TOPWL 178

“You said you’d introduce me to someone… so I thought it was a person.”

Yudit said as he stroked the horse’s mane. Its coat shimmered from the tip of its ears to the nape of its neck in the sunlight. It was clearly a fine, expensive steed.

“The horse I’m riding now is good enough.”

Yudit usually rode a three-year-old mare named Noah. He had grown attached to her and was considering taking her on this expedition. Khalid, knowing how often Yudit rode Noah, shook his head.

“She’s a good horse, but she’s not a warhorse. She won’t have the stamina. This one will be better.”

“Thanks. I’ll take good care of him.”

“Good. You should give him a name.”

“Hmm… what should I name him?”

After gazing into the gentle horse’s eyes for a moment, Yudit finally spoke.

“…Reed. I’ll call him Reed.”

“That’s kind of close to my name.”

Yudit looked up at Khalid with a blush.

“I did get the idea from you… is that not okay?”

Khalid gave a soft laugh at his expression.

“Why wouldn’t it be? Go ahead.”

Yudit smiled brightly and met Reed’s gaze. The horse blinked slowly, as if acknowledging him.

“It’d be nice to have time to get used to him, but since I don’t, I guess I’ll have to learn on the go.”

“Right. Are we leaving now?”

“In thirty minutes.”

“Alright, I’ll get ready.”

Yudit went back to his room, slung on his pack, and returned. Even though the expedition had been arranged quickly, the knights were already fully prepared. The only thing that weighed on him was the gloom on their faces, understandable, since there had been a memorial service that morning.

The knights’ families, servants, and even the guests like Luka had come to see them off. There were more people than Yudit ever imagined lived in the castle. He quietly led Reed to stand behind the other knights. Khalid stood under the sun in full armor, looking strikingly radiant. Yudit was quietly admiring him when…

“Your Highness, we’re here.”

Turning toward the voice, he saw Selena and Yvonne standing with their luggage.

“Yvonne? You’re coming too?”

“If it’s not a bother… I was hoping to go up to the capital as well.”

Yvonne blushed. It seemed she felt awkward joining after saying such a dramatic goodbye. Selena looked just as embarrassed. Yudit realized that since Selena was going only as far as the capital, Yvonne had decided to come too. The two, who had seemed cold to each other earlier, must’ve talked it out, whether through words or otherwise. Either way, it was a good sign. Yudit greeted Yvonne warmly.

“Glad you’re here. But you might have to ride in a carriage with some of the men. Are you okay with that?”

“That’s fine. I don’t mind.”

Not everyone heading to the capital would be riding horses. They had supplies and regular soldiers, so there were two or three carriages.

“You might end up squeezed between crates.”

“I don’t mind. If it gets too bad, I’ll find another one and catch up.”

“Alright. But let me know if it’s too much.”

Yvonne nodded. As Yudit turned around, he met Khalid’s eyes. Khalid motioned him over. Yudit rode over and asked,

“Is something wrong, Khalid?”

“Those on horseback need to arrive ahead of the rest. But it might be a rough journey. Since it’s a new horse, you can stay with the rear group for a few days if you need to adjust.”

“No, it’s okay. I’ll go with you.”

“Are you sure? We’ll be crossing two mountains at speed. It won’t be easy.”

“It’s fine.”

Khalid, carefully reading Yudit’s expression, nodded.

“Alright. Stay close to me.”

“Next to you? I thought I’d ride in the back…”

“The front’s easier. You can control the pace. In the back, you have to keep up and it’s rougher.”

“Ah… then I’ll ride up front.”

The moment Yudit agreed, Khalid gave the command.

“Forward, all troops!”

At his words, the knights and soldiers began to move. Yudit spurred his horse. As expected, the vanguard was fast. Easier than the rear, maybe, but being up front came with its own pressure. With every stretch of distance, his stamina drained. Matching their pace pushed him to his limit. Already, aches were forming in his thighs and buttocks. By evening, he might be too swollen to walk. But that was a problem for later. Thankfully, Reed was obedient.

