“Goodness, the Remdragon Knights can’t seem to last a day without me. Can’t be helped, I suppose. We should hurry to Sir Hebaron at once,” Ruth rambled in an exaggerated manner as he led Riftan away from the women’s tent.
Maxi strained her ears to listen to Riftan’s voice as they left. Soon he was drowned out by the clamor of the camp.
When she thought that they were distant enough, Maxi ran out of the tent. Riftan was barely visible among the crowd. Tugging her hood down further, she followed him as though she were under a spell.
From afar, she saw him head toward a large tent. Ruth walked beside him. Maxi quickly hid behind a tree and watched them enter the tent. It had only been a glimpse, butit was enough to make her heart feel as though it were being crushed inside her chest.
This was her first glimpse of Riftan in months. He looked far more commanding, dignified, and breathtakingly magnificent than she remembered. Maxi remained transfixed long after he disappeared into the tent.
It was maddening how close she was to Riftan, yet she could not talk to him or even catch his eye. She considered following him into the tent and confessing the truth, but just imagining his reaction sent icy shivers down her spine.
“You there. What are you doing?”
Maxi had been hesitating behind a tree when she felt a large hand on her shoulder. Startled, she turned to find a burly man as big as Hebaron looking down at her.
The man gave her an impish smile and leaned his bushy face close to hers. “Aren’t you a cute lass? Lookin’ for some company?”
Terrified, Maxi began to back away. “N-No, I am…n-not.”
The man smirked. “Be honest. I’d be happy to help.”
He took a step closer, and Maxi frantically looked about her. Although there were soldiers all around, none seemed inclined to help her.
Desperately trying to conceal her distress, Maxi replied in the coldest voice she could muster, “Th-Thank you…but I-I do not require your assistance. Now…if y-you’ll excuse me.”
She was about to turn around when the man grabbed her arm. Maxi stifled a scream. He yanked Maxi toward him and growled irritably, “No need to be coy. If it’s money you want—”
“What’s going on here?”
Maxi whirled at the familiar voice. Kuahel Leon stood before them, glaring at the man with his ice-cold gaze.
“Were you not warned that anyone who causes a disturbance within the camp will be severely punished according to military law?” he said in his usual brisk tone.
The burly man appeared undaunted. “Why are you makin’ such a fuss? The woman seemed to be lost. I was just trying to help.”
“She is no woman,” Sir Kuahel barked at the man without even glancing at Maxi. “Do you not see her attire? She is a female cleric sent by the basilica. I’m sure I do not have to explain to you the punishment that awaits those who try to harm someone under the church’s protection.”
“Goddamn, aren’t you a testy one?” the man snorted without a hint of remorse. “How am I supposed to know just from her attire if she’s a cleric or a woman here to comfort the weary men?”
Maxi’s lips quivered. It finally dawned on her that the man had mistaken her for a prostitute.
Apparently sick of the man’s audacity, Sir Kuahel twisted his lips in contempt. “I tire of this discussion. Return to your post before I have you punished for mocking a cleric of the church with your foul mouth.”
The man scowled, then practically flung Maxi’s arm away. “Yeah, yeah, whatever you say.”
Maxi ducked behind Sir Kuahel. The burly man shrugged nonchalantly before strolling away. Maxi watched him warily until she felt a hot gaze boring into her head.
She tentatively looked up. Sir Kuahel looked down at her, his brows furrowed into deep creases.
“Follow me,” he ordered curtly. “I shall escort you back to the women’s tent.”
She was in such shock that she meekly obeyed, glad to get away. As they cut through the bustling camp, she made sure to stick close behind him.
Sir Kuahel remained silent until they arrived at a secluded spot. He turned to level his piercing gaze directly at her.
“Please avoid moving about the camp on your own as much as possible.” His words were polite but clearly laced with reproach. “The armies of Livadon, Wedon, Osiriya, and Balto are currently gathered here at Eth Lene Castle, and a third of them are mercenaries for hire. Please refrain from wandering the army barracks by yourself if you do not wish to encounter such an odious situation again.”
Maxi fixed her eyes on the ground, too embarrassed to look him in the eye. “I will…k-keep that in mind.”
