Meryl told her son the belt's significance to the soldier's eyes. It was obvious the object acted as way to indicate grade after she remembered her husband's remarks. She hid it under her son's cloak along with the throwing knives.
A few kilometres farther, they reached the camp. Halfway built through the forest, it bore the 'good colours' of the country.
As the first time Oswald descended the valley, soldiers came to them, galloping on their horses. Meryl literally hid under Tom's shadow.
The boys had nothing to fear, but she knew men better than the younglings, she thought. 'I'm a woman, no matter men's basic orders, there'll always be one to go for the woman. I already know how's a man that serves his country, I don't need to imagine how thousands behave like. Better not show myself.'
She vanished with the purse hanging on the horse's saddle.
"I'll handle this, trust me." Tom said to Oswald after he made sure Meryl was nowhere to be seen.
