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After our conversation with Nadea, we didn’t waste any time. Soon, we were on our way to Rhotae, the sun hanging directly overhead. Despite the sun’s intensity, a gentle breeze helped take the edge off, making the journey more bearable. We only stopped a few times to rest, but we kept a good pace overall. It wasn’t easy keeping everyone in line, especially when trying to match the speed of those on horseback with those of us on foot. The equites rode behind us with Tadeos in their ranks and some of them were scouting ahead, keeping a close eye on the terrain.

I wasn’t too worried about being ambushed this deep in Western Empire territory, but the possibility of a Battanian raiding party always loomed. They were unpredictable, and we couldn’t afford to take any chances. The equites, as expected, followed Mannes' every word. Mannes had once been a menavlion in the Imperial Army, a senior infantry officer. Even though the equites were cavalrymen, his rank commanded their respect, and they obeyed his instructions without question.

The real challenge wasn’t the equites—it was managing the recruits. As much as they were eager to prove themselves, many of them lacked discipline. Cassius, however, seemed to have that under control. His sharp, insulting tongue worked wonders when it came to keeping the newer recruits in line. Whenever someone lagged behind or ignored an order, Cassius was there to throw a cutting remark their way, and it wasn’t long before everyone started falling into formation.

With Mannes and Cassius handling most of the work, I found myself with some unexpected free time. I took the opportunity to turn to Silvana, who was walking alongside me, her eyes scanning the road ahead. “Tell me about Rhotae,” I asked. “I’ve heard a bit, but if we’re going to meet their lord, I should probably know more.”

Silvana looked thoughtful for a moment before responding. “Rhotae is a fortress city, built on top of the mountains. Its position gives it natural protection, making it nearly impossible to besiege. Even during the worst of the wars, it was one of the few cities that never fell. The surrounding villages have fertile land and harvests are usually abundant, so starving the city out was never an option either.”

“Sounds like it’s been through a lot,” I said.

“It has,” Silvana continued. “Only a few times in history has it ever been conquered, and each time, it came at great cost and through sheer luck or clever strategy. No ordinary commander could take it.”

“That explains why it’s still standing,” I said, nodding. “And what about the lord?”

“Desporion,” she said, “head of the Lonalion Clan. The Lonalions are fierce warriors, and Desporion himself is no different. He’s ruled Rhotae for a long time. From what I’ve heard, he’s earned a reputation for being both wise and relentless.”

Her words lingered in my mind as we continued walking. After nearly nine hours of travel, we finally arrived at the city. It was nearly midnight, the darkness of the night surrounding us as we approached the towering gates of Rhotae. Despite the lateness of the hour, the city guards were on high alert. We were lucky that we hadn’t been ambushed during the journey, but being deep in the Western Empire’s territory, it wasn’t surprising that things were relatively calm.

When we reached the gates, Mannes handed over the documents Nadea had entrusted us with. The guards took a moment to read through them before allowing us to pass. One of the officers stepped forward, his face tired but polite.

“You’ve arrived late,” the officer said. “The Lord will see you in the morning. For now, you’ll be provided with accommodation and food. Rest up.”

I gave a nod of thanks, feeling the weariness of the long journey settling into my bones. We were escorted to an inn within the city, where we were shown to our rooms and given a simple meal. It wasn’t much, but after a long day of travel, it felt like a feast.

The next morning, Mannes, Cassius, and I rose early, leaving the others behind to rest. The recruits, equites, and Silvana were still fast asleep, but we didn’t want to keep Desporion waiting. As we approached the lord’s estate, I felt a sense of anticipation building within me. I’d heard so much about this man, and now we were about to meet him face to face.

Desporion was waiting for us in his grand hall. He was an older man, probably around sixty years old, with deep-set eyes and the kind of weathered face that told you he had seen his fair share of the world. His posture was straight, his gaze sharp, and though age had begun to take its toll on him, there was still an undeniable strength in the way he carried himself.

Our meeting with him was brief but cordial. After exchanging pleasantries, Desporion welcomed us to Rhotae, letting us know that we could stay as long as we needed. He seemed to understand that our mission was of great importance, though he didn’t pry for details.

“I hope your stay here is restful,” Desporion said. “Rhotae is a city that welcomes those in service to the Empire. You are safe here. If there is anything you need, do not hesitate to ask.”

We thanked him for his hospitality, but just as we were about to take our leave, Desporion added something that caught our attention.

“There’s a tournament being held this morning,” he said, glancing between the three of us. “It’s nothing grand—just a regular tournament for entertainment purposes. The rewards are meagre, but if your men need a way to test their mettle, they are welcome to participate. Or if you prefer, you can watch from the stands.”

Mannes exchanged a glance with Cassius and me, his brow furrowed in thought. Then, he turned to Desporion. “A tournament could be just what we need,” he said. “Our recruits are fresh, and some of them could use the experience of fighting in a controlled environment. What are the rules of the team fight?”

Desporion smiled faintly as if pleased by Mannes’ interest. “The rules are simple,” he explained. “Teams are formed, and each team must fight until one side is either knocked out or surrenders. All weapons are blunted, of course—this is a tournament for sport, not death. The goal is to test skill and endurance, not to take lives.”

I listened carefully, excitement bubbling up inside me. A tournament wasn’t something I’d expected, but it sounded like the perfect opportunity to see what our recruits were made of. It would give them a chance to bond, fight as a unit, and face a challenge without the risk of losing their lives in a real battle.

As Desporion continued explaining the rules, I could see the gears turning in Mannes’ mind. He wasn’t just thinking about the recruits—he was thinking about the bigger picture. This tournament wasn’t just an opportunity for training. It was a chance for our group to prove itself, and gain recognition in a city that valued strength and martial prowess above all else.

By the time Desporion had finished, Mannes was nodding in agreement. “We’ll participate,” he said, his voice firm. “It’ll be a good opportunity for all of us.”

I felt a surge of excitement. The recruits had no idea what they were about to be thrown into, but I was genuinely looking forward to what came next for the first time since we’d set out on this mission.

This tournament was going to be more than just a test of skill—it was going to be a test of our strength as a group. And I had a feeling it would be the first of many.