Chapter Three

Validus rode through the town gates, determination etched onto his face. He found the witch and her servant there no doubt planning some manner of trap or ambush.

“Your evil stops here, and your life with it. Justice will not be delayed any longer.”

The witch recoiled in fear as he spoke, obviously not expecting such quick retribution.

Did she really expect to get away with her misdeeds forever? I’ll put an end to her evil once and for all.

Validus dismounted from his steed. Mounted combat would be difficult with his opponents staying so close to the wall. And a practised spellcaster like a witch could easily spook his horse with a spell. Of course, magic wasn’t limited to those with ill intent, and Validus began casting a spell of his own. As he uttered prayers to Humanus under his breath, his sword was wreathed in pure white flames.

“You’ll need more than petty tricks to stop me now, villain.”

*

Shuka was terrified. She could barely hold up her bow as the paladin approached her, and Xorvos wasn’t much better. He was standing in front of her protectively and with his fists out, but she could see him shaking. Validus didn’t seem to care though and readied his now flaming weapon to strike. And then just like that, quick as lighting the sword came down faster than Shuka could possibly react. She wasn’t the one being attacked though and Xorvos was a much more used to combat than her and caught the sword between his armoured wrists. It didn’t do him much good though as the paladin proved to be stronger by far. The enchanted blade broke through Xorvos’ block and cut through his armour, burying itself deep into his shoulder only stopping at the bone. White flames emerged from the wound leaving pale burn marks on the flesh but stopped no blood from flowing out of it. The Quanso’s face was distorted in pure agony as he stared at his shoulder in horror and shock.

Shit, I have to help him, he’s going to die if I don’t.

Shocked out of her fear, Shuka moved to the left to get a clear shot while knocking an arrow into her bow. By the time she was ready Validus had already removed his sword from her friends’ shoulder and was staring down his next target. Her. She hesitated, afraid of the man before her. But then she saw her friend clutching his shoulder trying to keep the blood in and knew her fate if she did nothing. The arrow was fired but despite the despite situation, it shattered against the paladins shield without even leaving a mark.

How did he block my arrow at this range? I may not be using a war bow, but it should still be strong enough to pierce a wooden shield that far away. It must be enchanted if I didn’t even scratch the paint. I bet his armour is the same, not that I could do much against plate even if it wasn’t. How am I even supposed to fight him?

Validus didn’t wait for her to figure it out. As soon as he knew a second arrow wasn’t coming, he retaliated, swinging his sword in a wide arc through the air in front of him. Shuka only had a moment to wonder why he was swinging at nothing before the white flames on his sword came flying towards her in the same arc he had swung. Shuka jumped out of the way but was just a bit too slow and the edge of the flaming arc scorched her thigh. She was only in contact with the fire for a moment, but it was the most painful moment of her life. She had been burned before, but this was different. Normal fire produced heat, but holy flames produced nothing but pain. Shuka barely even noticed herself hitting the ground as the only thing she could focus on was the searing agony she felt. Much to the young hunter’s relief, the pain faded quickly without continued contact with the holy fire and she could soon think clearly again. Of course, Validus used that opportunity to close the distance between them.

Shit, shit, shit, what do I do? He’s going to kill me. I just have to run, but how am I going to get away from him? Maybe if I went into the town, I could find Ralisdor, and he could save me. First, I have to get there though.

Shuka decided on her plan of action just in time for her to hold up her hands pleadingly.

“Wait, please I don’t want to fight. This is all just some misunderstanding.”

Validus was directly over her by now, sword pointed at her neck. But he did stop, even if just for a moment.

“And why should I trust a word you say, witch.”

Witch? Is that why he is trying so hard to kill me? he thinks I’m a witch?

“You have the wrong person, I’m just an ordinary hunter.”

Shuka hoped for the best, but her words fell on deaf ears.

“I’ve had enough of this. Be silent or taste my blade.”

With no options left Shuka had to just wait for an opportunity to run, and hope Validus didn’t do anything too drastic before then. Luckily for her, that opportunity came in the very next moment. Xorvos was still a bit woozy, but he had enough energy in him to charge the paladin when he saw his friend in danger. It might have been the blood loss, or the pain, or even just the fact that he didn’t expect it, but Xorvos didn’t even notice the paladin turn around until it was too late. Validus had heard his rather loud footsteps long before they reached him and charged his shield with a spell. As he did, he turned and then in the same motion slammed the metal rim of the shield into Xorvos’ chest. The impact activated the spell and created a powerful shockwave that sent Xorvos flying through the air.

