I Will Be the Greatest Knight-Chapter 469: Shaky Resistance

"There was once a time when this bothered me," Irene admitted as she dragged one of the smaller goblins towards the pile they had begun. "Something a bit jarring about being so close to something that was once trying to kill you."

The two apprentices were dragging the largest of the goblins towards the pile. It was slow work but none of them could likely drag such a creature on their own.

"Well, when does that feeling leave, dame?" Finn asked as he cringed. "I feel like it will start swinging at me at any moment."

Irene set down the goblin and then went for the last one and one of the smallest. She left it for last because it was going to be the easiest.

"I don't want to admit to brutalizing these disgusting creatures," she admitted. "But it's the only certainty we have. Otherwise, while traveling, Siverly told us that when goblins almost always swallow their tongues when they die, and if you look in their eyes, they're dark red from their blood rather than the usual yellow."

"I don't know if I'll ever check," William admitted as he limped his way with the goblin and finally brought it to the pile. She wouldn't reprimand him for moving so slowly. His willingness to still participate while injured at all was enough for her.

"I have never tried it myself," Irene admitted with a light smile, now easier to see since dawn was upon them. It was less than an hour until the sun would truly rise. "I would not like to touch these creatures more than necessary. I already know I smell like goblin blood right now. Now, I ought to get flint."

Since William was in the mood to prove himself after his mistakes, he perked up. "I've already grabbed mine. Here."

He handed off the small square of stone and Irene thanked him before she kneeled in front of the goblins with some of the dry bark and grasses Finn had grabbed before. After a few sparks flew, she was able to sustain the kindling. Shortly after that, she was able to burn bigger pieces of wood until they got hot enough that the goblin carcasses started catching on fire.

Their blood always crackled. She wondered why that was, but didn't actually want to know the specifics of something that would certainly gross her out. It smelled bad enough as it was to have to stand by a pile of burning goblins, but such was their duty.

Irene stared into the fire with her arms crossed for a little while. There was nothing else to clean up and she was merely waiting until everything was burnt thoroughly enough to dump water over it and not allow it to spread—Sylaron had done plenty of burning of their surroundings as it was.

She lightly cleared her throat and turned towards the two who sat to her right. "Well, at the end of our night watch this morning, what are some lessons the two of you have learned?"

"If we hear something, we ought to go to you first," Finn was the first to offer.

"Yes," William relented easily. "We won't wander where we aren't supposed to and go against your orders."

Irene nodded. It was good enough for her.

"Both of you are correct. It could have been life or death," Irene responded. "If I were any further away, I don't want to know what could have happened. Back when I was an apprentice doing night watch, we were only allowed to sit on the ancient wall segment and keep watch. You are luckier to do something more active and entertaining while on night watch. Please take advantage of those fire arrows, William. Sven has taught you how to use them, yes?"

"Yes, dame," the youngest apprentice confirmed.

"Good," Irene answered. "Now, shall we dump water on this fire and return for stew?" 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

The apprentices readily agreed and they sprang up, eager to cease the smell of burning bodies. It was a scent that wasn't forgotten easily. They would all need baths to get it out of their clothing and hair. Despite how much Irene had tried to avoid the smoke, it occasionally whipped towards her with the breeze.

The three returned to the Duke's Tower during proper sunrise and put their horses away for the day, reminding them to rest and that they would return for them that evening. As they walked along, Irene helped William bounce along on one foot because it was easier with no boot and his leg was quite sore now that the initial shock had worn off.

He also knew that it was too early to bother Siverly or he would certainly be met with a grouchy mage.

They all sat down at the table in the center of the dining hall and the maids there early preparing breakfast gave them bowls of stew that had been cooking for hours. It was soft and delicious. The beef inside was tender and fell apart with each bite.

Shortly after, Commander Henry strode into the dining hall and greeted the three already eating. He was quickly served his morning porridge.

However, he couldn't help noticing that Irene was keeping her distance on the bench from where he sat at the head of the table.

"Did anything interesting happen last night?" Henry wondered.

"We dealt with a handful of goblins, Commander," Irene responded. "Their bodies are burnt and the hole they were hiding in collapsed but we still placed some heavy rocks over it. Unfortunately, William fell into the hole, and his leg was thrashed a bit by some of the goblins. He even lost his boot, but has extras in his quarters."

The two apprentices were practically holding their breath, wondering if Irene would tell the Commander about how the situation was entirely their fault. They seemed to relax when she finished her explanation. It was unnecessary for them to be reprimanded yet again. Although, she would probably tell him the truth when it was just the two of them.

The apprentices were exhausted by the time they were finished eating and as they stood to leave, Irene said, "Finn, walk William to his barrack and be sure to see the healer when you wake up."

"Yes, dame," they both responded affirmatively quickly and with that, the two were off.

There were no maids in the dining hall since they were busy with breakfast and Henry reached out, placing his hand over Irene's where she had it resting on the table.

"Why are you sitting so far away?" he asked quietly.

"The one who always compliments me for how good I smell is asking why I'm not closer when I smell like goblin blood and smoke?" she asked with a light laugh. "I'm merely trying to preserve your image of me."

Instead of holding her hand, his hand went to her wrist and he gently started pulling her closer, sliding her across the bench as he did.

However, Irene put out her foot until it met the seat of Henry's chair.

"Henry…" she uttered. "I'm serious. I smell disgusting."

While Irene was finished with her food, Henry had only eaten a few bites, but that didn't stop him from standing up and offering his hand.

"Then let's get you cleaned up," he insisted.

Irene didn't have it in her to deny him any longer. He seemed quite persistent and, admittedly, all she wanted was to be on the same schedule as him so they could have long nights together once again.

She realized just how in trouble she was when they made it to the bottom of the stairs in the central tower and Henry looked down either side of the hallway before suddenly lifting her up bridal style and running up the stairs as if she weighed nothing.

An uncharacteristic yelp escaped her lips and she gently punched him in the shoulder, but he didn't stop all the way until he made it to the highest floor and was at the door of his room.