Lys leaned back against the crate in Sara's back room, sitting on top of another crate, watching her face as he laid everything out. Sara also sat in front of him. The small space between them felt even tighter with the weight of what he was saying.
Ten minutes had passed already, maybe more, as he kept his voice low, explaining Rhuvia's plan, the need for the council meeting right now, and how they had to push hard for evacuating the outer settlement inside this village as soon as they could.
Sara listened the whole time without interrupting much, just nodding here and there. She then stood with her arms crossed at first, then started pacing slowly between the stacked crates as he talked, still sitting.
Every few seconds, she'd wipe her hands on her apron even though they were already clean. Her jaw stayed tight, but her eyes were sharp, already working through problems in this plan that he hadn't even mentioned yet.
When he finally finished, Lys released a big breath. "And that's pretty much it. Guild master, Rhuvia, wants this done fast. And I really think she's not messing around. She really wants the outer settlements inside the village."
Sara stopped pacing and looked at him. For a second, her expression softened just a little. Then she started talking, "You don't have to worry about Priest John. I'll handle him. He's stubborn, but he'll listen if I frame it right. And the matter with the outer settlement... that's going to cause a lot of noise from Bezos and Clara's side, I think."
"But as you said, we don't have a choice. Either we do this, or a lot of people will die. We have to move quickly before that happens."
She stepped closer and placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing once. Her fingers were warm from working all day. "You did good coming straight here. Go meet them. I'll get things ready on my end and convince Priest John before coming to the council hall."
Lys gave her a small nod. Part of him wanted to stay longer, just to sit with her for a minute and pretend the dungeon wasn't waking up under their feet. But he knew better than not to waste time now.
He pushed off the crate and headed for the curtain. "Thanks, Sara. I'll see you at the meeting then. Come quickly."
He stepped back into the main shop. The bell chimed softly as he left through the front door this time.
A few villagers lingered near the street, talking in low voices, their eyes darting toward the guild building every few seconds.
Notching all of that, Lys crossed the road, his boots kicking up small clouds of dirt as he walked fast. Just when he came in front of the guild, both Vessa and Rhuvia came out of the big door of the guild building.
They came outside with a handful of adventurers he didn't recognize. Two women and one middle-aged man, all geared up in worn leather and light armor. They looked like experienced adventurers, maybe above rank B.
He slowed his steps as he got closer, catching bits of their conversation.
"…scout the eastern edge first," Rhuvia was saying, pointing toward the distant tree line of Gaiya Forest. "And at all costs, don't engage anything. Just map how far the monsters have already spread, and report back before sunset. Got it?"
The new adventurers nodded. One of them adjusted the strap on her shoulder bag, looking serious. Vessa stood beside Rhuvia, arms loose but eyes alert. She was already giving orders to two other adventurers standing nearby her left side.
"You two head to the outer settlement," Vessa told them, her voice steady and clear. "Tell the people there to start preparing. Pack only what they need. We'll have wagons ready soon. We can't have them panic on top of all of this. Just make it clear that this isn't optional. All must follow the guild's order now, if they don't want to die."
The two adventurers moved off quickly, disappearing down the side street.
Lys walked up just as Rhuvia turned her head and noticed him. That small smile returned to her face like she approved of him showing up on time. Vessa gave him a short nod, nothing more.
"Already told her everything?" Rhuvia asked.
"Yeah, she's a fast learner. She'll come back with Priest John, too." Lys said.
While saying this, he fell in step with them as the three of them started walking together away from the guild hall. The other adventurers split off to handle their tasks, leaving just the three of them heading toward the village center, where the council hall is.
As they walked, Lys glanced around. The street felt busier than usual for this time of day. People were watching them pass, some whispering behind their hands. He kept his expression calm, but inside his thoughts were racing. Everything was moving fast now. Too fast.
He leaned a little closer to Vessa while they walked. "Hey, have you seen Doran, Kord, or Kira around? I haven't spotted them since yesterday."
Vessa slowed her steps for half a second, thinking. She shook her head. "Now that you mention them, no, I haven't seen them since yesterday. They're probably out on some odd quests or handling their own stuff. You know how they are."
She shrugged it off like it was nothing, her shoulders moving casually under the armor she wore now. It was a little big on her, but still she moved with ease with it somehow.
Lys nodded, but a small knot of worry twisted in his stomach anyway. Those three had been around a lot lately. Their sudden absence felt off, especially with everything going on. Still, he didn't push it. In front of him, there were bigger problems right now.
The three of them kept walking down the main road, until the big door of the council hall could be seen.