57 Party Preparations (1/2)
Alistair's office was much the same as it had been when Eric had left only an hour before. With the exception of a few new papers lying on the table, everything else was exactly as it had been earlier. Closing the door behind him, Eric cleared his throat to gain Alistair's attention.
”Yes?” Alistair asked without looking up. ”What do you need, Kystfyr?”
”You told me to see you after I finished recruiting four other members to my party.”
”You're finished recruiting members already?” Alistair asked, looking up at Eric with surprise. ”How did you get four strong members so quickly? Even if you decided to take on Lark, there shouldn't be three fighters close to your own level here in Tonbura outside of your original party members. Did you just recruit anyone who would join?” Alistair asked, his tone turning harsh.
Eric shook his head. ”No, sir. I used the Whisper spell to contact Astrid Feathershot, Aria Magisong, and Turk Behorde. They'll be joining me as members of my party alongside Lark.”
Hearing this, Alistair's gaze softened, although a trace of surprise was still visible on his face. ”You've learned the Whisper spell?”
”Yes, sir. This morning.”
”That certainly makes things easier. Now then, your party is well balanced. Turk Behorde is a strong fighter who can secure the frontline alongside Lark, and Astrid Feathershot is probably the most talented archer I've laid eyes on in over twenty years. I'm assuming Magisong is a healer or a fighter of some sort?”
”Yes, she's a healer and a mage,” Eric confirmed.
”And you've decided to accept Lark into your party?”
”Yes,” Eric intoned again, his voice taking on a slightly harder quality as he spoke. ”But, I did it because of her skill, not for whatever reason you may have for pushing me to accept a Novanalban. I trust you, which is why I'm willing to go along with your plan. But don't think I'm not aware you have deeper motives behind suggesting I recruit Lark,” he stated, finally voicing the concerns he'd been stewing over for the past hour.
While Lark was strong, that was more than likely not the true reason for Alistair's recommendation of her. There were plenty of strong otherworlders who could fill Lark's spot, and even strong Novanalbans with combat experience such as Kifax Catclaw. And yet, Alistair had gone out of his way to recommend he take on Lark. Why? Eric wasn't sure. Despite this, he had still chosen to accept Lark after seeing her skill. He wasn't sure what Alistair's true motive was just yet, but the old militia captain had yet to lead him wrong. Rather than declining and losing both a strong fighter and some of Alistair's goodwill, Eric had chosen to accept Lark into his party.
”I can do that,” Eric replied, his demeanour turning deferential once more.
”Good. Now that your party has been formed, it's time for you to prepare for your first assault. As a new adventurer, I don't expect you to know what a proper party requires, so I've prepared a list of items that you should procure before your first assault. Each member of your party should have their own set of these items,” Alistair said, handing a small piece of paper over to Eric as he returned the conversation to its original topic.
Looking at the list, Eric began ticking items off in his head. Rope, common antidote, torches, dry rations, a grappling hook. Alright, all fairly normal so far, he thought, skimming downwards on the page. Seeing what came next, Eric's eyebrows began to rise. Bow and arrows, weapons, armour, healing potions. Don't I already have most of those? He wondered as he put the list down.