Medieval: Kingdom Come: Deliverance

June 4th, morning, at the castle gate. Trossky Castle was just welcoming the first rays of sunlight.

The winding road was muddy and the air was filled with a strange smell that mixed with horse manure, damp soil, and the impending adventure. This was the crowded and dirty reality beneath the castle's glamorous exterior.

Sir Hans Capone tapped his gleaming boots impatiently with his riding crop, while his squire Henry silently inspected his weapons and armor, as well as the wax seal on the old Earl's handwritten letter.

Four attendants—Old Oz, the guide and cook; Nicholas, the archer and groom; and the brothers Tanrad and Conrad, the scouts—came to see him off. They were not permitted to accompany Hans Capone, the young master, to the Griffin Camp.

Hans said helplessly, "I protested to von Polgar, but he said that sending too many envoys would provoke the Red Griffins. We're just going to discuss the ransom, not to fight a war."

The experienced veteran Oz shook his head and said, "Young master, you must be careful of Count von Borgo. Beneath his high-sounding words lies suspicion of you. We are left in the city as hostages rather than as guests awaiting your return."

"Is it that serious?" Hans also became wary. "That old fox said last night that he agreed with the opinions in our letter, but now he's playing this trick!"

"To send a spy instead of us loyal guards is enough, ugh!"

The burly Tánrad and Conrad brothers also expressed their dissatisfaction, saying, "So, young master, you have to wait here for this bastard!"

Nicholas, a sixteen-year-old archer and groom, didn't understand what was happening, but obediently led over two well-cared-for warhorses.

Just then, a light, even somewhat exaggerated, sound of horses' hooves came from the sky.

A dappled horse came trotting along, its rider even more radiant—Richard Derson, known as "Richard the Clever." He wore an old but clean velvet coat adorned with colorful floral patterns, paired with overly tight scarlet riding breeches. Most striking of all was the fresh red rose tucked diagonally into the brim of his hat, which gleamed brilliantly in the hazy morning light.

"Is this 'eloquent' gentleman planning to attend a wedding, or to negotiate in a bandit's den?"

Upon seeing the belated "monitor," Hans finally couldn't help but complain.

"Good morning, Your Excellency Capone, and your loyal Shadow, Mr. Henry, and your four diligent attendants. I am Richard Derson, and it is a pleasure to meet you."

Richard nimbly dismounted, his movements as graceful as a stage performer, a perfectly timed smile on his face—friendly without being obsequious. "May this beautiful morning grant us a smooth journey. Look, even the dark clouds have discreetly dispersed, surely thanks to your good fortune." His voice was melodious and sweet, as if carrying the scent of honey.

Hans snorted. He had always looked down on these slick-haired fellows; they had no semblance of a knight. "Mr. Richard, I hope your silver tongue can secure Young Master Yang's safety before the Red Griffin, and not be wasted on wildflowers along the way."

"Ha ha, my tongue serves only justice and peace, sir."

Richard bowed with his hand on his chest, his gaze sweeping past Hans and quickly scanning the guards' arrangement on the city wall. Only he knew the meaning behind this subtle gesture. He then touched the rose on the brim of his hat. "Besides," he said, "if I were too slovenly to accompany such a refined nobleman as yourself, wouldn't I be tarnishing your dignity?"

Henry ignored their exchange, frowning as he stared at a small wooden box hanging beside Richard's saddlebag. It appeared to contain personal belongings, but its shape was somewhat unusual. "Sir Richard, what's in that box?"

Henry's voice was low and wary. He had experienced too much betrayal and was instinctively suspicious of anything unusual.

Richard felt a slight chill run down his spine, but his smile widened. "Ah, just some little trinkets to make a living, a few letters from ladies just beginning to experience love, and a bit of lavender to help you sleep. If Mr. Henry is interested, I can share some with you." He cleverly threw the question back at him.

Henry's eyes darkened, and he fell silent. This smooth-talking Richard was not as simple as he seemed.

Ulrich suddenly appeared out of nowhere and said to everyone, "Now that everyone's here, let's set off."

"Absolutely no problem."

Richard, with his silver tongue, nodded in agreement.

Old Oz, Nicholas, Tandall, and the Conrad brothers helped young Hans onto his horse. Old Oz instructed Henry, "You must ensure the young master's safety!"

"Rest assured, I will not allow the young master to suffer any harm before I fall."

Henry pounded the plate armor on his chest.

The city gate opened cautiously, and the three riders rushed out. The gate then quickly closed again, as if afraid that if they were a step too late, it would never close.

The three-person team cycled westward.

Hans rode ahead, deliberately keeping his distance from Richard. Henry brought up the rear, his eyes sharp as a hawk's, watching both the trees on either side of the road and the flamboyant knight ahead.

