he had not heard any reports from them. He could see the edge of the Forest ahead, where the trees fell back and the highway went back into the open plains.
He only agreed to come on this mission after he was asked personally by the king. He had not been thrilled about playing babysitter to the princess, especially since the king had sent dozens of solders, as well as cavalry and Royal Guards, to protect her.
He slowed down, his two escort riders matching his pace, preparing to turn around when he heard the faint sounds of screams and fighting from behind. He wheeled his horse around and saw the caravan under attack, black arrows coming out of the trees on both sides of the road and half-men appearing, weapons in hand. The soldiers in the caravan were trying to form up when the half-men crashed into them, shattering the attempt at order. The cavalry was racing to their aid when arrows began to target them, horses and men falling. He could just make out the glowing figures of the clerics, near the royal carriage, eyes drawn by the streaks of dark fire that raced towards them.
He was spurring his horse, charging back towards the caravan, riders at his side and sword in hand, when he saw one of the clerics take at least three arrows and fall out of her saddle, dead. The other two clerics were still fighting, their magic flaring out to destroy the nearest half-men. As Armartas raced closer, he saw a bolt of demon fire strike and consume a cleric's horse, the cleric tumbling to the ground. The cleric had barely gotten to his feet when he was run through by a half-man spear.
Several half-men ran out of the woods in front of Armartas, weapons ready. He did not hesitate, but rode them down, his sword sweeping right and left, taking out two of them while his riders fought nearby.
He started for another group close by when he felt a sudden burning, stabbing pain in his leg. He glanced down to see a black shaft of an arrow sticking out of his thigh. He tried to ignore the pain and spurred his horse forward when two more arrows flew out of the woods and stuck his horse. The horse reared, screaming, and fell to its side. With his leg injured, Armartas could not clear away from the saddle and the horse landed on his leg, shattering it and pinning him under its writhing body.
He tried to force himself to ignore the excruciating pain as he reached for his sword, which had landed next to him. As he was stretching out his hand, a shadow fell over him. He whipped his head around to see a half-man next to him, a bloody axe raised over his head.
Then the axe came down.
…
Keria was cowering in the carriage, terrified, when it came to a sudden stop and her door slammed open. She stifled a cry when she saw Costuas, bloody, an arrow in his side, motioning her to exit. She grabbed Nataly's hand and jumped out.
"Flee and hide in the woods, Princess." Costuas said through gritted teeth as he pointed to the dark trees nearby. "The caravan is lost. Make your way north as you can. I will stay and make them think you are still here. Go!"
Keria started forward when she felt Nataly release her hand. She looked back at her and saw her reach over to pick up a fallen sword. "Go, Princess. I will stay with Costuas. Between us, we will give you the time to escape."
Keria turned back, tears streaming down her face, and raced into the woods. She had only ran for a few moments when she heard Costuas cry out behind her, the ringing of metal on metal, then Nataly's wail of agony and the harsh laughter of half-men. She ran on, terror taken over, oblivious to her direction. She ran until she tripped over an exposed root. Hearing the half-men behind her, she saw a large group of bushes ahead and crawled into them, cowering, praying that it would hide her, trying not to even breathe.
Suddenly, she went cold, an even greater terror rising up. The bushes abruptly parted and an Imp's face leaned in. "Greetings, Princess." It said, lips pulling back into a cruel smile, pointed teeth sharp and bright. "Get up and come with me. If you don't try anything foolish, I can guarantee your safety."
Shaking from fear, Keria slowly