Sir Elliot?
Sir Elliot Charon, who had been among the men trapped inside Louivell Castle, led a group of soldiers through the city gate. After not seeing him for months, the sight of his familiar face made her eyes well up with tears.
Although Riftan had apparently managed to rescue them, Maxi had still been worried that some of them might be gravely injured. She wondered if the rest of the men were also all right. She was dying to rush over to ask about the others, but she knew that Sir Elliot would immediately send her packing to Levan if he saw her.
Maxi was about to creep away when she caught sight of Ruth’s weary face. She froze in place, her heart brimming with joy as she gazed at the face of her sorely missed friend. How worried she had been for that pesky meddler!
Ruth’s gray hair was longer, messily covering his neck. His normally lean face had grown even thinner, and he looked exhausted. He let out a long yawn as he dismounted from his horse. Maxi smiled; although she stood at quite some distance, she could hear him grumbling as usual.
He said something to the knights and headed to the stream. She hesitated for a moment, then dashed after him.
Ruth fanned himself as he walked to the stream and noisily washed his face once he reached the water’s edge. After making sure no one else was around, Maxi cautiously approached and crouched beside him.
With her shabby clothes and grubby face, Ruth did not immediately recognize her. Clearly thinking that she wasjust a female cleric collecting water, he flicked an indifferent glance at her before continuing to splash water on his dirty hands and feet.
Frowning, Maxi nudged his arm. Only then did his blue-gray eyes focus on her.
Maxi blinked and awkwardly smiled at him. “I-It has been a while, Ruth. I am glad…to see you well.”
Ruth sat bolt upright like a man struck by lightning, and his mouth dropped open as though he was about to scream.
Hopping like a startled rabbit, Maxi quickly covered his mouth. Her sudden motion sent Ruth’s scrawny body plunging into the stream, soaking Maxi’s robe in the process. Sputtering, Ruth clambered out of the stream and fixed his wide-eyed gaze on her, ignoring the water dripping down his face.
She gazed up at him beseechingly, tears in her eyes. “P-Please…do not make a scene. No one else kn-knows…that I am here.”
Ruth stared at her as though he could not believe what he was seeing, then gaped when he noticed her monastic habit.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Ruth’s jaw quivered. He clutchedhis dripping forehead as though overcome with a dizzy spell.
“I heard that you were staying at the monastery, but…did you really decide to join the monastic order of your own accord? What about Sir Riftan?!”
“Wh-What…n-nonsense are you spewing?!” Maxi yelled shrilly.
Surprised by how loud her voice had come out, Maxi nervously glanced about. Soldiers leading horses down the hill darted suspicious looks at them.
Growing anxious, she hastily lowered her voice to a whisper. “The habit…is so I could follow the s-support unit. I am currently…working as a h-healer’s aide for the camp’s wounded.”
“An aide?” Ruth repeated like a parrot.
Maxi seriously considered giving him a good blow to the head so he could think clearly.
“I do not have time t-to explain,” she hissed. “Before you leave, I want to hear about…everything that has happened.I-Is Riftan…well? Is everyone…a-all right? I was told that some were injured—”
“Wait, hold on!” Ruth shouted irritably. “You can’t just say whatever you want after appearing out of nowhere like that. I need time to arrange my thoughts.”
He narrowed his eyes and slowly scanned her from head to foot as he wrung the water from his robe. Suddenly conscious of her disheveled hair, clammy face, and ragged clothes, Maxi blushed with embarrassment.
Ruth covered his face with his hands and let out a long groan. “By God…does Duke Aren know you’re here?”
“I told you…no one else kn-knows,” Maxi mumbled, pulling her hood back into place.
Ruth frowned as though he finally understood what was going on. “Sir Riftan will be furious if he finds out!”
Startled, Maxi covered his mouth again. “Please…keep your voice down.”
Ruth stared up at the sky as if the heavens were testing his patience and mumbled a short prayer.
