"Knights?"
"Yes, from all over the Petty Kingdoms. They come seeking fame and fortune, and not necessarily in that order." He chuckled to himself.
A maid deposited two tankards on the table, scooping up the coins that Stanislav tossed.
Brother Diomedes took a sip. "Are you here looking for mages?"
"I am always on the lookout for new talent," he replied. "Why? Have you heard of anyone?"
The Temple Knight laughed. "By the Saints, I think you would sell your own mother for a crack at a new mage!"
"What can I say?" said Stanislav. "It pays well."
"I doubt you'll find one here. There are far too many soldiers hereabouts."
"What's that got to do with anything?"
"This is a Holy Army, Stanislav, not that of a king or duke. Mages don't hire on as mercenaries. If they did, we'd have them all under our employ."
"None at all?"
"No, not yet, at any rate. There's still a week left, so I suppose it's possible one might show up, but I doubt it. In any case, if they did, they'd be fully trained, no use to you."
Stanislav took a sip of his drink. "I only ask out of professional courtesy. It matters little in the grand scheme of things."
They sat in silence awhile, nursing their tankards.
"This group has been here awhile," noted Stanislav. "The landlord seems to know them all by name."
"So they have," agreed Brother Diomedes. "In fact, they've likely overstayed their welcome, if the bartender is any indication."
"Why haven't they marched? I would have thought summer more fitting to the campaign season than autumn."
"So would I, but it can't be helped. The enemy has withdrawn deeper into the forest."
"And that stopped you because...?"
"It forces us to stockpile food. We can't very well live off the land if there are no farms to raid."
"Hence the delay," said Stanislav.
"Exactly. Mind you, we're still waiting on the arrival of the local master of the Order. He has to give Father General Hargild permission to begin."
"Ah yes, the famous Temple Knight discipline. Tell me, will this lot last that long, or will they ransack the town before you can march?"
Brother Diomedes' eyes searched around the room. "It's hard to tell at this moment, but I think if we don't march soon, it will be the latter." He chuckled at his own remarks, then took another tip of his ale, this time in greater quantity than before.
"You still haven't told me why you're here," the Temple Knight continued.
"Yes I have. I'm looking for prospects."
"No you're not. You never go anywhere without a plan, even if it's just rumours." He smiled, pleased he had found a hole in Stanislav's story. "Don't worry," he added, "I know it's the business of the family. I won't interfere, nor will any of my order. You shall have free rein in Ebenstadt."
"Thank you," said Stanislav. "That is most welcome news." He drained his cup dry. "Now, if you will excuse me, I have some business to attend to."
"Will I see you again?" asked Brother Diomedes.
"Of course! Shall I order you another drink?"
"No, I think I've had enough, thank you."
"Very well, then. I shall bid you a good day. May your order prosper."
The Temple Knight held up his cup. "And your mages be found."
Stanislav made his way into the street, unaware of the cloaked figure that followed him.
Ebenstadt
Autumn 1104 SR
Athgar stepped aside, pulling Natalia with him as a passing carriage rolled through a rain-filled rut and splashed them both with filth. Natalia shook her hands, trying in vain to dislodge the clumps of mud but to little effect.
"This is just like Draybourne," she said, looking down at her feet, "but at least I have decent boots this time."
"Draybourne?"
"Yes, when I first arrived there, I stepped out of the carriage to sink into the mud. I can still remember my shoe getting stuck."
"Not surprising when you think of it. That was only about a year ago."
She looked at him in surprise. "I suppose it was. Sometimes it feels like we've been on the run forever, but it hasn't been that long, has it?"
"A lot has happened in that time," he mused.
She rubbed her stomach, breaking out into a smile. "It certainly has."
"You know you're not showing yet. You don't even look like you're pregnant."
"I know," she replied, "but just the thought of carrying our child makes me so happy."
"You might think differently when you're further along."
"Perhaps, but for now, I am content, and that's the important thing."
The road they were on twisted around a group of trees, and then Ebenstadt came into view.
"There it is," said Athgar. "The whole reason for us coming north."
"It looks so tranquil from here. You'd think the land was at peace."
"I suppose it is, at least for the moment. The crusade won't begin until the troops march."
"Let's hope they're not in a hurry to begin," said Natalia. "We need time to assess their strength. Once they start moving, it'll be hard to get close to them."
"I've been thinking about that."
"Oh? What in particular?"
"I was thinking," Athgar explained, "it might prove beneficial to join their army."
"You can't be serious?"
"Where better to assess your enemy than by walking amongst them?"
"The idea has merit," said Natalia, "but it's a big risk. Supposing they recognize you as a Therengian? Or worse, if they realize who I am?"
"Look around you," he said, indicating the people approaching the city. "We're miles from anywhere of interest to the family. They like power, and this place is literally in the middle of nowhere."
"The Church doesn't think so," she chided.
"That's different. They're zealots, and they fight for a cause."
"They're not all bad. I'm sure there are many members of the Church who follow its teachings properly."
"A Holy War attracts the fiercest believers," said Athgar. "I doubt we'll find any moderates here."
Another horse trotted by ridden by a warrior.
"There's a lot more traffic than I had anticipated," said Natalia.
"We're coming from the east, the same direction the war will take them. I
