This is the revised version of Chapter 2.
It only took a few minutes to reach the elegant draw bridge of castle Redmont at the nimble gallop that Gilan led. As he slowed Blaze to a placid trot the small group of knights were greeted by the hearty call of a Redmont knight.
Across the bridge a rather stocky looking man, dressed in a well polished suit of armor and wearing a broad smile as the knights of Meric crossed the lengthy drawbridge.
"Greetings Knights of Meric! Glad you made it here before night fall!"
Cedric returned the kind words with a cheerful smile of his own, admiring the lively demeanor of the knight. The Battlemaster had completely forgotten the hard day of riding as he took lead of the knights, leading them into the darkening courtyard.
The courtyard was full of life. Commoners moved along peacefully, going about their business with a courteous disposition, guards proceeded to make there rounds through out the castle courtyard, trading kind greetings with cordial commoners. Many of the commoners voiced their own regards to the knights of Meric as they went about their day, and as Cedric returned the salutations. Gilan noticed the unwavering smile that had consumed his features.
"You seem to like Redmount." Gilan murmured softly.
Cedric gave the Ranger a look of deep confusion. "What makes you think that?"
The small group of knights made there way to the lofty stables of the Redmont castle, wasting no time they left the kindly stable hands to tend for their exhausted battle horses. Unlike the knights, Gilan stayed behind to care for Blaze, he unsaddled the Ranger horse and rubbed the bay down. Gilan patted Blaze one last time before he made his way to the Baron's tower.
Cedric was waiting near the entrance to the high tower, chatting in joyful tones with the guards on duty at the door to the magnificent tower. Gilan moved towards him silently, as a Ranger Gilan had assumed the mysterious and dark demeanor that seemed to pursue all Ranger's. Cedric hadn't known that Gilan was standing next to him until he felt the slightest tap on his shoulder.
The burly knight turned to Gilan, a cheerful grin still dominating his tan face. Cedric's smile faded as he met the solemn gaze of the Ranger. He far welled the guards swiftly before he led the way up the statuesque tower.
The stone steps matched that of the castle, torches lit along the wall illuminated the elegant staircase. After only a short bit of trekking up the steps the two reached a large wooden door, the heavy wood stood on iron hinges and at the moment, the door was closed.
Wit a gusty sigh Cedric leaned forward to gently knock on the door. A moment went by before the booming reply of Baron Arald sounded from just beyond the door.
"Come in."
The call was slightly muffled by the door, but not enough to leave the worn travelers standing in the stairway. Cedric opened the door and stepped into the room, with Gilan following close behind.
The Baron's office was a rather large room, with a window to the left of the heavy oak wood desk. The shutters were open, letting in the scarce light offered by the twilight sky. From the window the trees of the forest were easily visible, masses of green pines rose from the ground, creating a breathtaking scenery. On the other side of the room a red satin curtain separated the Baron's sleeping chamber from his work space. Baron Arald looked up from his large oak wood desk. Covered in paper, it looked as if the Baron was currently at work sorting through and completing some of the grueling work that made up his desk.
The Baron himself was a slightly portly man, with brown hair and kind eyes. His hair was neatly combed, and his beard was of the same style. In all, Baron Arald was a highly professional looking man, and he was a Baron well suited for the fief of Redmont. He did his job well.
At the sight of the two men the Baron stood, his frustration forgotten for the moment. Gilan pushed the cowl of his cloak back as the Baron moved from behind his desk to shake hands with each of the men before him.
"Sir Cedric, I didn't think you'd make it." The Baron said.
Cedric shrugged. "I finished up some paperwork early and left a reliable replacement for myself in Meric, I'm just glad I caught up to the others in time, my lord."
"How was the journey?" The Baron queried.
"It went well, my lord." Gilan replied simply, his voice a mundane tone, concealing any hint of emotion in his young voice.
Baron Arald smiled widely, contented to hear that everything had went well with the excursion. The Baron went on, asking several more questions about the journey and about the fief of Meric itself. Cedric was quick to reply to Arald's questions, and the two exchanged news of the fiefs in delighted tones. As they did Gilan spotted the slightest hint of movement behind the Baron's desk. A mottled shape had slipped mutely into the room through a hidden passage.
Gilan fought back the anxiety burning in his veins as he leveled his gaze with that of his former mentors. Halt's face was hidden by the cowl of his Ranger cloak, making it hard for Gilan to see the grim gaze of the grizzled Ranger. From where he stood, Gilan could read the wordless message in Halt's dark eyes. We need to talk.
A nice and short chapter. I know Gil's supposed to be more outgoing than that when he greets his former Baron but I wanted to make him seem more reserved. He is expecting bad news after all.