Chapter 326

“I’ll bet you a gold that he doesn’t last another exchange,” the woman next to Arran said, a bored expression on her face and a mug of ale in her hand .

Arran narrowed his eyes as he looked at the two fighters . A moment later, he shook his head . “That’s a sucker’s bet . You’re not taking my gold this time . “

A week had passed since he’d arrived in the camp and joined the Wolfsblood Company, and he’d already lost a small fortune in gold betting on Kalesh’s fights .

The captain took it upon himself to test each new Body Refiner who entered the camp, and Arran had soon discovered that the man never won . No matter how weak his opponent, he’d drive them to their limit, then suddenly concede the fight in a dramatic fashion .

Yet while the outcome was set from the start, there was plenty of betting about how long each fight would take . And as Arran had learned, the woman next to him — Lasha — had an almost preternatural gift for predicting the captain’s actions .

But then, she’d had plenty of opportunity to learn . Lasha was one of the Wolfsblood Company’s three commanders, with the other two being a cheerful giant named Gar and a staid middle-aged man named Sassun .

Arran had already sparred against all three of them, and he’d found that each was a powerful Body Refiner — though they were still far behind their captain .

“Any idea when we’re getting out of here?” he asked Lasha, eyes fixed on Captain Kalesh while the man predictably allowed himself to be defeated by his nonplussed opponent .

“Should be today,” she replied . She took another swig of ale, and continued, “If the captain is right, at least . And he usually is . “

This was something Arran had already discovered . For all his theatrical swagger, Captain Kaleesh was almost frighteningly well-informed . And while his men mocked him relentlessly, they obeyed his orders without question or objection .

The captain handed his opponent his winnings — a single piece of gold, more for the young man’s efforts than for his performance — then gave him a graceful bow . Apparently, he’d decided the young man lacked the strength to join the Wolfsblood Company .

He spent some moments putting his shirt and jacket back on, and some more moments fiddling with his hat . Then, satisfied with his outfit, he turned his attention to the group of mercenaries .

“Lasha, please be so kind as to join me . Sassun, you too . ” He briefly looked around the crowd, a frown on his face . Then, in a loud voice, he called out, “Gar, you big ox! Get out of bed! There’s work to do!”

“Coming,” a muffled voice sounded from one of the tents .

As the three waited for Gar to make his appearance, Captain Kaleesh turned his attention to Arran . “Arran, get over here . You’re coming with us . “

Arran got to his feet and joined the small group, curious to see what the captain had planned . After a week of nothing but sitting around and twiddling his thumbs, he was eager for a change . Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click www . webnovel . com for visiting .

Gar emerged from his tent moments later . Seven feet tall, with shoulders like boulders and a neck as thick as Arran’s waist, he looked like he might be distantly related to Elder Naran .

“What’s this about, then?” he asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he faced Captain Kaleesh .

“The first representatives of the noble houses should arrive any moment now,” the captain replied . “And the five of us are going to take a look . “

“You’re taking the newcomer?” Gar asked, a curious eye on Arran .

“He’s gotta start training your replacement at some point,” Lasha interjected . “Only a matter of time before your ox-headed self gets run through by some soldier . “

The giant man shot her a vaguely annoyed glare, but he didn’t say anything . Size notwithstanding, she was easily the stronger of the two — though not as strong as Sassun, whose expressionless face concealed a strength that had surprised even Arran .

Captain Kaleesh ignored the bickering . “Gar, put those muscles of yours to use and carry a barrel of ale along for us . ” He frowned . “Better yet, make that two . The day is young, and we have several hours of waiting ahead of us . “

Gar grumbled, but he did as the captain said, picking up two large barrels of ale which he balanced on his shoulders .

“Now then,” Captain Kaleesh said . “Let’s be off . There’s a show ahead, and I would not gladly miss it . “

He set off toward the edge of the camp without any further explanation, Arran and the three commanders following behind him .

They met the camp’s boundary shortly after, and the captain crossed it casually, then began to head toward a hill a few hundred paces in the distance . When they reached the hilltop, Captain Kaleesh laid down his jacket, then sat down upon it .

