Kael arrived at the designated location just as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the narrow alley where the group had agreed to meet. The place was tucked away from the bustling streets of the city, quiet and dimly lit by the lanterns hanging from nearby buildings. As he approached, Kael saw four figures gathered near a large cart stocked with provisions, ready for the journey ahead.
The man who had recruited him at the mission house stepped forward with a grin, his name now clear—Gareth. He was a seasoned knight, probably in his mid-thirties, with dark hair streaked with silver and a scar running down his left cheek. Gareth's presence commanded respect; he carried himself like someone who had seen many battles, yet there was a lightness in his demeanor.
"Ah, there you are, lad!" Gareth called out as Kael approached. "Right on time. I was starting to think you'd gotten lost in the city."
Kael shook his head, offering a small, polite nod. "I wouldn't miss it."
The others turned to size him up, and Kael could see their eyes linger on his youthful face. They exchanged curious glances. Gareth motioned to the group, introducing them one by one.
"This is Thorne," Gareth pointed to a tall, broad-shouldered knight with a grim expression, his arms crossed over his chest. "Quiet but deadly."
Thorne gave a slight nod in acknowledgment, his deep-set eyes scanning Kael as if measuring his worth.
"Lira," Gareth continued, gesturing to a lithe woman with sharp features and short blonde hair. She looked more like a rogue than a knight, her movements quick and precise, as if she was always ready for a fight. She gave Kael a smirk, her gaze lingering on the sword at his waist.
"And last but not least, Bram," Gareth finished, pointing to a stocky, bearded man who seemed more interested in the food supplies than in Kael's arrival. Bram gave a grunt and waved lazily before going back to checking the bags on the cart.
Kael could feel their eyes on him, and he braced himself for the inevitable questions. Sure enough, Lira was the first to speak up.
"You don't look old enough to be out here," she said, raising an eyebrow. "How old are you, kid? Sixteen?"
"Seventeen," Kael corrected, his tone even. "And I'm a second-layer knight."
That got their attention. Lira's smirk widened, and Thorne's expression finally shifted, his eyebrows raising slightly in surprise.
"A second-layer mana core at your age?" Bram finally spoke, eyeing Kael with newfound respect. "Well, I'll be damned."
Gareth chuckled, clapping Kael on the shoulder. "I told you lot he was promising. Don't let his age fool you—this one's got some real skill. He wouldn't be here if he didn't."
Kael felt the weight of their stares, but before anyone could ask more, Lira leaned forward with a knowing look. "Wait a second... 'Kael,' you said? You're not that Kael, are you? The Eldenwood kid?"
At the mention of Eldenwood, all eyes turned to him, and Kael could feel the shift in the atmosphere. They knew.
Thorne grunted. "The boy from the Eldenwood line. And the sister, too, right? The prodigy everyone's talking about."
Kael's usual cold demeanor flickered, replaced by a brief, warm smile. His pride in his sister swelled in his chest, and for the first time in the conversation, he allowed himself to relax.
"Mia, yeah," Kael said, his voice softening as he spoke of her. "She's incredible. She's already refining her mana core to the third level, and she's mastered over twenty spells. Everyone says she's got the Eldenwood talent. I'm lucky to have a sister like her."
The group exchanged glances, smirking as Kael continued to speak.
"And she's only getting better," Kael went on, now fully engaged. "Her control over mana is like nothing I've ever seen. She can see different types of mana—distinguish their colors, even. I've never seen anyone progress as fast as her."
Lira chuckled, nudging Thorne. "Listen to this guy, huh? From cold as ice to warm as summer just talking about his sister."
Thorne grinned. "Sounds like she's something else, alright. Must be nice, having someone like that in the family."
Kael gave a small smile, but his eyes flickered with something darker. He was proud of Mia, but he hadn't forgotten the cost of everything they had endured. His sister's magic prowess was the product of their painful history, of their parents' deaths and their forced separation. He hadn't forgotten why they were here, and that thought lingered at the back of his mind.
Gareth broke the moment with a clap of his hands. "Alright, enough chit-chat. We've got a long journey ahead of us, and we need to get moving. Kael, you'll do just fine with us. We'll head south, hire a carriage and driver, and be on our way."
Kael nodded, his moment of warmth fading as he steeled himself for the mission ahead. Gareth and the others led the way, and soon enough, they had hired a sturdy horse and carriage, loading it up with supplies for the journey to Eldenwood.
As they set off, Kael felt a strange knot in his stomach. He hadn't seen nor heard of his old village in a long time, and the thought of returning filled him with an odd mix of anticipation and dread.
But no matter what awaited them in Eldenwood, he was ready.