JP

Through a Wayward Glimmer -- to a Faraway Place

Kaelara’s grip on the key tightens ever so slightly, her expression unreadable. For a beat, she simply watches Ludwig—his restless movements, the way he fidgets with his glasses, the strange energy clinging to him like mist from whatever he’d inhaled earlier.

“Assassin? Huntress?” she echoes, tilting her head slightly. “Depends on who’s asking.”

She lifts the key, dangling it between two fingers. “You seem awfully eager to change the subject, courier.” There’s the faintest edge of amusement in her tone, but it’s cool, controlled. “I’d say misplacing your key is the least of your problems right now.”

The unspoken tension lingers—his deflection, her unwillingness to hand over control so easily.

At his snide attempt to weasel into her room, Kaelara exhales sharply through her nose, not quite a laugh, but close. “You’re a bold one, I’ll give you that.” Her fingers drum once against the key before she flicks it into the air, letting him scramble to catch it to remind him who had the upper hand in that exchange.

“But no.” A flat refusal. No elaboration. No hesitation.

She steps past him, boots steady against the worn wood of the stairs. Then, without looking back, she adds, "Next time, try keeping a better grip on what’s yours, courier.”

And just like that, she’s gone.

Through a Wayward Glimmer -- to a Faraway Place

Kaelara pauses mid-step as the key clatters near her boot. She glances down, then up at Ludwig, taking in his disheveled state with a wary look. Bending down, she picks up the key but doesn’t hand it over just yet.

"Depends," she says, voice even. "If I agreed to deliver it, then I’d deliver it. Dead or not, the job's still the job. But if they’re gone, the package becomes something else—evidence, leverage, maybe even trouble I didn’t sign up for."

She flicks the key up, catching it in her gloved palm. "Why? You got something that needs delivering, or are you just killing time with riddles?"

Through a Wayward Glimmer -- to a Faraway Place

Kaelara raised an eyebrow at Engie's boastful claims about her gun's capabilities. "Impressive," she said dryly, though her tone suggested she remained skeptical. "But let's hope it doesn't come to relying on your marksmanship skills alone. We don't know what we're up against yet." She leaned back in her chair, her eyes never leaving Engie's face. "I'm not doubting your skills, but I've found that it's often better to underestimate one's abilities rather than overestimate them. Complacency can be a deadly trap." Her gaze flicked to the bag on her shoulder, her interest pique"A custom-made rifle, I presume? You're a skilled craftswoman, I'll give you that."

She turned her attention to Jean, who had introduced himself and offered to watch their backs. "Kaelara Ashwyn," she repeated, her voice low. "Nice to meet you Jean, appreciate the sentiment" Kaelara said, her expression softening slightly. "We'll likely need all the help we can get." As she spoke, Kaelara's gaze flicked back to Engie's unusual luggage, her curiosity still piqued. She wasn't convinced that the contents were as harmless as Engie claimed. Kaelara's eyes lingered on Engie's luggage for a moment before she leaned in, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "We'll need to be sharp tomorrow. We don't know what we're walking into." the atmosphere in the tavern grew more subdued, the patrons beginning to disperse as the night wore on. The fire crackled, casting flickering shadows on the walls

"I think we've all got our skills and gear in order. We should get some rest and prepare for tomorrow." She nodded at Engie's luggage. "I'm sure that... contraption of yours will come in handy." With that, she downed the last of her ale, took a final glance around the tavern and stood up, her movements fluid and deliberate. "I'm turning in. See you all at dawn." She nodded one last time to Engie and Jean, and headed upstairs to her room.

Through a Wayward Glimmer -- to a Faraway Place

Kaelara watched Sonia leave with a thoughtful expression, her eyes lingering on the demoness's retreating form. She turned back to the grey haired girl, who had just ordered another round, and raised an eyebrow at the generous offer.

"Thanks for the drink" Kaelara said, her voice a little softer than before. "But Sonia's right - we should keep our wits about us for tomorrow." She glanced at her briefcase, her curiosity piqued. "What's with the... unusual luggage?"

Through a Wayward Glimmer -- to a Faraway Place

Kaelara listened to Sonia's words with a calm yet calculating expression. The hunter's blunt assessment mirrored many of Kaelara's own unspoken thoughts. The possibilities Sonia laid out were grim but realistic. Kaelara appreciated the honesty—it was better to face the brutal truth than to walk into danger blind.
She let out a dry, humorless chuckle at Sonia's spooky gesture. "You're not wrong," she admitted, her voice low. "We can't afford to be naïve about this. Ruins aren't exactly known for welcoming visitors with open arms. And if we're up against something that took out trained soldiers, then we'd better be prepared for the worst."
Kaelara's grey eyes darkened at the mention of the Duke. "I've seen worse outcomes than bones left in the dirt," Kaelara muttered, her tone grim. "But you're right. The Duke's absence is strange. Either he's too grief-stricken to show his face or there's something else keeping him away. Either way, it doesn't sit right with me." Her tone carried a note of disdain—nobles and their games often left common folk to clean up the mess.
She leaned back in her chair, fingers tapping thoughtfully against the wooden surface of the bar. "As for the reward," she continued, her lips quirking in a wry smirk, "it's a gamble, no doubt. But I'm not here for gold alone. If there's a chance that lady's still alive, I'll take it—even if the odds are slim."
Despite her lone-wolf tendencies, Kaelara found herself appreciating Sonia's straightforward approach. Trust might not come easily, but at least Sonia seemed practical and grounded—a rare and valuable trait in an unpredictable mission.
"Looks like we're both stuck in this mess, huh?" Kaelara added, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. "Guess we'll just have to make the best of it."

