Chapter four:

Locked and loaded.

It had been three days since the Warband returned from the Northern Wall. Each of them tired of ghosts and the seamlessly never ending watch rotations on a crumbling wall. They all had high hopes of a small break between orders, but they had no such luck. Now they were to grab new gear, grab supplies and head out to a fort surrounded by crystallized beings.

The Warband was instructed to meet each other early in the morning at Tela Range. They all gathered around in a circle waiting for Menlorr to show up.

"Of course he's late to his own morning mission meeting" Huffed Granger.

"I would have thought he'd be the first one here, on account of him not sleeping because he's so excited for this mission." Krulla laughed.

Ruthear was the first to notice Menlorr off in the distance talking to a hunched over Charr. The Charr's fur had bits of grey and patches missing. One could make the connection that it was due to burns and explosions as there were large cannons and mounds of black powder for training artillery soldiers.

Tylaa received a nudge at her side from Ruthear, she turned to look at the golden brown furred charr. He had dark leather clothing on with bullets lining his belt and sides. He was never one to talk much and usually was keeping an eye on them through the scope of his rifle.

"Yeah? What is it?" She said as she followed his pointing claw. She found her answer right away. They were the ones that were late.

Menlorr had already been there before the range had opened up. Staff were still setting up targets and counting supplies.

Their leader had finally spotted them and waved for them to come over. Tylaa started walking around the others with Ruthear in tow. The other two glanced around with a question till they saw their answer.

"Morning all. Glad you all could finally make it. This here is Thegren Topjaw." Menlorr informed the rest of the Warband . Thegren nodded his head to the group.

"Fine Warband you got here." He said to Menlorr while looking over the obviously new armor and weapons on the Charr in front of him. "Your supplies are over by the cannons. Got someone stacking it for ya." He shot his claw behind him indicating where to go.

The Warband looked past the old Charr and to the rucksacks all piled together.

"Narrowed it down to four packs with some neat packing. I'd grab them and head out. Burning day light as it is." Topjaw suggested.

By now the sun was starting to peak over the ridge and poke through the trees. It gave the off colors of orange and pinks, with traces of purple across the sky.

Menlorr nodded in agreement and turned to towards the others.

"You heard him. Let's all grab a sack and start moving." He started walking but stopped suddenly and spun around. "Ruthear you're scouting, the pack will just slow you down. Don't bother getting one. Need those keen senses sharp and your whereabouts hard to find." He then turned back and began his walk up the hill once more.

Everyone grabbed a backpack that was made of worn leather from years of use. All the buckles were dull brass that still held the leather straps in place. The old Charr meant what he said, everything was packed away neatly and every bit of room was carefully used to its full potential.

The packs would have been heavy to most, but to a Charr it was light work. Their muscular bodies were made for lifting and hauling great distances with barely breaking a sweat compared to other races found in Tyria.

Menlorr made his pack as comfortable as he could on his back by adjusting the straps to accommodate his large form.

"Ruthear, once we hit bandit territory I don't want to see you, just signal us when somethings up ahead per usual."

Ruthear gave a nod of understanding.

"let's move!" Menlorr shouted as he spun about and started heading down the path that lead to Smokestead. "We'll make our way through the village main gate and follow the path till we get to Cadem Forrest. That's where we will make camp for the night." He said without looking back. Menlorr knew his Warband was already right behind him and listening for orders.

Ruthear was in the rear listening to his Legionnaire as he pulled his rifle off his back and released the revolving chamber. It popped out to the side with a small click. He loaded all six rounds and spun it shut.

"Locked and loaded back there?" Kullra said with a smile. "You always have our backs, thank you my quite friend."

Ruthear patted Kullra's plated back as an answer and as reinsurance. He noticed that Kullra's enchanted warhammer gave a golden shimmer when he did that. The large war hammer was beautifully crafted in the likes of his goddess Dwayna. Ruthear raised an eyebrow as the glow disappeared just as quickly as if he imagined it.