Chapter 34.2

With most of her focus still on enhancing her horse, trying to get back as soon as possible, it took Eirwen far too long before she could properly sense her people. There were more injuries, serious ones, but none fatal. And in front of them, several bandits already laid injured or dead. The rest of the bandits were in a defensive formation as well, trying to protect their flanks.

Noticing a fallen archer with a dagger in the side of his neck, Eirwen caught on to what was going on. Fang had attacked them and killed one, while her knights were now organised enough to rebuff the attackers. That had caused the bandits to now be on the defensive, trying to figure out what to do, knowing fleeing now would get more of them killed.

They had caused injuries, but the healers were at work, and even the most exhausted knights could still hold up a Verglassed blade and block a few attacks with a Carraig Defence. And all of the knights now showing this unified skill set, made very clear to the bandits that they had completely misread the situation. They weren't facing some guides and a symbolic personal guard, they were facing a group prepared for war.

Her senses were close enough to be able to overhear the bandits. "Come on, Fang, don't be unreasonable. Just move aside and we'll leave. It's not worth the risk to fight us, not when we can take you down fast." He was clearly looking for an opening to either attack or flee, but Fang was hiding from his senses, so he had no idea where the next attack could come from. "Besides, you should be helping Red and your new boss, why waste time on us?"

He silently cursed when he finally realised Eirwen was returning. Didn't stop him from trying. "Red is by himself, are you sure he'll be fine? He's rusty, isn't he?" That man really knew too much, yet too little at the same time, switching his target to Eirwen as she dismounted at a safe distance. "How about it, kind lady? If you let us leave, you can still make it up the hill in time to save Red."

She didn't speak as she took her position in the frontline, allowing Rook to fall back and get treatment for a couple of flesh wounds. No words from anyone else either, just holding the line and making sure nobody escaped their notice. The fake smile on the bandit leader's face faltered at the sight of that, finally realising she wasn't just a pretty foolish lady on an adventure.

Just as he was about to speak again, clearly having decided on a new tactic, a burst from mana flew down the hillside. The man gulped and held up his shield, enhancing it with what seemed like a rather decent version of the Carraig Defence. "Now, Red, let's be reasonable! Ju-"

Red launched himself forward, flying past at a speed far exceeding even the best enhanced horse could manage. The man's technique wasn't bad, at the level of a typical decent Carraig knight, which made it likely that was his origin. Against a normal Verglassed blade, it would have barely held against a thrust, while properly withstanding a slash. But he faced the man who had cut off his father's head with his bare hands. With an excellent greatsword in hand, he had never stood a chance. Not even Ailbe would have been able to stop this cut.

Shield, sword, torso, all were cleanly cut in two. And Red simply continued against the others, while Eirwen and her group also stepped forward. Even if this group of bandits were at the level of knights, they stood no chance against Eirwen's personal guard. Injured and exhausted, their techniques and teamwork still gave them the upper hand. Their enemies realised real quickly that they had no chance.

There were those that lunged forward, ready to die a heartbeat sooner if it meant at least taking someone with them. But the knights made good use of their defensive techniques to take those hits, rotating with others once they no longer had the energy for it. As for those who ran, their backs exposed, Verglassed arrows cut straight through their hearts.

Two begged for mercy, and while it made the Verglas knights falter, the mountain guides cut them down without any hesitation. In war, that was simply not the way to go, surrenders being accepted. But here in the mountains, the rules were different. They had come willing to murder, so there was no way to trust their surrenders. The only mercy they received was a quick death.

With all enemies confirmed dead, those still able immediately began observing their surroundings, scouting for any threats. The others collapsed, letting the healers take care of their injuries. Eirwen and Red joined them, even though they had no injuries, just pure exhaustion from pushing themselves so far.

From the ground, he gave out his orders. "Forget the scouts. Check whether the giants give away too much, if so, conceal it. Search the bandits for stolen goods and get their horses and wagons. Divide their bodies over the carriages and wagons, cover up the bodies in the wagons to conceal exactly how they died."

He paused for confirmation, then continued. "Once that all is done and we're rested enough, we need to ride to the fort. With our delays, we likely will arrive around nightfall. We'll meet with the warden to recruit his aid, so we can hide how we won the fight, but still get considered justified. Otherwise we'll either get considered aggressors, or be forced to reveal our real identities. At that point, it will be much harder to figure out what's going on here."

Fang walked up with a frown on her face. "You're not just hiding from the people, are you? You're hiding from the giants. You don't want them to realise you're back. But don't you think you soloing one won't draw their attention?"

He smiled and brought forth a brief materialisation of Fang, not in full detail but still able to tap his shoulder with a sword. "Anyone investigates, they'll still find your tracks, and an enemy we killed together. So no, we should be fine for now."

Eirwen was sure her own frown was as deep as Fang's. But that question would have to wait. "Do you think the warden will cooperate?"

"Truth be told, I have no idea. I never met the current one. The previous one saw sense, so I fear this one won't. There is a chance he'll be foolish enough to turn hostile, because he thinks our presence endangers his rule."

"I have to agree with Red, miss Snow. The current warden has a reputation and not a good one. There is no telling what he'll do, no matter whether we bargain, bribe, or force him. But that makes it even more important to at least try. If we don't try to reason with him first, your reputation will be a nightmare, no matter whether you reveal your identity."

In other words, her plan to travel under cloak was at risk. If she gave the warden a chance, at least she couldn't blame her own reluctance. Though after all the effort they had put in, all the risk taken, she doubted she'd forgive anyone trying to force her hand.

Oath reported in. "We patched everyone up, no significant injuries remain. The carriages are packed and people managed to rest for a bit. Let's go before more giants try to ambush us."

Red offered her a hand, which she took despite not needing it. She turned to Fang, who clearly still had something on her mind. "Speak."

"Ah, okay. About the fight... That technique you showed, just before you decided to eliminate all witnesses. In guessing it's similar to the one Red used to fake my assistance. What should I know about that technique?"

"Nothing." She looked the guide straight in the eye. "That technique is sealed. I never should have let a situation arise where I needed it. If it wasn't for that technique, I wouldn't have minded being spied on, but this one should never see the light of day. So forget you ever saw it."

Red had called materialisation a weak technique that only appeared dangerous. Eirwen had realised from the start he was wrong. Against the unprepared, it could kill. And the added reach allowed it to be incredibly dangerous. Thanks to her refining the technique, it now truly was something that should be sealed. But at that point, she had been unwilling to risk losing a knight to her own reluctance. Nevermore would she allow someone to die in her presence.

The wagons and carriages were now heavily loaded, slowing them down. As Red had predicted, night was already falling by the time they made it to Bealach na Caisteal. The militia guards at the gate at first meant to block them, at least until they paid their taxes in the morning. But after insistence, the militia members finally escorted them all to the warden's building. From one battlefield to another.