Tale of a Hedonistic wizard-Chapter 267: Don’t mess with me

The sun dipped low on the horizon as they arrived at the campsite, its rays casting long shadows over the sprawling grounds dotted with erected tents.

In the center stood the imposing main tent, where the officials of the kingdom convened their war council. Kaeso wasted no time issuing orders to his men, directing them to set up their tents to the side.

Meanwhile, Jaegar quietly followed the soldiers. He didn't go along with Kaeso, and Kaeso was watching Jaegar leave with the soldiers. He expected Jaegar, asking him to bring along with him. Clearly, that was not the case, as he seemed to be uninterested in his kingdom's affairs.

As they separated, Kaeso made his way towards the main tent, his mind abuzz with anticipation for the impending war council. With each step, he couldn't shake the feeling of Jaegar's presence lingering behind him, a constant reminder of the mysterious force that now walked among them.

*

The vast clearing had transformed into a bustling encampment, teeming with activity as soldiers erected tents and prepared for the imminent conflict that loomed on the horizon. The rhythmic pounding of wooden stakes into the earth echoed across the clearing, accompanied by shouts of orders and the clatter of equipment being unpacked.

Tents of various sizes and colors dotted the landscape, arranged in orderly rows that stretched as far as the eye could see. Each tent represented a unit of soldiers, a makeshift home for those who would soon march into battle side by side.

Smoke rose from campfires scattered throughout the camp, adding to the haze that hung in the air, blending with the sounds of sharpening swords and the scent of leather and sweat.

The camp was a hive of activity, with soldiers moving purposefully about their tasks.

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*

The weary soldiers trudged along, their eyes scanning the landscape for a suitable spot to make camp for the night. After what felt like an eternity of marching, one of the men called out, having identified a small clearing amidst the trees that would suffice. Most of the open spaces have been occupied, and it seems like they were the last ones to arrive.

"Here! This looks like a good place to set up camp," the grizzled veteran soldier announced. The unit began spreading out, each man attending to his particular duties as they had done countless times before on these long campaigns.

The tent lines were quickly established, and a flurry of activity commenced as the footsoldiers and knights went about securing the site and raising their canvas shelters. However, one figure remained noticeably apart from the industrious efforts.

Jaegar, the renowned gladiator in their company, had dismounted from his powerful destrier and settled himself against a broad oak tree at the edge of the clearing. With a disaffected air, he leaned back against the rough bark, his eyes half-lidded as if utterly unconcerned with the preparations unfolding around him.

He made no effort to converse with the other men or lend any aid to the tasks at hand.

His indolent repose did not escape the notice of Arrane, the seasoned captain charged with overseeing this contingent of Lord Kaeso's forces. A gruff, no-nonsense warrior, Arrane felt his ire rising at Jaegar's insouciant behaviour. Arrane respected the gladiator's fallen reputation with a blade but had little patience for what he perceived as arrogant idleness.

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Squaring his bulky shoulders, Arrane marched over to where Jaegar idled and loomed over the younger man's reclining form. "Just what do you think you're doing?" Arrane barked, his gruff voice hardened by years of barking orders amidst the chaos of battle.

Jaegar didn't so much as open his eyes fully, letting out a soft exhale through his nostrils as if completely unbothered by the captain's imposing presence.

Arrane's jowls grew flush with anger at being so summarily dismissed by this upstart gladiator. "What a presumptuous lad!" he snarled, rearing back his booted foot as if to kick Jaegar squarely in the ribs.

With almost inhuman quickness, Jaegar's hand shot out and snagged Arrane's raised ankle in an iron grip. "I was sitting here, minding my own business, you came on your own accord and decided to disturb me," Jaegar stated, his voice now taking on a dangerous edge. "Then you tried to strike me."

Arrane could feel the intense pressure of Jaegar's grip already beginning to make his leg throb painfully. He opened his mouth to respond, but any retort withered on his lips as Jaegar's grasp became even tighter. For a moment, the captain feared the gladiator might crush the bones of his ankle. Jaegar's eyes bore into Arrane's, filled with a cold fury that sent a shiver down the captain's spine.

Then, just as swiftly as he had seized Arrane's leg, Jaegar released it, letting the older man crumple gracelessly to the ground. Arrane grimaced, clutching at the already purpling circle of fingermarks that had formed around his ankle in the wake of Jaegar's punishing grip.

"It's best if you just mind your own business and leave me alone," Jaegar stated evenly, his eyes finally locked with Arrane's, unblinking stare. "I don't think your lord would be pleased to know how you've acted towards one of his...guests."

Arrane furrowed his brows in confusion, 'Guest?' When did a gladiator-like him become a guest of his lord?

Arrane didn't understand why Jaegar was referring to himself like that, and his demeanour too has changed drastically since they went missing in the forest.

By this point, the commotion had drawn the attention of several other soldiers nearby, who hurried over with concerned looks on their faces. "Captain! What's happened?" one of them asked as they helped Arrane back to his feet.

Arrane waved them off brusquely, too proud to admit he had been so easily subdued, despite the throbbing ache now pulsing in his leg. He didn't understand why their lord had given strict instructions not to provoke or offend Jaegar in any way. As far as Arrane was concerned, the gladiator was an ill-mannered brute who needed to be reminded of his place.

For now, though, Arrane knew it was unwise to press the issue further, lest he risk compounding his earlier humiliation. "It's nothing," he gruffly informed the concerned soldiers. "Just see to setting up the camp as ordered."

As the men dispersed to resume their duties, Arrane shot Jaegar one final seething glare, vowing to have words with Lord Kaeso about this insolent gladiator's behaviour at the earliest opportunity. Until then, he would bide his time and ensure the camp was fully prepared to receive their lord upon his arrival.