Ciarin Tut
It was a cold winter morning that greeted the troops of House Gardarr as they approached the mustering grounds in Ciarin Tut. The locals came out and stared at the marching men, some in celebration others with skeptic looks on their faces.
Veronica didn’t notice, her hood was pulled up and her head bowed, she was in a daze. Her red hair was slick with sweat and clinging to her face, the occasional cough escaping from her hooded cowl.
Mikael kept glancing to her as her horse kept pace with his. He was worried, they had not made arrangements for a healer to accompany them on this trip, it didn’t seem necessary at the time, but that decision now came back to haunt him.
Mikael noticed his scout galloping closer, pulling his horse up him gave a quick salute “Captain, orders and dispatches from command†he gave Mikael a sealed pouch. “I have also been informed of our camp site, it not too farâ€
Mikeal glanced at Veronica again, her head was still down and she was swaying lightly in her saddle.
“Lead the way thenâ€
Mikeal spurred his horse and the men silently marched on. The Scout led them through the amassed men and banners at the mustering grounds. Mikael didn’t have to time to look closely, but the camps where set up in an orderly fashion, each displaying banners indicating the Lord or Lady in command.
“Captain, from what I am to understand the army’s of Luria Nova are split in the camps, our camp ground is with the Emperors Will division. Ah here we are now it’s just up ahead†the scout told him.
“Take ten men and get the Lady Gardarr’s tent up fast†he told him. The scout gave a quick salute and spurring his horse forward he motioned some men to follow him; they broke off in a jog and followed after.
The men where efficient when it came to setting camp, by the time Mikael arrived with Veronica, her tent and the command tent had both been set up. The men split and started their duties, a latrine area being dug, cooking fires set up, sentry duties assigned and so on. Mikael let them to it; he had more pressing matters to concern him.
Dismounting he led Veronica’s Horse closer to her tent. She had not made a lot of sound except the occasional cough, handing the reins to a guard at the tent; he slowly reached up and carefully pulled her out of the saddle, gently cradling her in his arms he carried her in and laid her on her cot covering her with some blankets.
Stepping out of tent he motioned to one of her guards. “I want you to discreetly ask around for a healer and escort them here, tell them they will be greatly rewarded.â€
The guard nodded and set off, Mikael went back into the tent pulled up a chair and waited.
