Today's morning was something of a parade of surprises.

I had slept near the supplies wagon as I usually did, but I wasn't so tired the night before, so I got even before the sun.

And when I got up, I felt that my hand wasn't hurting at all, and after removing the bandage, I discovered no sign of the wound!

Finding it out, I immediately used a piece of cloth from my inventory to 'bandage' it again. Is it part of the 'Apostle' body? Or something else? Who knows, but it should remain a secret.

I then attended to nature's call and washed from a bucket near the wagons. Knowing that most probably someone had brought it for the same reason, I decided to replenish it. And as I was going to the well in any case, I took the two big buckets from the kitchen wagon as well.

The next surprise was waiting for me there, just a few meters from the well. The three idiots that had harassed the girls were lying on the ground, naked. Bruises covered their backs, probably from the strikes that Gris had told us yesterday. But why were they naked? And why do their faces appear as if they had received the same strikes as their backs?

I did not wake them up to ask about that (obviously). But later that day, I overheard a couple of soldiers talking about a beating. Lady Arianne had been furious at everyone because of the three, and they all received a few remarks. Seemingly the words weren't very nice, as some soldiers had beaten the three bastards and thrown them to sleep outside, naked.

After I returned, I found that the girls had gotten up. Greeting them, I asked if they needed some help with cooking while I could. But received a negative answer, reasoned that the number of mouths only increased by two, so they would manage. The soldiers would eat their rations while the Knights and Lady Arianne were now on the girls feeding list. As for why two and not seven, well, there were five less from our original numbers after all.

My next surprise awaited me in the fact of Gris oversleeping. She had been an early bird during all this time, and she would definitively wake up along the girls. If not even before them. But today, I only saw her crawling (and it was indeed a crawl!) from the wagon like half an hour later. Worried about her health, I used 'Status Screen' and willed for a health overview.

[Stamina Potion Withdrawal] was the diagnosis, and I found that her actual stamina level had only gone up by about 30% even after the full-night sleep. Oh, so that's why she did not look tired yesterday. Even with the lack of sleep and fighting!

"Gris, are you feeling well?" Not wanting to show what I did, I decided to ask. And a few moments later, she half-sleepily revealed what I had found out.

"I will be in a while. Yesterday the Count handed out a few stamina potions. And while you were sleeping, the boys and I did have to guard him until the Knights arrived"

"Sorry for that" Well, what else could I say?

"No need, it's not your duty anyway" She slightly waved her hand and then motioned me to pass her the bucket.

"I prepared it for this" She splashed the entire five or so liter bucket directly over her face and clothes. Then she shook herself forcefully (is her totem animal a dog?), making me inwardly swear at the fact that she wore leather clothes.

While the girls went into cooking, I went to the right side camp and gathered the caravan's hands. Although I could slack for a bit, I decided that it was better to finish the work before breakfast.

Unexpectedly everyone agreed with me, and so without even a single groan, the seven of us moved out.

While I checked the condition of the open wagons and counted the contents, everyone else under Bruno's leadership busied themselves as well. They placed both the feeding and watering troughs, brought water, helped the just arrived drivers with the animals, and so on.

Speaking of animals, we had an addition of them in the face of six raven-maned horses. Thus the number of troughs and runs for water had increased slightly. But at least we weren't responsible for either the soldiers' horses, which numbered about twenty, or their six wagons.

"The Knights' battle breed is impressive, isn't it?" I turned towards Azar, who had arrived without me noticing him and now asked while pointing at the raven-maned horses.

"I suppose so? Sorry, I do not know much about horses" I followed his finger, and after looking for a few moments, shrugged. Granted, the light brown horses with their black manes were sturdier than the ones I had seen before, but besides that?

"Don't be an idiot, use 'Analyze' and compare them to the normal ones" Azar looked at me like a fool, and his words confirmed that it wasn't just 'as' one.

"Analyze, Analyze" Doing what he said, I indeed found that the Battlebreed was amazing. The percentiles for health and stamina were individual, so I would always see a 100% for a healthy and rested being. And for a beast or monster, my 'average' 'Status Screen' setup would not do much either. Still, I could see their physical stats, and the difference was indeed incredible.

