Chapter Seventeen #7
She continued in a firmer tone. “I am sure…y-you are aware, Sir Hebaron…that the time I spent in the infirmary…has improved my abilities immensely. Melric says I am better…than some of the inept healers you might find…w-working for the mercenary groups.”
“My lady,” Hebaron said with a troubled look on his face, “you are certainly talented. Believe me, you have us all amazed, and I would be lying if I told you that I have not considered having you fill in for Ruth. However, a campaign is no trifling matter. We would not be able to take you by carriage as we did last time. You would have to be on horseback all day like the rest of us and camp out until we reach a city. There is also the danger of monster attacks, but the only magic you are capable of—with all due respect, my lady—is healing.”
“That is not t-true. I have also learned to cast defensive m-magic,” Maxi countered, raising her chin. “I might…not be able to cast a large barrier…b-but I should be able to protect myself.”
Though she had never tested the true limits of her barrier, Maxi put up a confident front. Going on this campaign with Riftan was more important to her than her own safety. If her husband was going to take the risk, then so would she.
“I shall try my best…not to g-get in the way. So…”
“This will be difficult enough for a seasoned knight, but you are…” Hebaron trailed off, looking her up and down.
Maxi frowned, feeling more like livestock than a lady. “I am what?”
“You will not be able to endure the long journey.”
“B-But…even Ruth has gone on campaigns, has he not?”
Ruth was taller than her, but he was awfully thin. He was also constantly tired and pallid from having his head buried in books all night and day. Compared to the sorcerer, Maxi was quite active.
“I am…in better health than Ruth and have g-greater stamina. If he can do it, th-then so can I. Though it is true…that I am less experienced, every master…w-was once a beginner, no?”
“How very…persuasive, my lady,” Hebaron said, his expression unreadable. He seemed conflicted. After stroking his chin in silence for a long while, he raised his hands in resignation. “If we fail to find a mage in two days, I shall try to persuade the commander.”
“Th-Thank you!” Maxi exclaimed, smiling brightly.
A faint smile tugged at Hebaron’s lips as he shook his head. “Do not thank me, my lady. The commander might hold out till the end.”
“Th-That is true, but…”
Maxi’s face fell when she recalled how vehemently Riftan had fought her earlier. Hebaron let out a long groan as if he too was daunted by the prospect of dealing with his commander. Seeing the knight’s reaction, Maxi suddenly worried that she might have put him in a tight spot.
Searching his face, she asked hesitantly, “W-Would it truly be helpful…if I went with you?”
Hebaron glanced about as though he were unsure of how to answer.
“Of course, my lady,” he finally confessed with a groan. “Some of us even suggested taking the old mage with us.”
“M-Melric is not…w-well enough to travel.”
“I am aware. It would be of great help if you came with us, but a campaign is no laughing matter. If this is something you have decided to take on lightly, I ask that you think about it more—”
“Th-This is not a decision I’ve made lightly. I am…ready. I would rather…endure the physical hardship…th-than to remain in this castle and worry to no end. Besides—”
Maxi cut herself off. She had just been about to confess that she was quite familiar with hardship when it suddenly occurred to her that he might find her statement odd. She flashed a smile at him instead.
Hebaron’s green eyes regarded her as though he were trying to read her thoughts. Then he let out a hearty laugh.
“How reassuring, my lady.”
—
After her conversation with Hebaron, Maxi headed straight to the infirmary where Melric was preparing emergency herb pouches for the knights. She found him sitting amongst half-full sacks strewn across the floor, so she rolled up her sleeves and walked over to the desk to help.
He looked up from cramming dried herbs into a small quilted pouch and regarded her with a concerned expression. “My lady, you do not look well. Why don’t you rest in your chambers today? I can manage the preparations myself.”
“I am all right. I merely…had trouble sleeping last night.”
“Indeed.” The old mage groaned as he rose to grab a jar of salve from the shelf. “The monsters seem to increase as the years go by. It is truly a mystery.”
“Have you…ever been on a c-campaign, Melric?”
“I frequently participated in small-scale raids. I was part of a few long-term expeditions when I was younger, too. Although, being a low-level mage only good at healing, I was mostly stationed at the rear.” His expression grew dark as he stirred a thick salve with a spatula.
