Steel and Sorrow: Rise of the Mercenary king

Chapter 261: Face to face

Chapter 261: Face to face

As Alpheo went around the table, introducing each man with a blend of humor and merriment , Ilbert's initial assumption solidified: these men had been companions of the prince consort during his mercenary days. Their relaxed demeanor, shared jokes, and the ease with which they addressed one another spoke of bonds forged not through titles, but through battle and shared blood.

The first one he was presented of the bunch of commoners was Asag, he did not leave that much of an impression, he was not that tall nor he seemed to be adept with the sword, the only unusual thing about him was his burnt-scar, that he tried to hide with hair that fell onto the side of his face , but that were still visible whenever he turned his head around. 

Jarza was the eldest of the group, broad-shouldered , raised his goblet in mock salute as Alpheo introduced him, he was clearly not from the south, nor from the empire , as his hue of skin suggested he came either from across the sea or from Azania or Alarnia.

A foreigner...

Finally, there was Egil, whose neck-long curly blonde hair seemed like that of a moman. While his outward appearance might have marked him as a man of quick-laugh, there was no mistaking the fire in his sharp eyes.

Alpheo gestured to Egil with a sly grin. "Sir Egil here commands my light riders. It was his charge that shattered the right flank of Lechlian's forces and turned the tide of the battle."

Ilbert inclined his head politely toward Egil. "Sir Egil," he began, "since that day, I've often pondered how such a feat was possible. If I recall correctly, Lechlian's cavalry outnumbered yours, particularly with knight . How did you manage to bypass them and strike the infantry with such precision?"