Summer was winding down, and the beginnings of autumn were starting to show. Though Elle had to take the word of her companions. The only difference she could tell was that the scorching sun was a little less brutal, and the days were getting slightly shorter. There weren't orange and yellow leaves or frost on the grass, so it didn't feel like autumn to her.
Still, harvests were starting, and it would not be long until the trading season started as well. She was shocked to find that although traders were welcome in the city year-round, there were two times each year that the city nearly became overrun. Traders from all the nearest city-states, and some of the farther ones, would venture forth to Paddra. A week-long festival would be held to honor Etro and the wealth of the harvest that led into a month of trading. Another very similar time was during the spring to welcome new growth, pray for healthy crops, and facilitate trade with those places that dealt in things that fared better in the cold, such as wool.
All-in-all that news didn't make much difference to Elle's day-to-day life. She was with the hunters at least four days of each week and managed to spend at least one catching Yeul up on all she had learned.
That was a relationship that was coming along unexpectedly. She hadn't known what to expect from the young Seeress, but once they started talking more often, Elle could tell that her assessment had been correct. The girl wanted a connection. It might be a stretch to call them close friends, as their conversations were almost always watched, but they were more than strangers now.
What wasn't so surprising was the fact that the teenager hardly ever acted like one. It was likely a byproduct of her position, but Elle tried to treat her as an equal that befitted her status while still hoping to provide opportunities for the girl to act like a teen when she was able.
It took some time, but eventually, Elle began to realize something was haunting the girl. Not that she ever got to ask about it. Still, she did her best to lift Yeul's spirits when she could. After all, she doubted it was just Caius that she was sent to help. Neither of them deserved the fate that she knew could be in store for them both.
That was something she thought about more often as she got to know the denizens of the city better each day. How could this place fall to ruin? How could these people fade away? Every day made the thought break her heart a little more. Despite how much she missed her brother, Elle found herself falling in love with the city of Paddra. She knew when the time came for her to go home, she was going to miss it.
All that did not even take into consideration the other people. Men that she had come to consider friends. Laer was as close to a best friend as she had ever had before, outside of Caius. That relationship was something else altogether. She considered the Apprentice her friend. She felt they were good friends, but there was a wall that he maintained between them. She often felt frustrated when they seemed to get closer, and that wall would appear out of nowhere to remind her that they needed to keep their distance. It wasn't that she didn't understand. They were both public figures, after all. Still, it irked her. Probably more than it should have.
She also got along well with most of the others that she worked with all the time. Mirus kept a professional distance as well, but he was always willing to help teach her skills she needed without the contempt that his brother showed her. That man was the one glaring exception to the harmony she found in her new position. Ingens made no secret of how much he felt she did not belong. Not that he ever provided a reason for it either. She learned to ignore him, mostly.
A week before the Autumn festival was to start, it was decided that three groups of hunters would travel further from Paddra than usual. It was only done if a threat was expected, or like in this case, the security of the city needed to be stepped up. Elle had stayed out with her group more than once, but this would be the first time they would stay out for more than one night. It was also going to be a larger group.
Since there were three hunting parties, they would each take a different direction, and secure those areas against monsters and any other unexpected threats. The caveat was that for at least the first and last day, they would be camping all together. Elle wasn't sure what to think of those arrangements, but she knew most of the guys, so she wasn't too worried.
When they first gathered, Elle was shocked to see twice as many people as she had expected, especially when they still only split into three groups. She didn't bother asking why, as she knew she would figure it out sooner or later. She had been unlucky enough to fall in next to Ingens at first, and asking him anything was the equivalent of admitting to colossal stupidity, so she just held her tongue and kept her eyes open.
By the time they climbed up to the campsite at the end of the first day, she felt she had it figured out. Though, by that time, it had almost slipped her mind. As soon as each group arrived, the beasts they had gathered for the day were placed into one area. Afterward, two men from each group were assigned to split the gains evenly and return to Paddra. Each day they were out would be treated the same, though the last would be the only one where they would be able to share the burden equally again. The rest would depend on how productive or lucky each group was.
Elle watched the whole thing with interest. It never failed to amaze her how symbiotic the entire city was. It really was a community that thrived off group effort. She had never encountered anything like it before, and the fact that it worked so well blew her mind. Not that there weren't certain people that seemed to do better than others, and the hunters never wanted for anything inside the city, that was a given. For the rest of the populace, it all depended on skill and some luck. She chuckled as she remembered that not even all merchants were created equal. Still, the city would not function the same if any part of the system were missing.
