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Slowly, the carriage trundled down the worn path, snaking its way across the forest. This area of no man’s land, between Kjerag and the Columbian frontier, saw little in the way of civilisation, as trees towered around the convoy, like immovable giants. But, despite this, people still lived, worked and died on the frontier - some of the hardiest in terra. And the exact people the convoy was looking for.
“We should be close to the next town now. By the end of the week, we’ll be in some semblance of civilisation again,” the Kurante assistant sighed, leaning back as she turned the tablet off. “To think we’ve been travelling for almost 5 days now…”
“This place is sparsely populated, after all. It is hardly a surprise,” the Knight did not turn away from the window, gazing up at the night sky. “We were prepared for this.”
“Mmm. Although we’ve already overrun our journey by about two weeks…”
…
“I understand you blame me-”
“Of course not, Ms Droste!” The assistant was quick to try and deflect, although her sudden panic somewhat gave her away. When Viviana did not look from the window, she gulped. “It’s just… I do fear you may have… unrealistic expectations, of what kinds of people we can hire, is all.”
“You think I’m a romantic.”
“N-no… well, perhaps at least partially.”
Viviana chuckled lightly, finally turning to look the assistant in the eyes. “I understand your concerns, but you really do not need to worry. I’m fully aware we aren’t going to find a night in shining armour in a mercenary,” Viviana smiled warmly. “But, we do need to find someone with at least a semblance of loyalty for this trip, if we want them to stay beyond the first harsh encounter. Something every sword for hire has so far lacked.”
“I… understand, Ms Droste. Although I’m unsure if we’ll ever find that in a Columbian, I respect yours and Ms Russel’s-”
“Hold on.” Viviana’s smile had suddenly fallen as she looked out the window, scowling.
“Ma’am? What’s-”
“Stop the carriage!”
Before the assistant could say a word, Viviana had hopped out of the carriage, drawing her sword as she stared into the darkness.
…
…
SHVING
With one swing, she deflected the bolt.
“Guards! Form up!” Viviana lit her candle, the only light in the looming forest.
“Ausgerechnet jetzt,” Viviana deflected two more bolts as the guards rushed out of the front and back carriage, forming up beside her. “Show yourselves! Or my light will find you itself!”
There was silence for a moment, before the sounds of at least a dozen boots against fallen leaves. From out in the forest came a group of Sarkaz - much different to the various bandits and thieves they’d encountered across the frontier. These ones were well-equipped, and just as well-armed as they stared the group down. But something was missing…
No time to think about that though, as the largest Sarkaz spoke.
“Drop your goods right now! We know you lot are loaded!” His accent was distinctively Columbian, most likely a descendant of Sarkaz who settled the frontier through Columbian sponsorship, rather than a Kazdelian. No matter who he was or where he came from, however, he was an enemy. As were his compatriots.
“That won’t be happening,” Viviana’s voice was soft, yet commanding, a product of years under the tutelage of one of Kazimierz’s greatest knights. “I would advise you and your friends to walk back into the forest, and your transgressions so far can be forgiven. Keep going, however, and they will not.”
“Heh, you hear that! Antlers here wants us to just buzz off!” Behind the mask, Viviana could feel he was grinning. “I don’t think so.”
And thus, the first shots were fired, as bolts rained down on the group. With her arts, Viviana covered them as they charged, and the melee began. With the trees blocking out any possible light, Viviana only had her light to rely on - with her training, that would be all she would need, as two Sarkaz immediately dropped to her arts. As the guards worked on the flanks, Viviana rushed to meet the large Sarkaz head-on - if he could be dealt with quickly, the others might falter. But, as she approached, she noticed just what was in his hands.
Scheiße!
Viviana barely managed to dodge before the Sarkaz opened fire, the massive rifle tearing through three guards in just a matter of seconds.
“How the-”
“You like that! That’s Columbian engineering for you!” the Sarkaz grinned, spinning round to face Viviana once more. “Don’t expect us to lay down and die like they might have in Kazdel! You Liethaniens won’t find things so easy here!” Viviana could barely keep up as the Sarkaz fired again, her arts just managing to keep her safe. But without another light source, she wouldn’t be able to keep up forever.
Just before the fight, she’d noticed something. A heat source, following them. It had disappeared for a moment when the Sarkaz attacked, but it was back again. And, though she hadn’t seen it just yet, the Sarkaz were being thinned out. It seemed they had a mysterious helper on their hands.
If she could just last a little longer-
Just then, her candle exploded, as a bullet split the candlestick in two, and hot wax splattered against her hand. Wincing as she cupped her hand, she quickly darted away from the other shots. She couldn’t lose focus now.
“Come on now, little knight! Surely you realise by now you’re outmatched! Just give up, and maybe we’ll let you live.”
