The town of Ashvale resembled the Vescarid hive in at least one way today. Caledryn and his guild-mates had arrived earlier in the morning and immediately went to work. There were dozens of guild members swarming the streets, entering the forests, and hustling to the mountain, each group designated a specific task and was funded with enough coin to make it happen. The initial twenty-thirty troops they were allocated for this mission had nearly doubled, as various other high-ranking guilds had used this as an opportunity to send off their lower-level players with the Vanguard as a training exercise.
The other minor guilds were not given this opportunity, as it was in their best interest to level from within rather than to contract out the work to potentially unreliable assets. The rhythmic clang of hammers against wood and stone echoed through the cobblestone streets, mingling with the shouts of Vanguard officers barking orders at labor crews. Wagons filled with supplies clogged the town square, their drivers unhitching teams of horses and unloading crates marked with the Vanguard's sigil. The once sleepy settlement buzzed with activity, some NPC peasants even found job opportunities in the form of basic menial labor, being paid in a week what they would have made in a year on their own.
Caledryn stood at the edge of the square, his eyes scanning the chaos. He adjusted the clasp of his cloak, the insignia of his new rank barely visible beneath the dark fabric. As the appointed Warden of Ashvale, he was expected to coordinate efforts with the Vanguard, a task he approached with caution and no lack of diligence. This had to be perfect, it could make or break his career with the guild. He would be lying if the thought of being hailed as "The Savior of Ashvale" didn't excite him more than a little. He would protect these new players and the valuable resources the town provided to them at any cost.
Dravok approached him from the side, his heavy boots crunching against the gravel. "This is... a lot," the warrior muttered, his gaze sweeping over the commotion. "Didn't think they'd come in like a storm."
"They don't waste time, and when the other guilds heard of this opportunity, they practically threw troops at us. It's essentially a free training campaign for them." Caledryn replied, his tone a bit careless in front of his old friend.
"That much is clear. They've got the manpower and resources to turn this village into a fortress if they want to. The question is, how long do they intend to stay?" Dravok pondered aloud.
Caledryn laughed before responding, "As long as the Vescarid is a threat, I'd wager. This town is likely to make a decent profit with all of us here." Caledryn's voice trailed off as his mind wandered to the rumors he had heard before arriving. "You've been near the hive, correct?"
"Closer than any man would ever want to be," Dravok admitted, his tone darkening. "But my trauma aside, I have something to report. The Vescora has been receding. Fayne coined that term and said the bug leader gave it a name. She told me about how it had peeled away from the town gradually before exploding into the forest and up the mountain range. It's like they're pulling back, waiting for something."
Caledryn frowned as he tried to piece together the implications. "Or preparing for something," he murmured.
Before Dravok could respond, a Vanguard officer approached. "Warden," the armored woman greeted curtly. "We need access to the quarry southeast of the village. If the Vescarid come this way, we'll need stone for walls."
Caledryn nodded. "You'll have what you need. I'll send some of the locals to guide you."
The officer nodded and moved off to relay the orders. Dravok folded his arms. "They're building a fort. Do you think it will get to that point?"
"We've been allotted significant guild funds. A drop in the bucket compared to the campaign near the capital, but more than enough to construct a measly outpost out here in the boonies," Caledryn replied, his eyes narrowing as he watched the Vanguard soldiers fan out into the village. "But let's not mistake confidence for invincibility. If the hive decides to move, no walls will stop them, they will merely buy us a few precious moments to organize a defense."
At the Market Square
Fayne leaned against a post near the market, her arms crossed as she observed the chaos. RangerDanger stood beside her, chewing on a piece of dried fruit he'd snagged from a vendor.
"Look at them," Fayne muttered, her voice tinged with annoyance. "Rolling in like they own the place. Half the village is out there helping them unload."
Ranger shrugged. "They're here to fight the Vescarid. That's good for us, right?"
"Maybe," Fayne said, her gaze drifting to a group of Vanguard mages setting up a warding circle in the town center. "But this kind of attention isn't good for Ashvale. If they make this place their battleground, it's the people here who'll suffer."
"You're not wrong," Ranger admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "Still, better them than us."
Fayne shot him a look, her sharp eyes narrowing. "You really believe that? Because last time I checked, the Vanguard doesn't have the greatest track record for eliminating the Vescarid."
Before Ranger could respond, a cheerful voice called out from behind them. "You two look like you've seen a ghost."
