The road out of Thalendris was a well-worn path, its cobblestones smooth from years of travel. The morning was crisp, the air carrying the faint scent of dew-soaked grass as the caravan began its slow journey toward Havenwood Pass. I rode near the front, my disguise still firmly in place, with Evelyn beside me. The rhythmic clatter of hooves and the occasional creak of wagon wheels set a steady pace, one that left ample room for conversation.
It was rare to find stretches of quiet like this, where the weight of our ranks didn't demand immediate action or vigilance. And while my eyes scanned the horizon, my mind wandered to the odd assortment of adventurers Orlan had hired.
Raine, the B-class greatsword wielder, rode just behind us, her posture relaxed but her hand never straying far from the hilt of her massive weapon. She carried herself like someone who had seen more battles than she cared to admit, but there was a warmth to her, a calm confidence that could steady a group. She caught me watching and raised an eyebrow.
"Not used to working with a team?" she asked, her voice carrying easily over the sound of the caravan.
"Something like that," I replied. "Evelyn and I usually work alone."
She smirked. "Figured. A-class adventurers don't usually mix with the rest of us."
Evelyn glanced at me, her expression unreadable, before replying for both of us. "It's not about rank. Most of our missions don't leave room for teams."
"Convenient answer," Raine said, her smirk deepening. "Still, you've got my respect. A-class doesn't come easy."
Her words carried no malice, but there was a spark of curiosity in her gaze. She wasn't the only one. The wiry rogue, Darrin, had been eyeing us since the moment we joined the group. He rode near the middle of the caravan, his fingers twitching idly on the reins. Every so often, his sharp eyes would flick toward us, his expression unreadable.
"You think he's trouble?" Evelyn asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.
I shook my head. "Not the kind we can't handle. He's just curious. Probably trying to figure out why two A-class adventurers are slumming it with a group like this."
"And why are we?" she asked, her tone teasing but with a genuine undertone.
"Because," I said, meeting her gaze, "it's not slumming. It's a job."
Evelyn smiled faintly, turning her attention back to the road ahead. She didn't press further, but I could tell her mind was still turning over the question. I couldn't blame her. Our rank wasn't just a mark of our skill—it was a symbol of the kind of missions we were supposed to handle. Escorts like this, while important, rarely called for A-class adventurers.
Ahead, the armored knight, Garret, rode in silence, his helmet tucked under one arm. He looked like a fortress on horseback, his heavy plate armor gleaming in the morning sun. Despite his intimidating presence, there was a quietness to him, a sense of duty that reminded me of the knights from my past life. He wasn't the type to start conversations, but he seemed dependable, a steady anchor for the group.
The mage, Lys, was a different story. She kept her distance from everyone, her hood pulled low as she rode near the rear of the caravan. Her magic was palpable, a subtle hum in the air that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. It wasn't hostility—it was precision. Controlled power. I made a mental note to learn more about her. Mages like her were rare.
Mara, the archer, was the easiest to read. She chatted freely with the wagon drivers, her laughter ringing out every so often. Her sharp eyes missed nothing, though, constantly darting to the trees lining the road. She had the air of someone who enjoyed the camaraderie of a group but never let herself fully relax.
As the hours stretched on, the caravan settled into a rhythm. The merchants kept to themselves, their nervous energy gradually fading as the city disappeared behind us. Orlan, however, remained tense, his gaze flickering to the horizon as if expecting trouble at every turn.
Evelyn broke the silence between us. "What do you think of them?"
"The team?" I asked, glancing at her.
She nodded. "They're... different."
"They're experienced," I said. "Raine's reliable, Garret's solid. Mara and Darrin cover the flanks well. Lys is the wild card."
"And Orlan?" she asked, her tone lighter, but I could tell she was genuinely curious.
"He's nervous," I said simply. "More than he should be. Either he's hiding something, or he doesn't trust us."
Evelyn frowned, her brow furrowing slightly. "Should we confront him?"
"Not yet," I replied. "Let's see how things play out."
The road wound on, the scenery shifting as we left the open plains behind. The trees grew taller, their branches arching over the path to form a natural canopy. The air cooled, carrying the earthy scent of the forest. It was beautiful, in a quiet, unassuming way.
The peace was broken when Darrin rode up beside us, his usual smirk replaced with a more serious expression. "You two are quiet for A-class adventurers," he said, his tone teasing but with an edge of curiosity.
"Is that a problem?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Not at all," he said quickly. "Just an observation. Most A-class folks I've met like to... announce themselves."
"We prefer results over theatrics," Evelyn replied smoothly, her voice calm.
Darrin chuckled. "Fair enough. Just don't take it personally if the rest of us are a little... skeptical. A-class or not, trust takes time."
"It does," I agreed. "And actions speak louder than words."
He nodded, his smirk returning. "Glad we're on the same page."
As he rode off, Evelyn gave me a sidelong glance. "Do you think he's testing us?"
"Definitely," I said. "But he's not the only one."
Her gaze flickered toward Raine, who was watching us with a thoughtful expression. The greatsword wielder had been quiet for most of the journey, but her eyes missed nothing.
The afternoon passed uneventfully, the caravan moving steadily toward Havenwood Pass. By the time we stopped to make camp, the sun was dipping low, casting long shadows across the forest floor. The adventurers moved with practiced efficiency, setting up tents and organizing watches without needing much direction.
Evelyn and I took the first watch, our position near the edge of the camp. The forest was quiet, the occasional rustle of leaves or distant hoot of an owl the only sounds breaking the stillness.
"Do you miss it?" Evelyn asked suddenly, her voice soft.
"Miss what?" I replied, glancing at her.
"Adventuring alone," she said. "Without a team."
I considered her question for a moment before answering. "Sometimes. It's simpler, in a way. No one else to worry about, no one else to protect."
She nodded, her gaze distant. "But it's lonelier too."
"It is," I admitted. "But that's the trade-off."
She was silent for a moment before speaking again. "I'm glad we're not alone this time."
I looked at her, surprised by the vulnerability in her tone. "So am I," I said quietly.
The night stretched on, the stars visible through gaps in the canopy above. The fire crackled softly behind us, its light casting flickering shadows on the trees. For now, at least, the world felt calm.
But I couldn't shake the feeling that it wouldn't stay that way for long.