Just outside of the town walls lay the spot the caravan was organising, carts and carriages all hitched up besides the main road. People from all walks of life congregated in their own groups and yet, even separate as they were, they couldn't stay further away from a single gathering near the front. There, talking in voices too quiet to overhear, stood five Mages with their sixth on their way to join them.

Amy studied the people she'd be working with over the coming days and didn't quite know what to think. She couldn't quite tell the details from afar, but it seemed at least one of them was an Apprentice. The rest, however, were all stronger than her; Journeymen, and not the inexperienced kind either. Not like herself. Felin's head perked out from her purse, playing the part of an inquisitive cat perfectly. Amy could see no real intelligence behind those fake eyes, only the instinct of a feline companion that she had fashioned out of the mana.

The first person to approach her from that group wasn't a Mage at all. Rather, the caravan master, a rotund man of later years, held out a clammy hand and greeted her warmly.

"Welcome, welcome!" He laughed audaciously, his voice carrying through the entire troupe. "I know what you had requested, but I thought it'd be better for you to at least meet your co-workers."

"I understand," Amy nodded, letting the man lead her towards the rest.

"I suppose introductions are in order then!" He clapped too loudly, making Amy wince slightly. "This lass is Amy, an Apprentice Mage who'll be accompanying us. She won't be on guard duty officially but she'll be free to help around every now and again and keep order among the passengers."

"Pleasure to meet you all," She bowed politely. Amy couldn't quite see who, but someone grunted back a response.

"Ah, this is Gadrun, a Journeyman Mage from the North. He'll be focused on protection, mainly leading away threats before they get close and stopping them in their tracks when they do."

"If they do," Gadrun corrected, Amy finally putting a voice to the face as she turned to meet him. From his pronounced jaw and brow, as well as a wider stature, he had the tell-tale signs of a dwarf and yet he seemed too tall to be full-blooded. His black hair was kept in long intricate braids and a scraggy curly beard hid most of his face. Fully covered in reinforced armour, metal lining every leather pad, Amy held no doubts that he couldn't live up to his promise. To him, Amy merely nodded, as he didn't seem to be the kind to appreciate long windy introductions.

"His partner is another Journeyman, Zachrem, who hails from Lunstra," The caravan master continued on.

"Nice to meet you," Zachrem smiled slightly, his voice heavily accented. He seemed a bit younger than Gadrun but not by much, just without the lines and wrinkles that graced the other's face. With curly blond hair, tanned skin and a warm disposition, he made quite the impression. "I'm more the counterpart to him, so I can cover a lot of our offensive front."

"Water magic?" Amy couldn't help but ask.

"Yes. I've been formally trained although it's not what I'd use out here. Only in the more dire circumstances should you see it."

"Well, I wouldn't hope to encounter trouble, but I'd love to see it some time if you're open to a demonstration. I've always heard stories about what your people can do..."

"I'd be happy to."

"We also have an Iyrtiran association Mage with us, Journeyman Grey," The caravan master gestured to a tall gangly man next, his features dark and serious. In fact, he was so pale Amy doubted he had seen the light of day in years.

"Greetings, Apprentice..."

"Wachlund."

"Greetings, Apprentice Wachlund," Journeyman Grey nodded firmly at her. "I shall be the one scouting ahead of the caravan. I am a Jay in the Corvid Order so you can freely expect that which you have heard of my School from me."

"Your reputation precedes you," Amy complimented, her eyes widening in shock. She did not anticipate meeting an association Mage today, let alone one from such a prestigious School. Unfortunately, it just meant she had to be a little bit more guarded on her journey, just in case.

"Thank you."

"Next is Apprentice Clark, another association Mage who is under Journeyman Grey."

"Pleasure to meet you, Miss Wachlund," Apprentice Clark bowed to her. The woman herself was someone shorter and perhaps a bit older than Amy, with a short auburn bob and large blue eyes. "I can't claim to be anything like a Mage from the Corvids, but I have graduated from advanced government Schooling with top marks. I specialise in zoning Magicks for if we ever encounter conflict; to keep them away from you as far as possible and to give us Mages better chances by splitting them up. I am, however, mostly for support due to my lower Tier."

"Pleasure to meet you as well, Miss Clark."