Through a Wayward Glimmer -- to a Faraway Place

Kaelara tilted her head slightly at Sonia's observation, the flicker of interest returning to her eyes. The demoness raised a valid point, one Kaelara had quietly noted but hadn't yet voiced. If the knight had been with Lady Miralys, then his absence in the Captain's account was curious—possibly concerning.

"I was thinking the same," Kaelara murmured in a low, measured tone. "If the Lady's belongings were found, then where's the knight? Either he vanished without a trace, or there's something they're not telling us." Her lips pressed into a thin line, irritation simmering beneath her stoic exterior. She didn't appreciate being left in the dark, especially not when lives were on the line.

Kaelara glanced at Sonia, her guarded expression softening just a fraction. "Precaution's a given on jobs like this. Trust is earned, not granted." She tapped her fingers against the handle of her flagon. "And right now, the Captain hasn't earned much of it."

Taking a long drink of the ale, Kaelara added thoughtfully, "If we don't get answers from Greystone, we might have to find them ourselves." Her gaze shifted briefly to the other adventurers gathered in the tavern. "And whether we like it or not, we might need to watch each other's backs out there." Her tone was practical, though the lone wolf in her chafed at the idea of relying on anyone.

She set down her flagon with a decisive thud.

Through a Wayward Glimmer -- to a Faraway Place

Kaelara watched as the tavern's atmosphere subtly shifted with the arrival of the horned woman and her companion. Her sharp gaze assessed them—there was a distinct air of strangeness about the pair, enough to make even seasoned travelers murmur and gawk. Kaelara, however, was unfazed by their appearance. She had encountered all manner of beings on the road. What mattered was their intent.

Turning back to the barkeep, Kaelara gave a slow nod. "A knight, you said? Do you recall anything about him? His armor, or demeanor?" Her voice was steady, though a spark of curiosity flickered in her eyes. Information was a valuable currency, and she intended to gather as much as possible before dawn.

Noticing the demoness and the woman with striking grey hair settling in nearby, Kaelara's lips pressed into a neutral line. Despite her lone-wolf tendencies, they were all converging on the same trail. She inclined her head toward them, acknowledging their presence she dipped her spoon into her soup, taking a bite at last before adding, "I'm Kaelara Ashwyn"

Her introduction was curt but direct, fitting for someone who rarely bothered with pleasantries. Still, there was a spark of interest in her eyes.

To the barkeep, she added, "I'll take a flagon of ale to go with the stew." Her tone softened just slightly. "And thank you for indulging my questions."

Though her mind remained preoccupied with Lady Miralys' disappearance, Kaelara made a mental note of the adventurers gathering around the tavern. Like it or not, they soon be fighting side by side.

Through a Wayward Glimmer -- to a Faraway Place

Kaelara slid twenty copper pieces across the bar, her hand steady as her eyes briefly flicked toward the barkeep. "Thank you," she said, her voice low but firm. She pocketed the key to her room, her other hand resting on her hip near the hilt of her sword as she listened.

Her grey eyes narrowed slightly as the barkeep spoke of Lady Miralys. "Preoccupied, you say?" she murmured, her tone contemplative. "Did she meet with anyone while she was here? Speak to anyone? Any strange visitors?" She leaned forward slightly, her presence commanding but not overtly threatening.

Noticing the glance from the bard, Kaelara resisted the urge to roll her eyes, opting instead for a curt nod in his direction before returning her focus to the meal in front of her. The aroma was tempting, but her curiosity burned brighter than her hunger. Picking up her spoon, she stirred the soup absently, waiting for any additional information the barkeep might provide.

She could feel the weight of the room's eyes on her, but she ignored it, her attention wholly on the young man in front of her. "Anything unusual at all could help," she added, her tone softer but no less insistent.

Through a Wayward Glimmer -- to a Faraway Place

Kaelara smiled wryly at the bartender's nervousness, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Just a room for the night, please," she said, her voice low and smooth. "And a hot meal, if you have one available." She leaned against the bar, her gaze sweeping the tavern "And perhaps some information, if you're willing to share. I'm here about the missing Lady Miralys. Have you heard anything?" She glanced around the tavern, taking in the atmosphere and the patrons as she waited for the bartender to respond.

As she looked around, Kaelara noticed a few patrons eyeing her warily, their faces a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. She met their gazes calmly, her expression neutral, before turning back to the bartender.

"What's the special of the day?" she asked, her tone friendly, but with a hint of detachment.

Through a Wayward Glimmer -- to a Faraway Place

Kaelara walked out of the assembly hall, the cool evening air a welcome respite from the stifling atmosphere within. She took a deep breath, her eyes scanning the village as she walked. The thatched roofs and the sound of laughter from the tavern created a sense of tranquility, but Kaelara's mind was already focused on the task ahead.

She thought about the Captain's words, the missing Lady Miralys, and the ruins that seemed to hold secrets. Her hand instinctively went to the dagger at her belt, a familiar weight that brought her comfort.

As she walked, Kaelara noticed the village was small, with only a few shops and homes. She spotted a tavern, the sign creaking in the gentle breeze. She decided to head there, hoping to gather more information about the ruins and the disappearance.

With a determined stride, Kaelara pushed open the tavern door, the warm glow of the fire pit and the murmur of conversations enveloping her. She scanned the room, her eyes adjusting to the dim light, as she made her way to the bar.