Chapter 11: The “Bandits”
920 Words
Alice stared curiously at the group just a couple hundred meters away. There were about thirty of them, dressed in filthy, tattered clothes, each step hurried and uneven, faces etched with exhaustion.
“Are these… refugees?” Alice wondered silently.
They were clearly not beggars; their appearance gave Alice and her companions the unmistakable sense that these people were fleeing some disaster.
The group of refugees noticed Alice and her party and fixed them with wary eyes.
“Miss, these people seem odd. We don’t have enough men—if anything happens, it’ll be hard to protect you. You should stay back,” one of the guards said, stepping closer.
Alice frowned. They were starving, and it was obvious these were refugees. If a conflict broke out… it could be dangerous. She glanced down at the food laid out on the picnic cloth.
“Go ask them where they came from and what’s happened,” Alice instructed the guard.
“Yes, Miss! But please, get into the carriage first, just to be safe.”
Seeing the guard standing firm, Alice reluctantly agreed. She knew it was for her own safety.
Just as Alice was about to step into the carriage, the sound of galloping hooves reached her ears. At first, she thought she was imagining things, but soon, a cavalry squad came into view.
“It’s the Duke’s Dragon-Slaying Cavalry!” one sharp-eyed guard shouted.
“The Dragon-Slaying Cavalry?” Alice repeated, puzzled.
Before she could process it, the refugees scattered like frightened rabbits.
“Soldiers! Run! If they catch us, we’ll be killed!” panic spread through the crowd.
One cavalryman rode straight toward Alice while the others charged after the fleeing refugees.
“Miss, are you all right?” Captain Kevin jumped down from his horse.
Alice shouted at him, “What are you doing? Are you planning to kill these people?”
“Refugees? The Duke said a bandit group escaped from Mandera City and might be in this area. Our mission is to keep you safe first, capture the bandits second. If they resist… they’re to be killed on sight.”
“Bandits? They’re clearly refugees! Tell your men not to harm them!” Alice urged, anxious.
Kevin paused, then shouted, “Follow my orders! Encircle these… refugees!”
The starving, exhausted refugees couldn’t outrun the well-equipped cavalry. In no time, the two hundred riders had them surrounded. Some too terrified even jumped into the Emerald River, only to be caught and pulled out by the cavalry.
Alice approached the group.
“Miss, don’t get too close,” Kevin warned, stopping her.
Alice glared at him, but seeing his resolute expression, she stepped back.
“Where are you from?” she asked.
The refugees shivered under the watch of spears, remaining silent.
“Put down your weapons.”
The cavalry didn’t move.
“Lower your weapons,” Kevin commanded, and the soldiers obeyed in precise, synchronized motions—a testament to their discipline.
Alice watched, a mix of helplessness and embarrassment on her face.
“Where are you from? It seems you’ve had some trouble,” she asked again.
Seeing the weapons lowered, the refugees’ anxiety eased slightly. After some whispered conversations, one man stepped forward.
“Weren’t you sent by Count Clayton?” he asked, suspicious.
“My father is Duke Lancaster, ruler of the Noah Plains. I’m Alice, his daughter. Can you tell me what happened?”
“You’re the Duke’s daughter? Thank goodness—we’re saved!” The refugees cheered, then collapsed weakly to the ground—they hadn’t eaten in days.
Alice’s heart went out to them.
“Bella, bring the pastries we brought today. It might not be enough…” Alice frowned.
Kevin glanced at Alice’s worried face and the refugees, realizing this was indeed a mistake—they were not bandits.
“All right, Miss, you’re safe. Later, some men will escort you back, and I’ll take some troops to track the real bandits,” Kevin said.
“Everyone, bring out your rations and give them to these people. You must be starving—eat first,” he commanded.
Later, Kevin explained:
“These people are from a village known for a plant used in high-end spices. Count Clayton tried to negotiate for it, but the villagers refused his harsh terms. Greedy, Clayton sent soldiers to m******e the village, claiming the survivors were bandits. Only about thirty escaped, believing only a just Duke would help them.”
Duke Lancaster clenched his fists, then released them, his anger and resolve clear.
“Did Alice take them to the new residential district south of the city?” he asked, smiling faintly.
“Yes. She arranged food, clothing, and medical help. Some initially jumped into the river out of fear, catching colds afterward.”
“Kevin, that was reckless. If Alice hadn’t stopped you, you and your men could have harmed innocent people,” the Duke said gravely. Kevin bowed in shame.
A knock on the door interrupted them.
“Duke, Count Clayton has sent someone requesting an audience,” steward David announced.
A small man entered, introducing himself as Andy, Clayton’s deputy guard commander.
After a tense conversation, Duke Lancaster revealed he had not pursued the alleged bandits to protect Alice. He instructed Kevin to monitor Mandera City, intercept Clayton if he tried to flee, and report back—emphasizing caution and strategic patience.
“Clayton… all this over a mere spice. The power of money is truly corrupting,” Kevin muttered.
- Writer
