Camp was quieter than usual.

  The fire crackled low, its warmth pushing the chill away. The caravan’s workers spoke in hushed tones, still shaken from the ambush earlier that day. Horses snorted softly, sensing the lingering tension.

  Team Argent sat slightly apart, gathered around their own fire.

  Ronan sharpened his blade in slow, methodical strokes.

  Lira stared into the flames, deep in thought.

  Kael carved at a piece of wood, unusually quiet.

  Eis knelt beside the pot, stirring their portion of stew.

  For a while, the only sounds were fire and metal.

  Finally Lira broke the silence.

  “…They were too organized.”

  Kael nodded.

  “Bandits don’t usually attack caravans this close to Korvelle. Especially not in groups that size.”

  Ronan added,

  “Their equipment wasn’t rusted junk either. Someone’s been funding them.”

  Eis looked up.

  “Funding?”

  Ronan met her eyes.

  “Better blades. Better boots. Coordinated signals. They weren’t starving outcasts.”

  Kael sighed.

  “That means there’s either a new bandit chief… or someone in the shadows pulling strings.”

  Lira’s voice was quiet but firm.

  “We’ll file a full report when we return to Lumaire. Guild leadership will want to know.”

  Eis nodded slowly.

  “…I understand.”

  There was a pause.

  The fire popped, sending sparks drifting upward.

  Lira shifted, looking at Eis more directly.

  “You handled yourself incredibly well today.”

  Kael grinned.

  “Understatement of the year. Four bandits? You made it look easy.”

  Ronan stopped sharpening his blade.

  “You stayed calm. You didn’t overextend. You protected the caravan without unnecessary force.”

  Eis lowered her gaze to the stew.

  “…Thank you.”

  It felt warm — not pride, but the warmth of being seen. Believed in, different than what she was used to.

  Kael leaned back.

  “Honestly? If you hadn’t been with us, this would’ve been a much messier fight.”

  Lira snorted softly.

  “It was almost too clean, thanks to her.”

  Kael nudged her.

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  “Clean like her morning scrolls.”

  Lira groaned helplessly.

  “Kael, don’t start—”

  Ronan added with faint amusement,

  “She’s not wrong. Those scrolls helped morale.”

  Kael pointed dramatically at Ronan.

  “He said it. Ronan said it. Morale!”

  Eis couldn’t help it — she let out a quiet laugh.

  The mood eased.

  The fear ebbed.

  Comfort settled into the circle again.

  They were safe.

  Alive.

  Together.

  The morning was bright, breezy, and blessedly uneventful.

  By midday, the large wooden gates of Korvelle appeared over the horizon. Unlike Lumaire’s towering grandeur, Korvelle was a coastal trading city — colorful, lively, and filled with the smell of salt and roasted fish.

  The caravan workers cheered.

  “We made it!”

  “Home stretch!”

  “Baths! Gods bless actual baths!”

  Kael’s eyes sparkled.

  “Did you hear that? They said baths.”

  Lira almost wept.

  “I’m using two scrolls when we get back, I swear.”

  Ronan shook his head.

  “A real bathhouse will suffice.”

  Kael nudged him.

  “You did not just say ‘suffice.’ You want one as much as we do.”

  “I didn’t say I didn’t,” Ronan replied simply.

  Eis walked quietly beside them, absorbing the lively energy of the port city.

  Merchants shouted from booths.

  Children chased seagulls.

  Sailors unloaded crates.

  Sea breeze brushed her face.

  It felt… lighter.

  Brenn, the caravan leader, handed Ronan a sealed envelope.

  “Your paperwork. Payment will be processed when you return to Lumaire. And—”

  He paused, looking at Eis.

  “I want to thank your new member personally.”

  Eis blinked.

  “Yes?”

  “You saved our lives.”

  His voice was sincere, rough with emotion.

  “The way you moved, the way you kept your head… I’ve hired many adventurers, and few have your composure.”

  Eis bowed slightly.

  “I only did what was necessary.”

  Brenn shook his head.

  “No. You did more.”

  He pressed a small silver token into her hand — a Korvelle merchant’s mark.

  “If you ever need supplies or help in this city, that’ll open doors.”

  Lira whispered, impressed.

  “That’s not something he gives lightly.”

  Kael whistled.

  “Eis collecting favors already.”

  Ronan gave a quiet nod of approval.

  Team Argent moved through the city gates together, sighing as one.

  “First things first,” Kael announced, “we eat something that isn’t boiled socks.”

  “Then baths,” Lira said immediately.

  Ronan nodded.

  “Agreed.”

  Eis blinked softly.

  “I… would like both as well.”

  Kael grinned broadly.

  “Eis, you’re officially one of us.”

  Eis smiled.

  Together, they headed toward the nearest bathhouse and tavern —

  dusty, tired, sore…

  but alive.