As soon as the sun rose, everyone initiated the journey with no delay.
"May I ask a very latest question?" Frederick enquired while examining the faces of both Max and Merry one by one with complete awe.
"What happened with two of you? Both of you have got eyes swollen." Frederick remarked while looking at them unassured.Being obvious with reasons.Since the crying they had last night until their eyes shutdown .
Max and Merry glanced at each other.Pinkish noses and eyes as heavy as if a bee had bitten.Holding their chuckle after looking at their unseriuos funny faces,they both burst into laughter.
"What's the meaning of this? Commander! Mylady?...-"
"What don't -"
Before Frederick could say anything.
"Ain't we getting late.Everyone, let's get going."Max interrupted and let Frederick wonder.
"Yes, Commander!"
"What's this behaviour?" Frederick innocently accepted the no answer look.
"Merry, come with me.It will be better than the carriage."
He took Merry's hand and helped her to get on the horseback so that they can go together.Travelling for too long, stuck in the carriage,was quite tiring itself. Noticing her discomfort,Max decided to switch with horse riding for her so she could get some fresh air.
He climbed up on the horseback .As he settled rear of her, he pecked temple of her head lovingly.
Looking up to see him afterwards,she got another kiss on forehead this time.Surprised by his sudden act of affection.Smiling at her reaction ,he strengthened his back and led the knights in a drill pattern.
**
"I was surprised when I saw that Calvin and his subordinates prepared to leave yesternight...and when I asked,he said that he had got an urgent matter so he had to reach as soon as possible..." Frederick mentioned while riding alongside Max.
"I see." Max commented.
"Soon we'll be passing Gloro's area...hope they don't cause any ruckus for us." One of the knight spoke.
"We have to be as much as careful so we don't make a notice like last time.Frederick, time we enter the Subare ,divide into two groups.One will be led by me and another by you.Got it everyone?"
Max commanded while regarding others sharply.
"Yes, sir!"
******
As the daylight yawned to nightfall,they reached Subare and divided.One entered into the forest along the borders and another group along the river Seell where the boundaries of Gloro villages started.
Even under low light, the barren lands were visible.Isolated and could barely able to see some wooden rooftop houses with no illumination.Cold enough to freeze bones.The climate was really harsh.And moving in such condition was getting difficult.
'When we first crossed these areas in our way to Montane church in day time , I was really surprised to see the condition of this place.Now...due to the freezing climate it is even more scaring and unbelievable to expect any existence....I wish we could do something for people living here...'
Merry mused about while looking around every single route her eyes could see.
Taking off his thick leather shrug, Max covered Merry's body and face,up and down completely.
"Here,cover your ears too.",he implied.He leaned to get closer to share his body warmth with her.
"F-First cover yourself properly Max..." Merry replied.Reaching out her hands to him behind her ,she struggled to cover his ears with her shawl.
Smiling, he said,
"I'm very clever..Do I not have you in my arms?" Circling his arm around her ,he leaned so she's protected from the chilled wind.
Blushing hard,Merry staggered,"Ma-Max! It tickles! hee hee ha-", Feeling ticklish as he held her,she cackled with a hilarious laughing sound.
Delighted by her unexpected chuckle,he said with a chuckle ," That's really a lovely giggle..".He added with a kiss on back of her head,"...my princess is really adorable."
Dazed by his unwavering compliments,Merry held her breaths to calm down her racing heart.
"Ahem!Ahem!... Getting to hear such soft words from you lord, aches my ears." Dready taunted with a snort.
Keeping his speed,Max replied,"Oh! Did I call 'you' adorable,Dready?" He added," If it aches your ears ,better let it bleed till my words harms your health."
"Atleast use those words for us too Commander. We'll feel touched.." Dready commented with a pout.Other ones agreeing on his remark while nodding their heads.
"Are you my wife Dready?" Max responded with a smirk.
"Well...even if I were,you wouldn't prefer a manly wife like me Commander." Dready replied with a grin.
"Ha ha ha ha"
Other guffawed their lungs out and Merry giggled on his answer.
"So, you're fine to become lord's wife Dready? " One of the knight questioned in his impish and naughtiness.
"For me,he is an inspiration and ideal leader too .....but you see I don't want to become rival with our sweet ladyship." Dready replied with a proud face.
"Anyhow,you wouldn't be able to win against our lady with your stone like face. " Knight teased Dready while keeping his funny expression.
"Hey! I'm also pretty- -No! No! Handsome!" Dready lost and found himself mistakenly a new word to describe.
Laughter filled the air. Merry felt her cheeks all heated up by continuous laughing.For her, she had never met such chaotic people in her life.She really admired the fact that they made her so comfortable to stay around.Respectful and humourous.
"I've had enough with you all..Grow up." Max added with a complete annoyed look of tiredness.He knew very well that these men were just stupid kids disguised behind adult bodies.Never leaving him to breathe for a single moment in peace.
After a while, silence fell all over. Nothing could be seen within their sight.
Suddenly, Merry's eyes glued to a shrub near them.
"Max?" She called with as much low voice as possible.
"Yes? What is it Merry?" Max asked in bewildered tone.
Gripping his sleeves, she said anxiously," Max..b-behind th-those bushes.. someone is there.."
Hearing her words, everyone's darted their vision towards directed site.
Soon turning around on her response,Max eyes fall onto two small dotted bright lights and then all of a sudden,it turned into several more.
Max halted.He grasped his grip around his wife and tightened the reins.Signaling silently, he gestured to the knights.
They all formed a cavern like pattern with their horses directed towards the way Max signalled.
Sensing the approaching sound from the forest, everyone tightened the grip onto their swords.