As the group got closer the familiar castle, they noticed that something was off – the usually empty gates and walls were filled with people, seemingly waiting for their arrival.
"What’s going on?" Calen frowned. "Why are they waiting for us like that?"
Leon clicked his tongue.
"I might have not informed the rest of the round table that we were going on a hunt – from their perspective we just kinda disappeared suddenly."
"Because they would’ve tried to put a spy on the team if they knew." Leon shrugged. "I wouldn’t worry too much though, it’s far from the first time I did something like that."
"You do this way too often, I get that you had a reason this time, but why do this when you don’t have to?"
"Precisely for situations – if this was the first time I did something like that it would be extremely suspicious, but since I do this regularly they won’t look to deep into it."
"I just hope you won’t have to justify yourself in front of the entire Order."
"I doubt it, the other’s don’t want a show either."
By the time they reached the gates only five people were waiting for them – an important looking older man flanked by two fully armoured guards from each side.
"Friedrick, to what do I owe your presence?" Leon’s face was plastered with a painfully fake grin.
"You’ve broke the rules Leon." The man stated. "Again."
"They’re not very good rules if no one enforces them."
Friedrick looked quite annoyed.
"I’m not going to argue about that again – just tell everyone what happened and I’ll be on my way, we’ll decide on your punishment later."
"Are you sure you want me to talk about it publicly, or would you rather we discuss what really happened in private, and then we’ll make a joint announcement."
The man eyed him for a bit before sighing.
"Fine, follow me to the others – and the rest of your expedition can go back to doing whatever."
"No no no little man, if you get guards do do I – Damien and Greg are coming with me."
The second name made Friedrick’s eyes jump to the tall devil for a moment. He didn’t seem that surprised by the transformation, but rather curious."
"Alright, the big guys can come but that’s it."
"I’m glad we came to an understanding – lead on my friend."
Friedrick didn’t dignify him with an answer, but he did start walking towards the main keep, bidding Leon to follow.
Considering how large was the crowd when they approached, Calen was nearly certain that the round table ordered everyone to return to their duties before they reached the castle – there was no other way to explain the fact that not a single person beside them was near the gate.
"Do you guys think they’ll do something to Leon?" Elira asked.
Alfred, now back in his Matthew form, shook his head.
"The worst punishment they ever gave him was a week of teaching the worst recruits – and it was for way worse shit than what he did this time."
"I’m almost afraid to ask." Calen raised an eyebrow.
"Not like worse morally, mire like things the rest of the round table didn’t like very much." Alfred specified. "Once he tried to create a mobile fortress by tying together a few Striders, placing some planks on top and adding armour."
"I assume it didn’t work out."
"No, it didn’t – every single of his ideas ends up with zero results and a huge mess, but even then he never got a proper punishment. This time he went against the protocol, but we did need to conduct a hunt, so ultimately this stunt of his was a net positive. At most they’ll ban him frim going on a hunt for a few weeks."
"But he doesn’t listen to the rules concerning the hints anyway? What makes them think he’ll respect the ban?"
"Nothing, it’s all performative – if not for Arthur’s influence they probably wouldn’t have bothered even addressing this stunt." Alfred looked at Morgan. "It’s been a pretty fun outing, but we should probably report back to the instructors."
"You’re right." She nodded and looked at the group with a smile. "I hope we get to interact more after all of this is over."
The two of them said their goodbyes and also left.
"What are you you guys going to do?" Calen questioned. "I’m going to train a little to adjust to the increase in power from the Grayfangs."
"I need to check something about the Serakhiin after the discussion with Leon and Greg." Cassian stated cryptically.
"The Fool’s inheritance is calling me – I’ve neglected it for some time since we were trying to gather information, but now that I think about it his more advanced techniques might be actually very helpful in espionage." Isara said.
"I’m still planning on finding more about the history of this castle and its relation to the last king – if Koravel’s books will have nothing on that topic then I heard there’s a pretty sizable library somewhere in the castle." Elira declared.
"I might join you after I’m done with the training." Calen nodded. "I’m quite interested in that relic, its such an unusual gift for the situation and people involved."
"If I’m not in my room then try finding the library on your own, someone here is bound to know where it is "
"I think you’re overestimating how interested in books is an average knight. I reckon half of them haven’t held a book in their life."
"It can’t be that bad..."
"No, Cal is right unfortunately." Cassian admitted. "Even before the invasion most knights were more interested in fighting an partying than reading – now that their lives are dependent on the first one and they barely have time for the second one, I can’t imagine they’re very keen on books."
Elira’s face fell, but Calen was quick to suggest a solution:
"Nickolas memorised the layout of the entire castle, you can just go ask him."
Learning about a library from a prisoner certainly wasn’t a common occurrence, but it’s not like their circumstances were very normal.
Hopefully they’ll actually learn something from all of this