Under the Oak Tree

Chapter 195

The rain continued all night and barely abated at dawn. The Knights crawled out of their tents before the sun had risen, preparing a bustling breakfast. Since no one had properly eaten last night, they wanted to prepare a hearty meal before leaving. Nothing was more important in surviving an arduous expedition than getting a good rest and eating well.

Max blew the steam off the bowl of the potato stew that Riftan brought her and got dressed right after she finished it. Just as the sun peeked out from behind the flat plains, the expedition prepared for departure right away.

Max secured the saddle on Rem’s back, and just as she was about to climb on it, Riftan came up behind her and grabbed her arm.

“As for you, you’ll be in this.”

Max turned her eyes as he lifted the bitumen-lined cloth from the wagon.

“Ride this thing for today.”

Max blushed when she realized he was worried that he might have hurt her from last night’s activities. “It’s f-fine. I can ride...a horse.”

“It doesn’t matter if you can ride, half of the supplies we brought have been consumed anyway. Conserve your strength as we travel on flat roads.”

“Please do as the Commander says. You have to regain your strength.”

The other knights actively agreed, expressing their opinions. Max was mortified to realize that everyone probably noticed what happened last night, but played innocent and nodded her head.

As soon as she got on the wagon and sat, the knights immediately lined up and began to drive their horses through the lush green forest. Max watched as Rem graciously followed while being pulled by the reins held by Yulysion, then sat back down on the thick layer of hay lining the bottom of the wagon.

The wagon rattled a lot, but it was much more comfortable than riding a horse. She laid her back down on the bed of hay and earnestly dozed off. Fortunately, they didn’t experience any monster attacks until they left Caldical Forest. Max was also able to rest soundly on the wagon for half a day and when sunset came, her strength had remarkably returned.

Max eagerly went around to help prepare dinner. Although Riftan was displeased to see her roaming around to help with the work, he didn’t bother preventing her from doing so. She helped the apprentices boil the bean soup in a large pot over the fire, while the knights roasted four lumps of rabbit meat in skewers over the campfire. After the meal had been prepared, everyone sat around the fire and enjoyed the simple but sumptuous meal.

Thanks to that untroublesome day, Max was able to move more agile than ever the following day. The expedition crossed the wide fields like a raging wind and passed over a small meadow full of wildflowers in a short time. Finally, the port appeared before them. Max’s eyes widened at the magnificent scene unfolding at the bottom of the hills.

The deep blue sea shone as if it were filled with gold, as the sun shone on it from the west. The docks were packed with ships and boats and stretched out in a crescent curve towards the calm sea. Max was impressed at the sight of the sea before her, then turned to look at the large city nestled comfortably within secure walls.

Looking at the compacted multi-level buildings lined with intricated roads, she concluded that the population inhabiting the city was at least two or three times more than that of Anatol.

Seeing the huge city, Hebaron cheerfully exclaimed. “We can finally take a breath. I’m desperate for Ale.”

Riftan did not respond to his outburst and simply led the expedition down the hill in an instance. Once they had arrived, they went through the identification routine at the city gates and entered the city.

Max roamed her eyes around, turning her head left and right curiously. There were countless taverns and inns lined up along the main street lit by torches. She could see drunken sailors and mercenaries and women with half of their breasts baring through the wide-open doors.

Some of the women even leaned out the windows and blew kisses at the knights. Max hunched her shoulders, taken aback by the drunken laughter erupting from the ladies.

Gabel came to her side to warn her. “A lot of low-class people live near the port. It may be too indecent for the lady’s eyes, so it is best not to look around.”

Max quickly turned her attention to the road in front of her. As if he had been there before, Riftan crossed the plaza and headed straight for the pier without looking around or asking for directions. Soon, Max saw the great ships and boats docked by the water.

Riftan stopped in front of a crowded building facing the pier. “Evan, go announce our arrival and have servants come.”

Evan Crude immediately jumped off his horse as soon as he was ordered and entered the building. After a few minutes, several servants who were carrying lanterns, ran out to welcome their arrival.

Max dismounted from her horse and looked curiously at the three-story stone-built building. Riftan suddenly approached her, putting his arm around her shoulder as if to protect her and walked towards the entrance.

“We will be staying here tonight.”

As they walked into the building Max’s eyes wandered at the smooth slate flooring, carpeted staircases, and tidily plastered white walls. The lavishness of the interior was incomparable to the cheap inns she saw along the way.

“W-What is this place?”

“This property is owned by the Verden family.” Riftan explained as he led her up the stairs knowingly. “The Verdens manages several merchant ships owned by the royal family. It is headed by the king’s cousin, Duke Verden, so they don’t expect hefty grants and accommodate large expedition groups like ours. We will be chartering one of their ships.”

The servant guided the knights to their respective rooms, and Riftan led her to a luxurious room occupied by a large bed. One by one he took off his heavy armor and laid it on the floor. Max went to open the windows and gazed out at the sea, which had turned red as it got engulfed by the setting sun.

The piscine scent from the sea breeze tickled her nose, and the harsh crash of the waves against the pier sounded vividly. Looking out into the infinite horizon, Max’s heart filled with incomprehensible emotions. The sea was much more impressive and glorious than how it was described in the books.

