Fighting skills

From the capital, one needs around ten days to reach my home.

Father knows the route better, and he doesn't need to hide. He might get there in a week or eight days.

However, since Ignis wants to visit a certain place, we'll take more than that. We'll need two weeks, most probably.

It's already the fourth day of travel. We're crossing a forest, and Ignis said it's not wise to stop here for the night.

We'll continue travelling at a slow pace, and we'll change the exhausted horses once out of here.

Tobin uses a lamp to show the way to the horse, and Ignis is on alert by his side.

Aida and I can rest in the carriage. We don't talk because of the overall mood. We're on alert, too, for some reason.

The chance we meet bandits at this hour of the night is so low that our apprehension is laughable. Yet, we can't help it.

Instead of taking turns to rest, the night is spent in this weird atmosphere.

But nothing happens until dawn.

Only with the first rays of light, the bandits do appear. The sounds of the battle wake me up from a daze in which I fell out of exhaustion.

I was almost sleeping, but I couldn't rest. Now, at least, something is happening.

«Stay inside, your highness,» Aida says. «I won't let anyone approach the carriage.»

«There's no need to be overprotective,» I reply. «Also, we should help Ignis and Tobin. They're fighting all alone out there.»

«They seem to be doing pretty well.»

«But they're just two. And tired.»

Aida sighs, but she doesn't stop me when I reach the handle and open the door.

I step out and stretch my back.

The situation seems dire, indeed. Tobin is protecting the door of the carriage. Ignis is on the other side.

I give myself a moment to appreciate the thought. They're protecting us: how lovable.

Then, I return to reality and count our opponents.

There are more on this side since they're aiming at the door, but Ignis is handling four of them at once.

It's not like the bandits would reach anything if they open the door and find Aida. The only risk is that Tobin is hurt while protecting something that isn't worth being injured for.

First of all, Aida knows how to protect herself. And, second, there's nothing they can steal. All the valuables are in my pocket. Well, the only valuable thing I brought with me is the hairpin with the emerald, and I could even give it to the bandits for what I care.

The bracelet is still around my wrist, and there it will stay.

I collect a short sword from a fallen bandit, and I swing it a couple of times to get used to the weight.

One of the bandits has the bright idea to assault me, maybe hoping to get a free hostage. He's unlucky because his fighting skills are not that great.

All he does is run towards me. I step aside before sending him on the ground with a light push of the sword.

He gets up and prepares to attack again, this time seriously. I disarm him in no time, aiming at the fingers gripping his sword.

Then, I use the handle to knock him down. I take two steps and, fast as the wind, I pass next to the bandit. When I'm behind him, I can hit the back of his head.

Another one comes my way, and this time it's slightly more challenging. I need to focus on my opponent's moves to start understanding his technique.

If we can call it technique. These aren't expert bandits, just desperate people. Some of them will die today; others will get wounded.

Yet, it will all be for nothing. The remaining few will go back home with empty hands and rumbling stomachs.

It's not easy for them. If bandits are haunting the forest, there must be a reason. For example, life in these woods must be easier than in the villages. It can happen when local lords abuse their power.

One bandit at a time, I make my way to Ignis.

«What are you doing here?» he asks me.

He's surrounded by four, sometimes five people at once. He's able to handle all of them at the same time as if it wasn't such a feat.

I was lucky they were gentlemen and didn't attack me altogether, for I'm not sure I would be able to win without a scratch.

Ignis, though, is different. His training is showing the results when, with a single action, he kicks one bandit's hand and cuts one other's fingers.

It's like a dance. A dangerous, deadly dance.

I raise the sword I picked and help Ignis win against the remaining three. I distract the closest one while he knocks out the first two.

I will consider it as teamwork, even though I did a small part of the whole job.

Soon, the bandits start to retreat. Whenever they can, they bring the wounded along.

We're soon left with the traces of a fight around us, but all four of us are all right. Aida didn't even get out, so she didn't have any reason to use her tricks.

I also managed to avoid magic, so Tobin didn't witness my powers. I can call it a win.

Yet, Ignis doesn't look too happy.

I walk to him, observing his candid shirt and perfect skin. It doesn't look like that, yet I need to ask.

«Are you hurt somewhere?»

His eyes land on me, and I shiver. It's not a pleasant feeling, for once.

Ignis walks to me, and he grabs my arms. He pulls me closer until our faces are a few inches apart.

«Are you nuts?» he spits out.

«What?» Hasn't he seen that I can defend myself? Shouldn't he be pleasantly surprised?

Why is he so harsh instead of praising me?