Team Argent was already waiting.
Ronan stood tall, checking the tension on the straps of his gloves.
Kael tested his bowstring, eyes sharp even this early.
Lira scanned the caravan manifest, hair tied in a neat braid.
When they saw Eis, all three nodded in quiet approval.
“You’re early,” Lira said.
“So are all of you,” Eis answered.
Kael smirked.
“We have a reputation to maintain.”
The Harven Caravan consisted of:
- three wagons loaded with fabrics, spices, and dyes
- three hired guards
- two horses pulling each wagon
- the caravan leader: a stout, sun-wrinkled merchant named Brenn
He eyed Eis with curiosity when introductions were made.
“Team Argent vouches for her?” he asked.
Ronan nodded once.
“She’s with us.”
Brenn accepted that without further questioning — very few people doubted Team Argent’s judgment.
“Good then,” Brenn grunted. “We move.”
The road east stretched long and winding.
Ronan walked ahead, eyes scanning the terrain.
Kael stayed behind the wagons, bow in hand.
Eis walked with him — rear guard as assigned.
Lira moved along the side, maintaining a steady pace and watching for magical fluctuations.
Caravan guards chatted.
Birds called.
Wagon wheels creaked.
Hours passed quietly.
Eis found the rhythm comforting — walking, scanning, adjusting.
Her training settled into place naturally.
Kael occasionally pointed out wildlife or terrain signs.
Ronan called short rests at practical intervals.
Lira shared small geographical notes with Eis.
The atmosphere felt steady.
Professional.
Warm.
By nightfall, they reached a clearing beside a shallow stream.
The caravan workers began:
- unhitching horses
- setting fires
- raising tents
- preparing simple stew
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Team Argent set their camp slightly apart, enough for privacy but still within protection range.
Eis helped gather firewood and set stones for cooking.
When the fire finally crackled to life, the four sat around it, each with a bowl of caravan stew.
Kael poked his bowl skeptically.
“It tastes like boiled socks.”
Lira shot him a sharp look.
“Eat it. It’s nutritious.”
Ronan swallowed a spoonful calmly.
“It’s fine.”
Kael gagged theatrically.
“Eis, save me.”
Eis tasted hers, considering.
“…It’s edible.”
Kael slumped dramatically.
“Traitor.”
Lira actually laughed softly.
After eating, the mood settled into easy conversation.
Kael told a story about a drunk adventurer who mistook a scarecrow for a monster.
Ronan added the part where that same adventurer tried to recruit the scarecrow into his party.
Eis couldn’t help a small laugh, hidden behind her hand.
Lira shook her head.
“The only thing I hate more than caravan stew…”
She paused, shivering slightly at the memory.
“…is not being able to bathe for days.”
Eis blinked.
“That is difficult, yes.”
“Difficult?” Lira scoffed. “Try horrible. Sticky skin. Dusty hair. Muddy boots. You feel like a swamp witch by day three.”
Kael nodded vigorously.
“She’s not exaggerating.”
Ronan didn’t comment, but the slight grimace said enough.
Eis tilted her head.
“…I may have something for that.”
Lira looked up sharply.
“What?”
Eis reached into her pack and took out a bundle of small scrolls wrapped in soft paper.
“I bought cleaning scrolls. They cleanse the user’s body and clothes completely.”
Lira’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“You… bought cleaning scrolls? How many?”
Eis held out ten.
“We can use one every other day. That should be enough.”
Lira snatched them instantly, holding them like sacred treasure.
Kael leaned in, whispering like it was forbidden knowledge.
“…Eis… you didn’t… you didn’t seriously buy those without checking the price?”
Eis blinked.
“They were one gold each.”
Ronan inhaled sharply.
Kael choked.
Lira froze — literally froze — scrolls clutched to her chest.
“EIS,” Lira hissed.
“One. Gold. Each.”
Eis nodded calmly.
“Yes.”
Kael slumped backward.
“Goddess above… she bought them like they were candy—”
Ronan rubbed the bridge of his nose.
“Most adventurers can’t afford one of those in a month.”
“…Should I have bought fewer?” Eis asked innocently.
Lira grabbed Eis’s hands.
“No. Never fewer. You’ve saved my sanity.”
Eis blinked.
“But I only bought enough for us. I have nothing for the guys.” Eis joked.
Kael’s eyes widened theatrically.
“Wait—no scrolls for us?!”
Ronan gave a resigned sigh, already accepting his fate.
Lira smirked, leaning back proudly with her five precious scrolls.
“Consider this karmic balance.”
Kael clutched his chest.
“Betrayed. By my own people.”
Eis covered her mouth, hiding a soft laugh.
The fire crackled.
The caravan murmured in the background.
Team Argent laughed and bickered and warmed their hands.
And Eis sat among them…
feeling, unmistakably—
part of something.