Plea for the Life of Another

The aftereffects of the blow I took in the dungeon added to the impact I just endured from the bandits. Hence, I remained plastered to the window, still watching Cathy taken further away from me.

The bandits continued to head west on their horses without deviating much from the main path. The bulletin downstairs mentioned the bandits had a hideout in that direction; it seemed likely they were heading there with Cathy.

Partly to the sun having set already, and partly to the fuzziness still in my head, I was unable to locate the hideout on the horizon. The bandits needed horses to escape, so it seemed apparent that their refuge was quite far away.

As I tried to pull myself up against the window, panic and fear gripped me, nearly even suffocating me. The first person I had befriended outside of my hometown, and she had just been ripped away from me.

I initially thought I would be alone for this journey to get stronger and then be united with Maya on her mission to save the world. Even after I met Cathy and created so many happy memories with her here in Manchuren, my goal remained the same.

But with Cathy gone, I realized I wouldn't be able to proceed on my journey if I just abandoned her. I really wanted her to be with me as I continued to travel around the world, and I was starting to believe she was the first real friend I'd made, after Akane.

But just maybe, did Cathy want to be more than just friends with me? Am I starting to feel more for Cathy as well?

I was still unsure about my true feelings for Cathy, even with her being kidnapped. But I knew I had to fight through the emotional and physical pain, and I tried as hard as I could to drag myself out of the room.

I was halfway past the bed when my knees buckled, and I collapsed to a kneeling position by the bed. I wanted so much to jump up and run out of the room, but my body wasn't cooperating at all.

Trying to regain my composure, I remained posted by the bed for about 15 minutes. When I finally noticed some of the dizziness in my head dissipate, I again attempted to stand up and was ultimately successful.

I was still feeling groggy, so I walked carefully to the corner of the room closest to the door. I took my bow and arrows and attached them to my armor, as I walked out to the hallway.

I wasn't able to run yet, so I took my time to go downstairs. As I approached the lobby counter, the inn manager came out of the backroom and helped walk me to the desk.

"What happened?! Did you have a fight with that pretty girl you were with?" the inn manager asked.

"No, we didn't… But it's much worse than that! The bandits kidnapped her!"

"Oh, dear! I'm so sorry to hear that!"

"Is there anything you can do to help me chase after those bandits?" I asked as I continued to panic internally.

"Which direction did they go?" the inn manager asked in return.

"I saw two bandits riding towards the west…"

"West, huh? Well, if that's the case, then there's no way I can help you out."

"What do you mean?!" I shouted. Even though I was the one who loved helping others and knew I just had to get Cathy out of her current predicament, I knew I would be unable to rescue her on my own.

"You said they went west, right? So, most likely, they're heading to their hideout. It'd be suicide to go there, especially with the numbers they have and them being on their home turf. As much as I feel for you and your girl, you can count me out of this."

"But… if what you're saying is true about this group of bandits, I really can't do this alone then! And I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I left Cathy to the whims of those thieves!" I looked pleadingly at the inn manager, hoping he would change his mind.

Yet, the inn manager didn't budge. "I'm sorry, but I can't risk my life, knowing I won't make it out of there alive."

I felt like I was going to break down, unsure of what to do. This is why I'm on this journey in the first place, to get stronger so I won't be a burden to anyone and be able to protect every single person I could. I hate knowing I'm still so weak right now…

The inn manager must've sympathized with my plight, as he continued, "But maybe you can check with the town constable. His office is in the center of town, and usually, when it comes to matters like this, he's your man. It wouldn't hurt to go down there and ask, right?"

"Oh! Thank you so much! I'll head there now."

As I started to walk away from the counter, the inn manager tried to help me walk again. But I assured him I was okay, and still walking gingerly, I made my way out of the inn.

Once outside, I looked over to the left and noticed the carriage Cathy and I rode into town. A light was turned on, and I saw the driver's silhouette inside.

A promising idea popped into my head, so I made my way over to the carriage. Maybe the driver could help me and take me straight to the hideout?!

I knocked on the carriage door, and the driver pulled down the window. "What do you want now?" he asked. "I thought we're going to leave in the morning. Had a change of heart, and you're forcing me to leave in the middle of the night?"

"No, no, that's not it! I need your help! I want you to take me somewhere. Cathy's been kidnapped!"

"And why should that be my problem?" the driver asked, caring little about what had happened to Cathy.

"But… didn't you hear what I just said? The bandits kidnapped Cathy, and they went…"

"Did you say 'bandits'?" the driver interrupted. "In that case, there's no chance in hell I'll take you out there."

"But why won't you help me?!"

"It's simple, kid. I'm not going to put my life on the line for a girl I don't have a good feeling about. And besides, you said they went west, so I ain't risking myself to get ambushed in their backyard."

