Chapter 214: From the South
The Knights of Chemois, who fled the Duke’s Tower after they were sent away by Sir Phillip, faced hell as they traveled. Not only was the weather freezing, especially in the central mountain range that they would have to travel over to get to Hydrogia, but they also had minimal supplies since they left in a rush.
Since going into the Duke’s Tower for supplies was out of the question, they could only go to their barracks and find what was minimally required to travel. Warm clothes, what food they had from other trips, and the weapons already on their person.
The lack of preparation led to slow travel because they had to hunt most of what they ate. They had to cut down trees or hope one was already down if they wanted firewood. They relied on the lands and everything they learned prior was absolutely vital to their journey.
Because of their lack of warning to Hydrogia, the weathered knights showed up on Commander Lothian’s fief with only themselves, their horses, and minimal weapons. They requested guidance, hoping another commander would know what to do.
With a group of worn knights wearing slightly hopeless expressions, Commander Lothian relented.
"I have no other choice but to allow you to stay. You’ll have to take the quarters of apprentices and double up in available rooms. We’re not prepared for a large number of men."
Only ten had arrived from Chemois, but for a knighthood like that of the Knights of Hydrogia, they were always full of boys wanting to become knights and serve under someone as renowned as the peasant commander, Commander Lothian.
The knights from Chemois lived this way for a month. Even in Hydrogia, they had to await permission from the King. Commander Lothian was one of his vassals, after all.
Since the Commander openly said to the King that he would go to Tenetium regardless of the decision of whether he could bring his own men, His Majesty relented halfway. He allowed Commander Lothian to bring half of his forces to see if the issue in the North was worth all of the fuss.