A week had passed since Bennet, Hugo, and Leo had made their solemn promise to hide and protect Tharin. In that short span of time, Tharin had found refuge within the confines of the warehouse, he was hidden from the world but he was happy because this time, he had friends looking out for him.
On this particular morning, Hugo and Bennet received word that their next mission would once again take them to the border, this time accompanied by a worrisome warrior – Jax.
Before they go to the designated meeting place, Bennet and Hugo decide to make a quick detour to the bustling marketplace, a favorite haunt for warriors seeking upgrades and supplies. The sun was already climbing high in the sky, casting warm rays of light over the busy stalls and eager merchants hawking their items.
Hugo, who had always been keen on improving his defenses, immediately set his sights on the rows of heavy armor and shields that adorned one particular stall. With a grin, he began haggling with the vendor, eventually departing with a fresh set of armor and a formidable new shield that would undoubtedly serve him well on their upcoming mission.
As they strolled through the marketplace, Bennet noticed Hugo's purchases but also realized that he had not yet found anything worth investing in. His attention was divided between the practicality of upgrading his weaponry and the secret he had been harboring.
Hugo, always curious about his brother's decisions, decided to break the silence. "You know, Bennet, this is the perfect opportunity to enhance your equipment. We could be facing all sorts of challenges out there, and it's important to be prepared."
Bennet couldn't help but smile at Hugo's concern. His brother always seems to worry about his welfare.
"I appreciate your advice, Hugo," he replied. "But I'm saving my funds for something... special."
Hugo's curiosity was piqued. "What is it? Don't tell me... You're planning to buy me a gift?"
Bennet chuckled, but his eyes sparkled with a hint of mystery. "It's a secret, Hugo. Even I'm not entirely sure if I'll go through with it, but I've got to keep my options open."
Hugo frowned playfully. "Well, as long as it's something that'll help us in the long run, I won't pry any further."
"Well, if you are not going to buy anything then let's go to the meeting place now. I'm done shopping." Hugo said with a smile.
The North gate, their meeting place was a bustling hub of activity as always, warriors from different guilds and even merchants gathered together. Amidst the crowd, Bennet and Hugo spotted Leo, who was the first to notice their arrival. With a bright smile, he waved them over.
"Hey, you two!" Leo greeted as he rushed toward the brothers. "Are you guys excited about this mission?"
Bennet and Hugo exchanged glances, each holding their own thoughts on the matter.
"Your first time going to the border?" Bennet asked.
"That's right!" Leo answered cheerfully.
"That explains why you are so excited" Hugo laughed.
Leo nodded in understanding, taking their different perspectives in stride. "I get it. Well, speaking of the mission, there's something you should know." Leo lowered his voice slightly, indicating that he was about to share some news.
Bennet and Hugo leaned in, eager to hear what Leo had to say. Leo continued, "Jax is already there. I thought you should be prepared."
The mention of Jax immediately put the brothers on alert. Their previous encounters with him had been far from pleasant, and his unpredictable nature made him a wildcard in any situation.
Before they could discuss further, Zaira and Lucio arrived at the meeting place. Zaira's cheerful demeanor contrasted with Lucio's more reserved and skeptical disposition. The group exchanged greetings and brief pleasantries, with Leo filling in Zaira and Lucio about Jax's involvement in the mission.
Finally, Captain Igor, the experienced leader of their unit, made his entrance. The group gathered around, Captain Igor addressed them all then Jax walked towards them only acknowledging the Captain with a nod.
"Good morning, everyone," he began, his deep voice carrying through the crisp air. "Today, we embark on a mission to the border. It's not your typical assignment. You've all proven yourselves far above the standard for young warriors, and that's why you're here. Consider yourselves seasoned warriors in training."
After finishing his line, the group started their travel and it took only a couple of hours for them to arrive. Leo couldn't contain his awe at the breathtaking scenery that stretched out before them. Rolling hills and pristine landscapes painted a serene picture that was quite a contrast to the often harsh life of a warrior.
He pointed out the vibrant colors of the wildflowers and the crystal-clear streams that meandered through the landscape. However, Leo's enthusiasm eventually got on Jax's nerves.
Jax, with his typical gruff demeanor, finally snapped, "Will you shut up already?"
His reaction was so animated and over the top that it caught the entire group off guard. Bennet, Hugo, Zaira, and Lucio exchanged bemused glances before bursting into laughter. Jax's anger was simply too exaggerated for them to take seriously.
"Why are you all laughing?" Jax demanded, his face turning a shade of crimson as his frustration grew.
But instead of stopping, their laughter only intensified. They found themselves caught in an uncontrollable fit of giggles, their mirth echoing through the serene landscape.
Leo, his laughter almost musical, managed to speak between chuckles. "Jax, it's not that serious! You're like a volcano erupting!"
"Okay, settle down guys. We are entering the camp, you know how serious the veteran warriors are" said Captain Igor.
The group followed Captain Igor's lead, settling down as they entered the camp where the veteran warriors were stationed. The atmosphere in the camp was palpably heavy, they saw warriors, some injured and others looking utterly exhausted, their faces etched with weariness.
Captain Igor voiced their questions aloud, and it wasn't long before Captain Donovan approached them, having heard the familiar voice. He wore an expression that reflected both relief and concern.
"The orcs have launched a relentless attack on a settlement we've established just beyond the border. They've been relentless, and we've been struggling to hold them back," said Captain Donovan.
He then proceeds to look at the young warriors in front of him. "We sent a request for reinforcements, but we never expected they'd send children."
"Young warriors." Captain Igor corrected.
