Crest of the Strongest Knight

Chapter 102 - Holding the Line

"Four to the left!"

"Watch that spear!"

Medrauta and Riku shouted to one another in unison as enemies approached the carriage from almost every conceivable angle. Ducking low, Medrauta dug her knees into the sides of her mount, urging the horse forward as she allowed a spear to fly over her head.

The spear hissed as it split the air, the sound of its passage alerting Medrauta to its departure, allowing her to recover just in time to parry an incoming blow from a mounted rider that she quickly cut down.

A quick glance to her side told her that Riku had dealt with the four soldiers that had dared mount an attack on his flank, their riderless horses standing aimlessly still as if a testament to the speed of his bladework.

Just a few moments ago, Medrauta and Riku had both determined that it would be a far better idea for them to commandeer the horses instead of staying on the box seat and hoping for the best. Though neither of the knights specialized in mounted combat, their combined skill at arms more than made up for that.

While their escape was progressing in a largely successful manner so far, it was clear they had only been able to get so far due to the fact that their initial pursuers were mere footsoldiers. Now that the cavalry was catching up, things would start getting a lot more dicey, especially if they decided to start attacking the carriage itself.

"At least they don't have archers..." Medrauta muttered as she eyed an approaching unit of cavalry. There were around five or so men in the oncoming group, but their poise betrayed them as mere soldiers, allowing Medrauta to relax slightly.

"The spears aren't doing us any favors though," Riku remarked just as three were thrown his way. One of them flew wide, but the remaining two were eerily accurate, forcing him to lean to the side in order to dodge them.

"Their horses just finished a patrol, so we shouldn't have to hold on for much longer." Medrauta said as she readied herself to deal with the first of the soldiers who bravely urged their steed toward her. "We'll just need to—"

Medrauta stopped in surprise as a black-feathered arrow buried itself in a gap of the soldier's armor, causing the man to slide off his saddle even as he cried out in pain. Within a heartbeat, four more arrows shot through the air and pierced their marks.

"V-Viviane! What are you doing!?" Medrauta exclaimed as she whirled around, her expression fraught with worry. "Get back in the carriage!"

"I can fight!" Viviane protested. "There's way too many of them and I'm not letting you do this alone, Medrauta!"

The carriage door was halfway open, the noblewoman leaning through it as she nocked another arrow to her bow and fired at one of the approaching riders yet again, felling them from their saddle with ease. Her accuracy was uncanny despite the awkward position that she was being forced to shoot from.

Medrauta clicked her tongue in annoyance. She was worried a stray spear might find its mark in her lady's now-exposed upper body, but Viviane was right. An archer would give them an overwhelming advantage in their escape attempt, especially one as freakishly accurate as Viviane.

"Alright..." Medrauta begrudgingly agreed. "But I won't be able to jump in front of you this time so... Please prioritize your own safety, Viviane."

Viviane nodded, responding to her knight even as she loosed three more arrows within the span of a second, each of them finding their targets with ease. "Got it! Don't worry about me, Medrauta!"

Despite the impressive number of saddles that Viviane was emptying with her arrows, the cavalry forces pursuing the carriage still seemed to pour toward them incessantly as they sought to overtake and surround the vehicle before it could gain any more distance.