Hey all! Sorry for the long delay, I've been stuck with coursework and revision but alas Chapter 3 is here. Please feel free to criticise /comment 

Chapter 3 – Homeward Journey

Lionel opened his eyes to be greeted by a full armoured Kalfus gazing out of the window. He climbed out of bed and walked over to his armour which was hanging up on the wall.

"Why are you awake so early." asked Lionel as he got dressed.

"Oh, I couldn't sleep." replied Kaflus

"How come?"

"Well, last night-" they were interrupted a by a short Demi-Human with blue skin, he was wearing a chef's hat.

"Hi. I am the Breakfestmeister. Food shall be ready in 10 minutes." the little guy bowed then left the room.

"So, what were you doing." asked Lionel

"Oh, never mind. Just couldn't sleep. You should wake the children and Ricko." he said as he left the room, hand fixed to the hilt of his sword. Kalfus walked from the landing and down into the hall. He didn't head for the dining room; instead he headed outside into the square. It was rather busy, unlike yesterday a number of farmers were around doing their day to day business. Noticed also noticed the high number of soldiers on duty, he began to think that a whole battalion could be stationed here but thought how ridiculous that would be. Leave the square Kalfus slowly walked around, trying to pick up some chatter from the farmers and soldiers. Nothing interesting was discuss, just recent news, farming issues and monsters beyond the walls. Kalfus drew to the conclusion that this conspiracy was small and this village was only the base of it.

"Sir Kalfus!" shouted Captain Winfield. "How are you today?"

Kalfus stared at her with hate; he wondered how involved she was with the conspiracy. "I'm fine thanks."

"Good good, breakfast should be ready at my manor. Also please inform Sir Ricko that a convey will be leaving at noon for Alexandria."

"Oh okay. Aren't you coming to breakfast with us?" said Kalfus

"Unfortunately I'm too busy at the moment. I may not see you before you leave, please give Ricko my apologies." she said as she walked off.

Kalfus knew that Winfield had a good reputation and doubted she would ever become a traitor but considering she was the leader of this institute and she seemed very much wrapped up. Kalfus walked back towards the manor and entered through the front door, he heard some shouting behind him. Turning around he noticed Jena, the main traitor bellowing orders to soldier. Kalfus turned back around and headed through to the dinning hall.

"Where you been?" asked Ricko

"Went for a walk around the village square. Bumped into Captain Winfield. She said there's a convoy leaving for Alexandria and we can hitch a ride." informed Kalfus

"Great, I didn't fancy the walk." said Lionel

"Will she be coming for breakfast?" asked Ricko

"No, she said she was busy."

Kalfus sat down with the rest of them and starting to eat through the vast quantities of bacon, sausages egg and toast. Kaflus remained silent while everyone stuffed themselves with as much delicious food as possible. After a few minutes everyone was full so to break the time until departure Winfield arranged a tour of the farming operation. Kalfus tagged along with them but was sceptical about all the different stories they were told. He didn't doubt the fact that this village was for farming, he just knew that wasn't its main purpose.

"This is one of our harvesting machines; it runs off a Steam engine. It patrols the fields harvesting crops, this makes it much easier than the old manual way..." droned the guide. "This is one of our barns, mostly for sheltering the Chocobos and storing the machines, there's nothing to interesting abo-"

"Can we have a look inside?" interrupted Kaflus.

"Umm, sure why not." said the guide, the door wasn't locked as he led them in. Kalfus wasn't sure if this was the one he checked last night. The barn floor was littered with hay and a few Chocobos were peacefully in there stables. There were wheel tracks leading out, presumably for the machines. Kalfus had a subtle look around trying to spot anything conspicuous.

"So as you can see, pretty dull. Shall we continue?" request the guide.

The rest of the tour was evening boring than before, just before noon the group arrive back at the village square to be greeted by their convoy. Five carriages, each being pulled by two yellow Chocobo's where prepared and ready to leave. Ricko walked ahead to speak to the convoy commander who informed him they would be leaving shortly. The children and Lionel climb into the second carriage while Kaflus, Ricko and two soldiers occupied the third. The others were laden with crops and other produce, after a short time the convoy slowly made its way out of the village, it went down the long road and through the main gates.

