The servant waiting outside the door offered to carry Maxi's bag, and the rest gathered in the great hall. They gave her an overanxious send-off and watched as she mounted Rem.
The knights were already in formation when Maxi arrived at the training grounds. The final preparations had likely not taken long, as they had been making all the necessary arrangements over the past two days.
As Maxi rode up to the knights, Gabel paused his inspection of the ranks to address her.
"Have you packed everything you need, my lady?"
Maxi nodded. Gabel narrowed his eyes as if to gauge the size of the pack tied to her saddle, then beckoned to someone behind him.
"Oi! Lady Calypse has arrived."
At his call, two youths stepped out of the junior knights' ranks stationed at the back. Maxi grew wide-eyed when she saw Ulyseon and Garrow leading their large stallions toward her. Ulyseon rushed over to her in a flurry of exuberant energy.