She shook off her thoughts as the six men ran off into the dusk and made their way back to the city. The rest of their group still had a camp to make, a watch to set, and bedrolls to find. The morning would come early.
It ended up being nearly four days before they made it back to the last campsite. Their group was the first to arrive, but it was still only mid-afternoon. They went ahead and claimed the spots closest to the small river and prepared for the night. They were not more than a half-day from Paddra, as it was almost the same spot they had used for camp when they had fought the behemoth. The only difference was now they were at the top of the waterfall instead of under it. They would have too many people to camp in the canyon once the rest joined them.
Luckily it was not long. Elle grinned as she watched a panting Laer make his way up the cliffside with a rather heavy load. When he caught sight of the look, he glared at her. "You know you could get off your lazy ass and help."
She gleefully shot him a gesture that she had picked up from him over the last couple of months, but still stood to help him and the others when her teammates did. Laer sighed when he deposited the last of his load with the other group's haul and grinned over at their team. "You guys must have taken it easy. I guess that's what it means when the Apprentice is your leader, or maybe he's just coddling-"
He was cut off when something small and hard mysteriously passed very close to his head, and he had to duck. His teammates all chuckled when they looked back, and Elle was looking the other way. She looked back at his huff and grinned. "What? You were saying something?"
He rolled his eyes at her, but their attention was drawn by the sound of the third group making their way up. They all turned to help Mirus and his group haul the last of their load up and deposit it with the rest. It wasn't long after that before the three groups had their final teams split the spoils and head to Paddra with the news the remaining twelve hunters would be back the next day. They would spend the last day to sweep the way back.
Once the six men were gone, the rest of the group finished making camp. The men then thankfully turned to make use of the creek. Elle thought about joining them like she had many times before, but the location gave her a unique opportunity. She grinned at Laer as he passed her and winked. "You know, you can go ahead and get comfortable if you want. I think I'm going to head down to the pool below for a little privacy for once. I don't mind sharing, but since it's here, it would be nice to swim outside of my clothes for once."
Laer stopped and stared at her in shock for several seconds. He didn't get to respond before Caius stepped into the conversation. "That would be unwise. Although we should not be bothered since there are so many of us up here. If you were to go alone, even so close, there is no guarantee you would not be attacked."
Elle rolled her eyes. "I am not defenseless, even when I don't have my knives on me. I won't be gone long. I just really need this before we have to trek back into the city and be paraded in front of the crowds."
Laer had to take the opportunity to add his two cents. "If you want privacy, then at least allow one of us to go with you. We can take turns watching each other's backs."
She raised a brow at him and was getting ready to tell him just how unappreciative she would be of the company, but Caius spoke up first. "If you insist on going, that would be the best option. I would be happy to stand by while you bathed. I know it cannot be easy for you to be the only female among so many men. I apologize for not thinking of it before."
Elle's eyes got so wide at his suggestion that Laer had to hide his chuckle behind his hand. He didn't want any more mysterious objects headed for his skull. She still heard him and narrowed her eyes at the noise, but her temper was aimed solely at Caius. "You do realize the whole point of a private bath is to not have any men around, right?"
Caius gave her a longsuffering look and shook his head. "I can turn my back to the water and still keep watch. Your modesty would be safe with me."
She opened her mouth and closed it again twice before she finally nodded. "Fine. I'll agree. I guess it won't hurt if we take turns."
Caius nodded once and turned to where the creek fell into the waterfall. There was a series of ledges that made it easy to climb down from that spot. Elle had barely paused to grab her things before she followed after him.
Laer watched the two with a look that was mixed between frustration and humor. He called out before they made it to the edge. "Don't forget we're up here if you need help. That means you shouldn't take too long, either. You never know what goes on in men's minds."
Elle looked back over her shoulder, and he grinned at her rolling eyes. It also prompted him to push a little more when he caught them. "Don't do anything I wouldn't."
She scoffed. "What the hell are talking about? I wouldn't do the things you would do. I can't imagine the things you wouldn't."
He laughed at her quip, but they had already started down by that point. He turned with a sigh to see several of the others shake there heads at the scene. No one said anything. That didn't mean he missed it when Ingens separated from his brother with a harsh gesture and made his way to the other side of the creek. Laer paused while he watched the man then walk to the edge near the waterfall. The trainer wondered what the younger Ballad twin was up to, but when all the man did was sit at the ledge, Laer decided there wasn't any point in goading him to return.
