Radiance

Chapitre Quatre

The next morning, I dreadfully had to work, so I made my way to the annex building, where I would meet up with the group who booked me.

The way it worked was simple: I charged a certain amount depending on the size of the group and the length of the tour. This tour was a long one, with a large group, but it would be paying well. There were 5 explorers, whom I would be leading to the midway point of the forest, which I estimated would take six days to get there. It would be another 4 for me to return.

It wasn't uncommon for me to be gone for long periods of time, which is why it was all the better for me to live alone. I made sure to tell Kianti, however, that I wouldn't be in town for 10 days, and she made me promise to find her as soon as I returned.

I had my travel satchel prepared with everything I could need in the next few days, and was delighted when I discovered that the group which had requested me had provided their own pack mule, meaning I wouldn't be forced to carry anything extra when they inevitably tired out.

I stepped into the annex building, a large structure made of logs, with tall windows that let in the sunlight during the day and starlight at night. The latter was still filtering through, as I preferred to leave for longer treks before sunrise, that way we'd be well into the woods by the time it was hot.

I had a bow slung over my shoulder and a sword at my waist, as well as a slew of daggers hidden across my body. THe woods were a dangerous place, especially since we were headed so deep. I needed to be prepared for anything.

My group was strung about on our waiting seats, and the moment they saw me, they all rose. One stepped forward - a tall, dark man with brilliant amber eyes. "You must be James Boche," he said. "I'm Teak, we're supposed to be traveling with you."

"Yes," I said. "I noticed your mules outside? I hope you have feed for them. There aren't many safe plants to forage where we're headed."

"We do," a woman pitched in from behind. She was taller than me, but thinner, too. Her blond hair was braided close to her scalp, and she had a bow strung across her chest. "I am Ophelia, Teak's wife." I nodded to her.

A short, bulky man behind Ophelia stepped forward. "I'm Kigan." He said.

"Eloise," spoke another tall woman who was almost identical to Ophelia. "Ophelia's sister."

"And I am Raishe," said the last man: tall, with shoulder-length white hair. His eyes were a mesmerizing blue, and he had a mischievous sort of smile that made me wary of him. Despite the color of his hair, though, he appeared to be quite young.

As each member of the group introduced themselves, I couldn't help but assess them with a critical eye, noting the subtle nuances of their demeanor and the way they carried themselves. There was a tension in the air, a silent acknowledgment of the dangers that lay ahead, and I knew that we would need to work together if we were to make it through unscathed.

Teak, with his amber eyes and confident demeanor, struck me as a natural leader—a man who exuded strength and determination in equal measure. His wife, Ophelia, seemed equally capable, her sharp eyes and steady hands betraying years of experience in the wild.

Kigan, with his sturdy build and no-nonsense attitude, appeared to be the muscle of the group—a man who relied on brute strength to get the job done. Eloise, Ophelia's sister, was a mirror image of her sibling, her presence a calming influence amidst the uncertainty of our journey.

And then there was Raishe, the enigmatic figure with the mesmerizing blue eyes and the mysterious smile. There was something about him that set my senses on edge, a sense of danger lurking beneath the surface that made me wary of his intentions.

But despite my misgivings, I knew that we would need to trust one another if we were to survive the perils of the forest. And so, with a nod of acknowledgment, I addressed the group once more.

"Welcome, everyone," I began, my voice steady and authoritative. "As you all should know, my name is James Boche, and I will be your guide through the depths of the forest. Together, we will embark on a journey unlike any other, one filled with danger and discovery." I recited a general summary of what I said before each mission.

I could see the apprehension in their eyes, the flicker of uncertainty that danced behind their gaze. But I also saw something else—a glimmer of determination, a spark of courage that spoke to the resilience of the human spirit.

"We will face many challenges along the way," I continued, my tone firm but reassuring. "But if we work together, if we trust one another and rely on each other's strengths, I have no doubt that we will make it to the midpoint safely. This is not another one of your little tours and fun treks. This is unmapped land, and whatever your reason for entering this land, you must be prepared to face tremendous difficulties."

With that, I turned to Teak and Ophelia, my gaze lingering on them for a moment longer. "Do you have everything you need for the journey?" I asked, my voice tinged with concern.

Teak nodded, his expression grim. "We're as prepared as we can be," he replied. "But we know that the real challenge lies ahead."

I couldn't help but agree. The journey ahead would not be an easy one, but with the strength of our companionship and the guidance of our hearts, I knew that we would overcome whatever obstacles stood in our way.

And so, with a sense of purpose burning bright within us, we set out into the wilderness, our footsteps echoing in the silence of the forest as we ventured into the unknown.