Sir Foltest

In the gates leading to the border region, we were saying our goodbyes to our companions before we left for the Betelgeuse duchy.

“Good luck and be careful Sir Foltest,” Brigette said embracing me.

“Bahaha, I’ll be fine. I’ve not had such a thrilling mission in quite some time it will be good to stretch my muscles.” I hugged her back with one arm as I was carrying my greatsword “Evangelina” in the other.

My Lady Alexandria sighed in disapproval. “I want to say that your greatsword will draw attention, but your size will already do that.” She gave me a friendly pat on the shoulder. “I do not doubt that you will all succeed, we will do our best here to try and root out spies while we wait for your return.”

My lady took Brigette by the hand pulling her away and we turned to look next to us where Oberon and Valeria were saying their goodbyes.

Oberon looked exhausted which I could attribute to how much he was drinking last night but he also looked to be wincing in pain which was strange since I do not believe he was hurt yesterday. He grabbed Valeria’s hand who was standing in front of him and kissed it.

“Valeria we already said our goodbyes last night so I will only tell you to come back soon.” He let go of Valeria’s hand, but she quickly grabbed his hand and bent down to kiss him on his lips for a kiss that was perhaps too passionate and too long to do in front of people.

What a bold girl, but then again she will not be with Oberon for a while so now is the time for boldness I suppose.

I looked at my Lady who was flushing and looking away though she snuck in an occasional glance. Brigette did not seem to be as embarrassed and did not look away though she was slightly flushed.

Finally, Valeria broke the kiss and Oberon smiled at her looking slightly embarrassed. “Well, I did not expect you to be so bold, but I can’t say that I mind.”

Valeria squeezed his hand and let him go, turning to look and my Lady and Brigette with a small smile. “I will leave him in your care now.” They nodded reassuringly and Valeria adjusted her sword belt and backpack then turned to look at me looking more serious now. “Let’s go join the others.”

Lady Sirena, Olivier, and Clemente had already said their goodbyes earlier than us and made to procure horses that were needed and were currently waiting for us in the outskirts of the border region.

I adjusted my backpack and greatsword as well and grinned at her. “Yes, we can’t keep them waiting any longer.”

We broke off into a sprint and I took one last look behind me and saw that Brigette was pushing Oberon back inside and my Lady was walking next to them. They were no doubt safer in Leonis than we were in the border region and then later in the Betelgeuse duchy, but I could not help but worry about them. Valeria must feel the same about Oberon since she also kept looking back.

“It’s strange, isn’t it? Even though we are the ones that are going to be in more danger we can’t help but be concerned about their safety.” I had to put in some effort to keep up with Valeria, but I think she heard me.

She shook her head still jogging. “It’s not so strange, we have taken the role of protectors. It is natural to worry about the people we are protecting when they are not by our side even if we know that they are in a safer place than us.”

I nodded my head impressed though she could not see me. “Well said. I think that describes our mindset perfectly.”

We continued jogging in silence until we saw Lady Sirena and the rest of her team with 3 brown horses one had a small wagon attached behind it with some knapsacks on it but was otherwise empty. The cart was meant for Duke Cristopher when we captured and got him out of the duchy. I took a look at Lady Sirena she was dressed entirely in brown leather armor over a grey tunic with a small pouch at her waist. She had seemingly already picked out a horse as one of them was carrying a backpack and a clothed spear. Olivier and Clemente dressed in similar brown leather armor though they wore an archer arm guard and gloves. They both had short bows and daggers on them, and they stood next to a horse carrying two backpacks and arrow quivers, so I assumed that was their horse.

“Sir Foltest, Valeria, you have good timing we just finished picking our horses.” Lady Sirena’s soft voice carried in the wind when we approached.

She walked up to the horse with a wagon attached and rubbed its head fondly. “Sir Foltest considering your size we left the strongest courser for you to ride alone. Valeria, you will ride with me, Olivier and Clemente will ride together.”

A courser all to myself. He indeed looks like a strong one so he should be able to handle my weight and my supplies.

Valeria nodded and quickly made her way to Lady Sirena’s horse strapping her backpack on it. I approached my horse and began strapping my backpack on him as well. I stroked his mane and decided to apologize ahead of time. “I’m sorry, I’m a heavy man and may cause you discomfort, but you only need to bear with me for 2 days and the 2 days back I suppose.” I carefully mounted the saddle and was surprised that the horse didn’t buckle under my weight. I stroked its mane again and grinned to myself. “You are a strong one it’s no surprise that you were given to me and that you will be carrying the Duke once we capture him.” The horse snorted as if agreeing with my words.

