Act 3: Into the Maelstrom

The sun was slowly sinking behind the horizon as three fugitives walked on the long road. It has been many hours since they escaped from the city, and of course, the three were all extremely tired. Dust and sweat that covered them didn't help either.

Lena suddenly stopped.

"Where are we supposed to go, exactly?"

Alyce and Evan looked clueless as well.

"Well, milady, my suggestion is to try and go to another city within the kingdom. We might be safe for the moment there, wouldn't we?"

Evan spoke up. Alyce frowned.

"But isn't it too risky? After all, the revolution spread rather quickly. There is no saying we will not encounter another wave of those militias."

"I didn't ask for your opinion, you fat-face."

"Who are you calling fat-face, you freaking dolt!"

Alyce and Evan then began to scuffle and pound each other up. Lena, unable to restrain her subjects, sighed and looked on the map that she brought along.

She saw that the nearest city was Wellest, a small city about eight miles away. She realized that they could not make it to the city today, but saw that there was a small village in between, in a mile's walk. Though Lena wasn't sure whether these Rionists were in control there, she decided to try her luck.

"We're heading for Wellest. But we should stop by at the nearby village."

"Yes, milady, we are at your service," said Alyce and Evan, both of them having received a black eye each.

It was almost dark when they finally saw the village entrance. It was quite small, but strangely, she could not see anyone wandering about. Curtains were drawn in the windows, and lights were all off. Warily, the trio ventured in, slowly walking down the road.

"Do you think something happened here?"

Lena whispered.

"Perhaps, milady. Let us not lower our guards."

Alyce barely said it when suddenly there was a sharp whistle call. As quick as flash, doors opened, shouts went up, windows lit up, and the next thing they knew, a ring of angry-looking peasants surrounded them, holding crude weapons such as pitchforks. Lena and her subjects drew their weapons, ready for fight.

"You ain't getting anything from us, brigands!"

An angry shout went up from the crowd, and wave of hostile murmurings arose.

"Why you- wait. Brigands? How dare you call us brigands? We are from the capital!"

Evan snarled. The crowd looked stupefied, and looked at each other. Then an old man suddenly came from the crowd. He squinted at the three fugitives, and suddenly let out a cry of fear. Turning, he whacked his cane at the villagers.

"Idiots, idiots, idiots! This is the princess herself, you morons! You just insulted her! You all should have looked before you made your move!"

Panicked, the crowd suddenly knelt before Lena and her entourage. The old man bowed.

"I am terribly sorry, your highness. I am the elder of this village, and I will be responsible for this mess. We have mistaken you for brigands! Please, we will take whatever punishment you give us."

Lena smiled.

"It's all right. We have been through a lot more tougher things before."

"Oh, I heard the capital has been wrecked. We all gravely feared for your safety, princess."

"Well, I am here now."

Lena laughed.

"Thank you, your highness. You all must be famished. Please, come this way. We will prepare you food, supplies, and places to rest."

"And some hay for my horse, too!"

Evan added as they followed the elder.

The meal was small compared to what Lena used to eat in the palace, but she didn't care. She was even grateful that they did get something to eat. Alyce and Evan sat with her around the table, eating as well.

"I am sorry that the meals are not so good, your highness. Since the brigands appeared, supplies have been getting short in here."

The elder approached.

"Brigands? Here in Meticia?"

Lena asked, surprised.

"Aye, they have been raiding the village for many weeks, milady."

A voice came from the door. A young teen stood there. He had a smooth red hair, with a bandana around it. His eyes were blue, and he was wearing pants, sandals, a cloth shirt, and a jacket. Right now, he held an iron bow in one hand and a dead deer over the other shoulder.

"Ah, this is my grandson, Ronald. He just came from hunting in the forest."

"I heard you were here in the house, princess. I am honored by your presence."

Ronald bowed, and Lena smiled and greeted back.

"Have you been fighting back at all?"

Evan asked. The elder sighed.

"We have endured much, but those scumbags threatened to burn down the entire village tonight. We haven't seen them yet, but we are ready to fight at last."

"Those men will regret that they ever set foot in our village!"

Ronald growled, stringing his bow.

"Ever since those heretics Rionists raided the capital, we have not known peace. All we can do is to pray. Without order and law, brigands roam freely."

"Then you are not Rionists?"

Lena asked. Elder shook his head.

"No, princess. All we believe is the goodness in the forces of the light."

Lena was silent for the moment, and then suddenly spoke.

"We shall help you in defense against the brigands."

The elder looked surprised.

"Really, milady?'

"I will never tolerate this act that threatens my people. As much as we nobles are given, that much responsibility we shall bear for the nation."

"We are with you, milady."

"Me, too!"

