Under the Oak Tree

428 Chapter 189

Maxi gave a disappointed sigh. She pulled lightly on Riftan's arm. "You have lost more weight. Did you even have a proper breakfast?"

Riftan furrowed his brow and ran a hand over his face, clearly bothered by her observation. Maxi suppressed a smile. Ever pragmatic, Riftan cared little for ceremony or ostentation. Yet, he always tried to look his best in her presence, so much so that he secretly endeavored to stay clean even during a campaign.

Though she found it slightly absurd that a man as attractive as him would care about a plain woman's opinion, it still pleased her. It meant that he wanted her to find him dashing just as much as she wanted to appear beautiful in his eyes.

Holding back the urge to hug him tightly, she led him to a campfire.

"You should sit and eat something. It does not...seem like the army will be departing soon anyway."

Riftan breathed a resigned sigh as he glanced at the soldiers packing up, "I suppose you're right. You should join me."

"I've already eaten. Will you wait here while I get you a bowl of-"

"Sit," he said firmly, cutting her off. "I'll have an attendant bring me food."

He beckoned to a young squire tending to a horse nearby. Having no other reason to refuse, Maxi settled by the fire.

The squire soon returned with two bowls of steaming lamb stew and generously buttered wheat bread. Despite not being particularly hungry, Maxi finished the entire bowl and half a loaf, mainly because Riftan seemed so content watching her eat. But he was still not satisfied.

"You should have more," he said, tearing off a piece of his bread.

"No, you should have it. I really am..full."

"Have one last bite. It's best to eat well now. Once we start marching, a proper meal will be hard to come by."

"Which is why you should have it. You'll need the energy to lead-"

"If neither of you want it, I'll take it."

Startled by the interruption, Maxi looked up. Ruth was sitting across from them, his expression one of mild disapproval. Maxi's brows furrowed slightly.

"H-How long have you been there?"

"I have been here the whole time, my lady," he replied, shaking his head incredulously. "It seems you only have eyes for Sir Riftan."

"I think the issue is your lack of presence," Maxi grumbled, her face turning red.

The mage scowled as if he wanted to retort but sighed instead. "Anyway, that's not important. Have you gathered all the drafts?"

"Drafts?" Riftan asked.

Maxi glanced around before whispering in his ear, "I told you I went back to the lodging for something, remember? Pages of the golem drafts were missing, so I went back to get them."

Riftan regarded her for a moment, then shifted his gaze to the golem. Anxiety surged in Maxi's chest when she noticed his eyes turn grim. Though the majority of the coalition's soldiers viewed the golem positively, the Council of the Seven Kingdoms and the Church of Osiriya might think otherwise. Even King Reuben was likely to take issue with the golem rune, given Wedon's long standing wariness of Riftan. It seemed unlikely that Reuben III would quickly accept Anatol possessing such a powerful rune.

"Do you think...the rune will bring us trouble?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry.

Ruth stroked his chin. "My lady, how many mages are currently capable of creating a golem?"

Maxi paused before replying, "The only people who fully understood the rune are Anette and Master Calto, although a few unaffiliated free mages also participated in its creation. The work was divided, so not many had access to the whole structure."

The sorcerer pensively stared into the fire while he listened. "I think," he began cautiously, "it might be wise to keep the golem rune secret for now. Of course, this could lead to pressure from the monarchs of the Seven Kingdoms...But given your current status as a hero, they're unlikely to risk public backlash by trying you as a heretic."

He smirked as he added, "The rune might even serve as an effective weapon to keep the armistice's opponents in check. Wedon is a staunch supporter of the peace agreement, and the Church of Osiriya has signed an alliance treaty with the Mage Tower. If war breaks out, the rune will be our most powerful weapon. The opposition would be forced to take a more cautious stance."

Even with Ruth's optimistic prediction, the crease on Riftan's brow did not soften. It was understandable since the things the sorcerer listed were all reasons Maxi could become a target.

After staring into the crackling fire, Riftan said stiffly, "You must stay close to me at all times or have an escort in my stead."

Maxi meekly bobbed her head.

Before long, the soldiers were ready to depart. Maxi followed Riftan's advice and settled into a carriage. She watched the soldiers march in strict formation, then looked up at the city wall.

Lienna Moor Thorben stood atop the gate. She raised her hand, and the Dristanians lining the battlement sounded their horns as the cavalry set off across the field.

Relief washed over Maxi as the sand-colored rampart grew distant. The long journey was coming to an end. She relished the refreshing breeze that ruffled her hair before closing the window and lying on the carriage seat.

