{-Casrane-}
The other three came back and Kaerio almost immediately declared, “We have no idea where that thing is.”
“Do you have any other plans, at least?” Llewel asked like he already knew and didn’t want to hear the answer.
“We tried but didn’t really come up with anything,” Myr remarked. “We were hoping we might be able to think of something when we were all together…”
“Well, some portion of it,” Ilias said. “I… don’t know how I feel, exactly, about letting you four kids possibly get into any more trouble, but I don’t want to be involved in any myself. I decided I was going back to Kehnore City—I’ve got to try to regain that money I lost when that thing knocked some of my stuff overboard. Maybe I’ll tell Iris about all of this, and maybe I’ll try to get her to help me out since it is more or less her figurative nephew’s fault. I haven’t decided how generous I’m feeling.” He shot Kaerio a dark glare.
“Please don’t involve Iris,” Kaerio mumbled with a nervous chuckle.
Ilias shrugged. “Either way, I’ll keep my ear to the ground while I’m there. I’ll see if anyone knows anything more specific about the thing that went after you and what we might be able to do to stop it. If it seems like a lot of people know that it went out but not that it really did anything to you, I’ll get them to think something bad happened—it’ll keep them from looking for you until you’re properly out of Kehnore.”
“We should avoid the city altogether,” Casrane decided. “We can get back to the border without having to stop through there, right?”
Kaerio nodded. “That should work. With any luck we should also be able to get through without anyone else noticing us.”
“So our plan is basically the same as before, we’re just walking?” Llewel questioned. “That seems like something you could’ve figured out on your own.”
Myr shrugged. “We wanted everyone’s ideas first.”
Casrane had a different explanation: it was a decision that was supposed to be up to the player alone to make or at least hear. Even if they tried, for a reason they weren’t able to understand, the right suggestion would’ve never quite come to them.
To do what she could to help the problem, she nodded. “Sounds like our best option. How soon can we start going..?” She wanted to see them to the border of Kyirius and Kehnore before she left for the day. She could never quite be sure exactly how long it was going to take her.
“If you think you’re ready for it, then it’s probably best that we get going now. We don’t want the Rune Reactivation Project to figure out exactly where we are or what route we’re taking back to Kyirius,” Kaerio decided.
“I, at least, am going to get going,” Ilias announced. “Stay safe. I’d like to limit the amount of hypothetical bad news I might have to tell Iris.” Then he waved and left.
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“I think we’re all ready, too,” Casrane said as she stood up. “We probably shouldn't spend any more time here than we already have.”
…
They hardly said anything to each other. She decided to tell herself it was because they needed to be careful; they didn’t know who might be looking for them, or who was already waiting on them to let their guard down.
It took a little while until, when the forest’s edge was in sight again, Myr said something.
“So, Kaerio… what are you going to do now?” she asked, glancing over at him.
“I’m going to make sure that Kehnore becomes a better place for you—for everyone,” he answered confidently. “A long time ago, people used to say that it was just like the rest of Masylm; it wasn’t overcrowded with the Rune Reactivation Project or driven by their schemes. I know there’s a chance that things are never going to go back to that, no matter what the three of you do—there’ll always be someone interested in going the other direction, to see the peace yet seek chaos. But I’m going to do what I can and, if I’m any good at it, you’ll at least be able to step foot in Kehnore without having to worry about the Rune Reactivation Project doing anything to you.” He grew a small smirk. “There’s still a lot of places you weren’t able to see, after all. I still want to have the chance to show them to you one day.”
“Sounds like you’re just going to get yourself in trouble,” Llewel pointed out. “Do you plan on doing this all on your own?”
Kaerio shook his head. “Of course not. I’m going to get the help of Iris and Gouzla, for one, and then I’m going to gather everyone else who’s willing. There were some people that Hadar used to know that helped occasionally, I should still be able to contact them and see if they’re willing to make an actual stand. I have a feeling there’s a lot more people around Kehnore who agree with us. Once we know where they are, and they know that they’re not alone, I don’t think it’s a completely impossible mission.”
“That still sounds a little dangerous…” Myr remarked with a frown. “It doesn’t seem like the Rune Reactivation Project would really leave you alone just because a lot of people here like you.”
“I thought about that too, a little—if at one point I’d end up doing enough for them to put me on their ‘troublesome’ list. I don’t think it’s going to happen. Well, maybe I’d eventually get included in the list, but I doubt anything else aside from a little more opposition is going to come from it.” He tried to give them a more reassuring look, though it seemed none of them were quite willing to accept it. “Keeping their control of Kehnore, especially when I start messing with stuff, is going to become a lot harder. They’re not going to have everyone’s undivided attention and fear, they’re going to have to think of ways that make their side look worth staying at. I’m fairly confident everyone in Kehnore City has at least heard of me. If they killed me—or maybe even if I just end up dying mysteriously—they’re going to see a lot of people turning away from them. No one usually cares who it takes to sacrifice as long as the goals are reached… but it’s always a different matter entirely when a familiar face gets thrown into the mix.”
“Just make sure that you’re looking out for yourself.” Casrane knew it would be fine; he’d be able to do this, and, before they were even much further into the story quest, they’d technically be able to go back to Kehnore. But she still thought it should be said.
Kaerio nodded. “I’ve still got people I care about, too. I’m not going to leave them alone, or leave my work half finished.” He seemed to notice the forest’s edge continuing to get closer. “You three should stay safe too, alright? I would say you’re a lot more important to all of us than you realize, but I have a feeling you know that already. I’ll do what I can for Kehnore. Can I trust you to do what you can for all of Masylm?”
They all nodded, and Casrane managed a smile and confidently declared, “You can count on us.”