"Formation! Protect the center!"
Sebastian's voice cut through the panic like a blade as he spotted a group of remaining soldiers rushing in.
Killian had only provided a single passenger carriage, but the convoy was not small.
Edevan's supply wagons had come along, and a fair number of soldiers escorted them.
The soldiers were split into three groups, front, middle, and rear. The front and middle units had already suffered heavy injuries. The rear unit, which had originally been separated from the convoy, had now arrived.
Judging by their expressions, they had not expected an attack. Still, they quickly followed Sebastian's command.
The mounted soldiers drew their swords and charged the black-cloaked men, breaking through their formation and forcing their way inward, protecting the small circle at the center, Sebastian, Howarth, Josselyn, and one remaining soldier.
"Do not scatter!" Sebastian continued, his eyes sweeping the trees. "Focus on the archers above!"
Josselyn flinched. Instinctively, she looked up.
"But there's no one in the trees," she said, confused.
"If you look carefully, they're hidden behind the trunks. Those archers are skilled at concealing themselves," Howarth replied quietly.
Josselyn turned toward him. The silver-haired man had already stepped in front of her. The relaxed smile that once graced his handsome face was gone.
"What about the other soldiers, sir?" one of the mounted soldiers asked, glancing over.
"I hope they're only injured. For now, we need to drive them back," Howarth ordered.
"The right side," he added shortly.
Sebastian nodded. "I'll take the left."
"Josselyn, stay in the center. Do not move."
"I, I…"
"Stay still and endure," Sebastian cut in.
Arrows flew again.
A sharp hiss cut through the air.
One of the soldiers beside them collapsed with a heavy thud.
"They're still up there!" Sebastian shouted.
"Howarth!"
"I see them."
Howarth's movements changed. Fast.
Clean. Without hesitation. His blade cut down one attacker leaping from a branch.
"Do not die just yet," he murmured lightly, though his eyes were cold.
Josselyn swallowed hard. This man was clearly no ordinary noble.
"Their numbers?" Howarth asked.
"More than ten," Sebastian replied. "And increasing."
"Of course," Howarth sighed. "It is never easy."
"Capture the girl!"
The voice came from above.
Josselyn froze.
"Do not kill her!" another voice echoed.
Howarth let out a quiet snort. "It seems you are quite popular, Josselyn."
"I do not feel flattered."
Sebastian stepped slightly forward. "They are targeting you."
"I know."
"Good. That means you will not panic."
"I have been panicking this entire time," she said, her breath trembling.
Howarth let out a short chuckle. "At least you are honest."
Another wave of arrows came.
"Down!" Sebastian barked.
Josselyn ducked on instinct.
An arrow slammed into the tree trunk just behind her.
"From the left!" the last remaining soldier shouted.
"Focus!" Sebastian growled.
Two attackers broke through from the front. Howarth met them without hesitation.
One slash, one fell. The other tried to strike from the side, but Howarth pivoted, blocked, then drove his blade forward.
"He is… too fast," Josselyn murmured, her eyes barely able to follow his movements.
"Josselyn!" Sebastian shouted.
She turned.
An attacker perched in the trees had already drawn his bow. The arrow was aimed straight at her.
Time seemed to slow. Josselyn's body locked. She could not move.
"Do not—"
Sebastian's voice rang out. Then he moved, fast. He stepped directly in front of her.
A sharp sound split the air.
"Sebastian!" Josselyn cried.
The world seemed to stop.
The arrow buried itself deep into Sebastian's shoulder, nearly piercing through. His breath hitched.
For a moment, Josselyn was certain he would collapse in front of her. But he did not.
"Stay behind me," he said quietly.
"You are injured!"
"It is nothing serious."
"It went through—"
"I said it is not serious."
He pulled the arrow out in one rough motion. Blood poured instantly, warm, soaking through his blue cloak.
Josselyn froze.
"Why would you pull it out like that? That could make it—"
"If I do not, I cannot move."
