It was already late when they reached the outpost, and night fell soon afterward.
Even though he was aware of the spread of corruption, Lance chose not to rush into the Beast Lair, opting instead to stay at the outpost for the night.
Lance chose to stay at the outpost overnight not to waste time, but because heretics had been frequently harassing them at night recently. It was imperative to act and show them whose territory this truly was!
As night fell, a large group gathered on the open ground in front of the outpost, with Lance, Geralt, and Tadiff standing at the fore.
"Report! All present and accounted for!"
"Good," Lance said, his gaze sweeping over the thirty people before him—the very members of the recently formed Honor Guard, 'Heart of Steel'.
