The sun is beginning to sink in the west, and the winter days are always short and weak. So far, they haven't met anyone on the road. This situation is understandable, after all, the harvest season has just been experienced, and everyone feels the feeling of abundance in a warm house, and no one will come out easily.

The north wind was rising, but there was not much chill left. After all, this place is still in the south, and there are tall walled mountains on one side. Since they had set out in the afternoon, they could not make it to the next station, and had to stay in the wilderness for the night. While there was still some light in the sky, Moore rode to the woodland to collect some branches to make firewood.

Siegel certainly has various ways to make fire, and he can even take fire out of water. However, Moore's actions reminded him of his old days as a knight's squire, and besides, the young man needed to exercise, so he kept himself busy.

"My lord, what do you want to eat for the evening?" Moore lit the fire and untied the bloated backpack from his horse. "I brought sausages, bacon, this year's beets, onions and fresh bread baked in the morning, and a trout from the river, cleaned and salted. I also have three bottles of red wine for you to choose from. ”

"Eat the perishable stuff first, and put the bacon last. Siegel said, "How do I feel like I'm out on an outing?"

"You're already a lord. More replied, "Actually, there should be a whole cavalry to escort you." ”

"In that case, will you cook for all the knights?"

"If you agree. "My earlier wish was to become a chef and own my own hotel. There was plenty of room to stay in and then cook with your own hands and listen to the compliments of the guests. Of course, I'm not saying I don't want to be a knight, but I've never dared to think so. ”

Watch as Moore expertly sets up the pot. Chop the fattest sausage and fry it in oil. Then add chopped onion and minced garlic to taste, and put the trout meat in the flat. Then he added a little red wine to the fish, turned them over, and baked the hot bread next to the pan.

Much more fluent than when he served Sir Bill, Siegel thought.

"Being a knight is nothing wrong with being a chef. He said, "There was a knight in history named Don Torres. Very loyal, in case someone poisons the food, and cooks exclusively for the king. His craft has been widely acclaimed, and many of the dishes in the Kingdom of Stars have been improved by him. Pots and shovels were specially painted on his family coat of arms. ”

"He's a knight?"

"That's right, he has always achieved the title of earl, but unfortunately his children only inherit the title of viscount. ”

"Why?" Moore asked.

"The king died of eating too much. ”

Looking at Moore's stunned expression, Siegel just wanted to laugh happily. The Count of Don Torres was a man, but it was not his intention to kill the king, he was just a poor cook who was taken advantage of.

"Don't worry. I have restraint. No matter how delicious you make, I won't die. Siegel pointed to the pot and said, "Isn't the fish almost ready?"

Afterwards, they dipped hot bread in fish soup and had a delicious meal. The night vigil was left to Baron, the raven, so that Moore could also get a good night's sleep after taking care of the horses. The Ore Avenue in winter is inaccessible, but there are not too many wild beasts either. So the first day out of the house was a very peaceful one.

From the next day, they will have to pick up the pace. A day on horseback had tormented Moore, and the calluses on the inside of his thighs and knees had been stretched open again. It hurt so much that he gasped. Siegel saw it, but didn't say anything. In the evening they passed a hunter's hut. Although it was empty, there was a stove and firewood piled up inside. Siegel decided to rest here and let Moore continue to prepare dinner.

The young attendant endured the discomfort and made oily bread and roasted sausages, accompanied by a soup made of beets, turnips and turnips. After everything is done. Before going to bed, Siegel said to More, "Remember, in the future, you have to tell your companion if you are hurt." ”

"It's just a minor injury, my lord. ”

"Since the two of us are on the road together, even if I am the lord, you are the squire. But they are still companions who face danger together, and companions are meant to take care of each other. You feel like your injury is a small thing, but it's a big deal for your team. ”

Siegel took out a bottle of healing ointment and handed it to Mohr: "This is a wound medicine bought from the elves, apply some, and keep it for you tomorrow." ”

Moore scratched his head and smiled and took it.

"Also, don't be so nervous when you ride tomorrow. Let the horse carry you, relax the muscles in your thighs, and push the soles of your feet harder, and it will be better. Siegel finally instructed him, "Chop some firewood tomorrow morning, and replenish what we have used, and this hunter's hut will welcome other passers-by." ”

As they gradually moved north, the two of them didn't have to rest in the wild. The inns on the road are very welcoming to guests like them. Knights and retinues are not as arrogant as mercenaries or as picky as merchants, and they can be rewarded as long as they shout compliments such as "sir, sir".

