Chapter 173 - 168: The Eve of Departure
The next two days passed more quickly than John expected.
His mornings were spent in the Royal Library under Aldric and Miriam’s guidance.
His afternoons were devoted to preparing for the expedition.
By the time the fourth day arrived...
The departure was only one sunrise away.
---
The archive wing was unusually busy that morning.
Librarians carried stacks of journals between rooms while scribes copied maps that would accompany the expedition.
Even Elena, who usually moved with calm efficiency, seemed busier than normal.
John stepped aside as two assistants pushed a cart loaded with carefully packed scroll cases.
"Everything’s moving today."
He remarked.
Elena smiled apologetically.
"The Guild sent word last night."
"Final preparations."
She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"Every expedition has to carry copies of old records."
"In case something is discovered."
John nodded.
"So everyone is making sure nothing gets left behind."
"Exactly."
---
When John entered Aldric’s office, he found the elderly scholar sealing several leather document tubes with wax.
Miriam stood beside him, checking each seal carefully.
"You’ve arrived."
Aldric said without looking up.
"Right on time."
John set his satchel beside the table.
"Can I help?"
"You can."
Miriam handed him a checklist.
"We’re preparing the library’s field archive."
John looked over the page.
It listed dozens of items.
Historical maps.
Blank journals.
Drawing charcoal.
Preservation cloth.
Ink bottles.
Sealing wax.
Reference books.
Every item had been counted twice.
John quickly realized why.
If even one essential tool was forgotten...
There would be no way to replace it in the mountains.
---
For the next hour, the three of them carefully packed equipment.
Aldric occasionally explained why certain items mattered.
"We bring blank parchment because sketches are often more reliable than memory."
"We carry two compasses."
"If one fails, we still have another."
"We always pack extra wax."
"Mountain moisture ruins loose seals."
John quietly committed every explanation to memory.
Preparation...
He realized...
Was as important as the journey itself.
---
After the final document tube had been packed away, Aldric leaned back with a satisfied sigh.
"There."
"Everything is ready."
John looked at the neatly organized equipment.
"You’ve done this before."
"A few times."
The old scholar admitted with a nostalgic smile.
"I accompanied expeditions in my younger years."
John looked surprised.
"You never mentioned that."
"I rarely do."
Miriam smiled knowingly.
"He used to complain every evening."
"I did not."
"You complained about cold weather."
"My knees complained."
Aldric corrected.
"I merely agreed."
John laughed.
"I’ll remember that."
---
A knock sounded on the office door.
"Come in."
A young librarian entered carrying a folded uniform.
"The Guild requested these be delivered today."
He placed the bundle on Aldric’s desk before bowing politely and leaving.
John looked at the folded clothes curiously.
"What’s that?"
Aldric gently unfolded them.
It was a traveling cloak.
Deep navy blue.
Simple in design.
On the left shoulder had been embroidered the silver emblem of the Royal Library—an open book beneath a rising sun.
"This."
Aldric said warmly.
"Belongs to you."
John stared.
"For the expedition?"
The old scholar nodded.
"Every official representative carries one."
John carefully accepted the cloak.
The fabric was surprisingly sturdy.
Light enough for travel.
Warm enough for mountain evenings.
He ran his fingers across the embroidered emblem.
"I..."
He struggled to find the right words.
"I’m honored."
Miriam smiled.
"You’ve earned it."
---
John carefully folded the cloak and placed it inside his satchel.
He silently promised himself to wear it with pride.
Not because of the title.
But because of the trust it represented.
---
Later that afternoon, Aldric dismissed him earlier than usual.
"You should spend today with your friends."
John blinked.
"No more lessons?"
The elderly scholar chuckled.
"You’ve learned enough."
"Tomorrow..."
"The mountains will become your classroom."
---
John bowed respectfully before leaving.
As he stepped into the corridor, Elena caught up with him.
"I heard you received your expedition cloak."
"I did."
She smiled brightly.
"It suits you."
"I haven’t even worn it yet."
"You don’t need to."
She replied.
"You’ve already started acting like one of us."
John scratched the back of his neck, slightly embarrassed.
"I still feel like I have a lot to learn."
Elena nodded.
"We all do."
"That’s why libraries exist."
---
The afternoon sun was beginning to set as John returned to the Silver Stag.
Inside, he found Lythriel polishing her sword near the fireplace.
Sylvara sat nearby organizing medicinal herbs into small cloth pouches.
Aerion quietly inspected the fletching on several arrows.
Everyone was preparing.
Lythriel looked up first.
"There you are."
She immediately noticed the rolled cloak attached to his satchel.
"They finally gave it to you."
John nodded.
"The library’s expedition cloak."
"Can we see it?"
He carefully unrolled it.
The silver emblem caught the light from the fireplace.
Sylvara smiled.
"It looks wonderful."
Aerion nodded once.
"It is a symbol of responsibility."
Lythriel grinned.
"And it makes you look more official."
John laughed.
"I think that’s the idea."
---
The evening passed peacefully.
They reviewed their equipment one final time.
Food supplies.
Rope.
Blankets.
Waterskins.
Medical herbs.
Weapons.
Everything was checked carefully.
Not because they expected disaster.
But because experience had taught them that preparation saved lives.
Roland even stopped by their table carrying a small wooden box.
"I almost forgot."
He placed it in front of John.
"Travel biscuits."
John looked surprised.
"You don’t have to—"
"Nonsense."
Roland waved him off.
"You’ll appreciate them after a few days in the mountains."
John accepted the gift gratefully.
"Thank you."
"They’ll keep for weeks."
The innkeeper smiled.
"I’ve tested that personally."
Lythriel picked one up and took a cautious bite.
After a moment, she frowned.
"They’re..."
Roland laughed.
"Terrible?"
She nodded honestly.
"They’re terrible."
"Exactly."
He chuckled.
"But they’ll keep you alive."
The entire table burst into laughter.
---
That night, long after the common room had emptied, John stood alone outside the inn.
The city was quiet.
The stars shone brightly above Valenor.
He looked toward the northern horizon.
The Ashen Peaks lay somewhere beyond the darkness.
Waiting.
Tomorrow...
Their journey would truly begin.
Far away, inside his rented residence, Darius Voss finished packing the final volume into his own travel chest.
Unlike John’s modest equipment, Darius’s luggage contained decades of research.
Ancient maps.
Private journals.
Rare manuscripts purchased from forgotten monasteries and ruined temples.
He closed the chest and secured its lock.
"At last."
He murmured.
"We’ll see which of the old legends still speak the truth."
Neither John nor Darius knew exactly what awaited them in the mountains.
But both understood one thing.
Some mysteries remained hidden for centuries...
Because they were never meant to be found easily.
---
100 ps = 1 extra Chapter
200 ps = 2 Extra Chapter
1 Golden ticket = 3 Extra Chapter