Shaking his head to erase all of his unnecessary thoughts, Lu Yan then let out some air to ease his longing heart. As a battle harden military man just how everybody is he wasn't the emotional type of a person, he rarely goes into that mode except for some occasions like now where a lot of things reminded him of those he keep close to his heart.
Just the mere thought of them stabs him deep that it leaves a scar, if he was given a chance to choose between living or dying, he would surely choose to die, but on the premise that he'll join them after but he wasn't the one to decide such things. And now that the heavens granted him another chance, he sees it as an another shot to prove that he was worthy of all of their sacrifices.
Finally getting himself out of his gloomy memories, he directed the reign in his left-hand, pulling it to the side to cue the horse in making a left-turn after passing a three way split path, following just behind his two brothers, who he didn't know when did they even got to his front, because the last time he check they were at the very front riding together with the guards.
But alas, after zoning off for quite some time, he wouldn't really notice that the two of them was keeping him close just in case he fall off, his face was just way out of it that they worried that he'll hurt himself, he even let's out countless deep audible breaths looking like an old man whose being melancholic.
But thankfully, despite being so distracted, their wasn't any mishaps that happened throughout their ride. The light slowly dims as they lift their heads to gaze upon the sleepy sun who was about to set. Keeping check on the time, Rion ordered everyone to stop and look for a place to pass the night in.
With orders given to them the 2 guards immediately set out to look for place to set a makeshift tent, leaving one guard to look after them.
There are 6 people on their entourage, including the 3 brothers, and the other 3 are guards who was assigned by their father to keep them safe until they reach the Capital, then once that is done they would then go back after sending them to the training camp.
After a few minutes, the guards came back and lead them to an open space surrounded by trees. One of the guards then took out two huge tarp and a long piece of heavy-duty rope inside his satchel that was strapped on the side of his horse. While the other two looks for broken tree branches to carve out some stakes.
Lu Yan looks around the area, he thought how thoughtful the guards were as they didn't pick an elevated area as those places are extremely chilly when the night comes. And it area wasn't so steep either so even in case of an unexpected rain their sleep won't be disturb by the water around them. Bending his back with his hand lightly patting the slightly damp ground, he mades sure to remove stones, pebbles, rocks and twigs that might poke hole on their tarp.
Finally done clearing the ground of obstacles, he then walked up to the guards to take their tarp and rope from them. Seemingly confuse as to why their young master asked for it, they looked at each other but after doing so they thought that he might just be curious about it thus wanted to look. Nodding his thanks to them Lu Yan walks back to the corner he cleaned earlier.
This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.
Putting down his things on the ground, Lu Yan then got up and walk towards the nearby tree, circling his arms around it to wrap the end of the rope, and loop it around the standing part of the rope, making several loops after around itself and to finished it up he pulled it snug. Make sure that the it was tied tight he pulled a few times and repeat what he did to the far opposite tree.
Then after, he goes back to pick up the tarp and laid it flat to the ground beneath the line of rope that he tied earlier, then he started smoothing out the wrinkles around it and pat it lightly to the ground to adhere it more to the damp soil.
Looking around for big and heavy rocks he places it on each corner of one side of the tarp and then place two on the middle with each located at its border, after he then picks up the end with no rocks to hang it on the rope above it, forming a triangle. Almost done with his work Lu Yan lifted the first two rocks he placed to slip the edge of the unsecure tarp under it, with him rustling about to make his makeshift tent the 5 other ignored ones look on him rather flabbergasted.
They didn't knew their young master was equip with camping skills, such a shock, it was even well made compared to the first tent they make way back when they were at his age. What is this obvious difference in talent! But alas, you really can't compare yourself with others unless you wanted to spit blood from envy. These little thoughts are what keeping the three guards preoccupied, feeling embarrassed about their lowly skills.
While on the other hand, the two brothers only look on with a smile, feeling proud, well why shouldn't they be? That's their baby brother there! Filled with satisfied laughs inside their hearts Rion and Regan let Lu Yan continued his work not bothering him lest he gets angry and ignore them more than he already did. Well, not like he needed their help though, he actually finish minutes faster than the guards.
"Raghnall, didn't know you knew how to build a tent?" Rion walked up to Lu Yan, and curiously asked him, actually he has really reluctant to start a conversation with his younger brother but with a topic to start he mustered up the courage to talk to him.
"Oh, this? It's not that I really knew how, it's just that I build makeshift tent inside my room when I play adventurer by myself and when I feel bored reading books." Lu Yan lied without batting an eyelid, has else can he even explain that his brother died and now is possessed by a ghost. If ever he says that, he'll be labeled as a lunatic with vivid imagination. Such an embarrassing thing, he really can't do.
"Eh? Inside your room? Why not outside?" Rion smiled and followed with an another question. He was really happy in the moment as his brother has finally spoken to him after a long time!
"I don't have anyone to play with." Lu Yan replied with his head down, looking from above one might think he was sad because no one wants to play with him but in fact Lu Yan wasn't sad, he was frustrated again.
With him and Rion standing so close to each other while conversing, it's really unavoidable to look up at him as he was taller than me, which again triggered Lu Yan's insecurity.
Looking at his bowed head Rion reaches out his hands and patted his head.
"Don't worry, we'll play with you from now on." Rion said and solemnly promised inside his heart. Hearing what he said Regan turned and smiled at the both of them, silently giving his tacit approval.
> A/N:
>
> Timber Hitch: What Lu Yan uses to tie the rope, involves wrapping the end of a rope around a pole or object, looping the end around the standing part of the rope, throwing several loops back around itself, and then snugging the rope tight. As long as there is some tension on the rope, friction will hold a hitch in place
> Satchel is a bag, often with a strap. The strap is often worn so that it diagonally crosses the body, with the bag hanging on the opposite hip, rather than hanging directly down from the shoulder. They are traditionally used for carrying books.