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THE HOOD
Chapter Five – Ambush!
They had been travelling since dawn's first light, with the intention of stopping overnight at the Inn of Galbadia and then a final full days ride to the Castle at Dollet. Full of confidence that the eight soldiers escorting the party from 'Balamb Garden House', would indeed deter any thieves and bandits. They had already travelled though the Galbadia Wood not more than seven days ago. The only difference being that the journey had started from Deling with a stop at Galbadia and then finished at Balamb.
The formation of the party had been the same. Two soldiers in the front leading the way. Next behind them rode two men. The first being Captain Nida Baines and the other, Seifer Almasy the notorious Sheriff of Balamb. Dressed as always in his usual finery. His smock and pants were of the deepest crimson, a colour he loved as it hid the blood of the people that had crossed him these last few years. Over his shoulders he wore a dark navy riding cloak, giving the impression more to nobility than that of a Sheriff. However, the thing that stood out more was not his cropped slick blonde hair, but the gold chain of office that hung around his neck for all to see. An arrogant and loathsome man to say the least.
Two more soldiers followed next in the formation. Their duty was plain and simple. Protect the Sheriff at all cost. This they believed was an easy task, for no one would dare attack a man that would hang a complete family for pleasure.
Following them came two female riders. One of them a Lady in the true sense of the word. For she was the daughter of a Deling Lord. A young woman of immense beauty. Her long ebony coloured hair tied back with a simple silk ribbon of the palest blue. A fringe, which hid her heart shaped face. But not hiding her fair complexion or eyes of the darkest brown. Her delicate frame was covered with a long pale blue silk dress, which matched the ribbon in her hair and the slippers similar to ballet shoes of today on her feet. Lastly a cream coloured cloak rested over her shoulders. Beside her rode her lady in waiting. Although she was more a surrogate mother to her Ladyship, especially after she lost her real mother at the age of five. She was a middle-aged woman of similar build to that of Milady. Her face and complexion did not betray her age. However, the few streaks of grey now appearing in her platted dark hair divulged the truth. She was dressed in a simple cream coloured linen dress and shoes that matched. Her riding cloak was that of chestnut brown.
Behind the two women followed a cart drawn by a single horse. It carried a trunk of clothes belonging to both her Ladyship and her lady in waiting. A few well chosen provisions to be consumed, if needed on the journey. Kegs of ale and wine, which were gifts from the sheriff to Prince Norg. Lastly was a small but heavy locked trunk. The contents unknown to all but the sheriff and his captain.
Finally, the last four riders that completed the formation, were soldiers instructed to protect the contents of the cart.
As they entered the tree lined track that marked the start of Galbadia Wood. They did not see the man on watch hidden in the trees fire a single arrow, signalling their presence. Travelling deeper into the wood at a walking pace, as it was impossible to take the cart through any faster. The party from Balamb continued its journey, oblivious to the pairs of eyes that were now watching and waiting.
They didn't see or hear the two arrows fired from the trees ahead of them. Nor did the two soldiers that were hit cry out. For the moment that they had realised they had been struck in the heart with an arrow. Their mouths filled with the blood of their last breath, choking any possible call for help.
The horses still carried their dead riders, but only for a short while. Not more than ten paces had they travelled before the momentum eventually caused the deceased to fall. As the two soldiers slumped and fell to the ground, time stopped for the travelling party.
Captain Nida after seeing two of his soldiers fall off their horses and then the remains of an arrow protruding out of one of the men's chest. He quickly checked the way ahead and caught a glimpse of a man brandishing a bow just ahead of them in the bushes. Calling forward two of the soldiers that were protecting the contents of the cart as he pointed ahead in the direction of the man he had seen.
"After that man!" He shouted.
Seeing the two soldiers advance towards him. The man broke cover enough to be seen heading away from the track and into the trees. When the soldiers had reached the place the running man had disappeared into, they had spied him just a short distance ahead through a thicket. Unable to follow on horseback, the soldiers quickly dismounted and gave chase on foot. Their swords drawn at the ready. Their quarry was now less than five paces away, almost within reach. As he tried to shake his pursuers by weaving left then right. However, each time he changed his direction only brought the two soldiers chasing him ever closer.
"Got you!"
Said one of the soldiers as they finally grabbed and pinned the running man to a tree. They didn't see the two men approach them from behind. But they did feel the blow to the back of their heads, as they were knocked unconscious.
Meanwhile, the Sheriffs party waited for the soldiers return. It was obvious to all of them that the Sheriff was annoyed. The scowl on his face forming at the mere fact that someone had dared to delay his journey and for that he would personally disembowel them.