"Finally, we have a Disciple of the Devouring Maw here today-"

"I can introduce myself, sir," The disciple interrupted, perhaps a bit impolitely. He seemed far more laid-back than his co-workers, leaning on one of the carriages behind him. Despite his younger appearance, he was probably older than her considering his Tier. With black hair and disturbingly dark eyes, he seemed both lackadaisical and serious, as if nothing on the journey could actually trouble him. And considering the School he was a part of, perhaps there wasn't. "The name's Damien Altner. I'm essentially a Density Mage who'll be our main offensive Mage in a fight. I've dabbled in and can cast a bit of Gravity Magick as well, but I haven't learned enough to properly master it yet. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too... Damien," She said hesitantly, returning the casual introduction appropriately. Still, she couldn't shake the nerves she got when she had first heard that School's name. It was one of the only Schools as well known as the Holy See and had branches on more than just this continent. Amy had wanted anything but major attention and it seemed she was receiving it in droves with such decorated Mages travelling with her.

"With that all sorted then-"

"What can you do, Amy?" Gadrun interrupted the caravan master again, beginning to visibly grate on the poor man.

"I'm... I can provide protection and distractions with Illusions, and I also can heal and treat any injuries you or others might have along the way. I also have access to some more... esoteric magic, but nothing that'd be too useful here. More for my own interests than anything practical."

"Would you be able to hold the line when the time comes?" Gadrun pressed hard, leaning forward.

Meeting his gaze resolutely, Amy answered, "Yes."

Gadrun remained there, staring directly into her eyes, for quite some time. Finally, after some unseen moment passed, he smiled.

"Good."

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* * *

The caravan departed a couple of hours after their meeting of Mages. Amy ended up in one of the middle carriages, alongside a small family who were on the journey with her. Of course, just as she thought she'd be making the first part of the trip in peace, one of the Mages thought it appropriate to intrude.

"Journeyman Grey, Miss Clark, I didn't expect you," Amy tried to be polite, but it was clear her smile was strained.

"No need to worry, Apprentice Wachlund, you aren't being put to work just yet," Journeyman Grey chuckled, taking a seat across from her.

"What brings you here then?"

"I noticed that you have a magical companion, yes?" He nodded towards her purse, where Felin made a timely appearance, popping his head to see who asked after him.

"Yes... I do. This is Felin," Amy said, grabbing the cat and holding him in her lap, much to his displeasure. She could feel the way his spine tensed up under her grasp, not at all comfortable with his current treatment.

For some reason, Apprentice Clark snorted at that, turning her head away. At the two other Mages' attention, she tried to shy away, pretending that she hadn't laughed at all.

"I mean, it's the name," Apprentice Clark smirked awkwardly, not meeting Amy's eyes. "Calling a cat Felin is... funny, no?"

"I suppose it might be," Journeyman Grey muttered, unimpressed. "So, as I was about to get onto, is your companion suitable for scouting purposes? It would be useful to co-ordinate our Spells if so."

"Ah," Amy winced, looking down at her Familiar and suddenly struck with indecision. She very well could disclose Felin's full capabilities, and likely make both his and her journey's a lot harder in the process. Or, she could downplay them a little, and risk getting caught out in a lie. Sadly, nowadays, Amy was very good at lying. "I don't have anything I could compare to you, sir. I've only ever had him search for rats or mice, never for something like that. I doubt he could even properly relay anything he sees back to me as he is now."

"I see," Journeyman Jones frowned. "Unfortunate, but not unexpected. Anyway, that was only one of the reasons I approached you."

"One of?" Amy cocked an eyebrow.

"If I may inquire, how long have you been an Apprentice for, Miss Wachlund?" He said, his eyes burning holes straight through her head, likely seeing the mana activity in her brain. Oddly enough, Apprentice Clark seemed surprised at his question, whipping her head around to look at him sharply.

"...Are you referring to Spell Tiers or Mage Tiers, Journeyman Grey?"

At that, Apprentice Clark almost exploded with shock, looking back and forth between the two Mages constantly.

"I suppose that answers part of my question already," He creased his brows, scratching his stubbly chin. "I refer to Mage Tiers, Apprentice Wachlund."

Having already talked this through with Felin, Amy knew roughly what to say. "I've been an Apprentice for a few years now and have been making steady progress towards Journeyman. I reckon it won't be long now until I ascend."

"Excellent work by the way; your enhancements seem very well done," Journeyman Grey praised, a grin on his face that seemed at-odds with the rest of his appearance. "What sort of Schooling did you get then, if you don't mind me asking?"

"I didn't have the greatest of affinities so I was under regular government Schooling and didn't get a choice to get to advanced. I graduated as a Mageling with Mageling Spells. It was only when I met someone who took a bit of an interest in me that I was told about Mage Tiers. Not long after that, barely a year, I advanced."

"I see," He nodded at her explanation, finding no holes. The same could not be said with Apprentice Clark who seemed surprisingly alarmed. And, it seemed that Journeyman Grey had enough of her reactions. "Speak your mind, Miss Clark; don't keep making faces at us."

