Julia, riding beside William, visibly relaxed as the city walls receded. A subtle sigh escaped her lips, a release of tension she'd been holding since their arrival in Aver. The constant worry of being seen by her family, the Blackcombes, with their watchful eyes and ears everywhere, had been a heavy burden. The air outside the capital felt cleaner, lighter, free of the suffocating weight of having to deal with her family problems, a burden she wasn’t yet ready to confront. While the dangers ahead were undoubtedly real, they were, at least, external threats, easier to confront than the insidious machinations of her own kin. William, observing her subtle shift in demeanour, realised it was something Julia needed to resolve sooner or later, she can’t avoid it forever. He made a mental note to investigate further into the Blackcombe family should they ever make it back to the Aver Capital, there must be something he can do to help Julia through this.
Their immediate strategy, as laid out by Sir Roland, was refreshingly straightforward. The veteran knight, a man of action rather than endless deliberation, understood the inherent unpredictability of their mission. He knew that crafting elaborate, multi-layered plans in the face of so many unknown variables – the Goblin King's movements, the disposition of the Dark Legion, the whims of the notoriously reclusive elves – was an exercise in futility.
"Our first objective," Roland had declared, his voice firm and resonant, during their final briefing before leaving Aver, "is Sharwood. We need to gather fresh intelligence. Find out where the Goblin King's main force is concentrated, and the latest movements of any Dark Legion patrols. Information is our most valuable weapon right now."
The plan, therefore, was built on adaptability and a clear understanding of their priorities:
- Reach Sharwood: With the battle centred at Oakenfall, Sharwood should make an easier entry point to get to Tallenwood.
- Gather Intelligence: Sharwood, being relatively close to Oakenfall should have the latest intelligence on how the battle is going, where the Goblin King army resides, and enable us to assess the current situation, and determine the safest route through Tallenwood.
- Avoid the Goblin King: Their mission was not to engage the main goblin force, but to slip past them unnoticed. Evasion was paramount.
- Traverse Tallenwood: Utilize Jett's intimate knowledge of the forest to navigate its treacherous paths and avoid detection.
- Reach the Southern Edge: The target was a specific location on the southern fringes of Tallenwood, where Jett had previously interacted with the elves of Lumenar.
- Negotiate with the Elves: Once contact was established, they would have to persuade the notoriously reclusive elves to join their cause – a task that fell largely on Caspian's shoulders.
Roland's leadership style was a perfect fit for this kind of mission. He was a "lead from the front" type of commander, not one to issue orders from the rear. He was decisive, vocal, and unafraid to express his opinions, even if they were unpopular. This directness, while sometimes bordering on bluntness, instilled confidence in the team. He knew that detailed, long-term planning was a waste of time at this stage. There were simply too many unknowns. Instead, he focused on short-term goals and maintaining a brisk pace.
The journey back to Sharwood, much to everyone's relief, was blessedly uneventful. The roads, though not paved, were well-maintained, a testament to Aver's efforts to keep its trade routes open. The weather, too, cooperated, with clear skies and a gentle breeze that kept the summer heat at bay. This period of relative calm allowed William to focus on another crucial aspect of their preparation: understanding his companions.
He dedicated a significant portion of the journey to observing Roland, Jett, and Caspian, discreetly employing EMMA to analyse their strengths and weaknesses. He wanted a deeper understanding of their capabilities, beyond their stated roles and reputations.
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Sir Roland, the seasoned knight, was the first subject of William's scrutiny. EMMA's analysis confirmed what William had already observed: Roland was a formidable warrior, skilled in a variety of weapons, from the classic sword and shield to the heavier warhammer. His defensive capabilities were particularly impressive, a testament to years spent on the battlefield. He was the epitome of a stalwart protector, the ideal choice to safeguard Caspian, the non-combatant scholar-prince. Roland's personality, as EMMA subtly hinted through analysing his body language and vocal patterns, was just as robust as his fighting skills. He was a man of strong opinions, not afraid to voice his concerns or challenge authority if he believed it necessary. This forthrightness, while potentially problematic in a courtly setting, was an asset in their current situation, where clear communication and decisive action were paramount.
