19. Bandits

The following morning both Waldina and Kiandra woke up to the sound of metal clashing against metal. Waldina instantly recognized the sound with instinct. It was more like the ninja inside her had known where that sort of noise came from. It was the noise caused by two swords crossing each other.

As the realization hit her she was suddenly wide awake and observed her surroundings carefully. She and Kiandra had stayed the night at the edge of Blancob’s forest, close to the next town, Twande. Blancob gave them a lift last night to ease their journey - and to stay together for a moment longer. Waldina felt an unexplainable sort of melancholy for parting ways with the gigantic bunny. They may not have known each other for long, yet she’d really gotten attached to the bunny. Perhaps it was due to the fact that Blancob was the first being she’d met after finding out this was now her reality. Or maybe Blancob was simply so adorable that she couldn’t help but like it.

Waldina glanced at the fairy at her side. Kiandra was rubbing her eyes drowsily. Waldina was ever so grateful for Kiandra’s company on her journey. Now that she knew the fairy could protect herself, the company was welcome. Kiandra’s company gave her a piece of mind and feeling of home; a sort of safe space she could always come to.

The sound of swords clashing continued, mixed with a couple of panicked screams. Waldina took her long sword out of her inventory. Rest of her weapons she was already wearing as she slept with those ready at all times - at least when they were camping outside. After all, sleeping next to a road wasn’t exactly safe as plenty of adventurers, thieves and travelers made their journeys by road. She didn’t wish to participate in unnecessary risk-taking.

“Should we go check out the situation?” Waldina inquired even though both of them already knew the answer. If there was a fight happening so close to them it would be safer to check it out from a distance. Waldina approached the scene with careful but quick steps with Kiandra on her shoulder.

In Waldina’s mind there was mainly one terrifying thought: What if this was yet another stage-exam that didn’t completely happen in the world AO. What if this was yet another event which only affected the side-characters' lives, such as Blancob’s. She didn’t appreciate the system for the way it handled the second stage-exam, what with causing trouble for Blancob and all. She feared the same thing could happen again and again, until it would claim innocent lives. The worry in her mind only grew with each thought. Even if the event didn’t affect this world as whole, it could affect someone from this world. At least it would affect her and Kiandra.

A couple of minutes later Waldina and Kiandra saw the fight from where the noise came from. A small, but beautifully decorated horsecarriage was halted in the middle of the road. It was surrounded with knights dressed in armor and bandits clashing with the knights. Behind them were horses and a single person trying to keep them all together, on standby. The thieves were many in numbers, overpowering the knights guarding the carriage.

For a minute Waldina hesitated. She didn’t know the full story behind the scene playing in front of her. Besides, she had no reason to help them. She clenched her hands into fists, gathering courage. After the latest stage-exam her level was 21. It was quite a bit, yet was it enough?

“Protect lady Aminoff,” one of the knights shouted out the command. His voice was strong and adamant, although his demeanor gave a hint of fear. In the carriage there was a highly esteemed noble. But Waldina knew not all nobles were good. Actually, usually quite many of them weren’t good.

One look at sympathetic Kiandra and Waldina knew what to do.

She breathed in deeply and swiftly catched up with the bandits. With a swift slash she defeated the first bandit from behind. The bandit fell down towards the knight who luckily managed to evade the falling body.

Waldina glanced around, searching for the leader of the group of bandits. One of the bandits looked better dressed and equipped compared to the rest of the bunch. Waldina squinted her eyes before using her short-distance teleport, leap. Fortunately, the skill was successful this time around and she appeared right where she wanted, above the bandit leader. As she dropped to the ground she gave a couple of fast kicks to the man forcing him to fall down. As a finishing touch she slashed the man, though making sure he stayed alive, just barely. Quick glance to Kiandra and the man was trapped in a water cage.

Without giving more thought to her victory, Waldina looked around to get a better grasp of the situation. There were still thirteen bandits left. The knights had managed to defeat a couple of the bandits, though they had suffered some casualties as well.

“Kiandra, help the others if possible. I’ll manage on my own,” Waldina called out and Kiandra mumbled her agreement. Waldina couldn’t quite make out what the fairy had said but it was probably just some protests that weren’t relevant right now.

Waldina didn’t get to choose her next opponent as the next bandit was already pointing his sword at her. Waldina smiled grimly at the view and before the bandit managed to move she threw her dagger straight to the man’s rib cage. The bandit flinched from pain and stumbled backwards. The ninja saw this as a chance and kicked the man’s sword to the side. With a swift kick she threw the man up in the air sending her dagger after him, finishing the blow.

After witnessing the show the rest of the bandits glanced at each other, hesitantly. Continuing the operation would prove dangerous yet escaping wouldn’t be easy either. Without a word the bandits gathered around and circled Waldina. Noticing this the smile on Waldina’s face only grew wider. She realized in some sick way she actually enjoyed this.

Waldina grabbed both her swords tightly and steadied her stance. After the bandits got close enough she twirled around, making a perfect 360 degree turn whilst holding her swords in ways that were sure to hit the surrounding bandits. Those who could somehow still move after that escaped straight towards the knights who stopped them in their tracks.

After the confrontation Waldina sheathed her swords instead of storing them back to her inventory. Afterwards she sneakily grabbed a small, scarf-like piece of fabric, and tied it to her left wrist, hiding the bracelet effectively. Only then did she turn her attention to the knights, now kneeling at her feet. Their faces were closely pressed against the ground, yet Waldina could see the appreciation from their expressions and demeanor.

“Thank you for your help, our savior. We’re forever grateful to you,” the knight leading them voiced and the others repeated the words in a quiet voice.

“No worries. I just happened to be around, you were in luck. That’s all,” Waldina replied happy for the appreciation she received. “Now do stand up, I’m by no means of higher status than you.”

After hearing the words the knights raised their heads before standing up. The leader stepped to Waldina and held his hand in front of him. Waldina grabbed it with a smile on her face.

“I’m Simon, the knight and protector of Lady Aminoff,” the man introduced himself while squeezing her hand in a polite manner.

“I’m Waldina, an adventurer, honored to meet you.”

“Just a regular adventurer? Surely not someone special?” Simon asked curiously and with slight amazement. Before Waldina managed to say anything in reply, the carriage door flew open. An elegant and beautiful young lady, with blond hair stepped out of the carriage. She held her hand expectantly and Simon rushed to her aid. The woman stepped down from the carriage with light and elegant steps. She had on a gorgeous dress the color of the blue sky. Waldina couldn’t help but admire the well-put together lady.

“This esteemed person is Lady Claudia Aminoff,” Simon introduced in a polished way. Claydia nodded in approval and looked Waldina up and down appraisingly. Kiandra didn’t like the way Claudia was appraising her ninja friend and so she flew straight to Claudia’s face. Claudia flinched at the sudden vision of a fairy and moved her gaze at Kiandra. After what felt like forever the lady nodded approvingly and stated:

“If you so wish, you’re more than welcome to travel with us. I’d gladly indulge in talking with such a talented young lady and her fairy.”

“Are you heading towards Twande?” Waldina inquired, carefully appraising the situation in turn. She wasn’t sure of the name for the next town they were headed to. Yet she couldn’t just take out her bracelet and check the map with all these eyes on her. She just wished she was correct or at least that she would be close to her destination.

“Umm yes, it’s our next stop. I’m on a journey through the world,” Claudia explained and Simon laughed awkwardly. Waldina frowned yet didn’t question the reaction out loud. She turned to look at Kiandra who nodded with agreement. And then they jumped into Claudia’s carriage continuing their journey to Twande.