They Took the Manor
El galloped across the open fields with a few riders. When he spotted Lorist and his two companions, he rode over alone.
"My lord, we won a crushing victory! We even took their camp!" El's face was flushed with excitement as he called out to the three of them from afar.
When he reached them, Lorist asked, "What are you doing? Taking them out for a ride?"
"No. Knight Bordefinger told me to search the area and make sure nobody from the slave-hunting band gets away," El replied.
"You said we took the slave hunters' camp?" Lorist asked.
"That's right. Locke, you went on such a rampage that they broke and tried to flee back to camp. We charged after them and took the place. Fatty Shi's already had himself carried there, and he's sorting through the spoils. He told me to send you back as soon as I saw you." Though El had become a Norton Family Knight, he still spoke without a trace of restraint. He often forgot their positions and talked to Lorist as if they were still mercenaries adventuring together.
That was why Lorist felt most at ease with El. "Did we take many casualties?"
"Casualties? None. Two slave soldiers got carried away in the chase and didn't watch their footing. One twisted his ankle, and the other fell flat on his face and split his lip. Everyone's laughing at the poor bastards. More than half the slave hunters died, and we captured the hundred or so who were left. Oh, and hurry back, Locke. There are over two thousand captives in their camp. Whether we keep them or let them go is up to you," El said.
"No rush." Lorist turned to the old man walking behind the horses. "Hey, old