Within the Ranks
The wheels of the carriages screeched on the cobblestone road. The convoy of the Niarian Imperial forces moved slowly out of the city, heading towards the Empire's center.
Altair, Feran, and Quartzis walked among the other soldiers, blending into the ranks. Everything felt calm, but they knew danger could strike at any moment.
"Lazric has to be in one of those carriages," Quartzis whispered, matching his steps with Altair and Feran.
"But we can't just slip in," Altair replied in a quiet tone. "We still don't know their plan."
At the front of the column, a high-ranking officer in black armor rode on horseback, conversing with one of the main guards. They appeared relaxed, but Altair could sense a hidden alertness in their movements.
"Duke Alvred must have anticipated that we might be here…"
Altair gazed at the darkening sky. They had to act before reaching the border, or things could become much more difficult.
An Unconventional Journey
The convoy continued its journey until nightfall. They finally halted in a dense forest to rest.
The soldiers set up tents and lit campfires. Some stood guard, while others rested.
"This is our chance to scout," Feran said in a low voice.
They dispersed under the guise of patrol, then searched for Lazric's whereabouts.
Among the guards' tents, they discovered a carriage that was more heavily guarded than the others.
"He has to be in there," Quartzis murmured.
"The question is, how do we free him without causing a commotion?" Feran asked softly.
However, before they could formulate a plan, the sound of footsteps echoed from behind them.
"Hey! You! What are you doing here?"
An officer with sharp eyes approached them, his gaze full of suspicion.
Altair instantly recognized him.
He was the same one who was suspicious of Feran earlier this morning.
"We're on patrol," Quartzis replied with a neutral expression.
But the officer didn't look satisfied. He scrutinized them with a piercing stare.
"I don't recall seeing you in this unit before…"
Danger felt increasingly imminent.
I'll cut his throat if he makes a move, Altair thought to himself.
The Undoing of a Plan
Before the situation worsened, a sudden shout echoed throughout the encampment.
"ATTACK! WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!"
Flames flickered in the distance. Dark figures darted from within the forest—a group of mercenaries was raiding the convoy!
The Imperial soldiers scattered, drawing their weapons and trying to defend themselves.
"This is our chance!" Feran exclaimed.
In the chaos, Altair, Feran, and Quartzis immediately moved towards the heavily guarded carriage.
However, when Altair opened the door…
The carriage was empty.
"What?! Lazric isn't here?!" Quartzis almost shouted.
"Damn it, we've been tricked!" Altair gritted his teeth.
Altair's eyes quickly caught sight of the mounted officer in the distance, carrying a large chest.
"They anticipated us."
Without wasting time, they ran after the officer, pushing through the chaotic battlefield.
A Chase Amidst the Turmoil
The night that was once calm now transformed into a sea of fire and blood.
Altair, Feran, and Quartzis ran swiftly, avoiding soldiers fighting against the mercenaries.
"There he is!" Quartzis exclaimed, pointing.
"If we're slow, he'll get away!" Feran added.
Altair made a quick decision.
"Cut him off from the front! Don't let him reach the border!"
They sprinted towards the cobblestone path, cutting through the woods, searching for a shortcut to intercept him.
A Stratagem and a Trap
Feran threw stones onto the officer's horse's path.
TAP! TAP! TAP!
The horse startled, nearly falling, but the officer still managed to control his mount.
"Damn it, he's still too fast!" Altair hissed.
"We have to make him stop," Feran said.
Quickly, Quartzis pulled a mechanical device from his pouch.
"I can spread iron caltrops! But it'll take time!"
"Do it! We'll hold him off up ahead!" Altair responded.
Quartzis worked swiftly, while Altair and Feran hid around a narrow bend, preparing to ambush.
A Battle on the Narrow Path
The sound of the horse's hooves grew louder.
"He's coming!" Feran whispered.
As soon as the officer's horse stepped on the iron caltrops…
"NNGHHHIIIIH!"
The horse reared and skidded! The officer was thrown to the ground, the large chest tumbling onto the rocky terrain.
