The Explorer's League caravan moved with a grim, accelerated urgency after leaving the Redstone Defile. The victory against the Argent Excavator ambush had been hard-won, but the knowledge that such a powerful, organized group was actively hostile and aware of their general route cast a long, dark shadow over the expedition. Captain Borin Stonebeard pushed the guards and draft animals hard, keeping the pace quick between defensible resting spots, his expression a permanent scowl as his outriders constantly scanned the rugged terrain for any sign of renewed pursuit. Double patrols were maintained day and night, and a strict watch rotation was enforced even among the passengers capable of bearing arms. The earlier, more relaxed atmosphere of the journey was gone, replaced by a palpable, simmering tension.
Drake remained vigilant, walking near the center of the convoy, his [Initiate's Twin Blades] always within easy reach. He kept [Relic Hunter] active almost constantly, despite the stamina drain, his senses sweeping their surroundings for any anomaly – not just Alvari ruins or resource nodes, but more importantly now, any subtle sign of ambush: disturbed earth, unnatural silences in the wilderness, or the faint energy signatures of concealed watchers. His [Cartographer's Compass] still guided him along the general route marked on his ancient maps, but he frequently cross-referenced its indications with Captain Stonebeard's chosen path, noting deviations and potential ambush points.
During the brief, infrequent rests the caravan took, often in hastily fortified positions, Drake didn't socialize. While the other passengers and guards might snatch a few moments of uneasy conversation or tend to their gear, Drake would find a quiet spot and immediately access [Perfect Recall]. He meticulously replayed every second of the Redstone Defile ambush: the initial volley from the cliffs, the disciplined advance of the Legionaries, the tactics of Vorlag's "Steel Vipers" player squad, and especially his own duel with Commander Vorlag.
"Vorlag's [Shadow Cleave] was fast, high damage, but telegraphed by a distinct shoulder dip. My [Parry] reduced most of it, but still took a chunk. Against a higher-level opponent, 86% isn't full negation. Need to push that to 90%+ for Adept Parry. His [Shadow Fade] defensive skill… I anticipated it, but a more skilled player might have used it to reposition for a counter-attack. My [Blade Dance] to stay on him was reactive, not proactive."
He identified moments where better positioning could have protected him from stray NPC attacks, or where a different skill sequence might have ended the duel even faster, though the outcome had been decisive. This constant self-critique, this relentless pursuit of optimizing every action, was core to his being. The Argent Excavators were a serious threat; if he encountered them again, he needed to be even more prepared, even more lethal.
Several uneventful but tense days passed. The caravan pushed deeper into the increasingly wild and mountainous territory bordering the Serpent's Tooth range. They faced harsh weather – biting winds, sudden downpours – and encounters with formidable local fauna: packs of Level 28-30 Mountain Craghorns with devastating charges, and solitary, territorial Stonehide Grizzlies (Level 32 Elites) that required the coordinated efforts of several League guards to bring down. Drake continued to contribute to the caravan's defense when necessary, his interventions always swift, precise, and devastatingly effective, further solidifying the guards' respect for his skill.
One evening, they made camp in a relatively secure, narrow canyon, its entrances easily defensible. The usual routines played out: wards erected, sentries posted, cookfires lit. Drake sat slightly apart, mentally reviewing the day's travel and the terrain ahead based on his Cartographer's maps, when a soft chime echoed in his interface – an incoming whisper message. He focused, and the message window appeared.
<< Whisper from Valerius: Drake! Hope this reaches you, man. It's Valerius from Iron Resolve. Got a bit of a situation, and you immediately came to mind. >>
Drake frowned slightly. "Valerius? What's up with the guild?" He quickly typed a reply using his neural interface.
<< Reply to Valerius: Valerius, good to hear from you. I'm on a long-range expedition right now, pretty remote. What's the situation? >>
<< Whisper from Valerius: Expedition, huh? Figures you'd be off finding something crazy. Listen, after our Sunken Reliquary Hard Mode first clear, we got cocky. Tried it again yesterday with a slightly different group comp – one of our main DPS had a conflict. We wiped. Hard. Repeatedly. On the Final Boss, the Alvari Prime Sentinel. We just… we cannot handle that rune sequence mechanic without you. It's too fast, too complex. We tried assigning different people to watch different runes, tried voice callouts… total chaos. The Sentinel just heals to full every time. It's demoralizing as hell. >>
Drake felt a pang of sympathy. He remembered the intensity of that mechanic, how [Perfect Recall] had been the absolute key to their success.
<< Reply to Valerius: Yeah, that sequence is brutal. What are you asking? >>
<< Whisper from Valerius: Straight up, Drake – any chance you're heading back to Silverhaven anytime soon? Like, in the next day or two? We're desperate for another clear, mostly for the Epic gear drops and to prove to ourselves (and the server, honestly) that the first time wasn't a fluke carried entirely by one person… though, uh, it kinda was. If you could just join us one more time, guide us through the rune sequences again… we'd owe you big time. Share of all loot, whatever you need. >>
Drake considered the request. He had enjoyed the challenge of the Reliquary with Iron Resolve. The camaraderie, the shared victory, had been a welcome change. And helping them secure another clear would further solidify their guild's reputation and his own standing within it, however informally. But…
"My quest for the Echoing Forge… Elder Jian's directive… this caravan journey… I'm days, maybe a week or more, away from Silverhaven. And this region is dangerous; leaving the caravan to try and rush back alone would be incredibly risky, if not impossible. Plus, the weekly Mirror Duel is in about three days. I need to be focused for that, wherever I am."
He typed his reply carefully. << Reply to Valerius: Valerius, I appreciate you thinking of me, and I'm glad to help Iron Resolve when I can. But I'm currently several days' travel deep into the eastern wilderness on a critical personal quest. There's no way I can get back to Silverhaven in time to help with the Reliquary run in the next day or two, as much as I'd like to. My current path is set for now. >>
He paused, then added, << Reply to Valerius: However, when I do eventually return to Silverhaven, if you guys are still working on the Reliquary or tackling new challenges, I'll definitely be up for joining you again if my schedule permits. You have my word on that. >>
Valerius's reply came back quickly, tinged with disappointment but understanding. << Whisper from Valerius: Ah, damn. Figured it was a long shot given you said you were on an expedition. No worries, Drake. We understand. Personal quests come first. We'll keep bashing our heads against the Sentinel, maybe try to find another way to cheese the runes, ha. Just… hurry back when you can, alright? Iron Resolve runs smoother with you in the lineup. Safe travels, and good luck with your quest. >>
<< Reply to Valerius: You too. Tell the others I said good luck. >>
Drake closed the whisper window, a thoughtful expression on his face. The brief exchange highlighted two things: his already crucial, almost indispensable, value to his new guild, particularly due to his unique [Perfect Recall] talent which they only perceived as a "knack" for mechanics. And secondly, it reinforced his own need to prioritize his demanding solo path, the [Legacy of the Twin Souls], which seemed to be leading him further and further away from the established power structures and common progression routes of other players.
The caravan settled in for another tense night under the cold mountain stars, the threat of the Argent Excavators a silent weight on everyone's mind. Drake found a defensible spot, leaned back against his bedroll.