Ten days later.
With Adele's assistance, Don Quixote began to dress.
First, the inner layer of padded wool gambeson. Then, the chainmail hauberk.
Finally, the full suit of plate armor.
It was an exquisite set of black scaled armor, save for a splash of crimson on the breastplate.
A bloody hand.
This custom-made set of refined steel plate armor weighed 57 pounds and had cost Don Quixote 11 Gold Dragons.
Compared to plate armor made of ordinary iron, it was more expensive, harder, tougher, and lighter.
Adele looked at Don Quixote in his full gear and couldn't help praising him:
"My Lord, you look so handsome!"
...Am I being too cautious? It's just an ordinary escort mission, not a war.
But this contract cannot be allowed to fail.
Thinking this, Don Quixote smiled:
"Let's go. We shouldn't keep them waiting."
"Yes, My Lord." Adele followed behind Don Quixote, continuing to admire him.
The two quickly walked into the courtyard.
Tom and the other two knights, along with Cole and Alden, were already prepared and waiting.
Seeing Don Quixote and Adele approach, they immediately greeted him respectfully:
"Captain!"
Don Quixote nodded, looked around, and said:
"Since everyone is ready, let's move out!"
Warren looked enviably at Don Quixote's gleaming black steel plate armor ahead and whispered to Tom beside him:
"Tom, you must have enough savings to buy a set of plate armor now, right?"
Hearing this, Tom thought for a moment and said:
"I could afford a set of ordinary iron plate, but there's no need. We're not going to war.
"Besides, since the Captain bought one, we just need to dutifully follow behind him.
"I feel like this old mail of mine can hold out for a while longer!"
Having won a match in the tourney and made a killing on side bets.
Tom's net worth had tripled instantly.
Lately, he walked with a spring in his step, full of confidence.
Thinking of this, Tom asked in return:
"I remember you bet on the Captain to win the melee too. You must have made a fair bit!"
Warren nodded but said helplessly:
"I did make a fair bit, but after paying back the loan from the Captain, I barely made anything overall."
Shane, who had been listening to their conversation, couldn't help complaining:
"I'm the only one who not only got injured but also ended up owing the Captain money. Just my luck!"
Tom glanced at Shane's gloomy face and said bluntly:
"I told you to bet on the Captain with us. You know how strong he is. It was practically free money, and you didn't take it. Who can you blame?"
Shane retorted:
"Who can guarantee anything in a tourney? If some powerful figure had emerged from the freelance knights of White Harbor, wouldn't I have lost even more?
"Hmph, you guys just got lucky!"
He was the only one who hadn't placed a bet.
Even Alden, Cole, and Adele had bet their entire life savings on Don Quixote to win the melee.
And they had each made over a dozen Silver Stags.
Warren knew Shane had been in a bad mood these past few days, so he comforted him:
"Shane, perform well on this escort mission. When it's over, the Captain won't be stingy.
"If you get a bigger share of the bonus, it will be enough to pay off your debt to the Captain."
Don Quixote had already discussed the payment distribution for this mission with them.
The base pay was 100 Silver Stags per person.
After the mission was completed, Don Quixote would distribute another 2 Gold Dragons among the three of them.
As for the specific split of those 2 Gold Dragons, it would depend on their performance during the mission.
Hearing this, Shane's face remained cloudy. After a moment, he frowned and said:
"I hope so."
————
The group rode out of the courtyard and soon arrived at the fish market on the outskirts of White Harbor.
In a corner of the fish market.
Rodney, having already arranged everything for the caravan, sat on his horse, looking around.
As soon as Don Quixote and his group appeared.
Rodney spotted them and immediately waved his hand, shouting:
"Ser Don Quixote, over here!"
Don Quixote also noticed Rodney and his caravan.
Eleven drivers were managing eleven four-wheeled wagons covered with tarps, pulled by a mix of horses, mules, and oxen.
Under the tarps, barrels and burlap sacks were piled high.
Five guards and Ian were mounted and scattered on both sides of the caravan.
Additionally, there were four spare horses tethered around the caravan.
Don Quixote observed the scene as he approached Rodney, smiling:
"Lord Rodney, apologies for keeping you waiting."
Rodney shook his head and smiled back:
"My caravan just got ready too. I haven't been waiting long."
Don Quixote glanced at the eleven four-wheeled wagons again, curious about what goods were in those barrels and sacks.
But he didn't ask rashly, simply saying:
"Lord Rodney, then let's set off!"
Rodney smiled immediately:
"No problem."
Then, Rodney shouted orders for the caravan to slowly leave the White Harbor fish market.
Don Quixote also briefly instructed Tom and the others to take up defensive positions around the caravan.
The eleven oak wagons formed a column, their wheels rumbling dully over the cobblestone road.
A group of nearly thirty people and over forty animals traveling together attracted attention, even in the bustling fish market of White Harbor.
Many pedestrians stopped to look curiously at the caravan.
————
Four days passed in the blink of an eye.
Night fell.
Rodney looked at Don Quixote and said helplessly:
"The Barrowlands are just ahead. If those two wagons hadn't gotten stuck in the mud and wasted so much time...
"According to my plan, we should have reached the inn up ahead before sunset!"
Don Quixote suggested:
"Traveling at night is too dangerous. Let's rest here in the wild for the night and continue tomorrow."
Rodney nodded and smiled:
"That's what I intend to do. I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to rough it out here in the middle of nowhere for a night, Ser Don Quixote!"
Don Quixote shook his head and smiled:
"It's hardly roughing it. If Lord Rodney doesn't mind, how could I?"
The two chatted for a while, then went off to direct their men in arranging the night's defenses and camp logistics.
Rodney's caravan hands were no rookies; they had traveled this trade route many times.
They all had experience.
Before long.
The less critical wagons were arranged in a circle on the outside, with the more valuable wagons and the tents pitched in the center.
Several campfires were lit in the middle.
After gathering around the fires for a simple, filling meal.
Rodney discussed with Don Quixote and finally decided to set up a rotating watch of three men per shift.
The night passed quickly.
Aside from a chorus of wolf howls in the deep of the night, no bandits came to raid them.
When the group finished breakfast, packed up, and prepared to depart.
The hazy white mist of the morning was just being dispersed by the golden rays of the rising sun.
A vast expanse of wilderness unfolded before them.
Apart from a few long, low hills gently rolling in the distance, everywhere else was flat, barren brown earth stretching silently towards the horizon under the daylight.
That was the Barrowlands of the First Men!
...