My mind raced for a way to convince the driver to chase after Cathy with me, and with one option, I desperately demanded the driver, "I'll pay you to drive me out there. You don't even need to help me get Cathy out of there, just wait somewhere close by when she and I escape. Name whatever price you want."

"Kid, as much as I'd like to take all the money you have, it still wouldn't be enough. I value my life way too much to put myself out there for you and that girlfriend of yours. Just forget about her and sleep it off for the night. You already paid me to leave tomorrow, so I'll at least fulfill that end of the bargain."

The driver then pulled up the window and returned to his previous task.

I was utterly shocked that the driver was unwilling to help, and my mind went into further desperation, trying to figure out what to do.

As the anxiety consumed me, I remembered the inn manager mentioning about the constable. Fully recovered from the grogginess in my arms and legs, I ran towards the center of town to find the constable.

Fortunately, it wasn't long before I approached the constable's office, a small solitary establishment right in the middle of town. And the light was still on, so I banged incessantly on the door.

"I need your help! Please answer the door! It's an emergency!"

The constable eventually opened the door and tried to calm me down. "Hey, slow down there! Now slowly tell me what's going on."

"It's a friend of mine… she's been kidnapped by those bandits… I saw them heading out west, and I need your…"

"The bandits headed west, you say? Well, sir, I can't help you there. Those bandits have been causing quite the stir lately. If they were still in town, I'd do something about it, but even I know to keep my distance from them when they're out there."

Utter shock slammed into me, as I wanted to refuse what the constable had just said. "Wait a minute! The inn manager said you'd be able to help, so why won't you do anything about my friend?"

"I would love to help, I do. But I lost my deputy almost a month ago because he was all gung-ho and chased after those bandits to their hideout. The next thing I knew, he was brought back to the outskirts of town, dead as the stones he's piled under now.

"Sorry, kid. I can't help you out."

My final option, all my hopes, dashed just like that…

I started imagining the torture Cathy would be going through right now and how frightened she must be. My heart was being cleaved in two, and I felt as if all hope was lost.

I'm so sorry, Cathy. I don't know what to do… I know I should go out there and get you back, even if it costs me my life. But how…?

Suddenly, I heard the neighing of two horses. "Constable, hold on! If you lost your deputy, why are there two horses back there?"

"I couldn't find it in my heart to let go of dear old Ruby. She was my deputy's horse. I still want to take ca…"

I knew that was my opportunity. Even if no one else was willing to help me out, I decided to stake my own life to save the life of another.

"Sir!" I interrupted the constable before he finished. "Please let me borrow Ruby! I'll go there myself to save Cathy!"

"Hey! If I knowingly let you go out there now, I'd be basically signing your death warrant!"

Slightly touched by the constable's concern, I still furthered my resolve. "It doesn't matter to me! All that matters is bringing Cathy back, and I'd do anything to make that happen!"

I knew the constable was deeply conflicted, but after a moment of reflection, he consented to my plea. "Sighhh… alright, then. You can take Ruby and save that woman of yours. I see you have your weapons ready, but please be careful. And good luck!"

I thanked the constable, heavily praising him for giving me some chance to save Cathy. I rushed to the back, and the constable directed me towards Ruby.

After I settled myself on the horse, I stirred the reins, and Ruby quickly dashed onto the path leading west out of town.

Even though the path remained straight for quite a distance, I activated Illume to light up the trail.

Having a rare instance of downtime, I reached in my armor and took out the horse pendant Cathy gave me just that afternoon. I found it ironic that the same animal she loved the most was not only part of her kidnapping, but now part of her rescue. And I felt grateful it was this creature leading me directly to her.

As I scanned out into the distance, the path turned right towards the north. Recalling that the hideout was strictly due west, I kept looking to the ground for any hoof prints off the road.

Sure enough, I saw a set of hoof marks heading west off the road onto a side trail. I steered Ruby in that direction, and Ruby continued to gallop into a forest.

I felt lucky to have already cast Illume; Ruby would have been unable to travel any further with the trees surrounding us. After about ten more minutes, I noticed a large structure shortly past the trees.

I signaled for Ruby to stop well before we reached the end and got off the horse once she stopped. After tying Ruby to a tree and deactivating Illume, I crouched under the stump closest to the exit of the forest and took a scan of the surrounding area.

I felt confident the building I observed was the bandits' hideout. It wasn't too far away, so I had a clear view of the structure's front.

Cathy is just inside there. Cathy, please hold on for just a little longer! I'll make sure you come back to me, and we'll continue traveling together…

As I continued to make promises to Cathy in my head, I noticed a lone bandit guard sleeping by the front entrance. And there seemed to be an unnatural silence… I couldn't help but wonder: if this is supposed to be the home of a large group of bandits, why is it so quiet here? And why is the only person watching over the place nodding off without a care in the world?