The morning sun bathes the training grounds in a soft golden hue, its warmth cutting through the crisp chill of the air.
Eska's boots pound rhythmically against the track, each step she takes is filled with confidence.
Her breath comes in steady bursts, her once-aching body now moving with ease. The faint sound of distant chatter and the clang of weapons fades into the background as she focuses on the track ahead.
Her white hair is tied back in a loose braid, bouncing with each step as she rounds the far curve of the track.
Around her, other hunters go about their morning routines—sparring in pairs, practicing with bows and hoisting weights. Eska pays them little mind, her focus fixed on pushing herself further, her pace quickening with each lap.
Occasionally, a few hunters glance her way, their expressions a mix of curiosity and wariness.
She notices but doesn't falter, her golden eyes gleaming with quiet determination. She rounds another bend, the sharp turn pushing her muscles harder.
The familiar setting of the grounds, once intimidating, now feels like her proving ground.
As she finishes her latest lap, Eska slows to a jog, her breathing heavy but controlled. Her gaze sweeps across the field, landing momentarily on the sparring square where she had faced Kaz.
A faint smile tugs at her lips before she shakes her head, brushing off the memory. She soon deviates from the track, going to a water fountain for a drink.
Valen waits for her on a bench near the track, arms crossed casually.
Eska spots him and gives a quick smile, only to flinch slightly when he tosses a small towel her way. She catches it mid-air, blinking in surprise.
"Thanks!" she says, dabbing the sweat from her face before heading to the fountain for a quick drink. Feeling refreshed, she plops down on the bench beside him. "What's up?" she asks, her tone light and casual.
"I need to talk to you at the Hunter Corps," Valen replies with a calm expression. "Bring your gear."
Eska raises an eyebrow, caught off guard. "Oh," she says, disbelief filling her voice. "Alright. I'll clean up first and meet you there."
Standing up, Valen nods and adds, "Tell the receptionist to send you my way. Don't take too long." With that, he turns and starts walking off.
Eska furrows her eyebrows playfully, lifting her hand in a mock salute. "Yes, sir!" she calls out, her teasing tone breaking into a grin.
Without wasting time, she quickly heads back toward her living quarters.
Eska steps into the shower, letting the cool water wash away the sweat and tension from her run.
She takes her time, enjoying the refreshing sensation before quickly drying off. Pulling on her familiar hunting gear, she secures her dagger at her hip and slings her bow and quiver over her shoulder.
With a deep breath, she adjusts her iridescent belt and pouches at her hop then heads out, the sound of her boots clicking softly against the road as she makes her way to the Hunter Corps.
Eska weaves her way through the crowded streets, still nervous but determined to avoid bumping into anyone. She hugs the walls, her eyes scanning for clear paths as she makes her way to the Hunter Corps building.
Once inside, she joins the line at the receptionist's desk, her fingers fidgeting slightly as she waits her turn.
When it's finally her turn, the receptionist greets her warmly. "Eska! Valen is waiting for you inside. I'll take you there." He signals to a colleague to cover his station and gestures for her to follow.
She trails behind as he leads her through a hallway lined with doors, the faint hum of conversation echoing through the space.
Stopping in front of a door, the receptionist knocks and then pushes it open. "Eska is here," he announces before stepping aside to let her enter.
She flashes him a quick smile. "Thanks!" she says brightly as he leaves, closing the door behind her.
Eska freezes for a moment, her eyes locking onto a group of people sitting with Valen.
"I-uh…" she stammers, her nerves making her falter before she manages to walk over and sit beside him. She offers the group a small, awkward wave. "Hi," she says with a nervous smile, noticing Valen's strange behavior—his shoulders shaking slightly as he looks away, clearly trying to stifle something.
"Valen?" she says cautiously, her voice tinged with confusion. He turns sharply, his face suddenly serious.
"You don't have to be nervous," he reassures her. "This is going to be our team. They're all hunters."
Eska exhales a small sigh of relief, her shoulders relaxing. "Oh!" she says, her voice brighter. She waves again, this time with more confidence but before she can say more, the group introduces themselves.
"I'm Ren," says a man, his cheerful tone matching his commoner's clothes and leather armor. "I'm just here to take note of the hunt, I won't accompany you." He says with a smile.
"Osvald," the older man says with a calm and serious demeanor, his smile faint but warm. His armor is heavier, with metal plating layered over leather.
"Trevent," the last one adds, his tone casual as he nods. His gear is similar to Ren's, practical and light.
Eska grins and stretches her hand out, shaking each of theirs in turn.
"It's nice to meet people who don't try to kill me the first time we meet—literally or metaphorically."
Her playful comment draws a round of chuckles from the group, the atmosphere easing her nerves.
Osvald grins and says, "What do you mean? That's the usual Church welcome—you're doing fine." His words set the group off into a fit of laughter.
Valen lowers his head in defeat, clearly unimpressed.
Eska chuckles softly and gives him a playful nudge but he doesn't react much to either the remark or her gesture, leaving the men slightly puzzled.
Clearing his throat, Valen straightens up, his voice firm as he tries to regain control of the room. "Now that we're all here, we can discuss the hunt."
Osvald leans back slightly, a faint laugh escaping as he says, "Sure, let's discuss the hunt." His eyes flick between Eska's curious expression and Valen's uncharacteristically patient demeanor.
Valen pulls a folded paper from one of his pouches and spreads it across the table. "The hunt requires two boar pelts with their horns, ten rabbit pelts with their livers and one deer with the usual quartering requirements," he states, his tone all business.
Eska tilts her head, her brow furrowed slightly. "Questions?" Valen asks, his eyes meeting hers.
She frowns in confusion. "Back at my home, deer run really far during winter. Yours don't do the same?"
Valen nods. "Your home is far northeast. Our argalias actually migrate up that way during winter. It's probably why we get more Long Hair Satills during the colder months than you did."
Eska crosses her arms and looks away with an exaggerated pout. "So it's your fault I had to hunt so much more before winter."
Valen tilts his head with a small, confused smile. The group bursts into laughter again, their amusement filling the room as they try to stifle their chuckles.
Valen straightens, his voice cutting through the lingering chuckles like a blade. "Alright, that's enough," he says firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Eska leans forward, resting her elbow on her knee and propping her chin in her hand, her golden eyes narrowing in playful curiosity.
Tilting her head slightly as she looks up at Valen she says "is this how serious you always are on a hunt?" Her tone carries a mix of genuine confusion and teasing, giving him a faint smile.
Valen is taken aback, blinking in confusion.
The group tries to hold their laughter as Valen is unable to come up with a retort.
He lets out a sigh, holding the bridge of his nose in defeat.
"Just— Let's just—" He says before lifting his head and noticing Eska's quiver, picking one of the arrows in curiosity and inspecting it.
He looks towards the group, "You guys wait for us at the Drowning Ember on the south gate. I think we need to get Eska some better gear." He says, inspecting the primitive arrow tips.
Eska straightens herself up, looking to the group then back at Valen. "What's wrong with my arrows?" She says, a bit embarrassed.
Valen looks towards Trevent, who grabs an arrow from his quiver and shows it to Eska.
Her eyes sparkle as she sees the incredible difference between her flint tips and the metal tips.
"How do you make those?" Eska asks with a mix of wonder and curiosity.
Trevent looks at her a bit confused. "We don't make most of our gear, we usually just buy it at the market district from the money we get from the hunts."
"Well!" Valen says as he stands. "I'll take her to get some better gear before we head out, I can't have her hunt with these at the very least."
"Sure boss." Osvald says, "We'll be waiting!" He says as they all get up and head out of the room.