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When he finally arrived, he stopped, suddenly rethinking. Supposing he actually did stumble upon a gaggle of attackers trying to sneak their way into the fortress, it would not go well for him all alone. Such a force would doubtless be composed of the enemy’s most elite soldiers.

Granted, this was the Melmoorian army and not the Vanguard, so maybe elite wouldn’t mean much, comparatively. But then again, the Vanguard might be sprinkled in among them.

He didn’t have any authority here, though. He couldn’t just order some guards to follow him. Caster could’ve, but he wasn’t--

“What’re you up to, Lighteyes?”

Loren just about jumped out of his skin before turning around and seeing Caster standing there. He needed a second to compose himself. “Sir, ah...”

“Not planning on doing anything stupid, I hope,” said Caster. “I can’t afford to lose my right-hand man, you know.”

Right-hand man? Was that really what he was to him? That was a hell of a compliment, but Loren didn’t know how much truth could be in it. He didn’t feel like he’d been doing anything lately to deserve it. Or anything at all, for that matter. “I, uh... I just wanted to check for a route through the well. If this fortress has any weakness, it might be there.” Wait, why had Caster said all that just now? Had he already known what Loren was planning to do?

“Interesting. I’ll go with you.”

Loren blinked but didn’t get the chance to respond.

Despite what he’d said, Caster was already moving ahead, not waiting for him.

Loren followed. He’d only had a vague idea of where to go in the first place. The well was certainly wide enough for a man to be lowered down, but there should’ve also been a staircase in the nearby keep that led into some underground caverns, to which the well belonged.

Probably.

Whenever they visited a new fortress, he’d always seen Caster pouring over maps and blueprints. Loren had tried to look over them, too, but now that his knowledge was actually being somewhat tested, he was feeling unsure of himself.

They made their way down together, drawing glances from various guardsmen as they passed.

“You could ask for more men, sir,” said Loren. “They’d listen to you.”

“They’d just get in the way,” said Caster. “It’ll be a tight fit down there, I’m sure.”