The night was quiet, but not like he was used to them. It wasn’t like the calmness that he felt when he was at home. There was a certain tension in the air, that had spread around in the camp. He could also see it by the amount of guards that were walking around.
King Duncan was standing in front of his pavilion, watching over the rows of tents in front of him. He had once counted them, multiplying by a number to see how many soldiers were staying in there.
“Is everything alright, Your Majesty?”
Sir David approached him, standing still next to him. Just a few minutes before, they had been discussing their next move in the war against the fallen Baron. After sharing the tactics with the generals – who on their turn would inform their lieutenants – they were dismissed.
He and the Battlemaster had stayed behind to discuss the follow up steps, always wanting to be one step ahead.
“Times could be better,” King Duncan replied.
Sir David remained silent. Like any men present, he too wished for better times. But, maybe once they had defeated the former Baron, those times would come.
The question surprised Sir David. It wasn’t uncommon for him to ask about Gilan when the two of them were talking.
“Gilan is doing alright, Your Majesty. Halt’s been keeping a close eye on him these past days. Although he has recovered his lack of sleep, Gilan is restless. Halt sometimes has to do his best to prevent him from running off on Blaze.”
The King turned to face him, a hint of a smile in the corner of his mouth.
“You really think he would do that?”
Sir David shook his head, staring in the direction where the Rangers had set up their tents. Crowley’s pavilion was standing in the middle, surrounded by the sleeping tents of his men.
“No, he respects Halt too much to do such a thing. His loyalty to him, his Commandant and the Corps is too deep to even think about ignoring them.” He fell silent for a moment, then added, “But it doesn’t mean he’s worried.”
King Duncan followed his gaze and saw a few persons walking around the pavilion. Crowley was still awake, talking with the Ranger Council; a small group of Senior Rangers who advised him and acted as helping hand while making decisions.
“One would sometimes wish to take away our children’s worries, no matter their age.”
There was a subtle undertone in his words that made Sir David aware that the question about his son wasn’t out of the blue.
“I agree, Your Majesty. However, we as parents can’t, and shouldn’t, always want to resolve every issue or problem for them.”
Next to him, the King took a shaking, deep breath. He knew the Battlemaster was right. Even he shouldn’t want to fix every problem that the Princess would face, or even take care of it before it arose.
“David,” he spoke, his tone changing to that of a father rather than that of a King. “Have you ever regretted letting Gilan go to Halt?”
The Battlemaster opened his mouth to deny it, but closed it again. He thought for a time, his heart and mind fighting each other. One wanted to be honest, knowing what the King was actually asking him. The other wanted to speak the words that the King wanted to hear.
“Your Majesty?” he asked instead, trying to see which way the King wanted the conversation to go.
King Duncan turned his face to him to look him in the eyes.
“Leave formality for once. I’m asking you as a friend, as a fellow brother and as a worried father.”
Sir David nodded once that he understood.
“More than once have I done so, Duncan. Gilan wrote to me every month, telling me about all the things he had learnt. Whenever he was training with MacNeill at Castle Caraway, I would hear about the times he had gone outside on a patrol round with Halt. The people he had encountered, the criminals that had injured him. Each time he returned home, he would have new scars that reminded him about those moments.” He waited a moment, memories of those evenings near the fireplace crossing his mind.
“But you never once called him back, nor had him stay with you,” Duncan pointed out.
“The thought did cross my mind, multiple times. Yet, whenever I saw his face, the excitement that come from him as he spoke, I couldn’t bring myself to give that order. He had finally found what made him happy. Yes, his apprenticeship wasn’t always easy and I have had a couple of serious talks with Halt regarding that. In the end, it did help him to grow into the man he is now. He learnt some valuable lessons throughout those five years, some of which I’m sure he wouldn’t have learnt had either Halt or I interfered. We had made sure that Gilan knew we were there for him if he needed us. We offered him a place of safety and guidance, and let him find his own path. So yes, although I wish I could take hardships away from him, I am aware that he has to go through them.”
They stood there, silently, without speaking.
Duncan let the words of his friend sunk down in his mind, pondering over them.
“I sometimes worry that I didn’t do enough to prepare her, yet at the same time I want to protect her at all costs,” Duncan said after some time. “Sending her off to Celtica all on her own is the hardest thing I’ve done.”
“It was a brave decision to do, Duncan. And while it might has had its downsides, it also brought us important knowledge. We know what Morgarath is up to, that Celtica has fallen. Hadn’t Gilan, Will and Horac gone there, we wouldn’t have known it. And by what Gilan has told, I think your daughter is doing well for someone who has lived in a castle all her life.”
Duncan couldn’t help but to agree.
“Back then, I had cursed her for sneaking away during the nights, hunting and using that sling of hers. But now, seeing all circumstances, I’m glad, yes, grateful, for the times she ignored my orders and did as she pleased.” Then, he become more serious once again. “I am aware that, had she been a boy, she would have gotten way more experience with warfare already. She would have been in the army, leading a group and learn how to be a good leader. It’s odd that, for a woman, we have such different ideas.”
Sir David silently listened to him. It was true, boys and men were raised to protect, while girls and women were raised to listen.
“Perhaps I should change that,” Duncan spoke rather to himself. “Not too much, of course. Something with ‘traditions’, I believe so.”
“Be it positive or negative, it will shape the Princess and help her grow into a strong leader,” Sir David said. “And I have no doubt that she will return. She is a strong lady, with a fierce heart and a good set of brains. If she can cross Celtica for weeks without any trouble, then there’s no question that she will make it back home.”
King Duncan placed a hand on the knight’s shoulder, a silent way of thanking him.
“I want to have one last look over the plans,” he suddenly said, turning back to his role as King. “We must ensure that we haven’t overlooked anything.”
“As you wish, Your Majesty,” Sir David replied, then followed the King inside the pavilion.
