The caravan's wheels rolled to a halt on the dirt-paved road as the Vadalian guards in front signaled everyone to halt. They had formed a small half-circle after pulling into a small clearing with a faint bit of sunlight that leaked out from the thick trees above. Lan watched as guards tended to the horses bringing them down to a nearby stream where running water could be heard in the distance to drink and rest. Servants and maids unloaded camp supplies and set fires to cook an evening meal. For the most part, the Vadalians and the Red Barons didn’t mingle. Each kept to their camps and avoided talking.

Lan stretched his arms and hopped down from the wagon he was currently riding on. He was able to take a small cat nap in between shifts, so he felt better than at the original start of the journey when he was only running on a couple of hours of sleep. Between the Vadalians and the Red Barons, he was one of the only other people to sign up as an escort and felt out of place. Ignoring the feeling he took the moment to stretch his legs and thought a short walk by the stream might brighten his mood.

Lan waved at Yvet to get her attention. “Hey Yvet, I’m going to look around for a bit before my watch. Let Bruno know when he wakes up.”

“Actually, I’ll come with you, I was just going to scout the area shortly anyways,” Yvet said.

Lan didn’t think his statement was an open-ended invitation, but he didn’t want to be rude or cause any problems. “Sounds good,“ Lan said. He stood there waiting for her to finish setting her things down by the camp and lacing up her boots.

Lan casually followed behind Yvet as she nimbly stepped through the forest, her brown ponytail swishing back and forth as she scouted the surrounding area intensely. Her ears perked and her head twitched at every cracked twig made by the surrounding guards similar to that of a squirrel. Lan’s eyes drifted to the stream where small colorful fish of blue and gold attempted to swim upstream only to be held in place by the current. He always admired how they never gave up and constantly swam against the current seeking another place to find as their home other than the lake at the end of the stream.

“I can’t wait till Bryant and I can start a new life in Vadalia.”

Lan was too distracted by the fish and didn’t hear her. “What?”

“Shhh.” Yvet held a finger up to her mouth signaling him to be quiet.

“I didn’t hear what you said,” Lan said.

“I didn’t say anything, now pipe down I’m trying to listen.” Yvet scolded him and continued to creep through the forest like an animal hunting prey.

Lan paused for a moment confused as he was sure he had heard her say something just now. He shrugged it off assuming his mind was playing tricks on him. It happened quite often that his mind would drift off in thought and he assumed he missed part of a conversation.

Shouting started in the distance and both Yvet and Lan’s heads snapped in that direction. That was something he had not imagined.

“Hurry,” Yvet said as she darted in the direction of the camp.

Lan followed as quickly as he could, though he had trouble keeping up with Yvet’s deft legs. They scrambled pushing past brush and twigs that whipped against their bodies as they sped through the forest moving toward the sound of clashing steel and thumping hooves. They had to weave around horses who were attempting to escape the chaos ahead. A stray arrow flew past Lan grazing the shoulder of his gambeson coat and embedding itself into a tree behind him only to fade into blue mist leaving a small hole in its place. Luckily the gambeson was enough to keep the arrow from slicing into his skin. He decided it was time for more protection.

Lan placed the palm of his hand against a tattoo that resembled a full suit of armor on the underside of his forearm. His body was surrounded by blue light that transformed into various pieces of armor. A slate blue chainmail covered his chest while silver pauldrons, braces, and greaves appeared to protect his arms and legs. Then a narrow slate blue kite shield with a black raven painted on it was mounted sideways on his right arm. He pressed his thumb and index finger together which had a tattoo of a sword on it, and a short sword made of the same blue metal as the kite shield appeared in his hand. The steel of the blade itself was engraved with the word Patron on it. Taking Lan’s lead Yvet did the same as her armor materialized around her.

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They burst through the tree line into the campgrounds, but before they could inspect the surrounding chaos Yvet screamed as they watched Bryant’s throat being slit by the dagger of a man in thin light armor painted a dark crimson. Bryant’s body slumped to the floor his hands desperately grasping at the bleeding line on his neck, eyes wide in panic.

“I’ll kill you!” Yvet screamed.

