38. Into New Ranks

At the ruins stood the patrolmen, waiting with their arms at their sides and a hand resting on the hilt of their iron blades as the advance party of knights drew closer. The hooves of their steeds struck the ground in a rhythmic thud, echoing loudly in Nathanial’s ears.

The leaves swayed in the wind just like the grass, and Nathanial could clearly see their battle-scarred armor beneath the blue capes draped over their shoulders. Their mounts wore full steel plating with inscriptions flickering on the surface.

An array of enhancements glowed with a pale blue light. The intricate designs were drawn by master blacksmiths and engravers of their nation to reinforce and empower the powerful warhorses.

Brian rode at the front, pulling back the reins as the leather saddle groaned. The vanguard brought its mounts to a slow halt, with the beasts plowing small furrows through the mud and throwing up a spray of loose gravel.

Nathanial heard the collective hiss of hot air from the horses’ flared nostrils, sending thick white hazes into the crisp spring air.

He stared at the knights without moving a muscle, and Brian did the same.

The Captain’s eyes scanned the remaining patrolmen with intrigue.

“Which one of you is Nathanial?” Brian asked, staring at the group of soldiers wearing their full set of battered iron armor.

The men surrounding Nathanial turned to him, causing a sense of nervousness to swell within him. Fredrick quickly nudged him, and with a slight cough, Nathanial stepped forward.

“That would be me, sir.”

Brian stared at him with a smile hidden beneath his helm. “Ah, yes, you’re the one I saw that night at the training yard. I am glad to see that your training has paid dividends.”

“I couldn’t have done it without your advice, Captain Morgan.”

“You give me far too much credit. What you’ve accomplished results from your own achievements. I merely shone a light upon your path.”

Brian gestured to the knight beside him. He shifted his entire weight onto his left stirrup and dismounted. His boots struck the earth with a heavy, dull thud that reverberated on the muddy ground. Yet, to his surprise, none of the patrolmen took a half-step back. All of them remained perfectly still, which was beyond impressive considering how standard footmen trembled before him.

But as he drew closer, the reason became apparent.

The patrolmen before him had all reached their second star at the bare minimum. Some were at their third.

“You’ve established an impressive group, Nathanial.” Brian took hold of a folded blue cape and displayed it before him. “Congratulations on your promotion.”

“My… promotion?” Nathanial stared in confusion as Brian attached the blue fabric over his shoulders.

He knew that attaching a cape to his shoulders meant he was now a companion-at-arms, but typically, they would have held a ceremony to commemorate the moment. Instead, it was done in the open with hardly any witnesses besides the vanguard.

Yet the sudden promotion made the hair on the back of his neck stand up.

“That’s correct, you may consider it a blessing or a curse.” Brian stared at the rest of the patrolmen. “I’m afraid I don’t have the luxury to give you the exact details, but you will follow Nathanial with the rest of the army in the transport wagons. Equipment will be available there for your use. New blades and additional weapons such as javelins, spears, bows, and quivers for those that specialize in archery.”

“What exactly is happening?” Nathanial asked. “We thought the Seventh Army would escape toward the dwarven lands.”

Brian took a deep breath and gradually shook his head. “Commander Valentin ordered us to deliver a letter to the Seventh. We weren’t told why. We were only given a mission to fulfill. Once that was done, our task was to aid their army and follow Commander Cronia unless stated otherwise.”

“Then that means… You must have left the night before us.”

“We heard word of the Sixth being encircled by two armies, but when we found out, it was already too late. The situation is anything but desirable, and despite the wishes of Commander Cronia’s council, we’re now marching to their aid.”

“Wait… despite his war council’s wishes?” Nathanial tilted his head. “Are you telling me he’s leading the Seventh to save the Sixth Army against his advisors’ wishes?”

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“A vast majority disagreed, claiming it would be far too dangerous.” Brian grabbed onto his leather saddle. He stepped into the stirrup before pulling himself up. “However, despite the odds, the commander was adamant in his decision.”

The patrolmen stood there in shock while trying their best to maintain their composure, and Nathanial was only thankful that he had his helmet on, or else he wouldn’t be able to hide his twisting expression.

“The other knights and I will pave the way for the main force. You and your men will settle into the wagons with the other aura users behind us,” Brian declared, holding onto the reins. “Ready yourselves. The only way for us to tear free from the reaper’s grasp is to strike hard and strike fast.”

Nathanial stared at the well-crafted black iron sword resting in its scabbard at Brian’s waist. The hand resting on the hilt of his iron sword instinctively squeezed the pommel.

“But how many of us will die to do so?”

Brian held his breath with the other Hearthfire Knights. None of them uttered a word. He gazed back toward the direction of the Seventh Army, where thousands of men marched toward a future of uncertainty. His heart ached because he knew many would die and only the strong would live to see another day.