Chapter Text
The beating of hooves against dirt filled the forest. A contrast to the deathly silence only filled by the mumbles of players— that, and rushing winds pressing against their cloaked backs.
The trail ahead of the group stretched endlessly, it felt. Only visible with the help of lanterns, attached to the harnesses of their horses. Even though the fog and shadows still obscured their sight.
"Shaledawn shouldn't be more than an hours ride away." One of the players in the front, Vale, had estimated. His palms readjusted their grip on the compass and map. But it was no use; the compass hands were spinning wildly, and the depiction on the map was much different than what they saw now. Instead of gravelly hills and the dispatching of trees, it was a forest with barren and dead plants. Even the leaves that should've been sprouted were dead and gone.
"You said that yesterday." A female voice whined. Abel had fallen further behind the group, her eyes drooping. "Just admit it. We're lost!"
Vale grimaced, not looking back to argue. He wasn't willing to admit it at first. But every passing second made him more unsure of their path. Ever since they wandered into the fog dense woods, it was like any direction they took led them further into the forest. And away from civilization.
They should have arrived at Shaledawn yesterday. Should have been met with villagers and players alike, wandering the villages' gravel roads and trading. Should have already gotten clearance from the village guards as Helmslocke Knights they requested aid from.
But that wasn't the case.
"We're not lost." The third of their four person group, Rosewood, said. She held her head high as she continued; "The commander would never lead us astray!"
The three others grimaced, memories of the numerous calls that had led to the players getting in more trouble than the missions assigned were worth. Vale was aware she was the newest to the group, but she also had her her fair share of fights, caused by directions from the commander.
Yet she still argued in favor of him. Newly scouted soldiers were bound to do as much.
"Except for that time in The Nether?" Their previously silent friend asked. Ferret had slowed his horse to match pace with her. Losing his spot next to Vale. Despite his teasing tone, Ferrets' eyes were still sharp. Scanning the shadows. That was why he was their second in command.
"Exactly!" She exclaimed, oblivious to his tone. "Except for The Nether."
Abel sighed, "We're so doomed.."
"Enough of that." Vale interrupted. They'd continue this back-and-forth all night if he didn't. "We need to stay focused. Don't forget this is the peak hour for zombie hordes."
Rosewood, who was in the middle of protest, wisely shut her mouth with a determined nod.
"Now that you mention it.." Ferret said. "Isn't it a bit too quiet?"
The group hushed in tense silence. He was right. At this point, they would've expected to hear the groan of a zombie. The pests always were similar to hunters in their way of tracking down living players and attacking in groups. There should've been at least one wandering that would have attacked by now.
Vale grimaced. He didn't like this. "Stay on guard. Anything could happen."
Yet it seemed like nothing would. Ignoring the fog becoming less opaque, the world stayed still, a moment of wait.
"Wait.. up ahead." Ferret called to attention, squinting. "Is that.. light?"
He was right. There was a light ahead. As they approached, the flickering orange and yellows grew brighter, more apparent through the grey clouds. The ground below had changed from the silent, soft sound of crunching grass. It was a harsher churn of gravel and stone. Abels eyes widened. She was the first to say what they all were thinking.
"It's Shaledawn. We actually made it.."
Rosewood sighed out. "Thank Notch, finally can get some good accommodation." She had led her horse forwards, ignoring the soft glares from the group.
They approached the village gates, walls of oak logs acting as support pillars holding up cobblestone walls. The gates were closed, and no guards were in sight.
"Where are—" the sound of snapping branches broke Vale from his silent pondering.
Before he could call out a warning, the swish of a projectile landed right in the leg of Abels horse. The animal crying in pain and collapsing, taking the player down with it. And the arrow stood pointed.
The other horses panicked, neighs of terror filled the silence as the players were bucked from their saddles. Vale hissed as he was ejected from horseback, head slamming against the gravel.
"Look out!"
He was shaken from his daze as Rosewood grabbed his arm, pulling him from the ground. The missed swing of a sword embedded into the ground instead of his neck.
