Guardians of Enthia I - Chapter VIII
In which Alatricia gets Zeroi into an interesting predicament.
Zeroi and Alatricia left the safety of Eyrica's walls early in the morning, just as the sun was beginning to break. Most of the route out of Eyrica was well-paved, but the road Alatricia elected they turn down was on the less-trodden path, one of dirt road and heavy foliage from the forest. . As they began to enter the woods proper, Zeroi's senses were amplified as his hands grasped nervously at the dagger at his side.
"Stay close, Alatricia," he murmured, feeling the need to protect the Acadian princess.
Alatricia, much more calm, chuckled at the notion. "Relax, Zeroi. I've been out here plenty of times."
“For what possible reason?”
“Royal affairs. Now stay quiet and keep close to me.”
As they ventured further into the heart of the forest, the soft crunch of leaves beneath their feet was accompanied by an ominous silence that seemed to swallow up all other sounds. Darkness settled around them, casting eerie shadows that danced in the corners of their vision.
“I don’t feel good about this,” Zeroi whispered to his companion.
Alatricia shook her head. “Everything will be fine. Just, whatever you do… don’t freak out and make a mess.”
“What are you-”
Suddenly, the woods came alive with movement as an assortment of a dozen figures leapt from hidden perches, surrounding the pair. Their clothes were mostly haphazard and unique, but they did have one common identifier – a red bandana covering their mouth.
"Stand down!" barked one bandit, brandishing a curved sword menacingly.
Zeroi's hand instinctively reached for his dagger, his heart pounding in his ears. "My god, the Red Bandits… we’re done for…," he murmured frantically, fear taking hold of him.
Alatricia, however, remained strangely calm. She surveyed the bandits with a cool, unflinching gaze. As she looked on at the group, one of the bandits – a larger man appearing to be the leader – looked at her with widened eyes.
"L-Lady Alatricia?" he gasped, recognizing her. A murmur of surprise rippled through the group.
“My companion and I are here to see Reydal,” She spoke with some authority. “I’m sure you’ll be willing to take us to the Everreds?”
The bandits looked at each other, unsure what to do. The leader nodded his head. "I’m sure you are well aware, my lady, that trespassing among the everreds is still forbidden. We'll have to take you back by blindfold."
“No issue to us,” Alatricia turned to Zeroi. “Isn’t that right?”
Zeroi, still sweating, nervously nodded his head. “O-Of course!”
Two of the bandits walked up to them, putting blindfolds tightly around their eyes. As they were led by the bandits carefully through the forest, Zeroi couldn't help but wonder at Alatricia's composure. "Why aren't you scared?" he whispered. "We're completely at their mercy."
"Trust me, everything will be fine," she replied cryptically. "Reydal and I… share a history."