Under the Oak Tree



Chapter 50: Chapter 50

With the days growing shorter, darkness fell on the castle long before Maxi finished her work. She lit a candle and walked to the window, her thoughts turning to Riftan.

No one in the castle worked harder than he did. All day long, he inspected the land, trained soldiers, and scoured the area outside the walls to wipe out monsters or plunderers who might be lying in wait. And when that was done, he went to check on the progress of construction in the village, discuss taxes with the tax collectors, and ensure that no one was causing trouble in the estate. Though he worked day and night, he never showed signs of fatigue.

Could it be that Riftan was made of iron? Most people would have been drained by such duties, but Riftan performed them as if they were no more difficult than shelling peas. Maxi focused her thoughts on Riftan’s resilience to forget what Ruth had told her that afternoon. Riftan Calypse was no ordinary human; he was strong enough to overcome any trial, and there was no need for her to fret over something that had yet to pass. Consoling herself with such thoughts, she finished her supper and took rest in her room.

But when Riftan returned late that evening, she learned that he would be leaving for a monster raid in two days’ time, and she found herself overcome with anxiety once again. Riftan, however, seemed oblivious to her distress.

“As soon as the compensation from Livadon arrives tomorrow, I’ll be expelling those prisoners. Ruth tells me the magical device will be ready by then… And with the new gate almost finished, everything should be fine even if I’m away for a short while.”

Maxi licked her chapped lips and tried to speak as calmly as possible.

“W-Where are you g-going?”

“I’ve received reports that a horde of goblins has settled on that mountain.” Riftan pointed to one of the mountain peaks outside the window. “It’ll likely take four to five days to wipe them all out.”

“W-Won’t it be d-dangerous?” Maxi looked at him anxiously.

“Are you worried that a goblin might hurt me?” Riftan snorted and gave her an incredulous look. “Goblins are a nuisance, but they aren’t dangerous. I’d say goblin raids are only a tad more bothersome than hunting rabbits.”

“I-If they aren’t d-dangerous, can’t they j-just be left a-alone?”

Riftan frowned in displeasure. “It is my duty to protect this land. Are you suggesting that I shirk my responsibilities?”

Maxi shrank at his sharp tone.

“Goblins may not be powerful creatures, but they are prolific breeders. If they aren’t wiped out, they will multiply at an alarming rate and attack merchants or destroy our hunting grounds. I must make sure that doesn’t happen.”

“I-I’m sorry. That w-was presumptuous of m-me.”

After studying Maxi’s pained face for a moment, Riftan let out a long sigh. He reached for her, and she promptly fell into his arms. He rubbed his nose against her shoulders, twisting her braid around his hand.

“I’m leaving our bed to sleep on the cold, hard ground not because I want to, but because I have to.”

Maxi remained silent as she stroked his thick, black hair. The thought of him having to sleep outside in freezing conditions made her heart ache. Was it the fate of a knight’s wife to live with such anxiety? Perhaps noble couples kept their spouses at an arm’s length to protect themselves from anguish. She feared that she had become too attached to Riftan.

***

The next day, a new steel gate sturdy enough to withstand an ogre’s hammer was installed, and the magical devices Ruth had created were mounted on either side. The devices resembled ivory disks, each roughly the size of a pumpkin.

Maxi followed Riftan to the gate to watch as the fruits of her labor were mounted on the watchtowers. The red magic stone that Ruth had shown her adorned the center of each disk, and the rims were inscribed with ancient script.

“W-What is this m-made of?” Maxi ran a hand over the smooth surface of the device.

“Basilisk bones,” said Ruth.

Maxi drew her hand back in shock. “B-Bones?”

“Creatures of the Ayin Race such as basilisks, wyverns, lizards, and earth dragons possess powerful defensive magic, so most protective devices are made with their bones.”

Maxi studied the smooth, polished disk. Knowing what they were made of caused the hairs on her nape to stand up.

Ruth clicked his tongue. “No need to look so appalled. They’re just bones. This can’t be your first time touching them, seeing as you eat meat.”

“B-But these are m-monster bones!”

Ruth simply let out a snort and turned his attention back to the device. He secured it to a stone pillar using clay, then exited the gates. Maxi was about to follow him out when Riftan, who had been busy giving orders to the guards, stopped her.

