Exians led.
The ‘free the light Vle' crusaders followed.
The soldiers took up the rear on horseback.
And to Hyran's relief, those soldiers hadn't looked back for nine leagues. He didn't really have a plan, he realized. Was he really just going to plod along at this mind-numbing pace, only to arrive at the walls of the camp with nothing more to do?
But for another nine leagues or so, the answer was yes. He shadowed them in every way. When they stopped to let the soldiers eat, Hyran ate from the rations he'd bought with all the trinkets he had. At night, Hyran camped within sight of their campfire, but didn't build one of his own. When they stopped for nature calls, Hyran even took the same opportunity.
Another night came, and the troops prodded their mob into the forest. Hyran pitched his tent, Exian style, almost by rote. Then, he pulled out some more of his rations, growing more and more meager by the league. Thoughtlessly, he took a bite.
Boredom. He was down, and it was because of boredom.
He realized just how alive he'd felt, going from town to town, debating with bartenders and barflies over the King's folly. He was doing something! There was hope!
So, why not go out and find that again?
When he woke, it was still dark, and not a sound came from the small encampment nearby. Quietly, he struck camp and headed north.
He eased onto the stool at the first inn he spotted in the first town he arrived at. (He hadn't even checked out the name.)
"What'll it be?" asked the bartender, a youngish looking guy with a crooked smile.
"Breakfast. I broke camp early this morning."
"Breakfast is gruel," was the reply. "Hope ya like it."
"It's fine."
From a medium-size pot hung over the fire, the bartender ladled up a generous serving. "Normally, I'd ask, ‘What news of the road?', but I imagine you didn't run into anyone so early."
"Well, I did see something odd. I'm sure you're used to light Vle marches coming through."
"Yeah. I thought they were all rounded up."
"I wouldn't know about that, but this time everyone being marched was dark."
"Dark?! What in the burning forest? The King isn't content to wage war on half his subjects, but has to wage war on all of them?!"
"I talked to the troops, who explained that these were Vle who were openly protesting the King's will. And creating a public nuisance." Hyran had no idea if that's how the troops would have put it, had he actually asked, but it sounded good.
The bartender lowered his voice. "I wish I knew a way to get that idiot off the throne."
"Actually, I was thinking we could do something to at least change his mind. Maybe those dark Vle being marched to the camp had the right idea."
"Pfft! It can't be the right idea if they got caught!"
"If enough people know about this, and get angry enough to make a nuisance, he'll have to do something, right? We're fighting a war- he can't spare the troops to quench a country-wide riot, right?"
"Good point! Let's spread the word."
Hyran smiled. His life had a purpose again.
