As the last vestiges of sunlight were drowned out by the night, the bustling activity of the expedition party continued. Small sparks of light spread throughout the street as torches were lit and passed around. Goods were loaded onto wagons, water barrels were filled by buckets, there was much work to be done and despite the noise, few words were heard.

  A man in dark leather armor reported “Captain, all the provisions have been loaded onto the wagons.”

  “Good, call the men to assemble by the gates. Konway, have the wagons moved outside the gates soon.”

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  The entire group, 50 strong, gathered around Elriek with not a sound. “I hope you’re all well rested, we’ll be moving through most of the night. As you all know, the heat of the wasteland in the day will be too harsh to move so we must move in the dark. I plan to be outside the Everspring forest by sunrise. Let’s get moving.”

  After the booming deep voice rescinded, activity resumed as squadrons gathered and left the city. Soon, all that was left to show that they were even in the city were the empty stables and silence in the once busy streets.