The knight sighed and turned around. “You should go inside now. I will post a guard at the tent.”
“Th-Thank you.”
Maxi scurried into the tent as though she were fleeing from a predator. All the tension in her body suddenly evaporated, sapping the strength from her legs. When she wobbled to her cot and sank down onto it, Idsilla and Selina rushed over.
“You surprised us when you left so suddenly.” Idsilla looked at her expectantly. “Did you…meet him?”
Maxi shook her head. “No. I-I only…watched him from afar.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to just tell him the truth? You came all this way to see him, after all,” whispered Selina. Her frown suggested that all this stress was too much for her.
Maxi flushed. She felt like a child desperately trying to delay being whipped. “I do not wish to trouble him…wh-when we are at war. And frankly…I’m scared of h-how he might react.”
“I understand. Elba would no doubt scream like a madman if he were to find me here.” Idsilla hunched her shoulders in an elaborate shudder.
Maxi barely managed a smile. “H-Have you heard any news of your brother?”
Idsilla shook her head. “Not yet. I’m waiting for the right moment to visit the Livadonian barracks.”
Their conversation was cut short by a cleric entering the tent. Maxi wiped her clammy hands on her robe and tried to forget about earlier events.
Such a thing would not happen again if she followed Sir Kuahel’s instructions and refrained from wandering the camp alone. With a deep breath, she tried to calm her pounding heart as she left with the other female clerics.
—
It was evening when Ruthcame to see her again. The forced journey had worsened the patients’ conditions, and Ruth had to tend to them before doing anything else. After completing his treatments, he motioned with his head for Maxi to follow. Cautiously glancing about, Maxi picked up a small lamp and quietly headed out.
Ruth led them through the dark forest in silence for a long time. After checking that they were alone, he promptly slumped down on a tree stump in exhaustion.
“All this suspense will be the death of me,” he grumbled.
Maxi hesitated. “Do you think…he sensed something?”
“There would have been an uproar if he had,” Ruth muttered. “I think he’s too preoccupied with Sir Hebaron’s injury to notice anything else. Though I’m not sure that is a good thing….”
Maxi’s expression grew worried. “Is Sir Hebaron’s c-condition…that serious?”
Ruth ran a hand through his hair and heaved a sigh. “The wound itself is not that big, but his pain seems to be excruciating because of the curse. Even divine magic proved ineffective, as did mine.”
Maxi’s pulse quickened with fear. “Th-Then what should be done?”
“I need to find a way to break the curse. You need not worry, my lady. The man has endured worse with no problems. He is so fiercely tenacious that I’m sure he’ll be able to get through this as well.”
Despite his words, Ruth’s face was lined with worry. When Maxi’s expression grew despondent as well, Ruth forced a smile and changed the subject.
“Leave Sir Hebaron to me and focus on your own problems, my lady. The Remdragon and Temple Knights will be leaving tomorrow to stand guard at the battlefield for the next seven days. We should be able to breathe easier during that time, but…the problem is when they return. I’m not sure how long we can hide your presence from Sir Riftan….”
Maxi’s eyes grew round. “H-He is going to the battlefield? Are you saying…th-that the battle will commence soon?”
“It will not be an all-out battle. Not yet,” Ruth said. “The monsters are currently camped beyond the ravine in Cabro Valley. For a full-scale battle to commence, either army mustpass through the narrow gorge. The one that makes the first move will be at a clear disadvantage. So for a while, both sides will most likely be locked in a war of nerves.”
“That means…i-it won’t be that dangerous, then?”
Ruth looked at her as though she had asked a ridiculous question. “My lady, we are at war. Of course it will be dangerous.” Then he added more gently, “Personally, I don’t think there will be a major battle for the time being. We’ve managed to secure enough provisions, so there is no reason for our side to take any risks. Moreover, the monsters are not likely to attempt an attack anytime soon. They suffered heavy casualties during their retreat from Eth Lene. As long as the situation doesn’t change unexpectedly, things should be peaceful for a while.”
“I-I see.”
Though she knew she was not supposed to feel like it, Maxi was greatly comforted by the knowledge that Riftan would not be fighting the trolls right away. Ruth let out a bitter laugh when he saw the relief on her face.
