[i][b](in response to Sonia)[/b][/i] [@Mas Bagus] [@JP]

The Captain had to stifle a groan when he found Sonia approaching him as the first order of the morning. Her cheery expression seemed to herald further questions and concerns regarding the mission – and sure enough, he was soon met with her incessant inquisitiveness.

"Morning to you..." The Captain uttered with a sigh, no pretense of a smile at his lips. "...Our plan is to travel to the ruins where her personal effect was discovered, and scour the place. With any luck, we will find her there, alive and well…" A recurrent, haunting thought crossed his mind, more unsettling each time. If the Duke's daughter had indeed perished… he dreaded the conversations and consequences that might follow.

Pushing the darker thoughts from his mind, the Captain unfolded a map, eyes focusing on the hand-drawn route leading to a destination in the unlabeled wilderness.

"The site is about six hours of travel from here, northwest. We'll start off on the main road, then eventually branch into the highlands to the north."

He soon caught sight of Kaelara's approach, and let out another somewhat audible exhale. He had almost forgotten about [i]her[/i], after that curt exit during the briefing. Between her and Sonia, the Captain could feel it was going to be a [i]very[/i] long day.

"Hopefully you're ready for the journey." He fired before either of them could speak up with further questions and comments. "We'll be taking minimal rests along the way. And there's no saying what we'll find lurking inside that place once we get there. Best be prepared for anything."