The Crimson Dawn

Chapter 18

The group prepared to leave the estate on horseback. The courtyard buzzed with quiet activity as supplies were packed, saddles adjusted, and horses readied for the journey. The air was crisp, the rising sun casting long shadows across the ground.

Raphael stood near the front, organizing the group with calm authority. “Let’s make this quick,” he called, his voice steady but firm. “We need to cover as much ground as possible before nightfall.”

Stella helped Aydin onto his horse, her hands steadying him despite his protests.

“I don’t need this much help,” Aydin muttered, his cheeks tinged with embarrassment.

Stella smirked. “Sure you don’t. That’s why you nearly fell over just now.”

Aydin sighed, adjusting himself in the saddle. “I’m fine. Let’s just get moving.”

Nearby, Barrett struggled with the straps on his saddle, his massive hands fumbling with the leather. “These things are too damn small,” he grumbled, glaring at the offending straps as if they were personally mocking him.

Raphael walked over, shaking his head. “Here, let me. You’ll break it if you keep yanking like that.”

Barrett stepped aside with a sheepish shrug. “Thanks, boss.”

Raphael tightened the straps with practiced ease, then turned back to the group. “Alright, everyone, listen up. The ride to Solvanyr will take two days if we keep a good pace. We’ll stop at the halfway point tonight to rest. Stay alert—the roads aren’t safe, and we can’t afford any setbacks.”

Aydin, seated atop his horse with a noble poise that belied his current weakness, chimed in. “And remember, Solvanyr isn’t just another city. It’s the capital of Maroa. Keep your wits about you when we get there. The lords and the king will expect us to arrive prepared.”

Raphael nodded. “Good reminder, Aydin. Now, let’s move out.”

The group rode in formation, with Raphael leading and Barrett taking up the rear. The day passed uneventfully at first, the sound of hooves on the dirt road blending with the rustle of leaves and the occasional birdcall.

Stella rode beside Aydin, keeping a close eye on him. Though he tried to mask it, she noticed the occasional wince and the way he shifted uncomfortably in the saddle.

“You’re stubborn, you know that?” she said, her tone light but pointed.

Aydin glanced at her with a faint smile. “I’ve been told. But someone has to set an example.”

Stella rolled her eyes. “Sure, and that example is what? Pushing yourself until you collapse?”

“Something like that,” Aydin replied, his tone teasing.

Behind them, Ari and Gedeon rode side by side, deep in discussion about the magical disturbances near the Fey Realm. Raphael, though focused on the road ahead, occasionally chimed in with questions, his strategic mind always looking for connections.

Barrett, meanwhile, kept his eyes on the surrounding forest. Though he wasn’t the sharpest of the group, his instincts were reliable, and he didn’t trust the eerie stillness of the trees.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, they reached a narrow stretch of road bordered by dense woods. Raphael held up a hand, signaling the group to halt.

“Something’s off,” he said, his tone low.

Barrett shifted in his saddle, his large hand resting on the axe strapped to his back. “What is it?”

“I’m not sure yet,” Raphael replied, scanning the treeline. “Stay alert.”

The group fell silent, their hands drifting toward their weapons.

Without warning, a group of armed bandits emerged from the shadows, their leader—a scarred, burly man—stepping forward with a wicked grin.

“Hand over your valuables,” the man growled, his eyes sweeping over the group. “And maybe we’ll let you keep your lives.”

Raphael dismounted smoothly, his sword already in hand. “You’ve made a mistake. Walk away now, and we’ll let you leave unharmed.”

The bandit leader laughed. “Big words from a little knight.”

Aydin, still on horseback, raised his voice. “You might want to listen to him. This ‘little knight’ has fought worse than you. And if you’re not careful, you’ll learn that the hard way.”

The leader hesitated, but his pride won out. “Kill them!” he barked.

The group sprang into action. Raphael was the first to engage, his movements precise and calculated. With his sword and shield in hand, he intercepted the bandits’ charge, blocking strikes and countering with devastating precision. His shield glowed faintly with divine energy, protecting him as he commanded the battlefield.

Barrett charged forward like a wrecking ball, his massive battle axe cleaving through the bandits with brute strength. His size and power were unmatched, and even the most seasoned bandits hesitated as he bore down on them with primal ferocity.

Aydin dismounted, drawing his Iron Shooter. The weapon gleamed as he loaded it with practiced efficiency. He took aim and fired, the crack of the shot echoing through the forest. The iron ball struck a bandit square in the chest, sending him sprawling. Though his magic was still weak, Aydin’s sharp intellect and ingenuity made him just as dangerous on the battlefield.

Gedeon moved with precision and calm, his bow in hand. Each arrow he loosed found its mark, dropping bandits before they even realized what had hit them. His sharp eyes scanned the fray, covering his companions and ensuring no enemy escaped his sight.

