It was the day of their departure. Riftan gloomily watched Maxi climb into the carriage.
Maxi’s face flushed. It appeared that Riftan was half terrified of what she might do if he were to leave her behind. Frustration simmered in his eyes, but his face was as cold asiron. This whole affair had kept him tossing and turning all night, contributing to him being more short-tempered than usual.
“Nothing good ever came from leaving you behind,” he added darkly. “For my sanity’s sake, I’ll keep you where I can see you.”
Instead of firing back, Maxi sat down and nodded meekly. Riftan narrowed his eyes, then bent to wrap a fur coat around her. Despite his anger, he took the time to ensure her safety and comfort, firmly securing a charcoal-filled iron brazier onto the carriage floor and sealing the windows against the wind.
“It will take a day and a half to reach Loverne Castle. We’ll be traveling without rest through Anatolium, so you must tell me if you feel tired.”
“I-I will.”
Riftan lingered at the carriage entrance as though conflicted before he sighed and shut the door. Maxi pushed aside the drapes and peered out at the twenty or so mounted knights surrounding the carriage.
Hebaron must have been put in charge of Anatol’s safety while they were away, as he was nowhere to be found. It was Ursuline and Elliot who stood at the head of the ranks. Riftan issued a command as he mounted his horse, and the carriage began to roll forward.
Maxi sat huddled against the icy air and watched the scenery pass by. Although the coldest part of the season had passed, it was still winter. The ground was frozen and slippery, and the previous night’s sleet shimmered like diamonds at the edges of the road.
The knights rode stoically through the frigid easternwind. Maxi looked over in concern before drawing the curtain and leaning back against the coach seat. In two days, they were going to fight a bitter battle against their most dangerous opponent yet. She would have to preserve her energy as much as possible.
Closing her eyes, Maxi thought back to King Reuben’s indifferent expression and her father’s cruel face. Going up against them would be more grueling than facing any troll army.
A bleak but determined aura enveloped the knights as they set off. They headed northeast, and Maxi could not help but worry that they might run into goblins or werewolves. Her fears were soon put to rest when the tranquility of the forest made it seem as though the whole world had gone into hibernation.
“A-Are monsters…less active during Paxias?” Maxi asked when they had passed safely through Anatolium.
The knights were now gathered in a field busily preparing lunch. In the center, Elliot was lighting a campfire. He gave her a faint smile.
“We scoured the mountains all through last season and cleared all of their nests.”
Ruth, who was tearing jerky into a large pot, added, “It was the burgeoning troll population that caused the monster migration. Monsters usually live in a tight ecosystem, so they’re forced to find another habitat if a group expands beyond its territory. After we nearly exterminated the trolls up north, the monsters that were pushed south should have returned to their original lands.”
Maxi breathed a sigh of relief. “Th-Then I suppose…they won’t be troubling us so much…from now on.”
Ruth nodded. “Compared with how it used to be, certainly not.”
Once they had finished lunch, they returned to the road without delay. True to Ruth’s words, Maxi did not spot a single goblin the entire way to Loverne. It was probably the safest journey she had taken so far.
They arrived at a small village as night fell. They rented two cottages for the night, then departed at daybreak. Thanks to their haste, they reached Loverne Castle before noon on the second day.
Maxi climbed out of the carriage and inspected the gloomy-looking fortress. A bluish-gray brick wall enclosed the castle, and dark towers made of iron rose like sentinels on either side of the gate.
Feeling strangely intimidated, Maxi stuck close to Riftan. He wrapped a protective arm around her as they walkedon.
Inside the castle, they followed a sentry through a second door that opened onto a garden. Large trees crowded the foot of the stairway to the main building. Servants rushed down to greet them.
“We welcome you to Loverne,” said the steward. “The earl has been expecting you.”
“And the others?” Riftan asked.
“You are the first to arrive, my lord. The other guests are due tomorrow.”
The tension in Maxi’s shoulders eased. Relief washed over her at the news that she would not have to face her father immediately. One of the knights behind them mumbled something about having a day to catch their breaths, and Maxi wholeheartedly agreed.
The servants led them into a spacious hall covered insmooth, marble floors. A stately-looking man came to greet them, trailed by dozens of servants. His lavish attire, his bored eyes, and the pale visage typical among the gentry told Maxi that this was the owner of the castle.
Skipping the initial niceties, the Earl of Loverne heaved a sigh. “Some trouble you’ve started, Calypse.”
Maxi frowned. Although the earl was higher in rank, Riftan was also a lord of his own fief. It was insulting for the earl not to show him the barest of courtesies. However, Riftan responded with an indifference that suggested he was used to the man’s manners.
