Dawn came earlier than I'd hoped, bringing with it the reality of my first guild mission.
I stumbled into the common room to find Dmitri already awake, surrounded by maps, supply lists, and what looked like a detailed weather prediction chart. His seventeen-year-old face was focused with the intensity of someone planning a military campaign rather than a simple trade escort.
"Morning," I mumbled, still trying to wake up properly.
"Good morning," Dmitri replied without looking up from his calculations. "We'll have clear weather for the first day, possible light rain on day two, and optimal travel conditions for the return journey. I've adjusted our supply allocation accordingly."
I stared at him. "You predicted the weather?"
"Basic logistics," he said matter-of-factly, finally looking up. "Atmospheric pressure changes, wind patterns, seasonal trends. The route to Riverside is well-documented. Weather prediction is just pattern recognition applied to environmental data."
"Right. Pattern recognition."
Jane appeared from the kitchen carrying three travel packs and looking unusually cheerful for someone who normally spent his mornings complaining about paperwork.
"All permits filed, travel authorization approved, and emergency contact protocols established," he announced with obvious satisfaction. "Plus, I've prepared incident reports for the three most common C-rank mission complications, just in case."
"You prepared reports for things that haven't happened yet?" I asked.
"Efficiency," Jane replied proudly. "If something goes wrong, I can just fill in the specific details instead of creating documentation from scratch. Saves hours of administrative work."
Looking at my two teammates, I realized I was probably the least prepared person on this mission. Dmitri had planned for every conceivable logistical challenge, Jane had handled bureaucratic requirements I didn't even know existed, and I had... packed a change of clothes and my practice sword.
"Should I be doing something?" I asked.
"Just follow our lead and try not to get killed," Jane said helpfully. "First missions are mostly about learning how guild operations actually work."
"Very encouraging."
Our employer turned out to be a middle-aged merchant named Hiroshi Tanaka who looked like he hadn't slept well in several days. He greeted us at the designated meeting point outside Mori Central with the kind of nervous energy that suggested he was either naturally anxious or dealing with something stressful.
"Broken Chain Guild?" he asked, looking us over with obvious uncertainty. "You seem... young."
"Standard team composition for C-rank escort missions," Jane replied with professional confidence. "Logistics specialist, administrative coordinator, and combat support. We're fully qualified for trade route protection."
Hiroshi's gaze lingered on me. "Combat support?"
"I'm learning," I said honestly.
"He's enthusiastic," Dmitri added diplomatically. "Enthusiasm counts for a lot in escort work."
I wasn't sure if that was reassuring or alarming.
The caravan consisted of two wagons loaded with various goods, pulled by sturdy horses that Dmitri immediately began evaluating for endurance and health. The cargo was secured under heavy canvas, but I caught glimpses of wooden boxes and cloth-wrapped bundles that looked like typical trade merchandise.
"What exactly are we protecting?" I asked as Dmitri completed his inspection.
"Jewelry, mostly," Hiroshi replied quickly. "Some family heirlooms, craft goods for the Riverside market. Nothing too valuable, but important to me personally."
"Insurance paperwork?" Jane asked automatically.
"Filed with the Merchants' Guild," Hiroshi confirmed, though something in his voice suggested the topic made him uncomfortable.
"Route security assessment?" Dmitri inquired, unfolding what looked like a detailed tactical map.
"Standard trade road. I've traveled it dozens of times without incident."
"Recent bandit activity reports?"
"Nothing official. Some rumors about increased activity near the forest pass, but probably just merchant gossip."
Dmitri made notes on his map while Jane added information to what looked like a mission brief. Watching them work, I was struck by how professional they were despite their ages. This wasn't just a job for them—it was a calling they took seriously.
"Departure schedule?" Dmitri asked.
"Immediately, if possible," Hiroshi said, glancing at the sun's position. "I have appointments in Riverside that can't be delayed."
"Understood. Standard travel protocol calls for rest stops every two hours, extended break at midday, and secure camping position by sunset." Dmitri shouldered his pack, which I now realized was perfectly organized for maximum efficiency. "Estimated arrival time: late afternoon, day after tomorrow."
As we set out on the main road leading east from Mori Central, I found myself walking beside the wagons while Dmitri ranged ahead to scout the route and Jane maintained position near our employer. The morning was clear and pleasant, with enough of a breeze to keep the travel comfortable.
"How long have you been doing this?" I asked Dmitri during our first rest stop.
"Guild work? About two years," he replied while checking the horses' condition and adjusting harness straps. "Started when I was fifteen. Needed work, Broken Chain needed someone good with logistics."
"Fifteen? That's really young to join a guild."
"Captain Hazama doesn't worry much about conventional recruitment standards," Dmitri said with a slight smile. "He's more interested in whether you can do the job than whether you fit traditional qualifications."
"What about Jane? How long has he been with the guild?"
"Three years, I think. He showed up one day with a stack of perfectly organized paperwork and Captain Hazama just declared him hired." Dmitri secured the last strap and signaled that we were ready to continue. "Jane tried to quit about a week later, but Captain Hazama convinced him to stay."
"Convinced him how?"
"I think the exact words were 'you're too useful to lose, and besides, where else would you find a job that lets you invent new forms of bureaucracy?'"
"That doesn't sound very convincing."
"Jane has a weird relationship with administrative work. He complains about it constantly, but he's also really, really good at it. I think he stays because he knows we'd fall apart without him."
