Banditry 4

Win places his hand gently over Hrothgar’s eyes. He casts a spell and forces him asleep. Win carries him back to the guild hall over his shoulder. Win walks inside. Hrothulf is still on the ground being cared for. Win’s fight hadn’t taken all that long. He puts Hrothgar on the ground next to his brother then turns away.

“These bandits are in your hands now. Do with them as you please.” As Win tries to leave, however, the man from the office, who he presumes to be the mayor, grabs his arm weakly. Win decides not to shake him off.

“Hold on, you saved us, I can’t just let you go off without thanking you!”

“I’ve done nothing requiring thanks. And I must be off now.”

“What’s the hurry? You’re our hero. Let us throw you a feast, at least.”

“If you truly must thank me, then just your gratitude is enough. But it seems this trouble isn’t quite over, so if you’ll excuse me.”

Win slips out of the mayor’s loose grip and leaves the guild hall. He exits the village, making sure to drag the unconscious Ward back inside the gate before leaving. When he steps outside of the village, he sees Calliope and Rolant. The morning sun has just begun to rise. They seem to have hurried to the village already prepared to leave. Win tries to run past as he tells them what he plans.

“I must go to the Lufian manor!” As he runs past them, Rolant grabs the end of his cloak.

“Little lord, I won’t ask the reason if you won’t tell, but allow us to aid you regardless.”

“I’ll cast a spell, so make sure to keep up. I cannot delay.”

Calliope and Rolant feel their bodies get lighter. Win begins to run and they run after him. If he were alone he would have cut through the forest, retracing the path that took him to that village in the first place. He had chosen the direction at random, but he supposes that it was good fortune that he first came to that village, and even better fortune that he would be there now. Upon such reflections, he decides that it is better to tell them the situation, seeing that they can match his pace through the spell.

“Rolant, what have you already pieced together?”

“Not much. Just that you had left for the village without us noticing.”

“Then I’ll begin from there. I had a foreboding feeling regarding the village, and when I arrived it proved to be true. A small group of bandits had attacked. I subdued them, so there’s no need to worry. However, I believe they were simply a diversion. They have a larger boss behind them, and wanted Lufian soldiers to put a stop to them. I believe their true aim is to leave the Lufian manor itself as poorly defended as possible, then attack.”

“So that’s why you’re in such a hurry. But why do you care so much about the Lufian family? You were quick to defend the margrave as well.”

“I believe you said you wouldn’t ask for I do not tell.”

“Very well, little lord. Though I’ve heard that Margrave Lufian himself is worth more than a hundred men on the battlefield. Are you truly needed?”

“Whether I’m needed or not, I cannot sit idly by. Margrave Lufian is powerful indeed, but even he can be brought down. Even the weaklings sent to the village were stronger than I would have thought. Their leader took more than a single swing to bring down, which I never would have guessed. This boss of theirs may even be stronger than you were in Ord, Rolant. Or he may have another trick. I doubt somebody would choose to raid such a renowned warrior without a plan.”

“So in the worst case scenario, we arrive, and there’s not a soul in sight. What will we do then, little lord.”

“We would find them. I’m sure a vagabond like you would be happy to rescue such an esteemed noble family.”

“I suppose it would be quite a boon. And what of a situation in which we arrive to find them already defeated, or worse, already dead?”

“If they live we save them. If they’ve died we take no prisoners.”

“I see. I suppose our best case scenario, barring the bandits being no threat at all, would be to join forces with the Lufian family. Little lord, were you well-acquainted with them?”

“I’m not sure I would put it that way, but I knew them well enough. Though I’ve put that behind me now.”

“And yet you come rushing to their rescue anyway. Tell me, what are the Lufian forces likely to be at the manor like? Margrave Lufian is powerful, but is there anyone else? I’ve heard on the rumor mill that the margrave’s son is quite the powerful lad in his own right, though there’s little else known about him.”

“The margrave’s son… He’s not all that strong, in truth. He’s a coward. Totally unfit for governing a territory, especially one as important as this. I wouldn’t rely on his aid. But aside from that, there are no other powerful warriors in the manor, even if we included the soldiers, really.”

“Then it seems there’s only the margrave himself. What should we look out for to make sure he’ll aid us?”

“The only thing I can imagine stopping him, other than a proper defeat, is his family being taken captive.”

“Then I suppose we must protect them well. That’s his wife, his unreliable son, and a young daughter, correct?”

“That’s correct. We’ll strike quickly and put them under our protection.”

Win flips up the hood of his cloak. A platoon of soldiers quickly march towards them on the dirt road. They’re the soldiers who were sent to the village. When they reach each other the soldiers raise their spears.

“Halt! We’re investigating bandit activity nearby, we cannot allow anyone to pass uninspected!” Win answers them.

“We must go, we have urgent business. Please allow us to pass.”

“I cannot do that!”

“There are people we must save, please let us pass!” Win surprises himself with the emotion building in his voice.

“We have no reason to believe you, I cannot do that!”

“The Lufian family is in danger and I must come to their aid! I must get to the manor! Let us pass!”

“I would shame my family for generations if I allowed myself to be deceived and let a bandit into the manor! I cannot do that!”

“I am but an ordinary young man. My companions are an old man and a mute girl. We pose no threat. Let us pass!”

“You’ve proved nothing! You think we’re too foolish to see through lies? We ought to arrest you three!”

“I do not care if you chain us! If you cannot let us pass, then at least return to the manor yourselves!”

“And abandon the people of that village? I cannot do that either!” Win is almost pleading now, the anxiety prickling at the back of his neck as they’re forced to stand in place.

“The village is safe. I already saved them. There’s no danger for you to face but at home. There is no more time to waste! Please let us pass! Please return to your lord!”

“Why would I trust in the story of some self-proclaimed hooded savior! I cannot do that!”

In a rush Win takes down his hood. He straightens out his back and stands tall, stands proud. His pale hair, silver beneath the sun, shimmers. His deep blue eyes, desperation clear, pierce right through the soldiers. His poised, beautiful features, as though cut from marble, are striking. The soldiers are stunned into silence for the man before them is surely the missing son of their lord. They all quickly kneel to his figure. His voice takes on a new force as he talks once more.

“My name is Winfred Lufian, the son of your august master! I assure you that I am no liar, nor am I a pretender! I have returned for only one reason, so hear my command! You will return to the Lufian manor and you will allow us to lead the charge! As of this moment, I am seizing control of this unit!”