Outside Castle Ensis's North Gate, Bernahl joined the Five-Party Alliance's pursuit force with the castle's Black Iron Knights.
For the sake of the "greater good," Tarnished and Rellana had become temporary allies, bringing the Five-Party Alliance and Castle Ensis into a temporary alliance as well.
The Black Iron Knights stood in neat ranks, watching these "allies" expressionlessly.
Their commander was a weathered middle-aged man with a vicious scar beneath his left eye. His gaze at Bernahl was three parts scrutiny, three parts suspicion, and four parts warning: You'd better not hold us back.
Bernahl was an old hand. How could he miss what that look meant?
He wasn't offended either. Smiling, he waved a hand. "Bring them up!"
Several Recusants carried two large chests forward and set them before the Black Iron Knights with a clunk. As the lids opened, a rich aroma of liquor mixed with milky sweetness wafted out-
One chest held neatly arranged bottles of rum; the other was filled with milk candies tightly wrapped in waxed paper.
The Black Iron Knights stared, transfixed.
"This..." The commander's Adam's apple bobbed, but he maintained his dignity. "What is the meaning of this?"
Bernahl looked utterly righteous. "Military supplies! Thank you all for your hard work guarding the frontier. This is a small token from our Five-Party Alliance. We're all on the same side, so don't stand on ceremony!"
The knights behind their commander were already swallowing hard.
After years of war in the Land of Shadow, they were grateful just to have enough to eat, never mind eating well. Their food had been so bland all these years that their taste buds had practically died. The liquor looked rich and mellow, and milk candy was even rarer-even in the Lands Between, such treats were probably reserved for the