Stella darted through the chaos with deadly grace, her dual daggers a blur as she struck with speed and precision. She danced around her foes, weaving in and out of their reach, each strike deliberate and lethal.

Ari stood at the rear, her quarterstaff glowing with green energy as she channeled her druidic magic. She summoned vines from the earth to entangle the bandits, trapping them in place and leaving them vulnerable. Her staff whirled in her hands as she struck down anyone who got too close.

Derick wielded his massive two-handed sword with surprising agility, each swing cleaving through multiple enemies. His brute strength and bold movements drew the bandits’ attention, allowing the others to capitalize on the openings he created.

Within minutes, the group had dismantled the ambush. Bandits lay scattered, either dead or retreating into the woods in panic.

As the dust settled, Raphael lowered his shield, scanning the group. “Everyone alright?”

Barrett leaned on his axe, grinning. “Not even a scratch.”

Aydin holstered his Iron Shooter, his face pale but steady. “I’m fine. Just glad it’s over.”

Stella stepped up to Aydin, her sharp eyes checking him over. “You shouldn’t push yourself, you know.”

Aydin gave her a faint smirk. “I’m not as fragile as you think.”

Gedeon shouldered his bow, his expression calm but focused. “They weren’t just random bandits. Their leader had a crest on his armor—looks like they might be hired mercenaries.”

Raphael frowned. “We need to keep moving. If they were sent by someone, this might not be the last ambush we face.”

The group remounted, their movements more cautious now. The clash had been a reminder of the dangers on the road to Solvanyr, and as they rode onward, each of them silently prepared for whatever challenges lay ahead.

By nightfall, the group reached a clearing near a quiet stream, the halfway point to Solvanyr. The air was cool, and the sounds of the forest filled the silence as they dismounted and began setting up camp.

Raphael took charge, delegating tasks efficiently. “Barrett, gather firewood. Gedeon, scout the perimeter. Stella and Ari, see to the horses. Aydin, start setting up the tent. Derick…” He gave the swordsman a pointed look. “Try to make yourself useful and help where you can.”

Derick shrugged lazily. “Sure thing, boss.” He wandered off with a smirk, his massive sword slung over his shoulder.

Aydin rolled his eyes as he unfastened the straps securing their tents. His movements were slower than usual, the strain from earlier still evident. Stella noticed and stepped in, her sharp gaze assessing him.

“Let me handle this,” she said, brushing past him to set up the tent poles.

“I’m fine,” Aydin protested, but she ignored him, her hands working swiftly.

“You’re fine until you collapse, noble boy,” she retorted, her tone teasing but firm. “Save your energy. We still have a long way to go.”

Later, as the fire crackled and the camp settled into a calm rhythm, the group gathered to eat. Ari had brewed a fragrant herbal tea to help soothe their fatigue, and Barrett returned with a pile of logs, grinning like he’d just conquered a battlefield.

“Fire’s plenty big now!” Barrett announced, tossing another log onto the already roaring flames.

“Careful, Barrett,” Aydin muttered dryly. “You’ll have the whole forest ablaze.”

The group chuckled, but the mood turned somber as Gedeon returned from his scouting.

“No signs of more bandits, but the trails don’t look good,” Gedeon reported, sitting down and sharpening an arrow. “The recent rains have made the roads ahead muddy and slow. If we’re not careful, we’ll lose half a day.”

“We’ll deal with it,” Raphael said firmly, taking a sip of tea. “Rest tonight, and we’ll rise with the sun. We’re on borrowed time as it is.”

As the others began to settle in for the night, Stella found herself sitting beside Aydin near the fire. He was quiet, staring into the flames with a distant expression.

“You’re awfully quiet,” she remarked, nudging him lightly.

“Just thinking,” Aydin replied, his voice soft.

“About what?”

“Everything,” he admitted. “The attack. The road ahead. What awaits us in Solvanyr.” He glanced at her, his gaze intense despite his exhaustion. “I just… I want to make sure I don’t let anyone down.”

Stella softened, reaching out to place a hand on his shoulder. “You won’t. You’ve already done more than most people would. Give yourself some credit, Aydin.”

He gave her a faint smile, and for a moment, the weight on his shoulders seemed lighter.

The group took turns keeping watch through the night. Raphael volunteered for the first shift, his sword resting across his knees as he sat near the fire. The paladin’s sharp eyes scanned the darkness, his faith and discipline keeping him alert.

When it was Stella’s turn, she moved quietly, her daggers ready at her sides. The forest was still, but her instincts kept her on edge. She glanced toward the tents, where Aydin and the others slept soundly, and allowed herself a small smile.

By the time the sun began to rise, the camp stirred to life. Though the journey ahead would be long and treacherous, the group was ready to face whatever challenges awaited them on the road to Solvanyr.