Nearby, Jorel stood with a look of profound regret. He was still recovering from the exhaustion of his previous missions, his body not yet ready for the grueling pace Soren intended to set.
Soren walked up to him, noting the slump of the knight's shoulders.
"I should be with you, Your Majesty" Jorel said, his voice thick with frustration.
"You have your orders, Jorel," Soren said, placing a hand on the knight's shoulder. "And you've always been exceptionally good at following them. That's why I'm putting Eris's safety in your hands. There is no one else I trust more to hold the gate while I'm gone."
Jorel's regret transformed into a sharp, focused pride. He straightened. "I will not fail you, Sire."
At the edge of the group, Aldwin stood like a part of the architecture. The old mage looked like something the morning had consulted before deciding what kind of weather to produce.