The Sheriff snarled, "What's keeping those imbeciles?"
Looking first at the Sheriff and then back up the track. Captain Nida at last saw the two soldiers escorting the man towards them.
"They have him sir!" He said.
The Sheriffs scowl turned to a sneer.
As the soldiers approached with their prisoner, the Sheriff dismounted his horse and strode towards them.
"Let's see who we have under that hood" stated the Sheriff.
As he raised his arm, the soldier on the left of the prisoner quickly released his hold of him and grabbed the Sheriff's arm instead.
"What the?" said the Sheriff, as he looked first at the hand on his arm and then at the face of the soldier.
"No one touches 'The Hood', said the soldier."
As the soldier on the right handed the man in the hood a sword.
Seeing the man grab hold of the Sheriff, Captain Nida started to remove his sword, as he turned round to order the solders behind him
"It's an ambush!…. Rescue the Sher…"
He stopped mid-sentence, as immediately behind him sat two men on horseback brandishing bows. Even the last two soldiers that had been protecting the cart had long since departed back towards Balamb. They were completely surrounded.
"I suggest that you re-sheath your sword", said the hooded man.
Replacing his sword Captain Nida asked, "Who are you?"
"They call me 'The Hood' ", replied Squall
"But my name is not your concern. However, we, that is my friends and I, have a few questions that we wish to ask you."
Two of Irvine's men pulled the Captain off his horse and removed his sword. His hands were then tied followed by a sack being placed over his head. They spun him round several times to disorient him, before they led him into the trees. Performing the same ritual on the Sheriff, he too was led away.
As Squall approached the two women, he noticed something strangely familiar about the young dark haired woman. Shaking the feeling aside, he said
"Please do not be afraid, for we will not harm you and that you have my word. However, we must escort you to our camp and for that we must ask you to cover your eyes."
"Surely, you do not expect Milady to have a sack placed on her head?" Asked her lady in waiting.
With a sharp intake of breath, her ladyship said "Please Edea it does not matter."
"I would not dream of putting a lady through such an ordeal. Perhaps as an alternative I could ask you both to pull the hood from your cloaks over your heads?" Squall suggested.
"Thank you, that would be acceptable. Edea your cloak." Said Milady as she pulled up her hood..
Back at the camp Sheriff Siefer and Captain Nida had been tied in the same fashion to that of Squall and Zell when they had first been captured by Irvine's outlaw band. Guiding the two women to the far side of the camp Squall said
"You may remove your hood now Milady."
"Thank you", she replied as she pulled the hood back.
Once removed, she got her first glimpse of the camp. The campfire in the centre already burning with a large iron cook pot placed on top. A man who was adding root vegetables to it was stirring its contents. She saw the logs placed around the fire, where they obviously would sit to enjoy their food as well as the warmth it would bring.
"Allow me to assist you from your horse" said Squall as he extended her his hand.
"Thank you" said Milady as she proceeded to remove her feet from the stirrups of the sidesaddle.
Looking to see where she was going to put her feet and get down from the horse.
Squall said "If you will allow me to lift you down Milady, for we have no step."
It was an un-orthodox idea, but as she had no other choice she accepted his offer by saying
"Very well"
Squall said "Please place your hand on my right shoulder and use me as your support."
As soon as she had placed her hand as he had suggested. He gently placed his hands around her waist as she leaned against him and naturally placed her other hand on his left shoulder for balance. He lifted her clear of the horse, their bodies lightly touching. Which sent a tingle of excitement through her as he placed her on the ground. She blushed as she gave her thanks. Although Squalls face was hidden by his hood, it did not hide the fact that he felt his heart rate increase from her closeness. He found himself observing her closely. Following every curve of her body and always coming back to her beautiful face. He wondered why on earth would she be travelling with a man like the Sheriff? Where was she going? He would ask these questions later as he wanted to speak to Irvine and then the Sheriff.
Squall turned to his comrade and saw that he had already assisted Edea the Lady in waiting from her horse. He walked the short distance to him and said
"Zell stay here and protect them. Make sure they are comfortable. I am going to speak to 'The Archer' and then I will have words with the Sheriff."
Zell nodded in agreement.
Milady on hearing the conversation thought this was very strange indeed. She was thinking
'Why had this hooded man requested that this man Zell protect them? Protect them from what exactly? Surely they needed protection from all of these outlaws! Still she did not expect the Sheriff and his men to defend them for they were nothing to him. Why did things turn out this way?'