EDIT: The chapter breaks aren’t really lining up with the old chapter breaks… fewer cliffhangers, unfortunately… and I might have to eliminate a chapter if this keeps up. : P
Chapter 3: Bandit’s Pride Chapter 5: Blood of Pride
Chapter 4: Fire in the Castle
The remaining bandits had huddled into a defensive formation around their leader, and made no move to attack Ceniro’s group as they moved over the hill and into the thin forest around them. Ceniro was impressed with Florina’s accuracy; she had counted the bandits exactly, even through the trees and from a great distance. But now he could see for himself, and that meant he could issue proper orders.
Not that he had to. “The plan stands. Go!”
Erk and Lyn ran forward together. When three bandits moved to attack them, an arrow from Wil put one down, and Lyn stepped neatly around one bandit, keeping them so only one could attack her at a time. Dorcas ran up behind to take on the one she was avoiding.
Erk waved his hand in arcane gestures, and before the bandits could scatter, a large fireball blasted into the middle of their group.
Ceniro didn’t even have to order the cavalry in; that was their signal, and Kent and Sain came charging from opposite corners to smash through what was left of the bandits. Florina followed, crashing through the trees to make an attack with her slim lance and then shooting back up to safety again with a beating of white wings.
But the biggest bandit, the one Dorcas had called Bug, had not been knocked off his feet by the fireball as Ceniro had hoped, and he reached up and grabbed Kent around the waist, dragging him from the saddle even though Kent stuck the pommel of his sword in the bandit’s face. The bandit’s nose was bleeding heavily, but Kent was half-stunned from his fall and wasn’t moving. Sain wheeled around as quick as he could, but the bandit had already punched his partner in the face twice.
“Lyn! Wil!” Ceniro yelled. He wasn’t going to lose Kent to a simple bandit.
Lyn charged the bandit with a fierce yell. Wil’s arrow struck the bandit in the shoulder, and he roared, jumping up to grab his axe and face Lyn. “You get away from him!” Lyn shouted, jumping over Kent to attack the brute head-on.
A clatter of hoof-beats echoed through the trees behind him, and Sain’s lance pierced the bandit’s skull. Ceniro winced and looked away.
“Serra, come quick!” Lyn cried urgently. Kent’s face was already puffy and blotchy, covered in blood, and he was breathing very shallowly.
“Oh dear,” Serra said. “This will take a bit more juice. Hold on a moment, mister knight!” She raised her staff, and a large blue glow enveloped Kent.
When it faded, there were a few faint bruises on his cheek and jaw, but he looked unharmed otherwise.
“He’ll be all right,” Serra said, panting a little. “That jerk really did a number on him! Broken cheekbone, broken jaw… It’s lucky you had me around!”
“It is indeed,” Ceniro said, trying to hide how upset he was that Kent had been hurt so badly. His plan almost hadn’t been good enough. Next time, he would prepare for the enemy leader better. But right now, they had to thank the cleric. “Thank you so much for assisting us. We don’t have a lot of money, but…”
“Oh, don’t worry about it!” the energetic woman cried. “I looove to help people, isn’t that right, Erk?”
Erk had been looking worried at Kent’s condition, but at Serra’s question, his face showed a flicker of annoyance before schooling carefully to blankness. “Sure. Whatever.”
“He’s the best bodyguard,” Serra chirped, but Ceniro began to tune her out, because Sain and Lyn were lifting Kent into a sitting position, and Kent was groaning and beginning to move.
“Mm… ah… what happened?”
“I messed up,” Ceniro said immediately. “I-I’m sorry. The bandit leader jumped you.”
Kent blinked, then held up his hand in front of his face, then felt his face. “I feel fine, though. Slight bruising, but…”
“That’s because of me,” Serra said, rocking back on her heels as she bent forward to look into his face. “I healed you!”
Kent smiled. “Thank you, Lady Serra. I am in your debt.”
She shrugged. “It was my pleasure. Anyway, I must continue on to Ostia. Come on, Erk. Ta!”
“One moment, oh sweet butterfly,” Sain said, dropping Kent to hurry after her. “We are headed to Caelin canton, and Ostia is only a little farther on. Would it not be good sense to travel together to that point?”
Serra tilted her head, her pigtails bouncing, and considered with a finger on her chin. “Welllll, I suppose there’s no guarantee we won’t be attacked again! What do you think, Erk?”
“I think you’re going to do whatever you want no matter what I think,” Erk said. “But I like the idea, sir knight.”
“You won’t find a more charming group of companions anywhere!” Sain said, taking her hand in both of his. “Lovely Serra, do say you’ll join us! Your grace, skill, and beauty would be the most wonderful addition to our group! And Master Erk’s amazing power will blow away all our enemies!”
“S-Sain,” Kent said, raising a hand in protest as Lyn and Wil helped him up. “Don’t do this to everyone we meet…”
“You’re very persuasive, Sir Sain,” Serra said, batting her eyelashes. “Very well, we accept! I believe some introductions are in order?”
