Breakfast

Simon would be lying if he said the gentle rocking of Maddox's gait hadn't nearly sent him into a slumber at several points throughout the night, but he had always pulled himself out by choosing a shadow or object in the night and studying it. This tactic became less and less effective as the darkness of the night took hold, but he knew better than to light a torch.

Not only would it broadcast their position to any bandits lurking in the woods, but it would also draw the unwanted attention of any dangerous mystical creature in the area. Unlike natural animals, which flee from fire, supernatural creatures tend to come towards it, knowing just what is capable of holding fire and how tasty they can be. To combat his tiredness, Simon began reciting poems and tales of great warriors to himself.

As the sun began breaking through the night and rising up above the horizon, he saw that the game trail they were on was beginning to widen. Smiling as they seamlessly transferred onto the main road, he looked up the road and saw the telltale sign of a residency - a thin column of smoke in the air. Seeing that the smoke was still black, he smiled and turned over his shoulder to respond, "It smells like breakfast, and the fire is still going."

Turning back to face the direction of the smoke, he set Maddox on a steady pace up the road, knowing exactly where they were headed. It was a brothel near the kingdom boundaries, a landmark that had been used on many drilling practices and war marches. He had on many occasions forbade his men from taking part in the activities that other companies boasted about behind those doors. To him, it would tarnish a man's honor to even set foot within those walls, much less be seen or to talk about the activities.

However, he would soon have to let go of his lightly exterior if he was going to be successful with his mission. As they came to the final bend in the road before the brothel would become visible, he moved Maddox to the side of the road. Dismounting from the black stallion, he looked to Katya and spoke, "I am going to step away and remove my armor. I will be too recognizable for what I am."