Daytime was short in spring, with the sun barely hanging nine hours in the sky every day.
And now, the sun was half-sunken beneath the horizon, showering its afterglow upon the land and dyeing it orange-red.
The snow on the merchant roads were finally melting in the wake of winter, and the once bleak roads showing a little life.
Naturally, that was only a ‘little’ since this was an age where there was no safety in travel. Aside from those who are forced to leave the city or travelling merchants, most citizens would ultimately stay within their homes and go nowhere else for their whole lives.
But at the moment, a group of people were moving along seemingly in a hurry, intent on finding a place to rest before the sun sets entirely.
There were around thirty of them-not too numerous for a group, but almost all of them were riding strong humpbeasts or chocobos, but they were slowed by the three bulky carriages to the rear.
Anyone learned would be able to tell that they were the diplomatic corps sent by the Valla Royal Family since their crest was adorned on the sides of the carriages.
Moreover, the men riding the chocobos and the humpbeasts outside the carriage was not your normal escort either. All of them were wearing elite imperial military armor-not the standard-issue light cavalry armor, but captain armor that were a class above, not to mention being both lighter and stronger.
Aside being the envoys’ escort, the fully-armored knights were probably a display of power as well.
The left-side window of the center carriage opened then, revealing a weathered face that had seen the passage of time: his hair, beard and moustache were all white.
“Sir Monan. Where are we now?” The old man asked.
“Lord Basil. We’ve just reached the North, on the southern edge of the Seira Marshes.” A knight who was riding a chocobo approached the carriage and responded respectfully.
“The Seira Marshes…”
The old man gave a thoughtful look, perhaps recollecting the details on the map and only frowned after half a beat. “Could we make it to Lancaster today?”
“We might if we hurry along the night…” The chocobo-riding knight said, hesitating for a moment before quietly warning. “But I won’t recommend doing that.”
“Oh? And why is that?” The old man asked in return, raising his brow.
“The snow of winter hasn’t melted for long, and the road still isn’t in good shape. Hurrying along would mean accidents, such as getting the carriage caught in mud and the likeeither way, it is going to be a great waste of time. Moreover, our mounts need to rest as well.” Monan answered truthfully. “Moreover, the people in the village where we recently resupplied had informed us that unusual beasts had been appearing near the Seira Marshes… even though there were fewer over the last two days, it would be best to exercise prudence.”
“If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be better to leave a forbidding place like this?” The old man asked in interest.
Monan proudly tapped his chest. “Any losses we would suffer if we hurry on our way in nighttime would far exceed any loss we might suffer in daytime. Compared to that, it wouldn’t matter if the beasts would attack us after we’ve found a good place to make camp, and we are all around to stay on guard.
After all, any knights who would be chosen as escorts for envoys meant their ability was recognized by the high command of the imperial military, and a firm foundation of such pride.
“I see…”
It also appears that the old man was not a stubborn person-after thinking about it for a while, he nodded in agreement with the chocobo knight’s suggestion.
*
*
*
With the old man’s approval, the escorting knights including Monan appeared relieved. Unlike the old man in the carriage, they were all bombarded by the weather out there, and even if the weather was warmer with the passing of winter, the evening winds still chilled them to the bone. Bracing that over the whole night was no laughing matter.
Despite being a jungle in itself, there were actually flat landscapes on the fringes of the Seira Marshes. Soon enough, the carriages found wide even ground to make camp.
The skies went dark soon after the tents were raised. The moons-one red and one silverhung high above the skies, and yet didn’t offer too much radiance to the land.
Fortunately, the bonfire was ignited at the camp, chasing away the darkness and coldness of the night for the convoy.
Old Basil was seated by the bonfire, stretching his body which had gone stiff after staying in the carriage for the entire day. Even as he kept himself warm by the fire, he reminded Monan who was cooking broth, “You men should rest up after arranging for the night’s watch. Clean your armor and clothes to look lively if you could since we’re reaching Lancaster tomorrow
-everyone here will be representatives of the imperial military after all.”
“No problem, my lord. We definitely wouldn’t be mocked by those brutes.”
Monan replied confidently while stirring the wild herbs in the broth. “I’ve once visited Lancaster myself with General Mignolan. Their city watch is simply pathetic—they wouldn’t even beat imperial military conscripts.”
“Really?” The old man sounded skeptical.
“Believe me, Lord Basil.” Sir Monan disregarded his impoliteness at that skeptical look and insisted seriously. “Lancaster may be a border town, but it’s actually also in the center of the North, meaning that they don’t have to worry about barbarian tribes or bandits. Their city watch are all softies who’ve never drawn blood too! On the other hand, even conscripts of the imperial military are often dragged off to take out bandits, making them more experienced and well-trained than Lancaster’s city watch.”
“Well, what about you?” The old man asked, although there was no telling if he was stoking the flames or asking casually.
“Honestly, they would never win against imperial knights.” Monan sneered, tapping his chest again. “I’m not boasting, but I could take ten men at once in Lancaster, bar knight Gerald of the McCobley family, who almost look the part!”
It wasn’t just Monan either—the other escorting knights who were listening in on the conversation as well showed looks of agreement.
In response, the old man nodded without refutation.
That way, the knights who had to deal with the indignance could put up a good performance in Lancaster tomorrow.
And when that time comes, all he had to do was enjoy the show-if all Lancaster had to offer were refuse like the knights had claimed, allowing them to make a major ruckus.
This diplomatic mission just might be a success to the new emperor’s liking.
