Return to Carnford
After two days of arduous marching through wind and rain, the solid and familiar outline of Carnford finally came into view on the horizon.
The bodies of the fallen, carried on horseback, silently testify to the brutality of the recent battle.
To avoid causing unnecessary panic and unrest within the territory, Charlotte ordered the large mixed cavalry force, which was carrying a large number of captured horses and the remains of the dead, to halt its advance in an open area some distance from the outer fortifications.
She turned to Roland and the other officers, her voice slightly hoarse from exhaustion. "You wait here for a moment, maintain order in the ranks, and keep a basic level of alert. I'll take a few men in first to report the situation and let them prepare."
Roland and the others nodded in agreement, fully understanding Charlotte's concerns.
The sudden appearance of such a seemingly bloodthirsty and menacing army could easily lead to misunderstandings among the people.
Charlotte, accompanied by only a few close attendants, rode her horse through the familiar trenches and watchtowers.
The sentry on duty recognized the dashing female knight. Although he was shocked by her travel-worn and blood-stained appearance, he immediately let her pass.
The afternoon sun shone through the high windows, casting a warm glow over Lord Carnford's Lord's Hall.
Karl and Steward Edgar were leaning over a map at the long table, discussing the resettlement of displaced people in the territory.
Suddenly, with a loud crash, the heavy oak door was pushed open and slammed against the stone wall, interrupting their thoughts.
Karl and Edgar looked up in astonishment at the same time, only to see a figure standing against the light in the doorway, his armor covered in dust, his golden hair stuck to his forehead and cheeks with sweat and blood, and his whole body exuding the smell of blood and dust.
It was Charlotte.
Immediately after, a messenger ran breathlessly to the door and hurriedly reported, "Sir! Mr. Edgar! Charlotte Knight... she's back..."
Karl stared at Charlotte in surprise, quickly scanning her from head to toe, lingering for a moment on the darkened bloodstains and tears in her coat.
He waved his hand, his voice steady. "I understand, you can go now."
The messenger retreated with a sigh of relief.
Karl then stepped forward and said with concern, "Charlotte, it seems you... really went through a fierce battle."
Edgar poured a glass of water and silently handed it to Charlotte.
Charlotte took the glass of water, tilted her head back, and drank it all in one gulp. The water slid down her chin, washing away a trace of blood.
She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, let out a long sigh, and then looked at Karl, speaking quickly and clearly:
"We encountered the elite Vanguard Camp of the Sauron and fought a fierce battle in the Black Forest Valley to the southwest."
She omitted the details of Lyon's foolish mistake that led everyone into a desperate situation, and simply stated. "Commander Lyon is seriously injured and unconscious, but he has been given medication and his life is no longer in danger. We paid a heavy price, but ultimately defeated the enemy."
She paused, looked directly at Karl, and suddenly laughed, "That Sauron Army you failed to kill at Icewater Creek last time, I took care of him for you."
Karl's gaze remained fixed on Charlotte, filled with scrutiny and a deeper sense of doubt.
He paused for a moment, then finally asked the crucial question in a low voice:
"You are a reconnaissance team, your mission is to gather intelligence, not to engage in battle. Logically speaking, you should have avoided the enemy's main force... Why did you run head-on into the Sauron Vanguard Camp and fight to such a terrible degree?"
Charlotte gave a bitter smile that was a mixture of helplessness and mockery upon hearing this.
"Why? Good question, my Lord. It's because our temporary commander, Lord Lyon, 'picked up' several hundred cattle and sheep belonging to a Sauron tribe for wintering along the way. He considers this a tremendous achievement and insists on taking this 'spoils of war' with him."
She paused, her eyes sharpening. "I advised him that with all this burden, we'd be the most conspicuous sitting ducks on the wasteland, moving as slowly as tortoises. The Sauron light cavalry could catch up at any moment, but he wouldn't listen. He was blinded by the promise of glory."
Her voice took on a cold tinge. "As expected, we were quickly targeted, and then it was what you saw outside—we were caught up by the elite Vanguard Camp and almost wiped out."
At this point, she let out a long breath, as if to release the pent-up frustration in her chest, and her tone softened slightly. "However, that guy finally came to his senses at the last moment, and led the remaining men in a desperate counterattack, almost losing his own life in the process..."
"You could say he redeemed himself by doing good deeds. Although the process was terrifyingly dangerous, at least the final result was good."
Karl looked at her intently, his eyes swirling with emotion, but in the end he simply nodded.
He didn't press for details, but instead asked, "What about the others?"
"I was afraid their appearance would frighten your people," Charlotte said, pointing to the bloodstains on her clothes. "I didn't let them all rush in. They're waiting outside the fortress now. Their condition... is very bad; they desperately need rest."
"I understand," Karl immediately turned to Edgar and instructed, "Mr. Edgar, please go and greet the soldiers. Prepare hot water, hot food, and medicine immediately. Also, clear out enough barracks for them to rest. Be quick."
"Yes, sir, I will take care of it immediately." Edgar bowed and accepted the order without hesitation, quickly leaving the hall and gently closing the door behind him.
The heavy oak door closed, temporarily isolating the outside world.
Only Karl and Charlotte remained in the hall.