The castles in this worlds were different from the earth due to the existence of magical creatures and superhumans and magicians. most of the castles have magical defences and extremely tall walls and all towns are mandatory to be surrounded by walls at least made of stone.
So for places that are surrounded by forests, individual villages are prone to be destroyed by the occasional magical beast attack and it is the minimum requirement to have a standard knight as a guardian. And here in Corinth the border of Artharan to the desolate forest, the magical beasts have more power and aggressiveness. And many adventurers tried to make a living here but they all went missing or found dead when they tried to move deeper into forests. And few of them said that there was a valley deep in the forests after crossing the mountain and the aura there was extremely dreadful and the moment they step into the area even the grand knights and archmagi faint. In the whole of Greivaris, not even a single person crossed the mountains and descended into the valley.
Many countries tried their various methods to enter the valley although few of the attempts were successful such as using automated magic machines to enter the valley then they faced a barrier that was immune to physical and magical attacks. Even spell ball of archmagi was useless and after many attempts over centuries, people started to ignore the valley and considered it a forbidden zone. That's why it is called the no man's valley. But if they circumvent the valley they reach the Iranian forest where there were many barbarian tribes.
As for the rest of the day Marcus just tested the boy's patience until afternoon.
After he treated the boy to lunch with some snacks he inquired "now tell me why do you hate me so much?"
the boy was startled by that question "me young lord ?"
"ahh don't even bother to cover up I saw it in your eyes in the morning the pure hatred and jealousy".
His statement shook the boy out of his core, in his life of ten whole years, he never knew how to tell some one's emotion without looking at their facial expression he can even spot the slightest tremors in their face and can assess whether they were feeling anger or sadness e.t.c. but at the same time he mastered the art of poker face even if someone is beating the hell out of him, the most he gave away was an occasional wince but never a complete expression .for all that he knows eyes are just used to look. Nothing else, he only observed the movements below or above the eyes which showed a complicated range of emotions but never directly from the eye.
But this young lord here was accusing him of having a deep hatred and jealousy for him just by looking at his eyes.
for which he was guilty.
they both were standing under a tree right now. castle gates were not far away .this was the plaza where occasional programs or circuses and dramas happen. So people can gather together and watch the show.
Farmers were coming in carts from the gates with their harvested grain into the safety of the castle.
The boy was trying to find the fitting answer but he couldn't help but fear what happened that night
so he answered in earnest"I am not allowed to answer your question young lord".
"ohh, why is that so ?"
"the baron forbid me from speaking about that matter with anyone, not even my wife if I have any in the future."
"ohh so you are saying find out your self idiot. Is that it ?"
"I dare not say such crass words to your lordship".
"ohh look at you, you even know the word for crass. Most commoners don't even know that."
"Alright then let's go to lord baron and ask him what your little secret is. that let you hate me to your heart's content."
so they both walked towards the training grounds near the keep which is right outside the castle.
On the training grounds, almost 20 rookie guards were doing formation practice.
The baron himself was overseeing their combat exercises. The second in command Arius who originally oversees them was missing as he went to the forest to protect the collectors.
Marcus and the boy stood at the outer rim of the soccer field-sized training grounds.
They were waiting for a set of exercises to be completed.
After few minutes Arlo noticed them waiting for him. He was slightly confused over the presence of the boy.
So he gave orders for his subordinates to oversee the rest of the training
"squad leader Urami ".
"Yes Sir!" the squad leader replied with brimming energy as if he was enjoying the process of training.
"take over my position and conduct the rest of the exercises " Arlo commanded him.
"Yes sir!" he shouted out once again. this time there was a grin on his face.
And his eyes were spewing sadism out even without using his newfound ability. Marcus was able to conclude that today these recruits are going in for one hell of a party.
Arlo left the squad for their own devices and walked towards Marcus.
As he reached the boys
"what is it Marcus? Do you want to join the training, I thought the healer told you to rest for a couple more days to avoid easy exhaustion ".
Marcus cursed silently 'this man is trying to kill me I can even barely run for 100 meters '
"no father, that is not the reason I came today".
He paused and looked at the boy next to him and continued "I saw him looking at me today with an ambiguous expression and when I asked him what the matter was he said he was forbidden to answer. I was confused over that answer and brought him to you".
Arlo sized up the boy.
Then a sudden flash of realisation surfaced on his face.
And replied with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
"ohh seems like you have found him, Marcus".
Marcus was feeling something was off with his father even though his father's face was plastered with a smile. which was the first time for him to see his father smile in all these days. Yet, There was no fluctuation in his emotion. And exceedingly creepy
"what do you mean by finding him father. I do not understand your intentions here ".
"it is nothing Marcus, I think it is time for us to have a man to man conversation. let us move out and talk for a while"
he started walking towards the road that opens from the castle's east gate and follows through the agricultural fields.
he stopped in his tracks. and stood there as if he was contemplating something and he called out to the boy
" you too follow me".
His voice sounded more like an order than asking when he addressed the boy.