Lucas expertly guided the hot air balloon downward, the woven basket swaying gently as it descended through the crisp spring air. The faint scent of burning charcoal mingled with the earthy freshness of the grasslands below. Before the basket even touched the ground, Mina turned to him, her eyes catching the sunlight as she offered a soft, fleeting smile. "Young Master, I'll go get Miss Elisa," She said, her voice light but tinged with a lingering trace of her earlier emotions.
Without waiting for his response, the cat-eared girl vaulted over the basket's edge with feline grace, landing lightly on the grass. Her movements were swift and fluid, her tail flicking as she strode purposefully toward Elisa, who stood nearby, her emerald-green eyes tracking the balloon's descent. "Miss Elisa, it's your turn to go up," Mina said, her tone calm and composed, though Lucas noticed a subtle restlessness in her demeanor, a departure from her usual cool-headedness.
"Alright," Elisa replied with a polite nod, her voice as smooth as a forest stream. She turned and walked toward the balloon, her hips swaying subtly with each step, a natural elegance in her movements. Curiosity flickered in her eyes—she'd never experienced a hot air balloon before, and the prospect of soaring above the world intrigued her, stirring a quiet excitement in her chest.
Lucas sighed, shaking his head with a wry smile. "Honestly…" He muttered under his breath. Mina's haste betrayed her lingering thoughts about Mila, her childhood friend. The usually composed cat-eared girl was acting a touch impulsive, her heart clearly still tethered to the memories they'd unearthed moments ago.
"City Lord," Elisa greeted as she reached the basket, her emerald-green eyes—sparkling with a mix of respect and curiosity. Her voice was soft, almost melodic, as she asked, "May I come aboard now?"
"Come on in," Lucas said, his lips curving into a warm, welcoming smile. He nodded to the old carpenter nearby, who promptly set to work replacing the spent charcoal with fresh, dark lumps. Lucas pumped the bellows, the rhythmic whoosh of air stoking the flames until they roared with renewed vigor, casting a warm glow across the basket's interior.
"Yes, my lord," Elisa replied, her movements graceful as she approached the basket's edge. She placed one hand on the wicker rim, her slender fingers curling around it for support. With a fluid, almost dance-like motion, she swung her body over the edge, her hips brushing lightly against the wicker as she landed inside. She stood quietly to the side, her posture poised and attentive, her long hair catching the breeze like strands of spun gold.
The charcoal was soon ready, the fire crackling with steady heat. Lucas worked the controls, and the balloon began its slow, majestic ascent, floating upward like a leaf carried by the wind. Neither spoke as they rose, the silence comfortable yet purposeful. Elisa's gaze wandered across the breathtaking vista—the rolling hills, the distant Forbidden Mountains, the patchwork of fields below—her eyes drinking in the beauty with quiet awe. Lucas, meanwhile, was deep in thought, his mind turning over how to broach the topic he'd been mulling over.
"City Lord, what kind of work do you have in mind for us?" Elisa finally asked, her voice breaking the silence. There was a faint tremor of unease in her tone, a reflection of her wariness. Elves were rarely welcomed by human nobles without ulterior motives, and though Lucas had shown nothing but kindness, her past experiences made her cautious.
"I've heard your archery skills are exceptional," Lucas said, a glint of amusement in his dark eyes. He kept his tone casual, as if discussing the weather. "I'm thinking of forming a sniper team, composed entirely of elves."
"Sniper team?" Elisa blinked, her brow furrowing in confusion. The term was unfamiliar, and her mind raced to make sense of it. Did it involve hands? Striking hands, perhaps? Her puzzled expression was almost comical, and Lucas suppressed a chuckle.
"Snipers are members of a specialized unit trained for covert ambushes," he explained, his voice clear and measured. "They conceal themselves in hidden, open locations and use precise bows or crossbows to eliminate targets—key figures or high-value threats—from a distance. It's a role that involves stealth, accuracy, and strategic assassination."
Elisa's frown deepened, though not out of disapproval. Killing didn't faze her; it was a harsh reality of their world. Lucas's explanation painted snipers as a kind of elite assassin, a role she could understand, even if the terminology was new. "I see," She murmured, processing the idea.
"If you have any concerns, feel free to voice them," Lucas said, his tone open and encouraging. He wanted her to feel comfortable, to trust that this was a genuine opportunity, not a demand.
