At a long wooden table inside the barracks' dining tent, Kent, Louie, and Justin sat stiffly with their meals barely touched. The usual noise that filled their leisure hours was noticeably absent.
Instead, an uncomfortable silence hung over them, broken only by the faint clink of utensils and the muted hum of other knights nearby.
Every few seconds, one of them would sneak a glance toward Soren and Caelius sitting side by side. Then, just as quickly, they'd snap their eyes back to their food as if they'd been caught staring at a wound they weren't supposed to examine.
Soren, at least, looked normal enough.
He ate quietly while still wearing the usual poker face he has, ignoring the tension around him while sneaking a glance to the noble who decided to eat with them.
Kent stabbed his food a little too hard while Louie chewed far longer than necessary. Justin, on the other hand, nodded to absolutely nothing while staring at his bowl like it might start talking back.