A person stood in the open, his own head craning up to meet him, covered by a coaked hood. The sword was pulled to point right at the player, mechanical and stiff. Untrained.
He was able to spot it then. They were surrounded by multiple people. All wearing the same heavy cloaks. They approached from the shadows with multiple weapons all trained on the players.
Ferret swore, yelling; "What's the meaning of this? Do you not realize this is a declaration of war!? We are knights of Helmslocke!"
They didn't flinch at the declaration. They hadn't even twitched at the mention of the nation. Just continued their approach.
This was a trap. And they fell right into it.
---
Steve never was on a ship before.
He'd be the first to admit that sailing the seas, relying only on the wooden hull and luck was terrifying. Horrible. It was the last thing he'd want to do. Ever.
Yet here he was, arms wrapped tightly on the railings of a ship like his life depended on it. And it very well did— something as small as a light breeze could rip apart the wood hull!
His eyes were glued to the waters below, a deep-warm blue that stretched on endlessly below.
If he fell, would anyone notice? Would he drift to the ocean floor and die in the depths below?
His grip tightened on the rails, the wood creaking under his grip.
"Staring won't make you feel better, lad."
Steve flinched away from the hand landing on his shoulder. He hadn't even noticed someone had walked up to him.
It was Lucas. A blond haired man decked with his usual uniform and cap with the words "I'm either fishin', or I'm dead!" Printed across. He was also his father. "Woah. Really bad day, huh?"
Did he even need to respond to that?
"Right.. dumb question." He laughed, taking place next to Steve as he continued to ramble. "It's nice out. You need to relax more, ease up your bones. Don't want a crooked back like your old man."
"You made that up."
"And you're smiling at it!"
He was surprised to find that he was. Somehow, Lucas just had that effect on people.
Steve quickly slammed on his best glare. No way in hell would he let the blond get more smug than he probably was.
Lucas' own smile fell, eyes gazing longingly at the horizon. "She would've loved to see you here. Would've loved to know you're finally trying out sailing."
"I'm never doing this again once we're at Aldivine."
"So you've said almost twenty times now." Lucas sighed. He turned back to the brunet. "You could always lay down those books of yours and join me at home if not here. I barely see you anymore."
Steve grimaced. He hated how guilt gnawed, dug under his skin every time he saw his father, heard of the man's wishes for him to just be there. Lucas wasn't getting younger, grey hairs were starting to grow in place of blond.
"Steve, listen." He cupped Steves face, turning his head to meet his eyes. Subconsciously, Steve couldn't help but think of how much pain was there. "I am proud of you, You've become a fine young man. And your mother would have been over the moon to see you here now. You know that, right?"
No, he didn't. Deep down, he knew his father was lying. She would've been furious to know that Steve had left his father so often, alone and old. No matter the reason, not even if it was for her.
He nodded along anyway. It's better to put his father at ease. It's the least he could do.
Lucas smiled, lightly patting him on the back. "I hope to see you for dinner next month, Casey misses you."
Casey. His little cousin. One who'd barrel towards him, talking about her day with her friends, asking for advice through usual drama.
Well, maybe not so little anymore.. He chuckled fondly, not able to picture her as anything other than that eleven year old girl who had become like a sister. But she had to have grown, he hadn't seen her since he was fifteen. Nearly four years ago.
"I—" Steve swallowed back his denial, letting it catch in his throat. He had a job around that time, one that the brunet agreed to without much thought at the time, similar to the one at Aldivine.
But the blond had looked so hopeful, expectant to see him there. It hurt to say no to. Especially with Casey as leverage.
Lucas knew what he was doing by bringing her up. And he couldn't blame him.
"Yeah— yeah, I'll be there, dad."
And it was so worth it to see the man practically beam. He really was cruel, wasn't he?
Seve leaned back against the railing, looking out to sea as he subconsciously listened to the old man ramble on about things he needed to do on the ship for today, just basic maintenance.
What was one angry customer, compared to an entire family? He would take his chances. It's not like the job was relevant to what he was searching for, anyway.
It was just quick cash to him.