A Time of Tigers - From Peasant to Emperor

Chapter 749 A Grand Hunt - Part 2

"Asabel..." Oliver said, meekly, sending a prayer off into the heavens. "I know I didn't want to make it political for my sake... But I might have changed my mind..."

"If you're praying, better to ask the Dark Gods, I'd say," Ingolsol said. "At least we give something in return. You just have to make a worthy sacrifice."

"Ah, because we've seen such hope delivered after those kinds of sacrifices, haven't we? After all, Francis seemed a perfectly happy man, did he not?" Claudia replied with rare sarcasm.

"Wench," Ingolsol said. "You're tolerable when you're your do-gooding self. If you start layering sarcasm on top of that, I might defy all known laws just to tear you to pieces, even if it means the death of all three of us."

"That was a crude blow, I apologise," Claudia said, "though I do stand by the sentiment. Even in jest, one should not say such things. Such bargains would not even benefit you, Ingolsol."

"Oh, I wouldn't be so sure..."

Oliver blocked them out of his mind, and tossed the letter on his bed, retrieving his sword. Finally, the blade that he'd snapped against the Boulder Crab had been repaired – the same sword that Lord Blackwell had crafted for him, with its sigil of an owl on its hilt. It was a fine weapon, remarkably fine, even against the likes of Lady Blackthorn's blades.

He admired it for a brief moment, before he slid it into his hilt.

"Right," he murmured. "Time to make some gold."

... Continue reading at My Virtual Library Empire

...

"Well, you are," Karesh said.

"I could have offered some advice..." Kaya mumbled, though it didn't seem as if anyone had heard him.

"Regardless, it seems you've managed to solve the issue, provided you do get a mount," Oliver cut in. "What are your thoughts, Lady Blackthorn?"

From the way Lasha blinked her eyes and tilted her head quizzically, it was quite evident she hadn't been listening. Snow settled on her eyelashes, and she used the need to brush it away as an excuse to deflect the conversation. "Sorry, I've got snow... You can do whatever you wish."

"Hah..." Oliver sighed. "I know you're getting stronger, Lasha, but you really ought to put a little bit of effort into leading, you know?"

"I do put effort in," Lasha said defensively. "But right now, you said we'd spend the next hour or two training and well... I'm waiting."

"Adorable," Amelia breathed, seeing how childishly her lady behaved when it concerned training.

Indeed, that was what Oliver had promised. The day was longer, and he didn't doubt that he'd be able to hunt what he needed to just as easily as he had the week before – if not more easily. As such, he'd promised to look over the training of the group. The next mission with Skullic was approaching, after all, and he'd promised to bring them, as long as they could demonstrate their worth, somewhat.

Given that Oliver was unsure where he would be next week – he might have needed to be in Solgrim – the group of them understood that this might have been their only chance to demonstrate what improvements they'd made in their time training alone. Oliver had even begun training with Lasha less.

It was now a rarity that the two had an opportunity to spar on a lunchtime, so she was just as excited as the rest.

They'd all come dressed for battle, wearing their best equipment. Oliver hadn't bought his retainers any armour yet, but it seemed the Kaya's parents had sent him his father's old set, which he now wore. Jorah only had a leather chest plate for his defence, as well as his spear, whilst Karesh wore a shirt of mail that he'd also salvaged from home.