Chapter Two
"Ai-oi! Baruk Khazâd! Khazâd ai-mênu!" Gimli shouted with a fierce cry. Wielding his trusty axe, he charged down at them on Heglas.
The bandits froze for a moment and stood staring at the strange sight of a lone stout figure charging down upon them on a steed. A Dwarf? Whoever has heard of a Dwarf riding on a horse?
This split second distraction was sufficient for Legolas and Fitwit to act. Legolas let loose his arrows in quick successions, too fast for mortal eyes to see and four bandits fell dead. Figwit fell two more with his sword. Everard and Lady Eodrea seized their chances and took down two each. The last two, Gimli hewn off their heads with his mighty axe.
"Well down, Gimli!" Figwit praised him.
"Ah, I could have done better if I was on my stout feet than being borne by this great beast. I would have done more than shave the scalps of these thieves!" Gimli said.
"Still, we three owe our lives to you. You came to us in our hour of need." Eodrea said and she bowed low.
While Eodrea explained to them what had happened, Legolas noticed the blonde woman whom Everard was tending to.
"Who is she, Lady Eodrea?" Legolas asked and all of them turned towards Callysta.
"She is Lady Callysta of the House of Galathor." Eodrea said.
House of Galathor? It is a strange name, I have not heard of it before, Legolas thought but he kept his thoughts to himself.
"Poor dear, two misfortunes with the rogues in a day. It must be a real shock for her." Eodrea said, shaking her head.
Of course, Callysta was shocked. Everything had gone awry too fast and she had no time to react. Now, she watched in helpless horror at the dead bodies of her fellow bandits. What was she going to do? A held captive in enemy territory. There is only one way about it. To play along-her life depended upon it.
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The rogues have observed the carriage for a long time. It seemed like an easy target. A lady travelling all alone with a single driver. Therefore, they laid the trap for her. Callysta was to be the bait. Her job description was clear and simple. She was to pretend that she had been robbed, try to invoke their sympathy and lure them to their ambush site by pretending that she felt sick. Everything was going as planned, until the arrival of the three uninvited guests.
This is so bad, she thought, Ceren is going to be real mad.
Ceren was the leader of the band and he was a hard and tough man to deal with. She decided that he was the last thing she should worry about. If her new 'saviours' find out that she's one of the rogues, she would have signed her death warrant.
Well, you ought to be glad. You have always wanted to escape this wretched life of a rogue and now here's your chance! A little voice spoke up in her head.
Yes, but not like this! They would kill me if they found out who I really am. Callysta argued with herself.
Then don't let them! Use your wits, Callysta!
"Lady Callysta?" She heard Eodrea called her name. She looked up and saw the kind woman smiling down at her. She gulped.
"Hhhmmm?" Callysta tried to keep her voice steady.
"Let's go." Eodrea said and Callysta allowed herself to be led into the carriage once more.
Legolas watched her warily. There was something amiss about that girl and he felt a sense of foreboding swept over him, yet he could not pinpoint what it was.