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"Let\'s gather up the tents and set them up in pairs. I can\'t ensure that we\'ve got a cosy corner for each of you." Henry jumped off his seat, and we all stepped out of the carriage.

The breeze feels nice,I thought. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the campsite, I felt the chill of the evening settle in.

Anabelle and Barbara took charge of one, securing the poles and fastening the canvas, while Zark and Ali tackled another. Henry and I efficiently assembled the third tent nearby. Once the tents were pitched and our temporary shelter stood tall, we set up our tents in a small clearing near the main route to Eldoria, surrounded by towering trees that whispered secrets in the wind. It was time to gather around the campfire, which I had conjured with a flick of my fire elemental magic. The crackling flames danced and illuminated our faces as we sat in a loose circle.

I glanced around at Anabelle\'s companions. It\'s quiet here.

Anabelle sat beside me, a faint blush on her cheeks as she stole glances in my direction.

Ali, on the other hand, seemed to find every opportunity to mock me. He did it the whole ride, but I clearly said something back that made him get on his edge. Now he has made it like a competition where he finds a chance to mock me, to one up on me.

He clearly had a bone to pick, but I couldn\'t quite figure out why.

Flip.

Zark, ever the bookish mage, sat next to him, absorbed in a worn tome, while Barbara leaned against a fallen log, her muscular frame imposing even in the flickering firelight.

Henry, the quiet swordsman, kept to himself, watching the flames with a distant look in his eyes while making the dinner.

\'It smells awful.\' I cannot say that out loud because it would be rude.

\'From when have you been considerate about other people\'s feelings, princess?\' Blaze never let\'s go of any opportunity given to him to make fun of me.

"What\'s on the menu tonight, Henry? It smells..... interesting." Barbara asked while wrinkling her nose.

"Well, folks, tonight we\'ve got a humble feast. We\'ve got some overcooked sausages and a pot of plain boiled vegetables. It\'s not exactly gourmet cuisine, but it\'ll fill our bellies." Henry said sheepishly.

"Ah, a culinary masterpiece indeed. I can practically taste the gourmet flavours bursting in my mouth." I said it with a slight tint of mischief, and it earned a giggle from Barbara as well as Henry.

...

"It\'s ready." Henry handed out the plates, each filled with a meagre portion of overcooked sausages and boiled vegetables.

"Well, here goes nothing." I said As I took a bite, the taste was far from satisfying. The flavours lacked the magic that my taste buds longed for, reminding me how great the food my mother makes for me is.

"umm?" I noticed something peculiar. No one complained or expressed disappointment. It dawned on me that they had grown accustomed to these humble rations, having faced hardships on their journey.

I ate the whole dinner in this quiet atmosphere; it\'s like I am sitting alone in the darkness where no one is able to find me; it\'s just me in darkness and silence. It feels nice, like-

"Hey Ren, your fire magic is really impressive. Can you do anything else besides make campfires? Maybe something useful?" Ali\'s voice cut through the quiet evening air, laced with sarcasm.

Sigh

"Oh, Ali, I\'m glad you\'re so interested in my magic. But you see, fire is a tricky element. It takes great skill to wield it properly. I wouldn\'t want to burn those perfectly styled eyebrows of yours, since they are the only facial hair you have left." I turned my gaze towards Ali, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

\'Ooo, that must\'ve stung.\' Blaze passed along a comment.

"Oh, don\'t worry about my eyebrows. They\'re a work of art, unlike your magic tricks.". He tried to save face by retorting, A muffled laugh escaped from the others, causing Ali\'s face to flush with embarrassment.

 

"Come on, guys, let\'s not turn this into a roast battle. We\'re all in this together, remember?" Zark, trying to lighten the mood, chimed in,

Barbara nodded in agreement, her muscular frame casting a shadow over the fire. "Yeah, we\'ve got a long journey ahead of us. Let\'s focus on keeping our spirits high and our blades sharp."

I leaned back and said "You know, Ali, I\'ve been thinking. Maybe I should buy you a wig; you\'ll get a lot of ladies hanging around you. Just imagine the possibilities."

The laughter that erupted this time was no longer muffled but wholehearted. Ali\'s embarrassment was evident, and he quickly changed the subject, attempting to regain his composure.

From that moment on, the mocking tone in his voice seemed to soften, and he refrained from targeting me directly.

"Ren, we\'re running low on water, and we need to replenish it. Come with me; we\'ll go fetch some from that pond over there." Henry said suddenly, and I nodded in understanding. It was his first condition that he\'d have to act like one of them and not be a burden on them.

The silence hung in the air, broken only by the soft rustle of leaves beneath our feet. We walked side by side, the silence between us palpable. As we reached the pond\'s edge, Henry casually broke the ice.

"Hey, Ren, I\'ve been meaning to ask. Yesterday, you mentioned that Ali would face consequences if he didn\'t apologise. What did you mean by that?" he asked.

I paused for a moment, a flicker of uncertainty crossing my face, before I regained my composure.

"Henry, words have power, and actions have consequences. Let\'s just say that Ali would have learned the price of his choices." I continued. "Well, it\'s a matter best left in the past now since he apologised, even if it was when you intervened."

"That\'s....good then." Henry said. I noticed a hint of surprise and curiosity in Henry\'s eyes, but he swiftly masked it, maintaining his calm demeanour. With the water cans filled, we began the journey back to camp.

After that, we continued our conversations by the campfire, and I observed the subtle shifts in dynamics among the group. Anabelle seemed more at ease but was still silent, and Barbara and Henry engaged in occasional banter. Zark even joined in, putting aside his book for a moment to contribute to the laughter. It felt good to see them connecting and reconciling their differences.

While I considered Anabelle my friend, I realised that these are strangers to me; it\'s just that I want them to get along with Anabelle.

Perhaps this journey had more in store for us than I initially thought. And as long as the fire burned bright and laughter filled the air, I would do my best to bring all of them together, even if it meant enduring Ali\'s jabs with a sarcastic smile.

Little did I know the complexities that existed within this group—the unspoken feelings and hidden tensions. But for now, under the starry night sky, we were all just travellers, seeking companionship and a shared moment of respite before we continued on our path to Eldoria.

As the night wore on, we retreated to our respective tents, seeking rest for the journey that lay ahead. The crackling fire dwindled, its warmth replaced by the embrace of slumber.

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(Next Day.)

As the sun began its descent, casting a warm, golden glow over the horizon, our weary group approached the towering gates of Eldoria.

We travelled all day long and finally arrived at Eldoria. It took us like half a day to reach here.

The city guards, clad in their polished armour, approached us with an air of authority.

"Halt! State your business in Eldoria." One of the guards asked calmly, It\'s his everyday business; it\'s not like he is imposing on us.

"We\'re a mercenary group. We\'ve come a long way and require shelter and provisions." Henry stepped forward, his voice calm but firm.

The guards exchanged a quick glance, their eyes lingering on our worn-out attire and tired expressions. After a cursory inspection, they nodded, seemingly satisfied.

"Very well. Proceed to the city. Remember to abide by the laws and regulations of Eldoria," said the guard.

With their permission granted, we entered the city, greeted by a modest yet bustling scene. Eldoria, a city that could be described as

"Boring." These are the only words I can think of after seeing the city myself.

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