Fresh Faces

The midday sun filtered through the thick canopy of the hilly forest, casting dappled patches of light on the dirt path below. Leaves crunched underfoot as four figures moved steadily along, their armor and gear creating a soft chorus of clinking metal with each step. The air was filled with the earthy scent of damp soil and fresh pine, mingling with their conversation.

“Remember that wolf pack last week?” came Nichye's youthful, teasing voice. The halfling rogue walked with a spring in his step, his wild curls bouncing as he grinned at the dwarf beside him. “The way you growled, Kali, I was sure you’d scare them off before they even tried anything!”

Kali, the fiery-haired dwarf warrior, rolled her eyes, her voice flat and direct. “Those wolves were practically pups. I’ve had more dangerous spars back in the Arnnia Tops,” she said, hefting her axe onto her shoulder. “This patrolling business is getting old. I’d rather face something worth my time.”

Walking at the front, Thenry kept his eyes on the path ahead but listened carefully. “We’re not likely to run into anything more dangerous than a lost deer at this rate,” he said with a calm authority, adjusting the strap of his sword. “It’s been a year, and I’m still waiting to fight something that’ll make for a good story.”

Sable, the fair-haired cleric, walked a few paces behind him, her expression serene but her voice quiet. “Patience is a virtue, you know,” she offered gently. “And… we’re all still alive. That’s a blessing, right? Not every adventurer gets that.”

Kali snorted, clearly unimpressed. “Easy start? Sable, this is more like no start. I want something to charge at me with more than fur and a snarl. Something that makes my blood pump.”

Nichye, quick to jump in, wagged a finger playfully. “Careful what you wish for, Kali. You might get more than you bargained for,” he said with a mischievous grin.

Kali shot him a blunt look. “Oh, and you’d know all about bargains, wouldn’t you, Nichye? Like that time you swore you could ‘charm’ our way out of paying that innkeeper?”

Nichye puffed up with mock indignation, unable to suppress a grin. “I said I had it under control! How was I supposed to know her husband was twice my size?”

Thenry couldn’t help but shake his head, a faint smile on his lips. “I’m quite sure almost anyone you meet is twice your size, Nichye.”

“Not you too, Thenry!” Nichye huffed, crossing his arms.

Kali, seeming to soften, turned to Nichye with a rare, slight smile. “Nothing wrong with being short; we small folk ought to stick together,” she said simply. “Besides, I think you’re adorable.”

Nichye’s cheeks reddened as he had a wide grin. “Well, in that case, I guess I can forgive you… this time.”

The group continued, their steps carrying them deeper into the rolling hills and dense forest. Little did they know, their wish for something more would soon be granted, just around the next bend. The group continued their hike, the forest growing denser with every step. Sunlight filtered through the thick canopy, casting dancing shadows over their faces.

Thenry led the way, his red hair catching the dappled sunlight and his blue eyes carefully scanning the path ahead. The house crest of Sparre was painted onto his untouched armor. He might have been a noble, but unlike his older siblings, he wasn’t a spoiled brat. He kept his hand near his sword, ever the leader, keeping the group coordinated and moving purposefully. Behind him, Sable followed closely, her white hair framing her gentle features. Her light blue eyes were calm but observant, and her robes were practical, with touches of divine embroidery showing her connection to the Holy Order. The shortsword on her hip almost seemed more like decoration than anything with its golden handle. She looked to Thenry often, her gaze often lingering longer than she would have liked.

Kali marched beside Nichye, her red hair tied back in a braid that hung between the shoulders of her heavy armor. Her green eyes were sharp and impatient, and her presence was impossible to ignore. The steel of her armor clinked with each stride, axe slung over her shoulder, ready for action. She looked every bit the dwarven warrior—short, stocky, and packed with muscle. Nichye, on the other hand, had a lighter bounce to his step. His dark curls were wild and unkempt, and his green eyes were mischief-filled. His slight frame was draped in leathers suitable for a rogue, with various pouches and tools hanging from his belt. His normal air of confidence was wavering just a bit as he walked alongside his slightly bigger companion.

The path wound through the dense undergrowth, rising and falling with the natural rhythm of the hilly terrain. The forest around them thickened, the trees growing closer together, their branches intertwining above to create a canopy that barely let the sunlight through. Shadows lengthened, and the group’s banter, filled with humor and light-hearted teasing, softened as they settled into a steady, rhythmic pace, providing a source of entertainment in their journey.

Thenry glanced back to check on his companions, his eyes lingering on Sable for a moment longer than the rest. She was walking with her head slightly down, her lips pursed in thought. Thenry noticed how distant she seemed, her gaze unfocused. “Sable, you alright back there?” he asked, concern in his tone.

