All wagons and remaining carriages rolled on Nastrian grassland. Days had passed since the ambush but the damage left was plenty. Last night an injured horse had died so they had to abandon the carriage. Since then those soldiers where on foot with their armors heavier than themselves. Because they couldn’t carry the weapons, the weapons were put in the wagon.
The horse pulling it was exhausted. Eiga heard its heavy breathing but there was no room for mercy. Commander Eiga was riding his horse in front of the cart where Genzou was with was with the supposed gift for Metal Mage. Being with the gift was reason important enough to get conveniences.
Genzou was somewhat positive in the dark circumstance. His tools were unharmed doing the attack. But the pleasant news wasn’t enough to keep Eiga delighted for long. Right now the commander seems like he had no concern with the medical tools. He was on his horse just like other days.
Commander Eiga glanced at the soldier marching beside him and said, “Tell Shinji to come here.”
The soldier bowed and went at the end of the line.
Shinji came forward on his horse and soon caught up with Commander Eiga. Shinji waited for him to speak while they rode alongside
“We are two days behind the schedule.” Eiga said, not looking at him. Commander had realized Shinji was able to pick up hints of sadness from his eyes.
“Two days behind and a dozen men short.” replied Shinji.
“Which lost bothers you the most?”
“Both of them are great losses. One of time and the other of blood.”
“I’m sure you didn’t find the massacre hard to watch.” said Eiga sarcastically because Shinji was in the carriage at the time of bloodshed.
“Killing might have been my profession but I’m not accustomed to it.” replied Shinji
Eiga laughed for few seconds. Shinji had no idea that he wanted Shinji killed for breaking the handcuff in the day of attack. He even had heard about skills the Cut-throats possessed. Escaping was also one of them. This is why he had been keeping Shinji blindfolded.
But when Shinji was near to win his trust, Shinji proved himself an opportunist.
You could have escaped but you did not.Eiga spoke to himself. You are here for a purpose. But you will not be alive when Lord Wernh’An is cured.
Eiga’s grin spread but Shinji was unable to capture motivation behind it.
“Commoners of this Nastria are getting clever.” Eiga said, “You can’t expect this much battle tactics from these savages.
“Maybe they learnt the skills by fighting those who come to meet the mage.”
“Perhaps a cut-throat would know better.”
“How far is Lord Wernh’An?” Shinji dodged the insult.
Commander Eiga chuckled after hearing the question, “Squire put him in Western Woods. We still are on grassland.”
“Shouldn’t we be increasing or speed?”
Commander Eiga broke into laughter. Shinji could tell it was not to intimidate him. His laughter grew so much that he gained attention of guards on foot. Yet his hyenas like crackles were showing no signs of stopping.
“He thinks we are going to see Lord Wernh’An.” Eiga said with great effort to stop his chuckles.
Hearing to it brought smiles in the faces of soldiers. Some were even louder than Commander Eiga when it came to showing appreciation towards the jest.
Shinji felt cheated because of the lie he had been told. Everything he had in his mind had gone in vain. On the other hand Eiga was glad for not telling him they were going to meet Metal Mage today instead of Wernh’An.
Metal Mage lives in grassland! Shinji’s pupils expanded. He had no clue what had backfired in his planning. Shinji had though they had their trust on them after the accident in Hilcastle and the ambush days ago.
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