Chapter 27: An old rival
A group assembled on the castle ground. It was just after sunset and the place was lit with soft glowing moonstones.
Everyone had gathered to witness the commencement of the town's annual festivities. The group consisted of Knights, Squires and Regulars.
"Hey champ, how are you holding up?" Vitor, joined with a few other Squires, came up to Hex and asked.
Hex noticed they were dressed in clean luxurious clothes made from flax with thin fur coats.
"Well, I think I'm doing good so far," Hex shrugged a bit nonchalantly. Vitor's team seemed genuinely concerned and he could appreciate it, but he preferred to avoid talking about his feelings.
The Squires stood there a bit awkwardly after that. None of the young men knew what to talk about for a while.
"So," Vitor tried again, "I heard you will be joining the Squire Tournament." Seeing Hex nod, Vitor smiled warmly. His gorilla-like features seemed less daunting when he wasn't growling at people.
"I think we will have a blast. I heard even Squires from the Commander's camp, the Merchant Union and the Viscount's garrison will join in. In this part of the kingdom they are believed to be the best. Just imagine, if we break them in pieces, we will become the famous heroes of the north."
Vitor seemed to be already thinking about his yet-to-be-earned fame. The longer he talked, the more animated he got.
"We can have all the girls in the cities of the south," Aran, Vitor's friend, chimed in.
"You guys sure can dream," Hex couldn't help but grin hearing their vivid imagination.