They turned to see a red-haired woman with a freckled face and a cocky grin approaching them. Sasha walked with a casual confidence that made her seem like she owned the street. Behind her trailed two of her guildmates, Jax and Ivy, both wearing expressions of amusement.
"Just watching the Vanguard do their thing," Ranger replied.
Sasha raised an eyebrow, her grin widening. "They do tend to put on a show, don't they?" She leaned against a nearby stall, her posture relaxed but her eyes sharp. "You two locals, or just passing through?"
"Locals," Fayne said shortly, her tone wary.
"Lucky you," Sasha said, folding her arms. "Must be wild seeing all this commotion. My guild and I just arrived in town, figured we'd wait for a friend to log in, a brand new player. We heard about all the commotion and figured they could use a high-ranked escort. Thought we'd show them the ropes, you know?"
Fayne didn't buy the casual tone, but she played along. "Not much to show in Ashvale. Quiet place, most of the time."
"Until the Vanguard showed up," Jax added, his voice low and gravely. "What's got them so riled up, anyway? Are the rumors true?"
Fayne hesitated, her mind racing. She didn't know how much of their situation was public knowledge. This could just be a quick mission to clean up the rabble before they head back to the main threat. "Couldn't say. They're tight-lipped about it."
"So there wasn't an attack here not long ago?" Jax probed, "It's just we heard that a bunch of players went missing in a nooby village and barely made it back alive. Some player managed to figure out what was keeping them from logging out and brought back their remains." he glanced off into the distance as if trying to remember the story, "I don't know, sounds a bit farfetched, but I guess they all made it back okay.
Fayne's jaw tightened, but she forced a nonchalant shrug. "People like to exaggerate. Ashvale's had its share of trouble, but it's nothing a few experienced players couldn't handle."
Sasha raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Exaggerate, huh? Funny how those exaggerations tend to attract the Vanguard's attention. They don't usually bother with quiet little villages unless there's something big going on."
RangerDanger stepped in, trying to defuse the tension. "Maybe they're just being cautious. You know, putting on a show of strength to keep the noobs feeling safe. It goes with their whole 'Protectors of the Realm' BS title they gave themselves."
"Cautious," Ivy repeated, her tone skeptical. "That's not a word I'd use to describe the Vanguard. If they're here, it's because they've got something specific to deal with. Something they think is worth the risk. We tried to work with them a while back, but they couldn't spare the resources, shit is really hitting the fan to the north, so to see them here is kind of shocking."
Fayne shot Ranger a warning glance as Sasha shot her own to Ivy. The two then addressed Sasha. "Look, I don't know what you've heard, but Ashvale's been quiet lately. There was an attack, but it got taken care of, and there isn't much of a threat anymore. The Vanguard's probably just passing through on their way to deal with something bigger."
Sasha smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Maybe. Or maybe they're setting up shop because they know something the rest of us don't. You can't blame a girl for being curious."
Jax leaned forward slightly, his tone conversational but probing. "So, no big bugs around here then? No signs of that blight stuff people keep whispering about?"
Fayne's stomach churned, but she kept her expression neutral. "Not that I've seen. Like I said, it's been quiet."
Ranger cleared his throat, stepping in again. "You know how these games are. Rumors get blown out of proportion. One guy stubs his toe in the woods, and suddenly it's a 'massive Vescarid ambush.'"
Sasha chuckled, the tension easing just slightly. "Fair point. Still, it's always good to keep your ears open. Never know when the next big thing's gonna drop right in your lap."
Ivy's eyes narrowed, her gaze flicking between Fayne and Ranger. "You two seem pretty well-informed for locals."
Fayne met Ivy's gaze head-on, her voice cold. "We're just trying to keep our town in one piece. Besides, have you been on the internet? These last few days it's been nothing but Vescarid this, Vescarid that. Whatever the Vanguard was trying to keep quiet has exploded across the internet in no time. If you're looking for drama, head over to the Vanguard camp, question them."
Sasha raised her hands in mock surrender. "Easy, we're just making conversation. No harm, no foul." She paused, her eyes brimming with mischief. "But if you do hear anything interesting, maybe you'll keep us in the loop. Could be worth your while. As I said, we're not just a couple noobs who strolled into town, we're from the Capital too, we could lend a hand."
Fayne didn't respond, her expression unreadable. After a moment, Sasha pushed off from the stall and nodded toward Jax and Ivy. "Come on, let's leave these fine folks to their business."
As the trio walked away, Fayne exhaled slowly, her shoulders relaxing just a fraction. RangerDanger glanced at her, his expression apologetic. "That could've gone worse."
