Warrior Of Light [Complete/Editing]

Chapter Nineteen - Part One

The bandits moved at a leisurely sort of trot, knowing they could outrun their fleeing prey. They outnumbered the refugees and had the advantage of horses and weapons.

As chaos continued amid Jich's elves, Torben moved toward their cruel leader.

"Jich, you must regain order among your companions that we may plan against these bandits."

Rather than responding, the roth turned his mount to face the thundering approach of Lemnor upon his bay gelding.

"Jich! We're trapped."

"What? How?"

Lemnor drew close and, through gasping breaths, gave an explanation.

"Ahead... a drop. Maybe fifty meters or so. Mostly straight down, but there's rocks all the way to the base."

Joenek watched Jich's face transform from its usual glower, to an expression of panic and contempt.

"No...it cannot be."

"Father – er – Jich, there's only one spot where we might be able to escape."

"Then you must show me, so we can use it to flee from these vagabonds."

"But..."

"What is it?"

Lemnor looked ill. Swallowing, the son continued.

"We'll have to leave the supplies, behind. The path is too narrow."

"Then so be it." Jich growled. "Show me."

"Wait, that's not all."

"Enough, you accursed fool. We don't have time for your rothnak-ly worries. Show me where this path is."

Without waiting for Lemnor, Jich began trotting in the direction his son had come from. Torben grabbed the lad by the arm, before he could follow his father.

"What troubles you about this path?"

"It's steep; too steep to move with speed of any kind. We'll all be slaughtered, or else fall to our deaths."

With a solemn expression, Lemnor wheeled his horse about and loped after Jich.

Torben turned and, upon seeing Joenek and Edileth, called them over. As they neared, he spoke with haste.

"I need you to gather everyone and lead them to the path that Lemnor has found. Leave the supply wagon where it is and send the others on their way. While Jich's company is making its escape, we shall hold off these raiders."

Joenek felt skeptical of their chances but said nothing of his reservations. With haste, he followed Edileth and they moved toward the panicking elves. As they neared the others, Joenek began calling out to them, pointing to where Jich and Lemnor were stopped.

"That way, go over there!"

Eyes wide with fear and the certainty of death looming over them, the elves fled to where Joenek and Edileth were directing them.

There came a sudden, deep rumbling as the supply wagon lumbered over uneven terrain and jostled the frightened driver about. The great mule lifted his head in the air, his eyes rolling about, seeming to sense the terror that had spread through the elves. He let loose a long, wailing bray as he ran head-long toward the two elves.

"Look out!" Joenek shouted, starting to grab for Edileth, to pull her out of the way.

However, before he could gain a hold of her, the blonde leaped before the charging mule with a firm "whoah," holding her hands in the air. The dappled grey nearly sat on his haunches, as he avoided trampling the blonde, and then shifted to the left to move around her. As he did so, Edileth took one long, leaping stride toward the beast and slung her body onto the mule's back.