"Tacit Bond"
It had been a two-week trek from Grendos but Edron was looking forward to finally diving into the tomes at the Great Archives. And, thanks to Bellis' militaristic time keeping, it looked like they might just make it by dusk. As much as he loved seeing the corners of the world, Edron missed the comforts of city life. And his feet were killing him.
Edron did his best to conceal that from Bellis'. They had been traveling together for nearly 5 years now and he was still amazed at Bellis' drive. Even weighed down by her heavy armor she trudged forward without a hint of discomfort or low spirits. He was grateful to have her at his side.
Edron caught a fleeting smile shoot over Bellis' shoulder.
"Uh-huh?" He had seen that smile before.
"Mm-hmm." Bellis replied. Edron's heart quickened.
Edron tried to enjoy the scenery and keep his mind off of the Archives and what exactly Bellis had planned for the evening. The long road to the Balsic Academy was nothing in not picturesque. The scholar-monks had selected a location well away from the bustle of civilization so that they might make their studies in peace.
Unfortunately the distance from major cities also meant it was far from the patrols of the guards, and while there were few trade caravans on this road, those that had business with the Balsics were more often than not worth a sizable ransom. Brigands were not uncommon.
As the sun was dropping towards the distant mountains Bellis stopped suddenly. Edron followed suit. The travelers stood dead still, listening to the wind drift across the hills. Her hand went to hilt at her waist. Edron looked slowly over the treeline, flexing his fingers beneath his travel robes.
Something twitched between the trees.
"Ummm." Edron whispered.
"Mm-hmm." Bellis murmured, almost growling beneath under her breath. They both quickly unshouldered their travel bags and Bellis fastened her shield to her arm. Turning to face the right side of the road she caught Edron's eye and gestured to the opposite side.
"Uh-huh." Edron gave a quick nod and shifted to the left, sliding closer to Bellis at the same time.
In another instant the forest around them came alive. Brigands sprang up from all around them. Edron counted near a dozen. Some carried blades and others bows and crossbows. Most wore light armors of leather and mail. They circled closer, all keeping a close eye on the heavily-armored warrior at Edron's side, though none had yet dared to attack.
Edron pressed tighter to Bellis. The brigands needed him alive for ransom, so as much as Bellis protected him, his presence protected her. They would come in close and try to separate them, draw the warrior away where the archers could safely open fire.
Unfortunately for the Brigands, Bellis was far more than just a bodyguard. And Endron was no mere scholar.
He gave two quick raps on the back of his partners cuirass. "Mm-hmm." came her reply as she tightened her grip on her sword. Edron began a slow gesture in the air before him. A few of the thieves traded glances but seemed perplexed on how to proceed.
The mage finished the incantation with clap of his hands. The road several yards of the forest that surrounded it were suddenly lit up as though lightning had struck in their midst. The brigands reeled. Arrows were loosed helter-skelter, missing the travelers by a wide margin. Before all the arrows had even landed Bellis charged, knocking the closest bandit with a sword to their back and cutting down two more before the rest could even react.
Bows were already being re-nocked as Edron began his next spell. Continuing heedlessly with their original plan, the archers zeroed in on the rampaging suit of armor. As the arrows flew the still air rose to hurricane force, launching the missiles once more off-target and sending the brigands to their knees.
Bellis drifted back to Edron's side as the bandit swords blinked away the last of the daze. Only five remained, though one had rolled to the treeline, wheezing for air. The others tried to circle her, aiming for the unarmored mage, but she was a wall in their path. One danced too close to her shield and his jaw cracked as it collided with the steel ward. The rest gave her a wider berth.
Their enemies regrouping, if their number a bit dwindled, Bellis and Edron stood back to back once more.
"Umm." This group was a bit more tenacious than most. Usually all it took was a good show of magic and they hustled back into the trees. This time Bellis gave four raps on her chest. Edron grinned. "Uh-huh."
The mage rushed through the motions as he watched the archers hurry to stop him. He finished the gestures and slapped a hand to the warrior's shoulder. The brigands circling her stumbled backwards as their adversary rose to a towering height. As her head rose up toward the canopy, her sword stretched to nearly three yards, her shield becoming a literal wall of steel. She immediately dropped it between the Edron and the bow-wielding bandits, driving the massive kite shield several inches into the ground.
Those bandits that could still run bolted into the forest, the rest hobbling after. Bellis gave a bellowing roar and stomped a few feet into the trees for good measure, but the growth spell wore off only a few seconds later.
Edron smiled at his dear warrior as she returned from the shadows. "Mm-hmm."
A flicker of a smile cracked across Bellis' stoic face. "Uh-huh."
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