Several days later, they arrived in Araphen City, which Sain was eager to inform them was the second-largest city in Lycia after Ostia. The streets were filled with chattering people, and vendors and merchants had stalls everywhere, crammed between the wood-frame buildings. The roads were cobbled and surprisingly clean. Ahead, a large grey castle sat snugly on top of a hill at the centre of the town with brightly coloured flags flying – of Araphen and Lycia.
“Let’s go to the castle,” Kent said to Ceniro. “Arrangements will need to be made for the rest of our journey. I’ll handle the talking, but I need you to advise me.”
“Me? All right,” Ceniro said, though he didn’t really see why. Surely Kent knew what they needed better than the rest of them. He stared at Kent’s outstretched hand. “What is it?”
“Why not ride with me?” Kent said with a small smile. “We’ll get there faster than these walking people.”
Ceniro chuckled nervously. “I’ve never ridden before.”
“Never, truly? All the more reason to start now.” Kent’s smile grew as Ceniro took his hand and the knight pulled him up to sit behind him. “Hold on tight, now.”
Ceniro’s eyes grew wide. “Oh. Oh! This is fun!”
Kent chuckled. “I thought you might enjoy it. Most people do.”
Kent’s horse easily moved through the crowds and up towards the castle. The gate stood open, and they were stopped at the inner end by a guard who asked for their names and business.
“Kent of Caelin, knight and bodyguard to Lady Lyndis, granddaughter of Lord Hausen, Marquess Caelin,” Kent said. “This is Ceniro of Santaruz, our tactician. We have come to request an audience with Marquess Araphen to ask for assistance on her journey to Caelin.”
“This way,” the guard said, professionally stonefaced.
Kent and Ceniro dismounted – Ceniro’s legs were maybe a tiny bit wobbly from the excitement – and they were led into the castle hall to meet the marquess.
“So Madelyn’s daughter is here,” said the marquess, partly to them and partly to himself. He had not yet looked at them, and seemed more interested in the drink in his hand. “I suppose she is of age to inherit… And you say she needs assistance to reach Caelin?”
“Yes, my lord,” Kent said, looking up from his bow. Ceniro wasn’t really sure what he was supposed to do, so he had copied Kent. “We have reason to believe Lord Lundgren is making attempts on her life. An escort – or at least food and weapons – would go a long way to maker her journey safer.”
The marquess finally looked at them. “It’s a pity Madelyn is dead. I could have warned her that going to the plains with that man Hassar would only lead to a bad end. But I will aid her daughter. You shall have thirty men to escort you. Let her come to meet me.”
Ceniro blinked. “S-so many…”
“You are surprised, tactician? Well, it’s obvious why. You are not a fit person to lead these lofty forces. I will appoint a captain to go with you.”
“Er, that’s all right, my lord,” Kent said. “Ceniro is quite competent, I assure you. He was trained by Lord Garlent.”
“I’m sure it was out of pity,” the marquess said dismissively. “Such a boy would never truly amount to anything.”
“Ah, I will go get Lady Lyndis immediately, so she can thank you properly for your generosity,” Kent said hastily, and they bowed and left.
Ceniro didn’t dare say anything else, although he really wanted to know what sort of soldiers would be in the escort. He hoped it wouldn’t be just thirty spearmen. That would be difficult to manage.
Kent was silent until they left the castle again. “So that’s what you meant, before.”
“About what?”
“About nobles… overlooking you for not being of their rank.” Kent sighed. “Well, we must bear with it, I suppose. It will make things easier.”
“It will. Bandits tend to be allergic to noble troops, and my best fighters won’t have to miss sleep for guard duty,” Ceniro said optimistically. “Even Lundgren will think twice about attacking us on the road. I just hope they listen to me… and that it’s an interesting mix and not just thirty spearmen.”
Kent glanced back at him and finally gave another small smile. “Can’t have our tactician getting bored, right?”
Ceniro chuckled. “Exactly.”
They turned the corner and saw Lyn’s group ahead of them – and suddenly, the crowd screamed and ran for shelter. Ceniro saw Lyn stumble back and flinched as he saw the man with the knife right in front of her…
The man with the knife in his hand and an arrow in his back.
Ceniro looked around and saw another man on horseback, a man with dark green Sacaean hair and a bow, dressed in Araphen livery.
Kent urgently spurred his horse forward in the absence of crowds. “Lady Lyndis!” Ceniro slid off as Kent brought his horse to a stop close to Lyn, and hurried to her side. She was unharmed, but her eyes were wide.
“I’m all right,” she said, a little shakily. “Ah! Wait!” The man with the bow had turned to ride off. “Thank you for saving my life.”
The man shrugged. “I thought a woman of Sacae was in need. Was I mistaken?”
“No, I’m from Sacae,” Lyn said. “I’m the daughter of Hassar of the Lorca.”
