"Stop! Do not pursue!"
Sebastian's voice rang out, heavy yet firm.
Several soldiers who had been about to spur their horses forward immediately pulled on the reins.
"They are retreating!" one of them shouted.
"Let them," Sebastian continued, his breathing growing uneven. "Hold formation. Protect the center."
"Yes, sir!"
Silence slowly settled, replacing the clash of steel and the screams that had just filled the forest.
"…Is it over?" Josselyn murmured.
"For now. Yes," Howarth replied without turning.
Josselyn swallowed. Her hands were still trembling.
"Sir Sebastian…"
"I am fine."
"You are bleeding…"
"I said I am fine." Sebastian shot her a sharp look.
Josselyn did not avoid his gaze. Instead, she met it with clear irritation in her eyes.
"Sir Howarth, look at him!" her voice rose.
Howarth smiled faintly, glancing at the two who were several years younger than him.
"I can see," he replied casually, his eyes sharpening again as he scanned their surroundings. "And I can also see that we are not alone yet."
Several soldiers who heard that immediately tensed.
"You mean…"
"Him."
All eyes turned in one direction.
The figure remained on horseback. Still. Motionless. As if observing.
The dark red hood stirred slightly in the wind.
The bow was still held firmly in his hand.
"Who is he…?" one soldier whispered.
"Stay alert," Sebastian said quietly.
"Howarth," he added, "do not let him get closer."
"Howarth does not need to be told," the silver-haired man replied lightly, stepping forward.
"Stop there," Howarth said, his voice flat.
The hooded figure did not respond. He simply watched.
"Or are you deaf?" Howarth continued, deliberately provoking him.
Still no reaction.
"He is not an enemy?" a soldier whispered uncertainly.
"If he were," Howarth replied quietly, "we would already be dead."
Josselyn bit her lip, watching the situation with unease.
"He helped us earlier. Maybe he can take us to the nearest village…"
"Not necessarily helping," Sebastian cut in.
"But he killed them—"
"He kills anyone who stands in his way."
Then Josselyn caught a small movement. The figure raised his bow.
"Stop!" one soldier shouted.
"He is going to attack!" another cried.
"Lower your weapon!" Howarth barked.
No answer. The arrow tip lifted. The air grew tense again. Even Howarth had drawn his sword, shifting into stance, ready to strike first.
"Sir, can we not speak peacefully?"
Josselyn asked, panic creeping into her voice.
"Does he look like he wants to speak peacefully?" Sebastian replied quietly.
Josselyn knew the Red Hood looked frightening and dangerous, especially with his bow aimed like that.
But beneath her fear, she saw something else. An opportunity. A chance to get Sebastian out of this forest and to the nearest village. She needed supplies and a safe place to treat him.
"Sir Howarth," Josselyn turned to him, "say something to him. Sir Sebastian's wound could worsen if it is not treated immediately."
"He will shoot," a soldier said loudly, gripping his drawn sword tightly, waiting for orders.
"What should we do, sir? There are not many of us left."
Howarth's jaw tightened.
"Hold your weapons," he ordered. "I will negotiate…"
But it was already too late.
The figure had drawn his bowstring fully.
"Is he targeting Miss Josselyn as well?" another soldier blurted out.
"Shield Josselyn!" Howarth shouted again.
Josselyn's breath caught. Instinctively, she locked her gaze on the arrow tip.
If he truly was aiming at her… why? What reason would he have to kill her? She did not even recognize him.
Her fingers clenched the fabric of her dress.
Her life had never been easy. At her uncle Edmund's house, she had suffered violence to the point of wanting to end her life. Yet since entering the palace, death had come for her again and again.
"Wait…" Josselyn stepped forward, stopping right beside Howarth. "The arrow is not aimed at me."
Howarth turned to her instinctively, then looked back at the arrow. His eyes narrowed as he studied it more closely.
"It is aimed at…"
"Sebastian…"
The arrow flew.
It moved so fast it was nearly invisible. But Josselyn followed its path.
A shadow emerged from behind a tree, directly behind Sebastian. The arrow struck true, piercing the man's throat.
His body staggered, then collapsed heavily to the ground.
Silence. Everyone froze.
"…There was still one more? Sir Sebastian almost lost his life," a soldier whispered.
Howarth's gaze shifted slowly to the fallen body.
"It seems so," he replied shortly.
Josselyn held her breath. "He saved us again."
"Or made sure no one was left behind," Sebastian murmured.
The hooded figure lowered his bow.
"Damn. We did not hear him at all," Howarth muttered.
Josselyn turned. "Did not hear…?"
"Could it be because he is mute?"
Sebastian asked.
"You only fail to hear that sound when someone is already dead," Howarth replied.
Josselyn frowned slightly, trying to process their exchange. But suddenly, Sebastian coughed. Her attention snapped back.
Her eyes widened at the sight of red staining the corner of his lips.
"Sir Howarth, we cannot wait any longer…"
Howarth only glanced at him briefly, then turned back to the Red Hood.
"Who are you?" he asked again, this time softer, more measured, stepping forward with confidence.
Josselyn could tell from his gaze that his guard was still fully up.
"You have helped us, and we are grateful."
Silence.
"Or do you want something in return? We can provide it. But first…" Howarth glanced at Sebastian. "My brother needs medical attention immediately. We have an alchemist with us, but she still needs supplies."
The figure still did not speak. But his gaze shifted toward Josselyn.
"Sir Sebastian," Josselyn whispered, fear tightening in her chest, "perhaps you are right. He might intend to finish us and…"
Sebastian immediately grasped her hand.
"Calm yourself." His grip was gentle. "Do not let him see you afraid."
His words steadied her at once. Josselyn took a deep breath, forcing her expression to harden.
"You are Josselyn Swift?"
The man in the red hood finally spoke.
"You… know me?" Josselyn asked evenly, though her heartbeat thundered in her ears.
"You need a carriage, do you not? To take that injured man to the nearest village." The red-hooded man indicated Sebastian with his eyes.
Josselyn glanced at Howarth, who looked back at her.
With a small blink from Howarth, a silent signal of approval, Josselyn nodded.
"Our carriage wheel is broken. Repairs will take time. Sir Sebastian must be treated immediately," she explained.
"Follow me. We will prepare a carriage for you."
"You are very kind, sir," Howarth said at once, his tone more courteous now. He dipped his head slightly, then straightened.
"But would it not be easier if you simply brought the carriage to us?"
Howarth smiled broadly. To Josselyn, it was not a friendly or sincere smile, but one layered with polite threat.
The Red Hood did not answer immediately. But beneath the shadow of his hood, Josselyn could see the faint curve of a crooked smile.
"You do not truly believe… that help like this comes without a price, do you?"