Claire expected to feel nervous going into this fight, but wasn't. The troll she fought still haunted her mind, and sometimes awoke her at night, but now? She felt surprisingly calm. She'd taken on far worse threats than the trolls and has powerful new allies. Both Hannah and Ursa made fights so much easier. Plus, the twins are far more experienced and powerful.
The only real wildcard is Toni.
He's completely new to this and could do something stupid. Claire highly doubted he would, or that Jasmine would let him, but there was always the possibility. And that was something Claire had to think about. She was the de facto leader now. She needed to begin planning for the worst.
That's what these lower-risk fights were for. Getting used to each other, building good habits, experience, and training new skills. Felt wrong to say fighting trolls was low risk, but it was. Especially compared to the bandit and trafficker fights. All to get Claire used to truly leading and integrating their new members.
Claire let out a deep breath. They were coming up on the village any minute now. They stopped briefly to get ready and armed. It was too hard to maneuver around Samira's massive snake body, so they needed her to leave the carriage. That required privacy, but it let them arm themselves before reaching their destination. They sat in relative silence, except for Toni's humming.
It didn't take long before they were at their destination. Jasmine hopped out of the driver's seat while Hannah continued along. She'd meet up with them after speaking with the local mayor. Claire glanced out the window to observe the small town. It was very similar to Restol, with cottages and plenty of space. A comforting sight after weeks of travel.
But it came and went before they were back on the road. They finally stopped at a fork in the road, one led to a bridge and a wheat mill, while the other led to an open road. The trolls are holed up in the wheat mill.
Claire was the first to get up. She opened the door for the rest of them, while Samira and Lily stayed back. Claire and Hannah got to work securing the carriage, while Ursa scouted ahead. Their backline was huddled up and discussing the plan. Toni was dutifully listening to the twins explain what would likely happen.
"Still nervous about having him fight, even with Victoria watching us," Hannah whispered to Claire. "Feels wrong."
"It does," Claire nodded along. "He's not a fighter, like at all. But there are no real opportunities for him to level up."
"I know, I know," Hannah sighed. She glanced around, hoping to spot Victoria in the foliage. "It just feels so wrong. Especially given my job…"
"I get it," Claire sighed. She got it in a way. She didn't really want any of them to fight, much less the twins who couldn't physically defend themselves. "Trust in him. He's smart."
"I doooo," Hannah exaggerated a whine. "It just feels so wrong for him to be out here."
"We'll see," Claire giggled. "Maybe he has a talent for fighting. He seems to really enjoy the thought of being a 'Blade Dancer'."
"Should have never said that," Hannah grumbled. She stood up and stretched out her arms. "I regret how perfect it sounds."
Claire bit her lip. She noticed Hannah's lighter armor tended to ride up when she raised her arms. She shook the distraction off and got to her feet. "Who knows? Maybe he'll evolve into a unique class. The Gods have done it before."
Hannah grimaced. She didn't like the thought of his class encouraging fighting. "I hope not. I hope that sword is purely decorative."
Claire glanced at Toni. He was practically bouncing with excitement. "I hope so too, but we should train him to fight properly. Decorative weapons are a luxury."
Hannah groaned and nodded. "True. I always hated how nobles wore weapons they'd never drawn before."
"Mhmm," Claire smiled. "We'll make sure Toni never ends up like them."
Hannah exhaled exasperatedly. "Yeah, sure. Let's go with that."
"I found them," Ursa interrupted their conversation. She grabbed her axe, which had been leaning against the carriage. "They're just getting up. Good idea to attack in the evening."
"They're nocturnal, so it made the most sense," Claire shrugged.
"Why not during the day?" Hannah tilted her head.
"Night shrouds us," Jasmine replied. "If it were during the day, we risk one of them being up. Evening or early night is best because they are just getting up and are usually quite groggy."
"You're the expert," Hannah shrugged. "Now, I'm gonna go over the plan with Toni again."
"Sure," Jasmine nodded. She turned to Ursa, "Any abnormalities?"
"I don't think so," Ursa slung her axe over her shoulders. "Seemed like normal trolls to me."
"Hopefully with no extras like last time," Claire mumbled. She paused for a moment, then thought more about it. "Maybe we'd find another Ravian if there was."
Ursa tilted her head and thought for a moment. "Oh yeah." She smiled as she remembered their true first encounter. "Hard to believe that was only a few months ago."
"Feels like longer," Claire nodded. "Probably because of my gift and all."
Ursa shrugged. She slipped her axe off her shoulders and let it hit the ground. "Are we ready? I'm itching to fight."
"I think so," Claire glanced at the other group. Hannah was talking with Toni and the twins. She didn't seem in her normal, happy mood. It was obvious why, though. "Hannah's making sure Toni knows the plan."
"She's far too fussy about him joining us," Ursa replied as she watched the knight. "He'll be so far back, it won't even matter."
"For now," Jasmine pursed her lips. "Too many variables to be certain. And you never know what Toni's class may turn into."
"So we're just assuming his class will evolve?" Claire chuckled.
"I half expect all of ours to at some point," Jasmine said in a serious tone. "Your Goddess is already affecting the skills we get; why not our entire classes?"
"Ugh," Ursa sighed. "Can we discuss this later? I was looking forward to fighting some real monsters."
"Yeah, just let Hannah finish with Toni." Jasmine smiled at her. "You know, I had a similar discussion with Elsie and Ana before you joined us, Claire."
"I can imagine," Claire nodded. Elsie was a lot more headstrong back then. Claire would have expected her to do something rash. But Claire can't really talk, given what happened the last time she fought a troll. "Glad Elsie's more bark than bite."
Ursa burst out laughing. "I like that phrase." She got out between wheezes.
"Alright, enough stalling!" Jasmine called out to Hannah. "He'll be in good hands."
Hannah shot a look back at Jasmine. "Fuck off."
Jasmine chuckled and turned towards the two. "She'll be constantly looking back during the fight, so be aware."
"Sure," Claire nodded. She glanced at Ursa, who was still recovering from laughing. "Ursa? We'll practice my commands as well. Got it?"
Ursa blinked and straightened up. Her free hand hovered over the collar around her neck. She nodded, "Got it."
"Good girl," Claire smiled and reached out her hand. Ursa instinctively put her head under Claire's hand. Claire petted the woman, while Jasmine ushered Hannah, Toni, and the twins towards their objective.
Hannah reluctantly joined Claire and Ursa. It was clear she was frowning under her helmet. She kept glancing back at the dancer while they slowly approached the wheat mill.
"Hannah," Jasmine whispered to the distracted knight. "Eyes forward. Get Claire hurt, and I'll give you a real punishment."
"I know, I know," Hannah shook her head. "I will."
"Jasmine will make sure nothing happens to him," Claire elbowed her arm. Her words did seem to lighten Hannah's mood a bit. "She'll make sure he's completely safe."
"So will Victoria," Hannah said before a deep exhale. She tapped her helmet with her spear, then shook her head violently. "Okay. I won't look back anymore, I promise."