Chapter XII: The Madmen of Fenyard Domain [2]

Captain Lucan of the Band of the Silver Chains, an astute and proud man with a rather affluent upbringing, who had spent most of his career as aide at the disposal of his mercenary company's commander, rode through a deserted camp, littered by fire pit residue, iron tent stakes, clay pots and other abandoned equipment. At his rear was the entire cavalry of Marquis Quillton's army, tasked on apprehending the skirmishers that sallied forth towards their camp. Yielding upon his employer's demands, he personally led the cavalry himself to oversee the hunt, despite most of his life spent behind the battle lines protected by his personal retinue, nevertheless, he was a veteran of countless battles.

"Those weasels camped right under our noses, so why haven't the patrols spotted them before?" Lucan asked no one in particular, irritation evident by his tone. "You knights were on duty last night, right?"