[b]Chapter 30: Thoughts[/b]

Arthur turned the cup upside down and slammed it down against the crate. He scooped up the few coins presented upon it and rose up to his feet with a laugh. His opponents, three swordsmen, looked at him with sour expressions. They had challenged the knight to a game of dice - and lost.

[i]"What's your trick, sir?"[/i] a swordsman asked.
[i]"No tricks, good man. Just a whole lot of luck."[/i] Arthur started. [i]"I don't dictate which side the dice lands on."

[/i]

The soldiers around the crate muttered between each other, they had no arguments against that, they knew the knight was right. Luck was the key to winning. Arthur raised two digits to his temple in a salute and then turned around to depart. He stored away his newly gained coins and dragged his cloak around him as a cold breeze swept through the camp. Two days had passed since the two kings had battled on the field and ultimately reached an agreement. Arthur pondered whether Leofric was genuine or if it had simply been a ploy. He had not asked the king about it yet, nor was he certain if he ever would. His thoughts drafted over to what he had seen on the field, hovering above it - the radiant being of white and gold - the Lady. If there had been any doubt as to her existance, that doubt had been put to rest. Everyone had seen her, and now she was free.

Someone suddenly barged into Arthur from the side and a audible ruckus followed as something crashed against the frozen ground. Arthur looked to his side and met the gaze of a female soldier. Her expression was twisted into shock and fear at once and she quickly ducked down to pick up the spears and swords that she had carried.

[i]"I am so sorry, sir!"[/i] she piped up. [i]"I did not see you."[/i]

Arthur twitched a smile and crouched down to grab a spear that had rolled away the furthest and held it out for the nervous soldier. She quickly took the weapon and added it to the others she held in her arms.

[i]"No harm done, think nothing of it." [/i]Arthur said as he straightened out his posture again. The woman rose up also and Arthur could tell from her armour that she was an outrider. She bore no headgear and her auburn air was set up in a rushed ponytail. Her features were grimy but she was somewhat of a belle, Arthur realised. He gave her a nod and gestured her onwards. The woman bowed her head in reverence and scurried away out of sight. Arthur turned around and took a step forward to continue on himself, but promptly stopped. He spun around once more and looked around him. The path he had been walking on was quite wide with ample space, enough to move entire carts around without the risk of running someone over. How the outrider managed to barge into him on the spacious path was a officially a mystery. Unofficially however, Arthur could speculate as to why. It amused him.

Arthur continued through the encampment. Everywhere soldiers sat huddled near their fires or conducted varying tasks. The unnatural cold was becoming a nuisance even to the durable northerners. Arthur swung around a tent and stepped up a small slope. In the distance rose the capital city, twisted and tainted by the presence of its now otherwordly inhabitants. A shudder surged through Arthur, whether it was the cold or not he did not know. Whatever they could throw at their foe it was likely that they could throw something worse right back at them.

Whatever arrangement the two kings had reached he desperately hoped it was to some benefit to them. If not, a brutal and harsh siege awaited.