“I have ordered the servants to bring a bath. Do you have clean clothes left to change into?”

Max shook her head as she looked up at him. After removing all of his heavy armor, Riftan walked towards her and swept back the locks of hair away from her face.

“Then you will have no choice but to sleep naked tonight.”Her cheeks flushed at the sexual implications behind his words, but Riftan simply cupped her cheeks in his rough hands and planted a soft kiss on her lips. “Are you exhausted?”

“I’m f-fine”. In truth, Max was extremely drained but if she said that to Riftan, he would have left immediately and returned only after midnight.

Wrapping her arms around his waist, Max rubbed her face against his sturdy chest. Riftan stiffened and blinked blankly at her sudden boldness, then sat down by the windows next to her with a smile. He then carefully released her tightly braided hair and ran his fingers carefully through the loosened strands. Max leaned into him, enjoying the feel of him combing his long fingers through her tangled hair. Riftan stroked through the tangles for a while, then moved to massage the tightly knotted muscles on her shoulders with his palms.

By the time her shoulders relaxed, the servants arrived with bath water and clean towels. They took off their clothes and sat closely together in the bathtub, washing each other’s bodies. She lathered his hair generously with soap and he gently rubbed her back and shoulders with a towel. After cleaning themselves thoroughly, they dried off and lay down on the bed, bringing their lips together, sharing a long, passionate kiss.

Now that they had reached their destination safely, Riftan acted much gentler and more relaxed than he had during the expedition. He took his time, touching every inch of her skin, preparing it before entering her body and moving slowly like gentle waves. Max was absolutely lost in his embrace. His hands became more skillful as time passed by. She adored his powerful body crushing her, the hot lips trailing her skin, the feeling of him filling the entrance between her legs and the sensual tingles it gave her.

They did it again and again until they were utterly exhausted, collapsing on the feather bed. They filled their stomachs with plenty of fruit and hearty meals seasoned with spices, until they were languid. They slept with their limbs intertwined like vines: it was a sweet and relaxing time spent after a course of a few weeks.

However, that peaceful moment came to a terrifying end at the light of the next day. Riftan returned with a solemn face and quickly donned his armor while Max packed up the clean clothes that the maids washed last evening.

Their journey wasn’t over, it had just begun. For the next 7 or 10 days, they would travel by ship to Levan, the capital of Livadon. And after that, the Remdragon Knights would head into a long battle against the army of trolls awaiting them. Max’s face clouded as she remembered what happened to the expedition team that had gone before them. It wasn’t the time for her to feel relieved just because they had safely reached the port. A more difficult journey was bound in the future.

Max came downstairs with Riftan for breakfast, then they headed to the dock with the knights. Huge ships lined the wharf, and on board were soot-covered sailors rushing up and down to move barrels of goods. Some of them inspected the mast, ropes, and sails.

Max couldn’t take her eyes off the bustling, noisy harbor full of people. Riftan went to speak to the captain in front of the ship anchored at the far end of the dock. According to Hebaron, having a competent captain was the most vital condition when traveling out at sea. That is why it was important to take time making sure that the captain was a trustworthy man. The captain responded with calm professionalism to each and every one of Riftan’s tenacious and meticulous questions, not showing any hint of displeasure.

“All preparations for departure have been completed a few days ago. Before the princess left for Livadon, she had ordered for everything you will need to be prepared so that the Remdragon Knights could board the ship the moment they arrive.”

Max’s eyes widened at the mention of the word princess. Princess Agnes also went to Livadon?

Unlike her, Riftan remained calm, as if he had expected that. “When did the Royal Knights leave?”

“They arrived here about four days ago and immediately went to Livadon.”

“Any news from Livadon?”

The captain shook his head grimly. “It seems that there has been no one able to escape since the enemy’s capture of Louiebell Castle. No one knows about the details about the situation other than that there is a battle raging on to retake the lands conquered by the monsters.”

Riftan’s face hardened, and the knights’ faces darkened as they listened from behind. The captain grew nervous at the sudden grim aura that hovered over them.

“If you wish, we can set sail immediately. There is already plenty of food and water loaded on board.”

“Is there enough room for the horses?”

“Of course, the stables on board are also well-maintained.”

Riftan took with him some of the knights and went on the ship to inspect its condition, then concluded that they could set sail immediately. The knights brought their horses out of the lodge and boarded them to the ship’s stables. Max got on board and allowed a sailor to handle boarding Rem, in case the horse got spooked by the new surroundings and ran wild.

As soon as she stood on the deck of the ship, her heart began to pound with fear and strange excitement. Max inhaled deeply and gazed far out at the calm sea that glistened under the sunlight.

“Maxi, don’t stay so close to the railings.”

Riftan, who was supervising the boarding of the horses, beckoned her over. She felt embarrassed for acting like an excited child when they were going to head into battle. Regaining her composure, Max walked over to him.

Note – LF: It’s embarrassing how Riftan is so nonchalant about the knights knowing they did it but he’s such a caring husband ????

Nymeria: It was about time for them to have a tender moment like this!