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As Friduhelm ended his speech, Hilderinc caught himself, along with a few others, loudly cheering in approval of the old man's words. It was only a short cry of applause, as the men – and Hilderinc the least of them – did not want to break the discipline and also expected to hear a response to Friduhelm's words from Athanar himself; but the relief, or almost disbelief at the sudden turn of the situation had to be expressed somehow, and the feelings of the riders were just too strong. The fact that the threat of a battle, which was just a moment ago looming like a shadow over them, suddenly disappeared, lightened the hearts of the soldiers. And now that those who almost became their enemies should stand by their side...
Hilderinc would have felt embarassed, perhaps, had he reflected upon his strong reaction, but at that point, the happiness had just overwhelmed him. Somehow, also, his veteran's heart was warmed at the possibility of two groups of men joining together; to somebody like him, who had seen the divisions between men at war and even after the war, even such a small thing had its value.
But he was not thinking about this – and his thinking had soon returned to the cautious, calculative thinking of a soldier, veteran, and mercenary: Is it going to be easy? With the divisions already between Scarburgians, will the leadership work, once there is even one more group among us? Will the men be up to the task? How are Friduhelm's men going to act in this task? And is it possible that still something bad happens before this is done?
Hilderinc turned his eyes towards Athanar. It will be upon him to decide, and to lead us, he thought. Is he going to be able to do it?
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