Viviana didn't deign to give him a response as she struggled up, staring him down defiantly. The Sarkaz sighed.
“Welp, we tried.”
It was then when Viviana realised the presence behind her - she turned, but it was too late as the Sarkaz’s sword was already bearing down on her. Without her candle, the shadow hadn’t been visible, and now it was going to cost her. Come on, think, think-
Blood spattered across her face, red and warm. But, it wasn't hers, as the tip of a lance pierced the Sarkaz’s chest. He could only look shocked as his own blood spilt across the both of them, before his body crumpled to the ground - and behind him, stood a Lupo, lance in hand.
“Who the fuck are you!” There was no time for introductions, however, as the large Sarkaz opened fire again. The Lupo darted ahead, right into the line of fire, blocking the bullets with his shield as he charged right for the Sarkaz.
“Shit- focus on the Lupo!”
The Lupo darted back as other Sarkaz opened fire, the air shaking as the heat around him rose as bullets ricocheted off of his hardened skin. As the heat rose, Viviana’s blade began to glow. And she had an idea.
“Lupo!” The warrior turned, raising his brow. “How hot can you get?”
“What-”
“Your arts! How much heat can you manage?”
The Lupo seemed confused but obliged her question. “How much do you need?” She gestured to her sword. “Enough to make my blade glow! Then I can cover you!” The Lupo, still confused, retreated back to her, grabbing the blade with one hand. As the Sarkaz continued to fire, he kept his shield up, and the sword began to glow.
“Okay! That should be enough,” stepping back, the light of her sword began to fade - no, it moved, as her arts worked. “Go, now! I’ll cover you!” The Lupo nodded, charging in as VIviana’s arts scattered around him, blocking bullets and taking down Sarkaz as he rushed to meet the head Sarkaz - as he ran, he threw his lance forward, and it slammed through his shoulder. Unimpeded now, the Lupo charged shield first, slamming it into the embedded lance and sending it careening through, the arm flying off into the woods. With his opponent reeling, the Lupo went in for the kill - his clawed hand grasping his opponent's face, before slamming it into the ground, his head crushed like a melon. The blood had barely spattered onto his hand before it began to boil, steam snaking over his shoulder.
That display of strength was more than enough, as the remaining Sarkaz fled back into the trees, clearly not wanting to be turned into a red purée. As the remaining guards took stock of who was left, Viviana approached the Lupo.
“Thank you for your assistance,” Viviana offered her hand, smiling. “Mr, uh…”
…
“Atlas,” Atlas shook her hand, nodding. “Just Atlas is fine.”
“I see. Well, thank you, Atlas-”
“Ms Droste! We-” The assistant ran over, unscathed, but stopped when she noticed Atlas there too. “Who is this?”
“This is Atlas,” Atlas gave a small salute as a hello, but no more than that. “The one we can thank for our current survival.”
“I see. Well, you have my gratitude,” after giving him a curt nod, the assistant turned back to Viviana. “Though I’m afraid we need to turn back, Ms Droste. We’ve lost about half our guards, and if there are any more Sarkaz in these forests, I fear we’ll lose the rest well before we can make it to the next town.” The assistant wiped the sweat from her brow with a handkerchief, unnerved by the whole experience. “Hopefully if we can get a message back to Ms Russell from the previous town, she may be able to send more guards.”
“Hmm,” Viviana stroked her chin for a moment, before turning to Atlas. “Tell me - are you up for hire at all, Atlas?”
Atlas shook his head. “Afraid not. I’m on the hunt for someone right now. I’d hoped to get some information from these Sarkaz, but,” Atlas looked at the corpses scattered around the clearing. “I have the slight feeling they won’t be talking.”
“I see… what was this person's name? And are they friend, or foe?”
“Leviathan. And a foe.”
“Hmm. I can’t say I’ve heard of the individual. But,” Viviana smiled, a plan clearly in motion. “My adopted mother, Ioleta Russell, happens to have plenty of networks at her disposal. Might you be up for a trade?”
Atlas folded his arms, curious. “Maybe. What were you thinking, exactly?”
“We are currently looking for a mercenary to help us in former Victoria. We happen to have a friend there in need of assistance. In exchange for information on, and assistance with searching for, this Leviathan, would you be willing to assist us on this journey?”
…
“Would lodging be included?”
“Yes, you will be provided for as well, I can assure that.”
Atlas hummed, clearly considering it. After a moment, he nodded. “Alright, I’ll bite. But just know, if this Ioleta can't turn anything up, I’m bouncing. No ifs or buts.”
“Of course,” Viviana chuckled, giving the Lupo a warm smile. “Although, if the Grand Knight cannot turn anything up, I’m unsure as to who can.”
Atlas raised a brow at the mention of such a prestigious figure, but chose not to question how Viviana had managed to become her daughter - or what exactly she was doing in the Columbian frontier.