The task scroll sat untouched on Kael's table for the rest of the night.
He didn't reread it.He didn't need to.
Four names. One mission.
At dawn, the courtyard behind the apothecary stirred with motion. Disciples moved between buildings with bags slung over shoulders and blades strapped to backs.
Kael arrived late. Not intentionally—he'd spent too long double-checking his herbal kit, testing salve consistency, measuring powdered roots by weight.
The others were already gathered.
Sariel stood with arms folded, dark hair tied back in a tight braid, expression sharp enough to draw blood. Mero paced with restless energy, rolling his shoulders, occasionally throwing punches into open air.
Riven leaned against a post, arms crossed, face unreadable.
Kael approached, calm and wordless. He offered a shallow nod.
Only Sariel responded.
"You're not even carrying a weapon?" she asked.
Kael shook his head. "I wasn't told I'd need one."
She scoffed. "Did Elric also not tell you what the outer territories are like? Bandits don't wait politely while you mix ointments."
"I don't use weapons," Kael said simply.
"Yeah," Mero chimed in. "We know. You use plants and posture. That might scare off a sore throat, but it won't help when someone puts a knife in your ribs."
Kael didn't flinch. "If they're close enough to stab me, it means someone else failed first."
Riven's eyes flicked toward him—just once—then back to the horizon.
Sariel stepped forward, voice low and cutting.
"This isn't an herb run. It's a real assignment. If you're dead weight, say it now. I'd rather know before we get surrounded and your 'Nameless' nonsense turns out to be exactly that."
The air tightened.
Kael didn't rise to it.
He simply looked at her, eyes clear and calm.
"I'm not here to impress you," he said. "Or to save you. I'm here because they sent me. If that's a mistake, let the mission prove it."
Sariel held his gaze for a beat too long.Then turned away.
Riven pushed off the post. "Enough."
Everyone looked at him.
"We move in two hours. Until then, sharpen what needs sharpening. Mouths don't count."
He walked off without another word.
Kael remained where he was.
He could feel Sariel's irritation like heat on the back of his neck.
But he said nothing.
Let them talk. Let them test.
He wasn't here to prove anything.But he wasn't here to die either.