Morning sunlight spilled through the forest canopy, casting streaks of gold across the underbrush. Himmel crouched behind a thick root, blade and scissors resting comfortably at his side, eyes fixed on the village below. Calm, deliberate, he observed every motion, noting patterns and potential weaknesses. He wasn't one to act rashly—every move had to be planned, every risk calculated.
Texan shifted atop a boulder, tail flicking impatiently. "Himmel, we could get closer! See her routine firsthand! We're sitting here waiting for nothing!"
Himmel's voice was measured. "Closer risks detection. We need a full view first—patterns, guards, companions. That gives us leverage. Patience."
Recon, fiddling nervously with Himmel's old sword, piped up, "But what if the guards notice us while she moves between buildings? Or—what if she changes her route? Do we follow her exactly? What if she mounts the horse differently? Or—oh!—maybe she feeds the horse before she checks her book, should we…"
Texan groaned and rubbed his temple. "Recon, stop asking a hundred questions at once. Himmel, you're the calm one—tell him to quit."
Himmel's eyes didn't waver. "We follow her movements, one step at a time. Observation first. If she reacts to anything unusual, we adjust. No missteps, no exposure. That's the rule."
From their vantage, the village's sun-dried mud homes gleamed warmly in the morning light. Ochre walls, reinforced with timber, reflected the sun's rays, casting long shadows across the narrow, winding streets. Small gardens, contained by low mud walls, flourished between homes, while fountains and wells dotted courtyards. Children ran barefoot across the packed clay streets, while merchants prepared wares and smiths hammered on anvils in rhythmic precision. Every detail mattered; every scent, every shadow could offer a clue.
Himmel's gaze returned to the female dark orc. She rode her black horse with practiced grace, the leather-bound book secured at her hip. Though young—about the same age as Himmel—her confidence radiated like sunlight. Her companions, all level 3 or higher, moved around her with disciplined precision, carrying weapons and gear with a sense of authority. Even at a distance, their power was evident.
Texan leaned forward, fins brushing lightly against a branch. "See her horse? Skittish when the ground shifts. She leans on the book too much for reassurance, and she constantly checks the strap. Tiny little flaws. Could be useful if we're patient."
Himmel nodded slowly. "Exactly. She relies on her companions and the book for control. That's her weakness—confidence, not skill. We don't need to challenge her magic. We need to observe, note patterns, and exploit overconfidence. Timing and patience are our weapons."
Recon tilted his head, tail swishing. "But—if she notices something off, what do we do? Should we move closer? Or—what if she signals the guards?"
Texan snorted, tail flicking. "Then we improvise, kid. Calm, cool, fast. That's how we handle it. Himmel does the calculations; we act on instinct."
Himmel glanced at the village, studying alleys, rooftops, and side paths. "We'll note the patrol routes, how often she moves between the hall and her horse, how her companions position themselves. Every habit is a potential opening, every glance a weakness to exploit."
By midday, they had mapped almost every alley, courtyard, and patrol cycle. Himmel laid out the preliminary plan:
Observation points: Forest ridges, shadows near alleys, low vantage points with clear sight lines.
Guard and companion tracking: High-level companions are strong; they'll respond quickly if alerted. Their positions are predictable with careful observation.
The dark orc's patterns: How she handles the book, her horse, and how she coordinates with companions.
Escape routes: Multiple paths through alleys and forest edges.
Texan leaned forward, grinning. "If we move while she's distracted by companions or her horse—maybe checking supplies or adjusting her book—we could exploit that window. Quick, clean, no unnecessary risks."
Himmel's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Agreed. The window will be small—mere seconds. Recon, track secondary guards and companions. Texan, watch for distraction opportunities and mobility paths. I'll focus on timing, patterns, and the book itself. We only act when all variables align."
Recon's ears twitched. "And… if something unexpected happens? Like she moves faster, or—maybe someone extra shows up?"
Himmel's voice was calm but firm. "Then we adapt. Primary tool: observation. Secondary tool: calculated action. No unnecessary exposure. Retreat if we risk discovery."
Texan stretched, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "And we finally exploit her tiny mistakes. Can't wait to see how she reacts when her confidence is tested."
As afternoon shifted into evening, the village glowed in the warm amber of late sunlight. The dark orc and her companions returned to the hall, moving with the same disciplined routine. Himmel observed the way she trusted her companions for protection and leaned on her book for reassurance—every small adjustment cataloged in his mind. Texan noted vantage points and potential flanking routes, while Recon continued to ask detailed, often unnecessary questions, forcing Himmel and Texan to refine every part of the plan.
By nightfall, the trio had hidden deeper in the forest, safely beyond the village's sightlines. Himmel sharpened his blade and scissor while keeping his thoughts on patterns and timing. Texan practiced quick jumps between tree branches, testing mobility and agility for future maneuvers. Recon busied himself mapping the terrain, questioning everything as usual, making Himmel's calculations more robust.
