Date: Day 1 of Escort to Narshia
Location: Eastern Outskirts, The Academy → Narshia Trade Path
---
We left just before dawn.
No carriage. No heralds. No crests.
Too easy to target. Too easy to trace.
The daughter of Count Narshia walked in plain leather boots and a travel cloak, blending in with the rest of us — except for the way she walked. Light. Confident. Almost too calm for someone who'd recently been "rescued" from her own escort.
She introduced herself to the team at the gate.
> "Celene. No titles, please."
Lily glanced at me. Alice said nothing. I nodded once, then turned to the road.
---
Noon – Open Plains
The sun beat down. The grass whispered in dry wind.
Anna and Riya were ahead, playing a guessing game with monster tracks. Leander was grumbling about needing a better sword grip — something about his "heroic swing angle." Gideon ignored him.
Elric adjusted his bag and walked beside Celene. She didn't speak unless spoken to. But when she did?
> "Why does your squad walk in a staggered pattern?"
"Why do you keep a caster in the rear-left?"
"You use hand signals. Are they standardized?"
He gave polite answers. But his eyes were narrowing a bit more with each question.
> "You ask like a tactician," Elric finally said.
She tilted her head. "I listen like one."
I kept half an ear open from the back of the line.
By mid-afternoon, I'd counted thirty-seven questions from her.
None of them were small talk.
---
Evening – Camp Set-up
We made camp at a sheltered grove off the trade path. Fire low. Packs circled. Everyone relaxed — or tried to.
Anna conjured a dancing flame figure and named it "Commander Nitsuo Jr."
Leander asked if it came with its own sarcasm pack.
> "You'll have to donate one," I replied.
Laughter followed. Even Gideon cracked half a smile.
Riya handed out bread. Lily added wild herbs to soup. Alice sharpened a dagger, slow and steady.
Celene sat near the fire, sketching something in a small, worn notebook. I couldn't see what. She didn't try to hide it, but it didn't feel open either.
When the meal ended, I raised my voice.
> "Night rotation: Gideon first with Riya. Then Leander with Elric. Alice and I'll take last. Standard signals. Wake the next pair on time."
Everyone nodded — routine drilled into muscle memory.
But before anyone turned in, Leander leaned close with a grin.
> "So… thoughts on our mystery princess?"
Anna flopped onto her blanket, hands behind her head.
> "She's got the vibe of a sleeping dagger. All smiles, no blinking."
Riya: "I think she's curious. Not in a bad way. Just... sharp."
Elric: "She watches people too cleanly. Like she's cataloging."
Gideon simply said, "She steps without sound. And she's always watching Commander."
Lily stayed quiet, stirring the last of the soup with a small frown.
Alice stood. Looked toward the woods.
> "I don't like how her eyes linger."
Everyone turned to me.
> "She's a variable," I said. "And variables need watching."
> "Oh, come on," Leander grinned. "You saying she's dangerous?"
> "No," I replied.
> "I'm saying she's useful. That's more dangerous."
---
End of Entry – Journal Note (scribbled in margin):
> Celene Narshia. Low mana. High precision. Hidden blades don't need magic — they need intent.