The morning sun had barely broken over the hills when Wads, Klyden, and Liora resumed their journey. The road ahead stretched in gentle curves, flanked by thick woods on one side and open fields on the other. Birds called overhead, and the wind carried the earthy scent of damp soil and wildflowers.
Their pace was steady, barefoot on the worn path, each step echoing lightly in the quiet countryside. Klyden, ever restless, darted ahead, peering around every bend and laughing when the wind rustled through his hair. Liora walked beside Wads, teasing him quietly about his glasses, and Wads, thoughtful as ever, scanned the surroundings for any signs of danger.
It wasn't long before the peaceful rhythm was broken. A sharp cry echoed from the distance—a scream filled with terror. Wads froze, heart hammering. Klyden's grin vanished, replaced with a focused frown. "That doesn't sound like farm trouble," he muttered.
They rushed toward the sound and soon saw the scene: a small carriage being accosted by three bandits, rough men thrice their age, armed with clubs and short blades. A young girl, no older than ten, clung to the reins, wide-eyed and frightened. Her dark hair was braided neatly, and she wore fine clothing that gleamed even in the morning light.
"Stay calm," Wads whispered, crouching behind a tree. "We can't fight them head-on. We'll plan this carefully."
Klyden's fists twitched, eager for action, but he nodded, trusting Wads' strategy. Liora smirked, a spark of excitement in her heterochromatic eyes. "Alright, little moon boy. Lead the way."
Wads quickly assessed the terrain: the bandits were focused on controlling the carriage, leaving the surrounding area relatively unguarded. "If we distract them one by one, we can separate them from the girl," he said softly. "Klyden, you'll create the diversion. Liora, flank from the right. I'll guide the girl and disable the wagon temporarily to stop the carriage from moving."
The plan unfolded with tense precision. Klyden sprinted from the left, shouting and throwing stones, drawing the attention of the largest bandit. Liora dashed from the right, knocking into a second attacker and forcing him to stumble. Meanwhile, Wads approached the carriage quietly, using the small gaps in the harness to jam the wheels and kneeling low to avoid detection.
The girl, sensing help had arrived, looked at Wads with a flicker of hope. "I'm… Deborah," she whispered, gripping the reins tightly.
"Stay calm, Deborah," Wads murmured. "We've got you."
The final bandit, realizing his companions were distracted, lunged toward Wads. Wads sidestepped with careful precision, guiding Deborah to duck behind a tree while Klyden delivered a well-timed shove to the bandit, sending him sprawling into a pile of leaves. Liora kept her eyes on the third attacker, ready to intervene.
After several tense minutes, the bandits, frustrated and disoriented, finally fled into the woods, grumbling curses under their breath. The carriage, immobilized but intact, came to a gentle stop.
Breathing heavily, Wads adjusted his glasses and looked at Deborah. "You're safe now," he said softly. "But you need to stay here while we make sure the path is clear."
Deborah's eyes shone with gratitude. "Thank you… all of you! You saved me!" She smiled shyly and extended her hand. "Please… come with me. You can ride in my carriage and visit my family's manor. They'll want to thank you properly."
Klyden's face lit up. "Riding in a carriage? Count me in!"
Liora smirked, shaking her head. "Looks like our little genius here just made friends with nobility," she teased.
Wads merely adjusted the locket at his chest, a faint hum of satisfaction echoing in his mind. "Let's just make sure everyone arrives safely first," he said, ever practical.
The carriage rolled forward slowly, carrying the rescued Deborah and her newfound protectors. Villagers they passed along the road looked on with awe, whispering about the bravery of these three children. Even though they were commoners, their cleverness, courage, and teamwork had earned the recognition of the House of Vedanta—a mark that would ripple into their future in ways they could not yet imagine.
As the manor gates came into view, Deborah's family rushed out to greet them, offering smiles of gratitude and applause. The trio, exhausted but proud, exchanged glances: a silent agreement that together, intellect, strength, and observation could overcome obstacles far beyond their age—and perhaps hint at the adventures yet to come in the capital.