Oh god, I hope he’s still conscious after that, I don’t think I will be able to carry him very far.

Shuka was already scrambling to her feet the moment Validus turned his back on her and tried to get as much distance between them as possible. She didn’t get very far before the paladin turned his attention back onto her, but it was enough that she had enough time to cast a spell. The problem was she could only reliably cast one spell, and it wasn’t that great. It was all she had though, so the young mage started weaving magic into the palm of her hand as she ran, slowing down slightly to concentrate. A ball of purple flame coalesced before her eyes and stayed there for a moment before she threw it at the man pursuing her. He reacted instantly, stopping in his tracks and throwing up his shield to block it. He wasn’t done though, and also created a shimmering shield of force emanating from his shield to protect himself.

I can’t believe he fell for it so hard, that was the simplest illusion there is. It doesn’t have any sound, doesn’t produce light or heat, and follows the exact same pattern over and over again. Did he overthink it because I made it purple? I just did that to make it seem a bit more dangerous, I guess it worked better than I expected.

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Whatever the reason for her good fortune, Shuka took to opportunity to dismiss the illusion and sprint directly for Xorvos who was still lying on the ground. By the time she got to him, he was already starting to get up, although his eyes seemed unfocused.

“C’mon Xorvos, we’ve gotta go! He’s going to kill us if we don’t run.”

It wasn’t his friend’s words that Xorvos out of whatever daze he was in, but instead something he saw behind her. The tip of a sword plunging through the air. He quickly grabbed Shuka and rolled to the side with her before they both got impaled by the paladin still chasing them. It only bought them a moments reprieve as the sword rose again for a second strike. But before the attack landed, something in Validus’ eyes changed and he turned to face away from his quarry and swung his sword through the air. It didn’t stop there either; next he was bracing himself to block an attack that didn’t exist and then retaliated against nothing.

What in the world is going on? What is he fighting? Whatever it is I will have to think about it later, for now I have to get out of here.

Shuka dragged Xorvos up to his feet and saw that there were now two horse’s standing by the city gate looking slightly panicked. She didn’t see Ralisdor, but she knew he must have come back with the horses. He was probably also why Validus started acting so weird. The only problem was the other horse standing outside of Rainsburgs gates. It was Validus’. It was also much larger and more impressive than the two rather mundane horses Ralisdor brought.

I need to make sure that paladin can’t follow us, or at least not quickly. I hate doing this, but I don’t have much of a choice.

“Xorvos, do you think you can make it to the horses on your own? I need my hands back for a bit.”

She was still holding onto her friend to help him walk but as he gave her a weak nod she let go. Xorvos staggered a bit at that, but he managed to stay on his feet and continue on his way to the horses. Shuka on the other hand had a different task, although it wasn’t one she enjoyed. Shuka had put her bow away when she was scrambling away from Validus, but now she took it of her back again and drew an arrow. She didn’t aim it at the paladin though, even if he was distracted, she doubted it would do anything, and instead aimed at his horse. It was wearing armour but not everywhere, and even a warhorse couldn’t gallop with an arrow in its knee. The horse wasn’t just going to stand there and get shot though, and soon enough it was rearing back in a attempt to avoid the arrow. Shuka still hit him, but not in the knee like she was planning. Instead, she got a glancing blow on its hind leg.

Shit, that might slow it down a bit, but it can probably still gallop pretty fast. I will just have to hope its enough, I don’t have any more time to spend shooting horses.

The horse had started neighing and Validus, distracted as he was, heard it. Shuka saw him glare at her with murder in his eyes and started running. She wasn’t far from her new mount but Validus was much faster than her even in his armour. She wouldn’t have made it in time if he didn’t have to stop every few seconds to block some invisible attack or kill an unseen foe. She reached her destination around the same time as Xorvos, and they both mounted their horses as quickly as they could. Neither were very experienced riders but they both at least knew the basics.

Is Xorvos going to be okay with his shoulder like that? Wait a second… he looks a lot better now. He’s not nearly as pale and doesn’t even seem to be in pain. What happened? Whatever, I can ask him later right now we just need to get out of here.

Shuka kicked her horse into a gallop, which it was all too happy to obey with all of the chaos around it, and Xorvos was right behind her. And even farther behind her was a paladin chasing after them on foot not nearly fast enough. He wasn’t completely useless though. At some point he had reignited his sword with those pure white flames that were so painful and now he launched them at Xorvos’ horse. Right before they landed a shimmering blue barrier appear in its way causing the fire to splash harmlessly against it.

