Unheard Pleas

"Bandits…"

Bailey struggles to take in the chaos that we sit just outside of. Much of the village isn't visible to us, but the path shows more than enough of the violence.

"C."

"Stay put."

Peo has her twin dragon scales equipped and ready for combat. However, I have no intent on spilling any blood today.

"Bailey, get us closer. We'll push past on my command."

The young farm girl takes her panicked gaze off of the bodies and rubble. Those pools of blue are easy to see within her widened eyes, as is the surprise at my words.

"W-We aren't providing aid!?"

"Of course not."

I position myself at the front of the passenger seats and take in the scene in front of me.

The bandits are difficult to tell apart from the civilians if not for their wild bloodthirst. They wear basic clothes and armour like everybody else, but their expressions are crazed like wild beasts. Steel weapons are coated in blood and torches are raised to leave not a single structure intact. I can see at least a couple dozen of them, but there are easily more.

"Why do we leave these people to die!?"

My detailed analysis of the field is interrupted with the freckled face of the farm girl. Behind those clouds of fear is a determination that would make a hero proud.

"We lack the strength. To attack an entire settlement in broad daylight, these bandits have far greater numbers than we can handle."

"But aren't you a knight!? You must protect the people!"

The wooden frame of our wagon groans as I slam my fist into it. Bailey flinches at the impact, her desperation slowly dissipating as she looks into my calm eyes.

"We are but a merchant, a knight, and a fledgling beast. There is little we can accomplish on our own."

"But…"

"Please consider my position."

Her desire to save this village's people is commendable to the average individual regardless of the era. However, this same determination is a form of suicide for someone without an abundance of strength.

"My job is to escort you to your destination safely. Taking this fight, even if possible, would make me a failure as your guard."

"I-I can retreat if need be!"

We're still in the middle of the road as Bailey turns her trembling hands into fists. Screams of terror and pleas for mercy echo through the trees as she continues to press me to change my mind.

"I'll stay somewhere safe until you can drive off the bandits!"

"Peo."

The young beast becomes a blur of black and blue. She disappears from our vision for a moment before her black cloak appears directly in front of the brown mule. By the time her tail can finish swinging from the motion, her shield comes into contact with an arrow.

"They have discovered us. There is nowhere for this cart to travel other than forwards or backwards."

Her prized companion was nearly struck by an arrow, yet the farm girl refuses to back down.

"T-Then Apricot and I can hide in the forest! Nothing in our possession cannot be replaced!"

"Perhaps, but abandoning this wagon will place us in a worse position."

Bailey is lost in confusion at my words. Meanwhile, Peo has just returned from slaughtering the bandit that attacked us. I continue to keep one eye on the battlefield as I show Bailey the back of my black glove. The white and gold emblem shines in the daylight.

"I'm currently on a diplomatic mission. Should our wagon be captured or destroyed, I would miss my appointment with the knights of Norwin. In the worst case, I would lose my head for bringing shame upon the House of Aufrey."

'Urk…"

I absolutely cannot allow this wagon to become decommissioned, and she seems to understand it as well. Nobody out here will be able to perform repairs, especially not a village currently in the process of being massacred. Our only options are to leave and attempt the road on a safer day, or fight just enough to reach the mountains beyond. Regardless, the villagers are doomed to die.

"C."

"Got it."

On the ground, Peo confirms my observations. The path ahead is as clear as it will ever be while the flames are still fresh. With my hand concealed behind me, I summon my weapon and prepare for the mad dash.

"If you value our lives, then get us moving at maximum speed!"

Bailey looks out once again at the destruction ahead. Grass is stained with blood and ash, but the land is currently free of ours. Without her leading us out, that may not be the case forever. She looks at Peo watching ahead of the wagon, then looks at the mule that she loves. Finally she looks back at me with pain wrinkling her fair skin.

"A-Alright!"

She grasps the reins once more and cracks the leather strands with tears in her eyes.

"Come on, girl! Get us home!"

Apricot snorts before easing into a brisk trot. After a handful of heavy steps, the wagon begins attempting to throw me and all of our luggage out the back. Peo attempts to run beside us before the speed forces her to grab the wooden frame and jump in.

"Hold on!"

The wagon knocks against every little dip in the ground as we charge out of the treeline and into the blazing village. Even now, civilians are being struck down whilst attempting to flee for their lives.

"Somebody! Somebody save us—!"

An older man's screams for help become screams of horror as an axe is driven into his back. The bandit responsible, among others, noticed us on our way across the town.

"Hey! Where do you think you're going!?"

A group of bandits try running after us, but soon realise the pointless endeavour and begin firing arrows instead.

"Handle that side."

Peo and I leap out of the passenger seats and carefully balance on either side of Bailey. The beast has little trouble blocking the oncoming projectiles, but I'm forced to defend with nothing but my sturdy satchel. Fortunately, these arrows fly from just far enough for me to determine their trajectory.

"Thirty visible hostiles…"

Between shots, I take count of the enemies not obstructed by piles of smoking rubble. Under the right circumstances and with ample preparation, this amount wouldn't be impossible to defeat. However, I can't perform properly with too many other objectives taking priority. Especially not for a people that I don't care to save.

All we could do was fend off the haphazard attacks until the village disappeared beyond the trees.