"Perfect!" Altair moved instantly.
"Grab him before he escapes!" Feran yelled.
With agility, Feran slammed into the officer's chest, pinning him to the ground.
"You're not going anywhere."
"Tsk… you brat!" the officer cursed, struggling, but in vain.
Rescuing Lazric
Altair immediately opened the large chest.
Inside, Lazric was bound by chains, his eyes covered with cloth.
"Lazric!" Quartzis rushed over.
Altair quickly unlocked the chains.
Lazric looked confused and weak, his eyes fluttering as he recognized the voice.
"Q-Quartzis?!"
"We've come to get you." Quartzis offered a small smile.
Lazric looked at Altair and Feran in bewilderment.
"Wait… who are you two…"
Quartzis interjected gently.
"They're our family."
Altair nodded firmly.
"That's right. We're your family."
Lazric was silent for a long moment, tears welling up in his eyes.
"Why am I crying…"
Quartzis patted Lazric's shoulder reassuringly.
"You're safe now."
The Danger Isn't Over
However, the tranquility didn't last long.
THWACK!
The sound of an arrow whizzed past from the distance.
Altair turned his head sharply.
Imperial troops were pursuing them from behind!
"They've found us! We have to go now!" Feran exclaimed.
Altair assessed the situation quickly.
"Into the forest! We can hide there!"
They immediately carried Lazric and ran towards the dark trees, while arrows and shouts continued to pursue them.
Midnight Flight
They ran as fast as they could, crashing through bushes and dense trees. The sound of their pursuers' footsteps grew closer and closer, echoing clearly in the darkness of the forest.
Altair gritted his teeth. "We need to find a place to hide!"
Quartzis supported Lazric, who was close to collapsing, while Feran guarded their rear, occasionally glancing back to ensure they maintained a safe distance.
"I see a small hill ahead!" Feran whispered urgently.
They directed their steps towards it. Their breaths were heavy, but the instinct to survive kept them moving.
Behind the thick foliage, they discovered a small cave hidden behind the roots of a large tree.
"Get in, quick!" Altair commanded.
Without hesitation, they all slipped into the narrow cave. The smell of damp earth and moss filled the air. Altair immediately pulled branches and leaves to cover the entrance.
Moments later, the voices of the soldiers could be heard passing not far from them.
"Chase them! Don't let anyone escape!" one of the commanders shouted.
Altair, Feran, Quartzis, and Lazric held their breath, waiting in silence. Only the loud thumping of their own hearts could be heard in their ears.
Several minutes that felt like hours passed.
Finally, the sound of footsteps began to fade away.
"They're gone…" Quartzis whispered in relief.
Altair remained cautious. He knew they weren't completely safe yet.
"Let's wait a while longer. Make sure they've really moved on."
Feran nodded, leaning against the cave wall while remaining vigilant.
Meanwhile, Lazric was still trembling, trying to comprehend everything that had happened.
"Are... are you really my family?" he murmured, almost to himself.
Altair looked at him calmly.
"We're your brothers, Lazric. And we're here to take you back."
Lazric's eyes began to redden again, but he nodded slowly. There was something in Altair's tone that made him feel... safe.
The Next Plan
After confirming that the coast was clear, Altair slowly opened the cave covering a crack and peered out.
"The sky's starting to brighten…" he murmured.
Dawn was approaching. They didn't have much time.
"We need to move quickly before those troops form a search party," Feran said firmly.
Quartzis nodded. "We need a plan. With Lazric still weak, we can't just run blindly."
Altair thought rapidly.
"We'll move in the shadows of the forest, then find a waterway. A river can throw off our trail."
Feran offered a faint smirk. "You always were the resourceful one."
They divided the tasks: Quartzis would stay with Lazric to help him walk, while Altair and Feran would move ahead as scouts.
"We will survive. No matter what," Altair stated resolutely.
Lazric looked at each of them, still confused, but a glimmer of trust began to appear in his eyes.
They had been through so much tonight.