Temple Sword

Chapter 124 Celebration
"I raise my glass to the man who, after so many years of hard work, has done what no one has done before, my dear friend, who opened the way to the Highlands! Long live Miklos Gutklaed! "

Everyone on the long table raised their wine glasses at the same time, and under the king's solemn toast, they all toasted the general's health.Charlie sat down to eat and the party began.

Everyone stuffed their mouths with chicken, duck, goose, pork and beef, and drank more wine than at the biggest wedding.Only Antal covered the rim of his glass with his hand when the servant was about to pour him a second time.

"The enemy is on the other side," he whispered to the attendant sitting on his right. Simon also followed his master's example and didn't intend to drink after a glass of wine. "I don't want to get drunk, but everyone here Everyone is crazy!"

There were at least forty people sitting at the long table, all of them drinking, each acting as if they didn't know where they were, and put the danger of not keeping their heads behind them.

"Tell me, General!" Charlie continued, raising his voice. "Tell us what we didn't get to witness!"

A greasy-haired, shaggy-bearded man stood up, his face horrified by unsightly wounds old and new, and his cold, stern gaze sent chills down the spine.

He barely ate any meals, but had already had five glasses of wine.He poured the sixth glass of wine down his throat, and then asked harshly, "What does Your Majesty want to hear?" Maybe it was because of the wine, his voice was obviously too loud.

"As you can see, I'm not ready for a noble banquet, nor ready to enjoy the food. I'm wearing my cleanest clothes," he pointed to his blood-stained sleeve. "And I've never been a master of playing with words, I prefer war, that's my art!"

"Then talk about your art!" said one of the court nobles, and Miklos Gutkled's eyes were suddenly clouded.

"There are still plenty of castles in the Highlands," he snapped, "and if they don't cut your neck off in the first fight, you'll see what I see!"

A few people thought the General's remark was a joke and chuckled, while Miklos turned his bloodshot eyes on them.

"It must be a joke to dine with an untamed beast like me," he said gruffly to the relaxed knights. "I don't know if you are ready to die for your king like I am, but everyone under me is willing to die at any time! Your Majesty,"

He looked at Charlie more gently, "I thank you for hosting me a feast, but I'm not used to these things. So far, I have eaten with my men every night, and if I have good food, I will immediately Share it with them. And you won't like my rude stories, trust me..."

The king knew exactly what the man was telling him.He respected Miklos Gutklade, not because he was such a good talker or such a courtier, but because he was a ferocious beast, an eternally loyal hunter, who could Competent for all bloody missions.

"Look, a good general not only fights fiercely, but also speaks aggressively!" Charlie said with a smile, so as not to offend Miklos or his nobles.

"We understand what you're talking about, Miklos, and we believe in you. Take a platter of fresh food and share it with your warriors, they deserve it."

Miklos Gutkled himself was not sure if he had misheard, he had insulted his master's guests in a half-drunk state, and now the king told him that he had no need to mingle with these courtiers?
"Your Majesty," he muttered puzzledly, "if you are sure, I really..."

"You don't have to say anything, General," Charlie held up his right hand. "My request for your storytelling was a bad idea, your actions speak louder than any beautiful words. Now, have dinner with your people!"

Well, that's the spirit!Antar thought to himself as Miklos left the huge banquet tent.This is the real Charlie, Charlie Robert without the mask.

Afterwards, everyone awkwardly avoided previous topics, and the discussion of conquering the north quickly shifted to securing the crown in the southern provinces.

The nobles agreed that the rule of the Subis family and the Babonik family there was too free. After they took the north, they should establish order in the south as soon as possible, because those Dalmatian cities are improving their and Venice. Before human relations, they need to bow the knee to the Hungarian king for protection.

Two or three hours later, Antal and his attendants left the inexplicable banquet, celebrating the deeds of Miklos, but the hero was not there.

"Did you notice that the king doesn't talk about his battle plan at all?" Antal asked Simon.

"I'm not surprised," Simon replied. "After all, Lord Miklos has left. If he is here, he will definitely ask."

"I understand that others didn't ask Charlie any further," Antal frowned, "but why doesn't the king say anything about it? Does he have any concerns?"

"You worry too much, my master." The servant said, the knight nodded, and didn't dwell on the matter any more.

They turned to the forest, avoiding the encampments of the various banners, and made their way through the trees and bushes at the edge of the forest in order to reach their tents as quickly as possible.But neither of the two thought that they ran straight into the camp of the Sekai infantry on the road.

Soldiers from Transylvania were sitting around a large fire, seemingly uninterested in what was going on in the castle, munching on bacon, bread and onions.Istvan Lakfi himself sat by the fire, relishing his half-baked bacon, dancing with his oil-dripping beard.

"Oh, look who's coming?" he asked in a strange voice, "Commander, our dear Commander!"

"Lakfi." Antal nodded, wanting to leave as soon as possible, but Captain Sekai seemed determined to keep him.

"Where are you going, Commander?" Lakfee stood up, shaking slightly. "Why don't you stay in our king's tent? I think your dinner will be delicious!"

"At least a dozen cows were skewered today." Simon replied for his knight master.

"Maybe, but it has nothing to do with us," Lakfey laughed contemptuously, "We stinky soldiers can only eat hard bacon and sour bread... Fortunately, we have enough onions!" He picked up a big onion , took a bite, and while eating, looked at the knight provocatively, as if saying: "Come on, do you dare?"

Antal was annoyed by Lakfey's behavior, but he didn't turn around and leave, but walked up to the captain, picked up a whole onion from the ground, stared fiercely at the dwarf's eyes, and stuffed it into his mouth .

"Jesus' riding whip!" someone cried. "Look there!"

(End of this chapter)