Alaric blinked, taken aback. "My idea? What are you talking about?"
"The idea to come here, to see her!" Kaelan snapped. "You told me it would be a good idea, that she'd appreciate seeing me. Instead, she thinks I'm a reckless idiot who can't take care of himself. She practically kicked me out of the tent because I was taking up space and wasting her time."
Alaric's eyes widened in shock. "Kaelan, I didn't mean—"
"Save it," Kaelan interrupted, his voice bitter. "I know you were just trying to help, but all you've done is make things worse. Now she looks at me like I'm some immature fool who can't be trusted."
kaelan's friends couldn't help themselves. Despite the somber tone of his story, the sheer absurdity of the situation and the image of Isabel's stern reprimands struck them as amusing. Laughter erupted from the group, echoing through the trees.
Alaric was the first to speak through his chuckles. "Oh, Kaelan, you really have outdone yourself this time!
Eamon, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes, added, "If she was any colder, she'd have frozen you out of the tent entirely! You've got your work cut out for you, my friend."
Kaelan's initial irritation flared up again, but as he looked at his friends' genuinely amused faces, he couldn't help but crack a smile. Their laughter, though at his expense, was infectious.
"Alright, alright," Kaelan said, holding up his hands. "I get it. Laugh it up. But mark my words, I'm not giving up. Isabel might be focused on her potions now, but I'll find a way to show her I'm more than just a reckless fool."
Alaric clapped him on the back, still grinning. "That's the spirit! But you'll have to do more than just survive monster attacks. You need to impress her with something beyond your injuries."
"Maybe you should take up potion-making yourself," Eamon suggested with a wink. "She seems to have a soft spot for anyone who can mix a decent brew."
Kaelan laughed, shaking his head. "I'll leave the potions to her. But I will find a way to get her to see me differently."
"Good," Alaric said, his tone more serious now. "Just be careful, Kaelan. Isabel's a tough one, and she's got her reasons for being the way she is. Respect that, and maybe you'll get somewhere."
Kaelan nodded, appreciating the advice. "I will."
~~~~
Isabel was deeply engrossed in her potion-making, the rhythmic grind of herbs and the gentle bubbling of brews creating a soothing ambiance. The tension from her earlier interaction with Kaelan still lingered, but she pushed it to the back of her mind, focusing on her work.
Suddenly, a soft rustling at the entrance of her tent caught her attention. She glanced up and was immediately filled with a warm sense as a small, familiar creature bounded into her tent. It was Phex, her little beast companion from childhood, a creature known for bringing good luck and hunting treasure.
"Phex!" Isabel exclaimed, her face lighting up with a rare smile. The creature chirped happily in response, scampering up to her and nuzzling her hand. Isabel reached down, gently scratching behind Phex's ears, eliciting a series of delighted purrs.
"So you finally descided to come back, little one?" she asked, her voice softening as she spoke to her old friend. Phex tilted his head, his bright eyes glinting with mischief. In his tiny paws, he held a small, glittering object, which he promptly dropped at Isabel's feet.
Isabel picked up the item, her curiosity piqued. It was a small, intricately carved gemstone, something that looked both ancient and valuable. "Where did you find this?" she murmured, marveling at the exquisite craftsmanship.
Phex chirped again, clearly pleased with himself. Isabel's mind raced, thinking about the possible origins of the gemstone. She knew Phex had a knack for finding hidden treasures, often leading her to interesting discoveries in their childhood adventures.
Isabel examined the gemstone, admiring its glimmering facets, when the sudden, resonant sound of a gong shattered her focus. The deep, echoing call reverberated through the camp, signaling an emergency. Isabel's heart jolted at the sound, her mind racing to determine the possible outcomes. The gong's ring was never good news; it meant something serious had occurred, and no one was to be left behind.
With a sense of urgency, Isabel quickly stored all her herbs and slipped Phex into her dress pocket. Despite the years that had passed, Phex remained as small and delicate as the day she first found him, making it easy to carry him discreetly.
Isabel stepped out of her tent and joined the hurried flow of people moving towards the platform where the gong had sounded. Among the crowd, she spotted Mirael Swift, her friend and fellow recruit. Both had joined the military camp at the same time, forging a strong bond through shared experiences. Mirael came from a long line of soldiers, her family's legacy steeped in military service.
"Mirael!" Isabel called out, weaving through the crowd to reach her friend.
Mirael turned, her expression a mix of concern and determination. "Isabel! Do you have any idea what's going on?"
"No," Isabel replied, her voice tense. "But it must be serious for them to summon everyone like this."
Together, they made their way to the platform. The atmosphere was thick with tension, everyone on edge as they awaited further instructions. The commanding officer, General Thorne, stood at the front, his stern face reflecting the gravity of the situation.
"Attention!" General Thorne's voice boomed over the gathered crowd, silencing the murmurs. "
As General Thorne continued his briefing, the tension in the air grew thicker. "We have just received urgent news," he announced, his voice carrying over the crowd. "The North border has been breached by dark monsters. The situation is dire, and they need immediate rescue. We must reach them as soon as possible."
A murmur of concern and determination rippled through the assembled soldiers and healers.
"We will leave in half an hour," General Thorne continued. "Report to your commanders at that time. They will assign your roles for the mission. Prepare yourselves and be ready to move out."
Isabel felt a knot of anxiety tighten in her stomach. The North border was a critical defense point, and if it had been breached, the situation was more severe than she had imagined. She exchanged a worried glance with Mirael.