As they entered the narrow mountain pass, the guards grew uneasy.Something felt off. Too quiet. No wind. No birds. Just the slow crunch of wheels over gravel.
One soldier muttered under his breath, "Why's it this quiet...?"
Another leaned in close. "Don't let your guard down. Might be an ambush."
"Should we go back?"
"Wait—hold up," the lead guard said, signaling the group to stop. "Someone go tell the noble it's too risky. This place is perfect for an attack."
A younger soldier nodded. "Yes, sir."
Inside the carriage, Kain sat uncomfortably beside the nobleman, surrounded by velvet seats and the stench of sweat, grease, and old wine.His shackled hands rested on his lap, itching to punch something.
"Are all nobles this fat?""All they do is eat... fat shit. Guy's sweating while sitting still."
The noble — Sir Williams — snored loudly with half a chicken leg still in his hand.
"And he stinks. Does this dude bathe in gravy?""Shit stains on his robe… gods, I'd rather be mauled by wolves than ride another hour with this pig."
Knock. Knock.
Kain flinched as the carriage door opened. A soldier peeked in.
"Sir. Mr. Williams, sir."
"Huh? What? Why are you waking me up?" the noble groaned, wiping drool from his chin.
"Sir, it's dangerous to keep going through the pass. We suggest we turn back, maybe find shelter for the night."
Williams' eyes narrowed. "No. Keep going."
"Sir, respectfully—this area's known for ambushes. Maybe even scavenger guilds—"
"NO! No, no, no! Why did I hire you fools? Hm? Tell me!"
"To escort and protect you, sir. Safely back to your estate."
"Exactly. Then do your fucking job and protect me. If anything happens—die for me. That's what I'm paying for!"
The soldier clenched his jaw. "Yes… sir." He closed the door and walked off.
Back outside, the captain sighed. "Shit."Then raised his voice. "FORWARD!"
Kain glanced at the noble.Williams was now picking his nose.
"Hey, kid," he said suddenly. "Just noticed. You got one arm? ,and why's youre left eye blue and the other is yellow?"
"Uh… yes, sir," Kain answered, wary. "I was born this way. And the eyes—I don't know why they're different colors."
"Huh. Weird."
Then—a sharp whistle cut through the air.
An arrow slammed through the carriage wall, just inches from Kain's head.
"What the hell?!" Williams barked.
Another arrow burst through the roof, then another.
"SIR, SIR WILLIAMS!" a soldier screamed. "WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!"
"Deal with it!" Williams shrieked. "PROTECT ME! DO YOUR FUCKING JOB, YOU USELESS SACKS OF SHIT!"
Outside, soldiers were already falling, one by one.Arrows rained from above — laced with a faint blue poison that slowed the blood, froze the muscles, then stopped the heart.
"They're dying... fast."
The mountain people stayed above the ridge, out of sword range. They knew the soldiers were stronger in melee — so they never gave them the chance.
Kain peeked out the window. Bodies everywhere. Only one soldier left, screaming in defiance.
"COME ON, YOU COWA—!"
An arrow hit him square in the throat.
Silence.
The mountain people began climbing down from the cliffs, one by one. Calm. Precise.
"Is this my chance to escape?""No... If I run, I'll catch an arrow in the back."
Williams grabbed Kain by the collar. "Kid! Hey! You wanna survive?!"
"Obviously. Got a plan, genius?"
"Yes. Let's play dead."
"Play dead? That's it? You really think they'll fall for that?""They're not idiots — they're hunters trained to to hunt."
The carriage door burst open — two arrows thudding into the wood inches from Kain's head.
He and Williams both froze.
"Shit.""We're fucked."