Under the Oak Tree

The returning campaign party numbered less than ten thousand. Maxi's expression darkened as she stood on a castle turret, surveying the mass of soldiers in the field. Excluding those who had deserted on the way to the Lexos Mountains, the campaign had cost at least five thousand lives.

Though Livadon, Dristan, Wedon, and Balto's Southern Confederacy all bore casualties, Osiriya's Temple Knights suffered the most. As the campaign's spearhead, they had bravely confronted the dragon using divine magic to neutralize its powers, losing over half their number in the process.

Maxi's brow furrowed as she looked down at the bodies of three hundred paladins in neat rows on one side of the encampment. There was not a hint of sadness on the clerics' faces for their departed comrades or joy at their victory. Like gloomy shadows, they silently waited for the departure signal, and their gravity seemed to infect the adjacent Wedonian army.

In contrast, the knights of Livadon and Balto, stationed a little further away, reveled in their triumph. Their raucous celebrations and boisterous cheers echoed in the distance.

After anxiously observing the soldiers indulging in food and drink, neglecting to break camp, Maxi descended the stairs.

The heart of the city was just as clamorous. Stalls flanked both sides of the main road, which was crowded with baggage wagons and soldiers carousing or playing dice. Though the coalition army was due to leave Vesmore by noon, the soldiers, weary from their lengthy journey, sought every excuse to delay their departure.

Sighing, Maxi pushed her way through the teeming crowd. Near the gate, a small tent had been erected, in front of which soldiers in light armor had formed a line. These were likely the troops from Dristan and Arex, disbanding in Vesmore and waiting to receive their pay.

She stopped to watch the whistling soldiers heading to the taverns, their pouches filled with silver. When she stepped out of the gate and crossed the moat, she noticed the Remdragon Knight's blue banner and the House of Calypse's red banner billowing beside each other. She immediately sprinted toward them.

"Lady Calypse!" Ulyseon, spotting her first, greeted her with a broad smile and a wave.

In just over two months, Ulyseon Rovar had matured beyond recognition.

"Where have you been, my lady?" His purple eyes, which seemed calmer, fixed on her as he talked. "Sir Riftan has been looking for you."

"I had to return to the lodgings to fetch a few things."

"You could have sent one of us."

"I didn't want to trouble any of you with something so trivial. But tell me, where is Riftan?"

It was Ursuline Ricaydo who replied.

"Sir Riftan has gone to the Livadonian camp."

The knight was perched on a wagon, polishing his sword. Like her, he seemed vexed that the army's departure was delayed.

Pointing to the back of the knights' formation, Ursuline added with evident exasperation, "He is likely threatening to drag Sir Sejuleu along with a noose if he doesn't pack up immediately."

Maxi suppressed a sigh at the knight's prediction. It was remarkable that Riftan, known for loathing dallying of any sort, had tolerated even this much delay. Tossing her bag onto the wagon, she walked to the formation's rear. The knights greeted her one after another as she passed.

Her smile quickly faded as she noticed the Remdragon Knights' reduced number. By a rough estimate, it seemed at least thirty knights had fallen in battle. While those close to her, like Ruth, Hebaron, and Elliot, had returned safely, several familiar faces were missing.

With a heavy heart, Maxi continued toward the Temple Knights, who were guarding the carriage bearing the holy relic. Sweeping her eyes over their ranks, she halted abruptly upon spotting Kuahel Leon's stony face. The Temple Knight stood silently next to his chestnut war horse, his expression as emotionless as a doll's.

Maxi soon noticed the absence of the young, silvery-blonde night who always shadowed him. His name was Vinther, if she recalled correctly. The loss of someone she had unconsciously become accustomed to seeing around weighed on her heart. He was not the only one missing; most of the knights who had accompanied the mages to the Pamela Plateau had fallen.

How perilous must the battle have been for the powerful Temple Knights to lose so many members? Maxi could not even begin to fathom it. Casting a sorrowful glance at the knights, she headed west.

