'This is disappointing' i thought while cutting throat of bandit ahead of me, slightly leaned to the side to avoiding swing of sword from another bandit, cut off his arm and followed that with cut to throat with other sword. Then just stood still and waited for two more to get up from my leg sweep earlier. Seriously, what is this ? I knocked them like four seconds ago. And by the looks of it, they will need few more to be battle ready. If i wanted, could finish them off like ten times already.

I quickly glance around while keeping my awareness of bandits ahead. Ace at his side, with swing of spear just knocked one bandit off his feet and with same swing cut throat of another. Lars on his side is slowly approaching bleeding bandit, that has his both legs cut off, while other just stands nearby like idiot.

Leo walks near Gabrielle with disappointment on his face. He just guards Gabrielle now and she is just looking around. After she dealt with initial threat of archers, there was no need for more magic. Peeping prince just stands here with mouth wide open, he had no chance to do anything and there was of course no need for Celina's backup either.

"You bitch !" roared one of bandits that finaly got on their feet.

Almost yawning i parry swings of theirs with my both swords and while guiding their swords a bit to the side i turn them and slice their heads off at the same time. Are all bandits this weak ?

I try to remember day when my village was raided, but all i could see are flashes of people being cut and my mother covering me with her body and blood driping from her mouth. I shake my head from unpleasant memories and look at others once again. Ace now is cleaning his spearhead with riped cloth from some bandit. Needless to say all around him are dead. That gave me idea that i should do that with my swords too. Lars is holding sword pierced trough throat of standing bandit, other without legs seems died off shock or bleeding, because i cant see any new wounds on him.

Just like i said, its disappointing. I guess they attacked only weak prey, without receiving any retaliation.

Though i have to admit, without Gabrielle taking care of arrows, it might have been different. I have confidence that with their number of archers and my speed, i would be fine. But if Lars or Ace missed just one arrow... One wound would lead to another and in no time that might ended really bad. Leo ? Well he is spellblade. Besides lucky shot into eyes, he has nothing to worry about from such threat as arrows.

"Well this was disappointing" said Leo while dispersing water whip and puting back silver handle. Gabrielle at his side is frowning from the sight of all corpses.

I chuckle at words of Leo. They were ringing in my head this whole 'fight', then i turn around and stop aproaching direwolf from eating corpse. You shouldnt allow mounts to eat human flesh. We could use direwolfs in battle as well, but there was no need. And with travels ahead, we cant afford get them injured. All we did, was use them for quick approach before jumping off.

"Hmm guess i will just burn corpses then. Should have launched some spell before you guys engaged. Had no chance for any action." said peeping prince with sad face.

I tore some cloth from nearby bandit and started cleaning my swords. As royal guards our weapons are made of mithril. No need to worry about chips from choping off limbs or heads.

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"Ok start draging them in one place, will burn them and we can move on. From the looks of it, there will be rain soon." said peeping prince with a glance to dark clouds covering horrizon at the distance.

We did as he said. It has nothing to do with respect for dead or something like that. We cant kill bandits to protect their victims to be, just to allow undeads to be born.

"I will be of no help soon." frowned Celina.

"Hmm ? Why ?" i asked. While looking at peeping prince chanting some spell in front of pile of copses.

"Water is my weakness ... well if i have to worry about friendly fire that is. I can normaly fully controll whom i hit with lightning. But if ground is wet, attacks with lightning will harm all around as well." said Celina while gazing at dark clounds in the distance.

"But we even bathed together yesterday and there was nothing wrong." i objected.

"Thats because when im not aggitated or attacking, spirit of lightning is in mana form. It doesnt harm that way." Said Celina while scratching behind my ear emphasizing her point.

"Mrrr" i accidently leaked sound of satisfaction. Cant be helped, ears are my weak spot.

With bodies dealt with, we resumed our journey and just in half hour we could see City of Arcae. There were many farms around it, but most people were inside or heading to their houses. Before we could enter City, we were caught in the rain.

"Halt ! State your name and purpose of visit." said one of guards at the gate with sulky face. Well standing in the rain isnt exatly pleasant.

"Celina Darkmoon, heir of Darkmoon House and those are my guards" said Celina while showing her House insignia and then pointed at us.

"Just passing trough. Plan leaving soon trough portal after checking my property." As agreed before she used only her name. With risk of word spreading, discovery of royalty can be bad.

I was vigilantly observing reactions of guards and was ready to act with any signs of hostility.

"Sorry for my insolence Lady Darkmoon, but its my duty to ask your guards to show their palm of right hand." Asked guard and faced us. We did as he asked and with no scorch mark on our palm guards relaxed. If we had, it would mean that we were criminals exiled from one of Cities and thus trouble.

Besides looking surprised, from Celina's spirit of lightning, i couldnt detect any hostility from guards. But one was a bit suspicious. Unlike others, i could smell excitement from him, when he noticed lightning.

"That would be all. Sorry to say Lady Darkmoon, but square with gates should be closed at the moment. We had heavy usage of portals during day and it affected our mana well. It should be open in the morning." said guard and steped aside to let us pass.

"Psst Leo. Keep an eye on one with red hair." i whispered to Leo before we started to move. Leo with a nod looked at his detect orb.

"Our Darkmoon House have small manor south east from there, we will hide from rain and sleep there." said Celina showing us the way.

"I havent seen it personaly yet. Its a place for meetings or lodging, when our House have dealings in this City." she continued and we passed trough streets, some bystanders were jumping back when noticed us. He he, seeing direwolf  up close when you turn around, 'can' be scary.

Soon we arrived to her manor and after Celina showed insignia to guards outside gate, we entered territory of manor. We left direwolfs at the stables and headed for manor front doors. As for that suspicious guard, he headed away from gates the moment we entered City. Leo lost track of him though, once he entered some nobles manor. This might spell some trouble for us.

"Wha .. ! Who are you ?" asked startled maid of vixus race when we entered inside manor. Young, could see only two tails. And they were pure white just like her hair. Quite unusual for her race.

"We havent meet yet, i am Celina Darkmoon" introduced herself Celina

"And they are my friends." added while gesturing at us.

I quickly glanced around. Clean and nice, not too pompastic though, as it was norm at royal palace we sreved. With discomfort becoming more evident i started dreaming to get rid of those wet clothes as soon as possible.

"Ah .. please excuse me for my rudeness Lady Darkmoon." deeply bowed maid "I am Vivian, and am in charge to take care of this manor."