CHAPTER 273: MORE THAN THEY CAN HANDLE

The knights didn’t see Rosalind again, but they were still grateful for the information she gave them.

After having a quick breakfast, the two were off bright and early, scouting the surrounding forests to see if the goblins there were something they could handle on their own.

They started further east, wondering if the monsters were coming from the area surrounding Polona specifically. If there was activity the mages were worrying about, maybe that could be what was scaring the monsters into going west.

Despite having to slice down two goblins and one dire wolf that had gotten isolated from the packs they usually traveled in, there wasn’t much to speak of in this area. It felt like the forests they were used to before the war, where danger was low. If anything, the average sword-wielding person could take care of it themselves.

North of the township, there was only sparse tree coverage, which made them feel less of a need to scout that area. So, they crossed over to the west, where dense forests covered the center of the duchy, all the way to where Irene grew up in her father’s lands.

"On foot," Felix directed as they made it to the forest’s edge.

Irene nodded at this and slid off of her horse.

They both directed their loyal animals to go towards rocks, which would give them better cover in case they were faced with more goblins than expected.

It had taken a while, but Irene had found a way to walk nearly silently despite a full suit of armor. Her sword was drawn, and she had to keep her arms far from her body and legs wide so that metal wouldn’t scrape metal. If they saw monsters, she would change the way she was walking, but until then, it was necessary to move quietly.

For a while, their only covering was the autumn breeze that rushed through the forests occasionally, rustling the pine needles and knocking down leaves. It allowed them to walk with a bit less worry that whatever they may be sneaking up on was going to be alerted by their presence.

They came upon two thick-trunked evergreen trees that led to a clearing.

Irene’s gaze was going north, and she nearly cried out when she felt an arm around her midsection stop her from going forward. She looked towards Felix urgently, who held up a finger over his lips, then pointed into the darkness. The pine trees gave way to the center of the forest.

In front of them was what seemed to be a warm home for goblins, and Irene felt sick at the sheer number of them.

While it was nothing compared to what they witnessed south of the Duke’s Tower in the bowl-like valley amidst the mountains and foothills, it was still alarming because it was so unexpected.

Not wanting to risk his partner, Felix pulled on Irene’s arm and led her back the way they came from. Since they hadn’t crossed any goblins in that direction, it was their safest bet.

When they were around the massive rock formation they hid their horses behind, Felix was able to lift off his helmet and let his body relax with a sigh.

"What are we meant to do with that?" Irene asked, under her breath. "Can we take care of it with Earl Auden’s knights?"

"I don’t want to risk it," Felix admitted. "I’m not sure how much you know of the way a private knighthood such as that acts, but they are a tool for the Earl. A life lost from the knighthood, we would likely have to pay for. It is an agreement that even His Majesty would support."

Irene frowned slightly at this. She shouldn’t have been surprised that they would have to pay the Earl if his knights were harmed. If the knights were lost when monsters were overtaking the north during the war, they would simply be a loss of funds to the Earl rather than a loss of life.

"Feels a bit callous," Irene admitted. "But I suppose that’s all we can do then until the others arrive."

"They’re paid a lot for how callous their circumstances are," Felix responded with a dry laugh. "But it’s a stifled version of knighthood that I wouldn’t like to get involved in."

Irene nodded and followed Felix’s lead as he mounted his horse and started to head back into the township. She dutifully followed her leader, wondering what was next for them if they couldn’t take care of the goblins on their own.

Despite how heavy that day felt, there was enough sun to keep them warm, but enough breeze and clouds that it wasn’t too miserable. It was truly an ideal day for travel, but Irene wasn’t sure what was next for them.

After they dropped their horses off in the stables with the same stablehand they dealt with before, they were on their way back into the inn. However, they only made it through the doorway before the sound of jovial voices reached their ears, and the pace the two knights walked became faster.

The captain of Auden’s knights was there at the table, still wearing his armor as he enjoyed a mug of the beer offered to him the moment he entered the doors. His knights were eager to see his return because he was going to bring aid for the village and hopefully more direction. Otherwise, the knighthood could only sit and wait or fight the goblins if they appeared again.

"You’re Captain Isaac?" Felix inquired as he approached the table.

The knight, with light brown hair that had been braided back to stay off of his neck as he wore a helmet, nodded.

"Who’s asking?" the man asked.

"Second in command for the Knights of Tenetium, Sir Felix Magnusson," the knight responded.

At this, the Captain stood and offered his bare hand. His gloves and greaves were left behind on the tabletop. Felix removed a glove as well and offered a tight handshake, showing that he meant no ill will and was only there to listen and hopefully collaborate.

"A pleasure, Sir Felix," he responded. "And who is this?"

It was clear he was referring to Irene because that was where his light brown eyes traveled next. She had removed her helmet, offering her appearance to the man openly. She was slightly hesitant at the tone of his voice.

It wasn’t only his tone she was worried about, but the fact that he reminded her so much of the Commander of the Royal Knights, Commander Antoine. There was a certain air about him and a regal appearance that she inherently didn’t trust after having to live alongside those knights.

Felix allowed Irene to speak for herself.

"The Knights of Tenetium’s third in Command, Dame Irene Litharion," she offered, bowing slightly with a gloved hand over her chest.

However, what she wasn’t expecting was the man to remove her glove for her and, when she offered the hand to shake, figuring that was all it was, he kissed the back of it as if she were a true noblewoman.

She realized, in that moment, she had indeed made it back to the status of noble, even without her father, and simply because titled knights were allowed to be landowners. The Captain was merely acting in a way that was required for a nobleman to act towards a noblewoman.

That thought in itself was enough to calm her slowly rising temper.

When the man stood back up to his full height, he smirked faintly at the girl.

"You are the most beautiful knight I’ve ever seen," he complimented her.