As Ursuline had anticipated, Riftan was locked in a heated argument with Sejuleu Aren. Her husband's livid voice boomed across the field.

"I'll give you an hour to clean up this mess," he thundered. "If you don't, I swear I will tie you to a wagon and have you dragged out of here."

"Do calm down," came Sejuleu's relaxed reply. "What's the rush? We have been trekking through the mountains for two months, not to mention the grueling battle with an undead dragon that refused to stay dead. Some rest is well deserved."

"That is why I gave you four days to eat and drink like pigs!" Riftan retorted. "You've rested enough! If you are not ready in an hour, my men and I will depart for Balbourne without you. I wonder how your lord will react when he learns why his royal knights missed the victory parade."

"God help your impatience. You really must work on that inflexible attitude of-"

Sejuleu's cocky response was cut short when he spotted Maxi. A glint appeared in his dark green eyes.

"Good day, Lady Calypse. You are as stunning as ever," he said, pushing past Riftan to greet her. Kissing her hand, he added respectfully, "Your husband and I were just discussing your remarkable creation."

Maxi's eyes flickered to the golem hunched over on the hill, and she let out an awkward laugh. Almost exhausted of fuel, the giant's body had partially fallen apart. But even with an arm and half its torso missing, its remains were an intimidating sight.

"Are you aware that the Dristanians are calling you the Golem Mage?" Sejuleu said exuberantly. "I'm sure there will be a new song to follow Livadon's 'The Scarlet Lady.' In fact, that fellow over there has already written three poems dedicated to you."

Sejuleu pointed to a fair-haired, freckle-faced knight sitting in a circle inside the tent. He was looking at Maxi with evident admiration. Feeling a cold sweat break out on her back, Maxi quickly withdrew her hand.

"H-How kind of you. But...a play about the dragon battle might be more entertaining. I'm sure the people would find that much more riveting..than any story about me. After all, the true heroes are the men who...risked their lives in the campaign."

"Ah, so humble, too! Upon my return to Livadon, I shall let the palace poets know of all your virtues," Sejuleu remarked, grinning.

Maxi regarded him with horror. She was spared further conversation when Riftan grabbed the knight by the shoulder and roughly yanked him away from her.

"Have you forgotten my warning?" he snarled, bringing his face close.

Sejuleu appeared unperturbed as he replied, "How could I forget your threat to break every bone in my body if I dared to approach your wife again? But, alas, I am willing to sacrifice my bones to praise true talent."

"You bloody bastard. Must I skin you alive for you to-" Riftan abruptly clamped his mouth shut when he saw Maxi's face. He spoke again, his voice much calmer. "Break camp now unless you want a beating in front of your men."

With that, he shoved Sejuleu back, grabbed Maxi's hand, and strode out of the tent. Maxi cast a nervous glance over her shoulder.

To her relief, Sejuleu Aren did not appear to be offended. The knight winked at her, looking ever mirthful. Maxi shot him a wry smile before Riftan's disapproving voice interrupted.

"Where were you this morning?"

"I went to collect some things at the lodgings."

"Have you eaten?" he asked, his tone serious.

He caressed her thin shoulder as he spoke. When Maxi nodded, he studied her face as if to ascertain whether she was telling the truth. A moment later, leaning down to kiss her.

Embarrassed, Maxi glanced around to see if anyone was watching, lightly smacking his arm at the same time. A smile curled Riftan's lips.

Wrapping his arm around her, he said gently, "You've lost weight. I just worry, is all. Make sure you take a carriage as much as possible on our way to Balbourne."

He rubbed his cheek against the top of her head before letting her go. Maxi looked up at him, her face flushed.

Every place he touched seemed to burn up her skin. Had it been possible, she would have given anything to slip away with him so they could spend some time alone. However, Riftan's duties as supreme commander would not be over until they reached Balbourne.

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