Chapter 174 - 169: The Expedition Sets Forth
The first rays of dawn spread across the rooftops of Valenor, painting the city in shades of gold and amber.
The streets were quieter than usual.
Most of the city was still asleep.
Only bakers, guards finishing the night watch, and travelers beginning long journeys could be seen moving through the cool morning air.
John stood in the courtyard of the Silver Stag, adjusting the straps of his field satchel one final time.
The leather bag Miriam had given him rested comfortably against his back.
Inside were his research journal, maps, writing supplies, measuring tools, preservation cloth, and enough space to safely carry any documents the expedition might recover.
Over his traveling clothes, he wore the navy-blue cloak of the Royal Library.
The silver emblem embroidered on the shoulder caught the morning light.
It still felt strange.
Just a few weeks ago, he had been an adventurer wandering from one town to another.
Now...
He represented one of the most respected institutions in the kingdom.
---
The front door of the inn opened.
Lythriel stepped outside carrying her backpack over one shoulder.
She looked at John for a moment before smiling.
"The cloak suits you."
John laughed.
"I keep hearing that."
"Maybe because it’s true."
She replied.
Behind her came Sylvara and Aerion, both carrying their own equipment.
Sylvara had packed several additional bundles of herbs and medicine.
Aerion carried his bow across his back along with a compact quiver of arrows.
Everyone looked ready.
More importantly...
Everyone looked calm.
---
Roland emerged from the inn carrying a small basket.
"I thought you might leave before breakfast."
He handed each of them a wrapped loaf of fresh bread.
"It’ll still be warm for another hour."
Lythriel accepted hers with a grin.
"I knew staying here was a good decision."
Roland chuckled.
"Come back in one piece."
"We’ll try."
John answered sincerely.
The innkeeper smiled warmly.
"I’ll hold you to that."
---
After thanking Roland, the group made their way through the quiet streets toward the Scholar’s District.
As they walked, Valenor slowly awakened around them.
Market stalls were being prepared.
Street sweepers cleaned yesterday’s dust from the roads.
Students hurried toward early lectures.
The city carried on with its ordinary routine.
Few people noticed the four travelers making their way toward the Royal Library.
---
The library courtyard was already bustling.
Several wagons stood lined up near the entrance.
Workers carefully loaded crates of supplies while librarians checked lists against stacks of sealed document cases.
John immediately spotted Elena speaking with one of the expedition organizers.
When she noticed him approaching, her face brightened.
"You made it."
"Wouldn’t miss it."
She smiled.
"Master Aldric is waiting inside."
---
John left his companions in the courtyard and entered the archive wing.
Aldric stood near the entrance with Miriam beside him.
Both were dressed in practical traveling clothes rather than their usual robes.
John looked surprised.
"You’re coming?"
Miriam laughed.
"I wish."
Aldric shook his head.
"My traveling days are behind me."
"We’re only seeing everyone off."
John nodded.
Somehow...
That felt right.
---
The elderly scholar stepped forward and handed John a small leather tube.
"For your journal."
John opened it carefully.
Inside was a folded sheet of parchment.
"What is it?"
"A field observation guide."
Aldric replied.
"I wrote it many years ago."
"It’s nothing remarkable."
"Just a few reminders."
John unfolded it.
The page contained only six short points.
**Observe before acting.**
**Record before moving.**
**Question every assumption.**
**Respect every discovery.**
**Protect what cannot be replaced.**
**Return safely.**
John silently read the final line once more.
Return safely.
It wasn’t written as an order.
It felt more like a wish.
He carefully rolled the parchment back up.
"I’ll keep it with me."
"I know."
Aldric smiled.
---
Miriam stepped forward next.
Without saying anything, she straightened the collar of John’s cloak.
"There."
She nodded with satisfaction.
"Now you actually look presentable."
John laughed.
"I thought I looked fine before."
"You did."
She replied.
"But now you look like a librarian."
Aldric chuckled.
"High praise."
---
A loud horn echoed through the courtyard.
The expedition leader was calling everyone together.
"It’s time."
Aldric said quietly.
John bowed deeply.
"Thank you."
"For everything."
The elderly scholar rested a hand on his shoulder.
"No."
"Thank you."
John looked confused.
"For reminding two old historians why we started studying history in the first place."
For a moment...
None of them spoke.
Then John smiled.
"I’ll come back with answers."
Aldric shook his head gently.
"No."
"Come back safely."
"The answers can wait."
---
Outside, nearly forty people had gathered around the lead wagon.
Scholars.
Engineers.
Cartographers.
Guards.
Porters.
Each wore clothing suited for weeks of mountain travel.
The expedition leader, a broad-shouldered man in his forties with streaks of gray in his dark hair, stepped onto a wooden crate.
"My name is Commander Gareth."
His voice carried easily across the courtyard.
"For the next several weeks..."
"We travel together."
He looked around at everyone.
"Our destination is the Ashen Peaks."
"Our purpose is exploration."
"Not treasure hunting."
"If ancient ruins are discovered..."
"They belong to the kingdom."
Several people nodded.
Others simply listened.
Gareth continued.
"We leave no one behind."
"We respect every member of this expedition."
"And above all..."
"We return together."
John appreciated the simplicity of the speech.
No grand promises.
No dramatic declarations.
Just practical expectations.
---
Names were called one by one.
Each participant stepped forward to confirm their presence.
When Gareth reached John’s name, he looked up from the list.
"John Davis."
John stepped forward.
"Present."
Gareth glanced briefly at the Royal Library emblem on John’s cloak before nodding.
"Research Assistant."
"Yes, sir."
"Stay close to the archivists once we reach the ruins."
"I will."
---
Soon afterward, the wagons began rolling forward.
The heavy wooden wheels creaked as they left the library courtyard.
The gates of Valenor slowly opened.
The expedition moved through the waking city.
Citizens stopped to watch as the long caravan passed.
Some waved.
Others simply observed with quiet curiosity.
Few knew where the expedition was heading.
Fewer still understood why.
---
Standing near the rear of the caravan, John looked back one final time.
The towers of the Royal Library rose above the surrounding buildings.
Near an upper window...
He spotted two familiar figures.
Aldric.
And Miriam.
Though too far away to hear them...
Both raised a hand in farewell.
John smiled and returned the gesture.
Beside him, Lythriel followed his gaze.
"They’re proud of you."
John looked forward again as the city gates slowly disappeared behind them.
"I hope I can live up to their expectations."
Aerion walked beside him.
"You don’t need to."
John looked at the elf.
"Then what do I need to do?"
Aerion smiled faintly.
"Simply remain yourself."
John thought about those words as the road stretched northward.
Ahead lay forests...
Rivers...
Mountain passes...
Forgotten ruins...
And perhaps...
The first true traces of the Dragon Kings.
Hidden among the travelers near the middle of the caravan, another man quietly closed the notebook in his hands.
Darius Voss had officially joined the expedition as an independent historical consultant.
For the first time...
John and Darius traveled the same road.
Neither had spoken.
Neither had been introduced.
But fate had already placed them on the same path.
The journey to the Ashen Peaks had finally begun.
---
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