Chapter 70: The Most Handsome One
Black, ominously large horses galloped towards the Duke’s castle, the loud clopping of their hooves resonated through the stillness of the frozen courtyard, cutting it like a blade.
Following the four great obsidian stallions, the tall gates of the castle welcomed a big and wide wooden carriage, painted all black, with no windows on its walls.
The men on the horses were just as mysterious and dark – dressed in all black, with their heads and faces covered, they all seemed to move in unison, and as they rode through the snow, with every sudden gust of the cold northern wind, their long black capes fluttered like the spurts of raging flame.
The Black Flame.
Stopping his horse in front of the back entrance to Tillian’s castle, a tall, broad-shouldered man raised his hand in the air and gestured for the rest of his party to turn their horses and move in the direction of the knights’ quarters.
Once he made sure that his order was carried out, he jumped off his horse and resolutely marched towards the Duke and his assistant, his heavy footsteps resembled the ones of a menacing giant. The man then stood right before them, and finally removed both his wide hood and the black mask, revealing a youthful face framed with long, somewhat unruly dark hair, and offered his hosts a wide smile, as he bowed down,
"Avir Edwall, the appointed commander of the first mercenary division at your service, My Lords."
Sir Stanis nodded at the tall man, sizing him up with a somewhat stern look, then stretched his lips into a bright grin, and embraced Avir in a friendly hug, patting him on his strong back in a parent-like manner.
"It hasn’t been that long, but you have fattened up even more! Are you now aiming at crushing your opponents with bare hands, Avir?"