Jehan sighed heavily as he sat down on a stool next to the lance's fire with a cup of wine in one hand. The battle had been a bloody mess, though most of the lance had gotten out without any major injuries except one, who did not get out at all. Henri's body was wrapped up with the other bodies and soon all the bodies would burn, sending the souls onwards. Jehan looked at the faces of his lance, lit by the yellow firelight. Each one of them looked tired, with a streak of sadness though there was also relief; relief for still being alive with most of the lance intact. Charles was the only one who looked more strained, though Jehan was unsure if it was grief or the fact that both of them rode in full battle harness until they made camp again. It had not been a pleasant experience by any means. But Jehan considered it a necessary effort, in case another attack came, it was better to be ready.
At the sound of singing, and music; celebration Jehan turned his head. A few rows of tents away he saw movements and could hear laughter and song, though he was unable to make out any of the words or faces. He could understand them, though he could not possibly join them. His own mood was far too sour for celebrations. He raised the cup to his mouth and drank as he turned back to the crackling fire.
"Jehan?" Charles asked, and did not continue until Jehan met his eyes.
"What are you going to do about the offer?"Jehan sighed heavily and stood, finishing the wine and placing the cup of the stool.
"Come."he said,
"The pyre should be ready now". The lance rose as one, though Charles took a deep breath to calm himself.
"These 'Blood Rose Irregulars' will be as ragtag as this very force, unless someone organizes it into a proper company and somehow acquire proper equipment for them." he said as the lance walked towards where the pyre had been built for the dead.
"Plus, it would need far more men than this, which means recruitment campaign in the towns and villages which means a need of coin. Though there is no shortage of work for proper companies and the pay should be pretty good, considering the troubles." Jehan shrugged as they arrived at the funeral pyre.
"If it becomes a proper company, then it won't be a bad bet." The words seemed to make Charles content and the subject dropped, all of them too tired to care at this moment of what their next move was.
As the funeral pyre was lit, Jehan offered a silent prayer to Henri's soul. The worst of it was probably the fact that he would never know what kind of Knight Henri would have become, if only he had lived. He looked at Johannes and Michael, Johannes was quite obviously the more affected of the two valets as he tried to stifle a sob. It would all be better in the morning, with new worries and dulled memories.
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Tim the Yeti