Chapter 54: The Journey to Eredon Keep
The early morning mist clung to the ground as the Silver's Warband departed from Rithgar. Hooves struck the dirt path in rhythmic thuds, and the creak of wagon wheels echoed through the quiet valley. The faint light of dawn painted the sky with hues of orange and violet.
Dikun rode at the front, his brown destrier's muscles shifting beneath him with every stride. Beside him, Revan kept a steady pace, his silver-trimmed cloak fluttering slightly. Harlon followed closely, towering atop his massive black horse, the leather reins gripped tightly in his calloused hands.
The soldiers marched with discipline, their ranks aligned. Though they bore the scars of recent battle, their movements held purpose. The privates trudged forward, the bronze triangles on their armor gleaming faintly. Corporals and sergeants kept a watchful eye, correcting stances and ensuring the lines remained intact.
The road to Eredon Keep was long, winding through hills and forests. But there was no rush — Dikun had made it clear that discipline on the march mattered as much as on the battlefield.
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Conversations Along the Road
Hours passed in relative silence, save for the occasional murmurs among the men. The air smelled of damp earth and pine, the trees lining the path like silent sentinels.
Revan eventually broke the silence. "The men are adjusting well," he observed. "Despite everything."
Dikun nodded. "They've seen the cost of battle. But they've also seen victory. That pride will carry them forward."
"You carry them forward," Revan countered. "They look to you, Captain. More than you realize."
Dikun frowned slightly at the weight of those words. "I don't ask for that."
"You didn't have to," Revan said. "But it's yours now."
The captain said nothing, though the truth of Revan's words lingered. Command was a burden, and every decision left its mark.
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Further back, the men shared quiet conversations of their own.
"I hear Eredon Keep has towers that scrape the sky," one private mused, his youthful tone betraying his awe.
"Aye," another chimed in, "and the walls are thick enough to hold off a hundred sieges. Not like those rickety palisades we've defended."
"They say Lord Carlin's halls are lined with banners from every house he's bested," a corporal added, though his voice was tinged with uncertainty. "But he's no fool. He wouldn't call for us if he didn't think we were worth something."
Eirik, ever the voice of reason, shook his head. "Or he's desperate. And desperate lords make dangerous allies."
The others fell silent, contemplating the truth in his words.
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Camp by the River
By nightfall, the warband made camp beside a narrow river, its gentle current reflecting the pale light of the stars. Fires flickered to life, the smell of roasting meat mingling with the crisp night air.
Dikun sat at the edge of the camp, his sword resting across his knees. The weariness in his limbs pulled at him, but sleep would not come easily.
Revan approached, his expression unreadable. "You think too much," he remarked.
"I think as much as I need to," Dikun replied, though a faint smile touched his lips.
Harlon, ever direct, joined them soon after. "You trust this lord Carlin?"
"I trust the opportunity," Dikun answered. "But I'm not blind. We'll accept his offer on our terms. If he seeks to use us, he'll find we're not so easily controlled."
Harlon grunted approvingly. "Good. No man commands us without earning that right."
Revan's gaze lingered on the distant horizon. "Still, we should be cautious. Varrin won't sit idle. He'll know of our movements soon enough."
"Let him watch," Dikun said firmly. "When the time comes, we'll be ready."
The three men shared a silent understanding. The path ahead was uncertain, but they would walk it together.
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The Morning Departure
As the sun crept above the treeline, the warband broke camp. Fires were extinguished, and belongings were packed with military efficiency. Dikun led his men forward once more, the river fading into the distance as they continued their march.
The road to Eredon Keep awaited, and with it, the promise of alliances, betrayals, and battles yet to come.
But whatever lay ahead, Dikun Silver would face it — not as a lone warrior, but as the leader of the Silver's Warband.
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To Be Continued…