The rider’s eyes gleamed with surprise. “There were survivors?”
“A few. Now I’m going to Lycia to meet my mother’s father.”
Florina cried out. “Oh no! The castle… it’s on fire!”
They all turned quickly to look. “So it is,” Wil said. “That’s probably an issue.”
“Listen, that man who attacked me, I think he was an assassin of Lord Lundgren,” Lyn said quickly to the rider. “I bet the castle is on fire because Lundgren doesn’t want me to reach Caelin!”
“A good an explanation as any,” said the rider.
“And if it’s not the case, helping out can’t hurt our standing with the marquess,” Kent said. “Are there any more enemies about in the city?”
“I’ll rally the guard,” said the rider. “They will help track down any hostiles. I am the captain of the marquess’s guard, but you may call me by my right name: Rath of the Kutolah.”
“Well met, Rath of the Kutolah,” Lyn said. “This is our tactician, Ceniro. You should probably coordinate with him.”
Ceniro found himself suddenly meeting an intense dark-eyed gaze. “Um. Hello.”
Rath turned away from him. “I’ll be back shortly. Make your way towards the castle, but head for the militia barracks. If enemies have attacked the castle, the front gate will be too dangerous for a group the size of yours to attack.”
“Thanks,” Ceniro said, recovering his ability to talk. “This way! Dorcas, take point; Wil, back him up. Florina, don’t fly here. It might be difficult to spot archers in the crowd.”
Ceniro stayed close beside Lyn. He had been terrified when he thought she had been attacked, taken by surprise, and even though he couldn’t do anything, certainly not without his staff, he wanted to be near her. Just in case. Even though common sense told him that she’d end up protecting him instead.
As an example, when a man in a red cloak leaned out of an alley and whispered “Psst” at them, Lyn jumped in front of him, her sword drawn. The red-cloaked man leaned back, looking affronted. “Hey, put that away. I’m not going to attack you like that loser back there. I’m on your side!”
“What do you mean, exactly?” Lyn asked warily, her sword not moving an inch.
“My name’s Matthew, specialist in acquisitions of all kinds,” said the man, bowing with a flourish of his cape. “Information, finance, possessions, you name it, I’ll get it. And seeing as you’re an adventurous looking group, I figure you’ll need my assistance sooner or later!”
Lyn snorted. “I have no need for the services of a thief.”
“Is that so?” said the man, smiling cockily. “Well, here’s a freebie. I heard you’re heading to the militia barracks to get into the castle, since the front gate will be too hard to get through. But have you considered the fact that the secret passage into the castle might be a tad hard to find, especially if your Sacaean guard friend is delayed in his return?”
“What- how did you-” Lyn sputtered.
Matthew grinned. “Hey, don’t be mad, hire me!”
“You’re hired,” Ceniro said. “For the time being. We’ll take all the help we can get. But Sain’s going to be watching you. For all we know, you could be a plant of Lundgren’s.”
“Very wise, master tactician,” said the thief cheerfully. “I don’t mind, don’t worry. You go ahead and watch me! You’ll only be impressed!”
Lyn looked at Ceniro. “He seems odd.”
“But if he’s telling the truth, he could be very helpful,” Ceniro said. “Matthew, can you fight at all?”
“Oh, yes, though I don’t care for it much, to be perfectly frank. I’d much rather stay in one piece. But if you need a couple throats cut, I can do it in a pinch.”
“Then let’s go. I’d like to be at the barracks and ready by the time Rath returns.”
They ran up the street, and armed figures in plain clothes sprang out of side streets to attack them. Ceniro yelled orders and re-positioned his people slightly, getting Erk out of danger of a swordsman and sending Florina against him instead. Dorcas was injured in the melee, and Serra ran to heal him.
Matthew froze. “Is that who I think it is?”
Serra somehow detected it. “I can feel it!” she said to Sain. “Someone’s staring at me! Poor fellow, my beauty has rendered him speechless. Oh, I’m so cute it’s almost criminal!” Sain laughed and saluted her before sending his horse forward on the attack again.
“Her name is Serra; she just joined us a couple days ago. She’s returning to Ostia after a sabbatical in Etruria,” Ceniro explained
“Aw, man? I hoped she wouldn’t be in Lycia again any time soon…” Matthew turned to Ceniro suddenly and grabbed his cloak at the collar. “Promise me you won’t let her find the secret passage.”
“Ah… I… promise.” Ceniro looked completely taken aback. “Won’t you find it first?”
“You never know,” Matthew muttered darkly as he let go of Ceniro. “You neeever know with her.”
Rath caught up to them as they came to the barracks. “The city guard is making a sweep.”
“They’ll deal with any enemies behind us?” Lyn said. “The civilians will be safe?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve been told there’s a secret passage into the castle and that it’s a little tricky to find,” Ceniro said. “Do you know how to find it?”
“Perhaps,” Rath said laconically, and opened the door.