“Take a seat,” he said to the others . “And have a drink or two . What you’re about to witness will be most instructive . “

Arran did as he said, though not without noticing that the guards in the distance were casting nervous looks at them .

A quarter-hour passed without anything of note happening, with the captain talking about all manner of things — except the reason he had brought them there .

But then, a group of about fifty guards emerged from the camp, led by the woman who’d welcomed Arran’s group to the camp . And nervous though their expressions might be, they headed toward Arran’s small group at a firm pace .

Yet the captain seemed unconcerned, and when the group of guards reached them, he greeted their leader with a friendly wave .

“How nice of you to join us!” he called out . “Would you perhaps care for a drink?”

The woman gave him a flat stare . “You can’t be here . Not today . “

“But, my dear lady, I already am here,” Captain Kaleesh replied . “And you’ll find me quite difficult to remove . “

Though his voice was friendly, it held a subtle undertone of threat, as if he was warning the woman to stand down .

The guardswoman seemed to pick up on his meaning, and for nearly a minute, she stood silently, worry written plain across her face . Finally, in a pleading tone, she said, “Please, don’t cause any trouble . Not today . “

“Cause trouble? Me?” The captain flashed her a bright smile that was not the least bit reassuring . “I wouldn’t dream of it . We’re merely here to enjoy the view — it wouldn’t do to waste such a pleasant day . “

The day was indeed a pleasant one, with the sky clear and the warm sun shining down upon the land around them . Yet Arran did not see a view worth mentioning — the only things before them were the camp and a large stretch of empty grasslands .

The woman hesitated in answering, but then, she sighed . “Just don’t cause trouble,” she said in a weary voice . “Please . “

As the group of guards left again, Arran cast a look at the captain . “So what are we waiting for?”

“Patience, my friend,” the man replied . “You’ll see soon enough . “

Half an hour passed without anything happening, with Arran and the others drinking ale as they waited for whatever it was that the captain expected .

But then, in the distance, Arran saw a column of people approach . Dressed in white uniforms, there were roughly two hundred of them, and they carried a large black banner that held a solitary silver star .

“You can always count at the church to arrive on time,” Captain Kaleesh said in a cheerful voice . “Perhaps we should consider joining them? Sassun, with that dour face of yours, I imagine you’d be a perfect priest . “

Sassun said nothing, though he gave the captain a dark look, which the captain answered with a bright smile .

“But no,” Captain Kaleesh continued a moment later . “The church is here to find young acolytes, gentle of mind and disposition . A bad fit for our men, alas . But let’s see who else arrives . “

Arran had little doubt that the captain knew exactly what other groups had yet to arrive, but it seemed the man enjoyed leaving his commanders in the dark .

For another quarter-hour, they watched as the group set up camp, erecting several large tents that were as white as their uniforms . But then, the captain called out, “Aha! Another group approaches!”

Indeed, as Arran looked in the distance, he saw another, smaller group approach . Unlike the first group, they wore no clear uniform, looking more like merchants and townsfolk than priests or soldiers .

“One of the crafters’ guilds,” Captain Kaleesh explained . “Here to poach the craftsmen among the borderlanders, no doubt . But alas, I’ve never had much talent for knitting or woodworking . ” He frowned, then added, “Though I could do with a new set of clothes . Perhaps we should pay them a visit later?”

Over the next hour, several other groups arrived, all of them crafters’ guilds according to the captain . And as the groups set up camp, Arran and the others drank mug after mug of ale, still waiting for whatever it was the captain expected to happen .

But then, yet another group came into sight . Larger than the previous groups, Arran could see even at a distance that the group was mostly composed of soldiers, all of them armed and armored . And they carried a large, red banner, with a white sign shaped like an eagle .

“There they are!” Captain Kaleesh said when he saw them . “Lord Kadun’s troops — our allies, for the next few months . Come, let’s give them a good welcome . “

At once, he stood up and began to head toward the troop of soldiers at a casual, swaggering pace . And behind him, Arran and the three commanders followed, albeit with some hesitation in their step .

Yet Arran wasn’t too concerned . While he could Sense several pieces of starmetal among the group they were approaching, there was no sign of Living Shadow .