Camaraderie Before the Mission
As Maingan prepared to leave, he found himself standing in the courtyard, staring into the distance. His mind was a maze of thoughts—his dream, the Queen's assignment, and the weight of everything he was about to face.
He didn't notice the figure approaching from behind until he heard the familiar voice.
"Maingan!"
Jeruca. His friend and captain under him. The younger man walked up with a casual grin, his eyes gleaming with mischief.
"So," Jeruca began, slinging an arm around Maingan's shoulder. "How's the Queen? I hear she likes to keep her favorite official close at all times." His voice dripped with playful sarcasm.
Maingan shot him a side glance, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh, come on!" Jeruca laughed. "Don't tell me the Queen hasn't been trying to seduce you into her good graces. I've seen the way she looks at you."
Maingan rolled his eyes. "You're ridiculous."
Jeruca raised his hands in mock surrender. "I'm just saying, she's got a thing for you. You're her favorite official, right? I'm sure she'll find some way to keep you around longer than usual."
Before Maingan could respond, another voice called out.
"Jeruca, Maingan."
Both men turned to see Jason walking toward them. Jason, one of Maingan's most trusted allies, was also assigned to the mission.
"I was just coming to find you two," Jason said, a smirk playing on his lips. "Ready for the Queen's latest task?"
Jeruca raised an eyebrow. "If you mean 'go and make sure some lord pays his due,' then yeah, I'm ready."
Maingan chuckled softly, nodding. "Let's hope it doesn't get too complicated."
Jason clapped him on the back. "Complicated? We're just going to remind some lord about his debts. What's complicated about that?"
Jeruca laughed. "Everything is complicated when you're involved. Right, Maingan?"
Maingan gave a dry smile. "Right."
The three of them shared a moment of camaraderie before Maingan's expression grew serious. The dream from earlier, the future that haunted him, tugged at his mind once more.
"Let's get to work," Maingan said firmly.
With that, they made their way to the city gates, where their soldiers were waiting.
---
The Soldiers Gather
At the city gates, the lower-ranked soldiers had already assembled. Their armor gleamed under the morning sun, their banners lifted high, bearing the sigil of Queen Spadina. They stood in disciplined rows, awaiting their orders.
As Maingan, Jeruca, and Jason approached, the men straightened. Their gazes followed Maingan, their leader, awaiting his command.
He mounted his horse, scanning the gathered troops before addressing them.
"Our orders are clear," Maingan spoke, his voice steady and authoritative. "We ride to the city of Caleh. Its lord has delayed his dues for too long, thinking himself beyond the Queen's reach."
Some soldiers shifted, murmuring among themselves. The rumors had already spread—Caleh's lord was not a man who bowed easily.
Jason, standing beside his horse, adjusted his gauntlet. "Do we expect resistance?"
"If he's wise, he'll comply," Maingan answered, his eyes darkening. "If not—" He let the weight of his words settle. "We remind him of his place."
Silence followed. Then Jeruca, ever the lighthearted one, clapped his hands together. "Sounds like fun."
The men chuckled, easing the tension in the air.
Maingan didn't smile. His mind still lingered on his dream, on the warning buried within it. But now was not the time for uncertainty.
He raised his hand, signaling the march.
"Move out!"
With that, the soldiers spurred their horses forward, banners waving as they set out for Caleh.
The mission had begun.