“No!” Lan tried to reach out to stop her but he was too late.

Yvet charged the man in crimson screaming in a blind rage, thrusting her daggers toward him.

His eyes rose to meet her gaze calmy and smacked her blades aside with his own sending her off balance. A swift kick to the back of her head sent her tumbling to the ground unconscious. He turned to face Lan. “Interesting, I knew The Gray Patrons did questionable jobs, but I never expected them to turn to treason. That is a new low for you,” he said.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about Rennier, We’ve never committed treason. We help those in need instead of following the orders of the Royalty blindly.” Lan said. “And why is Scarlet’s Mist here?

“Why you’re committing treason as we speak,” Rennier said.

“What?” Lan took the moment to examine the chaos unfolding around him and realized that the attacking enemy was, in fact, Drana’s military forces. Most of the Red Barons had fled into the forest while the Vadalian guard struggled with the overwhelming forces that assaulted them.

“We’re here on official business from the Royal Guard to obtain classified documents that were stolen,” Rennier said.

“And you think the Vadalians stole these documents?” Lan said.

“Precisely,” Rennier said.

“The Red Barons didn’t know what they were escorting. This was just a whole misunderstanding, you can’t just slaughter them Rennier.” Lan said, his hand turning white from gripping his sword tightly in anger.

Rennier shrugged. “Casualties of war. They’re all going to hang for treason anyway. Better to die by the blade in battle than on a rope.”

“You didn’t even give them a chance,” Lan said.

A faint smile formed on the edge of Rennier’s lips, and his eyes peeked through the slits of his dark hair displaying a look of murderous intent. “And neither will you.” Rennier surged forward with bloodied daggers aimed at Lan.

Lan narrowly side-stepped the daggers that bounced off his shield and kicked Rennier shoving him back to gain breathing room. Lan swung his sword using the length advantage to keep Rennier at a distance, but Rennier was quick to parry. They swiftly traded blows forcing Lan back toward the center of the encampment. He struggled to keep his footing as he stepped over Bryant’s body. The minor distraction was enough for Rennier to break his guard. A quick swipe of a dagger disarmed Lan of his sword. Lan dismissed the sword, and it vanished in a blue mist. He caught the next dagger thrust at him with his left hand and blocked another strike with his shield. Lan yanked Rennier towards him and bashed him in the head with his forehead busting Rennier’s nose and temporarily dazing him. He dismissed his shield and grappled Rennier flipping him over his shoulder and slamming him to the ground. He quickly summoned his own dagger at Rennier’s throat before he could regain control.

“If you slit his throat she dies.” A commanding voice from behind him said.

Lan held his sword still and turned to see a man in red and white armor holding a blade to Yvet. He surveyed the area to find the fighting had finished, and almost all the Vadalian guards had either been killed or captured. He spotted Bruno bloodied and bruised but alive and in chains near a wagon they had been gathering prisoners at. He gritted his teeth in frustration, but if he could save her, he would have to try.

Rennier sighed. “I was doing fine on my own Cyrus. Why’d you have to ruin the fun.” He was still lying on the ground.

“You go too far Rennier. One of these days your fun will catch up to you.” Cyrus said, keeping his sword pointing at Yvet.

Lan released his sword and stepped away from Rennier. “Now, let her go.”

Cyrus sighed and signaled for guards to take Yvet. “Rennier, put him with the other prisoners and go and clean yourself up.”

Lan was relieved that Cyrus kept his word and didn’t kill Yvet. He did not think Rennier would have done so in the same position. He was also surprised by the lack of casualties of the Vadalian guards since Scarlet’s Mist had arrived. They were not known for leaving many survivors, though only two members had come. The rest of the guards were soldiers from the Drana’s military.

They sat him down next to Yvet, who still looked unconscious, and Bruno in a prisoner's wagon. The prisoners were locked up in pairs, but with an odd number, they chained him to the wagon instead.

“I saw what you did back there. Thank you for saving Yvet.” Bruno said.

“I doubt she’ll feel the same appreciation when she awakes.” Lan sighed. “So what happens now?”

“Well now, I imagine we hang for treason,” Bruno said.