Richard, on the other hand, seemed completely oblivious, spouting witty remarks all the way, sometimes reciting a few vulgar but amusing love poems, and sometimes telling strange and wonderful stories he had heard from various places.

"Speaking of these red griffins," Richard casually remarked, wiping non-existent sweat with a silk handkerchief, "I've heard they're not like ordinary bandits, but rather... building homes? That's strange. Young Master Capone, you're a man of considerable experience; what do you think a bunch of robbers could possibly build?"

Hans was wary of the man Ulrich had recommended and, unwilling to reveal his true intentions, replied evasively, "It's just a rabble's death throes. They've looted so many estates; they need somewhere to sell their loot and have some fun."

“But I heard,” Richard lowered his voice, as if sharing a secret, “that their leader, Peter, is actually the illegitimate son of the Prague Sedras family, and his father is a mysterious nobleman. The world is truly unpredictable.” His words sounded both a sigh and a probe.

Hans reined in his horse and turned to look coldly at Richard: "Watch your words, Richard. The honor of a nobleman must not be tarnished, and to discuss the private affairs of a nobleman in private is a crime."

Let alone the fact that heirs who have barely ventured out of the Lathai territory are unaware of the gossip surrounding Prague, even if they were, they wouldn't tell this suspected "Polgao spy." The name Peter is taboo in the castle; the old count would be furious upon hearing it.

Richard quickly raised his hands in surrender: "Please calm down, please calm down, my dear sir. I am just an insignificant wandering knight, and I only heard this gossip by chance. Please don't take it to heart." He pleaded for forgiveness, but a knowing glint flashed in his eyes.

Henry spurred his horse forward a few steps to ride alongside Richard, his voice carrying a strong sense of pressure: "Sir Richard, you seem particularly interested in red griffins? Is collecting these 'gossips' one of your hobbies while you're 'staying' at Trossky Castle?"

Faced with Henry's direct questioning, Richard's heart skipped a beat, but his face maintained its nonchalant expression: "Mr. Henry, you're wronging me. We're going to the griffin's den to rescue someone. Learning more about griffins' habits can't be a bad thing, can it? Do you prefer to barge in completely unprepared?"

His question was so confident that it left Henry speechless for a moment.

And so, through a series of witty banter and subtle probing, the relationship between the three men quietly grew closer amidst a strange tension. Although Hans disliked Richard's frivolity, he had to admit that Richard's knowledge and quick wit sometimes helped alleviate the boredom of the journey. Henry, on the other hand, remained vigilant, but Richard's familiarity with the roads and his expertise in wilderness survival also secretly surprised him.

This "eloquent tongue" seems to be more than just a smooth talker.

The three people and three horses traveled quickly and arrived at Griffin Canyon at around 10 a.m.

On the large triangular flat area in front of the canyon, ditches are being dug, seemingly to build a wall to surround the entrance to the mountain.

On the high mountains on both sides of the canyon, there was a great deal of noise and people, and it seemed that infrastructure construction was also underway.

"The Griffin Camp has expanded again."

Hans exclaimed that he had passed through this area yesterday morning, and it was a vast grassland, but now it had become a huge construction site. The Red Griffin Camp's efficiency was truly impressive.

"If they build watchtowers on both sides of the canyon, they can form the first line of defense into the mountains together with the wall below. It will be much more difficult for Von Polgao to attack later, as it will take a lot of manpower just to break through here."

Henry also offered his own analysis.

The quick-witted Richard didn't say much, but instead became much more obedient, pulling his hat brim down to cover half his face.

"Coward!"

Hans and Henry exchanged a glance, both convinced of the same thing. So active on the road, yet cowering like turtles at crucial moments. This wasn't the first time they'd encountered someone like this.

The sentries on guard quickly spotted the three of them. After questioning them, they told them to wait outside and sent someone through the canyon maze into the mountains to report to Peter at the griffin camp.

"Three envoys sent by Feng Boergao? It seems we can sell that young master for a good price as soon as possible."

Peter's original plan was to have Captain Thomas ransom the young Count von Polgao before Count von Polgao arrived, thus gaining Thomas's trust and paving the way for future plans. The ransom amount didn't matter; once the castle was breached, all the money inside would be theirs.

As a result, the old count secretly returned on light cavalry, and Captain Thomas was trapped inside the castle and unable to send messages, causing his plan to come to an end.

Now things are much better; someone else has contacted us, so the deal can continue. Unlike the previous low price, this time we must sell the young master of Borgo for a high price! And a price that Troschi Castle currently cannot afford to pay in cash reserves.

Peter has already taken all the money in the castle for himself. You're using my money to ransom people. Are you looking down on me?

Only if the price is high enough will the old count transfer funds from Prague and other regions; that would be the real ransom for young Master Borgo.

"Quickly invite them in and treat them well."

Peter rubbed his fingers together, pondering what price to quote.