Memories of the night previous plagued Kalfus' thoughts, he had been meaning to tell his comrades all day but couldn't get them alone and now there were two Alexandria soldiers to eaves drop. Kalfus thought about the magnitude of this threat, what did they actually plan to do. Assassinate the Queen, overthrow her, start a rebellion. Kalfus also thought who else could have been involved, if a respected one Captain was in the loop then how many more could be, even the Queens closest servants may be a threat. The thought trouble Kalfus all the way back, after a few hours they finally start there climb up onto the Alexandria fields. Ricko was in constant conversation with the soldiers discussing how great he perceive Winfield and often tried to include Kalfus in the conversation but he merely shrugged of the attention. After a while Kaflus began to suspect Ricko, he was close friends with Winfield and had thought alongside her when Queen Brahne ruled. Kalfus trusted Ricko with his life, he trusted all the Knights with his life. The thought of treason among them swiftly left his mind.

As top became nearer the sun also became warmer, Kalfus climbed out of the carriage and up to the driver.

"How long do you expect it will take us?" he asked

"Oh, not long now. Look, there's the castle walls." informed the driver.

Kaflus focused his view into the distance, the city itself could barely be seen but the castle and giant sword glimmered in the sun light. Kalfus continued to stare down the road ahead, the land wasn't plain. Random rock formations, outlines of forests, paths and the odd animal populated the plateau. Kalfus immediately noticed smoke issuing a few hundred yards ahead.

"What's that!?" he pointed at the smoke.

"I don't know, possibly someone camping." replied the driver.

"…or someone in distress. Can we go any faster?" he asked.

"No Sir, the wagons are too heavy." she replied.

"Okay… Would I be able to take a Chocobo, actually we would need free…" he implied.

"No sir, we would be able to pull the wagons." she said.

"Damn! Okay, just drive as fast as you can and let me know when we are close." ordered Kalfus as he climbed back into the cabin. "Ricko, we may have a problem."

"What…?" he asked.

"There's some smoke ahead, possibly someone in distress." said Kalfus.

"Smoke… You sure it's just not a camp fire." said an unenthusiastic Ricko. He knew Kalfus would also jump down to the worst conclusion even though he meant well.

Kalfus looked on into the horizon and noticed the minuscule town wall of Alexandria. However, the castle and the sword monument were clearly visible and reflected the sun light for miles. Kaflus looked on further down the road, either side of the muddy path were random placements of rock and rough terrain. Small cliffs like hills were situated along the terrain, each only a ten-fifth teen feet high. Kalfus noticed some smoke rising behind the closest mound of rock; he climbed further onto the carriage to get a better look.

"Stop!" shouted the first carriages driver. The carriage stopped with a jolt. "Quick, Captain." she shouted again. From behind, the Captain ran passed Kalfus' carriage towards the driver; Kalfus jumped down and followed her up to the scene. Behind the rock was a destroyed carriage with number of dead humans and demi-humans. They appeared to be animal hunters.

"What happened here?" asked Kalfus

"It looks like they were attacked, maybe by some beasts." said the driver

"No," said the Captain. "These are sword wounds, they were attacked by humans."

"But who?" asked the driver.

"Most probably bandits, it's quite common for the them to attack people on the plains but they don't usually kill anybody." said Kaflus

"Unless of course the victims put up a fight." said the Captain.

"Well, they aren't holding any weapons. They were all stored away in the wagon." said Kalfus. He walked passed the scene, further behind the rock.

"Captain, what shall we do." asked the panic stricken driver.

"Wait a second, let me think." she said

"Can you go and get Ricko and Lionel from their carriages. Ask them to come over." asked Kaflus, the driver nodded walked off.

"Captain, I think the bandits may still be around. We need to be cautious." said Kaflus

"Really? Do you think they will attack?" she replied

Kalfus unsheathed his sword, walking around the scene he checked the bodies, there we four in total. Two humans, one hippo-human and one demi-human.

"That depends on how many bandits there are. This group was small and weren't prepared. We too are small but with are now prepared and have trained fighters." informed Kalfus

"What about these bodies? We need to get them back to there families. But these carriages are all full of food, we can't risk any type of contamination." said the Captain

"Your right, also we need to capture or kill these bandits. I don't like the idea of them running around free and able to commit such atrocities." implied Kalfus

"Okay, well we need to make sure this convoy arrives safely to Alexandria first and the children." said the Captain

"Of course, okay will ride on with you then come back with some reinforcements." said Kalfus

Ricko and Lionel finally appeared, Kalfus explained the situation and the plan to them both. The carriage continued its journey back but this time every available soldier was on alert outside the carriage.

