Maxi narrowed his eyes as he watched the knight silhouetted against the sun.
Although he couldn't make out details, he realized that he was quite young.
Kuahel sheathed his sword and said calmly, “Are these the Bolosé misfits?”
She looked at the paladin in bewilderment before realizing he was referring to the chivalric order of Livadon.
Raising his head again towards the edge of the gorge, he saw the excited wave of the black-armed knight.
The knight lowered his visor and called: “I'm already descending, so take care of my spear, okay?”
He leapt nimbly onto his great gray warhorse and waved to his men.
There must have been a path on the other side of the rock face, for soon the Royal Knights of Bolosé retreated from the edge and disappeared.
“I didn’t expect Sir Sejuleu himself,” Elliot commented, approaching Riftan with his horse in tow.
“Sir Sejuleu?” exclaimed Ulyseon.
“Aren Sejuleu, the greatest knight of Livadon?”
Without bothering to respond, Riftan ripped the golden spear from the fenrir's neck and handed it to Hebaron.
The weapon reached an entire kevette above the stout knight's head.
Hebaron whistled silently as he inspected the bloody tip.
“You have to admit, the man always hits the target.”
“We must advance,” Riftan said, turning to Kuahel.
“Get the carts here, it will be a difficult task.”
The paladin gave a curt nod of assent before ordering his men: “Dispose of the corpse.”
The Temple Knights used their divine magic to burn the fenrir's body.
As the smell of burning lean meat filled the canyon, an intense hunger coursed through Maxi's stomach.
She frowned, disgusted with herself.
Even though she had been hungry all day, she couldn't believe that the smell of a burning corpse could awaken her appetite.
Shocked, she looked away.
When they reduced the monster to ashes, the group guided their exhausted horses through the gorge.
After a while, the narrow passage widened enough to set up camp, and they promptly stopped to rest.
The Royal Knights of Livadon appeared one by one on the other side.
Maxi sighed in relief.
The supply caravan had arrived.
“It’s been a while, Riftan.”
The knight leading the caravan jumped off his horse and approached.
Maxi was crouched on the floor, stroking Rem's neck.
She looked curiously at the man.
Her robust build rivaled that of her husband.
He took off his helmet and held it at his side before resting a friendly hand on Riftan's shoulder.
"I was worried when you disappeared on Pamela Plateau.
But it seems my worry was completely unnecessary.
You are fine, Sir Riftan.
Amazingly well."
“I apologize for being unharmed,” Riftan replied, roughly pushing the man's hand away.
Sir Sejuleu didn't seem to mind the White Dragon commander's icy response.
He smiled and handed the helmet to his squire behind him.
"I must admit, I'm happy to see you despite your stormy mood.
It just shows how worried I was."
Maxi's eyes widened at the familiar banter between the two.
When Sejuleu turned her head to observe the others, she was able to get a better look at his face.
Despite his uninhibited way of speaking, the Livadonian commander had an aristocratic bearing.
Black and dark brown curls softly contoured her tanned face.
While the slightly drooping corners of his eyes gave him a soft impression, they were at odds with his lips and jaw, both indicating that he was a man of uncompromising gravity.
Sejuleu's eyes fell on Maxi and Sidina, sitting on the ground with their backs against the rock face.
“Oh, I didn’t know there were ladies present.”
He considered their tired appearances sympathetically before commanding his men, "Start setting up camp.
I would wait until we're out of the pass, but I don't think we'll be able to hold out that long."
During the conversation, Kuahel stood silently a short distance away.
He spoke as Sejuleu's men began to act.
“How are you here and not the group we sent ahead?”
Sejuleu's face lit up when he recognized Kuahel's presence.
"Oh my God, how old is it?
Are you okay?"
“Do I look okay?”Sejuleu sighed at the paladin's harsh response.
“What a poor reception you give me when I rush to help you.”
When Kuahel responded with a grumble, Sejuleu continued resignedly, "Very well.
To answer your question, the group you sent ahead is currently at Eth Lene Castle.
I dissuaded them when they tried to leave immediately.
They were all in desperate need of rest."
“Were they unharmed?” said Riftan.
Sejuleu nodded.
“Yes, everyone arrived at the castle intact.”
He tilted his head at his men, who were setting up tents and a makeshift stable with perfect efficiency.
"I know we have a lot to discuss, but you guys should eat first.
I'm sure it's been a while since you've had a decent meal."
