Elliot woke up with a groan, his back aching from the long trek and his mind still racing with everything that had happened. He yawned and stretched, glancing over at his satchel lying on the chair next to him. As he rummaged through the remaining commissions, a particular letter caught his eye—the one he had almost forgotten.
Elliot: "Oh man, I totally spaced on this. The letter from that knight…" He sat up straighter as the memory hit him. "I can't believe I almost forgot!"
The previous day, amidst all the chaos, a young knight had begged Elliot to deliver a letter and some coins to his sick parents. The knight had paid extra to ensure Elliot would take the commission, given how far away his parents lived and how nobody else would touch the job. The knight had been separated from his family for ten long years. His desperation had been clear in his eyes, and Elliot couldn't bring himself to refuse.
Elliot: "I've got to deliver this... even if it's out of the way. It's the least I can do before I hightail it out of Falconridge."
Knowing that Falconridge was teetering on the edge of danger, Elliot realized he'd need to prepare thoroughly before heading out. This wasn't just a simple letter delivery—it would take him into the remote wilderness. He knew better than to take any unnecessary risks.
Elliot made his way into the market district of Falconridge, carefully selecting supplies for the long journey ahead. His usual cheery demeanor earned him a few raised eyebrows from the vendors, who were used to dealing with gruff adventurers and haggling traders.
Merchant: "Ah, the delivery man! Heard you were part of that mess with the goblins yesterday. Got anything for me to deliver?"
Elliot chuckled, grabbing a pack of dried meat and a flask of water. "Nah, not this time. But if you want to buy insurance for your stall... y'know, just in case."
Merchant: "Ha! Good one! Maybe if I start losing more chickens."
Further down the road, he bumped into a group of mercenaries lounging around the entrance to a tavern. One of them, a burly man with a scar running across his jawline, called out to him.
Mercenary: "Hey there, errand boy! Still running around with your little satchel? Need protection this time?"
Elliot grinned, approaching them with his usual charm. "Funny you mention that. I could actually use a few extra swords. Got a far delivery to make, and I don't plan on getting mugged by some hungry wolves on the way."
The mercenaries laughed, but a couple of them stood up, cracking their knuckles.
Mercenary Leader: "Well, you've come to the right crew. We've got nothing better to do than follow some delivery guy for a few extra coins."
Before leaving, Elliot made sure to meet with some of his colleagues from the Information Guild. A few of them were seasoned veterans who had seen more dangerous routes than Elliot could count.
Guild Colleague #1: "You're heading out of Falconridge? With everything going on? You're either brave or insane."
Elliot: "Let's go with brave... though the insane part could probably hold up in court."
Guild Colleague #2 handed Elliot a map of the roads ahead. "The route you'll be taking isn't well-traveled. Bandits and wild beasts, not to mention the terrain, could be tricky. Watch out for the northern pass near Elderglen—it's been swarming with troublemakers lately."
Elliot: "Noted. Avoid Elderglen. Anything else? Maybe where to get good coffee along the way?"
They shared a chuckle before Elliot bid them farewell, feeling a little more confident about the journey ahead. What he didn't know was that two mysterious figures were watching him from the shadows, following his every move. Wherever he went, they remained just out of sight.
As he moved through the bustling streets, gathering everything he needed for the trip, the figures never let him out of their sight.
Elliot slung his packed satchel over his shoulder and double-checked his supplies. The thought of that knight's desperate face crossed his mind, reminding him why he had taken the job in the first place. With everything ready, and his hired mercenaries waiting by the gate, he set off with a determined smile.
Elliot: "Alright, one last delivery... then I'm outta here."
As the mysterious figures continued to stalk him from the shadows, Elliot remained blissfully unaware of the danger looming closer.