Stat "Normal" Horse Battlebreed Strength 15 23 Body 18 26 Agility 16 18

Not that I know (yet!) how that actually translates between human and horse numbers/levels.

"You see? They are only a tenth bigger, but they can run for twice the time, and that's when carrying a fully armored knight" Azar went into full encyclopedia mode afterward. And I got a lesson about steeds that I did not ask for, and probably that would never serve me for anything. Thankfully I managed to stop it just a few minutes later by asking him to go and help the girls. How the hell would he help? Who knows. But at least it stopped him from fucking up my brain.

***

With that part done, the only remaining tasks before setting off would be to gather up the camps. From there, the stacked cloth, poles, and other camping inventory would go into the supplies wagon. So I went with the girls to check if they had left anything inside. After all, they used it for sleeping when emptied.

There, another surprise awaited me. And hopefully, it would be the last for the day.

Azar was nowhere around, but there was indeed someone helping them. And the identity of this someone was just unexpected. After all, how could I have (or anyone for the case) imagined that a Knight would be helping cook? And not the usual miscellaneous tasks that I had offered to help them with, but actual cooking!

Nodding to the scarred knight in greeting, I sidestepped the pot over a portable stove he had in front and approached Kierra. After confirming what I had come for, I planned to return for the stuff, but the knight was just too unexpected. So, I lowered my voice and asked.

"Oh, you mean Sir Orso? He came to share their supplies, and it turned out that he's a great cook!" For some reason, Kierra did not follow my idea of talking about other (present) people in low tones.

"Oh, and wait to try today's breakfast! Sir Orso brought an entire array of spices, and he allowed us to use them for everyone's food" She continued with a cheerful smile.

"I see?" I mumbled while sending a slightly ashamed smile towards the man who had turned his head after hearing the name for the second time.

From what I knew based on both Reuben's and the Count's words, Count Rien did have some food in his wagon but had been eating the girls cooking during most of the time. Surprisingly, he was a simple man in his tastes, as I would have thought that Nobles would not eat the same food as we, poor commoners, did. Or maybe it was because he was traveling incognito, and like Azar says, wanted to feel the feeling.

Anyway, what mattered was that the Knights that waited for him also had a whole load of supplies prepared. So as they came here to escort him, the supplies arrived as well. Sir Orso, the main cook of their group (unforeseen occupation considering his looks), decided to start using them. And as the Knights would eat with us, he came with the idea of helping the girls.

Oh, as for Azar and Angelique, they had been given the task of serving some refreshments to Count Rien. And so, now where somewhere around the magic wagon. I wonder, how does Azar feel now that he obtained the role of a waiter? Especially with his cousin somewhere around?

The breakfast indeed deserved a note, as albeit it was a more-or-less simple porridge and something that resembled a yogurt. Well, fruits mixed in something milky and called fruit curd.

Usually, we drank either water or the mix of herbs and nuts that I called tea, but this time, it was a half spicy, half sweet drink. After asking, I found it was called Elves Dew, and basically, what on earth we call clarea.

And then, in secret, I received a pastry while helping the girls pack! Seemingly Sir Orso had brought a few for the Count and gave some to the girls, and the two were nice enough to share one with me. And another one with Gris. Mine was a berry-filled bun, while hers looked more like a biscuit?

***

We departed about two hours after sunrise with no other surprises (Sepyre, you have my thanks).

Traveling under the escort of 34 soldiers, from which ten acted as riders, and the rest assumed positions around the caravan was something impressive. Not to mention that with their six wagons joining the column, the size of our 'fleet' also looked just so.

As for the knights, the six were riding in a diamond-like formation around the Count's wagon.

Gris and the boys could laze around now, but they did not. I think that they began putting even more effort into their guarding duty. I mean, both Wilfried and Gris rode past me like five times per hour, and before, I rarely saw them more than thrice per day.

Oh, but the ones that were lazing, or maybe could not find something to do, were the remaining eight guards from Churg. Not that I could blame them. First, they found out two had joined hands with bandits and were killed (the official story that Reuben disclosed to everyone). Then, found out that we have a small army as an escort.

Thankfully for them, Reuben was a man of his word, and he had told them that he would pay them in any case, even if they did not truly need to guard us now. And so, with nothing to do, they were now riding on the open wagons.

