Chapter 26
A small caravan made up of carriages carrying cages, using the veil of night as their shield. Each filled with several women and children, crying as they hugged one another.
They marched in the shadows of the trees, slowly and with caution. A few knights with no sigil and men in dark robes guarded it.
Among the group, one person stood out. A hooded individual with white light armor, claw like gauntlets, face covered by the same silken cloth, confidently riding a white steed at the head of it all.
Every gaze the fellow took remained cautious, wandering each corner of that forest.
“Captain, what’s wrong?”
One soldiers walk closer, seeing how their leader’s shoulder tensed.
Instead of a reply, the captain only raised a hand, signaling for his subordinate to keep quiet. All of them were now at the ready, sheathing their weapons in an instant.
Within the dark woods, the owl’s hoot and insect chirp vanished. The wind became stale with uneasiness, along with its sudden pause.
“For the kingdom!”
A voice thundered from somewhere, followed by the loud cry of men.
One by one, masked figures sprang from the bushes, falling from the trees, and coming out from the pitch blackness of the night.
Every single one of them charging with eyes filled with rage, bloodlust, and insanity.
“Bandits!”
A soldier hollered, prompting them to form a circle around the carriages. Swords pointed outward.
Before the group can even get close, the white warrior rush straight for them, intercepting as many of the attackers as possible.
A giant lance on one hand, and a shield on the other, the warrior skillfully swinging and waving his weapon through the crazed mob.
No matter how many of those people came, they easily got thrown, stabbed, and ran over.
The other who made it through ended facing the adept blades of the few soldiers guarding the carriages.
From atop a cliff, Clifford’s group accidentally chanced upon the intense exchange. This forced them to stop to watch things unfold. As his two companions could not help themselves.
Of course, his thoughts remained occupied and thinking of one thing as of the moment.
Only the basic preset skills he had put on that unit were available and nothing else.
Though the sensation did not differ from his actual body, there was a part at the back of his mind that kept telling him there was something missing.
Also, he could no longer use his modes at the same time.
“Sir, we should probably help them.”
Hallor burst out with sheer passion, glaring at the sight. He found it despicable, just watching there and not doing anything.
Clifford heaved a sigh.
He finally gave his attention to the battle happening below them. No matter how hard and long he stares at them, he can no longer see any kind of information.
He can’t help but clench his teeth, frustrated that his ability became limited, weakening him even further.
Once he got a good look at the situation, he let out another deep breath.
“And exactly whose side should we rally to?”
He rolled his eyes, yawning in a sudden sense of boredom.
“Isn’t it obvious?”
Hallor’s voice boomed, hands flailing in the air, pulling his hair in utter confusion and irritation.
“Watch it, child! Remember who you are talking to.”
Galford was keen to hiss at the youth, throwing a menacing gaze that was enough to send a chill down anyone’s spine.
That somehow silence the boy, ending up frowning while he crossed his arms in defeat.
“It’s all right, Galford. Because I can’t really tell whom we should help.”
Clifford chuckled, waving a hand to calm the elder down.
This caused both men to turn to each other, throwing meaningful stares at each other.
This forced Clifford to continue.
“On that side are the bandits who attacked out of nowhere, in the dead of night, on a few unsuspecting caravan. While the other, we have soldiers of the kingdom, carrying cages filled with what look like innocent people.”
He gestures on both sides with a smirk, watching how the frown on their faces faded and became replaced with wide eyes.
“So, tell me, who should we side with?”
He asks, turning a hand in a playful gesture.
Again, that put his companions in a state of pondering. With Hallor scratching his head and Galford rubbing his chin.
“I mean, I didn’t think about that.”
It was Hallor who ended up bowing in embarrassment, understanding what that meant.
“That is quite the precognition, sir otherworlder. I did not truly put that into consideration.”
Galford nodded in agreement.
“Of course, I have a bias against the kingdom because of what they did to me. Also, those individuals could really be thieves.”
Once more, Clifford gave another laugh, his fingers flicking and swishing.
