Esfelt also dreamed of something he ought to seek vengeance for.  As always, Selin and her wonderful, pagan insides twisted to lure him into disobedience toward the harrowing powers she was soaked in. A faint memory of having pleasure at the end of a healthy length, but that effect was becoming laughable now. It was all interrupted, to his surprise, by Shy. In here the boy looked back at him from Selin's place, and asked him to stop so sweetly, but wouldn't stop moving his bony hips.<br/><br/>Shy had the kind of body that could easily dive under a strike, and Esfelt had heard about agility too, from Marius. It was not hard to imagine, the way the boy had taken flight by the flick of his iron foot and landed perfectly, like he'd found himself in the air. Why was it always a second thought, Shy's battle worthiness. Esfelt couldn't even bring himself to feel the proper shame about it, when there was plenty more to earn himself inward reprieve.<br/><br/>The morning came, a sluggish sun of the northern border, but it had a new effect on the Silverum general. He put his armor on quickly, like it had been oiled, and played with Namer until he was called out for his morning meal. His thoughts were singular while eating salty meat. Little bastard Shy, with his attitude and dreams of lancing Coldmen. The squire wondered why Esfelt was grinning like he'd been slapped in a pleasing way while he ate, but there was really no conversational path for the hopeful servant to learn if Esfelt had found someone he liked, yesterday.<br/><br/>Esfelt didn't ask for Shy, of course. His current right hand, Elmir, wouldn't even know the name, and he was not about to describe a light haired scrappy youngling with a the mouth-width befitting of a cock. If the boy had thought the offer was serious, he'd be here. Those who wanted to have this kind of rusted, blood speckled honor didn't hold it loosely. Nothing short of death could keep a man's heart from this kind of dream. All rugged souls are essentially romantic.<br/><br/>Esfelt's white steed knew the pace he liked, and kept him in front without many commands. An animal bred to lead. And so it would look rather imposing to the already hulking thing Shy rode, one he should not be able to afford. The general smiled, even though something about Shy's presence always grated him.<br/><br/>"I didn't know you were a thief, too." he commented but put no anger in his voice. Shy withwwhis strangely soft voice and suggestive words was hard to listen to, so he tried not to let the boy set the pace. Elmir was a bit confused with the new company, but calmed down and minded the surroundings as always when Esfelt seemed alright with it, and confirmed the boys right first in row with his silence. "Tell me about how you came to this point in your life, Shy." It was a light question spoken in a general's tone.<br/><br/>They would reach the intended camp that straddled the last civilized land and the territory of the Coldmen. It wasn't unheard of for either to traverse the line, most battles burnt on the enemy's side, but the king wanted to expand, and to have something to show for this season. The Coldmen had proven formidable when pushed. In sending Esfelt the king had not underestimated them, but still been stingy with the men - which had been the trouble so far - assuming there'd still be enough soldiers there already. Their king, like boys like Shy, was also a romantic.<br/><br/>Esfelt was fast down his steed to hold his arms up for Shy. It would be the easiest thing he'd done all day, catching the light body, even in this level of armament. "Hurry down." he said, almost annoyed. The sun had reached it's height in the sky, and it made the emerald stripes on Esfelt's armor look encased in glass. Fancy armor for the king's best. Esftel was of course going to step aside when the boy relied on him, and swipe his feet if he found wits in the air again. It was important to eat a bit of the ground you might die on.<br/><br/>There wouldn't be many around to see and enjoy the supposed good-natured hazing, though. Elmir didn't much care for such traditions, and was a bit uneasy seeing what transpired, given Esfelt wouldn't usually partake, either.