Night Lake

And in the end, the mother and son duo made the unconventional choice of joining forces with the mercenaries, much to the chagrin of the royal soldiers. The captain of the soldiers, in particular, clenched his teeth in annoyance, his frustration palpable.

Adding insult to injury, the young boy awoke with an intense loathing for Desmond. Not only did he persistently taunt and shout Desmond's name, but he even resorted to hurling mud at him. Such behavior seemed overly childish when compared to Desmond, who was of the same age.

Disregarding the boy's scolding, the horse-drawn carriage pressed on. The journey continued without encountering any further obstacles, aside from the somber task of burying fallen comrades from the previous battle, which slowed their progress.

As time passed and the sun dipped below the horizon, the carriages eventually came to a halt, seeking respite and waiting for night to pass.

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