They left the following morning.
Lucien had originally intended to take only Auren.
That plan lasted less than an hour.
Tavian overheard the destination and immediately announced that any expedition involving unknown ore required someone who actually understood metal.
Mirelle learned they were looking for potentially valuable resources and informed Lucien that allowing Tavian to judge their worth alone would be irresponsible.
Seran heard enough of the conversation to invite himself.
Aurelia joined him.
Then Luke and Cienna discovered the entire group intended to travel into an unfamiliar region based largely on Lucien's memory of having once seen interesting rocks.
That ended the discussion.
Luke came.
Cienna came too.
Lucien looked at the crowded wagon before departure.
"This was supposed to be a survey."
Luke climbed aboard.
"It still is."
Auren laughed and snapped the reins gently.
The wagon rolled away.
Lucien sat near the front and watched the countryside.
