Prologue
“Solum?“, called a throaty-sounding man from outside, “Are you ready? We will be departing directly.”
“I will be out in a moment, sir!” he shouted back, while desperately trying to buckle a pauldron onto his right shoulder. He was right-handed, and this part was always so difficult. He wasn’t in a situation where he had a servant or page to assist, so he had to put on the heavy, awkward armour himself.
After several tries, he finally slipped the small leather strap into place, tightening it up so it wouldn’t slip in battle, when it was needed most. The rest of the suit-up was fairly easy, as he was able to properly use both hands.
Tugging his stone blue over-tunic into place, Solum walked out of his small temporary hut.
His chain mail clinked as he walked, creating a pretty chime. Looking around the campground, he watched other knights go about their activities, such as taking care of their war mount, or shining their weapons.
A knight with red hair and a yellow over-tunic looked up from his pot-scrubbing, and smiled widely. “Solum!“, he shouted from across the grounds, “Are you part of the scout party today?”
“Yes”, replied Solum, striding over to greet him, “Are you taking a day off from duty, Miror?”
“That I am,” Miror laughed, “I find it quite easy to become bored, being cooped up here. My home in Lindor is calling to me.” He sighed, and looked to the ground.
“I also miss our lovely city,” Solum agreed, “Only a couple more weeks out in this wilderness, and we will back over the mountains with our families.”
Miror looked up, longingly at the ridge of massifs to the North-East, and patted Solum’s back. From several meters away, a tall olive-skinned knight announced to the camp, “Today’s scouting party, please saddle your horses, and prepare to leave shortly.”
“Well,” remarked Solum, “I should think that is my cue to bid you farewell, Miror. Adhuc awaits his knights. Have a splendid day, and I shall hopefully see you again tonight!” Miror gave a small smile, waving goodbye as Solum strode off in the direction of the stables-tent.
Stepping through the flap-door of the large tent, he heard several nickered greetings. Pinching his eyes shut, Solum inhaled the familiar aroma of manure and hay.
“Hey, Solum,” someone called from a stall, “Are you part of todays scout party?” Blinking his eyes open, Solum automatically grinned at the sound of his best friend’s voice. He stepped carefully, making sure not to spook the large animals, and walked over to shake hands with Amicus.
“That I am,” Solum replied, “I see that you are, also.”
Amicus nodded, turning back to his sturdy dapple grey stallion. “Your horse is just outside, in the pens,” he said, gesturing with his hand. “Ok,” replied Solum, “I'll be back in a moment.”
He snatched a rope halter off a hook on a support post, and paced outside to the pens. Solum whistled, and a horse in the middle of a large herd neighed in recognition. The dark bay mare lumbered over with her ears perked forward, rumbling out a nicker. The knight slid the halter over her head, and brought her into the tent. He picked up a brush, running it over the mare’s sleek flanks.
“Amicus,” Solum murmured, “Can I tell you something?” Amicus stopped grooming his own horse, and turned his head, watching Solum’s face.
He continued, meekly, “I’m a bit homesick... and slightly afraid.”
Amicus nodded solemnly, his eyes cast downwards.
“I’ve never felt so afraid, actually,” Amicus said finally, “This is no joke, our occupation. This is serious, and dangerous.” Then he smiled. “And despite all that, I’ve never felt so alive and courageous.”
Solum shrugged his shoulders, turning back to grooming his mare. Amicus also returned to his own horse, after muttering something to himself. He knew that Solum was concerned about many things, including the fact that the troop of knights they were part of were out in the wilderness, without assistance of the king’s army. It was a risk that was upon all of the knights’ minds.
The group of 30 knights and their destriers were enveloped in the Silvestry Mountains, in the virtually uncharted forests that were beautiful as well as deadly.
The knights were ordered to clean out the evildoers that were traveling closer to Lindor over the mountains, threatening the safety of the surrounding rural community, and promised a large reward. Despite the reward, after several months in the far hinterland, many wished to return home, no longer interested in any amount of profit. They were attacked many times by random scoundrels, and pursued by assassins.
The original number of knights sent out on this mission was 43, which meant 13 good men had lost their lives serving their city and people. Losses affected everyone, and the group had quickly become crestfallen after losing their comrades.
Solum and Amicus felt fortunate that they had not lost each other, and remained close together so that neither of them would be alone in a fight. Up to this point the technique had worked well, neither had suffered any major wounds.
For this scouting route, both men hoped that they would be blessed again, as they were travelling into one last unexplored area to scour for ruffians. One last hunt, and they could begin the journey home, if all went well.