Captain Donovan assessed the group for a moment, his eyes scrutinizing their determined expressions. Eventually, he nodded, recognizing that they didn't have the luxury of waiting for additional reinforcements.
"Very well," Captain Donovan conceded, his voice filled with reluctant acceptance. "We don't have time to waste. The orcs are aggressive, and we need all the help we can get. Follow me."
With that, the seasoned warrior turned and led the group further into the camp. They were given brief instructions on the situation: the settlement under attack was primarily inhabited by civilians who had settled there to start a new life beyond the border. The orcs had launched a series of assaults, and the veteran warriors had been stretched thin trying to protect the settlers.
As they continued their march to the new settlement, Bennet glanced at Captain Donovan, curiosity and concern etched on his face.
"Captain Donovan," Bennet began tentatively, "I understand that this settlement was established to expand the border, but isn't it dangerous to let civilians live in such a volatile area? Shouldn't they be further away from the border for their safety?"
Captain Donovan sighed, understanding the young warrior's valid concerns.
"The decision isn't ours to make. The government believes that having human settlements closer to the border, it will act as a deterrent to other creatures and potentially push them further into the wilderness. It's a strategy to secure our territory and protect the heartlands." Captain Donovan answered.
Zaira's insight into the political landscape sheds new light on the situation. Her words carried the weight of knowledge, and she explained further to her companions.
"The aristocrats and wealthy merchants have been exerting pressure on the king for years," she said, her voice tinged with frustration. "They believe that if we expand the territories, we'll discover untapped reserves of gold and silver, which would fill their coffers even more. It's a matter of greed, not the well-being of the settlers."
Captain Donovan, with a weary expression, nodded in agreement. "As warriors, our duty is to follow orders, even if we disagree with them. The decisions made by those in power often have consequences that affect the common folk. It's a harsh reality, but it's one we must contend with."
The conversation weighed heavily on the group as they entered the heart of the settlement, where the settlers had gathered for safety. The desperate looks on their faces were a stark reminder of the consequences of political decisions that seemed far removed from their everyday lives.
The settlers had gathered in makeshift shelters, their faces etched with fear and uncertainty. The sounds of children crying and people murmuring filled the air, creating an atmosphere of tension.
Captain Donovan led the way as the young warriors followed him through the camp, searching for anyone in charge. They finally came across an elderly man, the unofficial leader of the settlers, who appeared to be coordinating efforts to protect the settlement.
Captain Igor approached the man and introduced himself. "I am Captain Igor, and these are my young warriors. We've been dispatched to assist you with the orc threat."
The elderly man nodded, his expression a mix of relief and anxiety. "I'm Elder Harlan. We're grateful for your help, but we never expected young ones like you to be sent. The orcs have been brutal, and our defenses have been crumbling."
Captain Donovan stepped forward. "We'll do our best to help you fortify your defenses and repel the orc attack. But we need to know more about their numbers and tactics. Can you provide us with any information?"
Elder Harlan nodded again and began to explain what they had been facing. The orcs had been attacking in waves, and their numbers seemed endless. They used crude but effective tactics, such as setting fires to disrupt the settlement and launching hit-and-run attacks.
While the settlers had managed to fend off the initial assaults, their supplies were dwindling, and their morale was waning. The situation was dire, and they were in desperate need of assistance.
Captain Igor turned to his young warriors. "We have our work cut out for us. Let's begin by helping the settlers fortify their defenses. Once we've secured the perimeter, we'll gather more information on the orc's movements and plan our counterattack."
They organized the settlers, assigning them tasks, barricades were reinforced, watchtowers were constructed, and makeshift weapons were distributed to those who could fight.
Ten other seasoned warriors arrived, all men under Captain Donovan who just came back from their rest two rest days and they immediately helped in fortifying the settlement. Some began training the settlers in basic combat techniques, while others helped in fortifying.
Zaira and Lucio patrolled the perimeter, keeping an eye out for any signs of approaching orcs. Jax, though initially grumbling, reluctantly helped with manual labor, fortifying barricades with his immense strength.
As the day turned into night, the settlement was transformed into a fortress. The settlers, despite their fear, were inspired by the determination and courage displayed by the young warriors. They began to regain their hope that they could stand against the orc onslaught.
Elder Harlan approached Captain Donovan, gratitude in his eyes. "I can't thank you enough for coming to our aid. We were on the verge of despair before your arrival."
Captain Donovan nodded. "We're here to help, Elder Harlan. But our work is far from over. We need to gather intelligence on the orcs and plan our defense accordingly."
Elder Harlan provided what information he could. The orcs had a camp not too far from the settlement, and it seemed they were amassing for a larger assault. The settlers had tried sending scouts, but none had returned.
Captain Donovan decided it was time to send out their own scouts.
The scouting party was carefully selected, comprising the swiftest and most adept members of the group. Joining the expedition were Bennet, Zaira, Lucio, and four seasoned warriors renowned for their expertise in stealthy movement and reconnaissance. This team was chosen for their speed, agility, and experience, making them the perfect candidates for the crucial task of gathering intelligence on the orc threat.
The scouting party was under the leadership of Gregory, a seasoned veteran warrior with a compact build and more than a decade of experience as a scout in the region. Gregory's extensive knowledge of the area and his ability to navigate it with precision made him the ideal choice to lead the team.
Your primary role is to scout, not to engage in combat," Captain Donovan emphasized to the young warriors.
Gregory echoed the sentiment, his tone serious. "If a confrontation becomes inevitable, your priority is to evade and promptly relay the situation back to Captain Donovan and Captain Igor."
With a collective nod of agreement, the young warriors left the settlement and ventured into the unknown, prepared to fulfill their scouting mission.