The night had passed slowly. A thin mist clung to the forest floor, curling around tree trunks and catching the first gold of dawn. The detachment packed their meager camp quietly, the soldiers moving like shadows in the early light.
Lisa, however, had other priorities. "waaaa… someone stole my bread, I know it!" she muttered, poking through her satchel and shaking the empty crumbs onto the ground. Tobara flinched as a stray berry rolled onto her foot.
"Lisa!" Vector's voice cut through the quiet morning, calm but firm. "Focus. This is not the time for.."
Heavy thud ! Lisa tripped over a stray root, sprawling forward. "Stupid root!" she shouted, rolling onto her back. "Mosquitoes! And roots! Who designs this cursed forest?"
Cidney groaned behind him. "A total problem…"
Furi just shook his head, lips twitching. "She is… lively."
Trilla, riding slightly ahead, caught the tail end of the chaos and chuckled softly. She had intended to greet Vector properly this morning maybe something polite, clever, or at least not ridiculous. Yet seeing Lisa sprawled like a human pancake left her options limited.
Taking a deep breath, Trilla nudged her horse closer to Vector's side. "Captain Vector," she said, voice careful, "good… morning?"
Vector's eyes flicked to her. Calm, unreadable, slightly amused. "Morning," he said flatly, as if the word itself held the weight of strategy.
Trilla swallowed. "I… uh… I hope the journey isn't… uncomfortable." She waved vaguely toward the forest floor. "Or… mosquito-infested, or… roots that want to eat your feet?"
Vector raised an eyebrow, expression almost deadpan. "Only mildly uncomfortable. Not fatal, yet."
Trilla felt her cheeks warm. Okay… this is going poorly.
Lisa, meanwhile, had regained her balance and was waving a half-eaten berry at them. "Captain! Lady! You must see this! I can fight off roots AND mosquitoes bare-handed!"
"Lisa…" Vector said, voice tight with patience. "Focus. We are moving."
"Bamm!" Tobara tripped again on the same root, sending her water pouch flying. "Stupid forest!"
Cidney muttered, "Why do I even try…"
Trilla attempted to regain composure, but couldn't suppress a laugh. "Your soldiers seem… lively, Captain."
Vector tilted his head slightly. "Lively keeps one alert. Too much order and people forget to think for themselves."
Trilla bit her lip, trying to find a bridge between politeness and humor. "So… do you usually patrol forests full of… um, humans falling on roots?"
Vector considered her carefully. "Only when humans are necessary. Otherwise, roots are efficient enough on their own."
The corner of Trilla's mouth twitched. Ridiculous soldier. And yet… somehow fascinating.
The forest path narrowed further, forming a natural corridor of trees. The sun rose higher, casting long shadows. A faint rustling sounded from ahead leaves shaking, branches snapping.
Vector immediately held up a hand. "Formation Delta. Everyone stay alert. Possible wildlife… or scouts."
Lisa's eyes widened. "Ooooh, maybe a bear? Or… a zombie root?"
Cidney groaned. "Stupid child…"
Tobara hid behind Lisa, trembling. "A zombie?"
Vector didn't answer. He moved with deliberate calm, spear in hand, analyzing every detail. Trilla, beside him, kept her horse steady. Her awkward earlier attempt at conversation left her smiling faintly, at least she hadn't completely embarrassed herself this time.
Marvy whispered to Brentford, "Do you think the Captain… notices when she talks to him?"
Brentford shrugged. "Probably. He notices everything. That's why he's terrifying."
Lisa, meanwhile, had crouched low, eyes scanning the undergrowth. "I say we ambush first! I volunteer my bare hands!"
Vector glanced at her. "No ambush. Not yet."
Lisa pouted. "Stupid plan."
A faint rustle closer this time. Tobara squeaked. "I-it's moving!"
Vector raised his spear, calm, measured. "Stay ready. Not everything that moves is a threat."
Fwoop! Lisa jumped backward, landing in a shallow ditch, sending a small branch flying into Vector's boots.
Vector looked down. "Lisa."
Lisa, lying in the dirt, gave a sheepish grin. "Bare-handed surprise attack… on roots… mostly."
Trilla laughed softly, hiding behind her hand. Her earlier awkwardness with him seemed almost silly now, yet she couldn't deny the odd warmth spreading in her chest. Vector remained calm, observing everything, yet even he allowed a fraction of a twitch at her laughter.
The detachment moved cautiously past the minor threat in this case, a family of deer startled by their noise. A few mosquitoes buzzed, Lisa muttered, and Tobara clutched her spear like a lifeline.
By the time they cleared the forest corridor, the sun was fully above the treetops, the minor challenges leaving the group slightly disheveled but more bonded.
Trilla, riding beside Vector once more, tried another attempt at conversation.
"So… Captain," she said, voice soft, careful, "how do you… stay so calm? Even with… all this…" She gestured vaguely toward Lisa, Tobara, and the chaos around them.
Vector's eyes met hers. "Experience. Observation. And knowing what's important. Chaos is only a problem if you let it be one."
Trilla tilted her head, smiling faintly. "I suppose I should… learn to observe then."
Vector's lips twitched almost imperceptibly. "It helps."
Lisa, completely ignoring the seriousness of the moment, yelled from behind, "Captain! Did you see that root try to kill me again?!"
Cidney muttered, "What a pain."
Furi, quietly surveying the group, noted the subtle shift in dynamics. Trilla was attempting connection. Vector remained in control, amused but unyielding. And Lisa… well, Lisa was Lisa.
The journey west continued slow, steady, punctuated by humor, minor chaos, and the ever-building connection between strategist and heiress.