It was still dark, but Nichol and Kira were already on their feet, as were all the soldiers and servants in the camp. Kira was in the tent shaving Nichol, not exactly out of necessity, but for what this simple ritual meant to them both. When she finished, she helped him put on his armor, the same one she had helped him take off the day she arrived. His red cloak, beautiful and shiny, had been washed by her days ago. Once ready, he took her hand to his mouth and kissed it, before kissing her on the lips and leaving the tent. Kira went after him. A soldier was already waiting for him with his horse and all the other men who would accompany him were already in formation to leave. A little far away, Kira spotted Lila and Lord Reimfred was beside her. Lila kissed Reimfred quickly on the cheek a