His words were music to Maxi's ears, but she knew the horses needed sustenance more.
Although his exhausted mare refused to move from where she was lying, Maxi managed to get her to stand up and lead her to the long trough prepared by the royal knights.
As soon as one of Bolosé's riders filled the trough with fodder, the horses began rooting eagerly.
Maxi's eyes shone with pity as he observed the animals.
She took the saddle off Rem's back, took a blanket from her bag, and wrapped it around the mare's neck.
At that moment, someone grabbed his arm.
"The knights of Livadon will take care of the horses.
Come here."
Riftan took her to where the knights were lighting a fire.
She obediently followed him and settled in front of a blazing brazier.
Riftan took off his cloak, draped it over her shoulders, and handed her a cup of hot, spiced wine.
Leaving the preparations to her subordinates, Sejuleu walked over as she took her first sip.
"She's certainly no ordinary lady for you to be looking after her so carefully.
May I ask for an introduction?"
Riftan replied without even looking at the man.
“Get lost.
“Then I suppose I’ll have to do it myself,” said Sejuleu, unfazed by his cold response.
He smiled at Maxi.
Her eyes widened as he knelt before her and deftly removed her glove.
“Forgive me for the late introduction, my lady,” he said, kissing her hand.
“I am Sejuleu Aren, commander of the Royal Knights of Bolosé.
I would like to know who I have the honor of speaking to?
If you allow it, of course.”
“I-I’m… Maximilian Calypse,” Maxi muttered, stunned.
Sejuleu gave him a gentle smile as if he had already expected it.
“It is an honor to meet you, Lady Calypse.
Your beauty exceeds my expectations.”
As soon as Maxi's cheeks turned a deep blush, Riftan moved like lightning.
He took Sejuleu's hand from his grasp.
“That was a very long greeting!”
Sejuleu slowly stood up.
“I was merely expressing my admiration for Lady Calypse’s bravery.” He then turned to Maxi with a deferential expression.
“Forgive me if I have exceeded any Wedon protocol, my lady.
It was not my intention to offend.”
“P-Please don’t apologize, sir.
Your manners were impeccable,” Maxi replied, shaking his hands hurriedly.
His eyes gently narrowed.
“It’s a relief.”
Riftan was still beside them, watching the interaction.
Losing his patience, he growled, “I'm tired enough of your smile, so I would appreciate it if you would leave.”
Maxi scowled at his rudeness, but Sejuleu just shrugged as if he already knew that.
“Your envy is unnecessary, commander.
As does hostility.
I would never do something as despicable as seduce a man’s wife.”
A blush crept up Riftan's neck.
“It’s because I’m tired of your insolent face!”
“It's sad to hear that my attractive face bothers you so much,” Sejuleu teased, smiling.
Growing angrier, Riftan took a step forward as if he was going to throw a punch.
Hebaron intervened just in time.
“Let’s stop this childish fight, huh?
We barely got together.
Come, both of you.
Let’s not waste our breath.”
Sejuleu walked away in an exaggerated show of decorum.
Maxi's lips curved into a smile.
She had to admit, she was starting to like Sejuleu's shameless way with Riftan.
Although mischievous, his words and actions indicated that he had great respect for Riftan.
“It looks like you like him,” Riftan said after studying his expression for a moment.She lowered her head to hide her smile.
As Sejuleu had pointed out, her husband was jealous.
Maxi pretended not to notice.
"I was just a little surprised, that's all.
I didn't know that someone so courteous and well-mannered could reach the rank of commander of a knightly order."
Riftan leaned over, asking in a low voice, “What do you mean by that?”
Maxi batted her eyelashes at him, feigning innocence.
"What do you think?"
He narrowed his eyes.
Just when he was about to explode, there was a commotion as the Royal Knights of Bolosé began distributing food.
She got up.
There could not have been a more timely interruption.
She settled near the brazier and savored every bite of the thick, fatty ham, finely chopped onions, soft bread, and fruit preserved in honey.
Only after satisfying her hunger did she realize “ they had safely left the Pamela Plateau.
Her eyes filled with tears as she scanned the faces of the people gathered around the fire.
I still couldn't believe that they had managed to escape that terrible place without serious injuries.
There were certainly harrowing moments, but in the end, they had made it.
His chest filled with a feeling of accomplishment.
A smile of contentment curved his lips.
In a few days, they would be at Eth Lene Castle.
His adventure was coming to an end.