Don Quixote smiled as he watched the commotion in front of him.
Such scenes were common in the various taverns of White Harbor.
Especially in the lower-end taverns frequented by commoners. It would be strange if a day went by without a few sudden brawls sparked by trivial matters.
Fortunately, Ian knew he had business to attend to. After exchanging a few more insults with the freelance knight who clearly knew him...
He reluctantly let go of the pair of marvelously shape-shifting mounds and extricated himself from the tavern.
Once outside, Ian looked around before fixing his gaze on Don Quixote and suggesting:
"We should ride there to visit the fish merchant. It will fully demonstrate our value and strength as knights!
"After all, what kind of knight doesn't have a horse?
"Without horses, men like us are just thugs who know how to fight.
"People will look down on us even more."
Hearing this, Don Quixote smiled:
"Ser Ian, your suggestion is very reasonable."
The streets of White Harbor were wide, straight, and paved with large cobblestones, suitable for horses.
House Manderly hadn't forbidden commoners from riding in the city either.
But traveling through White Harbor on a daily basis meant constantly watching out for pedestrians.
In some crowded areas, one had to dismount and lead the horse.
Sometimes, riding was actually inconvenient.
The area where the tavern was located, for instance, was a major commercial street in White Harbor, teeming with all sorts of people.
Considering this, Don Quixote and his three companions hadn't ridden their horses out.
————
After some hassle...
Don Quixote and his three companions followed Ian on horseback, finally reining in their mounts outside a detached manor with a walled garden.
Ian quickly dismounted, walked up to the heavy oak door, and knocked.
Before long.
A man dressed as a steward opened the heavy oak door and looked the group over for a moment.
His gaze then settled on Ian, and he said coolly:
"Ian, what are you doing here? The Master doesn't plan on hiring freelance knights to tend the horses anytime soon."
Because most knights understood horses and had a slightly higher status than grooms...
Some merchants would occasionally hire freelance knights to manage, train, and care for their horses.
It was both respectable and safe.
After all, some spirited horses couldn't be handled by ordinary grooms, and a moment of carelessness could cost a life.
In this world, some warhorses were not gentle pets, but large, dangerous beasts trained to kill.
Stories of warhorses getting spooked and trampling commoners to death were all too common.
Even knights could be thrown to their deaths or kicked by their own mounts.
Let alone ordinary grooms.
Ian gave an awkward laugh and hurriedly said:
"Steward Flynn, I heard Lord Rodney plans to transport some goods to Barrowton.
"And that he intends to hire some freelance knights as guards."
Steward Flynn glanced at Ian, thought for a moment, and nodded:
"You're well-informed. Yes, the Master is looking for suitable freelance knights.
"He wants to hire four or five to protect the caravan."
Ian immediately asked:
"Then has Lord Rodney found suitable knights yet?"
"That, I don't know," Steward Flynn said flatly.
Seeing Steward Flynn's cold demeanor, Ian gritted his teeth, hesitated for a moment, and then pulled a warm Silver Stag from his tunic and handed it over:
"Steward Flynn, we're old acquaintances. Don't hide anything from me!"
Steward Flynn naturally accepted the Silver Stag, his attitude softening considerably as he smiled:
"Whether the Master has truly found suitable candidates, I honestly don't know.
"However, us servants are still scouring the taverns of White Harbor for freelance knights with good reputations!"
Steward Flynn stopped there.
Ian breathed a sigh of relief and quickly smiled:
"Steward Flynn, I've done plenty of work for Lord Rodney, and I've done a good job every time!
"What do you think of me, Ian?"
Steward Flynn said directly:
"You're steady, but your skills aren't quite up to par."
...Damn bastard, with an appetite that big, you'll choke to death sooner or later!
Ian cursed inwardly, but he couldn't bear to let the Silver Stag he had already spent go to waste.
He gritted his teeth, pulled out another Silver Stag, handed it to Steward Flynn, and said with a respectful smile:
"Please put in a good word for me with Lord Rodney, Steward Flynn. Rest assured.
"I, Ian, will absolutely uphold the spirit and honor of a knight!
"I won't let you down."
Steward Flynn quickly pocketed the second Silver Stag, then nodded with satisfaction:
"I will recommend you to Lord Rodney."
Hearing this, Ian hurriedly pointed to Don Quixote and his three companions not far behind him, smiling:
"And them too. They are the elite of the Bloody Hand Mercenary Company, all reliable knights!"
Steward Flynn frowned, thinking for a moment but coming up blank on the name "Bloody Hand Mercenary Company."
...Just some third-rate mercenary band, and he calls them elite.
Steward Flynn scoffed internally, but since he had taken the money, he deliberately paused for a few seconds before saying:
"The Master is looking for true knights worthy of trust, not some third-rate hedge knights or mercenary thugs."
Ian lost his temper a little and pointed again at Don Quixote and the others, saying:
"Look at them! Do hedge knights and mercenary thugs carry themselves like that?
"I stake my knightly honor on it, they are absolutely true knights."
"Having a sword and a horse doesn't make you a knight," Steward Flynn smiled:
"Ian, if you just grab some people who aren't knights and try to pass them off as knights, you'd better think about the consequences.
"Wait here a moment. I'll go speak to the Master."
Watching Steward Flynn disappear, Ian spat on the ground.
What a dog, barking just because his master is behind him.
————
In the center of the flagstone-paved courtyard was a small fish pond.
Along the walls, cold-hardy shrubs and two apple trees were planted.
A merchant with a short beard, dressed in clean, neat clothes and wearing a dark wool cap, stood there.
He looked the five knights leading their horses up and down carefully, finally resting his gaze on Don Quixote, seemingly realizing that Don Quixote was the one in charge.
The fish merchant Rodney looked at Don Quixote and said calmly:
"You're the Captain of that Bloody Hand Mercenary Company?
"You look decent enough. Like a knight!"
Don Quixote replied just as calmly:
"A knight's worth comes from his spirit and his steadfastness, not from appearances."
Rodney nodded, seemingly in agreement, but quickly added:
"There's some truth to that. If a knight has no honor, he's no different from a bandit or a butcher.
"But spirit isn't something you just talk about."
Don Quixote agreed:
"You're right. No one can see spirit or honor at a glance, but..."
Don Quixote paused, then smiled:
"But a knight's courage—that can be seen immediately."
...