"Where do you reckon the held up?" asked Lionel

"No idea." replied Kalfus, Ricko shook his head.

"Damn bandits, what's the point in it. I mean, life can be that hard if you have to murder to gain." said a frustrated Lionel

"They don't do it because they have too, they do it because they want too." said Ricko

The journey back was quiet, the bandits didn't attack so everything was fine. On entry to the city Kalfus and Lionel stayed at the gate while Ricko escorted the children back. After a small discussion with the city guard a small platoon of soldiers arrived, the were accompanied by two other Pluto Knights: Zeruff and Janus. After the men greeted each other they left the city towards the scene. With them was an empty wagon for the victims.

Arriving at the scene they noticed nothing had changed, some of the soldiers started to load the bodies and their remaining possessions into the wagon while the others watched out for any sign of trouble. Kalfus walked deeper into the plains, the small rock mounds stretched for miles. Kalfus slowly navigated through between the rocks, a small number of stones fell from above. Kalfus froze, stepping back he looked
up to see nothing there.

"Aaaaah", from behind a bandit charged at Kalfus with his sword raised, Kalfus turned in time to block his attacked. The bandit work ragged dark clothes and worn a black bandana with yellow insignia.

"Disarm yourself now and I will spare your life." ordered Kaflus.

"Ha-ha- spare my life? Your nothing but a boy!" shouted the Bandit as he charged again, Kaflus deflected his attack, knocked the bandit aside.

"My age doesn't affect my ability to fight, old man." he replied. "I suggest you surrender so we can settle this in a civilised way." said Kaflus

"What!? I spend the rest of my life in the dungeons? If would prefer to die, or better still I would prefer you to die!" he said as he attacked again, after three deflects the bandit back off.

"Quite the swordsman, but can you fight more than one." the bandit smiled.

"Wha-" three more bandits appeared from between the rocks. "So be it!" smirked Kaflus. The three new bandits attacked while the elder stayed back, Kalfus deflect to attacks from the first and slashed his sword down through his torso. The bandit fell to he ground. The second charged, Kalfus dodged him and thrust his sword through the bandits back. Pulling the sword out the bandit fell down to the ground. The third stood a few feet away, he hesitated his attack.

"Do you really want to do this?" asked Kaflus

"Attack him! KILL HIM!!" demanded the elder bandit.

The third bandit still hesitated, he was really young, Kalfus could see the fear on his face.

"I SAID KILL HIM!" the younger one finally approached, he swung his sword at Kalfus who simply deflected the attack.

"Don't do this!" said Kalfus. He attacked again, Kalfus deflected the attacked and knocked the boy aside, Kalfus swung again knocking the sword out of his hands and followed through with a punch to the face that knocked the boy out.

"AAHH" shouted the bandit as he charged; Kalfus deflected every attack with a stroke of arrogance and ease. The bandit continued to attack and slowly became tired while Kalfus remained at full strength. The bandit's anger increased and his attacks became strong; Kalfus still defended but didn't attack. He gathered this man was the leader and it would be best to keep him alive. Kalfus finally took the opportunity and knocked the sword from his hands, he raised the tip of the blade to his throat.

"Do you really want to die?" said Kalfus.

The bandit didn't reply straight away, he was trying to catch his breath. "No..." he replied.

"Fine, turn around and place your hands above your head." said Kaflus, he kicked the back of his legs and the bandit dropped to his knees. Kalfus sheathed his sword and took off the belt. He tied the bandit's hands together with the belt and then called for the others.

"Oh my, couldn't you have left some for us!" joked Zeruff.

"Are there anymore?" Lionel asked the prisoner.

"No, not here anyways..." he replied

"What you mean, not here?" questioned Lionel

"Ha-ha- I mean not here, not right now." he replied

"So, your troupe is bigger?" said Kalfus

"Yeah, but I isn't telling you nothing!" he spat

"Come on," said Lionel as he dragged the bandit away.

Kalfus walked towards the unconscious boy, Zeruff handed him some rope and he tied his hands. Both Kaflus and Zeruff carried the boy back to the wagon. They came back for the bodies and weapons and then left for the city.