Some of the knights had started drifting out of the barracks to watch.
They stood in loose clusters near the entrance, arms folded or hands in pockets, watching Seren walk the line of ten recruits and correct their stances one by one.
Nobody said anything much. They just watched. This was something to pass the time.
Darion had left already. He collected the perspective glass from his room, wore the dark riding clothes, and came back down. He told Maret to pack him some food and a bottle of water for the road, she did so.
He went to the stable, took the same horse he had been using for these rides, and came back out through the gate. The knights near the barracks who had been watching the archery turned when they heard hooves.
Garren stood at the gate.
"Best of luck, m'lord," he said.
Darion nodded and rode.
He didn't stop to rest this time.
Usually he left early morning and built rest breaks into the journey because the full ride in one stretch was long enough to matter.
