From a hired knight to a master of Game of Thrones

Chapter 24 Adele Baker

Don Quixote smiled as he watched Cole's excited departing figure.

His decision to take Cole as his squire was not a spur-of-the-moment thing, but rather a long-planned one.

Not only that, he also planned to continue searching for suitable commoners to take as knights' squires.

This is a path that goes unnoticed yet easily yields a group of loyal followers.

Of course, his financial resources need to keep up.

After all, the knight's food, clothing, equipment, and training were all provided by the knight.

Thinking about all this, Don Quixote turned and looked around, saying:

"Let's drink!"

Upon hearing this, everyone snapped out of their daze and quickly laughed:

"Yes, Captain Don Quixote!"

"Yes, Lord Don Quixote!"

They were taken aback by Don Quixote's sudden decision.

But with fine wine on the table, why worry about these things?

Before long, Cole brought out the food that everyone had ordered.

A large plate of roasted wild deer legs.

The outer skin was baked until crispy and sizzling with oil.

Sprinkled with spices and herbs unique to the North, it exudes a wonderful aroma.

There was also a large plate of smoked wild rabbit, with firm meat and a rich smoky aroma.

There were also several dishes of pickled vegetables and roasted meat on the side, which are the most common snacks to accompany drinks in the North.

Everyone was already hungry, so they didn't stand on ceremony.

With his mouth stuffed full of meat, he mumbled "Delicious!"

One jug of beer after another was poured, and glasses clinked together again and again.

Unlike the others, Don Quixote didn't wolf down his food; he ate slowly.

Cole watched enviously as everyone drank and ate heartily with gusto, then leaned to one side and muttered:

"Don Quixote, my grandmother has agreed!"

"It's over there with Miss Iris."

Don Quixote nodded, then thought for a moment and said:

"I'll talk to Miss Iris about this later."

"Well, I'll come back to Iron Axe Tavern the day after tomorrow. You can come with me then."

"Yes, Lord Don Quixote!" Cole said expectantly.

Don Quixote gave Cole two silver deer and laughed:

"I won't keep you here for dinner today. Go to Ronan's and order whatever you want to eat."

"Use the remaining money to buy a thick set of clothes at the leather shop outside the city, because it's even more bitterly cold outside the city."

"Kid, being a knight isn't as glamorous as it seems. It often involves hardship!"

"Don Quixote, I can endure hardship!" Cole said firmly.

Then he hesitated, looking at the two silver deer in his hand, unsure whether he should accept them.

He didn't even have many copper coins, let alone silver ones.

"Take it if I tell you to!" Don Quixote took a sip of wine and a bite of meat.

"Remember, a knight's squire must obey the knight's orders absolutely!"

"Yes, Lord Don Quixote!" Cole shouted.

Cole turned and left.

After drinking pot after pot of wine, everyone was a little tipsy and started talking more.

Some people recounted the hardships they faced as freelancers.

In the dead of winter, they huddled in a dilapidated house, gnawing on hard, dark bread, unable to even get a sip of hot wine.

Some people talk about their glorious past and the things they did.

Others expressed concern about the coming winter.

I'm afraid this winter will be too cold, and I'm afraid my wife and children at home won't be able to make it through.

Don Quixote listened silently.

Discern the words and expressions of the individuals.

I listened for quite a while.

He didn't get up until he caught a glimpse of Elise having some free time out of the corner of his eye.

Don Quixote walked up to Iris and sat down, smiling:

"Miss Elise, you seem to be very busy."

Upon hearing this, Iris, who was drinking with her head down, looked up at Don Quixote:

"Don Quixote, it's been a long time."

Don Quixote nodded:

"have not seen you for a long time."

Elise said helplessly:

"The Earl recently ordered the city guards to strictly check people entering and leaving Seven City, especially outsiders and strangers."

"There are far fewer customers at the tavern."

At this point, she pointed to Don Quixote's men and laughed:

"I should thank you for bringing your guests here."

"I quite like the Iron Axe Tavern, so I naturally recommend it," Don Quixote inquired.

Will Iron Axe Tavern move outside the city?

Upon hearing this, Elise felt even more helpless:

"Look at the Earl's recent orders and attitude."

"If the trade markets outside the city are successful, the trade areas inside the city will inevitably be abolished."

"By then, we'll have no choice but to move."

Don Quixote nodded.

The two chatted for a few more minutes.

Don Quixote then brought up the matter of Cole.

Elise was somewhat surprised, and also a little envious.

She smiled and agreed:

"No problem, I'll hire another person tomorrow, that's easy."

"That Cole kid is lucky to have caught your eye; he's got a bright future ahead of him!"

Don Quixote remarked:

"Hopefully he can stick with it; Cavaliers training is incredibly tough!"

At this moment, Elise suddenly said:

"By the way, Sir Don Quixote, may I ask you a favor?"

Don Quixote nodded and said:

"Please speak."

Elise immediately said:

"If Iron Axe Tavern moves to the trading market outside the city, could you please look after me?"

Don Quixote was somewhat surprised, but still agreed:

"no problem.

"If anyone dares to bully Miss Elise, they'll have to ask the sword in my hand first!"

"You are truly an upright knight!"

Elise offered a compliment, then continued to explain:

"If I go outside the city, my eldest and second eldest brothers will not agree to let me continue to manage the Iron Axe Tavern."

"Outside the city, they can't take care of me; they're worried I'll be bullied by others."

"That means I'll probably have to go back home and get busy with those boring handicrafts again!"

Don Quixote complained:

"They underestimate Miss Elise! I don't think just anyone can bully you."

"Hmph, that's right," Elise agreed.

"You always treat me like a delicate woman!"

Don Quixote concluded:

"Then tell them that I will take good care of you outside the city!"

"That way they won't have an excuse to refuse your request!"

Elise smiled slightly:

"Thank you, Knight Don Quixote!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Windsor Cottage at night.

Don Quixote looked at the delicate girl in front of him.

Adele Baker, a poor orphan from a nearby tenant farmer's village.

On her rosy cheeks, tinged with the cold wind, were a pair of round, doe-like eyes.

His pupils are clear and black, with slightly upturned corners that curve into two crescent moons when he smiles.

Her nose was small and slightly upturned, and her lips were a soft, light pink.

Don Quixote examined it carefully for a while, then said seriously:

"Adele, what's your decision?"

"Sir, why did you choose me?" Adele asked timidly.

Don Quixote laughed:

"Because I can't bear to part with you, and I want you to take care of my daily life."

Adele blushed and said: