Upon hearing Corwyn's shout, multiple people turned their heads in his direction and were staring at him. One of them replied with a thunderous voice.
"That's right! Ya here ta join?"
It was a man with an outstandingly tall figure, he would easily measure up to 7 feet, who answered his question. His head was bald, with a scar visible on it, and in combination with his muscular build, he gave off a frightening aura. Corwyn was surprised that of all the people in the room, this man was the one who tried to recruit party members instead of shooing them away. But what surprised him even more was how direct he was about it. But after being briefly startled, he shouted back in a similar direct way.
"That's correct! I'm here to join the expedition!"
The other adventurers gave him appraising glances. Some murmured things like "Someone that young wants to join?" or "Can this guy even survive in the desert?". He couldn't blame them. Out of all the people in the room, he was by far the youngest person, and it was obvious from his age that he couldn't have much experience with the outside world.
The man with the scar, too, raised one of his eyebrows, but didn't inquire further and just said:
"In that case, com' with me!"
Immediately after saying this, he spun around and walked in the direction of a door on the left side of the room. Corwyn followed him, under the inspecting gazes of the crowd. Without looking back at him, the man opened the door and walked into the room on the other side. After Corwyn entered as well and closed the door behind him, he was greeted by a small room, probably only a third of the size of the front room, with four tables, two positioned on each side of the room. The room only had one lamp on each table, making the rest of the room quite dark and giving it a secretive atmosphere.
A group of men stood around the first two tables, immersed into their conversations. They only noticed Corwyn after the man with the scar bellowed:
"We hav' a new member!"
Instantly, the conversations died down, and everyone looked at Corwyn. As a blacksmith, he was used to talking with strangers, but now that all the attention was on him he couldn't help but feel nervous.
The one who took the initiative to address him was the man who held a speech on the stage in the plaza yesterday, Rogar.
"I welcome you, young man! What's your name?"
"Corwyn, sir! I am a blacksmith from the trader's district."
"A blacksmith, huh? Well, it definitely wouldn't be bad to have someone with us who can repair our weapons and armor if the need arises. But it will be a long and dangerous journey. You are still quite young, are you sure you are up to it?"
Corwyn pondered over this question for a moment. It was true, he had never been to the outside world. However, he had already decided to go, so he couldn't back out now! He looked at Rogar and replied in a firm voice.
"I thank you for your concern, but my decision stands firm! Whatever you say, it won't change my mind!"
Rogar blinked in surprise at that remark, but soon broke into laughter.
"Hahaha, if you are that determined, then I won't stop you! Welcome to the party!"
He went around the table and walked in front of Corwyn while extending his right hand. Corwyn reached out with his hand as well, and the two men shook hands. Rogar then began to introduce the men around the table. There were about 20 people in the room, more than half of them were survivors from the previous expedition. From the master-at-arms to the head chef, every one of them assumed some kind of leading role in the party. The master-at-arms was, unsurprisingly, the man with the scar on his head who brought Corwyn in earlier, named Jarrok. After introductions were finished, Rogar beckoned Corwyn over to the table. It was only then that Corwyn noticed the tables were full with maps of the continent and multiple documents listing all kinds of materials and provisions.
"Now that you are part of the expedition Corwyn, we ought to explain to you our plans for the journey!"
Rogar pointed his finger at a red dot on the map.
"We are currently here, at Quorin in the northwest of the grand desert. Our aim is this spot down there, in the southern jungle."
His finger wandered from the red dot down to another one, far south from their current location.
"Back then, we took a long and elaborate route, since we didn't know that our objective lay so deep within the southwest. Now that we have a clear idea where we are heading, I assume we can cut down the travel time to about half a year. The direct route would be even faster, but we can't take it since there are only small cities and villages en route, making resupplying a large group like us rather difficult. So we will strictly travel south at first until we arrive at Corlina. After stocking up provisions, we will then begin to head into the jungle, gradually approaching our objective."
Corwyn listened attentively to Rogar's explanation. He could see that they had planned the route with great care. The route to Corlina was accompanied by an Arcor vein for most of the time, making dying of thirst a lot less likely and defending against bandits much easier. Multiple cities for resupplying were located on this path as well. It was a safe and logical approach. He nodded to Rogar, showing that he understood.
"We can provide you with weapons and armor, as well as some items which are very useful for survival in the desert. Food and water are also provided by us, but it would be better if you prepare some emergency rations, in case you get separated from us, or some unforeseen circumstances cut us short of provisions."
"As far as weapons are concerned, I can bring them myself. Regarding the items, I will accept your hospitality!"
Corwyn bowed in front of the leaders, and Rogar smiled at him.
"That is all you have to know for now, if you have any further questions, you can ask them to one of the squad leaders."
"Thank you for the information!"
He bowed once again, then turned around and left for the door to the main room. Just a few steps before he reached the door though, it was opened from the other side. Another adventurer entered the dim room. Close behind him followed a young man with long, black hair, who Corwyn couldn't be more familiar with.
"Teo!? What are you doing here?"
His best friend turned towards him with a cheeky smile and spoke in a bright voice.
"I thought that I would find you here, Corwyn! As to why I'm here, it's to join the expedition of course!"
Corwyn was dumbfounded at Teo's reply. He made it sound like it was only natural, but Corwyn refused to believe that it had nothing to do with him. So he abruptly raised his voice, and shouted:
"Why would you come? This is my problem and my responsibility! It has got nothing to do with you! There is no reason for you to risk your life in this expedition!"
