Chapter 87: Arrived.

“Set up the tents!”

“The tables go here!”

“Food storage over there!”

“The medic’s tent stays near the center!”

The camp erupted into motion the moment they arrived.

They had stopped just outside the lands of House Mirevale, the distant silhouette of the duke’s manor visible past the rolling fields and scattered trees.

The air carried the scent of trampled grass, iron, and sweat as soldiers moved quickly to establish headquarters.

The three princes had already ridden ahead to meet with the Duke of Mirevale.

That left the captains to organize the camp.

Which meant tents, supply lines, defensive perimeters, and everything else an army might need before marching into a battlefield.

Ezra had already given his orders.

Guy and the others were setting up the Sunward Sentinels’ tent while the rest of the men handled supplies and equipment.

That freed Ezra to deal with something else.

’Silas…’

Ezra exhaled slowly as he scanned the camp.

He knew he should probably leave the boy alone. Let him figure things out on his own.

But Ezra had already seen enough to know how this would go.

Silas was skilled. That much was obvious.

But when it came to dealing with other knights?

The boy folded too easily.

’He’s an idiot,’ Ezra thought flatly.

Not because he lacked ability.

Because he lacked the spine to use it.

Ezra rubbed a hand over the back of his neck.

’He’s like Aurien used to be.’

Aurien had once been the same. Weak in presence, uncertain of himself, easy prey for those who sensed vulnerability.

The difference was that Aurien had once lacked the skill to back himself up.

Silas didn’t have that excuse.

Silas was strong.

Which only made the situation more frustrating.

Ezra sighed quietly.

’I should just let him learn his lesson,’ he thought.

But even as the thought crossed his mind, he already knew he wouldn’t.

Silas was too capable to be dragged down by worthless men.

Ezra’s gaze swept across the camp again, searching through the moving figures of soldiers.

He was looking for two possibilities.

Silas.

Or the four idiots who thought they owned him.

“Ezra.”

Oh no.

Ezra closed his eyes for a brief second.

’Oh God no.’

“Now don’t look so upset by my sudden appearance.”

Ezra’s entire body tensed.

He turned immediately and straightened, raising his hand in a formal salute.

“Captain Aamon.”

Aamon stood behind him with that familiar smile, the lines on his weathered face deepening as his eyes crinkled with amusement.

“You’ve been avoiding me.”

“No, I haven’t,” Ezra said flatly.

“Yes, you have,” Aamon replied easily. “And I want to know why.”

Ezra’s eyes narrowed.

“I don’t have time to play your little games, old man,” he muttered.

He leaned slightly closer so only Aamon could hear him.

“I’m on the job.”

His gaze flicked briefly across the busy camp.

“And if you haven’t noticed… so are you.”

This was exactly why Ezra had been avoiding him.

Aamon simply tilted his head.

“On the job?” he repeated calmly.

His gaze shifted toward the men hauling supplies and erecting tents.

“You already ordered your men to do what you’re supposed to be doing yourself.”

His eyes returned to Ezra.

“I’m quite certain you have time to talk.”

Aamon watched him for a moment, his expression calm in a way that immediately put Ezra on edge.

“You’re tense,” Aamon said.

“I’m always tense when you’re around, Captain,” Ezra replied.

Aamon chuckled softly.

“That hurts my feelings.”

“You don’t have feelings.”

“Oh, my apologies. I forgot you were that crybaby kid all those years ago, so you would know all about emotions—”

“Bring that up again and I’ll break your knees.”

Ezra’s eyes narrowed immediately.

Aamon’s smile widened.

’He’s enjoying this.’

Ezra looked away, already regretting stopping long enough for this conversation to happen.

Aamon stepped a little closer, studying him the way he always did.

“You look thinner,” Aamon said. “Haven’t you been eating properly, Ezra?”

“I’m the same.”

“You’re not.”

“I am.”

“You’re not.”

Ezra dragged a hand down his face.

“Captain,” he said slowly, his voice tightening, “if you are about to start hovering over me like a mother hen again, I am warning you now.”

Aamon tilted his head.

“Warning me?”

“Yes.”

“And what exactly are you going to do?”

Ezra leaned slightly closer so only he could hear.

“Remind you that we both have reputations,” he muttered. “You can’t go around showing favorites.”

Aamon hummed thoughtfully.

“That we do. And that I shouldn’t.” His eyes gleamed with quiet amusement. “But we’re still going to talk. What can I do? You are my favorite.”

Ezra’s expression darkened.

“You’re the commander of all the knight orders. The king’s captain.”

“Yes,” Aamon said easily. “And you’re the captain of the Sunward Sentinels. Personally trained by me.”

“Yes,” Ezra replied flatly. “Which is exactly why you should stop looking at me like I’m still some angry kid you dragged out of the training yard.”

Aamon’s smile softened slightly.

“You’ll always be that angry kid to me.”

Ezra pinched the bridge of his nose.

’Unbelievable.’

“I am serious,” Ezra muttered.

“So am I.”

They stared at each other.

For a moment neither of them moved.

Then Aamon sighed.

“Fine,” he said.

Ezra blinked once.

“That was easier than expected.”

“Don’t get used to it,” Aamon replied. “After this mission, I will be asking you all the questions I want answers to.”

Ezra waved a hand dismissively, already turning away.

“Yeah, yeah.”

Aamon folded his arms, the same amused smile lingering on his face like he knew Ezra was trying to escape before the conversation could go any further.

Ezra didn’t look back.

He had learned long ago that if he stayed within Aamon’s reach for more than a minute, the man would start prying. About where he had been. About the child. About things Ezra had no intention of explaining.

’Now, time to find Silas before that old man changes his mind,’ Ezra thought.

He walked away immediately, weaving through the growing chaos of the camp.

Knights moved in every direction around him. Tents were being raised, ropes pulled tight against wooden stakes.

Tables were dragged across the grass, crates of supplies stacked near the central fire pits. The medic team was already arguing over where to place their equipment.

None of it held Ezra’s attention for long.

His eyes moved across the camp instead, scanning every passing face.

Silas wasn’t among them.

’Of course he isn’t,’ Ezra thought, his jaw tightening slightly.

If the boy had even half a brain, he would have stayed near the main camp where people could see him.

But Silas had already proven he didn’t always think things through.

Ezra stepped past the last row of tents and slowed near the tree line.

Tall trees surrounded the clearing where the army had settled, their thick branches stretching overhead like a wall of dark green.

Beyond that was the forest.

Quiet.

Private.

Perfect for settling grudges.

Ezra’s eyes narrowed slightly.

’If those idiots wanted to deal with him without witnesses…’

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