In truth, Lucas had initially planned to select snipers from the newly trained War Wolves, his elite special forces. But the arrival of the elf team—already skilled marksmen with unparalleled archery—changed his plans. Why look elsewhere when the perfect candidates were right in front of him? The elves' natural talent and precision made them ideal for the role, a strategic asset for Sedona City's growing ambitions.
"Will we be using those… divine bows from the other day?" Elisa asked, her voice tinged with nervous excitement. Her green eyes flickered with anticipation, the memory of the composite bow she'd wielded in battle still vivid. That weapon had left an indelible impression, its power unlike anything she'd ever known.
"Exactly," Lucas confirmed with a nod. "The composite bow will be standard issue for the elf sniper team. We'll equip you with six of them."
The elf sniper team would work in tandem with the expanded War Wolves, Lucas envisioned. For missions, a pair of elves would suffice—one armed with a composite bow for long-range precision strikes, the other with a recurve bow for closer engagements. The composite bow was designed for eliminating high-priority targets or neutralizing significant threats, with the elves at the heart of the operation. Their role wasn't to charge into battle but to strike from the shadows, swift and silent, ensuring the mission's success with minimal exposure.
"Composite bow… so that's what it's called," Elisa murmured, her voice thoughtful as she recalled the weapon's devastating power. That night, under the stars, she'd fired the composite bow and felt its strength course through her. It was a revelation, a tool that transcended the limits of traditional archery. Ordinary longbows could kill at thirty or forty meters—a respectable feat. But the composite bow? It had pierced armor at over a hundred meters, a feat made possible by both the bow's design and the specialized arrows it launched. The memory still sent a thrill through her, though she hadn't touched the bow since that battle, as it had been whisked away afterward.
Her resolve hardened, and she looked at Lucas with unwavering determination. "City Lord, we'll do it. We'll become your snipers."
"Good," Lucas said, his voice calm but pleased. "Your salary will be one silver coin per month, and you'll live in the military camp with two days off each month. After missions, you'll receive additional leave as a reward."
Elisa's mouth fell open, her eyes widening in disbelief. "That…" She stammered, struggling to process the generosity of the offer. A silver coin per month was a fortune for most, and two days off, plus mission bonuses? It was a level of treatment she'd never dared to imagine, far surpassing the harsh realities most elves faced in human territories.
"Your camp will be separate from the other units, ensuring your privacy and security," Lucas continued, his tone matter-of-fact. "I'll send Mina to assist with your training. It won't just be about archery—though I trust you don't need much help there." He smiled faintly, acknowledging their skill. "Mina will teach you camouflage, wilderness survival, how to use Sedona City's equipment effectively, and how to coordinate with the War Wolf team on missions."
"Yes, my lord," Elisa said, her voice respectful but tinged with gratitude. The offer was beyond generous, and she could think of no reason to refuse. This was a chance not just for survival, but for purpose, for a place in a city that seemed to value her people.
"One more thing," Lucas added, his voice softening. "You, Elisa, won't need to live in the camp. For your safety, you'll stay in the castle."
"Thank you, City Lord," Elisa said, her fingers tightening around the hem of her skirt as she dipped into a graceful curtsy. She understood why—her status as a wanted elf, with a bounty on her head, made her a target. Lucas's consideration warmed her heart, a reminder that he saw her not just as a soldier, but as someone worth protecting.
"Don't worry about the bounty for much longer," Lucas said, his voice calm but laced with resolve. "I'll make sure the hunters think twice before coming after you. A few well-placed lessons, and they'll learn to stay away."
"Yes, my lord," Elisa replied, her voice soft but hopeful. She stole a glance at Lucas's profile, his strong jaw and steady gaze framed against the endless sky. A smile tugged at her lips as she imagined a future where she could walk freely through Sedona City, savoring street food and browsing market stalls without fear. Perhaps, under Lucas's leadership, that dream wasn't so far off.
"Let's head down," Lucas said with a light chuckle. "We'll make it back just in time for lunch. It's been a productive morning."
"Yes, my lord," Elisa said, her tone respectful but warm. From this moment, she was officially under Lucas's command, and the thought filled her with anticipation. The days ahead promised purpose, challenge, and perhaps even belonging—a life she'd scarcely dared to hope for.
Lucas maneuvered the balloon downward, the basket descending smoothly toward the waiting earth. His mind was already racing ahead to the tasks that awaited. The Riverden City plan was ready to launch, the courier service needed to be established, and a host of other projects loomed on the horizon. Spring was approaching, and with it, a season of growth and opportunity for Sedona City.
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