Mid-morning brought them to the edge of a broad meadow, where the road dipped between gentle hills. The fields here were dotted with early spring wildflowers—yellow petals turning heads toward the sun. Krans del Leon guided his bay gelding down a slope, Levara's wolf-spirit loping ahead, Arrix's mare keeping a steady trot, and Danek's stag-spirit gliding silently on their flank.
Arrix leaned forward, glancing at the map rolled and strapped by his saddle. "According to this, the first village is just beyond that grove of alders," he said, pointing to a cluster of tall, pale-barked trees in the distance. "Carwell's Ford, I think."
Levara touched her signet band absently. "I hope they're friendly," she murmured. "And that they actually need help. Sometimes these postings turn out to be false alarms."
Danek shrugged, his silence communicating calm acceptance of whatever they found.
Krans nodded. "We'll see soon enough." He urged the gelding onward. The trail narrowed slightly, hedged by low shrubs. Birds scattered from their approach, and a distant stream burbled somewhere out of sight.
As they rounded a bend, the village came into view: a cluster of timber-framed houses thatched with straw, a modest wooden bridge over a creek, and a low fieldstone wall that offered minimal defense. Smoke curled from a few chimneys. Villagers moved about, tending to laundry or guiding a pair of mules hauling crates.
Levara clicked her tongue. "Not exactly bristling with trouble," she said softly, eyes scanning for signs of fear or tension. Arrix's mare snorted, as if sharing her skepticism.
Danek tightened his grip on the stag's reins. Krans motioned them to a walk, slowing their mounts. "No need to charge in. Let's be courteous," he said.
As they approached, a man wearing a leather apron and carrying a basket of tools paused mid-step. He stared openly, then called, "Ho there! Who travels?"
Krans halted the gelding at a respectful distance. "Summoners from the Academy," he answered, voice clear but not loud. "Sent by order of the Empire to aid where needed."
A ripple of surprise passed through the villagers. A woman carrying a bundle of wool stopped near the bridge, eyes widening. Two children peered from behind a stack of barrels.
The man with the apron nodded slowly, setting his basket down. He was middle-aged, with lines at the corners of his eyes. "Aid, you say? We've not had official visitors in some time." He wiped a hand on his apron, nerves showing. "I'm Harven, a carpenter here. Might I ask what sort of help you offer?"
Levara's wolf-creature sniffed the air, and she patted its neck before letting it dissolve into wisps of mana. Better to appear less intimidating. Danek followed suit, releasing his stag-spirit to fade away. Arrix glanced at Krans, who nodded, and he too dismissed his mount, dismounting onto solid earth with a thump of boots.
Krans remained mounted, to show authority, but kept his tone gentle. "We heard reports of increasing monster sightings in the eastern frontier. We're tasked to investigate, assist with defenses, resolve threats if present. Has Carwell's Ford seen anything unusual?"
Harven exchanged a worried glance with a few villagers who had gathered. A younger man, lanky and freckled, stepped forward, voice trembling slightly. "Two nights ago, we lost a calf. Found tracks like large claws near the pen. Some say it's just a rogue wolf, but no wolf leaves scorch marks on wooden posts."
"Scorch marks?" Arrix repeated, brows shooting up.
Levara folded her arms, thoughtful. "A creature that leaves scorched wood might be elemental or mana-touched." Her eyes flicked to Krans.
Danek paced a step, scanning the village outskirts—fruit trees and a small orchard rolled gently away, beyond them the distant haze of forest.
Krans nodded, dismounting now, holding the gelding's reins loosely. "We'll examine these tracks," he said kindly, addressing Harven and the others. "If there's a creature prowling, we can summon guardians, set wards. We mean to keep you safe."
A small child peeked out from behind the wool-carrying woman's skirt. The woman, emboldened, spoke up, "The tracks led east, near the orchard. We've not dared follow too far after dark."
Krans del Leon smiled reassuringly. "We understand. No one should risk themselves unarmed."
Arrix stepped closer to Krans, voice low. "Should we start now, or wait until dusk to see if it returns?"
Levara tapped her chin. "Daylight's good for gathering information. If it's elemental, maybe we'll find residue—ash or mana traces."
Danek offered a quiet grunt of agreement.
Harven cleared his throat. "If you need supplies, we can spare a bit. We're a small village, but grateful for help."
Krans bowed his head slightly. "We appreciate your hospitality. A place to tie our horse and a bit of water would help."
Within moments, a lanky youth took the gelding's reins, leading it to a fence post. The villagers relaxed, curiosity replacing fear. Levara and Arrix exchanged a glance—this was a peaceful scene, not a desperate outpost. Still, the scorch marks were no idle rumor.
Danek slipped away, walking toward the orchard's edge. Krans let him, trusting Danek's keen senses. Arrix started talking softly with Harven, asking details about the calf, the nature of the scorch marks. Levara hovered near Krans, scanning the treeline beyond the orchard.
A faint breeze carried scents of fresh hay and distant blossoms. The morning had grown warmer, sunlight gilding thatched roofs and the rippling creek. A peaceful veneer, under which some creature lurked.
Krans adjusted the signet band. They were Summoners, newly ranked, tested by elemental trials. Now they faced practical work: identifying a mysterious beast, protecting a village. The stakes were simpler, perhaps, but real. Lives could be saved by their intervention.
He caught Levara's eye and gave a slight nod. "Let's inspect the pens," he said quietly.
She followed, boots crunching over grass, passing by a pen of sheep, their mild bleats punctuating the hush. If scorch marks remained, they would find them. If tracks told a story, they would learn it. Danek and Arrix would join them soon, and they'd piece the puzzle together.
Thus began their first mission beyond the Academy's walls—no grand army awaited them, no legendary foe. Just a village in need, a mystery hidden in orchards, and four Summoners ready to weave their mana and minds to bring safety under the Empire's sky.