"I'm sorry Journeyman Grey but... how?" The poor girl was flabbergasted, her mouth wide open as she stared at Amy. "She's younger than me and she's almost at Journeyman? I'm not even half way!"

"Everyone has their own paths through magic, Miss Clark, and Miss Wachlund simply has a different path than you. Just because she has advanced at a faster pace than you does not make her inherently 'better'."

"I agree, Miss Clark," Amy spoke up. "I may have advanced through Apprentice quickly, but that wasn't without heavy effort on my part. That isn't to say you haven't put in enough effort, Miss Clark, it's just as Journeyman Grey said, I have a different path to walk than you and that path leads somewhere else."

"I... see..." She grumbled, her head hanging low. Then, something akin to hope began to glimmer in her eyes. Apprentice Clark stared desperately at Amy, pleading, "If I may be so presumptuous... can you provide advice for me? I mainly struggle on my enhancements and-"

"Now, now, there's a time and a place for everything, Apprentice Clark," Journeyman Grey reprimanded, looking pointedly at the mundane family sitting on the other end of the carriage.

"My apologies," She was hasty to say, bowing her head once more.

"I... am not entirely sure that I am suitable to instruct you, Miss Clark," Amy stammered, caught completely off-guard and ignoring the faux-pas. "If I may be presumptuous as well, are you two... Master and Apprentice?"

"I am not her master in official capacity but I have taken her under my wing and am teaching her some of my ways," Journeyman Grey confirmed, not elaborating on his opinion on her supposed instruction.

"Would you approve? If I choose to teach her?"

"I will have to vet your work beforehand, but I see no issue with it. You seem a competent Apprentice, Miss Wachlund, and exceptionally strong for your Tier. Whatever you have figured out on your own is superior to my own work when I was an Apprentice."

"Th-thank you, Journeyman Grey," Amy stuttered, not used to such blunt praise, even if she knew he was only buttering her up. There was something up with him since he hopped on, something not in Clark. Grey had another motive for coming here and engendering himself to me seemed part of it. And if I'm right - since he's about to leave from the sounds of it - then...

"Anyway, it is time for us to depart," Journeyman Grey smiled, nudging his half-apprentice with his elbow. As the pair got up neared the edge of the carriage, just before they stepped off, the man turned to her, hesitating. Putting on a facade Amy doubted an Apprentice would see through, he minced his words, seeming more on edge than he had the entire conversation. "If... I am not too forward in saying this, Amy, but beware Gadrun and Zachrem."

"Why, may I ask?" Amy allowed her expression to morph into one of shock and suspicion, even if it was all perfectly within her own expectations. Breaking proper conduct to call me by my first name? He really is rubbing it on thick. Still... I despise acting like this. And it's only getting worse; or, maybe, better... depending on your perspective.

Lowering his voice so that only she and his apprentice could hear, he grimaced, "I fear their business in this part of the Empire isn't good. I don't doubt that they intend to protect the caravan to the best of their abilities, however I do doubt that it is their entire reason for their accompaniment here. I have reasonable concern that they may be searching for something and if they find it... They would not use it for the Empire's betterment."

"...I see," Amy frowned, pretending to consider his words. "Thank you for the advice, Journeyman Grey. Safe travels."

"Safe travels."

And then they were gone.

While Amy sat back in her seat, her mind kept churning over what he had said, searching his words for any sign of duplicity or misdirection. I think... He does indeed believe that they are here for nefarious purposes, yet I doubt he is as sure of those purposes as he pretends to be. It is indeed odd for a Northerner to be in the Empire, let alone one travelling with a Lunstran. And, if I remember correctly, Gadrun and the caravan master didn't mention their nationality either, when at least the latter said that for every other Mage. Could he perhaps call Gineim home? There's nothing wrong with being from there but... this deep in the Empire and in the South? I suppose any association Mage worth their salt would be suspicious. Understanding that, then it isn't too hard to figure out why he tried to befriend me. In case a confrontation between them and the Iyrtirans would arise, he doesn't want an unknown factor involved, especially one he admitted was 'exceptional' for an Apprentice. I wonder if he did this same show with the Disciple, Damien? It wouldn't do harm to check, but he's in a carriage at the front of the caravan. It'll be hard running to catch up while they're still travelling.

I suppose I'll just have to wait until camp. Nodding to herself, satisfied, Amy let Felin out of her grasp and away, into the wild. She didn't doubt for a moment that he'd be unable to keep up and, if she was lucky, he'd find something interesting to talk about later. With that sorted, the 'Apprentice' Amy Wachlund leaned back in her uncomfortable seat and rested her eyes for the journey to come.

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