Himmel finally spoke, voice low and steady. "We wait. Tomorrow, we'll observe again, noting every interaction, every misstep. The book is our objective, but we don't touch anything yet. Patience is our advantage."
Texan grinned. "And maybe tomorrow, we get a little closer. See how she reacts when the world isn't perfect for her."
Recon, ears twitching, added, "And maybe I can figure out a few more details about the guards' shifts. Or—oh!—maybe where the supplies are hidden."
Himmel simply nodded. "Every detail counts, Recon. But we move only when the plan is perfect. The rest is patience."
Night fell fully, the forest alive with the sounds of nocturnal creatures. Stars twinkled faintly through the canopy. The village below slept uneasily, unaware of the trio watching from the shadows, calculating every movement, preparing for the moment when observation would turn into action.
Texan perched on a low branch, tail flicking impatiently. "She moves like she owns the place," he muttered. "And those companions of hers… level 3s, all of them. Strong, disciplined. This isn't going to be simple."
Himmel's voice was calm, measured. "Precisely why patience is vital. We gather information. We wait for mistakes."
Recon shifted uneasily, eyes darting from the village to the forest. "Do you think she ever misplaces the book? Or… what if she drops it when she's riding? Should we…"
Himmel cut him off. "We wait. One step at a time."
Hours passed in quiet observation. The female dark orc moved with precision, her aura calm but guarded. Her companions flanked her like living shields, each carrying weapons polished to a dull gleam. Then, finally, a small but significant lapse: she entered the adventurers' hall and—after securing the door and gesturing for her companions to remain outside—placed the book on a low table. For the first time, the magic seemed unguarded.
Himmel's eyes narrowed. "There. She feels safe. That's our opening."
Texan's grin was quick and sharp. "Let's get moving."
The trio slid down the ridge, staying in the shadows. Recon's curiosity got the better of him, muttering questions about floor plans and guard rotations as Himmel and Texan led the way. They crept along the alleys, avoiding the patrolling companions, using every shadow and every ridge in the sun-dried mud walls to stay unseen.
Himmel signaled them forward. The adventurers' hall came into view. The dark orc girl's book glimmered faintly in the morning light on the table. Himmel took a careful step forward, and Texan mirrored him, poised to dash if needed. Recon fumbled slightly with the old sword in his hands, almost dropping it on the clay tiles. Himmel shot him a sharp glance.
They were nearly there. Fingers stretched toward the book.
Then—a horn shattered the tense silence, deep and commanding, vibrating through the village like thunder.
Shouts followed immediately, the echo of armored orcs charging through the streets. "An enemy army approaches! Guards, move out!"
Himmel cursed under his breath. Texan's eyes narrowed, ready to bolt. Recon froze, wide-eyed.
The dark orc girl reacted instantly, grabbing the book and spinning toward the exit. Her companions rallied around her, forming a defensive perimeter. The trio had no choice but to retreat into the alleys. Shadows swallowed them as the sound of running boots and clanging armor filled the streets.
Himmel hissed, "We can't outrun that many level 3s!"
Texan muttered, already scanning possible escape routes. "We'll have to use the alleys, stay low. Don't get caught."
But the dark orc girl's eyes scanned the forest, and she spotted them. Her lips curled into a sharp smile as she raised a hand, voice clear and commanding. "You! Join the fight! Now!"
Himmel froze, jaw tight. "No. We don't—"
But before he could finish, guards poured into the alley, weapons drawn, shouting with unyielding authority, "Do not disobey the chief's daughter!"
Texan muttered under his breath, frustration flickering across his fins. "Well… we have no choice, then."
Recon blinked repeatedly, clearly torn between curiosity and panic. "But—what if she's—"
Himmel cut him off, calm but firm. "We follow. Minimal risk, stick to her lead, gather intelligence. Nothing else."
Reluctantly, the trio stepped forward, joining the ranks behind the dark orc girl and her companions. Himmel kept his eyes on the book, noting the way she gripped it, the aura that pulsed slightly when her concentration shifted. Texan moved to the flank, ready to react to any unforeseen threat. Recon trailed slightly behind, still asking far too many questions but keeping his focus on the enemy.
The cacophony of shouting, clanging metal, and the rhythm of boots on the sun-baked clay streets filled the air. Himmel's mind raced, cataloging each detail—the path through the village, the spacing of the guards, the strengths and weaknesses of the companions.
This was not their fight yet, but it was the first step in understanding their target, and Himmel knew every observation today would make the eventual acquisition of the book possible.
The group moved as a unit, shadowed by the forest, constrained by authority, yet watching, learning, and preparing. And as they entered the battle field alongside the chief's daughter, Himmel's mind already mapped the next steps: every patrol, every weak point, every fleeting moment when the book might be vulnerable.
The preparation was not in vain, here and now in the chaos. The time to strike.