The eastern gate of Thullford is just starting to warm up under the sunrise, the morning air still carrying a chill that makes Hythesion pull his scarf a little tighter. He's leaning against a big covered cart, fingers absently tracing the seam of the leather pouch that holds the pendant – a nervous habit he can't seem to shake. Osmedious is pacing back and forth nearby, muttering to himself as he checks his watch for the third time in five minutes.
"Three people. Three! And not one of them is on time," he huffs, crossing his thick arms over his chest. "I still say we should've gone with the guild's top picks. At least they know how to show up when they say they will."
Hythesion lets out a small laugh, pushing off the cart wheel. "You know, this reminds me of when we were new to Silverlake. You were always late to morning training – said you 'needed just one more bite' of that bacon the cook made every single time."
Osmedious stops pacing and bursts out laughing, slapping his thigh so hard it echoes. "Hey, that bacon was worth being late for! Though… yeah, I guess I can't really complain about people running behind now."
Right on cue, they hear footsteps coming down the street. Akmenos rounds the corner first – no trace of yesterday's wobbly act, just walking steady and sharp-eyed, with a small leather bag slung over his shoulder. Behind him, Maitara practically bounces along, her backpack almost as tall as she is and stuffed so full it looks like it might burst open. And bringing up the rear is Geth, moving quiet and smooth even with two swords strapped to his back, his eyes already scanning the road ahead like he's checking for trouble.
"See?" Hythesion nods toward them with a grin. "Just like you used to be."
"Alright, alright – shut up," Osmedious mumbles, but he's smiling as he steps forward to gather everyone close.
"Listen here!" His voice is loud enough to cut through the early morning quiet. "Here's what you need to know: Your main job is to get that pendant to Morea safe and sound. You protect it like it's your own family– because what's inside could affect everyone's family. And one more thing – you listen to Hythesion. He's your leader on this trip, and when he says something, you do it. No arguments."
He turns and gestures to the front of the cart, where a tall centaur with a chestnut coat and silver in his mane is adjusting the reins, humming to himself. "This is Bayron – he'll be driving you all. Guy knows every pothole, shortcut, and hidden trail between here and the dead city. Been doing this longer than most of us have been alive."
Bayron gives a friendly nod, his hooves shifting on the cobblestones. "Nice to meet you folks. I'll get you there safe, – just don't go messing with my reins or trying to 'help' me drive. Trust me, I've got it covered."
They swap quick hellos, and just as they're climbing into the cart, Hythesion glances up and freezes. Kaylla's riding toward them on her dark brown horse, her posture as straight and stiff as ever. Osmedious sees her too and immediately steps away, giving them space.
Hythesion hops down from the cart and walks over, his heart beating a little faster than he'd like to admit. "I'm not gonna mess this up, Kaylla. I'll do everything to prove you wrong."
She looks him over from head to toe – checking his boots, his pack, the way he's secured his spell components – and her face doesn't give anything away. "You better be."
With that, she turns her horse and starts to ride back toward the city. Hythesion watches her go, feeling a little hollow in his chest – as he went back to the cart, Kaylla pauses and looked back at Hythesion, smiling, and then turn back away continue her walk back to the guildhall with Osmedious.
Inside the cart, the wooden wheels start to creak as they roll onto the main road out of town. Hythesion settles in across from the others, setting the pendant's pouch carefully on the seat beside him where he can keep an eye on it.
"Osmedious said we're delivering a package," he starts, his voice softer now but still serious. "But honestly? We're more than just delivery people. We're guardians. What we're carrying could bring peace to a lot of people… or it could tear everything apart if it falls into the wrong hands. We have to keep it safe – no matter what."
Geth sits up a little straighter, his scaled hands folding in his lap. "You have my sword, oh Great and wise Hythesion. If this pendant matters that much to everyone, then I'll stand between it and any danger that comes our way. That's what a hero does."
Maitara leans forward, pressing her face against the wooden slat to look out at the fields passing by. "This is so amazing! I've never been farther than the next village over – look at how big the sky is out here! And the grass is so green!" She pulls back, beaming at all of them.
Hythesion smiles, seeing her excitement is contagious. "We'll be traveling together for weeks, so we should probably get to know each other properly. Let me start. I'm Hythesion I am an elf sorcerer. I was with Silverlake Mercenaries for five years – I was their strategist, the one who planned our missions and kept track of everyone in battle."
Akmenos leans forward, his amber eyes wide with respect. "Silverlake Mercenaries… man, I wanted to join them so bad. I went to try out the day after they called it quits – said they weren't taking anyone else ever again. So I've been working solo ever since, Still… it's pretty wild to meet someone who actually wore one of these pins for real."
He sits up straight and runs a hand through his dark hair. "I'm Akmenos, as you can see I am a Tiefling, and I am a fighter. I don't use swords or axes or anything like that – my hands are all I need to get the job done. And yeah… I like to drink. A lot, sometimes. But I swear – I move better when I've had a few. Something about not overthinking every punch, you know?"
Geth shifts in his seat, then stands up carefully, ducking his head to avoid hitting the cart roof, and gives a small bow. "My name is Geth Silverwind. I am a lizardfolk from the marshes east. I am a dual swordsman" Showing kdf his two big swords, "😊– though I only draw them to protect others. My greatest wish is to become a hero – someone people can look up to, someone who does what's right even when it's hard. Maybe this journey will help me become that person."
Everyone turns to Maitara, who's been fidgeting with the straps of her backpack. She takes a deep breath and smiles. "I'm Maitara. I'm a dwarf… and I'm a warlock."
For a second, no one says anything. Akmenos's mouth drops open, Geth's hand flies to his sword hilt out of instinct, and Hythesion just stares at her like he didn't hear right.
"Wait – warlock?" Hythesion finally manages. "But you're… you work at the library. You're so young."
Maitara nods, her smile softening a little. "I know. Most people don't believe it at first."
Akmenos leans forward, his voice completely serious now – no trace of joking around. "I mean this with all respect… who do you serve? What kind of entity have you made a pact with?"
"Yeah," Hythesion adds gently. "Most warlocks spend years looking for power like that. It doesn't usually just… happen."
Maitara looks down at her hands, twisting a small wooden bead on a string around her finger. "It didn't feel like a choice. More like… I was chosen. Or maybe cursed – I'm still not sure which. My patron is The Chaos Dragon God, Gannurim."
All of them were shocked. They couldn't believe a young girl dwarf, so pleasant and cheerful, is under influence by a Chaos Dragon God.
"The one who disappeared?" Hythesion asks quietly. "The one you said was connected to why Morea became a dead city?"
"That's him," she says, looking up with a mix of fear and determination in her eyes. "That's why I had to come with you all. I need to find out what really happened to him… and I need to find a way to get him out of me. He's part of me now, and some days it's harder to keep him quiet amd keep me up at night."
The cart goes quiet, everyone just sitting there processing what she's said. After a minute or so, Hythesion clears his throat and gives her a small nod.
"O-ok… well. We've got a long way to go – two or three weeks at least, if the roads are good. We'll make our first stop in Neverwinter – rest up, get more supplies, and figure out the best way to get through the mountains ahead."
Just then, Bayron calls out from the front, "Heads up back there – road gets rough from here on out! Hold onto something!"
The cart jostles and bounces as they hit a patch of uneven ground, making everyone grab the sides to stay steady. For a moment, they're just four people in a swaying wooden box, all with their own secrets and reasons for being there – but as the road stretches out ahead of them, it starts to feel like maybe, just maybe, they could actually be a team.