"Also, missy, you can choose not to acknowledge us due to the directive she has enforced, but, I just want to tell you I'm sorry for almost inflicting some pain on you indirectly... I'll restrain myself from causing any mischief for the noble for your sake, ok? And yours too for various reasons..."Amelia sighed in relief. That could have gotten out of hand so very quickly, especially if the noble decided she didn't like the way he was acting. She could have always ordered him to not to...but that would have likely upset Okori and left an equally bad taste in her mouth.
Thankfully the noble seemed to be content to ignore them for now...or rather, sleep instead of speak with them. Amelia had to wonder if there was a reason behind that. Now that she thought about it, the girl looked like she was rather sleep deprived. She hummed quietly as her curiosity went a bit off tangent. Perhaps she should ask about that. Maybe she was just being grumpy because she was tired? A logical conclusion, maybe, but not one she could think much more about before Okori was already back with his usual shenanigans.
"After all, what would happen if you couldn't give any belly rubs when I'm in my gargantuan form? Oh the humanity!""Sable~" She replied with a quiet giggle. She could never stay upset at the cheeky little fox for long.
"Say, Amelia, you want to take a break from all the walking? I wouldn't mind carrying you until we set up camp.""What? But then I wouldn't be able to see any interesting specimens if I see them!" She said, as if that was the obvious answer. That, and she wasn't tired at all. Walking wasn't something she was adverse too, and often times she walked a
lot in pursuit of her geological studies. So this wasn't anything tiring to her.
"Besides! We're almost there, so it wouldn't really matter, you silly fox~"Sure enough, if he were to look towards the forest, he'd find them maybe a half hour away from it. The massive trees loomed in the distance as the sun sunk below the horizon. A cool wind blew some leaves through the caravan, one landing on the head of Lucca as they approached.
~Randall Durant, Expedition Lead~
-Arrival and setting up camp-
Randall had spent most of the latter half of the trek conversing with Roland. Well, he couldn't say the company was unwelcome. The rank and file soldiers didn't exactly make for pleasant conversation, though it wasn't like he was trying very hard. He was too busy thinking about how everything could go horribly, horribly wrong before they even step foot in the forest. The lists of things was far, with varying degrees of 'we're totally fucked'. The list of things only increased the further they got away from Themis.
But he didn't let anyone know. He kept a face of friendliness and calm. Worrying the others wasn't going to help. He was the leader here, after all, and it was his job to make sure such things didn't happen. He may not have been a soldier or have much experience with being a leader quite like Alena did, but damn it he knew how to get things done, and done well. With any luck, a good night of rest at the edge of the forest would improve his own spirits. Maybe he might actually start believing in this Lady Serafina seriously if nothing happened.
Well, he'd find out how lucky he was soon enough. They had arrived at the edge of the forest.
Randall pulled the wagon he was on to a halt. They didn't have much daylight left to set up camp; The sinking sun was already casting long, ominous seeming shadows. He had to remind themselves they were just shadows, and a completely natural phenomena. No creature was going to jump out at them.
...hopefully.
At any rate, Randall took a look around, quickly finding a suitable spot to make a decently sized camp for them. Randall hopped off the wagon, and turned to one of the soldiers. Noticing the emblem on his armor that marked him as probably the highest ranking soldier here. He was wearing the standard armor of the Royal Guard. Solid, but easy to move in silver plate armor with red trimmings. At his side, was the typical sword and shield one might find any soldier trained with.
"You the highest ranking soldier here?" He asked.
"Yes sir." He saluted
"Ashton Bishop. Personally trained by Captain Alena. I'm the leader of the troops sent on this expedition. Of course, I take orders from you, though. I'll handle the rest of them, they shouldn't have a problem if the orders come from me." Randall furrowed his eyebrows, rubbing his chin in thought.
"Alright. We'll make camp over there," He said, pointing to an area not far away.
"I want your guards patrolling the perimeter all night, and I want it done in pairs. I don't care how good your men think they are - we don't know what's in that forest."Ashton nodded.
"Aye, sir. Consider it done. Standard protocol when making camp, so the guys won't complain. We'll secure the area around the campsite, make sure there's not going to be anything that jumps us. I'll have the rest of them help with setting up camp." He replied. Randall nodded, sighing somewhat tiredly.
"Alright If you see anything at all that looks like it might be trouble...well, you know what you're doing." Randall dismissed Ashton, who went and addressed the soldiers, barking orders at them to hurry up and get their ass in gear. Randall looked back at the looming trees of the forest. He'd likely have to send someone in to see how things looked in the forest...try and see just
how they were going to get through. They may have to spend a few days here to try and figure out a good path through...plus, there was no telling just how big this forest actually was.
Shaking his head, he went to go help the others set up camp.
Thankfully, with the trained soldiers setting up the site didn't take too long at all. Within half an hour, the tents had been pitched and everything had been set up. Campfires were going, and food was being made for the travelers.
Eirwen spent most of the way there sleeping. Like she had ordered, Tamia hadn't woken her when they had stopped to make camp. Unfortunately, with all the noise being caused by the soldiers and other people setting everything up, sleep was difficult at best. even without Tamia waking her, she woke up only a few minutes after Ashton started barking orders. Well, it had been a nice little rest, but only a little rest after all. She would have liked to sleep more, but that was it.
When she woke on Tamia's lap, she didn't even seem to notice. She just sat up, gave a loud yawn and looked around, quickly gathering that they had stopped for the evening and were likely about to make camp. Well,
they were going to make camp. She wasn't going to be doing any labor herself at all. She was much to important to resort to such menial labor and tasks. That was a job for Tamia and the others. So after thanking Tamia for not waking her when they stopped, she promptly ordered the slave to go about setting up their sleeping arrangements. She supervised of course, though that mostly consisted of her munching on some more apples she had pilfered and occasionally telling Tamia how to do something correctly, even if she probably didn't need too.
After that had been done, the young noble had told Tamia to make her some actual food, which she was what currently waiting on.
She was sitting next to a small fire that had been made, waiting for the slave to finish whatever she was currently making.
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