Chronicles of Kings and Knights/4

Chapter 14
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Gilbert was one of the first Cherry Wood Knights who came, limping, in his case, to the edge of the encampment to visit them, face all aglow with joy at knowing that his comrades had successfully managed to get back alive from their trip to Fafner.

"How's everything going, Gilbert?" inquired Hobenrûd, looking at the camp.

"Not bad, Hoben! In fact, I think we're already ready to begin marching. A local village offered us quite a bit of gold in exchange for 'enlisting' our support in eradicating all those made-up 'witches' that prowled this place. So. Ready to tackle Pulti?"

Hobenrûd smirked and said "Hollen gave us more troops than you can possibly imagine. I think it's my charm, myself."; Anita also got down from her mier and came forward, she glanced at Gilbert's bad leg, glanced at the camp, and seemed disappointed: "So this is your base of operations?"

Hobenrûd rolled his eyes. "Or maybe he just wanted to bother me. Gilbert, meet Anita. We got another girl in the team...and don't mean it in the good way. And Anita, yes, this is our base. We didn't have money for a fancy palace. So you'll have to get used to it.". Gilbert turned to face her. "Well...we don't have much time to waste, but I believe your men are tired. We were planning to have a commemoration when you came...but I think we don't have beer for so many people."

Anita grinned and said: "Oh, don't worry. I don't drink."

That evening, Marin was walking around the camp. Not thinking about becoming queen, or about her father, or about gaining Hobenrûd for the first time in days. Because, at that time, her mind was busy with more immediate worries like: "It's awfully crowded in here. And it's so noisy! It's a wonder my father's army don't hear us and burn our camp."

Torches were lit to provide more illumination, and open kegs of beer were scattered throughout the field, so that anyone could just dip a cup in them and drink. The moon and various stars could be seen, brightly helping with the illumination themselves.