After some distance, Yudit glanced back. Countless others followed behind. Marching forward in formation, they looked like one massive living creature. Khalid led with confidence and seemed extremely capable. But admiration gave way to worry, soon, he would be expected to do the same.

Can I really pull this off? Yudit was anxious. But he had to. On this journey to the capital, he would have to learn everything he could from Khalid. He grit his teeth and followed close behind.

***

“Are you okay?”

Khalid entered, pulling aside the tent flap. Yudit was curled up on his cot, looking gloomy. Khalid held two steaming bowls of stew, filled with jerky, potatoes, and vegetables. They smelled great, but Yudit had no appetite.

“I’ll eat later.”

“No. You’ll lose strength. Eat three bites.”

Khalid was unusually firm. He was always picky about meals. Yudit tried to sit up but fell back again.

“Are you hurt?”

“I-I’m okay.”

“You don’t seem okay. Speak up. It’s better to take medicine and rest quickly.”

Yudit looked up at him hesitantly, then mumbled in a near whisper,

“My butt hurts… I can’t sit.”

“Ah.”

His resolve to stay close and learn from Khalid had lasted less than three hours. Even just keeping up was exhausting.

“You didn’t show it at all, so I thought you were fine.”

Knowing he’d be treated with concern if he showed pain, Yudit had forced himself to bear it, both physically and emotionally. By the time they crossed the two mountains and began setting up camp, he was completely wiped out.

“Can you eat lying down?”

Khalid scooped some stew and brought it to Yudit’s mouth. Yudit reluctantly took a bite, then reached for the bowl.

“I’ll eat it myself.”

Khalid handed it over. The stew’s rich flavor filled his mouth, but he was too tired to really enjoy it. When he stopped eating properly, Khalid took the spoon back.

“Keep eating.”

“I can do it…”

“Just focus on chewing.”

In the end, Yudit had to be fed like a toddler. After five bites, he shook his head.

“I really can’t eat anymore.”

“One more.”

“You said that before.”

“Okay, two more.”

Defeated, Yudit accepted another bite.

“Khalid… I don’t think you’re very good at counting.”

“I suddenly feel like miscounting more.”

Yudit shook his head firmly. Seeing the now-empty bowl, Khalid finally backed off. After putting it away, he came back toward Yudit again.

“…!”

Yudit flinched when Khalid reached for his pants.

“What are you doing?”

“W-what if someone walks in?!”

“I already told them not to. If anyone has something to say, they’ll knock.”

“But still…”

Khalid brushed the back of his hand against Yudit’s flushed cheek and gently pressed him back down.

“Stay still. It’ll hurt more if you move.”

“W-what are you doing…?”

Yudit was still confused, but Khalid placed a hand on his sore spot without hesitation. The tent flapped in the breeze. It had two layers, but a gust could never fully block sound.

“Khalid, maybe not here…”

Just as Yudit was about to stop him, something cool touched his skin. The pain eased, and he looked back. Khalid was gently applying a generous amount of green ointment.

“…You were just putting on ointment?”

“It’s good for muscle pain. Helps with scrapes too.”

There wasn’t a hint of lust in Khalid’s expression. Ashamed at misunderstanding him, Yudit buried his face in his arm.

“You’re more scraped up than I thought.”

Khalid blew softly across the sore skin.

“A massage would help, but it’ll hurt.”

“No need. I’m fine.”

Looking a little disappointed, Khalid closed the lid of the ointment. As Yudit reached for his pants, Khalid grabbed his wrist.

“Leave them down until it dries.”

“What if someone comes in…?”

“There’s no one that bold in our order.”

But as if to mock his confidence, someone called Khalid’s name from outside the tent. At the same time, the wind stirred the flap again. Startled, Yudit shrank back. Khalid calmed him gently and stood up.