CHAPTER 49: CHAPTER 49: QUIET BEFORE THE ROAD

The talk shifted to the mission. Arden leaned back in his chair, recalling his earlier conversation with Boro at the Three Mugs Bar.

"He made it sound simple," Arden said, "but I’m not buying it. An escort job, he calls it. Yet he’s careful with his words, like he’s keeping the real story in his pocket."

Rael raised an eyebrow. "And what do you think’s hiding in that pocket?"

"More trouble than he’s willing to admit," Arden replied. "Still... trouble makes for better adventure. And the rare herbs at the end of this job? Worth the risk."

Nyra studied him. "So you’re in, even without trusting him?"

Arden smirked. "Trust is optional. Adventure’s not."

He told them they’d be leaving before noon tomorrow. "We’re already behind schedule, and those herbs won’t wait for us to stroll in."

The old woman, who’d been quietly listening, waved them toward the sleeping mats. They’d done enough walking for one day. So they settled in, though it wasn’t as if any of them needed the rest.

The outlands had taught them to go without sleep when they had to.

Arden lay still, eyes on the dark ceiling, It wasn’t long before Arden noticed Nyra’s unease.

Her breathing wasn’t steady, her emotions prickling through the still air. His attention was now on her as she shifted now and then, like someone fighting thoughts that wouldn’t leave. He knew that kind of restlessness.

She slipped outside, but Arden didn’t follow her immediately. Giving her a few minutes to herself.

The cool air met him first, then the sight of her sitting alone, staring at nothing in particular.

She didn’t notice his steps until his hand landed gently on her shoulder, making her tense for a heartbeat. He eased down beside her without a word.

He didn’t press her for answers. He just sat there.

After a while, she leaned into him, her head resting lightly against his shoulder, and her hand sliding into his. It stayed there, warm and unspoken.

The stars spilled their light over them, the night holding its breath.

"...Thank you," she whispered.

A cough broke the quiet. Rael stood a few paces away, wearing a crooked grin. "Don’t leave me out of emotional gatherings. I’m a person too."

Arden chuckled and waved him over. Rael sat, and soon the three of them were trading easy remarks and soft laughter.

Even Zephyra padded closer, curling up nearby, her tail flicking once as if she was listening.

Arden eventually leaned forward. "Tomorrow morning, we hit the markets. Food, weapons, supplies—everything we’ll need before we head out."

That got a small spark of anticipation from both of them.

"Now," Arden said, standing, "get some sleep. We’ll need it."

They went inside together, with the night air still clinging to them like the memory of quiet stars.

Morning came quick. But the old woman was already up, cooking before the first light touched the windows.

The smell pulled them from their mats, and they shared one last meal at her table.

When it was time to leave, she hugged each of them, speaking like a mother sending her children off. Arden thanked her for taking them in and set a money bag on the table.

"Two thousand sen. For your trouble."

She pushed it back toward him. "I won’t take it."

"You will," Arden said with a faint grin. "Or we’ll stand here all morning arguing."

Rael joined in, "Please, at least for the damage from last night."

It took a while, but she finally accepted it with a sigh. Arden nodded once, they then made their exits.

Their first stop was the Guild Hall. The moment they walked in, silence rippled through the place. Yesterday’s incident had clearly spread. Eyes flicked toward them, but no one stared for long.

At the counter, the receptionist’s expression tightened. "How can I help you?" The words had no warmth.

Arden didn’t waste time. "I’m here to trade beast parts from our hunts in the outlands."

He began unloading trophies—drake scales, basilisk fangs, claws from other C-rank beasts. The man’s composure faltered with each piece laid out.

"That’s all for now," Arden said.

The receptionist looked at the pile like it might bite him. "Prove you didn’t steal these."

Arden’s tone sharpened. "Ask that again and I’ll prove something else."

The man blanched and hurried to sort through the parts. The total came to around fifty thousand sen, more than he was allowed to pay out.

"Then take me to someone who can," Arden said.

Murmurs stirred across the hall as a broad-shouldered man in his forties walked in, the kind of presence that didn’t need announcing.

He came straight to the counter and offered Arden a handshake.

"Arden," he said, voice steady. "I’ve heard a lot about you since yesterday." Without waiting for a reply, he ordered the receptionist to pay them.

The man at the counter obeyed reluctantly, counting the coins like each one pained him.

The newcomer smiled again, this time looking at Nyra. "I’ll be expecting good news from your mission. Especially from you."

Nyra’s hand tightened around Arden’s fingers. There was something in that smile that didn’t match the words.

Arden didn’t answer. He gave a small nudge to his team, and they left with the coin, and the guild’s eyes following them out.

It wasn’t until they reached the merchant stalls that Nyra seemed to pull herself back together.

She had spotted someone she clearly didn’t want to see, and her eyes had gone hard and distant.

Arden noticed, slowing just enough to speak low so only she could hear.

"Forget him. Whomever he was. He’s not worth your time."

Her shoulders eased a little at his words, and they moved on.

The first stall was for the basics they’d need for the outlands—waterskins, dried rations, and decent storage bags for each of them. Arden handled the bartering, paying what was fair without letting the merchant overcharge them.

From there, they headed to the weapon hall.

Nyra barely glanced at the displays. She didn’t need weapons to fight, her magic spells were enough.

Rael, on the other hand, lit up the moment they stepped inside.

"Welcome," the stall owner greeted, voice polite but eyes measuring their coin rather than their faces.

Rael answered before Arden could, already drifting toward the racks. The variety was enough to freeze him for a moment, but eventually he stopped in front of a pair of heavy gauntlets.

He slid one on and tested it, channeling lightning through it first, then ice. The metal didn’t just hold, it carried the energy like it was part of it.

"Good choice," the stall owner said. "High conductivity for lightning, and it won’t crack under extreme frost."

Rael’s grin widened. "Perfect." He looked to Arden.

"If you’re happy with it, we’d get it," Arden replied.

With Rael settled, Arden asked, "What’s the best sword you’ve got?"

The man’s mood brightened instantly. He produced a blade wrapped in dark leather, its edge gleaming even in the dim light. Arden took it, gave it a few testing swings, and decided. "I’ll take it."

The deal came to twenty-five thousand sen for both weapons. Arden paid without argument and motioned for the group to keep moving. Their preparations weren’t finished yet.

A/N:

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