Reinforcement

After four days without any guild requests for guarding, the trio decided to resume their journey. Their pace was faster now that they traveled alone, and it took them only twelve days to reach the halfway point to Everwood.

The road had been surprisingly uneventful. "It has been a peaceful journey so far," Lilith remarked as they walked under the warm sun.

"Yes, it has," Elara agreed, nodding.

Their conversations were light and trivial, as there wasn't much to discuss. Their days followed a simple routine: they walked, they ate, they slept, and then repeated the cycle. The only notable difference was their need to stay vigilant at night, aware of the bandits rumored to haunt the area.

One afternoon, as the sun began its descent, Ella, who had been scouting ahead, came racing back to them. "Come quickly!" she yelled, breathless. "It's a bandit attack. They are attacking some merchants, and the adventurers defending them are getting beaten down."

Elara and Lilith exchanged a quick, determined glance before turning to Ella. "Show us the way, Ella!" Elara commanded. "And start with a wind blade when we get close. Kill them all."

The trio sprinted through the dense forest, following Ella's lead. The sound of clashing steel and desperate shouts grew louder as they approached the scene. They emerged from the trees to see a chaotic battle unfolding on the road below. Several merchants cowered behind overturned carts while a few adventurers fought valiantly against a larger group of bandits.

Elara quickly assessed the situation. "Ella, take the left flank and hit them with a wind blade. Lilith, you cover the right and use your fire spells to create a barrier. I'll charge straight in and draw their attention."

Ella nodded, her eyes flashing with determination. She dashed to the left, her hands weaving through the air as she summoned a powerful wind blade. With a swift motion, she unleashed it towards the bandits, the blade slicing through the air with a deadly hiss. Several bandits cried out in pain as the attack struck them, causing confusion and breaking their formation.

Meanwhile, Lilith moved to the right, her fingers dancing with flames. She cast a series of fire spells, creating a wall of fire that cut off the bandits' retreat and trapped them between the adventurers and the inferno. The sudden heat and flames caused panic among the bandits, forcing them to scatter.

Elara charged straight into the fray, her sword gleaming in the fading light. She moved with grace and precision, striking down bandits with swift, calculated blows. Her presence on the battlefield was like a beacon of hope for the beleaguered adventurers and merchants.

With the bandits caught between Ella's wind blades, Lilith's fire spells, and Elara's relentless assault, the tide of the battle quickly turned. The remaining bandits, seeing their comrades fall and realizing they were outmatched, began to flee in disarray.

Within minutes, the road was clear of bandits, and the adventurers and merchants began to recover. The trio regrouped, their breathing heavy but their spirits high.

"Is everyone alright?" Elara asked, helping one of the merchants to his feet.

"Thanks to you, yes," the merchant replied, his voice shaking with relief. "We would have been done for if you hadn't arrived."

Lilith smiled, wiping sweat from her brow. "We're just glad we got here in time. But we should move quickly. There might be more bandits nearby."

Ella nodded, her eyes scanning the surroundings. "Agreed. Let's help them gather their things and get to a safer place."

As they assisted the merchants and adventurers, the trio knew that their journey to Everwood was far from over.

As the merchants regrouped and tended to their wounds, their leader approached the trio with a grateful smile. "Thank you, thank you all. Oh, it's you, Miss Elara, Lilith, and Miss Ella," he exclaimed. "It's me, Benjamin from the Santos group."

"Benjamin!" Elara said, smiling widely. "It's good to see you again."

"It's been too long," Lilith added with a grin.

"We're just glad we could help," Ella said.

Benjamin nodded. "Your timing was perfect. We owe you our lives."

"Are you ready to move? We can stay with you guys if you want our help, Benjamin." Elara continued.

"Yes, we are ready, and yes, we would love that," Benjamin replied, bowing in gratitude. "And I'll make sure you get paid too, of course."

"Don't worry about payment," Lilith said, waving her hand dismissively. "When people are in need, it's only natural for us to help them out."

The caravan resumed its journey, the trio now part of the group. A few adventurers, injured in the attack, lay in some of the wagons. Ella's eyes lingered on them, her healer's instincts kicking in.

"Elara, I really want to heal them," Ella whispered.

Elara placed a finger on her shoulder. "Save your mana, Ella. We don't know if bandits will come after us again. Only heal those who really need it or are at risk of dying."

Ella nodded reluctantly, understanding the necessity but still feeling the pang of guilt. As they walked, the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the road. The forest around them grew thicker, the air cooler.

Benjamin walked beside Elara, his face etched with worry. "It's been a tough journey," he admitted. "We've been ambushed twice in the last week. Without your help, I don't think we'd have made it through this one."

"We're glad we could help," Elara said, her tone serious. "Do you have any idea why these bandits are targeting your caravan?"

Benjamin shook his head. "I'm not sure. We don't carry anything particularly valuable, just the usual trade goods. It's been puzzling us."

Lilith, overhearing their conversation, added, "Bandits often attack in hopes of finding something valuable. It's possible they have a spy feeding them information about merchant routes and potential loot."

Ella, her eyes scanning the surroundings, interjected, "We should stay alert. If there's a spy, they might try again."

As they walked, the trio took turns scouting ahead and watching the rear. The injured adventurers were tended to as best as possible without using too much of Ella's healing magic. Spirits among the merchants began to lift with the added protection, and a sense of camaraderie grew between the travelers and their newfound protectors.

The sun set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. They decided to set up camp in a small clearing by the road. The merchants and adventurers worked together to establish a secure perimeter, with the trio taking the first watch. The campfire crackled, casting a warm glow and providing a sense of security against the encroaching darkness.

Benjamin approached the trio as they stood guard. "I can't thank you enough for what you've done. We're not far from Everwood now, but the journey ahead is still dangerous."

"We'll get you there safely," Elara assured him.

Lilith nodded. "We'll take turns keeping watch tonight. We won't let any bandits catch us off guard."

As the night wore on, the trio remained vigilant, their senses sharp. The forest was alive with nocturnal sounds—the rustling of leaves, the distant hoot of an owl, and the occasional snap of a twig. Every noise was scrutinized, every shadow watched.

Ella sat by the campfire, her staff resting on her lap. "I hate seeing people hurt and not being able to help," she said softly.

Elara squeezed her shoulder. "I know. But we have to be strategic. We'll need your healing magic if we're attacked again."

Lilith, sitting on a nearby log, added, "You did well today, Ella. We all did. We just need to stay focused and get these people to Everwood."

The night passed slowly, but without incident. As dawn broke, painting the sky in soft pinks and purples, the camp began to stir. The merchants and adventurers packed up their belongings, ready to continue their journey.

Elara, Lilith, and Ella stood together, watching as the caravan prepared to move out. "Another day, another step closer to Everwood," Elara said with determination.

Lilith grinned. "And another chance to show these bandits they picked the wrong caravan to mess with."

Ella smiled, her spirits lifting. "Let's get going, then."

With renewed determination, the trio led the caravan back onto the road, their resolve to protect their newfound companions stronger than ever. The journey to Everwood was still fraught with danger, but together, they knew they could overcome any challenge.