***

A few hours later, just about an hour after midday, we stopped near a well for a break. Completing the routine took half an hour, and then I found myself staring at an enormous amount of food. Enough to feed like seven people, but meant for the two girls and me. But I was far more shocked because it was Sir Orso's cooking.

It was fast food, meant to be placed on bread, but actual steamed chicken?! We had been using only preserved meats until now. There was also a paste made of bacon, ham, and some vegetables, which I truly loved.

Truly delicious, and do the girls forgive me, something that I would have loved to eat every meal.

After the break, we continued our path forward. I probably could describe some of the views if I had looked around, but I had not. Azar latched on me and did not leave me until we stopped for the night. For some unknown reason, he decided that I had to learn the entire political situation of the Kingdom.

Thus, my plan to speak with Reuben about a couple of my ideas failed. Not only that, but I also ended with the most severe case of knowledge excess possible. Still, it was adequate information, and I did need to know it, so I made my best effort to keep up with him. Probably it will take me some time to digest and categorize what I learned as Azar always added a lot of fluff.

***

From the initial plans, I recalled that we were supposed to camp somewhere near the Crossroads Inn, some famous place in the region. But we did not, and in fact, we rushed past it.

Or at least I assume that the enormous walled complex of buildings near where roads towards four directions intersected was that famous inn.

Having Azar still talking about some guy called 'Southern Warlord' and already feeling that even my memory would fail, I distracted him by asking about the change of plans.

"Oh, you did not hear Reuben's speech yesterday, did you?" Azar asked and then answered for me as well, "No, you did not"

But praise Sepyre, he did then reveal everything to me. It turns out that after some strategy meetings, Reuben and the decision-makers concluded that reaching Megvuroz at nighttime wasn't convenient now. So, we would travel six primordial steps more today. And by doing so, cut almost three hours from our last day travel time.

Before I asked how we would proceed in the dark, I noticed that torches had appeared in the hands of the soldiers walking nearby. And right in time, considering that the sun was down to its last rays.

***

We did reach a well after walking for three hours (though I overcame my fears of back pain and rode the wagon for the last hour). Then another logical question appeared, how the hell would we set up camp without actual light? One that answered by Reuben's proclamation that we would - Not set up any camp.

Sincerely I did not care either way, as I usually slept outside, and the girls could stay in the kitchen wagon if we opened a bit of space. But I was just one of the over eighty people, and I expected to hear at least some grumbling. But as if in continuation of the surprise parade, there was none. Everyone almost looked as if they already knew. And they did! Azar forgot to mention that point.

In any case, the workload had indeed decreased. After helping set up the throughs and carrying some water, we helped the drivers with the feeding and finished.

I am not sure what the others ate, as again, I was taken to the side by the girls, and our plate was different (and probably better). The same paste from the meal made its appearance again, and we also had some stew. And made with actual fresh beef! Did the knights have some 'inventory' treasure? Or how could they have brought so many ingredients without them going bad already?

Gris was eating with us this time, and I can say it was good company. Although we did not talk much, sitting with three girls around a fire was relaxing.

Without the need to gather up camp, just throwing the blankets into the wagon and done, we completed the routine in less than half an hour. Seemingly because of this, breakfast was also far more uncomplicated. The girls gave everyone a piece of bread, the classic sausage and bacon, and opened the last barrel of apples. Probably the Count and Lady Arianne got served something different. But the Knights ate the same thing as us, so I wasn't so lucky to get a noble menu this time.

What was different today was that Kierra and Angelique would travel outside the wagon. After asking, I found out they did not need to cook and had a free day. It stemmed from the fact that we would be reaching our destination for dinner. As for the meal, we would finish the remaining supplies in the same simple way.

Kierra chose to ride the wagon that I walked next to while Angelique walked alongside. Their presence saved me from Azar, who had retreated after seeing that my ears weren't free.

I had revealed to them that I would have money before, so I took the chance to discuss if they had any plans or goals.

_______

I have been unable to understand why they decided to travel with me. And I hoped that at least the answers would reveal something.

I mean, I do not hate their presence. On the contrary, I do like and even feel grateful for it. Still, the why had been nagging at me since the start.

