Aldrich and the Highlander girl reached the rendezvous point, where Alan waited behind a stack of crates, his green eyes widening in surprise at her presence.
"What's she doing here?" he asked, one eyebrow arching skeptically.
"I'll explain later. We need to go now," Aldrich replied.
Alan nodded. "I see you found our swords. What about the map?" He asked, noticing the swords.
Aldrich quickly handed him his sword and pulled a folded map from his pocket, handing it over to him as well. He had snatched two from the multiples that were laying around in that store.
"If we don't hurry, I'm leaving you two fools behind," the girl snapped, already slipping away. The two quickly fell in step, trailing her closely.
They took a back trail, discovering a hole in the fence, likely the work of earlier prisoners that they had helped escape.
"The Paranos aren't exactly security geniuses," Aldrich muttered as they squeezed through, breaking into a run through the forest beyond the settlement.
"So, are you going to tell me why we are following this woman?" Alan asked Aldrich as they followed behind the highlander girl.
"She speaks of a human camp not too far from here. Apparently, they are preparing to fight against the sylvariths." Aldrich replied him.
"Bloodyhell! Should we not be heading in the opposite direction then?" Alan exclaimed in a whisper.
"Relax. I just want to see if I can find some of my friends," Aldrich answered.
"And we are out?"
"Well…"
"What again?!" Alan questioned, his exasperation showing.
"I found a building while we were at the Parano's settlement, much like a church built by humans. It was where I found her. It looked like she had come to that place for that box." Aldrich pointed to the box the girl was carrying. "I want to know its contents. I have a very bad feeling about it."
Alan rolled his eyes and slapped Aldrich's arm causing the silver haired boy to wince in pain. "I understand you wanting to find your friends, but I will not risk the wrath of the sylvariths just because your instinct is speaking jargons to you."
"Okay! Two days." Aldrich said, rubbing his arm. "We will leave the camp after two days."
"Fine!"
The human camp laid quite a trek away, and by the time they arrived, the twin moons had cast their glow over the lands. The camp was encircled by a hastily erected wooden fence, its crude construction evident to urgency.
Fourteen guards, armed with spears and swords, stood watch at the gate, all of which were Lowlanders. As the trio approached under the cloak of darkness, the guards immediately became alert.
"Who goes there?" one called, his voice rough beneath the flickering torch.
The Highlander girl stepped into the light first, her gaze icy. "Out of my way, scum," she snapped.
"Commander Reno, my apologies… I was not quick to recognize you," the guard stammered, stepping aside. "Open the gate!" he barked.
Two guards hauled a rope, the gate creaking open. Aldrich and Alan followed Reno inside, their eyes scanning the scenario. The camp buzzed with activity, Lowlanders and Highlanders moving around under the light of the torches.
Makeshift tents dotted the ground, their flimsy structures questionable at best. Aldrich scanned the faces, hoping to spot a friend, any sign of familiarity. Reno grabbed a passing Highlander.
"Shauna, where's Konor?" She demanded.
"In his tent," the boy replied, his eyes lingering on Aldrich and Alan. "They look new. Where'd you find them?"
"None of your business," Reno scoffed. "They're your problem now, give them roles or whatever." She turned to leave. "And you, Lowlander scum, you'd do good to keep your mouth shut and stay out of my sight," she added, glancing at Aldrich.
Shauna quickly led them off, his brisk pace challenging after their grueling day. "I remember Stank claimed his squad needed a man," he spoke out loud, his skin suit gleaming in the dark.
"You will join him."
He then turned to Alan, "Wear your skin suit. Konor hates it when we don't."
"I couldn't care less what Konor likes," Alan shot back.
Shauna raised an eyebrow but pressed on. "Fine. You will be in charge of Squad 15. They've been a mess since losing their captain."
Aldrich noted the hierarchy: Highlanders commanded, Lowlanders served, irrelevant of one's capabilities. Disgust simmered from within him, but he swallowed it. He wouldn't stay long anyway, just long enough to find his friends and figure out what was in that box.
Shauna escorted Aldrich to Stank, a short man with a brown beard and a bald patch, munching meat outside his tent. Though he looked forty, Aldrich knew he was younger.
"Stank, got a man for your squad," Shauna announced.
Stank eyed Aldrich, chewing. "Looks weak," he muttered, turning back to his food.
"Well, that's your problem now," Shauna shrugged, leading Alan away.
"Want to follow them?" Stank asked, rising, his height barely reached Aldrich's chest.
"I'd rather stick with you, boss," Aldrich grinned, the sarcasm lost on Stank, who yawned and stretched.
"Squad 84," Stank began, walking off. Aldrich trailed him. "One of seventy squads under Commander Marlo. Fifteen members each. All squads rotate duties amongst one another. We guard, hunt, scout, and do whatever those boys in the commanding tent need." They entered a large tent where several men laughed and jested, only for them to fall silent at Stank's arrival.
"New member," Stank said indifferently. "Might be useless, but he's ours. Get him settled." He left as soon as he finished speaking, leaving Aldrich to face his new squad members. Twelve pairs of eyes fell upon him with curious gazes. He noticed a member was absent.
"The bastard didn't even give us your name," a long haired blonde man grumbled.
"He did not ask for it," Aldrich replied.
"Highlander bastards," the man sneered. "I'm Kartika." He extended a hand, and Aldrich shook it. The others approached after, smiles breaking through.
Hokon, with a scar running across the side of his face and a brown crew cut on his head, laughed, "A pretty boy to break up your ugly mugs."
Bard quipped back, "Look who is speaking," he sparked laughter.
"Aldrich?" a voice called from the tent's entrance. Aldrich turned, a grin spreading as his eyes met a familiar face.