Aelric set the heavy crate onto the wagon. It had been 2 days since they were fully informed of the mission details. The plan was relatively simple, as Private Bright said it, but to be honest, that guy was a suck-up as far as Aelric was concerned. "Is that the last supply crate?" Lenny asked. "Isaac's bringing the last one." Aelric said, now staring at Lenny who sat in the wagon. "Ah, I see. Shouldn't be too long then." Lenny yawned. Aelric leaned against the wagon and waited for Isaac.

  Private Bright walked up to Aelric. "Captain Valeria wants one of you to get the sets of armor and weapons on the wagon that's pulling up." Private Bright said as he pointed to the wagon that Michael was controlling. "Not it." Lenny spoke up quickly. "Aw, damn it, Lenny. I just lifted all those crates to this wagon while you did nothing." Aelric groaned. "Too bad, too sad." Michael said, chuckling as he climbed off the wagon he pulled up to the scene with. "Now get going, boy." Michael slapped Aelric's back, knocking Aelric back a bit. Aelric muttered something under his breath, but it was inaudible.

  Aelric walked away to get the sets of armor. He headed to the armory and grabbed a crate. He grabbed 11 swords and gently organized them in the box so they would fit. He grabbed the metal handles on the side of the crate and carried it outside of the armory. He walked to the wagon and set down the crate. Maddie approached him. "Hey, Aelric." She said as she looked at the crate, "I thought we were done with packing up." Maddie said, seemingly confused. "They need the armor. This crate is full of swords. Can you help me?" Aelric asked. "Always willing to lend a hand." She said with a soft smile.

  "Thank you, Maddie." Aelric replied. He walked back to the armory as Maddie walked alongside him.

  10 minutes later after hauling all needed supplies to the wagons, Captain Valeria's squad began departure.

  "Listen up, guys." Captain Valeria spoke with an authoritative tone. Aelric turned his attention from a quiet conversation with Augustus to pay attention to the captain. "Now, the plan is relatively simple, and we should all be skilled enough to get through this mission without casualties." She spoke, "First, we head to the Silver Mountains and stop at Dranor's 2house. He will tell us if the quick way is open, or if its obstructed, as it often is obstructed by weather. If it's free, we head straight to Moghe Forest. If not, we have to go around the mountain on foot."

  She sat down and Private Bright took control of the wagon as Michael began searching through the crate, and took a small can of rations and a spoon and began eating. "We just left Michael." Maddie groaned. "Yeah, so? I don't give a damn." Michael said. "You're going to waste our supplies." Elijah butted in. "Shut up." Michael replied hastily, "I would never." Michael looked at him with a smug face. Aelric just ignored the conversation that slowly unraveled into a heated argument.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  "So, Augustus, how much are you looking to do this mission?" Aelric asked. "Captain Valeria said we had to deal with orcs, right? From the things Private Bright told me, they're really huge and strong... So, how are we to deal with them?" Augustus asked. Captain Valeria overheard them. "Orcs are strong, yes, and they can overpower most humans, but most are usually slow. Especially since they're larger in size than us humans." Captain Valeria said.

  "The most effective way recorded from the war between Eldenus and the orcs in Mogh Forest from 70 years ago is to slash their bellies, and it's important to cut deep, and as they clutch their stomachs, you can go for their throats, or a head slice if you swing that way." Captain Valeria concluded, seemingly prideful of her knowledge. "Brutal..." Madde said, her face contorted to show disgust.

  For next 3 days, the wagon rode until it reached a small cabin. Two corpses laid in front on the lawn of the cabin. Aelric looked at the porch at the cabin where a short, but stout man sitting on a bench. His muscles were large in size, even as he sat and relaxed. His long, and thick beard was a clean white, maybe even whiter than Sylas' hair, his head was bald. A great hammer, maybe just a few inches shorter than the mysterious man sat next to him, where a dark light gem was embedded into the head of the hammer.

  "Hey, Dranor." Captain Valeria shouted out to announce their arrivals. She signaled to the other soldiers to stay on the wagon, as she hopped off.

  Captain Valeria approached the porch, stepping over the corpses. "Bandits?" Captain Valeria asked. Dranor stayed silent and nodded. "I see. Anyways, we're here to rescue Abdus Thaddeus in that orc base." Captain Valeria responded. "The orc base? Are you sure? If you wanted to rescue Abdus, you'd need to take a stealthy approach, especially as long as Mazgora the Wretched is alive." Dranor spoke up, his voice gruff.

  "I see. But is the crossing between the Silver Mountains to Moghe Woods clear of any obstructions?" Captain Valeria asked. "That faction, The Silver Raven Order set up a temporary camp there to recruit people or rob rich people. Wait until they leave. Should be gone in a day or two." Dranor said.

  "Ah, we can deal with them. If they attack, then we'll fight back. Not a difficult situation to deal with." Captain Valeria said. "Their two most powerful soldiers reside there. I seriously do recommend waiting." Dranor said. "But we don't have time, Dranor, we have to move and save Abdus." Captain Valeria replied. "I understand, but the orcs will utilize him for slave work due to his strength." Dranor said, "He'll live for a while. No worries." Dranor responded, his voice softer. "But, rescuing him sooner is better." Captain Valeria said, standing up.

  "Fine, go. You will regret this move. You will win if they try to fight you, but you will regret it." Dranor said. Captain Valeria walked back to the wagon. "Everyone, get your armor and weapons. We may have to fight soon, but do not start anything." Captain Valeria announced. Dranor sat, grumbling. "Even Sylas was stubborn like this when he was younger..." Dranor muttered under his breath.

  An hour later, the group reached the crossing between the Silver Mountains to the Moghe Woods. 13 men sat in a small camp, fitted in black robes, and hoods, wielding blades. Two wore masks, perhaps indicating a higher status amongst the rest. One of the masked men wielded two blades.

  One of the masked men spotted the wagon approaching. "Soldiers. They've come to shut down our operations! Kill them!" One of them yelled. "The Silver Raven Order will not be suppressed by these tyrannical kingdoms!" The same soldier yells. The other masked man approached him, unsheathing his two blades. "This'll send a message to Eldenus to prove we're serious, Captain Wurttemburg." The other masked man spoke. "Yes, it shall. Our forces are ever-growing." Captain Wurttemburg spoke, "Lieutenant Ember, let's see if our men can handle these soldiers for now. If not, we'll step in."

  "Yes, sir." Lieutenant Ember spoke, stretching out his arms wielding two blades.