I cannot say that I fully understood it even after three hours of talks. But at least, I found out some things.

Angelique wanted to leave their rural region and move into a city, with her main objective being to study. An admirable goal, and one that I immediately supported.

I am not a good example, and my mindset was wrong even on earth. But if she wanted to study, I would do what was in my power to grant her the opportunity.

As for Kierra, well, she was simpler herself. She had no setup goals or aspirations, bar the one of travel. I think part of her reason was to look after Angelique, but whatever. In any case, she said she would be happy with whatever arrangement I decide.

And only hoped it would be something peaceful and where she could get work. She was just bent on the idea of working. I would never work if I could avoid it, but well, she isn't me. In the end, we just left it on something around the lines of - We will look for something when we find a place to settle down.

_______

Angelique had strayed a bit to the side. So her field of view wasn't blocked by the wagons as mine. Thus, she had been the first to see the fort.

"Oh, look at that!" She exclaimed, and so I moved closer to her.

There were only the three covered wagons in front of us, and the road was well paved. So one could see far ahead, especially with the terrain lacking any obstructions except a few short trees on the sides of the road.

"Tessaway Fort! Tessaway Fort in sight!" I heard some of the soldiers exclaim while trying to see it. Which surprisingly turned out to be a pretty hard thing to do!

Almost three kilometers ahead, there was one of the enormous hills. Giant Heads, Azar had called them. Even from this distance, it looked bigger than the ones we had passed before. But it wasn't the size that made me gasp, but the fact that it was parted in two. Almost as if some kind of real giant had slashed the hill in two identical halves.

And on the side visible to us, there stood the fort. We were a bit far for me to make accurate descriptions, but the tower on each side of the pass was enormous. Connected by the middle with an arched bridge that overlooked the road, Tessaway Fort was indeed impressive.

***

The more we approached, the more I was amazed. The towers were built of an almost black stone, and each was at least fifty meters high. And about fifty meters in width at the base, getting narrower with each floor, as the oriental pagodas. The top of each tower was crowned with a parapet walk, and the Kingdom banners flew on each side. Slightly lower, hanging from the last floor, the black mountain with the white building in the center - the banner of the Barony.

Passing beneath the bridge, I noticed that there was a soldier behind each battlement. If they blocked the pass, and I am sure that there were ways to do it, just how would a hostile army pass through?

The bridge was over forty meters from the ground, so simple ladders would not work. As for the towers, now that we were close, I could see that not only they were almost 20 meters above ground level, but the hill walls were extremely steep from the road's direction. As for using the hill itself to approach them, who knows? I doubt that the builders had been so idiotic as to simply allow such an easy path.

"Angelique, where do you think is the access to the fort?" Noticing that I had been gasping in awe for the last half hour of the journey, I decided to correct myself and ask something.

"I would also like to know, but maybe, from behind?" She moved her head around curiously and gave me a theory.

"Oh, seems possible" I nodded and began trying to find any traces of such an approach.

"Take to the right!" Suddenly I heard Reuben's voice, and his command traveled from wagon to wagon back.

To the right? To what, the wall?

***

It turned out that I was mistaken. Or better said, I did not see the entire picture. We were both walking on the left side of the wagons and had the covered wagons hiding most of the right side front. Thus, I couldn't see that the path opened to the right, and it was a pretty long stripe as if meant for a caravan to park.

There was no well, but something like a fountain with a stream falling from a crack on the hill wall and a small pond beneath it was present. The drivers took to the ground, and one by one, the beasts from each wagon were taken to drink from there. Reuben did not command anything else, but the girls decided that probably we would eat here as well, so they returned to the insides of their wagon to prepare.

They were right, as about five minutes later, Gris and Wilfried came riding to ask the girls to do so. And some minutes later, I heard Reuben's voice again, this time commanding a stop for the next hour.

And however strange it was, neither the hands nor I had anything to do at all. So I used the time to snoop around. I wanted to find Azar and ask him about the fort as he was local (well, even more than that, he was technically the young lord!) but could not find him anywhere. And even asking the nearby Wilfried did not get me even a hint.

