Forty Four
Fletcher, Brookhaven Village
Fletcher groaned as he rolled over in a pile of damp hay, a horse leaned its head down to sniff the hungover Knight.
The sun was rising and with a stifled belch he clambered to his feet, strands of straw falling off the leather jerkin he had slept in.
He recalled paying for a bed at the tavern nearby, but had instead spent the night face-down in the stables after getting lost on the way to the outhouse.
The so-called 'Soiled Knight' made his way sleepily towards Brookhaven central square, ignoring the judgemental looks of the Ileuadi he passed. Most were too occupied however to say anything, sifting through the ashes of their lost homes.
The battle was over but the recovery effort would persist for a long time. Fletcher hadn't noticed Gladius' absence, remembering very little after the first few rounds of Moonsworn moonshine.
"There you are," Fletcher approached Gladius outside the council hall building, a large ornately decorated manor mostly untouched by the fires of the night before. Has he shined his armor?
Fletcher then noticed Moonsworn Ranger Captain Gealladh standing next to Gladius, smiling and talking very closely to him.
When Geally noticed Fletcher's skeptical glances she took as step away from her secret lover and donned a forced casual pose.
"Well met, brother," Gladius greeted Fletcher warmly. The knight abnormally perky for such an early morning.
Fletcher plucked a stray leaf from Gladius silver-black hair with a suspicious gaze. "Did you sleep outside as well?" he pressed his nervous companion. He knew something was off.
"No, we... he didn't," Geally tripped over her words then just trailed off.
Fletcher was surprised by what he had uncovered, now knowing the truth, he smirked.
"So now I get to be the one to lecture a celibate Purist Knight of the Tabernacle," he was enjoying this reversal of roles. "One oath-bound to the tenets of The Tabernacle."
Gladius face went white, but was replaced with a sigh as he realized his friend was simply jesting and in fact had no problem with his actions.
Fletcher promised to keep the affair between Gladius and Geally secret. When he saw Geally's smile beside his, he knew they were meant to be.
"My father cannot know about this," Geally fretted as she pleaded for Fletcher's discretion.
"Bore da, good morning knights," Magister Lunaris greeted them, they had been too engrossed in their conversation to notice the regal Magister approach.
The old Moonsworn had dark bags under his eyes from a restless sleep. "Cwrdd yn dda, my daughter."
Geally avoided her father's gaze nervously.
Though The Wicker King was gone there was still much work to do to rebuild Brookhaven village.
Gladius gave a stiff salute and Fletcher a lazy half gesture.
Lunaris shook Gladius' hand. He then went to shake Fletcher's but hesitated when he saw the disheveled look of a man who had passed out drunk in a stable. Lunaris instead forced a smile.
Gladius and Geally were exchanging subtle glances as Lunaris' back was turned.
"I have arranged for your horses to be fed and your supplies restocked," Lunaris saluted them.
He put his arm around his daughter.
"We will attend the Moonsworn council tomorrowand petition to send reinforcements to Myst City. We have much to discuss."
Lunaris departed for the council house to begin preparations for the council delegation from Caernarfon Castle that evening.
Fletcher coughed intentionally. "I'll bring our horses around, we still have a long journey ahead," Fletcher sidestepped away to give his friend a moment longer with Geally.
The two lovers in sight of the few passersby simply embraced each other in a warm hug. When Geally withdrew her hand, she felt Gladius' favorite rosary beads in her slender fingers.
"I place my faith in you, Geally," Gladius assured her with a loving yet melancholic smile.
"Keep your heart with me," Geally asked, uncertain of the future. She placed a Moonsworn hairpin in his hands.
"After my quest is over and I return to Myst City, we will meet again," Gladius promised, knowing it would be many months later.
Fletcher whistled loudly from the town gate from atop his horse, the other held by the reins.
And so, Gladius and Fletcher departed west once more, to continue their journey.