Slowly, the students started to gather. They were an eclectic mix of races with a large mix of fighters. Some had swords on their hips, some had bows across their backs. Some had wands or staves. One guy had an oversized pickaxe.

  There were 27 all in all, and I regretted my statement earlier about it being simple. This was going to be... annoying.

  "Alright. Pay attention." Called Leria. "I'm professor Leria. With me is Professor Cherkok and Assistant professor Keri. As you know, we will be venturing into the forest south of us." She said.

  "You will be split into 3 groups. Keri, you will get 7. We two will get ten. When we get to the guard outpost, there will be 30 guard trainees with 3 veteran sargents. We will each get a sargent and 10 guards. Listen to your teacher, and don't argue. Don't split up, and most importantly, don't die." Leria said.

  People glanced at each other, then the professor started splitting people at random. I got my seven, and soon we left.

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  It wasn't a long walk to the outpost, and we got there in 10ish minutes. When we arived, 33 guards were in formation, waiting. When we approached, one of the sargents split off to come over.

  "Professors, I'm Sargent Velov. Were ready to depart at your leisure. So, how are we doing this?" He asks.

  "3 groups. Split the guards evenly, as usual." Leria says, familiarity in her voice. She likely knew him. By previous expeditions would be my guess.

  He nodded, and we began organizing. One sargent and his men came up to me. "I'm Carrio. Looks like we're working together, eh?" He said.

  Casual. This was workable. "Good morning, Sargent Carrio. My students will be under your care. So, we've 4 bowmen, 2 mages, the rest are melee. This is workable." I say.

  He nods. "I've seen worse. While it shouldn't be necessary, what about you?" He asks.

  I unsling my musket. "Ranged combatant mostly. Though I can use my sword just as well." I say.

  "Good! This is shaping up to me a milk run. So, do you have experience in battle?"

  "Yes. Have no fear. Should we attempt integration between troops?" I ask.

  "Ehhhh... Ya. Ya, this is an easy walk through the woods, would be good practice. Let's do it." He said, and we begin to integrate our troupes.

  We started with placing our respective children in the back or front. We got them chatting, and getting to know one another. But soon enough, it was time to go.

  We began our March, our end goal, the forest.