My investigation only allowed me to find out that the long and narrow area, about 15 meters from the road to the wall and like 50 in length, was indeed a stop for caravans. This made me ask myself, and then Wilfried and Bruno if they knew anything about the reasons for it being here. After all, there was just like an hour of march to Megvuroz, and it did not seem that there was a communication with the fort.

Both of them had traveled this route before, but they had not stopped on it. Still, they had heard that the stop is used for two things. First, if the gate to Megvuroz was closed or otherwise obstructed. And the other one was indeed to pass supplies or merchandise to the fort.

"I suspected the fort part, but how the hell it is done?" I pointed them first at the almost hundred meters behind 'bridge' and then to the steep walls of the hill.

But before they responded, the question was solved by itself. First I heard some low rumbling, which then began getting more intense. And just by the moment I wanted to ask what the hell, a loud crash sounded from the front of the caravan, right near the first wagon.

"Go and see. You will see how it's done" Wilfried with a small grin pointed me in the direction of the crash.

I am not sure if I could consider this a drawbridge, with it extending from the over 25 meters tall wall to the ground. But, it was indeed something like that. Chains were seen from the lower corners and extended somewhere up to the top, which meant that it would be taken in after the business was concluded.

Speaking of business, the Count's wagon began moving on to the 'rampbridge' (seems logical to call it like that). I initially wondered how could two horses move the wagon up at an almost 45° angle, enchanted or not it should be pretty heavy after all. But the screeching I heard made me approach to find out more.

A couple of soldiers blocked my path, but I quickly explained that I was just interested in the mechanism, and they were kind enough to explain before asking me to step back from the Fort access. So, a towing mechanism, with a hooked chain lowered along the bridge and connected to the wagon helped it ascend with several men operating a windlass. As for the bridge or ramp, it was operated via a counterweight system. Amazing!

In any case, it appeared that only the Count's wagon would go up there, accompanied by the knights who had unmounted and were walking with their horses by the reins.

While I was standing there, Reuben approached and confirmed my thoughts, as well as added that we will now eat and continue our journey right after. Oh, and that he expected me to move to the front with him for entering the city.

"Megvuroz isn't like the new cities, Drogzilg or Bigradh. It's an old city and ruled by a Viscount, and knowing Viscount Cantgethen, his gate guards will be checking even the dirt on our wheels" To my silent question of why Reuben explained with a wry smile.

"But did you not mention a trade fair? Why would be they act so hard if people are supposedly coming to earn money for the city?" The questions appeared in my mind and I immediately asked them. Adding another one, "And Reuben, sorry for throwing another question, but why haven't we seen anyone on the road?"

"Ah, well, the craftsmen from Vruz and the south rarely come to Megvuroz fair because of the added taxes and tolls. They prefer to sell everything to one of our caravans, and we make sure to bring it here or somewhere else. As for the villages, they can not even pay the Viscount tolls, so they avoid the city as if it's a monster" Reuben answered.

"I see, but if it's so expensive to come or shop there, why the northern people do come?"

"Because to the north lay the 'Central Lands' and their Count does not tax goods from Megvuroz and a few other cities that are in his camp. Obviously, the Viscount and other nobles answer in the same way. You probably heard something of it from Azar, right?" Reuben again smiled wryly, and while he did avoid any cursing, it was obvious that he did want to add some.

***

The conversation died on that note, and I returned to the kitchen wagon just in time for the girls to start giving out food.

After helping them for a little, I got my share and ate. I wanted to do so with the girls, but they said they had a few things to do while we are stopped, and so will eat on the go.

An hour since we stopped, and with the sun just passing the midday mark, the caravan restarted its path. Down to 14 wagons, as following the Count's wagon, I found out that the soldiers also were 'entering' or 'ascending' into Tessaway Fort.

When I assumed point as instructed, Reuben whispered to me that the Count made the instructions about my payment known, so I should not worry. The Guild also acted as a bank for some Nobles, so I would simply receive it in Megvuroz.

Nice of him to say, as I was already wondering if I would be paid at all. I mean, I could not go and get a real audience with Count Rien now that he resumed being, well, a Count?

But Megvuroz, huh? With four nights in the open in place of two, and a journey that took us a good extra two days... I just wonder, what is it like? What does expect me, or us, there?