13 Sheridan Estate Bandit Raid (1)

Two days later, Luca stood atop a wooden carriage, eyes slowly scanning around in all directions for any unusual movements among the tall grass that stretched up to 1.5m on the plains. After he saw nothing suspicious after about 10 minutes, he turned and jumped to the next caravan roof. As the caravans were in a staggered column formation, it was much easier for him to leap between them without much issue. After two more leaps to the foremost caravan, Luca repeated his visual searches, a hand on his holster just in case.

Just like the young boy had said before, Ysmir had changed his tune after viewing Luca's Unique weapon and his skill with using it, allowing him to participate in the caravan run for experience. Granted, he didn't until he saw the boy's impeccable aim within 300 paces, but his decision still required the boy to be the lookout during the journey. Anderson, with a bit of suggestion from the little genius, altered their standard single-line formation into their current one so that Luca could jump between the carts with ease, therefore optimizing the time he could spend on keeping watch. With some practice between him and the caravans, he gradually mastered the jump, though not without several scrapes and bumps.

They had left the previous day and made camp in a small clearing of trees, the grass having been chopped down each return trip, around nightfall and did not continue until just before dawn. It had been about two hours since they'd departed, and the sun was brightening the sky during their trip. From his vantage point atop the caravans, Luca could see distant structures, one of which was certainly a watchtower just within view. However, Luca felt something was wrong, though he was unable to pinpoint the reason as he peered ahead toward the rising sun. After grumbling when he couldn't see the horizon better, he tried to ask the System for help, "System, can you make an image of what I see?"

"Photo captured. The image will last 1min before deletion without being saved."

"Open the photo and focus on the watchtower ahead. Try to lower the sun's exposure."

A half-dozen changes later, Luca blanched from his discovery. Deleting the image, he dropped down beside the caravan driver and the Rogue village guard that sat next to him. To the Rogue, "We have a major problem. Get the spare horses, quickly."

Jeremy, the second-best Rogue in the village guard at Level 3, rather unkindly stated, "Unless it is an emergency, we don't have to do anything."

Not in the mood to waste time, the young mage drew his firearm and aimed it at Jeremy, who had been at the archery range for his tests, saying with a grim and commanding tone, "The Sheridan Estate's first watchtower is ablaze and crumbling ahead. The second is beginning to burn as we speak. The estate is under attack. I don't have time for this. You can call the men or I will go ahead by myself."

Hearing the severity in Luca's tone, and his emotionless eyes as he aimed the Silver Eagle's deadly barrel at his head, Jeremy wisely chose the better option. Blowing the small wooden emergency whistle, the two guards at each cart, one in the front and the back, along with the six that took the foremost caravan as their transport, rose to attention. One guard rode up with the four spare horses from the rear of the formation, whistling sharply for them to steady as they approached the forefront. Jeremy shouted, "I need Patton, Trevor, and Gregor to mount up and go on ahead. Trevor, take Luca with you, he can't ride solo yet. Warner, saddle up and aid Connelly with the caravan defenses. Hammett and Brandt, climb atop the caravans and keep watch. Change formation to double line! Move, now! Maintain your guard at all times, this is an emergency! Luca, explain the situation to the three as you head ahead, we'll follow behind."

With practiced mastery, four men mounted up onto the moving horses, one of which immediately turned and hurried to the other side of the caravans, which the left half of which sped up to match the right half. Two of the remaining three moved in front of the lead caravans while the third, who seemed to be an archery-specializing Rogue, helped Luca jump close enough to pull the boy into the saddle in front of him. Speeding to a gallop, Trevor, the Rogue, along with Patton and Gregor, made their way ahead, with the two-man horse between the others.

On the way, Luca relayed to the trio, "The Sheridan Estate's watchtowers are under attack from unknown enemies, likely bandits. One has already fallen and the second is on fire. I can't see the third, but there's no doubt it's also in danger. We're too far from the village and we might be overrun if we attempt to return. Leader Jeremy is sending us on ahead, and I'm sure the caravans will be speeding up a bit too. I recommend the three of you listen to my orders or we won't be getting out of this alive."

Although Luca was a child to them, the way he spoke gave off the impression of a veteran, which made the trio, aware or not of its subconscious effects, respond with a synchronized, "Yes sir!" Three or four minutes of hurried riding passed before they discovered the first signs of battle: stray arrows and blood, ditches and chopped grass. Not a minute later, the first corpse was found, face-down with an arrow wound through his throat, in cheap, clearly stolen leather armor which was emblazoned with a crude drawing of a mammoth.

"Mammoth Bandits!" Patton recognized the symbol very clearly, and both Trevor and Gregor's pupils shrank in recognition of a significant foe.

Addressing Patton, a shield-and-ax specializing Warrior, Luca asked for clarification. He'd only ever heard about bandits, not any specifics. "Give me a quick rundown on these bandits."

"This gang has been around for about 30 or so years. 4 leaders, last known strengths were the leader at Lv. 4 and the three vices at Lv. 3. They've never dared to raid the Sheridan Estate before!" Patton gripped the haft of his war ax tightly.

"Ready your weapons! Patton and Gregor, take the front while Trevor rides behind to cover. Maintain this formation. When we're close enough to see combat, Trevor will attack the ones I designate." As he spoke, Luca ran a quick check on his Silver Eagle before charging it with Wind PMBs. At the same time, he made a mental note to make a sniper one day, and maybe a silencer. It would make a mission like this much easier from a distance.