4 The Late Sleeper

There was a low numbing feeling coming from my legs. The lactic acid was setting into my muscles from over exerting myself. I sighed and began stretching, that made it worse. A charley horse began to bite it way up my leg from my ankle. I stretched my legs the other way and that seemed to make it stop. I groaned and sat up. The fire had been put out long ago. A small sliver of smoke rose from it from the light that was pouring into the tent from the vent at the top. I walked over to the cradle to check on the child. It was empty all for a note. I picked it up and began to read it.

================================================================

Good Morning Lady Mildgyth, if you are reading this then you must have finally woke up. I hope you didn't oversleep again like usual. I took our cute and small young master out if you are wondering. I have left you a change of garments and a fresh pot of water for cleaning. Please get ready as quickly as possible due to the squad leaders are wanting to see you for briefing. There will be food provided for you if you are also wondering. Do NOT be late.

~Julius

================================================================

I looked up from the note and beside the cradle was the pot of steaming water at the edge of the tent with a towel right beside it. I dipped the towel into it twisted it as I pulled it out. Steam rose from the towel. I began patting down my face. Dirt began cake the cloth, I repeated the action of dipping, wringing, and patting multiple times. I never felt like I could get cleaned enough. The dirt got into the cracks of my skin and became part of my body itself. When I finished I saw a fresh change of clothes right beside the pot. I quickly turned around, no one was present. I hurriedly put on my garments while checking my status. Health: 300/300, Magic: 500/700, and Stamina: 80/100. Satisfied that I made a decent recovery, I tied back my damp hair and walked out the tent.

The sun was beginning to rise quite a bit by now. Must have been around 9 O'clock. The camp was already alive and moving. Different soldiers moved around carrying supplies and weapons. They were loading up various wagons and collapsing certain tents.

"Lady Mildgyth, good morning." A small voice came from a solider nearing the tent. Her hair was braided and put up in a ponytail. She wore light armor over her torso. "The leaders are looking for you in the main tent."

"Thank you dear, I will go ahead and make my way there right now." I replied back. I sighed to myself as I made my trip there. These people are always early to rise and start. Why can't they rest even a little?

The tent was large and directly centered in the middle of the camp. There were more soldiers as I neared the center. Some hurried over to the tent with the blacksmith in it. The sound of pounding hammers rang out as the smiths worked on weapons upkeep. There was another tent with smoke rising out of the middle. The smell of fresh bread waffled over and made my stomach growl. Laughter could be heard from the dinning tent as people came in and left for breakfast. Other tents where being taken down and packed up. I pushed aside the entrance veil and was meet with various stares from different comrades.

"Good to see you awake Lady Mildgyth." A gentleman said standing in the middle of the group. "I am glad you decided to join early this morning instead of in the afternoon." He somewhat chuckled.

"I mean, I can come back later if you want me to Alarik." I said with a bit of sass as I crossed my arms. I stared at him for a moment.

"Do as you please. We will just leave you behind then." He said with a grunt. He crossed his arms and began small talk with the rest of the other members.

I saw the provisions they left out on the table near them. I walked over and helped myself to them. There were different breads laid about. There was a platter of died meat next to some fruit. I picked up an apple and a small loaf of bread. I started chowing away as someone in walked in and handed Alarik a small parchment that was rolled up and tied. He opened it and read it. The room fell silent.

"Just as we suspected. The other teams have returned to their base. Only one sustained wounds. They also did not find any 'prizes.' It seems that it was only the parties of Solis and Mondlicht were able to locate them." He said sternly as he gave out the information.

"Do we know if the cult had sacrificed them off, or was it that only two 'prizes" that where found?" A small voice came from the side. It matched the small figure it came from.

"We do not know that information. The request from the guild did not specific clearly how many children we would be rescuing." He replied.

"Do we know which cult was leading the summoning ritual?" Another person asked. It startled me a bit due to the voice coming unexpectedly from behind. I swallowed my last bite choking a little bit. I knew I was going to have to answer this question as Alarik's eyes fell on me.

"Their emblem was unknown. Although it looked like it had a universal meaning so we are hypothesizing that they are beginning to unify under one banner." I said. Whispers began to break out between the members of the group.

"Everyone quite down." Alarik commanded bringing the groups attention back to him. Right before he was about to speak the veil of the tent was flung right open. A person rushed in stopping before the group wheezing. They were dressed in a clock of white a gold. It was one of our scouts.

"Breath lad, what is the issue." Alarik questioned as he looked down to him.

"There is a small militia heading this way. We didn't sound the alarms due to they may get the idea to charge on us. They have kept their distance for some time but it seems like they are about to mobilize again." He said under a raspy voice.

"What about Mondlicht?" He questioned again.

"They are mobilizing as we speak. Since they took notice first." He said. "I was also sent to tell you that their leaders where going to send their troops and supplies to maximize our potential if they do become hostile. They should also be here very shortly to discuss with you about an action plan."

As he said this the veil opened up and a rush of members began to file in greeting us. Julius popped his head in and motioned me to come out. I slipped out pretty easily as Alarik would be extremely preoccupied by the new visitors. Julius awaited by the entrance. The small child was in his arms.

"Lady Mildgyth, did you hear about the oncoming militia?" He asked looking concerned. I nodded my head. His face grew a little pale.

Right before I could answer him, a loud bang came from across the river. There was a thud and a flash of light and smoke came from across the way. One of the tents light up in flames as people began shouting. A barrier went up.

"Damn, they caught us in a surprise attack before any negotiations could have occurred!" I said out loud. I looked back to Julius and the child. "Do me a favor, and this would be the biggest one you can do for me. Go to the tent of the blacksmith named Simon. He is an Ullnite that has the special package. It is to be delivered back to Ullnia. With both, go there and speak to my friend. She will know what to do." I explained a circle of light with a symbol in the middle formed in my hand. A letter appeared from it and I handed it over to him.

"But Lady…" He began to say but was interrupted by a heavy onslaught of battery against the barrier.

"Do this for me please!" I begged him. He nodded and ran off to his tent.

I turned back around. It seems like the other leaders didn't take long to discuss a plan as they were already out helping with the situation. I could hear shouting coming from the front lines as they began to blow up the bridge and set up ranged. I summoned my staff and began to move closer to the barrier to help reinforce it.