Corwyn truly was exasperated. But Teo just calmy refuted:
"You say it has got nothing to do with me? My best friend who I cherish like a brother is going to leave the city and put himself in danger, and you expect me to do nothing and wait for you to return? This isn't like when we were kids, Corwyn! Back then, you had no other choice but to let your father go, but it's different now! I know you will sacrifice many things in leaving Quorin, but don't think for even a second that I will just idly sit by and do nothing. I'm coming with you, whether you want it or not!"
Hearing his friend's passionate speech, Corwyn had no words to immediately counter him. He gulped down heavily before finally asking:
"But what about your family? You have still people to return to! What will they think if you suddenly leave them?"
"Isn't it the same for you?"
"Huh?"
Corwyn blinked in confusion. Teo exhaled a deep breath, seemingly in disbelief of Corwyn's stupidity.
"Corwyn, to my parents, you are just as much of a son as I am to them. We are all family. So don't say you don't have anyone to return to!"
Tears. They formed uncontrollably in his eyes. For over a minute, he just stood there looking at his friend, no, his brother with tears in his eyes. Teo showed him a gentle, warm smile while patting his shoulder.
"I already told mother and father the situation, and that I will be going with you. They understand my decision and will say nothing against it. Also, they promised to look after your forge from time to time, so everything will be as it was before after we return from the expedition."
Corwyn just nodded. He couldn't do anything else but that. Teo gave him another smile, before turning towards Rogar and bowing politely.
"I'm sorry for the tumult I've caused and my late introduction. My name is Teophaistos, a soldier, and I wish to join the expedition as well."
Still in a daze from the unexpected commotion that just occurred, Rogar had to blink several times until he finally noticed that he was the one being talked to. He soon recovered though, and had to laugh out loud again.
"Hahaha, it seems the two of you are already quite familiar with each other. Fine, absolutely no problem in you joining us then. I'll let your friend explain the details to you!"
"Thank you very much!"
Teo bowed again. He then left the room together with Corwyn.
Jarrok followed the both of them with his eyes until they were no longer visible through the door, then redirected his gaze back to Rogar and casually said:
"Who would hav' thought that so many yangstas would join so willingly, huh?"
"Indeed!"
Rogar was innerly surprised that two young men with nearly no knowledge of the outside world join them, but he didn't mind it either. The expedition party needed energetic and determined people like them, so he had no complaints.
"Well then, let's get back to work guys! We need to be ready to leave in one week's time!"
The following days were spent on idle preparations. While the expedition party recruited more members and gathered the necessary supplies for the long trip, Corwyn and Teo continued to train excessively with each other. In addition, Corwyn crafted multiple weapons, pieces of armor, as well as some working tools. Furthermore, he still had to finish up the orders of some customers that he left undone until now.
One week quickly went by, and the day of departure arrived. Corwyn went to Teo's home in the commoner's district to pick him up. Although they lived in the commoner's district, Teo's family was far from poor, and they owned a nice, two-story house in the innermost part of the district. As soon as he arrived, he knocked, and after a brief pause, the door was opened by Teo's mother Lyria.
"It has been some time Corwyn! You came here to get Teo, right?"
"That's right, sorry for taking him away from you..."
She gently shook her head.
"There's no need to apologize, I always knew that the day would come when the bird leaves the nest. So I'm actually quite pleased that he is leaving in order to help you, Corwyn!"
Corwyn had to hold back his tears. Since he had no memories of his own mother, this woman could be said to be his foster mother, since she also cared very much about him. He sincerely bowed in front of her.
"I will definitely bring him back, I promise!"
Sofia just smiled at him, then called Teo over. The young man came a few seconds later, carrying a large backpack like Corwyn, and bowed as well.
"I'll be leaving then, mother! But I will come back, and when that time comes, I will tell you all about what we witnessed out there!"
"Mhm, please do!"
The two of them hugged each other tightly, then let go and smiled.
"We will be off then!"
"Please take care!"
Both Corwyn and Teo waved multiple times, before turning around and heading for the southern gate. On the way there, they saw lots of people eyeing them with surprise at their get-up, some whispering amongst themselves and pointing with their fingers at them.
(I guess it really is kind of unusual for young people to leave the city in order to throw themselves into danger, huh...)
They soon reached the gate. Large numbers of mounts, carts, and adventurers were on their way outside, towards the meeting point in front of the gate. Corwyn and Teo soon walked through as well and joined their squad within the group. Their leader was the large man with the scar, Jarrok. As they arrived, he immediately greeted them with a coarse voice.
"So ya hav' arrived, yang folks! I was afraid ya wouldn't show up for a moment, but it seems like I didn't misjudge ya. Welcam' aboard!"
""Please take care of us!""
They both bowed. After formalities were done, they began to familiarize themselves with the other members of their squad. It was only 30 minutes later that the last member of the expedition party had arrived, and Rogar walked in front of the group, holding his final speech before they would depart.
"Fellow adventurers, I'm grateful that you all appeared here in such high number! With this many people, we should have nothing to fear for the most part of the trip. But everyone here needs to be clear about that this expedition will definitely make us experience danger firsthand, so prepare yourselves! So always stay on alert, and cover the members of your squad. I know this will be a hard trip, and everyone here sacrificed some things to join this expedition..."
He swept his gaze over the whole crowd before him, before he continued.
"...However, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your efforts. Because if it's you guys, I think all our sacrifices will definitely not be in vain! So let's do this, and return to this city as heroes who made history!
The whole expedition party exploded with applause and cheers. Everyone's spirit was greatly heightened, and they all picked up their belongings and got ready to leave. Mere moments later, the caravan started to move, and Corwyn looked back at the city he lived in until now with one last gaze before he too advanced his steps forward.
Right. There was no looking back now. Moving forward was the only way, moving forward and leaving no regrets.