As he passed the castle front where the archers were now taking the meat away to wherever they planned to store or divide it, they stared at Darion in surprise. He was riding out of the castle alone. Carrying no escort, knights weren't flanking him and no guards following behind.
It was just him on a horse, heading out like any ordinary citizen might do.
It probably looked strange to them. Barons didn't travel alone. Everyone knew that. Nobility traveled with an entourage: guards, servants, someone to guard him, someone to look important. That was how it worked.
But Darion didn't look at their direction as he rode. He kept his eyes on the road ahead, passing through the gate without slowing down. The guards at the castle gate bowed slightly in greeting as he passed, and Darion nodded without looking at them, his focus already on the path ahead.
