“From what I’ve been told, there are eight Elementalists terrorizing the border towns,” Stefen was seated on a couch next to Gabriel. Sitting across from them were Oliver and Sarah, with Alec and Nina standing behind them. Clark and Clara were slowly walking around the big entrance room of the Town Hall, browsing the portraits of past mayors that hung on the walls. “They burn houses, steal, and kill the town guard, while leaving the citizens alone for the most part. Additionally, in Dorgaz, a town about 20 miles east of here, they killed a Rank 3 Fire Elementalist and his Rank 2 partner, which seems to hint that at least one of them is a level 4. That or they have exceptional teamwork to be able to come out of a conflict like that unscathed.”

“Mayor Stormwell,” Clark read off the inscription that hung under the portrait of the current mayor, “Where is he now?”

“He’s currently holding a meeting with the townspeople to discuss what’s going on, he said that he will be over to greet you once he is finished.”

“Rank 4 huh, if it’s just one I think we can manage but if we’re up against multiple Rank 4s then it might be problematic,” Oliver responded to Stefen’s analysis.

“You afraid of some Rank 4s, Oliver? How many Rank 4s have we beaten up on?” Clark teased.

“This isn’t the Academy anymore, idiot, these people are dangerous. I think we should be cautious” Clara said, pushing Clark gently on the shoulder.

“Right, please do, this town’s wellbeing and our lives depend on it,” Gabriel said his first words to the six newcomers without raising his eyes from his lap.

“All the members of the town guard have grown up here and have families here. So we would greatly appreciate it if we could minimize the damage done to Deikon,” Stefen said, backing up his friend.

“Our mission from the King is just to kill the eight Elementalists terrorizing these border-” Oliver started, being interrupted by the arrival of Mayor Stormwell, who came into the Town Hall huffing and puffing. He was an overweight middle-aged man with a receding hairline so far back that it seemed it would look more proper if he just shaved his entire head.

“Sorry for my late arrival,” the Mayor slowly got out through deep breaths. “I ran over here after my meeting to make sure I could greet Holy Knights of your caliber in a timely manner.”

“Stop, stop,” Oliver waved his hand, “You don’t have to be so formal in greeting us, we just graduated from the Academy and have no more experience in real combat than any of the villagers in this town.”

“Surely, you jest, while it might be true that you are newly graduated, the Kingdom is rejoicing that they have been given such talented youths as yourself. Your squads strength is unparalleled and great things are expected of you six. I cannot afford to mistreat the strongest unit our Kingdom has to offer.”

“Fine, fine, do what you want. Do we have any updates on the whereabouts of these eight Elementalists?” Oliver said, changing the subject.

“The scouts we sent out last night have yet to return,” Stefen said as Stormwell clumsily squeezed in between him and Gabriel.

“Ha, there’s no way an Unranked person could evade being detected by a Rank 4” Clark scoffed.

“So are you saying that they know they’re being detected? Because we’ve had scouts return saying they saw these eight Elementalists,” Gabriel responded.

“They probably just don’t care, and assume no one in this village is strong enough to worry about,” Sarah said, yawning.

“Looks like you finally woke up,” Oliver cracked a smile as he looked to the dark-haired sleepy girl next to him.

“I hate sleeping on the ground,” Sarah replied.

“This coming from an Earth Elementalist,” Alec smiled behind her.

“Hush,” Sarah said, turning back and smiling.

“Well, they’re gonna be in for a surprise when they come face to face with you six,” The mayor of Deikon said, ignoring the flirtatious banter coming from the youths in front of him.

“Hopefully,” Oliver said, the grin disappearing from his face. “Can you show us the opposite end of the town so we can see where they’ll likely be approaching from.”

“Right now?” The Mayor asked. “Aren’t there other things we should discuss first?”

“We can talk on the walk over there, I don’t want to waste any more time and we’re all tired as you can well see. I want to have a look at the edge of the town and get some rest, before preparing for combat, is that okay with you guys?” Oliver said as he glanced around the room at the other 5 members of his party. They all nodded.

“Ahh okay, very well, let’s go,” Stormwell sighed.