“Where do you think you’re going? It’s dangerous out there.”

“B-But Ruth…”

“Ruth’s a high mage. He can protect himself. Now stay put, or I’ll have to send you back to the castle.”

Maxi nodded meekly. Riftan ordered the sentries to protect her, then proceeded up the rampart to give Ruth a signal. A massive flame began to form outside the walls. Suddenly, it came hurtling toward the gate with a roar.

Maxi screamed. The ground shook, and a towering barrier sprang from the ground to block the flying flames. Maxi watched, stunned. The villagers who had come to watch were slumped on the ground.

The knight guarding Maxi let out a whistle. “He’s always loved a good spectacle.”

Seeing that the knights were calm, Maxi realized that such a scene was nothing out of the ordinary for them. They had undoubtedly experienced far more ghastly things.

“Good!” Riftan bellowed. “It’s working. Open the gates!”

At his command, the heavy steel gates swung open. Ruth trudged in, covered in dirt.

“Was that really necessary?” he asked.

“We have to show them that Anatol is impenetrable even while I’m away,” Riftan said, slowly making his way down from the wall. “This ought to dissuade anyone from even thinking about invading us.”

“Well, if rumor spreads that Anatol’s defenses are impenetrable, more peddlers might be inclined to do business here, which isn’t a bad thing.”

Maxi realized then that testing the new magical devices had not been the sole purpose of the demonstration. Riftan had also been trying to reassure the people of Anatol that their home was safe. She saw him exchange a few words with the knights before approaching her.

“It’s time for you to return to the castle.”

“W-What about you?”

“I’m going to transfer the intruders to the envoy from Livadon. Ruth and Hebaron, I want you to escort her ladyship to the castle and start preparing for the goblin raid.”

Before she could say anything, Riftan turned and walked away with the knights, his cape fluttering behind him. She watched his receding figure before mounting Rem. Ruth and the ginger knight followed suit.

“So, we’re off to the mountains again,” Hebaron grumbled as he led the way. “And here I thought I could sleep in the comfort of my own bed for a while.”

Ruth smirked. “Just a while ago, I heard you say your muscles were aching from inaction.”

“Why don’t you try sleeping out in the snow?”

“I must decline respectfully. That’s a death sentence for a delicate sorcerer such as myself.”

Hebaron snorted. “Delicate? I don’t know a single Remdragon Knight who has skin as thick as yours.”

“That, Sir Hebaron, is only your opinion.”

Maxi rolled her eyes, unable to tell whether they were bantering or bickering.

When they reached the town square, Ruth suddenly slowed his horse. “Let us stop by the market.”

Hebaron turned to him, clearly irritated.

“We can’t stop to let you go about your personal business. Come back on your own later. For now…” Hebaron trailed off and threw a furtive glance at Maxi.

Ruth sighed. “Can’t you stop treating her ladyship as if she were a contagious boil?”

“Come now, when did I-”

“You’re treating her as if she’s invisible. Give it a rest.”

A sheepish look spread across Hebaron’s face. Before he could make a retort, Ruth turned his horse around to face Maxi.

“I just have a few more items to buy, and I must get them while the peddlers are still here as they won’t be coming back for some time. And it’s a chance for you to see the market.”

Maxi hesitantly glanced at Hebaron. Looking disgruntled, the knight let out a sigh and turned his horse in the direction of the market. Maxi quickly followed after them.

“W-What are you l-looking for?”

“Herbs and magic stones. I’m almost out, you see.”

Despite the cold weather, the market was bustling. Merchants were selling nearly everything under the sun from the tents they had pitched. Animal hides and bones, coarse fabric, and rustic ornaments lined one side of the market, while the other side was filled with stalls selling meat, bread, potatoes, and sacks of grain and acorns. Startled by the merchants’ booming voices, Maxi pressed herself closer to Ruth.

“Sorcerer! Oi! Slow down! It isn’t easy to escort someone in this crowd.”

But even Hebaron’s thunderous voice was drowned out by the noise of the market. Maxi nervously looked around her.

“Worry not, my lady. The chances of an attack are slim.”

“Th-That’s not very r-reassuring.”

“Anatol is quite secure. Acting so cautious will only attract unwanted attention.”

Maxi flinched and tried to look calm. Seeing this, Ruth shook his head before coming to a stop at a stall.