Ciaus and Malachai stood at the edge, the tension in Nymeria’s stance and the quiet stillness of Novella did not escape their notice. Malachai’s eyes narrowed slightly, his mind already working through the logistics of what was to come. Ciaus, on the other hand, wore his usual easy grin, but there was a sharper edge to his gaze as he assessed the recruits.
“Right, then,” Ciaus said, clapping his hands together as the girls came to a stop in front of them. “Hope you two got a good night’s rest because we’ve got work to do. Follow us.”
He turned on his heel and began to lead them through the camp, Malachai fell into step behind the recruits. As they walked, the camp slowly came to life around them. Soldiers and mages moved about with purpose, setting up equipment and preparing for the day’s operations. The smell of damp earth mixed with the faint tang of smoke and metal. Here and there, small clusters of the group shared hurried conversations, but most were too focused on their tasks to pay the newcomers any mind.
They reached a large, weather-beaten tent at the edge of the command area. It looked like it had seen more than its share of rough weather and hasty repairs. Ciaus pulled back the flap and gestured for the recruits to enter. “In you go. We need to get you both up to speed.”
Inside, the tent was sparse but functional. A few maps were spread across a makeshift wooden table, weighed down by small stones. Ciaus moved around the table and picked up a scroll that had been set aside, tied with a simple cord. He glanced at Malachai, a subtle shift of expression passing between them, before he held it out.
“This,” he said, his voice still light but with an undertone of seriousness, “needs to be delivered to the forward camp.”
Malachai eyed the scroll, his expression unreadable for a moment. He didn’t immediately take it, letting the silence stretch just long enough for Ciaus to notice.
Ciaus’s grin didn’t waver. “Oh, pipe down, Mal. What better way to get them acclimated? It’s a simple delivery, not a march into enemy territory. Besides, you’re the best there is at keeping them out of trouble.”
Malachai sighed. The Fucker. His shoulders slumping just a fraction as he reached out and took the scroll. He shot a quick, skeptical glance at the two girls
@Nymeria Vero
@Novella Tilani
“Right, then,” Ciaus said, clapping his hands together as the girls came to a stop in front of them. “Hope you two got a good night’s rest because we’ve got work to do. Follow us.”
He turned on his heel and began to lead them through the camp, Malachai fell into step behind the recruits. As they walked, the camp slowly came to life around them. Soldiers and mages moved about with purpose, setting up equipment and preparing for the day’s operations. The smell of damp earth mixed with the faint tang of smoke and metal. Here and there, small clusters of the group shared hurried conversations, but most were too focused on their tasks to pay the newcomers any mind.
They reached a large, weather-beaten tent at the edge of the command area. It looked like it had seen more than its share of rough weather and hasty repairs. Ciaus pulled back the flap and gestured for the recruits to enter. “In you go. We need to get you both up to speed.”
Inside, the tent was sparse but functional. A few maps were spread across a makeshift wooden table, weighed down by small stones. Ciaus moved around the table and picked up a scroll that had been set aside, tied with a simple cord. He glanced at Malachai, a subtle shift of expression passing between them, before he held it out.
“This,” he said, his voice still light but with an undertone of seriousness, “needs to be delivered to the forward camp.”
Malachai eyed the scroll, his expression unreadable for a moment. He didn’t immediately take it, letting the silence stretch just long enough for Ciaus to notice.
You’re kidding,Malachai finally said, his tone carrying a hint of exasperation.
With the new recruits? You know that’s asking for trouble.It might be, depending on how they fared.
Ciaus’s grin didn’t waver. “Oh, pipe down, Mal. What better way to get them acclimated? It’s a simple delivery, not a march into enemy territory. Besides, you’re the best there is at keeping them out of trouble.”
Malachai sighed. The Fucker. His shoulders slumping just a fraction as he reached out and took the scroll. He shot a quick, skeptical glance at the two girls
Fine,Malachai muttered.
But don’t blame me if we end up having to carry them back.
@Nymeria Vero
@Novella Tilani
10-25-2024, 11:57 AM