The army's march proceeded without incident, quelling Maxi's fears of monster ambushes. Although they occasionally encountered harpies, these skirmishes never escalated into major battles. Most monsters, fresh from hibernation, actively avoided the army.

Several days later, they crossed Dristan's northwestern border into Arex's southern region. Maxi swept her gaze over the landscape with keen interest. A silver river cut through a vast field, and she spotted a water mill in the distance. The miller was nowhere to be seen, having likely moved away to avoid the monsters.

After surveying the area, the army pitched tents near the river. Maxi stepped out of the carriage, took Rem's bridle from a squire, and led the mare to the riverbank. Rem drank and grazed hungrily until her muzzle was covered in dirt.

Maxi gazed at her horse sympathetically before sitting by the river to wash her hands and face. She pulled off her boots and submerged her feet in the ice water. As she was splashing around, she heard Riftan's voice behind her.

"Your trousers are all wet."

She turned to see Riftan holding Talon's bridle. He left his warhorse next to Rem and crouched near Maxi's feet, rolling up her wet trouser hem. Maxi giggled.

"Why are you laughing?" Riftan said.

"I was remembering my first trip to Anatol. You arranged my clothes for me back then as well. I used to think you were such an eccentric."

"That doesn't sound like a compliment," Riftan grumbled, looking disgruntled.

Maxi playfully kissed his forehead. "I happen to love your eccentricity."

Riftan arched an eyebrow. Though he looked sullen, she could tell he was secretly happy. He liked it when she teased him. He also liked it when she slapped his arm or back in exasperation, or when she playfully toyed with his hair while he slept. In truth, there was nothing she did that Riftan did not like.

"You'll get cold. Let us head back."

He carefully dried her feet with a towel, and Maxi slipped her boots back on. By the time they returned to camp, the scarlet sky had darkened to a deep purple, and people sat chattering around campfires.

Maxi settled in front of Riftan's tent to eat a meal of stew, bread, and warmed wine. Not long after, as the wind grew stronger, Riftan pulled her toward him so that she was sitting between his knees. He gently tugged her back against his broad chest while his arms wrapped around her waist.

Maxi glanced around. Their tent faced the river, meaning they were hidden from view. Realizing this, she guided his hand down her tunic.

Though he tensed initially, he soon began to knead her breast. Maxi felt her nipple grow painfully taut.

Biting her lip, she leaned her head against his shoulder. The tips of his fingers played with her sensitive flesh, then gently pulled on it. Her groin tingled, and her waist shivered deliciously. Maxi arched her back to press her throbbing breast against his hand with more force.

A low moan escaped his throat. Positioning her sideways, he lifted her tunic and lowered his mouth to her taut nipple. Maxi buried her fingers in his silky hair as he tasted her. Each time he sucked and nipped on the sensitive peak, and electrifying current coursed down all the way to her toes.

Afraid that she would no longer be able to hold back her moans, Maxi pulled his face up to hers and pressed her mouth against his wet lips. His tongue immediately pushed in.

It seemed Maxi's playful intention of simply enjoying his touch had sparked a fiery blaze. While her mouth passionately responded to the kiss, her eyes nervously scanned their surroundings.

Laughter carried over from somewhere nearby, but she could not stop. Riftan's hand, which had slipped into her trousers, was now stroking the wet hair between her legs, and she raised her hips to guide his fingers into deeper parts.

As he caressed her slick folds, he whispered in her ear, "Do you think you can keep quiet?"

Maxi hesitated, then nodded. Riftan hoisted her up and carried her into the tent.

He easily navigated to the bed in the dark. After laying her down, he hastily pulled off her clothes, then his own.

Entranced, Maxi gazed at his strapping shoulders, broad chest, and slender waistline faintly visible in the tent's gloom. When he climbed on top of her and pressed against her entrance, she felt his hard shaft throbbing with need. She could not wait a second longer. The last of her patience burning up, she pulled his waist close.

Her thighs tensed as he entered her. The fleeting pain disappeared as he began to move, having filled her completely. A sharp pleasure took over her body as she rocked her hips to take him in deeper.

It became increasingly difficult to stifle her moans. Clutching his muscular shoulders, she desperately kept herself from crying out. Her climax built rapidly, then rushed up all at once. She covered her mouth with a blanket, but Riftan ripped it aside and sealed her mouth with his own. Overwhelmed with sensations, Maxi sobbed against his lips.

His movements intensified. Her groin burned as it slapped into his, and her breasts felt close to bursting. At that moment, every sensation only added to her pleasure.

She squeezed her eyes shut as her limbs began to convulse. Her burning inner walls clamped around him, and she felt his climax soon after. He took in a ragged breath as he squeezed her to him, his body spasming. Exhausted, Maxi went limp in his arms.