''No, no! The supplies must be stacked on the back of the carriage,'' a knight bellowed at his young squire, raising his hand and delivering a sharp blow to the back of the squire's head. ''You fool! How are you supposed to fit everything if the front is already full? Use your goddamn brain for once. Or did you drain your balls so much yesterday that you've lost all sense?''
''I apologize, sir! I will immediately correct the mistake,'' the small squire scrambled to unstack the boxes.
Ignoring the commotion behind me, I made my way through the preparations for our journey. Everywhere I turned, I saw knights with their house emblems proudly displayed, readying for the voyage.
Finally, I was headed home where I could rest for a well-deserved month before returning to the academy. Walking beside me was the princess herself, her eyes scanning over the soldiers as she insisted on personally seeing me off from court.
''I regret that our time together was cut short,'' I spoke wearily as my shoes sank deeper into the muddy ground beneath us. The previous night, a fierce rainstorm had swept through, drenching the road outside the city and turning it into a quagmire.
''But perhaps at the academy, we will have the chance to continue our conversation,'' she replied with a smile, leaning closer to me and locking her gaze with mine. ''I am eager to learn more about you.''
''Indeed, I believe that opportunity will present itself in due time,'' I said, my eyes drifting up to the dark clouds looming overhead. Perhaps it would rain again during our journey.
My dejected expression for the weather likely mirrored that of Frolacht this morning - his efforts to rally noble support for our cause had been in vain without my presence by his side. It was only when I promised to host meetings with him at the academy that he ceased pestering me.Apparently the fact I was not with him during his attempt greatly displeased him, well he was not in the wrong after all I had agreed to help him, yet it was true that I had too much to drink that night, so it was for the better that I retired before I made a fool of myself.
''Well then, I suppose this is where we part ways, Your Highness,'' I said, hoping to reach my mansion before the end of the week.
''Yes, it appears so,'' she sighed softly. ''I would have enjoyed speaking with you further.''
''As would I, Your Highness,'' I replied, searching for a graceful exit from the ship. ''Farewell.'' With a bow, I made my way inside as I watched her give me one last smile before turning away.
I settled into the soft cushions of the carriage, my eyes fixed on the passing landscape as we rumbled onto the road. The journey back was interminably long and arduous, the relentless rain from the previous night leaving the roads slick with mud and making our progress slow and treacherous. Time seemed to stretch endlessly, each hour dragging on like a weight around my neck. Eventually, we came to a halt, stuck in the thick, clinging mud that refused to release us from its grasp. Exhausted and utterly bored, I could only wait for rescue as I gazed out at the desolate countryside.
The sharp, hateful voice of the only bastard bold enough to insult me echoed in my ears.
"So are you purposefully ignoring them or are you truly that foolish?" I shot back, not afraid to challenge him.
"I haven't heard from you in a while...did you lose your way inside?" I taunted. "Did you not see the court of priests? I can't imagine they would be too pleased with my presence and interacting with you increase the risk of a priest worth half a shoe to discover me ."
He scoffed " And unlike someone else, I don't play with fire''
I brushed off his comment, enjoying our argument nonetheless.
"What were you talking about?" I asked.
"It's quite obvious to me that the white-haired whore has her sights set on you," he sneered. "I fail to see the appeal as you are just as irritating as you are disgusting. But yet, you continue to ignore her advances. Is she not to your liking?" His words dripped with disdain and mockery.
''She is pleasant to the eyed that I admit, but she is too bothersome and I have no taste for her demands and desires . I am not ready to settle down yet, I want to have more fun before settling down . But if I were to sleep with her, the crown would demand a union and my parents would eagerly comply. And if I refuse, it will leave a sour taste in the mouth of the king and the rest of the nobility. My plans for gaining support from the kingdom would be ruined by such an impulsive decision.''
My demon companion suggested a different approach. ''What about marrying her? It could work in our favor. The king would be more likely to protect you once my true identity is revealed. Do something useful for both of us for once , you balless prick.''
I couldn't help but feel uneasy at the thought of such dog being so interested with whom I sleep
''There's no need for that,'' I protested. ''The king already values me and knows my worth. In time, he will rely on me even more until he realizes his kingdom cannot thrive without me.''
''It seems to be that you are all talk and no substance, or that you are a sword swall-''Baalkaroth's words dripped with disdain and contempt as he spoke, his voice laced with arrogance. But before he could finish his sentence, a blood-curdling scream pierced the air.
''WE ARE UNDER ATTACK! PROTECT THE LORD'S SON!" The urgent cry from Ser Caer cut through the chaos, rallying the soldiers around the carriage. Without hesitation, I flung open the door and drew my sword, scanning the area for any sign of danger. My eyes fell upon a fallen knight, a cold dagger pressed against his throat. It was clear that we were in the midst of a fierce battle, our lives and mission at stake.
My eyes darted around frantically, searching for the attacker who had just ambushed us. The forest was dense with trees, their branches reaching out like gnarled fingers, obscuring my view. The road we were traveling on was flanked by these towering giants, the only path through the thick wilderness. As there was just one single knight taken out by a dagger meant that there was probably only one assailant. My mind raced as I knew only one bastard crazy enough to fight one hundred knights.
He has finally reached me...