Steel and Sorrow: Rise of the Mercenary king

Chapter 367: Path forward

Chapter 367: Path forward

Lucius glanced at Egil, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in the man before him. It was only yesterday that he had first laid eyes on the infamous leader, and the image had burned itself into his memory.

Egil's reputation preceded him—stories of his riders' savagery, their merciless efficiency, and the chaos they left in their wake were well known across the army. For many, Egil wasn't just a commander; he was the spearhead of a cavalry force that thrived on fear and blood , that the prince set forward only when he wanted either destructions or results.

He was basically his glorified hunting hound.

Now, standing in his presence, Lucius found himself struck by the dissonance between the man's legend and his current demeanor. Egil's blond hair fell in loose strands to his neck. His features were sharp, confident, but there was a relaxed ease in the way his lips curled into a pleased smile, like a predator content after a feast, with his belly filled and interested no longer in hunting. 

He wondered if Egil knew of how his name was known, or if he simply did not care.Though from the various rumors going around about the commander, it was the latter.

Egil raised a hand lazily, pointing to the two mismatched seats in front of him. "Go on," his gesture seemed to say, though his smile carried an edge that made Lucius feel as though he were being invited into the jaws of a beast.

Marcus and Lucius froze as the realization suddendly dawned, that the man before them lounging casually and smiling as if without a care, was a lord, someone far above their station. Without hesitation, the two bowed low.