“Then what should we do, sir?”
Galford thought it best to let the man decide, considering he was their leader.
But Clifford was keen to wave his hand to dismiss the thought.
“Well, I’m not from this world. So I do not know how things work here. That’s why I think I’ll leave the decision to the two of you.”
He smiles, tilting his head to the side.
That caused both men to gape, unable to believe they were being allowed this.
“Are you certain, sir?”
Galford swallowed hard, having a sudden nudge in his chest from the conflict within his mind. A part of him was happy, but another remained cautious, not wanting to overstep.
“Yes, I told you to consider me as your benefactor. You are free to do whatever you wish, as long as you do not forget our deal.”
Clifford gave a quick bob of his head in answer.
He did not really feel like getting involve now, considering all that’s happened. The foul and bitter taste of betrayal still lingered in him.
“Sir. We swear to do everything we can to help you recover every single body part they’ve taken from you.”
Galford was quick to kneel before the man to show his respect. Thankful and appreciating the chance given to them.
“So, what will be our course of action?”
Clifford’s face turned straight, raising one brow playfully.
Hallor became quiet, not knowing what to say, while Galford returned his sights on the battle happening on the field below.
From there, they can see that the bandits were on the losing end. Though they continued to press on, charging like madmen with nothing to lose.
Even if the other group were becoming tired, they remained steadfast and unfaltering. Their formations and tactics kept them afloat and leveling with their opponents.
“I think it best to get closer and gather more information.”
This was what Galford considered the wisest choice.
“Then we’d better hurry before they end up annihilating one another.”
After that, all three jumps from the cliff, hopping from a tree to the other during their descent. With their steps barely making any sound and the darkness being pitch black, they remained hidden and unnoticed.
“Quick, take the cages!”
A man signaled his companions, as more of them got passed the through the guards.
“Do not panic, keep your formation!”
A soldier hissed upon seeing a subordinate rush to stop their enemies.
Because of their lack of number, the bandits captured one carriage, immediately driving the thing away from the others.
None could run after it, not wanting to leave their posts.
The group tried this once more, but before they can get the horses to move, a giant lance came flying straight for its path, halting it.
The captain rode his white horse to chase, but got stopped when a person jump out from the shadows.
Another bandit in a full robe blocked the steed, swinging a blade at it.
“Go on, I’ll handle this bastard! And tell everyone to retreat.”
A deep voice hollered to the group of bandits, getting an immediate nod before forcing the horses to move again.
The captain draw out several blades, throwing it with such force it released a whirring sound as it flew.
The robe bandit parried it with his sword, causing the things to ricochet into different directions.
“Don’t think I’ll let you pass!”
The fellow pointed his blade towards the soldier in the steed.
The individual didn’t answer, only pulling more weapons out.
It was clear who had the upper hand, having a shield, a horse, and more armaments.
A moment of standstill came between them, and in a flash, both charged at each other. The robe fighter jumped before the clash, going so high he leveled with the person on the beast, allowing him to exchange blades with the other warrior.
Even with such agility, it was not enough. With a swing of a shield, the bandit got blown away, slamming straight for the nearby tree.
This brought a cough and wheeze from the fellow before falling to the ground, losing consciousness the moment he landed.
The soldier’s beast stood, hooves raised toward the stunned opponent. A loud thud and crack reverberated when the horse’s foot finally drop, neighing from the jolt upon hitting wood, stone, and dirt.
The soldier was keen to look around, surprised by the disappearance of the body.
The sounds of awe and gasps echoed when all the soldiers caught sight of the reason for it.
A few meters from the caravan, Clifford’s group stood, with the robe warrior resting on Hallor’s shoulder. All three wore a scarf to hide their faces, only showing their eyes.
“Protect the captain!”
A footman shouts.
In an instant, the men formed a human barricade, shields raised and blades pointed towards them. But before anything could happen, a gust of wind engulf the place, sending dust, leaves, and twigs.
When things subsided, the group had disappeared, leaving not a single trace of where they went.