Lady Sirena mounted her horse and Valeria did the same mounting behind her. Olivier and Clement were already mounted and were beside Lady Sirena. I was behind them with stronghorse which Is what I decided to unofficially name my horse since I did not know if it already had a name.

Lady Serena spoke firmly addressing us. “We will ride hard the entire day. We will only stop midday to take a rest and eat and midnight to sleep. I have the optimal route mostly memorized and a map with me so I will lead the way. Keep a lookout for any Orion soldiers or scouts as they may be in the border region as well. Unless we are spotted first we avoid them otherwise we kill them.” She took a deep breath and looked us all in the eyes before speaking again. “I do not think it an exaggeration to say that this may be the most important and dangerous mission any of us have ever taken. We will succeed because we cannot afford failure. Now, Follow me!” She grabbed the reins and gave her horse a light kick sending it to a trot.

I did the same and followed behind them.

She may be young, but she is not a bad leader. I can see why Margrave Allard allowed her to lead this mission.

I shook my head regretfully.

If I was 10 years younger and not already in love.

Valeria

Since I did not have to concentrate on riding I decided to listen and watch for anything suspicious but so far I found nothing. I strained my hearing again and the galloping of the horses grew louder but I ignored them and focused elsewhere. I heard rustling in the trees, birds chirping, something large lightly running, most likely a bear that I was told could be found in the border region. I kept my hearing enhanced for a while longer but heard nothing, so I stopped.

It's almost midday and nothing of note so far. As we near the Betelgeuse duchy I’m sure I will pick up on something.

“How are you holding up Valeria? I haven’t heard a peep from you since we started riding. Are you missing Oberon?” Though Sirena spoke to me she kept staring ahead.

Well, I won’t deny that but that is not why I am so quiet.

“I have been keeping a lookout for any Orion soldiers and scouts, but I have not noticed anything so far.”

I found Sirena’s gentle laugh pleasing to my ears. “Hahaha, after killing one of their scout teams, I doubt that they will venture so far unless it’s with an army. We will most likely run into them the deeper we get into the Betelgeuse duchy.”

“I thought so but I wanted to be vigilant.”

She nodded still looking ahead confident in where she was going. “Now that I have you somewhat alone I want to talk to you about something.” Her soft voice somehow became softer when she spoke again. “You and Oberon did not seem convinced by the drug theory my father and Margrave Allard came up with, and honestly neither am I. I have fought some of those undying men and I do not believe that any drug can have such a drastic effect. The undying men were indeed the same as us but one thing that my father and Margrave Allard didn’t mention was their eyes.” She paused as if trying to find the right words. “It was like there was no life in them, they just stared into nothing. So, I want to ask you, Valeria, do you truly believe something darker is the cause? Something from the unexplored lands?”

I cannot just come out and say lest she thinks me mad, but I can weave a convincing enough tale.

I held on to Sirena’s waist a little tighter and spoke seriously. “Sirena, I have been to the lands beyond the sea and seen things that no one in this Kingdom or the Orion Kingdom would believe. I have been part of many battles and fought countless men and women and they all fought with some sort of feeling. A desire to live, protect, honor, glory, revenge, and some with a desire for death. I have never seen or fought anyone that felt nothing. In that moment when we are facing death to feel nothing is simply not human. If what we’ve been told of these undying men are true then I don’t know how to explain it other than the work of something not human. You seem a smart woman Sirena I will not try to convince you of what I believe. Simply consider my words and judge for yourself.”

She didn’t say anything merely kept looking ahead but I saw her brows furrowing, and she was gripping the reins tighter perhaps thinking on my words. Finally, she loosened her grip on the reins and spoke resolutely. “You’re right. I will simply judge for myself.”

I believe Sirena will judge correctly. I was not lying when I told her she was a smart woman. Perhaps she can convince the others in Leonis as well.

She lead us to some thick foliage in the forest and brought her horse to a stop. She stroked its mane in appreciation before turning it around to address everyone in her soft but firm voice. “We shall take a break here. Eat, drink, let your horses eat and rest, and prepare yourselves for the rest of the day. We covered a fair amount of ground already and if we can keep this pace we will reach the Betelgeuse duchy earlier than planned.” She got off her horse and I followed closely behind.

Oberon told me that other than tutoring Alexandria in swordsmanship he was joining her in hunting for spies in Leonis with Ludivine and the twins. Though I think Ludivine is using the excuse of hunting spies to watch plays. It sounds like an easy day for him so he should be fine.