With one last look at the waterfall, he sighed and finished taking off all but his underclothes before he joined the rest of the men. He could admit it would be nice to be able to enjoy a thorough washing again. He could agree with Elle on that much, at least.
Since the sun was already on the way down, no one spent much time in the water. They all opted to finish quickly and gather around the fires as the cooler autumn air settled in. Laer looked over when the spot next to him was taken up by the other Ballad twin. His eyebrow rose, and he chuckled.
"I saw you managed to gather nearly as much as me this year. Was it the same while you were out?"
Mirus shook his head at the boasting. "Are you counting that giant flan? You know those condense into next to nothing by the time we are ready to take them home."
Laer chuckled, but it was a subdued sound. He already knew the other man had not come to exchange insults and boasts. "What is it you find troublesome tonight?"
The older Ballad eyed the man next to him for several moments before he spoke. "It is said that when the time comes for the Apprentice to become Guardian and chose a new apprentice, you would be among the few to be nominated. I have known your skill is on par. I am glad to see your observance is not lacking."
Laer barked out a bitter laugh. "As are you. That has nothing to do with why you came over here. Please tell me you aren't here to complain about Elle too. Your brother does enough of that."
There was a slight pause, and Mirus frowned before he spoke. "Not exactly. The Emissary has more than proven that she is an excellent warrior. Honestly, if she were made a member of the tribe, it would not shock me if she would be among the candidates for Apprentice. She certainly fulfills the qualifications."
He looked back over to the ledge and back again before he continued. "No, I am not here to complain, merely to share a concern. Would you hear me out?"
Laer swallowed a sigh. He already knew what was coming. It wasn't like other people didn't see it too. Hell, it was probably the same reason he was halfway pissed at that very moment. Still, it wasn't something he felt he had a right to stick his nose in, so he gave the other man a curious look. "I'll hear you, but I'm not sure why you're concerned. I know why I am, but that's none of your business either."
"To be sure." Mirus gave him an understanding look and grinned before he sat back. "I do not mean to sound confrontational. It is only that there has been talk of the Apprentice losing focus. It is not forbidden for him to find release, but it is frowned upon for any guardian to make lasting bonds. It provides too high a chance to split their attention and the Seeress would pay."
Silence reigned for a bit as Laer digested that. It wasn't something he had considered yet. No matter how Caius saw Elle, he knew the man was dedicated to his duty. When he finally looked back, there was a slight furrow between his brows. "I can't say that I don't see him looking at Elle, but I know the man. He is dedicated more so than anyone I have ever known. He wouldn't fail the Seeress."
Mirus raised a brow. "You may be biased. You suffer from the same affliction."
"And what is that?"
"When you look at the Emissary, it is not her power, her role, her skill, or her strength that you see first." Mirus paused when Laer snorted but continued anyway. "No, when you look at her, the first things you notice are her eyes, her hair, her hips, or her breasts."
"Enough!" Laer groaned and held up a hand. "Alright, I get it. Damn, was that necessary?"
Mirus chuckled but didn't get to answer before Laer pinned him with a glare. "And you? You mean to tell me that you are oblivious to those things? I know she doesn't flaunt herself, but you would have to be blind to not notice that she is beautiful."
The other man shrugged. "Perhaps if I had known her before I saw her stand and taunt a behemoth after it threw her into a wall, I might also consider those things first. She is comely enough. However, she strikes me as the type to not know the meaning of docile. I do not find the idea of fighting my bedmate for dominance appealing."
Laer threw his head back and laughed long and loud. His eyes were watering when he finally managed to stop. He clapped Mirus on the shoulder hard before he spoke. "I suppose I understand." He wiped his eyes before he continued. "That still doesn't tell me why you have approached me."
Mirus gave him an amused look. "I only wish to warn you. Watch your friends. I have heard whispers, and I fear that it will not only be the seasons that change. Know that I do not condemn, but I do want what is best for Paddra."
Laer sat forward and leaned his elbows on his knees. It was several long minutes before he finally responded. "I can't say that you're wrong, but I also can't say you're right. I will keep an eye out."
That was all that was needed. Mirus stood with a nod and left the trainer to stew in his thoughts. Laer's mind was a whirl of what could be and what should be as he stared into the flames and waited for his two friends to return.
A/N: Oh Goodness! The next few chapters are going to be fairly intense, so I hope you are all looking forward to them as much as I am. On another note, what do you all think of the city and the other stuff so far, including the guys? I am really working to make them believable people. Let me know what you think. Thanks for reading!