Sable’s head lifted, her soft blue eyes meeting his, and she offered a reassuring smile. “Yes, just thinking, I suppose,” she said, her voice calm but her thoughts scattered. Thinking about how close you always are… and yet, how far. She quickly pushed the thought aside, focusing instead on the sounds of the forest around them.

Kali’s laughter broke the tension, sharp and clear in the heavy air. “Thinking? That’s a dangerous game, you know. You might start realizing how much you’d rather be a clerk back at the temple,” she teased, winking at Sable.

Nichye jumped in with his usual enthusiasm. “Or you start thinking about the last time you accidentally step into a trap. Speaking of, Kali, when will you show me how you make those snare lines for hunting?”

Kali smirked, a sly gleam in her eye. “Why? So you can learn to set ‘em under my bedroll? Nice try, shortstuff.” She gave him a light shove with her shoulder, the jingle of her armor a familiar sound that brought comfort.

Nichye stumbled slightly, but his grin was undeterred. “Hey, you never know when a good trap could come in handy. Besides,” he added with a dramatic sigh, “maybe it’d catch something more interesting than a lost deer or a grouchy badger. Like, say, a fierce dwarven warrior with a taste for adventure?”

Kali snorted, but there was a softness in her eyes as she glanced at him. “Or a stupid halfling trying to sneak up on someone in the middle of the night. Nice words, but it’ll take more than that to conquer this mountain,” she said with a playful challenge. “I’m not some damsel waiting to be swept off her feet.”

Nichye’s grin widened. “Wouldn’t dream of it, Kali. Just planning my next move, that’s all.”

Sable watched the exchange with a faint smile. She liked seeing Nichye so carefree, even if his attempts were a bit clumsy. It was a stark contrast to her own thoughts. She stole another glance at Thenry, who was now leading the group with his confident stride, the sun catching his hair like a fiery crown. She admired his determination, his way of always seeming in control. If only I could tell you… She swallowed hard, pressing her hand to the symbol of Xantheos at her chest. If only it were that simple.

Thenry, sensing the banter behind him, couldn’t help but chuckle. “You know, Nichye, maybe Kali’s got a point. You can’t just charm your way out of everything… or into it.”

Nichye laughed, his voice full of mischief. “Oh, I’m not trying to charm her… not just charm her, anyway.”

Kali gave him another light shove, this time with a genuine laugh. “Well, at least you’re honest about it, little scoundrel.”

As their footsteps carried them further, the terrain began to change. The forest floor grew rockier, and the trees thinned slightly, replaced by more jagged, ancient stone outcrops that dotted the landscape. A cool breeze swept through the area, sending a shiver through the leaves and causing Sable to pull her cloak a bit tighter around her shoulders.

“There’s something about this place…” Thenry murmured, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the path ahead. “Feels different.”

Nichye, ever the curious one, moved up beside him. “Yeah, like it’s… quieter,” he observed. “No duh, you dork,” Kali added, smacking the back of his head. The usual sounds of the forest seemed muted as if the woods were holding their breath. “Oww, what was that for?” He asked, rubbing his head as he pouted at her.

Kali’s eyes narrowed. “Maybe it’s finally something worth our while,” she said, her grip tightening around her axe.

Then, they saw it—a break in the rocky terrain up ahead. The trees gave way to a jagged cliffside, where a dark opening loomed in the stone face. The entrance was wide enough to swallow them all, with a gaping maw that seemed to beckon them forward. The ground around it was barren, the grass and underbrush retreating from the ominous cave mouth as if even nature feared what lay within.

“Well, well, well,” Thenry said softly, his hand instinctively moving to his sword. “Looks like we might have found ourselves something interesting after all.”

Sable’s breath caught in her throat as she looked at the cave, her eyes darting to Thenry’s face. She could see the flicker of excitement there, the longing for the adventure they’d all been craving. But she had a bad feeling about this place. Something dark was looming over her. She felt the familiar conflict twist in her chest. Xantheos, guide us… she prayed silently.

Nichye bounced on his toes, practically vibrating with eagerness. “Think there might be some goodies in there?” he asked, his green eyes gleaming.

“Only one way to find out,” Kali said, already stepping forward, her axe held high. She turned back to the others with a wild grin. “If there is, it’s probably guarded.”

Thenry looked at each of them, nodding firmly. “Stay close and be ready for anything. We’ve waited long enough for this. Let’s see what fate has in store.”

And with that, the group moved toward the cave entrance, their shadows stretching long against the rocky ground as they were pulled into the unknown.