Finally, the wagon came to a halt, and a soldier swung open the door. “We’re here. You can come out now.”
Maxi waited for the others to get out first. Outside, triangular banners flapped in the wind. Soldiers hauled luggage around a maze of dozens of tents.
Maxi’s eyes roved as she took in the scene. With a population greatly exceeding Serbin Castle’s, Eth Lene Castle buzzed with activity. Streams of people in unfamiliar types of armor strode past, and the sound of gruff curses, clashing iron, and the rumblings of livestock seemed to reverberate from every direction.
Feeling overwhelmed, Maxi could not stop her eyes from darting about. Even though the fear of being discovered by Riftan made her insides churn, she could not rid herself of the desire to see him. She desperately scoured the faces of the knights riding past her.
Suddenly, somebody yanked her arm. Maxi barely managed to stifle a scream.
“R-Ruth! You scared me.”
“Stop staring. Do you want Sir Riftan to know you’re here?” Ruth hissed as he pulled her behind the barracks. “Sir Riftan is currently discussing something with Duke Aren. You must not be spotted by him while he inspects the battle formation.”
Maxi pouted. “Y-You don’t have to be so overly cautious…. He will never know I am here. E-Even Sir Gabel was unable to t-tell it was me. He will never suspect a thing.”
“I would rather not take the risk, my lady,” Ruth muttered darkly. “You know how illogical he is when it comes to you. I implore you to spare the camp from being overturned by his fury.”
Ruth kept up his brisk pace as he dragged her along. Unable to give up, Maxi continued to look over her shoulder before begrudgingly following the sorcerer.
It was not her only chance to see Riftan, she assured herself. There would be countless opportunities during their stay at Eth Lene Castle. After returning Maxi to the group of women, Ruth led them to an area far away from the army barracks.
“This is where you will be staying,” he said, pointing to a large, clean tent.
Astonished gasps rose from the women as they floodedinto the tent. Compared with the narrow one they had shared in Serbin Castle, this was a palace.
Partitioned cots provided each of the women twice as much personal space as they had been used to. Seeing that they no longer needed to sleep cramped inside a stifling tent, the women breathed a sigh of relief.
“I will have the wounded men moved to the tent beside this one,” Ruth said. “If any of them are in critical condition, please let me know immediately.”
As the women began to lower their bags on their respective cots, Ruth added grimly, “Henceforth, there will be casualties each time a battle is fought. You must always be prepared for emergencies, and make sure the herb preparations and boiled water are readily available. The well is only five minutes away, and the storage is situated behind this tent. I will ask the men to stock an ample supply of herbs. If there is an emergency—”
“There you are.”
Ruth’s shoulders stiffened as a deep voice cut his instructions short. Maxi’s heart stopped as she froze on the spot.
It was Ruth who managed to collect himself first. He gave Maxi a silent warning with his eyes, then whirled to block the entrance to the tent.
“S-Sir Riftan. Is something the matter?” he asked, his voice cracking suspiciously.
Maxi had already fled to the inner end of the tent. She clenched her jaw as she pretended to unpack her bag. Ruth was simply terrible at feigning calmness.
“It’s about Hebaron’s wound,” said Riftan. “What in the devil are you doing here? You were supposed to come directly to my tent.”
Ruth forced a smile. “I was…briefing the female clerics.”
“Female clerics?”
“Yes, the basilica sent them to look after the wounded.”
Riftan’s eyes narrowed. “They’re from the basilica?”
His deep voice sent a shudder down Maxi’s spine, and her whole body shook with fear and longing. If Ruth had not cried out at that moment, her impulses might have sent her running into Riftan’s arms.
“More importantly! Sir Hebaron’s condition worries me,” Ruth said hastily. “Should we go see him right away? I will ask the male clerics to take over my duties here. How is his wound? Is there still no improvement?”
Ruth was doing everything he could think of to divert Riftan’s attention. There was a moment of nerve-racking silence before Riftan miraculously took the bait.
“The high priest is tending to the wound, but it’s not getting any better. I think it would be faster for you to find a means to dispel the curse.”
