Huma estimated that two to three hundred knights were encamped in the general area. The men stationed here were a mixture, consisting of the personal guard of Lord Oswal, wounded knights in various stages of recovery, a few outriders who were assisting the knighthood with their knowledge of the region, and even a few mages to add to the clerics. The mages and clerics remained as far apart as possible. Mages distrusted most clerics as religious zealots, while the clerics, albeit more tolerant, still did not trust the independent ways of the magic-users, who concentrated more on power than on belief in the gods.
No one really trusted the mages. That was why they were not allowed to carry arms. That left them vulnerable in at least one way.
“How are you feeling today?”
Huma’s face lit up briefly, but he quickly masked it with an expression of brave seriousness. Gwyneth, a bucket in one hand, came over to him. Despite his best attempts, Huma could not help smiling.
“I am sick and tired of that tent and more than happy to see the world, even if it is just the camp.”
She laughed gaily, then suddenly became serious. “Will you be going soon?”
He nodded gravely. Rennard had been to see him several times. Huma knew he was checking up on the young knight for Lord Oswal. If Huma hoped to keep his self-respect before the High Warrior, he would have to assure his readiness as soon as possible.
The wind picked up and blew some of the long, thick locks into Gwyneth’s face. She brushed back the hair and appeared to be about to say something when a familiar, hulking figure came into view, escorted by two Knights of the Sword.
“Huma!”
Kaz came up and attempted to greet his one true human friend with a hug that would have sent Huma back to the tent with three or four broken ribs. Huma succeeded in sidestepping the minotaur and, therefore, ended up with only a bruised shoulder where Kaz slapped him in pleasure. It had been four days since Huma had laid eyes on Kaz. As Lord Oswal’s trust in the minotaur increased, the latter’s counsel was becoming more and more important. The knighthood had been battling the ogres for years but knew very little about them. Kaz, raised under the oppression of his cousins, knew all too well.
“Gwyneth,” Huma said, remembering the woman, but turned toward her too late. She had vanished.
The minotaur was more perceptive than his appearance would indicate. “Have I come at an inopportune time? You have my apologies, if I have intruded.”
Huma waved off the apology. “I should apologize to you. It is good to see you, Kaz.”
“I had no idea that your kind could ask so many questions—and over and over! I have been drained of all knowledge, yet still they press for more.”
“They’re desperate, Kaz. We want to break—” Huma cut off as a tall figure, clad in crimson robes and cowl, made his way past them with no acknowledgment whatsoever. The face was narrow and bony, and the man reminded Huma of a fearsome instructor he had once had during his early days as a squire.
The minotaur’s eyes followed the red-robed figure. “The mages are extremely nervous. I can smell their fear. It sickens me on occasion.”
Huma found he had to favor his left side a little. He was not yet fully recovered. “What frightens them?”
“The unknown. They are quite accustomed to dealing with their black-robed counterparts, but it is rumored that Galan Dracos has unleashed his fellow renegades. You saw part of the magical battle?”
“Who could not? It fairly covered the heavens.”
“There were a dozen powerful mages on our side when we entered. Four of those died, and another may never regain full use of his mind and body. Do you know how many opposed them?”
“How many?”
“Three.”
“Three?” The knight shook his head. “They must have been powerful, but how do the mages know they were not black-robed sorcerers?”
Kaz smile knowingly. “Two were Black Robes, so they say. The survivor, who escaped, was not. His powers were too wild and unpredictable for one brought up under the tutelage of the three orders. A renegade. More than that, they would not say.”
Huma could not help but think of Magius, whose tall body and handsome features would have been more at home in a royal court then in the dank, secluded towers of the spellcasters. Even up to the time of his Test of Sorcery, Huma’s childhood companion had been a maverick. His skills were such that he had long before surpassed his instructors. Magius always had been one to experiment, even when his life was put into danger. But at times, he had talked of abandoning his schooling.
Kaz was summoned once again and, with a groan, he bid his farewell. Huma returned to the tent and slept for the better part of the day. Rennard stopped by to inform Huma that fully recovered or not, the younger knight was to be ready for guard duty within the next day or so. Huma might have complained, but he was more than happy to be given another chance to prove himself.
Gwyneth also stopped by, but the conversation was short and served little purpose. She seemed to want to say something, but whatever it was, was unspoken. He did not see her again during his recovery.
On the day that Huma was to receive his first duties since being nearly trampled to death, the camp became a flurry of activity. Columns of knights rode past the command center, a massive tent topped by a banner bearing the kingfisher symbol and guarded continuously by a contingent of Knights of the Rose. Here was where Lord Oswal and his officers planned their strategy. Huma could only guess at the reason for all the movement. Rumors abounded that the mountainous eastern border had fallen to the ogres and that the creatures were making their way toward Vingaard Keep. Another rumor warned that plague had struck one of the towns which the knights had been using as a waystation. Huma took the rumors for what they were—fearful wondering.
When Rennard approached, Huma was assisting the clerics, carrying hot and cold water for them and bringing them food. It was not much, but it helped. It also kept Huma’s mind from straying to more unpleasant matters.
Huma stood erect when the other knight appeared. The act almost drenched Rennard with freshly boiled water as the buckets went swinging to and fro. The blank features twitched, but whatever emotion that indicated was lost on Huma.
“I see that you are more than fit enough to resume your duties as a knight,” Rennard said gravely.
The hard work had made Huma sweat profusely, and moisture had accumulated around his brow. His face was grimy, and his clothing was stained. He did not dare speak, not knowing what he might say, so he merely nodded.
Rennard folded his arms. “You are captain of the guard tonight. Lord Oswal thinks you’re ready for such responsibility.” He looked up and down Huma’s form without a change in expression.
It was already near dark. Huma swallowed. “May I be permitted to clean up and suit myself?”
“By all means. I’ve already assigned the watches. When you’re ready, come see me.” Rennard unfolded his arms and walked off. Salutes had always been unnecessary with him.
Besides, saluting was difficult with a bucket in each hand.
Huma had feared that some knights would resist his appointment as captain of the guard. Such was not the case. The guard consisted of knights who either were unfamiliar with their captain or were too new to have been influenced by Bennett and his associates. This was not to say they were green, untried knights; no squire who passed into the ranks of knighthood was untried.
A few veterans were mixed in for safety’s sake, but these men were loyal to Lord Oswal and would judge men on merit, not on birth. One such veteran snapped to attention as Huma passed. Huma felt uncomfortable at commanding men twice his age and ten times his experience, but he knew that every knight, save the commanding officers, was required to stand guard duty now and then. Nevertheless, Huma felt a tremor of nervousness as he took the report from the older sentry and breathed easily only when he was on his way to the next. It did not matter whether that man would be less experienced than the first; commanding was what frightened Huma. If something should go wrong, he would be to blame.