The moment Erend mentioned that they could leave soon, Eccar, Aesa, and Sylven immediately lifted their heads from their meals and looked toward him with renewed seriousness.
Caelion noticed the sudden change in their expressions. Until a moment ago, they had been casually enjoying breakfast, but now all four of them seemed ready to move at a moment's notice. Whatever task they needed to do was clearly important.
Caelion decided not to ask.
"Then we'll prepare everything you need before you leave," he said. "I'll make sure nothing is missing."
Erend looked at him. "Wait. I think you've already done more than enough."
Caelion shook his head.
"No. It isn't nearly enough compared to what you've done for us." His expression became sincere. "You have no idea how significant your work in the frontier of the Shattered Expanse was. You've secured the safety of everyone who will travel near that region for years to come. Perhaps even decades."
Erend raised an eyebrow. "That long?"
