Robert leaned in with an eager grin. "So? What'd he say? Some secret mission or what?" The others perked up, eyes fixed on Cassian.
Cassian chuckled, shaking his head. "Relax. He just wanted news about his wife - she works with Lady Katherine in the labs."
The team's shoulders slumped slightly. Seeing their disappointment, Cassian rolled his eyes but relented: "Though he did tell me which neighboring force we're being sent to support."
Their faces immediately lit up at his words. "Really? Where?" Theon pressed, leaning forward.
Cassian couldn't help but grin as he slowly looked at each eager face. He let the anticipation build just a moment longer before delivering the punchline: "Wouldn't you like to know?"
Theron groaned, throwing his hands up. "Oh, come on!"
Althea crossed her arms, unimpressed. "You're enjoying this too much."
Wanni, the team mage, sighed and rubbed her temples. "Just tell us before Robert explodes from curiosity."
Robert was practically vibrating in place, his earlier excitement now channeled into dramatic frustration. "This is cruel, Cassian. You can't just—"
Lumine, ever practical, cut in. "Or we could stop pestering him and just wait until the briefing like professionals."
That earned her four identical looks of betrayal.
Cassian laughed, holding up his hands in surrender. "Fine, fine. We're being sent to support the Karemn Earldom's forces. Happy?"
Robert blinked. "Wait, really? That's—"
"Boring," Theron finished, wrinkling his nose. "They're practically neighbors. What's so secret about that?"
Wanni's sharp gaze flicked to Cassian. "Boring? Hardly." Her fingers absently tapped the hilt of her dagger. "They've taken heavy casualties since this war began. If anything, we'll see more action there than sitting around here."
The observation highlighted the difference between mages and pure warriors. While Cassian and the others had been focused on training and drills, Wanni had clearly been paying attention to frontline reports - something that hadn't even crossed Cassian's mind until julius told him.
Cassian nodded in agreement. "She's right. That front's been hit harder than here—we'll likely face warriors ranked above me." There was no fear in his voice, only the steady readiness of someone who'd trained their whole life for such challenges.
The others mirrored his attitude—not with bloodlust, but the focused anticipation of warriors preparing to test their skills. To outsiders, it might seem reckless, but in their world, battle wasn't just necessity; it was opportunity.
Every circle warrior knew the truth: danger forged strength. Surviving impossible fights was how legends were made, how first-circle warriors rose above millions of ordinary soldiers. If not for conscience, some might even welcome war for the chance to advance.
But since they still had morals, they sought their challenges elsewhere—the Ancient Forest, the Challenging Grounds, occasional battlefronts one.
Now that war had come, no true warrior would shy away from the fight. Strength wasn't forged through safety - every circle-ranked fighter knew that. Even mages faced their own dangers, though theirs came in laboratories rather than battlefields. A single miscalculation in spellcraft or mana heart advancement could cripple - or kill - faster than any sword. More mages died pushing their limits in research chambers than ever fell in combat.
"Who's going to be our commander?" Lumine asked, her practical nature cutting straight to logistics.
Cassian shrugged as he settled onto a nearby boulder. "No idea. We'll find out tonight before we ride out." He stretched his legs, adding, "Get your horses ready - we move at nightfall. If anyone's got goodbyes to say, do it now. Could be months before we're back."
His thoughts drifted to Lady Katherine. His improved massage skills now left longer-lasting effects - three days' work should keep her muscles relaxed for a month. But the relief would fade eventually. Part of him wanted to stay, to maintain regular sessions... but orders were orders. Either he'd complete this mission quickly, or find some way to return between assignments.
As the others scattered to prepare, Lumine dropped down beside Cassian, her usual sharp eyes clouded with concern. "I wanted to see Cassandra before we left," she admitted, fingers worrying at her sword belt. "But even Commander Julius hasn't heard anything. It's like she vanished after that last mission."
Cassian recognized that tone - the one that always spiraled toward worst-case scenarios. "War messes with communications," he said, deliberately pragmatic. "No news doesn't mean bad news." When her frown didn't ease, he added, "Tell you what - first thing in Karmen territory, we'll check the long-range message boards. She'll probably have checked in by then."
His attempt at reassurance made, Cassian noticed another absence. "Speaking of missing faces - where's our little shadow? Haven't seen her since I got back."
Lumine's mood lightened slightly as she scanned the camp. "Oh, her? She's been extra restless lately - probably off exploring. She always turns up when food's served."
The sound made both of them turn. A small white kitten padded into view, tail flicking. The moment it spotted Cassian, it let out a louder, almost indignant mew, as if demanding where he'd been all this time.
Lumine scooped the kitten up with a grin. "There's my little princess! Look who's back—your daddy finally decided to show up."
Cassian blinked. 'Daddy?' He wasn't sure when he'd been assigned that title—or who, by extension, that made the "mother." Deciding he didn't want to know, he reached out and took the kitten, scratching under its chin. "Hey there, troublemaker. Heard you've been exploring."
The kitten purred, nuzzling into his hand. Cassian checked it over—no new injuries, and even the old burns on its fur had fully healed.
Lumine scratched the kitten's ears as it curled contentedly in Cassian's lap. "So, are we taking her with us?" she asked, though her smile faltered slightly - they both knew the answer.
Cassian studied the tiny creature. No one would stop them, but the frontlines were no place for something so fragile. Even non-combatants would struggle there. "Too dangerous," he finally said. "She stays here."
"But who can we leave her with?" Lumine gathered the kitten protectively against her chest, fingers still absently stroking its chin.
Cassian considered for a moment. "Lady Katherine. She'll look after her properly while we're gone."
After a brief pause, Lumine nodded. "That could work..."
"Good. We've got time before departure." Cassian grabbed a nearby horse ladle and stood. "Want to come? I'll introduce you to Katherine properly."