The other Familiars and Sally had gone back together, they were sharing a room. Lyra went back to report on her duties, then eventually to sleep in her own. Aurelion had tasked her to share tomorrow’s schedule with Rowan which she had filled before going back to sleep in her room. Everything needed to report or stuff which required one to one interaction had been done. All that was left now the night to end.
The night slowly gave way to dawn as the quiet darkness began to loosen its hold over the land. One by one, the stars faded from the sky, their pale light replaced by the soft glow spreading along the eastern horizon. A cool morning breeze drifted through the open courtyards and streets, carrying with it the faint scent of dew and damp earth. The world seed to stretch awake gradually; distant birds began their first calls, and the faint sounds of early activity stirred within the city. Sunlight crept over rooftops and tower walls, brushing the stone in warm gold as the long shadows of night finally retreated. A new day had begun, calm and unhurried, as if the world itself had taken a quiet breath before everything started moving again.
This was the day for Rowan and Aurelion to depart and to experience their first Dungeon experience. Aurelion had inford Rowan through Lyra that they would et at the training yards and was patiently waiting for him. Rowan arrived at the training yard carrying a large travel pack slung firmly over his shoulders, the kind used by adventurers preparing for long expeditions.
The bag looked almost too big for him, yet he carried it with determination. Strapped across his back was a short practice sword and a sturdier iron blade beside it, both secured so they would not swing while he moved. The pack itself was tightly packed with supplies: coils of rope, a folded bedroll, a small lantern with spare oil, flint for fire, and wrapped bundles of dried food. A waterskin hung from the side along with a compact first-aid kit and a few simple tools for climbing or prying open old dungeon doors. Even a small tal hook and pitons clinked faintly when he walked. Rowan set the pack down for a mont to adjust the straps, looking slightly strained under the weight but clearly proud of the preparation. It was the kind of equipnt soone carried when they intended to step into a dungeon and co back out alive.
"... What’s with all this?" Aurelion asked while chuckling a little at Rowan. "... I don’t know, I was just told that I will be going out on an exploration today. Then, Mira packed all this saying that she studied in books that all this stuff will be needed." He answered, feeling a little embarrassed and annoyed by the backpack. "... Whatever, suits your taste then." Aurelion said, and then turned towards the training area. "...Do so light exercise before we leave to heat up your body." He added.
Rowan took a mont in the open yard to warm his body. He rolled his shoulders, stretched his arms, and bent slowly at the waist to loosen his back and legs. The morning air was still cool, and his breath ca out in small white clouds as he moved through a series of simple exercises. He jogged a short circle across the yard, then dropped into a few quick push-ups before rising again and shaking the stiffness from his arms. The movents were not flashy or complicated, just the kind of routine a fighter used to wake up his muscles before real work began. By the ti he finished, the tension in his limbs had eased and his posture had settled into a ready stance, the quiet focus of soone preparing himself for whatever the dungeon might hold.
".... I am ready now, let’s depart." He said. Aurelion moved forward towards the main gate where their wagon was waiting for them to leave. "...Follow ." He said. They stretched towards the main gate.
At the main gate of the Royal Castle, a small convoy had already been assembled for their departure. A line of armored guards stood beside their horses, adjusting reins and checking the straps of their gear while the animals shifted impatiently against the stone courtyard. The morning light reflected off polished breastplates and spearheads, giving the group a quiet but unmistakable sense of readiness. Two spare horses were held near the front while a light supply cart waited behind them, its contents secured beneath leather coverings. The massive castle gates were open ahead, revealing the long road stretching beyond the capital walls. Everything had been arranged with efficiency, the guards prepared to move the mont the order was given.
"... I didn’t know, we needed this much just to explore a dungeon." Rowan said. "... I didn’t either." Aurelion looked surprised himself. He turned his head at the stone floor of the pavent. Lyra was standing there, along with Sally.
"... Lyra, what is all this?" Aurelion asked. "... Did not I tell you to only minimal preparations?" He added. Lyra bowed, then said. "... Your highness, this is all been done under Her Majesty’s order. Words in the Castle tell that she believed even this much is not enough but only settled for this after His Majesty’s Multiple and relentless attempts to decrease the security." Lyra took a pause, then she rembered. " Not only this, the maids passed so words to that his Majesty has ordered to inform you that this is only for safety and you can not take their help for your expedition."
Aurelion sighed, then shook his head. He felt troubled but then his gaze landed upon Sally who was idly standing beside Lyra. "...Sally, Why are you here now?" He asked. Sally landed her one foot forward and said with pride, "... This Honorable one shall also join you for this venture cause the honorable one is bored." She declared.
[To be Continued]
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