Data and Magic

But for now, time was of the essence. Edward, ever the pragmatist, reminded them of their mission. "We're close to the capital," he said, his voice firm. "Less than half a day's journey. We need to keep moving. William, are you well enough to start walking?" William's body ached all over, reminding him of his own limits, but not wanting to delay things any further, William responded with a simple "Yes, walking should be OK."

They packed up their camp, a swift and efficient process honed by years of experience. William, though still aching and weak, insisted on carrying his own weight, refusing to be a burden. He was determined to prove himself, to show his companions that he was more than just a liability.

As they set off, walking at a slower pace than usual to accommodate William's weakened condition, the towering walls and spires of the Aver Capital became visible on the horizon, a palpable shift occurred in the atmosphere of the small group. They continued to walk steadily, their bodies accustomed to the rhythm of the journey, but a new energy, a mixture of anticipation and apprehension, infused their movements. William, ever the observer, ever the analyst, couldn't help but study his companions, trying to decipher their unspoken thoughts, to read the subtle cues in their body language, to understand how this impending arrival was affecting them.

Edward, the stoic warrior, the man of action, displayed the most visible change. A subtle relaxation of his posture, a softening of the lines around his eyes, a slight easing of the grip on his sword hilt – these were the telltale signs of relief. The tension that had been his constant companion since they'd encountered the goblins in Tallenwood, the weight of responsibility for their mission, for William's safety, seemed to be lifting, replaced by a sense of accomplishment, of a task nearing completion. He still scanned the surroundings with habitual vigilance, his warrior's instincts never fully at rest, but there was a lightness in his step, a subtle eagerness in his gaze, that betrayed his anticipation. He was, no doubt, relieved to be nearing the end of their journey, eager to deliver his crucial message to the authorities in the capital, to alert them to the growing threat on their borders, and to hopefully secure much-needed aid for the beleaguered town of Sharwood. The past few days had clearly been a strain, the constant vigilance, the responsibility for a novice adventurer, the pressing need to reach the Aver Capital before it was too late – all of these burdens had weighed heavily on him, and now, with their destination in sight, he could finally begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Julia though showed a completely different set of signs, and William couldn't help but observe Julia more closely, who seemed increasingly nervous. As they continued their journey, he noticed her surreptitious glances towards the distant horizon, her hands fidgeting with the strap of her clothes, her usual calm demeanour replaced by a subtle but undeniable anxiety.

He knew she was from the Aver Capital, that she had family and friends there. He'd assumed she would be eager to return home, to reunite with loved ones, to find safety within the city walls. But her behaviour suggested otherwise. She seemed apprehensive, almost fearful, as if she were dreading their arrival, as if she were bracing herself for something unpleasant.

William, ever the analyst, couldn't ignore the discrepancy. He needed to understand, to gather more information, to solve the puzzle of Julia's unease. But he also knew that prying would be counterproductive. He needed to be subtle, to approach the subject indirectly, to earn her trust before he could expect her to confide in him.

An idea sparked in his mind, a plan to use his "injury" – or rather, the lingering effects of his mana backlash – as a pretext to gain her confidence, to create an opportunity for a more private conversation.

As they neared the outskirts of the Aver Capital, the towering walls and spires of the city rising in the distance, William feigned a stumble, letting out a small groan of pain. It wasn't entirely an act; his muscles were still sore, and his leg still ached, though the pain was far less intense than it had been. But he exaggerated his discomfort, leaning heavily on his makeshift crutch, his face contorted in a grimace.

"William! Are you alright?" Julia asked immediately, her voice filled with concern. She rushed to his side, her hand reaching out to steady him.

"I... I don't know," William said, wincing. "My leg... it's still a bit numb. And I'm feeling a little lightheaded again. Maybe... maybe that backlash was worse than we thought."

Edward, ever practical, frowned. "We're almost there. Can you make it?"

"I... I don't know," William said, feigning uncertainty. "Maybe... maybe I should see a physician, just to be sure. Before we report to the Guild." He looked at Julia, his eyes pleading. "Could you... could you take me? I don't know my way around the Aver Capital."

Julia hesitated for a moment, her internal conflict evident in her expression. She was clearly torn between her duty to report to the Guild and her concern for William's well-being. But her compassion won out.

"Of course, William," she said, her voice firm. "We'll go find a physician first, there should be one in the Commons district. Your health is more important." She glanced at Edward, a silent communication passing between them. "Edward, you go ahead. Report to the Guildmaster, tell him everything. We'll meet you there as soon as we can."

Edward nodded, his expression grim. "Alright. But be careful. The Aver Capital is... not as safe as it used to be. The threat of war and invasion from the Dark Legion has been overhanging on people's minds for months now, bringing out the worst behaviour in some."

With that cryptic warning, Edward turned and headed towards the main gates of the city, his long strides quickly carrying him out of sight.

William watched him go, then turned back to Julia, a question in his eyes. But before he could ask, Julia had already started leading him in a different direction, towards a less imposing gate on the outskirts of the city, her mind clearly preoccupied, her steps purposeful and determined. Whatever was bothering her, it was clear that it was something she wasn't yet ready to share. He could see the outskirts of the Aver Capital now, and while excited to finally reach it, he was more concerned with Julia. William said to himself quietly, "Whatever it is she is worried about, I hope Julia would be alright."