Thats The captain hesitated.
The rcenary escorting is an incredibly capable man; hell be able to solve any roadblocks caused by monsters. And, if sothing truly happened to the village, itll be best for soone like , a pilgrim, to go and recruit help.
The guards face brightened when Luisen hinted that he could seek help from the Church. Of course, the young lord had no intention of doing anything so bold and dangerous as that.
Theres really nothing more I could ask for Since it was the captains discretion as to what should be done with a criminals possession, there was nothing wrong if he sold or gave the horse away. However, Zephys was an outstanding horse; it would fetch a lot of moneythat hed regretfully lose out onwith rcenaries or rchants.
However, even if the man disposed of the horse and placed a request at the rcenarys guild, there was no guarantee that they had soone free to take the request. Furthermore, it seed more reliable to rely on this seemingly good-natured pilgrim instead of a violent and unfaithful rcenary. Besides, the rcenary at the pilgrims side looked very strong as well. As the pilgrim said, he could borrow the Churchs power if enough justification was provided.
After weighing his choices, the guard captain finally made his decision. Alright. Ill hand you this horse. In return, Ill place my business in your hands.
Please dont worry. Luisen took the reins from the captain.
Carlton leaned over to whisper in Luisens ear while the captain rushed to write a letter to his family. Is this really okay? Were in such a hurry that a day would be hard to spare Are we able to go off and run soone elses errand?
Though the rcenary had played along with Luisens performance, he was worried. They had a long way to go and were incredibly busy; could they really afford distractions like this? He was greedy for Zephys, but now he felt belatedly guilty that they would be waylaid by unnecessary matters.
At least we now have a horse. Wont we be able to reach the capital faster with this guy?
Thats true, but
Then, even if we waste a day, we shall end up at the capital sooner. Itll be fine. Besides isnt this horse special to you? Luisen wanted to repay Carltons sacrifice by getting Zephys back. Didnt they lose Zephys in the first place because of the young lord?
ReallyThank you so much.
So, Carlton knows how to say thank you normally. Startled, Luisen stared at Carlton. The rcenarys eyes were as sweet as young spring fields. When they had first t, the mans eyes were filled with contempt and disgust, but now the young lord couldnt find any signs of those emotions in his pupils. Instead, he found affection and gratitude aplenty, outright and unhidden.
What do you an youre thankful Luisen said. Youve done so much for .
Youve stepped forward on my behalf. No one has ever cared for that way before.
Carltons words tickled Luisens heart. The young lord shrugged, at a loss for words.
Carlton was already moved; when Luisen acted so cute, it tugged at his heart. He had the urge to grab the young lords shouldersto grab that embarrassed, swaying golden headand drag him into the rcenarys embrace. For so reason, Carlton felt unfounded confidence that the young lord wouldnt reject him now..
However, the delicate vibe that surrounded Luisen and Carlton vanished due to the guard captains intervening words. Heres my letter. Please deliver this well and return to with news of the situation. Ill entrust this to you, Revered Pilgrim. Now that youve listened to my troublesI really have no one else to rely on.
In other words, hes beseeching them to keep their words and not abandon him after winning their quarry. Luisen smiled benevolently, as if he was ignorant to the underlying implications. Of course. As a follower of Gods path, how could I abandon soone in trouble?
Though his expression was hidden by the hood, Luisens words alone seed trustworthy.
After stowing the captains letter safely away, Luisen left the donkey in the captains care.
Honestly, Luisen wanted to take it along since he had gotten attached to it during their ti together, but he was forced to leave it in Confosse. The donkey would probably be unable to keep up with Zephys speedand they had not yet decided whether or not theyd return to Confosse at all. Since they had decided to put off that decision until theyd gauged the situation in the guards hotown, this may be the last ti the young lord would see the donkey.
Luisen looked at the donkey with eyes full of regret. Perhaps the young lords feelings werent properly conveyed, for the donkey had its usual easy-going expression.
Please take good care of my donkey.
Yes! Of course.
Luisen approached Zephys. He was able to solo-ride the donkey due to Carltons special training, but it would be a new experience to ride sothing so big like Zephys. Unlike the small and easy-going donkey, Zephys nose was incredibly high uplike its owner. Back when he had the chance to tag along on Zephys back, a while back, it was clear the horse hated ferrying the young lord.
