When the Valtorin family appeared before the village leader, they knew that they didn't have any choice but to comply with what he has offered. Their eyes gleamed malevolently as the village leader repeated his proposal.
"You want to stay in our village? You want provisions, shelter, and rations? Well you'll have to earn the right by staying here," he sneered."We can't just let anyone and everyone pass through just because they want to, we also have our safety to consider" he said trying to sound convincing to the villager around.
"Apprehend the bandits who have been terrorising our village, and we will give you all that you need."
Kaidën's mother, Princess Sofia, rejected outright because she knew full well just how fragile they were and tried using her nobility at least to bully them into compliance.
It did not work that way because the headman erupted into wails as if he had expected it, "Do you want to rob us just because you are nobles? That is not just! We welcomed you well, and you want to hurt us now."
When he shouted, the villagers around him heard. They did not know what the issue was about, yet they stood by their village leader and all cried out in unison in very loud tone, "Leave our village, you evil noble!" Their village leader grinned from behind them.
This was a plot by Princess Sofia's mother knew that this would lead further into defiling the Valtorin family name, and she also knew that the only exit from this would be by accepting the proposal by the village chief.
Kaidën's mother, Princess Sofia, stumbled. She knew that her family wasn't in any condition to take on the bandits, not in the condition that they were in. They once had the army that even the royal family would fear, the army that would never lose any battle, the army that personified the family, the Valtorin family. Now all that was gone.
They no longer possessed the invincible army that they once were known for, and all that remained was the child, the housemaid who knew nothing about magic and swords, and the butler who knew enough about the sword but wasn't strong.
But she also understood that there was no choice. They must move on, no matter what the cost.
"Then she said she agreed to my proposal," her soothing tone.
The chieftain smiled widely. "Well," he said. "I'll tell you everything you must know to deal with the robbers. Just keep in mind that they're not to be taken lightly."
Princess Sofia nodded her head thoughtfully, her mind filled with plans and stratagems. They would need to think cunning if they were going to manage.
As they were preparing to depart, Elara approached Kaidën's mother. "Your Majesty, I don't think that you should do this," she said softly. "We are not equipped to handle a group of bandits."
Kaidën's mother forced a thin smile. "Yes, Elara. I know. We have no alternative. We must attempt"
With that being the case, Steven and Kaidën's mother headed towards the bandit hideout. Elara remained behind and kept guard on Kaidën and his ill father.
As they approached the hideout of the bandit, Kaidën's mother sensed that there was negative energy emanating from within. She knew, the fight would not be easy.
"Steven, stay close," she whispered, her sword hilt clutched tightly in her grasp. "We have no idea what we're up against."
Steven nodded and scanned the surroundings.
Princess Sofia drew in a deep breath and strode forward, sword held tightly in her grasp. "Let's go," she said firmly.
According to their plan, they would start by assaulting the bandits that lay outside the fortress and lure the others and slay them one by one rather than altogether.
They were executing the plan so well that they attacked the bandits outside effortlessly by ambushing them from the rear and beheading them and burying the corpses.
Kaidën's mother, Princess Sofia, could not help but consider that the plan was unfolding as it should, but she immediately stopped herself from believing they had been ambushed, lest she jinx it.
****
As they walked into the bandit hideout, the stench of black magic and blood greeted Kaidën's mother immediately. They knew they were in deep trouble the moment she sensed the smell.
These weren't what she expected. They were bandits, anyway - also known as rogues - armed to the teeth and oozing dark magic.
They needed to move fast, princess Sofia recognized. She signaled Steven and caught the bandits by surprise in an ambush.
But just when they were certain they were gaining the better of them, princess Sofia was hit cold by the nasty blow from the rear.
Steven tried hurrying towards her, but the strong black magic spell kept him held back.
When Kaidën's mother lay motionless on the ground, the bandits began approaching. Steven knew that he needed to move fast or lose everything.
He struggled against the spell, but there was no strength within him. He was paralyzed, unable to move or run.
"Ah, a good noble," one of the robbers sneered. "How cute."
When hope was lost, Steven struggled against the spell. He dived into the bandits, his sword dull glinting in the weak light.
"You'll never win!" he shouted out, his words echoing in the lair.
But as he fought on, he knew that the numbers were against him. The bandits were too powerful, there were too many.
And yet he would not give up. He persevered, refusing to let his lady, princess Sofia down.
There was no doubt about being outnumbered half-way into the fight. They were too strong, too skilled.
Princess Sofia lay unconscious as she was carried away by the bandits. Steven alone remained behind him, his sword broken, his frame battered and battered.
Will the Valtorin family survive, or does the journey represent the beginning of their end
To be continued...