plans. Lots of plans,”

“And that is what we will do,” said Daniel, his eyes were occupied with the contract as it returned back to him.

“What do you mean, exactly?” Said Mina. “Do you have one already?”

They waited for Daniel to elaborate but they were answered with nothing other than, “Go to sleep, it is getting late.” He stood up and left the group to their own anxieties before anyone could stop him.

Luckily, Mina was able to catch a glance at his face. A glance was enough for her to know he was brewing something. Something complex and probably out of the world and he was keeping it to himself until he makes sure of all the possibilities.

That was how Daniel worked. He thinks of ways, makes ways, and accomplish his task in the shortest time possible, that was one of the reasons they thought of him as a leader. Mina couldn’t remember exactly when she had first met him, but she remember the times he got them out of troubles and the times he got injured for them. The patch covering one of his eyes was a clear reminder.

She followed him out of the back door, noting how he was leaning against a brick wall, facing the door she got out of as if he was waiting for her. She froze for a second when his eyes met hers. The sun shone in them. His green-almost-hazel eyes reached somewhere deep in her, almost played with her mind.

She needed sleep.

“What did you mean?” She said. She hoped her voice was as confident as she wished for it to be. The empty expression he gave her didn’t let her read his mind. She saw him walking away again, out of the alley.

It was of no use, but, nonetheless, she followed him until they reached the main canal of Eveawell, the shadows falling on the left road was their perfect barrier of the outside world and the loud noises coming from a nearby shop.

“Aren’t you going to explain yourself?” Mina’s words fell on deaf ears as Daniel continued ignoring her. They passed by a bridge and two taverns before Mina started noticing where they were going. “Daniel!”

He finally stopped before entering the red-light district, almost making Mina bump into his back. She never thought that he was one to go to these kind of places, but at the same time, they never really got to know Daniel that well, anyway. He grew up with them but he was almost a shadow.

That was the perfect way to describe him.

“Don’t follow me anymore.” He said. He acknowledged her with a look over the shoulder. He continued before going on his own way, “I will tell you tomorrow of the plan. Go back to check on James, we don’t want another fight happening.” with that he disappeared.