The journey soon began, the bumpy roads didn't give the escorts any time to rest as each moment the carriage soon shook, many opting to just walk.
So did Nathaniel, though for a different reeason.
It was quite obvious that a bandit attack would happen any moment now due to the large commotion of the caravans
'This is... Not that bad'
Nathaniel smirked under his burning mask, though he had been walking for hours, for someone who was used to it, it never really mattered
'I suppose the same can't be said for the others'
His new colleagues for the escort however... were not as sturdy.
Ragged breaths, heavy pants and sweat that you'd think it had rained prior it was evident that they did not have the best endurance aside from a few.
'Quite pathetic.. to think they can't march such a sort distance.'
Nathaniel scoffed, brushing the sweat off his forehead as he continued marching.
Taking glances at Elanor every now and then Elanor would soon catch on what Nathaniel was doing
' ' Are you required to always be on high alert, Sol? ' '
She asked with a soft chuckle her eyes drifting to his hand which was already on the handle of his sword
' ' You can never be too alert. ' '
Nathaniel replied in a blank tone as he merely continued marching..
But at his misfortune, Elanor never stopped asking hin questions, Every minute, every second it didn't stop.
To some perhaps this would be a good thing however Nathaniel who preferred silence it irritating to the core
...
Then a realization kicked in, Nathaniel's mind scheming already
'This makes getting funding easier.'
A smirk dawned beneath his flaming mask and with a menacing chuckle he began to converse with the Young Mistress
Soon without the both of themselves realizing, the sun had already began to set
' ' We'll rest here! ' '
Melvin shouted alerting the convoy, each adventurer letting a sigh of relief as they sat down resting and laying on the forest floor by the dirt pathways
'Hm... I should prepare.'
Nathaniel, still as vigilant began to slowly spread his mana, coating around 50 meters in a circular radius
' ' Tch. ' '
Nathaniel, though successfult spreading his mana was still human after all, and after a few seconds he began to experience fatigue his head screaming for him to stop as a cold sweat dropped from him brow
'I suppose this is my limit'
With a resigned sigh his mana began to dissapear as he sat down
' ' Just animals.. It should be safe ' '
He muttered to himself to reasure himself that the chance of getting attackee in the night was slim
He looked around before climbing a tree watching the adventurer's eat and converse..
' ' Hello? Sol? What are you doing there? ' '
A soft feminine voice asked below the tree, it was elanor holding some food, the look on her face said it all
She was offering him food.
Hyup!
Nathaniel jumped down the decently tall tree heading to Elanor
' ' Do you wish to be alone? ' '
' ' I have someone with me. ' '
Nathaniel replied as he took the food from Elanor's hand nodding in thanks
' ' Where are they? ' '
Elanor asked as she looked around the area, there were no one in sight aside from the group of adventurers behind her
' ' I'll get him ' '
He spokw, as he climbed up the tree, and as he gently descended a small, dark grey wolf pup was in his arms
Arf! Arf!
It barked at the red haired woman infront of him, not knowing wether or not she was hostile, yet after seeing Nathaniel standing near the wolf pup began to calm down
' ' What's the little one's name? ' '
She askes excitedly as she reached to the pup in Nathaniel's arms as the wolf allowed her to pat him, surprisingly
' ' Call him Fenris ' '
With a nod she smiled as she continued to play with the wolf
' ' May I? ' '
She asked, pleading Nathaniel to allow her to spend time with Fenris
He tried to refuse but..
' ' Hah.. Fine ' '
With a sigh he let Elanoe have her way as she immeadietly took Fenris out of his arms
'She likes Fenris huh.. Noted'
Soon he looked at the bowl in his hand,
As the bottom of his flaming mask dissapeared, allowing him to eat he reluctantly took a sip of the soup
'Surprisingly good.'
Nathaniel smiled as he continued to eat, soon he called Fenris and the two ate together
' ' How long have you been taking care of him? ' '
' ' Just about 2 months ' '
' ' Only 2 months and you're already this close? ' '
Elanor said, surprised in which Nathaniel merely nodded to confirm her
With a sigh Elanor looked away towards the camp where groups of adventurers spoke and bonded
'How I wish I could find someone else to talk to.. To converse with and to share precious moments.. So I no longer feel lonely'
Thoughta filled her mind, envy? Jealousy? Well it didn't matter..
With a bitter smile she hid her inner feelings, an actor, where the entire world was her stage and in a flash her demeaner returned to thw joyful girl she was
To be continued