At sunrise, eight volunteers waited outside the manor gates while the estate staff finished distributing their supplies. The hunter checked the fastening on his bow, the healer counted the last of her bandages, and one of the younger scouts kept looking toward the road as though the dragon might save them the trouble of searching. Tents, provisions, and medical equipment disappeared into the storage items Ludwig had provided, leaving the group with considerably less weight to carry.
Ludwig adjusted the cuffs of his Manticore Regalia while Celine watched from the entrance. Silver lined the seams of the dark leather coat, catching the morning light whenever he moved. The material flexed easily as he secured his belt, although he knew from experience how well it resisted a blade. He could attend a royal banquet in it and survive an assassination attempt without needing to change between the two.