I recognise that barrier, it’s the one Ralisdor always uses. He must have put it on the horses before we got to them. I don’t see a third horse anywhere though; did he decide to stay and fight Validus? I’m a bit worried but if anyone can escape from a fight with him unharmed it would be Ralisdor. I just hope he has some way to catch up with us afterwards, this definitely doesn’t seem like the trip I want to be taking without him.

A few moments later and Shuka and Xorvos were far beyond Validus’ range. They had escaped. The only question was, for how long?

*

Half an hour later and Shuka was still galloping down the well trodden path. She had long since lost sight of her pursuer but didn’t dare slow down. The path she was on went deep into the forest and had plenty of twists and turns that stopped her from seeing too far behind her.

How far ahead of him are we? I cant hear him at least so he cant be too close to us, but I doubt we can outrun him. Maybe I can try to get a lucky shot and cripple his horse once he gets close enough. I’ve never shot from horseback before though, and dismounting would be too dangerous. And besides, all he needs is a lucky shot from the fire of his and I am done for. I don’t know if Ralisdor’s shield spell is still up even at this distance, and I don’t want to risk it if it isn’t.

Shuka was so deep in thought that she didn’t even notice when Ralisdor appeared next to her riding an ethereal blue and purple horse. In her defence, it made no sound and was almost entirely see through.

“Shuka.”

“Ahh! Shit, Ralisdor, you scared me. where did you even come from?”

Shuka nearly jumped out of her saddle, but she quickly regained her composure. This was not the first time Ralisdor snuck up on her, although it was usually in less tense situations.

“Sorry, I was invisible. I did not want that paladin to think I got to you before he did. Speaking of which, he is fast on our trail, and we need to hide.”

“Hide? The underbrush is too thick, we will leave too big of a trail with these horses. And covering up our tracks will take too long; he’ll catch up before we finish.”

The young hunter had already considered hiding, but she had long since decided it was too dangerous. She might have risked it if she was on her own, but with Xorvos and their two horses the trail they would leave would be far too big for her to hide easily. Ralisdor didn’t seem too concerned though.

“I will hide us and our tracks with an illusion. We just need to get a sufficient enough distance away from the road, which I believe we will have enough time for.”

“I hope you’re right.”

Shuka started slowing her horse down to stop, and Xorvos, who had been listening to her conversation did the same. Once they had come to a complete stop she quickly dismounted and began to lead her horse into the forest. Ralisdor had just slowed his illusionary mount down a bit and then dismissed the spell. He was quick to start casting another though. Shuka didn’t recognise what it was at first, but then she understood when two sets of magical hooves appeared on the road. There was no horse attached to the hooves, but they still moved as if there was when they began to gallop down the road leaving hoofprints in their wake.

“There we go, that should throw him off our trail. Now to deal with our actual tracks.”

Moving to the side of the road where Shuka and Xorvos were still moving through the underbrush, and he used another spell. It was an illusion this time, one that made it look like the horses never stopped and covered up all of their footprints to make the road look as normal as ever. Once Shuka and Xorvos finally made it through the bushes on the side of the road, he also extended the spell to cover that up too.

“Alright, just move a little further into the forest and I will modify my illusion to hide us. Quickly now, we don’t have much time.”

While Shuka was watching Ralisdor work his magic Xorvos had actually passed her. She realised she had been a bit distracted and went right back to leading the horse through the forest. Still, it didn’t take long for them to get far enough for Ralisdor. Once they had all crouched as low to the ground as they could, Ralisdor added a few bushes and old stumps to his illusion over them. The biggest problem was making sure the horses stayed still, but Shuka managed to calm them down so they wouldn’t cause problems.

A few minutes later and she finally heard it. The ominous sounds of hooves coming closer. The illusion she was in wasn’t a one-way illusion so she couldn’t see him approach, but she knew he was coming all the same. Her heart started to pound louder and louder, as if to match the noise of the horse galloping towards her. Eventually the hoof steps became so loud they even drowned out her thunderous heartbeat. They just got louder and louder, but right when her fear peaked… they started getting quieter instead. Fading away until the noise disappeared all together. Fear became relief as she realised what it all meant. He passed her by and didn’t notice she was there. It was done and she had survived. It was the first good thing that had happened all day.