"It could've gone a hell of a lot better," Fayne snapped. She turned back to the bustling square, her mind racing. The Vanguard's presence was drawing too much attention. If they weren't careful, this little village was about to become ground zero for a disaster none of them were prepared for.
Fayne couldn't help but think about Darian. All she wanted to do was peek in at how he was doing, what the hive could possibly look like now. She had avoided the place for a good long while, but curiosity nagged at her, she desperately wanted to know if they kept up that insane rate of growth. But with the Vanguard here, they likely already posted scouts around the perimeter. Not to mention this new group with a few too many questions, they would likely stalk her out there to see what she does. No, it wasn't safe to leave, she just had to keep doing her thing; accepting missions, doing quests, training, anything to get her stronger. That mage girl said shit hit the fan at the capital, but it was clear that things were going to be proportionally worse here in no time.
Back at the Vanguard Encampment
Vanguard officers rushed about the makeshift camp making their plans and reporting to one another. Caledryn stood at the edge of their gathering, managing to pick up snippets of conversation.
"They'll make their move soon," one officer was saying, his tone grim. "The Vescarid don't sit idle for long. Their expansion has been slow, too slow. It's deliberate. They're planning something."
Caledryn's gaze drifted to the horizon, where the faint outline of the forest loomed, shrouded in fog as the evening began to set in and the sun climbed lower in the sky, barely cresting the mountain range. The hive was out there, waiting. And so was he. His thoughts swirled, replaying the details of his report and the strategic meetings that followed. It wasn't just the hive's growth that concerned him; it was the silence, the lack of attacks, the way the blight had receded.
"Warden," a soldier called, snapping Caledryn from his thoughts. It still felt strange to hear the title attached to him, but he turned to meet the soldier with a salute.
"Report," he said, striding toward the man.
"The forward scouts have cleared a perimeter," the soldier said. "We've spotted what appears to be the Vescarid hive to the northwest of here, where you indicated in your report. There is a steady stream of workers going in and out, dragging prey into the cave and returning to pour out into the forest. We have managed to identify each and every variation you mentioned. Everything seems to be according to your report, except…" The soldier paused for a moment before continuing, "There are a lot of them… Hundreds even. We might be able to take them out with everything we have, but if we let them continue to grow–" they didn't want to finish the sentence, it was too much to comprehend at this moment.
"That is, disturbing to say the least. Thank you for your report soldier," Caledryn replied. "Keep the scouts moving in rotations. I don't want them getting comfortable, remember, they have scouts as well, and who knows how many of us have been spotted so far." The soldier saluted in response and hurried off.
His gaze shifted to the edge of the camp, where Dravok approached, his mud-streaked armor and grim expression betraying the harsh work he'd been doing.
"Warden," Dravok greeted with a nod.
"Dravok," Caledryn replied. "What's the status in town?"
"Chaotic," Dravok said. "The locals don't know what to make of all this. Some of them are helping with the defenses, but most are keeping their distance."
Caledryn frowned. "Understandable. This isn't the kind of attention they wanted."
Dravok hesitated for a moment before stepping closer. "There's something else. I've been keeping an eye on two local players—a human and an elf. They've been watching us closely, and I can't shake the feeling they know more than they're letting on."
"Describe them," Caledryn said, his tone sharpening.
"The human is named Fayne, she is wary and defensive," Dravok said. "She's hiding something, I'm sure of it. The elf named RangerDanger is easier to read, simply following her lead. They've been keeping close to the market, watching the work crews and the supply wagons."
Caledryn folded his arms. "Do you think they're connected to the hive?"
Dravok shook his head. "Not directly. But they've got an air about them. They've been involved with this longer than any of us, they were the first to discover the leader of the hive, so it's reasonable to assume they have more information than they are letting on."
Caledryn nodded. "Keep an eye on them. Discreetly. If they know something, I want to hear it. If possible, set a meeting up for us, I'd like to talk to these two."
Dravok grunted his acknowledgment and moved off, blending into the camp's bustle.
Caledryn turned his attention back to the preparations. The Vanguard's officers had their hands full ensuring the fortifications were in place, but this was his task now—managing the fine details, coordinating the defenses, and ensuring that Ashvale didn't fall under his watch.
The weight of his new role pressed against him, but Caledryn welcomed it. He'd survived the hive. He'd seen the blight and the horrors it birthed. And now, he had the chance to prepare the town against it.