Kaelara’s gaze flicked to Ludwig, her eyes narrowing slightly as she took in his fidgety demeanor. For a moment, she simply regarded him, her expression unreadable. When he extended his hand, she looked at it, then back at his face, before finally shaking it in a firm, brief grip. "Kaelara," she replied, her voice even. Her eyes lingered on his for a fraction of a second before she released his hand, her attention already drifting back to the preparations. She didn’t bother to comment on his abrupt departure, simply watching him go with a detached air. Her focus shifted to the captain, who was busy giving final instructions to his soldiers. She listened intently, her eyes never leaving his face.
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Kaelara's gaze swept over the preparations, her expression unreadable. She strode over to the quartermaster's cart, her movements economical. Without a word, she claimed a sturdy-looking tent and slung it over her shoulder, the fabric rustling softly. For a moment, she stood apart, lost in thought. Her eyes narrowed, her jaw set. She was ready.
Kaelara’s expression remained neutral as Sonia turned to her for weapon advice, though she noted the way the huntress prodded at the Captain like a cat toying with a cornered mouse. It was amusing.
Before she could answer, the courier—Shelby Appleton, or whatever he wanted to call himself—lingered just long enough to make his exit awkward. He was jumpy, cautious. But something in his tone, the way he repeated that question. At his excuse about sunburns, she let out a quiet huff that might’ve been a suppressed laugh. He was skittish, but not useless. At least, she hoped not.
She turned back to Sonia. “Depends on what you want. Another bow’s redundant. Short sword’s a safe bet. Compact, versatile. You more comfortable with a blade, or are you thinking something heavier?”
Even as she spoke, her attention flicked toward the Captain, watching for his reaction to Shelby's question. Sonia wasn’t the only one who caught the gaps in his explanations, her own interest piqued despite herself. That was a good question—and one the captain would likely prefer not to answer.
So, she waited, arms crossed, watching for the response.
Before she could answer, the courier—Shelby Appleton, or whatever he wanted to call himself—lingered just long enough to make his exit awkward. He was jumpy, cautious. But something in his tone, the way he repeated that question. At his excuse about sunburns, she let out a quiet huff that might’ve been a suppressed laugh. He was skittish, but not useless. At least, she hoped not.
She turned back to Sonia. “Depends on what you want. Another bow’s redundant. Short sword’s a safe bet. Compact, versatile. You more comfortable with a blade, or are you thinking something heavier?”
Even as she spoke, her attention flicked toward the Captain, watching for his reaction to Shelby's question. Sonia wasn’t the only one who caught the gaps in his explanations, her own interest piqued despite herself. That was a good question—and one the captain would likely prefer not to answer.
So, she waited, arms crossed, watching for the response.
Kaelara strode into the staging area with her usual measured pace, grey eyes scanning the gathered adventurers and soldiers with quiet scrutiny. She wasn’t in a hurry to sign up—she already knew she was going—but she took a moment to observe the others first, sizing up potential allies and liabilities alike.
The captain looked as grim as ever. A handful of familiar faces, a few unknowns. Some seemed competent enough. Others... well, they’d either prove their worth or be dead weight soon enough.
She made her way to the registration table, sparing a glance at Sonia’s easy confidence as the huntress pressed the captain for details. Kaelara smirked faintly—at least someone was eager for answers.
Taking up the quill, she signed in clean, deliberate strokes.
Kaelara Ashwyn.
She passed the parchment back without a word, stepping toward the equipment cart. Most of what was on offer was standard issue, serviceable but unimpressive. Her own weapons and armor were better suited to her style, but it wouldn’t hurt to take something extra.
She picked up a short sword, testing the balance with a practiced hand before sliding it into her belt. As for armor, she eyed the leather padding before shaking her head. Too bulky. If she needed protection, she’d rely on her own gear.
She caught movement from the corner of her eye “Shelby Appleton,” grabbing a quiver of arrows without a bow. Her lips pressed into the ghost of a smirk. Curious choice. Either he had a plan, or he was in for a rude awakening.
Kaelara snorts under her breath. “That gonna be a fashion statement, courier? Or you planning to throw them one by one?” she murmured as she passed him, low enough for only him to hear. She didn’t pause for an answer.
Instead, she stepped closer to where Sonia was speaking with the Captain, her arms crossing as she listened to the exchange. The sooner she had the full picture of this mission, the better.
The sun was climbing, and soon, they’d be on their way
The captain looked as grim as ever. A handful of familiar faces, a few unknowns. Some seemed competent enough. Others... well, they’d either prove their worth or be dead weight soon enough.
She made her way to the registration table, sparing a glance at Sonia’s easy confidence as the huntress pressed the captain for details. Kaelara smirked faintly—at least someone was eager for answers.
Taking up the quill, she signed in clean, deliberate strokes.
Kaelara Ashwyn.
She passed the parchment back without a word, stepping toward the equipment cart. Most of what was on offer was standard issue, serviceable but unimpressive. Her own weapons and armor were better suited to her style, but it wouldn’t hurt to take something extra.
She picked up a short sword, testing the balance with a practiced hand before sliding it into her belt. As for armor, she eyed the leather padding before shaking her head. Too bulky. If she needed protection, she’d rely on her own gear.
She caught movement from the corner of her eye “Shelby Appleton,” grabbing a quiver of arrows without a bow. Her lips pressed into the ghost of a smirk. Curious choice. Either he had a plan, or he was in for a rude awakening.
Kaelara snorts under her breath. “That gonna be a fashion statement, courier? Or you planning to throw them one by one?” she murmured as she passed him, low enough for only him to hear. She didn’t pause for an answer.
Instead, she stepped closer to where Sonia was speaking with the Captain, her arms crossing as she listened to the exchange. The sooner she had the full picture of this mission, the better.
The sun was climbing, and soon, they’d be on their way
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.
“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.
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?"
"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?"
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.
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.
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?"
"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?"
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."
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."
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.
"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.
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