Alyce, Evan, and Ronald spoke.

Elder bowed.

"We are blessed by your presence milady. We are so grateful."

Soon, the party prepared for battle. Lena found an armory in the village, and with the blue gem she had, purchased an iron sword for herself and an iron lance for Evan. At a shop, she bought four potions, including Ronald's. The villagers flocked to their princess, hope gleaming in their eyes.

"All men who are capable of fighting, please bear arms with us!"

Evan called out, and men cheered, waving their knives and pitchforks.

"I. too, shall assist in your cause."

A gentle voice sounded through the crowd, and a man stepped forward. He was a delicate-looking man with a pale-blonde hair that reached to his shoulders, brown eyes, and a pale skin. He was wearing a robe, signifying him as a clergyman.

Lena lit up.

"A clergy…Are you an acolyte, good sir?"

"Well…actually no. I am merely a healer, but I will be able to heal your wounds should you get hurt. My name is Lester. I was visiting the village for medical aid from Wellest."

Evan shook his hand vigorously.

"Thank you for your assistance, Master Lester."

"Ow, Ow! Not so hard, please!"

Lester grimaced.

Suddenly, there was a shout from the edge of the village.

"The brigands are coming!"

"To your positions!'

Lena shouted as she drew her sword. She and Alyce would be defending the northern part of the village, while Evan and Ronald would take the southern entrance. Lester (Healer, Lv.2) would stand in between, going back and forth.

Lena gazed into the darkness. She could make out dim forms emerging from the night, howling and roaring, brandishing their weapons. Brigands had axes, and there were some bow-users as well. She tightened her grip on her sword.

Ronald (Hunter, Lv. 2) notched his first arrow and let loose. A Brigand shouted in pain and swore as the arrow embedded itself in his shoulder. Suddenly, they charged.

In both entrances, defenders and the bandits clashed. Hacking through with their axes, the brigands cut down some villagers, but Evan kept his cool with his sword ready. He parried a blow from a brigand and cut his arm, and stabbed him through the neck. His horse meanwhile kicked and trampled whoever dared to approach her. All the while, Ronald let loose an arrow after another. Suddenly, he felt a hand axe fly by, cutting his arm deeply. He fell, grimacing.

"Here you go!"

Lester approached him quickly and muttered some incantations, and his staff emitted some light that instantly healed Ronald. He got back up, smiling.

"Thanks, Mister Lester!"

"You're welco-Ah!"

A bandit suddenly seemed to have decided that Lester was an easier target, and swung his axe at him. The healer fell backwards, cowering. Quickly, Ronald shot an arrow at the attacker at a point-blank range, severing his head.

On the other side of the village, fighting was much fiercer. Lena had parried blows and cut down many men, but there seemed to be always more. Alyce, who was caring to knock out the archers with her javelin, looked as if she was about to collapse. Suddenly, a hand axe flew and hit her on the side of her head. Alyce fell, unconscious. (Not dead!)

"Alyce!"

Lena barely had time to look after her companion, for another bandit lunged at her. Thankfully, a villager intercepted him and stabbed him with a pitchfork. Lester ran towards them and dragged Alyce out from the fighting.

"Hiyahh!"

Lena let out a cry and stabbed once more into another enemy.

Meanwhile…

"Boss, we are out of men! The villagers and the outsiders are tough!"

A brigand goon reported to his burly leader.

"Arr, those incompetent fools! I will teach them how to fight!"

Grabbing his steel axe, he charged.

Lena panted as she took down the last brigand she saw. Things seemed quite bad. Alyce was still out, Evan looked as if he was about to fall from his horse, and Ronald looked half-dead. Only Lester, who was running around and tending to the wounded, looked least harmed. Lena took out her last potion and gulped it down.

Suddenly, he heard a wild war cry. She saw the biggest brigand, with a steel axe, charging at her. She ducked and stabbed, but the brigand still attacked. Desperately, she plunged the sword deeper into his belly, who grunted with pain. Nevertheless, he raised his axe and prepared to take a final blow. Taking the last drop of strength left in her, Lena cut upwards, leaving a huge and deep cut from the brigand's belly to his neck.

The man staggered and fell, with his death gurgle. The remaining villagers, with pitchforks and knives, finished the job.

The princess felt so tired. She sat against the wall of a house and let out a long breath. This has been a hard battle, Lena thought. Will she have to face many perils like these in the future? She didn't know. All she wanted now was a drink of water.

How was that? If you find some problems, please do not hesitate to make a comment about it!

Note: More classes! Remember, I may not be using all of them in this story!

-Unicorn Rider: A unicorn-riding healer with high evasion rate.

-Slayer: An advanced knight who has attack bonus against demons and beasts.