Please just dont fling off. If you drop , the guard captain will be suspicious of us, Luisen whispered into Zephys ear. Simultaneously, he tensed his body, ready to avoid the horses kick.
However, it was different this ti. Zephys looked at the young lord and kneeled before him. It did its hardest to allow the young lord to climb onto its back easily. As Luisen sat in the saddle, the horse stood up.
From this high up, even Carlton looked small.
My word. It felt like just yesterday when I was carried like a pack on Zephys back. Luisen was deeply touched as he recalled the first ti he rode on Zephys. His face had smashed into the horses buttocks and was beaten by its tail. Now, he couldnt believe that he was proudly riding on its back!
Zephys was an incredibly clever horse. Carlton, as he clambered up, pretended to look inexperienced and humd in discomfort. At a surface glance, Zephys seed to follow Luisens orders and not Carltonsespecially since the captain and the guard were unaware of the full situation.
Ill leave it to you! the captain repeated as he saw the two off.
***
The Guard Captains hotown was located deep within the forest. The way there didnt overlap at all with Luisen and Carltons original path. Therefore, visiting this village was a complete waste of a day.
"
"
They really didnt have the ti to help others. Honestly, the guard captain didnt know Luisen and Carltons real identities, so there would be little trouble if they had just left. The rcenary had slyly floated that option; Luisen, though, refused because he was determined to not do anything that he couldnt be proud of when he t the saint again.
No matter how urgent their matter was, it would be heartless and cowardly to take advantage of anothers desperation. Instead, he urged Carlton to go as fast as they could, without breaks. Though Carlton was feeling impatient, he did not insist on leaving since he had a conscience.
Understanding its owners impatient mood, Zephys galloped tirelessly. Even though it was carrying two adult n, it moved lively, as if the two werent heavy at all. As Zephys began to run in earnest, Luisen choked back so regretful tears. I shouldnt have said we should hurry. This is just too fast.
The landscaped passed quickly before the young lords wide-open eyes; the blurry sight made him dizzy. The sound of rushing wind filled his ears. When Zephys taut legs struck the ground, Luisens body slightly floated upwards before falling back down on the saddle; tingles ran up his tailbone.
There ws no handle on Zephys saddle, so he could only reliably hold onto Carlton. He tightly grasped onto Carltons armsat least he had these, what a relief. The young lord had never ridden so fast in his life.
He clung the length of his torso against the rcenarys body and leaned his head against the rcenarys bust. That wasnt enoughthe young lord also tightly shut his eyes. As he leaned into Carltons embrace, he could hear a pounding heartbeat from sowhere. Wowhis heartbeats racing. Hes scared to death, too.
How could the sound of his heart pounding be heard so clearly in his ear? It was that loud. Luisen shrank into himself even more; therefore, he couldnt see Carlton urging Zephys with an uncharacteristically awkward expression.
They passed the hills and entered the woods. Their view was drastically diminished due to the shade of the foliage. Even on this narrow and rough road, untravelled by most, Zephys galloped fearlessly. Carlton rembered the guard captains directions and went exactly in that direction. Then, at so point, Zephys began to gradually slow down.
Then, Zephys suddenly stopped. Wondering if they were taking a break, Luisen finally opened his eyes. Are we resting before setting off again?
Please stay still and dont dismount. Carlton descended from the saddle and unsheathed his sword. With a rigid expression, he used his sharp intuition to look around. Zephys also paced back and forth a few steps as well. Both horse and master warily looked in the sa direction.
What is it? the young lord thought.
Ever since the sound of thudding hooves had stopped, silence flowed through the forest. The young lord could sense nothingit was so quiet in the forest that it seed like Carlton, Luisen, and the horse were the only living things there.
Whats this? Is sothing there? Am I the only one who has no idea? Luisen looked around blankly.
However, at that mont, sothing that seed like a black blade ca flying at the young lord. Before Luisen could even realize the danger, Zephys nimbly stepped to the side and avoided it. At the sa ti, Carlton intervened and brandished his sword.
Clank!
The sound of iron eting iron rang out. Whatever it was, it slithered away after failing in its attack. Only then did Luisen see what had attacked him.
A huge centipede.
TL: Noooo The donkey T_T Im so sad that they had to leave it behind.
I imagine that Zephys is a draft horse. dieval warhorses (or Destriers) arent actually that tall, apparently. This is a draft horse:
Thats gigantic!
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