Valic & Lachlan

A Simple Mission

It's a night like any other in this land, and that's cold. A cold that blankets the entirety of Kjeldren, and the night before the first mission came. It is this first mission that leads Valic and Lachlan on a path with an uncertain destiny. They've each been on missions before. You have to go occasionally in order to stay at Helgrym's. Everyone was huddled in their beds under multiple layers of furs or winter blankets. They were trying to keep the chill at bay but unable to catch the sleep that presently eluded them. It seemed as if everyone in the area felt it. A chill that wasn't coming from the cold. A general malaise that washed over them and they were restless, tossing and turning.
Then came the first horn.
Groans and grumbles came from all sides of the fortress as all employed stirred slowly.
Another horn. 
More groans, now accompanied by the sounds of scraping metal, rustling leather, or swirling of fabric as adventurers of all styles donned armor or robes and prepared to meet in the courtyard.
At the sound of the third horn, there was a giant mass of bodies waiting for an assignment in the open area. You don't want to be missing after the third horn. Even newcomers knew that. Reznik would know if you weren't there. You would become his new 'special project'. Somehow, with the countless masses and constant new faces, he always knew just like the gatekeeper. And when it came to Reznik, you wanted to be as invisible as possible. Those who weren't there when the third horn began, came running buckling belts, fastening clasps or the like and all were in attendance when it ended. 

They stood there silently, waiting and watching. Reznik appeared from a doorway that led to his private quarters just past the gatehouse. He glared at them all and paced back and forth for what seemed like half an hour, studying each face as if taking a mental count. No one met his glance. They knew all too well his grizzled features. His black mane of hair, his scarred face and black braided beard. And his eyes. Ice blue eyes that peer into your soul.

"Listen up." His booming voice startles a few of the new recruits that have had "training sessions" with him. This is where he tries to figure out your potential, but mainly consists of him kicking your teeth into the dirt. After a short pause, he continues.

"We've got a simple courier mission. Normally this would go to some of you greenies, but we've had reports of goblins raiding the trade routes around the city of Fjögur Horns."

He pauses again and looks everyone over. Always an advocate for the dramatic effect.

"You," he points at Valic who nods but internally kicks his foot, "You," he points at Lachlan who mostly thought she was hiding amongst the tallest humans and she blanches, "And you." He points at a newbie who pumps his fist and shouts, "Yes!"

"Shutup." Reznik says sternly. Garrick, the newbie, shuts up.

"You two," he says pointing again at Valic and Lachlan, "Show him the ropes. Keep him out of trouble and keep him alive as long as he's not an idiot. If he gives us a bad name, kill him."

Some of the color drains from Garrick's face as the two nod solemnly. Reznik turns and walks toward the gatehouse and the three follow as the rest of the attending crowd disperses.

"You are to deliver this missive to Magistrate Kal-Diss in Fjögur Horns." He says, and reaches back with an envelope stuck between his index and middle fingers. Garrick reaches for it, but Valic smacks his hand away and grabs it.

"You will then wait for a response. Once that is secured, you will return. Anything unclear?" He stops and turns to them, raising an eyebrow.

"No." The three say in unison.

"Good. You have ten minutes to grab what gear you think you need. Then, you leave. Dismissed." And he walks away.

They go into the storeroom and spend the next few minutes gathering equipment while Garrick goes on about proving himself and liberally polishes his armor. They grab backpacks then tents, winter blankets, rations, and other miscellaneous necessities to fill the backpacks. Each of them also receives 15 gold pieces as is customary for those exiting the fortress and upon exiting are given Helgrym's signet ring by the gatekeepers. As they walk through the final gate into the brisk morning air, Druegar greets them and studies their faces.

"Valic," he says nodding, then turns to Lachlan and nods again, "Lachlan." She returns the gesture and smiles coyly. 
He knows better. 
He looks Garrick up and down. His half plate mail is polished and shining brightly in even the limited sunlight. Druegar smirks, "Garrick," he says and turns his attention back to Valic, "Got stuck with an over eager greenie, eh?"

Valic grumbles unintelligibly and puts on his ring. Lachlan and Garrick follow suit. Druegar looks them over and points to his left.

"Follow this path north east and you'll run into the trade route. Follow it left and continue in the same north eastern direction. Fjögur Horns is about a day and a half travel at your foot speed. Two days if you're lazy."

He looks up at the sky, "It'll be a clear day if a little colder than normal. As long as you're making good time, you'll stay warm."

"Thanks." Lachlan says and winks at him.

He takes another look at Garrick and laughs, "Good luck!"

Garrick, either not letting anything get to him or completely oblivious, smiles his biggest smile and lets out a 'whoop' pumping his fist again.

Valic shakes his head.

"Shit."