Morning came gray and lifeless, smoke from last night still lingered in the air. From the edge of the village, a lone caravan approached slowly. The priest the villagers had summoned the day before rode solemnly, his robes fluttering in the chill breeze. Cedric's eyes narrowed, a quiet tension settling over him.
A thin man with intense eyes, average height with an unreadable face appeared. He was greeted respectfully by the villagers, Cedric's team followed the rhythm. He was informed about the situation, his eyes and body steady mouths closed as he looked over the burned bodies while the village chief explained the horrors.
He proceeded to perform a ritual, dripping his religious brush into a silver bowl filled with water, sprinkling it on the deceased and started howling cryptic words for hours. Everyone watched through it at the end believing it helped somehow, excluding Cedric and Selara.
After the ritual was done, people dispersed, Cedric went up to the priest "Greetings High Priest, i am Cedric Alvyren my father Rodric Alvyren a Knight-Captain and I myself a Captain"
The priest nodded, plain expression "Nice to meet you Captain Cedric Alvyren, how may I help you?"
Cedric gives a light smile "I have heard such phenomenons like this one have been occurring frequently, people say it points towards something impending as written on the Holy Book"
The priest turns his head forwards dismissively "Maybe but it's none of your business, you are a solider you obey orders not asks questions"
Cedric clears his throat and his smile widens. "Well I don't ask as a soldier but as a man of faith, isn't it your responsibility to interpret the Holy Book to the people including me?" The priest ignored and climbed back to his carven, as the villagers bow down saying their goodbyes and thanks, the priest looks at Cedric one last time and glances past him.
Cedric looks visibly tensed, he spits on the ground and calls for his team "Selara! Orlen! Torric! We are moving out!
They ride back through the uneven road, the wind cold and the ground vibrating from the thumping of their horses. The trade route in sight, merchants called out their prices, stacks of crates and barrels lined the cobbled streets, and travelers hurried between inns and stables. Horses clopped on the stones, carts creaked under heavy loads, and the smell of roasted meat mingled with hay and the smoke.
As they approach the gate where the bulk of the soldiers are located, a harmless looking young man with a perm calls out to them, his voice shaky and brows wrinkled "Where have you guys been!! I was scared for you guys, Orlen just ran off with you guys like he saw the devil, I couldn't even sleep"
Torric "hush down Draviz", Selera "ironic how you are the one scared", Orlen sighs eyebrows raised "there were some problems up in the village we had to deal with". Draviz "huh!! Orlen you looked like you saw a ghost last night now you are acting like nothing happened"
Cedric with a steady voice "We have dealt with it, forget about it. Either way you have anything to report me on?"
Draviz "ohhh Yeahh we are supposed to team up with .. umm you know .. Wilaric.. to eliminate the bandits up north"
Cedric pushes his tongue though the inner sides of his teeth making a hissing sound "Tskk.. Wilaric huh? What is General Rolith thinking, why did he pair me with that prick"
Selara hand folded "i guess he wants the most promising young captains to work together for the sake of the entire military. And I think you are more of a "prick" than him"
Cedric "Huh? So now you are taking his side ? I always knew you had something for him why don't you join him?"
Selara eyes furrowed, grabs her arm "Cedric what happened there with the priest your mood has been off ever since we met him"
Cedric looks away "Prepare to move out we will be heading soon!! Cavalry with me! Orlen you and your squad too, Silgard! Move with the infantry and Draviz moves with the remaining units. Silgard nods, Draviz "Yes sir as you say", Orlen "aye sir".
After preparation was done they moved towards the north on the mountain, the full army moved, the hooves of the horses, the March of the infantry creating visible tension in the atmosphere, the people looked with curiosity, the little kids waving as the army marched through.
In the distance an army could be seen, similar in size, waiting on the foot of the mountain. As they approached, tension rose in the atmosphere. Onlookers looking at the sight of the military might in awe, a boy excited shouts "I will join you guys soon just wait for me to grow up" his father with bow in his back holding a hunted game on his hand joins in "Kill those bandits for Good, God be with you"
A young man (19) with chainmail, 6 '0 in height, short straight hair, defined features with a cold gaze, his hand folded, looks over at the onlookers and shows his palm with a slight smile.
As Cedric and his army arrive, they notice the difference between their armors, weapons, and the overall appearance of the army in front. Orlen whispered "One of the best equipped units in the entire kingdom, dazzling in front of us what a sight, maybe greet them nicely Cedric" Cedric narrowed eyes with flared nostrils "Huh! What a joke, it's all daddy's money"
Orlen "Uhh what about you?" Heat rising through Cedric's cheeks "What do you mean what about me?". Orlen "uhh nothing".
The young man Wilaric speaks up "It seems like you guys aren't in a good mood, anyways we don't any unnecessary trouble here let's get to the plan"
Cedric eyes narrow, lips tight "hmpfhh and who decided we will follow your plan" Selara whispers Cedric's name to make him aware of his words.
Wilaric shrugging his hands says "there you go again Cedric, i know you have this weird inferiority complex around me but listen" Cedric shakes his head his lips flared "Tskkk inferiority complex you say ?? Look at around none of your men likes you"