Chapter 164: Chapter 141: Empty House, Departed People
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Amina handed the child back to its mother for care.
She looked around, carefully checking the surroundings.
After confirming there was nothing unusual, she headed straight toward the woodshed where firewood was stored for winter.
She pushed open the door and searched inside the woodshed for the figure she was hoping to find, using the faint light coming through the cracks.
"Over here."
A calm and clear male voice sounded.
Amina quickly turned her head toward the corner, her eyes lighting up instantly.
She hastily closed the door of the woodshed, then bowed to the young man in the corner.
"Good day, respected Baron Harun."
Amina’s etiquette was a bit rushed.
But she did not intend any disrespect to Baron Harun; it was simply her anxious state of mind.
Looking at the young man in front of her, her heart pounded violently as she couldn’t help but ask, "Is what you said in the letter true?"
Baron Harun nodded calmly.
Amina’s eyes widened immediately, "My husband Chris is truly not dead?!"
Her voice trembled, and she couldn’t help but ask again.
"Calm down, Amina."
Baron Harun reminded, "You’re speaking so loudly, you’re going to get found out. You wouldn’t want Chris never to see you again, would you?"
Amina instinctively covered her mouth, nodding repeatedly as tears began to slide down her cheeks.
Baron Harun waited for her to calm down, then slowly recounted everything he had seen regarding Chris at Black Pine Ridge.
"Actually, think about it: how could a knight be easily executed?"
"More often, they only die on the battlefield."
Unless directly assassinated or betraying the nobles, the victor would not directly execute the knight, especially a minor noble.
After all, training a knight requires many resources and energy, making the knight himself a resource.
"But why did the Hawk Count tell me he was dead?"
Amina, still excited, couldn’t help but express the confusion in her heart.
"Why did he deceive us?"
"To keep you here safely."
Baron Harun’s face showed a slight smirk, "As long as you’re at Eagle Ridge, then Chris would worry about your safety and could never submit to Baron Rod."
Amina suddenly understood.
She, Chris’ wife, along with their children, were the leverage Hawk Count used to control Chris.
However, Amina still hesitated, "But the Hawk Count did compensate us with money..."
"That’s just a way to appease you. A few gold coins are far less valuable than Chris."
Baron Harun interrupted her, his voice firm and powerful, "Otherwise, Baron Rod at Black Pine Ridge would have let him go."
"In fact, the Hawk Count doesn’t trust you as much as it seems."
"Do you know those two soldiers escorting you? They’re also keeping an eye on you."
Baron Harun’s lips curved slightly upward.
"They never left. My people reported they are now at the broken tavern to the south, constantly watching your movements."
Amina nodded slightly.
All of this was present in the letters Baron Harun had sent her earlier.
Amina had also secretly checked, and indeed there were more unfamiliar figures around her home.
"So, has he been having a hard time at Black Pine Ridge..."
Baron Harun nodded.
"Extremely difficult."
"Of course, Baron Rod did not torment him, but because he didn’t submit to Baron Rod, for him, Chris was just an ordinary slave."
Baron Harun’s voice suddenly became heavy.
"Chris is like a serf, doing the lowest work, getting up before dawn to muck stables, tend to barns, plow fields, and all the back-breaking, dirty work."
"He hasn’t touched a sword since."
Baron Harun sighed deeply, "I learned swordsmanship from him; he was excellent. This shouldn’t be his destiny."
"My God..."
Upon hearing Baron Harun’s description, Amina’s tears poured out instantaneously as she squatted down and cried out loud,
"My dear husband, he didn’t even know how to hold a hoe before!"
"Your noble Lord Baron!"
Amina grasped Baron Harun’s sleeve, "Please help him, I’m willing to pay any price!"
"I cannot help him."
Harun shook his head helplessly.
Amina let go, her face filled with disappointment, as tears once again welled up uncontrollably.
"But you can help him."
With one sentence from Harun, Amina’s hope was reignited.
Baron Harun did not speak in riddles but explained,
"If you go to Black Pine Ridge and live there, Chris will have a new opportunity."
"Baron Rod will have the chance to reuse Chris; he will have a new life."
Baron Harun’s voice carried a hint of allure, gazing at Amina meaningfully,
"Do you understand what I mean?"
Amina nodded slightly.
She lowered her head in thought,
"But there are many things at home I haven’t brought over, and if I leave, my mother and brother will surely be captured by the Hawk Count..."
As the wife of Knight Chris, Amina was not as short-sighted as ordinary women of this era.
She knew very well that if she left, it would be a complete betrayal of the Hawk Count.
The opposite side would not be so merciful as to not pursue it.
"The things are not important, and I will arrange everything for your mother and brother."
Baron Harun looked at Amina and said solemnly, "As long as you wish, I can help you."
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Luo De sat by the fireplace, watching Rein demonstrate the process of making bows and arrows to the hunters.
Seven apprentices to carpenters stood beside them, and Luo De ordered them to learn how to make bows and arrows.
Previously living in Black Stone Stronghold, Rein had always made his own bows and arrows, his craftsmanship even more skilled than that of carpenters.