“You must be asking because there is no mage to join the party leaving for the campaign. If all else fails and they are unable to find a mage, then I shall go with them, my lady.”
“N-No! I ask because I want to go with them. I have no intention of sending you…s-so please, do not worry about that.”
His eyes grew wide. “You, my lady? Has the lord allowed this?”
Maxi’s face fell. Was Riftan so intimidating that even someone who had only been here a month reacted this way?
She weakly shook her head. “I intend to…p-persuade him.”
“If I recall, you told me that you started learning magic last year. Is that correct? Do you have any experience with raids, my lady?”
“N-no, but I have…encountered monsters on several occasions.”
Maxi forced the fact that she had fainted twice back down her throat.
There had been valid reasons on both occasions.
The first time was after a brutal combination of several sleepless nights and malnourishment due to her anxiety over a possible divorce.
The second time she had fainted was because of mana depletion.
At present, she was in better health and was more adept at controlling her mana.
“To tell you the truth…I have never traveled so far. What does a mage do, exactly…in a campaign?”
“High mages capable of offensive magic join the knights in battle, but healers such as myself mostly take cover somewhere safe and try not to get in the way. We heal the wounded once the battle is over.” He looked a bit embarrassed as he continued, “Low-level mages who are only capable of a few basic spells are, in truth, quite useless in battle. When I was not treating the wounded, I served as a page, preparing the soldiers’ meals or tending to the horses. ”
“I s-see.”
If she succeeded in convincing Riftan to take her along, would she also have to act as a cook and caretaker? Maxi felt a dark cloud form over her; she had never cooked anything in her life.
“Then if m-monsters were to appear…would I have to hide until the battle is over? What if I c-cannot find a place to hide?”
“As you know, my lady, knights leaving on long-distance campaigns are accompanied by junior knights. If there is a monster attack”—Melric placed a piece of parchment on the desk and began sketching—“the men split into two groups. While the knights station themselves on the front lines, the juniors fall back to protect the provisions and the horses. The mages stick with them. Since the junior knights will be standing guard, you do not have to worry about being left defenseless during a battle.”
Maxi felt her anxiety abate slightly after the explanation.
She continued to ask him questions as she crammed essential herbs into the quilt pouches that the knights would carry with them.
He gave her advice based on his personal experiences, counseling her on how to avoid being a hindrance in battle, how to prevent insect bites while camping, and even how to navigate by reading the stars in case she got lost. Maxi committed everything to memory and steeled herself once more.
The sun had begun to set when she finally returned to the castle.
After eating and settling into bed, Maxi had a hard time falling asleep.
She considered waiting for Riftan in order to attempt another conversation with him, but the memory of his firm rejection made her afraid to speak to him.
It would be better to wait until after Aderon returned to inform them of the results.
The next morning, Riftan was once again absent from their chambers. Ludis informed Maxi that he had stayed up all night at the knights’ quarters. Whether it was because he was avoiding her or because he was busy with the campaign preparations, Maxi could not be sure.
She spent her time reading illustrated books on monsters in Ruth’s tower or studying maps to memorize the route to Livadon. That evening, she had Ludis prepare the same trousers and sturdy leather boots worn by squires.
It was her first time wearing trousers. Although it felt awkward and they did not suit her, they were surprisingly comfortable to move in.
She did not have to worry about stepping on a skirt train, and she liked how she did not have to fret over the material bunching up or wrinkling when she sat down.
After doing a few laps in her new outfit, Maxi changed back into her nightgown so that Riftan would not catch her dressed as a man.
She hid the boots and trousers in a chest.
The next morning, she ran to the training grounds clad in the simple tunic and trousers worn by the castle servants. It was almost time for their departure, and everyone leaving for the campaign looked tense.
The knight overseeing the training was not one Maxi was well acquainted with, so she changed course and headed for the knights’ quarters.
Through the window of the council room, she spotted a group deep in discussion over a map.
She searched for Riftan, but he seemed to be absent.
Hebaron and Gabel were there, though, so she hurried inside.
The loud voices within the room stilled.