I do not own.
Sarah sat with her arms crossed. One finger tapped impatiently as she stared at her blanket. Finally, her door opened.
"Okay, one tuna fish sandwich with chocolate milk." Rex announced holding a tray of food.
"Yeah, yeah, thanks. Can we get back to the story, please?" She put the tray to the side.
"Sure, sure, but your dad says you have to eat something." Rex picked up the book. "Where was I?"
"The chase scene." Sarah leaned in.
Rex started reading, " 'The names' Senarius.' He called back. 'And do you know how to handle a sword?' 'I can use a shepherd's staff.' Roy answered."
"No! Not that chase scene… the caravan and the riders from Baratrum." Sarah reminded him.
"Oh," Rex flipped a few pages ahead. "Here we are. Hey, at least take a bite of that sandwich. I don't want your dad yelling at me."
"Fine." Sarah bit the corner of the sandwich.
After Rex made sure she was eating, he continued.
0o0
The people in the caravan were jostled around as the caravan careened down the road.
They tried to grab onto the stationary furniture to steady themselves. Bofer poked his head out the side window.
"They're gaining." He sounded panicked. When he pulled his head back, his pupils were dilated wide. "I'm not going to be their prisoner again!"
"We were treated poorly." Siren said softly. "They tortured him to make him to get those orbs. That's how he lost his eye."
"I won't go back. I'd rather die first." He snarled.
"Calm yourself, Bofer. I promise that you both will be safe." Roy said confidently.
"Be careful promising things you can't keep, little brother." Conrad reminded him.
The caravan jumped suddenly when it lurched to one side.
"What happened?" Reselda asked.
"We're about to lose the wheel!" Bofer yelled.
Roy stuck his head out. He saw the damaged wheel about to come off. He saw arrows headed in their direction.
"Look out." He pushed Bofer in but he couldn't get himself in on time. The arrow pierced his shoulder and into the window frame. Crying out in pain, Roy yanked the arrow out to free himself. He collapsed onto the floor.
They crowded around him to check on him.
Reselda gasped. The wound in Roy's shoulder started to close.
"Amazing. The wound has been healed." Conrad poked around his brother shoulder. "I think we have found one of the side effects."
"One? Is there more?" Roy squeaked.
"Well, you are now host to a powerful magical item." Reselda told him. "Anything can happen."
The caravan jostled again and the passengers were thrown around.
"They're getting closer. We can't outrun them." Siren said. She left the rest unsaid.
Roy could feel Siren and Bofer's anxiety. He gritted his teeth wishing there was something he could do.
"Roy, something's happening." Reselda said in awe.
Roy looked down at his hands. They were glowing blue.
"I'm feeling a little strange." Roy said as the blue spread all over. Everyone stepped back.
Outside Senarius did an admirable job avoiding the arrows aimed at him while not losing speed. When the back wheel was taken out, the caravan slowed down. He could see riders flanking the caravan. One rider broke off from the pack and tried to grab the side of the caravan. Senarius pulled on the reigns to make the horses veer to the side then quickly moved them back. The momentum caused the caravan to swerve into the rider. The horse and rider fell by the wayside. Unfortunately, that maneuver almost caused the caravan to tip over because of the broken wheel. He knew he couldn't do that again.
That didn't leave him with a whole lot of options.
More riders appeared. They began grabbing the sides of the caravan pulling themselves onto the top. He drew his sword ready to fight them off. Suddenly, the roof of the caravan seemingly exploded in shower of splintered wood knocking the invaders off. After the debris settled, Senarius saw a figure with his back turned to him standing with giant war hammers instead of hands.
"Roy?" He asked hesitantly.
The figure turned his head. It was Roy but his eyes were white and blue lines circumvented his face.
"Roy, watch out!" Senarius warned him as arrows came his way.
Using his war hammers he clumsily blocked them.
"We need our own crossbows." Senarius noted. To his surprise Roy's hands changed into crossbows. Blue arrows shot from his hands. Instead of puncturing the knights' armors it stunned them off their horses. But Roy's aim was poor hitting more trees than their attackers.
Senarius wondered what else the boy can do. "We need to get them off our backs."
Roy thought a moment before taking a running jump. As he was in the air, his legs morphed into horse's legs. He was now a centaur. His arms changed into maces. Senarius kept the caravan going until he could no longer see the army. Pulling the caravan to a stop, he hopped off. Pulling the caravan door open, he checked on the passengers.
"Bofer! Can you drive this caravan?" He asked.
"Can birds fly?" He scoffed.
"What's going on? Where's Roy?" Reselda asked.
"Roy is holding the army back. I'm going to help Roy. I want you to take the princess to the safe location." He said.
"I'm going with you." Siren said.
Senarius looked at her skeptically.
"You saw what I can do! I can handle myself." Siren said angrily.
"I want to come too." Conrad said.
"No, you're better protecting the princess. You're magic isn't strong enough." Senarius said. "We will meet up at the safe house and decide our next step."
"Where are we going?" Bofer asked him.
"In about 2 leagues heading northward, is the Kingdom of Gehenna." He said.
Bofer's eyes widened. "Gehenna? That place is cursed!"
"Tell them Senarius from Zenbakia sent you." He said. "You will get safe passage."
Bofer looked unconvinced.
"Trust me." He looked at Reselda.
She was taken aback for a second until she realized, even though they had just met. She did trust him.
"All right." She agreed.
"You're the boss." Bofer went out.
"Take care of Roy." Conrad told him.
"I will." Senarius then ran off followed by Siren.
The caravan started moving. Reselda watched as they disappeared over the horizon.
"Be careful." She whispered.
Updating for a special day. Happy Cinco de Mayo or Revenge of the Fifth (Sith). Be safe and well.