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[h1][color=lightgoldenrodyellow][b][u]The Next Step[/u][/b][/color][/h1]
[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIbAzScUwec&t=714s](Mood Music)[/url]
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Auriel felt better when Fer placed his hand upon her shoulder and again showed his gratitude for her being with them. She gave him a light smile and nodded before looking to Cole. She didn't know where the bespoke cave was, thus she couldn't really be of much help in tracking Rayla down. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow][b]"Rayla will likely go to ground when she hears, or rather, doesn't hear about her mens' success here. She'll be difficult to find without a skilled tracker."[/b][/color]

She was glad to return to Melromarc however. The energy from all of the activity in every direction did well to lighten her mood. It was always a wonderful feeling to return from battles and see people who haven't been affected by conflict. She knew that the first wave would change that. It'd be a quick and harsh realization that the end truly would be near. Morale would become resource to be managed by the powers that be. And as the waves would progress, it'd only become more and more scarce. Auriel was taken out of her reverie of the waves when she and her companions were taken aside by another mysterious woman. She watched the woman cautiously, still not entirely convinced by a simple signet ring that she represented the king. The same thoughts from before crept into her mind. Why the secrecy? Why the veiled messengers? Such things seemed odd for a royal assignment.

Auriel was hoping the woman would have valuable or actionable information about Rayla, but she only reaffirmed what they already knew. Rayla would be a challenging fight, and they'd need more hands. Precisely what they had returned to Melromarc for. At least they received confirmation that Marcino's drunken arse was still planted at the same tavern they had first met him at. Auriel still wasn't all that fond of Marcino. Perhaps it was just his jaded and grim perspective of life and death that left a sour taste in her mouth. But she had to concede that he was a valuable ally to have if they were going to track down Rayla Winters. Auriel kept her mouth shut, however. She had learned that her personal commentary was stepping on their room to make their own decisions and their growth as heroes. She'd begrudgingly accept Marcino along in this endeavor without complaining.

As the heroes both spoke with the woman, her mind drifted back to the impending waves. Would they be ready? Would Flin and that bratty Matsunaga both be ready as well? She sure hoped so. If the skirmishes with the hordes had taught her anything, it was that the monsters and fiends had no care for the skill of their opponents. All they cared about was violence and wanton destruction. Ultimately, it was the waves that mattered. They were the entire reason why Cole, Fer, Matsunaga, and Flin were summoned in the first place. [color=lightgoldenrodyellow][b]"You two should go and see Marcino. I need to visit the cathedral and look upon the Dragon Hourglass. It would be a grave mistake to lose sight of our greater purpose."[/b][/color]
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