Chapter 148 - (3)

Commander Gallion looked back at his troupe and the Lord of Westforte castle as he rode into the Flom, and sighed. He had not thought this would be the outcome of waiting for the second wave to arrive. He remembered when he went up to their commander and asked to be reassigned to Northern Lan capital, where the main war was taking place. The commander just raised a brow and told him he is to return home to the capital. His troupe had reacted the same way he thought they would; they were disappointed. They had not had a good war in a while. They were not like other commoners forced out into war, they were soldiers who would gladly die for their kingdom. In haste to leave before he was forced to return home, he told the commander he was to take the lord of Westforte to see Lord Steinhouse; that was their last mission. And like dogs without a master, they were returning to the city of Flom to see Lord Steinhouse. He is the only one that can help them get into the thick of the action.

They arrived the city and found somewhere to stay. He then led the lord of Westforte to Lord Steinhouse's residence. There, he was told that Lord Steinhouse had not been around and just returned. The maid said he would be with them in a while. He and the lord of Westforte waited.

Walter walked in a while later, looking freshly bathed. Commander Gallion looked back at the guard who always followed Walter around and frowned. They both looked as though they had just had a bath. The sun was out, so he wondered what they could have possibly been doing to need a bath at midday.

Walter paused at the sight of the two seated guest, who had now stood the moment he walked in.

"Sit." he said and he took a seat opposite them.

"Lord Steinhouse, I'd presume. I am the lord of Westforte." the lord of Westforte said.

"How should I address you? I am not sure how the titles are addressed in Northern Lan, but I am aware, you do not hold a formal title." Walter asked.

"Hunjur Khan, my lord. I'd assume the other castle lords have met with you." he said and Walter sighed inwardly. He glanced at D'huile and he vanished.

This startled Commander Gallion and Hunjur, who stiffened visibly. The realisation sunk into their heads. The guard is a high ranking martial artist.

"Let us wait for them to arrive. I don't like to repeat myself." Walter said and they all descended into silence.

After a while, D'huile walked in with four grandly dressed men. Walter took in their appearance. He was aware that only Hunjur did not have a title. Two of the rest were barons, one, a viscount and the other, a marquess.

"Please, sit." Walter said and they all sat as silence descended.