Brigid kept running after she'd burst from the trees, racing along the path earlier used by the Leonine Knights. She had already lost sight of Toban, no doubt the watchman was using the skills of his childhood to stay hidden from potential pursuers, and she cast a glance over her shoulder, frightened of seeing horsemen gaining behind her. Her terrified dash eventually bought her to the banks of a river as the sun began setting, the light turning the water a deep shade of red and orange. Brigid knew where she was now though and turned so that her shadow stretched out in front of her, beginning the walk towards the bridge she knew spanned the river.
The tower at the heart of Vyincourd Castle was just visible when Brigid reached the bridge and she spent a few minutes contemplating heading to the castle. She was aware that it was the closest place where she could beg for a bed and further rationalised her choice by thinking she could travel to Uxkhal and get a horse. Releasing a weary sigh, her limbs seeming to turn leaden as the adrenaline left her, Brigid resumed her walk along the riverbank, keeping her eyes on the distant tower and concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other.
The moon was in the sky as the tired and hungry huntress slowly approached Vyincourd Castle. A pair of skirmishers had emerged from within the fortified construct, sent out when a soldier patrolling atop the battlements had noticed her, and Brigid sank into a kneeling position as the skirmishers levelled their crossbows at her.
"Identify yourself and state why you're here."
Brigid pulled a badge with the insignia of the Leonine Knights upon it from a pocket in her padded dress, holding it out towards the skirmishers.
"I'm a warrior of the Leonine Knights. I beg entry to the castle and a bed for the night." The skirmishers glanced at each other, one then turning to look up at the soldier on the battlements. Brigid could see the soldier shrug and turned her attention back to the skirmishers. "I'll sleep in the stables if there is no space."
The skirmishers ignored her pleas, keeping her covered with their crossbows, until a soldier in the outfit of an infantryman joined them.
"She claims to be a Leonine Knight."
The infantryman frowned as he looked at Brigid, taking in her outfit and weapons, before he took the badge from Brigid's outstretched hand.
"Where did you get this girl?"
"Commander Duclos of Suno gave it to me, during the ceremony in which he confirmed me to be a Leonine Knight." Brigid anxiously watched the infantryman's face. "I would just like entry to the castle for the night, to get some rest."
Settling down on the bed of straw in the stables Brigid was asleep almost the second her eyes were closed. The horses in the next stall impassively watched her twitch as her mind went over the battle again and again. She woke with a scream just after reliving the impact of the cavalry charge, curled up in a tight ball, and rapidly shuffled backwards when she spotted the horses. Brigid calmed when she noticed the wall separating the stalls and that she wasn't on a battlefield, unfurling from her scrunched-up position and glancing around the stables. With a sigh, after checking that her arms and armour were still hers, the mercenary adjusted the straw before resting her head upon her breastplate, watching the horses for a moment before spinning and gazing at the stable wall.
---
Brigid was told to leave Vyincourd Castle during the dawn, walking through the postern gate and turning to face the sun. There was a small bridge allowing a shortcut over a spur of the river between the castle and the village of Yaragar. Passing a group of soldiers returning to Vyincourd after a night patrol Brigid made straight for Yaragar's tavern, hoping to attach herself to a farmer heading to Uxkhal. Stepping into the tavern, the largest building within the village, she scanned the various patrons in the main room. One villager, with his hands shaded a light brown and the knees of his trousers the same colour, was rising and placed his tankard on the table he was leaving and Brigid carefully angled herself to be in path without making it obvious.
"Greetings friend. Can I ask if you are headed to Uxkhal?"
The villager glanced at Brigid with suspicion before slowly nodding.
"So what if I am? You here scouting out victims for your bandit gang to rob?"
Brigid frowned at the villager, a hand dropping to the hilt of her sabre.
"Bandits are operating here? Doesn't the Count Montewar protect these lands? Or Count Delinard of Uxkhal?"
The man standing behind the tavern bar looked up from pouring a drink.
"The lords claim they protect us but..."
The bartender's voice trailed off when Brigid nodded stiffly, everyone knowing the words that hadn't been said, and she glanced at the villager she'd initially interrupted.
"I can escort you to Uxkhal, if you'll let me."
They left Yaragar soon after, the farmer seated upon his cart and Brigid walking along at his side. The pace set was easy-going, as opposed to her frantic run the day before, but soon the town of Uxkhal came into view. Brigid could hardly believe that it had only been a few days before that she had seen the sight and was downcast as she and the farmer travelled the last mile. Leaving the farmer at the town gates Brigid meandered through the streets towards Louis' estate, wandering if news of the massacre had already been spread by supporters of the Lady Isolla. She was greeted at the gates by the librarian, as well as three Knights, and was ushered into a dining room, recognising it as the chamber in which she'd explained the Nordic concept of remembrance.
She broke down in tears whilst telling the Knights what had happened, describing as much as she could the battle against the Rhodok-mercenary force. The Knights were incensed when she had finished, demanding retribution for the slaughter, while the librarian was more pragmatic, writing out letters to the other strongholds of the Leonine Knights as well as the librarians of King Harlaus. Brigid was at a loss when it came to her future, the Leonine Knights having no more than an estimated twenty warriors remaining and none of them possessing experience enough to take charge. As afternoon became evening she found a balcony overlooking the courtyard of Louis' estate, leaning against the railing and staring into the distance.
"The company will return from this disaster."
Brigid turned to see the estate librarian in the balcony's doorway.
"Perhaps it will. I just don't know if I will be here to see it."
The librarian stepped onto the balcony and leant against the railing next to Brigid.
"Unless Toban surfaces you are the symbol of the company's downfall. I can't tell you what you should do but I if were you..." Brigid looked at the librarian, an eyebrow raised in derision as he seemingly contradicted himself, and he quietly laughed. "...If I were you I would stay, to be the symbol of the company's return to glory."
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