One such place is the Green Lodge, where Simmons, who is in his forties, and his family run the seven-room inn for guests. There are several fruit trees at the back of the inn, and a small plot of land has been carved out under them for growing vegetables, and pigs and chickens are kept in pens. Therefore, the materials used in their kitchen can basically be brought by themselves, and they can be regarded as a very well-run hotel.

This is already the outskirts of Fort Hub, and two days further east you can see Castle Mochi, one of the outposts of Fort Hub. Siegel was interested in asking about Fort Hub, and Simmons didn't mean to hide it.

"Everything is fine there now. Simmons said, "The caravans came in and out, and it didn't make any difference. Whether you're heading to the top of Mora or Creek, the cloak boulevard is still busy. As an orthodox lord, it is just that Lord Mullen can reclaim the castle of his ancestors, and it is even more rare that he can remain benevolent. It only took three days for the entire Hub Fort to regain peace, and the surrounding knights were also loyal to it, so it was fortunate that there was no fighting. ”

"Let's make a toast to him. Siegel took a sip of the ale and said, "It is said that there is an extra magic tower in the city?"

"Yes, that's a good thing. Simmons said, "Waterdeep City can become the largest city in the New World, isn't it because of the magic tower of the Mage Federation?" This time, the Federation will also build a magic tower for Fort Hub, so the surrounding area will be very safe, and our lives will be better. ”

"Aren't you afraid of magicians?"

"I'm a little scared, but I'm naturally timid and afraid of everything. Simmons wiped the foam from his mouth and continued, "My lord, what are you doing at Fort Hub?

"No, I'm just passing by there and wondering if the lord there is just and benevolent. Siegel replied, "If you are evil, you will be punished." ”

"So you're a paladin. Simmons was surprised. He rolled his eyes, licked his lips, and said, "If that's the case, there's something I can tell you about." ”

Siegel smiled and encouraged him, so the innkeeper lowered his voice and said, "It is said that near the mill in the northeast of here, there is a gang of man-eating robbers who have injured five caravans since the fall. The city of Mochi had sent soldiers to clear the bones, and recovered many of the gnawed bones, and claimed to have eliminated the bandits. However, according to my friend, none of the soldiers were found. ”

"Have there been any man-eating robbers lately?"

Simmons shook his head: "I didn't lose people, but I lost two pigs." ”

"Could it be that the pig ran away on its own?"

"My lord, that can't be. Simmons waved his hand: "Pigs are my treasure, and every day I check the situation in the pigsty and keep the door closed." Besides, how can a pig run away and close the door again?"

"But I'm not going to help you find the pig thief. Siegel smiled bitterly: "That's it, I'll give you three gold coins, enough for you to ask someone for help." No matter how bad it is, you can also buy a pig. As for the man-eating robbers you mentioned, I'll go to the mill and have a look. ”

"Thank you so much, sir. Simmons accepted the gold and walked away with a smile on his face.

Siegel kept his promise and went to the mill the next day to see if there were any of the legendary man-eating robbers. But the mill was still running, and the farmers who were grinding wheat there laughed at Siegel's inquiry.

Simmons was timid and fearful, probably believing the rumors when he heard them. They said: "The man-eating robbers would have been hanged a long time ago!"

If Siegel was just an ordinary knight, he would have believed these words, and perhaps returned to the Greenfield Inn to beat Simmons out of his temper. However, he felt the magic fluctuations from the millers, and when he turned on his vision, he found that their heads were covered with a black mist as they spoke.

"When were the robbers hanged, and how many?" Siegel asked.

As soon as the details are asked, the black mist covering these people's heads will appear, indicating that some kind of spell is working. It's a lot like the Knox Guild's spells, but why bother to cover up a group of bandits?

Siegel thought of the vanished trolls, who had been around Fort Hub for a long time, could the man-eating robbers mean them, but with the power of the Knox Guild, was it necessary for them to cooperate with trolls?

The mill peasants were unanimous in their answers—all seven robbers were hanged in Mochi—and some of them were able to describe the details in vivid detail.

Siegel then said goodbye to them, cursing Simmons as he left. However, instead of returning to the Green Field, he took Mohr to scout around. Raven Baron also took to the skies, looking around for a place that could be used as a bandit camp.

But there are ordinary fields on all sides, and a few woods are too small to hide people. There were several small streams around, and there were no suspicious footprints on the edges.

Everything seemed to be very well hidden, peaceful and peaceful, but Siegel always felt that something was wrong. He came to a gentle stream, cleared a clearing, and began to set up a simple circle.

If he didn't use a spell to confirm it, he would definitely not be at ease. (To be continued......)