Next, he made his intentions known to all in his retinue, carefully selecting twenty-two subordinates to accompany him into the forest.
"I'll come as well," came a calm, steadfast voice.
Maels suppressed a sigh as he saw Arienne dismounting from her horse, the lean, somewhat tall woman removing her scabbarded sword from the saddlebags and sliding it through a loop in her belt.
"You will stay here," he said in a stern tone, faking a bit of concern. "You're the most capable fighter among us. In order to assure the safety of the county's citizens, I want you to watch over Peimon and the rest."
Her shoulder-length blonde hair jostled as she shook her head, her expression brooking no argument. "His Eminence the archbishop ordered me to stay by your side, and I intend to do that. I swore an oath to him, after all."
"You're not a part of our faction," Maels said frankly as he adjusted his clean white robes. "What we do is none of your business. Do you intend to go against my orders?"