As we resumed travel, I found myself studying my teammates with new appreciation. Dmitri moved through the countryside like someone who understood every aspect of travel logistics, constantly evaluating terrain, weather conditions, and potential hazards. His route choices were subtle but clearly optimized for safety and efficiency.
Jane walked near Hiroshi, engaging in what sounded like casual conversation but was actually a systematic information-gathering process. I heard him asking about market conditions in Riverside, recent trade developments, and travel experiences with other guild escorts. He was building a comprehensive picture of the situation while making it seem like friendly chat.
"He's good at that," I observed to Dmitri.
"Jane's really smart," Dmitri agreed. "People assume he's just administrative support, but he's got one of the highest tactical intelligence scores in the guild. Captain Hazama says Jane could probably run a small country if he put his mind to it."
"Then why does he spend his time crying about paperwork?"
"Because running a small country would involve even more paperwork," Dmitri replied with perfect logic.
By midday, we'd covered impressive distance with no complications beyond a brief delay when one of the wagon wheels needed adjustment. Dmitri handled the repair with mechanical expertise while Jane used the opportunity to update his travel logs with meticulous detail.
"Everything documented?" Dmitri asked as we prepared to resume travel.
"Wheel adjustment at kilometer marker forty-seven, duration six minutes, no mission impact," Jane recited from his notes. "Plus weather observations, road condition assessments, and client status updates."
"Client status?"
"Mr. Tanaka seems increasingly nervous as we get closer to our destination," Jane said quietly. "Could be normal pre-delivery anxiety, but worth monitoring."
I glanced toward Hiroshi, who was indeed looking more tense than he had that morning. He kept checking the cargo wagon and scanning the road ahead like he was expecting something unpleasant.
"Should we be concerned?" I asked.
"Probably not," Dmitri said after consideration. "First-time clients often get anxious about guild protection. They're not used to having armed escorts, so they assume we're expecting trouble."
"Are we expecting trouble?"
"We're prepared for trouble," Jane corrected. "There's a difference. Preparation is just good professional practice."
The afternoon passed peacefully, with our small caravan making steady progress along well-maintained roads. The countryside was pleasant—rolling hills covered in late summer grass, scattered groves of trees, and occasional farms with workers who waved as we passed.
"Nice area," I commented to Dmitri as we approached what looked like a good camping spot for the evening.
"Stable region," he agreed, already surveying the site for defensive advantages and water access. "Low crime rate, regular patrol coverage, good infrastructure. Ideal for trade route development."
"You know a lot about regional economics."
"Logistics requires understanding larger systems," Dmitri explained while setting up what looked like a portable weather monitoring station. "You can't optimize supply chains without comprehending political stability, economic trends, and infrastructure reliability."
"Right. Comprehensive systems analysis."
As Jane set up evening camp with the same methodical precision he applied to paperwork, I realized my teammates were operating on a completely different level than I'd expected. This wasn't just a simple escort mission for them—it was an opportunity to demonstrate professional competence in multiple specialized areas.
"How are you feeling about your first mission?" Jane asked as we settled around the campfire he'd built with scientific precision for optimal heat distribution and minimal smoke production.
"Like I'm learning a lot," I said honestly. "You two make this look easy, but there's clearly a lot more involved than just walking along with trade wagons."
"Guild work is mostly about preparation and attention to detail," Dmitri said while consulting charts that tracked our progress against predetermined schedules. "The dramatic stuff people hear about is usually what happens when preparation fails."
"Or when missions turn out to be more complicated than initial assessments suggested," Jane added, then caught himself. "Not that this mission shows any signs of complications. Simple trade escort, routine procedures, predictable outcomes."
"Jinx," Dmitri muttered.
"Don't be superstitious. We've followed proper protocols, maintained appropriate vigilance, and encountered no irregular—"
He was interrupted by Hiroshi's sharp intake of breath.
"What's wrong?" I asked, following his gaze toward the tree line.
"Tracks," Dmitri said quietly, already moving to examine marks in the soft earth near our camp. "Someone's been paralleling our route."
"For how long?"
"Based on track depth and spacing, probably since this afternoon." Dmitri's expression was calm but focused. "Professional movement pattern. Not casual travelers."
Jane was already pulling out forms and looking significantly less cheerful than he had all day.
"Mr. Tanaka," he said formally, "is there anything about this mission that you haven't disclosed? Any reason someone might be taking interest in your cargo or travel plans?"
Hiroshi's face went pale in the firelight. "I... no, nothing. Just normal trade goods, like I said."
But the way he glanced toward the cargo wagon suggested there was definitely something he wasn't telling us.
"Well," Jane said with resignation, "so much for predictable outcomes."
"What's the protocol for this situation?" I asked.
"Enhanced vigilance, modified security procedures, and preparation for potential engagement," Dmitri replied while adjusting our camp layout for better defensive positioning.
"And lots of additional paperwork," Jane added miserably. "Why does it always come back to complicated paperwork?"
As I took first watch while my teammates adjusted our camp security, I found myself thinking that my first guild mission was already teaching me valuable lessons about preparation, teamwork, and the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.
I just hoped those lessons didn't come with life-threatening complications attached.
Though given the nervous expression on Hiroshi's face and the professional tracking skills someone was demonstrating in the forest around us, I had a growing suspicion that complications were exactly what we were going to get.