Two attackers charged again.
Sebastian remained standing. His sword rose. His movements had slowed slightly, but they were still lethal.
Howarth glanced over briefly. "Are you all right?"
"Still alive."
Josselyn stepped back, her hands trembling. Then she remembered something.
The dagger.
She reached into her pocket.
"Do not be foolish," she muttered to herself, but her fingers still wrapped around the small hilt.
Without her realizing it, one attacker broke through and rushed straight toward her.
"Got you!"
Josselyn gasped. She raised the dagger without thinking.
Steel clashed.
The attack was blocked, but her hands shook violently.
"Move!" Sebastian shouted. He was running out of strength. Blood flowed more heavily from his shoulder. His body leaned against his sword, planted in the ground.
"I cannot…" Josselyn choked, even squeezing her eyes shut at the sight of the blade mere inches from her face.
"Howarth!" Sebastian shouted between ragged breaths. He tried to rise, but his vision blurred.
The attacker shoved Josselyn.
She stumbled. Her dagger nearly slipped from her grasp.
"Do not touch her."
Howarth's voice came from behind. In a single motion, his blade cut through, and blood sprayed.
The attacker dropped.
Howarth stood before her, a crooked smile on his lips.
"Still alive?"
"Unfortunately, yes," Josselyn replied, her heart pounding.
"Good."
Josselyn drew a rough breath.
"Sebastian…" She turned.
Sebastian was still standing, though his back leaned slightly forward, bracing against the pain. His face had gone pale.
"You look terrible," Howarth said.
"Quiet."
"You could withdraw first with Josselyn—" Howarth began.
But Sebastian cut him off firmly. "Focus on the enemy."
Howarth exhaled sharply at his brother's response. "Always so stubborn."
Sebastian did not reply. He steadied his breathing.
Another attacker came from the side.
He raised his sword to block, but too late. His movement lagged for a fraction of a second.
The attacker swung.
"Sebastian!"
Howarth moved, intercepting the strike.
"Focus!" he snapped.
Sebastian clenched his jaw. "I can still fight."
"You are nearly dying on your feet."
Sebastian's breathing grew heavier.
"The skin around the wound is darkening—"
"My shoulder…" Sebastian's breath caught. "It is going numb."
Josselyn touched his forehead. Hot.
"This is not normal. He needs to be examined immediately," she said at last.
Howarth exhaled shortly. From his expression, he clearly agreed.
"Fine."
He stepped forward again, more aggressive this time. Faster. As if the enemies were nothing more than minor obstacles.
Josselyn helped support Sebastian as they moved slightly away, stealing glances at Howarth.
"He only becomes serious when pressed," Sebastian said, as if speaking to her, or perhaps just muttering.
Slowly, Josselyn helped him sit beneath a larger tree.
"He changed completely," she said honestly.
Sebastian only gave a faint smile.
Suddenly, a shadow moved behind Howarth.
Josselyn, who had just torn part of her dress to bind Sebastian's wound, caught sight of it. Without thinking, she shouted,
"Behind you!"
Howarth did not have time to turn.
The attacker had already raised his sword, ready to strike.
Josselyn sprang to her feet. She ran toward him.
"Do not!"
Too late.
Josselyn saw the blade already descending. But the sound that followed was not steel.
It was something else.
The attacker froze. His eyes widened. Then he collapsed. An arrow had pierced his throat.
Josselyn's breath caught.
"…What?"
Howarth turned.
Sebastian slowly lifted his head.
The sound of galloping hooves echoed in the distance, growing closer, louder.
Josselyn stared toward the forest.
A figure emerged. Mounted on a horse. A dark red hood concealed their face in shadow. A quiver of arrows rested on their back, and their hand held a bow tightly.
They said nothing. Another arrow flew.
One attacker fell. Then another. And another.
"Who is that—"
"Whoever it is, not an enemy," Sebastian murmured.