Jett, the enigmatic scout, presented a more challenging subject for analysis. He was a man of few words, preferring to keep to himself, his movements fluid and almost silent. He blended into the background, a shadow on the periphery of the group. But EMMA, with its ability to detect subtle cues, pierced through Jett's carefully constructed facade. The analysis revealed exceptional proficiency with the longbow, confirming his role as the team's ranged support. His accuracy was remarkable, bordering on supernatural. Furthermore, EMMA highlighted Jett's skills in stealth and evasion, his ability to move unseen and unheard, a crucial asset for their planned infiltration of Tallenwood. His preferred tactics, as the analysis suggested, revolved around hit-and-run strategies, utilizing his mobility and marksmanship to harass the enemy from a distance.
Caspian, the prince of Aver, was the most intriguing of the three. He was, by his own admission, not a warrior. He lacked the physical prowess of Roland and the stealthy skills of Jett. He dressed in fine, though practical, clothes, more suited to a library than a battlefield. Yet, he didn't carry himself with the arrogance or entitlement that William might have expected from a member of the royal family. Instead, he displayed a genuine thirst for knowledge, a scholarly curiosity that seemed to override any concerns about his personal safety. He was particularly fascinated by William's unique "exploding" Light spell, a phenomenon that defied conventional magical understanding. He peppered William with questions, his quill scratching furiously across the pages of his notebook as he documented every detail, every nuance, every theoretical implication. This shared interest in magic, in the why and how of it all, formed an unexpected bond between the young recruit and the prince. Caspian enjoyed talking, expounding on arcane theories and historical precedents, and William, with his innate curiosity and desire to learn, was a receptive audience. While EMMA confirmed Caspian's lack of combat skills, it also detected the presence of several enchanted trinkets – rings, amulets, and small, intricately carved stones – that hummed with subtle magical energy. These were defensive items, designed to provide a degree of protection against both physical and magical attacks, ensuring that Caspian wasn't entirely reliant on his companions for his safety.
William, never one to waste an opportunity, also used the journey to continue his own magical training. With teachers like Julia and Caspian around, it’s like he had access to encyclopaedia on magic. It was important to expand his repertoire of spells to be beyond just the light spell. After a couple of intense sessions, William was able to grasp a number of new runes and incantations that gave him access to a variety of spells for attack and defence. He also focused on expanding his mana reserves, pushing himself to the limit, and then, with careful control via EMMA, exhausted his mana close to backlash, and repeated this over and over again. Through this gruelling process, William felt a familiar, exhilarating surge. A grin spread across his face as EMMA confirmed his suspicions, his mana source had expanded once more. Going by his calculations, every two days worth of practice, he could increase his maximum mana source by one point. However, at some point he will reach the point of diminishing returns, but for now, this is a feasible method for him to keep improving.
After a few days of steady travel, the familiar landmarks of the Sharwood region began to appear on the horizon. The rolling hills gave way to a more rugged terrain, the first hints of the Tallenwood Forest looming in the distance. But as they crested a rise, overlooking the valley where Sharwood lay nestled, a wave of apprehension washed over the group. A thick column of black smoke rose from the vicinity of the town, staining the clear blue sky. It was a sight that spoke of fire, of destruction, of conflict.
"Sharwood..." Julia breathed, her voice tight with worry.
Roland spurred his horse forward, his face grim. "We need to know what's happened. Ride hard, but stay alert. It could be a trap."
The team, their earlier camaraderie replaced by a shared sense of dread, urged their mounts into a gallop, racing towards the ominous smoke, their hearts pounding with a mixture of fear and desperate hope that they weren't too late. The fate of Sharwood, and perhaps their own, hung in the balance.