Tomas gently patted the horse’s muscular neck, looking at Rilan. “Didn’t think we’d be riding.”
Rilan shrugged. “How else were you thinking we’d be crossing the kingdom?”
The squire had overheard the conversation and could not help but smile as he strapped Gharland’s saddle to his horse. The boy looked to be about the same age as they were and wore a blue and silver vest over a white tunic, with riding boots and a leather skullcap covering his closely-shaved head.
“Something funny?” Rilan said.
“Sorry, I’m Landry Heradin, the Captain’s squire,” said the boy, shaking his head. He spoke firmly, and judging by his accent, sounded of noble birth.
Landry held out a hand to shake, and Rilan dropped the tough act. “I’m Rilan, this here is Tomas.”
“Nice to meet you,” Tomas said. Landry shook their hands with a firm grip.
“I’m sorry, Rilan and Tomas who?” Landry asked.
The boys looked at each other, unsure of what the squire was asking.
“Um…?” Tomas mumbled.
“Your family names?” Landry raised an eyebrow.
“Oh,” Rilan said. “Yeah, we don’t really do that from where we come from. I’m Rilan, son of Barda, and Tomas is the son of Evin.”
Landry appeared confused yet intrigued, as if he had never heard of such a thing.
“My father is a butcher,” Tomas said. “I’m the butcher’s boy.”
“And my family are all masons,” Rilan said.
“Oh,” Landry replied. “So, no family names?”
They boys shook their heads.
Tomas’s horse let out a loud whinny, causing him to jolt.
Landry chuckled. “You’ve got nothing to worry about with riding, so long as you use your legs to keep balance and respect your mount. He won’t hurt you, if you don’t hurt him.”
Tomas nodded, moving closer to the animal, and gently stroking it. “Alright, thanks.”
Landry peered behind him suspiciously at the other soldiers and his Captain, before turning back to face the boys. “So…why are you here?” he asked in a hushed voice.
“Captain Gharland requested a guide to the Grand Repository. Tomas and I live close by, so we know the way. We are the guides,” Rilan replied.
“No,” Landry said, “why are you here?” He gestured to their surroundings. “You can’t be much older than I am? What are you doing on a battlefield?”
“King Ulmer’s recruiters came to our village, said that an invasion was happening. Said that all able-bodied men and boys had the responsibility to answer the king’s call to war.”
Landry looked shocked. “But you are so young. I didn’t think the king took on levies so young.”
“Not young enough, apparently.”
“What about you?” Tomas asked Landry.
“I volunteered to squire for Captain Gharland, back in Shadowshore when word of the invasion first arrived to us. My father is Lord Harolt Heradin.”
Rilan and Tomas shook their heads. They had not heard of him. Landry again looked stunned, talking as though it was common knowledge.
“The Royal Shipmaster of the Broken Coast?”
“I’m a mason,” Rilan said. “Tomas here is a butcher’s son.”
“Yeah, you said that,” Landry smirked.
Landry seemed to understand, despite Rilan seeing in his expression that the boy was unaccustomed to being in the presence of lowborns.
Then again, Tomas and I have never spoken to a highborn until this morning!
“So, you volunteered to come?” Rilan asked, puzzled.
“I volunteered to squire. I have no intention of fighting; I am far too young. My father would never allow that. So, I prepare the Captain’s meals, clean his armour, saddle his horse.”
“Well, where we are going is a dangerous place,” Tomas said.
“The Magisters are crazy old child-stealers,” Rilan added.
“Nonsense!” Landry laughed. “Those are just old stories told to make children soil their clothes!”
“I wouldn’t stake my life on that,” Rilan joked. “We are only going because we want out of this shithole.”
“That’s understandable.” Landry peered around at the war camp. So much noise and commotion. Armourers hammering. Men laughing. Cooks chopping. The injured wailing.
“You’re lucky you get a choice. Pray to the Creator that you maintain that luck.” Rilan said.
Landry nodded without saying a word. The silence between the boys said enough.
“Just a heads up,” Landry whispered, “on our journey, be wary of those two.”
Landry glared at a pair of soldiers standing by Gharland who were laughing and carrying on. One had a crooked smile with missing teeth, the other had a large scar on his hairline that looked like scratch marks. Both had dirty faces, greasy hair and looked unkempt. A pair of brutes.
“Ref and Styna, their names are. They’re not exactly the Captain’s most chivalrous soldiers. Word of warning- stay out of their way.”
Rilan and Tomas focused on Landry’s words suspiciously, taking note of his warning, but said nothing to each other about them. The group then came together with the Captain.
Gharland mounted his huge steed and cleared his throat. Ref and Styna stood at his flanks like two guard dogs.
“Hurry up men, we should be on our way. The road is going to be long and cold. Be ready for anything. It is a time of war, meaning we may run into anything from Imperial soldiers to highwaymen. I have been charged with this expedition. Follow my word and you will make it out alive. Disobey me, and you will hang. We reach Winterglade within three days, and from there we ride for the Magister’s Imperium.”
Some of the soldiers in the group appeared unsure. Rilan spotted confusion and misunderstanding on their faces.
Gharland continued, “Despite what dark rumours you have heard of the Magisters, they play a vital role in our kingdom. As such, this mission is of the utmost importance given the circumstances surrounding it. The king himself has sanctioned this operation. Now, mount up.”
Tomas was nervous
